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The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the ventilation system. Deep beneath U.A. sat a private conference room used only for matters that demanded secrecy. The air smelled faintly of coffee and tension.
All Might sat at one end of the long table, posture straight but heavy with fatigue. Across from him, Principal Nezu rested his paws neatly atop a stack of documents. To his right sat Recovery Girl, sipping from her thermos, and beside her, Detective Naomasa, hat off, notebook open.
Nezu broke the silence first.
"Let's begin. The question before us is succession."
The word carried weight for everyone present — but none more than All Might. Succession. The passing of his own fading power, One For All. A torch that could burn as easily as it could illuminate.
Naomasa flipped open the folder before him, sliding several files forward.
"These are the leading candidates, based on observation, recommendation, and potential: Midoriya Izuku, Nerissa Ravencroft, and Togata Mirio."
All Might's eyes flicked over the photographs. Mirio's confident grin, Nerissa's calm but determined gaze, and Izuku's uncertain smile — the one that carried the same kind of unyielding fire he'd once seen in his own reflection.
Nezu folded his paws and smiled faintly. "Each one represents a different path forward."
Recovery Girl sighed softly. "A path that might kill them if we're careless. Let's not forget the physical toll of that power. You nearly tore yourself apart, Toshinori."
All Might's lips tightened, but he nodded. "I remember. That's why we're here."
Naomasa started with the easiest case. "Togata Mirio — recommended by Sir Nighteye. Top performer among the Big Three, unmatched work ethic, outstanding combat instincts."
All Might exhaled slowly. "He's an excellent hero. He'd handle the responsibility with grace."
A pause. "But he already shines on his own. I'm also afraid how it would react with his quirk. It might make it uncontrollable and kill him by phasing through the ground before he can get a hold on it. He honestly doesn't need One For All. He has done very well for himself. That power would do better with someone who still has not solidified their foundation and become too inflexible to change their whole style."
Recovery Girl gave him a sidelong glance. "You sound like you've already chosen someone."
Naomasa hid a smile and moved on. "Next — Nerissa Ravencroft. Recently admitted through the practical and highly recommended to U.A., high analytical ability, exceptional control of her quirk Lumen Grace — a dual-type that allows her to manipulate light for both offense and limited healing."
Nezu nodded, voice measured. "She's brilliant, intuitive, and has the temperament of a leader. Light and hope are her natural elements. But her output is still growing. One For All might overwhelm her current capacity."
All Might looked thoughtful. "Her resolve's impressive. She reminds me of my old master — that same calm strength. But she's still learning what her limits are. If I gave her One For All now, it could break her."
Naomasa added, "Still, she's shown the kind of empathy heroes are built from. It's rare."
The silence that followed told them all the conversation was shifting toward the real subject.
Finally, Nezu turned the last file. Izuku Midoriya's photo stared up from the page — green hair slightly tousled, eyes wide but steady.
Naomasa summarized, "Midoriya Izuku. Quirk: Shadow Monarch. Capable of summoning shadows and using them to make shapes, attacks, and defenses, including commanding shadow constructs derived from his will. Performance: top of his class during the Quirk Apprehension Test, overwhelming practical aptitude, though he still has human-level endurance but that can be trained."
Nezu adjusted his tie and studied the file. "His quirk is extraordinary. The ability to manifest parts of himself as external extensions of his will suggests a deep spiritual synchronization — a potential parallel to how One For All stores power from previous holders."
All Might spoke up, voice quiet but firm. "He embodies strength born from fear. He's cautious, reflective, and never careless with power. He trains like someone terrified of what might happen if he loses control."
Recovery Girl hummed softly. "Terrified or not, he's handled himself better than most adults would. He's found a balance — the shadows obey him, not the other way around."
Nezu's whiskers twitched. "A fascinating equilibrium, don't you think? Light and shadow — his connection with Nerissa during joint training has already shown cooperative quirk resonance. If he can channel One For All's light the same way he channels his shadows, the result might be… unprecedentedly powerful "
All Might looked at Nezu with quiet intensity. "That's part of why I think he could handle it. He's not consumed by darkness. He just… accepts it."
Naomasa closed the folder. "So he's your first choice."
All Might hesitated, then nodded slowly. "He has the heart for it. The understanding that power isn't a prize — it's a burden. He already treats his own strength that way."
Recovery Girl frowned. "You're thinking with your heart again, Toshinori."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe. But sometimes that's what it takes."
Nezu gave a knowing chuckle. "Then perhaps the best course is observation. Each of these three students has potential. Mirio for his experience, Nerissa for her composure and clarity, and Midoriya for his… conviction and possible compatibility."
He folded his paws. "Let's give them time. The next few months will reveal who truly carries the spirit of a hero — not just the strength."
Naomasa nodded, rising from his chair. "I'll keep an eye on their field performance. Nighteye asked for updates."
Recovery Girl sighed, capping her thermos. "Then it's settled. We'll revisit this in the future."
As they stood, All Might lingered behind. The others filed out quietly, leaving him alone with the lingering glow of the ceiling lights and the photo of a boy who never stopped standing back up.
He picked it up, thumb brushing over the edge of the paper.
Izuku Midoriya… you've grown so much already. But if I give this to you — will it strengthen you… or break you?
The thought echoed as he turned out the light.
One chance. One successor.
And with that, he left the room — the door shutting softly behind him.
-next day-
The bell rang, and the energy in Class 1-A instantly shifted from academic focus to the electric hum of freedom. Desks squeaked as chairs pushed back, and students began filing out into the hall, voices overlapping in a mix of laughter and chatter.
"Finally!" Kaminari stretched his arms toward the ceiling with a groan. "If I had to write one more page of notes, I'd short-circuit myself on purpose."
"You already do that by accident," Jirō replied dryly, slinging her headphones around her neck as she joined the stream of students. Kaminari feigned a wounded look while Kirishima laughed, clapping him on the back.
"Come on, man, lunch fixes everything! Meat, rice, and victory—let's go!"
Izuku chuckled quietly as he packed away his notebook. He still wasn't entirely used to the rhythm of life at U.A. the way classes swung between exhausting and exhilarating—but it was starting to feel natural. Beside him, Nerissa closed her notebook as well with a soft click and stretched, the faint shimmer of light from her quirk dancing along her hair for a split second before fading.
"Ready to go?" she asked, smiling at him.
"Yeah!" Izuku said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I heard Lunch Rush is amazing."
Nerissa laughed lightly. "I've heard the same. Let's test that rumor."
They followed the group toward the cafeteria, walking side by side through the gleaming halls of U.A. The other students naturally clustered into small groups, and soon Izuku found himself caught up in a whirlwind of introductions and casual talk again. Mina waved enthusiastically when she spotted them.
"Izuku! Nerissa! Over here!" she called, motioning to a table already half-filled with their classmates.
They joined, trays in hand. Mina leaned forward with a playful grin. "So, you two are like training buddies, right? You're always together."
Izuku nearly choked on his rice. "W-We…uh…have similar schedules!"
Nerissa smirked slightly. "And he's actually tolerable company," she teased him with a light poke to the ribs.
That earned a chorus of oooohs from the table. Kirishima laughed so hard his drink nearly came out his nose. "Midoriya, dude, you're already getting roasted and it's only week one!"
Tokoyami, sitting quietly at the edge of the group, raised his head. "A bond forged in training often tempers both spirit and will," he said solemnly.
There was a brief pause.
"Translation?" Mina asked.
"He means teamwork's cool," Jirō explained with a smirk.
Tokoyami gave a grave nod, as if he'd just confirmed a deep truth. Izuku couldn't help but laugh. He'd found the darkly poetic bird-headed student strangely relatable. Maybe it was the way they both carried their quirks like a shadow—literally, in his case.
Their table soon filled with the steady buzz of conversation. Iida lectured Kaminari about proper table manners while Uraraka laughed, trying to mediate. Sero was telling a wild story about accidentally taping his homework to his desk, and Aoyama was striking poses between bites of salad, muttering about "heroic glow." The chaos somehow worked; it was loud, messy, and alive.
He felt like joining U.A. was a great decision, he didn't feel out of place in this slightly chaotic friend group.
Nerissa nudged him with her elbow. "You look like you're thinking too hard."
"Huh? Oh, sorry," he said, startled. "It's just everyone's so…different, but somehow it fits. Like… we're all parts of something big, y'know?"
"That's one way to see it." Her eyes softened a little. "You really are the type to find meaning in everything, huh?"
He scratched the back of his neck, flustered. "M-Maybe…"
Before the conversation could go further, Lunch Rush himself appeared behind the counter, booming with laughter as he handed out extra sides to students. "Eat well, young heroes! Energy fuels courage!"
Kaminari and Kirishima saluted him with a french fry. "Yes, sir, chef!" x2 they yelled in unison.
By the time everyone finished eating, the mood was bright and lazy—exactly the kind of post-lunch calm that made students want to nap, not fight. Unfortunately, fate—and U.A. 's curriculum—had other plans.
The intercom crackled. "Class 1-A, report to Training Ground Beta for your next session. Prepare for combat exercises."
The words hit like a spark. Conversations cut off mid-laugh. Students glanced at each other, grins spreading like wildfire.
"Combat exercises?" Uraraka said, eyes wide. "Wait, is this the one—?"
"Yeah," Kirishima grinned, slamming his tray down. "THE class. All Might's first session with us!"
"Whoa, for real?" Kaminari's jaw dropped. "Like, THE All Might?"
"I don't know how many All Mights you think there are," Jirō muttered, already standing.
Nerissa stood, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Guess lunch is over."
"Yeah…" Izuku said, his excitement barely contained. "Time to see what we're really made of."
They gathered their things and headed toward the locker rooms, the buzz of anticipation thick in the air. As they passed through the corridor windows, sunlight streamed in, bright and warm against the polished floor. The reflection caught on Nerissa's light-toned hair and glimmered faintly off the black aura that occasionally flickered behind Izuku's shoulders—two contrasts walking side by side.
Behind them, Mina whispered to Uraraka with a grin, "I'm calling it now—they're gonna be the first duo to wreck something today."
Uraraka giggled. "You think?"
"Oh, definitely.'"
Izuku didn't hear it—he was already lost in thought, pulse racing at the thought of what awaited them outside. The first real test, under All Might's watchful eye, was when the time to live up to the expectations and training all mighy had given him and show what he could do.
Class 1-A gathered in the support gear locker area, where racks of freshly delivered hero costumes gleamed under bright lights. Each crate bore a student's name in bold black lettering.
Excitement buzzed through the air like static. Mina let out a squeal when she found hers then ran off to the girls changing room, when izuku walked in the boys one he saw Kirishima was already posing in front of a mirror and making muscles himself.
Izuku traced his fingers over the label that read Midoriya Izuku. His heartbeat quickened. Inside was more than fabric — it was a promise.
He opened the case.
The matte-black armor gleamed faintly under the lights, accented by deep neon green lines that pulsed like veins of energy. It looked sharper and more grounded than before — designed for movement, protection, and stealth. It had armor in the vital place and joints but not enough to slow him.
Sliding into the suit felt strange at first — heavy, yet reassuring. The material hugged his frame, flexible but durable. The mask, when he pulled it up, gave him an almost soldier-like air. A small grin tugged at his lips.and the final piece to bring together the look was a cape/cloak that was there to make more shadows around him so he could attack easily with them closer to him.
I look… like a hero, he thought, and for a moment, the nerves quieted.
When he walked out the changing room
A flash of light caught his eye. Turning, he saw Nerissa standing by her own exit, adjusting a strap on her costume.
Her outfit was striking — a seamless blend of elegance and intimidation. Layers of black and silver flowed around her, trimmed with feather-like accents that moved like silk in the air. Hints of sapphire blue lined her hair and the inner fabric, creating a soft luminescence that seemed to hum with her quirk.
The high-collared bodice and asymmetrical skirt gave her the look of a gothic knight and celestial sorceress all at once. When she glanced up, the overhead lights danced across the gold accents on her gloves and the small ornament pinned near her ear.
Izuku blinked then blushed. "Whoa—uh, I mean—y-you look incredible."
Nerissa tilted her head, amusement flickering in her pink eyes. "Thanks," she said with a smirk, eyeing him up intently. "You look good yourself, Shadow King."
He nearly tripped over his words. "S-Shadow king?"
She chuckled. "It fits, doesn't it? Dark colors, quiet confidence, mysterious aura…"
"confidence might be stretching it," he admitted, scratching his cheek.
Before she could reply, the intercom crackled again and all might's voice came through. "Class 1-A, report to Training Ground Beta for your battle trial!"
Students began moving out, their excitement spilling into laughter and chatter once more. Izuku and Nerissa fell into step beside each other, the rhythmic sound of armored boots and heels echoing down the hall.
As the doors opened to reveal the sprawling mock-city arena bathed in afternoon light, Izuku couldn't help but take a deep breath.
This was it — the moment they'd dreamed of.The moment to fight not as students… but as heroes in training.
The arena doors opened—then the ceiling shook.
All Might dropped from above like a meteor, fist in the air, landing in a crouch that sent a wind gusting across the mock city. "WELCOME, YOUNG HEROES, TO THE BATTLE TRIAL!" he roared, standing tall, smile blazing. "Heroes versus villains! Two-on-two. The 'villains' defend their bomb inside the building. The 'heroes' must infiltrate and secure it. Clear?"
A cheer (and a few squeaks of terror) rolled through Class 1-A.
"Teams have been drawn at random beforehand!" All Might continued, spinning a tablet around. "first group Villain team: Bakugō and Kaminari. Hero team: Midoriya and Iida!" He winked. "You'll have ten minutes. Capture tape counts as a restraining arrest; any hard strikes to vital areas are off-limits. I'm watching. Go beyond—PLUS ULTRA!"
Gasps and whispers. Bakugō's eye twitched. Izuku's heart thumped once, hard—and steadied.
From the control room, the class crowded around the monitors. Nerissa stood a little back from the monitor, hands lightly folded at her waist, calm but focused. "You've got this," she breathed, more to herself than anyone else.
Aizawa, half-slouched beside All Might's chair (when did he get here?), squinted. "You sure about pairing those two first?"
"All part of growth," All Might murmured, eyes intent. "Midoriya needs to choose what kind of hero he'll be."
Inside the Building — "Villains Set"
Bakugō stomped through the stairwell, palm already popping with sparks. "I don't care about the dumb bomb," he snapped at Kaminari, who was jogging to keep up. "Let the charge-stick babysit it. I'm going hunting."
"Uh—strategy? Maybe we should—" Kaminari started.
"Strategy is me blowing that nerd to pieces."
He hit the top floor, kicked the hallway door open, and stalked forward, explosions stuttering in his palm like an angry heartbeat.
Outside — "Heroes Set"
Iida adjusted his visor, voice crisp. "Midoriya, your quirk excels at control and battlefield manipulation. I will sprint for the objective; please contain Bakugō and create an approach corridor."
Izuku exhaled once. "Right. I'll keep him off you."
"Commencing in ten seconds," All Might's voice boomed over the PA. "Five… Four… Three… Two… BEGIN!"
Iida blurred, engines barking, vanishing into the building's ground-floor corridor.
Izuku stepped through the doorway and let the quiet take him. The long, dim hall breathed dust and hum. Above him, metal creaked—the impatient weight of an explosion addict pacing. Izuku's shadow spilled forward, searching the light like water seeking a drain.
Don't pick this fight with anger. Plan. Breathe. He told himself.
He turned the corner—and Bakugō dropped from a side hall, gauntlet-first.
The explosion hammered the hall, a white-hot blossom of pressure and grit. Izuku threw up a slab of shadow; it took the brunt, it held firm but the force still pushed him. He slid back two steps, boots scraping.
Bakugō's grin was feral. "You're still hiding behind tricks, Deku?"
Izuku didn't answer. He didn't need to. Two thin spears of shadow lanced forward ,warning shots, forcing Bakugō to twist away and blast sideways, gouging the wall.
—control room—
From the control room, Nerissa's fingers tightened. "He's not overcommitting," she said, relief in her voice. "Good. Keep it clean, Izuku."
"All Might," Aizawa, muttered flatly, eyes on the monitor, "your boy's about to make a choice."
All Might didn't blink whispering back. "So he is."
"Watch closely,the confrontation shall commence." Tokoyami murmured, eyes gleaming. "Midoriya's shadow shall flow with intention. No waste. No rage. Only will."
Nerissa swallowed a small knot in her throat, hands sweating."Breathe, Izuku… don't let him pull down". She thought
—Battle Trial—
Smoke rolled through the mock-city corridor, walls scorched from the earlier blast. Bakugō prowled, shoulders loose, the old swagger breaking through. Bakugō's voice came out of it, low and furious.
"You think you can come in here and play hero just 'cause you finally got a freaks quirk? You always wanted this, right? To be like him. Pathetic."
"You really think that lightbulb bitch of yours actually likes you, Deku? She's pitying you, same as everyone else! The second she sees how pathetic you really are she'll leave you just like everyone else you useless freak!!
Izuku stopped breathing. The hallway lights seemed to dim, sound pulling away until only his heartbeat remained.
For half a heartbeat, the old years pooled in Izuku's head,playground gravel stinging his scratched palms, the taste of helplessness, of beatings, of insults, mocking, pity, the loneliness. Then the present crashed back in, iron and clean. The shadows answered like a pulse then pooled around him and When he spoke, his voice was steady and cold.
"You shouldn't have said that."
The floor rippled.
"Igris—come forth. Drop the sword, you don't need it."
Darkness bloomed outward and the knight rose from it, bare-handed, towering in blue-eyed silence. The pressure of his presence pressed the air flat.
Bakugō snarled and lunged, explosions cracking down the hall. Fire hit armor and scattered harmlessly. Igris didn't even flinch. He stepped through the blast and drove a knee into Bakugō's gut, the impact thudding like a drum. Bakugō folded, coughing, but swung upward; Igris caught the punch mid-air, turned it, and hammered him sideways into a wall. Plaster burst.
Bakugō rebounded, blasting again, wild now. Igris advanced in patient bursts—left hook, palm strike, backhand—each blow measured but heavy enough to bruise through the combat gear. When Bakugō tried to leap over him, Igris spun and slammed him down with a shoulder throw that shook the floor. Dust rolled.
From the control room, students stared.
"He's wrecking him," Kaminari whispered.
"And still holding back," Tokoyami murmured.
Nerissa's eyes were wide, hands pressed together in worry. "Izuku…"
Bakugō roared, scrambling to his feet. "I'll kill—"
Igris was already there. One palm clamped his wrist, the other gripped his shoulder, twisting him around and down. In one smooth motion, he pinned him face-down, one knee between his shoulder blades, arms locked behind him. Shadows stayed kneeling down on the explosive blonde bowing his head to izuku
Shadows moved to bind his elbows and legs—tight, but not cruel.
Izuku walked forward, expression unreadable. "It's over, Kacc- no Bakugo."
Bakugō strained against the binds, explosions sputtering uselessly. "Get this thing off me!!! Fight me yourself, coward!!!"
Izuku's reply was quiet. "I already did."
A booming voice rang through the hallway.
"The hero team wins!!!" All Might's voice echoed from the speakers.
At once the bindings loosened. Igris stepped back, lowering his gaze, and began to sink into the floor. The hall fell silent except for Bakugō's ragged breathing.
Izuku turned away. He'd taken two steps when a snarl tore the quiet apart.
Bakugō launched forward, face twisting into a snarl, he aimed his gauntlet and locked onto Izuku's unguarded back.
"Don't you walk away from me!"
The massive explosion never landed.
Igris burst from the floor like lightning, an arm flashing up. He caught Bakugō face mid-lunge, crushed the blast in his palm, and slammed him into the tiles hard enough to rattle the light fixtures. The floor spider-webbed beneath the impact. Bakugō gasped, stunned, pinned again—this time by raw force and aggression, not shadow binds.
The air shimmered, then Aizawa's scarf cracked through the dust. "That's enough!"
He appeared out of nowhere, capture cloth whipping around Bakugō's torso, restraining him before he could move again. His eyes glowed faint red—the faint shimmer of Erasure active. Bakugō's sparks died instantly.
Aizawa glared at both of them, but unable to shut down Midoriya's quirk that's something he noted for later. "Midoriya. Call it off."
Izuku raised his hand. Igris hesitated, then released Bakugō and sank slowly back into the shadow under Izuku's feet while glaring at Bakugo. The darkness folded closed.
Bakugō struggled once against Aizawa's cloth, then stilled, chest heaving, body aching.
Aizawa's voice stayed level. "Training's over for you too, Both of you to the medical wing. Now."
Izuku nodded silently and walked past without a glance. Bakugō twisted his head just enough to glare up at him, fury and disbelief written across his bruised face.
Behind the observation glass, the class was silent. Even All Might's usual grin had softened into something grave.
Nerissa pressed a hand over her heart, relief and worry mixing together.
He stopped before it went too far.
As Izuku stepped out into the sunlight, the shadows at his feet rippled once and stilled, silent again.
For the first time, Bakugō Katsuki understood what "left behind" really meant.
All Might's voice rolled over the speakers again, bright as ever. "NEXT TEAMS—ON DECK!"
—Recovery Girls office—
The faint hum of machines filled the U.A. infirmary. The air smelled of antiseptic and ozone. Izuku sat on the edge of a bed, back straight, gloves off, waiting. Across from him, Bakugō scowled, his right arm bandaged from shoulder to wrist.
Recovery Girl finished applying a small patch to his side and clicked her tongue. "You're lucky, young man. If that shadow of his had been using real strength, you'd be eating through a straw right now."
Bakugō gritted his teeth but said nothing.
The door slid open, and Aizawa stepped inside. His scarf hung loose, eyes half-lidded but sharp as ever. "Midoriya. Bakugō."
Both boys straightened automatically.
Aizawa crossed his arms. "Bakugō, you're benched for the rest of the week's combat sessions. Attacking a classmate after the match ended crosses the line. You'll file a written report and meet with me for additional training and mandatory anger management classes, if we're being generous."
Bakugō's head jerked up. "What?! He—"
"Don't." Aizawa's tone silenced him instantly. "You lost control. That's on you."
He turned to Izuku, expression softening just slightly. "Midoriya… you handled yourself well. You showed power and restraint. You didn't let your quirk run wild, and when you had your opponent at your mercy, you stopped. That's what being a hero looks like."
Izuku blinked, surprised. "Thank you, sir. I—I wasn't sure if I went too far."
Aizawa gave a small sigh. "You went far enough to make a point, and that's fine. But next time, keep your emotions in check. You don't have to prove you're strong by breaking someone."
Izuku nodded serious. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Aizawa's voice softened. "You've come a long way. Keep it up."
He started for the door, pausing only once more. "Rest up, both of you. Tomorrow's class moves on whether you're ready or not. Midoriya head to your dorm building."
When he left, the silence stretched between them again.
Bakugō glared at the floor, jaw tight. "You think you've won, huh?"
Izuku stood, adjusting his sleeves. "No," he said simply. "I think I finally stopped losing."
Bakugō didn't reply.
Izuku nodded to Recovery Girl, thanked her quietly, and walked out. The hallway outside was quiet and still, the fluorescent lights humming overhead. As he passed one of the windows, his reflection shimmered faintly in the glass—his own shadow rippling for a heartbeat before settling behind him, obedient and calm.
He smiled just a little.
"Good work, Igris," he whispered.
The shadow stilled, then vanished.
For the first time all day, Izuku let himself breathe.