Chapter Text
The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow across the room. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint warmth of the rising sun.
Outside, birds chirped, their songs blending seamlessly with the quiet hum of the early hours. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen, warm and inviting.
"Izuku!" Inko called out, her voice carrying a gentle urgency. "Your breakfast is getting cold!"
No response.
Izuku’s eyes remained locked on the television, completely absorbed. The screen displayed a heated battle unfolding in the middle of Main Street, every movement sharp and explosive. His pencil scratched feverishly across his notebook as he jotted down notes on Kamui Woods' fighting technique, determined not to miss a single detail.
"Oh, what’s this? Kamui’s going in for his special attack!" the reporter shouted, voice buzzing with excitement.
Izuku leaned in, heart pounding.
A few minutes of frantic chasing and dodging passed before Kamui finally cornered the villain. Just as he prepared to unleash his Quirk—
"Oh my God! Is that... Mount Lady?!"
Izuku’s eyes widened as a towering figure sprinted onto the scene. In one fluid motion, Mount Lady launched herself into the air and delivered a devastating kick straight to the villain’s face.
"Would you look at that? She’s taken down the villain in one hit!" the reporter squealed, completely dismissing Kamui’s efforts.
The crowd erupted into cheers. Mount Lady stood tall, grinning smugly as she basked in the attention. Kamui Woods, meanwhile, stared at her in stunned disbelief, his moment of victory snatched away in an instant.
Izuku sighed, slumping back. He had been so invested in Kamui’s strategy, only for it to end like that. Disappointed, he clicked the TV off and hurried out of the living room.
Maybe, if he was lucky, his breakfast was still warm.
Izuku hurried down the creaking wooden steps, the gnawing pangs of hunger driving him forward. The scent of coffee still lingered in the air, rich and comforting.
"Good morning, Mom," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
Inko glanced up from the kitchen counter, where she was finishing up breakfast. "I called you down thirty minutes ago," she said, arching a brow.
Izuku raked a hand through his tousled, knotted hair, a habit he had whenever he felt flustered. "Ah, sorry! I got a little distracted," he stammered.
Inko took a slow sip of her steaming coffee, her expression softening as the rising vapor curled around her face. "Go get dressed for school," she sighed, already picking up his half-eaten plate. "I’ll make you something fresh."
Izuku’s eyes widened. "Really? Thanks, Mom!" Without thinking, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before darting back to his room, leaving her chuckling under her breath as she set to work on another serving of katsudon.
Feeling more awake now, Izuku rummaged through his wardrobe, pulling out his slightly wrinkled uniform.
Once changed, he made his way back downstairs. The moment he sat at the table, he didn’t even try to hold back. He scooped a generous bite of rice into his mouth, his taste buds lighting up instantly.
"Mm! Delicious!" he mumbled through a mouthful, a few stray grains escaping.
Inko giggled, shaking her head. "Please, don’t talk with your mouth full."
Just then, the sudden chime of her phone cut through the warm atmosphere. Her laughter stopped, replaced by a look of quiet concentration. Without another word, she stepped away to answer the call, leaving Izuku to wonder what it was about.
He figured it wasn’t anything urgent and quickly finished his meal.
Grabbing his notebook, he shoved it into his bright-yellow bag before slipping on his all-time favorite sneakers.
"Mom, I’m heading out!" he called, jingling his All Might keychains as he shoved his keys into his pocket.
Stepping outside, he inhaled deeply, savouring the crisp morning air. The sun hung high in the sky, bathing the street in golden light. A cool breeze rushed past him, balancing the warmth just right.
It was a perfect day.
And a perfect day meant endless possibilities.
Izuku strolled down the quiet street, the city growing louder with each step. Before long, he reached the main road, where voices blended together in a lively chorus of laughter and.
Weaving through the crowd, he stole a quick glance at his cracked phone screen.
7:50 AM.
Plenty of time before class started.
A grin spread across his face as he slipped through the school gates, climbed the stairs with ease, and settled into his seat.
With a few minutes to spare, he flipped open his notebook, tapping his pencil thoughtfully.
His mind buzzed with anticipation as he replayed the morning’s battle in his head, piecing together every detail.
And with that, he started writing.
"Stop with that damn mumbling,” a low voice growled.
Izuku froze. His breath hitched as he turned slightly in his seat. "Oh, h-hey, Kacchan!" he stammered, the words tumbling out awkwardly.
“Shut the fuck up," he snapped, his voice sharp with barely restrained fury.
Izuku flinched, his breath hitching as his eyes squeezed shut. He didn’t need to look, he could feel the raw irritation rolling off him in waves, scorching and oppressive, like standing too close to an open flame.
The weight of Kacchan’s glare was heavy and suffocating, pressing down on him like a volcano about to erupt.
Katsuki gritted his teeth. As much as he wanted to blow the nerd to bits, he couldn’t risk getting in trouble. But that didn't mean he wouldn't do it later.
Izuku let out a slow, shaky breath as he watched Katsuki finally walk off. The tension in his chest loosened, just a little.
With a sharp scrape, Katsuki threw back his chair and dropped into it with practiced confidence, like he owned the room.
Izuku propped his head on his folded arms, his gaze drifting toward the sky outside.
Birds flitted across the clouds, their movements effortless and free. His eyes followed them, his mind blank, letting himself sink into the quiet, weightless moment.
Until the sharp sound of the bell yanked him back to reality.
One by one, his classmates filtered in, their voices blending into a dull buzz of conversation. Eventually, the door slid open, and the teacher strode inside, a stack of papers in hand, signaling the start of class.
Izuku straightened in his seat, his focus snapping forward as the teacher began to speak.
"So, as third-year students," the teacher announced, "it's time to start thinking seriously about your futures and what you want to do with your lives."
Izuku frowned. Wasn't it obvious?
He was going to be a hero.
No matter what anyone else said. Even if the odds were stacked against him. Even if it seemed impossible.
A boy could still dream, right?
"I could pass out some career aptitude tests," the teacher began, holding up the stack of papers. "But why bother?" With a smirk, he snatched them off his desk. "I know you all want to go into the hero track!"
With a dramatic toss, the papers fluttered into the air and the classroom erupted into cheers. Students began showing off their quirks, sparks, flames, and glowing auras filling the space with chaotic excitement.
"Yes, yes, very impressive," the teacher sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "But no quirk usage in school! Get a hold of yourselves."
"Hey, teach!"
A lazy, arrogant voice cut through the commotion. Katsuki leaned back in his chair, legs propped up on his desk, his crimson eyes glinting with confidence and disdain.
"Don’t lump me in with these extras." He scoffed, his gaze sweeping across the room with unfiltered arrogance. "I’m the real deal. These guys’ll be lucky to end up as sidekicks to some washed-up D-lister." A humorless chuckle left his lips.
The class immediately berated him, but Katsuki barely acknowledged them. He didn’t need to, because deep down they all knew he was right.
The teacher glanced down at his clipboard. "Huh, you do have impressive test scores," he noted.
Katsuki’s smirk widened.
"Maybe you will get into the U.A. High."
Maybe?
His smirk twitched. Who the hell does this guy take him for?
The room filled with murmurs.
"He’s aiming for the national school?" a girl whispered.
"U.A. has a 0.2% acceptance rate!" another gasped.
"It’s practically impossible to get in!"
Katsuki scoffed, his confidence unshaken. "That’s exactly why it’s the only place worthy of me!" He kicked his chair back and stood, hands stuffed in his pockets. "I aced all the mock tests," he boasted, a smug grin stretching across his face.
"I’m the only one in this school who stands a real chance at getting in!" His ego swelled with every word. "I’ll be more famous than All Might himself, and be the richest hero of all time!" His voice boomed with conviction. "People all over the world will know my name, and it all starts with U.A. High!"
The energy in the room shifted. Excitement. Envy. Admiration. But then…
"Oh yeah, Midoriya, don’t you wanna go to U.A. too?" the teacher asked casually.
The classroom fell silent.
Izuku’s breath hitched.
Katsuki’s head snapped toward him, eyes burning with such an intensity that even the teacher felt uneasy.
Izuku gulped, feeling the weight of every stare in the room. His heart pounded so loudly, he was sure they could all hear it.
Then it was laughter.
"Midoriya? You’re kidding, right?" A boy doubled over, clutching his stomach in amusement.
Izuku’s face burned as the mockery filled the room. He clenched his fists, his lip quivering as he fought to hold himself together.
He wouldn’t let them see him break.
That was the first rule of becoming a hero, wasn’t it?
"There’s no way you’re getting into the hero course without a quirk!" Another boy shouted.
Izuku shot up from his seat.
"Well, actually, they got rid of that rule!" he blurted, his voice shaking but determined. "I could be the first one!"
The class erupted into louder laughter, but it was drowned out by something far more terrifying.
Tiny pops and crackles echoed through the room.
Katsuki was already on the move.
Before Izuku could react, Bakugou slammed his hand onto his desk, sending an explosion through the wood, splitting it in two.
The sheer force knocked Izuku off balance, sending him sprawling to the floor. He barely had time to grunt from the impact before Katsuki was towering over him, his fist still sparking with embers.
"Listen up, Deku," he growled. "You’re even worse than the rest of these damn rejects, you quirkless wannabe."
Izuku scrambled back, his palms pressing against the floor as he tried to create distance.
"You really think they’d pick someone like you over me?" Katsuki sneered, his gaze sharp and cruel.
The hatred in his eyes was suffocating.
Izuku’s heart pounded. "H-Huh? No, wait!" He shot his hands up in surrender. "You’ve got it all wrong! Really!" He backed up against the wall, his breath shallow. "I’m not trying to compete with you!"
Katsuki clenched his fists, sparks crackling louder.
"You gotta believe me!" Izuku’s voice wavered, his lip trembling uncontrollably. "It’s just—" his voice dropped, barely above a whisper.
"—I’ve wanted to be a hero since I was little." His gaze lowered. "I may not have a quirk, but I can still try my hardest, can’t I?"
A twisted grin curled on Katsuki’s lips.
"You’d never be able to hang with the best of the best." His voice dripped with venom.
"You’d die in the exams."
His words hit him harder than the explosion.
Katsuki leaned in closer, lowering his voice to something only Izuku could hear.
"Defenceless Izuku."
Izuku flinched.
Katsuki straightened, stuffing his hands back into his pockets as he turned away.
"This school’s already crap," he muttered. "You really wanna embarrass it even more by failing so damn hard?"
The laughter around him grew louder, but it all blurred together.
Izuku lowered his head, his tousled green curls shielding his face as his chest tightened.
No matter how hard he tried—no matter how much he wanted it, the world refused to believe in him.
And for the first time in a long time...
He wasn’t sure if he believed in himself either.
Izuku swallowed hard, forcing himself to remember why he wanted to become a hero. He couldn't let them break him.
He had to hold on—to who he was, to who he wanted to be. To everything he would do to turn his dream into reality. Because if he didn’t, it would stay just that—a hopeless fantasy.
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself as the end of class approached.
Reaching for his phone, he scrolled through the days news, his gaze snagging on a bold, flashy headline.
A small smile tugged at his lips, a flicker of excitement cutting through the weight in his chest.
"Man… that fight from this morning is all over the news."
Izuku tucked his phone away and reached for his notebook. “Better write some notes down before I forget anything else.”
But just as he tried to slip it into his bag, another hand shot out and snatched it away.
Izuku’s heart sank as his eyes widened in horror.
Katsuki stood before him, his expression twisted in irritation as he waved the notebook tauntingly.
“I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing, Deku,” he sneered, looking down at him with contempt. “But we’re not done.”
“Oh, what’s that? His diary~?” One of Katsuki’s friends jeered, a smirk stretching across his face.
“Uh…” was all Izuku could manage, panic tightening his throat.
“Huh? Don’t tell me you’re actually taking notes on how to be a hero?” Katsuki barked out a laugh, the sound sharp and mocking. “That’s so pathetic!” He clutched his stomach, doubling over in amusement as if Izuku were a joke he couldn’t resist.
“He’s delusional!” the other boy chimed in, their laughter echoing in Izuku’s ears.
Feeling his cheeks heat with embarrassment, Izuku forced a nervous chuckle. “Y-Yeah, real funny, guys! Now just—just give it back.” His voice faltered, caught between desperation and anger, but all he got in response was a cruel grin from Katsuki.
His voice wavered as Katsuki’s grin faded, replaced with something colder, sharper.
That look.
Izuku knew that look.
Something was actually wrong.
With a flick of his wrist, Katsuki ignited his Quirk, flames licking at the edges of the pages. The notebook—his dreams—went up in smoke. Katsuki stood there, utterly unfazed.
Izuku let out a helpless yelp, reaching out as if his hands alone could somehow spare the burning paper.
“That’s so mean!” Izuku cried, his voice cracking.
Unfazed, Katsuki casually tossed the charred remains of the notebook out the window, and Izuku let out another horrified scream as he watched it plummet into the nearby fountain, the pages splattering into the water.
Katsuki’s eyes narrowed.
“Most first-string heroes show potential early on,” he stated, his tone laced with confidence.
“People look at them and know they’re destined for greatness.”
He glanced at Izuku for a brief moment, making sure he understood exactly what he was saying.
“When I’m the only student from this crappy junior high to get into the U.A., people’ll start talkin’ about me like that.” A smirk crept onto his face.
“They’ll realize I’m the real deal—the next big thing.” He lifted his chin, radiating superiority. “That’s not ego talkin’—I just know I’m good.”
It sure as hell sounded like ego, though.
Before Izuku could respond, Katsuki reached out, gripping his shoulder tightly. A sharp sizzle filled the air as his quirk flared to life, burning through the fabric of Izuku’s blazer.
“Here’s a little word of advice, nerd.” His smirk stretched wider.
“Don’t even think of applying.” his crimson eyes locked onto Izuku’s, the unspoken threat burning just as fiercely as his palm.
“Or else.”
With that, Katsuki shoved his hands into his pockets and walked off, laughing over his shoulder.
“That’s just sad! I thought you’d at least put up a little fight!” His lackeys cackled behind him.
“He finally gets it! He’ll never be a hero!”
“Better to find out now instead of later, I guess.”
Katsuki halted mid-step. He turned his head slightly, just enough to see Izuku still standing by the window, his shoulders trembling.
“Y’know,” Katsuki mused, tilting his head. “If you really wanna be a hero that badly… there actually might be another way.”
Izuku gulped, his breath hitching.
“Just pray you’re born with a Quirk in your next life.”
The air grew suffocating. Izuku barely had time to process the words before Katsuki delivered the final blow, his voice disturbingly casual—
"And take a swan dive off the roof of the building."
A humorless chuckle left his lips, cold and cruel.
Something inside Izuku shattered.
His teeth clenched so hard his jaw ached, rage burning through his veins like wildfire. His nails dug deep into his palms, sharp and stinging, but he barely felt it past the fury thrumming in his chest.
Katsuki tilted his head, his hand sparking with tiny explosions. “Something wrong?” His voice was light—mocking—but the threat underneath was sharp enough to cut.
Izuku’s breath hitched. His body was rigid, trembling, caught in the war between fury and fear. The words clawed at his throat, desperate to be spoken, but he swallowed them down.
The fire in his chest flickered, wavered—then died.
The anger slipped from his grip, drowning in the familiar weight of helplessness. His hands loosened. His shoulders sagged.
His whole body screamed at him to fight back, to say something, but his voice refused to obey.
And Katsuki just grinned.
Izuku clutched his bag tightly, his head hung low as he replayed Kacchan's words in his mind.
How could he say something like that?
His chest felt tight, anger and hurt swirling within him as he gritted his teeth, gripping his bag even harder.
He would show him. He’d show all of them.
With hunched shoulders, Izuku muttered under his breath, “That idiot!” His voice trembled with the weight of his pain. “You can’t just tell people to kill themselves! What if I really jumped? What would he do then?”
Sadness gripped his heart, and a look of utter disdain crossed his face as he approached the fountain. His eyes fell on his burnt notepad, floating atop the water, a few fish nibbling at the edges. At least it wasn't completely ruined.
“My dreams have become fish food,” he sighed, a mix of frustration and despair lacing his words. “That’s enough. Just give it back.”
He reached into the water, retrieving the notepad as the fish swam away. Water dripped down his elbows, each drop a reminder of his loss. “Damn it,” he whispered, his lip quivering as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. “Stupid jerk!”
Izuku’s frown shifted into a look of fierce determination. “No matter what anyone else thinks, I have to believe in myself,” he whispered, a mantra to drown out the negativity. He tightened his grip on his notebook, its familiar weight a comforting reminder of his dreams, and walked forward with a newfound confidence.
As he passed beneath the bridge, his resolve strengthened with every step. “And I’ll keep smiling, just like him!”
His heart swelled with hope, and he clenched his fists in the air, a gesture of defiance and determination.
Suddenly, a series of unsettling gurgles halted him mid-stride. Izuku turned slowly, dread pooling in his stomach as he faced a nightmarish sight.
Before him loomed a villain, its form grotesque and slippery, oozing a sickly green hue. The creature’s eyes gleamed with malevolence, and the air around it crackled with an unmistakable threat.
Izuku instinctively took a step back, feeling his heart race as the villain’s towering figure loomed over him.
“You’ll make a perfect skin suit for me to hide in, kid,” it croaked, the voice dripping with malice, each syllable sending chills down Izuku’s spine.
In a moment of panic, Izuku turned and ran, but the villain was faster, lunging at him with terrifying speed. He felt the creature's slimy appendages wrap around him, muffling his screams as his voice was swallowed in an instant.
Mortified, Izuku struggled against the cold, green substance that invaded his mouth, leaving a putrid taste behind. “Don’t worry, I’m just taking over your body,” the villain taunted cruelly.
“It’ll be easier for both of us if you don’t fight back. It’ll only hurt for a minute. You’ll feel better soon.”
His eyes widened in terror, Izuku grasped desperately for anything to hold onto, but his hands slipped through the villain’s liquid form.
“I can’t breathe!” he thought, panic escalating as his mind raced. Tears poured from his eyes, the green mass greedily soaking them up.
“Grab all you want; my body’s made of fluid,” the villain mocked, a sickening glee in its voice. “Thanks for the help; you’re a real hero to me, kid.”
Izuku’s legs thrashed helplessly in the air, a frantic attempt to find purchase, but it was futile. “I didn’t know he was in the city. I need to escape before he tracks me down.”
“My body… getting… weak…” Izuku thought, despair gripping his heart. “I… I think I’m dying…” His vision began to blur, and the world around him faded into darkness as black spots danced before his eyes. “No way. This can’t be the end. Somebody! Help!”
Just as he felt ready to succumb to his fate, a deep voice shattered his desperate thoughts.
“Have no fear; you’re safe,” A loud voice boomed, the sound of heavy footsteps resonating like thunder, causing the ground to shudder beneath him.
“Now that I am here, that is.” The voice was thick with authority, radiating pride and justice.
A bright smile broke across the newcomer’s face, illuminating the dim surroundings. The villain, suddenly gripped by fear, lunged thoughtlessly, but All Might was ready.
With a swift, powerful motion, he countered the attack, delivering a thunderous punch that sent the villain’s liquid form splattering across the ground.
“Texas… Smash!” he shouted, his voice echoing with raw strength and determination.
Izuku fought to open his heavy eyelids, his body still weak and trembling. His vision remained hazy, but he caught a glimpse of the hero’s familiar silhouette.
“Is that… All… Might?” he murmured in disbelief before darkness claimed him once more.
Izuku stirred at the sensation of a large, firm hand lightly patting his cheek. His eyelids fluttered open groggily—then snapped wide in shock.
Standing before him, towering like a myth made real, was none other than All Might himself.
So it wasn’t a dream? He hadn’t imagined it? All Might had actually saved him?
Izuku sucked in a sharp gasp, which quickly turned into an elated squeal.
"Ah—AHHH!"
All Might let out a booming laugh, tilting his head back as his golden twin streaks of hair swirled in the air. "Well, looks like you're up and moving just fine! Sorry ‘bout that back there!"
His deep voice was effortlessly cheerful, as if he hadn’t just obliterated a villain with a single punch.
"I didn’t mean to get you caught up in my justicing," he continued, placing his hands on his hips. "Usually, I’m more mindful of bystanders, but it turns out this city’s sewer system is quite the labyrinth!"
Izuku could barely process the words. He was still too dazed, too overwhelmed.
Because standing before him, larger than life, was All Might.
"The most amazing hero in the entire world… the real thing, in the flesh, standing right in front of me!" Izuku cried, practically vibrating with excitement.
All Might reached into his pocket and pulled out a three-liter bottle filled to the brim with a swirling green liquid—the remains of the villain. "Anyway! You were a big help. Thanks for that!" He grinned, lifting the container proudly. "I've captured the evildoer!"
Izuku's eyes sparkled in admiration. He looks even cooler in person!
"Wait, I need an autograph!" Izuku suddenly scrambled, rummaging through his pockets in a frantic search. "I have a pen in here somewhere!"
But before he could even ask, he flipped open his notebook—only to freeze.
All Might had already signed it.
Izuku let out another scream, clutching the book as if it were a sacred artifact. "He already did! T-Thank you so much! This… This will be a family heirloom! A treasure passed down for generations!"
All Might chuckled and shot him a casual thumbs-up. "Uh-huh!"
"Well," he said, tapping the bottled villain against his thigh, "I need to get this guy to the police so they can take care of him." He waved. "Stay out of trouble! See ya ‘round!"
"Wait—you’re leaving?! Already?" Izuku blurted, panic bubbling in his chest.
"Pro heroes are constantly fighting time, as well as enemies," All Might replied, voice as steady as ever.
Izuku gasped. He can't let him leave yet! Not when he still had so many questions to ask!
All Might crouched slightly, preparing to launch himself into the sky.
Izuku moved on instinct.
Before he could think—before he could stop himself—he leaped forward, arms flailing. His fingers barely caught hold of All Might’s leg just as the hero shot into the air.
The world lurched. Wind roared in Izuku’s ears as they rocketed through the sky.
"HEY, HEY, HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!" All Might bellowed, trying to shake him off.
Izuku’s body whipped against the fierce current, his hair a wild mess. "I CAN’T LET GO! IF I DO, I’LL DIE!"
"Oh." All Might blinked. "That’s a good point."
With a sigh, he reached down and grabbed Izuku by the collar, securing him in place.
Izuku gasped for breath, heart hammering. "I—I just have a lot of things I want to ask you!" he stammered. "Please! You're my all-time favorite hero!"
All Might let out a deep sigh. "Okay, okay, I get it," he huffed, irritation creeping into his voice. "Just keep your eyes and mouth shut!"
A few moments later, the two landed on a nearby rooftop with a heavy thud.
Izuku collapsed onto his hands and knees, gasping for breath, his entire body trembling from the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.
His legs felt like jelly, his heart pounded in his chest, and his lungs burned from the rush of cold air. "My whole life just flashed before my eyes," he choked out, barely able to form the words.
All Might straightened himself, adjusting his stance as he glanced down at the boy with mild exasperation. "Not a very smart move, kid," he said, shaking his head. His voice, though usually full of energy, carried an edge of annoyance.
Without another word, he turned slightly and gestured toward the stairwell entrance. "Bang on the door for a while—someone will let you in." His tone was dismissive, a clear sign that he was ready to leave. "Now, I have to go. See you on the flip side!"
Izuku barely had a second to process what was happening before panic struck.
Wait—he’s leaving? Already?
"Wait! Not yet—just one second!" He stumbled forward, his arm shooting out on instinct, but All Might didn’t stop walking. “No! I don’t have any time!”
The weight in Izuku’s chest grew heavier, suffocating, like all the air had been stolen from his lungs. His hands balled into fists, shaking at his sides as desperation took hold. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to push through the overwhelming fear tightening around his throat.
"—I have to know!"
All Might’s steps faltered.
All Might turned his head slightly, taking in Izuku’s current state.
The boy quivered from head to toe, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment—but his eyes burned with something else. Determination.
Still, All Might’s graceful smile never wavered.
"Without a quirk?" he repeated, his deep voice echoing across the rooftop.
Then, suddenly—pain. A sharp, stabbing ache struck his core. His breath hitched, and he barely managed to stifle a pained grunt as thick steam began to rise from his body.
Oh no. Not now. Damn it! Not here!
Oblivious to the hero’s internal struggle, Izuku shifted his weight, staring down at the ground. "People think I don’t have a chance," he admitted. "That not having any powers makes me some kind of weakling." He twirled his fingers, fidgeting anxiously. "My classmates like to make fun of me…"
But then, he lifted his head. His hands curled into fists at his chest, his voice gaining strength.
"But you know what? That makes me want to prove them wrong. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve thought that saving people is the coolest thing you can do! I want people to see my fearless smile and feel safe!"
His passion surged, his words tumbling out with unshakable resolve.
"And be the kind of hero everyone in the world looks up to, just like you!—"
His breath caught. His knees nearly buckled.
Because the man standing before him wasn’t All Might.
Instead of the towering, muscle-bound Symbol of Peace, a frail, bony figure took his place. Thin limbs. Sunken eyes. A ghostly complexion.
Izuku let out a scream so loud it could have echoed across the entire city.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the streets, the villain trapped in the plastic bottle stirred. His liquid body shifted weakly inside the container, his grating voice muttering, "Where am I? What happened?"
Then, the memory of his humiliating defeat came rushing back.
"Oh yeah, that bastard… If it wasn’t for him, I’d be out of town already."
Not far away, a trio of students strolled down the street—Katsuki Bakugou and his usual group of lackeys.
"That was rough. Weren’t you and Midoriya good friends back when you were kids?" one of them asked casually.
"Yeah, you were a little harsh with him today," the other added.
Katsuki’s crimson eyes narrowed dangerously. "It’s his own fault for getting in my way," he muttered, irritation bubbling beneath his words. He kicked a stray bottle on the ground, his frustration simmering. "You shouldn’t waste your time on the guy."
Despite his gruff response, something about the conversation grated on him. Why the hell were they bringing up Deku now? He scowled, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Someone’s gotta teach that worthless nerd how the world really works."
He ignited his quirk, sparks crackling from his palm as he crushed the can he was holding.
"I hate it when he talks heroes," he muttered, tossing the crumpled can to the ground.
"Hey, I got an idea," one of his friends suggested. "Let’s hit the arcade. Get your mind off it, ya know?"
Maybe I wouldn’t have to if you dimwits hadn’t brought him up in the first place! Katsuki thought, clicking his tongue. "Fine."
"Or we could sneak into the bar at the station, pick up some ladies," the other boy added slyly, grinning.
"Now that’s a good idea!" his friend agreed.
Katsuki shot them a glare. "Idiots! If we get caught, there’s no way U.A. would let me in!"
Before he could rant further, both of them suddenly froze, eyes wide with horror.
"Hey… what’s that?"
Annoyed, Katsuki turned—
And his blood ran cold.
The same slimy villain from earlier loomed over him, its grotesque body shifting like a living mass of ooze.
"Perfect," the villain rasped, voice thick with malice. "I like a skin suit with some fire."
Katsuki’s eyes widened in pure terror.
Back on the rooftop, Izuku let out another scream, unable to process what he was seeing. He frantically pointed at the gaunt man before him.
"I—wait. Who—?!" His mind scrambled to catch up, but the only words he could force out were, "What happened? You deflated!"
The scrawny All Might gave him an unimpressed look that practically screamed, “Are you serious right now?“
"Where’d All Might go?!" Izuku stammered. Then, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"YOU! You’re not him! You’re a fake! An imposter!"
All Might let out a heavy sigh.
"I assure you, I am All—" He barely got the words out before coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Izuku recoiled in horror, letting out yet another scream.
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
All Might wiped his mouth, exhaling tiredly. "You know how guys at the pool are always suckin’ in and flexin’, trying to look buff?"
Izuku swallowed, nodding hesitantly.
"I’m like that."
Izuku paled. "This can’t be real!" He shook his head, trying to deny what was right in front of him. "No, I’m dreaming!" His whole body trembled.
"All Might’s a giant of a man who saves everyone!" His voice cracked as he continued, "He defeats all obstacles and wins the day with a fearless smile!"
All Might let out another sigh, heavier this time.
"There’s plenty of fear behind that smile," he admitted. He slowly sat down against the railing, rubbing his temple.
"I’m counting on you to keep your mouth shut. Don’t go talking about this online or telling your friends."
Izuku’s response died in his throat as All Might pulled up his shirt—
Revealing a grotesque, jagged scar carved into his emaciated torso.
Izuku gasped, stepping back in shock.
"Pretty gross, right?" All Might said bitterly. "I got this in a big fight five years back. My respiratory system was basically destroyed." His voice turned grim. "I lost my whole stomach."
The words stabbed at Izuku, guilt and fear coiling inside him.
"All the surgeries have pretty much worn me out," All Might continued. "And it can’t be fixed. Right now, I can only do hero work for about three hours a day. The rest of the time…"
He gestured at himself.
"This is what I look like."
Izuku gasped, the reality crashing down on him like a cold splash of water. “No way… Five years ago?” The weight of that revelation hung in the air, suffocating in its implications.
All Might raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his usually cheerful face.
“So does that mean it was the fight with Toxic Chainsaw?” he asked, a mixture of curiosity and respect in his tone.
“Wow, you know your stuff, but no.” He leaned against the railing, the setting sun casting long shadows on the rooftop. “The punk may have landed some hits, but he couldn't bring me down. Most of the world has never heard of this fight. I did everything I could to keep it under wraps.”
“I’m supposed to be the guy who’s always smiling, right?” His voice trembled.
All Might sighed, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his weary gaze. “I’m the Symbol of Peace. People everywhere have to think I’m never afraid. But honestly… I smile to hide the fear inside. It’s just a facade I put on when the pressure is high. This job isn't easy.” His voice carried a heaviness, a burden that Izuku had never considered before.
“Pro heroes are always risking their lives. Some villains just can't be beaten without powers.” The gravity of the statement settled over them like a thick fog, and Izuku felt a knot tighten in his stomach.
“So, can you be a hero?” All Might’s words pierced through Izuku like a bullet, each syllable striking hard. “Not without a quirk.”
The truth hit him with brutal clarity, leaving him momentarily speechless. Hearing it straight from All Might felt like a betrayal, yet he couldn’t deny the reality of it.
“I… see,” Izuku stammered, the words feeling hollow in his mouth. All Might pushed himself up from the floor, his imposing figure suddenly feeling less invincible.
“If you want to help people, there are plenty of other ways to do it. You could become a police officer. They often get overlooked because heroes capture most of the villains, but it's a fine profession.” The sincerity in All Might’s voice rang true, but it stung all the same.
All Might pushed open the heavy metal door, then hesitated. He glanced back at Izuku, his expression caught between encouragement and regret.
“It’s not wrong to have a dream, young man,” he said, his voice softer now. “Just make sure your dreams are attainable. Realistic. Understand?”
With that, he stepped through, pulling the door shut behind him. The metallic clang echoed like a closing chapter, leaving Izuku standing alone—heart pounding, mind racing.
For a moment, he didn’t move. His breath came in shallow gasps, the weight of All Might’s words settling deep in his chest. The hollow space where hope had once lived now felt unbearably empty. Above him, the sky darkened, as if mourning alongside him.
Then—
A deafening explosion shattered the stillness.
Izuku’s body jerked instinctively toward the sound, his heart hammering. Smoke curled into the sky in thick, dark plumes. Fear gripped him.
“A villain!” He took an unsteady step forward, his mind scrambling for answers. Which hero will stop them?
Then he remembered.
All Might’s words hit him like a sucker punch. He faltered, his fists clenching.
What could he do? He wasn’t a hero.
With a sharp exhale, he forced himself to walk instead.
But his body rebelled. His pulse thundered in his ears. His feet moved faster—then faster still. And before he knew it, he was running.
Meanwhile, All Might descended the stairwell, mumbling to himself.
“Now, let’s get you to the station.” He patted his thigh—only to freeze.
His stomach lurched. The villain was gone.
Panic surged through him. He had already pushed past his limit; there was no way he could recapture the criminal now.
“No…” he whispered, dread creeping in.
Please don’t tell me—
CRASH.
Screams erupted, sharp and panicked.
All Might’s blood ran cold. He rushed to a small, fogged-up window and peered outside. The cityscape was engulfed in chaos—flames devouring buildings, thick clouds of ash swirling through the air. People ran, their terrified cries echoing in the streets.
“Not good…” he muttered.
Izuku barely registered the burning in his chest as he ran, his hand clutching at his side.
“It’s a monster!” a woman’s voice shrieked.
“It’s taken someone hostage!”
A group of pro heroes had gathered, their bodies tense. At the front, Death Arms stood rigid, fists clenched. The villain—a shifting, liquid mass—had someone trapped in its grasp.
Katsuki.
“How dare you prey on a child!” Death Arms roared, surging forward. He leaped, his muscles coiling as he swung a devastating punch—
It passed right through.
The villain barely reacted, its form rippling like water.
“What the hell is this? Some kinda goo?!” Death Arms snarled, pulling back in frustration.
Izuku’s hands trembled. He knew this wasn’t just some villain attack. This was something worse.
And Katsuki was running out of time.
Izuku Midoriya wove through the crowd, his breath shallow, his legs moving on instinct. His heart hammered against his ribs, but he barely noticed. The only thing on his mind was the scene unfolding ahead.
All Might followed closely behind, but Izuku barely registered his presence. His wide, green eyes were locked on the monstrous villain looming over the street, a writhing mass of dark green sludge twisting and shifting like something alive.
"Oh man! He’s taken a hostage?!" Izuku’s stomach twisted in horror.
The villain’s form was thick, slimy, its shapeless body coiling around something—no, someone. Izuku squinted against the glare of the setting sun, struggling to make out the person trapped within the villain’s suffocating grasp.
Then he saw them.
A boy, his arms pinned, his body struggling with all its might against the choking mass. Spiky blond hair stuck out at odd angles, matted slightly with grime.
Kacchan.
Izuku’s breath caught in his throat.
His best friend—his childhood friend—his Kacchan was suffocating.
His vision tunneled. The city noises faded into white noise. His hands began to tremble, his grip loosening until his worn-out notebook slipped through his fingers and hit the pavement with a soft thud.
His feet moved before his mind could catch up.
He was running.
Straight at the villain.
The heroes behind him shouted, their voices barely reaching his ears over the roaring panic inside his own head.
"Damn it! Why can’t I stop?!" His mind screamed, but his body refused to listen.
"Think, Izuku! Think!" His thoughts raced, frantic.
"How has Kacchan lasted this long? I thought he'd pass out after just a few seconds!"
Katsuki’s body twitched violently as he sucked in short, gasping breaths, his face scrunched in pain.
Izuku’s fingers clenched into fists. He had to do something.
Without hesitating, he swung his arm back and hurled his backpack forward with everything he had.
The heavy bag slammed into the villain’s shifting form with a dull thud, knocking him off balance. The sludge rippled from the impact, its grip faltering just slightly.
It wasn’t much,
But it was enough.
Katsuki gasped, his entire body lurching as he dragged in a desperate, ragged breath. He coughed violently, his body shuddering as oxygen finally reached his lungs again.
Izuku didn’t stop to think. He lunged forward, his hands clawing at the sludge, digging, scraping, ripping at it with everything he had.
“Kacchan!” he choked out, his voice cracking. His fingers slipped against the slick surface of the villain’s body, but he refused to let go. “I couldn’t just stand there and watch you die!”
Katsuki coughed, his crimson eyes hazy with exhaustion and fury. “Deku—what the hell are you doing here?!”
Izuku gritted his teeth, his fingers slipping against the sludge again. It was so thick, so strong, and he could feel it starting to tighten around him now too.
The villain recovered fast, regaining control of his shifting form. The grip around Katsuki hardened again, tightening like a vice.
Izuku sucked in a sharp breath. He knew the villain wouldn’t let him get away this time.
Maybe this was it.
Maybe he wouldn’t make it out of this.
But at least… at least he had tried.
At least he wouldn’t die as a bystander.
Just then—
BOOM.
A deafening shockwave tore through the air.
The ground shook beneath him. Smoke billowed outward in thick, rolling waves, swallowing the scene in a cloud of ash.
And through the haze, a figure emerged.
Tall. Powerful.
All Might.
The hero’s body still crackled faintly with energy, steam rising off his skin as if he had just broken the very air around him. His golden hair remained impossibly perfect, his presence overwhelming even through the heavy smoke.
The crowd gasped in unison, their fearful murmurs turning to hopeful cheers.
Then, in a single, earth-shattering moment, All Might pulled back his fist.
The sheer force of his movement sent a gust of wind spiraling outward, rattling windows and making the very sky tremble.
Then—
He struck.
The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and the villain exploded into pieces, his body ripping apart like a shattered balloon. Katsuki dropped instantly, crashing to the ground in a heap, coughing and gasping.
The sky darkened. The once golden sunset was now veiled by thick, gray clouds swirling overhead. A cool breeze swept through the street.
Within moments, rain began to fall.
A man in the crowd gasped, his voice shaky. “No way… he changed the weather with a punch?!”
The city erupted into cheers.
All Might straightened, standing tall despite the faint tremor in his frame. Slowly, he lifted his fist into the air—his signature pose, his unbreakable symbol of victory.
A thin trail of blood slipped from the corner of his mouth, but his grin remained as blinding as ever.
Hope incarnate.
The Number One Hero.
And Izuku Midoriya could only stare, his heart pounding.
Because for the first time in his life—
He had moved without thinking.
Just like a real hero.
After what felt like an eternity of scolding, Izuku was let off for his behaviour.
Izuku walked down the narrow alley, the fading light of the sunset spilling over him, casting long, jagged shadows on the ground. He tried to ignore the ache in his chest, the bitter taste of failure that had been lingering there for days. He had done what he thought was right, rushed in to help—just like a hero should.
But it didn’t matter. Not without a Quirk.
Izuku tightened his grip on the strap of his yellow bag, the pressure doing little to ease the knot tightening in his stomach. All Might’s words echoed in his mind: “So can you be a hero? Not without a quirk.” And yet, he couldn’t stop. He couldn’t stop trying to prove himself.
Kacchan always got praised, always looked at like he was something special. Izuku was always the one lectured, always the one who wasn’t good enough.
The sound of hurried footsteps brought him back to the present. “Deku!” A familiar voice called out. He turned sharply, expecting to see Kacchan in his usual fiery temper—but what met his eyes made his breath catch. “Listen,” He grumbled—as if the words were difficult to say.
“I would never ask for a weakling like you to help me,”
Kacchan wasn’t angry in his usual way. This time, it was something colder, something more cutting. His eyes locked onto Izuku’s, a quiet fury simmering beneath his gaze, and the words he spat out were sharp and biting. “Don’t think you can look down on me!”
“Huh, got that?!” He yelled. “I was fine by myself!” He leaned forward, the clenching of his fists masking the tremble in his shoulders. Izuku opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. “You’re just a quirkless failure who won’t even cut it as a rent-a-cop!” He bit his lip.
“You didn’t help me,” Kacchan growled, his voice low but intense. “You did nothing.”
“Don’t forget it.”
Izuku blinked, the words stinging more than he expected. He opened his mouth to protest, to explain—but Kacchan wasn’t finished.
“I don’t owe you anything!” His voice was ice, a wall of contempt.
Izuku’s throat tightened, a wave of heat rushing to his face. His stomach twisted with the harsh sting of reality. Kacchan wasn’t just angry. He was beyond angry.
He was… done.
Katsuki spun on his heel, jamming his hands deep into his pockets with a frustrated growl. His shoulders were stiff with tension, his footsteps sharp and deliberate as he stormed off. Izuku could only watch as his childhood friend disappeared around the corner, swallowed by the city’s dim glow.
“Kacchan is right, though…” He murmured. His head dipped, eyes tracing the cracks in the pavement. “It’s not like I actually did anything to help today.” His hands curled into fists at his sides, nails pressing into his palms. “But at least… I tried.”
With a heavy sigh, he turned to continue his walk home—only for a towering figure to suddenly pop out from the side.
“I am here!”
The deep, booming voice nearly made Izuku jump out of his skin. He let out a sharp scream, stumbling backward as his heart slammed against his ribs.
Blonde hair. That confident, radiant smile.
All Might.
Izuku’s breath caught in his throat. “All Might! Where’d you come from?” He barely had time to process before his brain scrambled for another question. “Uh—how’d you get rid of all those reporters?”
All Might let out a hearty laugh, broad shoulders shaking. “I stand for justice!” he declared, striking an unmistakable pose. “Not soundbites. Because I… am All—”
His voice cut off with a sudden, violent cough.
Blood splattered against the pavement.
Izuku’s stomach twisted as All Might’s mighty frame crumpled in an instant, shrinking down into something frail, thin, breakable. The larger-than-life hero was gone, replaced by a man barely standing under his own weight.
Izuku screamed again.
All Might wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his breath coming in slow, measured inhales. His chest still rose and fell, but the exhaustion in his face was undeniable.
“Young man,” he began, his voice quieter but still carrying that same unmistakable strength. “I came here to thank you.”
Izuku blinked, confused. His mind reeled, but All Might wasn’t finished.
“And also to discuss your question from earlier.”
Izuku’s heart pounded. His eyes widened, glistening with something raw. “Huh?” he breathed.
“If you hadn’t told me about your life… if you hadn’t run into that fight, I would’ve been a worthless bystander watching from the crowd.” All Might’s gaze softened, the corners of his lips tugging into something almost sad. “So thanks.”
Izuku’s grip tightened on his bag. “Oh, no! It was my fault he was there to begin with!” The words tumbled out, his voice pitching high with guilt. “I got in the way of your hard work… I wasted your energy—not to mention, your time.”
His own words felt like a slap to the face. His stomach churned.
“I’m not done,” All Might said, his voice steady.
Izuku stilled.
“You told me you didn’t have a power.” The hero took a breath, his expression unreadable. “So, when I saw this timid, quirkless boy try to save a life…” He trailed off, his gaze lingering on Izuku with something almost reverent. “It inspired me to act, too.”
Izuku’s mouth parted slightly, his breath caught somewhere between a gasp and a sob.
“There are stories about every hero—how they became great,” All Might continued. “Most have one thing in common… their bodies moved before they had a chance to think.”
Almost on their own.
The words settled deep in Izuku’s chest, pressing against the dam he had tried so hard to keep intact. Tears burned at the edges of his vision, his breath shuddering as he fought to keep them back. He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms, but it did nothing to stop the overwhelming wave of emotion threatening to crush him.
“And today, that’s what happened to you.”
The dam broke.
A sob ripped through him, raw and unrestrained. His knees buckled, hitting the pavement hard, but he barely felt it. Tears streamed down his cheeks, hot and relentless, soaking into the fabric of his uniform. His chest ached, trembling with every gasp of air.
The sunlight cut through the gaps in the buildings, catching in his dark curls, streaking them gold. All Might stood before him, unwavering, bathed in that same golden glow.
Then, with a voice full of certainty, he said—
“Young man, you, too, can become a hero.”