Fanfic #227 A Demon Among Heroes by Musketdragon(MHAXHellsing)

This fanfic is a fusion between My Hero Academia and Hellsing following Alucard. I really like this fic because it has interesting story elements that I'm looking forward to be feint developed and I like the mc.

Synopsis: Hello?...Yes, I am he. I've contacted you to ask for your assistance. I understand your organization is known for dealing with adverse situations? Well...My academic establishment, no...All of Japan is in danger. The pillars upholding our society are near their breaking point, and dark forces are rallying to exploit it. Will you help us, Sir Integra Hellsing?

Rated: M

words: 78k

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13955477/1/A-Demon-Among-Heroes

Here's the first chapter:

It all began in Keikei city in China, with the news that a bioluminescent baby had been born. After that, "Exceptional" individuals began popping up all over the world. The cause was unclear. Time passed, and the "Exceptional" became the norm. At present, 80 percent of the world's population consists of superhumans with special abilities. The world is in chaos! And a profession that everyone once only dreamed about entered the spotlight!

Along with the exceptional abilities came an explosion in the crime rate. While nations struggled to overhaul their legal systems, brave individuals took up the mantle of heroes straight out of comic books, protecting the people from evildoers! Fantasy had truly become reality! And at the apex of it all stands All Might, the pillar of their heroic society! Their "Symbol of Peace"!

Yet for all their strength, heroes cannot solve everything. Smiles and heartwarming speeches aren't always the solution. The power to beat down one's opponents and sway them with kind words might work when the cameras are rolling. But when night falls and the heroes sleep, others must answer the call.

With the advent of these "Exceptional" individuals, world governments took a step back. Now they work to maintain the status quo and provide the heroes with aid wherever they need it. They are the ones who organize the heroes and guide them in their battle with the lowest society has to offer. Yet even they admit that those heroes cannot solve every problem that lurks in the shadows.

The villainous organization headed by All For One is one such example. Once, All For One struck fear across the whole of Japan. His Quirk allowed him to absorb those of others, and he used his ability to its fullest potential. Expanding his influence until not a single Quirk user could exist without his knowledge. In the end he was beaten by All Might, instigating a peaceful Japan where all could live happily. Publicly, it was All Might who stood as the people's savior. The common bystander looked to All Might, unaware that their government had hired contractors to do much of the dirty work leading up to that point.

Naturally, all record of this was kept secret. Heroes working with mercenaries? The citizens and believers of All Might would revolt if they ever learned about this. No. The heroes had to be shining pillars of virtue, all in the pursuit of a better society. But what no one realized was that All Might had been wounded in his battle with All For One. Over time, his mythical strength began to weaken. And soon, those who resided in the background decided it was time to do something about it.

0.0

The year is 2148. A luxurious limousine cruises along a dark road. The individual seated inside the vehicle stares sullenly through the car window. His white fur contrasts with the shadowy night. The tiny mammalian animal sports a dark red tie, a white dress shirt, and matching dress pants. He stands out like a sore thumb in the moonlight, his fur giving off a luminescent glow. His long snout extends far beyond what any human nose should. But that's only because he isn't human. One of the rare cases of an animal manifesting a Quirk, Nezu stands as the principal of Japan's most prestigious hero academy, U.A. High School.

And on this day, he has traveled to Europe to do what the Japanese government did many years prior. He sighed, regretting ever letting things escalate to this point. If only All Might hadn't sustained such a grievous wound during his fight with All For One, this day might have been avoided. If only heroes like Nighteye and Gran Torino had been nearby to help…No. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. The die was cast, and this tiny mammalian creature had no choice but to watch it roll.

As he stared morosely out into the cold night, Nezu couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret over his close friendship with All Might. True, the crime rate had seen a yearly decline with All Might's presence. People now were far happier than they had been since the introduction of Quirks. But there were times when Nezu was forced to admit that All Might's ideals could be… limiting. Peering away from the window, Nezu turned his gaze to the driver's seat. The man currently sitting there looked to be of French descent. The accent had given it away, when they'd first met.

Although he'd been the one to ask for this meeting, Nezu had yet to learn anything in depth about person he was to meet. What little he had scrounged from government records had been less than he'd hoped. Perhaps this driver could serve to further enlighten him.

"Tell me…" He squeaked, "The rumors… Are they true?"

The man in the driver's seat glanced back at Nezu.

"What records, sir?"

"That the Hellsing organization has bloodied its hands with thousands of innocent lives, like those lost in the Millenium Incident?"

The man driving the car preserved an air of professionalism, though he did let certain signs of discomfort loose. Nezu clenched his paw, remembering how he'd felt when first researching Hellsing. All information regarding Hellsing was kept top secret by every government ever involved with them, and it had taken all Nezu's influence to acquire what little he could. And that little pamphlet had been enough to drive Nezu up the wall.

The Millenium Incident. A day that saw millions die in the streets of London. Driven by a mad Neo-Nazi, an army of enhanced individuals dove into London and massacres its populace. The details were covered in black ink, so Nezu still lacked the specifics. More than half a century had passed since then and few were left to mourn. Nearly everyone in London that day had perished, and what survivors there were had slinked away into the shadows. The furry little creature reacted like anyone would, concluding that Hellsing was far too bloody to be deemed heroic. If someone like All Might ever heard about them, he'd treat them the same way he had All For One and his accomplices.

"Sir." The driver replied stoically, "With all due respect, Hellsing became entangled in the Millenium Incident only after their involvement was deemed absolutely necessary."

Nezu scoffed at the driver's response.

"Still. Millions of innocent lives were lost."

The driver took a momentary pause, carefully considering each word he spoke.

"It was unavoidable."

The air grew tense. Nezu pursed his lips, wondering if he should feel anger or just a deep sense of disappointment.

"You should strive to avoid bloodshed."

The driver stifled a chuckle. "Isn't that why you requested this meeting, sir?"

The interior of the limousine was silent for the rest of the journey. Neither wanted to continue their conversation. Nezu agreed that it was hypocritical of him to criticize Hellsing for its violent track record when it was he who had requested this meeting. He knew he couldn't possibly understand the depth of the Millenium Incident. After all, he hadn't even been alive at the time.

Only a week prior, Nezu was told by All Might himself that he'd chosen his successor. A young Quirkless boy named Izuku Midoriya. Though Nezu had faith in All Might's judgement, he held an equal amount of faith in All For One's vindictive and opportunistic nature. Even though there was no way for him to know about All Might's successor, Nezu yearned for that extra layer of safety.

A contingency. A safeguard to be summoned if the absolute worst-case scenario came to pass. As much as Nezu dismissed organizations like Hellsing, ones which often killed their targets, today he had no choice but to swallow that pride of his. There was no denying their success. That was precisely why he went so far to contact them. And right now, Nezu needed that kind of assurance. The vehicle skidded to a gentle halt, rocking Nezu out of his thoughts.

"Sir." The driver turned to look back at Nezu, "We've arrived."

From the way things looked, they had indeed arrived. Nezu marveled at the gigantic mansion that rested outside the limo. A lush row of bushes adorned the paved walkway leading to the main building. A classic Victorian design, the building's haunting atmosphere was further enhanced by the ambient light of the night sky. Were one to look at the Hellsing manor from above, they might be forgiven for mistaking the surrounding tree line as a thick layer of foreboding clouds.

Two classical water fountains stood adjacent to the entrance. Nezu could not help but wonder why such an infamous organization had neglected adding a fence around their headquarters.

"Yes…" Nezu spoke, almost whimpering. "Yes, I can see that."

The driver seemed worried, though let none of it show on his face. "Will you be needing anything else, sir?"

He breathed deeply, swallowing his growing feeling of anxiety.

"No."

Nezu straightened his tie. It was too late to hesitate. He had made his choice, and he intended to follow it to the bitter end.

Nezu took a tentative step out of the vehicle, shutting the door behind him. He'd come here on his lonesome, informing his bodyguards that he didn't want to leave a bad impression. Now he regretted that decision. Their company might have helped steel his resolve. The atmosphere that hung in the air gave Nezu a little feeling on unease in his gut. The intimidating mansion certainly lived up to its organization's reputation.

He took another deep breath. This was just a building. He was a hero. Heroes are not scared of buildings. Nezu's Quirk, "High Spec", grants him a high level of intelligence, one comparable to the world's top scientists and researchers. With it came an incredible awareness of his surroundings, and this now helped him regain his confidence as he probed his surroundings. Detecting nothing out of the ordinary, the little white mouse stood firm and marched forward.

He did not even need to knock, as the doors opened for him. Unexpectedly, he was welcomed with the pleasant scent of grapes and rosebuds. With his incredible sense of smell, Nezu could detect what lay inside the Hellsing building. As a result, he could tell that there was an individual currently waiting for him in the main dining room. Accompanied by a conglomerate of food items and dishes. There was another smell, unique from all the others. It confounded Nezu. It was clearly a person, yet it stretched throughout the entirety of the mansion! Unless they spent their days rubbing their essence across every surface inside, there was no way anyone could infuse their smell into a building this size.

But then again, this was Hellsing. They regularly dealt with extraneous scenarios, and so did he. Some oddities in their headquarters were to be expected. No one was there to welcome him inside, but Nezu entered with as much professionalism as he could muster. Following the scent trail to the main lobby, Nezu was pleasantly surprised to find a dinner table that had already been laid out with an ample banquet.

At the front of the table sat an old woman in her late nineties. Her long hair, once blonde, had aged into a near transparent white. Her creamy brown skin runs with wrinkles and imperfections. Despite this, she still smokes profusely while remaining active in fencing and firearm practice. Even in her old age, her navy-blue eyes still shine with the brilliance of youth. As intimidating as in her prime, Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing sat with open arms as Nezu entered the dining hall.

"My dear Mr. Principal - or do you prefer Nezu? Welcome to the Hellsing headquarters."

Her voice, several octaves lower than any woman Nezu had ever met, echoed through the vacant halls. Why are there no servants, Nezu wondered?

"Just Nezu will do, Sir Hellsing. I'm surprised by how comfortable you seem with my appearance."

With a light bow, Nezu took the seat opposite of Integra's. A thin smile adorning her elderly face, Integra seamlessly extracted a fat cigar from under the table. The individual standing beside her, the only other person Nezu could detect, proceeded to light Integra's cigar for her.

Integra's servant locked eyes with Nezu for a second, nodding respectfully. Such a distant expression, Nezu thought. An attractive woman, she couldn't have been a day over nineteen. With brilliant blonde hair and striking red eyes, one could easily think she was out for blood. A provocative figure to pull in one's gaze, the phrase "a deadly rose" truly befit her. She gave off the same scent that had permeated throughout the manor, so it was safe to assume that she was beyond human. And to think she served a woman as old as Integra despite possessing the strength to rule a nation.

"Likewise, you may refer to me by my first name. And please, Nezu. While a bipedal teddy bear may rattle some, I've seen far more incredible things in my lifetime." Answered Integra with a gentle tilt forward.

Inhaling the cigar smoke, Integra gave the principal a contended smile as he took his first bite from his plate. A tender cut of well-done wagyu steak entered Nezu's jaws. He closed his eyes, basking in the succulent flavors exploding out of the delectable meat. On the other side of the table, Integra took a sip from her wine glass. Over a puff of smoke and the smell of fine wine, Nezu and Integra commenced their meeting.

"I gave you the broad details when I first contacted you, so please allow me to elaborate on the purpose behind this rendezvous."

Swallowing the wagyu, Nezu took a long look at Integra, making sure he had her attention. He made the mistake of thinking he'd ever lost it. Integra seemed so laid back, which made Nezu feel that much more awkward. Quite a presence, for one her age. While cutting into the contents of her own plate, Integra took a sideways glance at Nezu.

"The shining pillar of Japan's society, All Might, has become far weaker than in years past."

"I've already been made aware of that fact." Integra curtly replied.

Her remark caught Nezu off guard. Not because he found it impolite, but rather because this had been such a well-kept secret that no one outside a select few could have told her. Also because he'd been fully prepared to go off on one of his usual long-winded speeches, though perhaps that was Integra's motivating factor for interrupting.

"You have informants in the Japanese government?"

Surely not. An organization like Hellsing might have managed such in the past, but the introduction of Quirks in modern times would make espionage on that level extremely risky.

"One should expect such to be the case. Hellsing's branches run far and wide, Nezu. Any independent organization worth its salt will naturally deploy agents to gather info, no matter how insignificant or difficult it is to acquire."

Nezu had always been cognizant of the holes in their security, but he'd assumed only a handful of people could breach it. And to his knowledge, Hellsing had no operatives with Quirks. He hadn't anticipated Hellsing's resources ran this deep, and to such a degree that they knew of All Might's condition…

"Then are you aware he has chosen a successor?"

Even though this was meant to be kept secret, Nezu wanted to gauge the exact depth of Hellsing's roots. So, Nezu felt relieved when Integra raised an eyebrow. It would have been a stain on Japanese intelligence if Hellsing had easy access to all their information.

"Oh? That's unexpected." Integra admitted, "I was under the impression that he was too stubborn to let it go so easily."

Nezu chuckled heartily. Indeed, All Might was often too resolute for his own good. It was his steadfast nature that had drawn many of his allies to him, but it was that same hardheadedness that gave All For One the chance to deal him that grievous wound.

"So, if what you say is true, how is he still acting as the pillar of your society?" Integra asked, "Shouldn't he have lost his powers and stepped down by now?"

"Close." Nezu responded, gesturing with his small paws. "While his abilities have indeed weakened, he's chosen to remain active until his successor can comfortably control One For All."

Since she'd apparently already learnt of All Might's condition, Nezu proceeded with the assumption that Integra already knew about One For All and its unique properties. Still donning a light smirk, Integra extinguished her cigar in an ash tray before resting both her elbows on the tabletop. She was dropping the pleasantries, it seemed.

"Tell me. If All Might is still active and his nemesis All For One has remained relatively quiet, what use do you have for Hellsing?"

Nezu raised a small hand to Integra as he pursed his lips, searching for the best words to use. He sought the best way to convey his feelings towards All For One and Hellsing, perhaps more for his own sake than Integra's.

"As unorganized as they may seem…" Nezu began, "not every villain in Japan is so oblivious. Some will inevitably take notice of All Might's condition. And when they do, I have no doubt they'll form a coalition capable of overwhelming our heroes."

Clearing his throat, Nezu took a sip from his glass. He knew his next words contradicted All Might's philosophy and was looking for the best explanation for them.

"I hold the utmost faith in the strength of our heroes and the young students who will succeed them. But when I remember All For One at his prime…"

From her end of the table, Integra watched as Nezu tilted his head down. Old memories emerged from the void in which they'd been expelled to. Images of corpses littering the streets. Feelings of loss and futility.

"I refuse to let such an event come to pass. And though it pains me to ask an agency like Hellsing for help, the thought of returning to an era like that is far worse."

From her side of the table, Integra glanced at her servant. Though Nezu could not pick up what they were saying, he had enough experience with Quirk users to guess that they were speaking telepathically. Integra's assistant took a graceful bow before leaving the room. Nezu wondered what exactly she'd been sent to do. Integra must have noticed this on his face because she regained his attention with a snap of her fingers.

"No need to worry about her. I've just sent her to speak to someone. Now, I suppose it's time for me to start asking questions." Synchronously with her words, the mood in the room intensified. He'd dismissed it at first, but now Nezu distinctly noticed the scent of a third occupant in the manor. Prior to now, it had been unnoticeable. Yet as Integra spoke, the presence seemed to grow. "In seeking out our help, I assume you wanted him, correct?"

The knob in Nezu's throat interrupted him before could respond. He coughed briefly, trying to ignore that intimidating presence and capture some of his characteristic confidence.

"Yes. I've read much about his achievements from the little I acquired and have no doubts about his abilities." Finally relieved of the obstruction and having gotten used to the atmosphere, Nezu did his best to match Integra's posture and fit the respectable image he'd garnered through years of hard work. "I was hoping he could temporarily be stationed at U.A. Primarily as a contingency plan, but also as a means of warding off All For One. I have no doubt that All For One has placed his own agents among our ranks, and so his presence might serve to dissuade All For One from making any aggressive moves."

Integra smiled at his response, a thin veil of contempt hiding her growing interest.

"You heroes and your morals." She giggled, "All you're doing is making your job harder. If you really wanted Hellsing's help, you'd let us slaughter all the trash in Japan in one go."

Wrinkly as her face was, Integra still managed to give a menacing smirk as she spoke. Though a gruesome solution, Nezu had heard this same suggestion brought up many times in the past. From public agents, police officers, politicians and more. Why not just kill All For One and his lackeys? And the existence of heroes like Endeavor and Mirko lent credence to that stance. Wouldn't they be far more effective if they were let loose from these ethical chains? But Nezu could not possibly allow such a solution. Killing was never the answer.

"The number of bodies left in such an operation would be picked up by news outlets instantly, and see our heroes be shamed for allowing such acts to pass." That was reasonable enough, but Nezu knew it wasn't how he truly felt. "But even more, violence like that runs parallel to All Might's principles. Accepting murder as an answer is degrading for our society, and so I wish to remain loyal to what All Might stands for."

As firm as his voice was, it didn't change Integra's expression. She'd seen many people like him in her life, and none of them had ever come close to fulfilling their lofty standards. Always the same teary facial expression. Always the same sanctimonious tone. Always the same heartfelt words. Always the same heartbreak. Hopes and dreams are all well and good, but one should take care not to let them rule their life.

"Let's assume I agree." Integra rung her hands on the table, "What exactly would he do, in U.A.?"

"Remain in the background. Act when necessary. If All For One does catch on, he can serve as a deterrent. If his power lives up to his reputation, even All For One would hesitate to attack. I doubt we can keep him hidden forever, but until then his presence must be kept secret."

The room grew silent. Integra rested her chin on her hand, eyes narrowed as she considered everything Nezu had said. The air of contempt had left her, now being replaced by a true administrative mood. Glumly, Integra softly warned Nezu

"He is not one to play quiet, Mr. Principal."

Nezu took a deep breath. Yes. From what little he knew about him, Nezu was fully aware that stealth was not that man… No… Thing's… specialties. Which was why he'd already made the necessary preparations before even coming to Europe.

"I'll see to it that he has other ways to help, but that is the overall scope of his being there."

Still slicing through her meal, Integra had many other minor objections remaining. She continued to ask Nezu about the moral differences they held, which Nezu insisted would not be an issue. Though in reality, Nezu was very concerned. In the event circumstances spiraled out of control and Integra's agent was forced to act, Nezu doubted there was anything he could do to prevent a massacre.

Even before he'd ever heard the mention of Hellsing, Nezu had considered the possibility of hiring mercenaries to thin the villain's numbers. Working from the shadows, they might dramatically decrease potential casualties. But before he could even imply such a method, All Might made his stance on the matter quite transparent. In his eyes, going that far would make them no better than All For One.

Nezu caved to All Might's wishes, yet the times were changing. All Might was weakening and there was no guarantee he could stop All For One a second time. Japan needed someone assuredly capable of defeating All For One. Nezu wanted to take solace in having more precautions in place, no matter how much their moral codes might clash.

In Nezu's eyes, Hellsing was one of the more principled independent organizations there were. Still followed by a trail of blood, they at least tried to keep civilian casualties to a minimum. Which was why he'd gone out of his way to track them down. But Integra still had some reservations regarding his plan.

"Hellsing deals with vampires, Nezu, not your everyday criminals." Integra pointed out.

The stubby creature scoffed in response.

"These villains are more than your average street robber, Integra." Nezu said, waving it off, "And besides, he is surely capable of handling more than just vampires."

"And how exactly do you plan to conceal his presence, Mr. Principal?" Integra asked.

An excellent question. Hiding an entity like him would take no small bit of effort from the school staff, not just Nezu. It wasn't like the choice to visit Hellsing was made on his lonesome. Certain government officials, teachers, and close friends had aided Nezu in learning about Hellsing and contacting them. And their services would be necessary going forward, as there were many strings that had to be pulled for this little undertaking to work.

But Nezu had already devised one way it could.

"Well…" Nezu took a confident lean forward. "There just so happens to be room for one more student in class 1-A."

His words hung in the air for a moment as Integra absorbed what he'd just told her. Then, for the first time since their discussion had begun, a genuine smile appeared on Integra's lips. She looked quite content as she leaned back in her chair, her eyes closed. Unbeknownst to Nezu, Integra was sincerely intrigued by his suggestion. The idea seemed so absurd, even he would be laughing were he here to listen. And it was that absurdity that coaxed Integra into considering it. She wondered if some portion of his personality had spilt into her own.

"Hmph… I must admit, Nezu. You've drawn up a charming little proposition." She chuckled.

Nezu felt flattered by the first compliment she'd given him, but swiftly gathered himself. She hadn't given him a concrete answer just yet.

"May I assume we've reached an agreement?"

Still beaming with amusement, Integra replied that he should expect an answer by morning the next day. And with that, the rest of their dinner went by without a hitch. They had finished talking and so spent the rest of their time together emptying their plates and having some minor chit-chat.

After that, Nezu stood up from his seat and began to leave. Integra invited him to stay the night, but he turned down her offer. He already had a place to stay and, with all due respect to Hellsing,

"The atmosphere here… doesn't quite gel with me."

Integra seemed conscious of Nezu's feelings and let him depart without another word. As the driver welcomed him into the limousine, Nezu turned back to take one final look at the Hellsing manor. A truly beautiful example of the late Victorian aesthetic. A reminder of a bygone era.

But as he sat down in the limousine, he suddenly felt as if someone was watching him. Peering back out through the window, he found the moon staring back at him. No… it wasn't the moon. A man. A tall, lanky man was looking at him, standing atop a hill with the moon at his back. Nezu was too far away to make out any facial features, but he still felt like the man's eyes were right in front of him. Blood red pupils seemed to float before Nezu, scanning every inch of his form.

As quickly as the feeling had set in however, the man disappeared. Blinking a couple of times, Nezu wondered if it had just been an optical illusion.

"Sir!"

"Wha?!"

Nezu twirled back around at the driver's voice. How long had he been sitting like that? The driver wore a look of utter dismay. He'd repeatedly asked Nezu whether he wanted to leave yet but hadn't received any indication.

"Will we be on our way now, sir?" The man asked, an undertone of worry in his voice.

"Yes…" Nezu whispered, taking deep breaths before speaking again. "Yes, I suppose so."

As the driver revved the engine, Nezu cautiously glanced back at the moon. It was an especially gorgeous sight tonight. A white center coated with a light blue ring, glowing warmly upon the land. However, what struck Nezu was not the full moon but the eyes that had jumped out of it. Feral, wild eyes. Ones that reeked of bloodlust and savagery. Colored a deep shade of scarlet. Though Nezu had no evidence to back up his theory, he had a feeling that was the man he'd asked Integra about.

Nezu sighed, dropping back into the cushiony chair. Just what had he brought down upon U.A.?

0.0

"I'm going!" The young teenager declared as he hastily donned his school shoes. His freshly ironed school uniform made for a dashing figure, though this was offset by his scruffy, green-tinged hair and dotted cheeks. Many would consider him moderately attractive, while others might deem him far too childish for consideration.

"I'll be late at this rate!" Worried the young Izuku Midoriya.

He didn't know what he'd done to deserve such bad luck. From the moment he'd opened his eyes, he'd been beset by some kind of evil spirit. His toothbrush was nowhere to be found, his backpack had somehow landed in his mom's room, and to top it all off, someone had tilted all his posters of All Might! He'd wasted at least twenty minutes fixing the posters alone! What kind of nefarious creature would do such a thing to besmirch Japan's #1 hero?

As a result, his normally placid morning routine had been uprooted. He'd brushed his teeth with a new toothbrush, grabbed his backpack and scarfed down his breakfast as quickly as he could before scrambling to the door.

But his efforts at a timely departure were offset by an otherwise lovingly intrusive mother.

"Have you finished breakfast? Did you remember to pack your lunch? How about your homework, did you grab all of it? Remember to stay away from dangerous-looking people. Don't forget to tie your shoes! Here, let me check your uniform again. Why not-"

Like a hurricane, Inko Midoriya berated her beloved son with a barrage of questions up until he was standing right underneath the doorframe. A short, pudgy form, Inko Midoriya always made sure to watch over her Izuku. Her present anxious self was fueled in part by her feelings of guilt. Regret over how she'd discouraged her son from following his dreams after they'd learned that he was Quirkless.

And although he'd finally developed his Quirk long after the average person normally did, she still wasted no time before fawning over her child. In her eyes, he was still that teary-eyed boy, sitting in front of the computer, dreaming about heroes and All Might.

Izuku had already been worried he'd miss the train, but he simply couldn't say no to his mother. He indulged her for a few minutes before realizing that if he did for any longer, he'd be late for school. Hurriedly, he gave her a final hug before dashing out through the door and running down the hallway.

As Izuku sprinted down the stairwell, he quickly checked the time. He didn't have long to get to the subway station. About ten minutes. Then there would be getting through the school gates, which would take another ten minutes. This would really be cutting it clo-

*WHAM*

Suddenly, Izuku found himself sitting on the floor, rubbing his aching forehead. He felt like he'd run into a brick wall. What'd he hit? He'd grown up in this apartment complex and knew all its ins and outs, and there was no such obstruction like that on the walkway. His eyesight clearing, Izuku looked upward at the obstacle he'd run into.

"Goodness. Are you alright?" An oddly soothing voice asked, followed by an anonymous hand reaching out to Izuku. "I beg your forgiveness, but this is my first time here so I'm rather unfamiliar with the area."

Gratefully grasping the outstretched hand, Izuku was helped back to his feet by the odd newcomer.

"NoNoNo, it's my fault! I wasn't looking and accidentally ran into you!" Bowing apologetically, Izuku frantically steadied his legs.

Finally getting a better look at the stranger, Izuku immediately took note of the boy's handsome features. Skin that was as pale and fair as newly settled snow. Silky black hair that was immaculately draped down his forehead. Enchanting, scarlet red eyes. The boy looked to be around Izuku's age, yet he carried himself in the manner of a seasoned noble. There was a certain effeminate quality in the boy's complexion that made it easy to mistake him for a girl.

"Hardly. You need not prostrate yourself to one such as I."

The boy's charming smile chipped away at Izuku's anxiety, briefly making him forget all about the train schedule. Izuku was only freed from this reverie when the boy pointed out his uniform.

"I notice you're wearing the same uniform as I." The boy coolly noted.

He gasped in astonishment. "Oh! I-I guess you're attending U.A. to?"

With a modest chuckle, the boy confirmed his hunch. The boy went on to tell Izuku more about himself. How he was a new student who'd only recently moved into this apartment. How he had come from Europe and hoped to learn more about heroism from one of the most reputable academies in the world. And how he hoped to achieve great things here to make his family proud.

As the two students rushed to catch the bus, Izuku and his ever-deferential personality saw fit to do a side-by-side comparison between himself and the newest resident of Musutafu. He'd always wanted naturally smooth hair. His own shabby mess gave him the look of someone who'd just climbed out of bed. And the boy strode far more confidently than Izuku ever had, walking with his back straight and eyes unerring.

Multiple bystanders had their gaze drawn to the charming young lad. They couldn't help themselves. And neither could Izuku. He was close enough to smell the guy, and WOW. Did he use perfume or something? He said that he was from Europe. Was it normal for boys to wear perfume there? Or did he just naturally smell like roses?

They managed to arrive at U.A. on time, but just barely. Staring at the large ticking clock, Izuku realized how little time he had left to get to class. While he wanted to get to know the boy further, he equally hoped to dodge Aizawa-sensei's wrath.

"Sorry again I'm almost late I'll see you after school!" Izuku shouted as he sprinted inside.

The boy didn't seem to be in any hurry, calmly waving as he watched Izuku enter the school. As he swiftly evaded other students roaming the halls and deftly avoided other obstacles, Izuku regretted not asking for the boy's name. He'd been so engrossed with his aristocratic charm and maturity that he'd neglected to ask for the most essential part of someone's identity. Not exactly the biggest oversight since he could just ask him after school ended, but he was nonetheless very disappointed in himself.

Izuku burst into his classroom, sweat beads forming on his forehead. Seconds later, the morning bell rung. His classmates were apprehensive, to say the least. Yaoyorozu and Iida both stared gobsmacked at Izuku, who normally arrived early. Mineta had fallen out of his desk. He'd been leering at the female students but had been knocked out of his stupor when Izuku had slammed the door open. Bakugo didn't seem to give two sh**'s about Izuku's tardiness. That, or he gave too many because the look on his face was of ferocious resentment.

"Um…" Izuku rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed at the stares. "Morning…"

His apologetic tone did little to mitigate the suddenness of his entrance.

"This is unlike you, Midoriya-kun." Iida walked over to him and helped him straighten out his uniform. "You normally arrive much earlier."

The newly instated class representatives for class 1-A both stared wide-eyed at him as he rested one arm on the wall, panting. President and vice president respectively, Tenya Iida and Yaoyorozu Momo were undoubtedly the two most well-organized and mature students in 1-A. Iida especially had taken to his new role as well as a fish in water. Yaoyorozu wavered from time to time, but she seemed to be getting into her element.

"Yeah…" He tried to laugh it off, but it showed on his face.

"Did something happen?" Yaoyorozu asked, worry on her pretty face.

"Well…" Izuku struggled to answer. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to. With a loud *Swish*, the classroom door slid open and their teacher, Shota Aizawa, entered the classroom.

"Morning." The man glumly spoke, downtrodden as ever. "Midoriya. Iida. Yaoyorozu. Take your seats, I've got some stuff to talk about."

The young teens hastily took their seats, Iida still glancing questioningly at Izuku. The class president gave him a reassuring smirk though, as now that class had started all that mattered was that he'd made it on time.

"Now for today's basic hero training… This time, All Might, myself and one other will supervise."

"This time…? So it's a special class." Thought Izuku.

Seated next to him, his classmate Hanta Sero raised his hand up high.

"Um, what're we doing, exactly?" He asked.

"Preparing you for disaster relief, from fires to floods." Aizawa's hand went back into his pocket, from which he drew a plastic card with the word RESCUE printed onto it. "It's rescue training!"

His teacher spoke with as much enthusiasm as he normally did, which was basically none. But even though it didn't show on the man's blank face, Izuku could tell Aizawa was quite excited for that day's session.

His classmates immediately began talking amongst themselves about their excitement. Although just as pumped as the rest of them, Izuku stoically kept it inside. He didn't want to miss a word of what Aizawa-sensei had to say.

"Rescue, huh… Sounds like another rough day." Groaned the flashy but kind Denki Kaminari. Blonde hair with an odd black streak, Izuku always admired how Kaminari managed to escape the bedhead look that plagued Izuku. His Quirk, "Electrification", turned him into a walking electric plant. He could shock anyone nearby, so far as Izuku had seen. He had yet to see if there were any consequences for such a powerful Quirk. His journal had plenty of space left for that.

"Right!" Mina Ashido loudly added. The pink bundle of joy and happiness was grinning at the news. Now that he thought about it, someone could easily distinguish the whole class from one another based off their hairstyles alone. Ashido especially, with her fluffy pink hair and signature horns, stood out amongst the crowd. Each had an identity that sat atop their head. Well… save Kenji Koda, who was born bald but with a very tall scalp. Still quite unique, thought Izuku.

"Come on, this is what being a hero's all about! I'm pumped!" Shouted Eijiro Kaminari, one of the most boisterous and uplifting students in class 1-A. His Quirk, "Hardening", could turn him into a near impenetrable wall of spikes.

"I'll be right at home in a flood. Ribbit." Said Tsuyu Asui, one of the more laidback and mysterious characters in the class. Hair as green as the swamp, her Quirk simply gave her many of the traits of a frog. This being incredible jumping power, a long tongue, and so on. Izuku had had little time to talk to her so far, given how early on it was into the semester. But from what he'd seen so far, he at least knew that she was a kind girl with a versatile quirk.

But with a single glare from behind his muzzle of bandages, Aizawa silenced the chatter in the classroom.

"Hey. I'm not done." He mumbled. Izuku's classmates quieted down, though he could still hear Mina muttering in the background.

"A new face'll be joining you guys today." As he spoke, Aizawa opened a drawer in his table and pulled some papers from inside. "He's a transfer student from Europe. Pretty talented if the recommendation letter is to be taken seriously."

That sounded a little strange. They were barely into their first semester and already they had a transfer? Especially one from Europe. While U.A. did rank among the best hero schools in the world, foreign students normally stayed in their home regions for comfort. But for a foreign student to be both recommended and accepted, now that was just peculiar.

"Could it be…?" Izuku thought, recalling the boy he'd spoken to earlier.

"Is he cute?" Mina asked with her hands tucked beneath her chin. Her eyes grew wide when Aizawa-sensei glared at her, though she didn't retract her question.

Aizawa gave no answer as he peered back down at his documents, though from where he sat Izuku managed to catch a glimpse of a thin smirk on Aizawa's face as he raised his voice.

"Oi, get in here and introduce yourself."

The door steadily slid open, as did Izuku's eyelids as they shot upwards in utter appalment. He could hear voices whispering about the boy's good looks as he seemed to glide inside. The boy leaked sophistication and refinement to a point where even Yaoyorozu with her wealthy background sat in awe.

It was the boy he'd met that morning. The new resident at his apartment building. The teenager with flawless etiquette and a noble demeanor. What was he doing here? Sure, Izuku thought, he'd mentioned that he was attending U.A. But what were the odds he was joining class 1-A?

"It's a Todoroki clone!" Izuku heard Mina's voice behind him. He peered around his shoulder to find Mina Ashido excitedly shaking Tsuyu. The frog girl's tongue was lolling back and forth from the rapidity of the motion. "Wait a minute, that can't be right, he's smiling!"

To the side, the actual Shoto Todoroki said nothing despite being within earshot. He gave Mina a dismissive glare, though even he found himself intrigued by the appearance of this transfer student. Izuku had to agree with Mina's judgement, however. If the boy's hair were red and white and he had a scar on his left eye, you'd be left with a Todoroki look-alike. Except unlike Todoroki-san, he could actually smile.

Izuku also spared a glance back at Bakugo. And surprise surprise, he looked livid as ever. One might believe he held some sort of grudge with the transfer, but that couldn't be true. Izuku had known him all his life, and as far as he remembered neither of them had ever met a european before. It was more likely that Bakugo simply hates everyone.

"Good morning," the boy casually spoke, his mellifluous voice drawing everyone's attention. "My name is-"