I woke to darkness.
Not the kind that comes when you close your eyes, but a thick, suffocating black that seemed to press against my skin.
My hands were submerged in something viscous and sticky, clinging to my fingers as I shifted them. It coated my palms completely, the texture both slimy and gritty at the same time.
Beneath me, the ground was warm—almost unnervingly so—radiating heat through the fabric of my clothes.
The air was heavy, damp, and laced with a thousand strange scents I couldn't quite place. Every breath felt like it dragged weight into my lungs.
For a moment, I just sat there, my mind sluggish, trying to decide whether to move or not. Something about the place felt… wrong, but I couldn't yet tell what.
No, I was so disoriented that I didn't know what to focus on first.
The putrid smell of... well, what smelled like thirty different scents all at once, some that I couldn't even identify.
Not to mention the fact I was currently hearing what sounded like squeaks of a rat and the shuffling of rubbish and a few other things.
And on top of it all, despite knowing it was dark, I could see perfectly clearly.
It was because of this last fact that, as I worked my way to an upright position, I froze, eyes glued on something that, to a normal person, might have been hidden in the dark, but to me, was out in the open.
I muttered, "Genya…"
At least, that was who I once knew him as.
Now, the body was a far cry from the silver-haired boy with wide eyes I remembered.
It lay as a mangled mess, unrecognizable from who it once was—a lifeless corpse.
I stared, never moving. I wanted to vomit, I wanted to scream, and my heart was racing, threatening to leap out of my chest… at least, that's what I felt should have been happening.
In truth, I didn't feel disgusted at the scene for some reason—not enough to make me vomit—and my heart remained at the same pace as if I were used to seeing something like this.
It was because of this that, despite being startled, I could think clearly. Clearly enough to shoot to my feet and sprint to the door.
I had questions, so many questions, but I knew better than to puzzle them out with a corpse at my feet.
Guided by my sharpened senses, I located the door in seconds. I grabbed the handle and yanked it open in one swift motion.
Then, and only then, did I finally just... stop, my breath catching for the first time since I awoke.
"W-What..."
A ray of sunshine beamed on me as though it was a spotlight marking my exit.
Despite my earlier rush, I couldn't help but pause.
The ringing in my ears, the headache, the aching in... well, everywhere, gone.
My senses seemed to dull... no, not dull, become controlled.
I couldn't help but spread my arms slightly, closing my eyes and basking in it, drawing in a deep breath, the light flooding over me like a jolt of raw energy.
Every cell in my body felt like it was being pumped with raw energy, energy I'd never felt before. But despite that... I liked it.
It felt refreshing.
It felt safe.
It felt...
"It feels strong." I muttered.
The warmth became a thrum beneath my skin, almost intoxicating—until a sudden spike of heat gathered behind my eyes. It was subtle at first, like a headache building pressure, but in seconds it grew unbearable.
My breath hitched, panic clawing at the edges of my mind. "What is—"
ZMMMM!
A sudden beam of scorching lasers erupted from my eyes, searing the alley ground beneath me.
It didn't just burn it. No, it tore through the concrete below with ease.
"W-What the hell!" I shouted, the fear in my voice chasing away any calm.
I jerked my head away, only for the lasers to follow my line of sight, burning—no, obliterating—the ground along the alleyway until I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Okay, okay, calm down," I muttered, almost chanting, as if the words alone could cage the power now raging inside me.
I hyperventilated for a minute, refusing to reopen them. But I knew I couldn't stay like this forever, therefore, I steeled my gut as I slowly opened my eyes until... nothing.
Everything was fine. My vision was painted in crimson and there weren't any death rays trying to cause... well, death.
So I turned abruptly, but in the next second...
FWOOSH
I sped more than 10 feet, crashing into a dumpster with a BANG.
I froze, eyes wide as I slowly stepped back, afraid that any sudden movement again might have the same effect, only to witness a giant dent where I had clutched my hand on the metal dumpster.
Finally, I looked down, eyes wide, as I asked, "What the hell is happening to me?"
***
"Alright, let's start from the beginning, shall we?" The boy said, taking in a deep breath of fresh air as he sat on the edge of a tall building, legs dangling over the side.
His name...or rather my name is Ronan Uzumaki...at least, that's what it used to be.
Two years ago, I reincarnated into the body of Izuku Midoriya, and since then...nothing.
One might be stoked upon reincarnating into a world of superpowers and superheroes, but not me. Why?
Because my life was pretty meaningless, that's why.
Not only was I stuck in a body with no Quirk and couldn't do much, but I also had to put up with the fact that this world was discriminated against my kind, the constant torturous process of figuring out if I really did have powers and to top it all off, my own knock-off version of Sparky Sparky Boom Man, except way less cool, without the metal arm and third eye that could combust.
Honestly, with all the setbacks stacked against me, I started wondering if this was some cosmic joke at my expense.
So I had no external factor like a Quirk to influence the direction my life went in, what about an internal factor that could balance it out?
Well, for starters, all things considered, I think it's safe to say I was quite a bit different from Izuku...or rather, a lot different.
Firstly, I didn't have an unhealthy obsession with All Might.
I mean, superheroes were cool and all, but it had gotten to a point with Izuku where...well, let's just say he didn't need a female in his life when he had All Might. The posters of him at least.
Additionally, and most notably, I didn't have an urge to become a Hero.
I'd long since noticed that I didn't really expect much from life.
I was simply a chill guy who was content with having a little money where I could be comfortable and live my days like that.
When I really compared myself to Izuku, I was pretty boring.
I didn't...desire.
I had no ambition that drove me. Not like Izuku.
Not like his goal to become the Number One Hero despite having no Quirk, and the heart pure enough to make it so.
He was simply...a good man.
But me?
Sure, I searched for what new powers I might have had upon transmigrating, but come on, wasn't it common to at least be gifted a System in a position like mine?
I wasn't a bad person, but I'd never been put in the position where I could definitively say I was good either.
I didn't want to be a Hero and there was nothing that drove me.
I was just a guy.
A guy who is pretty sure he hadn't genuinely smiled since arriving here.
A guy who, the more I thought about it, might have taken someone else's ticket for transmigration.
Someone who perhaps could appreciate this all more than I could and had the heart to do something with it.
So with nothing to externally to help me and with me being something of a blank slate...where was I supposed to go?
"And it's because of all this...that I'm really not sure what to do now."
A gentle breeze passed, my bright green hair dancing on my forehead, emerald eyes shining as the sunlight hit them, this same light expressing the light freckles on my face.
I stared down at his city, eyes sunken and void, not because I was physically tired, but rather mentally.
"These powers...Strength, Speed, Senses and Heat Vision, all once I came in contact with the sun...if I didn't know any better, I'd say they're powers identical to that of Superman."
But how?
I was almost certain this body wasn't that of a Kryptionian...almost.
All I had to go off of was the earliest memories of Izuku, or rather myself, where I remembered watching All Might videos on the computer, raised by Inko.
Not to mention the fact I've never felt these powers a day before today.
"Hmph, Superman? More like Homelander."
I let out a bitter chuckle as the realization of two important facts dawned on me.
These powers, I couldn't control them.
With something as dangerous and destructive as the nonsense I was pulling in the alleyway below, let's just say if I wasn't careful, that dumpster could be Inko next.
And it was this first fact that led to the realization of the second.
"I'm pretty sure...that I killed Genya."
The silver haired boy in the building I was currently sitting on.
Genya was a known work friend of Bakugo. In that sense that they were both known to give me a hard time.
Because I now knew I had no control over my power, it wasn't so hard for me to think that instead of Inko, there really was someone I wasn't careful with.
I'd spent all my time up here pondering about it. Not that I had a choice.
I could smell it.
The scent of myself all over that boy's mangled body. And as I looked down, for a second, I could see through the roof and all the floors in between, seeing and almost calculating the specific manner in which I twisted and attacked.
"X-Ray vision too, huh? What a nice way to add to this unpleasantness."
I muttered as it seemed as though the world was just handing out abilities that would only make it harder for me to ignore the elephant in the room.
But there was no ignoring it.
It happened.
And I knew.
And for some reason, I gripped my chest as it felt like my heart was being twisted every time I chose to think about it.
But I knew...
I had long decided what I was going to do.
Perhaps it was the guilt, something he was just realizing he had, or maybe it was a poor attempt at making himself feel better about the empty cocoon he was.
But either way, it was what he had to do.
"I'm going to turn myself in."
***
I walked out of the convenience store, biting down on a popsicle, the cold sweetness a dull distraction from the heaviness in my chest.
My eyes, still sunken and still tired, scanned the street without really seeing it.
I'd been walking for what felt like hours since leaving the building where Genya's body lay.
Maybe I was just avoiding any abrupt movements that might set off my powers.
Maybe I wanted to savor this last bit of freedom, knowing it wouldn't last.
Either way, I didn't really care anymore.
The police station I knew of was just ten more
I walked out of the convenience store, biting down on a popsicle, the cold sweetness a dull distraction from the heaviness in my chest.
My eyes, still sunken and still tired, scanned the street without really seeing it.
I'd been walking for what felt like hours since leaving the building where Genya's body lay.
Maybe I was just avoiding any abrupt movements that might set off my powers.
Maybe I wanted to savor this last bit of freedom, knowing it wouldn't last.
Either way, I didn't really care anymore.
The police station I knew of was just ten more minutes away and I had no intention of stopping.
HUUUU
Just then, I paused.
The streets were quiet, contrary to the usual bustling livelihood. I was the only one there, and there weren't any of the common "city noises" either. No beeping cars, no hurried footsteps, nothing.
Despite the stillness, nothing outright screamed that something was wrong…at least, not to a normal person. But me?
I could see.
I could see far down into the street, further than a regular person, the crowd gathered, the air heavier and darker.
Past the people, I caught sight of raging fires, and the acrid scent of burning asphalt reached me even here.
I paused for a moment, soon turning away.
'It's none of my business.'
He had his own problems to deal with and besides, there were heroes there anyway.
That was their job, right? Saving people and handling any crises. This was what they trained for.
I had no place to interfere...
"Give me back my brother!"
THUMP
But before I could even finish the thought, I heard a voice that cut through the air, filled with rage...no, to me, it was almost like a desperate plea.
My body went rigid, for once today despite everything I'd been through, my heart gave a heavy THUMP, dropping as my head turned slowly toward the sound, my eyes wide.
I heard it...I saw her.
A young silver-haired girl, fighting tirelessly against a massive sludge monster with bulbous eyes and jagged teeth. Her weak swings and desperate struggles were in vain.
'I know her.'
I couldn't help but think, eyes glued to the street ahead.
'T-That's Genya's sister...'
THUMP
From the crowd, other voices reached my ears.
"Why is she fighting so hard? Just get out of there!" One shouted.
"I don't think she has a combative Quirk...wait a minute, I don't think she has any Quirk at all." Another commented.
"None of the pro heroes can help. Should we do something? Otherwise she might be done for."
THUMP!!!
With this final THUMP...it happened.
All time around me seemed to slow, literally.
And finally, my popsicle hit the ground as I vanished.
***
"Give me back my brother!"
A silver haired girl struggled and resisted amongst a monstrous dark sludge, flames roaring around her and a crowd formed not too far away.
'This is a disgrace...we have to do something...'
Death arms, a bulky hero with even thicker arms, thought. However, he, just as the other heroes on the scene like Mt Lady and Kamui Woods, knew that they weren't equipped to handle this particular disaster.
No one wanted to admit it, but they all knew that the girl was on her own for just a little longer before the suitable heroes arrived.
As for the sludge monster...
'What the hell is up with this girl?!'
The sludge monster inwardly yelled.
No matter how many times he wrapped his form around her, she struggled, resisted and tore herself out.
'I'm not even focused on her. I just want the body of that blonde kid before the Heroes' back-up arrives. This little runt!'
He began to grin his teeth, eyes darting back to an unconscious blonde kid in a school uniform who lay off to the side.
It was clear the girl was tired. She breathed so heavily in exhaustion that she could no longer even yell.
Yet, she continued to struggle, charging at the sludge as she swatted and punched at it.
No matter how many times he tried to get rid of her as quickly as possible, she continued to get back up.
Her eyes were fixed on him with wild and murderous intent. Ever since she ran out from the crowd, there was no stopping her.
"Fine, you want it?! Die!"
The Sludge Villain's form expanded, towering over the girl like a tsunami. He had no intention of wasting his time with her before, but now, he was perfectly content with drowning her.
Even the girl who remained relentless before couldn't help but pause. A step further would mean certain death and she was too exhausted to make enough distance that would make a difference.
And standing there? Well, one could tell for themselves the result.
It seemed she did too...yet, her expression never changed.
"I promise you..."
She managed to let out in between heavy breaths.
"I'll make you tell me what you did to my brother. And if he's hurt...you and anybody else that helped you...I promise, I'll never stop till I get you all."
The sludge villain smirked.
"I don't know who your brother is. Who knows, I probably did kill him, I just don't remember. But allow me to send you directly to him."
The sludge villain, reaching his peak as he cast a shadow over the girl, finally, bore down like a tsunami and crashed down so hard the concrete below cracked.
Gasps rang out as some looked away, silence descending in the next second.
However, for those who could see and continued to watch...well, their silence was different.
Their silence wasn't a result of the horrific scene they'd just witnessed, but rather the confusing one right beside it.
"Huh..."
The silver girl muttered. She was sure she was dead, yet she found herself in the arms of someone, gently being placed onto the ground.
Her intense expression had softened as she heard mumbling, prompting her to look up.
She'd never seen the figure over her before.
Or maybe she had. She couldn't tell. His head was lowered so that his green hair covered his face.
She witnessed him rise to his feet as he turned, to the sludge villain, his back being the only clear thing she could witness now.
"What...how?"
The sludge villain, and frankly everyone that witnessed it asked themselves. They could have sworn the girl was crushed by the villain.
"You...who are you, kid?" The sludge villain asked, however, his words fell on deaf ears as the boy continued to mumble.
Despite that, the sludge villain grinned widely. He couldn't tell what it was, but he was getting a good feeling.
"Screw the blonde kid...I choose you!"
The sludge villain leapt at the boy.
As for the youth...
"I wasn't a bad person, but I'd never been put in the position where I could definitively say I was good either."
"What if I was...what would I do?"
"That was their job, right? Saving people and handling any crises."
"Is that what made a..."
"Additionally, and most notably, I didn't have an urge to become a Hero."
"What if...that wasn't exactly true."
These last words were somewhat audible as the boy raised his head, staring straight at the oncoming sludge villain, everyone around silent as a mouse as they watched the mysterious boy.
"If all these things I've said weren't exactly true, tell me...what would that make me?"
"It makes you mine!"
The sludge villain yelled as it reached out for the boy.
However, the youth breathed in from his nose, so much so that his very chest expanded from the intake.
And with one power blow, a gust of icy blue breath escaped his lips, washing over the sludge as the latter immediately began to slow.
"W-What..."
The sludge questioned. He could feel his form slowing, as if he were tied with chains. Not only that, his very texture began to change from murky swamp green to a disturbing icy blue.
And as the boy kept blowing, it wasn't long until the sludge completely stopped, completely frozen with a terrified expression.
Finally, the boy stopped, the figure of the sludge reaching out for him, inches away from his face now frozen like a statue before him.
Without waiting a second, the youth planted his feet, pulling back an arm as he breathed in.
BANG
SHATTER
An ear piercing BANG rang out, unclear if it was the fist hitting the ice or if it was the fist itself hitting nothing but air, breaking the sound barrier.
Either way, the ice sculpture shattered instantly, shooting into the air in tiny snowflake-like pieces.
And this seemed to kill two birds with one stone, because as it began to descend, this snow began to lessen the fires around them, slowly killing it.
Silence fell as the boy remained with his blank expression, standing in the same position as he looked up slightly.
He seemed as though he had a lot on his mind, yet despite that, without waiting for the onlooker's cheers or outburst, he turned back, expression changing as he did.
'I don't know what it makes me. Why did my legs move on their own? Why couldn't I think? I just moved. It's a mystery. I want to find out...but for now and for them, I'll say it anyway.'
The boy reached out his hand, snow falling onto his green head, eyes gleaming emerald and finally...a smile on his face.
It was a smile that seemed forced, or seemed as though he'd never made the gesture in his life. It was wonky and he brandished all his teeth.
But he knew...the girl did too.
"H-Hello. I think I'm...No..."
It was genuine.
And as his hand inched closer for the still downed girl who remained frozen and baffled, he spoke once more.
"I am a Hero."