Chapter 2: A Path of Steel and Fire

Chapter 2: A Path of Steel and Fire

Izuku Midoriya's Perspective

The days after the diagnosis blurred together in a haze of whispered ridicule and crushing loneliness. The word Deku clung to him like a curse, a reminder of everything he lacked.

But even as he sat alone on the swings at the park, knees scraped from another encounter with Bakugou's growing aggression, his heart refused to let go of his dream.

Heroes never gave up.

Heroes stood tall, even when the world tried to break them.

So why did it feel like every day was another piece of his spirit being chipped away?

His fingers tightened around his notebook, pages filled with sketches and analysis of hero abilities. He had always written as if he would one day stand among them, a hero in his own right. But the more he thought about it, the more the pages mocked him.

"Without a quirk, it would be nearly impossible."

Izuku gritted his teeth and flipped to a blank page. If he couldn't rely on a quirk, then he'd have to find another way. There had to be a way.

And then, almost as if fate was guiding his hand, he wrote down two words:

"A Hero Without Power."

The words felt foreign, even ridiculous, but something about them sent a shiver down his spine.

If he couldn't be like All Might… then what kind of hero could he become?

Katsuki Bakugou's Perspective

Katsuki watched as Izuku hunched over his notebook, scribbling like a madman. The sight made his stomach twist with irritation.

That damn nerd was still clinging to his delusions.

"Oi, Deku!" Katsuki stomped forward, his presence casting a shadow over Izuku's small frame. "The hell are you still writing for? You don't have a quirk, so what's the point?"

Izuku didn't look up. For once, he didn't shrink away.

Katsuki felt something off about the way he sat there, so still.

Then Izuku's voice, quiet but firm, cut through the air.

"I'll find another way."

Katsuki's hands twitched. "Tch. What kinda dumbass thing is that? There is no other way! You either have a quirk, or you don't!" He shoved Izuku's notebook to the ground, sparks flickering at his fingertips. "You're not special, Deku! Just give up!"

Izuku finally met his gaze, and for the first time, Katsuki hesitated.

Because the look in Izuku's eyes wasn't fear.

It wasn't even sadness.

It was determination.

"I'm not giving up."

Katsuki's fingers clenched into fists, an unfamiliar frustration bubbling inside him. Why wouldn't Deku just understand? Why wouldn't he just stop acting like he could still stand next to him?

He turned sharply, kicking the notebook further away before storming off.

But no matter how far he walked, he couldn't shake that defiant look from his mind.

Izuku Midoriya's Perspective

He waited until Bakugou was gone before retrieving his notebook, dusting off the cover. The pages were crumpled, but the words were still there.

"A Hero Without Power."

Maybe he was being stupid. Maybe he really was just a worthless Deku.

But as long as he could still hold a pen, as long as he could still think, he would search for a way forward.

Because that's what heroes did.

Even if the world called it impossible.

To Be Continued…