Chapter Text
Everyone had always told Izuku Midoriya he was nothing.
Well, not everyone. Just one person, actually. His ‘friend’ Katsuki Bakugou. Just an extra, he said. Just a stepping stone on Bakugou’s way to becoming the greatest hero there ever was.
His Quirk was called “Fireball,” but in his opinion, that name gave it too much credit. It was just a weak, small, green flame. Or maybe that was just Bakugou talking.
Izuku also had a habit, much ridiculed by his classmates, of journaling in notebooks for hours about the quirks, histories, achievements, costumes, battles, and ranks of heroes. He always said it was in preparation for becoming a hero, which his classmates, especially Bakugou, laughed off.
Everything changed for Izuku when he met All Might, the number one hero in the world.
Can someone without a strong quirk be a hero?
After his heart was broken by his childhood idol, he sorrowfully started making his way back home before he heard a scream. He searched with apprehension and saw what looked like a pile of slime attacking a young girl.
“Help!” she yelled.
I know that voice, Midoriya thought. Oh no. He recalled seeing this girl about six months ago while out shopping with his mother. Her name was Himiko Toga. Midoriya looked around, to the sludge, every direction around, but he saw no heroes. I have to take action, he thought. Or no one will.
Frantically, he tried to pull her out of the sludge.
“Stupid kid thinks he can beat me.” the sludge villain laughed.
The girl continued to scream, but upon his arrival, it sounded like she was trying to scream his name.
Izuku used a fireball to push the sludge back, plunged his hand in, and found Himiko’s hand. He grabbed her hand and used all his strength to pull her out of the slime.
“You think a little piddly fire can beat me, kid?”
Midoriya ignored the taunt and continued pulling out her hand. He tried to pull her out for what felt like forever, until…
“HALT, VILLAIN.” a familiar, booming voice said.
“Uh oh.” the villain said.
“It is alright, Young Midoriya. Why? Because I am here.” All Might said.
The sludge villain retreated, but not fast enough to avoid a punch from All Might, and getting stuck in a bottle.