Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“These past few years have been… Interesting, but we’re proud to announce the Hero Billboards Chart of 2XXX!” The announcer crowed, swinging their arm out as the lights flashed on, showcasing the top 10 heroes. 

“First off, in the #10 spot, we have the Jet-Black Hero: Tsukuyomi and their companion Dark Shadow!” 

“I am truly honored to stand before you all on this fated day,” Tokoyami began, dipping their head in respect and thanks. “But I must say, I do not feel I’ve earned this spot.”

“What Yomi means to say is that all you fans made them get up here only ‘cause we’re Hawks’ only intern! Give us a chance to rise here on our own power!” After Dark Shadow’s interruption, Tokoyami nodded and tilted their head towards the next hero. 

“What an inspirational speech! Next up, in the #9 spot, we have the Everything Hero: Creati!”

“Thank you, everyone, for bringing me up to this spot. I must admit, I’m surprised. I didn’t expect to shoot up the ranks so quickly, but I can never thank you enough for this chance. After coming out of UA so soon, after everything we as Class 3-A have experienced, I can say we all thank you.” Yaomomo paused, eyes flicking to the new #5 hero. “And I apologize ahead of time for anything my classmates may say.”

“Showing team spirit there, Creati! And now, the #8 spot, Uravity! Go off, Gravity Girl!” 

“Hey everyone! First off, I gotta thank everyone for helping me get here. My friends, those in the crowds, and most importantly my family.” Uraraka began, smiling widely. “Mom, dad, thank you! I would not be here if it weren’t for you, for you both pushing your farthest to get me enough money to get here, to be a hero, for all the love and support you’ve gifted me that kept me going. First and foremost, the reason why I’m here is because of them. For my family. They helped me, and I will help them back! And I will help everyone along the way!” 

“How moving and lovely! #7, the Engine Hero: Ingenium!” 

“I am here to show that our legacy, the Ingenium line, stands strong!” Iida started sharply, arms already chopping at his sides. “We are an unstoppable force, and no unmoving wall will halt us! No hero killer will kill this hero.” 

“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Next up, #6, the Equilibrium Hero: Shouto! Anything to say?”

“I am here, of my own will.” Todoroki spoke quietly yet his voice rang out. 

“Small but encouraging! #5.. Lord King Explosion Murder, Dynamight! Ain’t that a mouthful!” 

Oh no. 

Bakugou raised his head, glancing across the crowd as he took the mic. 

“I told you at the Sports Festival, and I don’t lie. I have won. I am up here because I am powerful. And,” He then turned towards the hero in the spot of #1, Endeavor. “You’re next.” 

“Kacchan!!” Before the announcer could introduce him, Midoriya cried out with a small huff. “Don’t say that!” 

“I’ll say whatever I want, Deku!” Bakugou snapped his fingers in front of Midoriya’s face with a scowl. “Use my hero name up here too!” 

“Eep! Sorry, Dynamight! But still, don’t threaten people on live tv!” 

“It’s my entire role! What the fuck do you think my epithet’s for!” 

“A-ah, it seems a fight has broken out..” The announcer sighed, cringing away as Bakugou’s hands started popping. 

“Dynamight, no! No explosions!” 

“GET BACK HERE DEKU!!!” Bakugou started chasing him as Midoriya ran, ducking past his friends and towards backstage. Which the closest escape happened to be past Endeavor. 

“Dynamight, no! Stop chasing me!” 

“ENDEAVOR!” Bakugou then screamed, lunging at the flame hero. Endeavor responded by shooting out flames with a look of shock, but the flames were stopped by a small glacier of ice. 

By now, Midoriya had found Bakugou’s sudden distraction as a way to run the other way, diving behind Todoroki. 

"This is insanity..." Best Jeanist muttered quietly, to which Tokoyami nodded.

He then realized the cameras were still rolling, recording everything. 

“BAHHAHAH!! EVEN AS PROS YOU GUYS STILL CAN’T STOP FIGHTING, CAN YOU!?” A familiar voice rung out in the crowd, getting responded to with an angry,

“SHUT UP PHANTOM THIEF!!” 

“OH REALLY? 20V20! I DARE YOU ALL!” 

“YOU’RE ON!!!” 

“Dynamight! Phantom Thief! Please, let’s settle this somewhere else!” Iida called out, looking somewhat shocked as Monoma attempted to climb onto the stage. 

“OH YEAH? THEN BRING US TO AN ARENA!” 

“I can do that!” Hawks yelled excitedly, feathers bursting out and picking up a total of 40 different pro heroes from the crowd and stage, and suddenly all of them were gone. 

“W-well, it seems we’ll have to put this to a pause for now!” 

That poor announcer.

~~~~~

Down in the arena, it was pure chaos. Shouta huffed quietly, his problem children would never let up. Ever. 

Suddenly, something was thrown down into the battle. 

A chocolate bar. 

The already chaotic fight got even worse. 

Shouta tracked where the chocolate bar had been thrown from, eyes narrowing when he spotted the offender. 

A plain looking guy, with short brown hair and brown eyes. No special features whatsoever. 

Some Guy Named Jeff.

~~~~~

“Okay, will you stop fighting now?” Midoriya questioned with a glare, worn out from the 3-A v 3-B battle. 

“NOPE!” Bakugou launched himself at Endeavor who countered with a barrier of fire, which Bakugou just blasted through. 

Suddenly, both pro heroes were on the ground with Midoriya standing between them. The greenette looked towards the nearest camera, and with a sympathetic face,

“Sorry about them.”

Chapter Text

“Come on, dad! It can’t be that bad!” 

“Yes, it is that bad! Toshi, let go!”

“And as ritual, has our elusive #1 Underground Hero actually shown up?” 

“HE’S HERE!” Hitoshi shouted cheerfully, pulling Shouta’s scarf one last time. The pro stumbled onto stage with a deep scowl coating his features, quirk-infused glare aimed at his son. 

“Are you kidding me!?” 

“Come on, hardly anyone’s here! It’s not bad!” 

“And here I thought you wanted to follow in my footsteps and pretend all of humanity didn’t exist.” 

“But papa would be proud that you’re actually here!” 

“Don’t even try to manipulate me using Zashi.” 

“My chance! Come on Eraser, gimme a laugh!” Emi crowed, bouncing towards Shouta with a too-wide smile. Her quirk was instantly cut off. 

“No.”

And then he felt it. That feeling of anxiety- A cryptid nearby, one that wasn’t Nedzu. 

Some Guy Named Jeff.

Almost as if Izuku knew, a strike of green shot up onto the stage and buried him in a hug. 

Shouta hesitated, before wrapping his arms around Izuku and burying his face in the younger’s mess of green curls. 

“Problem Child #1.” He muttered quietly, unaware of the microphone that Hitoshi held up near him. 

Distantly, someone squealed and a window nearby shattered. 

“ZASHI YOU LITTLE SHIT.” Shouta roared, head shooting up with a heated glare. Izuku giggled, entire body shifting with the laugh. 

“And the mysterious Zashi has been revealed!” Hitoshi crowed, pointing into the crowd where said Zashi was cheering loudly in the back and was quickly moving towards the front. 

“C’MON SHOU, JUST ADOPT HIM ALREADY!” Zashi laughed, reaching the front of the stage. He was in full hero costume. Kami dammit. 

Well, bar the… Oh Kami no. He was wearing the fucking “#1 Underground Hero” shirt. 

“Oh shut! Can we just get on with showing the new top 10?!” He hissed, despite everyone there knowing he was only lighthearted. “Some of my k- students are waiting.” 

“Of course of course! Can I be the announcer!?” 

“Fine.” Zashi climbed up onto stage with a wide grin, with a tinge of devilish amusement in his eyes. 

“First off, our great and all powerful #1 Underground Hero, Eraserheaddd! Anything to say to our lovely listeners?” 

“No.” 

“As expected! Next up we have the Mindjack Hero, Siren! Welcome him to the grand stage of underground heroics!” Hitoshi just grinned, waving for the next person to come out. 

“Aaand, the lasting #3, Blood Hero: Vlad King!!” Kan nodded, waving to the small crowd. 

Shouta cast a small glare at Some Guy Named Jeff, Izuku still at his side. 

“#4! Come on up! A stealth extraordinaire, Invisible Girl! And instantly after, the hero of wonderful hearing, Earphone Jack!” Both girls trotted up happily, one waving and the other only nodding to the watchers. 

“And of course, a standing figure in underground heroics and the biggest thorn in Eraser’s side, Ms. Joke!” 

“I’LL GET YOU TO LAUGH ONE DAY, ERASER!” 

“Trust me, you won't. Next up we have two more students of Eraserhead, the Petting Hero: Anima, and the Tentacle Hero: Tentacole! A master of the wild and a master of the senses!” Kouda and Shouji walked out on the stage, Kouda signing a quick ‘Hello’ to the crowd with a bunny on their shoulder, and Shouji giving a three-armed wave. 

“Aaaand the one student of Vlad King’s to make it into rankings, Phantom Thief!! Come on out, master of magic!” Monoma strutted out at his call, grinning wildly. 

“And for the 10th spot upon the Underground Hero Rankings, one nearly lost to the light before realizing how well his quirk could work within the dark, Chargeboltttt!” 

Kaminari walked up with the biggest true smile the electric boy had ever sported, absolutely ecstatic. 

“That’s all folks! Go ahead and mingle, if your lucky loose your role as single, and have fun~” 

“Izuku, Toshi, come on, let's get out of here. Kaminari, you too.” 

“Huh? Why?” Kaminari tilted his head, little sparks of electricity darting around him at his confusion. Good, he was getting better control at keeping emotion activation under control. 

“Some Guy Named Jeff.” Shouta hissed under his breath, already on his way out. “And also, I’m adopting you.”

“HUH??”