Chapter 20: Aftermath Report: USJ
--- U.A Private Conference Room, Tomorrow after the USJ---
Yagi sat in the private room patiently, occasionally glancing out the window to the setting sun, trying to prepare himself for the conversation he didn't want to have. It was dead quiet as the old pro sat alone in a bright yellow suit, the clock ticking away as he waited for young Midoriya to arrive.
Now he finally understood what made silence so deafening. The moments that no one wanted or the moments where he wished didn't happen. Waiting for the inevitable.
And to someone alone with their thoughts, it made it all the worse. From what Aizawa told before he was taken to the hospital to recover, young Midoriya had… ran straight into danger without a second thought or like a man possessed. Devastating criminals and goons alike with his quirk and combat prowess.
Prowess no one his age should have at this level. And that was before the monster the young hero faced. Yagi hated that he only arrived as the fight ended and letting the villains that endangered the students escape. But from what Aizawa told him, it was madeto kill him. That it might've had multiple quirks. Super strength, speed, durability, and incredible regenerative abilities, possibly more.
The authorities that had taken the remains would've known for sure if it wasn't the fact that all that was left was a tormented looking skeleton, barely any flesh or skin left on it for DNA tests. The bones charred black from the intense flame that must've consumed the monster before he arrived. Which brought him back to the reason he was sitting here.
Midoriya Izuku. What was he truly capable of? First it was light manipulation, then earth manipulation, then ice and now fire. All those powers piled up into one person? It would've harmed or perhaps killed the average person, unprepared wielder or passersby alike. But the boy some how not only learned to control it, but to wield it in such a way it would make some lesser-known pros jealous.
Or hurt someone and made sure they stayed down. For good. Yagi still couldn't believe when he asked Aizawa on what… on what killed the "Nomu" the head villain leading the attack called it.
That someone as timid and kind-hearted as young Midoriya would result to… He must've had a reason. Or who had taught him to disregard life or that such force was necessary? Yagi should have pushed harder on being his teacher. Then he would've caught this and helped him become better. To better understand the need to hold back.
Then he wouldn't being sitting here. Deciding whether or not to bring up One for All again… and tell him everything, for that matter. If young Midoriya had accepted it, Yagi would've maybe learned who Midoriya's previous teacher was or is. But that left the thought that he would seek out his mysterious teacher to control his new quirk instead of Yagi himself.
Would he use One for All as it was intended? To protect the weak and be a symbol of justice? Or would Midoriya use it in some other way. A way that it was never intended for.
To take a life. (Already did that, you nimrod/I had no choice!)
If he could convince that, with One for All, he could save far more people and his own power would greatly increase too, Yagi knew he would become a great hero. Not to mention having the number one pro in Japan as your personal teacher. Pretty sweet deal! And with how much Midoriya was an All Might fan, it would-
…Man… He was getting desperate…
Bah! It wasn't his fault that another perfect successor hadn't fallen into his lap yet! The old pro dragged his hands across his face in annoyance and exhaustion. Not a single person had shown or had the same qualities that young Midoriya had shown so far.
Was he being bias because he knew him for years ahead of time before he decided that young Midoriya would be his successor? Probably. But with the possibility of Him not being as dead as Yagi would have liked, he had to find the perfect one and quickly.
He said no already. You can't force it on him.
He didn't say no. There's no one else and time is getting shorter!
Then find someone else. He wants to be his own hero.
He'll still be his own hero, just with a One for All. Imagine the good he could do!
Another quirk to add to the increasing list of other abilities the boy has? That sure won't be suspicious. Especially now…
…Shut up conscience… There is no one else right now.
Let's just set up a step-by-step plan to follow. First, make him feel welcome and that this is a safe space. Second, tell him you've been hiding the fact that you are, in fact, All Might and prepare for the onslaught of questions that'll bring. Then try to have him devolve his thought process during the USJ incident.
And then finally. Convince him to take One for All and to cut ties with whoever had been teaching him up to this point. Easier thought then said aloud.
*Creeeeeeeeeek* "Hello? Mr. Yagi?"
Speaking of. "Ah, young Midoriya. Please, have a seat." Yagi motioned to the couch opposite of him. Midoriya walked over and took a seat, now facing the old pro. "I assume you got my message?" Seconds passed as the silence returned to the room with just the two inside. Ooook… Not a great start. Moving to the second half of step one. Let him know that this is a safe space and no one else can listen in on them.
"If your nervous about anyone else being here, I assure that we are the only ones in this room, and no one can hear what we'll be discussing." Midoriya nodded, looking like he was in thought. Yagi was hoping for a verbal response, but he could work with this. Ok, step two. "Young Midoriya, I-"
"Mr. Aizawa told you what happened, didn't he? What I did." How did he know that? "Since All Might was there, Mr. Aizawa probably told him. Then he told you, I'm assuming."
Ok, skipping straight to three. "…He did. He was the only willing say anything about what happened. I tried asking Mr. Aizawa in person if he could get some answers from the other students who were with you. When he did though, they didn't let out a peep." The greenette's hands clenched into fists on his lap. " I was hoping if you could devolve why you went to such an extreme t-"
"I didn't have a choice." Yagi thought as much but hoped for better all the same. "No matter what anyone did, it just- It just kept coming and it was going to kill somebody. I-I had to do something. Even if it meant…"
"Taking its life? You know the repercussions of such force."
"You didn't see what I saw. You weren't there." And Yagi hated himself for it. "It regenerated faster then anyone could damage it. It grew back it's entire arm in the blink of an eye. If I didn't do… what I did, it would've kept coming and someone would have died."
"That doesn't mean you should have done what you did. It was-"
"What should have I done then!?" Yagi was taken back from the sudden outburst. He's never seen this side of the young man before. "Just let it reek havoc and kill my teacher? My classmates? Let it get away so it can kill heroes completely unprepared for it?" Was it truly that dangerous? Now Yagi really wished he went with the class in the first place. If only Nezu didn't want that meeting. "If I were stronger or had more time, I wouldn't have… needed too"
"What if… you could be?" Midoriya looked up to the old pro. Alright, lets mix steps two and four into one. "What I'm about to tell you might shock you. Or at least, catch you off guard." He took in a deep breath. Did he really want to do this? No. This might be his only chance to clear the air and maybe even learn something.
A truth for a possible truth. An unspoken agreement.
"I am All Might. I've always have been." At first, young Midoriya looked confused before turning into deep thought then realization. Prepared for the oncoming questions, Yagi raised his hands to stop the greenette before anything got out. "Now, now. Before anything, let me prove it." He proceeded to get up and slowly push the table between them to the side to give him enough space for this.
Can't back down now. Yagi stood in the cleared space and prepared himself, trying to push down the ache of his old injury having used his time up earlier today already. In a great blast of smoke, where once stood the frail form of Yagi Toshinori, now stood the number one pro, All Might!
"A-All Might?" Midoriya spoke up in shock. "You were really… real?" Unsure what else to say.
"Indeed! You shall know all! Because! I! AM! HE-BLRAAGGH." Yagi spewed blood from his mouth, returning him to his civilian form and leaving him with a nasty cough. Midoriya stood up to help the man, but Yagi raised his hand as his coughing fit subsided. The old pro dusted and cleaned himself off, pulled the wooden table back into place and returned to his seat. Midoriya returned to his own seat quickly after.
The greenette's eyes were hidden by his hair. Yagi offered a friendly smile as he began to speak again. "Now I'm sure you must have many questions as to why-"
"Where were you?" Pardon?
"Where were you? During the USJ? Why weren't you there?" Midoriya's hands were gripping into the fabric of his pants as Yagi was unsure how to respond. His voice shaky but a something else was brewing with every word. He was probably expecting a good reason, a damn good reason as to why Yagi wasn't there in the first place.
Should he lie and say he was saving people? No, the news would have said something the minute it was finished or started for that matter. And with how much Midoriya was a hero fan… All Yagi could do was tell him the truth… and hope this conversation doesn't go sour fast. "Principal Nezu had asked me to attend a meeting that same day out of the blue, and I was unable to go with the class or arrive shortly after."
"You weren't with us because… you couldn't say no?" Midoriya's words were filling with something else, and Yagi didn't like it. He tried too, honest! Nezu had jokingly threatened to take his teaching job if didn't stay there and suck up to him.
Which made it sound all the worse on both his and the principal's parts when said aloud. "If you were there, then I wouldn't have- I-… I-I-… You could have…" A deep inhale then exhale came from the greenette before looking to the old pro.
"How many did I kill?" The way he looked at Yagi… He just looked tired… like he hadn't heard the answer to this question before. As if he's… done it before or it was suppressed so the greenette wasn't sure or aware of it.
"None." Yagi quickly answered, hoping to ease the boy's worries. "There were no other casualties during the incident. Only major wounds and broken bones on most of the villains." Which in some cases could be considered worse than death. Midoriya just looked at the palms of his hands with a tired look.
Was really Yagi really going to go through with this? "I may have failed you then, but I promise you, I won't ever let you make these choices alone again." Was that a promise he could realistically keep? "I know I will sound selfish when I ask this but, can you tell me who trained you? That taking life was necessary." Yagi needed to know, he had to.
"It wasn't out of necessity. It was out of need to protect others from villains who didn't care about the lives of the innocent. That holding back might get people killed or worse" That was… awful. Who in their right mind would think that would be ok to teach a child?
"A veteran general." Oh. "She taught me how to fight and to defend myself. I had another teacher train me to use my quirk for a few years. Until she was too busy with other duties needing her attention. And I had to improvise for a while." When did his physical training start? "I was twelve." That young? Then again, he's heard younger, unfortunately.
"Can you tell me where you trained? I would like to contact them." And have them detained for training and pushing young minds that such force was needed to protect the innocent. It sounded like something Endeavour would do, given his temper. Midoriya looked at him pensively, as if internally debating whether to not to tell the old pro.
"I-I can't." Midoriya answered.
"Can't. Or won't." Yagi returned. "If you are being threatened in any way by this person, then please tell me and I will do what ever I can to help you." Midoriya shook his head and said it wasn't that at all. They actually respected one another despite being teacher and student. After trying to get the minimum amount of information he could, Yagi relented and went on to the final part of his four-step plan.
Most definitely the hardest part. Here goes. "Young Midoriya. You wish to become stronger? Then I would like to offer All- My power once more. One for All." Midoriya wasn't sure what to say. It has been two years since he turned the old pro down like a dance date. "I truly believe that with my guidance and One for All, you can be one of the greatest heroes today."
"…What exactly would happen if I accepted it?" Yagi internally let out a breath of relief. He had his attention and possible acceptance if he played his cards right. The old pro first reexplained the truth to One for All just in case Midoriya forgot. How this power was more a power stockpiler, that it grew with every passing of it. As well as clearing the in-betweens with the stories he's told years ago.
"There is one thing I wish for you too do before you accept however." Midoriya looked directly at the man and asked what the condition was. "Cut all ties with your previous teachers. They clearly can not teach you the ways of a hero if it means killing is necessary once all else fails."
"Not to worry, I will teach you all I can about One for All whenever I am off duty. As well as-"
"No."
"W-What?"
"I said no." Midoriya said flatly. You're losing him! You're losing him! Take it back! Yagi quickly tried to explain that his power and potential would grow exponentially and that he cou-
"Mr. Yagi, I know what I said."
"My boy, please! Imagine the good you could do with it. You're the only person worthy to use it for good. You're a shining example of what It means to be a hero-" Midoriya slammed the table with clenched fists, and his plain expression soured with… with…
Anger. He was… angry? Midoriya stood up. "I'm the shining example of what it means to be a hero? Would a hero run into the fray and maim his opponents as he tore through them without a second thought, leaving his teammates behind? Would a hero use near deadly force to incapacitate regular goons and move on? Not caring about the possible deaths at his hands?"
With every word, Midoriya's frustrations bubbled to the surface and his voice more shaken and louder. "Would a hero think the only way to stop a threat he couldn't defeat regularly would be to kill them?!" Yagi could only stare in disbelief, unsure what to say. Midoriya started to shake. "…Would a hero need to ask his teacher if he killed more then he thought the next day?"
"You think I'm… I'm this… perfect successor, but I'm not! Yesterday proved that I need to control my power now more then ever if I don't want innocent people to die because I was careless! I-If I-I don't want my friends to die! If I don't want Glimmer to die!" Before Yagi could ask who's name that belonged to, the greenette's rant continued.
"And now, you want me to-to…to take a power I don't want because I'm the only person in Japan, hell the world to have decent heart or a conscience!? A power I will barely have control over alongside my power that I've barely scratched the surface of and could kill people too!? You saw the result WITHOUT One for All." Yagi looked to his boy with shock and sadness. "That even with all of the years I practiced and trained, I can't even control it or stop to think I might kill somebody I care about…"
Midoriya… "I'm… I'm truly sorry. If I had known…"
"How could you?" Midoriya slumped back onto the couch, leaning forward, hand holding his head. "All these years, you've seen me as this… perfect example of what you're looking for. Of what it means to be a hero. And with how desperate you seem and only seeing the good parts of my quirk, That… That…" Midoriya stopped to think. Before long, Midoriya looked right at Yagi again.
"Did… Did you ever see me as my own hero and not your successor? Did you ever really believe in me with my own quirk?" Betrayal and sadness echoed through the greenete's voice. "And that offer to train me years ago, it was only for One for All. Wasn't it?" Yagi had enough, he couldn't bear to hear more or the feeling of this horrible shallow ache in his core.
"Of course not! I would have gladly helped you with your quirk alongside One for All."
"A power even I don't completely understand. Even after years of living with it? And you would help me?" They… They would both learn along the way! "And if I had… taken a life before you offered it the first time, would you still try to help me? Still see me as me?"
"Or would you cut off all ties with me and move on to the next bright-eyed kid you ran into? After all, your All Might. You want something, you'd already have a line of people to give their everything. …I was too…"
Yagi couldn't believe his ears or the words leaving young Midoriya. "You don't really believe that do you?" the old pro said, his own sadness now seeping into his words. Midoriya shook his head, unsure what to believe at this point. The one thing he did know however…
"…Is I need to focus on controlling and mastering my own power. Before I lose someone because of it." Midoriya stood up and bowed to the number one.
He then proceeded to go to the exit of the room, intending to leave. Yagi stared where the greenette sat before snapping back to the moment and reaching out to Midoriya, the greenette's hand already on the doorknob.
"Wait, please!" Midoriya didn't turn to face Yagi, hand still on the doorknob. Yagi wanted to say so much. That he wished he convinced him better. That One for All would be easy you learn, but from personal experience, that wouldn't be true. The only thing that left his mouth though was. "I… I would have tried everything to help you and never abandoned you. I promise."
Silence. Then Midoriya spoke, his voice cracked and barely audible."…I know… I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment."
And One for All?
"…Find someone else. Someone who is actually worthy of it." With that said, Midoriya left the room, slamming the door behind him, leaving all his frustrations to fester in that room.
Once again, the deafening silence took the room. He was so obsessed on finding a successor and with the perfect one landing right on his head, it was too good to pass up. So good in fact, he didn't see the cracks everyone has. No matter how perfect they look, or they say to be.
It just left the old hero to think. What would happen if Midoriya's power was boosted beyond compare because of One for All? Yagi has seen the devastation that Midoriya's power wrought, or at least the aftermath. What if it rejected him because of that? What if he couldn't hold back or control it properly and harm the innocent by accident?
What if… it both rejected him and, in its rejection, destroyed his body? Leaving naught but a shrivelled, broken or burning-
Yagi put his head in his hands. What was he going to do? He needed to re-evaluate the way he chose his successors and seek a new one. One that would be almost everything he sought but nothing that would be over exaggerated or unreachable. God, who knows how long that might take.
You have time. As long as you don't overexert yourself.
…I have no other options now… or a choice…
Chin up, Toshinori. You got this…
Yagi held his head in his hands for a time before running them through his hair. What was he going to do now? The only person who was worthy just looked him straight in the eye and told him no and with everything he said too, it left him with much to think about. Most importantly, he clearly did not know Midoriya like he thought he did.
"*Sigh*… What am I going to do…"
Maybe he should give Gran- Nope. Nope. Bad idea. Who knows what he'll say about this and with how long the search is taking.
Before he could look for something to help ease the horrible conversation that just happened, his phone started to buzz in his pocket. Flipping it open, Tsukauchi was calling him. Perhaps the police have finally found something with the remains. Perhaps the reason it was so strong, according to the reports.
Or at least some good news.
Walking over to the window and answering, the voice of the detective came through the old phone. "Hello, All Might. How are you?" He could be better, honestly. What about the investigation into the remains? "About that…" Yagi heard the ruffling of papers and a heavy sigh. "I've got… news and bad news." Isn't the saying good news and bad news?"
"Well, given the circumstances, what I'm about to say may not be considered good." Yagi prepared himself and asked the detective to continue despite it. "Right. From what forensics could peel off, the "Nomu" has a far greater quirk gene count then what would be considered healthy. Or natural for that matter."
"Which could mean it did have more then one quirk. Like they were shoved into the poor thing." What could be considered poor about some abomination. "Because it wasn't grown in a vat. From what we could gather, it used to be a person."
What? "It's more of a hunch then anything else. Since everything was charred and burnt off, we couldn't give an exact id yet and whatever flesh was left on it didn't get examined perfectly and with barely any blood to speak of... We were lucky we got that much." Of course… The revelation still shook him to his core. It did have more then one quirk and they were… forcibly put into it. Just like-
"Now, I know what your thinking, this has you know who written all over it and I agree with you. But without proper evidence we can't launch a much larger investigation. Not anymore anyway." What did he mean by that? What happened with the remains. "Here's the bad news."
"The remains were taken from forensics. Any and all information regarding it was to be confiscated until further notice."
"What? On who's authority?" Yagi said, completely taken back by the revelation. Who could have the power to take key evidence out of the blue when it could lead to who ever had done this?
"The Hero Commission's" Yagi's eyes bulged at the answer. How did they- Why?
"I don't know, but it was someone really high up. A couple agents from the commission came here and had the authority to take charge of the investigation from both the chief and the higher ups. Took whatever information we had to another site headed by them. Plus, whatever was left of the Nomu."
"When did this happen and how do you have this information now?" The old pro questioned. It didn't make sense. Why would the commission do this? Was the story leaked out already? Or was it that serious that the commission had to step in. Intending to cover this up or do their own research.
"About an hour ago. I would've called sooner but the paperwork was ridiculous. Then I had to contact the chief why he let this happen. He said his hands were tied if the commission was a part of this. As for the info, I always like to keep a copy for myself. Just in case I need to go over a case. So, what your hearing didn't come from me." The detective whispered the last part.
That was a lot to take in. If the Nomu did indeed have multiple quirks and they weren't part of it naturally, then… All for One wasn't as dead as Yagi thought or would have liked. and he might be the puppet master behind the attack at the USJ. And with the commission's intervention… it was fitting all to well.
"Do you have a name on who ordered this?" The ruffling and flipping of papers filled his ear and after a moment, Tsukauchi found something. A name, and an official signature from the commission came up a few times through the many documents.
Mr. Taigun Toriwake. Acting Director of the Hero Commission, Japanese Branch
Acting director? What of the previous one? Was All for One behind this? No. Even with his long list of connections and with him being dead for a couple solid years, there's no way he had someone on the inside and this high in the chain of command. Yagi had also never heard of him using this alias before. There were too many ifs to make any solid conclusion right now.
As Yagi was running through the possibilities in his head, Tsukauchi offered if he wanted to get some drinks. Considering both seemed to be having bad days in their own neck of the woods.
Yagi looked out the window. The room he was in was on an upper floor overlooking the entrance to the building. Looking down, he could see Midoriya walking out of the building, a sliver pocket watch in hand, sighing. He put it back into his pocket before moving down the path towards the dorms.
You know? A drink didn't sound terrible right now actually. Even if he didn't drink much due to his personal doctor telling him not to go overboard with alcohol. At least a few hours to clear his head might do him some good. Put him on another path to another successor.
Hopefully.
--- Alliance Dorms, Common Room ---
WOOOOOOOOOO! MOVIE NIGHT! LET'S GO!
A whole four days of no school and (little to) no homework starting after today! It was awesome. Although the circumstances on why they had gotten such a decent length of time off was not awesome. That being the villain attack yesterday. Thankfully all of Mina's classmates only had minor bruises or slashes that weren't too deep. Which meant everyone was here for the first ever 1-A Movie Night!
Courtesy of and overseen by the V.A.C. (Full name not told to non members). After asking (begging) Iida for a movie night instead of a PowerPoint about the safety of sticking together and careful planning, the gang moved around the dorms. Mina convinced Kiri and Yamomo to gather votes for what tonight's viewing should be from a list the club made a few hours ago.
Tonight's chosen movies consisted of the second movie of the All Might: Might Power! Trilogy, a dark high fantasy called Gilded Ring, some other hero movies Mina threw in there, a few older recommendations from Kaminari and other genres thrown in to spice it up.
Overall, they had a very good selection to pick from. This was going to be one heck of a night. Not saying yesterday wasn't a roller coaster in its own right but… they really needed this. After that. As Mina looked around the common room, a few of her classmates were still talking about what happened and why wouldn't they?
Real villains were out and going to kill them. The class scattered all across the USJ into random locations surrounded by killers. And that monster that sent their teacher to the hospital… or what was left of it. Mina was transported to the fire situation area with Ojiro and Koda. She and Ojiro fought off most of the villains since there weren't as many because of a certain green haired classmate. All of their attention focussing on him in the central area.
When the fighting was winding down and they managed to escape from the mock-fire area, did she hear something that would stick with her for a while. That horrid, pain filled screech that echoed through the entire complex for what felt like minutes but only lasted a few seconds. Then it stopped and what she assumed was making it was the… the…
The contorted, burnt corpse of the monster. Its mouth still agape in pain, eye holes vacant, its fingers tearing open its ribcage to get whatever was happening to it. That sight definitely stuck with many, most of all Midoriya. Their crazed one-man hero team. Who was the talk of the class in both good ways and bad.
Iida lectured him about leaving to fight the villains alone against the orders of their teachers to stay put. But Midoriya was barely there to begin with. Sure, he was there physically while Iida berated him on rushing ahead. As for mentally, no one was sure. From where everyone found him, he had front row seats to whatever happened to the monster.
Bakugo and Todoroki were with him when the monster was killed, so maybe one of them knew what happened. Kirishima did try to ask the explosive blonde when they got back but he was having none of it and just slammed the door in the red head's face. Which, with what just happened, was an appropriate response.
As for Todoroki, he and Midoriya were practically attached to the hip until they got back. Despite her being sure that he hated the greenette's guts days ago. Or at least didn't like his cheery, upbeat-ness. Not that she could read minds, it was just the aura and vibe the ice quirk user gave off towards Midoriya. It was complete one 180 to say for sure.
And finally, the star of the hour himself, was called off campus by a teacher. Probably to talk about what happened. And to be reprimanded. Mina kind of felt bad too, first it was Iida then whoever Midori went to see. Mr. Aizawa would probably want a word or two with him as well when he got out of the hospital. Getting told off because you wanted to keep your class safe, it didn't feel right.
Then again, if that were the case, vigilantism wouldn't be illegal. Or maybe that wasn't the reason he was called over. Maybe it was the amount of force Midoriya dished out to the villains. The majority of the class only saw the aftermath of the greenette's rampage. It was… a lot happened that day.
But now wasn't the time for moping! It was time to chill with friends and watch movies until the moon was at its peak! Mina brought over some snacks from the kitchen and set them down on the table for the whole class to enjoy. Kiri provided the drinks and Yamomo made more cushions for more of their friends to sit since the couch wouldn't hold everyone.
Almost everyone was accounted for besides Bakugo, who was just chilling in his room and Midoriya, who still hadn't come back yet. Even the class's ice king was present. For how long, she couldn't say. The creation quirk user beside Mina was wondering where he could be since it was starting to get late. "Come on, vice." Mina jokingly prodded. "I'm sure Midori is fine. You saw the amount of butt he kicked."
"That's what worries me." Huh? The heck did that mean. Yayorozu explained her thought. "I feel like I'm the only one taking in what happened and trying to understand the how." Well, Iida wanted to know too, and he wasn't getting any answers from the greenette. "Not what I meant." Ok, fancy pants, what exactly?
"I mean the club knows about the two times Midoriya was doing… less then legal activates and the greatest contrast in skill between them, correct?" Yeah, ok. "Have you ever heard of any other instance of All Mask over the years between the first time and last or even recently?" Well yeah, she- Wait… oh my god.
"Exactly. Those two instances were the only times we saw Mi- All Mask in real combat. No other news broadcasts, no articles, not even rumors online, nothing. Which leaves me with the question."
"How did Midoriya get enough experience to fight off rows of villains in actual combat to be a major threat to them? How did he know exactly were to bring his quirk's abilities and for what situation despite the fact for all we know he's only been in combat twice. Excluding the battle trials."
Mina never thought of it that way and the more she did, the more it screwed up her thoughts about the greenette. "Are you saying that he…"
"I'm not sure yet, but whoever taught him put him in some of most dangerous situations I can scarcely think of if Midoriya's skill is already this great." As the raven-haired girl finished, Kirishima wandered over to the two, managing to overhear the second half the conversation. Who ever taught Midoriya must have been one hell of teacher. Or he was always in danger and had to adapt to it quickly.
Whatever the case, the V.A.C were back to square one on trying to understand their vigilante saviour. It was also at that point that the group realized that they were, in fact, in the common room surround by their fellow classmates and not in their rooms discussing it in the group chat.
And since the movies haven't started yet, they got a few head turns. While one half passed it off as speculation and random word of mouth, a few others were now interested on what the club of three were really talking about. It was when Sero started to speak that more people joined into the conversation.
"Midoriya? One hero wonder? You guy's aren't saying he's a vigilante, are you? I mean that would be cool, but don't you think there would be a lot more press about a weird vigilante running around with a quirk like his?" That's exactly what they were talking about. "I'm just saying there's got to be a more reasonable explanation for how Midoriya knows all this crazy stuff."
"And how he practically dove headfirst into almost an army of villains. And it looked like he was winning for the most part before we got scattered?" Jiro spoke up, having taken a seat on the second couch to the side. "'Cause that makes sense too. I swear the guy's got multiple quirks." With the number of things he could do, that wasn't out of the question. Light, earth, ice, and seemingly fire? The greenette's power set almost complemented the elements.
So humble and kind yet dangerous and unpredictable. What a strange combination that made their class star. He would probably be scouted by nearly every hero in Japan by barely trying. If it weren't for the case that he seemed to not want to stand out more then his peers for whatever reason. The gathered class soon devolved into theories on how and possibly why their classmate was basically a pro at this point.
"But what about him being a government experiment with multiple quirks to create the ultimate hero?" Hagakure exclaimed.
"I still think he's an alchemist." Kaminari butted in.
"The vigilante bit has some good points too. He wields his power with grace and precision befitting the position." Tokoyami added on, crediting the vigilante theory
More and more and more…
"Well, I think he's a returner!" Mineta spoke up between the conversation. "The kind of guy that gets transported to another world and defeats the demon lord and gets to come back to earth after! Minus the harem…"
That's the stupidest one yet…
"Enough!" The class president shouted out, cutting off anymore cracked theories or rumors. "I will not have anymore slander or nonsensical rumors towards one of our own classmates!" Iida pushed up his glasses after the outburst, having gotten the attention of the room. "Whatever Midoriya's business is should be left alone. He is our friend and will not stand by while you make such ridiculous notions about him."
"Come on prez." Ashido looking over her shoulder to the speedster. "Aren't ya the littlest bit curious on how Midori is so good at fighting?"
Iida adjusted his glasses again, his brow furrowed. "…I am." Ashido knew it, and she was going to point it out… "But I will not talk behind the back of one of my friends nor will I have you- any of you doing the same."
Seriously?
"I'm with Iida too." Uraraka spoke up as well, now standing beside the president. "Midoriya is our friend. If we want to know something, we should ask him face to face. Not talking about him like he's some thing or unreachable hero."
"I don't know, its actually kind of funny hearing the stuff you guys come up with."
"Not now Midoriya. I am trying to explain how we shouldn't talk behind Midoriyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…" The entire room looked over to see the greenette standing there, having entered the dorms without anyone realizing. How long had he been standing there?
"I let myself in after Iida shouted to everyone." Phew… For a second there, Mina thought she blew the club's cover with all those theories and head cannons everyone was passing around. "But I stood just outside when all of the… theories sprouted up." Oh. Well… shit.
Had he really heard… all of it? If he thought it was funny then, why wasn't smiling? A few of his classmates asked which teacher called him for a one to one. He simply said All Might. Like it was the most normal thing to do. 'Oh, yeah sure I just got told off by the number one hero in all of Japan, no big deal you guys.' Mina knew better though. She could see it all over his face.
Not letting anymore information about what the teacher and student discussed, Midoriya started walking off, hand fiddling with something in his pocket. Like hell he was walking off with all that glum! "Hey Midori! Why not chill with the rest of us. Might help clear the noggin about what happened."
"That's very nice of you but… uh… I'm going to bed. Maybe some other time?" Ok, something definitely happened back on campus. How could be so ready to just fall asleep? The sun literally just set. Mina was just about to push him into coming to join everyone else until she got a stern look from Yamomo and Kiri.
But it looked like Iida beat her to the punch anyway. "Are you sure your alright, my friend? You look awful." It really did sound like he was genuinely worried. "If this is about what happened yesterday, then let us know how we can help." Midoriya didn't look behind him to the speedster. Instead, he pulled out a sliver pocket watch and opened it. No one knew what he was looking at be it the time or something else.
"…Thanks, Iida. But I… I just need to clear my head somewhere else right now." Dejected but understanding, Iida nodded and offered him a good night. Midoriya nodded back and walked down the hall to the dorm rooms. The room became quiet for a spell.
"Man… Wonder what All Might said to him. Seeing him like this…" Kirishima looked to where the greenette last stood. "It doesn't feel good, you know?" Oh, she knew alright. What could be better then chilling with your friends on movie night!
"Maybe chilling with friends that you know a lot better?" Jiro popped up again, not having moved from her spot on the couch. Other friends? What other frie- Oh. Right. The other friends from America. The ones the greenette has yet to introduce. Or even show pictures of.
"He's got friends from the west?" Sero asked. Jiro just shrugged. She had overheard him talking about them briefly during the first few days of class.
"Oh yeah. I heard about that, he doesn't talk about them much… or at all." Uraraka mentioned, taking a seat on one of the many cushions strewn about in front of the TV. Iida and Uraraka were probably the closest as of this time and yet they hadn't heard a peep of anything else about the greenette's other friends.
"Let him be. It's been a hectic couple of days." Jiro got that right.
With that moment out of the way, the common room returned to its setup for movie night. Tokoyami's Dark Shadow picked out the All Might movie from the pile and put it in the player. As the movie's intro started to play, All Might's symbol was spinning into frame and the title card dropped.
"ALL MIGHT: MIGHT POWER 2!!"
Snacks, drinks, and good times were shared with laughs and clutching cushions.
While Mina and the others were enjoying the movie, Kirishima couldn't help but think what kind of people Midoriya's friends were like. If he'd rather hang with them over the phone then being face to face with the rest of them. Yayorozu noticed as well and put his worries down.
At least for tonight. It's not like he's gone through death defying situations before. Right?
--- Early Morning, Brightmoon's Halls ---
The halls of the keep were fairly quiet as the queen made her rounds. It gave to her time to reflect and think about the constantly changing world around her. The return of She-Ra, an old legend given new life in a former Horde cadet no less. The reformation of the Princess Alliance and their decedents taking up arms against a common foe. The possibility of other worlds full of life beyond their own.
That despite it all, against anything that would stop a regular person, her daughter was still fighting. With her friends always beside her. One of them being an other worldly being that despite them having a home of their own, insisting on fighting in a battle- a war not their own.
What strange times they live in now. Angella couldn't help but think of the ridiculousness of it all. She was about to pass the outdoor training area until she heard something shattering and a frustrated groan. Who could be up at this hour? Her Majesty pushed open the grand doors to the balcony training area which was once a garden before the war.
"Dammit!"
And there stood who made that groan and what that shattering noise was.
Izuku Midoriya. Sorcerer of Brightmoon and denizen of "Japan" he called his homeland. Advisor and bodyguard to her only daughter. Aggressively pulling off a tuning glove, its focusing gem having shattered across the ground and tossed aside into a growing pile of ruined accoutrements of training.
He examined his hand to make nothing was lodged into him then looked out to the looming sky above before sighing and lumbering over to grab another glove. As he turned to the entrance, did he finally notice Her Majesty standing there. His expression quickly becoming shocked at the surprise visitor.
"Y-Your Majesty!" the young sorcerer bowed, his arms as straight as arrows at his sides. "I'm s-sorry if I'm disturbing you in anyway-"
"At ease." Angella stopped him from anymore these unnecessary apologies. Izuku quickly stopped and eased up a little. All these years and yet he was still nervous of her presence when alone. "What are you doing up at this hour? Do you not have your own studies?"
The sorcerer had a strict sleeping schedule. Always getting up at the exact same time everyday. Shortly after the others of his group. So, when he was up early, something was amiss, or something was wrong on his end. The greenette explained his best that he had gotten a few days off of his studies, so he took this time to better learn his powers and spells. Away from prying eyes.
"Is that so. Then why, prey tell, did you get these days off?" He stuttered to explain, tip toeing around the answer from what she could tell. It was all written in his eyes, and the earlier frustration pointed to something else as well. "Young Izuku, please do not lie to me. I might be an immortal, but I am also a mother who raised a rambunctious daughter who you had the pleasantry of growing up beside."
Izuku struggled to find the words he wanted to say. If he was distracted by anything, it would only grow greater if left unchecked and with time become something else that throw him off in the most dangerous of situations. She knew that better then anyone knew. "Calm yourself, please." Her tone shifting to something more comforting.
After some time to find his words, the young sorcerer spoke. "H-Have… Have you ever… have to kill someone?" So, this was what was bothering him so greatly the past few days. Bow had brought it to Angella's attention yesterday in passing. Now seeing it firsthand, she understood.
"I have. Many years ago." She scarcely remembered when she drew her blade against her foes. Before Micah was at her side. Before she had a family to care for. "Tell me what happened. In full if you can." Izuku then went on to explain what had happened the past few days in a way she would understand.
Even when he did, it was still a grand tale to be sure. Jumping directly into the fray despite orders to stay with the group. (Someone was taking after a certain princess.) Despatching numerous foes with his current mastery of the arcane, something never seen on his world, so he had the advantage.
Leading to a clash with the one leading the assault on this "USJ" training facility. Where the leader had some sort of monstruous war beast of immense power, capable of regenerating even the gravest of wounds. Which eventually led to a final confrontation with the beast, it already having displayed its power by nearly killing one of his teachers.
The finishing blow was struck, and the beast was laid low by a primordial fireball the sorcerer called. He was hesitant to say exactly what happened when his fire impacted the beast, but his face told the queen it must have been a grizzly sight. With the tale finished, Izuku winded down the story. Filling in any leftover details afterwards leading to today.
Now it was Angella's turn for questions, starting with this beast. This "Nomu" it was called. "This war beast… was it capable of independent thought of any kind?" The way he described the beast, made it sound like it could only follow the orders of its master and only their orders. Nothing more then a rabid animal. The sorcerer wasn't sure, but he had to guess no, it did not.
Angella nodded to the sorcerer's answer. If that is the case, then why was he so shaken if it was nothing more then what he described. A beast with no mind of its own. That his actions were completely justified in the defense of those he cares for. And she told him this. "…But I believe that is not where the problem lies, is it?" Izuku nodded sadly, not looking up to the queen.
"It's about… my magic. I've never needed to hold back because everything I need was already on my person or I could just give and take the amount I needed, and I-I thought I knew what I was doing. But when my fire took effect… and hearing its horrible cries I... I-I… I-I was a-afraid. A-Afraid of what I'm capable of and what I could do if I don't learn the proper way of controlling it… That I might hurt or even kill someone without even knowing it…"
"Have I… been killing people without even realizing it?" The sorcerer looked up to the taller woman with guilt in his eyes. It had been too long since she seen this look before. This look of revolt with oneself. Angella took a breath and told him.
"You are not the only one I ask for reports from. Bow is a scout and tracker by trade. So, when I receive reports from him and you, I have both a confident report and two eyes looking at a single situation." Angella explained to the waiting sorcerer. "But to answer your question, there were… a few times were an ice spear hit far closer then where you thought you aimed and stone that crushed more then you meant."
Angella felt guilty even telling him this. But he had to know from someone he trusted before he found out on his own. His hands were shaped into trembling fists as he looked down to his feet. She knelt down to meet the sorcerer's viridian eyes and placed a kind hand on his shoulder. He looked up to meet her eyes as well, tears starting to fill his own.
"I understand how you feel, and I can not know what you are thinking of yourself, but think of all of the people you saved. The ones you who's light you made bright again against all hardships. They live today because you were there when no one else would be." Angella spoke from her heart and the greenette's attention was completely taken by her words.
"There will be times where you will need to take a life. To preserve the lives of others that wish to live peacefully. You believe that everyone is and can be worth saving and I believe that as well. But there will be those who only wish to see innocents die or the world brought under cruel heel."
"I know you will make the right choices. Be it by yourself or with those beside you." Izuku's eyes lit up and lip quivered "You are a brilliant young man, and I am proud to see the sorcerer you have become."
"As for your fear..." Angella paused for moment. That must be the reason for all of the broken tuning gloves. He must be trying to focus and harness more magic with his current power. Alas they were never made for combat-oriented spells or techniques, Mysticor being a neutral space and gathering of knowledge and scholars then an armed fortress filled with fighters. He must be overloading the gem in his frustration for results.
"Magic can be dangerous, yes, but there can have other uses or applications of it."
"Take your fire for example." She took his hand and asked him to create a small flame. Izuku hesitantly agreed and opened his hand, conjuring a small fire in the middle of his palm between them. "Fire is a tide of unpredictable possibility." Both stared into the open flame sitting in his palm. It flickering with untamed potential.
"Though it can both destroy and harm, it yet can sooth and warm those who nurture it properly. Those who take time to understand that fire is not inherently dangerous or can lead to destruction." Angella folded the sorcerer's hand closed.
"It can also show the passion of one's heart or be a beacon in the darkest of nights. It all depends how you think of it…" Angella pointed to his mind. "…And how it can be tempered by one's emotions or feelings." She brought her finger down to his chest, pointing to his heart. "Repeat after me." Both took in a deep breath and let it out. Izuku did this a few times until his former calm returned.
"How do you feel?" Angella asked the young sorcerer.
"I feel… warm…" Izuku opened his hand again, Angella having let go of it for some time, reveling instead of raging flame but a soothing fire, shaped into a beautiful lily. Cascading colours of red and orange dancing in his palm. The tiniest of embers floating away into the sky above as the lily bloomed. Izuku gasped and his eyes nearly jumped out of their sockets. Angella smiled at the reaction.
"Magic is only as dangerous as the person who wields it. You are the one in control not the other way around. Never forget that." Angella placed her hand on his shoulder again. Izuku looked between Her Majesty and the fire lily sitting in his palm. Tears welled in his eyes again and rushed the queen in a hug.
The flame went out as the sorcerer's arms wrapped around Angella, taken back at first, she generously returned his way of saying thank you. "You are a good person. I hope to see you grow into the great sorcerer I know you will become." Both let go and Angella returned to a standing position as Izuku wiped the tears from his eyes.
Izuku turned to the open sky, a smile on his face and determination in his eyes. Before long, he turned back to the queen. "I'll make you proud!" He turned back to his training with renewed vigor and a smile far brighter when she first walked in.
You already have.
If he did wish to become a great sorcerer, then he would need something special, Angella thought. Perhaps she should ask Castaspella if he had earned a staff with his deeds or if she could 'mysteriously' lose one and it ended up in Izuku's hands.
Perhaps another time. Before she left the yard, Izuku brought up another question.
"If you were given the chance to… receive great power but it came with the cost of losing something, would you take it? Even if it meant you could save lives?" A strange but not unheard-of question. She has seen those become obsessed with power or the very idea of it.
"No." Angella said plainly. "No power in all of these countless worlds is not worth losing something of yourself or someone because of it." Izuku thanked her for the straight answer and returned to his studies. Already trying his hand at recreating the fire lily as Angella left the yard.
Returning to the halls, Angella closed the doors and returned to her rounds. Just as she turned away from the door, did she see Glimmer coming down the hall, clearly looking for someone. Angella could only wonder who. The glittering princess saw her mother just down the hall and ran over.
"Hey, mom. Have seen you 'zuku around? He wasn't in his room when I checked." Did she tell her that Izuku was just beyond the doors the two stood in front of? Perhaps. Let us see the reason why she was looking for him. "Well, Bow told me 'zuku has been pretty down lately so I thought I'd cheer him up with a trip to the markets. Pick up something nice. Just the two of us, like old times."
"You mean the time you snuck out against my instructions? When you were both eight might I add?" Angella raised an eyebrow at the clearly guilty looking princess.
"Ehhhh… We were just dumb kids. Besides no one got hurt." Glimmer glanced away from her mother's stern stare. Of course, that would be her excuse. Some time to reflect on what they talked about would be good for the sorcerer. As well as some time off. "So, do you know where he is?"
Perhaps. "I do. Although he gave strict instructions to not tell you that he was deep in training just beyond these doors." Angella took a step back as Glimmer turned to the doors. "Yes, I believe his words were "whatever you do, do not tell Glimmer I'm here, I want to get some one-off training so I can surprise and beat her in our next duel". Bringing her hand to her chin to emphasize the fake recollection.
Glimmer's eye twitched. "Oh, so he thinks he can get stronger without me?!" Glimmer threw open the doors to see Izuku jumped back at the sudden swish of the doors. "You are! You think you can train behind my back?! Not happening!"
"W-What? Glimmer I-"
"Oh no! You are not worming your way out of this one, Izuku Midoriya! We are going out now, or you're getting a fist full of friendship and PAIN!" The doors slowly closed behind the princess as she stomped towards the sorcerer. Who audibly gulped as the doors closed completely.
Angella chuckled. He was in good hands. Surrounded by those who truly cared for him. In their own special way.