Chapter 45: I-Island aftermath.
Officially, the terrorists were stopped because Island's staff managed to take back the control over security systems. This was done to prevent accusations of vigilantism towards UA students and to save faces of higher ups. Only select few heroes such as All Might and Star were given the truth about teenagers. No one was able to figure out why Wolfram and two of his helpers vanished without a trace, and no one who knew was willing to tell. According to David Shield, they suddenly exploded in front of him.
All Might was devastated to learn that his old friend David has committed a large scale crime for his sake. He was even more devastated when young Midoriya informed him of the erased timeline in which Mr Shield has died. Symbol of Peace couldn't help but blame himself for this fiasco. May be if he talked more to David then he'd be able to foresee the issue and prevent it outright. Unfortunately, One For All couldn't rewind time, so he was forced to live with consequences of his mistakes. The best thing he could do for his old pal was to take care of his daughter. Naturally, he asked her to be quiet about coming from a nonexistent future.
Izuku called his mother to reassure her that everyone made it out alive and in one piece. He told her the true story, emphasizing that his quirk was a key part towards averting the crisis. Green head knew she would be distraught over such news, but he wanted to uphold his promise of being honest. Next was principal Nezu, who then immediately contacted Mineta and Kendou and told them to not disclose Killer Queen's time travel to other people. He wanted Midoriya himself to do it (at least to 1B) by himself. A message from Toshinori informed the rat of a promising candidate to the UA support course. The only problem was her so-so Japanese, so she'd need a crash course first.
Since the cat was out of the bag with BTD, Midoriya might as well tell his entire class how it works. He asked in group chat to gather in his hotel room. Everyone came in 15 minutes.
"Sit down, kids." He tried to imitate an old man. "I'll tell you a story about time exploding!"
He explained KQ's classified ability and yesterday's event in meticulous detail.
"Are you kidding me?!" Tokoyami's quirk grabbed green head by the shoulders and shook him. "All my friends can control time, but I'm left in the dust! Midoriya, I don't care what eldritch abomination you've made a deal with, I want the same!"
"Dark Shadow, behave!" The quirk let go. "My apologies, Midoriya."
"It's cool, he he."
"With that said, I wouldn't be opposed to having a time power of my own."
"I don't think anyone would." Shouji commented.
"Bites the Dust is kind of scary, kero. Dying just because someone told me your name is cruel. Forgive me for saying so, but it really sounds like a villainous quirk."
"There are no villainous quirks, Tsuyu." Izuku and King Crimson shook their heads. "It would be very useful to a villain, though, I admit."
"You don't say, kiddo."
"So the only way to counter this ability is to either never trigger it or kill you before the loop ends?" Tenya wondered.
"Correct."
"If this was your first time using this ability, how did you know all the requirements?" Yaoyorozu was holding a notebook.
"They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery." Devil pointed at similarity between her and his host.
"Killer Queen told me in a dream."
"Wait, so they do have voices? How do they sound?" DS was excited.
"*Gulp* You remember how they sometimes scream Muda or Shiba* with my voice when punching? They also use my voice when talking to me."
"Oh, well, at least I have a unique voice." Quirk tried to be optimistic.
"And a much larger range to boot. King Crimson here can't go further than 2 meters." Criss crossed figure went as far as it could from its user.
"Wait, why did the villain die again if Melissa only told your name the first time?" Shoto wanted to clarify.
"BTD sets people's fates to explode under any circumstances."
A lot of students gulped.
"Mi-Midoryia, I apologize f-for everything bad I have ever s-said about you." Kyoka's voice was trembling.
"Come on, extras! You don't shit your pants when All Might is nearby, and he could splatter all of you in a second." Bakugo interceded for his friend.
"I suppose that is fair, kero."
"Izuku, do you have more powers to pull from your ass?" Tooru asked playfully.
"Language!" Iida screamed at her.
"No, that was the last ace up my sleeve." The answer caused others to sigh in relief.
"Will you plan to tell about BTD or Time erasure to anyone besides our class?" Fumikage wondered.
"Perhaps we can get 1B into the loop later."
All Might gathered 1A and 1B students in Melissa's lab. He wanted to make a good first on those who didn't participate in the operation. The girl in question arrived soon after. Izuku noticed her hands being covered with a lotion.
"Hello, students! This is Melissa Shield, a soon to be student in the support course of our school. She is one of the greatest minds on I-Island despite her youth. I advise you treat with proper respect."
"Hi/Hello/Hi there/Greetings/What's cooking, good… ouch!"
"Hey everyone. This is my lab with all the things I've made or plan on making. If anything catches your attention, please let me know. I'll transfer into UA right after my Japanese course. Questions?"
"What's you quirk? I bet it's something awesome!" Red haired boy was pumped up.
"I don't have one." She tried to remain calm.
"Oh? Sorry for asking then." Ejiro felt bad about his question.
"Are you dating anyone?" Mineta asked with hope in his voice.
"No comment." Melissa got flustered, causing him to curse internally.
"Why do you want to leave?" Pony asked in English. "I think this place is a lot better for inventors like you."
"My dream is to be a hero." Shield put her fist on her chest. "I need experience in working with heroes and hero trainees, and UA seems like a perfect spot for me. I'll make gear that'll let me and others keep up even with Pros! Plus, I think being away from the island will be good for my mental health. As you probably heard, my father was the culprit of the recent attack. Being here reminds too much about him. Not to mention, people around here might dislike me because of him." She looked at her family photo.
"Is her father worse than mine?" Todoroki wondered.
"Quirkless hero? What a load of… khkh" Bakugo was silenced by Midoriya.
"What did she say?" Denki asked in Japanese. "I lost track about halfway through."
UA students have returned home after the I-EXPO was over. Uraraka and Hagakure went to comfort their parents, so Inko and Izuku we alone for a day. Mother Midoriya has cried out a river ever since the news of a terrorist attack, to the point where her son wondered if this was her second quirk.
"You know, Izuku, this will sound selfish, but sometimes I wish you had a weaker quirk or even no quirk at all. It breaks my heart every time you jump into a fire to save someone, thinking that your "friends" will let you stay alive."
"That wouldn't change much, mom. I would have been jumping into fires even if I was quirkless. It's in my nature to try and save people in need." Teen slightly raised his voice.
"Yes, that does sound like you. I suppose your quirk is a blessing more than a curse given your personality. *Sigh* Tell uncle Kira and others I'm grateful for their existence." Inko reluctantly rubbed Izuku's hands with her own.
"Uncle? That does sound nice." Yoshikage laughed.
"Perhaps I should make you call me that as well." DIO joined him.
Izuku was entranced by his mother. She managed to maintain a youthful and healthy look despite age and all the stress of caused by her child. May be she was trying to stay healthy, or she wanted to find a new partner after her husband quietly divorced her, or may be chef Tonio has a quirk that allows his cooking to heal on top being delicious. Either way, she looked at least 10 years younger than she actually was. Her hands looked a bit worked up, but there was a certain charm to them. They way his skin was feeling against…
"No!" The boy pulled his arms away.
"Are you ok, pumpkin?" She was worried.
"Yeah, it's just that rubbing hands for a long time causes a very certain… reaction in my body." He tried to hide his crotch.
"Oh, My." The mother put hands over her mouth for a moment. "Sorry! I just wanted to comfort you, Izuku!"
"It's fine, mom. Let's just not do that again."
They settled for a bear hug instead. Inko even put Izuku's quirk into her embrace.
"Damn it. I almost got a boner just from that!"
"You've been going to that place for almost 11 years. Pavlov's conditioning was going to affect you sooner or later."
Kinuyo Kisen, Izuku's psychologist, came to check up on the boy. Her visits have became rarer as she got more clients and the boy seemed fine (as fine as you can be with voices in the head). She was allowed to know what actually happened on I-Island.
"Hello, Izuku."
"Hello, Ms Kisen."
"How have your trip been?"
"Educational, exciting, endangering. Something like that."
"How do you feel about your involvement in the counter terrorist operation?"
"I feel that I did my best. Unlike with USJ, I don't feel bad about killing those people. I mean, they almost killed me the first time, so it's fair. Like you said, serious approach to an equally serious threat."
"I'm glad you've reached this conclusion." She smiled. "Have anything interesting happened to you there aside from the attack?"
"I got a stone mask that may or may not be the same one used by uncle Dio. Also, apparently America's number one hero is a fan of mine." He sounded full of himself.
"Uncle? I guess you've fully accepted them as your family." Doctor smiled. "Anything else?"
"Should I tell you about my relationships with other people?"
"Doctor-patient confidentiality, Izuku."
"Right. I've learnt that Kendou-san is having a relationship with Yaoyorozu-san in addition to ours. Good for them. Melissa Shield apparently wants to join my circle, if you catch my drift. Hopefully, she gets along with others."
"You are a greedy boy, you know that?"
"No one is perfect. We all have our flaws." Izuku sighed. "I… I almost got an erection when mom rubbed my hands."
"Just like I expected, your brain perceives attractive hands as objects of sexual desire. I'm sure she understands it's not her or your fault."
"It's your fault, Yoshikage-san!"
"Have you talked to Uraraka-san?" He asked.
"Yes. She sees you as inspiration to do greater things in life, although you could be more modest in her opinion. She isn't interested in relationships now, instead focusing on her career."
"I see."
"How is your "inner circle" doing? Do they bicker?"
"Surprisingly, no. Itsuka hits me sometimes, but I think she's being a tsundere. She never raises her hand against Mina and Tooru, even when asked to. Speaking of those two, they are BFFs now. Mina's slight sadism perfectly combines with Tooru's apparent masochism. I wouldn't be surprised if they leave my circle to have each other all the time. Honestly, I think you should talk to Hagakure, because I'm kind of scared for her mental well-being."
"May be once my schedule frees up. Have you had sex with any of them?"
"No, but I'm sure I will with Ashido and Hagakure at least."
"Don't forget about safety. How you are your imaginary friends doing?"
"Kira is excited that his ability saved the day, otherwise business as usual."
"How sweet. Are you relationships with classmates improving?"
"Todoroki has become much nicer recently and he uses fire now, but I think Kacchan hates me a little for having so many girls. That's unfair! I never complain about him being loud or rude, why can't he accept me the way I am?"
"He probably has a different image of Izuku Midoriya in his mind, the one more pure and idealistic than you."
The teen nodded at this theory.
"How is your mother doing? Has her opinion of your quirk changed?"
"She was worried for me, which is understandable. She also called Kira an uncle before I did, so I guess she no longer sees them as demons."
"Or perhaps she accepted having demons in the family. Well, that's enough for today."
"Wait! Can we go on a date?" Midoriya tried to make puppy eyes.
"Wow, you're not even blushing this time. You are quite persistent."
"It won't hurt to try. Please!"
"*Sigh* May be after you save the day a few more times. For now, I'll just rub your face a little. Don't be ashamed if you-know-what happens."
Author's note: Shiba is Killer Queen's stand cry.
Even in this AU, Bakugo still thinks very little about quirkless people.