13It started around 2 centuries ago.
No-one knows what started it. No-one knows why people were born with their powers. The first 30 years that people started manifesting these new abilities were filled with fear and study, as society tried to figure out what had changed.
It started with a boy in Australia named Nathan Parker. He was 4 years old, playing around with his older brother when he tripped and started to fall off the side of their back deck, and on instinct threw his hands out in front of him. There was a small flash of blue light, and Nathan started floating down to the ground like a feather.
A video had been taken by Nathan's father, and after it spread, most people accused the family of faking the video, using special effects, etc. But there was a small group of people who took an interest in Nathan. The Parker's were approached by a small government science team, who asked to run some tests on Nathan.
They were approved, and a few weeks later, Nathan was confirmed to be able to slow his descent at least once a day. A few months later, a 4-year-old girl seemed to sprout an ability, and after the same team of scientists were able to get in contact with that family, and prove that the girl was able to manipulate a small amount of water telekinetically, the team of scientists were given a large grant to identify the cause.
The team eventually grew into an entire division of the government, as more and more discoveries were made. No-one knew who coined the term, other than the fact that they were a massive D&D nerd, but soon it became apparent that more and more people were being born with an "Innate Spell".
It was titled as such because of someone realising how the abilities shown were extremely similar to the spells available to the players in Dungeons and Dragons, a Table-top RPG. Incidentally, the company that made the game, Wizards of the Coast, started seeing a rise in sales of the game, as the world turned its full attention to the powers and abilities of the game.
Soon it became apparent that the new abilities people were getting didn't fit in with one specific rule. Some people were born with powers similar to cantrips, such as light, or Eldritch Blast. While others were getting abilities that were similar to some of the most powerful spells in the game, demonstrated when a 6-year-old boy reincarnated his dog. It had died a dachshund but came back to life a german shepherd.
As more and more people started to be born with these "Innate Spells", people started to use their new powers for their own purpose. And to meet these evildoers, came brave souls willing to fight for the safety of others.
The first widely known hero that wasn't arrested on sight was a Hero known by the name [Multi]. He was born with the Innate Spell Prismatic Spray, a versatile ability with 8 possible effects, making it hard for villains to fight against him.
But he was just the first.
Many more heroes started to pop up after Multi. The police force tried to keep up, but quickly fell behind as the era of Heroes and Villains began. Villains increased in number as well, and the spell list for D&D quickly became a must-have for doctors, teachers, and police officers, as much as that weirded people out for a while.
The abilities seemed to follow at least one pattern though. The "School of magic" (AKA the different types of spells) seemed hereditary. So two parents that both had Innate Spells that were the School of Evocation, were likely to have a child that would get an Evocation spell. That's was the idea at least. There were a few outliers, parents of one school having children that followed another school. It wasn't common, but it wasn't exactly rare.
Another thing people noticed, was that even about 200 years after the first Spellcaster, There were a few spells that no-one had, and there was a small list of people who were unique in their Innate Spell. One of the most well known Unique Casters is recovery girl, Who is the only recorded person to date to wield an ability similar to "Power Word: Heal".
The list goes on for a few more spells. There is one spell that everyone agrees would be too dangerous for anyone to wield, no matter their morals; Wish. Currently, not a single person has wielded wish, but it, along with spells like Power Word: kill, which currently has around 43 users, and Time Stop, which has 0 recorded users, Wish is on a special watchlist. Anyone with any of these Innate Spells immediately watched over by the government, and every government on the planet is notified of the User's existence.
This is just how the world is.
Izuku Midoriya LOVED the concept of a Hero.
Someone who bravely used their power to defend people from bad guys. The kind of person that can bring hope and light into someone's life, just by being there. And there was no Hero that did this better than the Symbol of Peace, All Might.
Izuku had loved All Might since he was able to comprehend who he was. All Might gave Izuku this feeling of safety, just by looking at him. He would have assumed that All Might had Calm Emotions if it wasn't for the overwhelming physical strength that he possessed, breaking though most peoples magical barriers with ease.
In Truth, no-one knew All Mights Innate Spell, no-one even knew the man's real name. But he was still the Symbol of Peace, he still brought hope and joy to the world.
That's Why Izuku loved him. That's why he was currently sitting in front of a doctor, holding the spell list, hoping to get something like Tenser's Transformation at the strength of 9th level, so he could be as strong as All Might, or even something else powerful like chain lightning, perhaps.
The doctor did all kinds of tests with him. Checking to see what Izuku's power would be. Izuku was bored. He had been with the doctor for about 3 hours now, and they still hadn't been able to figure out what Izuku's power would be. So Izuku got up, and walked to the bookshelf, confused as no-one said a word about it, not even his mum asking what he was doing.
He turned around and saw that the Doctor and His mum were both sitting in the exact same position they had been a few seconds ago, looking at where Izuku used to be, as still as statues. In fact, everything had stopped. There was a bird mid-flight outside of the window that was frozen in mid-air, and Izuku couldn't actually hear anything. It was pure silence.
Suddenly, The noise crashed back into existence, gasps escaping from the 2 adults mouths as they now saw Izuku over near the window, holding a book. "Izuku sweety? What just happened?" She turned to the doctor. "Do you think he could have teleport?"
The doctor shook his head. 'We already did the tests for that, and Izuku didn't show any of the signs most teleportation users show. Izuku, could you come back and explain what happened to you for us?" Izuku nodded and walked back to the chair.
"Well, I got up to go grab a book 'cause I was bored, and when I looked back, you guys were frozen, everything was frozen, and it was really quiet, no noise at all, except mine. Is that good enough for you?" The doctor's eyes widened as Izuku explained his ability, and he flipped through the pages until he reached a page with yellow paper and an official stamp.
He pointed to the description for Time Stop. Izuku read through it. "Izuku, is this kind of what it felt like?" the doctor seemed to almost panic at this, looking at Inko quickly before returning attention to Izuku. Izuku just nodded, that fit exactly with his experience.
"Mrs Midoriya, it is my honour to tell you that your son seems to be the first person ever to be born with Time Stop as their Innate Spell". Inko paled at this. Everyone knew that people with unique spells were on a watchlist, just in case more showed up, but for spells that had no users, they were treated as if they were a delicate vase by society, not allowed to be broken, lest they become villains.
"I must inform you that I am required by law to notify the Innate Spell Research Division of your son's abilities-" he turned to Izuku. "- I need you to promise me you won't use your power until I've called your mum with the okay, alright? You could get in trouble for using it unregistered, and people who get in trouble can't be heroes like I know you want to".
Izuku nearly teared up at this. "Do you think I can become a hero with Time Stop sir?" The doctor gave him a weird look. He walked over to Izuku, kneeled down to be level with the boy, and said; "Kid, Almost no villain's have the ability to fight back against your power. You could become one of the greatest heroes to ever exist".
And now Izuku was crying. He could be someone who saved everyone, like All Might. He could fight bad guys to protect the people who needed protection. He could practise with his power, polishing it.
He could be a Hero.
"So Izu, what's your power?"
Katsuki was one of Izuku oldest friends. They had known each other from birth. Their mums were old high-school friends. Katsuki was a little older than Izuku, by about 2 months, so he had already gotten his Innate Spell, and BOY was it a hero's power.
8th Level fireball.
Katsuki Bakugou was born with an 8th level Fireball. He was probably the current strongest kid in the entire school, completely banned from using it outside of specified training areas. Katsuki could command the size of the blast, sure, but he had an aggressive personality, so the teachers didn't really trust him all that much.
"Izu? What power did you get, dumbass? Can you hear me?" Izuku was startled from this thought by Katuski getting up really close and tapping on his head. Izuku giggled a bit before shaking his head. "Don't worry Kachaan! I will show you when the teachers say I can, otherwise, I'll just waste it and won't be able to use it for the rest of the day!" Katsuki grumbled, pouting, but accepted the response.
When class started the teacher made the announcement that Izuku had gotten his Innate Spell. Izuku was then instructed to walk up to the front of the class to demonstrate his ability. Even the teacher was watching with apprehension as Izuku reached the front of the class, he hadn't been told Izuku's spell yet.
"Hi everyone! I went to the doctor yesterday and found out what my Innate Spell is! It's called-" As he took a pause, he thought about everything stopping, and it did. Everyone froze, and Izuku quickly got to work, dragging Kachaan and his chair to the front of the classroom. As the time limit grew near, Izuku could hear a cracking that grew louder and louder until everything started moving again with a crash. "- TIME STOP!"
Katsuki was swearing about being teleported, the class was freaking out that Katsuki just sort of appeared, and the teacher was watching in shock. Time Stop had never been wielded before, Izuku was truly unique. "Izuku! That's so freaking cool!," ''Yea! Way to go Midoriya!," "You got such a cool power!" The cheers from his classmates were nice, but Izuku looked over to Katsuki, who had gone silent, and was staring at Izuku with what others would think looked like anger, But Izuku could see the awe and pride in Katsuki's eyes.
Izuku grinned and answered all of the student's questions, before sitting down for class. He had to answer questions every now and then, but the school day went fairly quickly. Katsuki hung around him at break time, threatening anyone who bugged him about his Innate Spell with his fireballs.
Eventually, school ended, and Izuku and Katsuki started their walk home. Izuku was trying to do Time Stop again, but he could feel it slipping through his fingers every time he reached for it. He knew how it worked. The more you trained it, the easier it would be to grab it over and over again, so that's what Izuku would do. He would push himself until he was able to use his ability as much as he needs to, to be able to help people.
Katsuki was talking about something he had blown up earlier during the day, while Izuku sort-of listened to him, practising with his spell. Eventually, the turn off for Katsuki came, and they had to separate. "Hey Izuku, you got a pretty cool power, but I'll still be the #1 hero, got it?" Katsuki turned as he talked, walking away from Izuku.
He chuckled, laughing at Katsuki's antics. He finished his walk home and saw a weird car in the driveway, a completely black SUV, with the letters ISRD, written on the side. Izuku knew what the letters meant, but why on earth was the Innate Spell Research Division at his house?
He walked inside to see two people in suits talking with his mum.
Izuku cleared his throat and grinned at them. "Hi, mum! I'm back, why is the ISRD here?" Izuku was honestly confused. Did everyone get a personal visit after they got their spell? Surely not, right?
"Oh welcome back sweety! These nice agents were just here to talk about your new power! Apparently, since your the only person to have ever had it before, the ISRD wants to make sure its safe for you to use, and eventually train!" Izuku's face lit up. These people wanted to help him get better with Time Stop?
"That's amazing! Can we start straight away? I wanna be a hero, and they can use their powers a lot! I can still only use it around 1 time every day…" One of the Agents nodded at this and seemed to tick a box.
"Good Afternoon Mr Midoriya, my name is Alexander Chronus, and I am the ISRD Agent that has been assigned to you. My Innate Spell, Slow, is probably the closest we can get to training you accurately". Alexander then stood up and nodded to the other Agent, who vanished in a puff of silver smoke, before the Van turning on could be heard.
"Your mother has given the ISRD authorisation to have me as a permanent resident of this household, to oversee your training and make sure there are no accidents with your Powers. Do not worry about me, I will attempt to stay out of the way as much as necessary." Izuku looked at his mum, confused, and she nodded, pointing to the contract she had signed. "I assure you this is only for your safety Mr Midoriya. This is just our standard procedure. You should have seen how much security they put on Recovery Girl as a child".
"Don't worry about it Izuku, Alexander is just here to make sure that your safe". Inko flashed him a smile, and he found himself calmed by her. He nodded, before heading to the spare room at the back of the house. "Well then Mr Chronus sir, we should start setting up your room!" Alexander laughed, before following Izuku.
[-]
"So young man, you said you wanted to be a hero?"
They had been working, setting up Alexander's new bedroom for about 2 hours now, and they were almost finished. Alexander didn't take up a lot of space, only needing a bed and a closet, as he stated he: 'wasn't very materialistic' which he explained meant he didn't need a lot of belongings to feel happy, when Izuku asked.
"Yes, sir! I want to be a hero like All Might, strong enough to save everyone!" Alexander laughed, nodding. He finished making the bed before he turned to Izuku. "Well then Izuku, how about we start teaching you some martial arts? I'm proficient in quite a few different ones you can learn, and if we start now, by the time you get to Hero school, you will be practically unstoppable!"
Izuku swung his head over to face Alexander. "YES, SIR! YES PLEASE! I'll be the best hero to ever exist!" He did a few punches in front of him, furrowing his brow in concentration. Alexander laughed at the display as the two of them walked out into the lounge room, where Inko was making dinner.
"MUM! Mr Chronus is gonna teach me his Secret Agent Martial Arts!" Alexander face-palmed a bit, chuckling. He shook his head and explained Izuku's statement. "First of all: I'm not a secret agent. I'm a very public agent, I just had a rough childhood and teen years. Second of all: your mother needs to say you can do it".
Inko laughed as well, nodding towards Alexander. "Well, I'm fine with Izuku learning from you Mr Chronus, but he's only just turned 4 years old. Maybe you could just start with his fitness before you start working on fighting?" Alexander nodded, thinking to himself.
"Alright, Izuku, I will start writing up a plan for your training to start, we're gonna make a Hero out of you!" Izuku was cheering, running around the house when he suddenly vanished, Inko and Alexander hearing his door closing.
Inko shook her head, giggling at his antics. "Mr Chronus, I know you're only here because it's your job, but please take good care of Izuku during his training. He might have an incredible ability, but he's still my baby". Alexander nodded, bowing slightly, before flashing a smile.
"Of course Ms Midoriya, I promise to look after your son"
Izuku was feeling very proud of himself
He had been training with Alexander for most of his life. Currently a 14-year-old, he had spent the last 11 years under the watchful eye of Mr Chronus. He had practised with Time Stop every day until he could do it around 4 times a day, maybe 5 if he pushed himself.
After showing Katsuki his power, the boy had proclaimed Izuku as his rival, and they had entered into a weird stage of their friendship. Katsuki was loud, brash, and aggressive, but he treated Izuku like a human being, instead of an 'extra' as he called their classmates.
Eventually, Alexander had relented to Izuku's pestering and allowed only Katsuki to train with them. They spent their afternoons practising with their powers and moulding their bodies to be fit for a hero. They were the top of their class, not just in power, but in academics. They were consistently in the top 3 in all of their classes.
The boys had learnt a myriad of martial arts and were pretty respectable belts in all of them. Izuku had been the first to reach a black belt, obtaining it in Capoeira. Alongside Capoeira, they also learnt kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and more. While Izuku may be a black belt in Capoeira, Katsuki was fierce when it comes to Muay Thai, his flexibility and strength placing him in the highest divisions.
The 2 boys were currently in the last term of their second last year of middle school, and they had been given the day off by Alexander. Katsuki planned on spending it with some of his followers, to get them off his back, and Izuku planned to go home and play video games.
They separated, Katsuki flipping him off as he left, and Izuku turned down an underpass, laughing at his antics. He was still giggling when he heard the sewerage grate hit the roof of the underpass. Izuku whipped around to face the noise and saw a large green mass of sludge, filled with the imprint of what looks like skulls.
"Hahaha! Look at you! What a great new puppet!" As the sludge moved towards Izuku, He activated Time Stop with a yelp, before spending his first 20 seconds making a plan. He knew what this thing was. This was an Oblex. It was most likely a person that had been True Polymorphed.
He moved out of the tunnel, but still in sight of the Oblex, to try and lure it out of the underpass, where it would be easier to capture. He heard the cracking start before the world sprang back to life. "What the fuck!? Get back here you misty stepping fuck!" Izuku almost wanted to laugh at that, most people assumed he had some sort of teleportation at first, but soon found out differently.
Izuku stood at the edge of the underpass, feeling like a matador as he taunted the Oblex. "Oh wow! The big bad ooze can't even catch a fucking middle schooler!" Okay, the swearing was a bit overboard, but his nerves were on end, and he had spent a very long time around Katsuki.
As the Oblex reached the open street, Izuku ran and grabbed a seal-able tub he saw out in front of a shop. The owner seemed to be about to yell at him when he saw the Oblex and scurried off. As soon as he grabbed it he started running towards the Oblex, before stopping time again.
He looked around quickly to see if there was anyone else he needed to get out of the way first, and was confused when he saw someone halfway through climbing out of the sewer. He shrugged and got to work putting the Oblex into the tub, finishing sealing the box just as the cracking started.
"What the fuck just happened you little shit! I'll fucking kill you!" The Oblex seemed mad, so Izuku put the tub down and sat on the lid, sealing it in. He looked back over to the figure crawling out of the sewer and did a double-take. WAS THAT…
"ALL MIGHT!?"
Toshinori was still reeling from what he had just seen.
One second, he was preparing himself to save the boy from the monster as he climbed back onto the street level, and the next, the boy was sitting on top of a tub, the slime creature trapped inside. 'What kind of spell lets you do that? Slow, maybe?'
The kid was looking over at him with awe before he yelled out; "ALL MIGHT?!" Toshinori grinned a little more. Even with years as the #1 hero in his belt, he still loved the feeling he got when he saw someone with that look in their eyes, like just by him being there everything was good.
It was the look he had promised his predecessor he would give people, and it made him feel good to know he was keeping his promise to her. He did his signature laugh as he reached the boy. "HAHAHA! YES! IT IS I! ALL MIGHT!"
The kid looked like he was gonna faint. Toshinori put his hand on the kids back to hold him up, and he yelped. "All Might sir! I'm sorry for using my spell in public! It's just that, this guy is an Oblex, he wanted to absorb me and control a copy of me!" Toshinori shuddered. He hadn't been able to identify it from sight, but every Pro Hero knew what an Oblex was, especially after the big American case that exposed an Oblex controlling clones of several high-level politicians.
"ITS ALL RIGHT YOUNG MAN! OR SHOULD I SAY… It's ALL MIGHT!" the kid chuckled a bit, and Toshinori laughed with him, before standing the boy up and grabbing the tub. "SAY, KID, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?" The kid looked at All Might like he had just made his day, and beamed, responding.
"It's Midoriya Izuku, Mr All Might sir! I'm your biggest fan!" Toshinori laughed inwardly, he had kinda got the feeling the kid was a massive fanboy, but it's rude to say that out loud. "MR MIDORIYA, ARE YOU PLANNING ON BECOMING A HERO?" He already sort of knew the answer, he had a gut feeling.
"Yes, sir! I'm gonna be the best Hero in the world! After you of course…" the last bit was said in an apologetic tone, and Toshinori laughed. "SO WHAT'S YOUR INNATE SPELL MIDORIYA? YOUR QUITE FAST, SLOW MAYBE? OR EVEN HASTE?" Those 2 made the most sense for Toshinori, and he choked a bit at the kid's response.
"Nope! I've got Time Stop!" Toshinori looked the kid once over. A fantastic Innate Spell, and a chiselled body for a middle schooler, if the taunting was to be believed. "WOW MIDORIYA, THAT'S QUITE THE SPELL, YOUR A UNIQUE CASTER AREN'T YOU?"
Izuku nodded and Toshinori debated with himself for a moment before coming to a decision. He was running out of time and needed to get away, but he wanted to meet Izuku Midoriya again. "I HAVE TO GO YOUNG MAN, BUT HERE-" he handed Izuku a card emblazoned with a phone number. "- CALL THIS TOMORROW SO I CAN SET UP A MEETING WITH YOU, I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU FURTHER, YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO BE AND EXCELLENT HERO!"
He jumped away, turning back to watch the boy holding the card in his hands, jumping up and down, before he suddenly just vanished, appearing a good 100m down the road.
'The kid might be a good option, will have to look into him further…'
