Chapter Text
Ace: anybody know where I can get large amounts of kevlar fiber and copper filaments? And I mean a lot
Shoto:
probably amazon
Ace: quality though
Shoto:
you have the money, buy expensive products.
Ace:
hmmm
Ace: also would it be weird if I acquired hair and tissue samples of all the students?
Ace: for science
Shoto:
weird, yes. Illegal, probably not
Lumen: If you even think about going near us i will hurt you
Ace: well a lot of students have quirks that affect their lives in harmful ways, so I feel like studying their biology will be beneficial in the long run
Shoto: Thats... actually a good idea
Nezu!✊🐭:
Excellent idea! I should be able to provide that for most of the students. You might have to ask for the newer ones ^^
Ace: thank you principal nezu
Lumen: Nezu i swear to god if you give ace either of ours someone isnt going to be happy
Ace: dude I won't touch your blood or whatever if it makes you that uncomfortable
Shoto:
Principal Nezu how did you even get Lumen's?
Nezu!✊🐭: Ah, yes, perhaps it could be beneficial to ask the students before testing
>| Principal Nezu how did you even get Lumen's?
Nezu!✊🐭: Maxim has it for now, but I’m sure that he’d be willing to share. Whenever Lumen agrees, of course ^^
Ace: could I ask the doctor to help with this? I'm not super well versed in quirk theory
Nezu!✊🐭: Of course! I’m sure he doesn’t have anything better to do, regardless 🙂
Shoto: wouldn't.. uh, what's his name? Be more helpful since he is like, quirk studies?
Ace: I was talking about Garaki…
Shoto: oh, well then yes, him
Nezu!✊🐭: Indeed ^^ He should be in the basement, I believe
Ace: that's real creepy nezu
>| …
Whenever Lumen agrees, of course ^^
Lumen:
I'm only allowing it as long as nobody tries to clone, or manipulate us with it, got it? Don't want another person going missing because some idiot thought it wold be a good idea. I want consent with that too of course.
Nezu!✊🐭: Of course of course. You will be informed beforehand of any experimentation that takes place.
Ace: do you assume I'm an idiot who'd mishandle dna?
Lumen: No i just don't want you touching it.
Ace: well it's my project, I'd be touching it. kinda the whole point
Lumen: I meant our's.
Ace: well then just don't participate
Ace: the point of studying the dna would be to build better gear and suits for heroes that would benefit their quirks
Lumen: 1) We would have no use in that department. 2) What do you think I plan on doing?
Ace: I'm confused now
>| I was talking about Garaki...
Eraserhead Simp: Wait, hold on a fucking second- Garaki's here?!
Ace: I feel as if I've made a mistake…
Eraserhead Simp: Dad, can you explain...?
Nezu!✊🐭: Ah, yes, I almost forgot! Tomu, you are from here on out not to go to the basement, until further notice ^^
Shoto: ah yes, the way to motivate a person not to go somewhere, just tell them not to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nezu!✊🐭: Ah…
Izna: parenting at its finest
Ace: umm so veering off this obviously weird road, can I have permission to requisition one of the support labs for this?
Eraserhead Simp: I assumed that, but that wasn't what I was asking, Dad... Can we talk about that later...?
Shoto: yes, preferably in person, and not in the school groupchat.
Nezu!✊🐭: Of course, of course! I will be in my office. Tell me when you're coming ^^
Eraserhead Simp: ... I need a moment to process that, but I'll start heading over in a few minutes
Ace: so lab...?
Nezu!✊🐭: My apologies, it seems I'm a bit scattered, today.
But yes, permission granted, I'm sure the doctor can find you the appropriate lab for your experiments.
Ace: thank you now go deal with your child's breakdown weirdo
Dabi 💙🔥: holy FUCKK anyways
Ace: Ooh could I have a dna sample from you as well?
Dabi 💙🔥: no
Ace: pleaseeeeeee
Dabi 💙🔥: fuck off
—--
Messaging: Shoto Todoroki
Nezu!✊🐭: What, would be the appropriate approach be, here, in your opinion? Help would be... appreciated
Nezu!✊🐭: Daily awards for not going to the basement?
Nezu!✊🐭: Subliminal messaging to convince him the school, in fact, has no basement?
Shoto: I... really don't think I'm the best person to ask...
Shoto: I think your best option would be to sit down with him and explain what is in the basement, and the reason why it is in the basement. Try being reassuring?
Nezu!✊🐭: I see...
Nezu!✊🐭: Excellent idea, Shoto-san ^^ I'll be sure to ask you if I have any other parenting troubles 🙂
Shoto: still don't think I'm the best option for that, I'm mostly going off of the opposite of what happened to me, but alright 👍
Nezu!✊🐭: Very much appreciated, you can consider it extra credit. Enjoy your day then ^^
Shoto: You as well, principal Nezu.
—--
The principal paced around nervously; tea and cookies already neatly placed upon the small table in front of the couch. Now, how would he bring this across correctly... Decidedly, work-related relationships were a lot simpler to manage
Eventually reaching the room, Tomura pushed open the door, neatly closing it behind him as he walked in. A weak smile graced his features as he greeted "Hey, Dad..." Looking conflicted and worried, he quietly walked over to take a seat at the couch.
"That was quick" Nezu chuckled lightly, seating himself opposite of the boy,
"So then... I suppose you have some questions"
Tomura nodded a little, muttering slightly and fidgeting with his hands "I'm not like, mad at you or anything, just to make it clear... If it's anything similar to what happened with Maxim... I'm sure you have your reasons..."
Nezu sighed "I'd like to apologize, nonetheless. This isn't something that I was particularly fond of, either. Some of the others involved in the rescue had made a deal with the doctor... And bringing him here was their offer. It's, dangerous to go back on your word, in these kind of situations... We need to appear trustworthy, if we want to reuse the tactic, in the future" He sighed.
"You can rest assured that the doctor will be properly monitored, during his entire stay."
Tomura responded genuinely "Apology accepted... I just wish you'd told me when that... was brought to your attention..."
Pausing, Tomura looked down and thought a little, before meeting eye contact again "Did you talk to him...? And if you did, can you give me a run-down...?"
"Just... Kinda curious..."
The principal stared at the floor, looking rather distraught “Yes... I definitely need to learn to talk to you more, don’t I? I have to say, it’s something I pushed back, simply out of fear for your reaction...” he admitted.
“We had a talk. He will be staying here, primarily within the basement, experimentation limited to what we approve. He’s received strict orders not to approach you.”
Tomura nodded a little at the first statement "That's alright, Dad. I get it..."
Considering the second half of the response, he hummed in agreement "Alright... Anything else...? I know he knows more about All For One than I do..." He paused before quickly clarifying "The quirk-! I mean..."
Nezu jerked up, eyes wide,
“You’re not telling me you’re considering asking him, of all people to help you with your quirk issues, are you?”
Tomura winced at the response "I mean... not really...?" He glanced aside "Certainly safer than just going to Tartarus to ask the lunatic himself..."
Nezu sighed. Begrudgingly: “I suppose, he is qualified for the process, possibly more so than anyone else. If you can’t find any other alternatives... I want to be there. And at least one other person that you trust. Understood?”
The principal lowered his voice “Sorry for the harsh tone there. I just don’t want anything else to happen to you, Tomu...”
Understandingly, Tomura nodded at Nezu. "Y-Yeah, of course...!"
He smiled slightly "It's okay... I'm just glad you care about me enough to be protective of me... I... haven't had that for quite a long time, admittedly..."
Tomura seemed to have relaxed a little compared to when he first came in, though there was still some detectable fear under the surface of what emotions he showed.
“Of course I do, Tomu. If there’s anything that makes you feel uncomfortable... please tell me, alright?” Nezu gave him a thin smile, some concern showing.
Tomura nodded, smiling in return "I will, no worries.." He paused briefly before muttering "I'll... I'll try to think of how to deal with him, Garaki... I still do need All For One's hand properly preserved..."
Nezu chuckled “I don’t think i have to understand that, but yes, you can bring it up with the other things, when you meet him.”
Encouragingly: “Anything else that’s on your mind, Tomu?”
Tomura shrugged a little "I'm not sure, really... I guess I'm just mostly nervous about that, but not much else..."
He muttered "Thinking of going out to the training grounds again to catalogue more of these quirks..."
Tilting his head, he asked "Would you maybe like to accompany me...? Just that I'd probably get lonely out there by myself... And a few other factors..."
The principal perked up a bit at that, decidedly excited? about the prospect "Of course, I'd love to. I'll make a reservation - when would work best for you?"
Giving an awkward smile, Tomura chuckled "Just, sometime soon, I guess...? I don't really have anything else going on schedule-wise..."
"There's not really any reason for me not to head over now, so it's just a matter of what's good with your schedule..."
Nezu reflected a moment, before pulling out a tablet “Let’s see. Occupied, occupied... ah, here’s one. Excellent! In fifteen minutes then” He placed the item away, smiling.
Seeming somewhat worried and embarrassed, Tomura questioned "Occupied? I'm not taking up time you need to work, am I?"
Nezu chuckled, waving dismissively "Don't worry about that, I'll be free. Besides, this is work as well, is it no?" He smiled,
"You're also part of UA now, Tomu. Get used to it."
Tomura mumbled "I mean, I guess you could say that..."
Hearing the second statement, his gaze snapped up to make eye contact with his dad, very perplexed. "Wait- Wha-? I am???"
“Given the familiarity you’ve already gained with the students and faculty here -“ Nezu tilted his head, “Well, unless you have other plans, that’s fine as well, of course!”
Tomura paused briefly before nodding and chuckling awkwardly "Ah, right.." He cleared his throat before bringing up "Well, for on the way to the training grounds... I don't think It's productive to walk there again…”
“Is there another way we can get over there...?"
“Yes, they are a tad far, are they not... perhaps some kind of automatic shuttle system could be implemented between our locations?” he murmured,
“Ah, getting off track. We could find ourselves a bus, or taxi, if you prefer?”
Tomura nodded a little, smiling somewhat "Yeah, that sounds okay!"
Nezu finished the last of his tea, before standing up. He went to grab a light jacket “Let’s get going then, shall we?”
Tomura stood up, nodding as he quickly located his notebook. Tucking it under his arm, they both made their way over to the door.
—--
Nezu stretched a bit, giving off a quick yawn. He hopped off the bus stairs, following his son "Ah, these rides always make me a bit tired; quite peculiar, really." Eyeing the notebook "Anyways! Do you have anything in particular planned out for today? Or do we try and see after..."
"Not really" Tomura admitted, scratching lightly at the back of his neck and turning to Nezu. "I don't know what most of these quirks even do. So far I've just switched between them, tried them out, and wrote down what I think they do in here" He gestured to the notebook.
"A perfectly reasonable approach, given the circumstances." Nezu nodded, as they walked into the cityscape "So then... Why don't you start by telling me what you have, so far? How many quirks have and haven't you touched upon?"
Tomura followed behind "So far I have Dabi's quirk; Cremation, My own; thankfully... All For One; though I don't know how to use it without my original quirk getting in the way. Then I have an "invisible bubble" quirk, a transformation quirk, and an energy-based weapon quirk." He explained "The rest of them, I don't really know."
"Oh, and the amount of quirks in general... Excluding mine, Dabi's, and All For One; around 20."
“Hmm... yes. I suppose that still leaves quite a bit to go through...” the principal murmured, “I must say, I am rather curious on how you manage to switch between them. But, that can wait for another time.
So then, should I take a distance, perhaps?” he smiled, benevolently.
Tomura nodded a little at Nezu, pacing to set his notebook a good distance away from where he would be standing "I think the switching part is pretty simple to understand... It's like, mentally turning the page of a book. Nothing much feels different, but the content isn't the same as before."
“Interesting - so, doubly linked list or - ah... never mind. Go ahead!”
The principal placed himself behind a column, giving Tomura a wave.
Pausing, Tomura took a moment to switch to the next quirk. "Alright-" Instinctively, Tomura held out a hand in front of him "3... 2... 1..!"
Suddenly, a few metal objects flung towards his hand, some emerging from underground even. It seemed to startle Tomura at how quick it was, but the objects harmlessly floated around him.
Tomura chuckled nervously as he glanced to Nezu "So... Magnetism I'm guessing...?"
"Combined with some sort of flux pinning, given the floating... Very, very interesting indeed" Nezu reflected, "Definitely useful for battle, for a rapid defense, even more so when tracing and clearing the field."
Tomura looked a little confused, letting his hand drop; and the items in turn "Flux... Pinning...? What's that?"
"Magnetism in itself does not allow you to hold objects in an unstable equilibrium - you can only repulse or attract a metallic object, with a stability zone of measure zero. For that behavior - you require type 2 super-conductance in your target, at a critical distance that your quirk seems to-" Nezu stopped himself,
"Ah... getting off track here, are we? Right. What I meant to say; your quirk doesn't only act as a magnet, it seems to modify the properties of the objects that you attract, at a fundamental level... Certainly has some nice potential." He smiled.
"We'll look into it more, at another time - do you think you'd be ready for another test? We can wait, if you need time to recover."
Tomura chuckled a little and shook his head "I'm okay, just was a tad startled heh. I wanna see if I can get more done than last time. I'm just gonna write this down, first!" The boy turned to kneel down at the notebook, scribbling down a short definition before closing it and standing up again.
Padding back over to his previous spot, he gave a small smile.
Nezu went back, behind his column, somewhat hesitant "Just, be careful, and you will stop as soon as you feel something off. Understood, Tomu?" He gave the boy a half smile.
Tomura gave a reassuring smile and thumbs up in return, before pausing. His eyes lit up in recognition as he remembered the familiar quirk he was about to use "Oh right, this one!"
Geometric panels of plastic formed on each of his hands, the shield-like quirk he had used while fighting All For One. "Yeahhh! This one's real cool, too!"
Nezu relaxed somewhat "A shield...very good. All for one does know how to choose his quirks, it appears" he smirked "Have you tested its resistances yet? Blunt force, penetration, thermal, electric, radiation..."
Tomura shrugged "From how I used it... It's pretty resistant to physical trauma. It feels plasticky, but like- How the shell of a car does..."
"Well, I can think of a few people that would love to help you figure that out, back in Support" Nezu chuckled,
"5, a quarter of the work done already, and it hasn't been three days. Excellent"
Tomura chuckled a little as he let the shields drop to his side, where the magnetized metal objects were "Nice hehe! I'll just-"
Tomura kneeled down to note the quirk again, enthusiastically returning to his position again "Alright, next test? The rest of these quirks, I honestly have no idea what they do."
Nezu nodded “Proceed slowly, get a good feel of what’s happening” reflecting
“All for One seemed to have some ability to use several quirks simultaneously, or for the very least, seamlessly. That could be worth looking into. But for now... let’s establish what quirks you have first, yes. Continue.”
Tomura nodded quietly. As he switched quirks, he muttered "Okay, this one's different... it feels like a five-point quirk, like mine... Why would All For One have a quirk like that...?" He considered, a little confused as he went to pick up one of the metal objects from next to him to test it on.
As he picked it up, he was surprised when it hadn't disintegrated at all; in fact... The object had turned to gold at his touch. In slight shock, Tomura whispered "Oh, oh dear... Well, I suppose that makes sense..."
Nezu’s mouth went agape, as realization struck him “Now that would explain a few interesting cases we’ve had... I’ll have to speak with Naomasa-San” he murmured
“Definitely dangerous, don’t play around with it too much, Tomu... Let’s continue.”
Tomura nodded, finding a positive, he gave a somewhat nervous smile as he switched quirks again quickly, setting down the object and shaking out his hands "It seemed to cancel out my original quirk, though! That's good to know..! I think...?"
“It would kill you either way, Tomu” He sighed “Just, remember treat it the same way that you treated your original quirk.”
Tomura nodded again "Just thinking, that I could possibly use similar... less dangerous quirks in order to control my own a bit more."
He stretched slightly "Alright- Anyways- Next quirk?"
“Well, that would certainly be worth considering. If we can find an appropriate replacement.” he smiled, nodding to give the boy the go-ahead to continue.
Tomura nodded along, muttering as he focused on the next quirk "Alright... Another five-point one..." He snapped out of the focus to turn to his notebook again "Right- Write that one down- I'll say its... Midas' Touch."
Returning again, he readied the quirk and warily went to pick up another one of the metal objects. As he lifted it up, he slowly set a fifth finger on it.
The moment the last finger touched the shrapnel, Tomura seemed overwhelmed by the weight of the object, dropping it in surprise. The fallen object had created a small crater when it had landed. "Oh damn- Uh... Did that... Increase the weight of it...? Affect the gravitational pull?" He immediately questioned, a little surprised by the loud noise it had made when the object hit the ground.
“A bit less dangerous than the last one perhaps... better. And still not disintegration” The principal smiled “Has potential, in restraining potential villains, I believe... though the longevity of the effect would have to be tested.”
Tomura nodded again, smiling slightly as he fixed his hair, turning to scribble down in the notebook again. "Alright, yeah that's good..! This is... #7. Huh, I could probably get through the rest of these before we head back if I had to guess." He glanced back at Nezu, smiling a little.
"So, next?" Tomura stood up again.
Nezu briefly checked his watch "Yes... just don't push it. We have the time." He nodded, "Next"
As Tomura switched quirks once more, he smiled slightly "This one's not five-point, seems... full-body based..."
He counted down "Alright, 3... 2.. 1..!"
On the last digit, he seemed to get slightly nervous as he gravitated away from the ground, but realizing it didn't carry him too high up; he smiled "Woah- This is like- How a bunch of those pre-quirk hero comics were like with flying, ain't it?"
If anyone were to know the late hero, it was likely they'd recognize the quirk. Nana Shimura's.
Nezu's eyes widened, mouth agape Whispering: "Nana... just had to take one more thing from you" His face took on an angry scowl, staring blankly, only slowly regaining his composure when noting his son's question.
"Float, not fly, Tomura."
Slightly confused, Tomura tilted his head "Huh...? What's the difference here...?" He slowly descended from the air and back to the ground.
Looking a little worried, Tomura questioned "You looked a little angry there... Is something wrong...?"
Nezu hesitated a moment, unsure how much to tell his son. "I happen to know who that quirk is from..." His face darkened "They... won't be needing it back. Take care of it, please. I'm sure they'd be glad to find it with you now, and not with..." The principal shook himself
"Ah... Flying, would imply that you're able to move yourself, without touching the ground. This particular quirk - mostly only serves to stay above it."
Tomura nodded a little, somewhat solemnly at the first comment, before brightening up a little at the next half. He gave a small smile "Ah, yeah, alright heh..."
Going through the next ten or so quirks, a dragonfly quirk, a glue quirk, and several others, they arrived at the last one somewhat shortly.
Noticing it was getting late, Tomura paused and looked to his dad "You think we could squeeze this last one in...?"
Nezu gave off a small yawn "We're already almost done, are we now? That went quicker than expected. Got yourself quite the arsenal there" He chuckled. Long day, wasn't it? Maybe they could take tomorrow off, a short day trip to Kinosaki perhaps?
"Alright! Let's see what this one does... "
Tomura nodded a little, taking a few more steps back and switching to the next quirk. Chuckling a bit, he readied himself "Alright, 3... 2... 1..!"
As Tomura activated the quirk, he realized something wasn't quite right. It wasn't dispelling outwards like Tomura felt it would, just building up more. Gaining a panicked look, he glanced to Nezu "Dad- Something's wrong, I can't stop it- What's g-"
Tomura was suddenly cut off by a bright flash of light, like a flare.
"TOMU!" The principal's voice rung, panic evident. Hesitating for a fraction of a second, he ran towards the boy, shielding his eyes "Hold on!"
As the light faded, there was a dark haired boy around Nezu's height; left sitting on the ground and confused.
Nezu looked at the boy, worried. He slowed down. He lowered his voice, fearfully. "Tomu? Is that you?"
Carefully approaching the child as not to startle him, he kneeled down in front of him, scrutinizing his face. Yes... that definitely looked like his son. But...
A black-haired boy looked up at Nezu with bright red eyes, definitely a little scared as a high-pitched voice resonated from him "W-Where am I..? Where's Hana-nii?"