Midoriya: "I'm a normal kid without any powers. Could I ever hope to be someone like you?!" he asked the number one hero. All Might turned to look at the boy pouring his heart and soul out. Both Arthur and Midoriya waited and hoped for his response.
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-No One's POV-
"Without a quirk, you say?" All Might asked before he hunched over in pain and steam began to emit for him, but Midoriya was still talking to himself and Arthur was too focused on his troubled friend.
"People think I don't have a chance, that not having any powers makes me weak. My classmates like to make fun of me. The only one who stands up for me is Arthur, but I should be doing that for myself..." Midoriya said as he remembered all the times Arthur came to his defense no matter the circumstance. As he did this Arthur shifted focus to where All Might was only to see a billowing cloud of smoke.
"Uh, Izuku?" he said, trying to get Midoriya's attention.
"Ever since I was a kid I thought saving people was the coolest thing ever. I want people to see my fearless smile and feel safe. I wanna be a hero that everyone in the world looks up to, just like you All Might!" Midoriya said, looking up at All Might with his eyes gleaming like stars.
What the boys saw when the smoke cleared stunned them. Where the symbol of peace stood was a fragile looking skeleton of a man who's only attributes he shared with the previous was his eye and hair color. Neither boy knew what to do. Arthur stared straight ahead and tilted his head in confusion while Midoriya let out a scream accusing the man of being an impostor.
"I assure you that I am All Mig-" The bone man tried to say, but not before he started spitting up blood.
"Impossible!" Midoriya cried out so shrill it caused Arthur to have to cover his ears.
"You know how guys at the pool are always sucking in their guts and trying to look buff, I'm like that. Oh thank you, my boy." All Might explained as he wiped the blood from his mouth with the handkerchief Arthur handed him.
"This can't be real!" Midoriya cried out again too shrill for Arthur's liking earning him another hit on the head from the taller boy. "No, I'm dreaming. All Might's a giant of a man who saves everyone. He defeats all obstacles in his way with a fearless smile." He tried to reason with what's in front of him. All Might sighed as he leaned on the railing and slid down taking a seat.
"There's plenty of fear behind that smile, kid." All Might says as he pauses to think. "I'm counting on the two of you to keep your mouths shut. Don't go spouting about this online or telling your friends." He asked, sounding very displeased with the situation.
"How did this happen, if you don't mind me asking?" Arthur asked, curious about the man's state. All Might then lifts his shirt and both boys real back from what they're looking at. It was a sickly looking surgical scar that took up the entire left side of All Might's chest.
"Pretty gross, right? I got this in a big fight five years back. My respiratory system is basically destroyed, I lost my whole stomach. All the surgeries have pretty much worn me out, it can't be fixed." All Might said sounding depressed. "Right now I can only do hero work for about three hours a day. The rest of the time this is what I look like." He finished as the boys took in the explanation. Arthur couldn't help but feel bad for the pro hero, meanwhile Midoriya was still having a hard time taking all of it in.
"Wait, five years ago, was that the fight with Toxic Chainsaw?" Arthur asked squatting down to be eye level with All Might.
"Wow you kids know your stuff, but no. The punk may have landed some hits, but he couldn't take me down." All Might corrected the dirty blond teen. "Most of the world has never heard of this fight. I did everything I could to keep it under wraps. I'm supposed to be the guy that's always smiling right? I'm the symbol of peace, people everywhere have to think that I'm never afraid."
What he said resonated with Arthur. All Might has been in such a bad state for years yet no one even knew of it because he put on a brave face the whole time. That was the type of hero he wanted to be, the one everyone can rely on.
"But honestly, I just smile to hide the fear inside. It's just a brave face I put on when the pressure is high. This job isn't easy. Pro heros are always having to risk their lives, some villains just can not be beaten without powers. So no, I honestly don't think you can become a hero without a quirk." All Might said as he looked straight at Midoriya to answer his earlier question.
To say Midoriya was devastated would be an understatement, the one person he has idolized since his childhood, just shot his dreams dead in the water.
"I see." Was all Midoriya said as a sad smile crossed his face trying to recover, but couldn't find the will to do so.
"If you wanna help there are plenty of ways to do so like being a police officer. They get crap by everyone because the hero catches the villains, but it's a fine profession. I even had a good friend years ago who was a reporter and he was quirkless too." All Might said giving the boy options as he got up and walked towards the stairs. He stopped as he opened the door and addressed Midoriya without looking back at him. "It's not bad to have a dream young man, just make sure that dream is attainable. Be realistic, understand?" He said and with that he left the boys on the roof to think over his words. Both stood in silence, one thinking how to console his friend, the other thinking of what he is going to do now. Before either could make a move an explosion in a shopping district downtown got their attention.
"A villain! I wonder what hero will show up?" Midoriya said, running toward the door instinctively to go to the scene before he stopped in thought. All Might's answer rang out in his head as he walked dejectedly down the stairs.
"Izuku, wait up!" Arthur called to his friend still trying to think of anything to say to make him feel better only to draw a complete blank. He was never good with words, his intentions were always shown through actions. Right now however he needed to say something. As Arthur and Midoriya were walking Midoriya was looking down at his notebook not thinking where he was walking.
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"Don't cry dammit. Evan All Might said it. You need a quirk to be a hero. Deep down I knew it. That's why I was trying to desperately prove myself wrong." Midoriya reasoned in his head. That was until he ran into someone. "Sorry..." He said looking up at the person he bumped into only to see Arthur standing there with his arms crossed.
"What do you think you're doing?" Arthur asked looking down at the boy still on the ground.
"What do you mea-" Midoriya tried to ask but was cut off.
"What happened to the guy that was going to keep a smile on his face and be the best hero in the world?" Arthur asked, helping his friend up.
"Arthur you heard what All Might said. You need a quir-" Midoriya said.
"Yeah I heard what he said...Fuck 'im." Arthur said as he shrugged off what he just said.
"W-what do you mean?" Midoriya asked, not believing what he heard from his best friend.
"I said fuck him. All Might can go shove it. He doesn't know shit." Arthur replied matter of factly. "He doesn't know you like I do. I mean who else can recite, from memory, info about almost every hero in Japan." He said, trying to encourage Midoriya.
"Arthur I get what you're trying to do, but if All Might says I can't then I ca-" Midoriya was interrupted by an explosion. As they were walking they accidentally made their way to the fight they saw start earlier.
"That's weird, is the fight still going on?" Arthur asked out loud. "Why hasn't any hero stopped it yet?" He continued as both boys walked over to the scene, Midoriya still seeming rather empty. Truth be told, Arthur had purposefully steered Midoriya towards the incident to try and get him out of this funk. As the two got to the bystanders they saw from the back that it was the villain All Might saved them from earlier.
"What the hell, I thought Allmight captured this guy." Arthur thought. "Did he drop the bottle because of us?" He thought as panic set in. "Oh god, I put more people in danger. I'm more of a threat than a hero." He beat himself up mentally over his actions.
"Why haven't the heros done anything yet?" A bystander asked. "It looks like they met their match, plus it took a kid hostage." Another bystander answered.
As the boys listened from the back of the crowd about what was happening both remembered what it was like being attacked by the villain. They felt even worse knowing what the poor sap in there was going through. The crowd started questioning why All Might hadn't stopped this villain already. That's when the boys remembered why he hadn't been able to, he wasted his energy on them on the rooftop. No one, not even the pros, could make a move without worsening the situation.
"This is all my fault. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Arthur thought. "A real hero will come soon and help."
Arthur looked up from his thoughts and saw the scene again.
It was Bakugo that the villain had in his grasp.
"He's in trouble and it's all my fault." Arthur thought as most of his brain shut down. The look in Bakugo's eye was the same as Midoriya's were. Begging for help that won't come. Bakugo and Arthur may not had always seen eye to eye, but Arthur will be damned before he doesn't help somehow.
Before he knew what he was doing Arthur charged forward ignoring everything in-between him and Bakugo. As he ran he didn't hear the pros trying to stop him. He even charged straight though Death Arms' hold almost as if he wasn't there. Arthur pulled his arm back as a jagged stone formed in the palm of his hand and pitched it at the villain only for it to pass though the slime at such speed it blew a chunk of slime away enough for Bakugo to get his breath.
"You're going to regret that you brat!" The villain shouted as he tried to recover only to be blinded as Midoriya ran up and threw his backpack at the only non liquid part of the villain's body, his eyes. As the monster was stunned, Arthur kept whipping stones at the villain attempting to weaken the hold on Bakugo and Midoriya was clawing at the sloop with his bare hands.
"Kacchan!" Midoriya yelled as they began to get to the ash haired victim.
"What the hell, why are you guys here!?" Bakugo questions the efforts of the greenette.
"I don't know, my legs, they just started moving!" Midoriya shouted back as he desperately attempted to save his classmate. "I couldn't stand there and let you die!" He shouted as he had a nervous smile on his face.
As the attempted rescue failed miserably the villain swung at the boys with full intention to kill them. The pros were too far to get to them to help. It was over. The boys braced for the attack only for it to never come. They looked up to see the symbol of peace stopping the slimy fist.
"I really am pathetic." All Might said standing there holding the villain at bay with ease.
"All Might?" Midoriya questioned looking in awe at the gleaming smile on the man's face.
"I told you the traits of a great champion, but I wasn't holding myself to my own ideals!" All Might groaned as he broke from the viscose constants attempting to restrain him. "True pros are always risking their lives, that is the true test of a hero!" He shouted as he pulled his fist back and grabbed a hold of Bakugo with the other. With one fluid motion he pulled Bakugo free and punched the villain, saving all three boys. "DETROIT SMASH!" All Might yelled as he sent the villain scattering with such force that all the onlookers and pros had to brace themselves so they would not be sent flying by the wind. People passing on the streets only saw a spiraling column of harsh wind coming from the market. The punch had so much power behind it the air pressure shifted causing the clouds to gather above the area. Rain started drizzling down putting out all the fires as everyone who saw the feat was awe struck. Even the pros were dumbfounded at the show of strength.
"Holy crap, he changed the weather." Death Arms said as he let out his thoughts. The crowds celebrated their symbol. All Might addressed the applause by striking a pose. No one but Arthur noticed him stumble as he put his fist in the air. All Might looked down at the two boys who gave him the incentive to act with pride.
The remains of the villain were gathered up before he could came too and the press swarmed All Might asking their questions. Arthur and Midoriya were lectured by Death Arms and Kamui Woods for running into the fight as Bakugo was interviewed and praised for his bravery against the villain. However during the compliments he gritted his teeth and glared over at Midoriya who was sitting on his knees and Arthur who was sitting with his legs crossed.
After it was all done Arthur and Midoriya were walking home on their usual path. They wanted to apologize to All Might, but he was swarmed by interviewers. As they were walking lost in thought they heard a shout from behind them.
"Deku! Blockhead!" Bakugo yelled running up to them.
"*sigh* What do you want Bakugo, it's been a long day for all of us an-" Arthur tiredly tried to say before he was cut off.
"Listen I would never ask for weaklings like you two to help me. Don't think you can look down on me, got that? You're just a quirkless failure!" He yelled at Midoriya. "And you're all talk!" He yelled directed at Arthur. "Nether of you helped me, you did nothing!" He said irritated as he turned around walking away saying he didn't owe them anything.
"Why the hell did he go out of his way to say that? He lives the complete opposite direction." Arthur asked with a tick mark on his forehead.
"I don't really know." Midoriya said with a sweat drop on his head. "He is right, though. I didn't do anything to help." He said looking down.
"Hey man, don't thin-" Arthur tried counseling his friend again only to be body checked into a pile of garbage cans by someone running out of the alleyway.
"I am here!" All Might said, skidding to a stop in front of Midoriya.
"All Might, why are you here? How'd you get rid of all those reporters?" Midoriya asked, forgetting about his friend lying in the trash cans.
"Hahaha I stand for justice, not sound bytes, because I am All Mig-" All Might tried saying as he spit out more blood. As he recovered from the over use of his power he helped Arthur out of the pile of trash and brushed him off. "Young men, I came here to thank you and discuss your question. If you hadn't told me about your life, or if you two hadn't run into that fight I would have been another bystander watching from the crowd. So thanks." he said giving the pair a small bow.
"I mean it was our fault he was there to begin with." Arthur said as he scratched the back of his neck with a nervous smile.
"Yeah if we didn't waste your time and energy it wouldn't have happened at all." Midoriya agreed.
"I'm not done. When I saw this timid quirkless boy and his friend run in to save a life, it inspired me to act." All Might said as both teens were now staring at the man in front of them. "There are stories about every hero, how they became great. Most have one thing in common, their bodies moved before they had a chance to think, almost on their own." As Midoriya began to break down Arthur put a supportive hand on his back flashing his signature goofy smile. "And today that's what happened to the both of you." He continued as both teens started crying tears of joy. "Young man, you too can be a hero." He told Midoriya
"...See Izuku, I was right. All Might was wrong." Arthur said as he cried seeing his best friend get to hear the words he needed to hear from his idol.