Outside Musutafu General Hospital, chaos reigned.
News vans lined the streets. Floodlights cut through the night. Reporters jostled for position, microphones thrust forward as camera drones hovered overhead. Every major outlet in Japan—and many abroad—had descended on the scene.
"Midoriya Izuku, the boy who saved Japan from extinction!""Is he All Might's true successor?""Could this be the dawn of a new Symbol of Peace?"
The chants and headlines flew wild, each one louder than the last.
The H.P.S.C. had wasted no time. The moment Izuku's unconscious body was retrieved from the stadium, statements had been issued: Midoriya Izuku risked his life to stop an extinction-level threat. He stood alone against the impossible and triumphed. He is proof that the spirit of All Might lives on.
Cameras replayed the footage endlessly—Izuku's small form pushing back the impossible mass, his screams of effort echoing against the heavens, the fiery fall back to Earth. Each replay elevated the moment from miracle to myth.
At the hospital entrance, uniformed officers and pro heroes held the press back, but the reporters refused to quiet down.
Then, through the sea of cameras, two figures emerged: Hisashi and Inko Midoriya.
Inko clutched her purse to her chest, her eyes red from crying. Hisashi, usually a quiet shadow in Izuku's story, stood tall, one arm wrapped firmly around his wife's shoulder.
"Mrs. Midoriya! Do you have any comment on your son's heroics today?""Sir, do you believe your son will surpass All Might?""Do you think Japan should recognize him as the new Symbol of Peace?"
The questions flew like bullets. Inko flinched at the flashes, but Hisashi raised a hand, shielding her from the press.
"We're here as parents," he said firmly, his voice carrying weight. "Our son nearly died today. That's all that matters to us right now."
The crowd quieted for just a moment—before another wave of shouting and speculation rose, even louder than before.
Inside the H.P.S.C. headquarters, the president watched the live coverage with a cold smile.
"Perfect," she murmured to her staff. "Fear. Relief. Hope. They've all seen it now. Midoriya Izuku has been baptized in fire. By the end of this week, the people will not only accept him as All Might's heir—they will demand it."
Lois zipped her suitcase shut, smoothing it with a sigh. Her flight back to Metropolis was in a few hours, and she was already rehearsing how she'd explain to Clark why she'd been gone so long.
Her phone buzzed. Perry.
She picked up immediately."Perry? What's going on?"
"First off, Lane—you did a hell of a job," Perry said, his gravelly voice almost warm. "The world's eyes are glued to Japan right now, and your coverage's on every screen. You've outdone yourself."
Lois pinched the bridge of her nose. "Appreciate the praise, Chief, but if you're calling to ask whether the kid's gonna pull through—I don't know. The hospital's a fortress. Heroes, cops, government dogs—it's locked down tighter than Fort Knox. Even I can't sneak in."
There was a pause on the line. Lois's instincts tingled. "You didn't call just to ask about Midoriya, did you?"
Perry cleared his throat. "You're being transferred."
Her heart skipped. "Transferred? Perry, no. Don't you dare—"
"To the Daily Planet's Japan branch," he cut in firmly. "Effective immediately."
"What?!" Lois practically shouted. "Are you serious? Why the hell would you—"
"Because right now," Perry interrupted, his voice steel, "the entire world is watching this boy. Izuku Midoriya. Every paper, every station, every talking head. And I want my best reporter on the frontlines. That means you."
Lois sank onto the edge of her bed, rubbing her temple. "And Jimmy?"
"He's staying too," Perry said without missing a beat. "He's one of our best photographers, and the shots he got today? Iconic. The Planet will own this story."
Lois exhaled hard, resigned. "…Fine. But there's something you should know. Something I haven't filed yet."
Perry grunted. "Go on."
"When I went back to Midoriya's family farm," she said quietly, glancing at the second duffel bag she hadn't told anyone about, "I checked their storm cellar. On the wall… there was writing. Carved, old. Directions."
"Directions?"
"It said to go to one of the polar caps. No details, no explanation. Just a command. And since the North Pole's closer to Japan…" She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. "…I think I need to head to Antarctica."
"Fine," Perry grumbled over the phone. "But you're not going anywhere until that boy's pronounced dead or alive. You hear me, Lane? No chasing ghosts until we know his fate."
Lois swallowed her protest. "…Agreed. Thanks, Perry."
She ended the call, shoulders heavy, when she heard commotion outside her window. Dozens of reporters shouted questions, flashbulbs blinding the night. Their frenzy was focused on the hospital down the block.
And inside that hospital—Nezu arrived.
The moment the small figure stepped out of the rain and into the lobby, the heroes and police stationed at the entrance bowed their heads slightly, parting for him without a word. His presence carried quiet authority, and not even the strict hospital staff dared to stop him.
Nezu padded softly through the sterile white halls, the fluorescent lights humming above. The silence weighed heavy—unusual for a building so full of life. Doctors and nurses moved quickly, quietly, like shadows.
When he turned a corner, he saw them. Inko Midoriya sat hunched in a waiting chair, clutching her purse against her chest as though it were armor. Her face was blotched red from crying, but her eyes never left the door at the end of the hall. Hisashi stood beside her, rigid, arms crossed as though holding himself together.
The moment Hisashi spotted Nezu, he straightened and stepped forward."Principal Nezu. Thank you for coming."
Nezu offered a small bow. "Of course. I had to see for myself. Have the doctors told you anything? Is there… hope?"
Hisashi shook his head, a weary smile flickering at his lips. "They don't know what to do with him. All they can do is monitor his heart. And it's strong—stronger than they've ever seen. So they think… they think he'll pull through."
"Thank God," Nezu murmured to himself, a weight lifting from his shoulders.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "Have you been allowed to see him yet?"
Inko spoke this time, her voice raw. "We've seen him. Just… from the doorway. They won't let us in the room."
"That," Nezu said firmly, "is unacceptable. Let's fix it."
He led them to the nurse's desk, his small form radiating an authority that made the staff shift uneasily."These parents watched their son save all of Japan. All they want—all they deserve—is to be at his side."
The nurse hesitated, lips parting to argue. But one look into Nezu's sharp, intelligent eyes silenced her. She rose from her chair and guided them down the hall.
The door creaked open. The room was dim, monitors softly beeping, IV lines hanging like vines. Izuku lay unconscious, his skin pale but his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.
Inko rushed forward, clasping her son's limp hand, tears spilling freely. Hisashi stood behind her, jaw tight, one hand on her shoulder.
"Please," Nezu said softly to the nurse. "Give us privacy."
She nodded and slipped out, shutting the door behind her.
Nezu's expression shifted the moment they were alone. His keen eyes scanned the room, darting toward Izuku's personal belongings stacked on a nearby counter. He began searching, quick but methodical.
Hisashi frowned. "What are you doing?"
Nezu didn't look up. "Getting answers."
Finally, he found it—the sleek watch, alien in design, humming faintly even dormant. He carried it to Izuku's bedside, raised it, and spoke in a low voice.
"Kelex. What is happening to Izuku?"
The watch flickered, projecting a faint holographic shimmer. A mechanical voice answered:"Subject is alive. However, he has depleted nearly all of his stored solar energy combating the extraterrestrial mass. Recovery is possible. Immediate recommendation: sustained exposure to direct sunlight for a period of two to three hours. Full metabolic restoration will follow."
For a moment, the room was silent. Then Hisashi and Inko both exhaled shakily, as if the breath they'd been holding since the stadium was finally released.
Inko pressed her forehead against Izuku's hand, whispering thanks through sobs. Hisashi closed his eyes, the corners damp.
The League of Villains
Deep within their hidden hideout, the League huddled around an old flickering television. The replay of the Sports Festival hijacking played again—Izuku straining, screaming as he held back the monstrous meteoroid. The crater. The crowd's awe.
Tomura Shigaraki's hand twitched against the armrest of his chair, his lips curling into a distorted grin."…So that's the brat they're all losing their minds over. The kid with All Might's smile."
Kurogiri adjusted his scarf. "It appears the public already sees him as a new Symbol. This will complicate matters."
"Complicate?" Shigaraki leaned forward, eyes gleaming under the TV's glow. "No… this is perfect. They're building him up so high—when we drag him down, when we break him—Japan will choke on despair."
Spinner crossed his arms, uneasy. "He stopped a meteoroid the size of a country. If that's really his power… how do we fight something like that?"
Shigaraki smirked, scratching at his neck until the skin peeled."Same way you kill any symbol. You don't fight their strength—you tear at their heart. We'll dig into who he really is. His friends. His family. Sooner or later, everyone breaks."
The room filled with grim laughter as the screen froze on Izuku's exhausted, broken body in the crater.
United States – Washington D.C.
Half a world away, the Pentagon briefing room was packed. Generals, senators, and intelligence officers stared at the screen as the footage replayed again and again.
"This is not just some Japanese quirk-user," General Hawkins said, slamming a file shut. "This kid displayed raw force beyond anything even All Might ever demonstrated. He lifted an asteroid the size of Texas! Texas!"
Murmurs rippled through the room. Some incredulous, others terrified.
"We need to assess if this boy is a threat," a senator said sharply. "If Japan has custody of someone like this, what does that mean for our balance of power? For national security?"
Another voice cut through the din. Calm, commanding."It means we need to test him. Observe him. See if he's truly controllable."
The room turned as the tall figure in uniform entered. Blonde hair cut close, cape draped over her shoulders. The room immediately fell silent.
Star and Stripe, America's number one hero, strode to the podium."I've watched the footage. That boy isn't a weapon. He's a kid—one who almost killed himself saving millions. If you ask me, that makes him a hero. But," she paused, eyes narrowing, "a hero like that can't go unchecked."
General Hawkins nodded approvingly. "Exactly why I've drafted a proposal. We send representatives to Japan. Diplomatic, but firm. We offer support for their 'new symbol'—while making sure we've got eyes and leverage on him. We can't let an unknown with that level of power go unsupervised."
Star and Stripe crossed her arms, her voice low and serious."If this Midoriya really is the next Symbol of Peace… then we need to know whose side he's on. Because if he ever turns against us?" She glanced at the replay of the meteoroid vanishing into the sun. "Not even I could stop him."
American Media Reaction
The fallout was immediate. Every major network ran the footage, headlines screaming across screens:
"Japan's New Superman?""Midoriya Izuku: The Boy Who Stopped the Sky from Falling.""All Might's Successor Revealed?"
On talk shows and late-night programs, analysts argued. Some hailed him as humanity's protector. Others whispered about weapons, conspiracies, and whether Japan was hiding the truth.
Outside Times Square, a massive digital billboard replayed the scene of Izuku screaming into the heavens on loop. Crowds gathered, cheering, some waving Japanese flags.
For the first time since All Might's retirement, hope was trending.
Back in Japan – The Hospital Roof
As the world erupted, Nezu quietly arranged for Izuku's recovery. With careful words and subtle authority, he convinced the staff to move Izuku to a rooftop solarium, under the guise of "specialized therapy."
The Midoriyas stood close, watching as the sunlight poured over their son's unconscious body. Slowly, color began to return to his cheeks. His breathing steadied.
Inko held Hisashi's hand tightly, tears sliding down her face. "He's really going to be okay…"
Nezu watched in silence, his mind racing.The world had already claimed Midoriya Izuku as their new Symbol.But Nezu knew the truth: the boy's powers weren't like any quirk on Earth.
meanwhile at Tartarus.
The clanging of reinforced doors echoed as Lois Lane was escorted into the underground cell block. Japan had offered her "limited" access to a recently captured villain for a story—though she suspected it was more of a diversion than a favor.
The man was shackled in a glass cell, wiry frame twitching, eyes shining with a manic gleam. His file had named him Asteroid.
Lois flipped her notebook open. "You've been accused of attempting mass destruction at the U.A. Sports Festival. Care to tell me why?"
The villain laughed, a raw, ugly sound."Why? Lady, I was promised a deal. Someone up top said if I tossed a little rock at the stadium, I'd get my sentence shaved. A month in, a month out—no big deal." He leaned closer, eyes flashing. "But they didn't say how big the rock had to be. Heh. So I decided to show off. Dropped the biggest one I could muster. That kid, though…" His grin faltered, replaced with a mix of awe and irritation. "…that brat actually stopped it."
Lois's pen froze mid-scribble. "Who made you that promise?"
He smirked, licking his lips. "One of the suits. You know, Commission types. Didn't give me a name. Just that someone high in the H.P.S.C. wanted a test. Said if I made it flashy, it'd put pressure on the boy wonder. But looks like their gamble backfired, huh?"
Lois kept her voice calm, though her pulse thundered in her ears."So the Commission ordered it."
He shrugged. "Don't know who, don't care. Deal's probably off now anyway. Not my problem."
The guard ended the session early, but Lois had all she needed. She closed her notebook, the weight of the revelation sitting heavy. Someone in the H.P.S.C. had orchestrated the entire disaster.
a couple of day later
The steady beeping of a heart monitor was the first sound Izuku heard.Not the roar of the crowd.Not the shattering boom of a meteoroid breaking apart in his hands.Just the soft, rhythmic beep… beep… beep that tethered him to life.
His eyelids were heavy, glued shut with exhaustion. Every muscle in his body screamed as though molten lead had been poured into his veins. Slowly, painfully, he forced his eyes open.
The world was a haze of sunlight and shadow. A canopy of glass above let golden beams spill across his bed. He blinked, confused, realizing he wasn't in a normal hospital room. The air smelled of flowers, faint and calming—potted plants lined the solarium walls.
"…Zuku?"
The voice was soft, trembling. He turned his head—his neck groaning in protest—to see Inko sitting at his side. Her hands clutched his, and her eyes immediately flooded with tears.
"M-Mom…" His voice cracked, raw from disuse.
She broke into a sob, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. "You're awake, you're awake… oh thank goodness…"
A deeper voice joined her."You gave us quite the scare, son."
Hisashi stood just behind her, looking haggard but relieved. His shirt was wrinkled, dark circles hanging under his eyes, but his faint smile trembled with pride.
Izuku's throat tightened. "Dad…"
The moment hung heavy between them, so rare, so fragile, that Izuku almost forgot the world outside existed.
Then, the sound of careful footsteps drew his gaze.
Nezu stood at the doorway, cane tucked under his arm, expression as sharp as ever despite the gentle setting.
"Ah. Good morning, young Midoriya," the principal said smoothly, though his eyes shone with quiet relief. "Four days, and you finally decide to join us again."
Izuku's brow furrowed. "Four… days…?" His voice rasped. His memories came in flashes: the meteoroid, the fire in his lungs, his bones screaming as if they'd shatter, the faces of terrified strangers below.
"I… I stopped it, didn't I?"
"You did," Nezu replied simply. "Japan, perhaps the entire world, owes you their lives. Already, they're calling you the New Symbol."
The words struck him harder than the meteoroid had. His chest tightened, panic clawing at the edges of his mind."Symbol…? No, no, I'm not—All Might, he was the—he—"
Inko squeezed his hand firmly. "Izuku, you don't have to be All Might. You just have to be you."
But Nezu's gaze was piercing, as though he saw deeper into Izuku than Izuku himself ever could."Still, it seems destiny doesn't particularly care what you want. The world has already begun moving around you. The League of Villains, the Hero Public Safety Commission, and even foreign governments… they all have their eyes on you now."
Izuku's throat went dry. "…Foreign… governments?"
Nezu gave a small nod. "America is very interested in you. Their number one hero—Star and Stripe—will be arriving in Japan within the week."
The monitor beside him spiked as his heart rate quickened.
"Why?" Izuku whispered.
Nezu tilted his head. "To meet you, of course. To measure whether Japan's new 'Symbol of Peace' will stand with them… or against them."
The words left Izuku cold, his still-healing body trembling under their weight.
The solarium was warm with filtered sunlight, the glass ceiling amplifying every golden ray. Izuku sat upright now, still pale but steadier than before. The watch on his wrist flickered faintly, its artificial voice calm but insistent:
"Cal-El, your body remains depleted. For full recovery, you must absorb direct solar radiation. Fly into orbit. The higher you go, the faster you heal."
Inko's hand trembled against his arm. "C-Cal… El?"
Nezu, ever composed, gave a tiny nod, as if confirming something he had long suspected. "It seems your… companion is correct. If sunlight is the answer, then we should waste no time." He reached into a small case and produced folded fabric—deep blue, with a crimson cape glinting like firelight.
Izuku blinked in confusion. "Why… my hero costume? Why now?"
Nezu's sharp little eyes softened with a rare flicker of humor. "Because, young Midoriya, hospital gowns are ill-suited for the vacuum of space. And besides…" His paw smoothed the bold emblem across the chest. "…this is the only attire likely to survive reentry."
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then Izuku moved. Too fast for the human eye. In less than a heartbeat, the gown fluttered to the floor, and Izuku stood fully dressed in his blue and red suit, cape catching the sunlight like a banner.
Inko gasped, covering her mouth. Hisashi's eyes widened, awe breaking through his exhaustion.
Nezu only smiled. So… this is the speed of the boy the world has already crowned.
Across the Street
Jimmy Olsen had practically lived on the rooftop of an apartment building opposite the hospital, his camera ready day and night. Other reporters crowded the gates, but he had the perfect vantage point. Perry's orders were clear: don't miss a thing.
For four days, Jimmy's telephoto lens had captured Izuku lying motionless in the solarium, golden light bathing his frame. "Kid looked like he was charging up," Jimmy muttered to himself.
But today—something shifted.
Through his viewfinder, he caught it. Izuku rising, steadier than before. Then a small figure—Nezu—handing him a sleek black case stamped with the number 18. Jimmy's fingers tightened on the shutter. Click. Click. Click.
"Lois—Lois, you're not gonna believe this," Jimmy whispered into his phone, already snapping more shots. "I've got him—Midoriya—in full costume. Red cape, blue suit, everything. He looks like…" Jimmy trailed, unsure of the words. "He looks like the kind of hero you make statues of."
On the other end, Lois sat bolt upright in her hotel room. "Send me those pictures, now."
But before Jimmy could reply, the rooftop across the street erupted with a sound he'd never heard in his life.
BOOM!
The glass panes rattled around him. His camera jerked in his hands as the sky itself split open. Reporters down below screamed and ducked.
Jimmy barely kept his lens steady as a streak of red and blue tore free from the hospital rooftop, a sonic boom chasing it into the heavens.
Deep in a secure control room in Virginia, a row of technicians stared at their screens in silence. The feed from the repositioned reconnaissance satellite wasn't supposed to show anything unusual—just a hospital rooftop in Musutafu. But the moment Izuku Midoriya tore into the sky, everything changed.
Now, the satellite's cameras tracked a lone figure seated above the Earth's curve, cape flowing in the solar wind, his body glowing faintly in the pure sunlight. He didn't move for hours, only absorbed.
"Jesus," one operator whispered. "It's like he's… recharging."
"Keep recording," the supervisor snapped, though his own voice betrayed awe. "Do not lose him."
Then, without warning, the figure stirred. The cameras struggled to follow. One instant he floated serenely above the stratosphere, the next he blurred into a red-blue comet streaking away from Earth.
"Trajectory?""…He's headed past lunar orbit!"
The satellite whirred to reorient itself, capturing one last clean frame before losing him entirely.
Interplanetary – Izuku's Trial
Mars rose before him, a rust-red sphere glittering against the endless black. Izuku slowed, his heart pounding—not from exertion, but disbelief.
I… I actually made it. Mars…
"Time elapsed: three hours," Kelex reported matter-of-factly.
Izuku's eyes widened. "Three… hours? That's impossible!" He almost laughed, giddy with awe. But then his thoughts shifted. No… I can't stay. Mom, Dad, Nezu—they'll worry.
He clenched his fists, cape fluttering even in the void. "Let's go home."
Return Flight – The ISS
As Izuku rocketed back toward Earth, the blue marble grew larger, brighter. Then he saw it—a gleaming white cylinder with extended solar panels drifting in orbit: the International Space Station.
And outside, an astronaut tethered for repairs.
Izuku slowed, his eyes narrowing. Just as he drew closer, the tether snapped. The astronaut's body spun gently, drifting further into the abyss.
No…
In an instant, Izuku surged forward. His arms stretched out, catching the flailing figure. Through the astronaut's reflective visor, Izuku saw wide, terrified eyes staring back.
"You're safe," Izuku said softly, though the void carried no sound.
He guided the astronaut back to the airlock, gently pressing him against the hatch before knocking firmly with his knuckles. Inside, another crew member rushed to reel the wayward astronaut in.
Izuku hovered for just a second, long enough to see a trembling hand pressed against the window in thanks.
Then, with a crack of air displaced by his speed, he was gone again—racing back toward Japan.
By the time Izuku landed softly on the old Midoriya farm, the sky was painted in strokes of gold and crimson. The air was still warm, cicadas chirping faintly, and the familiar creak of the porch swing greeted him.
Inko sat there with her hands clasped tight, worry etched across her face even as she tried to smile. Hasashi leaned back, calm but proud, his eyes gleaming with quiet pride.
The moment Izuku stepped into the yard, Inko couldn't contain herself. She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his waist as if afraid he might vanish again. "Izuku…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Hasashi clapped a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "You did good, son. Better than good. You showed the whole world who you are." He reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope. "Nezu sent this for you."
Izuku nodded, his throat tight, and carried the letter inside. In his room, lit only by the fading sunlight through the curtains, he carefully tore open the envelope.
The letter inside was written in Nezu's elegant handwriting:
"Izuku,After the Sports Festival, each student was asked to submit their proposed hero name. Those names were distributed to agencies across Japan, as the Festival serves as an opportunity for pros to recruit promising students.
But in your case, All Might himself has made a special request. He wishes for you to meet him at I-Island. There, your limits will be tested and recorded properly so that we may understand the scope of your abilities. Following this, you will be fast-tracked for your provisional hero license.
Please contact me when you are ready. The current coordinates of the island are written below.
—Nezu"
At the bottom, Izuku saw the string of coordinates, precise and unmistakable. He couldn't help but smile, his heart racing at the thought of I-Island, of seeing All Might again, and of learning just how far he could go. He folded the letter carefully and set it on his desk before showering and collapsing into bed, sleep pulling him under almost instantly.
The Next Morning
Izuku rose early, as always, pulling on work clothes before heading out to tend the chores. He moved through the routine almost automatically—feeding the animals, hauling water, checking the fields. But his mind kept drifting to Nezu's letter, to All Might, to the challenge that awaited.
After breakfast, he finally sat with his parents on the porch, the letter in hand. "Mom, Dad," he said firmly. "Nezu wants me to go to I-Island. All Might wants to test my limits. Once I finish up here, I'll head out."
Inko's face fell, her hands tightening around her tea cup. "Izuku, you just came home from the hospital. You nearly… you nearly didn't make it back to us. And now they want you to push yourself again? I don't like this. I don't like any of it."
Hasashi, however, remained steady. He glanced at his wife, then at his son. "Inko. He's not a little boy anymore. He's training to be a hero. A hero has to know his strengths… and his weaknesses. If he doesn't, he'll be a danger to himself and everyone else."
Then he turned to Izuku, his voice lowering but his pride unmistakable. "Son… have you thought of what name you'll carry into this world? What you'll be known as?"
Izuku hesitated only a moment before answering. His voice was quiet, but certain. "Superman."
Shortly after finishing their talk, Izuku slipped into his hero costume. The familiar weight of the cape settled on his shoulders as he adjusted the chest plate with the bold S emblazoned on it. He gave his parents one last smile before taking off into the evening sky, leaving a thunderous crack of air in his wake.
He didn't push himself—this wasn't a race. Instead, he took his time, drifting above the clouds and watching the sun rise over the horizon. Hours later, when the vast shape of I-Island appeared in the distance, Izuku's eyes widened. From above, it looked like an entire floating city: glittering skyscrapers, sprawling districts, and a central tower that touched the heavens.
But the moment he crossed into its airspace, alarms blared. Sirens wailed across the city, and patrol heroes shot into the sky like streaks of color, converging on him in seconds. Izuku froze, unsure of what to do, but then one of the heroes squinted and raised a hand.
"Wait—that's the kid from the Sports Festival!" the hero exclaimed.
They slowed their approach, weapons and quirks lowering. A tall hero with feathered pauldrons stepped forward."You can't just fly into I-Island unannounced. For security reasons, all entries have to come through the airport. That's protocol. When you leave, it won't be an issue—but arrivals are stricter."
Another hero circled around him, their gaze catching on the shining S on his chest. "Nice costume, though. Classic. Bold. You really stand out."
Flushing slightly, Izuku bowed his head. "Thank you."
With that, he pivoted midair and flew back out, circling around until he spotted the designated airport. He landed with a soft thud on the runway, but as he walked forward, he couldn't help but notice dozens of eyes tracking his every move. Families, businessmen, and staff stopped what they were doing to stare. His cape flowed behind him, and whispers echoed:"Is that…?""That's the boy from Japan, the one who—"
Izuku kept his head down and continued until he reached the security desk. A stern guard held out his hand."Ticket, please."
Izuku opened his mouth—he didn't have one—but before he could explain, a familiar, thin voice cut in."Ah, he's with me!"
All Might, in his small form, waddled into view, flanked by two others. One was a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp glasses, his smile polite but reserved. The other was a blonde girl around Izuku's age, bright-eyed and curious.
All Might handed over a slip of paper to the guard. "Here's his ticket."
The guard nodded, scanning it before letting Izuku through. All Might turned back to him with a smile."So, young Midoriya… how do you feel?"
But before Izuku could get a word out, the blonde girl darted forward, circling him like an excited scientist studying a rare specimen. She tugged at his arm, brushed her fingers against his cape, then suddenly pinched the side of his belt."What's this made of? Some kind of polymer? And why… are you wearing your underwear on the outside?"
Izuku's face went scarlet. "W-wait, I— it's not—this is how the design—"
"Melissa," the man said firmly, adjusting his glasses. "Give the boy some space."
The girl huffed but stepped back, still studying Izuku with obvious interest.
The man extended his hand. "I'm David Shield. And this is my daughter, Melissa."
Izuku quickly shook his hand, still embarrassed. "I-It's nice to meet you both."
David smiled warmly. "We've already arranged a room for you here on the island. It's fully equipped and private—you'll be comfortable."
Izuku hesitated, scratching his cheek. "Ah, thank you, but… I don't really need one. I was just planning to fly home when things were finished. Besides, I don't really need to sleep. I only do it to… you know… feel normal."
The moment the words left his mouth, Melissa blinked, All Might's eyes widened slightly, and David's polite smile flickered with intrigue.
Melissa's curiosity didn't fade, but she fell into step beside Izuku as David and All Might led the way through the airport.
"Welcome to I-Island," David said, his voice carrying both pride and a faint trace of weariness. "Every building you see, every system running here—it's a monument to science, technology, and progress. This is where we study quirks, develop support items, and push the limits of what's possible."
The group exited into the main plaza. Izuku's eyes widened. The city was alive in every direction—gleaming glass towers reflecting the sunlight, streets bustling with people, trams gliding silently along their rails. Floating drones zipped overhead, and massive monitors displayed news, research, and advertisements for hero tech.
Melissa grinned at his expression. "It's amazing, isn't it? My dad designed some of the core systems here. You'll never see a place like this anywhere else in the world."
Izuku nodded, awe shining in his eyes. "It's… incredible. Like a city of the future."
All Might chuckled, clasping his hands behind his back. "It is the future, young Midoriya. And today, you're a guest of honor."
They guided him through wide boulevards, past sleek support item shops, labs filled with robotic prototypes, and even a towering statue of a heroic figure mid-pose. Melissa eagerly explained every detail—how the city runs on clean energy, how the research facilities are split by specialization, and even how the residential districts were designed to house scientists from across the world.
But no matter how much they saw, Izuku couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on him. Every so often, passersby would stop and whisper, gaze lingering on the bold S crest across his chest. Some nodded respectfully. Others simply gawked. Izuku pulled his cape around himself, a little self-conscious.
Eventually, David stopped in front of a massive facility at the heart of the island. Its polished walls gleamed under the sun, and through the glass frontage Izuku could see cutting-edge equipment and research terminals. The sign above the entrance read: Advanced Quirk Research & Development Laboratory.
"This," David said, gesturing proudly, "is where the real work begins. All Might told me you'd be willing to undergo a series of tests, and we've prepared the best environment for that. Think of it as a place to measure your true potential."
Izuku shifted on his feet, excitement and nervousness mixing in his chest.
Melissa smiled, clasping her hands behind her back. "Don't worry—it won't be too scary. Well… probably."
All Might gave Izuku a reassuring nod. "Young Midoriya, this is a chance to understand yourself better. Embrace it."
Inside, the lab looked more like something out of science fiction than reality. White walls stretched seamlessly into the floor, massive reinforced windows overlooked multiple test chambers, and rows of consoles glowed with streams of data. Technicians in white coats paused their work as David, Melissa, All Might, and Izuku entered. Every pair of eyes inevitably landed on Izuku's costume and the bold S across his chest.
David clapped his hands, his voice echoing in the sterile chamber. "Alright, let's begin.
Melissa leaned closer to Izuku, whispering with an excited grin. "This is going to be awesome. You'll break every chart we have."
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck nervously but nodded. "O-okay. I'll do my best."
They guided him into a reinforced chamber the size of a football field. The walls shimmered faintly with layered shielding tech—built to withstand the strongest quirks on record
The first set of tests will focus on your baseline—strength, speed, and durability. Then we'll move to more… unique measurements." He gave Izuku a glance, one that carried both curiosity and caution.
To Izuku's surprise, David didn't lead him into a reinforced chamber or strap him to some strange machine. Instead, all he did was hand him a sleek silver bracelet with glowing blue lines etched across its surface.
"This," David explained, fastening it around Izuku's wrist, "will record everything we need. Speed, heart rate, acceleration patterns—think of it as your entire performance being written into data. For this test, we want to see how fast you can really move."
Izuku blinked. "You… want me to run?"
David shook his head with a grin. "Not run. Fly. Around the world."
Melissa's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned forward. "If you keep the bracelet on, the satellites will track you, and we'll be able to calculate your top velocity. Just… don't worry about airport regulations. That bracelet makes you the exception."
All Might chuckled from the sidelines, though his sharp eyes stayed fixed on his successor. "This will be interesting."
Izuku took a deep breath, then nodded. He walked a few feet away from the group, rolling his shoulders and crouching down like a sprinter waiting for the starting gun. His cape swayed lightly in the ocean breeze, his boots grinding against the pavement.
David looked over his shoulder at the small crowd of researchers and heroes gathered with him. "Everyone ready?"
A chorus of "Ready!" echoed back.
David turned toward Izuku, lifting his hand. His voice carried over the whir of machinery as he counted down:
"Three…"
Izuku tensed.
"Two…"
The bracelet pulsed with light.
"One!"
Izuku launched.
The air itself cracked like glass, and in a heartbeat he was gone—nothing left behind but a concussive boom that rattled windows across the island. A blue and red streak tore across the sky, vanishing toward the horizon.
Inside the lab's mobile command unit, dozens of screens lit up. One technician shouted numbers as they updated in real time.
"He just broke the sound barrier!"
"Mach 2!"
"Mach 3—"
The readings climbed higher with every passing second. The researchers leaned forward, stunned, as the streak on their tracking maps burned around the globe like a comet.
"Mach 5!"
"Mach 7! He's still accelerating!"
Melissa clapped her hands to her mouth as the numbers blurred faster than she could process.
"Mach 9!"
Then the room seemed to hold its breath.
"Mach 10!"
The readouts stabilized. The blur on the radar held steady, circling the globe like a scar of light across the atmosphere.
David's brow furrowed as he adjusted the data feed. "Come on, kid… you've got more in you than this…"
But the numbers didn't budge. He was locked at Mach 10.
All across the world, people looked up in awe.
In France, a team of Pro Heroes on patrol froze mid-step as a red-and-blue streak split the night sky above the Eiffel Tower. In Egypt, guardians of Cairo paused atop the pyramids, sand whipping around them as the sonic boom echoed like thunder across the desert. In China, martial arts heroes training in a remote mountain village dropped their stances, staring skyward as the streak curved over the horizon.
Everywhere he went, Izuku's flight left ripples of disbelief. It wasn't a plane, it wasn't a rocket—it was someone.
And then, as he crossed the Pacific and came roaring into U.S. airspace, someone was waiting for him.
A massive shockwave cracked through the sky as a golden-haired woman clad in a star-spangled uniform cut across his path, stopping him mid-flight. Izuku jerked to a halt, the force of their meeting shaking the clouds around them.
The woman floated with her arms crossed, eyes sharp but proud. Her voice carried like thunder even at this altitude.
"So, you're the one who caught that meteoroid. Japan's new rising star." She smirked, tossing back her long hair. "Name's Stars and Stripes. America's Number One."
Izuku blinked, stunned that she had not only recognized him but was addressing him with respect. "…I—thank you. I just… did what I had to do."
She studied him for a moment, her cape snapping in the high-altitude winds. Then her expression softened. "You did more than anyone else could. You saved a nation. Don't let anyone downplay that."
Izuku shifted awkwardly in the air, rubbing the back of his neck. "Actually… right now, I'm just doing a test. I-Island's tracking my limits."
Stars and Stripes barked a laugh, the sound rolling like cannon fire. "Figures. Leave it to David Shield and that island of brainiacs." She leaned forward, jabbing a finger at him. "Well, kid—don't let them box you in. Push yourself further than even you think possible. The world's watching now."
Izuku gave her a respectful bow midair, cape fluttering. "Thank you. I'll remember that."
With that, he rocketed past her, a thunderous boom splitting the sky as he accelerated again, streaking eastward toward the Atlantic. Stars and Stripes hovered for a long moment, watching his trail vanish into the distance.
It took Izuku nearly three hours to circle the globe and make it back to I-Island. The moment he touched down on the landing pad, a deep boom rippled out across the ocean, announcing his return. His cape settled around him as the glowing bracelet dimmed and clicked off.
All Might, in his thin form, hurried forward with concern etched into his tired face. "Young Midoriya—you stopped over the United States. Why?"
Izuku adjusted the bracelet, a little sheepish. "I didn't mean to delay. Someone… stopped me. A hero. She called herself Stars and Stripes. She just wanted to talk for a few minutes."
All Might froze, his eyes widening. "…So even Cathleen noticed you." His voice was low, thoughtful, but before he could ask anything more—
"IZUKU!"
Melissa came barreling across the runway, notebook in hand, eyes sparkling with curiosity. She nearly collided with him as she fired off questions rapid-fire:
"When you're at Mach 10, how do you even see anything?""What's it like flying through the clouds? Do you feel the pressure change?""What's the highest you've ever gone?"
Izuku rubbed the back of his head with a bashful smile but answered honestly."When I fly that fast, I… speed up my perception, so everything around me slows down. It's the only way I can react.""As for the clouds—it's quiet. Almost too quiet, but… it feels freeing. Like nothing can weigh you down."He paused for a moment, then admitted, "The highest I've gone? Mars. Four days ago."
The crowd of scientists and techs nearby froze mid-step. Melissa's pencil clattered from her hand.
"…M-Mars?" she stammered.
Just then David Shield pushed through the stunned silence, disbelief plain on his face. "Hold on. You mean to tell me… you left Earth's orbit? That's impossible. No human quirk—no body—could survive the vacuum of space."
Izuku met his gaze calmly, almost apologetically. "…I can."
After hearing Izuku's casual admission that he'd already been to Mars, the lab buzzed with excitement. Scientists who had once whispered about his "quirk" now scrambled to prepare equipment.
Within minutes, Izuku stood at the launch pad again, his costume hidden under layers of sensors, monitors, and harnesses that blinked with green and red lights. Thin wires trailed from his chest, arms, and back into portable receivers.
David adjusted a small, sleek camera strapped to Izuku's temple. "This is the most advanced micro-lens we've ever built. It'll record everything your eyes track in real-time. We'll finally see what you see."
Melissa ran up with something clutched to her chest. Her voice was bubbling with energy, though her hands trembled slightly as she pressed a compact, silver camera into Izuku's palm. "Th-this should still work in space! If you really are going that far… could you maybe—um…" She looked down shyly, then blurted out, "Take a picture of Mars! And… maybe one of Earth from the Moon?"
Izuku blinked at her earnestness before smiling warmly. "Yeah. I can do that." He weighed the camera carefully in his hand. "But… Mars takes about three hours to reach, so by the time I get back it'll be dinner." He shot David a teasing grin. "Make sure there's food waiting for me, okay?"
David actually laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Kid, if you bring me back a postcard from Mars, I'll buy you a five-course meal myself."
Everyone gave him space as Izuku crouched low, ready to take off again. His cape rippled in the strong winds.
He inhaled deeply, steadying himself. Then—
BOOM.
The runway cracked beneath his feet as he exploded upward. Within seconds, he breached the atmosphere, and the feed from his head-mounted camera showed the curve of the Earth falling away beneath him.
"Tracking his velocity," one scientist called out, eyes glued to the data. "He's accelerating at a—holy…"
On-screen, the Moon loomed large, then shrank behind Izuku in a blur.
"1.93 seconds…" another whispered, frozen with disbelief. "He just passed the Moon in 1.93 seconds…"
The room went silent.
One trembling scientist grabbed his calculator, punching in numbers furiously before stammering out, "That's… that's over 12 million miles per hour."
The number echoed through the lab, met with gasps and dropped pens.
Melissa covered her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. "T-twelve… million…?"
When Izuku finally touched down on the rusty red soil of Mars, he landed atop the towering Olympus Mons. The thin atmosphere swirled faintly around him as he stood at the edge of the highest peak in the solar system. For a moment, he simply admired the view—an alien horizon stretching farther than the eye could see, painted in shades of crimson and bronze.
He remembered Melissa's request and carefully pulled out the camera she had given him. Steadying his hand, he leaned against the rocky ledge and snapped a panoramic shot of the Martian horizon, capturing the alien beauty in vivid detail.
Then, with a grin, Izuku activated his enhanced perception and sought out the Mars rover. It didn't take long—he found the small, lonely machine sitting in the middle of a vast plain, its solar panels faintly dusted with red sand. Landing lightly beside it, Izuku crouched down and waved right into its camera, knowing the people monitoring it back on Earth would see him. "Hey there," he muttered under his breath, though he knew his voice wouldn't carry.
After that playful gesture, he crouched and blasted back into space, the red planet shrinking behind him. Once he was far enough away, Izuku stopped mid-void, the silence of space pressing in all around him. From this distance, Mars was no longer a landscape—it was a world. He carefully raised the camera again and captured the shot Melissa had asked for: Mars in all its lonely, breathtaking glory, suspended in the darkness.
The journey back felt almost like gliding. When the silver glow of the Moon came into view, Izuku slowed down, landing softly on the dusty surface. He walked across the silent plain, finding the historic spot. The American flag still stood there, faded but proud. He snapped a photo, framing it against the endless black sky.
Turning, he lifted the camera one more time and took the final shot Melissa wanted: Earth. Blue, white, and green, floating like a jewel above the barren lunar ground. For a long moment, Izuku just stared. Even from here, it looked fragile—something worth protecting at all costs.
With that, he crouched down and shot back toward Earth.
When he landed on I-Island, the impact shook the ground, but he slowed himself enough to avoid damaging the sensors strapped to him. The scientists swarmed immediately, hurriedly detaching scanners, cameras, and monitors, their excited chatter nearly drowning out one another. Izuku barely had time to stretch before a tray of food was thrust into his hands, the aroma making his stomach growl.
Melissa darted forward, her eyes shining with anticipation. Izuku pulled the camera from his suit and handed it to her. "Here. Post these—let the whole world see them. They should enjoy it too."
Her smile was so wide it nearly split her face. "Of course!" she said, already rushing toward the nearest computer station. She stopped mid-step and looked back. "Wait—what's your hero name? Everyone's going to want to know who took these."
Izuku paused, spoon halfway to his mouth. The room quieted as every scientist, technician, and even All Might turned to listen. After a moment, he set the spoon down and said with quiet certainty:
"Superman. I'm going to be Superman."
After finishing his meal, Izuku leaned back in his chair and stretched. The scientists were still buzzing with excitement, Melissa was uploading more photos to the island servers, and David was scribbling notes furiously. Izuku let them have their moment before clearing his throat.
"I've got a surprise for you three tomorrow," he said, looking at All Might, Melissa, and David. "But you'll need to dress for extreme cold."
That got their attention. All three froze, exchanging baffled glances before turning back toward him. Melissa tilted her head. "Cold? How cold are we talking?"
Izuku just smirked, crouched down, and prepared to take off. "You'll see. Just be ready." And with that, he rocketed into the sky, vanishing in a streak of red and blue before anyone could press further.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic Circle…
The wind howled outside a large canvas tent pitched against the icy wasteland. Inside, Lois Lane sat wrapped in a thick parka, steam rising from the tin cup of hot chocolate in her hands. Across from her, Jimmy Olsen fiddled with his gloves before breaking the silence.
"So, Lois," Jimmy muttered, voice heavy with fatigue, "how long are we going to keep this up before we call it quits?"
Lois shot him a sharp look over the rim of her cup. "We are sitting on the biggest story of our careers. If I'm right about what's buried under all this ice, it'll be worth more than every lead we've chased combined. This could be my Pulitzer, Jimmy."
Jimmy groaned, pulling his parka tighter. "You've been saying that for the past couple of days." Still, he reached over and checked his camera one more time, muttering about frozen lenses and dead batteries. Then, with a resigned sigh, he slipped into his sleeping bag. "Wake me if the alien spaceship shows up."
Lois smirked, eyes gleaming with determination. "Don't worry. I will."
Back in Japan, the next morning…
Izuku woke early, slipping into his hero costume before taking to the skies. The wind roared around him as he cut across the morning light, heading straight for U.A. High.
Landing lightly on the school grounds, he made his way to Principal Nezu's office. He found the small creature sitting comfortably on his chair, sipping tea with an air of calm intelligence.
"Izuku," Nezu greeted, setting his cup down. "What brings you here so early?"
Izuku straightened his posture. "There's something I need to tell All Might and the Shields. My secret. Because if I don't, it's only a matter of time before they figure it out themselves."
Nezu's dark eyes glimmered with interest. "And why now?"
Izuku looked out the window, watching the sun rise. "They already tested me in space. I flew to Mars. Once they saw I could survive the vacuum, the questions got harder to dodge. And… I overheard David call Toshinori 'All Might.' So I know at least part of All Might's secret."
Nezu's whiskers twitched. He studied Izuku for a long moment, then asked softly, "Are you sure you can trust them with this? Once spoken, such secrets cannot be taken back."
Izuku nodded firmly. "Yes. I think they've already earned that trust."
Nezu smiled faintly and hopped onto Izuku's shoulder. "Then I'll come along, just in case things get… complicated."
A few hours later, Izuku touched down on I-Island. He gently set Nezu down at the airport terminal before flying to the great central tower. From above, he spotted All Might, Melissa, and David waiting on the rooftop.
Landing beside them, Izuku wasted no time. "Do you have a car or something big enough for four people?"
All Might blinked. "A car? Young Midoriya, what are you—?"
Izuku cut him off. "Nezu's coming too. He already knows what I'm going to show you, and he's waiting at the airport."
Melissa's curiosity flared instantly. "Where are we going?"
Izuku looked each of them in the eye before answering simply:
"The North Pole."
The three of them were still reeling from Izuku's announcement, but they followed him without protest as David led them to his personal car. When they settled in, Izuku crouched low, slipped his hands beneath the frame, and lifted it as though it weighed nothing.
Melissa yelped, clutching the seat. "You're seriously carrying the car?!"
Izuku grinned. "Easiest way to get everyone where they need to be."
With a smooth beat of his cape, he shot into the air, holding the car steady as though it were no heavier than a backpack. He angled toward the airport and descended gently, setting the car down just outside the main building.
Nezu padded out of the terminal, his little suitcase in tow. "Ah, splendid timing," the principal said cheerfully. He hopped neatly into the back seat beside Melissa. "Now then, shall we?"
Izuku nodded, crouched again, and lifted them all back into the sky. This time he flew at a deliberately slow pace—not much faster than a plane—so his passengers wouldn't feel overwhelmed. The cold winds stung against the windows, and soon the endless white expanse of the Arctic stretched beneath them.
By the time they reached their destination, the sun was already high overhead. For nearly an hour, Izuku carried them deeper into the ice fields, until even the distant signs of human civilization disappeared.
Meanwhile, not far below…
In a canvas tent half-buried in snow, Jimmy Olsen sat shivering as he adjusted his camera lens. He happened to glance upward—and froze.
"Lois!" he hissed. "Lois, look!"
Lois Lane stepped out of the tent, hot chocolate steaming in her mittened hands. Then she, too, froze. High above the Arctic wasteland, a boy in red and blue soared through the sky—carrying a full-sized vehicle as if it were a toy.
Jimmy snapped a photo, then zoomed in. His hands shook. "It's him… it's that boy from Japan. He's carrying people."
Lois's eyes narrowed, her instincts burning. "Pack it up. Now. We're following him."
Within minutes, the camp was torn down. Lois and Jimmy fired up a snowmobile, its engine sputtering before roaring to life, and sped across the ice in the same direction Izuku had flown.
Back with Izuku and the others…
He slowed as they reached a vast, untouched stretch of frozen wasteland. Snow glittered in the sunlight, the air silent and still. Izuku descended, setting the car gently on the ice before letting his passengers out.
Melissa stamped her boots, pulling her parka tighter. "It's freezing…"
Nezu only twitched his whiskers, his sharp eyes already scanning the horizon.
Izuku took a deep breath, then stepped forward.
The ice beneath them trembled. A deep, resonant hum echoed through the frozen ground. Before their astonished eyes, enormous crystalline structures began to push their way out of the ice, glowing faintly as they rose higher and higher. Towering spires of crystal curved and locked together, forming archways, walls, and towers in a dazzling display of alien architecture.
The earth shook beneath their feet, but none of them moved. Their eyes were locked on the spectacle—the birth of a fortress that gleamed like a palace carved from living ice.
Melissa whispered, almost reverently, "It's… beautiful…"
David adjusted his glasses, utterly speechless. All Might's jaw tightened, awe mixing with a deep sense of unease. And Nezu, ever the observer, simply smiled.
Before anyone could comment on the crystalline fortress gleaming in the snow, Izuku's head snapped to the side. His sharp ears picked up the distant roar of an engine—unnatural in this desolate wilderness.
Moments later, everyone else heard it too. The sound grew louder until a snowmobile crested the ridge, its treads spitting up powder as it barreled toward them. Two figures rode atop it, bundled against the cold.
The machine skidded to a stop a few meters away, and when the passengers pulled back their goggles, Izuku's stomach sank.
"…Lois. Jimmy." His voice was flat, cold. "What are you doing here?"
Jimmy tried to look small, clutching his camera. Lois, however, swung her leg off the snowmobile and stood tall against the icy wind.
"We followed you," she said firmly. "The world deserves to know the truth about you—and about whatever this is." She gestured toward the towering fortress still gleaming with unearthly light.
Izuku's jaw tightened. "You think you have the right to decide what the world knows about me? About my family? If you actually cared about what the world needed, you'd be looking into how shady the H.P.S.C. is—how they manipulate heroes, how they silence people. But instead, you chase me."
For the first time, Lois's eyes flickered, her confidence wavering. She looked away, lips pressed thin.
Melissa stepped forward, trying to defuse the tension. "Um… so… what is this place, Izuku?"
Izuku turned, his cape billowing slightly in the Arctic wind. "Follow me."
They approached a massive door embedded in the crystal wall, gleaming steel framed by jagged translucent spires. At its center, etched in alien precision, was the same symbol that adorned Izuku's chest.
As he stepped close, the giant door rumbled, splitting apart with a sound like grinding glaciers. From within emerged two sleek humanoid robots, their eyes glowing with pale light.
"Welcome back, Kal-El," they intoned in unison, bowing slightly.
The others froze. Melissa's eyes went wide. David nearly dropped his glasses. Even All Might stiffened.
Izuku merely nodded, unshaken. "Take the car and the snowmobile inside. Repair any damage if needed."
The machines moved wordlessly to obey, guiding the vehicles toward the glowing interior.
The group followed Izuku into the fortress, their awe growing with every step. Towering halls of crystal stretched upward into infinity, glowing softly with refracted light. The air hummed with energy, neither cold nor warm, alive with strange resonance.
Then a voice filled the chamber—deep, echoing, commanding yet gentle.
"My son," it said, as a shimmering holographic figure appeared before them. The face was older, noble, with eyes that seemed to see through everything. "What is happening here?"
Izuku squared his shoulders. "I'm here to reveal my secret to a few people I trust. And…" He turned, his eyes hardening as he looked directly at Lois and Jimmy. "These two followed me here without my knowledge."
Jor-El's projection glanced toward the newcomers, unreadable.
Izuku's voice dropped into a warning tone. "You can stay—but you cannot write about this. Not a single word. If you insist on publishing what you've seen, you'll be escorted outside and left to find your own way back. The choice is yours."
The silence in the crystalline chamber was heavy, broken only by the faint hum of alien machinery.
Lois swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on her notebook. Jimmy clutched his camera, eyes darting between Izuku and the looming hologram of Jor-El.
Lois's jaw tightened. For a moment, she looked ready to fight him on it, pen already twitching against her notebook. But the weight of the fortress, the hologram of Jor-El, and the sheer power radiating from Izuku pressed down on her like the Arctic cold itself. Finally, she exhaled sharply and muttered,
"…Fine. I won't write about this. Not yet."
Izuku's eyes lingered on her, as if testing her resolve, before he gave a small nod. "Good. Then it's time you all knew the truth."
He stepped into the center of the crystalline chamber, the light refracting off the symbol on his chest.
"I'm not like the rest of you. I wasn't born on Earth. My name is Kal-El… I come from a planet called Krypton. It was destroyed long before I was old enough to remember it. My parents sent me here as an infant, hoping I'd survive, hoping I'd have a chance to live."
Melissa gasped, her hand covering her mouth. David's glasses slipped down his nose. All Might's face was unreadable, but his hand clenched at his side.
Izuku turned to Nezu and held out a device identical to the one strapped to his wrist. "And because I can't always be here, I want you to have this. It'll let you contact me anywhere—on Earth or in space. No matter where I am, you'll reach me."
Nezu accepted it with both paws, his sharp mind already running calculations. "Remarkable… truly remarkable."
The questions came almost immediately.
David adjusted his glasses, voice trembling with curiosity. "If you're an alien… what exactly are you capable of?"
Melissa practically bounced forward. "Is your power unlimited? Do you have weaknesses? Can you—can you really survive anywhere?"
All Might's tone was softer, carrying more weight. "Young Midoriya… or should I say, Kal-El… do you see yourself as a hero of Earth, or a visitor from beyond the stars?"
Lois finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. "Why here? Why Japan? Why… this life, this family? Did they choose it for you, or did you?"
Izuku opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Jor-El's hologram stepped forward.
"All these questions… are natural. My son's physiology has adapted to this world's yellow sun. It fuels him, grants him power beyond comprehension. But he is still learning his limits. Krypton is gone… but in him, its legacy lives on. He must choose what to become."
Before anyone could press further, a sharp alarm cut through the chamber. Red light spilled across the crystalline walls as a massive console ignited with urgency. An emergency broadcast flared to life, filling the fortress with static and panicked voices.
The image cleared: flames engulfed the streets of Hosu City. Civilians screamed as three hulking, grotesque Nomu rampaged through the chaos. Heroes were already on the ground, but the monsters were tearing through them like paper.
Nezu's ears flattened, his usual calm replaced by tension. "Hosu… Ida is interning with a hero there."
Izuku's eyes widened, his chest tightening. "Ida…"
For a heartbeat, no one moved. The chaos on the screen seemed to echo through the chamber. Then Izuku clenched his fists, his cape snapping behind him as he stepped toward the exit.
Without another word, he launched upward with a thunderous crack, the sound of a sonic boom rattling the very crystal of the fortress. A streak of red and blue vanished into the sky, heading straight for Hosu