"Get me out of here... I want to disappear. This can't be real... this can't be!" Those words echoed in my head back then. But I've come to grow from that accursed phrase, by learning to face it head on.
The taste of antiseptic clear in the air, the warmth of the stool of which I sat on, the coolness of air streaming down on my back, the vision green glint in the doctor's goggles. I focused on every other sense I had except hearing. I didn't want to believe what I just heard. I did not want to face the reality and weight of the string of words said to me by the doctor when I was 4 years old.
"I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do for him." The words struck sharper than the feeling of a knife striking my back. "Surely, there must be a mistake, right doctor? All of the other kids in his class have already shown signs of quirk development..." My mother asked in rhetoric, knowing the answer was final. Grasping at straws to find ways to salvage the moment. "By the time your child reaches age 4, they should already manifest signs of quirk development that's akin or a composite of the child's parents..." That was the last sentence I could muster the courage up to hear before it all went mute, before I couldn't understand a word spoken to me or my mother.
On the ride home I didn't listen to my mother. Instead, I played scenarios in my head of a better outcome, one where me and my mom would be happier. Figures running along the walls following the car to escape. A muscular and tall figure of the hero I aspired to be, telling me "You can do it, Izuku!" Of course, reality was far off, as I watched buildings fly by, feeling the speed of my surrounding, how fast everything moved. I felt as if I was just a spec on an ever moving world. "The world is uncaring, whether or not I had a quirk." I thought. That was until I could sit down in front of my laptop again. Seeing the smile and show that my idol, All Might, would present for the whole world in the midst of hardships. "I want to be just like him one day, Mom... Smiling through everything... do you think I can be a super cool hero like that?" I asked between tears that threatened to fall down my cheeks.
A thud came in response, then a sudden moisture hit my shoulder as my mother went to hug and console me. "I'm sorry, Izuku... I'm so sorry!" She wailed. It wasn't the answer I was looking for, but it was the answer that opened my eyes. Crying while hugging me, I realized she was hurting, because I was in the first place. Chasing my dream hurt her because of how impossible it seemed. Struggling for that dream was something my mother could mever come to terms with, unless I could prove myself. Thank you for trying, Mom.
The weight of my head on my body was particularly heavier than usual. Leaning down while writing on my notebook which I used to keep track of different fighting styles. Watching hero videos payed off in the long run. Seeing wonderous videos of people who were practically quirkless be able to fight against villains gave me something to reach for. Particularly, the erasing hero, Eraserhead. I've discovered of him around elementary school, when I heard of a hero who could erase quirks temporarily while browsing through forums of underrated heroes. "From the few videos of him fighting, either solo villains or grouped ones, I knew I should strive to fight like him. Although he focuses on using his scarf, his hand-to-hand combat prowess is nothing to scoff at... the way he uses his environment to catch goons off guard as well as use it to bolster his defenses is something else entirely..." I mumble off in my head before the hair on my spine tingle from deafening cries and quirk usage.
"Teach, don't lump me in along with all these assholes who'd be lucky to even be a second-rate sidekick." Said a voice we all already know, Katsuki Bakugo, my former childhood friend. "Ahh, Bakugo, of course. I assume you'll be applying for U.A High school." The teacher said in slight awe and curiosity as waves of protest and snide remarks came from the mouths of my fellow classmates. "I aced the mock tests! I've been excelling in physicals. I'm the only one here worthy of that school!" Bakugo said as he jumped onto his desk. "Then, I'll overtake All Might.. I'll surpass him and become the world's greatest! The richest, most powerful person in the worl-"
Our teacher cuts him off "Oh right, Midoriya, you're also applying for UA huh?" This freezes Bakugo in his tracks before laughter all but invaded my ears. Kill me now. Get me out of here. "Good grades alone can't get you into the hero program! Be realistic!" "Yeah right, Midoriya. We know you're smart and athletic, but do you seriously think you have a shot at their hero course?!" I responded to these remarks of course. "I'm not aiming for that... I'd be lucky enough to pass their General Studies Exam... but if I do good on the Hero course exam, I don't see why there's harm in try-" The light came first, then the warmth that blasted me down to the ground.
"Think you're the shit, huh, Deku? These fuckall extras are bad enough having shitty quirks... Why would you even think you'd last with your quirkless ass? So you think you could stand on the same ground as me, huh? You're nothing to me other than garbage." I retorted "N-no, Bakugo, I didn't mean to come off like tha-" Bakugo interjects "You want to try passing the UA Exam? You kiddin' or what? You can't even fight for yourself. You can't do anything."
Glued to the ground, my eyes couldn't dare to move. "You're right." Even with my athletic physique, the body of a quirked person was much more durable. "You're right." I got up and made my way back to my seat, closing the notebook I was so focused on earlier.
As the class ended, I packed my bag quickly to not be targetted bh Bakugo. The sqeaks I made running through the hall evident, trying to run away and enjoy the freedom this break would give. I made my way through the same old path I would take to get home, a shortcut I knew that almost nobody passed. My mind drifted off into whag I could improve on my fighting style, taking into consideration Eraserhead, Nighteye, and Gran Torino. "Gran Torino, an old school hero I heard of that could move at superhuman speed and agility, which could help me close the distance and confuse my opponents..." That mumbling lasted until I heard gurgling come form below me.
I dodged the manhole cover flying up at me, noticing the sludge soon following. It tried to grab my legs, and I kept trying to outrun it. It soon caught up to me. Invading my body, I felt the viscous sludge make it's way deeper into my throat. "This'll be a good bodysuit... Muscular, athletic, and average lookin. All Might would never expect it." Fading slowly, my vision would become erratic, begging for someone to save me after I resisted for minutes. Passing out I saw a figure appear and blow me and the sludge away. A signature smile, before it all went black.
I wake up from tiny slaps on my face as the sun was blotted out by a man who I idolized. I get up quickly and bow repeatedly, shouting praises. "All might! IT'S AN HONOR TO MEET YOU, PLEASE SIGN MY- OH MY GOD IT'S ALREADY SIGNED, THIS'LL BE A FAMILY HEIRLOOM, TREASURED UNTIL THE ENDS OF TIME." I got past my fanboy era... or so I thought, old habits die hard. I shake my head before I ask him very quickly. "All might, do you have the time to answer one simple inquiry?" He nodded, albeit, sweating. "What is it, young man?" Gulping, I ask. "Could a quirkless person ever hope to inspire those around them, like you have to the millions of people who look up to you?" He looks down.
"Of course, my boy. There are many ways to inspire thise around you. Simply being there and supporting them. Being there to provide extra arms in recovery. Being there to capture villains while not being a hero. Being part of your community, showing compassion for others and your surroundings... that's the essence of what a hero is. Not flashy powers or being the strongest.. But then again, young man, you must not get your hopes up. Be realistic and know that you will not be able to reach the heights of heroes before you due to your human limits. It's alright to not always be the one fighting. Noble professions like being a part of the police force, being a doctor, a firefighter, those are the jobs that build our society, those are the professions and continuance which we fight for. Society's backbone." I look down to the ground as he explained. "I see..." I tear up. "Thank you for the honesty, All might." He gets ready to jump, then and there, and I let him.
Who cares what All might thinks... Eraserhead could become a hero... so can I. Staring up at the sky, looking at the clouds ever determined, I continue my march home.
"I'm home!" The click of a door whispered in the quiet household. "Welcome back! How was school? Are you okay? Why are your clothes messy? Did you get in trouble again?" My mother asks. "I'm alright, mom, you don't have to keep worrying over every thing. Can I go hiking when I get changed?" I ask my mother. "Of course, just be sure to be home before it gets too dark."
I should probably mention, as years flew by between when I was younger till now, I began to look into other ways to express myself, and I found that in hiking and running. I also developed the habit of trespassing private spaces due to the expeditions Bakugo and I would go through during our childhoods before I found out I was quirkless.
The opening and closing of my bedroom door sounded throughout my room filled with hero memorabilia ranging from high quality posters to low quality but rare figurines of Eraserhead. I change clothes while prepping a bag I'd use for the "hike." Nothing out of the usual, a logbook to keep track of my actions, the sights I'd see, how I feel, along with water, snacks, a change of clothes, and emergency kits. Just like that, I finished packing. Clicks like a gun being cocked could be heard once again after which, I make my way into the living room. "Bye mom, I'll be back before you know it." I said before I kissed her cheek to say goodbye.
Like nails on a chalk board, the sound of rust evident, the gate opens and closes again with a strong bang. The asphalt dry as my heels drag along the empty road after a long jog. Nearing an abandoned research site that focused on nuclear power, I pull the fence with enough force to make space for my body. As I go through the small opening, my bag gets caught. "Ahh, memories." A chuckle escapes my breath, with hints of melancholy. "I wonder how different things would be if I were normal." I said as I looked at the base of the mountain in front of me. Looking down to the source of ticking, I read 1:35 PM, still plenty of time.
I make my way through the woods, finding a bridge that went over a creek that eventually led to a path made of broken cobble overgrown with weeds and mildew. Hints of old air, stale dust, and abandonment swirled to bolster the atmosphere of the empty path. Nostalgic patter hit my ears. A vision came of children playing long gone, walking the very same path, but never going further.
Knocked out of my daydreams, a flash of light hits my face, followed by heat and the not so unfamiliar concussive blast of air that hits me, carrying along embers that served to contrast the sudden petrichor that I became aware of. With my curiosity piqued, I take steps towards a structure lost in time. Smoke filled the air, or so it seemed. It was scentless, for the most part, which meant that either my smell was off, or it was just water vapor that collected dust. The pitter patter of rain came down and the smell of petrichor lined with it.
Nearing the source, a faint blue glow from deep below the water which was once covered by metal cages. At the bottom, I observe a reflective material that seemed to boil the water around it when it formed. Francium. The most unstable element. Whistling winds caught at the center of the open cylinder shape surrounding the structure made winds that knocked ornaments and tools around. They made sure I would know how it felt to fly freely in the wind for just a moment. The abyssal dark of the water that consumed me would soon be forgotten as the glow and reflection grew more intense, luring my eyes to the beauty of light. Then suddenly, light. A burning sensation etched on my skin, as if my body were being torn apart from skin to bones. Just as quick as the light, a deafening sound could be heard that left my head reeling.
I was gone as quickly as I was thrown.
With a puff of air, my limp body crashes into something filled with memories of rest, now reduced to sensations of pain, cold, and darkness. Liberating in a sense, like I was never here to begin with. Maybe it was the kindness of death that embraced me like a cushion. It was nice. Then a deafening shriek of horror could be heard along with the slam of a door with rushed steps. Only one thing mattered then, only one thought. The only person that supported mr through all my woes. The one who would take care of my burns, meals, education. I can't leave her. Not alone. Not over my dead body.
Bloodshot eyes reflect the burning image of the bulb in a familiar bedroom. A loud gasp escapes my lips as I let air enter my lungs in a faster pace, eyes wide, arms heavy. Eyes darting around the room, they land on my mother who's laying her head down near my legs. "... Mom? What happened-" A tackle stops my line of questioning, tears staining the already tattered clothing I had. "I-I don't know, one minute you're gone, and then a gust came form your room... Then a thud, I came and I saw you on the floor, wet and you had burns... Are you alright, Izuku?" She said in between bouts of tears and breaths. "I'm... not sure. I was walking, then I passed out here." I lied as naturally as I breathed.
"Maybe you got caught in the storm... that doesn't explain how you got here though." Now I admit, the way I was gonna answer wasn't very cash money of me "I got struck by lightning." My mother's eyes widened and her tears went leaping out of her eyes. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT? THAT'S WHY YOU WERE BURNED, I'LL CALL AN AMBULANCE RIGHT AWAY." She cried. "Mom, I'm alright. I promise. It's a miracle I didn't get any more damaged." I hug her tightly. Ever the worry wart. "Still... let's get you checked up, okay? Who knows what's happening inside your body." I affirm her while rubbing her back "Okay, mom." God I loved my mother. I shot the conversation up again. "Let's go est dinner now, shall we? it's a mess in my room." She lets go of the hug "Alright. Don't stay up too late, we're going out early tomorrow for that check up." I nod "Mhmm."
As preparation for the last day of school, my oh so loving mother made me katsudon for dinner as congratulations. I said it once before, I'll say it again, I love my mother.
Ch. End!