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CHAPTER START---
"Alright, see you all tomorrow," Eraser finally wraps up class, the sun already setting on the horizon as everyone begins packing their bags.
Horizon just places his blank book and pencil case in his desk and checks his phone.
'5 Minutes,' Nezu's text says. And he can feel Yagi still in the teacher's lounge reading something.
Focusing on Nezu he feels him talking to Recovery Girl over a cup of tea in his office, and decides not to interrupt.
Bakugo is the first to leave, sulking away with a blank expression, and Deku immediately leaves his items and rushes out of the room to talk to him.
Horizon only shakes his head and leans back, closing his eyes, trying to enjoy a few minutes of peace as everyone leaves.
"Horizon," Tokoyami interrupts his 'me time', "sorry to bother you but aren't you leaving? I assumed you would have warped away the moment Aizawa dismissed us."
Horizon looks to his right to see Tokoyami sitting on his desk, Sero at his desk in front of Tokoyami, turned in his seat to face Horizon, and in front of him, Momo and Jiro are talking quietly at Jiro's desk.
"Normally I would, but Nezu wants to talk to me in a few minutes, probably about the new abilities I showed and some other stuff," he shrugs.
"Makes sense," Sero taps his chin and nods along. "Telekinesis and Air Slashes, pretty strong on their own but you've got both, I'm sure he wants to know more about them."
"And in addition to your Warp and Heal, I can certainly understand why he has such faith in you," Tokoyami adds.
"Don't forget the Ghost Bullets," Jiro adds, causing both girls to join the conversation.
"Yes those are quite dangerous, but Recovery Girl couldn't understand how they worked," Momo says. "Atleast when Todoroki and I went to the infirmary before getting changed."
"I assumed they were just Air Bullets," Jiro says.
Horizon laughs, "Air Bullets is a really pathetic Quirk in comparison, mine are a lot more hard-hitting, but less versatile, they can't be used to push objects or people around, only damage."
"And they aren't air," Momo says. "They tore through layers of concrete but when they hit Todoroki it didn't break the skin, destroying his clothes and the floor behind him, but never broke the skin, very odd."
"Honestly most of my abilities are scarier if you know how they actually work," Horizon shrugs. "But until my big debut at the sports festival, I'll be keeping everything close to the vest. I don't like the idea of people knowing what I can do, but heroes have to be marketable to be successful, and the public gets more invested if they can actually understand what you're doing, that's why signature moves exist."
"I didn't even think about that," Jiro says. "But its not like you have to do much, Warp alone would be enough to get every pro in the world sending you offers."
"Indeed," Momo solemnly nods along. "A near-mythic status Quirk, and to think it's only one of your abilities."
This particular phrase causes Shoji to turn around, bag slung across his shoulder as he approaches the group. "I have a question."
"Uh-huh," Horizon looks up at him.
"What's the name of your Quirk, or Quirks, I'd imagine it has to be something cool, mine is Dupli-Arms, it lets me duplicate any body part on the end of my extra arm tentacles, and they're an enhanced version of my usual set," Shoji creates a second mouth at the end of a tentacle and smiles at them with it.
"Any body part?" Horizon says with a curious tone, causing Shoji to groan.
"Yes, even that..."
"Ahh, the ladies must love you," he chuckles, but everyone else in the conversation just blushes.
"Somehow that's always the first thing people think about," Shoji mutters.
"It's literally human nature, if we can't fight it, fuck it, or feed on it, we don't really care about it, our kids are the only exception... atleast for sane people."
Momo cringes at the thought and his crass language, "then I suppose we should all introduce our Quirks, my Quirk is Creation, it allows me to create any non-living thing from the lipids in my body, I can essentially transform my body fat into items," she says with a proud smile.
"That's awesome!" Sero cheers. "So you can make gold and just get super rich!"
"She's already super rich," Horizon says. "She's a Yaoyorozu..."
Momo freezes, not expecting this to surface so soon. Forcing herself to smile she continues, "well yes, my family is rather comfortable, but I also cannot use my Quirk in such a manner. The restrictions because of its nature are numerous, including banning me from making certain items like firearms and precious gems and minerals, as well as currency. I also have to know the molecular composition of anything I'm making."
"The most versatile Quirk in the world," Horizon says. "When we were watching the Quirk test in his office I told Nezu that nobody here could match me, but you're one of the only people in the world that could make a plan that I can't predict, because basically anything in the world can be in your pocket."
Momo blushes deeply, but a moment later she's crushed by even more expectations placed on her, atop the mountain of pressure that comes with being a Recommended Student and proving that you deserve your spot, now the potential future Symbol Of Peace is complimenting her potential.
Jiro gives her a pat on the back and begins talking to distract everyone, "my Quirk is Earphone Jack, basically, my earlobes are Aux cords, I can plug them in to listen to music or amplify my heartbeat with them to attack, they're also tougher than store bought jacks, oh, and I can extend them," she extends one all the way to the ceiling and taps it before recalling it.
"Hmm, I didn't expect the heartbeat thing, not too strong on their own but since they work with technology you can make up for that, at least they're cute," Horizon says.
Jiro fights through the blush, "uh, thank you," she twirls one on her finger. "And yeah my boots in my hero costume act as speakers and amps."
"Smart, can I touch one?" Horizon asks plainly.
"Um, you want to touch one?" she's surprised at how blunt he is.
"That's what I said yeah."
"Right...sure," she extends one out to him, about a meter away until he reaches out and touches it, holding it carefully in his hand.
SCAN
He immediately gets a full breakdown of her body, he can even tell that she had rice and curry for lunch. But what really gets his attention are the extra bones in her ears and dense layers of cartilage that make up her Earphone Jacks, hidden beneath a layer of soft skin.
He also senses the many extra bones in her ears to better differentiate sounds, and finally, the nerve clusters that point out the tips of her jacks as erogenous areas.
He seemingly absentmindedly begins playing with the jack, gently touching the nerve clusters at the end of it while turning to Sero, "so, Tape?" he asks. All while Jiro is frozen in embarrassment and panic, never having someone else, especially a boy play with her jacks, and not knowing how to handle the situation.
"Yeah, I can just shoot tape from my elbows," Sero shrugs. "It's pretty simple but there's this guy in America, Web Slinger, his Quirk is similar and he's in their top ten, so I've been trying to follow his lead."
"Is it just one type of tape?" Tokoyami asks, now pulling all attention to him.
"Nah, I can make a bunch of types, but the stronger the tape the more it drains out of me, and the more I use the more water it takes from my body. If I use too much I get really dry skin," Sero explains.
"Web Slinger, that's the guy who swings around New York," Horizon says. "But he's also got super strength and a few other things, but I suppose you could try to make up for it with versatility."
"That's the plan," Sero grins happily.
"I suppose I'm next," Tokoyami says, being the next person in the circle before Horizon. "This is Dark Shadow," a birdlike shadow demon creature appears from his belly. Dark purple and seemingly having the same pattern as static on a TV.
"Hi everyone!" Dark Shadow cutely greets them, currently only as big as a small dog.
"Can I?" Horizon raises his right hand, asking permission to touch him, all the while still playing with Jiro's jack in his left. Glancing at her through the corner of his eye he could see her nervously sweating, standing a bit behind Momo and out of the circle, eyes glazed over and staring at him.
"Go ahead," Tokoyami says, and Dark Shadow bows its head.
He reaches out and pets it, and Sero does the same.
SCAN
Pure energy made physical, he could sense everything within Tokoyami as well, including four apples. But what made him very curious and excited was the cells in his belly, seemingly constantly producing the same energy as Dark Shadow, but very fragile against other energy types, with no other information it could have taken him hours to solve.
But the name Dark Shadow and its appearance was a dead giveaway as to what energy it was weak against.
"Looks cool," Horizon says, pulling his hand away as Dark Shadow blushes. "So what does it do?"
"Well, I can extend him a fair distance to fight for me, and some basic shapeshifting, nothing too crazy yet, he can also think independently or with my influence," Tokoyami says.
"Versatile and it looks cool, you'll definitely stand out," Sero says.
"Assuming you can solve the issues with it," Horizon draws all eyes back onto him, his voice becoming a bit more serious. "The obvious weakness is one thing, support items can fix that," he sees Tokoyami's eyes widen in worry. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone, honestly I had it figured out since the Quirk Test. But your mastery level is around the weakest in the class, right down there with Todoroki and a few others."
Tokoyami nods, "improving my Quirk is one of the main reasons I'm here, I'll be sure to consider your advice about support equipment as well," he retracts Dark Shadow.
"Power vs Mastery huh," Shoji says. "You explained that earlier and I didn't quite get it, but now I kinda do. With Dark Shadow, it's more about how he uses it rather than just sending him out to box, right?"
"Exactly," Horizons says. "Basic enhancer Quirks are easy to gauge because you can put a number to how good they are, how much they can lift or throw, that kind of thing. But with Quirks like all of ours, we need to be more tactful with how we use them, and some Quirks require both."
"I see, and what exactly is your Quirk?" Momo asks, still oblivious to Jiro's predicament behind her as he continues playing with the jack.
"My Quirk is called Hand Of God, I've got a lot of abilities but the potential is boundless, only limited by time, experience, discipline, and energy," he shrugs.
They all stare at him before Sero shakes his head and speaks, "that's such a lame name man..."
"It's meant to be descriptive," Horizon says.
"Name aside, what exactly does it do? Like how does a Quirk that can 'potentially do anything' even work, or exist?" Tokoyami asks.
"It's actually a lot more simple and complicated in certain regards than what I explained just now," Horizon admits. "All you need to know are the abilities it gives me, those slashes, healing, the warping, the bullets, what you call telekinesis, and a few other things," he shrugs.
"There are more?" Momo asks, a mix of surprise and fear in her voice.
"Yeah," he says casually, fully aware of how insane this sounds, but used to it. "Honestly each of my abilities is equivalent to a Super Move from a Pro, I don't even know what an intentional Super Move for my Quirk would look like."
"Damn, I knew competition at UA would be tough but this is insane," Sero says.
"That's a matter of perspective," Horizon says, dropping Jiro's Jack which instantly retracts to the flustered girl, now covered in a thin layer of glistening sweat with her face beet red.
She stared at him with a mix and embarrassment and anger. Forced to bite her tongue to prevent further embarrassment but also wanted to yell at him, partly for what he presumably unknowingly did, and partly because he stopped just before the finale, leaving her panties drenched and body hot with no proper payoff.
Horizon just glances at her beneath his visor, an amused look on his face as he sees how flustered he made her, like putty in his hand. 'Too easy,' he thinks to himself.
"I figured you were over that whole phase man," Sero says. "You seem pretty chill today compared to yesterday when you were just calling us worthless."
"Not worthless," Horizon says. "Just not competition when compared to me, I don't have a problem with people in general once they can stay in their lane. I just really don't like when my time is wasted, or when people who are objectively trash think they can stand beside me...like Deku. I came to UA expecting everyone to have the most basic level of competence, honestly, he should quit and let someone from general studies take his place, rather than waste time that can be used to train a useful hero..."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?" Momo asks.
"Well the bare minimum for any sort of emergency service member is to be an asset, not another liability, if the first thing you do is hurt yourself, you're certainly not an asset."
They all frowned, but nobody tried to argue against that logic, they were all here to be heroes, people that the public could depend on during a crisis, not people who needed to be saved like everyone else.
"I see," Tokoyami nods along. "While I don't entirely disagree, everyone has the right to chase their dreams, and since he's already made it this far there must be potential in him that our teachers recognize." The others nod along, but Horizon doesn't react, and Jiro finally catches her breath.
"Well I don't really believe in potential, I believe in what you can do. I doubt civilians will accept 'I just needed a bit more training, I have the potential to save those people next time' as an excuse."
Everyone looks a bit sad at that example, another situation that they couldn't argue against.
"Well enough about such dreary things," Tokoyami looks past Horizon, leaning slightly to the side to see his sword. "May I try out your sword?"
"You like swords?"
"Everyone likes swords," and everyone nods in agreement.
"You know, Nezu told me not to hand it to just anyone, especially anyone untrained, since it's a bit special, but pain is a good teacher," he reaches out toward Tokoyami and warps it into his hand. "Just don't do anything too bloody, I can heal you but I can't get rid of bloodstains easily."
"Thank you," Tokoyami reaches out and holds it, and the moment Horizon lets go the end of the scabbard hits the floor. "Heavier than the replicas I have at home..." he says.
Now with someone of more average size sitting beside it, the sword was taller than the seated Tokoyami. Measuring in at 145cm -4ft10-, it was suddenly very apparent that the only reason they hadn't properly realized how big it was is because of Horizon's large 193cm -6ft3.5- size.
"It's almost as tall as me," Jiro -154cm, 5ft- mutters as Tokoyami carefully lifts it.
"It needed to be bigger to fit all the Tungsten and Carbon Fibre into it," Horizon says. "Average katanas weigh about two and a half kilograms -5lbs- with the scabbard. This one is nearly three times that. I needed the durability because it's meant for any close encounters with Power Type villains. Can't have my sword breaking against their skin after all, and if I ever have to block instead of just warping away I'd like it to not shatter. Power Loader is a genius at support items so it only took him like a few hours to make it, he also made my visor," he reaches up and taps his visor.
Tokoyami carefully unsheathes it, revealing the pristine white blade with a blue edge, "is everything blue and white with you?"
"That's part of the Horizon brand," he shrugs.
"Your Quirk must provide some sort of Super Strength then, if you can use this without getting tired, right?" Momo asks.
"Not really...a byproduct of my Quirk is that I have enhanced physical attributes...nothing that would count as 'super' in any way, just better than most. It's also why I'm so tall, I mean Shoji is tall and he's a Mutant type so it makes a lot more sense than me in some ways, and I'm taller than him," he shrugs.
"Wait a minute!" Sero puts his hands up, causing everyone to stare at him. "Your Quirk...is super powerful, rare, versatile, and makes you tall and buff---"
"I work out a lot to build muscle."
"Man...life really does pick favorites, the girls are gonna be all over you," he groans in annoyance and jealousy.
"UA is just one big gym for hero course students so we'll all have people wanting us, plus we'll be celebrities to the public. I mean literally all the girls in our class are hot," Momo and Jiro both blush at that.
"Yeah you're right," Seo says. "But you've still got a lot more going for you than most."
"Don't forget super rich," Horizon adds. "Miracle Surgeries cost a lot, and I work for the highest bidder, it adds up, and being good-looking is just a bonus."
"I hate you," Sero mutters jokingly.
Horizon just chuckles, "it's not that you're bad, I'm just perfect..."
For some reason, nobody could make an argument against that.
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Horizon's phone alerts him to a text, and glancing down at it for a moment he sighs.
"Time to go see Nezu, I'll see you guys tomorrow."
SHAMBLES
He disappears from his seat, replaced with an inconspicuous pen.
"Huh?" Jiro and Sero stare at it for a moment before it's replaced with one of his cards, then both that and his sword disappear.
"I'll never get used to that," Sero says. "But man is it cool, just being able to disappear whenever you want like that..."
"It certainly is enviable," Tokoyami says. "Warping alone is enough for entire nations to fight over him, adding everything else is simply stacking the deck even further."
"It's no surprise they wanted him in UA so badly," Shoji says. "That power is too dangerous to be just out there independently, it's like giving someone a button that prints money and asking them not to use it...uh," he looks at Momo awkwardly.
"It's quite fine, I understand," she says. "The Yaoyorozu's were among the first heroes in Japan, and the first Hero Agency in this county, because of that we've always had exceptional Quirks, and although we haven't had a hero among us in over a century, I too can see how my Quirk would be too great a temptation for most, even myself had I not been fortunate enough to be born into our financial situation."
Sero laughs, "yeah, if I had that Quirk back in middle school I'd get to buy all the candy and games I wanted!"
"Eat a pizza and make a bar of gold," Jiro nods in agreement. "Definitely too much temptation for anyone that isn't a hero."
"Hmm, wait a minute," Sero put on his thinking face. "If she turns food into items, then isn't her Quirk just fancy poop?"
And the last thing he sees is Jiro's jack flying toward him...
END CHAPTER---
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Fun Fact, this conversation was supposed to be the first section of the chapter...but I have no self-control, and the friend group was influenced by a pat.reon poll+where Law sits in class+Shoji is cool :)
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CHAPTER START---
Suddenly appearing beside Nezu on one of the couches in the principal office, Horizon closes his ROOM and relaxes. He leans his sword against the wall, placing one of his throwing cards on the coffee table.
"I should leave this here if I'm gonna be in here often," he says.
Recovery Girl and Yagi sit opposite them, and the woman just shakes her head. "I've always imagined warping Quirks as these great mythical abilities...but yours is rather abrupt and annoying."
"But more effective in combat than having to make a portal," Horizon says. "So, aside from you two who else knows about All Might," he gestures to Yagi, back in an oversized suit. "I'm guessing Eraser since he saw him deflate after we left."
"So you really can sense that," Yagi taps his chin in thought before getting back to the topic. "All the UA staff knows, we're trying to keep it private, that includes the other students."
"Yeah, villains would go wild if they knew you couldn't kick ass like you used to," Horizon says. "Well you're still my patient so this doesn't change anything...if anything this is just annoying me even more, because now I know for sure that I extended your life just for you to exert yourself and undo my work...wasting my time..."
"For the record, I've been trying to get him to retire for the past few years," Recovery Girl says, "but Toshinori has muscles for brains."
"Yeah, I noticed," Horizon grumbles.
And the proud number 1 hero just sits there feeling small as both his doctors cut him down.
"So I assume whoever did that is gone now, right?" Horizon asks, gesturing to Yagi's injury. "I'm surprised you could be hurt that badly, must have been one hell of a fight."
"It was, and yes the villain is gone now, I made sure of it," a bit of rage bubbles up in Yagi's voice before it disappears.
"I see," the room falls silent as Horizon thinks for a moment. "Well this doesn't change anything, but at least now I better understand why Yagi was so valuable to Nezu, and why you're so desperate for a new Symbol Of Peace."
"Not desperate," Nezu says. "We still have years of time, and there are many people I could have supported, but you were the most logical choice, even under the questionable circumstances," he says, trying not to give Recovery Girl and Yagi too many hints.
"I still don't see it, but whatever, are we done here? Honestly, it's only the second day at UA and it already feels like I've been here a week..."
"I'd just like to go over some of the new developments with your Quirk," Nezu says, Recovery Girl and Yagi begin moving to exit. "Have a good evening you two."
They both turn and give a polite nod before leaving, leaving only Nezu and Horizon in the room.
"So, Telekinesis?" Nezu asks.
"Close enough."
"Air Slashes?"
"Not really but sure."
"And the ghost bullets?"
"Self-explanatory, right?"
"Not at all, but they're invisible and undetectable, very dangerous in the hands of someone with lethal intent."
"I'll take your word for it," Horizon chuckles.
Nezu sighs and shakes his head. "You know you'll have to give proper explanations for your big debut right, for marketability and all that."
"I know, but until then let's just say I rather keep it mysterious," Horizon shrugs. "Honestly when I explain what I can do nobody sane or smart will want to fight me, but the dramatic reveal will get a lot of views and make me even more famous."
"And slingshot you ahead of your peers on the path to being a top hero..."
"Mhm," Horizon nods. "Now, can we wrap this up, I wanna go get food and head home."
"One last thing, are you sure the situation with All Might doesn't change anything between us?" Nezu asks, caution in his voice, but already predicting a certain answer.
"Changes nothing," Horizon says. "I still don't renegotiate contracts, but if anything this makes it a lot stronger."
"How so?"
"Well...now I know how badly you need me to step up as some great hero...and if you ever stab me in the back, I also know for sure the only person who had any chance of stopping me from turning Japan into rubble and ash, already has a foot in the grave. And you know I know this so you'll stay in line."
Nezu doesn't react, perfectly predicting this response, "I see, well that's good to hear, especially since I intend to honor our deal fully."
"Good, now if that's all..."
"It is, I'll see you tomorrow, I hope you've been enjoying your time at UA."
"It's pretty boring, but the people aren't that bad, but I've had enough of it for today."
"Mhm, and about your harsh words to Midoriya yesterday?" Nezu asks flatly.
"You gonna give me a 'play nice' talk?"
"No, I know you already understood the potential repercussions, not that there are any, but if you went any further---"
"I wouldn't tell him to kill himself...in school."
Nezu sighs and shakes his head, "do try to recall you're training to be a hero."
"So is he, so he can either be a pussy and quit, or just get over it..."
SHAMBLES
---5 Minutes Earlier...
Wearing his UA uniform with his right arm bandaged up, Izuku rushes out of the main building, as always, desperate to catch up to Bakugo.
"Kacchan!" He calls out, and Bakugo stops just in front of the main UA gate, not turning around to face Izuku. "Wait, there's something I need to tell you!"
Bakugo just silently stands there, back still facing Izuku, not bothering to respond.
"I-it's about my Quirk---" Izuku immediately freezes, questioning exactly what he was about to do.
'But I promised All Might I wouldn't tell him, tell anyone. But it's Kacchan, we've been friends for a long time, and I can tell it's killing him inside that he thinks I kept this from him. He thinks I was just mocking him by pretending to be Quirkless...but will he even believe me, I barely believed All Might, and he's All Might...'
"The truth is," he finally musters the courage to continue, determined to explain the situation to Bakugo. "My Quirk was---"
"I don't care Deku," Bakugo looks back at him over his shoulder, and Izuku can see tears flowing down his face, a mix of rage and sadness on his face.
"Kacchan?" he mutters, not sure what he was even seeing, his symbol of victory looked so helpless, like he needed saving.
"I don't care about your Quirk, or you...I can't," Bakugo says surprisingly quietly, as if this is the first time he's admitting it to himself. "I failed at everything today, I lost to you of all people, then Ponytail and Glass Face tore me apart in the review...and I agreed with them."
"Kac---"
"Then I saw them fight," he spits bitterly, now turning to face Izuku. "I knew I couldn't beat Icy-Hot from his first move! Then that fucking Glass Face had to go and crush him! And he's the worst one! Heroes are supposed to give their all no matter what, and the real hero will always win! But he doesn't even try...so why did he win?!"
He wipes his tears with his sleeve and Izuku just stands helpless.
"But I knew I couldn't win, I couldn't even beat you, how the hell am I supposed to fight them?! So I don't care about your Quirk, or why you're here...if I only focus on you I'll never beat them, I'll never be the best! So I'm done with you, Deku..." he mutters his name quietly and turns around, wiping his tears one more time.
Bakugo grips his shirt and declares proudly, "I'll work ten times as hard, I'll keep giving it everything I have! I'll beat Icy-Hot, and even Glass Face... I'll be the best hero!" he desperately pants, trying to catch his breath. And in a smaller, tired voice, he ends the conversation. "And every second I spend thinking about you, they get further ahead...so just stay out of my way..."
Bakugo leaves Izuku frozen in place, unable to say a single word as his mind still can't process what happened.
Watching Bakugo walk away Izuku looks down at his bandaged hand, seeing the tears falling from his eyes onto it.
"Kacchan, you really think you can't win?" he mutters to himself. "Then what am I supposed to do, he gave me this power and I can't even use it properly, I had to break myself to barely get past you."
Izuku looks up, glancing around the walkway to the main UA building, seeing all the statues of UA's founders lining both sides of the path, then looks up at the intimidating building, the learning ground for All Might, Endeavor, Best Jeanist, and dozens of other top pros.
"An entire campus of people more worthy than me to have this power All Might...you should have chosen one of them..."
He blinks a few times, a dangerous idea popping into his mind. With some hesitation he reaches up to touch his hair, remembering how All Might passed One For All onto him only a month ago.
"One For All should belong to the next Symbol Of Peace...Horizon..."
END CHAPTER---
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CHAPTER START---
Standing on the beach Izuku watches the stars in the sky, enjoying the sound of gentle waves crashing and spotting a few people walking along what was a dump site, now a lovely beach thanks to all his hard work.
He looks sad and uncertain, but his expression brightens as a voice calls out from behind him.
"Young Midoriya!" he turns to see Yagi approaching him. "Sorry I had you waiting, there was a situation nearby that needed my help. Plus since we can't talk on campus because of Horizon this was the only option to meet in person."
"Oh, it's ok...I needed the time to think anyway," he says, both men now facing each other.
Yagi raises a brow at the contemplative look on Izuku's face, "everything ok kid?"
"Actually, All Might, I don't think everything is," he looks down at his feet, worrying Yagi.
"Well, spit it out, whatever it is I'm sure we'll figure it out together."
"That's the problem, today... after seeing how hurt Kacchan was, thinking I'd kept this secret from him for ten years, I went to go tell him."
"Oh crap, did you tell him?!" Yagi seemed more scared than upset, knowing Izuku isn't the type to brag about things.
"No, I tried, but he interrupted me," Izuku sighs and looks up at Yagi, tears flowing down his face. "He said that, that he didn't want anything to do with me, that he had to focus on Todoroki and Horizon...that even he couldn't beat them. That every second he spends thinking about me they just get further ahead..."
"I see," Yagi raises a finger to his chin. "A completely focused mind can accomplish great things, his mindset isn't wrong, but it can be dangerous if taken to extreme levels."
"Yeah, but that's not what I called you all the way here for."
"Oh, you didn't want me to go talk to Young Bakugo?"
"No, it's about something he said," Yagi quietly waits as Izuku carefully chooses his words. "He said that Horizon was so far beyond him...and since he's already so far ahead of me, I don't even know what that makes me. Not to mention Principal Nezu thinks he'll be the next you, the future Symbol Of Peace...what I'm trying to say is," he takes a deep breath and bows. "I'm sorry! But I've decided to give him One for All."
Izuku expects disappointment, or to get hit, but all that happens is Yagi mutters out a , "ah, I see."
He looks up startled to see a sympathetic look on Yagi's face. "What? You aren't mad about me wanting to give away your Quirk?"
"It's not my Quirk any more kid, it's yours, and I can't stop you from giving it away if that's what you really want to do, and it sounds like you've already made up your mind."
"I have, I just think he'll be able to help a lot more people than me with One For All."
"You're right," Yagi nods in agreement, and Izuku feels whatever little piece of him that was hoping his hero would argue with him get crushed. "Horizon is undoubtedly talented, I'd even say peerless and that's considering most pros. Say, want to hear about the first time I met him?" he asks oddly cheerfully, ignoring Izuku's watery eyes.
"Uh-I---"
"Great," Yagi cuts him off. "It was -as of yesterday- exactly one year ago. I know I only told you about him yesterday when school began but I've known him for a while."
Izuku stares in surprise.
"He's the reason I can stay in my muscular form for so long, and help so many people, a real living miracle...and I thought that before I even knew he could fight," he chuckles. "See, I don't think I've ever met someone like him, good at everything, powerful Quirk, genius mind, near perfect training from what I've seen, and he has the confidence to always speak his mind, he's a perfect hero..."
"Yeah," Izuku mutters, "that's why I'm giving him One For All."
"Well...almost perfect," Yagi adds, causing Izuku to look up in surprise. "What? You thought if he was actually perfect, and I met him before you, that you would have still gotten One For All, c'mon kid, you're supposed to be smart, you must have realized there was a reason, right?"
Izuku retreats into his mind for a moment, comparing himself to Horizon. But in the end he just shakes his head and feels worse than before, "I can't think of anything I'm better at than him."
"That's the point of One For All," Yagi says. "You don't have to be born powerful, or talented, you've got the strength of all the previous users, all the previous heroes. No matter who gets One For All they will have the power of a top pro, and since it enhances any existing Quirk in the user, I'm sure Horizon's Quirk -whatever it is- would become near almighty. He'd likely save so many people that history will forget about me completely, he's just that capable after all."
"Yeah that's what I figured too, but why didn't you give it to him?"
"Because, while One For All can give you the power of a great hero, it can't give you the heroic spirit needed, and the desire to become a great hero," Yagi places a massive hand on Izuku's shoulder. "I saw that heroic spirit in you, stronger than I've ever seen in anyone, including myself. When you master One For All you'll have all the power I did, and with your spirit, I can trust you to stay on the righteous path no matter what life throws at you, that's why I chose you."
"Really?" Izuku asks, fighting the tears and clearly about to lose.
"Yup, Horizon has everything, a perfect life, and is a perfectly capable person, but you've got the heroic spirit I was looking for," Yagi gives a dazzling smile.
Izuku breaks down into ugly sobs, causing Yagi to frown. "Seriously kid you need to get your waterworks under control..."
"Sorry," he wipes his face a few times with his sleeves. "I just can't believe you'd think that about me, I figured anyone at UA would be heroic enough."
Yagi chuckles at that idea, "Young Midoryia, you'll soon learn that for many people this is a job, and in Horizon's case, it's not even a job he wanted," Izuku looks surprised at that. "I don't know the details but Nezu worked attending UA into whatever deal they made, that's the only reason he's there...see, he was never any competition for One For All. So of course I'd bet on you to be the next Symbol Of peace."
After he composes himself Izuku smiles at Yagi, "that's exactly what I needed to hear, thank you."
"Don't sweat it kid, honestly the fact that you always put others above yourself is what makes you so heroic, but it clouds your vision when you try to objectively compare yourself with your peers, get that under control along with your Quirk and you'll see how fair the playing field is."
"Really, even with Todoroki and Horizon?" Izuku doesn't look convinced, and the way Yagi awkwardly rubs the back of his neck doesn't make him feel better.
"Well, Todoroki sure, but warping is just plain unfair, he's the only warping hero in the world too so he'll surely be more popular at the start. You've got a lot of work to do to catch up to him, but the moment you make One For All your own, you'll be neck and neck with your other classmates."
Izuku clenches his bandaged fist, already healed to the point of not feeling pain from it, then looks up at Yagi, "I'll catch up, and I'll be a great hero. I'll save a lot of people, just like you..."
"Now that's what I wanna hear!" Yagi ruffles his hair before pulling him into a hug. 'You've got a lot more work ahead of you than even I can imagine, if all the supercomputers in Nezu's brain say betting on Horizon is the right move...then your spirit is in for one hell of a journey Young Midoriya...'
---Matani Estate...
PFF!
Law's MMA gloves smash into the heavy bag, drenched in sweat, shirtless, and wearing only a pair of shorts and shoes, he continues his evening workout.
The stars are high above the ocean, offering an incredible view through the wall of windows in his gym.
PFF!
Another barrage of punches with pristine form.
"Booster Shot," he mutters, and a surge of healing energy permeates his body, not finding anything to heal it enhances what is already there.
BAM!
His strong right slams into the heavy bag, with so much force that the four hundred pound -181kg- bag swings and nearly becomes parallel to the ground, then the top of the bag rips, and it goes flying for a few meters away. A clear tear in the leather where his gloves connected.
"Fuck, another one," he mutters while feeling his extremely temporary enhanced strength rapidly fade as the bag skids to a stop a few meters away. He looks down to see sand already leaking out of the bag. "I'll pick up a new one tomorrow, should get one that power types use anyway..." he mutters while walking away, taking off his gloves.
Whilst Booster Shot was energy intensive and extremely short-lived, it did allow him to increase his strength a respectable amount, still, nothing compared to what actual power types like Sato could unleash. At best it allowed him to unleash three times his base strength, while Sato has an x5 increase in strength at a minimum for three whole minutes from one activation of his Sugar Rush Quirk. Horizon only has x3 increase for a few seconds at best, and that's after none stop training this past year. Barely any increase at all from what it previously was.
Only good for one clean hit, otherwise it simply wasn't economical to use stamina for it.
"Not like I enjoy brawling anyway, but Booster Shot really needs improvement," he mutters while considering how weak his enhancement is compared to the rest of his classmates, mainly Sato and Kirishima.
After getting cleaned up he's sitting in his massive kitchen at the counter. The entire open floor of his living and entertainment area was furnished, seemingly full of life, a perfect family home built at his request.
But it was cold, and empty. And the man who has everything, the perfect life, the perfect Quirk, the peerless talent, everything people assumed when they saw or met him... he sat alone at the kitchen counter eating a massive plate of Lasagne quietly listening to the news about Best Jeanist resolving a hostage crisis hours ago.
Just glancing up from his phone he takes another bite of his food and looks across at the picture he brought down to have dinner with.
The picture Nezu had saved a year ago and brought to him, the only physical picture he had left, as everything else was on his phone or in isolated hard drives in safe houses.
He, Corazon, and Kiku, at the beach after a certain surfing trip. Placed in a simple picture frame and stood upright on the counter to face him.
So while his classmates were having dinner and chatting with their families, he did the same...
"So, today was my second day at UA," he says, seemingly to nobody, but his parents were always the people he could talk to about anything, and this is the closest he could get to that. "It wasn't bad, some of my classmates seem nice enough... I think they know not to get in my way, so that's good."
He takes another bite of his food.
"I got the Lasagne recipe right...well, I perfected it a while back, but it's the first time I've made it in this house, you know? Can't wait for you guys to try it..."
He sees the new story change to Gang Orca.
"Yeah, I already have everything ready, just need to get to the sports festival and take the spotlight. After that everything should run normally until I get my provisional license next year, UA lets second years take the test, but I'll try to talk Nezu into letting me take it early, I'm sure he'll like the idea," he chuckles.
He finishes his meal quickly after that, cleans up, then takes the picture and warps into his bedroom.
A massive bed with grey sheets, easily capable of comfortably holding five people of his large size.
Plugging in his phone to charge he lays in bed and takes one last look and the picture, eyes focusing on his parents, shaking his head at the memory of those words his mom said, and how true they are now.
"I really am a lonely god," he mutters sadly. "But it's only for a few more years...I'll bring us back together, I'll fix this, then we never have to set foot in Japan again..."
He rolls on his side and places the picture frame in the drawer of his bedside table.
"And now I need to go back to pretending like you aren't who you are, as if I could ever be ashamed of you," he says in disgust at the thought.
Turning off the lights he takes one last look at the clock, groaning as he sees its almost 2AM, then covers himself in the blanket and closes his eyes.
"Just a few more years being a lonely god..."
END CHAPTER---
pat.reon (5 Chapters ahead): Keanu_Eugene
The first 2 days at UA took a lot of chapters but I felt it was necessary since this is everyone's first impressions of each other
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