274What up everyone! Before this chapter goes underway, I'll answer some comments, concerns, etc.
Acnoduin: I may include new characters in later chapters. Idk yet.
Guest: I...did not mean to make a reference to the Bartimaeus Sequence. It has been years since I've read those books. Damn good ones as well.
Darkchannel30: Probably not the first one, as they do know about what he went through. At least, what canon!Izuku went through. It's in the first chapter.
Finally, there are those of you who questioned a certain line I wrote in the last chapter. I...may be impressing myself and the experiences of those like me into Midoriya, but when you are told for years that you aren't good at something, that nothing you do matters, etc...I mean, there's a reason we have nihilist, people with low self-esteem, etc. I do like approaching things from that angle, at least in concerns to Midoriya, as it seems more realistic. That being said, I also understand why it was OOC and rather cringy.
Finally, there will be notices at the end of this chapter that I would like y'all to look at. If interested in what they say, follow the instructions.
With that, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 5: White and Wolfe Part 1
" ."
The youth who had appeared before the assembled audience was glaring at the still floating Jon, who wore a serene smile as he stared down at the boy.
"That's no way to talk to your benefactor. Come now, haven't I given you so much?"
The boy snorted. "Yea, you gave me a whole lot. Fighting in a war, seeing my friend die, repeatedly getting socked in the eye. Almost nothing good came from your interference in my life." His voice had a slight Southern drawl to it, only really apparent when he said certain words.
"Almost?" Jon inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"I got a motorcycle, a nice six pack, some sweat cloths, and parkour skills that make Genji look like a cybernetic bitch. Those are the only pluses."
The two were interrupted by a cough from the audience, causing both to look at the cougher. All-Might stood and looked at the young man, whose eyes widened.
"Excuse me young man, but-"
"Holy shit your All-Might!"
The kids shout overpowered Toshinori's attempt at conversation, startling the man. "Wait, if your All-Might…" The boy looked around his eyes seeming to get even bigger and taking a shine to them as he looked around the room at the assembled heroes and students.
"Holy hell, this is so cool!" The kid - no other way to really describe him now that he was in full nerd mode - said as his body began to vibrate in obvious glee. "Oh man, I have so many questions for y'all!"
"Oh great, another hero worshipper." Shigaraki groaned, catching the boy's attention. The excitement died down as easily as it appeared, with the boy's body tensing.
"Oh." That one word seemed to change the boy, as he held himself more loosely, but to the experienced combatants in the room, they knew that a stance like that meant the boy was ready to swing into action. Said child looked up at Jon. "Do I need to take care of them?"
Before the deity could answer, Dabi let out a raspy laugh, still trying to catch his breath from early. "Take us out! Please, even without Quirks we could destroy you kid."
"Kinda hard to do that with a shit body Scarface." The response came back, causing Dabi to snarl while Shigaraki and Toga laughed.
Dabi stood up and walked towards the blonde till he was face to face with him. Looking down at him, due to being a few inches taller, Dabi smirked. "Let's see if you've got the bite to match your bark!" Before he finished speaking, Dabi dropped to a crouch and attempted a sweeping kick, intending to knock the boy's legs out from under him.
Intending being the operative word here, as the blonde shot into the air, twisting his body into a spin as he leapt over Dabi. Landing behind the scared man, the boy simply grabbed Dabi's hair and gave a shove, forcing the Flame Quirk user to the ground. The boy followed, drilling his knee into Dabi's spine, knocking the air from his lungs.
"Wanna try that again? Or do I need to call daddy to come and pick you up?"
The comment infuriated Dabi, who tried to push himself up, only to be denied as the boy shoved him down harder. Getting up, the boy looked over at the passive members of the League.
"Not gonna help?"
All for One decided to answer. "Dabi has brought that upon himself. I told him to check his ego, but I suppose that experience is the best teacher."
The boy nodded, and began to walk away towards the heroes, stopping when All for One spoke up again.
"I must admit a curiosity as to who you are young man. If our resident deity brought you here, it most likely means that you have some influence upon our current predicament. Are you, perhaps, an ally of Apotheosis?"
The boy stiffened, ignoring the question in leu of turning to Jon with a questioning look on his face. The blue man simply nodded, causing the youth to groan and slap a hand onto his face. "That's just great. Of all the timelines to show them, you chose that one."
"Wait, you know about this...dark version of Midoriya Mr...?"
Turning to look at the speaker, the boy's eyes swooped over the seated students, taking in all that where there.
"Call me White, Todoroki. And yea, I know about Apotheosis."
"Are you a god too?"
"Nope. One hundred percent human and proud of that. I'm just your average guy who got roped into a...unfortunate series of events." The now identified White said as he walked to the row behind the teachers and sat down, kicking his legs up as he did so.
"So how do-"
"Look I can answer all the questions you want, but I'd like some of mine answered first." Seeing the nods, White continued. "Ok, so where is Izuku Midoriya in all this?"
"Do you mean Izuku-Izuku or Evil-Izuku?" Kaminari asked, only to receive a glare from White and a jab from Jirou. "Sorry, sorry! Anyways, our Midoriya walked out that door. Said he needed some time alone."
Sighing, White nodded. "It would probably be best if someone went to go talk to...wait, before I give y'all any advice, I need to know two things: What was the last event that happened in your world, and what was the last one that happened on the screen?"
"I can answer that!" Togata said while flashing a smile. "Myself, Nejire, and Amajiki introduced ourselves and the concepts of Work Studies to 1-A, then I kicked all their asses!"
The statement combined with the upbeat tone it was delivered in caused White to snort out a laugh while the 1-A kids who fought Togata slumped. "As for the screen," Togata continued, "Apotheosis just joined the League of Villains, and if the events from that world transpire the same as ours, then the next big event is most likely to be-"
"The USJ." White finished, before closing his eyes. Muttering to himself, White opened them again, before beginning to speak. "Right, someone should really go after Midoriya."
"Deku said he wanted to be alone though." Uraraka spoke up, though she sounded unsure. The gravity girl flinched as White looked at her and raised an eyebrow, having picked up on that.
"Yea, he might have said that, but I doubt he really meant it." White sighed. "The kid's lost in his emotions. A lot of things have happened to him over the past couple of months, though I doubt y'all would know about them-"
"We do know." Aizawa said, his eyes fixed on the young man. "Jon showed us the events leading up to Midoriya joining UA. Combined with what has happened over the course of the last couple of months...then you're right, someone should go after him."
"Wait, Osterman showed you...you know what, never mind. But yea, I would recommend one of you two," White pointed at Uraraka and All-Might, "and probably Togata over here."
"Oh! Why me?" The smiling boy asked.
"Well, if we are going off the most recent events, then I would say that you see a great deal of Heroic Potential in the little broccoli boy. That's why you wanted to introduce him to Sir Knighteye right?"
"HAHAHA!" Togata's loud laugh drew most people's attention away from All-Might's furious spitting. "That's right! I was hoping that Sir would like him, and maybe that would allow Midoriya to be taken in by the agency in his second year."
"And do you still see that potential in him now?"
"Of course." Mirio said, his smiling dropping a little, though he still radiated an aura of geniality and mirth. "I can say without a doubt that he has amazing potential. Even with all that has been revealed, I can say that he would be an excellent hero. He has managed to maintain his smile through all the troubled times, through all the heartache and pain. If anyone deserves to be the next Symbol of Peace, I would vote for Midoriya!"
The theatre was silent as everyone stared at Togata with varying degrees of respect and awe, a shining smile on his face. White was the first to break the silence. "The more things change." He muttered. "Right, anyways he's gonna need that kind of positive motivation right now. I personally can't imagine what he's going through, but I do know that he admires you and looks up to you. If you tell him what you just said...well, I figure it'll do more good than bad."
Mirio nodded and began to walk towards the door. Once he exited, White looked back at the heroes and students - pointedly ignoring the villains - and cocked an eyebrow. "Well get on with it. Stick man or gravity girl, one of you needs to follow."
"Right I-"
"Nah, it should be Uraraka."
The nasally voice of Tsuyu spoke up over All-Might's, cutting him off as the students all looked at Uraraka. Said girl began to sputter and wave her hands around.
"Wawawa! Why me? I mean All-Might-"
"Is kind of an idiot."
The theatre was once again silent - minus the chuckles coming from Aizawa, Gran Torino, and All for One - as the students and said idiot looked at White.
"What? I mean, he's a great hero and his heart's in the right place. But...well he doesn't really understand people very well."
"Excuse me, I understand people very well."
"Really? Oh ok then. Do you know Endeavour hates you?"
All-Might coughed at that, blood coming out. Wiping it away, the stick man glared at White. "Enji and I may not be friends, but I'm certain that his rivalry hasn't reached that-"
"You know he abused his family right?"
The words failed in All Might's mouth. White looked at Todoroki who had tensed up and appeared to have a faraway look in his eyes. "Yea, I'm not gonna give all the details, but he did it with the sole purpose of surpassing you and whatever legacy you leave behind. And normal people don't generally go as far as to abuse their loved ones just to one-up someone. So yea, hate seems to be accurate."
White sighed. "Look man, you are a great hero, but that's...really the only thing you are naturally good at. You don't understand a lot of things. Like teaching, which I know for a fact you suck at, and aren't going to be good at for a while. Hell, you told Midoriya the best way for him to use One for All was to clench his ass and yell Smash."
That statement resulted in some laughs from the more immature students, while Torino and Aizawa slapped All-Might upside the head. "The simple truth of the matter, All-Might, is that you do not understand the hearts of men." Once more silence filled the room.
"Although being emotional distant, stunted, or just stupid seems to be a Pro-Hero thing from what I can tell."
"Oh." Aizawa said while cocking an eyebrow, an unspoken question in the air.
"Oh god I had to say that." White muttered slapping his face. "All right kiddies it's time for Philosophy 101. Question Uno: Are heroes supposed to feel angry, vengeful and what not?"
"Well...no." Kirishima said, a hand rubbing the back of his head, the other students nodding with him - with the sole exception of Iida whose look of progressive horror signaled that he knew what was coming.
"Question Zewi: If the answer to the first is 'no', then should heroes also not feel happiness, mirth, and other more positive emotions?"
"That's stupid! Heroes are supposed to bring all of those to the people they protect. It would be foolish for a hero not to feel those?" Yaoyoruzu responded, with the others agreeing.
"Why is it stupid? If heroes aren't supposed to feel to or react to common emotions like sadness, anger, and negative emotions, then why should they be able to feel positive emotions?"
"Because heroes are the lights that guide others! They are the ones who provide hope for those who feel hopeless! They-"
"Are as human as those they save."
All-Might's monologue was cut off by White's response. Both heroes and villains stared at the young man, who looked around the theatre.
"One of the biggest problems with your hero society, at least from my perspective, is that your society has built up the idea that heroes are some unstoppable force of justice, divine in a nature not unlike gods. In fact, the public certainly does their best to divide themselves from heroes, what with never acting and trying to bring hope to the hopeless."
Seeing the confused looks White simply sighed. "How many of you can name the last time you heard about charity work that wasn't sponsored by a Pro-Hero?" Seeing no response, not even from the older generation, White continued. "That's what I thought. Your society has gone so far as to create two distinctive classes: the heroes and the civilians. Even the policemen are essentially sidekicks to pros, as most cops don't generally have Quirks that are the on the level of say, Mirko or Hawks.
The civilian class is completely and utterly banal to all matters that they believe to be heroic in nature. The simple act of helping someone out of the goodness of their heart. And I don't mean something as simple as walking an old lady across the street, I mean something that serves a much bigger purpose. How many of you know someone - not a hero or in hero-related activities - who actively goes and supports, say, the homeless?"
Again there was no response. "That's one of the big issues: Bystander syndrome. When the civilian class decides that an issue is "a heroes job" then it's automatically out of their hands. Unfortunately, due to the commercialization of heroes, as well as the omnipresent nature, and other such factors, people consider most actions of helping people - especially those that seem to be out of their hands or impossible - as "a heroes job".
Unknown to the heroes, as well as Dabi and Toga, Shigaraki had grabbed his head in his hands - with the pinkies not touching - and was rapidly muttering under his breath in short, panicky words.
"Back to what I was saying earlier about emotions. Your hero society actively discourages the thoughts and emotions one might associate with villainy, but it also doesn't teach y'all how to properly handle 'em. I mean, they give y'all Hound Dog, but how many of you requested or where offered counseling after the USJ, where you saw actual villains, and got your first brush with death." No hands where raised. "I thought not. Y'all also aren't taught how to handle this emotions, so when faced with them, y'all could break down, do something stupid, like say…charging a serial killer."
Iida and Todoroki flinched at that, causing Aizawa to raise an eyebrow, then narrow his eyes as the realization struck. 'Those two – and most likely Midoriya – are dead meat.'
Seeing the assembled group was still contemplating his words, White sighed. "A...hero that I know of once said this: "A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring, as putting a coat over a young boy's shoulders, to let him know the world hadn't ended". Think on that. All right, I've said my peace. Uraraka!" The girl's head shot up, startled by the shout. "You show take your friends advice and follow Mirio."
The gravity girl nodded and rushed towards the door, stopping just before when White spoke up again.
"And for the love of God, be honest with him and with yourself."
Confused, Uraraka nodded and ran out the door.
Nodding to himself, White refocused on the group in front of him before hearing a cough coming from behind. Turning his head slightly, White shivered as the wrinkled face of All for One seemed to match his gaze.
"You seem to know a great deal about our society Mr. White, yet you also know our host. This leads me to believe you aren't from our world. Mind explaining how that is so?"
"Sure thing Mr. Potato Head." White snorted. "You're right in thinking I'm not from your world. I'm a dimension travel. I transverse the dimensions of the Multiverse, whilst solving mysteries-
"He was a teenager from another world who liked to drink Mt. Dew and watch anime, read manga and comics, and play way too many video games before I plucked him from there and put him in a different world." Jon said, interrupting White, who glared at the deity.
"Oh fuck you I did more than that."
"Yea, but at least one of those traits has helped you since."
"Piss off Genie."
While the two began to argue, the various groups stood their watching, unawares of another figure hovering above them.
(With Midoriya)
Izuku Midoriya sat in a vast space of nowhere, his knees pulled up to his chest. Oh, he was somewhere all right. Somewhere that looked a lot like a hill with pink and white flowers. There was also a tower in the distance - tall and white - and the sun appeared to be setting in front of him while rising behind him.
But the beautiful setting did nothing for his inner turmoil. Lost in his thoughts, Midoriya had no coherent thoughts about the situation at hand.
'Could I have turned into...into that me? Could I still? If I lost One for All...could I still be me? Would I...still have friends? Have All-Might?'
'Have her?'
That last thought distressed Midoriya the most. In the short time he had known her, Ochaco Uraraka had become the second most important person in his life (no one could top his mother). She had saved his life, allowing him to come to UA. She had changed the meaning of his childhood nickname, turning it from a horrible nickname to the name of hero. He'd be nowhere without her, and the thought of losing her in any way...scared him.
He loved her.
"Hey there Midoriya!"
A rather long, slightly girly scream came from Midoriya as a hand was placed on his shoulder and Togata's face appeared within his peripheral vision. Clutching a hand to his chest, Midoriay took several deep breaths to calm himself.
"Togata-sempai...please stop doing that."
"No promises!" The third year chirped as he sat down besides his junior. "Whatcha thinking about?"
Midoriya took several moments to answer and when he did, he sounded...small. "I...I don't know. I've tried to live my whole life so that I could be a hero. I even had this fantasy when I was younger about being split in half by a Quirk - into good and evil - but my evil half was still heroic…"
"Well we don't know what Apotheosis is planning. In fact, maybe he'll use his ill-gotten gains to better the world. At least how he sees it."
"Yea, but that makes him sound like Stain...and I don't want to be like Stain. I don't want to be like Shigaraki, I don't want to be like All for One…"
"You want to be like All-Might."
Midoriya nodded, the emotions he suppressed throughout the entirety of the viewings exploding out of him. Fat tears poured down his face as sobs escaped his chest, his body shaking. In silence, Togata wrapped an arm around the crying boy, holding him close and allowing Midoriya to cling onto him.
"After you left, Mr. Jon brought someone else." Togata said, talking over the boy's sobs. "His name is White. He's not a hero from our world and was rather critical and kind of a jackass, but I think you'd like him. He actually asked me to come and talk to you."
"And I'd like to think that's because White can sorta understand what you're going through and that you needed someone. Someone to tell you something. Izuku Midoriya,"
Midoriya wiped his eyes and turned them towards Mirio, who seemed to be bathed in the setting and rising sunlight.
"You can become a hero! A hero who smiles like All-Might, who is as righteous as they come by! It doesn't matter what anyone says, what Apotheosis does, or what you yourself think! And if you can't believe in yourself, then believe in the me that believes in you!"
That did it. Mirio could tell that his words meant a great deal to his junior, who wiped the remaining tears from his eyes and gave his best smile. "You got it...Mirio-senpai."
Mirio waved his hand. "Hey now, after that little bit of bonding I think we've progressed beyond Senpai-kohai relationship! We're brothers now...Izuku."
Midoriya's face flushed but he laughed. "I guess so...Mirio."
Unwrapping his arm from around his new brother, Mirio stood up. "Well, I better get back to the others. You take all the time you need. Besides, I think you've got another friend here."
Midoirya turned around, his previous blush increasing to atomic levels.
"Hey Deku."
(With the watching group)
"And you can shove it up your ass!"
The watchers were growing board of White insulting Jon, and Jon simply responding with sardonic words or a smartass remark. Eventually, Dabi lost his cool.
"Will the two of you please just shut up!" The scared man shouted at the two, both of whom stopped and looked at him, then back at each other.
Sighing, White sat back down. "The least you can do is give my combat clothes old man."
"You mean your costume?"
"Fuck you."
"You're welcome"
A blue light surrounded White, and when it vanished the mystery boy's clothes had changed rather drastically. Gone was the leather jacket and the jeans. Instead, he wore a tighter white undershirt with the sleeves rolled up to just before the elbows. Over that he wore a purple vest that had a green circle on the front. Instead of jeans, he wore pants similar to what one might pair with a suit, but that seemed to be made out of a different material. On his left arm was a silver device with a screen and an open slot, while the other hand was grasping a cane. Said cane appeared to be made of metal, was painted black, and had a large red hook attached to the top.
Twirling the cane, White smiled before setting it to the side. "Ahh, much better."
"Hey hey hey, looking good White!"
Turning towards the sound, the group was surprised to see Mirio walking back into the room.
"Damn man, that was quick."
"I've been gone for half an hour."
"...oh." White said, realizing the implications, his face flushing as a result. "Anyways, how'd your talk go?"
"Pretty good! I definitely think my words got through to him, but now he's with that floaty girl."
"And the ship has sailed!" Three voices yelled. Jon and White looked at each other, having recognized each other's voices, but not the third.
"Up here."
The collective group looked up at a new figure, hovering above Jon. He was about the same age as White - give or take a few years - and had spiky white hair and blazing red eyes. Around his neck was a pendant with a wolf wearing a crown, while he wore a black t-shirt, black coat, and black pants.
"Sorry, but c'mon, who doesn't like that ship?"
(With Izuku and Uraraka)
The two had sat in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. Finally, it was Uraraka who broke the silence.
"Deku...I-I can't begin to understand what all you are going through. And I know that you wanted to be alone bu-but I just...I-"
"Uraraka. Please," Midoriya said as he placed his hand over hers. "You don't have to say anything more. Just you being here is more than enough."
"But I want to say more! What everyone was saying to you in the theatre, what everyone was saying about Apotheosis and you...it wasn't right and it wasn't fair!"
"Urara-"
"And what you said about yourself! Do-do you really think that nothing you do or say has...has worth."
Midoriya was quiet, his thoughts shifting. This was a dark territory for him, as were most topics that concerned his childhood. "I...it's hard for me to think of most of my actions as having some sort of worth. I mean...my whole life I've had people either think that my life has no meaning or they say those words to my face. And I...I can only really find absolution in that by being a hero. Because...because…"
Horror began to dawn on Uraraka as she connected the dots. "Deku...do you purposefully go out of your way to harm yourself during heroics...because you think your life has less meaning than others?
Though she received no vocal response, the way Midoriya's body shook at her accusation confirmed the horrifying thought.
"Izuku…that stops now!"
Taken aback by his friends angry tone, as well as the use of his first name, Midoriya drew back and looked at her angry expression and the fire in her eyes.
"Uraraka-"
"No! No more excuses, no more taking the blame for others failures, none of it! What happened to you was wrong and that-that horrifying thought process of yours is...it's toxic!"
"So what! I don't understand why you care, why anyone would care! Why are you still in my corner! You and everyone else has seen my past, you know that I'm just a fake hero! I...I don't deserve-"
"YES YOU DO!" Uraraka took several shaking breaths as she calmed herself. "Izuku if it wasn't for you, I would not have gotten into U.A., I would never have beaten Bakugou and Iida at the Battle Trial, I wouldn't have gotten far in the Sports Festival, and…
I would never be able to have the courage to tell you that I love you."
Silence reigned once again as Midoriya tried to process what Uraraka...what Ochaco just told him. "I...I don't even...why?"
"Why not. You're smart, brave, selfless - though too selfless, caring. You always shine with this bright light that guides people. I'm not kidding when I say that you are someone I admire-"
"That's it then! You admire me! Because there is no way someone like you could love a worthless, useless-"
"Stop it! Stop letting Bakugou and those others from your past rule you now! Izuku, I love you and I'll say it as many times as I need to!"
Izuku tore himself away from her, his body shaking. "No! Please just stop! There are so many better people that you should be with! Iida, Todoroki, Kirishima, Kacchan-"
"The first two are more like brothers than anything else, Kirishima is off limits, and I would rather have my parents continue to suffer in poverty than be with Bakugou in any way, shape, or form!"
"You don't mean that!" Midoriya shouted, tears pouring down his face. "All of them are better than me! They don't have a stupid mutter, they aren't stalkers, they aren't crippled, they-
"They don't and never will have my heart."Uraraka said as she moved over to the struggling Midoriya and tried to pin him down. Their struggling lead to the two tumbling down the hill they had been on, coming to a stop at the bottom, knocking up a bunch of white flowers.
Izuku lay atop of the women he loved, still struggling with the reality before him. Having Mirio declare his support for him was one thing - and easy, given what little he knew about Mirio - but this...this was all so new and bright and happy.
And it scared him.
"Urar...Ochaco. If...this happens, people like Shigaraki and All for One will never stop coming after you. They'll be relentless because they want to hurt me. And they'll do that through you." The last, desperate words came from Midoriya's mouth, but even to him they sounded baseless and weak.
" . ." Uraraka said as she held onto him. "I don't care if the gods of old come down to try and tear me from you, because you are worth all of it. All the pain and sadness that will come doesn't matter. Even if we don't know where to turn, if we feel like all our hopes are shattered I will trust in you. Now please, trust in love and let's just live our lives, not as two heroes in training,
But as people in love"
And with that, Uraraka pulled Midoriya closer to her, mashing her lips against his. The green haired boy was hesitant, but he eventually tightened his grip on her and kissed back.
It was sloppy.
They definitely clashed teeth multiple times.
And each could feel the tears of the other.
But, as the flowers settled around them and the rising and setting suns glowed on them, neither cared. Because this…
This was perfect.
Cut!
So...that last part was ridiculous OOC for both of them - in fact most of this chapter was OOC...but I can't find myself to care. I'm happy with it. I love the pairing - if y'all haven't picked up on it - and this made me happy.
Alright, now onto the more series topics:
My personal challenge for all readers of this chapter is to find and name all the references, and name them in the comments. Also, if you know what White is from, say so in the comments.
I need help with some of my other fics - specifically two of my My Hero fics. Message me personally if you are interested in helping and I can give you more details.
That's it. I hope y'all enjoyed this.
TheSaintsFollower, signing out.
