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Chapter 3 – Training Shadows and Meeting Light
— The Morning After Izuku's Awakening —
The morning light shone through the Midoriya apartment. But it was quiet—too quiet for a boy who'd accidentally made headlines the day before. Izuku sat at the kitchen table, staring down at his untouched breakfast. His hands trembled slightly with each movement, fingers twitching as though still feeling the pull of the shadows that obeyed him.
His mother was fussing over the tea, pretending not to be nervous, but her glances toward the door half expecting the police or some other government organization to show up due to the commotion izuku quirk awakening caused yesterday, making a tense and nervous silence.
A moment later a knock broke that silence. Three solid raps. Not impatient—just certain.
Inko froze halfway to the kettle. "I–Izuku…? Are you expecting someone?". He shook his head slowly "No, Mom. I—no one knows where we live except… maybe the police?"
But when he opened the door, it wasn't a uniformed officer standing there. It was him.
"All Might…?"
The towering figure filled the doorway like a living legend, sunlight catching on his signature grin. But something about that smile was gentler than what the cameras ever showed. On his shoulder sat a small creature in a suit, an unmistakable glint of intelligence in his eyes.
"Good morning, young Midoriya!" All Might's voice, though booming, carried a tone of deliberate calm. "May we come in? We have much to discuss."
Izuku blinked, stepping aside automatically. His heart pounded. His idol—the Symbol of Peace—was standing in his living room.
And next to him, Principal Nezu regarded him with an unreadable smile. "Thank you for having us, Mrs. Midoriya. But first I should introduce myself "I could be a dog, or a mouse, or a bear, but more importantly... I'm the principal! Nezu!. But on to more pressing matters I'm afraid this is a matter of some importance. Your son has drawn quite a bit of attention."
Inko bowed slightly, nervous but polite. "P-please, sit. I'll make tea."
As the kettle hissed, All Might and Nezu settled at the table, facing Izuku. For a moment, none of them spoke. The tension was palpable.
Finally, All Might broke the silence. "Young man, the world saw something extraordinary yesterday. Something we've never quite recorded before. Those shadows—they obeyed you, yes?"
Izuku's mouth went dry. "I… I think so. I didn't mean to, it just—happened. The villain grabbed me, and then everything went dark for a moment and I—" he stopped, shuddering. "When I woke up, the sludge was… in that bubble of darkness and there was some rubble around then you showed up."
Nezu folded his paws together. "Restrained" is a good way to put it , yes. And the scene afterward was… enlightening. What you did wasn't merely destructive—it was precise. You contained the threat without loss of life. That level of control, even by accident, is remarkable."
Izuku stared at his hands again. "It didn't feel like control. It felt like something else was helping me. Like the shadows moved because they wanted to."
That caught All Might's attention. His eyes softened, the heroic mask slipping for a moment. 'He's afraid of himself, the hero realized. Just like I once was.'
Nezu's voice was calm, analytical. "What we'd like, young man, is to help you understand this power. To help you grow before it grows beyond your reach."
Izuku's head snapped up. "You mean—U.A.? You want me to train there?"
All Might exchanged a look with Nezu, then nodded. "That's right. You've been given a second chance, my boy. A gift that, if honed, could protect countless lives. We'd like to guide you—help you become the kind of hero you've always dreamed of."
The words hit him like a physical blow. Hero. It still felt unreal. For years, those syllables had meant someone else. Someone stronger, faster, born better. Now they were being offered to him.
But doubt gnawed at his chest. "What if I lose control again? What if it hurts someone next time?"
All Might leaned forward, his expression steady. "Then we train to make sure you don't. I've seen the way you act under pressure—you fought to protect others, even when you thought you couldn't. That was your instinct. That's the heart of a true hero, Izuku."
For a long moment, the only sound was the ticking of the clock and the faint hum of the city outside.
Then Nezu stood, brushing invisible crumbs from his fur. "Classes begin in 9 months. If you accept, U.A. will arrange for a preliminary training period. All Might has offered to oversee your conditioning and light quirk training personally."
Inko's eyes widened. "All Might… will train my son?"
The hero chuckled softly. "If he'll have me."
Izuku swallowed hard. His mind screamed a dozen questions—why him, why now, what if he failed—but beneath it all was a tiny spark. Hope.
He nodded. "Yes. I'll do it."
All Might's smile brightened—not the public grin, but a proud, private one. "Then it's settled."
As they stood to leave, the morning light shifted, stretching their shadows long across the floor. For a fleeting moment, Izuku's own shadow rippled—just slightly—as if acknowledging the arrangement.
Nezu noticed, his eyes narrowing with interest. 'Fascinating', he thought. 'The shadows respond to emotion… to his resolve'.
— Outside the apartment —
The midday sun hung high as Nezu and All Might stepped out of the Midoriya apartment. The hallway was quiet, all Might's footsteps echoing faintly against the worn floor tiles. While nezu sat on his shoulder.
For a moment, neither spoke. All Might's smile had faded into something softer, his gaze distant.
"He reminds me of myself," he finally said, voice low. "All that fear bottled up beneath his courage. He's trying so hard not to break."
Nezu adjusted the sleeve of his tiny suit, eyes twinkling. "A boy like that has a rare kind of resolve. He fears his own power, yet still wants to use it for good. That balance is difficult to teach — most only learn it after tragedy."
All Might sighed, looking down at his hand as if expecting the fading smoke of his own hidden weakness. "And that's what worries me. I can sense something deep inside that power… it's alive in a way most quirks aren't."
Nezu's ears flicked. "Indeed. His shadows respond to instinct and to his will. They didn't attack without cause — they protected him. That suggests a form of quirk consciousness. Perhaps even symbiosis."
The No. 1 Hero frowned. "Do you think it's dangerous?"
The principal smiled faintly, the kind of smile that never gave away whether he was reassuring or simply intrigued. "Dangerous? Certainly. But potential is always just as great. U.A. was built for students like him — those who could tip the balance of the world, for better or worse."
They paused at the building's exit, the city stretching before them. Cars passed, people laughed, the world turning as if yesterday hadn't seen something extraordinary unfold.
"All Might," Nezu continued, "you were right to offer your guidance. What he needs now isn't fear or scrutiny — it's someone who believes he can be more than what he fears."
All Might looked back at the apartment window, where he could just barely see a faint flicker of movement — Inko hugging her son tightly. "He'll have that," he said quietly. "I won't let him get lost in the shadows."
Nezu tilted his head, the sunlight catching his whiskers. "Then let's begin preparations. He'll need months of conditioning before the entrance exams. I trust you still know a good training ground?"
The faintest grin tugged at All Might's lips. "I have just the place."
The two figures walked away from the apartment, the afternoon wind carrying the distant sound of the ocean — and with it, the first whisper of waves crashing against a long-forgotten beach.
—Takoba Municipal Beach Park—
The following morning dawned clear and bright, but the sea breeze carried a faint tang of rust and decay. Izuku stood at the edge of the boardwalk, staring down at the stretch of beach below.
It wasn't the picture-perfect view of ocean waves and golden sand he'd imagined. Instead, the shore looked like the aftermath of a storm that had never ended — heaps of twisted metal, old furniture, and broken appliances were scattered across the coastline like corpses of a forgotten city.
"All Might… are you sure this is the right place?" Izuku asked hesitantly, stepping around a tangle of discarded cables.
The towering hero laughed, a deep, hearty sound that didn't quite hide his fatigue. "Indeed it is, young Midoriya! This—" he spread his arms wide, "—is Takoba Beach! Once a beautiful public landmark, now sadly reduced to a dumping ground. But with effort, spirit, and sweat, it will become our training ground!"
Izuku's eyes widened. "We're… cleaning the whole thing?"
All Might grinned. "Correct! Strength isn't just about lifting weights, my boy. It's about perseverance — building the heart of a hero through action!"
Izuku stared at the mountain of trash and swallowed hard. "Right. Perseverance. Got it."
As they walked further down, the rhythmic crash of the waves grew louder. Birds circled above, crying faintly over the desolation. Despite the mess, the ocean air felt cleansing somehow — like a blank canvas waiting to be restored.
All Might turned, gesturing toward a small patch of clear sand. "We'll start here. I've drawn up a schedule — physical conditioning, control exercises, and most importantly, understanding that new quirk of yours."
Izuku nodded, determination flickering behind his nerves. "I… I want to learn. I don't want to be afraid of it anymore."
The hero smiled proudly. "That's the spirit!"
A voice drifted down the beach, bright and curious. "Hey! You two are training down here too?"
Both turned. A girl was jogging toward them along the shoreline, kicking up sand with each step. The morning sun caught in her hair — a sleek black on the outside, glowing with a vivid blue underneath when the light hit just right. Her eyes shimmered a soft pink, like rose quartz catching dawn.
She stopped a few paces away, hands on her hips, catching her breath. "Wow, I didn't think anyone actually came down here. Most people just complain about the smell."
All Might straightened, surprised but cordial. "Ah! Good morning, young lady. You are…?"
She smiled brightly. "Nerissa. Nerissa Ravencroft. I live a few blocks up. I come here sometimes to train — well, try to train. It's quieter than the city."
Izuku blinked, flustered by the sudden burst of energy she radiated. "Y-you train here too?"
"Yup!" she said with a grin, then tilted her head at the two of them. "Wait, You're All Might!" And you look really familiar…" Her gaze fell on Izuku, recognition dawning. "Wait, you're the guy from the news! The one with the shadow thing!"
Izuku's face went scarlet. "Ah—uh—yeah, that's—um, me."
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "That was so cool! The way it just came out of nowhere — like the opposite of light, right? Ah—uh, my ability is like the opposite of yours, its light manipulation, so it really stood out to me!"
All Might chuckled softly, amused by her sincerity. She's got the same kind of spirit he does, he thought. Maybe fate's having a bit of fun today.
Nerissa brushed a few strands of hair from her face and glanced between them. "Mind if I join you? I can stay out of the way — promise! I just like being around people who actually push themselves."
Izuku hesitated, glancing at All Might. The hero smiled knowingly. "The beach is public, young Ravencroft. If you're serious about training, then by all means — join us."
Her grin widened. "Awesome!"
As she moved to set down her water bottle, Izuku tried not to stare — she carried herself with a confident energy that made it impossible not to notice her. She had an athletic body, with a pretty face, soft-features and with a kind of warmth that made the gloomy setting feel brighter.
"All right!" All Might clapped his hands together, the sound echoing down the shoreline. "Young Midoriya, your first task — clear this section! We'll start small and build up from there. Nerissa, if you're joining, I suggest you help him out!"
"Yes, sir!" Nerissa saluted playfully, then turned to Izuku. "Let's do this! I'll race you to that fridge over there!"
"R-race?!" he stammered as she dashed off laughing, already dragging a half-buried appliance out of the sand.
All Might chuckled behind them,he stood there staring with a bright smile. "Ah… youth. Nothing inspires progress quite like friendly competition."
As the two worked, the rhythm of the waves and the sound of laughter began to fill the air. For the first time since his power awakened, Izuku felt something other than fear and hesitation.
He felt… normal.
And as he looked up, he could've sworn his shadows flickered faintly against the sand — almost like it was happy as well.
An hour passed, and the once-quiet beach was now alive with effort and laughter. Izuku wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking proudly at the small patch of cleared sand they'd made. It wasn't much, but it was a start — one refrigerator, two old tires, and what might've been a rusted bike frame.
"Man," Nerissa said, straightening up beside him, "I thought I was in decent shape, but this stuff's heavy!" She pushed a strand of black-and-blue hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushed from the work.
Izuku managed a shaky laugh. "Y-yeah, it's not exactly training weights, huh? But it's… kind of nice, actually. Seeing progress like this."
She smiled at him, bright and easy. "You're really into this, huh? Most people would've quit already."
"I guess," he said, shrugging a little. "I just… want to prove I can do it. I've always wanted to be a hero, but…" His voice trailed off as he looked toward the ocean, the waves reflecting in his eyes. "For a long time, I didn't think I could."
Nerissa leaned against a half-buried bench, her tone softening. "You didn't have a quirk, right? I saw that in the report. It must've been tough."
Izuku gave a small nod. "Yeah. everyone always said i couldnt do it because i didn't have a quirk, But yesterday… it was like something finally clicked. Even if it's a little weird or scary, at least it's mine now."
She hummed thoughtfully, feeling a sense of familiarity with him, picking at a bit of rust on her glove. "I get that."
He glanced at her, curious. "You do?"
"Mm-hmm." Her voice carried a subtle wistfulness beneath the cheer. "People always told me what I should do with my power and how it should be used — no one ever asked what I wanted to do with it. I can make light… bend it, shape it, use it to heal. But everyone always said, 'You're a natural medic, Nerissa, you should only focus on that.you should leave the fighting to others.'"
She gave a short laugh, shaking her head. "Don't get me wrong — helping people is amazing. But I've always wanted to stand beside the ones who fight, not behind them."
Izuku's eyes widened slightly, admiration flickering there. "You want to protect and heal…"
"Yeah," she said simply, smiling again. "I guess I just want to prove that I can shine in both ways,make my own path ya know."
For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, the sound of waves filling the spaces their words left behind.
From a distance, All Might watched them with quiet satisfaction. He could see the easy rhythm they'd fallen into — the way the boy's posture straightened around her, the way her energy seemed to keep his doubts at bay.
"Good," he murmured to himself. "He's learning more than just strength."
When Izuku caught his breath, he turned to Nerissa again. "So… are you planning on applying to U.A. too?"
Her grin returned instantly. "You bet! The new year is about to start in like 9 months. I've been working toward that since I was fifteen, hard to believe I'll be 19 around the time school starts. Guess now's my shot."
His face lit up, that shy excitement bubbling through his words. "Me too! I—I mean, I'm starting training for it now. All Might's helping me get ready."
Her jaw dropped slightly. "Wait, you're being trained by All Might and not like a one time thing?"
All Might, hearing his name, turned with a proud pose. "Indeed! Young Midoriya has shown exceptional promise — both in power and in heart!"
Nerissa laughed, clapping Izuku on the shoulder. "Okay, now I'm officially jealous. Guess I'll just have to keep up with you, huh?"
He smiled bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll, uh… try not to make it too hard."
"Too late," she teased, tossing him a wink.
The sun had begun to drift lower, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. Together, they dragged the last of the trash toward a growing pile near the boardwalk. Their shadows stretched long behind them, side by side — his darker and sharper, hers faintly glowing at the edges where light seemed to cling to her skin.
All Might glanced between them, thoughtful. Shadow and light… quite the pair.
When the day finally ended, Izuku stood at the water's edge, breathing in the salty air. His muscles ached, his hands were raw, but his heart felt lighter.
Nerissa came to stand beside him, hands tucked behind her back, chest arched forward making her rather large asset be put on display unintentionally. "You did good today."
He glanced at her and his eyes drifted lower then, shot back up to her face while getting embarrassed . "W-W-We did."he said with a bright red face and a smile.
They sat there for a few minutes, waves lapped at their feet, the horizon endless and gold. For a brief second, their reflections merged — dark and light swirling together in the fading sunlight.
And somewhere deep within that shadow, something stirred — faint and unseen.
As the two teens laughed by the water, All Might watched them quietly, his usual grin softening into something almost nostalgic. There was something in Nerissa's stance — that quiet determination, the way she met challenges head-on with a smile — that struck a deep, familiar chord.
She reminds me… of her.
He could almost hear Nana's voice in his memory — warm, fierce, unyielding. "You don't protect people because you can, Toshinori. You protect them because you must."
The thought tightened his chest. He hadn't felt that same spark in anyone since she was gone… until now.
Nerissa turned, noticing his distant expression. "Uh, All Might? You okay? You've got that 'thinking face' thing going on."
He blinked, then laughed — that deep, booming laugh that could shake the air itself. "Ahaha! My apologies, young lady! You merely reminded me of someone very dear to me — someone who once taught me that true heroism shines brightest when it's shared."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly, curiosity in her gaze, but she smiled anyway. "That sounds like a pretty cool person."
"She was," he said simply. Then he looked between the two of them — Izuku standing tall but uncertain, and Nerissa, bright and unwavering beside him. The contrast was sharp, yet somehow harmonious.
"Young Midoriya," he said suddenly, his voice filled with energy again. "And you, Miss Nerissa — it seems to me that your spirits burn with the same drive. Determination… and the will to grow."
Izuku blinked in surprise. "A-All Might?"
He grinned wider. "How would you both feel about training together?"
The words hung in the air for a beat, carried on the sound of the sea.
Nerissa's eyes widened. "Together?"
All Might nodded firmly. "Indeed! You each possess potential — one forged from shadow, one born of light. To grow, you will need balance. Drive. And perhaps… a rival to keep you moving forward!"
Izuku's heart skipped, half excitement, half disbelief. "You mean, like… a real training partner?"
"Precisely!" All Might boomed. "The path to U.A. will not be easy. But if you train side by side, you'll push each other higher than either of you could alone!"
For a moment, neither teen spoke. Then Nerissa smirked, resting her hands on her hips. "Well… sounds like fun to me. What do you think, Shadow Boy?"
Izuku turned red instantly. "D-don't call me that!"
She laughed, the sound bright and playful. "Fine, fine — Midoriya. Let's work hard together.
Izuku returned a confident and determined smile. "Right!"
All Might watched them both with quiet pride. "Excellent. Then it's decided." He pointed toward the horizon, where the fading sun cast their twin silhouettes across the sand. "Tomorrow, we begin true training!"
The ocean breeze caught his cape as he spoke, and for just a second, as the last rays of sunset danced across the water, All Might thought he saw two lights shining together — one dark and flickering, one soft and radiant — intertwining like destiny.
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Hey if anyone is actually reading this can yall atleast leave a comment , review or even something small just letting me know if it good or if it need something to be changed