#i have so many thoughts about this au but it'd all be nonsensical rambling if i put it in here now | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mama-qwerty · 4 months

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You're Not Me

A little Knucklesverse au with the Shatter Knux quartet. Top bit written by @nights-nonsensical-ramblings, the rest is what came after I got my greedy little hands on it.

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Prime stood alone and observed the other hims. There were many here with many differences. All with different lives and personalities, but all Knuckles in some way or another.

But then there were the three dubbed “the Shatter triplets”. They were supposedly created from fragments of him when Sonic shattered the Paradox Prism and created the Shatterverse.

He didn’t want to believe it. Were Gnarly’s paranoia and Dread’s obsession and willingness to double cross whoever got in his way meant to come from him?

Renegade he could handle. That echidna seemed at least reasonable—he fought to protect the weak and push something called the 'Chaos Council' back. From the looks of him it'd been a rough fight, with all the scars and no nonsense attitude. He Prime could deal with. But the other two?

No. Way.

"You're not me," he said, his lip curled. Dread snarled back, and Gnarly flinched. "Neither of you could possibly come from me."

Renegade wandered over, sensing something going down. In his life, he'd been the one who just 'knew' when things were bad. Call it a feeling, or vibe, or hunch. Whatever it was, it always kept him alert for danger and trouble on the way.

And right now, it was twitching like crazy.

Dread moved slightly in front of Gnarly, who looked like he was trying to disappear into the floor. The pirate's snarl changed into a sneer, then a smirk.

"And why, pray tell, do ye think that?" he asked, his voice dripping with a barely contained contempt.

Prime rolled his eyes, before crossing his arm and clicking his tongue. "Seriously? You're a pirate. Pirates by nature, are selfish, violent, and focused on only one thing—their treasure. I'm nothing like that."

The smirk on Dread's lips widened, and he began to chuckle. "Oh, Prime, me boy. Ye be so blind."

That made the other echidna scowl. "You know nothing about me, pirate."

"Don't I?"

Prime moved closer, his fist curled tight. "No. You don't."

Renegade slid between the two. "Guys, c'mon. This ain't gonna solve nothing."

Dread ignored him, sidestepping to come nose-to-nose with Prime.

"Tell me, Prime. What be that big beautiful gem ye guard ever-so-faithfully?"

Prime's lips pulled tight before his muzzle curled in a sneer. "The Master Emerald is nothing like whatever cheap treasure you're after. And you will not get it."

The pirate rolled his eyes. "The Master Emerald be all of ours, genius. In some way or ‘nother, it be the thing that binds us all together. Stealing it never crossed me mind."

"Guarding the Master Emerald is not the same," Prime said, both his fists curled tight now. "It is a duty I choose to fulfill. Not some obsession with money or gold or status or whatever makes you do what you do."

"Oh, yer choice, was it?" Dread said, his lips now curled into a mean smile. He leaned back, planting his hands on his hips. "Well now. Here I thought it be something ye were born into. And I be under the impression ye, and many of the others, can't choose to leave it. Like ye're a prisoner to it. That don't sound like much of a choice to me."

Prime growled, the sound deep and rough in his throat.

"Shut your mouth. You don't know what you're talking about."

The smile on Dread's face grew, and his eyes narrowed. "I think I do. I think I be the part of ye that yearns for freedom. The part that wants to make yer own choices, go where the wind takes ye, and not be tied to some island. The part that wants to be known, to be seen, to have adventures and see places ye can't from high up on that island of yers."

Dread leaned closer, his voice dropping to a soft whisper.

"I be the part of ye that holds yer deepest, most secret want. To be yer own person. To live yer own life, out of that gem’s shadow."

The punch came so fast, and so hard, Dread flew across the room. Stars erupted in his vision, and he shook his head to clear it. Blinking quickly, he looked up, and found Prime stalking toward him, his face full of rage. Renegade jogged forward and positioned himself between the two.

"Alright, you got your hit," he said, dropping into a battle stance. "Walk it off. He ain't worth it."

Dread chuckled as he got back to his feet.

"No, no," he said, that coy grin working its way across his lips again. Oh, he was going to enjoy this. "Let the lad come. ‘Tis time we had it out, him and me." He balled his hands into fists, shaking off the last of the light-headedness from Prime's blow. "He wants to claim I'm not him and he's not me? Then we'll see which of us be stronger."

Dread moved with a speed Prime wasn't expecting, and the slightly shorter echidna attacked with precision and force. Prime barely had time to block the pirate's blows, before returning in kind.

"You're NOT like me!" he yelled, taking a swing at Dread's face. "You're selfish! Cowardly! Cruel!"

Each statement was punctuated by a swing, which Dread neatly avoided or blocked. The pirate was laughing.

"And ye're not?" he cried back, returning each blow of Prime's with one of his own. "Ye would let yer friends suffer if it meant keepin' that rock o' yers safe. Ye would stay on that island of yers and let 'em fight without ye, all for yer 'duty'. Ye care more for a rock than anything or anyone else! At least I have the decency and courage to admit it!"

Dread landed a good hit on Prime's cheek, sending the echidna stumbling back.

"I be the part of ye that shows how hypocritical ye are. Ye think ye're so noble and good. But ye'd sacrifice every one of yer friends to keep that rock o' yers safe."

Prime didn't respond. He breathed hard, rubbing his sore cheek with the back of a hand. He sneered, uttering a loud grunt before turning away.

"I'm not . . . I wouldn't . . ."

He couldn't bring himself to deny what the pirate had said. Because Dread was right. Everything was about keeping the Master Emerald safe. Yes, he cared about his friends, but the Emerald was above all else. It had to be. It was too powerful, too dangerous to let fall into the wrong hands. That's just the way things were.

And he hated that Dread had seen that so easily.

Dread sighed, giving his back a stretch. He didn't want to fight, ironically enough. But Prime wouldn't have seen things any other way.

"F’r what it's worth," he said, moving closer to his counterpart. "I don't think ye're a bad person. I understand that Emerald be dangerous. Guarding it takes guts, and focus, and a dedication I don't have. Ye're to be commended for sacrificing yer own wants and needs to keep it safe. Really."

Renegade blinked, giving Dread a look of pure shock. The pirate rolled his eyes, flicking his urban twin a look of annoyance.

"Yes, I can be reasonable and compliment someone, try not to pass out." The pirate turned back to Prime, crossing his arms before him. "I'll make a deal with ye, lad. Ye try to see me for who I be, and I'll tell ye of all me adventures. Ye can live vicariously through me. And maybe ye can teach me some of that sense of duty stuff. Maybe I could use a little o’ that focus in me life, too."

Prime seemed to consider this for a moment. Finally he nodded, extending his hand to his pirate double. "Fine. Deal."

Dread met Prime's hand with his own, and they pumped their hands in a firm shake.

"’Tis a deal, then."

#knucklesverse #sonic the hedgehog fanfiction #sonic fanfiction #knuckles the dread #renegade knucks #prime knuckles #sonic prime

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armybratz123 · 1 year

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Dearly Loved Au: Part One

Intro

*Trigger Warning* There is some reference to suicide, it's not described to much, but Midoriya had almost jumped and Dabi talks about dealing with jumpers before.

"Hey there, I'm Todoroki Touya , known as the Pro Hero Dabi. Nice to meet you kid."

Dabi stared at the shaking boy, whose eyes kept roaming at the scars on his face. He doesn't mind, Dabi lets the kid stare. Slowly getting used to the bumpy and rigid discolored skin. Eyes lingering on the multiple staples with a wince, then the kid's green eyes finally met Dabi's bright blue.

As loathe as Dabi is to admit it, this isn't the first jumper he's found and stopped. Nor is this kid the first one to see his identity. Dabi uses the mask so he is not recognized by his father and so that people aren't afraid of him because of his scars when he goes to save them. But the jumpers, are different. More often than not, they need someone to reach out, and to do so on a personal level. Best way to do that for Dabi is by taking off the mask and talking to them face to face.

"What's your name kid?", Dabi asked gently.

"M-Midoriya Izuku.", Izuku stutters.

"Okay, Midoriya, can you climb back over the railing, and we can have a talk.", Dabi asks carefully, "We don't have to move from this spot, I'd just like to chat with you from the other side.

Midoriya looked hesitant for a second, before slowly nodding.

"Okay.", the boy muttered as he slowly climbed over the railing and joined Dabi in the middle of the roof.

"Usually in cases like this, heroes would ask why you wanted to do it before spouting out some speech to inspire you.", Dabi looks deep into the kid's emerald green eyes, "I do this a little differently. Aside from the fact that I'm a hero, what reason would you have to a) confess your trauma and troubles to me. And b) listen to whatever inspirational nonsense that I have to give to you."

"Have you done this before?", Midoriya asks hesitantly.

"Many times.", Dabi tells him bluntly.

Dabi has also quickly learned to always be honest in this type of situation. Or otherwise you just might find yourself with a case of a returning jumper.

"My point is that I'm asking you, as a total stranger, to tell me personal details of your life. Now I'm a give and take kinda guy, I'm not gonna take what I can't give. So for now, you can ask me five questions about me, my quirk, and my life, and I'll answer all of them honestly. Then I'll ask you five questions.", Dabi pauses, before gently smiling at him reassuringly, "And if we need to go another round, we'll go another round. I'm in no rush."

Midoriya stares at him, eyes wide at what Dabi was telling him. Five questions isn't a lot, but if asked carefully and with the right questions, they can be very detrimental to Dabi's life and even career if Izuku decided to share them with the world. Not to mention of a chance and offer to ask five more. It's a lot of trust for a hero to give a random stranger.

Doing exactly what Dabi said he would.

It'd take Midoriya a lot of trust and courage to tell the number four Pro Hero why he's found himself up here on this roof. Dabi is giving Mirdoriya the exact same trust he is asking of the kid.

And the mere thought of the consideration, almost brought Midoriya to tears.

"O-okay. Then why?", Midoriya asks, a strength beginning to fill his voice.

Dabi tilts his head asking, "Why what?"

"Why... did you take off the mask? Show me who you are? Your identity, everyone knows how secretive the Pro Hero Dabi is with his personal life.", Midoriya rambles a little, "So why show some quirkless nobody like me?"

"Easy. You're not just some nobody.", Dabi tells him gently, "Heroes, we are usually showcased as people who are untouchable. Beings who are always there. Heroes who are always right when it comes to right and wrong with their flashy quirks and abilities. And it works, despite the fact that it's not a concept I really care for all that much, because we're human too. But it doesn't assure people if they think we are as flawed and weak as the rest of them when we are the ones in charge of their lives, basically decide that they get to be saved."

"This.", Dabi's points his finger between himself and Midoriya, "Is different. You, are different. Cases like yours, people like you who need to be saved on a personal level, are different. Because they don't need a being from higher up to save them, they need someone who can understand them. Be with them on that level so they can raise them up to be something more, and, hopefully, to someplace better.

And that's where the mask comes in, I can't talk you down or help you as a Pro Hero. So the mask comes off and I try to help and understand you and help you as another person."

Midoriya looked like he wanted to cry, his lip trembling. It's only the first question, and the greenette already feels touched at the fact that this Hero, that Dabi is willing to listen, to be personal, to be human with Izuku in the midst of his pain.

Dabi reaches out and squeezes Midoriya's shoulder comfortingly, waiting patiently when Midoriya seemed to regain control over his emotions.

"My turn to ask a question.", Dabi says softly, "What brought you to the roof."

"Today.... was just hard."

And just like that, things boiled over for Midoriya as he told Dabi everything about his day.

Everything.

His teacher humilating him at school, all th bullying, his old friend telling him to kill himself, the slime attack, and so much more.

It took all of Dabi's will power to not act out the horror he is currently feeling towards everything that Midoriya has confessed. All that has happened in. One. Single. Day.

Dabi is scared to find out all that Midoriya has gone through over the years since he's been diagnosed as quirkless.

Midoriya even told Dabi what happened with All Might and his secret, so blinded by his own emotions, Izuku didn't even realize he forgot to leave that part out as he to the Pro Hero his horrible day.

"All that has happened to you. It is not okay.", Dabi tells him quietly, almost a whisper, "But you are so strong for still trying, still continuing to live, despite all the mistreatment you have endured. Today just happened to be the last straw, right?

Midoriya nods as he sniffles, wiping away his tears as he tried to regain control of his trembling voice.

"That was your second question.", Izuku tells Dabi with a shaky smile.

Dabi couldn't help but to burst out laughing, "It's going to be like that then, huh?"

Midoriya nods with another smile, "Third."

Dramatically, Dabi puts a hand over his heart as he leans back, "Oof, your killing me here smalls."

But despite trying to look hurt from Midoriya's 'ruthlessness', Dabi couldn't stop his shoulders shaking with barely contained laughter. But couldn't stop the wide grin on his face as he looks down at Midoriya, who was also giggling uncontrollably at Dabi's antics.

"W-why did you b-b-become a hero?", Midoriya manages after a minute or two.

Dabi takes a deep breathe, and then let's out a breathless chuckle, "You really like to dig deep don't you Midoriya?"

"I-I'm sorry if it's too personal!", Midoriya frantically waves his hands in apology.

"It is pretty personal.", Dabi agrees, "But that's the point of this, isn't it? I give and take, my trauma for yours.", Dabi then sighs thoughtfully, "Now, how to put it to words.... Well, simply put, my childhood was not a happy one. Seven years ago, things happened and I ended running around on the streets with all these fresh deep burns that have slowly healed to the scars you see today. Two years later, I was pretty much becoming a villain at that point. A low-time villain, but a villain none the less."

Midoriya gasped, staring at Dabi with his jaw dropped, "You were a villain? But you're a hero."

Dabi snorted at Midoriya's reaction, "I know, who knew huh? I probably would've stayed that way, gotten worse even, if I hadn't met this girl who had changed my life. Threw it upside down and pulled it inside out, more like. But to make a long story short, we got into trouble and she later ended up kicking my stupid ass and told me to go be a hero. And I'm still with that girl today."

Dabi sighs, a reminiscent look on his face, soft smile twitching onto her lips. It was a strange sight to see with someone that is as intimidating as Dabi is.

"She turned my head on straight and helped me realize that I may have not gotten the help that I needed when I was young.", Dabi looks over to Izuku with a soft smile, "But I can become the help that needed back then, for kids who need me today. Kids like you."

"Are you two... together?", Izuku couldn't help but ask curiously.

Heroes, especially Pros, rarely have time to date or find romance. Much less find a family. It's one of the reasons family's, hero families especially, like the Iidias and Todorokis are so rare and looked up to in awe and curiosity. It's incredibly hard and difficult to keep up any relationship when living the life or a Pro-Hero.

"As in dating? Yeah, going on three years now.", Dabi answers with a smile, "That was question number four by the way."

"Oh, right.", Izuku mumbles to himself, having forgotten that bit.

But.... there is one more question that he has... no.... needs to ask. All Might had already made it perfectly clear what he thought, but All Might isn't here on the roof with Izuku now, Dabi is.

Maybe... just maybe.... his answer may be different. Izuku can only hope, it's all he has as in this moment. Next thing Izuku knows, the question left his lips before he could even think.

"Can someone quirkless become a hero?"

For a long moment, Dabi is silent. Staring at Izuku with an unreadable expression.

There are many things running through Dabi's head.

Because he had promised Midoriya that he'd be honest when answering the kid's questions. Dabi had to sit and think for a moment on the question. He honestly never thought about it before.

Dabi's mind goes to the many Pros, Underground Heroes, Vigilantes, and Villains that Dabi has met. Many of these people, specifically the Underground and Vigilantes, have quirks that aren't as flashy, showy, or even physical more than half the time. Forcing them to fight quirkless.

Erasurehead is a prime example. Dabi has only met the hero once or twice on some of his nightly patrols, and the few times Nezu has invited Dabi as a guest speaker/teacher/trainer at UA, which is becoming more and more frequent now that he thought about it.

Something for future Touya to overthink about later.

Now, Dabi has to stay in the now, because a suicidal child has just asked him a deep question.

And Dabi has just now noticed that the said child has started to outwardly show his panic.

Damn it.

"Hey, kid, sorry got lost in thought there.", Dabi assured the greenette as he rubbed the kids shoulders soothingly, "I had to think about it because, to be perfectly honest, I never thought about it before."

Dabi watches carefully as Midoriya takes in deep calming breaths. Sometimes taking deep exaggerated breathes himself when he notices Midoriya's eyes glaze over and his breath quickens when he gets lost in his own head again.

It took several minutes, but Dabi is patient, and Midoriya manages to calm down.

"Sorry for leaving you hanging like that kid. I didn't mean to make you panic.", Dabi apologizes.

"I-it's fine.", Midoriya mumbles sheepishly.

"Its not.", Dabi tells the kid with raised brows, but ultimately drops it, "But i'm gonna drop it anyone, we don't want you to end up having another panic attack. Your tired enough as it is, and that was only the beginning of one, trust me, they're not fun to have."

Dabi falls back from his crouch, landing on his butt so he is now sitting comfortably next to Midoriya.

"Now, do I think a quirkless person can be a hero.", Dabi hums, "Well, that depends.", he turns to Midoriya with a raised challenging brow, "You have what it takes?"

Midoriya blinks in surprise, speechless as he listens, physically unable to do anything else. For this, these words.... it's new.

"I know a lot of people and got into contact with a lot of their quirks as well.", Dabi explains, "And some of those people have mental or not as flashy quirks that makes it harder for them to fight. Forcing many of them to fight quirkless."

Dabi turns to Midoriya with a soft smile.

"As long as you are determined and your heart is in the right place, with the right training and equipment, yeah, I definitely think you can be a hero. Quirk or no quirk."

And just Midoriya thought he was going to break down crying again, there was a loud explosion going off in the distance. A large cloud of dirty smoke rose up from where the explosion came from.

Dabi's eyes narrowed as he jumped to his feet, Midoriya already standing wide eyed, next to Dabi.

Dabi flips his visor back down and over his eyes, clicks the hidden button on the back of his headphones, and his mask rose up over his mouth and nose, meeting with his visor with a quiet 'click'.

Turning to Midoriya, Dabi tilted his head, "Want help getting down?"

Midoriya almost jumped at the scrambled way Dabi's voice sounded with the mask back on.

"W-what?", Midoriya couldn't help but ask, confused.

"I'm asking if your ready to com down.", Dabi explains, even with the more intimidating and mechanical way his voice sounded because of the voice modulator attached to the mas, the Pro didn't sound impatient or frustrated at all.

As if he had all the time in the world to wait for Midoriya to be ready. And that was all Midoriya really needed in that moment.

So Midoriya nodded and took Dabi's hand in his own. The Hero picked Midoriya's smaller form up, resting him comfortably on his hip before running and jumping off the roof. Midoriya letting out a shout from the initial jump, clutching tightly to Dabi's coat, but other wise remained silent.

Midoriya watched fascinated, as Dabi turned mid-air, facing their backs to the ground holding out his wrist and a thin, yet strong, cable fired out of the cuff on Dabi's wrist attaching itself to the roof, allowing Dabi and Midoriya to swing safely to the ground. Dabi landing in a crouch with a small huff before withdrawing the cable from the roof and back to his cuff.

Dabi looked down to Midoriya.

"You gonna be okay kid?"

He's still not okay.

One conversation is not going to make everything better. One conversation is not gonna make everything right in the world. But, Midoriya has hope now, this hero gave Midoriya something that no one else has in a very long time.

Belief.

Ever since he was diagnosed quirkless, no one believed Midoriya can become a hero, not even All Might himself. But the number four Pro Hero, Dabi, he believed.

And that... made things a little better. Midoriya can work on the rest.

"Yeah, I'm... I'm okay now.", Midoriya nods in assurance, "Or, I will be."

Dabi nods, "Good, make sure things stay that way,"

His head snapped up at the sound of an even bigger explosion. Dabi made sure to ruffle Midoriya's fluffy curls with a satisfied grin, he's wanted to do that for a while now honestly. Midoriya couldn't see it, but he felt the satisfaction from the hero from the action.

"Duty calls kid.", Dabi says before running off, climbing to the nearest building with the help of his cable, calling out over his shoulder as he does so, "Stay safe Midoriya! Remember, you can do it!"

For several minutes, Midoriya stood there. His emotions a mess, but he knew that he was watching Dabi's retreating figure in awe. Midoriya has watched many hero videos, interviews, even read some theories and articles any chance he got about any hero he could learn.

At this moment, Midoriya thinks that Dabi has become his new favorite hero. That he needs to go home and watch as many videos and read as many articles he can find on the Pro.

But for now.... Midoriya wants to make sure his Hero is safe. That he saves the day, but comes out okay.

Without a second thought, Midoriya runs off. Following the trail of smoke and sounds of explosions.

Hey Guys!

I know this series is still farely new, but I have been toying with different ideas, and not quite sure which one I want to do better. I have equally good ideas for both.

I'm trying to decide if I want Midoriya to still have One for All in this series, or to become the first quirkless hero.

Now keep in mind, no matter which happens, Midoriya is not going to have as close of a relationship with All Might as he does in canon. So if that's your decider, forget it because it does nothing.

You can message me or leave your decision in the comments. If I feel like I'm not getting enough I will probably make a poll for it.

Be Your Best You! Bye~!

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