[HIATUS] Spider of Mustafu

Chapter 3. With Great Power...

The usual bustling streets of Mustafu, now darkened by the night sky. Street and neon lights lit up the place as cars passed by. Sounds of thwipping and muffled cracks can be heard in a familiar warehouse.

Amidst the darkening cityscape, Izuku Midoriya, can be seen practicing his spider abilities—mostly his web-slinging and a bit of his super strength. He continued his secret training in the quiet hours of the evening.

After the last time he tried to practice, he was confronted by his parents and had to lie about it. Not wanting that time to be repeated and some close calls from Izumi, who began following him for some unknown and annoying reason, he was forced to go to a different place where he didn't really want to go but was a good way to make her leave him alone. However, his time was wasted and was unable to train.

As much as he loved his family and how it pained him to lie about his powers, them treating him as if he was made of glass really annoys him.

That's when he decided to train at night. The only time that his family members were not keeping an eye on him or following him to his wits end.

That is why he decided to use the night time as the best time to practice and train. Every night, thanks to his enhanced metabolism, he was able to stay up and train from 9:30 in the night until midnight to go back home, still having energy to spare. His new abilities granted by the bioengineered spider's bite had been both a blessing and a burden, and he was determined to harness them for the greater good.

It was during one of these solitary practice sessions that he encountered a civilian who happened to pass by.

The man walking back from one of his late night meetings, a passerby who had watched Izuku's efforts with awe, approached him. Izuku was about to apologize for disturbing the man, but the man just chuckled at him.

The man was in his elder years, 90 or older if Izuku would guess, wearing a light lime green sweater with white collars sticking out of it, and had large sunglasses which somehow suited the man's face. He has gray hair slicked back, with the top of his hair being a tone darker than the rest of his hair, he has a mustache, and he had a warm, encouraging smile and a deep understanding of what it meant to aspire to be a hero. Something that Izuku could sometimes see in his stepfather's eyes.

"Young man," he began, his voice filled with wisdom, "it's not often you see someone so dedicated to becoming a hero at such a young age. It's an inspiration to witness your determination."

Izuku, surprised and somewhat taken aback, managed a grateful nod. "Thank you, sir. I'm trying my best."

The civilian's eyes twinkled with encouragement. "That's the spirit. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. It's not just about the strength you possess; it's about how you use it for the benefit of others. Believe in yourself, and never forget why you wanted to become a hero in the first place." Izuku could only nod as the words the man said had stuck to him.

The older man smiled and began turning to leave. Before the man could leave, Izuku called out to him. "Oh! I'm Izuku Yagi. What's your name, sir?"

Stopping on his tracks, the man looked back with a smile. "I'm Stan. Stan Lee." That's all he said before leaving Izuku to his own thoughts.

Izuku absorbed the man's words, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. As the stranger continued on his way, Izuku couldn't help but be struck by the significance of the encounter. It was a reminder that he was on a path of his own choosing, a path filled with challenges, but also with the potential to make a difference in the world.

With newfound determination, he returned to his training, pushing himself to be the hero he aspired to be. The memory of the civilian's words echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the responsibility he carried as he embraced the unique powers he had been granted.