I held my head as suddenly it throbbed with pain unlike any I've ever experienced before. A constant ringing had filled my ears but as it slowly lessened I could hear someone yelling. Slowly I opened my eyes revealing…. sand?
Looking around I realized I was on my knees at some kind of beach. Also strangely I didn't have a shirt on. 'Wait a minute, I wasn't ever this ripped! What's going on and why is there some buff dude looking worried over me?'
"Midoriya?! Midoriya are you alright?!" He said looking panicked. The guy was massive, like he bench pressed bears for fun. Honestly his height was even more intimidating, he had to be at least seven feet at minimum although it was kinda hard to tell with his haircut. The guy had blonde hair with two tall strands that were standing straight up. 'Who does this guy think he is? All… All-Mig…' "All-Might?!"
"My boy!" 'Holy shit it's All-Might! He's right in front of me!' "Are you alright? You suddenly collapsed after taking One For All!"
'Wait, after what? Did that mean- am I Izuku Midoriya?! How?! Reincarnation is real?!'
"Midoriya you're looking pale, do you need the hospital?!" All-Might looked ready to pick me up and rush me there himself. "The entrance exam can wait if you are feeling unwell."
'The entrance exam? That's right, it happens right after Midoriya gets One for All.'
Pulling myself off my knees, I look at All-Might and smile reassuringly. "I'm fine All-Might, just didn't expect the backlash so soon."
"Backlash? Are you sure you're okay?" The number one hero looked at me with concern in his eyes. It was clear the last ten months had built quite the bond between Izuku and his mentor Toshinori.
Memories began flashing to the front of my mind of our time together. It was worsening my headache but ten years of hiding bruises from mom helped my acting. "I'm sure, it just took me off guard is all."
All-Might didn't look completely convinced but nodded nonetheless. "If you are sure, Young Midoriya, then I won't stop you."
Putting my shirt back on and grabbing my bag, I look at the hero. "Thank you All-Might, for believing in me." Moving towards the pro hero I gave him a hug. "You're the only one who ever really did."
"Of course my boy." Ruffling my hair, All-Might looked at his watch before pulling away from the hug. "Now, I believe you have an exam to attend? Better hurry or you will be late!"
Realizing he was right I started running home, but stopped after a few steps. Looking at him from over my shoulder, I showed him a look of pure determination. "I'll show everyone at UA that you were right to choose me, even if they don't know that you did! That's a promise so you just wait and watch me All-Might!"
My name is Izuku Midoriya, I lived a life before this but that doesn't matter. This was my story, the story of how I became the world's number one hero and future Symbol of Hope!
—----------------------------------------------------------
Here I was, UA. The starting line for famous pro-heros like Edgeshot, Present Mic, Best Jeanist, Endeavor and even All-Might!
Gripping the straps of my yellow backpack I steadied my nerves. After today there would be no going back, I knew what awaited me down this path. War, death, pain, loss, within the year Japan would fall into chaos.
The only one who could prevent this fate was me. Even if I might not be the same Midoriya from before One For All I would still become a hero! This had to be the reason I was brought here, if I couldn't save others then well, I didn't have any reason to be alive did I?
"Supid Deku."
Hearing that familiar voice I quickly turned around revealing the great explosion murder god himself, Katsuki Bakugo. "K-Kacchan."
Making his way around me Kacchan sneered. "Get out of my way before I set you on fire."
Watching Kacchan make his way towards UA I thought about our relationship. It was most definitely abusive, no doubt about that. I mean the guy literally told me, or past me I suppose, to jump off a roof. Still, even after all Kacchan has done I couldn't hate him.
Maybe it was the hopes of a naive child but part of me wants nothing more than to finally be accepted by him. Kacchan was everything I ever wanted to be, strong, determined and never afraid to be himself. On the outside he might be unbelievably arrogant but I can see past that. The fire in his eyes that promised he would become the number one hero was the realest thing in the world and I wanted to stand by his side when we both got there.
Snapping out of those thoughts I start making my way inside. After a few steps however my feet catch on themselves and I start falling to the ground. 'What cruel god has forsaken me.'
Right before I would have hit the ground I felt a hand slap my backpack. Suddenly I found myself suspended in the air, my limbs proving useless as they flailed about in reflex. "Oh are you ok? Sorry about having used my quirk on you without your permission but I figured you wouldn't mind. It would be bad luck if you fell before even getting inside the building right?"
Feeling her grab onto my shoulders I relax slightly as I'm soon back on my feet, the very strange feeling of weightlessness leaving me right after. Turning towards my savior I feel my breath catch in my throat slightly. Standing in front of me was a teenage girl with brown hair and rosy pink cheeks. Half of me was in awe, it wasn't everyday you met real life characters from one of your favorite animes after all, and the other Izuku half was feeling quite nervous at the very cute girl that was staring at him.
Even still, I wasn't quite socially inept enough to stay silent like the og Midoriya had. "Thank you very much."
"Of course!" Sending me a smile that caused my heart to quickly skip a beat she continued speaking. "Isn't this all way nerve-racking?"
"Yeah it really is, isn't it? I feel like I've spent my whole life working towards this moment and now I'm here." And that was true wasn't it? Past Izuku from the very first time he saw All-Might's debit video knew he wanted to be a hero. Even when the boy found out he was quirkless at the age of four it didn't stop him.
Izuku Midoriya more than anything else had an unbreakable will and a terrifying amount of intelligence. The boy didn't have a quirk but instead of falling into despair he instead used his mind to learn about support equipment. If he couldn't have his own quirk then he would just level the playing field. His almost constant muttering? That was because his mind ran at a faster pace than others. His obsession with quirks? Inside this world where everyone had random powers knowing what your enemy is capable of was the difference between living and dying. Honestly society was lucky Izuku is such a good person. If he was a villain… well it wouldn't end well for anyone I'll tell you that.
"Yeah I know what you mean. All our future's depend on this exam…" Looking like she was lost in thought for a moment, Urakraka shakes her head. "My name's Uraraka Ochako, what about you?"
Smiling at the slightly shorter girl I give her my full name. "Midoriya Izuku."
"Well Midoriya, let's head inside. Don't want to be late after all!" Turning towards the building, Uraraka went up the stairs while I followed on her right. We talked some more while making our way to the test room. Giving a small laugh at one of her jokes I smiled a little wider. 'This is gonna be the start of a beautiful friendship.'
—----------------------------------------------------------
Having finished the first part of the entrance exam, the written test, I found myself sitting next to Kacchan just like in the anime. I was honestly a bit surprised by how easy the test had been but considering how much time past Izuku had spent studying for it, I wasn't all that shocked. Present Mic was currently giving his speech about the practical exam but most of my attention wasn't focused on him, I knew all the things he was going to say after all.
Instead I was thinking of something that was much more important, the future. Obviously I couldn't expect everything to go the same way as in the story, not that I wanted it to. Now the question was what should be changed? Some things needed to happen no matter what. The formation of the League of Villains was one of them. If they didn't band together then I would probably never be able to find their members.
Most of them were completely unknown to the public so tracking them down as a soon to be hero student with no connections? That's next to impossible. However, there was a problem. Many members of the League only joined due to Stains video and that only happened due to Ida tracking down the Hero Killer after he had crippled his brother, the pro-hero Ingenium.
Was I really going to let that happen? I mean logically that was the right move, it was one hero vs the untold numbers of people that would be saved with those villains captured. I know that if past Midoriya was here instead of me he wouldn't hesitate to save Ingenium now but I'm different. Call me cold, cruel or evil but if it's between those two choices… I need the League of Villains to form.
"Excuse me sir but I have a question!" Being snapped out of my thoughts by my sure to be future source of guilt, I look forward and see Ida interrupting Present Mic's speech. "On the printout you've listed four types of Villains, not three. With all respect if this is an error on UA material it's most shameful! We are exemplary students and we expect the best from Japan's most notable school! A mistake such as this simply can't stand!" 'Jeez, I forgot how strict Ida was this early into the timeline. Chill out.'
"Additionally!" 'Crap, it seems canon won't change so easily after all!' "You with the very unkempt hair! You haven't been paying any attention this entire time! If you can't bother taking this seriously then leave now!"
Feeling annoyed by his words I huffed slightly in response. I liked Ida for the most part but he needed to learn how to not take everything quite so seriously. "Maybe if you had waited a minute instead of interrupting Present Mic he would have answered your question. I'm sure there's a reason for the seeming mistake."
Some laughs could be heard from the other students at my words but I paid them no mind. It wasn't my intention to make fun of Ida but it seems they didn't care. Seeing the reaction of his peers, Idas' face flushed red before he sat back down. "Alright, alright! Examinee number 7111! Thanks for calling in with your request!"
Seeing Present Mic fall back into his speech I once again began to space out. Soon enough the orientation had ended and everyone made their way out the room. 'I'm sorry Ida… I can't save your brother. I hope you can forgive me.'
—----------------------------------------------------------
Stepping off the school bus that drove me to Battle Center Beta, I stared with awe at the massive wall that separated us from the mock city. Back in my old life I lived in a small town so the towering skyscrapers that I could see even from here were completely new to me.
Wearing the exact same blue tracksuit from the show I looked around at my competitors. Most of them I didn't recognize as they were probably, as Kacchan would say, extras, but some of them I did. There was Shoji with his six arms, Ayoama and finally Uraraka who looked to be very nervous at the moment.
Hoping to help calm her down I start moving towards her when an arm grabs my shoulder. Turning around I see Ida who was wearing a set of exercise clothes staring at me. "She is clearly trying to focus on the trials that we will soon undergo. What are you planning to do? Distract her to ruin any chances to succeed?"
Again annoyance flared up at Ida's words but I didn't let it show. He would get better, I knew, but still it irritated me. "For your information, I was going to wish her good luck." Not waiting for a response I brush his hand off and make my way over to the pink cheeked girl. "Hey."
Snapping out of her trance at a familiar voice, Uraraka's brief surprise was soon replaced by a small smile. "Oh it's you, hi Midoriya!"
"I wanted to wish you good luck, although I'm sure you won't need it. Just relax ok? Being super nervous won't help you pass after all!" Watching Uraraka process my words, I see her smile grow wider. However, before the girl could reply I heard what I was waiting for.
"Right, let's start this-"
Before Present Mic could even finish his first sentence I pumped One For All into my entire body and leapt over the crowd. The Midoriya from the show didn't learn Full Cowling until his internship with Gran Torino but with all my future knowledge I wouldn't have to wait that long. Feeling five percent of All-Might's power flow through my veins I ran into the mock city as I could hear Present Mic yell from behind.
"He's got the right idea! Remember folks there are no countdowns In real battles! Get a move on already! You're wasting valuable air time!"
Racing through the streets faster than even humanly possible I let a smile form onto my face. Both sides of me, the old and the new, was roaring with excitement. I had my very own quirk and it felt amazing! Looking to my right I suddenly spotted a large green robot that was traveling on four scorpion-like limbs.
"That looks like one of the two point robots!"
Quickly making my way over to the machine I clench my fists, pull my arm back and smash Into the Two-Pointer. Suddenly, oil and scrap metal flew wildly into the air as the machine of mechanical might broke into a million pieces.
Stopping myself in awe I stared at the broken pile of parts for only a moment before running to my next target. Each step felt like one away from the useless Deku of the past and one to the Izuku Midoriya of the future. I had made a promise to All-Might and I wouldn't break it!
—----------------------------------------------------------
Inside the camera room of UA, where its staff were watching the entrance exam, Toshinori Yagi better known as All-Might by the general public couldn't help but feel pride bubble up in his chest. His successor could be seen on the screen helping another boy who was currently fighting a three point robot and losing badly.
His successor, the kind boy he was, didn't just break the robot apart and move on like most would have. No, that was far too little help for his liking. Instead he had shown the tired eye and purple haired boy the robot's weak points. THAT, of course, had caught Nezu's attention which was never a good thing in his opinion.
Young Midoriya has always been smart and that much was clear to Toshinori from the very moment they met. He had flipped through the boy's notebook after all. The hero analysis he had seen was better than some professionals he worked with before, almost scarily so. That was why, as much as he hated himself afterwards for it, he had said what he said on that fateful day in Mustafa.
With hindsight, Toshinori could admit he had made a very, very bad mistake in doing that. He had completely shattered Young Midoriya in that moment, on a rooftop of all places! If the boy had jumped because of his words… Toshinori didn't know if he could have lived with himself. He had hoped his words would persuade Young Midoriya to choose another career path, his bright mind would have been wasted as a quirkless hero, but luckily the boy chased after that sludge villain.
Honestly Toshinori doesn't understand how he could have been such an Idiot. He had been quirkless once too, he knew what it was like, the bullying, the looks of pity. That had been over forty years ago however and with every generation less and less quirkless were born. He could only imagine how bad it was now.
"He's really taking this seriously huh? Look at the little guy go!" Snapping out of his thoughts by Miss Midnight's words, Toshinori looked at the screen once again. Young Midoriya had just broken through another Two-Pointer and the feeling of pride filled his chest again. He truly had picked the perfect successor. Young Midoriya seemed to grasp One For All almost on instinct, impressing Toshinori greatly.
He had been very worried about the exam but it seemed his concern was unfounded. The boy hadn't any time to train with his new quirk and it would have been quite inconvenient if he failed. Of course if that did happen the boy would just go into general education and then Toshinori would spend everyday personally training him until the sports festival but still, it would have been very inconvenient.
"Ectoplasm, would you please go and release the zero pointer into Battle Center Beta? I fear we may run out of robots soon!" Turning his head at Nezu's words, Toshinori watched as Ectoplasm lifted the glass that was blocking one of the red buttons and pushed it down.
'Good luck Young Midoriya, you'll need it.'
—----------------------------------------------------------
Smashing through another one-pointer I look around to see no other robots nearby. Taking a moment to catch my breath l let out a huff of exhaustion. If I had done my math correctly I should have about forty-ish villain points plus whatever amount of rescue points they assign me. I could safely say I've passed the exam.
Finding Shinso here was surprising as I don't remember seeing him earlier but I suppose he slipped past me. Hopefully he gets in the hero course now with my help. Back in my first life I always wondered how people with quirks like Hagakure's or Komori's got into UA so I took the time to examine one of the robots.
As it turns out they're actually purposely built to be weaker than they should be. That's not to say their bad designs of course but some of the wielding in certain spots was messed with, making them easy to break if you knew where to hit exactly. Most examinees wouldn't notice but with my knowledge on the support field I knew what to look for. Hopefully I didn't shoot myself in the foot by telling Shinso what to do, if one of my future classmates don't make it in because of me… well it depends who it was. I wouldn't mind if the grapist wasn't in UA.
Suddenly I was snapped out of my thoughts by a loud explosion in the distance followed by the ground beginning to shake. At first my mind immediately went to earthquake as they were common in Japan but turning towards the source I realized what was happening. In the dust that the explosion had caused a giant mechanical nightmare could be seen. It was larger than even the surrounding skyscrapers.
Suddenly the metal monstrosity pulled back its arm and punched. The wind immediately changed with such force and I had to cover my eyes as dust threatened to fly into them.
Opening my eyes back up I looked in horror as the entire street turned to rubble. Windows from nearby buildings were fully shattered and glass was everywhere. The other examinees who were watching quickly started to run and I felt the strong urge to do the same. As the dust cleared more and more however a rather familiar set of brown hair could be seen down the street. Uraraka had been pinned down by a piece of rubble from a nearby building.
Hearing her scream of pain my feet moved before I could think. Red lines appeared on my skin as green lightning danced all across my body. Both me and the zero-pointer had begun their race towards Uraraka In a game of life and death. Absentmindedly I notice Ida running away on my right as we share a look but I pay him no mind, my sole focus being on saving Uraraka and nothing else.
With great speed I outpace the zero-pointer and reach the target first. Uraraka had been desperately trying to free herself to no avail. Grabbing the small pillar of concert that had trapped her I lift with all my power and throw the piece of rubble away. Picking up the girl with One For All I quickly make my escape, the zero-pointer following close behind us.
"Less than two minutes remaining!"
Hearing the voice of Present Mic I quickly say a swear under my breath. Looking behind me I watch as the zero-pointer ignores all of the other examinees and follows me exclusively, slowly catching up. 'Goddammit Nezu! I can't keep running for that long or it'll catch us!'
Looking down at the injured Uraraka and then towards the zero-pointer I make up my mind. Preparing myself for what was to come next I take a small breath. "I'm going to need a favor Uraraka, make sure to catch me."
"Catch you? What do you mean catch you?!"
Setting her down onto the ground as gently as possible I give Uraraka a smile. "Don't worry, I trust you." Looking towards my target I pump One For All up to a hundred percent and leep.
Pain immediately flared in my legs but I didn't care, the adrenaline working through my veins and the thought of saving someone had made it tolerable. The rush of air brushed against my face as I quickly approached the machine of monumental proportions. Remembering the words All-Might had said to me I clenched my buttcheeks and yelled one word: "Smasshh!!"
Before my eyes the zero-pointers head caved inwards as the very clouds seemed to move. I allowed myself a smile of victory as the robot collapsed backwards and away from Uraraka. Soon enough however, gravity started to pull me downwards. Watching as my limbs flailed uselessly in the wind, pain filled my mind as I fell out of both the sky and consciousness.