Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter (And the first chapter of my fics posted in the new year, 2025). So, heard how the manga ended, along with the extra chapter after. And… yep, still not feeling the urge to continue where I left off in the anime. None whatsoever.
I do like that Izuku x Ochako got confirmed (And pissed off the rabid part of the MHA fanbase while doing so). But other than that, the idea that Izuku will merely end up as a teacher for eight years, not making any effort to try and still be a hero without a quirk, does not sit well with me one bit. The fact that he got gifted with a power suit after those eight years does not help. One can argue that it hurts his character more than helps.
And before anyone says anything, I don't think My Hero Academia is a terrible anime. I range it from decent at least, to good at most. But its flaws, especially with its ending arc, are notable; thus keeping it from being great to S-tier. Izuku, especially, needed more work to be a better protagonist; and had plenty of opportunities, especially during the Dark/Vigilante Deku arc. Alas…
But hey, this is what fanfic is for, right? To write/read what we would've liked to see. So, gonna keep from making this a page/two page long rant, and get to the chapter. Here… the kids will have an important meeting. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia.
Chapter 14: Project Emerald Dawn
"Hello, fellow OPCs. We are gathered here today for an important meeting."
Speaking was Fumika, who took to sitting on a desk chair. She, along with the other kids, were all gathered in the children's room of the three room apartment, as insisted by both Fumika and Raiden. Standing on her side was the electric boy, with everyone else either on the bed or on the floor.
"This meeting involved our very dear Warden, Izuku. But first…!" Grabbing a glass of juice, she pointed the cup towards the blood-sister pair of Juno and Evelyn. "Let us give a warm welcome to our new family member! Cheers!"
"Cheers." Not being as dramatic, Raiden simply raised his cup with an amused smile.
"Cheers…!" Typha joined in happily, raising her own drink.
"C-Cheers…" Eri nervously raised up her glass.
"This is stupid." Haruka groaned; never-the-less lifting her drink.
"Agreed…" Nagin nodded blankly as he raised his cup.
"T-Thank you…" Was all Juno could say, feeling as shy as her new sister, Eri.
"I also express my gratitude for this impromptu welcome…" Evelyn, however, was more composed as she took in the little spectacle. "However, I must inquire on what this gathering is about."
It was the day after the adoption of Evelyn and Juno. After the little meeting between Izuku and the agent, along with a call to Inko, the rest of that day was spent with the two new additions getting to know their new family; and vice versa. Juno was as enthusiastic as she could get, seeing as everyone held an aura to them that were pleasant to be around.
From Typha's leafy green brightness, to Haruka's fire-like crimson, none of them had that darkness that her previous family held. Even Nagin's darker, murky green, and Eri's dimmed whiteness was nothing compared to what she felt from most of her blood siblings.
Evelyn, meanwhile, was more reserved in getting to know everyone; sticking with her sister closely throughout. Even when deciding to sleep in the same bed with her new older brother, it was more to keep her sister company than anything. However… she was willing to admit that she was growing fond of her new family. After all, they were warmer, more affectionate, than any of her previous brothers and sisters.
And Izuku… even with just being with him for a day, it was clear that was a better guardian than her blood-parents. Same with Miss Inko, whom she had met later on the day of their adoption. It was only a day into their new life, yet Evelyn could say that she had no regrets on her decision.
"As I said, this meeting is in regards to Warden…" Fumika repeated, putting on a gravely serious expression. "It's important information we found about him before he adopted Raiden and I. Information that we absolutely cannot ignore; that we must discuss before Warden gets back from his run."
Her words and tone of voice caused the kids to tense up. Eri and Typha exchanged nervous looks, while Haruka's lenses flashed a few times. Nagin felt his teeth clench, and Juno took to clinging to Evelyn.
None of them were prepared for what the information was.
"Tomorrow is June 15th. Izuku's birthday."
For a moment, there was silence, as the kids processed this information.
Then chaos ensued.
"HIS BIRTHDAY'S TOMORROW?!"
"Why didn't he say anything?!"
"What do we do?! What can we do?!"
"Why wait till NOW to tell us…?!"
Despite all of them being abused children in some level, all of them still know about birthdays. How it's supposed to be a happy day for the person born on that day, with celebration and presents and a birthday cake. A few of them even had a few memories of celebrating their birthday, before their OP quirk came to rise.
One of those few was Eri. There were not that many memories she had of her birth family; but there were a few, and one of those few was the celebration of her birthday. That memory, among others, was something she held onto during her time with Overhaul. Happier memories amongst the constant terror she felt.
Juno also shared similar memories of her birthdays. Obviously, the rest of her family never bothered to celebrate the day of her birth. However, Evelyn always made the effort to do something for her, whether that be a present or a treat (Even if it wasn't always a cake). That made her birthday something she could enjoy and cherish… even if her other siblings tried to take that away.
So knowing that their savior and caretaker's birthday is tomorrow, with all of them having little to no idea what to do, sent them all into a panic. Because even if good memories about birthdays were sparse between them all, they wanted to celebrate Izuku's.
Before the kids' panic could devolve into any sort of squabble, Raiden gathered electricity in his hand before performing a clap. That elicited a small, thunder-like boom that jolted everyone into silence.
"Thank you, Raiden." Nodding gratefully to her partner-in-crime, Fumika went to speak further. "Now, the reason we didn't say anything was mainly because we didn't have the chance to. It's only now that we could all gather together, without Izuku knowing about it."
"Besides, we technically did say something…" Raiden then pointed out. "Not counting Juno and Evelyn, you guys do remember the little villain monologue Fumika did, right? When she revealed all that info about Izuku?"
"...Oh yeah." Haruka said sheepishly, now recalling that info. Typha looked equally sheepish, an awkward smile across her face, while Eri looked more embarrassed.
Nagin, however, looked more composed. "The hacking of our home, learning Izuku is quirkless, and the blackmail attempt distracted us."
"...Fair enough." Fumika conceded, sounding sheepish herself, before turning to Raiden with a glare. "And hey! I wasn't doing a villain monologue!"
"Sorry Fumi, but that was a through and through villain monologue."
"I was trying to sound in control!"
"And in doing so, you sounded like a stalker villain."
"How else was I supposed to keep Warden from calling the police?!"
"I'm just saying that throughout it all, you sounded straight up like a masterminding villain."
Before the argument could go on further, Evelyn interjected. "Hold on, wait a moment. What are you all talking about?" She questioned in confusion. "The police? The hacking of this residence? Blackmail?"
Her words of confusion caused the others to turn towards her. "Ah right, I guess you don't know the full story, huh…?" Typha spoke in understanding. "So Fumika and Raiden took control of our house, and scared Izuku into coming to a factory to fight a bunch of robots. They did that so they can be adopted, and see more of Izuku's cool side."
"...What?" Was all Evelyn could say to that, mouth agape. Beside her, Juno looked equally stunned.
"Now you know why we accepted the two of you easily." Raiden said with slight embarrassment. "Fumika and I cemented ourselves as bigger troublemakers than you, Evelyn."
"No regrets!" Fumika exclaimed, holding her nose up defiantly. "Once you see the video of him fighting, you'll understand-"
"You have a video?"
"-but for now, we're getting off-topic." Fumika continued without pause. "We need to decide what we'll do for Izuku's birthday!"
"Speaking of, how come he hasn't said anything about his birthday?" Evelyn then inquired with furrowed eyebrows. "Is he keeping it a secret? Or did he forget?"
Her question caused the techno girl to sigh, looking down forlornly. Raiden also held a somber, though with traces of anger across his face. "As you already know, Izuku is quirkless." Fumika said softly. "And because of that, he's been bullied by his peers ever since he was four."
Evelyn's eyes widened at this, with Juno letting out a small, horrified gasp. "Bullied…?"
Fumika nodded, sadness and anger reflecting in her eyes. "And it wasn't just typical schoolyard bullying; he was targeted by everyone. Everyone in the schools he was in either ignored him, laughed and mocked him, or beat him with their quirks. Nearly everyday he came home with hidden bruises, stains, scars, burn-marks…"
"That includes his birthday… in fact, it becomes worse."
At this point, Juno was covering her mouth in horror while Evelyn began shaking in anger. A furious scowl formed on the mind controller's face at what she heard.
And they weren't the only ones. Horrified looks formed across Eri's and Typha's faces, while Haruka and Nagin shared similar looks of anger. It was clear everyone was connecting the dots as to why Izuku didn't mention his birthday.
"They targeted him during his birthday… didn't they?" Haruka practically growled.
It was Raiden who confirmed this, nodding as sparks came out of his body. "They made his birthday a special day to remind him of his place. Made special games on who can torment him the best." He stated, anger clear in his voice. "Who can better make him trip down the stairs; or who's more creative in using their quirk on him. They called it Deku Day."
"In case you don't know, Deku is another way to read Izuku's name. It refers to a wooden doll that doesn't have a use." Fumika informed them, attempting to keep her tone level. "Basically, it means useless. And it's the name they took to calling him ever since he was four."
A loud crack resounded across the room. That came from none other than Nagin, whose fist left a large and visible crack across the floor. Growls left the reptilian boy's lips, as memories of his own childhood played in his head.
Haruka looked equally enraged, her lenses glowing brightly with a scowl right above. She looked away from the others and straight at the window, in case her quirk decided to burst out from her visors in her anger.
Typha and Eri, meanwhile, looked sickened. The green girl looked to have a lighter, paler shade of green, tears brimming across her eyes. The rewinder looked similarly tear-stricken, her mouth covered and body shaking.
As for Evelyn… well, she was as furious as half her siblings. Her quirk-filled eye flickered in brightness, as if reacting to the anger she held. Everything she heard… it reminded her too much of home. Her old home. How her siblings would view and treat Juno. The scornful looks their moth- that woman, often sent them.
The efforts made to remind Juno that she was unwanted…
The sobs that left Juno's mouth told the older sister that she also was remembering those times. With no hesitation, the mind-controller wrapped her little sister in a hug, one that Juno quickly recuperated.
"Sorry… for the distress…" Fumika apologized, truly looking apologetic. "But now you know why Warden didn't tell us. As you can imagine, he likely doesn't look forward to his birthday. Even with him homeschooling, it's difficult to have that excitement again."
"And that's why this meeting is important. It's so we can give him the best birthday ever!" The tech girl then stated, her sad look being replaced with determination. "Cause no doubt he'll do the same for us, since none of us likely had a good birthday ourselves…"
"Way to remind us about our bad parents…" Haruka muttered with angry dryness.
"So we need to figure out what we can do to make this a special birthday for him, and permanently erase Deku Day. Are you all in agreement with this?"
Verbal and silent confirmation was made all across the room, with even Evelyn nodding her head firmly. While she and Juno were only adopted for a day, she had quickly grown attached to her new guardian (Or Warden, as she kept hearing Fumika call him). So if there was anything nice she could do for Izuku, she would happily do it.
"Excellent!" Fumika clapped her hands together, a big smile coming over her face. "Let's discuss all that we can do for his birthday! Then, once Miss Inko comes back from work, we'll begin Project Emerald Dawn!"
*The Mall*
Soon after he was done with his daily run to the Dagobah beach, his mom wanted to take him and all the kids to the mall. It was so that they could find more clothes for the newer additions, especially Evelyn and Juno.
Once they were there, the growing family split into two groups. One being Inko, and all the girl OPCs; the rest being Izuku, and two younger boys. Currently, the small boy group was at a male clothing shop, specifically one that specializes on mutation type quirks. It was to see if there was anything that would fit with Nagin's spikes, as well as clothes that could handle Raiden's electric body.
But while they were peering through the options, Izuku found himself lost in thought. The kids and his mom were acting… oddly. Not enough to where it's obvious, but it's clear there was something up with everyone.
Small smiles and giggles from his mom. Mischievous looks being passed by Raiden and Fumika. Nervous ones from Eri, Juno, and Typha when he asked where the girls planned to go. Those things were all small; but when added together, Izuku couldn't help but find it strange.
"Hey, look at this coat!" He was brought out of his thoughts by Raiden's exclamation. Looking at the electric boy's direction, Izuku saw him holding a small black and green coat, with thin line coils across the sleeves and front. "It looks so cool! And it's designed to contain my electrons!"
'It does look cool…' Izuku mused as he examined the child-sized coat. "You sure you want to get it now, Raiden? After all, it's not really the season to wear one…"
"Yeah, but, you wear your hoodie all the time. So it shouldn't be a problem, right?" Raiden argued. "Besides, I can wear this when fall comes. And it could be for when I'm at home, in order to keep from frying anything."
That's true. It does seem that coat, alongside his other electric proof clothes, can help with controlling the sparks that could come out of his body. So, after thinking about it for a moment, he nodded. "Well, if you want to get it, I don't see a problem."
"Alright…!" Raiden cheered, pumping a fist.
Izuku then turned his attention to Nagin, who's at another side with a pensive look. "How about you, Raiden? Find anything?"
"Um…" Rather than answer immediately, Nagin had an embarrassed look across his face. Curious as to what got him hesitant, Izuku went over to the clothing rack the lizard boy was looking at. Once he saw what got Nagin's attention, Izuku chuckled.
"...We'll get the waistcoat for you too if you want it."
Moments later, the three walked out, with a few bags of clothes in Izuku's hand. Seeing as both Nagin and Raiden got some clothes already at home, they didn't get too many. This was just to see if there was any more that caught their interest.
"Anywhere else you want to go before we meet up with the girls?" Izuku inquired.
For a moment, Raiden and Nagin glanced at one another. Then they gave a brief nod before turning back to Izuku. "How about a hero store?" The former suggested eagerly, with Nagin not looking against the idea.
And of course, the mention of heroes wiped any suspicion Izuku may have felt with his family, with the teen's eyes lighting up at that mention.
As the three headed out to the nearest hero store, they unknowingly had a few pairs of eyes on them. Eyes from some of the last people Izuku wanted to run into.
"Is that Deku…?"
"I haven't seen him in months…"
"Who're the kids?"
"Who cares? Someone called Bakugou. He'll want to know that we found the quirkless loser…"
XXXX
"How about this?"
"This looks like something Izuku would like!"
"Maybe he'll like this as a present…?"
"I bet Warden would enjoy this…!"
Inko watched fondly at the young girls in Izuku's care and looked through the store for good gifts they could give to Izuku. More and more, despite how bizarre the constant encounters and adoptions were, the mother saw all the good it was bringing. For both her son and the new kids under their care.
When Fumika and Raiden approached her about Izuku's birthday, she was surprised at first, before remembering that the two of them dug up everything about him beforehand. Once she heard their desire to give him the best birthday, she was more than happy to help all the kids in doing so.
After all, despite her effort, Izuku could never fully enjoy his birthday. Once he was quirkless, there were no kids that would want to celebrate with him. And as he got older… he started getting nervous around his birthday. Afraid, even.
But now, he has several kids he's looking after that were more than willing to celebrate it with him. And with him out of Aldera, and in homeschooling, there would be no one that would make him fearful of his birthday.
"Miss Inko…!" Suddenly, Typha skipped over to her and began pulling the mother to one of the shelves. "Can you help decide which of these Izuku would you like more? We're trying to decide, but…"
"I'm telling you, this is better for Izuku!"
"And I'm saying that Warden will like this more!"
"Haruka and Fumika got into a fight…" Typha finished.
Letting out a small giggle, the mother went over to help the kids find some good gifts for Izuku.
XXXX
One of those extras managed to find the quirkless nerd.
He didn't know how, but the bastard was able to hide from him for close to two months. Left their shitty school without so much as a word, left the apartment he and Aunty Inko were living in, and left not even a trace to where he could've gone. No one could find him, not even at the spots the nerd usually frequents.
And he knew. Just knew that the bastard was avoiding him. Likely still trying to become a hero. Looking down on him by not giving him the time of day.
But now that's over. Someone finally spotted Deku, and he'll be damned if he'll let the nerd disappear again.
Especially with Deku Day just around the corner…
XXXX
By the afternoon, the Midoriya Family gathered back together again, with several bags in tow. Where Izuku and the younger kids headed their way back to the apartment, Inko headed her way back to work, with her carrying some of what they've bought.
Izuku offered to take those as well, but the mother was insistent on taking them with her. Another oddity that struck the quirkless boy's mind, especially with the way his mom smiled…
"So, did the two of you find enough clothes?" Izuku asked Juno and Evelyn, the two girls linked together as usual.
"Indeed. They will suffice until our previous wardrobe returns to us." Evelyn stated happily. "It took us some time to find the proper store, however…"
"Had to look through five stores till she was satisfied with the dresses they offered…" Haruka grumbled.
That got Izuku, Nagin, and Raiden blinking. "Five stores…?"
"Evelyn and Juno apparently got some high quality clothes; and Evelyn didn't want to settle with anything below grade." Fumika explained, not that annoyed herself.
Juno gave a sheepish, apologetic look beside her mind-wielding sister. "Sorry…"
"Don't be sorry, dear sister. It's important to find the best of goods, rather than settle for mediocrity." Evelyn affirmed. "And now, if we ever come to that precinct again, we know where to look to better our wardrobe!"
"True, true…!" Typha nodded in agreement to this. She definitely found a few dresses herself that she couldn't wait to try on.
"Whatever…" Haruka remarked, merely rolling her eyes.
Izuku could only sweatdrop at the conversation he heard, chuckling awkwardly. Hopefully, Evelyn doesn't end up turning her nose at the mansion he chose for them all. He wasn't sure what he could do about that.
Then again, she made no complaints about the apartment they currently live in.
Meanwhile, Raiden got close to Fumika and whispered, "Did you find some good presents for Izuku?"
The tech-wielder smirked and nodded. "The info you and Nagin passed to the rest of us proved invaluable. We definitely found items that Warden will love."
"Perfect." Raiden smirked back in return. "Nagin and I managed to keep Izuku distracted thoroughly thanks to the hero stores. Even if he suspects anything, he won't be able to connect the dots too soon."
"Excellent! You've done well, my electric partner-in-crime."
"You as well, my devious techno-queen."
"Raiden? Fumika?" The two twisted their heads forward to see Izuku looking behind them with suspicion. "What are you two talking about over there?"
The two of them gave their best innocent expressions, opening their mouths to give out their excuses…
Those innocent looks turned into ones of shock when something shot out from an alley-way… and dragged Izuku into the sky.
"IZUKU!"
"WARDEN!"
All the kids watched in horror as something with bat-wings lifted their older brother into the sky.
*With Izuku*
Izuku didn't know what was happening. One moment, he was with the kids; the next, he's up in the sky. Any attempt to stabilize himself, and figure out who was carrying him was failing, thanks to his own panic and being flailed around.
Good knows though, the flight didn't last for long. Bad news, he was thrown onto the ground, rather than dropped or released.
"Owww…" Izuku groaned, pushing himself off the ground. Slowly, he looked around, to see that he was in some sort of forest. A very familiar looking forest.
'Where have I been here befo-?'
"Deku…!"
The quirkless teen went pale, with all thoughts pushed in the very back of his mind. He knew that voice. It's been several weeks, a few months even, since he heard that voice. That growl of his nickname. And when he slowly craned his head in the direction of that voice…
"K-Kacchan…"
He was met with the feral, cruel grin of his former friend.
And that's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, especially with the "reunion" at the end. Not a hundred percent confident with this chapter, but it's the best I could come up, so here we are. Next up will be Bakugou performing Deku Day early, with the kids coming in to the rescue (And likely maim). Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you later.