Chapter 3: The hero and the princess

"Seven pure lights"

"Hearts untouched by darkness"

"They are known as the Princesses of Heart"

"Izuku honey, are you okay?" Inko's voice brought Izuku back to reality, "Another one?"

He nodded, "Yeah, but that one was a lot clearer, I'm gonna note it down." Getting up from the table where they were having dinner, Izuku made his way to his room to grab a notebook.

Making a quick entry about the vision, he stared at the words. He didn't know why, but the name 'Princess of Heart' made his heart ache, like he should know it, like there was something really important about it. Shaking his head, Izuku made his way back to the table.

"Something wrong?"

"What?"

"You're making that face you do when something is wrong sweetie."

Izuku scratched his head, he was really that obvious, "It's just that, in the last vision, there was this name I think I should know, but I only draw blanks whenever I think about it."

"It must be the nerves, you took the exam yesterday after all, why don't you go for a walk after you finish eating? It'll help clear your mind a little." Inko offered, from what her son told her about the exam, he knew how to protect himself.

"You're right, I promise I'll be back before it gets too late." Izuku said, standing up from his seat.

"Okay, but put a coat on mister! It's getting cold" Inko said, using her concerned mother's voice.

"Okay, okay, I will," It's super effective.

After dinner, Izuku changed into a dark green hoodie, black trousers and crossed belts with his red shoes. Saying goodbye to his mother, he leaves the house. Maybe a walk really would take his mind off the strange visions and mysterious name.

On the street, Izuku walks without any clear direction, letting his legs carry him. Putting his hood up (his mother was right, It was cold) he let his mind wander, he thought about the exam and his new friends, the first time he used One For All and the drawbacks (read broken bones), All Might still not contacting him. But principally how the flashbacks that he was having don't make sense, they weren't in order, pieces are missing, and it doesn't matter how hard he tries he couldn't help but think he was forgetting certain people.

Izuku was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't realized he was in the middle of the city and it was almost 10 p.m. The street was starting to get deserted, deciding to head back he turned back, making his way back.

Suddenly, a tiny figure runs out from a side alley and bumping into Izuku's leg, looking down he saw the figure was a little girl, no older than 6, she had white hair and red eyes, a pale yellow horn in the right side of her head, wearing a ragged white dress.

Izuku kneeled down, "Hey, you okay?" He gently takes her hands helping her stand, Izuku sees the bandages covering her limbs, but what drew his attention was the fear in her eyes, "Hey, calm down, I'm not going to hurt you, where are your parents? I can help you find them." Still kneeling on her level he places his hands on her shoulders and gives her a kind smile.

The girl stared at him, little by little her panicked expression started to calm down, she opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a figure exiting the same alley.

"Eri come back," They said, wearing a white cloak and some type of bird mask. Their voice makes the girl start to tremble, Izuku noticed it, he slowly stood placing himself in front of the girl.

"Who are you?" Izuku asked, he didn't like the man, something felt off about him. If he had to describe it Izuku would say that the masked man was up to no good. There is a darkness coming off the man in waves, if the girl went to him, Izuku had no doubt there would be consequences.

"I'm her father, what are you doing with her?" The man said, committing to the fasaud, he motions Eri to come to him, "Eri let's go."

Eri grabbed Izuku's legs, trying to hide behind him, Izuku felt his heart burn at the fear in her eyes, trembling on her small form. This wasn't a child running away from a parent for a silly reason. Eri was terrified of the man in front of her.

Izuku glared, in a green flash his Keyblade manifested in his hand seemingly on it's own "She doesn't want to go with you. Get lost!"

The man narrowed his eyes, staring at the teen in front of him, "Are you trying to kidnap my daughter?" He slowly raised his hand for his back, reaching for something.

Izuku took his stance, making sure to cover Eri with his body, "Cut the act, she's afraid of you, so if you want her, you'll have to pass through me first!"

"Well have it your way," Confirming the street was empty, the man pulled a gun he kept hidden, opening fire, Izuku in his defensive stance, felt the bullets hitting the Keyblade.

Eri stares terrified, the person she bumped into was now protecting her, he was kind to her, even when no one else was, even with her curse. She didn't want to see him die, her grip tightened causing Izuku to look towards, "Please, leave me, you'll die, just go." She said, tears welling in her eyes, she didn't think herself worth all the trouble.

Izuku's eyes widened, but he gave her a gentle smile aimed at her, "Nope, I have to save you, because…" Heroes Rising glowed, Izuku opened his arms, a shockwave formed, hitting the man, throwing him off balance and back into the alley, "That's what heroes do!"

Pointing the tip of the blade to the ground in front of his enemy, Izuku released a Blizzard spell making a small ice wall, trapping the man in the alley. Scooping Eri in his left arm, Izuku ran, leaving the man behind.

After some time, and lots of curves, Izuku saw his neighborhood. Slowing down he looks at the girl that was holding onto him like a lifeline, "Hey, it's okay now, we're safe."

The little girl looked around, they were somewhere different, the man was nowhere in sight. She looked at her savior, noticing his hood had fallen down, exposing his face. Meeting his eyes, for the first time Eri felt safe in the presence of someone else.

"Hey, do you have somewhere to go?" Izuku was capable of connecting the dots, a little girl in bandages running from a villain, she probably was taken away from her family and didn't know how to get home. Something felt familiar about that, but she needed help, and he's here to help her.

"No," Eri couldn't understand why this person helped her. In the end he would get hurt, the bird people would find her, they always did, and then they'd kill him. She had to go, so why couldn't she? Why did her arms keep holding onto him?

"Well then, why don't you go home with me then? You can spend the night there and tomorrow we can get help to get you back to your family."

"I don't have…."

"What?"

"I don't have a family"

"Oh…" That was unfortunate, but that didn't mean he still couldn't help her. "Then you can stay with me and my family, as long as you like, okay?"

Eri shyly nodded, "Okay..."

"I don't think I told you my name huh, I'm Midoriya Izuku."

"I'm Eri..."

"Nice to meet you Eri" Izuku gave her his best smile, Eri tried to do the same, but she couldn't, the shadow looming over her heart wouldn't let her.

Izuku expected as much, the child's bright light was buried below a great darkness, it felt wrong. While he carried Eri to his apartment, already on sight, he promised that he would free her heart. It'll take a lot of faith, trust, and work, but he felt that it would be worth it in the end, to see this little girl smile.

After a short walk, they arrived at the Midoriya residence.

"Mom, I'm home!" Izuku called out, closing the door behind him.

"Izuku! I was getting worried-" Inko froze seeing the child in her son's arms, various thoughts passed her mind, but seeing the state of the girl's clothes and bandages, the only one left was her protective mother ones, "You have a lot to explain mister, but now come here, take her to the bathroom while I grab some clean clothes."

The no-nonsense tone was enough to let Izuku know how serious his mother is, with a quick nod he carries the child who is doing her best to hide in his chest to the bathroom.

Placing Eri on the ground, Izuku finally gets a good look on the girl, her battered dress is actually a hospital gown, the bandages on her limbs are dirty, like they were reused, and below them, fresh wounds still dripped with blood. That shocked Izuku, Eri was probably in a lot of pain having to move with those, Izuku wouldn't let that continue, standing up, Izuku took a step back, Eri's eyes locked in his figure, with curiosity and fear shining in them.

"Come on you've seen it done a million times." Izuku thought of the visions of strangers with similar powers to himself. Although there was one specific instance he was focusing on, summoning his Keyblade, Izuku held it with two hands. He closed his eyes focusing on the feeling of Recovery Girl's quirk. The feeling of freshness and renewal, the tip of the Keyblade glowed a soft green light, "Cure."

Eri is enveloped by green light, it's nothing like she has ever felt before.

"Feeling better now Eri?" Izuku asked, dismissing his weapon. He kneels down gently holding her bandaged hands, he unwraps the old bandages being sure to check each limb on the child. Scar still littered the little girl, but the most recent wounds had healed with no trouble."Here, better now."

Eri stares starstruck, what a wonderful power, there are no wounds and the pain is all gone, it's a feeling she couldn't remember ever having. "Is that your power?".

"Huh, no that's just some healing magic."

"Magic?" Eri asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah, my Keyblade lets me use magic, it's different from quirks, while the power of quirks come from our bodies, magic comes from the heart." Izuku places a hand over his chest, raising the other, letting tiny lights dance on it.

Eri took a breath, a power so beautiful, she couldn't help, but want to do it too. "Can I do magic too?" She desperately hoped that maybe there was more to her than her horrible curse.

Izuku smiled, "Of course, anyone can."

"Can you teach me?"

Looking at those red eyes full of hope, Izuku felt his heart melting, even then though he couldn't just say yes, he wasn't ready to teach-

"I name you, Keyblade Masters"

"I told you, you passed with flying colors"

"It is now your duty as Masters to pass forward the legacy of the Keyblade"

"Izuku?" Eri said, shaking his arm, she wore a worried look, she was afraid she upset him.

Izuku shook his head, "Huh? Sorry I spaced out a little, but yes I can teach you."

Eri jumped, "Really?"

"Really, but it's a great responsibility," His finger moved towards himself and her. " for both of us."

"Respo...hum?"

"Well, it's important, I'll have to take care of you, and you'll have to work hard."

"You'll take care of me?" Eri couldn't understand, why would he want to take care of her, she's cursed, she only would hurt him.

Izuku placed a hand on her head, "Of course I will, if you accept, then I'll be your Master, so it will be my duty to take care of you." Izuku gave her a smile, and she felt her heart warming, she could be with her savior, before she could say anything, tears started to fall, she hugged him.

Izuku's harms flew up, "Woah, Eri calm down, you don't have to accept if you-"

"Yes, please, don't leave me alone," Eri said between sobs, Izuku felt the pleading in her heart, the fear, the hurt, and the hope. How could he call himself a hero if he didn't save the little girl crying in his chest. Holding her shoulders, Izuku looked in her eyes.

"Well then, from today on, I'm your Master, and I'll protect you, I'll teach you, and I'll always be by your side, it's a promise." Izuku offered Eri his pinky finger, she stared at it for a second, before slowly raising her hand and enveloping his finger with hers. She didn't know why, but it felt right.

Inko is at the door, watching that beautiful moment (and taking some pictures), she had the impression that the story was a little more complicated than she first assumed, but is certain that Izuku would keep the promise he just made.

"Well Izuku, while I give this little girl a bath, you're going to explain what happened." Inko said, starting the shower, at first the child didn't want to leave Izuku's side, but after reassuring her he would be at the other side of the door waiting for her she agreed.

Inko felt like she was back in the past. During the time when she had to help Izuku to shower, Eri felt the same care that Izuku had with her from the woman. In the end Eri looked like a different person, her white hair was shining, she looked adorable in Izuku's old clothes, a simple green shirt that was a bit too big for her and blue pants.

Leaving the bathroom, they are greeted by a delicious smell.

In the kitchen, Izuku is cooking, "Hey! I thought Eri may be hungry so give me a second and I'll finish it up for you."

Inko starred, she never would have thought of her son proficient in the culinary arts. "Wow Izuku, when did you learn how to cook?"

Izuku wore a look on his face, he couldn't clearly remember where or who taught him, but something told him that they were a friend. Although he did distinctly remember a dream about a rat who could cook. "A friend taught me." Izuku put a bow of katsudon on the table, "Here Eri, dig in!".

Eri is already salivating from the smell, seeing the steaming bowl let her stomach rumbling, with the green light given, she's seated on the table and eating, with her hands.

"Hey, Eri, use the utensils." Izuku's only answer is a tilt of the head and bloated cheeks, "You don't know how to use them, or what they are, right?"

Eri shook her head.

"Okay, then I'll teach you how to eat with them" Izuku sighed, seated at Eri's side, taking the utensils and showing her how to use them.

After a couple of tries Eri got the hang of it, with some little mishaps along the way. Inko looked at that familiar scene, remembering when she was helping the boy after finding him, that's when she realizes she's forgetting something.

"Izuku, I think it's time for that explanation."

After a quick retelling of the events, Inko was equal parts proud and worried.

"Izuku, that was dangerous!"

"I know mom, but I had to do something, don't worry I don't think that was the first time someone shot at me."

"WHAT?!"

"Okay, I shouldn't have said that." Izuku said, the weight of the words catching up to him.

"We will talk about this later, now we have to decide what to do with Eri." This is especially important, this little girl needs help.

"I'll take care of her" Izuku's reply was instantaneous, he made a promise after all.

"Izuku this is serious, you can't just simply say that, we should go to the police."

"Mom, I said I'll take care of her and I will, I gave my word as a Keyblade Master."

"A what?" Inko knew about the matters related to the Keyblade, or at least what Izuku had told her, and even it being a little hard to believe, the way his eyes sparkled when they talked showed he was being honest. Whenever he talked about his visions and dreams, there was almost something about the way he talked about them that told her they might just be real, but that's ridiculous. Gummi ships? Anthropomorphic dogs and ducks? Magic? It's all too unbelievable, Izuku never gave an indication that her skepticism bothered him, in fact he didn't really seem to care. But this is the first time she heard something about him being a Master, whatever that meant.

"A Keyblade Master, the point where a wielder is ready to pass on the legacy of the Keyblade and teach the new wielders"

"So you're telling me you can pass it to others?" Quirks don't pass on to each other, "that someone passed it to you?"

"Why did you pass the Keyblade to me?"

"That day on the beach, I felt the light in your heart, so I decided to follow mine and give you the chance to follow yours."

"Haha, thanks Aqua."

"Izuku, are you okay?" The worry in his mother's voice brought Izuku's attention back to reality, tears escaping his eyes.

"Aqua."

"What? Honey, you had another one?" Inko asked, worried. They seem to be happening more frequently as of late it seemed.

"Yes, Aqua was telling me why she gave me the Keyblade, she said that it was the chance that I needed to follow my dreams, she believed in me." Izuku's absentminded response almost brought Inko to shed tears too. How she regretted the words she said to him that night, how she regretted being the first to give up on him. "Even if these visions and dreams aren't real the feelings I get from them are, which makes them just as real as any memory I have."

Izuku turned to Inko with a determined teary stare, "Mom, I want to give Eri a chance, I want to give her the hope she needs." Izuku brings the teary eyes of both to rest in the little girl that stopped eating and was watching with curiosity why the two greenets were crying.

That's what made Inko understand where all of this was coming from, Izuku may not be blood related to her, but he is her son, and he is about to make the same choice she made on that beach all those years ago.

Inko gave a soft laugh, drying her tears, "Well, I can't be mad at you that way" standing up, "But I can't just leave all the responsibility for you either, so WE are going to take care of Eri." The motherly smile in her face was enough to make the children in the table feel the love radiating from her.

"Now it's getting late, and I won't leave my children with a bad night of sleep, you two are going to bed, and tomorrow we will talk about this Master business," Inko pointed towards Izuku, "and you are going to explain the 'I don't think it's the first time I got shot' thing" Izuku had the decency to look sheepish, he REALLY shouldn't have said that.

Inko turned towards Eri, "Now Eri with whom you would like to sleep?" Inko already knew the answer, seeing Eri hug Izuku, asking to stay with him, while her son panicked a little she took the opportunity to get some pictures of her children. HER CHILDREN, Inko never thought she could have children, but these little lights found a way to her life.

After cleaning the table, Izuku helped Eri get ready for bed, he's still unsure about them sharing his room. But the puppy eyes of both her and his mother are enough to make him agree.

After a slightly embarrassing tour of his room Izuku tucked Eri in his bed, "Sweet dreams Eri, if you need anything you just have to call, I'll be sleeping on the ground so you don't have to get up if you need me"

When Izuku was about to turn off the lights, Eri holded in him, "NO! Please don't leave, the bird people will come"

"Bird people? You're talking about that guy in the alley?" Eri nodded, she finally escaped, she was with people who are nice to her, just the thought of going back is enough to make her cry.

"Hey Eri, I promised that I would protect you, and I always keep my promises, so don't worry, if the bird people come I won't let them take you."

"But you can't always be with me" Eri knew that was impossible, but just thinking about being alone in the dark, of Izuku leaving her, tears started to fall.

Izuku hugged the girl, "I can, our hearts are connected, so I'll always be with you." Actions were better than words in a situation like this, so still hugging Eri, Izuku laid on the bed and held her. "So don't worry, because no matter how far away we are from each other, I'll protect you."

Listening to his words and his heart, Eri relaxed, and not long after she's asleep, Izuku smiled letting unconsciousness take him.

Izuku is falling, drifting in the dark, when a light shines in the distance, slowly Izuku opens his eyes and sees the pure light. The moment is short lived, darkness flowed, shooting out, trying to swallow the light.

Izuku hears the cry for help, and his body moves.

Summoning his Keyblade, he points ahead, a Keyhole forms in the void. Heroes Rising glows, from the tip, a beam of light shoots out, hitting the Keyhole.

The void cracks and shattered, colorful patterns forming and dancing. Izuku dived in, becoming a ray of light, like a shooting star, crossing the sky.

"The Sleeping Worlds?"

"You can use your Keyblades to open the path to them. There, you will prove that you have the Mark of Mastery."

"Huh, where am I?" Izuku found himself in a dark tunnel, pipes and wires littering the place. The air gave a heavy feeling.

"NO!"

Izuku jumped, that was Eri's voice! He dashed looking around searching for the source of the sound. Taking a turn, he found Eri at the end of the corridor, pressed against a wall, while a dark figure loomed over her.

Before Izuku could fully register the scene, his body moved, jumping on the wall, the moment his feet met concrete, his body was covered in a bright aura.

Flowmotion, his mind remembered. The energy, the freedom, the flow. In a second, he covered the distance between them.

"Get away from her!" Izuku shouted, striking the being, his Keyblade manifested, descending with the speed and power of a meteor. The figure dissipated, turning into a dark smoke.

"Eri, are you okay?" Izuku kneeled in front of the little girl, noticing that her clothes were different, she's wearing a red long sleeved dress that had pastel colored floral patterns on it, with a heart emblem in the chest area, black leggings, and little red shoes like Izuku's.

Looking at himself, Izuku realized he was wearing new clothes too, even his physical features looked a bit different. Instead of the buff muscles he earned during his many months cleaning the beach, he had lean muscles and tanner skin. He wore a black shirt with green lines crossing in the chest and converging in a circle in the back, in the center of the circle is a Dream Eater symbol, dark green baggy pants, and his iconic red shoes and crossed belts.

Eri hugged her savior, "Izuku! You came, the bird people took me again, but you came!" He came for her again, her mind knew something was wrong but the relief was too much for her to care.

"Eri calm down," He placed his hands on her shoulders, things didn't feel right. He didn't think they really were in the real world anymore. Something in the back of his mind just told him that none of this was truly 'real,' "they can't hurt you."

"But now we're here, and they'll hurt us, we have to run." Eri sobbed in Izuku's chest trying to push him, making him run away from her nightmares.

"No Eri, they didn't. It's only a dream."

"A dream?" The girl asked, confused while looking up at him. "Are you a dream too?"

"No...well more or less, I felt that you needed help, so I dived in your dream, I'm a Dream Eater now." That sounded about right, he did remember a few dreams about colorful creatures and sleeping worlds.

"Dream Eater? Why do you eat dreams? What do they taste like?" Eri tilted her head, the safety and warmth lessening her fear.

Izuku laughed at the cuteness and innocent questions. But the moment is cut short by a noise coming from the end of the hallway. In a second, Izuku is standing in front of Eri, looking alert and ready for a fight. In a dark part of the tunnel, a small figure slowly made its way to them.

Izuku seeing the form of the figure felt a sense of familiarity, in the little moment of distraction, the figure rushed at Izuku, before he could react it tackled him to the ground...and start to nuzzle him, getting a look at it, Izuku saw a rotund figure with white wool and yellow horns curved in discks. It looked like a sheep, but none that he had ever seen before, but he got the feeling that he knew this one all too well.

"In the Sleeping Worlds you will encounter two types of Dream Eaters"

"Nightmares, beings of darkness that devour good dreams"

"And mercyful Spirits, that will help you in your journey"

That's it! That's why he had the feeling like he knew this creature, "Cotton?! Is that you?!" Yes, he remembered now the good spirits which helped him during that time.

Cotton gave a happy cry, pushing his face against Izuku, the wool ticking him, "Woah, easy there, that's a little too much" Izuku said between laughs.

Standing up, Izuku saw that Eri was staring at them weirdly, "Oh, Eri come here, I want you to meet my friend," Eri slowly walked to them, Izuku held her hand and presented his companion.

"Eri, this is Cotton, he's a Dream Eater, he helped me a lot...at least I think he did, the visions of these parts are still a little scrubled." Izuku entered a mumbling fit.

While Eri looked at him talking a mile a minute, Cotton approached her rubbing his wool on her legs. The girl jumped a little from the sudden contact, looking down she saw the happy face of the Tama Sheep.

Curiosity took the best of her, tentatively, Eri stretched her hand to Cotton's head, hesitating one second, before starting to pet it. The wool is so soft, nothing like anything she had ever felt before. The wool felt even better than the pats and Izuku's soft hands. They even gave her the feeling of happiness and hope.

Izuku came back from the rabbit hole that was his mind, seeing the adorable moment. Smiling, he almost felt guilty to break the peaceful scene, "It's good to see you're getting along so well, but we have to go."

"Go where?" Eri asked, where could they go in a dream? She didn't want to leave the room, the bad man was gone so what more is there to be done?

"Back home, remember this is a dream, and a bad one at that, so it's better for you to wake up, right?"

Eri nodded, the faster they got away from here, the better, she thought while looking at the oppressive tunnel.

"Well then, let's get going" Izuku held Eri's hand and started to walk, Cotton following at they're side jumping its little sheep jumps.

After a couple minutes of walking aimlessly through the hallways of the place, Izuku is certain it's some type of underground tunnel, the three arrived in an open space. It was a fork in the road, it wouldn't be a problem, if not for the creatures occupying it. Red crows, with purple beaks littered the place.

"Nightmares!" Izuku summoned his Keyblade, he turned towards the spirit, "Cotton take care of Eri, I'll handle them!"

The Nightmares, seeing the attacker, scattered, circling Izuku. He counted twelve, not the worst odds, at least in his book. Waiting for an opening, Izuku focused in the moment the Nightmares would attack.

The creatures, tired of waiting, closed the circle, trying to peck the young hero. Izuku took action, rushing ahead, he dodged the incoming attack and escaped the siege, jumping at the wall, he activated Flowmotion, jumping again almost reaching the ceiling, He charged the power of his aura into his Keyblade, swinged it down, diving to the ground. The attack was strong enough to create a shockwave, sending the Nightmares flying.

Four are defeated, with the strike, bursting in a cloud of dark smoke, the others get up and charge again, Izuku rushes to the side, doing his best to dodge the attacks of the crows. Stopping abruptly, he got into a defencive stance, letting the last two birds crash in his Keyblade, taking the attacks. Izuku took advantage of the opening, spinning his body, he batted the crows, sending them crashing in the wall, where they bursted into dark clouds.

"Half down, Half to go!" Izuku taunted the remaining Nightmares. Almost all of them took the bait, charging at him, but one turned to the side where Eri watched, amazed behind Cotton. The lone crow charged at them. Eri noticed it too late, before the bird could even get near her, Cotton lunged, throwing his horns like saws with a flick of his head.

The strike sends the crow to the ground, Cotton, recovering his horns, dashed at the downed enemy, jumping and rolling like a ball, the Tama Sheep flattened the Nightmare, dispelling it.

Izuku, sliced the last Nightmare that he decided to name Scare Crow, sees the end of the Dream Eater battle. Dismissing his Keyblade, Izuku walked back to them, "That was a nice workout, finally getting better at the whole 'fight to survive' thing" Izuku gave a laugh while putting his arms behind his head, Cotton giving a victorious cry, while Eri look at them starstruck, her mind full of childish wonder.

"You're coming along just fine," A voice said, from behind them.

Izuku jumped, quickly pushing Eri behind him, Izuku turned towards the voice prepared to fight. Only to be greeted by a familiar figure.

"You! You are that look-alike from those dreams!" Izuku is surprised, it's the carbon copy that he saw on the pillar with the glass image.

The lookalike didn't appreciate the description, "Hey, you can't call yourself a lookalike" He said, waving his hands around.

"Stop that! I'm me and you are you!" Those dreams always had this Izuku there, but most of the time they felt like two completely different people. This one is confident and even had some amazing friends, while he was just himself.

"Nope, I'm you, the piece of you that remembers."

Izuku tilted his head, "Remember what?" Did something happen to him? Did it have something to do with those dreams and visions?

"Everything, what do you think the visions are about? They're the memories in your heart, of the life and the people you hold dearly."

"But I don't remember these people! And the visions don't make sense! Who are those people with you on the beach all the time?! No matter how hard I try, I can't remember them!" Izuku almost felt like he would cry, his chest hurt so much, "And that one boy, why do I miss him so much? Why do I miss a person I've never met? Even if I don't remember, it shouldn't hurt so much. Their names, not even their faces but I know they're your friends!"

The other Izuku gave a soft sigh and shook his head, "You know that's not true. They're your friends too. Being on this side of the conversation isn't fun." He muttered to himself, looking in the eyes of his clueless self he sighed again before smiling, "Well, I think I can give you a little tip, it starts with an S."

"Sorry Kairi, but I can't tell you"

"Please Izuku, I remember you and Riku, but don't matter how hard I try, I can't remember him"

"Well, I think I can give you a little tip, It starts with an S"

"Glad to help you remember a little more, but now it's better for you to go." The other Izuku pointed to a way on the fork in the road, "Follow that way, it should get you two out of this place."

Izuku turned to look at the indicated path, when he looked back, the other him was gone. "That sure is annoying" Izuku sighed, looking down at Eri. "Well let's go Eri, the faster we get out, the faster we got away from all the crazy."

"Izuku, who was that?"

"Honestly? I don't know."

"He looks like you."

"Yeah, weird huh?"

Eri's reply was a soft nod.

Not wasting any more time, they turned, entering the corridor. Following it leads them on a path without further dangers, by the end, a simple wooden door stands before them.

"I think this is it." Izuku walked to the door, giving Eri one last look to see if she was okay. The little girl nodded back, and Izuku took that as a confirmation. Opening the door, the two entered a small room, it was dark, Izuku could feel something weighing in his chest.

"Eri..." The figure of a man came from the dark, his features hidden by the shadows. "Don't you think that's enough? You're mingling with the sick." The figure gave another step, darkness surged. Izuku is sent flying against the wall, Cotton rolling by his side.

Eri remained frozen in place. She's shaking, her eyes full of fear.

"You're throwing away the chance I gave you, of using your rotten curse for something useful, after all these years, and all the hurt you've caused, THAT IS HOW YOU REPAY ME!" The figure is in front of Eri, looming over her. The closeness made the details clear, the red tranche coat the shade of blood, the white surgical gloves, the black bird mask hiding his mouth and nose, and the piercing yellow eyes.

"If that's how you behave, then you have to be punished." The figure oozed darkness, slowly changing. Growing bigger, the coat became a red feathered body, the mask turning into a beak with the stitches deformed into a crazed smile, the gloves stretched into claws. The yellow eyes stayed the same, piercing into the girl's heart.

The little girl's heart who is silently screaming, praying for help. A call that is answered, the heart of a hero, connected to others, pushed against the darkness.

The giant Nightmare raised its clawed hand for a strike, Eri was frozen in fear, closing her eyes, she waited for her end.

BANG!

Izuku with a burst of Flowmotion dashed to her in time to block the attack. Using all his strength, Izuku held his Keyblade, pushing against the Nightmare.

"All this time, you waited for a hero to save you…" One For All burned, it's energy merging with the aura of Flowmotion, making it a green color, lightning arcs dancing over it.

Izuku turned to look towards the frozen girl, "But you don't have to wait anymore, because I'LL BE YOUR HERO!" In a single push, Izuku sent the Nightmare flying back, destroying a wall.

With a smile and his eyes burning with determination, Izuku turned to Eri "So don't fear, I am here!"

This chapter was brought to you by me, and my spiritual guides keeperofhounds and Silverbits.

And give keeperofhounds a extra praise the sun \[T]/. For the amazing cover.

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