Chapter 3: Welcome Back to Asgard
While the need for secrecy was not lost on Izuku, it still made him no less bitter while he trudged through the forest that was a ways away from home. A low tree branch slapped his shin, causing the teen to yelp and grab his leg, hopping on one foot. 'That's it. I don't care what they say. I am finding a way to get a dagger that can summon the Bifrost or I'm stealing Stormbreaker from the vault.'
"Unlikely." Izuku turns to the side as he begins walking again to see Decoy Three walking beside him. Unlike his physical counterpart, he was unperturbed by his surroundings. "The chances of you being able to sneak into Odin's vault, grab Stormbreaker, and sneak out without being seen are approximately 3,720 to 1."
Izuku chucked at his doppelgänger. "Never tell me the odds."
"And that's not even factoring you trying to leave Asgard wi-"
"Wait! Once I have Stormbreaker, couldn't I just call on the Bifrost while inside the vault to get out?" Izuku asks himself because yes, this is what he's had to resort too to have any semblance of a normal conversation with someone.
Three put his hand to his chin. "That's true. As far as we know, there are no limits on Stormbreaker's ability to call the Bifrost from anywhere. This is of course, all hypothetical in the case we are actually able to lift the weapon without our body crumbling and our mind collapsing into madness."
"Bold of you to assume my mind hasn't already collapsed." The completely sane teenager snarks.
"Then we must not be doing our jobs right!" Izuku had long since run out of sighs for the day, so he did nothing as Two appeared, sitting on his shoulders. He could take at least a little comfort in the knowledge that his decoys, not being real, didn't weigh anything. However little comfort it gave.
Two continues, "He can still make jokes! His will to live carries on!"
"Yeah, dude! We knew you could do it!" Four encourages while hopping from tree branch to tree branch above. "And I'm not just saying that cuz without you, we'd cease to exist!"
"You should be fine Izuku. Ectoplasm is a fine hero and he can make clones as well. A lot more than you I might add." Three says.
"Actually, I was thinking about Ectoplasm the other day," Izuku starts. "So to make his clones he needs to produce that weird ectoplasm from his mouth right? He's not like you guys that can just annoyingly appear from anywhere."
Two nods. "Hurtful, but true."
"So while I wouldn't want him to ever get hurt, what happens if a villain just stops his ability to open his mouth? No more clones right?"
It's silent for a beat before Two and Four burst out laughing. The latter so much so, he falls out of the tree he's in.
"Oh my god bro, his weakness is duct tape!" Four shrieks from his curled-up position on the ground.
Izuku giggles along until Three begins to speak, bringing them all back to earth. Not literally in the case of Four this time. "While entertaining of an idea it is, Ectoplasm exceeds in close quarters combat situations."
"We're no slouch up close either." Two interjects.
"Also true." Three agrees. "But even assuming we are a match. We would have to fight while trying to stick tape across the hero's mouth. Keep in mind it has to cover the whole thing completely as any ectoplasm that leaks leads to clones. All of this while contending with possibly already created copies. And if after all of that we somehow get the tape on his mouth…what stops him from simply taking it off?"
Izuku's hands race across his conjured notebook. "What about a sneak attack?" He asks, tapping his pencil on his cheek. "It's kind of our bread and butter."
Four finally catches up with them. "You guys are just gonna leave a brother behind like that?!"
Three ignores him. "A sneak attack would solve the problem of already created clones. And though the tape may only stay on a few seconds, that should be all we need. We can easily overwhelm and confuse him with our own clones and given how his fighting style only uses his legs, our daggers are more than capable of removing them."
"Wait wait, removing his legs?! Isn't that a bit much?" Izuku asks, both of his arms flailing in front of him.
"Not necessarily in Ectoplasm's case." Three continues, completely ignoring Izuku's internal crisis of subconsciously knowing he is the one to have thought that. "While I would understand your hesitance in say, removing Thirteen's hands to incapacitate her." Izuku whines. "Ectoplasm's legs are prosthetic."
Izuku takes a deep breath before giving a nervous chuckle. "Well, I guess some of dad's lessons stuck with me better than I thought." Thinking back on his notebooks, it's what he had always done. Studied heroes, figured out the places they were weakest, and then came up with ways to mitigate those weaknesses. But now that he thought about it…
"Hey yo, you guys realize that it would be bad if our notebooks ended up in the wrong hands right?" It was Four to voice his thoughts.
"Well then, coding them is the obvious answer."
"Or we just write them in Asgardian," Izuku suggests. "Translate the old ones and write the new ones in it. No one on Earth should speak the language."
Three takes a moment before answering. "That should be enough. Between the language and the fact that our notebooks spend most of their time vanished, we shouldn't have to worry. What an excellent brainstorm we just had! New security measures and how to beat Ectoplasm!"
"You sound pretty confident. Weren't you just the one saying we shouldn't underestimate a pro?" While Izuku can't see it, he can just hear the cocky smile on Two's face as he says that.
Three gives his own small smile. "I'm just confident in our analysis and abilities."
"Let's gooooooo we're gonna take down Ectoplasm!"
Izuku quickly snaps his notebook shut at Four's exclamation, letting the book vanish as he does. "No no. No. We're just practicing our analysis and you know…maybe if they're good enough one day…we can show our entries to heroes like Ectoplasm if we get into UA…"
"Hey, none of that." Two bends forward so the decoy and Izuku can look at each other face to face. "When we get into UA young man. C'mon, you'll be out of the Aldera system. Just think of the tricks we can pull on people who have no idea what's coming…"
Izuku laughs before a look of horror spreads across his face. "Oh my god…I'm gonna get expelled from UA…" All four of them break out into laughter after that one.
Three shakes his head, calming down a bit. "Just don't go too far Izuku. We still wanna be a hero right? Can't do that if we get expelled."
"Pfff, you act like I'm not totally ready to go vigilante."
"Izuku! That's illegal!"
"Actually…"
"Don't you dare…"
"Vigilantism is defined as someone using their quirk illegally and since we don't have a quirk…"
"That only works if everyone knows it's not a quirk and no one will believe you!"
"Fine. Then it's only illegal if we get caught. And I can be in multiple places at once and can turn invisible soooooo…"
Two and Four cheer, sharing a high-five while Three has a look of exasperation Izuku hopes he can achieve one day. The group walks in silence for a few minutes before the maybe one day vigilante speaks up. His voice carrying a much more serious tone. "I'm gonna be a hero. The right way," he says out loud. They all know he's not saying it to anyone in particular, but making more of a declaration. "I want to save people. I want to make them laugh on their worst days and help them see it's going to be alright." He clenches his fist so hard his nails start to dig into his palm. "And no law is ever going to stop me from saving someone's life."
Three gives a reassuring nod. "I know, Izuku."
"Alright! Enough with all the serious stuff!" Two exclaims, throwing his hands up. "We figured out how to beat Ectoplasm with duct tape, now let's do another hero we like! What about Eraserhead?"
"Oh, Eraserhead is easy. All I'd have to do is shapeshift into a cat and he'd be putty in my hands." Izuku says with probably too much cheer.
Two finally decides to slide off Izuku's shoulders and walk next to him. "Wait, he likes cats that much? How do you know?"
Izuku has a different notebook appear in his hand and flips through it before finding the page he wants. "It's just a hypothesis based on this cat cafe he frequents."
Two continues to stare. "Uh-huh. Ok. That makes sense. Follow-up question. How do we know the elusive underground hero visits a cat cafe a lot?"
Izuku flips to another page in his notebook. "Just some periodic checks through the city's camera system."
"And exactly WHY can we-"
"Their password was password! It's not my fault! And it's never for anything bad! Usually just for different angles on hero fights I didn't see in person!"
Before the conversation could devolve into the usual shouting, Three's voice cut through. "And we are here." Izuku nearly trips before looking straight to see the line of trees that borders the clearing he uses.
"W-when did we?…" Izuku questions.
Four slaps his back. Izuku doesn't feel it but the sentiment is there. "You know we're useful for more than helping you with your mumbling right man?"
"The mumble squad is here to help you pass the time when you need it!" Two pumps his fists into the air.
"That name is still pending." Three says with a fond smile on his face that suggests he's more ok with it then he's letting on.
"You guys are ridiculous," Izuku says, letting the notebook in his hands fade. But try as he might, he can't stop the edges of his mouth from curling up. "I'll see you later." The teenager gives a wave as he moves between the trees in front of him. His decoys vanish behind him.
After a few seconds, Izuku emerges into the familiar clearing he uses to go visit his family. A line of trees encircles the entire thing, short grass blows in the wind. The clearing itself, while not exactly big, wasn't very small either. If Izuku had to guess, twenty or so people could probably fit. And in the middle, pattern-like markings lay scorched into the grass.
Izuku walks into the middle of the markings, taking a deep breath.
"I'm ready, Heimdall."
For a moment, nothing. Then, a rainbow light seems to take over the sky. The wind around him starts to move at a furious pace as a tornado of rainbow light crashes into the spot Izuku is standing in. It stays that way for only seconds before the light disappears completely. The wind dies down. You would never know anything was amiss. It's as if the light was never there. The only evidence is freshly scorched markings on the grass. Izuku is gone.
Light. That's all Izuku can see. Multi-colored lights danced around him, forming a tube. Outside the lights of the Bifrost, the colors of the universe soar past him at alarming speeds. He sees the black of space, the twinkling of the stars, and the different colors of the many, many galaxies he races past. It feels as if he's flying through space, being carried up to a bright white light above. He briefly wonders if death is anything like this. If it was, he could see why people would have to be begged to not go towards the light because the ride there is exhilarating. But all too soon, it ends. He knows it's only been seconds, but could never tell.
Izuku takes an extra step to stay on his feet as he lands and looks up to see a familiar circular room. The walls of the room were colored golden with gears surrounding him. Behind him, a hole in the wall overlooks space and it's stars. In the center of the room, steps were raised to a heightened platform with some sort of control mechanism that had a sword that was bigger than it had any right to be inserted into it. Lightning poured from the sword and mechanism.
Of course, that sword had nothing on the man who stood behind it. He was tall, with black skin and golden eyes that seemed to see much more than what was in front of him. He wore full body golden armor with a helmet whose sides curved upward in a 'U' shape. Like many in Asgard, including his uncle, he had a short trimmed beard on his face with black hair.
Unbothered by the lightning or the weight the sword must possess, the man, Heimdall, the one who can see and hear nearly all in the nine realms, removed the sword from it's mechanism. The lightning abruptly disappearing as he did so. He places the tip of the sword on the ground, grasping the hilt with both hands before looking down at his visitor with a warm smile on his face. "Welcome back to Asgard, Izuku."
The green-haired boy couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "Heimdall!" He runs forward, taking the steps two at a time up to the platform before crashing into the gatekeeper, hugging him from the side.
To credit the man, the force of Izuku's affection doesn't move him at all physically. He has the decency to at least grunt at impact before putting one of his arms around the boy, keeping his other hand on the sword. "It's always good to see you."
Izuku unlatches, looking up, still with that grin on his face. "It's good to see you too! Now, have you given any thought to my proposal?"
Heimdall hums and thinks for a moment, pretending he has no idea what Izuku is talking about but they both know he does. "Your proposal, you say? What was it…ah. I remember. I believe you wanted the Bifrost to be your personal…what did you call it again? To be your own personal fast travel?"
Izuku's grin nearly turns manic. "Yeah! To be able to be anywhere in the world in seconds?! Do you know how much I could do with that?!" He could get himself to any villain attack instantly to help. Not to mention all the different HeroCon's around the world he could visit. He'd need new notebooks just for the potential signatures!
Heimdall gives a very brief chuckle. "I know enough to keep that power away from a child."
"I'm not a child! I'm thirteen!"
For some reason, this doesn't seem to convince Heimdall. "Compelling. Even so, you know this would violate our king's law and cannot be done."
"Well not with that attitude."
Heimdall snorts just a bit. "I have seen from my watch that your father has taught you many things." Izuku beams. "But it seems you still have a long way to go in developing your silver tongue."
Izuku's face falls dangerously close to a pout. "I can be convincing when I want to be…"
"Perhaps I'll come by later then?" The new voice sends a jolt of excitement through Izuku. The young Asgardian looks down at the entrance of the room behind Heimdall to see his Uncle Thor smiling up at him. His hair is cut short and instead of his usual armor, he wears a thinner, dark-colored armor with gold accents on the front. A black cloak covers his shoulders and most of his front. Mjöllnir hangs on his side.
Izuku straight jumps off the platform and barrels into the God of Thunder. "Hi, Uncle."
Thor hugs his excitable nephew back before separating, keeping both of his hands on the other's shoulders. "You are well, Izuku? Safe? How is-" Thor stops when he notices what's written on the green shirt the boy wears. 'Battle Armor.' The blonde man chuckles. "We're going to have to get you your own armor soon aren't we?"
Izuku shrugs a single shoulder. "As soon as I finish designing it, yeah. And I'm fine Uncle. Being safe." Heimdall makes some sort of sound but quickly covers it with a cough. Ok so maybe some of Izuku's online contacts aren't exactly what you'd call, law-abiding citizens, but they weren't bad people! They were useful for getting info on heroes for his notebooks. He's just using the information gathering methods his dad taught him, nothing wrong with that.
Thor doesn't seem to notice Heimdall's cover-up. "Very well." He takes his hands off Izuku's shoulders. "Come. We have a feast prepared for your arrival. Your father awaits us in the banquet hall."
Thor turns to begin walking before Izuku stops him. "Wait, Uncle! You see, I had such a long walk to get to where Heimdall opens the Bifrost...can I please have a piggyback ride?"
Thor turns around to begin protesting but when he does, Izuku isn't there. Instead, a small puppy looks up at Thor giving him the most pitiful eyes. A whine escapes from the dog's mouth. "Oh fine" Thor turns around and kneels.
Izuku shifts back into himself cheering. He jumps on his uncle's back before turning his head and sticking his tongue out at Heimdall. "How's that for convincing?"
Thor stands back up but Heimdall calls out to them. "One last thing before you go." Izuku hums. "Next time, when you are planning a heist of your grandfather's vault, maybe do not do so in a way that allows me to hear you." Izuku squeaks, pressing himself closer to Thor for protection. Both men chuckle before Thor waves and they walk out onto the Rainbow Bridge.
The large circular building they left behind sat at the edge of a waterfall that seemed to fall to nothing, only connected to the rest of Asgard by the bridge they walked across now. The Rainbow Bridge itself appeared to be a large diamond lit up with a myriad of different colors, hence, it's name. Each step Thor took lit up the bridge more.
And at the other end of the bridge, Asgard. The city was hard to describe in words, if one were to try, marvelous might be a word used. The buildings, all ranging in size from large to small and even some that were floating, were made of gold. The light made it as though they were to glow if hit right. Nature intertwined itself effortlessly in between the structures. And in the middle, a large castle that despite being the same color as the other buildings, seemed to somehow glow brighter than all else.
"You've gotten heavier since last we've seen each other." Thor comments on their walk.
"Woooooow, Uncle. Tell me you think I'm fat without saying it."
Thor chuckles lightly. "You know what I mean, cheeky boy. You've gained even more muscle since last time. I'm proud. But you are still pretty lean."
"Well, the muscles are pretty important to my fighting but not at the top of my priority list. Not everyone needs an eight pack to fight."
"You insult me. Only an eight pack." Izuku giggles. "So what was it you were planning on stealing from father's vault?"
The would-be thief squirms a bit before muttering, "Stormbreaker…"
"Ah, a fine choice. Finally taking after me are you?"
"If I say yes, will you help me?!" Izuku smiles and his uncle has to turn his head to shield his eyes.
"I shall think on it." Thor finally says. "Possibly if you let me use it as well. It never sat well with me that such a great weapon was forced to sit in a vault."
Izuku feels like he should be excited, but while he's not entirely sure how sincere Thor is being, how he said his answer bothers him. "Why did grandfather forbid you from using it anymore anyway?"
"It all comes back to his wishes to keep us separate from the other nine realms. Didn't want the weapon that could teleport anyone anywhere out of his reach." Thor let an easygoing smile spread across his face. "But that is a conversation for later. How is your mother? Is she safe as well?"
Izuku let the change in topic go for now. He can always get answers from the source later. "She's good, safe. You know, just working a lot so the usual."
Thor snorts. "It shouldn't surprise me that Loki would marry a woman just as stubborn as he."
"Uncle…I'm pretty sure your head is thicker than some rocks…"
"And don't you forget it. Now." Thor reaches to the side and grabs Mjöllnir, beginning to spin the hammer rapidly. "I assume your love of flight has not changed?"
The hammer isn't the only thing vibrating as Izuku does all he can to contain himself. It's not working. "YES! Oh my god yes! I love my powers, I really do, but I wish they included being able to fly!"
Thor looks confused. "Couldn't you just…shapeshift into a bird?"
Izuku slumps against the man. "Shifting into a new animal takes a lot of work. And no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get a bird down. Plus, it's not the same as flying in my regular body…"
"Well, I'm sure you'll get the transformation eventually. Now, are you ready?" Izuku tightens his hold and nods rapidly. He really did love flying. The feeling is just so freeing. Thor nods once himself and throws the hammer forward, keeping his grip on it and the two are launched toward the castle.
Thunderous laughter erupts from the banquet hall as Uncle Thor slams his mug on the table trying to keep himself from spitting out his drink. He only partially succeeds. Once he has better control, he asks, "you really did that?"
Izuku looks back and forth from Thor sitting next to him to his father, wearing a lighter version of his armor with no horns, who sits across from him at the large table. Loki has his head in his hands.
Again, Izuku looks back and forth between the men. "I don't see what the problem is? It's like, how could that guy trash talk Hawks, and just not expect me to be under his bed when he got home?"
Thor's laughter begins again while Loki stares at the potato on his plate, probably wondering if it could choke him if he swallowed it. The room they were in was large. The table was a long one, with a wide assortment of food, only half of which Izuku could name off the top of his head. Around them were pillars and lit torches. Staff walked in and out of the room refilling the drinks of the three and constantly switching food around.
"So, Izuku." Thor starts. "You mentioned when we first entered you finally mastered a new ability since last we spoke?"
Izuku finishes chewing on some steak before answering. "Yeah! I did! I finally figured out how to hide the presence of other objects!"
"I apologize but I thought you've been able to do that for a while?"
"Oh, no no. I've been able to vanish things for a while, but not hide their presence. Here, let me show you." Izuku conjures a blue marble and holds it out for his uncle to see. He vanishes the marble before making it appear in his other hand. Now that Izuku thinks about it, he'd make a killing in street magic. How hadn't he thought of this before? Food for thought later. "See, that's vanishing right?" Thor nods, prompting him to continue. Izuku places the marble in a groove on the table to keep it from rolling away before hiding it's presence. After a few seconds, he lets it reappear, still sitting in the same place.
"Vanishing and conjuring let me move the items around. I can't move around an item whose presence is hidden."
"I see," Thor says. "But would it not be better to just vanish all your items then?"
"Most items I can vanish are relatively small while I can turn much larger items invisible." With a wave of his hand, a nearby pillar disappears to illustrate his point.
"Impressive nephew. But what if the item can move on it's own. Loki, can't you turn other people invisible too?"
Thor's brother nods but Izuku shakes his head. "No, I can't yet. People are so much harder." Izuku looks crestfallen while taking back his marble. "It's hard enough to do it on myself, and I can't even do it very long. Doing another person seems impossible right now."
Thor gives the boy a reassuring shoulder squeeze. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You are still very young. Practically still a baby to other Asgardians." Izuku can't help the small smile on his face. "For you to have mastered the abilities you did, is nothing short of miraculous. Izuku turns his head to wipe away his rapidly forming tears. For all the magic he got from his dad, nothing could stop the tears he got from his mom.
Thor straightens in his seat and looks at Loki. "Still, it must bring you some relief that Izuku can't turn other people invisible yet brother. You don't have to worry about him sneaking any girls into his room anytime soon." Loki chokes on his drink and Izuku buries his head into his hands, turning very red, very fast.
"Uuuuuuuuuncle." That's it, he was jumping off the rainbow bridge. Nobody can stop him.
Thor tilts his head at the rapidly forming strawberry next to him. "What's wrong Izuku? What did I-" Thor's eyes widen. "O-oh! I am so sorry my boy, how insensitive of me. Of course, I have no problem if it's boys you wish to sneak into your room."
Loki has to hold his stomach to keep his laughter in check at his son's distress while Thor pats his nephew's back. "I know humanity only started accepting this part of themselves recently but Izuku. You have my support." The oblivious god says sincerely.
"Thor!" Loki is just barely able to get out through gasps of air. "Human's accepted that centuries ago."
"Well yes but to us, that's a very small amount of time."
"You have to remember it's not for humans, or for those who live among them."
Thor nods, looking back at Izuku who is devising the best method to melt through the floor and fall back to Earth. The blue-eyed man frowns at his nephew. "Izuku? Are you going to be ok?" He looks back up at Loki. "He has had the talk hasn't he?"
Izuku's bid for escape is cut short, Thor's grip is too much. He debates cutting his uncle's hand to get away. No no Izuku, that's too much. At least for now.
Loki can't hold back his laughter this time. "Please brother, be my guest." If Izuku thought it was remotely possible to lift his head from his hands, he'd be sending his father the worst glare he could. But at the rate things were going, he may never see anything again.
Thor turns in his seat to fully face Izuku and clears his throat. Izuku figures there are worse ways to go. He can't think of any right now but he's sure they're out there. "So, Izuku. You see, when a person loves another person very much…or when two or more people have had too much ale…or it happens to be a particularly boring day-"
"I've had the talk! I've had the talk! I've had the talk! I've had the talk!" Izuku cries, shaking his head.
"Oh." Thor sounds relieved. He's not the only one to feel that way. "Excellent."
At this point, Loki has his arm and head laying on the table, he can't breathe. A look of realization comes across Thor's face. "So you are in a gaming mood brother? Very well. Izuku." Despite what all logic and reason tell him, he looks up. "Did your father ever tell you about the time he transformed into a horse and-"
Two hands slamming on the table bring the other's attention to a furious Loki on his feet. "You dare!"
"Oh, I do dare brother."
Izuku tunes out the rest to calm himself down. Some of the red had already receded, just a couple of more deep breaths and he should be good. Just gotta calm down. Not like he'd ever have anybody like that to sneak in if he could. Izuku shakes his head before the downward spiral can continue. Looking down, he sees Mjöllnir sitting on the ground between him and his uncle.
A glance shows the other two still arguing. Could he risk it? He had always wanted to see if he could lift the hammer, who wouldn't, but his father had always said no. He was told it was better if he never tried because once that question was answered, it could never be unanswered. Honestly, he'd rather live with the disappointment than the constant question of if he could. Biting his lip, Izuku reaches for the hammer. It feels like he's in water and has to get his hand through the currents to reach it but he's just about there. Izuku goes to close his hand around the handle and-
"Izuku!"
The called-out boy snatches his hand back so fast he nearly falls out of his chair. He looks around to see his father eyeing him warily. "Come on. Your grandfather is ready to see us now."
Walking the halls of the palace wasn't anything new to Izuku. After all, it's where he spent most of his time while visiting anyway. But there was another part that stayed constant no matter how much he tried not to think about it.
"Do they always have to kneel?" Izuku asks, referring to the staff who bent down for a moment as they walked by. It's not that he hated it, oh wait no, he hated it.
"We are royalty Izuku. It's expected." Loki responds matter of factly.
"Can't say I'm the biggest fan either," Thor responds while Izuku tries not to show his relief that he's not the only one to feel that way. "It's a waste of time and I feel it degrades those who serve us. But I'm surprised. I thought the 'Prince' of Mischief would be all for the kneeling?" Thor says, not bothering to hide his smirk.
Izuku rolls his eyes. "Well, I wanted to be the 'something' of mischief. Being the god is taken and demi-god doesn't sound right so prince it is." Izuku takes another look around. "I have to say though. Aren't there usually more guards?"
"Yes, that would be Loki's doing." Thor praises his brother. "Because we have been in such an unprecedented time of peace, centuries since Asgard's army was called to arms, for years your father has been getting new laws passed. Laws that allow a great number of our military to retire, spend time with their families, and live their lives in leisure."
"Wow, really?" Izuku asks. "But wait, what happens if the army is needed?"
Thor laughs, ruffling Izuku's hair. He'll never admit how much he likes it when people do that. "Even in it's smaller stature, Asgard's army remains mighty. Even if for some reason, Heimdall didn't give us advance warning, it would take a truly terrifying force to lay siege."
Izuku turned to look up at his father, who simply smiled at him before saying, "I just want what's best for Asgard."
Any further conversation ended as the three reached a pair of massive doors. They all took a moment to gather themselves before the guards opened the doors for them. Inside was a massive room that put the banquet hall to shame. The room was multi-floored. With small sets of stairs leading to balconies. Pillars and torches lined the walls, and at the far end of the room, was the throne. A large flight of stairs led to the massive royal seat. Like everything else, it too was gold. Massive wings came out of the side turning upward to form a sort of 'U' shape, not dissimilar to Heimdall's helmet.
And on this throne, sat Odin himself. King of Asgard and protector of the Nine Realms. He was an old man now, with smooth white hair and a beard that matched in color. An eye patch covered his right eye. The armor he wore was similar to the one Thor currently wore. Dark-colored, with accents of brown and gold on the front. A long, red cape behind him and in his right hand, a sleek golden lance.
The three Asgardians walked to the base of the stairs where the throne sat. In a practiced maneuver they had each done numerous times, they pressed their right fists to their left shoulders and kneeled. "My King." They say in unison.
"Rise, my children." Slowly, they all do. The Allfather continues. "It always brings me great joy to see you all together. Izuku, you look well."
"Thank you, grandfather." Izuku loves the man but gosh darn it if he's not intimidated by him. Yes technically no one here is an actual god but Odin sure feels close. He can't even look the man in the eye. Just glances from the floor.
"And what of Midgard. Are we still part of man's myths and legends?"
"You are. You haven't been erased since you asked six months ago, grandfather."
Odin smiles. "No, and it seems that time has not erased your father's dry humor from you either."
Izuku looks up and smiles back, feeling more relaxed. "Never."
Odin himself stands. "If you don't mind, I would like to take a walk with my grandson, alone."
Thor and Loki nod, the former heads back the way they came while the latter takes a moment. "Meet me in the usual spot after." Izuku nods in confirmation and goes to walk alongside Odin to a different exit while Loki follows his brother. Odin waves off the guards that attempt to follow and they leave.
Thor Odinson leans back against the doors to the throne room and takes a shaky breath. Loki puts a firm hand on his shoulder. "Brother…"
"It always brings me great relief to see Izuku safe brother, you know this." Thor begins. "I just…I can't help…you know…"
Loki gives a reassuring squeeze. "It just makes you think of what could've been."
He had asked his brother numerous times if one of his abilities included mind reading. And despite the many reassurances he had received, it was moments like these that made him question it.
Loki's hand begins to glow, an indication he was hiding them from Heimdall. "It's not too late you know." Loki resumes. "You could go right now. I could help you. You know I have countless ways off Asgard that the gatekeeper doesn't know about-"
"Your offer for help is always appreciated brother, truly. But the decision was mine and I must live with it."
"Thor…" Loki says, frustration beginning to take hold. "That logic doesn't make sense here because you were not the only one affected by your choice. Just…I know this troubles you deeply. Promise me you'll consider my offer."
He used to be able to say no without much of a thought. But now, each passing year and every visit from his nephew made that harder. Finally, Thor relents. "Very well…I will consider."
Izuku and Odin exited the throne room and walked in what he thought was a random direction in silence for a minute before the king spoke. "So. I hear you plan to relieve me of Stormbreaker."
Izuku looks away, flushing in embarrassment. "I know you can hear me, Heimdall. We have a saying on Earth…snitches get stitches."
Odin laughs quietly. "There is no need for threats, Izuku. Just on the scale of the schemes your father has concocted, it's not very high on the list." Odin laughs once more as his little prince crosses his arms and sulks.
"Out of the treasures in my vault, why that weapon in particular?" Odin questions.
Izuku tilts his head side to side for a few seconds before answering. He debates lying but decides against it. "For the Bifrost."
"Yes, I thought so. Izuku, do you know why I locked Stormbreaker away in the first place?"
Izuku's not sure where this is going because he's pretty sure his grandfather knows that he knows why, but he'll go along with it. "In your words, for peace. After the last great war between the Nine Realms ended, you enacted laws that forbade travel between the different realms, especially for those in Asgard. Obviously, Stormbreaker offers an easy way to travel so you took it."
"Mostly correct." Odin states. "You must understand Izuku, that Asgard has a very bloody history. There are still many who see us as nothing more than conquerors. By removing the fear of invasion from the other realms, they have been allowed to flourish under their own direction. Of course, the laws state we are allowed to intervene if an outside force threatens the planet as a whole, but nothing close to that has ever occurred."
Odin gives a half-smile to the look on Izuku's face. "You don't agree." It's not a question.
"I…no. Sorry grandfather, I don't."
"That's quite alright. I know your father and uncle don't agree with it either. I swear, the only time those boys can agree on anything is if it's against me."
"It's just…" How should he word this? Odin typically has a lot more patience with him than others but still, he'd rather not push it. "I just feel that your plan is good grandfather, but only in the short term. Which is weird to say since, in this instance, the short term is in centuries." Odin nods but says nothing, allowing him to continue. "The realms can't survive forever on their own. Resources on planets are finite. Eventually, they're going to have to reach out to others for help. Also, by not letting people from the different realms interact, it could cause people to foster negative feelings about the others. People on Vanaheim can assume the worse of the people on Jotunheim and vice versa, and through the centuries, more and more people will believe until one day, when the people meet again, it could lead to violence and more wars. There's more but those are some of the reasons that stick out to me." Izuku takes a deep breath, he hadn't realized he had started mumbling. Not that it mattered to Odin since he always seems to understand him anyway. One of his favorite parts about the man.
"Thank you for speaking honestly with me, Izuku. But there's also another reason for the isolation I've called for." Odin says, waving his hand at two guards who unlock a set of doors near them. The Allfather beckons Izuku to follow down the stairs past the door. At the bottom, Odin unlocks another door himself and they end up in a dimly lit corridor, several objects lie on stands down the hallway and at the end of the hall, instead of a wall, sits a bright white light with numerous bars in front of it.
Izuku's breath hitches. 'Oh my god! This is his vault! I've never seen it before, this is so cool!' Izuku walks down the hall next to Odin, trying to take in everything he can. Some sort of blue glowing casket, a large golden glove, a giant crown of some sort, a white, blue, and red shield with a star in the middle, a red cloak draped over some kind of mannequin, and Stormbreaker!
Odin leads him past the treasures to a normal looking wall at the far end of the vault. "Grandfather?" Odin just gestures to the wall. Izuku is still confused but obliges. He puts his hand on the wall and…he can't describe it. Every one of his senses is overwhelmed at once. He can't see. He can't hear. Nothing. It's like when a surge of power is too much and a light bulb goes out, except in this case, Izuku is the lightbulb. He feels nothing and everything at the same time. After who knows how long, Izuku can see again. He's on his hands and knees panting. Sweat and tears drip off his face. His body burns like he just finished the hardest workout of his life multiplied by infinity.
After regaining some semblance of control, which isn't saying much, he looks up to see Odin watching him. "W-wha…w-what was that?" Izuku asks, barely holding back bile.
"Before I answer Izuku, let me ask you this. How does man think they developed their abilities?"
More tears stream down Izuku's face. He doesn't want to play twenty questions. He just wants to know what the hell that was and then go to sleep for a year! Odin gently lifts his grandson up from under his armpits and takes him to another side of the vault and leans his back against the wall. Izuku flinches but the wall is normal. Odin sits beside him, seemingly content on waiting.
After what could be hours, or minutes, Izuku feels his trembling hands start to still, and he's able to draw on deeper breaths. After a couple of more minutes, he finally answers. "Honestly…we don't really know? The biggest theory is that quirks are some sort of disease that was transferred from rats to humans but there's no actual evidence for it. The other theory is the quirk singularity theory but that has even less evidence somehow."
"Fascinating." Odin laments. "And I will never quite get over the word humanity chose…quirks…such a silly word." Odin gets lost in thought for a few moments. "Let me tell you my theory."
Izuku turns a bit to give his full attention.
"Centuries ago, there existed, let's call them items. These items contained power that had been around since the dawn of the universe itself. Each item possessed an immense and unique ability. One of them could grant a vast array of wishes, even those against the laws of nature itself. On it's own, it was powerful indeed, but still limited in it's reach and scale. However, when combined with another one of the items, it could easily affect change on say, a global scale. Put all the items together, and the scale is universal."
Izuku tries to digest everything he's listening too. His mind is running so fast that for once, his mouth can't keep up to mumble. He finally settles on, "s-so you're saying this…item, with the help of the others, is what gave people their quirks?…"
"I was not there to witness it myself, but I believe most likely, yes."
That's…Izuku swallows, yeah that's a lot. Until today, he still saw the threshold of power in people like All Might or his Uncle Thor but this…this was something on a completely different scale. "These…items…are they still?…"
"No. We were able to convince an ancient race known as Celestials that the power these items contained could no longer be allowed to exist. So they were taken and destroyed." Izuku can't even get his sign of relief out before Odin says, "well. Most of them."
Izuku goes cold. The connection is obvious. He stares at the wall he was previously at. Odin follows his gaze. "Yes, Izuku. One could not be destroyed. So I volunteered to keep it hidden. It's prison is made of it's own power, so only another item would be capable of breaking through."
"And since the other items were destroyed…"
"Then it should never see the light of day again. But I still rather not take chances. This isolationism makes the chances of anyone learning of the item, as minimal as can be. And so hopefully, it can stay locked away, forever. Izuku, you merely touched the wall that surrounds the prison the item is locked in. That was not even a taste of the devastation it could bring."
Izuku can only nod. He definitely should've let his body recover more before learning all of that! Right now, he can't even form proper thoughts on the situation. Well, that's wrong actually. He can form one thought. And that's to get as far away from this vault as possible.
Izuku stumbles onto the balcony near the top of the palace. Still reeling from the talk with Odin. Loki stands by the railing, hands behind his back as usual, watching the setting sun. He turns but freezes when he sees the state of his son. Loki rushes over and helps Izuku to the railing so he can lean on it for support. "Izuku, what's wrong?"
The boy says nothing, opting to lean against his dad instead, no longer holding back his tears. Every time he closes his eyes, he feels the phantom touch of the item. How small and insignificant it made him feel. He felt powerless and for once, not in control. And he knew nothing he did would ever be able to tame…whatever it was.
Loki sighs, running his fingers through Izuku's hair while he leans into his side. "Father told you what was in the vault, didn't he?" He asks softly.
Izuku stiffens before relaxing again and nodding. Loki takes a deep breath. "Don't worry, your uncle and I are aware. As well as a few select others. You can always talk to us about it." Another nod.
They stand in mostly comfortable silence for a while before the older trickster begins anew. "Izuku, did I ever tell you why, when announcing myself, I declare that I am burdened with glorious purpose?"
Izuku's mind is finally taken off the item for a moment. Had he thought about it? He hadn't. In his head, it was just something his father always said but he never really put too much thought into the words themselves. Izuku shakes his head.
"It's because, for the longest time, I didn't know what my purpose was."
Izuku is taken so off guard by the statement that his head whips up to look at Loki before he can think. In his father's green eyes, he sees more emotion than he thinks he's ever seen.
"I spent a long time just going from goal to goal. Purpose to purpose. Each time I thought, this is it. This time I truly found what I was meant to do. Only to be left disappointed and disheartened after each attempt. You know, part of me is ashamed to admit I was a bit envious of you Izuku."
"Of me?" Izuku's voice is hoarse.
Loki hums. "From the moment you could comprehend the world around you, you knew what you wanted to be. What your purpose was. To be a hero. I was envious, but also proud that you had figured out what had taken me so many years too."
"So what is your purpose dad?"
Loki gives a sad smile. "That is something that'll have to wait for the right time."
"I don't understand?"
"I know, son. But you will in time. All you need to know is that change is coming."
"A good change?" Izuku leans further into his father.
"Yes, Izuku. A good change is coming. Because no matter how people attempt to stall or run from it, change always comes." Loki watches the last of the sun's rays disappear over the horizon. "It is inevitable."
Chapter 4: It's A Promise
Shota Aizawa was having a good day. Well, good is a strong word. He was having a somewhat tolerable day. Keyword, was. He had gotten a full three hours of sleep during the day. His favorite cat cafe had a freshly brewed pot of coffee just finished when he walked in during the evening. Even the cats seemed extra affectionate today. Although he could've done without Purresent Mic meowing in his ear constantly, but it's not like that was much different from the man himself.
Patrol had started off fine as well that night. A couple of muggings, a bar fight, and a drug deal. Nothing he couldn't deal with or had to strain his eyes too badly for. No, it wasn't until he was stopping a trigger deal in some alley that it all went wrong.
Four assailants. Two were buying, and the other two were selling. As soon as he confirmed the money and trigger, he jumped down. He had the two sellers down almost immediately, landing on one and putting the other down with a well-placed elbow to the face. Predictably, the other two froze and freaked out when their quirks wouldn't come to them. In the few seconds he took to descend on them was when he noticed a fifth assailant. Apparently, one of the parties had someone waiting in the wings just in case things went bad. The man had some sort of chameleon mutation and quirk that had allowed him to blend into his surroundings.
That seemed to be all he was good for though, because he ran once he registered Shota was there. The criminal rounded the corner as Eraserhead was finishing with the men in the alley and was about to go after him when he heard a scream and a thud from the street. He tore out of the alley, quirk activated and capture weapon ready when he met what would ultimately ruin his night.
A child stood on the sidewalk, beaming at him so brightly Shota was glad he was wearing his goggles. The criminal lays on the ground in front of him, unconscious.
"Eraserhead!" The kid screams before pulling a notebook out from…somewhere. "Can I have your autograph?!"
He takes note of their surroundings to make sure they aren't in any danger before looking the kid up and down, checking for injuries. Once he's satisfied, he answers, "what happened?" He gestured to the unconscious man. "Did you do this?"
The kid pulls the notebook back and looks down. "O-oh, uh, him? No, he um, tripped. I think I must've scared him when he was running from you? Because he saw me and tripped."
Shota raises an unimpressed eyebrow. "He tripped?"
The kid nods rapidly. His wild green hair flopping everywhere with his head movements. "Yeah! Tripped!"
Shota glances back down. "So." His headache is making itself known. "He saw you. Tripped. And that caused the cut on his thigh, and his head to hit the wall hard enough to cause cracks in it?"
"Wow! You're as good as they say!"
Shota takes a long, very long breath through his nose before exhaling. He hears in his earpiece that police and medical are minutes away. He wraps the villain in his scarf and picks him up to take him back into the alley. "Go home kid." He could still salvage the night. "And don't let me catch you out here again." The kid is clearly a fan, hopefully, his word will be enough to get the kid to stop whatever it is he was planning.
The underground hero carries the last trigger dealer into the alley and sets him by the others. Relieved the kid didn't follow, Shota applies basic first aid to the man's head and checks the injuries on the others before the ambulance and police arrive. He gives a quick statement before using his capture weapon to repel himself back to the top of the building to watch the police finish up and leave.
Shota sighs, crouching down and slipping a jelly packet out of his pocket to sip on. He watches the city in thought. Well, that kid was a minor setback but overall, not the worst day. He's not sure how a, ten? Eleven? Year-old kid found him. Maybe quirk related? Ah well, it's done now so he can focus on his new class he's gotta teach in two days and-
"So about that autograph?"
Shota does not jump. No. That would imply he was scared, or gotten scared. Which he didn't. What he is, however, is confused. He turns his head to see the kid, the same kid from before, practically vibrating with excitement next to him. Notebook held out again. Shota narrows his eyes, no one had been able to sneak up on him in years. It'd be impressive in almost any other situation.
"What did I just tell you, kid?" He drawls.
"Not to let you catch me out here again!" The kid actually jumps up and down a little while answering. Yeah, his night was ruined.
"Right, so what are you still doing here?" Shota has been told his lack of patience is easily identifiable in his voice. He's hoping the kid gets it.
"Actually," the kid starts. The headache pounds harder. "You never said I had to leave. You said I just had to make sure you didn't catch me!"
Shota looks over the edge of the building. No, this fall wouldn't be enough to kill him. Shame.
"Wrong kid. The first thing I told you to do is go home. Now go, before I drag you to the nearest police station."
"But Eraser!" The kid whines. He. Is. Whining. "Home is such a subjective term! It can mean any number of places!"
Instead of answering, Shota whips his scarf at the kid, the police should let him off with a warning and he'll learn his lesson. Wrapping the scarf around his mouth will just be a bonus. But in a feat the veteran hero hasn't seen done by many, the kid moves, dodging the scarf, and standing up straight up again, holding out the notebook.
"You dodged." Shota states. Standing up and rolling his scarf back up around his neck. He pretends not to feel his knees popping as he does so.
Somehow, the kid's smile grows. "Well, I did say I wouldn't let you catch me."
Shota wants to be more upset than he is. "I don't give autographs. So just head back to wherever you live."
This burgeoning problem child has the audacity to pout. Thank god Nemuri wasn't here. She'd be putty in his hands. "But it took so long to find you…"
Another sigh. A rapidly common occurrence tonight. At least, more than usual. "Do you have a pen?" A happy gasp and the kid looks at his pocket and when he does, it was Shota's turn to move. He gets right in front of the kid before he even has a chance to look up and by the time he does, he's wrapped up with his feet off the ground. "Your reflexes are well beyond your age. But never take your eyes off a potential enemy."
While Eraserhead had been expecting some form of disappointment or begging, instead, the almost confirmed problem child was somehow even happier. "Oh my god, I'm wrapped up in the Eraserhead's capture weapon! This is one of the greatest days of my life! Wow, it's so light but strong! Carbon Fiber right? I heard there's some metal woven into the material to make it very hard to cut, is that true? Although, I'm sure the knife you have hidden on you can probably cut it right?" How does he know about that? "Would it be too much to ask you to take a picture of me like this? Or, no! Can we find someone else to take a picture of me like this with you?! Yeah, and can you have that exact scowl on your face that you have now? Please!"
The gremlin descends into a mumble storm as Shota carefully navigates their way back down to the sidewalk. He's not sure if the kid takes a breath in that time but the pro hero is making sure the scarf isn't too tight so it's probably fine.
"Enough," Shota says once they're back on the ground. It's simple, but enough to break the kid out of, whatever the hell that was. "I gave you the chance to leave, kid, now if you behave on the way to the station, they'll probably let you off light, but only if you behave? Got it?" Thankfully, mercifully, he gets a nod and they begin their walk. Well, Shota's walking while the kid just sort of dangles. It's peaceful.
"So what do I have to do to get that autograph?"
It was peaceful. Was is becoming an important word tonight. "Stay out of trouble and next time, do what I, or any pro hero, tell you to do."
"Then I'll get it?!"
"No."
The human-sized broccoli groans. "C'mon Eraserhead. There's gotta be some way. What if I can get out of this? Can I get it then?"
"I don't know what your quirk is. It would be illogical to take that bet."
"I can create illusions. And anyway you can just keep your quirk on me until we get there. I couldn't see when you'd blink. Also, does your quirk work through any glass, or are your goggles made from something special? Your scarf and hair float when you use your quirk, obviously to move anything blocking your sight, so does that mean it has some sort of minor anti-gravity quirk built into it? That would be such a cool quirk on it's own. But your stuff floating is a big tell. Couldn't you cut your hair and wear your scarf somewhere else so the villains aren't tipped off? How much weight can your quirk's side effect move? Like, how about a tennis ball or something? Would that float around your face? What about red-colored contacts? So nobody could tell when your quirk is activated with or without the goggles. Oh! What about-" a small shake breaks the kid's concentration.
It's doing nothing for Shota's full-blown migraine.
"If I give you an autograph, will you shut up and head home? Your actual home, and stay there?"
"Yes!" Now he's practically dancing in the weapon, wonderful. "Oh yes yes yes! I promise! Thank youuuuu!" Are those tears? Whatever. Shota looks up and down the street to make sure they're alone when he feels the weight the capture weapon is holding disappear. He turns around, lowering himself into a fighting stance only to see, again, the kid holding out his notebook and pen with the biggest smile on his face.
"I thought you said your quirk was illusion creation."
"I said I could create illusions. I never said it was my quirk."
Yeah. Shota needs to end this. He can feel his grip on reality slipping. He takes the notebook from the kid and sees a- god dammit, a good drawing of himself on one page and words written on the other page. At least he assumes their words.
"What language is this?" Shota asks, squinting.
The kid picks at his fingernails nervously. "It's uh, code. I like to analyze heroes but I don't want just anyone to be able to read my notes. So I code everything."
'Potential.' Shota's traitorous brain provides. But if even half the questions he could make out from the kid were accurate, maybe it wasn't that far off. He signs his name under the picture and hands it back.
The kid's hands tremble as he takes the book back. "Th-thank you. Thank you so much!" He sniffles and oh god here come the tears again.
Shota waves him off, rubbing his irritated eyes. "Yeah yeah, kid. Just make sure-" he opens his eyes and the kid is gone. What was he saying before? His grip on reality was slipping? That kid was real right? He doesn't even know if he's hopeful about that or not. But he does know one thing. He needs more coffee.
Mirai Sasaki dodges back just as his intern, Mirio Togata, shoots up from the ground. The two take a moment to steady themselves before Mirio charges forward. Mirai takes another step back, pretending to lose his footing, and throws two of his super density stamp seals in 'panic.'
Mirio activates his permeation, letting the seals pass through him. "I got you now, Sir!" He yells, aiming a fist at his mentor's face.
"Tunnel vision," Mirai says simply. Mirio has just enough time for his face to form one of confusion before Mirai's knee catches him in the gut. The UA student falls to his knees, wheezing. "You continue to improve." Mirai continues while he straightens his suit and glasses. "However, when you feel victory is assured, you gain tunnel vision in regards to your opponent. You don't consider what ways your enemy can counter you. Or, how they may be tricking you." He holds his hand out and Mirio takes it, pulling himself up and smiling.
"I'll be sure to work on it through this year, Sir!" Mirio proudly declares, pumping his fist in the air. "Besides, I wouldn't want to be known for tunneling during a fight, then people might say I'm boring!"
Mirai stares at his student for a few seconds before snorting. "Take the rest of the day off. Make sure to turn your costume in before you leave for any last-minute alterations."
"Oh, I'm good to go again if you want."
"No, you start classes tomorrow and should be well-rested. You did good work. I look forward to your sports festival this year."
Mirio's bright smile returns full force before he bows. "Thank you Sir!" The almost UA second year wave as he leaves. Mirai allows himself a small smile before returning to his office.
Slumping in his seat, All Might's former sidekick lets out a relieved sigh. It was almost time. He would use this year to continue to develop Mirio. The work studies after the boy obtained his provisional license would be a massive help. And at the end, Mirio will be more than ready for One for All. Toshinori will pass on the quirk, the country will have it's new Symbol of Peace for decades to come, and his old friend can finally retire and be safe.
Still, it helps to be prepared. Mirai picks up his phone and dials a number he hadn't in a long time. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't take long for him to get an answer. "Yeah?"
"Torino, it's Mirai."
"Heh, should've figured you'd have the guts to call before the oaf. What do you want?"
"I want you to meet my chosen successor to All Might. And I want you to help me convince Toshinori to meet him as well. The sooner the better."
"You know. Typically, the user picks their successor."
"We both know that Toshinori will wait until the last possible moment to even think about finding a successor. And by then it will be too late. Your help with convincing him and in training the boy would be appreciated."
"Yeah, I don't know Mirai…I just got a new microwave and the trains are so crowded these days, damn young people don't even offer their seats to us old folk anymore…"
Mirai pinches the bridge of his nose in exasperation. And the old man wonders why they don't call anymore. "I'll send a company car to pick you up and you can have as much Taiyaki as you can eat."
"…I'll see you tomorrow." The line goes dead.
Mission accomplished he supposes. All the pieces are in place. Sir Nighteye thinks back to last year's sports festival. To that embarrassed Mirio who lost his clothes on live television. He knows many wrote him off. But he was not one of many. Mirai knew then he had found him. Despite his poor performance at the festival, his future intern never stopped smiling.
With that smile and positive attitude, Mirai knew there was no other choice. He offered the boy an internship because of it. He would be the ninth user of One for All. Sure, if for some reason Mirio did not receive the quirk, he couldn't fathom why, then yes, he would still make an excellent hero.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day. Hopefully, he can even convince Toshinori to come so he and Mirio can start to get to know each other. No, it was all gonna work. All that would be left is for Mirio to accept.
"Why bother? I know you all want to go to the Hero track!"
Katsuki Bakugo scoffed as all the extras in the room cheered and showed off their worthless quirks. First day of his last year in middle school and he couldn't be more ready to leave. Stupid fucking extras. Most of their quirks couldn't be used for heroics, and the few that maybe could have worked, aren't going to now. They hadn't put any work into it. Unlike him.
He had been training his ass off since he could remember. Keeping his body in peak condition, studying to keep his mind sharp, and learning to use his quirk in different ways. Deku had actually been useful for quirk training when they were younger, he could really see how much damage different size explosions did to a person, at least before the fucker started to be able to pull his little disappearing act. Fucking coward.
Katsuki side-eyed the nerd in the back corner of the room. There he was, just scribbling away in one of his stalker books. Whatever. At least he had the good sense not to pretend he had a chance like the rest of these losers. Oh good, Sensei is finally starting to get back whatever little control he has over the class. Time to set the record straight.
He propped his feet on the desk. "Hey Teach." The class went silent. Good. They should hang off every word of the future number one. "Don't lump me in with the rest of these extras. I'm the real deal, but they'll all be lucky to get into the gen ed courses of any hero school."
He laughs as the class protests before Sensei mentions he's trying for UA. That shuts them all up. Finally. "I'll be doing more than trying out. Once they see me, UA is gonna be begging me to join their hero course!" The blonde steps up on top of his desk. "I've aced every mock test. I have the perfect quirk. I'm the only one here with any chance to get in. And after, I'm gonna be richer and more popular than even All Might!"
The class stares at him in awe. Good. They should get used to looking up at him, and you know what? He can't say he minds looking down at them. That's right. All of them, especially Deku, are just stones. No, not even stones. They're pebbles on his path to glory. And nothing's gonna-
"Oh yeah, Midoriya, don't you wanna go to UA too?"
Katsuki's thoughts come to a screeching halt. 'What?' He wouldn't seriously even think about applying to UA right? He knows Katsuki's going, and he has to be the only one from this shitty school to make it in. Why is Deku trying to ruin his perfect backstory? Does he think he's that much better than him?!
He drills his eyes into Deku, who's leaning his face into his hand, looking resigned to what's about to happen.
Katsuki's thoughts can't go any further before the class breaks out into laughter.
"Deku? Seriously?!"
"Nothing you make is real, how is that gonna help?"
"Card tricks can't beat villains, Deku."
"Hey, maybe he could pull Miruko from a hat and she can beat the villains for him!"
The class laughs more while Deku just sighs, tapping his pencil against his notebook. Oh, Katsuki's body can finally move. He rushes forward and slams his hand on Deku's desk, causing a small explosion. The shitty nerd doesn't move for a second before tilting his head up but leaving it in his hand. Deku gives him a small nauseating smile. "Hey, Kacchan. Here to wish me luck?"
You know, there's a small, very small part of Katsuki that wants Deku to get into the hero course. So he can have permission to kick his ass every day and explode that smirk right off his face. But the nerd not getting anywhere near UA is still preferred.
For now, he just settles on growling. "Listen up, Deku. You're just some wannabe birthday clown who'll run from the first villain he sees. You really think they'd let someone like you in when they could have me?"
"I'm sorry Kacchan but are you confused?"
"What did you just ask-"
"Are you confused? Because you know UA doesn't have to choose between us right? We don't have to compete against each other in that way. It's not like they can only accept one kid from each middle school, we can both go. I thought you said you'd been studying?" Deku throws him an even wider smile.
He's a dead man.
With a roar, Katsuki throws his fist back, ready to swing, but before he could, "that's enough Bakugo! Return to your seat." Sensei calls out. Thankfully, his training had awarded him with plenty of willpower. Since it was taking every last of it right now to hold back. He couldn't risk anything appearing on his record to hurt his chances at UA. So he'll play nice for now. At least while Sensei is here. The explosion quirk user stomps back to his desk and let the rest of the day pass him by.
Not soon enough, the day ends. Katsuki waits for the rest of the extras and Sensei to leave before storming back to Deku's desk. There he was. Smiling at some stupid shit on his phone while writing in his notebook. "Oi, Deku! We weren't done!" Katsuki goes to snatch the dweeb's notebook…only for his hand to go through an illusion of said book.
Deku stands up, his bag disappearing in a green light, and this motherfucker has the balls to sigh at him! "Your whole thing is being loud, Kacchan. I knew you were coming. Did you think I'd just let you take my book?"
Katsuki flings the desk in between them out of the way and across the room. Some extra comes up behind him. Oh, it's Long-Fingers.
"H-hey Bakugo, man. Maybe we should…"
"Shut the fuck up!" He glares back at Deku, but he wasn't even looking at him! The idiot was staring at where his desk was!
"Huh…maybe next time I should create a decoy of the desk too? But how far would Kacchan be willing to go in property damage? Should I create decoys of everyone's desks?…yeah I know they never respected mine but being a hero is about being the bigger person…no no the windows should be fine, Kacchan wouldn't let that big of an explosion inside the school…no! I'm not willing to see how far I'd have to push him to do it!…"
What. The. Fuck. Deku and his stupid fucking mumble storms that no one understands. No wonder he didn't have any friends.
"Deku!"
"W-what? Oh! Sorry, Kacchan!" He pointedly ignores the apologetic smile Deku gives him. "What were we talking about?"
He doesn't remember?! Katsuki is the future number one! Deku should be honored just to talk to him! "All you're good at is running away, Deku. You'll die at the entrance exams, and I'm gonna prove it." Katsuki's hand starts to heat up and smoke. He went to put his hand on Deku's shoulder. "Now run away and leave your little clone."
Before his hand could touch him, Katsuki felt something press against his wrist. His eyes widen at the sight of a knife that was not there before.
"How's that for running away?" Katsuki clenches his fist harder, making a sound similar to a rabid dog. "Don't worry Kacchan. You'll get the fight you want when I get into UA."
"Is that a threat?" Katsuki spat.
"It's a promise."
Red eyes met green for a few tense seconds before Katsuki pulled his hand away. The knife was already gone. He scoffs, stuffing his hands into his pockets before making his way to the door.
No. He would not let that nerd get the last word. Time to put him in his place once and for all. Katsuki stops at the door. "You know, there is a way you could be a hero." He pauses. "Just pray that you'll be born with a better quirk in your next life, and take a swan dive off the roof of the building."
Deku actually takes a step back, his face falling. Good. He gets it. Katsuki leaves without another word.
He did it. The nerd seemed to finally understand. No way he applies to UA now. He should feel satisfied with his victory.
So why didn't he?
'Why would he say that?' Izuku Midoriya shakes his head while walking home. Why would Kacchan go that far? Was this his fault? Had he pushed his old friend too far? He knew he could be annoying at even the best times but still…did he really want him to die?
Izuku's way home takes him through a tunnel. No no he couldn't have actually wanted him to jump off a building. Sure, he and Kacchan hadn't exactly gotten along for years but this was different. Did he not want him to go to UA that bad? Why? He wasn't that irritating right? It couldn't be that Kacchan…actually saw him as a threat, right? Ha, no. That'd be ridiculous. So, what-
I
"Get back here!"
Izuku's train of thought is derailed by a shout from outside the tunnel. The teen looks up to see someone small running at him from the other end. A child, he realizes. A girl. She stops in front of him and for the second time that day, Izuku's green eyes meet another person's red. But while Kacchan's were full of anger, hers show nothing but fear.
Izuku raises his hands, trying to show her that he means no harm. Giving his best smile, he says, "are you-"
"Hey!"
The girl squeals in terror, flinging herself onto him, clinging tightly. She's trembling. Izuku looks up to see, what he assumes is a man from his build, standing at the end of the tunnel. Most of his body is covered by a black cloak and he wears some sort of plague doctor mask over his face. Well if that doesn't scream bad guy.
"Thanks for finding my boss' kid." The man says. "We'll be taking her back now."
'We?'
"Yeah, give her to one of us and you're free to go kid." The voice comes from behind him. Izuku turns his head to see another man, dressed the same way as the first, blocking the other end of the tunnel. The man behind him looks down. "Oh shit, look at his shoes! He's a quirkless!" The man laughs a little. "You can understand us, right?"
The first man laughs too. "Oh right! I heard most of them can't even talk! Good point!"
Izuku gently places his hands around the girl. "I can understand you. Just. Fine." Izuku says, his voice low.
"Whatever you say." The first man replies, still laughing a little. "Well, the deal still stands. Give her up and you can leave. Though I almost feel bad for letting you go, a worthless life sounds like hell to me."
Izuku's mind quickly flashed through his early years, back before he could use any of his powers. How just him suggesting he could be a hero while everyone thought he was quirkless got him beaten up, got him secluded, got him burned.
He wouldn't trade his powers for anything but dang it, he knows he could've been a hero without them. Sure, no one believed in him and it had never been done before, but he could have! At least he's pretty sure…
Izuku opens his mouth to respond but a soft, broken voice stops him. "Please…" Izuku looks down. The girl is somehow holding him even tighter. "Please…don't go…"
Izuku takes a second to get a good look at her. Raggedy clothes. Bluish, off-white hair. A small horn on her forehead. And, oh god, bandages on her arms. She couldn't be older than five.
Determination courses through his body as Izuku takes a breath. "I'm not going anywhere." He says to her. "I promise."
A nearby manhole cover began to stir.