Chapter 8

Complete and Utter Chaos

Have you ever had a moment where nothing made sense? Where your understanding of reality didn't match up with what was in front of you?

If the answer is yes, then maybe you can understand just how much of a mind fuck we were going through.

At times it feels like we're still going through it.

Ariden, Izuku, and All Might

"What the fuck!?" Ariden yelped as he examined himself head to toe. "What the hell is going on!?"

"Now is not the time to panic," Nezu said calmly, as he approached. "While I must admit that I was surprised by this turn of events, it would still be in our best interest to settle down, so that we may clear our heads and get to the bottom of this."

All Might, Izuku, and Recovery Girl all nodded in understanding

"Don't panic my ass!" Ariden growled. "You aren't the one who got turned into a fucking werewolf!"

"Don't worry, we'll find a way to get you back to normal." All Might said confidently.

"Well if you could hurry up and find a solution, that'd be great," Ariden growled. "Christ, how are we going to explain this to Mom?"

All Might and Izuku paled at the thought.

"Oh dear god! Inko is going to have my hide!" All Might lamented.

"And just who is Inko?" Recovery Girl asked as she looked at All Might curiously

"That would be Mr. Ariden and Izuku's mother," Nezu answered. "Our dear friend here seems to have gotten involved with her."

Recovery Girl's jaw dropped.

"Is that true Toshinori?"

"Yes…"

"And have you told her your secret?"

"No…"

Recovery Girl whacked All Might on the shins with her cane repeatedly.

"What made you think it was a good idea to not tell her the truth!" She scolded.

"I was going to..." All Might explained as he rubbed his shins.

"But you haven't!" Recovery Girl frowned. "While I am happy you are starting to have a life outside of hero work, it's clear you have no idea what you are doing!"

"It would seem that way," All Might sighed. "So what are we going to do?" He asked turning to Nezu.

"We make a cover story," Nezu said. "Let's say a villain attacked you and the stress of the situation activated both Mr. Ariden and Mr. Izuku's quirks."

"Is that even possible?" All Might asked.

"Oh yes, stress has been proven to be a trigger for certain quirks, and it also affects how quirks function as well. So the story is easily believable."

"What do you think boys?"

Ariden and Izuku shared a look and shook their heads.

"No." Both said at the same time.

"All Might, I think it's time to tell mom the truth," Izuku said.

"Toshinori, lying to our mom will destroy the trust she has in you, and us as well," Ariden said.

"I know!" All Might groaned. "But, I'm afraid! I don't know how she'll react, and I don't want to lose what I have with her."

"All Might," Izuku said soothingly. "While mom tends to wear her heart on her sleeve, and doesn't do well with sudden shock. She is one of the most caring and understanding people we know. She wouldn't just end your relationship then and there when you tell her the truth."

"You make a valid point Young Izuku."

"About time you realized that," Ariden growled. "Cause in reality Toshinori, you are being selfish coward by not telling her."

All Might and Izuku looked at Ariden with surprise.

"What!? Am I wrong!?" Ariden asked, "If you truly cared about our mom, you wouldn't hide behind another lie just to spare your feelings while neglecting hers!"

"Am I really that bad?" All Might winced.

"What would a hero do in this situation?" Izuku asked.

"A true hero would never lie to those they hold dear." He mused aloud.

"You're really going to tell her?" Recovery girl asked, a little surprised. "You must really love her."

"She gives me hope for the future," All Might smiled.

"She must be something special," Recover girl said. "I'd like to meet her one of these days."

"What do you think Nezu?"

"You haven't always made the best choices Toshinori," Nezu said. "However…" He continued as he glanced over at the boys. "You've always been a good judge of character. So if you are in a committed relationship with this woman, she must be trustworthy."

"That's all I needed to hear." All Might smiled.

"So what happens now? And what should Ariden and I do?" Izuku asked as he pointed at the hole in his hand.

"I'm afraid there isn't much either of you can do Mr. Izuku," Nezu said. "Your quirks have only just awakened, so it'll take some time for them to settle within your systems."

"How long is that going to take?" Ariden asked.

"It should only take a week or so," Nezu said.

"Only a week?" Izuku asked.

"Correct." Nezu nodded. "When a child's quirk emerges it usually takes at least a week for said quirk to fully manifest. And while your situation is unusual, I believe your quirks will behave the same."

"Oh yeah! I remember when Kaachan got his quirk, he could only create a few sparks on the first day, but by the end of the week he could make small explosions."

"Quite so," Nezu nodded. "Over the next week, your minds and bodies will change to accommodate your new quirks until using them feels like second nature to you. So I highly recommend that you do nothing but focus all your attention on your quirks and how your bodies react to them."

"Mr. Nezu. Do you think I'll be able to change back? Or do you think I'll be stuck like this?" Ariden asked.

"You need not worry yourself, I strongly believe that by the end of the week, you'll be able to switch back and forth as you please."

"Is that a guess or do you know something I don't?"

"It's more a hypothesis based on previous observations of quirks similar to yours," Nezu explained.

All Might gave Nezu a knowing look and nodded his head off to the side. The dean gave a slight nod. Satisfied, All Might walked to the side against the wall of the gym. He looked over at both Ariden and Izuku, who were still focused on their conversation with Nezu. Even looking at them caused his thoughts to race in 50 different directions. He shook his head and sat down. Trying to make sense of the situation.

"What could all this mean?" All Might thought. "Ariden's new form, the holes in Izuku's hands, This can't be a coincidence. But surely they aren't-"

"Troubled thoughts Toshinori?" Nezu interrupted.

All Might looked up and saw Nezu standing in front of him, The boys busy talking with Recovery Girl.

"Surely I'm not the only one who-" All Might started to say.

"I see what you see," Nezu said. "However, while Izuku's quirk looks similar, that doesn't mean there is a relation between the two."

"I don't know, the resemblance is far too close for comfort."

"What if this is the work of One for All?"

"How?"

"You know the story of how it was created. So it isn't far-fetched to think that One for All had an effect on Mr. Izuku's existing quirk when it was introduced to his body," Nezu said. "There is also the fact we have yet to see what Izuku's quirk actually does."

"That is… an excellent point." All Might nodded. "But that doesn't explain young Ariden's case."

Nezu grimaced at the mention of Ariden's situation.

"Lycanthropy quirks are exceptionally rare, and I have only seen one other similar to Ariden's. However, I feel it should be noted that Blackfang hasn't been seen in thirteen years."

"You two need to stop thinking about the worst possible scenario." Recovery Girl scolded as she walked over.

All Might looked over to where the boys were and saw them talking to each other, not giving the adults any mind.

"Toshinori, while there is a possibility that both boys are related to monstrous villains, that doesn't diminish what you saw in them, does it?" Recovery Girl asked.

"No, it doesn't." All Might said as he remembered the sludge villain's attack and how both boys selflessly rushed in to save their friend. "But this still changes everything. What do you think I should do?"

"The same as you are doing now," Nezu said. "Train them as you had planned and help them master the power they have been given."

"You must look out for those two boys," Recovery Girl said. "Their quirks are only tools for them to use for good. So if you continue to see them as ill omens it will damage your relationship with them."

"You're right as usual." All Might sighed. "And they haven't given me any reason not to trust them."

All Might felt it before he saw it, a surge of power that could have only been One for All. Then the center of the gym exploded.

Ariden and Izuku stared at each other intently as they scribbled away in their notebooks. Izuku sketching a detailed drawing of Ariden's new lupine frame. While Ariden wrote down possible theories about what the holes in Izuku's hand did.

"I'm not the only one who feels like they are going insane, right?" Izuku asked.

"Oh don't worry I'm right there with you." Ariden nodded. "This doesn't make any sense. Why do we have quirks now? Why didn't we get them when we were younger?"

"I really wish I had the answers, but I don't," Izuku sighed. "But you know…" he started to smile. "Kaachan is going to freak out when he sees us at school." He laughed.

Ariden let out a deep bark of laughter.

"Think we should rub it in his face?"

"No!" Izuku shook his head. "That'd only make him angry, and I'm sure it'd only create problems for us."

"Good point," Ariden said as he scratched the side of his muzzle. "So what are we going to tell Mei?"

"I don't know." Izuku frowned. "I want to tell her the truth but I don't think it'd be a good idea."

"So telling our mom is more of an exception to the rules?"

"It would seem that way."

"Ugh, this sucks," Ariden growled. "I really a fan of lying to Mei, or even Kat in this instance."

A tense silence fell as both boys felt the burden they had been given rest heavily on their shoulders.

"So…" Ariden said after a while. "What did using One for All feel like?"

Izuku's face lit up in an instant.

"It was incredible!"

"I figured as much, but I'd like a little more detail than that." Ariden chuckled.

"It was like ugh…" Izuku struggled to find the right words. "Oh! It was like an egg in a microwave!"

The answer caught Ariden so off guard that he choked on his own laughter.

"What the hell does that even mean?" Ariden asked between coughs.

"Hey! You try to find a way to describe it!" Izuku blushed indignantly. "But, think of it. When you put an egg into a microwave, it always explodes due to the pressure built up inside the shell. Using One for All felt like that. Its power was incredible, but it was too much for my body."

"That makes sense." Ariden continued to chuckle. "But your analogy is so lame when you say it out loud!"

"Then you come up with a better way to describe it!" Izuku frowned.

"Easier said than done, since last I checked I don't have One for All."

"Then pretend that you do."

"How?"

"Do what I did. Try to imagine using it against one of those targets," Izuku said.

"Alright, alright. Though I don't see how that'll work." Ariden grumbled as he walked over to the targets.

Once Ariden positioned himself before one of the target dummies, he looked around. He saw All Might, Nezu, and Recovery Girl off to the side absorbed in their own conversation, while Izuku was behind him with a notebook and pencil in hand. He refocused on the dummy, closed his eyes, and focused.

Ariden racked his brain for a better analogy to use rather than the ridiculous one his brother had made. He dissected Izuku's explanation down to its key parts. Immense Power, catalyzation, and pressure. It only took him a moment to come up with his own analogy. Ariden smirked as he wound his arm back, ready to punch the dummy.

From his own point of view, One for All was an ocean of power. Each user adding more and more "water" to said ocean. And at the very bottom of that ocean was the current user, with all the weight of the ocean on top of them, threatening to crush them. Ariden clenched his teeth as he imagined himself at the bottom of that ocean. All he had to do was take a step forward with the weight of the world bearing down upon him.

As he threw the punch at the dummy, Ariden watched with wide eyes as a surge of energy flowed through his arm. The same lightning that had appeared when Izuku used One for All danced across his skin, though instead of green it was a mix of black and white. Then the punch landed. The middle of the gym exploded in a torrent of wind and sound, the water in the air once again condensing into mist.

Without second thought Izuku rushed to his brother's side and saw the massive lycan still standing. Ariden looked at Izuku, panicked, holding his now broken arm. It was hard to tell due to all the fur that covered it but Izuku saw patches of skin that were black and blue. Izuku stared at his brother in awe.

"Wh- what happened?" Izuku asked in a trembling voice.

"I don't kno-" Ariden started to say.

A lance pain shot up his broken arm, and Ariden howled like a mad dog as he fell to one knee.

"What happened!?" All Might asked as he appeared in front of the boys.

Izuku just gaped at Ariden.

"Step aside!" Recovery Girl shouted as she and Nezu finally caught up with All Might.

As soon as Recovery Girl reached Ariden's side, she used her quirk on him without hesitation.

"Fuck me that hurt!" Ariden sighed in relief.

Recovery Girl whacked Ariden with her cane

"Language!"

"Boys, what happened!" All Might asked again.

"I may still be a little light-headed but I think I just used One for All."

"But that's impossible!" All Might cried.

With a grunt of effort, Ariden followed the same steps he took last time. His arm started to glow the same as before, though he dropped his focus before the pain became too much.

"How…" All Might just stared in awe.

"Nezu, please tell us you know what is going on." Recovery Girl asked.

"I…" Nezu started, a troubled expression on his face. "Do not know."

Everyone looked at Nezu with dismay.

"However!" He quickly added. "I believe we will have an answer by the end of the week." He sighed, exhausted. "Young men, I can not stress this enough, now, more than ever. Do Not do anything over the next week." Nezu said, with a sternness that even surprised All Might and Recovery Girl. "I'll also be looking into this matter myself. And should anything arise I am sure Mrs. Recovery Girl will make her services available."

Recovery Girl nodded in agreement.

"Now then. I do not wish to be rude, but I do think it's for the best for you to go home."

"Yes sir." All Might said without any of his usual mirth. "And thank you for your aid Recovery Girl."

"Yes, thank you." Izuku echoed All Might with a bow.

Ariden remained silent, too preoccupied with his own thoughts.

"Think nothing of it deary." Recovery Girl smiled kindly. "And don't worry. I'm sure everything will turn out well."

"Here's hoping," Ariden grumbled as he followed All Might out.

The ride back was quiet, cramped, and extremely tense. Izuku sat up front with All Might, while Ariden took up the entire backseat. When they reached the apartment complex, they filed out of the truck and stood around, all of them staring silently at the stairs leading up to the apartment.

"We can't wait here forever," Ariden said after a few good minutes of silence. "Toshinori, what's the plan?"

"I think it should just be me and young Izuku who goes in." Toshinori sighed as he rubbed his temples. "So that we can explain your situation, and not blindside Inko."

"How are you going to explain you being, you know..." Izuku asked, his unspoken question obvious.

"Very carefully." Toshinori ran a hand through his hair.

Toshinori looked at the stairs, sighed, and started walking toward them.

The Midoriyas and Toshinori

Inko had been grinning from ear to ear ever since she had left the boys and Toshinori. It was actually starting to get painful, but she didn't care. She hummed merrily to herself as she cooked Ariden and Izuku's favorite dishes. As soon as she set the timer on the rice cooker there was a knock at the door.

"They must be back!" Inko beamed as she rushed over to the door. "Welcome home!"

Her cheer vanished when she saw the somber looks on Izuku and Toshinori's faces, and that Ariden wasn't with them.

"Izuku, dear, where is your brother?" Inko asked a slight tremble in her voice.

"He's fine, don't worry about that. He's still by Toshinori's truck."

Inko released the breath she had been holding.

"Why?"

"It's kind of a long story," Izuku said. "It's probably best that you sit down."

All three made their way to the living room and sat down in uncomfortable silence.

"Mom, I know this is going to sound crazy, but…" Izuku started. "Ariden and I awakened our quirks."

"WHAT?!" Inko shouted as she looked at Izuku as if he had grown a second head. "How is that possible?! The doctor said that it would never happen!"

"I was as surprised as you were when it happened." Toshinori cut in. "I'm having some of my colleagues look into this."

"This is amazing! I'm so happy for you! If anybody deserves a quirk it's you two." Inko said as she hugged her son.

"Thank you, mom. That means a lot," Izuku said. "However, Ariden's quirk… it caused him to change."

Inko's blood ran cold. She had a feeling she knew what had happened to Ariden, as all the years she had spent researching Blackfang rushed back to her memory.

"He turned into a werewolf didn't he?" Inko asked softly.

"Yes," Izuku blinked in surprise. "But how did you know?"

"After I had adopted Ariden I did some research on who his parents were, However, I had planned to keep that information to myself. But it seems I'll have to come clean."

"You can go into detail later," Toshinori said. "However I think that it's a good time to let young Ariden in before the neighbors get concerned.

Inko watched as Izuku pulled out his phone and called his brother, after a few words Izuku hung up and returned to the conversation.

"He'll be here shortly."

After a minute there was a knock at the door. Inko got up and answered. Her jaw dropped the second she saw her son. Ariden took up the entire doorway and then some. He ducked under the archway to get in, his grayish fur brushing against the walls on either side of him. Then he locked eyes with Inko with a look of both embarrassment and trepidation.

"Hey, mom," Ariden said in a deep growl.

Inko wrapped Ariden into the biggest bear hug she could muster and wept into his fur.

"You look amazing!" Inko sobbed. "And your fur is so soft!"

Ariden let out a sigh of relief and returned the hug.

"I'm glad you like it." Ariden laughed. "But could you please stop crying, you're going to get my fur wet, and I don't want to smell like a wet dog."

Inko giggled as she stifled her tears.

"Sorry, You know how I get sometimes," She said as she led Ariden toward the living room.

Inko returned to her seat while Ariden took up the rest of the couch Izuku was sitting on.

"How did all this happen?" Inko asked. "I know that something like this doesn't happen without a cause."

Toshinori winced and sighed bitterly.

"Inko, what we are about to tell you must be kept strictly secret."

"Why?"

With a grunt of effort, Toshinori transformed before Inko's eyes, into… All Might!? Inko shrieked and used her quirk to grab the broom from the kitchen. As soon as it landed in her hand she went to town, smacking All Might across the face with it. She would have kept going if it hadn't been for Ariden grabbing the broom and ripping it from her hand effortlessly.

"Mom! Please stop!" Izuku cried, getting Inko's attention. "Why did you hit him!?"

"I'm sorry I panicked!"

"So you started to beat Toshinori with a broom?" Ariden asked, trying not to burst into laughter.

"How was I supposed to react?" Inko asked with a hint of annoyance. "I wasn't expecting him to turn into All Might!"

Inko paused for a moment as she let that information sink in. Toshinori was All Might, she was shocked, to say the least. But why had the boys not reacted the same as her? How long had they had known? And why hadn't Toshinori told her?

Inko felt her shock turn to anger, she had been lied to. Toshinori had lied straight to her face, god knows how much of what he had told her about his life was true. And her sons had been covering for him since they had introduced him. Oh, she was pissed, and she wanted some answers right now.

"Explain," Inko demanded curtly.

All Might grimaced in shame.

"If you'd please sit back down, I'll explain everything," All Might said.

Inko quietly sat down and stared intently at All Might.

"It all started four years ago."

All Might spent the next hour explaining everything to Inko, about who he really was, how he ended up in such a diminished state, and about One for All and its history.

"The training your sons have been doing was all for them to become worthy vessels for One for All so that it can be carried on into the future," Toshinori said, having shifted back to normal. "But things seem to have gone haywire, and now we are here."

Inko sat in silence as she digested everything Toshinori had told her. She was in a tumult of thoughts and emotions as she struggled to find the right words.

"I understand," Inko eventually sighed. "I can see why what you've told me needed to be kept secret," she nodded. "However," Her tone sharpened as she started to glare at the three men. "You've all been lying to me this whole time!" she shouted as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "Especially you!" Inko said as she rounded on Toshinori. "You made a damn fool of me! All the time we spent together was based on a lie! I don't know you at all!" Inko shouted as tears streamed in earnest.

"Mom." Ariden interrupted. "Toshinori only lied about being All Might and his work, the rest was true."

"Yeah," Izuku agreed. "He wasn't putting on an act when he was around you. That's who he truly is."

Toshinori shook his head and looked at Inko, his pain and shame written plain on his face.

"I'm sorry," He said weakly. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you the truth earlier. And I'm sorry I have broken your trust," He said, bowing his head. "I wish I had told you sooner, but I was afraid."

"Afraid?" Inko quirked an eyebrow.

"When I was with you, I felt free," Toshinori smiled. "The pressure of being All Might was gone because you saw me for who I was. And I was afraid of how you'd react if I told you who I truly was," He said. "Though now I know." Toshinori laughed a little as he rubbed the side of his face. "You're deadly with that broom."

Inko's expression softened as she giggled a little at Toshinori's joke.

"We are going to have a long talk after this," Inko said firmly.

"I look forward to it." Toshinori smiled. "Now then, it's your turn to share. What exactly do you know about Young Ariden's biological parents?"

Ariden's ears perked up.

"Mom, what is Toshinori talking about?"

"Now it's my turn to have egg on my face," Inko winced. "There is something I haven't told you son, and I had hoped I'd never have to," she said. "I doubt you remember, but you asked me once if I knew who your biological parents were, I told you that I didn't," Inko explained. "I lied."

"What?!" Ariden shouted. "Why!?"

"Because I didn't want to hurt you, honey."

"Why would knowing hurt him?" Izuku asked.

"Because, your biological mother Ariden, was Blackfang," Inko said.

"I feared as much." Toshinori groaned.

"Who is Blackfang?"

"Her true name was Kokoro Juro, she was once a notorious villain who ran one of the largest crime syndicates in America," Toshinori provided.

Ariden's jaw dropped as he slumped in his seat.

"I'm sorry, Ariden," Inko said as she got up and gave her son a hug. "This is why I didn't want to tell you. I know you'd take the news hard."

"I don't blame you," Ariden murmured. "Who was my father?"

"Now that I don't know," Inko said. "The police couldn't find a DNA match linking you to anyone, besides Blackfang."

"What happened to Blackfang?" Izuku asked.

"Nobody knows," Toshinori said. "However the last reported sighting was fifteen years ago."

"Right around the time you showed up," Inko said to Ariden.

Ariden winced as he felt a brief spike of pain in his temples. The hazy image of a woman with black and red eyes smiling at him manifested in his mind. With a grunt he got up from his seat, the couch groaning in relief. Ariden looked down and saw everyone looking at him, concerned.

"Sorry, my brain is fried, today has just been a complete whirlwind. I think I'm going to call it for today."

Ariden left without another word, entered his bedroom, ducking under the archway, closing the door behind him.

"I'm going to see if he's okay," Izuku said as he got up.

With that, Izuku made his exit, leaving just Inko and Toshinori alone.

"What are we going to do?" Toshinori asked Inko.

"For now, I need some time to think, okay?" Inko said with a tired sigh.

"Of course." Toshinori nodded morosely. "I need to do the same."

Toshinori got up and made his way to the front door as Inko followed behind. As he opened the door and stepped out, Inko caught him by the sleeve of his shirt.

"Come over in the morning, We can talk more then."

"Okay."

"Good night," Inko said as she started to close the door.

"Inko," Toshinori said softly.

She looked up and met Toshinori's gaze.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, and I'm sorry I took advantage of your trust."

Without another word, Toshinori left. Inko wiped away her tears as she closed and locked the door.

Ariden and Izuku

The apartment was dead quiet, the clock reading past 2 o'clock. Everyone had gone to bed and were asleep. Though none of it was peaceful. Ariden and Izuku tossed and turned as their dreams shifted into nightmares.

Izuku floated in an endless void. There was nothing, not even stars. He tried to turn but found he couldn't move. Then he tried to speak, but again nothing. He couldn't even blink. He floated for what felt like an eternity.

After a while, he noticed something off in the distance as it slowly drew closer. It was a twilit forest, with massive trees that towered into the sky. Intrigued by the new scenery Izuku once again tried to move, but found he was still unable to.

"Why can't I move?!" Izuku lamented to himself. "Just what is this place? Am I dreaming?"

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw two figures dashing through the trees. He watched as a grayish wolf dashed in and around trees in a futile attempt to shake its pursuer. Black wolf three times its size that was shrouded in a haze of crimson flames.

Izuku didn't know why, but he felt like he had to act, to do something to save the gray wolf. He tried to move, to run; he screamed and shouted, but all in vain. He could only watch in horror, powerless as the massive wolf gained on its quarry.

Ariden had no idea what the fuck was going on. The last thing he remembered was going to bed. Now here he was turned into a wolf and running for his life from a giant fuck off wolf. And no matter what he did, the demonic bastard kept gaining on him.

"I'LL RIP YOUR WORTHLESS GUTS OUT YOU WHELP!" The demonic wolf blazed. "WHEN I GET MY CLAWS ON YOU, I'LL RIP YOU TO SHREDS AND USE YOUR BODY FOR MYSELF!"

Ariden didn't need any further encouragement to run faster. His heart beating in his chest as he pushed himself to go faster, and faster. His lungs cried for more oxygen, and his muscles started to ache, but he didn't care. He had to keep going. Then Ariden saw something off in the distance from the corner of his eye.

It was the form of a man, floating in the air. Ariden turned his head to see who it was as he kept running. He blinked in surprise when he looked closer. The figure looked like Izuku, or at least had the same figure as him. It was hard to tell since the person was engulfed by what seemed to be a dark green mist that billowed out from them.

Ariden tried to look closer and make out more detail but tripped as his foot got caught by a root. He tumbled end over end until he slammed into a tree, knocking him flat. Ariden shook his head and tried to get back up, to flee. But a massive paw pressed down on his back, pinning him to the spot. Ariden felt the hot fetid breath of the wolf against his neck.

"Looks like you weren't fast enough." The wolf tutted in mock pity.

Ariden knew it was all over, so he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable end. Then something curious happened. The massive paw lifted off him and he heard a resounding thud behind him. Ariden wanted to open his eyes and see, but his body had locked down in fear.

"YOU GOT LUCKY THIS TIME! BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE SAFE!" The demonic wolf howled in rage. "DON'T THINK THIS IS OVER! Nobody will save you next time!" The wolf roared, its voice slowly growing more and more distant.

Soon the forest was quiet again. Ariden opened an eye hesitantly and saw the black wolf was gone. He sighed in relief and got back up. Ariden turned back around and was met face-to-face by a white wolf with glimmering green eyes. He almost yelped in surprise, but the wolf put a paw on his muzzle.

"Now is not the time for words." The white wolf said in a warm, gentle voice. "But do not worry. You will not be troubled by the beast that has been hounding you for a long time. We will talk again someday, but for now, go back to sleep."

"Wait-" That was all Ariden got out before his mind slipped into a dreamless sleep.

Izuku inwardly sighed with relief as he watched the giant wolf get dragged away by some unseen force. He watched as the other wolf got up and was just as surprised to see the white wolf appear from out of nowhere. Izuku saw the white wolf was talking and tried to see if he could hear what it was saying. He stopped when he felt a presence behind him.

"Do not be afraid." A gentle, masculine voice said. "It is too early for you two to be here, So I shall put you into a dreamless sleep just as I did your brother."

"What does that mean? Whose behind me? What do they want? What is this place?" Izuku's mind raced.

"I'm sure you have a million questions." The voice laughed warmly. "And when the time comes for you two to return here, I will gladly answer them. But for now, be at peace and get some rest."

Izuku felt his mind slipping, so he tried with all his might to turn and see who was behind him. He was surprised when he was able to turn. All he managed to see before sleep took him, was white hair and a glimmering green eye.

Ariden yawned when he woke up. He couldn't recall what he dreamt about last night, nor did he really care. As he got out of bed he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. That's when he noticed that he had turned back to normal. Ariden breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked around and noticed that Izuku was still asleep, and decided not to wake him up. He grabbed some clothing and made his way to the bathroom. On his way, he saw Inko in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He entered the bathroom, took off his clothing, and turned the shower on to its hottest setting.

When he got out of the shower, the bathroom looked like a sauna. The mirror fogged and mist lingered in the air. Ariden toweled himself off and went over to the sink. He opened the mirror cabinet and took out his toothbrush and toothpaste. Then he wiped off the mirror to see himself.

Izuku had woken up and joined Inko for breakfast when they heard Ariden shout. They both jumped from their chairs and rushed to the bathroom without hesitation. Izuku nearly broke the door down when he tried to open it. He and Inko both stopped, however, when they came face to face with the stranger in their bathroom

Things are finally starting to develop! I am glad that I was able to finish this chapter within a reasonable span of time and I hope I can keep up this pace. The next few chapters are going to be fun, now that we've finished what I call The First Steps Arc and are now entering The New Power Arc. All I'll tease about it is that there will be fighting, romance, a romp in the woods, a bear, and a certain raven haired girl. As per usual I am working on the next chapter and things beyond that. Also I'll again ask, what do you all prefer. Longer Chapters, Shorter Chapters, or a mix of the two? Please let me know. And if you've made it this far I thank you for reading and I hope you've enjoyed it. And once again, I ask that you post your thoughts in the comments; they are fun to read. Until next time, take care

-The Writers Apprentice