Not As It Seems (genderbend Izuku Midoriya)

Hopes and Dreams and Beaches

(This leaves off on the day after the attack, and school is over)

Hearing the ringing bell relieved me, letting me let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. Maybe it was because I knew that I would finally be able to get away from the burning glare in the back of my head. If those ruby eyes could kill, I'd be sound asleep in a mahogany casket by this point.

Or maybe it was because I could get away from the heavy pressure laying on my shoulders. Random people, people I don't know, people who probably didn't know I existed up until yesterday, have been coming up to me all day long. It was nerve wracking beyond belief. I've never really had people skills with my peers, so having to do it like it was the norm all of a sudden, was scary to say the least.

What if I said the wrong thing, what then? I didn't exactly appreciate people being friends with me because of my quirk, but I didn't want to go back to square one. Maybe I'm being selfish, not saying what I'm thinking, but I don't want to go to sleep every night with big, red, puffy eyes.

I just need to go home, lay down on my bed, and think.

I pushed my chair back slightly, using my arms and legs to help. I stood up and stuffed my bright yellow bag with the rest of my school supplys. Checking one last time to make sure I didn't leave anything, I pushed my chair in and started my walk home.

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It was starting to get dark my the time I got off the train. Before I got to the train station, I passed a fight. I had gotten so caught up in taking notes and watching it, that I didn't notice how much time had passed. I sprinted all the way to the station, and ended up there too late. I was leaning forward, propping myself up on my knees. My breathing was uneven and shallow, and my sweat wasn't helping.

By the time the next train had arrived, my breathing was back to normal, though I was still a little sweaty, as expected. I put my bag on my lap, and zipped it open. I then proceeded to pull out my All Might case that held my phone and my black earbuds, and started to play music.

As we pulled to my stop, I stuffed my phone back into its little pocket, not bothering to unplug the earbuds. I got off once the doors opened, and headed out the train station.

By this point, I was only a block from the apartment building my mom and I live in when I heard my name.

Someone was calling my name.

I was about to sprint for the second time this day when I realized that I had heard that voice before. I slowly turned around, scared out of my wits. If my hunch is correct, then I shouldn't have a problem, but if it's wrong...

"Young Midoriya," I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. I looked towards All Might, slightly scared of what he would say about the accident. Would he reprimand me? Would he say I still can't be a hero? Having concerns thrown at me from other heroes was no big deal, but from my idol -- thats something I can't ignore.

"I made a mistake yesterday. If you were an ordinary citizen, saying what I said would have been for the better. But you-- you have the true makings of a hero in you! I must ask you, did your legs move on their own?"

I nodden my head yes in a response, "Even though my mind was screaming at me to stop, I-I couldn't. I couldn't just stand there and let Kacchan get hurt. The heroes who were at the scene weren't doing anything, s-so I did. While my mind said no, my body said yes. My body said, 'It'll all be worth it in the end.'" I looked at the ground, unshed tears lingering in my eyes. I looked up just in time to see All Might smile at me.

All Might's low, gravely voice made its way towards me, and what I heard surprised me. "I would like to train you for the U.A. entrance exam that's coming in ten months, and to give you my power. I would like you, Izuku Midoriya, to be the successor for my quirk, One for All!"

By this point I was crying on the paved road. I was on my knees, my back arched upwards. I clutched the fabric that lay above my heart tightly, as if I was holding on to the place the held my precious dream. I balled my eyes out, face stretched with pain and emotion.

"You can be a hero."

I... can be a hero.

...

The next day I awoke early. I didn't want to wake my mom, since she got back from work late yesterday, and needed her rest. So instead, I made myself a meal with more protein than usual.

All might said to meet him at Dagobah Municipal Beach at 5:20 am. Dagobah Beach as been covered in trash for years. When I was a child, the sunset over the ocean there was beautiful, but over the years trash started to pile up. It became a wasteland after awhile, not one soul caring that there was once a magnificent view there.

I figured I would need workout clothes, so I quietly opened mom's bedroom door and entered. I did't own any workout clothes, but I figured that my mom would still own some from when she was younger. Over the years, my mom would stress about me not having a quirk, and quickly gained some weight. She was once slim and beautiful in her youth, though she's still beautiful in my eyes. I think no matter what shape and size you are, it's what's on the inside that counts.

I found some leggings, and a crop-top that looked like it was meant for workouts, so I grabbed it and silently closed the drawer. I was quick to leave the room, fretting that at any moment she would wake up. I quietly closed the door and tip-toed down the hall.

Before I left, I put a small note on the table, explaining where I was and what I was doing. It was Saturday, so I didn't have to worry about school, but my mom had a few hours of work in the mornings on Saturdays. I grabbed a plastic water bottle from the kitchen, one of the two pairs of keys on the table in front of the door, and left.

Goosebumps appeared on my skin. It wasn't the warmest morning out there today, and I didn't want to be late for my first day of training, so I dealt with my constant shivers. I stood by a railing in front of the beach, turning my head and body to look for All Might. "And I thought I was going to be late," I muttered underneath my breath, "Well, what can you expect from the number one hero?"

I looked towards the ocean, but of course its shiney, blue surface was blocked by a mound of trash. "I wonder if anyone will ever clean this place up."

Just then, a blast of wind was blown into my face. All Might's dramatic landing cleared some of the trash, and the ocean was visible. "Do you see this ocean sunrise, young Midoriya," All Might in his hero state asked me in a loud, booming voice, "Everyone else will see it too! Because for your training, you will be clearing Dagobah Municipal Beach of its trash!"

... What have I gotten myself into?

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You may of noticed that the cover has changed, and thats all thanks to @shestartsreading !!!! I've already thanked her, but I would like to do it again, because I suck at making covers. So, THANK YOU! And sorry that this chapter is late, my birthday was this week, and camp was really tiring.

Instagram: the_weirdminded_shaela