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The realization that One for All was back should have been a happy one, but it had served to unsettle Izuku. He was glad, so glad that he still had One for All. He could still compete with his classmates; he could still be a hero; he didn't have to worry about his dream coming to an end.
But the quirk had picked things up while it was gone.
Namely, the vestige of a man named Tenko Shiruma, or as the public knew him, Tomura Shigiraki.
Aizawa had promised they would figure things out, so Izuku had gone back to class feeling a little lighter. Right now he needed to focus on the positive. Nana and the others were back. Yoichi, Bruce, Kudo, En, Hikage, Banjo, they were all back. Even the quiet, glowing All Might ghost.
He hadn't gotten the chance to talk to them yet, but he would soon. Classes were almost over for the day, but after the good news no one had been able to focus well. Especially Midoriya.
Things had been… tense between the Vestiges and Shigaraki ever since they realized that Midoriya knew Shiggy was there.
Maybe he should have asked to sit out of classes for the rest of the day. It was really hard to concentrate.
He flinched as Shigaraki’s dry voice echoed through his head again. “How the hell do I get out of this quirk?!”
“You don't.” Banjo said unhelpfully and Shigaraki let out a screech.
“Tenko-” Nana tried.
“Don’t call me that!” Shigaraki screeched.
Izuku let out a sigh. He wasn't going to remember anything about light refraction with an entire war going on in his head.
“Look, Shigaraki, why don't you sit down and we can talk like normal people.” It was En’s turn to try to reason with him.
“I'm not sitting on that throne- why do I even have a throne!”
“You’re a past holder. Past holders get thrones.” Yoichi replied simply.
“How pretentious is that?!”
“I don't make the rules.”
“How! It's your quirk isn't it?”
“A fire user can't suddenly start shooting water instead.”
Izuku really wasn't going to get anything done today.
The sound of chairs scraping against the floor pulled him from his thoughts.
“C’mon, Izuku.” Bakugo tapped his good hand on Izuku's desk to get his attention. “Let's go see this quirk of yours in action.”
“Ah- right!” Izuki nodded scrambling to his feet.
The class was in good spirits as they reached the locker rooms. One for All's return had filled his class with a rejuvenated spirit, and Izuku couldn't help but be influenced by their enthusiasm.
He finished pulling on his hero costume, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he ignored the constant chatter of the vestiges.
But as the class filed out of the locker rooms, Izuku found his path blocked. “Midoriya, a moment?”
Aizawa-Sensei didn't leave any room for argument, waiting for Izuku to hurry over.
“Before you go gallivanting off with your quirk, I need to confirm something.” Aizawa gestured for Izuku to fall in step beside him.
“I’ll start with the facts. Right now, the most dangerous man in Japan is living rent free in your mind.” Aizawa began as they stepped out of earshot of most of their classmates.
“...that makes it sound like they're hallucinations. They're part of the quirk itself.” Izuku clarified. “Think about… Dark Shadow! They're sentient, like her, but only I can see them.”
“See them? I was under the impression you could only hear them.”
“Uhh… it really depends. I can see them in when they're in the physical realm and the vestige realm but they can also talk to me from the vestige realm if that makes sense… it's like when I call my mom on the phone. She can hear me but can't see me. But she can hear and see me when I'm in the same room and we talk.” Izuku tried to explain words blending in his frantic explanation.
“Midoriya, we’re getting away from the point here. I need to know, are you safe? Shigaraki can't hurt you from inside the quirk?” It seemed a genuine point of concern from his teacher, and Izuku realized he probably should have confirmed that for him as soon as he knew he was there.
“Of course I can’t.” Shigiraki scoffed.
Izuku cast his eyes on the ground. “No. He’s just there.”
“Are you up for the exercise today?” He nodded towards where his classmates were restlessly waiting and goofing off.
Izuku nodded his head fervently. One for All felt restless under his skin, something he had missed so much.
Aizawa turned leading him over to where the class was collecting, chattering excitedly.
“Teams of three- And I’ll be assigning your team by random draw.” He added over the excited chatter of the students trying to team up.
—--------
Izuku usually would have been very ecstatic about being placed on a team with both Bakugo and Todoroki. But today he was still caught up in his own head, listening as vestige arguments went back and forth. Shigiraki seemed to be trying to destroy his throne to no avail. Nana was trying to sympathize with him while Bango laughed his rear off.
Yoichi was at least trying to be a help. Sort of… his attempts at mitigating the chaos weren't helping much though…
So, instead of taking point he was content to follow behind Todoroki as they navigated the cityscape. Kacchan had insisted on taking up the rear and was slouching along behind them.
The point of the excercise was to navigate the maze of buildings without getting caught by the other team consisting of Yaoyorozu, Uraraka, and Shinsou. They would be formidable opponents to be sure, but Izuku was certain with his returned power, along with Todoroki's fire and ice and Bakugo's explosions they would do well. Bakugo had been working on a new fighting technique ever since the war left his heart weaker. Speed and precision were his greatest allies. He was learning to target weakpoints and efficiently take out opponents. The technique was in its early days still. Kacchan had only just recently been cleared to participate in physical classes again and was on very strict instructions from his doctors, Recovery Girl, and Aizawa-Sensei, to take it easy.
Todoroki rounded a corner into an alley, glancing behind to ensure they were still right behind him.
“Do you think we should acquire a better vantage point?” He suggested, nodding towards a rickity fire escape on the side of one of the buildings.
Izuku thought momentarily. “Ah… we could scope out the area and make sure there aren't any traps.” He glanced back to Kacchan for confirmation but the hero in training simply shrugged. “Kacchan, you good for roof hopping?” He clarified.
“Yeah.” Bakugo nodded.
Todoroki was already halfway up the fire escape, so Izuku grabbed ahold of the bar ladder, ready to climb up next.
It happened so quickly that Izuku was left standing there, processing for a second before he let out a horror filled scream. The bar had disintegrated. It was gone, blowing away in a pile of dust.
“No.” He whispered under his breath. “No no no no.” He stumbled backwards, hands held out in front of him, black dust clinging to his finger tips.
Decay. That was decay, Shigiraki’s quirk. He hadn't just inherited his vestige, he'd inherited his quirk.
“Midoriya?” Todoroki looked down in concern, wondering what was causing Izuku such panic.
“Izuku?” Bakugo stepped towards him, reaching for him.
“Stop- no - stay back!” Izuku exclaimed tears pricking his eyes. What if that had been someone? What if he was holding Uraraka’s hand when the quirk had activated, or if he had been sparring hand to hand combat with Kacchan?
He stumbled back against the alley wall, breaths coming in fast.
This was bad. This was so bad.
“Izuku, you need to calm down.” Bakugo approached him slowly trying not to startle him, hands out where he could easily read them. He approached Izuku like he was an scared animal he was trying not to startle.
Izuku's hand brushed against one of the trash cans at the back of the alley and it crumpled into a pile of dust.
“No- I didn't- I'm not even trying to use it!” Izuku’s voice was high pitched and panicky, tears were flowing down his cheeks now.
“Midoriya.” Todoroki had climbed down from the fire escape and spoke softly trying not to spook him. “Stay right here. I'm going to go get Sensei. Don't move.” He reiterated, before hurrying around the corner.
“Izuku, you need to breathe.” Bakugo stayed back a comfortable distance for Midoriya, but it was clear that he was beginning to hyperventilate, the beginnings of a panic attack setting in.
“I don't want this quirk.” Izuku looked down at his shaking hands and the grey dust that was stuck to them.
But Bakugo stepped closer. “Izuku, breathe.” He pressed.
Izuku startled, pressing himself further against the wall. “Kacchan, stay back!”
“I'm not scared of you.” Bakugo stopped mid step, realizing he was making the situation worse by coming closer. “Half and Half will be back with Sensei. You just need to calm down. Panicking isn't helping.”
“He's right. Five finger death touch has a funny way of acting when your scared.” Shigiraki’s voice floated through his mind and Izuku flinched. Memories flashed through Izuku's mind of the shared mindscape he had burst into during the war. He had seen how Tomura’s quirk awakening had killed his entire family. He couldn't let that happen– he couldn't hurt anyone.
“I know–”
“Midoriya.” Izuku looked up as a new voice entered the alley.
Aizawa paused assessing the situation. Todoroki had explained what he could. Midoriya had activated Decay, Shigiraki's quirk, passed down through the quirk.
Bakugo stood, hands in front of him, a good distance from Midoriya, evidently trying to calm him. But Midoriya, Midoriya was pressed up against the wall, shrinking on himself, trembling like a leaf. Aizawa could hear every breath he took– too close together, too panicked.
Bakugo backed up to his side, giving him a look that said, ‘fix this.’
“Sensei-” Izuku gasped voice breaking off, his outstretched hands were shaking with every hitch of his chest. Each one of his fingertips was a coal black.
“Hey, Problem Child.” Aizawa stepped forwards slowly one foot at a time, like he was approaching a frightened animal that would dart away at any second.
“No! Stay back!” Izuku exclaimed and Aizawa froze where he was, not out of shock or fear, but to give him some space. “Please.” Izuku added rawly, voice cracking. He slid down against the wall, burying his head in his knees, this hands still held out, afraid to touch something or anyone.
“I don't want to hurt anyone.” His voice came thickly.
“You won't, just breathe for me.” Aizawa crouched down to his level, still a good five feet from the kid.
Izuku tried, he really did, but his breath kept hitching, a full on panic attack trying to catch hold.
Decay— he couldn't have decay— he couldn't.
“Midoriya. You have to breathe.” Aizawa said firmly.
Izuku put his head on his knees, forcing himself to take in a long hitching breath.
“Now out.” Aizawa prompted. He assured Izuku, shifting a little closer.
“Ninth.” Yoichi’s voice echoed through the quirk and he caught sight of his shimmering form materializing nearby. “Everything will be alright.”
Izuku wanted to believe him, but as he looked down at his shaking hands again, he could still see the black dust on his fingertips, and the piles of dust blowing away in the wind.