People are not born equal."
That was the harsh truth Y/N L/N had learned early. The world wasn't fair—and power didn't come with guarantees.
Y/N wasn't Quirkless. Far from it.
But when your Quirk could absorb, store, and weaponize raw energy, every mistake came with a body count. That was the other truth: power without control was a curse.
Aldera Junior High – Final Period
"All right, time to talk career goals!" the teacher said, tossing a stack of forms on his desk. "But who are we kidding—you all want to be heroes, right?"
The class roared with excitement. Quirks flared. Students launched sparks and gusts into the air. Y/N sat near the back, arms folded, headphones in.
"Settle down, settle down. I've got your forms right here," the teacher continued. "Looks like… two U.A. hopefuls this year: Y/N L/N and Izuku Midoriya."
The room went dead silent. Midoriya froze. He knew what was coming.
"Midoriya? U.A.? Are you kidding?" a student laughed. "He doesn't even have a Quirk."
Another snorted. "And L/N? He can't even use his Quirk in public without blowing something up."
A small crack of static flickered around Y/N's knuckles. He didn't react. Across the room, Katsuki Bakugo stood up. "Tch. Figures. The ticking time bomb and the nerd."
Bakugo!" the teacher warned. Y/N stood slowly. "You know what's funny, Katsuki?" he said coolly. "You talk a lot of trash, but the second someone stronger shows up, you freeze."
Bakugo snarled. "Say that again."
"You're not ready for U.A."
"Neither are you, freak—!"
The teacher slammed a clipboard down. "Enough! No Quirks in class!"
The tension eased. Y/N sat back down. Midoriya scribbled something in his notebook,Hero Analysis for the Future: Volume 13, while keeping his head.
After School – Walking Home
Midoriya took the side street home, lost in thought. His bag sagged, and his shoulders drooped. His notebook was slightly burned—thanks to Bakugo.
Y/N walked a few steps behind, earbuds in, but noticed the way Midoriya's fingers trembled as he flipped through the charred pages.
"Hey," Y/N called.
Midoriya jumped. "Y-yeah?"
Y/N offered the notebook. "Thought you might want this back. Didn't have time to salvage the rest."
Midoriya took it with shaking hands. "Thanks…"
"You still want to be a hero?"
"I… I don't know anymore. Can someone without a Quirk even do it?"
Y/N looked him in the eye. "You don't need to blow things up to be a hero. Sometimes it's about what you're willing to stand for."
Midoriya blinked. "That… that sounds like something All Might would say."
Y/N gave a faint smile. "He's not the only one who believe
The tunnel was quiet—until it wasn't.
The manhole cover behind him blasted open.
"Found you!" hissed a voice.
The Sludge Villain surged out in a mass of filth and malice. "Perfect vessel! Young and powerful!"
Y/N jumped back. His skin flickered faint orange. "You've got the wrong guy."
"Don't resist—!"
"[Overdrive: Level One!]"
A glowing red aura surged around Y/N. The temperature spiked. He planted his feet, then punched forward, releasing a compressed pulse of energy that blew the villain back down the tunnel.
He coughed. "Still burns too hot…"
Just then—a booming voice echoed behind him.
"I AM HERE!"
All Might.
He landed with a gust, scooped up the villain into a bottle, and smiled. "Excellent work, young man!"
Y/N stood straight. "You're—"
"Yes, yes!" All Might said, laughing. "No need for autographs! But I must commend your control. Very promising."
Y/N blinked. "You think I could make it into U.A.?"
All Might gave a solemn nod. "With that Quirk? And that discipline? You already have the heart of a hero."
Before he could say more, All Might turned—clearly in a hurry. He leapt off without realizing the bottle containing the sludge villain had slipped free.
Rooftops – A Life-Changing Question
Y/N walked near the rooftops a few blocks later, when he saw something incredible: Midoriya clinging to All Might's leg, flying through the air.
His jaw dropped.
They landed out of sight, but Y/N ducked around the corner and climbed up a nearby ledge. He saw Midoriya standing in front of a weakened, skinny All Might.
What… what happened to him?
He couldn't hear everything, but he watched the tears stream down Midoriya's face.
"Can I still be a hero?!" Midoriya cried.
All Might froze… then smiled.
And said something that made Midoriya's knees buckle.
Y/N pulled back, mind racing.
Did All Might just tell him yes?
Chaos Downtown
Smoke filled the street. Sirens wailed. Reporters gathered behind police lines.
The Sludge Villain had returned.
Y/N pushed through the crowd. In the center of the destruction—
Bakugo, trapped and barely breathing inside the villain's liquified body.
"He's going to die," someone muttered. "Where are the heroes?!"
"They say he's too explosive. They can't get close…"
Y/N's hands trembled.
And then—
Midoriya ran.
He sprinted toward the villain, eyes wide with terror and purpose.
"LET HIM GO!"
Y/N swore and ran too.
Midoriya flung his backpack at the villain's eye, stunning it for a moment.
Y/N shouted, "Cover your head!"
"Wha—!?"
"[Overdrive – Kinetic Pulse!]"
He punched the pavement, sending a rippling blast under the sludge, knocking it off balance and loosening its grip.
"Nice timing!" Midoriya gasped.
"I've got thirty seconds before I burn out," Y/N snapped. "Get Bakugo free—now!"
Midoriya didn't hesitate. He clawed through the sludge with his bare hands, screaming.
"Don't give up! Bakugo, wake up! You're better than this!"
And then—
A gust of wind. A flash of gold.
"I AM HERE!"
All Might descended like a missile.
"TEXAS SMASH!!!"
Air twisted. The villain vaporized.
Bakugo collapsed, gasping.
Midoriya knelt beside him, crying. Y/N fell to one knee, panting, Overdrive flickering out.
And in the distance, the clouds above parted.
The Aftermath
Midoriya sat on a curb, covered in grime, shaking from adrenaline.
Y/N stood nearby, eyes on All Might, who had vanished again after the fight.
Paramedics checked Bakugo. Reporters swarmed. But no one praised Midoriya.
No one praised Y/N either.
But Midoriya didn't seem to care.
Y/N walked over. "You okay?"
Midoriya looked up, stunned. "Y-yeah… I think so."
"You did it."
Midoriya laughed weakly. "No… I just… moved."
"That's what being a hero is."
That Evening – The Park
Midoriya stood alone near the river, staring at the water.
Y/N approached slowly.
But before he could say anything—All Might appeared, this time in his weakened form.
"Young Midoriya!" he said, voice softer. "I owe you more than thanks."
Midoriya turned. "W-what are you—?"
All Might looked to the sky.
"You asked me earlier if someone without a Quirk could be a hero… and I told you the truth."
Midoriya's face fell.
"But you also moved… when no one else did."
All Might smiled.
"So now, I give you the truth that matters: You can become a hero. Because I will make you one."
He reached out, fist clenched.
Midoriya gasped. "What… what do you mean?"
"I'm going to pass my power onto you."
Y/N, hiding nearby in the shadows, couldn't hear the words—but he saw the change in Midoriya's eyes.
A new beginning had started.
For both of them.