Class 1-A was never the same after that attack.

It took two months of them hopping safe house to safe house for the feeling of panic to die down, but still, some of them could hardly sleep at night. Aizawa was covered in bandages while Izuku's and Katsuki's wounds had healed thanks to Recovery Girl. Everyone else, for the most part, had been uninjured. Momo was praised for her quick thinking while Izuku was somewhat scolded for being stupid - but the scolding was always followed up with; "that was crazy... brave... but insane."

Then one day, while the class was lying low in a cramped cabin out in the woods with the rebel group called "The Wild Wild Pussycats", they got a surprise guest. Tensei Iida.

He was rolled into the cabin in a wheelchair, and unsurprisingly the first face to greet him was the horrified face of his brother. Tensei would have flown out of his wheelchair and hugged his little brother but he couldn't.

"Tensei," Tenya trembled walking froward. As soon as Tenya had heard that his brother was coming he had left training... Aizawa had warned him about Tensei's condition but Tenya hadn't really believed it until he had seen it.

Tensei grabbed his arm and pulled him in for an embrace. 

"Thank god," Tensei breathed, "thank god, thank god, thank god. You're okay. It's okay, you're okay." He hugged his little brother tightly.

"But... you," Tenya trembled.

"I'm okay," Tensei breathed, "I'm a lot better now that I know you're safe," he released Tenya and took a deep breath.

"No one would tell me what... what happened!?" Tenya pleaded, kneeling down beside his brother's wheelchair.

"I ran into the killer Stain," Tensei explained slowly, "... He would've killed me... but then for some reason he didn't... but in the fight, I lost my phone and that's how they found you guys. It's all my fault, it never would've happened had I been-" Tensei began guilt trickling into his voice.

"Knock it off," a gruff voice huffed. Bandaged Aizawa walked into the room and up to Tensei.

"Shota," Tensei's voice cracked a little to see his old friend so injured.

"This is not your fault," Aizawa stated simply, "It was bound to happen eventually. Blaming yourself will only make you feel worse than you already do."

"They never would have found you had I -"

"What?" Aizawa scoffed, "Miraculously single-handedly beat Stain and then drag your wounded body to the nearest hospital without being noticed? You were unconscious. You would have died had someone not found you. Things worked out alright..."

Tensei took a breath in and relented, but the self-blame didn't go away.

"The kids are all fine... as am I..." Aizawa breathed.

Tensei looked to his brother and realized Tenya looked on the verge of tears.

"I'm okay," Tensei assured him, "It paralyzed me from the waist down but that doesn't mean I'm useless."

"I'm sorry," Tenya gritted standing up.

"You didn't do anything... I did. And I paid for it."

***

Toshinori watched the kids as they trained but one he watched closer than most; Izuku Midoriya. Every day, over and over he had replayed that scene in his head - Izuku charging at the villains. The quirkless boy fearlessly running towards some of the most dangerous people with nothing but a fistful of dirt to save his friend.

There was no doubt in Toshinori's mind now, Izuku was to be his successor.

***

Izuku had decided to do some extra training by himself after dinner. He went down for another ten pushups gritting his teeth as he too relived that night two months ago. He had felt so useless... if All Might hadn't jumped in things would've gone differently in terrible ways.

Izuku closed his eyes and envisioned the numo slowly stalking towards them. Hitoshi was standing in front of him ready to protect him even though his quirk was useless against that monster. Katsuki a few meters away ready to defend them both.

Izuku's mind raced as he went up and down in his typical routine, sweat poured off him but he hardly noticed. He wanted to get strong... he wanted to be strong enough.

"Young Midoriya," someone called. Izuku looked up and stood as Toshinori walked up.

"Oh, hello," Izuku greeted. He didn't know much about Toshinori... only that Aizawa trusted him.

"Take a walk with me," Toshinori beckoned walking away. Izuku ran up until he was next to the skinny man. He looked up and studied the man's face.

"You are a very brave child," Toshinori told him as they walked around the cabin and towards the woods, "When you risked your life to save your friends even though you stood little chance, you became a true hero."

"What are you talking about?" Izuku asked.

Toshinori smiled, "Tell me Midoriya... what do you think of the villain known as All Might?"

"All Might," Izuku grinned, "He's my hero honestly, he's always so strong and constantly saves people with a smile even though the odds are tough. I hope to become as brave as him."

Toshinori smiled, "Brave, huh?"

Izuku nodded eagerly.

 "I'm afraid, Midoriya, that you are mistaken," Toshinori sighed stopping and turning to a now confused Izuku. Toshinori glanced around making sure that they were alone and then suddenly he transformed into All Might.

Izuku's jaw dropped and his eyes widened, "OH-YOU-ALL MIGHT!" Izuku screamed in shock.

"Yes, young Midoriya," All Might smiled to Izuku, "I am All Might."

Suddenly All Might disappeared in a cloud of smoke and Toshinori was standing there, blood spilling from his mouth, Izuku screamed again.

"Bu- What?" Izuku murmured in shock.

"Many years ago, I was in a terrible fight with All for One... I barely survived," Toshinori admitted, he lifted up his white shirt so Izuku could see the extent of the damage, "It was only a few months after he had killed my master... a woman named Nana Shimura... I was so vengeful that I went in without hesitation and almost paid for it. Ever since then I've had to watch how long I'm the Symbol of Hope... I have a limit of maybe three hours at most... any longer and I risk disintegrating before the public's eye."

Izuku felt himself trembling, "But... why would you tell me... I mean - "

"Young Midoriya," Toshinori interrupted, "I was there that night when the safe house was attacked."

Izuku froze and felt his jaw quiver.

"I had already gone over my limit and felt that if I tried to help I'd be useless... I felt powerless and scared. I waited for the villains to jump in and save everyone... but they weren't coming. And then, you came," Toshinori murmured.

"Me?" Izuku breathed.

"You are powerless, but you jumped into danger without a second thought. You used your witts to free Bakugo and saved everyone," Toshinori smiled.

"No, you - " Izuku began.

"I saw you." Toshinori stated, "And suddenly I felt ashamed... ashamed that I was so ready to be a coward... you inspired me, reminded me of who I am... You, Izuku Midoriya, are meant to be my successor."

"Successor," Izuku repeated slowly, still in awe. The words weren't really registering in the boy's mind, he was still trying to understand how All Might was Toshinori... and how he hadn't figured it out.

"My quirk is a truly inspiring quirk known as One For All. It is a power that can be passed on from person to person. The holder cultivates it and makes it their own before passing it on to a successor who does the same until the quirk stockpiles and becomes an impossible force to beat," Toshinori explained holding up a hand and forming a fist. It seemed that he was glowing with a powerful aura and Izuku stood in awe.

"That's... that's impossible, a quirk that can be passed on? Other than All for One... but that's not really passing on... he can give quirks but probably can't give his own quirk... Is there such a thing? If you have it does that mean that All for One could have something similar? Science says that it can't be but I suppose that it could be poss..." Izuku began muttering thinking to himself.

"Nonsense," Toshinori chuckled after a few moments of the muttering, "You really do overthink everything. Izuku Midoriya... would you be willing to take the mantle of One For All?"

Izuku's eyes widened, "A quirk? You mean - "

"Yes," Toshinori stated, a breeze began flowing and the sun was setting over the treetops setting the sky aflame with gold, "You too... can become a true hero and bring All for One down."