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musicfeedsmysoul12 · 11 months ago

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Pulling on the Strings of Destiny: Act 2 Chapter 19

Summary: Four days pass for Japan, and everyone is on edge. They wonder, and wait. What will happen next for them? Will Midoriya keep rising? What sort of things would she face. They all turned towards the screens, wondering. None more so then the future class 1-A, more so as they get a glimpse into their first sports festival, first internship and their final exams. Watch as Midoriya’s future continues to unfold, as she learns more about her family, society and herself.

Warnings: References to underage pregnancy and the assualt of a minor. References to child harm. Toga Himiko to, she is her own warning.

On Ao3

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The break right after everything was very loud, with people talking about what they had just witnessed occurring. They were in awe at the fight between Midoriya and Todoroki, everyone talking about how they’d looked.

“That sort of power!” An office worker named Kanjo Nioi said, his arms raised as his nose sniffed the air. Being able to smell emotions was difficult at the best of times, but he loved it. It helped cue him in about the thoughts of others.

“They’re going to go far,” his cubicle neighbour agreed. Koichi Hotaru leaned back in his chair. “They also need to work on damage control as suggested.”

“Eh, heroes,” Nioi said. “They always make messes.”

“But that amount? If both went all out, nothing would be left,” argued Koichi.

“Okay, point, but it’s gotten to the point where, frankly, as long as no bodies are lying around, do we care about the damage?” Nioi asked. “I mean, if it isn’t our places that got trashed, I mean.”

“Well, no, but dude, I don’t want more property damage,” Koichi sighed. “Society needs to stop putting so much focus on the flashy side of heroics. We don’t need more property damage.”

“...I guess. Wish we had more fights like that, though, that was awesome.”

“Just watch this; I have a feeling things are going to get messy,” Koichi muttered. “Especially with the bomb kid.”

“Oh yeah, man, that kid is a bit nuts. I thought he was a cool guy after the USJ, but this? How can you just attack someone because they beat you? And claim it’s cheating?” Nioi shook his head. “Mental.”

Many others agreed with that statement, including Mitsuki as she pinched her nose. Katsuki responded, after his shock, with anger at the idea he would be getting a third strike.

“He cheated!” Katsuki screamed. “It wasn’t a fair fight if he-”

“Is it a fair fight when you have explosions for hands, and he doesn’t?” Masaru’s voice asked. He had come up to his son’s room to listen in and wasn’t pleased. “Is it fair you have training we paid for so you can use your Quirk effectively? Is it fair that you are stronger and faster than a lot of kids?”

“It’s not the same!” Katsuki insisted.

“How isn’t it, Katsuki, tell me? Because he didn’t fight? He did. He fought the same way you do, with his Quirk. You just hate it because it doesn’t match your worldview, and you lost. If this is your answer to the idea someone can be better than you, and we already know you apparently threw fits about not being top in English, how can we trust you not to be the next Endeavour?!” Masaru demanded of his son. Katsuki stared at his father in shock, turning to his mother, who shook her head.

“Don’t look at me, I can’t trust you.” Mitsuki told Katsuki. “More so since your thoughts on Izumi sure show you would only be after her since she can have strong kids. How is that different?”

“I’m not after her just because of that!” Katsuki shouted.

“Wait, you’re still interested?” Mitsuki realized, staring at her son. “Are you serious?” Katsuki just glared back. Masaru sighed.

“So we can’t trust you not to become the next Endeavour,” Masaru said. Katsuki looked to his father in dismay.

How could he think that? He wasn’t Endeavour who beat his wife and kids! He was fucking Bakugou Katsuki, the next number one hero! He was the best! He wasn’t some loser so obsessed with winning he’d fuck everyone else over!

(Katsuki ignored that Shinsou did the same as he did, trying his best with what he had. He ignored the fact that he was very much in the wrong. It was easier to focus only on his anger and the feeling of betrayal his father gave him.)

Katsuki was the best of the best. The future number one hero, the strongest hero of all time. He did not lose, not to some Eyebags fucking idiot who couldn't get into the hero course! Katsuki was not the next Endeavour; he had a reason to be so angry! The fucker cheated! He cheated! It wasn't a fair fight. Hell, it wasn't a fight at all.

“Being a hero is about beating villains!” Katsuki shouted at his parents angrily. “It's not fucking fair!”

“He won fair and square; you just don't want to admit it, Katsuki.” Mitsuki sighed, not wanting the same argument again right after finishing the first one. Masaru shook his head, deciding to go a different way.

“Not to mention you attempted to attack a fellow student outside of a match.” he frowned. “If we’re lucky, it'll just be a strike. You could be expelled for that.”

“What?!” Katsuki stared at his father in shock, unable to believe it. No, no, that wasn't… no!

They wouldn't! He was Bakugou Katsuki, future number one! They wouldn't do that! He knew they wouldn't!

He'd be apologized to when Nezu saw the truth. After all, the fucker cheated! Okay, maybe the attack was an issue, but he was angry! It was Katsuki’s right to put Eyebags in his place!

… okay maybe not. Thinking about it, the whole thing was bad to do on TV. He kind of got why they were mad about the PR issue. And maybe the physical stuff.

The future would show Katsuki in the right, though. This wasn't the end. It couldn't be the end; he knew he was right. He had to be. He'd been right about Auntie, after all.

He would prove himself. He would be shown with Nezu agreeing that Eyebags cheated. He would be on top. He would! He was destined to be the best of the best!

He would not fail that. He’d show them all, and later on, he would get Deku. It was the perfect hero story.

-0-

Entering the school, Shouta was alerted to something on his phone, frowning as he looked at it. “Apparently, Fatgum saved a kid who ran off from an abusive situation and got inspired by Limitless.” he nodded to Izumi, who flushed.

Was she already inspiring people? Wow.

“Aww sounds cute,” Hizashi said, grinning at his husband. “Let’s go meet the kid then!”

“Might help, kid’s nervous,” Shouta said. Izumi followed the adults as Tomoe buried her head into Izumi’s neck, obviously tired of everything.

The walk to the principal’s office felt long for some reason, and Izumi grew more nervous with each step. Would the girl like her? Was this her first fan? What was it?

Reaching the office, the door opened instantly to reveal Nezu serving tea to Fatgum and Amajiki while a little girl with silver hair ate a cookie. The door opening had startled the child, causing her to jump up and turn. Her eyes widened.

“Limitless!” the girl said in awe, her eyes shining. Izumi smiled back as her as Tomoe lifted her head upon hearing a child. The girls stared at each other before Tomoe pointed at the girl.

“Pretty!” she smiled, and the girl blushed.

“You're pretty too!” the girl exclaimed, and Tomoe beamed happily.

Izumi decided then and there that she liked this child.

“I Tom-o!” Tomoe introduced herself.

“I'm Eri.” the girl said.

“Eri!” Tomoe giggled. She yawned, blinking. She didn't want to sleep, but she was so tired. She wanted to know Eri better cause she was beautiful, and her horn was so cool, as was the girl's shimmering hair. She really liked it!

“I’ll be here if you need to nap!” Eri said nervously. Tomoe nodded and rested her head back down. Mama would make sure Eri stayed around; she liked the girl.

“It's nice to meet you, Eri,” Izumi told the child, who blushed, looking down. “I hear you escaped a bad man.”

“Like Limitless,” Eri whispered. Izumi smiled, nodding.

“Yeah, like me,” she said.

The adults in the room watched as Izumi gently spoke to Eri, eventually sitting beside her on a chair with Tomoe dozing away. Shouta looked at Hizashi, who grinned.

They would have to figure out where Eri could go now. Their apartment wasn't that big.

Meanwhile, Eri was trying not to panic. This was Limitless and Tomoe! They were so nice! Limitless was smiling at her and talking to her and…

Eri didn’t know how to react. It felt so nice and made her feel warm, like the tea that Mr. Nezu had given her. It wasn’t like the tea Overhaul had at his place, bitter and tasting a bit weird. It was delicious, and Mr. Nezu said it was apple cinnamon tea, which Eri was so shocked about. Apples could be tea?

Limitless gave her the same warm feeling. A buzzy thing that made her feel safe. Limitless would be able to save her and be there for her. Eri just knew it.

(She was worried about the two men with Limitless, but they seemed nice on the screen. Maybe they would be nice to Eri, too? She liked them… perhaps they would.)

“So, Eri, can you tell us more about where you were?” Nezu asked the girl. Eri winced, deflating a bit, but she glanced at Izumi, making the girl lift her head.

“Yes. His name is Overhaul. He says… he says my Quirk is a curse,” the little girl told the principal. “He… he wants to use me to make other Quirks go away.” The girl swallowed. “Like I made Daddy go away.”

“What happened?” Izumi asked the child. “With your Daddy.”

“He… my horn was glowing, and he grabbed me cause I was scared, but he started shrinking until he was my size and then smaller and…” Eri burst into tears, unable to continue as she shook her head. “Daddy…” Izumi looked panicked, glancing at Tomoe in her arms, but Hizashi stepped in. He knelt before Eri, making a soft whistling noise that distracted the child.

“Hey, focus on me,” he said gently. “It’s okay.”

“Daddy-“

“It’s okay, Eri. Accidents happen. I deafened my Mother,” Hizashi said gently. “I know other people who hurt others badly with their Quirks to when they first activated, including killing them. You’re a child, Eri. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Mommy told me it was. She left me with Grandpa and Overhaul,” Eri whispered.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Hizashi repeated. Eri began crying again, putting her cup down and reaching out to Hizashi, who didn’t hesitate to hug her. Shouta hid his smile in his scarf.

Hizashi was always good with child victims.

“Overhaul is part of that Yakuza group Nighteye is looking into,” Fatgum said lowly. “I think he’s the leader after the old one just happened to end up in a coma,” he looked at Nezu after the last line. The stoat grinned in response. He’d do his hacking later, but he would figure out what exactly happened.

“Mirio umm…” Amajiki squeaked, coughing before pressing on. “Mirio said he’d heard that they were dealing with Trigger. Not Quirk suppressants…”

“It’s temporal,” Izumi said out of nowhere. She was squinting at Eri, who was finishing her crying into Hizashi’s arms. “Your Quirk Eri, it’s temporal.”

“Huh?” Eri asked.

“You said he got small? You… deaged him.” Izumi nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing in thought. “Making someone smaller isn’t the same as fading someone out of a plane of existence or that. Plus, if he was using you… oh umm…” she coughed, shaking her head. “It’s a lot of info and grown-up kiddo. You wanna hear it?” Eri bit her lip before shrugging.

“I overheard a lot of stuff to grown-up some maids said,” Eri said. “Like how Overhaul has a Quirkless kink? He likes you a lot, and the others thought it bad touch creepy? Rappa said that. And said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to fucking follow a fucking rapist.” Eri frowned. “What does that mean?”

Izumi’s face had gone pale. She stared at Eri in horror before she swallowed, shaking her head. “A rapist is what Yamanaka was to me, how he hurt me. And the rest is adult stuff I do not want to talk about with you.” She admitted.

“Okay. What does temporal mean?” Eri asked, eager to avoid thinking of Overhaul as she stayed in Hizashi’s arms.

“It means time based… ish? I don’t know the actual definition, but it’s related to time. I think you reverse time on things which…” Izumi hesitated.

The pro-heroes knew what she would say, though. That was big. That sort of Quirk was incredibly rare; add in with the fact that it worked on people? If Eri could control it, there wasn’t a doubt the child would become an incredible healer if she chose to. But there were the dangers.

Trafficking. Quirk marriage proposals. Forced recruitment into gangs or even by the Commission if they chose.

Hizashi glanced up at Shouta, who nodded. They had even more reason to take Eri in then and the ability to protect her if things went to hell. And they would protect her. She was so young, and having this on her shoulders…

They would protect her.

“I like time,” Eri said softly. “I… Overhaul doesn’t care what I watch, but he hates new stuff, so it’s all old stuff like Doctor Who…”

“Oh!” Izumi smiled. “I watch the old episodes too.” It was the only show that still had original episodes that were findable. The joke was that the Doctor had come to make it happen, and Izumi half hoped it was true. “The new seasons are good too.” There was no focus on Quirks; rather, the Doctor was the star without a Quirk, though given he was an alien, the debates from the fandom got loud.

“I like the Lady Doctor, but I like others too,” Eri said.

“Ooh, the original female Doctor? She’s cool. They had a recent female play the role,” Izumi said to Eri, who smiled happily up at Izumi.

“I’ve always enjoyed the Tenth,” Hizashi said, looking at Shouta, who sighed.

“I like the Thirtieth.”

“You just like that 'cause they have a talking cat in the show.” Hizashi accused.

“And?” the group laughed, with Fatgum quietly reporting things to Nezu and the others debating over the old show. Eventually though, Izumi ended up speaking with Fatgum about possibilities for Overhaul, the man deciding after seeing Izumi theorize about Eri’s Quirk (with no proof yet they would need to double check themselves) while Eri spoke with the adults.

Nezu sipped his tea as he watched Shouta and Hizashi coax Eri into talking to them. Good, it would be best for them to get Eri to trust them as soon as possible, given that Nezu would pull more strings to give them custody. How the child described her Quirk was worrying. Not even just the worries raised by Izumi’s hypothesis. But saying it was called a curse.

A curse for what was most likely a temporal Quirk? Preposterous! Ridiculous and outright vile for this Overhaul to do that. Not to mention how Eri mentioned one of his men being concerned about how the villain spoke of Izumi.

A villain who said concerning things about a young teenager while said villain was obsessed with Quirks? Nezu felt his fur bristle and his jaw want to bite.

He watched as the little family began forming, with the adults as Eri’s parents. Good, young Izumi had enough with Tomoe as her child; Eri would be just another burden, even if Izumi refused to admit it. Perhaps if Tomoe was not around, Nezu would let it be, but… well, Nezu wanted all his students to succeed. Adding another child for Izumi to raise would only lead to more pressure she did not need as the future number one.

Which reminded him. Bakugou, Monoma and Shinsou. He already okayed the idea of Shinsou being given a place in the hero course as long as he put in effort now, similar to the other members. Monoma would be put into 1A now instead of 1B, and Nezu would watch how Kendo grew on screens. But Bakugou…

His future self would hold on for as long as he could but with an attack on public television for such a reason… Nezu would face some pressures. Another strike would be waiting for the boy and a suitable punishment. Usually, a third strike resulted in suspension, but given it would be his internship week… Nezu figured his future self would pick the boy’s mentor. It would most likely be one of his teachers who would keep him out of sight. He was already on the protocol which would protect him and UA from the nastier media demanding a reason why the boy was not expelled in a second. It would also be an issue with people demanding a reason why Bakugou had been allowed to participate and why he was on the flag policy… ugh, the thoughts and PR concerns were endless there.

Nezu sighed, shaking his head. He wanted all his students to succeed. He would never allow this version of Bakugou into his school. The boy had already tried to assault a random civilian, so they couldn’t anyway, but Nezu could somewhat hope the boy would do better in the future. Even if this version would never be his student… he still wanted the future version to shine. If not, if they saw the boy removed from his school… well, he would accept it. Perhaps he would go to Second Chance and do better. He could hope.

-0-

“How can you think about talking to them again?” Tenya asked Tensei over the phone, anger evident in his tone.

“Tenya, there is a lot you don’t know about my relationship with ID, and one of them is how we broke up,” Tensei warned.

“You broke up because they left, and they instantly found a new partner!” Tenya shouted. “I saw you crying all the time, Tensei. I-”

“They found a new partner so fast to hurt me, yes, but I hurt them first by cheating on them!” Tensei snapped. Silence answered him. “I got drunk and stupid. I was angry they were leaving. We hadn’t broken up yet as I was trying to convince them that we could still do long-distance or something. A woman walked up to me, hit on me and then… I slept with her. I cheated on Info Dropper, and they found out because they know everything. It was a nasty breakup, and I regret what I did. They hurt me just as bad with their insults and name-calling, instantly moving on to a new person, knowing it would hurt. But you can’t just claim I was the only one hurt Tenya.” Tensei said softly.

“I… I have to go.” Tenya hung up, and Tensei closed his eyes. Shit. His parents made noises about letting them calm down before hanging up. Good, Tensei didn’t… well, he didn’t want to remember exactly what happened with ID right then. Too bad he was going to.

“Wow,” Native said. “Never knew that’s why you broke up.” His voice didn’t hold judgment. Some disappointment, but no anger or him judging Tensei’s choices. And he didn’t hit him like Nemuri did when she found out. Or refuse to speak to him for a month like Hizashi or give him looks like Shouta. Maybe because it was years ago, and Tensei regretted it.

(He really did.)

“I fucked up. Bad with that,” Tensei sighed. “Then ID went off and met Sara,” he snapped out the name, thinking of the villain who’d betrayed ID. Sara had seemed nice enough, a Quirkless woman who was sweet and thoughtful. Who loved ID fiercely and never shied away from Squirt’s Quirk. Then she’d shown her true colours.

(It was one of the last times Tensei saw ID. The funeral of their parents dressed all in black with their brother Squirt beside them. ID blamed themself, hating how their choice of partners led to this. Tensei wished he could have done something to ease their burdens.)

“And they got fucked over again,” Native said. “I was part of the task force taking down that organization,” Native explained to Tensei. “I saw what Sara did to Squirt. No wonder he went mute after that.”

“He’s a good guy, didn’t deserve the bullshit in his life.” Tensei sighed. “Born with a puppeteer Quirk, voice-activated… huh, think they’re related to Shinsou?”

“It’s ID; I wouldn’t be surprised if they said they were All Might’s nibling.” Native snorted. “I’d believe it, too.”

“They convinced us Nezu was their father for our entire UA career. They would.” Tensei laughed before he sighed. “The cheating wasn’t even worth it.”

“Not a fun time?” Native asked.

“She was a fangirl in the rabid, oh I can see us having a million babies and running off into the sunset with all the money you make way,” Tensei said. “I think she works for the Commission now.”

“Ick, that sucks.” Native sighed. The two stood there a little longer. “So I know you being hurt by Stain sucks, but what about the sports festival so far?”

“I am immensely proud of my little brother, and also, the crush he is totally developing on Midoriya is both cute and a little sad,” Tensei said. “He won’t do anything because she’ll be uncomfortable, and nothing will happen unless she realizes she has feelings for him.”

“You think she has feelings for him?” Native asked in surprise.

“Eh, not yet. But I think it'll be him or Uraraka she’ll fall for. She bonded with them quickly,” Tensei shrugged. “Plus, I think she needs someone who doesn't have too much baggage on their mind.”

“I can see it,” Native allowed. Tensei laughed as at UA, Tenya stared at his phone.

His brother… cheated? His brother didn't… His what…

It felt like a hundred thoughts were occurring in his mind at once, with none actually clicking.

Tensei cheated.

Info Dropper got a girlfriend barely a month after the breakup.

Tensei slept with someone else while in a relationship.

Info Dropper broke Tensei’s heart.

Tensei betrayed his partner.

Tenya felt his breath quicken as he tried to think. No, this couldn't be happening. It had to be fake. It was a lie; there had to be a different explanation-

“Tenya!” a feminine voice said. “Tenya, it’s Nemuri. Breath with me, kid.” dramatically loud breaths echoed around him, letting him breathe with his teacher even as his mind spiralled.

“Tensei cheated,” Tenya breathed out.

“He told you,” Midnight sighed. “We’re going to step outside for a bit, okay, kid?” Tenya followed her out of the common room, moving so they would sit outside in the grass. She didn't speak, letting Tenya go first.

“I don't understand,” Tenya said after a moment. “Why… why would he…”

“Tensei was feeling betrayed and lonely. That's what he told us, and it's bullshit,” Nemuri said. “He made the choice to sleep with someone else. He was drunk, but he still did it.”

“I… he's better than this!” Tenya said angrily.

“He is now. But he was a very angry young adult,” Nemuri said wisely. “He was hurt ID wanted to join the Court and angry that they didn't want him to follow them. ID was angry he didn't understand how much it meant for them to be offered the position and that he didn't understand they needed to be able to spread their wings as it was.” Nemuri sighed. “Frankly, I thought they'd break up anyway, even without the offer. ID is aggressively independent, and Tensei has his family. I think he had ideas of ID using his agency as a paper agency to work from and using the prestige of the Iida family.”

“Paper agency?” Tenya asked.

“Underground term. Paper agencies are where underground heroes can join up and have a fallback if needed. ID would never go for it even then, but I think Tensei hoped. Said hope was dashed, though, making him bitter. Hence why I thought they would break up anyway, since ID would never choose to go to work at the agency. Wanted to make their own name as a hero and not just the partner of a legacy.” Midnight sighed. “It happens a lot, kiddo. You’ve heard stories, I assume?”

Tenya nodded, thinking of the stories he’d heard from eavesdropping on his family. Young heroes who rose quickly were called gold diggers for marrying or dating legacy heroes; their success was always attributed to their partners and not themselves. Legacy heroes using their influence to keep partners with them or control them. Info Dropper would have worried about the rumours. Hell, Tensei actually dated a hero who was like that, grasping for influence, and he hated it.

(Tenya remembered how happy Tensei was with ID and how broken his brother had been.

Did Squirt remember the same? Tenya dimly remembered the older man, the younger brother of ID. But he wondered if Squirt hated Tensei the same way Tenya hated ID before.)

“He made a bad choice. And he hates himself for it, even though I know ID has forgiven him.”

“They forgave him?!” Tenya asked in bafflement. “How?!” cheating was horrible, disgusting. How could ID forgive Tensei? He was Tenya’s brother, but he couldn't bear the thought of seeing him so soon, not after learning how badly he had betrayed his partner.

“ID went through a worse hell with Sara. I don't know if you remember this, but Sara murdered ID’s parents.” Midnight said bluntly. Tenya looked at his brother’s friend in horror, mouth open in shock. “Plus, ID fucked up too. They never told Tensei about the offer; he found out through a third party. Never hide that kind of stuff from your partner. I'm aromantic, and I know that.” Midnight shrugged. “The two worked through it even if they aren't dating right now.”

“… they'll get back together,” Tenya sighed. He did not know how to handle that. For years he hated ID, seeing them as the person who broke his brother’s heart. He understood why no one told him the whole story, but it still threw him off. It felt like something broke when he learned that.

How could he look at his brother the same?

-0-

Hitoshi’s dad had shown up at the school. Hoshi waved at the principal, not moved by the man’s simpering about honour or whatever the slime ball wanted to discuss. The man only wanted to make himself look good by having Recovery Girl’s grandson at his school.

“Where are we going?” Hitoshi asked his father.

“To our place. Your grandma texted saying she’s fairly certain Nezu will offer you a place, but given you need more time to get in shape, it’ll be conditional as long as you can hold up on working out.” Hoshi told his son.

“I can do that,” Hitoshi grinned. “I can’t believe I beat that bastard.”

“You did good,” Hoshi told him. He reached out to ruffle his son’s hair, making Hitoshi whine playfully. “And you get to fight a cute girl next.”

“Oh, yeah, no. She’s gonna kick my ass.” Hitoshi said wisely. “I’ll take the hits.”

“Not denying she’s cute?”

“I think she’s not ready for any sort of relationship right now, and I’d let her approach me,” Hitoshi said.

“Smart, though she may never approach you even if she was interested.” Hoshi hummed. “Though that’s in the future.”

“Where I’m a hero,” Hitoshi said in quiet awe. His father chuckled, happy his son’s dreams were being realized.

-0-

He used his fire.

Shouto didn’t know how to feel about that, the knowledge he chose to unleash those flames. But he’d done it because the fire was his own. Not Endeavour’s. Midoriya reminded him of that. The dual-haired teen focused on his school work, mimicking the more studious members of his future class other than Iida, who had an unpleasant call with his brother.

Shouto used his fire and lost the rock-paper-scissors. But he also gained friends? Uraraka seemed worried about Iida, which made sense, and Asui was working on the schoolwork, while Aoyama seemed torn on something. What exactly, Shouto didn’t know. But he was laser-focused on thinking about something.

It was for the best; Shouto didn’t know what to think.

The fire he hated (feared). The fire that hurt him (mom hurt him because of it).

He’d used it in the future, and… he should use it now. Endeavour couldn’t hurt him here at UA. He was safer, right? From the sounds of things, his father wouldn’t be able to get him back. Shouto liked the sound of it but was worried. What about Fuyumi? Would she be okay? Natsuo? (Mom?)

He was safe. That was important. He… he had to save himself first, didn’t he? He had to focus on making sure he was okay. He thought Burnin’ told him that once when the sidekick was teaching him things. She’d told Shouto the first priority in a dangerous situation was yourself. Focus on making sure you live, then worry about people around you. Shouto…

Shouto never used his fire because of his mother. He resented Fuyumi when she spoke about Endeavour being their father (she stopped after the first episodes. Her face grew tight, and she stopped smiling as much at the man. What did it mean?). He barely knew Natsuo due to them being kept apart. He hated his father and never wanted to be near the man if he could help it.

Shouto… he didn’t know what to think. He felt lost and confused. He could use his fire. Midoriya showed him that. She showed him by kicking his ass and being so powerful, so amazing it was like seeing a goddess brought down to the mortal realm. She was beautiful, deadly, untouchable.

He would never chase her. Endeavour’s words were in his ear, and he couldn’t do it. He told himself he wouldn’t. He would never go for Midoriya when she would be someone Endeavour approved of. He stuck by that, even as he remembered that feral smile she gave, surrounded by lightning.

Shouto would use his fire. He wouldn’t hurt himself to spite Endeavour. But he would not be more than a friend to Midoriya. Maybe it was hypocrisy or a double standard, but he already would be using fire. Giving in to date Midoriya wasn’t something he could do.

He hoped she understood.

-0-

Ochako was worried about Tenya. Whatever Tensei told him was obviously BAD or like at least hard to hear. Probably something about the breakup. That kind of drama was always about horrible personal stuff. Ochako wanted to know so badly, but she reminded herself of her small oath. She would stop going after secrets like that. Not her business, nothing she needed to know.

So, instead, Ochako thought about the future. Seeing Midoriya like that, the other girl that powerful and strong was… oof. Ochako didn’t have words for how her heart leapt or how the other girl made her feel like she could take on the world. It was just… the spark of Midoriya. She inspired people and made them feel hopeful the world would be better.

Plus, the whole mom thing? Inspiring, beautiful. It felt like a freaking anime at times, Midoriya getting a superpower from the greatest hero, being a teen mom, and her own bio dad being some big-time villain. Hell, Ochako was pretty sure she’d seen the same plot before.

It was… just amazing. Ochako felt so lucky to know Midoriya, to be friends with her. And the crush was… again, no words. Ochako didn’t know what she would do. She told herself no dating while in school, wanting to focus on heroics. But… Midoriya made it hard. Tomoe made it hard.

Ochako imagined, guiltily, a future with Midoriya. Being a hero couple together, Tomoe as their daughter. Rising the ranks, kicking ass and taking names together. Being extraordinary and strong women. Tomoe becoming a hero…

It felt amazing.

God, why did she have to develop feelings for her best friend?

-0-

Enji, because he could not be Endeavour now and must think of himself as a civilian as much as it galled him, glared at his supposed ally. Nara ignored him, instead letting his agents work. Once they were finished, Nara sent them away to face Enji alone.

“What the hell are you doing, Nara?” Enji demanded.

“Saving my ass.” Nara snapped. “You fucked up big time here, Todoroki. I don’t care you beat your family but fuck, it got out, and now we’re going to have to make sure you don’t ruin everything.”

“It’s training!” Enji snapped. “I did what was necessary; it wasn’t abuse!” Nara paused, staring at the man before he burst out into a loud laugh.

“Oh, you ACTUALLY think that? Really? You believe that you aren’t abusive? Wow, how delusional can you be?” Nara laughed a little more, shaking his head.

“I’m not. I-”

“You smacked your wife, you tormented your youngest, you ignored your middle children, and your eldest is dead. That’s not a good father,” Nara said coldly. Enji opened and closed his mouth, trying to refute it.

“When you just say it like that-” he began, but Nara cut him off.

“Then explain how you aren’t,” Nara said coldly.

“I allowed Fuyumi and Natsuo to go to university!” Enji said.

“Do you know what they studied or are studying?” Nara asked. Enji paused.

“...Fuyumi is a teacher,” he said, trying to remember what Natsuo was in school for. He knew it; he approved, but… he couldn’t…

“Medicine, specifically, he wants to work with psychiatric patients. The fact I know this because I read the file on the way here, but you don’t, is pathetic. And Fuyumi is a teacher, but she did a double major in psychology and teaching.” Nara sniffed. “You ruined the plans, Todoroki. The rivalry we hoped to continue between Hawks and your youngest isn’t possible now.”

“Rivalry?” Enji asked, confused by that.

“Hawks will make a fantastic number one, and we hoped Shouto would be like you, desperate to be on top so he would draw viewers to the stations and cause mountains of merchandise to be sold,” Nara sighed. “Pity it’s no longer possible.”

“...What?” Enji stared at Nara, who ignored him, instead turning to leave.

“Have a good day, Todoroki. We’ll update you when we decide your punishment,” the commission agent said before he left. Enji stared after him, unable to move.

What did… did… Nara hadn’t wanted Shouto to beat All Might? But… Enji looked at his hands, confused.

What the hell was going on?

Outside the office, Nara made plans. Midoriya would be the number one; the future showed it. But they could get Hawks close to her. Nara felt annoyed Hawks was gay, given how perfect that relationship would look if they played it right, but they all had to make some sacrifices.

With Info Dropper back in Japan, though, they would need to tread lightly. All it took was one name, and that hero could learn everything about Hawks, which wouldn’t be a good thing.

-0-

Kai snarled, looking at the bitch who let Eri get out. The maid stared back, her hands twitching. The prototype of Quirk suppression bullets caused pain, and this scum was perfect for human testing.

“You let her go,” Kai snarled.

“Go fuck yourself,” Kuira said. “What you were doing to her was the most disgusting horseshit I have ever seen, you bastard.

“I’m saving humanity,” growled Kai. “Quirks are a disease, a blight on our history! They are-”

“You’re crazy,” Kuira said, closing her eyes. “Just fucking kill me already, there’s no point in trying to convince me of shit.” Kai scowled and stomped away. She would be used as their human testing subject. See how long she would last.

“Overhaul,” Chronostasis said to him, but Kai ignored him. Eri was gone; without her, they couldn’t continue their mission. They needed her blood to make the bullets! There…

There could be another answer. It occurred to Kai as he walked, making him pause. Midoriya Izumi. The beautiful Quirkless woman who he needed to save from the disgusting disease around her. Quirks would only ruin her, and that One for All was the worst of it! He would not let her tarnish herself with it, but her blood…

Could she replace Eri in their goals? Could her blood be used? Why… he thought she could. Kai smiled to himself. It seemed there was more than one reason to get Izumi.

-0-

Civilians around Japan discussed the future. Many were still raving about the fight between Todoroki and Midoriya, all in awe at the amount of power thrown between them. The brilliance shown in their faces and how they worked. Future titans of the Quirked world are being born in front of them. It was impossible not to feel awe.

Some, though, spoke of the Bakugou fight.

“That boy doesn’t seem to know how to deal with losing,” one old woman said. “Schools pampering him plus over permissive parents.”

“I don’t think they’re permissive,” argued her grandson. “The few scenes didn’t show that.”

“Hmm, permissive ain’t the word then. Perhaps those folks are more the ‘oh boys will be boys’ types who give their child whatever he wants. Think I recognized that woman; she a model, ain’t she?”

“...I think so, yeah,” her grandson said.

“See? Too much money, schools thinking they can ride the coattails and a nasty personality no one stomped out created that boy. He’s the type of hero we don’t need, someone I wouldn’t trust.” the grandmother nodded.

“Think he’s a lost cause?”

“Few people are, and he’s young. Needs a really good humbling, and to get it through his skull, he ain’t all that, but he can get it.” the grandmother said.

Elsewhere, Spinner was speaking with Liam.

“I don’t really get why he was so mad,” Liam said. “He lost, why call it cheating?”

“Probably cause Shinsou used his brain rather than his fists, and Bakugou doesn’t understand you can fight without beating someone up,” said Magne, who had overheard them.

“He is very much that type, reminds me of a former classmate,” Spinner said. “Guy was convinced being a hero meant beating the shit out of people, not protecting them or being good people. He failed the entrance exam to every hero school because he never studied, thinking they just wanted strength. The guy tried to go vigilante and got killed.”

“Ha!” another worker said. “One of those stories, yeah, I knew a guy like that. Hell, I think I know where he is now if I’m right about Stain.”

“Stain?!” the rest of the group demanded, staring wide-eyed at the woman who scoffed, tossing down the building materials.

“Yeah,” said the woman, tucking a lock of pink hair behind her ear. She’d only introduced herself as Hanako, staring down those who tried to pry. “I think I went to school with him before, bit of a fucking weirdo. Not too sure. If he is, I’ll be going to the police. He was obsessed with heroes and had a huge hard-on for All Might. He got into the hero course, but I hear he became so butt hurt no one was there for a noble cause, so he dropped out to be a vigilante.” Hanako rolled her eyes. “He’s got a big black-and-white view of the world. But I honestly think he wants to go down in history himself as some sort of great person who realized the hero system is corrupt or something like we don’t all know that.”

“Oh, one of those guys?” Magne asked. “Who wants to get the shiny gold star for being a decent person or something?”

“Pretty much,” Hanako sighed. “He got a lot of shit for his Quirk when we were in school, given it’s blood-based, and I think his parents let him run wild because they felt bad for him. Inflated his ego and let him think he created this revolutionary idea when anyone with two brain cells can figure it out. Issue is he puts heroes onto a pedestal and hates when people shake his little dream of heroes being perfect beings.”

“No one is perfect,” Spinner said dryly.

“Nope, he’s just dumb enough he thinks heroes need to be held to a perfect standard. Frankly, I don’t care if the hero saving me just wants a paycheck. I want to be saved.” Hanako said. “That’s what matters; he’s not going after doctors who want the money. It’s heroes he hates. That should tell you all about his ideals there.”

“He wants fame himself but pretends otherwise. Hypocrite,” Magne sneered. Spinner shook his head in disgust.

Maybe he once would have liked Stain, but hearing this while seeing Midoriya fight so hard…

Spinner knew who he found more inspiring.

-0-

His sister was amazing. Tomura couldn't stop smiling as he thought of how fantastic she’d been, kicking the ass of that stupid hero brat. He did not like that boy. He would stay away from Izumi if he knew what was good for him! Izumi was Tomura’s sister, and Tomoe was his niece. Only trustworthy people deserve to be around them.

Tomura hummed as he pulled out his DS. With an hour, he could get some grinding in with his games. Sensei told him he would be busy during this break with something. Tomura was very interested in knowing what the man planned.

In his lair, Hisashi listened to Dr. Garaki as the man listed various people they could use. Hisashi had plenty of shell companies and hidden funds that All Might missed in his purge. It was child's play to use them.

Izumi would be his successor over Tomura, her bodyguard. But she would need a group of people she could rely on, meaning they needed to be people she could see herself in.

“Toga Himiko,” Garaki said. “She's a serial killer who goes after people she is attracted to. She has a blood-based transformation Quirk and a need to have around 20 ML of blood a month. Her parents believe in Quirk suppression so they refused it before.”

“Is it starvation that made her this way?” Hisashi asked.

“Highly unlikely. 20 ML isn't much, and she would get from having a rare steak if needed,” Garaki disagreed. “As well she displayed sociopathic signs early on as a child, even before her parents forced her to go without blood and act normal. I believe though it is easy to concoct the idea she did suffer from it given her attitude.”

“Send out feelers to lure her in,” Hisashi decided. “She will be perfect as a show that society harms certain Quirk types. Maybe mess with her mind, too, so she doesn't mess up and clue Izumi in. Who else?”

“There is the eldest Todoroki, the one we saved? He'd be a good choice given how your daughter empathized with the youngest,” the doctor said. Hisashi nodded. He would be a good choice, yes. “We also have a Quirkless mercenary to consider, sir.”

“Oh? Tell me more.”

-0-

Z checked her gun, ignoring the screaming of civilians on the street. A simple headshot took care of her mark. Sweet and simple. She let out a long breath, putting the gun into its case. Sneaking a military-grade rifle into Japan had cost her a lot. But it was so worth it, given she could do hits easier.

The blue-haired woman slipped the gun into her case, which looked like a backpack. She walked off the roof to the door, pulling on a wig from her bag giving her red hair. A pair of fake glasses, stick a mint into her cheek to have her speech slurred if she was spoken to and slip a rock into her shoe to hobble. Add to the fact she was dressed like any college kid; she would be good.

As Z walked, she checked the floating screen. She felt a bit proud of Midoriya. She'd never tell anyone but as a kid, she would have jumped at the offer of One for All. She would have done anything to get it. Now, Midoriya was using it while gaining a good degree of fame.

Proved all the Quirkless equals weak fuckers wrong. Z had carved out her niche in the underworld, and maybe Midoriya would have been more impressive if she had stayed Quirkless, but Z respected the hell out of the kid. From one Quirkless woman to another, watching the kid claw her way up after what happened to her had been fucking impressive. Z wasn't as strong when she'd been a teenager.

(Then she was eighteen and screaming because of her fucking father’s friends. Her own father said the men could use her as a broodmare. It was a blur, and she suddenly had blood on her hands from smashing their heads in.

She got strong then. She'd been weak before.)

Z hummed as her phone rang. The money. She acted like the college kid she was supposed to be posing as she checked her phone. Only the fact that she had years of experience kept her from reacting too heavily.

I have a job for you. The Boogeyman wants you. -Giran

Why the fuck did he want her?

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

FlammenTaenzerinSuzaku gave us Kanjo

Hotaru Kokichi came from ArcticWolfPlayz

-Tensei’s situation with cheating was a really messy one, with Tensei feeling angry ID was leaving and not considering stating (to his mind, ID was seriously debating it at the time because they loved him) and getting drunk where someone could take advantage of his anger. It wasn’t assault, Tensei was not that drunk. But he wasn’t thinking that clearly. ID’s reaction to find a rebound instantly isn’t great either. Basically, both hurt each other badly and regret it. They still love each other and yeah, they’re slowly gravitating back to each other, but they have some shit to go through.

-Tenya wasn’t aware cause he was a kid, and Tensei was ashamed. He’s now being forced to see Tensei isn’t this perfect person. I also kind of wrote my own feelings about when I discovered my father’s affair and then learning my mother did the same. I was just shocked. Confused. And I also came to the realization I lost respect for them. I love them but knowing that kind of broke a lot of trust in me.

-this entire chapter became just bits of everyone and their thoughts cause I had no idea wtf to do and went: hey let's talk about why Tensei and ID broke up. Then it became this.

-I debated about saying this but to not get peoples hopes up: I am 95% sure TodoDeku isn't going to happen in this world. I do have a pairing in mind, but I'm not… 100% certain. I'm letting the story go where it wants. But I Don't think they would do well together. Both have so much trauma they're healing from and I think if They date each other they may ignore their own trauma cause its easier. But I dunno. Izumi thinking Todoroki is hot is one thing, dating another.

-Izumi will not be Eri’s mother. This is something I decided on ages ago because as Nezu points out: she has to much on her shoulders without Eri, and adding more isn’t good.

-Without Spinner or Magne, we need another villain, don’t we? There’s a reason I introduced Z.

#bnha #bnha au #pulling on the strings of destiny #fem tsuna #tw mentions of rape #tw overhaul is a fucking creep

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