Chapter 19: What a Fortunate Turn of Events
"Izuku! You're going to be late for school if you don't get up soon!"
He loves his mom. He really does. But waking him and making him get out of his nice cozy bed was pushing it. Even if he won't do anything about it. He's learned his lesson since the time he tried to turn his mom into a frog…
Ugh. He was having the best dream too. He was flying over the ocean! It was so cool!
"Izuku! Don't make me come in there!"
This was not.
Grabbing a book off his desk, Izuku trudges into the dining room where his mother sets his breakfast down for him. "Izuku you just got up…" Inko says, eyeing the book in his hand.
"There's less than a week until the Sports Festival mom, I gotta learn as much as I can," Izuku dismisses her concerns and sits down, taking a bite of his toast and conjuring a pencil to add a few new notes he thought of last night.
Inko sighs, getting up to make her own plate. "I know honey but I don't want you to burn out. Didn't you train enough this past weekend at…where did Heimdall send you again?"
Izuku taps the pencil's eraser on his cheek thinking. "Sorry mom, what did you sa-oh! I went to Antarctica."
His mom makes a face. "What kind of training did you-" her phone rings, causing Inko to lose her train of thought when she picks it up from the counter.
The teen looks back down at his book to continue his note adding before Inko's curt voice distracts him. "What do you want?"
That takes all of Izuku's attention immediately. She never talks to anyone like that. Well…no one except-
"Izuku." He gulps at her stern voice while she hands him the phone. "You have to leave soon. Make this quick."
Inko's attitude has him thrown for such a loop, Izuku doesn't think when he puts the phone to his ear and absentmindedly says, "hello."
He comes back to his senses when he has to yank the phone away from the loud voice on the other end. "Okay, okay! Sorry!" Izuku placates the other caller, switching to English. He takes advantage of the man's rambling to finish a few pieces of toast.
"Yes…yes I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking!" Izuku is groaning but he can't keep the small smile off his face. "And by the way, it's called Japanese. Not 'ching-chong,' Uncle Wade."
Izuku shakes his head fondly while his uncle continues to yell, walking to the kitchen to put his plate in the sink. "Yes, I called Uncle Logan to help my friend...well for starters, he was already in Japan."
After vanishing the book Uncle Thor gave him, Izuku listens more while walking back to his room. "Are you even allowed to get on a plane?" He pauses for the answer. "The last time you said you'd find a way, you stole an entire jet."
Izuku can't help but laugh as he reaches his room. "Fine, technically we stole it. My mom's still mad at you for talking me into that." Another pause. "No, I didn't say I regretted it…"
Was this what his mom was talking about when she said Uncle Wade was a bad influence on him?…nah.
He goes over to his desk and starts to pull out school supplies from the drawers. "Yes, I told mom why we needed it! That taco place you like on the west coast of the US was closing soon and we needed to get there fast." Izuku listens. "No, it wasn't good enough for her."
The greenette starts to pack his bag. "You wouldn't have been able to help anyway. My friend's parents own a construction company and needed work."
Izuku shivers. "I don't know what you would've used their equipment for and please don't tell me…yes you've told me the story with the Zamboni a million times."
Finishing with his bag, Izuku vanishes it before organizing and putting his notebooks back on the shelf. "My birthday? Haven't really thought abiut it, why?…no Uncle Wade you can't bring me a gun."
"What?" Izuku checks his phone on his desk and opens the text messages. "Oh, yup, here are all the pictures of guns. It doesn't matter anyway, guns are illegal here…yes I could keep it in my pocket dimension but I couldn't use it…don't tell me 'not with that attitude!' "
Izuku can't stop himself from laughing at the whining coming from the other end of the call. He puts his phone in his pocket before checking the emails on his second phone and vanishing it.
"Sure, if you actually make it here then I'll at least look at whatever gun you got me, okay?" Izuku holds the phone away from his ear again because of the loud cheer of victory.
"Alright it's been good talking to you but I gotta-huh?" Izuku stops, unsure. "Say hi to the readers for you? Sure, whatever you say…bye Uncle Wade."
He hangs up his mother's phone still bewildered. His uncle's great but he can be so confusing sometimes.
Straightening his tie and making himself oh so comfortable on Aizawa's shoulder, Nezu smiles as a car pulls up to the front gate of UA.
"How do you even get up there without me knowing…" Aizawa groans.
"Physics," Nezu answers vaguely. It was so much fun to keep humans guessing. And judging by the slight shiver he felt from the man, it was working. Aizawa was the one that had to go ahead and wear the most comfortable scarf in the world around his shoulders, it should not take an intelligence quirk to figure out why Nezu likes his shoulder so much.
But enough of that. He could go on and on about his indentured servants but he has two guests to campus today walking up to the gate! "Am I a mouse? A dog? A bear? My real identity is…the Principal of UA, Nezu!" He cheers happily, ignoring Aizawa's pained sigh.
Logan laughs a little. "Nice meet you in person, Principal Nezu, your reputation precedes you."
"As does yours." When the man tilts his head a little, Nezu continues. "Come now, even we in Japan have heard the tales of the Wolverine."
"Well hopefully you haven't heard too much," the older hero remarks, putting a hand on the shoulder of his companion.
"Ah, yes. You did mention you were bringing someone else." Nezu looks down at Logan's companion, a young girl. Still at least a few years off from the age necessary to attend UA.
If Nezu had to guess, and he was good at guessing, the girl is of Mexican descent, with straight black hair that came to her shoulders. She wore jeans, and a gray shirt with a horse and rainbow on it covered by a jean jacket. Perched on her head was a pair of pink and blue sunglasses.
"Does she speak Japanese?" Nezu inquires.
"No." Logan shakes his head, sighing a little. "Just English and Spanish. Little brat is as stubborn as a mule when trying to teach her shit."
Nezu hums, looking back down at the girl. "Hello," he says in Spanish. "I'm Principal Nezu. What's your name?"
The girl narrows her eyes at him before looking at Logan, who gives her a reaffirming nod. She looks back at him for a few more seconds before simply replying, "Laura."
The principal claps his paws excitedly. "Wonderful!" Aizawa clears his throat with not so much subtlety. "Oh, very well Aizawa. Mr. Howlett, if I may?" Nezu gestures from one man to the other and the foreign hero understands immediately.
"Just Logan," he says, leaning forward so Nezu could climb onto his shoulder from Aizawa's. Wordlessly, the Erasure hero hands the two guests visitor badges and walks away. Nezu knows it's to try and get a nap in before homeroom…where the man will nap as well.
"Shall we begin?" Nezu moves himself to be more comfortable while they begin their walk around the school.
"I gotta say, I was surprised when I received an invitation to tour the campus of Japan's most prestigious hero school. Most places are a bit too…intimidated for that." Logan looks around the campus, eyeing their surroundings. Nezu notices that Laura keeps a close eye on any passing students.
"Well when both the leader of one of America's two biggest hero teams and a fellow educator comes to my country, how could I possibly resist?" Nezu purrs.
"Temporary educator," Logan corrects. "I'm only Headmaster of the school until they find someone better. A lot of bullshit politics that come with the job I'm not cut out for."
"Don't be so modest." Nezu chuckles. "From what I've gathered, you have been 'temporary' headmaster of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters for years now."
"And I'll never fucking understand why…" Nezu will never claim to be an expert on human emotion, something whose intricacies will more than likely forever elude him. But he has a feeling the hero doesn't mind the position he holds as much as he lets on.
"I'm sure the experience of the longevity aspect of your quirk has allowed you to have is a valuable learning tool for your students as well," Nezu says.
Logan laughs, his face softening. "It is. Hoping for those kids to not make any of the same dumb fucking mistakes I did." He looks fondly at Laura for a moment. "Even if I will never get used to it being called a quirk."
"Even after the term's common usage the past couple of centuries?" Nezu asks curiously.
"Well after being called a mutant for the first couple of centuries, it's hard to let go. Especially since we're still referred to as such in certain parts of America," Logan informs him.
"I can imagine the country's high rate of late bloomers contributes to that." Humans always finding ways to discriminate against one another astounds him.
"A lot of kids don't get their powers until around 13 in America," Logan confirms. "Because of that, they don't have nearly as much control of their abilities as other kids do, that's usually when they come to Xavier's school."
"Well, giving those children a safe haven must be rewarding in itself," Nezu says in still a cheery tone but one that's a bit softer than his usual. The chimera points Logan in which direction to go.
"It is," Logan says quietly, pulling Laura just a bit closer to him. "Speaking of students, couldn't help but overhear about the USJ incident. If there's anything we can do to make sure those bastards pay, let me know."
"That is very much appreciated." Nezu checks the status on his phone. "But we are following every lead we have at the moment. And despite my best efforts, a program another faculty member and I built has not been able to revive the camera footage lost during the attack."
They stop in front of a door and Nezu pats the man to let him down. "If you'll excuse me, I have a quick phone call to make and we can continue the tour after but I believe Ms. Laura will enjoy herself through here until then."
"You know you still haven't told me why I'm here," Logan says in a humorous tone.
Oh, Nezu does love it when humans aren't dumb. "Well if the X-Men are wanting to bring heroes to Japan, I thought they would need a place to earn their Japanese hero licenses."
"Funny." Logan looks off in the distance. "I was supposed to meet with your Hero Commission today to discuss that but they had to cancel on me at the last minute. And that's when you called."
"Well!" Nezu can't help his giddy feeling. "What a fortunate turn of events for me!"
Logan raises an eyebrow. "And unfortunate for them, right?" Oh Nezu does like this human. He hopes he gets to meet more.
At the sound of the door opening, Izuku turns away from where Eri is using Nomu as stabbing practice to the entrance of Gym Gamma. "Uncle Logan? What are you doing here?"
"Your principal invited me," he says looking around the gym. "You know I didn't quite believe you when you told me about this place…"
"Says the man who has a jet that comes out from under his basketball court," Izuku deadpans.
Wolverine smirks at him. "You would know, wouldn't you? Considering you and Wade stole it."
Izuku groans while Logan laughs. Neither noticing Laura walk away to the middle of the gym. "I'm never gonna live that down, am I? We were just borrowing it! And we were gonna come back with food for everyone!"
Loki's son crosses his arms. "I don't know why you guys are always coming after me, Uncle Wade was the adult in that situation…"
Logan snorts. "You're lucky it can be controlled remotely. By the way, I never found out, how'd your parents take that little stunt?"
The green-haired boy shrugs. "Dad gave me a new gaming system." At Logan's look, he adds, "but mom grounded me so I couldn't use it for a while!"
The old hero looks like he wants to say more but then, "L-L-Laura?" Izuku hears Eri try. The two look over to see Eri and Laura looking at each curiously. "Laura?" Eri says hesitantly again.
The other girl nods vigorously before making a face like she swallowed a lemon. "Eri?" The unicorn beside her jumps up and down cheering.
"That's Laura, huh?" Izuku doesn't take his eyes off the girls while they sound out different words in each other's languages. He takes out his phone and sends a text. "Clone/daughter? I thought my life was crazy."
"And I guess that's Eri then. You were right, way cuter than you could describe." Izuku pouts. "And believe me, kid, the world is a much more fucked up place than you can imagine." He points at Nomu. "Like that, right there, whatever he is. Doesn't even faze me."
Izuku snickers. "Good to know. How's the Uraraka Construction Company working out?"
Logan crossed his arms, also continuing to watch the girls teach other words. "I know you're asking how I behaved when I went over to their house and I was fucking gentlemen, Izuku."
"There's a first time for everything…"
"Ignoring that. We've only just started the actual construction but you were right. They're hard workers and eager. Your girlfriend's parents are everything you thought they'd be."
Feeling his cheeks warm up, Izuku replies, "s-she's n-not my-well, you know…"
Logan glances at him. "She's not? That why you didn't want me to tell her it was you who recommended them? But you do like her, don't you?"
He can feel himself getting redder. "I-I'm not s-sure…m-maybe?"
"Izuku." At Logan's serious tone, he looks up at him. "Take it from someone who's lived a very long while. The one thing you can never get back is time. When you figure out your feelings for this girl, don't wait too long, got it?"
"O-okay," Izuku manages to get out. "It's just…i-if I ever did want something like that with her…" Izuku's voice becomes more firm. "I'd want her to know about me before…about who I really am."
"Probably a good decision," Logan comments.
The two stand in silence for a minute before Izuku speaks up, wanting to change the previous subject, "are you guys gonna be in Japan long?"
Logan doesn't comment on the abrupt change. "Just a couple of months until the new mansion is built for the X-Men team here. Speaking of which, offer is still open…"
Izuku relaxes, getting back to more familiar territory for him. "Sorry, but Uncle Thor upped his offer again and he's ahead."
The mutant runs a hand through his hair. "Do I even wanna know who he got this time?"
Izuku can barely contain his excitement. "He said he got Miguel to agree to sign something for me!"
The laugh that escapes him when Logan slaps a hand to his face almost knocks him over. "I was afraid of that…how am I supposed to compete with goddamn Spider-Man…" Logan grumbles.
"Looks like if I ever leave Japan I'm becoming an Avenger," Izuku sings.
"Midoriya?" Izuku's gloating has to wait because that's when Kaminari decides to come into the gym. "Hey, I got your text and brought it, what's up?"
"I almost forgot, Thor said something about having a son now." Logan says to their new arrival.
"Who are…" the blonde's face lights up. "You're Wolverine!" He runs up to them so fast, that traces of lightning streak over him. "My dad told me about-" he stops. "Wait, Midoriya, does he know about…you know what?" Kaminari whispers as if the man right next to them can't hear.
"Yeah, about as subtle as the hammer his dad uses. Of course I fucking know about that stuff," Logan laughs.
Relief washes over Kaminari's face. "Oh, phew! Anyway, my dad said you're awesome! The way you could tear through villains like they're nothing!"
His uncle looks a little too proud for Izuku's liking. "Well thank you, I-"
"He's also a really good singer!" Izuku interrupts, taking the wind out of Logan's sails. His uncle gives him a dirty look. "That's for the jet."
Kaminari looks like Christmas came early.
"Anyway, you got it?" Izuku asks his cousin, who gives him a confused 'yes' before handing over Thunderstrike to him.
"What'd you need it for?" Kaminari questions.
"Thunderstrike gives whosoever is holding it All Speak." He holds the weapon out to Eri and Laura and gestures to them to hold onto it. "And these two need a little help."
Both girls grab onto the hilt and look at each other, waiting for something to happen. "Go ahead." Izuku's voice causes them both to jump. "You can understand each other now."
"We can?" Laura gapes at Eri.
"You can understand me," the older girl states.
"Y-yeah," Eri says, more nervous now. "Hi…"
Laura stares at her for a few uncomfortable seconds. "You're like me."
"Huh?"
Slowly, Laura reaches over with her free hand and pulls Eri's sleeve up. Izuku sees the bracers he gave her, along with her scars. "Bad men hurt you like they hurt me."
Eri's eyes widen. "They hurt you too? Are your bad men still chasing you also?"
Laura shakes her head, giving Eri a viciously proud smile. "No…" she makes a fist with her free hand and two adamantium claws shoot out of her knuckles. "I stabbed them!"
"That's an understatement…" Izuku hears Logan mumble.
"Wow…" Eri looks enthralled with the blades. She reaches for them and looks at Laura for permission but she shakes her head, Stopping Eri from touching them. "When they come out, does it hurt?"
"Every time," Laura responds.
Eri looks back and forth between the claws and herself before seemingly coming to a decision. "I wanna stab the bad men who hurt me too!" She flicks her wrist on her own free hand, causing her hidden blade to spring out.
Chucking, Izuku pats her head. "I'll give you a turn once I have a few rounds, sound good?" Eri agrees excitedly. Both her and Laura now admiring each other's blades.
At least, they were until the two lock eyes, having a silent conversation despite the magical item that could let them talk between them. Izuku realizes what's happening a few seconds later.
"Nomu, don't interfere," Izuku commands, backing up. The girls step back from each other as well after putting Thunderstrike down, never taking their eyes off each other.
Laura clenches her other fist, her second set of claws jutting out. Eri bends her knees, placing a hand by the belt she wears over her UA uniform.
"Eri doesn't have a healing factor!" Izuku quickly makes sure to point out just in case. Laura probably spars with Uncle Logan a lot so…
Neither of the girls acknowledges him. Yeah, it's probably gonna be alright.
"Some of the things you've told me about Laura…" Izuku starts.
"Even when we're practicing, we don't go for kill shots. I'm not a fucking animal, Izuku." The look he gives his uncle is enough to tell him he doesn't believe him on the animal part. Look at his name!
There's no warning when it starts. Laura charges at Eri with a yell. The horned girl responding with two throwing knives flicked at her opponent but Laura slides on her knees under them.
Eri runs and jumps over the sliding Laura, flipping in the air and avoiding a swipe from the other girl. Laura gets up and is on Eri instantly, who's barely able to duck Laura's first swipe before jumping back from the second.
Laura lunges forward again looking to stab Eri in the shoulder, but she backs away again, this time unsheathing her second blade and stabbing at Laura's arm, the Wolverine clone blocks her with her other set of claws, a clang! rings through the room as the blades collide.
Eri tries to stab Laura with her other arm but is blocked again. With their arms taken, Laura lets loose a yell of rage before a blade pokes its way out of her shoe, surprising everyone but her father.
Again, Eri jumps away just as Laura kicks her foot forward but she doesn't let up, jumping high in the air and twisting to try and stab Eri in the arm. Seeing an opportunity, this time, Eri spins toward Laura getting ready to slash her leg mid-air-
But the older girl is too experienced for that, spreading her arm out to punch Eri in the face before she could get the chance. Eri only has a second on the ground before she has to roll away, Laura's foot claw impaling the ground where Eri's leg was just moments ago. Laura yells again in rage, yanking her foot out of the ground, sending cement flying.
Izuku leans over to Logan. "Did uh…did you teach her that?"
Logan scratches his nose. "No, she…she came like that."
Laura screams, trying to bring her claw down but Eri blocks the blow, going for a counterattack instantly forcing Laura to dodge for the first time.
Sidestepping a thrust from Laura, Eri hits her claw, sending it skyward before trying two quick slashes at Laura's midsection, the other girl dodging both. Eri stabs downward at Laura's leg and she responds by trying to stab Eri's hand with her foot claw.
But it looks like this is what the unicorn was waiting for, parrying the blade with her own and disrupting Laura's balance for only a second but that's all Eri needs. She slashes upward and Laura tries to turn her head but it was too late.
Laura backs up feeling her cheek and wincing. A small cut leaks blood onto her fingers. Eri smiles victoriously but it quickly vanishes with the hungry smile Laura answers her with.
The little mutant wipes her cheek and jumps at Eri, who rolls underneath her. The rewind user spins around and rises up on one knee raising her arm to attack, but Laura takes her own advantage.
She uses Eri's knee as a boost to get herself up and wrap her legs around the white-haired girl's shoulder, spinning them both to the ground and slamming Eri on her back hard.
By the time her red eyes find focus again, there are two claws centimeters from her eyes. With it clearly decided, she relaxes and retracts her blades, surrendering.
Laura nods, and gets up while helping Eri up at the same time, both girls giggling.
"Wow!" Kaminari claps. "Today I found out I could have my ass handed to me by either one of them!"
"Well, I think it's pretty clear who the better teacher is," Logan says smugly, taking out a cigar but stopping when Izuku shakes his head. "Really? No? Fuck."
Izuku laughs. "At least they're not taking it hard." He refers to Eri trying to copy the spinning mid-air kick Laura did but falling on the ground in an undignified heap instead. But she gets up giggling more and Laura tries to show her how to do right.
"I think Eri did good, especially considering I've only been training her for a year," Izuku observes. "You know, since I'm poised to be an Avenger…" he takes great satisfaction at the face Logan makes. "Maybe I should avenge Eri's loss…"
Logan's smile takes a much sharper tone, his hand dropping and forming a fist. "You sure you wanna do this, bub? You know I'm the best at what I do…and what I do isn't very nice…"
Izuku conjures a knife. The excitement in him building. He never gets an opponent he can freely cut with no consequences! "Everyone thinks you're immortal Uncle Logan…should we test that?"
The two stare each down waiting for someone to make the first move-
But a warning bell goes off, signaling homeroom beginning in just a couple of minutes, Snipe entering just as it does.
"Midoriya. Kaminari. "Ya'll better get a move on or you'll be late. And knowing Aizawa, he'll blame me."
Taking a breath, Izuku vanishes the knife. "Next time."
Logan nods. "See you around, kid."
"Again, I'm so sorry about Monoma and I promise to try and keep my class in line." Class 1-B's Itsuka Kendo stands from her bow. Her vice rep, Nirengeki Shoda does the same next to her.
Izuku…wasn't sure what to say. When the reps of their sister class asked to see him and Yaomomo in between classes, he didn't know what would happen but this was honestly one of the last things he expected.
Thankfully, while Izuku does a great impression of a fish, Yaomomo is there to pick up his slack. "We thank you for your dedication, Kendo. I do not know why our class rep didn't inform anyone of this." Oh, he just got a look. "But any help is very much appreciated."
Kendo looks relieved. "That's great to hear. I also wanted to let you know, Midoriya, that not everyone believes Vlad-sensei. Just Monoma and some idiots he's riled up."
Realizing he is in fact, not a fish and has the ability to speak on land, Izuku replies with, "thanks, Kendo. I really thought I was going to have all twenty of you jumping me at the festival…"
She laughs. "No no. Well, I'm glad we could sort that out. It was great to meet both of you!" They exchange goodbyes and begin to walk away but the orange-haired girl calls out one last time before they do. "Oh!" Kendo starts, trying to contain more laughter. "I'm obligated to ask, you don't actually talk to villains right?"
Izuku laughs with her. "I'm not the traitor, Kendo. And I haven't given any info about UA or any students to any villains!"
Sometimes, weird sentences pop into Toshinori's head. One's that he knows he can't repeat out loud because they'll sound weird, especially if he does it while he's buffed up. Sentences like, he's looking forward to seeing the creative ways teenagers beat each other up for the Sports Festival.
Is that a weird thing to say? Probably. But considering the millions who watch the festival every year, he's not the only one.
"All Might?" Speaking of teens, a certain one's voice pulls him out of his thoughts.
"I apologize, young Tenko. What did you say?" The two were currently standing alone in one of UA's many workout rooms after school.
"Nothing, just that I finished that last set of weights. Was there anything else you wanted me to do?"
He smiles at the young man. "No you've done plenty today, I'll see you tomorrow." Tenko nods, going over to a bench to pack his bag and switch shoes.
To be honest, he wasn't sure how he expected the boy to react when he approached him about helping him train for the festival but Tenko agreed so quickly, it looked like he himself was surprised!
Whether that was because Tenko was finally willing to talk to him or he thought All Might's training would be easier than anything Gran would put him through was anyone's guess.
Reaching the door, Tenko stops, scratching his neck. "Hey…" Toshinori says nothing, letting him take a few minutes to collect his thoughts. When Tenko speaks again, it's low and his voice cracks a little. "I don't understand why…"
All Might relaxes a little. "It's pretty simple, my boy! I want to see you do your best at the-"
"I don't understand why…" Toshinori's voice dies as Tenko's voice grows harsher, the boy still won't face him. "You should hate me."
Feeling his heart crack a little, he immediately replies, "I never did."
The two stand in silence again for a few minutes, young Tenko playing with the doorknob. "I want to believe you…so bad but…"
"I'll say it as many times and for however long you need. I never hated you, nor did I ever blame you for what happened," Toshinori says firmly.
Truthfully, at the time, there were too many emotions going through Toshinori for him to figure out how he felt. Hearing from Tsukauchi that some informant had told them it was a quirk accident and the boy was running, all he could focus on was finding Nana's last blood relative before something bad happened.
And he did. All Might didn't know how he'd feel when he actually found him but seeing that crying boy covered in blood in that alleyway, his emotions became clear. He would protect him.
Tenko gives him a look over the shoulder, a quick nod, and disappears without another word. Maybe it's his endless optimism that Gran is always making fun of him about talking, but it feels like progress.
Denki huffs before kicking off the tree. He hits the next one, pretty easy since he's in a forest, and pushes off again. Lightning covers his body, allowing him to move faster, but he can feel himself draining even faster, still, he pushes himself. The festival is close!
His foot slips on the next tree and he yells out, hitting the ground and rolling for a couple of meters, the lightning around his body dying out.
Instead of getting up, he lets himself have a second to catch his breath, which is in short supply right now. The evening sun's rays coming through the trees look beautiful…
"That was your longest time yet!" Thor's voice hammers it's way into his tranquility, his father's smiling face coming into view. Was Denki a little annoyed that his dad didn't look winded at all keeping up with him? Maybe.
"Thanks, dad." He's helped into a sitting position and given a bottle of water, which he drains half of almost instantly.
"This Sports Festival is a blessing in disguise for us." Thor sits beside him. "Learning to use your powers without your weapon to channel them is important, and this festival gave us an excuse to continue that training." He laughs thunderously.
"So, I'm doing good?" Denki gets out between gasping breaths and water drinking.
"You've got a long way to go but your start is beyond anything I could have predicted. I have no doubt you'll go far in the festival. Which reminds me…"
He gets up, standing over his son. "There's one more part of your training we have to get to before your festival starts."
"What's that?"
The smile Thor gives him isn't one he's used to. In fact, that kind of look would probably be better on Uncle L-
"I have no doubt that like you, Izuku will make it far into the festival, which means you two will more than likely meet in combat." Denki grimaces.
"Which is why…" Thor continues in a whisper before announcing loudly. "We are going to start your lessons in 'How to Beat a Loki 101!'"
Denki can't help but laugh at his dad's antics, standing up with him. "Isn't that kind of unfair though?"
"First lesson." Thor holds up a finger. "Learn to think like a Loki. I have no doubt my brother has given Izuku lessons on how to combat me which means…how to combat you. I have never lost to my brother in a fight, and I expect you to keep up that tradition."
He can tell his father isn't completely serious but Denki gives him a determined nod anyway. "I'll do my best!"
"You should've seen her!" Izuku says excitedly from where he sits by his desk. "Her punches and kicks are already so much faster than when we started!" Two and Twelve sit on the floor in front of him listening.
"Then!" Izuku doesn't stop. "I had to answer an email from my phone but she grabbed me and slammed me into the mat when I looked away and reached for it!" His head starts to hurt a little.
Two laughs while Twelve does what he does and analyzes. "I'm assuming you've taught Uraraka to take advantage of any opportunity the opponent gives? And you did not actually stop the fight when you reached for your phone?"
Izuku shakes his head. "I just said to give me a second and she literally did!"
"All I'm hearing," Four says, appearing next to him. "Is that someone liked it when Uraraka slammed him into the mat."
He looks away, his headache getting worse but his cheeks reddening. "Shut up…"
"Not a denial." Three observes, materializing as well on his other side. "Of course, he could also be proud that Uraraka is picking up his lessons with much enthusiasm and learning quickly."
Izuku grabs his head, it's starting to hurt even more. What's going on? He knows what it feels like when he's about to have a clone-induced panic attack but he hasn't had one of those since before UA! But this is different…it's familiar but he can't quite place it…
Oh no.
He just remembered.
"Are you alright?" Two asks.
"It's happening again." Five states clearly, making himself visible. "It's been a long time."
"Wait, that? But what could it-" Two doesn't get to finish before Izuku grabs his head with both hands and yells out. Green lines flash erratically on his body and the room disappears in a green light, blinding everyone.
When it's over, Izuku is gasping, hands on his knees. After getting control of his breathing, he looks up. The rest of his decoys are all looking at the same spot. Right in front of him, a clone sits on his bed looking at him curiously.
Izuku can tell his clones apart. That's why they're numbered. Two through Twelve. Each has a different part of him. He recognizes any of them instantly. Which is why they're all stunned.
None of them know this clone. It's number Thirteen. But…what part of him does it-
Thirteen looks at everyone before taking a fond sigh and laying down in the bed. "Uraraka looks really cute when she's determined, doesn't she?"
Izuku falls off his chair. Four looks more excited than he's ever been. "No way! No way no way no way!" He points at a stunned Izuku on the ground. "You can't deny it anymore! To us or yourself! Literally! Proof you have a crush on her!"
Sitting up suddenly, Thirteen puts a hand to his head. "Oh my god…my name is Thirteen…like her favorite hero…"
"This…is the greatest day of my existence…" Four gets out before bursting out laughing, the other clones joining him rolling on the ground. Even the logical Three couldn't stop himself.
"I don't…" Izuku tries weakly.
"The proof is laying on your bed!" Five yells, trying and failing to get control of himself.
"Hey." Thirteen gets their attention. "If you don't want to confess to her, I can do it for you."
"He's gonna be a handful to control at the festival." Two wipes a tear.
"Festival?…" Izuku asks, dreading at knowing what the answer could be.
"Well, yeah!" Four gives him a thumbs up. "When you make the third round, we're all gonna be in the stands cheering you on with your classmates!"
"We can't wait to meet them." Five whispers conspiratorially.
"Could this day get any worse?" Izuku moans, leading to another round of laughter.
Night has fallen on Japan by now. In an office, the owner has elected to keep the lights off, letting the room be consumed by darkness, save for the light coming from the computer screen.
He rewinds the video and plays it again. His hearing is better than that of humans but even he is unsure. Taking a sip of tea, he lets the video play again.
"I am Izuku Lokison. Prince of Mischief. And I am burdened by glorious purpose."
He drags the video to the side and watches the boy get teleported to the Downpour Zone, where he's saved by Kaminari. His program was still reconstructing some of the footage from the attack but he was able to get the Central Plaza footage from the USJ.
Opening the program, he searches, and ah, lucky him! It seems the recordings of the downpour zone are ready to be viewed as well! And so he does. Taking in every word from a conversation between a certain blonde and green-haired boy.
"Well," Nezu rubs his paws together, looking at the paused image of 'Midoriya' and 'Kaminari.' "I believe it's time we sat down for a little chat."
Chapter 20: Don't Keep Me in the Dark
"He should be here soon! Hide!"
"We're already behind the tree…"
"Then keep hiding!"
"Do you think I'd just jump out and ruin the prank? I'm the closest thing you'll ever get to a professional."
"I've never worked with you before, I had to be sure…"
"I think you're confused…you're the one getting tested right now for possible inclusion in future pranks."
"Just because I gave you some leeway for also having green hair does not mean-"
"I swear." Kendo pinches the bridge of her nose. "If you two don't shut up, I'll pull the plug right now."
Izuku and Setsuna Tokage shoot her identical betrayed looks. "You wouldn't…" he whispers.
"Yeah, Ken, you can't! How am I supposed to test if Midoriya lives up to his reputation?" Tokage pleads.
Izuku shakes his head to clear it of all the nonsense he just heard. "Hey, I'm the Prince of Mischief, I am the one who pranks. You're here to see if you live up to my standards."
"Listen, dude, anyone can give themselves a stupid nickname-"
"It's a title!" Izuku squeals in a way that does not fit the actual Prince that he is.
"Yeah, but did you-"
"Ow!" Izuku and Tokage both yell out, rubbing their heads.
Kendo returns her hands to normal size. "I knew putting you two together was a bad idea…"
"Be happy it was her," Kaminari calls down from where he sits up in the tree. "I was about to shock the both of you."
"Do you wanna get stabbed?" Izuku asks. "Because that's how you get stabbed."
"Don't make me come down there." Kaminari threatens.
"Don't make me come up there!" Izuku threatens right back.
"Wow," Kendo deadpans. "I had a ton of respect for Yaoyorozu before but it's just majorly gone up." She looks down the trail. "By the way, Monoma's coming."
"Hide!"
"Again Tokage, we're already behind the tr-"
"Shut!"
Still, Izuku and Tokage press themselves up against the tree further while Kendo kneels down behind a nearby bush and Kaminari makes sure the branches are covering him properly.
It's early enough on UA's campus that there aren't many students walking around the courtyard yet, making their plan easier. It being the day before the Sports Festival also meant everyone was taking it easy so that helped too.
Izuku had been wanting to get a nice prank on Monoma ever since the mostly wrong things he said to him in the 1-A classroom, but with training for the festival, he hadn't had the chance so he was mostly sticking to pranking his own classmates.
Actually, trying to prank his classmates was a better summary. Yaomomo had since recruited Ojiro and Shoji along with Jiro to ruin his plans.
It was going great the other day! He had Toru, who like Mina, had insisted he call her by her first name, what even were his classmates, anyway, Toru was trailing Jiro to make sure she was out of the way.
Kaminari was distracting Ojiro by asking him very personal questions about his tail and playing with the fluffy part at the end. Something he seemed to enjoy a bit too much if you asked Izuku.
But he was in the clear! Yaomomo wouldn't be ruining his prank that day…until Shoji and his many appendages gave her the advantage again and he was thwarted.
Was this because he interrogated him about his quirk on the first day? Whatever. He's lost a step but Izuku won't let that keep him down! Especially coming back to today, when he can finally pay Monoma back.
He needed to know where Monoma went in the morning which naturally led him to Kendo but she didn't know and that was when Tokage head-butted herself into their conversation. Literally. Her head, by itself, forced its way into their conversation claiming she could lure Monoma to wherever they wanted him to go.
So that brought them to now, with Kendo supervising to make sure they didn't go too far. Izuku tried to explain she was only delaying the inevitable stab he was going to give Monoma but she wouldn't budge so no knives…for now.
Eri was also disappointed.
Down the path, he spots Monoma walking proudly down as if he owns the nature around him. Tokage got him here so that's a good start. He gives a thumbs up to Uraraka who's in the middle of the path and very convincingly looking like she can't pick up her costume case.
"Oh, hey!" She waves Monoma down, smiling sweetly. "Could you help me with this?" Uraraka tugs again uselessly.
"What's wrong?" Monoma asks with fake concern. "Finally realizing all of that unearned fame can't take the place of real training?" He scoffs, walking past.
"Well, no…" Uraraka starts, sounding defeated. "But with how many times you've said 1-B was better, I thought you could handle a little suitcase…"
Monoma spins around on the spot. "Move aside." He grabs the handle roughly and pulls, staring in shock when the case doesn't budge. He tries again and again but still, nothing. "What do you have in here?!"
Izuku looks behind them to another tree on the other side of the path. Tenko peeks out while Monoma is distracted and Izuku gives him a thumbs up as well. He nods and turns back to the tree.
Just then, Eri comes streaking out from behind the tree, wearing her UA gym uniform as she does a lot, running up to the teenagers. "Hi! Do you need help?"
Monoma scowls. "No offense, little girl, but if I can't pick this up then you definitely can't. Now go find your parents or whoever." He shoos her away.
Izuku barely resists the urge to conjure a throwing knife but Eri is a lot better at keeping her cool than he is, opting for a bright smile. "I can try!" She flexes her arm. "I'm stronger than I look!"
"It'll probably be easier if she just sees for herself." Uraraka backs Monoma away, subtly touching it with all five fingers. "Give it a shot."
"Okay!" Eri grabs the handle with one hand and scrunches up her face in concentration before pulling, and with its gravity removed, she easily lifts it over her head. "I did it!"
Monoma falters while Uraraka cheers. "Wow! You are strong."
"That is ridiculous! Let me see that again!" Eri puts the suitcase down and Uraraka puts her fingers together while Monoma tries and fails to lift the case again.
Izuku and the others can barely contain their laughter as Eri and Monoma switch off several times, the blonde 1-B student growing more and more agitated every time the little girl lifts the case.
Kaminari nearly falls out of the tree when Eri asks, "did you want some help on getting stronger?"
"Hey! Careful, you almost fell on top of me!" Tokage says from below.
He fixes himself to be steady on the tree again. "Okay, I'm good. And sorry, you're not getting that lucky today."
Izuku shakes his head at his cousin's antics and watches Monoma finally yell out in frustration. "What kind of trickery is this?!"
A 'dog' runs up from behind the same tree Eri came from, being finally released by Tenko, and sits beside the horned girl. "I'd be careful mister, my dog here doesn't like when people yell at me."
"You think you can humiliate me and get away with it because of some stupid do-" Izuku snaps his fingers and the dog vanishes in a green light to reveal Nomu standing above them, growling down at the smug boy.
The high-pitched scream Monoma emits is finally too much for the group who fall over themselves laughing. Izuku vaguely hears Monoma's desperate yell of, "Vlad-sensei will hear about this!" Before he runs off.
Izuku eventually gets control of himself, standing up to an annoyed-looking Tokage. "Fine…that was pretty good I guess…you pass."
The green-haired boy scoffs. "Again, you were the one being tested. And you got Monoma here. Good start."
"Details, details." She waves her hands. "What was that trick you did with…Nomu?"
"I can turn myself or others into animals." Izuku shrugs. "Takes a lot of practice but…um…" He isn't able to complete his thought because in the one second he had looked away, Tokage had gotten very close to his face.
"You can turn into animals?! Like any animals?! Even prehistoric ones? Dinosaurs, I mean dinosaurs! Can you turn into one? Oh my god, could you turn me into one?! Can we do it right now?!"
Izuku is saved by hand pulling him by the back of his jacket. "Actually, Deku and the rest of us have to start getting back to class after we drop Eri off," Uraraka states shortly. What happened with- oh! Izuku relaxes when he feels Eri wrap herself around one of his legs.
"How'd I do?" As if she even had to ask.
He rubs her head affectionately. "You did great." He looks up at Uraraka. "You both did!" Both girls light up at the praise and yeah, Izuku can't hide how happy that makes him.
Tokage shakes her head good-naturedly. "Relax, honey," she says to Uraraka. "I'm not trying to steal your man."
"W-we a-aren't-um-"
"Y-yeah-h-he's-"
Izuku does not like how sharp Tokage's smile gets. "Oh?…so you're saying you're available?"
He'd like to credit Eri for being the one to keep him from passing out and-oh when did Uraraka move closer to him?
"I'd stop if I were you." Kaminari walks up beside the female greenette. "They have a teasing quota and if you go past it, Midoriya will fall over and Uraraka will leave you on the ceiling for way longer than you think she can…"
Tokage laughs. "Nah, that's fine." She bumps shoulders with Kaminari. "I felt more of a…spark between us dude." She laughs more before being roughly pulled away by the back of her collar.
"That's enough out of you," Kendo says exasperated.
Kaminari looks, pun fully intended, struck. "The flirt has been flirted," he says in horror.
Tokage begins to smugly detach her body parts. Izuku didn't know there was a way to do that. "You can't hold me!"
But Kaminari jumps at the opportunity. "That's alright, girl." He winks. "Chicks are always falling to pieces around me."
There's a beat before the two laugh while Tokage uses her detached hand to give him a high five.
"You finish your speech yet?"
Izuku looks at Kaminari while the two walk alone down the hall, the rest of the student body at lunch. "Mostly. Dad's been helping me with it every now and then too so I hope it turns out alright."
"Is that where you've been going when you would disappear during random lunches these past couple of weeks?" Kaminari wonders.
"No, it turns out UA has these really big walk-in freezers and Lunch Rush let me use one of the empty ones every now and then for training," Izuku casually tells him.
"What kind of training were you doing in-"
"So what do you think Nezu wants to talk to us about?" Izuku asks while the two continue to walk.
"I'm…I'm not sure…I've never been in trouble like this before?" Kaminari's face fills with worry.
"I'm sure it'll be okay," Izuku reassures. "Why would we be in trouble?"
Kaminari can't figure out what to do with his hands. "I mean…it's us!" He whisper-shouts. "Do you think he?…"
"No way," Izuku laughs before stopping abruptly. "But just in case let me do the talking."
"Why? I'm great with the words and the talking." Kaminari does not help the point he's trying to make.
The two reach the door to the principal's office but before Izuku can knock, it swings open by itself to reveal Principal Nezu sitting behind a giant wooden desk. "Come in, gentlemen! Please!"
The office is big, but not overly so. With bookshelves lining both walls and a giant window behind where Nezu sits. In front of him is a comfortable-looking three-person couch with nice armchairs on either side and a coffee table in front of the furniture to complete the look.
"I do hope you had no trouble finding your way." He opens one of the drawers of his desk and pulls out four mugs and a kettle. "Tea?"
"N-no thank you." Kaminari stumbles over his words and tries for a weak smile.
Izuku is a bit more put together. "Whatever you have is fine, thank you, sir."
"Of course, now sit. We will be starting shortly." The quirked animal ends up pouring both boys tea, which they thank him for before sitting down on the couch together.
Nezu takes a sip of his own, relishing it. Afterward, he reaches down and pulls out a stack of papers which he gently puts down in front of him.
The three say nothing in awkward silence, the only sound in the room being the drinking of tea. It's awkward for Izuku and Kaminari at least. Nezu looks as comfortable as ever.
"Sir?" The principal looks up at Izuku from preparing his second cup. "What are we waiting for?"
"We have just one minor matter of business to attend to before we-ah, there he is." Nezu brightens up looking at his computer screen. "Storming down the hall right on time."
He must hit some hidden button because just like with them, the doors to the office open. "Nezu!" Izuku and Kaminari jump at Aizawa's harsh tone, their homeroom teacher seemingly not even noticing them as he marches up to his boss's desk.
"Hello, Aizawa!" Nezu responds cheerfully. "How may I help you today?" He definitely knows why Aizawa is here and is fooling nobody. But Izuku is pretty sure he wasn't trying.
"Why was I not informed that last week, Eri sparred with another girl using weapons?" Oh, no one had told him? Whoops…
Nezu merely chuckles at the man whose aura exudes death. "If you'll excuse my candor, why should I inform you of such things?"
Was this why they were here? Nezu was hoping that maybe Aizawa wouldn't strangle him if there were children present? Izuku thinks Aizawa killing his boss and getting rid of the two witnesses was more likely at this point.
"W-why?!" Aizawa sputters. This should be funny but for some reason, just makes Izuku more afraid. "Why do you-"
"To be frank, Aizawa." Nezu sips his tea calmly. "Eri is a ward of UA. Which means decisions regarding her fall to me. I knew the fight was happening and saw no issue so allowed it to continue. As you are not her father or legal guardian, I have no obligation to include you in such decision-making processes."
Aizawa is stunned. He opens his mouth several times to say something but nothing comes out.
"Of course…" Nezu pushes the papers he laid on his desk forward. "You could change that."
Their teacher hesitantly picks up the stack, almost looking like he fears they'll catch on fire. Once he's confirmed their safety, Aizawa's dark eyes scan over the top page. "Adoption papers?"
"Already filled out. All that is required would be your signature," Nezu informs him.
The underground hero looks back and forth between the papers and Nezu for a solid minute before replying. "I would have to talk to Eri first. She deserves a choice after not being given one for so long."
Nezu doesn't look surprised. "I imagined as much. But do keep in mind that she and Ms. Laura seemed to get along quite well and I imagine her visits to the school will be becoming more frequent."
Aizawa gives him a curt nod before turning to leave, only to stop when he finally spots Izuku and Kaminari on the couch. "What did you two do this time?" He asks with a sigh.
"Monoma did it!/We were framed!" Both boys say at the same time.
"It is nothing for you to worry about, Aizawa." The stoat(?) gestures to them. "Just a simple conversation between the cousins and me."
"You're cousins?" Somehow, Aizawa pales more.
"Yeah, we are?" Izuku questions confused before turning to Kaminari. "Was he not in the room when we-"
"No, I-uh." Kaminari screws up his face trying to remember. "That was after class so he had left by then."
"Huh." Izuku turns back to his teacher. "Yup, our dads are brothers."
Aizawa hums. "Thank you for informing me." He turns stiffly to the window behind Nezu and begins to look around it.
"There is no way to open the window from there, I'm afraid," Nezu says.
"Thank you." Aizawa briskly makes his way toward the door.
"The robots have also begun their cleaning session of the windows on the building," Nezu calls after him. "So they have all automatically locked themselves." He takes another sip of his tea. "Is it not counterproductive to adopting Eri after all this time only to immediately throw yourself out of a window?"
"You're wrong," Aizawa states plainly. "I would never do that to Eri." He points at the two boys on the couch. "No, I planned to throw one or both of them out of the window."
Izuku wants to laugh because even though Aizawa said it in a completely serious voice, he has to be joking, right? Right?
"Aizawa I cannot allow you to throw these children out of a window-" Izuku breathes a sigh of relief. "-While Recovery Girl is on campus. The caning she would deliver to us for such an act would be dubious."
"I-um" Izuku tries to speak in their defense.
"I understand," Aizawa cuts him off. "I can wait." And he's gone, leaving them in silence once again.
"Do not worry, boys." Nezu chuckles at their probable bewildered faces. "It is very unlikely Aizawa will actually throw you out of a window." Izuku will take all of the reassurance he can get. Even if it isn't much.
"But now that that has been taken care of, it appears the other person I wanted for our conversation is here."
The doors open again and they turn around to see who it is. "Dad?!" Kaminari cries.
Izuku's hopes that this talk wouldn't be about who they really were are quickly diminishing as a smiling Thor walks in, wearing his usual jeans, shirt, and grey unzipped jacket over it. And carrying his umbrella obviously.
"Denki! And Izuku…I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you both in here together." He stops behind the couch, placing a hand on each of their heads.
"Mr. Kaminari, a pleasure to meet you at last." Nezu greets. "I apologize for using your wife to contact you. I could not find a listed cell phone number for you."
"He doesn't have one," Kaminari moans.
"Still don't understand why I would need one." Thor shrugs. "Anyone could send me an electronic letter, you know? It's called an email."
Izuku giggles while Kaminari's state of 'I'm done with my father grows.' "You don't have a computer, dad."
"No, what for?"
"May I offer you some tea?" Nezu interrupts the family squabble much to Izuku's disappointment.
"No, thank you." Izuku is just thankful his uncle can use his manners when he needs to. "I don't drink tea."
Nezu types a few commands into his computer. "Then what do you drink?"
"Not tea."
"Pity." Nezu hits one last command and the doors to the office close and very audibly lock. A giant blind descends on the window behind him covering the whole thing. Dim automatic lights turn on before the window is fully covered so the room wouldn't be shrouded in darkness.
"I apologize Midoriya but I tried to reach your father but was unable to, I sent him an email, or an electronic letter as you so affectionately put it Mr. Kaminari, so he knows I am speaking with you all." He turns the computer screen around and Izuku is sure it's not his frost giant genes that cause his blood to freeze.
"I'm sure you have a busy schedule so please allow me to skip through the rest of the pleasantries." He looks right at Thor. "Mr. Odinson."
Oh. They had messed up. They had messed up bad. On the screen was him and Kaminari at the Downpour Zone. Nezu plays a few seconds of the video to confirm that yes, it's the conversation they had about what they really were.
What does he do?! What happens now?! No one was supposed to know! Dad was gonna be so disappointed in him, after all that training on hiding stuff and he fails like this?!
Who was Nezu going to tell? Would he expose their secret to everyone? Had he already? Was he gonna turn on the news and have it broadcast all over the country? Oh man, his friends would find out he had been lying to them! They probably wouldn't want to be his friends anymore after that! Not Iida, Tsu, Tenko. Not Uraraka…
And what about Kaminari? No, this was Izuku's fault. He's the one that started the conversation in the first place. Kaminari shouldn't get in trouble for this. If he had to, Izuku would happily leave UA if it meant he got to keep his place in the hero course.
A steady hand finds its way on Izuku's shoulder and he jumps a little. Looking up, he sees his Uncle smiling at him. "You're mumbling, Izuku. It'll be alright." He turns and Izuku realizes Kaminari was also having an internal freakout. "You're letting off small static shocks, son. Relax."
Sometimes, Izuku can take him for granted due to how goofy he can be, but his Uncle Thor is The Thor. The God of Thunder from legend. Seeing him at least look like he's not worried was calming in itself. Kaminari seems to be having similar thoughts as he was starting to get control of his breathing as well.
"So," Thor says, looking up at Nezu, who had remained silent and let them digest what he knew. "You know, what do you plan on doing with this information?"
Izuku's perception spikes in his head as a new voice interrupts. "If I may interject…" he whips his head to the back corner of the room where after a brief green light, Loki appears in his all-black suit. His hands are behind his back and he does not look pleased. "I would like to know what he has already done with this information."
"Dad…" Izuku says in even more relief.
"Izuku." His father gives him a small smile while he walks over to stand beside Uncle Thor. "Denki, I had hoped to meet you under better circumstances."
"Umm…same?" That's about all Kaminari can get out.
"From what I saw in the video, I am correct in assuming that you are Loki, yes?" Nezu tilts his head at the new arrival.
"Of Asgard. God of Mischief. But clearly you already know that," Loki states as more of a fact.
"Indeed!" Nezu pulls out several books and puts them out on his desk. All of them having something to do with Norse Mythology. "Forgive me the mess of reading material, I wanted to feel prepared for this meeting."
He picks up one of the books and flips through it. "So according to the nomenclature of your people, your names would be…Izuku Lokison. Denki Thorson. Thor Odinson. And…" he looks up at Loki. "My apologies but do you prefer Odinson or Laufeyson?"
Loki's passive face morphs into a nasty glare. He clenches his fists as objects around the room begin to shake and fall off their shelves.
"Brother…" Thor warns.
The Mischief God ignores him, speaking with so much venom, Izuku thinks he's about to turn into a snake. "Do not ever refer to me by that name again. My name is Loki Odinson. Do you understand?"
"As you wish, Mr. Odinson," Nezu agrees easily. His voice only loses a little cheer. Loki relaxes, letting the grip he had with his telekinesis go so the room can go still again.
Nezu finds the page he's looking for in his book and nods to himself, as if confirming something before closing it. "Now normally, Mr. Odinson, I would offer you tea as well but your appearing in this highly secured room that is several floors above the ground leads me to believe that you are not actually here, correct? You are astral projecting if I have the naming down?"
Loki tilts his head right back at the principal. His previous animosity all but evaporated. "You are a quick study."
"It would be insulting to my students if I wasn't!" Nezu says happily and proudly.
"But back to my previous question." Loki inhales. "You have this information on what we are, so what have you done with it, and what do you plan on doing with it?"
"Actually…" Thor and Kaminari begin at the same time before looking at each other.
"The second part was my question," Thor says quietly to Loki.
"Dad asked the part about what he's gonna do with…the…info…" Kaminari trails off.
Izuku and Loki stare back at both of them. Father and son not realizing they were both debating on stabbing their counterpart at that very moment.
"To answer the first part of your question, Mr. Odinson…nothing!" Nezu cheers.
What was it called again? Right, an anime fall. If Izuku could do that, he would.
"You are seriously telling me that you learned one of the most highly guarded secrets on the planet and you did nothing with the information," Loki says flatly.
"Oh, Mr. Odinson, you act as if this is the first world shattering-secret I've learned." He's just talking about One for All, right? Izuku will choose to believe so.
"So you learn this secret and just decide to…talk to us?" Thor questions the principal.
"Well, first I learned as much as I could about you and your culture." He gestures to the books and the computer. "I must say, whoever runs the Avengers cybersecurity is well-versed because not even I was able to break through the top level of your security where I assume more information lays of your origins."
Thor laughs a bit under his breath. "Yes, that would be Vision. He's pretty meticulous when it comes to those things."
"Well you have your information and you have us here." Loki brings them back on track. "How could you be so confident we wouldn't simply kill you for finding out such a thing."
If Nezu was bothered by the comment, he didn't show it. "Several factors. Mr. Odinson here has a long and very decorated record as a hero, I was certain he would at least let me speak. I have much less information on you but I was sure your brother would stop you from attacking me, at least immediately."
Loki grumbles while Thor looks very proud.
"Furthermore." Nezu pushes on. "After extensively reviewing security footage of them and despite Lokison's rambunctious behavior, I believe both he and Thorson's wishes to be heroes to be genuine and they mean no harm to their fellow students."
Yeah, hearing someone call him by his real name was weird. Judging by Kaminari's face, he thought the same.
"So we're here and not immediately attacking you, fine." Izuku can hear the annoyance starting to make its way into his father's voice. "So what do you want?"
"To put it simply." Nezu puts the book in his paws down. "I would like what the books and internet can't tell me. I want to know why you keep yourselves a secret."
"And why do you deserve to know such information?" It's surprisingly Thor who asks that.
"I am responsible for your boy's education and training for the next few years," Nezu replies. "Any useful information I can receive to aid them would be appreciated. As well, it would help me provide the proper protection for both them and their fellow student body if I am aware of threats that may come that are not of this world. If you would allow it gentlemen, please don't keep me in the dark."
"H-he has an intelligence quirk," Izuku speaks up. "If anyone can do it, it's him."
"Before we even consider telling you such things," Loki says. "You never answered us on what you plan to do with this information once this meeting concludes. Selling it to the highest bidder? Blackmail?"
"Heavens, no." Nezu laughs lightly. "I would not tell anyone without any of your expressed permissions. I believe it would be disastrous if certain other parties learned of who you truly are. As for what I get out of this arrangement besides knowledge that few others have? Well, as I am helping your children, I would hope in the future that if I, in turn, require your help, you would consider it."
Nezu didn't say it, but it was clear as day to Izuku, and to his dad as well judging by his expression. He was basically saying that he was doing them a favor and in the future, he would want them to reciprocate.
Thor looks at Loki, as does Izuku and Kaminari, which made sense as these types of deals were more of his forte. This is why it surprised Izuku when his father looks down at him, silently asking for his opinion.
Izuku had barely interacted with the principal before this. Nezu was a well-respected hero who, like Thor, had a long decorated record, though not nearly as long. But there was something else he knew about Nezu.
He had been the one to so readily open his school for Eri after he rescued her. Provided a place for her to be taken care of in secret whilst simultaneously giving her some of the best protection in the country.
And then there was One for All. Another piece of top secret information that so few knew about. But it meant Nezu was trusted by All Might and had been so for years at this point. With those two pieces of information among others, Izuku gave the rest of his family a nod.
"Very well." Thor straightens, pointing above all their heads. "It would do well for Izuku and Denki to learn this properly as well. Brother, if you please."
Loki scoffs. "I am not your personal PowerPoint system."
Thor shoots him a betrayed look. "First of all, I would never think of you like that. Second of all, what is PowerPoint?"
Loki shakes his head looking frustrated but Izuku knows he doesn't mean it. Even so, his father waves his hand, and above them, an illusion of six…gems? Were those gems? No, they looked more like stones. An illusion of six different colored stones appears.
"At the dawn of the universe, there was nothing," Thor narrates. "Until the Big Bang. And with it, six elemental crystals were sent to every corner of the universe. These are known as the Infinity Stones. And they are some, if not the most, powerful artifacts in the known universe. They each control an essential part of existence."
That kind of power was awe-inspiring…but at the same time terrifying to Izuku.
His dad waves his hand and one by one, the stones light up, Thor introducing each.
The red one. "Reality. Allows one to alter reality to how they see fit, breaking the laws of physics and logic. Because of this, any who attempt to use the stone without an understanding of its power may fall victim to its parasitic nature, feeding off its host's wants and desires."
The blue one. "Space. Allows one to travel through space by the use of teleportation."
The yellow one. "Mind. Increases users' brain functions and allows for complete control of another's mind."
The green one. "Time. Let users bend time to their will. Stop, slow, fast forward, you name it."
The purple one. "Power. Increases the user's strength and durability considerably, as well as enhances any superhuman traits they may possess. Also increases the power of any stone it is used in tandem with."
And finally, the orange one. "Soul." Thor stops to think, looking a bit confused.
"It's alright, brother." Loki takes over. "Not much was ever known about the soul stone. All we knew was that the stone was sentient, and could choose when to use its power."
"And, what was that power?" Nezu asks.
"If the stone allows it, you could theoretically attack the soul of your opponent," Loki states in a low voice. "It has even been rumored the stone can circumvent the forces of life and death themselves."
"Individually, these stones could cause incomprehensible damage. Together…" Thor frowns. "Together they could be the end of every world in every universe."
Nezu perks up while Kaminari straightens. "I'm sorry Mr, Odinson, but you have just implied that there are multiple universes."
"We'll get to that in a moment. As to why we live in secrecy, it began at the dawn of quirks as you call them." Loki changes the illusion to a giant shadow covering the Earth. "A powerful being known as the Beyonder had taken notice of Earth's new developing abilities and had decided to have what he called fun."
Loki had the stones appear again. "He gathered almost all the stones and planned to use them to make what he called a Battleworld. A planet where the most powerful heroes and villains would fight to the death for his amusement to see who truly was better."
"The problem was," Loki started where Thor left off. "The Beyonder wanted champions from multiple Earths, different realities, different universes. In order to achieve this, he was going to use the stones to essentially bring these universes together by force."
Izuku's head hurts. Kaminari is shaking. Nezu seems calm on the outside at least. "Bringing multiple realities together by force…sounds like it would lead to an immense loss of life."
"Yes, we agree," Thor says. "Thankfully, The Beyonder was missing a stone. Time. We, Earth's first heroes, as well as others such as Titans, followed The Beyonder through multiple universes and used the Time Stone to travel to the point of his incursion in every universe and stop him before his plan even began."
Loki lets the stones float around the room a bit. "After we had won, it was decided fairly quickly to keep these wars a secret from the public, and the stones were deemed too powerful and set to be destroyed."
"Could such powerful relics even be destroyed?" Nezu inquires.
Thor laughs a little bitterly. "Yes, actually. We discovered we could use the stones to destroy the stones…but we made a mistake." He sighs. "We had already destroyed the Space, Time, and Mind stones with the help of Celestials, but we found out the Power Stone couldn't be destroyed by one or two other stones. It would take the other five."
"But you had already destroyed three of them," Nezu says in realization.
Thor nods. "Correct. We gave the Soul and Reality stones to the Celestials to finish the job and it was decided that Asgard would be able to best protect the Power Stone and keep it hidden away."
"To achieve this, father, Odin, enacted new laws," Loki says with clear disgust. "He began a campaign of isolation. Cutting the nine realms off from each other. Each planet must survive on its own and Asgard would not interfere unless the realm was facing an extinction-level invasion from another realm."
"Me and Loki have…voiced our oppositions of these laws to our father," Thor says hesitantly. "But he insists it is the best way to protect the Stone and keep its location hidden."
Loki dispels his illusion. "The best way to protect the stone and our family would be if the realms were united as one. Instead, we all quabble amongst ourselves, leaving us open to attack."
"There is no changing father's mind at this point," Thor groans.
"I am aware," Loki utters darkly before turning to Nezu. "But it is because of father's laws that we keep our true origins a secret."
Nezu looks down and thinks for almost thirty seconds before speaking again. Which, considering his quirk, was an extremely long time. "I thank you both for telling me this. I still have…much to think on but rest assured, as I said, I will not tell anyone else what I have learned."
He addresses Izuku and Kaminari. "Your enrollment at UA was never in question, but I thought you may want to hear it from the rat's mouth so to say." Both boys fall back onto the couch in relief.
This was…a lot to take in. Izuku already knew the multiverse existed, but to hear that it was possible for universes to crash into each other?! And that there were these little objects that could teleport you anywhere, tear reality apart, and control time! Izuku just thanks his usually crappy luck that he'll never have to worry about the Infinity Stones.
Loki can't help his smirk when the apartment door opens. "Thanks again for letting me spend the night before-" Izuku stops, staring wide-eyed at his father. Denki and Thor look equally stunned behind him. "Wait…"
Izuku walks up hesitantly and pokes him in the side. "You're actually here!" Izuku cheers before wrapping the god in a bone-crushing hug. Loki laughs, hugging him back.
"Are you sure you haven't developed your enhanced strength, son?" Loki lets go, rubbing Izuku's head like he knows he likes.
"The apartment was locked, Loki…" Thor looks for damage to the door.
"You know I'm better than that, brother." They all finish exchanging greetings, with Loki formally introducing himself to his nephew, Denki, and Izuku promptly groaning when Loki speaks of his glorious purpose.
"Does Inko know you're here, Loki?" Thor asks, grabbing himself a beer from the fridge while Izuku passes Josta sodas to himself and Denki. "She is on her way along with my wife. Apparently, she is bringing a dish called Spaghetti."
Loki waves off Thor's offer of alcohol. "Yes, she is aware I'm here. While I trust your judgment skills Izuku, I thought I would stick around for a little bit to make sure this, Nezu, keeps his word. Oh!" He conjures four tickets to his hand. "Thor, I got us and our wives tickets to the Sports Festival."
Izuku spits out his drink. He taught him better than that. "How did you get tickets?! It's tomorrow!"
"Izuku," Loki laughs. "Please."
"I look forward to it, brother, thank you." He looks down at the boys. "Now I believe the plan called for you two to pick out some movies and snacks to hide before your mothers come home. And just so you know, in Asgard, it was considered good luck to drink mightily on the eve of battle-"
"Dad!" Denki yells out embarrassed, dragging Izuku to his room.
"Shame on you, Thor," Loki chastises. "Offering the boys beer. A disgrace. Champaign would be the far better choice to offer-"
"Dad!"
While the family gathers in the living room for a night of relaxation, they remain blissfully unaware of a figure who watches them from several rooftops away, his eyes burning with disgust that these pretenders who call themselves gods would have the nerve to be happy.
Still, a new opportunity has arisen. The little gods work to become what this world calls 'heroes.' For once, it appears he and Stain's targets will align.
The grip on his sword increases, the blade as dark as the expanse of space. He feels the urge, the need, to slay them all now. But no, he did not get this far by underestimating those that fail to protect them.
He is patient. Their time will come, as it will for all gods. He takes a breath, and the darkness of the shadows overtakes him.