Chapter 1 - Two Become One
Izuku trudged along the backroads of Mustafu, practically dragging his feet on his way home. The young boy walked along, the rest of the streets and sidewalks almost deserted. His head was down, smoke still slightly rising off his body from a particular thrashing by certain bullies he had to deal with. It never seemed to get easier, being the one Quirkless kid in his entire grade, left at the tender mercies of Bakugou and his gang of sycophants.
It was days like this when he wondered about giving up on his dream of being a hero. Ever since he had first seen All Might himself debut for the world, and turned out to be the Number One Hero everyone would look up, Izuku had desired to be like him, to become a hero others could look up to. It was somewhat foolish, he knew. No Hero in the world, ever since the agencies and regulations had started, there had never, ever been a Quirkless hero.
Izuku kept along, head still low. Perhaps he should just give up on his hero dreams. If all he had to look forward to throughout middle school and high school was Kacchan and his groupies' relentless jeering and bullying, then this dream of his wasn't worth it. He kept along, walking around some of the outer limits of the city, buildings that were left mostly abandoned and broken down from the days of the anarchy caused by the first Quirk users. Such areas were often untouched, as the people moved into the inner city and began to rebuild. These areas were usually left for the poorer communities, and especially rife with villain hide-outs and criminals.
Izuku, however, had little choice but to go through here. The routes he usually took were blocked out by a large scale battle between 3 villains that had snatched a purse and accelerated things with a number of heroes. As such, Izuku had to take this route, and given his low spirits, he had little time to really worry about the strange feeling of being watched. And indeed, he was.
So busy had everyone been with the villains, no one noted a strange object burn through the air and crash into one of the corner buildings, a small little shanty, crushed and splintered to pieces, small fires raging along the wooden structure. He stopped for a moment to look at the destroyed shop, taken aback by the damage done. He looked around for a moment, as something black and oily crawled out of the wreckage, almost without a noise crawling over the various broken pieces of wood and shattered metal, carefully avoiding the flames and smoke, as it zeroed in on the young boy before it, whose eyes were cast upwards.
The slimy creature did not have long. The fires, smoke and the atmosphere of this world would kill it sooner or later. It needed a host, food and to hopefully contact the rest of the Infiltration Unit and plan out their return to their homeworld, and bringing them to here. But first thing was first. A host.
The creature scampered a little closer, mass shifting and twisting about on itself, as it studied the nearest human. There were no others, no others close enough, so bonding to it's central nervous system would be easy enough, but it would've preferred someone older. Sub-Adult and child hosts were infamously unstable, especially as they grew into adulthood and began to grow and change, not to mention it would make the need for food and consumption much higher then an adult as well. The Symbiote would've narrowed it's eyes if it had any.
It was either this or dying alone on this disgusting, dirty world.
It shifted about, as the child turned to walk away, and quickly latched onto the back of his left leg, barely getting on before it was out of range. The Future Host stopped, looking around slightly, as the Symbiote crawled up further, before stopping. The child seemed unaware, and continued onwards, as the Symbiote crawled into it's back and seeped towards it's ears. If it could bind with the spine and the rest of the nervous system, it would be truly safe on this world, for a moment at least. It began to crawl it's way into the child's body, as the kid hurried along. Hopefully, the crash of it's capsule into the building would distract and keep others away, just long enough for it's future host to get them home.
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The walk home was uneventful, but Izuku could not help and shake the feeling he was being watched somehow, that something, some other was near him ever since he saw that strange crash. It didn't leave even after he sat down with his mother to eat, as he put on a brave face for her and talked about his day, glossing over the bullying and ridicule, and his trek in the more dangerous parts of the city. He really didn't want to worry her. He practically inhaled all the food in front of him, and after cleaning everything up, went into the bathroom to wash up.
The moment he closed the door, something cold and slimy sprang from his back, slipped around his throat and shoulders. He could barely breath, much less cry out for help, before the oily substance jammed itself down his throat, and seeped deep within his body. He gagged and coughed up in terror, struggling to get the thing off him, clawing at it, only for his fingers to slide through and off the slimy thing's form. It slide down and finished it's work, as his eyes rolled in the back of his head, and he lurched over, blackness awaiting him.
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Izuku awoke awhile after, shaking slightly, as he looked around in confusion. He couldn't remember much, but he distinctly could taste something...wrong in his mouth, and could feel it in the pit of his stomach. He went in and started his bath, and quickly got washed up, finishing up as quickly as he could. After brushing himself off, he saw something out of the corner of his eyes, something large and black slithering within the mirror. He quickly turned, jumping slightly. He looked in the mirror closely, taking a deep breath before shaking it off. He was just seeing things, it had been a long day. He just needed to sleep.
"Izuku are you alright?" His mother called from the living room.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry I took so long." He said, trying to sound calm and relaxed. "Just kinda tired out from today."
"Well, get some sleep, ok?" She answered, still sounding nervous. "I don't want you getting hurt."
"I'll be fine." He said.
He went into his room, closing it, as he got his sleepwear on, and prepared to go over his class notes and materials again.
"This is your room?" A deep voice snarled, resounding from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. "Quite...odd."
Izuku yelped, looking around slightly. "Who said that?"
No one replied, as he looked around, slightly terrified, before taking a deep breath. "It's fine, it's fine. I'm just going crazy."
"No you're not." The Deep voice growled again. "I am here with you."
He looked around in shock, eyes darting about, as sweat trickled from his neck and back. Someone was here, he was sure of that, but who they were, and what they wanted he couldn't be sure. His mind flashed back to the strange liquid in the bathroom, the icky black slime that wormed into his body. Had it been a horrible nightmare? A hallucination brought on by smoke inhalation.
He looked in surprise as several strands blackened, slimy cords extended from his back, wrapping and intertwinning around themselves, and extending out from his body, as several them took a strange, vaguely reptilian shape, large fangs dominating it's maw, a twisted grin on it's face and thin, cold white eyes studying him like a predator.
"Hello Izuku, it's good we finally get to meet...face-to-face, so to speak." The creature hissed, as it twisted about around him, like a serpent.
"Who and what are you?" He asked, voice low and terrified. His hands shook the entire time, as he worried he would pass out from fright.
"I am Venom, and you are mine." Venom stated, leaning in close. "You are a loser, but you will make a good host."
Izuku wasn't sure whether he should be terrified or disappointed. 'Even this thing thinks I'm a loser.'
"We are here to feed, but I need a ride." Venom said, winding around to the other side of his body. "You need me just as much as I need you."
"Wha...What do you mean?"
"I am in your head, you want to have powers correct, be something useful?" Venom replied. "If you cooperate, we will achieve that, and so much more."
"What can you do?" Izuku asked, shaking in terror.
"Oh, you will have to wait and see." Venom said, a hint of mischief in his barritone voice. "Just remember, cooperate."
"Alright, I...I guess I don't have much choice." He stated.
"Good. We will accomplish much in the coming years, Midoriya." Venom said, nodding slightly, as he receded back into Izuku's body.
Izuku was left kneeling in his room, unsure of what had just happened, as he struggled to his feet.
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The following day, Izuku awoke, as he rose from his bed, groaning slightly, as he cracked his arms and stretched, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He struggled into the closet, pulling out his uniform as Venom's voice sounded off in his ears.
"We need food Izuku." He commented.
"Yeah, we'll get breakfast." Izuku muttered, rolling his eyes. He had hoped Venom had been a hallucination on his part.
"No, not just breakfast, large meals." Venom remarked. "You will need a stronger body for me to use, and I need to fuel myself."
"Alright." Izuku stated. "Anything I should know."
"If we are to be...partners...then you will need to know my weaknesses." Venom stated, as Izuku got dressed, carefully securing his belt and uniform. "High frequency noises will damage us, potentially kill us and at least separate us, which will cause you damage, especially your heart and nerves. Fire is also a difficult hurtle. I also require a chemical in the brain to sustain myself."
"Brain?" Izuku stated in shock, looking in the mirror in horror.
"If I don't have flesh, I will have to turn on your body." Venom warned, before making a sound like he was licking his lips. "By the way, we should eat soon. Your heart and lungs are looking...delectable."
Izuku groaned slightly, as he trudged into the living room. This "partnership" was looking less and less appealing by the second. He wasn't even sure if this was really someone who was gonna help him, or some weird parasite that had latched onto him for a free meal.
"So...where did you come from." Izuku asked, as he made his way into the kitchen.
"Klyntar. My world. Very hostile." Venom said simply, sounding just a tad scared, before his voice hardened. "I do not miss it."
"Why?"
"...No reason." Venom stated quickly, in a rather cagey. "I prefer to travel is all."
Izuku wasn't so sure about that, but shrugged it off. If Venom wanted to talk, he would talk. He knew he couldn't force it out of him, so he'd just have to accept that his 'partner' would be a little distant about somethings. When he was ready, he'd open up.
He made his way into the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. His mother had left for work early, and he usually was efficient enough to prepare and ready things himself. Though, now with Venom hanging around, he assumed he was gonna have to prepare a meal for two.
"Are you sure we can't go hunting down a criminal or something?" Venom suggested, appearing from his back again. "No one will miss a thug or two."
"We're not eating people." Izuku said, looking at him in shock.
"I gotta eat too." Venom grumbled in agitation. "You want me to just sit here and wither away?"
"I'll figure something out." Izuku said nervously, secretly not wanting to take the path Venom was suggesting. The idea of eating anyone just terrified him to his core.
Their meal was silent, as he listened along to Present Mic's radio show, eating his toast and other pieces of the meal he had gathered for the two to eat.
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Izuku made his way out into the streets and began to make his way to the Middle School, as Venom manifested as an extra head, extending form his back. Izuku's eyes widened in surprise, as he tried to get him to hide back inside….wherever he went.
"What are you doing out?" Izuku demanded, voice low and stern, as some people's eyes darted to them, before continuing onwards with their day-to-day business.
"Relax, Deku." He hissed with a slightly wider grin. "Think, everyone will think I'm just your Quirk. Whose gonna care?"
"I get that, but for years, I've never had a Quirk." He remarked, more quietly this time, looking around to make sure no one was listening in. "What if someone notices."
"You're just a late bloomer." Venom whispered, as they continued on. "Don't panic so easy."
"I'm not sure that's smart..." Izuku remarked, before raising an eyebrow. "How did you know about Kaachan's nickname for me?"
"I am in your head." Venom reminded him. "You don't seem to get that part do you?"
There was silence for a moment, as Venom lingered for a moment, before turning it's head to study the passers-by. Izuku couldn't tell if he was sizing up future meals, or simply trying to not get under his skin.
"I can cease calling you that." Venom stated, as the two continued.
"No, it's fine." Izuku stated, as Venom retreated into his body. "We should get to class."
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Izuku walked along, reaching the front doors to the school, where there weren't many people out yet, or arriving here. He made his way up the stairs, before hearing a foot stomp down behind him. He froze slightly.
"Deku." Bakugou's voice stated behind, rarely icy and low.
"Kaachan." Izuku greeted quietly. "What, are you…?"
"What the hell is this Pomeranian doing here?" Venom demanded, appearing from Izuku's body, as Bakugou's eyes widened only slightly in surprise. "We should ignore him, Midoriya."
"What the hell is that?" Bakugou asked, looking at the extra head in revolution. Izuku couldn't blame him.
"This is my Quirk." Izuku said, as though he couldn't believe it himself. Partially because he still couldn't. "He came around yesterday."
"A second head is all you got? That really is pathetic." Bakugou muttered, shaking his head dismissively. "So that whole thing of you being Quirkless was a lie huh?"
Izuku saw his hands start to smoke and heat up, as he backed up reflexively. Venom gave him one sideways smile, before retreating into his body.
"I doubt you'll be any kind of hero with that." Bakugou grabbed him by the collar. "Don't forget, I'm the only one coming out this shithole with any chance, got it?"
Black goo spread throughout Izuku's body, as Venom took control, his body mass increasing, as his height slowly went up, until he stood the height of an average adult male, with the muscle to match, as Venom's twisted grin and head snapped and bent around him, claws extending from his fingers, as multiple jutted from their jaws. He narrowed his hate-filled white eyes in disdain. This body was mostly black, and glowed with slime and goo, bits and flecks of white shined from his body.
"We are no longer your victim, Kaachan." Venom growled, forcibly removing Bakugou's hand, as he silently cursed the heat rising from it. "You may be the strongest here, but we will become more then we were before."
"This changes nothing Deku!" He shouted defiantly, completely unaffected by Venom's appearance. "I'll surpass you, even if you were lying about your Quirk this whole time!"
Venom began back to break apart and retreat away, Izuku's form shrinking back to normal. The last of the blackened, slimy tendrils and tentacles slipped and retreated back into his body, as he shifted his shoulders. Bakugou stood completely still, fists clenched, eyes bloodshot and wide. Izuku almost shuddered at the sight. Even after seeing Venom at full height and all, he was still sure Bakugou wanted a fight. Especially now that he thought Deku had a Quirk.
Izuku knew Bakugou thought he looked down at him, hence part of the aggression. What was Bakugou going to do now that Izuku had revealed his "Quirk"? He wasn't going to stick around to answer that one.
He turned to leave and head for his classroom, as Venom's head appeared beside him. "Do not be worried about him, he's but a child compared to what we can do."
"And what can we do?" Izuku asked him, glancing down at him.
Venom thought for a moment, before his permanent grin widened to Izuku. "I think...whatever we want."
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The following years after were a rush of activity for Izuku, one part of it spent studying and getting used to telling people that Venom was his "quirk", while the other part was training his body. Venom had insisted. They couldn't fight and be heroes and all, if Izuku had a weak body, and he couldn't rely on Venom his whole life. The training and weight lifting lead to him developing a more muscular frame and build to the young man. Though it had not been easy, as he found out Venom went on a rampage for several months, targeting criminals to devour their brains while Midoriya slept.
Needless to say, things became a little more icy between them, and they had to lay low and keep away from authorities because of the legendary "Lethal Protector" now running around.
Much to Izuku's surprise, however, he found a great alternatives to brains in the weeks following Venom's hunger-induced rampage. Chocolate apparently had similar properties and chemicals to that found in the brains Venom needed. It kept him in check, at least for a while.
Many thing still bothered Izuku slightly, Venom's secrecy for one, and the other, of course, the fact Venom had used him to murder and kill countless criminals. Villains they may have been, but it was still against the law. And deeply immoral. He couldn't let any of that show. Anyone who found out what Venom could and would do if left unchecked was too dangerous.
Things mostly stayed the same. People were amazed by his new and smart-mouthed Quirk, Bakugou's bullying calmed down and curved just slightly, and Izuku's dreams of being a hero seemed within sight. Venom seemed to grow more restless as the years went on, but
As High School neared the end, Venom was of course his usual talkative self. And as always, crass.
"Why do we have to listen to this pencil-pushing idiot?" Venom stated, voice bubbling within Izuku's ears like boiling lava. "We get it, good test scores and that crap. Let us go already."
'Quiet.' Izuku ordered mentally. 'Or no Tator Tots tonight.'
Venom grumbled in agitation, but said nothing else.
"I don't know why you're wasting your time with these losers, teach." Bakugou's voice roared like an inferno in the middle of class. "I'm the real deal, the rest of these losers wouldn't cut it as side-kicks to a third-rate clean-up hero crew."
Venom's head appeared from Izuku's shoulders, as he narrowed his eyes at the boasting student, as Izuku tried to shoot him a look to be quiet, which Venom of course did not listen to, being Venom.
"Ha! Hot air from both your sweat, and your maw." Venom remarked with a wry smile. "That will surely burn the competition out!"
Bakugou turned on his heel, eyes wide with rage as he glared down at Izuku. "Keep your slimy, disgusting Quirk in line Deku."
"Ah yes, Izuku, you'll be going to UA too, right?" The teacher asked. "That is where you apply right."
"Ugh, right." He said nervously, as Bakugou fixed him with a death glare. "That's the plan."
"Wow, really?" One classmate said.
"You two have the best Quirks here!" Another said with a grin. "If anyone can be heroes it's you two."
Bakugou's nostrils flared at the sound of that, as he fixed the offending student with a rancorous glare, fists shaking. He narrowed his eyes, turning his glare on Izuku and Venom.
"You're never going anywhere Deku, no matter what." He snarled at him, before turning quickly away, crossing his arms in front of him as he silently fumed in rage.
Izuku sat down stiffly, as Venom bobbed happily for a moment, before turning to him. Perhaps sensing his host's foul mood now, Venom retreated back inside his body. Izuku did not want to start anything, and just wanted to get through the day quietly, not start anything with Kacchan. Now Bakugou was in a very foul mood, more so then usual.
Ever since Venom had first injected himself into his life, and passed as his Quirk, Bakugou seemed angrier then usual at that. He could never figure out why. Bakugou looked down at him for not having a Quirk, now he did and he still couldn't stand him.
"He envies us." Venom remarked. "We are a great pair, you and I."
'No, he doesn't.' Izuku thought. Bakugou was still good to be jealous. 'Besides, you've done enough today. No tots tonight.'
Venom seemed to stiffen slightly, withdrawing away from Izuku's mind, and not saying a word. It seemed to be a response to not just the lack of his favorite food, but his host's agitation. Venom wasn't exactly sensitive to his host's feelings, but still tried his best to not overstep his bounds.
The rest of class flew by without much more incidents, before the bell rang, much to Izuku's surprise. Everything seemed to go so slowly, it surprised class was finished already. He began to pile away his books and notes into his bookbag. His mind was elsewhere, and he didn't notice Bakugou standing over him, or the two thugs and lackies that followed him standing behind Izuku.
"We're surrounded." Venom warned.
'I know.' Izuku thought, completely tired out and already dreading any of this.
"Listen Deku, you go anywhere near the hero course, I'll beat you til you can't stand." Bakugou growled, grabbing his shoulder as smoke rose from it.
"Good luck with that." Izuku said with a roll of his eyes, as Venom wrapped it's mass around his left arm, as he grabbed Kacchan's wrist and forcibly removed it, with some difficulty. Even with Venom's enhanced strength, Bakugou was not a weakling by any means. "Just leave me alone, alright?"
Bakugou leaned uncomfortably close to his face, eyes bloodshot and burning with rage. "You've looked down at me while hiding your Quirk, and think I won't get you back for it?"
"I haven't." Izuku stated, keeping his eyes focused straight ahead. "It's just too complicated to explain."
Bakugou glared at him, Izuku never meeting his eyes, as a moment of silence passed between them. Bakugou's lackies stood in tense silence, as the two watched them in tense silence, flinching as Bakugou spoke.
"You show up to the course and I'll end you myself." As he pulled away from Izuku's grip and motioned for his sycophants to follow.
"Looking forward to it." Izuku said with a roll of his eyes.
Venom slipped away it's mass from his hand, retreating back into his body, as his voice sounded again.
"You could just stand up to him. Y'know, beat the shit outta him without doing anything...permanent." Venom suggested with hint of malicious glee in his voice.
"No, out of the question." Izuku answered aloud. He knew Venom loved to fight, craved a battle, but he didn't want to indulge his bloodlust, not too much.
"Fine, but I'll be here when you want to…push back." Venom suggested, sounding a bit too eager for Izuku's tastes.
He grabbed his stuff, and left out the door. Again, for the briefest moment, he questioned whether having Venom here was worth it, but shut that down. In spite of everything, he'd achieve his dream of being a hero with the Symbiote with him, even if he had to deal with some very negative traits.
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Izuku made his way through the streets, heading home, his shoulders sagging slightly. Venom was silent for a while, as they passed by another hero-villain battle. As they walked along, his phone buzzed slightly in his pocket. He clicked it open, seeing an alert from the police of a nearby villain on the loose, and for people to be on the alert.
"Oh, a villain." Venom hissed in excitement, springing from his body. "Perhaps we can pick out some snacks if the police and Pros can't get him?"
"No Venom, we're not getting involved." Izuku muttered, rolling his eyes. "We'll be getting chocolate on the way home."
"You seem down. Something eating at your guts? Other then me?" Venom said, clicking his teeth slightly, swaying slightly.
"You keep trying to start fights with Kacchan. I've told you to knock that off." Izuku said wearily.
"He doesn't seem to share such ideals, Deku." Venom replied, moving his head back slightly, his version of a shrug when he had no arms available for use. "Perhaps your admiration is misplaced..."
Izuku simply shook his head, as he and Venom continued on, not wanting to talk about it any further. The two walked under a bridge, the darkness obscuring them, as something dark slithered near him. Izuku barely had time to turn around before something wet and alive in the most unnatural way enveloped his body and began to inch towards his body. He stiffened and struggled, giving a gagging scream as something slimy and wet jammed itself into his mouth.
"Just relax kid." A gurgling voice, like it was spoken underwater sounded all around him. "I just need your body for a bit to make an escape. This won't hurt...for long."
Izuku tried to say something, only as the sludge filled into his body. He struggled to breath, before something black and slimey bubbled up from his body and spread throughout his frame, rippling throughout his body, as his frame expanded outwards, muscle and mass added on, claws breaching through his fingers, as an alien face cracked and slipped over his own face, teeth bared in a permanent, hideous smile. Venom ripped himself free of the creature, ducked and rolled out of the reach of the creature, growling at him.
"I'm afraid this body is taken." He growled, his booming voice echoing in the bridge, as the being rippled and swirled, moving backwards in shock.
Venom grinned at the sight of his terror, before splitting a hunk of his body up, and slowly approaching the being. Even with barely a mouth to speak of, and only two large eyes, Venom could see the fear in his expression, smell the terror rolling off like a flower's flagrance.
"I don't have your head to feast on, but I'll make do." Venom growled, slowly marching towards the Villain. "Your eyes, they look rather delectable. I've never thought to sample them. One of my offspring finds them delicious."
"What the hell are you?" The Sludge Villain muttered, still frozen in terror.
His tongue slipped out of his jaws as he approached the Sludge Villain, before he stopped, stepping aside, as something crashed into the ground beside them, Venom's eyes widening as he almost jumped back in surprise. A blur of golden hair and heavy muscle moved past him, a massive gust of wind nearly knocking them both out, and sending them to the ground, as the sludge villain was quickly dissipated. Venom slowly got to his feet, shaking his semi-reptilian head in shock, before the mountain of muscle turned to them.
"Now then, who is this one here with me." A voice boomed, as a mountain of a man appeared before Izuku. "Are you with this guy?"
The familiar, grinning form of All Might stood a few inches taller then Venom, but exuded all the more power. Even the parasite, without Izuku's mentally holding back and all, was taken aback and seemed hesitant on aggravating the world's greatest hero. The Great Hero held a coca-cola bottle, with the squirming form of the Sludge Villain inside. Venom's face partially peeled back, as Izuku's face revealed itself.
"No, no! Venom's my….Quirk here!" He said, holding up his clawed hands to stop All Might. "I only activated him because I thought I'd die!"
All Might put the bottle in the back of his pocket, before tossing Izuku his hero journal. The young man's eyes bulged out of his head in shock. Had he dropped it? How had All Might grabbed it so quickly? Venom retreated from view, going back into his young host's body and disappearing from sight. Izuku paged through it, before finding All Might's page and finding the hero's signature penned on it. Shocked, Izuku immediately bowed.
"Thank you! Thank you sir!" He said, before yammering on about how the autograph would become a priceless family possession of unimaginable importance and would be treasured forever.
"You know, I'm impressed how well you handled yourself." All Might said, cutting through his monologue. "But something's bothering me, Young Man."
Izuku fell silent, as Venom's head twisted and snapped out of his side, watching All Might in silence, as the hero gestured to the Symbiote.
"That Quirk of yours, reminds me a bit of Jet Black, that Vigilante that was prowling the streets a few months back." All Might, said, scratching his chin as his smile softened slightly. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
"No, of course not. Venom likes to trash talk, but he's mostly harmless." Izuku said quickly, holding up his hands quickly.
All Might watched him for a moment, before giving him a warm pat on the shoulder. "Well, probably just similar Quirks. You stay safe, alright? Keep practicing with 'Venom', you're on your way to being a hero in no-time."
All Might jumped away, as Venom turned to Izuku. "I don't think he believes us."
"You had to go on a rampage, you ravenous freak." Izuku snapped, as he and his Symbiote began the walk home. "Don't you think people would notice? You ate several criminals' heads."
"Fuel in the tank." Venom merely muttered, head tilting backwards.
"We need to keep a low profile." Izuku grumbled in agitation. "So don't do anything stupid until we get into UA."
"We should just go vigilante." Venom suggested. "We'll get further, given our MO."
"I want to inspire others, not eat them." Izuku grumbled. "Got it?"
"As you wish." Venom hissed, mouth twisting into a frown, despite the grin. "You're my ride after all."
The two looked off to the distance, ready for what happened next.
Chapter 2 - First Test
Izuku approached the massive building, the entrance to UA, his mouth agap as he watched it in shock. It looked like something from mythology, a great spire rising above the earth to pierce the very heavens, at least to Izuku. Venom's head twisted and turned, springing from his shoulder, as he looked at it in slight wonder, not as bought in but still impressed. He didn't even notice the cool autumn air, nor the other people hurrying inside to get in the warm building.
"It's certainly large." Venom quipped slightly, before looking to Izuku. "I thought it'd be bigger."
"I can't believe this is UA!" Izuku yammered in shock. "I mean, I've always dreamed of coming here, but this is so unreal and..."
He continued on, as Venom's head bobbed slightly, before the creature made a growling sound and hissed.
"Come on, Deku, we need to get moving." Venom grumbled in agitation. "Quit nerding out."
"Sorry, sorry." Izuku muttered sheepishly, marching up to the open gates with the other students.
Some of the students eyed Venom, but most simply carried, as the small, blackish serpentine creature twisted and turned about, observing the other students, before turning to his host's ear.
"So, what is the plan, Deku?" Venom asked with some excitement.
"I don't know, there are bots I think?" Izuku muttered to his companion. "So probably just smashing things up right?"
"We can do that rather easily." Venom said, his fang-filled grin widening, voice now eager and ready.
"And I've got the written exam covered." Izuku replied with a little smile.
Venom bobbed it's head slightly, looking around for a moment. He seemed slightly taken aback by everything around it. Izuku raised an eyebrow at his Symbiote's behavior.
"What you thinking Venom?" He asked.
"Trying to see which ones we'll have to deal with." Venom said, turning to his host. "Only a few can get in, after all."
Izuku laughed nervously. "Well, it's just an entrance exam. We're not gonna hurt them, alright?"
"Hmm." Venom hissed to himself, Izuku not sure what to make of that noise.
Izuku made their way up along the path. The two walked along, Venom's head looking around once more, before they heard a familiar marching behind him. He turned, before his eyes widened in surprise slightly. It had been a long time since the two had last seen each other.
"Oh, hey Kacchan!" He greeted cheerfully.
"Even look at me and I'll light you on fire." Katsuki snapped, as Venom made a small shriek, and lurched backwards.
Izuku himself jumped out of his way, holding up his hands as his eyes bugged out. "HEYGOODLUCKOUTTHEREOK? OK!"
He watched Katsuki walk by, smoke rising from his body, as Izuku watched him leave, several others moving out of Bakugou's way, as Venom looked up at his host, shaking his small head slightly.
"You are way too scared of him, given everything we can do." Venom replied, leaning into his ear. "We're destined for something far greater then him. Embrace it, Deku."
Izuku took a deep breath, rolled his shoulders, and nodded. "You're right. We can do this. I'll become a hero, no matter what Kaachan or anyone else says."
The young Hero Hopeful began walking along, heading down the path and towards the main doors, his head held high. As he took his step, his foot caught on a step leading to the front gates, causing him to lose his balance, and go flying into the ground.
'I'll guess I'll die!' He thought deadpan as he flew to the bottom, face-first into the stone pathway.
He prepared for the horrific face-first slam into the bricks, and the horrific embarrassment and injury on his first alone. Even Venom tensed up within his brain and body, coiling around within like a serpent, as Izuku shut his eyes tight before the impact.
Before he could, his body came to a stop, freezing right then and there, and suspended in mid-air, like his entire body was being held by wires. He stopped for a moment, looking down, before yelling in shock, struggling to move, before a hand gently gripped his shoulder, and righted him, putting him on his feet, and releasing him. A girl around his age, standing to his left, pressed her fingers together, as the feeling of weightlessness left him.
He turned, to see the girl, with shoulder-length brown hair, cheerful blue eyes, and a small smile on her face. He found himself at a loss for words, as Venom appeared out from his body, looking her over, his slated white eyes narrowed.
"Sorry I used my Quirk on you." She said, pressing her palms together with a wider smile. "I figured it was bad luck to start the day with a trip."
"Thank you." Venom replied, bowing his head slightly in a nod, as Izuku stood there slack jawed. Venom almost wanted to roll his eyes, if he could. 'Never change, Deku."
"Anyway, I gotta go, and I guess you do to!" She said with a bubbly laugh, as she waved and ran off. "Good luck!"
"Oh my god." Izuku stammered as he watched her leave. "I just talked to a girl!"
Venom wanted to say something about that, before stopping himself. He didn't want to ruin his Host's good spirits, so simply chuckled to himself. "I like her. We should pay attention to her."
Izuku nodded, running off to the fornt gates, and into the wider academy awaiting them.
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Izuku found getting to the auditorium rather easy. It wasn't just following the mobs and crowds of other students, but also Venom's ability to locate large bodies of people in an area around them. Though the school was throwing him off today, he was quite proud of himself when they arrived, and took their assigned seat from the invitation letter.
"So what now?" Venom asked, having withdrawn into Izuku's body and out of sight, not liking to appear within such an enclosed area.
"Just wait, and don't do anything to draw attention." Izuku muttered, looking around, as he plopped down in his seat. "We don't want any negative attention."
"Got it." Venom hissed, falling silent for a moment, as Izuku waited, going through his backpack, and putting notes and his books in order as he waited.
He didn't even noticed Venom tense up within his body, or Bakugou sit down beside him without a word. His former classmate glared at him, before focusing ahead.
As Izuku finished up his organizing, the stage before the students opened before them, revealing the Pro-Hero down below. He was dressed in a leather jacket, with shades over his eyes, blond greased into two large tufts above his head, and fingerless gloves along his hands.
"HOW YOU DOING STUDENTS?!" He shouted, his voice almost shrill with excitement.
Izuku yelled in agony immediately, grabbing his ears, as spines and tiny tentacles of blacks sprang and jumped from his body, as Venom's own screams of agony joined his host's. Many of the students turned and looked at Izuku, many terrified of his reaction, or mystified by it. One of the students to his right, a tall, atheltic young man, with combed-back, groomed hair and wire-frame glasses.
"Excuse me, sir, are you alright?" The Athletic boy asked, slightly annoyed by how Izuku was acting during a course.
Present Mic stopped to look at him, as Izuku fell silent, his breath heavy, eyes unfocused, as sweat drenched most of his body. He shook heavily, as he looked up, his vision still blurry and unfocused.
"I...I'm sorry..." He muttered, struggling to raise his voice. "My...my Quirk...is sensitive to high sound..."
"Sorry my dude!" Present Mic shouted, his voice softer, apologetic, but still excitable. "I didn't realize it, I'll keep my voice more in check. Should I call the nurse for you?"
"Disgusting." Bakugou muttered, shaking his head. "Disgusting and pathetic."
"Hey! Don't speak down to one of your fellow future students!" Glasses shouted at Bakugou in indignation. "Don't look down at him for a shortcoming."
Glasses leaned in towards Izuku, grabbing his shoulder. "Are you alright, do you require medical attention?"
"I'm good." Izuku gulped with difficulty, as his vision returned to normal, before raising his voice for Mic. "I'm okay, sir."
Venom made a primal, gurgling growl within Izuku's mind. "I...I hate that creature!"
'Calm down Venom, it's fine.' Izuku thought, as Glasses withdrew to his seat, still eyeing Izuku uncertainty.
He tried to concentrate on the rest of Present Mic's words, but still was having difficulty from the loud noise and sound that had hit him and Venom. He was still breathing heavily. Venom had withdrawn from making any commentary, as Izuku struggled to focus on Mic's words. He barely comprehended what he said, before the class was dismissed and told to head out. He looked around in confusion, before Glasses came up and grabbed him gently by the shoulder again.
"Excuse me, we're heading out to the Field Tests, are you alright?" He asked, as he helped him to his feet.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good." Izuku managed through his teeth, following Glasses along. "You don't have to help me."
"It's fine, this is hero work after all." He replied with a grin. "My name is Tenya Iida by the way."
"Izuku Midoriya." He replied, nodding his head, as Venom's own tiny head swirled and manifested from his shoulder. "And this is Venom."
"Hello you two." Iida said, not missing a beat, as he guided them along. Izuku was surprised he could see a Venom and not freak out.
Iida lead him along, helping him along to the gym room. Venom seemed more silent then usual, as though he was still recovering from the injuries it took from the Present Mic shout. Izuku wasn't sure if he could keep going with this, but kept going. Even after everything that had happened, he couldn't give up on his dreams of being a hero.
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Unlike the others, Izuku didn't need to change. The rest of the class looked at him strangely, as he stood stiffly in the school uniform. He had recovered mostly. He looked out across the crowd, to see the girl from earlier, the one who had saved him from falling on his face. He had a lot of things to say. Perhaps he could say his thanks and start a conversation with her. He began to step forward, before his limbs stopped. He jumped slightly, before Venom's head appeared from his side.
"Hold on Izuku, you need to hold still and focus." Venom cautioned. "We need time to build our body back up again after the last incident."
"A...What?" Izuku asked, rather confused by his attitude.
"You're nerves are almost fried, and we still have to fight a bunch of...robots right?" Venom stated, looking out at the gates to the testing grounds, and the other students. "So just hold still and let me work."
Izuku nodded slightly, still feeling rather off after everything, rubbing his eyes slightly. "Alright."
"Besides, she needs to focus." Venom hissed, nodding slightly. "As do you. We can't work well together if you're distracted."
"Alright, gotcha." Izuku said with a nod, as Venom withdrew back into his body. He still felt out of it, but as time went on, he began to feel more refreshed and recharged.
"We're going to have to eat a lot to get back in shape." Venom cautioned him in his mind. "Unless you don't need this liver..."
Izuku opened his mouth to hold Venom back, before Present Mic's voice shouted off again. "Alright Future Heroes, begin!"
Izuku's eyes widened as the rest ran into the opening gates, as he sprinted after them with everything he could muster. Some eyed him sideways, already writing off the weirdo kid for his strange dress habits for a physically active course, and his response to loud noises. He looked around for a moment, as he tried to scan the replica of the city around him.
"Venom, come on!" He shouted.
"Hold on." Venom hissed.
Izuku continued on, looking for anything to fight, as Venom bubbled inside him. He could feel the symbiote pushing and brushing against him, like something was squirming and moving just below the skin. He looked around nervously, as the time ticked on in his head. What was Venom doing now? They couldn't take on anything or get in the course if Venom wasn't going to come out and fight.
"Venom, come on!" Izuku shouted into the wind.
A massive machine, nearly twice Izuku's height swung out of the corner of a building, two massive clawed arms hanging from it's shoulders, a single red eye dominating it's head. It slammed into the ground, focusing on Izuku.
"Target detected. Prepare for extermination." The machine announced.
"Mask!" Izuku shouted, as Venom finally responded.
"Copy!" Venom hissed, bursting alive and into the air, expanding and enhancing Izuku's body into a muscular frame of blackened muscle and claws.
Venom's fang-filled grin appeared, as he clenched his fists in preparation. Though he staggered slightly, before slamming his foot down and regaining his balance in preparation for the coming battle. He bared his fangs, opening his jaws with a savage growl of glee.
The machine prepared to attack him, before a blazing beam of blue energy, fizzling and sparkling like a burst of energy from a star. Venom recoiled back in surprise, as the machine was almost completely vaporized, before falling apart and into pieces, smoke rising from it's remains. Venom and Izuku gaped at it in surprise, before looking up to see the source of the beam attack.
"Thanks, moni mi!" A voice called, as Izuku looked over in shock, to see a thin, blond kid around his age, with a small smile on his face. "I couldn't have gotten that without you. Thanks."
The Kid ran off, as Venom shook his head slightly. "Is he Spanish?"
"Let's find a robot." Izuku commanded, as Venom bounded off, smashing through the buildings and getting to atop one of the building.
The two looked around, Venom's eyes scanning the area, before spotting a machine still in one place. He jumped off, clawed hands held out in front of him, before smashing down into the machine fist first. The machine barely had time to react before it was crumbled like a massive tin can. Venom stood up shaking himself off, as his mouth split into a slightly wider grin.
"One point." Izuku said. "We can't pass with just one."
Venom looked around, walking around for a bit to try and find something, anything to fight, but could detect nothing but warm bodies and humans that would've made a nice quick snack. Nothing else could be picked up by his senses.
"I don't detect anything." Venom muttered in reply.
"What are we going to do?" Izuku shouted in reply, panicking. "I...I can't fail!"
"We won't, Deku." Venom said, bounding away, before coming to a stop, his white eyes narrowed as he slowly looked around. "Keep calm."
Venom stood still, almost completely motionless, as the other students watched him in shock and awe, the vaguely reptilian creature slowly rising to his full height once more.
"What are we doing?" Izuku said, still panicking. "We need to find more bots!"
Venom turned his head down the street, to the left, eyes still narrowed, a piercing sensation going through his head. "Something is wrong Izuku..."
Suddenly, a massive foot crashed down into the earth, shaking the replica city's streets and the students within. The machine rounded the corner with another lumbering step, as Izuku gasped in shock. Most of the others took only a moment to look over the massive machine, before running off in the other direction. Not only was it too big to fight, but there were easier points to get from the smaller bots before time ran out. It's massive clawed hand knocked over one of the building, utterly pulverizing it into small fragments of rock and metal.
"Should we run too?" Izuku asked, voice shaking in fright.
"I think not." Venom said simply, pointing to the girl from earlier. "You like her, no?"
It was indeed the girl who had saved him from getting his face smashed in by the street, now pinned under a piece of the building from earlier. Izuku gasped, as he looked around to see no rushing in to save her, or even noticing them.
"We have to do this!" Izuku commanded, as the two bounded off towards the massive skyscrapper sized mecha. "You can do this right?"
"I might, but it will overtax us. Expect to be asleep for a long time, and hungry when you awaken." Venom advised, as his hand claws tore apart the street beneath him with every stride.
"Don't care, just save her Venom!" Izuku repeated, intense and focused.
Venom grunted in response, before briefly standing and swinging his right arm out, a long strand of his biomass swinging out and sticking onto the machine's right leg, before he swung his other arm upwards, in the direction of the machine's massive clawed limb. Another massive strand of tissue-made rope extending out, and enveloped part of the machine's fingers. Venom crossed his arms, growling and cursing slightly, as the machine struggled to get free and crush the Symbiote-Hero. It lifted it's free arm up, intending to crush him, before Venom roared in response, and pulled back with both arms with more intensity then before.
With a groan, the machine fell and was toppled, slowly falling to the ground, as yet more buildings were crushed and pulverized by it's form, yet more pieces falling all around them. More massive chunks of masonry and rock headed right for Uraraka, as Venom sprouted another strand of biomass from his shoulder, knocking the rock pinning her under, as she scampered to her feet and ran off, before the rocks could crush her.
The machine fell to the ground, crushing most of the road beneath it, as the streets struggled to hold it's weight. Venom retracted all the strands back into itself, before throwing his right arm to the side, and grabbing up a rock, swinging it around and over his head like a flail, before swinging it down at the machine as it disappeared into the pit it had made, the rock smashing into the head of the machine, and with the added force of Venom's swing, combined with the damage, caused it to explode with stunning force.
Venom marched away as fire burst to life from behind him, as he threw his head back and roared to the skies. He looked around for a bit, before falling on his knees, and gradually disappearing into Izuku's body, who fell to the ground, eyes closed tightly. The girl he had just saved rushed forward, grabbing him and gently lowering him down, as the last parts of the machine crumbled and broke apart, fires roaring behind him.
"Amazing." One of the students said.
"All that power and noise is what does him in?"
"I can't believe he only scored a point." Another replied. "What the heck was he doing?"
Uraraka looked back in shock, eyes wide at the statement, the breath almost taken right out of her like she had been hit in the gut. How could someone who took down a machine like that have only destroyed one of the easier bots. Surely there was a mistake. She was about to say something, before Present Mic's voice called over the intercoms.
"And that is it! We hoped you got all the points you needed students, because the Practical Exams are done!"
Uraraka could feel her heart sink like a stone inside her. After everything this weird boy and his Quirk had done, and he wouldn't be able to get in. She wasn't sure what to say, before an old, gentle voice called out.
"Everyone hold still, and don't move. Let's all take a deep breath, ok?" She called out, as the rest of the crowd turned to her.
The lady was very old, and short, dressed in a doctor's coat with thick framed glasses that could've probably picked up even health imperfections on skincells and gray hair. The lady walked along with the help of a cane in her gloved hands, handing sweets to some of the students, and kissing some of the others, fully mending and healing the injuries in seconds. Uraraka's eyes widened in surprise, as she watched the old lady approach.
'That must be Recovery Girl.' She thought, as she stayed with Izuku.
Recovery Girl hobbled over, looking him over, as she raised an eyebrow in surprise. She knelt slightly, touching and prodding his muscles and examining his bones.
"Hmm, he pulled three muscles in his arm, hyper-extended his left elbow, and tore the muscles in his lower back," She reported, Uraraka cringed in terror at her words. "But something is healing them rapidly."
Recovery tapped her chin slightly, before taking out four gummies, and began to prepare to feed them to Izuku, or test if he was responsive. Before either could react, Venom took over his upper body again, his night-black head splitting into a wide maw, as he snapped forward like a ravenous alligator and chopped up all four, barely chewing them, before swallowing them. Venom disappeared out of sight again, melting back into Izuku's body, as he slowly got to his feet, dazed and confused. Recovery Girl didn't even flinch from the feeding frenzy.
"Excuse me, son, are you alright?" Recovery Girl asked slowly, as Izuku looked at her, his eyes distant and hollow.
"I..ugh,..yeah." He stuttered with difficulty, before looking over at Uraraka. "Are you ok?"
He tried to walk over to her, before Recovery Girl held out her cane, stopping him. "Hold it, I need to figure out if you hurt yourself, alright?"
Izuku swallowed slightly, and nodded. Recovery Girl eyed him carefully, before holding up her fingers.
"How many am I holding up?"
"3 Fingers." Izuku answered.
"Where are you now?"
"UA testing grounds."
Recovery Girl nodded slightly. "You're not having a concussion. But you do appear exhausted."
"My Quirk needs a lot of food, like chocolate." Izuku explained tiredly, legs wobbling slightly.
"Alright, don't move about too much." Recovery Girl said softly, steadying him. "We'll get some food in you, and check you out for any other injuries."
Izuku nodded slightly, as Venom slowly sprouted and solidified from his shoulder, shaking himself off.
"No MRIs or high noises!" Venom growled, shaking slightly like a snake ready to strike, before Izuku lifted a hand to stop him.
"Alright Venom, calm down." Izuku said deadpan, rolling his eyes.
Recovery motioned for him to sit, before turning to the other candidates. "Alright, move along, move along. You're all finished up here."
She turned to Uraraka, smiling slightly. "You can go to sweety. He'll be fine."
Uraraka shifted uncertainty, before looking at Izuku in worry. "Are you sure?"
"He'll be fine, just get on home now." She said, patting Uraraka on the shoulder.
She readjusted and zipped up her tracksuit, before nodding and heading off, looking at Izuku's dazed form, before running off.
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Izuku spent a lot of hours being examined by Recovery Girl and her assistants and their analyzing the young hero recruit, making sure it was just exhaustion from overdoing it with his Quirk. The young hero was still rather tired out form everything, but otherwise had mostly recovered, and Venom had been able to fight back the urge to start snacking on Izuku's organs.
Though some of the heroes that passed through the infirmary zones of the school gave him some odd looks, he didn't mind. The young hero was put off by it, but Venom didn't seem to mind their gaze, just happy to get something inside them and some nutrients. After a large slice of chocolate cake was handed out, Venom almost didn't want to leave the place when she gave the clearance to go home. Despite this generosity, however, Izuku found himself on edge about everything.
"Do you think we passed?" Izuku muttered to Venom, as they walked away from the school, the sun now setting behind them, waving to Recovery Girl and the team.
"Hard to say." Venom hissed slightly.
"One point is hardly anything to write home about." Izuku responded, focusing ahead as he began the long walk home. "I don't know if we'll make it in."
"Maybe not, but perhaps being Vigilantes would be more our style." Venom suggested with a gleeful chuckle. "Snacks would be much easier to come by."
"We're not doing that." Izuku commanded firmly. "We're going to do this the right way."
The Symbiote and host continued on their way, heading for home after a long and very stressful day. Whatever happened next, they had to leave up to fate from here on out.