Chapter 183 - 4-6

Chapter 4: Foundation

To say Inko was horrified about what she heard was an understatement, all this time she thought Katsuki had been the one protecting Izuku from the mean kids at school but in reality it was that boy who kept hurting her baby. She wasn't blind, she noticed that her baby came home with bruises and at first she thought it was just kids playing rough at the park, but then Izuku came from school with bruises. She is well aware of the quirkless discrimination, she knew why and she just thought Izuku didn't look worse because Katsuki defended him when in reality he was the reason her son got hurt.

"I'm telling Mitsuki about this and I'm suing that school for just allowing this! This happened right in front of their faces and they did nothing!" She failed as a mother thinking someone else would protect her son when that was her job, she had a lot to make up for.

"It's okay mom, Ka- Bakugou will just get angrier because I snitched." He said doing quote marks with his fingers on the word snitched. "Even if auntie tells him to apologize he won't mean it." Inko knew her son was right, but her best friend deserved to know what his son had been doing, that kind of behavior isn't something she should hide. "And even if you try suing I'm sure they erased all the evidence, no videos, Kaccha- Bakugou's record is clean, everyone will just lie about everything. It's just my word against theirs." Then again it wasn't the word of a plain quirkless boy anymore, it would be the word of a current celebrity that people were looking up to against theirs.

"I know! It's just … I haven't done anything for so long, there must be something I can do for you now." Izuku smiled softly at his mom before giving her a hug.

"You were there for me when no one else was mom, you've done enough." Inko couldn't help crying at her son's words and Izuku ended up crying too mostly out of empathy.

After a much needed crying session, Inko suggested she could make Izuku's favorite for dinner and even get some ice cream as compensation, that meant his mom had to go out to buy somethings and that left him with some time for himself, what he will do with that time? Well try to figure out his quirk of course! His quirk counseling should be happening soon, he wants to take as many notes as possible to his first session.

First he tried to figure out just how he ended up with a quirk like this, to his knowledge no one from his mom's or dad's side of the family has had mutation quirks, actually he is pretty sure transformation quirks aren't that common in his family either, most are emitter quirks like his mom's telekinesis or his dad's fire breathing. Izuku didn't really know much about his dad, he can barely remember the man and one day he stayed in America for work rather than coming back, he would like to say that he misses him but well, he can't miss someone he never knew. His father's quirk was the closest thing to his own since he can, allegedly, breathe fire too, but fire breathing evolving into full on dragon seems a bit of a stretch. Izuku was stuck for a while on that, there was no logical reason as to why he got the quirk he did, it was rare for quirks to mutate this far from his parent's but it wasn't exactly impossible, he decided to leave that train of thought for later.

The next thing he did was google about dragon quirks, the first thing to pop up was the hero Ryukyu that much was to be expected but the information online wasn't very useful.

Both of their quirks were similar in the aspect that it allowed them to transform their bodies into dragons, but other than that not really. Ryukyu didn't get any mutations once she stopped using her quirk, her strength, durability and stamina seemed to increase while transformed and Izuku thought that might apply to him, other than that their quirks were too different. The dragon hero was able to transform into a much bigger dragon than Izuku, she didn't seem to be able to breathe fire like Izuku can nor does she have heightened senses like the doctor told him.

He found a few more articles about other dragon like quirks but none of them fit into his own either and just like the doctor told him those types of quirks were pretty rare so the information he found was either all the same, not very helpful or just didn't apply to him. Since that was a dead end he settled for the next best thing, researching about dragons as mythical creatures rather than quirks, yeah maybe a lot of information won't be that useful considering this are fantastical beings but in his defense quirks were also something fantastical in the past, so it's worth taking a look.

A lot of cultures had their own version of dragons as well as how they are represented, Izuku ended up discovering his dragon form probably aligned more with occidental dragons rather than oriental dragons. So that eased up his research, after that he tried to focus on dragons that related to storms or lightning anything along those lines but he didn't learn much from that either, most of it were really cool drawings or people arguing how these beasts would work along with the rules of reality. Since none of that was actually working he settled for looking into media about dragons, it may seem odd but a lot of quirk ideas started as media such as comics, cartoons and movies.

By the time he actually found something his mom had already returned and was making dinner. After reviewing a list of dragons in films and television he ended up stumbling onto the franchise of how to train your dragon. It was a trilogy of movies plus a few series from the pre-quirk era, to be honest he has never heard about those films before but people must have really loved it if the fan wikis were still up after so much time. The reason why this particular franchise stood out to him was because of the main mascot, the wings of that dragon looked a lot like his own and so did the tail although he didn't have a red fin. Izuku looked up the videos shown on the news about him to compare his form and the mascot's, the video was blurry and shaky considering it was taken by someone in the crowd so the shots weren't the best for comparison.

"Izuku, dinner is ready!" Izuku saved the tab to favorites before heading out of his room.

"Coming mom!" His research can continue later, specially now that he actually has a lead.

Aizawa came to the logical conclusion that UA was the best equipped place to deal with a recently manifested quirk of a 14 year old, quirk that while powerful is also incredibly unstable. Their gyms and training grounds were designed to get wrecked with strong quirks, mainly by the first years who needed to test their limits. But to do that he has to convince the rat about it first, which is why he is in his office.

"Ah Aizawa, it's always nice to see you. Would you like some tea?" Nezu offered.

Aizawa shook his head. "I would like to keep this brief." Nezu hummed in response before drinking from his cup.

"Always straight to the point! I'm sure this is about booking the gym this weekend correct?" The teacher nodded. "I have no reason to deny this, but I'm curious. You aren't one to train in school grounds and you don't have a class to book this for, so I have to ask, what is this for?" Aizawa knew this was coming, it's never a simple yes with the rat.

"I will be doing a quirk counseling session with a student." Nezu's nose twitched at that.

"Oh? But you don't have any students this year, you expelled them all!" He said cheerfully.

Aizawa shrugged his shoulders. "He is my student not yours."

That just seemed to increase the mammal's interest. "Oh my, I never thought I'd see the day were Eraserhead played favorites."

The hero glared. "I'm not playing favorites, I'm the only one that can assist him with a quirk that volatile and I agreed I would do it already. I just figured out here would be the safest place to do it."

The principal took another sip of his drink, this was an unusual situation and saying he wasn't curious about this whole ordeal would be a lie. "Very well, I suppose there is no harm on letting you use the facilities, you are a part of the staff after all." That was too easy. "But, I will only allow it on one condition." There it is. "I want to meet this mystery student of yours! If you found them interesting enough to bring them here then I would like to know just who managed such a feat!"

That could be worse, he just has to make sure the rat doesn't see the kid's analysis and everything should be fine. "Understood."

Izuku never thought watching movies and tv shows would be part of his research and analysis, but now he understood why people liked this movies so much! In a way Hiccup reminded him of himself, someone expected to be strong and powerful that simply didn't meet those expected standards forced on him. He never becomes what people thought he should be, he becomes someone even better based on his own strengths.

Hiccup wasn't really strong physically but he was incredibly smart and in the end that's what always makes him a hero in the movies. Instead of trying to fit in to the standard he stands out and uses those differences to his advantage, Izuku understands what that's like. Then there was Toothless that filled in the fire power Hiccup lacked, but he was more than just brute strength, the dragon is also quite intelligent and a friend when Hiccup felt so lonely, they made each other better and maybe his quirk will do that for him too.

He filled pages of his notebook with the abilities described in the fan wiki before watching the movies and adding notes and theories of his own, he found the world of the movies so interesting and he wondered what it would be like for his quirk to resemble a different dragon from the show. The deadly nadder's tail spikes would be useful for a long range attack! But considering the dragon's anatomy Izuku is worried he would have wings instead of arms if his quirk manifested as that dragon, so maybe being a night fury is for the best.

He watched the main movies but he is still getting started on the shows and specials so his research isn't over yet, however, the date for his quirk counseling is already here and he wouldn't want to be late. He spent the train ride scribbling more theories and perfecting the sketches on his notebook, he was distracted enough not to think too much about the address he was heading towards, you can imagine how he short circuited when he realized he was standing in front of UA, Aizawa was waiting at the gate for him.

"Are you coming or not?" The hero asking raising an eyebrow, that was enough to make him snap back into reality.

"Sorry!" Izuku said while running to catch up with Aizawa. "I just thought the first time I would be crossing that gate would be when I took the entrance exam!" Aizawa could tell the kid was excited, whether it was about testing his quirk or being at UA he wasn't sure.

Aizawa guided him until they reached the gym. "Alright, today we will be testing basics. Things like speed, stamina, strength as well as your control over those new mutations. If you feel up to it we could try your fire breathing, transformation will have to wait considering we still don't know why you can't remember the time you were aggressive, plus we still have the issue of your transformation breaking your clothes to work through. Is that clear?" Izuku nodded excitedly.

"There's a few other things I would like to try if you let me! But before that I need to ask, do you remember how I looked as a dragon?" Aizawa gave a small nod. "Great! Did it look anything like this?" The kid showed him his analysis notebook, on it there was a drawing of a dragon and it was pretty spot on.

"Pretty much yes, why?" Aizawa saw how the teen's wings fluttered excitedly at the reply.

"This dragon is actually from a pre-quirk era movies! I know it's weird that a cartoon character manifested as my quirk but it did! So I think there's a chance I have all the abilities this dragon does, one of which is summoning lightning which would also explain why I got struck by one during the sludge incident! I think getting struck by lightning was the requirement of my quirk! Well that and dying to it since the night fury is the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself! That much electricity should've killed me but maybe I kept enough energy in my body to kick start my heart again? I haven't figured out that part yet." Izuku stopped his rambling when Aizawa raised a hand signaling for him to stop, his wings quickly stopped flapping sticking to his sides, his tail curling around his ankles again, he must have annoyed the hero with his rambling.

"Midoriya I need you to slow down a bit, I couldn't understand half of what you said. Did I hear you say dying to lightning was a requirement to activate your quirk?" Aizawa saw the kid cover himself with his wings, almost as if he was trying to hide himself.

"Never mind, it's just a stupid theory anyways. We should just get started on the tests you mentioned." Izuku's excitement faded almost instantly at the slight chance of disappointing or annoying the only other adult and person in his life that was kind and willing to help him. This personality switch was noticed by Aizawa.

"Midoriya I will say this once so you better listen, your theory is not stupid and I am not dismissing your ideas nor your research. You know your quirk better than I can because you are the one experiencing it. If you think something is important or that it should be brought to my attention I will listen, but I need you to explain things a bit slower for me to understand what you need and for me to guide you safely into trying it. Understood?" The kids tension seemed to ease up a bit after his explanation, he still seemed to be on a fight or flight mode. He should really work on the kids insecurity as he goes along.

"I understand." He didn't go back to his previous excitement but he no longer seemed to see Aizawa as a threat or something to hide from, the hero will take that progress.

After that Izuku did explain everything he researched at a more understandable pace and Aizawa listened to him patiently. He had to give the kid credit for the effort he put into his analysis, while he took the information from a fictional scenario he did base it on the few things he could see about his new body and on the rules of the real world. There was a high chance he could summon lightning and that he just didn't get struck by chance, considering his new heightened senses echolocation was a possibility as well, he wasn't too sure about temporary invisibility through lightning but that's not something we can test now.

"From your ideas we can add echolocation to today's session, the rest still seems dangerous for a beginner so that will have to wait." Izuku smiled at him just for acknowledging his ideas and actually be willing to implement them. "For now let's start with the basics and move on from there." Izuku nodded before following his instructions.

The teen's strength and speed seemed to have increased with his mutations, his stamina not so much he will have to work on that. So far Izuku seemed to have a good control of his wings and tail, being able to move them on command although they would also move depending on some of his emotions, probably an instinctual reaction the kid could learn to control.

Aizawa even allowed him to take flight, well kind of, he told Midoriya to try to take off but maintain himself hovering over the ground for as long as he could. Midoriya lasted less than a minute, at first he seemed to have the hand of it but after a while his wings became uncoordinated and he was forced to stand on the ground again, he was reassure they would work on that in future sessions.

The fire breath or plasma shots if his research was correct was a lot harder to do, he did managed to do one shot but it took a lot of concentration and once again his throat was itchy after the shot. It was nice knowing that fire power was still there with him in his human form, but he needs to practice a lot if he wants to use it right.

Finally they did the echolocation where Izuku learned he could roar just as loudly in his human form as in his dragon form, he didn't get the hang of this ability either since he couldn't process the sound bouncing very well yet, he will work on it. Izuku didn't think all of this would be that tiring, then again his stamina is very low.

"That would be all for today, take a break. Before you leave the principal would like to speak with you." Izuku didn't know how to react to that, the principal of UA wanted to talk with him??? HIM???

"O-Oh, sure I'll do that." There was a bit of silence for a moment, his tail swishing from side to side. "I got really excited with training and UA and all that I um forgot to tell you something. Mom says you are invited to dinner if you want, it's her way of saying thank you for helping me even when she can't pay for it." He didn't want to make Aizawa feel like he had to say yes. "Again! It's only if you want to, you don't have to be pressured into going or anything!"

Aizawa stared at him for a moment, sure he is not one for socials but to be fair neither is this kid and he is trying. "I would be glad join you and your mom for dinner Midoriya." Besides this was just a one time thing.

Aizawa led the kid towards Nezu's office and against his better judgement he let the kid walk in alone, mostly due to the rat's orders, he wasn't happy about it but that was still his boss. "Um, A-Aizawa-san said you wanted to see me?" Izuku said walking into the room, his nervousness only getting worse by the second, this was his first impression with the principal of UA! He can't afford to ruin it.

"Ah you must be Aizawa's mystery student! Please come in, take a seat! Would you like some tea?" Izuku followed the orders of the mammal and sat down, however, he quickly denied the tea.

"No, sorry. I have a theory that certain foods could react negatively with my new mutations, I would rather not try too many things without knowing if it's safe." He truly hoped he hadn't offended the principal by refusing his tea, but Izuku discovered some plants were dangerous or toxic for dragons in the show, he could only wonder if there was an equivalent in his reality and for now he just couldn't risk it.

The principal nodded. "I understand, I more than anyone appreciate someone smart enough to prevent accidents based on unknown factors." After saying that the rat simply stared at him, that lasted long enough for Izuku's tail to start swishing again, he didn't understand why the principal wanted him here but now that he was wouldn't talk to him.

"Did you, um, want to see me for something in particular?" He didn't want to be rude but he couldn't just sit there forever.

"Not really, I'm just trying to figure out what it is about you that caught Aizawa's attention. Believe me when I say that is no easy feat Midoriya!" The principal said cheerfully, leaving the teen a little confused. He caught Aizawa's attention? Wasn't this whole counseling because his quirk is dangerous especially since he can't control it yet? Besides he was just a teacher doing his work, what did that have to do with getting his attention?

"… I never told you my name." That was not one of the questions in his mind, but the fact that the principal knew who he was when the mammal hadn't bothered to introduce himself made him feel uncomfortable or vulnerable? Point is, his instincts do not like that.

"You didn't have to! I know everything that happens in this school! Plus, you have been the only thing people have been talking about for the past week!" Ah, right, Izuku forgets he doesn't really have privacy anymore and the world more or less knew everything about him.

"Right, that makes sense … what were you saying about me catching Aizawa's attention?" He might as well get some answers while he is here.

"Yes! While Aizawa has been a teacher for many years he has never been one to pick personal students, but he picked you! I just would like to understand why that is." He could understand Aizawa not picking personal students, in a way that would be like picking favorites and Aizawa didn't seem like that kind of teachers, he would know he grew his whole life with teachers who had a favorite.

"Because there's no one else who can teach me safely right now." Izuku saw the mammal's ears twitch before he signaled for him to continue. "My quirk manifested a week ago, I may be 14 but I have the control of a toddler. It is powerful, perfect for hero work according to a lot of articles. But, it's also dangerous, I can't remember anything from when I was aggressive which means if I have another outburst it's very likely I could hurt someone because I have no control of myself. On top of that I can't switch on command and Aizawa is the only one that can force me to switch back. Considering the lack of options it's logical he would be the one to help me."

Nezu hummed in response, considering the teen's reply. "You would be correct, he would be the best suited to help with your counseling. But that still doesn't explain why he offered to do so, especially when he isn't gaining anything by doing it." That confused Izuku, Aizawa did mention it was an exchange for the advice on his googles but that didn't seem to be enough for the principal.

"Well he is a teacher right? Isn't it some sort of instinct for him to want to help those who are willing to learn?" Izuku did not like the way the principal smiled at him, it was unsettling to say the least.

"Any normal teacher would have that instinct yes, but Aizawa isn't like that. In fact he expelled his whole class this year because they lacked potential to be heroes! So we come back to the main question, what did he see in you that he didn't see in a whole class of potential heroes?" Izuku was shocked to hear that Aizawa had expelled his whole class, those were 20 students that he deemed unworthy of the hero course and yet the man was taking the time of day to teach him and now he also had to question why that was.

He thought back at his first encounter with the man, they didn't interact for a long time but it was enough to convince Aizawa that he could be a hero. Aizawa saw potential in him that he didn't see in a whole class who managed to get into UA and that might just inflate his non existent ego. "He saw potential in me." He said in a low voice, although the mammal had no trouble hearing him. "But he didn't see potential in my quirk, he saw potential in me."

That was exactly what Nezu wanted to hear. "Once again I remind you this is no easy feat, I just want to understand what aspect of you he deemed with potential. We both know it wasn't your quirk, so what could it be?"

Izuku thought about it for a moment, his quirk or power wasn't impressive, no what impressed or at least called Aizawa's attention was his analysis of his own quirk and the hero's support gear. "I think it was my analysis, it's a bit messy and all over the place, I mumble a lot and that sometimes passes onto my notes. They aren't perfect but they aren't wrong."

The principal smiled at him. "Do you happen to have some of this analysis on you? I would like to review it myself!" Izuku nodded giving him the notebook filled with possibilities about his own quirk, for some reason Aizawa felt goosebumps.

It took around 15 more minutes before both of them walked out of the office, he was surprised Midoriya was still in one piece. "I understand why you are so interested in him now Eraserhead! I hope to see more of Midoriya in the future! In fact I would appreciate if he was willing to join us in some of our classes to analyze the students." Aizawa KNEW this was a bad idea, the brat was smart even if that got hindered by his insecurities, but now the rat knows the kid is smart, he won't be letting go of Midoriya anytime soon.

"I appreciate the offer Nezu sir, but my analysis isn't something impressive or exact. Most of it is speculation, I just happen to get somethings right." If Nezu plays his cards right he will have someone that could help him take over the world in 10 months!

"If you say so, I would still be glad to have you for a few classes! I will also contact you as soon as possible to provide you with a training uniform that won't get shredded by your transformation! You will need it for your future sessions with Aizawa after all." Aizawa knows damn well the rat is just using the counseling excuse to make sure Midoriya will come back.

Midoriya bowed thanking the principal for his future help, after that Aizawa walked him back home. Inko was very happy to see that Aizawa had accepted her invitation for dinner.

Aizawa has never been one for socializing, but he has to admit that a warm homemade meal is a lot better than surviving off of coffee and jelly pouches. He wasn't used to eating with people but he couldn't say that the Midoriyas presence bothered him … he might not say it out loud, but it was nice not having to have dinner alone for once.

Chapter 5: Consequence

A couple of weeks had passed since the sludge incident and that meant Deku's popularity was dying down. An extra or two would still follow him around but Deku just didn't have what it takes to actually maintain those followers. In fact Deku kept encouraging the extras to stay away from him, he would never tell them off but he didn't put any effort into keeping them close by either.

Katsuki was glad that people were seeing Deku for what he is again and leaving him alone, however, the teachers still had him on a pedestal which meant Katsuki couldn't confront him while someone was watching. Deku was their new favorite and that came with immunity, he could do literally anything he wanted and the teachers won't say a thing.

Bakugou has tried everyday to corner Deku, to get some actual answers about the incident, to get a chance at reminding him that he wasn't the best like everyone else is saying, he just got lucky and Katsuki wants him to know that. Yet the nerd simply walks past him anytime he tries to do so, using his wings to push him out of the way not even glancing at him and that was driving Katsuki insane, so once again he was tailing Deku so he could give him a piece of his mind. "Why do you avoid me Deku?! You think I'm so insignificant that I'm not worth a little bit of your so precious time?" He said in a mocking tone, for once Deku actually stopped and looked back at him.

"I don't get you Bakugou, you want me to stay out of your way and yet you are the one following me around." Katsuki glared at him, he wasn't following Deku around! He just wanted to get answers and the nerd wouldn't stop and give them to him! It was something so simple and it was Deku making it hard!

"I don't follow anyone around! Let alone a useless Deku like you!" That nerd has the NERVE to roll his eyes at him before continuing on his way back home. "Oi! I'm not done talking to you!" Katsuki tried to grab his arm, emphasis in try because Deku quickly blocked him with his wings and used them to push him back.

"I am, we have nothing to talk about. You hate me, despite that I saved you, you still hate me and nothing I do will change that. No answer I give you will ever be enough for you so I won't, think whatever you want I don't care anymore Bakugou." Oh how that just made his blood boil, because Katsuki couldn't believe that the annoying fucking nerd who followed him like a lost puppy their whole lives suddenly didn't care about him anymore. Everyone cared about him, because he was going to be someone important, that's what everyone told him his whole life.

"Bullshit! You can't just ignore me because you think you are a big shot now Deku!" Katsuki was dying to pick a fight, although he really didn't understand why he needed to pick a fight with the nerd of all people.

"Ignoring you is better than what you did to me, I haven't forgotten about your quirk advice. I know auntie has been anxious about you getting home late after the attack, just go home Kacchan." Once again Deku turned away, scolding himself under his breath for letting the nickname slip before walking away. That remark was enough to make Katsuki freeze for a moment, sure he did say that but he knew Deku wasn't stupid enough to actually do it. By the time he got himself together Deku was gone and that's why Katsuki is now standing in front of the Midoriya's apartment door, because this is the one place Deku can't avoid him.

Katsuki knocked on the door, as expected Inko opened it, the fact that the woman didn't smile when she saw him should've been his first sign something was off. "Hi Auntie, is De- Izuku home?" Auntie let that nickname slide when they were kids because it was an accident, she didn't love it when he used it now that he was older.

"Yes, he is a bit busy right now. Do you need anything?" The woman stood by the door, clearly blocking the way inside, Katsuki could even swear the woman was glaring at him.

"Yes Auntie, I actually need to talk to him about a school project. Can I come in?" He tried to play nice, use one of the most basic excuses so Inko would let him in. To his surprise the short woman crossed her arms staring at him.

"No, you can't come in. You should know better than lying to me Katsuki." Inko was well aware there was no school project, she didn't know why the teen thought it was a good idea to come harass her son in his own house, but she was not going to allow it. "I'm well aware about the situation between you and Izuku. So no, you can't come in because you are no longer welcomed here."

Katsuki was shocked, this was the first time his action had consequences after all, he didn't think Deku would snitch. "Auntie please, I can explain-" Explain what? How he tormented Deku for following a dream? For getting in his way of becoming a hero? For using him as quirk practice?

"I don't want to hear it!" Inko had never scolded him before. "All this time I knew Izuku had it rough because he didn't have a quirk. But I thought maybe things weren't so bad because his best friend had a strong quirk to protect him with." He saw auntie tear up. "I'm so disappointed in you Katsuki, all this time I thought you were keeping him safe when you were the one hurting him and then you had the guts to visit me with your mom pretending like you weren't burning my baby everyday!" Katsuki shrunk onto himself at his auntie's words. "I don't know what happened to the little boy that was best friends with Izuku, because I can't see him in you anymore. Unless you are here to apologize for what you did to him, don't come back." With that Inko closed the door on his face, Katsuki didn't really know how to process that but it was clear Inko wasn't going to let him come inside, the only thing he could do for now was go home.

Izuku had never liked the teachers he met, all of them turned their back on him, graded him less than what he got because he "cheated" or blamed him for fights when he never landed a hit, even now that he was in his good graces he still didn't like them, because that sudden care wasn't real. But Aizawa sensei isn't like that, sure he tells Izuku what he does wrong but he also tells him how to improve and acknowledges him when he gets things right, it's the first time he actually wants to impress a teacher and to do that he has to train on his own. His strength and speed got better due to his quirk, but his stamina is still as terrible as it was before so he began to go on runs to improve that, Aizawa encouraging him during his counseling after seeing his improvement.

During some of his runs he would pass by Takoba beach, what once was a beautiful place to relax was turned into a dumpster, every time Izuku ran past the beach he slowed down to look at it. It was kind of sad seeing what that place had turned into but it didn't mean the beach was useless, the place was filled with all kind of trash from cars and fridges to cans and other small litter and some of that trash would make a perfect target practice for his plasma shots. Izuku decided he would clean up what he could and create a training area there to practice before meeting Aizawa on the weekends, even with his new strength he couldn't lift a fridge but his blast did help him turn that fridge into more manageable pieces. It was a win-win situation, in due time the beach could be a beach once again and he could practice without causing actual damage or disturbing people! … yeah his new senses did not enjoy the smell of trash but it was a needed sacrifice if he wants to get better!

Aizawa was ready to head over to UA for the problem child's counseling session, however, a certain loud blond was standing in his way. "Come on Shou! We haven't hung out in forever! I know you miss meeeeee!" Aizawa rolled his eyes at Yamada's whining, while he does enjoy spending time with his best friend, he finds it much more enjoyable to have a student that actually listens for once … that and the benefits that comes with teaching said student.

"Sorry Hizashi, I have a class today." He said walking past him, Yamada simply glared at him.

"You need to come up with a better excuse! I know for a fact you don't have a class to teach! You have no students! And it's a weekend! We don't even teach on weekends!" Much to Hizashi's dismay, Aizawa simply shrugged his shoulders and kept on walking, Aizawa would eventually make it up to him but that would be on a day he didn't have any plans. Hizashi on the other hand was going to let it slide for now, but if Aizawa kept brushing him off with the same excuse he was going to catch him red handed in his lie.

Once Aizawa arrived to the training grounds it didn't take long for his problem child to show up, Nezu had granted Midoriya with a special ID, after all the kid wasn't technically a UA student, not yet anyways. "Hello Sensei!" The kid's wings were fluttering with excitement, Aizawa knew exactly just what that meant.

"Alright kid, what did you find out this time?" The greenette opened his notebook showing him a new section labeled as plasma blasts, there were plenty of notes about intensity and blast radius as well as how he could control the heat of the blast to reduce damage.

"So I've been practicing with my blasts since that's kind of the safest thing I can do without you having to be there, my throat itches less now that I can control just how hot the blast can be! It took a lot of time and theoretically I should be able to make a plasma like beam for a short amount of time but I haven't been able to figure that out yet." The kid explained while bouncing in place, the teen always seems excited about sharing his new discoveries or maybe he is excited about someone wanting to listen to him, Aizawa prefers not to think to much about it.

"Right, to my knowledge your apartment isn't very big Midoriya and your blasts can cause a bit of destruction. Where have you been practicing?" He knew for a fact Midoriya couldn't be training at home, he wasn't training at UA because Nezu would've told him about it and he can't just practice in a park without getting told off for public quirk usage.

Izuku stopped bouncing, his wings sticking to his back. "Ah, well, I-I know I shouldn't use my quirk in public and all but I'm really far behind compared to everyone else and I just need to catch up! I promise no one goes to Takoba beach so it's safe to train there!" He did his best to argue, he needed the extra practice if he wanted to catch up with everyone else before the UA entrance exams, and that was the safest place to do it.

"Takoba? You mean the beach filled to the brim with trash?" Izuku nodded hesitantly and Aizawa could just wonder how this kid can be so smart and somehow so stupid at the same time. "Midoriya do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Normally he wouldn't scold the teenager but this time it seemed necessary. 

"I-I know I could get in trouble for using my quirk on public like that but what other option do I have? Everyone applying for UA will have years of practice while I only have 10 months at best! Plus I am using my quirk to clean up the beach too! That has to count for something, right?" His worry was justified and Aizawa could understand how stressful it was to feel so far behind especially when he was running against a timer.

"First, this isn't about your public quirk usage but we'll come back to that." He said raising his hand, a sign Midoriya knew meant to keep quiet until his teacher was finished. "Second, I'm worried about the place you chose to train in, does your mother even know you go there?" Midoriya did a so-so gesture with his hand. "Then you are telling her tonight and I will be there to make sure you do."

"But!" Aizawa's glare was enough to make him shut up.

"Midoriya that place is filled with trash, there are plenty of illnesses you could catch just by being there and do not even get me started on all the rust that's on that beach, one cut could lead to a very quick infection. It's nice that you want to use your training to clean that beach, but you are going there unsupervised to do so. What happens when you try to carry something far heavier than you can manage and get hurt? What happens if someone bad comes to you on the beach and you don't notice?" Midoriya lowered his head at that, his tail curling around his ankles in shame.

"I'm sorry sensei, I didn't think about any of that … I didn't really care about getting hurt, I have a high pain resistance because of … reasons and I have experience tending to my own injuries so if I got hurt I was just going to do what I always do." Aizawa made a mental note to unpack that later, it's good for heroes to know basic first aid but Midoriya didn't make it sound like he learned for fun. "I won't go there anymore, I promise." Izuku didn't want to meet Aizawa's gaze, he didn't want to see the disappointment in his eyes.

Aizawa sighed. "Midoriya I'm not telling you to stop going, the fact that you also want to clean the beach rather than just using it for quirk practice is a good thing. What I am telling you is that you can't keep going there alone, you need someone to watch over you and someone that can help you if you get hurt."

"You are going to watch over me?" He didn't really expect that, Aizawa already does so much for him, asking even more of him specially when he was doing it for free felt wrong.

"Oh no, I won't be the one babysitting you." That term finally made the teen look at him with a hint of annoyance. "Midoriya I enjoy our sessions and your mother's cooking, but I still have things to do apart from teaching you. As much as I would like to make sure the one student I do want in my class doesn't get hurt, I don't have the time to look after you. Nezu can find a suitable babysitter from one of the second or third years." 

"I'm not a baby, I don't need a babysitter!" Aizawa merely hummed at his complain, sure the hero knew Midoriya isn't a baby but he does have the control of a baby when it comes to his quirk and that's not taking into account how reckless the kid can be if he tries, so yes a babysitter seems fitting.

"Cry me a river about it after your session is done, for now we need to practice with your new range of shots and your flying ability." Izuku nodded with a little huff, he could focus on his training for now and discuss about it later.

Aizawa took note of the different blasts Midoriya could use now, while all of them were still destructive, some of them could dent metal, other left burn marks and the stronger ones could just melt the metal, Midoriya also showed him the shock wave his blasts could cause if they never hit anything, Aizawa almost gets pushed down by one of them, good to know the problem child's long range attacks can have an even longer range. His training sessions had also helped him a lot with his accuracy considering he didn't fail any of his shots this session. For the flying section Nezu had set up plenty of safety nets on the training gym which meant that Midoriya could fly freely without the fear of getting hurt if he fell, he did fall a few times when his wings stopped cooperating with him but at least he managed to stay longer on the air before his wings became uncoordinated all in all it was a good session.

"Midoriya please come to my office before you leave! I have already found a fitting babysitter for your little pass time!" The voice of the principal was heard through the speakers.

"How did he know to?" Aizawa simply shook his head at the kids question.

"When it comes to Nezu kid, it's better not to question it, as long as you stay on his good side you have nothing to worry about." Aizawa knew that rat had eyes and ears everywhere, he would tell that to Midoriya but what's the fun in giving him a head start?

Chapter 6: Training Montage

Aizawa accompanied Izuku to the principal's office, the mammal waved at them once they entered. "Welcome! Midoriya I'm so glad to see you again, I hope you've thought about my offer, but we can discuss that later! Please allow me to introduce you to Mirio Togata!" Nezu said pointing at a blond and tall teenager.

Before Mirio could introduce himself further Midoriya spoke up. "OH! I remember you! You are the kid from the sport festival that ended up naked after using your quirk!" Midoriya cringed at himself when he realized just how cheery he sounded saying that.

Mirio rubbed the back of his head looking a little ashamed. "Well there goes my first impression." To be fair, Izuku didn't give the best first impression either.

"I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have brought that up!" Midoriya said nervously, this is who Nezu deemed best to help him and he already messed it up.

To his surprise Mirio simply laughed it off. "Don't worry about it, it's good to know I've already left a mark!" Aizawa couldn't help but groan at that, just because it made an impression it doesn't mean it was a good one.

The principal cleared his throat. "While this conversation is amusing this is not why I called either of you here. Togata has a difficult quirk and while it isn't like yours I believe he could give you plenty of helpful advice while helping with your after school activities. Plus he isn't the only one who has issues with his clothing because of his quirk, isn't that right Midoriya?" Izuku gave the principal a small nod, that's the only reason Aizawa hasn't started testing his transformations during training. "Due to the nature of Togata's quirk we had to design a hero costume as well as a few training uniforms based on his DNA, I believe the same could apply to you Midoriya." 

Izuku has heard of suits and clothing like that before, although it only applies to certain quirks he can't deny that it would be very useful but. "While I appreciate the offer Nezu-san I can't agree, I know how expensive clothing like those are and right now I would have no way of paying for it." His mom already worked enough as it is and while his dad did send child support he just sent the bare minimum. They weren't poor by any means but just a piece of clothing like that costs a fortune.

The mammal waved his paw dismissing his worry before drinking some of his tea. "Do not worry about that Midoriya, I will invest as much as I please in my personal projects!" Aizawa did not like his student being referred to as a personal project by the rat, he stood a bit closer to the greenette sending a small glare to the principal, there was a quiet understanding between them.

"Oh, um thanks?" Izuku said sounding a bit confused about it.

"Midoriya, why don't you go outside with Togata and tell him about your beach project?" Aizawa said, a hint of emotion in his normally monotone voice. Both kids knew that meant the adults had to talk.

"Uh, sure?" The kids obeyed, Izuku felt a bit less confident speaking on his own with Mirio, he doesn't have the best track record with loud blondes but he could do this.

"Midoriya is not one of your personal projects." Aizawa snapped as soon as the door closed behind them, he hasn't known the kid for that long but he knows just Nezu and how insensitive he can be, that's not something a kid like Midoriya needs right now.

"Aizawa, you more than anyone knows I can't let such a brilliant mind go to waste! There is so much raw potential there, it's not everyday I find a brilliant human whose intelligence isn't related to a quirk." Nezu is the principal and one of the most feared creatures on earth, there are very few people who would ever go against his desires.

"He is smart, but he is a person a kid at that, you can't treat him just like an object because you find him interesting. I thought your experience would've taught you that." Aizawa knew referencing Nezu's experimenting was a low blow and something that could get him fired on the spot, but he was also very aware of how much Nezu could push if he was blinded by his curiosity.

The mammal's characteristic smile disappeared for a moment, the cup in his paws cracking with the tightening of his hold. "That was very bold of you." Not everyone is willing to go against him, even less to bring up such a sensitive topic, Nezu is surprised with just how attached Aizawa has gotten in so little time, even if the man himself hasn't realized that yet. "Not many are willing to go that deep Aizawa, but I understand your point. I still plan on honing his abilities, if it's my methods you are worried about I assure you I won't do anything he isn't ready for."

Aizawa knows he can't exactly stop Nezu from taking Midoriya under his wing, but he can affect the process. "Whatever schedule you have for him gets run through me first, like it or not you sometimes forget humans, especially that young can't handle certain things. Any lessons that are too graphic or crude will have to wait until he is older." Nezu's method of teaching was effective, but it could be overwhelming specially for someone as emotional as Midoriya.

"That seems reasonable." Nezu was more than willing to bring up and example of crudeness that would hit Aizawa the same way his experimenting did to him, but he bit his tongue, attacks like that won't get them anywhere.

"Good." For a moment the room stayed quiet, the tension could be felt in the air as they stared at each other. "… Why Togata of all people?" Hopefully a change in conversation could be helpful.

"Like I said Togata also has a difficult quirk and his advice would be helpful, plus we both know how his personality and relationship with Amajiki has helped him be more confident in his abilities. While he still has a long way to go, I believe Togata's influence could do the same for Midoriya." He explained calmly before adding. "Would that be all?" While he understands why Aizawa said what he said he would rather be alone for a while. Aizawa nodded and was quickly dismissed, Nezu has a lot to think about.

When he walked out of the office he saw the teens chatting, it looked like Midoriya had already warmed up to Togata. "Aizawa sensei! Togata's quirk is really cool! I knew he could phase through things but the actual range that gives him is very impressive! While he has to rely on close range attacks his quirk allows him to avoid practically any hit if he has quick enough reflexes!" Aizawa merely nodded, he already knew this he taught Mirio after all, but analyzing quirks is one of Midoriya's favorite and safest hobbies, the least he can do is listen.

"I'm sure you will have plenty of pages filled with theories and advice by the next time you see him, for now I have to take you back home, we don't want to keep your mom waiting for us. You can keep socializing when you meet him at the beach." Izuku giggled at Aizawa's disgust to the word socializing. The hero missed the way Mirio stared at him at the mention of taking Izuku home and about making his mom wait for them.

"Right! I'll let you know when I'm planning to go to the beach senpai, see you then." The teens said their respective goodbye's and Aizawa got Midoriya back home for dinner.

Mirio couldn't be there everyday with him now that he was going to start his internship with Sir Nighteye, Izuku would like to say he was excited Mirio could work with someone so close to All Might but his emotions about the number one hero had changed after their meeting, he didn't hate him or anything but well he was no longer his favorite hero. Despite that they agreed on a schedule, Mirio could help him Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as the weekends with the heavier trash and during the rest of the days Izuku promised he would only clean up the smaller pieces of trash.

Normally Mirio would meet him at the beach after school, but this time he showed up at Aldera. "There you are Midoriya!" The blond said waiving at him.

People began whispering about what a UA student was doing here but Midoriya didn't really care. "Togata senpai! What are you doing here?" He rushed over with a smile on his face, Mirio was his first friend since Kacchan and Togata set a pretty high standard of what a good friendship should be.

"We got out earlier today so I thought we could walk to the beach together!" Many people were trying to dissimulate their glance, others were just openly staring at the interaction.

"Sure! I saw a really interesting hero fight on the way here! Mount lady was involved and she recognized me!" Izuku said pulling out his notebook from his side bag, while he loved his yellow backpack his wings didn't really work out with it so a change to a side bag it was. Mirio put his arm around Midoriya's shoulder as they walked away, paying attention to the greenette's never ending rambling, he liked the enthusiasm. 

After that people began to whisper and create rumor's about what all that was about, some said Midoriya somehow managed to charm the UA student and was dating him, a few said Midoriya was trying to get inside information for the entrance exam while others claimed UA was scouting Midoriya and that particular rumor reached the ears of a certain explosive boy.

It was a thursday when Bakugou decided to tail Deku again, this time he was trying to follow him without being noticed, Midoriya allowed that until they reached the beach. "I can hear you, you know? Enhanced senses and all that." The only reason why Izuku allowed this to happen was because Bakugou hadn't immediately attacked him the second no one was watching. 

"What's this about you getting scouted by UA Deku?!" Katsuki made himself known walking closer, his hand remaining inside his pockets.

"A rumor, is that all?" Midoriya didn't mind him much, working on picking up bottles and cans while Mirio got here, apparently he got held back due to an exercise.

"It's no fucking rumor Deku! Everyone saw that UA student come pick you up from Aldera! Why else would someone from UA waste his time on you?!" The rather than me went unsaid, Izuku was well aware of why this bothered Katsuki so much.

"He is my friend." It was that simple.

Bakugou scoffed. "As if, you don't have any fucking friends Deku. No one would want to be around you." His words have always affected Deku, making him lower his head or curl into himself, but not anymore.

"By the fact that you can't spend more than a week before going after me, I would say you do." Midoriya knew that would strike a nerve but he didn't mind, he didn't want to be that stuttering mess anymore, not in front of people who would humiliate him and take advantage of him for it.

"No I don't you fucking nerd! My life would be better without you in it! But you just keep getting in the way!" Izuku heard the explosions pop, normally his first instinct was to hide behind his wings, but Aizawa's reflex training was paying off because he immediately turned around to catch Katsuki's wrist pushing it away from himself, the explosion dying in his hand surprised by what just happened.

"How? Tell me just how is it that I keep getting in your way? Because I don't know if you've noticed but I've been avoiding you! I stay away from you! I even try not to even look in your direction anymore!" His ear nubs were flat at the side of his head, his tail swaying quickly from side to side and his pupils were slitting, in other words cat language for back off before I make you.

"You keep trying to upstage me! You keep drawing everyone's attention when it should be on me! And now you have the fucking attention from UA?! I'm supposed to be the only one from that fucking school to go there!" Bakugou lashed out pulling his arm away from Izuku's grasp.

Izuku just stared at him for a moment. "You are unbelievable, you are still making this about you. I know this is hard for you to understand but my world doesn't revolve around you! I don't care where you go or what you do in your free time! I'm not trying to take the spotlight from you, believe me when I say I don't want it!"

"If you don't want it then why is UA so interested in you?! What do you have that I don't you fucking Deku?! I want the truth!" Izuku's wings opened behind him when another explosion was set off in Katsuki's hand.

"You want the truth?! My quirk was considered dangerous and unstable! So much so that UA was the only place safe enough for me to get quirk counseling without hurting anyone in the process! Is that good enough for you?" It should've been, Bakugou got exactly what he asked for and yet he just wasn't satisfied.

"You've been getting personal training from UA?" Of course Katsuki literally hadn't listened to anything he said and the tone of his voice was putting Izuku's instincts on edge. 

"No, I got counseling for my quirk. There's a difference." Not to Katsuki, the only reason Midoriya dodged that incoming punch was because Katsuki always starts with a right hook.

"Stay still Deku! I'm going to fucking prove why I'm the one who should be getting special treatment from UA not you!" Midoriya didn't want to fight specially not in a trash filled beach with plenty of sharp pieces of metal that could be turned into weapons.

"I don't want to fight Kacchan! Just leave!" Midoriya was trying his best to dodge and reflect he didn't want to engage and as of now Bakugou was the best fighter between them.

"To afraid to fight Deku? I knew a coward like you couldn't be a hero!" Katsuki managed to punch Deku's nose and he couldn't help but smile, Deku needed a reminder of where he belongs. Every instinct in Izuku was itching to blast the threat away he could even feel his throat heat up with a blast before he forced it down, he can't let his instinct control him, he can't risk becoming aggressive and do something much worse than a bloody nose.

"Are you happy now? Finally got it out of your system?" Izuku covered his nose trying to stop the bleeding. "I don't understand why you want to become a hero when you act like this." 

That just fueled Katsuki's anger. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" No one had ever questioned his potential to become a hero before, not even Deku.

"You heard me! Look at what you did just because you can't handle the idea of UA being interested in someone who isn't you! Heroes don't hurt people because they get frustrated!" Izuku was glaring at Katsuki.

"Shut up! It's not my fault you are a fucking weakling who can't handle anything!" That has been Katsuki's excuse his whole life, Deku was just to weak to handle him and that's why he kept getting hurt.

"Are you kidding?! I've handled you my whole life! I handled every punch! Every kick! Every burn just to make sure you wouldn't hurt anyone else!" He learned to heal himself, to protect others no matter the cost, to survive in a world that did everything to make his life harder.

"Please! I barely even hurt you!" Katsuki said trying to dismiss his complains.

"Do you have any idea how many of this I had?" Izuku lifted his shirt to reveal a starburst scar on his side. "Most of them are from we were kids and you said it was an accident, that you lost control, doctors made sure ten of them faded away completely. They weren't accidents, you just happened to leave me with a scar every time I stopped you from hurting another kid that was begging you to leave him alone." 

Katsuki looked away. "Liar."

"Don't look away now! I thought you enjoyed watching me get hurt!" Izuku had bottled up to many emotions it was about time to let go. "This one? You had a bad day and you needed to blow off some steam. The one in my leg? I managed to win a race against you once, I never tried to win again. What about the two on my back? When I ran away from a beating and you wanted to make sure I wouldn't try that again!" Izuku stepped forwards, Katsuki stepped back.

"I didn't scar you! You just-" If he had scarred Deku before then auntie would've found out about what happened earlier, this wasn't him, he didn't do it.

"You didn't? Really? Because there aren't many people in my life that would leave perfect scars of explosions! You hurt me and the reason I'm the only one you kept hurting is because I stopped you from hurting anyone else!" Izuku was tearing up, but he refused to cry for Katsuki any longer. "If hurting others makes you so happy, if you enjoy it so much then why do you want to become a hero?!" Izuku screamed as loud as his lungs would allow.

"Because I'm going to prove to everyone that I'm the best the best! Because I'm going to be the next number one hero!" Katsuki screamed right back, he would never acknowledge that he was shaking slightly.

"NO! That's your fucking excuse for getting away with whatever you want! I asked why you want to become a hero!" Izuku couldn't help the angry growl that escaped him, they both stared each other down neither of them wanting to back down, but ultimately Katsuki didn't have an answer.

"What's going on over there? Did you bring a friend Mido-" Mirio's words died on his tongue when he noticed the hostility between both teenagers and more importantly that Midoriya was hurt, Mirio's happy demeanor banished instantly. "Midoriya are you alright? Who do you think you are to-!" He said getting in-between them, trying to shield the greenette.

Izuku simply put a hand on Mirio's shoulder, the blonde's sudden presence helping him calm down. "It's fine senpai, Bakugou was just about to leave anyways." Izuku spared him one last glare, Katsuki scoffed but walked away from the trash filled beach.

Mirio turned back to Izuku. "Stay still, let me see how bad it is." Mirio carefully cupped Izuku's face gently touching his nose, Midoriya barely winced at that. "Are you okay? It seems bruised but it could be broken." Togata was hoping it was just a bad bruising, he was expecting a stronger pain reaction if it was broken.

"I'm fine, it doesn't even hurt that much. Trust me I've dealt with worse." Izuku grew used to ignoring his injuries, mostly because he didn't have another option, he didn't quite understand that wasn't normal.

Mirio grabbed him by the shoulders. "Midoriya you do understand that isn't a good thing right? You shouldn't have had to deal with something worse." Izuku only stared at him before shrugging, he didn't know what to say. Mirio took a deep breath. "Okay, we can deal with that later, come on I'll get you to recovery girl she can fix you up in no time."

Mirio started walking away but Midoriya didn't. "But I have to clean the big parts of the beach today, I can't just leave." 

"Midoriya you are taking today off from cleaning, it's not good to work when you are hurt." Mirio's heart shrunk at Midoriya's confused look, Izuku was normally happy and chatty even if a bit nervous, why would a kid like that think he has to work even if hurt? He'll bring that up to Aizawa next time he sees him. "You can afford to take one day off, even the strongest heroes need to rest after getting hurt. Come on it's a long way to UA and the worse that nose gets the angrier recovery girl will get at me for not bringing you sooner." At least the idea of getting Mirio in trouble got Midoriya in motion.

On the way to UA Mirio noticed the bruising spread under Midoriya's eyes, definitely broken then. When they got to the school Mirio walked him to Recovery girl's office. "Togata you left less than an hour ago! Why are you back?!" The old woman's anger died down when she realized it wasn't Mirio who got injured. "Oh dearie, I haven't seen you before. Please sit down and tell me what happened." Midoriya obeyed sitting on the hospital bed while the nurse checked his nose.

"I have a personal project, I'm trying to clean Takoba beach. Someone from school followed me there to talk about something … he didn't really like what I had to say, he's never been good with emotions and tends to lash out like this." He said pointing at his own nose, hissing when Recovery Girl added to much pressure.

"That's not good, it seems broken. Don't worry, it's nothing I can't fix, I just need to make sure it's aligned correctly. You might feel a bit tired after this, so don't try to stand up immediately after okay?" After a small nod the nurse kissed his forehead, she wasn't kidding when she said he would feel tired afterwards, Izuku was tempted to lay down on the bed for a few minutes and hope for the best. "You had less stamina than I thought, stay still while I apply some bandages to make sure your nose won't move until it's done healing. It may feel a bit weird or uncomfortable but you can't move it okay?" The kid simply gave her a thumps up.

By the time Recovery Girl was done Aizawa walked into the infirmary. "Problem child I assigned you a babysitter so you wouldn't get hurt on your project, tell me how did you break your nose when you are supposed to be picking up trash?"

How did he? A camera moving caught Izuku's attention, right Nezu. He stared at Aizawa blinking slowly much like a cat would do. "In my defense, my beach project had nothing to do with this. It's not my fault someone doesn't know how to process his emotions and just lashes out at every minor inconvenience." 

That didn't really help Aizawa at all, so he turned to Mirio for answers. "I didn't see it happen sensei, I thought it was a friend from Midoriya's school before I saw he was hurt. I just know they were arguing before I got there, sorry for not being more helpful."

That isn't a lot. "Midoriya, does your mom know about this?"

Izuku nodded. "Yeah, he got away with this for a long time. Mom was not happy when she found out but she has done everything to keep him away. Can you believe he came to my own house looking for me? Mom shut the door on his face." Aizawa nodded in understanding, he would've done the same with a few choice words added into the mix.

"Good." There was a small pause. "Be prepared for your next counseling session, I will start training you on self defense." Midoriya was tired but that seemed enough to bring his energy back, his tail thumping on the hospital bed.

"Really?!" The kid's sparkle returning to his eyes.

"By now I thought you would know I don't say anything I don't mean." Aizawa liked seeing the kid happy. "For now go home and rest, Togata make sure he doesn't fall asleep on the way. I would do it myself, but I still have things to do here."

Mirio did a military salute. "Of course sir! I'll make sure Midoriya makes it back home safe and sound!" Togata knew not to disappoint Aizawa, specially now that he was hand picked to help and guard his son.

The two teenagers went back to Midoriya's home, Inko was worried when she saw her baby hurt, anger appearing in her eyes after hearing what had happened. Despite that she was welcoming of her son's new friend, specially a friend that didn't intend to hurt him, considering how tired Izuku was he didn't stay for long but Inko invited him to visit at another time.

A month of cleaning and combat training went by before another incident happened. "Midoriya I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but I didn't want to intrude. What's Aizawa sensei like as a dad?"

Midoriya put the piece of a fridge on the truck, courtesy of Nezu, before heading for a microwave. "What do you mean?" He said sounding clearly confused.

"Well he's always been pretty strict as a teacher, I just kinda wanted to know if he was the same at home. Since he is your dad I thought you would know." Needless to say Midoriya short circuited.

"He is my what?!" That moment of shock was enough to make him lose his grip on the microwave, causing him to drop it on his foot. "Fuck!" Mirio rushed to help taking the microwave off, praying Midoriya didn't break anything because this time it would be his fault.

"Shoot you okay? Can you stand up?" Midoriya shook his head curling up to hold his hurt foot. "Okay, here let me help." Mirio carefully picked him up before taking him to a part of the beach they had already cleared. "I'm so sorry, I know a lot of heroes keep their families secret for they safety. If I knew it made you this nervous I wouldn't have asked!" Midoriya would very much like to clarify that's not the case but he was a bit occupied at the moment.

"Not the best moment for apologies!" He didn't mean to snap at Mirio, but this hurt more than the other injuries he's had to deal with.

"Right! Sorry!" Midoriya texted Nezu on the way there, begging him not to tell Aizawa he was there this time, to his dismay he didn't get a response. Recovery girl was NOT happy to see Midoriya again, the kid wasn't even a student yet and he ended up in her office twice. "Please do not be mad at him recovery girl, it's my fault! I shouldn't have distracted him when he was lifting something heavy!" 

Mirio bowed to the old lady who whacked him on his head with her cane. "No you shouldn't have! I need to take an X-ray before I heal you dearie, wouldn't want anything to heal the wrong way." Well at least he wasn't on her bad side yet. 

An X-ray, a kiss and a cast later Midoriya was resting with Mirio watching over him while Recovery Girl left to deal with something. "Again I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up, there must be a reason he kept it a secret for so long."

Midoriya couldn't help but groan. "He is not my dad! Where did you even get that from?!" Midoriya wasn't mad that Mirio thought that, it just caught him by surprise.

"He isn't? It's just that he always seems a little softer and happier with you, he seems to care more about you than he does with other students. There's also how he always walks you home whenever you are here and he never wants to be late for dinner with your mom and he looks really fond of you … I just thought it made sense?" Mirio said, trying to explain his reasoning, Midoriya hated that his reasoning wasn't wrong even if it wasn't the case.

"That's not- okay so those things may be true, not sure about the softer happier thing but he does walk me home and he does have dinner whit us when he comes over but it isn't like that! My mom just invites him to dinner as a way to be thankful for helping me with my quirk and everything else even when we aren't paying him for it! That's all there is to it!" He said nervously trying to explain why so many things aligned.

"I see, I shouldn't have assumed … and I also shouldn't have spread the rumor Aizawa's son was going to join the next batch of first years." Mirio said trying to sound apologetic.

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Midoriya's face turned pink and Mirio couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm kidding, I didn't do that I promise." He was being honest, it was Nejire who spread that rumor not him.

"I can't believe you thought that! … I mean I guess some things make sense but I never noticed because I never really had a dad before cuz mine kind of just left? But then again I guess Aizawa sensei is the closest thing I have to a dad? Since he is always there for me, he makes sure I'm safe, he helps me with anything I ask." His pink face turned red, he quickly covered himself with his wings. "Why would you say that?! Now I can't unsee it!" How is he supposed to go back to training and face Aizawa when all that is going through his head is hey that could be my dad! Someone already thought he was!

Mirio continued to giggle at his sudden realization. "It's not so bad Midoriya, everyone has called a teacher dad or mom by accident this isn't any different!"

If he wasn't so busy covering himself in shame he would glare at Mirio. "Yeah when people are like five years old not fourteen!" He can handle this, he can pretend nothing happened, Aizawa doesn't have to know he just has to make sure he won't slip up and call him dad by accident seems easy enough.

It was in fact not easy enough but at least constantly being pinned against the training mat was good way not to say anything, he would be too tired to speak much afterwards. "Ready to go again Midoriya?" Aizawa was already moving before waiting for an answer.

"You didn't give me time to reply!" Despite that Izuku was already on the defensive blocking Aizawa's hits and trying to land some of his own.

"The most important lesson I can teach you kid? Villains won't ask you when you are ready to fight, you will never get a warning before a fight starts." The kid wasn't close to being on his level, but his reaction time and form was improving with every sparring match, Midoriya wasn't close to pining him down to the mat, but he was lasting longer every time he got back up.

"Got it sensei!" Midoriya knew his biggest problem was that he was trying to imitate Aizawa when that was never going to work, Aizawa's fighting style was for a fully human body so most of the time Izuku's wings or tail would just get in the way because he didn't know how to use them, when he brought that problem up with Mirio his senpai had a great solution.

"Midoriya, meet my best friend Tamaki Amajiki!" Mirio said introducing a lanky teenager, despite being hunched he still seemed pretty tall. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you Amajiki senpai!" Izuku said offering a hand shake, to his surprise Amajiki turned his back on him.

"Imagining him as a potato isn't working, I want to go home." Izuku just looked at Mirio hoping he could explain what he did wrong.

"It's okay Midoriya, Tamaki can be a little shy that's all, he is working on it. Please don't leave yet Tamaki, Midoriya needs some help with his fighting style and you are just the person that can help!" Tamaki appreciates Mirio's go lucky attitude most of the time because keeps attention away from him, which he isn't doing right now.

"Why me?" Wasn't someone more qualified to do this?

"Oh! It's because Togata senpai told me about your quirk! You can manifest anything you eat throughout your body right?" Amajiki nodded. "Well mine isn't anything like that but I do have this." He said moving his tail and flapping his wings. "Togata mentioned you fight with the animal parts you manifest and I wondered if you could teach me how to fight with mine? … I don't really know what to do with them when I fight so they just end up getting in the way. Could you help me with that? Please?" 

Tamaki didn't really think he was the best to help, but when he turned around to say no the kid was looking at him with big puppy eyes and as if that wasn't bad enough Mirio decided to join him. "… I guess I could give you some advice." He murmured, but it was loud enough for Midoriya to hear.

Izuku's tail began to wag showing his happiness. "Thank you so much senpai! I promise I won't disappoint you!" To be honest Amajiki thought it would be the other way around.

To his surprise Midoriya was extremely patient, calm and quiet when he chose to be, paying attention to every piece of advice given even writing it down before trying to apply it to himself. He thanked him every time he got something right but most importantly he somehow knew when Tamaki was getting overwhelmed and backed off asking for a break, he thought it was just a coincidence at first but it somehow kept happening. "How do you do that?"

Izuku looked at Tamaki seeming a little bit confused. "What do you mean?"

"Whenever things get too much you just walk away, ask for a break even if you don't look tired … you don't have to ask or anything, how do you do that?" Many people have noticed Tamaki's discomfort or how tense he got but never really did anything to ease up that discomfort.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I do have a theory." Izuku pulled his notebook on his own analysis, rather than showing Tamaki himself he handed him the notebook so he could do it on his own terms. "Ever since my quirk manifested I've noticed I tend to do more things on instinct like an animal would, like my tail moving, growling if I feel cornered or even my pupils slitting if angry. A lot of animals, especially pets, are able to understand the feelings coming from people and act accordingly. Despite being more or less a giant lizard with wings I do have a more cat like behavior when it comes to my instincts, I think that could be it."

Mirio smiled before putting a hand on his shoulder. "You analysis never disappoints Midoriya! But I think that's enough for the day, we can pick it up again at another time, right Tamaki?"

Tamaki was not very happy about having to be a guide or teacher again, but Midoriya did seem nice and he did like someone that could literally feel when things became too much and just stood back. "… Sure I guess."

Izuku gave him a little smile before bowing. "Thank you so much senpai, I'll see you next time." After his training sessions Midoriya didn't win against Aizawa just yet, but their sparring matches started to end in draws since Izuku managed to hold his ground in the timer his sensei set.

As the months passed Izuku began to train his transformations with his new training uniform provided by Nezu. During the first few weeks he struggled with switching back, he managed to do it eventually but it wasn't as instantaneous as when Aizawa used his quirk on him, his teacher reassured him that with practice transformation would become a second nature to him. Five months before the entrance exam Izuku had a grasp of his transformation time as well as transforming at will, despite not needing counseling anymore Aizawa still offered to train him in preparations for the exam alongside Nezu and Izuku was more than happy to agree.

During one of his transformation sessions Aizawa got a little curious, despite Izuku's quirk being a dragon the creature reminded him a lot of his own cats and he just wanted to test if the kid would follow a laser pointer. Midoriya landed from one of his race courses to help him maneuver in this bigger form when the bright red dot caught his attention, his pupils were blown wide and he immediately pounced on it, grumbling in annoyance when the dot wasn't under his paws.

"I can't believe that actually worked." Aizawa said moving the laser pointer somewhere else and watching the kid follow trying to catch it, growing frustrated when it didn't work. It was odd, until now Midoriya's mind still seemed fully human when transformed it was just now that he seemed more animalistic, Aizawa would've taken note of that if he wasn't distracted, oh well that surely won't backfire.

Izuku even tried to blast the red dot, but it was no use that little shiny thing was still moving around, avoiding him just mocking him. He seemed to come back to his senses when Aizawa laughed, it was the first time he had ever heard his teacher laugh and that would've been a nice moment if he wasn't annoyed for being trick by a light. Midoriya walked to his teacher and swiped his tail under his legs making him fall. "Well that wasn't very nice." Despite not being able to talk Izuku still mocked him in growls gaining a glare from the hero. "Brat."

The first time Izuku managed to pin Aizawa down during sparring was eventful to say the least, Izuku was doing his best to block but his teacher was faster and had more experience so what could he do? The unexpected. The second there was a space between them he blasted a plasma shot, it wasn't bigger than a gumball it was simply meant to disorientate and hopefully blind Aizawa long enough. Midoriya didn't waste any time rushing in now that he had taken Aizawa by surprise, putting a hand on the man's shoulder, hooking a leg behind one of Aizawa's knees and using the man's height against him to bring him down. While unnecessary he did transform and just laid on top of him for good measure, this was going to be his first win.

Aizawa struggled trying to get off from under the dragon to no avail. "You know I can just use my quirk to turn things back in my favor right?" He only got a reply of little growls and grumbles. "Yes, not everyone has a nullifying quirk I see your point, fine kid you win, just remember you can't do this every single time, you never know when distance with a villain will play in your favor or against you. Now get off." Before Izuku could move they got a surprise visit in the gym.

"Alright Shouta! I've had it with your excuses! I wanna know what this training you've been ditching me for actually is!" Whatever Mic could've come up with could never compare to what was actually happening. "… Shou, what is that?" Mic did not dare come closer to the giant creature currently laying on top of his best friend.

Teacher and student looked at each other before Aizawa turned his head back to Mic. "It's my emotional support cat." Listen normally Izuku would go all fanboy when meeting another hero, but Aizawa may have slipped one or two stories about Present Mic during dinner and well, the hero may not know him but Izuku does know him and his embarrassing moments, that kind of kills the moment.

Mic stared at his best friend in disbelief. "Your- That's not a cat! Look at the size of that thing!" He said while doing some exaggerating motions with his hands.

Izuku got off Aizawa and laid down beside him while the hero sat up with his legs crossed. "He is a really big cat." He put a hand on Izuku's head and he let out a purr just to play along.

Both of them were pretty sure they saw one of Mic's eyes had a nervous tic. "It doesn't have any fur!"

Aizawa rolled his eyes. "Not all cats have fur and quit judging Midori." Izuku lifted his head a bit to give his teacher an unimpressed stare, Midori? That's really the best he could come up with?

"How do you explain the wings uh?!" This was not a cat, Mic refused to believe that was even a remote possibility.

"He's a quirked cat." Honestly Izuku didn't think messing with a hero would be this funny but Mic's expression was priceless and Aizawa was smiling, playing cat was worth it.

"Bullshit! Nu uh! You did not just find a quirked cat the size of a car and decide it to train it for months without anyone realizing!" Mic still kept his distance, the alleged cat seemed peaceful but that could be just an act.

"I didn't find him, Nezu did and lower your voice his earing is sensitive." Izuku did appreciate that, his quirk and loud sounds did not mash well.

"So if I went to ask Nezu right now about this, he would agree with you. Really?" Mic was refusing to believe that giant scaled creature was a cat, cats do not look like that.

A small red blinking light caught the attention of both Aizawa and Izuku, the rat was willing to join them. "Absolutely." So they took the matter to Nezu, Izuku felt a bit odd walking through the halls of UA in his dragon form.

"It is true that I found Midori, quirked animals are uncommon and as a quirked animal myself I couldn't let this opportunity go to waste!" The principal said as soon as they entered his office, Midoriya going to sit right beside him earning himself a few pats.

"But! If he is a cat aren't you worried he will attack you? That's still an animal that isn't like you." Mic's concern was relatively valid, he had not seen Midori have the same level of sentience as Nezu.

"I wouldn't worry, while Midori isn't capable of speech he is very understanding of everything we say. He can easily follow directions and he has made an attempt to communicate with us despite his limitations." To Izuku's dismay Nezu brought out the laser pointer and he just couldn't help himself. "While some of his instincts still remain, he is entirely harmless. As long as you don't alter him of course." Once the pointer was off Izuku returned to his senses, deciding to paw some paper's off Nezu's desk out of pure spite disguised as cat curiosity.

"… I can't actually believe you of all people found a quirked cat, adopted it and somehow managed to keep it a secret. How did you do that?!" Mic could doubt Aizawa all he wanted, but he would never doubt Nezu. 

Aizawa just shrugged. "Just did, now please leave. My training with Midori isn't over yet and your loudness stresses him." Yamada did not want to leave, but Nezu did force him allowing Midoriya to switch back stifling a giggle.

"He actually believed that?" Izuku has never been one to play pranks, but he had to admit it was funny. 

"Sure did, you were a pretty convincing cat kid. Think you can keep it up until the entrance exam Midoriya?" Aizawa was more than willing to keep the prank for as long as possible, but he wouldn't force the kid to play cat for his own entertainment.

"Seems easy enough." It wasn't often that he saw Aizawa smile or even show a slight amount of happiness, if playing cat to trick a friend did that then he would do it. 

Aizawa ruffled the kids hair. "Thanks kid."

As the months went by the beach began to look cleaner, during that time Izuku got to meet Nejire the girl could fire as many questions as Izuku could, needless to say they got along well. Mirio still kept his babysitter duty, occasionally Amajiki or Nejire would join them and lend a hand, this were the first friends Izuku had since he was four and he thought himself to be lucky for having them now.

Two months before the entrance exam Izuku's wings and tail became itchy, the itchiness became much worse when he was fully transformed as it spread all throughout his body. A quick visit to the doctor was able to tell him that he simply needed to shed his scales, it was something completely natural that would happen on it's own between two or four times a year. He didn't shed like most reptiles where most of the scales came off in one go, it was likely that since his scales were big they would fall individually. While annoying it wasn't too bad since he could add them to his hero costume for further protection, but his scales got him thinking about something else and his brain wouldn't shut up until he solved it.

"Amajiki senpai, can I ask you something about your quirk?" Izuku asked while picking up trash and putting it into bags, he had a personal goal of cleaning this place before the entrance exam and he was close to succeeding.

"Sure." Amajiki still spoke in mumbles, Izuku's hearing was good enough to hear him every time.

"Your quirk is named manifest, you can manifest whatever you eat in any part of your body right?" Amajiki nodded. "Do you think it's possible that you could manifest someone else's quirk?" The three older teenagers stopped in their tracks at the question, no one had even considered it.

"Wouldn't he have to eat people to do that?" Nejire asked tilting her head to the side, Amajiki seemed terrified at the idea.

"Not necessarily, I'm pretty sure a blood sample would be enough to test it or in my case one of this." He said showing one of his shed scales. "At first I thought if this would only apply to my quirk since it's technically an animal, meaning you could in theory manifest my wings or even fully transform. If possible I think that would only work with transformation quirks since your body is already designed for that, maybe your body could read mutations as transformations but I can't be sure. Emitter type quirks don't always have a distinct aspect like the other two so I think that one is unlikely but not impossible." 

Amajiki took a moment to process that information, the idea had never even crossed his mind but Midoriya did raise a good point as to how it could be possible. "Well there's only one way to figure it out!" Mirio said excitedly, it was experimenting time.

Izuku had already some washed and dried scales at home to give this theory a go, they figured the best option would be to grind the scales into dust and add it to some drink so it was easier to consume after that they only had to wait. It was a surprise when Tamaki was in fact capable of manifesting a pair of wings just like Izuku's. "It worked!" That meant Tamaki's quirk was far more powerful than initially thought, since they didn't want to ruin Tamaki's clothes they didn't go for a full on transformation but he did give him more scales to try it at UA, a few days later Izuku was ecstatic to know Tamaki could in fact transform into a night fury like him, although that night fury seemed larger and had deep blue eyes, maybe the physical form depended on the user then not that he could test that.

One week before the entrance exam Izuku finished cleaning that beach, he pushed himself a little too much in that final session and he felt exhausted but watching the beach clean and beautiful was worth it. The first person he brought was his mom and she couldn't be more proud of him. "Izuku this is beautiful." She never got to see this beach in it's prime and thanks to her little sunshine now she could. "What you did is amazing baby! You should tell all your friends to come over for dinner to celebrate!" Inko hadn't seen Izuku's new friends much, but she could see just how much happier he was now that he had them and for her that was enough.

Izuku nodded excitedly, he would show them the beach first and bring them home after. "Sure! I'll text them real quick and I'll help you make dinner." He send a text to those three and he also extended an invitation to Aizawa, his friends all agreed to come but Aizawa didn't reply he was probably busy and would come later if he could, if not there wouldn't be any hard feelings. When the trio arrived they rushed to hug Midoriya to congratulate him or well Nejire and Mirio did, Amajiki wasn't a big fan of physical touch and they all respected that, the four of them ran along the beach shore for a while before Inko asked for all of them to get together so she could take some pictures. 

Mirio stood behind Midoriya while Nejire and Amajiki stood to one side of Izuku each. Nejire did a peace sing with a small wink, Amajiki had a nervous smile on his face while both Mirio and Midoriya had bright smiles on their faces. Inko could almost cry at the difference of her baby now and just before he got his quirk, it felt like he had grown so much in so little time but most importantly he wasn't alone anymore and she was extremely thankful for it. After the pictures were taken they all head to the Midoriya household, although late Aizawa did show up for dinner congratulating Midoriya after seeing the pictures of the cleaned beach.

The four teens stayed in the living room chatting while Aizawa helped Inko clean up the kitchen and the dishes. "You don't have to do this." She said, Inko was used to doing things like this on her own, Izuku helped when he could but she never really wanted to bother him with that.

"It's the least I can do miss Midoriya." That woman kept welcoming him into her home and offering him food for free, he can afford to wash some dishes, the pair stayed in silence for a moment.

"I'm happy Izuku can have someone in his life he can look up to." That took Aizawa by surprise. "He has always looked up to heroes because there was never someone at home he could look up to. His dad was never really involved in his life and I well … I don't do much. But having you in his life has changed him for the best, he is so much more confident now, he smiles more often and he has friends that care for him. I don't think that would be the case if he hadn't met you, so thank you for being there for him and taking the time to get to know him."

Aizawa hummed in response. "You shouldn't sell yourself so short miss Midoriya." That got the woman's attention. "You may not be a hero in the same sense as I am, but you are a hero to him. Despite everything you were there for him, supporting him, you care and raised him all on your own. Midoriya may not say it out loud, but I know he admires you more than anyone else because no matter how hard things got you stayed strong for him and taught him to do the same. He is the person he is today because of you, that's something you should be proud of." Aizawa stopped cleaning the dishes when he heard the woman sniffling, turning around to see her tear up. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

Inko dismissed his worry with her hand and a watery laugh. "No, no, it's okay. I've always been very sentimental, you didn't say anything wrong." She wiped her teary eyes before her gazed turned to her little boy, who was still happily chatting with his friends. "In fact, I think I needed to hear that. Thank you Aizawa-san." Despite her tears threatening to come out Inko was smiling.