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A cold mist set on an abandoned graveyard. A half-human half-wolf boy walked slowly between the headstones. His tail swooshed, and he looked up at the moon. It wasn’t quite full, but it will be. He stared, with a distant look in his almost glowing red eyes. He clicked his tongue, a low snarl vibrating deep in his chest as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. A blonde, spiky ear twitched toward the sound of a rustling leaf. He bared his fangs at the empty air, utterly annoyed by how quiet the night was. Whatever was in the leaves was scared away, and his fangs receded. His head snapped to the side as he saw a figure standing on a headstone. The figure was wearing what looked to be some sort of poncho. The hood on the figure blew off due to wind, revealing unruly hair.
“Did I scare you?” The figure said.
The half-wolf walked over to the figure, and grabbed his arm, pulling him off the headstone and onto the floor. “In your dreams, Deku.” He grinned.
“Ow!” Izuku stood up, and turned. “Kacchan! What was that for!!” Izuku hovered just above the ground, and dusted himself off.
“Why did you even say ‘ow’? You’re a ghost.” Katsuki pointed out.
“It’s more of a reflex at this point.” Izuku said, smiling at Katsuki. Izuku slowly floated around Katsuki. “What are you doing here? Did you come to see me?” Izuku asked.
“No, I didn’t.” Katsuki said. (He totally did) “I’ve got more important things to do.” (No he doesn’t)
“Right…” Izuku said, sounding a little sad.
“I did.” A voice said from behind them.
“GAH!” Izuku flew behind Katsuki. Who whirled around, surprised that he couldn’t hear or smell him coming. “Oh. Hi, Shoto.” Izuku said, still reeling from almost dying a second time. Katsuki snarled, and barred his fangs. Shoto smiled wistfully, and looked at Izuku.
“It’s been awhile.” He said, ignoring Katsuki.
“It has.” Izuku replied, floating out from behind Katsuki. Katsuki glared, and stretched his arm out in front of Izuku, growling at Shoto.
“Damn mutt.” Shoto hissed.
“Fucking Blood sucker.” Katsuki snarled.
Izuku looked between Shoto and Katsuki. “Well this is gonna go great...” He thought.
The hissing and snarling continued, and right as they pounced at each other, Izuku hovered between them, causing both of them to pull back and fall flat on their faces. Izuku floated above them, upside down as they got up.
“You guys need to stop fighting each other. You’re gonna destroy the graveyard! I live here! Stop!” Izuku scolded. The two boys sat on their knees in front of him as he bonked both of them on the head. They hung their heads in shame. “Why are you guys here, anyways? When you do come, it’s never together.” Izuku crossed his arms and his feet settled on the ground.
They looked at each other, their eyes full of murderous intent. But they couldn't tell Izuku that they had spent the last three months secretly scouring ancient texts and hunting down forbidden relics. They certainly couldn't tell him that they were both trying to find a way to tear his soul back into a physical body. Katsuki wanted him to be human so he could turn Izuku into a wolf. To join his pack. Shoto wanted Izuku to be human again, for the same reason. He wants Izuku to become a vampire. To be bound together forever. A werewolf's life is much too short, though it’s longer than a human’s.
“Just an unfortunate coincidence, I suppose.” Shoto glare was colder and harder than his icy skin.
“Yeah. A coincidence.” Katsuki agreed, glaring just as hard.
Izuku looked at both of them. There’s absolutely no way this was a coincidence. They hate each other too much. Usually, when they see the other person, they sprint in the other direction. So then why…? “I don’t believe you.” Izuku said. The two boys internally flinched. “Why are you both here?”
“… I’m here to stop him from…” Shoto began. “…From turning you into a wolf.” He finished.
“I’m here to stop him from turning you into a vampire.” Katsuki added.
Izuku stood in shock for a few moments. “…What? That’s impossible! You can’t even touch me, let alone bite me.” Izuku said. “I mean, I can change that, but still.” (What he means is he can make them able to touch him, but it takes a lot of energy. And when he runs out, he disappears. So he doesn’t really like doing it. Because naturally, if he fully disappears, he’ll be gone forever. Or at least, that’s what he heard.) “It won't work.”
“We know how to turn you back into a human.” They said at the same time. Izuku blinked, and turned around. The two boys stood, and stared at Izuku.
There’s no way! You can’t just do that! How? Why? WHEN?
“Izuku.” Katsuki said. Izuku turned. Izuku stared for a moment, and then started flying away.
“Wait!” Shoto called.
“We’re just trying to-!…” Katsuki tried to yell but Izuku was too far.
“Why would you do that?” Shoto said.
“WHAT?! IT WASN’T MY FAULT!! YOU WERE THE ONE THAT STARTED IT!!” Katsuki yelled.
“No it wasn’t!”
“Yes it was!”
“NUH-UH!”
“YUH-HUH!”
“NUH-UH!”
“YUH-HUH!”
“NUH-UH!”
“YUH-HUH!”
(MEANWHILE oh my gosh…)
Izuku floated by a weeping willow tree. He looked down at his hands, his pale, almost transparent, casting no shadow, hands.
“Human?” He whispered. “They can… make me human?” Izuku looked up at the night sky. A cloud covered the moon, but the stars were still there.
“YOU STUPID DOG!! YOU CHIPPED MY FANG!!” Shoto yelled.
“I’LL CHIP YOUR WHOLE DAMN JAW NEXT TIME YOU OVERGROWN MOSQUITO!!!!” Katsuki yelled back.
Izuku sighed. “I can’t even float away in peace.” He said to himself. He made his way down the tree and floated behind Katsuki and Shoto. The two kept walking.
“You’re sure he’s here?” Katsuki said.
“Yes. He likes to come here often. I’ve seen him here many times.” Shoto answered. “Izuku! Are you here?” Shoto called.
“Yes.” The boys jolted, and turned around. Izuku laughed. “Ha! I got you!” Izuku pointed at Katsuki. “I scared you!” Izuku smiled.
“Heh. I guess you did.” Katsuki blushed a bit. BUT ONLY JUST A BIT!!!
“So…” Izuku floated between them. “How are you guys gonna make me human?” Izuku asked. The boys stifled a smile, and Shoto pulled out a piece of old parchment.
“We have to cast this spell.” Shoto said enthusiastically.
“Ok…” Izuku said. “…How?”
All of Shoto’s enthusiasm drained as he realized he can’t do magic. Katsuki slapped his forehead. Izuku sighed.
“We need a wizard, or a witch.” Katsuki said.
“Oh!” Izuku perked up. “I know a witch!”
The three boys walked up to a small cottage in the woods. Izuku went through the door, and Katsuki opened it…. and slammed it in Shoto’s face.
“Ochaco!!” Izuku called. “I have a favor to ask you!!” There was clanging and bonking, then a door opened. It revealed a witch. With chocolate colored eyes and hair. She smiled.
“Izuku! Hey!” She blew her bangs out of her eyes, then smiled again. “Who are they?” Ochaco gestured to Katsuki and Shoto.
“I’m Izuku’s boyfriend. No, I AM!” They yelled in unison, then started debating.
“Oh…” Ochaco looked at Izuku.
“They like to follow me around.” Izuku smiled.
“Oh.” Ochaco smiled back. “You said you had a favor?”
“We need you to cast this spell.” Shoto said, breaking away from the bickering. He handed Ochaco the parchment. She looked at it, then looked at Izuku.
“You know what this is?” She asked.
“Yes.” Izuku answered.
Ochaco looked back at the parchment. This is a powerful spell. It’ll take a powerful witch, and a strong spirit. It takes energy to cast. She reviewed it, and kept her mouth shut. The look on her face made the boys worried. “Ok…” she said. “It’s doable.” Shoto and Katsuki perked up. “But.” They perked down. She looked at Izuku. “It’ll take energy. And lots of it.” Izuku knew what she was saying. It was a warning. “Is this worth it?” Ochaco asked. Izuku stayed silent for a few moments.
“…Yes. I think it is.” Izuku said, making Katsuki and Shoto perk back up.
“Ok then. Pack your bags, boys. We’re going to the Nexus of the woods.” Ochaco announced.
“The… what?” Shoto said.
“It’s the most magic-filled place in the woods. If we go there, the chances that Izuku will run out of energy and disappear lessen.” Ochaco explained.
“I’ve heard of that. It’s where wolves go to become alphas.” Katsuki said.
“If it makes Izuku’s chances even one percent better, it’s worth it.” Shoto said.
“Yeah.” Katsuki agreed.
Izuku smiled at both of them. “Ok, let’s go!” He said cheerfully.
The four of them set off, heading south from Ochaco’s cottage. Ochaco talked to Izuku about what he’ll have to do so the spell works, and Katsuki and Shoto were fighting.
“Oh, so you need to release A LOT of energy. Preferably about one fourth so you don’t disappear.” Ochaco shuddered when she said disappear.
“I’ll be ok. I trust you.” Izuku said. Ochaco smiled.
“SHUT UP!!”
“I refuse.”
Shoto and Katsuki continued bickering. Izuku sighed. “Be right back.”
*BONK* *BONK*
“Ow!”
“Gah!”
“I’m back.”
Ochaco couldn’t help but laugh.
They walked a bit longer. But then…. “Hey, Izuku.” Shoto said.
“Yes, Shoto?” Izuku smiled.
“Uhm… you know why we want you to be human, right?” Shoto said.
“Yes. I remember.” Izuku said.
“Will you… please become a vampire.” Shoto looked at Izuku. “I don’t want to force you, but… I want to be with you forever. And well… humans and werewolves both die eventually… I don’t want to watch you die, Izuku.” Shoto said. “I would never forgive myself.” Izuku wrapped his arms around Shoto, not touching him, but hovering just over his body.
“It’s ok, Shoto. I know.” Izuku whispered. Shoto wished with every fiber of his being that he could hug Izuku. Just touch his face, just once. That’s all. Izuku flew back, and smiled. “It’ll all work out how it’s supposed to. But I’m not committing to anything right now.”
“I understand.” Shoto said, clenching his fists in anguish.
After some time, Katsuki tried. “Izuku.” He said. “Once you're human, I want you to be a wolf. With me.” Katsuki said bluntly.
Izuku looked at him. “I’m not going to commit to anything in particular.” Izuku replied.
“Izuku, please. You have to understand. If you become a wolf, then you can join my pack! If you’re a vampire, then you’ll be stuck in the same state forever! It’ll be like you stayed a ghost!” Katsuki protested. “Even if you stay a human, that blood sucker will eat you! Hell, maybe I will!” Izuku stared at Katsuki. “I just… you can't live if you chose him. Your heart won't even begin beating. It’ll just stay solid forever! Don’t you understand that?” Katsuki said. “I don’t want you to stay dead, Izuku.”
Izuku stood still, unsure of what to say.
“Hey, Bakugo! Izuku!” Ochaco called. “We’re here!” Katsuki and Izuku caught up with the other two, and stood in awe of the sight before them. “Ta da! The Nexus of the Woods.” Ochaco said.
It was beautiful. The magic was so potent you could see it. It settled on the ground like snow. Frost lined the trees and the grass that poked out from the snow-like substance. The group walked out into the small circle of trees, in awe. Izuku had a foolish glow to him when he walked into the circle. Ochaco’s staff glowed too.
She got out the parchment, and looked at Izuku. “Are you ready?”
Izuku tried to swallow his sudden fear. “Yes.” He replied.
“Ok.” Ochaco put the parchment on the ground, and stabbed it with her staff. She looked at Katsuki and Shoto. “Step back.” They took exactly two steps away from Izuku. Ochaco frowned and they walked out of the circle of trees. Nerves consumed then as Ochaco began the incantation.
“Spirits of the Nexus, hear my call! Let the veil between worlds fall.Take the ice of winter's frost, and reclaim the soul that we have lost. Take the heat of the alpha's fire, and grant the living world's desire. Flesh from dust, and breath from air—Nexus, answer our prayer!” The “snow” swirled in a small tornado of light green winds. Izuku began releasing energy. He winced. Ochaco closed her eyes tightly and kept going. The vortex swirled harder. Izuku dropped to his knees, folding under the pressure and the pain. Ochaco opened her eyes, and they turned pink. Ochaco held her staff with all of her strength, and she gritted her teeth. She coughed blood, and pressed on. Shoto and Katsuki watched in silent terror. “Ahh!” Ochaco called. “It’s not working!!” She huffed, “IZUKU!!! HOLD ON!!” Ochaco screamed. Izuku looked up at her, wincing. “HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” Ochaco let out a battle cry and ripped her staff out of the ground.
Izuku started flying, his eyes turning pure white. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!” Izuku screamed in pain.
“IZUKU!!” Shoto ran first, the vortex scarring his porcelain skin. He grabbed the parchment, and with all of his strength, he ripped it in half. The vortex stopped instantly, and Shoto dropped to his knees. Katsuki ran in, and caught Izuku, who was now solid. He hyperventilated, holding Izuku.
Izuku stayed completely still, as Katsuki held him close. Shoto crawled over to Izuku, huffing and puffing. Ochaco stood and stumbled over, dropping to her knees in front of the three boys.
“Izuku?”
Something was wrong.
Izuku was still, too still. The three people watched Izuku as Katsuki laid him down. His eyes were open, and they saw the pain and horror in his eyes. His eyes moved, looking at each of them. He blinked.
“I… I’m sorry.” Izuku choked. “I wasn’t strong enough.” Izuku said, and he closed his eyes. Then, he started to look more transparent. More, and more, and more.
“He’s… he’s disappearing.” Ochaco said. “I failed…” Ochaco covered her mouth with her hand. “This is all my fault…” She closed her eyes, and started sobbing. She placed her hand on Izuku’s head, caressing his forehead, moving his hair.
“No… no no no no!” Katsuki said, holding Izuku’s hand. Tears welling up in his eyes. “You… I… I’m so sorry…”
“D-don’t… disappear. Please don’t.” Shoto’s voice broke, he couldn’t shed tears, but if he could, he would be bawling. Shoto held Izuku’s hand, and hung his head, his eyes closed tightly.
Their hands slowly collided with the grass and they opened their eyes. Izuku was gone.
“How could you!!” Shoto called out to the Nexus. Shoto stood, and walked to the parchment. He picked up the two pieces. He remembered touching Izuku’s hand. He hit his knees and punched the floor. The “snow” glittered under his fist. Every memory he’s ever had of Izuku flashed through his mind. He looked up as a bit of magic glittered when it hit his nose. It shone a beautiful green, and Shoto’s eyes widened. “The ‘snow’…” he whispered. He lifted his fist to see more green glitter. “It wasn’t green before.” Shoto stood up. “Hey, Uraraka.” Shoto said.
“Yeah?” Ochaco whimpered.
“Can your staff absorb magic?” Shoto asked.
Surprised, and slightly uplifted by Shoto’s change of mood, she perked up. “Yes. Yes it can.” Kastuki looked up at Shoto. “Why do you need my staff?”
“Absorb all the magic you can!” Shoto said. “Hurry!”
“Oh- ok!” Ochaco said as her staff started glowing. The “snow” swirled around, resembling the vortex from before. All of the “snow” swirled in front of Ochaco’s staff like a whirlpool. “Ok, what now?”
“Bakugo!” Shoto said. “He’s not gone! Look!” Shoto pointed at the tiny ball of swirling green “snow”. Katsuki’s eyes widened at the sight. He stood.
Ochaco understood. “I think I can use my magic to make a tether! But I’m not sure what’ll happen…” She said, looking at Katsuki and Shoto. They nodded, and she got to work. There was a big crack of lightning, and Ochaco was sent flying. Katsuki ran and caught her, staring at where Izuku should be standing. But nothing was there. Shoto looked around him, up, down, left, right.
“Izuku!! I don’t care if you’re a vampire anymore! You can be human, or stay a ghost! I don’t care if you’re a wolf, either!! Just please!! Please, Izuku… COME BACK!!!” Shoto yelled desperately, his voice breaking.
“Izuku!! I don’t care either!! You think I care about some pack?!!” Katsuki stood and yelled. “PLEASE!! COME BACK!!” Shoto turned to Katsuki, surprised. Katsuki hung his head, already giving up.
“Izuku… please…” Shoto said, shutting his eyes.
“…Shoto?” Shoto’s eyes snapped open. He whirled around, meeting beautiful green eyes. Shoto immediately started crying. (Without tears) He hugged Izuku. He actually hugged him. He was solid. He was real. And Shoto was happy. They two dropped to their knees. And Shoto was still hugging him.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I made you do that.” Shoto said. “I’m so, so sorry.” Shoto felt Izuku’s hand on his head.
“I know. It’s ok.” Izuku said softly. Shoto trembled at the sound of Izuku’s voice. He let go, and smiled. Then, Izuku was tackled by Katsuki. Katsuki held him tight. His tail thrashed against the ground. “Hi, Kacchan.” Izuku smiled.
“You stupid idiot.” Katsuki said, burying his face in Izuku’s shoulder. “I hate you.” Katsuki sniffed, and closed his eyes.
“I know.” Izuku replied.
Ochaco sat in front of Izuku. She hung her head. “I’m sorry. I failed the spell. This is my fault.” She said, tears in her eyes. “I understand… if you hate me now.” Ochaco sniffed, trying not to cry.
Izuku sat up, and just looked at Ochaco. As she wiped her eyes, he smiled. He extended his hand, and brushed Ochaco’s face with his hand, wiping the tears that came right back. “I don’t think I could ever hate you.” Izuku said. Ochaco looked up. Izuku smiled at her. “You saved me, didn’t you?”
Ochaco sniffed again. “Yeah. I-I guess I did… but I-“
“Then that’s all that matters.” Izuku replied.
Ochaco smiled. “Ok… now that that’s over, let’s get outta here.” Everyone stood, except for Izuku.
“I don’t think I can walk… and I surely can’t fly…” Izuku said, looking at his legs.
“I’LL CARRY YOU!! NO, I WILL! NO! I WILL!!!” You guys know where that came from. 🙄
Ochaco started walking away, holding Izuku in her arms. “Thanks, Ochaco.” Izuku said.
“You’re welcome, Izuku.” She smiled.
“. . .”
“. . .”
“HEY!!/WAIT!!”
Ochaco and Izuku laughed.
“Ochaco?” Izuku said.
“Yeah?” Ochaco replied.
“I don’t think I’m human…” Izuku stated, looking at himself.
“No, you’re more like… a solid ghost… I think. We’ll figure it out.” Ochaco smiled awkwardly.
“I guess we will.”
“Can I carry him now?”
“No me!”
“NO!/NO!”
Izuku and Ochaco looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
“You losers!” Ochaco said.
“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY?!”
“That was mean…”