Chapter 6: Prove your valor
Izuku watched the buildings pass by through the window of the train, his stop was the next, and from there, only a short walk away, was UA. The excitement of finally being able to attend the school of his dreams made him smile throughout the whole trip, he was going to become a hero, with all his friends.
The chances of Izuku, Katsuki, Tenya and Ochaco ending in the same class were small, but luck seemed to be at their side this time, they all were in class 1-A. Izuku hoped that the other students in his class were nice too, so they could all be friends.
"Strangers are only friends that you didn't meet yet"
"Your optimism never stops to amaze me S̸̟̺͆̎̅õ̶̟͖̱̔̈́r̶̻̙̄̋ȧ̶̛̩̬͚̙"
"Well one of us have to be positive, haha"
Izuku came back to his senses just in time to exit the train. Looking around, he saw a familiar brunette, "Ochaco!"
The girl in question turned to look at who was calling her, when their eyes met, the two smiled. Izuku maneuvered the crowd and the two friends made a quick escape from there.
Finally leaving the train station, Izuku and Ochaco made their way to UA, catching up on the way to school.
"We sure look good in these uniforms, but are you sure you can use your belts like that?" Ochaco asked, pointing to Izuku's crossed belts while the two passed the main gate of UA.
"Well there was nothing saying you can't add something to the uniform, and I've always used my belts like this, at least, I think I do because, well, you know..." The brunette understood what her friend meant and decided to reassure him, "Well I like it, it makes you look cool."
Izuku was taken aback by that, but those simple words warmed his heart, if the blush he had was any indication, scratching the back of his neck, Izuku gave Ochaco a shy smile.
"So...do you know where we have to go?" Ochaco asked when they entered the building. Izuku looked around for a pit before pointing in a random direction, "That way."
"How do you know?"
"I don't, but following your heart can never go wrong." Izuku gave a easy-going smile while putting his hands behind his head.
True to his statement Izuku and Ochaco ended up standing before a massive door with '1-A' written in it, "Still not impressed" Izuku commented off handedly, Ochaco turned to him and crossed her arms, "What, seen bigger?" She asked, playfully.
"And fancier too." Izuku responded with a straight face, a second later and the two were laughing, "Well, let's hope that our future classmates are nice."
Izuku opened the door, and what greeted them was an angry Katsuki arguing with Tenya.
"You can't tell me what to do, Four Eyes!"
"Bakugo-san it is disrespectful to put your feet on the table!"
Izuku and Ochaco traded a deadpan look between each other, before breaking in laughter again. That ended getting the class attention, "Oi Deku! Why took you so long?!" Katsuki shouted, his feet still on the table.
"Sorry, didn't sleep much last night, but you could have waited for me too, you know?"
"In your dreams!" Was the answer that Izuku got, but the playful smirk that Katsuki had showed that it was all some banter that was becoming rather common for them. Tenya approached and greeted his friends, "It's good to see you again, now that the whole class is here the teacher should come at any moment now."
On cue, a voice came from behind them, "If you are here to socialize then get out." All the class turned to the door, and saw what looked like a yellow caterpillar with a human face.
"Not again," Izuku grumbled remembering his dreams about a place that was literally down the rabbit hole. Fortunately, the caterpillar opened revealing that it was a sleeping bag, from it a man who looked homeless and sleep deprived in a black jumpsuit with a grey scarf, for some reason he looked really familiar to Izuku, but he didn't know why.
"It took you all eight seconds to calm down, that won't do, time is precious, logical students would know that." The man complained while taking something from his sleeping bag, "For now, put this on and meet me in the courtyard, you have five minutes" He said revealing UA uniforms, without any more words, he left the classroom.
The students traded a look, and prombly bolted out of the room.
Shota was not in a good mood today, not only did his night patrol stretch more than what he was comfortable with, but now he would have to give a bunch of hopeful kids a shock of reality, definitely not a good day.
There they were, twenty teenagers thinking they were in for the time of their lives, they couldn't even imagine how cruel the path that awaited them was, those who survived to the end of the day at least. All were relaxed, chatering like nothing was wrong, all except two, the bicolored son of Endeavour, that was keeping his distance from the others, his tense posture rang alarm bells in Shota's head, barely a day and he was already seeing problems that he would have to deal with, joy.
The other exception was the kid who beat the Zero Pointer, he was talking with a small group, but what got Shota's attention was his posture, even relaxed the boy looked ready to spring in action at any second, and there weren't any openings to it. How a teen in his first day of high school was so naturally ready for danger was beyond his comprehension, but that smile combined with the way of a warrior that was ready not only to fight a war, but win it, looked awfully similar to a certain new teacher. Shota now knew that boy would be a problem child, he was sure of it, and that only made his desire to get back to his sleeping bag grow.
Toshinori would have liked it if someone had told him being a teacher came with so much paperwork, he hadn't even been given a class yet!
But even while trying his best to finish the humongous amount of paper, his mind kept drifting back to his successor and what the boy told him. From all the things he could have said, dreams about a different version of himself was not what he was expecting.
They had spent three weeks trying to piece this puzzle, but without success. He saw the journal that Izuku used to keep track of them, and he was surprised with what he saw, if the little pieces they could organize with complete certainty where to be believed, the boy was a hero already.
The only thing that bothers Toshinori was that he couldn't help more, he tried to use his contacts to see what he could find, but outside of a single clue that his friend Naomasa found he had nothing.
The only head way he got for Izuku was that his mother apparently took him to the precinct that Naomasa was working in twelve years ago, he said that the boy was barely responding to anything and the only thing he remembered was his name.
That made Toshinori wonder, was his successor a victim of a quirk? The boy had said he didn't remember much of his childhood, so it was a possibility that it was a side effect of the quirk to mess with the target's memory. Not to mention people don't just suddenly start existing one day.
The concern in his face was not ignored by the other person in the room, "Something wrong Yagi-kun?" The happy, slightly concerned, voice of Nezu took Toshinori out of his thoughts.
The principal was enjoying a cup of tea before the orientation ceremony, but the constant concerned look from his new faculty member was starting to worry him.
"It's nothing sir, just thinking about something." Toshinori tried to reassure Nezu, but the quirked animal was nothing but perspective, "Is this about your successor? Who is starting to attend class today?"
That threw Toshinori for a loop, but seeing the knowing smile on Nezu's face, he remembered just who he was talking to, "Yes, I just think that I'm not doing enough for the boy." he sighed.
"That is what all of us feel when we send children to the field, but we will not be here forever, so as you did, we have to pass the torch forward." Nezu's short speech reminded Toshinori that he was right, he passed the torch and now all he can do is watch the new generation succeed them.
"Thank you Principal."
"Don't thank me yet, your protege still has to survive the day." Toshinori looked confused for a second, but his eyes widened when he realized what Nezu was insinuating.
"You mean he is-?" He could not end his question for fear of it being correct. Unfortunately, his fear was proven right when Nezu nodded. Toshinori barely said a quick 'excuse me' before bolting out of the room, leaving a cackling Nezu behind.
Arriving in the courtyard in mere seconds, Toshinori hid behind a corner. Poking his head, he saw the students in their gym uniforms, Izuku was easily distinguible from the rest because of his hair and crossed belts. Aizawa gave young Bakugo a ball before saying to throw it, using his quirk. Toshinori was glad he got there on time to see everything, but he could not help but pray that nothing bad would happen to young Izuku.
Katsuki was grinning like a maniac, he knew that some people were scared of him, but the excitement of cut loose made him too happy to care. If his teacher wanted him to give his all, he didn't mind blowing his expectations out of the water.
He was about to launch the ball like a cannon, when a familiar voice called him.
"Kacchan wait!" Izuku's panicked voice was enough to get his, and everyone else, attention.
"What?!"
"Your quirk makes a LOT of noise, so it's better to let everyone know in case someone has sensitive ears," Izuku said more to the class than to Katsuki, but the message was clear for both. After a row of quick 'thanks' some people covered their ears, and seeing that Katsuki facepalmed from forgetting something that basic, "My bad"
That throwed Izuku for a loop, "Kacchan just apologise?" His answer was a giant explosion accompanied with a shout of "DIE!" that sent the ball flying.
After a couple seconds the ball hit the ground and the phone in Aizawa's hand beeped. With a bone-chilling smirk, he showed that the distance was an impressive 705.04 meters.
"Wow, that's so manly!"
"We can use our quirks as much as we want, the hero course is the best!"
"This will be so much fun!" This was what Aizawa was waiting for, with a deep and monotonous voice he said, "Fun you said? Then the one to score last place in the test will be expelled" That completely killed the good mood of the group.
"Expelled?!" Almost all the students cried in shock.
"You can't do that! It's the first day! And even if it wasn't, expelling someone because of a test is completely unfair!" Ochaco said to the teacher, but the only thing that accomplished was to make him give a sidelong glance before turning around.
"Unfair? The world is unfair, villain attacks, natural disasters, the cut throat society that we live in, it is all unfair" That made the whole class stop, "In life, you give your all to survive another day, but for a hero that is not enough, so if you want to stay in this course give everything you got." He turned back to the students, and the sadistic smirk in his face made the ones with the weaker wills tremble, "As UA always say, Plus Ultra."
That caused all the teens to harden their wills and gain determined eyes, they gave their blood, sweat and tears to reach there, and now was not the time to back down.
Izuku could feel the conviction of his classmates, their hearts burning. If Aizawa wanted them to give their all, then they would go beyond, because none of them was giving up on their dreams, not now, not ever.
With a smile that made Toshinori's own widen in his hidden spot, Izuku looked his teacher straight in the eyes and said, "Let's get started sensei, so we all can show you that we are heros!" The class followed his declaration with a resounding 'Yeah!'.
Shota had to admit, the brats had spirit, but let's see just how far that spirit would take them.
The first test was a fifty meters dash, Izuku and Ochaco cheered for Tenya, and even Katsuki gave him a small nod. He was the first to go alongside a girl with green long hair and big eyes. Tenya saw them supporting him (even if Izuku was already writing notes in his journal) and promised to not let them down.
When the starting shot sounded, Tenya bolted forward, pushing his engines to the very limit, he managed an amazing time of 3.1 seconds. Even with the track being too short for him to reach maximum speed, that was his best time yet, with his head held high he walked back to his friends, who quickly came and praised him for the incredible display of speed.
"That was awesome Tenya-kun!"
"Yeah that time was amazing!"
"Not bad, Four Eyes"
"I would not have done it without your support" Tenya said while bowing, earning a laugh from them.
Others were called, some displayed the power and versatility of their quirks, while some had to get creative. After every quirk that was shown Izuku's excitement grew, to the point that he was almost vibrating in his shoes from the sheer joy of seeing new and amazing quirks.
When his name was called along with Katsuki, he was already in the blowing point. Quickly running to the starting line he got in a runner starting position while Katsuki crouched with both hands pointing backwards.
The blonde turned to him with a smirk, "Try not to lag too far behind"
"Try not to lag too far behind"
"That's what I should be saying to you Riku!"
"While you are busy talking I'll just go and win!"
Izuku came back to the present before Katsuki could even say anything about his spaced out, returning the smirk he let the aura of Full Cowling explode outward, "While you're busy talking I'll just go and win!"
Katsuki saw the burning competitiveness in Izuku's eyes, and that made his turn in an inferno.
The shot rang and the boys exploded into movement, literally. While Katsuki used his explosions to move, Izuku moving caused an explosion, the air blast sounded like thunder, while he crossed the distance of the track like lightning.
Izuku ended with a time of 2.8 seconds while Katsuki got 3.9, the boys traded a look and a fistpump, "Enjoy while it lasts Deku, the next one I'm going to win!"
With that they started a little competition, always trying to outdo the other, pushing themselves further. While Katsuki tried to get creative with his explosions to out maneuver Izuku, the greennet combined his magic with Full Cowling to utilize his arsenal of abilities to the most.
They were really neck to neck until the grip strength test, in that Izuku accidentally destroyed the grip machine between his fingers.
"Izuku-san you have to be more careful with school property!" Tenya scolded Izuku while Ochaco laughed at the display and Katsuki considered if destroying the machine with an explosion would count.
"Wow! What are you a gorilla?!" A voice came from the side, turning Izuku saw a redhead staring at him in awe, "I just trained a lot, but that was kinda of an accident." Izuku said while scratching the back of his neck.
"You broke the machine by accident! That's so manly, we have to work out together some time! The name is Kirishima Eijiro by the way." Eijiro said, offering a hand, Izuku grabbed it and smiled, "Izuku, Midoriya Izuku, I hope we can be friends Eijiro."
Having Izuku using his first name took Eijiro by surprise, but his honest expression showed that Izuku really wanted to be his friend, even if they just met, so Eijiro wouldn't simply leave him hanging, "I know we will Izu-bro."
That answer combined with the sharp smile Eijiro was giving made Izuku beam with happiness, "Hey, I saw that you guys are making a little competition, think you have space for one more?" Eijiro bumped his fists with a challenging grin, and the others were all happy to have another member for their group.
Shota didn't share the feeling, these kids were still considering this a game. But what pushed him over the edge was when Ochaco threw the ball in orbit with her quirk and the others simply started to laugh, leading the rest of the class to join them. That was it, he was going to give these brats a piece of his mind.
While Izuku was preparing himself for his throw, he summoned his Keyblade, something that amazed the rest of the class didn't matter how many times he did it, and powered Full Cowling. Gently tossing the ball up, he got in a baseball batter stance, and that was when Aizawa decided to use his quirk on him, his black long hair started to float up and his eyes shined red.
But what no one expected was that after the green aura of Full Cowling died down, Izuku simply fell to the ground face first.
"Izuku!" His friends cried while rushing to him. Shota deactivated his quirk, that was not supposed to happen, no one ever reacted like that to his quirk, but before he could try to understand what happened Katsuki was flying at him like a missile.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" He shouted, but before he could attack his teacher Katsuki was binded by the gray scarf of Aizawa, "Calm down, if you don't want to be expelled."
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT, WHAT DID YOU DO WITH DEKU?!"
"I used my quirk on him, but he was not supposed to pass out, what is his quirk?" That calmed Katsuki a bit, but the claws of fear still clenched his heart. Izuku was still unconscious, his friends tried to wake him up but he wasn't responding.
"I don't know what his quirk is, what does it have to do with it?"
"How you don't know his quirk?!" Shota said, ignoring Katsuki's question.
"He was quirkless until almost a year ago! After that he was so busy training that we barely talked with each other!" That surprised Shota, the kid was the biggest late bloomer since the dawn of quirks and even then he was stronger than his peers that had their quirks for years.
Katsuki looked at his friend who was motionless on the ground, 'Please Izuku, please be okay'.
"Izuku, wake up." A kind voice said from above him. Slowly opening his eyes, Izuku saw a blurred figure above him.
"Five more minutes, mom" He groaned, he was not quite awake yet.
"It's sweet that you think that, but you've got the wrong person." That made Izuku's brain finally reboot, opening his eyes fully now, he saw the person that was talking to him. She was tall, with a muscular build, but not bulky, she had black eyes and hair that was tied in a ponytail, and a beauty mark below her lips. The woman was wearing a black bodysuit, yellow boots and gloves, and two white capes, a half cape attached to her silver belt, and a long one hanging off her shoulders, hooked by a golden chain.
"Need some help?" She asked while offering a hand to Izuku, he hesitated for a second, but seeing her kind smile, he grabbed it and stood up.
Looking around, he saw that once again he was in the pillar surrounded by darkness, the light from the glass image of him washing over them. Izuku noticed something different, the previously five blank disks now held an image of Eri in the top one, and just looking at it made Izuku feel like she was right by his side.
"It's nice isn't it? The proof of having the people you love held deep in your heart" The woman said, that brought Izuku's attention back to her, "Yeah, but wait a second, who are you and what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I didn't introduce myself yet." Making a pose she smiled and said with a grandiose voice, "I'm Shimura Nana, the seventh holder of One For All!"
"Woah." Izuku stared in awe, if she was the seventh then she was Toshinori's master.
"Yup I'm pretty amazing if I say so myself." She said with a grin, the larger-than-life air she gave being switched for an easy-going one, "It's good to meet you kiddo."
"Good to meet you too, Nana" Izuku said happily, being put at ease by her, there was simply that presence about her that made him relax, like the one his mother gave.
"Wait, I understand you being here, but what am I doing here."
Nana pouted childishly at that, "What, can't I call you here just for small talk?"
"Wa-No, I mean yes, I'll like to know you but I was busy, not that I can't make some time for you is just that-" Nana burst in laugh seeing Izuku flustered, "Kid you are too easy." She said, rubbing a tear from the corner of her eye.
"Well now let's get serious, the reason your here is because of your teacher, when he erased One For All-"
"Wait, 'erased'? Oh my stars, my teacher is Eraserhead! That's why he was so familiar." Izuku gushed out about how his teacher was a pro hero for a couple more seconds before Nana had enough and gave him a chop in the head. Izuku had the decency to look sheepish.
"As I was saying" Nana continued after clearing her throat, "When your teacher erased One For All, he blocked the connection from our hearts to yours, and that messed some things up."
"What things?" Izuku was understandable concerned of having something wrong in his heart
"Well he didn't explain exactly what." Nana shrugged
"He?" Izuku raised his eyebrow, who else could talk with Nana if she was inside his heart, that train of thought was what made Izuku realize that the only one who she could have talked to was him, the Other him, "You talked with the Other one right?"
"Yeah, but you don't have anything to worry about kid, he only explained to us the things that happened to you."
"But he couldn't have explained it to me too?" Izuku exasperated asked, it was not fun to be the one out of the loop.
"Unfortunately, if he tried to tell you everything he told me, then things would get messy, so he made us promise that we wouldn't tell you anything you're not ready to know." Nana gave him an apologetic look.
Izuku sighed but let it go, he wouldn't make someone break a promise.
"Well, at least there is something you can tell me?" Izuku asked, already expecting a no, so when Nana nodded he was actually quite surprised.
"He said to say something to you if you ended up here, it was 'The true test is the Dive to the Heart.'"
"The true test is the Dive to the Heart, it was where Keyblade wielders proved their valor."
"Yeah after all nothing better to prove yourself then choose a power, answer some philosophical questions, and beat some Heartless."
"Well, when you put it that way, it is kinda weird."
"See even Aqua agrees with me, hahaha."
"That's why I'm here, right?" Izuku asked, Nana after getting back to his senses, "I have to prove that I'm worthy of wielding a Keyblade again."
"Yes, I'm sorry you have to pass this again" Nana said, avoiding Izuku's eyes.
"Don't be." Izuku's reply got him a shocked look from Nana, "It wasn't your fault, it wasn't anyone's fault, accidents happen and all we can do is our best to fix them." Izuku gave Nana a bright smile, it was enough for her to drop the down cast look and return it with a determined smile of her own.
"Now let's get this test started" With Izuku's words sounding in the dark, the Dive began.
A voice spoke, seemingly sounding from everywhere.
Remember who you are, remember what you seek.
On the edge of the pillar, three statues formed. Izuku knew what he had to do, with an encouraging nod from Nana, he approached the first one, it was a statue of someone covered in robes with a big pointed hat hiding its features.
The power of the sage, a soul and mind constantly seeking knowledge, is that the power that you seek?
"No." shaking his head, Izuku turned around and moved to the second statue, it was using leather armor and a cloak also hiding its features.
The power of the wanderer, a spirit that desires freedom above all else, is that the power that you seek?
"That's not it, either." Izuku turned and walked to other statue, the last was completely cover with armor, and for some reason Izuku found it to be really familiar, but seeing the straight prongs that go diagonally up from the side of the head and stretched pass it, he found it being something different, but at the same time, something right.
The power of the hero, a immovable object and a unstoppable force always fighting for what is right, is that the power that you seek?
"Yes." That simple word was spoken with such conviction that nothing else was needed. That was his calling, Izuku's entire being was telling him that this was what he wanted, and who he was.
With his answer, the other statues crumbled into dust, Izuku and the statue of the hero started to glow. Nana watched amazed the scene, until she had to cover her eyes, for with a final and blinding flash, Izuku and the hero became one, for Izuku was a hero.
As the light subsided, Nana could see that standing in the middle of the pillar was Izuku, but now he was completely covered in a green armor with silver and golden pieces adding to the already heroic figure in both additional protection and presence, the hands were covered in what look like white gauntlets, and the feet by black and red greaves. Two heavy belts crossed in an X with a silver heart emblem, his head was completely covered by a helmet that had a dark glass to protect the eyes and allow maximum visibility, and to top it off, two black straight prongs stretch diagonally up from the back sides of the helmet like horns...or bunny ears.
"Looking good kid." Nana said with a whistle. She had to admit, that was the type of look that made people feel like the problem was over, because the hero of the story arrived.
"Glad you like it, because if I look as good as I feel, then I'm probably really cool now." Izuku's voice sounded perfectly clear even with the helmet, and if the excited laugh he gave was any indication, he was smiling ear to ear below the armor.
The moment was interrupted by the voice once again speaking.
Remember for what you fight, remember who you stand for.
A multitude of dark portals appeared ahead of them, and from it a large group appeared, Izuku saw the emblem they had and recognized it instantly, "Heartless!"
The group was composed of Dual Durandals and Large Armors, the armored Heartless let metallic noises with each movement, all of their beady yellow eyes focused on the green knight.
"Is this part of the test?!" Nana was reasonably worried, if the things that the Other had shown about these creatures were true, then she did not like their chances.
"Yeah, everyone has to take out some Heartless in their Dive, but don't worry, I'll take care of them!" Izuku just knew that this had to be done. He remembers his Other self doing it from his dreams. Before Nana could say another word, Izuku sprung into action. Summoning Heroes Rising, he leaped, with a powerful dive attack, sent Heartless flying.
A Dual Durandal tried to slash him from the left, but Izuku caught the blade with his armored left hand, he countered with a handle punch with his right and the Heartless burst from the single attack. A quick swat to the right destroyed another one, and finishing with a downwards strike ahead, he met the charge of one Large Armour head on.
The clash of forces created a shock wave that traveled all the way across the Station of Awakening. Izuku was the one to break the standstill, with a step ahead, he pushed. The Heartless was sent flying backwards, carrying all the others behind with it all the way out the pillar.
Nana was amazed, she had to admit that Toshi picked a good one, not only was Izuku facing a large group of monsters that would take a whole group of heros a lot of effort to beat, he made it look easy.
Toshi also made crime fighting seem like a walk in the park, but he used One For All for it, Izuku was fighting alone, imagine what they could do together. Nana couldn't help but hope, she knew that she could not save everyone, no one could, but just seeing Izuku breezing to a whole mob of monsters that could destroy a world like if it was nothing made her hope that he could prove her wrong, that he could prove everyone wrong, that he could really save everyone.
In no time, Izuku defeated the Heartless, with a final shout he slashed through the last two Large Armors. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he turned to Nana and gave a thumbs up that she promptly returned with a smile brighter than usual.
And again their moment was interrupted by the mysterious voice.
Remember what you fear, remember who you failed, and most importantly, remember what you promised.
Izuku's instinct screamed for him to dodge, and that was the only thing that saved him, jumping back he saw a Keyblade impaling the ground he was a moment ago. Before they had any time to process what happened, footsteps sounded in the quiet darkness.
A figure completely covered in a black cloak walked to the Keyblade and pulled it from the ground. Looking at both the figure and the Keyblade made Izuku's heart hurt, the Keyblade was of a crystalline color, a saffire blue straight blade with ruby red and emerald green lines criss-crossing over it, like two lightnings dancing over each other from the hand guard, that was also blue, to the tip. The blade stretched in the end in three spikes that formed a crown for the teeth, the handle was covered in a golden cloth, and from its base was a golden chain that ended in a crystalline star with three layers, from the outside to the innermost, it was colored in green, red and blue.
The figure wielding the Keyblade pointed it at Izuku. Pushing the feelings bubbling in his heart aside, Izuku dropped in his stance, "Nana stay back, that is my fight!"
"What!"
"I have to do this alone, so please, just trust me." Nana stared at the Izuku's back for a long second, before nodding with a sigh, "Okay kid, but don't you dare lose!"
"Wasn't planning to."
Izuku and the figure were completely still for a second, a heavy silence filling the air, before dashing at each other in perfect synchrony.
They crashed blades in the middle of the pillar, both incapable of gaining a single inch over the other. Izuku brought his left hand for a punch to the figure's head, but it was promptly dodged as they tilted their head back. Using the opening, the figure kicked Izuku in the stomach.
A heavy metallic clunk sound came from his armor as Izuku was sent sliding back, his greaves skidding along the glass ground. The figure gave chase, throwing strikes that put Izuku on the defencive.
Nana was at the edge of the pillar, staring worriedly as Izuku was put on the ropes, 'Come on Izuku, fight back!' She thought desperately.
Izuku waited for the right moment, and his patience was rewarded, dodging a swing he punched the flat of the Keyblade of his enemy, making them lose their balance. Izuku started his own barrage of attacks, giving back every hit he took with a vengeance.
"Go Izuku! Show him who's boss." Nana cheered from the side lines seeing the turn around the battle took.
With a final strike, Izuku sent the figure flying, but they recovered with a backflip while still in the air and landed perfectly on their feet. They point the Keyblade at Izuku while holding it with two hands, from the tip a beam of energy flew in his direction.
Izuku only had time to put Heroes Rising in front of him and brace for impact, but it wasn't enough. The beam pushed Izuku back, his arms trembling with strain, when it finally ended, Izuku fell to a knee panting.
"Izuku!" Nana's panicked voice made Izuku look up and block an overhead strike just in time.
"Is this the best you got?" The figure said in a low voice, "If it is then you'll never win, so give up"
"No." Izuku said softly, in barely a whisper, before saying with a determined voice, "NO!"
"I won't give up! Not now, not ever!" Izuku's voice rose, with it something buried deep within his heart, something that slept for a long time, "It doesn't matter how many times you push me down, I will get up and fight!"
From Izuku's shoulderguards, a cape sprung falling on his back, while Izuku rose to his feet. Pushing with all his strength, he sent the figure stumbling back.
"So give up on making me give up!"
"You can't save something that never existed in the first place, so give up"
"NO! I made a promise, I'll never stop until all of us have our happy ending! And I won't stop until we do!"
"So give up on making me give up!"
With the power of the bonds, forgotten but unbreakable, that Izuku carried in his heart, and the promise he made long ago, to the people he held dear, and himself, Izuku dashed to the figure.
Every swing of his Keyblade carried the weight of Izuku's word, he would make sure they had their happy ending, even if he couldn't remember who they were, his heart could, and it gave his Keyblade the power to live to that promise.
Every strike made the figure fall back a step, every clash of blades sent sparks flying, every swing came faster than the last.
Izuku kept the pressure, overpowering his opponent with the constant attacks. With a shoulder tackle, Izuku created the opening he needed to end the battle, putting all his power in a final overhead slash.
The figure fell to a knee, supporting his weight with his Keyblade, before laughing.
"What's so funny?" Izuku asked while panting for breath. The answer he got was the figure standing up and lowering their hood.
"You!"
"Yup me, or you, depending on the point of view." The Other Izuku said, scratching his shin and looking up pensively.
"Cut the nonsense will'ya." Nana said, bonking the Other upside the head and having a motherly glare that said 'you better explain right now or else!'.
"Okay okay, sheesh you don't need to overreact" The Other looked back at Izuku, "When you started the Dive, I made one little alteration, while normally you have to face a great darkness in the end, this time you had to face me."
"And why did you do that?"
"Because this way, you have a better chance of remembering the true reason that you fight." The double head tilt from Nana and Izuku made the Other sweatdrop, "You remember the memory you saw right before you got the cape."
"The one were that guy with a black coat like yours telling me to give up?"
"Yup, the feeling that you had in the memory and right now were the same right?"
"Yeah"
"Okay, what does this have to do with the test?" Nana asked, lost in the identical boys conversation.
"It means that now I know what I have to do." Izuku replied instead of his Other, the armored boy turned to his Other, "I have to keep going until we all have our happy ending."
The boy in the black cloak smiled and nodded, "Right in one, but now that this is over, it's time for you to go."
"Yeah, you don't want to leave your friends waiting." Nana said with a bittersweet smile, she had to admit, saying goodbye to the kid was being harder than she thought.
"Hey, no frowning, no sad faces." the Other said while pushing the tips of Nana's lips in an exaggerated smile, "You can't help the knight in green armor over there if you look like that."
Nana and Izuku paused at that, "What did you mean with that?" Nana said with more hope in her tone than she was willing to admit.
"Well, maybe we aren't as good at making bonds with others as him, but we still can do a pretty good job."
The Other gave a mysterious smile.
Toshinori was panicking like never before, after years of hero work he learned how to keep a level head, most of the time. But if something could make him feel scared like a teenager that was going to his first patrol, was seeing Izuku lying on the floor.
He didn't know how that could happen, Aizawa has erased his quirk once and he only deflated, so why did Izuku have such an intense reaction?
That question could wait, Izuku was down and he would not just stand aside when his successor needed help.
Just when Toshinori was about to make his presence known, Izuku started to steer. Sighs of relief were heard from the majority of the class, Izuku got up and stretched while yawning.
Shota glared at him, while internally relieved that the boy was fine, "Midoriya, care to explain why you passed out."
Shota was expecting a lot of things, but for the boy to sprung to his feet and ask for an autograph in a notebook he pulled from who-know-where was not one of them.
"Eraserhead-sensei can you please give me your autograph?!" Izuku asked with stars in his eyes, and while annoyed, Shota's little piece that felt guilty made him sign a page with such a well made analysis of his quirk that he had to admit he was quite surprised.
"Now Midoriya, answer the question, and while you are at it tell me how did you know who I am"
"I...I actually don't know what happened, and of course I know who you are, you are one of the best underground heros in Japan!" Izuku quickly entered a fanboy mumbling spree that was just as quickly interrupted by a punch in the arm, courtesy of Katsuki.
"You sure you're okay Deku?"
"Yeah I'm fine, don't worry" Izuku said, holding the arm Katsuki punched.
"You sure you don't need to go to Recovery Girl?" Shota asked, still feeling a little guilty.
"No need sensei, I still have to finish the test, and I'm not giving up!"
Shota looked at his student for a long second before sighing, "Fine, but if you feel anything wrong you are going to tell me immediately, am I clear?"
"Yes sir!" Izuku said while doing a quick continence.
After reassuring his friends one last time, Izuku got back to the pinch circle and grabbed the ball.
"Show them who's boss kid." A familiar feminine voice sounded in Izuku's head.
'Yes ma'am!' Izuku responded in his mind while raising his arm, in a whirlwind of light and lighting the same Keyblade that his other used was now in his hand.
"Wow! He has another one? Why didn't you guys tell me that?" Eijiro, being new to the group, asked the others, but they were as shocked as him.
Izuku once more gently threw the ball up, and with his new resolve burning bright in his heart, he reached for One For All. The ancient quirk let an even bigger flow of it's monumental power, as now Izuku's connection with it was even stronger. The green aura covering Izuku was even brighter, the lightning cracking in it with even more vigor.
'Full Cowling: 10%!' Izuku shouted in his mind, and with a movement so fast someone could have missed if they had blinked, he batted the ball and sent it crossing the sky. A strong gust of wind was generated from the sheer power of the swing, making the others cover their eyes.
Putting his Keyblade on his shoulder, Izuku turned back to the class with a smile, "How was that sensei?"
Shota had to fight really hard against the smirk that threatened to open in his lips, "2705.04 meters"
That sent the class in a uproar, almost three kilometers in a single strike, if not for Ochaco's infiniti score Izuku would had won the event by a landslide.
"Woah kid, you really know how to make an epic comeback." Nana laughed in Izuku's mind.
'What can I do? I'm just that awesome.' The cocky remark sent Nana in another laughing fit.
"Woah, Izuku-kun, that was amazing! Why didn't you tell us you had other Keyblades?" Ochaco said the moment Izuku was back with the group, excitedly pointing to the crystalline blade in his hand.
"Well, I had to get the hang of it again, but now I'm good to go."
"What's its name?" Ochaco had to admit that Izuku's weapons were really cool, and even if the others were not as excited as her, they were still curious about their friend's new blade.
Lifting the Keyblade so that his friends could see it in its full glory, Izuku said with a soft smile, "Sky and Storm." The now named weapon seemed to glow, looking like a stained glass work of art.
The next few tests were a learning experience for Izuku, with a larger portion of One For All available to him he had to get used to the power boost. Luckily, the other events were concluded without any more mishaps.
"Who do you think that is going to be expelled?" Katsuki discretely asked Izuku as the class stood in a line while their teacher finished entering the scores in his phone.
"No one" Izuku's answer got shocked looks from his classmates, "He cares about us, and we all proved we got what it takes, we passed the true test and showed him that we can be heroes." He elaborated, gaining relieved sighs from those who didn't go too well.
"Don't let it go to your heads, I will expel you in a heartbeat if you can't handle the pressure." Shota said without looking away from his phone, indirectly confirming Izuku's affirmation, "Now here are your scores."
A holographic list appeared, with Izuku's name on top and Katsuki in a close second, Eijiro and Tenya got fifth and sixth, and Ochaco got ninth. A short boy with purple orbs in his head was crying in relief, having ended in last because of his short stature hindering him in most events.
"That's my boy, you impressed even your grumpy teacher, that's something Toshi still didn't do." Izuku could feel the ghost sensation of a head pat, that only made his smile more radiant.
"Dammit! The next time I'm going to win! You hear me Deku!" Katsuki's voice lacked any type of threat, but his eyes showed a lot of competitive spirit to compensate.
"I'll make you work for it." Izuku shot back with a smirk that Katsuki returned.
"A fated battle between men." Ochaco said while Eijiro was crying manly tears at the display.
The students were dismissed, but Shota stayed until they were all gone, "So the great All Might have time enough to spy a class"
"SPY IS A STRONG WORD AIZAWA-SAN I WAS JUST SEEING HOW THE NEW STUDENTS FARE IN THEIR FIRST DAY." Toshinori's smile dropped a little and his normally exaggerated mannerism took on a serious air, "BUT I BECAME CONCERNED WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOUNG IZUKU."
"First name basis, not one day and you are already showing favoritism." Shota never lost his bored tone, even while filing that interesting piece of information for later. And while Toshinori was mentally berating himself for his slipup, he simply turned away and started walking, "I don't know what happened, but I plan to find out."
'Sorry young Izuku, but I accidentally made your school life a lot more complicated.' Toshinori thought while letting a long and exasperated sigh out.
The day soon ended, after getting back on their uniforms and grabbing their schedule in the classroom, the small group of friends were walking to the train station. Among them was a new addition, a girl with pink skin and hair that was as messy as Izuku's, she had small yellow horns on her head and her eyes had black sclera and bright yellow iris.
That was Ashido Mina, one of Eijiro's friends from middle school, the redhead called her to go with them, and her bubbly personality and excited disposition made her fit in the growing group of friends like a charm.
When they were almost passing the front gates, a new voice called from behind them, "Hey wait up!"
Turning around the young heros saw one of their classmates, a petite girl with purple hair and eyes, and earphone jacks coming from her earlobes.
"Hi! Do you need something?" Izuku asked, there wasn't much else that the girl could have come after them for.
"No, I just came to say thanks, without your warning Sparky over there would have left me deaf." That gained one indignant "OI!" from Katsuki. Izuku and the others laughed before he turned back to the girl and asked with a friendly smile, "Hey, we are going to the train station together, do you wanna come with us?"
The girl was surprised by the sudden invitation, but ended up shrugging, "Yeah, why not, by the way the name is Jiro Kyoka."
"Nice to meet you, Kyoka." Izuku said while offering a hand, Kyoka was taken aback by Izuku just using her first name, but the aura of friendliness that Izuku was radiating was enough for her to realize that was the type of person he was, so she grabbed his hand and gave a small shake, "Likewise."
"And that makes three, I bet that by the end of the week Deku will be friends with half the class." Katsuki got affirmative nods from the others, even Mina and Eijiro agreeing that when it comes to Izuku, friendship was inevitable.
"So what did you think about your first day of school?" Nana asked while the teens fell at a comfortable pace, chatting and getting to know a bit about each other.
Izuku looked at his friends, new and old, and answered with a serene smile, 'It's more than I could ever hope for.'
And with that, the first day of the young heroes journey came to an end.
This giant wall of text was built by me, with the help of my friends keeperofhounds and SilverBits.
Wow that was a long one.
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