Chapter 1:
A/N:
Welcome to Midoriya Izuku Dragon Rider! This story was originally on AO3, and as the original author I felt I should add it here so I could listen to it with text to speech. This story had some technical issues in the transition from AO3 to , but they're being fixed now, and most likely already are if you're reading this A/N. I do have a patrat, where you can support me and my work. I use the same name on AO3, here, and patrat, so look me up at /Tireddiver, if you'd like to support. There are no extra chapters or anything, cause I don't want to hold the work hostage or anything, it's just so you can support me as an artist.
Italics- thoughts
Bold- the ancient language
Bold Italics? - thoughts in the ancient language
==Dragon Rider==
Midoriya Izuku once again found himself crying in the woods behind the park. He had just wanted to play with his friends. But Kacchan had just scoffed at him.
"Come back once you get your quirk you loser," Kacchan had sneered.
Everyone else had gotten their quirks. He was the only one without one. He just didn't understand why he didn't get to have his. They were starting school, real school, next week. If Izuku didn't have his quirk by then, he was scared of what the others would think. He was scared what that would mean.
Izuku tried to wipe away his tears. He'd always been quick to cry and stopping the tears once they came was all but impossible. He threw on a big All MightTM smile and did his best to laugh, but it sounded more like sobbing.
As he quieted back down, another sound began to mix with the soft sound of his sniffling. Izuku couldn't figure out which way it was coming from. It was like it existed all around him. Izuku closed his eyes and listened as hard as he could.
The sound reminded Izuku of the songs his mom would hum to him. It was soft and soothing. He found his tears dried and he felt a lot calmer. There were words. Gently spoken as they were Izuku couldn't make any of them out. They sounded strange and unfamiliar though.
"H-hello?" Izuku called out into the woods around him.
The singing cut off instantly. The sudden silence was startling and Izuku worried he had upset whoever had been out there.
"I-I'm sorry," he called out again. "I didn't mean to scare you. I-I'll just go."
Izuku turned to head back to the park and his mother. She'd probably been worrying about him anyways. He shouldn't stress her out anymore than she already was. She wouldn't tell him what was wrong, but he knew there was something.
Wait youngling, the voice spoke. It still sounded weird. It was as if she had spoken directly into his thoughts. I am sorry… It has been a long time since anyone has spoken to me…it…surprised me.
"That's okay," Izuku responded. He still didn't know where he was supposed to be looking. He found himself spinning around the trees and looking for any sign of who was speaking. "My name is Midoriya."
I am Saphira, the voice told him.
"How are you doing this?" Izuku asked, finally admitting that Saphira was not anywhere near him. "Is this your quirk?"
No, Saphira informed him. It is rather hard to explain.
Izuku pouted. "That's what grown-ups say when they think I'm too dumb to understand," he sulked.
Saphira laughed at him. The sound was much deeper than a normal laugh, it vibrated inside his head all funny too.
I do not think you are dumb young one, Saphira assured him. It is only that my situation will be rather strange for one such as yourself.
"Why?" Izuku asked with a curious tilt of his head.
Saphira huffed a sigh at him. Come young one, she commanded him. Find me and I will show you.
Images began to fly through Izuku's mind. Trees and rocks and small paths. All of a sudden it was like he knew the woods better than ever. He knew where to go to find Saphira. Izuku ran off into the woods as fast as he could.
==Dragon Rider==
Izuku stumbled into the clearing. It had been a lot further than he had thought. The sun was already setting, but he had finally made it. Looking around, Izuku couldn't help noticing that the clearing was beautiful. It was a circular area with no trees around. The grass had grown lush with the ample access to sunshine and a few flowers had grown up as well.
"Saphira?" Izuku called as he walked further in. He stumbled a little as walked. The ground slopped down towards the center of the clearing gently enough that he hadn't noticed.
I am here young one, Saphira spoke to him.
"I don't see you," Izuku said as his eyes swept the clearing again.
There was something resting in the middle of the clearing. It was nestled in the grass so Izuku hadn't seen it on his first look around. He made his way over and knelt in front of it.
He found that it was not one, but two things. The first, the larger of the two, was a shimmering green stone. From the little light that did shine on it, Izuku could see a rainbow of other colors flickering across the surface. The second, was a glittering blue gemstone. Its shape was smooth, rounded into a perfect oval. It reminded Izuku of a sapphire, but it was much larger and clearer than any sapphire Izuku had ever seen. It seemed almost to glow.
Now you see me, Saphira chuckled. As she spoke the flickering light that came from within the sapphire seemed to pulse and grow brighter.
"You're the sapphire?" Izuku gasped.
In a manner of speaking I suppose, Saphira chuckled. Though this is what I am, this is not all that defines me.
"I don't understand," Izuku said with a shake of his head.
Saphira laughed. It wasn't the mean taunting laugh Kacchan would give him if he admitted that he didn't understand something. It was like she was laughing more at herself.
I would be surprised if you did young one, Saphira told him. Even in a world as strange as your own the magic of dragons is not easy to understand.
"D-dragons!?" Izuku exclaimed. He fell back on his butt and into the soft grass. "You're a dragon!? That's so cool!"
Thank you young one, Saphira chuckled again.
"So then how come you're in a gem?" Izuku asked nervously. His mom always warned him against asking too many questions, but if Saphira was a dragon then he really wanted answers.
This gem is my heart, Saphira told him. She didn't sound upset at his question which helped Izuku calm back down. My body died long ago, in a battle unlike any that had come before it. Though my body fell, my heart survived. I have spent many eons as you see me. And when the time came that a guard was needed for a desperate mission, I was chosen.
"A guard?" Izuku repeated. His eyes flickered to the stone that Saphira rested with. "For the stone?"
I see that I was not wrong, you are not dumb, Saphira teased. Yes, young one, I am here to guard the egg and ensure its mission is completed.
"But how can you guard the stone if you're trapped in your heart?" Izuku wondered.
I am not so helpless as you might think, Saphira told him. It felt like she was smirking. None may find this place unless I allow them. Even if someone were strong enough to ignore my protections then they would find themselves facing my wrath.
Izuku didn't need to ask if that would be enough a second time. The emotion and power that Saphira put into her words were such that Izuku had no more doubts.
"S-so what is its mission?" Izuku asked as he looked to the stone. It was a desperate attempt to change the subject.
He must find his rider, Saphira told him. Her voice had regained its gentle nature, for which Izuku would be eternally grateful. Processing her words though, Izuku blinked.
"He?" Izuku realized.
Yes, young one, Saphira confirmed. It is not a stone as you call it. It is an egg. A dragon's egg. And the wyrmling who sleeps inside is ready to hatch, but he is waiting.
"For his rider," Izuku repeated. "A human?"
Perhaps, Saphira mused with a mental shrug. Izuku didn't fully understand how he could tell what she was doing. There are others, but they seem to be…absent from this world.
"How will you know when you find the right one?" Izuku asked. "How does he know?"
He will decide in his own time, Saphira told him. All I can do is listen and wait.
"Wow," Izuku whispered under his breath.
Indeed, Saphira laughed. Now young one, would you like to see if he would accept you?
"W-wha!?" Izuku screamed. "Me! But but-"
It is why I brought you here young one, Saphira cut him off with a gentle smile, Izuku again had no idea how he knew that she was smiling. There is something to be said for destiny. Your presence in these woods might be coincidence, or it might be fate.
"What do I do?" Izuku asked in wonder.
Place your hand against the egg, Saphira coached him. Then we shall see.
Izuku crept forward and once again leaned over Saphira's heart and the egg. The egg was huge now that he knew what it was. It was maybe fifteen centimeters tall and ten wide. It would take both hands to lift it if he tried. Instead, he took a deep steadying breath and placed his hand against the egg as Saphira had told him.
The first thing Izuku noticed about the egg was the warmth. It felt like he had placed his hand on the outside of the oven. Its surface felt incredible hard to the touch too, but Izuku could feel scale like ridges beneath his palm.
"H-hello," Izuku stammered. If there was a dragon inside, he didn't want to be rude. "M-my name is Midoriya Izuku. I hope we can get along."
Izuku waited. The wind rustling in the trees was the only sound as he looked for any sign from the egg. Nothing happened though. Izuku felt his heart clench in disappointment. He sighed in defeat. Of course, the dragon wouldn't choose someone like him. Why would it?
Izuku was about to remove his hand from the egg when he felt it shift beneath his fingers. His eyes lasered back in on the green surface as he watched it shake once again. A crack sounded out and a split appeared beneath his palm. Izuku removed his hand on reflex.
Just as his hand pulled back a head burst through the egg. The dragon was the same lush green color as the egg. Its head was so tiny, no bigger than a walnut, but he was beautiful. Izuku stared and the dragon stared back at him, emerald eyes meeting forest green ones.
The dragon crawled his way out of the egg. Izuku was too fascinated to look away. The dragon's four legs were each as thick as its slender neck, which wasn't more than a few centimeters. Tiny spikes descended his back, each one so thin that Izuku could hardly see them. The dragon's wings were furled up against its sides, but the slightly lighter color of the webbing was still visible.
"H-hello," Izuku stammered.
He reached his hand out while keeping palm up, the same way his mom had taught him to do when he wanted to pet a dog or a cat. The dragon leaned its head forward and sniffed at his palm. After a moment he placed his nose in the center of Izuku's hand.
The pain was instant. It was like the time he touched the stove, but it was so much worse. The burning was paired with another sensation, one like he had dunked the rest of his arm in ice water. It only lasted a moment, but Izuku screamed regardless.
He clutched his palm close to himself, the tears falling as he cradled the burnt appendage.
He felt a strong sense of worry. It was strange. It was like he was feeling the emotion, but that it wasn't his own. Or maybe that it didn't start with him? Looking up he found the dragon watching him, far closer than it had been before.
The dragon leaned forward and licked his cheek. The tiny tongue tickled as it flicked across his cheek.
"I'm okay," Izuku sniffled.
Well done young one, Saphira commended him.
Izuku startled. He had forgotten about the other dragon. The green dragon seemed to jump too, its head snapping towards the blue gem where it lay on the ground by its now empty egg.
"T-thank you," Izuku said remembering his manners. "What was that?"
That was the bond, Saphira told him. Izuku looked down at his hand. There was now a silvery mark where he had felt the burning. It was a spiraling thing with ridges along the outside. It was right in the center of his palm. The mark is the gedwëy ignasia, and it is both the mark of your bond and your mark as dragon rider.
"S-so what now?" Izuku asked.
Now? Saphira paused as though she were thinking about it herself. Now, we shall go with you.
==Dragon Rider==
"Mom!" Izuku cried as he ran out of the woods and back into the park where he had last seen his mother. It was late now. The sun had gone down a while ago. The park was lit by the flashing of red lights though.
Izuku saw his mom standing beside a man in some kind of blue uniform. She looked like she'd been crying.
"Mom!" Izuku called again as he ran towards her.
Midoriya Inko, Izuku's mother, looked up and saw Izuku running at her waving excitedly.
"Izuku!" Inko cried hysterically. She threw herself at her son and scooped him up into her arms. "Where have you been!? I was so worried! Are you okay!?"
Izuku looked up into his mom's face to see that while the tears were still streaming down her face, she wore a stern expression.
"I'm sorry mama," Izuku laughed as he buried his face in her shoulder. "But I had the most amazing thing happen!"
"Wha-?" Inko wondered.
"Young man," the man next to them interrupted her. "You shouldn't run off from your mother. She was very worried about you and as a result we had to waste our time when nothing was wrong."
"Now wait just a minute," Inko demanded of the man, who Izuku could now tell was a police officer. "Waste your time? Just what exactly do you think you job is?"
"It's not chasing after little boys whose mothers can't keep them in line," the officer complained as he jabbed a finger at Izuku.
Before either Izuku or Inko could voice their complaints at the officer, the dragon snaked its head over Izuku's shoulder and snapped at the offending finger.
"What the fuck!" the officer exclaimed as he snatched his hand away.
"Izuku?" Inko asked weakly as the dragon crawled its way off of Izuku's back and curled up around his neck.
"I was trying to tell you!" Izuku exclaimed happily, his anger at the officer instantly forgotten as he remembered his day. "I met a dragon!"
"I-I can see that," Inko nodded weakly. "But umm…"
Izuku looked up at her with a big smile and the words died in her throat. He could see she was worrying about something.
"What is it mama?" Izuku asked curiously.
"N-nothing Izuku," Inko said with a shake of her head. She plastered a big smile to her face. "It must be a part of your quirk sweetheart. It just took me by surprise is all."
"It's not a quirk mama," Izuku told her.
Inko gave Izuku a curious look before she shook her head. "Well, we'll just have to go to the doctor and see what he thinks then," she sighed.
==Dragon Rider==
Izuku was laying in his bed that night with the dragon curled up on his chest. His mom had made an appointment with a quirk doctor in the morning. His mom hadn't listened to him when he'd tried to explain everything. She just smiled and nodded the whole time he talked. When he was done, she had ruffled his hair and said something about the imagination of children.
Izuku turned his head, careful not to disturb the sleeping dragon, and looked at Saphira's heart where he had placed it on his nightstand. The light that glimmered within still shone and pulsed as he watched it.
"Saphira?" he whispered.
Yes, little one? Saphira responded instantly.
"What if no one believes me?" he asked her.
Then no one believes you, Saphira answered.
"Is that okay?" Izuku asked. "I mean, you're dragons."
This world is a strange one Midoriya, Saphira mused. But it is not the way of dragons to worry about the views of others. The only thing that matters is that you understand the truth of the bond between you and him. You belong to each other, but neither of you are the others master. You are partners bound together in a relationship of give and take.
Izuku thought about that as he stroked the dragon's back, careful to avoid the needle-sharp spikes. "Does he have a name?" Izuku wondered aloud.
Not yet, Saphira laughed. You have not named him.
"I get to do it?" Izuku asked.
In a manner of speaking, Saphira confirmed. Though he will have some say in it. He will let you know if he dislikes what you come up with.
"Did your rider name you?" Izuku asked.
Saphira was quiet for a moment. Izuku watched as the light emanating from Saphira's heart seemed to flicker. Izuku wondered if he'd get an answer.
Yes, young one, Saphira confirmed though her voice was much more solemn now. It took him several tries. He was not the most eloquent of humans when we first met.
"You sound like you miss him," Izuku whispered.
Every day my heart calls out for him, Saphira sighed. The bond between a dragon and their rider is unlike any other. The two of you shall become one and then you will understand.
"I'm sorry," Izuku said sadly.
Do not let my sorrow weigh on your heart young one, Saphira told him. I have come to peace with Eragon's passing. And it will be a long time before either of you will come to know my pain. For now, you should sleep. In the morning we shall worry about his name and the things to come.
Izuku let his head sink back into the pillow and continued to stroke the dragon's back. He thought of everything Saphira had said. Everything about this was so strange, but he could not find it in himself to worry about that. He felt like it was the start of something. He felt excited.
==Dragon Rider==
Good morning young one, Saphira's voice greeted him as he opened his eyes.
It was too bright and too early. With a groan he rolled over in his bed. He could afford five more minutes. A sharp pain on his ear had him bolting upright.
"Ow!" he yelped as he grabbed his ear.
Izuku looked back down at his pillow and found the dragon watching him from beside where his head had been. Forest green eyes sparkling with intelligence looked at him. There was something in them that Izuku couldn't quite recognize. He felt a sudden sense of hunger, but it felt strange again. Combined with the fact that he knew he wasn't hungry; he came to a startling realization.
"Is this your hunger?" Izuku asked the dragon.
The hunger grew stronger. Izuku looked to Saphira's heart where she sat on his nightstand. Her glow was more muted than he had seen it before.
"Well let's go get you something to eat," Izuku sighed. He got out of bed and the dragon scaled his pajamas and curled around his neck once again.
Izuku walked out of his room and to the kitchen where he found his mom placing two bowls on the table.
"Great timing honey," Inko laughed. "I was just about to come get you."
Izuku sat down in front of his bowl. Breakfast wasn't anything fancy, it never really was in the Midoriya household. It was an egg over a bowl of rice. Izuku cut off a piece of the egg with his chopsticks and held it up to the dragon. The dragon took a sniff before his jaws lashed out and devoured the small bite in an instant.
"Izuku, sweety," Inko voiced. Izuku looked up at his mom to find her staring at him with concern in her eyes. "Should you really be feeding it?"
"He was hungry," Izuku shrugged groggily.
He cut off another bite of egg and gave it to the dragon. He ended up feeding the entire egg to the dragon before it scampered off of his shoulder and onto the table. He watched as the dragon as it sat on the table and began cleaning its claws with its tongue.
Inko huffed as she put her own egg in Izuku's bowl before returning to the kitchen to make herself another.
"Are you ready to come up with your name?" Izuku asked curiously as he took his first bite of egg.
The dragon looked at him with a tilt of his head.
"Well I feel bad just calling you dragon," Izuku explained. "Saphira said we should come up with it together."
Izuku felt a sense of excited curiosity, a lot like how he felt when he saw a new hero. He took it as confirmation that the dragon was ready.
"You're such a pretty color I thought we could call you after that," Izuku told the dragon. The positive emotions that rolled off the dragon made him smile. "Okay, then how do you feel about Forest?"
The dragon gave an indignant huff.
"Guess not," Izuku sighed. "Well your scales shine like little gemstones but they're a lot lighter than emeralds. What about Jade?"
The dragon raised its head a little higher at that. It seemed to bask in not only the praise but in the name as well.
Seems to be a good fit, Saphira's voice rang through his mind.
Izuku spewed rice across the table. His mother, who had returned only moments gave him an exasperated look.
"Are you okay Izuku?" she asked. "What happened?"
"Just swallowed wrong," Izuku coughed. "Sorry."
Izuku got up and ran to the kitchen for a paper towel to clean up. Jade hopped after him, launching onto and climbing up his sleeve as he left the room.
"You two are gonna be the death of me," Izuku muttered with a shake of his head.
The sound of two very different laughs rang through his mind. Izuku found he couldn't help but smile himself.
==Dragon Rider==
"Well I can honestly say that your son has the strangest quirk I've ever seen," the doctor laughed. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it wasn't a quirk at all."
"What do you mean doctor?" Inko asked as she put one arm around Izuku. He held Jade in his lap as the two adults spoke as though he wasn't in the room.
"Well from what I can tell your son is quirkless," the doctor told her. "Has the toe joint and all our tests indicate a lack of activation of his quirk factor. But between the dragon, the mark on his hand, and the clear connection between the two of them there's no denying that this is his quirk."
"So what happens now?" Inko asked.
"Well we'll mark him down as having a companion quirk I suppose," the doctor shrugged. "It doesn't seem to have wrought any changes besides the mark itself. We'll have to keep an eye on him to know for sure, but I doubt we'll see anything. This type of quirk rarely changes much after its manifestation."
Inko sighed in relief. "So the dragon isn't going to grow?" Inko asked hopefully.
"Probably not," the doctor shook his head. "It might grow a little, but more than likely it will stay proportional with your son."
Izuku wanted to speak up. But each time he'd tried to explain that he had found Jade in an egg and not through some sort of psychic manifestation they just wrote him off. He doubted they wanted to hear his thoughts on Jade's growth. He was also still coming to terms that the doctor just told him he wouldn't be getting a quirk at all. He had Jade though, and he thought Jade was cooler than any quirk.
"Seeing as your son is unable to de-summon the dragon, I'll write a letter that can be filed with the police for a permit allowing it to accompany your son in public," the doctor said as he wrote something down on his clipboard. "It'll take a few minutes to get all the information down. I'll have one of the nurses bring it to you and then you'll be all set."
"Thank you, doctor," Inko said as she rose from her seat to bow. "That is very kind of you. You've been a great help."
"And if anything else changes please feel free to come back and we can take another look," the doctor told her. He left the room without a single word spoken to Izuku.
==Dragon Rider==
The changes started the next day. The first change was rather simple really, Jade began to fly. Izuku had known it was only a matter of time, Saphira had told him stories of her flying, but it still came as a surprise when he walked out of the bathroom to a flying green lizard slamming into his face.
His mom hadn't seemed too bothered by the change. At least not until Jade had flown into the fridge when her back was turned. Jade had made it through two thirds of their pork before she'd caught him. After that she'd insisted that the dragon hunt if he were hungry.
Each night Izuku opened his window and Jade would go hunting. Jade would send Izuku images and memories of the kills that he was proud of, including several large birds of prey that he had caught at the park where they had met. Jade was eating very well. Which may have caused the next change.
Despite what the doctor had told Inko, Jade was growing. Not only was Jade growing, but he was growing fast. By the end of that first week he was more than double the size he had been when he had hatched. He was still incredibly slender, but he already weighed enough that Izuku couldn't pick him up anymore. Inko was taking this less well.
"He's so big," she had commented at dinner one night. Jade was resting his head on Izuku's lap as the boy ate his dinner.
"I know," Izuku nodded proudly. He scratched the base of one of Jade's spikes. "He's already over a meter long from nose to tail!"
"But the doctor said he wasn't going to grow," Inko murmured.
"Jade's a dragon mom," Izuku groaned. "He's just young. He's gonna grow lots and lots!"
Izuku's words sunk in and Inko's eyes went wide. "H-how big do you think dragon's get Izuku?"
"Hmmm," Izuku thought about what Saphira had told him. Dragons were immortal, they grew their entire lives too. "I don't know but probably as big as a house, easy."
Inko seemed to pale at that.
"Is everything okay mama?" Izuku asked with a tilt of his head. He took another bite of Katsudon as he watched his mom.
"F-fine honey," Inko stammered. "I just need to think some things through. Don't worry."
"Okay then," Izuku nodded. He finished his Katsudon and stood up. "I'm gonna head to bed. I'll see you in the morning!"
Izuku dashed away, Jade right behind him. They left his mother staring after them, neither really noticing the way her eyebrows knit together in concern.
Izuku hurriedly got ready for bed and got into his room. He looked at Saphira's heart again. She hadn't spoken to him in a few days and he was starting to get worried. The light that glimmered within her heart was dimmer than it had first been too.
"What if she doesn't wake up?" Izuku asked Jade.
The dragon placed his head in Izuku's lap. Izuku felt Jade's presence in his mind. He shared Izuku's worry, but he had a hope that was missing from Izuku's thoughts.
"I'm sure your right," Izuku sniffled. "I'm just so scared. What if she's sick?"
Jade huffed at him, Izuku could feel he was offended.
"Dragons can get sick too Jade," Izuku told him as he shoved his head away.
Izuku knew that he only succeeded because Jade let him. Jade had proven that he was more than strong enough to overpower the five-year-old boy on multiple occasions.
I appreciate your concerns young ones, Saphira's voice rang out. She sounded tired. But I promise you have nothing to worry about.
"Saphira!" Izuku nearly shouted as he snatched her heart off of the nightstand. The light within had brightened, if only a little bit. "You're okay!"
Jade added his agreement mentally, a satisfaction radiating within Izuku's mind.
I am fine, Saphira assured them. I have been awake for a long-time young ones. It is not a dragon's nature to remain watchful as I have done over the centuries since we came to this land. I need to rest, to recover now that you have been found.
"Oh," Izuku murmured. "I'm sorry if we woke you."
You did not, Saphira laughed. Tired as I am, I still have a responsibility.
"A responsibility?" Izuku asked.
You two are to be riders in this land, Saphira sighed. I will have to see to your training. The next time I awaken we will begin. Be ready.
And just as quickly as she'd awoken, Izuku felt Saphira's presence recede and the glow from her heart dim once again.
==Dragon Rider==
Izuku's first day of school came two days after Saphira's promise of training. The female dragon had not made any indication of waking again. So Izuku was instead trying to focus on school. He was incredibly nervous, but the note from the doctor had gotten him a permit that allowed Jade to stay with Izuku 24/7. It didn't dispel his fears, but it helped him face the day.
Izuku's mom dropped them off at the front gate of the school.
"Be good Izuku," Inko reminded him as she knelt down. "And keep Jade out of trouble. Okay?"
"Okay mama," Izuku nodded. "I'll try!"
"That's my sweet boy," Inko smiled. She stood up and Izuku turned to head through the gates.
Other students, most of which Izuku didn't recognize, were heading into the school too. A lot of them would point at Jade when they saw him trailing behind Izuku. Excited whispers followed them as they made their way through the courtyard, into the building, and all the way to their classroom.
Izuku was starting to feel horribly self-conscious with all the attention he and Jade were receiving. None of the other students could pass by without staring now. Izuku hurried up and opened the door. He stepped inside to find the teacher directing a student to their desk.
She turned and smiled when she saw Izuku waiting in the doorway.
"Well come on in," she called. "I'm Mrs. Tanaka. I'm going to be your teacher for the year."
"H-hello," Izuku stammered. He gave a small bow, Jade copying the motion behind him. "My name is Midoriya Izuku and this is Jade."
Mrs. Tanaka eyes widened as she took in the dragon that was half hidden behind Izuku. She had to shake herself out of a daze before she continued. "I see," Mrs. Tanaka said. "The principal warned me you had a companion quirk. Will he be okay sitting beside your desk?"
"Yes ma'am," Izuku nodded.
Mrs. Tanaka led Izuku over to a desk by the window. He put his bag down and sat in the seat, Jade situating himself underneath the seat itself, his head wrapping around to rest in Izuku's lap. Izuku smiled down at him and began scratching him beneath the jaw.
"Deku?" a familiar voice asked in shock. "What the fuck is that?"
Izuku looked up to find the Bakugo Katsuki, Kacchan, standing next to Mrs. Tanaka, who looked appalled at his language. But Kacchan had always been like that. He took after his mom, Izuku's Aunt Mitsuki, who cursed even worse than he did.
"Hey Kacchan!" Izuku greeted him with a smile. "This is Jade. He's my dragon."
"How the fuck did you get a dragon?" Kacchan snapped.
"Bakugo," Mrs. Tanaka scolded the boy. "While I understand Midoriya's quirk is surprising that is no excuse for that kind of language. If you curse in my classroom again, I will have no choice but to send you to the principal's office."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Kacchan waved her off. He stomped past Izuku and towards the seat she had been leading him to.
Izuku felt a wave of displeasure roll through his mind. He looked down at Jade, but the dragon was still resting there with his eyes closed. Whatever had bothered him apparently wasn't enough to get him to move away from Midoriya's scratches.
A few more students trickled in, Mrs. Tanaka showing each one to their seat. Once every desk was filled, she moved to the front of the room.
"Hello everyone," she addressed them. "Allow me to introduce myself once again. My name is Mrs. Tanaka and I will be your teacher for the year. I hope we're all going to get along swimmingly. We're going to start the day with introductions. You'll all come up, one at a time, and introduce yourselves. You can tell us something fun about yourself too."
As the students went up a pattern was instantly clear. Every student who went up gave their name and their quirk. No one offered anything else as their fun fact. There were a lot of really cool quirks in the class. Though no one else seemed quite as excited as Izuku was. Only a few kids really got more than one or two comments on their quirks.
When Kacchan went up, he gave a demonstration of his quirk. The loud popping and bright display earned him a scowl from Mrs. Tanaka but more comments than anyone else had received from the class. They all loved it.
Finally, it was Izuku's turn. He walked up to the front of the class and did his best not to shake from nervousness. He felt Jade nuzzle into his hand. It helped, if only a little.
"M-my name is Midoriya Izuku," Izuku introduced himself. "This is my dragon Jade."
"What's your quirk?" One of the other kids called out.
"Umm," Izuku hesitated.
"Jade is Midoriya's quirk," Mrs. Tanaka jumped in to explain. "He's what's called a companion quirk."
Several voices began whispering around the classroom. Izuku felt negative emotion spike through him once again. This time when he turned to Jade, he found him looking down at the ground. Izuku felt an instant his stomach drop.
"I-it's more complicated than that," Izuku shook his head.
"I'm afraid we need to move on Midoriya," Mrs. Tanaka told him with a gentle smile. "Maybe another time."
She shooed Izuku back to his seat before he got a chance to explain.
The rest of the students went up and introduced themselves. Izuku found he couldn't pay attention. Jade had placed his head back in Izuku's lap, but he refused to look up at the boy. Izuku could feel the tears pricking at his eyes.
Saphira had said that dragons don't concern themselves with the opinions of others. All that mattered was Izuku and Jade's bond. Which meant that it was Izuku that Jade was mad at, didn't it? He hated the thought that he had upset Jade. It made his stomach tighten into a knot that he just wanted to go away.
"Wonderful," Mrs. Tanaka smiled as the last student returned to their seat. "Now we have just enough time to go over some Kanji before we head outside for recess."
==Dragon Rider==
Izuku and Jade were the last ones in the classroom. Mrs. Tanaka had led the others outside to the playground. Izuku still hadn't gotten out of his seat. He needed to speak to Jade.
"I'm sorry Jade," Izuku said. He could feel the tears that he had fought away earlier begin pouring down his face. "I shouldn't let them talk about you that way."
Jade lifted his head out of Izuku's lap, his forest green eyes looking at Izuku's sadly. Izuku felt the dissatisfaction Jade was stewing in.
"I'll do better," Izuku promised. "I know you aren't just a quirk."
Jade rolled his eyes at Izuku.
"What?!" Izuku gasped defensively. He was apologizing!
Jade fixed him with a very pointed look that had Izuku shrinking in on himself.
"Is that not what's wrong?" Izuku asked nervously. What else could it have been? What had he done?
Jade huffed at him. He lowered his head and pushed the top of it into Izuku's chest. Mine, a voice rumbled in Izuku's mind. It was soft and firm, and it made Izuku's skin tingle to hear.
Izuku was left utterly stunned. He couldn't stop staring at Jade. "You spoke to me," he whispered.
Jade rolled his eyes at Izuku once again.
"How long could you do that?!" Izuku exclaimed.
Jade crawled out from under Izuku's seat and made his way towards the door. About halfway he brought his head back around to look at Izuku, who was still staring dumbfounded after him. Jade huffed once before turning his head back and continuing towards the door.
"W-wait!" Izuku called after him. He practically launched himself out of his seat to follow.
Izuku caught up to Jade in the hall and the two of them headed out to the playground together. Mrs. Tanaka seemed shocked when Izuku walked out the door. After a quick excuse about him using the restroom Izuku and Jade were sent to join the others.
They were almost instantly surrounded by the other kids, all of whom had questions.
"Can I ride him?" A boy with metal hair asked.
"He isn't big enough to ride yet," Izuku told him with a shake of his head.
"Can he breathe fire?" Yelled the girl who didn't have to blink.
"Not yet," Izuku said with another shake of his head.
"So basically, you got yourself an overgrown iguana," Kacchan called out.
"Hey!" Izuku exclaimed as Jade snarled from beside him. Several students backed away from the dragon.
"What a shitty quirk," Kacchan sneered. "It can't even do anything."
"Shut up!" Izuku screamed. Jade barred his teeth at Kacchan, but the boy didn't seem to care about either of them.
"Come on guys," Kacchan said as he spun around. "Let's go play heroes where you can see a real quirk in action."
Several of the boys followed Kacchan as he stormed away. The crowd around Izuku, even those that didn't follow Kacchan, dispersed too. Izuku was left all alone with Jade.
"Don't listen to them Jade," Izuku murmured as he hugged the dragon's neck.
Jade just huffed and nuzzled his face into Izuku's shoulder. Izuku felt Jade trying to send comforting emotions to Izuku, but Jade's own anger was bleeding through.
The rest of recess, after they'd both calmed down, Izuku spent teaching Jade all the words he knew. He had no idea how much Jade could talk, but he was only a week old so he figured he could help. If the curiosity Izuku could feel through their link was any indication, then Jade was interested. Jade listened intently to everything Izuku told him, but he didn't speak to Izuku again.
After that, the school day was fairly simple. Mrs. Tanaka called them back inside and they learned multiplication tables and about the origin of quirks. Time flew by, and before Izuku even realized it was the end of the day, he was headed outside to wait for his mom.
"That wasn't so bad," Izuku chuckled as he and Jade looked around the gathered adults. "What did you think of our first day of school?"
Jade huffed at him and rolled his eyes.
"Come on you were just gonna sleep at home too," Izuku teased him.
Jade just bumped his head into his hip, causing Izuku to laugh at him.
Izuku couldn't find his mom in the crowd outside the gate, so he walked back towards the school to wait for her. Once he was through the gate, he heard the telltale sound of Kacchan's explosions.
Izuku turned his head towards the noise and found Kacchan, and two other boys from their class, all standing over a boy Izuku didn't recognize. When Kacchan raised his hand to smack the boy on the floor, Izuku's body reacted.
Izuku shoved Kacchan away from the boy, both hands smacking into his shoulders. Kacchan stumbled back several steps, arms flailing everywhere to keep himself from falling on his butt.
"What are you doing Kacchan?!" Izuku screamed at his friend.
"What the hell Deku?" Kacchan seethed.
"You were being mean!" Izuku yelled back. Jade pressed against his side, further blocking Kacchan from the boy he had been attacking. "You can't use your quirk to hurt somebody Kacchan, that's what villains do!"
"What the fuck did you just call me?" Kacchan asked angrily. His palms were popping with small explosions. "I was putting this quirkless freak in his place, but it looks like I need to remind you too! You're all beneath me!"
Kacchan lunged forward as he yelled, his palm reaching forward to blow Izuku away. Izuku spread his arms wide, protecting the boy behind him from the blast. He closed his eyes and tried to brace himself. But the hit never came.
Izuku peaked through his eyelids and saw a wall of green scales before him. Jade had jumped between Izuku and Kacchan. He was standing on his hind legs so that he towered over all of them. His wings were spread wide, flapping with so much power that Izuku's hair was ruffling. When he slammed back down onto all fours, Izuku could see that the wind had knocked Kacchan back several steps and knocked his friends on the ground.
"What?" Kacchan sneered. "Gonna hide behind your little pet?"
"He's not a pet!" Izuku snapped. "And we're not gonna let you hurt anybody! Because that's what heroes do!"
"Like you could ever be a hero," Kacchan laughed. "You might as well be quirkless without your little lizard."
"So what?" Izuku asked angrily. "Who cares!? God everybody is so obsessed with quirks! Well if having a quirk makes somebody like you then I don't want one!"
"Ha!" Kacchan barked. "Spoken like a true quirkless loser."
Jade snarled angrily at Kacchan's words. His displeasure clear through Izuku's mental connection with him. He bared his teeth, razor sharp and a half an inch long.
Kacchan took a hesitant step backwards, eyeing Jade wearily.
"Whatever," he huffed. He turned around and stomped past his friends who were still cowering on the ground. When they saw their last line of protection was gone, they scrambled after him.
Izuku turned around to help the boy he had been protecting. He was surprised to find that the boy had run off.
"Oh well," Izuku sighed. "At least he didn't get hurt."
Jade huffed beside him.
"What?" Izuku asked as he turned to face him.
Jade tilted his head to the side and looked at Izuku curiously. With a roll of his eyes he turned around and began walking towards the gate again.
"Hey wait!" Izuku called as he chased after the dragon. "What is it?"
==Dragon Rider==
That night at dinner they were having Katsudon again. He loved his mom's Katsudon. She couldn't cook a whole lot of food, but she knew how to make Katsudon like a pro. As he was digging in his mom was just watching him.
"Izuku," she began, but she paused and took a deep breath. "Izuku honey we're moving."
Izuku looked up, a little surprised. "Why mama?" he asked.
"Well sweetie, if you're right and Jade is still growing then he's not going to fit in the apartment much longer," she explained. "We're going to need someplace with more room."
"Okay," Izuku nodded. "That makes sense."
Inko bit at her lip. "I found a place I think might work," she told him. "It's a house so it'll be a lot more spacious. It's on a big lot so you'll have lots of room to play with him, and it's right up against a forest too so he'll be able to hunt for food."
"That sounds great mama!" Izuku exclaimed excitedly. He was bouncing in his seat now.
"It's a bit far away," Inko warned him seriously. "You wouldn't be able to continue at Aldera Elementary."
"That's okay mama," Izuku said. "I didn't really make any friends yet."
"If you're sure," Inko sighed. "I'll put the offer down in the morning."
"When would we be moving?" Izuku asked. He wanted to see the new place!
"As soon as possible Izuku," Inko told him. She eyed Jade's head, still resting in Izuku's lap. It was about the size of a pear now. "I don't want Jade to get so big he's accidently destroying things in the apartment."
"Yay!" Izuku cheered.
==Dragon Rider==
As soon as possible turned out to be the day after next. Inko kept Izuku home to help her pack. The two of them put everything in boxes as quick as they could. They loaded it all into a truck that Inko had rented to help with the move. The only thing left in the apartment at the end of that day was a pair of futons that the two slept on that night.
The drive out to the new house took a few hours. It was on the other side of the prefecture, away from the big cities. The houses started getting further and further apart as they drove. By the time they reached the new house, the houses were so far apart that they couldn't see any of their neighbors.
The house itself was two stories. It looked a little old, its light blue paint chipping in a few places, but it didn't look like it was falling apart. It was in the middle of a big field with only a big red barn behind it. Further back was a line of trees that must have marked the forest his mom told him about.
"This is so cool!" Izuku exclaimed as he strained against his seat belt to get a better look.
"I'm glad you like it Izuku," Inko laughed at him.
"Jade look," Izuku said as he pointed to the trees. "There's the forest! I bet you can hunt all kinds of stuff in there!"
Jade, who was currently wrapped entirely around him, raised his head, and looked to the trees. He seemed to think on Izuku's words before curling back up again.
He still hadn't spoken to Izuku since that moment in the classroom. It was honestly a little frustrating at times, but Izuku's ability to feel his emotions helped him understand Jade most of the time.
Saphira too had been silent. He worried about her, but at least now he knew she was just resting. He hoped she wouldn't mind the move. Hopefully, it would be a good thing for her too.
Izuku sprinted out of the car the moment they were parked. Jade leapt out right behind him, taking instantly to the air. Izuku chased after him as they ran around and looked at everything.
The house had lots of windows, a few of which had cracks running through them. There was only one door on the front, but there were two on the back of the house: one normal door and then a big glass sliding one.
The barn had only one door, but it was huge. The barn was the same height as the house, and the door was easily taller than the entire first story of the house. It was painted a dull rusty red color, the paint chipping even worse than the house, but it gave the building a kind of rustic charm that Izuku loved.
"Izuku," Inko hollered from the car. "Come help me unload."
"Coming mama!" Izuku called back as he raced over.
Together they started unloading the moving truck. Inko showed Izuku which room was gonna be his, it was about the same size as his old one, but its window was much bigger. Izuku ran back to the car after he'd put his first box down. Inko was moving around boxes in the back, sorting them into different stacks.
"Where does this one go mama?" Izuku asked as he bent down to pick up another.
Inko looked up at him. "Oh Izuku, that one's gonna be heavy," Inko warned him.
"Really?" Izuku asked as he picked it up. "It doesn't seem so bad."
Inko watched Izuku with wide eyes as he brought the box over to her.
"What's wrong mama?" Izuku asked with a tilt of his head.
"N-nothing sweety," Inko stammered. "You're just stronger than I thought. My little boy is growing into a strong young man."
Izuku smiled widely at that. "Thanks mama!" He exclaimed. "So where should I take it?"
"Take it to the kitchen for me please," Inko told him.
Izuku nodded and ran off with the box. Together they quickly unloaded the truck. Once they were done, Inko got started unpacking and Izuku went back to exploring with Jade. The two of them spent a lot of time playing in the woods. The densely packed trees made a great place to explore.
==Dragon Rider==
It was over a week after their move before Saphira awoke again. In that time Jade had doubled in size again. He was now over two meters long and his body was larger than a big dog's. His mom had forbidden Jade from even trying to fly in the house, not that Jade could have spread his wings to their full length inside anymore. Izuku found he could comfortably sit on Jade's shoulders now, but if he sat there for too long then his legs started to chafe.
Hello young ones, Saphira's voice rang through Izuku's mind as he laid down for the day.
"Saphira!" Izuku yelled as he pushed off of Jade to sit up straight. They'd switched around the last few nights, Izuku using Jade as a pillow instead of the other way around. Jade's scales were hard, but the warmth was really nice.
Jade huffed at the sudden loss of weight.
"How are you feeling?" Izuku asked her.
Better, Saphira chuckled. She seemed to think about something for a moment before she asked, Are we not in the same place?
"My mom thought it was a good idea to move somewhere bigger for Jade" Izuku explained.
A wise decision to make, Saphira complimented. Though this room will not work for much longer.
"It won't?" Izuku asked sadly. He was only just starting to get use to sleeping in the new space.
No, Saphira confirmed. You will want to find someplace much larger if you wish to continue to rest together.
Jade wrapped his long neck around Izuku and placed his head in his lap. Izuku absentmindedly began to scratch at the base of his neck spines.
"I'll have to talk to mom," Izuku murmured. Maybe they could set up something in the barn?
Tomorrow we shall begin your training, Saphira said, breaking Izuku from his thoughts.
"I-I'm starting at the new school tomorrow," Izuku told her.
That is fine, Saphira dismissed his concern. Your training will take place afterwards.
Dragon Rider==
The new school wasn't all that different from the first one, though it was a good deal smaller. There was just the one class of students in each year. When the teacher had introduced him to the class, he had told the other kids that Izuku had a companion quirk, not even calling Jade by name, which still irked Izuku.
The other kids were okay. They were interested in Jade, but they kept treating him like he was a dog. After the third or fourth time Izuku and Jade decided to just keep their distance.
That afternoon when Izuku got home, he ran straight upstairs and grabbed Saphira's heart. He brought her to the backyard and sat down with her. Jade settled next to him, his head resting in Izuku's lap.
Izuku, you are young, even by the standards of humans, Saphira told them.
"Oh," Izuku murmured.
It is not a bad thing, Saphira assured him. It only means that we will have to take our time and be cautious with your training.
"Okay," Izuku nodded.
Physical training will remain light until you are old enough to handle more strenuous exercises, Saphira went on. In the meantime, we shall focus on the many other aspects of your training.
"Like what?" Izuku asked.
We will start with preparing your mind, Saphira explained.
"My mind?" Izuku wondered.
Your mind, Saphira confirmed. The same way you touch upon Jade's consciousness or I touch upon yours, you can reach out to all the life around you.
"Wait but I don't do anything to talk to Jade," Izuku shook his head. "He's just always there."
Saphira's mood seemed to shift. Her attention turned to Jade, and a sense of disapproval spread through him. Izuku could feel Jade's discomfort but he did not fully understand why.
"Is something wrong?" Izuku asked nervously.
Saphira heaved a sigh greater than any he had heard from her. No Midoriya, Saphira told him. But Jade has done you a disservice.
Izuku's eyes went wide. "No!" he exclaimed. He hugged Jade's head close to his chest. "Jade wouldn't do that!"
I am sure he did not mean to, Saphira comforted him. He could feel Jade shrinking away from Saphira's words. But it does not change what has happened.
"W-what happened?" Izuku stuttered. He didn't really want an answer. He really hoped Jade didn't do anything too bad.
Jade has remained in constant contact with your mind, Saphira explained. As a result, you have not had as much exposure to the concept I am describing as you ought to have had.
"S-so what now?" Izuku asked hopefully. That didn't sound so bad.
We will have to start at the beginning, Saphira sighed. I will have Jade remove his presence from your mind.
Jade's displeasure made his desire not to well know, but a mental glare from Saphira was enough to dissuade him from disobeying her.
I will remove myself as well, Saphira continued. We shall allow you a moment to reacquaint yourself with the feeling of your own, singular, consciousness. Then we shall take turns brushing against your mind so that you may become acquainted with boundaries of your mind scape.
"Okay," Izuku nodded.
Izuku gasped as suddenly he was alone again. He hadn't felt it before, but now that his mind was empty of anyone but himself, it felt all too lonely. The space Jade had occupied before felt like a void now.
Izuku instantly reached towards the void, driven by a desire to feel whole once again. He found just a trace of Jade's mind. It was as though there was an invisible line that connected their minds together, a path that he could follow. It was a bond between them. Oh! It was probably their bond.
Izuku reached along the connection and felt Jade's mind. Where before Jade had been in Izuku's mind, now he was in Jade's.
"Whoa," Izuku gasped. He spoke in both his mind and with his voice.
Saphira's surprise and Jade's satisfaction were instant.
I suppose that is a promising start, Saphira huffed. Though perhaps I will need to add exercises in independence to your training.
Izuku blushed. "Sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to."
It's fine young one, Saphira assured him. Your bond with Jade means that it is easier for you to reach out to him. Still it is impressive that it took you so little time. We can only hope that it is aptitude and not luck.
Saphira had Izuku practice reaching out with his mind. First to her heart after she had withdrawn from Izuku and Jade's minds, and then searching for his mom while she was still inside the house. It took him several tries. Stretching his mental reach that far was taxing. Sweat formed on his forehead and he thought he was getting a headache, but he pushed through.
He finally felt her after about ten minutes of stretching out. He brushed against her consciousness and gasped. He quickly pulled away before she could figure out he was there.
Good, Saphira praised. Now I want you to speak to her.
"Is that okay?" Izuku asked. "She doesn't know about you."
I will protect your thoughts so that you do not overshare, Saphira told him.
"Okay," Izuku nodded.
He brushed against his mom's mind once again. This time though he didn't shy away. He pushed his way into her mind and felt her thoughts.
Let's see, she mused. I need to go grocery shopping. Crap. How am I gonna afford that? Maybe I can just buy some rice for now. Oh, but Izuku's a growing boy. I can't just give him rice.
Izuku flinched mentally. He probably wasn't meant to hear that.
"Mom!" Izuku called out before he heard anything else.
"Izuku?" she asked aloud. Though Izuku couldn't hear the words, he still knew they were spoken.
"Yeah mom," Izuku confirmed.
"Baby, where are you?" Inko asked as she moved around the kitchen.
"I'm in the backyard with Jade," Izuku told her.
"Wha-?" she gasped.
Izuku watched as she pulled the curtain in the kitchen aside and looked out at him. He waved back at her.
"Pretty cool right?" Izuku asked happily.
"P-pretty cool," Inko stammered. It was weird seeing her lips move and hearing her voice in his head rather than with his ears.
"I'm gonna go back to training mama," Izuku told her.
"B-be safe," she called as Izuku pulled back and left her mind.
Well done, Saphira complimented as she fully rejoined his mind. You will find that unless you speak most will not feel your presence in their mind. I will train you to erase your presence entirely so that even those who could feel you will no longer be able to tell.
"What else will you teach me?" Izuku asked curiously.
I will teach you to erect defenses so that you may protect your thoughts from others, Saphira told him. There are unlikely to be many in this world who can reach into your mind, but the powers of this land are strange. It is better to be safe. I will also teach you how to destroy and weave through the defenses of others and to search their minds for answers. I will teach you how to wield a sword, fire an arrow from a bow, and fight when your weapons have failed you. I will teach you the ancient language, in which no lie can be spoken. I will teach you leatherwork and perhaps one day metalwork. I will teach you to hunt and to kill so that you may feed and protect yourself. I will teach you the history of the riders, from the first Eragon to the end of Alagaesia. And, perhaps most importantly, I will teach you to fly.
Izuku was amazed. There was so much to do! He wanted to get started right away.
"That's awesome!" he cheered. "I can definitely be a hero with your teachings!"
Izuku's reaction caused a sense of surprise from her, and a familiar questioning feeling from Jade.
There were many dragon riders who were considered great heroes, Saphira told him. But I do not know much about the heroes of this world.
"Heroes are awesome!" Izuku told her excitedly. "They keep everyone safe from villains and save them from disasters! They make sure people feel safe."
Very noble, Saphira commended. How do these heroes come to be?
"They go to school for it," Izuku explained. "The very best heroes go to UA University."
And if you don't? Saphira asked.
"Don't what?" Izuku asked back.
If you don't go to this school, she clarified.
"Well you can't be a hero without going," Izuku told her. "That would make you a vigilante."
And? Saphira laughed. What is a vigilante?
"Well it's someone who does hero work illegally," Izuku explained. "They're criminals."
Saphira was quiet for long enough that Izuku was shifting in the grass uncomfortably. He could feel her thinking on his words deeply.
You plan to go to one of these schools? She finally asked him.
"Yeah," Izuku nodded. "I want to go to UA."
And when would you go? Saphira questioned.
"Well it's a college," Izuku told her. He counted on his fingers. "So I'd apply in twelve years."
Good, Saphira sighed. By then your training should be complete. It sounds like this hero school is the best way for you to preform your duty as rider and dragon. You shall attend it once you are ready.
"Duty?" Izuku asked.
As the riders of this world, it is your duty to protect and serve the people, Saphira explained. It is good that there are others who will help you in this. First, we must make sure that you are ready for the task.
"R-right," Izuku nodded.
==Dragon Rider==
That night, dinner was rather awkward. The meal only consisted of a bowl of rice each. The two of them sat at the table in their new kitchen, Jade resting his head in Izuku's lap as always. His mom had been giving him strange looks throughout the entire meal. It didn't really help Izuku as he tried to work up the courage to talk about what was on his mind.
"M-mom," Izuku began as she finished her bowl of rice. "What do we do when Jade is too big for my room?"
Inko didn't miss a beat before she responded. "I thought we might get him set up in the barn," Inko said.
Izuku sighed in relief. "Really?" he asked excitedly. It was almost too good to be true.
"Of course," Inko smiled. "It was a big part of what sold me on the house."
"That's so cool," Izuku crowed happily. "We'll have so much space! I doubt Jade'll outgrow it before we get into UA."
Inko's eyebrows knit together as Izuku spoke. "We?" She asked. "Izuku, sweety, you don't want to sleep in the barn with him, do you?"
Izuku looked at his mother with a smile. "Of course!" he laughed. "Me and Jade can make it super cool!"
And despite everything in her saying that she couldn't let her son sleep in a barn, she couldn't find it in her to say no to him.
"T-there was something else t-too," Izuku stammered nervously.
"Oh?" Inko asked. She ruffled his hair from her seat. "No need to be so nervous sweetheart. You can talk to me about anything."
"W-well I'm trying to train to be a hero," Izuku told her.
"I know sweety," Inko smiled. "And I'm so proud of you. My big strong boy, you're going to be an excellent hero one day."
"But I think I need some stuff," Izuku explained. "I want to make a saddle for Jade, and a bow, and I need a lot of notebooks to keep track of everything, and maybe some targets-"
Inko's sigh cut him off. Izuku looked at his mom to find her with her head in hands.
"M-mom?" Izuku asked nervously.
"I'm sorry Izuku," Inko whispered.
Izuku got up and walked over to his mom. He wrapped her in a hug, his short arms not quite making it all the way around her. "What's wrong mama?"
"We can't afford any of that Izuku," Inko told him. "I know I shouldn't tell you this, it isn't something you should have to worry about, but money's tight sweety. The money your dad sends is paying for the house, but there just isn't a lot let over. It's enough for some groceries, but that's it. I-I'm looking for a job, but there isn't a lot in this area."
Izuku hugged his mom tighter as she broke down in sobs, no longer able to hold herself together. Izuku didn't know what to do. His mom had always been quick to cry, but normally he would just hug her and that would help. This time it just didn't seem like enough.
"It's okay mama," Izuku comforted her. "W-what if I got Jade to go hunt for us? Or we could start a garden." Izuku was rambling, but he could hear his mom's sobs quieting so he didn't stop. "Maybe we could use Jade's poop to help. They say stuff like that is supposed to help plants grow. Its pertiliser."
"Fertilizer," Inko corrected him with a wet chuckle. Her arms wrapped around Izuku and dragged him into her lap. She buried her face in his hair, her tears all but stopped. "Oh, what did I do to deserve such a smart boy for a son?"
"So you think we should try?" Izuku gasped.
"We can try," Inko nodded.
==Dragon Rider==
Inko had gone out and bought seeds for the garden that same day. Together the two of them selected a big patch of earth in the backyard and got to work. They pulled all the grass and weeds up from the earth. They put a fence around it to keep out all the animals from the woods. Jade tore up the earth with his claws to make it easier to work with too. Inko had to go collect his poop from the woods, the dragon refused to poop in front of them. But finally, they had spread out the fertilizer and planted the seeds.
The garden proved a near instant success. By the end of the day they already had several plants sprouting through the black soil. Inko hadn't believed Izuku when he told her. She'd had to see it to believe him. It turns out dragon poop is really good fertilizer.
Inko was more hesitant to take Izuku up on his offer to have Jade hunt for them. Izuku assured her it would be okay, but she wouldn't hear it. So as the days went on and their garden began to produce veggies for them, the Midoriya's adopted a mostly vegetarian diet.
The garden helped with the finances a bit. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough that his mom managed to get him some scrap leather from one of the farms nearby. Saphira had coached him on how to cut the pieces and shape the leather. He'd sewn it all together into a rough saddle, which now sat on Jade's shoulders.
It is not bad for a first time, Saphira told him. It should hold up long enough for you to hone your skills.
Should? Izuku asked with a quirked eyebrow.
I will not let you fall, Jade assured him, his gentle voice still sent chills through Izuku. He'd started speaking more, Izuku thought it was due to the constant back and forth of information that their mental training sent between the two.
Okay, Izuku breathed. He could do this.
Izuku climbed up into the saddle. Jade's shoulder now stood the same height as Izuku, so Izuku had to use Jade's knee as a step to reach it comfortably. Once he was settled in the seat he strapped his legs in the way Saphira had instructed him.
Now this saddle is one made for speed, Saphira told him. Jade has been practicing aerial maneuvers. We will start small, but the goal is to get you comfortable in the saddle even through the strongest of twists and turns.
Yes master, Izuku nodded.
Ready? Jade asked. His excitement and pride were seeping through their connection. The single word was enough that Izuku was starting to feel giddy himself.
Yes, Izuku smiled.
The moment the thought left his mind Jade's was running through the backyard. Izuku could feel the muscles moving beneath him and the wind whipping around them as Jade beat his powerful wings. Izuku grabbed onto the spike in front of him as Jade took to the sky.
Izuku screamed in joy as the ground fell away beneath them. Flying was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He hadn't experienced all that much to be fair, but Izuku thought that he could travel the world a thousand times over and he would never find anything as amazing as flying.
Izuku could see for miles as they continued to climb. He hadn't realized just how great the forest behind their house was. Even as they leveled out and the house below them looked no bigger than a toy, he still could not see the end of it. On the other side he could just make out the scattered properties far in the distance.
Hold on, Jade warned.
Izuku could feel what Jade was planning. His grip tightened on the spike in front of him as Jade spun in the air. The single spin had almost been enough to cause him to lose his grip, but it was over quick enough that he managed.
Well done, Saphira praised him. Many riders struggle in the beginning.
Thank you, Izuku thought as he gasped for air. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath until she had spoken.
Now the real test will begin, Saphira informed him. Prepare yourself.