Chapter 12: Time for one's Scars
He could still feel the wind rush by. The pain still fresh and all consuming.
"-e need to get him bac-"
"Don't you DARE close those ey-"
He could feel his friends holding him up as his vision faded
"-WHAT HAPPEN-"
"-om, he needs-"
"-t him to the medi-"
Being laid on his stomach, stark pain still aching through him.
"-oped most of the bleeding… Get as many ban-"
"-rely conscious. Major loss to motor-"
How he could barely hear them…
"-m NOT leaving him. Neither is Bow."
When it all started going dark…
"-se, stay with me…"
"IZUKU!"
...
"Glimmer!" Izuku shot up from his laying position, hand outstretched to nothing, breathing rapidly with a cold sweat. His body started to ache as if he got hit by a truck. He clutched his stomach, now feeling the bandages that covered his torso.
Izuku felt incredibly sluggish, and more weight was on his back then he remembered. He wiped the sweat from his face and looked around his surroundings, vision finally starting to steady.
He was back home in Japan. In his room. And judging by the time, 7:00 in the morning, a solid hour before school. Izuku tried turning out of bed to get changed, only for a bright, sudden pain to fill his being, making him stop. What happened?
That's when he finally noticed a piece of paper taped to his bandaged body. He slowly removed the paper from his chest. Recognizing the writing immeaditly, he started reading the note.
Izuku Midoriya.
If you are reading this, then night has fallen, and you have returned to your own world.
You had sustained a grievous injury to the majority of your back on your last mission. The healers and doctors have done all they could to stop it from being fatal or it preventing you to use your arms correctly. If Glimmer and Bow had brought you any later, it would be possible that you would no longer be with us.
As he read the message, it was all coming back to him. Him pushing an innocent man out of the way. A stray laser bolt. The agonizing pain…
As such, you are forbidden to leave whatever housing you occupy and or do anything that requires great amounts of weight, effort, or sudden movement until you return to Brightmoon. Where you will be fully examined and treated.
We will discuss what happened in more detail when you return.
Regards, Queen Angella
Oh, so that's what happened. That would explain why felt the way he did. Izuku tossed his blanket to the side, checking to see if his legs had sustained any damaged too. Although numb from not being used, they looked ok from what he could tell, the only light being the through the blinds of his window.
And thankfully he had some pants on too. That still didn't answer what his back looked like. Trying to reach around and feel it was very uncomfortable as the bandages also wrapped around his shoulders and the pain started spiking when he tried reaching behind himself.
Maybe he should get a better look at himself with a mirror.
As slowly as he possibly could, the flash of pain now downgraded to a dull ache, Izuku got out of bed. His legs felt like jelly as they shook with unfamiliarity when they touched the soft mat next to his bed.
He waddled to his door which was still locked shut, thankfully. Izuku really didn't want his mom walking in when he looked like this. As he reached the door to his room; a thought popped up.
His mom! If he walked out like this, she would drag him to hospital under 24-hour surveillance. And considering he still didn't really know what happens to his body when he goes to Etheria, he really didn't need her finding out like that.
Izuku leaned against his door, ear firmly planted against it, trying to listen for any signs that his mother was awake. He didn't hear anything from the hallway. Opening just a creek to peep into the hallway, again, nothing. Not even the bubbling of the coffee maker. He opened the door completely and carefully stepped into the hallway, making his way to the kitchen first before the bathroom.
After a few more quiet steps, Izuku scanned the main area of the living space, starting with the kitchen. The only sign his mom had been here was a stained mug of coffee sitting in the sink. Turning to the fridge, there was another note, from his mother this time.
Judging from the note, she had to go to work much earlier then normal today and wouldn't be back till tonight due to a surplus of meetings and patients at the hospital that she had to be there for. Also promising to come home as soon as she could if she finished early.
While a sigh of relief did leave him knowing he wouldn't be seen like this, Izuku couldn't help but frown at the message. She constantly had to work double time in order to pay for both the bills and saving up for the tuition/supplies fee for U.A even with his help on the latter. Izuku still saw her every other day, but she was always tired, always sore after the long day. Ever since his da- since Hisashi left them to fend for themselves.
He wanted to hate the man, he really did, but… How can you hate someone you didn't really know? That you rarely met? The only communication from letters and voice calls from abroad. Izuku barely even remembered his face. The sound of his voice…
Izuku shook his head, getting out of his thoughts. He came out for a reason. Now that he knew his mom wouldn't be home till later tonight, he walked to bathroom, his original objective. To see the damage in full and to see if he actually couldn't go anywhere.
Making it to the bathroom, Izuku prepared himself and flipped the light switch. Before he saw himself, Izuku turned the tap on and splashed water in his face to clear any leftover sleep in his eyes and to see everything clearly. Leaning against the sink, Izuku looked to the mirror.
And to put it bluntly, he looked awful. He felt awful
Heavy bags under his eyes, bruises on his swollen cheek covered by small bandage. Probably the side he fell on. Arms were still ok with his knuckles bruised from hitting the armor. If it weren't for the gloves, it probably would've been worse. Izuku's entire upper torso was covered in pearl white bandages, stretched tightly all around him, all probably to hold the increased weight on his back.
Izuku turned around slowly and looked over his shoulder, trying to ignore the irritating buzz of his muscles under the bandages. The message said it was bad but… He didn't think this bad…
Layers upon layers of heavy-duty gauze and bandages was strapped from the bottom of his waist to the base of his neck, just below the collar. A darkened stain, just a little above his waist, all the way to in-between his shoulder blades, seeped onto the surface. Probably got that from moving to much this morning. It left an impressive hump on his back, nothing outrageous, but definitely noticeable if he wore a shirt or his uniform.
Since he really didn't want to start cleaning out possible blood stains from his uniform again, and the off chance that Kac- Bakugo would corner him and try to fight him, most likely tearing open… what ever was holding him together in the brawl.
Izuku grabbed some hidden pain killers in the back of the medical cabinet and set them aside for later. Afterwards, he left the bathroom towards the living room to call the school he wasn't feeling good and wouldn't be able to attend today.
They were questioning him on why at first but shrugged it off when he told them it was injury related and they couldn't exactly confirm his case themselves. He pocketed his phone and went back to the kitchen to get some breakfast and to think about how he was going to spend today.
-----
Not doing much, apparently.
A few hours had gone by and Izuku was sick of sitting around. In any other case he would've loved to have a day off from Kacchan's threats of a fight behind the school, since he kept them up. Every. Single Day. Starting when the teacher, bemused, told his entire class he had a quirk now.
How ever, who would he use as a punching when he wasn't there? He really didn't want anyone else getting what he was getting.
On top of that, what ever pain reliever the Etherian healers gave him was wearing off and the mild buzz was becoming more and more painful to sit through.
He had sent an illusion to grab the painkillers in the bathroom, but it simply just phased through its hand. Found that out when it came back empty handed. The only two errors in his copy's being that the eyes were like mirrors instead of regular eyes and jittered occasionally as if it was living static. Even if it did bring them to him, could he even get it open with the amount of strength he had at the moment?
Whatever. He could still use his legs and get them himself. Izuku would have to work on creating more tangible illusions once he got back. They seemed to be based on the amount of magic he focuses into the clone. Hence why multiple ones are far more fragile than a singular solid one.
Good thing he left his spell book at home instead back in Brightmoon. The original author wasn't going to miss it, and that last chunk of blank pages was begging for experimentation. It gave him something to do, practising smaller scale spells that required the least amount of movement. Seeing the effect and writing it down for later.
He tried his ice spear spell once, but that crashed on top of him when had to stand up and create the arc. The muscles connecting his arms to his back were on fire when he attempted to complete the spell, forcing him to stop halfway. Izuku sat back down, slumping against the dinning room table, incredibly annoyed.
He really hoped this wouldn't affect him long term. If he couldn't raise his arms… he might as well be target practice. At least they weren't damaged at all. It could've been worse, he thought. Like having his arms shatter like toothpicks when he tried using any spell or any power for that matter. That would suck a lot more.
Man, he really was trying to think of anything to ignore the pain, wasn't he?
Then another idea popped in his head. It was incredibly stupid and could prove to be a waste of time, but anything would be better then stewing in his own mind and pain. Izuku slowly walked back to his room and grabbed the All-Might business card from his desk. Also grabbing the painkillers from the bathroom counter on his way back to the table.
Mr. Yagi worked with heroes all day, every day. If anyone had any advice on how one would deal with pain and to keep it private from the masses, it would be him. After a few minutes of trying to open the bottle of pills with no luck, Izuku relented and dialed the number on the card.
This wasn't the first time he called the man, far from it. Over the years since he received Mr. Yagi's number, Izuku had been calling him every few weeks to simply talk and discuss heroes. Both good and bad sides of the industry.
Whenever he had questions about a certain hero, Mr. Yagi would answer in full detail, as if he worked right beside them before. Thanks to him, Izuku's hero journals were chalk full and already at number 16. They always bounced off one another.
He's even seen the old man on jogs near the beach when Izuku's training with the general went into full swing and he thought it would be good place for a morning warmup. Trading stories whenever they sat to have a break. Even bringing tissues along just in case. Izuku liked talking to him. It was a nice break from everything.
Speaking of which… "Young Midoriya? Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Although shouldn't you be in school?" Yagi responded to the call. Ok. Explain your situation WITHOUT making him call someone else.
"H-Hello Mr. Yagi and about that I… couldn't go today." Izuku could practically hear the man's face scrunch in confusion. "Are you not feeling well? I highly doubt that is the reason you're calling me, young man."
"A-Actually I was getting to that. You deal with heroes everyday, right?"
"Yes? Where are you going with this?"
"Well, I was wondering if you had to deal with a hero who had sustained an… injury… of a kind, that… they… never have gotten before in their career. What advice would you give them to deal with it… on their own."
"…Well, I suppose it depends on the type of injury they had received. While I have dealt with helping heroes hide injuries, I always tell them to seek out trusted friends to care for them if they can't them…selves…"
There was a long pause. Uh oh, did he let out too much? "Young Midoriya?"
"Y-Yes? Mr. Yagi?"
"What kind of injury are we referring too, exactly? I mean, I can't explain how to deal with a certain injury without knowing what it is now can I?" Ok, Izuku had his interest, good. "W-We'll say a large-scale burn…? close to the bone… maybe?" He tried leaning back in the chair, only for a sharp sting to make him jump back straight.
"And where on the body would this burn be?" Yagi answered, clearly sounding more concerned, but Izuku didn't notice due to the sting from his injury. "On… their… back?" Izuku winced at his own words, hoping he didn't over share. Who was he kidding, Mr. Yagi would probably just answer him like normal.
Nothing to worry about.
"…"
"M-Mr. Yagi?" Nothing to worry about…?
"I'll be there in 15 minutes. Do. Not. Go. Anywhere." WORRY!
"W-W-Wait! M-Mr. Yagi, there's no- *Click* M-Mr. Yagi?" He hung up. Izuku got hung up on. No. no, no, no, no, no! this was awful! How was he going to explain this! "Hey Mr. Yagi! Oh this? Just got from being a freedom fighter on another planet. You know, a normal teen activity." Izuku slammed his phone onto the table in frustration. How was he going to hide all this?!
Wait, hide. That's it! He would just create an illusion of clothes to go over himself. Perfect. It wouldn't stain through clothes that weren't actually there. It'll work. It has too. Izuku sprang from his seat only for the quick motion to shut him down and make him collapse on his knees. No. Not now. Just need a little more time…
Izuku's face drenched in sweat, he started casting an illusion.
-------
Toshinori exited his car and stepped onto the driveway of the Midoriya household. Why did he come here? The boy would be fine. But the way he phrased his question… made it sound like he sustained that injury and was trying to hide it.
No that couldn't be. Yagi Toshinori, you know this kid, he isn't stupid. There's no way he could have taken an injury on par to what some heroes take every other day. Injuries he's taken in the past. Young Midoriya was a good kid, his mother's a nurse for god's sake. There's no reason to worry.
Is that why he was fiddling with the strap of a medical bag from his office? Walking towards the kid's home door?
Toshinori looked around the place first before going to the front. Just to make sure there was no obvious way the kid could leave. Not that he would get far, if what he was saying was true. He finally reached the door after slowly walking towards it. He brought his hand to it and knocked.
"Young Midoriya are you in there? It's me, Mr. Yagi." Silence. Then a banging noise, as if something hitting the floor, and a grunt of exertion. Did he… collapse? No. No. Don't jump to conclusions. Just knock again and wait. "Young Midoriya, are you alright?" Nothing. Yagi was this close to busting the door down and checking on the boy. One more time, and if he got nothing again, he was barging in.
"Young Midoriya! If you don't answer the door, I'm coming in!" Toshinori banged against the door with his whole fist. He was trying to restrain himself from just bashing it down. After another a few moments the door creaked open. Two down cast viridian eyes stared at him from the creek. "Open the door."
"I-I can't… I just need... more time. I can't let you see me like this…" Ok. That was a clear sign to walk in. "Midoriya. Step away from the door and let me in. I won't ask again." Toshinori was stern but gentle with his voice. Not trying to scare the greenette. Just his voice sounded… defeated… Toshinori had to know why.
Midoriya was still hesitant to open the door completely. Eyes on the verge of just shutting down. Toshinori had an idea, it was probably a bad one but… Midoriya trusted him to call about his injury, it was only fair to trust him with one of his own. "…If you let me in, I'll tell you the reason why I cough blood whenever I overexert myself."
A brief pause took hold of the moment. The teen's eyes widening slightly at Toshinori's statement. The door slowly opened completely and Toshinori finally understood why Midoriya was hesitant. A breath left him when he saw the greenette's state. "My boy… What happened…?" The teen tried to reach the back of his neck, but his face contorted in pain and put it back down. A heavy sigh left him.
"I'm fine. Just needed a little advice." A little- "My boy, you look like you got caught in an explosion. You are most certainly NOT fine." He flinched and Toshinori took a step inside into the home, hand outstretched towards the greenette. The teen took a step back from the old pro. "I-I thought I could hide it… I-I thought if…" Hide it?
"What do you mean 'hide it'? Were you trying to use your illusions?"
Midoriya looked away in disgust of himself. Toshinori could only imagine what was going through his head now. "I tried, but-but whenever I tried to raise my arms to ca- create them, the pain stopped me… I-I can't even open the damn painkillers I pulled out by myself… It's ridiculous…" A sorrowful chuckle left him. Yagi placed a hand gently on the teen's shoulder, watching carefully if he was causing Midoriya any sort of discomfort or pain.
"Why didn't you call a hospital?"
"Because if I did, my mom would've found out and I don't want her to worry and stress more…" A sigh left Yagi. He couldn't have been the only person he could've contacted… right? "Wasn't there anyone you could've called? Friends?" Midoriya shook his head. Still not looking up to the tall blonde. "Tell me everything. Don't try to miss a single detail, alright?"
Another creeping silence as both stood, one filled with questions, the other wishing he didn't need to answer. He faintly nodded and turned around, exposing the large hump of bandages cover his back in its entirety. But that wasn't the thing that scared Yagi the most about the teen's health. It was the large darkened, dried stain that had seeped it's way on to the surface. What had happened to him to cause something that would keep most rookie heroes bed ridden?
Hopefully, he would have some answers and help the teen through some of it. The two slowly arrived at the dining room table. A seat was laying on the ground on its side. Is that what he heard fall?
Before he could ask, Midoriya walked over to the fallen chair and tried setting it back up, his arms shaking and biting his lip to prevent any sounds of pain. Yagi's eyes widened when he saw the dried stain begin to slightly reflect some of the light as if it was fresh-
Toshinori urged him to stop and to go have a seat at the table, he would get the chair himself. The greenette paused, face unreadable, then wandered over to the table, taking a seat. The old pro grabbed the fallen chair, dragged it to the table, set it beside Midoriya and took a seat.
"So… Where would you like to start?"
"To be honest, I wish I didn't need too."
Midoriya began to spin his tale. Last night, after an impromptu training session away from anyone who could see him, he noticed a group of miscreants practicing their quirks by a major trash area. He thought nothing of it at first until he heard a small-scale explosion go off behind some piles of garbage.
The miscreants ran past him as smoke began to bellow from one of the piles, an old man was also passing by. Another explosion soon went off, flaming pieces of shrapnel and garbage flew through the air. A large piece of hot metal launched itself towards the wayward pedestrian. Midoriya dove in the way and received his burn.
As the old pro listened to more of the boy's story, pieces began to fit perfectly, while others seemed off. Why had no one reported an explosion in that area? In fact, it was spotless when he drove by that same area getting here. If it was last night, then there should've been a clean up crew or at least an investigation.
But he didn't bring up the holes in the teen's story and listened on. Supposedly afterwards, the old man had a medical related quirk that numbed nerves and patched him up as best as he could as thanks, due to Midoriya's request to not call anyone. Then he waddled home through the window and slept it off.
With the story finished, Toshinori couldn't tell what was true and seemed like a fabrication. Perhaps he was saving someone, just not from an explosion. That he had received his injury from something similar, such as a quirk from a villain. The teen did have a knack for saving others, of course, not legally some would say. Yagi not one to say for sure.
Someone has returned to their vigilante work it would seem. It was the only conclusion he could come up with. Perhaps he lied since, what he knew, the person he was talking to 'worked for' the number one hero. Toshinori couldn't help but smile. "Mr. Yagi?"
"You just don't quit, do you?" Midoriya tilted his head in confusion. "Nevermind. Well, I gave you my word, didn't I? A truth for a truth." Toshinori lifted the bottom of his suit and revealed a massive scar on the side of his waist.
Discolored beyond compare, as if something twisted a chunk of him off and it was hastily glued back on still missing pieces. "That is one way to look at it, Young Midoriya." The teen slapped his mouth shut while the pro moved on, smile still present.
"I was still full well working with All Might when I got this. A very powerful villain was attacking a minor populated area full of innocent people, I among them. While All Might went to confront him, I, along side another hero, stayed behind to get as many people out as possible."
"As the last of them were safely evacuated, a stray attack from the villain had torn my left side open wide. It would've been fatal, if hadn't been for the other hero at my side who… sadly passed during the exchange, having taken most of the damage."
"With their sacrifice and all of the innocents now safely away. All Might put down that monster and made sure he never hurt anyone again." Toshinori gripped his scarred side and put down his suit, having made his point.
"Afterwards, I was taken to hospital to have a great many procedures done. From what they told me, I am missing a major part of my lungs and stomach. Hence why I try to limit my physical activity during the afternoon or evening if I'm not working late."
"If it hadn't been for All Might or that other hero… I'm sure I wouldn't be here today." Yagi finished his tale. Looking back to the greenette, his eyes were threatening to pop out of his head he was so affixed to Yagi's story.
"What was their name?"
"I'm sorry?"
"The other hero, what was their name?" Yagi's eyes widened in surprise, out of all the questions to ask. It was the one he thought the teen would miss. Then again, this kid is a major hero fan. Any info on any hero was good enough for him.
"…Nana… Nana Shimura…" If felt strange saying her name again. After all this time…
"Wow…so many heroes nowadays…" Toshinori faced the teen in question. "O-Oh. Sorry just thinking of some of my other friends."
"Didn't you say you didn't have anyone else to contact?"
"They live in America, they're probably sound asleep now." Ah, that's the reason. Any other possible contact would've been unavailable at this time if they lived in the west. Midoriya looked away for a time, his content expression becoming a subtle frown. Yagi grabbed the unopened bottle of painkillers and opened them for the teen. Sliding them back to their original spot on the table.
Midoriya looked back to the man, quickly shaking off his sour look. "I'm sorry just… whenever I think about them, they just blow me out of the water in what they've accomplished together. All three of us I should say…"
"Do they help in your training?"
"All the time whenever their awake. Always pushing me forward… always try to save someone. One of them would say. Actually, she'd probably tell me to get some rest, and if I shrugged it off, drag me to bed herself and knock me out… if she was here…" A sad laugh from the teen echoed in the empty space.
"Their far better heroes then I'll ever be…"
"Pardon me, but that is blatantly false." Midoriya shot up from his slump, facing directly with the tall blonde. "I maybe biased when I say this, considering I have never seen your friends, but you are one of the most heroic souls I have met in a long time." The teen's face practically screamed 'What?' in a surprised manner.
Toshinori let out a sigh then continued. "A few years after I had received my injury, I became jaded to the idea of heroics or lack there of. Nowadays, heroes only care for money or popularity or how quickly they could take down the villain, nevermind the damages. No longer about simply saving people out of the goodness of one's heart. That was the last thing on a majority of peoples minds."
"I kept thinking of that day. How some of the new heroes are lucky they never had to experience something like that again… How the people who cheered for them to succeed, will only quickly jump on to the next big thing and forget about the past heroes that made way for the next. It was all a joke to them. Why should I try anymore? Instead of just pretending to be what they want? I thought like that for a long time."
"But. Imagine my surprise when I see a 10-year-old boy helping a poor man up from his coughing fit, only days having passed when they met. Or how that same boy two years later appears on the news on how they had saved three kids their age from certain harm or death. Dressed up like their favourite hero."
"Or the multitude of simple good deeds around their neighbourhood that would've gone unnoticed due to their nature of not wanting anything in return or how they didn't need their power to do good."
"You reignited a spark I thought I lost in me all those years ago, only kindling it more as I saw your deeds shine through. 'Always trying to save someone, no matter who they are'. Those were your words when you saved those three, were they not?" Midoriya was speechless, probably trying to figure out how he knew it was him.
"Your deeds spark good in those around you. No matter what anyone says. You can be- No. You ARE a hero Midoriya Izuku." The number one put his hand on the teen's shoulder, only to be rushed in a hug. Taken back at first, unsure what to do next. Yagi awkwardly returned the hug, trying not to put pressure on the greenette's back.
"I-I-I-"
"Think nothing of it. You inspire me to try, at least for a little longer." Yagi lowered his arms and slowly Midoriya did the same, taking his seat back. Yagi cleared his throat. "Now then, let's see about getting at least some of those dirty bandages changed." Toshinori instructed Midoriya to turn around and take some of the pain killers.
Afterwards, Yagi got to work.
----
It took some doing, but after a solid hour, Yagi had successfully changed the first layer of bandages. It also told him how deep it went judging by the layers. Midoriya wasn't wrong when he said it might've hit his spine as well. But since he was still capable of walking it was nothing serious.
After all was said and done, Yagi asked the young hero about his friends. He must look to them for strength if he thought of them so highly as to question his own deeds. After a moment to think, his face deep in thought, Midoriya described his western friends and their powers.
He never mentioned them by name, however, Yagi still got a clear grasp of what made them such an inspiration to the boy. One was capable of long-distance teleportation and could manipulate light at will. The other was quirkless but always wore a smile even in the darkest times. Yagi then asked if the one who could teleport was the one who said always try to save someone.
Midoriya nodded. The boy was about to go in more detail of how they met but cut himself off just before. Another mystery, Yagi supposed. No matter, that he trusted some old man this much was bounds above of when they first met. It was also a clear indicator he trusted them far more, keeping them anonymous.
Checking that the bandages were sitting in place properly, not to loose, not to tight. Yagi collected the medical equipment that he carried with him and started to pack up. Yagi, just before he got up to leave, he looked back to the greenette. Two things he wished to speak about to him. Three if he was… No. Another time.
"Alright, everything looks good. Make sure you don't twist too much, limit the movement of your arms, and get some rest. Got it?" Midoriya nodded, taking everything to heart. "If the pain becomes too much, even with the medication, call a hospital. Understand?" Midoriya nodded again. This one a little less jazzed.
"You're killing me here kid…" Yagi muttered under breath, ensuring the teen didn't hear him. He really was willing to bear it however long it would take to heal. It's not like he was going to get better in a few days. That was a solid few weeks, maybe a month bed ridden.
"Th-Thank you, Mr. Yagi. I'm sorry I lied." Midoriya bowed to the old pro, still sitting in the chair. "Don't thank me yet. But I am glad you at least called someone. That is a big step that most heroes don't even bother with."
"With what sir?"
"Calling for help from others, despite their pride. And don't call me sir. Makes me feel older than I actually am…" Midoriya apologized quickly, so much so, Yagi thought the bandages would come undone with how quickly he was bowing. Yagi spat a little blood in shock and surprise.
After settling the boy down from his rambling apologies, Yagi whipped the small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Speaking of heroes… There was another topic I wished to discuss with you." Midoriya stood straight, wondering what it was Yagi wanted to talk about.
"While you are far more skilled than I first thought, your combat and quirk prowess speak volumes to that. There are still a few critical details that you need to learn if you want to excel at U.A."
"Which is why once you are completely healed, I would like teach you myself and show you the ropes of how some of the pro's do it." Yagi brought his thumb up and smiled. Midoriya was completely taken back with Yagi's offer. "If you do accept, I'm not pressuring you to say yes right now. There will be a few things I wished to be clarified. Is that alright?"
Midoriya accepted the conditions but not the offer yet. "Good. Call once your ready and we'll discuss it more." Yagi got up from his seat and walked towards the front door. Midoriya close behind. Yagi exited the home and just before he stepped onto the walkway, he turned back to the teen. "Don't forget what we discussed, get plenty of rest and get as much liquid in yourself as possible."
"Another thing. While I am honoured you called me to assist. The fact that I was the last person to call speaks enough of itself. It is admirable to draw strength and courage from one's comrades, but you will be working with dozens of heroes everyday. Both in U.A and on the field. Expand your circle of trust, The two you mentioned won't be able to help you everyday." Midoriya begrudgingly nodded to the pro's words.
"You're a good kid Midoriya. They can't help all the way over here, can they? Trust others, I hope you understand that."
"Take care of yourself." Yagi waved goodbye as he walked to his car and drove off.
Midoriya looked on from the door-frame watching the old man go. One thought bouncing around in his head after hearing Yagi's last words.
"If only you knew…" Midoriya closed the door. Wishing he didn't need too.
--- Back in Etheria, Morning rise ---
It was a little difficult to go to sleep with a massive hump made of linen on your back, but Izuku made it work. It was also a little difficult to his mom from coming into his room. She had received the call from the school on how her son wasn't in today due to him being sick. He told her that he wasn't able to get out of bed, covering his body in a large thick blanket he had.
After a little tossing and turning, Izuku started to rouse in the medical wing of Brightmoon in one of the many beds, daylight beaming in through a nearby oriental window. Taking his hand to his eyes and rubbing the sleep out of them, he noticed a light purple mound on his bed.
It was Glimmer, sound asleep at his bed side. Arms acting like makeshift pillow. Izuku then heard a rumbling snore coming from his left. He looked over to find Bow sleeping, arms crossed, and head slanted upwards in a chair, snoring a few mummers of his dreams.
They never left his side. How long have they been here? That chair didn't exactly look the most comfortable. Neither did sleeping on someone's occupied single person hospital bed. Izuku brought his hand to the arm of the sleeping princess and started to slowly shake her awake.
A few seconds of shaking and the sparkling princess started to rouse. First drowsily pushing away Izuku's arm. "…Come on, 'zuku… five more minutes…" She face-planted back into the bedside. Izuku started to laugh softly when her head shot back up, eyes wide. "Izuku!" Glimmer hugged him tightly, arms hanging around the sorcerer's neck. "Thank the stars your ok!"
"Glad to… be… ok… G-Glimmer!" Izuku tapped the princess's back as if she was pining him. She reluctantly released him and looked across from his bed to the snoring archer. She stood up from her seat. "BOW, GET UP! Izuku's awake!" Bow sluggishly arouse from his slumber with a few head shakes.
"Wha…? Glimmer, this is the third time you said- Oh my stars, you weren't kidding!" Bow shot up from his chair and dashed over to Izuku's side. Now having gotten their final member awake, Glimmer looked back to the bed ridden greenette. "How're you feeling?"
"Better now, I guess. How long have you guys been here?"
"Since we got back from Willow's Rest. We were worried about you." Bow butted in. That long huh?
"Anyone want to fill me in on what happened while I was out?" Izuku attempted to adjust his bed so he could better face the two, Glimmer was already turning the crank to help him sit up right in the bed. "If you stopped moving. I really don't your burn to open up. Again." Bow agreed whole heartedly.
Instead of berating the sorcerer on his refusal to stay still when he should be resting, Glimmer did her best to recall the events of yesterday and their rush to get him back and hospitalized. It was a harrowing story of riding on horseback all the way back to the castle proper, him tied to her, carrying him up to the main hall only to run into the queen who rushed them to the medical wing.
That was mostly it, Glimmer winded down the story to a close with how he was brought here and mostly healed. The major damage and blisters closed up and bandaged. The healers would come later today to administer the last of the treatments and then he would have to wait for it to heal.
Which, fortunately, would only take a few days, a week tops. That was comforting thought, he wouldn't be out for too long and he wouldn't have to wear all these bandages. He could probably be back in school if everything went well.
The only draw back, it would leave one hell of a scar. Good luck trying to explain that Izuku…
There was just one thing left. Angella asked the two to inform her when he was awake. Apparently, that could wait however because they had to tell him that he was invited to a wedding in a few days. Netossa had finally professed her feelings for the wind manipulator princess, Spinerella and proposed.
Which was before they got back. How convenient. Still, he's never been to a wedding before, specially one between two powerful individuals. It would probably be a nice change of pace and to get their minds off of things. Like them staring at him, Bow with a hint confusion and Glimmer with a raised eyebrow and resting her head in her hand.
He was mumbling again. "Yep" Glimmer replied, pronouncing the 'P' with a pop. Of course… The princess started laughing with Bow joining shortly after with a few chortles of his own. "Good to have you back 'zuku." Izuku was going to thank them for staying all this time but was cut off by the princess.
Not saying a word, Glimmer teleported away, the boys simply stared where their friend last stood. "Do you know what she's up too?" Izuku asked Bow, he shrugged. " I never know what she's doing. Until either it happens, or she speeds us through it." Just as he finished, Glimmer returned with a large speaker and Izuku's music player.
So that's were that went. Where did she get the speaker? "Glimmer. What are you doing?" Izuku murmured, trying to get the girl's attention. She raised her hand towards Izuku, holding up one finger while scrolling through the playlists. It took a second, but Izuku finally connected what she was doing.
Since they won, that means someone would get a victory song. First come, first serve. Whenever they did well in exercise, that was their agreement. Since it was their first mission… Oh no.
"Oh yes! Wanna know why?" Please no. Why did he translate the lyrics for her? "Because I'm…~"
The speaker roared to life and her victory song began to play. Here we go…
"~ I'M THE DI-SASTER OF PASSION!~ " Glimmer sang out. Bow and Izuku simply watched on as she mouthed along to the lyrics, using the player as a makeshift microphone. The boys smiled on, a bead of sweat down their temples, their third rocking out.
Well, at least the castle knows he was awake. As well as the rest of the sleeping denizens of Brightmoon.
--- Several days later ---
It felt good to be back on his feet. It only took the majority of the bandages coming off to realize how much they weighed him down in his weakened state. He could only take off a few layers every other day, but the wound was healing decently now only having one layer on and be able to move his arms far more.
It also showed the scar that it was all hiding. It did look like something exploded on his back, the scar tissue reaching from the top, just above his shoulder blades, all the way down to his waistline. Reaching out to either side. You could only see it if Izuku's back was completely facing towards an observer.
At least he could wear clothes over it. It was sensitive from all of the treatments that were administered so he still had to watch where he sat and laid on. He did have to hide it from his classmates, but since they barely acknowledged his presence anyway, it wasn't hard. Just the occasionally glance his way on why Deku was sitting at his desk funny.
Although he wasn't completely healed. Izuku couldn't leave the castle until the sensitivity faded and everything was closed properly. Izuku still had a few more days before he could go out again.
Wandering the empty hall on the way to his room, Izuku noticed Her Majesty standing to the side of an adjacent hallway he was walking by, staring up to a mural of a man crowned in brilliant regalia. He was about to pass by, as to not bother the queen.
"Might I have a word with you, young Izuku?" Angella spoke, eyes not leaving the mural. At first, he thought he had disturbed the queen in some way, but Angella's words did not have any anger to them. Just a subtle calm. He walked over the queen's side and looked up to the mural.
"Do you know who this is?" Although he had passed it many times over the years, he didn't have the slightest idea who the man depicted was. Who ever they were, they must've been great if they were on Brightmoon's marble walls.
"He was." A small, sad smile adorned the queen's features before continuing.
"This is Micah, King of Brightmoon, accomplished sorcerer and Glimmer's father." Glimmer's dad? She never talked about him much. She sighed. " I am not surprised. The day you arrived here with Glimmer in tow was the same day I received the report we… both lost him…" Oh. She seemed so happy that day.
"Because you were there for her. Your arrival and subsequent stay in Brightmoon kept her mind off it and allowed her to confess to another, instead of myself."
"What happened to him?" Izuku said, already knowing the only possible answer.
"He gave his life fighting against the Horde… for freedom for all of Etheria. The same battle I'm now sending you three…"
"We are at war, Izuku Midoriya. What you and the rest saw and experienced at Willow's Rest was only a fraction of what happens nearly everyday. They take more friends, allies …Families. To raise the children to resent the world and turn them into soldiers. The only thing stopping the Horde from invading Brightmoon is the Whispering Woods. We lose more then what we gain."
"Your injury made me realize something I had forgotten when I sent you out." Angella then turned completely to face the sorcerer, who was completely shocked at the next few words that left Angella. "You are not Etherian. You have a home of your own, a family, something to go back too. Even with the war raging on. I can't ask you to fight a battle not your own. Which brings me to my question."
"Do you still wish to fight for a world not your own? One that you might not return from? I will hold no ill will should you say no. I understand completely if that is your answer." Izuku stood in stunned silence, trying to figure out what to say.
As much as he didn't want to admit, the queen was right. This is war. One that has been raging on long before Izuku came. People die, have died. He's seen the destruction wrought by the Horde and its war machines. He could only imagine what other machines of destruction they possessed. Or how long this had been going. It was crazy, he was only sixteen and he was fighting in a war.
But here was a choice. He could say he doesn't want to fight anymore and just live peacefully until he found a permanent solution as to why he came here whenever night fell back home. A loving mother who would always support him and… nothing else.
But then… he would be turning his back against another home… One that accepted him for who he was as a person, not because he was born without something special too him. Because he shown them what he could do with what he had.
They fed him, clothed him, supported him, taught him to do the unimaginable. All to follow his dream.
To be a hero.
Izuku knew his answer.
"Don't you remember what I said when you told us about our first mission?"
"I said I would protect Etheria like it was my home, despite not being born here." Angella's expression was unreadable as she listened to Brightmoon's only sorcerer. "I might've not been born here, but I'm sure as hell I was raised as if I was!"
"Where I'm from, people are looked down on if they don't any kind of power, even if they do good, their cast to the side for the more powerful to take their place instead and credit. I was treated like nothing for years by my "peers"."
"But here, I'm treated just like everyone else, even despite my magic. I've learned here, laughed here, fought beside two of the bravest people I will ever meet and even prouder to call them my friends. Because you bet, I don't have any of those back home!" Pointing at himself to accentuate his words.
"You're right. I'm not Etherian, but I will fight for my home just as courageously as if I was."
"I wouldn't be much of a hero if I didn't fight to keep people safe." Izuku smiled, his soul ablaze with courage. It was the queen's turn now. Her face unreadable, processing the sorcerer's declaration.
"Is that your final decision?" No other words were spoken by the queen. Izuku said yes, putting his dominant hand to his chest. Angella sighed, looked to the mural one last time and back to the greenette. "One sorcerer for another, I suppose." She bowed curtly to Izuku. "Thank you." Izuku was quickly taken back and told her that she had nothing to thank him for. In fact, he should be thanking her for all these years.
"You are far too modest for someone of your potential. If that is your stance on the matter, then I raise no objections." Angella softly smiled, before clearing her throat and returning to a more neutral tone. "I have one more thing I wished to discuss with you then." Izuku titled his head in question, what else did she want to talk about?
"As you know, Glimmer, while a brilliant leader, when she wants to be *AHEM* requires console from time to time. And as a princess, also makes her a prime target for the enemy. Seeing as I can't be there for her when you three are out, I would like you to be her advisor and to keep an eye on her during your skirmishes."
What.
"Wh-Wh-What?! A-Are you sure? Does Glimmer know about this?"
"She will. When she decides to join us and not skulk around the corner like a child!" Angella's vision narrowed down the hall behind Izuku. He heard an "eep" and the familiar swish of his friend teleporting away. How long had she been there? "When you started your speech, she thought I didn't notice her." Oh.
Shaking his head from the moment, Izuku returned to the conversation. "Wh-Why me? I'm sure Bow would a far better advisor then I would be." Izuku waved his arms around in a nervous panic, a small blush on his face. "While I admire Bow's courage and skill, he is not a leader, and his skill could be used elsewhere should you be away."
"But I'm not much of a leader either."
"That might be true, but you are rational in the face of adversity. I have read the after reports from your exercises. While Glimmer would prefer to only think on her feet and charge head on. It is a quality that could be turned against her should you face a smarter or just as head strong opponent."
An offended scoffed echoed across the barren hallway, this time behind Her Majesty. "If you have objections, you are welcome to come here and voice them!" Angella didn't look back, still facing the greenette. After a few moments, Glimmer appeared beside Izuku, arms crossed. Izuku jumped a little at the sudden appearance.
"Glad of you to join us." Angella glanced to Glimmer before returning to Izuku. "As her advisor, and by extension an advisor of Brightmoon, you would be allowed more freedoms. The major one being you would be allowed access to information the common solider wouldn't and allowed entrance into specified areas without Glimmer needing to be present."
Being able to learn and practice more spells did sound appealing. But since she was always up for a visit to Mysticor, he didn't really need to go alone anyway. Then again there would be the off chance that she would be absent, and she had to attend meetings on the same day. Izuku could go in her place if that was the case.
That was if Glimmer was ok with it, of course. She was being uncharacteristically quiet beside him. "That is if Glimmer is alright with this development." Angella turned to her daughter. "Do you find Izuku to be an acceptable choice?"
The princess shrugged. " I mean, I already listen to his suggestions anyway. I doubt this'll make much of a difference. It's better then getting someone I won't like or know." Izuku wasn't sure how to take that. Angella nodded. "Very good. Izuku, do you accept this position?"
If she agreed, then who was he to refuse as well? Izuku accepted the offer, in the same thought process that this wouldn't change much or anything. Angella accepted his answer and told the two she would make it official after the wedding in a day. Speaking of which he still had to find something decent to wear.
Angella excused herself and left the two alone in the hall. Izuku tried to excuse himself as well but was halted by the princess who had grabbed his sleeve. Before Izuku could ask what the matter was, Glimmer pulled him into a hug. The sudden embrace caught the sorcerer off guard and a decent blush began to emit from his cheeks. It took a few seconds before she spoke.
"Thanks… For sticking around."
"O-Of course, I owe you guys so much, it's what friends are for." Glimmer returned to Izuku's side after releasing him. "Right. Friends. What I'm about to do next is entirely as your friend." Izuku was confused then suddenly a rush of pain invaded the back of his head. Glimmer having punched him there.
"So, you think I'm a bad leader, huh?!"
"W-What?! No! I-I just agree that you can be a little… h-hot headed?" He really wasn't helping his case.
"Oh HO! So, I get a little 'Hot headed' huh?! I'll give you a hot head when I'm done!" Glimmer ignited a ball of sparkles in her hand. Izuku started running.
"I'm sorry!"
"If you were sorry, you would be standing still!" Glimmer yelled down the hall, chasing the greenette.
--- A Japanese Sorcerer's Handbook: Spell: Ice Spear ---
Written in the blank pages of the unknown spell tome by Izuku Midoriya.
Spell Name: Ice Spear
Spell Type: Spell Circle/Concentration
Description: By concentrating in one's surroundings and gather magic more attuned with cold, the caster can freeze and coalesce the moisture in the air to create precise but deadly projectiles of pure magicked ice. Only growing larger as they seem to freeze the surrounding moisture and add it to its mass as it travels towards its target. Unusable in extremely dry or hot areas.
Caster's Notes: If the amount of damage against the drones of when I first used it were any indication of how dangerous this spell could be, I should be cautious when using it against live targets. Look into ways to better form the spears into more blunt chunks and to control their size.