Chapter 36: Izuku

A Year Later

Izuku dodged another of Bakugou's blasts, but it was uncomfortably close. He really was holding nothing back this time, losing what little control he had built up through the years.

"Stop running away, Deku!" Bakugou growled, palms sparking.

"All Might, sir, shouldn't you stop them? Bakugou looks like he wants to kill Midoriya, more than normal, ribbit," Tsuyu said.

"I'm witnessing this mainly so those two don't get suspended again," All Might said, eyes fixed on the two boys. "But they need to put their little argument to rest."

"So we're calling this a training exercise? Watching Bakugou try to kill Midoriya again?" Jirou asked tiredly.

"FIGHT ME DEKU!"

"Kacchan, I'm telling you it wasn't me!" Izuku said, dodging another blast.

"Like hell it wasn't! Who else would have touched the thing? Admit you broke it, Deku!"

All Might didn't miss the way young Kirishim and Kaminari eyed each other, shuffling awkwardly, perhaps even guiltily.But that wasn't Toshinori's business. He wouldn't have admitted it, but he really wanted to see how young Midoriya would fare against young
Bakugou once he stopped holding back.

"Once you admit you broke it, Deku, you're either going to buy me a new one or give me yours," Bakugou growled.

No one would tell Toshinori just what it was the boys were fighting over, but he could deduce it was something quite expensive and valuable, based on the way young Midoriya's eyes narrowed. "I told you I didn't break it. Why don't you LISTEN TO ME?" By the end, Izuku's voice had become a roar. While this was shocking, what was even more so was the plume of flame that came from Izuku's mouth, punctuating the last few words.

Everyone stared in shock until Kaminari complained, "Seriously Midoriya? Again? You are the last person to need another quirk."

"I… I don't…" Izuku said dazedly, staring at the small patch of grass that burned in front of him.

"Okay, students, that's enough for today," All Might said, shooing the others away. "You're all done for the day, I need to speak with young Midoriya."

Bakugou began stalking away, but not without growling, "This isn't over, Deku," over his shoulder.

Izuku, though, looked dazed. He had his fingers to his lips and he was muttering at a speed hitherto unknown to man.

Once the students had filtered out, Toshinori gripped the boy's shoulder. "How do you feel about this particular quirk, my boy? It is curiously similar to-"

"No, All Might. It's not similar," Izuku said, practically glowing. "This is my quirk."

"Your quirk, my boy? Are you sure?"

Izuku nodded reverently. "I just… I know it's mine. And it kind of makes sense you know? One For All combines with the user's original quirk if they have one, right? I had a really hard time controlling One For All in the beginning, and you didn't. What if… What if One For All was trying to combine with my quirk that whole time? I know All For One took my quirk, but quirks are part of your genetics. I haven't researched it, but what if when he takes quirks from people, it just suppresses the quirk factor in their genes? Like I doubt he could forcibly change someone's genes, and when he gives the quirk to someone else, it's probably just a superficial expression of the quirk. They never seem to have as much control or tolerance for the quirks that All For One give them, and the quirks completely destroy their mental state. I just… I'm talking too fast, aren't I?"

"Don't worry, my boy," All Might said, slapping Izuku on the back. "You can finally put your true quirk to use the way it was always meant to be used."

Izuku was smiling widely enough that his cheeks were sore. A few tears slipped down onto his cheeks as he beckoned with a single finger, drawing the tiny flame that hadn't gone out yet to him. It danced in the air, alive, warm, and welcoming. It held a sense of contentment that Arson's flames never did.

Strangely, Izuku didn't feel the need to complete penance for the actions of his father. He'd had a year to realize that Hisashi's actions with his quirk weren't Izuku's fault. No, instead he had an opportunity to realize this quirk's full potential.

The world was far from perfect, Izuku knew that better than anyone. But his quirk that previously only inspired fear and pain was in better hands now. He could use it as it was always meant to be used: To bring light to a dark world.

A/N: You would not believe the sense of finality I'm getting from posting this last chapter. I started this story almost a year ago, and it's inspiring to have proof of how much I've grown as a writer. I still have so much more to learn, so please, keep reading my writing. Keep telling me how to improve, and just keep being yourselves. I appreciate every comment, but I also appreciate every silent reader. Thank you all for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoyed my story.

Love,

Rogue