MHA Angst Oneshot

Chapter 15

Tarnished Hero

Izuku Midoriya stood on the training grounds, anxiety knotting his stomach. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape the disapproving gaze of All Might. The once-inspiring symbol of peace had become an unyielding judge, his expectations weighing heavily on Izuku's young shoulders.

One fateful day, as the sun peeked over the horizon, Izuku found himself running late. A combination of a broken alarm clock and a particularly restless night had conspired against him. He hurriedly made his way to the training grounds, his heart pounding in his chest.

But as Izuku arrived, out of breath and apologetic, All Might's disappointment was palpable. His eyes narrowed, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. "Izuku, punctuality is essential in the life of a hero. You should know better."

All Might's stern words struck Izuku like a physical blow. The weight of his mentor's disapproval bore down on him, crushing his fragile self-esteem. Little did he know, this would become a pattern—one where even the slightest lateness would elicit harsh punishment.

Shouta Aizawa, known as Eraserhead, observed from a distance, his sharp gaze honing in on the strained relationship between All Might and Izuku. Aizawa had always been vigilant, keenly aware of the well-being of his students. And it didn't take long for him to notice the distress etched upon Izuku's face.

As the days turned into weeks, Aizawa witnessed the toll All Might's harsh treatment was taking on Izuku. The young hero-in-training wore exhaustion like a cloak, his once-sparkling eyes now dimmed with sadness.

It was during one particularly grueling training session that Izuku's body finally gave in to the relentless demands placed upon it. He pushed himself to the brink, hoping to earn All Might's approval, but instead, he collapsed, overwhelmed and defeated.

Hitoshi Shinsou, having observed the situation unfold from afar, rushed to Izuku's side, his concern evident in his eyes. He caught the fallen hero, supporting his weight and gently lowering him to the ground. The anguish etched on Izuku's face stirred something within Shinsou—a desire to offer solace, to be the support that Izuku so desperately needed.

Meanwhile, Aizawa approached All Might, his voice edged with concern. "All Might, your treatment of Izuku is excessive. Punishing him for every minor infraction will only break him further. As his mentor, it is your duty to guide and uplift him, not tear him down."

All Might's pride and stubbornness surged forth, his face contorting with defiance. "I am pushing him to be the best hero he can be. I won't coddle him or make excuses for his shortcomings."

Aizawa's eyes hardened, his determination unwavering. "Being a hero is not just about physical strength, but also about compassion and understanding. You're robbing Midoriya of his spirit, his potential. Is that the hero you want to be?"

Shinsou carried Izuku to a nearby bench, laying him down gently, while Aizawa's words echoed in All Might's mind. The weight of his actions began to bear down upon him, his certainty wavering.

But even in the midst of his pain, Izuku found solace in the presence of Shinsou and Aizawa. Their concern and unwavering support became a lifeline,

Izuku awoke to find himself surrounded by the concerned faces of Shinsou and Aizawa. Their eyes held a mixture of empathy and determination, and it sparked a glimmer of hope within him.

"You don't deserve to be treated this way, Midoriya," Shinsou said softly, his voice filled with conviction. "You have so much potential, and your worth extends far beyond your punctuality."