1

It happened in an instant. No sooner had the villain in the black cape and mask released the lighter into the pit than a roaring blaze exploded forth, as if from the very gates of hell. Buffeted by the blast of hot air, the students of class 1-A flinched in spite of themselves. They stood frozen in place, eyes locked desperately on the flames, forced to bear the screams coming from the cage.

The cage that held their parents.

Izuku Midoriya’s eyes always held a certain strength—he was hoping to become a hero, after all—and now that strength burned even brighter, fanned by the flames.

“Izuku!”

“Mom!”

The boy’s mother shouted for help, extending her hand from within the cage, and Midoriya reached out instinctively. But between them was a field of fire, sturdy iron bars, and a villain.

It had all begun two weeks earlier…