Chapter 19: The First Move

Aizawa: "For the foundational skill of heroics we'll study today, it was decided you'll be supervised by a four-man team comprising me, All Might, and two others."

Izuku could barely focus on what was being said. He pinched his forehead, trying in vain to stop the buzzing. Ever since he woke up, there was an increasingly loud buzzing in his head. Not wanting to worry Kiri, he kept it to himself.

But if this keeps up, he won't be able to focus on the lesson.

Sero: "Sensei! What will we be doing!?"

Aizawa: "Be the hero everyone needs, whether it's a flood or any other disaster. It's a rescue trial."

Denki: "Rescue trial… sounds a bit more difficult this time around."

Jiro: "Compared to the battle trial, this will be easier if anything."

Kirishima: "Yeah! This is what being a hero is all about! I'm chomping at the bit!"

Mina: "Totally! Relax Kaminari, we'll do fine."

Tsuyu: "Especially if it's a flood, that environment is my specialty, kero."

Aizawa: "Don't get ahead of yourselves. This will be just as difficult as the battle trial, if not more so. Don't overestimate your abilities; I expect comparable or better results than before."

The students who spoke nodded after a moment, thinking about the challenge ahead.

Aizawa: "As I was saying, the training area is fairly far away, so we'll get there by bus. That's all. Go get prepared."

While everyone got up to head to the changing area, Izuku was still sitting and messaging his forehead. He barely registered his name being called.

Momo: "Midoriya, are you alright?"

He opened his eyes to see Momo, Kiri, Uraraka, and Ida looking at him with varying degrees of worry.

Izuku: "Y-Yeah, just a headache. I'm fine. Where are we going?"

Uraraka: "You weren't paying attention?"

Kiri: "A first."

Ida: "Should I get the nurse?"

Izuku: "N-No! I'm… fine. You don't have to bother Recovery Girl. I'm sure it will pass. Yaoyorozu, can you help catch me up?"

Momo: "Of course."

After getting the refresh and talking with his friends, the buzzing cooled down for a while. With a clear head, Izuku was able to get into his restored hero costume and join the rest of the class on the bus.

But the buzzing soon came back with a vengeance. He couldn't hear the various conversations going around him. Not even Bakugo's angry screaming or Uraraka's laughter at said screaming.

It wasn't until Kiri, who was seated next to him, softly took his hand into hers that he calmed down.

Kiri: "Onii, what's wrong?"

Izuku: "Noth-"

She roughly tightens her grip, shutting down any avoidance.

Izuku: "Ow! K-Kiri?"

Kiri: "Don't lie, not to me."

Izuku sighed, relenting to his little sister.

Izuku: "I've been hearing buzzing in my head all day. It's making it hard to focus."

Kiri: "Buzzing?"

Izuku: "Yeah, but more than that… I feel like something bad is about to happen."

Kiri: "I see… no matter what happens, though… I'll protect you."

Izuku: "Haha, I'm the big brother; I should be protecting you."

Kiri: "Then we protect each other."

Izuku softly tightens his grasp on her hand and smiles.

Izuku: "Right, thank you, Kiri."

Kiri: "Nh."

The buzzing lessened with that small but important declaration. It would disappear completely when they arrived at the training area.

Izuku: "Fubuki!?"

Kiri: "Onee-chan!"

Yes, next to Thirteen was their big sister. She had to swallow the slight frown at being called that by Kiri, though. Regardless, she's happy to be here.

Fubuki: "Surprise."

The two ran up to her while everyone else was also stunned by the surprise.

Momo: "So that's the Blizzard of Hell?"

Ida: "Is she also a teacher?"

Aizawa: "No, she's here at request from the principal. Extra help."

Denki: "That's Midoriya's sister!? Man, she's ho-"

Before he could say any more, Jiro elbowed him in the gut.

Thirteen: "Haha, I was ignored."

Well, not quite. Mina and Uraraka dashed to the neglected pro-hero.

Uraraka: "You're Thirteen, right!? I'm a big fan!"

Mina: "Me too! You were one of my biggest inspirations growing up."

Thirteen: "Aw, thanks."

Aizawa, wanting to get started and get some answers, walked up to Thirteen and Fubuki.

Aizawa: "Okay, you four, go back to the rest of the class."

Izuku: "Alight, we'll see you later, Fubuki."

Fubuki: "It won't be long; I'll personally help train you and… Kiri in your rescue trial."

Uraraka: "But I have so many questions."

Thirteen: "Maybe later, after the training."

Uraraka nods and goes back with the other students. Now alone, Aizawa asks the important question.

Aizawa: "Where's All Might? He should be here around this time."

Fubuki: "Well…"

Thirteen: "He's been out hero-ing while commuting up until his time was up."

Fubuki: "I even saw him resting in the nap room."

Aizawa: "That guy's the height of irrational."

Thirteen: "It's not eternity his fault. There has been a sudden increase of crimes around this area."

Aizawa: "I see…"

Fubuki: "I had my Blizzard Group deal with the crimes he was unable to. So there hasn't been any major damage."

Aizawa: "…That's good, thank you."

Despite the kind words, Aizawa's eyes subtly narrow. He's one of the few people who know about the more… questionable things the Blizzard Group has done to become one of the largest agencies in the city. He doesn't trust them, but it's not like he can do anything to shut them down.

Also doesn't help that it's also one of the most effective agencies as well. Few can compare to them when it comes to dealing with villains and quirk beasts.

Aizawa: "Oh well, shall we?"

Fubuki: "Lets."

Thirteen: "Wait, before we begin, just one thing or three."

The pro hero turns to the students.

Thirteen: "I'm quite certain some of you already know, but my quirk is Black Hole. No matter what material may get sucked into its vortex, I'm afraid it will turn to dust."

Izuku: "A perfect quirk for removing wreckage and saving people injured by disasters."

Uraraka could only nod rapidly at how cool and useful the quirk was.

Thirteen: "Yes, but it's also a power that could easily kill people. In that way, it's no different from the quirks of everyone here."

Fubuki: "Adding onto that, it's not just her quirk that's like that. This is a good time to explain that my family's quirk can easily kill, even easier than Thirteen's."

"Huh!?"

The whole class said while their eyes widened. But the widest was Izuku's.

Izuku: "But… how?"

Fubuki: "Aside from the physical force we can use, our powers can directly target internal organs. Crushing the heart or brain is quite simple."

Izuku: "Wait, I… can do that. Why didn't-"

Fubuki: "Because you didn't need to know about that application of your quirk. Not yet anyway."

Silence reigned in the area, and Izuku could feel the subtle stares directed at him. He doesn't blame them. Such power is-

Thirteen: "Now don't look at the boy like he's some walking bomb. Many quirks are like that. Tae and Kirishima could easily punch a hole through someone."

Kirishima: "I wouldn't… "

Kiri: "Nh."

Kiri knows all too well how dangerous her quirk is. She remembers the first time she had to tear apart a quirk beast. That was when she learned the importance of proper control.

Thirteen: "Uraraka can send someone into orbit, Ashido can melt people, Jiro can shatter eardrums, and I don't think I need to explain Todoroki or Bakugo."

The girls paled at the stated fact. They somewhat knew this already, but to have it said so plainly put it into perspective. As for the boys, they didn't let any inner turmoil show.

Thirteen: "The only thing we are allowed to use lethal force against are mindless quirk beasts. But most of the time, we fight against humans."

Fubuki: "And that's why control is so important in hero work. We're heroes, not murderers."

As she says that, Fubuki glares at Bakugo, who is the most likely to use excessive force. He couldn't meet her glare and turned away.

Thirteen: "During Mr. Aizawa's physical tests, you learned of your respective power's true potential. During All Might's battle trial, you took away a true sense of danger of brandishing those powers against one another."

Izuku looks at Bakugo, and to his surprise, he's looking at him too. They both understood that last statement more than anyone. Still, Bakugo is Bakugo, so he clicks his teeth and looks away.

Thirteen: "These lessons will serve as a fresh start! Let's get to studying about how to wield our quirks for the sake of human life! Your quirks emphatically do not exist to hurt others!"

Her words start to restore the atmosphere to a more lively one. The young heroes stop looking at their quirks as possible death tools but instead as ways to help people. But not without acknowledging the fact that they can be used as such. A needed balance.

Thirteen: "Please leave this exercise having fully understood that your quirks exist to help people! That's all! You have my gratitude for listening to this spur-of-the-moment speech."

Uraraka: "It was awesome!"

Momo: "Yes, you and Ms. Fubuki gave us much to consider."

Ida: "Bravo! Bravoo!"

Aizawa: "Alright, now with that out of the way, we can-"

Before he can continue, Izuku and Fubuki widen their eyes. They weren't the only ones that felt it; Aizawa looked down at the main area.

Izuku: "So-Something's wrong."

A gaseous black hole tinged with purple formed in front of the fountain below. From out of its depths emerged a sinister face filled with madness.

Aizawa: "Get back!"

The gaseous mass exploded outwards, revealing several more people walking out of the darkness. Each one of them with eyes filled with malice. Some were even mindless quirk beasts. What filled everyone with terror was that despite being mindless, they were seemingly under the control of the villains.

What power could possibly do such a thing?

Aizawa: "Thirteen, Blizzard, protect the students!"

Thirteen: "Of course."

Fubuki: "Right!"

She stood resolutely in front of them, especially her little brother. She thinks, no, knows she can defeat most of them. But four of these villains were different.

The first and the leader, the one with severed hands covering his body.

The second and the most dangerous, the hulking monster with his brain exposed.

The third and the most tricky, the formless mist.

The last and most mysterious, a seemingly normal man with messy red hair and dark green highlights. He was shorter than the rest, dressed in a white hooded long coat. Underneath that appeared some sort of gray, form-fitting leathery material that resembled hexagonal scales going all the way up to his neck and mouth. Finally, he had black pants with gray armor-covered knee pads with shin guards and matching boots.

But the most concerning thing was what he was dragging out of the portal. A large cylindrical device that buzzed with unknown blue energy.

? 1: "Looks like your plan worked; All Might isn't here yet."

? 2: "Of course, and with this baby, we won't have to deal with Tornado until we're ready."

With a press of a button, Izuku was sent to his knees. The buzzing returned, but it was different somehow. Regardless, he felt… weaker.

"IZUKU!"

Nearly the whole class shouted his name while Fubuki and Kiri went to their brother. What they didn't notice was that Fubuki and Kiri were always affected by that device.

Fubuki found it harder to focus her quirk, and Kiri was an inch shorter and flickering a bit.

? 1: "Good, I wonder what face All Might will make when he finds all these kids dead on the ground."

? 2: "A fitting welcome and tombstone for the number one hero."

Aizawa: "Get them out of here, now!"

Aizawa got geared up, then jumped down and ran towards the oncoming swarm. Kiri saw this and the upcoming swarm of villains and quirk beasts. Then she looked at her still-hurting brother before making the choice she knew he would make. The one a hero would.

Kiri: "Too many."

She got up and dashed towards where Aizawa was.

Fubuki: "Kiri!"

Thirteen: "Wait-"

She was too fast, even in a weakened state; they couldn't catch her. She knew this was risky, but this was the best way to save her brother and be the hero she is supposed to be. Defeating at best and distracting at worst. Either way, her family will be safe.

When she caught up to Aizawa, his eyes widened at her presence. But it quickly went away when he remembered who she was, Valkyrie, the number one vigilante.

Kiri: "You take the villains; I'll take care of the beasts."

Aizawa: "… Fine. Be careful."

"What dumb fucks! They're actually sending some unknown and a kid after us. Firing squad, blow them away!"

But nothing came out of their gun-like quirks.

"Huh?"

Aizawa quickly descended and wrapped his battle cloth around two of the goons. A second later, he used his impressive strength to smash their heads together.

As for Kiri, she continued forward towards the stampede of quirk beasts. She ignored the comments about her coming death and intercepted the first one, a raging bull on two legs. It raised its arms, ready to crush her into a paste.

But it was in for a rude awakening because Kiri didn't need to hold back anymore.

BOOM!

Everyone turned to the little girl, stunned at the carnage she just unleashed. The raging bull was now sporting a hole in his chest. It fell onto the now red and sticky ground.

Kiri looked around at the now scared villains with her fist still in a striking pose. Even the quirk beasts were frightened, for before them was an Alpha Predator. One that seemed eerily similar to the vigilante that terrorized their kind.

Kiri: "Next."

The class, minus Izuku, was stunned more than the villains. Not only was Kiri crazy strong, but she seemed completely fine with killing. But they quickly got over it and were instead inspired.

Kirishima: "I-If Kiri is allowed to fight down there, we should too!"

Uraraka: "Right, we have to help!"

Fubuki: "No, we need to leave. Once you're all safe, I and Thirteen can help them."

Kirishima: "But-"

Thirteen: "Ms. Fubuki is right; we have to-"

? 3: "You're going nowhere."

Everyone turned around to see the dark mist villain. Izuku forced himself up, ready to fight even harder. What kind of big brother would he be if he didn't.

? 3: "Greetings. We are the League of Villains and-"

Bakugo: "DIE!"

Bakugo and Kirishima were the first to move. Bakugo unleashed a direct explosion into the mist while Kirishima went for a wide kick.

It did succeed in dispersing some of the mist but-

Fubuki: "That won't be enough!"

Fubuki raised her hand and tried to control the mist, but… she couldn't get a good grasp on it all. She couldn't focus enough power!

? 3: "Our strategist planned for you and your family, Blizzard. Die knowing you couldn't save anyone."

Thirteen: "Get back, you two!"

The mist exploded out and engulfed everyone in the abyss.

Fubuki: "Izuku!"

Izuku: "Fubuki!"

? 3: "They will be scattered, tortured, and slain. There is nothing you can do to prevent it, Blizzard of Hell."

The next moment, Fubuki was alone in a damaged forested area. Broken and destroyed trees lay scattered across a rocky plain.

Fubuki: "Izu… Izu where are you?"

Several… awful scenarios assaulted her mind. It took all she had to keep standing and not giving into despair.

Fubuki: "He's… alright… I know he is. He's strong; I know he can hold out until I get there. Just… trust him, Fubuki."

? 2: "I wouldn't waste my time worrying about him, Fubuki."

The esper twists her head around to see the one they called strategist emerging out of the more forested area.

? 2: "I'll have to thank Kurogiri again for agreeing to send you here so we can have a private chat."

Fubuki: "Who are you!?"

? 2: "I'm hurt. Look into my eyes; tell me they don't look familiar. They both had similar eyes after all."

She does so, and her own eyes widen. His eyes were a familiar green, one she knows all too well.

Fubuki: "I-Impossible."

? 2: "Bingo. My name is Apotheosis, and Dad says hi."

Fanfic Adapted: Apotheosis by Lord Wolfe [2018-2024]

(Considering that in that story Apotheosis is Izuku, I'm of course changing a lot. The general premise for his character is nearly the same, but this will definitively be more of an 'Inspired by' situation.)