Chapter Text
“Sorry kid, it's not gonna happen.”
Izuku froze as his eyes widened in disbelief as his tear ducts threatened to overflow. His mother, Inko, took notice of her son’s distorted expression and in response hugged him.
“So you really think there's something wrong, then? Most of the other kindergartners in his class have begun to show signs already. I know Izuku’s friend, Katsuki, already has his quirk..” muttered Inko in concern as her hand fidgeted. She stared at the doctor, hoping it was just a silly mistake.
“Izuku should have already manifested one of these Quirks or a combination of both, but after viewing his x-rays, I don't think he's going to.” explained the doctor calmly, as he rose up from his chair and guided himself towards a display board. The doctor bent down and flipped the switch, turning on the display board revealing two x-ray scans of feet. Inko was confused as to why the doctor was showing scans of feet.
“People with powers have only one joint in their pinky toes. Their bodies have evolved into a more streamlined version of the human form.” the doctor described in coherent detail. The doctor then proceeds to point at the x-ray scan positioned at the right side of the display board.
“You can see here that Izuku has two joints in his pinky. Like roughly 20% of the population these days. Based on the research that's available it's safe to say your son isn't going to develop a Quirk.” concluded the doctor as he proceeded to sit back on his chair.
It’s safe to say your son isn’t going to develop a Quirk..
Those words, that sentence, rang in Izuku’s head like an endless merry go round. Each replay seemed to taunt Izuku and he grabbed his shirt and tightened his grip.
“But how can Izuku be quirkless? I have a quirk and so did my husband.” projected Inko as she couldn’t accept the fact Izuku is quirkless. Inko didn’t care if Izuku would have a quirk or not, she would love him the same either way. But, when she turned to look down at her son, she knew this diagnosis would linger with Izuku for the rest of his life. Inko was not blind to quirk discrimination in society, especially quirkless discrimination. She needed to be assured that Izuku is in fact quirkless so she can properly prepare Izuku.
“I offer my condolences, truly, but in Izuku’s case I am surprised to be honest. But I can assure you, Mrs. Midoriya, that Izuku is indeed quirkless. I had my interns re-check the x-ray scans, and Izuku shows signs of quirklessness.” said the doctor sympathetically.
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After the appointment with the doctor, Izuku was silent throughout the whole journey home. He quickly shut himself in his room as Inko tried to talk to his son.
“Izuku.. Can you open the door? I just want to talk to you..” said Inko gently, almost like a hushed whisper. She placed her ear on the cold smooth wood door, trying to listen to her son.
Only silence.
“Izuku, you will always be my son, you know right? And besides, it is only one doctor’s opinion, we can go to Hosu and see if the doctor was wrong!”
“What’s the point.. They are going to tell me that I am quirkless..” croaked Izuku. Inko widened her eyes in surprise for a moment before resting into a saddened expression.
“But you can’t give up Izuku. You know better than everyone that a hero never gives up in the face of despair! That’s why you admire All Might so much! Despite the situation being really scary, he manages to save loads of people with a smile.”
“So Izuku, my baby, can you open the door?”
The door opened to reveal a room plastered with All Might posters covering nearly every corner of the room. Izuku was sitting near the end of the bed as he glanced up towards his mother and gave a small smile. Inko went towards his son and gave him a warm hug.
“You will always be my little hero, Izuku.. Remember that alright?”
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A week went by after the diagnosis of Izuku being quirkless. Inko however couldn’t help but feel a lingering gut feeling about the doctor so decided to book an appointment with Hosu Hospital. Well, mother’s institution proved to be right in this case.
“Izuku is most likely a late bloomer however after checking some blood tests I noticed something strange..” said the doctor. His sympathetic blue eyes rested on Inko’s eyes. He titled his glasses as he looked through Izuku’s medical documents.
“What is it? Is my Izuku going to be okay?” slightly panicked Inko. She took care of Izuku 24/7 and something strange happened to her son without her knowing?
“It is going to be alright, Mrs. Midoriya. There was some strange substance that we nev- I am sorry Mrs. Midoriya, can you stay here for a moment. I can assure you that Izuku will be alright, I just need to check something really quickly. Excuse me, Haruka, can you provide some snacks for the Midoriyas?” said the doctor determined as he quickly ran out the room.
While Izuku was drinking orange juice, Inko couldn’t help but feel worried. She checked the background of the doctor, the review some previous patients have left as well as his performance overall. He was the best of the best that Hosu Hospital could provide. Still, the sense of unease did not rest her concerns. However, while waiting for the doctor to come back it gave Inko the opportunity to question the doctor back in Musutafu.
This is really odd. I went to different clinics for x-ray scans for Izuku’s foot as well as booked an appointment with Hosu and all of them have stated that he doesn’t have a double jointed pinky toe.. Maybe I should research more about him..
The doctor finally came back, however a large person in a yellow spandex suit barely managed to enter the room.
“I am sorry for the wait, Mrs. Midoriya but now I am informing you of a serious matter that has come to my attention.”
“What is it-” “Mom! Mom! Is that the BMI Hero Fat Gum? He does look slightly different in person.. Anyway his quirk is so awesome!” continuously muttered Izuku as he spitted random facts about the hero Fat Gum, in front of them.
“Gee, this kid is very energised! Damn didn’t know I had a fan here.” chuckled Fat Gum as a smirk arose on his face.
“Izuku sweetie, sorry to interrupt but I think we both should be quiet so the doctor can tell us what’s wrong.” said Inko calmly as she placed her hand on top of Izuku’s head. “Wait, there is something wrong? Is that why Fat Gum is here?” said Izuku as he quickly glanced between the doctor and the hero.
“Wow kid, you are really smart. Well yes you are right.” said Fat Gum as he kneeled down to Izuku’s level.
The doctor clears his throat so everyone’s attention was focused on him.
“Regarding Izuku's condition, the reason why Izuku has not developed his quirk yet is due to the strange substance being in his bloodstream. The reason I brought Fat Gum here is because Izuku’s case is linked to numerous drug cases where some people have temporarily lost their ability to use their quirk. However I thought All Might was going to come since he encountered more cases like Izuku.”
Izuku gasped.
“ALL MIGHT COULD HAVE BEEN HERE?!” shouted Izuku in excitement as a wide smile spread across his face.
“Izuku, remember this is a hospital.”
“Oh, sorry!” quickly replied Izuku as bowed quickly in response.
“Doctor, thank you for your assistance but I am more curious. How did that substance get in my son’s body?” said Inko with determination in her eyes.
“You said you visited a doctor in Musutafu right? His name is Ueno Shou, correct?” asked the doctor as he looked at the document and back up to Inko.
“That is correct.”
“I will be blunt, Mrs. Midoriya.”
“You can call me Inko, doctor, you have been so helpful to me and my son.”
“Well Inko, you can call me Toyama. Anyways, Inko, the doctor Ueno Shou doesn’t exist.”
The room was filled with silence as confused expressions fell on both Izuku and Inko. Fat Gum looked at Toyama, giving him mimes to further explain what he meant. Toyama sighed as looked back at Inko and Izuku.
“Let me rephrase. You see, I logged into Izuku’s medical records and noticed you have seen Ueno Shou ever since Izuku was born. He has given your son vaccination, blood tests, etc. When I searched Ueno Shou in the records of licensed practitioners and doctors, no results came up. I checked the University that Shou supposedly went to and there was never a Ueno Shou attending that year. Ueno Shou is just a fake identity.”
Inko collapsed onto her knees after hearing such news. She placed her newborn son in the trust of a ‘supposed’ doctor, to care for her son. But, after 5 years, all what Inko was doing was just endangering her only child. Inko started crying while Izuku tried to console her.
Fat Gum then approached Inko and placed his hand on Inko’s shoulder.
“I promise to you, Mrs. Midoriya that we will apprehend this criminal.” said Fat Gum with a determined tone.
“Inko, you didn’t know that Ueno Shou was a fraud. This is not your fault. For now, I will treat your son and inject a serum to negate the effects of the drug, hopefully allowing Izuku to develop his quirk. In the meantime, Inko, you are most likely going to be escorted to the Hosu police station for questioning. Fat Gum will travel with you for safety reasons.” said Toyama calmly.
Inko looked up at both the hero and the doctor and rubbed her eyes.
“Thank you so much..”