"Izuku! Wake up, honey!" His mother's voice broke through his sleepy haze. "It's nearly time for you to go!"

"I'm up!" He called back, groggily rubbing at his eyes as he straightened up.

Today was going to be his first day back at school since the day he got stuck in SAO. To say he was nervous was an understatement.

Middle school was almost over. One year left before they entered high school. Given that he'd spent two years of his life fighting tooth and nail for survival, he didn't have much time for studying. This meant that he had one year to catch up to the rest of his peers.

Going through his morning routine, he made sure to look as presentable as possible. His wild, curly green hair wasn't doing him any favors.

His mother had insisted that he cut it, but he refused. His long hair was a testament to the growth he'd gone through. He liked it long.

Styling it into a ponytail, he made sure to leave a couple of strands out. They framed his face perfectly, keeping a wild yet organized vibe.

Finally, he made sure the tattoo on his arm was covered with a small wristband. The same mark was given to each SAO survivor. They were branded for life. This way, the government could keep an eye on them.

To them, they were just a bunch of kids who spent two years killing each other in a game.

Glaring at it for a moment, he went back to the rest of his routine,

Finally, when he was satisfied with his appearance, he made his way down the hallway.

Their apartment was small, his mom had moved in when the hospital bills were too much. Their old home, now long gone.

After waking up, he learned that his mom had taken three jobs to pay for his hospital bills.

Now that he was back, he was adamant on finding some kind of job to pitch in. His mother deserved to rest. He put her through too much in the past two years. He had a lot to make up for.

Inko's eyes landed on him as soon as he entered the kitchen. Fondness engulfed her features, a small smile stretching across her face. She still marveled at how much he'd grown and how fast he'd recovered. Izuku has always been a determined boy. Yet, it still astonished her how strong-willed and brave he was.

The detective had warned her. The boy who got trapped in the game wasn't the same boy who got out. Her son had changed.

He was forced to grow up too quickly. Force to mature and adapt. He had to. If he wanted to survive... He had to fight for his life and the lives of the players stuck with him.

She heard that he'd been the one to clear the game. Without him, all these kids would still be trapped.

Pride swelled in her chest as she thought of her little hero. Still, she couldn't help the small voice in her mind. The voice that whispered 'why him?' every time they'd tell her how much he had sacrificed for the others.

Her son didn't smile anymore. He tried, she could see it every time he spoke to her. Yet, it didn't change the fact that he spoke less and was quieter.

She'd hear him at night, thrashing in his sleep, calling out names she'd never heard before. Nightmares plagued her child and there wasn't anything she could do about it.

The events that transpired in the game was still a mystery to her. The only information she got was from the detective. Otherwise, her son kept quiet.

However, no matter how much she wanted to hear about his time in the game, she knew it wasn't right to ask.

If he wanted to talk, she'd wait for him to come to her.

"How are feeling?" She asked softly, knowing it wasn't easy, getting used to living life normally again.

"I'm okay, just a little nervous is all." He answered honestly. "I'll be okay though."

"A mother can't help but worry." She sighed. After a moment of silence, she continued. "I'm proud of you Izuku. You've been through so much and still... You don't let it get in your way."

"Thanks, Mom."

Hugging his mom once, he made his way out the door.

Off to his first day of school and hopefully a new start.

______________________________

"Today class, we will be welcoming a new student. He's a little behind on some of the classes so make sure to help him adjust okay!" Despite the thoughtful words, he could feel the teacher's indifference. The man was eying him warily, as if he was an anomaly that couldn't be trusted. He supposed his file wasn't helping him. Being quirkless alone made sure the teachers hated him. Being a quirkless SAO survivor made him even more of an outsider.

"Go on, introduce yourself then." The teacher motioned for him to step up. Lifting his head up and facing the class for the first time, he froze.

There, looking at him with an intensity never imagined before, was the fiery red eyes of Bakugou Katsuki.

The blond had grown up well. He appeared taller, his shoulders wider and his hair slightly longer although they didn't lose their spiked appearance.

"My name is Izuku Midoriya, Please treat me well." His voice was monotone, his expression schooled into a perfect picture of neutrality.

With a nod of approval, the teacher allowed him to go take his seat. His introduction, although short was traditional and answered his teacher's request.

Multiple pairs of eyes followed his movements. He could feel one particular pair of eyes boring into his back. He could guess who these eyes belonged to.

The hours went by slower than he would've liked. The teacher going on and on about a notion he didn't even understand. He reminded himself to look up some makeup courses online. He needed to catch up.

Although as time went by, he began piecing together the purpose of the explanation, his analytical mind kicking in and putting together the information he was receiving.

After what felt like an eternity, class ended.

Almost immediately, he was swarmed by a group of students. All of them curious about the new kid.

"Hey, Midoriya! I'm Genki Hajime!" The boy's voice was louder than the rest, boisterous even. "How come you transferred here so late?"

He was about to answer, however another student interrupted him.

"Hajime! Don't you see his wristband! He's one of them!" The student hissed, her words gaining the attention of the whole class.

The reaction was instantaneous. The group that was surrounding his desk seemed to take a collective step backward. All of them carrying varying signs of wariness and fear. Some even disgust.

"Is that true Midoriya? Were you in...You know..." Hajime didn't even bother saying the game's name. As if it was some kind of bad word.

His knuckles were white as he clenched the desk in a death grip. Frustration and anger welling up inside him. However, after a moment, these feelings dissipated. He needed to control his emotions.

Releasing his desk, he noticed the dent he'd made in the wood.

He ignored it, he'd deal with it later.

"He totally is one of them!" Another kid spoke up. "He must have one of those killer tags on him!"

The kid then took it upon himself to reach for his wrist band.

He didn't get to do anything though.

Before he could even get his hand close enough, Izuku had twisted in his seat. Pinning the kid down onto the table. The boy's wrist was caught in his grip as he twisted his arm in a lock hold.

"Don't. Touch. Me." He hissed quietly, so the boy was the only one to hear him.

The kid nodded his head frantically, not daring to speak up.

Satisfied with that, Izuku let go of the boy and rained down on his feelings once again. Making sure to keep a bored expression on his face as he stared at the rest of his classmates.

They were all frozen. Their eyes wide with shock and fear. Some of them even backing up as if to flee.

"You extras don't have better things to do with your time than stare huh?" A rough voice growled from behind him. Bakugou was glaring daggers at the students. The kids scrambling back to their own desks in response. Same old Kacchan it seems...

Using the distraction as the perfect time to make his escape. He headed towards the door. However, his plan was once again interrupted.

"Deku" The name sounded weird. It's been a long time since he'd heard it. Yet, it wasn't the same. Bakugou's tone was off. Different. This wasn't a sharp call through gritted teeth. Nor was it a word filled with hatred and anger. The boy's tone was low, voice small as he called out to him, almost hesitant.

Making sure his posture was relaxed, his hands stuffed in his black pants' pockets, he turned around lazily.

"Did you need something Bakugou?" The use of his real name made the explosive teen falter. His features twisting into an expression of shock and confusion. Whatever he was going to say, lost in his startled mind. "Tsk, I'm going then..."

"What...What happened to you?" This was the quietest he'd ever heard the blondes voice go. Maybe, Bakugou had changed after all.

"I survived."

__________________________

From:

To:

Subject: Sword Art Online

Midroiya Izuku; or perhaps Kirito is more appropriate.

This email is an automated response sequence to the clearance of Sword Art Online. In fact, I've created an algorithm specifically for this situation in particular.

For, if you are reading this, this means that I am dead. It also means that you, Kirito Have cleared the game.

I, Akihiko Kayaba created Sword Art Online in hopes to show the world what it means to work and thrive for power. To fight tooth and nail for survival and conquer the most difficult of challenges without the use of a quirk.

However, I created this game for one other reason too.

To clear the game, one must achieve a certain level of power. A power earned for working long and hard. They would also have fought and sacrificed everything to save themselves and others. For whoever clears the game, saves thousands of lives in the process.

In other words. Whoever clears the game is worthy of being called a hero.

And you Kirito. Are worthy of every last bit of power you earned in SAO.

Therefore, as one last and final feature of Sword Art Online; I've created, through long and extensive research, a way to transfer all that strengths to the real world. Although you will have to adapt your body to it. You, Izuku Midoriya have within you, the full range of power as did Kirito.

I wish you well, and hope that this little parting gift will serve to brighten the world's future.

For, what it needs is a true hero.

Good luck.

Akihiko Kayaba.

At first, when he read this, he thought it was some kind of joke. A trick his own mind was playing him or perhaps some idiot on the internet trying to be funny. However, as he got back on his feet, and as the physio-therapy started to take its effect, he noticed the changes he was experiencing.

For one, his strengths had increased exponentially. He did not know yet the full extent of it but given the information he read in the email. It seemed that he was only going to get stronger.

For the powers he possessed in SAO were beyond anyone's imagination.

His reflexes were better and even his recovery rate was way faster than normal.

This brings him back to where he was heading now.

What happened in class couldn't happen again. He lost control and almost broke his desk. Not to mention his emotional outburst.

He shouldn't have taken it out on that student. Even though the kid did deserve it.

So, here he was, standing in front of Dagobah municipal beach. Admiring it in all its trash-filled glory.

His goal for the next couple of months was to clean it completely. This task will sever both in terms of strengthening his muscles again and gaining a little money with the recycling material he'll give to the demanding organizations.

His mother sacrificed so much for him. It wouldn't hurt if he could give back every once in a while.

With that goal in mind, he got to work.