As the sunset deepened to more vivid orange, a speedster dashed through the streets toward the junkyard, his frequent training grounds. Izuku's legs burned with exertion; the run was manageable for the first few minutes, but after fifteen minutes alternating between his alien transformation and his normal form, he switched to the alien form the moment his Omnitrix recharged. Izuku heard the trio of beeps that signaled his sudden return to his normal form. To gain acceptance into U.A., Izuku knew he had to continue his rigorous training under All Might for many months. Exhausted, Izuku collapsed onto the grass that bled into the junkyard and tilted his head back to find All Might towering over him in his skeletal form. All Might stood over the exhausted boy and stood upwards to notify the boy.
"You're going to need to turn into something else now. I see that you mastered this speedy transformation you call XLR8." All Might equaled.
"Uh... Okay. Just give me a second to catch my breath." Izuku replied.
"Oh, jeez... I guess I can give this lanky guy a try," Izuku said.
Izuku's eyes locked onto the dial of the omnitrix, which shifted into the green color. He placed his two fingers on the side to cycle through the playlist of aliens until he selected the lank alien he mentioned. Izuku stood tall and pressed his hand against the surface of the device, which engulfed him in a bright green shade of light.
"Well, that's a new one..." All Might said.
"I'm feeling a sensation of weightlessness, yet there's a metallic aspect to it," Izuku said.
"Let's see here... You appear to have lines that resemble circuitry. At least it looks like that to me." All Might replied.
"You're right... I have elasticity too, it seems." Izuku said with a static effect to his voice.
"Place your arms on that truck. Let's see what this guy does." All Might responded.
Izuku's slender, black-and-white figure wandered over to the truck, which appeared to be quite ordinary. Izuku experienced a slight pain in his brain, as if the information was being downloaded directly into his brain. Reaching out to the truck, he observed his skin beginning to fuse with it. Within moments, his entire body had merged with the vehicle, transforming it to mirror his form, now adorned with a pattern of white, black, and green circuits.
"Whoa! This feels weird!" Izuku's voice shouted from the top of the vehicle. All Might's blue eyes sparkled as he observed Izuku's powers, which appeared to transform the vehicle as though it had received various upgrades and enhancements.
"You enhanced the vehicle! Can you provide more enhancements?!" All Might questioned.
"Let me try. This still feels pretty weird," Izuku's voice complained.
An external source fed Izuku's mind with additional information, which he then utilized to upgrade the vehicle. After a brief pause for thought, the vehicle grew in size, its tires bulking up and seeming to grip the road more securely. The vehicle appeared significantly improved from just moments before. When Izuku attempted to move, he experienced a slight internal flinch as the vehicle responded, moving in the intended direction. It was as though he was directing the vehicle through his thoughts and subtle bone movements.
"I can move the vehicle as well!" Izuku exclaimed.
"That's impressive. I see this guy seems to be very versatile. That's useful in combat and defensive situations." All Might replied.
"I'm going to um... Try to revert to normal now." Izuku said.
Izuku's body went into a melting-like stature, slowly oozing off the vehicle as his green circuity seemed to become muddled and lighted up around his body. Izuku shifted himself into a blob before slowly changing himself to normal and rubbing the back of his head.
"That was cool... But it felt so weird." Izuku commented.
"I see. You'll get used to it. After some more training, you'll become used to it in no time."
"Right! I just need to focus..." Izuku said.
Izuku gazed into the ocean bordering the junkyard when suddenly, a warm sensation crept across his face. His one eye glowed more intensely than usual and appeared to quiver slightly. He stepped back as a quick burst of green electricity shot out from his solitary eye.
"Whoa! I didn't mean to do that!" Izuku shouted.
"You should be careful where you aim that projectile. I know you didn't do it on purpose, but if you aimed in the wrong direction, you could have hurt someone."
"Noted..." Izuku said while giving a thumbs-up motion.
"So did you come up with a name for this guy?" All Might regrettably asked.
"Upgrade! Because you know, he can enhance things!" Izuku shouted.
"Uh-huh," All Might said with a groan.
"Let's get back to more training. You have three months until the entrance exam. We've seemed to train about five of these guys, you have." All Might counted.
"The dial... I cycle through it and it seems to have five more. I hope I can learn them in time." Izuku said.
"You will. I'll make sure of it. Remember... we've been training with two of these transformations for months." All Might replied.
"You're right. I need to keep being strong!" Izuku said.
"You've been doing good these last few months. I know you can keep up the good work like you've been doing." All Might said.
Izuku's green glowing eye grew wide as his neck stretched a little as well. Izuku's hands fidgeted a little, he felt so proud and so blessed by All Might. He was just getting excited thinking about the progress he made and the endless potential of being a hero. The factor of being incredibly strong and brave as a hero.
"I feel so blessed, All Might!" Izuku blurted.
"That's good. Now let's get back to training with one of the other guys in that watch of yours." All Might commented.
"Right! Any minute now..." Izuku said.
Bakugo Residence
"God, who the hell is this blue lizard-looking idiot going around?!" Bakugo screeched.
"Bakugo, are you tuned into the news about that stupid lizard thing you keep yelling about?"
"Yes, I am! Mind your own business, hag!" Bakugo replied.
Bakugo frowned as he remembered the lizard that people had last seen near a local arcade the previous month, but no one had seen it on camera since. The symbol piqued his curiosity on the creature's chest, reminiscent of a fiery creature also reported in the news. The symbol and the consistent presence of his childhood acquaintance, Izuku Midoriya, at the scene of the disappearances, were particularly intriguing. Bakugo also remembered a fleeting glimpse of a similar fiery creature and a blue lizard creature drawn in Midoriya's notebook before he grabbed and incinerated it.
"I swear to god, Midoryia you have something to do with these monsters!" Bakugo yelled.
"I'm going to pay you a visit tomorrow!" Bakugo swore.
Bakugo noticed it was getting close to nighttime, the sun was setting to the point where it was almost not visible and the clock was rolling closer to 8:30 pm. Tommrow Bakugo arrived at his friend's house and interrogated him about his newfound monsters.
Tomorrow morning - Midoryia's Residence
Izuku completed his breakfast, wiping the remnants of sleep from his eyes. His mother observed that he had grown stronger and seemed more content in recent months. She was aware of his eagerness to reach U.A. and his intense training regimen. Yet, she remained oblivious to the extent of his transformations, except for the fiery alien he had recently dubbed Heatblast. Heatblast, Four Arms, XLR8, Upgrade, and finally, an aquatic one named Ripjaws. Ripjaws was the scariest alien he'd turn into yet physically and the most frightening one mentally since he almost suffocated before realizing he needed to be in the water. Izuku endured a brief three-second bout of dehydration before All Might swiftly immersed him in water. Izuku compared this memory with the exhilarating experience of swimming at remarkable speeds and the sheer power of tearing through steel with his razor-sharp teeth.
Although it was a little horrifying being deeply underwater, seeing a couple of shrouds of darkness. Izuku turned his attention towards a knock on the door. Izuku's mother, who usually answers it, was occupied with polishing the remaining plates left on the counter. With a positive mood, Izuku walked towards the door, but that mood was about to change when he opened it and saw his childhood friend.
"Bakugo?! What brings you here?!" Izuku panicked.
"Stop freaking out, nerd! I have a few questions and want some answers!" Bakugo shouted into Izuku's face.
Izuku swallowed nervously, nodding and holding the door open wider as he stepped closer to Bakugo to continue their conversation.
"Mom, I'm going to chat with Bakugo for a bit!" Izuku called out.
"Alright! Have fun!" His mother replied.
Izuku began to close the door before leaving it open a few inches. He stared into Bakugo's eyes with a bit of flinching and freaking out again. Sweat was dripping from his forehead again. Izuku had a feeling that someone would talk to him about his Omnitrix. He wanted to keep it a surprise for the U.A. entrance exam.
"I'M SURE YOU HEARD OF THESE VIGILANTES AROUND, RIGHT?! The ones with the hourglass symbol!" Bakugo yelled.
Yep, Izuku's brain was right. He was asking about his quirks and the Omnitrix. Izuku was tempted to lie, but he was a horrible liar and spilled everything out to Bakugo's intense wrath. Izuku's iconic anxious panicking started to arrive.
"Yes, I know of them! I'm connected to them!" Izuku cried.
"Connected?! What are you talking about, you damn nerd?! YOU DON'T HAVE A QUIRK!" Bakugo hollered.
Bakugo wasn't wrong, Izuku didn't have a quirk and was using the omnitrix as his newfound quirk. At least Bakugo didn't know that All Might was training Izuku to his fullest.
"You're wrong! I have one and it's those monsters!" Izuku wailed.
"They're not monsters! They're me and I'm just learning to use them!" Izuku cried.
"WHAT?! YOU'RE THESE MONSTERS AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?!" Bakugo shouted.
"I wanted to keep it a secret, until I learn how to use them, fully. I've mastered five of them..."
Bakugo's eyes widened with a hint of anger, as he suspected that Izuku might surpass him in strength. The very kid he used to bully and with whom he shared few happy memories was becoming stronger, even though Bakugo had possessed his quirk for much longer than Izuku had.
"Yeah? Well, I'll still be stronger than you! I'm better than you, nerd!" Bakugo shouted.
"Kacchan..." Izuku whimpered.
Bakugo started to walk away from Izuku's path, and the surrounding noise intensified with each step he took. Izuku remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the retreating figure. After a few moments, he shook off his daze, reached out, and turned the doorknob to re-enter his home.
"Jeez... That probably could have gone better!" Izuku thought to himself.
"Maybe I should have thought this through a little more!" Izuku ranted.
"What's the matter, Midoryia? You seem on edge." Inko pondered.
"Oh... It's nothing. I was just surprised to see Kacchan." Izuku quivered.
"Oh, okay... If anything is bothering you, just let me know..." Inko advised.
"Thanks, mom. I promise nothing is wrong." Izuku replied.
Izuku's mood lifted noticeably after Kacchan left, a change that Inko observed with a smile. Remembering his schedule, Izuku realized he needed to be at Aldera Junior High shortly. Fortunately, he had just two minutes before the bus arrived. Once the day ended, he anticipated an intense training session with All Might, focusing on his latest transformations: Upgrade and another, an orange furry one, still unnamed. Izuku navigated around the table and chairs, clutching his backpack. He considered 'Upgrade' among the most fascinating yet strangest quirks he had ever encountered.
Little did Izuku know that Bakugo had to push himself to become stronger over the wimpy Midoryia.
The bus pulled up, its usual rowdiness filling the air. Izuku found his seat and settled in, anticipation hanging over him as he awaited the unfolding events.
Mausutafu Junkyard
It was an exhausting day after middle school and Izuku stretched his legs before staring at his omnitrix. The most recent alien next on the playlist was the orange furry dog-like alien.
"I need to be strong! I need to be as strong as the strongest hero before me!" Izuku chattered.
As if by destiny's call, All Might emerged, his smile radiant, adopting a pose befitting a hero. Yet, in a mere moment, his robust figure dwindled to a gaunt frame. With the day waning, Izuku mustered his strength. He approached the Omnitrix, fingers poised on the dial, rotating through the options until the outline of the desired beastly alien came into view. Izuku sensed his entire form growing stronger; his skin was overtaken by a wave of orange fur, his jaw expanded, and his teeth sharpened rapidly. Following a formidable roar, fiercer than that of a lion, the green light vanished, unveiling the monstrous orange alien.
"Whoa..." All Might and Izuku thought in unison.
As Izuku's new savage form brought a smile to faces, the sunset dipped slowly, casting a yellowish glow over the orange fur that enveloped him. Izuku's sense of smell appeared to be significantly enhanced, compensating for his blurry vision by providing a scent trail to the source of the chittering amidst the trash heap. It was as though his athletic abilities were innate. Izuku's sonar-like vision identified a lifeform darting among the heaps of filth. It was so small that All Might failed to see it, but he followed Izuku's lead. Izuku harnessed his enhanced strength to vault over the massive trash mound that the little creature had burrowed through. As Izuku pursued the small being, scraps of debris whirled past All Might. All Might stood over Izuku with a raised eyebrow.
"You caught this small rat... Impressive. A quirk with enhanced senses can be quite useful for detective missions." All Might said.
"For a name... How about we call this one Mauler?" All Might offered.
All Might admittedly showed little interest in naming Izuku's various transformations, often leaving the task to Izuku himself. It became apparent that Izuku was not fond of the name when his reaction was an audible growl of disgust. All Might scratched the back of his head before assigning Izuku a new challenge. Izuku suspected it would involve physical strength, as a makeshift obstacle course had been set up with several tires.
"Proceed and use your enhanced senses if anything is approaching..." All Might requested.
Mausutafu Junkyard - 2 Months until the U.A. Entrance Exam
"Heh, I forgot how cool this guy is," said Izuku, as he fired his deadly sharp crystals at the trash bags underneath a broken car. One shard of crystal flew through the windshield and directly landed in the car's back seat. Izuku honed his aim with a makeshift paper target positioned on the car seat, achieving a direct hit between the shard and the target.
Izuku's new form gave the impression of being constructed entirely from a diamond, while his uniform showcased a blend of black and greenish hues. Every movement Izuku made in his new crystalline form produced a rocky sound. Izuku took a moment to catch his breath and focus on his new form. He prepared for what abilities the form could muster, and little did he know that he'd suddenly change his hand into a crystal dagger. It was sharper than a knife and gave a small chill to Izuku's spine.
"Okay! I should be careful with this guy," Izuku told himself.
"Careful, you don't stab yourself in the eye, kid." All Might coughed up.
Izuku nodded as his hand returned to its normal state, with tiny crystal fragments cascading to the floor. He rubbed his robust arm, pondering the outcome of trusting his instincts and extending his arm. Unbeknownst to him, the crystal he had inadvertently created ascended further as he lifted his arm.
"WHOA! All Might, I think this guy might be my new favorite." Izuku said.
"I can see the appeal... But it would help if you were more careful. You might accidentally hurt someone when holding out your arm." All Might said.
All Might, with his skeletal frame, crossed his arms and waited for Izuku to face him. Fortunately for All Might, Izuku's arms were at his sides.
"You're right. I need more practice. I don't want to hurt anyone if I'm going to be a pro hero." Izuku whimpered.
"If you can create a large crystal from just your hand and raise it... Can you make items as well? Give it a try." All Might urge.
"Okay! I'm sure I can... At least I think so," Izuku added.
"Agh, this is taking a lot more energy than I thought it would," Izuku commented.
In mere seconds of extending his hands, Izuku shaped a crystal that morphed continuously. With swift alterations, and within a minute of concentration, he had forged a crystalline shield. Izuku's orange eyes widened in surprise, and he raised his eyebrows slightly, astonished that he had managed to build something properly in such a short amount of time.
"Nice job... I think in no time, you'll master this guy as the rest of your quirks." All Might praised.
All Might watched as the Omnitrix emitted its characteristic three beeps, signaling Izuku's return to his normal human form. With a smile of satisfaction, Izuku reflected on the progress he'd made, training diligently to master his nine diverse quirks. Despite his hard work, one quirk remained elusive, and he had one month left to master it before the U.A. entrance exam.
"I've made it so far, All Might!" Izuku said in an outburst.
"You've earned a rest, kid. You've made a lot of progress... More than I'd thought you would." All Might added.
"Whoa?! Thank you, All Might! I never felt so blessed and strong before!" Izuku shouted.
All Might's eyes locked onto Izuku, sitting on top of a crystal chair he'd made before changing back into his usual from just seconds before the device timed out.
"I only have ten minutes each time I use the omnitrix, but I'll make the best use of the time!" Izuku hollered.
"That's right, my young friend! If you make the most of every minute, you'll have the power to overcome any adversary!" All Might spouted.
Izuku's eyes sparkled, and his expression transformed from calm to a confident smile that radiated assurance.
"Puff out your chest, stand tall, and be proud! You've got a month and you'll be ready, kid." All Might added.
"I can't believe I've made so much progress! Thank you for helping me train, All Might! I know I'll be ready!" Izuku wailed.
All Might changed the question a bit and knew Izuku liked naming these various transformations with different quirks and asked Izuku what the crystal alien was named.
"Uh... Crystal Crusher! Wait, no, I'll name him Diamondhead!" Izuku exclaimed.
Izuku noticed All Might responded with a slight chuckle, then an itch of his chin.
"I kind of like Crystal Crusher, but it's your quirk, so it's your choice! Diamondhead it is!" All Might yelled.
"Wow, that crystal guy managed to make me feel a slight strain. To think most of the other transformations, Izuku had didn't leave a strain as much as a hit from Diamondhead did."
With immense strength, determination, and encouragement from All Might, Izuku discovered that Diamondhead's power was almost on par with All Might's. Four Arms appeared to be slightly stronger than Diamondhead, yet All Might acknowledged with a thumbs up that Diamondhead had caused him slight strain.
As the month draws to a close, Izuku, having recently learned to create crystalline structures, needs to master just one final ghostly alien to have conquered every single quirk in the playlist. His achievement is nothing short of remarkable, yet a chill runs through him as he contemplates the silhouette of the ghostly alien. Though he can't discern all its features, the outline resembling a bedsheet with a trailing tail suggests a poltergeist-like quirk.
"We only got two days until next month. So the first thing in the morning, when those two days pass, we'll spend the next month training with your last quirk in that roster of quirks of yours!" All Might exclaimed.
"Awesome!" Izuku said.
All Might for a moment turned into his true form and gave his signature smile along with a thumbs up.
1 Month until U.A. Exam.
"Ready to start training, kid?" All Might asked.
Izuku adopted a rigid posture as he cycled through the playlist of the nine quirks he had trained with. It was time for the final one, which carried a more eerie vibe than the others. The reason was unconfirmed and unknown, but merely gazing at the spectral figure was enough to send a shiver down Izuku's spine. Despite this, Izuku pressed down on the watch's surface, his smile shifting to confusion before transforming into a nervous chuckle. Izuku felt his bones disappearing and his body became lighter by the second.
At the moment they blinked together, All Might, and Izuku's voices trembled. Izuku was aware of the strange organic fabric enveloping his skin, and the sensation of a solitary pink eye. The coldest part of his body was his fingers; he had assumed it would be his lower half, considering his legs had been supplanted by a ghostly, wispy tail. However, it was his fingers that felt icy and piercing. Depending on the direction Izuku turned his head, his eye appeared to shift between shades of light green and pink, eventually settling back into pink.
"Well, you certainly seem approachable." All Might quipped.
"I feel uneasy just using this quirk." Izuku's raspy voice whispered.
"You probably shouldn't use this one unless the situation calls for it." All Might said with a cough.
"I kind of agree. Maybe we should practice on my physical strength instead of this one." Izuku said while crossing his arms.
"Where'd you go?" All Might questioned.
Izuku began to panic, then realized he was still present, just not visible. He discovered he had acquired a new quirk that rendered him invisible. Izuku, through sheer panic, managed to turn himself visible again and his eye slithered down a black path resting on his arm.
"Well, that's one quirk we discovered you possess." All Might said.
That single word echoed in Izuku's mind, resonating like a struck chord. He couldn't dispel the sensation; it was as though an unseen force was compelling him to test that ability on All Might. Yet, Izuku continued to dismiss the intrusive thoughts and emotions that sought to sway him. Izuku stopped staring into space after hearing a snapping noise in front of him.
"You okay, kid? You've been sitting there motionless for about three minutes. It's a bit creepy." All Might complained.
"Yeah, I am. I just was thinking about this quirk..." Izuku bellowed.
Unintentionally, Izuku placed his hand on a nearby wrecked car and found that he could phase through it, yet he was still clutching a small ball from within the car. He had become corporeal, or at least semi-corporeal, enough to interact with the world. It was an eerie sensation. Without further ado, Izuku continued to test his abilities, curious about the other powers he might possess with his newly discovered ghostly quirk. Izuku noticed once more that a soda can began to rise from the ground as if he had uncovered the ability to wield telekinesis. The recent ghostly alien he shifted into seemed rather powerful, yet spooky. Izuku resolved to use this only if the situation demanded it.
"Very impressive! Despite the creepiness, you've managed to do so much already with this quirk!" All Might exclaimed.
"I think I'll call this one 'Ghostfreak'," Izuku commented.
Ghostfreak's eye locked onto the symbol that started flashing rapidly with its iconic three beeps that symbolized the timer was up. Izuku shivered a little as he turned back to normal. Izuku turned to All Might, who changed back into his normal skeletal form.
"That was creepy. It felt creepy as much as you felt creeped out by it." Izuku said.
"I can understand why it made you feel uncomfortable. Maybe we should skip this one for now and focus a little more on your physical body instead of those quirks within the omnitrix." All Might said.
"Alright, I don't want to turn into Ghostfreak for a while now," Izuku added.
"After these months of training, when my omnitrix would time out. I'd train with my physical body until it recharged. It never hurts to have a little more practice without the omnitrix." Izuku commented.
"Alright's test your strength some more!" All Might exclaimed.
Izuku took a deep breath before giving a nod.
Himiko Apartment - Years Ago
The young girl, with her dirty blonde hair and yellow eyes, felt an allure for blood. She soon realized this was the first significant indication of her newly manifesting quirk. Unfortunately, that quirk was her first mistake. She immediately grasped the bloody mess that was the bird in her hands. She felt a satisfied craving, yet she also felt a twinge of guilt for harming the harmless creature. She dashed toward her parents, beaming, yet concealed the tears that would normally stream down her face; instead, they streamed within. Her mother was the first to notice the little girl. She locked her eyes on the small bloody animal in her hands and let out the scariest scream that she'd ever done. The girl herself felt a little chill going down her spine. The little girl, though slightly confused, maintained her smile; it remained steadfast regardless of her actions.
The husband of the girl's mother stumbled into the room and froze in his tracks, seeing the image of the bloody mess that was inside his daughter's hands. They had never anticipated their child committing such a cruel act, especially since she had been a cheerful toddler. Her parents gave a horrified facial expression and were rather confused.
"Honey... I love you, but that's not right." Her mother said.
"You can't do that and will not do that ever again! I'll ground you for an entire five months!" He exclaimed.
Her mother was going to shout at Toga as well, but she refused and was simply at a loss for words. She needed a minute to gather her thoughts. Her father raised his hand, but instead of striking her, he rubbed his temple and walked towards the kitchen. Soft sobs escaped Toga as she began to cry. Her mother crouched down to Toga's height and silently reached out to her daughter, sighed, and then comforted her child as best as she could.
"Sweetie, I understand that you are feeling upset and confused right now. But it's not okay to hurt living creatures like that. It's important to always treat living things, whether humans or animals, with kindness and respect." Her mother cooed.
From that day on, Toga found solace and continued to receive diverse expressions of love from her mother, which lessened her bloodlust but did not stop it. She coped with it effectively, yet the desire still caused a slight ache in her stomach. After confiding in her mother, they understood that a visit to the local blood bank to obtain a bag of blood was necessary to alleviate Toga's discomfort. It was a little awkward, but it was better than suffering in pain.
Sometime Later
"Your daughter has a quirk. It's blood-based, but she'll need to consume a person's blood to transform into them. I suggest you see a blood-based hero for better control of her urges. However, I have a colleague who is a professional hero with experience in blood-based quirks. I can contact him to offer some assistance to Toga." the doctor explained.
Toga and her mother were taken aback when they discovered Toga's quirk, which allowed her to transform into different people. Toga experienced a mix of elation and the temptation for mischief. However, her excitement was dampened upon learning that her transformation required ingesting blood. The conundrum lay in how she could reveal this to her friends or utilize her power without causing alarm. Her mother thought that her husband would react violently and grow even more furious if he learned the specifics of their daughter's quirk.
"You do? That'd be helpful. Could you contact him, please?" Himiko asked.
The doctor extended his hand toward the phone beside his desk. Toga's gaze remained intently fixed upon him, her legs swinging back and forth on the chair she occupied, while her mother drew her in closer, even as Toga twirled a strand of her hair.
"He'll be on his way soon, ma'am. He's Vlad King, a pro hero," the doctor added.
"We got blessed with a child that isn't human and a monster. No matter how much love you give them, she'll always be a weirdo. I imagine her quirk probably isn't any better." She recalled the last thing she heard from her husband.
"Our daughter deserves as much love and care as any other child, no matter her circumstances. We should be there for her and support her. She hasn't harmed anyone for so long now." Her mother argued.
An Hour Later
"I'm guessing you're Himiko?" Vlad King asked.
"Yes, it's great to see you. My daughter here has a blood-based quirk." Himiko explained.
"I've been told. Have you heard about blood-related quirks before?"
"No... are they uncommon? I've heard from my Daddy is those with blood quirks are cursed and are monsters."
"Yes, they are rare. Your father is mistaken. A quirk is defined by how you use it."
Himiko lifted her gaze from the shadowy depths, seeking out Vlad's eyes. She couldn't pinpoint the reason, but his words had resonated with her deeply. The mother was delighted to see her daughter smiling and engaged during their time at the clinic, a pleasant change from the usual boredom.
"I will help you, child. It may be challenging, but I perceive a great strength within you." Vlad King said.
"I appreciate your help, Vlad. I did my best for her. I just don't have experience with blood quirks." Himiko stated.
Vlad King turned towards Himiko and gazed into her eyes.
"I understand. Blood quirks are relatively rare, and not many people have experience raising a child with them. But you're doing your best for her and that's the best you can do." Vlad King replied.
Vlad King was correct; she provided Toga with the best care possible. In comparison to Toga's father, who was much more extreme, her mother seemed saintly.
"We'll start tomorrow morning. I'll help her with her blood urges and other attributes." Vlad King responded.
"Awesome!" Toga smiled.
"Thank you so much," Himiko replied.
Months later
Toga took up gymnastics only a few months back and continues to cherish every moment. She finds joy in the excitement of constant jumping and tumbling. Dressed in blue shorts and a white tank top, with coordinating socks and shoes, she puts her heart into every move she makes. She has also made a few new friends, a welcome change from her classmates, who tend to bully her or annoy her on purpose. While school isn't always a source of happiness, she finds it manageable. On the side or spending half of the morning, she'd go with Vlad King to train her blood urges and quirk itself. She managed to impress Vlad a couple of times with how restrictive she was and how athletic she'd become.
It was crazy to Toga that she'd be starting Junior High soon as well in a few years.
Although Toga's smile was bright, she felt a tinge of sadness due to her quirk requirement, yet she nodded to her mother in agreement. Toga remembered how many times her dad would complain and rant about that fateful day years later. She even recalled a few instances of her classmates calling her a freak and creepy due to her golden pupils and a bit sharper teeth than most. A few days later, Toga was about to turn thirteen and start middle school. Toga's mother thought it would be beneficial for her child to continue with gymnastics and perhaps take up swimming as well. After all, the choice was up to Toga.
"We got blessed with a child that isn't human and a monster. No matter how much love you give them, she'll always be a weirdo. I imagine her quirk probably isn't any better." She recalled the last thing she heard from her husband.
"Our daughter deserves as much love and care as any other child, no matter her circumstances. We should be there for her and support her. She hasn't harmed anyone for so long now." Her mother argued.
Toga shook off the memory of her parents' argument and resumed her muscle-strengthening exercises. At least she was in a happier state.
Toga's first year at Rozaryu Middle School
Toga was generally content and hadn't used her quirk at all recently, appearing more joyful than during the previous months. This wasn't a particularly high standard, given the extent of bullying and the wild comments made by students about each other or Toga's distinctive golden eyes and sharp teeth. Toga paid little attention to her tormentors or anyone who tried to trouble her, choosing instead to take happiness in her identity and the significant progress she had made in her personal growth and academic accomplishments. Toga wasn't paying attention to what was ahead of her; she drifted into thoughts about herself and what she would do once she returned home. She hadn't anticipated the sudden collision with the student in front of her, who blinked and rubbed her head as she tumbled down.
"Sorry about that. I'm in a rush to get to class." She said.
"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was either," Toga replied.
"Whoa. I've never seen you before. You have really pretty eyes and hair." The girl complimented.
"Uh... Thanks..." Toga quivered.
It had been a long while since she received any compliments, particularly since starting her first year of Junior High. Unaccustomed to such attention, the unexpected kindness from the girl took aback her. While she had experienced occasional acts of kindness, none had come from a stranger who wasn't already a friend. Toga appreciated it and swiftly stared at the girl with a smirk.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ochaco." Ochaco gave a smile.
"I'm Toga. I gotta say, you got pretty eyes, too." Toga returned a compliment.
"Hah, thanks. I'm gonna be late, but see you around!" Ochaco wailed with a small blush.
"Heh, see ya!" Toga responded.
"I should get to class... Maybe I'll meet her again." Toga thought to herself.