The darkness of sleep enveloped me like a heavy blanket, my body exhausted from the day's matches. It was something deeper, a memory that wasn't mine-yet felt inescapably familiar.
I was small, a toddler with curly green hair, sitting in a cozy living room that looked like our apartment. Inko-Mom-was laughing, her green hair tied back as she prepared dinner.
A man stood beside her, tall and imposing, his face sharp and unscarred, eyes hidden behind shadows. He wasn't the absent father from my memories-the one who "worked overseas" in the canon story.
This man was him: All For One, the Symbol of Evil, before his fateful battle with All Might that left him disfigured. His voice was smooth, almost affectionate.
"Inko, my dear, our boy is special. But the world is dangerous. His quirk... it's too powerful for now."
I watched from my child-self's perspective, chubby hands reaching for a toy. My quirk? In the canon, Izuku was quirkless, but here, in this memory, a warm energy stirred inside me-a quirk manifesting early.
All For One placed a hand on my head, his palm glowing with dark energy. "I'll keep it safe," he murmured. The warmth drained, leaving me empty, quirkless. I cried, but he shushed me, turning to Inko. "Forget this. Forget me as your husband, as his father. I'm just... gone, working abroad. For your safety."
One of his quirks activated-memory alteration, a stolen ability. Inko's eyes glazed, then cleared, her smile returning as if nothing happened. The man-my father-faded into shadows, leaving us alone. The memory shattered, and I bolted awake in my bed, sweat drenching my sheets.
Panting, I clutched my chest, Saiyan Physiology surging protectively, green aura flaring. "What... was that?" I knew the canon backstory: Izuku quirkless, father absent.
But this? All For One as my father? He stole my quirk, wiped our memories, all before his face was ruined in that All Might fight. It explained my canon quirklessness-I had a quirk, but he took it.
Inko peeked in, her green hair tousled. "Izuku? Nightmare?" I forced a smile. "Yeah, Mom. I'm okay." She hugged me, her warmth chasing the shadows. My heart ached-she didn't remember, but she was still my anchor.
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Morning brought the festival's semifinal day, the stadium packed with even more spectators, pro heroes filling VIP boxes.
Hawks perched casually, wings folded, while Endeavor's fiery presence loomed. Class 1-A gathered in the waiting area, costumes ready. Uraraka bounced over, her smile bright.
"Midoriya! You vs. Todoroki-nervous?" Her concern was genuine, post-USJ bonds stronger. I shook my head. "A bit, but we've got this." My Saiyan Physiology felt limitless, but Todoroki's dual quirks were just a little challenge-I'd force him to use both at full power, help him embrace his fire, like canon, but with my dominance ensuring victory.
Kirishima fist-bumped me. "Crush it, man! Todoroki's tough, but you're a beast!" Tsuyu ribbited, "Ribbit, use your head, not just power."
Bakugo scoffed, arms crossed. "Don't lose, Deku. I want you in the final." His growl hid anticipation-Momo vs. him later would be fierce, but he eyed my match.
Momo adjusted her ponytail, calm after her Shinso win. "Good luck, Midoriya. Your restraint inspires us." Todoroki passed, his heterochromatic eyes meeting mine. "Let's give them a show," he said, voice even.
Present Mic's voice boomed: "Semifinals start now! First match: Izuku Midoriya vs. Shoto Todoroki! Power vs. Dual Quirks-let's go Plus Ultra!"
The crowd erupted as we stepped into the arena, the air electric. Todoroki's costume was pristine, right side frosted, left untouched. My green aura flickered subtly, Saiyan senses reading his stance-tense, conflicted.
Midnight cracked her whip. "Begin!" Todoroki stomped, unleashing a glacier of ice, towering and jagged, surging toward me like a frozen avalanche.
The crowd gasped, but my Saiyan speed-faster than Iida's Engine-dodged effortlessly. I charged through, green aura flaring, shattering ice with a single punch.
Shards rained, and I closed the gap, telekinetically hurling a 50kg chunk to distract. "Come on, Todoroki! Use everything!" I shouted, knowing his fire side was key to his growth.
He frowned, sending another ice wave. I used Enhanced Reflexes to weave through, Kinetic Glove amplifying a counter-punch that cracked his defense. He skidded back, frost spreading on his right side-overuse chilling him.
"Why hold back?" I pressed, Saiyan strength letting me tank a glancing ice hit, green aura melting it instantly. Todoroki's eyes narrowed, left side sparking. "You don't understand," he muttered, flames erupting finally, a fiery blast scorching the air.
The crowd roared-Endeavor's glare intensified from the stands. Todoroki's fire wave clashed with my charge, heat singing my costume, but Saiyan durability shrugged it off. I leaped, telekinetically pulling debris to block his view, then landed a controlled kick.
He blocked with ice, but the force sent him tumbling. "That's it-use both!" I encouraged, my knowledge echoing the canon moment-he needed to accept his fire for himself, not Endeavor.
Todoroki rose, breathing heavy, flames and ice coiling around him. "Fine... I'll show you full power!" He unleashed both at max: ice surging from right, fire from left, creating a steam-blinding vortex.
The arena shook, crowd on their feet. I pushed Saiyan Physiology harder, green aura blazing like Broly's wrath, speed dodging the vortex. Major Telekinesis lifted 50kg ice shards, hurling them back as projectiles. Todoroki countered with fire, melting them, but I closed in, Adrenaline Surge boosting my speed.
Our clashes echoed-my punch met his ice-fire fist, shockwaves cracking the ground. Pain from USJ's 30% push flashed, but Saiyan resilience held. "You're strong, Todoroki, but embrace it all!" I shouted, telekinetically pinning his arms briefly, forcing him to blast free with full dual power.
Flames roared, ice encased, the arena a battlefield of extremes. He pushed harder, a combined wave engulfing me-heat and cold searing, but I burst through, green aura exploding, landing a final, restrained punch to his midsection. Todoroki flew back, out of bounds, gasping.
Midnight declared, "Midoriya advances to the finals!" The crowd went wild, pros like Hawks clapping. Todoroki stood, flames dying, but his expression softened-a breakthrough, accepting his fire.
"Thank you... Midoriya," he said, voice quiet. I helped him up, "You're a true hero." Endeavor's fury from the stands was palpable, but Todoroki ignored him, growth etched on his face.
Back in the stands, Class 1-A swarmed. Uraraka hugged me, blushing. "You did it! That was incredible!" Kirishima cheered, "Manly fight!" Tsuyu ribbited, "You pushed him to grow." Bakugo's eyes burned. "You're mine in the final, Deku." Momo nodded, "Well done. My match against Bakugo is next-wish me luck." Aizawa approached, his bandages stark. "Good control, Midoriya."
The finals loomed: me vs. Bakugo. With Saiyan Physiology, I'd win, but I'd do it as a hero.