Chapter 2: Little bit of Razzle Dazzle
"Ooowwwww…."
Picking himself up off the ground, Midoriya quickly checked if his nose was broken. Thankfully It wasn't, only slightly swollen and a small mark just on the bridge of his nose.
Izuku's vision was still little blurry from the impact. Nothing he hadn't already gotten before. He looked back to see a very small, upturned root with just enough space that a foot could get stuck under it and trip somebody if they weren't looking or careful.
Izuku was neither looking nor careful. Despite going into a weird, most likely haunted, dream forest that TOLD HIM that it was in danger or dangerous with only seeing the outside of it.
Now back on his feet with sigh. He saw his notebook in the same clearing that was thrown in just further ahead. He didn't realize how far it really went until he went past the treeline. In fact, it seemed further than it should have been or how strong he threw it.
As he made his towards the clearing, watching his step as went avoiding thorn covered bushes and other roots that might he trip on. Midoriya couldn't help but think that if this is a dream then why did the fall hurt? Let alone leave a mark.
Dreams weren't supposed to hurt. If they did you were supposed to wake up immediately. At least that's what his mom told him whenever he had a nightmare about a villain chasing him. It just didn't make sense.
Great… More questions. Just what he needed.
Finding where the trees finally gave rest and ended, he entered the clearing where his notebook lied. With the notebook in hand and a sigh of relief of not tripping again, Izuku stopped and really looked around where he was.
He was lost. Really, actually lost.
No no no, this was fine… he was fine… all he had to do was just go back the way he came. Simple.
He promptly turned in place with a wobbly smile on his face and a small chuckle how silly this was. Only to see the edge of the forest that he had entered was gone. He started shaking, tears beginning to form in his eyes.
"Nonononononono"
He started to mumble about how this wasn't possible. That the exit was supposed to be right behind him. About how he was actually lost this time. H-he had to keep a level head. All-Might never freaked out when he was lost. He always found a way!
Of course, that line was more for fighting villains with awesome speeches, catchphrases and punches then getting actually lost but the sentiment was still there, and it calmed him a little.
With a deep breath that calmed just a bit more, that small smile on his face and a thought of home, Midoriya would find his way! But first he had to mark he had been here just so he didn't go in circles without knowing.
He took a broken stick off the ground and dragged it into the dirt to draw a familiar face and point of reference on the ground which made up most of the clearing.
---
"Aaannnnnnd, There!"
With the rough etch of his idol's face on the ground. Izuku now had a point of reference in case he did come back here by accident. Now had to choose a direction based on the face. Looking to the face for a moment he finally decided to go left of the face's eye. Time to make his way!
---
With what felt like hours of walking he finally thought he was making progress as saw the occasional… what he thought was a bird or perhaps an oversized beetle flying by overhead which told him that things did live in the forest. And waves of relief when he saw the tree's parting to let in some sunlight, even catching glimpses of the lilac sky past the tree line.
His feet were starting to get soar with all walking and no hero got anywhere without the occasional break! He came up to a nice, peaceful clearing to sit in and relax plus to see the welcoming face of All-Might on the grou- Wait a minute.
All-Might?! Face?!
Izuku quickly ran into the clearing only to find that he was in the same clearing that he started in. All-Face included.
That. Was. Impossible! He went in a straight line! Right?!
He quickly reoriented himself again just below All-Face's Smile then went down the right (eye) path. Only to end up at the left eye. The forest was screwing with him there was no way he could have ended up in the first direction we went to if had never gone no other direction.
"O-Ok..." He thought. "So right is left now. So, how about north!"
Izuku then went down north of one of All-Face's pointed hairs. Again, only to end up at the corner of the face's large smile.
This couldn't be happening.
Distraught, Midoriya ran in a random direction of the face. Just to find himself at the clearing again. Again, and again and again. He tried to make sort of distance from it only to face the... face again.
Now thoroughly exhausted, gasping for air from all running he did, even tearing his shirt in some places, Izuku collapsed on the ground right on All-Faces nose, facing the lilac sky.
Why...? Why him of all people? He didn't want to die. Not here. Not in some forgotten part of some stupid haunted forest. Where no would find him. No one would miss him. They wouldn't even find a body to bury.
He couldn't even curl up that's how tired he was. Only arms and legs spread, flat on his back. Tears now fully running down his face. He closed his eyes hoping this nightmare would end.
"Lada, dee dumm... Oh, now what what did this..."
What Izuku didn't think is what he would hear next. A small gravelly hum. Slowing looking up, Izuku saw a large purple bush moving just a few steps away from him.
A basket filled with all sorts of coloured flowers hanging from one its robed arms and a broom in the other only to put down and kneel over to take flowers from the basket and plant them were Izuku dragged his stick to make All-Face, filling in the dirt after it was secure and moving to the next empty space.
It already filled a small chunk of All-Face's jawline with flowers and making its way towards the ears.
Managing to get back on his feet, Izuku made his way towards the humming bush. Rubbing his eyes to get some of the tears out of them and maybe clear his vision just a little bit. As he got closer to the bush-figure-thing, the image before became clearer.
It was a person! Finally, somebody to help him! Then again, it was stranger and, in this place no less, where nothing made sense. He made his way cautiously towards the figure and put his on its assumed shoulder.
They made another noise, perhaps speaking to him he didn't know what they had said so he waited for the figure to finish planting another flower. They slowly got up, dusted off their robe and turned to face the lost, dishevelled boy
What Izuku wasn't expecting to see when the figured turned was an old, short, purple lady with massive, thick glasses that sat on a large nose that made her eyes huge in comparison to her face and leaves poking out of her, what he now knew as her massive mane of hair, not a bush. As well as being about the same height as Izuku with him only being up to a average adult's knees in a few cases.
The lady's mouth moved as she gestured towards Izuku, the clearing then to the basket, but Izuku didn't make sense what she was saying. Maybe if he tried, he could try speaking to her, as much of long shot it was, he could at least get across that he was distraught and he needed help.
"E-Excuse me m-ma'am, but I don't understand what you're saying but I c-co-could really use y-your help. Please?"
She then put a finger on her chin tapping it, eyes squinting at him as if processing what he had said. Then her eyes went wide and let out the universal noise of understanding.
"Oh!"
She then picked up her broom from the ground at her side, cleared her throat and took a step towards Izuku. She brought her free hand towards his forehead...
And began knocking on it
"Can. You. Under. Stand. Me. Now?" she said, every word a light knock on Izuku's fragile skull.
"Ow! Ow! Y-Y-Yes! Yes! I can! Please stop..." he said, now covering his forehead with his hand. "That hurt a lot..."
"Good! Good!" The bush lady (Witch?) exclaimed. She then pointed her broom towards Izuku and poked him in the chest with it.
"I was hoping you wouldn't be lounging on the job all day, broccoli boy!" She said with a smile on her face. The strange woman passed the basket of flowers to Izuku's open arms having dropped the notebook during the knocking against his skull.
She grabbed a handful of flowers from the basket and pulled seemingly an empty basket from a nearby bush, placing her share of the flowers into it.
She then pointed towards the side of the clearing opposite of where she was standing. "Could you start over there deary? Ill finish over here." She knelt back down and started planting again. All the while humming a cheery tune to herself.
Wha- What just happened? When did he become a flower boy?
Izuku face scrunched into confusion, trying to process what had just happened as he looked between the woman and the basket of flowers in his hand.
Asking for help to get out of here only to become some crazy lady's garden hand. And just a few moments ago he was on the ground contemplating his demise which apparently made him look like broccoli come to life.
"U-Um, why are we p-planting flowers again?" He asked cautiously. Hoping to get some sort of answer.
"Because they asked us! They didn't much like being dug into without permission. Why else? Now get started!" The lady answered. Not turning to face Izuku as she moved on to another spot to plant.
They? Did she mean the forest? Was that the reason he kept showing up in the clearing? Because it was upset with him? It was certainly a better reason then him getting his directions mixed somehow. He wasn't sure if he should be terrified or astonished of this place/
With no other way of getting help or getting out for that matter, Izuku got to work.
---
Planting flowers actually was very relaxing surprisingly enough. It helped him clear his head much better then just sitting around and letting his thoughts drive him.
Almost the entirety of the face was filled with flowers now. Izuku look over to old lady to see she was just finishing planting the last of the flowers on her side of the face having just filled in the right eye.
Midoriya got up and dusted the dirt off himself and his hands. The more looked around he did notice a few things after the flowers were planted. He heard the chatter of woodland creatures, the swishing of brushing leaves as they were blown by a soft breeze. Even feeling that same breeze against his face. He didn't hear or feel it before when he first made the face.
Perhaps the forest was pleased with him and would let him go now. He certainly was pleased with himself with the job well done without any gardening tools. Or any prior knowleadge on how to garden in the first place
Izuku turned to the lady who had made him her temporary garden hand, hopeful that with helping her, she would help him in return. Just to see her beginning to walk out of the clearing towards the forest, his notebook now in the empty flower basket.
Now hold on a minute! She said she would- Well, she didn't say she would help him. But that didn't mean she could take his things from him and leave him here!
Izuku stumbled upwards, almost tripping on his feet and caught up with the bush lady. She hardly noticed his presence as he finally reached her side again,
"W-where are we going, e-exactly?" Izuku said, trying to get his impromptu guide's attention.
She didn't say anything. Just to quickly rush over to a nearby berry bush and start picking.
"Oh, look here! These are perfect!" The lady exclaimed. She picked more berries and placed them into the basket where his notebook rested. Getting it covered in berry juices.
"What are you doing?!" Izuku dove into the basket and grabbed the notebook, trying to wipe some of the excess berry off.
"We're making pie when we get back! We'll need the berries." She nonchalantly responded. Clearly not phased by him digging through the basket to retrieve his notebook.
"Back where?" Izuku was quickly getting tired of the lady's antics. Pie? Really? Although he did admit he was getting rather hungry with all the walking he did before and doing now.
"Here." Using her broom to part a large patch of foliage, it revealed another larger clearing. A hut with a small chimney sat peacefully at the opposite edge of where they were standing. Smoke already bellowing from the chimney. "Come! Come! Or we'll be late!" The lady made her way off towards the hut, with the boy right behind.
She stopped in her tracks just at the entrance where the "door' was just a simple pull sheet. Izuku looked over the massive mane of hair, wondering why they had stopped and maybe see inside. Did she live here? After a moment, mumbling something to herself, she entered the hut with Izuku close behind.
She placed the half empty basket of berries next to a nearly identical, completely full basket of berries. "Those are for tomorrow. Or yesterday? Hmm. Oh well! Can never have enough I say!"
She went over to the stone oven and left her broom to the side. Izuku could only watch as she moved across the one-room hut as if doing this thousands of times. Preparing crusts and tins for the pie they would be making.
Tomorrow.
...
Tomorrow?!
What did she mean tomorrow?! He couldn't in stay in some hut in the middle of nowhere! His mom would be worried to death about him! His mood instantly soured, and his thoughts took over any sort of calm he once had. Noticing the shaky sniffles of the green haired boy, the bush lady walked over to him.
"I know exactly what you need." Pointing to him. A calming, cheery smile on her face as she looked to him. Izuku looked up to face the old woman, still sniffling. Trying to wipe away the snot running down his nostrils from both his own sadness to all of the strange smells that entered his nose when he came inside.
"A good night's rest! Even vegetables need sleep! How do you think they grow?" She spoke with a sweet smile.
Izuku's face dropped. More flabbergasted and annoyed then sad. Sleep?! She wanted him to sleep here of all places?!
Thinking about it for a second, it was a better idea then just wondering the forest until the middle of the night and collapsing from exhaustion. He did see that the sky did change. Only becoming slightly dimmer and there weren't any stars. So maybe It was night here. Wherever 'here' is or was.
During this entire thought process, Izuku looked over to see a small blanket and pillow had been set for him in the middle of the room away from any stray pie tins.
Izuku stared at the makeshift bed and, with a gulp, began to lie down on the mat. It was actually really comfortable and already felt himself drifting to sleep. Guess he really was that tired. The lady stood at the doorway, taking her glasses off and wiping them with her robe.
"Get some rest, deary. Razz has a big day ahead of us!" 'Razz' placed her bottle glasses back on and with a flourish, left the hut. Closing the curtain behind her.
So, that was her name... Razz. He never did ask for her name at any point since he met her. Before he could think of anymore questions, sleep finally took him once more as he drifted away.
---
Izuku tossed and turned in bed. now feeling a heavy blanket on top of him. Turning with one eye vaguely open to see his signature 5th edition Sliver age All-Might alarm clock reading 8:00 AM... Wait.
Izuku jumped out of his bed. HIS bed. Tossing over his All-Might blanket in his astonishment. He couldn't believe it. He was back home! He noticed that the notebook was still in his hand.
Izuku quickly rushed over to his desk and began writing everything that happened, his vigour and interest renewed with that last visit to the strange forest. Quickly making an entry on the bush lady Razz on an empty page and already writing new theories about her and the forest. Sketching as much of her appearance as he could remember.
A knock came to his door, and concerned voice echoed behind it.
"Izuku, honey? are you Ok? I heard banging and shouting. Did you fall out of bed again?"
"I'm Ok Mom! J-Just had a crazy dream."
"...Alright, sweet heart. Breakfast is ready for you, come down quickly or it'll get cold."
"Ok, thank you." With that, he turned back to the finished sketch and wrote Razz underneath portrait. Stomach rumbling, he closed the notebook and made his way to the kitchen. Eager to taste whatever his mom had made.
What he didn't notice until later that day, Is that there were still berry stains on the back of the notebook.
Chapter 3: Castles on the Hill(side)
It was real. It had to be. It was right in front of him
That was Izuku's thought process when first stepped into the forest. Only being able to the see the outskirts of the strange place every other night.
Now he could enter it whenever he went to sleep that night. It was upsetting at first to wake up on the floor of the old hut when he had just fell asleep in his comfy bed. But to feel the breeze through his hair, the smells, sights, sounds, and even touch the ashen trees.
Izuku asked them if it was ok first, having learned a couple nights ago that the forest was alive in it's own strange way, and he didn't want to end up like when first came here. It was breathtaking and unbelievable.
He wasn't alone either. Other then the forest itself, there was his sort of "Guide to the Forest" Razz. Razz would show him how she manages to navigate the dense darkness of the forest in her own way of course. Her own way being that most of the time, she would leave Izuku's side once he looked away to take more notes on nearby fauna or flora and he would have to navigate the forest himself to find her or his way back.
Half the time, he did find his way back to Razz or her hut just following the old, crazed cackles from the forest hermit or trails of dried leaves she left behind. Other times he would become somewhat lost again. But instead of going in circles and ending up in the first clearing, Izuku would find himself in a different part of the forest entirely.
From large cave entrance's with sleeping beasts within that Izuku narrowly avoided, to ruined huts from what he guessed was other people. Even spotting some edible foods here and there when he got hungry. This time however, as the boy wandered, the ground turned from the soft dirt into a smooth crystal-like flooring. His shoes clacking against the strange material.
Broken and lop-sided stone towers with strange lines built into them, paired with the frequent sight of debris from the towers made up the sides of an imposing walkway up leading to somewhere. Nd before long, did the path finally end.
A massive crystal temple long faded from its glory stood before the boy. Despite how decrepit and faded it was, it still glistened and sparkled in the light. Mouth agape with awe, Izuku took out his notebook and began sketching as much of the ruin he could, trying to get as much detail as possible.
He walked further down the faded crystal path towards the entrance of the temple. Taking it in and sketching as much as he could before finally coming to the door, nearly bumping his head against it. It was slanted upwards, implying the diamond shaped door led downwards, perhaps deeper into the otherworldly structure.
Izuku placed both of his hands on the door, scanning or feeling for any sign for how it opened or if it opened at all. No luck however as it seemed completely sealed. He did notice the same repeating lines, points, and shapes on the door as with the towers leading towards it.
Izuku took a step back to get a better look at the door. Maybe it says something if looked at the right way. No matter how he looked at it however, even standing on his head at one point, he couldn't understand what the purpose of the symbols on the door meant. Perhaps it was simply decoration? Either way Midoriya added it to his new "ruins" section of his "Theories and Mysteries of Etheria VOL 1" notebook.
Izuku did finally find out that the place he did reside now was called Etheria. And the forest was simply a part of it. He only did however when Razz muttered it when she was scaling a similar looking ruin like a pro acrobat with the boy lagging behind for more berries as bushes grew in and on top of the overgrown towers then on the ground itself.
Shaking the strangeness of his guide away for now, Izuku started to go through whatever notes he had on Etheria so far as he made his way back to the hut.
Filled to the brim with questions on Etheria itself, he had detailed sketches on all the ruins he had accidentally discovered with Razz on ingredient gatherings, profiles… well profile of the one humanoid person he's met so far and questions about them. Questions beginning like, how old was Razz, how long has she lived in the forest, how was she able to speak perfect Japanese only from one conversation with Midoriya when it was clear she was speaking possibly the local language. Why had he only met Razz so far and not anyone else. Despite obvious signs of other people in the forest.
He really hoped that he and Razz weren't the only "normal" people here. Or they were the only survivors of some sort of apocalypse!
Izuku nose deep in his notebook, crafting more theories about the temples purpose and sketching the door from memory, did he find himself at the edge of a cliff shortly after. Only noticing when sunlight touched his skin and a more open breeze hit him. Izuku looked back at the forest confused. He was for sure in the middle of the deepest parts of the forest. How did he end… up… out… here...
"Wow…"
Izuku turned around and there at the cliffs edge, did Izuku find himself at a miraculous view. What he saw in the far distance was a great castle, shining and sparkling in the sun(?)light. Built into the side of an even larger mountain, the magnificent marble keep wrapped around the mountain with what looked like tents and houses built at the base with swamp land surrounding it. What grabbed his attention most was the large, marble and gold opulent tower that seemed only stones throw away from the entrance and what gently floated above it.
A large, shimmering oval stone which glistened with something like moonlight.
This. Was. AMAZING.
H-He had to capture this moment! he had to. Oh, if only he thought of bringing a camera! (How would that work?) tumbling the notebook in his hands, Excitement in his eyes and nearly hopping in place. Izuku opened the notebook only to find…
…There weren't any empty pages left.
"Eh? EH?!"
Quickly flipping page after page in desperation to find ANY section of the book that had an empty page or footnote, or anything. All coming up short.
OF COURSE. Just when he found some sort of civilization and unable to even get down from where he was and unable to at least see other people from how far he was! Was when the notebook was full.
UGH. He'd probably never find this place again too...Why did the forest only take him to amazing places once then never again? It was because of that reason Izuku brought the notebook everywhere he went. For that just in case he found something spectacular.
All of his his previous excitement had sunken to the bottom, knowing he should of brought another empty journal with him. With a muddled sigh, Izuku sadly made his way back towards the forest, back turned from the only civilization he would probably ever see here.
---
His good mood now sufficiently stuffed, dragging himself back wherever, occasionally looking just to see how far he actually was going.
Izuku tried to alleviate some of the disappointment by going through the full notebook reading on every ruin he's seen before and comparing it to the castle he saw.
It was hard trying to compare something that you might never see again to get the finer details and a sketch, but it helped keep his mind off things and distract him.
Mumbling as he went, processing the purpose of the moon-like stone and the keep itself, Izuku heard something he never thought he'd hear in the forest. It was faint but definitely there.
Crying, someone else was out here. Crying. Another person!
Or it could be another trick of the forest. Or Razz's cackling but muddled by the forest itself. Or some sort of adapted predator trying to lure him in and eat him.
Izuku should just keep walking and ignore it, his analytical side of his brain told him. But the side that wanted to become a hero told him to go and help whomever this was. That was the purpose of a hero. To help those in need. No matter where you were.
Izuku stood there, debating whether he should go or not, it was just a dream, right? He would probably never hear or find the crying again after tonight. Like other nights.
Then he heard screaming.
Then Izuku's legs moved on their own.