Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

My Hero Academia: A New Wind
By
Geor-sama
:Forward:
(AKA The Massive Author's Note)

Warning
This applies to every chapter. This story will contain situations and themes of touchy/uncomfortable subject matter at times. 
There will be coarse/offensive language, jokes of varying degrees, and of course violence. 

Read at your own discretion.

Disclaimer 

I will only say this once. 

A disclaimer only proves intent to claim no ownership over the licensed characters that appear in this story. I own none of the licensed characters or locations appearing within this story. The characters of My Hero Academia belong to Horikoshi Kōhei, The Characters of One Punch Man belong to ONE, and all other referenced characters belong to their respective owners. 

I wrote this out of love for the characters and the story. I do not want, nor expect any monetary compensation. 

This story is a kind testing the waters? I had started an My Hero Academia fic in 2018, but only got one chapter written. The concept was 'Izuku as Magneto' but I had nowhere to really take it. I kicked around a few other ideas, but nothing jelled. In the end I was happily resigned to just being a reader, and found quite a few wonderful fics out there. Then in August 2020 someone showed me the fic 'The Esper at U.A.' and wanted to know how I'd approach this. I think they wanted me to trash the fic, and while it has issues (pacing and grammar mostly - I kept losing track of what was supposed to be happening), the fic was enjoyable. 

But it still made me wonder, how would I write something similar? 

Thus did I start toying with the story. This meant I had to do a bit of serious digging into both series (I was not current on either manga) and then some thinking. Then came the actual writing and you'll see some of the original set up for the 'Magneto Izuku' fic (I never delete something, you never know when it can be used). Anyway, I've only got seven or eight chapters written, and I realized that before I went further I should even see if anyone would be interested. 

So that's enough history, right? Let’s just get to the important notes. 

1) First things first. This is a crossover between One Punch Man and My Hero Academia. 

This means that some characters will have adapted/slightly changed back stories and will act somewhat differently. Nothing like Ochaco becoming the female version of Katsuki (though that could be an interesting fic to see done). But since this a different world/reality/timeline than the canon one don't just expect a boring rehash of the main series or characterizations. 

I did struggle a bit with one character who ended up younger than they are in canon. Its hard to respect characterization when you have to write them younger when all you've ever seen them as is older. So please don't hold that against me. 

@) Related to this subject: There are other series sprinkled throughout the story. I give nods, references, and assorted little mentions to various anime/manga/shows. They serve as background/minor characters/minor arc leads. This saves me from having to create a bunch of OC's as I've gotten lazy over the years.  Also, its because I love shout-outs/Easter eggs and I will happily over use them - so this means that if you see someone and go 'who that' it’s an anime that I at some point enjoyed and found a way to exist in this fic. I'll admit its kinda fun slipping them into the fic, maybe it'll be fun for you to spot. 

Also, since I may never get to reveal this in story, but for the USA hero system, they're being overseen by Archon from the web series GrllPower and the earliest known heroes are from Wearing the Cape. I will also freely admit that you will see some of the hero rules/advice/expectations found in both series cropping up. Mostly because I really like them and because they make freaking sense. 

C) One of the biggest issues I ran into was the timeline for My Hero Academia. Unlike with One Punch Man where we have a pretty straight forward timeline, BNHA is a bit mirky. We know that X happened before Y and after W - but for the most part not exactly how long before or after. So I had to so some research and after some effort I think I've pieced one together that is canon compliant. 

That said I would be remiss to not the mention that All Might's Timeline is based off the one provided by Ty Walton and the UA/School event timeline is based off the one on reddit by u/chaotickairos

C@) The Year. I've seen a lot of debate over this, some people say its 2100 or even 2200, while others insist its 2070 or such. I personally liked the date of 2099, as it works thematically - a new era dawns with the end of the old type deal. But still, I needed to fill in the blanks and without a properly magnificent timeline like One Piece has, I had to do it on my own. 

So I took the confirmed One For All holders, found their ages where it was available and assumed others. Then I looked at confirmed events and laid them out in the order that they happened. Then I looked for any other details that could help, which is when I found Mr. Compress, who is the great-great-grandson of one of the first 'villains'. I had to look on my family tree to see what kind of ages we were looking at, but once I had them laid out and in relation to other events things fell into place.   
So, after I laid out all confirmed events, and the confirmed character ages, and put it all in the proper order I started applying dates. 

I started with my preferred end date of 2099, went backwards, and found out that for it to be right the miracle baby would have had to show up in 1899. Since we know that when the miracle baby does show up, the technology looks fairly modern, that meant the end date was wrong. 

So, I adjusted the end date starting at a maximum of 2199, which put the start date in the 1990's. I adjusted the end date further to 2189 which got me the 1980's as a start date. 2170 got us the 1970's, and 2160 got us 1960. I didn't bother going any further.

I am now convinced that the start date is roughly (at the earliest) in the 1960's, and while the late 1970's is possible, I think the 1980's are the most likely. So this fic assume the start date of 1980, meaning that current year is 2180. 

$) You'll see a term creep up in Chapter 2 'Aberrant Being' so I figured I'd address it now. They are a fusion between Myserious Beings from One Punch Man and Aberrants from the My Hero one-shot. Basically they are a monsters that are universally and actively hostile toward humanity. They can evolve from anywhere/anything.

5) The Saitama & All Might situation. More than the timeline issue, the biggest problem was these three characters. In their respective canon: Saitama is literally what I call Meme Age Superman (Utterly Overwhelming Strength and has no weaknesses). Meanwhile All Might is more Bronze Age Superman (He's Really Strong and has several weaknesses).

So I did the most logically thing.

Saitama remained Meme Age and I raised All Might to Modern Age Superman (Utterly Overwhelming Strength, but in certain circumstances can be hurt).

As for Izuku, well careful readers will notice that while he's doing the workout like Saitama said, he's not doing the other part of it. Sleeping without air conditioning, eating a banana, etc. Plus his goal is to be 'just like All Might' and as we all know the One Punch Man training alters your personal reality.

This means that the results will be different (Ok, ok, I'll just say it. He'll be a Modern Age Superman too).

I look forward to hearing how I'm screwing this up and ruining the fic.

F) Romance. So yeah, there will be romance (no smut though- yes, they are teenagers and that may/may not happen, but I'm not writing it. At best it will be alluded to). Also this will not 'central' to the plot though it will factor in at times more heavily than others. Just like life. 

 6a) Pairings. You may ask and I may or may not respond. Just remember like everyone else I have my preferred pairings. If a pairing is important enough to make you stop reading an otherwise (hopefully) enjoyable story then I respect your choice, and wish you the best.

?) So this started off like canon with U.A. as a High School, but to be honest when I first started the story I kept debating if should it be a colleged/university instead? Mostly because I'm becoming pretty aware that I tend to write older, even when I'm trying to writer younger. Well fast foward and I've decided to do a few changes which require I do some rewrites. So the question comes back and I asked a couple of friends for their opinion and they said I should consider it.

So I did. I think it fits better this way and it makes me a bit more comfortable with writing about some subjects. Still no smut though. Of course now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have left it alone. But meh, the changes has been made and so it shall remain.

::Final Thoughts::

I will address any thoughts/issues you wish to discuss through PM's (Or whatever the equivalent is here on AO3). 

That said, I hope you enjoy the story. 

Sincerely,
Geor-sama

Chapter Text

1979 - May 20th: Skylab re-enters Earth's atmosphere after six years in orbit due to a collision with [Redacted], breaking up over the Pacific Ocean.

June: Two children are born to a prostitute who had a terrible illness that made her grow horns from her left arm and was unaware that she was pregnant for the first eight months. She died in childbirth on a riverbank; after dying from childbirth, the growths on her arm vanished after her oldest baby stole them. Just as the rats started coming out to feed, they were washed away by a small flood. By a miracle the two washed up near an orphanage and were taken in by the caretaker named Isabella who named then Shigaraki Zen and Shigaraki Yorichi. 

1980 - May: The Glowing Baby is Born in China, becoming the first documented meta-human and officially signaling the beginning of the Quirk Age (Also called Divergence Point Or The Event), proceeding the spontaneous worldwide appearance of supernatural powers.

September: Akira is born

??: Other Children are born with powers, and even older children about to enter puberty begin to manifest abilities.

1981

January: Ronald Reagan becomes the 40th President of the United States of America, George H. W. Bush becomes Vice President, and Nancy Reagan becomes First Lady.

March 30th: Ronald Regan is assassinated, and his vice-president George H.W. Bush is sworn in. Walter Cronkite concludes his run as anchorman for the CBS Evening News.

April: The space shuttle Columbia launches on its maiden flight.

May: Fran ois Mitterrand becomes the 21st President of France.

July: America enters a deep recession, and President Bush backs the Federal Reserves plan.

September 1st: The Kirby research group hypothesized that a "novel disease" was to blame, announcing that those with Meta Abilities were a subbranch of humanity with new genetic factors. This announcement caused many people to be divided, and chaos started to grow.

1982

April: The deep recession eases. Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and President Bush decided to back the Galtieri regime, one of the United States closest anti-Communist allies in the western hemisphere, instead of the Margaret Thatcher-led British government.

1983

January: The migration to TCP/IP is completed, giving birth to the modern internet

March 23rd: America's Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) is first proposed by President Bush.

April 4th: The space shuttle Challenger launches on its maiden flight.

May 26th: A tsunami caused by a 7.7 magnitude Earthquake in the Sea of Japan kills 107 people, including three in South Korea

June: Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.

1984 - Feburary 14th: Isabella, the woman in charge of the orphanage discovered that Shigaraki Zen (5) had a Meta ability and planned on selling him.  Shigaraki Zen killed the child trafficker by using the  Meta ability Bone Spikes that he had taken from his mother. Zen then took his brother and left the 'orphanage'. 

March: Yoichi's Best friend, Kudo (the eventual Second Bearer of OFA) is born.

August 30th: The space shuttle Discovery launches on its maiden flight.

October 31st: Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, is assassinated and is succeeded by her eldest son Rajiv Gandhi.

November 6th: President Bush is Re-elected

1985 - Nearly half a dozen of the top Soviet biochemists and geneticists go missing. President Bush refuses to meet with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in the city of Geneva.

July 10th: The bombing of the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior by the French Navy.

October 3rd: The space shuttle Atlantis launches on its maiden flight.

October 11th: The Soviet Union conducts a bomb test in the Bering Sea.

October 13th: Congress approves the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars).

October 16th: The Soviets responded by claiming they refused to be intimidated by the United States impractical pipe dream S.D.I.

1986 - Dr. Gillian Taylor of the Cetacean Institute in Sausalito, California, protects, exhibits, and studies two Humpback whales, an endangered species. Also, Dr. Nichols of Plexicorp invents transparent aluminum.

January 28th: The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after liftoff, killing all seven crew members.

October 11-12th: President George W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev meet in Rekjavik, but talks fail to produce any worthwhile results.

1987 - The S.D.I Commitee announced that they've accepted a proposal, and provided details to prove it will be purely a defensive system.

April: The Soviet Union accuses the United States of violating the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The United States counters with accusations that the Soviet Union had used the inaugural flight of the Energia booster for the Mir space station to attempt and place the components needed for a 'space laser' into orbit.

1988 - Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq leads an unsuccessful coup in Pakistan that leads to ongoing civil war for the next twenty years.

July 16th: Akira (8), one of the earliest known Quirk babies, loses control over his Meta Abilities resulting in the Explosion of Kyoto. With the details covered up by the Japanese government, this event pushes the world to the brink of a third world war, but ultimately tensions ease.

1989 - December 3rd: The Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, leaves office after losing a general election.

1990

1991 - October: One night, a group of masked citizen soldiers appears before Shigaraki (12). Despite their sympathy for the boy, they recognize him as "an exceptional child", saying they should leave him be since the kids are most likely to be carriers. Shigaraki kills them all instantly using the Bone Spears he took from his mother.

??: The Gulf War is waged in the Middle East, by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from thirty-four nations, led by the US and United Kingdom, against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces.

1992

1993 - April: The Argentina Slaughter occurs, resulting in the complete annihilation of the entire population of Buenos Aries by an unknown actor. It is later known to be the work of the first Aberrant Being called 'Twilight', the first Demi-God Level Aberrant Being.

1994

1995 - Shigaraki (15) witnesses the Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack and decides that such incidents, while potentially useful, are pointless if they do not achieve their intended goal.

April: Timothy McVeigh is stopped from carrying out a terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City by an 'unknown actor' later thought to be the first vigilante.

1996

1997 - Shigaraki (17), inspired by Heaven's Gate, realizes that he needed followers for his grand design.

1998

1999 - Shigaraki (19) manipulates events to take leadership of a small Yakuza family.

2000 - January 1st: A plane loses power due to mechanical failure over an airport in Chicago. A baggage handler known as John Chandler (18), a vigilante later dubbed Atlas, lept into the air to catch and land the aircraft without loss of life. The event is caught on camera and the supernatural becomes too obvious to ignore or dismiss as a hoax and the term 'super-hero' is used for the first time.

December 24th: - A 'supernatural' hacker unleashes the virus Pluto's Kiss, crippling computer systems worldwide. This results in the stagnation of technological advances.

2001 - The United States established the Department of Supernatural Affairs and Japan created the Directorate of Paranormal Situations, both of which are tasked with observing and assessing Post-Humans' threats.

January: The political group Red Lion releases their manifesto that demands the 'extermination of supernatural threats'.

September: As the world descends into further chaos due to the Meta Abilities, Shigaraki (22) grew discontent when the Luminescent Baby gained followers and asked for peace to come back to society. Shigaraki calls it weird why the Luminescent Baby should be the one to become so popular just because they were the first recorded. So Shigaraki decided that the child and his followers did not deserve the right to exist in his world so he killed them and stole their Meta Abilites. Two weeks before this, 50 babies with Meta Abilities were born in India.

November: In New York City, a group of businessmen and scientists discuss the potential of genetic experiments on the 'supernatural'.

2002 - The United Nations established the World Network Commission in the wake of mounting cybercrime.

2003 - Eugenics programs begin to spring up in various countries, each attempting to improve the human race through selective breeding of post-humans.

2004 - The United States forcibly shuts down the Chrysalis Research Center. Japan forcibly shuts down the Maoh King Laboratory.

July 29th: Shima Tetsuo is born

2005 - France suspends Centre d'Experimentation du Pacifique.

2006

2007

2008 - The region-wide chaos sparked by the Pakistan civil war is finally quelled by a faction seizing control under the leadership of Seif-al-Din (16) with [Quirk: Firey Angel]

February 3: Garaki Kyudai (Known later as Ujiko Daruma and Tsubasa) is born.

2009

2010 - September 8 - 23: Hurricane Igor, a Category 5 hurricane, passes directly over Bermuda devastating the island group, and continues to hit New England, Atlantic Canada, and eventually the British Isles and western Norway. Widely thought to be the result of climate change, it was really the result of the second Demi-God Level Aberrant Being known as 'Valefor'. As a result of Valefor's devastation of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada caused landslide victories for the Democrats in the US and the New Democrats and Liberals in Canada. It also prompts the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East.

2011 - November: Invasion of Afghanistan by a reunified Pakistan led to the creation of the New Persian Empire led by Seif-Al-Din (19)

September: Yoichi (32) confronts his brother again. Shigaraki tries to reason with his younger brother, claiming that he was helping people by ridding those who believed themselves plagued and giving strength to the helpless. However, Yoichi rejected his claims, knowing that his brother only wanted to amass power. Ultimately Yoichi fails to stop his older brother once more.

2012 - The West Coast Disaster. Planet Watchers, a superhuman eco-terrorist group encourages a massive earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone. The massive tidal wave is further spurred on by the group. Due to this event, the San Andreas Fault is triggered, which in turn triggers several more and the entire West Coast of the United States is lost. The initial loss of lives reaches a total of 1.3 million and further losses push the numbers to 5.5 million. Sanctuary Districts are established in the United States to help deal with the refugees from the West Coast disaster.

November 2nd/3rd: The Kyushu Disaster occurs. In the late hours of Nov. 2nd, the third Demi-God Aberrant Being attack occurred in Southern Kyushu. The being, later dubbed the Leviathan, comes ashore with unprecedented Tsunamis. The local vigilante group Sentai Elite are caught unaware and most are lost in the initial waves. More are lost in the ensuing battle while either trying to contain the Aberrant or trying to evacuate the civilians. Early on Nov. 3rd, Leviathan finally withdraws, leaving 1.6 million dead in its wake, with the lone survivor Black Kaze, who later undergoes a mental break due to trauma and guilt.

2013 - Yoichi confronts his brother once more and suffers yet another defeat. This time rather than allowing his brother to roam free, All For One imprisoned his younger brother.

2014 - June: The 'Red Lion' begins lynching 'supernatural threats' around the world.

October: Kolishnikov takes control of the Communist Party and Russia.

2015

2016 - New pro-human/anti-supernatural groups begin to appear.

2017 - The Jihad Party is elected to power in Iraq. Pro-supernatural groups have begun to emerge around the world.

2018 - Yotsubashi Chikara is born to an unnamed mother.

2019 - The African Pestilence begins in South Africa, before spreading rapidly, resulting in the near loss of all plants on the continent. Believed at first to be the result of a superhuman involved in inter-tribe warfare is later known to be the result of the fourth Demi-God Aberrant Being later named 'Nergal'.

August: Shigaraki (39) arranges an airplane crash in an attempt to kill Seif-al-Din (27). He also stumbles upon Shima Tetsuo (15) and recruits him.

2020 - Feburary; A Global Pandemic that originates in China and devastates the world.

April 1st - Shigaraki Zen traveled to the United States to meet [redacted] and attempted [redacted] to [redacted]. It was the [redacted], and Shigaraki left furious. Later, during one of his regular visits, All For One forcibly gifts his younger brother with a Quirk in an attempt to prove a point. This unwittingly creates One For All

2021 - Civil unrest strengthens as the sitting U.S. President initially refuses to leave office after losing the election / The Bell Riots break out in the Sanctuary Districts for the West Coast.

2022 - The United States unable to maintain its military presence throughout the world begins scaling back even more, creating an ever-increasing power vacuum. As a result, conflicts grow out of control. In France, a government based on the ideals of Leon Trotsky comes to power, escalating tension with the country's Gaullists.

March: A decade after her murder spree began, The Mad Butcher of Kyushu (Black Kaze) is killed in a fight against Japan's longest-living hero, Toshiro Misawa also known as Fuji.

2023 - Marshal Vashkov rallies Russian dissidents, igniting a Russian Civil War

2024 - Shima Tetsuo establishes his group under the aegis of All For One, giving rise to the Esper-focused group known as 'Eleven'

2025 - A near-catastrophic global financial crisis further cripples technological progress. The criminal empire Shadaloo is taken out by U.N. Forces led by Ryu and Chun-Li, Shikgaraki quietly fills the vacuum and places his people in positions of authority in Thailand

2026 - July 10 : Shigaraki addresses representatives from the remaining Southeast Asia countries, convincing them to work with him and his agents.

2027 - Kudo (46) and Third Bearer (46), during a failed raid against All For One, discover and rescue Yorichi (48) / The Russian Civil War ends with the splitting of the country into the Eastern Soviet Union and the Western Volgan Republic.

2028 - July 14th to July 30th: The 2028 Olympics, also known as Paris 2028, also the Last Olympic Games. Due to low interest by various countries due to high tensions all over the world, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally awarded the Summer Games to Paris.  But due to a lack of spectators due to world wide travel bans and declared states of emergecy, along with almost no countries willing to particpate, the games were deemed a failure and the Winter Games were postponed.  

??: The Optimum Movement, a group of 'human patriots' lynch and kill the mother of Yotsubashi Chikara (10) for not killing him as a babe

April: Harima Ōji (Later known as the Peerless Thief) and the Great-great-grandfather of Sako Atsuhiro is born

2029 - As a result of earlier climate disasters, both natural and supernatural, Climate Change has rapidly spun out of control, resulting in extreme weather conditions worldwide, leading to the further deterioration of the world s food supply. The less industrialized world is hit hardest. NATO and the United Nations struggle to maintain order as resources become more scarce and tensions mount.

April: Shigaraki approaches several in the Japanese government, either blackmailing or bribing them into stepping down so that his own people could take their positions.

2030 - ???: Due to the mistreatment during his imprisonment, Yorichi (48) experiences health problems. But aided by the Second Bearer (47) and Third Bearer (47), makes one last attempt at stopping his brother. This proves disastrous, resulting in Yorichi experiencing fatal injuries. Despite this, he managed to pass along One For All and the Second Bearer managed to escape

???: The Second Krakatoa eruption, also known as Krakatoa's Revenge. The natural disaster resulted in a tsunami that claimed the lives of over five hundred thousand and the sinking of over seventy percent of the local islands. It also brings on several years of further unseasonable cold weather, which when combined with the ongoing climate change, results in the global agricultural output plummeting to catastrophic levels, claiming another four hundred thousand lives worldwide.

November: The most successful and furthest reaching of the anti-supernatural hate groups, the Optimum Movement, becomes a defacto world power

2031 - March 10th : The Shigaraki controlled North Korea and the Shigaraki controlled South Korea to reunify into the Republic of Korea.

2032 - Civil unrest, encouraged by The Optimum Movement, further pushes the world toward chaos. The U.S. withdraws almost completely into isolation, intending to focus its efforts on rooting the Optimum Movement and its influence. They leave only token forces in select nations.

August : The New Persia Empire comes into conflict with Iran and Saudia Arabia.

May 4th: Lack of resources lead the Volgan Republic to try and seize Mongolia , prompting China to respond. Supernatural forces are sent in to route the invading forces. The Volgan Republic responds in kind and ultimately both sides unleash nuclear weapons. As a result, Northern China, Mongolia, and most of Volga are turned into a radioactive wasteland.

May 12th: In the resulting chaos the United Nations collapses, and World War Three officially begins.

June: the Eastern Soviet Union attacks the European Union, but is repelled.

December 7th: Japan and China come into conflict, the unexpected invasion being blunted by American forces still present. The resulting skirmish drives China back, ending in a victory for Japan. As a result, Taiwan becomes a protectorate of Japan.

December 11th: A planned Chinese invasion force is intercepted by the Japanese fleet, stopping their attempt to seize Alaska. The invading fleet is seized and the soldiersare detained.The United States responded by increasing its military forces in the Pacific.

2033 - Shigaraki finally tracks down Yorichi 's friend Kudo (50) and though he manages to kill him , Kudo has managed to pass on OFA to Bruce Third Bearer (50).

January : U.S. Forces help Canada repel an invasion when the Soviet Union attempts to cross through the Arctic.

January 5th: The United States is taken by surprise when the Mexican government, now controlled by the Optimum Movement (now officially labeled a terrorist/hate group within the U.S.), attempts to seize Texas, Arizona , and other border states. The Southern Border Conflict becomes vicious and costly . Once the U.S. recovers from the initial shock, they push back which results in Mexico collapsing due to the overwhelming numbers of super-natural who are present in the US military. As a result, the United States annexed the country and the Optimum Movement set up various rebel groups.

February : Syria and Hezbollah launch a chemical attack on Israel. Israel responds with nuclear and super-natural forces. / Due to its refusal to withdraw its few remaining forces from its allies in the Middle East, the United States came into conflict with the New Persian Empire.

February 14th: The New Persian Empire, led by Seif-al-Din (41), launches an attack on Whittier Base in the United States in an attempt to kill the President. With the bulk of the super-natural military forces still involved in quelling Optimum Movement-backed rebellions in Mexico, Atlas (51) and his side-kick/girlfriend Astra (21) lead the Sentinels, a U.S. vigilante team, to aid the base. During the battle Atlas and Seif-al-Din engage in a battle, while Astra evacuates the president. Astra later rejoins the battle, aiding Atlas against Seif-al-Din - the US emerges as the victor, and Seif-al-Din dies in battle against Atlas, who also perishes in the conflict. Astra, due to the injuries she received during the battle passes afterward in the hospital.

March: The Eastern Soviet Union finally collapses and the Optimum Movement moves to seize power.

April: A portion of the southern half of China gains independence and becomes a sovereign country named Dahan (literally Great Han or Great China) and it installs the Optimum Movement as its ruling party. What remains of China collapses into different factions.

May: Japan and the United States engage in war with the newly emerged Dahan.

June: The United States, Israel, and other Middle East allies deal a decisive blow to the crumbling New Persian Empire.

August: The New Imperial China emerges from the various former Chinese states.

December: Iran defeats the now weakened Nerw Persia Empire.

2034- January : Imperial China briefly takes possession of Tsushima Island. The Japanese/US forces quickly liberated the area.

March: Shigaraki grows annoyed with Dahan and uses his influence to have Japan launch a surprise attack on the Optimum Movement-controlled Dahan . During the chaos of the attack, he has his followers kill four thousand high-ranked members while he slaughters the ir leadership, and the country falls into chaos.

April: With the eastern arm of the Optimum Movement removed, Imperial China managed to annex Dahan and unify most of the Asian continent.

2035 - September: In the face of the threat of Imperial China, Shigaraki has the reunified Korea seek the protection of Japan, resulting in them becoming a part of the country. His other territories do the same, becoming protectorates of Japan.

November 22nd: At a military research base on the New West Coast, one of the active experiments was sabotaged resulting in the destruction of the base and all research. Among the dead was an unknown, but promising young researcher named Zefram Cochrane who was on the verge of a massive breakthrough thanks to his work with antimatter weapons.

2036 - The European Union collapses due to internal strife, fired by the growing force of the Optimum Movement.

2037 - The various conflicts slowly begin to die down as the cost of continued warfare drains both the will and the economy.

2038 - September 17th: Imperial China launches a campaign of super-natural forces & nuclear weapons in an attempt to bring down what they perceive to be their greatest threats, Japan and the United States. The United States counters nuclear weapons with its nearly defunct S.D.I. system, but the massive upper atmosphere detonation unleashes a powerful electromagnetic pulse that damages all unprotected systems the world over. Meanwhile, Japan expends its supernatural forces to blunt the enemy's supernatural forces.

November 19th: A joint operation between the United States and Japan sees Imperial China razed by an unprecedented amount of supernatural forces. The sheer scope and ferocity forced Imperial China into unconditional surrender.This display of force also causes the few lingering belligerents to stand down for fear of being the next target.

December: The Third World War is officially declared over. The world's population has sharply decreased from seven billion to roughly three billion, with at least 2.5 billion being supernatural. It also sees significant changes in the nations of the world.

- Following the annexation of Mexico the United States seeking to boost its ailing resources and economy made an offer to allow any nation, not affiliated with the Optimum Movement to join the Union. Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Central Americas down to Panama accepted the offer due to their lagging resources and failing economies.

- The countries of South America end up unified under the Optimum Movement-controlled Brazil. This creates the South American Union (SAU).

- What remains of Imperial China is forced to return most of its territories, leaving only the northern half of China, Burma, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

- Dahan is reinstituted as a separate country.

- Japan's borders now include Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

- The United Kingdom, devastated by the Optimum Movement-influenced civil war is weakened and unable to maintain its control over its fourteen overseas territories, turning them over either to the United States, Australia, or other former NATO members. It also joins forces with Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Germany, and Daneland to become the Northern Alliance.

- What remains of the Soviet Union reabsorbed Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, becoming the New Soviet Union

- India, Iran, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Turkey,Siri Lanka, and Myanmar join together to create the Indo-Persia Union.

- Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Israel, and Egypt managed to remain independent and form the Middle East Alliance.

- France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other Central European Countries unite to create the European Commonwealth to take the place of the failed European Union.

- The African continent experienced the most radical changes. The North African counties of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya form the United Arab Republic.

- The nations of Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Niger Burkins Fasco, Gabon, Togo, Cameroon, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and the Central African Republic remain independent.

- South Africa, Nambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Tanzania, and Madagascar join into the Republic of South Africa

Australia joined a military alliance with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, and New Zealand. They unilaterally enter isolation from the rest of the world.

2039 - January: With the dissolution of the United Nations, the Allied Nations was founded. The new A.N. is located in Geneva, Switzerland. Its first order of business is to put forth an international treaty, proposed by Colonel Adrik Thorsen the sole remaining and hidden leader of The Opmimum Movement, which would suppress the Supernatural population.

April: The International Supernatural Charter is signed, effectively banning supernaturals from existence. The United States and Japan refuse to sign or support the charter.

June: Supernaturals begin to flee to the United States and Japan, while other countries begin to officially exterminate supernaturals. The United States and Japan experienced a period of severe economic sanctions and forced isolation creating a new Great Depression.

2040 - Yotsubashi Chikara (22), now known as Destro, founded the Meta Liberation Army to stop the oppression of superhumans . This eventually ignitedan unofficial World War Four, also known as the Super Human Rebellion.

2041

2042

2043

2044

2045 - After a five-year campaign, Destro obliterates The Optimum Movement. Killing anyone even remotely connected to it in any way, shape, or form. He slaughters the leader of the Optimum Movement, Colonel Adrik Thorsen, but only after beating his wife and children to death while taunting them about thanking their father for the idea.

2046

2047 - U.S. and Japanese vigilantes take up arms when the weakened world governments prove incapable of stopping the M.L.A. who show no sign of stopping and are attempting to enact a genocide against those without Meta-abilities or so-called 'Quirks'

2048

2049 - The M.L.A. is defeated and Yotsubashi Chikaraimprisoned.

February: The Allied Nations repeals their previous 'supernatural charter'. Japan and the United States propose a new one. It limited the use of 'Quirks' within international conflicts, affirmed the rights and humanity of those with 'Quirks', and established a new committee (later known as the World Hero Association) to ensure there were no more programs against 'Quirks'. It left all other laws regulating Quirk usage to the individual countries and territories, provided said laws ensured basic human rights.

2050 - A resurgent superhero comics boom hits the world as people become obsessed with superheroes.

May: Shinomori Hikage is born

June 13th: The first official hero system is created in the United States in the state of Rhode Island and only seven of the state's 189 vigilantes a re licensed

2051

2052

2053 - The Japanese Government established the Hero Public Safety Commission, which is nominally under the control of the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office.

2054

2055

2056

2057 - Various governments begin looking into alternative power in an attempt to address the worsening climate.

2058 - Doctor Garaki Kyudai (50) presents his theory "Quirk Singularity" to the scientific community. According to his theory as the generations pass, Quirks will become so powerful that they will be uncontrollable. However, his theory was dismissed by society, who viewed the concept as ridiculous and didn't want to listen to a far-fetched doomsday theory. As a result, Kyudai was ostracized and disappeared from the public eye.

2059 - Left alone and with nowhere to go, Doctor Garaki Kyudai eventually discovered All For One and approached him about the theory, who believed him and lent Kyudai his aid. It was then that Kyudai began working with All For One. As a gift of loyalty and appreciation, Kyudai duplicated his Life Force Quirk, and gave his original Quirk to All For One, keeping the duplicate. 

2060

2061 - Advanced agricultural production becomes a solar-powered industry

July 28th: Halley's Comet returns to the inner Solar System and reaches perihelion the same day that Yotsubashi Chikara commits suicide after finishing his Auto-Biography.

2062

2063 - Destro's Biography is banned and later republished, heavily edited.

2064

2065

2066

2067

2068 - Daigoro Banjo is born

2069

2070

2071 - Harima Ōji (43), the Peerless Thief, dies

2072 - Hikage (22) is entrusted with One For All, becoming the Fourth Bearer. Realizing the vast difference in power, he immediately goes into hiding to try and cultivate the power of One For All so that the next bearer would have the strength needed to take on All For One.

2073

2074

2075

2076

2077

2078 - En is born

2079 -In celebration of his one hundred birthday All For One seeks out [Redacted] and gifts them a Quirk and then enters a children's hospital, taking all the Quirks present. This event becomes known as the 'Quirkless Outbreak'.

2080

2081

2082 - April 1st: Ray Genus (Known later as Doctor Genus) [Quirk: Intelligence] is born in New Jersery. 

2083 - Over the last thirty years due to the increasing reliance on Quirks in society and the fact that only the Hero Public Safety Commission (HPSC) can issue permits and licenses for Quirk use, the Hero Public Safety Commission (HPSC) has steadily acquired responsibilities until it now controls almost all aspects of daily life: The HPSC now regulates public health, business, factories, and construction.

2084

2085

2086

2087

2088

2089

2090 - With his body beginning to break down from One For All, Hikage (40) passes on One For All to Daigoro (22) shortly before dying.

2091

2092 - Daigoro Banjo (24), the Fifth Bearer, displays a vast difference as a Pro Hero, earning the attention of All For One (138).

May: The city of New Orleans is hit by a terrible flood, destroying much of the city including the old French Quarter. So much of the city is destroyed that after the rebuilding many want to call it "New New Orleans", though the suggestion wasn't a very popular one.

2093

2094 - Daigoro Banjo encounters All For One for the first time and narrowly escapes

2095

2096 - Daigoro Banjo (28) has a second encounter with All For One, narrowly escaping once more

2097 - Daigoro Banjo is confronted a third time by All For One and in the ensuing battle is injured in a collapsing building. While trapped he encounters En (18), a new Pro Hero who had been trying to help civilians escape the battle but ended up trapped. With a hasty explanation, Daigoro extends his hand covered with his blood, passing One For All on to the younger man, and urges him to flee. Shortly after this All For One finds Daigoro and kills him.

April 1st: Ray Genus (15) resolves to make humanity evolve further and create a world more suitable for himself. 

2098 - Atushiro's dad is born

2099

2100

2101

2102 - Natalie Ver. 9 is born [Quirk: Connections]

2103

2104

2105

2106

2107

2108

2109

2110

2111 - Shimura Nana is born

2112 - The French people elect a hardline government

2113

2114

2115

2116

2117

2118

2119

2120 - After spending his Pro career keeping a low profile, the Sixth Bearer En (41) has his first encounter with All For One (166)

2121

2122

2123

2124

2125 - June 10th: Yagi Toshinori is born Quirkless to two unnamed parents.

2126 

2127 

2128 - After a second encounter with All For One, En ( 49 ) mets Nana (17)

2129 - After his third, and final encounter, with All For One En (50) was seriously wounded but managed to escape and survive long enough to give Nana (18) some of his hair so that she could become the seventh heir of the One For All Quirk.

2130

2131

2132

2133 - Nana (22) meets Gran Torino

2134 - Nana (23) marries

2135 - Todoroki Enji is born. Yagi Toshinori (10)

2136 - Nana (25) gives birth to Kotaro

2137 - Death of Nana's husband at the hands of All For One

2138 - Nana gives up her son Kotaro (3) to ensure he is safe from All For One.

2139

2140

2141

2142 - Yagi Toshinori (17) meets Nana Shimura. They talk about his ideals regarding pro-heroes , and the idea of a single shining pillar at the center of society. Toshinori inherits One for All.

2143 - Yagi Toshinori (18) enters the U.A. Heroics Course
May: Doctor Genus (63) presents his plans to artifcially elvove human beings through man-made mutations at the I-island symposium. His plans are rejected and he is likened to the doomsday wacko from 2058 Doctor Garaki. Upset he sets out to decided to carry out his plans by himself. 

2144

2145 - Yagi Toshinori (20) begins dating [Redacted].

2146 - January 1st: Nana Shimura (35) has her final confrontation against All For One. All Might (21) leaves for America after graduation under the advice of Gran Torino. Before leaving he breaks up with [Redacted] , without explaining the cause. Unknown: All Might meets engineer David Shield, and they form a mutual friendship and business partnership.

2147 

2148 

2149 

2150

2151 - Sako Atushiro is born

2152 - Aizawa Shota is born

2153

2154

2155 - All Might (30) returns to Japan and makes his Japanese debut by single handily confronting and defeating the most feared active terrorist group known as Titans - cannibalistic men and women with gigantification Quriks who wanted to create a new world. After this, he becomes known as the Symbol of Peace.

2156

2157

2158 

2159 - The Vinegar Riverbank Incident: All Might saves a young boy from drowning in vinegar
March: Tatsumaki is born

2160 - Endeavor (26) has his first child a daughter named Todoroki Fuyumi
March: Natalie Ver. 9 (58) stumbles upon the formula for a true anti-aging cream.  

2161 - All Might (36) forms a sidekick partnership with the Pro Hero Sir Nighteye one of All Might s biggest fans.

2162 - Todoroki Toya is born.
February: Doctor Genus (80) manages to resverse the aging process through his genetic experimentation. He then proceeded to create clones of himself to assist with his experimentation on animals, before switching his attention to humans. He named their laboratory the "House of Evolution" and, through experimentation, created a large number of new species.

2163 - Todoroki Natsuo is born / Tatsumaki (4) manifests an unusually strong psychokinetic Quirk.

2164 - Tesla, an electric car company is founded
January: Todoroki Shoto is born
July: Midoriya Izukuis born / The Underground Masquerade Incident
May 6th: Fubuki is born and Tatsumaki (5) is tasked with the responsibility of keeping her out of trouble.

2165 - After three days of non-stop hero work, setting a new record, All Might (40) returns to the Might Tower for rest only to learn about the Osaka Incident. All For One (185) created a violent mob to serve as a distraction to steal the Quirk Overclock from O'Clock. All Might arrived and defeated all one hundred villains in an instant but All For One had already escaped with his prize. After assisting in many aspects of the cleanup, he finally returns home to rest.

2166 - The research lab known as Onze approaches Tatsumaki's (7) parents and purchases her for experiments.

2167

2168 - Shimura Kotaro (32) dies at the hands of his son Tenko Shimura (6) / Midoriya Izuku (4) "Deku" is diagnosed as Qurikless

2169 - Blast frees Tatsumaki (10) and returns her home / Boin Fubuki (5) is tormented at school, and a newly returned Tatsumaki hurls the school into space

2170 - All For One finds Tenko (8) living on the streets and renames him Tomura

Apirl: Aizawa Shota (18) enters U.A. University, meeting Yamada Hizashi and Shirakumo Oboro, who he became friends with. 

2171 - Todoroki Toya (9) "dies" when his powerful Quirk rages out of control, being saved only by All For One (192)
Unknown: During their second year at University, Aizawa Shota (19) and Oboro Shirakumo take part in their Work Study at the Purple Revolution Agency under the Pro Hero Mr. Purple. Two weeks after this they return to continue their Work Study, along with a third yer student Kayama Nemuri, at the Purple Revolution Agency. While on patrol with Oboro in Tasomiya Ward, they receive a warning from Nemuri of a villain under the influence of the Quirk-enhancing Trigger drug named Garvey. Shota and Oboro are directed to start an evacuation while the Pro-hero team Buster Union, along with Hizashi, Sensoji, Mr. Purple and Nemuri try to stop the villain. 

Shota and Oboro quickly attempt to evacuate a nursery, but Garvey arrives much sooner than they would have expected. Mr. Purple appears and tries to buy them some time so they can put the children safe, but he is easily defeated by the villain. The attacks cause serious damage to a nearby building, which begins to crumble over the children. Oboro creates a cloud to protect them, saving their lives, but by doing so he cannot protect himself and ends up crushed by the rubble. Alone and filled with self-doubt, Aizawa is all that remains to protect the children. In the end he manages to defeat Garvey. 

Aizawa does not smile freely ever again. 

2172 

2173

2174

2175 - Aizawa Shota (24) begins to teach at U.A. University at the urging of Hizashi and Nemuri.

2176 - Hawks (21) Becomes the youngest Pro to reach the top ten.

2177 - All For One ( 198 ) launches an attack on the Symbol of Peace All Might (53). Both irrevocably wound the other. All for One is presumed dead after the fight. Sir Nighteye glimpses a bloody death for All Might and when All Might continues to work and dissolves their partnership / Blast [Redacted!]

2178 - Midoirya Izuku (15) begins his Saitima inspired training / Instant Villain Event: For a seemingly unknown reason innocent civilians turned into a horde of Instant Villains. All Might (51) and several other heroes such as Air Jet, Ingenium, Endeavor, Midnight, Eraser Head, and others arrived and took them down. Shortly after this the police send Naomasa Tsukauchi to contact All Might and request his help. This eventually led to the two ending up as first allies and then friends.

2179 -  September: One Year anniversary of Izuku starting his Saitima inspired training.

      October: Sky Egg Incident: While Naomasa is investigating the Quirk drug Trigger, he comes into conflict against the villain Number 6. Then shortly after the start of the new year a police raid takes place, but Number 6, the same villain who left Naomasa badly wounded the previous time, is there, and blows up the place before escaping with five creatures called Bombers, in order to attack the Tokyo Sky Egg and kill Captain Celebrity. Naomasa, who had survived the raid contacts All Might and begs him for help - only for the creatures to start exploding and take down the Sky Egg with them. All Might arrives in only a few seconds and not only removes the threat of the collapsing building, but resolves the situation with no loss of life. It is after this that All Might meets Shota Aizawa, Fat Gum and Monika Kaniyashiki. The last of the incident occurs when Number 6 attempts to sneak attack, only for All Might to destroy all the creatures with his Nebraska Smash, saving thousands of lives again. 
      Unknown Month: Naruhata Lockdown: During Number 6's bid for revenge, All Might is constantly being called for help at various places around Japan in an effort to keep him from getting involved. Two known events involve a Namahage attack in Akita and a problem in Tokushima.

2180 - While seeking a successor All Might (53) reaches out to U.A. and learns of first year Togata Mirio / Tatsumaki (21) debuts as a hero and is instantly in the top ten at #6
      May 25th: Boin Fubuki celebrates her 17th birthday
      July 15th: Midoriya Izuku celebrates his 17th birthday
      September: Second Year anniversary of Izuku starting his Saitima inspired training.

2181 - Febuaray: Boin Fubuki (17) and Midoriya Izuku (17) meet during the Mei Queen Lab incident. 
      March: Tatsumaki celebrates her twenty-second birthday 
      March 27th: Fubuki and Izuku go on a (not) date to the City of Masks, met Momo (17)
      March 31st: Izuku and Katuski encounter Aberrant beings
      April 1st:  End of Spring break, and the start of a new school year. Izuku, Fubuki, and Katsuki now in the third and last year of high school.
      April 10th:  Midoriya Izuku (17) meets All Might (56), Sludge Villain Incident.  The same day, Fubuki and Yaoyozoru Momo are at a Charity party the Yaoyozoru are hosting. They discuss politics.
      April 12th: Fubuki and Momo attend a Hearts and Mind rally and later talk with Representative Kokau Hanabata. Izuku cleans Dagobah Beach with All Might and becomes                          known as 'Mini-Might'. 
      May 25th: Fubuki celebrates her 18th birthday. 
      July 15th: Midoirya Izuku celebrates his 18th birthday
      July: Izuku asks out Fubuki
      August 
      September: Third Year anniversary of Izuku starting his Saitima inspired training.  
      October 21st: Momo and Izuku begin dating as well, after Fubuki gives permission
      November 
      December 7th: Momo, Izuku, and Fubuki attend a Webigaza concert

2182 - Januaray 1st: Momo (18), Izuku (18) and Fubuki (18) perform a New Years Shrine visit, meeting the priest Masaki Tenchi (?????)
      February 10th-14th: Izuku (18) takes the recommendation exam, Fubuki (18) take the U.A. Entrance Exam. 
      March 25th: Izuku, Fubuki and Momo, receive U.A. acceptance letters
      April: All Might (58) begins teaching at U.A. University

Chapter Text

At the age of four I learned that world was not fair. That not everyone was created equal. That was crushing. 

It might have destroyed me if not for the words He said that I had carved into my heart. 

"Anyone can be a hero. It doesn't take a flashy Quirk. Sometimes to be a hero all you have to do is something simple, like giving someone a coat and letting them know that things will get better. It's not about what Quirk you have, to be hero, all you have to do is stand up." 

February 5th, 2181.
Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Stashing his school uniform in a locker Izuku mentally prepared for the gauntlet ahead. He had been at this for two and a half years and had yet to see any change, but also knew he could not stop now. Not if he wanted to change things. Making his way through the crowd to the street outside the train station he took a moment to stretch. 

He had clung to his dream for fifteen years with white knuckle determination. Ever since his fourth birthday when the doctor told him that he had no chance of developing a Quirk. Ever since his mother had failed to reassure him that his dream could still happen. Ever since everyone he knew had tried to kill his dream of being a hero. 

For all the good it had done them. 

Because he knew the Symbol of Hope, All Might, was there. Smiling, reassuring. Standing as a promise that things would get better. And they did! In his last year of junior high the A-ko had published her interview with the vigilante Caped Baldy. 

It had swept the internet by storm, HeroWatch had lauded it and CapeWatchers ridiculed it. Heroic Experts claimed his 'secret training method' to be nothing but a typical workout. That it could never result in the kind of strength that was reported from Caped Baldy. Kaachan had laughed for days at the claim that the most well known vigilante was Quirkless. 

But Eiko Magami had a reputation for honest interviews. So Izuku believed. This was the long awaited chance for him to fulfill his dream. He would be a hero!

A sudden mind-numbing ache shot through him and he grimaced leaned against the locker, bracing against the bone deep pain that plagued him. The ache only lasted a few minutes before it receded and he could breath easily again. Izuku should have known better than assume he had started getting used to the strain. He could have weeks were the pain was little more than a dull muscle ache and then there were days like this one where it came roaring back with a vengeance. 

Not that he would let it stop him. He was nothing if not determined. If this was the price he paid to become like his hero then so be it. He would drag his hurting body through its routines. Even if he sometimes puked blood, and all he wanted was for someone to put him out of his misery. Izuku would keep going. 

He would become strong enough to save everyone just like All Might.  

Taking another deep breath Izuku launched himself into the hardest part of his workout. Unlike the hundred push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, the ten kilometer run took forever. He could knock out the rest in under a minute, but the run? It still took him twenty minutes. Plus, even when he finished he spent ten minutes throwing up. 

Which is why he had started taking the train to Gotemba after school run. If he did this in Musutafu, not only would Katsuki find out but give him another wonderful nickname. Probably something creative like 'Vomit Boy'. That would be the last thing he needed. Everyone at school from the youngest students to the oldest, and even the teachers, all knew Deku. The poor little Quirkless idiot. To be known as 'Vomit Boy Deku' might be enough to make him finally curl up and die. 

Around the fifth kilometer his lungs and muscles started shrieking in mutiny. So he started to think about Quirks. This time he focused on what had to be the most unique one he had ever seen. An emitter type Quirk called Cheese, which let Kurokkaa from 1-E manipulate, well, cheese. 

Eventually the route brought a gasping and sweating Izuku back into view of the station. Reaching the station he barreled toward the nearest garbage can and doubled over. After ten minutes of dry heaving and gasping for air it became apparent that nothing would happen.

Izuku choked out a laugh. 

Once his lungs stopped trying to kill him he shakily made his way to the nearest drink machine. The ice cold water he guzzled had to be the most blessed thing he had ever tasted in his life. Of course no sooner had he tasted it than his stomach started to rebel and darted back to the garbage can. Thankfully despite more dry heaves nothing came of it. 

Closing his eyes, Izuku grinned once more. He had completed his ten kilometer run and not thrown up. Maybe he could start running at home now? 

Finished catching his breath and sure he would not be puking, Izuku made his way to the lockers on aching legs. One quick change in the bathroom later and he made his way to the platform, checking his phone. His grin returned when he realized that not only had he finished without vomiting, but faster than ever before. 

Lost in thought he moved to join the cue waiting for the train. 

"You stink." 

Izuku jerked at the unexpected words. Heart in his throat he turned to face whoever had just tried to kill him. It turned out to be a beautiful girl his age. She stood a few inches taller than him and had short, messy dark green hair, sharp green eyes, and rather distracting curves. 

Izuku squeaked face turning bright red as he started sweating. Was, was he actually talking to a girl?! 

The girl frowned and crossed her arms, clearly dismissing him. 

This left Izuku feeling conflicted. On the one hand this was the first time a girl had spoken to him, but of course it would be to tell him smelled bad. But at least he did not have vomit breath. Still, standing there in silence was going to get awkward and he did not want her think he was some shut-in or something that never bathed.

"I was running!" Izuku blurted, startling her. At her annoyed look he scratched his head. "S-sorry, I-I just didn't want you to think I always smelled like this. I promise I shower andIwasrunningbecauseI'mtrainingtogotoYuueiandbecomeaheroand-" 

"Ok, ok, I get." The girl said cutting him off. 

Izuku flinched, eyes darting around before hanging his head. Right, he needed to just shut up and leave her alone. Why should he expect anyone to actually care about what he was doing? He just needed to forget about the gorgeous girl next to him and focus on something else. 

Quirks. 

Which one? Oh, the photokinetic from Class 1-D. That would be a fun one to think about. So far it had just been used as a lightwhip but that suggested control over size, shape, and direction. With a bit of effort Izuku had no doubt that it could be used to create other things. At the most basic, barriers, but armor would not be beyond the realm of possibility. That would open the possibility of a harness, which would be a huge help in rescue operations. Oooh, yeah, restraints would be even simpler and give the beneift of having handcuffs you could never misplace. Of course those would only be possible if you could create multiple objects - so far it had only been the singular lightwhip. Still, there were a lot of possibilities - 

"You know you're mumbling right?" 

Izuku froze, eyes widening as a sub-vocal scream escaped him. A quick glance confirmed that the girl was giving him a strange look. He needed to say something! Anything! She already thought he stank, the last thing he needed was for her to think he was some mumbling weirdo as well! 

"S-sorry, I just, and, sometimes it just, I mean IloveheroesandQuirksandwhycan'tIstoptalking?!Pleaseforgivemeforbeingrude!" Izuku said, bowing repeatedly. 

"It's fine." She said and when he kept bowing, snapped. "I said it was fine!" 

Izuku nodded shakily, struggling to keep from freaking out as she turned away from him. After a minute or two his emotions settled back down and he breathed easier. Though he had no doubt that his little display had done nothing to lessen the odds that she though him a weirdo. Self-conscious he gave her a quick glance only instead of disdain for him he saw something familiar. 

"Are you ok?" As soon as the question escaped him Izuku wanted to smack his face. It was clear she did not want to talk, especially with him. So why did he think pestering her would be a good idea? 

The girl gave him a forced, but polite smile. "I'm fine, thank you." 

"A-are you sure?" 

"Yes." She bit out, cheek twitching. 

Izuku hesitated, chewing his lip, knowing he should leave it alone. But he knew how painful it was to hurt and have no one try to reach out and... "I-If y-you want t-to talk -"

"I said I'm fine," she hissed, shooting him a dangerous glare, "and if you keep trying to pry I will tear you limb from limb from limb until you run away screaming."

"Y-you me-mean I'd crawl away screaming, right?" Izuku asked, thrown by the odd phrase. 

She blinked.  "What?"

"I-I mean, if you tear me limb from limb from limb, how could I run?" Izuku asked, rubbing his chin.

The air suddenly became heavy as she drew herself up, a faint cyan glow surrounding her as she glared down at him. When she spoke again, her voice trembled with frustration. "You want to know? Fine. This has been the worst day of my life. I beat my best-friend unconscious and left her in the rubble of the club we built together. One that she had twisted to her own ends. During our fight I also discovered that she has been manipulating me and I have no idea for how long. She made me destroy everything I've been working toward, leaving me with nothing to show for my efforts!" 

Izuku gulped, her eyes blazing and shining with unshed tears. "I-" 

"But what pisses me off the most," she continued voice shaking with fury, hands curling into white knuckle fists, "is that she threw our clubs philosophy in my face to try and justify what she did!" 

"W-what did she say?" 

"That the strong decide what is right or wrong." 

"That's stupid." As soon as he said that he began to sweat, realizing just what he had said. 

For a moment, silence. Then her intense eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Excuse me?" 

"Ah, w-well, that is," Izuku stammered, stomach rolling, trying not to flinch. Eventually he rallied all of his courage, "I-I mean, look, just because you're strong enough to do whatever you want doesn't mean whatever you're doing is right. There's still a right and wrong no matter how strong you are. All thinking like that does is make you a villain." 

The girl looked like he had just smacked her. 

Izuku gulped and hurried to reassure her. "I-I mean you have to be strong to protect what's right and sometimes you have to do what's right even when the world tells you its wrong and I don't think that you're a bad person-" 

That got a bitter sounding laugh. 

“I wanted to take over the world.”

"What?" 

"I wanted," she repeated slowly and eerily calm, "to take over the world."

"...Why?"

The girl frowned and started to say something, but stopped. Her expression became one of confusion. "I-that is..." She took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, confusion turning briefly to anger. "That was what she always said my goal was. All I wanted was the strength to overcome a monster, that's why I started the club in the first place." 

"W-what kind of monster?" Izuku mumbled, worried. 

"My sister." She said. "For all my power and intelligence, she towers above me. To overcome her, I had no other choice but to gather as many as I could to my cause. Because she forces me to remain in her shadow and will never let me do otherwise." 

"I'm Quirkless." Izuku said, tone soft, but firm. His eyes were fixed on the ground as something hot and angry bubbled in his chest. Something ugly. "My childhood friend has an amazing Quirk, everyone does and they all say I'm worthless. Everyone." Abruptly he snapped his eyes to meet hers. "It'd be easy to be angry, to hate them, to give up, to never be anything other than what they want. But I refuse, because you are who you choose to be." 

Then his anger snuffed out and he realized what he was saying and who he was saying it too and started to hyperventilate. Why did he have to go spouting off like that and now she would think he was even more hopeless and, and, ok. He just needed to breathe! In and out. She was still staring at him! WHY? Oh merciful Buddha, where was the train? It needed to hurry up so he could have his freak out in peace. 

His silent panic came to an abrupt stop as thunderous noise boomed through the air. Izuku cringed at the ear-splitting noise along with everyone else, trying to find the source. Nothing was immediately visible thanks to their location, but just beyond the edge of train platforms roof he could see the sky glowing an eerie blue-green. 

Then the shockwave hit. It rolled through the platform like an invisible tidal wave, causing the ground to undulate. It tore and shook the platform signs loose, lights exploded. The surrounding structure groaned and parts of the roof collapsed. When it reached Izuku, the shockwave smashed into him like Bakugou had blasted him with his most powerful explosion. He stumbled, wheezing, yet somehow he managed to keep his footing. 

Then he heard the muffled sound of squealing metal and a feminine scream. His eyes shot over to the girl he had been talking with. He watched in almost slow motion as she started to fall off the platform, into the path of the incoming train screeching and jerking along its tracks. Izuku lunged, caught her wrist and yanked as hard as he could.

She crashed into him hard, and where the shockwave had failed to knock him over, this impact succeeded. His head hit the ground hard and his vision went dark for a moment. When it cleared, Izuku had dots in his eyes, and a warm weight pressing down on his aching chest. After a moment of getting his wits back he coughed to clear his throat. 

"Are you all right?" He managed to gasp out, voice muffled even to his own ears. 

The girl nodded against his chest. Then she pushed herself up and stared down at him looking stunned. 

"S-sorry, I just reacted." Izuku said with a nervous smile. Of course she wouldn't need a Qurikless loser's help. 

The girl shook her head. "I'm Fubuki." 

“Ah, I’m ah, Dek… I-I mean Izuku." He said. "Nice to meet you!"

Then the sound of screams and emergency sirens began to fill the air. 

I used to dream of being a hero. Like Her. But I got lost in Her shadow and let someone I trust twist me until I forgot my dream. 

Then I met Him, and with five words, I started to remember. 

The train stretched out like some great, dead serpent. The conductors’ cabin had jumped the track and crashed through the metal support of the overhead lines. Several of the passenger cars were either on their sides or smashed against the edge of the platform. Only the very last cars remained in place on the tracks.  

A wrenching noise pulled her attention up and she saw the roof sagging on bent beams. Fubuki frowned and slowly began to take a good look at her surroundings. Broken glass crunched beneath her feet as she did. There were fallen signs and broken vending machines. People were slowly picking themselves up, all of them looking dazed and scared. Parts of the roof had given in, though thankfully nobody seemed to be trapped beneath it, and the concrete of the platform itself sported several large cracks. 

If things looked this bad here, she dreaded what the rest of the city would look like. 

"We have to help them." 

"What?" Fubuki asked, dragging her attention away from the destruction. But Izuku had already started moving toward the nearest upright car. Which confused her, as the people inside were in possibly the safest place. Then she saw the people soundlessly beating against the windows and the door. A half second later she started after him.  

The people redoubled their efforts as they drew closer, and Fubuki could see blood. Some were holding limbs tight against them. Others looked frightened, some angry, all clearly panicked and desperate.

Of course now that they were standing in front of the door she wondered what exactly he expected them to do.  In most situations her Quirk Mind-Over-Matter could have done something, but not here. Not only was Fubuki exhausted, but all forms of public transportation doubled as shelters during Aberrant attacks which put them well beyond the limits of her Quirk. Worse, as useless as she was, he would be even more so since he possessed no Quirk at all. 

Of course, if her sister was here it would be different. All it would take would be a flick of finger from Tatsumaki and depending on her mood, the doors would either be forced open, torn out of the frame, or simply disintegrated. 

Thoughts about her sister and her helplessness disappeared when she saw the kids. The tear and blood stained faces of those small children. It sent ice down her back. Oh God. Reaching out with her already strained Quirk she searched for their auras and cringed. Nobody was dead, but she could sense their injuries and pain. Still everyone was alive, hurt and weak, but alive. 

"M-maybe I can pry it open?" Izuku mumbled, before he squared his shoulders and tried to work his fingers between the doors. 

She opened her mouth, but a metallic screech overhead caught her attention. Snapping he eyes up she saw the metal frame of the overhead lines start to give. If the lines snapped free then the car, and Izuku, would be directly in their path. 

Eyes narrowing in concretion, Fubuki reached out with her psychokinesis to hold it in place. Her head began to throb and it did not take long for her nose to start bleeding. She ignored that and began looking for more dangers. 

A few minutes later the 'whup' of helicopters in the distance reached her. The noise filled her with relief and she started to turn her attention back to Izuku just as a low pitched squeal came from the train. 

Her eyes widened as she watched the unwilling doors opened under Izuku's efforts. Seeing that almost made her doubt his earlier claim about being Quirkless. But he had been too earnest earlier and even now his aura showed no sign of him activating a Quirk.

With one last powerful heave from Izuku the doors squealed the rest of the way open and people began to flood out. 

Standing in front of the door to her house, Fubuki chewed her lip. 

Today had been nothing but one thing after another. She was still furious at Kassandora and just thinking about the events at the train platform sent shivers through her. How could she have been so stupid as to exhaust herself? If it had not been for Izuku she would have been a smear on the front of a train.

But for all the horror that held her, what made Fubuki hesitate to go inside was the fact that her sister never showed up. For as long as Fubuki could remember at the slightest hint of danger her sister would come rushing to her rescue. Their empathic bond should have had Tatsumaki falling on her like an avenging angel today.  But no. Two traumatic events in the span of a day and there had been no sign of Tatsumaki.

If Fubuki were optimistic she could take it to mean that Tatsumaki had started to recognize her strength. That her older sister trusted her to handle her own probelms. But Fubuki knew better, whatever the reason, Tatsumaki had deliberately stayed away. 

Fubuki worried her lip even more, knowing that whatever the cause, Tatsumaki was now waiting for her. 

Eventually she took a deep breath and opened the door. The entry hall was dark as was the rest of the house, save for the faint glow from the doorway to the living room. Fubuki made her way forward slowly, formulating her arguments and counter arguments as she went. Reaching the living room she looked in and found Tatsumaki sitting in a big comfy recliner next to the fire, absently sipping wine. 

Stepping into the room she tried to project confidence. "Sister." 

“Fubuki, welcome home." Tatsumaki said quietly, her eyes glittering bright like the core of a nuclear reactor.

That was all the warning she need and Fubuki began marshalling what psychic energy she could. Only to falter as Tatsumaki's presence swamped her senses, crushing her under its weight the same way a shoe did a bug. 

Tatsumaki flicked a finger and flung her across the room and into the wall. The impact shook the room and Fubuki cried out, hanging there like a butterfly pinned in place. Knowing the futility of struggling against her sister, even when not exhausted, Fubuki settled for glaring down at her older sister. 

"Do you have no common sense?" Tatsumaki asked, her tone mild, as if discussing the weather. "What did I tell you before I left? I believe it was to behave, to be a good girl, but no. You didn't listen to me, just like always," Tatsumaki took a sip of her wine and set it aside before continuing, "and now you've caused thirty-five million Yen worth of damages to your school and in medical bills." 

Fubuki cringed. "Sister-" 

"I'm not finished!" Tatsumaki snapped floating up from the chair to stare at her at eye level. "Do you know what really irritates me? It’s not the medical bills, or even the fact that I had to drop everything I was doing because you decided to get rid of those leeches of yours. No, I'm more than happy that you finally listened to me about that. No what irritates me is that you chose to do this," Tatsumaki floated so close they were nose to nose, "Just when I was closing in on them!" 

Fubuki stopped breathing. Oh. How could she have forgotten? Tatsumaki had been in America following a lead on Tsukuyomi, the organization responsible for experimenting on her. This was going to be much worse than she anticipated. "I'm sorry."

"Tch, that's all you ever say." Tatsumaki spat. "You never think about how your actions effect others! Do you know what you cost me? I had those bastards and because you decided to act out like a little brat, I had to let them slip through my fingers!" With each word the pressure on Fubuki increased and behind her the wall began to crack. "I swear you never think!" 

Fubuki gave a tiny whimper and Tatsumaki paused, before closing her eyes. Letting out a harsh breath, the pressure let up and she began drawing back, releasing Fubuki. Rather than fall like a limp doll, Fubuki caught herself with her overworked Quirk and landed as gracefully as she could. 

Tatsumaki sneered and drifted back to ther chair, settling in. "I managed to talk everyone out of suing, if just barely. But you won't be going back to that school."

"Thank you." 

"Feh, you're lucky I'm a top ranked hero, but even my influence can only go so far." Tatsumaki said crossing her arms. "You need to grow up. Maybe now you'll stop surrounding yourself with all these weaklings and try to make something of yourself." 

"I am!" Fubuki snapped, lashing out at Tatsumaki with a psychic blast but her sister waved a hand dispersing it. "I'm trying to make something of myself but you won't-" then she faltered as what Izuku said echoed in her thoughts. 

For a fraction of a second, her brain squealed like an unoiled gear as it hit her that she was letting Tatsumaki choose who Fubuki would be. Spurred by that almost epiphany, Fubuki began thinking furiously, following the logic. By allowing her sister to control her, Fubuki had set herself up for failure. Somehow she had become so focused on her anger and frustration with her sister that Fubuki had become short sighted. Subjecting the world? Ha! That had been a foolish goal from the beginning, and the sheer futility of what she had been undertaking took her breath away. 

On the heels of those thoughts came another stark realization.

Before that. Before Kassandora started twisting the club, nudging Fubuki further and further down the path of a villain. What had she wanted? Her club had been about overcoming her sister, yes. But as a hero! She had wanted to show Tatsumaki that she could be the better hero, that she could depend on her. Fubuki had known she could never overcome her sister, not on her own, but with capable sidekicks - no with her friends. Yes, with her friends Fubuki had known she could do it. 

It was all so obvious now that it irritated her to realize how blinded she had let herself become. 

"Well?" Tatsumaki asked, frowning. "I won't what?" 

"Nothing, I..." Fubuki trailed off, trying to grapple with her rushing thoughts. She had a chance to make her own choice. To get everything she wanted and deserved. But it was all jumbled. She needed time to think things through. But even then Fubuki instinctively knew one thing she needed to ensure that her new path would succeed. "You said I won't be going back to that school. That's perfect." 

Tatsumaki narrowed her eyes and took a sip of her wine. "Oh?"

"Yes. Alderra High. Send me there and I promise things will be different." 

Tatsumaki sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, have it your way." Pause. "Why are you home so late anyway?" 

"I was being a hero." 

Chapter Text

Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Izuku blinked, head throbbing as if having a bowling ball repeatedly dropped on it. After a few minutes of staring at his ceiling he crawled out of bed, muscles aching, and began knocking his exercises out. Five minutes later he stumbled through the rest of his morning routine.

Until at last he stopped buttoning the collar of his school uniform, his attenton focused on his closet mirror. What he saw staring back proved disappointing. Given how long he had been doing this work out he should have seen some change, yet he looked the same. Maybe he should double up on his efforts? No. Caped Baldy was clear in the interview that this method would work he just had to give it time.

"Breakfast is ready!"

"Coming Mom!" Izuku called back, giving himself one last look.

He barely had time to set down at the table before his mom flung herself onto him in a bone creaking hug. "Oh Izuku, I still can't believe you were there!"

"Geh!?" Izuku gasped, confused until the television caught his attention and he sighed "...Oh."

On screen a pretty news woman with long lavender hair was talking. Just to her right a smaller window showed repeated footage of a neon blue-green energy beam erupting into the sky like a geyser.

"...The incident at the Mei Queen Labs facility in Gotemba last week still has citizens rattled. Many continue to speculate about what exactly caused the sky to glow, with several insisting it was an alien invasion ala the classic DCU film series. Others claim it has to be the ever popular Godzilla making his presence known. 

According to Doctor Nain, head of the facility, the actual cause is more down to Earth. The explosion was due to a fluctuation brought on by the improper shielding of positronic conductors during the ongoing G3 geomagnetic storm. The shielding, developed by Doctor Brief of Capsule Corp in 2083, was improperly installed during the facilities latest renovations.

Officials have estimated that repairs and cleanup will take two months, and it is estimated that the damage to the city and infrastructure are expected to exceed three billion Yen. Sadly the number of those who lost their lives or were injured remains uncertain. Doctor Nain has stated that Mei Queen Labs will reimburse the direct costs of damage, clean-up, and any medical or funeral costs. They will not, however, reimburse any loss of productivity or revenue.

In other news Director Nathan Stark, Head of the U.S. based Advanced Research Facility Global Dynamics, has announced that-"

Izuku lost track of the report when his mom squeezed him and renewed her mumbling. Unsure of how to handle this display he patted her back, even as he wondered how Fubuki was doing. It had been both terrifying and exhilarating to talk to a girl, and he hoped that it had helped her. At the very least he hoped she no longer plotting to take over the world.

Then he did a double take when he noticed the time. "I'm going to be late!"

After that things became a bit hectic. His mom panicked all over again as he scrambled to make sure he had everything before racing out of the apartment. Taking the stairs two at a time, he hit the street with a hasty "Excuse me" to his mail carrier. Then he bolted for school. He only prayed he could cover the three kilometers in time to avoid being late. Not that the teachers would care, Aldera had a pretty lax attitude toward everything. But U.A. would notice a tardy and that would count against him.

A few minutes later, and far faster than Izuku noticed, he passed through the entrance gate. It was not until he was inside the school that Izuku stopped dead in realization. Not only had he had covered three kilometers with plenty of time but he was not even winded. 

His working out was making a difference! 

He smiled the rest of the way to class. Though his good mood faded when he entered the room and spotted Katsuki lounging at his desk. Their eyes met, and for a tense moment Izuku wondered if this would finally break their year long truce. 

But no, Katsuki just sneered and turned away. 

Izuku breathed a little easier, aware how disappointed the rest of the class was at the lack of explosions. But they should have been used to this change in dynamics by now. He was also aware that everyone wanted to know what exactly had prompted this change in the status quo. Izuku might have told someone if they asked, though he had a feeling that would end the truce no questions asked.

Not that he really understood why his actions during Masaru's funeral had resulted in this situation. Izuku had been at a loss about what to say or do that day, the fact that Katsuki's dad had died was hard enough. But to find out it was at the hands of an Aberrant Being? In the end he had said nothing and simply joined Katsuki in sitting on the floor in silence. After that Katsuki had become, not mellow, but no longer prone to random acts of explosion at every breath Izuku took.  

Humming as he sat down, Izuku wondered if this unofficial truce would last through next year. He hoped so, he could get used to a somewhat less hostile Katsuki.

Checking to make sure everyone was too busy to pay any attention to him, Izuku pulled out his latest notebook: Hero Quirk Analysis #15. Flipping to the last few pages he double checked his notes on his latest entry. Not that Fubuki had shared much in regards to her Quirk before she left, still he had theories. Seeing nothing that needed tweaking at the moment he turned his attention to her half finished sketch. 

He hesitated to put pen to paper, but in the interest of being complete he needed to finish it. Still as her sketch took shape he tried not to blush too badly as he drew her curves. Attention focused on his line work he only barely registered when the laughter surrounding him shifted toward mumbling.

"Who's that?"

"Whoa, beautiful!"

"S-such big..."

"Hot! She's too hot!"

That at last penetrated his haze of focus and Izuku looked up wondering if they finally had a flame Quirk in class. His eyes widened in shock as he registered who was standing beside his teacher.

"Good morning class, we have a new student joining us today!"

Izuku swallowed.

"Please introduce yourself?" The teacher prompted.

Her eyes met his.

"My name is Boin Fubuki. My hobbies include shoes, I dislike cheap items and traffic jams." She bowed. "Please treat me well."

"Last week we talked about the early half of the twenty-first century and the chaos caused by Quirk Emergence. Today we'll be talking about one of the defining events of that era. The West Coast Disaster of twenty-twelve, which claimed the lives of five point five million Americans and served to not only fan the flames of Quirk fear, but also spurred the earliest known group of anti-Quirk radicals the Red Lions into action. Now turn to page two-twenty-two and we'll see how one formerly innocent eco protest group caused -”

Fubuki stifled a yawn born more from the teachers droning voice than anything. Not that it helped that her previous school had already covered this. Attention wavering, she glanced over her shoulder at Izuku and saw him furiously writing. From how quickly his pen moved it was clear that whatever report he was working on had his full attention.  

"Ignore him." A voice whispered from beside her and she glanced at the other girl. "Deku's always scribbling like that, it’s annoying but not worth bothering with." 

Fubuki arched an eyebrow, noting both the nickname and the derision attached to it. It confirmed her theory about his awkward change mid-introduction when they first met. Turning back around, she jotted that down alongside other observations. 

So far she had discovered that the staff bordered on being sycophants when it came to Quirks. They were, as her sister sneeringly called them, Quirk Groupies. The better and more 'wonderful' the Quirk, the more praise they heaped on you. An attitude that left the students swaggering around with overdeveloped pride while resulting in a toxic environment for any student with a ‘weak’ Quirk, and making it down right hell for the sole Quirkless student. 

Sensing someone looking at her she glanced around to find a boy staring at her chest. Frowning she made her feelings about it known. 

"Ow!" The boy with a shaved head and an unbuttoned blazer yelped as he was telekinetically smacked out of his seat. 

The class broke into chuckles at the outburst and Fubuki smirked. It would take at least two more telekinetic smacks, but he would get the message. At least most did, there were some who persisted and in those cases, she had to escalate. But a telekinetic twist to the groin had yet to fail and solve the issue. 

As the class settled down she turned her attention back to her observations and plans. Yes, given how toxic this school was, she could get his loyalty and ensure he aided her without any difficult. Especially as her lapse in control that day on the platform had to have left a favorable impression on him. Her confidence faltered though as doubt started to rear its head.

Was she making a mistake? How could be sure she could trust him? What if he was manipulating her like best-friend had for years? Fubuki's fist clenched and a cyan aurora flared briefly to life around her. She violently shook her head, trying to shut out the whispering, insidious, doubtful voice that sounded so much like Kassandora. This was different. She was different. Fubuki was not the same foolish girl Kassandora had taken advantage of. Yes, she had been exhausted both emotionally and physically the day they met, but there was no chance of Izuku manipulating her. The situation was too random, and besides he was far too earnest.

Taking a deep breath she made herself focus on the present. She had a plan and a future, and she had to remember that the past was just that. 

The bell rang and with a start she realized class was over. Around her the other students began to collect their lunches and break into groups. Which meant now was her chance. 

"Hello Izuku-kun." Fubuki said turning in her seat to face him.

Izuku froze his expression one of shock as he stared back at her. "Ah, uhm, H-hello F-Fubki-AH! I-I mean B-Boin-" 

She cut in, almost wanting to laugh. "You can use my first name."

"R-right, sorry." He stammered blushing as whispers broke out around the classroom. 

"Hey, hey, hey, why is a beautiful girl like you speaking with that guy?!" Someone shouted as they slammed their hands down on her desk. 

Blinking she turned to stare up at the idiot. The looming boy was tall, with bleached hair, a pierced ear and lip. Behind him were two more boys, neither of which looked even remotely remarkable. 

"Why shouldn't I speak with him?" Fubuki asked expression flat. "After all we know each other." 

"WHAT?!" The entire class roared in unison.

"What the fuck are you bunch of extras getting so worked up about?" An irritated looking blond haired boy snapped from his desk. "Who cares if fucking Deku has got himself a girlfriend?" 

This set off the class even more. 

This in turn irritated Fubuki, especially with the boy when she saw the smirk he gave her. Clearly he expected her to loudly and maybe harshly deny it. That would alienate Izuku from her and do nothing to kill the rumor. Well, too bad for him that Fubuki would not fall for such an obivous ploy.

So she said nothing, letting the class think what the wanted, and turned back to continue talking with Izuku. Only to find his desk empty. Even his bag was missing. Fubuki blinked, surprised and impressed at how easily he slipped out without notice.

"Oh, looks like he ran off on you Fubuki-chan, what are you going to do for lunch now?”

Fubuki turned a flat stare on the looming boy and his cronies. "Do not presume to be overly friendly with me." At his frown she sighed. "As for your question, I plan on eating." 

"Well, how about I keep you company?" He offered with a grin, recovering. 

"No." 

"Wow, she shot down Reiichi." One of the boys mumbled to his friend, looking stunned. 

So did Reiichi. Also a bit confused. But it was hard to tell given how dimwitted he had looked in the first place. 

When he kept standing there, she blinked. "Why are you still here?" 

That got a laugh out of everyone, and also prompted Reiichi to storm off with his lackey's in tow. 

"Hey, when's your birthday?" 

She did not grimace, but it was a near thing. She just wanted to speak with Izuku and enlist his help, not play twenty questions. Still she needed to be polite. 

"May." 

"Oh! Where were you born?" A brunette with green hair clips and green eyes asked. "You have a really exotic accent." Then she gasped. "Ah, I’m Nimura Ruruko by the way!"

"I was born in Troyes." 

"Troyes? Isn't that in France?" A girl who wore glasses and had her messy brunette hair tied into braids on each side mumbled.

"Whoa, yeah Aika you're right." Nimura said then clapped her hands grinning. "You're from the European Commonwealth!"

"Hey, does that mean you can speak French?" Aika asked with an eager expression.

Fubuki sighed. "Oui, je parle Français et [English as well]." 

"Wow that is so cool!" Both girls exclaimed, staring at her with stars in their eyes. 

"Hey, what's your Quirk anyway?" The boy she had smacked earlier asked, grinning. "Mine's Northern Lights! Wanna see?" His eyes started to drop to her chest but he stopped and managed to keep his gaze on her face.

Fubuki just barely repressed her urge to punt him out a window.

Aika laughed. "Why would she want to see that Matsuda?"

"Shut up!" Matsuda shouted face starting to shimmer with different colors.

As the pair broke into squabbling Fubuki rubbed her temples. Around her the other students continued to pester her with questions. All she wanted was to talk with Izuku, not these leeches. 

She needed to make them stop. 

"No, but seriously," Matsuda said addressing once more, but leering at her chest, "what is your Quirk?"

A second later he slammed into the ceiling of the class room hard enough to rattle the windows. Around her the other students paled, looking at her in shock. Up front the teacher turned the page of their newspaper. In the silence that now filled the room, Fubuki looked up at him, her voice cold. "I can flay you alive with my mind. Would you like a demonstration?"

A frightened Matsuda shook his head no and with a scoff she slammed him into the floor. He hit hard enough to make the nearby desks jump. That earned her nervous looks. Nobody spoke to her after that, and all of her neighbors scooted their desks away. 

Fubuki let out a sigh of relief.

When the final bell rang, Izuku slumped in his seat relaxing at last. Things had been tense after lunch, the exact details were beyond him, though he knew it had something to do with Fubuki. Starting to gather his books Izuku kept darting glances around him, watching as the others left in groups all of them ignoring her. He bit his lip, wondering why. She was nice, if a bit intense, with an amazing Quirk, and beautiful. The only explination for everyone ignoring her was that she had tried to be friendly with him.

Or, he thought with mounting hope, maybe they were being like this because they told her all about worthless Deku and she defended him? 

Hopeful he glanced at Fubuki and watched as she calmly stood up. Part of him wondered if she would try and talk to him again. Then without so much as glancing in his direction she left and his hope went with her. Sighing Izuku looked away. No. No matter what had happened between her and the rest of the class, it had nothing to do with her defending him. So much for wanting to be his friend. Maybe he should have stuck it out during lunch instead his usual disappearing act? 

Disappointed he resumed gathering his things when a shadow fell over his desk. Izuku froze and slowly looked up, his stomaching starting to drop. Katsuki loomed over him with a nasty grin and his two cronies at his heels. 

"H-hi, K-Kaachan...." 

"Watcha lookin' around for Deku?" Katsuki asked, his gaze moving to a now empty desk. "Worried I'd blow you up in front of her?"

Izuku flinched. 

"What, do you think I'm some kinda dick that'd get all angry you had a girl and I didn't?" Katsuki asked, sneering. 

Izuku paled. "W-what...n-no...i-its no-not like...-" 

"Hey! I'm talking!" Katsuki shouted smacking the desk while releasing an explosion that rattled it. "Just for the record, I'm going to be the number one hero so I don't have time for that kind of shit. Understand?"  

Izuku nodded nervously, which only made Katsuki's smile widen. 

"See, Deku gets it." Katsuki said to his amused cronies, before releasing an even larger explosion as he leaned into Izuku's personal space. "Just don't get too big a head you fucking nerd. Girlfriend or no girlfriend, you forget your place again and I'll blow you up."

Izuku nodded, sweating a bit.

Katsuki abruptly smiled and smacked Izuku's shoulder, causing him to flinch. "Great!" That said he turned to his cronies. "Come on, we got better shit to do." Laughing the three of them ambled toward the door and Izuku started to relax, until Katsuki stopped and addressed him once more without turning. "Oh and Deku?"

"Y-yes?"

"Try not to fuck it up."

Izuku blinked, staring after him, confused. That had been almost civil, and that bit at the end, what had that been about? Slumping in his seat, Izuku let out a sharp breath. Today had been so confusing. Still the important take away was that it seemed the truce with Katsuki was holding up.

As he sat up, Izuku wondered which god he needed to thank for that miracle. 

Then he paled as he registered everything that Katsuki had been saying. Is that what they had been saying during lunch? No wonder she was ignoring him now. If they had told her not just about him being worthless deku but also that he was claiming they were dating... Oh. Fubuki hated him and it was all his fault.

He blinked away tears and stared down at his desk. 

He sat there for a while recovering from the horrible truth before mechanically gathering his things and trudging out. Thankfully by that point everyone else was already in their clubs or heading home. With the truth crushing Izuku at the moment, he had no clue how he would handle other people. 

His walk home took a good twenty minutes, but by the time he reached his apartment building Izuku's mood had brightened.

Enough at least that he could force a smile as he collected his neighbor's mail and began delivering it. Many of the people living in the government owned complex were older and alone, his mom was actually the youngest adult in the building by two decades, so he made it a point every few days to stop by with their mail. They were always happy to see him, or at least none of them ever scowled at his mere existence. Plus they were all nice enough to avoid giving him looks of pity for his lack of Quirk. So he chose to believe they liked his visits.

By the end of his deliveries his mood had improved a bit more. Enough that his forced smile was more natural. Still as he reached his apartment and fished his keys out, he hoped his mom would still be at work. Izuku did not want to risk her noticing something was wrong and start worrying.

"So this is where you live." 

"Gah!" Izuku shouted as he jumped, heart trying to explode from his chest. Spinning around he found Fubuki hovering in the air on the other side of the railing for his floor. Once he registered that she was using her Quirk he panicked expecting the police to come swarming in. 

When no police arrived he relaxed. At least until he realized that an extremely pretty girl had just followed him home. 

"F-fubuki?" He squeaked at last. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you." She said before touching down beside him. "I tried at lunch but things got a bit out of hand." 

"R-right." 

Then he remembered what Katsuki had said and he paled. Crap. No. This was good. Yes, he could explain that he never said they were dating. Not that he'd be against it if she wanted, but of course she would never be interested in him. He knew that! He blushed hard...and then paled realizing that he had still said nothing and she was no doubt preparing to throw him over the railing! 

"I-I'msorryIpromiseIdidn'ttellthemthatweweredatingoranythingIpromise!" 

Fubuki stared at him for a long minute before breaking into a soft chuckle. "Relax, I know you didn't. But the rumors out there now and it won't die, so we'll just have to ignore it." 

"Oh good." Izuku breathed, wanting to sink into a puddle of relief. Instead he went rigid as the door opened behind him. 

"Izuku, is that you? Huh?" 

"Mom!" Izuku gasped, spinning around to face her, unable to help blushing. This would make things worse. Quick, he needed to say something before she got the wrong idea. "This is Boin Fubuki!" 

"Uuuh..." His mom stared at them, her look of mild curiosity shifting to confusion. After a moment she shook if off. "Ah, yes, nice to meet you. I'm Midoriya Inko, Izuku's mother."

Fubuki gave a polite bow. "Please excuse me for just showing up like this, Midoriya-san. As Izuku-kun told you, I am Boin Fubuki, second year at Aldera High. I just transferred into class with your son."

"I see." Inko said, blinking. "Uhm, how is it you came to walk home with my son?"

"I wished to talk to him without our classmates taking things wrong. I don't know if he told you, but we met before. I was in Gotemba the day of the Mei Queen disaster, your son's actions saved me." 

His moms' eyes widened. "W-what?"

"I was on the train platform and when the explosion occurred I was tossed into the path of a train. Thankfully Izuku-kun reacted and pulled me to safety." 

Izuku's mother stared at her for a long moment before turning to her son. "Is this true?" 

Izuku ducked his head. "Y-yes."

His mom burst into tears and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. "I have the most wonderful son!"

Izuku tried not to fidget as his painfully happy mom gave them each a bottle of coke. She hesitated, eyes shining with tears, before disappearing into the kitchen to give them privacy. Or at the least the illusion of it. If he wanted genuine privacy they would need to use a bedroom and there was no way his mom would let him do that with a girl, especially one she just met. 

Not that she had anything to worry about. 

He was nervous just sitting in the living room with her. Izuku would probably have a heart attack if he took her to his room - and he took a big gulp of his soda to distract himself from that idea.

Unaware of his thoughts, Fubuki sipped at her own drink and looked around the living room. Her expression gave little away and he wondered what she was thinking. When her green eyes finally settled on him once more his shoulders tensed and he took another drink. As the silence stretched on, Izuku began to fidget before clearing his throat, summoning his courage. 

"Er, y-you wanted to talk?" 

"I did." Fubuki said, setting her drink down. "Like I said earlier, I wanted to thank you. Not just for the train, but everything. I argued with my sister that night and if it had not been for you, I might have done something truly foolish."  

"I-I'm happy I helped." He said, looking away, flushing. "Ah, wait, I never asked but who's your sister?" 

Fubuki hesitated, then closed her eyes and sighed. "Tatsumaki." 

"The number six pro hero Tornado of Terror? The one that soloed a group of Demon level Aberrant Beings during her debut last year?" Izuku asked, growing excited. "Wasn't she just in America helping Archon take down the Armacham Technology Corporation?"

"Yes." 

Izuku flinched at her cool tone and looked down. He fidgeted with his bottle. "Sorry, I-I just get excited about heroes. I-if you want to go or -" 

"No. It's fine." Fubuki said, cutting him off, her expression apologetic. "I didn't mean to react like that, but she's a touchy subject for me." 

"O-oh, ok," Izuku bit his lip and looked down, "still, sorry. I didn't mean to, you know?" 

"Like I said, I get it." Fubuki responded waving his apology away. "Back to what I was saying. I wanted you to know that you helped me realize what I wanted, and to let you know what I've decided." 

Izuku nodded, resisting the urge to gulp. She had that intense look again.

"I've decided to become a hero. I'm determined to surpass my sister, to get out of her shadow. But not to spite her, or at least not just that. When I was younger I looked up to her. She was my hero and I wanted nothing more than to be like her. I dreamed about it, acted out scenes from an old web series. But my sister squashed that, she laughed and ridiculed me, told me that I was wasting my time and that I should just let her be the hero. That I needed to stop daydreaming and make something of myself."

Izuku grimaced in sympathy. How many times had Katsuki blown him up and told him to stop trying to be a hero? Far too many to count. If it had not been for All Might he would have given up, and there had been more than a few dark days where he had considered it anyway. 

"So that's the choice I made," Fubuki announced, determined, "that I would take that dream back. I'm going to be a hero." 

Izuku stared at her, struck by her courage.

"And I wanted to ask you for a favor." 

Izuku pointed at himself, confused. "A-a favor? From me?" 

"Yes. I want you to help me."

"M-me? W-why me?" Izuku asked, hating how uncertain he sounded. But he was nobody. Deku. Nobody needed him or his help. 

"You showed me what a hero should be. Because for all my power and gifts, you were right that day. Just because I'm strong enough to do whatever I want doesn't mean what I'm doing is right. I need help making sure that I can be the hero I want to be." She paused. "You're the kind of hero I need."

Izuku stared at her in disbelief, eyes tearing up. That was the first time anyone had said that to him and it was really hard to breath. He tried swallowing around the lump in his throat and finally looked away. He focused on his breathing, choking down a sob, and wiped away the flood of tears, trying not to completely lose it. After several minutes he took a deep breath and looked back. 

Fubuki had not moved, her expression unchanged, her intense green eyes staring.

Waiting. 

"I-I," he swallowed once more and nodded. "I'll help you." 

She smiled and it was not one of the polite smiles he had seen before. This one was bright, brilliant and it transformed her entire face into pure radiance. It made his heart skip a beat.

"Excellent."

Chapter Text

Midoriya Izuku stepped out of his apartment with a smile on his face, a song in his heart, and whistling.

Why?

Because not only was the cold air of winter giving way to the warm air of impending spring. Not only was the sun shining bright in a cloudless blue sky. But yesterday he had someone tell him that he was the kind of hero they needed. The fact that said person had been a beautiful girl was beside the point!

What mattered was that Fubuki had said it and then asked him for his help! Him! He had saved her and she saw him as something other than a useless waste of space.

Trotting down the stairs, his whistling faltered a bit as doubt reared its head. After all she would hardly be the first to fake a friendship with him as a set up to some elaborate prank. Last time had ended with him locked out of the gym locker room after a shower and without a towel. The time before that had culminated in his whole class trying to convince him he was a ghost for six months.

By the time he reached the corner of his block, Izuku's pace had slowed to a crawl.

"What took you?"

Izuku mumbled an apology, took two more steps, and then stopped. Blinking he turned back to find a bored looking Fubuki leaning against a wall with her arms crossed.

"Y-You're here?"

"I am." Fubuki said, pushing away from the wall and levitating her bag into her hand. "I told you that we'd be walking to school together from now on, why are you surprised?"

"W-well, it’s just..." Izuku scratched his cheek, even as he started looking around to try and see the incoming joke. "I mean, I didn't think you were serious? You live all the way in Gotemba a-and it’s at least an hour by car and if you took the train then it's almost two hours right?"

"It is." Fubuki said as she started walking, forcing him to scramble to join her. "But I flew."

"W-what? But there are no fligh-oh!" Izuku jerked to a stop to stare after her before hurrying forward once more. "You used your Quirk? I mean, weren't you worried about getting arrested?"

"Why would I be?" Fubuki asked, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow.

"W-well, its, y-you know, the law..."

"Have you ever thought about the way that law's written?" Fubuki asked once he trailed off. "Most people think it means 'don't use your Quirk unless you have a license'. But what it really means is 'don't cause an injury or inconvenience with your Quirk'. So long as I maintain the same height as drones, don't cause damage or bother anyone, it'll be overlooked."

"A-are you sure?"

"Positive."

Izuku frowned, skeptical. Yes it made some sense since the law had been written in general terms due to how varied Quirks were. The only specific part covered self-defense against Quirks. But he still doubted her reasoning would hold up. Then again, she sounded confident and Izuku was willing to bet she learned it from her sister. No doubt a Pro-Hero would understand the law a lot better than him or the general public. At least he hoped that's where Fubuki got that idea from other wise...

Well, no point in saying something and making her mad. If she got mad Fubuki could decide she wanted nothing to do with him. But he would definitely double check with lawandthemultiverse.com.

Abruptly it dawned on him that the entire time he had been thinking neither of them had been talking. Oh no! What if she was getting uncomfortable with the quiet and started to think he was unsociable?

Quick he needed to say something!

"Movie!" Izuku blurted, causing Fubuki to jerk. "Ehe, s-sorry," Izuku said scratching his cheek, "what kind of movies do you like?"

"What?"

"W-well, if we're going to be hanging out together, I f-figured we should get to know each other. R-right? A-and movies are one of the classic get to know someone topics. S-so, what kind of movies do y-you like?"

"I see," she said, her mouth twitching into a small smile, "horror mostly."

"R-really?" Izuku asked. Somehow that made sense, and yet also not at the same time. "Do you have a favorite movie? I liked Death Need Not Apply. It had this kinda over-the-top combination of horror and comedy."

"Butterfly."

Izuku blanched. He knew that movie. He still had the occasional nightmare about that movie. He still blamed Katsuki for exposing him to it - their parents had been furious when they found out. Not just their parents, but the parents of all their classmates as well. It had been a massive group dare in middle school and it was one of the few times Izuku could recall Kaachan being grounded.

Fubuki must have sensed his unease because she changed topics. "You mentioned training when we met, what exactly are you doing?"

"Do you know Caped Baldy?" Izuku asked eager to talk about his training. And to stop thinking about when the twisted monstrosity had tried to fuse with its alternate self. Nope!

"I've heard my sister ranting about him."

"W-well, a few years ago he gave an interview and talked about his training. So I've been doing that, it's really hard but I haven't missed a day."

"Hmm, I see. What exactly does it involve?"

"One hundred pushups, sit ups, squats, and a ten kilometer run every day!" Izuku declared. "Even when it’s hurting and I'm coughing up blood I still do it."

Fubuki stopped in place at that, forcing him to do the same. "You cough up blood?"

Turning to face her, Izuku blinked at her expression. "Well, not as much as I used to." When her frown deepened he hurried to reassure her. "I-it’s not a big deal I promise! It’s just weakness leaving my body and before you know it I'm going to be as strong as All Might! I just have to push through till then."

Fubuki's expression shifted into something unfamiliar before she sighed and started walking again.

After a minute or two she spoke. "Which hero would you never want to meet?"

"W-which one I would-? I mean, why would you ask that? There allamazingandImeanyeah,IhavesomeIpreferoverothers,butthey'reall heroes.I'mnotevensureIhaveoneIdon'twanttomet,thoughIguessmaybe,butnohe'dbefascinatingtomeet.ButsomeoneIwouldn'twanttomeet...it'd have to be Doll Master."

"Doll Master?"

"Have you seen their eyes?! They have no soul!"

Fubuki blinked, slowing as she looked at him. "You're talking about their dolls right?"

"Yes, I mean no, but yes! It's a sentient Quirk that's possessed hundreds of puppets. Why would it do that?! I mean why does it want us to stare into those flat, unblinking eyes that bore into you..." Izuku trailed off, shivering. "I mean it's an amazing Quirk and I'd love to talk to it over a phone or through letters, but to actually meet it in person? No."

Fubuki hummed in thought but nodded.

Conversation lapsed until they at last stepped through the school gates. Where dozens of students milled about. Upon seeing them they started whispering to each other and stared at them - as if they saw a one hundred and twenty one meter tall purple platypus with pink horns and silver wings instead of two other students.

Yet even as Izuku faltered at such attention Fubuki kept walking, head high and with utter confidence. He hurried to keep pace with her.

"E-everyone's looking at us."

"So I've noticed."

"A-are you sure you're ok with, I mean, e-everyone, you know..."

"Let them think what they want." Fubuki said. "We'd just be wasting our breath and our time is better spent focusing on important things."

"R-right."

"Damn, I thought Bakugou was joking yesterday but here you are walking to school together." Reiichi said, sneering at Izuku as he stepped in their way. "You two really are dating, huh?"

Izuku squeaked, floundering. What should he say? He knew what Fubuki said but still, it seemed unfair to her to just let everyone say that. He opened his dry mouth, determined to at least try only for Fubuki to cut him off.

"Unless your name is God stop acting like our business is any of yours."

Reiichi blinked, his eyebrows drawing together in confusion. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Fubuki said, tone flat, "let me dumb that down for you. It's none of your business."

He laughed, which sounded like a hyena, and gave her a nasty grin and sneered at Izuku before walking away. "Later Deku."

Izuku bit his tongue, choking back the words that threatened to escape. Nothing he said would stop anyone from calling him that. But still, why did everyone think they had a right to call him that? It was one thing for Katsuki to use it. Yes, it was an insulting nickname, but Katsuki used it for the same reason he kept using Kaachan. Because even if their friendship was buried under a mountain of fury and an ocean of explosions, it still existed.

After a moment Izuku let out a harsh breath, muttering as he did. "Jerk."

"The proper term," Fubuki said, startling him "is asshole."

Izuku stared at her.

"Come on, we're going to be late." Fubuki said, the corner of her mouth twitching into a grin.

"O-ok."

"Nobody says anything about you eating here?" Fubuki asked as they settled into the small room.

Izuku shook his head, not meeting her gaze. "N-no, it’s an unused storage room and n-nobody cares if the Quirkless kid eats alone."

Fubuki nodded with a hum, accepting it as another example of society's failings. It almost made her regret her decision to give up on world domination. Still as she settled into the space and opened her lunch, part of her did wonder why Izuku chose this room. The roof would have been a far more natural choice. They offered respectable amounts of isolation and an impressive view. It had been the ideal choice for her club -

Or had it been Kassanodra's choice?

Were any of her choices back then her own or had Kassandora been manipulating things even then? It was so hard to tell. How sure was she that her decisions now were her own? Could she still be manipulating her?

Fubuki scowled and viciously cut thoughts about that monster off.

Refocusing on her lunch and current companion she was happy to see that Izuku remained unaware of her emotional turmoil. Though from the way he kept fidgeting and poking at his rice told her something was troubling him. If she had to guess it would have to be the muttering and stares they had been receiving.

"I-is there something on my face?"

Fubuki jolted, caught off guard at him catching her staring. With a tiny huff of embarrassment, she looked away. "Sorry, I was thinking."

"O-ok," Izuku mumbled, before clearing his throat nervously "w-what were you thinking about?"

"This morning about what Reiichi called you." Fubuki said without hesitation. "It's not the first time I've heard it, and I can tell you don't like it."

"Oh." Izuku looked down, biting his lip as he picked at his rice. "I-it's because of Katsuki. When we were young I had trouble saying his name so I called him Kaachan. He's always been amazing and he learned how to read before any of us. O-one day he figured out that my name could be read as deku, you know like the useless wooden puppets?"

"So he called you useless." Fubuki said, anger stirring.

"I-I mean, yeah? But not like, you know, to be mean." Izuku protested, not quite meeting her eyes. "He used to tease me with it because I didn't have a Quirk. B-but like, he was trying to encourage me I think? M-maybe? I know he wasn't just being cruel at first, but I think the older we got, the more frustrated he got with me. A-anyway, by then everyone saw that I couldn't do anything and it stuck."

"And you never tried to get them to stop?"

"W-when I was younger," Izuku said, shoulders hunching, "but it never worked. I used to cry easy and everyone thought it was funny, so after a while I just a-accepted it."

"I see." Fubuki said, anger slipping into her voice despite herself. "It's at times like this I regret not having my sister’s temper."

"W-what?"

Fubuki hesitated, uncertain about explaining. The more he knew the easier it would be to manipulate her. But he was not her, and she had told him about her past before. Besides knowing they shared similar experiences would make him more symapthic to her and thus willing to help her. Plus it was not like she had to give him every example of Tatsumaki over reacting, just one.

"S-sorry, you don't have to-"

"When I was five," Fubuki said, talking over him, "my classmates called me a dark weirdo. They were also unpleasant cretins who loved to play tricks on me. Unfortunately for them, one day my sister came to pick me up after school and saw one of their tricks."

"W-what kind of trick?"

"They tricked me into playing one-aside rock ball." Fubuki said, noting his hand rubbing his thigh while wincing. Ah, so he had played a similar game, good that saved her from having to explain. "Needless to say when Tatsumaki saw this, she put a stop to it."

"How?"

"She broke the arms of the ringleaders and when the others fled into the school she proceeded to launch it, along with everyone inside, into low orbit."

"S-she really did that?" Izuku asked, pale, but with a bit of awe.

"She did. Tatsumaki left them up there for six hours before allowing it to crash back to earth."

"B-but you're not going to..." Izuku asked, looking worried. "Right?"

"As I said, I don't have her temper," Fubuki sighed, shaking her head, "so no. I'm not sure how she got away with it, but if we're going to be heroes we can't have those kinds of red flags."

"Plus it'd be wrong." Izuku said.

"Perhaps, but it is tempting."

"Tempting," Izuku said with a guilty little smile, "but still wrong."

"Maybe."

That said the two of them resumed eating. At least for a few minutes, but then Izuku started talking.

"S-so, I hope you don't think this is creepy, but I've been thinkingaboutyourQuirkandI'vebeenassumingthatthemaximumcapcietyofyourtelekensistobeninetyorahundredandthirtysixkilosistthatright?Alsoaboutthataura-"

Reflexively she poked him in the forehead with her Quirk, startling him into stopping.

"S-sorry," Izuku mumbled, his eyes shying away from her as he started to blush, "I-I get carried away and I d-don't mean to get annoying or creepy or anything."

"You weren't." Fubuki said. "But you need to slow down. Talking that fast is a bad habit since not everyone is going to be able to follow what you’re saying."

"R-right." Izuku said and giving her a relieved smile before he started over. "I've been thinking about your Quirk and I've been assuming that the maximum capacity of your telekinesis to be ninety or a hundred and thirty six kilos pounds, is that right? Also, you mentioned aura and I figure that has to be the natural bio-electrical field we all have, but how does your telekinesis let you sense it? Or do you see it annnnd I'm missing something aren't I?"

"Yes." Fubuki said, unable to help her smirk. "My Quirk isn't telekinesis, its pscyhokinesis."

"Psychokinesis? I-isn't that just another name for telekinesis?"

"No, people use the terms interchangeably, but they are very different," Fubuki stopped talking when she saw him holding a notebook and pen. She blinked, glanced at his untouched bag, and then back at him, lost as to when and where he got them. After a moment she continued while keeping a closer eye on him. "As I was saying, there different. Telekinesis only manipulates physical objects. Pyschokinesis is about manipulating energy, so not only can I manipulate physical objects but also do things such as observe the bio-electric field or as I call it aura."

"Oh!" Izuku gasped, scribbling furiously in his notebook. "That explains a lot and I'm guessing you can do more than just sense aura?"

In response Fubuki snapped her fingers, creating a flash of cyan energy around them, while the air between them began to shimmer with ice crystals.

Izuku sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes glimmering with glee. "You can make it snow?!"

"Well, not exactly." Fubuki admitted reluctant, but happy to see his excitement. Clearly he knew quality when he saw it. "I can manipulate thermal motion, so this is similar to when you throw boiling water into the air during a polar vortex. Admittedly my range is still pretty limited, but this much is easy."

"That's amazing," Izuku whispered in hushed awe, "so can you reduce friction? If you can then can you combine it with something you throw? Ah, and about your flying, I've worked out that your top speed is around seventeen kilometers per hour but I'm curious how you compensate for inertia during quick maneuvers?"

"Well, I haven't worked out everything, but I can reduce friction by maybe five percent. Part of the problem is that I have to be able to visualize the desired effect to provide a structure for my psychic energy, the other part is the strength of my Quirk. I'd say you're correct about how fast I can fly, and dealing with inertia is tricky. Whenever I turn there is a sudden exertion of force from the outside, so I have to apply an equal amount of force from the inside to cancel out the first force thus allowing me to move without experiencing inertia."

"But the calculations would be..."

"Complex." Fubuki said, finishing his thought. "I can do it by instinct now, but there's a reason my scores in mathematics are so high."

"You're amazing." Izuku breathed and her cheeks started to burn at his earnest tone. "So -"

"Actually," Fubuki said cutting him off, "lunch is almost over and we still need to eat."

Izuku made a delicious little whine of disappointment but nodded in agreement. Then as he started to eat, Fubuki noticed that his notebook and pen where missing. She glanced at his still untouched backpack, then back at him, and then at his bag. After a moment she blinked.

How did he do that?

"Alright, that's it for today."

No sooner had the teacher spoken those blessed words than the bell rang, announcing the end of the day. The class exploded into noise as they gathered their belongings and fled the classroom. Some to clubs, others home, and more to cram schools.

All save Izuku who remained seated and pouring over his notes on Fubuki from earlier. There was so much he had to rework now that he knew more about her Quirk. But at the moment he was checking to see if any of his previous assumptions were still relevant. Movement at the front of his desk startled Izuku and he glanced up to see Fubuki waiting.

Gulping he scrambled to shove his own items into his bag and stand up. "S-sorry, I was spacing out..."

"So I noticed," Fubuki said with a hint of amusement, "but I forgive you."

"T-thanks, now I can sleep in peace."

He froze in place, eyes going wide. Did he just - Why?!

Fubuki blinked before laughing softly. "Come along, we have homework."

With a nervous chuckle, Izuku nodded leading the way. Thankfully they were the only ones left in the room, besides the science teacher. But Kamishiro Eiko seemed absorbed in grading papers -

"I need to speak with you."

Izuku went ramrod straight at Kamishiro-sensei's voice. Oh crap! Had he scored too high on his homework? No, he was careful to keep his work on the low side of average! Then his stomach sank as he remembered that Kamishiro took special interest in the girls. And she had long since decided that Izuku was a creep to keep well away from female students. Reluctant he turned around, bracing for what was coming only to discover that Kamishiro was looking at Fubuki.

"Yes sensei?" Fubuki asked, looking bored.

"I'm sorry, I know your busy Boin-san, but I feel that we should talk." Kamishiro paused and glanced at Izuku, "Midoriya, don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"No, I-I don't have any activities, a-and we were going to walk home together." Izuku said, even as icy dread filled him. Was she going to warn Fubuki instead of reminding him to keep his distance from her?

"This is still a private conversation."

"I-I know, but-"

"I’m sure I must have misunderstood," Kamishiro said, her eyes turning cold, "but for a moment it sounded as though you were arguing with a teacher."

"N-no, it’s just-"

Kamishiro gave a polite laugh, cutting him off again. "Oh, I get it. It's lovely that you’re trying to look out for your classmate, but I assure you that Boin-san doesn't need your help. Besides do you really think she wants help from a creepy dek-urk!"

Izuku blinked.

A minute later the teacher slumped forward and started coughing.

"Careful, you seem to be choking on your words sensei." Fubuki said her tone glacial.

With horrible realization he spun to face Fubuki who kept her full attention on the woman. "Fubuki!"

"Yes?" Fubuki asked tone mildly curious as she glanced at him.

"Y-you can't just go around choking people!"

"I did no such thing." Fubuki said. "Clearly she was talking too fast and choked herself, isn't that right sensei?"

"Yes." Kamishiro said voice raspy.

Confused and doubtful, Izuku turned to their teacher only to recoil at the hateful glare directed at him.

"I'm shocked and appalled that you think I'd do something like that." Fubuki said, and Izuku saw the glare become venomous as Kamishiro looked at her. "You should go so I can have that conversation with sensei. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you being here right now."

Izuku opened his mouth and then closed it again, struggling to find something to say. One the one hand, what Fubuki had done was wrong, even if he could prove she did anything. But on the other clearly there was more going on here than he realized, at least judging by those looks. Still he had to say something. Right? Yes. That was what she asked him to do and he would do it.

"O-ok, but Fubuki, uhm, be careful? It can be awful slippery."

Fubuki's eyes widened a bit, and for a moment she looked uncertain. Then it was gone and she smirked. "I'll make sure to remember that."

Izuku gave her a nervous smile, and then with hasty and semi-polite bow to their teacher fled the room.

Trudging his way down the street, Izuku adjusted the straps of backpack.

Had he overreacted earlier? Yes she had asked him to make sure she was doing the right thing, but how could he be sure he knew what the right thing was? Or maybe he was letting his emotions cloud his judgment? After all Fubuki had waited until Kamishiro started to say deku before acting made it feel that way and he appreciated the sentiment behind her actions. But at the same time it was not like Kamishiro tried to call him an unripe plum.

Izuku snorted remembering that insult. Not because it had not hurt, but because of how ballistic his mom went on her manager. Even more amusing was the fact that it had been the one time aunt Mitsuki had been the voice of reason.

Shaking his head, Izuku kicked a rock, sending it skipping down the road. Why did he always come back to thinking about things like that? Maybe because deep down he knew they were right? That he was nothing more than a worthless, stupid, incomplete waste of -

"No." Izuku snarled, pulling himself out of the looming spiral. "I'm Midoriya Izuku. My mom's Midoriya Inko and I'm going to be a hero like All Might!"

Yet even as he mumbled his mantra, even as he focused on better things, his mood remained dark.

"Hey, lover boy!"

Puzzled, Izuku looked up as a figure loomed out from a nearby alley. The taller boy grabbed a fistful of his uniform jacket and spun them around driving him up against the nearby wall. Izuku blinked, but made no move to free himself.

"R-Reiichi? What's going on?"

"We need to clear a few things up," Reiichi said with a sneer, "you know, about the way things are supposed to be. See, a girl like Fubuki-chan? She needs a real man, like me, not some Quirkless loser like you. So here's what’s going to happen, you're going to break up with her and I'll only break your nose. Or you don't break up with her and I put you in the hospital."

Izuku blinked again. Well that was different. Normally the talking came after the beat - what was that buzzing? Frowning he started looking around, trying to figure out where it was coming from.

"Hey!" Reiichi shouted, shaking him. "Pay attention when I'm talking to you."

"Do you hear that?" Izuku, frowning as the buzzing grew louder.

"Hear what?"

"That buzzing sound."

"Are you trying to fuck with me? There's no buzzing!"

"What?” Izuku asked, startled into looking at him. "You can't hear that?"

"There's no buzzing you weirdo." Reiichi snarled.

"But it’s so loud, it almost sounds like..." Izuku trailed off, eyes widening in disbelief.

No. It was impossible. The government had wiped them out.

"It almost sounds like what?"

"A mosquito."

"Hah, hah. You're real funny and real dead."

Izuku's eyes snapped back to a now murderous looking Reichii, momentarily confused. Then he blanched. Six years ago Reiichi had lost his little sister during the mosquito plague. "W-wait, I'm not jok-"

And then a mosquito buzzed between their faces.

Reiichi screamed. His voice shrill and high filled with sheer naked terror. His eyes were wide and panic filled as he let Izuku go and stumbled back before tripping over the curb ending up on his butt. He kept screaming as he began scooting back on his butt while using his hands.

Izuku for his part remained frozen in place, tracking the tiny monster. He could remember the news reports with the hundres of disscated victims sucked dry of all their blood. When he realized that it seemed to be moving toward him he began waving his hands, trying to shoo it away.

For all the good it did. The tiny blood sucker swooped gracefully between his hands. In a final act of desperation, Izuku smacked his hands together to squish it.

The resulting 'crack' echoed through the air.

"I got it!" Izuku cried in triumphant diseblief before he slowly opened his hands. There sat the little murderer, unharmed, in the palm of his hand. He started to panic until he noticed something and began to laugh. It was not one of the murderous mosquitos, but one the government had bred to replace them. He continued to laugh as the harmless little pest buzzed off into the sky.

"Haha, I was worried for nothing." Izuku said as he watched it disappear, only to remember that he had not been alone. Quickly he turned to check on Reiichi but found only an empty street.

"Eh? Where'd he go?" Izuku mumbled, starting to turn in place. After a bit more looking he shivered. "Creepy."

"What's creepy?" Fubuki asked abruptly landing beside him.

Izuku did not jump and scream like a little girl.

Chapter Text

March 23rd, 2181.
Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

The instant his alarm went off Izuku rolled out of bed and began knocking out his morning exercises. In short order he finished the last of his squats and stumbled his way to the bathroom, and the shower. It was not until he was standing under the spray of hot water that he woke all the way up. 

As soon as he did, his nerves made themselves known. 

Just thinking about what today involved made him want to bang his head on the wall. Why had he ever agreed to spend the day with Fubuki? Sure, they had been hanging out for the last month, which had been both wonderful and strange. But they had never been alone. Either they had been at school, or here doing homework with his mom hovering in the background. But now? Now she had told him they would be spending the first day of spring vacation together.

Izuku bit his lip and started to wash his hair, trying to be rational. This was no big deal. Nothing was going to happen. They had only known each other for a month, they were just now friends. 

But none of that changed that fact that spending the day alone with her left him nervous. 

Worse, a tiny part of him kept whispering that she was going to take him to the school and tell him she made a mistake. That they should not be friends. That she could be a hero like she wanted without his help. Then Kaachan would show up and blow him up and he'd fall off the roof and -

"It'll be ok." Izuku muttered cutting off the spiral. Of course then he spent the rest of the shower trying to figure out what they would be doing. All Fubuki told him was to be ready at eight and then left before he could ask any questions. Worse, since they had never exchanged numbers Izuku had no way of texting her to get any details. Nothing he had found online had been any help either.  

Accepting that he would just have to wait and see, Izuku hurried back to his room while drying his hair. Of course, that meant he still had to figure out what to wear. In the end settled on one of his nicer navy blue polo shirts and a pair of dark pants. 

Now he just had to let his mom know that he would be leaving soon. 

Taking a deep breath he made his way down the hall and knocked on her door. Getting no answer he knocked again, calling her. When that got no response he risked his sanity and eased her door open, peeking inside. 

Thankfully all he found was his mom wrapped up in her blankets like a snoring spring roll.

Izuku had to smile a bit at the sight. “Mom?” 

"Izuju?" Inko mumbled, waking up enough to look in his general direction. 

"Hey, uh, I-I just wanted to let you know I'm going to be heading out soon." 

"Yo' ahre?" 

"Y-yeah, Fubuki wanted to go somewhere today, remember?" 

"Mhmm." She hummed, head falling back on her pillow, eyes closing. "Hav' fun." Izuku nodded and started to shut the door when she suddenly sat up, now wide awake. "Wait, what?" 

"Uhh, Fubuki wanted to go somewhere today?" Izuku half-repeated, half-asked.

"Well, I mean, you did tell me..." his mom mumbled before unraveling her blanket and pulling her robe from across the room. Distractedly she ruffled his hair while pushing past him. "Ok, ok, you'll need... and you have the emergency numbers in your phone..." her mumbling grew softer as she disappeared into the kitchen. A second later she stuck her head back out "Is cereal ok honey? Oh you should have woken me up earlier and I could have..." and she disappeared back into the kitchen, mumbling to herself once more. 

Izuku blinked. And people wonder where he got it? 

When he joined her in the kitchen a few minutes later, he found a bowl of cereal and glass of juice waiting. He gave her a grateful smile, only to notice that she had her attention focused on her own glass of juice. Bemused he settled down at the table, which at least seemed to catch her notice. 

"Do you know where you're going?" 

"Ah, no." Izuku said between bites. "I-I was so surprised yesterday that I didn't think to ask and afterwards I realized we still hadn't exchanged n-numbers." 

His mom nodded, frowning. "So you don't know when you'll be back?" 

"Before dinner I think?"

His mom stared at him for long moment, and he could see uncertainty in her expression. "I guess that's fine, you're getting to be that age...umm, just call if it’s getting too late, ok?" 

"Y-yes." 

"I suppose you should probably have this too." His mom said, using her telekinesis to a card from her purse to hand him. 

Izuku blinked and looked from the debit card, to her, and then back at the card. "I-I can't, I mean, I don't-" 

"Izuku, you're going out for the day with a friend. You have no idea where or what you'll be doing and I would feel better if you had it, just in case." 

Izuku nodded and took the debit card, reluctantly slipping into his pocket. 

His mom relaxed and took a drink before sighing. "Just try to leave enough on there for tomorrow. I think we're going to have to do some clothes shopping." 

"Huh?" 

"You're clothes are getting a bit tight," his mom said, before her voice turned teasing, "though I'm sure Fubuki-Chan doesn't mind." 

"W-what?" Izuku asked, giving her a wide eyed look of shock, dismay, and disbelief. How could she ever imagine anyone would want to see his scrawny body in tight clothing?

His mom gave him a tiny smile over the rim of her glass. "You're a growing boy honey, and you've been working out a lot. I imagine we'll have to do it at least one more time before you graduate." 

"Sure." Izuku muttered, sighing in defeat. 

Amused she finished her juice and stood, putting her glass in the sink before ruffling his hair as she left. "Have fun, but not too much. I'm not ready to be a grandma just yet."

Embarrassed, Izuku mumbled an agreement, focusing on his cereal. 

Though he did think about asking if she planned on Mitsuki keeping her busy while he was gone. The imagined look of shock on his mom's face made the idea tempting, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He made his mom's life hard enough, and he did not want to be responsible for ruining her happiness. Because Izuku had no doubt that if he so much as hinted at having a problem with those two dating, that would end their relationship.  

Finishing his breakfast Izuku moved to the sink to rinse his bowl when the doorbell rang. Hurrying he ran some water so the bowl could soak while he moved to answer the door. 

What greeted him left him stunned. Fubuki stood at his door wearing the hell out of a dark red, silk, cold shoulder blouse. Of course as if that was not enough she also wore an off white high-low skirt that revealed a distracting hint of her long, lovely legs. 

A glint off her emerald pendant snapped him from his stupor and he quickly looked down, holding his breath for a second. What was wrong with him? They were friends! He should not be looking at her like that. Gah! It was bad enough he thought about her sometimes when in the shower but this was - no, best not to think about that. 

Right. 

He needed to apologize for staring, he knew girls hated that. Maybe explain that she had just looked so different in casual clothes that it had blind-sided him? No, no excuses. He would just apologize and hope she still wanted to hang out today. 

Lifting his eyes to her face he opened his mouth to do just that, but then saw the faint smirk she wore. It reminded him of a cat toying with a mouse and he looked away again, blushing. Crap! She knew how he would react and had enjoyed his panic. Silently he begged for someone to explain why she seemed to delight in tormenting him lately. 

"Good morning." Fubuki said at last, voice laced with lazy amusement.

"G-good morning." Izuku said and winced at his squeaky voice. 

"So, are you ready to go?"

“Y-yes.” Izuku said, relieved, and closed the door behind him as they left. "S-so where are we going?" 

"Rotide." 

"Rotide. In Yokohama?" 

"Is there another one?" Fubuki asked, glancing at him. 

Izuku shook his head no, dazed at the idea of going there. He had only been once for his thirteenth birthday. Going back, and with a friend instead of his mom no less, seemed like a dream come true.

"Is there a problem? Since you love heroes so much I thought it would be a good place for us to visit." 

"N-no, I mean, yes, I mean..." Izuku took a breath to settle down. "I mean, no there's no problem. I was just shocked, but the City of Masks is perfect."  

"I thought as much." 

Rotide, Kōhoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan...

Yaoyozoru Momo had expected the crowd in Rotide to be big, no different than in Nabū. In hindsight that was a laughable expectation. She doubted even central Tokyo could have prepared her. After all, at least in central Tokyo traffic still crawled along. Here there were so many people that not even public transportation attempted to enter. 

It made sense of course. This was where the first Japanese heroes appeared. But in the hundred and thirty-nine years since, it had also become the central shopping district for hero memorabilia. For every museum dedicated to those original heroes there were hundreds of stores. Each dedicated to both pre-Quirk and post-Quirk memorabilia.

Still, as she squeezed through the crowd, the sheer breadth and scope of it all boggled the mind. 

Not enough for her consider leaving though. Momo had wanted to visit the City of Masks' since she was old enough to grasp what her parents did. Admittedly her eagerness had dimmed as she got older and learned the responsibilities that awaited her as the heir to the Yaoyozoru group. But the fact remained she had always wanted to visit and now that she was here, she could not let herself turn back. 

"It's Watchdog Man!" 

Momo tensed at the child's gleeful cry while around her the ocean of people began to murmur in excitement. Oh no. Sure enough the casual jostling became shoves as the crowd began to take up the cry.

"Watchdog man? Where?"

"I wanna see!" 

"Watchdog Man!" 

As the crowd grew more agitated, Momo considered what to do. She knew the on duty heroes would respond within ten minutes. But how many would be hurt by then? Could she do something? Though it would be illegal, her Quirk would let her act with reasonable anonymity. 

She bit her lip, thinking hard. 

Her first idea was tear gas, though it poised serious risks. The immediate effect would be thirty minutes of excruciating pain, coughing, and watering eyes. But afterwards several would suffer severe burns and a complete loss of vision. Some would even develop pulmonary edema. Perhaps sedatives instead? They'd stop the pending stampede without pain. She even had a few that would provide a highly enjoyable experience. Only there was no way to calculate the proper dosage for a crowd. All that would end up happening was her euthanizing someone.

But there had to be something she could do. Right?

A sudden shove from behind jolted her out of her thoughts and she realized the crowd was pressing closer. Around her loud arguments and screaming already filled the air. In light of all that, the best thing Momo could do was get out of danger and leave this to the professionals. 

That decided she began looking for a path out of the crowd. Only for her stomach to lurch as she realized how far she had strayed into the crowd. Stupid. She knew to keep to the edges of a crowd, but she had been so over-awed with the place she had blundered into danger. Shaking her recriminations off Momo renewed her search for safety. 

There. Momo could just barely make out the sign 'Karma Comic Book Center of Rotide' but it gave her a place to go. Drawing her arms close to her chest, she started toward her chosen bastion. But as she squeezed her way through the crush of the crowd, Momo began to wonder if this was the best idea.

Minutes later she stumbled out of the crowd and through the door of her safe haven. Off balanced she rushed head long inside and into someone. The collision almost ended with her sprawled on the floor. Only whoever she crashed into had caught her. 

"A-are you ok?" 

"I'm fine, just give me a moment." Momo said, trying to get her bearings and blink away the stars from running head first into a wall. Wait. Confused she pulled away from the hands holding her and saw who she had run into. 

The first things she noticed about the young man she crashed into was his fluffy green hair, gorgeous green eyes, and cute, if plain, face. The second thing was that he was a shorter than her, possibly pre-Quirk average. He was also all lean muscle. Which his tight blue polo revealed as it clung to the ridiculously, wonderfully, defined muscles of his chest and biceps.

The only other time she had seen such sharply defined muscle involved pictures of All Might. 

"Uhm, are you s-sure you're ok?" He asked, scratching his cheek. 

Momo blushed realizing that she was starting to verge on being rude and gave him a polite bow. "Sorry, my thoughts seemed to have gotten away from me." 

"Oh! H-happens me a-all the time!" He said with a shy smile that revealed dimples. 

Her heart did a little stutter step.  

"What? Having girls crash into you?" 

Startled at the new voice she looked around, her earlier embarrassment returning. The owner of the voice turned out be another girl. They were close in height, with perhaps an inch in Momo's favor. She had her dark hair styled in a choppy bob, green eyes, and an intense expression. Her clothes were stylish, designer, and well fitted, which Momo respected. With their body types finding both comfortable and flattering clothes was difficult. 

Izuku shot the other girl a look, and began shifting nervously in place. That only made Momo more self-conscious. Had she interrupted a date? 

"So," the other girl said, turning her green eyes on him, "are you going to introduce me?" 

"Ah!" He gasped, glancing between them before flushing and scratching a cheek. "W-well, I don't, that is, we haven't-" 

"I fear I've been rude," Momo said, coming to his rescue, "in my haste to escape the crowd I ran into him and failed to give my name." Then with a practiced smile, offered them a polite bow. "My name is Yaoyozoru Momo and it's a pleasure to meet you both." 

"Oh, uh, I'm Midoriya Izuku," he returned with his own bow, "and this is Boin Fubuki." 

"Hello." Boin said with her own polite bow, before glancing behind her. "Why were you escaping the crowd?" 

Momo sighed. "A child thought they saw the hero Watchdog man and the crowd got excited."

"Oh." Midoriya said, wincing. 

"Clearly whoever they saw was most likely someone in cosplay or a host for a café." Boin said, frowning as she crossed her arms. 

"Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that the crowd started to get worked up. When I recognized the situation I was in, I realized I had no other choice but to leave it to the heroes. Though I'm not sure how long it will take for them to respond." 

"That's a good question, I planned on doing more than just visiting this store," Boin said, glancing at Midoriya, "what do you think?" 

Midoriya hummed and rubbed his chin, eyes scrunching up a bit in thought. "The average response time is ten minutes for heroes on standby in most major areas and thisisaverypopulararea so they might have more heroes on standby than normal especiallysinceits spring vacation, but there might be other incidents. It's hardtosay but I think maybe twenty minutes?" 

"I'm impressed," Momo said, before Boin could respond. 

Midoriya ducked his head a bit, looking bashful. "R-really? You don't think it’s weird that I know that kind of thing?" 

"No, not at all." Momo said, smiling. "After all forewarned is forearmed.” 

"E-exactly." Midoriya said as the two shared a look.

"Since we have to wait for the crowd to settle down," Boin said, breaking the moment, "would you care to join us? Izuku was recommending comics for me to look at." 

Momo hesitated, trying to gauge her sincerity. Clearly this had been a date and she did not want to interfere. But Boin's expression revealed nothing, not even the usual micro-expressions. Did Boin truly mean her offer? Was this not a date? Momo bit the inside of her cheek, debating on how to respond. 

"Y-you should join us," Midoriya said with another shy dimple enhanced smile, "it'd be fun right? Ah!Unlessyou’resupposedtobemeeting friendsordon’twantto." 

Momo covered her mouth, giggling at his sudden babble, which made him blush and look away. Ah, so adorable. "No, I don't have plans to meet friends." She said, and then gave Boin a cautious look. "However, I don't wish to intrude."

"It won't be an intrusion." Boin said with a reserved smile, though it appeared genuine. "Please join us if you wish." 

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to be any trouble."

"T-there's no way you could be any trouble." Midoriya said. 

"Very well." Momo agreed with a happy hum. After all she rarely got to spend time with others who were not trying to use her in some fashion. Plus more time with Midoriya would not be unwelcome, especially since the two were not on a date. "But please, allow me to pay for our purchases." 

Midoriya blinked. "Uh, w-we weren't going to buy anything here." 

"Nonsense." Momo said, fixing him with a stern stare. "It's only proper when visiting a retail establishment to make a small purchase. We have a duty to support the economy, which helps ensures the continued existence of our society. It also ensures that local business owners can continue to provide for their family." 

Midoriya blinked again, taken back. Perhaps put off by her tone. Then he started mumbling. "Hmm, I never thought about it, but it is heroic to look at it like that." 

"Sounds good to me." Boin said with a low chuckle. "What about you Izuku?" 

Izuku snapped out of his mumbling and nodded. "Ah, yes!" 

"Excellent." Momo said, clapping her hands together with a bright smile. "In exchange you can suggest comics for me as well." 

Watching Yaoyozoru and Izuku carry on an enthusiastic conversation as they roamed the latest memorabilia store, Fubuki continued her silent debate on what she should do. The day had stated out good but then time with Izuku was usually pleasant. After all he was interesting, intelligent, and occasionally funny.

But today he had seemed funnier than normal and was clearly more relaxed than she had ever seen him. Seeing him like that had made her nebulous ideas in regards to a relationship between them more substantial and why somewhere along the way she had started to consider their day out as a trial-date. 

But then they had run into Yaoyozoru. Not that the other girl was a horrible. She had been genuinely friendly, pleasant, and intelligent. Clearly attracted to Izuku, which did not surprise Fubuki. What did surprise her was that Yaoyozoru remained attracted long after the usual flare of purely physical attraction. This made Fubuki more comfortable with allowing the girl to join them on their outing.

Still there remained things that were keeping Fubuki from enjoying her date. Like the niggling feeling that she had heard the name Yaoyozoru before. Or the way her aura would shimmer with what she could only interpret as unease, shame, and guilt. But what really bothered Fubuki was how easily Yaoyozoru connected with Izuku. It reminded Fubuki of how she had effortlessly slid into place at the side of a much younger Fubuki and began manipulating her. 

So she hung back, watching for a hand pulling the preverbal strings, occasionally catching Izuku's eye and giving him a smile. But she could tell this could not last, especially as Izuku kept giving her worried looks. She had to do something. 

But what? The issue with her aura had too many explanations. Confronting Yaoyozoru about how easily she was getting along with Izuku would make her seem controlling. Looking into why her name seemed so familiar was easy enough, but who knew how many people were named Yaoyozoru Momo?

Still, it was the only option she had. 

Checking to make sure they were not paying attention, Fubuki slipped her phone from her purse. Her fingers hesitated over the camera icon, before quickly snapping a picture of Yaoyozoru. A few quick swipes and she was running an image search using both the picture and her name. The results she got came mostly from a social media site that covered high society and all of them showed Yaoyozoru Momo, often with her parents, at various charities and functions. 

Fubuki stared at the picture for several minutes, and then flicked her eyes to the girl currently chatting animatedly with Izuku. Yes, they were the same. Curious she opened one of the links connected to the picture, skimmed the post until she saw the words Yaoyozoru Corporation, and then did a quick search on that. The very first link was to the Yaoyozoru Corporation and the third was to an associated Wikipedia article.

Fubuki opened the article and began skimming. Apparently the Yaoyozoru Corporation was the third largest privately owned corporation in the world and had grown out of an alliance of four multi-national businesses into a modern multi-conglomerate involved in every type of business imaginable and controlled by a single family. The current C.E.O. Yaoyozoru Wakana, her husband the current company president Yaoyozoru Kyogai, and their sole heir Yaoyozoru Momo.  

Fubuki looked at the heiress once more. Well at least now she knew why the name seemed so familiar. Still, she had to wonder why - 

"I can't believe it's here!" 

Fubuki blinked, realizing that she had lost track of him. For a moment she worried that Yaoyozoru and steered him away from her. But she quickly spotted the pair standing in front of a large display case. Moving closer, she frowned, wondering why he was so excited about the massive black insectoid claw it held. 

"You recognize it?" Yaoyozoru asked.

"Y-yeah. It's from the Aberrant Elder Centipede."

Fubuki smothered a smile at his tone. It never failed to amuse her how excited he got. It was adorable really. "The name sounds familiar, wasn't it involved in something about four years ago?" 

Both of them jerked, Izuku looking embarrassed while Yaoyozoru looked slightly guilty. Then Izuku recovered and turned to her, explaining. "It was! One day about day four years ago it just showed up in [Latkovia] and started destroying everything!" 

"Ah," Fubuki hummed, ignoring the guilty look Yaoyozoru was giving her, "and its important why?" 

"It was the first dragon level threat that the Commonwealth had experienced in twenty years!" Izuku said, before launching into an explanation of why Aberrant Beings seemed to target certain places. It was not long before Yaoyozoru was getting involved and the two were debating theories at a rapid fired pace. 

Fubuki listened with half an ear, busy basking in the pride at how far he had come. When they first met she had never thought him capable of having a conversation this long without his words running together. Oh, he still had his moments, but not bad enough to render him unintelligible. He had just needed a firm hand to guide him, and as she thought that, a chill ran through her. 

That had sounded far too much like something she would say. 

After a moment of worrying, she refocused on the conversation and realized that she had missed several sentences. At least she must have since Yaoyozoru had taken over the conversation and they were back to talking about the incident in Latkovia. "…it's still worrying that Elder Centipede could so completely crush the [Latkovia] military. Not to mention how he brutalized the local heroes were. I'm thankful that Blast showed up when he did." 

"Who?" Fubuki asked. Something about the name seemed familiar and in a different way than Yaoyozoru's had. Fubuki had feeling that at some point she had considered the name important, though for the life of her she could not remember why. 

"Y-you've never heard of him?" Izuku asked, turning to her in surprise. At her faint nod, he launched into a brief explanation. "Blast was the number one pro hero in the European Commonwealth and the third most popular hero worldwide! Close behind Stars and Stripes, though he had even less resolved cases than Atomic Samurai. During his debut he single-handedly defeated the Ninja Village famous for producing highly skilled assassins. " 

Fubuki hummed and crossed her arms. She must have heard of him when she and Tatsumaki still lived in France. Yes, she could see how someone like that could leave such a strong impression on a child. Unlike Japan or the United States, Europe was not a center for heroics. To be so well known in a foreign country and even after all this time was no small feat. 

"So, about his fight with Elder Centipede?" Yaoyozoru asked with a shy look, as if uncertain if she should interrupt. 

"Ah, right!" Izuku said, his excitement bleeding into hand gestures as he turned back to her. "It took five hours of nonstop fighting! At one point Blast was teleporting all over the place, blasting it with energy from his apertures. It was crazy! Eventually he managed to open an aperture large enough vaporize the monster whole. All that was left were a few claws and pieces of its shell." He let out a tiny little breath. "It's easily one of the top five hero battles ever." 

"Oh! I've only read about it during my studies so I'll have to watch that when I get the chance." Yaoyozoru said. 

"You definitely should," Izuku agreed but sighed, seeming to deflate, "though it is one of his last fights." 

"Did he retire or..." Yaoyozoru trailed off, clearly unwilling to finish the question.

"No one knows. I've been all over the message boards but the fact is that his last confirmed sighting was in seventy-six. Other than that it's all rumors. Either he got snatched up by a government, or captured by the Shadow Emperor, or he died. But that's pretty much what they say about all the heroes who disappear." 

"Interesting," Fubuki said, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "so should we buy this for you?" 

"W-what?" Izuku squeaked, spinning around to stare at her. The look of both hope and fear he wore warmed her heart. Ah, she would never get enough. 

"Hmm, we do still have to make a purchase here." Yaoyozoru said, giving Fubuki a wink from behind his back. 

Fubuki almost laughed pleased to see someone else enjoying the delight that was a flustered Izuku.

"P-please d-don't." Izuku said turning back to plead with Yaoyozoru. 

The other girl hummed, stepping up study the claw.  

"Why not?" Fubuki asked and when he turned back to her with a betrayed expression, pressed on. "You agreed we should support the local economy." 

"I-I, but, t-that is, well I feel, th-that is, m-maybe we shouldtakeabreakfromshopping?" 

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Yaoyozoru asked turning to him and tilting her head. 

Izuku looked at her, then back at Fubuki, and shifted awkwardly. "W-well its j-just, it’s almost lunch time right? S-so maybe we should take a break from shopping a-and go get something to eat?" 

"My, how bold of you." Fubuki said, with a slow smile. 

For a second Izuku just stared, then his whole face turned red as her implication sank in. The fact that Yaoyozoru suddenly found the floor extremely interesting made it even more amusing. But for Fubuki the highlight was the cute little sputtering noises Izuku made. 

"How about it?" Fubuki asked, turning her attention to a flustered Yaoyozoru. "Are you hungry?"

"I-I could eat." Yaoyozoru quietly, giving her an oblique look. Clearly trying to puzzle something out. "Where do you suggest?" 

"How about World of Heroes?" Fubuki asked glancing at a still flustered Izuku. "Izuku?"

He jerked and gave a shaky nod. "S-sounds good." 

"It's settled," Fubuki said, still smiling, "and of course you'll pay right? I mean, you did ask us both out." 

Izuku made another adorable little noise, though it sounded like agreement to Fubuki. This did not surprise her. Though it did surprise and impress her that he remained conscious after learning he had essentially asked them both out. 

"Excuse me." Yaoyozoru said with an amusing squeak before turning and stiffly walking to the counter. 

Fubuki stared after her and hummed. Things appeared innocent enough, and while she might still have questions, they could wait. After all, right now she had a date to enjoy. 

Things had been going good. They really had. 

Not that Izuku had had much in the way of expectations for the day. At best he had expected to bore Fubuki so badly that she would cut their day short. Instead she had enjoyed it, at least until they ran into Yaoyozoru. But even then things had not gone too badly. Or maybe all the anime and romance movies he watched with his mom had given him unreal expectations of what would happen when two beautiful girls came into contact. 

Instead of catty comments, they were pleasant and polite. Though Fubuki had been more withdrawn than he was used to. From what he could tell she was distracted by something. But eventually she went back to her old self, which made him relax - and in hindsight he should have known better. 

Because he was still out with two gorgeous girls that he had somehow managed to ask out. At the same time. 

That should have upset them both. But wonders of wonders, they had agreed. And now he was on a double date with them. And trying hard not to freak out. It helped that they were walking ahead of him, talking about something. But it also meant that he was left alone with his own mind. Worse, it meant that he was walking behind two gorgeous girls and against his best intentions his gaze kept straying down...

...Aaaaaanddd he was looking. 

Again. 

Blushing, and feeling like a creep, he averted his gaze once more. He knew that he could not keep doing that, eventually they would catch him and when that happened they would call him a pervert. Izuku snorted. Well, Yaoyozoru would call him a pervert. Fubuki would probably use her psychokensis to blind him, or maybe she would use it to smack him into the trash. Whatever she did, they would turn him over to the police, word would spread, and his mom would found out and spend the rest of her life disappointed in him.

And he was looking again. 

Dammit! 

"Not as gaudy as I expected." 

Startled out of his apperception of the spectacular rear view Izuku panic fumbled the various bags he was carrying while trying not to crash into either of the girls. Somehow he managed this feat. Also his heart could slide back down into his chest because neither girl had caught him looking. Even better they were staring at the themed restaurant World of Heroes. 

Though once he saw it, he had to blink at the flying Captain Celebrity statue jutting proudly over the entrance. Also the spinning globe on the roof that proclaimed its name in large neon letters seemed a bit much.

"I agree," Yaoyozoru said "it doesn't seem as busy as I expected either."   

"T-that means we won't have a long wait." Izuku said, adjusting the bags he was carrying, "right?" 

"Well, he's not wrong." Fubuki said before the three of them made their way inside. 

The entrance was a maze of souvenir racks that featured jackets, shirts, figurines of varying quality, and key chains. The every inch of the walls were covered in memorabilia and photographs of various heroes and teams. Next to the host stand, clearly in a place of honor, were a pair of autographed pictures of Sweet Mask and Uwabami. 

"Greetings, Citizens!" A young man wearing a dog costume greeted them. "May I seat you, or would you like to go to the counter?"

"A table please." Fubuki said clearly distracted by their surroundings. 

"Woof, right this way," the faux-Watchdog Man said leading them off. 

As they trailed after him, Izuku wondered if this was the 'Watchdog Man' that had resulted in their meeting Yaoyozoru. 

"Well it's certainly eye catching." Yaoyozoru said once they had been seated, her gaze flittering around her. 

"Heh, y-yeah, ooh," Izuku pointed at a heavily damaged chainsaw mounted on the wall, "that's from the fight between All Might and Toxic Chainsaw!"

"It is?" Yaoyozoru asked, turning to look. "Are you sure?" 

The scandalized look Izuku gave her got a laugh from Fubuki.

"Hi I'm The Rabbit Hero: Mirko!" 

Izuku glanced at the bubbly, athletic, waitress dressed like said heroine and blinked. She even had the rabbit ears. Were they part of the costume or did she actually have a rabbit mutation? 

"Of course you are." Fubuki said dryly.

"So what I can get you to drink?" Faux-Mirko asked, either oblivious or pretending to be. 

"C-coke, please." Izuku said. 

"Coke Zero."

"A Double Bigshot Choco Shake," Yaoyozoru said, already reading her menu, "extra chocolate, please." 

With a nod the cheerful waitress disappeared to get their drinks. 

"Y-you know this might be a bit much." Izuku said after a moment, setting his menu down. 

"What?" Fubuki asked, giving him an odd look. "You mean the costumes?" 

"No, I mean..." Izuku trailed off while vaguely gesturing at their surroundings. He loved seeing all of this, but it also seemed wrong somehow, though he could not put his finger on why. 

"Really?" Fubuki asked her mouth twitching as she struggled to keep from laughing. 

"What?" Yaoyozoru asked, looking between them, clearly perplexed.  

"Izuku is a giant hero nerd," Fubuki said, starting to laugh, "so I expected this kind of place would be his church, but no, he finds it too much."

"Oh." Yaoyozoru said before hiding behind her menu, which did nothing to muffle her laugher. 

"It's not that funny." Izuku muttered. Great, now he had two gorgeous girls laughing at him. Embarrassed he picked his menu and refused to look at either of them.

The laughter died down when their waitress returned with their drinks. "So, are you ready to order or do you need a moment?" 

"I'll have the FlashyFire Fish." Fubuki said her voice still tinged with amusement.  

"Yes ma'am." Faux-Mirko smiled, turning to Izuku who was pointedly studying his menu. "And for you sir?"

"I-I'll have the All Might Whey." 

"Yes sir." Faux-Mirko said, nodding as she turned to Yaoyozoru. "And for you ma'am?" 

"I'll have the Majestic Pizza Burger with extra cheese and pepperoni, a side order of Burnin' Mac & Cheese, the Atomic Samurai potato, and Sidekick Fries with extra chili pepper."

Pause. 

"Eh," Faux-Mirko said before she coughed, "I-I mean of course." 

Quickly collecting the menus she disappeared. 

"I don't normally eat that much," Yaoyozoru said, blushing a bit as Izuku looked at her, "my Quirk has a higher metabolic rate and I forgot to eat earlier."

"Don't worry about it," Fubuki said with a dismissive wave and amused smirk, "after all if Izuku is going to be bold enough to ask us both out then he should be prepared to take responsibility."

Izuku blushed and started looking around, trying desperately to avoid looking at either girl. Why was Fubuki teasing him like this?! He caught a glimpse of a bashful looking Yaoyozoru and blushed even harder. No, no, he needed to change the subject. Now! 

"Quirk!" Izuku squeaked at last, causing Yaoyozoru to jump slightly. 

"W-what?" Yaoyozoru asked, looking adorably confused. 

Gah! No fair! 

"Y-your Quirk, uhm, w-what is it?" Izuku asked, resisting the urge to hide under the table to get away from the embarrassment. 

"Oh!" Yaoyozoru said. "My Quirk allows me to create any non-living thing I wish, so long as I understand its makeup and have the required body fat." 

"That's amazing!" Izuku gasped, enthusiasm overtaking his embarrassment "So are you rearranging the atomic structure of your bodies lipids to create the object or are you using them to fuel the process? If that's the case then were does the material come from to create the new object? 

Yaoyozoru stared at him in surprise, but it quickly gave way to delight. "Exactly! Oh it’s such a relief to have people actually understand what I mean when I try to explain it. You have no idea how depressing it is to have to simplify my explanation all the time. I mean my parents understand of course, but they have similar Quirks."

"I know how you feel," Fubuki said, smirking as he sunk a bit in his seat, "my Quirk is Mind Over Matter, and he was the first person I've met besides my sister who was able to understand everything about it. Well, outside of a tiny misunderstanding." 

"Telekinesis?" Yaoyozoru asked. "Unless, ah, you mentioned a misunderstanding. I take it that your Quirk is something other than telekinesis."

"Much more." Fubuki said smugly. "But I'm sure Izuku has more questions for you."  

"Oh?" Yaoyozoru asked, turning her excited gaze on him. 

"Yes!" Izuku said tone going up an octave as he started talking. Then he stopped, remembering his mistake with Fubuki's Quirk. "First I need to, t-that is, did I get anything wrong about how your Quirk works? I know you implied that I was right, but I want to make sure." 

"Essentially you were correct. I break my lipids down at the molecular level. However, I use them both as the raw material for what I'm creating and as fuel for the process." 

"Do you have a size limit? Is there equal conversion? Wait, no. Quirks don't strictly obey physics so I shouldn't assume that conservation of mass or the equivalence of energy is a factor. Though I could be wrong. Do you just will the object into existence or do you have to be familiar with it? Ah, you said you have to know its makeup, does that mean just what it looks or does it mean what material is used as well?" 

"Ah." Yaoyozoru breathed, looking a bit overwhelmed at the rapid questions. But she recovered quickly. "I have no limit in regards to the size or complexity of what I create, so you're correct that there is no conservation of mass, or equal conversion. As for what I meant about knowing the makeup of what I create, I need to understand the atomic configuration of a material before I reproduce it, and if it’s a physical object then I need to know all the necessary parts, required materials, assembly process, and also its appearance. Oh, and the larger and more complex a creation is the more time, lipids, and surface area it requires to complete."

Izuku nodded, humming in thought. "You said anything non-living thing, does that include gasses? What about theoretical objects or something purely fictional?" 

"I can reproduce both organic and inorganic objects, which does include non-physical items such as gasses. Theoretical and fictional items are...hit or miss as some require material or elements that I have no idea of how to form. 

"What about viruses or bacteria?" 

Yaoyozoru hesitated, frowning. "I'm uncertain about viruses, but bacteria does count as being alive. Honestly, I've never been willing to explore such things," here she grinned, "after all the last thing we want is for me to start the Dawn of the Dead."

"I don't know," Fubuki said, smirking, "I imagine dealing with a high school of the dead would be much easier."

They all laughed at that.

"Still, it must be nice to have a Quirk that lets you eat whatever you wish." Fubuki said once the laughter passed. 

Yaoyozoru shook her head. "Oh, it doesn't quite let me do that. Yes, due to the nutritional requirements of my Quirk my caloric intake is roughly double the average, and my metabolic rate is equally high. However, I still have to be careful or I could end up with vitamin deficiencies which require that I keep an eye on my diet, and most of the time I eat what is a properly balanced meal just in greater quantities."

Izuku's attention wandered though as he caught a snippet of conversation from the next table over. 

"[-when was the last time that happened Eiko?]"

"[Way to tempt fate there dad.]"

Startled at the name, he glanced over and froze. There sat a very pretty, and very familiar, red-head. A-ko! He sucked in a breath, fighting the urge to bolt over and pester her for an autograph. Not only would be rude to interrupt her meal, but it would be even more rude to just abandon Fubuki and Yaoyozoru in the middle of a date. 

But still, the A-ko! 

Then he registered who else was at her table. Across from A-ko sat a couple, both with dark hair and glasses. The man was large, though not as heavily muscles as All Might or Endeavour, and wearing a flannel shirt and slacks that seemed impossibly right. The woman had a muscled look to her, similar to Mirko, and wearing a business casual outfit. 

Both seemed eerily familiar. 

Actually the long her looked at them the more they looked like...No. That was...no...There was no way they were...but they looked so much like...

His eyes flickered from the man, to the woman, and then back. Then at last he looked to A-ko and took a sharp breath. A-ko had always seemed familiar, like he had seen her somewhere before. Now, seeing her parents, he realized why. Only, that was crazy, there was no way he was right...

Izuku bit his lip. He had to be sure. 

"[Clark Kent]." Izuku whispered.  

And the man glanced at him, gave him a familiar boyish smile and winked. 

Izuku's head started spinning. Clark said something to his wife, Diana. She glanced over and gave him a dazzling smile, before inclining her head. 

Very slowly, and shyly, Izuku waved at the two. 

"Izuku? Is there a reason you’re waving at that table?" 

"W-what?!" Izuku asked, jumping as he turned back to his dates. Fubuki was staring at him with her usual bland expression, while Yaoyozoru looked on with adorable curiosity. For a second he thought about telling them who those two were. Superman and Wonder Woman. Sitting two tables over with their daughter - but no. He realized they would never believe him. 

Nobody would ever believe him. 

He glanced back at the trio, just to make sure they were real, and then refocused all his attention on the two girls. 

"N-no, no reason...just, uh, thought they looked familiar." 

Chapter Text

March 24th
Manarai Shopping District, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Midoriya Inko remembered having an easier time getting her son to go some place with her. Not that Izuku had refused. He just had been less than enthused about going shopping with her. Honestly she took it as a victory that he had not rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath. Inko remembered being annoyed about shopping with her parents. Then again, at seventeen, she had felt that way about even being in their general vicinity. 

Still, she lamented yet another sign of his growing up and becoming independent. 

Her melancholy only increased when their destination came into sight. Orowood Tower, unlike the surrounding buildings, was an art deco style building with a curving granite façade. It boasted only seven floors, with bay windows at the ground level, and a majestic clock tower that after a lightning strike refused to work. 

It was also were they had been shopping for Izuku's clothes since he was a toddler. With Izuku starting to go on 'not-dates' and with university looming, this was probably the last time they went together. Soon she would only see him for laundry and holidays. Maybe for advice about Fubuki or that nice Yaoyozoru girl he told her about. 

Inko sniffed, starting to tear up and trying not to. 

"A-are you ok?" Izuku asked. 

"Mhmm, just thinking dear." Inko said looking at her son only to realize that he was taller than her. Soon he would be married and having kids and....she blinked rapidly and gave him a bit of a watery smile. "Sorry, it's just, you're growing up and it’s hitting me really hard." 

"Oh." Izuku mumbled, his own eyes starting to water. 

"Right," Inko said with a great sniff and shook her head, "no tears. Just part of life!" 

Not that stopped either of them from crying or embracing. Around them people hurried about and cars crawled past with frantic energy. All of them politely, and pointedly, not noticing them. Eventually the tears stopped and the two started moving again. 

"I always forget how busy it is." Inko murmured as they approached the entrance. Across the street a digital billboard was showing a video of a grinning Uwabami presenting a new energy drink called 'Brawndo!'

"Inko!" 

Inko blinked, turning away from the billboard but barely had time to recognize the gorgeous blonde pulling her into a tight embrace. Heat crept up Inko's neck as her face was pressed up against the taller woman's breasts. When they finally broke the embrace Inko's blush had spread to her face. 

Mitsuki in contrast wore a hungry little smirk. "It's been too long, hasn't it?" 

Her tone of voice reminded Inko of the last time they were together. Of soft warmth. Of clutching wild blonde hair and rasping moans as Mitsuki's tongue - Inko looked down shy and wishing she could stop blushing. "Y-yes." 

"Oh, hello Izuku." Mitsuki said, her gaze flickering over Inko's shoulder. 

"H-hi auntie." 

"S-so why are you here?" Inko asked, wincing at her stutter. But she was nervous. Unlike Mitsuki she was not used to public displays and people were being less than subtle about watching them. 

"Well somebody decided to blow up his good clothes while training and now I have to replace them." Mitsuki said, looking annoyed, which crinkled her nose in a rather adorable fashion. "I'm really starting to think those explosions of his rattled his brain a bit too much growing up." 

"S-so he didn't come with you?" Izuku asked. 

"Eh, he's around here somewhere," Mitsuki said, waving a hand "but he ran off as soon as I took my eye off him."

Inko did not miss the sigh of relief from her son. 

"Anyway," Mitsuki continued, turning her attention back to Inko, "since you're here we can do our shopping together. I've already reserved one of the dressing areas at Sirta Foundations." 

Inko started to protest. Sitra was a far more upscale department store than she was prepared for. But Mitsuki talked right over her. 

"Ut, none of that now! We haven't spent the day together in a while and I'm sure Izuku won't mind me tagging along." 

"B-but-" 

"Come on, you know you want to." 

"I-" 

"I-It's ok mom." Izuku said, and at her look, gave her a reassuring smile. "Really." 

Inko bit her lip, uncertain. This was supposed to be her time with Izuku. But it was true that it had been a while since she and Mitsuki had spent any time together. It was difficult arranging an afternoon 'tea' when both their sons were free from school. 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yeah," Izuku nodded, adding shyly, "I-it's only fair."

Inko paled at the knowledge that he knew about them. But her heart soared that he did not have a problem with it. "O-ok, if you're sure."

"Great!" Mitsuki shouted linking her arm with Inko's. "We can catch up while your son finds some clothes for us to veto." 

A second later Mitsuki was dragging her the rest of the way to the towers entrance. 

Glancing back at Izuku, she chewed her lip. Maybe she should have resisted, after all she and Mitsuki could have a date some other day. But Izuku had said it was OK and she had to trust him. Especially now that he was getting older and starting to lead his own life. 

"So, what have you been up to?" 

"What?" Inko asked, turning her attention back to Mitsuki. 

"I asked what you've been doing." Mitsuki repeated, but her eyes glittered with mischievousness. "I mean, you haven't been over and that's just not right since you got me addicted to you." 

"A-addict...w-wha...that...n-no... I...Izuku!" Inko finally managed to choke out, blushing brighter than ever. "I-Izuku! He has a new friend. A girl if you can believe it." 

"Oh ho?" Mitsuki said, grinning. "Little Izuku has a girl friend, eh?" 

"Yes, of course they're 'just friends' but she's the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Reminds me of, oh what was the character? She was from that American movie we watched in college, remember? The one about the killer crocodiles living in a lake?" 

"Oh!" Mitsuki said eyes widening as did her grin. "You mean Brittany, right?"

Inko giggled a bot. "Exactly. Oh and then he met another girl while he and Fubuki were out on their 'not-date'."

"Oh my, growing up to a bit of a stud huh?" Mitsuki asked, laughing. 

Izuku did his best to block out his mom and her girlfriend. There were some things he just did not need to hear. Still, it was good to get confirmation that his mom was happily dating aunt Mitsuki. Hmm, maybe he would have two moms soon? 

Though the knowledge that that meant he would get Katsuki as a brother made him a bit anxious. 

Thankfully his phone vibrated before he could ponder things too much further. Oooh, there was a follow up article about the team up between All Might and Midnight and their fight against Floodgate from last week. But before he could open the link, a full screen text accompanied by a screeching series of beeps preempted him.

Chapter Text

Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

With an almighty boom of thunderous noise the building exploded into an expanding cloud of broken glass, concrete and steel. What emerged was a towering, horrible, evil thing. Molted brown skin and muscles and tusks and evil, gold eyes. Before it Mitsuki, slumped against an overturned car - 

Izuku's heart stopped as the monster spotted her and opened its horrible mouth of tusks and fangs and blood and gore and 

H̷̨̭̥͖̳̝̰̻̋͋̎̆͂́̔͆͟͟͠r̵͍̥̺̗̻̙̥͇̳̻̒̈͆͑̒͆͗͝͝͝ŗ̵̧̨̨̛̥͕͕̣̞̼͕̘̮͉̦̼̖͖̻̞̉̃́̇̔͒͛̌̈̇͛̓̌́̌̉̋͘̕͢͜͝͠r̷̨̧̧̻̱̮̺̥̙̀̊͂̾͂̅̒̑̀͘͟͝r̵̨̛̜͔̼̙̹͎̺͇̲̱̩̻̯͕̳͎̓́̿̀̑́̆̒̏̓̈͒͋̚͘̚͘͜͜͢͝͝-̷̥͇͔̝̦͚̞̖̱̍̈̓̈́̄͐͛̅̕r̴̟͚̫͍̪͓̮̔̄̓̉̌͂͐͜͟͝͝͡e̷̱̥̠̜͈̫͍̣͍͉̥͍͙̬̬̔͋̈̿͑̂̇̾̍̍͊̀̀̾̚ẽ̸̡̧̯̠̱͇̍́̌̑̓ę̵̛̬̙͙̘̭̦̞͍̙͚͍͔̻̊̒͋̂̆͋̈͂́͆͘͝ͅe̸̢̡͔̟̟̥̱͉̮͈̤̪͚̳̝͇̭͒͑̈̿̐̐̔̍̿̆̆̊͡͡͡e̷̛̛̛̟̻͇̯͎̭͙͙̳̗̯̖̥̘̓͛͌͐̋͊́̅̕͘͟͞ȇ̶͇̗̭̜̬̥̩̣̯͊͋̓̀̐̅̕͜͝͡ͅ 

He started to run, desperate to save her. 

H̷̨̭̥͖̳̝̰̻̋͋̎̆͂́̔͆͟͟͠r̵͍̥̺̗̻̙̥͇̳̻̒̈͆͑̒͆͗͝͝͝ŗ̵̧̨̨̛̥͕͕̣̞̼͕̘̮͉̦̼̖͖̻̞̉̃́̇̔͒͛̌̈̇͛̓̌́̌̉̋͘̕͢͜͝͠r̷̨̧̧̻̱̮̺̥̙̀̊͂̾͂̅̒̑̀͘͟͝r̵̨̛̜͔̼̙̹͎̺͇̲̱̩̻̯͕̳͎̓́̿̀̑́̆̒̏̓̈͒͋̚͘̚͘͜͜͢͝͝-̷̥͇͔̝̦͚̞̖̱̍̈̓̈́̄͐͛̅̕r̴̟͚̫͍̪͓̮̔̄̓̉̌͂͐͜͟͝͝͡e̷̱̥̠̜͈̫͍̣͍͉̥͍͙̬̬̔͋̈̿͑̂̇̾̍̍͊̀̀̾̚ẽ̸̡̧̯̠̱͇̍́̌̑̓ę̵̛̬̙͙̘̭̦̞͍̙͚͍͔̻̊̒͋̂̆͋̈͂́͆͘͝ͅe̸̢̡͔̟̟̥̱͉̮͈̤̪͚̳̝͇̭͒͑̈̿̐̐̔̍̿̆̆̊͡͡͡e̷̛̛̛̟̻͇̯͎̭͙͙̳̗̯̖̥̘̓͛͌͐̋͊́̅̕͘͟͞ȇ̶͇̗̭̜̬̥̩̣̯͊͋̓̀̐̅̕͜͝͡ͅ 

Reaching down the monster seized her head with its trashcan sized hand and lifted. The air filled with the sound of crunching bone and her abortive scream. 

H̷̨̭̥͖̳̝̰̻̋͋̎̆͂́̔͆͟͟͠r̵͍̥̺̗̻̙̥͇̳̻̒̈͆͑̒͆͗͝͝͝ŗ̵̧̨̨̛̥͕͕̣̞̼͕̘̮͉̦̼̖͖̻̞̉̃́̇̔͒͛̌̈̇͛̓̌́̌̉̋͘̕͢͜͝͠r̷̨̧̧̻̱̮̺̥̙̀̊͂̾͂̅̒̑̀͘͟͝r̵̨̛̜͔̼̙̹͎̺͇̲̱̩̻̯͕̳͎̓́̿̀̑́̆̒̏̓̈͒͋̚͘̚͘͜͜͢͝͝-̷̥͇͔̝̦͚̞̖̱̍̈̓̈́̄͐͛̅̕r̴̟͚̫͍̪͓̮̔̄̓̉̌͂͐͜͟͝͝͡e̷̱̥̠̜͈̫͍̣͍͉̥͍͙̬̬̔͋̈̿͑̂̇̾̍̍͊̀̀̾̚ẽ̸̡̧̯̠̱͇̍́̌̑̓ę̵̛̬̙͙̘̭̦̞͍̙͚͍͔̻̊̒͋̂̆͋̈͂́͆͘͝ͅe̸̢̡͔̟̟̥̱͉̮͈̤̪͚̳̝͇̭͒͑̈̿̐̐̔̍̿̆̆̊͡͡͡e̷̛̛̛̟̻͇̯͎̭͙͙̳̗̯̖̥̘̓͛͌͐̋͊́̅̕͘͟͞ȇ̶͇̗̭̜̬̥̩̣̯͊͋̓̀̐̅̕͜͝͡ͅ 

The monster shook her like a ragdoll, looking at him with pitiless gold eyes. Then it seized her legs with its other hand and lifted her over head. The monster started to pull and sickening snaps filled the air as she elongated like taffy pulled too tight...

H̷̨̭̥͖̳̝̰̻̋͋̎̆͂́̔͆͟͟͠r̵͍̥̺̗̻̙̥͇̳̻̒̈͆͑̒͆͗͝͝͝ŗ̵̧̨̨̛̥͕͕̣̞̼͕̘̮͉̦̼̖͖̻̞̉̃́̇̔͒͛̌̈̇͛̓̌́̌̉̋͘̕͢͜͝͠r̷̨̧̧̻̱̮̺̥̙̀̊͂̾͂̅̒̑̀͘͟͝r̵̨̛̜͔̼̙̹͎̺͇̲̱̩̻̯͕̳͎̓́̿̀̑́̆̒̏̓̈͒͋̚͘̚͘͜͜͢͝͝-̷̥͇͔̝̦͚̞̖̱̍̈̓̈́̄͐͛̅̕r̴̟͚̫͍̪͓̮̔̄̓̉̌͂͐͜͟͝͝͡e̷̱̥̠̜͈̫͍̣͍͉̥͍͙̬̬̔͋̈̿͑̂̇̾̍̍͊̀̀̾̚ẽ̸̡̧̯̠̱͇̍́̌̑̓ę̵̛̬̙͙̘̭̦̞͍̙͚͍͔̻̊̒͋̂̆͋̈͂́͆͘͝ͅe̸̢̡͔̟̟̥̱͉̮͈̤̪͚̳̝͇̭͒͑̈̿̐̐̔̍̿̆̆̊͡͡͡e̷̛̛̛̟̻͇̯͎̭͙͙̳̗̯̖̥̘̓͛͌͐̋͊́̅̕͘͟͞ȇ̶͇̗̭̜̬̥̩̣̯͊͋̓̀̐̅̕͜͝͡ͅ 

Izuku reached her just as her body tore in half, showering him in blood, bone, and viscera. He was too late, too late...and only now could see that it had never been Mitsuki.

It was his mom! 

Izuku hauled himself out of the nightmare with a strangled cry, sweating and shaking. Yet his mind remained caught up in the nightmare. With the bloody chunks and bones of his mom and Mitsuki splattering him... he ran a shaky hand through his sweat-damp hair. 

Nothing there. It was a dream, just a dream. 

That knowledge gave him no comfort and he fumbled for his bedside lamp. He winced as the sudden light hurt his eyes, but he needed to see All Might's reassuring smile. Yet even as he soaked in the bright hope of All Might, the images and fear lingered. 

Still it helped Izuku to start pushing the nightmare away. Helped him to remember that his mom was safe. As was Mitsuki. That he had saved her and killed the monster threatening her. 

He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, repeating that over and over. 

Still his fear lingered, though the details of his nightmare were growing vague. He need more help to distract him and so he reached for his phone. Only to frown when it refused to turn on. He pressed the power button several times starting to worry it had broke yesterday. At least until he remembered that it had been almost dead when they got home last night. So he had probably forgotten to charge it. With nervous laughter he hunted the cord down and plugged it in. 

And lo, the screen lit up with the charging status. 

Heaving a sigh of relief, Izuku flopped back on his bed. But without his phone he needed something else to distract him. Turning his head, Izuku checked his alarm. Still a good four hours before he normally got up. Hmm, he could go through his notebooks and refine a few thoughts, or he could go ahead and do his work out. Instead he watched the minutes tick by. 

He really should get up and do his workout as this would probably be the only chance he had today. 

Once visiting hours at the hospital started, they would be there all day. This made him a bit nervous, because it was going to be weird. For as long as they knew each other Izuku had never seen Katsuki hurt this badly, not that it was surprising. Still, it had been hard to see him like that. Over time, Izuku had started to associate Katsuki with the word victory. But also with the word invincible. 

Izuku sighed. He really should get up and do his workout. At the very least he should go for his run. In six hours they would be at the hospital and there was no way his mom would let him out of her sight. Not that he could blame her, yesterday had to have been hard on her. As much as she loved him, Izuku knew his mom viewed him as something to be protected. 

Frowning he rolled out of bed and dropped to the floor to start his usual routine. 

Yesterday had to have made her see that was wrong. Right? It had been shocking, and more than a little sickening, when that monster exploded form his punch. But it also served as definitive proof that Caped Baldy had been telling the truth. That he could be a hero and his mom had to see that, right?

Finishing the last of his squats, Izuku stood and ran a hand through his hair, wincing at the tangles. He considered a shower but decided against it. Again, this was probably going to be his only chance to knock out that ten kilometer run. 

But as Izuku crossed his room and opened his closet, he froze. Eyes widening as he saw himself in his closet mirror, he slowly reached out to tap its surface. He halfway expected it to ripple like in those old sci-fi movies about living in a computer. But the surface remained unmoved. Blinking, he took a step back and raising his arm waved. His reflection waved back. Dazed his arm fell to his side and he stared. 

When had he...? 

He flexed a bit in giddy disbelief. Somehow he had gotten muscles! No, more than that, he would swear that his muscles had muscles. All of them so sharply defined that Izuku feared he might cut himself if he touched them. Holy crap he had an eight pack! He turned his head side to side, never letting his gaze leave his reflection. He had always been skinny and more than once someone had called him a twig. But now? There was no way he could ever, under any circumstances, be called a twig. 

"I have muscles." Izuku murmured. 

After another minute of staring, he shrugged and pulled on a shirt. He still had to do his run. One hastily scrawled note for his mom later, he was out the door and off on his run. 

Inko cradled the warm cup of tea in her hands, trying not to think. The kitchen was quiet, save for the sound of the ticking clock. She took a slow sip and prayed the unique blend of green tea and lavender would sooth her anxiety. 

It failed. 

Taking another sip she glanced into the living room and anxiety clawed at her as she stared at the front door. She had no idea how long Izuku had been gone. His note had been short, telling her only the bare minimum which averted outright panic. But still, after yesterday she would have preferred he remain within reach. Setting her tea down she closed her eyes and tried to focus on the fact that he was ok. 

A fact that she had spent all night thanking every kami, Buddha, and god she knew of for. Inko had thanked them most of the morning after waking up as well. As a matter of fact, she was now even more determined to make as many offerings as she could the first chance she got. Still, once she finished thanking them, horrible could-have's started plaguing her. Worse than they had last night, because now she had seen the news. They had blurred the worst of it, but what they said had painted a vivid enough picture. She shuddered in revulsion at the images filling her head and sipped her tea, trying to think of anything else. 

But it was impossible. Everyone she loved had been in danger yesterday while she was stuck in a dark hole, fear eating her alive. A fear that had refused to disappear even after learning everything was ok. That had made it all but impossible to get any sleep until sheer exhaustion finally knocked her out. It was also why her call with Hisashi had gone so poorly. 

Well, on her side at least. 

Her husband by technicality lived in America. New Bostin, Massachusetts to be exact. This meant that when she called it had been four in the morning his time. So not only had she woke him up, but she had to tell him about the danger his son had been in. It would have gone over better if he had not been stressed, but Hisashi stayed stressed. As a matter of fact the only time she had ever seen him not stressed had been when he held their tiny, wailing, newborn son. 

Point was that with their combination of issues, their tempers had gotten the better of them. It was amazing that Izuku had slept through all the horrible things she screamed at Hisashi. That conversation was not one of her prouder moments. 

Sighing she started to take another drink when the front door opened. Looking up she and Izuku both froze as their eyes met. After a minute she turned back to her tea and he quietly shuffled down the hall. A few minutes later she heard the shower and she tried to brace for the coming conversation. 

Like she told Hisashi last night during a lull in the accusations, Izuku would never give up on being a hero. Everyone in the world, including her, had told him to give up and he had told them all to sit on it and spin. It made her so proud that her heart almost burst. Still, a part of her wished she could make him give up. Yes he had saved Mitsuki and so many others in doing it. Yes, he had acted like the hero he had always wanted to be. But she did not care. She was his mom and all she wanted was for him to be safe. 

When he at last sat down at the table she did not react, uncertain of how to say what needed to be said. When she at last tried to something, nothing came out. Eventually it was Izuku who broke the silence. 

"I'm sorry." 

"I know." 

"I had to, I'm sorry, but, I-I just, had to."

Inko frowned, clutching the cup tight in her hands. "No you didn't."

"I'm sorry." 

"I know you’re sorry!" Inko snapped, finally looking at him. He jerked away from her, his expression of shock and she took a deep breath. She needed to be calm. This could not be like her conversation with Hisashi. When she spoke again, she did so softly, even though her voice cracked. "I know you’re sorry Izuku. I know you didn't mean to scare me. But that doesn't change the fact that you scared me to death."

Izuku nodded, glancing down. "I-I just saw her in danger and I couldn't let her just go and then when I saw what was about to happen I just, I had to do something." He paused before adding in an almost too quite tone. "I had to try." 

"Yes, I know." She smiled sadly, tearing up. "But that still doesn't change that fact that you had no idea if you could save her. W-what if you had punched that thing and it just laughed? It would have killed you both and I'd be left-" she put a hand over her mouth, blinking away tears as her anger reared up again. "Y-you had no idea how things would turn out! Izuku you didn't think!" 

Izuku flinched again. "D-do you not want me to be a hero?" 

Yes. A million times yes. Inko wanted to sleep at night and not worry that someone would knock on her door to tell her he died. To not see Izuku give his life on live TV in full color and resolution. To not make her to cry herself to death at his funeral. She wanted him to be safe, grow old and outlive her. She wanted him to give her dozens of grandbabies. She wanted him to be happy. And to be happy he...

"That's not what I'm saying." Inko whispered, gazing forlornly at the wonderful man she raised. "Izuku, I'm proud of you. Unbelievably proud. Prouder than any mother in the history of the world. What you did yesterday was brave. You saved her, but also so many others, and you never thought twice about it. But I'm also furious with you. Because you risked your life without thinking! You ran out there without any training, without any regard for you own safety! I sat in that shelter and all I could think, all I could imagine, was those things tearing you apart!" 

Shame flickered across Izuku's face. 

"Worse," Inko hissed, voice trembling, "as furious as I am, as proud of you as I am, I'm twice as scared. Because I know you'll keep doing it. Because you can't help but try to help others. That's who you are. Anyone trying to stop that would have better luck pulling the stars from the sky. That's the man I raised and I'm going to have to watch you risk your life until one day y-you-" 

She broke down into sobs, unable to give voice to those final words. 

When she felt him wrap his powerful arms around her, trying to comfort her, she sobbed even harder. Nothing he could say or do would ever comfort her. 

Not about this. 

"I'm sorry," she whispered, desperate, "Izuku, please, just, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, you can be a hero, but please j-just promise me that you'll be safe and happy," she choked back a sob, "please." 

"I-I promise." Izuku murmured into her hair, voice halting. 

Inko nodded and furiously wiped at her tears, for all the good it did. "O-ok, we should go." 

Izuku nodded, but did not let go.

Hero Public Safety Commission (HPSC) Office, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan...

Koukanshu Chie took a sip of her coffee and grimaced. Clearly it had been sitting too long, but it was better than nothing. Still she rocked back in her chair and looked around her cubicle, trying to clear her head. Chie knew her role was important. 

Really she did. 

Chie's division oversaw Musutafu and she was the chief operator. Her role was to coordinate the local heroes, law enforcement, and emergency services. Also to ensure that all hero reports were clear, concise, and *factual*. So that way when they were filed there would be no questions or confusion. This also ensured that the heroes were paid an appropriate bonus for the aide they supplied, so that they could avoid someone trying to take advantage of the system. 

The problem was that she was running into hour one billion on a ninety-six hour shift and all she wanted to do was sleep. But if she did that then her co-works would have to pick up her slack. And they were *all* running into hour one billion as well. A problem that could have been avoided if the commission would hire more damn workers! But no. There was no room in the budget for more workers. Or raises. 

No, honest. 

President Kinoshita-sama herself sent out an email apologizing to everyone about this unfortunate fact. They were all in this together after all. They just had to work hard so they could weather this unfortunate fact. Also, since she would be out of the office for two weeks they had to contact Vic-President Narinki-sama if they need something. 

As if no one knew that meant it was time for her bi-monthly vacation to Jacosta with her son. 

Chie scoffed and sat forward, turning her attention back to the report before her. Damn Aberrant Beings. Damn commission. She should have been in bed cuddled up with someone very pretty and not all that bright. Instead here she sat. In this gods-forsaken cubicle, trying to make this rambling crap into something usable. She poked at the report for a bit, halfway tempted to give up and rubber stamp the fucking mess. Other operators did it all the time. 

But no. She had to have integrity. 

Though that still failed to explain why she had to deal with so many lazy ass heroes. Why did they think a paragraph full of run on sentences, horrible grammar, and poor punctuation was acceptable? What she would not give for a report from Endeavour or All Might. They're reports were the gold standard. The few times Endeavour had filed a report in Musutafu there had been nothing for her to do but rubber stamp it. As for All Might, his reports were so damn good he filed them directly with the emergency services. 

The closest she got to that were the teachers at U.A., though it was hit or miss with Eraser Head. But Midnight made up for him. Yes she had problems with grammar. But that woman made every report so lewd Chie often made a private copy for her personal use. Hell, even after Chie cut the more verbose sections out she knew anyone reading it would be red in the face and anxious for alone time. 

Sighing, Chie took another sip of her lukewarm coffee and dismissed her whining. Right she had work to do. But as she read the report again, her shoulders slumped. Why did Lightning Max have to be a damn comedian this time around? 

Rallying her strength, she removed the sections about two teenagers killing the Aberrant's by ludicrous means. First off, a simple background check showed that Midoriya had no Quirk and while Bakugou had one, nobody would be insane enough to shove their arm down the throat of an Aberrant being to blow it up. So instead she replaced that section with a far more factual statement: Midoriya attempted to lead others to safety while Bakugou used his Quirk to delay the creatures, though he suffered severe injuries in doing so. 

Satisfied, she turned her attention to the rest of his report. 

But Chie swore that if she ever got the chance to talk to him about this report, she would make her displeasure with his attempts at humor known.

Shizuoka Prefectural General Hospital, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Hiss. Beep. Hiss. Beep.Hiss. Beep.

Bakugo Mitsuki never thought she could hate and love something this much. But that noise. It featured in every nightmare she had since losing her husband and now it was reassuring her that her son was alive. 

Her son, her brave, brave son.

She squeezed his left hand tight, not that Katsuki noticed. Whatever they gave him for his surgeries was powerful enough to still have him unconscious. Closing her eyes she pressed his hand against her forehead and cried. 

Beep. Hiss. Beep.Hiss. Beep.Hiss.

Absently she rubbed her neck, head still ringing from the explosion. Hell, her whole body still ached from the blast. Not that she was complaining, not really. Given how close she had been to that blast she should have died from the shockwave or the shrapnel. Mitsuki had no idea how she came through healthy enough for the paramedics to stabilize her. Even then, if Doctor Unohana had not been licensed to use her Quirk Minazuki, then she would still be recovering from her own surgeries. 

Still.

Hiss. Beep. Hiss. Beep.Hiss. Beep.

Doctor Uzumaki Sakura actually was the age that Mitsuki looked, and somehow that made her feel old. Not that it mattered. She was the one that operated on Katsuki. So Mitsuki sat through the polite chit-chat, nervous but dreading the conversation that would follow too much to skip it. 

But eventually they do get to the real conversation. 

"So? How is he?"

"Katsuki is lucky," Doctor Uzumaki said, her green eyes filled with sympathy, "but also very hurt. His left humerus experienced a distal and a mid-shaft fracture. The distal fracture required pins and screws, but the mid-shaft fracture we were able to use bone graft. Thankfully the scapula and clavicle received only partial fractures, so outside of a sling and some braces, he'll be ok there. His ribs were cracked, so it’s not as bad as we feared." 

Mitsuki let out a breath, slumping in relief. He would be ok, he could...

"Unfortunately his left ulna and radius experienced a severe monteggia fracture and the resulting vascular trauma he sustained in that portion of his arm has proven so severe that surgical repair is impossible. We've stabilized his arm as best we can, but due to the impaired circulation his blood cells have under gone ferroptosis, a type of cell death, which has caused the death of the soft tissue in his arm." 

... never be a hero. 

Mitsuki stared at the younger woman, numb, listening as she continued to talk, but the words never registered. Because her baby, her brave boy, who had only ever wanted to be a hero...his dream was....

"- Doctor Senju agrees that this is the only option we have." 

"Doctor Unohana!" Mitsuki suddenly blurted, clinging to hope. "Her Quirk-" 

"Sadly that's not an option in his case." Doctor Uzumaki said, shaking her head. "Doctor Unohana's Quirk works on the whole body and forcibly accelerates healing. It's also incredible draining for both the patient and her. But what makes it unsuitable in this case is that her Quirk can't reverse the cell death or any of the necrotized tissue. If Doctor Unohana attempted it, all that would result is over stimulating his body to the point that tumors would begin to form." 

"Oh." Mitsuki mumbled shoulders slumping as that spark of hope died. 

Doctor Uzumaki sighed. "I'm sorry, but when I say this is our only option, I mean it. We have to operate before it begins to pose a serious health risk." 

Mitsuki nodded. 

"He'll be the first operation tomorrow morning." Doctor Uzumaki said, voice softening. 

Mitsuki nodded again. 

"We'll keep him sedated until then."

Mitsuki bit her lip, wanting to fly into rage, but managed not to. It's not the doctor’s fault, and screaming would change nothing. The important thing is that he was alive. That monster had not gotten her son. 

He had lived. 

And when Doctor Uzumaki left, and she was alone, Mitsuki sobbed. 

Beep. Hiss. Beep.Hiss. Beep.Hiss.

"God, I am Your child and that means I am destined to live a life of victory. I declare that You are going before me, making crooked places straight. I know that You will never give me more than what I can handle and - " Mitsuki's voice broke mid-prayer, and she glared up at the ceiling, anger burning bright. "Have I not fucking do enough for You? I read my devotionals every damn day. I give to the poor. What more do I fucking need to do? What?! I declare every day that you're making my dreams come to pass! I thank You every day for all the good things and why? DAMN IT WHY!?"

Furiously she started wiping at her eyes, before dropping her head into her hands. She had not felt this lost and helpless since her first trip to the States. If her friends had not taken her to the Potters House in Los Angeles, then she would have never found peace. But all she had was the basics she picked up during her stay, so she had no idea why He would do something like this. God loved them, He wanted them to be happy and prosperous. To be good people and follow some common sense rules. 

"First You took Marasu from me and now Katsuki is... I don't understand, You've, is this...are You punishing me? You do that right?" Mitsuki asked looking up. "Is that what this fucking is? You're punishing me for something? What the fuck did I do?" She sobbed and shook her head. "Doesn't fucking matter. I-if that's it, if this is all some kind of fucking punishment for something I've not done, I'm sorry...I don't know what it is I'm supposed to do, but I'm just, I'm fucking sorry! Ok? If that's what this is, You punishing me for some fucking reason, I'm fucking sorry!" 

Silence. 

"And if that's not it, if this isn't You slapping me like a little bitch, could You maybe let me know?" 

"Mitsuki!" 

Startled out of her prayer Mitsuki had just enough time to look up before Inko hauled her out of the chair and into a bone crushing hug. 

Hiss. Beep. Hiss. Beep.Hiss. Beep.

“Inko-” Mitsuki choked out, tears running down her cheeks. 

“Hush,” Inko cut her off, choking words out between sobs, "let me hug you.”

Mitsuki clutched her tight, enjoying the closeness. The warmth and comfort and love that this wonderful woman was giving her. Quietly Mitsuki moved a hand to stroke the back of her head, rocking Inko gently. 

"I'm so sorry," Mitsuki whispered, after a moment, "I wasn't thinking, with everything going on and I should have let you know, God I wanted to hear your voice and I'm sorry." 

In response Inko tightened her grip and nodded faintly, still crying. “It's ok, it's ok." 

For a moment there was only the two of them and they clutched one another tight. Yet even as she took comfort from the hug, even as she thanked God for His answer, she realized how badly she had failed her girlfriend. Because somehow in all the chaos and pain, Mitsuki had failed to realize just how hard yesterday had been for her girlfriend. 

As  horrific and terrifying as it was to know Katsuki was out there, it paled to knowing Izuku was out there. At least her son had a Quirk, but Izuku had been risking his life against those things without a Quirk. Not that he had needed one in the end - thinking of Izuku, remembering that punch, she wondered how he had done it and then decided it did not matter. 

All that mattered right then was the crying woman in her arms. 

Eventually Inko started taking deep breaths, clearly trying to pull herself together. Ten minutes later the sobbing had stopped and Inko was trying to straighten herself out. Once the threat of drowning was over, they pulled away from each other, though Mitsuki kept a tight grip on her girlfriends hand. 

Then Mitsuki noticed Izuku and her eyes lingered on his black shirt. It was a graphic print of a dinosaur chasing someone and the words 'sometimes we just need motivation to run'. God, even now he had zero sense of fashion. Then her attention turned to him properly. He stood in the door, politely not looking at them and it should have worried her. But no, she knew that flavor of polite disinterest, Katsuki had shown it often enough when she and Masaru were being 'touchy-feely'. 

Eventually he met her eyes and she gave him a watery smile. "Izuku." 

"Auntie." 

Mitsuki was having none of that, and releasing Inko's hand, she reached out to haul him into a bone creaking hug of his own, whether he wanted it or not. Because damn it, even if he had been stupid, he saved her life and deserved a hug. 

"This is weird." Izuku muttered, though he did hug her back, even if he was trying to maintain distance. 

"Shh, just take your hug like a man." Mitsuki mumbled, trying not to laugh at his awkwardness. Stepping back she cupped hi cheek and sniffed back a few tears, before smacking him on the shoulder. "What the hell were you thinking running out there like that?

Izuku scratched his cheek. "Uh, t-that mom would be really sad if I let you get hurt?" 

"For fucks' sake." Mitsuki mumbled pinching the bridge of her nose. Part of her wanted to tear him a new one, but that would be pointless. He took after his mom in that they would do anything for someone they loved. Berating either of them for it was the same as berating a mountain for being a mountain. 

"How's Katsuki?" Inko asked, softly. 

"He's alive." Mitsuki said, turning back to Inko while struggling not to burst into tears again. "They're keeping him sedated, h-he's mostly black and blue, except, his right arm is, they-" She trailed off, staring at the far wall. 

A minute later Mitsuki startled as Inko took her hand. Sighing she continued, voice raw. "They've done what the can, but the trauma is - it's bad." She took a deep breath, then let it out before finishing. "They've got him scheduled for surgery first thing in the morning to remove his arm." 

"No." Inko whimpered. 

Mitsuki said nothing, staring down at her sleeping boy. Reaching out she stroked his hair with her free hand. "The fucking brat should have run." 

"I'm sure he tried." Inko murmured. 

Izuku laughed and then flushed in embarrassed as they both looked at him. 

"Izuku?" Inko's voice held a touch of reproof.

"Sorry, it's just..." Izuku trailed off, not quite looking at them.

"Just what?" Mitsuki asked, frowning. 

Izuku scratched the back of his head and sighed. "Well, I mean, that is..."

"Well? Spit it the hell out already." Mitsuki snapped, wondering what he was trying not to say. 

Izuku cleared his throat, and gave Mitsuki an apologetic look. "Well, it’s just, h-he's kinda like a rabid fucking Pomeranian." 

Mitsuki burst into startled laughter at that while Inko started berating a clearly embarrassed Izuku for his language. 

Jediboh Hotel, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

"Which way?" Hyottoko asked as they reached the next junction of the hallway. 

"Straight," Pink Hornet said, ignoring the ruined lobby of their left, "we'll clear the fitness center and then move to the kitchen."  

"Sensible." Trap Tengu said, his deep voice oppressive in the silence of the dead hotel. 

"That's our Hornet." Hyottoko agreed as they started walking once more. "So, like I was saying Julie-chan insisted we go some place up high and public. So, I took her to that Skytree up in Tokyo, right? Man, turns out she's totally into public sex! We got up there and she drags me to this corner and..."  

Pink Hornet sighed and did her best to tune her team mate out. Not because she objected to the topic. Because she really wanted to hear all the nasty details about him wrecking Julie Steel. Unfortunately, someone had to review their budget and as the only Provider that had a level head, that meant her. Still, it was hard to think with him going into detail about how he railed that visiting socialite. 

Ugh, she had to focus!  

Running their agency took money, and at the moment, things were tight. Thanks to Red Nose being forced into early retirement to appease Endeavor they were now short two hundred and five million Yen a year from their budget. A fair enough trade, since the drunken idiot had run his mouth about Endeavors wife and daughter. Still, it hurt them. 

As did the five million Yen loan they had to take out to cover the cost of buying out Red Nose. A loan that happened to come with a 'mutant' interest rate thanks to Tengu and Hyottoko being part of the agency. Damn racist bankers and their prejudice against heteromorphs!  

Worse still, this was the first disaster in six months. For an agency that specialized in Urban Search and Rescue that meant no bonuses. No bonuses meant they were surviving on their paltry salary from the Commission and the profits of their side business. Profits that, even with the pitiful two hundred thousand Yen they lucked into during this mess, were now all but gone. No matter how she looked at it, their agency would be bankrupt in a month. 

"Damn it." Pink Hornet muttered, coming to a stop outside the fitness center. She shook her head and began letting her Quirk Sting flow over her free hand. Behind her Hyottoko and Tengu had fallen silent. "Standard procedure, Hyottoko with me, Tengu you have the door."

"Very well." Tengu intoned as Hyottoko moved to open the door for her. 

As he eased it open, she slid inside, flashlight playing over the shattered remains of the room. Shattered exercise equipment, blood-stained mats, mangled bodies. But no sign of any lingering Aberrant Being. A large hole on the far side of the room and a pile of debris were clearly where the Aberrant had entered from.  

Taking a breath, she started talking voice clear, loud, and calm. 

"This is the Pink Hornet, I'm a Pro Hero with the group The Providers. We're working with Musutafu Rescue Operations to search and clear the area. Is there anyone here who needs our aide?"  

She waited a moment before repeating herself. 

This time there was a faint groan, barely more than a hiss, but loud in the silence. "Help..."  

"On me." Pink Hornet ordered, before leading the way into the destroyed fitness area. Each step measured to ensure that they never came into contact with a body part or the gore infused blood. After all, it would be both disrespectful and ill-omened to step on the dead.  

“Cordwood,” Hyottoko whispered at her side, the word a firm mantra, "it's just cordwood."  

Pink Hornet nodded, but kept silent, letting the magic of the word distract her as well. It was harder to ignore the smell of death, but that's why they had Vick’s under their noses. After a several minutes of careful navigation the pair reached the source of the cry for help. 

"Is that who I think it is?" Hyottoko asked. 

Pink Hornet let her Quirk ebb away as she stepped closer, flashlight playing across the figure pinned beneath the giant pile of debris. 

"I think so." She murmured at last before passing her flashlight to her partner and crouched down next to the woman. 

The woman stared up at her with wide, milky-white eyes. Panic tinted her features, even as she tried to lift an arm to brandish a weapon. Not that she could have done anything given the way her arm trembled and refused to move more than a few centimeters. 

"Sssh, easy, it's just me." Pink Hornet reassuring the woman, examining her injuries. Blood from dozens of wounds matted her long blonde hair to her face, and it looked like her other arm was not just pinned, but broken. It was hard to tell much else since she was trapped under the debris. Reaching out she gently moved the bloody hair aside, revealing a tear drop shaped birthmark and a nasty bruise swelling one side of her face. 

That confirmed the woman's identity. This was Bagī Shirizokeru, also known as the pro hero Twin Tail. 

"Pāpuruton?" 

"Yes," Pink Hornet said, "it's OK."  

"We have to move," Bagī said voice tinged with fear, “those things, I didn't realize they were here until they - I did what I could, the others, are they OK?"  

"For the most part," Pink Hornet said, tone soothing even as she pulled out her phone to being texting. "You weren't on duty?"  

"No, it was my day off. I just wanted to feel special for once." Bagī murmured, clearly starting to drift. "You're really here? Everything's OK?"  

"Shhhh, shhhh, it’s alright.” Pink Hornet whispered softly, while her phone buzzed away in her hand. Seeing the other woman settle at least for the moment, Pink Hornet looked at her phone and then grinned. She bounced to her feet and stepped away from a startled Bagī. "Skintaker says he'll take her for eight hundred."  

"Sweet." Hyottoko said, passing the flashlight back to her while popping the end of his conical face mask open. Almost immediately the air around the trapped heroine warped and for maybe half a second, gravity vanished. Even the colors inverted. Then with a soft 'pop' it was over and Hyottoko's Quirk BasketSpace was sealed away by his mask once more. 

With a dull groan the debris settled into the now empty space. 

"That's a million, right?" Hyottoko asked, turning back to her. 

"Yeah." Pink Hornet said, as they started picking their way back to the door. "Between that school girl Death Arms bought and her were at one million Yen even."  

"Nice." Hyottoko said, with a fist pump. 

"I take it things have turned in our favor?" Tengu asked as they rejoined him at the doorway. 

"Hell yeah, got eight hundred k for Twin Tails."  

"She was a pro hero," Tengu muttered, ruffling his feathers, "you should have negotiated for more." 

"Pft, only ranked four hundred," Pink Hornet scoffed, "but hey, you want to call up Skintaker and haggle price be my guest." 

Hyottoko laughed. 

"Perhaps I will," Tengu said with a huff, "if you could arrange for All Might and Endeavour to back me up."  

"Yeah, sorry buddy," Pink Hornet said, reaching up to pat his shoulder, "we could sell Mirko to the Creature Rejection Clan and still not have enough money to bribe them into helping us." 

"Unfortunate."  

"Yeah." Pink Hornet said, regretting that they would never manage such a feat. Mirko would go for a hundred million Yen easy. "No point in complaining, we still have a job to do. Tengu, place the beacons so the MRO can get an accurate count of the dead and we'll finish up the ground floor before heading up."  

"Man," Hyottoko sighed, "a heroes work is never done, is it?"  

"Izuku. Honey, wake up."

"Uh? Wha?" Izuku startled on the chair he was in and looked around in confusion. Where were his All Might poster and action figures? Or his ultra rare Mirko statue he won? Then reality filtered its way through by way for the soft white paint, fluorescent lights, and that noise. Settling he turned to his mom, worry starting to bubble in his chest. "D-did something happen?"

Maybe Mitsuki and his mom had a fight? No, he would have heard that right? He flicked his eyes to Katsuki, but the other teen remained motionless in his bed. That still seemed so strange to Izuku. 

"No," a tired sounding Mitsuki said, not quite looking at them, "it's just that visiting hours are over." 

"Oh." Izuku mumbled, and started rubbing his neck as he got to his feet. Then he noticed that only he and his mom were getting ready to leave, and frowned. She was Katsuki's mother, but still, would they bend the rules for that? He thought so, it made sense. So maybe? "A-are you coming with us?" 

"No." 

The answer did not surprise him. If it had been him in that bed, then even All Might would be unable to pry his mom out of the room. Well, he could, All Might was the strongest hero ever after all. But she would fight tooth and nail the whole way. 

"Honey," his mom said, voice gentle, "we've been here all day and I'm sure Mitsuki is ready for us to get out of her hair." 

Izuku knew better. While aunt Mitsuki had cheered up when they arrived, what he saw right now was the opposite of that. She watched them with dull, watery eyes, and a fragile neutral expression that did nothing to hide how much she was hurting. 

He had only seen her look like this once before and he knew that another night here alone would kill her. 

"M-mom," Izuku said as he focused all of his attention on his mom, "I think you should stay." 

"What?"

Mitsuki's eyes narrowed as she stared at him, her pale lips thinning. 

"You should stay." Izuku repeated with more confidence. "I don't think things are going to turn into a Batman movie. I'll be fine going home on my own and, Mom, life is a doughnut!" 

Aunt Mitsuki's expression morphed into one of utter confusion. 

"I, uh," his mom stammered, looking at him in utter bewilderment, "Izuku?" 

"Life is a doughnut." Izuku repeated firmly. 

His mom reached out to touch his forehead, checking for a fever. "H-honey, are you, are you ok?" 

Izuku blinked, before realizing that she had no clue what he meant. Which, ok, fair, she had told him that when he was six. But still! He took a breath, held it, trying not to panic. Gah! Why did he have to say anything? Right, because he loved his mom and because her fear was making her stupid. That felt wrong to even think, she was his mom. 

Still.

"When I was as kid you told me that life was like a doughnut. Sometimes it’s soft and doughy and tasty, but sometimes it’s hard and tough and that when it is, we need milk to soften it up." 

He could see understanding blossoming on both their faces and Izuku pressed on. 

"Mom, right now, aunt Mitsuki needs you to be her milk." 

"Izuku-" 

"No." Izuku said, cutting her off and part of him screeched at being so rude, but he pressed on. "Mom, I'm, I mean, look, I-I know your worried about me and scared and everything, but I just, life is a doughnut." 

His mom stared at him for several long minutes, frowning. Izuku held her gaze, seeing the doubt, fear, and uncertainty in her eyes. He wished there was something he could do to help, but he knew there was nothing. 

So he pretended to see nothing. 

Eventually she let out a heavy sigh. "B-be careful on the way home, ok? Promise me?" 

"I promise." Izuku said, with every ounce of his being before leaning down to place a gentle kiss on his mom's forehead. Like she used to for him at night after a nightmare. 

As he straightened, he wondered when he had gotten taller than her. 

"I-I'll be back first thing tomorrow." Izuku promised, then with one last look at his mom and her girlfriend, left. 

Naturally Izuku went out the wrong door and ended up in the rear of the hospital. Worse, the door would not reopen for him and he could not see anyone to let him back in. So he ended up having to walk all the way around the building until he reached the front. 

Just in time to see his bus pull off without him. 

Izuku sighed as he stepped into the empty apartment and kicked off his shoes. 

For a moment he stood there, trying to shake off his exhaustion. Seeing his mom so upset, and knowing that he was responsible for it? That hurt worse than any explosion that Katsuki could ever unleash. Almost as bad had been seeing Mitsuki look so lost and broken. It was unnatural, she had always been loud and brash and full of life. But this was like Uncle Masaru's funeral all over again, only worse. And seeing Katsuki lying defenseless in that hospital bed? With tubes and bandages and beeping machines and learning he would be losing an arm? 

Yeah, that had been a gut punch. 

Izuku let out a heavy breath slowly becoming aware of the silence and how weird it was. For as long as Izuku remembered, there had never been a moment where he had been alone like this. His mom was always there, cooking or watching her dramas or just being there. Looking around the dark apartment he had to wonder, had it always been so large? 

Shaking his head to try and put both those thoughts and the day’s trials behind him, Izuku padded his way to his bedroom. 

Flicking his bedroom light on, Izuku mused that he probably should double check to make sure that Horikoshiko continued to see reason about All Might’s Quirk. There was no way a simple stockpiling Quirk could ever build up the amount of energy needed for the feats All Might had preformed over his long career. At least not without eight lifetimes to build up that kind of energy and the fact that Horikoshiko kept insisting it was possible was just - ugh! 

Maybe he should read his manga or catch up on his shows? He had been putting them off so that he could have a mini-binge after all, and he did not want to spend the night arguing. Humming he started changing into his sleep clothes while his thoughts bounced back and forth. Ultimately he decided to fix something for dinner and go to bed. 

Well, after he let his mom know that he made home safe. 

Yet when he reached for his phone his hand came up empty. Frowning he checked the rest of his pockets, only to come up empty. Wait, when was the last time used his phone? The bus home? No. The hospital? No. So when had he...oh. Spotting it on the charger still, he scratched his head and he laughed a bit. 

Sitting down on his bed he picked his phone up, only to discover three texts from Yaoyozoru and four missed calls from Fubuki. His stomach sank as he realized that he had failed to let his friends know that he was ok. He stared at the phone and the notifications for a bit longer, biting his lip, before ultimately deciding it would be better to call them in the morning. 

Only for the strangest sensation to wash over him. It was as if he now teetered on the edge of a dark chasm from which a shadow of horror and despair crept up to consume him. As if it was waiting for him to put the phone down and seal his doom.

Ooooor, maybe, possibly, he should call them now. 

With shaking fingers he hit redial only for the call to be answered before he had a chance to prepare for it. For a moment there was only silence. Then Fubuki spoke, her tone cold. 

"Midoriya." 

"I'm sorry!" Izuku exclaimed, before he could stop himself. "T-things were crazy and I forgot to charge my phone yesterday and then today I forgot to take it with me before going to the hospital to see Kaachan and I just realized I had never checked it and so I checked and saw the missed calls and texts and I'm sorry!" 

"And is there anything else you'd like to say to me?"

"Uhm," Izuku hummed, trying to think of what else he should say or apologize for, but nothing else came to him, "not really?" 

"You're sure?" 

"Y-yes, I mean, n-no?" 

"Oh?" She asked voice growing cold. "Well, how about this? I'm sorry you had to waste hours of your life worrying about me and had to try and reason with a near hysterical Yaoyozoru when she called you, all because I didn't have enough common sense to pick up a damn phone!"

"Sorry!" Izuku yelped. 

"I don't want your sorry." Fubuki snapped, causing him to cringe. "I want you to take responsibility! You promise me right now, if something like this happens again you call and tell us you're ok first thing."

"Y-yes, right, I promise and I'm sorry -" 

"Izuku!" Fubuki shouted, forcing him to pull the phone away from his ear. A minute later, she continues, her tone clam. "I'm going to hang up now so that you can call her as well. But that doesn't mean we're done talking about this."

Izuku nodded, gulping.

"Oh, and Izuku?"

"Y-yes?" 

"You do understand what's going to happen if you don't keep that promise, don't you?" 

Izuku let out a nervous chuckle. "Y-you'll rip me limb from limb from limb from limb?"

Silence. 

"F-Fubuki?" 

"Goodnight Izuku~." Fubuki said, her tone sweetly ominous, before she hung up.  

Izuku sat there for several long minutes, phone pressed against his ear, trying not to shiver. Who knew girls could be so scary? Still it was nice to know that Fubuki cared. After another minute to gather his courage, he located Yaoyozoru's number and called her. 

Once more his call was answered before he had time to prepare for it. 

"Izuku!" Yaoyozoru said, sounding far more relieved than upset. "You're ok? I wasn't sure if you lived in Musutafu, I thought you said you did, but I wasn't sure and the news had been nothing but grim and my company's security team wouldn't help me locate you, they said it was a breach of trust and I was so worried and I know Boin told me that you were ok, but still." 

Izuku blinked, taken back at the deluge of words. Was this what it was like when he went on about Quirks or heroes? Wait, what was that bit about a security team?

"You are, right?" 

Izuku blinked, startled out of his thoughts. "Sorry, what?" 

"Ok." Yaoyozoru said, anxiety lacing her words. "You're calling me, so clearly your ok and I was worried for no reason, but still, it would put me more at ease if you said so." 

"O-oh, y-yeah, I'm fine,” Izuku said blushing, unused to such obvious concern since Fubuki crouched her concern more in angry tirades and declarations. “I- uhm, the truth is, with how crazy things were yesterday I forgot to charge my phone last night. Then this morning I had to go see a f-friend in the hospital and I forgot to take my phone with me." 

"I see." Yaoyozoru said, letting out a sigh. "I'm glad that you're ok. What about your friend? Are they ok?" 

"Ah," Izuku hesitated before deciding not to explain the exact situation of his connection with Katsuki, "I-I'm not sure, he, uh, he shoved his down the throat of one of the Aberrant’s and blew it up from the inside. His arms messed up..." 

"I'm so sorry." 

"For what?"  

"That your friend was hurt." 

"O-oh," Izuku said, looking down, "thank you." 

For a moment they were silent. Then she gasped. 

"What is it?"

"Ah, and, well, that is..." Yaoyozoru said, and he could imagine her chewing her lip in that innocently distracting way she had. "I have to apologize for being so familiar earlier. I know we are not exactly friends and I hope you can forgive me. " 

"Uh, n-no, it’s fine," Izuku said blushing despite himself. "I mean, I know we haven't spend much time together but I really haven't had many friends and it was a lot of fun talking to you that day and I think you're my friend so it’s ok." 

"Really?!" Yaoyozoru asked, voice pitching high before she cleared it. "W-well, then please, call me Momo."

"O-ok!" Izuku said smiling as his cheeks turned red. "B-but only if you call me Izuku." 

"I believe I can do that." Momo said happily. 

Another moment of silence. 

"A-anyway," Izuku said, clearing his throat, "about what happened. I-I promise that if this happens again I'll make sure to let you know. I should have, I mean I could have used my mom's phone, or the hospitals, or something to reach you." 

"No, no, I understand -" 

"No." Izuku said, shaking his head. "We're friends. I should have let you know and I'm so sorry for not doing so."

"I-I see." Momo said, before clearing her throat as well. "Very well, in that case, I will hold you to that promise. I will certainly sleep easier knowing you're alright in the future." 

Izuku blushed yet again, both from how earnest that sounded and because of the mental image he just had of her in bed, hair spread out behind her on the pillow... 

"Ah I should get ready for bed, I have to accompany my parents tomorrow," Momo said, interrupting his thoughts, "we'll talk more tomorrow?" 

"Y-yes." Izuku said. "Well, uh, goodnight Momo." 

"Pleasant dreams Izuku." 

Izuku froze, blushing bright red. Did she really just say that? Why!? She had sounded so earnest. Gah! But even as he panicked, he realized that she had already hung up, leaving him alone with that last comment. M-maybe she had not meant to say that? She probably said it all the time to her family at night and it just slipped out.

Right? 

Eventually he managed to recover enough to send his mom a text to let know he made it safely. Satisfied that everything was taken care of, he dropped back on his bed ready to pass out and forget this whole day.

Chapter Text

April 10th, 2181.
Nabū, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan...

Tatsumaki stared out the window of the car, amazed. Things at street level looked so different. Strange. It looked like an alien world to her. After all, when you could fly, why walk or ride? It wasn't always an option as a student, but now? Her Hero License meant she could do it with impunity and she never wasted a chance to do so.

A sigh at her side drew her attention back to her baby sister. The grumpy look on Fubuki’s face amused her, as did the annoyed glare she received. As if it was Tatsumaki’s fault they had to travel by such mundane methods. Still, she could understand. A four hour train ride followed by an hour drive to their hotel would make anyone grumpy.

Tatsumaki doubted that was the only reason. No doubt it annoyed Fubuki that this trip was taking time away from her latest childish plan. Tatsumaki almost laughed as she turned her attention back to the outside world. For all of Fubuki’s efforts at keeping her little plan a secret, she had failed to account for one thing. Those leeches at Aldera High were more than willing to give the Rank Six Pro-Hero regular progress reports about her baby sister.

Humming, Tatsumaki wondered if she should drop that bomb or let it stay her secret. She was leaning toward keeping silent. Her baby sister was hard-headed and telling her would not deter her. In the end, she chose to say nothing. Things would turn out how Tatsumaki wanted, no matter what.

After all, given Fubuki’s personality and tendencies, they would boot her from the Heroics Course in the first week. It would upset the prima donna, but who cared? Fubuki would be in the General Education course of a top university and end up with an excellent education. She wouldn't be wasting her life trying to be a hero.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“I’ve already told you not to worry about that,” Tatsumaki said, “you’re just coming along because I need to keep an eye on you.”

Fubuki scoffed.

Tatsumaki smirked and turned to look at her younger sister. “I’m sorry, did you already forget that little mess you made the last time I left you unsupervised for longer than a day?”

Fubuki scowled, crossed her arms and looked away. Good. Her little sister needed to be reminded of her place sometimes.

“And the reason we had to leave so early? I’m missing school for this.” Fubuki asked after a bit, trying a different tactic.

“Because if we flew, it’d take us all day since you’re so slow.”

“Hmph.”

They rode on in silence. After a bit Tatsumaki sighed. As amusing as it was, she wanted to enjoy her time with her sister. “It’s a fundraiser.”

Silence.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“But, a fundraiser?” A dumbfounded Fubuki asked. “Really?”

Tatsumaki sniffed. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yes.”

“What? Why would you say that? This is for charity. Why do you find my attending so strange?”

“Because your usual reaction to leeches asking you for help is to pull up a chair and crack out the popcorn.”

“Gah!” Tatsumaki gasped, placing a hand to her chest, “I’m shocked and appalled that that is your opinion of me!”

Fubuki rolled her eyes, and in response, Tatsumaki huffed. “Look, I just want to help.”

“Really?” Fubuki asked, smirking. “Then what’s the name of the charity this fundraiser is for?”

“Ugh, fine!” Tatsumaki spat, throwing her hands up. “Kalifa insisted that I need to make a public appearance to make myself seem ‘approachable’. I’m already a beautiful young woman. How much more ‘approachable’ does she want me to be?”

Fubuki frowned, giving her a doubtful look. “You listened to your secretary?”

“Of course I did.” Tatsumaki huffed, then seeing Fubuki’s look of disbelief, grudgingly continued. “All Might may have said something as well.”

“I knew it.” Fubuki said, looking satisfied.

Crap. She needed to deflate her sisters’ big head before it was too late. “Oh, wow, you’re so brilliant you successfully deduced that I listened to All Might and my secretary on how to improve my image.”

The look of hurt that flashed across Fubuki’s face stabbed at her, but Tatsumaki ignored it. She had to learn.

After a minute, Fubuki decided to speak again. “So how much are you planning on donating?”

Tatsumaki blinked, giving her a blank stare. “Donating?”

“For the fundraiser.”

Silence.

“Sister?”

“Oh please!” Tatsumaki huffed as she crossed her arms and turned her nose up. “They won’t miss one donation with all these snobs around.”

Aldera High School, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

"Well, you're all in your last year, so it's time to get serious with thinking about your futures."

At those words, Izuku zoned out and turned his attention to his notebook. He had his future planned and more important things to focus on. Like tweaking the quick notes and rough sketch he had made of latest hero to make her debut.

Erasing his scribbled notes he started getting into details about Mt. Lady.

First off, her Quirk ignored the square-cube law since her skeleton and organs supported the change in size. If his math was right, that meant she was at least, hmm, carry the one... sixteen times stronger than a normal. He didn't know how much higher her durability would be, beyond more.

Her size was a drawback. It did not appear that she could moderate it. So she had to be careful about how she moved in a crowded environment. If she took a turn too sharply during a pursuit she could level a building. Or with one wrong step she could squash someone. Plus, even if she was larger and stronger, it would take longer to build momentum, giving a villain who used their head a good chance of escaping.

Then there was her vulnerability during her size change because of a decrease in reaction time. As expected, the sudden change from her normal height to her giant form resulted in a lag of her nervous system. As a result it meant that if something happened during that period Mt. Lady could not react fast enough. Which would explain this morning when -

"YEAAAAH!"

Izuku jumped at the sudden shout. Head whipping around, he worried for a moment that a villain had attacked the school. Or that his classmates had rioted.

In the end they were only celebrating. Ah. The teacher mentioned something about heroics.

Still as he watched, it struck him as wrong. Katsuki should be screaming about how great he was. But even if he was present there would be no screaming.

Maybe.

It depended.

Apparently Katsuki fluctuated between 'staring at the wall in silence' and 'sedate him fast before he blows the whole building up angry'.

You know what? On second thought, it was probably a good thing Katsuki was still in the hospital.

"Ah, you all have such wonderful Quirks! But remember, it's against school rules to use your Quirks in the classroom."

The faux chiding tone of the teacher went unnoticed by the others. To the lack of surprise of Izuku. Sighing, he turned his attention back to his notebook when an unpleasant voice cut through the noise.

"Guys, guys, you wanna hear something hilarious?" Reiichi asked, kicked back in his desk. "I heard that cripple Baka-ko's still planning on trying for U.A.! Talk about an idiot right? I mean he'll be lucky to get into a third-rate trade school!"

"Wow, since the king of idiots said it, we know it must be true."

The whole class froze. Even Izuku had to wonder who was brave enough to say that, given Fubuki was travelling with her sister. Ah, why was everyone turning to stare at him?

Then Reiichi exploded to his feet and stomped his way to Izuku's desk, looming over it with a glower on his face. "What'd you say?"

Izuku stared up at him blankly before his eyes widened in realization. Wait, what?! Crap, crap, crap! He had said that aloud?! Izuku jolted out of his thoughts when Reiichi punched his desk, his Quirk Brass Knuckles active.

"I asked you a question!"

"S-sorry that was rude of me." Izuku mumbled, absently watching the brass melt away from his knuckles. Now that he was thinking about it, could Reiichi's Quirk involve more than just hardening the carbon of his skin? No. If it had the other teenager would have figured that out already. Oh. Right, this was Reiichi he was dealing with.

Izuku jumped as his desk was punched once more.

"Pay attention you Quirkless moron! Your betters are talking."

"Wait, All Might's here?"

Damn it!

"Do you have a death wish!?" Reiichi screeched, grabbing a fist full of Izuku's uniform and hauling him to his feet.

"N-no," Izuku said, frowning as he reached up to seize Reiichi's wrist, pulling his hand off him, "and don't touch me."

Reichii tried to jerk his arm back, but Izuku kept hold of it. Whispers broke out at that, not that Izuku noticed. He was busy staring at Reichii, something hot, angry, and ugly rearing its head. For one brief moment Izuku thought about how easy it would be to crush the other teen's wrist -

"Midoriya let him go this instant!" The teacher shouted.

Snapping out of his dark thoughts, horrified, Izuku immediately released Rechii's wrist. Around him the class exploded into more murmurs. Izuku ignored everything, trying to control his breathing. What was wrong with him? Why would he think something like that?

"Pft, don't know why I was upset," Reiichi said, giving him a nasty look while rubbing his wrist, "it's just Deku after all."

"What did you call me?" Izuku asked, his attention sharpening as they met each other's eyes once more. Something in his gaze made the bully flinch.

"Midoriya! Sit down at once and stop antagonizing other students!" The teacher shouted.

Izuku blinked and sat down hard, trying not to panic. Why was he getting so angry? Was it because he was finally capable of fighting back? If this kept up how long until he became a bully himself? No. If that was where this was going, then he would stop.

"Everyone, please return to your seats." The teacher said, his voice sounding tired. "Midoriya, we'll be speaking after class about your continued harassment of your classmates."

"Yes sensei." Izuku said, squashing his surge of anger at the injustice.

Yaoyozoru Estate, Nabū, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan...

The Grand Ballroom's stained glass ceiling shimmered from the late afternoon sun. This resulted in shimmering pools of color that stained the ebony walls and floor. Pools that the mansion staffed passed through as they scurried back and forth. They changed from orange, to purple, to red. But not one of them faltered in attending to the countless minutia that an event such as this required.

Yaoyozoru Momo sighed.

After a moment, she resumed pacing the upper gallery of the Grand Ballroom. Around her, more staff moved, placing the pieces of art donated for auction. Her gaze drifted over each piece, indulging in the skill and art but careful not to linger on any one masterpiece. Unless she decided not to attend, this would be her last few moments alone and she did not want to waste that precious time.

As her eyes flickered away from another masterpiece, she considered once more begging off. But, no. This might not be a Yaoyozoru Corporation event, but there were certain facts that left her under an obligation to attend. The biggest reason being that her mother served as Chairwoman on the charity's board of trustees.

"Ah, so this is where I find my daughter."

Startled, Momo turned to her mother, while the staff found something to do on the far end of the upper gallery. "You were looking for me?"

"I was indeed." Her mother said her approach was graceful, confident, and elegant. It was the stride of a Great White shark, if they could walk. Some day Momo would figure out how to move with a similar dangerous grace.

"So," her mother said as she drew closer, stifling a smile, "I'm sorry to interrupt your voyeurism, but we need to talk."

Momo blushed a bit, but frowned. "I'm hardly a voyeur, mother."

"You're right of course," her mother said, no longer holding back her smile, "you're an exhibitionist."

"Mother." Momo sighed.

"Nagisa was kind enough to show me the concept designs you gave for your hero costume."

Momo winced, even though she had nothing to be ashamed of. She had designed her costume with her Quirk in mind and Creation required maximum exposure for optimum results. The fact that it also aligned with her dislike of clothes was nothing but a happy accident.

Of course, she had been aware that her mother could misinterpret such a design. That is why she had gone to her friend Nagisa in an attempt to try and avoid that situation. But clearly, that had been foolish. Their friendship could not overcome the fact that the Shirubakumo family worked for the Yaoyozoru.

"Mother, you know I need to maximize access to as much surface area as I can. If I wore a more traditional costume, it would be constantly damaged, which would force me to waste time and lipids to replace it."

"I'm sure it is dear," her mother said, giving her a dull look, "but you forget I raised you and I know for a fact that you've hated wearing clothes since you were three. I think it's high time you accept this part of yourself."

"Mother!"

"Not that it matters," her mother continued, ignoring her protest, "your designs were rejected due to decency laws."

"What?"

"What did you expect?" Her mother asked. "Even if they had not been rejected for that, we never would have given Nagisa approval. While your father and I have no issue with your personal preferences, the design would have reflected poorly on both your reputation and on the reputation of the company. Not to mention that it would have left you physically vulnerable."

Momo frowned. "I see."

"Darling child," her mother sighed with a fond smile, "you have nothing to fret over. I've told Nagisa to design a costume that is practical for your Quirk, will provide some modicum of physical safety, is legally acceptable, and will appeal to your exhibitionism."

"I am not an exhibitionist or a voyeur." Momo hissed, face completely red.

"As you say dear," her mother said with an airy wave, dismissing her words, "I did not come just to discuss your fetishes anyway."

Momo took a breath and held it before letting it out slowly. She loved her mother, but she could try her patience. Once Momo felt calm enough to continue the conversation, she refocused on her mother.

"Very well mother, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"You will be attending University soon," her mother said, her tone growing serious, "as such your father and I have decided to open the Musutafu Estate early to allow you the next ten months to get used to the city. As part of this, however, you will be required to assume oversight of the Yaoyozoru Foundation's latest Outreach Program."

Momo nodded, unsurprised at the development. Growing up, she had had freedom and space, but there had always been an attached responsibility. In the past it had been obtaining perfect grades or developing her Quirk to an acceptable level. This was just more of the same. Still, to be handed complete control over a company sponsored charity was daunting.

Not that she would let it stop her. She was going to be a hero after all.

"What is the program?"

"The Akira Outreach."

Momo let out a tiny gasp of surprise. The name Akira was infamous, and to name the program after the young child that had lost control of his Quirk and leveled most of Kyoto... "So then the Diet has decided to cut the funding to its outreach program?"

"Yes. Doctor Tarawa's research continues to disprove the Quirk Singularity theory." Her mother said. "If anything, it continues to prove that while more powerful Quirks are developing, each successive generation is far better adapted than the previous ones. As such, the government no longer sees a justification to maintain such a program."

"Still, to be so shortsighted..." Momo said, sighing.

"As I've told you before, governments deal in matters of convenience, not conscience." Her mother said, smile growing wide and sharp. "You can see why we're stepping in, I trust?"

Momo nodded. It was the right thing to do, of course. But it was also a rare instance where it was good business too. By helping those unfortunately rare individuals who did develop difficult to control and potentially unstable Quirks, they created lifelong customers. Even better, by helping them, they ensured their descendants would think favorably of the Yaoyozoru Corporation and become lifelong customers as well.

"I won't disappoint you."

"As if you ever could." Her mother said fondly, before becoming serious once more. "One last thing, tonight many of our allies and rivals will be in attendance, many with sons your age or within years of it. They will insist on introducing you to them. I wish for you to remember that you are no Yen princess and are under no obligation to entertain their efforts. Am I understood?"

"Yes mother."

"Such a dutiful daughter," her mother said with a sigh, "still, while we expect you to marry, and we may introduce you to young men we believe to be suitable matches, we will allow you the space to make your choices."

"Thank you." Momo said, meaning it.

To others, it might seem unfair, and maybe it was. But her position as heir meant she had responsibilities that had to be balanced against her desires. As the sole heir of the Yaoyozoru Corporation, she had an obligation and duty to her company's employees to ensure she took care of her future. After all, being a hero was a dangerous career, even if you only planned on being one for short time.

"Bah, enough of this," her mother said, reaching out to brush Momo's hair behind the ear with a fond smile, "come child, we have a long night ahead of us and many heads to turn."

Sewers, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Yagi Toshinori never thought much about sewer systems.

Why would he? For forty years, Toshinori was an active hero, and there was never a need to think about sewers. If required to describe them, he would use the words cramped, dark, foul smelling, and dank.

But he would never expect fluorescent lights embedded in the tunnel's ceiling. Or for there to be enough space fifty meters beneath the city for ninja turtles to get into sprawling fights and maintain a hidden lair. He also wondered what the giant concrete silos did. They had to be important given their presence every nine to twelve meters.

But mostly, Toshinori wondered what horrific thing he had done in a past life to be there. Burn down an orphanage? Kill a Buddha? Overthrow a government? Make his family take really long, boring road trips to the middle of nowhere? It must be something like that. He could not justify the universe doing what it did to him otherwise.

Seriously. Why did he have to spend the last thirty minutes of his ten hour time limit chasing a petty thief through a sewer?

He should have been at his apartment starting dinner for a beautiful woman. Nothing romantic, Toshinori had enough self-awareness to know better. Without his left lung and half his stomach, his days of romance were over. To mention nothing about the thirty year age difference. Still, is it too much for him to enjoy a nice dinner with a beautiful woman?

Frowning with mounting frustration, Toshinori checked his watch. Almost out of time. Ugh, why did he let someone with a slime Quirk lure him into a sewer? More proof he was getting old. There was a time he would have caught the little nuisance in a matter of seconds. Was this how it was for Sorahiko?

Well, one thing he knew without question. When he caught up with this bastard, Toshinori would deliver such righteous fury on him that even that monster All For One would stare in awe from the deepest pits of Hell.

He had to find the annoyance first.

The acoustics of the sewer tunnel made it hard to track the villain. But he had long years of experience. Still, as he rounded the bend, following the noise, Toshinori grew alarmed as he heard shouting.

"Gotcha kid!"

Fear and shame seized Toshinori's heart as he realized that his mistake and old age had put a child in danger.

In one second, a punch blasted the manhole cover skyward, creating a whirlwind of wind as it did, and Toshinori jumped over fifty meters. He emerged into the underpass amid a howling wind where something wet and green splattered him. Stunned, he still stuck his three-point landing.

As the wind died down, he stood slowly, still trying to process what he saw. At last, he looked away from the slime splattered underpass and to the only other person present. A shocked young man with his fist extended in an obvious punch.

"I-I tried to pull my punch...."

Yaoyozoru Estate, Nabū, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan...

Taking a sip of her fizzy drink, Fubuki stared out at the powerful and beautiful filling the grand ballroom. Trying to ignore the tiny voice whispering how disappointed Kassdora would be with her lack of initiative.

Even if that manipulative bitch had a point.

If this was her usual type of party, Fubuki would have already started seeking out new followers. But this was not her type of party and they were not disenfranchised students. These were politicians, business moguls, heirs, and heiresses.

They were born into a life of wealth and privilege. One that most could not fathom. So she doubted her tactics would work.

That was one of the reasons she hesitated.

Another was that these were the sort of people her sister tended to keep her far away. There had to be more going on if she was exposed to these leeches. But none of her theories made any sense, and after the debacle involving her last school, Fubuki did not want to screw up whatever her sister had planned.

Taking another sip of her drink, Fubuki let out a sharp breath, just as an up swell of excitement filled the room. Seeing the familiar face of Yaoyozoru Momo, Fubuki smirked. Her amusement only grew as a man old enough to a grandfather all but dragged his family to intercept Momo.

It was like watching a pre-teen swarm a J-pop idol. Even better, he was so eager and interested in her that he failed to notice how practiced Momo's smile was. Then, if it was not for Fubuki being able to see her aura, she would not know either. The sheer skill it took to maintain that cheerful, polite expression was impressive.

Hmm, Momo was glancing at her. After a minute or two, she managed to leave the family and start moving again, toward her. Was she going to approach on her own?

Almost immediately someone else waylaid her. A slender young man and Fubuki blinked at the annoyance that flicked through Momo's aura. Humming, Fubuki once more considered approaching the other girl. It would be a great way to establish stronger ties with the other girl. With everyone watching her, she might not be able to get close enough. After all, the Yaoyozoru were wealth and none of these leeches would let some upstart girl near that.

A new aura hovering just behind her interrupted her plans. Letting out another sigh, Fubuki turned to face the brave soul. The newcomer was slightly taller than her, with swept bangs and brown eyes hidden behind stylish glasses. His emerald suit and red tie were clearly tailor made and expensive.

"Excuse me. I just wanted to say that is an exquisite dress and it really brings out your eyes."

"Thank you." Fubuki said, polite but making no effort to hide her disinterest.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to start with such a forward statement. I'm Aoshima Toshiyuki. My friends call me Toshiyuki."

"It's no problem." She responded, taking a sip of her drink. "Is that all Aoshima-san?"

"Ah, let me apologize once more for my rudeness. I just felt that draw, you know? That moment where everything clicks and it was like I knew you forever." Toshiyuki chuckled. "It's silly, I know, but when I saw you, I couldn't stop myself."

Her first instinct was to swat him with her Quirk, but this was not the place for such a tactic. Though her sister would approve. So instead, Fubuki rolled her eyes and swirled the last of her drink. She cast a quick glance in Momo's direction and found her engaged in an intense conversation.

"I get it. It's easy to become a little overwhelmed with all of this but I promise it's nice to have a genuine conver - where are you going?"

"Away." Fubuki responded without slowing her pace as she made for the doors.

As judge Joruji droned on and on, extolling the virtues of his son, Momo stole yet another glance at Fubuki. Momo also knew her glances were being noticed, and that she was not alone in the constant glances. After all, like everyone else, Fubuki had dressed to impress. But unlike everyone else, her interest did not stem from how good Fubuki looked in her evening gown.

No. Her interest came from the fact that despite Fubuki's impassive, cold-eyed expression, she could tell something was bothering her. Had been since she arrived.

Sighing, Momo shifted her attention back to judge Joruji, debating once more the merits of approaching the other girl. The biggest reason she hesitated was that while they were friendly, that did not translate into them being friends and she did not want to overstep boundaries.

Still...

Realizing that there was a lull in conversation, she refocused and gave judge Joruji her best polite smile. "Judge, I have to apologize for being unable to continue this conversation, but it's been an honor to meet you and your family.”

Judge Joruji frowned. "Yes, of course."

She gave him a polite bow, then one to his wife and son before moving on. Around her the crowd shifted, nobody impeding or approaching, but she could sense the gazes lingering on her. She cast another glance at Fubuki and noted her smirk, clearly amused by what she saw -

"Ah, Yaoyozoru-san, I'm glad I caught you.”

Startled at the familiar baritone, Momo paused mid-stride, turning to face them. The slender, athletic young man who owned the voice was a few years older than her. He wore a dark, well-tailored suit, and bore a bright smile. His eyes glinted with something dark and alluring.

She wanted to grimace. Sairou Shinobi, the heir of Sairou Industries, the current Chairman of the Youths For Progress, and the last person she wanted to see right then. Sadly, Momo could not ignore him and she gave him a polite bow while donning her well-practiced smile.

"Sairou-san, I trust you are having a good evening?"

"It's been a wonderful time so far," Sairou said, taking a sip of his drink as his eyes darted briefly to her breasts, "but then I suppose that's to be expected from a Yaoyozoru family event."

"I'm glad to hear it." Momo said, struggling to maintain her mask of polite obliviousness. "So, you wished to speak with me?"

"I do." He confirmed, his gaze dropping to her breasts once more. "Sadly, it's a boring matter. It seems you declined our invitation to the rally we're holding this weekend, and it ruffled enough feathers that I was compelled to talk to you about it."

Momo held back her sigh as he looked at her cleavage yet again, but was unable to help but roll her eyes. Part of her wanted to ask if he was afraid that her breasts had magically wandered off since the last time he looked. Instead, she settled on focusing on the conversation. "I did not expect my lack of attendance to upset anyone."

"No, no, nobody's upset," Sairou said with a lazy shrug, "just concerned."

"I see."

"So? Are you sure you won't attend? Hanabata Kōkū's secretary just confirmed that he's going to speak."

Momo hummed, taking sip of her own drink, trying to buy herself time to think. A chance to speak with the leader of the Hearts and Mind Party would be a rare opportunity. Even if all she did was hear him speak it could be well worth the time. But she was wary of attending, she did not want to give the appearance of joining... still, it was one weekend.

"I suppose I could attend." Momo said at last, as motion on the far side of the room caught her attention.

Her eyes widened as he saw Fubuki walking out of the room, and smirked as she saw the annoyed looking Aoshima she left behind. It warmed Momo's heart to see that conceited playboy so rejected. It also occurred to her that this was the perfect chance to speak with Fubuki. Though she would have to hurry to catch up, and be a bit rude to the other guests.

She turned back to Sairou, who was looking equally amused at the fuming would be playboy Aoshima. "If you'll excuse me? A sudden obligation has made itself apparent."

"Of course." Sairou said, inclining his head even as she was already threading her way through the hall. Thankfully nobody was boorish enough to interfere with her as it was clear she was attending to something.

Stepping out of the grand ballroom and into the side corridor revealed an empty hall save for a few of her family's private security. She considered asking them but decided against it as there was only one way Fubuki could go from this hall. Nodding politely to the guards, she moved to the stairs and ascended to the upper gallery.

Unlike before the party, the upper gallery was filled with groups. All of them drifting from classic paintings to beautiful tapestries and wall screens, to glass cases containing priceless pieces of art and history. But no sign of Fubuki. This meant that there was only one place the other girl could have gone, the upper veranda. Though Momo had to wonder how Fubuki knew about it.

Either way she started moving that way, only to falter as her eyes caught sight of a painting.

Momo knew all of the paintings her family had, but this one was new. It took up an entire wall and depicted a devastated, mostly flooded landscape. In the background against a dark, starless sky, were broken cities. In the foreground, a sobbing woman dressed in the tattered remains of a hero costume struggling to not be consumed by the raging flood.

Even as her eyes flickered to the attached plate, Momo knew what this was a painting of.

The Deluge of Kyushu.

Twelve years after the first super-hero, Atlas, went public in America the first confirmed Aberrant Being appeared. It arrived in the dead of night in Southern Kyushu with mega-tsunamis in its wake. By the time it returned to the sea, it had killed one point six million people. A number that included most of the Sentai Elite, Japan's first Hero Team. By all accounts it was still the largest, most deadly Aberrant ever encountered, earning it the name Leviathan.

But the horror had not ended there, for among the destruction and death it had left a solitaire survivor. Black Kaze, one of the more beloved members of the Sentai Elite. A woman who the public all but lynched for daring to survive while all others perished. Kaze snapped under the trauma and guilt, starting a decade-long murder spree. One that ended only when the hero Fuji confronted the Mad Butcher of Kyushu, and put her down.

Shaking her head, Momo turned away from the painting and continued walking. At the far end of the upper gallery, Momo stepped into a semi-hidden alcove and went up a short set of stairs to a higher balcony. She emerged into a small space with a single glass door and stopped, studying Fubuki.

The other girl stood quietly near the balustrade, attention on the gardens below. After a moment, Momo opened the door and started onto the balcony, only to pause as Fubuki spoke.

"Good evening Momo-san."

Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

All Might's first instinct was the reassure the teenager who had just been attacked. Anything less than this type of damage would be a waste of energy against a liquid type heteromorph Quirk.

But he hesitated because he had no clue if the teenager knew that. Had the young man defaulted to using what would count as lethal force against anyone else? Was his plea of 'I tried to pull the punch' just an attempt to salvage a claim of self-defense? It would not be the first time.

"I-I promise I tried but he exploded anyway and-and...ohgodsohgodsohgodsohgods....I promise I thought he was an Aberrant Being I would never try to-to-to..."

Hearing the terror and panic in the boy’s voice jolted All Might out of his hesitation.

"It's alright!" All Might boomed and with one stride placed a gentle hand on the teenagers shoulder, giving him a smile. "Why? Because I am here!"

The young man blinked, and then stared with wide eyes, only now really realizing who was there. "ALL MIGHT!?!"

"Indeed!" All Might said, squeezing his shoulder in reassurance. "Rest easy young citizen. The villain is still alive, though no doubt he will be nursing a headache like you can't imagine once he manages to pull himself back together."

"R-really?" The teen asked, and then gasped. "Oh! H-he has a fluid type mutant Quirk doesn't he?"

"Oh? And what makes you think that?" All Might asked with a reassuring laugh. If the boy knew Quirks then this was perfect. He needed to keep the boy talking, to stop him from spiraling further into a panic attack.

"W-well, his body is obviously some kind of liquid, similar in appearance to slime and he could move with unsupported motion. Plus he launched a wave of sludge at me hard enough to shatter the street and immediately recalled it. Both of which means that his body has elastic properties to help restore the shape after it is deformed by the contraction of muscles. That means he has a hydrostatic skeleton and only fluid type mutant Quirks can result in such a unique human skeletal system."

"Ho, you do know your stuff."

"That hurt..." a voice slurred.

All Might paused, frowning. Right, he still had to deal with that.

"One moment!" All Might announced to the startled teenager before he retrieved an empty two-liter soda bottle. A few seconds later he was standing once more in front of the shocked teenager, holding a bottle full of angry sludge. "Now as I was saying, you know your stuff and I must apologies for getting you caught up in my villain hunt. Mistakes like that aren’t my style but this is a strange area to me."

"O-of cour....wait!" The teenager yelped before producing a notebook and pen from seemingly nowhere. "I NEED YOUR AUTOGRAPH PLEASE!"

"Ah, of course! I'd be happy to give you my signature!" All Might said, signing his name with a flourish before handing the notebook back. "Now Young..."

"M-Midoriya Izuku." The boy squeaked clutching the notebook to his chest the same way a devotee to a god might handwritten holy text.

"Young Midoriya. I have to say it was very brave that you fought back and I commend you for trying to adjust your response when you realized you were facing a person and not a monster. But you are unlicensed and untrained, so going forward, you must be more cautious with a Quirk such as yours -"

"B-but I don't have a Quirk!"

Midoriya promptly slapped his hands over his mouth, eyes wide and paling.

All Might knew that expression. He had seen it quite often over his long career. That was the 'Oh Gods! Did I really just cut my hero off?!' look. Most of the time he found it amusing, but this time he ignored it. Instead he stared at the young man for a long, quiet moment before he deliberately looked pointedly at the bottle of soda now holding an inert sludge villain. Then he slowly returned his gazed to the sheepish teen before him and raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"I-I, that is, well, I've being doing Caped Baldy's workout." Midoriya blurted looking down as he nervously rubbed at his arm. Then he looked back up, his green eyes almost seemed to glow even as a great, solid presence settled over the area. Gone was the timid, nervous boy, in his place... "I know I'm Quirkless but I've been training to become a hero for two years and I'm going to do it! I'm going to be as strong as you and protect everyone with a smile."

A beat.

Then Midoriya collapsed into a blushing, stammering mess of apologies. But for a moment, just a moment, Toshinori got a glimpse of something. Something powerful. A man with convictions as firm and steady as bedrock. Toshinori smiled, wondering if this was what it was like when Nana saw him.

But it also struck him just how young Midoriya was. Sixteen or seventeen? Painfully young. Those wide, green eyes are so bright and full of life. But Toshinori could also see the darkness shading them, tainting a brilliant light. Like Midoriya, he had grown up Quirkless, and it had been hard. But things were even harder now, the Quirkless were even rarer in Midoriya's generation.

Toshinori's hands clenched into fists thinking about some of the incidents he had heard of and witnessed in the last two decades. Young broken bodies on bloody, cold pavement from Quirk Chasing. Of small, still bodies in bathtubs because families could not bear the shame of having an unripe plum.

"All Might?"

Toshinori snapped out of his dark thoughts and noticed the worry lines between the young man’s eyebrows. "Haha, sorry Young Midoriya, I was lost in thought."

The boys face smoothed out at that, his posture relaxing.

"Ha, so then, I guess I'll have to pay up next time I see Bang! It's a good thing he's so fond of Ise ebi soup!" Toshinori said, hiding his thoughts behind a smile.

"Bang?" Midoriya asked, his eyes widened. "Wait! You mean Silver Fang?! The Former Number 3 Hero? One of the greatest masters of the martial arts world? The only person to ever win The Number One Under Heaven Martial Arts Gathering, the World Warrior Tournament, and the King of Fighters Tournament all in the same year?! Did he really take down both Hidan and Carnage from the House of Red without back up during that raid two years ago?"

"Ho, you really are a fan boy! He is an old friend and -" but he cut himself off as his watch beeped. "Ah, unfortunately I'm running short on time."

Midoriya's expression flickered to disappointment, and Toshinori hesitated. He could not leave it like this. Physically the boy might be one of the strongest beings on the planet, but emotionally it was a different story. Midoriya had spent at least a decade dealing with his Quirklessness. The kind of mental and emotional scars that inflicted...it would far too easy for even the kindest person to slip into darkness.

"I would like to speak again soon, if you don't mind."

"Y-yes..." Izuku gasped, disappointment morphing into excitement once more. "Anytime!"

"This weekend then, Saturday morning at six, at the Takoba Municipal Beach Park!"

"Y-yes! I'll be there!" Izuku shouted, overjoyed and bowing repeatedly.

"I'll see you then!" All Might said and then with one last booming laugh, rocketed away. "And remember, with great power comes great responsibility!"

Yaoyozoru Estate, Nabū, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan...

"I had no idea aura was so distinctive." Momo said as she moved to join the other girl.

"You'd be surprised," Fubuki said smirking as she turned to face Momo, "a bio-electrical field is made up of various cells and organs sending electrical signals. The two most concentrated sources of this are the brain and heart."

"Ah, and everyone's heart has its own distinctive beat." Momo said as she joined Fubuki at the balustrade.

Fubuki lifted her drink in acknowledgement. "A person's aura fluctuates, like tiny pulses of light, but once I learn that pattern, it's easy enough to notice."

"I have to admit, your Quirk is perhaps one of the most versatile ones I've ever heard of." Momo said, smiling a bit. "So, are you enjoying the party?"

"I am." Fubuki said, turning her attention back to the grounds. "Your home is very lovely."

"Thank you."

For a moment there was companionable silence.

Momo let her gaze wander the garden below and its milling guests. Now that she was here, Momo had little idea of what to say next. Unlike with Izuku they lacked that instant, comfortable connection. As the silence stretched on and started to grow awkward, Momo chewed her lip. She needed to say something, but what? Ah!

"I should have realized the Tornado of Terror was your sister."

"Oh?"

Momo leaned away from the other girl out of instinct. Fubuki's voice had been flat, but the chill in it had been unmistakable. Had she had insulted? No. But she had touched on a sensitive topic. It would probably be best to let the topic go, or maybe she should apologize first?

"How so?"

Momo tensed slightly, studying the other girl. Fubuki stared at her with that flat gaze and Momo steeled herself. "You favor each other strongly. I'm amazed it took seeing you side by side for me to realize it."

"Do we really look that similar?" Fubuki asked, a faint frown appearing.

"Your facial features are quite similar." Momo said, trying to figure out how to change topics. "Plus, you share similar body language, which I now know is why you seemed familiar when we first met."

"I see."

Silence settled over them once more, and Momo thought about leaving it there. She looking down at her hands for a moment then shook her head. No.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to cause you unease."

Fubuki stared at her for a moment, eyes unreadable. Then she sighed and looked away. "It's fine. My sister and I have a complicated history."

"Still, I'm sorry."

Fubuki gave a small, stiff nod of her head, and silence settled once more. At least for a minute and then Fubuki broke it. "I saw you talking with someone before I left. It seemed serious. If you don't mind me prying, what were you talking about?"

Momo hesitated and glanced away, debating on what to say. It was instinctive for her to talk around the topic. Many people their age were disinterested in politics. Even more were dismissive of her progressive leanings. But this was a sign that Fubuki was at least willing to talk with her. "Sairou-san was inviting me to a rally for the Youth's For Progress."

"Youth's For Progress?"

Momo hummed, pleased to hear the curiosity in the other girl's voice. "They're a political group for young voters affiliated with the Hearts and Mind Party. Instead of campaigning for the party, they focus on recruiting new members and getting them engaged with the ideas. They've built a fairly strong network of young people who believe in a brighter future for Japan."

Fubuki pursed her lips and studied her for a second. "What exactly does that brighter future entail?"

Momo felt a thrill. Fubuki was interested!

"Repealing and reforming laws," Momo said, voice tinged with excitement, "for example, I'm sure you're familiar with the 'Sure law', but have you heard of the 'mutant law'?"

Fubuki arched an eyebrow, frowning. "The what law?"

"Article two-zero-eight, clause three of the penal code." Momo said, tone hardening. "The use of a Quirk in the commission of any crime shall be deemed a threat to the safety of the general public, and will be subject to immediate and indefinite imprisonment along with a fine of not more than one million yen."

"Are you trying to tell me that if I had a mutant Quirk and jaywalked it would be enough for me to instantly be declared a villain and all due process thrown out the window?"

"Yes."

"I see." Fubuki said, her eyes flashing with blue-green light. "A 'mutant law' indeed."

Momo nodded.

"Something tells me I wouldn't like the other laws."

"No, you wouldn't." Momo said, her expression growing serious. "Each one is highly restrictive and designed to suppress Quirks, all in the name of public safety. Perhaps in the dark ages when they were written, those laws did just that, but not now. Now all they do is give the illusion of security and safety, while stripping away our freedoms and erasing a part of our identity."

"So, if the Youths for Progress support repealing or revising these laws, why aren't you a member?"

Momo sighed. "Two reasons. First is because, unlike me, the majority of the members don't want to revise any of the laws. They simply want to abolish them, and while I can support removing a great many, not all need to be abolished. We can revise some and make them work for society. Second, and more concerning, they place all of their energy and effort on ensuring the Hearts and Party gains a majority. Anything that doesn't support that or advance their cause is considered either a waste of time or helping to support a rotten system."

Fubuki nodded, but frowned, looking momentarily conflicted. Then her expression smoothed out and Momo wondered what she was thinking. Was this reminding Fubuki of something in her past? Momo hesitated, wanting to ask but uncertain if she should, only for Fubuki's phone to start ringing.

♫You put up walls but I can break 'em, break 'em, I just wanna scream out loud, Nothing's gonna stop me now, I know who I'm meant to be, Never gonna slow me down♫

"Excuse me." Fubuki said, pulling her phone from her clutch purse and answering. "Izuku?"

Momo blinked, curious as to why he would be calling and surreptitiously leaning forward. All she heard was his muffled voice, so quiet that Momo could not make any of the words out, but he was talking fast. Which alone did not make her worry, he only talked fast when he was excited about something and the odds of him getting into another dangerous situation...

"What do you mean you attacked by a villain?"

"He was what?!" Momo yelped, eyes widening and a chill sweeping down her back.

Fubuki nodded, giving her a dull look, even as she put Izuku on speaker. "You heard her Izuku, start from the beginning."

"I-I , uhm, I was walking home from school and this sludge villain jumped out at me from the sewer, I thought it was an Aberrant at first and I started to punch, but then I realized it was a person so I tried to pull my punch, but he exploded anyway from the wind pressure!"

"You exploded someone?" Momo asked, paling even as her mind start racing on which family lawyer to get for his defense. Clearly this was a case of self-defense, so it'd probably be best to get -

"I did!" Izuku chirped happily, derailing her thoughts. Deep breath. It was fine. They could argue temporary insanity. "But it's ok, he had a fluid mutant Quirk so he'll just pull himself back together." Izuku continued as if he had not avoided killing someone by a fluke. "Anyway, then All Might showed up -"

"All Might?" Fubuki asked, her expression shifting to something that might be disbelief. "You met All Might?"

"Yeah! He was awesome and he signed my notebook and-"

"Izuku, focus." Fubuki snapped, silencing the boy for a moment.

"S-sorry, anyway, uh, so he showed up right after and talked me down from freaking about exploding him and then he scooped the villain up as he was reforming and we talked for a bit about being more cautious and then he had to leave, but he said we needed to talk more and agreed to met up Saturday at Takoba beach!"

When Izuku stopped talking, silence settled over them. For a long moment Momo stared at the phone and then slowly, she looked up to meet Fubuki's gaze. It comforted her to know that they were both equally stunned.

After another moment, Fubuki spoke.

"I see. Thank you for calling to tell us Izuku. We have to get back to the charity event, but I'm sure we'll be calling back as soon as it’s over, to talk about everything."

"Ok!" Izuku chirped and hung up.

Silence.

"What just happened?"

"Izuku just got a private meeting with All Might."

"W-well, yes," Momo said, blinking, "but....I mean...sorry, it’s just amazing..."

"I know." Fubuki agreed, and then chuckled. "His head didn't explode after all."

Chapter Text

April 12th, 2181
Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Izuku was fairly vibrating in his seat as his bus grew ever closer to its destination. He kept glancing out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of his final destination. Why was the bus so slow? No, it was fine. Three years on a stone, after all. The important thing was that when he got there, he would get to see All Might! 

He might have squealed just a tiny bit. Maybe. 

Not that anyone on public transportation would notice if he did, right? Especially this early in the morning. The only other people on the bus beside him and the driver were a couple of barely awake office workers and a hobo with long, shaggy dark hair, wearing a baggy black outfit and a voluminous grey-white scarf. Though something about that hobo seemed familiar. 

Sneaking a second look at the shaggy-haired man, Izuku frowned. Did he know him from somewhere? Or had he seen him before? Was he stalking Izuku or...maybe Izuku was stalking him. Was that it? Could he have become a stalker and not realized it?! 

Fortunately, his musings about the mystery hobo and stalking came to an end as the bus came to a skidding halt, signaling the end of his trip. Eagerly Izuku bound to his feet and hurried off the bus. Only to freeze as his shoes hit the sidewalk and he saw the beach that awaited him. 

Behind him, the bus was already speeding away, but his attention was on what lay before him. Eyes watering he checked to ensure that he was in the right spot. Yes, this was Takoba Municipal Beach Park. Then the breeze shifted and he gagged from the stench wafting from the garbage dump. It was only then, confronted with the truth, that Izuku realized why there had been something familiar about that name. 

Takoba Municipal Beach Park was the official name, but not the name people who lived in Musutafu called it. 

"Why here?" Izuku murmured, staring at the mountains of trash that stretched along the Dagobah shoreline for as long as the eye could see. All Might must have already had plans for the place, something that had not originally involved Izuku. Then he gasped in realization. All Might had been in the area long enough to learn about this place and had decided to clean it up! 

Just when he thought All Might could not get more amazing! 

Izuku all but sped his way down to the concourse of trash in search of All Might. Between gagging from the stench, he marveled at some of the items sitting abandoned in the mountains - seriously, how did an eighteen-wheeler and its trailer get mixed up in all this? 

"Young Midoriya! Welcome to Takoba Municipal Beach Park."

Jerking at the sudden yell, Izuku began frantically looking around before spotting All Might standing in an intersection of trash pillars, hands on his hips, grinning. How Izuku had missed a two-hundred-and-two-meter-tall man, he had no idea. Still, Izuku returned the smile, even as his nerves reappeared.

"G-good morning." 

"You found the place alright?" All Might asked, then frowned. "Hmm, is there something wrong?" 

"N-no, well, it's just, I didn't realize you meant Dagobah." Izuku said tone sheepish while scratching his cheek. 

"Dagobah?" 

"It's a nickname," Izuku murmured, pulling his shirt up over his nose as the wind shifted, "because of how much trash is here, and the smell and just...nobody wants to come here. So people started calling it Dagobah, like that swamp planet in those really old movies."  

"Ah," All Might said, with a bemused look, "that makes sense."

A beat. 

"S-so, All Might sir, uh, can I ask...that is..."

"Why did I want to meet here?" All Might asked, and at his nod, sighed. "I'm sure you are aware that U.A. is my alma mater, and as you could probably guess I have some fond memories of this beach. So once I came back and realized the state it's fallen into, I decided to do something."

"Ah!" Izuku gasped, smacking his fist into his hand. 

"Hopefully my actions here today will also make it so that others cannot ignore this situation. This place has been left to rot like this for who knows how many years, not just by the city and the people who live here, but by the heroes as well!"  All Might said, scowling as he looked around him. "The young crop of heroes these days has become obsessed with flashiness. But the hero game ought to be a labor of love. Call it 'plain' all you like, but I won't let the fundamentals get fuzzy. I plan on resuscitating this place's horizon!" 

Izuku looked down, both awed and a bit ashamed. How often had he wondered why nobody bothered cleaning this place up? Why had he never thought to try on his own? 

"Young Midoriya," All Might said, his expression growing serious. It sent a chill down Izuku's back and made him even more nervous if such a thing were possible, "when we first met, you said that you were going to become as strong as me and protect everyone with a smile. The conviction with which you said that struck me, so I know this goal is a deeply held belief. So I must ask young man, why?" 

"W-why?" Izuku asked, blinking. 

"Yes." 

Izuku started to say something, stopped, and then frowned. It had been his goal for so long that putting it into words seemed impossible. But this was All Might asking and Izuku would die before he disappointed the man. Licking his lips, Izuku hesitated for a bit more, before answering. 

"I-I, don't have a Quirk." 

Toshinori could hear the hurt and shame in the young man's voice at those words. He could remember how it felt to admit it to Nana all those decades ago when he had been an unwanted Quirkless child. When the only thing sustaining him was a tattered dream of a better tomorrow. Watching as Midoriya gathered himself Toshinori knew that admitting it once more to his idol had cost him something. 

Still, the young man continued, voice shaky but resolved all the same.

"I've always been picked on...that's why...maybe that's why...I think saving people is just about the coolest thing someone can do! B-but it's more...the world's not fair...and even before I found out I was...my earliest memories are of watching your debut video and wanting to help...that's why I want to be like you. I want to save people with that fearless smile! I want to be just like you."

As he finished speaking, Toshinori was reminded yet again just how young Midoriya was. Remembered when it had been him who said something similar. Not those exact words of course. No. 

Back then, Toshinori had spoken of becoming a symbol. 

He had told Nana how the world was sick and slowly dying. How every day more and more lost hope that things would get better. How there were heroes, but too many were corrupt, apathetic, or just plain greedy. Back then, it seemed that only Toshinori had dared to dream. He had told her how the world needed a pillar. Something so utterly incorruptible, so vast and powerful that it became more than just a hero. More than just the legends of the early heroes like Atlas. The world needed a Symbol of Peace. 

In his less cynical moments, he thought he might have come close to that dream. 

Eventually, he realized that Izuku was starting to fidget and that the silence had grown a touch awkward. Under normal circumstances he would cough, or laugh, to try and defuse the tension. But not this time, because that's not what needed to be done. 

"Thank you, Young Midoriya, for being so honest." All Might said, “I can tell you have a heroic heart, and I have no doubt you'll be a great hero. So in return, let me tell you the truth of my smile. It is not nearly as fearless as you think, because the reality of being a hero is that for every person we save or help, there are others we fail. Sometimes we are too late, or there is simply nothing we can do. I smile because it's more than the lives I'm trying to save. It's hope." 

Midoriya looked stricken, and Toshinori hated that, but he had to be honest.  

"And I want you to remember this," Toshinori continued, reaching out to place his hand gently on the young man's head, "you can be the strongest man in the universe, but unless you have the heart you'll never be anything more than a pretender." 

Midoriya nodded, furiously wiping at his eyes. "I-I promise, I'll remember." 

"Good." All Might said. "Now come along, Young Midoriya, we have a beach to clean!" 

"Y-yes!" 

Aichi Arena, Meijo Park, Kita Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan...

"I want to thank you for allowing me to share this wonderful day with you. Your courage and ideals exemplify what the Hearts and Minds Party wants for our nation. I also want to thank Shinobi-san and the Youth for Progress leadership for arranging this and for all their hard work. The talent and dedication they possess is truly praiseworthy and they have earned the eternal gratitude of future generations."

Representative Kokau Hanabata looked like a respectable politician. He wore a plain, but well-tailored, black business suit with a crisp white shirt and black tie. His long black hair, thin eyebrows, and mustache were all carefully styled. His angular nose lent him an air of nobility. Though his glasses with their tinted purple lenses detracted a bit from it. 

His words were steady and crisp, enunciated with a Yamanote accent. But something about his voice was odd. There almost seemed to be a buzz to it. 

"This is our largest rally yet, and I'm proud to announce that the Hearts and Minds Party took forty seats in the recent elections. Forty! Out of two hundred and forty-eight. While we have not yet reached our ultimate goal, we have made significant strides forward. Standing here before you today fills me with humility, knowing that you have bestowed upon us your faith and trust to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors." 

The more she listened, the more Momo thought she detected a faint Shitamachi accent as well. Perhaps he had trained himself to suppress his original accent? Yes, he must have. No doubt he was trying to play into the stereotype that those with a Yamanote were better educated. 

"Two centuries ago, a miraculous child was born, their brilliance illuminating the future. Of course, the world refused to accept that shining beacon, plunging us into an era of chaos and suffering that lasted for sixty years. Across the globe, as well as within our homeland, the gifted were hunted down and oppressed. Their remarkable talents subjected them to systematic repression that threatened to choke the world! Even when the Allied Nations rose in 2039 to restore peace, it was only in Japan and the United States that our humanity was recognized."

Hearing this part of history always stirred her anger. To think anyone could be so blind and prejudiced. Yet even in her anger, she remained proud to know that her country was one of the first to recognize their error. 

Momo glanced at her companion, wondering what Fubuki thought. It was hard to tell given Fubuki's natural impassive expression. Still, Momo could read micro-expressions well enough to tell that she approved of Representative Hanabata so far. 

"We've achieved remarkable feats since those dark days when our ancestors faced eternal servitude, unspeakable torture, and even extermination. Our factories have revolutionized industries. Our artists, architects, and engineers have inspired the globe with transcendent works of beauty. Our inventors, scientists, doctors, and researchers have improved the lives of billions and billions all around the world. We are the heirs of those visionaries' magnificent legacy. We are the descendants of the most exceptional and gifted individuals to ever walk this Earth!"

Momo nodded in agreement, appreciating the subtle shading and emphasis on his words. It was clear there was an added message, an unspoken thought. That they were all the future and better than what came before. Representative Hanabata knew how to deliver a message. 

Momo did worry that some would take the unspoken truth out of context though. Yes, he had been a bit too vague in his wording. It would be too easy for some to give it a Quirk-dominant message that he did not intend. 

Not anyone at this rally of course, but people often twisted words to suit their own narrative. 

"Yet, despite our remarkable progress, we find ourselves still far from realizing our true potential. I have had the privilege of hearing many of your stories, of understanding the challenges you face. In moments when hope seems to waver and doubt begins to cast its shadow, your resilience, and unwavering determination inspire me. You instill within me a renewed hope for our collective future—a future where our extraordinary gifts will flourish unhindered, unshackled by the constraints imposed upon us by those who lack our vision. A future where we are no longer hampered by the shackles of prejudice. A future where, one day, we will be judged only by our magnificent merits and not the institutionalized inequality that plagues us today!" 

Representative Hanabata's voice thundered through the arena and the audience cheered. As did Momo. This was a man who shared her vision, no doubt. 

Eager, she glanced at Fubuki once more. Their friendship was still new, so it was hard to be sure. But Fubuki seemed to share her social views.  

The other girl had a slight tilt to her head, which Momo had learned meant she was thinking. Seeing that made Momo hopeful. 

"While that future may not be upon us yet, rest assured it is within our grasp. I refuse to surrender, just as I know that each and every one of you will continue to fight. Our great nation may still adhere to laws that isolate us, denying us the full embrace of our gifts. But we will not stop, even if those in power fear our potential. Their fear drives them to tighten their grip and enact legislation that binds and blinds us."

The arena rumbled with the protest at the injustice he alluded to. Momo braced, silent in her seat, wondering what he was about to reveal. It had been too clear of a segue to something and she knew he was too gifted a speaker for it not to be intentional. 

"We witness this very phenomenon in the latest revisions approved by our esteemed Diet regarding the Organized Crime Group Countermeasures Law. On the surface, these revisions may appear to empower law enforcement to combat criminals and prevent future crimes. However, beneath the veneer lies a disconcerting truth. These revisions are continuing an alarming trend. Not only do these revisions strengthen the control that the government can exert, not only do they insulate certain enforcement actions from meaningful oversight, but they broaden the scope of those they can deem criminals. They move ever closer to deeming even the most innocent use of a Quirk as proof of our guilt as criminals and terrorists."

The arena rumbled even more in protest. 

Momo stared, sickened to realize how much worse things had become. To think the government could go so far in pursuit of power and control. To think only those present were able to see or realize the danger they were all in. 

She glanced at her companion and discovered that Fubuki's eyes were flaring blue-green from her psychokinesis. It reassured Momo to know that she was as upset as the night at the party when she first heard about the 'Mutant' law. 

"Our government treats our cherished constitution and laws as inconvenient obstacles rather than essential tools. The time has come for our government to elevate the unity of our nation without hesitation. It is the duty of the government to safeguard the well-being of our citizens, including every exceptional individual among us. The current behavior of our government, characterized by division, persecution, and belittlement, is utterly unacceptable!" 

The crowd roared in agreement. 

"Therefore, I pledge to you today that the Hearts and Minds Party remains resolute in our unwavering pursuit of our shared dream. We will take every necessary measure to ensure that the government upholds the principles enshrined within our constitution, binding the will of its citizens to the authority of true leadership. We shall not allow the concept of equality before the law to be misused, nor shall we tolerate those who seek to circumvent or compromise the very foundation of our nation's freedom based on democratic principles."

The crowd exploded to its feet in cheers, roaring support.

"Together, you and I, and all of us, have the power to secure a brighter future! Until all of our Hearts and Minds are joined, we won't stop!" 

The arena went wild, and this time, even Fubuki cheered.

"Would the two of you come this way, please?" 

Fubuki, who had already been in the process of standing up, paused. The man who had approached them was one of many, all of them bearing the same non-descript appearance and wearing the same basic black suit along with earpieces. His aura also radiated his being tense and alert. Some kind of security, but why he was addressing them left her uncertain. 

"Of course." Momo said, standing as well. She spoke and looked every inch the heiress to one of the wealthiest families in the world. "Please, lead the way." 

As if awaiting her command the rest of the security team closed ranks around them, screening them from the surrounding crowd. 

Fubuki silently walked beside her, watching her for any sign of trouble. But Momo remained outwardly calm and even her aura remained steady. Which meant this was something that she had arranged in advance. 

Interesting. 

The two of them were escorted through the thinning crowd and out a side door. Where more dark-suited security surrounded a sleek black limousine with heavily tinted windows. So too was the uniformed driver, a young woman only a few years older than them, with short black hair and brown-gold eyes. At their approach, the woman opened the door for them. 

Momo gave the driver a polite nod before sliding into the dark interior, every inch the heiress. Fubuki wasted no time in settling into the luxurious interior as well. It was not the first time Fubuki had been in a limo, but it was the first one where the interior held such opulence. Impressed but careful not to show it, Fubuki glanced at her friend who seemed all poise and beauty. 

A few seconds later the limo was pulling out into traffic. 

"So," Fubuki said, at last breaking the silence, "can I ask where we're going?" 

"Ah, I apologize." Momo said, and suddenly her image of a confident heiress was gone, replaced by a sheepish young woman. "I wished to speak with Representative Hanabata, so I reached out to his aide to arrange a private meeting." 

"I see." Fubuki said, unsurprised. The Yaoyozoru Corporation represented almost ten percent of the Japanese economy. So if the Yaoyozoru Heiress wanted a private meeting with him, then she got a private meeting. Though it did raise the question of why Momo had bothered with the Youths for Progress and the rally itself. At least until she remembered that Momo was too polite to drag a politician away from his duties just to speak with her. 

"Again, I apologize for my assumption that you would like to accompany me." Momo said, earnestly. "I can have the car drop you off at the train station if you wish or I can arrange for it to drive you home once it drops me off." 

"Oh please, you're acting like I'm upset." Fubuki said, smirking. 

"You're not?" Momo asked, hopeful. 

"Of course not," Fubuki said, waving a hand, "after all how could I pass up the chance to see a Representative squirm?" 

"Ah, yes, still I am sorry." Momo said, relaxing. 

Fubuki nodded and leaned back, relishing the comfort, and tried to silence the incessant voice of Kassadora. But it was hard to ignore the imagined whispers urging her to consider how best to capitalize on this opportunity. Fubuki's grip tightened on the plush leather armrest, angry that despite her best efforts, she still heard the manipulative bitch. 

The worst part was that Fubuki knew the other girl would have a point. Momo was lonely, that's why she latched onto Izuku and her so fast. It would be easy to use that loneliness. Fubuki had done it in the past with others. But she knew that trying to take advantage of the heiress' friendship would lead to ruin. 

Plus Izuku's look of disappointment would be too hard to deal with. 

As she gazed out the tinted windows at the passing scenery, Fubuki almost snorted. When she met Izuku at that train station, she had not thought much of him. A strange, nervous, shy muttering boy. How funny that his imagined disappointed gaze was now a strong enough motivator to keep her from straying from her rediscovered dream of being a hero. 

Huffing she tried to turn her mind from Izuku and Kassadora by focusing on the speech she had just heard instead. 

Representative Hanabata had been well-spoken and passionate. Yet something about his words bothered her. She had peeked at his aura during the speech, but it had been unhelpful since she was not familiar with him. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that there was something beneath his words. 

But what? 

He said all the right things and even seemed to believe what he was saying. At least as best she could tell. So what was it that was bothering her? Lifting her hand she began letting the blue-green energy of psychokinesis flicker over her fingers.  She watched the flowing energy, letting her mind relax, knowing that it would come to her in time. 

He had addressed everything wrong with society as it stood, or at least he had done so indirectly. He had spoken so passionately about societal change and equality. So what was it that was bothering her? Her fingers stilled, the energy of her Quirk winking out, as she realized the problem.

Fubuki's gaze shifted to Momo and wondered if she had noticed the same unsettling tone of the speech. But before she could ask her phone began to vibrate in her purse. Seeing Momo now had her phone out, Fubuki retrieved her own. 

Unlocking it, Fubuki arched an eyebrow at the notifications awaiting her. How curious. Her social media served as a way to keep track of her sister Tatsumaki and other notable Pro-Heroes. But after the incident with the Aberrant Beings and the Slime Villian, she had added a new hashtag to try and keep track of Izuku. 

Clicking on the notification took her to Instapic and a picture of Izuku and All Might. The pair was surrounded by mountains of trash marring what looked like the shoreline of a beach. Both of them were hefting junked cars, sharing a laugh. Judging by Izuku's open expression, whoever had taken the picture had gone unnoticed. 

Beneath the photo was a string of hashtags: #SavingTheDay #BeachCleanup #HeroesOfTheEnvironment #TogetherWeCanMakeADifference #ALLMIGHT, #CleaningupDagabah, #MiniMight #Musutafu

Fubuki felt a surge of satisfaction. This was all the vindication she required to know that she made the right choice that day at the train station. It was also just pleasant to see Izuku looking so happy. 

Fubuki followed the hashtags to more pictures. Another showed All Might and Izuku as they stood side by side, talking. Behind them more of the beach was cleared, the blue water sparkling in the background. Another picture showed All Might demonstrating something to Izuku using a massive piece of junk. Another picture showed the pair talking again, Izuku's focus was intense, absorbing whatever his idol was telling him. 

Fubuki smirked. The noises of surprise and dismay Izuku would make when she showed him these pictures would be utterly delicious. As she scrolled through more pictures, she wondered which one would be best to start with. Maybe this one where Izuku looked like a stunned fish when other Pro-Heroes and civilians started showing up to help the pair?

"Oh my." Momo gasped, drawing out the syllables as she did. 

Fubuki's smirk grew at that and glanced up. "Hmm?"

"N-nothing," Momo said, eyes widening and face flushing, "just something on Instapic." 

"Mhmm," Fubuki said, nodding as she continued to flick through more photos linked to the tags. She debated on if she should tease Momo or not. She had in the past, but Izuku had been part of it. But the other girl wanted to be friends, so... "You saw the one where he's wiping his face with his shirt, didn't you?" 

Momo made a tiny squeak of dismay and flinched. Oh, that noise warmed the cockles of Fubuki's heart. 

"It's a shame he doesn't have any social media," Fubuki said off-handedly while Momo tried to recover, "though that does mean I'll get the pleasure of showing him these pictures." 

"Or perhaps we should let him continue in bliss?" Momo suggested, sheepish. 

"And deprive me of the delicious noise of dismay he'll make?" Fubuki asked, maintaining her deadpan tone. "I had no idea you were such a sadist."

Momo blushed a bit and laughed, putting her phone away. 

Before the silence could linger or Fubuki could press her about the speech, the limo came to a stop. As soon as it did, Momo's friendly demeanor faded as she shifted into her role as heiress once more. 

As the driver opened the door, Momo exited the limo first, unsurprised to already find two of her security detail in place waiting. Turning she gave the handsome young woman who was her driver, a polite smile. "Thank you for your service, Mari-san."

"The honor is mine, Yaoyozoru-sama." Mari said, with a polite bow. 

Stepping away from the limo, Momo took in the towering building before her. Its exterior was a beautiful blend of polished granite and mirrored windows. On either side of its soaring glass doors were expansive stretches of carefully maintained trees. Above them, in bold marble lettering was the name 'The Endar Spire'. 

Behind her the limo door closed, signaling that Fubuki had exited the vehicle, and Momo started forward. The waiting security detail fell into step on either side of her and Fubuki as they approached the entrance. Two more bodyguards opened the doors to allow them into the building before falling into formation as well. They swept through the magnificent lobby, their steps echoing off the marble floors, heading for a waiting elevator.

Besides the open doors was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a flame for a head, wearing a black swallow-tailed coat with a red interior, gold lining, and a red bowtie around his neck. At their approach, he gave Momo a very polite bow. "Good afternoon honored guests and welcome to our esteemed hotel. I am Tasokare Kanehira, the manager. Please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of Representative Hanabata for not being able to greet you personally just yet. He has been unexpectedly delayed, but he will join you shortly."

"Of course, thank you Tasokare-san." Momo said with a polite bow of her own, before continuing onto the waiting elevator along with her group. 

The elevator ride up was a smooth and mostly quiet affair, save for the faint classical music playing. As Momo absorbed the captivating and intricate music, she tried to place it. It was a melodic beauty filled with a virtuosic skill that evoked a sense of serenity.  The music was an exquisite piece of koto music...ah, it was 'Rokudan no Shirabe'. 

Eventually, the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. Two of the security guards stepped out ahead of them and Momo strode out after them, with Fubuki trailing her. The only door on the floor was a pair of magnificent doors, that one of her security team opened for them as they approached. 

As she strode into the presidential suite, Momo raised an eyebrow at what she saw. 

A large, ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the room. Though instead of the usual diamond features, it had simple crystals. The room's gold and cream silk wallpaper featured subtle patterns and the carefully curated artwork leaned towards serene landscapes and thought-provoking pieces. While the plush carpet underfoot felt comfortable. 

Moving through to the living area of the suite revealed tasteful yet understated décor filling the modest space. The soft, earthy tones of the furniture and walls created a warm and inviting ambiance. Behind her Momo could hear the way Fubuki paused, clearly taken back by the modest surroundings. 

No doubt she had expected a politician to surround themselves with luxury. 

Moving through to the sitting room where her meeting with Representative Hanabata would take place, Momo noted the comfortable-looking and tastefully upholstered sofa and armchairs around a lovely mahogany coffee table. But her eyes were drawn to the panoramic windows of the space, offering those inside a decent view of the city's skyline. 

Altogether, the space left Momo with the positive impression that it was trying to maintain a humble, yet comfortable, space for serious work to be done. It impressed her that a hotel noted for its luxury would so carefully craft such a restrained space for public servants. Yes, she would have to give the manager Tasokare praise before they left. 

"Well, I suppose it'll do." Fubuki observed as she, at last, entered the sitting room and approached the windows. 

"Yes." Momo agreed, nodding in satisfaction.  "I find it reassuring that Representative Hanabata is staying here. It’s a good sign that he's not forgotten he's a public servant." 

Fubuki gave a low laugh at that for some reason. Momo shrugged, the other girl had a strange sense of humor at times. Still, she was happy that Fubuki understood the importance of politicians staying in such humble surroundings. 

"I've been thinking about Representative Hanabata's speech," Fubuki said after a moment, turning to face her, "and I'm curious if you noticed anything about it." 

Momo smiled, excited to, at last, discuss her thoughts. She had been hopeful of course, but there was every possibility that Fubuki had merely taken the speech at face value and had nothing else to say. "I did actually."

Fubuki subtly tilted her head, which Momo knew to be her sign of interest and that she should continue. 

"While Representative Hanabata is very well-spoken, he overlooked how his wording could affect his message. His message was intended to rally us against the prejudiced policies that I told you about, but his wording could be twisted to endorse a Quirk-dominant message." 

"Oh?" 

"Yes. He stressed the importance of our Quirks, but they are the cornerstone of our modern society. But his word choice could imply more importance to them than he intended, and of course, the absence of even an implicit mention of the Quirkless." 

Fubuki studied her for a moment and then nodded. It was hard to tell given Fubuki's placid expression, but she looked fairly impressed. "I see. So do you think he intentionally worded it to exclude them?" 

"Unfortunately, I do," Momo admitted, frowning, "but not because he was presenting a Quirk dominate message." 

"No?" Fubuki asked, her eyes narrowing.

"No." Momo said, sighing deeply. "I think it is a matter of priorities. From his point of view, he has to consider what impression his giving focus to a group in rapid decline would create in the larger portion of society. "

"So, you're saying he didn't address them directly because they don't matter?"  Fubuki asked, her voice steady, but Momo could detect a note of anger.

"It will sound cruel, but in the larger view of Government and politics, yes." Momo admitted, grimacing. "As I said, the population of individuals without Quirks is experiencing a significant and rapid decrease. Everyone is aware that of the roughly three billion people in the world, twenty percent of them do not possess a Quirk. What few stop to realize is that of those six hundred million, the majority of the Quirkless belong to the oldest generation."

Fubuki said nothing, simply stared hard at her. Momo could feel the pressure of her doubt, but it would not change the sad facts Momo was sharing. 

"Using the numbers from the latest world census, the oldest generation consists of individuals born seventy years ago or earlier. The youngest generation consists of those born in the last thirty years. We've also tracked a steady decline in birthrates among the Quirkless, so instead of the estimated two point five children per woman it's now one child per woman. So when you divide the number of years by time frame, and then multiply it by the current birthrate, it becomes evident that the Quirkless population, already a small fraction of the world's population, is steadily declining."

Fubuki's mouth compressed into a thin, pale line. 

"It gets worse," Momo continued, "their low birthrate? We're not sure why it's happening, only that it is. More alarming is that successful pregnancies are now estimated at just one percent for them. Again, we have no idea of the cause. But it doesn't end there. The instances of the Quirked population having children who lack a quirk is roughly zero point one percent. That's not even getting into the worldwide cultural shift in regards to the Quirkless no longer being desirable partners, or the fact that even when such unions happen the child is always born with a Quirk of some kind." 

Momo could see the tightening of Fubuki's eyes and the flicker of blue-green energy within them. She did not like the facts any more than Momo. But she could also see the stark realization settling over Fubuki as she realized that she was also incapable of going against them. Momo felt for her friend, it was a harsh truth to face, but better that she accept it now than struggle against the inevitable.

"So that's it then," Fubuki said at last, speaking through clenched teeth, "he just wrote them off?" 

"No, of course not!" Momo objected, shaking her head. "Clearly he has no intention to ignore them, they're a part of our community and there are programs in place to help them. What I meant was that he and his speech writers were working from it was a matter of strategic communication."

"I see." Fubuki said, frowning faintly, and crossed her arms. "You truly think this is only a simple communication problem?" 

"Of course," Momo said, gesturing between them to emphasize her point. "Look at us. I said that his wording could allow his message to be twisted and our conversation demonstrates it quite clearly. We both listened to the same speech and while we both noticed his oversight, we took his message very differently. He needs to ensure that his speech writers are more effective in their word choices to avoid this problem in the future." 

Fubuki nodded but said nothing else.

Momo sighed softly, relieved that Fubuki understood. It was also freeing to be able to discuss such issues with someone her age. So many either had no interest or were too fixated on supporting the party and considered any kind of discourse to be treason. But as they lapsed into a thoughtful silence, Momo considered Fubuki and her earlier observation about her focus in regards to the Quirkless. 

"Fubuki, may I ask why you seemed especially concerned in regards to the Quirkless?"

"Because of Izuku."

Momo's confusion deepened, her head tilting to the side. "Izuku?"

"Yes." 

"But..." Momo started only to trail off. She could remember a dozen casual displays of his super-human strength, not to mention the photos of him cleaning that beach and carrying junked cars casually overhead. But she could also remember his nervous ticks and the way he seemed to shy away from praise. Besides, Fubuki would not lie about him being Quirkless. So how could he do all of that if he lacked a Quirk? 

Momo gasped and her eyes widened in sudden understanding. It took her a moment to get her head around it, but when she did, she could not help but burst into a relieved laugh.

"What's so funny?" 

"Izuku!" Momo said, getting control over her laughter, but unable to stop her smile. "He's a breakthrough." 

"A what?" Fubuki asked, eyebrows drawing together in confusion, clearly startled by the announcement. 

"A breakthrough." Momo repeated, and seeing the blank look Fubuki had, realized she was alone in her realization. In hindsight that did not surprise her, the knowledge was fairly obscure. It was only through her research into Quirk theory and history that she learned of the phenomena. "He's one of the extremely rare people that can manifest abilities without being born with a Quirk."  

"He...is?" Fubuki asked, still wearing an open look of confusion.

"Yes, it’s exceedingly rare now. When Quirks first appeared there were instances where people without Quirks would spontaneously develop abilities. The most well-known were Atlas and Astra in the United States. But as Quirks began to spread among the population, instances of Breakthroughs diminished. Now it's estimated that of the six hundred million Quirkless in the world, only zero-point-zero-eight percent of that population have the chance of experiencing a Breakthrough." 

Fubuki opened her mouth, no doubt to ask countless questions, but her words were cut off by the door to the suite opening behind them. 

Their conversation temporarily postponed, Momo turned toward the door, and it was only her lifetime of training that kept her from recoiling out of instinctive horror or revealing her shock. Momo had been expecting one of her security detail, but instead, she was greeted with the sight of a man that looked like a grotesque combination of man and spider. 

His oversized head resembled a hairless spider, with eight purple eyes and large, protruding black chelicerae which stood out starkly against his reddish skin. He was large and well-built, dressed in an impeccable suit and tie, tailored to fit him. But it did nothing to hide his four legs and arms, each conjoined at the elbows and knees respectively. 

"Good afternoon, I apologize for the delay," The spider-man said, bowing, his voice clear and well polished, "I am Kumonashi Kumojiro, the personal assistant to Representative Hanabata. The Minister has just arrived and will be with you shortly." 

"Of course," Momo said, returning his bow politely, relying on her very best polite expression to keep her unease with his appearance hidden, "thank you for your attendance Kumonashi-san." 

It was hard to tell through his spider features, but Momo thought she detected subtle shades of surprise at her lack of reaction to his appearance. She supposed that was fair, at the very least he must have been gawked at all his life. But she also suspected far worse abuse, after all, most people had an instinctive dislike of spiders and the more inhuman mutations were often the targets of extreme torment.

Before the three of them could engage in proper small talk, the doors opened again and Representative Hanabata entered. He was a bit taller than she had estimated at the rally, and though he wore a charismatic smile, he seemed tired. Kumonashi bowed low as he entered, but was waved off by Hanabata. "Come on, no need for that Kumojiro." 

"Yes sir." Kumonashi said, but his tone was politely disagreeable. 

Hanabata laughed before turning to her and Fubuki, offering a polite bow of his own. "Good Afternoon, Yaoyozoru-sama, Boin-san. I apologize for keeping you waiting, but I was unavoidably detained." 

"No apologizes needed Representaive-sama, we understand." Momo said returning his bow respectfully, noting in her peripheral vision Fubuki giving only a barely polite bow of her own to Hanabata. Clearly, she was still upset about his speech. Well, there was nothing Momo could do about that and it was not like she did not understand why Fubuki was so impolite. Still, it did embarrass her a bit to have such a rude friend. 

"Please," Representative Hanabata said warmly, politely overlooking Fubuki's rudeness and gesturing at the sofa, "have a seat, no need to stand while we talk." 

"Of course, please, after you." Momo said, tone polite, starting the wearisome formalities that high society seemed unable to escape.

"Oh no, I couldn't." 

"You're too kind. But please, honor me by sitting first."

"Very well, if you're sure." Representative Hanabata said, before at last moving to take a seat. 

Relieved to have that over with, Momo and Fubuki moved to take a seat on the sofa, while Representative Hanabata settled into a chair on the other side of the low coffee table. 

"So," Representative Hanabata said once they were all settled and Kumonahsi had served their drinks, "I understand you wished to speak with me about the Hearts and Mind Party?" 

Chapter Text

April 14th, 2181
Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Midoriya Izuku was not sure what to expect as he left his apartment. 

Chapter Text

August 2nd, 2181
Quirk Testing Chamber, Yaoyzoru Musutafu Estate, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

The tiny, white, round building encircled by walls had started life as a private archery range. At least that was what the government paperwork said. After the Second World War, the owners built the original building in the middle of a twenty-three thousand acre lake to 'practice traditional martial arts'.

But the structure had not remained something so benign.

When the world descended into a third world war fueled by the growing prevalence of Quirks, it had been converted into a private indoor gun range. Something only possible because a lot of restrictions were relaxed during that time. Then in 2048, during the height of Destro's failed coup, it changed again. Her ancestor Yaoyozoru Taito, while not having a Quirk of his own, had realized how important they were. So he completely redesigned the building, even going adding a Shinto-style bridge and Torii. According to what her grandfather Tomozo wrote in his journal Taito had designed it after having a vision of some place called Soul Society.

As Momo stepped into the building, she wondered if his vision had extended to the interior as well. If so, she was not sure how she felt about his vision of the afterlife. Unlike the traditional look on the outside, the inside of the building was more modern and industrial. There was recessed lighting of course. But the walls were a smooth gun gray metal that divided the interior equally into forty-six chambers. Each chamber accessible only by a heavy, metal with reinforced glass windows.

"Hello, welcome to the Quirk Testing Chamber. I hope your visit will be a pleasant one."

Momo startled a bit as the sole occupant of the building spoke.

The Home Automated Robot looked like a woman in her mid-twenties dressed in a stereotypical western maid outfit. Though the white, frilly apron and plain black dress stopped at about mid-thigh.

Momo sighed, unsure how to deal with the reminder that her grandfather Tomozo had had certain interests.

Of course, if Izuku dressed like that... ~mhmm~ Momo coughed into her fist, blushing, as she put such thoughts out of her mind. At least until later when she was alone in her room where she could properly and thoroughly explore them.

"Thank you," Momo said at last. Though the synthetic human seemed unbothered by her delayed response, "I'm Yaoyozoru Momo."

"Very good ma'am," the maid said with a polite bow, "you may call me Glados. How may I assist you today?"

"I'll be testing out some devices, I'd like you to record the tests so I can go over them later."

"Excellent ma'am." The maid said politely, though her right eye seemed to twitch. "Before we start, however, keep in mind that, although safety and learning are the primary goals of the chamber activities, serious injuries may occur. For your safety, and the safety of others, please refrain from - Sab as que puedes donar uno o todos tus rganos vitales al Fondo de Autoestima para Ni as Yaoyorozu? Es cierto! - thank you. You may now enter a chamber and begin testing."

"Thank you?" Momo said, contemplating the Home Automated Robot, a bit off-put by the joke. Hmm. She might want Shinomiya-san to assign one of the housemaids to spend more time here with the poor thing. Maybe that lovely young maid Chell-san? She could probably use a friend as well since she was so far from home.

Mental note made, Momo moved to one of the testing chambers which slid open at her approach.

The chamber was mostly empty, save for some testing dummies on the far end of the chamber and a metal table near the door. Momo paused, staring at the dummies for a moment, biting her lip. Those training dummies were filled with ballistics gel and other assorted materials. Supposedly they were the most realistic targets available.

She took a breath and turned to set the two metallic cases she was carrying. Momo would leave her weapon's test for last. Decision made she opened the smaller of the two cases. Inside rested two gleaming pie-sliced shapes of metal. Picking each one up, she held them by the tip and took several steps away from the table.

"Test one," Momo said, and with a deep breath, bent over pressing the activation buttons "activation of Aero-disks."

The two wedged shapes smoothly telescoped open, almost seeming to flow like liquid metal. They formed what appeared to be two perfect metal Frisbees. Licking her lips, heart racing with anticipation, Momo let the two disks go. With a soft hum, they began to levitate three centimeters above the floor.

"Test successful!" Momo announced, beaming, then took another deep breath, nervous. "Test two, actualization of body levitation."

Nodding, she slowly stepped onto the levitating disks. For a moment they sank and her stomach clenched, but then they hummed a bit louder and she floated a meter into the air. As she did, her legs wobbled as she tried to find her balance like standing on ice. Still, there could be no doubt about the triumph she felt now.

"Test successful!" Momo crowed twisting on instinct to speak to Glados... forgetting that the movement control of the Aero-disks was all about shifting her weight.

The sudden shift of her weight sent the Aero-disk attached to her right leg into an unexpected spin. With a cry of alarm, she flailed like a child first learning to swim. This only made the Aero-disks send her into increasingly disorientating spins. Somehow she ended up flipped upside down, and her back slammed into the wall of the chamber, driving the air out of her.

That would have been bad enough, but the momentum of her impact sent her into another uncontrolled back flip back across the room. Wildly her stunned mind kept screaming that she had to get down, even as her breathless body instinctively tried to right itself.

Another impact sent her into another tumbling spin, but also amazingly jolted her mind out of its panic. Remembering that the Aero-disks could be deactivated by pressing her toes against a part of the pressure plate, she did just that.

Mid-flip.

Abruptly she crash landed on the ground. Her head smacked against the hard ground, light exploding before her eyes. For a sickening moment, she lay there in a near senseless heap, body aching. Eventually, she was able to take full breaths and the stars faded from her view... and still she remained motionless on the floor.

"Note to self," Momo said at last, voice somewhat slurred, "the Aero-disks have an amplifying effect on movement. They are easy to get moving, but stopping is much harder... need very precise movements for proper use..."

A beat.

"Congratulations, the test is now over." Glados said cheerfully over the chamber's speakers. "I will make a note of your achievements in a file for you. Commendation: Yaoyozoru-sama sailed through the air majestically. Like an eagle. Piloting a blimp. I hope this comment is helpful for your later review. I am now contacting the main house to inform them that you may need medical assistance, the wait time will be ten to twenty minutes, please have a pleasant day."

Momo groaned, covering her eyes with an arm.

33 56' 37.378" N 138 49' 2.950" E , Territorial Water of Japan...

Midoriya Izuku fairly vibrated in excitement as he marveled at the sight of the ocean beneath him.

Never in a million years had he expected to be in a helicopter with All Might. But here he was, flying to Amenbo Island, nine kilometers south of Kanagawa Prefecture. Amenbo Island was a restricted place, accessible only to heroes and subject to countless rumors. The leading rumor was that it was where an ultra-secret HPSC program called the Paragons was located. Nobody could quite agree on the details, but the gist was that the HPSC would take kids with great Quirks stick them on Amenbo, and have them trained to be perfect heroes. The other leading rumor, found on certain sections of hero forums and the internet in general, was that Amenbo was where massive hero sex parties happened.

Izuku doubted both.

"Young Midoriya, I'm sure you're curious why I asked you to accompany me today?" All Might asked,

Izuku jerked and turned his full attention to the only other occupant of the helicopter. "Y-yes."

Not that Izuku lacked theories. He had been training with All Might for a while so he had a reasonable grasp of what he wanted to teach him. Still, going to Amenbo Island during August left him a bit uncertain. After all this time of year was when typhoons were most common, so he could not see any real reason why they would visit the island when All Might's gym or a beach could do the same job.

"Well my boy," All Might said with a tone and smile that made Izuku feel like he was wrapped in a warm blanket, "that is because I've decided it's time to focus on something other than muscle memory and control."

"Eh?"

"Yes," All Might said, lifting a finger, "today I shall teach you how to change the weather!"

"WHAT?!"

"Hmm?" All Might hummed, looking amused at Izuku's shocked expression.

"C-change the weather? Me?" Izuku asked, pointing at himself, trying to wrap his mind around the idea. "I-I mean, I can sorta guess how it would work. I mean I've thought about it before, but I'm not sure if I'm right?"

"Oh? What have you come up with?"

"Well, looking at what you've done in the past to change the weather I'd have to punch hard enough to generate a shockwave strong enough to create a localized disturbance in the atmosphere. But I think it has to be more than that right? That's why you've been focusing on proper technique and precision right?"

All Might laughed, startling Izuku out of his thoughts. Seeing the proud smile on his dad's mentor's face Izuku blushed and ducked his head. "S-sorry."

"For what? No, you are correct." All Might said, voice laced with amusement and satisfaction. "Yes, though it looks simple when I do it there is more to it than just brute strength. To do this, unless you can do it by instinct the way Caped Baldy can, it will require you to learn how to punch at precise angles. At least in an urban environment, in a more open space it is far easier to do. Either way, it will take some time to grasp, but soon you will be able to do so as easily as I do."

Izuku gasped. "The typhoons!"

All Might froze, for a moment a look of nervousness on his face. "What?"

"It's so obvious!" Izuku exclaimed, excited. "Amenbo island is going to have a lot of typhoons soon, that's why we're going there! The weather is going to be easier to manipulate right now and it's the perfect time for me to practice without worrying about collateral damage!"

"E-Exactly!" All Might said with another laugh. "Hahahahaha. I can't slip anything past you, can I?"

August 28th, 2181
Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Fubuki sat down at her computer wincing as she did. Her sister was pushing her harder than ever, demanding perfection from her. Fubuki hated it and her sister, but she needed the training. If she wanted to make it into U.A. Fubuki needed every advantage she could get. Which is why she was in front her computer, instead of collapsed in her bed, sleeping off the torture Tatsumaki considered training.

Rubbing her eyes, she navigated to the encrypted drive where she kept all her important information. Bank statements, passwords, old Blackmail material, and other various files best kept secure. Opening the file she had acquired by way of a Clockwork Tower auction, Fubuki began shifting through the data. Hunting for anything it had on U.A. University. Perhaps she should delete it, but that would be a waste of money and information.

Besides, if she already had It'she should use it right? She had bought it months before she met Izuku. Back when she was still a budding villain, and encouraged by that bitch. So it was not like Fubuki was going back on her goal of being a hero... Izuku would understand, even if he would frown a bit in disappointment.

But the more she searched the data, the more disappointed she became. In this day and age, a lot could be found online and Clockwork Tower was a premier source of information from the darker side of the web. But even with that edge, very little information about U.A. University turned up and none of it useful to her. Both the public and private plans were redacted, none of the security measures were even hinted at beyond the front gate. Sure the teacher employment records were somewhat more useful, but still ultimately worthless. Though yes, it was interesting to know that at any given moment, there were data backups for a whole host of law enforcement groups passing through the internet hub U.A. University hosted for the Ministry of Justice.

Sitting back, Fubuki let out a huff of annoyance. In the end, the only useful information Fubuki had was the publically available mock tests for the U.A. entrance exam. But only the written, there was nothing about the practical anywhere. That was...frustrating.

She was fairly certain she could ace the written. As would Izuku and Momo. But the practical would be the problem and she needed information about it. After all power came from information and Fubuki was determined to have as much of it as she could. Her future depended on it, her goal of surpassing her sister and no longer living in her shadow depended on it. Fubuki's eyes moved to a drawer on her desk, biting her lip.

There was no choice, it had to be done.

Opening the drawer she picked up the plain envelope inside and opened it, tipping the contents into her hand. A plain looking micro-USB stick. Closing the drawer she rolled it between her fingers, thinking about the encrypted drive and the program it held. The Electron Sorceress assured her it would do what she wanted and it had better, given how much it had cost Fubuki.

But she hesitated. This was different than using information she already had, this was skirting a line. Not quite going back to her old ways, but close. But it was not as if she was contracting Clockwork Tower. Heck, the Electron Sorceress only agreed to sell it to her because Fubuki's sister was a pro-hero!

Sighing, Fubuki sat forward and plugged the drive in and entered the provided passkey. But as the program popped up and she began entering the information, a tiny voice started whispering in her ear. One that sounded too much like Izuku and he was all but pleading with her not to do this.

Gritting her teeth, Fubuki finished configuring the program and turned it loose upon the U.A. network.

Fubuki pushed herself away from her desk and the monitor, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples. It was done. The pleading whisper was gone, though the silence seemed to hold a deep sense of disappointment. Shaking it off Fubuki opened her eyes, and saw the program sitting there seemingly doing nothing. That was expected though. The Electron Sorceress had been clear that U.A.'s computer security would mean it would take time to gather the information.

Leaving the program to run in the background, Fubuki checked her email. Mostly spam, one from Momo talking about how her training was going and about a Webgaza concert in a couple of months. One from Izuku about their next date. Reading his email made Fubuki's conscience squirm again. Her hand hesitated on her mouse, tempted to switch back to the program and close it - only for her computer beep. Quickly switching to the program showed a timer counting down and empty download bar. Fubuki sat back, waiting, anxious. Izuku's voice whispering that she should stop this now before it was too late.

But the download bar flashed green, signaling that she had the information she wanted.

Eagerly she clicked on the downloaded file and her screen went black. Her heart dropped into her stomach as fear shot through her. Her computer was still running, but the screen was just blank. Then a tiny, animated creature appeared in the middle of it. It looked like some kind of white, bear-mouse thing, wearing a suit. It'started doing a cute little dance to circus music.

What?

Fubuki clicked furiously trying to close it, before giving up. Panicked she gave up the mouse and mashed the keyboard command to open her task manager. But that did nothing! With mounting frustration and desperation she jammed her finger on the power button...

Only for the tiny little creature to continue dancing.

Then words started scrolling across the bottom of the screen: Hahahahaha hahahahaHAha hahaHAhaha hahahaha haha ha ha... the words faded, before flashing one last word: ha!

Abruptly her screen went back to her normal desktop. Breathing hard she sat there in stunned disbelief. Then fear hit her, as she realized what happened. Hastily she navigated back to her encrypted drive, only to find it empty of her files.

All that greeted her was a text file that said 'Read Me'.

Fearfully she clicked on it. The body of the file was only four sentences long: I applaud your audacity. Your files will be returned after the exam, please do your best Ms. Boin! And tell Tatsumaki hello from me. Do not worry about the program I will have a word with Fujibayashi-chan about being more careful with her work - Nezu.

Fubuki's eyes widened, wait...did that mean...Electron Sorceress real name was...

Her text file flashed and a new line appeared on it: Why yes it is! Fujibayashi Kyouko is a quite amusing young woman... please do have a good night.

A pale Fubuki turned her computer off with shaking hands and said one word. "Fuck."

September 9th, 2181
Aldera High School, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

His hand itched.

Bakugou Katsuki did his best to ignore it. The itch grew worse, demanding he scratch. But there would be no point because it was not his hand. Only the misfiring of the nerves attached to the biofeedback regulator that regulated his prosthetic arm. Still it was starting to drive him crazy, if he could just scratch it....

Around him, he could hear the low whispers of all the damn extras. Could feel their pitying, smug stares. Not that a single one of them would meet his gaze, further proof that not a single one would ever amount to being anything more than a boot licker.

The itch was starting to spread up his prosthetic arm and he gritted his teeth. Fuck! Fine, damn it! He scratched at the metal through the heavy material of his uniform jacket. That soothed the phantom itch, which made no damn sense. But it drew his attention to the fact that his shirt and uniform did not feel right. It was too... loose? Didn't lay right? Too tight? Felt like sandpaper rubbing against him. He shook his head, irritated that he could not put it into words. All he knew was that his clothes were wrong.

That he was wrong.

He swallowed the rage and stomped the rest of the way into the school.

"Bakugou-san," Principal... what the fuck was his name? Uchiyamada? Ohtori? Eh, fuck it, principal Sourpuss it was, said, "we're thrilled to see you continuing your education."

Katsuki stared at the fat fuck as he settled behind his desk, the office chair groaning beneath his bulk.

"It's a shame really, you have a spotless record, perfect grades... you'd have had quite the career."

"The fuck you say?" Katsuki snarled, glowering at the principal.

"Well, I mean, after you hurt yourself it's just," Principal Sourpuss paused, his wide, obese face trying to contort into one of sympathy and failing, "you can't seriously expect to still get into the Heroics course at U.A. can you? No, of course not, given your disability."

Katsuki sneered at the man, biting back his words. This mother fucker...

"Bakugou-san, I understand your frustration." Principal Sourpuss continued, clearly trying to sound reassuring and reasonable. "But you have to be realistic and accept the consequences of your actions. You made it impossible for us to support you by misusing your Quirk and crippling yourself."

Katsuki clenched his hand, knuckles popping. He wanted to grab this fat bastard's face and explode it. How dare he... Katsuki focused on his breathing. He could not explode. Would not explode.

"Now, what's past is past. We're not interested in what could have been, but what will be. Yes? Yes. So, with your grades, I think you might still get accepted into the business course, or maybe the general -"

"Oh fuck you." Katsuki snarled, so done with this shit.

"That s enough!" Principal Sourpuss snapped, trying to cow Katsuki into listening.

Instead, Katsuki grabbed his book bag and started for the office door. Like he was going to listen to some fat ass cocksucker tell him what his future was? The fat bastard was delusional if he thought so. "I'm going to get into the Heroic Course, I'm going to graduate, and I'm going to be the Number One Hero!"

"Bakugou!"

Katsuki ignored the shouting pig pretending to be a man, slamming the office door behind him. Fuck this school and all these motherfucking extras. As if this meant anything other than the fact that it made his origin story better. The promising student who lost everything and had the world abandon him, only for him to come back from nothing and seize his rightful place.

Yeah, let these worthless extras think they could reach the stars now that he was hurt. It would only make It'so much more satisfying to kick them back into the dirt.

When Katsuki stomped into the classroom he stopped dead in the doorway. It took him a moment to process what he saw - there were a bunch of chattering extras of course. But what made him freeze was the bizarre sight of other students hovering around Izuku's desk. They were peppering the Quirkless wonder with questions.

"Is it true that All Might can eat a whole twenty hamburgers?" Eyeballs was asking, his eyes extended toward Izuku's blank face.

"What? You think that All Might needs to eat?" Longneck asked, laughing, head swaying on his extended, rubber neck.

"Of course he does!"

Izuku just stared at the two arguing losers, doing a fairly good impersonation of Ice Queens' indifferent expression. Katsuki had known Izuku long enough to see through it through. He could tell that the Quirkless wonder was a step beyond annoyed with these losers.

"Shut up you idiots, you're not asking the important questions!" Glasses Perv shouted, shoving the two arguing boys aside before slamming her hands onto Izuku's desk, looming over him. "You've been avoiding the question for weeks Midoriya, but no longer! Tell us just how big is All Might's dic-"

"No." Izuku said, tone flat, expression of indifference unchanging.

"Yeah Aika, nobody here wants to hear about that," Bald Perv said, shoving the girl aside, "Now tell us all about Mount Lady's ti-"

"No." Izuku said, just as flat as before.

Katsuki had no idea why the fuck Izuku was bothering to humor these extras, but it was fairly amusing. So much so he could even overlook the way nobody had noticed him. But the longer he stood there, the more he wanted to explode the whole damn room. But he knew it would be pointless and reckless and self-destructive...and he still fucking wanted to blow this whole room with all these fucking extras up. They were all fucking lucky Katsuki had enough time to calm down.

Especially Izuku.

When he first woke up in the hospital bed Katsuki had been nothing but pure rage. Looking back on that moment, Katsuki realized just how fucking stupid his thoughts had been then. He had been operating on nothing but dumbass troll logic. As if anyone would hide having a Quirk, let alone one with the kind of stregnth Izuku used that day when they faced those stupid ass Aberrant Beings. Plus, Izuku saved Katuski's mom...and Katsuki might nto be the greatest son, but he loved his mom.

So yeah, Izuku got a fucking pass. Katsuki would ignore the Quirkless wonder having the fucking luck of showing up at the damn beach the same time as All Might. As fucking irritating as it was to see the constant 'Mini-Might' hashtag, Katsuki would swallow his bile. But he had to know how Izuku had found some fucking way of stealing a Quirk...

Stomping his way through the class, the startled extras parted before him, a hush falling over the class and even those annoying extras backed away. He noted that the Ice Queen was watching him through narrow eyes, as if she could intimidate him. Fuck that noise. He was going to have it out with Izuku and be done with this shit. Coming to a stop in front of Izuku's desk he stared down at the other teen.

Izuku stared back, eyes wide, and smiling?! "Kaa-chan! Welcome back."

"How?" Katsuki asked, gritting his teeth. Talking to Izuku was always like eating broken glass.

Izuku blinked. "What?"

"You know what!" Katsuki shouted, hands landing on his desk, as he loomed over the seated teenager.

"Oh." Izuku said, nodding, seeming to settled down. "I've done a hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, a hundred squats, and a ten kilometer run every day for three years.

Eh?

"It was hard at first, I thought about taking a day off all the time. But I wanted to be as strong as All Might, so I pushed on, even when I vomited blood." He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "Even when I felt so heavy I couldn't move, I squatted. When my arms made creaking sounds, I did pushups."

"YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT SHIT DEKU?!?" Katsuki roared, grabbing his shirt and yanking the other boy up so they're faces were inches from one another. "DO I LOOK LIKE A DANCING MONKEY?! DO YOU THINK I'M HERE FOR YOUR MOTHERFUCKING AMUSEMENT?!"

"Eh?" Izuku glanced at him quizzically. "But you wanted to know how I got so strong, why would I lie?"

"That's it?" Katsuki growled, studying Izuku's face closely. The damn pebble could not lie to save his life... "You just did a hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, a hundred squats, and a ten kilometer run every day for three years?"

"Yeah, that s all I did."

Katsuki let Izuku's shirt go and stepped back, snarling in disgust. So he got a Quirk from working out? Fuck that shit, it meant nothing. But at least now Katuski knew what he was fucking dealing with. "That s bullshit, but whatever. You're still nothing but a pebble to me. I'll be the Number One hero, the one that surpasses All Might and leave my name in the annuals of history!"

"Pfft! Sure you will cripple!"

Katsuki froze as the entire class went quiet, all eyes turning to the speaker. A lanky extra with curly bleached hair and eyebrows was reclining at his desk with his feet propped up on the one ahead of him. Katsuki stared for a long moment, trying to remember the extra's name. Ah! Blond Douche-nozzle!

"...the fuck did you just say?" Katsuki asked at last, forcing his voice to stay calm.

Blonde Douche-nozzle just grinned back at him with a smug, somewhat condescending look on his face. "What? Are you deaf as well as a cripple?"

Katsuki's hands clenched, anger mounting and he had to take a deep breath before letting it out slowly. Calm. He had to be calm. He could not blow up the extra, not right now, not this close to the U.A. entrance exam. He had to be calm. "My fucking hearing's fine you flaming douche nozzle, I just wanted to make sure I heard a pissant extra talking to me."

"What'd you say to me Baka-gou?" Blond Douchnozzle growled getting up. "It's not enough that you're dying your hair to copy me, but now you're talking back to me even though you can't do jackshit?"

"Are you a fucking moron?" Katsuki asked, stepping into the tall extras' personal space. "If anyone is copying anyone, it's you copying me! So shut up and sit your dickless ass down before I blow you up." Katsuki punctuated his statement by holding his real hand up and letting off a series of small explosions near his face, casting shadows over it.

Blond Douche swallowed nervously but tried to hold his ground. "Oh please, like a one-armed cripple frightens me! You're not hot shit anymore Baka-gou -"

"Wow! Thank you for such a brilliant and accurate example of a jackass Reiichi! Now we all know what to be on the lookout for."

Pause. All eyes turned to Izuku who stared back with an innocently unapologetic look.

Katuski broke into hard, belly-hurting laughter. "Oh my God, it's about time your balls fucking dropped Deku!"

"Enough! How dare you mock me in such a manner!" Blond Douche shouted.

"Sorry," Izuku said, voice politely indifferent, "how would you like me to mock you?"

"Why you..."

"That's enough!" The teacher shouted from the doorway, drawing all eyes back to him. "Everyone take your seats. Ah, Bakagou, it's good to see you back..."

September 14th, 2181
Yaoyozoru Musutafu Estate, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

"Good morning Yaoyozoru-sama."

"Good morning, Chell-san." Momo said politely to the maid. Chell was a handsome woman in her late twenties of mixed ancestry, just on the healthy side of thin. She also had dark eyes that seemed beyond tired. Was that natural or a result of being assigned to the testing chamber to keep the clearly disturbed Home Automated Robot company? Speaking of, Glados was staring at them with a look of indifference...and it might be Momo's imagination, but also a hint of annoyance. "Good morning Glados-san."

The synthetic human smiled back. "Hello, welcome again to the Quirk Testing Chamber. Please keep in mind that although fun and learning are the primary goals of all Quirk Testing Chamber activities, serious injuries may occur. For your own safety and the safety of others, por favor bord n de fallar Muchos gracias de fallar gracias." Glados said happily. "The Testing Chamber wishes you the best of luck! You are now free to waddle over to your chosen chamber and begin testing."

It took all the poise Momo had to keep from showing just how uneasy the Home Automated Robot made her. "Very well, I'll be testing out a new device again. I'd like you to record the tests so I can go over it later."

"Excellent ma'am." The robotic maid said politely, something about her smile unnerving.

"Chell-san, if you'll excuse me." Momo said politely to the human maid, noting exasperation on older woman's face. Turning away from the duo, Momo moved toward a chamber.

The heavy door slid open at her approach and closed behind her with a semi-audible thud. Resisting the sudden impulse to turn around to make sure Chell was still there, Momo moved further into the room, placing the long, thin metal case on the nearby table. A quick glance confirmed that the training dummies were present. Momo entered her security code and the metal case opened to reveal her weapon.

The kanabō-style weapon was forty-five centimeters long, filled with carbon nanotube transistors, printed on silicon wafers, and powered by fifteen amperes. It was also encased in a gold-titanium alloy. The wider head of the weapon was polygonal shaped, with metallic bulbs running down the length of its flat surfaces.

Momo knew that many heroes did not use weapons, or at least nothing so blatantly weapon-like, but she also knew she needed it. Her Quirk gave her plenty of options, almost too many options at times. So her support tools were designed to give her a chance to make those choices, or like the Mega-Rod, to help her when she could not make a choice.

Hefting the weapon Momo gave a little grunt. It was heavier than she expected, but not as heavy as she feared. As she settled the Mega-Rod into a more comfortable grip she stepped away from the table and began moving through the nine-zones of attack that every weapon used. Head, shoulders, hips, waist, groin, and then center of the chest. As she repeated those movements over and over, building speed and power, her fingers twitched along the intricate controls on the handle of the club-like weapon, like playing a hidden piano.

After a moment of this, she came to a stop and stepped further away from the table, moving a bit closer to the target dummies at the far end of the chamber.

"Test one," Momo said, holding the weapon aloft, finger brushing against one of the near-invisible controls of the Mega-Rod, "activation of voice commands." A hum, like the faint quiver of a strummed violin filled the air. "Ceiling at five meters, flight path six meters before return."

She released her hold and the Mega-Rod shot forward under its own power, its flight unwavering as It'screamed through the air six meters before it abruptly shot back to where she released it.

"Test successful." Momo announced, grinning a bit as she eagerly snatched it out of the air. "Test two, release of directed kinetic force."

Then, before she could hesitate, she swung her arm toward the target dummies and her fingers triggered another control. The hum changed pitch before it unleashed its stored kinetic energy, as a beam of bright, violet energy.

The dummy exploded into a simulated mess of blood and gore, but the tremendous energy did not stop there. It'struck the dummy behind the first, exploding it as well, and then It'struck the wall, punching a hole into its reinforced structure. That was not accounting for the shockwave that rippled out from the overwhelming energy, which shattered the other dummies into bits and pieces.

After a minute the directed kinetic energy assault stopped and Momo was left trembling, bile rising in her throat and eyes wide in horror. Reflexively her hand let go of the Mega-Rod, which dropped to the ground and she stumbled back from the destruction she had wrought. Oh by the Kami, she had...she had...

How could she have been so thoughtless?

The Mega-Rod had been designed to store kinetic energy and to multiply it when it either struck a target or unleashed it as a directed kinetic attack. She had assumed this meant a simple multiplication of force. But instead, it increased it by a factor!

The original force she applied with her earlier swings was approximately one point zero five times ten to the eighth power, and the chamber spanned ninety-nine point sixty-seven meters. Dividing those numbers using the work formula, yielded ten point forty-four times ten to the ninth power. Which was nowhere near only two times the force, but instead showed that the Mega-Rod had amplified the force by a factor of twenty.

That was the yield energy of two point five tons of trinitrotoluene!

"I...I need to make sure to put in a selector option in the next version I create." Momo murmured, shakily picking the weapon up. Good heavens, with how disastrous these tests had gone, she shuddered to think what would happen when she tested her force-field belt. After all it was dependant on the formerly fictional element Eezo, so there was no telling how it would blow up in her face.

"Congratulations!" Glados' voice suddenly filled the chamber, prompting Momo to grimace. "Despite the best efforts of the Quirk Testing Chamber staff to ensure the safe performance of all authorized activities, you have managed to render this testing chamber unavailable. The Quirk Testing Chamber apologizes for the inconvenience, and wishes to offer words of encouragement. Nice job breaking it hero."

Momo was really beginning to hate that robot.

September 20th, 2181
Might Tower, Roppongi Ward, Minato City, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan...

"It's a gym?"

"Not just any gym! No my boy, this is a gym designed for when I want to let off a bit more steam than normal." Toshinori said, patting the wall fondly. "The floor, ceiling, walls, support beams, all of it uses the only known material that can withstand several full powered punches from me or Caped Baldy!"

"What?!"

Toshinori smiled. "Yes, this entire gym is constructed using Nokia 3310's!"

"What!?!"

"Yes, truly an engineering marvel!" Toshinori said, crossing his arms and beaming at the flabbergasted looking young man. He loved seeing that look of shock on his son's student's face. "As for why we are here, I think it's time for you to experience a proper sparring match. We won't go all out, but we will let loose a bit."

"W-wait...you want me...to spar with you?!" Izuku asked, voice going high and squeaky.

"Hahaha! Of course, it's all very well and good to know how to change the weather with a punch, or react to situations, but It's another thing to face a thinking opponent!" Toshinori said, uncrossing his harm and starting to walk further into the room. "Now, I'm fairly certain you've been in a fight with others before, correct?"

Izuku swallowed and nodded.

The young man's silent nod did not surprise him. Toshinori knew how rough it was to be a normal human in a world of superhumans. He could still remember his own childhood and all the fist-fights he had ended up in growing up. He had learned fast that there was no such thing as a fair fight and that a lead pipe upside the head could put down even the meanest asshole bigot.

Turning back, Toshinori stared down at the fresh-faced young man and did his best not to grin. Because he could remember the last time he had been in the situation, only back then he had been the idealistic young man. "Excellent! Now, hit me!"

"Hit...you?" Izuku said, eyes widening.

"Did I stutter?"

"I...I don't know if I can...I mean..." Izuku murmured, fidgeting.

Toshinori stared at the young man, frowning a bit as he continued to mumble. He expected some reluctance, but not this...Oh! Right, unlike Sorahiko, he had not spent months doing his level best to make Izuku hate his guts. Hmmm, did he provoke the eighteen year old? No, that would backfire too easily. Sorahiko's and Nana's more in your face routine would make Izuku snap, but it would also create resentment.

"Young Midoriya," Toshinori said, adopting a serious tone, pulling the young man out of his mumbling, "tell me something, what do you think is the biggest difference between me and you?"

Izuku blinked up at him. "The biggest...? I mean you're taller, your muscles are larger, you're blond and I'm not -"

Toshinori held his hand up, cutting the fan boy off. "It's experience, my boy. You're eighteen years old. I am sixty and have been an active hero for forty years. If you truly wish to become like me, then you must gain experience. We've focused on control, which is important for those like us who possess such overwhelming power. But you must gain practical experience as well, so I say it again. Punch me Young Midoriya!"

After a moment Izuku nodded, firming up and looking at Toshinori with a hard gaze. A second later the young man charged at him like he was rushing an American football end zone. Toshinori almost smiled as he turned to the side letting the powerful, if wild, haymaker sail pass him harmlessly. One foot reached out, tangling the young man's own feet and sent him crash face first to the ground.

"Ow."

Toshinori did not laugh, but it was hard to hold back. "I'm pretty sure when we started your training I told you what the first rule of punching someone was, didn't I?"

"No wild punches," Izuku muttered slowly getting off the floor, "they're like screaming 'hit me please!' with a bullhorn in during a funeral."

Toshinori nodded, letting the young man sort himself out.

"S-sorry about that," Izuku mumbled turning to face him, face red, "I got too worked up and just..."

"It's fine my boy." Toshinori said with a dismissive wave. "We'll mark that up to nerves. Now, try again and remember, it's not enough to throw a punch, you must know how to do so properly."

Nodding, Izuku shot forward so fast the air popped from the sudden displacement, closing the distance between them faster than a speeding bullet. This time the young man had a proper ready guard, hands up near his chin and elbows tucked in tight. Every punch he threw had perfect execution - it would make Bang weep in envy. But for all of the power, speed, and technique those punches had, they were far too predictable.

True, ninety-nine percent of people would not be able to notice or counter them, but that left one percent.

Toshinori countered each blow calmly, his massive arms blocking each blow accompanied by what sounded like soft thunder. Yes, Izuku had learned well but he still had far to go. Using his left hand Toshinori redirected one of Izuku's punches so it went wide, throwing the young man off balance and leaving him wide open. Using his other hand, Toshinor reached out and thumped him in the forehead hard, snapping Izuku's head back hard as he stumbled backward.

"Too predictable." Toshinori said, sighing.

Nodding as he rubbed his head, Izuku settled back into his stance and closed the gap again. The air screamed with each of Izuku's punches, but again they came in a very linear pattern. Toshinori dodged or blocked them, then chose the best opening to take advantage of. His fist buried itself in Izuku's stomach getting a surprised grunt from the teen, lifting him off his feet and throwing him back a dozen meters.

Izuku hit the ground and rolled, before getting his feet behind him and halting his own momentum.

"As I said, young Midoriya, far too predictable." Toshinori said, then raised an eyebrow as Izuku drew an arm back and threw a punch. As the punch reached full extension, Izuku flicked his fingers open, the force of the action creating several powerful gusts of wind. Toshinori's eyes widened in surprise, but swiped his right hand across his body, swatting the blast of wind aside. The conflicting air blasts shook the room, creating a temporary vacuum where Toshinori stood, before things settled down.

"Well now, I wasn't expecting that." Toshinori admitted, grinning at a sheepish looking Izuku.

"T-thanks, I wasn't sure if it would work, but I thought maybe I could apply the same principles you taught me about changing the weather with a punch." Izuku scratched his cheek, before growing serious as he stood up.

"I'm impressed, as long range attacks go, it is a good one. Maybe you should think about naming it." Toshinori said, before making a come here motion. "Now let's continue. I'm still waiting for you to hit me after all."

Nodding Izuku started back across the gym, displacing air again as he rushed forward. Toshinori smiled, letting the young man get a bit closer before he clapped his hands together. There was a peal of thunder as the impact caused a massive explosion that shook the whole room and sent Izuku flying away once more.

This time he smacked against the far wall before sliding down to the floor.

"Still to linear though." Toshinori said, laughing as Izuku got back to his feet, shook his head, and bull-rushed him.

Disappointed, but not surprised, Toshinori twisted aside at the last second, his foot reaching out to foul up Izuku's feet. But the young man hopped over his foot, twisting in the air like a corkscrew, before trying to plant a powerful right in Toshinori's face. Though surprised, Toshinori managed to jump back letting the punch whiff through the air where his face had been. Izuku landed in a spinning crouch and then pushed off into another lunge. Toshinori batted aside the jab, slipped the cross, and then countered with his counter punch.

Only for Izuku to somehow manage to twist around it, whipping a backhand toward Toshinori's cheek.

Toshinori hopped back narrowly avoiding the attack, vaguely reminded of how his old mentor Sorahiko moved. But more than that, he was proud to see Izuku starting to think instead of just coming straight at Toshinori like a train. Izuku continued to press his attacks, twisting and turning, trying to catch Toshinori by surprise. His face starting to show excitement. It filled Toshinori's heart with joy seeing him acting like a regular teenager.

For a moment they stood toe to toe, exchanging punches. Each time Toshinori's fist intercepted Izuku's with what sounded like thunder. Then Izuku tried to get sneaky, jerking right and throwing a punch that was clearly never intended to connect. Toshinori snorted even as he moved away from the incoming blow, curious to see what Izuku intended. Izuku started to crouch as he let his momentum carry him into a spin, then he lunged forward and up with a rising uppercut aimed at Toshinori's jaw.

Eyes wide, Toshinori retreated quickly, almost laughing in delight.

It appeared that young Izuku had been studying ancient fights and was trying to copy one of Ryu's signature attack. Then something unexpected happened - apparently Izuku had delivered his punch at just the right angle, and spun with just the right amount of speed needed, to create a sudden windstorm in the gym. Toshinori instinctively flinched away from the sudden windstorm, lifting an arm to cover his eyes. He could feel it tugging at his hair and clothes, trying to suck him in - and then an impact hit his chest, sending him sliding the length of the gym.

Coming to a stop with his back against a wall, Toshinori lowered his arm and stared at Izuku who was standing there, looking both proud and horrified.

"I-I hit you..."

"You did," Toshinori said, rubbing his chest while smiling, almost bursting with pride, "how did you manage to do that final lunge in mid-air?"

"Oh!" Izuku gasped, beaming in pure excitement. "It's like when I flicked my fingers earlier, I just...err...stomped on the air? Anyway, so I used the downward wind pressure to propel me toward you!"

"Brilliant!" Toshinori said, letting his pride for his son student shine through, and Izuku beamed happily. Then Toshinori channeled his old mentor's terrifying grin and cracked his knuckles, killing Izuku's happiness and bringing forth a look of dread "Now, Let's go for round two. Ding. Ding."

October 21st, 2181
Yaoyozoru Musutafu Estate, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Fubuki pursed her lips as she strolled the massive library, eyes scanning the books. Did Momo read all of these books or was this simply a status symbol? Most likely it was a bit of both. Fubuki made a mental note to ask Momo when the other girl finished the call with her mother.

Fubuki paused at the intersection of two aisles of books and frowned, attention caught by a book. A glowing aura seemed to surround it, and she pulled the book from the shelf. It was old, with a worn-out velvet red cover boasting a near-illegible title in gold.

"The Four Cardinal Weapons Manual?" Fubuki murmured, before starting to open the book. The sound of the heavy door to the library opening stopped her though. Putting the book back she returned to the front of the library.

Momo entered, her aura a jumble of emotions, with frustration seeming to be the primary one. Clearly the conversation between Momo and her mother had not gone well.

No sooner had Fubuki stepped into view than Momo quickly approached, her expression one of annoyance.

"I am truly sorry I made you wait." Momo bowed in apologize. "Mother kept me longer than I expected."

"It was no problem," Fubuki said, arching an eyebrow "is everything ok?"

Momo grimaced, her aura spiking. "I, yes, things are fine."

"Are you sure?"

Momo nodded, biting her lip. "Yes, things are well."

"If you're sure." Fubuki said, curious about what had the other girl worked up, but cautious not to push too hard.

"I am, it is just that I have certain obligations," Momo said, the stress on the word 'obligations' deliciously vile, "and mother thought it best to remind me of one such obligation, which will require me to attend with an escort."

Fubuki nodded. It made sense, the Yaoyozoru Corporation made up eleven percent of the Japanese economy. Still, why was Momo so worked up about this?

"Mother also saw fit to inform me that she already spoken with an old friend," Momo continued, her voice becoming a low growl, "and arranged for their son to escort me!"

Ah, that was it.

"Mom assured me that if I was charming enough he had agreed to continue courting me afterwards!"

Fubuki stared, taken off guard by the sheer anger radiating from Momo. It made sense of course. Her mother was trying to make Momo date someone other than Izuku.

"I told her that I already had a boyfriend! That if I wanted him to, Izuku would escort me!" Abruptly Momo clapped her hands over her mouth, paling.

"I see." Fubuki said, and it was hard to keep her amusement from leaking into her tone. Her mother must have been quite surprised. Then she saw something weird with her friends aura. The annoyance and frustration giving way to...shame? Guilt?

"I'm sorry," Momo mumbled posture rigid, almost on the verge of tears. "I didn't mean to...and -"

Fubuki blinked. "Why are you apologizing?"

"I-, what?" Momo asked, expression confused. "Are you... did you not hear what I just said?"

"Of course I heard, I'm not deaf." Fubuki said with a wave of her hand, studying the oddities of Momo's aura. "I'm just not sure why you're apologizing to me."

"I-, what?" Momo asked, clearly confused. "I," Momo paused to clear her throat, and tried again, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. You are dating Izuku, correct?"

"I am." Fubuki said, focusing on Momo instead of her aura. "As are you. So, again, I fail to see what the issue is."

"Everything!" Momo shouted, throwing her hands wide before she started pacing, agitated. "I tell you that I just told my mother that I was dating your boyfriend, and you... I don't get it!"

Fubuki said nothing, just stared at her in thought. The only way Momo's confusion and guilt made sense would be if...wait...had Izuku not...? Oh! This was delicious!

"Are you...ok Fubuki?" Momo asked, looking at her like she had grown a third arm.

"I'm fine," Fubuki said, trying not to laugh, "I just thought he would have asked you by now."

"What?" Momo asked, bewildered.

"Momo," Fubuki said, her tone the same as when speaking with a small child, "we've been dating the same boy for months."

At Momo's wide-eyed look, Fubuki stopped holding back her smirk.

"What?"

Momo squeaked, eyes widening in shock.

"Think about it, your study dates? The way we alternate spending time with him? The way he pays attention to you? The way he is always so attentive to us when we're all together?" Fubuki delighted in the way Momo's eyes widened at each point, growing pale and blushing. "Honestly, I assumed he had asked you months ago after he asked me."

Momo squeaked like a dog's dying chew toy.

"Take your time." Fubuki said calmly, basking in the distressed shock on the other girls' face and aura. Oh how that warmed the cockles of her heart.

"Ok." Momo said a few minutes later, voice strained. Her blush was bright, but she looked far more composed. A beat. "Um...and you're ok with this?"

"Yes."

"You're sure?" Momo asked, frowning. "You're not upset or shocked?"

"Why should I be?" Fubuki said, raising an eyebrow. "As I said, I thought it was an obvious choice. But then perhaps, this is on me as well. I'm asexual and have had a long time to come to terms with the idea that whoever I date would need a second partner. I naturally believed that Izuku would realize the issues involved and reach the same decision. Plus with your mutual and obvious interest in each other, It'seemed to make sense that he would ask you."

"Right." Momo said faintly.

"Do you have an issue with it?" Fubuki asked, curious but doubtful that the other girl did.

"No, no," Momo said, shaking her head rapidly and blushing. Then she started to tap her fingers together. "I... I really like him... and this... I mean, I wished for this... but I mean... I hoped this was an option... but I didn't want to hurt you by forcing my way into your relationship..."

Fubuki nodded, letting the other girl get it all out.

"I was so focused on the outreach program and preparing for U.A that I never realized what was happening until you pointed it out." Momo admitted sheepishly. "It's... embarrassing, really."

"I'm glad we cleared that up." Fubuki said at last, pleased that things were now settled.

"Um, what about Izuku?"

"What about him?" Fubuki asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Do you think he knows he's been dating us both?" Momo asked with a small smile.

Fubuki blinked, then her smile started to grow into a wide, wide grin. Oh this girl was perfect. "No, he probably doesn't. We should probably tell him."

"Yes, that seems to be only proper." Momo agreed, her small smile starting to widen as well.

Midoriya Apartment, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Izuku sighed as he leaned back from the mock exams.

Rubbing his eyes he wished he could crawl into bed and sleep. But no, he had to be prepared for the U.A. university exams. If he bombed them, then he would have Fubuki and Momo disappointed in him. Just imagining Momo's sad look and Fubuki's glare of disappointment was all the motivation he needed to resume his study. Yet as he leaned forward to continue, he paused as his phone began to ring.

Picking it up he saw that it was Fubuki calling. Normally that brightened his mood. But this time, it made his stomach clench. For some reason seeing her calling filled him with some kind of unknowable dread. He was once more reminded of teetering on the edge of a dark chasm from which a shadow of horror and despair crept up to consume him.

Taking a deep breath, Izuku answered.

"Hello?"

"Izuku." Fubuki said, somehow sounding both fond and threatening at the same time. Girl's really were scary. "It has come to my attention that you've been cheating on me."

"WHAT?!" Izuku screeched, leaping from his seat, starting to panic. What did...who...what...."F-Fubuki I would never...I mean...why would I....I-I-I..."

"Are you sure?"

Izuku stopped talking and gulped, trying to think of how she could have ever got the idea he was cheating on her. The only other person he interacted with was Momo and ok, he might secretly have a large crush on the other girl, but he wasn't going to risk hurting Fubuki by trying to two-time her. Or risk Momo killing him and then telling Fubuki about him, because there was no way his other friend would go along with dating behind his girlfriends back. "Y-yes, I'm sure."

"I see." Fubuki said, sounding almost amused. "So you are not at all interested in going out with Momo as well?"

"Yes! I mean, no?"

"Is that a yes?"

"I-I...uh...."

"Well, its a simple matter to settle." Fubuki continued calmly as he stammered. "You will take responsibility for her, right now."

"Y-yes, right, I will and I'm sorry -"

"Izuku," Fubuki interrupted, and now he was sure she was amused. "I'm going to hang up now so that you can call her and she can properly confess to you. I expect you to accept this confession and on any future dates you will treat her properly."

Izuku's heart clenched as fear seized him. "I-wait, are-are you breaking up with me?"

"Oh, no," Fubuki said, a voice a mixture of serious and playful, "I'm afriad you're not quite that lucky. No, you are now dating the both of us and you will simply have to live with that. Am I understood?"

"Y-yes." Izuku whispered, gulping. Somehow right then, getting to date two gorgeous and amazing girls who both liked him did not sound like a reward. Plus he was not sure his heart could handle the stress of thinking about the situation too much without giving out.

"Oh, and Izuku?"

"Y-yes?"

"You do understand if you hurt her what will happen, yes?"

Izuku let out a nervous chuckle. "Y-you'll rip me limb from limb from limb from limb?"

Silence.

"F-Fubuki?"

"Goodnight Izuku~." Fubuki said, her tone sweet and ominous, before she hung up.

Izuku sat there for several long minutes, phone pressed against his ear, trying not to shiver. Why did girls have to be so scary? Also, which deity did he thank for this miracle?! Also, he was going to have a heart attack, he could already feel his heart trying to explode from his chest. After another minute to gather his courage, he called Momo.

His call was answered before he had time to prepare for it.

"Izuku!" Momo said, sounding excited but trying to control it. "You called? I know you tend to go to sleep early, especially when you've been studying and I wasn't sure if you would call or not."

"I-uh, yeah, I'm up..." Izuku said, wetting his lips, both dreading and anticipating her words.

"Oh, that's good." Momo said, letting out a sigh of relief. "So, I, that is...uhm, well,"

Oh Buddha, why did she have to be adorable even now?!

"I'm adorable?"

Izuku blinked and blushed bright red at realizing he had said that aloud.

"Y-yes," Izuku said at last, dry swallowing, "uhm, so you...you wanted to say something?"

"O-oh, yeah, I mean yes," Momo said, clearing her throat, clearly nervous as well. "I- uhm, the truth is, as I've gotten to know you I've found myself, that is to say, I...find myself attracted to you. Romantically, I mean and I know you're dating Fubuki, but I spoke with her and she said we had both been dating you for a while, and that you should have asked me out months ago, but I wanted to confess properly."

"Ah," Izuku breathed, trying to keep from sway from the stress of the moment "I-I, that is, I like you too Momo."

"Really?"

"Yes."

For a moment they were silent.

"S-so, uh," Izuku said, rubbing his neck, sweating heavily, "that is, uhm...well..."

"What is it?" Momo asked, sounding hopeful.

"Ah, and, well, that is..." Izuku said, "uh, would you like to go out...you know, together?"

"Yes!" Momo shouted, forcing him to pull the phone away from his ear for a moment. "I mean, that is, that would be lovely. Yes, I would love to go out with you. When?"

"Uhm, this weekend?" Izuku said blushing despite himself. "I mean, if you're ok with that. We can go to the movies and get dinner or, uh, something?"

"That sounds grand!" Momo said, voice pitching high before she cleared it. "W-well, then please excuse me, I should get ready for bed. we'll talk more tomorrow?"

"Y-yes." Izuku said, blushing "Well, uh, goodnight Momo."

"Sweet dreams Izuku."

Izuku blushed even brighter red. Did she really just say that? Why!? She had sounded so earnest. Gah! But even as he panicked, he realized that she had already hung up, leaving him alone with that last comment. Then the reality of what just happened hit him. Oh gods, he was dating Momo and Fubuki. They both knew and approved! Oh gods, he was going to die, but at least he would die a happy man! Blushing he fled his bed to hide under his covers.

Maybe he would die in his sleep and that way he could avoid screwing this all up?

December 7th, 2181
Zepp Mustufau, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Fubuki stood with her arms crossed beside Izuku and Momo. The two of them were deep in conversation about the finer points of Momo's quirk. To be honest Fubuki should have declined to come with them, but Momo had been so excited.

Apparently her friend was a huge fan of the idol Webigaza. Also It'seemed that their mutual boyfriend Izuku enjoyed her music. Oh well, it was fine, even if it was not the sort of music Fubuki considered real music.

Nothing against Webigaza, the woman had an impressive vocal range. But her music was too simple and repetitive. Plus her lyrics more often than not lacked any hint of complexity. They were not the worst of the over commercialized genre, but they were far from the integrity found in real music.

Still the music was catchy.

Fubuki glanced at the two and sighed. Well there was no point in ruining their evening. Glancing at her watch Fubuki frowned.

The concert should have started by now and given the restless energy she could sense from the crowd, others agreed. Around them the crowd was growing restless, edging toward danger. Fubuki considered suggesting they leave before things boiled over, but then the music started.

A quick thrum of a drum, overtaken by an electric guitar... followed by a beautiful, feminine voice.

" ♫ It's 5 am and my breathing has stopped again, the world grows quiet like a storm right before the end. There's no time to wait because, ♫ " The voice paused before a white shape dived out of the sky. Glowing butterfly wings trailed rainbow light behind them. Webigaza struck the stage with a solid landing, roaring out words as she did. "♫THE DAY HAS COME! ♫"

The crowd roared as the petite woman rose and began to move to the music. Multicolored lights flashed over her and combined with her glowing wings. Webigaza was a rather plain looking woman, with long blonde hair with two long bangs secured by ribbons and blue eyes with irregular pupils. She wore a short, frilly, white dress that reached her upper thighs, along with a black belt hanging cockeyed across her hips. But when she started to sing, her voice was loud and powerful, filling the now tumultuous place.

" ♫ Every single night, never ending... It's an endless storm and the rains unrelenting. But that's the way this world is run even though It's a hopless oneee. Even if you keep on falling, Keep moving on forward, even if you're barely crawlingg... although you're half asleep, and stumbling, you've gotta keep up the figgghhhtttt! Once again you're lost in that world in your head. Don't you seee what you've been missing, you could be living out your wildest dreams! ♫ "

It was hard not to move to the fast paced song pulsing over the wild crowd like ocean waves on a rocky beach. Even Fubuki who was not a fan of such pop music nodded along, enjoying the thrum and energy of the show. On stage Webigaza bounced around to the fast paced music, throwing her hand up in the air and shaking it before bursting into the fast song once more.

" ♫ This tangled maze keeps on twisting, twisting! But through the chaos we will keep persisting. The sound of a bell calls for a new adventure and the start of a brand new beginning! I don't know which way I should be going, It's really scary to run not knowing. But with every step will grow stronger I know that soon we will find a way because THE DAY HAS COME! ♫ "

Her vocals died for a moment as the drums and guitar overtook her, speeding them forward. Then abruptly Webigaza surged back into the song.

" ♫ Those who can't seem to understand you ...are they any better than the ones that pretend to ? But that's the way this world is run though it is a hopless oneeee! This world isn't anything like hell but I'm still sure It's far from the light of heaven as well! We're somewhere stuck in the middle. We dwell where the two connnnect! Disregard the image on that tarot carrrrrd...Let it go. Cause we don't what tomorrow holds for you and me. ♫ "

Webigaza's voice faded again, letting the music race onward while she bouncing around to the beat, throwing her hand up in the air yet again, shaking it before bursting back into song.

" ♫ This tangled maze keeps on twisting, twisting! But through the chaos we will keep persisting. The sound of a bell calls for a new adventure and the start of a brand new beginning! I don't know which way I should be going, It's really scary to run not knowing. But with every step will grow stronger I know that soon we will find a way because THE DAY HAS COME! ♫ "

" ♫ You only believe only what you believe what you can see with your own eyes...but blink! And as you're cowerrrring in the dark you'll start to seeeee, everything you fear it will start to manifest...So Cry onnn, cry onnn! ♫ "

Webigaza clutched her microphone, panting as a combination of heavy drum beats, piano, and guitar filled the space. Nodding her head to the beat, she grinned before picking the song up once more.

" ♫ The ones to live are the real survivors, they'll drag you down with their cloaks and daggers. They strive to survive in this world where all justice and fairness is but an illussssion! The Secret hunter is creeping closer, you hear it whisper the fate of the future! You sharpen your claws as you run to the exIt'sign, there's no time to wait, because the day... has... ♫ "

Suddenly Webigaza ran to the edge of the stage and jumped. She sailed over the edge, her back arched arms spread wide, her legs bent. Just as It'seemed that she would fall into the crowd, her shimmering wings of energy sent her soaring over the crowd.

The idol left a shimmering trail of multicolored light behind as she swooped over the cheering crowd. Looping back to the stage she struck a three-point landing, microphone held out toward her audience which roared the last line at the obvious signal.

" ♫ COME! ♫ "

Panting Webigaza stood, turning to smile out at them. Her image showed in high-definition on the large screen behind her. "Good evening everyone!" As the crowd roared back at her, she laughed. "I hope you enjoyed that song and I want to apologize for our delay! We saw we had a special guest and there was no way we couldn't put on something special for him, so I picked out my newest song!"

Fubuki's eyes widened as suddenly the giant screen behind Webigaza filled with the bewildered face of Izuku.

"That's right, give it up my wonderful people," Webigaza cried, voice filled with excitement, "we have Mini-Might in the crowd!"

If the crowd had been worked up before, It'seemed to double now.

"MINI-MIGHT!"

"WEBIGAZA!!!"

"MINI-MIGHT!!!"

Izuku looked around, clearly bewildered. At his side Momo was looking around, less bewildered and more uncertain. Fubuki though focused on the idol. Webigaza was standing on stage with the biggest smile possible, not saying a word as her fans erupted. Fubuki's lips pressed into a thin frown, she did not need to see the woman's aura to know what she was feeling.

Webigaza was staring at Izuku in bold avarice.

How dare this woman try to co-opt Izuku! If anyone would get to take advantage of his fame, it would be Fubuki! But there was nothing Fubuki could do, unless she wanted to go back to her old ways. Yes, using her Psychogenesis to choke Webigaza until she could barely hiss would be delightful. But Izuku would know and give her such a disappointed look.

"Now let's get this party started!!!" Webigaza declared, causing her fans to erupt in a fresh wave of cheers. Laughing she bounced across the stage as an upbeat almost techno sax started playing. Turning back to the crowd she smiled out at them, then giggled and lifted two fingers to her right eye in a sideways 'v' and stuck her tongue out. Then as a guitar and piano joined the sax solo, she spoke. Her voice bright, preppy, and somewhat biting.

"Tonight we honor the hero."

As her words finished, the techno jazz music kicked into high gear and she started singing for real.

" ♫ Tonight, they'll don their masks the kids that tear it down. And all these scheming lies will soon evoke the end. Turn up the temperature, entice that golden taste. Give It'some FLAVOR, FLAVOR, FLAVOR! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! ♫ "

Abruptly she stopped singing as the fast techno jazz continued, pointing out at a random audience member. "HEY, COME ON! Yeah, you." She waved at them, then shook her head smiling. "Let's bring it on back to zero, shall we?

Laughing she bounced back into the fast paced song.

" ♫ Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! Return to the yesterday we cast away, the scene will overflow. Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! We'll overrun the point of no return, I know! Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! Soon you will find your vendetta s futile So throw away that ego. HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? Call out to me, come on, again and again!" ♫

Webigaza stopped singing once more, letting the techno jazz race on.

"ARE YOU READY TO RESPECT THE HERO?" She snorted, her voice carrying a slightly sarcastic tone, as if irritated. "You know? I'm really tired of your piss-poor attitude. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Show me some respect, jeez! Do you - Do you have any?! It's like you don't care about anyone but yourself. I swear you do it to piss me off ...You DO, don't you?!"

The abruptly she exploded back into singing, her voice peppy and the words coming as fast as the beats of the techno jazz.

" ♫ It's all so ludicrous, a sinful DISTORTION! You fall from heaven's gate into a villain s fate, and say:♫" Webigaza went dead still, delivering her next line in an almost deadpanned sarcastic tone. "Hello? Temptation? Nice to meet you."

Then suddenly she's singing once more.

" ♫ NOW AND FOREVER EVER EVER! Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! Return to the yesterday we cast away, the scene will overflow. Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! We'll overrun the point of no return, I know. Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! Soon you will find your vendetta's futile So throw away that ego. HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? Call out to me, come on, again and again! ♫ "

As the reverb of her voice was washed away by the drums, sax and guitar she bounced around the stage, butterfly wings flashing different colors. Stopping abruptly, she burst back into song, leaning toward the audience.

"JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! This time, let an evolution shake our lives, We'll overcome the chaos. Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! Sweet destiny, you are who I am living for-oh oh. YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY! I won t forget, I will find you once again. Just tell me where to go. Let's DRIVE THEM CRAZY! So, bring it on, I'll challenge fate again and again! OHH OH OH JUST WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND! ♫ "

Then suddenly she stopped dead, hip cocked out at the crowd, almost sneering at her cheering audience. "Now swear to respect the hero!"

As the crowd cheered, she flipped her blonde hair satisfied. Turning she sauntered back toward the center of the stage, the techno jazz starting to trail off. Meanwhile the multicolored lights shifted from the kaleidoscope of color to a softer blue-white.

As she reached the center of the stage, a slower more melancholy beat started. Turning back to the crowd Webigaza's cheerful expression gave way to one of quite mourning as pink rose petals drifted across the screen behind her.

She lifted her microphone, and when she started to sing her voice came out as a soft guttural, almost a rasp. The perfect voice for the bittersweet song she now sang.

" ♫ How many days have passed like this? The city, the crowd is fading, moving on. I sometimes have wondered where you've gone. Story carries on, lonely, lost inside. I had this dream so many times. The moments we spent have passed and gone away. Could there be an end to this, what I'm feeling deep inside? You know there's no looking back." ♫

" ♫ Glassy sky above, as long as I'm alive you will be part of me; Glassy sky, the cold, the broken pieces of me. ♫ "

For a moment Webigaza let the soft, letting the haunting melody wash over the crowd. Then as the piano began to play she picked up the song once more.

" ♫ The mystery of it I recall. Suddenly the truth will change the way we fall. I didn't wanna hurt you, hope you know. Empty promises, shattered dreams of love." ♫

" ♫ Sometimes I wonder what's beyond. I tried many times to make it up to you. Can somebody tell me what to do? Thought we're meant to be; there's no looking back." ♫

Webigaza looked up at the sky, almost seeming to be on the verge of tears as the haunting music continued for a moment.

" ♫ Time has already come. Sun is gone and no more shadows. Can't give up, I know, and this life goes on, I'll be strong, I'll be strong 'till I see the end." ♫

" ♫ Inside I've been shaken, my sanity taken. Our broken halves, they intertwine. From once was yours and once was mine. I'm breakable, I'm breakable - Unshakable, Unshakable. I'm breakable, I'm breakable. ♫ "

" ♫ Glassy sky above, as long as I survive, you will be part of me; Glassy sky, the cold, the broken pieces of me. Sometimes I wonder what's beyond. I tried many times to make it up to you. Can somebody tell me what to do? Thought we're meant to be; there's no looking back. ♫ "

Her voice trailed off, her gaze drifting to the ground, as the haunting melody slowly ebbing away into silence.

Then as the lights started to shift back to brighter range, she ran toward the VIP section of the crowd. Jumping she flew from the stage and over the barriers, leaving trails of light behind her as she landed in front of a startled Izuku. "Mini-Might! Hey!"

"Uh..."

Then much to the annoyance of both Momo and Fubuki the idol darted in, hugging him. "This is amazing! I hope your enjoying my show...oh!" Giggling, she pulled him around, looping an arm around Izuku's neck, pulling his face tight against her chest with a playful grin. "Selfie!"

The flash of her phone illuminated their faces as she flashed a bright smile.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm echoing through the venue as the image appeared on the large screen on stage.

"MINI-MIGHT!"

"WEBIGAZA!!!"

"MINI-MIGHT!!!"

Giggling, Webigaza let go of Izuku and bounced away, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're just adorable, Mini-Might!" she exclaimed, her voice almost a purr, causing the crowd to coo in delight. "I can't help it..."

At her words more music started, a slow but sweet melody began to fill the air. The atmosphere shifted, as Webigaza began to sing. "♫ One more time, like it's the last time, can we meet again? Anywhere is fine. ♫ " Webigaza held her hand out to Izuku, smiling sweetly. " ♫ Hold my hand if you wouldn't mind. 'Cause I don't wanna leave your side - Ow!"

Webigaza abruptly smacked a hand over her eye, stumbling back while the sound system went crazy. The unexpected disruption causing chaos among the crowd.

As the music hall filled with surprised gasps and puzzled murmurs, Fubuki crossed her arms and smirked at the rattled idol.

That was just about enough of that, thank you very much.

Sensing Izuku and Momo looking at her, Fubuki glanced at them, arching an eyebrow. Izuku gave her a dull look of exasperation, while Momo gave her a subtle smile of approval. Fubuki sniffed, at least someone understood her.

"Webigaza, are you alright?" A new voice asked, drawing Fubuki's attention to a man in a suit trailed by stadium security. "That glitch caught us off guard. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Webigaza insisted, shaking her head and taking a deep breath. Looking around she saw the crowd growing uneasy and restless. She glanced at her manger. "How's the sound system?"

"The technical team has addressed the issue. Are you sure you're ok?"

"Absolutely." Webigaza said flashed a reassuring smile, her professional demeanor quickly taking over. "It's fine, no worries... cue New Era."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded resolutely. "Absolutely. The show must go on, right?" Then with one last look at Izuku she launched herself into the air. Her glowing wings trailed light behind her, as fast paced music started to play. She landed on the stage, launching straight into her new song.

"♫ I'll show you a new world, Adventure to unfurl. So let's run away and find that place. The time is now! Don't you go and miss your chance. Relight the flames of passion. The fire in my soul. ALRIGHT, WELCOME TO the NEW ERA! ♫ "

Janurary 1st, 2182
Masaki Shrine, Masaki Village, Okayama Prefecture, Japan...

"So you never said, but which kami is this shrine dedicated to?" Izuku asked as they hiked up the weathered stone stairs running up the side of the mountain.

"Ah, It's not really dedicated to any one kami." Momo answered, her breath puffing out in a faint mist as she spoke. The morning had dawned overcast and cold, and the mountain seemed to be even colder. Thankfully it remained a dry winter and seemed to almost be edging toward an early spring, given that some of the Sakura blossom trees that dotted the sides of the stairway were starting to bud. "Masaki Shrine is intended to be open to any wandering kami that needs a place to rest."

"Interesting," Fubuki said from the other side of Izuku, "and you said this shrine is associated with your family?"

"Yes. One of my ancestors is from the nearby Masaki village, Masaki Kiriko. Thus it's become a tradition that for our New Year's shrine visit, we visit the Masaki Shrine." Momo said, giving Izuku a coy smile as she caught him checking her out without trying to be noticed. He blushed and averted her eyes. So adorable. It was also nice to know that even in her red and white formal kimono she drew his attention.

"I see," Fubuki said. "I couldn't help but notice that the village seemed to be predominately female."

"Yes, it is a three to one divide," Momo said, flushing a bit, nervous and careful not to look at Izuku. "Apparently polygyny is very common in the village, in fact the priest has seven wives."

"Seven wives? How considerate of him." Fubuki said dryly amused, even though her voice had enough of a bite that Momo could see Izuku shiver. "Tell me, Izuku, are you planning on being as considerate?"

"W-what?! No, of course not!" Izuku yelped, stumbling to a stop, waving his hands, his face red. "Why would I want that? You're both so incredibly amazing and beautiful that I don't really know how to describe it and I have no clue what I did to deserve such amazing girls in my life! I mean I'm just me and I -"

"Izuku." Fubuki snapped, cutting off his adorable rambling. "You don't need to understand, just accept that we are."

"She's right," Momo said, blushing, as she added her own support to Fubuki's words. "We like you for you, so there really is no need to over think it. So please, relax."

"O-ok." Izuku mumbled, blushing.

For a moment the three of them stood on the stone stairs, surrounded by the ancient trees and silence of a dry winter. Still, as much fun as it was to see Fubuki torment tease their boyfriend, Momo thought it might be best to spare him a bit.

But what would...ah, that could work!

"Did I tell you about the local legend attached to the shrine?" Momo asked, brightly as she started walking, prompting the other two to do the same. "A long time ago an enslaved Kitsune caused trouble in this village until one day a dragon appeared from the sky with a mighty samurai on its back. With no other choice, he sealed the kitsune away. It was released many years later, but it had fallen in love with the young man who released her, and so she seduced him and became his wife!"

"Don't get any ideas Izuku," Fubuki said, voice dry, "Kitsune and other spirits are also off limits."

Izuku made a delightfully distressed noise and hurried passed Momo. She slowed just a bit, enjoying the sight of him in his haori hakama. To most everyone else he appeared to be a slender, pre-quirk average boy in traditional clothes. His only distinguishing features being his freckles and wild, green hair. But to Momo he looked very much like a bold, handsome, samurai from one of her romance novels. All he needed was a pair of swords at his waist.

Once he was safely ahead of them and out of ear shot, she turned to Fubuki who was smirking beside her. "You enjoy that way too much Fubuki."

"Can you blame me? He makes very delightful noises after all." Fubuki countered with a faint smirk, both of them starting after him. "Besides, I know I'm not the only one that enjoys it."

"I....well, I mean, its true I did like hearing that...it just...but..." Momo stammered, blushing a bit before she huffed in defeat. "You're horrible."

Eventually they caught up with Izuku and the three of them continued their trek in silence. When they at last reached the top of the stone stairs, they paused before the worn Torii and bowed politely before entering the flagged courtyard of the shrine. It was as modest shrine surrounded by a substantial growth of ancient trees, with the maple, cork and beech all starting to regain their leaves, while the upper slopes of the mountain were filled with tall cedar and gnarled cypress' offering cool shade.

For a moment the trio stood there, taking in the quiet. It surprised Momo to find nobody else there. At the very least she had expected students from Masaki village making the trip. But then perhaps they had already visited? Sighing she turned to Fubuki and Izuku. "We shouldn't linger, it'd be impolite."

Nodding, the three of them moved to the temizuya, a simple stone basin sheltered by a humble pavilion.

Seeing the single ladle, Izuku smiled at her and Fubuki. "You two can go first."

"Are you sure?" Momo asked, appreciating his politeness. But also the water was going to be cold, so if he wanted to go first, he could.

Izuku nodded. "Yes, please."

"If you're sure." Momo said, wondering how to decide who would go first between her and Fubuki.

"I am."

Turning she started to address Fubuki, but the other girl shrugged, waving a hand. "You can go ahead Momo."

"Are you sure?" Momo asked, and seeing Fubuki's smirk, she sighed. Of course.

Resigned to the cold water, Momo stepped up and used the water ladle to wash her left hand, then her right. It was cold. Not mountain-spring cold, but cold enough to cause goose bumps. Raising the ladle she poured more into her palm and used it to rinse her mouth. It was a sharp cold, almost numbing her mouth. Blushing faintly she turned to spit the water onto the rocks around the basin. Finished, Momo rinsed her left hand a final time before rinsing the ladle by letting the water pour vertically down the handle, before setting it down and stepping aside for Fubuki.

It did not escape her notice that Fubuki motioned for Izuku to go ahead of her while stepping aside herself.

Momo frowned for a moment, uncertain, and then gasped a bit. It had been a passing comment, so she could be forgiven for forgetting. But still, shame filled Momo at forgetting that Fubuki was Christian. They had that rule against other gods... so inviting Fubuki to join her on this trip was incredibly rude. Momo decided that she would keep this mind moving forward and brush up on details to ensure that she to avoid this kind of faux pas again.

Once Izuku finished with his own purification, the three of them started toward the Haiden.

"It's a very lovely place," Fubuki said as they passed the wooden wall were various Ema hung.

"It is," Momo agreed, smiling, glad that Fubuki did not seem offended at her oversight, "according to local legend, its the oldest shrine in all of Japan. I don't know if that is true, but it is true that it predates any others in the prefecture."

Reaching the Haiden, she and Izuku dropped their five-yen coins through the grates on the wooden coin box while Fubuki looked on in difference. As they moved to say their prayers, Momo noticed that Izuku finally noticed Fubuki's lack of participation. It was clear he was not sure what to make of it, but he said nothing, which Momo approved. Instead he reached out and rang the bell suspended beneath the eaves of the Haiden, the clear tone of the bell seeming to pass through her and resonate with her heart.

With two sharp claps, she announced her presence to the kami, helping to purify the environment of any lingering negative influence. She offered two very polite ninety-degree bows and closed her eyes, organizing her thoughts, ensuring that her heart was truly in the words she would silently speak.

"Please, all attendant Heavenly Kami and Earthly Kami, each of the myriad of kami, lend an ear to my prayers. I know calamity and adversity may transpire, that misfortune and great sorrow may fall, but please scatter them and blow them afar with your winds. Let Hotei gift us with abundant health and prosperity. May Bishamon guide our paths as heroes so that we may deliver justice and punish evildoers as she does. Please Tenjin, illuminate our future and ensure we have fruitful studies. Please Okuninushi serve as a guide to ensure that my match with Izuku bears fruit and continues, for him to continue to accept me and ensure we advance without losing our way. Please, I ask on the behalf of my friend Fubuki that you do the same for her and Izuku as well. I beg for all our sakes that you would ensure we disregard jealousy and have happy lives together."

She paused, taking a deep breath of the cold air.

"Please."

With one last sharp clap and polite bow, she opened her eyes, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. For a moment It'seemed as if someone was beside her, smiling, telling her she had been heard and understood. But the sensation passed quickly and she turned to Izuku, who had by then finished his own prayers.

"So?" Momo asked as they left the Haiden and rejoined a waiting Fubuki. "Do you think this helped?"

"I think so," Izuku said, quiet. "At least I hope it did. It'still doesn't seem real. I mean, I know what he said but still seems like I need to prove myself. But he recommended me Momo. Me! I'm nothing special you know..."

"Don't say that. You are very special, especially to me and Fubuki." Momo said, smiling at him and basking in the way he stared at her like something special. "But I know what you mean. When I first learned that both Atomic Samurai and Slidin' Go recommended me, I was overwhelmed."

Izuku nodded before glancing at Fubuki. "Are you sure you don't want -"

"No." Fubuki said, cutting him off with a scowl. "Getting my sister to recommend me would only keep me in her shadow like she wants. Besides, I want to prove to myself I can be a hero, and the general exam is the best way for me to do that."

Momo nodded, but frowned at her. She admired the determination Fubuki had to proving herself, but the resentment she held toward her sister was unhealthy. Momo considered saying something, but lacked an idea of what to say. For now she would just have to think about It'some more and talk with Izuku, together the two of them should be able to figure out some way to help Fubuki deal with her sister.

"Ah, I thought all students had already visited this morning!" A merry voice called from behind them and Momo turned to find the priest emerging from the shrine office.

Masaki Tenchi looked the same as he always had, though perhaps a bit more tired. His black hair remained cut short, save for his ponytail. His tanned face still wrinkle free. He still wore his plain, if comfortable looking, white kimono with a sky-blue umanori hakama, zori and white tab sandals. Somehow the middle aged man seemed frozen in his early twenties and yet still exuded a grandfatherly aura.

Momo bowed, smiling. "Good morning kannushi!"

"Now, now, no need for that," Tenchi said, giving her a playful grimace as he waved a hand, "just my name will do, or I suppose if you must, Tenchi-sensei."

Momo smiled at the long standing response. It had become something of a friendly way of their greeting one another. "Of course, as you wish Tenchi-sensei."

Tenchi sighed, but his dark eyes showed his amusement even as he took in Fubuki and Izuku at her side. "So, you brought friends with you this time, eh, lady Momo?"

"Yes." Momo said giving him a playful pout at his calling her lady, but proud at being able to answer honestly.

Fubuki bowed, politely. "I'm Fubuki. Nice to meet you Tenchi-sensei."

"Fubuki-san, it is well that we met this morning." Tenchi said, bowing back and smiling before his attention shifted to Izuku.

"Ah, I'm Midoriya Izuku and I, that is, I apologize for my rudeness, Tenchi-sensei. I, that is, I, er, I'm their boyfriend..." Izuku managed, red faced and bowing several times.

Tenchi laughed good naturedly, giving Izuku a faintly commiserating look. "Well, I'm more than pleased to meet another who has been overly favored by the Kami."

Momo blushed at the comment, giving a nervous little giggle, while Izuku scratched the back of his head. Fubuki on the other hand....

"At last a priest that knows what he is talking about." Fubuki drawled with a cocky smirk.

"Ah, you'd get along with my wife Ryoko quite well no doubt." Tenchi said giving Fubuki a sardonic smile, before his face turned serious. "Speaking of whom, she will be quite cranky if I do not return home soon. She and Ayeka are both pregnant this time and the others are on a trip, so its up to me to keep them fed and pampered. If you three have no objection, shall we go down together?"

Momo shared a look with Izuku and Fubuki, neither of whom seemed to have a problem. "We would be honored Tenchi-sensei."

"No, no, this old man is the one that is honored." Tenchi said with a tiny smile, before the four of them started the trek back down the mountain.

"I'm glad we could start the year together," Momo said softly, as they trailed behind the priest.

"Me too." Fubuki agreed.

Izuku smiled, blushing a bit. "I'm really happy to be here with you both. I hope this year will be amazing for all of us."

Shyly, Momo reached out to take Izuku's hand in hers. She had no doubts that Fubuki was doing the same on his other side, given the way his face lit up brighter than ever.

Chapter Text

February 26th, 2182
Midoriya Apartment, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Inko watched her son fidget with his school uniform, nerves on display. 

His face was better about not showing his emotions, a side effect from spending so much time with Fubuki. But Izuku could not stop his hands from fidgeting. At the moment, he was tugging at his belt, tightening and loosening it. 

At that moment, Izuku reminded her of his father, Hisashi. In a good way though. Hisashi had been so nervous on their dates that he fidgeted constantly. It had been adorable then, and it was adorable now seeing Izuku do it.

Inko blinked away tears, trying to avoid breaking into sobs. 

Her baby boy was all grown up. Getting ready for his university exams and dating two beautiful young women.  It did not seem possible that it was real. But it was. 

"Ah, um, mom, help?" 

Blinking, she refocused and noticed him looking at her sheepish, a crimson silk tie limp in his hand. 

"Oh my," she laughed a bit, sniffing, voice trembling. "Let me see it." 

Stepping close, she took the tie and shivered at the feel of the silk against her skin. She did not recognize it, but it was probably another gift from Momo. The girl was always getting him presents, and all of them were so expensive. 

Inko bit her lip. She tried to remember that the young woman had grown up in extreme wealth. That her buying this was nothing more than a sweet gesture. But it still made Inko uneasy. 

Standing on her tip-toes, she looped the silk tie around his upturned collar. Her hands moved in old, familiar patterns, her voice coming out nervous. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" 

"Yeah, I think I am." Izuku said with a faint nod. 

Inko hummed, finishing the knot, and settled back on her heels, straightening his tie. Then she smoothed out the black blazer of his school uniform. When had Izuku gotten taller than her?

She blinked tears out of her eyes again. Giving him a watery smile, she held his arms, squeezing as her voice hitched a bit at the lump in her throat. "Do your best ok?" 

"I will." Izuku said, smiling back as he pulled her into a hug, blinking away his own tears. "I love you mom." 

"I love you too." 

And then Izuku was striding out of their tiny apartment. Toward his future. Toward the life he had always dreamed of... and Inko started sobbing as the door closed behind him.

Midoriya Izuku made his way down the stairs with a kind of quiet determination. 

Today was the day he had been waiting for, even if he had not thought it would be as a recommended student. Of course, he was nervous. It was U.A. How could he not be? But he had been training for three years, he had been cramming for the last ten months and he had trained with All Might! He was as ready as he could ever be. 

"What took you?" 

Izuku stopped before Fubuki, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She, too, wore the school uniform, and he had to say she wore it very well. He tried not to let his eyes linger on the way her skirt rode up on her thighs due to her position. "S-sorry to keep you waiting." 

"Its fine." Fubuki said, pushing away from the wall and levitating her bag into her hand. "So, I trust that you have some strategy in mind for your exams?" 

"Uh, not to fail?" Izuku asked, scratching his cheek as they started walking. "I mean, we all passed the Center Test with top scores, and we've been practicing with those U.A. mock exams Momo created, so we should be fine, right? As for the practical, I'm pretty sure none of us are going to fail that. Especially you. You're too skilled, determined, and powerful to let them fail you." 

"Perhaps." Fubuki said, looking pleased by his words...and was that a blush? Yep. Izuku could not help but walk a little taller at that. "Still, it would be a good idea to not be too sure of ourselves. If only you and Momo were taking the general entrance exam with me, we could work out a proper strategy." 

"Yeah," Izuku said, sighing, "I really wish I could, but since All Might recommended me I can't just let him down. He put his reputation on the line, so I have to pay him back for that." 

"I doubt he wants you to think like that." Fubuki said slowly as if thinking of her words before speaking. "He saw in you what I do. Do you remember what I said to you all those months ago?" 

Izuku hummed, looking up as he thought back to when they first met. "That I stink? But I took a shower, and-" 

"Not that you moron." Fubuki snapped, glaring at him. "Later, when I came to your apartment for the first time. When I told you what I decided and asked you a favor." 

"Oh." Izuku said, blinking. "Uh, you said...you wanted me to help you because I showed you what a hero should be. That I was..." Izuku trailed off, blushing as he remembered what she said. His mom had affirmed he would be a hero, All Might all but said it every day. But it had been Fubuki who had said it to him first. It was one of his most cherished memories. He teared up but did his best not to give in to the urge to cry.

"That you were the kind of hero I need." Fubuki said, finishing his sentence, tone warm and gentle. "That has not changed Izuku. All Might recommend you because he saw it as well, I am sure of it." 

Face warm, Izuku let the conversation lapse, and the two continued on their way. Instead of their usual route they took the train, the one dedicated to U.A..

The bullet train was sleek, clean, and mostly empty. There were a few students on it, and they seemed to stare at him shamelessly, which annoyed him. He should have been used to it, and he was, sort of. Still, it irritated him to have people always looking at him.

Thankfully, they found an empty train car, the only sound the ads playing on the digital displays. He tuned them out for the most part, trying to settle his nerves. But that proved harder than he thought.

He was on his way to U.A. to make his dreams come true. He would save everyone with a smile! 

"There are still no leads on the disgraced former hero Thunderbolt." A voice said and Izuku blinked, refocusing on the closet digital display.  It was showing a newscast, and at the moment, pictures of a man.

A Pro-Hero and an infamous one at that. The man was tall, masked, with a dark goatee, lean and muscled in the way of a long-distance runner. His red and blue hero costume was covered in way too many thunderbolt symbols. The other picture was a headshot sans mask. The man's face was sharp-featured and set in a somber-looking scowl. He had short, stiff, dark hair. His eyes were the color of furious thunderclouds. 

He looked a bit like Endeavor, only without the flaming beard. In fact, the resemblance was close enough that it made Izuku wonder if they were first or second cousins.

Then the pictures faded out, only to be replaced by an infamous video. One which showed the former Pro-Hero, wearing his costume, not only attending a Creature Rejection Clan rally but participating in the beating of a kid.

"Haru Toyoda is wanted for his actions in the beating caught on video, but more evidence has come to light of further crimes." The pretty newscaster continued, her voice dispassionate but distinctive. The video faded out, allowing her to fill the screen. "In the ongoing investigation, it has now come to light that the former Pro-Hero had also, for decades, been abusing his disabled daughter. The HSPC has issued a formal statement about the horrific incidents, apologizing to the public for failing to realize the sort of villain that had been hiding in their midst. They have assigned Endeavor and Hawks to the case, which is now considered a top priority. It is requested that if anyone has information on his whereabouts, they contact the Hero Public Safety Commission or the nearest Hero agency." 

There was a beat after that last sentence, and then a new video came up. A short clip of a riot during some kind of event. 

"In other news, this Saturday's Hero Costume Contest turned violent when members of the Quirkless Liberation Front disrupted the contest. Sergeant Fashion, Sweet Mask, and several other judges helped to contain the violence and managed to take several Quirkless Liberation Front members into custody. However, several contestants and spectators were severely injured..."

As they approached the front gates to U.A., Fubuki had to smother her humor at how Izuku slowed his pace. Despite the neutral expression on his face, she could tell what he was thinking even without using her Psychokinesis to see his aura. He had come a long way over the last ten months. But Fubuki knew he would never be able to shake the part of him that feared his lack of a Quirk would ruin his future.

Never mind that she had seen his strength. Never mind that Momo, his other girlfriend, was supporting him too. Never mind that he had All Might himself in his corner. Izuku was always going to have that lingering fear at the back of his mind, and with the way he tended to overthink things, well...

"Are you going to keep standing there?" Fubuki asked at last, giving him a dull look as she used her Quirk to poke his forehead. 

Izuku gave her a sheepish smile and started walking again. "Sorry." 

Fubuki smirked as they at last walked through the gates, getting lost in the sea of other hopeful students. High school seniors from all over the country were here, all of them excited and nervous. Given that U.A. University was a premier University in Japan, and not just for future Heroes, it was no surprise. As they moved closer to the main building, Fubuki kept her eyes on the other students, subtly using her Quirk to keep a bubble of space around them. For good reason too.  

"Did you see?" That was-" 

"Mini-Might's here!" said a voice 

"No!" said another, "He looks so... boring."

"No, it's him, see?!" Another student said, voice excited as they no doubt held up their phone for their friend. 

"Being recognized like this is so delightful, isn't it Izuku?" Fubuki said, tone cheerful, trying to draw his attention away from these leeches. "Yes, yes, this is a perfect way to start the new Blizzard group." 

Izuku made a tiny noise of frustration and embarrassment. It sounded like a weird blend of nails on a chalkboard and a Walrus with a toothache. 

Fubuki tried not to grin at the noise her boyfriend made. It was hard, though. He made such delightful noises. She loved that about him. It also served as a reminder that she had things that she could not risk by slipping into her own worst impulses. 

Looking around at the crowd of students again, temptation stirred. A voice, one that sounded too much like Kassandora to be comfortable, whispered things to her. Small observations. Tiny little things that made her realize how easy it would be to draw these other students to her side. Their auras were full of anxiety, fear, and even guilt. It would be child's play to approach them right now. All she had to do was show her strength and project confidence, and they would jump at the chance to join her. 

After all, the weak flocked to the strong. 

She could rebuild the Blizzard Group in a matter of hours, stronger and better. Without Kassandora there to poison the well. Her new group would be loyal to Fubuki. She could shape and guide them into what she wanted. Then, when they were ready, she could point them at Tatsumaki. Thrust these leeches at her overconfident sister like a dagger in the dark. They were weaker than Tatsumaki, true. But they could wear her down through attrition. Then, when Tatsumaki was on her knees and helpless, Fubuki could deliver the coupe de grace herself. With her sister broken and defeated at Fubuki's feet, she could set her sights on taking over the wor- No!

Fubuki squeezed her eyes shut, her jaw muscles tensing as she fought those dark thoughts down. That was not who she was anymore. That was never her. That was all Kassandora and her foul manipulations. Slowly the dark impulse to manipulate and control started to slither back to the recesses of her mind. She focused on her breathing, even as those thoughts tried to twist and slip free again - until she felt a pair of arms wrap around her, pulling her into a hug.

Her eyes flew open, startled at the contact. 

For a moment, her Quirk flared, ready to fling whoever touched her away. But then she realized it was Izuku who was hugging her. He had realized she was slipping and had acted to help her. 

“How bold of you.” Fubuki said after a moment, glaring at a nearby group of giggling girls. They blanched at her stare and quickly found somewhere else to be. 

“You looked like you needed it,” Izuku muttered before pulling back, his face a bit red as he stared up at her, “sorr-“ 

Fubuki cut his apology off with a kiss. Nothing more than a quick press of her lips against his. It was the best she could offer, not that the sensation was horrible, just...it was like scratching an itch. Nice, but not something particularly noteworthy. But still, he deserved a reward. When she pulled away, his face was so red with his green hair he looked like a tomato. She smiled in satisfaction. He even made a delicious little whine that hit her in all the right ways. 

“Why?” 

“Because you make delightful sounds,” Fubuki said, grinning, “it’s like chocolate ice cream, only audible.” 

“Would all applicants please report to their designated exam rooms? Again, all applicants report to your designated exam rooms immediately. General admissions are located in the Right Forward Hall, in rooms one through thirty. Recommendation admissions is in the Left Back Hall in room one. Once more, general admissions are located in the Right Forward Hall, in rooms one through thirty. Recommendation admissions are in the Left Back Hall in room one.”

That jolted him out of his shock, and Izuku, still red-faced, scratched his cheek. “Ah, I’d say good luck, but you’ve got this.” 

“I know.” Fubuki said with a pleased smirk before she turned to wade into the sea of students. 

Fubuki found herself behind a strange pair of students. The girl was athletically lean, like a martial artist. Fairly average in height and looks. Her black hair was braided and tied into loops on either side of her head. Small silver bells held the braids in place, silent as she moved. The boy beside her stood out for two reasons. First, he was rail thin, his head oversized, and his hair resembled grapes. The second reason was due to how short he was, compared to him, her sister Tatsumaki was a giant.  

But it was their conversation that truly captured her attention. 

“Ah, no, I’m struggling with it...” The girl was saying,  sounding frustrated.

“Which part?” 

The girl sighed, throwing her hands up. “That time at morning assembly, I couldn’t stop ejaculating in front of the whole student body...”

Fubuki blinked, taken back by the conversation. 

“Lin Lin! Over here, I saved you a spot!” Another girl called, waving at the girl from a doorway to an exam room. 

“Oh!” Lin Lin waved back, then turned back to the short boy at her side. “Hey, I gotta go! I’ll see you after the exam!” 

“Hey, wait!” The short boy said, then seemed to slump as the girl was already moving to her friends. 

Well, that just happened. 

By the time Fubuki at last reached her assigned exam hall, most of the seats had been filled. Especially the ones toward the front. It was hard to miss the way those from the same school clustered together, whispering and talking.  

Finding a seat in the last row at the back of the large lecture hall, she tried to ignore the looks she was getting. Nobody was ogling her, but there was no mistake that they were paying attention to her. No doubt several had seen her with Izuku, and word had spread. 

Settling into her seat, Fubuki studied her fellow students more carefully. A few caught her immediate attention. One was three rows down and to the right, sitting with a boy and girl, laughing boisterously. Stocky, with oversized fur-covered forearms, an overly large chin, and notable sideburns. An ape-type physical mutation, no doubt. 

The girl was the only other interesting one in the group, due to the fact she had a white lily growing on her head. 

A bit further down was another interesting student. Same stocky build as the first boy. But his physical mutation made his head look like an unevenly shaped rock. He was also sitting quietly in his seat, not interacting with anyone. Clearly, he was even more painfully shy than Izuku had been. 

“Hel-looooo!~” 

Blinking, Fubuki turned toward the cheerful voice... and found a floating female school uniform? By instinct, she reached out with her psychokinesis, using it to act as a prism to filter what she was seeing. The empty air ‘rippled’ as her psychokinesis presented a doppler-like image of the girl. Long and messy hair, a heart-shaped face with bushy eyelashes, big eyes, and a wide smile.  

Beside her was a pink-skinned girl, a bit taller than the invisible girl and a bit more broadly built. But very athletic. Her light pink hair looked almost as fluffy as Izuku’s with a pair of small yellow horns peeking out it.  

“Hello.” 

“Aww, you’re not freaking out?” The invisible girl said, the pout obvious in her voice. “Anyway, I’m Hagkure Tooru!” 

“And I’m Mina Ashdo!” The other cheerful girl added, leaning around Tooru and into Fubuki’s personal space. Her black and yellow eyes were almost burning with excitement. “So is it true?” 

Fubuki raised an eyebrow. “Is what true?” 

“That you were making out with Mini-Might!” Mina exclaimed. The students around them turned to look, but Fubuki ignored it.

 “I kissed Izuku, yes.” Fubuki said. “But it was hardly making out, he saves that for his other girlfriend.” 

“What?!” Tooru squeaked, the sleeves of her uniform flailing wildly. “He’s dating another girl too?!” 

“Yes.” 

“Wow, so you have, like, no shame, huh?” Mina asked cheerfully as she and Tooru took the seats next to her.

Fubuki scoffed. “Shame is for people who don’t have other things to do.”

Before either girl could respond, the door opened one last time. An elderly man with spiky white hair, thick eyebrows, and a mustache walked in. He was slightly hunched, hands clasped behind his back. His blue eyes were sharp, though. 

Fubuki knew exactly who this was, thanks to her hero-obsessed boyfriend. 

“Good morning everyone.” Silver Fang said, taking his spot behind the desk at the front of the lecture hall. “I’m your proctor for the written portion of your exam. I’m sure you know the drill by now, but it's best to make sure. So there will be no talking, there will be no asking your neighbors for help and no phones. Now, please take a test as the robots pass them out, and we will begin.” 

“Hmm? What’s this? You’re staring at the door with such longing...Wait! Do you have a boyfriend?! “

Momo blinked and looked at the speaker. It was another girl, average height, with large, upturned green eyes. Her hair, styled with a wavy cut and a curtain bang, was long and seaweed-green. It accentuated her cheekbones and added maturity to her face. The girl was smiling, revealing long, pointed teeth.

“I’m sorry?" Momo asked, unsure about the other girl’s intentions. 

“Yeah, sorry, that might have been a bit rude.” The girl said, scratching her cheek as she settled into the desk beside Momo. “The name’s Tokage Setsuna. Short, sweet, all the boys love it.” 

Momo blinked again. “They do?” 

“They will!” Tokage said, with an earnest tone before laughing. “Like I said, I’m sorry for earlier, I was just trying to break the ice you know? Plus, you were staring at it awful hard.”

“Ah, no, I understand.” Momo said with a reassuring smile, pleased to meet the other girl. Thankful once more of meeting Izuku and Fubuki so many months ago. Otherwise, Tokage’s overly friendly approach would likely have put her off. It could have led to difficulties down the line. “I’m Yaoyozoru Momo, it is a pleasure to meet you.” 

“Wow, you’re definitely upper class, huh?” Tokage said, smiling. 

“I suppose,” Momo said with a sheepish smile, “Ah, and to answer your earlier question, I was watching for my boyfriend.” 

“So it’s true!” Tokage said, eager, eyes gleaming. “What’s his name? His Quirk? What’s he look like?! When did you two get together?” 

“Huh?” 

“No, it doesn’t matter!” Tokage said, clenching her hand in front of her. “I won’t let you defeat me! No, instead, I shall defeat you!” 

“Defeat me?” Momo asked, tilting her head in confusion as the other girl carried on. 

“Yes. I can’t stand it anymore! You’re the biggest threat to my great plan!” 

“Plan?“ Momo was growing ever bewildered but had a feeling this was a joke of some kind. Possibly a reference to a show or book she never encountered as a child. 

“Huhu...” Tokage laughed, striking a pose, clearly overacting the role of a scheming noblewoman. Momo had no clue why, but it seemed harmless and only reaffirmed this referential joke. “Yes! My plan to make every member of the male student body at this university my slave! The U.A. Harem Transformation Plan!”

“...”

“My plan was perfect! I should have had every guy a slave to my beauty right from the start, however!” Abruptly Tokage pointed dramatically at Momo. “You appeared!”

“What are you doing?!” A new voice shouted, startling Tokage and Momo. 

It was another, rather pale, girl seated in the row in front of them. She was glaring up at Tokage through narrowed, lilac eyes, scowling. With her lavender hair styled like a classic princess, the girl resembled an irate noblewoman more than a fellow student.

“Uh, sorry?” Tokage managed, sheepish and blushing. “I was just, you know, goofing around. It’s a bit from that show Rosario Vampire. Things are so tense I thought it might be good to break -“ 

“Sorry?! Do you have any idea of how distracting your antics are? This is U.A. University! We should be comporting ourself with dignity. By acting like this, you’re distracting everyone and making their nerves worse!” 

“Uuhhh...” 

“Are you even listening to me? Is any of this sinking in? What do you have to say for yourself?!”

“Why exactly does she owe you an apology?” Momo interrupted, aware of the attention they were attracting. This girl wasn’t just being rude she was embodying the kind of snobbery that Momo despised.

“Excuse me?” The other girl asked, startled and off guard. 

“I asked, why does she owe you an apology?” Momo repeated, her voice and manner as polite as when she addressed the ill-mannered board members at her company. “As far as I’m aware this was a conversation between myself and Tokage-san, and a fairly amusing one as well. Besides that, Tokage-san is quite correct, as your actions demonstrate. We are all too stressed, or is it that you would act so rude toward a potentially future classmate, and colleague, even were we not under such pressure?” 

“Who do you think you are?!” The girl sputtered, flushing in anger. 

“I’m nothing more than a future hero.” Momo said with a polite smile. “So kindly keep your finch-egg of an opinion to yourself and turn your glass eyes to your own affairs and leave us to ours.” 

“I...you...Wha- How dare- The nerve of... Ugh!” The girl stammered, then, with a harrumph, turned away from them.

For a moment, the whole auditorium was silent. 

“That...was...awesome!” Tokage shouted, laughing uproariously.

Momo almost sighed. That had been rather rude of her, but it had also felt good. She could almost picture Izuku smiling at her and Fubuki snorting in amusement. Around the room, the other students resumed their conversations, though their eyes still flickered toward her.

“Holy shit, I can’t believe I got to see a real-life upper-class catfight!” Tokage continued, giggling in a much lower tone.

“Hardly a catfight.” Momo said with a tiny smile, feeling a little smug. No doubt from Fubuki’s bad influence. “She barely counted as a kitten compared to some I’ve met.”

Tokage laughed once more, even as Momo saw the other unnamed girl flinch at her words.

“As for your questions, his name is Midoriya Izuku, and we met about ten months ago...” 

A surge of noise at the door, caused by more students, disrupted their conversation. But it was one in particular that caught the attention of the entire room.

“There he is!” 

“Told you he was here!”

“Mini-Might!” One girl shouted, standing from her desk and waving her hand with a phone in it. “Can we take a selfie?!” 

“Hey, Mini-Might!” 

“Are you really taking the exam with us?!” 

“What’s All Might really like!?” 

As the auditorium buzzed with noise, Izuku stared back with a polite demeanor, making no effort to answer the questions. Though it seemed only Momo noted his disinterest. Then his eyes found hers, and he smiled wide, even his eyes seeming to smile at her. It transformed his adorable face into an incredibly handsome one. With eagerness, he made his way toward her. “Momo!” 

“Izuku.” Momo said, blushing at the sudden attention everyone was giving her yet again. Part of her even found the death glares she was receiving rather amusing. Upon reaching her, he smiled down at her joyfully. Until a noise not dissimilar to a whistling teapot came from Momo’s other side. 

Blinking, Momo glanced at the source of the noise and almost giggled. Oh dear, Tokage looked rather distressed. Also, why did that make Momo want to smile in smug satisfaction? 

“Tokage-san, are you ok?” 

“You!” The other girl squeaked, a finger jabbing at Momo before jabbing at Izuku. “And him?!” 

“Yes.” Momo said, enjoying this far more than she probably should. No doubt more evidence of Fubuki’s bad influence. 

“I... he...” Tokage paused. Closed her eyes, took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then exhaled slowly before turning her gaze back to Momo. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you just ruined every daydream I ever had, and I hate you a little bit for it. Bitch.” 

Momo blinked, taken aback, then gave a slow nod. Now, how would Fubuki handle this? Ah. “I see...I’d say I’m sorry, but well, I’m not.” 

“Better not be.” Tokage jokingly growled before beaming up at a bewildered-looking Izuku. “So I’m Tokage Setsuna, and it is amazing to meet you!” 

“Nice to meet you to.” Izuku said slowly, taking the empty seat beside Momo’s other side. “Umm, so anything I should know?” 

“Me and your girlfriend are best-friends now, she totally gave me permission to make out with you whenever I want, and we hate the lavender melon in front of us.” Tokage said without missing a beat. 

Momo sighed, even as Izuku blinked. “I have said no such thing, though yes, I will admit to some friction with the girl in front of us.” 

“Oh.” Izuku said, then leaned around Momo to look at a pouting Tokage. “Sorry, but even if Momo did give you that permission, my other girlfriend would object.” 

“Other...” Tokage’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me?!” 

“Nope.” Momo said, almost laughing at the girl’s look. 

Further conversation was curtailed, though, when the door opened once more. Only this time, it was not a flood of students or even a semi-famous one that entered. Instead, it was a tall, curvaceous, dark-haired woman that strutted into the room. 

She wore a red domino mask and something shockingly similar to a traditional dominatrix. Translucent black thigh-high stockings attached to a burgundy utility belt, complemented by black knee-high boots. Her black leather corset-style leotard left her breasts exposed and accentuated every soft yet firm curve of her figure. The only indication that she wore a flesh-colored body stocking and was not actually naked was the absence of visible nipples and the subtle color difference from her skin.

The room, packed with fifty loud and over-excited eighteen-year-olds, fell silent at the startling and outrageous sight.

When the woman started strutting toward the podium, the handcuffs on her wrists jangled. Her every step was a thrust of her leg and a roll of her hip. Nobody dared breathe or look away from the display. Upon reaching the podium, she flicked her wrist, and her flocker-type whip cracked sharply. Everyone flinched and squirmed in their seats, faces reddening.

“Good morning~,” the masked woman purred, seeming to soak in their attention. “I’m the R-Rated Heroine: Midnight, and I will be giving you my attention today~” 

Straight as she was, Momo couldn’t help but press her thighs together at the sight and tone of the woman. A nervous glance at Izuku revealed his expression appeared to be the one he wore when seeing a hero for the first time and not one revealing that a nearly naked dominatrix was triggering previously unknown kinks. Which was good...right?

“Now, this shall be a long, ~hard~, trying session.” Midnight all but purred, her tongue touching her lips enticingly. “So you’ll all be good boys and girls for me, won’t you?”

The response was a shy sounding 'yes ma'am.'. 

Midnight cracked her whip again. “What was that?” 

“Yes ma’am!” All fifty students shouted, voices high-pitched to the point of cracking.

“Mhmm, good puppies~,” Midnight said, smiling as she stroked the handle of her whip in a way that made Momo blush brighter and squirm in her seat. “Now, keep being good little puppies and take a test as the robots pass them out, and remember, if you’re naughty, I won’t get to pet you later.” 

U.A. University, Testing Ground B, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

"What's this? It looks as big as a real city!" One extra said, voice a screeching thing.

"U.A. has multiple of these on campus? Amazing!" Another extra exclaimed, their voice even more aggravating. 

Teeth clenched, Katsuki kept his gaze on the gates, fighting to keep his temper in the sea of extras. The warm-up stretches that he'd learned during his physio rehab helped, but not by much. Especially with the soft hum of servos in his prosthetic arm in his ears. Echoing through him, constantly reminding him that he was no longer whole. That he was damaged, broken, and always would be. The hag had talked about getting some fancy-ass synthetic skin for his arm. Some bullshit about how it would help him adjust to having a fake arm.

As if he needed a fucking crutch like that. 

Plus, there had been better ways to use that flaccid sperm donor’s life insurance. Like upgrading from that weak ass plastalloy to something more durable. Promethium, like Ectoplasm’s legs, would have been fucking perfect. But those bitch-ass manufacturers refused to sell it without Hero University enrollment. So he had to settle for an armored prosthesis made of a tritium-titanium alloy called Dilustel.

Supposedly it was a hundred times lighter, stronger, and durable than steel. 

Finishing his stretches, he made a fist before relaxing it. The servos and actuators simulated the 'feel' of his muscles clenching and unclenching perfectly. Fucking weird, but the biofeedback regulator finally worked. One more phantom itch, and he’d ram the device up the ass of whatever bastard invented the damn thing.  

Satisfied, he looked around and snorted as he realized the fucking extras were still flapping their worthless mouths. Apparently, they had started trying to gauge their competition, as if any of these bitch-ass losers had a chance. Especially since they all overlooked him because of his prosthetic arm. I took everything he had not to start cackling. 

One thing he was certain of was that none of these cocksuckers were even worth giving nicknames. 

"AND... BEGIN !"

Katsuki’s heart raced as he surged forward, the flaccid cock-suckers left gawking like brain-dead cows. He knew his lead was temporary—the others were already charging, spurred by the DJ’s taunts. Still, he had been working on his cardio, so he was more than fast enough to get a good head start.  

Reaching the first intersection, he spotted a pair of stupid-ass robots. They both looked like lame-ass robot lizards. Roughly the size of a minivan, they stood just taller than the vehicle on four armored legs. Katsuki never slowed down as he charged them. The moment the first one began to react, Katsuki sprinted between its front legs. 

It tried to scuttle back as he slipped past the metal shields secured to them, but it was too late. Once inside it's guard he jumped, the fingers of his armored prosthetic sinking into it's chest. The robo-lizard reared up on its back legs back as if startled - ha!  Using his grip, Katsuki lifted himself up high enough that his real hand could wrap around the base of its neck. "DIE!" 

With an almighty explosion, Katsuki laughed as the shockwave threw him clear of the blast. He landed heavily his knees protesting the impact even as he continued to slid. The now headless robo-lizard collapsed, its legs splayed like a dead animal. Moments later, its severed neck and head crashed down, damaging the storefront of a nearby building.

Heart racing as he came to a stop, Katsuki spotted the second robo-lizard scuttling toward him. Far, far faster than it had any right to for something so large. Its tail curving over its back, the tip of it glowing as energy started to build. He juked right, then left, trying to keep it from locking on, using explosions to propel him in a tightening arc around the robo-lizard.

The air sizzled as it started firing, scuttling as it tired to keep up with his ever shrinking arc. 

The timing for this was going to be tricky as hell. Growling, Katsuki abruptly changed directions using an explosion, launching himself backward. His body twisting mid-air as he slipped between the robo-lizard's armored legs. His back almost skimmed the asphalt, the cold, rough surface threatening to tear through his gym uniform. As he passed under it, he brought his arm up at an angle, palm flat, his prosthetic hand forming a circle to focus the blast on the smallest point possible. Then as he was a split-second from reaching its center, he unleashed his explosion.

For just a moment, there was a low quiver that ran through him and the air. Then, with an almighty roar came the explosion. The focused blast tore through the machine’s underside, causing it to freeze and twitch as the air inside superheated and its circuits fried. Then it exploded with a thunderous roar, turning into a fountain of white-hot metal.

The concussive force of the blast also threw Katsuki clear from it, his back at last hitting the ground. He skidded along the road, gritting his teeth until he came to a stop. Fuck, his back hurt like a mother fucking bitch. He did not want to imagine how bad the road rash was going to be. 

But fuck it! 

He told that old hag. He would be the number one hero! If this was what he had to suffer to do that, then that's what he would do. Getting back to his feet, back hurting like a million hot knives covered in sandpaper and salt were rubbing his back, he took a moment to bask in the devastation he had wrought.

Then he was off, racing back out into the street to find more robots to slaughter.

U.A. University, Testing Ground C, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Things were going well. 

At least, in Fubuki's opinion, they were. Probably an opinion Ashido shared, given that the two of them had formed into a team as they took the physical exam. Of course, Fubuki also knew others thought they were foolish. But Fubuki had read the rules carefully - in fact, she had gotten her boyfriend and best friend to do the same. There was nothing against working together. In fact, the wording made it seem like the school encouraged it. 

This was only strengthened when you added it to the structure of this physical test. For one thing, the amount of Villain Bots was limited. She would say about one hundred and fifty per testing area, given the typical size of previous U.A. Hero course classes. Her best guess at a passing number would be twenty-seven points. This would be hard enough to achieve before you factored in the size of the mock city, the strict time limit, and just how spread out the Villain Bots were. 

This meant that teaming up increased the odds of finding more Villain Bots and doing so much faster. Then, of course, there was a hidden metric that her inner Izuku insisted any true school for Heroes would notice. By working together the team would be 'helping' more people and thus more quickly resolve the situation. Yes, Fubuki had little doubt that teaming up was the best choice for this exam. 

"Maannn, this is way easier than going solo!" Ashido said as she melted one of the two pointer robots into a pile of slag with a spray of acid from her hands. "Can't believe nobody else seems to be trying it." 

"Not everyone is as clever as us." Fubuki said, her Quirk flaring as she made a gesture. Semi-circular blades of cyan psychokinesis spiraled into the world, bisecting a pair of one-point villain bots. As the halves fell apart, Fubuki spotted a third one-pointer approaching a distracted Ashido from behind. Fubuki waited just a half-minute before acting, letting the machine draw closer to the other girl before using her Psychokinesis to freeze it in mid-attack. "Don't let your guard down." 

"Oh man, that woulda hurt." Ashido said, sheepishly scratching her cheek before touching the villain bot, melting it. "Thanks a lot, Fu." 

"Fu?" Fubuki asked, lips thinning at the nickname. 

Nobody had ever tried shortening her name before, not even Izuku. It did not sit quite right with Fubuki, but Ashido was a very casual sort of person, so it should not come as a surprise. Seeing Ashido's sudden nervous expression, Fubuki sighed, deciding it was not worth getting upset about. "Let's move on, I think we've exhausted the villain bots in this area." 

"Yeah!" Ashido shouted, once more energetic, moving off with way more energy than Fubuki thought anyone could have. 

Fubuki flew after her through the maze of streets that made up the mock city, reflecting on how best to handle this girl. Ashido was more extroverted and casual than Fubuki was used to dealing with. But the sociable girl also clearly had an understanding of social boundaries, even if those lines were probably blurred to her. So patience would be the key to recruiting Ashido, along with a certain amount of indulgence. 

"Ashido," Fubuki said as she drew closer to the other girl who was skating along on her acid, "about the nickname-" 

"Yeah, sorry about that. Sometimes I get too excited and just blurt those out," the girl said with a sheepish smile, cheeks turning purple, "I promise it won't happen again." 

"It's fine. It took me by surprise, but I'm not upset about the name itself," Fubuki said, trying to strike the right tone of understanding but firmness, "it's just that if anyone is going to give me a nickname, I would prefer it to be Izuku." 

"Oh!" Ashido said, eyes sparklingly as she grinned wide. "Gotcha!"

Fubuki nodded slightly, pleased to have that settled. Still, dealing with this sort of person was a nice change from those she had recruited in the past. The original Blizzard group had been filled with those who had been alienated and ostracized. As a result, they had each been some flavor of anti-social or overly angsty and, as a whole, were driven to misanthropic views. Which made for easily manipulated and recruitable people for Fubuki and Kassandora. 

Looking back on it, Fubuki realized just how far she had strayed from her original goal. She had taken disenfranchised people, shoved them together, made them see one another as a kind of twisted family, and given them a charismatic leader who had an ambition that unified them while fostering a sense of 'us vs them'. If not for having her fall out with Kassandora and then meeting Izuku when she did, Fubuki would have gone over the edge without blinking or caring.

"Wish Tooru was here," Ashido said, pulling Fubuki's focus back to the test. 

"Yes, that would have been ideal." Fubuki said, meaning it. Not so much for this test, but later?  It was hard to understate how useful an invisibility Quirk could be. Admittedly, there was every chance she could still recruit Hagakure, but the odds would have been higher if the girl had been in their testing group. Not only could Fubuki have ensured higher odds for the other girl to pass, but she could have also ensured a certain amount of gratitude from Hagakure.

Putting such thoughts to the side, Fubuki refocused on the test. Just in time as well, given that the road they were following emptied into a cul-de-sac filled with pandemonium.

A dozen villain robots swarmed the street, where students were going down under the stun bolts they were firing. A few were holding out, two in particular caught her attention. One was the large boy with the ape mutation Quirk and the other was LinLin, if Fubuki remembered right. They were working as a team, the boy using a Four Pointer as a shield while LinLin struck out from behind him to take out the smaller ones trying to flank them. 

"That's a lot of robots!" Ashido yelped, eyes wide. 

"Yes, it is." Fubuki said, trying to block out the tiny voice in her head, gloating at how perfect this was. "When I give the signal, feel free to start tossing your acid at the robots."

"Signal? What signal?" 

Fubuki smirked, flicking her hair as she started to strut toward the chaos, her psychokinesis leaking into the world around her. She would never match her sister Tatsumaki in sheer psychic might, but Fubuki had strength. But she had also refined her control to the point that multi-tasking with her Quirk was child's play. As the first of the villain bots spotted her and shifted focus, she crossed her arms before her and then lifted them high. 

Then Fubuki dropped her hands with all the authority of a psionic goddess. "Hell Storm." 

Three things happened simultaneously. Cyan-tinged domes flared to life around the downed students, forming protective barriers. The cracks in the streets began to heave as well, glowing cyan, forcing the villain robots to try and adjust to the suddenly treacherous terrain. But those things were minor compared to the dark, churning sky that gave birth to howling, artic cold winds that descended on the street below with the fury of a full blizzard. 

The now near-arctic winds caused the metal exterior of the villain bots to contract, forming stress fractures in their surfaces and joints. Allowing the cyclone to sheer through the now brittle material, ripping and gouging through it, exposing their delicate insides...

And into this blizzard of controlled chaos, a laughing Ashido began flinging her acid, adding to the destruction.

U.A. University, Recommendation Exam Course, Group 3, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Izuku took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 

The written test had gone well. Thanks to the mock exams Momo and Fubuki had found, none of the questions had been too complex or unfamiliar. Well, maybe the math section had been rougher than he liked, but he had never been great at math, nowhere near the level of Fubuki's math skills or even Momo's. But the essay and scenario questions had been easy enough, especially as he did not have to keep his scores on the low side of average like at Aldera.  

All that left was the practical exam. After spending the last ten months training with All Might, he had no doubt he could handle whatever the school threw at him. Still nervous, though. All it would take is 

for an Exam proctor or another teacher not to like him for some reason and decide to fail him. Heck, just plain bad luck could tank this for him. 

He took another slow breath, steadying his mind. Focus. 

He was here. He had All Might behind him. The Symbol of Peace had given his recommendation to the university. Fubuki and Momo had helped him prepare. They believed in him. He would not fail. If he did, he would disappoint his girlfriends and his dad hero. Yeah, ok, this was not helping the dread sitting heavy in his stomach. 

"Alright, Examinees, to the starting line." Red Muffler announced, startling them out of their thoughts. 

All the potential heroes moved slowly to the checkered line and the massive countdown light. It reminded Izuku of one of those sports entertainment game shows. Beyond the line was a long bridge leading to a waterfall, a cliff face, a series of disconnected pillars, and another vast expanse.  Yeah, this totally came from a game show...

He took a breath and looked at his fellow students waiting to run the course. The three on his left were taller than him, but most guys were. The shorter of the pair had a wiry build, an impossible-to-miss burn scar on the left side of his face, and short hair that was evenly split between red and white. Interestingly, his eyes were different colors, one brownish and the other greenish-blue.  Hm, was that a secondary mutation from his Quirk? 

The next guy was much taller and well built, with dark eyes and his brown hair buzzed short. Other than that, he did not appear too distinct, other than his serious-looking face. However, it looked like he was used to smiling more than frowning. Hmm, there seemed to be tiny flickers of wind around him. So, a wind-based Quirk? That was cool. 

The one on the very end was almost as tall as the boy with the buzz cut, broad shoulders, and a heavy build. Short, burnt hair, indigo eyes, and a smug self-assurance that even Reichii, at his most arrogant, could never hope to match. But honestly, nothing about him stood out beyond those details. 

As for the person on his right, it was a kid. 

Well, they looked like one, at least. With Quirks being what they were, Izuku had no way to tell if he was the age he appeared. The fact that he had a lollipop did not help either. Sensing his attention, the boy turned to stare at him with large, calm, amber eyes that sparkled with intelligence. His expression was thoughtful, but there was also a vague hint of nerves. It reminded him of Fubuki on the train platform all those months ago. 

"Hey, just breathe," Izuku said, making the young-looking student give him a dull look. Crap, what would All Might say? "Just clench your butt cheeks and give it your all! Plus Ultra, right?" 

“Right,” the kid said, clacking the lollipop against his teeth as he tilted his head, looking thoughtful.

Sheepish, Izuku scratched his cheek, only to startle at the sound of a buzzer going off. Looking around, he found the other students had already taken off...crap! Without hesitation, he moved, shooting forward. He passed the others as if they were standing still, hitting the tree line before the rest of them....ooh, it looked like the one guy did use wind, neat. Dodging trees was shockingly easy, just a few subtle shifts in weight as he ran, and he cornered around them without brushing a leaf.

U.A. University, Recommendation Examiners Observation room....

"Holy shit!" Ectoplasm hissed. "Kid is fucking fast." 

"I'm more impressed by his control." Thirteen said. "Moving at that speed, the amount of careful precision to avoid even a glancing impact...he's well aware of his power."  

"What'd you expect?" Snipe said with a smug grin. "That's All Might's kid." 

Seconds later, Izuku was out of the forest and crossing the bridge. He was halfway across before he heard a heavy spring going off behind him; a glance back showed some impressive spikes jutting up at the mouth of the bridge. Then more started going off, creating a rising and falling wave of spiky walls in his wake. Turning back, he focused on the path before him. Should he start zig-zagging, or would it be better to keep straight?

Straight it was. 

Soon enough, he abruptly stopped at the foot of the cliff and crouched before jumping. There was a sharp 'Fra-crak!' as he blasted into the air, the ground shattering beneath him, leaving behind a crater three meters wide and deep. 

The wind whistled in his ears as he rocketed over a hundred and seventeen meters straight up. When he reached his peak, it almost seemed that gravity had given up its hold on him, letting him take in the impressive vista before him: the wide forested cliff top and the rushing waterfall, the distant hilltops of the surrounding land. As he started to at last drop, Izuku lifted his arms behind him, flicking his fingers using the wind blast to rocket himself to the far edge of the waiting clifftop.

U.A. University, Recommendation Examiners Observation room....

"Is he just...?" Vlad started, eyes wide as he watched him hit the ground on the cliff top and start running again.

Ectoplasm said, shaking his head. "Looks like it." 

"...That's just cheating." Snek said, frustrated that all his carefully designed obstacles were being avoided.  

Reaching the edge of the cliff, Izuku could see the massive rock pillars jutting over the mini-lake that separated this artificial cliff from the next. Ropes ran between them all, no doubt intended for walking or crawling. Izuku simply estimated the distance and jumped once more. He landed on the first rock pillar and immediately jumped again, heading for the next one, the next, and the next, leaving behind small craters. 

U.A. University, Recommendation Examiners Observation room....

"We need to up the difficulty of the city." Snek said, annoyed as they watched him dart from rock pillar to rock pillar.

Thirteen, Snipe, Ectoplasm, and Vlad turned to the last member of their group. 

A loud, ominous rumble filled the room as the world's second most powerful man stared back at them. 

"Do it." King said, his voice a soothing rumble. 

"This will slow him down." Snek said, smirking as Ectoplasm started messing with the controls.

As he soared through the air, his jump carrying him toward the far-distant cliff, Izuku could see—a city!? 

A second later, he landed on the cliff's edge and took a few steps to finish bleeding off his speed, taking in the sight. Yeah, it was a city. Or at least a small section of one. Hmm, it looked a bit like a section of downtown Musutafu...yeah, that was definitely Tatooin Station!  It was so perfect that part of him expected to see a train coming into the station or for people to come out of the stores any minute. 

But he did know better. 

He started running again, a bit slower this time, uncertain about what they intended. Plus, he did not want to destroy anything accidentally. He could not afford to pay for damages, and it would be a shame to ruin such hard work. Still, something about the place gave him bad vibes, like he was running through a city in one of those zombie movies Fubuki loved. He expected a sudden undead horde to come shambling out of an alley any moment. 

Then the air filled with a low rumble, and for a second, Izuku thought it was distant thunder. But then he realized the ground was vibrating under his feet, and eyes widening, he picked up his pace, racing through the familiar streets to what he assumed was the exit. He rounded a corner, crossing through an intersection as the rumbling grew louder...and then he jumped, flipping as the street beneath his feet folded in half, threatening to crush him as it did. 

He watched mid-flip as the whole city began to move around him. The streets folded in on themselves, lengthening or shortening. Street lights either collapsed or grew, fire hydrants, benches, bus stops, and whole buildings either moved closer, collapsed only to sprout up in new locations, or grew much taller. 

When Izuku finally landed, he did so in the middle of a dead-end alleyway formed by several multi-story buildings. 

"Going up it is!" Izuku said, grinning. One mighty leap later, he was bounding from wall to wall, scaling his newfound location. Landing on the rooftop, he took off running again, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, only to gasp as the buildings began to shift on him again. 

Suddenly, he was sailing over a two-story house and heading toward the side of a skyscraper. Shifting his weight abruptly, Izuku got his feet under him and ran up the side of the building until he reached the roof. He raced down the other side of the building and onto the streets again without pausing. He took a moment to get his bearings, and he could see the edge of the city - and then the air filled with rumbling as the city began shifting again.

Right, time to...wait, was the road tilting? Eyes wide, he looked back to see that not only were the buildings shifting again, but the street had turned into a slide even as it began retracting as if trying to draw him into its maw. He turned away, ready to run, only to slip...on a banana peel?!

With a yelp, his feet went out from under him. 

He tucked himself into a ball, turning his potential face plant into a roll. Springing back to his feet, his eyes widened as he saw a massive shadow fall over him. Looking up, he found the nearby skyscraper collapsing in his direction. He shifted away from it even as he threw a sharp uppercut - the section that was about to hit him exploded into chunks even as the blast threw the debris high into the air at a nearly ninety-degree angle. 

Izuku winced, but with the damage done, he did not wait to see what happened next. He cleared the city's edge a second later, flying down a wide-open road, and crossed the marked finish line, the air filling with the sound of a buzzer to mark the end of his run. Coming to an abrupt stop, he turned back to stare at his wake, then turned to a nearby hovering camera drone and clapped his hands together, bowing repeatedly. 

"Sorry, sorry! I'll pay you back...um...we can do a payment plan, right?" 

U.A. University, Recommendation Examiners Observation room....

“Well that certainly slowed him down, didn't it Snek?" Vlad asked, a dull look on his face.

"...Shut-up..." Snek muttered unhappily.

"Nedzu says it's coming out of your paycheck." King said, not even bothering to check his buzzing phone.

Snek cringed.

U.A. University, Testing Ground E, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...1

Tooru grunted as she dodged an incoming attack from a robot, scrambling under its stomping feet and then up its back. Heart racing. This was so much harder than she thought it would be, and given her Quirk was constant invisibility she had thought she had a good idea of how hard it would be. Prying the panel open on the back of the three-pointer, she jammed her hand against the hand scanner inside. The villain robot stumbled for a moment before its legs sagged, and the whole thing toppled forward. 

Tooru rolled with the momentum, pulling off a summersault, and bouncing back to her feet, arms wide as she bounced in place. "Tada!" 

Sadly, nobody was around to see her...well, hear her. Tooru's shoulders slumped, arms dropping to her sides as she sighed. All this personality and nobody around to appreciate it, the story of her life. Ruffling her own hair, she let out another long sigh and turned back to the robot, doing the math in her head. This brought her up to twenty or so...not bad, but she could do more, right? She would check her watch, but she had ditched her clothes several blocks away, and she was not about to backtrack now. 

With renewed determination and deep breath, she started running, looking for more robots. Why did it have to be robots? U.A. University was way too serious and way too traditional. Tooru loved a good cliche as much as the next girl, but robots were so last millennium. Lost in her thoughts, she rounded the corner and ran into an intersection of the mock city, only to stumble directly into a pair of two-pointers. 

Literally. 

The large lizard-looking villain robots reacted to the impact, shuffling in place and turning toward her, their tails arching up over their backs to point at her. She shifted to the side, then gulped when the tails followed her movement. How?! Tooru was naked and completely invisible. There should be nothing to give her away...Oh crap....they were following her heat signature, weren't they!?

She gritted her teeth, heart thudding painful against her ribs as she considered how to escape. The only thing that came to her was to turn around and run her shapely, naked, invisible butt down a nearby alley - then she jumped as with a resounding boom, debris rained down, shattering the looming robots into pieces.  

She cringed away from the impact, blinking at the destruction, then looked around but saw nobody around. Not even in the distance. How, who...? Tooru shook her head, letting out a sharp breath. No, didn't matter. Still, she could not just continue without saying something.

"Thank you, mysterious savior!" Tooru called out with a cheerful, if invisible, smile. "If I pass the exam, I promise you a big kiss as a reward!"

Then, with that, she was off, looking for another robot and being far more careful about turning corners.

U.A. University, Testing Ground B, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

"Would it be too much to ask for a break?" Shinso muttered hands shoved in his pockets as he stood staring at the empty streets. Given that his Quirk was not 'flashy' or 'explosive' or whatever they wanted to call it, he had known things would be hard during the exam. But not to the extent that they had turned out to be. 

A fat lot of good his Quirk could do on damn robots. People, sure, he could provoke a response all day long, had spent hours studying some of the most inflammatory things he could say to ensure he could provoke a response. But robots? Ha! 

Idly, he kicked a pebble down the street and started walking and grumbling. 

The fact that he had a low-grade headache was not improving his mood either. He had a feeling it'd develop into a full-on migraine soon, and he'd be utterly worthless after that. So if he were going to get any points, it would have to be quickly...but yeah, he did not see it happening. Forget his Quirk working on the robots. He had yet to see a way to take the machines down without a Quirk. He'd tried a lead pipe once, and a rock thrown at its head another time, just barely escaping both times. So it was clear that even the one-pointers were a pipe dream for him. 

"Sure, we want heroes. Do your best," Shinso muttered, voice bitter and mocking. "But you better have a Quirk worth using on robots! Yeah, that's totally fair! Not everyone can shoot lasers from their eyes or some shit, you dumbassess."

Damn it, all he wanted was to show those lame kids he went to school that he could be like Eraserhead. The man was an utter badass. Shinso bet Eraserhead would have ensured the exam was fair for everyone if he had been in charge. He bet - His thoughts cut off as he heard heavy footsteps approaching. His eyes widened as a one-pointer rounded the corner ahead, its head turning toward him. A half moment later, its cannon also shifted to target him. 

"Shit!" 

Then, a large chunk of concrete fell from the sky and smashed the robot like a spider under a shoe. 

Stunned, Shinso looked around in disbelief. "What?"

Then, his eyes caught sight of another student standing on a nearby rooftop - a girl with a wild mane of hair and a look of smug superiority. After a moment, she took off without saying a word.

"Kill stealer!" Shinso shouted after her, the bitterness returning. 

U.A. University, Testing Ground C, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Mineta Minoru gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow as he ducked and scrambled his way through the street, the whine of lasers echoing as beams shot over his head. One of the few times being so short was s blessing. As the cannons of the One Pointer went silent, Minoru turned and rushed toward it, throwing a barrage of his sticky balls at its cannon. He might not have much going for him, but he had spent hours practicing how to throw the sticky balls produced by his Quirk Pop-Off. 

The large villain bot went to fire its cannon once more but found not only the cannon blocked but that the gears in its arms had been gummed up by his sticky balls. So it promptly switched to its other arm, and Minoru ducked with a yelp as another blast of lasers whined over his head. Scurrying away toward the outside of the villain bot, he began throwing more sticky balls at the thing's feet, making it jerk to a halt as it tried to turn. 

Panting, he continued throwing his balls until the second arm was also useless....at which point the villain bot powered down with a low whine. 

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Minoru panted, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He was eternally grateful that whoever was running this test did not require him to destroy the stupid things. Straightening up, he caught his breath, and then his eyes caught sight of a cute girl down the road looking at him. He waved at her out of instinct, the old practiced pickup lines echoing over the distance between them "I’m a little out of shape, but there’s still pleasure to be had from my body.”

The girl scoffed and hurried away, leaving him to slump. 

Damn it, why did he do that? This was not Joshi High! The girls here were not boy hungry...but all the same, damn, the girls were hot as hell. He patted his cheeks, trying to refocus on the exam. His future as a hero and lady killer depended on him getting into U.A. University. Plus, the image of his mother's shocked face would be sweet - Mineta Exma was the Deputy Chief of the Hero Disciplinary Supervision Division for the HPSC, and the Demon Instructor had a very low opinion of her only son. 

Of course, so did his sisters, Shikai and Asami. They at least would pretend to be sympathetic, but they would be smiling at one another in condescension at his failure. But their shocked looks at his passing the exam and getting into the top hero university would be sweet nectar to his soul. Just as he got his mind refocused, he realized that he was surrounded by several three-pointer villain robots, their cannons aimed at him and ready to fire. He cringed at the incoming pain, letting out a squeal not unlike a stuck piglet...

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! 

When the pain never came, Minoru uncurled from the ball he had ducked into, eyes widening as he took in the destroyed robots. What appeared to be random pieces of debris had reduced the towering machines to scrap metal. Looking around, he saw nobody near him, not even within shouting distance, and he blinked, unsure what had just happened. After a moment, he cautiously moved past the piles of scrap metal, jumping in fright as one of the arms twitched. 

Once clear, he took a moment to gather himself, then cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting, "Whoever you are, I promise I'll share my porn with you if I pass!"

That said, he started running as fast as his short legs could carry him, looking for more robots.

U.A. University, Observation Room for the General Exam, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

"So...how do we grade that?" Powerloader asked as they stared at the various robots that were being destroyed by the debris that Izuku had created. 

"Hmm..." Nedzu sipped his tea, studying the display. "All Might, what do you think?" 

"Ah," All Might said, scratching his cheek. Part of him was happy to see how well Izuku had done, though he did wish the boy could not have caused so much destruction. But that was on Snek, apparently, and...All Might would have a conversation with the other man. Later. "I think it would be fair to credit the ones he helped with the points. After all, luck is sometimes a factor in a hero's victory just as much as strength or strategy." 

Nedzu sipped his tea, then nodded. "Very well." He put his tea down and sat forward, cackling. "Now unleash the Kraken's!" 

PowerLoader sighed, reaching out to push a button to activate the zero-pointers. "...Yes sir." 

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

February 26th, 2182
Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan...

Izuku smiled as he drew closer to Takoba Municipal Beach Park, heart feeling light. 

He ran down the steps and onto the pristine sand, thinking that this was the best way to finish his ten-kilometer run. As his feet touched the sand, he began to slow his pace until, at last, he was walking along the deserted beach. Overhead, the pre-dawn sky was lighting, creating a magical moment for him. Soon, he'd have to go home and get ready for school, but that was okay. 

For now, he walked along the shore, watching as the waves lapped gently at the beach. The constant ebb and flow soothed the ever-present hum of anxiety that buzzed at the back of his mind. Far out over the water, the sky began to lighten, the first glimmer of the sun peeking over the horizon. At some point, he had come to a stop and stood, simply staring, basking in the still moment.

"It's not a bad sight is it?" A deep, familiar voice asked beside him. 

Izuku blinked and turned to stare up at the towering form of All Might. Despite his casual clothes and relaxed posture, All Might still looked every bit the Symbol of Peace. His broad face lit up with a small grin, his eyes focused on the rising sun.

“How did you...?” Izuku trailed off, startled that someone so large could have approached him without making a sound. Seriously, how did that happen? All Might stood over two meters tall and was a walking wall of muscle. But there he was, beside Izuku without a hint of his arrival.

“It is,” Izuku said at last, gaze turning back to the horizon. The water shimmered, turning from dark blue to gold as the sun rose higher. Behind them, the faint rumble of a bus and the distant sound of cars moving on the nearby highway broke the early morning silence. 

Birds began to sing, their soft calls mixing with the crash of the waves.

"I'm not supposed to see you before you receive your official acceptance letter," All Might said at last, voice warm as he reached out to squeeze Izuku's shoulder, "but there's some benefit to being me and I wanted to let you know how proud I am of you."

Izuku nodded, blinking away tears. Together they watched the waves roll in on the beach in silence.

"I'm scared," Izuku said suddenly, his voice small. "that I'm going to let you down...that I'm going to disappoint Fubuki and Momo and my mom...everyone." 

"That's natural." All Might said, All Might said softly, his voice steady as he squeezed Izuku's shoulder again. "Everything is changing, and it'll keep changing. It's ok to be scared, but just know you can't let us down. We believe in you."

Izuku nodded, something in his chest relaxing, basking in the warmth of the hero's hand on his shoulder. The easy reassurance that he was giving him. For a moment, everything felt perfect.

Then Izuku blinked. 

The world looked strange, something was... "Um, All Might...is the sky turning transparent?" 

"What?" The man asked, startled, hand pulling away as he turned to face him. His eyes widened and something like alarm appeared on his face. "Izuku listen to me—”

“What’s happening?” Izuku asked, panicking, as his heart pounded. The large man, who had always seemed as solid as the very Earth itself had turned transparent. The whole world had become almost translucent. He could see All Might speaking, but could not hear a word he was saying. In fact, sound in general had disappeared! "All Might!?" 

He reached out for his dad mentor but passed through All Might's like smoke. The ground beneath his feet seemed to dissolve, and Izuku stumbled forward, falling...

Landing face first in a pile of trash. 

Unknown, Unknown...

Izuku lay in the garbage for a long moment, not sure what happened. Eventually, he got back to his feet, grimacing at the smell and the wetness he felt clinging to him through his clothes. Ugh, one of those bags had leaked. He took several quick steps away from the trash before at last taking in his surroundings. It was an alley and for a moment there was nothing but relief, at least everything was solid once more. However, that was soon replaced with alarm because he was in an alley and not on the beach with All Might. 

Slowly he moved toward the end of the alley, his alarm growing when he heard the people passing by speaking English. 

He stumbled back from the street, heart racing. What was going on? He should have been on a beach, not in some strange city, and most definitely not someplace that spoke English! He took a breath, then another, and one more, slowing his mind. Clearly, this was because of a Quirk - his best guess would be either an illusion-based Quirk or a teleportation one. He was leaning more toward the teleportation one, if only because at least he could do something in that situation. 

If this was all an illusion then there was not much he could do.  So teleportation. So where was he? The people passing by were all clearly Westerners, given their appearances and the fact they were all speaking English. Which was not exactly helpful. He could understand it, of course, it was the only way to understand the interviews All Might had given during his time in America. That said, he could read it far better than he could speak it, but he could manage a basic conversation - if the other person was patient enough. 

Standing in an alley, smelling trash, was not going to help. So at last, Izuku stepped out of the alley, mixing with the crowd. The first thing he noticed once out of the alley were the American flags all over the place. Well, that at least told him what country he found himself in, but beyond that it left him cluelessly. Worse, none of the buildings looked even remotely familiar. Given that the landmarks he knew came from movies and comics that came as no surprise, but still, there was a sense of betrayal at that knowledge.

But as he strolled along, lost in the crowd, he realized something. This was the first time since meeting All Might that nobody recognized him - for the last ten months he had been living as a quasi-celebrity. But now he was in a major city, walking the street. Just another face in the crowd, noted only because he was Japanese, and even that was barely a passing curiosity. It shocked Izuku just how much he appreciated the anonymity, so much so that it almost bordered on sacrilegious in a way. 

Lost in his thoughts he passed by a storefront filled to the brim with electronics and had to double back as he registered what he saw there. The display window was filled with TVs and what he saw filled him with shock. They were all tuned to a news channel, GBC, which was showing shaky clips of various heroes fighting flying creatures dressed in green and gold. Burning cities and strange alien machines hovering in the sky with swarms of the creatures surrounding them. Superman slamming into a towering, grey-skinned monster in armor with the rest of the Justice League not far behind him!

The images shrank and a newscaster filled the screen, their voice muted through the glass. But the closed captioning gave voice to the silent newscaster: 'A week after the Justice League repelled an invasion from Apokolips and the Earth is still reeling, the largest sustained invasion ever experienced-'

His heart started racing even faster, thudding so painfully in his chest, that it drowned out the sounds of the city.

This could not be real...he could not be...but - he remembered an encounter almost a year and a half ago. He, Fubuki, and Momo had gone to a restaurant to eat and he had seen Superman and Wonder Woman eating there, with their daughter A-ko. Oh, Buddha, this was...he was...

"<Hey, are you ok>?," A voice said, pulling him from his thoughts at last. 

Izuku blinked turning to the owner of the voice. It was a skinny guy who looked a few years older than him, with a friendly face, and shaggy red hair that bordered on orange. 

"I'm sorry?" Izuku asked, trying to focus on the conversation even as his mind remained distracted by the realization of where he was and what had happened. 

"<Oh, I don't speak Japanese...ah! I have a translation app on my phone!>" The young man said, digging in his pocket and pulling out his phone, and speaking into it. Then he held it out to Izuku as a stilted, feminine, artificial voice spoke. "Are you ok?" 

"<Yes, I am fine.>" Izuku said, grimacing at his formal, heavily accented English. "<I just...have too many thoughts right now...sorry if my English is not good.>" 

The redhead started to say something, but his next words were cut off by a loud boom. 

Like thunder. 

Izuku glanced up, but there was no sign of storm clouds. "Was that thunder?" 

"I don't -" the redhead started to answer, but then his phone dinged. As did all the phones around them and reflexively the man checked it only to freeze, face bathed in red light from the screen, his eyes growing dull and dark. 

Alarmed Izuku looked around, but saw everyone else had checked their phones and were likewise frozen, staring at their screens. A sudden dread sank into Izuku, the very air now thick with a sense of something horrible, something truly evil stirring. What was -

Then as one, their phones hit the ground as they screeched, clawing at their faces as if trying to dig some burrowing thing out of their heads, tearing jagged, bloody, gouges as they collapsed. Their screams rose into a loud, horrible, inhuman, cry. Millions of voices filling the air, throats making sounds no living thing should be capable of. 

"A̴̧̧̦̜̖̦̜̟̳͎̳̣̰̝̦͕̘͌l̴̟̰̳̗̭̼̭̪̙̪̥͐̓̂͌͒̈̽́͝͝i̵̛͈͉͉͉̦͈͈͉͓͊̃͌̅̎͂͊̏̾̓̈̆͆̀̓͘ȩ̷̢͍̙̞̮͎̦͈͔̝͓̥̬͇́̔́͑͐̔̿́͊̈́̚͘͝n̷̡̧̝̯̪͖̄̒ǎ̸̢̨̛̖̯͉̼̭͐̏̒̒̌̍͂̊͒̚ț̵̡̹͕̫͖͆̀̾̈͛͌̉́͗͌̀͋͗͘̚͘ĩ̴͈̗̼͉͓̼̠̃̽̋̊͑̑͠ờ̶̹͇͖̙̼͍̠̜̮̒̓̀̄̆́̍͐͆̈́̆̍̋͠n̴̨̡̧̞̞̦̠͓̫̫̜͆̀͒̏̃̅̅̓̅͂̽̚̕͠ ̶͈̺̰̔̀̾͆̓̈̅̓̎͝͠͝F̶̯̬̪̼͌̈́̌͗̃́̈̓̃̋̓̋́̇͋̅̋ȩ̶͔̪̥̹̫̯͕̝͗̂̑̕͜ḁ̵̡͓̣̝͉̤̭̺̩͉̰̭̯̑̀̋͐̽͑̋̀̂̏͝r̸̗͍̰̘̹̻͗̃̏͐̈̍͌͛D̵̛̤̉̿͛̿̅̈́̇̎̈́̂͘̕ę̵̧͎̟̻͕̞̦̣̞͕͋͂͆̾̒̂́̒̊̌̇̑̕͜͜͝͝s̵̛̛͓̥͍͎̗̳͚̀̀͐͒̎͛͑͐͘͝͝ṕ̵̧̢̖̥̱̬̱̰̟̩̪̼͓̰̀̀͛͊̈͑͑̉̍̔̕͘ä̷̛̳͕̱́́̈́͗̐̾͐͆̿ȋ̵̲r̷̢̡̢͉̣͇̞̹͎͕̥͇͇̳͉̼̄͝G̷̡̛̩͖͒́̀̿̉̓̑̈́͛̇̔̒͊̓͆͠ų̴̬̖̘̮̅͐̎̍͂̐̚͘͝i̴͕͕͔̳̹̦̭̫̇́͌̈́̎̌͂̊̽̐̌͌͝l̷̨̨͚̼͎̪̪̝̪͎̭̖̇̈́̿̅͐͗ţ̵̵͉̰̪̮̯̔̓͛̃̀̓͛̏͑̈̋̍̔̇̇͋͘̚S̷̗̜̦̰̞̙͖̩̻͈̿͋̏̽̓̿̏͗͐̇̒̽̎͗̄̈́͜ͅḣ̴͙͉̟̯̰̲̤̤͓̼͊͐̓ą̴̡̧̛͕̺̹̬͉̹̹̤̥̘͍̲̄͗̎̋͆̾̆͗̈́͌̒͋̑̚͝ͅm̸̨̛̝̝̝̱̆̂͊̋̈͐͠e̶̶̪̺̞͎̥̳̦̭̯̭̪̲̾̈́͗̓͐̐̈̔̑̒͗̓̆̉͝F̶̺̳̩̙̭͖̿̒̐͒̏͒̏͑̃͌̄͘͝a̷̢̤̞͙̗̫̘͈̞͆̌̾͆̔̽͗͠i̴̡̗̲̭̰̜̝̗͓͖͚͕͙̙͔͂̉̂͋ͅl̷̢̘͙̮̜͇̟͙̹͉̠̖͙̽̽̆̋̆͛̋́̍̚͝ũ̵̧͍̮̥̗̱̝̤̽̈́́̈́̉̂̿́͘̕͜͝ŗ̴͚̤̩̖̟͑́͂̈̈̅̋͌̉͋̂͘͝e̷̵̖̤̦̭͍̩̥͙̙̪͎̘̰͚̋̓̂̉̐̓͋̇̇͋͒̒͊́̀̄͆͗̈̓͆͒͘͠͝͠ͅD̸̨̤͙̗̝͒́͂̈̓̈̍͗̔͐ĕ̸͓̬̯͉͕̬̬̲̰̫̟â̶̢̭̥̼̤̻͍͖̜̗̮͕̼̂͂̒̈̒̿̎̂͋̄͘̚͜͜t̴͍̜̺̖̉̋̍͝ͅh̴̵̢͎͍̭̘̟̖̲͉̱̺̹͚̭̹̖͎̣͓̮͖̗͍̆̃͂̓͊̐̅͂̌̓̄̃̍̑̍̍̇̅͛̈́̚͜͜͠n̸͔͚̯͎͛͂͝͝ọ̴̧̝̻͉̜͕̼̲̹͎̗̠͖̄̇́̈́̔̓̓̅̚͘͜͜͝͝͝ ̷̛͔͚͙̣͈͚̬̈́̈́͐̂͋͂́͠ş̸̢̯̹̦̟̩̯̩͚͕̇̈͠͝͠ͅe̶̢̢̫͖̞̮̺̫̰̠͚͉͔̟̝͐ͅl̸̬̱͓̻̫̩̭͑́͛̀͆͆̏͆́̊̈̏f̷̨͉͉̙͚͚̰̜̬͚͈͊́̓̃̀̂̿̓͘͜͜͜͝͠-̴̥̞̭̰̻̝͉̻̌̌́̆͐̍̏w̸̰̭̫͇͉͒͂͐̑̈̆̅̆͊̓͐̂̚͠͝ơ̶̡̺̍͌́͆̍̎̚r̷̢̨̧̯͍̟̟̻̮̲͇̲̱͓̜͖͚̃̋̈́̈́̽̓̆͆̕͝t̶̡͙̹̪͔̆̅͑͛͆̓̈́̍͋̌̓̄̆͋͑͌͑ḧ̵̙͖̹̩͔͚̳̮́͐̎̌̓̈́̿͆̈́̆̐̋͑͘ ̴̵̨̨̧̛̭̞̗̺͚̙̮͇͉͇̘̮͉̭̬̩̫̝̮̲̣̩̇͌͑͑̿͛̈̀̆̃̑͋̆̆̐͘̚m̸̹̳̯̽̐̈̓̓̈́ơ̵̢͛͐͒͆̓̂̂̂͊̕͠č̶̢͈̖̼̭̹̣̥̮̼͒́̇̈̿̒͆͊͗͜͠͝k̷̙̥͙͈͖̆̊̆͊̎e̸̢̧̛̺̱̙͙͚̓̈́̓̃͗̈́̄͛͠͝͝͝ŗ̵̳̥̭͓̞̈̇͒̂͌͘͠ÿ̵̯̰̰̖̼̻̻̯͈̒͠ ̸̴̨̬̟̲̺̗͚̭̘̘̺͓̹̮̬̲̬̓͊̀̓̊͛̔̐̓̏́̈̉͂̐̽̎͛̕̚͠͝ͅĉ̶͚͎͕̝̇̑̊́̈͑̉̉͋̓̊̀͐̋̚o̵͕͔̭̓̋̎̈̑̿͛̂̓̃̕͝ṉ̷̡̛̼̪̖̹͓͕͉̘̦̠̪̩̂̾͂͌͋́͆̌͋̚͘͝ͅd̶̨̧̨͉̪̠̮͇̩̳̯̥̭͒̎̈́̽͒̆́͐̑̐͋̏̏̕͝͝͠ͅê̴̠̻̰̥̘̟̹͕̈̆̊̽̒̊̈́̐͋͋̄̃̽̾̐͜͠m̸͓̹̜̻̯̳̗̙̹̫̯͕̟͗̃̚n̸̨̢͍̬̯̹̥̑̃̈́̉̿̒͂̂̇̍̂̂̔̚͜͜͠͠͠ͅa̶̛̦̱̦̒̈́͐̊̒́͂͜t̶̨͇̱̟̺̤́̄̍̈́̽̌̒ị̴̡̄̅̾͊́́͂͠ö̵͇̙͉̯̳̘̥̬̳́͂̈́̔͌̓̓͆̆̀̽͑̚̚̕n̶̯͎̱̠͓͇̯̬͓͙̼̉̑̆͒̀̈́͒̽̎͝͠ ̴̴̡̜̼͍͇̻̜̦̱̪͎͈̗͍̮̞̤͓̻͓̈́̈́́̀̍̇̇͋͛̑̑̅̍͘m̶̧̡̢̲̰̣̦͙̒̃͠i̵̧͍̳̇́s̵͍̺̝̬̓͋͛͆̒̈̿̊̀̃͜͠u̵̹̯̮̮͉̜͔̥̖̠̲̼͗͑n̶͉͎͍͙̻̜̪̝̖̫̆̊̌̅̍̆̊̒́̔͌̿͐ḑ̴̛̙͈̠̮̹̣̻̬͈̅͐̿̐̿̔̄̐͂̅͘̕͠ȩ̷̢͇̗͕̟̤̼̏͋́̐r̸̪̩͕̦͙̭̼̰͇̱͇͈̹̪̣͌̆̄̂̇̑̀̋̓̄̑͠ͅs̸̭̪͍̅̌̆͌̏̈́͑̈́͠͝ẗ̷̛̛͉͎̦͎͖́̂̐͛͌͊͂̉̍̽͒̋̒̒͝ā̵̢̧̗͕̘̩̲̩̞͉̤̗͍͇̉̓̿̉̀̎̋̊́͋̒̿̇̑̀͜͝n̸̻̖͍̻̣̳̬͊̽̄d̷̢̢̨̛͕̣̦̩̮͙̬̹͓̰͊͑̊̌͗͗̒̎͌̉̊͛̇̈́̕̕ͅi̴̧̧̪̗͎̣̦͇̽̔́̈́̓́̂͌̉̀͂͑̕͜͝͠n̶̜͇̪͈͕͔̜̖̮̬̈́̒̀̆̓̀̇͜͠͠g̸̨̮̱̫͚͍͉̟̫͈̅̂̃͊̐̉͝͝ ̷̧̟̬̞̼̝̳̯̖̟̻̩́̄̈̚ͅ ̵̷̫͖̲͕͖̠͕͖͈͎̳̾̊̑̄̍͛̀͘͝j̸̡̡̠̝̞̙̼͍͔̪̫͉͈̹́͂͂̈́̓̊͒̈́͛͐̀̿̿͝ͅu̵̘̩̘͕͔͆̎̔̉̆͗̌̌̒̓͛͛̒̚͘̕͜d̷̯͛́̄̌͘ͅg̸̡̧̱͔̤̻͕͓͍̹͚͂̽̃̽̽̊m̴̡̧̨̛̩̝̫̱͔̰̩̦̠͉̝̞̑̊̿̓́̎͘e̵̘̫̰͍͛̎̀̚n̶̺̟̺͝t̶̳̣͙͑̚̚͝ ̸̵̨̨̛͔̭̤̟̠̾͋͛͆̑̒̔͆͋̄̕̚n̵̛͍̳̋͛̃͒̽̋̃̾͗̕͠o̸̤̙͕̬͌̿̃̈́́͋͘̚̚ͅ ̸̧͎̜̱͚̣̬̳̘͖̹̽͛̐̐̃̋̌͐͛̆͌̓͠͝h̷͍̦̫̰͎̗̦͈͖̼̜̺̘͂̊̋̽͗̈̅͝͠o̴̟̱̰̝̟̹̪̼̩͈̫͍̼̳͑̈́̅͜͜͜p̴̖͙̟̗͔̊́̾̎̽͐̀͂̾͐̓̓̕̚͝e̷̡̥̥̗͈̗̰̞̺̩͑͌̓͛̆̍͒̐̂̈́̾̈́̒͠ ̶̶̨̨̨̢̢̛̰̰̹̖͕̟̘͕͍̻̼̯̪̟͚̞̠̮̙̤̹́̊̐͛̊̒̆̉̌̑̓͐̆́̄̌͜͠͝ͅl̷̨͖̝͔̟̹͍͇̻̼͖̜͈͔̂́̃̄̈́̅ͅȯ̶͉̘̹͈̻̟̘̞̪̦̹͗̀͆͊͒̍̈́̎͝v̴̧̧̼͎͉̤̪̩͔̇͋̀͐̎͌̐͝ͅȩ̴̛̩̱̘̯̘̜̰̀̽͌́̍̓̑̂̋̔́͛̑̐͘̚ ̵̗̦̰͚̲̗̳͍̀͌͛̿ͅí̸̛̛̛̮̩̟̼̉͐̓̓̇̽̃̂͆̕̚ͅs̴̨̛̘̠̗̮̘̫̦͉͕͎̏̋́̀͝ͅ ̴̧̟̘̺̩̳̖͍̃͑̊̽̓̄͑͠͠͝a̴̡̧̫̰̟͚͔̩̩̪̰̼̍̎͊ ̷̛̞̮̫͉͉̭͈̘̼̥̮̮̍̂̈̿̽̇̆̐̾̓̍̀̀̓l̴͙̯̖͖̅͋̍̀͛́͂͆̒̈́͑͌̿͝ì̶̧̛͈̦̠̻̬͚̩̰̯̝̱̮̀̏͗͛̑̌͌̒͛͛̔͜͝ȅ̸̛̛̟̙̗͌̌̽͒̂͝ ̴̴̡͇̭͕͎͙͖̻̲̪̰̬͉̖͖̐̎̏͌̀̈́̃́̋̈́̾̎͑̈̔̚̕̚ͅl̸̛͎̥͔͇̣͒̔͂͝i̷̳̎̌̋f̸̢̡̛̱̫̹̜̋͌̐̀̏̏́̏̈́̕ȅ̸̜͖͕̹̯̩͙̰̘̲͉̃͗̿̊̕͠͝ ̴̞̹̭̘̏̉̈́͛͐̑̕͘͠͠m̷̢̻̦̘͈̣͖͙̦̈́̓͐̽̅̔́͜͝͝ú̴̝̰̝̲͊́s̷̨̖͔̰̤̤͋̾͗̿t̵͖͕̱̟̞͇̖̉̄̏́̈̐̄͒̈̆̏̂͘ ̶̡̹̫̮͉̳̼͉̪͓͍͗͗͂̀̀̈̇̇͆̆̆̂̈́͘͘d̴̛̟̻̺̮͈̖̼̑͑͊̆͗̋͜i̷̙̼̞͑͗̑͆͝ͅȩ̶̵̢̡͕͍̠̲͔̻̝͖̗̤̺͈̫̞̱̲̝̞̩̱̟̮̼̳̭͖̖̫̲͗̑͊̐́̑̓̀̃͌̑̊͛̓͑̿̿̈̚̕̕͠͝ͅf̷̨̨̨͍͈̖̦͉͔̫͈̦͚̰̮̈̓̈́̈́̽̐̿̅̾̂ŗ̴̢̛̖̝͖̠̱̜̀̇̿͋̊͆͊͛͋̈́̓̋͂͠e̵̬̥͚̮̰͙̖̖̟͍̖̝̼̦̻̞͒̽͌̇̀̊̅͗͊̎̀ȩ̶̛̛̪̣̲̻̬̠͈͔̞̤̰̮͆́̇͑̐̄̎͐̄̂͒͘d̸͈͙͉̠̩̲̖͉͓͕̃̀͜ͅǫ̷͎͇̫̜̦̥̫͚̻̌́̋͌͠ͅm̵̧̝͉̗̳͔̤̦͇̲͈̲͈͕̏͂̓̐͝͠ ̷̨̤͍͔̫͔̗̼̟̥͎͈͔̯̜̜̓̆̆̈́͘͝͝ḭ̸̧̔̌̿s̶̢͈͕̲̙̪̬͍̈̌̓̓̇̉̆̂̄̓͊̕͝͝͠ ̶̘̬̝͖͎̙̫̃͑̊̆̈́͋̔̓̂͘͝s̶̡̡͈̘̪̳͕͕͚̍̀̌͝ͅu̶̡͔̟̝̬̤͖̤̖̳̅̿̓͗r̷̜̐̓̃r̴̢̧͚̝̮͎̝̥̬̃̀͐͂͆͊̌̔͊̈̌̽͆̕͠ę̶̨͔̭̟͔̗̬͉͖̪̪̤̏̋̓̄͛̐̇̈̓̑̍͋n̴̜̪̩̞̘͎̩̳̑͐͐̂̅̎̎̈́̿͋͊͘ͅd̸̬̠̰̫̆̃̒̄́̽ȩ̷̧̪͍̫͕͔͎̣̘̞͚̣̼̂͗̉͑̓r̸̵͓̼͔̼͚͚̗̩̥̺̟̯̪͚͇͕̹̫͋̈́̐͋͂́̽̋̽̃̏̆ͅͅd̴̝́́̈́̉͋̀̈́̈́̂̎̇̍̿̋̕̕į̴̱͓̣̯̜̮͙͚͕͑̏̍͆è̸̡̡̛͙͈̰̮̹̺͖͓͙̥͗͆̐͑̈̒́͗̀͠ͅ ̴̼̹͔̗̘͉͙̂̇̍̔̓͂̂̄́͐͘͝͠f̵̭͔͈̬͉̺͖͎̲͖̖̯̫̬̓̿͛̈́͋̉͛̚͘ơ̸̧̧̥̜͈̻̭̟̣͂͋̄͗̉͠͝͠ͅr̴̨̲̟̗͖͕̖̰̺̣̣̦͖̜̼̰͙͗̿̒̿̆́͒̚ ̵̫͍̗̲̻̩̂͂́̒̚à̶̟̺̣̦͙͍̙͖̞̙̦̳̄̈́͂̈́̽̎̾̊̎n̷̨͎̝̰̪̥̜̲̻̠̗͔̲̦͎̋̆̀̈́̄̾̐̑̆̓̚ͅͅt̶̨͔̲͍̜̲̫̍̀̀̾͆̇͂͘ĭ̴̧̪̘̞̮̘̟̖̓̈́̑͝-̶̛̗͎̙̞̦̝̥͊͋̐̀͒͋̑̈́͋͝l̶͉̜͚̣̣̹͇̻̗̄̐̍͋̄͊̍̇̄̇̄̚ḭ̷͑̿̾̾͘͘̚f̵̢̡̠̙̹̦̩̐͌̈́̍̐ȩ̸͕̺͈̣̯͉͐!"

Izuku shivered in dread at the noise, but moved forward, reaching down to help the redheaded man. The man surged up, now jagged fingers reaching for his throat, face a ruin of flesh, one eye destroyed - clawed out. Izuku reacted out of some primal instinct and shoved the man away from him, sending the body flying away from him and into the crowd. 

Only then did he see that the street around him had become a frenzied mob of bloody violence. 

Izuku had no idea how long he stood there, staring. There was too much to take it...too many horrors hitting him at once.

The city burned, the screams of thousands echoing in the air as horrifically maddened people swarmed through the streets. A frenzy of ripping, tearing, gouging. Sprays of blood and gore as victims fell, only to then rise later and join the already overwhelming horde: There a mother was struggling as her howling child clawed at her face, there the inside of a car turned into a blood bath as the family turned on itself, a mother and father tugging on either end of a screaming baby until it...nearby a window shattered overhead and bodies spilled out of it, splattering on the sidewalk...on, and on, and on, and on... everywhere he looked there was death, multiplying in increasingly horrific ways.  

So his mind turned off. Refused to process the madness. 

"<Git away from her>!" A rough voice screamed. "<Fer the love of God, help!>" 

The cry for help jolted him into action and Izuku moved before he registered what he was doing. He lunged forward, closing the distance to a nearby food cart, where a potbellied man with a face beaten by years and too many fists, was struggling to pry a woman in a business suit off a screaming little girl. The woman had the child’s fingers in her mouth, blood dribbling down her chin, while her clawed hands scrabbled desperately at the man's arm around her throat.

"Move!" Izuku shouted, hands seizing the woman’s nose and chin. 

The large man released her neck, getting out of his way as Izuku gave a swift, decisive yank wrenched her mouth off the bloodied fingers. The girl scrambled backward, clutching her mangled hand to her chest, her screams lost in the cacophony of the city dying.

Without hesitation, Izuku twisted and hurled the woman away—she arced through the air and crashed into the windshield of a nearby car. He winced, realizing he'd put more force into it than he should have, but there was no time to think about that. He turned back and took a step toward the girl, intending to check on her, but froze.

The large man was kneeling over her, mumbling words, trying to comfort her as she bled out. It was only then that Izuku realized the woman had not bitten fingers, but rather the girl's wrist. Her eyes, misting over, darted around in ways they should not be. The girl was bleeding out—and yet...

Izuku yanked the man up and away from the girl a split second before she lunged up, suddenly jagged teeth snapping closed on empty air. 

"<Fuck>!" The man shouted. 

The girl hissed and lunged toward them like a cat pouncing on a lame mouse. "Ȃ̷̛̼͙̯͖̲̜̻̿̌̃͋́̊r̸͍̙̝̪͉̈́̓͊͒̄̅̉͂͘͝g̸̨̰͉͎̲̲͍̲̫̞̹͈̙͙̼̅̈̓̑͛̏̓̈h̷̼̫͒͐̎͋̎̈́͋̿̚̕" 

Izuku caught the crazed...thing...mid-lunge with a hard kick to the face, sending it flying down the sidewalk into the side of a car on the other side of the street. The door crumpled as the whole vehicle rocked from the impact. The girl, or whatever she was now, looked up at them, trapped in the crumpled door, her body broken. Her face was a ruin of mush, bone, and blood. All that remained was one eye crooked in its socket, and a broken jaw. It grinned, revealing shattered teeth, and laughed.

"H̶̻͚̥̤̞̙̼̮̒̓̓̅̿̑̐̇͝͝a̵̡̯̘͕̣͇͔͈͎̲͊̒͜ͅh̵̛̤̹̥̅͌̂͌̈́̆͗͒̈́̓á̵̧̫͖͓̠̞̙͇̣̬̔̂̈̎͐̈́ḫ̷͚͔̠͖͎̳̥͑̍̎́̒̾̈́̈́a̸̟̦͇͓̫͉̩̲̪̮̳̱̞̾̈́̅͐̃̔͘ḩ̶̡̜̺̟̙͉̣͇͕̌̿̑̐̓̅̃̔̍̐̚͘͜a̷̡̛̠̼̩͕̣̟͎͊͗̍̓̃͂͌̑̊́͑̍́͝"

Monsters. 

These things, they were monsters...and there was only one thing you could do with a monster...but there were hundreds of these things, no thousands if not millions of them... 

"<Run>!" Izuku shouted, turning and shoving the shocked man toward the mouth of a nearby alley. 

Izuku stared down the aisles of the empty store. Taking in the broken coolers, scattered food, knocked-over shelves and doing his best to ignore the smeared, bloody gore that painted the floors and walls. He knew the place was empty of people monsters, he had double-checked before they came inside. But he kept watching because it kept his mind from wandering. It would be too easy for him to start spiraling if he thought too much about what he had done. 

The faces of the people monsters...or were they still people, just lost in madness? He clenched his fists, willing himself not to think about the question. Not to think about how many times he had crushed their skulls, caved their chests in with a punch, or flung them across streets like they were nothing more than ragdolls. Monsters. They were monsters. He had to believe that, had to force it into his mind—

But what if...what if there was something left of them? Izuku swallowed hard, his stomach twisting. No, they were monsters.

Only mad, inhuman, monsters. 

A tiny whimper from his right drew his attention away from the back. Huddled against the counter, clinging to one another, were a pair of eight-year-old kids. Blonde hair, eyes red from crying, their cubby faces nearly identical in their shock and fear. Neither had said a word since Izuku and Bibbowski had saved the pair from a horde of murderous monsters. Sensing his attention they sobbed harder and Izuku did his best to give them a reassuring smile. 

"<Don't think we can stay much longer kid.>" A low voice said from behind him, the words mangled by a thick accent.

Izuku looked away from the kids and to the only other person in the store. Bibbo Bibbowski was a large man, a former boxer and longshoreman, as well as a gruff, well-meaning man. Also owned a bar and was a huge fan of Superman. He rambled a lot, and sometimes he repeated himself, but there was no mistaking his good nature. 

"<We're safe enough for now.>" Izuku whispered back, trying to sound reassuring, eyes turning to the hastily barricaded door. The glass was already shattered in it, all that stood between them and the monsters was an upended ice cream freezer. "<Just need to talk what to do next.>" 

"<I ain't git a clue>," Bibbowski said. scratching his head under his knit cap. "<Ways' I figure it, you'se been doin' good eno'gh...but I say we should just yell fer my buddy Superman, hey, I tell you me an' him are buddies?>"

"<I think so,>," Izuku said, smiling faintly, turning back to the man. "<We'll do that, once we're someplace we can properly wait. No telling how long it'll take with the how...upside down things are, that is the phrase, yes?>" 

"<Right, right>." The large man said, smiling and nodding. 

Izuku opened his mouth to ask if Bibbowski had an idea where they should go when the sound of something heavy hitting the front of the store cut him off. He spun at the sound, casually backhanding the flying freezer up and away, through the ceiling. Dust and debris rained down from the ragged hole he had created, but his focus was on the thing standing in the doorway. 

It was a woman. 

Well, it had been a woman, but whatever the thing standing there was now, it was no longer anything remotely human. Still had the shape, just, no soul. It was tall. Taller than All Might by at least a meter. With a lean, muscular feminine body. Orange skin, dark red hair in a mohawk. Wearing a purple and silver leotard that left her arms and legs exposed. Its gaunt face ruined by ragged, bleeding, gashes. 

As he stared it down, he heard Bibbowski moving to the crying children behind him. Izuku shifted a bit, putting himself more firmly between this monster and them. It unnerved him how motionless the thing stood there glaring at him with its red, inhuman eyes. 

Behind him, the kids were crying harder than ever. It was a loud and discordant noise. The monster shifted, grinding its teeth back and forth at the noise. 

"<It'll be ok>," Izuku said, trying to reassure them and resisting the urge to glance back at them, "<I'm here!>"

The monster's mouth stretched into a feral grin, letting out a half-choking, half-chuffing sound. Laughing at him. Then it charged. 

Izuku's body was already in motion, moving to meet the towering monster. It might have a good four meters on him, but that didn't matter. Izuku was a stronger and nimbler. He stalled her incoming charge with his hands smacking into her shoulders, breaking her pace. As she stumbled back, he shifted to throw a punch, intending to finish this fast - and was not prepared for the kick that slammed into his ribs. 

If he had been anyone else that blow would have turned him into a spray of bloody chunks. Instead, it lifted him off his feet and threw him through the side of the store like a battering ram. Izuku hit the ground as bricks rained down on the street, and slid along the ground another yard before he managed to turn the momentum into a roll. He was on his feet before the falling bricks settled, but already the screams of the children were dying out.  

He exploded back through the wall a second time, rage driving him. He barely noticed the rubble falling in his wake. But as his feet hit the ground inside, the fury in his chest snuffed out. The air in his lungs choking him, eyes widening in mute horror. 

Thirty seconds. Half a minute. That was all the time it took for...

Blood.

Everywhere.

Bibbo Bibbowski—or what was left of him—was strewn across the shattered floor, his lifeless eyes still open, as though confused, lost in the last moment of his life. Torn in half the way someone might tear a piece of paper, his intestines and guts everywhere and...the children...they were....oh Buddha...they dangled from the monster's massive hands, their tiny bodies limp, their heads smashed opened like raw eggs from where it had slammed them together. 

The room swam. He was here. His stomach revolted, bile in his throat. He was right here.  His legs started to give out, powerlessness washing over him. He had not been fast enough. Had not been strong enough. He could not save anyone.

The monster grinned at him as it ground the children’s heads together. A deliberate, sickening gesture. Mocking him.

"Ÿ̸͖̱̦̝̭́̏̂̍̈́̌̍̈̿͌o̴̧͎̹͎̰̯̙̻̖̼̺̖̜̹͑̉͠u̵̧̡̡̬̫͇̮̺̭̞͍͇̺͋́̓̏̌̆̅͛̈́͛͌͠ ̴̣̖̠͈̠̻͔̙̩̘̎̎͒̋͒̐̿͜l̵̡̧͎͚̜̃̎̓͆́̐͐̀̾̌̿̚̕̕̚i̷̺̋͛̏͒͒̈̿̈́̆̀̆͌̕͝͝ĕ̷̥̫̞̮̖̳̳̗͈͎͉̩̄̈̏̀̌̄̿̾̒̕͠d̸̨̬̱͓̀́͋̍͂̉̋̆

White-hot anger burned through his horror and despair, breathing new life into his body. With a scream of rage, Izuku shot forward, fist pulled back for a punch. He twisted into the blow, the rotation of his body adding to the sheer momentum of the punch. 

She still wore that twisted, mockery of a smile when his fist connected with her face. 

The impact was like a small bomb going off. There was a roar of a hurricane being unleashed and her head exploded like an over-ripe melon. Chunks of brain, blood, and bone scattering in a grisly display. The force of the impact blew her body back, slamming it into the back wall of the store, which gave way from the force of the impact. The loss of the wall and the back half of the store undermined the ceiling and part of the roof caved in. Sparks sprayed from broken lights as they guttered and died. 

He stared for a moment at the destruction, then dropped to his knees, legs and arms limp. Like a puppet with its strings cut. A body-shaking sob escaped him, even as part of him dimly noted a familiar sensation of falling through the earth. 

When the world came back into focus, his cheeks were sticky with drying tears, and his vision blurry. Izuku dully took in the steel and concrete buildings that surrounded him.  In the distance, the famous Skytree towered above the skyline. Tokyo. Around him, the noise of the city finally registered and he lowered his gaze. People were lingering on the sidewalks, phones pointed at where he knelt in the street. 

Was he back home, or was this a whole new world? 

Izuku had no clue. Worse, he did not care. His mind was too fractured, his soul too sick and broken. All he could see and think about were the kids and Bibbowski. How he had promised they would be okay—and how he had failed. He had been right there! He had told them everything would be ok and he had...failed...if he had killed that monster instead of trying to fight it like a normal person...

He closed his eyes, starting to curl in on himself, another sob threatening to overtake him. But a sudden sonic boom made him freeze, eyes snapping open once more. A moment later All Might landed in the street in a three-point landing, a perfect heroic entrance. He heard the people cheering at the arrival of the Symbol of Peace.

It should have been a comfort to Izuku, but instead, he could only watch, far to broken to care. 

"Izuku!" All Might shouted. Not young Midoirya, but Izuku. The concern on the older man's face should have been everything he dreamed about. His mentor wasted no time rushing to him, scooping the kneeling Izuku up into a tight hug. "You're back!"

"Yeah," Izuku mumbled, tone flat, letting the man hug him. This was the kind of thing Izuku had always wanted. But the moment seemed so hollow and empty. How could he accept this concern, this love? He did not deserve it, not with how he had failed. He had been right there, he had told them everything would be ok...and he had... "I'm back."

"Izuku," All Might said, pulling back, letting Izuku drop to his feet on the street, but those large hands never left his shoulders. His hero stared down at him, eyes filled with concern and reassurance, "I don't know what happened...but it's ok son, I promise."

Izuku jolted then, that word breaking through his numbness. Shifted the crushing weight of his failure. All Might had called him... Tears pricked his eyes again, and he sniffed, clenching them shut as he surged forward and hugged All Might. 

"It's ok my boy," All Might murmured, hugging him, the strength and warmth allowing him to feel something like hope, "everything's going to be ok. I'm here." 

And then, his phone buzzed.

The sound jolted him, and all around them, phones began to beep and ring. The displays on the buildings began to make discordant noises. Izuku’s eyes flew open. His stomach lurched as all around them, a loud, horrible, inhuman cry filled the air as millions of voices made sounds no living thing should be capable of.

"A̴̧̧̦̜̖̦̜̟̳͎̳̣̰̝̦͕̘͌l̴̟̰̳̗̭̼̭̪̙̪̥͐̓̂͌͒̈̽́͝͝i̵̛͈͉͉͉̦͈͈͉͓͊̃͌̅̎͂͊̏̾̓̈̆͆̀̓͘ȩ̷̢͍̙̞̮͎̦͈͔̝͓̥̬͇́̔́͑͐̔̿́͊̈́̚͘͝n̷̡̧̝̯̪͖̄̒ǎ̸̢̨̛̖̯͉̼̭͐̏̒̒̌̍͂̊͒̚ț̵̡̹͕̫͖͆̀̾̈͛͌̉́͗͌̀͋͗͘̚͘ĩ̴͈̗̼͉͓̼̠̃̽̋̊͑̑͠ờ̶̹͇͖̙̼͍̠̜̮̒̓̀̄̆́̍͐͆̈́̆̍̋͠n̴̨̡̧̞̞̦̠͓̫̫̜͆̀͒̏̃̅̅̓̅͂̽̚̕͠ ̶͈̺̰̔̀̾͆̓̈̅̓̎͝͠͝F̶̯̬̪̼͌̈́̌͗̃́̈̓̃̋̓̋́̇͋̅̋ȩ̶͔̪̥̹̫̯͕̝͗̂̑̕͜ḁ̵̡͓̣̝͉̤̭̺̩͉̰̭̯̑̀̋͐̽͑̋̀̂̏͝r̸̗͍̰̘̹̻͗̃̏͐̈̍͌͛D̵̛̤̉̿͛̿̅̈́̇̎̈́̂͘̕ę̵̧͎̟̻͕̞̦̣̞͕͋͂͆̾̒̂́̒̊̌̇̑̕͜͜͝͝s̵̛̛͓̥͍͎̗̳͚̀̀͐͒̎͛͑͐͘͝͝ṕ̵̧̢̖̥̱̬̱̰̟̩̪̼͓̰̀̀͛͊̈͑͑̉̍̔̕͘ä̷̛̳͕̱́́̈́͗̐̾͐͆̿ȋ̵̲r̷̢̡̢͉̣͇̞̹͎͕̥͇͇̳͉̼̄͝G̷̡̛̩͖͒́̀̿̉̓̑̈́͛̇̔̒͊̓͆͠ų̴̬̖̘̮̅͐̎̍͂̐̚͘͝i̴͕͕͔̳̹̦̭̫̇́͌̈́̎̌͂̊̽̐̌͌͝l̷̨̨͚̼͎̪̪̝̪͎̭̖̇̈́̿̅͐͗ţ̵̵͉̰̪̮̯̔̓͛̃̀̓͛̏͑̈̋̍̔̇̇͋͘̚S̷̗̜̦̰̞̙͖̩̻͈̿͋̏̽̓̿̏͗͐̇̒̽̎͗̄̈́͜ͅḣ̴͙͉̟̯̰̲̤̤͓̼͊͐̓ą̴̡̧̛͕̺̹̬͉̹̹̤̥̘͍̲̄͗̎̋͆̾̆͗̈́͌̒͋̑̚͝ͅm̸̨̛̝̝̝̱̆̂͊̋̈͐͠e̶̶̪̺̞͎̥̳̦̭̯̭̪̲̾̈́͗̓͐̐̈̔̑̒͗̓̆̉͝F̶̺̳̩̙̭͖̿̒̐͒̏͒̏͑̃͌̄͘͝a̷̢̤̞͙̗̫̘͈̞͆̌̾͆̔̽͗͠i̴̡̗̲̭̰̜̝̗͓͖͚͕͙̙͔͂̉̂͋ͅl̷̢̘͙̮̜͇̟͙̹͉̠̖͙̽̽̆̋̆͛̋́̍̚͝ũ̵̧͍̮̥̗̱̝̤̽̈́́̈́̉̂̿́͘̕͜͝ŗ̴͚̤̩̖̟͑́͂̈̈̅̋͌̉͋̂͘͝e̷̵̖̤̦̭͍̩̥͙̙̪͎̘̰͚̋̓̂̉̐̓͋̇̇͋͒̒͊́̀̄͆͗̈̓͆͒͘͠͝͠ͅD̸̨̤͙̗̝͒́͂̈̓̈̍͗̔͐ĕ̸͓̬̯͉͕̬̬̲̰̫̟â̶̢̭̥̼̤̻͍͖̜̗̮͕̼̂͂̒̈̒̿̎̂͋̄͘̚͜͜t̴͍̜̺̖̉̋̍͝ͅh̴̵̢͎͍̭̘̟̖̲͉̱̺̹͚̭̹̖͎̣͓̮͖̗͍̆̃͂̓͊̐̅͂̌̓̄̃̍̑̍̍̇̅͛̈́̚͜͜͠n̸͔͚̯͎͛͂͝͝ọ̴̧̝̻͉̜͕̼̲̹͎̗̠͖̄̇́̈́̔̓̓̅̚͘͜͜͝͝͝ ̷̛͔͚͙̣͈͚̬̈́̈́͐̂͋͂́͠ş̸̢̯̹̦̟̩̯̩͚͕̇̈͠͝͠ͅe̶̢̢̫͖̞̮̺̫̰̠͚͉͔̟̝͐ͅl̸̬̱͓̻̫̩̭͑́͛̀͆͆̏͆́̊̈̏f̷̨͉͉̙͚͚̰̜̬͚͈͊́̓̃̀̂̿̓͘͜͜͜͝͠-̴̥̞̭̰̻̝͉̻̌̌́̆͐̍̏w̸̰̭̫͇͉͒͂͐̑̈̆̅̆͊̓͐̂̚͠͝ơ̶̡̺̍͌́͆̍̎̚r̷̢̨̧̯͍̟̟̻̮̲͇̲̱͓̜͖͚̃̋̈́̈́̽̓̆͆̕͝t̶̡͙̹̪͔̆̅͑͛͆̓̈́̍͋̌̓̄̆͋͑͌͑ḧ̵̙͖̹̩͔͚̳̮́͐̎̌̓̈́̿͆̈́̆̐̋͑͘ ̴̵̨̨̧̛̭̞̗̺͚̙̮͇͉͇̘̮͉̭̬̩̫̝̮̲̣̩̇͌͑͑̿͛̈̀̆̃̑͋̆̆̐͘̚m̸̹̳̯̽̐̈̓̓̈́ơ̵̢͛͐͒͆̓̂̂̂͊̕͠č̶̢͈̖̼̭̹̣̥̮̼͒́̇̈̿̒͆͊͗͜͠͝k̷̙̥͙͈͖̆̊̆͊̎e̸̢̧̛̺̱̙͙͚̓̈́̓̃͗̈́̄͛͠͝͝͝ŗ̵̳̥̭͓̞̈̇͒̂͌͘͠ÿ̵̯̰̰̖̼̻̻̯͈̒͠ ̸̴̨̬̟̲̺̗͚̭̘̘̺͓̹̮̬̲̬̓͊̀̓̊͛̔̐̓̏́̈̉͂̐̽̎͛̕̚͠͝ͅĉ̶͚͎͕̝̇̑̊́̈͑̉̉͋̓̊̀͐̋̚o̵͕͔̭̓̋̎̈̑̿͛̂̓̃̕͝ṉ̷̡̛̼̪̖̹͓͕͉̘̦̠̪̩̂̾͂͌͋́͆̌͋̚͘͝ͅd̶̨̧̨͉̪̠̮͇̩̳̯̥̭͒̎̈́̽͒̆́͐̑̐͋̏̏̕͝͝͠ͅê̴̠̻̰̥̘̟̹͕̈̆̊̽̒̊̈́̐͋͋̄̃̽̾̐͜͠m̸͓̹̜̻̯̳̗̙̹̫̯͕̟͗̃̚n̸̨̢͍̬̯̹̥̑̃̈́̉̿̒͂̂̇̍̂̂̔̚͜͜͠͠͠ͅa̶̛̦̱̦̒̈́͐̊̒́͂͜t̶̨͇̱̟̺̤́̄̍̈́̽̌̒ị̴̡̄̅̾͊́́͂͠ö̵͇̙͉̯̳̘̥̬̳́͂̈́̔͌̓̓͆̆̀̽͑̚̚̕n̶̯͎̱̠͓͇̯̬͓͙̼̉̑̆͒̀̈́͒̽̎͝͠ ̴̴̡̜̼͍͇̻̜̦̱̪͎͈̗͍̮̞̤͓̻͓̈́̈́́̀̍̇̇͋͛̑̑̅̍͘m̶̧̡̢̲̰̣̦͙̒̃͠i̵̧͍̳̇́s̵͍̺̝̬̓͋͛͆̒̈̿̊̀̃͜͠u̵̹̯̮̮͉̜͔̥̖̠̲̼͗͑n̶͉͎͍͙̻̜̪̝̖̫̆̊̌̅̍̆̊̒́̔͌̿͐ḑ̴̛̙͈̠̮̹̣̻̬͈̅͐̿̐̿̔̄̐͂̅͘̕͠ȩ̷̢͇̗͕̟̤̼̏͋́̐r̸̪̩͕̦͙̭̼̰͇̱͇͈̹̪̣͌̆̄̂̇̑̀̋̓̄̑͠ͅs̸̭̪͍̅̌̆͌̏̈́͑̈́͠͝ẗ̷̛̛͉͎̦͎͖́̂̐͛͌͊͂̉̍̽͒̋̒̒͝ā̵̢̧̗͕̘̩̲̩̞͉̤̗͍͇̉̓̿̉̀̎̋̊́͋̒̿̇̑̀͜͝n̸̻̖͍̻̣̳̬͊̽̄d̷̢̢̨̛͕̣̦̩̮͙̬̹͓̰͊͑̊̌͗͗̒̎͌̉̊͛̇̈́̕̕ͅi̴̧̧̪̗͎̣̦͇̽̔́̈́̓́̂͌̉̀͂͑̕͜͝͠n̶̜͇̪͈͕͔̜̖̮̬̈́̒̀̆̓̀̇͜͠͠g̸̨̮̱̫͚͍͉̟̫͈̅̂̃͊̐̉͝͝ ̷̧̟̬̞̼̝̳̯̖̟̻̩́̄̈̚ͅ ̵̷̫͖̲͕͖̠͕͖͈͎̳̾̊̑̄̍͛̀͘͝j̸̡̡̠̝̞̙̼͍͔̪̫͉͈̹́͂͂̈́̓̊͒̈́͛͐̀̿̿͝ͅu̵̘̩̘͕͔͆̎̔̉̆͗̌̌̒̓͛͛̒̚͘̕͜d̷̯͛́̄̌͘ͅg̸̡̧̱͔̤̻͕͓͍̹͚͂̽̃̽̽̊m̴̡̧̨̛̩̝̫̱͔̰̩̦̠͉̝̞̑̊̿̓́̎͘e̵̘̫̰͍͛̎̀̚n̶̺̟̺͝t̶̳̣͙͑̚̚͝ ̸̵̨̨̛͔̭̤̟̠̾͋͛͆̑̒̔͆͋̄̕̚n̵̛͍̳̋͛̃͒̽̋̃̾͗̕͠o̸̤̙͕̬͌̿̃̈́́͋͘̚̚ͅ ̸̧͎̜̱͚̣̬̳̘͖̹̽͛̐̐̃̋̌͐͛̆͌̓͠͝h̷͍̦̫̰͎̗̦͈͖̼̜̺̘͂̊̋̽͗̈̅͝͠o̴̟̱̰̝̟̹̪̼̩͈̫͍̼̳͑̈́̅͜͜͜p̴̖͙̟̗͔̊́̾̎̽͐̀͂̾͐̓̓̕̚͝e̷̡̥̥̗͈̗̰̞̺̩͑͌̓͛̆̍͒̐̂̈́̾̈́̒͠ ̶̶̨̨̨̢̢̛̰̰̹̖͕̟̘͕͍̻̼̯̪̟͚̞̠̮̙̤̹́̊̐͛̊̒̆̉̌̑̓͐̆́̄̌͜͠͝ͅl̷̨͖̝͔̟̹͍͇̻̼͖̜͈͔̂́̃̄̈́̅ͅȯ̶͉̘̹͈̻̟̘̞̪̦̹͗̀͆͊͒̍̈́̎͝v̴̧̧̼͎͉̤̪̩͔̇͋̀͐̎͌̐͝ͅȩ̴̛̩̱̘̯̘̜̰̀̽͌́̍̓̑̂̋̔́͛̑̐͘̚ ̵̗̦̰͚̲̗̳͍̀͌͛̿ͅí̸̛̛̛̮̩̟̼̉͐̓̓̇̽̃̂͆̕̚ͅs̴̨̛̘̠̗̮̘̫̦͉͕͎̏̋́̀͝ͅ ̴̧̟̘̺̩̳̖͍̃͑̊̽̓̄͑͠͠͝a̴̡̧̫̰̟͚͔̩̩̪̰̼̍̎͊ ̷̛̞̮̫͉͉̭͈̘̼̥̮̮̍̂̈̿̽̇̆̐̾̓̍̀̀̓l̴͙̯̖͖̅͋̍̀͛́͂͆̒̈́͑͌̿͝ì̶̧̛͈̦̠̻̬͚̩̰̯̝̱̮̀̏͗͛̑̌͌̒͛͛̔͜͝ȅ̸̛̛̟̙̗͌̌̽͒̂͝ ̴̴̡͇̭͕͎͙͖̻̲̪̰̬͉̖͖̐̎̏͌̀̈́̃́̋̈́̾̎͑̈̔̚̕̚ͅl̸̛͎̥͔͇̣͒̔͂͝i̷̳̎̌̋f̸̢̡̛̱̫̹̜̋͌̐̀̏̏́̏̈́̕ȅ̸̜͖͕̹̯̩͙̰̘̲͉̃͗̿̊̕͠͝ ̴̞̹̭̘̏̉̈́͛͐̑̕͘͠͠m̷̢̻̦̘͈̣͖͙̦̈́̓͐̽̅̔́͜͝͝ú̴̝̰̝̲͊́s̷̨̖͔̰̤̤͋̾͗̿t̵͖͕̱̟̞͇̖̉̄̏́̈̐̄͒̈̆̏̂͘ ̶̡̹̫̮͉̳̼͉̪͓͍͗͗͂̀̀̈̇̇͆̆̆̂̈́͘͘d̴̛̟̻̺̮͈̖̼̑͑͊̆͗̋͜i̷̙̼̞͑͗̑͆͝ͅȩ̶̵̢̡͕͍̠̲͔̻̝͖̗̤̺͈̫̞̱̲̝̞̩̱̟̮̼̳̭͖̖̫̲͗̑͊̐́̑̓̀̃͌̑̊͛̓͑̿̿̈̚̕̕͠͝ͅf̷̨̨̨͍͈̖̦͉͔̫͈̦͚̰̮̈̓̈́̈́̽̐̿̅̾̂ŗ̴̢̛̖̝͖̠̱̜̀̇̿͋̊͆͊͛͋̈́̓̋͂͠e̵̬̥͚̮̰͙̖̖̟͍̖̝̼̦̻̞͒̽͌̇̀̊̅͗͊̎̀ȩ̶̛̛̪̣̲̻̬̠͈͔̞̤̰̮͆́̇͑̐̄̎͐̄̂͒͘d̸͈͙͉̠̩̲̖͉͓͕̃̀͜ͅǫ̷͎͇̫̜̦̥̫͚̻̌́̋͌͠ͅm̵̧̝͉̗̳͔̤̦͇̲͈̲͈͕̏͂̓̐͝͠ ̷̨̤͍͔̫͔̗̼̟̥͎͈͔̯̜̜̓̆̆̈́͘͝͝ḭ̸̧̔̌̿s̶̢͈͕̲̙̪̬͍̈̌̓̓̇̉̆̂̄̓͊̕͝͝͠ ̶̘̬̝͖͎̙̫̃͑̊̆̈́͋̔̓̂͘͝s̶̡̡͈̘̪̳͕͕͚̍̀̌͝ͅu̶̡͔̟̝̬̤͖̤̖̳̅̿̓͗r̷̜̐̓̃r̴̢̧͚̝̮͎̝̥̬̃̀͐͂͆͊̌̔͊̈̌̽͆̕͠ę̶̨͔̭̟͔̗̬͉͖̪̪̤̏̋̓̄͛̐̇̈̓̑̍͋n̴̜̪̩̞̘͎̩̳̑͐͐̂̅̎̎̈́̿͋͊͘ͅd̸̬̠̰̫̆̃̒̄́̽ȩ̷̧̪͍̫͕͔͎̣̘̞͚̣̼̂͗̉͑̓r̸̵͓̼͔̼͚͚̗̩̥̺̟̯̪͚͇͕̹̫͋̈́̐͋͂́̽̋̽̃̏̆ͅͅd̴̝́́̈́̉͋̀̈́̈́̂̎̇̍̿̋̕̕į̴̱͓̣̯̜̮͙͚͕͑̏̍͆è̸̡̡̛͙͈̰̮̹̺͖͓͙̥͗͆̐͑̈̒́͗̀͠ͅ ̴̼̹͔̗̘͉͙̂̇̍̔̓͂̂̄́͐͘͝͠f̵̭͔͈̬͉̺͖͎̲͖̖̯̫̬̓̿͛̈́͋̉͛̚͘ơ̸̧̧̥̜͈̻̭̟̣͂͋̄͗̉͠͝͠ͅr̴̨̲̟̗͖͕̖̰̺̣̣̦͖̜̼̰͙͗̿̒̿̆́͒̚ ̵̫͍̗̲̻̩̂͂́̒̚à̶̟̺̣̦͙͍̙͖̞̙̦̳̄̈́͂̈́̽̎̾̊̎n̷̨͎̝̰̪̥̜̲̻̠̗͔̲̦͎̋̆̀̈́̄̾̐̑̆̓̚ͅͅt̶̨͔̲͍̜̲̫̍̀̀̾͆̇͂͘ĭ̴̧̪̘̞̮̘̟̖̓̈́̑͝-̶̛̗͎̙̞̦̝̥͊͋̐̀͒͋̑̈́͋͝l̶͉̜͚̣̣̹͇̻̗̄̐̍͋̄͊̍̇̄̇̄̚ḭ̷͑̿̾̾͘͘̚f̵̢̡̠̙̹̦̩̐͌̈́̍̐ȩ̸͕̺͈̣̯͉͐!"

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text