Chapter Text
TW: harsh language
It all started the day Izuku's dreams were shattered. It was a catalyst for the rest of events that took place afterward. Even though his heart felt as if it had been ripped from his chest, the young boy did not give up, he persevered seemingly grasping at straws in order to achieve his dream.
As we all know Izuku would stop at nothing to become a hero, even with his quirkless diagnosis he refused to give up his dreams. He knew that he wanted to be like all might, that he wanted to help people no matter what... with a smile on his face.
You see, although he tried seemingly everything certain quirks have specific activation requirements. Additionally, having an extra toe joint signified that his chances at having a quirk were nearly zero. But it's just like Izuku to beat the odds and go beyond. Despite the setbacks, he always seemed to do his best to move forward. Anyhow that is how this predicament began. A quirk that not even its user was aware of. Something that was waiting for the correct moment to spring into action and serve its purpose.
The first time it happened was when he had just started middle school. It's a rather foggy memory. He had been sitting on a tree by his house, it was nearly midnight, but he wanted to have a nice view of the stars, taking a break from all the overwhelming events around him. The constant bullying at school was starting to stress him out as much as he did not want to admit it. Izuku gazed at the stars with pleading eyes, hoping that his dream would come true and that by some chance he too could become a hero. Everyone around him told him to be more realistic but he refused to give up. After all, if Izuku could not help others around him what purpose did he have?
The first time was a complete accident, he heard a snap and everything happened in an instant. Spontaneously the branch of the tree gave in and Deku was falling, rather quickly I must say. He came down with a crash landing sprawled across the damp grass, his head smacked hard onto the pavement. while the rest of his body was cushioned by the grass. It was instantaneous, he hit his head so hard that his neck snapped, and he died... That's what was supposed to happen, but Izuku is not one to easily accept things.
As I said earlier, he is one to beat the odds, to overcome the impossible. And that's why rather than die a rather pitiful death he activated his quirk, one that even after the experience he wouldn't realize existed. In the darkness, Izuku saw a figure, within the fog of his brain he could barely make it out. But once he did see it he realized who it was. Sure, it had been years since he last saw his father… The last time he saw him was when he was 4 still dreaming of having a quirk. The last time he saw him his dreams were still close by. They weren’t crushed by everyone he told. He wasn’t pitied or looked at like he was worthless, a burden to society. Last time he saw him, the man loved him… That was until he left. He left because Izuku wasn’t good enough for him, because he was just a worthless Deku. A mistake in the eyes of society. Someone who was not bound to make it far. So yes, there was a time where his father loved him, but those days were long gone. With the quirkless diagnosis came so much more than his dreams shattering. It also stripped him of everyone around him. Made everyone deem him a mishap in society.
Certainly Izuku would not fall to this burden. To the hateful stereotypes of society. He never was a normal boy. Always striving to be a hero no matter how impossible his goals may seem. But to him? He believed he could do the impossible. because it was the only thing keeping him moving forward. His sole ambition.
Moving forward, Izuku saw his father in the haze. Why after all this time? That’s something he wouldn’t realize until much later. The young boy sprinted towards his father in tears the overwhelming sensation of seeing the person who had abandoned him being all too much.
“WHY?” Izuku yelled screaming at the man who remained with his back turned to him. Tears flooded down his cheeks and a fiery rage began to bubble up. Hurt poured through his veins as he looked at the first person who had given up on him, which soon became everyone around him. Even his mother would hint at finding something more “realistic” even though she loved him more than anything. Once he gave up on Izuku everyone else followed soon after…. nothing was ever the same.
The man spoke in an affirmative tone, “You know why.”
Izuku shook his head in denial, “No I don’t! Tell me!”
The man he once called his father turned around to face him and looked at him with a face of pity that soon morphed into disgust. “It’s quite simple really, you don’t belong. You never have, you have no use in society. My love for you died the day that I was shown how weak you truly are. You live in a fantasy Izuku and that will be your downfall. I don’t want to be there to witness it.”
Izuku shook his head rapidly and snapped “That’s a lie! It’s my life and I will be a hero. I can promise you that” Despite his unwavering tone, tears still poured down his cheeks. Hearing this from someone who was supposed to protect him did hurt, but he wouldn’t let it bring him down.
And with that the fog cleared.
Izuku slowly opened his eyes and blinked cautiously.
Ugh that was a heck of a dream. He rubbed his eyes and flinched at the dull pain in his head. He tried to get up but felt a bit light headed. Izuku looked down to see blood smeared across the pavement. He patted the back of his head just to feel a small amount of blood trickling down. That is when he came to the sudden realization that he had fallen down the tree.
Crap! That could’ve been really bad. He thought. Uneasiness still pooled at his stomach from the dream he had only moments before. The interaction felt so real, so fresh despite waking up. Little did he know that in only a few minutes he’d come to forget it.
It’s not unusual for quirks to have drawbacks, it is only a shame that Izuku’s were so grand.