an ODST among Heroes.

3

Izuku awoke in a stark, unfamiliar bed, the sterile white walls of the room feeling both cold and daunting. A stern-looking man in a military uniform burst through the door, tossing a set of clothes at him with an authoritative command to change. Confused but compliant, Izuku quickly changed into the new attire-a fitted shirt and durable pants that felt foreign against his skin.

Once dressed, he was escorted down a series of sterile hallways until he arrived at the mess hall. The bustling room was filled with other kids around his age, each one wearing shirts emblazoned with numbers. The atmosphere was tense, an unspoken hierarchy hanging in the air as all eyes turned to him.

"Best get something to eat, Trainee," the officer advised, his voice clipped and efficient.

With a nod, Izuku made his way to the food line, feeling the weight of the gazes upon him. The chatter in the room hushed momentarily before resuming, a mixture of curiosity and indifference swirling around him. Taking a seat at a table, he sensed the unease radiating from the other kids.

"So, you're new. Welcome to Hell," said a boy with a challenging glint in his eyes.

"Thanks?" Izuku replied, unsure of how to react to the greeting.

"I'm Terri," said a girl sitting across from him, her smile warm amidst the coldness of the room.

"Izuku," he introduced himself, still feeling like an outsider.

"So, Izuku? Where are you from?" Terri asked, genuinely curious.

"Earth," he answered, a hint of pride in his voice, though he could sense the shift in mood.

"Privileged," spat one of the boys, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Don't mind Jason," Terri interjected, rolling her eyes. "Welcome to Reach."

Izuku swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on him. As he took a bite of the unappetizing food, he knew he was on the precipice of something far bigger than he had ever imagined, and whether he was ready for it or not, he was about to find out what it truly meant to be part of this new world.

----

Izuku quickly found the training to be nothing short of hellish. The grueling regimen tested every ounce of his physical and mental endurance, pushing him to his limits and beyond. The reality that he was surrounded by the second class of Spartan IIs weighed heavily on him; these elite soldiers had been forged in the fires of warfare and were a living testament to human resilience. He soon learned that Daisy and her comrades, the last class of Spartan IIs, were only 33 in number-an elite group that bore the weight of expectations and responsibility on their shoulders.

Bunked with other trainees his age, Izuku felt a mixture of camaraderie and isolation. The Spartan trainees were informed that he was part of an ONI pilot program, a designation that stirred curiosity among his peers. While most Spartans embraced this newcomer, their whispers often carried an undertone of skepticism about his ability to keep up with the rigorous demands of their training.

In the beginning, Izuku struggled to find his footing. Each obstacle course felt insurmountable, and the intense combat drills seemed designed to break him. Terri, a fellow trainee with a quick wit, often teased him about his early missteps, her playful jabs a way of both challenging and encouraging him. But with each passing week, Izuku began to adapt. He learned to embrace the relentless grind, determined to rise to the occasion and earn the respect of his peers. The training was intense, but he was taught the same skills as the others, shared meals in the mess hall, and slowly began to integrate into the tight-knit community of Spartan trainees.

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks gradually morphed into years, Izuku's tenacity began to pay off. The once-overwhelming challenges became more manageable as he honed his skills and strengthened his body. The training became a part of him, shaping not only his physical capabilities but also his mindset. He was no longer just surviving; he was thriving.

By the time he reached thirteen, Izuku had transformed into a capable young soldier, having built a strong foundation of resilience and camaraderie with his fellow trainees. It was then that he received the life-changing news: he was being transferred to the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) for advanced training. This new chapter filled him with excitement and apprehension; it signified not only his growth but also the beginning of a new adventure that would test him in ways he could hardly imagine. With his heart racing and determination ignited, Izuku was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the ODSTs.

Two years later.

After what felt like an eternity of grueling training, Izuku had finally completed his ODST preparations. During that time, he and Terri had grown closer, their bond forged through shared experiences and the relentless trials they had faced together. Their friendship had blossomed into something deeper, but this only fueled the teasing from the other trainees. The men, always eager for a bit of fun at his expense, relentlessly gave him a hard time about dating a Spartan. They bombarded him with questions, wanting to know every detail about his budding relationship with Terri, but he brushed them off, insisting they leave him alone. Despite the lighthearted banter, Izuku felt a sense of pride in his connection with her-a Spartan was a symbol of strength and resilience, after all.

Today, however, was bittersweet. He was heading back to Earth, a place he had not seen in years. The thought filled him with a mix of excitement and dread. Earth was a world filled with heroes, many of whom wielded extraordinary abilities, or "quirks," as they were known. While he had trained rigorously as an ODST and had developed skills that put him on par with some of those quirked individuals, the prospect of returning felt overwhelming. Would he truly fit in, or would he always be seen as an outsider?

As he emerged from cryo sleep, the familiar coldness of the chamber gave way to the hum of the ship's systems. He dressed quickly in his military attire, the fabric a comforting reminder of the camaraderie he'd built during his time with the ODSTs. Afterward, he joined the others in the mess hall for a meal. The food was hearty and familiar, fueling his anticipation for the next phase of his life.

Once he finished eating, he made his way to the drop bay, where the shuttle awaited to take him PlanetSide. He steeled himself for what lay ahead. He had trained for combat, faced relentless drills, and built friendships that transcended the ordinary, but stepping back onto Earth was different. This was supposed to be a walk in the park, or so he thought.

As he boarded the shuttle, he couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension mixed with excitement. He took a deep breath, reminding himself of the strength he had gained over the years, both as a soldier and as a person. Whatever awaited him on Earth, he would face it head-on, ready to carve out his place in a world that had felt so far away for so long. Little did he know, this journey would challenge him in ways he had yet to comprehend.