Super Science

Ch 1: A New Purpose

This was the end. At least, that's what Izuku thought as he looked over the side of the bridge he was on. Today was the day he'd finally end it all. He has thought about this for a while but says that there was nothing else. He had no other avenue or backup plans. He gave it his all; honestly, that is the one good thing he could say for himself. But no more, the words off all around him, his best friend and even his idol, all ripped every last shred of self-drive he had left. All it would take was one final step, but something grabbed his hand before he could.

He turned around and saw a man who was red in the face, breathing heavily, and standing on shaky legs. It was apparent he was in a hurry to get somewhere. A cluster of papers was in his hands, but that detail didn't matter as he heard the man speak.

"Y-young man, w-wait.", He said breathlessly. "D-Don't do it.", He pleaded.

Izuku ripped his hand away and snapped, "Why not!? What's the point!? I have no reason to go on anymore! I have no purpose!"

"Then let me give you a new one!", The man exclaimed.

Izuku looked at the man, nearing the verge of tears; he softly asked, "What?"

"J-Just answer me this.", he told him while collecting the paper in his other hand. Holding the papers out, he asked, "Did you write these?"

Izuku looked at the papers and saw that they were the remains of his old hero analysis notebook. He remembered when he was on top of a building and tearing out sheet after sheet, letting them fly off into the wind. He was also reminded that it was one of the many times he tried to end it but chickened out before finally finishing the deed on this bridge. At least then, his body wouldn't be found, just forgotten like he wanted.

"W-Why? H-How?", Izuku stammered out.

"I saw you when you were letting them fly free. It took a day, but I got them all. Then, spend the rest of that time trying to find you. And I'm glad I did.", He explained.

Izuku said nothing as he dropped the stack, prompting the man to retrieve them quickly. Izuku turned around and told him, "You should just forget about them. Their….. worthless.", He said the last part with a shudder.

The man looked at him incredulously and stated, "Worthless?! What are you talking about? These are amazing!", Izuku felt a shiver of pride run up his spine as the man continued his praise. "Never in my whole life have I ever seen a more amazing talent! Such intricacy, such detail, such passion! You have a truly unique gift, quirk or no quirk." He said with the kindest tone ever given to him.

Izuku looked at him with shock and asked, "How did you-?"

The man then stood on the bridge with him before sitting down and letting his legs dangle as he told him, "I kinda figured it out. A lot of suicides are from the quirkless. You must've been through a lot?"

Izuku didn't sit beside him; instead, he squatted and hugged his knees, asking, "Why do you care? I'm just some nobody."

The man looked at him again like he was crazy and ranted, "Nobody?! Nobody! Young man, you have a gift for detail and analysis on a level that's even better than most valedictorians! You have something greater than any quirk in the world! A sharp mind. And being able to think is better than being able to punch.", He told him while poking his head.

Izuku felt his smothered emotions break free as he admitted, "All my life….I've always wanted to be a hero."

"I figured.", The man said softly.

"But everyone told me I couldn't, that I was weak. But I didn't care if I had a quirk or if it was strong. Heck, I didn't even care about being a popular hero! I just wanted to help people with a smile on my face.", he told him, pouring his guts out in thick tears before sniffling back and saying, "Like….like…like…"

"Like All Might?", the man finished, making Izuku look at him. The man gave a small chuckle and told him, "Yeah, I idolized him when I was younger." The man then leans back and looks up, telling Izuku, "You know…you and I aren't too different. I have a dream people say is impossible, and I started believing them."

Izuku looked away, wanting to bury his head in his arms, thinking he knew where this conversation would lead. That is until the man followed up, saying, "Until I put in my blood, sweat, and tears into my dream, and I finally made something! Something I know will change the world!", Izuku was now on his butt as he saw the man's fists tighten. Looking at him with a mix of determination and desperation, he admitted, "But I need help. Your help."

"Me?", Izuku asked while pointing at himself.

"You say you're hopeless and in the pits of despair without any other purpose in life.", The man asked Izuku while grabbing his shoulders and looking him dead in the eyes. Then, let me give you one! You may not have power, but you have brains! And that's the thing that brought us to where we are as a species." He told him seriously before pulling away and bowing to him. He begged, "So please, young man! Become my Assistant!"

Izuku was silent for a long while, which made the man worry he'd deny or jump. But Izuku did neither; he just sat and thought. After a long thought, he let one single tear run down his face as he replied, "Being a hero was a long shot. I knew it wouldn't work, but I wanted to give it my all." He then looked at the man and confidently stated, "I accept."