Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izuku picks up the passed out villain’s phone and dials a number he has long since memorized. It only rings for a second before it picks up.

“Hey Tsukauchi! Got another one for you!”

“Thank Kami it’s you kid. If I answer this phone and have to hear another salesman I may go insane.”

“You’re the one who gave me your number.”

“The emergency operators do not deserve to hear your ramblings fifty times a night.”

“Thank you for your noble sacrifice.” Izuku pickes up the man and began carrying him over his shoulder as he runs across the buildings. His boots give him the proper boost needed to clear the gaps.

A small sip of coffee was heard through the phone, “At least someone recognizes me. Where is it at?”

“I’m dropping him off at the station for you. Just figured I’d let you know so the whole precinct doesn’t hear you scream in fear.”

“You dropped a giant fox lady right in front of me with zero warning.” Tsukauchi deadpans, “I feel completely justified in my reaction. Also you said you wouldn’t speak of it.”

“My fingers were crossed.” Izuku laughs. The precinct was in sight now.

“Uh huh. And how old did you say you were again?”

“Twenty.”

“I see how it is. Lie to the man with the lie detecting quirk.”

Izuku drops the villain on the doorstep. “Delivery complete!”

“I’ve got snacks on my windowsill if you want them.”

“Oh hell yeah!” Izuku hangs up and runs to the other side of the building. He hangs upside down off the side of the building and peers in through the open window.

“Hello Viridian.” Tsukauchi says from his desk. A pile of paperwork was stacked in one corner. A tower of coffee cups covered the other. “Chocolate chip cookies today.”

Izuku grabs a handful. “You’re the best Tsuky.” He gives a two fingered salute before flipping back to the topside.

“Stay safe kid!” Tsukauchi calls from within the office.

Izuku speeds off in the night ready to take down another criminal.

————————

So Izuku should have gone home. This fight was not going in Izuku’s favor. He was cornered, his last knife was on the other side of the alley, his grappling hook was currently retraining two villains already, and the nearest fire escape was blocked. He really needed and area of effect attack.

Izuku puts his fists up, “Don’t suppose you feel like talking this out gentlemen?”

The one of the three villains in front of him literally growled at him.

“I’ll take that as a no.” Izuku grabs the trash can lid in just enough time to use as a shield against the first villain whose fingers turned into knives that pierce through the metal.

Izuku takes advantage of Knifeman being stuck in the lid and throws him into the multi-armed villain. Both go crashing ti the ground in a pile of limbs and curses.

Izuku lets out his own string of curses as the third villain clamps his mouth down on his arm. Izuku could make out small feathery gills on the villain’s neck. Must be some sort of shark quirk.

Arms and Knifeman were starting to get up. Izuku punches Sharky in the nose in an attempt to get the man off of him. Of course he bites down harder instead.

“Let. Me. Go.” Each word Izuku accents with a kick in Sharky’s shins. The last one managing in his goal of freedom. Izuku kicks Sharky away from him and backs up only to run into the wall. His arm hangs limply next to him as Arms and Knifeman got up and rejoin Sharky.

“Ready to die Viridian?” Knifeman mocks. “To think we’ll be the ones to finally get rid of you.”

“Sorry I think I’ll have to return your offer.”

Arms reaches for him, attempting a grapple. Izuku quickly wriggles out of the hold and falls ungracefully to the floor.

Sharky reaches down and grabs him by his hood, lifting him up and hooking it onto the fire escape. Izuku tries escape the hoodies as the fabric pushes against Izuku’s throat. Izuku kicks out wildly.

One kick hits Sharky in the gut who backhands him. “Little shit. I’m going to sit here and watch you suffocate and then I’m going to parade around with your dead body so everyone will know-“

Izuku knows his vision is a little dizzy right now but he swears Sharky just disappeared. A black figure surround by white rings drops from the sky. Izuku gasps with relief as he is lifted off the fire escape and placed safely on the ground. His hands immediately rip the hoodie off himself. The fabric feels as though it’s still suffocating him. Izuku sits and listens to his breaths as the sounds of fighting echo in the alley around him.

Eventually, the sounds die down and the figure comes closer to Izuku who can then identify it as Eraserhead. Izuku struggles to his feet and holds his fists up in some sad attempt of a fighting pose.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” Eraserhead speaks with a gruff voice. The syllables sharp and to the point. “You need medical attention.”

Izuku attempts for force out a comeback only to be met with coughing and a sharp pain in his throat.

Eraserhead reaches out to touch Izuku’s arm. Izuku slaps the hand out of the way and pulls himself up onto the fire escape he was hanging from just a moment before. His injured arm screams at him but he pushes through it.

“Kid! What are you doing!” Eraserhead easily launching himself to the top of the building with his scarf to block Izuku’s path but Izuku didn’t need to make it to the top.

Izuku swings over the railing of the fire escape, activating his boots on the way. They let out a string blast of air which catapults him to the roof of a building across the street. He stumbles a little bit on the landing before speeding off.

————————

Aizawa stands at the scene of the crime, watching as the five thugs are arrested. He’d wanted to chase after the kid but he’s legally not allowed to leave the villains alone till they are arrested.

Tsukauchi comes over to talk to him. “I heard Viridian was part of this fight.”

“Viridian?”

“Scrappy kid in a green hoodie.” Tsukauchi explains.

“He almost got himself killed.”

Tsukauchi’s eyes widen. “What happened?”

“When I showed up they were in the process of hanging him off a fire escape. Probably a concussion too; he didn’t seem to be seeing straight after I got him off.”

“You didn’t try to arrest him did you?”

“No, he got away. Besides I’m not worrying about arresting a kid while he’s bleeding out. It’s not logical.” Aizawa explains.

Tsukachi hesitates a moment, “When you see him again, can you make sure he’s okay.” He starts speaking faster, “He’s just a kid, he needs guidance not a prison cell. I’ll do your paperwork for a month. Just… Make sure he’s safe.”

“I’ll look out for him.” Aizawa places his hand on Tsukachi’s shoulder in comfort. “I am taking you up on the paperwork offer though.”

Chapter Text

Izuku checks behind him once more to be sure he really did lose Eraserhead before heading back home.

Home is an abandoned shipping yard. The company went bankrupt and left all the containers and equipment just gathering dust. Izuku moved in a bit ago after Inko’s life insurance ran out.

The containers made great rooms. He was able to take a few ladders from Dagaboa to travel between the levels and lit the area with a tangled ball of christmas lights he spent two days unraveling.

Thankfully past Izuku had the forethought to put the medical equipment in one of the first level containers. He stumbles in through the cracked open door, careful to not aggravate his arm too much. Thanks to one of his last deals with Giran he was able to get quirk enhanced medical supplies. His arm should be healed in no time.

It was his neck he was most worried about. Vocal coords are delicate, healing his throat quickly could cause more problems than it would solve. Izuku would rather keep the ability to speak. He’s grown fond of his own voice even if no one else has.

Izuku covers his arm in healing paste before wrapping it up. After he get a bag of frozen peas to hold on his neck while he sketches in his notebook.

Before long he has an outline for a new mask. It would cover his face and neck. If he made the edges of the metal sharp someone couldn’t grab his neck again. He would have to fit the edge of the mask to his googles, or he could finally create new ones. Where the mouth was he drew in slots for his charges and slats for ventilation. If he modified the formula from the grenades he used on Endeavor’s billboards he could create an area of effect attack that the villains couldn’t take from him.

He changes pages and begins writing out possible chemical formulas to try out. He read something about greek fire on a forum the other day. Recreating that was worth a shot.

————————

He really should have thought about his exams before staying up all night recreating ancient weapons of war. He woke up where he passed out on his workbench. His phone alarm blared in his ear informing him it was time to leave.

Fuck.

Izuku unwraps his arm and flexes it a few times, good as new. He changes his shirt into something high necked to cover his bruises and puts on some cargo pants. Then he runs to the kitchen to grab a granola bar and an energy drink.

He forgot to buy energy drinks last night. Double Fuck.

Izuku runs to the subway, dodging between the crowds all the way. As he waits for the next train he walks over to the vending machine. A coffee can was stuck inside halfway up. If this machine steals his money he will be breaking the glass. Izuku punches in the code for his energy drink and watches as it hits the coffee can on the side. When both drinks land in the tray at the bottom Izuku does a little happy dance.

As he walks away from the vending machine he sees a man leaning against a wall that looks just about as tired as he does. He glances at the coffee, then at the man, the coffee, the man. “You need this more than I do.” Izuku hands off the coffee can.

The guy dressed in a black sweater and pink sweatpants takes the coffee and simply gives a nod of appreciation.

————————

Izuku ends up at the entrance to UA hyped up on 350mg of caffeine, four hours of sleep, and enough spite to fight a god.

He enters a large room for the written exam and is shown to his seat by an Ectoplasm clone. He’s got to be the best hire Nedzu ever made with the amount of money the principal has likely saved on staffing.

Izuku finishes his exam a lot earlier than he was expecting. Everything he read online to prepare said that the exam was extremely challenging. He found the exam fun. He must have missed something. By the time Izuku checks over his answers twice he’s only changed the answer to one question and added onto the essay response. After waiting five minutes the first person turns in their answers and Izuku waits the socially acceptable amount of time before getting up to turn in his.

————————

After the timer goes off a clone guides the hero hopefuls to the auditorium. The size of the room feels significantly bigger with all of them gone.

Power Loader steps up to the front of the room. He’s in a variant of his hero costume. A black t-shirt lined with construction yellow at the seams and dirt stained blue jeans. He has on his famous gauntlets but has forgone the yellow helmet. Power Loader’s ginger hair hangs around shoulders. Power Loader glances around the room before speaking, “If I can have all Support Course applicants follow me.”

A pink haired girl is the first to get to Power Loader. She’s jumping up and down with excitement. When Izuku walks up he can hear her rambling about babies? of all things.

The hero guides them all to one of the support class rooms. “Everyone take a seat at one of the stations.” He pauses while everyone claimed a spot. Izuku ends up with the pink girl. “One of the roles of a support tech is to provide hero’s with gear specifically to circumvent limits in their quirk or to add on an additional power to their skill set. Your task for today is to create a prototype item for one of UA’s own staff members. The ones available for tested are listed in a pamphlet inside your desk along with their quirk and details about it. You are allowed access to all equipment in this workshop. If you don’t know how to use something please ask me for assistance. Using equipment dangerously is cause for your application’s immediate expulsion.” Power Loader clasps his hands together. “Good Luck!”

————————

Izuku flicks through the pamphlet. His options were Power Loader himself, Present Mic, Midnight, Snipe, or Ectoplasm.

Midnight was the one that immediately came to mind for him. Her costume has gone through quite a lot of changes over the years. Her current one consists of an easily rippable fabric to allow her quirk to escape through her skin when needed. The obvious issue with that is it offers no protection in battle. Should the villain be immune or able to get away easily, for example by flight, her quirk would be relatively useless and then Midnight could be easily damaged through weapons.

If he gave Midnight a better way to disperse her quirk then she could invest in better armor; Therefore, allowing her to last longer in the field.

————————

Izuku sits outside the testing area with his creation. He’s not allowed to see the demonstrations of the other students. Which sucks as it would be very informative.

The pink haired girl, Hatsume Mei as he’s learned, is testing currently. Based on the faint screams he can hear through the wall she must have chosen to make something for Present Mic. Or a torture device, you never know with UA.

Hatsume leaves a moment later covered in concrete dust. She turns to him, “Hey Greenie! What you made earlier looked pretty cool! If you make it in let’s make lots of really cool babies together.” She sticks out her hand.

“I’d be glad to.” Izuku replies as he grasps her forearm and shakes once. His voice is still hoarse from last night. Only after Hatsume walks off does he realize he forgot to tell her his name.

Power Loader pokes his head through the door. “Midoryia Izuku?”

“That’s me.” Izuku stands up and walks into the gym, carefully holding his creation. Present Mic and Midnight stand together against a wall. Present Mic is talking animatedly. His hands motioning around, miming his screams. Ectoplasm, Thirteen, and Snipe were in a conversation next to them. Snipe seemed to be doing the most talking, however, it was hard to tell what about with all the masks.

“So what hero did you make your item for?” Power Loader questions. He stood in the middle of the gym, seemingly ignoring the smoke columns and rubble around him.

“Pro Hero Midnight, sir.” His voice came out a lot quieter than he meant it to. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest he wouldn’t be surprised if they all could hear it. It’s only then that he realized he’s never had anyone else see his inventions than his mother. Oh Kami what if he actually sucked.

As Midnight begins walking over Power Loader continues asking questions. “So what made you decide on this particular support item.”

“It’s uh-“ Izuku coughs. He really wishes he brought tea, “It’s meant to help spread Midnights quirk be more long ranged and add some direction into it. It also provides an opportunity for Midnight to add better protection into her costume to help with more drawn out battles.”

“So how do I put this one on?” Midnight puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head questioningly. Power Loader simply motions to Izuku.

“It straps on around your arms. I only had time to make the one, but in the field you would have one on both arms.” He pauses as he steps up to Midnight, “Can I put this on you? You’ll have to rip your sleeve for it to work.”

“Yeah go ahead kid,” she rips her costume down to about the elbow and then holds out her right arm. Izuku slides on the bracer-gloves before tightening down the makeshift straps. There’s a glass bubble on the back of the hand and a lot of tubes and wires coming in and out of the metal and leather combination.

“When you turn on your quirk the bracers will collect the gas. It will then store it in these little glass capsules.” Izuku shows one off before fitting it into the slot. Midnight turns on her quirk and they watch as the bubble fills up with pink gas, which then travels through the tubes to fill up the capsule.

Izuku was only able to test this part with a makeshift gas that’s mostly used in gender reveals. Thankfully it seems to be of a similar consistency.

“You can fire these long distances by pressing the button on the palm.” He turns her arm upside down and aims it for one of the only standing walls. Midnight presses the button and it goes firing off. The capsule shatters and the pink gas begins spreading out.

“Or in close range there’s a button on the side of the pointer finger that will release the gas in a flamethrower style.” Izuku explains while Midnight steps away from the rest of them. She presses the button and her quirk shoots out in an even stream for about five meters.

“Like I said ideally you would have two of these. But I think it would be a really usefully addition to your skill set since you would be able to change your costume to a stronger and more protective material.”

“Thank you for the demonstration Midoryia. Is there anything else to add or any questions you have? Your results should come in the mail in about a week. Also drop by Recovery Girl on your way out for your throat. You may be coming down with a cold or something.”

“Oh-“ Done already? “No questions, thank you for considering me.” Izuku bows awkwardly before exiting. Izuku drags his hand across his face as he leaves the gym. Why did he have to be so awkward when he wasn’t behind a mask. He replied ‘you too’ to a barista that told him to enjoy his drink the other day. Yet he comes up with one liners on the spot the second he’s behind a mask.

Chapter Text

Eraserhead was honestly relieved when he saw Viridian again. He was concerned after Naomosa told him he was just a kid. The last time Eraserhead saw him the vigilante was not in a good state.

Viridian’s costume changed from the last time he saw him. Originally the vigilante ran around in a hoodie with a makeshift mask and googles. His tool belt and boots were later additions but no less important.

Now Viridian’s face was covered in a metal mask that spanned from the bridge of his nose down the neck. The armor disappeared below his shirt. Eraserhead was unsure if it continued or not. Connected to the top of the mask was a pair of upgraded green goggles. His hair is hidden underneath a black beanie. The hair he can see peaking out is darker in color though it’s hard to tell at night. His boots come up higher presumably to help support Viridian’s legs with all the jumps he does. The tool belt remains an important component, he seems to have regained the grappling gun and multiple knives. All in all the vigilante cuts an imposing figure at night.

As Eraserhead gets closer he’s momentarily surprised as the vigilante turns around sharply, noticing his presence. Viridian tenses ready to spring off at any moment. “I wish my students were that good at watching their surroundings.” Aizawa says to break the silence.

“Well not everyone can be as skilled as I am.” Viridian relaxes a little but not by much. “What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to check on you after the other night. That was a pretty rough night.”

“I can handle myself.” Viridian’s voice was cold.

As Aizawa looks at the vigilante’s posture he can’t help but draw a comparison between the vigilante and the stray cat he takes care of. Rule one of strays: be non-threatening. Aizawa holds his hands up pacifistically. “I never said you couldn’t. Everyone has bad nights. I know I’ve had my share.“

“I-“ Viridian pauses as his stomach audibly growls.

“Did you not eat before patrolling?”

“Didn’t have the time.”

“Here,” Aizawa tosses Viridian a jelly packet. Rule two of stray cats: always bring food. “You can’t fight villains on an empty stomach: you’ll throw up.” Viridian stares at the package suspiciously. Aizawa rolls his eyes. “It’s prepackaged I couldn’t have possibly tampered with it.”

“Yes you could have,” Viridian corrects, “It would just take some effort.”

“Well that’s mildly terrifying.”

“Well!” The vigilante tears open the packet. He slides the mask down a few clicks and drinks it while turned away from the hero, “If I collapse in the middle of a fight I’m blaming my middle school.”

“What does your middle school have to do with this?”

“Gave me trauma, bad habits, and a lack of self-preservation.”

—-

It’s been a two weeks since Izuku’s first real interaction with Eraserhead. They have teamed up multiple times since. The hero seems to have decided on a truce. He also is weirdly obsessed with giving him food. But hey who is he to turn down free stuff.

Izuku spends his morning doing his very best to not think about the rest of the day. He puts his notebook in his bag and doesn’t think about the letter he got a week ago. He eats his breakfast and doesn’t think about possible reactions to his quirk status. He curses his forgetfulness surrounding energy drinks and most definitely doesn’t think about his childhood friend.

He leaves home earlier than he needs to so he can stop by his local florist. The pink haired owner puts together his bouquet of purple hyacinths and forget-me-nots with a knowing smile.

Izuku Midoriya leans back on his mother’s grave. He can almost imagine her sitting next to him, watching the sunrise. He can imagine the way she would straighten his tie and mess with his hair. How she would pack his lunch box with a homemade bento box instead of the pre packaged one he got at the convenience store.

“I did it.” Izuku speaks to the wind. To the dreams she never got to see him achieve. “I hope you can see me. I hope you’re proud.”

Izuku leaves the flowers at the grave stone. He thinks his mom would like her final resting place. Her grave sits amongst a field of flowers. It took a while but now her grave spot is covered in the flowers like the many others.

As he walks out of the graveyard he passes a purple haired kid kneeling at a gravestone. It’s still mostly covered with dirt though the harsh lines of death have been warped by the touches of grass. A few paces away is a yellow haired man. Izuku swears he knows him, but he’s got no clue where from.

He gives the yellow man a nod of respect as he passes them. Before heading to the station.

—-

UA seems so much bigger now than it did before. The glass building looms over him and Izuku can’t help but feel a little intimidated. He gratefully takes a map from one of the upperclassmen and follows it to the support department.

Izuku takes a deep breath before walking through a door labeled 1-H. He is immediately greeted by noise. A group of three students are all talking loudly amongst themselves. They seem to know each other already. Two others are walking around checking out equipment. Another group of two are showing their notebooks off to each other. Hatsume is showing off her inventions to another student who looks like he would rather be anywhere else.

Hatsume’s eyes drift over to the door as he enters. “Greenie!” She lifts up what looks like a generator, “Look what I made! I’m calling this baby number 3!” The student she had been talking to grabs his bag and quickly moves to a different work station.

“Hey Hatsume, and it’s Midoriya, Midoriya Izuku.” He corrects hesitantly.

“Oh just call me Mei, Izu-kun.” Mei? said, “We’re gonna make a lot of babies this year, right? You promised!”

“That’s the plan, I think. You mean your inventions right?” He has to ask, okay.

“Yes my inventions as one less passionate would say. They’re my children and I would die for them.”

—-

After the most boring orientation Izuku had been to in his entire life, the last orientation he went was much more entertaining and the teacher had rattled on about quirks and their inherent superiority, they headed off to the lunchroom.

Izuku and Mei were a little late as they had to go back to the classroom to get their lunch boxes, therefore, most of the tables were full already. There was one nearly empty. The same purple kid with fluffy hair and eye bags from the graveyard sat at one edge of it, the rest of the table was weirdly empty.

Izuku pulled Mei along with him. “Can we sit here?” He asked the kid who barely made eye contact and simply nodded in lieu of an answer. As Izuku pulled out the chair to sit a hand made contact with his shoulder, pulling him back.

It was a tall student with blue hair and scales across his cheeks. He looked like he was popular in middle school. Which probably meant he was an ass. “You don’t want to sit there; he’s got a villain quirk.” Point for Izuku the mans an ass. The guy motions at Purple kid who just grips his fork tighter.

“Right where I’m meant to be then, perfect.” Izuku knocks the hand off his shoulder and sits down stubbornly.

“Your funeral,” he scoffs before walking off. The teens friends crowd around him and whisper amongst themselves as they walk away.

The three of them ate in silence for a minute before Mei pipes up, “I’m Hatsume Mei, future owner of Hatsume Industries, but you can call me Mei.”

“You guys can go now.” Purple kid states . “You’ve ‘saved me’ congratulations you’re a good person. You can go back where you belong now.”

“No.” Izuku surprises himself with the conviction in his voice.

“No?”

“I not leaving because this is where I ‘belong.’ Since we’re so set on grouping people.”

“Oh and why do you belong with the villain kid?” Purple snarks.

Because I have my own file in the police station and I’m technically wanted criminal. “Cause I’m a useless quirkless kid.” Izuku glances nervously at Mei. He didn’t think she would care enough to stop being friends but you never know.

Her face was blank for a moment before she grinned, “You’re a blank slate! You can test all my babies for me!”

“You don’t.. care?” Izuku asks hesitantly.”

“Why would I?” Mei asked genuinely confused.

“I- Never mind.”

“Brainwashing.” Purple says, barely audible.

“Huh?” Izuku questions.

“That’s my quirk if someone responds to me I can take control of them.” Purple kid hunches in on himself as if Izuku was about to yell at him.

“That’s such a good quirk! You’re in the hero course right?” Izuku points to the buttons on his uniform, “That’s a perfect career for you!”

“Really?” The teen’s expression is a cross between disbelief that someone could say such a thing and hope that they mean it in the same moment.

“Yeah, of course. What’s your name I need to stop calling you Purple kid?”

“I’m Shinso Hitoshi. What’s your-“ Shinso is cut off by a blaring alarm. The only thing close to the same volume is the student body’s panic. People begin pushing and shoving as they exit into the hallway. Shinso moves to follow but squaks with surprise as Izuku grabs him by the collar and pulls him back down.

“It’s not the fire alarm so we don’t need to evacuate. That hallway will be a bottle neck; we would get crushed if we went in there.”

A few moments and some loud crashes later the students move back into the lunchroom talking about a press break in and a flying kid.

“My name is Midoriya Izuku by the way.” Izuku smiles, maybe UA wouldn’t be like Aldera after all, “It’s nice to meet you!”

Chapter Text

Mei laughs maniacally as she screws the final bolts into the bomb. Power Loader gave 1-H a partnered assignment to create a support item based around capture and detainment. Izuku was the one with the idea to make it a bomb, he thinks about explosions way too much. Mei had the idea of making an elephant toothpaste like reaction. It would expand fast and harden trapping anyone inside it.

They were the last group to finish their prototype. By the time the testing room was open the school day was coming to a close.

Izuku and Mei sat in the middle of the testing room. “So we can either test this now and deal with the probable mess or we can wait till tomorrow and be able to fix any issues we come across.”

“It’s like you don’t even know me,” Mei said before pressing the button.

The bomb immediately expands across the room, faster than they had originally intended. The pink foam consumes everything in sight. “Uhh Mei.. That’s getting a little close to us don’t you think?”

“We should run.” Both of them took off for the door, however, the foam was faster. Izuku felt his feet get surrounded before his legs became immobilized.

The school bell rings and they sit in silence for a moment. “Hey Mei.”

“Yeah.”

“Our baby works too well.”

“I’m proud of him.”

The door clicks open. “Hey kids school is over you need to-“ Power Loader just stares at them. “Did you make a way to get out of this?”

“We haven’t gotten to that bit yet funnily enough.”

Power Loader just sighs before carefully stepping into the room. His claws glimmer as they cut into the hardened foam and free the students. “Both of you are staying after school today to clean this up. You don’t get to touch anything other than a broom stick until this is cleared out.”

Chastised the young inventors both hung their heads. “Yes sir.”

“Little Gremlins.” He mutters as he leaves them to their fate.

—-

After the job is done Izuku walks over to Power Loader’s desk. The man is hunched over a brightly colored suit made of yellows, blues, and red writing across the chest. A vial with blond hair strands sits central on the desk.

“We finished cleaning up.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll make sure Mei makes a dissolver next time.”

“That’s probably for the best.” Power Loader didn’t look up. He simply kept delicately weaving strands of the costume together.

“If I may ask? What are you doing?”

“I’m performing a repair in a third year’s costume. His quirk is permeation, so in order for his costume to stay on we devised a way to weave his DNA into the fabric.”

“You can give quirk properties to objects?”

“It still requires input and stimulation from the original user. If someone else in Miro’s family had the same quirk it wouldn’t faze out with them.”

“That is incredible! Can you share your research on this?” Izuku was practically vibrating with excitement over the implications of this discovery.

“Yeah,” Power Loader stepped away from his desk and over to a locked filing cabinet. Izuku couldn’t make out the numbers to the lock sadly, but after a moment it opened with a click. “Here it is. Let me know if you have any questions. I want this all back by tomorrow.” He held the folder out towards Izuku before pulling it out of reach. “You will not damage these papers in any way. Now head on home I’m sure your parents are wondering where you’ve been.”

“Thank you Power Loader Sensei! Have an amazing rest of your day!”

“You too Gremlin.”

—-

Izuku paces back and forth in his workshop. Power Loader’s research is spread across the table along with medial dictionaries and quirk science books. On a stool in the middle of the room is a potted fern.

“Okay so the way I’m understanding it is this.” The fern sways. “There is a thing called a quirk factor that acts like a cup. This quirk factor holds the quirk and helps to direct it by sending out little signals to activate that get picked up by receptors in the DNA.“

“You look confused Fern.” The plant simply bobs. “How does Eraserhead’s quirk work? That’s simple Fern. It’s like the person turning on their quirk is constantly opening and closing a door with each signal that gets sent. Eraser can just shove his little footsie in the way and then that door can’t close anymore.

People with mutant quirks have a constant signal going it’s why Eraser’s quirk doesn’t work on them. He can’t shove his foot through a closed door.”

Izuku stops pacing and stares at the plant. “I think I have an idea. I’m unsure if it’s going to work though. I’ll work it out in my head while I go on patrol.” A frond of the plant brushes Izuku as he walks towards the door. “Oh shut up Fern I’m not the crazy one.”

—-

When Eraserhead hits the streets it’s surprising silent. It’s always quiet after a storm, but it’s rare for the streets to be this calm. He spots Viridian down on the streets and drops down behind him. “Hey kid.”

The kid jumps a bit, “Hey Eraser. It’s a ghost town out here.”

“Quiet before the storm.” He muses, “Have any of your contacts said anything?” The two begin walking down the street, checking in alleys as they go.

“No, which means either they don’t trust me or don’t know me. I’m not sure which I hate more.”

“Yes, Viridian, the vigilante that’s well known for-“ Aizawa pauses and turns around when he realizes Viridian isn’t with him anymore. “What are you doing?”

“Saving a worm,” The kid is crouched on the sidewalk, carefully lifting up a worm and placing it in the grass. “First save of the night!”

“It’s just a worm.”

Viridian’s voice is soft as he speaks, “Every time it rains worms end up out on the sidewalk just to keep themselves from drowning. Then they sit there and get burned onto the sidewalk. It’d take two seconds of someone’s day to help them.”

Resentment builds up in Viridian’s voice as he cups another worm in his hands. “It would have taken anyone five minutes out of their day to help some kid being beat up in an alley. But it’s not worth it, is it?”

Eraserhead crouches down and picks another worm off the sidewalk and carefully places it in the grass with the others. It quickly burrows down onto the earth. “I’ll help you save them.” Viridian looks up at him, disbelief shining through his goggles, “I won’t let you burn.”

If Eraserhead spends the rest of his shift picking up worms off the sidewalk that’s his business and no one else’s.

Chapter Text

Okay so Izuku doesn’t normally go vigilanting in the daytime, and definitely not before school, and most definitely not when he’s meant to bring back his teacher’s priceless research in perfect condition. But, in his defence he was already running late, there were no heroes around to help, and he took his gear with him when he left that morning because of a bad feeling. Eraser always said he should listen to his instincts.

Izuku chases the thief down the sidewalk. The orange haired villain had duffel bags full of items he stole from a pawn shop a couple blocks back. He turns sharply then pauses and pulls his fist up as a wall of concrete blocks Izuku from chasing him down the alley.

Izuku curses before activating his boots the give him a boost up to the rooftops. He almost drops down on the man when another person joined from the opposite direction.

“Seriously Richard, right before the battle? Were you asking to be caught?!” The woman begins berating ‘Richard’ who looks sufficiently scolded. “This is why I don’t think we’re going to work out. You just don’t focus on the things that matter!”

“I’m sorry Koto but can we talk about this later?” Richard keeps glancing back and then up when he doesn’t see anyone.

“Oh my Kami you were chased? What is wrong with you?!” Koto grabs the duffle bags and drops them in a nearby dumpster, ignoring Richard’s protests, “We can pick those up later. We gotta go before they leave us behind.”

Could this be reason the streets have been silent for a while? Eraser did theorize that the villains have been grouping. Izuku texts the location of the duffles to the detective before catching up to the two criminals.

They led him to quite a large warehouse. As he nears he can hear hundreds of muffled voices speaking to each other through the walls. He spots a broken window and enters from above. He drops onto one of the rafters and perches above the crowd.

Hundred of villains all with different quirks occupy the floor below him. Some he recognize others he doesn’t. A blue haired man steps atop a crate and yells out into the mass which immediately silenced.

“We have all teamed up today to take down a boss. But not just any boss, we are here to kill the Symbol of Peace once and for all!” The villains below Izuku cheer with excitement.

Izuku begins texting Tsukauchi as the blue haired man continues. In just a few minutes we will be behind UA’s precious defences and we will fight until we get our achievement!”

Purple fog begins spreading out as multiple portals open up in the space. A fog man steps through the biggest one followed by a hulking purple-black creature with a yellow beak and its brain exposed in the back. “I’ve brought the Nomu, if you wish to remain on schedule we should leave now.”

“Our arena has loaded in, It’s go time.”

The villains begin sorting themselves into groups and walk through the different portals. The leaders turn and enter the biggest portal.

Izuku sends another text to Tsukauchi before dropping down and disappearing within the crowd, allowing the flow to push him through the portal. He covers his eyes as the dim light of the warehouse changes into bright sunlight shining through a glass dome.

Izuku stands in the middle of a center plaza. A fountain marked the middle. Within the dome were six areas all marked off. Ahead of the group atop a flight of stairs Izuku can make out Eraserhead, Thirteen, and a group of students. He was in UA. The most heavily fortified hero school was broken into by nothing more than a warp quirk. Did Nedzu seriously not think of something like this? Izuku knows he has more than enough resources to monitor things like this. Stupid rat and his pride.

“Perplexing,” Misty spoke again, “All Might was meant to be here.”

“Perhaps if we kill a few mini bosses we’ll summon him.”

Eraserhead charges down the stairs, his scarf forms rings of fabric around him as it readies to kick some villain ass. The villains scream when Eraser’s eyes go red and they lose their quirks. Izuku can’t help but think he looks like a biblically accurate angel; Just needs a few more eyes.

Izuku kicks off the fountain and crashes into the nearest villain.

“Hey no friendly fire!”

“What are you doing here kid?!” Eraserhead picks up two goons and slams them into each other, knocking them out before throwing them into the crowd like bowling balls.

“Figured you could use some help!” Izuku pushes off a villain’s head, sending him crashing into the ground and hand stands on another’s shoulder’s as their body shakes from his taser gloves below him.

“Shouldn’t you be in preschool?”

“Aw Eraser, I thought you knew me better.” Izuku lands in a crouch and takes a knife out of his boot and stabs it into some woman’s leg. “I’m already committed to the School of Hard Knocks.”

Eraserhead glares at villain who yells something about ‘the night cryptid’ before running off. “You sure look it.”

“Ouch.” Izuku dodges a lava villain’s punch just in time for Eraserhead to wrap the woman’s fist with his scarf and throw her into the floor zone. Izuku pops a carriage into his mask which begins to heat up. The slats part as the metal turns red hot. “Hey spin me. I got an idea.”

You can really tell how used to Izuku’s bullshit Eraserhead is when he picks up Izuku with his scarf and spins him in a circle with zero hesitation.

Izuku laughs with joy as his mask spits out a spray of toxic green fire onto the villains around them. He stumbles as Eraser places him back on the ground once his mask begins to sputter out.

“Where the hell did you pick up that quirk kid? You been hanging around Burnin?”

“Something like that.”

Eraserhead throws another villain into a group. Izuku swears he can see the hero smiling at how they all fall over into a pile of tangled limbs and curses.

Each time they down one villain another seems to take its place. They’ve been doing good but their main weapon is Eraserhead’s quirk. Eraserhead can’t keep his eyes open forever which is getting more evident by the increasing intervals in which the villains regain their quirks.

Izuku can tell when Eraser’s quirk goes down when a flying piece of earth catapults into his back and sends him for a bath in the fountain. Damn you Richard.

“You really are cool Eraserhead.” Izuku lifts his head up as Eraserhead’s arm disintegrates with a single touch. Eraserhead activates his quirk again and backs off but not fast enough to avoid damage. His arm hangs limp and red with blood beside him. “But I’ve let you play for too long.”

Shiggaraki points at Eraserhead. “Nomu punch.”

Chapter Text

“Nomu, punch.”

“No!” Izuku screams as the beaked villain lunges at Eraserhead, with a speed Izuku has only seen matched by All Might and punches Eraserhead hard sending him flying towards the fountain. Izuku ducks in enough time to not be hit by the hero. Eraserhead on the other hand goes careening through the concrete and rag dolls onto the ground.

“Another mini boss?” Hand guy scratches at his neck. “I haven’t introduced myself, I name is Shigaraki Tomura, leader of the League of Villains.“

“Viridian, crazy vigilante. What the hell is that thing.” Izuku points at the Nomu which is standing still over Eraserhead’s body. If he can stall Shigaraki then the students can get Eraser out of here. He spotted two behind a bush earlier.

“That is Nomu. He’s a bioengineered anti-symbol of peace.” Shigaraki gestures to Nomu like a car salesman. He pauses his speech as the fog villain appears next to him.

“One of the students escaped. The heroes without a doubt on their way.”

Shigaraki scratched violently at his neck, “Kurogiri, you idiot! If you weren’t our warp gate, I’d kill you right now.” Shiggaraki turns almost enough to see a pink tongue reach out for Eraser’s body.

“You said Bioengineered?“ Izuku motions to a girl with a frog quirk as he keeps Shigaraki talking. Eraserhead is not dying today.

“He’s been given multiple quirks. Regeneration, shock absorption, and super strength to name a few.”

As Eraserhead is dragged out of the danger zone Izuku sneakily puts in a new cartridge as he moves his hand up to comb through his hair. “Everything you could need to kill The Number One.” Shigaraki looks proud at the acknowledgment. “But I’m not the Symbol of Peace and shock absorption is a long way from fire resistance.”

Izuku uses his boots to boost him up onto the Nomu’s back. He sticks two knives into the monster’s back for leverage as smoke pours from his mask.

“Nomu kill the bug.”

Nomu’s arm reaches around and grabs the vigilante and chucks him halfway across the plaza.

As he rockets through the air he hears the distinct sound of explosions and curses as Kachaan arrives on scene. Izuku can barely make out Kachaan attacking the fog villain before the ground gets very up close and personal.

Izuku can hear his bones crunch on the landing as he slides across the ground, stopping at someone’s shoes. He looks up from the ground to a frosty angel. Or maybe he just has a concussion. As the student exhales a chill of frosty air follows that reminds Izuku of drinking hot coca on cold winter mornings.

“Hey.” Izuku breathes.

“Do you have a plan beyond being thrown around.” The red and white haired teen asks.

“Huh- Oh Yeah. Nomu has regeneration.” Izuku speaks fast as the Nomu charges across the plaza. “Most regen quirks con only regenerate one thing at a time. With my electricity I can get it to focus on rebuilding the nervous system I’m frying instead of the flame damage as long as I start the electricity first. I just need it to not be thrown off first.

“I can hold him.” Izuku barley avoids squeaking with surprise as the teen lifts him up from the ground like he weighs little more than a drowned cat and placed him on his feet. “You are very tense.”

“I just got a bruise on every part of my body and I’m pretty sure a broke a rib or two on the landing.”

Before the Nomu can get any close the student summons a tidal wave of ice with a simple wave of his arms. It crashes into the monster and wraps around it. As the Nomu struggles against the hold the ice begins to crack.

Izuku ignores what little preservation instincts he has left and runs towards the Nomu. He bounces off the ice around him and lands on the Nomu’s back. Using the two knifes as a conduit Izuku activates his taser gloves, the amperage as high as he can possible make it. The Nomu screeches and breaks some of the ice.

Then Izuku exhales. The red hot of his mask turns green as Greek fire burns into the Nomu’s exposed skull. Electricity burns through the Nomu’s skin strikes towards the ground as green flames wreath the Nomu’s skull.

“I Am Here!”

The doors to the USJ burst open as the ice shatters. Nomu drops down to its knees before slumping onto the floor. It’s brain still smoking as Izuku steps away from it.

Izuku breathes heavily with the weight of his injuries as he looks up the stairs to see All Might standing in full superhero pose.

“Cheater!” Shigaraki screams, “Nomu was meant to kill All Might!”

“You stacked your deck against the wrong opponent.” Every breath he breathes comes with a sharp stab of pain.

Izuku searches the battle field for Eraserhead and sighs with relief when he sees the hero semi-conscious while a black haired student wraps some of his injuries. She’s definitely getting an upgrade.

“Hands off my fast travel.” Izuku can only watch as Shiggaraki lunges for Kachaan and the redhead. Kachaan fires off explosions in retaliation and Kurogiri slips away in the chaos.

“I recommend we leave now.” Kurogiri states dispassionately as All Might speeds down the stairs.

“The raid is a failure take us back. We’ll be ready for the mini bosses next time.” Kurogiri wraps him and Shiggaraki in purple fog and the two villains disappear just before All Might’s hand can grasp them. The hero turns, eyeing Viridian instead.

“Right, vigilante out!“ Viridian gives a two fingered solute before he turns and runs for the edge of the dome. His boots give him the extra bit of speed and airtime needed to dodge All Might’s fist.

He ducks under the first then jumps up and lands on the second, using it as a launching pad to go rocketing towards the wall. And with a well timed kick he shatters the glass pane and lands with a roll. Thus begins the very long run towards home.

Chapter Text

Izuku sits at his workstation. He’s wrapped himself with the remaining healing paste and is honestly just praying to whatever gods may exist that it’ll fix all his problems. Splayed out on his desk is villain notebook #2 and quirk science notebook #4.

The vigilante yawns as he looks down at the papers. One small question echoes around in his scull. How does the Nomu have multiple quirks?

The police believe he has a mimicry quirk of sorts. But as his middle school made very clear he is in fact quirkless.

The Nomu, however, is no such sham. Now Izuku doesn’t mean to brag but he’s been punched by many people in his life. He knows how it feels to be punched by someone with super strength. So Nomu definitely has super strength. But it definitely had regeneration and super speed too.

Maybe it’s time he goes back to the basics. Forget everything he thinks he knows about quirks and start at the very beginning.

He slides quirk science notebook #1 off the bookshelf along with a beat up copy of Quirk History For Dummies. The desk drawer slides open and the vigilante pulls out an uneven spool of worn red yarn and a baby food jar full of mismatched thumbtacks.

“Let’s do this.”

————————

Shota tenses as he wakes up. Pain immediately makes itself known to him. The lights shine too bright and there’s a sharp smell of bleach. But he quickly relaxes when the smell of citrus and the sound of pages turning hit him.

“How long was I out?” Shota asks.

“Gah!” Hizashi jumps in his seat, almost dropping his book. “You have got to stop doing that!”

“Doing what?”

“You know what I mean.” Hizashi grumbles before saying, “You’ve been out for about a day and before you ask all your kids are okay.”

Shota visibly relaxes with the assurance that his students, definitely not kids, are okay. “What about Viridian?”

Hizashi hesitates, “We don’t know.”

“What?” The heart monitor begins beeping faster, “What do you mean you don’t know?”

“The little listener ran for it once All Might tried to arrest him. We have footage of him leaving UA campus but after that it’s like chasing after a ghost.”

“All Might, the number one hero. Tried to arrest an injured child.” Shota’s voice was murderous.

A knock sounded on the door interrupting whatever Hizashi intended to say as a response. They entered without waiting for permission, moved to stand in the middle of the room with their clipboard in hand, and adjusted their glasses.

As they took a breath, Tsukauchi burst into the room. “I’m sorry Eraser I tried to stop them but they won’t take no for an answer.”

“As I said,” The intruder took out their badge, “I am part of the Hero Public Safety Commission and I need Eraserhead’s testimony.”

“And as I told you I am no hero and therefore not under your jurisdiction. Eraserhead has, to my knowledge, only just woken up and does not need to deal with you of all things.” Tsukauchi moves to pull the official out the door but they simply brush off his hand before cleaning their hands with hand sanitizer.

The official turns away from Tsukauchi pointedly, “My name is Harada Sana I need to speak with Pro Hero Eraserhead and only Pro Hero Eraserhead with a matter concerning the events at the USJ and the hostiles within it.”

“Very well.” Shota ignores Hizashi’s incredulous look. “Can you leave Mic. For now.” Their relationship is off the books and he intends to keep it that way.

Tsukauchi and Hizashi shuffle out the door while Shota does his best to sit up properly.

“The Hero Commission understands you were in charge of Hero Class 1-A at the time of the attack.”

“That is correct.” This is going to be a long talk.

“Is it true that there was a vigilante present.”

So that’s what this is about. The Hero Commission has access to the police reports, they know Viridian was there. They also know he’s been in the same area as the kid for three weeks. “Yes, Viridian was there. He was on our side though.”

“My reports say he came through with the villains warp gate.” Harada pauses from writing on their clipboard, “How do you know he’s not playing you?”

“I’ve gotten to know Viridian over the past month. He also saved my life as your notes should say.” The hero sighed, “What’s this really about.”

“We have reports of the Vigilante using multiple quirks that have nothing to do with each other. We also have a small time criminal that went missing three years ago with one quirk. Now he’s re-emerged with multiple quirks and he’s a, pardon my language, a huge fucking monster. Someone gave him those quirks.”

“All for One is just a legend. A myth meant for scaring children.” Shota paused, “Don’t tell me you think the kid is the Boogeyman of the Underground?”

“It was a theory-“

“That kid can’t leave a worm on the sidewalk.” Trying to imagine Viridian as a villain is going to make him laugh.

“Wha-“ Harada looks a little stunned, “Our current theory is he has some connection to All for One. A relative, an escaped project, or just working for him we don’t know. Either way Viridian has information we need.”

He’s getting tired of this person already. “Again, what does this have to do with me?”

“We need you to capture Viridian.”

—————

Izuku’s wall is a mess. Since UA cancelled school for the rest of the week in wake of the attack Izuku had plenty of time to work out his theories and blueprints. His theories have moved off of the cork board and onto the surrounding wall, held up by tape and silly putty. He has barely slept the past three days. The worst part, though, has to be that he can’t test a single idea. Curse his genetics.

All of these things combined are why he’s running down the halls of UA, neon pink sticky note in hand towards Hero Class 1-A. Izuku practically knocked down the door before before a yellow caterpillar thing opened it. Oh sugar honey iced tea that is Eraserhead.

“What do you want?” His voice was gruff, devoid of the care Izuku earned as Viridian. He had a cast up his arm and there was a new scar on his face but Izuku was just glad he was alive.

“Yaoyorozu Momo,” Izuku handed over his sticky note.

“Support Students don’t normally start stealing my students until the second semester.” There was a hidden question in Eraser’s voice.

“Personal project, I believe she can help with a theory of mine and in return I would like to offer some changes to her costume and some advice.”

“Very well, have her back before training.” Eraser ducks back into the classroom, “Yaoyorozu you’re needed outside leave you stuff here.”

Izuku could hear her soft, deliberate steps before she exited into the hall with him.

She looked down at him with confusion “May I ask what I’m to be doing?”

Izuku started walking, “So I had a theory that since all quirks work off of little electrical impulses sent throughout the body I could send back the same wave and effectively cancel it out. I need someone with a fairly consistent quirk that’s not going to blow up in my face to help test. Also I thought I could help you with your costume design.”

“Excuse me?” Yaoyorozu paused in the hallway, “What’s wrong with my costume?”

“Forgive me I mean no disrespect. I think the color scheme is amazing and it’s very recognizable. You, however, run into an issue with having to rip the costume each time you wish to use your quirk and I thought you should know there is an alternative.”

“I’m not running around naked.”

“That’s not what I meant. You can synthesize fabric out of a person’s dna and their brain will recognize the fabric as part of them. Allowing you to use your quirk without having to to become a teenage stripper.”

“Really? That’s interesting can you show me your notes on this?” She looked… genuinely interested in his theories.

“Absolutely.”

——————

Yaoyorozu, or Momo as she asked to be called, was hooked up to all sorts of sensors while sitting on a wooden stool. A pile of protein bars covered half of Izuku’s desk with the other half covered in notebooks and a laptop.

“Okay activate your quirk, make something that doesn’t need a lot of energy to create.”

Her hand sparkles as a pencil pushes its way out of her hand. Izuku tracks the energy as it bobs up and down on the monitors. Izuku copies the signature and drags it to another window. The blue loading bar creeps across the screen as he readies his emitter, which is a modified police radar he may or may not have stolen from Tsukauchi.

He points it at Momo and places his finger on the trigger. A green check appears on the screen as the data is loaded up. “Okay do the exact same thing but this time don’t stop the pencil.”

The sparkles start up again. Izuku breathes in. Breathes out. And presses down the trigger. Moments later unfinished pencil drops to the ground with a clatter.

A laugh forces its way out of Izuku’s throat, “You didn’t do that right?”

“No! It felt like when Aizawa-sensei uses his quirk!” Momo stands up excitement clear in her face. “That’s so cool!”

Izuku slides down to the ground, giggles of disbelief still making their way past his lips. “I just did that. I canceled your quirk.”

“Do you know what this means? How much you can use this for?”

“Detainment of criminals, out of control quirks, a safe alternative to suppressants.” Izuku pauses as a thought surfaces, “Do you think it would work against a Nomu? Or someone with a mutant quirk?”

“I- don’t know. Aizawa-sensei’s doesn’t. But this might work differently.”

“Hold that thought,” Izuku ducked his head out of the testing room and made eye contact with his teacher. “Hey Power Loader-sensei can you come test something for meeee?!”

“I’m not going to be blown up am I,” the gods of irony must be laughing as Mei’s creation blew up at that moment covering her face in soot. “You know what it’s probably safer in there.”

Izuku began disconnecting Momo who moved off to the side. “Sit here and look pretty.”

“Okay?” His teacher sat on the stool hesitantly and looks confused and mildly fearful as Izuku hooks him up to the readers.

“So you have a mutation quirk right?” Izuku continues at his teacher’s nod, “Does it have any other factors to it than just the claws?”

“They regenerate very quickly. There’s no filing them down. Any chip or crack is gone in seconds, Why?”

“Momo can you make me some nail clippers.”

“On it!”

Izuku grabs the emitter and points it at his teacher, “After I activate this, clip the claws Momo.” Breathe in, breathe out, pull the trigger.

A soft snip later the three stare at Power Loader’s claws. Nothing happens. Izuku releases the trigger and true to his sensei’s word the claw fixes itself in seconds.

“Midoriya,” Power Loader’s voice is strangely calm.

“Yeah?”

“What the hell Was That!”