(Deep breath in, and out)

Alright then, welcome to the My Hero Academia story that I was originally planning, before getting sidetracked by some ridiculous idea to parody The Hangover of all things, seriously, what was I thinking? Anyway, since that went relatively well, I have the confidence to try out an original plot (granted not too original, based on some stuff I've seen on the site already) and see if I can write something halfway entertaining. Of course, this being one of the more big league fandoms I am still super nervous about my ability to portray so many characters, but I'll take a shot at it anyway, because, why the heck not? I love this series!

*IMPORTANT TO NOTE: this story picks up directly after the most recent manga arc conclusion (Chapter 217) and will naturally contain huge spoilers and the like.

Disclaimer: BNHA and all things Plus Ultra naturally fall to the ownership of our beloved Horikoshi-Sensei.

Amiss

Five-thirty. The usual wake-up call.

A scarred hand slammed down on the alarm, pulling the rest of its owner with it as he rolled over and groaned out the presence of sleep, using his other hand to scratch at the perpetual mess of green hair atop his head. Legs were thrown over the side of the bed, neck cracked, yawn let out; it was all routine that might as well be hardwired into his brain. It was for that very reason that despite the numerous steps necessary to prepare for his morning jog, Izuku could let his mind drift to whatever anxiety or conundrum was most recently plaguing him.

It had been the same, all week. Not his general classes nor hero training had swayed his worry at what was transpiring with One For All. It nagged him all hours of the day, even amongst friends his mind was elsewhere. In many ways it was overwhelming, to think that he'd gone from a quirkless kid less than a year ago, to now being in the process of manifesting an entire arsenal of powers from within the enigmatic quirk he'd inherited. Some random thought in his mind drifted off.

In a way, All For One was basically the same. Until he stole his first quirk, he was basically powerless.

Izuku shook his head, stepping out of Heights Alliance and into the chilling winter morning, illuminated only by the pathway lights. Having Bakugo compare him to that man was enough of a sting, he didn't need to be doing it himself. The idea of multiple abilities didn't bring a smile to his face like it would that monster, it only created uncertainty. He was prepared to fulfill his dream using only the stockpiling strength his idol had been known for. Now he had to worry about six additional surprises that could pop up without warning.

No more vestige dreams had come as of that day before the joint training exercise, not a single peep out of the predecessors. Even so, Izuku did his best every session of quirk practice to call upon Blackwhip. After some brainstorming between himself and All Might, they'd agreed to describe the new ability as his "super power" growing to the point that it manifested outside his body, resulting in the devastating force his second quirk unleashed upon awakening. Everyone accepted the false hypothesis without much question, some even gave a few suggestions as to drawing it out, minus the explosive drawback.

Yet Blackwhip remained out of reach for now. Izuku forced a smile to his face as he ran his circuit across campus, using it to remind himself what he'd told Eri the other day. Their mutual pact to gain control would serve as another source of determination, perhaps even more. Their quirks were more similar than one would think, according to Monoma, so the journey to mastering them might even lead to something greater. Now his smile was genuine, his emerald eyes narrowing fiercely as he upped his pace.

There was no need to let himself down when he didn't have to go it alone.

Izuku felt a lot better walking back inside the dorm than he had exiting, wiping some sweat that had persisted through the cold weather from his forehead. He had pushed it more than he realized, though the soreness was unlikely to stay for long. A good shower to ease the tension, as well as his classmates emerging from their rooms, soon left him with an extra-positive attitude, humming along to himself as he prepared a trio of eggs for breakfast.

The typical morning activities ensued around him. The class filtered into the kitchen and common room alike, still shaking off the rest of their drowsiness, save for Iida and Todoroki, who generally never appeared groggy at all. Mineta had begun relaying an apparently enticing dream of his to an envious Kaminari, the contents of which quickly earned the two a blast in the ears from Jiro's jacks. Kirishima turned on the news while he and Sero wolfed down their food, eager not to miss a single detail. Sato had spared time to make a few muffins he'd prepped the previous day, much to the delight of Uraraka and Hagakure, who were both swooning at the taste from the ones he'd shared.

The rest of the class was scattered about making small talk, not leaving much for Izuku to do other than finish his meal in solitude. Fortunately, one of his best friends had intuition to spare that morning, Iida walking over to join him, having already briskly consumed his breakfast.

"Midoriya, I'd noticed you returned rather early from your usual run. I do hope you aren't pushing your routine even further back into the morning; it will begin to negatively affect your health, which will cascade into your other demanding activities." Izuku made sure to dismissively wave his hands in front of him as he put on a smile.

"No, no, nothing like that, Iida! I was just feeling really pumped this morning and pushed my speed." The boy's overly dramatic friend immediately doused his concerned expression, quickly shifting to one of admiration.

"Ah, I see! Excellent to see your physical ability improving; I would expect no less from a fellow hero course student." The two traded a few additional lines of dialogue involving training and the like, until all conversation across the floor was halted by an outburst from the TV area.

"Hey, guys, check this out!" Kirishima called with an obvious tone of urgency, making sure to broadcast to everyone as a whole rather than a select few. Sensing the intended concern, the class gradually made their way over, even Bakugo hanging back in the rear to see what his boisterous friend was so worried about. Twenty pairs of eyes were now trained on the channel, where Daikaku Miyagi, the usual newscaster, was present. Though he wasn't alone, at least not on screen. Two additional windows were to his side, each displaying a cut-in of a clearly non-Japanese man and woman. The names just below their faces, as well as the flags of nationality beside them, were further proof. Their attire suggested they worked for some government branch or other.

What caught immediate shock from class 1-A however, was the tagline across the bottom of the screen:

Worldwide Quirk Manifestation Stagnates

As everyone was left speechless by the words, the American man, Warren Mattock, had resumed whatever conversation had been in progress, his speech quickly being translated from English.

"-not just at some erroneously low ratio in comparison to typical population reports, but an astronomical 99.98% of the most recent wave of children aged four to five have been declared quirkless, with these numbers holding up with each passing day of new medical diagnoses. The only areas with even a hint of normal percentile are isolated communities far from most urban development." The other foreigner, Marie Weber, picked up after him, her German overlapped by everyone's native tongue.

"We're having an almost identical pattern here in Europe. Nations in South America and Africa are showing slightly lower numbers, but are suffering the same unprecedented drop." Daikaku frowned, realizing what the two were implying.

"With the way populated environments have been affected, you could surmise this is an epidemic of some kind." The newscaster's guests both nodded.

"That is the fear," Warren replied. "We've begun isolating and analyzing everything from air particles to the water supply, cross-referencing the sources, and determining if the affected were exposed directly or whether adults are merely carriers passing on to their children. Due to the unknown source, piecing together a timeline of progression will be difficult."

"And should it be the work of a pathogen, can the effects be researched and reversed?" Daikaku inquired, interlacing his fingers. To everyone's shock, Marie shook her head.

"That doesn't seem possible. Blood tests have confirmed that these children possess no quirk factor in their DNA, as if it were erased from their family genome entirely. One could say it's a reverse of when quirks first dawned on humanity. At the current rate, worldwide quirk emergence will drop at tenfold the speed at which it had been building over the past century. We don't have enough data to speculate if they'll become extinct entirely, but what we've witnessed so far has us expecting the worst."

As the news report went on, everyone in the common room was left in deep unease. Kaminari, who had been about to drink out of his glass, instead emptiness the water into a nearby potted plant. Much of the class looked amongst themselves, suddenly concerned that they too were unable to pass on to the next generation.

"This is nuts…" Sero commented, taking a moment to mute the television as the group dropped their attention from the data charts being brought up on screen.

"Current quirks are left unchanged, but passing them on becomes out of the question," Iida mused, placing a hand under his chin in thought. "Such a frightening development. Could this be the work of some villain? No, the effects are indiscriminate, so it is unlikely." While the bespectacled Engine user pondered thoroughly, Ashido shivered beside the rest of the girls.

"Eek! Should I even drink anything? Should I even breath?!" The pinkette clamped her mouth shut, cheeks puffed out and face beginning to turn lilac. Several of her friends sweatdropped, while Tsuyu gently clasped the nervous girl's shoulder.

"Come on, Mina, you know that's going too far. It's not like we'll get sick from whatever it is." Ashido finally relented and sputtered to take in air, though remained in discomfort.

"Yeah, but I might want kids someday, and how horrible would it be if they didn't get a quirk just because I wasn't careful?"

Conversations such as these sprouted across the common room, with various levels of concern and puzzlement. Bakugo simply scoffed and walked off to the kitchen, clearly not caring enough while the whole event was still in its speculation phase. Izuku however, wasn't even speaking. He stared ahead at the muted news broadcast, watching the three faces converse as information panels danced around them. Just an hour ago he felt brimming with energy and drive to succeed. Now he was questioning if he had even woken up this morning, whether or not he was having a bizarre dream.

The whole world… quirkless. This can't be real…

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt a hand tap his shoulder.

"Hey, Deku, you okay?" Izuku's head turned to observe Uraraka giving him a concerned glance, being one of the few people not absorbed in their own thoughts at the alarming revelation. Her friend swallowed, then gave a half-hearted nod.

"Y-yeah. It's just… unreal, you know?" Ochaco returned the nod, understanding his nerves.

"You're right. I mean, we could be one of the last generations of heroes if this is as big as they're saying. That's scary to think about. Although you could say that means villains would also disappear. The whole world would have to learn how to be 'regular' again." Uraraka's words triggered a cascade of benign memories in Izuku's mind, the years of growing up with nothing special about him whatsoever. Now there'd be an entire generation of kids who'd grow up like him. On one hand, they'd find common ground with those in their age group, on the other, the older kids would likely pick on them, leading to widespread bullying that would have deep repercussions on the social world. Would this really be the end of quirks? How would the transition back to powerless society work? What if there weren't enough heroes left to combat the enduring villains? What would become of all the companies who catered towards a super-human world?

"EVERYONE, CALM YOURSELVES!"

The cacophony of chatter across the room, as well as Izuku's likely muttering, was abruptly silenced as Iida bellowed his command, arms waving erratically to create the biggest presence he could muster.

"I understand your worries, my fellow classmates, but we cannot allow abject fear to shake us so. We have few details on this matter and are speculating far too early. For all we know, this may pass in a week or so like many other historical, yet brief, global anomalies." He paused, glancing at the clock hanging near the ceiling. "As well, we are dangerously close to running late. Let us complete our breakfast and prepare for the day's classes!"

Ever effective in his role as class rep, Iida had graciously dampened the discontent amongst his peers, coaxed into agreeing with his reasoning and scattering once more to follow his directions. Izuku smiled as he too resumed the morning's routines, admiring his friend's speaking ability. Whatever may happen from this bizarre event, the next line of heroes would be prepared to guide it safely.

Classes passed by as normal for 1-A, not a single mention of the global news as they passed from subject to subject. Aizawa's lack of thought was unsurprising, but a few wondered how their other teachers remained so relaxed and undeterred. Izuku chanced that he could read All Might's subtle ques during heroics training, having grown so close to the retired pro, but found him just as steely and reinforcing as ever, not even giving his successor an extra glance that suggested concern.

The end of the day came sooner than the ninth holder of One For All realized, as he now walked out into the hall, flanking Uraraka's left side while Iida took the right. They hadn't spoken of the news during lunch, choosing instead to discuss lightly things, as per usual. Tenya had been right in saying it would make them all feel better. Focusing on homework once they got back to Height's Alliance would also help. As the trio turned into the final hallway on their way out of the building, Ochaco seemed to hit a realization, jumping a bit before facing the green mop next to her.

"Oh, Deku! I almost forgot. The three of us should take our turn to check out the mall this weekend. They're having a big sale across the whole place!" Izuku was naturally going to accept such a pleasant activity for the weekend, but caught onto her choice of words before he could reply to the offer.

"Our turn?" Ochaco blinked, before tilting her head.

"You haven't noticed? Everyone's been taking turns going in small groups." Iida hummed in acknowledgement before raising a finger matter-of-factly.

"Indeed. In our previous outing the class separated and was left vulnerable to villainous intent. With clusters of three or four, we can all stay together and be better prepared should a situation arise again where we are targeted." Tenya's expression hardened. "It was my suggestion, as I cannot bear the thought of one of my classmates, my friends, enduring an ordeal such as yours, Midoriya." Izuku now understood, and also took a moment to think back.

He'd been rather preoccupied thinking about One For All and the issues concerning its growth; it was no surprise this arrangement of Iida's had flown over his head. He was right, though. The young man placed a hand to his neck subconsciously, remembering the feel of Shigaraki's ice-cold hand practically choking him. The subtle act wasn't missed by Ochaco, whose normal enthusiasm dimmed upon recalling the day as well. She stared into the green eyes now following the floor in front of them, up until a quick beat of footsteps drew all three students' attention behind them.

The emaciated form of their heroics teacher stood in his now form-fitting attire, appearing to be slightly out of breath.

"Oh, hey, All Might," Izuku began, giving his mentor a greeting smile. "Did you need something?" The retired hero took a moment to breathe deeply, then offered back a grin.

"Oh, nothing too important, Young Midoriya. Just wondered if we could chat for a few minutes." Izuku and his friends briefly exchanged glances, before nodding between them. This happened often enough to have a routine, just like the rest of their days at UA. At least while no villains were mucking about.

"Yeah, sure," the greenette replied brightly, breaking off from his companions, but not before sending them a quick wave. "I'll see you guys in a bit. Oh, and I'd love to hang out at the mall. We'll talk it out when I get back." Iida gave a hearty raised arm straight up towards the ceiling, while Uraraka performed a quick hop into the air in excitement. With that, Izuku followed his secret mentor to their usual meeting room, wondering if this was really a casual chat.

Both current and former wielders of One For All took a sip from their tea, nothing else between them but the coffee table, the otherwise empty room immersing them in a peaceful vibe. The meeting ritual concluded, All Might held his tea lightly in both hands as his piercing blue eyes looked to his protégé.

"I assume you and your classmates have seen the news?"

There it was, some acknowledgement, but not one that put Izuku at any more ease. If anything, the reminder, especially coming from Toshinori in a rather grave tone, reignited his worry, prompting him to take another sip of his drink. He nodded, staring into the surface of the liquid. "Yeah."

All Might hummed in reply, glancing out the window at the sinking sun. "We've all been doing our best to keep the hysteria to a minimum. An event as unprecedented as this, the world over will be panicking at some massive upheaval in world affairs." Deku should've known, it was the right call. He looked up to his teacher, hoping to get something more than what the media had spoken.

"Does anyone know how much a threat it is? If someone caused it? Or maybe a passing illness?" All Might sighed, lowering his head.

"Afraid not. It's still fresh as far as outbreaks are concerned, but the nature of it, a potential power shift of global proportions, has understandably put the world's leadership in a nervous state. Everyone's throwing overwhelming funding into research and identification of the cause, no doubt we'll have an answer soon enough, as well as confirmation on how prevalent it is." He gave his successor a grin. "Humanity has been on plenty of roller coasters before, Young Midoriya. Whatever happens we can face it together. As well, even if the world's quirks are put in endangerment, there's one power that will ensure a hero will always be there to stand in the name of peace."

This got Izuku to smile for real. His mentor was right. One For All didn't care if its host had a quirk factor or not. It wasn't passed down through hereditary means, and as such would be safe from whatever effects were plaguing the earth's newest wave of adolescents. Perhaps one day, one of those unfortunate young ones would have the power in their grasp. Even deprived of his legendary might, Izuku's beloved mentor knew how to instill hope during a bleak situation.

The pair remained in the lounge another half-hour, casually throwing lines about their sympathetic positon to those born without a magnificent gift that defied all explanation. Although their shared bond of One For All was a secret, their origins would forever ensure the quirkless were never too far in the background next to those with abilities.

If anything, they were just as strong.

Alright, there we are for the moment. A bit of a slow start, putting the foundation in place, the works. We'll be jumping into the meat quite quickly, so hope you all stick around for the next installment soon to come! When exactly? Not a clue, I'll trust in my enthusiasm. I appreciate any and all support, whether it was a passing glance or anticipation for the next part!

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for any comments/reviews!

next chapter: Wide Perspectives