Chapter 12

As the final bell rang and students began to pour out of UA High School, Izuku gathered her things and headed toward the exit. She was deep in thought, reflecting on the day's events and the unexpected confrontation with Bakugou. Just as she stepped outside, she heard familiar voices calling her name.

"Midoriya!" "Deku-chan!" came the enthusiastic shouts from behind.

She turned to see Iida and Ochako hurrying toward her, their faces lit up with friendly smiles.

"Hey, Midoriya, wait up!" Iida called, his hand waving in a precise, almost mechanical manner.

Izuku paused and waited for them to catch up. "Hey, Iida, Uraraka! What's up?"

Ochako beamed at her. "We were wondering if you wanted to walk home together. You know, since we're all heading in the same direction."

Iida nodded, his glasses glinting in the afternoon sun. "Indeed, Midoriya. It would be beneficial for us to establish camaraderie outside of the classroom as well. Plus, it's always safer to travel in groups."

Izuku smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude for their company. "Sure, that sounds great. Let's go."

The trio set off together, their footsteps in sync as they navigated the bustling streets. They chatted about their first day, sharing their impressions of their new classmates and teachers.

"I can't believe how intense the Quirk Assessment Test was," Ochako said, her eyes wide with excitement. "And you were amazing, Deku-chan! I still can't get over how strong you are."

Izuku blushed slightly, rubbing the back of her head. "Thanks, Uraraka. You were pretty amazing yourself. I saw how you used your quirk to float the ball."

Iida adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "It's clear that we're surrounded by incredibly talented individuals. We must all strive to improve and support each other. Speaking of which, Midoriya, your performance today was exceptional. I'm curious about the extent of your quirk's capabilities."

Izuku felt a pang of anxiety but masked it with a smile. "It's still a work in progress, Iida. I'm just trying to get better every day."

As they walked, the conversation flowed easily, the bonds of friendship beginning to form. They laughed and shared stories, their worries about the future momentarily forgotten.

By the time they reached the crossroads where they would part ways, Izuku felt a warm sense of belonging. She waved goodbye to Iida and Ochako, promising to see them tomorrow.

When Izuku finally reached home, she was greeted with a burst of enthusiasm. As soon as she opened the door, her mother, Inko, and little sister, Eri, were already waiting for her in the hallway.

"Welcome home, Izuku!" Inko exclaimed, a bright smile on her face. "How was your first day at UA?"

Eri, clutching a small All Might plushie, bounced on her toes. "Yeah, how was it, Izuku-nee-chan? Did you make lots of friends? Did you beat up any villains?"

Izuku chuckled, feeling a wave of warmth wash over her. "It was amazing, Mom, Eri. We had our Quirk Assessment Test today, and it was really intense. But I think I did pretty well."

Inko's eyes sparkled with pride. "I knew you would! You're so strong and determined. I'm sure you impressed everyone there."

Eri nodded vigorously. "Did you show them your awesome powers, Izuku-nee-chan? I bet you were the best!"

Izuku couldn't help but smile at her sister's enthusiasm. "Yeah, Eri, I think I did okay. But it's not just about being the best. It's about working together and supporting each other."

Inko put a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You're right, Izuku. I'm so proud of you. I always knew you had the heart of a hero."

Izuku felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Eri. Your support means everything to me."

Inko clapped her hands together. "Well, I made your favorite dinner to celebrate your first day. Let's go eat and you can tell us all about it!"

Eri grabbed Izuku's hand and tugged her towards the dining room. "Come on, Izuku-nee-chan! I want to hear everything!"

As they sat down to a delicious meal, Izuku recounted the day's events, from meeting her classmates to the challenges of the Quirk Assessment Test. Inko and Eri listened intently, their eyes wide with amazement and admiration.

"And then, during the speed test, I ran 100 meters in just 1.4 seconds!" Izuku said, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Wow!" Eri gasped. "That's so fast, Izuku-nee-chan! You're like a real-life hero already!"

Inko nodded. "You're incredible, Izuku. I'm so happy you're following your dreams."

That night, Izuku's sense of accomplishment was replaced by a sense of unease. As she drifted off to sleep, her mind was a whirl of excitement and exhaustion from the day's events. But instead of the peaceful rest she needed, she found herself plunged into a vivid, haunting nightmare.

Izuku stood in a dark, desolate cityscape. The air was thick with an oppressive sense of dread. Shadows loomed ominously, and the only sound was the echo of her own footsteps. She tried to call out, but her voice was swallowed by the darkness.

Suddenly, a chilling, familiar voice cut through the silence. "Well, well, if it isn't the little hero."

Izuku's heart pounded in her chest as she turned to face the source of the voice. Emerging from the shadows was All For One, his presence as terrifying as she remembered. His face was obscured, but she could feel his malevolent gaze piercing through her.

"All For One," she whispered, her voice trembling.

He stepped closer, the darkness seeming to ripple around him. "You've come a long way, Izuku Midoriya. Or should I say, the new One For All? But do you really think you can escape your fate?"

Izuku's legs felt like lead, but she forced herself to stand her ground. "I'll never let you win. I'll protect everyone from you."

All For One's laugh was cold and mocking. "Brave words from someone so young. But you cannot escape your destiny, no matter how much you try."

Before she could react, the darkness surged around her, and she felt a suffocating pressure, as if the shadows themselves were trying to consume her. Panic gripped her as she struggled to break free, but the more she fought, the tighter the darkness closed in.

"You cannot fight what you cannot see," All For One's voice echoed in her mind. "And you cannot defeat me."

Just as she felt herself being overwhelmed, a blinding light burst through the darkness. The oppressive weight lifted, and she found herself standing in a bright, warm space. Before her stood several shadowy figures, their forms indistinct and shrouded in mystery. Their presence radiated strength and reassurance, but she couldn't make out any details.

"We are with you, Izuku," one of the figures said, their voice familiar yet unrecognisable. "You are not alone."

Izuku woke with a start, drenched in sweat and her heart racing. The nightmare still lingered at the edges of her mind, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself of the light that had driven the darkness away.

"I won't let him win," she whispered to herself, gripping her sheets tightly. "I will become the hero everyone believes I can be."

However, the faces of those shadowy figures remained etched in her mind. Who were they? Why did they feel so familiar yet unknown? The questions lingered as she drifted back to sleep, determined to uncover the secrets of One For All and the mysterious figures who had come to her aid.

The next morning, Izuku woke up with the remnants of her nightmare still clinging to her thoughts. She sat up in bed, trying to shake off the unease. The faces of the shadowy figures and the presence of All For One haunted her, but she pushed the memories aside. Today was a new day, and she had to focus on her training and her journey at UA High School.

After a quick shower and breakfast, Izuku put on her school uniform and headed out the door. As she walked to the bus stop, she couldn't help but replay the events of the previous day in her mind. The quirk assessment test, the interactions with her new classmates, and Bakugou's aggressive challenge. It was all a lot to take in, but she felt a sense of determination burning within her.

The bus ride was uneventful, and soon Izuku found herself walking through the gates of UA High School once again. She made her way to Class 1-A, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She was eager to see her classmates and continue her training, but the memory of the nightmare lingered.

As she entered the classroom, she was greeted by a chorus of voices.

"Good morning, Deku-chan!" Uraraka called out cheerfully, waving at her.

"Hey, Midoriya!" Iida added, giving her a respectful nod.

"Morning," Izuku replied with a smile, feeling a bit more at ease.

She took her seat and looked around. Bakugou was already there, glaring at her from across the room. She knew he was still upset about her quirk and the results of the test, but she hoped they could find a way to work together.

"Alright, settle down," Aizawa said in his usual monotone voice. "We need to elect a class representative. This is an important role, so take it seriously."

Immediately, hands shot up, with several students eagerly nominating themselves.

"I think I should be class rep!" Iida declared, standing up with impeccable posture. "I have experience in leadership and a strong sense of duty."

Kirishima grinned. "Iida, you're definitely manly enough for the job, but how about we make this a bit more interesting?"

"Interesting?" Iida blinked, not understanding what could be more interesting than duty and responsibility.

"Yeah! Let's do a secret vote!" Mina suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "We write down our votes and put them in a box!"

Aizawa sighed. "Fine, just get on with it."

Momo quickly fashioned a makeshift ballot box out of some paper and cardboard she had in her bag. "There, now we can vote."

Each student took a slip of paper, wrote down their choice, and dropped it into the box. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of seriousness and playful banter.

"I wonder who'll win," Kaminari said, nudging Jirou. "What if it's Bakugou?"

"Please no," Jirou muttered, glancing at Bakugou, who was glaring at the ballot box as if it had personally insulted him.

Izuku, sitting quietly, wondered if she would get any votes. She hadn't considered herself for the role at all.

Once all the votes were in, Momo began counting them with Iida overseeing the process to ensure fairness.

"Okay, here are the results!" Momo announced.

To everyone's surprise, the votes were quite scattered.

"Let's see… We have one vote for Bakugou, one vote for Momo, one vote for Kirishima, one vote for Tokoyami…"

The list went on, each student getting at least one vote, making it evident that everyone had voted for themselves.

"Wait a minute," Kaminari said, scratching his head. "Doesn't this mean we have a tie?"

Momo nodded, looking slightly perplexed. "Yes, it seems almost everyone voted for themselves."

Aizawa rubbed his temples. "Alright, who voted for someone else?"

Uraraka raised her hand. "I voted for Deku-chan!"

Izuku turned bright red. "R-Really?"

Uraraka nodded enthusiastically. "You're really reliable and strong, Deku-chan!"

"Well, then we have one vote for Midoriya," Momo said, smiling. "Does anyone else want to change their vote?"

After a moment of silence, Iida stood up. "I believe Midoriya would make an excellent class representative. I'll change my vote to her."

"Alright, with two votes, it seems Midoriya is our class representative," Momo declared.

Izuku stood up, still blushing furiously. "T-Thank you, everyone! I'm honoured, but..."

Everyone turned to her, confused. "But what?" Kirishima asked.

Izuku took a deep breath. "I appreciate the trust, but I think Iida would be a better fit for class representative. He has the experience and the qualities needed for this role. I'd like to nominate him instead."

Iida's eyes widened in shock. "M-Midoriya?"

Izuku nodded. "Yes, Iida-kun. You'd be perfect for this."

The class murmured in agreement, and Iida finally stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Midoriya. I will accept this responsibility with honor and dedication!"

"Alright then," Aizawa said, looking slightly more awake. "Midoriya will be the deputy representative. Now, everyone get back to your seats."

As the class settled down, Iida stood at the front, already planning out his duties, while Izuku felt a sense of relief. She had known Iida would be perfect for the role and was happy to support him. He was a good representative in the original timeline, so he would be in this timeline too.

Bakugou, meanwhile, just muttered, "Damn Deku, always so selfless..."

As the class began, Izuku tried to focus on the lessons, but her mind kept drifting back to the nightmare. Who were those mysterious figures? Why did they feel so familiar yet unknown? She knew she had to find out more about the previous wielders of One For All and their connection to her quirk.

During lunch, the cafeteria was buzzing with the usual energy of students chatting, eating, and enjoying their break. Izuku sat at a table with Uraraka, Iida, and a few others from Class 1-A. They were discussing the day's events and the surprising outcome of the class representative election.

Suddenly, a group of students from Class 1-B approached their table. Among them, a particularly tall and broad-shouldered boy stepped forward, looking down at Izuku with a condescending smirk.

"Hey, you're that little kid from Class 1-A, right?" the boy sneered. "Didn't think they let pre-school kids in here."

Izuku looked up calmly, her expression neutral. She was used to such comments by now and paid them no heed. However, her friends were not as composed.

"That's not very nice," Uraraka said, frowning at the boy. "Izuku's done nothing to deserve that kind of treatment."

Iida stood up, adjusting his glasses in a determined manner. "Indeed, such behavior is unbecoming of a U.A. student. We should treat each other with respect."

The boy from Class 1-B laughed, clearly unfazed. "Oh, look, the nerds are sticking up for each other. How cute."

Before things could escalate further, Kirishima and Mina, who had been sitting at a nearby table, joined them. "Hey, what's going on here?" Kirishima asked, his eyes narrowing at the newcomers.

"We don't take kindly to bullies," Mina added, crossing her arms. "You got a problem with our friend?"

Another student from Class 1-B, a girl with long hair and a smug expression, chimed in. "We just thought it was funny that someone so small could be in the hero course. It's a bit of a joke, isn't it?"

"Actually, it's not," Todoroki said, his voice calm but icy. He had been listening quietly until now. "Midoriya earned her place here just like the rest of us. Maybe you should focus on your own training instead of trying to bring others down."

"Fine," the tall boy muttered. "We were just messing around anyway. No need to get all worked up."

With that, the group from Class 1-B backed off, returning to their own table. As they walked away, Kirishima turned to Izuku with a grin. "Don't worry about them, Midoriya. We've got your back."

"Yeah," Mina agreed. "You're one of us."

Izuku smiled, feeling a warm sense of gratitude towards her friends. "Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it."

"Of course, Deku-chan," Uraraka said, patting her on the back. "We're all in this together."

Iida nodded. "Unity and respect are the cornerstones of any great team. We must always support each other."

The next day, the students of Class 1-A eagerly awaited their practical heroics lesson. They chattered amongst themselves, wondering who their instructor would be.

"I wonder who'll be teaching us today," Kaminari mused aloud, his eyes bright with anticipation.

"Maybe someone from the top heroes," Kirishima speculated.

Izuku, knew exactly who was about to walk through the door.

Suddenly, the door slammed open.

"I AM HERE!"

"All Might?" Many gasped, stunned.

"He'll be teaching us?" Sero muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.

All Might stood before them, exuding his usual charismatic energy. "Yes, young heroes! I'll be teaching you Heroics, Course 101."

The room buzzed with excitement. All Might continued, "Today, we'll be heading to a simulated environment—a mock city. But you won't be needing your gym uniforms…"

As he spoke, the wall on their left vibrated, and compartments began to slide out like drawers. The students' eyes widened in amazement as they moved closer to investigate.

"No way! Our hero costumes!" Mineta exclaimed, practically bouncing on his feet.

Izuku took her box and headed to the locker room with the other girls. She waited patiently as they changed, anticipation building with each passing second.

When the locker room finally cleared out, Izuku opened her box. Her initial excitement faded, replaced by a mixture of irritation and exasperation.

"Really, Mom and Eri? This is too much now…" she muttered.

Inside the box was a traditional Japanese attire: a green kimono with bunny silhouettes, secured with a green and white chequered obi, and a dark brown haori with floral patterns. The ensemble was completed with white tabi socks and red zori sandals.

"Calm down, Nezuko just cannot appear in the locker room…" she sighed, trying to rationalize the absurdity of the situation.

The costume was indeed elaborate. The kimono, made with titanium alloy, was eclectic-proof. The haori was bulletproof, and the sandals were soundproof. Also, the entire outfit could adjust its size according to her physical changes instantly.

Izuku couldn't help but recall some of the more infamous costume disasters among her classmates. Ochako's tight 'skinsuit' and Mineta's bizarre 'diaper' costume came to mind. It seemed like they all had their fair share of wardrobe malfunctions.

With another deep sigh, Izuku began to put on the costume. She knew she was getting late for the class and there was no time to complain now.

As Izuku entered the mock city, every gaze fell on her.

"Is this supposed to be a fancy dress competition?" Mineta asked, his eyes wide.

"Not sure," Kaminari said, eyeing her outfit. "But it is definitely not a daycare—is that a diaper, Mineta?"

"No! Some bastard made my costume look like this!" Mineta shot back, clearly annoyed.

Ochako came over to Izuku, her face lighting up with a smile. "Deku-chan, you look absolutely adorable in the kimono!" she exclaimed, then added with a hint of discomfort, "But I complain that my costume is too tight. It's hard to move in this."

Bakugou looked at Izuku, his eyes narrowed. 'She looks cu… no! Don't look at the nerd! It's Deku! Calm down!' he thought, battling his inner turmoil.

Just at that moment, All Might entered the area, wearing his Silver Age costume. The students gasped and began to fangirl and fanboy over their idol.

"Settle down, young heroes!" All Might boomed. "Today, we'll be conducting group battles. Two members will make one team, and each team will fight another team. One team will be the villains, tasked with securing a box, while the other will be the heroes, who must retrieve it."

He gave them a jar filled with slips of paper. "Draw a slip and pass the jar to the next person."

After everyone had drawn their slips, the ten teams were formed, labeled as teams A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J.

Team A vs. Team B

Team A: Kirishia and Mina

Team B: Sero and Momo

The first battle was intense. Kirishima, with his hardening quirk, and Mina, with her acid, made a formidable pair. They played the role of villains, securing the box within a heavily fortified room. Sero used his tape to navigate through the mock city's buildings, while Momo created various gadgets to breach their defenses. Despite their best efforts, Team A's synergy and strong defensive strategies won the day, with Kirishima's unbreakable defense holding off the heroes.

Team C vs. Team D

Team C: Tokoyami and Shoji

Team D: Todoroki and Jiro

Tokoyami and Shoji made a stealthy villain team, using their quirks to hide and mislead. Todoroki, playing the hero, used his ice to create barriers and isolate areas, while Jiro used her earphone jacks to scout and locate the box. Despite Team C's impressive hiding tactics, Todoroki's ice and fire combination, along with Jiro's precise scouting, allowed Team D to retrieve the box, showcasing Todoroki's strategic prowess and Jiro's keen sense of hearing.

Team E vs. Team F

Team E: Mineta and Sato

Team F: Kaminari and Tsuyu

Mineta and Sato, as villains, set up a sticky trap-filled maze. Kaminari and Tsuyu, as heroes, faced an electrifying challenge. Kaminari had to control his electricity to avoid setting off Mineta's traps, while Tsuyu used her agility to navigate the maze. Despite their best efforts, Kaminari's control slipped, and they got stuck in Mineta's traps, resulting in a win for Team E. The battle ended with Mineta proudly claiming victory, while Kaminari was left frustrated and Tsuyu amused.

Team G vs. Team H

Team G: Koji and Ojiro

Team H: Tooru and Aoyama

Koji and Ojiro, playing the villains, used Koji's animal communication to set up animal-based defenses. Aoyama's flashy attacks and Tooru's invisibility made Team H a unique pair. The heroes struggled against the unexpected animal tactics but managed to find the box using Tooru's stealth and Aoyama's laser precision. However, their unconventional teamwork and the element of surprise helped Team H secure a victory.

Team I vs. Team J

Team J: Katsuki and Iida

Team J: Izuku and Ochako

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation as All Might's voice boomed across the mock city. "BEGIN!" he announced, and the teams sprang into action.

Izuku, thinking quickly, turned to Ochako. "Uraraka, make the box float! Keep it as high as possible. I'll handle Kacchan."

Ochako nodded, activating her Quirk and making the box levitate high above the ground. "Got it, Deku-chan! Be careful!"

Just as they executed their plan, a blur of motion caught Izuku's eye. Bakugou had already launched himself toward her with explosive speed, ignoring Iida's calls to strategize. His singular focus was evident as he came barreling towards her, a fierce determination in his eyes.

"DEKU!" Bakugou roared, his hands sparking with explosive energy. "I'm gonna take you down!"

Izuku barely had time to brace herself before Bakugou's kick connected with her torso, sending her flying across the street. The impact was jarring, and she skidded across the pavement, her body protesting from the force of the blow. She managed to land on her feet, her breathing heavy but steady.

Bakugou smirked, confident in his strength. "What's the matter, Deku? Thought you were hot stuff now that you got into UA?"

Izuku stood, her eyes narrowing. "Kacchan, this isn't about us. We're supposed to retrieve the box. Focus on the mission."

"Shut up!" Bakugou barked, launching himself at her again. "You think you can lecture me? You're still the same nerd you've always been!"

He lunged forward, his hands crackling with firepower. Izuku channeled One For All, green lightning enveloping her form.

Both yelled, "Alright, this ends here!"

Thus, the long due fight began...

TBC

NEXT:

"D-deku? Is that you, nerd?"

"Ugh..."