The Path Not Traveled

A My Hero Academia What If

What if Deku was a Villain?

Part 1

Most of us know the story of Izuku Midoriya and his origins. How he impressed All Might by attempting to save his friend Bakugo even without a quirk. How he inherited One for All and attended UA High. Even how he grew up to become the greatest hero. But I ask, what if things occurred slightly differently? What if instead of risking his life, he listened to all of those who said he couldn't be a hero? What if Deku decided to take a much different path with his life? This is what we are going to be exploring in this tale of The Path Not Traveled.

As a young child, Izuku Midoriya dreamed of nothing more than becoming a hero. He imagined saving countless people from villains and disasters, just like his idol All Might. Sadly as he began to grow older and the other kids developed their quirks, Midoriya did not. His mother even took him to see a doctor only to discover that he had an extra joint in one of his toes. Over the years, science determined that human evolution removed that joint in favor of superhuman powers or quirks. This devastated Izuku. Realizing that his dream was getting farther and farther away, a crying young Midoriya turns to his mother and whimpers "Can I still become a hero someday?" His mother, brought to tears herself, hugged her child saying "I'm sorry Izuku!" This was not what he needed to hear that day.

The news of Izuku being quirkless spread to the students of his school. The one's he thought were his friends soon turned on him and he became a social outcast of his grade. Though still trying to be nice to others, this had the reverse effect on one of the boy's "friends". His name was Katsuki Bakugo. Whether it was because he felt superior by having a really awesome quirk or that he felt threatened or offended by having a quirkless friend, Bakugo began to bully and torment Izuku for his weakness. The bullying ranged from name calling, to being left out of his group, to physical assault. Katsuki was a jerk to Izuku all through their elementary and middle school years. Especially when it came to Midoriya's dream of becoming a hero. Young Bakugo grew up believing he was the best and superior than his peers. Thus if he became a hero, he could easily take the number one spot. Finding out that a weakling like Midoriya would even try to become a hero made Bakugo feel insulted and personally attacked. A quirkless loser like Izuku being in the same profession as him, what a joke! Bakugo made sure that Deku (DEfenseless izuKU or someone who can't do anything in japanese I believe).

Izuku's day began like any other. A normal trip to school through Musutafu City. Well it would have been normal if it wasn't for a villain attack. A crowd grew as the giant villain began to cause a ruckus throughout the streets. This held up traffic and would definitely make Midoriya late for school. That didn't matter though. The boy loved to watch villain attacks because he got to see so many different heroes and villains use their quirks in cool ways. He was very much a fanboy. As the villain is taken care of by Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods, Izuku quickly jots down notes on what he's seen in his notebook. 'Ah, Kamui Woods went to use his Lacquered Chain Prison to bind the villain and restrict his movements. That was the smart play. Though I wonder if he had enough strength to mainstain restraint? Then there is Mt. lady who had a ton of power with her gigantification quirk. Though she did recklessly kicked the massive villain into the street where people could have gotten injured….like me! She did stop for a photoshoot before the guy was in handcuffs. Seems she's more in it for the fame and upping her ranking.' Midoriya mumbled all this as he wrote on the way to school.

Arriving at school late, Midoriya was scolded by his teacher and quickly took a seat. Bakugo chimed in "Just like useless Deku to be late for school!" Izuku ignored them as class went on.

As their teacher was wrapping up his lesson, he gave a special announcement to the class. "Well I was going to pass out these career sheets for you to fill out for what high school you wish to attend, but I know all of you want to be heroes!"

Everyone erupted in cheers. Well they did until Bakugo barked "Quiet down ya bastards! I'm the only one here worth going to a hero school. In fact, I applied to go to UA! Then once I get in, I'll be the first person from this shit school to make it there!"

The teacher, ignoring his outburst, reads from the clipboard "Oh it looks like Midoriya is also applying to UA."

The entire class turns and stares at the quirkless student. They all burst into laughter and point at the green haired boy, making fun of him for even thinking he has a shot at making it into the best hero school in all of Japan. Let alone do it without a quirk. Midoriya tries to cover his face from the embarrassment that his teacher just caused him. Bakugo turns in Deku's direction and growls with anger. This wasn't over between them.

Class ended shortly after and Midoriya began preparing to leave. Katsuki shouts at Izuku "Don't even think about applying to UA! As if someone as useless as you could even get in without a quirk."

Izuku cowardly backs up from his desk towards the wall "They got rid of the rule that says you need to have a quirk, so I could be the first to do it."

"For your own good you better stay away! I'm going to be the only one that gets into UA from here!" Bakugo turns to get his stuff and leave. He notices a notebook of Midoriya's and begins to flip through it. He sees extensive notes taken on several heroes and how their quirks work as well as the behavior they exhibit while on the job. Bakugo is a bit taken back by how thorough the information is. "So you thought this would help you get into UA?" Bakugo activates his quirk and detonates the notebook, burning the pages. Then for added fun he tosses it out the window.

"My notebook!" Midoriya yells.

"Hey Deku, I know a way that you can get into UA. Take a swan dive off the roof and pray you get a quirk in the next life! Hahahaha!" Bakugo laughs as he walks out of the classroom.

Midoriya, feeling utterly defeated, grabs the rest of his stuff and proceeds to head home. He finds his notebook in the Koi pond before leaving the school grounds.

Walking home, Izuku thinks to himself 'It doesn't matter what Kachan thinks! If I try my best, than I can become a hero too!' He tries to pump himself up and stay positive. It worked too.

Well until a sludge villain came out from under a drain and wraps itself around Midoriya's body. "Hey kid, I'm on the run right now and need a new host. Looks like you'll do just fine." The sludge monster says as it struggles to slide inside of him.

Izuku, struggling for air begins thinking 'I can't...breathe. Am I...going to...die? Without….becoming a….hero?' Midoriya on the brink of losing consciousness sees a figure coming towards him in the distance. The world then goes black.

As Midoriya begins to open his eyes, he sees a massive man standing over him. "Hey kid are you alright?" The figure says.

Adjusting his eyes some more, Izuku realizes the figure that saved him is All Might. "Oh my gosh All Might! It's really you! I can't believe it! I have so many questions I want to ask you!" Words just endlessly pour from the kids mouth towards the figure he's idolized his entire life.

"Hold that thought kid, I have to get this villain into police custody!" All Might says holding 2 water bottles that hold the villain inside. "Well see ya!" As All Might jumps away from the scene.

Quickly reacting, Izuku grabs onto All Might's leg and takes off with him. Panicking, not to let the child fall, All Might lands on a nearby building. "Kid that was dangerous! You could've been killed!" the hero proclaimed. In his head he began thinking 'damn my time limit is nearly up for the day! I have to go fast!'

"I was just wondering All Might, I have a question for you. Since you are the number one hero and all. Is it possible to become a hero even though I don't have a quirk?" Midoriya asks.

At that moment a cloud of smoke erupts and All Might is replaced by a skeletal looking blond man. "Ah where did All Might go? He's a massive muscular tower of a man who always has a fearless smile on his face? You must be an imposter!"

"No it's really me. Oh and that smile thing? There is a lot of fear behind that smile. Gotta keep smiling cuz I'm the symbol of peace. Got to smile to let everyone know it's going to be ok. Look keep this a secret kid and then I'll answer your question. I got this injury here a few years back in a battle I kept off the books. Took out most my respiratory system and my whole stomach. Battles like that are difficult for even people like me. So to your question that if people can be heroes without a quirk, I say no. Maybe try being a police officer. It's an honest living but not much glory. Take it easy kid, just make sure your dreams are realistic." All Might walks through the door to the roof and leaves.

Izuku Midoriya stood there in silence for several minutes. He finally had the chance to meet his idol, the person he respected the most. Then they told him to give up on his dreams because it was impossible. Tears rolled down his face as he stood there sobbing. Midoriya broke down. This was the final straw that broke the camel's back. Midoriya heard from three of the closest people in his life that he couldn't achieve his dream and shouldn't even try. From his friend (sorta), his idol, and even his own mother. A feeling of despair rose throughout his entire body. He picked himself up and looked at the sky, tears still in his eyes, and laughed. He laughed so hard. "Haha I guess they were right. I can't do anything without a quirk!" Midoriya cried on that rooftop for several minutes before he finally came to his senses.

Midoriya calmed down and realized he should be getting home. As he looked around to realize where he was, he saw that he still hadn't left the roof. He looked over to the edge and then something he heard earlier that day sparked in his head. 'Hey Deku, I know a way that you can get into UA. Take a swan dive off the roof and pray you get a quirk in the next life!' With his hopes crushed and this bottomless feeling of emptiness, Izuku slowly walked toward the edge of the building.

Looking down, Izuku thought that his life was worthless and he should just jump. He didn't even have any other thoughts in his head except 'I'm worthless without a quirk. I can't do anything. No matter how much I take notes, none of it matters. I should just swan dive. Maybe Kachan was right and I will get a quirk in the next life.' As Midoriya was thinking all of this, he unconsciously began leaning forward. In that next moment, Izuku Midoriya was in free fall.

Time seemed to slow as the ground came closer and closer. Midoriya wasn't afraid. In fact, he wasn't feeling anything. As this fall seemed to last forever in his head, Izuku flashed back on his life. Looking at it, his life seemed pretty pathetic. All he could focus on was the negative. It felt like all his negative emotions of sadness and anger and frustration and despair began to form in front of his eyes. He saw the world stop for a moment as everything went black.

A sound began filling his head. It was difficult to understand at first but it slowly got louder and louder until it sounded like someone's voice. It was a dark tone, full of malice but it spoke with a sweet feeling of desire. "I can't have you dying just yet. We haven't even made an accord. I guess I will save you this time but next time we are going to have a much different discussion."

A figure flickered in front of Izuku's eyes for a brief moment. He reached out his hand and yelled "Wh-". Izuku Midoriya jolted his entire body upward and began gasping for air. He looked around to find himself inside a local hospital to treat his injuries. He quickly looks at himself, patting all over his body. Everything hurts but he's alive. 'How did I survive that? Falling from a building onto concrete? I should be dead!'

He contemplated what had happened until a woman came bursting through the door. It was his mother. "Izuku! I was so worried about you! Are you alright? Everything is ok now!" His mother said filled with joy and concern for her baby.

The doctor proceeded to walk in before Midoriya could reply. "Well it seems you are finally awake young man. I am glad you are still with us. Gave us all quite the scare." The doctor was an older man. Fairly rounded looking man with a large mustache.

"Wha...what happened doctor?"

"Well you see. According to eyewitnesses, All Might landed on the roof and then 10 minutes later, you fell off of the same rooftop. You were lucky though kid. Hit a slanted canopy and rolled onto some bushes. Ended up with only some bruising. You'll have to take it easy for awhile but you should be ok. Lucky break."

"Isn't that great Izuku! I'm so glad you are safe! But what were you doing up on that roof? Did you go to meet All Might?"

"Umm yea I met him. We talked for a few minutes and he left. I guess I felt light headed and fell. I don't remember much." As Izuku finishes speaking, the image of a dark figure appears in his head for a split second. Midoriya grabs his head in pain.

"Izuku what's wrong?!" His mother exclaims.

"I'm fine mom. Really. Just tired. I need to lie down."

"Well if you need anything honey I'll be right outside." His mother and the doctor get up to leave when Inko quickly turns around and says "Oh Katsuki is also in the hospital. Apparently he was caught up in a villain attack."

Midoriya doesn't really react. Normally hearing that someone you know was attacked would startle them or get some reaction. But Midoriya was blank. It didn't affect him at all. "Oh ok, thanks for letting me know." He says as he lays back down.

A few hours later, Izuku awoke in his hospital bed. He felt a bit better, able to walk at least, and decided to head over and see Bakugo. Making his way into the room, he found Bakugo eating snacks with his legs kicked up, watching some TV and waiting to be discharged. Turning to see the person enter the room, he yells "Ya damn nerd! What were you thinking?!"

"Oh hey Kachan. Umm I'm glad you are ok. I heard a villain attacked you."

"Yea yea no big deal. Took awhile to get out but All Might showed up and saved the day. That's besides the point! What were you thinking falling off a roof? Don't tell me you actually took my advice?"

"No Kachan it was an acci-"

"Good cuz I don't want any blame for the stuff you did to come back on me and ruin my chances at UA! If people hear that I told you to, then I'll never be a pro hero Deku!"

Midoriya got choked up again. He almost died and his sort of friend is worried about how it makes him look? Izuku runs out the room, covering his face and going back to his room.

Bakugo sighs and turns off the tv. "Damnit…..why couldn't I just apologize."

Back in Izuku's hospital room, the boy is crying on his bed "Stupid Kachan! Self absorbed jerk! Someday you'll feel just how I do!"

The doctor walks into the room. "Oh what's the matter boy? Something hurt or is it you are upset about something?" The doctor said, sitting on the edge of the boys bed.

"My friend is a jerk! I almost died and he only cares about himself!" Izuku mumbles to the doctor.

"Well I must say, that boy had it rough as well. He was struggling against that villain for several minutes. Pro heroes were standing everywhere. Some had quirks that weren't effective against the villain. Others were there to just help out and suck up attention. You know just to improve their image in the public eye. If you ask me, it makes me sick. Then All Might showed up and saved the day. Everyone else standing around, acting like they actually contributed."

Thinking back on it, Midoriya noticed he would write in his notes a lot of heroes being in the spotlight and being reckless. Causing civilian casualties and property damage and then having it all blamed on the villain. "Yea honestly it kinda makes me sick" Izuku said allowed. "I wanted to be a hero, but after today...and realizing I can't. I don't think I would want to be like any of them anyway. That's not how a true hero should act!"

The doctor turned to the boy and gave him a serious look strait in the eyes. Midoriya, getting nervous, turns to the doctor and says "Oh I mean I'm not saying all heroes are bad it's just been a long day and-"

"I think you have potential kid. There is someone I'd like you to meet." The doctor said with a large smile on his face.

"Who?"

"Let me make a quick phone call." The doctor takes out his phone and quickly makes a call. "Yea I think I found someone you might want to meet. He's at my location. Now is good. No one's around." He hangs up the phone and turns to the boy. "Have fun!"

A black sludge is ejected from Midoriya's mouth and encases his entire body. His surroundings turn all black. He begins to look around to find himself in a dark room with a man sitting in a chair. The man is difficult to make out but it is definitely a man.

A voice comes from the direction of the man. "Hello there young man. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is All for One."

End of Part 1

Hello anyone and everyone who decides to read this. I'm Moose. This is my first fanfiction and decided to share it here. I got a bit of inspiration from a couple others I had read for this and decided to give my own spin on it. Let me know what you think. Just a heads up, I'm not much of a writer, in fact I went to school for mathematics, so if you have advice on ways to make it better. I plan to upload on a fairly regular basis. Aiming for once a week but who knows. Anyway enjoy!