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Healing

Arriving at U.A. Nicklaus felt lighter than he normally did as if his actions meant… not less. But they didn't weigh on his conscious so much. Walking towards the front gate he headed past the secure wall and towards the front of the building. Venturing his way through increasingly familiar halls he made his way up to the principal's office. Wondering what Nezu wanted from him. Arriving he knocked on the door. The muted conversation he heard behind it halted as he walked inside.

Stepping into the plain office he looked at the four figures inside. Nezu sat at his desk, All Might in his buff form standing by it, his broad smile gone from his face. Aizawa sat on the couch, casts on his arm and face wrapped completely, his stringy hair hanging in front of it. The last person sitting on the other couch. Leaning forward elbows on his knees and looking right at Nick, was Hawks.

Seeing the number 3 pro hero Nick was a bit shocked, their eyes locking for a few seconds as the silence stretched on, Nezu breaking it as he said. "Hendrix! Just the person that we wanted to see! Please do come in, would you like some tea? I have a wonderful lavender and honey brew just ready right here. Very relaxing."

Smiling Nick nodded his head as he said, "That would be wonderful principal." Walking in he accepted the cup as he stood in front of the desk, in the middle of all the Heros and feeling kind of intimidated… they all had a lot of presence and weight to them.

Like the tense atmosphere didn't even exist Nezu said, "Well Hawks, we will certainly think about the proposal. But ultimately the decision is not up to us. It was wonderful seeing you again however, have a wonderful day." Nezu's voice was clearly dismissive, the mouse wasn't entirely happy with whatever was discussed.

Nodding his head Hawks just nodded before turning and leaving, his gaze lingering on Nick for a bit longer before he left the room calling over his shoulder, "Well yeah I am just the messenger. Think about it though, it's not a bad idea!"

Watching Hawks leave Nezu turned to Nick once the door shut and spoke up, "Please take a seat! I suppose we should get right into it, don't want to take up to much of your time. Lessons are about to start soon anyway!"

Hopping down from his seat he walked around the desk and sat across from Nick next to Aizawa pouring himself another cup, filling the room with gentle scents of lavender and honey. It was relaxing but that just made Nick's mind tense up a bit. He didn't know what the principal was planning after all.

"From what I heard from Recovery Girl your quirk is simply outstanding for healing, being able to reconstruct entire bodies, and after what happened at the U.S.J. Sorry to bring it up again, you were able to heal your entire body. We were wondering if you could heal Aizawa here?" Nezu said as he made himself comfortable in the cushions.

Leaning back into the cushions Aizawa continued. "My orbital floor was completely crushed, I don't think I will be able to use my quirk for the same duration even if I heal as much as I can. So if you could help me I would be endlessly thankful."

Nodding his head Nick said, "I don't have any issues with doing that." Reaching out Nick put his hand against Aizawa's cast, closing his eyes, he concentrated. The damage while bad had been mostly set on the road to recovery by Recovery Girl. Feeling how the adverse effects would occur he said, "This might feel a bit weird."

As he used his quirk the bandages fell away as well as the cast, as they deconstructed and fell into a pile on Aizawa's lap. With a wave of his quirk, Aizawa's arms completely healed before the front of his face shimmered. A strange motion passed over the skin and concentrated around the eyes before Nick pulled away. Blinking Aizawa tested his hands and moved his arms. He felt… just like he did before the fight. From what he could tell there was no permanent damage at all.

Leaning back into the couch Nick said, "Should be good now. I reconstructed your body to what you consider to be your 'base state' as I call it."

Nodding Aizawa said, "Thanks… I feel great."

Seeing this Nezu said, "The potential of your quirk is extraordinary! Truly it is marvellous. I can see how your parent's quirks mutated into it but it really is a step up in quirk complication. Truly fascinating." Nodding his head he turned to Nick and said, "I hope that we can rely on you for permanent injuries in the future yes?"

Nodding Nick said slowly, some thought. "I know my quirk is perfect for healing, and I am happy to help. But unless I am needed I don't want to feel… used I guess." He didn't know how to state it but he just didn't want to have to help every person he came across.

Nodding his understanding Nezu said, "Don't worry, the school has already classified the information about your awakening and with security tightened I can promise you that it will not be spread by the three of us. Nor will anyone else be able to see it unless I give them direct permission. But I cannot promise we will not call upon you again. You were given a marvellous gift were you not Hendrix? So does it cost you anything to use it?"

Nodding his head Nick looked at the mouse, clearly guilt-tripping what should have been a young teen into healing injuries that should be none of his business. This was probably the more sadistic side of Nezu… not that it was a problem.

"Fair enough, I… I guess I just want to keep some control over what I do and some peace in my life." His voice was serious as he tried to justify what felt selfish, he just didn't want to have people swarming him for healing. Because people would.

"Very well, I understand," Nezu said as Aizawa nodded. All Might looked a bit unhappy about it but chose to stay silent. Wondering what the man was thinking Nick looked up at his imposing figure.

Standing up Aizawa said, "Well then Nick, we should get to homeroom. It is starting soon."

"Um actually, there is one more thing that I wanted to talk to Nezu about, is it alright if I am a bit late?" Nick said as he looked at his homeroom teacher. Looking at Nezu they both nodded before Aizawa left the room to go to homeroom.

Walking to the door All Might said, "I guess I should take my leave as well then-"

"Wait, Actually it does involve you, something I felt when I was awakening and you caught me." His voice was a bit nervous. He honestly didn't know how this conversation would go. With both, Nezu and All Might tensing All Might let go of the door handle.

"I felt that you had an injury All Might, and a bad one… I was wondering if you wanted me to try and heal that too?" His voice was curious. Cautious even.

Speaking up Nezu said, "We were going to ask you in the future, All Might just didn't know if you should be trusted with the information, but with your quirk, I figured it was only a matter of time or you already knew."

Nodding his head Nick waited to see if they would continue but that didn't offer any more information. Speaking up Nick said, "So… would you like me to?" Looking at All Might as he said that.

Walking over All Might said. "Very well, but what you are about to see you must keep a secret at all costs, it must NOT get out. Understand? The symbol of peace must be strong, unwavering." As he said that steam was released as he shrunk down to his normal form. Small Might.

"I can only be in my Hero form for a few hours a day because of this injury. My quirk is different from what people expect. Do I have your word you will keep it secret?" Yagi said as he stood before Nick. His face was serious, unlike his normal jovial expression.

"Crystal clear. I won't say a single thing about it, as far as I am aware once I left this room I didn't attempt to heal anything. Your secret shall not leave my mind." Nick said, his tone carrying a weight similar to the situation.

Sighing Yagi sat down as he said, "Very well, then do your best to heal me alright? Might as well now that you have seen this young man."

Nodding Nick reached out and accepted Yagi's offered hand. And what he saw shocked him. Honestly, he wasn't expecting such a nasty wound. His stomach was gone as well as one lung, the other heavily damaged to the point that breathing rattled the thing. It was almost hard to look at the internals. Now Nick had grown back so healing this should not be an issue right? Wrong.

Something was laced into the injuries. Something was woven through All Might's body like a curse. It was crippling to look at. And honestly, Nick was shocked by it. He had seen it in his own wound. Threads wound through the body holding it almost like a wound on the soul. This injury was similar. Some other quirk factor was forced into the wound. It made sense as well.

With All for One having so many quirks he would have wanted to make sure that All Might could never recover. After all, breaking him was one of the most important steps in his plan. And with so many quirks out there, it wasn't impossible that a normal injury could be healed, no matter how bad, Nick was proof of this.

Frowning Nick said, "There… there is a quirk woven into the wound, something corrupting the body and making it impossible to heal." Feeling Yagi's expression drop, his posture slouching Nick continued. "With my new awakening, I have been able to effect more than just quirks, something that allowed me to bring myself back… I might still be able to heal you."

Soon All Might was laying down on the table, shirt to the side as Nick looked at the horrid wound, the scar was almost as bad as his. Focusing on the feeling of the remnant quirk that lingered in the body he poked it, feeling it react.

Clearing uncomfortable All Might wriggled a bit, feeling something in the side of his body react to whatever Nick was doing. Clenching his teeth he stayed silent. He would bear through anything to be able to be a stronger symbol of peace.

Taking a deep breath Nick deconstructed All Might's side.

Nezu watched in fascination as All Might's wound exploded into a mist that filled some of the room. Slowing to a halt in the air as Nick's eyes crackled with golden light. Something was fighting against him but he wouldn't lose. Knocking Yagi out when he felt the pain sensors in his brain flair Nezu was about to step in but something about Nick made him stop… the boy had it under control.

Feeling the power fight back Nick wrestled with it, feeling like it was trying to slide out of his control and stay inside All Might. Clinging to his body in a way that was more than just physical. Feeling Yagi's thread he unravelled it. Slowly he took the string apart strand by strand. Some were black and corrupt and others burning with a golden light. A spark that was more than just a quirk but part of a soul.

Using the fuel from that ember Nick spent his own energy reserves as he felt his body start to drain mass from itself. The spark grew in a steady flame that spread through other threads as Nick washed his quirk through the black strands. Pulling out the black threads and cleaning them. The dark quirk dissipated into nothing as it was banished from the body.

It felt like hours. Nick sat there, unwinding and rebinding the thread. Stroking flames and keeping the spark of what could only be One for All alive, with the threads now red and gold winding back together he put the body of All Might back together as well. The wound faded as his lung was reconstructed and his stomach reappeared. Feeling frail and weak Nick snapped his eyes open to look at Yagi who was less thin. Laid on the table breathing steadily.

Seeing that he had done well Nick smiled before seeing his own hands. His lips felt tight, his skin pale and clammy. His energy was spent. Looking up at Nezu he blinked once before his world went black. Again.

---

Seeing his student fall unconscious Nezu rushed forward as Nick collapsed into the couch. The boy was weak and shaky. Calling Recovery Girl Nick was rushed to the infirmary as his parents were called.

Everything was chaotic. They didn't know what was wrong. Nick wasn't injured, he was just so so so drained. Like he had spent too much energy healing Yagi. Yagi was also taken to the infirmary. Recovery Girl confirmed that he was more than fine, he seemed revitalized in a way.

With Amy and Mark rushing in words were thrown around and questions were left unanswered but soon Amy was able to think of something. Using her quirk she drained the energy from herself and her husband before putting it desperately into her son. And seeing his breathing steady and his skin fill with colour again she cried in relief. Nezu patted her on the back.

While later that day she questioned why Nezu would not tell her what happened he just said that he couldn't. But her son had done something amazing for not only Japan but possibly the world. He had saved a Hero that shouldn't have been able to be healed.

---

Nick was hating the darkness, he could hear the muffled voices of panic around him but he didn't care. He felt so tired, he hated how often he was feeling tired now. He shouldn't have done it but once he had started he couldn't stop and hey, he needed something to heal a thread. And that was a lot of energy apparently. He had taken too much for his body to handle once it left what felt like a meditative state.

But he felt energy flow into him soon enough, the warmth of his parents coming along with it. Honestly, he was an idiot. Just having these ideas of freedom and moving with what he wanted to do than doing something so stupid. To be honest, he had no reason to think it would have gone that poorly. At least he had healed All Might. He hadn't been able to reignite or strengthen One for All, but he had managed to help it spread back through the soul. It was still the same dying spark as before though, just a bit brighter.

So, lesson learned. Be careful when playing with things he didn't understand. Honestly, that effect was strange. Whatever was corrupting All Might had been a quirk that had bled the injury beyond something just physical. To a deeper level. It hadn't really affected the soul, but it had started to wrap around it. For such a vile quirk to exist frightened Nick a bit, such an injury would normally kill someone straight away. If it wasn't for One for All he was certain that Yagi would be dead.

---

Waking up late in the day Nick sat up in bed. Seeing Recovery Girl looking at him he said in a bland voice. "Well that was stupid wasn't it."

"Couldn't have put it better myself deary… at least some good came out of it. How about we don't go playing with other quirks shall we?" Recovery Girl responded looking more than tired.

"It wasn't a quirk, it was just the effect of one. A nasty one but I thought I could just remove the quirk-affected area and rebuild it. It was more like a parasite than anything though." Nick said, sighing as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He felt great now. His body is back to normal.

Seeing that it was close to the afternoon Nick sighed, looked like Yagi wouldn't be giving his speech to Midoriya about not having much time left anymore. Honestly healing All Might was the biggest change he had made in this world. But he felt good about it, if he could stop a world from burning then he would. Feeling a staff impact his head he looked at Recovery Girl as she said, "You shouldn't be planning any more stupid stunts for now deary… just rest up. Your parents will be back shortly they are just talking to Nezu."

---

His parents had been worried but since no one had been hurt what should have been a bigger event was kind of brushed under the rug. Nezu apparently had been convincing enough, the little mouse having a tongue as silver as the devils.

Since it was two weeks until the sports festival Nick was informed by Aizawa, who wondered what had happened but didn't pry, of the events of today's class before being told to go fetch the handouts from the classroom.

Making his way there Nick saw a general ED class gathered out the front of the classroom and sighed. Honestly was he able to have a moment of peace? At least he got to sleep through lessons today. That was pretty nice. Smiling to himself at the thought Nick moved towards the crowd… kids were so lively.

Seeing Shinso step forward Nick just leaned against the wall as he waited for the interaction to be over. With Tetsutetsu yelling something he couldn't make out Nick just sighed and started to make his way through the crowd. With both 1-A and the students in the hall looking at him, everything fell quiet. Guess word had got around.

Moving forward he looked down at Bakugo who was scowling at him from the doorway, standing in his path. "Do you mind?" Nick said, his voice amused as he looked down at Bakugo, his head tilted to the side as he waited for the kid to step aside.

Looking at the rest of the people in the class he said casually. "What? Never seen someone come back from the brink of death before?" Shocking the rest of them. Not knowing how to respond they all just looked at each other. All the students outside watching on, some in confusion. Others who had heard what happened looked concerned.

Walking to his desk Nick grabbed his papers and handouts. It was kind of amusing seeing everyone like this, as amusing as it was annoying. He had almost died and these other kids were here thinking that this class was on its high horse and going to embarrass the school?

Not even knowing what to say Nick didn't try and say anything. Just walking back out of the classroom leaving everyone in silence. Honestly, he didn't know what to do. He had things he wanted to say, he wanted to try and side with his class but he didn't feel… part of it.

He felt more at home with Kendo and the teachers than he did with kids and their petty 'wars.' As he left the campus he heard footsteps behind him and turning around he saw Midoriya running up behind him. Seeing the boy he turned and waited for him to catch up. "Wait, Hendrix, wait up."

Looking back at the green-haired boy Nick didn't know how to feel about him. He wasn't sure he knew what to feel at all. He had seen the Metal the Kid had during the series once he got his power… once he was given a chance and to be honest. He understood a bit. He remembered his time as Andrew… he had told himself that all he needed was for someone else to reach out and help him… he had never tried to do anything for himself. When he was given a second chance he took it for all it was worth. So had Midoriya. He had been weak before, just like Midoriya, but he was given strength. Then he changed. He could see why Midoriya was like he was.

He had been in a normal world with a lot more weight yes. But being quirkless in a world like this? He was abused and bullied, beaten by someone he was so determined to see as his friend. He was hurt, but he had grown past it and still been a hero, the most heroic out of his generation. Someone who could be the symbol of peace despite everything. Nick didn't have that strength, he had been bitter about a past that was in another world until he had almost died again.

He still didn't agree with the kid not training his body or working to be better but he had done something. He had researched quirks so he could understand his just encase he had a late awakening… a hope that would never come. Blinded by the idea that he could still, despite it not being possible… have a quirk. He understood to some extent. Nick was a hypocrite because he was seeing people as characters, not people. It was easy to look at a screen or paper and say, 'Why didn't you just do this.' But to live in a world where you could die?

Nick needed to be stronger, he was aiming for perfection, to be so strong that he would never have to worry about life or death again. He would have an impact, and mean something. Because he was given a second chance. But only because of his second chance was he like this.

"Midoriya…" Nick said as he looked at the kid, someone he saw as pathetic but in a lot of ways was stronger than his old self. Maybe that was why he had been so bothered by the kid, now that he was getting over them he was seeing past those boundaries he had before.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay, you weren't at school today. So I was wondering if everything was alright?" Midoriya said, nervous. Everyone else in the class hadn't known how to talk to him for some reason, yet here was Midoriya caring about others to an almost bothersome degree.

"I'm okay, dying makes you reflect on a lot of things." Sighing he didn't know how to talk to anyone 'his age' right now. He didn't want to deal with it but he didn't want to be as dismissive as before. "Tell the others not to worry, I am okay. Thanks for checking in on me. Don't be bothered by the other classes either, we fought villains. And we lost, we have a long ways to go if we want to reach the top. They don't know who they're coming at."

Smiling a bit he said, "You can be a lot stronger Midoriya. Get to the finals and fight me alright? Midoriya Izuku has arrived, and he can be the world's strongest. The next symbol of peace. I can see it at least. Just let the world see it as well alright?"

All Might wouldn't have said to him today because of what happened, so Nick would. The kid could be better. Just like he had become better. Also if Midoriya liked him more it might help the rest of the class not be so… awkward around him.

Turning around he didn't even look back at Midoriya, he was probably crying or something… he wanted to fight Kendo again already, let out some steam.

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Very conflicted about this chapter but ah well. To tired to be able to write properly but here we are! Thanks for all the support!

I wanted to try and see Midoriya in a different light as well, I personally don't think he did the best he could but then again, Nick is trying to see him as a person not as a character so a bit of understanding is needed.

Also Nick healed All Might! I wanted to put a reason in there that All Might hadn't tried to find another healing quirk or something because surely there has to be one or two right? Well that was my tired brain reason lets gooooo.

Anyway yeah, let me know what you think of the chapter and if it needs a overhaul, I am happy to give it one. I both do and don't like it.

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