‘Not all men are born equal, that was the sad truth I had to learn at the age of four. It was something that no kid should learn so early, yet I did. I remember the day I learned that sad truth like it was yesterday…’
“Kaachan stop please, you’ve done enough!” I yelled back then, standing up to Kaachan and putting on a brave face even as I stood there, quivering in my sneakers. I didn’t understand why my best friend was bullying others, but I knew I had to stop him. After all, heroes never bully others! They’re supposed to save others with a smile!
“Why’s that Deku? Don’t you get it? I have to show him that I’m the best! That’s what the teacher said to me today!” Right after that I saw him slam his fists together with a crackle which made me more scared. That’s right, that’s how this all started, when Kaachan got his quirk he started acting differently. The teachers started praising him and his behavior began to change.
“But Kaachan, All Might wouldn’t do this! He would yell “I am here!” and help people not bully them!” I tried to reason with Kaachan, but instead he just froze, his face becoming blank.
And then he smiled at me with a devilish grin that shook me to the core. I was immobile, completely frozen where I stood.
“You don’t get it Deku, he’s the number 1 hero because he wins every fight just like I am! Oh, by the way that reminds me of something I almost forgot so thank you Deku.” Kaachan said before he made a pose and shouted, “It’s going to be alright because I am here!” And with that cry he chased forward with his new friends and attacked me.
I remember closing my eyes in pain, shedding tears. I couldn’t fight back even if I wanted to. I was too scared and more importantly, I still regarded Bakugou as my best friend. I couldn’t hurt him even if I wanted to. Maybe I would have won if I could smile but I was so scared that I couldn’t.
That’s what I thought until I woke up to myself staring at the sky trying to figure out how this all went wrong. That’s right, it wasn’t just him getting his quirk, it was also the fact that no one believed in my quirk. They thought it was too weird, too odd to be real, simply imagination from the head of a quirkless kid trying to warp reality and play pretend. I want to prove it’s real. I can see it in my own mind, but no one believes me let alone trusts me enough to try it.
Ten years later…
Just like that ten years of hell came for me. No one ever believed that I had a quirk and even now I was starting to doubt it. Mom believed in me but for whatever reason it never worked on her. I also tried it on Kaachan and my classmates, but it didn’t work. Hell, even the quirk registrar has me listed as “Quirkless” so for all intents and purposes I am quirkless.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they also listed me as mentally insane , Izuku thought with a weary sigh, staring at the blackboard. Today the class was going over the career aptitude tests when Mr. Yuna instead threw the sheets in the air as he shouted how they were all planning on going to the hero course. Prompted by their teacher’s enthusiasm, the entire class, minus Midoriya started showing off all their powers while cheering.
“Isn’t that illegal to use your powers freely, especially in a teaching environment not focused on quirks,” Izuku muttered under his breath, watching one of my classmates stretch his eyeballs. It always grossed him out when he did that and to be honest, he was fine being labeled as insane instead of having his eyes sometimes pop out of skull, whenever someone smacked the back of his head. His attention shifted when he heard Kaachan start to give his same old speech again.
“He really is lucky,” Izuku watched him hop on the table and continue his speech about how he was going to UA and going to be number 1. He was one of the lucky ones, born with a good quirk, natural fighting instinct, a sharp mind, he was made to be a hero. Sadly, not everyone was as lucky as he was.
“Midoriya is also applying to UA as well,” The teacher said at the end of Kaachan’s speech. There in that split second, Izuku watched the grin on Bakugou’s face turn blank. He groaned, already anticipating being on the receiving end of Katsuki’s hostility because the teacher couldn’t keep his big mouth shut. And like clockwork, Bakugou didn’t disappoint in trying to destroy his belongings, namely his recent hero analysis notebook. Izuku barely managed to save his book and himself from Bakugou’s blast, his desk, obliterated and the class laughing at his expense as Bakugou railed into him about being a quirkless loser.
If only my quirk was actually useful , Izuku frowned, getting up from the floor as he gathered his belongings and tried to pick up what was left of his dignity. Maybe then I wouldn’t be a Deku.
zzz
Izuku once again was making his way home from school. Carrying a burnt notebook cooked medium well and a depressed aura on his back he followed his path with a blank mind. It was an everyday thing that Bakugou gave Izuku hell but it hit deeper this time. Bakugou managed to get his hands on his hero analysis book and burnt it into a crisp. He always tried to hide it or put it away in his backpack before he got bullied so he could make sure it was safe but he kept it out too long as he was trying to write some extra notes about Mount Lady’s debut and Kamui Woods’ latest moves. Unfortunately, it found its way into Bakugou’s hands, becoming burnt and tossed out the window.
The worst was Bakugou telling him, “ Jump off the roof and maybe you’ll get that quirk you imagined you stupid loony .” He tried not to think about it too much.
Deku cursed the fact that he was born with this quirk . He remembered waking up one day when he was four, walking up to his mom when he saw next to her was a holographic panel, floating in his vision that said “Recruit?”. He told his mom about it and he asked what he should do. Inko told him to try to do it and see what happens but nothing occurred. Worried, they went to the quirk doctor in the nearby hospital to try and see what it all meant but that’s when the doctor told him that Deku had no quirk. It shocked the boy because he saw the recruit prompt pop up several times and each time he told the doctor, he waved it off telling his mom that “The boy is playing too many video games”.
That was the start of it, the beginning where no one believed him, and he was simply seen as quirkless and pitiful. He could recall crying watching a video of his favorite hero, All Might, going and saving over a hundred lives and with tears he asked his mom, “Can’t I be a hero just like him? Just like All Might Mom? Even if I have a quirk that no one believes in?”
But she didn’t say the words he needed to hear. She didn’t give him the reassurance and encouragement he needed to hear instead he saw the tears come down his mother’s face as she rushed to him simply saying “I’m sorry,” over and over again.
But with a deep breath and a shake of his head to rid the bad thoughts Izuku proudly waved his notebook and laughed just like his hero would. It wouldn’t do him any good to dwell on the past, so stomping his way through the tunnel Izuku made his way home. That was until he heard the sound of metal shifting. Pausing, Izuku slowly turned to see the manhole cover opened, revealing nothing there but slime. That’s when it surrounded his vision as he heard someone shout, “A perfect cover for myself!”
Midoriya tried to shout, tried to scream as he felt the slime enter his mouth and make its way down his throat. He shed tears desperately trying to claw it away to no avail. Please I need a hero ! Someone please save me ! Anyone …
Just as his vision started to go black he saw someone jump out of the manhole cover and blast the slime villain away with a shout of “TEXAS SMASHHHHHH!!!”
“All Might?” Deku managed to whisper before passing out.
zzz
“Boy hey boy wake up! Wake up! Wake-oh looks like your up!” A voice boomed.
As Deku’s vision came to him his eyes widened as he saw just who was slapping his face and now laughing his heart out, “All Might!” With a scream he scurried up and started to make himself look decent for his idol.
“Sorry about that young man! Didn’t mean to get you wrapped up in my justicing! Usually I’m better at tracking down the villains but who knew this sewer system was actually a maze HAHAHA!” All Might shouted before he showed off the captured villain in soda bottles “However I must thank you for your assistance in helping me capture this slippery villain!”
Izuku meanwhile was busy doing breathing exercises to calm down and not hyperventilate. . .it wasn’t working but he did remember to pick up his notebook to ask for a signature when he saw the number one hero’s signature already written there.
“AHHH THANK YOU! IT’LL BE A TREASURE! NO! A FAMILY HEIRLOOM PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION! I’LL MAKE SURE THAT THEY KEEP IT IN PRISTINE CONDITION FOR THE END OF TIME!!!!” Midoriya shouted as he bowed over and over to his idol.
“Sounds Good!” All Might said with a thumbs up. “Now young man, while I would love nothing more than to talk with you, I must bring this criminal over to the authorities! Remember to stay out of trouble!”
Izuku paused as there were so many questions he wanted, no he had to ask his idol. He couldn’t let him walk away now without the answer he needed. He was the only hope he had left, that kept him going even with all the insults and teasing, he dealt with everyday.
“Thank you again for your continued support! Remember if something happens, report it to the authorities!” With that, All Might leapt into the air racing through the sky. He realized that there was some extra weight and saw holding on to his leg was the young fan from just before.
“What are you doing! I love my fans but don’t you think this is a bit much!? Get Off!”
“I can’t we’re flying! If I do, I’ll die! Plus I need to ask you an important question!”
“Oh, huh you’re right. Well then hold on young man!” All Might shouted as he continued to soar through the sky eventually landing on a nearby building. However, as he was flying, he felt a little bit of blood seep through his mouth. Shit I thought I had more time. Guess I’m almost at my limit .
After dropping the boy off, All Might prepared to jump. “I know you must have some important questions for me but please ask another time! I must get this villain to the police before it’s too late!”
“Wait All Might I have to know!” Izuku shouted with a hand raised towards his hero
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“No time I must go! I apologi-”
“Is it possible to be a hero when no one believes your quirk exists!” Izuku shouted, closing his eyes afraid of what he might see or hear from his hero.
All Might paused. He heard many things from fans said to him but this. Well he never heard this before. Turning around he looked at the young man more closely, trying to see if he was lying. He was standing there rigid, eyes shut tight and shaking almost whimpering. He saw a few marks on the boy’s fist that were clenched so tightly that his knuckles almost went white. Just as he was about to respond he coughed, and he felt himself weaken, Fuck I ‘m out of time . Alright then here we go Toshi . All Might suddenly reverted to his true form.
“I…I know it might sound strange or dumb. But I’ve been told that my quirk isn’t real, that no one thinks it exists, not the doctors, not my mom, or my frie-classmates. They see me as quirkless but I know it’s real. I just can’t prove it and I know I sound insane bu-” Deku spoke with passion in his voice trying to convey all the years he had to deal with this burden. This issue in his life that couldn’t be solved no matter what he tried or did and as he started to open his eyes his mouth fell open.
Standing in front of him was not his idol but some man that looked like bones.
“All Might? No no it can’t be it has to be an-an imposter! Who are you villain!” Izuku shouted as he looked around with fear in his eyes.
Sighing, All Might took a seat, “Take it easy kid I’m All Might. This is my true form. I don’t show it off to the press, so no one knows my true form. The one you see running around is when I use my power to flex into the form you know.”
Deku’s eyes widened as he heard his idol speak to him, not daring to say a word instead focusing on every ounce of his being to listen.
Taking another deep breath, All Might then lifted up his shirt showing a wound that looked like it should have killed him, “I got wounded five years ago in an intense fight that almost ended my life. It’s why now my powers collapse on me and I can’t maintain my form anymore.”
“But wasn’t that when you fought against Toxic Chainsaw? It was an easy fight for you I thought?” Izuku said not fully understand what he was hearing and seeing.
The man gave a chuckle, “It seems like you do your research but no that was a cover story so I could continue on my role as a symbol of peace. After all, if the villains found out that I was wounded so severely then they would rise up again. I had to cover it for the sake of everyone.” All Might then grunted as he got up from the railing to make his way to the door, “To be frank, young man no, I don't think you can be a hero. I’m not sure just what your supposed quirk is but even if you do have it, if you can’t use it in any tangible fashion then you would be a sitting duck for the villains. Rather than being a hero you could go into another line of work involving being a hero like a police officer or a lawyer. They don’t get the same spotlight, but they do just as much work as us heroes. Now I’m sorry but please have a good day. I have to get this villain to the police. Oh, and keep all of this between us I would appreciate it,” All Might then opened the door and walked through it.
With that Deku was left alone. His head was spinning from the entire conversation he couldn’t believe what was shared to him and what was told. Mind running on autopilot he made his way downstairs ready to go home and wake up from this nightmare.
zzz
Finding himself in a daze, Midoriya was looking at his notebook flipping through the pages. He went through hero after hero that he has drawn and written notes but in the back of his mind, he heard it. He heard all the voices telling him he can’t be a hero, that he was insane, that he had no chance at all of achieving what he wanted.
“Maybe they are right.” Deku said as he finally reached the page with All Might’s signature. That’s when he heard a boom and looked up.
He saw smoke rising from the nearby shopping center. A villian attack !? I got to go run over so - oh that’s right, it’s not like any of this will be useful to me. Deku thought to himself as he made his way over to the site. He guessed to himself that he just went here on autopilot and while a part of him just wants to walk home, it was simply too ingrained into him to analyze the heroes in action and see what was going on so making his way over to the crowd he looked and what he saw made his blood freeze.
There he saw the slime villain that tried to take over his body. “Wait a second how is he here!? I thought All Might had him captured, I even saw him put it…into...his pants.” Izuku said out loud before he realized that HE was the reason the slime villain was there.
I held on to his pants, I was so desperate for answers that I couldn’t leave him and look what happened because of my selfishness . Deku thought hands over his mouth trying to hold back the scream of anguish.
“Where’s All Might?”
“Why can’t the heroes do something about this? Isn’t that why they’re being paid?”
“Stop standing there and do something!” The crowd was getting riled up as they saw the heroes fail to apprehend the villain and instead was trying to take care of the collateral damage.
I’m sorry everyone but don’t worry a hero will come . Deku thought to himself, staring at the villain. Not noticing to the side, stood All Might grasping onto the light pole to catch his breath
No, I can’t believe I let a villain go free I’m so sorry . All Might thought to himself as he stared helplessly at the scene.
Please hold on I’m sorry please survive ! Izuku screamed in his mind seeing the villain wrap its body over someone. He could see them struggling.
I’m pathetic there’s nothing I can do here ! All Might berated himself grasping at the pole tighter.
I’m worthless. I can’t believe I did this to someone ! Deku thought as he saw the slime moving apart for a brief second. In that second, he saw his classmate Bakugou staring at him with eyes that were screaming for help and without a thought, Midoriya raced towards him.
“What the hell is that kid doing, stop him!” Izuku heard someone yelling in the background but he couldn’t stop!
The villain looked at the newcomer and sneered, “Back for more boy!?”
What do I do, what do I do !? Think, think right ! Page twenty-five ! Deku’s mind raced. Moving on instinct, Deku slid his bag before throwing it at the slime villain’s eyes, yelling, “Take this!”
“Fucking brat!” The slime yelled in pain as it recoiled from his eyes getting hit. It then allowed Bakugou to breath as a result of that.
“Deku what the hell are you doing here!” Bakugou yelled while gasping for air.
“I don’t know! My legs just started moving before I could think!” Izuku yelled in response while trying to shovel the slime away. Izuku’s mind started replaying all the scenes again of him getting beat up and shoved down by everyone around him. He heard the jeers and insults and while tears were welling up in his eyes one thought rang true and against all the other thoughts, “Kaachan I couldn’t just sit there and see you die!”
The response rang loud and true as it stunned all the heroes and the crowd. For one person in particular it hit his very being. That kid, how, how could I be so foolish to him when he’s out there giving it his all to save someone? Without a power to even defend himself to boot !
“Touching story kid but end of the line!” The villain screamed before whipping a tendril at him.
Closing his eyes Deku waited for the pain but that’s when he heard a voice, “I really am pathetic.” Opening his eyes, Deku couldn’t believe that standing before him was All Might blocking the blow for him. “Here I was telling you not to be a hero, but I see that I’m simply not living to my ideals. I believe it’s time I changed that!”
With a roar of “TEXASSSS SMASHHHHH!!!” All Might blew the villain away while holding onto the two young boys.
And that’s when everything changed for Izuku Midoriya. That’s when he finally was found by someone who believed in him.
zzz
After everything was settled down and the villain was handed over to the police the heroes proceeded to berate Izuku for being reckless. On the other hand, some of the other heroes were talking to Bakugou asking him to intern at their agency and to be his sidekick, once he went pro. However, before Izuku left some of them whispered to him that while it was reckless it was heroic of him to do something. That did manage to help cheer him up a bit, but it didn’t change the reality of the situation.
Thinking about the entire day he was wondering how he was going to explain everything to his mom. He was also considering sending a message to All Might’s fan site to apologize for today when he heard someone shout, “Hey Deku!” Turning around, he saw Bakugou running over to him. Catching his breath, Bakugou glared at Izuku.
“Listen I didn’t need your help, got it!? A loser like you did nothing at all and I was fine so don’t you dare for a second think that you’re better than me and can look down at me! Got that!” And with that Bakugou proceeds to turn, leaving a confused Izuku in his wake.
“Well then I mean I guess he isn’t wrong about that. I should start looking at more realistic options.” Izuku thought to himself but that’s when he heard.
“I am here!” All Might shouted dashing in front of Deku.
“All Might! What are you doing here!? How did you get away from the reporters!?” Izuku shouted, looking around trying to see if there were any hidden reporters.
With a booming laugh, All Might looked at the young man, “HAHAHA I stand for justice not soundbites! Because I, I am All-” And with a poof came out All Might’s true form gushing blood making Izuku scream in shock.
After a couple of coughs All Might turned to look at the young man standing before him, “Young man I came here today with thanks, an apology, and a revised answer from the question you gave me earlier today. If you didn’t run in there, I would have been nothing more than a liar hiding in the crowd in shame.”
“But it was my fault sir. I think I am the reason that villain managed to escape from you in the first place.” Izuku said, trying to deny the praise. After all, why would the number one hero praise a nobody like him?
“Young man who has nothing, no usable quirks, no support gear, nothing, runs in there to give it his all. It inspired me to remember my roots. When I saw you run in there it reminded me of something. There are stories of top heroes, of how they became great, and they all had one trait they shared in common. Their bodies moved before they had a chance to think, before they had a moment to consider the dangers, nothing mattered to them except for one thing. To save the person in need in front of them.” As All Might spoke the words hit Deku each one weighing down on him making his knees buckle. But it wasn’t from pain, no this time it was because of a much different feeling. Flashbacks of his mother apologizing to him raced through his mind as he held onto his chest. Trying to hold back the tears.
“And today that’s what happened to you wasn’t it?” All Might said looking at the young man before him.
You never told me mom. The words that I wanted to hear, the words I NEEDED to hear ! I needed someone, anyone to say those words to me ! Izuku thought, having collapsed to his knees.
“Young man, you can be a hero.” After he heard those words the tears freely flowed as Izuku cried to the heavens. Finally! After all these years, finally after all those insults, finally after all those beatings, he found someone who believed in him. Someone who cared.
After giving Izuku some time to let out the feelings he had bottled inside himself, All Might spoke again, “Now young man I have another question to ask for you.”
And with that question led Izuku starting his journey to becoming the number one hero and more importantly the new symbol of peace.
zzz
After talking over to All Might about their plan to meet up, Izuku went home to his crying mother. Once she finished drying the tears from her face, he told her about his new trainer and how he was planning to become a hero. “Mom I know it was scary seeing me out there but please know that next time I’m out there, you won’t have to be scared because I’ll be much stronger.” Izuku said with a smile as his mother looked at him.
Inko was about to retort saying how she couldn’t let her son be out there putting himself in danger, how he didn’t even have a quirk to defend himself with, but then she saw it. She saw his emerald eyes shining with a fire of determination. A fire that soothed her soul and screamed to her that it truly will be okay. Giving a nod she saw her son’s smile become even wider as he hugged her again in joy.
After bringing his mother to bed so she could rest from today’s activities, Izuku went to his room after showering to go change and get ready for bed. He had to wake up early but before he did, he had to write in his quirk analyst notebook. After all he got to see his idol in person and up close! As he was humming to himself writing he paused as he noticed something while he was racing in to save Kaachan. His quirk highlighted Kaachan and said recruit but he simply ignored it as his mind was racing with thoughts about trying to survive. Also it didn’t help that he had tried to recruit Kaachan when they were younger and nothing happened so he didn’t even bother to try. Turning to a new page he started writing down details about his quirk, trying to see if he can figure out more about it.
---(Izuku’s Notebook)---
Quirk - “???” - No name for now since I know nothing about it. More info will be here when I’m able to “recruit” someone.
Description - Can only be seen by me when I focus on someone, they are highlighted, and a text box pops up and says “Recruit?” almost similar to a video game. However, every time I have tried nothing has occurred to show that I have actually recruited anyone. I have tried with Mom, Kaachan, and the doctor but all have ended in failures. Need to try out on others and see if I can find the conditions where it works.
Usages - Currently unknown but recruit lead me to believe I’ll be leading them in some way or supporting them? Maybe the quirk is a support type one? More info needed when I manage to “recruit” someone.
Closing his notebook, Izuku gave a yawn as he stretched. He’ll have to put more effort and research to try and find out about his quirk. Maybe I’ll ask All Might to see if any of his friends know anything about it ? and with that, Izuku fell asleep thinking about the future and the hope it carries for him.