Izuku Midoriya couldn't help himself when he saw someone in trouble. Even at 12 years old, his instincts drive him to help those in need. So when he sees Kacchan and his goons about to ambush another student, he has to step in, right? It's not like this hasn't happened before.
What is different this time though, is that he's never had an audience that consisted of the Number One Hero.
Young Midoriya is a My Hero Academia fanfic by Matty014 where Izuku catches All Might's attention at 12 by standing up to Bakugo for another kid.
The fanfic can be found on Archive of Our Own here
.
After 40 chapters, it was stated that Young Midoriya had finished its "first half" on a cliffhanger, and that Matty014 would be taking a break before continuing. After a year and a half of no updates though, they eventually updated the fic stating they had no desire to continue writing it, nor any of their fics for My Hero Academia after finding they no longer enjoyed it like they used to, added by being preoccupied with a new job, leaving Young Midoriya officially abandoned.
This fanfic provides examples of:
- Affectionate Nickname: Ashido calls Midoriya "Midori".
- Adapted Out: Like many My Hero Academia fics, Mineta has been removed from the Heroics Course, although here Vlad is the one who expels him as the teen has swapped places with Itsuka.
- Ascended Extra: Itsuka Kendou becomes Izuku's first friend long before either enters U.A. This is further emphasized when she's put in Class 1-A instead of Minoru Mineta.
- Adaptational Badass: Due to training with actual combat trainers and Itsuka Kendo, as well as Gran Torino before receiving One For All, Midoriya is notably more muscular than before and able to create and utilize Full Cowling.
- Adaptational Deviation: The UA Sports Festival. The events are changed, but it was mentioned in canon that it ranges from time to time. It also results in different opponents in the tournament; leading to Bakugo and Midoriya fighting first off. It ultimately leads up to Midoriya and Todoroki fighting in the final round with Midoriya winning the match and the Sports Festival.
- This later extends to the Final Exams as the students face up against different teachers. The remedial student roster for Summer Training also includes Bakugo.
- Ambition Is Evil: Inverted. Midoriya aspires to be the next Symbol of Peace and successor to All Might. But Miruko explains that he needs a level of ambition to get himself noticed.
- Big Damn Kiss: Midoriya kisses Kendo just before he leaves, revealing his feelings to her.
- Clueless Chick-Magnet: Uraraka, Kendo, and many of the other girls find Midoriya attractive due to his kind personality and figure. Midoriya doesn't notice.
- Deadpan Snarker: Bakugo is the only one to bring this out of Midoriya.
- Didn't Think This Through: All Might has a minor case of this after he quickly makes up the 'Red, White, and Blue Junior Hero Scholarship’ while under his Toshinori Yagi persona. Fortunately for him, he has the money and connections to quickly make an actual 'Red, White, and Blue Junior Hero Scholarship'.
- Dramatically Missing the Point: Played With. Miruko chastises Midoriya for leaving her supervision, illegally using his Quirk, attacking a villain without proper authorization, and getting to kick Stain's ass while she ends up getting the credit for it and not getting the satisfaction to have actually done so herself. All in all, Miruko's proud of Midoriya for having taken down the Hero Killer, even if he did have help.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Even if it was out of necessity, the League of Villains treat Midoriya well for a hostage, going far as to heal and feed him.
- Everyone Has Standards: Miruko mentions that she had considered offering Bakugo an internship. Miruko's opinion changed when she heard that Bakugo had bullied Midoriya. She may respect strong people but she does not tolerate bullying.
- Everyone Can See It: The chemistry between Kendo and Midoriya. Tetsutetsu from Class 1-B even takes note that they seem to "vibe".
- Good Scars, Evil Scars: Due to going up against Shigaraki, Midoriya has a hand-shaped scar on his right forearm. He later gets another one by his forehead after his fight with the Hero Killer Stain.
- Groin Attack: Kota tries to do this on Midoriya but is stopped by Kendo. It ultimately leads to embarrassment to them both when Midoriya realizes where Kendo's hand is close to ...
- Hunk: What Midoriya is shaping up to be. It becomes more apparent after a haircut, with Kendo commenting "He's hot!"
- Heroic Sacrifice: Midoriya offers himself up in exchange for Tokoyami and Todoroki. Unfortunately, this backfires on him as the League was targeting him in the first place.
- History Repeats: Much like All Might Midoriya leaves Japan and studies abroad.
- I Don't Want to Ruin Our Friendship: Why Kendo won't act on her growing crush on Midoriya.
- In Spite of a Nail: There are still several events that still occur:
- Todoroki and Midoriya still fight in the Sports Festival.
- Todoroki, Iida, and Midoriya still face off against Stain.
- Shigaraki still confronts Midoriya openly in the mall.
- Midoriya still fights against Muscular in the Summer Camp.
- All Might faces off against All For One.
- In-Universe Catharsis: How Izuku described his fight against Katsuki in the Sports Festival after the fact.
- Luke, I Am Your Father: All For One claims to be Midoriya's father. It doesn't work; Midoriya knows who his father is, in spite of lacking a father figure.
- Kind Hearted Cat Lover: Implied with Todoroki. He ends up looking at cat videos on his cellphone to calm himself
- Like a Son to Me: All Might's relationship with Midoriya starts off as before: a simple mentor/mentee relationship. While not explicitly stated, it becomes clear that he's begun to view Midoriya in this capacity. All For one takes note of it and mocks him for it, going as far as to bring up his own parental relationship with Nana Shimura.
- Mr. Fanservice: Midoriya gets a brief scene in which he demonstrates that he had been sweating during the workout he had done with his friends. He inadvertently shows off his toned body, which causes all the girls to blush. Even Momo!
- Nice Guy: Even with the necessary help and boost in confidence, Midoriya is still the same nice kid as before. Even after Bakugo nearly kicks his ass, he worries about him.
- Not What It Looks Like: When sparring with Kendo, Midoriya gets into a rather compromising position that Ashido comments on. It's clear she was Trolling him. Kendo tries to use it to fluster him in the Sports Festival but it doesn't work that time.
- Playing with Fire: Momo conjures up a flamethrower in her match against Todoroki to combat his ice.
- Point of Divergence: Due to Izuku meeting All Might years before he did in canon, there are several changes.
- Ship Tease: Between All Might and Inko.
- Shipper on Deck: Uraraka and Ashido want Kendo and Midoriya together.
- The Tease: Ashido and Hagakure do this to Midoriya. It's clear that it's simply playful if mildly flirtatious.
- Use Your Head: How Midoriya utilizes Brooklyn Smash. ON A GLACIER! All Might later does it himself fighting against All For One.
- Unstoppable Rage: When All Might sees Midoriya's damaged body after trying to fight the Nomu in the USJ. He goes full Papa Wolf on the Nomu.
- We Can Rule Together: All For One suggests a partnership of sorts with Midoriya that would simply allow their respective forces to stay out of each other's way.
- We Will Meet Again: All For One escapes his fight with All Might, assuring him that they will come to meet once again.
- Wham Episode: Midoriya is kidnapped by the League of Villains.
