Chapter Text
A long way from the Mushroom Kingdom
The floating fortress was making its way slowly to the Mushroom Kingdom. Lava pouring from its vents. An ominous orange glow coming from the lines in construction of the castle. And inside… hard rock music was playing and the various minions of Bowser were partying with the ruler looking on happy at the site from his throne. After the song had come to its conclusion, the mad tyrant rose from his throne and shook the fortress with every step he took closer and closer to the steps of his throne.
“MY ARMY! KOOPAS! GOOMBAS! …WHATEVER THOSE THINGS ARE!” Bowser roared, as small quadriplegic turtles with spiky helmets sighed in disappointment. “AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WE HAVE FINALLY FOUND THE POWER STAR AND I AM NOW THE MOST POWERFUL! TURTLE! IN THE WORLD!” Bowser said, eliciting cheers and roars from his minions.
“AND NOW I WILL FINALLY MAKE MY WAY TO THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM!” “YES!!!” “WHERE I WILL MEET OUR ENEMY PRINCESS PEACH! “YEAH!!!!” “AND I WILL FINALLY ASK HER TO MARRY ME IN A FAIRY TALE WEDDING!!!” “YEA-uh…” A loud air of confusion weighed over the crowd as they all looked at their leader with confused looks on their faces.
“Doesn’t she hate you?” A minion shouted out from the distance. “Well of course she hates me!” Bowser said, resigning himself and leaning over in defeat. “But that just makes me love her even more! Her heart shaped bangs, her immovable tiara, the way she floats in the breeze… and when she sees this star… oh ho ho, Wedding bells!” The crowd looked on as their leader let his smitten attitude take over his mannerisms. “But what if she says no?” A random Koopa Troopa asked innocently.
In an instant, the Koopa found himself engulfed in the fire from the fumed feudal king and ended with nothing more than a skeleton. “THEN I WILL POWER UP WITH THIS STAR AND DESTROY THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM!” Bowser roared. “PREPARE FOR THE GREATEST WEDDING EVER! ITS GONNA ROCK!!” The crowd went wild again as the music raged on in celebration of their leader’s resolution.
However, in a separate room, an elderly Koopa named Kamek was looking into his staff, trying to keep an eye on his leader’s future fiancé. As the purple orb at the top of his staff cleared he saw an image that made his stomach fall. The princess was having fun training… with another human! He had green hair, a green jumpsuit with some sort of hoodie.
The worst part was… she seemed to be growing fond of the human. The way she was looking at him and smiling and having fun! His ruler was not going to like this…
Some time later
The King of the Koopas was sitting in an isolated room. Atop a floating staircase and above lava. He sat… took a deep breath… and started playing a song on his piano. His long claws somehow not damaging the keys.
“🎶Peach… you’re so cool! And with my star we’re gonna rule. Peach… understand, I’m gonna love ya till the very end!🎶” Bowser sang as he imagined Peach watching on in awe. “🎶Peaches Peaches Peaches Peaches Peaches! Peaches Peaches Peaches Peaches Peaches! I! LOVE YOU! OHHHH!🎶”
The king was getting more and more manic as the song picked up in tempo. “🎶PEACHESSS! PEACHESSSS! PEA-🎶“ “Sire!” Kamek interrupted as Bowser was knocked out of his trance. “What?” Bowser asked, eyebrows narrowed and blood rising. “A green haired human has arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom. The princess is training him!” Kamek explained as the large turtle let out a growl and his nostrils flared.
“Sire?” Kamek asked nervously. After a long pause the Koopa patted his seat and motioned for his minion to join him. “Sit. Jam with me.” Bowser said. The two then played a familiar tune to help unwind their nerves. “So this human… where did he come from?” Bowser asked. “We’re not sure. We found this pile of notebooks that fell into the Darklands.” Kamek explained. “Let’s see it.”
And with that, Kamek took his hands off the keyboard, raised his staff and summoned a load of crude and burnt notebooks. Bowser pulled out his reading glasses and was able to see all of Deku’s life. Including his challenges. His bullies. His woes. His loneliness… for a second… Bowser felt a kinship with the boy. Until he read the young lad’s desire to be a hero. He saw his childlike wonder and his desire for a companion and started to wonder if he came to this world specifically to take the princess away from him.
“So… this worthless… weak little Deku thinks he can be a hero?” Bowser asked. “Kamek! Take my son and Blue out to where they are and intercept them. Don’t harm Peaches but do whatever you want with the other human.” Bowser commanded. “Will do sire!” The magician responded before teleporting off to find the general of the Koopa army and the young tike. Meanwhile, Bowser sat there… deep in thought. Would the princess really like this young hero? Would Bowser have to spend the rest of his life alone? No he’d have his children. But… he owed it to them to find a loving mother. Whatever kinship or empathy he felt to the boy he quickly squashed as he knew that no matter what… the Princess would be his.
.
.
.
You will never be a hero Deku. Want my advice? Jump off a roof and wish for a quirk in the next life.” “Sorry kid it’s not gonna happen.” “I’m so sorry Izuku…” “I’m sorry kid… but, I don’t think anyone can become a hero without a quirk. Want my advice? Become a cop or a firefighter. You’ll save plenty of people that way. Izuku. Izuku. Izuku! Izuku?”
At that moment, Deku was snapped out of his trance as he looked up at a concerned Princess Peach looking at him. “Oh! I’m sorry! I was… I was just thinking about… um… the training course. I think I still need to work on my landings.” Deku shrugged off. Peach wasn’t convinced. However… she still shouldn’t interfere right? Barley a day had passed. But… “Hey. If you need to talk, I’m here. Okay?” Peach said, sweetly with her hand on his shoulder.
Surprisingly, no blushing was had between them. Deku just took a deep breath and tried to center herself. “I… I appreciate it. Not right now though. Maybe… maybe later okay?” Deku said. “Okay.” Peach said. The two approached the doors of the palace as they heard trumpets announce their arrival. Peach placed a hand on her chest, taking a deep breath. Deku was familiar with this. She must have been dealing with nerves of her own.
In a moment of pure bravery, Deku took her hand in his. He could feel the sweat permeate her hand through her gloves. She looked on shocked until Deku said, “It’ll be okay. I’m here too. You won’t do this alone.” Deku said. Right before the palace doors opened and the two separated, Peach gave his hands a little squeeze and shot one of the sweetest smilies he’d ever seen. The blinding light overtook them and when it lessened, a while gaggle of Toads stood cheering.
The two took a deep breath and started to walk towards the pipe in the middle of the yard. “My toads! I shall return soon! With the Kong army in tow, we WILL DEFEAT BOW-“ “Who’s he?” A toad asked, pointing at Deku who just waved awkwardly. “…He’s… NOT IMPORTANT!” Peach answered as the two then jumped into the pipe and headed off to the Kong Kingdom with the Toads cheering.
.
.
.
“Hey… you know I didn’t mean anything by that back there right?” Peach said as the pair were walking through a field of tree sized mushrooms. “Oh! Oh yeah! Honestly it’s okay.” Deku said. To be honest, such a comment didn’t even register to him anymore. He’s heard worse. “We couldn’t waste anymore time there.” “Hey… Izu-“
“🎶We’re going on an adventure!🎶” Toad jumped up between the pair, singing excitedly. “Come on guys! 🎶Di dat di di di dat dat!🎶” The pair looked at the singling little guy and smiled at his antics. “Hey Izuku!” Toad said. “You know this guy?” Peach asked. “Yup! We’re best friends!” Toad proclaimed. “R-r-really?” Deku said, getting a bit teary eyed. Toad immediately rushed to his side and leaped into his arms, giving him a big hug. “Of course man!” Before Deku could even comprehend what was going on, Toad then hopped off and then made his way to Peach.
“Don’t worry, I will protect you.” Toad said. “A Toad brave enough to join me?” Peach said, smiling at the little mushroom man. “I fear nothing.” Toad growled, puffing his chest out. “Well that settles it! You’re coming with us!” Peach decreed. She and Deku continued to walk off while Toad danced in excitement and continued to sing. “So… is Toad the name of the species or… is it a name?” Deku asked Peach. “Both actually! Don’t worry it took me a while to get used to it.” She reassured him. “Wait… so would that be an equivalent to me having the name, ‘Human?’” He asked.
Deku could see the gears turning in Peach’s head as she tried to figure out an answer. “I… I don’t know…” Peach said. “Hmm. I suppose the equivalent would be people who’s names are Guy.” Deku thought up. “Wait, that’s a thing back in your world?” Peach asked. “Well… yeah! To be fair… it’s also a world where people can summon black holes with their fingers so… stranger things have happened.” He explained. “Wow… hey can you tell me more about your world?” “Oh sure! I suppose I should start at the beginning.”
4 Hours Later
The group found themselves in a large field, platforms, lush green hills, and all around them with even cannons in the background, large enough to fit a person. “Wait… so you can’t use your quirk to defend yourself in dangerous situations?” Peach asked. “Nope! If you don’t have a license then you are reprimanded by the authorities.” Deku explained. “Man. No wonder vigilantes are a thing.” Toad lamented. “So even though you didn’t even have a quirk at the time, they still scolded you even though you helped that kid?” Peach asked, dumbfounded.
“Yeah… said I’d caused more trouble than if I had just stayed out of it.” Deku said, reminiscing. “Hypocrites.” Toad spat as he remembered how they didn’t even try going to save Deku’s old friend. “Hmm… so you haven’t had much experience just… well… experiencing your new power?” Peach said, unable to see the logic of expecting children to get a handle on their talents with all these restrictions. “Yeah. I mean I have been able to train but… I guess not much else.” “Well… I mean… there’s no such restrictions here.” Peach said, slyly.
“Wait…” Deku said, not sure if he understood what Peach was offering. “Come on buddy! Let loose! Have some fun!” Toad encouraged. Deku looked at the large field ahead of him and wondered if it was okay. Peach placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and gave him an encouraging smile. “Go on.” Peach said. “Hero.” She chuckled as she playfully ruffled his hair. Deku chuckled and couldn’t help but feel his heart soar from the encouragement. These two despite not knowing him that well were encouraging him to do something he’d wanted to do for a while and something they knew would make him happy.
With a deep breath, Deku started stretching, hopped in place, got into an Olympic running stance, and as lighting coursed out of him said, “Full Cowling… 20%.” And with that, a large dust cloud was left where Deku was standing and a faint, “Sorry!” Was heard in the distance as a green streak could be seen running all across the field before coming back and dusting off Peach and Toad before leaping off again.
Deku could hardly fathom the rush he was feeling. The wind flowing on his face, the feeling of the ground on his feet. In this moment, nothing else was on his mind. It was as if all the anxieties and worries he had had disappeared even if just for a limited time. Deku couldn’t just jump he started skipping and leaping until he ran up the platform walls, ducked in and out of the trees, and even launching himself into the air off a hill. “WAH HOO!” Deku roared.
He was smiling ear to ear as he let all his inhibitions go and kept on exploring and feeling out his powers. Peach looked on in awe and glee seeing the boy finally cut loose and enjoy himself. It almost brought a tear to her eye seeing the meek and small boy finally let what little confidence he had bloom. Toad noticed the look in her eyes and smiled, unsurprised that the Princess fell for his best friend. And while he didn’t want to interfere, he figured he could at least help them be a little closer.
“You know Princess… I found this out in the fields and…” Toad said as he held a small pepper out for Peach to take. She looked at the pepper and had a big smile plastered on her face as she took the pepper and motioned to her back. “Hop on Toad! Don’t think you’re going to miss out on the fun.” Peach said. “Oh…let’s go!” Toad said as he hopped on her back and she ate the mushroom. Her hair stared to steam, her dress turned red with yellow highlights, and even her gloves turned orange.
“Woo! Let’s go!” Peach said as she took off, a fire trail being left behind. She did cartwheels and then launched herself into the air right next to where Deku was. “Hey Green!” Peach said. “Hey Peach!” “Wanna race? This Power Up only lasts for a few minutes!” “Heh heh! You’re on! Let’s go!” Deku said as the two landed on the ground and took off with Toad hanging on for dear life. The two colored teens looked at each other and smirked as they shifted into high gear and took off into the distance, starting to become slightly more aware of the fondness growing between them.
Deku looked at the Princess’s hair flowing in the wind, her smile, her dress but what stuck the most in her mind… was her kind heart. She didn’t do anything but support and show Deku care that he had seldom seen from anyone. He looked at Peach and could almost say that the sun was helping her look brighter than she normally did. However, he soon realized the sun wasn’t even aligned right to allow for this illusion. It was simply his perspective of her. Wait… it was simply his perspective. Deku’s heart pounded and his brow became sweaty as it all finally clicked.