Avatar: The Legend of Midoriya
A New Age
Fire
Air
Water
Earth
Long ago in ancient times, there were four distinct nations that ruled over the entire earth and lived together in harmony. Sure there were hard times, but things always seemed to work out between the Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, the Water Tribes, and the Air Nomads. Among these nations, there lived a being of immense power and strength known as the Avatar, who could bend all four elements and kept peace between the Four Nations. As they were human beings with human lifespans, the Avatar reincarnated into each nation upon his or her death in a cycle so that they may still continue their duty as the Avatar. However, as powerful as the Avatar was, they were human and made mistakes at times throughout history. One such example was the last Avatar of the millennium, Avatar Korra. Though she was quite strong and capable as the Avatar in her youth, she was tricked into giving up the Spirit of Light, Raava, to the Spirit of Darkness, Vaatu. The Light Spirit was temporarily destroyed and the spirits of all Avatars before Korra were lost forever. Even when Avatar Korra emerged victorious in the end, the cost was great and weighed heavily on her heart.
After that dreadful day, many things had come to pass. Avatar Korra continued her duties as the Avatar and grew in even greater strength and wisdom in her years. Even after the day of her death at 87 years of age, there were many decades of lasting peace throughout the land. But nothing lasts forever.
Avatar Korra's friends, families, and allies searched tirelessly throughout all the nations for the next Avatar, but for nothing. The searched through the vast Earth Kingdom for years and had even moved on to check the Fire Nation, Air Temples, even the Water Tribes. It appeared at the Era of the Avatar had ended with Korra.
Or so they thought.
Upon Avatar Korra's death, Raava had begun to move on to find the next Avatar but found that it was too weak to manifest itself again. The damage it sustained so many years ago took its toll despite not truly dying. In a way, the Avatar Spirit had died in this Era. In time, wars erupted and corruption ran rampant without the Avatar to keep balance. Cities burned and civilizations crumbled over time. Eventually, the world moved on, forgetting the time of the Avatar and of bending as the ability grew scarce. Without the connection to the Spirits that lived in the Avatar, fewer and fewer people gained the ability to bend the elements over the years. Bending itself had faded into the distant past. This left many civilizations without the means to function, as bending was so integrated into their way of life that they had to either evolve or die out. So they moved on, learning to live without bending or relying on the spirits. The Great Spirit Portals had closed on themselves as the connection faded from the world. It was a hard blow for the world, but life tends to find a way.
Many centuries passed as new civilizations cropped up in the world. The only evidence of the past era were in the ancient temples and dead civilizations that are studied to this day. Eventually, the world had grown into the modern age and a new era had hatched from the egg of the old. The Era of Quirks.
It started in China with a bioluminescent newborn and had snowballed from there. Today, nearly 80% of the world's population had some sort of uncanny biological ability. There was of course struggle as the world's governments scrambled to maintain order, which created the need for incredible individuals who held self-sacrifice in their hearts. These people became the first heroes of the modern world. Heroes were now a profession akin to first responders with a public affairs department, who would stop crime and save lives where they could overseen by the government.
Why am I telling you this?
Because this is the story of how I, Izuku Midoriya, became the world's greatest hero. Of this Age, and the Last.
xXx
"Sorry kid, it's not gonna happen." A doctor said uncaringly.
The shellshocked kid before him dropped his action figure at the news. This 4-year-old child was named Izuku Midoriya. Midoriya had always dreamed of becoming a hero just like All Might, the Number One Hero of Japan and came with his mother to find out information concerning his quirk. Unlike the other kids at school, his was yet to manifest. And apparently, would never do so.
"Are you sure?" his mother asked worriedly. "All the other kids had manifested theirs, so maybe we just can't see it?"
"Hmm…" he answered "You are fourth or firth generation quirk user right?"
"Yes, I can attract small objects to me and my husband breathes fire."
"Got it, let me explain here." The doctor pulled out an X-ray of the child's foot. "When quirks started cropping up, many studies had been preformed to make as much sense out of them as possible. One constant factor was the double jointedness of one's pinky toe. There are discrepancies of course, but generally those who have quirks generally have only one joint in their pinky. It's theorized that it just a more streamlined version of the human form. While some people have the one joint and no quirk, there are no cases where someone has two joints and has a quirk. I'm sorry, but given his age, there's no chance young Izuku will ever develop a quirk." The doctor had gained a small tone of sympathy that went unnoticed by the child. Izuku was shocked beyond words.
'I…I can't be a hero?'
xXx
A few months had passed since his diagnosis of quirklessness as he turned five. Not one kid came to his party, just him and his mom. His father had left the country a while back. Izuku didn't know the details and his mom didn't like to talk about it, so he didn't mention it. Kacchan, his childhood friend, was his only friend if you could call him that. Ever since Katsuki Bakugo developed his Explosion quirk, his demeaner had changed to be more brash and aggressive. And Midoriya being quirkless lowered Katsuki's opinion of him greatly. Izuku still hung out with him though, even with the maltreatment. Even then he could tell that Kacchan would go to do great things with his quirk and found inspiration in him. The feeling wasn't mutual though.
One day, Katsuki, Izuku, and a couple of Katsuki's friends were exploring a forest and came across a crevice with a small river in it. There was a log that would allow them to cross.
"I don't know, 'Suki." One kid mentioned to him. "It doesn't look to stable."
"Ha!" He yelled back. "Think I'm scared of some log? Watch and learn!" He started gracefully across the log, watched carefully by his posse. "See? No problAAA!" He slipped and fell into the water below!
"Katsuki! You ok?" The winged kid called. Katsuki shook himself off and grinned up. "Like that could hurt me!" Nevertheless, help found him anyway.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Izuku had run down to meet the blond boy after his fall. Falls at that height could hurt, you know!
Katsuki looked at Izuku strangely for a second then glared fiercely. "I don't need your stinkin' help, Deku!" Izuku winced at the rude nickname.
"I-I just wanted to make sure you were-"
shove
Midoriya fell as he was pushed back by his former friend. "I SAID I DIDN'T NEED YOUR HELP, WORTHLESS DEKU!" Bakugo and his cronies ran off, leaving the green haired kid in the stream.
Izuku cried as he got up. 'Why is he being so mean? I just wanted to help…' He stood up and started for the edge of the stream. But in the corner of his eye, he saw something else in the water downstream.
"H-Hello? Who's there?"
There was a layer of mist concealing the figure, which was odd, as it was a bright summer day. He could just barely make out the image of woman. A woman in warm, blue furs.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again. The figure was gone as the mist started to fade.
"Hello?" He called again. No answer.
"Guess it was nothing." He figured as he got out of the water. He had to find his way out now, find Kacchan.
xXx
When he made his way back to the playground where they had started, Izuku found Katsuki and the others. He also found something he didn't like very much.
A kid. Small, younger, and weaker than Bakugo's squad. And Bakugo was bearing down on him.
Before he could make a second thought, Midoriya jumped forward. "Stop Kacchan!" He placed himself between the kid and his bully of a friend.
"Hah? What are you doin' Deku?"
"Heroes don't pick on people! What are you doing?"
"Out of the way, pebble!"
"If you d-d-don't stop, I'll…I'll…I'll stop you myself!" Midoriya shouted with all his might.
Bakugo just stared, then smiled. "You ain't got a chance without a quirk, you Deku." He punched his hand with an explosion to prove his point.
Midoriya held his ground, shaking in fear. "I-I-I don't care! S-Stop it!"
…
A few minutes later, Izuku found himself beaten into the ground, covered in burn marks. Even the kid he was defending had mocked him for trying to help before leaving. He sat up, holding his stomach in pain.
"Stupid Kacchan, doing whatever he wants…it's not right." He muttered as picked himself up. "Guess I should head home."
He made his way back to his house, which wasn't terribly far for the five-year-old to walk.
"Maybe I can ask Mom if we can have Katsudon for dinner." He wondered aloud. As he walked, he was being watched by an unseen figure. Someone who had been sleeping for a long, long, time.
xXx
The young boy had collapsed into bed that night and went to sleep in short order. Even without the fight from before, it was a long day of walking around the forest. And that mist…what was that about? He pondered these things as he slept…
…
'Bright. Is it morning?' He sat up on the grassy floor. "Wait, where am I?" He asked aloud. He shot up and took in his surroundings. There were large green leaves above his head that seemed to glow with life. Small, bright creatures roamed around, scurrying about their business. The sky was endless, appearing as a swirling vortex of space.
"Hello?!" He called out, afraid.
"Hello."
"GAH!" He jumped and fell on his butt. A voice had appeared right behind him. Along with a woman. He gasped slightly at the sight.
The woman seemed to be elderly, but had an ageless face that seemed incredibly familiar, and rather pretty in a way. She was dressed in blue winter furs which covered her entire form with small decorations adorning her neck. Kinda like an Inuit. Her eyes were blue and focused, but also kind and welcoming. Midoriya stared up at her in awe. He's definitely seen her before, but where?
Noticing the boy's silence, the woman sat down in front of the child, crossing her legs. "Hello, child. It's nice to finally meet you." She voice was a little gruff, but warm as well. "I suppose you don't really know where you are."
He shook his head no.
"Hmm, I see. You are a little to young to understand at the present moment, so let's say you're dreaming for now. Is that alright?" she asking kindly.
He nodded slowly.
"Good. Care for some jerky?"
"What?"
"Seal jerky. Don't ask me how I have it, but I do and I'm sharing." She offered some dried meat to him, which he politely declined. Pretty or not, he didn't know this lady yet. "Ah, that's alright. More for me then." She chowed down on the meat, which wasn't really real, but that didn't matter.
Izuku finally gathered the courage to speak again. "Who…who are you?"
She looked up from her food, with her eyebrows raised. "Has it been that long?" Midoriya looked back blankly. She straightened and answered. "My name is Korra, I hadn't realized you didn't recognize me. No matter." She took another bite of jerky. "I knew some time had passed, but for this long? I saw some really amazing things today though. Satomobiles sure came a long way huh? I guess they aren't Satomobiles anymore..."
Midoriya stared at her rambling. Whoever this lady was, she wasn't making much sense at the moment.
"Anyway," she continued, "we can only talk for a short while so listen the best you can ok?" He nodded.
"I know you're a little young to really grasp this, so I can't tell you everything about who I am and how I relate to you. What I can tell you, is that you need to find the ancient ruins of Omashu."
"What's Omashu?"
"An old city. I'm not sure what it's called now but it will look like this." She projected an image to the young boy's brain, an image of a great city shaped like a pyramid. "There, you can begin to learn the secret of your power. You need not go right now, and you'll probably forget this when you wake up. But when you see it, you'll know what to do."
"I don't understand. My power? Do you mean a quirk?"
"Is that what that is? Doesn't matter. I know you don't understand, but you will one day when the time is right."
"Can't you just tell me?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Try stomping the ground a bit, see what happens."
Izuku frowned in thought. "You said I'm dreaming, right?"
"That's right."
"But if I know I'm dreaming, won't I-"
pop
Izuku shot up. He was in his bed! And it was morning! He rubbed his head, trying to recall his dream.
"There was…a lady? Stomp the ground? What even…" He mumbled. Then he smelled breakfast and forgot all about it. For now.
xXx
Seven years later…
12-year-old Midoriya had since forgotten all about his dream about the strange woman, but hadn't forgotten his biggest dream for a single moment of his life. His drive to be a hero, even without a quirk, was stronger than the adversity around him.
But for now, he had to make do with his present, which was History class. Yippee.
"Now historians have long guessed as to how these structures were made by the ancient peoples of that time. The walls were thought to be carved, but recent studies have shown that there wasn't any evidence of tool work on the stone. No scratches or residue of any kind on the stone work. This wasn't so everywhere however…" The guest teacher droned on and on about the ancient architecture and the supposed technology gap thousands of years ago. Most students were fading fast into slumber at the old man's rambling, but Midoriya found himself paying better attention than usual. Not that he was a bad student, its just that this subject didn't really interest him generally. Until now that is.
"The best example of stonework engineering is the following ruin located in India, which shows distinct stone slides and chutes. Historians have speculated that it was used to transport goods, but it was debunked by Dr. Christian How about 10 years ago when he used a replica crate to slide down one such chute. Although the crate travelled easily down the chute, getting it back up physically, without quirks, would have been too difficult to maintain for very long." Midoriya looked up at the slide of the ruin.
And froze.
"Omashu…" He mumbled aloud.
"What was that, Mr. Midoriya?" The teacher asked.
"Ahh! Nothing!" He sweatdropped. "I just…it looks…cool?"
The guest speaker smiled as some giggles broke out in the class. "I agree with your assessment. It is rather cool, Mr. Midoriya." He continued smoothly. "That's why that's going to be the location of our field trip this Spring Break, so be prepared all. Thank you." The guest speaker gave a short bow before taking his leave. Ironically, those who weren't listening before were definitely listening now as their homeroom teacher picked up after the guest.
"Right, so here's how this will work. Put your name down if you are interested in attending the field trip. It is quite expensive, so talk it over with your parents when you get home." Some kids weren't interested in this and had other plans. Not Midoriya. This kid had no plans! He quickly put his name down.
"Interesting, Midoriya." The teacher commented. "Taking on new interests other than heroes?"
Midoriya looked down as he stuttered a response. "I-I just think t-they're interesting, Sensei."
"I see."
xXx
Collecting the funds definitely wasn't easy for the Midoriya's. Inko could only really pay for half the trip with her job and tasked Izuku with collecting enough funds to go on the trip to India. Hisashi's monthly check was only for essentials, so no help there. Midoriya wasn't sure why, but he felt like he really needed to go to Oma-to the ruins. With that drive, and needing something to do anyway, Midoriya probably washed every single car in Japan by the time Spring Break came along. And sure enough…
"Everybody listen!" Their homeroom teacher called out. "We'll be boarding the plane in 30 minutes! Make sure you're ready to board in 30 minutes!"
"Yes, Sensei!"
Midoriya decided to stay by the gate to be safe. The field trip consisted of only 10 students, so it was easy enough to keep track of everybody. The others weren't really friendly to Midoriya, but at least Kacchan wasn't here. Couldn't be bothered to come, which was alright with Izuku.
Soon enough, the group had flown to India and boarded the bus there to the hotel near the Ruins of Shoe. They spent the night at a hotel to recover from the flight. Midoriya had brought some extra research on the ruins to read that night. The name was a bit weird, but apparently that was the only part of the title they could make out upon discovery. The ruins were excavated about 60 years prior, as it was buried in the side of a canyon, literally. Many rooms and artifacts were discovered, but apparently there was a large room in the middle of the ancient city that was completely sealed off and had been for thousands of years.
The next morning, the class of middle schoolers was greeted by a happy-go-lucky tour guide who seemed to enjoy her job a bit too much.
"Hello students of Japan! My name is Judy and I'll be your tour guide for today! Please follow me to the entrance!" The class followed reluctantly at the smiling woman, sans Midoriya, who was excited to be here for some reason. He kept up with no issue, examining the various artifacts and cordoned areas. It's been 60 years since the place was discovered, but new things were uncovered every single day. Midoriya had one big question for the creepy lady.
"Excuse me, but how come the center has never be opened?"
"Ah, excellent question mister…"
"Midoriya, ma'am."
"Midoriya. Well I'd love to tell you all we're getting close in fact!" She addressed the class as they walked towards the center of the old city.
"The most mysterious part of this National Treasure is known as the Inner Palace! They reason we have never entered is that the stone sealing around its border is so tight together, it may just collapse as soon as we break the seal! No point discovering it if we destroy it in the process after all."
Midoriya hummed in thought. "I guess that makes sense, but how did the people who lived here get in and out?"
"Oh, it's quite the mystery, young Midoriya! However, thanks to recent technology, we have been able to take a scan of the interior and 3D print it here at this exhibit!" They approached a new exhibit, which detailed a large interior with statues, tables, pillars, and the like. The class looked and touched over every square inch, including Midoriya. There was one space that once empty and colored different.
"What about this part?" One girl asked.
"That's the only part that we couldn't scan. Maybe one day, however! Come, shall we move on?"
"Yes ma'am!" The class followed after Judy while Midoriya looked closer at the discolored spot. It was weird to say the least. He pulled a book out of his backpack for reference to compare. The rest of the interior had so much detail, but that room was completely blank? He looked back at the border of the area. It was completely cordoned off, not that anyone could hope to enter.
"Midoriya!" A hand reached out to tap him, it was the teacher's. "Catch up!"
"Ah! Right!" He hurried back to the others.
Judy guided them to the next exhibit, which appeared to be a mural. "This is the wall that is hypothesized to be the entrance to the Inner Palace! Notice the art work upon the wall and how the stone seems to interlock with itself!"
"Ooooohh…"
Midoriya gazed up to the design. It was a large figure of a couple. Two people facing each other and kissing, with strange creatures on either side of them. Above the couple was a woman, who seemed to be furious with long flowing hair and angry, pupil less eyes. On either side of her where stalagmites jutting out from her surroundings as she stood on a stone pillar.
"Come now! Let's move along!" Judy called. The class continued, but Midoriya was staying put. The teacher looked back to him, slighty annoyed at his quirkless student. "Midoriya! Let's go!"
Midoriya didn't move. His gaze was fixed on the design, specifically the eyes as his own shimmered.
"Midoriya!" He teacher called again, getting frustrated. "We're not waiting any longer for you!"
Midoriya didn't seem to hear him. He dropped his book as his eyes stared into the eyes of the mural. And the eyes of the mural seemed to look back.
"Midoriya! Get over here right no-"
RUMBLE
The ground started to shake! Tourists and staff members alike stumbled at the sudden quake as the homeroom teacher tried to grab Midoriya. He was nearly there, but stopped in shock.
The boy's eyes. They were glowing.
And his weren't the only ones. The woman on the mural's eyes were glowing as well as the stone shifted. The stone really did interlock together, and it was coming apart! A small passage opened to the boy and he walked in thoughtlessly.
"MIDORIYA!" His teacher yelled uselessly. He tried to use his extending hand quirk to grab him, but wind erupted from the boy, stopping the hand completely as he walked inside. As he entered, the stonework shifted again, closing in on itself as if it never moved.
xXx
Izuku woke up on the cold floor.
"What…what happened?" He looked around. Glowing green crystals lined the ceiling in the dark room, illuminating what seemed to be an adorned entryway. He stood up shakily. He was looking at the mural, got lost in thought, and now he was here? This didn't make any sense!
"Hello?" He called out shakily. He looked behind himself. The wall behind him shut tight, locking him in. "So, I'm in the Inner Palace? Like Judy was talking about?" If that was true, he was the first step in here for thousands of years! He felt…small.
"Better go forward then, if I can't go back." He decided. He walked through the entryway, gazing at the paintings on the walls. Various designs of people of all sorts lined the wall, all seeming to perform a dance of some kind. It wasn't long until he noticed a pattern. It seemed to go from red clothes, to monk robes with blue arrows markings, blue Inuit, then green clothing, and so forth. He was so engrossed in the painting that he ran straight into a wall.
BONK
"Ouch!" He rubbed his head. Weird, it was stone, but it looked like a door. He knew the place was bigger than this from the exhibit, so what gives?
Stomp your foot.
He rubbed his head harder. Where did that come from? He looked at the wall again as he paced in front of it.
"Well, gotta try something." He stomped his foot.
…
Nothing. He stomped a bit harder.
…
Nothing. He grumbled a bit before looked at the painting again. There was a green figure with white make-up. She was stomping, and there was a rock in front of her. He thought for a moment, and tried to match the painting's stance. He stomped once more.
rumble
"Eep!" He jumped back. That definitely did something! He did it again, harder this time.
rumble
The wall in front of him cracked a bit. He set his stance again, trying something new.
"HAA!" He stomped and punched forward!
CRACK!
The wall exploded in front of him, revealing a larger part of the room! He grinned and looked at his hands in glee. "Is this…my quirk?"
xXx
Every police officer, fireman, Hero, and first responder was on the scene at the National Shoe Ruins. Apparently a boy was pulled in by a mysterious force into the impenetrable part of the ruins. The heroes were ready to burst in, but were stopped by several curators.
"If you break your way in, the whole thing might collapse! We don't know what will happen!"
"C'mon, you just don't want us to break anything!" One hero complained.
"Maybe, but it's still too dangerous! The kid's trapped in there, you'll crush him!"
"Shit." Pro Hero Death Arms looked up to the ruin. This is not how he imagined his vacation going. "Hang in there kid, help is on the way."
xXx
CRACK!
Midoriya was getting better at this. It was so natural to him every time he broke down a wall in this place. There it was definitely a Palace within, ballrooms and dining tables aplenty. But he had one destination now.
He found every part of the Inner Palace displayed on the exhibit outside except the unscannable part. It took some exploration (and minor demolition), but he eventually found a wall that he couldn't immediately budge. Upon closer inspection, he found that it was lined with a strange white metal. "What is this?" he wondered aloud. He ran his hands across the metal door.
Suddenly it glowed purple!
"High energy levels detected: over 90 Zhu Li's!" the door announced. And just like that, the door shifted and slid open.
Midoriya stared in shock. "That was some kind of technology! But how?!" He stepped in with caution.
Within, he found a far different sight from the rest of the Palace. The room he was in looked more like a warm office. Oil lamps lit upon his entry and books lined the shelves. A large saddle was hung from the ceiling in one corner of the room. On a desk laid some quills and a large dusty book. On the cover, it read "For the Next Avatar."
Midoriya blew some dust off and examined the handwritten book. Technically it was for this "Avatar", not him, but there wasn't anyone else here to say otherwise. He cracked it open, sat down, and began to read.
Introductions.
These letters and notes are meant for the Avatar to follow Avatar Korra upon the event of her death. If you are reading this, and have accessed the Platinum Door Verrick made, that means the next Avatar is you.
If you are short on time and must go, take this book and the beaded necklace from within the desk. They are yours to keep as the Avatar.
-Korra
Midoriya's hands shook at the new information. Avatar? Platinum? Korra? He had nothing but time for now, so he turned the page and continued reading.
Dear Avatar,
Hello there, my name is Avatar Korra. I am the master of the Four Elements and keeper of peace in the world for as long as I live. If you, the next Avatar, are reading this, I am dead. That's ok though, so don't get upset. That's just how things work around here in the crazy Elephant Koi ride we call life.
Tenzin (my Airbending Master by the way) suggested I start writing down information for the next Avatar due to the UnaVaatu incident. I hope I can still contact you in your lifetime, but if not, you can refer to this book. Please treasure it. Technically speaking I didn't follow his advice on that until a few years later but I'm here now, so there. As for this room, it's what my friend Varrick calls a Time Capsule. Apparently when you seal it shut, nothing can get it or out. Not even radiowaves. It was made to sustain the longest amount of time possible in case something were to happen to me. Hopefully I don't die young or anything. The door responds only to the energy readings of the Avatar, you and you alone can open this room. Be sure to shut it on your way out.
Let's get right down to it. If you're reading this, you ARE the Avatar. No debates, no discussions. That means it's your responsibility to master the Four Elements and maintain peace in the world. If you're after me, you were probably born somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, so the first Element you must master is Earth. Can't imagine you'll have too much trouble with it, but remember to stay solid and think before acting. That said, commit to what you decide to do and you'll go far. Lots of good solid qualities with that one. Lots of sub-skills too, but you'll figure it out.
Next you must master the element of Fire. Fire is an offensive and lively element and requires drive and will to master. As well as restraint. Never let yourself go out of control. Fire comes from proper breath, which extends past your limbs to become fire.
Next in line is the element of Air. This was the hardest element for me to learn for its passive and defensive style. Avoid and evade attacks and react quickly to your surroundings with spiral movements. Breath control is also paramount here. Master Airbenders can even warm themselves in a blizzard with just their breath. So can firebenders, so you're covered either way.
Last but not least is the element of Water. Water is my home element and came very easy to me. Waterbending is about redirecting energy against your foe. Push and pull the water like the moon does to the ocean. You may also learn healing techniques from waterbending. WARNING. Never, ever, attempt to bend the blood of another.
These abilities are used individually by the nations of Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. You are the only mortal in the world who can handle all four as the Avatar. I will provide further instruction in later sections of the book if a teacher is unavailable to you.
After mastering the four elements, you must begin making lasting peace in the world. It's your duty as the Avatar to protect both humans and spirits and to guide people towards harmony. However, no one said you had to do it alone. Seek wisdom everywhere you go and make allies. No one has to do this on their own. You have me (hopefully in more ways than a book) and your instructors in life. Rely on your friends as much as you protect them. You may be the Avatar, but you're not meant to be an out of reach hermit. You're human. Just as human as the rest of the world. So don't be afraid to be involved in the world to make a difference.
But that's enough blabbering for this letter. If you cannot stay in the time capsule for long, just be sure to take this book and the bead necklace from within this desk. You can use everything within this room, but you will need those two items the most.
The world is counting on you, Avatar. But don't worry, I've got your back. Forever.
Sincerely,
Avatar Korra
xXx
"That's it!" Death Arms yelled. "Everyone stand back, I'm breaking in!"
"No, sir!" The head palentologist was now on the scene 30 minutes after the child was trapped. "He may not survive if it collapses!"
"He definitely won't if he suffocates in there!" the hero countered. He prepared to strike…
rumble
…
RUMBLE
"Everyone get back!" Death Arms changed his tune quickly as the noise continued. It sounded as if something was breaking through wall after wall. And it was getting closer!
RUMBLECRAAAACCCKKKKK
"I made it!" Midoriya shouted as he burst through the wall of the exhibit. He paused as he took in the scene. There were heroes everywhere, his teacher was crying, paleontologists were panicking, and Death Arms was right there! In front of him!
…
"…kid? You ok?"
"ohmygoshitsdeatharmsyou'relikemy9thmostfavoriteherocanIpleasegetyourautograph…"
"Yeah, you're ok."
xXx
The rest of the day was hectic. The paleontologists were frantically trying to figure out how Midoriya got in in the first place and where to begin for in person exploration. The heroes took the startled kid away from the rabid scientists as soon as possible. He was just a kid after all.
As for how he got out…
"Oh yeah! Sensei! Everyone! I got my quirk!" Midoriya rushed to an open spot and stomped his foot, cracking the concrete below him.
The class was shocked. Quirkless Midoriya? Not quirkless?
"That's…amazing, Midoriya!" His teacher exclaimed.
"Yeah, that really is somethin'." Death Arms commented. He had heard of kid manifesting their quirks late at about 6 or so, but 12? Unheard of. And yet, everyone insisted he was quirkless before today. Interesting.
"Well, we've been keeping the press out so far and we can't let you see them without parental permission, so you guys should head on out. We'll take it from here."
"Yes sir," the teacher replied. "Say thank you to Death Arms, Midoriya!"
"Thank you, Death Arms sir!"
xXx
The rest of the trip was uneventful. The entire Ruin had been closed down for the week as they explored the newly broken interior of the Palace, so the class had to find other ways to entertain themselves. Because Midoriya was technically to blame for that, he was still ignored by the others.
Not that Midoriya cared right now. After deciding to leave the Time Capsule, he snuck the Avatar Book and the Beads into his backpack before sealing the room shut. Was he stealing? Not really, since everything in the room was technically his. That very night, he stayed up in his hotel room reading the letters and notes of Avatar Korra. Over 87 years of life experience in a hard cover book! He still couldn't believe it!
He pulled out the strange beads from his pack. The were old, made of various materials like stone, wood, and bone. There were four symbols attached to the beads, which corresponded with each element. Korra said he'd need them, but for what?
He plopped down on his bed. He needed to process all of this, there was just too much to get through! Apparently he's an "Avatar" and its his destiny to master the four elements, whatever that means. He sat up. 'Wait a minute.' He thought. 'She said I have to master four elements, but I've only used one!' He checked the first letter again. 'Ok, fire is next after earth. I haven't mastered anything yet, but hey! Worth a shot!'
With confidence, he whipped his arm out.
Nothing.
He looked at his arm like it was broken. 'Ok, I didn't get Earth on the first try either though, so what am I doing wrong?' He checked the letter again.
Fire comes from proper breath, which extends past your limbs to become fire.
"Ok then." He whispered to himself. "Just breath…and…" he thrust his fist out.
Fwoosh!
A burst of fire shot from his fist! It was small, but it was fire! He did it!
"Yes!" He silently celebrated at his success. Then he noticed the fire didn't stop. "Oh crap! My backback!"
He waved his arm at the flaming backpack, sending a gust of wind at the fire. The fire died from the air blast, leaving a very surprised Midoriya.
"Was that…air?" He did it again. Yep, that was air. He can move the air around him! "Ok…spiral movements…" He moved his hand in a circle, manipulating the air around his arm. With a wave, he shut the closet door with a blast of air!
"Oh yeah! What's next? Water?" He rushed to the bathroom and filled the sink with water. Standing in front of it, he breathed deeply.
"Ok, push and pull…" He moved his hand to pull the water, then push it away.
Nothing happened at first, but with practice, the water moved with his hand and even rose above the sink! He waved his hand out of the bathroom and the water followed, flowing through the air like a snake. "I'm getting the hang of this!"
Knock knock knock
"AAK!" Midoriya lost focus, dropping the water on the carpet.
"Everything alright in there, Midoriya?" It was Sensei!
"Uh yeah! Everything's fine!" He called out. "Just uhh…doing some quirk discovery!"
"Well, I know you're excited, but it's time to sleep! Get some rest!"
"Y-yes sir!"
He gave a sigh as his teacher walked back to his room. He picked the water back up and let it flow back into the sink. Took a couple tries to completely remove it from the carpet.
Once he was done, he plopped back onto the bed with his book. Midoriya's life had been changed forever that day. And for the better.
Chapter 2
Training
One week had passed since the incident on the India trip. Somehow, Midoriya had taken the blame for ruining the trip and was suspended for endangerment to himself and others. Inko was furious at the school board for the decision, as Izuku didn't mean to get himself stuck in the ruin. Meanwhile, the newly opened Inner Palace was covered head to toe in legislation and was being investigated. Apparently experts had found an impenetrable metal room within the depths of the Palace. They tried multiple times to breach it, but to no avail. They were still trying to identify the boy who stumbled in in the first place, along with the press, but were unsuccessful so far. For now.
As for right now, Midoriya wasn't too worried about the suspension. Sure it hurt his chances at UA a bit, but so did being quirkless! And now he wasn't! Sort of. The more he read the Avatar Book, the more confused he got. The book was clearly aged, written thousands of years ago, but there wasn't a language barrier.
Furthermore, technological advances were described very clearly in some letters, such as biplanes, vehicles, electricity, and other machinery. Even the door to the secret room could be considered advanced tech! Which begged the question: where did this technology go? What happened that halted and degraded human progress so much that humanity had to start over? The only evidence indicated in today's history books were various ruins such as Omashu and some civilizations like the Tibetian Monks, which are clearly reminiscent of the Air Nomad culture. Even the Great Wall of China was mentioned as the Great Wall of "Ba Sing Se", which did make sense as historians often argued whether it was built or discovered by the Chinese.
The accounts of Avatar Korra matched up in some ways but didn't in others. He had never heard of the "Four Nations" that were referenced so often. And the book never references what happened after Korra's eventual death, as it was written directly by Avatar Korra. His power over the elements seemed to be skin-deep compared to everything else the book described, like spirits and the "Avatar State". He decided to table that information and focus on his abilities. So for the next two weeks, he was doing everything he could to learn about his new power.
So there he stood, in the forest he and Bakugo used to play in. The natural area was perfect for practicing his bending abilities, full of rocks, flowing streams, and wide-open areas. He bent down to read.
"Ok, just like it says there." He took a low, firm stance. "Focus…" He stamped the ground and thrust his fist up!
CRACKBOOOM
A great wall of rock erected itself in front of him. With another movement, the top of the boulder split and shot off into the woods. He checked the book again.
Earth is the element of substance. Earthbenders use their great endurance to wait and listen for the perfect moment to strike. It is stubborn and patient, as you must be to master Earth.
Earthbending requires a firm stance and disposition. In order to move the immovable, you must be immovable yourself. One of the greatest earthbenders in the world, Toph Beifong, utilized a style of earthbending that reflected the Hung Gar Mantis Style as shown in the following drawing. Other common styles are depicted as well. The key in every effective stance is to stand firm, rooted to the ground. Earthbenders don't like dodging attacks, they'd rather weather, endure, then counterattack. Of course, not every attack can be endured, so use discretion in a fight. For instance, water tends to flow around a solid defense to attack or bind a foe, so endurance may not be the wisest choice in the moment. See Airbending Basics for evasion techniques.
He set the book back down on the stone stand he made. "Ok, Mantis Style…" He mirrored the drawn stance the best he could and chopped down at the boulder.
CRRRRAAAACCCCKK!
The boulder was split straight down the middle! "YES!" he cheered. "What's next?" He checked the next part of the book. "Basic Techniques".
But not all techniques have to do with fighting. The following technique is a hard one to master but is the cornerstone of using the earth as an extension of yourself. Known as Seismic Sense. By establishing a direct connection to the earth, the bender can sense every vibration that flows through the ground to "see" everything around them. It is difficult to truly master this ability and is rare among earthbenders; even I never completely mastered it. But once you do, it is the foundation for nearly every earthbending technique there is.
"Ok, establishing your connection to the earth…" He thought for a second as he jotted his own notes down in a separate notebook, then realized he had his shoes on! "If I earthbend barefoot, maybe I'll figure it out!" He kicked his shoes off and stamped his foot on the ground.
There! He felt the vibrations, which were faint but were clearly there. He closed his eyes, digging his feet into the ground. The earth gave way to him as he focused.
Slowly but surely, he could feel some of the world around him. The trees, birds, the stream near him, even the footsteps of ants could felt if he focused hard enough. He opened his eyes again. He could still feel the sense, but it wasn't as strong now. He took a guess and figured the sense had a 10 foot radius or so. Sure to grow with time. He closed his eyes again and practiced bending with Seismic Sense active.
The difference was staggering. He wasn't just moving rocks around! It was as if he was moving his arm or leg, and just as easily as he shaped the earth around him. It was becoming an extension of himself! He sent rocks flying in one direction and sunk them as they hit the ground. He raised a platform under his feet and slammed it back down, causing a small earthquake around the area. He took a moment to examine the carnage. The ground was broken in all directions, even having knocked some trees down. He located his Avatar Book and notebook and kept reading.
Your abilities with earthbending are only limited by your imagination. There are too many applications to record in any book, but the basics are recorded along with some more advanced techniques. Avatar Kyoshi, one of our predecessors, even learned how to slow her own aging with earthbending and lived for over 200 years after mastering the ability. See subskills at the end of the chapter. Even the best benders can forget the basics of their own abilities and can be defeated easily, so be mindful of the basics of every bending discipline.
Midoriya copies these notes into his notebook, absorbing everything he could. Slowing aging? With earth manipulation? Seemed impossible, but at this point he could believe anything. "Better keep practicing."
xXx
After a few days of earthbending practice, Midoriya returned to a more barren part of the forest to practice the next element in line: Fire. In preparation, he raised a large stone platform so he wouldn't burn anything down. Fire was...challenging for him. But he'll figure it out. He sat for a moment as he read the next chapter.
Fire is the element of power. Firebenders use their abilities to attack relentlessly, not giving their opponent a chance to attack or counter. Firebending requires will and discipline to master and is to be respected, practice restraint and control. It is alive and powerful, just you must be if you are to master Fire.
Firebending has little in the way of defense, so the fighting styles associated with the art reflect that by focusing on offense rather than defense. Punching, kicking, and sweeping attacks make firebending devastating against an inexperienced opponent. Though there are techniques to use to defend against fire through extinguishing the offending attack, other elements are best avoided unless your fire is hot enough to break through the attack. Which it probably isn't if you're learning for the first time. See the following depictions.
Midoriya copied a stance from the book as he stood on his platform. "Breathe and thrust." He gave a punch…
Fwoosh!
A small jet of fire shot from his fist. The boy frowned at the weak display. Compared to earthbending, that wasn't very impressive. More of a party trick right now. He checked the illustrations, which showed some very impressive displays of fire blasts, arcs of flame, and even the production of lighting. He gave a couple more punches, even some kicks, but his fire just wasn't very strong right now. He checked the book again, reading on.
To master firebending, you must keep your basic breathing techniques in mind to tend to your inner fire. As you breathe, your breath becomes energy in your body, which you can direct and channel to manifest as fire. The best way to stoke your inner flame is to master The Breath of Fire. Simply breathe and develop heat in your lungs, storing the energy within your body. Doing so will grant your breath control and will give you a feel of your own power. If you feel that there is too much power in your lungs, simply exhale and expel flames from your mouth. Warm tea is the best medicine if you burn your throat, so have some ready. Meditate during the day as you do this, concentrating on the heat of the sun. The sun is the source of all firebending. Firebending is more powerful in the day and is weaker at night. Non-existent during a total solar eclipse. Master Firebenders can condense energy to the point where they can generate lightning by creating an imbalance in the positive and negative energies. Such mastery requires peace of mind combined with willpower.
Willpower is paramount here. The power of your flames is equal to the amount of drive you carry. Without the will to do what it takes, you won't get the results you're looking for. Restraint is equally important, use it to temper your will into a directed force to accomplish your goals.
Midoriya quickly found the problem, he just wasn't an aggressive person at heart. But heroes have to fight and fight to win right? If he wants to be a hero, he'll have to have the drive to win. He stood back up, climbing to the platform.
But no matter how much he tried, his flames continued to sputter and die as quickly as they were produced. He stared at his hands; he was doing everything right physically! But mentally?
He closed his eyes and concentrated, feeling the sun on his back. He thought about his dream. All the people who told him he couldn't. He thought of that dreadful day, 4 years old as his mother cried on his shoulder as he sat in shock.
Sitting down, he meditated on these thoughts, spending a couple hours breathing and taking in the warmth of the sunshine.
He focused on his determination, his dream, his drive to make his future happen.
He took a few deep breaths, filling his lungs with power.
'I want to be the greatest hero.'
He stood up.
'To save people with a smile!'
He took an aggressive stance and punched forward!
FWOOOOOSH
A powerful blast of fire erupted from his fist, careening into the sky before fading. He gave a few more jabs, shooting smaller, but more powerful shots of fire in various directions. He gave a whoop of excitement and the small flames flared at his energy. Noticing this, he ignited some fire in his hand. The fire breathed with him, flaring on the inhale and fading on the exhale. He waved it around, manipulating the fire rather than just shooting it, smiling all the while.
After that, he continued practicing his forms. The stances were offense based, focusing on sending attack after attack while being lighter on his feet, opposed from the rooted stance of earthbending. He punched, kicked, swept, and even breathed fire like his dad!
He stopped at the thought. His father. He hadn't seen him since his diagnosis as quirkless. Maybe he would come back? Now that he has power?
…
"No." The flames around his flared higher than before. "If he doesn't want me when I'm quirkless, then I don't need him!" He shouted and punched harder than before in his anger.
FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH
Fire exploded from his fist, breaking from his control! It hit the surrounding trees and began to spread.
"No! Nonononoonnono!" Midoriya freaked out, sending the fire into even greater temperatures as it blazed. "Stop! Please!" He looked around frantically. The river was a bit too far and he could waterbend that well yet. He could airbend, but that might feed the fire rather than blow it out! The fire continued to spread and grow stronger, sending a black plume of smoke into the sky.
"Wait a minute! Smoke!" He tried to airbend the smoke down to the fire. "There's no oxygen in smoke, so it can kill the fire!"
But it was wasted effort, his airbending just wasn't strong enough to overcome the rise of heat from the flames. 'This is getting bad, the only other element I can do is earth and that…"
He smacked his forehead. "Of course!" He took a sturdy stance and sent a tremor through the ground. Large cracks formed around the fire, halting the spread.
"Ok, but it's still burning." He shifted the ground, lowering the blaze into the impromptu canyon and covering it with earth. More smoke billowed from the hole, but the fire was finally out.
"Whew…" He wiped his brow in anxiety. "Better clear the smoke away." With a few blasts of air, the smoke dissipated. He double-checked a paragraph.
Firebending requires will and discipline to master and is to be respected, practice restraint and control.
"Right...control." He looked back to the remains of the once lush trees, now a charred, smoldering pit, and to his arms and legs, which took some burns from his wild firebending. "Definitely needs more practice."
xXx
"Honestly Izuku, how many times am I going to treat burns of all things?" Inko fussed as she patched her son up from his training. "Was is Katsuki?"
"NO! Nope! Just my quirk! I'm still getting a handle on it…" Izuku said sheepishly.
"Hmm…" his mother didn't look terribly convinced, but this whole thing was a big shock. When he son left for India he was as quirkless as could be. But now? Her baby has a quirk now! Even though they were told it could never happen. "Did it happen to have anything to do with that pillar of smoke I saw this morning?"
"...no?"
"Izuku."
"...maybe?"
She gave a long suffering sigh. "Just be careful, sweetie. I know you're excited about your new quirk, but try to practice a little restraint ok?"
"Ok, mom. Can I have some hot tea?"
"Sure." She finished the bandages and started washing her hands for dinner. "Did you learn anything new about your quirk?"
"Oh yeah! So I can control how much fire I can make by breathing! And my earth ability can be used to put out fires!"
"That's great! So you did put it out?"
"Yep! And my air manipulation was strong enough to blow the smoke away! I'm practicing my air aspect tomorrow."
"Hmm, so many applications for your quirk. It's almost as if you have four!" Midoriya sweated at her words. He hadn't told her about the Avatar, the ruins, or the book he recovered. "Still, it does seem like a combination of your father and I's quirks, fire and telekinesis."
"I was thinking that too! Just you wait mom, I'll be an amazing hero one day! Just like All Might!"
She only smiled as she shed a small tear. "That's right."
xXx
Today, Midoriya was practicing in a dense forest. Leaves and twigs were littered everywhere for Izuku to push around with his air blasts. He checked the book once more.
Air is the element of freedom. The old Air Nomads detached themselves from the world and lived freely, roaming from place to place on their Sky Bison. They are non-violent and peaceful. Although the old, now extinct, Air Nomads were quite detached from the concerns of the world, the New Air Nation traveled to support those in need as ambassadors and volunteers in times of crisis.
Airbending is defensive and highly mobile, opposite to the element of Earth which remains rooted. With few offensive techniques, Airbending is classically used to avoid, evade, and escape conflict rather than taking the fight head on. That doesn't mean you can't use it that way, as Airbending is incredibly versatile by nature. It bends and shifts and moves at a moment's notice, just as you should if you are to master it. Balance and spiral movements are imperative for mastery of Air.
He looked at the illustrations for Airbending stances and tried to copy them. But they were hard to copy as most of them required Izuku to balance on small points of his body, a bit like firebending, but less stable. He had no problem Airbending, but when he started to airbend, he knocked himself off balance when he tried to maintain the stance at the same time. He sat down to think about it. How does he remain balanced if he's standing so weirdly? If he could fly, that would be one thing, but he can't so-"
Ding
"Oh. Can I?" He stood up and checked the book again. He noticed there were illustrations of strange gliders the ancient Airbenders used to fly around. He didn't have one of those, but he kept reading.
When an Airbender uses a glider to fly, it is important to be constantly in motion for the glider to work. If the glider doesn't move forward, it can't pick up altitude. It's the same with Airbending in general, as you must be in constant motion to maintain your own balance. Air never stops moving, so neither should you.
"Oh! So like a bike!" It was hard to stay balanced on a bike without moving, but easy once you're going forward. Izuku got back up. "All I have to do is keep moving through the stances. Don't pause, get keep going…" He started to take a stance. As he fell, he shifted into the next stance, which he fell into and began the next one. Going through his small dance, he began to airbend as he circled around the forest. The wind moved through his fingers and he moved faster through the forest. He began to jump and dodge through the trees, not even noticing that he left the ground! He was doing it!
Then he looked down.
"AAAAAAHHH!" he screamed as he fell. He was nearly 30 feet in the air when he noticed.
Bwoosh
With a thrust of his hands, he cushioned his fall with air before falling on his face.
"...ow."
xXx
On the last day of his suspension from school, he was reading next to a stream. The same stream where Kacchan fell so many years ago.
Water is the element of change. Water can go from cool and soothing to hard and unyielding at a moment's notice in the hands of a Master Waterbender.
Water deals with the flow of energy and acts as a catalyst for energy to move through. It's through the push and pull of positive and negative energy that allows you to move and shape water. You can even learn to heal injury with waterbending if you can channel the life force of whomever you're treating. Like Firebending, the Moon and Ocean are first waterbenders, therefore Waterbending is stronger at night under a full moon. The fuller the moon, the greater your power. Waterbending is impossible under a lunar eclipse. Be careful not to force your will on the water, you are not controlling the water. You are it's humble guide, directing its flow to where it is needed the most. It is flowing and adaptable, as you must be if you are to master Water.
Standing up, Midoriya pulled the water from the stream. Earth and Water came easily to the boy compared to Air and Fire, with Fire being the toughest. He let the water flow around himself as he went through the illustrated forms, shifting and flowing into spheres and whips of water. Like Airbending, the water stayed in constant motion, but it was far more substantial like Earthbending. He looked at another form as he bent the water and noticed a technique that uses ice. "I can bend ice?" He let the water flow to the stream as he read.
Water, as adaptable as it is, can change form at the benders will. Reducing the movement and energy of water will form ice, while increasing the energy and movement will form mist and steam. It is the mark of a Master to be able to shift between these forms quickly during battle. Waterbenders can use water and ice to shift seamlessly between offense and defense, changing a defensive wall into a blast of water, then back into an ice wall, and so on. Let your defense be your offense.
"Ok, so energy must mean temperature." He picked up a stream of water, moving it slower and slower. He ended up dropping it. Picking it up again, he moved it slower while hanging on to it, and sure enough, an icicle formed from the stream of water. Success! Moving on, he formed the ice back into water and then into steam, dissipating it immediately. He smiled at his handiwork. So far, over the last couple weeks, he managed to gain a grasp over every element at his disposal! Far from mastery, but one day for sure!
"Deku!"
He jumped slightly as he turned. "Kacchan? What are you doing here?"
Bakugo was walking calmly towards him from the woods, with a scary look on his face. "Is it true you got a damn quirk?!"
Midoriya shivered at his demand. "I-I dont-"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Bakugo hollered. "You got your quirk at that damn trip, right?"
Midoriya was still shaking in fear, but nodded.
Bakugo looked up for a moment, then worked a cric from his neck. "Looks like I gotta figure it out then."
"...figure w-what out, Kacchan?"
"...who's really stronger."
"...huh?"
BOOOOOOOOOOM
Bakugo blasted forward to hit Midoriya square in the face. The Avatar fell into the water with a splash.
"Quit being weak, Deku! Show me that quirk of yours!" Bakugo yelled from the shore. Midoriya shook off the water as he got up, drops of red polluting the stream from his nose. 'Kacchan's quirk. Maybe…'
"QUIT MUMBLIN' AND FIGHT ME!" Bakugo sent an explosion his way!
Which was swallowed by a large wave! Midoriya had waved his hand to absorb the force of the attack, soaking Bakugo in the process. Let your defense be your offense. "Listen! I don't w-wanna fight you K-Kacchan!"
"HAH? They lied! cough That kid said you could control rocks! What gives, Deku?!" Bakugo shouted, trying to dry himself. His explosions were a bit weaker now, thanks to the water. He was cold too.
Not Midoriya though. His Breath of Fire kept him toasty, even from the middle of the river. Steam came off his body as he dried off. "It's-it's none o-of your b-b-business what m-m-m-my quirk is, K-K-Kacchan…"
That was a surprise for the blond boy. "The fuck you say, Shitstain?!" Bakugo screamed as he ran towards Midoriya.
WHOOOOOSSSSSHHHHH
Another large wave hit Bakugo, this time carrying him a few feet away.
"Gah! Fuckin' Deku! I'll kill you!" He rushed forward again.
WHOOOOOOSSSSSHSHSKSKSKSKSKS
Yet another wave hit Bakugo, carrying him away from Midoriya and freezing him in place, leaving Bakugo shivering terribly. He could only manage crackles from his palms from the lack of sweat.
"S-s-s-shit! D-Deku! I'll g-get you for this! DAMMIT!" Bakugo struggled against the ice holding him to the ground, but to no avail.
Midoriya walked out of the river, drawing the water out of his clothes as he approached. He had a strange look in his eye.
'Kacchan. I beat him. I beat Kacchan! With my quirk!'
He never thought he'd see the day. Bakugo continued to struggle against the ice, which began to melt under the bright spring day.
"LET ME OUT DAMMIT!"
"...No."
"THE FUCK YOU JUST SAY TO ME?"
"I said no. The ice will melt eventually, I...I'm going home." He picked up his books and stuffed them away. "Bye...Katsuki."
That shocked Bakugo more than the ice cold water ever could. Midoriya left without another word.
"NO! GET BACK HERE DEKU! DAMMIT, YOU BETTER COUNT YOUR FUCKING DAYS YOU BASTAAAAAAAARD!"
xXx
Midoriya ran the rest of the way home, tears streaming down his face as he Airbent his way back. He just beat Kacchan, then left him there! Sure it was warm enough that it would thaw, but still!
He burst into the house with a blast of air, surprising his mother in the kitchen.
"Whoa, sweetie! You ok?" He ignored her and ran to his room, slamming the door shut.
He cried silently on his bed, looking away from all the All Might merch on the walls of his room. 'He would be so ashamed of me…'
"Izuku?" Inko called from outside the door. "Talk to me honey."
He sniffed before answering. "I-I can't right now…"
…
"...well alright. I'm making Katsudon, your favorite, ok? Come down whenever you feel like it. Love you."
"...love you too."
He stayed in his room after she left, replaying the fight in his head. He may have won the fight, but he lost something more important to him.
He lost his friend.
But did he have that friend to begin with?
He shook his head in frustration. How can he keep his childhood friend and become who he wants to be at the same time?
…
Maybe...he can't?
"Rrrraugh!" He slammed his head into his pillow. "That idiot…"
xXx
Two years later…
"As you all may know, it's time to think seriously about your careers as you pick out your future high school." Midoriya's teacher droned on. "But why bother!" He threw his papers into the air dramatically. "I know you all want to go for the Hero Track!"
"YEAAH!" His class yelled, displaying their various quirks at random.
"Alright, alright, settle down now. No using your quirks during school hours!"
"Hey teach." Bakugo interrupted with his feet kicked up. "Don't lump me in with these loser, I'm the real deal after all."
That pissed some classmates off. "You think you're better than us Katsuki?"
"Come on! I'll take you all on!"
Their teacher looked over his paperwork. "Ah, Bakugo. You'll be headed to UA, right?"
"That's right! It's the only place worthy of me after all!" He jumped up proudly. "I aced the mock tests and I'm the only one in this dump who stands a chance becoming a hero! Everyone will know exactly how amazing I am, and that all starts at UA High!" He shouted triumphantly.
"Oh yeah Midoriya, didn't you want to go to UA, too?"
…
"Wait," one student muttered. "The late bloomer? Like, I get his quirk is strong but…"
"Nah, he won't get in, doesn't have the chops."
Midoriya looked very small in his seat but responded. "Well, we'll just have to see right? After all, there are so many details andqualificationstobeaheroitsprettyamazinghow..."
Bakugo glared fiercely at his former friend as he muttered up a storm. 'How dare he? How fucking dare he?'
xXx
Riiiiiing!
"Wow, that villain fight is still all over the news!" Midoriya muttered to himself as he pulled out a notebook. "Just jot these down before I forget…"
snatch
His notebook was now in the hand of a rather pissed Explosion user. "I dunno what you think ya doin', Deku. We're not done." He read through the little notebook. There were notes after notes on tons of different heroes. "Damn stalker. You know stalking is what villains do, right?" Two of is cronies were laughing behind him.
"What an incel!"
"That's so lame!"
Midoriya looked nervous but was doing better about standing up for himself recently. "Katsuki, please give it back.
Bakugo's eye ticked. 'There he goes again. Idiot.' The blond slammed the notebook in an explosion, charring it, and threw it out the window. Midoriya tried to Airbend it back, but it was too late.
"Hm!" Bakugo glared at the smaller boy. "I don't know why you think you can be a hero, Deku so just give up already. Don't you know greatness when you see it?"
Midoriya said nothing as he slid out of his chair.
"Well, do ya punk?" Bakugo snarled.
Then Midoriya looked him straight in the eye. "I have nothing to prove to you, Bakugo. Have a nice day." With that, he walked out of the classroom, leaving the three bullies behind.
But Bakugo wasn't done. "Don't you walk away from me!" He snarled as he reached forward, explosions popping from his hand.
But his wrist was grabbed.
Midoriya glared with all of his might at his former friend. "Back off, leave me alone or you'll regret it." Bakugo actually paused at Midoriya's eyes. They were ablaze with anger, the green of his iris turning sea blue for a split second.
And just like that, Midoriya let go and left.
xXx
"holycrapIcan'tbelieveIsaidthattoKacchanImeanKatsukiI'msodeadlater…" Midoriya was muttering up a storm as he left the Junior High. He may have acted cool for a minute, but it was all and act. He found his notebook in a Koi pond and bent the water out of it. Still charred though. He continued home, taking a different route today.
As he passed under a tunnel, he considered how he was going to train later today. 'Maybe try that Air Wheel Technique? Or the Air/Fire Combo I've been working on!'
He was nearly through the tunnel when something popped on his radar. Vibrations thrummed through the air and ground, alerting him to what was about to happen.
Didn't mean he was fast enough to stop it though. As fast as you could blick, he was covered in what seemed to be living goo!
"MMM!" He tried to yell through the green goo as it attacked him, but he couldn't speak!
"Hang in there kid, I'm just taking over your insides. I'll only be a moment!" The goo was talking! He had to escape! He tried to airbend his way out, but the air wasn't strong enough! He couldn't firebend without breathing either! He was stuck!
"You really saved me, kid! You're a real hero!"
'I'm gonna die!' He grabbed at the slime covering his mouth.
"Hold still kid! Die already!"
"NO."
BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSHHHHHHH
Wind began to whip up harder than before, tearing the slime away from Midoriya's body. A whole windstorm had erupted in that tunnel, blowing it to pieces. The Slime Villain was blown apart by the force, revealing the boy who was hovering in the center of the sphere of air with his eyes glowing with power.
"YOU WILL NOT HARM THIS CHILD." Midoriya spoke, but his voice was doubled over with a new voice in tandem. The slime was torn apart over and over by the fierce winds and debris without mercy. Eventually, the villain lost consciousness.
BANG!
"I AM HERE!" A blond, muscular hero arrived on the scene from a manhole, taking in his surroundings. The slime villain he was chasing was all over the place! 'What's this wind?' He looked up to see a child in the eye of the windstorm. He prepared to jump in to stop the child…
But the wind began to die down, lowering the child down gently. His eyes continued to glow white for a moment before dying down, leaving the kid unconscious.
And that, is where the fun begins.
xXx
And that's it for Chapter 2! Hope you all enjoyed!
With his wrongful suspension, Midoriya found the time to really delve into his new abilities and practice all four elements. Fire goes against his personality the most, which is why he had so much trouble with it. Even when it was working, he did end up losing control.
Water and Earth on the other hand come naturally to Midoriya, as he has been shown to be able to adapt to various circumstances and be firm when necessary. He's ok at Air, just not as naturally as the other two.
As far as anyones concerned, Midoriya's quirk is a combination of his father's fire breath and his mother's telekinesis on steroids. As a quirk, it is way overpowered, which is why it's not a quirk at all! He's still quirkless, as bending is not a quirk. But no one's capable of understanding that, so quirk it is. Midoriya knows it's not really a quirk, but the reality is just too much for him to explain.
At this point, Midoriya has gone into the Avatar State two times in his life. Once at the Ruins of Omashu, where Korra basically took over to let him in the Inner Palace. In case anyone was wondering, the woman on the mural where Midoriya entered the Inner Palace was Oma, one of the first Earthbenders. I have a theory that she was one of the first Avatars in existence, following Wan and a few other Avatars. That served as the spiritual trigger that sent Midoriya into the Avatar State.
As for the second, just a good old life-or-death scenario to keep your blood pumping.
Also, it is worth noting that Midoriya will not inherit One for All. As someone mentioned, he'd be way OP and there would be too much to handle with mastering the elements and building up his body to handle the strain of OfA.
And now for the reviews!
To Sageofchoas:
You got it!
To C
Will do, thanks!
To Guest
Glad you enjoyed!
To Fk306:
You got it!
To D3lp0xL0v3r:
I heard somewhere that the creators for the show decided that she would write a book for the next Avatar, but I hadn't seen it elsewhere. Of course, it was written under two assumptions. One, that the Avatar would not be able to contact Korra. Two, that the next Avatar would be born directly after Korra's death. Both assumptions are false of course, but Midoriya's starting to get it.
Korra can connect to Izuku, yes. But to do so at will requires a spiritual savviness that Midoriya doesn't yet possess. One day perhaps.
Todoroki is set for a surprise, that's for sure.
To Wizardwolf 1020
Not giving Midoriya OfA was what I had in mind from the beginning, but I'm not 100% sure on who would inherit it. I imagine that All Might would go with his original plan and give it to a UA student. That said, it won't be Mirio. As awesome as he is, OfA needs to go to whomever All Might picks, not Nighteye. I like the idea of Uraraka getting it, so maybe. Not Bakugo though. I haven't seen the that movie either, so careful please ;)
Though he is able to use each element at the basic level, that's as far as he gets right of the bat without practice. And yes, fire is tougher for him to get down, but it's the first element after Earth, so having him give out a little bit of fire is more confirmation than anything else.
See ya'll next time!