Chapter Text
It was a bright and shining day in the city of Musutafu. The skies were clear as the city was abuzz. Tomorrow was the day of the UA Entrance Exam. And like any good hero hopeful, a certain green-haired boy was out on a run to his favorite place. Now you might think that it would be his hell beach he just finished clearing, but no. His favorite place was further in town.
“Hey there, my name is Izuku Midoriya. Aspiring hero to be. Little bit of a crybaby. And wholeheartedly a hero nerd! From the modern society’s Pro Heroes to the dark heroes of the early quirk days, even to the earliest adventures of the superhero genre, I’ve studied it all!”
The teen boy took a quick turn, nearly running into a passerby before narrowly dodging with an apology. He slowed as he came across his destination: Siver Age Cinema. A big sign stylized like an exclamation text bubble of old comics and dark double doors made to look like film of a bygone age. The young man smiled, glad he could make it in before the shop closed of the day.
“While technology hasn’t advanced too much since the glowing baby 300 years ago, certain cuts had been made in many fields. Physical media could be rare these days, even for movies. When I was young, I’d watch all sorts of movies with mom and dad. Dad was the one to show me this shop after my quirkless diagnosis. I wish I could thank him. Because of that, I got to meet my first mentor.”
“Kamiyama-san,” Izuku announced, “Sorry I’m so late! I just wanted to finish up my training!” He set his backpack down before sighing and dusting it off. “Then I kinda… passed out in the sand.”
Out of the back came an older gentleman. By looks, he was in his 60s, a touch older than All Might. His weathered, sun-wrinkled face showed his age, with his thick round glasses and three-piece vested suit not helping any. “Izu, my boy,” he greeted warmly, “Come in, come in. You know I’d have kept the lights on for you lad.”
“Ever since my quirkless diagnosis, Kamiyama-san did all he could to make me feel better. Said he could see the heroic heart in me, even as a kid. When I asked if someone without a quirk could be a hero, he laughed jovially, saying he knew a bunch of heroes that didn’t have powers. That’s when he showed me his quirk: Projection. He’s able to manifest, retore and even project film reels and other types of visual media he comes in contact with. He also claims that the long life of a projector keeps him looking so young, saying he remembers near the dawn of quirks! He showed me all kinds of heroes, from Spider-Man, the X-men and Avengers, to the Flash, Green Lantern and the Justice League. He even somehow has an original poster from the 1978 Superman Movie!”
“And what have I told you all these years? It’s Haruto! You’ve known me since you were a child kid, get with it.”
“Sorry Kami-err, Haruto-san.”
The old man shrugged, “Eh, good enough.” He hobbled behind his counter. “Now, as to why I called you here. You finished that training Toshi had for you?”
“Yes, sir,” Izuku answered. “My body feels like lead, but it’s done a day early like you said.” He rummaged around for his phone before showing a video of a completely clear beach.
Haruto took a long look before smiling. “Good job, kid. Now,” The old man reached under the counter before placing a small box atop it. "I have a present for you, kid. Think of it as a thank you and a reminder." Opening the box, Haruto revealed a sleek silver watch, its band forming a stylized V next to a small jewel.
"A V-Watch!?" The greenette exclaimed. "Is this some kind of prop?"
Haruto chuckled, "something like that kid. I've dropped that box more times than I can count, and not a scratch on the dang thing. It can take a beating, so I want you to wear it while you become a hero."
Izuku picked the watch up reverently, placing it on his right wrist. He pulled his arm in front of his chest before sighing, "thank you. I sometimes don't understand what you and Al-er," he stammered, “m-my trainer sees in me, but I'm glad to have you."
The old man looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Whatever you think, kid, remember: This is why you were chosen." He poked the boy in the chest. "Because a strong man who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength and knows compassion."
"Captain America, 2011?"
"You got it!" Haruto took his glasses off and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Izu, you've shown heart all your life. Now go and give that school hell!"
"You got it, Haruto-san!" Izuku nodded with a determined smile. With that, he headed out the door to Silver Age Cinema, the little bell above ringing on his next step.
Haruto sat back once more, watching the young man run off home. He smiled, a bit of melancholy in his thoughts. "Excelsior, my young friend. Go ever upward."
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“Some of the movies Haruto-san had me watch when I was a kid were Captain Blue and Viewtiful Joe. The direction was great, as were the twists. It was too bad they never completed the Viewtiful Trilogy. I really liked it, even if it was niche.”
“A fan-boy hero’s watch for a fan-boy hero, huh,” Izuku mused as he fiddled with the watch. He was walking home as the sun set, no doubt needing to eat dinner as soon as he got home before he tried to sleep. He was nervous, but determined as he made a fist, a few pops in his fingers from the tight squeeze. “Tomorrow… it all starts.”
“The next morning passed with only a little fanfare. All Might made me eat his hair to gain One For All, which was gross. But afterwards he wished me luck in the Exam before taking off. Number One Hero duties and all. That’s how I approached the massive gates to UA in the late morning. A small bundle of determined nerves that just needs the chance.”
“Deku,” A growling voice came from behind, startling the teen. Behind him stood his once friend and decade long bully, Katsuki Bakugo. The spiky haired blonde had a near permanent scowl on his face. “I thought I told you not to come. Huh!?”
“K-Kaachan,” Izuku spoke nervously. “No, I wasn’t… I mean…” He looked down to see the V-Watch, a physical symbol given to him to show support. The mess of green shook his head, “I’m doing this, Kaachan! And nothing you or anyone else says can stop me!”
Green eyes blazed defiantly at angry red, before Bakugo clicked his tongue and walked away, not deigning to even give his punching bag a response. Izuku sighed with obvious relief.
“Glad that’s over with… for now,” He opened his eyes to look up, “Now, time for my first scene!” He thought, before taking a huge step forward, and promptly tripping. “Or I just won’t make the cutting room floor!”