Prologue: The Birth of a New Era
It all began in Qing Qing City, China, when the world first witnessed the birth of a "Luminescent Baby." This child, glowing with an ethereal light, was the first known human born with a superhuman ability, a "Quirk." In the following years, the phenomenon spread across the globe like wildfire. Ordinary people began to awaken extraordinary powers, altering the fabric of society.
Dreams of being superheroes, once confined to the pages of comic books, became reality. The era of Quirks dawned, and with it, a new profession emerged—Heroes. Today, nearly 80% of humanity possesses a Quirk, and being a Hero is not just a calling but a career. These heroes shine brightly under the spotlight, protecting the world from those who misuse their gifts for evil.
But in a world of shining heroes, there are also shadows—those left behind by the dreams they could never fulfill.
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Musutafu, Japan – Midoriya Apartment
The morning sun bathed the small Midoriya apartment in a soft, golden light. In the modest kitchen, a young woman with a gentle face and kind green eyes moved gracefully. Her hair, a slightly darker shade of green, framed her face and was tied into a small, spiky ponytail at the back. With a flick of her hand, she pulled ingredients from across the counter, guiding them effortlessly to the stove.
Inko Midoriya smiled as she prepared breakfast, humming softly. Today was a special day. Her son, Izuku Midoriya, was turning four.
"Mama!" a small, excited voice called from the hallway.
Inko turned just in time to see her son running into the kitchen. Izuku, with his mop of fluffy, dark-green hair curling in all directions, bounded towards her with wide, innocent eyes that sparkled with anticipation. His round face was dotted with four freckles, two on each cheek in perfect symmetry.
"Happy birthday, Izuku!" Inko greeted him with a warm smile.
Izuku beamed up at her. "Thank you, Mom!"
Inko set a plate of steaming food on the table. "Eat your breakfast, sweetheart. We'll go to the doctor later today."
Izuku's eyes lit up. "Is it to see if my Quirk will awaken?"
Inko nodded, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and anxiety. "Yes, we'll find out soon."
With his excitement bubbling over, Izuku quickly ate his breakfast and ran to the living room to watch television. His eyes were glued to the screen as his favorite hero, All Might, battled a group of villains with his trademark wide grin and unyielding strength.
"All Might…" Izuku whispered, his eyes shining with admiration. "One day, I'll be just like him. A hero who saves everyone with a smile."
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The Doctor's Verdict
A few hours later, Inko and Izuku arrived at the hospital. Izuku fidgeted with excitement as they waited to meet the doctor. Finally, it was their turn.
The doctor, a middle-aged man with glasses, examined Izuku carefully. He asked a few questions, ran a few tests, and finally, after studying an X-ray of Izuku's feet, his expression turned grim.
"Inko-san," the doctor began, his voice measured but heavy. "I'm afraid Izuku doesn't have a Quirk. He has an extra joint in his pinky toe—a characteristic found in individuals without Quirks."
The words hit like a thunderclap. Inko's heart sank, and she felt the world blur around her. Izuku's wide, hopeful eyes slowly dimmed as the realization settled in.
"No… that can't be," Inko whispered, clutching Izuku's hand tightly.
The doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry. It's highly unlikely he'll develop a Quirk."
Izuku remained silent, his small hands trembling.
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Shattered Dreams
The walk home was quiet. Inko held Izuku's hand tightly, but neither of them spoke. Once home, Izuku retreated to his room. He sat in the dark, staring at his computer screen as a video of All Might played. On the screen, All Might was saving people, his smile as bright as ever.
Inko gently knocked on the door before entering. "Izuku?"
He turned around, and her heart broke. Izuku was smiling—but tears streamed down his cheeks, falling in steady streams. His innocent face, usually so full of energy, was now a mask of sorrow.
"Mom…" Izuku's voice trembled. "Can I… can I still be a hero like All Might?"
Inko's lips quivered. She knelt beside him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Izuku… I'm so sorry." She could offer no comforting words, only her warmth and love.
That night, after putting him to bed, Inko left the room quietly. But sleep did not come for Izuku.
---
Alone in the dark, Izuku's heart ached. The dream he had cherished for so long was gone, shattered by the harsh reality of being Quirkless. His small chest rose and fell rapidly as panic overtook him.
"I can't… breathe…" he whispered, his vision blurring. His hands clutched at his chest as the world around him seemed to spin. His breathing became shallow, then stopped altogether. His heartbeat faltered… and then ceased.
For a moment, there was only silence.
But then, the air in the room shifted. A soft glow appeared—a wormhole, swirling with otherworldly energy. From within it, a wisp of white flame emerged, ethereal and pure. The flame hovered for a moment on the lifeless boy below, before gently descending into Izuku's chest.
The moment it touched him, Izuku's heart jolted. His lungs filled with air. He gasped, drawing in a deep, shuddering breath and soon started to breath normally and was sleeping peacefully.
His heart, once still, now beat with newfound strength.
In the quiet of the night, Izuku Midoriya had been reborn.