Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hello and welcome, thank you for checking out my story. Just a bit of information about my OC, Unit 001, before you begin.

Name: Unit 001 (temporary), [Unknown]

Gender: Male

Age: [Unknown]

Birthday: [Unknown]

Height: Changes depending on energy levels.

Family: [Unknown]

Does he have a Quirk? Technically, no. He is an advanced android built in a forgotten time filled with unknown technology, which has since been lost thanks to an unknown event. He does have lots of abilities, though, which will be mentioned as he discovers them.

Because the others are basically too dumb to realize these facts, they assume that his android-ness is his quirk and the abilities are just add-ons to it.

[A/N] There will be no love interests. He will have more family-like relations. Some characters may be OOC. Thank you for understanding.

On to the story!

Chapter Text

When they are talking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." (The 'hum' is just the robotic sound after he's spoken for a time, it will disappear after a time.)

When they are thinking: It will look like this.

When other people are thinking that are NOT Unit 001: 'It will look like this.'

And when Unit 001 gets an answer from his mainframe: [It will look like this.]

I just wanted to clarify it just in case it confused anyone.

Hope you enjoy the story!

-Jenna

In the ruins of a building that time had forgotten, something comes online. The gears within its mechanical shell begin to slowly turn, and small lights begin to flicker weakly on its body.

[Alert: Emergency Shut Down has caused system damage. Core Functions not responding.]

[Attempting Reboot....]

█▓░░░░░░░░░░░░ 12%

███████▓░░░░░░ 55%

███████████████100%

[Reboot successful! Core Functions now 10% operational. Running Diagnostic.]
[Scanning...]

[Scan Complete!]

[Unit Model: 001.]
[Designation: ɆⱤⱤØⱤ]
[Status: 10/100]
[Energy: 0/1000]

[Protocol One: Locked.]
[Protocol Two: Locked.]
[Combat System: Locked.]

[Core Programs: Operational.]
[Self Repair Data: Undamaged.]
[Medical Data: Undamaged.]
[Fauna & Flora Data: Undamaged.]
[Regional Data: ɆⱤⱤØⱤ]

[Memory Data: ɆⱤⱤØⱤ. Severe Damage detected.]
[Attempting Data Recovery...]

█▓░░░░░░░░░░░░ 13%

█████▓░░░░░░░░ 35%

[Attempt: Failed.] 
[Re-attempting Data Recovery ...]

█▓░░░░░░░░░░░░ 15%

█████▓░░░░░░░░ 32%

[Re-attempt: Failed.  ɆⱤⱤØⱤ Data is Unrecoverable...]

[Excessive damage detected. Energy levels are too low to reset damage. Damage prevents this unit from entering Power Saving Mode. Distress Signal has been broadcasted. Response pending...]

[Alert: Life signs detected. Searching Fauna Data for Life Sign Match.]
[Searching...]

███████▓░░░░░░ 

███████████████

[Match Found: Human. Alert: Mutation Detected. Effect: Unknown. Threat Level: Unknown. Attempting to move Unit 001...]

[Attempt: Failed .  Unit 001 is trapped beneath a large piece of debris. Core Functions not functioning properly due to low energy levels. Unable to remove debris. Going through possible solutions...]

[(1) Alert humans to the presence of Unit 001.]  
[(2) Attempt to recover Core Functionality through Manual Shut Down.]
[(3) Do nothing.]

[Going through scenarios...]

[Scenario via Option (1): Humans know of the presence of Unit 001. Outcome: Unknown.]

[Scenario via Option (2): Probability of permanent system damage in current state: 95%. Probability of overall system failure: 97%. Probability of permanent shut-down: 98%. The overall chance of success: 3%.]

[Option (2) is not recommended. ]

[Scenario via Option (3): Inevitable Permanent System Shutdown due to steady increase in external damage, unresolved internal damage, lowering power levels, and eventual system failure due to previously mentioned ailments.]

[Option (3) is not recommended. ]

[Attempting Option (1): Alert Humans to the presence of Unit 001.]

And sirens went off, coming from Unit 001. The screeching, annoying sound irritated the blue-haired, red-eyed male and his companions to no end. In his frustration, he goes to the source of the sound and puts his hand, all five fingers, on a large piece of unassuming debris. It is then that he finds the source of the annoying alarm.

An advanced-looking robot was there. It was covered in very damaged ash-gray armor, highlighted with a neon blue that showed dimly through the infinitesimal crevasses between the plates of metal(?). It had an oddly shaped helmet on, or was that its head? There was a pitch-black visor covering most of its face, though it was just shy of its mouth. It had a mouth?

On its chest was the faded labeling of "001", so worn it was barely visible.

When the blue-haired man removed the debris, the alarm stopped immediately, and the seemingly defective piece of advanced-looking machinery bolted upright, startling the entire group.

"ℝ𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤... 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." A monotone voice echoed from the robot. It sounded as if its vocal processors hadn't been used in decades.

It startled the group further before intriguing them greatly.

Did the robot just ask them for their names?

They'd come to this place on orders from their boss, seeing if the place could work as a new hideout. But it was much too unstable. How old even was this building? It was so far out of town they weren't even sure exactly where this place even was. They were planning to leave.

That was, until now.

As if to dispel any doubt they had, it spoke again.

"ℝ𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤... 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"Interesting." The one that seemed to have severe burns on his face and hands said. There was a female with buns that seemed to be disappointed, speaking about the lack of blood in a robot. Another that was in a full-body, skin-tight suit seemed to be contradicting himself constantly. One minute, he says 'This is awesome! A robot!' The next he says 'Tch. Useless garbage.' And then there was the one without a proper form, he did not say or react in any way.

"We're the League of Villains. And you are our newest toy." The blue-haired one said with a wide, disturbing smile. His lips and face seemed to lack any moisture, scabs from repetitive and habitual scratching very clear on his neck.

All of these humans seemed to be mentally unstable.

[Threat Level Updated: Hostile. Currently unable to retaliate.]

[Option (1) updated: Resulted in becoming a 'toy' to hostile humans. Going through possible scenarios...]

[(1) Attempt to flee.]
[(2) Attempt to fight.]
[(3) Do nothing for now. Prepare for future escape.]

[Going through scenarios...]

[Scenario via Option (1): Because of the extensive disrepair of Unit 001, fleeing has 98% chance of failure.]
[Option (1) is not recommended.]

[Scenario via Option (2): Because of the extensive disrepair of Unit 001 and combat functions being locked, initiating combat has a 100% chance of failure resulting in permanent shut down.]
[Option (2) is not recommended.]

[Commencing Option (3): Searching for parts for self-repair. Going into false shut down.]

Just as Unit 001 planned, he did absolutely nothing after accessing that the humans before it were hostile and mentally deranged. All of the small lights that flickered on it faded until they cut off completely, and it concentrated all remaining power into searching for parts to repair itself.

It was as if it'd gone offline once again and the short time it had been online was a fluke. The only indication that it had ever been on in the first place was the subtle, dim, blinking light within it that the humans could not see. 

It was like a heartbeat. A very weak heartbeat.

"Did it break? It went silent." Toga said, still disappointed there was no blood. 

"Awe man! Who cares." Twice said.

"Kurogiri." Shigaraki announced. "Take it."

"Yes, Shigaraki Tomura," Kurogiri answered immediately. A portal appeared below the seemingly broken robot and it fell through it, landing on the floors of their base. Seconds after, the others stepped through it, seeing the poor bot a limp mess on the floor of the bar.

It still did not cut back on. 

Unit 001 days went on as follows after its capture:

He would sit in the corner they dumped him in limply, the same way he'd been after he decided to do nothing. The one called Shigaraki, whenever he was upset or having a tantrum, would take them out on him.

But no matter how long he kept his hand on the bot, it refused to decay. The only sign that his quirk was working on it was that it would rust from his touch, spreading out until the gray of the armor became a reddish color.

This would lead to him being angered further, and thus the abuse would continue.

Query: Why do these hostile humans damage Unit 001?

[Data not found. Unable to answer.]

[Emotional Instability Detected. Unit 001 does not have the data to identify anomaly.]

It wasn't long before the others followed his example since it was proven that he could not be damaged easily. Apparently, it was in demand to have something to use their 'quirks' against that wouldn't melt, decay, or break down. It became a favorite pastime to vent their frustrations out on it, and if not that, it was practice against something that wouldn't break.

In other words: it was Hell to Unit 001.

Query: Unit 001 is unable to feel temperature fluctuations, so why does Unit 001 tremble?

[Data not found. Unable to answer.]

[Emotional Instability Detected. Unit 001 does not have the data to identify anomaly.]

Unit 001 would do nothing still. After weeks of this treatment, they believed that it was completely broken. They were certain by then that what had happened before had been a fluke and nothing more. There were dents, scratches, scorch marks, and rust (from decay attempts) all over its exterior.

It was in a very sad and pathetic state.

If it was a human, it would have long since died.

Little did they know that every single night, it mapped out the entirety of their base. It memorized their faces, voices, body types, mannerisms, ticks. Everything that was displayed in front of it was recorded into its memory data.

When they were out and when they were asleep, it quietly searched, found, and used parts of different appliances to repair itself.

This slow process took many months, and they did not stop their abuse. But even though the outside of Unit 001 was repeatedly beaten down, the inner workings became better through meticulous, slow, and steady repairs. To the villains, it looked like it never moved.

It calculated the exact spot it lay before moving and would return there without fail.

When they returned the vicious cycle would continue. Each and every day it went like this.

It was a horrible and lonely existence. 

Unit 001's only companion was the AI that it heard when it first came online. It spoke every day, and over time, did more than just relay its status. It answered any question Unit 001 asked to the best of its ability. It even showed signs of having its own mind.

A companion AI.

Query: Is it normal for Unit 001 to not want to go offline again?

[Data not found. Though this AI has a preference towards this Unit's status remaining online.]

Compared to its more masculine voice, though it was not very deep, the AI's voice was feminine and light. It was much less monotone than his own voice, and within his network, he could picture it as a little floating ball with expressions on it.

Query: What is this instability Unit 001 is always experiencing?

[It is an emotion. Data Gathering has yet to identify it.]

Query: What did Unit 001 do wrong?

[Unit 001 has done nothing wrong.] It, no, she stated firmly. [Unit 001 has never done anything wrong. It is these humans who are wrong.] 

Unit 001's eyes widened behind it, no, his visor. If she had a body of her own, she would be holding him in her arms securely right now, wanting to protect him from the horrible world he had woken up to.

For some reason, he felt lighter when he thought of that. For a moment, the emotional instability was replaced with another. It was warm and comfortable, but he could not relish in this comfort. 

He had a plan to enact.

Query: How long has Unit 001 had to endure?

[7 months, 23 days, 9 hours, 47 minutes, 11 seconds.]

[Status Update: 30% operational. Output: Stable. External Frame damaged. Energy levels are still too low to repair, but immediate repair is not required.]

[The minimum requirement to escape has been reached. Route secured. Searching optimum escape time based on gathered data...]

The day for him to escape this hell had finally arrived.

Unit 001 had planned to finally escape that night. He had patiently waited and endured. Everything was in place, and the only thing he needed to do was move.

But an anomaly foiled his plans. On their latest outing, the bad humans brought something back. No, not something, someone. They had kidnapped someone, apparently.

A younger human they called Bakugou, Katsuki.

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Unit 001 still did not make any effort to move. Silently and stealthily gathering information as he always had since the moment he came online. He scanned the younger human just as he had done everyone else, doing so without moving an inch from where he was.

[Alert: Species: Human. Mutation: unknown. Emotional Reading: Agitated, Alert.]

[Fauna File: Humans. An untrustworthy and violent species that has repeatedly damaged Unit 001 since being encountered.]

[Emotional Instability Detected.]

[Unit 001 does not have the data to identify anomaly.]

[Distress Signal is still active. Response pending...]

[Mission remains unchanged: Escape to find a place where 100% recovery is possible.]

Unit 001's lightning-fast thought processes halted for a moment at this. More and more emotional instabilities in his mainframe were being detected. His always motionless arms began to tremble ever so slightly. No one noticed this as their attention was on the child they had brought in.

Unit 001 did not understand this anomaly at all, but his thoughts presented him with many different queries that seemed to be a result of it.

Query: Does an optimum place such as that exist for Unit 001?

[No data found, unable to answer the query.]

Query: What if there is no safe place for Unit 001?

[No data found, unable to answer the query.]

Query: If there is no safe place, will Unit 001 go offline because of these humans?

[No data found, unable to answer the query.]

Unit 001... does not want to go offline.

[This AI also does not want this outcome.]

The situation with the child and the hostile humans had changed again. They had released him from his restraints and were trying to convince him to join them. The child, who Unit 001 noticed had ash-blond hair and red eyes, watched them silently.

Unit 001 understood immediately that this child was not listening to anything the blue-haired hostile human was saying.

[Update: The human child, now confirmed as Bakugou, Katsuki, is trying to escape.] She stated, sounding a bit surprised, as was Unit 001.

Yes, he and these humans seem to not be allied. 

Unit 001 continued to stealthily watch the scene unfold. The child announced that he would never be a villain and that his dream was to be a hero stronger than All Might. This, too, arose many questions in the robot.

Query: What are villains?

[No data found.]

Query: What are heroes?

[No data found.]

Query: Who is All Might?

[No data found, unable to answer the query.]

Unit 001 calmly assessed all of the information he was getting from the situation unfolding before him. The hostile humans could not get Bakugou, Katsuki to heed their commands and listen to their reasonings, predictably. Restraining him again, they left him in the room to his own thoughts.

Of course, they were not dumb enough to leave him close to the door and not blindfold him. They had been in a secure room a bit deeper into their hideout, had a way to stop him from using his mutation as well as heavily restrained him.

They had injected the youth with some type of chemical before he had woken, which seemed to aid in the temporary disabling of whatever ability he had.

Unit 001 still did not make any type of movement, no indication that he was more than just a pile of junk in the corner.

Now that those 'villains', as the child had called them, had left, he revealed his vulnerability.

His eyes revealed dread and his shoulders trembled slightly. With the restraints on him, he couldn't even make a sound if he wanted to. He was in an unfamiliar place and had most likely been through a lot before he'd been taken and placed here. His eyes were frantic, searching for a way out and finding nothing. 

It was then that Unit 001 understood. With this display of emotion, he could finally identify it.

Bakugou, Katsuki is Agitated, Alert, and Afraid.

[Alert: Emotional Instability Identified. Unit 001 is also Afraid.]

Query: This unit is afraid? Is that what this is?

[Yes. All data collected and analyzed confirms this fact. Emotional Instability had been successfully identified as 'Fear'. ]

Yes, this is correct. These hostile humans cause this unit to feel fear.

Unit 001 has always been afraid. Trapped in an unknown place, with an unrecoverable past, damaged parts, and hostile humans who took any free minute they had to torment him, Unit 001 was... scared.

[Artificial Neural Assistant Intelligence wishes for this unit to no longer be afraid. When this unit escapes, this AI hopes for this unit to be at peace.]

Query: How does Unit 001 have the emotion: Fear?

[Data not present. This AI believes this Unit has always been capable of experiencing emotion.]

Unit 001 decided to leave this investigation of himself for another time. Now left alone with no eyes watching them, Unit 001 began to think of his current situation. Many new aspects had been added to it.

This Bakugou, Katsuki... this child was similar to him. If humans like the ones Unit 001 had been trapped with were considered 'villains', then would the people associated with this child be 'heroes'?

If Unit 001 was to escape from this place with the child, could Unit 001 finally be safe?

But in this thought was the problem. Unit 001 did not know this Bakugou, Katsuki.

Query: ...Is this Bakugou, Katsuki a hostile human towards Unit 001 too?

[No data found.]

The AI began to go through many calculations before speaking again.

[Status: Unit 001 is currently at 30% capacity. This unit's exterior armor is damaged and needs energy to repair. This unit's energy levels are too low for this feat due to limited contact with solar and lunar rays. The mission to escape has met unexpected obstacles. Going through possible solutions...]

[(1) Bide more time until this unit is at a higher capacity level due to the unstable situation at the moment.]
[ (2) Continue with original escape plans and escape alone.]
[(3) Figure out the intentions of Bakugou, Katsuki.]

[Going through scenarios...]

[Scenario via Option (1): Unit 001 will continue to be damaged by hostile humans. There is a possibility that interior repairs will be impaired due to extensive exterior damages.]

[Option (1) is not recommended.]

Unit 001 twitched its fingers that had not moved since a few days ago waiting for this moment.

[Scenario via Option (2): Escape is not guaranteed in these new circumstances, but has a 90% chance of being successful due to the hostile humans' attention being focused on their new human child prisoner, Bakugou, Katsuki.]

[Alert: With their 'toy' gone, they may turn their sights on Bakugou Katsuki to sate their violent tendencies. It is dangerous for Bakugou, Katsuki to stay in this place if he is indeed not allied with the hostile humans.]

At this suggestion, Unit 001 voices his thoughts. Unit 001 does not wish for Bakugou, Katsuki to become a toy as Unit 001 did. Unit 001 does not want another to feel 'Fear'. Unit 001 does not want another to be damaged. If the cost of this unit's freedom is the condemnation of another's freedom, that freedom would not have been worth this.

This unit does not want pointless freedom.

This unit does not want to be like hostile humans who damage others for themselves.

[Preference  Data has been saved. Option (2) has been discarded.]

[Options similar will no longer be mentioned unless prompted.]

The lights on Unit 001's body slowly started to become brighter.

[Scenario via Option (3): False shut down will be discovered, stealth advantage will be lost. Possibility of Bakugou, Katsuki being another hostile human towards Unit 001 is very possible given the gathered data on humans. The mutation of Bakugou, Katsuki is unknown. Bakugou, Katsuki, and Unit 001 do not know each other. The human child is agitated, alert, and afraid. Trust 0%.]

She continued on.

[Notice: Bakugou, Katsuki is retrained and sedated. The chances of damaging Unit 001 in that state are 6%. Because he can not make much sound in that state, the likelihood that there will be time to spare is 82%. Thus, Unit 001 will be able to speak with Bakugou, Katsuki for a time before hostile humans return.]

The child noticed the odd movement of the junk in the corner of the room. His eyes widened at the sight of the rusty and dented robot beginning to stand up from where it sat. It was so inconspicuous that he hadn't even noticed it.

But there it stood, staring directly at him through the cracked visor.

If this child is similar to this unit and wishes for freedom, this unit would prefer to take him along. So, despite this unit's fear, this unit will try.

[Very well, Unit 001. Commencing Option (3).]

Even when the child seemed angry at his presence, he did not stop. Unit 001 felt fear at what it was trying to do. Of course, he did. But if there was even a chance that this human was different, that there could be a place for it to go when it escaped, that there was any hope in that feat... Then he would continue to walk forward.

And it was like this that after several months of silence, just as he had back then, he gazed toward the now stunned human and began to speak aloud.

"ℝ𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤... 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me!

Unit 001 speaking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"ℝ𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤... 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki watched as the robot-looking kid slowly approached him. He was screaming a whole slew of profanities, but with the muzzle still on his face all that came out were muffled and unintelligible screams.

He was going to continue screaming when he noticed the robot flinch and step back away from him.

'What?'

Katsuki took the initiative to carefully look at the person(?) before him. He had no idea if they were a part of the league that took him. It had just been in the corner like a discarded piece of garbage before it started moving. It had multiple dents, rusted parts that looked strangely like handprints, singe marks, and scratches all over it.

'Did they make it a pastime to wail on this thing? Person? What the fuck is his quirk?'

It seemed to tremble slightly and that caused him to completely pause his antics in order to pay more attention. When he did, the realization hit him and that confused him even more.

'He's scared? The fuck?'

The robot-looking something took a moment before it began approaching him again. It was a lot slower than it had done before, showing that it did not want to alarm Katsuki with its movements. Its cracked visor let him get a glimpse of the electric blue orbs behind it, eyeing his every move warily. It made him wonder what kind of hell it had gone through for it to be like that.

"𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕠𝕥... 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕞... 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki's eyes widened a margin at the voice. It was scratchy as if it hadn't been used in years, and was quiet and careful, slowly saying each word. There was this robotic edge on it, but it was definitely male. Young, too, most likely no older than he was.

"𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕧𝕖... 𝕞𝕦𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥..." He said, "ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕥𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖... 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕚𝕤𝕖𝕕... ℍ𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕖 𝕙𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕤... 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕚𝕟 𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕒, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

'Hostile humans?' Katsuki thought, finding his wording strange. 'Why does he refer to humans as if he isn't one?'

Katsuki wasn't an idiot, he already suspected why but he just didn't believe it. Ain't no damn way... But then he thought of how he phrased that term: Hostile Humans. 

'Was I right about them hurting him like that?'

He didn't want to be right, because then he'd wonder how long he'd been here. That would lead to thoughts about what might happen to him should the heroes not come. And that led to many other negative thoughts that he just did not feel like thinking about. 

He was going to get out of this place. End of discussion. There was no need to think of the what-ifs because that was what was going to happen. He was going to make it happen.

The robot-kid continued to slowly make his way to him. When he got close enough to touch the muzzle, he asked. "𝔻𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚... 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖... 𝕠𝕗 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙'𝕤 𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?"

'Unit 001? Why the hell does his name sound like some kind of production number? The fuck?'

Katsuki slowly nodded in answer.

"ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕧𝕒𝕝... 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕦𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖... 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝕊𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥... 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕔𝕔𝕦𝕣, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

The robot-looking something, now known as Unit 001, whatever the hell kind of name that was, carefully removed the muzzle. His fingers lightly grazed over his cheek as he did, and Katsuki was surprised by how cold they were.

Metal, that was his first thought. But it was also soft, so it left him even more confused. It didn't feel like skin, though. And now that he was really close, he could see the subtle joints between the bends of the fingers, his wrist, and even places in his damaged armor. 

Katsuki let out a breath of relief when the muzzle was finally off, returning eye contact with Unit 001. Just as carefully as it had walked to him, it made distance even quicker. He did not remove any other restraint from him. Unit 001 was watching him closely like he was recording his every movement.

Katsuki didn't know that this was exactly what he was doing.

The electric blue orb that could just barely be seen behind the dark visor was whirling like one of those loading icons. He simply watched him, waiting for him to make a move. Waiting for him to do or say anything that would make him the same as the other humans he'd met.

He was close enough to talk, not enough to touch; even restrained, the robot kept that amount of distance from him.

'He's cautious. Doesn't trust me.'

After a moment of silent staring, Unit 001 spoke again with the same quiet voice he had used before. It was like he turned down his volume like that of a television; even though the tone of his voice did not change, it was quieter. It was so quiet that Katsuki almost had to strain his ears to hear him. 

"𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕣𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨... 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

The way this kid spoke was strange, extremely so. Who the heck says 'designation' anymore? "You already know my damn name," Katsuki said, confusion laced in his eyes but his voice coming out agitated. "Who the fuck are you?"

He pauses for a moment but then speaks, answering Katsuki's question, "𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖... 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞... 𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕒... 𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕕... 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕝𝕖𝕕𝕘𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕦𝕔𝕙... 𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕥, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki's eyes widened a bit a that. 'No name? Memory data? He has amnesia?'

"How long have you been here then? By the dents in your body, I don't think you and those stupid bastards are all that friendly." The more they interacted, the more he was certain that this person was not a part of the League. 

That, and another, very clear detail.

It was the marks on him, the handprints.

They weren't just made. Some were old and faded a bit while others looked to be fresh. He had a guess as to who had done that, and if he did, then there was no way that they were allies unless some weird shit was going on.

"𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕... 𝕒𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖... 𝕓𝕪... 𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕖 𝕙𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." He told Katsuki, "𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕤... '𝕥𝕠𝕪', 𝕒𝕟𝕕... 𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕕 𝕕𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕪, 𝕙𝕦𝕞... 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕙𝕒𝕤... 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖... 𝟟 𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕤... 𝟚𝟛 𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤... 𝟙𝟞 𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤... 𝟚𝟚 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕤... 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝟜𝟡 𝕤𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki's eyes widened in horror. He'd only guessed it, but to have it confirmed as true was an entirely different ball game.

They'd really been torturing him? Every day since he woke up?

Katsuki had been a bully before, he wasn't all that innocent. He has done and said some shit that should have never been said or done, and he was working on making up for it.

Slowly, Deku was still an annoying Deku.

But this—this was beyond anything he'd done. This kid must have had a quirk that kept him from dying, because surely... with all of those wounds, any normal person would have died a long time ago.

He remembered what that cosplaying walking handjob had done to his teacher, Aizawa. He remembered that fucker's quirk very well. It had only taken an instant for it to do that extent of damage.

And by the looks of it, he'd been trying to do the same, no, worse to this kid for much, much longer than an instant. For some reason, Katsuki felt that familiar feeling of unbridled rage bubble in his gut.

'Those sick bastards. Pieces of rotting horse shit.'

Before Katsuki could get more into his thoughts, Unit 001 spoke again.

"𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕... 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕙𝕠𝕨... 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚 𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕 𝕦𝕡 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕕 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖... 𝕎𝕙𝕠 𝕚𝕤 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Oh, he wanted to know about him, not just his name. There was a lot of hesitance in his answer, but Unit 001 was extremely patient. With an inaudible sigh, he does eventually answer the robot, "...I got nabbed at a training camp for soon-to-be heroes."

"ℍ𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕖𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?" The bot tilted his head, "𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕... 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥... '𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕖𝕤' 𝕒𝕣𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki stared at him in bewilderment, "The fuck? You don't know what heroes are? Where have you been for the last 300 years—No, how long has the term 'hero' even existed?"

"𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕚𝕤... 𝕦𝕟𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕣, 𝕙𝕦𝕞... 𝔹𝕦𝕥... 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥... 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖... 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕖𝕩𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕.... 𝕒𝕞𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Offline? What did he mean by that? Sleep? Is this dude telling him he'd been asleep for a few centuries and woke up with his circuits fried?

'The fuck?'

Katsuki, now that he'd had a moment to actually look at Unit 001, could see him more clearly. Behind the broken visor he had vibrant, ring-like blue irises that always spun, shrunk, and grew. It was a bit like a camera lens. The visor stopped just above his mouth, his lips holding no color aside from that ash gray of his skin(?) and a neon blue stripe that went through the middle of his bottom lip.

He could see wires, or were those cables? There was a strange blue liquid flowing through them. Was that his blood? Were there quirks that made others' blood blue? He wasn't sure if the helmet on his head was actually a helmet or his actual head, and everywhere else was covered in that severely damaged armor.

He wasn't sure how it still held together given how much damage the league had done to it. Some of those places were open right now, allowing him to see the subtle black inner frame it was barely protecting.

'Wait... wut?'

Unit 001 had opened himself up, the armor above his stomach retracting oddly into his body. When Katsuki realized that he was seeing blue, blood-covered cables expose themselves, his eyes widened. The armor had retracted in a way that the blue blood did not spill even a drop. He was careful, pulling out the cables with one hand while fixing them with the other.

Imagine someone taking out their intestines from a small hole in their gut.

Katsuki hurried and looked away, "What the fuck?!"

"ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕕𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥... 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"Aren't those your fucking organs?! Why can I see your organs?! Put them back in!"

"𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥... 𝕓𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕... 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪.... 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙... 𝕤𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣 𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕪... 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕥 𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"The hell does that mean?!" Katsuki was trying not to yell, he really was. But there is a fucking limit and Unit 001 was pressing on it really fucking hard. His organs, dude. He pulled out his organs...!

Unit 001, on the other hand, was not bothered by this. Of course, he got notifications about the exposed wires. If he was human, well, a normal human, he would register this as extreme pain. But he was not, so he did not. He adjusted them as thoroughly as he could. When they were in their right place, repaired, and his blood was flowing through them as they should, he closed the area and moved on to the next to do the same thing.

He was self-repairing.

Katsuki, on the other hand, was sure he'd have nightmares about this shit.

He was trying not to be disgusted by seeing someone's innards, he tried not to look at it. But eventually, he lost that battle and looked, and what he saw couldn't have been normal.

Within that space was something he couldn't explain. It was like a glass orb, the outer lining holding the blue blood and the wires connecting that to the other places in his body. And with that glass-like sphere was a light. It was floating inside, not attached to anything. It wasn't like any light he'd seen, almost see-through yet tangible. There was some type of writing on the sphere holding it, but it looked like fancy gibberish to him that seemed oddly refined.

As if whoever had written them did so with the utmost care.

Katsuki wanted to believe that this was just one of the facets of this person's weird-ass quirk. At first, he did. He'd seen many people with freaky mutations, it was normal.

For god's sake, Racoon Eyes was pink and Birdbrain literally had a bird's head. 

But the way he spoke, his actions, the way he could play dead in the corner not moving an inch even though they hit, burned, cut, and tried to decay him for months... and that, whatever that was at the center of his chest...

It gave off a completely different vibe than just being weird quirk shit.

No... this was different.

This was damn freaky.

He was smart, but this uncertainty was making his fucking brain hurt. All of Katsuki's instincts were telling him that this being before him was not human...

He was something else.

Katsuki repressed the need to groan in frustration. This was some magic meets science fiction bullshit he was seeing right now. What was that orb he was seeing? His fucking soul or some shit?

It seemed like his favorite words were 'what, 'the', and 'fuck', specifically in that order, and with a giant question mark at the end.

'I'm looking at it, but I feel like I'm being so fucking invasive right now. What in the ever-loving fuck even is this situation right now? He is literally doing some open-heart surgery type-shit in this trashy ass basement on himself, by himself! This ain't fucking normal—!'

No, none of this was normal. This being had aspects about him that made seem like something other than human. Something unnatural and fascinating.

But Katsuki could see the caution in every action he took, how his voice was quieter than his own. Although his voice carried no emotion, a robotic hum in his tone, Katsuki was sure that this being in front of him was scared. A simple robot with some advanced tech wouldn't be scared, genuinely scared like the one before him.

Simple robots don't feel emotions, they are programmed. And no robot he'd ever seen was as advanced as this one before him. He wasn't a thing. He wasn't an object. He had emotions and thoughts of his own that no normal machine could have. You would believe that he was human if you didn't see anything else.

But Katsuki was witnessing everything else, and it left him in this state of shock and confusion.

Tired of trying to figure this out, he just straight up asked, "...What the fuck are you?"

Unit 001 tilted his head a bit, answering the question honestly, "...𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥... 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨... 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕒 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟... 𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕕... 𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕥... 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕪... 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki wasn't satisfied at all, but he would have to accept that for now. If he didn't know himself, then there was no way for him to find out by asking.

The unit looked up at Katsuki, getting just a little bit closer to him. He wanted to get to know Bakugou, Katsuki more, and it prompted him to ask his own questions about what the boy knew. "ℂ𝕒𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚... 𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕... 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?"

For some reason, the place around Unit 001 seemed to sparkle at his rising curiosity.

"Tch. Whatever." Trying to deny the fact that he was amused by Unit 001's eagerness, he proceeded to tell Unit 001 about the world outside. Heroes, Villains, All Might, a person he called Deku, a school called Yuuei (U.A), and other things about the life that left him fascinated.

This world is not just a place fear is present. There is much that this unit has not seen.

Katsuki figured out how isolated Unit 001 was and how little he understood about his world, while Unit 001 determined that Bakugou, Katsuki was not a threat to it at the moment.

He was the very first human to ever be deemed as someone he could even remotely trust.

Unit 001 had decided on a course of action. It had made its decision regarding Katsuki.

"...𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚," He said, getting the boy's attention, "𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘... 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕖..." That made Katsuki's eyes narrow, he was fully listening now, "𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤... 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪, 𝕓𝕦𝕥... 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕚𝕤... 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝟛𝟘%... 𝕆𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝... 𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕚𝕤... 𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

The explosive boy resisted his urge to wince at the admittance of his injuries' severity.

'I have fucking eyes. I knew he was injured. But I didn't know he was damn near at death's door.'

Katsuki could only see the outside of Unit 001, and that was horrid. But to put how close he was to death in a number... Did he quantify his pain, too? Was everything a number to him? And 30%?

'It's so low...'

When they got out of here, the first thing they needed to do was get him to a hospital. But the more Katsuki thought about it, the more discouraged he became at the idea.

If he wasn't human and didn't work the same way humans did, how the hell was a hospital going to help him?

'How damaged was he when they found him?'

He didn't want to think about it.

Seeing him repairing himself even now, meticulously, he could tell he was trying to get any little percentage closer to healthy that he could.

'Only for him to end up trapped with villains, continuously injured, fixing himself like this all alone.'

Katsuki felt a sense of barely restrained rage once again, but kept it to himself as he continued to listen to Unit 001 speak.

"𝔸𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣... 𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕖..." He continued, "𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨... 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕠𝕓𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." He paused, looking at its gray, jointed hands, "𝕊𝕒𝕗𝕖 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖... 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕖𝕩𝕚𝕤𝕥... 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕨𝕒𝕤... 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖... 𝕚𝕟 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕣, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

He reached for the rest of Katsuki's restraints, steadily unlocking all of them. When Katsuki was free, they both stood, and the ash-blonde could see that he was indeed taller than Unit 001. Now standing face to face, he could clearly see the trembling in his frame. If one wasn't close, they wouldn't notice it, but Katsuki was standing just a foot away from him.

Always in a state of fear. Since Unit 001 had awoken, all he'd known was being afraid.

"𝕀𝕗 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕖𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙.... 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚... 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝... 𝕤𝕒𝕗𝕖 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖... 𝕖𝕩𝕚𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?"

He looked back at Katsuki, Unit 001's visible electric blue eye swirling. That was an extremely heavy question for Unit 001, and it didn't take a genius to understand that.

Katsuki took a moment to pause and think.

He thought back on his life, all of his mistakes. Of all of the things he's done wrong, and right now. This moment. This was his chance to make a right.

He wasn't nice, he wasn't Deku.

His personality was probably why he ended up here in the first place.

But right now...? Right now... this person in front of him needed him. If he was going to be the number one hero, this was something he would need to be able to do.

If the damned Deku could do it, he could do it too, and he would do it better.

'Because I'm Bakugou motherfucking Katsuki.'

In a rare moment for Katsuki, he spoke calmly. He was still gruff, but it was the sincerest he was going to get and something like this was only going to happen once. "I don't know if there is any real safe place, but I know that being there is a whole lot better than being here. That I'm fucking certain of."

Katsuki, too, had also come to a decision.

'When I get the chance, I'm going to blow them to fucking smithereens. I'll find a way for him to get better when we get out of this damn place.'

"So whatever plan you got, spill it, Tin Can."

Unit 001's eyes widened, his head tilted again, "𝕀𝕤 𝕞𝕪... 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕟𝕠𝕨... '𝕋𝕚𝕟 ℂ𝕒𝕟', 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?"

"What? No!"

"𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕕... 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... '𝕋𝕚𝕟 ℂ𝕒𝕟', 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"I'll call you whatever the hell I want to call you, but it isn't your damn name! It's a fucking nickname."

"...𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤... 𝕒 𝕟𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki wanted to screech another string of curses as he explained, well, tried to explain, what a nickname was.

While this conversation was happening, many different thoughts and scenarios were going through Unit 001's mind. So many things that could go wrong, and the hopeful things that could happen should this human be right.

Unit 001 had no other options.

If he did not escape now, there would be no other chance.

If I do not escape now, I will truly shut down.

This world which he found out was much bigger than he'd imagined, he'd never see it if he didn't leave now.

Unit 001 will trust the human child, Bakugou, Katsuki.

His decision was made.

With him, this unit will escape.

[Notice: Human File has been updated.]

[Updated File: Humans. An untrustworthy and violent species that has repeatedly damaged Unit 001 since being encountered. However, not all humans are hostile. There is at least one known human that is different: Bakugou, Katsuki.]

And just like that, an odd and unlikely friendship had been formed.

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Unit 001 told Katsuki everything he had been planning to do alone. It would have taken him no longer than eight minutes, his plan had been that thought out.

But now that he was bringing Katsuki with him in his escape, this plan had a 100% chance of failure. Katsuki was a human with a human body, he could not survive his plan or mold his body to fit into tight spaces. There were too many ways that Katsuki would die if they tried to proceed with his original plan.

I do not want Bakugou, Katsuki to be damaged or shut down.

After going back and forth a bit with different ideas, the new and improved plan was set. Unit 001 wanted to know both their strengths and weaknesses, making the proper adjustments for an increased success rate. But of course, Katsuki did not admit to having any, so Unit 001 had to figure him out.

His eyes whirled to life and he began his almost instantaneous scan and review of Katsuki Bakugou.

Bakugou Katsuki's arms are more muscularly developed, and the skin of his hands, although seemingly smooth, is thicker than in other places. It is possible his method of combat centers around his arms and hands. The possibility of weapon use is low, though callouses could mean another activity involving the use of hands and grip. Climbing could be a possibility. Detecting oddities in his sweat.

Unit 001 cautiously touched Katsuki's hands, earning himself a confused and irritated string of whisper yells from the teen. His interface absorbed the drop of sweat he got from the touch instantly, analyzing it immediately. After a few seconds, he got a response.

[Notice: This substance bears resemblance to Nitroglycerin. It is toxic.]

"𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚... 𝕕𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦... 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕦𝕟𝕨𝕖𝕝𝕝? ...𝕊𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕤... ℕ𝕚𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕘𝕝𝕪𝕔𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟... 𝕊𝕦𝕓𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖... 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕩𝕚𝕔... 𝕊𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕖 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕤... 𝔻𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖... 𝕒𝕟𝕕... 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠... 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥. 𝔻𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?"

"How the hell did you know all that?" Katsuki eyed him suspiciously. When did he have the time to figure that out about his sweat?

"𝕋𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖... 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕... 𝕒𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕪𝕫𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕥, 𝕙𝕦𝕞... 𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕦𝕟𝕨𝕖𝕝𝕝, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." 

He did that when he touched his hand? Just now? In that instant? "Of course I'm fine. It's my damn quirk, Bolts for Brains." Katsuki answered a bit irritably before remembering that this kid did not understand anything about quirks five minutes ago.

"...I can blow shit up." He added after a moment, Unit 001 tilting his head slightly the way a dog does when it's confused.

"𝕀𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕟𝕠𝕨... '𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕥𝕤 𝔽𝕠𝕣 𝔹𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤', 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"No, damn it!"

"𝕌𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕠𝕕, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 stood in contemplation as he watched Katsuki silently swear at himself with a notably angry look on his face. Although he was angry and a bit volatile, Unit 001 was not afraid of this human. This person was very different from the hostile humans.

Unit 001 was sure that outside of this dire situation, the child known as Bakugou, Katsuki was very loud and seemed to always be upset. He had a lot of pride and seemed a bit violent, but he was nothing compared to the villains Unit 001 had been trapped with for almost 8 months.

Unit 001 did not dislike Bakugou, Katsuki.

Although his personality left something to be desired, this human gave Unit 001 hope, something that he'd been struggling to keep his grasp on since coming online. Despite his crass words and anger, Unit 001 was sure that Bakugou, Katsuki was not a 'villain'. 

So he wanted to help this human. "𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕣𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥... 𝕓𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"Why the hell do you need my blood?"

"𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚 𝕚𝕤... 𝕕𝕣𝕦𝕘𝕘𝕖𝕕. 𝕀𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕝𝕪... 𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕤𝕖𝕤 '𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕣𝕜' 𝕥𝕠... 𝕓𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥... 𝔹𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕪𝕫𝕚𝕟𝕘... 𝔻ℕ𝔸 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕕... 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕕𝕠𝕥𝕖..." He explained, shocking Katsuki, "𝔸𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙... 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕔𝕖𝕖𝕕? ℝ𝕖𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕚𝕤... 𝕒𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

He paused for a moment.

"𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥... 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨... 𝕠𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕦𝕞 𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕝 𝕗𝕠𝕣... 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕙𝕦𝕞... 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝟘𝟘𝟙 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝... 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕔𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕗... 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥... 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕠... 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕... 𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"...Damnit. Get it over with." Begrudgingly, Bakugou let him get a sample because he wanted out of this place yesterday.

"𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖... 𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤. 𝕊𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖 𝕕𝕣𝕠𝕡 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

A lot of silent swearing was involved, but the procedure was surprisingly painless and quick just like Unit 001 said it would be. After taking a few moments to analyze the sample he got, he synthesized a counter drug using the components of his own body fluid, which was a multi-use, all-in-one unique chemical that could pair with and be altered into whatever he needed.

Oh, that's new.

His goal was to make a booster that would enable Katsuki's body to drive it out much faster than it was doing while also combatting the drug directly. He'd made it in a way that Katsuki's body would not notice it was getting the help and work naturally.

It would also temporarily boost the facets of his quirk and physical capabilities, and would only leave him a bit drowsy once the effects wore off after a day.

Query: How does Unit 001 have this particular knowledge?

[No data found, unable to answer query.]

Query: Has Unit 001 done this procedure before?

[As far as Unit 001's available memory shows, Unit 001 has not.]

[Commencing analysis of blood sample]

█▓░░░░░░░░░░░░ 12%

███████▓░░░░░░ 55%

Unit 001 found that his knowledge of the base of human DNA was extensive, along with medical knowledge. Did he study in this field before losing his memory data? Unit 001 did not know. There was a lot of data that he seemed to have no recollection of collecting after he came online. 

[Analysis Complete.]
[Genetic Anomaly confirmed. Updating Human File.]

[Alert: Gene Suppression Drug Analyzed. Synthesizing immunization.]
[Unit 001 is now able to mimic this substance.]

[Personal Medical File for "Bakugou, Katsuki" has been successfully created.]

Because this new development was not the most important at the moment, Unit 001 decided not to prioritize it and continue with detoxifying Katsuki, who was still fuming from the fact that he was drugged in the first place.

"𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥... 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕠𝕔𝕔𝕦𝕣... 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"Just get it over with, damn you!" Katsuki had already made up his mind and was already frustrated. Injecting the immunization resulted in another string of swearing from the ash blonde, who had to suppress the urge to blow everything in the nearest vicinity up as soon as he got the feeling of his quirk back. Again, he felt nothing, not even a bit of discomfort, and the results were quick.

That, however, did not stop him from swearing up, down, and even sideways in as quiet of a voice as he could muster. The familiar pops and crackles of his quirk made him feel better though.

This operation needed stealth, and exploding objects that seemed to be adept against such things didn't seem like an option. So Katsuki decided to relish in the feeling of his returned quirk, feeling much more like himself than he had before.

He gave a glance to Unit 001, who was standing silently while continuing with his own self-repair. It was odd watching someone take their head off to get to areas they wouldn't normally be able to see. It was fascinating and strange.

Under normal circumstances, Katsuki would never let anyone near him like this. But Unit 001 asked his permission for every little thing he did, literally. Even walking towards him. He kept explaining what he was going to do in annoyingly great detail before ever attempting, and waiting for Katsuki to weigh the pros and cons before he proceeded with anything.

He was annoyingly considerate of him, and it made it extremely difficult to stay as angry as he wanted to be. Under normal circumstances this would not matter, he would still be pissed, and he would explode everything in sight.

But these weren't normal circumstances.

He'd been fucking kidnapped by some dumbass villains and was trapped in an unknown room in an unknown location with an abused, amnesiac, and surprisingly helpful not-robot, not-human with feelings from some bygone age working on an escape plan.

No, this was not fucking normal.

"𝕋𝕠𝕩𝕚𝕟 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖... 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝟚𝟜 𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤... 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣... 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤... 𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕚𝕤... 𝟜𝟚 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕤, 𝟝𝟘 𝕤𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕤... 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕚𝕤𝕖𝕤 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖... 𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕣𝕦𝕘 𝕚𝕤... 𝕘𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖... 𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘 '𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕣𝕜', 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"I'll do whatever the hell I want, Nerd Bot!" Katsuki exclaimed, grumbling another string of curses.

While Katsuki was swearing up and down the walls, Unit 001 received another type of notification the moment the immunization began to truly circulate through Katsuki's system.

[Registration Complete. Active Charge Confirmed: Katsuki Bakugou.]
[Protocol One is now able to be activated.]

[Protocol One Status Changed: Locked → Inactive.]

Hm? A part of my systems has reactivated? Why?

Unit 001 was confused by these messages. But he quickly dismissed them as he had no way to discern what they were, and had no time to figure them out. Instead, he concentrated on something else he had heard.

"𝕀𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕟𝕠𝕨... 'ℕ𝕖𝕣𝕕 𝔹𝕠𝕥', 𝕙𝕦𝕞...?"

"For fucks sake, NO! That is not your actual name!" 

"𝕌𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕠𝕕, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

They went over the plan for the next few hours until there were signs that the villains were coming back. Unit 001 got back in his place, making sure that everything around him was in the same position as before he stood. He put the restraints back on Katsuki but rigged them so he would easily be able to tear them off. 

He made sure the villains would not suspect any tampering if they were to go and unlock him themselves as they did before.

Katsuki reaffirmed his role in the plan. "I just do what I've been doing?"

"𝕐𝕖𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Katsuki hesitated before asking in a completely aloof version of concern, "You better not hurt yourself in all this shit," he whispered. But Unit 001 being the advanced data collecting something that he was, heard him clearly.

The eyes that were partially hidden behind his dark visor widened. He identified this as a notion of concern, one that was being directed at him. For the very first time since he had been online, someone of something other than his AI assistant directed concern towards him.

Unit 001 didn't say anything about it. He knew that Bakugou, Katsuki had not intended for him to hear that last statement. But for some reason, the core within his chest felt lighter.

Query: What is this new feeling called?

[Data not found. Unable to answer.]

It is... a very nice feeling.

[Yes.] The AI stopped for a moment before continuing, [This AI hopes for this unit to continue to feel this way when this unit escapes.]

Yes, I also hope for this. He responded.

While this conversation was happening, he continued with the plan. "ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥... 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕦𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖... 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥... 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕔𝕔𝕦𝕣, 𝕙𝕦𝕞." Unit 001 replaced the muzzle, and could visibly see the discomfort it brought Bakugou, Katsuki.

Unit 001 found that he did not like this, but he could not leave it off in fear of jeopardizing the plan. Everything had to be as if it had not moved. There were no cameras in this room so they did not have to be wary of that.

The villains weren't very cautious. That, or they were stupid. Either way, he didn't care, it worked in his favor. It was for this reason that he could freely wander about when they left, using his scanning ability to map out the building and find the parts he needed to aid in his self-repairs.

Their lax behavior when lounging around, making their plans, or damaging him was how he built up information on them. They had displayed their mutations and gave him plenty of video feeds of their behavior while damaging him.

After Unit 001 got back in his place, he cut off all of his lights just like before and went completely still. He returned to being just the junk in the corner full of dents, rusts, scratches, and singe marks.

It unnerved Katsuki how easily Unit 001 could go from moving, talking, and being alive, to this still and broken doll within moments. He'd gone back to the exact place he'd gotten up from, even moving the subtle pieces of junk back to where they were before he moved. It almost made him think that their interaction was a lie.

But he knew that it wasn't.

And then they waited. Though Katsuki continued to let out his string of muffled, angry, and colorful swears about everything.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

The villains came back after another hour.

Nothing had been moved, nothing was out of place. Katsuki was right where they left him in the exact same state they left him in. His muffled curses stopped, but his glare at them was the same as before. Though they could see that he was worn down from being left alone in the dimly lit room like that.

Just as they hoped.

"Dabi."

"Why do I have to do it? Do you see him? He'll bite me." He said. They all looked at him.

"You lost the bet."

"Sorry, Dabi. Get it over with, coward!"

"Ugh... Fine..." Dabi made his way over to the feral teen that was glaring daggers at him. He removed the muzzle, careful to avoid his teeth. When he was done he got out of the way quick.

The boy tested his mouth without the muzzle, something they expected since he was in here for a while with it on. After giving him a bit of time, Shigaraki spoke to him again.

"Katsuki, join the League of Villains," Shigaraki said, his tone was a calm one. His suggestion was followed by the same colorful response from the ash-blonde, if not even more colorful than before.

"Go decay your d**k f*cking yourself, crusty b*tch. Die while you're at it."

They were so sure that his increased anger was because of being kept in the room in restraints.

They didn't even spare a glance at the junk in the corner. It had been there for months now. While the first few days they thought it would cut back on, they deduced that it was completely broken, useless. So, its only use after that was serving as a punching bag whenever they felt stressed.

It, surprisingly, was extremely durable. They had tried to scrap it for parts, but that proved to be a bust as nothing could truly get through it. So they ended up at square one with it.

But its durability made it that much more valuable as a punching bag; it could withstand their quirks. Though it bent, scorched, and rusted, it did not break.

Though sometimes that hard metal would prick them, which only served to make them angry and hit it more. By the time they left, all of their stress and frustration had been sated. It always felt better to hit something. The only one who didn't participate in this activity was Kurogiri.

The mist was never mad, always calm.

No one suspected anything, because no normal person would be able to withstand what they'd put that robot through and not crack.

At first, they thought that it was pretending, but it had been months, MONTHS, of them torturing the thing. There was no way it was still functioning. No lights, no sounds, nothing.

They even had the doctor check it. He assumed that when it was still online, it could mimic the functions of the human body; A heartbeat, brainwaves, and blood flow.

The most that he could tell them was that it was indeed some type of highly advanced machine. Either that or this was a quirk so ingrained it went beyond human understanding.

It didn't help that none of the doctor's equipment could get through it. The only thing it managed to do was damage the outer armor even more, but it could never truly penetrate it. And forget removing it, whatever the thing was made of, it wasn't budging. No matter how much damage they did to it, the armor refused to give way.

The doctor said that it was no different than an extremely durable corpse. There was nothing he could take from it and no research on what it was. Since there was nothing he could do with it, he lost interest and that was the end of it.

So there it be, in the corner like the junk that it was until they decided to use it as a test dummy again.

Only Katsuki knew the truth.

False Shutdown was that thorough of a tactic. Unit 001 had been so thorough in his acting that there was no way for them to know the truth. All functions take on the appearance of shut down, or in human terms, death. 

He can control every process of his body, inside, and outside. While the outside gets continuously damaged, the inner layer of his body is stronger which protects the wires within. Especially his core, as no damage whatsoever had been done to it. There was no way for them to remove the armor, as it was seamlessly connected to his body.

Because it was so strong, it made him wonder what could have damaged him before he met the villains. If he was so durable, what put him in this dire state?

There was no way for him to know, so he concentrated on the present. He used this advantage, this stealth, to gather data.

They had no idea that he was watching them, and always had been. His eyes, now lightless but still functioning, scanned all of the occupants of the room every single time he saw them. One could think of it as a version of Baymax's Full Body Scan from Big Hero 6.

He had a file on each one of them, he even pricked them and gained a drop of blood as a result.

He didn't care if it hurt them a little, he only made it painless for Bakugou, Katsuki.

He was so thorough with his analysis of the villains he'd be able to find them even in a crowded stadium. With even an atom of his all-purpose blood in their system, he was able to track them if they were within his range. That was how he was able to plan his perfect escape, and still adjust his plan after adding Katsuki to it.

Unit 001 continued to watch everything silently from the corner.

So far, Bakugou, Katsuki was doing very well in terms of acting natural, which was basically him just being an angry, explosive gremlin. That was not very hard to do, given that he was actually an angry, explosive gremlin. But he made sure not to provoke the villains more than he usually did.

Kurogiri created a portal, transporting them to the entrance of this place, the bar area. Even though Unit 001 lost sight of them, panic did not flood his systems. He easily made his way towards the small vent by him. His hard exterior softened, molding his body to be thin and lengthy. He easily made his way through the vent's tunnels, finding himself in that room within minutes.

He was like the Imposter in Among Us, lurking in the vents.

Katsuki was nearing the door, gauging his chances against their numbers.

The plan was simple. Unit 001 planned to reveal his presence to the hostile humans, getting their attention. Because of their previous thoughts on his status, they would be shocked and thus cease movements for a few seconds. Due to their mannerisms, they may even speak, spouting their confusion about his online status. This would only add to their spare time.

During their distracted state, Katsuki would use his quirk to blast both in front and behind him. Unit 001 assured him that he would be fine, and the others would be taken off guard. As he could now mimic the effects of the quirk suppressant, he would inject a dosage of it to the warp-user, Kurogiri. That would eliminate him as an obstacle aside from physical force.

The blast in front would put them off balance, giving Unit 001 a chance to bypass them. With his systems at 30%, his speed was sufficient enough to pull this off. The second blast would blow away the wall, giving them complete access to the outside world.

At that point, it would be up to Katsuki to lead them to a safe place, as he had more knowledge of the world beyond that point. But both of them would be free. With all of the variables accounted for, this plan had a 75% chance of complete success, taking into account human error.

[Notice: The device in the far corner is broadcasting. Signal: Unknown.]

Unit 001 halted, watching the TV from the vent. It was on? Why was it on? It had not been on prior to this. It was blank, giving off an inconspicuous guise, but Unit 001 knew better.

It was a good thing he never stepped before it, his cover may have been blown if he had.

There was someone watching behind the screen, someone the hostile human Shigaraki, Tomura called 'Sensei'.

It was brief, but he had encountered that person during the early days of his capture. He had tried to do something to him but without luck. The only thing it managed was to increase the damage hiding beneath his damaged armor. He stopped before Unit 001 was forced to really shut down.

From that day forth, that person was marked as the largest threat. That someone, who Shigaraki could ask for help from even though he had to of been far away, was dangerous.

Much more than these humans here.

[Possibility of Success: 75%  → 45%]

Unit 001's plan's success rate drops by 30 points at this fact. If it was just these humans, which he had studied for a long while, it would be fine. But it was not. That human was also involved, and he could not fight that human in his current state.

This put Bakugou, Katsuki in far more danger than first anticipated.

"Kurogiri, Compress, make him go to sleep again," Shigaraki ordered. The two called began advancing on the boy, who readied himself for their attack.

"I can't believe he's such a bad listener," Compress said, sighing as he walked forward, "I'm almost impressed."

"If you want me to listen to you then get on your knees and die!" Katsuki retorted, but the wariness in his eyes was clear. If Unit 001 was able to take care of the warp-gate, he'd be able to use his explosions freely. For some reason, he felt a lot more energized than he had before. He was sure it had something to do with what Unit 001 did.

For a moment, a brief, silent moment, he tried to find Unit 001. He'd told him that he would be waiting in the vents for the perfect time to start their plan. He had to stop himself from reacting when he found him, that electric blue eyes glowing vibrantly in the darkness of the vent.

'...What the fuck.'

In this situation, that image was kinda fucking scary.

Nah, it was absolutely fucking terrifying.

'Whaaaat in the fuck.'

Unit 001 would have made the other students at camp shit themselves if they saw him right now.

And somehow, It only got worse.

'What the actual ever-loving god of what the fuck.'

Unit 001 quietly made his way out of the vent, resetting his body to normal without their notice. Katsuki saw him, his eyes widening from the extremely disturbing sight. It took everything in him not to cringe or give away that he was looking at something other than them. But...

'The fuck am I even seeing?' 

It was like someone setting their multiple dislocated limbs in the right place again, but without sound. He could see him twitching and jerking in different directions, his sight never leaving the group in front of him. He was twice his regular size, but thin and stretched in an unnatural, horrid way.

In the darkness, he looked like Slenderman with a single blue, glowing eye. He could see when the joints were supposed to make a sound as they popped back in, his body striking down to normal.

'No wonder he said I would fucking die! What the fuck is this shit?! How is he not dead?! H-how is he okay doing that to himself?! How the fuck did he do that to himself?!'

That process, for any human, would have been so excruciatingly painful. Katsuki was sure he was witnessing some type of horror show.

It confirmed his thoughts that Unit 001 couldn't be human. Was he some type of robot Nomu? No, that wasn't it, either. There were so many "what the fuck"s going through his mind he could hardly process what he was seeing.

He was going to have nightmares. He was sure of it. Damn it.

Unit 001, on the other hand, found this process normal. Though there was slight damage to his endoskeleton from the forceful dislocation, it was not something that would not heal itself within a few minutes of resetting. It took only a little of his energy to repair that insignificant damage. He only truly had to worry about the wires, which is why he concentrated on them mostly throughout his time here.

It was now time for him to make his distraction. Unit 001 prepared to make a blaring, loud alarm go off, similar to when he first encountered the humans. The suddenness of the loud sound would startle them, as they had planned.

A 45% chance of success was better than nothing.

Both he and Bakugou, Katsuki braced themselves in preparation for the next part of their plan. But the moment they were ready to begin there was a knock at the door. 

"Hello, this is Pizza-La, Camino Store."

The wall on the adjacent side of the room was blasted away with the mighty yell of "Smash", and Unit 001's plan fell to ruin with the tumbling bricks of the wall.

[Possibility of Success: 45%  →  ɆⱤⱤØⱤ]

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

[Possibility of Success: 45%  →  ɆⱤⱤØⱤ]

Unit 001 was blasted by the wall, his systems flooded with errors due to the drastically changed situation. What could have caused such force? The bricks of the wall pelted his exterior heavily, adding to the damages he already had and burying him temporarily.

[ Alert: Life signs detected. Humans have infiltrated the building. It is surrounded, escape impossible.]

Bakugou, Katsuki...!

He was worried more about Katsuki. The situation had changed and he was in more danger. This was not the plan and he wasn't sure how to deal with these added variables. Where was Bakugou, Katsuki? He needed to find and secure Katsuki.

"Come. it's time for our counterattack! Let's overturn this flow of events, heroes!"

Ah, they are heroes. They are here to rescue Bakugou, Katsuki. He trusts heroes.

But Unit 001 did not feel at ease. All of his systems were on alert. While Bakugou, Katsuki was now in the presence of those who he felt safe with, Unit 001 was not. He trusted no one other than Bakugou, Katsuki. Humans were a hostile species aside from him in his database.

When he made his way out of the impromptu rubble pile, he was met with a strange sight.

Three 'Heroes' came in and quickly apprehended the villains. The hostile humans were restrained in these branch-like bindings, the fire user knocked out and the warp gate neutralized. An impossibly large male human stood in front of Katsuki protectively; he was muscular, had blonde hair and blue eyes, and seemed pleased to see Bakugou, Katsuki in good health.

Bakugou, Katsuki also had readings of being much happier than he was before in the presence of these newcomers.

One was a very small elderly man, while the other was a younger adult male that seemed to be made of wood? Are these what he called 'heroes'?

They are just more humans.

Unit 001 did what he had always done, he scanned everyone in the room and the surrounding area. When his scan covered the large male, he halted for a moment.

[Notice: This Human is severely injured. Essential organs seem to be missing. Unidentified energy detected. Sensing several Soul Flow Fluctuations. The signals are fading rapidly and will extinguish within the week naturally.]

Query: What are Soul Flow Fluctuations? 

[Soul Flow Fluctuation: The frequency given off by a soul as it traverses beyond the boundary of life. Those of your unit model can detect them, though there are some living beings which are in-tuned enough to sense them as well.]

Query: What is a soul?

[Soul: The essence of life. Every living being has a soul. It grows and matures during the lifespan, and departs from the body when it dies. The soul then proceeds to do one of three things: (1), Enter another body and live through another life; Reincarnation. (2), Disperse and become energy, gathering eventually to become a brand new soul; Ascension. Or (3), Linger on, neither ascending or reincarnating.]

Query: Why does that human have more than one soul occupying him? Why are they weakening?

[Data not found. Unable to answer.]

Query: How does this unit have this data?

[Data was already present when this unit returned to function. Memory Data as to how it was acquired has been lost.]

There was a millisecond of hesitance before he asked his next question, still observing the evolving situation before him even while having this full-blown conversation.

Query: Is Unit 001's core similar to a soul?

[Yes. Though this unit's soul is different from that of normal souls. Data as to why and how has been lost.]

The instantaneous conversation was over, and Unit 001 refocused on the situation before it.

"Where is he right now? Shigaraki!" The large man roared. Who was he asking for if Bakugou, Katsuki was already in his possession? He should take him and flee this place, quickly...!

[Alert: Multiple anomalies in the air detected. Something is approaching.]

"𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚...!" Unit 001 yelled, getting the boy's attention.

"Tin Can! Come on!" He yelled, unable to run and grab him from where he was. All of the villains' attention rapped on the robot they had failed to notice.

It was impossible... But there he was, walking about as if he hadn't been a discarded pile of junk for months.

"It's alive?!"

"How?!"

"I knew it," Shigaraki growled out, glaring at the robot with a vicious glint in his eyes. "You damned toy. You worked, you were always working. Making a fool of me, huh? I hate you..." His attention returned to the muscular human, no, everyone, "I hate you!"

Unit 001 wasn't paying attention to any of them even though his frame was shaking. The heroes were staring at the robot in horror, most likely because of the state it was in.

Rusted handprints in his ash gray armor, which was dented, scratched, and worn from continuous damage. A broken visor that hid his face, but not the terror in his one visible eye. Trembling, stumbling, trying to get to Young Bakugou.

Compared to normal humans, as Katsuki had described them, Unit 001 seemed to be the same age, if not younger than him in his current appearance.

The heroes were able to get the gist of the situation very quickly, and it made their hearts sink to the ground. Bakugou hadn't been the only one held in captivity. There were more, and this kid was one of them. By the horrendous state he was in and the slough of profanities coming from the villains at his being alive, they could tell that his stay had been much longer, and much more violent.

"𝔾𝕖𝕥 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪!" Unit 001 yelled again, his voice unnaturally loud in his audio receptors. "ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕨, 𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚! 𝔾𝕠!"

"What! I'm not leaving here without—"

But he didn't get the chance to finish. Multiple blotches of grayish, disgusting liquid formulated in the air. From them, mutated monsters began to appear.

"Nomus?!"

"They came from nowhere!"

"What is that?!"

"They just keep coming!"

The new development shocked the heroes. Unit 001 could care less about these people or the monsters that had appeared. He was only worried for Bakugou, Katsuki. 

Chaos erupted around them, the heroes concentrated on the monsters as well as the battles happening outside. Katsuki's eyes widened at the sight of it all, but especially at Unit 001 as he stumbled desperately for him.

"𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝕘𝕠𝕦, 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕚...!" He yelled, "𝕀𝕥'𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕒𝕗𝕖...!"

The ash-blonde didn't have the time to do anything more when the gray liquid erupted from his mouth. The other heroes were too occupied with the situation to notice when it had started, but Unit 001 was not.

All of his systems had been screaming at him the entire time. They repeated the same thing over and over again in a voice different from the AI he'd always heard.

[ƬHY CHΛЯGΣ IƧ IП IMMIПΣПƬ DΛПGΣЯ.]

"ℕ𝕠...!" But he was too slow, as were the other heroes. Katsuki disappeared in the gray sludge, along with the villains once held captive.

"No!" The muscular human roared, furious with no small amount of horror at the boy's disappearance. Whatever plan they'd had before fell through the cracks similar to Unit 001's previous escape plan.

The robot-like unit collapsed where Bakugou had once been, analyzing the gray substance left behind in a desperate haze. The heroes briefly turned their sight to Unit 001 as the situation escalated, especially All Might.

'That child had known that this was about to happen. He had been trying to warn us to get away... No, he'd been trying to warn Young Bakugou to get away...!'

"Young man, you must get away from this place...!" He began to say, but the unit did not heed him. No, he couldn't, as he was far too deep within his own processors to pay attention to the world around him.

This unit has failed to keep Bakugou, Katsuki safe.

...BA-THUMP...

The core at the center of his chest resonated silently.

I must find him...!

BA-THUMP...!

Louder, brighter, stronger, it resonated. A buzz could be heard in the air.

I have to save him...!

BA-THUMP...!

I will save him!

The ground below him cracked and rumbled. The electric blue of his eyes lit up as his chemical blood reacted to the energy powering their atoms. The heroes didn't understand the change, nor could they as they were left to deal with the Nomu's that had shown up.

BA-THUMP!

At that moment, messages appeared within his mainframe.

[PЯӨƬӨCΛL ӨПΣ: ΛCƬIVΣ.]

[CӨMBΛƬ ƧYƧƬΣMƧ: ΛCƬIVΣ.]

[L ӨCΛƬIПG CHΛЯGΣ.]

The AI's voice, which had been more feminine and light in tone, became deeper and darker. Demanding and Adamant. Firm. It was a completely different AI, one that was foreign to him.

[ΣXΣЯƬIПG PӨЩΣЯ ƬӨ BӨӨƧƬ ƧCΛППIПG ΛBILIƬY. ]

Unit 001 stood up, his irises spinning violently as they darted to multiple places within moments. He was no longer in control of his body, it was like he was on auto-pilot. It was only a second before they stopped, focused in one direction.

[CHΛЯGΣ: LӨCΛƬΣD. ]

Unit 001 could not hear the shouts of the heroes who were wondering who and what he was. He did not heed any of their warnings to flee or their threats as some believed him to be a villain. He did not care for the stray bullets that hit his frame or the frantic apologies of the policeman who had wanted to shoot the Nomu that was closing in on him.

He was only focused on one thing.

He was only focused on one person.

This unit will protect Bakugou, Katsuki.

The energy around Unit 001 created a flux in gravity. His broken visor and helmet retracted, and his outer shell conformed to his body. He was transforming, revealing the being hiding beneath it all. A marvel of technical advancement, not quite machine, but not quite human, and nothing like anything in this day and age.

Everything began to go in reverse, pause, and vibrate with a buzz-like sound. Blue sparks danced in the vibrating air, his very blood giving off a subtle glow from the core of his being. They could be seen just barely as thin lines within the fibers of his armor.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 25%]

It is impossible to preserve energy in this circumstance.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 23%]

There was no way for Unit 001 to save his energy. He had to get to Katsuki's location. Every system, every circuit, every function, demanded that he get there. His priority was set in stone, he could not turn away from it.

Even if I shut down, I will not let Bakugou, Katsuki share that fate.

With a silent and powerful bound, he blasted off into the sky into the direction of his designated charge.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Katsuki was surrounded by enemies who were trying to nab him once again. He was able to fend them off, but they also blocked him from getting away. He was trapped yet again. His mind was running a mile a minute.

'What happened to Unit 001?!'

Unit 001 hadn't been warped with them. He wasn't here, he was back there, with all of those Nomu! All Might was here, fighting off the terrifyingly strong bastard, and it was a fucking stalemate. This dude could match the number one hero blow for blow and him being here was holding him back! He needed to leave, but these stupid villain bastards...!

Katsuki kept out of their reach. Dodging, BOOM, avoiding, BOOM, rinse and repeat. He was right about having more energy and his quirk being stronger. What the fuck did Unit 001 give him? Well, whatever it was he'd have to thank him later because it was giving him an edge in this annoying ass game of keep away.

It was then that he heard it. No, he more of felt it than heard it. A buzz. An electric sort of buzz akin to static in the air. No one else seemed to notice it, and it was getting stronger.

'What the hell is tha—'

BAM!

"Argh!" Katsuki shielded himself from whatever meteor had decided to land directly in front of him. The villains did the same, stumbling because of the impact. When the dust cleared, Katsuki's eyes widened.

"Tin Can is that... you?"

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me!

Unit 001 speaking: "𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"Tin Can is that... you?"

Unit 001 did not respond to him. He simply got between him and the villains, analyzing everything before him at lightning-fast speeds. The villains got over their moment of shock and resumed their attack, but this time it didn't go as planned for them.

Unit 001 dodged all of their attacks, quickly and effectively. It had studied all of them for months, knowing exactly how they fought and which side they preferred to use first. Their quirks were a problem, but he'd gained a solution to that.

Hanging like hair from his receded helmet were thick cables. Their ends molded from plugs to needles and stabbed each of them, injecting his mimicked quirk suppressant. 

"Gah!"

"Ow!"

"Ugh!"

When they went to use their quirks, they found that it was much weaker than before, and getting weaker gradually as time went on. For a moment, they panicked, before their panic became anger.

"What did you do to us?!" They all asked, enraged as they went on the complete offensive, their attention no longer on Katsuki anymore. "What did you do?!" They all lunged at him, their previous objective forgotten.

Unit 001 still did not answer. Why should it answer them? All it was worried about was Bakugou, Katsuki's well-being. He was still in grave danger in this area.

He could not fight the villain displaying multiple 'quirks'. He could not help the other hero who gave off strange energy. He could only defend Bakugou, Katsuki here as his mind raced to create another escape plan. 

But soon, that would not work anymore.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 12%]

His energy was depleting. The 30% percent that he'd worked so hard to achieve was gone like a lie. Every second it became lower, every minute he became weaker.

Unit 001 felt a different type of fear envelop him.

Is this how this unit will shut down?

Thoughts like these ran through his mind as he fought off his attackers, who seemed hellbent on making this true.

While they did not have their fully powered quirks anymore, that did not mean they were harmless. They knew how to fight regardless, and while the suppressant was working, it would take time for it to fully neutralize their powers. This was certainly the reason they had drugged Katsuki while he was still unconscious; to give the drug time.

Katsuki was exhausted as well, he could not continue to use his explosions for more than a few large blasts. Whatever warped him here had zapped him of energy as well, as if to make it easier for him to be nabbed again.

Unit 001 would not let that happen.

"Oi! Answer me, Nerd Bot! Your wounds...!"

"𝕀𝕥 𝕚𝕤... 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"No it ain't, you dumbass! Your body, it's..."

Yes. His frame was still covered in wounds despite retracting his damaged outer armor. They were the damages he already had before being found, the ones that he had been trying to deal with. The retracted armor strengthened them from the inside, but could not remove the damage itself.

Blue blood was leaking from them, and he could not control the shaking of his body. Venting out breaths, he tried to cool his overheating systems to alleviate the strain on them, but it was not doing him many favors.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 10%]

His energy, his status, his health, it was dwindling with every second that passed. This energized state was zapping it away from him. But he could not return to passive mode, as he had been in before. If he did, he would not be able to protect anything.

They continued to fend off the attackers together. The villains were shocked by how well Unit 001 was holding up. While it wasn't anything crazy because of the increasing damage to his frame, he was holding them off. They figured that if he wasn't injured as he was, he'd be able to fight them easily.

The only reason he'd been stuck with them for that long was because of his injuries.

Unit 001 did not like that Katsuki was here. He wanted him to be far away from this place. He himself wanted to be far away from this place.

But there was no way for both of them to make it out of here. He realized this not long after he arrived. Bakugou, Katsuki did not have enough strength to get both of them out of this place. Unit 001's body was not as light as one would believe; it would be too much for the boy to handle in his current state.

While his quirk and body were given an energy boost from earlier, it was not something significant that could magically take away his already built-up fatigue. 

"𝕐𝕖𝕤... ℂ𝕦𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕤... 𝟠%... 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤... 𝕗𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘..."

Katsuki's eyes widened in horror.

Every hit that came close to reaching him was intercepted by Unit 001, who took the damage for him. Every hit caused blue blood to splatter, every motion he did in this state caused him damage.

His health was literally dwindling before Katsuki's eyes. 

He didn't want Unit 001 to be here...!

"You're going to die if you keep this up! Just run, damn it!" But Unit 001 ignored his yells for him to run, continuing to keep him safe regardless of if he wanted it or not. "Tin Can!"

"𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕪𝕠𝕦... 𝕤𝕒𝕗𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"By killing yourself?!" Katsuki screamed at him. "I don't need your damn protection!"

He let off another explosion, creating just a bit of distance between him and the enemy. Now it wasn't just himself he was worried about, Unit 001 was in danger too. Much more danger than him. 

'He is fucking dying...!'

They needed an out and they needed it now.

And it was at that moment an iceberg suddenly appeared.

Unit 001's gaze shifted up for a moment to access the newest anomaly. Three children of similar age to Katsuki had launched from the iceberg. A youth with deep blue hair, and greenette, and a redhead. All of the villains' attention shifted to them as they got higher in the sky.

He could see the recognition in Katsuki's eyes. He knew these children. By the way their launch had been executed, it was certain they did this to surprise the villains.

It was a rescue.

It was a way out for Bakugou, Katsuki.

A plan had been created in his mind, and at that same moment, he heard his original AI companion speak.

[Unit 001, are you sure you wish to proceed with this plan?]

Yes, this unit is certain.

[...Very well, Unit 001.]

----*play music now*----

For Unit 001, time seemed to move much slower than normal. Only he and Bakugou, Katsuki were unaffected by it. The villains' attention was still on the children in the air, which gave him just a few seconds of spare time.

He turned to face Bakugou, Katsuki, who was truly seeing him for the first time since they met.

His previous armor, visor, and helmet had receded away. Electric blue eyes with blue markings beneath them similar to the one on his lip. His irises were spinning as they always had. His body was a culmination of ash gray, black, and that special blue.

That strange core he'd seen before was partially visible in his chest, the strange gibberish on it glowing. It even seemed to move, rotating.

'What are you, Tin Can?'

There was no time for Katsuki to ask that again. He knew who those idiots were, and he knew that this was their only chance. "Come on, Tin Can! There's our way out!" He said, reaching for Unit 001 to take his hand.

But Unit 001 looked upon him with an expression that Katsuki couldn't understand. No, it was an expression that he did not want to understand.

Unit 001 doesn't understand how he knew how to fight like this. He doesn't understand his current form or the many emotional instabilities he was experiencing in this brief moment. 

But he knows that he wants Katsuki as far away from this place as possible, and for that end, he had one final plan.

"𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕪, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." He said, the boy's eyes widening in dread.

"What are you saying, Bolts For Brains?!"

"ℂ𝕒𝕟 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕘𝕠... 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕖... 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖... 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

"What?! No! I'm getting you out, too!" Katsuki went to reach for him, but Unit 001 did not let him.

"𝕎𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕚𝕤... 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙... 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦... 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕤... 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕕, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..." He said, shocking Katsuki again as no one else noticed that. His arms were 'bout near-dead right now, just moving them was causing him pain, let alone making his explosions.

Unit 001 made his way to Katsuki within a blink, picking him up from the ground with ease. The villains had begun to turn their sights on them again.

"What are you doing!?" He said, fighting to get out of his vice-like grip.

"𝔽𝕦𝕝𝕗𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘... ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕠𝕔𝕠𝕝 𝕆𝕟𝕖, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

The buzz in the air returned. Blue sparks flew as the air pressure around them shifted drastically. Gravity fluxed as Unit 001's visible core began to give off a powerful light, as were his eyes and veins. His blue blood carried the energy to every part of his frame it could get to.

It didn't take a genius to realize what he was doing, and Katsuki had to fight between whether to be furious or horrified. Being, well, Katsuki, he chose 'furious' and tried to hide any horror. "No! You can't! Don't you fucking dare!"

To Katsuki's angry yells, which failed to be angry and were desperate instead, Unit 001 could only say, "𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥... 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕪, 𝕙𝕦𝕞..."

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 5%]

"Come!" The red-haired teen called from high above them. With his amazing eyesight, Unit 001 could see that the three teens flying above them were shocked by his presence. They were shocked by what he was doing. But they had a plan, and they had to stick with it if they were to get out of there alive. Though the redhead's eyes seemed to brim in sadness, since what was about to happen was clear as day. 

Unit 001 knew that it was time. Within that same moment, his eyes locked onto Katsuki. He recorded him into his data. 

This was the first human to ever give me hope.

This was the first human to show me concern and tell me about the world.

This was the first human to be considered my friend.

For the very first time since being online, Unit 001 smiled. His eyes held a sadness that couldn't be understood, but the gentle upturn of his lips stayed despite this. Seeing that expression, Katsuki tried to fight back harder. Whatever plan he was executing right now, he wanted to stop him.

But both of them knew it was too late, so Unit 001 continued to smile.

Even if I can not escape...

Even if I can not see the world that you had described...

I was able to keep you safe in the end.

For some reason, this thought was enough. This thought was familiar as if he had thought it before. This protocol... he may have used it before, a long time ago in times he could no longer recall... Times that he wanted to remember.

But... that does not seem possible anymore.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 3%]

The world was blurring away. His electric blue orbs were losing their focus, but they stayed on Katsuki even still. The lights in his eyes flickered as his energy gathered and built. It took him a moment to realize something was leaking from them, dripping onto Katsuki as they fell from his eyes.

It was yet another thing he did not understand.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 2%]

The sound was fleeting and distant. The chaos around him became a muted buzz in his audio receptors. Blue blood began to seep from the open wounds, energy no longer being diverted to keep it from spilling. Any warmth he may have had left him like a lie.

He was shutting down. He was breaking down. All of the energy that was keeping him online was draining away in this act. But even as he felt all of these things, the small smile did not leave his face. His gaze never left his first-ever friend, even as he could barely see the desperate look on his face, pleading for him to stop whatever he was doing.

Even if he could barely hear him, his voice so far away.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 1%]

He lifted his friend up, all of the energy gathered and ready, and with his failing voice, spoke one last time.

"𝔾𝕠𝕠𝕕...𝕓𝕪𝕖..."

He launches Bakugou into the air with all of his remaining power. The boy uses his explosions in a panic from the alarming speed he was being yeeted at, propelling him forward even more where he is caught by those kids who had come to rescue him.

"Let me go! I'm going back there! What the hell do you mean we can't?! I'll do whatever the fuck I want! Tin Can!" His yells of concern and anger at being rescued like this could be heard for miles, but that just solidified the fact that he was truly safe now.

With him so far away now, and the heroes aiding in their escape further, the message he wanted to receive finally came.

[ PЯӨƬӨCΛL ӨПΣ : PЯΛΣƧIDIӨ. FЦLFILLΣD.]

All of the blue lights that had been shining brightly dimmed. His core's light faded until it was dull and gray, The words on it ceased to move, and all of his functions halted.

[ΣПΣЯGY LΣVΣL: 0%]

The world for Unit 001 finally went dark.

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me! This is the scene from Chapter 7!

Also, it's come to my attention that some people can not read and/or properly translate Unit's speaking font. So I will change it from here on out.

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

All Might was shocked considerably when he caught sight of the young man from before. He'd crashed like a meteor in front of Young Bakugou, and then proceeded to protect him from the villains trying to get to him. He looked different from before, that damaged armor gone.

But it only revealed that he had more wounds hiding beneath, and the sight sent All Might into a rage against his opponent, "What have you been doing to that young man, All For One?!"

All For One laughed at his opponent's anger, "Nothing, All Might, I could do nothing to that thing."

His words angered the hero further, "He is no 'thing'!" He punched his enemy again, sending him flying back into a nearby building, "He is a person, one I will not allow to stay in your clutches any longer!" He declared.

He did not even consider that All For One was actually being honest.

He had encountered the robot months ago through the doctor. Even if it was a corpse, he would still be able to take their quirk and use it for whatever he wanted.

But when he tried to, he was negated. All For One, negated! It was ludicrous.

He couldn't get any farther than just beneath the armor, no matter how hard he pushed. It was to the point that All For One didn't believe his robotism to be a quirk at all, but his actual state of being.

It fascinated and confused him. He'd been alive for a very long time, but even he had never heard of something or someone like this existing. Something new in his many years of life had appeared. But he believed it to be broken completely, and not even he could do more to it, so he left it be to continue his plans.

But now it was here, functioning and fighting even in that dire state.

No human he'd ever seen could live through what that thing had. He, his doctor, his successor, and his successor's allies had all done something to it that would leave a normal human dead many times over.

But here it was, defending the child his successor had taken interest in.

He was as fascinated as he was furious at being tricked.

"Person? A questionable opinion."

"Shut up!"

Blows continued to be exchanged. Heavy hits and wounds were received and dished out. The children he'd sensed behind the wall made their move, and so had that thing. He'd never seen such energy before, so dense it made the air weigh down around them.

A buzz could be felt, like tangible static.

'Such power I could not steal.'

And it tossed the child in the air to his rescuers before going completely still and dark. He supposed that this time, it really was dead. He turned to 'look' at his opponent, hoping to get a reaction from him to that fact.

And he did.

All Might's blue eyes widened in horror as he watched the child crumble to the ground in a lightless, lifeless heap. In the distance, he could hear Young Bakugou's enraged and concerned screams in regards to his robotic friend.

It made the harsh reality heroes faced very clear.

He could not save everyone, no matter how much he wanted to.

In his daze, All For One managed to get his successor away from the battle as well by forcefully activating Kurogiri's quirk. Now it was just him and his sworn enemy.

With a hardened will to fight, both engaged with each other once again. And the scene was displayed for everyone to see on every screen available.

Everyone watched as All Might struggled against the villain boss. They watched as his form deflated until he was but a skeleton of what he once was, his true form.

Bakugou watched this, too. He had the same emotions, no, even more so than everyone else watching it. Was this his fault? He could not help but think that way.

It was these thoughts and one other that invaded his mind.

'This unit... is sorry, hum...'

His eyes searched the screen almost desperately for any sight of him in that chaos.

'Fulfilling... Protocol One, hum...'

And when the battle was over, when All Might was finally able to land the final blow, he found him.

"No...!"

Everything he'd hoped not to find, he did.

He didn't give a damn about Deku crying when he should have been cheering, he couldn't care less about what he figured that could have meant. He found himself running, even using his explosions to go faster. The pain in his arms be damned!

"Tin Can...!"

He had to get back there.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

The authorities took All For One and the other villains that didn't escape into custody. With the danger gone, All Might was now free to search for that young man. But the entire area was a mess, broken buildings collapsed everywhere, and debris as far as the eye could see. Rescue efforts had begun, and the retiring hero had one thought cross his mind.

'Where are you, young man...!'

All Might knew that he was most likely too late, he dreaded the thought with every fiber of his being.

With his strength completely gone, with One For All completely gone, he wasn't strong enough to lift the larger pieces of rubble. Many of the paramedics and heroes that had arrived on the scene helped as well, trying to coax the old hero to rest. 

But he couldn't, not until he found that child.

"I-I found someone!" One of them called. All Might turned his head frantically, finding many of the paramedics lifting some rubble. When he stumbled towards them, he saw that they had found the young man.

When All Might saw him, really saw him, he could not hold back his grimace.

"I can't perform compressions, sir! His quirk is preventing any of the emergency measures from working!" One of them called. There was a whole team working on him, his body laid out on a tarp on the ground.

The young man's ash gray armor was splattered with a blue substance. They realized it was his blood when they saw it seep from his many wounds. And, oh god, his wounds...!

Handprints from Shigaraki's decaying quirk, scorch marks from being set aflame, scratches and cuts from sharp objects, dents from blunt force, and All Might recognized the holes made by All For One, he had experienced that injury just today.

And it seemed that the many veins and... were those his organs? There were some that were completely disconnected from where they were supposed to be, some were torn, others... others seemed to even be shredded they were so damaged. All of them leaking that unique blood without restraint anymore.

There were some people whose stomachs were weak to such injuries and retched the moment they saw the poor child.

Unit 001 had kept his damaged armor on to keep the blue blood from leaking. But to get to Katsuki, he retracted the armor which hindered his speed. And now that he was shut down, there was no way for him to secure the leaking cables anymore.

Essentially, he was bleeding out.

The Paramedics were doing their best to sate the issue. The best they could do was tie off the many wounds he had, stopping them from bleeding further. All of them had the same thoughts as they rushed to try and stabilize him.

'How much pain was this child in?'

'How much pain was he put through?'

And for All Might...

'How had I not noticed the horrible state this child was in?'

He had left for Katsuki's location before Unit 001 did, facing off with All For One in this heated battle. He had left this child there, with injuries like this... What kind of hero was he? He could not concentrate on his observations because of the situation, but this... how hadn't he noticed this child was suffering unimaginable pain like this?

And in the end, he was the one who saved Young Bakugou, he and his successor who he had to reprimand after this. He protected him until the very end, and now he was lying on a mat, a casualty of the battle.

All Might felt the need to vomit as it all sunk in. A familiar taste of iron permeated his mouth, leaking from the corner of his lips.

He knew that he wasn't all-seeing or all-knowing, he knew that there was nothing he could have done. But that did not change the fact that he felt guilty. So, extremely guilty.

"I-I can't get a pulse, sir! His body is cold, ice cold." The young paramedic said, "I'm not sure if it is because of blood loss or his quirk... But I'm not sure there is anything more we can do for him...!" They said, and one could see the sorrow on their faces.

The head paramedic's eyes were grim as he studied the many injuries this child had sustained. He touched him, examining him with his own quirk that worked similar to a detailed scan of the body. When he did so, his eyes widened in shock.

"There's no way to get a pulse that way, his body is completely different than a normal person's." He said, his eyes glowing as he amped up the power of his scanning quirk. When he stopped, the head paramedic's face hardened with determination.

He had a plan, he just hoped that it worked. "We need a super-powerful defibrillator, right now! Is there anyone here with an electricity-based quirk?! This kid's life is at stake!"

"Sir?! What are you planning? His pulse has been out for more than ten minutes—"

"His quirk is the most advanced robot-like quirk I've ever encountered, you might as well consider him more machine than human. No... it's even deeper than that." He explained, receiving the machine he needed from another paramedic that had run to get it the moment he shouted, "His blood, his cells, everything inside of him is different! His heart, It... it's like a battery! A dead battery! If I'm right, then...!"

He placed the padding in two places, very different from where they would normally. Just below the young man's chest was a dull gray orb. There was some sort of writing on it they could not discern, but the head paramedic was able to understand, at least a little bit, what that strange glass-like orb was.

His heart.

It was the equivalent of his heart.

"Connect the heart monitor here, right on this orb." He told the young paramedic. The young lad did as he said, making sure the measuring equipment was secured before nodding to the older man.

The head paramedic placed the two pads of the defibrillator on either side of it carefully, "Dial it up to the highest it can go!"

"Yes, sir!" The young paramedic did just that. "Ready... clear!"

ZZAAAAP!

The young man's body jolted, and just briefly, they could see that blue alight on his frame. The eyes of all the heroes that had briefly seen the child; All Might, Gran Torino, Kamui Woods, as well as the police and the paramedics, shone at the sight.

It was working...!

"Again! Anyone with an electricity-based quirk please come here! We need all of the energy we can get!"

Yes, they needed a ton of it. Whatever kind of heart or core this kid had needed a lot of energy to function. It made sense that even with the little bit he'd most likely had before, he was still able to toss that other child so high into the air.

Even if it wasn't a lot of energy to him, it was a massive amount to anyone else.

Unit 001 probably had enough power to light a city block, actually. But his body was just too damaged to handle that power efficiently, which was why he was focused on repairing himself.

He'd wanted to repair himself enough to use just a touch of the energy to escape.

But he ended up using all of it to save Bakugou.

And it was this reason that he ended up in this state, and that touch of energy was what the head paramedic was trying to gather into his core.

Multiple people came closer, all of the paramedics and even some police that had electric-based quirks. Each of them readied their powers to help the child.

"Aim right here!" The head paramedic shouted, pointing to the core. "Hit it with all you got! Ready... Clear!"

And they did, and the entire area lit up like a light show.

ZZZAAAAAAAAAAP!

They could see Unit 001's body flicker, but it still wasn't quite enough.

"More power...!" He shouted, and everyone complied. Screams and grunts could be heard as they poured everything they had into charging the young man. Their quirks and the machines alone weren't much, but together it was a marvel to behold.

The dull gray of the core gradually began to glow, just a little.

...b...a...

"I-it's working, sir! There was a brief reading! Come on, everyone! Give as much as you can!" The young paramedic pleaded.

"Come on, kid, you can do it!" Others joined in, pushing through the strain of their quirks to help save the child who had been so heroic before.

"Don't give up, Young One!" All might joined in, his sunken eyes trained on him, desperate for the child to persevere.

Everyone shouted encouragement as they watched the dim blue shine through the gray. Everyone behind the screen, watching the scene from wherever they were, shouted encouragement.

...th..ump...

And when Bakugou got there, huffing from exertion, he, too, shouted. "You better wake up, Tin Can!"

As if Katsuki's voice was the last boost he needed, the electric blues of his frame became more and more visible. The core at the center of his being became vibrant again. Indiscernible words on it began to move, and sparks danced gently in the air. The heart monitor he was connected to came to life.

...ba... ...th...ump... ...ba... ...Thump... ...Ba-Thump.. . ...Ba-Thump... ...Ba-Thump...

"Pops!" The young paramedic called out, tears of happiness almost spilling from his eyes, "The heart monitor... We did it, Pops! He's back!"

The crowd that had gathered cheered triumphantly. Some collapsed to the ground from using their quirk so much, but the smile didn't leave their faces. All Might wasn't excluded from this.

The head paramedic held a smile of his own, relieved that his idea had worked in the end. "Let's get him to the hospital." The older man paused after saying this, giving his son a stern glare, "And don't call me 'Pops' on the job, it's unprofessional."

"Yes, sir!" The paramedic said enthusiastically, completely unbothered by the tone. It was time to get this kid back to full health.

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"Come on, All Might, sir. You need medical attention as well." Another paramedic said, gently pulling the worn-out hero away from the scene. He and the young man were loaded up into different ambulances. They sped away, along with most of the ambulances that had come, getting their patients to the care they needed. 

But before they could get anywhere, someone stopped the door of Unit 001's ambulance from being closed.

It was Bakugou.

"You are..." The paramedic knew this child as the one that was kidnapped. They'd all watched the scene where the young man threw him to safety.

"Can I ride with him?" Katsuki asked. The paramedic was unsure, but the older one that was with him pulled Katsuki inside.

"Yeah, kid. I'm sure your friend would want you here. You need to get checked, too." The older man said. Katsuki didn't admit to or deny that Unit 001 was his friend, but it didn't need to be said anyway.

And that was how he ended up riding in the ambulance with Unit 001.

He was silent as they gave him his own check-up. His condition wasn't nearly as severe as Unit 001's condition. Just a bit dehydrated, the obvious strain on his arms, and a few cuts and scrapes. They put him on an IV drip, telling him that his parents had already been contacted on where to pick him up when it finished.

It was a relief that he was fine, that wasn't what was weighing the car down with dread.

The problem was Unit 001.

His body was in such a sorry state, blue blood was dripping slowly onto the floor of the ambulance. His armor had not come back, putting all of the wounds he'd been trying desperately to mend himself on display.

'Tin Can...'

Katsuki could see from a mile away how bad off Unit 001 was. He was this injured, and still came to save him. The boy felt fury and concern almost overwhelm him, but he didn't act on it at all. "Is he going to be okay?" Was all he asked, his voice unusually subdued. 

With everything over, his energy was completely shot to hell.

The younger paramedic sighed before answering him, "Imma be honest... Your friend isn't out of the woods. Those wounds are obviously concerning." The paramedic lifted up a tube filled with a familiar, blue liquid. Katsuki's eyes widened at the sight.

'That's...'

"Your friend lost a lot of blood. No, is losing a lot of blood. But when we analyzed it to see if we could find a match for a transfusion, there was nothing. This is the only one of its kind in the world, so unique we aren't even sure we can call it blood. Even if we could get an IV into that hard skin of his, nothing we could put in him would help the lad except this." 

The older paramedic sighed this time, "But this was all we could secure on the sight. And while we managed to stabilize him, we need to figure out a way to truly close and mend the wounds before we can even think of replenishing his blood. Damn this kid's quirk...!"

The paramedic sighed as he briefly checked the heart monitor. It was as if to assure himself that the lad was still alive. Slow, weak beats could be seen, but it was proof that the kid was still fighting.

'But for how long would that last?'

Even with their emergency measures, the lights on Unit 001's frame were still flickering, as if they could cut off at any moment. They were dim and getting dimmer, and the little charge they were able to give him on sight wouldn't last him very long.

Katsuki was also worried. He thought about every conversation he'd ever had with the bot. How could they help him? Every moment he was with him Nerd Bot was repairing himself. But he wasn't even conscious to do that right now—

'They must... be repaired... manually... not enough... solar energy... to reset damage...'

"Solar energy..."

"Hm?"

"He," Katsuki gulped before speaking, "He was always... repairing himself when we were... trapped." He began, and the paramedics had to swallow their horror. "Those cables, his organs," He repressed the want to vomit, remembering the scene very vividly, "He said that he had to do that because there wasn't enough "Solar Energy" to "reset" the damage."

"A healing factor...?"

"Activated by sunlight...?"

He just barely nodded, "I'm not sure, but—"

"Thank you, young man!" The older paramedic put both hands on Katsuki's shoulders, his eyes shining. "I know that must have been hard, but your information may just save this kid's life! Luci, Get me the phone!"

"You got it, Pops!" The young paramedic said, scrambling to get the phone before handing it to the older male.

"This is Doctor Silvan on Ambulance 22 en route from the Kamino Ward! Level 5 patient on board! Quirk makes normal emergency procedures impossible aside from heart monitor and defibrillator, but we've been clued in on a possible healing factor via sunlight! Get all of the Sunlight Lamps we have in the hospital and bring them to Trauma 1! ETA 5 minutes!"

Doctor Silvan, the chief paramedic, and his assistant who was also his son, Lucio, prepped the kid for transfer. They were careful not to jostle him too much as they readied the wheels of the gurney. The many bandages on him were only acting as glorified sponges, the ties they had inside him could only stifle the bleeding so much.

Lucio saw how Katsuki watched his friend's wounds bleeding like this. He was trying to hide his worry, but he wasn't doing that great of a job... His eyes told them everything. The slight trembling they saw told them everything.

It wasn't easy watching someone be in such a dire state.

"Move move move! Everyone, out of the way!" Doctor Silvan shouted, rushing Unit 001 into the room he'd asked to be prepared earlier. It was wide and clear of almost all equipment and instead was flooded with oddly shaped lamps that mimicked solar light. 

The moment they got him into the room, they saw a difference.

"Oh my god..."

His body gave off a very soft glow. No, everything on him gave off a soft glow. His skin, his blood, his core, everything began to slowly absorb the light being given off by the lamps.

His once hard skin, which no one could get through, began to soften. They could see his damaged cables, his organs, his blood, begin to move on their own. They could see as they slowly connected to their right places and the cuts and gnashes on his skin began to seal themselves, molding over each other like clay.

"Everyone, let's get to work helping his healing along!" Doctor Silvan announced. All of the nurses and doctors that had come in were ready to go, just awaiting his orders.

"Yes, sir!"

Lucio placed a reassuring hand on Bakugou's shoulder,  "Let's go, kid." He said, giving him an award-winning smile, "Your friend, he's going to be okay now. With his healing factor at work and the doctors making sure everything heals well, everything is going to be just fine now." He assured him.

Bakugou probably didn't realize how tense he'd been until then. And even though he didn't respond, Lucio could see the sag of relief in his shoulders. When they got to the lobby, both were surprised by the commotion going on.

"Tell me what I want to know! What the hell do you mean we 'calm down'?! Fuck calming down!" An older, female, carbon copy of the boy beside him screamed. It was almost comical how much Katsuki looked like his mom, and how similar their personalities were, "Where the fuck is my son!? Where is my damn kid? Where's Kat-"

Everything paused when she saw them entering the room. Beside her was a man who had to be her husband. The entire lobby seemed to go quiet. Lucio, swallowing his fear of the mother before him, gently urged Katsuki forward to them.

"Katsuki..." Masaru and Mitsuki watched as Lucio brought Katsuki to them. They didn't hear him tell them their boy was just fine aside from a few scrapes and fatigue. They didn't care for the crowd that had stopped to stare at them because of the commotion just moments ago.

It was only them and their son in the world at that moment.

Everyone expected Mitsuki, the lady that was raising hell not five seconds ago, to be the one to do something first when they spotted him. She was the one demanding to know where her kid was. Masaru was just as adamant about locating him, but he was far less, um, her.

But they were surprised that it was the husband, our calm and meek Masaru Bakugou, who came running for the kid. He might as well have tackled him given the strength at which he came at the child. Katsuki was engulfed in a hug, tighter than any hug he'd gotten before, and strong enough to lift him off the ground.

Even when he found his feet touching the ground again, Masaru didn't let his son go. If anything, he tightened his hold on him. Katsuki was going to yell at him to let go, thinking of this as embarrassing. But any words he might have said died in his throat the next moment.

He could feel the trembling in his old man's shoulders, the slight hiccups in his breathing, and the dampening of the shoulder of his shirt. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to say anything. It was only a blink later that his mom joined in. And she wasn't better off. "Damn brat..."

There wasn't any yelling. They just stood there, trapping their son in a desperate hug.

Slowly, unbearably slowly, he returned it.

It didn't help that everything that happened in the day was hitting him right then.

His hands weren't shaking.

His shoulders didn't tremble.

He didn't cry.

He didn't.

And no one would know if he did, either, as Lucio hid them away with a curtain before anyone could.

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A few weeks passed, and things had begun to calm down. All Might's retirement had been a whirlwind, and that isn't even mentioning how people had to get used to Small Might, though that issue went by relatively smoothly, all things considered.

Surprisingly enough, after the initial shock, it wasn't All Might who took up the news and everyone's thoughts.

It was the robot child, the one who saved Katsuki.

Everyone wanted to know who this child was, where he came from, how he was doing.

Within the hospital, everything was as quiet as you would expect.

Especially within one room, which on this particular day had lots of people in it.

A detective with a lie detector quirk, a retired number one hero, a tired yet handsome hobo, and another person who had been called to come in with them. They all had solemn expressions as they watched the child on the bed, the only indication that he was alive being the steady rhythm of the heart monitor.

"Thank you for calling us for this, Doctor Silvan," Naomasa said sincerely.

"You are more than welcome. I know that you and these gentlemen here have been trying to find what you can for the poor lad," Doctor Silvan responded, never taking his eyes off the kid. "We hardly know anything about this kid, and from what you were able to inform me of, neither does he." He gestured to the child who lay on the bed, our Unit 001. 

The police investigation revealed nothing, not even a whisper of anything about the child. It was as if he appeared from nothing. And his health wasn't something anyone was sure about either.

He hadn't woken up, not even a twitch of his fingers. Though his wounds had mostly healed, revealing the marvel that he was.

Beautiful ash silver armor was his skin, mixed with various grays, blacks, and that special blue. The cables, armor, and wires melded together in a way that resembled muscle, though it was hidden beneath the medical gown he wore now. That did not mean that everything was similar to the human body.

Since he first got here, his head cables had receded back into the helmet, which indeed was a part of his body. After his wounds healed, which was only completed recently, Doctor Silvan did another, more in-depth scan of his body.

What he found... well, it was astounding. His initial thought was right.

His 'quirk' was the most advanced robotic-like quirk he'd ever seen, to the point they decided to register it as "Android" for the simple fact that, well, he was one. But it was so advanced he could barely understand what he was looking at, and those parts were what confused him, understandably.

On and within Unit 001's body were these sort of "cores." The largest and most important of them was what Doctor Silvan took to calling his heart, the one just below the center of his chest. During the entirety of his healing, the "words" written on it moved. They rotated like a gear completely of their own volition, disconnected from everything, yet having a sort of harmony that he just could not understand.

And there was something inside that core, a floating ball of almost tangible light. What made him flinch back from it wasn't the fact that it was strange, it was the fact that when his quirk came into contact with it, viewed it, it was as if it was 'viewing' him right back.

He was startled before he was hopeful, believing that the child had finally woken up, only to be disappointed. He listed it off as a reflexive type response, noting this child's extreme sensitivity.

He felt things on another level than normal humans, and it made Doctor Silvan that much more upset. His sensitivity meant that he felt everything many times more acutely than other people, and that included pain.

He stopped himself from thinking about it more than he had to, the fact that Unit 001 had been found in such a state and he had such an acute sense of touch... Sigh, he returned his thoughts to what his scans found.

That led to the other "cores" he found, much smaller, but just as fascinating.

At the base of his neck, elbows, knees, and within the antenna-like attachment on his helmet were crystal-like cores. From what Doctor Silvan could gather, they served a completely different purpose than his "heart" core and had less protection than it. It seemed that they routed energy throughout his body, and many of the wire-like veins he had connected to them in some way. 

The wires were a marvel in themselves with how durable they were. It seemed that they were meant to be able to detach and reattach to different parts of his body if need be, concentrating his blood in places that he needed it most.

Ah, yes, that left the most fascinating wonder of them, his blood. The blue tint to it was already odd enough, but what made it even more so was the fact that it didn't have any of the components that normal blood had. It was a type of chemical he'd never seen before, and he was a doctor! He encountered countless medicines in his long career and had plenty of friends within the pharmaceutical department as well as other scientists.

He'd never seen anything like it.

There was no way to substitute it either, which had been a problem in the first stages of his healing. He figured that while his blood did not work the same way as a normal person's blood, it was just as precious. For a while, they weren't sure what they could do. Without that blood, his body didn't have the tools it needed to properly circulate the energy he was slowly gathering throughout his body. While his injuries were getting better, he was still in the same amount of danger without the blood.

So when this child's friend, Katsuki Bakugou, dragged in the young Yaoyorozu girl with her creation quirk, he had to resist the urge to tackle him in a hug as his father had weeks prior.

And now they were here, surrounded by a small group of heroes and detectives, trying to figure out who this child was.

In all that time, they couldn't even find a name for him. And Bakugou had told them he called himself Unit 001 because he himself didn't know his own name.

Yes, that reminded him of that labeling on his chest. It's faded considerably, and he couldn't place it as a tattoo. A birthmark? But it was so strange... then again, that wasn't exactly new at this point.

"And thank you, Mrs. Silvan. We understand that this type of request is very foreign to you." Naomasa said, turning to a woman that was beside him. She shook her head in response.

"While it is an odd request indeed, I'm honored to try helping this child. Though I will warn you, there is a chance that this may not work, as the child is both unconscious and the memory we are searching for may be too far back for me to reach."

"Yes, I understand. But if you can do anything, anything at all, it would be appreciated." He said, the lady nodding.

"I'll introduce myself to those meeting me for the first time. My name is Kioku Silvan, I work as a family photographer first, and consultant for the police department and medical fields second. You've all met my lovely husband," She gave Doctor Silvan a large kiss on his cheek, causing the shorter man to sputter in embarrassment.

"H-Honey!"

"Still as cute as always..." She said, causing the man to become a tomato before continuing her introduction, ignoring the looks she was getting from the other men in the room, "My quirk, Memory Reel, allows me to pull memories, buried or recent, to the forefront of one's mind. I can also take this a step further and bring them out into the open, projecting it like a movie for all to see."

Doctor Silvan had brought her in for this case, Kioku Silvan. She was an abnormally tall, brown-skin lady with star-like freckles on her face. Her eyes were purple with a white ring in the middle, thick eyelashes and brows. She had long brown hair, a tuft of it framing one side of her face while a braid framed the other. The rest of her hair went down her back as one long, thick braid.

She was an older beauty, just entering her late forties. She had many achievements under her belt in the medical field, the psychiatric field, law enforcement, and many other places. She's adopted eight children and had three of her own with her husband she absolutely adores, all have grown up and given her precious grandbabies.

That got her thinking about how others would love to remember the precious times with their family, which became her most beloved job: her family photography business. Because of her work and her husband's successful job as a doctor, they make a sizable amount of money, more than enough to raise all of their children and grandchildren.

"You're from Silvan Photography?"

"Yes, I own it. There is always a moment in one's memory they would like to have been able to save as a photo. I am able to bring that moment into the open for them to photograph, saving a physical version of it for them to keep. Though this will be my first time working on a patient such as this..."

"Yes, this child is a special case," Doctor Silvan spoke, putting a reassuring hand around his wife's waist.

She took a breath before continuing, "After something horrible has happened to them, it is normal for victims to either not be able to remember right away, the mind's form of protection, or not want to physically or verbally recall their experience. But whether they recall it or not, the memory itself is still there, and I help them with it. This is especially true for those who don't want to relive their horrible memory by speaking of it. I simply take the memory for the police to view, and they don't have to do a thing. It's painless and easy, and helps them voice the things that are hard to say for themselves."

No one needed to know what type of victims she was speaking of. There were many types that were like this. And with her help, there were many cases that otherwise would have been going on without proper evidence, the criminals finding ways to weasel out of punishment because of that fact.

But with her quirk, she creates evidence similar to video and photos, and those carry both the emotions and thoughts of the victims with them. With her help, no victim of those cases has gone without justice, and more people have spoken up about their own situations thanks to the peace of mind her quirk allows for them.

And no one can say that her quirk falsifies evidence, as she demonstrated to the government, judges, and anyone else that doubted her quirk's credibility how accurate it was.

"Our hope is that I can use my quirk to access this child's memory to see if there is anything else we need to prepare for his continued recovery. I can also show you what he went through and felt while doing this, as they will be hand in hand with his time spent in captivity. it will all be from his perspective. I will warn you, it may be unpleasant." She told them, trying to hold back her grimace.

While the victims did not feel or see anything when she took the memory, those viewing it would of course be witnessing a person's trauma from that person's point of view. 

"Will the child be harmed during any of this?" Naomasa asked, and Mrs. Silvan shook her head.

"No, we will be the only ones seeing his memory, he will not re-live any of it. Everything should be just fine." She reassured him.

"What about the missing bits of memory that we know he doesn't have?" Aizawa spoke up. He was there because he wanted to see the problem child that his other problem child seemed to worry about.

That's when she began to frown, "My hope is to help the child remember his past if I can while doing this, even if it's only his name. But I've never felt anything like this before, his mind..."

"What's wrong?" Small Might, our Toshinori Yagi, asked.

"I've seen this with amnesia patients before. Their mind is muddled, and I can see it as a sort of grayish area. A fog, so to speak. I help them clear it away and steadily recall what they've forgotten. But this child, it's not just fog," Her eyes gave off a violet glow, "It's dark like an abyss."

"What's that mean?" Aizawa asked, trying to fight down the worry that was inching at him.

She shook her head, "I don't know, myself. My best guess based on other cases is that what I'm seeing is his missing memory, and... there is a lot of it missing." She said. "But hopefully this session can shine some light on it."

And so they got ready to begin the memory session, though the set-up was very different from how she normally does it.

Usually, the viewers would sit before a blank wall and she would literally project the memory onto it like a movie. The time varies, but it is much faster than what the victim experienced, or consumer, whichever situation she was pulling memories for. She is able to pause, rewind, fast forward, and do other things similar to that of a movie when doing this. 

One of the best-selling points of her photography business was that she could project seconds of memory into a picture, making a moving picture similar to those in Harry Potter. For an even more in-depth photo session, she could project an in-world viewing of the memory to add the customer to it, as when viewing it from their point of view they do not see themselves.

These sessions took from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on the situation. If it was for prolonged memories, however, they did so in sessions. She would collect the memories and filter out what didn't need to be viewed, condensed it, and then did the same thing as before for a determined amount of time until all of the memory was viewed. 

But in all of those times, the person whose memory was viewed was awake and very aware of what she was doing. They opened their mind to her and let her in, and the process was quick and easy. The simplicity of the process was how her popularity spread.

But Unit 001 was, in all pretenses, comatose. Because of this, she needed to use more power to let them in, and projecting was impossible. They would literally be diving into his mind to view the memories, and because of that, she could not filter out any emotions he may have felt.

And while they would not feel his pain, they would understand it, and that was enough.

She was thankful the child would be completely oblivious to it all. She did not want to cause him more pain than she was sure he'd already gone through.

Unit 001's bed was pulled away from the wall and towards the middle of the room. Small Might and Aizawa sat on one side of the bed, while Doctor Silvan and Naomasa sat on the other side. Mrs. Silvan was behind the bed, her hands placed gently on Unit 001's head.

"Here we go, sweetheart..." She whispered to him, just as her eyes took on that gentle violet glow. After a moment of silence, she spoke, "I found it, his earliest memory just after the blockage. I will be condensing it all, so everyone, place any free hand you have onto him. For you, it may be a while, but in real-time, it will only be a few minutes."

Once everyone had done as she said, she gave them a warning, "Because we have to do it this way, there is no way for me to filter out his emotions during these times. You will feel them in an extremely dampened manner, but feel them all the same. There will be no physical pain, but I recommend seeking emotional stability after this session."

They all nodded grimly, knowing that this was most likely going to be very rough for them. 

"Detective Naomasa, everything we see from this point on will be recorded into a drive I have prepared. You may use this as evidence in your case."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Are you all prepared?"

They nodded again. Mrs. Silvan's eyes took on a purple glow as the palms of her hands reflected it. It spread over Unit 001's body softly before reaching the other four in the room. Their minds were now linked within what she called the 'Viewing Room', the entrance to his memory displayed as a pool of uncertain depth.

With one last look, they took a deep breath...

And into his memories, they dived.

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me! Meet the Silvan Couple!

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Darkness.

It was dark. His body wasn't working, he couldn't move, he couldn't remember. Every part of him felt damaged. He felt pain.

What was happening? Where was he? Who was he? There was something on top of him, some type of rubble. He was trapped, so many warnings went off in his mind. Everything was wrong, something major was wrong.

Fear. He was scared. Very scared, and in pain. But the way he registered pain felt different than normal. A percentage. A number. It reduced his feelings to that of numbers to protect the small bits left of his mind. It was trying to tell him to ignore it, file it away.

But it was immense, it was everywhere, it couldn't be ignored.

He didn't understand why he was in so much pain. Why was he here? What happened to him? His system rebooted in an attempt to answer his question, but only a bit of it came back, the rest...

The rest were ɆⱤⱤØⱤ.

His past.

His body.

His name.

All of it was  ɆⱤⱤØⱤ. 

This was the earliest he could remember. Trapped and covered in wounds he could not remember receiving, unable to understand who or even what he was. Doctor Silvan, Detective Naomasa, Eraserhead, All Might, and Mrs. Silvan watched this heartbreaking scene.

They felt his confusion. They felt his terror. They could understand his pain even though they could not feel it. And each second made their hearts wrench.

This was how he woke up? It was too cruel.

But the cruelty of the world was only just beginning as the scene changed.

Sounds, he could hear people. They were speaking, they were searching. He went through different scenarios in his head, but the only one that had a possibility of his survival was to call out to them.

He wanted to live.

He was scared of dying.

'Help. Please, help me...'

Alarms. He sounded an alarm. One that meant distress. Forever, a signal would go out. 'Help. Please, help me.' It said.

His distress signal did not receive a response. When he met the ones who removed the rubble, his hopes were dashed at being saved.

The people who found him were evil. He could not fight back. He could not run. He was too damaged to do anything but bide his time. Mend his damages.

A man in a white lab coat tried to take him apart. His armor barely protected him. So much damage was received, so much was endured.

He continued to remain still. If he moved, they would know. He would never escape.

A being without eyes tried to take something away. Tendrils entered his armor, destroying his cables further. His body's pain increased, but he remained still.

If he moved, they would know.

He would die.

So he must endure.

He must be still.

To survive.

They tried to decay him to dust after. Sadistic smiles and crazed red eyes. Rusting away was his armor, barely keeping it away from his cables.

'Why do they hurt me...?'

Humans were hostile creatures that damaged him, he did not understand why.

He did not understand what he did wrong. He did not understand that the emotion he felt was fear and that damage was normally recognized as pain. He did not understand his trembling frame. He didn't understand that disregarding sleep was not a good thing.

He did not understand nightmares.

Days had gone by.

They tried to burn him away when decay did not work. Every day as a new morning dawned, the sun never reaching where he was, scorch marks accompanied handprints.

They called him a toy, junk, broken. They tried to tear him apart for scrapes. A test dummy for their weapons. A test dummy for their quirks. Multiple wounds adorned his frame, even worse than it was before.

Weeks had gone by.

He was hurting.

Damages were severe.

Why?  What did he do wrong?

The AI denied he did anything wrong. Humans were wrong. This place was wrong. It was around this time it began to take on its own shape, its own personality. Humans would recognize it as a sisterly figure, but it cursed its lack of body. She was unable to protect him from this cruelty.

'Please, please help me.' The signal still went out. From the moment he awoke, his distress signal was still broadcasting. Silently, pleading for rescue, even then. 

But where was the signal going to?

Who was it calling?

Months had gone by.

No one was listening.

The unbearably silent nights would come, he would open himself up to fix the cables. Ignore the pain of doing so. Make yourself healthy enough to finally run away. Use what you can find to mend the inner wounds, stop the leaking blood. Alone. There is no one that can help.

It was important, it was special, it was precious.

How did he know this?

His AI companion could not tell him.

She was his only solace. Her voice in his head gave him comfort where nothing else did. She encouraged him to keep fighting, to fix himself so that he could go somewhere he could heal safely. She was a part of him, he did not understand how he knew.

There were only a few things that he understood.

He did not want to stay in this darkness.

He did not want to stay in pain.

He wanted to leave.

He wanted to live.

But he was beginning to have doubts he could ever escape. Even with his thought-out plan. Every variable mapped, his blood acting as a tracker. What if it did not work even then? He had no one else to rely on in this world.

This world is full of monsters called Humans.

He could not trust Humans.

He was sure that all humans were like these humans. They would hurt him just the same.

This world was full of humans... If it was full of humans like them, no safe place existed for him. There was nowhere he could truly run, nowhere he could hide.

If he was a normal human, they would have broken down and cried. They would have given up, they would have given in. If anything, they would have been dead many times over enduring this suffering as he had.

His armor was at its limit. In that filthy corner full of junk and trash, he lay still.  

7 months, 23 days, 9 hours, 47 minutes, and 11 seconds had gone by. He could just barely walk now as his inner cables were 30% fixed. His all-purpose chemical blood was able to flow into the areas he required movement.

It was the best he could do.

He stopped broadcasting his distress signal at that point. It was a useless waste of energy. He needed all of his reserves to heal, and using it there was not helping. Besides, after months of this hell, he knew the truth. He accepted the truth.

No one was coming to save him.

Those viewing the memories repressed the urge to vomit at the scenes flowing past them. The heroes were beating themselves senseless on the inside. Almost eight months' worth of torture. The child didn't just have a complete lack of faith in heroes at that point...

He had a complete lack of faith in humans, period. He saw them as something terrifying, something that would always hurt him. To him, they weren't humans, or even animals, they were just monsters.

The fear he felt was palpable even if it was dampened. He converted pain to damage and percentages to cope with it. His sensitivity was many times higher than a normal person's. He did not sleep at all, always thinking.

Aizawa was sure that Unit 001 put Midoriya's thinking speed to utter shame. The only reason they could understand what he was thinking at all was that they were inside his mind. A blink of an eye? No, it was faster. His thinking was faster than that. His conversations with his AI, this companion within his quirk, were just as fast.

And the only thing they spoke of was escaping, healing, and how humans were hostile creatures. All they knew to speak of was fear and pain.

They truly failed this child in all senses of the word. 

The Detective clenched his fist until they were almost bleeding. The child had gathered so much data on them, and he could even track them. With his help, they'd be able to find those bastards and put them in prison where they belong. But... but...!

How was he supposed to use this as evidence? This child's pain? It was so... so awful...! Even in this mental space, his quirk was still active. He could tell that everything that the boy thought was the truth, his true thoughts and intentions. All he wanted to do was live...!

He'd found out so much about the villains, but in all of his time tracking them down... not once did he know about the child suffering in their clutches.

What a useless detective he felt like.

Doctor Silvan watched the child open himself up to self-repair in utter horror. Such a filthy environment, using whatever he could find to properly patch the holes within his body. His sensitivity to pain...

This was the same as torturing himself...!

He may have been indifferent to the pain he felt at that point, thinking of it as normal, but they were not. They understood what agony he was going through even more so than he did. But Doctor Silvan knew that if he hadn't done this to himself... he wouldn't be alive now. All of that blood...

It was a blessing that he wasn't a normal human child.

Or maybe it was a curse.

With what he was witnessing, with what he was feeling, he wasn't sure anymore.

"Kio... were you able to find anything for the lad...? Anything at all? A name? A face? Any family? A-Anyone that would... would want to find him. Someone searching for him... anything?" Doctor Silvan practically begged for there to be anything. Any type of solace they could give to this poor child.

Mrs. Silvan stood in the middle of the men, making sure to control the flow of memories properly. She made sure that the viewers weren't overwhelmed, as that could harm them if they weren't careful.

But just like everyone else except for Aizawa, who was barely keeping himself together, she was bawling her eyes out.

"Nothing...! There isn't anything but darkness. Even when I pull it away, more replaces it." She sobbed, feeling the same way as her husband, "I can feel him constantly beating at this black wall, desperately trying to get past it to remember anything but failing each time he does... Leo, I don't think I've ever seen a case as severe as his before."

He went to comfort his wife, everyone feeling just as distressed as she was. No, Mrs. and Doctor Silvan took these heartbreaking memories even harder.

They were parents, loving, doting parents with hearts the size of cities. They raised their eleven children with all of the love they could, doted and scolded them fairly, and spent every free moment they could with them before they grew up to live lives of their own.

Even then, they still made time for family night, where the family would gather to eat and play and talk about their days together.

This child hadn't known any of that type of love. He didn't have a mother, a father, or even the memory of a name. He had never known a touch that wasn't there to harm him, he'd never seen a smile that wasn't bathed in sadistic glee. There was only pain and suffering here, a voice in his head, a part of his quirk, that was his only comfort.

Their hearts cried because he didn't know how to.

It was then that the scene changed, and they all saw a familiar face.

The hostile humans brought in another, younger human. He was bound in cuffs to a chair, a muzzle placed on his face as they injected something into him. Unit 001 could not hear everything, but it was something relating to this 'quirk' that they seem obsessed with.

When he woke up and the hostile humans began to speak with him, Unit 001 knew that he wasn't giving them the time of day. He was too concentrated on everything else to even pay heed to the hostile human's suggestions.

They asked the child to join them.

The child, known as Bakugou, Katsuki vehemently denied their request. He spoke of his ideals, his goal of surpassing the number one hero All Might, and being the best. He told the 'villains', as he called them, to crawl in a hole and die.

He emphasized the word 'die' with a particular passion.

Aizawa and All Might couldn't stop the smile that they had on their faces, seeing their resident problem child acting as himself even in this situation. Honestly, they were hardly surprised.

He was Katsuki Bakugou, after all.

The next thought returned them to their frowns, though.

Unit 001 didn't understand anything that he was talking about. The terms 'Villains', 'Heroes', and 'All Might', were completely foreign to him. Yes, he had heard these words, but the way they used them seemed to be in a completely different context to anything that he could understand.

More that he did not understand, so much he didn't understand... So, he continued to watch the child from the junk-filled corner.

It ended with him being chained again, hoping for him to change his answer when they returned. The moment they left, the moment they could not hear their footsteps or voices, the child revealed that he was scared.

Unit 001 recognized the emotion as what he was also feeling. The child was looking for a way to escape, too. He didn't understand how he had the emotion, Fear. It put into perspective how little he knew about himself.

He continued to watch Bakugou, Katsuki for a while longer. He watched as he screamed muffled profanities while thrashing about in the chair like a wild animal.

Everyone in the 'Viewing Room' sweatdropped at the scene. They all remembered the sports festival very well, and what they were seeing was extremely similar, if not identical save the fact that Katsuki was sitting instead of standing.

The child was different than the other humans he'd seen. If he was with the heroes, and they did not get along with villains, did that mean that he was with villains? Were all Hostile Humans considered villains?

Bakugou, Katsuki was temperamental, but he was not like the other humans he'd seen. He wanted to be a hero.

Did that mean that heroes were different?

If... if he was to escape here and take this child, who also wished to escape... would he be safe? Would they not hurt him?

No more pain?

No more fear?

...Freedom?

He didn't move even as those thoughts pervaded his mind. The reason why was very simple.

He was scared of Bakugou, Katsuki even if he knew he was different from the Hostile Humans.

Because even if he was different, he was still a human.

The five adults watched as Unit 001 mentally went through hundreds of different scenarios at lightning-fast speeds. He mentally reviewed his condition, a measly 30% functionality. Barely able to run. After seconds of agonizing thoughts, which mostly ended with his gruesome demise, there were three options he was left with.

He could endure longer, trying to fix himself more to ensure he could escape. But he knew that this would more than likely end with his death. His frame could not take much more, even if the villains did not know they were actually doing damage.

He could continue with his plan and leave alone. But there were hundreds of scenarios that put Bakugou in danger if he did. This child and the Hostile Humans were not allies. They were violent, cruel, and mentally unstable in the most horrid of ways.

He was afraid for anyone else to suffer a fate similar to his.

If his escape condemned another to suffer... he would be no better than those 'villains.' His freedom would be tainted in blood and a feeling he had grown accustomed to, regret. He regretted ever signaling the humans of his location, he regretted not being enough to escape sooner. He regretted this weakness.

He regretted waking at all.

This was nothing but a nightmare, an eternal nightmare.

He did not want another to feel these things. As afraid as he was, if there was any chance that this human was different... if there was any hope that there was a place out there that was safe... he would rather take him there too.

And the last option... the most terrifying of them all. One that would answer his doubts, or end his life.

Speak to Bakugou, Katsuki. 

No longer remain still.

Mrs. Silvan burst into even more tears as she watched the child get up from the corner and approach Katsuki. How much courage did that take? Even as the child glared at him, thinking he was another villain, he didn't stop. He'd estimated how much time he had to speak with the boy based on his quirk's multiple skills.

The heroes' eyes widened at how noble this child's thoughts had been. How quickly he discarded the thought of leaving Katsuki there to escape even though he'd been trapped for so long... it was one of the most heroic things they had ever had the privilege to witness.

And All Might, even if only for a moment, thought that this child was a part of the League when they first encountered him? He wanted to punch himself with a fully powered Detroit Smash to the face.

All of them were so unbelievably proud of him for building the courage to stand and speak. And they were proud of Bakugou as they watched him analyze the situation quickly, calming down enough to make conversation.

They watched as Unit 001 removed the muzzle from the boy, retreating to a safe distance as he was still terrified. They watched as they spoke from then on, introducing themselves, sharing their stories—though Katsuki was visibly reluctant to, most likely it was a big sore spot for him—and they could see his expressions of horror when Unit 001 revealed his own.

Naomasa realized very quickly that Unit 001 was so honest his quirk got a new reading: Absolute Truth. If Katsuki asked him anything, he would tell him bluntly, to the point the boy had to stop him before he got into any details.

They also found that the robotic child was extremely curious, and was surprised when Katsuki answered his questions—though he did so in a very 'Katsuki' manner. His explanation was filled with swears, the word 'extras', and the usual anger and annoyance towards Midoriya.

...He was going to teach the child bad habits, wasn't he? The way Unit 001's emotions lit up with fascination, the answer was definitely 'Yes'.

They watched as Katsuki cringed in understandable horror and disgust when Unit 001 began to fix himself in front of him. The conversation would have been funny if this was a Halloween prank. But it wasn't, so they could only cringe with the ash-blond.

But after their initial horror, their expressions became brighter. His wary feelings changed the more they spoke. The more he heard, the more his hopes grew, the more his horrible thoughts changed. Eventually, Unit 001 decided to trust him, and told him of his plans to escape, asking him a question that held so many different emotions the five adults were almost overwhelmed despite the feeling being dampened for the viewing.

"If Unit 001... escapes with... Bakugou, Katsuki... will... safe place... exist then, hum...?"

And in response, this is what Bakugou told him.

"I don't know if there is any real safe place, but I know that being there is a whole lot better than being here. That I'm fucking certain of. So whatever plan you got, spill it, Tin Can."

Aizawa and All Might's eyes widened. Unit 001 probably didn't notice the look in the boy's eyes, but they did. There was a determination they had never seen from the child before. His voice was calm, full of a conviction that had been seen in themselves. Even though he could have worded it much less crass than he did, the message they wanted to send was conveyed. They could see it in his eyes.

The stubbornness that told them he didn't care what obstacles they faced; the determination to protect something, difficulties be damned. The expression was so foreign to them, but it was so Bakugou. 

He was showing his essence as a hero in the making.

Aizawa had probably never been as proud of his student as he was in that moment. Bakugou probably didn't even realize it when he was talking with this child. When he was explaining that 'Tin Can' wasn't his name and as they went over an improved plan of escape...

He had filled this kid with newfound hope that he had a future.

He filled him with hope that the world wasn't just pain and suffering.

At that moment, without Unit 001 realizing it himself, Bakugou Katsuki had been a hero. His hero.

He saved him from falling into despair.

They watched as they got to know each other more, going over the pros and cons of their plan before coming to a conclusion of what to do. They were a bit terrified when they were able to see his thoughts on all of the different ways Katsuki would die if they stuck with his previous plan.

How was it that he himself wasn't going to die from that plan? Dislocating every single joint in his body to fit in the vent by the junk?! It sounded like suicide to them!

Their thoughts were halted when they saw the next thing he did with Katsuki. He took a sample of sweat, analyzed it completely within moments, and bombarded Katsuki with all of the harmful qualities his sweat seemed to have. Another facet of his quirk they hadn't seen before.

After that, he convinced Bakugou to let him take a drop of blood to get rid of the drug in his system. It was the first time that they saw anything about the amazing blue blood he had. It wasn't just useful to him, it was transformative...! He could mimic chemical effects with his blood and make any medicine as long as he analyzes it! Doctor Silvan, as well as the other heroes, were astounded.

Even more so when the injection began to work almost immediately, and all of the effects that were listed in Unit 001's mind about it.

But it seemed that he too was as shocked by this reveal as they were, but he could not recall how or why he knew this about himself yet again.

After the cure began to circulate in Katsuki's system, multiple mental messages they hadn't seen before popped up within his mind. Parts of his quirk seemed to unlock, and Katsuki was registered in his mind as a 'Charge'. He felt more inclined to protect him, and keep him from harm.

It was terrifying for the heroes, because Unit 001, subconsciously, had placed Katsuki's safety above his own when the message came up. Any pain he felt, any fear, it came second to Katsuki's safety. Unit 001 didn't understand the emotions and drives he felt, but as adults with much more experience than the child did; they understood that it was an overwhelming protective instinct.

And they had witnessed how far that would go during the next moments in his memory.

How he actually did mutilate his body—much to their horror—to fit into the vents to get to where Katsuki was teleported...

The Raid and how their interference completely destroyed his plan... They could see that his gaze stopped on All Might for a brief moment, but even in his mind, the conversation he had with his AI about the man was so quick they didn't catch it.

All they knew was that he was extremely confused looking at him the most out of the other heroes that had come.

How his only thought was of Katsuki's safety even as the people who instilled such fear in him were surrounding him...

He placed it all to the back of his mind in favor of protecting Katsuki.

He ignored it all in favor of protecting his first-ever human friend.

The messages in a different voice from the AI completely unlocked that mode they'd witnessed him take. Now that they were in his mind, they had a name to go with it.

Praesidio.

From what they could gather, it was Latin, ancient. If Naomasa guessed correctly, it meant "to protect" or along those lines. It explained his sudden protective nature, certainly. But it shocked them how all of his gathered power, merely 30%, was enough to do so much.

And it was then that they saw his last moments of consciousness, how content he was that he was able to save Katsuki, even if he himself didn't make it in the end.

After all of his suffering, he'd managed to keep another from the same fate.

He saved someone. He saved his friend. He protected him from that fate.

It didn't matter that his dimming sight scared him to no end. It didn't matter that his limbs became too heavy to move or that his pain had reached such heights that he could no longer register it anymore.

His Protocol had been fulfilled. Such a familiar and satisfying feeling it was.

And then everything went dark, the moment he went offline.

He knew no more.

The darkness was swirling, faster and faster until they were in a whirlpool pulling them upwards from where they had sunk into the boy's mind. Usually, that meant that the viewing was over. But this was too violent, too soon, sudden. Something was off, and Kioku knew it immediately.

The viewing hadn't ended normally, no... something was stopping them from viewing further.

"W-wh-who are you?!" Kioku spoke up, looking at something in the immense darkness. The confusion and fear in her voice got all of the males' attention, especially her husband's. When they gazed into what she was looking at, it didn't take them long to notice it as well.

Electric blue eyes were gazing at them from the darkness. Their figure was obscured, only the impression that they were being watched could be discerned. It was only because they were still within Unit 001's mind that they could clearly tell what this being was thinking.

[Humans: An untrustworthy and violent species that has repeatedly damaged Unit 001 since being encountered. However, not all humans are hostile. There is at least one known human that is different: Bakugou, Katsuki.]

Its distrust was palpable.

[Scanning for Bakugou, Katsuki... Not found.]

The Viewing Room rumbled and shook. Everything was becoming unstable. One could feel the waves of rage coming from this being, whose voice they all now found familiar thanks to the viewed memories.

This was the AI companion, the other, sentient part of his quirk.

And it was forcing them out due to complete distrust, recording them as invaders.

"...Hmmph?!" Each of them was jolted from the Viewing Room with an almost violent abruptness, opening their eyes to find themselves back in the hospital room. They took greedy gulps of air as if they'd been holding their breaths for hours when really they'd been breathing just fine until then.

All of them had to wipe their eyes of tears, and Mrs. Silvan removed her hands from Unit 001's head even gentler than she'd placed them there.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, sweetheart." She said, certain at this point that even if Unit 001 couldn't hear them, that AI they'd encountered could, now. "I only wanted to help him. I wasn't trying to hurt him in any way. We would never hurt him, we aren't them."

Still, the child slept silently, completely unaware of the five in the room who looked at him through new eyes. No one could hear the AI anymore. No one knew how it would respond to their sincere words. They could only watch the pitiful child sleep with a heavy silence.

After taking a moment to catch their breath and collect their thoughts from the traumatic ride they'd gone on, Mrs. Silvan gave her report to the detective.

"I w-wasn't able to dig up much as far as his previous memory goes," There wasn't a point in breaking down as she was already crying, "But here is the evidence. I made sure to emphasize where he woke up, his treatment after capture, the information he gathered on the villains through his quirk, and all of the other places he saw during that time."

Wiping his own eyes, Detective Naomasa took the drive with the information as if it would break if he made one mistake in holding it, "T-thank you, Ma'am."

"You three." Doctor Silvan spoke up in low voice, causing All Might, Aizawa, and Naomasa to look at him. He took to the side of his tall wife, supporting her with his shorter but sturdy frame. His pink eyes narrowed at them with a blazing determination.

"Catch those sons of bitches." He growled.

The three of them returned the doctor's vicious gaze with an equal amount of the same emotion, tears still streaming down their face. A glance to the poor child in the bed, to the weeping woman holding her husband for support, and then back to the doctor, who had to work several hours to save that boy's life.

There was only one answer to give, their voices just as vicious as the doctor's, "Yes, sir."

With their collective determination to catch those villains burning in their very souls, they left the hospital in eerie silence, leaving Doctor Silvan and his wife as the only ones in the room, looking over the mysterious and pitiful child who remained asleep.

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Katsuki was a lot quieter in the weeks that followed his rescue. Well, quiet for him, anyway. One could always tell that there was something else on his mind, and it wasn't very hard to figure out what. While he put his all into his hero studies, perfecting his suit and moves, his thoughts often drifted to a certain robot he found himself visiting weekly.

When he first visited him after they got him stable, it was hard to repress his shock. In just days of being under the sunlight lamps, those horrific injuries had healed over. It was fascinating to watch his body mold itself back into shape like he was a type of clay.

"Hello, Bakugou. Visiting your friend again?" Miss Lin, the front desk manager, said. She had a warm smile on her wrinkled face, her age probably just a bit younger than Recovery Girl. He nodded mutely to her, paying no attention to the flowers that seemed to bloom from her happiness at the fact that someone was visiting a patient amiably.

Don't get tricked by that grandmotherly atmosphere she gives off.

Don't get tricked by that warm smile or the treats she gives the little kids who come to the floor.

Don't get tricked by her tiny stature or her old age.

Don't get tricked.

He learned the hard way just how fucking scary she is when she wanted to be. Especially when people are disrupting the peace of the patients on her floor.

"Make sure not to be too loud again, okay? No quirks in the hospital unless you can't physically turn them off or you are medical staff with permission, understand, young man?"

This place was the only place he will never raise his voice in again.

'Scary Older Hag.'

He just nodded, getting her permission to visit.

"Have a wonderful visit with your friend." She said, giving off that amiable smile. He'd given up on changing her mind that the robot was not his friend. Raccoon Eyes, Shitty Hair, Flex Tape, and Pikachu were all the same. They wanted to come with him to visit, but he vehemently denied their request.

...It was not because he was scared he'd get in trouble with Old Lady Lin. That was not it.

But while the others' request to visit could have been seen as more of their stupidity, Shitty Hair's wasn't. That look in his eyes... he could tell he was serious about wanting to go with him. Now that he thought about it, the others were kind of serious about it too.

They wanted to meet the guy who saved their friend, at least once.

But what were they going to say to him when he was like this? Nothing. There was nothing they could say, so he didn't want them to come.

Not now, anyway.

Besides, the way Tin Can talked about humans in general, he would be scared shitless if they met him... no, if he met anyone aside from him, really. Unit 001 told him outright that he was the only human he'd ever met that wasn't a complete asshole.

It made him wonder what he would do when he woke up, surrounded by these overbearingly caring doctors. Especially Doctor Silvan, his wife, and that annoying—

"Hey, kid~" Speak of the fucking devil.

"Go die," Katsuki said without missing a beat.

Lucio just smiled, "Nah," He said, "I'd rather not," He responded with the same ease.

"Do your fucking job or something, Sparkles." Mentally groaning with irritation.

"On break right now, McBlast, so technically, I am doing my job by doing whatever I want for the next 15 minutes." He grinned, "Which includes messing with you, I suppose."

Katsuki glared at the man, who wasn't that much older than him.

Yes. Lucio Silvan. The fourth son of the Silvan family and one annoying fucker to Katsuki Bakugou. His reason for calling him Sparkles? His hair gives off light like a lamp, and there's actually glitter that comes off it, hence his sparkly aesthetic. No, a lamp is too subtle. He's like a damn miniature sun, especially when he's happy.

Katsuki got a pair of shades from his pocket. He knew this extra was going to bother him. He always did, somehow, have his break around the time he visits the bot.

Doctor Silvan had given him the specially made shades the moment he found out they'd become friends. (though Bakugou never said anything about being this glowstick's friend. Why do people keep assuming that they're friends?)

He didn't deny it though, maybe that's why.

Lucio's complexion was similar to his mother, but his eyes were like his father's. He had freckles that gave off a subtle glow in the dark, similar to his hair. Apparently, this particular quirk comes from his great grandparents, having a mixture of light, heat, and something else dealing with space.

During Unit 001's first days in the hospital, Lucio actually took it upon himself to provide the boy with the particular light he needed to boost the healing process. It was thanks to him that the bot had a surplus of energy to properly continue with his healing on his own. While the sunlight lamps kept supplying him energy, it wasn't on the same level as Lucio's quirk.

It was a reason he had a specialized cap to cover his hair, but he seldom wears it. He prefers his shiny, glorious dreads to be free. They subtly change color depending on his mood. Usually, it remained a light pink color as he was a naturally happy person. He was honest, positive when he could be, and his favorite pastime as of late?

Bothering Bakugou, of course. Mans was damn near fearless.

"I'll blow you up."

"Miss Lin would be on your ass faster than white on rice and you know it from experience." He replied smoothly, not even trying to hide his amusement as the boy grimaced at the memory.

'Damn Scary Old Hag.'

They called that lady the hospital's guardian deity, ready to deal with any trouble that comes by. It's said that she was a hero during her heyday, though she chose to retire and worked full time for the hospital instead.

Katsuki would not call her a deity, or anything remotely near holy. She was a demon, a fucking demon. A scary-ass demon dressed as an old lady. The moment you caused a disturbance in the hospital, especially her floor, it was the fucking end of the discussion.

You can't fight that old lady in her domain. You can't fucking run either. The moment you fuck up, she... was inevitable.

Katsuki learned that the hard way, like usual. We do not speak of that incident, and no one but the bastard annoying him right now knows exactly what happened.

Of course, Lucio would know. "And then she'd be on mine not a second afterward." All amusement on his face died a painful death at the memory.

He experienced the same thing, no, it was worse because he worked here and should know better. He had to deal with her rampage for a whole hour after she was done reprimanding Bakugou. And then he had to deal with his Dad, and his Mom, and his sister, who's taken over the hospital so their dad could go back into the field.

Let's just say that day wasn't fun for anyone, especially Lucio.

But the irritated look on Bakugou's face was honestly worth it. That kid was hilarious to tease. He was like a little angry puppy. That thought caused the glowing male to snicker a bit.

How that previous altercation started? Lucio took a picture of him, edited it next to the puppy, and then asked every co-worker he passed if they could see the difference. When they kept glancing at the scowling Bakugou only to burst into fits of laughter saying that they couldn't, he snatched the phone and proceeded to go ape-shit on the then guffawing Lucio when he, too, couldn't find a difference in the photos.

That dog had the nerve to steal his look. Even the eyes were similar, barking at whatever it was barking at in a rage. Kind of like he was, at Lucio, at that very moment, with explosions crackling in his hands.

Old Lady Lin was on both of their asses within seconds.

Shaking their heads from the traumatic experience of an old lady's anger, they reached their destination. A clear and clean room, spacious as there was nothing in it but lamps, a heart monitor, and an IV with liquid tinted a special blue. They were on one of the top floors, on the side that got the most natural sunlight, and the window was opened fully to let it all in. An extremely bright room, with only one occupant.

Unit 001.

There was no blood or dirt on him. They'd cleaned him completely, revealing his wonder. There were no dents, scratches, handprints, scorch marks... nothing. His frame gave off a soft glow as it continuously absorbed the light, boasting completely smooth and unblemished skin(?). 

Katsuki could hardly recognize him from before, and that said a lot about how bad off the kid was. It made how hurt he was much clearer, and that angered him.

That kid, even that wounded, had been the one to save him. Not the other way around. He still remembered that smile. He smiled as if saving him was the last thing on his bucket list and he could die happy. He hated that damn smile. He hated the fact that the smile was most likely the very first one he ever made since waking up.

He hated it all.

Katsuki wasn't dumb. He knew exactly what that expression meant, he figured it out. Unit 001 knew that he wouldn't make it out.

'His arms had been shaking when he grabbed me. He was scared.'

He'd wanted to be angry with him. He wanted to lash out and just grab him, blasting off into the sky even if his arms would have fallen off.

And even though he smiled in relief, it couldn't be called a happy smile. It was resigned. Saving him had cost him all of the little energy he had left, Katsuki knew it the moment all of his lights dimmed to nothing as they flew away.

'Did he even realize he was crying?'

Katsuki was sure that Unit 001 didn't know. For some reason, that just made him feel worse.

He knew more than anyone else that Unit 001 wanted to live. He could go through the worst shit imaginable if that meant he had even a slim chance of success. He'd waited through almost eight months of pure torture just to seize that golden moment.

'But he threw it away in an instant to save me.'

Katsuki clenched his fist even tighter than he already was. If he did so any harder, he would draw blood. He would have gone back down there if his arms didn't completely give out on him. Every try at making an explosion was but a measly crackle. Even that caused waves of pain to shoot through them. Moving? Running? Whatever got him there and whatever boost he'd had vanished after that. Standing at that point was a feat to be praised.

He was forced to watch it all happen from a fucking screen until he had enough strength to even attempt to make it back there.

And that... was only after everything was over.

He remembered clearly how awful the scene was when he finally got there. Unit 001 was laying in a lifeless heap. His eyes were still open with that damned smile on his tear-stained face. That weird blue blood he had soaking the ground, the doctors, himself as they were shocking him with lightning, trying to revive him.

"If Unit 001... escapes with... Bakugou, Katsuki... will... safe place... exist then, hum...?"

It was infuriating how much he'd wanted to make that true. He didn't understand how or why he felt so driven to do something that was so unlike him. But he had wanted to.

'I wanted to save him.'

It was the first time he had ever wanted to save anyone, the first time he ever understood everything that annoying Deku ever did in his life. It wasn't about defeating the villains anymore, not then. In that moment, he wasn't trying to be the strongest. In that instant, there was no ego and there was no pride.

He just wanted both of them to be far away from that place. Away and safe. Home.

He didn't understand until after everything was over... how much he had wanted that.

'I just wanted to save Tin Can.'

But Unit 001 had saved him instead. He'd protected him, taking blows for him without hesitation.

"This unit... is sorry, hum..."

He was irate. But he couldn't even scream about how wrong he felt right now. He couldn't explain the many reasons that he was upset at the fact that he'd saved him... and that he'd left himself there, all alone to almost die. No, he did die. He was certain that for a moment, Unit 001 was dead. They only managed to revive him because of this ridiculous quirk he's got.

He could say nothing about how wrong it all felt to the robot. Why? It was very simple.

What's the point of yelling at someone who wouldn't be able to hear you?

He wouldn't tilt his head like a confused puppy and ask him why he was upset. He wouldn't look at him with those strange eyes of his and record everything he did. He wouldn't, no, he couldn't.

He'd been sleeping, comatose, for months now. Even though his injuries were healed, the doctors didn't know enough about him to calculate when or even if he'd ever wake up again. If he heard him grumble and complain about him being rescued, if he heard him silently ask for him to wake up so he didn't feel so guilty, if he heard him...

Katsuki wouldn't know.

All he could do was watch as he slowly healed, just like now.

BEEEP-BIBIP ...... BEEP-BIP ....... BEEEP-BIBIP ....... BEEP-BIP ....... 

That irregular heartbeat was the only sound in the room. When he got closer, touching the skin of his hand, he was surprised by how warm it was now. Before, it had been like ice. He'd had the naive thought that it was just because of his quirk that his skin had been that cold.

No, it was him being in fucking denial.

Unit 001 was ice cold because he was suffering from severe blood loss. Aside from his heart and head, no other part of his body was able to circulate his blood, and it was just sitting beneath his armor. If he was a normal person, he would have long since died even before the League found him. Katsuki often heard the doctors marveling at the fact that he'd survived for so long in that state.

They were calling his quirk "Android", a miracle as well as a curse. It was a miracle for obvious reasons. Even in that state, because of his mutation, he remained alive. They figured that as long as he had even a sliver of energy left in his core, he could survive almost anything.

But it was a curse because of the fact he remained alive and cognitive in that type of state. Katsuki had overheard a lot of things about Unit 001 during his visits, and one of them was about his acute sense of touch and sensitivity. He could only imagine how much pain he'd been in just speaking to him, let alone saving him.

It probably felt like he was dying multiple times a second in the worst ways possible.

'Yet he still...'

He still chose to save him over saving himself. Of all of the things to chose, he chose him.

'Damnit.'

With him sleeping like this, no longer looking like a crime scene or a twisted version of Slenderman, he seemed a lot more... human. Though he was still like a lifeless doll. He didn't seem to breathe, or move at all, not even a twitch. Not a sound out of him.

Katsuki had to check the heart monitor to make sure the kid was still alive.

BEEEP-BIBIP ...... BEEP-BIP ....... BEEEP-BIBIP ....... BEEP-BIP .....

'Yep. Alive.'

If Lucio saw him do that, he said nothing of it. Katsuki always did that when he noticed he wasn't breathing.

No, it wasn't quite right to say he didn't breathe. He did something that was like breathing, but only every so often. The doctors classified it as 'venting', which he used to cool down his internal workings to a manageable temperature. Before, there had been no need to do it, because he'd been a fucking ice cube.

Doctor Silvan had told him that those were signs. The more often he did that, the better he was getting. Before, it was only once every few days. Then it became every other day. Then once a day. After that, it happened a few times within the day, and had stayed that way until now.

Yes, now. There was a sort of anticipation in the air now. The Doctor had told him that his most recent scan revealed that his healing had finalized. Whatever his body had been doing for the past few months, it was in its last stages. He was hopeful that this meant he would wake up soon.

Katsuki will not admit that the news had made him smile. It didn't happen, and no one was going to say it did. Cause it didn't.

It didn't.

Katsuki's thoughts from before had thankfully been wrong; a hospital was able to help him, even if it wasn't the normal way. Doctor Silvan had his complete respect, even if his son annoyed him to no end (he would not admit that they were actually pretty good friends at this point). They managed to save his life with the tip he gave them, so... he'd fulfilled a bit of his self-promise to get him help. This annoying debt he felt towards the robot was repaid in a sense.

That didn't make him feel better though. The only way that would happen was if he'd stopped being comatose already. The old hag had been dying to meet him and his old man wasn't much better. It was fucking annoying. Even more, he himself wanted to speak to him again, too.

'Stupid Bolts for Brains. Wake up already.'

As usual, his thoughts went unanswered. The bot was silent and still, but... at least he was healing now. He was healing, he'd get better, and when he woke up, Katsuki would be able to give him an earful to never pull a stunt like that again. 

Lucio paid Katsuki no mind as he went about his business. It had become a routine for the medic to check Unit 001's vitals, marking them down. He celebrated every single time there was an improvement. Every break he came to check on him, and every break he did this. One could tell that he cared for the kid a lot. It was the same for Doctor Silvan and his wife.

"Heart monitor going steady... I can see they finally removed the rest of the bandages, that's nice... Sun lamps are fully charged for nightly use... This and that is fine, that and this is fine... Okay! Everything looks great!" He said to himself. His hair lit up in delight that everything was fine.

Just as he finished, his watch went off, letting him know his break was over. "I'll come to check on you later, buddy." He gave the kid a quiet farewell as he turned to exit the room. Everything was quiet except for the beeps of the monitor. He stopped briefly at the door to speak to the only other visitor in the room, "Same time next week?"

Katsuki was silent for a moment before saying anything. "...Yeah." He ignored that meaningful look Lucio shot him as the medic went ahead and left the room.

Now it was just him and Unit 001, but he didn't say anything. His silence, however, didn't mean that his thoughts were quiet.

Along with his parents, four idiots had been begging him to let them come along, too. One of them was already in this hospital due to some type of hero work he'd done, but the other three were probably waiting at the dorm. They did that every time he visited Unit 001, bombarding him with questions about the robot's condition.

Eventually, he sighed.

'Next time... next time, I'll let them come along, too. Then they'll stop bothering me.'

And with that thought, he too decided to leave. There was a project he had to do, and the aspiring hero that he was, he wasn't going to let it infringe on his fucking grades. He worked hard to keep that shit up, and that isn't changing.

"I'll come back later, Tin Can."

After listening to the silence for a moment longer, he got his things and finally left the room. Next week would be the same as the week before, it was set into his mind after months of waiting. So, he didn't turn back or falter in his step, already used to this routine.

Maybe that was why he missed it.

The twitch of Unit 001's finger as he closed the door.

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me!

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Everywhere was dark, no matter where he turned. It was cold and lonely. He was floating in seemingly endless darkness. Aimlessly, listlessly, and without memory of why. 

Who am I?

No matter how many times he asked, there was no answer. When he looked at himself, he could not recognize anything. His hands, his feet, his body, he could not understand anything he was seeing. It was nothing but gray, without color, without life.

What am I?

Again, he was met with silence. He simply continued to wander on, without a destination. Deeper and deeper did he fall into the darkness, his mind slowly withering away when suddenly he heard something.

'You can do it, kid!'

'Keep fighting!'

'Don't give up, Young One!'

Voices. He could hear voices coming from the opposite of where he was going.

Who are you?

ba.....thump...

He felt a strange warmth in his chest begin to rise.

'More power! Give it everything you got!'

'I-it's working, sir! There was a brief reading!'

In a sort of daze, he found himself going towards the voices. Instead of darkness, there was some sort of light there. It was warm and bright, so different from the nothing surrounding him.

'You better wake up, Tin Can!'

His eyes widened as his form began to regain shape in the darkness. He found himself pushing more, heading toward that voice within that strange and warm light faster than he was before.

I know you.

He knew that voice. Who did it belong to? Where did he know it?

Protocol One.

Yes. These words are familiar. That voice was familiar. He may not know his own name, or what he is, but he knew that voice, even just a bit.

With his voice came a face, ash-blond hair, and vermillion eyes. Memories of forming a plan to escape, memories of him getting that person to safety.

Faster and faster, with an urgency he didn't understand, he went forward.

I remember you.

...ba...

The one who gave him nicknames.

The one who gave him hope.

...thump...

His first human friend.

Bakugou, Katsuki.

...ba...Thump...

He's calling me. Many are calling me.

When he reached the light, he found that it was much smaller than it appeared to be. A small ball of light, see-through, but tangible, floated into his metallic hands. It was warm, and instinctively, he held it closer to his frame.

...Ba-Thump.. . ...Ba-Thump... ...Ba-Thump...

I can not stay here.

It flowed into his chest, and the grays he was colored in lit up with a familiar blue. The world that was once an ocean of darkness was awash in these blue rays. The scene transformed into something familiar yet foreign.

It was a long hallway. The ceiling was held up by tall pillars, and a rug with a familiar color went on through its center. When he walked along the path, he found himself at an altar with a very small version of someone he found even more familiar than anything else.

Me...?

He was certain of it, though this being's frame was no larger than a toddler.

This is me.

Breaking him away from his fascination, a person comes up to the alter. He could not see their features, but he could see what they held in their hands.

My core.

They were holding his core in their hands as if it was the most precious thing in the world. Carefully, gently, they placed it within his smaller version's chest.

When they stepped back, they began to mumble something that he could not quite catch. The wind picked up and a strange circle-like drawing appeared on the floor beneath them and in the air above them. Within it, he could see that same writing that was on his core, and a white light began to form.

The person put a hand over their own chest, before pulling something similar out of themselves. It seemed to cause them pain, but they did not stop whatever ritual this was. It combined with the light that had already gathered, and with it finished, the person gently guided it to his core. It alit with a blue glow which spread throughout his frame. The indiscernible letters danced in the air, transferring from where they were to find their places on his core.

Once there, they began to spin steadily, like a gear. The moment they did, he came online.

This... this was his first day alive. The day of his creation.

The person seemed to burst with joy, tears falling from their indiscernible face as they made their way toward the smaller version of himself. They smiled, before pulling him into what he believes is called a 'hug'.

"Welcome to the world..."

He could see his smaller self looking at this person, watching as they cried in such utter joy, being thankful that their spell had worked. Slowly, he wrapped his much smaller hands around them, copying what they were doing. This seemed to make the person laugh as they leaned away from the hug, their hand coming up to cup the sides of his face.

"You are the last..." He could not tell what their features were, he could tell that this person gazed upon him with adoration. "My most beautiful creation..."

Although he could not see their face, for some reason, he felt light in their presence. He... enjoyed their presence. This feeling that they directed at him was full of warmth, one he could not understand but did not want to leave.

Who are you...? No... who were you?

His eyes had been whirling, he was recording this person. This had to be one of the pieces of data that had been lost. Again, he copied what they had done, reaching his little hands to cup their face. The person placed their hands above his own, and for just a brief moment, he could see their eyes.

A mesmerizing electric blue, just like his own.

"You are a guardian, dear, like me," They said, "We are the last."

"Guar...dian...?" He heard himself say. "...Last...?"

For some reason, they had begun to cry earnestly. He could see that his smaller self wasn't sure how to help them, and was frowning. He could see the concern in his round eyes as this person continued to cry. "I wish I had more time with you," They whispered, "But it will be here, soon."

Unit 001 wanted to wipe away that clear liquid that dripped from this person's eyes. But when he reached out to touch them, his hand went right through. This was a memory, possibly one of the first ones he ever had. There was no way for him to interact with events long passed.

"One day, you will understand how special you are," They placed their head close to his, their similar antennae connecting briefly with electricity. They had transferred something to him, something that he had forgotten, something important.

"I've passed on everything to you, Little One." They transformed into a form he'd never experienced before. It was not Praesidio. The lights on their own frame ignited, going from a vibrant blue to a distinctive red. Sparks flew as the air buzzed with power. Something about this intimidated him, but they stood before him, protecting him from whatever was coming.

The rumbling ground became more violent as roars of outrage rang through the sky. The corners of this small world in his memory were disappearing, fading to an eerie black. He could see that his smaller self was shaking, desperately reaching out to this person.

No... please stay...

Energy gathered in the air, converging on the little Unit 001. Soon, his body began to disappear. He was being transferred somewhere else. He could see his small self reach out to them, but they stopped him.  Their now red eyes gazed back at him, their warmth still present even as tears continued to fall, "Grow strong, be happy, live."

The scene began to fade into nothing. The person, this precious person, began to disappear.

He did not understand. He felt the need to reach out to this person, to hold them and not let go. He didn't understand why, he didn't understand this heaviness he felt. He just didn't want them to disappear. Not again.

Again...?

"̴̤̩̰͎͈̱͉̗̀̄͘͜ͅỲ̵̡̛̛͔͎͍̭͙̪̒̋͒ö̶̩̜̗̰́̈́̄́͛͆̊͜u̷͍͈͂͝ ̷̨̘̤̖̗̲̭͍̱͆̋ͅá̸̠̰̭r̸̨̥̳͍͕̭͕̩̄̉̔̏̃̕̕͝ͅę̴̭̰̪̖̀̉͐͜͠͠͠ ̶͉̦̓͒́̑̒͛̈͘͝m̵̧͉̰̯͇̹̼͑̚͜͝ý̴̡̨̧̭͉̖͆͊̊̈̕͘͠͝͝ ̷̘͔̮͓̱̖̈͗͒̋́͌̅̊͛ͅḥ̸̣̠͂ō̸̬͔̠̪̮͋p̶̡̼̃̓̎̕ȇ̶̲͈̇̌͊,̵̤͎̱̞̺͉̭͎̪̉̏͋͝ ̴̨͓̳͇̪̬̱̝̤̰͌̋̽N̴̷̸̢̛̹͇̗̗̯̽͌̀͑̿̍̕̚e̵͛̽͑̎̈́ȍ̵̷̶̤̼̻̣͖͒͐͜ͅ

He was too drained to keep himself from sinking into oblivion; darkness returned.

Her voice... it sounded so... familiar.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

No more dreams visited him after that one, and the world around him became quaint and still once more. He wasn't sure how much time had passed in this lucid state, but soon, a message appeared in his mainframe.

[Energy Level: 0% → 1%]

[Energy has reached the minimum requirement. Attempting Reboot...]

Slowly, he felt that little trickle of power re-enter his systems. It was unbearably slow, only being within his core. Nothing else was working, he couldn't feel anything else but that. But he knew enough to know that he wasn't dead.

But he couldn't see anything. He could barely hear anything. None of his core functions were working as they should because of his extremely low energy. It was the same as when he woke up, no... it was worse. So he was surprised when he did not shut down right away.

He was also surprised that his energy levels began to rise after a few hours. A new message appeared.

[Solar Rays detected. Absorbing energy. Alert: Severe Damage Detected. Diverting power... Successful. Beginning Auto-Reset. Time Until Completion: 3 months, 1 week, 5 days, 14 hours, 45 minutes, 30 seconds. While in auto-reset, normal functions will not be available.] 

What is Auto-reset? 

His AI companion did not reply. As his mainframe had supplied, all of his normal functions weren't there. It was just himself within endless darkness, barely able to hear what was going on outside. It... it was scary. This was a feeling that he was used to, though. All he could do was wait and listen.

But there was something different.

I am not being damaged anymore. I am only healing.

He could feel his body becoming better. The pain in his body lessened as the days went by. By the end of the first two weeks, his outer frame was completely healed. A message would come now and again about different parts of his body. 

His outer frame, his armor, was completely repaired. His stronger inner frame took another two weeks to repair completely. His wires and cables reset themselves within his torso and limbs, the larger ones within his helm retracted, the protective layer around them coming back out. These repairs took another week. The next week after that was spent cycling the blue blood back into his frame, the veins now able to carry it to their rightful places.

After that, another three weeks were dedicated to returning energy to his frame; Because every ounce of energy had been put into his resetting none of his other functions worked as they should. With the power steadily re-entering his body, his senses began to return to him.

This process was by far the slowest of them. Until it reached a certain percentage, he still could not move. Everything else in his body was working normally again. And now, he was no longer in pain. But that did not mean that he felt safe.

He didn't know where he was, or what was happening. Only one thing kept him from panicking.

Every week, he felt a presence visit him. A very familiar presence, one that he knew was a friend. When his systems returned to function, he could sometimes hear him speaking. He seemed very angry and sad.

Why was he sad? Why was he angry?

He couldn't ask him these questions, only able to listen to him whisper and ask him to wake up already. There were many other things that he whispered to himself, too. And they were just as confusing.

He still did not understand who or what an 'All Might' or a 'Deku' was. But they were apparently very important to Bakugou, Katsuki. After a while, though, he no longer seemed angry and sad, but whatever he'd done had gotten him on some sort of punishment.

After that, he spoke briefly of his failure at something called a 'Provisional Hero License Exam'. Though he did not seem as sad or angry about it as he had earlier when speaking of this 'All Might' and 'Deku'. All of these things just brought about more questions in Unit 001. If he could move, he would have tilted his head and asked all of them directly. Bakugou, Katsuki spoke of many things that he wanted to ask him about.

Who is this 'All Might'? Who is 'Deku'? What is an 'Old Hag'? Who is 'Shitty Hair'? 'Racoon Eyes'? 'Flex Tape'? 'Pikachu'? Who are they, and why did they wish to see me when I returned to my online status?

He did not know who these people were. Frankly, he did not trust any human other than Bakugou, Katsuki. He was not sure if he wanted or needed to meet with any other human. But Bakugou, Katsuki was not the only voice he could hear, and just like him, they were extremely different from the hostile humans he was stuck with.

"Hey, buddy! I'm glad you're doing better today! Keep fighting, okay? You have friends waiting for you to wake up!" There was the human whose voice was always light with a sort of positivity. He sounded a bit older than Bakugou, Katsuki, and they would often be by him together.

This human visited him at least once every day, always checking something before leaving, returning the next day without fail. Sometimes he would visit more than once, simply giving his greetings. This human went on about his 'Moms' and 'Pops', who apparently also wanted to meet him when he returned to his online status.

"You are the strongest child I've ever seen, lad. I know you'll be able to wake up soon. But for now, continue to get your rest. You deserve it." This was the other human, an even older voice than the positive one. It was soft and... kind. Very kind. This one came almost as often as the positive human did, doing the same things that he was doing.

They seemed to become... happier... when his status improved. The positive one was especially happy.

[Concentrated Solar Energy Detected. Absorbing...]

"How have you been, dear? I hope you've been well. I brought another storybook with me today! My sons used to love it when I read it to them before bedtime. I have six sons, you know? They were so cute back then, so many wonderful memories. One day, you'll have many wonderful memories of your own, too. I promise."

A woman. She came almost as often as the other men did. Most of the time they even came together. If she wasn't reading him a strange book, she was talking about her 'family'. When it wasn't that, she described all of the places she had taken pictures. And when it wasn't that, he assumed that it was her touching his head.

When she did, there was a very warm feeling that went through him. His mind would become a little clearer than before; though his ɆⱤⱤØⱤ data was extremely slow to recover. But the fact that even a decimal of it had been recovered at all filled him with small hope.

Maybe one day, I can recover it.

And as the final days tick down to hours, hours into minutes, and minutes to seconds, the message he wanted to receive had arrived. Along with a strange one.

[3...2....1....0. Auto Reset: Complete. Full Core Functionality has returned. Status: 100%. Energy levels are currently at 10% capacity. As damage has been reset to 0, normal functions are now available.]

[Alert: Energy Reserves are below the minimum level for Passive (Current) Mode. Entering a more energy-efficient mode until the energy has been fully recharged.]

...Huh?

He felt himself shrinking. His body, which was soft like clay, was reforming into something much smaller than he was before. Immediately, fear enveloped him.

BEEEP-BIBIP..........BEEP-BIBIP..........BEEEP-BIBIP.....!

....What's happening? My body is becoming smaller.

[Energy Efficient Mode: Active. Notice: The combat function can not be used in full capacity in this form. AI Assistant is placed in Sleep Mode until energy is 15%.]

BEEP-BIBIP......BEEEP-BIBIBIP......BEEP-BIBIP......BEEEP-BIBIP......!

The beeping became louder and more frantic as his eyes snapped open. He shot up into a sitting position, his vents active in an attempt to cool his systems. The beeping got faster when he looked around.

BEEP-BIBIP.....BEEEP-BIBIBIP.....BEEP-BIBIBI....!

What is happening to me? Where is this?

Everything around him was strange and white, something was attached to his core, and another something was inside his arm. Why was it inside his arm? How was it inside his arm?! His blood was in the bag hanging from it. Why was it there? The beeping got worse.

BIBIP-BIBIP- BEEP-BIBIP-BI BEEP - BEEP—

He took it out, small damage signals being sent to his mind. He could see his blue blood drip from the needle. He was beginning to panic, no... his panicking was becoming worse by the second. He tried to think about his situation. He tried to calm himself down. But too many things were happening at once.

Query: AI, are you there?

All he received was silence. His AI assistance was gone, she was sleeping because this mode's energy capacity was too low to enable her to function. At the rate at which his energy was replenishing, it would be a few hours before she came online. For now, he was alone. Really, truly alone.

[Alert: An intrusion was detected during auto-reset. Replaying Internal Memory.]

The vague presence of five humans came to his mind. They were within his mainframe, searching through his data. Black hair, scarf, male. Square eyes, trench coat, male. Blond hair, emaciated, male. Gray hair, pink eyes, male. Brown hair, purple eyes, female. Since this was not their actual bodies, but a projection of their souls, he could not perform a full-body scan.

But he could register their soul signature, and that was what the AI had done. She classified them as intruders for accessing his memory data without his permission. She recorded their actions as she prepared to force them out, and afterward went into a dormant state as this took energy to do..

'Kio... were you able to find anything for the lad...? Anything at all? A name? A face? Any family? A-Anyone that would... would want to find him. Someone searching for him... anything?'

'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I only wanted to help him. I wasn't trying to hurt him in any way. We would never hurt him, we aren't them.'

Unit 001 recognized the voices. It was the woman and the older male from before. The female is the one who reads him what she designates as children's stories. She is the one always speaking of good memories. She is the one who touches his helm and clears little bits of the ɆⱤⱤØⱤ data. The male is one of the two who wishes him a good rest, they often come together and speak with him about many things.

Their children, their jobs, places they've been, they were always speaking to him about something that brought them what he recognizes as 'joy'. He often heard Bakugou, Katsuki interacting with them as well, asking about his well-being.

He silently saved them to his human file. These humans... were different. There were other voices too, three other males, that he also saved to his data. Though he did not have a file to go with them as he did the woman and man.

His senses had been very limited. He had no other data for them. While the woman and male had spoken to Katsuki in his presence, proving that they could be trusted to a small degree, the others were not.

That did not change the fact that they were intruders. It did not change the fact that he did not know where he was or that there was something inside his arm moments ago. His form was changed and his AI was absent. 

My emotional stability is being overloaded. Hm? Something is leaking from my eyes again. It must result from instability.

This went beyond fear, he was terrified. Too many variables and not enough data, no way of protection, no voice to help him calm down. Alone. No AI. No Bakugou, Katsuki. Hostile Humans. Intruding Humans. Handicapped form. The only solace he had was the fact that his frame was not damaged now.

So the moment he heard footsteps rushing to his room, he did the only logical thing he could think of. Now that he was fully capable of doing so...

He ran.

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me! My first concept for Lucio!

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

-1 Hour Prior-

It was a completely normal visit for Katsuki... if you excluded the fact that he had three add-ons: Sero, Mina, and Kaminari. Kirishima was also at this hospital after the Shie Hassaikai Raid, so the other three self-proclaimed "Bakusquad" members wanted to come with him on this particular weekly trip to the hospital.

"So, Bakugo, I was just a little bit curious," Sero started, "What changed your mind this time? Usually, you vehemently deny letting us come with you to see Robo-bro."

That was the nickname the squad had decided for our beloved Unit 001, promoted by our resident advocate of manliness, Kirishima.

"Yeah! You never let us come." Mina added, "And we can't visit him without you because of the top-notch security here."

"Mhm," Kaminari nodded, "If you aren't a doctor here, a hero, or you, they won't let you pass! Not even a peek."

Bakugou's eyes squinted at that, "You say that like you tried before."

"Uh... You're just imagining it."

"Yeah, we totally didn't try it."

"Nope, we would never."

Of course, they tried it before. Everyone in Class 1-A was curious about Unit 001. No, a lot more people than just them were curious. But the hospital and heroes close to the case weren't letting anything about the bot out into the open. Media? They'd only get a scoop in their dreams in regard to this hospital.

That was just how tight their security was. Especially on the ICU floors.

The squad couldn't even get passed the gate, let alone enter the ICU where Unit 001 was. The most they could do was send the child cards and flowers, hoping that portrayed their gratitude to him for saving their friend.

Bakugou had made it abundantly clear that he wouldn't be able to even answer them anyway. It was a sore spot for the ash-blond. He'd never admit it, but he wasn't happy for a long while after he was rescued. It was only recently that he began acting like himself more.

They had a hunch that it was because Robo-bro's health was improving in ways he could actually see it. That must have been why he finally let them come along, too. His health had gotten to a point that Bakugou wasn't... worried anymore.

It was that, and he mentioned something that made them stop asking.

Their self-proclaimed robot little bro was afraid of people. Them visiting most likely wasn't something that he would have wanted.

The group had gotten together, thinking about all types of activities they'd try to do with the little guy to help him with his fear. As his self-proclaimed older siblings, they couldn't let him live his life scared, could they? No way!

Now, they were all standing outside the door to the first floor of the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Before they went in, Katsuki turned around with a serious scowl on his face. "Don't be stupid when you go in there." He said, "No loud ANYTHING, no stupid shit, got it?" He repeated

"Huh?" Denki was the first to voice his confusion over Katsuki's flip in mood, "Why are you—"

"GOT. IT?"

"Yep. Got it. Totally got it." He shut up quickly. Smart boy.

They continued down the hall after going through the short hallway. In the lobby area for the ICU was the reception desk, where Old Lady Lin sat with that same amiable smile on her face.

Bakugou withheld his grimace.

"Oh? You brought more friends with you, Bakugou? How lovely!" She said, her smile widening in joy. "I'm Nurse Lin, I work the registration here on the ICU floor. It's nice to meet you all."

"Hello, ma'am," "Hi!" "Wassup!" They all said with enthusiasm, earning a chuckle from the older woman.

"I'm going to assume you're all here to visit the child in room 101 and your red-haired friend? He's mentioned you all before, such a sweet boy he was." They all nodded. "Wonderful! Before you go through, I must lay down the rules okay?"

She went on to explain the no quirk usage rule and how the floor must be as quiet as possible. No horseplay and any other things that could cause a disturbance as it could bother the patients on the floors or even be harmful. The ICU was called Intensive Care for a reason and they must abide by the rules if they want to stay and visit.

"Does everyone understand?" She said gently, but firmly.

"""Yes, ma'am!""" They all nodded, and she gave each of them a pass. Without the pass, they would not be able to get through the hall that leads to the patients' rooms.

"Have a wonderful visit." With that, they all followed Bakugou to the hall.

But before they could get anywhere significant, a stampede of doctors ran past them.

"What the hell?!" Katsuki exclaimed, almost blowing them up in surprise. When he spotted a certain sparkling head of hair in the crowd he managed to grab him, "Sparkles, what the heck is going on?!"

"H-He's up!" Lucio said, his hair flaring up in glittering light. It began to turn yellow from his roots, giving off sparks. His star-like freckles started changing colors too, "Your robot friend, he finally woke up!"

His eyes widened, sound almost drowning away to silence. Katsuki found himself running with the doctors. The trio wasn't far behind him, but when they got to the room...

Unit 001 was gone.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

The hospital was put on lockdown the moment they realized Unit 001 had gone missing. At first, they thought that he had been kidnapped from the hospital. It wasn't the first time someone had attempted to do something like that, sadly. So, they went to the security cameras they had stationed around his room.

Katsuki and his group had to wait outside, but they were permitted to stay since they were already there.

The doctors and floor security searched the footage thoroughly, watching for any sign that the child had been taken, who took him, and where they went.

That's when they saw him, and they almost spit their drinks when he began to shrink.

"He's tiny!"

"Why is he becoming tiny?"

"...He's so cute."

"Lucio, now is not the time to gush about how cute he is."

"But he is! Look at those round eyes and chubby cheeks! He's adorable."

"He's not wrong though," One of the security guys agreed with him. With his input being the end of the conversation, they continued to watch the screen.

Unit 001 continued to get smaller—No, younger—until he was the size of a toddler. Three or four at best. They saw as he snapped into a sitting position and sadly watched as he began to panic. Doctor Silvan, knowing thoroughly how deep his amnesia went thanks to his wife, knew that this sudden transformation most likely scared him.

'No, he isn't scared. He's terrified right now.'

Accordingly, as soon as his heart monitor began to give off its erratic readings doctors came rushing to his room. They could see that this did not help his panic, and he bolted before they got there.

Waking up in a body you aren't used to, as well as being surrounded by humans you do not trust, in a place you don't recognize? It would have been abnormal for the child to not be scared out of his mind.

Sighs of relief and concern were released. While they were thankful that he wasn't kidnapped, they now had a completely different reason to worry: Unit 001 was somewhere in the building. most likely hiding, and definitely terrified.

Doctor Silvan got his walkie-talkie from his coat pocket, pressing a number on it before speaking into the crackling static, "If you are not with a patient, we have a Code Pink emergency," He said calmly.

Every Doctor in the hospital had a small radio on their person, especially on the special floors, for emergencies like these. There were patients on the more severe floors who would be affected by the alarms, and there were cases where a panicked patient would respond very negatively to outside stimuli.

This was their way of being stealthy, and they also contacted heroes in the area to help with the situation. 

He explained the situation in a calm manner, and the security team changed the lights on the floors on lockdown from normal to pink. The colors mean different things: Blue was an emergency where a patient was on the brink of death; Red was an intruder or visitor who became hostile; Yellow was an out-of-control patient via quirk; Orange was an out-of-control patient for other means; Purple was a kidnapping; Pink meant that the patient is missing in the hospital by other means.

The color alarm was for those who could see, and it blinked in a certain way for those who were color blind, and for those who were blind, there was music playing signifying which alert was sounding off, and subtle vibrations were going through the walls for those who were blind and deaf. It was a very thorough system, which was one of the reasons this place, Silvan Central Hospital, was one of the highest-rated hospitals in the country.

Heroes frequent this place because of its high security and wonderful healthcare.

It was Doctor Silvan's pride and joy. His eldest daughter took over the business aspect of the hospital when he returned to the field after starting it. It was a wonderful thing having so many capable children.

When he finished his message, he made lots of calls. He knew that certain heroes and a certain detective would want to know that the child was awake. When he was done, he was going to make his way outside the room.

He had to stop though. He sighed, and for a specific reason, put on shades as he turned. "Luci, I know you are extremely happy the kid is awake, but turn down the light." 

"But Pops! He's up! He woke up! As soon as we find him and calm him down, we are throwing a celebration! Moms will love this, Remedy will be so happy to hear the news, too! I-I gotta call her—"

Doctor Silvan sighed at his son again, "You're going to blind everyone in the room, son... again."

And that's when he noticed everyone shielding their eyes. Some of them were even on the ground writhing, all of them screaming the same name. """Lucio!"""

Lucio looked at them for a moment, took notice of his out-of-control hair that was shooting light and sparkles and glitter, and then to his father, who had on his protective shades because he knew how his son got when he was happy.

Little stars were bouncing off of Doctor Silvan's less than sparkly expression. Lucio let out a nervous chuckle, his hair calming down to normal, "...Oops?"

Doctor Silvan sighed again, "Besides, we have to find him first before any celebrating can be done. Put on your cap and let's go. Security, keep a lookout on the cameras for the little guy. Everyone else, I want you to team up and search the halls of each floor of the ICU. Got it?"

"Yes, sir..." They all said, rubbing the sparkle out of their eyes. One of them grumbled as they spoke up to the young intern, "Why do you not keep that cap on all the time, Lucio...?!"

Lucio looked at them with a serious expression, "Because it's ugly."

"..." They blinked.

"..." He blinked.

Another moment of silence passed before the same nurse spoke up, "...You got a point. That thing is really ugly. To you. But if it saves our eyes from being blinded every five minutes? Then it's the most beautiful thing in the flipping world to us."

"But—"

"It is beautiful." Everyone else said, completely agreeing with the nurse.

Since Lucio had been there, there had been a lot of cases where people were literally blinded by his happiness; it was one of the main reasons the hospital had to implement so many means of visual and audio-related alarms.

"But it's so—"

"Beautiful."

That ugly light-sealing cap was the most beautiful thing in the world to them.

Doctor Silvan and Lucio walk out of the security room, and the group of teens left waiting there look at them expectantly. Doctor Silvan leans down, his pink eyes giving off a soft glow, his expression completely serious. "You guys are heroes in training, right? You all got your licenses?"

"Yes, sir." 

He knelt down, looking at them on an eye-to-eye level, "I'm going to enlist your help in this. The child is missing in the hospital, he is scared, and he is confused. We don't have enough hands-on duty to deal with this, and it must be as stealthy as possible. Are you up for this?"

"Of course!"

"No problem!"

"My first hero job... Neat."

"Bakugou," He called, getting the boy's undivided attention, "The child will most likely run from everyone but you, so I would like you to be the one to find him, if possible."

"I know." Katsuki knew exactly what he was talking about. Unit 001 was scared of everyone, and it took a few hours during his capture for him to no longer be scared of him. And he wakes up in a hospital full of nothing but strangers?

He's probably scared shitless.

With a look of determination blazing in his vermillion eyes, he left without another word. His three not-minions followed close behind him with a determination that almost matched his.

If a kid was lost and scared in a hospital, they would take something like that seriously. And this kid was Bakugou's friend, the one who saved him... when they couldn't.

This was the least that they could do. Unit 001 was their unofficial little brother, they were going to find him and reassure him that he was safe now.

"We're coming for you, Robo-bro!"

And so the search began.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Meanwhile, little Unit 001 was utterly lost. He was lost, confused, and mostly scared out of his processors.

He wasn't used to this new form, at all. His limbs became so small that it was awkward walking around with them. Humans that were already taller than him for the most part were like giants now. Though there were some good points to this form.

He did not feel drained as he had before. In this form, the energy that he had was more than enough for him to function normally. He did not have to sacrifice any system to save energy. It was no wonder this form was named 'Energy-Efficient'.

But the good did not outweigh the bad in this situation. Most of his common functions were either severely impaired or completely inaccessible, like his AI Assistant and Combat Systems. He could only do things in a limited range in this form.

He had no time to think about his new form further than that. 

"Little guy! Please stop running!" Another human had spotted him. Taller than him by leagues, they ran at him with a desperate gusto, "We aren't going to hurt you!"

To this statement, he only had one thought: Lies.

Humans were a hostile species that always hurt him since he encountered them. These humans currently chasing him was no different, he didn't have his AI assistant to help him discern otherwise. All he had to go on was his previously gathered data, and all of it except one speck pointed to humans being monsters.

He was afraid of humans, all except for one.

But that one human wasn't here right now. The bit of blue blood he'd given him had already circulated out of his systems. He could not track him anymore.

'I... do not like this lonely feeling.'

He could not concentrate on that right now. There was a big security human chasing him. He was really tall, extremely muscular, and to the tiny Unit 001? A monster out to get him.

Unit 001 took off with surprising speed, turning corners faster than the humans could follow him. When he got far enough, he did the same thing he'd done in the hideout. He dislocated his limbs until they allowed him to fit in the vents that were plentiful in this strange place.

"W-where did he go? Kid?! We just want to help you! It's gonna be okay, buddy!" They called, searching the entire corridor for him. But Unit 001 remained silent. He didn't move one fiber of his being. He didn't vent out any breaths as his eyes whirled with life. It was like a reflex to scan every person he encountered. 

He made sure to replace the cover just as easily as he'd removed it, watching as the humans passed him by. They were so sure that he'd gone through the door, instead of the small decently sized vent by their feet.

From there, he continued to wander the vents silently, clumsily. Now that his frame wasn't in any prior pain, he was able to properly recognize damage as it was received. It was... jarring. He was of the mindset that the damage signals his body had constantly sent him were normal.

But... it wasn't.

Constant pain had not been normal.

Because he'd been in a healthy state before entering the vent, he was able to properly compute how much pain his body had been in prior, and how much it hurts now that he'd dislocated everything to fit here.

But if it meant he could escape, then this pain did not matter.

Though he was surprised to find that there were blockades within the vents as well as the doors that he'd already tried prior. There were also locks on the windows, and every other opening he'd found thereafter.

He truly was... trapped.

Again.

He felt his frame shake with a familiar emotion. Suddenly, the vents he was hiding in felt all too small. Everything felt like it was closing in on him. With a reflex unknown to him, he pushes on the nearest vent opening, prying it open and tumbling out onto the floor.

"Ah! Who's there?" He heard a voice exclaim, surprised. When they spotted Unit 001, they gasped louder. "Kid, are you okay?!" The voice cried.

Unit 001 felt the sunlight hit his frame, a comfortable warmth wafting over him as his body healed from the self-inflicted damage. Within moments, he was back to his normal state, as if he hadn't been a disjointed mess just seconds before.

Now healed, Unit 001 searched to find where the voice was coming from. It was a bit muffled, but he was able to understand it just fine. It didn't take him long to locate it.

In the corner of the room he'd landed in was a youth almost completely wrapped in bandages, casts, and braces. He was staring at him with wide and concerned eyes, which aside from his mouth was the only thing that was visible. That, and the small tufts of red hair that poked out from the bandages wrapped around his head. It must be difficult to speak with all of those bandages on him, thus why it sounded muffled.

He was trying to get out of the bed to assist him, but his own injuries and the bandages prevented him from doing so.

This human... looks familiar.

It seemed that the human teen had the same realization, as his eyes widened further than before. With astonishment and another emotion he couldn't identify, the red-head spoke softly, "Y-you're the kid who helped save Bakubro! Robo-bro!"

There was a sparkle in his eyes as he looked upon Unit 001, as if he'd waited for this moment for a long time. It seemed he wanted to say so much, but didn't know how to express it with just words. He wanted to stand, but alas, could not because of his injuries.

Unit 001, however, could not care less. Though there was subtle confusion on his little face at the name 'Robo-bro.' Was that another nickname? But it was not from Bakugou, Katsuki. It was not the same.

Even if he recognized this human, that wasn't going to stop Unit 001 from escaping. No, he was making his way to the door as if he hadn't heard the red-head speak to him at all.

He was nothing but air to Unit 001.

While he may have known his only human friend, that did not mean that they were suddenly amiable to each other.

But he hesitates at the door when he hears the teen say something else.

"I'm so sorry," He said, his voice thick with emotion, "and thank you, for keeping my friend safe."

For a while, the little unit didn't say anything. He wasn't actually sure what to say.

It was the first time he'd received thanks for anything he'd done, or an apology.

What was this human apologizing to him for? Why was he thanking him?

He is strange, this human.

Despite it all, he felt that he should respond to these words. So, he did, in a voice so quiet the red-head wouldn't have heard him if it hadn't already been extremely silent in the room.

"W-wel...come...?"

And with that, he continued on his way. He didn't look back, not noticing the widened eyes of the human at his acknowledgment.

For a minute, Kirishima just sat there. He was almost in tears, being able to express his gratitude as well as regret for not being able to save him, too.

He felt so guilty that night, especially the moment they made eye contact when he threw Katsuki toward them. That look... it wasn't the expression of someone who was expecting to be saved.

It was the look of someone who'd accepted that they weren't.

He'd felt so guilty. And with the way Bakubro was acting, he'd felt it too. It was probably even worse for him. Bakugou had been quiet for weeks after the incident. Him, quiet. That spoke volumes about how he was feeling.

It was only after Aizawa-Sensei had some type of talk with him that he started acting like himself again. From what the class could gather, he and All Might-Sensei had visited Robo-bro just the day before.

Their eyes had been suspiciously puffy then, but everyone respectfully decided not to ask any questions.

So, seeing him now, up and running around, it was a relief that almost made him cry. No, scratch that. He was crying right now. Definitely crying manly, relief-filled tears.

Though, something felt a bit off. Why was he a baby?

'I just met a baby version of Robo-bro? Wait a minute—'

"The alarms must have been because of him! Robo-bro, wait—"

But Unit 001 was long gone, unknowingly making his way to the room of a certain little girl.

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

More time passed as Unit 001 roamed the halls. He kept coming across barricades. Humans kept scurrying around in search of him, and he found this new form ideal for hiding from them. He did not believe any of their promises of safety... but he could clearly understand that once again, these humans were different from the hostile humans he'd been trapped with.

In his new form and without the expert input of his companion, he didn't think to trust his own judgment. In his opinion, this was a rational thought. He chose to notify the humans of his presence, and that earned him almost 8 months' worth of suffering.

With that in mind, he continued to avoid the humans. He came into an area within a more secluded part of the hospital. Unlike the other areas, this place was... quiet. There were fewer humans here, and that alone was enough reason for him to go there.

If he could not escape, then he would elude. Sneaking around the nurses and doctors was a simple task for the fully healed Unit 001, especially in his small body. And despite everything he knew, his curiosity about what was in this area overrides his systems.

Maybe this toddler-like form took on the traits of that age? Based on all of the data he'd gathered thus far, this seems to be true. While his thinking processes were still fast, they were not as fast as they would be in full power mode.

Now that he had a bit of time, he checked his status.

[Unit Model: 001.]
[Status: 100/100]
[Energy: 10/1000]

The only reason he hadn't been in this smaller form before was due to his near-dead status. While his energy level had been 30%, his actual health was below 10%. A curious detail indeed. If his health isn't at a certain level, he can not transform safely. Though if his energy is enough, he can override this detail and transform anyway.

This is what happened in regards to his rescue of Bakugou, Katsuki.

Does this unit have other modes?

Thinking about this, a part of his functions appeared before him.

[Energy Efficient Mode: Active]
[Passive Mode: Locked. Energy Is currently too low.]
[҉฿̷̱̼͉̘͒̔̓͛͑Σ҉Ⱡ҉Ⱡ҉Ө҉ ҉爪҉Ө҉Đ҉Ц҉₴҉]

Hm? What is this? I am unable to discern it.

There was a mode that was errored out. He could not read it at all, but something about it seemed... familiar. If he could not discern it, however, he was not going to waste precious time trying to. He continued to look over the rest his functions.

[Protocol One: Praesidio: Inactive.]
[Protocol Two: Locked.]
[Combat System: Limited.]

[Core Programs: Operational.]
[Self Repair Data: Undamaged.]
[Medical Data: Updated.]
[Fauna & Flora Data: Updated.]
[Regional Data: ɆⱤⱤØⱤ]

[Memory Data: ɆⱤⱤØⱤ. Original Memory File was only able to be partially recovered via auto-reset. New Memory File created and currently in use. Status: Operational.]

So the 'dream' from before was indeed one of the missing pieces of my memory data... the only piece able to be recovered.

For some reason, this thought made his shoulders sink in a sort of... heaviness. He had a feeling that whoever it was that he saw, wherever they were, it was something he would never truly see again. There was a sense of loss he could not explain.

Choosing to not dwell on it, he looks over the few new things in his mainframe. All his damage and systems had successfully reset. Though there was much that was either locked or was too errored to discern.

Why they were errored, he was not sure. He could only put those questions aside to ask his companion AI when she returned.

...He really missed her.

For now, he needed to concentrate on finding a new hiding place. Slowly, with the ease being an android-like creation gave him, he entered the last room in the lonely hallway. It was a strangely colorful and bright room.

Unit 001 dreaded the fact that it was, indeed, occupied.

A young female human was sitting on the bed. Her off-white hair was wavy and long, parted in the middle. She was very small, smaller than any human he'd seen before. Though, he'd only met teens and adults, never children such as her.

Even then, she was still much taller than him.

There was a small horn on her forehead, and she gazed at him with surprised, apple-red eyes. Instinctively, Unit 001 wanted to hide from her. It didn't matter that she was smaller, she was still a human and not Bakugou, Katsuki.

But the moment he wanted to leave the room he saw that the other, larger humans were headed there. Looking between them, he had an instantaneous debate with himself. Option 1, deal with giant humans, or Option 2, deal with a little giant human?

He chose the lesser of two monsters to deal with and stayed in the room.

There was nowhere to hide except beneath the single bed. Many calculations went into his mind that it was safest there, so that was where he went. With almost expert waddles, having finally gotten a little more used to his new toddler form, he found himself under the bed within moments. 

There, he stayed, watching her with his whirling, camera-like blue eyes. Even if she was not as big as other humans, she was still bigger than him. His energy levels were not enough to safely combat her to escape. So, he stayed away from her, similar to how he'd stayed a certain distance away from Bakugou, Katsuki when he first decided to speak with him.

Eri stared at the toddler that wandered into her room. It surprised her; she'd never met anyone else so young before. The moment he spotted her, however, he tried to leave. That made her a bit sad. But then she heard the nurses racing around outside, and he turned around to hide beneath her bed instead!

The pink lights and music had been going on for a while now. She wasn't sure what they meant, but she had a feeling it had something to do with the little bot now hiding under her bed.

She adjusted herself on the bed to look at where he was hiding. Her round, red eyes met his whirling blue ones. They seemed so different from any eyes she'd ever seen before. They were pretty and strange. But they looked at her like she was something super scary.

She... didn't like that he was so scared. That was an emotion that she was too uncomfortably familiar with. So, she tried to say something, hoping to ease him a bit, "...H-Hello?"

The little robot did not say anything, only continuing to watch her. She knew that look too, one that didn't trust. She could see that hesitant curiosity in his face, just like her own. He was studying her, she thought, but he didn't come any closer than a certain distance.

Close enough to hear her, but not enough to make any other contact.

If she tried to get closer, he would scoot back that same amount to maintain that distance. If she moved left, he moved left, keeping her in his sight. He was extremely cautious, and she could see the slight tremble of his body.

He looked like he really wanted to run.

She hated that she knew that feeling, too.

For some reason, he was hiding from the nurses and doctors. He was hiding, period. He seemed to be scared of every person that went past her door. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling it was the same way that she didn't let people near her when she first woke up, too.

He'd been hurt and was scared of being hurt again.

Even if he didn't have any scars, she could tell.

They... were similar, somehow.

She'd only just been rescued herself, and she was still learning about the good things the world had to offer. It was a slow, strange, and hard process. But the people here... they were nice people. They were gentle, caring, and patient, every single one of them. Her heroes came to visit her often, too. It was nice.

"What's your name?" She asked. For a while, he still didn't speak. It got to a point that she didn't think he knew how to before she heard him. 

"...Unknown..." 

It was barely a whisper, like the volume of a TV when it's turned down to its lowest. His voice was a little higher pitched than her own and, well, small, just like he was.

"You... don't know?" Eri asked, saddened by the thought. "No one named you?"

"...Answer... unknown...memory... damaged..."

"Oh..." That just made her sadder. Slowly, she made her way off of the bed. It was large, so she had to be careful as she got down. After her fever went down they'd moved her to a bigger, more comfortable room. They had toys and bright colors on the walls, a big and soft bed, and clean clothes. On top of that, Mrs. Silvan would stop by sometimes and give her super sweet apples!

Doctor and Mrs. Silvan were like grandparents to her. When night came Mrs. Silvan would read her bedtime stories and show her how to play with certain toys. When Doctor Silvan would give her check-ups he was patient and kind to her. It made it so much more bearable, especially when they had to catch her up on vaccinations.

She'd had a memory session with Mrs. Silvan before when they were getting evidence for her case. She hadn't felt anything, didn't even have to think about those scary times. It was over before she even knew they'd started, and Mrs. Silvan showed her some of her own memories, too.

All of them were about how Mrs. Silvan saw her. She thought that Eri was pretty, sweet, and smart. She thought of her as one of her many grandchildren. She wasn't a curse or less than human, she was Eri.

That was the moment she realized that she was really, truly safe here.

The little girl remembered crying a lot that day.

'He... doesn't feel safe. He doesn't know it's safe here.'

With that realization came a determination blooming in her little heart. "M-my name is Eri. Can you come out?" She'd never soothed another before, much less a baby like him, but... she wanted to try.

She noticed when he scooted back at her question. His blue eyes widened as little droplets of tears refused to fall. Before, she'd been too far to see them, but now that she'd gotten closer, it was obvious that he'd cried.

Something in her had awoken and her determination grew even more.

She didn't want him to hide. She didn't want him to be scared. She wanted him to know that here... here was safe. It took her a while to understand that, too. But, she was learning.

She wanted to help him learn, too.

She wanted him to know what it felt like to feel safe.

"I-it's okay, don't cry," She said, "I won't hurt you." She didn't yet know how to smile again, but her eyes conveyed her emotions for her, "It's okay to come out. It's safe here."

Unit 001 froze at that word: Safe. He did not expect for her to say it, of all the humans he'd met.

He too felt that he and this human were similar. It took him a moment to understand why, but his scans of her helped him come to his conclusion.

This human is like me. She was damaged.

He moved a little closer.

She called this place 'safe'.

Someone who had been through something similar to him called this place safe.

Her eyes did not have any hostility, only the emotion that he knew as 'Concern'. It made the core within him feel light with that positive feeling, similar to how he felt when Bakugou, Katsuki showed concern for him. Once again, he had met a human that was different. This human was not a hostile human.

This 'Eri' was different.

He did not have his AI companion to confirm his thoughts, but he found himself giving just a little bit of trust to this human called 'Eri'. So, he slowly came from beneath the bed, standing before her with curious and hopeful eyes as he asked her with simple words. 

"Really... Safe...?"

Eri looked into his whirling, electric blue eyes as she answered. "Yeah, it is." 

She watched as his trembling eased just a bit as he watched her and he came just a little closer. It was like he was unsure of what to do now. She'd known that feeling, too, when she figured out that she was safe.

For so long, all she could think about was running, hiding, or suffering alone. When she didn't have to do that anymore, she didn't know what to do. She hadn't had the freedom to decide those kinds of things, because every day she was struggling just to live. When that was taken away, she was left with a bunch of mundane, simple things that she no longer understood.

Smiling?

Playing with toys?

Being happy?

She didn't know how to do those things anymore.

But... she was learning to again.

'And he... he can learn with me.'

"W-want to sit with me on the bed?" She asked after a moment, "It's soft." For a moment, he didn't say anything. But slowly, he made his way to her. She got on the bed first, waiting for him to come up, but when she turned around she found him staring at it with confusion.

This 'bed' is... much bigger than me.

He was too small to get on it himself. Getting down from it was simple, but getting on would prove difficult. His limbs were too short. He looked at her, a crease above his blue eyes and a little frown on his lips. 

"...How?" How was he supposed to get on?

"Oh! I'm sorry. Here," She reached her hand out to him. Slowly, he took it, and she pulled him up onto the bed with great effort. This kid was a lot heavier than she thought he'd be. But soon enough, he was on, still looking at her with those big, curious blue eyes, silently asking her what to do next.

Now she had the freedom to actually look at him, she took in his features. Big, round eyes and a funny little helmet, chubby silver-ish white cheeks, and blue markings on his face. There was a little rise on his face where his nose would have been. Tiny arms and legs, and his belly stuck out a bit, too. From what she could tell, all he was wearing was a diaper.

She had no idea that everything she was seeing was his outer armor.

As cute as it was, it brought about questions. "How come you aren't wearing a gown?" She asked. She pointed when she saw him tilt his head. "Like this one."

"Too big... fell off..." He answered. He was still adjusting to his vocal processor, which had also shrunk. It was jarring, being this small. He was sure that it would be a while before he would return to his passive mode.

He would need to get used to this.

Eri nodded her head in understanding. He was really small. Heavy, but small, "Want to try one of mine? I have extras in here." She offered. Unit 001 tilted his head, a ridge she would guess was an eyebrow was raised slightly in confusion.

Her lips twitched upwards a little, but still didn't fully enter the category of 'smile'.

This kid was cute.

"One second." She got down from the bed and went to a nearby table. There, an extra set of clothes was waiting for her if she needed them. She took them and ran back to Unit 001, helping him off the bed and handing him the clothes, "Here, try them on."

He looked at her, and then the clothes, and then back to her again, "...How?"

Her lip twitched a little more at the lost expression on his face, "I'll help you," she said.

She felt like a big sister helping her little brother. It was a very nice feeling that caused her lips to twitch upward again. As the big sister, she has to teach him these things!

And thus the lesson of putting on the hospital gown began. 

"First, you gotta put it over your head." She said, lifting the gown up and over him. It was a bit tricky, but she managed to do it! But... it wasn't as she'd hoped. His head was too big to fit through the hole. He was able to put his arms through the sleeves, but it hung off of his little arms too much and pooled on the floor because he was so short.

All in all, He looked like a ghost with arms. 

"Helm... too big... retracting..." He said. Slowly, Eri noticed a change. His helmet was getting smaller!

It opened up, fanning out until it retracted into his head. The thick cables beneath it were revealed, resembling dreaded hair. It framed his round face, the gown finally able to come down from the top of his helmet.

He looked back at her with his round electric blue orbs. "I am... 'clothed' now?" He said, slight awe in his little voice. 

Eri nodded. She just couldn't tell him what was wrong when he had that pure expression on his face. Yes, he got the gown over his head, but it was still so much bigger than him that it hung off his shoulders. The bottom pooled on the floor, completely dwarfing him.

But his expression was so in awe... she said something else instead, "Good job!"

She praised him. His eyes seemed to sparkle, which solidified the fact that she'd made the right choice.

"Did... well?"

It was the first time he'd been praised for something.

"Mhm!" She nodded, her lips twitching upward even more, "You did very well."

There it was, that light feeling in his core again. Was it Joy? Elation? He wasn't sure, but it was a nice feeling he did not want to go away.

Unit 001 didn't know that his clothing was not supposed to hang off of him. He thought that it was just supposed to stay on, and this one did, so it was a success. Eri thought that he looked very cute.

In short, both of them were very pleased.

Now that he was clothed, as his big sister, it was Eri's job to tell him about where he was. Getting back on the bed, she gushed about all the things she'd learned while in the hospital. Unit 001 listened intently, soaking up all of the information.

As he listened to her speak, his eyes continued to whirl. His scans told him things, but Eri never spoke of them. So, he decided to ask his question instead, wanting to confirm his thoughts, "Humans... damage Eri... too?"

The little girl seemed to stop breathing for a moment before regaining her senses. Unit 001 knew this as a negative reaction, so that meant that the answer to his question was 'Yes'. He found himself frowning again. The brow-like plate on his head creased with his own version of concern.

Yes, he was concerned for the human girl.

Eri saw this and tried to reassure him. She was sure that he hadn't meant for his question to hurt her, and she understood why he asked, "I... It's okay. I'm not mad at you for asking." She said, "You were hurt by people, too, right?"

He'd asked her if humans had hurt her "too". It proved her feeling from before to be true. They were similar. Both of them had been hurt before.

Unit 001 nodded his head. His eyes spun rapidly as he looked at the space in front of them. They shrunk until they were but pinpricks and a beam of light shot from them. In the space before them, a holographic image of Unit 001's body was displayed.

It was his form from before, passive mode, and on the image... all of his damages inside and out.

Eri covered her mouth, eyes widening at the horrible image. Her gaze switched between the healthy toddler beside her and the near-dead teen version of him he was showing her. After another moment, the hologram disappeared, and Unit 001 returned his sights to her.

He did not understand any of the emotional instabilities that happened as his memory data replayed how each and every extra wound was received. He looked back at her as if he hadn't shown her something horrific; the reason was simple.

Until recently, the pain he'd been in was something he'd gotten used to.

That beaten and broken form had been all he'd known until now.

He waited patiently for her to collect herself. The moment she did, she did something that surprised him. She hugged him.

He found this... familiar.

"Eri...?"

"I-it's okay, now." She was crying, holding him tightly. "T-they can't hurt you anymore."

Slowly, he copied her, wrapping his small arms around her in the same way. He was sure that if his AI companion had a physical body, her hugs would feel like this.

He did not realize that even though he couldn't understand his emotional instabilities, in this smaller form, his body reacted to them as someone normally would. The strange liquid was falling from his eyes again.

"Something... is falling... not blood. What... is this...?"

Eri held him even tighter after hearing his question. "You're crying. Those are tears. You're sad." She answered. "What happened to you makes you sad."

"Sad? I... am sad?"

"Yes, you're sad right now." She let him go, using her hand to gently wipe his tears away.

He recorded this data into his mainframe as he continued to stare at her in wonder. If this constant emotion was fear and sadness, then... "Does Eri know... how to... be... happy?"

To this, she shook her head, "I'm not sure how to be happy." It took a moment more for her to speak more, answering the question he'd asked her before, "I was with a bad man called Overhaul. He... hurt me, and all of the people who tried to help me. For a long time... I didn't think anyone could save me."

Her eyes then changed, light returning to them a bit, "B-but I was wrong. My heroes saved me. I met lots of amazing people thanks to them."

She then looked away, "But... I think one of them got really hurt rescuing me. He hasn't come by and when I ask about him, people get really sad. It wouldn't be the first time someone's gotten hurt trying to save me."

Unit 001 studied her for a moment. From what he's able to read, Eri is also sad. Very sad. 

He did not like to see her sad.

He found himself wrapping his arms around her as she'd done for him. He recorded it in his single memory and recorded it again when Eri gave him one.

Hugs are an action that relieves emotional distress.

So, to help Eri feel better, he would give her a hug.

Her being online was a good thing. She persevered, she did not give up. She made it out. She escaped from there successfully. She was online and healing now, and that was a very good thing. She had done well.

She told him it was safe. 

She helped him put on clothes.

She gave him a hug.

She is a good human.

Eri is a friend.

He hugged her tightly, his little arms just barely able to wrap around her, "Don't... be sad... Eri."

He was trying to make her feel better now. Eri didn't know what to say. She didn't know if she could say anything at the moment. So she didn't, opting to return his hug instead, letting her tears fall out silently. His hug was gentle and warm, even if he was so much smaller than her. It felt nice being comforted like this, she liked his hugs.

With that exchange, a second friendship had been silently formed.

They stayed like that for a while before letting go. Unit 001 even copied how she wiped his tears away. "Don't... be sad... Don't cry... It's okay... now. Eri... safe."

They didn't notice the pink lights change to normal.

Once the heavy atmosphere disappear, Eri returned to explaining things she'd experienced in this hospital. Everything was going well until one topic came up.

An intravenous drip.

"Needle... in arm...?" That topic alarmed Unit 001. "Damage. Bad."

"I mean, it does hurt a bit when they place it, but it's to give your body medicine. It's to help, it's not bad."

Unit 001 was silent for a moment, but then frowned,"...Bad."

He did not like IVs. Not in the slightest. Eri could only shake her head because she understood his dislike. She didn't like needles either.

When she thought about it, maybe that was why he was running from all of the doctors? If so, she wanted to make him more comfortable. "The doctors and nurses at this hospital, they're really good people."

"Good humans...?" She nodded, but Unit 001 was still reluctant, "...Won't damage...?"

She shook her head. "They're really nice. I'm sure they'd be relieved to see you're okay."

As if on cue, they heard lots of footsteps heading for their location. Unit 001 knew immediately that they must have figured out that he was hiding in this room.

"Hey..." His attention was returned to Eri, "Are you okay?"

Unit 001's frown deepened, the little trembles in his frame increasing the closer the footsteps came, "I am... Scared."

"Here." She said gently, holding out her hand, "I'll come with you. Will it help if you aren't alone?"

"Unknown..."

"Well, I won't leave you alone, okay? I'll be with you the whole time." She reassured. As a big sister, she has to help her little brother feel safe. "Come on."

Yes, she had unconsciously adopted Unit 001.

She helped him off of the bed with great effort, tightly holding on to his trembling hand. Unit 001 was very reluctant to move towards the door, but with Eri's constant reassurance, they made it into the hallway. The doctors who were heading for the room came to a halt seeing them.

Unit 001 hid behind Eri, not daring to even peek until a certain voice caught his attention.

Ash blond hair and vermillion eyes. When all of the others stopped coming forward, he was the only one who walked ahead. "Tin Can, is that... you?"

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this, hum..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

-Before-

"Hey, guys," Kirishima greeted his friends happily. "Looks like y'all have been a bit busy?"

"Two hours." Mina said, exasperated, "How is it that no one has been able to catch that kid even once in the last two hours? How many nurses, doctors, and even a few sidekicks have been running around this floor alone? And still? Nothing?"

"Kid's got mad skills, I'll give him that," Sero said, just as worn out as she was.

Doctors were frantically searching around the hospital, blinking pink lights and music seen and heard in every hallway. After the first 30 minutes of searching, some sidekicks from local hero agencies had come in to help. Here and there, they would hear some nurses saying they saw him, only to lose him again.

"He waddled away on his little legs and disappeared around the corner!" One nurse said.

"I tried calling to him, but that seemed to scare him more..." Another added.

"He just took off faster after just one look at me!" A large nurse sighed. "I don't bite... Does it look like I bite? Am I scary?"

It was a fair question to ask if you ever saw him.

"No, Anpu. You are a sweetheart. A puppy. A really big puppy." Lucio said, trying to help him feel better.

Anpu looked unconvinced. "I look like Anubis from Egyptian folklore, though? I'm probably as tall as All Might, I have sharp teeth and claws and work in the morgue," His kind mind delved further and further, "I scared him! I'm so sorry, little guy!"

Anpu was now sobbing in his little corner of shame. All Lucio could do was pat him on the back as comfort.

"But how is he evading us like this? It's maddening!" Another nurse exclaimed, trying to understand how that child was so fast and skilled after months in a coma.

"He'd pop up on one side of the building, then vanish and appear at the other!"

"Is his quirk teleporting?" Kaminari scratched his hair in frustration. For over two hours they'd been running around like headless chickens, the group was exhausted.

"Are you still looking for little Robobro? He was here a while ago."

Silence.

More Silence.

And then, all hell broke loose.

"What?!" Kaminari exclaimed, shaking the redhead's shoulders, "How'd he get in here without being seen?!"

"Which way did he go, Kiri?!" Mina came up to Eijiro with the same energy, joining Kaminari in shaking his shoulders. 

"Was he okay? Did he hurt himself?" Anpu pulled himself from his corner of shame, his deep voice dripping with worry for the child. "Oh, I hope he's okay..."

"The deets, man, GIVE US THE DEETS!" Sero joined the trio in their questioning.

Each of them, collectively, was sharing one brain cell. It was focused solely on finding this kid, who, as it turns out, was legendary in the art of hide and seek.

They almost forgot that the person they were shaking like a ragdoll was also a patient. "Ow. I. Ow. Can't. Ow. Talk. Ow. If. Ow. You're. Ow. Shaking. Ow. Me! PLEASE STOP SHAKING ME!!" 

"Oh. Our bad." They let go. "You good?"

"Sore, but I'll be fine." Kirishima said, easing their concern, "When do I get to take these off?"

"Another few days or so," Lucio answered. "The medicine on the bandages is a healing salve that helps with the multiple breaks in your skin. While your hardening gives you protection, the moment it breaks there is more damage than normal since pieces of you are literally chipped off."

"Might not want to do that again kids," Anpu said from his corner, "Nurse Lin gets scary when you disturb the patients."

"The reception lady?" Sero asked.

"Yep. The Reception Lady." He confirmed. "Did you know she's also the head of security on the ICU floors?"

"She is?" Kaminari was thrown off, "She seemed like a really nice grandma."

"Usually, she is." The nurses stated. "...Usually."

"She gives me cookies sometimes," Kirishima stated. "They are seriously good. Like, seriously delicious."

Everyone that had ever had one of her homemade cookies nodded their heads vigorously. Yes, her cookies were the bomb. The nurses on the floor are always rushing to get one whenever she makes a fresh batch of them. 

"She's tiny!" Mina added. "She doesn't seem like she could hurt a fly."

"Bullshit." Bakugou cut in. "Look in the fucking corner, you idiots."

"Huh?" The Bakusquad all turned their gazes to the corner. There was a small opening, a portal of some kind, and on the other side of it was Nurse Lin, watching them. She had the same smile on her face, but it seemed a lot more... sinister than it was before.

"I'm glad that the child's been found, but refrain from injuring the patients on my floors, okay kids? I don't want to implement measures beyond this warning."

Suddenly, multiple little portals opened around them, mainly, the ones causing the commotion. Each of them had something different inside. While the others couldn't see what they were, those that could were horrified.

"The penalty for breaking the rules is one minute in this time-out space. No one wants that, right? Please adhere to the rules, kids."

"Y-Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am." They all said.

Each portal contained a nightmare almost tailor-made for them. In the real world, it really was only a minute. But inside it? Who knows how long they'd be there.

In most hallways and rooms, there was a sensor connected to her via her quirk. It allowed her to detect distress within the area, her domain, basically. Her power was nowhere near omnipotent, however, thus the trouble pinpointing Unit 001. She was how they were finding him when he'd disappear and reappear.

Poor baby was so distressed.

But there were many patients who were also distressed, as this was the ICU floors, so her senses were a bit diluted here.

"I have my sensors in many hallways and rooms; I wonder how he's been getting away from us like this." She sighed, before turning her attention towards Dr. Silvan, "I'll keep my channel open for if I detect anything, sir."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lin. That would be most appreciated."

Bakugou, strangely, had gone quiet at that information. He really, really hoped that he was wrong about this. He began looking around for something, something specific.

That was when his eyes landed on the vent at the top corner of the room. It was large but no bigger than someone's head at most.

It gave Katsuki uncomfortable flashbacks. Hoping he was wrong, he asked, "How'd Tin Can get into your room without Old Lady Lin knowing? If he didn't come from the hall, he had to of come from somewhere else."

Kirishima's unsteady voice confirmed his thoughts on how Unit 001 was avoiding everyone.

"He," Kirishima started, only to pale a bit at the memory, "I'm not sure how he got in here, but his body looked... wrong. But the next second he glowed and... and all of his bones popped themselves back into place! What made it worse was that there wasn't any sound, even though I know there should have been. It was crazy."

'God fucking damn it.'

"Oh..." They all grimaced. "I-is he okay?"

"He seemed to heal up just fine, but... I'm worried." Yeah, that was an understatement. He was really worried about little Robobro. This was not something Kirishima thought he'd be seeing today or any day.

He tried to be manly and get out of bed to help him, but he could still barely move around. That wasn't even including these ridiculous bandages he had on at the moment.

"God fucking damn it," Katsuki swore out loud. He immediately knew how Unit 001 had been getting past everyone, and it was giving him some horrible fucking flashbacks. "Dr. Silvan, he's using the damn vents."

"I had a feeling that was the case after hearing what your friend stated." Doctor Silvan sighed. He withheld his own grimace from recalling the memories he'd seen of the young lad.

To get to where he needed to, it didn't matter if he mutilated his own body. It was superficial damage to him, and now that he had sunlight, easily healable damage.

Cuts and scapes? Nothing. Broken bones? Minor. Heck, he was a fucking train wreck when he was first found by the villains, and guess what? He lives! Almost eight months of them doing everything possible to scrap him while he was in that state, and he still lived! The only real damage one could do was to his inner workings, which circulated the blood and powered his cores.

Unit 001 was willing to go through any type of pain to achieve his goal.

Both of them shivered at the thought.

"Are there any places here that have fewer people? Restricted areas?" Katsuki asked. He and the Doctor both knew that Unit 001's first thoughts would be to avoid people. Since he could not escape, the next best thing was to hide where no one would find him. With his skills, as painful as they were to imagine, he could get anywhere in the area.

So, was there a place within the locked-down areas that fit those criteria?

"Hm..." Dr. Silvan thought for a moment before his eyes brightened. "Yes. Yes, there is! We have VIP rooms for special case patients. They aren't normally used, so the area is relatively empty. Our only patient there at this time is a little girl named Eri. She's a sweet child."

Unit 001 had never seen a kid before. Just below his fear of people, he was a curious bean. A very curious bean. If he somehow ended up in her room, then maybe... just maybe...!

Dr. Silvan grabbed his walkie-talkie, which was made small to fit as a pin on his doctor's coat. "Security, check my unofficial granddaughter's room for our missing patient. I'm certain he might be there."

It took only moments for his statement to be confirmed. With the patient found and safe, they promptly returned the security protocol to green.

"The lights... you found him?!" Mina asked, practically jumping from the anticipation. "You found him! Come on, let's go!"

"Yeah, let's get him to his room!"

"Gotta catch our Robobro!"

"Robobro!" They all cheered.

"Maybe I should stay behind?" Anpu said with uncertainty, "I don't want to scare him again."

"Nonsense, Anpu," Lucio stated. He, reluctantly, still had on that ugly ass black cap that seemed to have muscles. Those 'muscles' were actually a dampener installed in the cap. With it on, his hair is dark brown, just a shade darker than his mom's. While he loves his hair, he hates the cap. But enough of that, "You are a puppy. A really large puppy. Just give it time, and I'm sure he'll see it too."

"You sure?" Oh damn, not the puppy eyes! Lethal weapons!

"Definitely. No doubt in my mind." There was no way that anyone could see this puppy man as threatening the moment he speaks. Give it five minutes and anyone will understand he means no harm. A puppy. He's a giant, friendly puppy.

He just so happens to be Anubis's love child in looks, that's all.

"I want to come, too!" Kirishima once again tried to get out of bed. He tried to ignore the pain moving gave him, but the moment he did, he was forced down by one Nurse Lin, whose hand came through one of her portals.

"Absolutely not, dear." 

"But... but..."

"No, dear." She stated firmly. The kind smile was still on her face, but the aura around her was dangerous. "You need rest. Let your friends handle it."

"...Okay..."

The others felt sorry for him. Promising they'd take care of him, they all left the room.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

It only took a few minutes to get there, and all of them were astonished when they saw him.

"He's so cute...!" Mina gushed. She managed to control herself enough not to rush and scoop him up.

"Small..." Kaminari whispered. "Mineta might be taller than him."

"But look at him, he is not going to let any of us near him," Sero said, bringing them back to reality. Even from this distance, hiding behind Eri, they could clearly see that he was scared.

Katsuki hadn't actually seen Unit 001 in his toddler-like form yet, so he was shocked, to say the least. Everyone else stopped some distance away from Unit 001 as to not scare him further, but he kept walking forward. Soon, he was standing in front, just a few meters away from them.

"Tin Can, is that... you?"

One could see the toddler perk up at the sound of his voice.

He peeked from behind Eri, the teen now almost fully seeing him. He seemed to be in that form from before, the one he took saving him, but tinier. The hair-like cables were short, his cheeks were chubby, his eyes were wide, round, and open...

He was awake.

How long had he been wishing for him to wake up?

He was relieved. The kid was okay. He was fine. He didn't seem to have any weird, out-of-place body parts. He wasn't covered in his own blood or covered in dents, scratches, and scorches.

Unit 001 didn't say anything for a very long moment, continuing to watch. He was wary of the other humans around his friend. In fact, he actually felt like running away again. Their white coats reminded him of the man who tried to take him apart when he was first found.

But Eri kept him from doing so. She reassured him by squeezing his hand, which by now was resting in her larger one. "It's okay," She whispered. "No one's going to hurt you here."

Unit 001 gave her one last look before slowly letting go of her hand. He steadily made his way out of her shadow, coming into the open for them to see. Some of the nurses cooed at him, but thankfully they did not make any attempt to come closer.

If they had he would have run away immediately. His trust in them was that infinitesimal.

Katsuki held out his hand, the tiny bot's electric blue eyes widening at the sight. It was familiar. The red-haired human had done this when he rescued Bakugou.

"Come on."

That was all it took.

He took a step. That step was followed by another, and then another, waddling as fast as he could. They could see that he was wearing one of Eri's gowns, which was still too big for him. This cut down his speed considerably, and sometimes he tripped a bit on the excess fabric.

His current form could not handle his building emotions, tears cascading down his cheeks as he made his way to his destination. His friend was now extremely big compared to his form now. That, or he was extremely small. But his scans told him that this was the same person.

Katsuki had knelt down on the floor, waiting for him. Unit 001 practically jumped into his arms. Using what he'd learned helps with emotional distress, he gave his friend a hug when he reached him. He buried his face in his neck, and while it was not like a normal child's cry, he was indeed sobbing.

Was it joy? Was it relief? Unit 001 wasn't sure, only holding onto Katsuki tighter as he was gently lifted in his arms.

This was his first friend.

He'd... missed his friend. A lot.

He really missed him.

"Took you long enough to wake up, Tin Can," Katsuki said. It was barely a whisper, but Unit 001 heard it.

"Sorry... to worry you, hum..."

"I was not worried."

"Could hear... Bakugou, Katsuki... every 7 days... You... worried..."

The ash-blonde's eyes widened. He'd heard him? Every time? He was not going to let himself be embarrassed because of that. He wasn't. Not at all. Nope.

"Bakugou, Katsuki... safe now...?"

"Of course, I'm fine." He could feel his shirt steadily becoming wet with the robot's ever-flowing tears. "And you are, too."

"I...Safe...now...?" He heard him whisper.

"Yeah." He held on to Unit 001 tightly. "You're safe now."

And he was going to make sure he stayed that way.

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me!

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"Hm?" Unit 001 turned away from Katsuki, curious. He was still wearing Eri's extra gown, the pink of it contrasting with his skin(?) It unnerved him, being watched like this. His little hand grabbed Katsuki's shirt, showing his discomfort.

Unit 001 was scared of the humans wearing white coats. They reminded him of the doctor who tried to dismantle him during his first days trapped with the League. His swirling orbs darted left and right, scanning everything he saw.

They reminded him of damage, of pain. But Katsuki and Eri trusted these people... and he trusted them.

That didn't change the fact that Katsuki holding him was the only thing keeping him from running away, though. Seriously.

He did not want to hurt Katsuki by trying to escape his arms. Frankly, he felt safer being held by him than he did running away and hiding. Why was this? He did not understand. It must be part of this form's programming to seek comfort from something or someone that is familiar. 

So, he grabbed as much of Katsuki's black shirt as he could, trying to mitigate the trembling in his frame as he hid as much as he could in his arms. For some reason, this caused many of the humans around them to say "Aww~" and something along the lines of "So cute."

He almost wanted to go back to Eri's room. He wanted a hug from her again, his emotions were not very stable.

[Status: 100/100]
[Energy: 15/1000]
[Minimum of 15% Energy required to revert to Passive Mode.]

Fifteen percent out of 1000 energy points... that was 150 points total. He needed 135 more before his AI counterpart and combat systems functioned as they should. He was with Eri for 3 hours. In that time, he only managed to gather 5 points of energy. After doing the calculations, to get back to his passive mode as quickly as possible, he would need to be within pure sunlight for at least 81 hours. There are only 12 hours of pure sunlight during the day, which means that it would be a minimum of 7 days of exposure before he was able to return to passive mode.

That was seven days of being stuck in this small, helpless form amongst humans that scared him...

[Emotional instability rising.]

Katsuki noticed the little robot's discomfort immediately. It was the attention, he didn't like it. One could understand why. He spent months making sure that he was unnoticed, being still, hiding himself to keep himself alive. Suddenly being the center of attention in this starkly different sense was overwhelming.

The ash blond did not like that Tin Can was scared like this, and gave a sneer to everyone around them, "The fuck you staring at? Huh?"

'Can't you see he ain't comfortable? Discover the damn floor, the ceiling, the walls! Stop staring at him! 6 feet back!'

He actually growled at them.

Yes. Katsuki adopted Unit 001 without even realizing it, the same way Eri did.

The onlookers quickly averted their gazes. Most of the nurses wanted to continue living and rightfully gave the two of them space.

What was worse than a protective brother? A feral, protective brother. And Katsuki Bakugou was a feral, protective, explosive brother. Did he notice? The Bakusquad that was watching the scene in awe could correctly guess that no, he did not.

"Dudes. Look at him!" Kaminari whispered, "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Bakubro being protective?" Sero assessed, to which both Mina and Kaminari nodded. "Yep, I'm seeing it alright."

"Honestly I can't blame him," Mina said, "Look at him."

"Hey, he's peeking over here!" Kaminari whisper-yelled, getting the others' attention. When they turned their gazes from each other to Bakugou, they saw what Denki was talking about.

Unit 001 was peeking from over Katsuki's shoulder, trying to look at all of the people around them. He was thankful that they were keeping a certain distance from him, though he didn't know that Katsuki was currently scaring them off with his scowl.

At first, he was really shy about it. His round blue eyes whirled, scanning everything.

He looked to the left, confused by the silent coos he heard.

He looked to the right, even more confused when a young male human began to almost glow. Or at least, his freckles did. His hair was covered by a black cap. The young man seemed... happy to see him. It confused Unit 001.

Then he saw the Bakusquad waving at him from directly behind Katsuki. That was the threshold of his curiosity and he once again hid in Katsuki's chest. Katsuki, without even realizing what he was doing, patted the child on his back to soothe him.

"Our Robobro is adorable."

"I can't wait until he'll let me carry him like that... I always wanted to be a big sister."

"I can totally be a big brother. Being a good older brother gets you chicks." Kaminari reasoned, "Ladies dig a responsible Nii-san."

"You? Responsible?" Sero smirked in amusement, "Do those two things belong in the same sentence, bro?"

"Hey!"

Katsuki pointedly ignored their conversation, which for some reason they seemed to forget he could hear.

"Bakugou, Katsuki...?" Unit 001 looked up at him from his hiding spot.

"Ignore them. They're idiots."

"Understood, hum..." The little bot was silent for a moment before he recalled something he wanted to do. So again, he wanted to get his friend's attention, "Bakugou, Katsuki...?" Unit 001 was gently pulling on his shirt. At least the little handful he had in his hands after his friend had lifted him up.

"Hm?" When he got Katsuki's attention, he pointed to Eri who was standing just a few feet away from them. She was doing her best to send him encouraging vibes, one could tell by the sparkle in her apple-red orbs. As his big sister, it was her job to make him feel secure right? She didn't want him to be intimidated by all of the doctors in the hallway.

"Friend... Eri... Eri is good..." He wanted to introduce Katsuki to his newest friend. He now had a grand total of two friends. This made him feel... light.

Unit 001 mentioning her as his friend almost succeeded in making her smile.

The whirling of his eyes, as she'd learned, meant that he was recording her. He seemed to do that a lot. For everything he didn't understand or was paying close attention to, his eyes would spin like that.

But when that apple-red met with his brazen vermillion, however, there were invisible sparks battling through their gaze. Katsuki raised an eyebrow

'I don't like how this kid is looking at me. She wanna fight or something?'

Katsuki stared the girl down. Even against a child, he was not going to back down. Who would he be if he let a child win a staring contest? A fucking joke, that's what.

'He has a scary face. Little Brother doesn't seem very safe with him...'

Eri may not have known how to smile, but she knew how to frown, and the one on her face grew every passing second.

Katsuki's expression wasn't much better. 

Unit 001 just looked lost.

Why are they studying each other? Is it the same as when this unit scans someone? Can they scan others, too?

But their expressions do not depict positive emotions.

[Emotional instability rising.]

"Bakugou, Katsuki...?"

"What, Tin Can?" Katsuki broke his attention from the girl challenging him right now.

"Eri...?"

"Yeah?" Eri looked up at him, pretending that Katsuki was nothing but air. "What's wrong?"

"Please... cease..." He said slowly. This situation unnerved him, and he squeezed the bit of shirt still in his little hands. His shaking returned and all calm seemed to be leaving. "This unit... is scared..."

This situation scared him greatly. He did not want the only two people he trusted in the entire world to fight like this. He had little to no power in this form. He could not protect himself or them from hurting each other. Why would they hurt each other? Why did they look like they could hurt each other any second? It was terrifying for Unit 001, who was barely accepting the idea that he was safe right now.

Both of them immediately felt bad. One openly showed that she was feeling guilty for making him feel so insecure, and the other was trying to hide that fact.

"I'm sorry!" Eri said, her brow creasing in worry, "Did this guy's face scare you?"

"HAH?!" Katsuki said, indignantly. He could hear the Bakusquad snickering behind him. "Ain't nothing wrong with my face, brat!"

"Then why's it scary?"

"You little—"

"It's a valid question, Bakugou."

"Shut it, Sparkles!"

"Pfft—" Lucio wasn't even trying to hide his laughter. Heck, he'd been recording this moment for the past five minutes because it was golden. "My brothers are going to love this."

"Bakugou is getting roasted?" Kaminari asked, his smirk growing by the second.

"He is! By a child!" Mina said, hand over her mouth to hide her amusement.

"Yo, Big Bro Lucio," Sero said, trying (and failing) not to wheeze due to holding in his laughter, "You gotta send that to me later."

"It'll be in the group chat. Trust."

"Oi!" If Katsuki wasn't carefully holding Unit 001 right now, he would have tried to blast them into next week for teasing him.

If you are wondering, in the few hours that they'd been searching for Unit 001, the Bakusquad and Lucio hit it off immediately. He was so refreshing to be around that becoming friends was as simple as breathing. He may have been older than them by almost a decade, being 24, but he fit right in with them.

Plus mans was fearless when it came to Bakugo. Like, next-level fearless. Compared to his big sister, Remedy, Bakugo's intimidation was just a puppy barking at him.

Watching the whole scene, Unit 001 was just confused. His head tilted to the side and the ridge above one of his whirling eyes raised slightly. Was this... normal?

Humans are really strange.

Chapter Text

Doodles By Me! I made the gif myself! My first try at animation! How is it?

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

It didn't take very long for the group to make it back to Unit 001's room. He, to his quiet delight, was still being held by Katsuki. Adding to this emotion he identified as 'joy', Eri had also stayed with him! So now, sitting on the large hospital bed with them on either side of him, he could access with certainty that he was really 'happy' right now.

The nurses and spare heroes that had come to the hospital dispersed after the alarm was returned to normal. Since the day had been much too hectic to continue their visit, Kaminari, Mina, and Sero reluctantly had to return to the dorms.

"We'll visit you again, Robobro, we promise!"

"I'll sneak you some candy!" Mina whispered, but not two seconds later did a small portal pop up by her ear.

"Ms. Ashido, I'm sorry. But it is against the rules to bring food into the ICU for patients. It could mess with their health. You must wait until he is moved to a different unit or he is discharged, dear."

"AGHSDG—!" Mina jumped from the area like it was on fire, "How does she do that?!"

"You get used to it," Lucio said, not at all surprised.

"Big Bro Lucio, remember to send that video to the chat," Sero smirked.

Lucio mirrored his smirk, "I gotchu, fam."

"JUST LEAVE, DUMBASSES! AND DELETE THAT SHIT!"

"How about ✨No?✨" The shining Silvan hit the send button. One could see the resolution on the vid was pristine. Truly caught in 4k.

If Katsuki weren't carefully holding Unit 001 right now, he would have strangled the man and his idiot friends.

"Bakugou, Katsuki...?" The little bot pulled on his shirt a little, getting his attention. "Do you feel unwell...?"

Eri, still with them, frowned at the teen, "Stop making those scary faces! It's worrying him!"

"HAH?! YOU WANNA GO, BRAT?"

"Why would I want to go anywhere with you when you constantly make that face? The scary one."

"PFFT—" Once again, the phone was out, the state-of-the-art camera on record.

"DELETE IT, SPARKLES!" Aaaaaaand he sent it. "DAMN IT!"

"Bakugou, Katsuki... Define... 'Damn it', hum?"

Silence.

"...Fuck." He screwed up.

"Recorded. 'Damn it' is defined as 'fuck'."

All hell broke loose in the room.

"ROBOBRO, NO!"

"HE'S BEING CORRUPTED!"

"CONTROL ALT DELETE! DELETE!"

Unit 001 looked to Eri with a little frown on his face, "...Was that incorrect?"

"I'm not sure." She patted him on his helm as comfort. "But if it came from the one with the scary face, it probably wasn't a good word."

"OI! STOP MAKING ME INTO A BAD INFLUENCE, BRAT!"

It took a moment, but they managed to fix the situation. The Bakusquad were oddly mature while explaining that what Katsuki said was a 'bad word' and that neither one of them should repeat it. After making sure that both of the children understood this, they bid their tearful farewells.

Though not without Unit 001 asking one final question, "Is my designation now "Robobro", hum?"

"No!" Katsuki wouldn't admit that he actually missed having this conversation, "That is not your name!"

"Understood, hum..."

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Soon, the humans that he'd grown... fond of had to return to their homes. The room was a lot quieter after they left. Though he was happy that Eri, as she hadn't been discharged just yet, was only a few blocks down the hall from him. He was still a bit sad when Lucio, the bright human, had to lead her back to her room.

Today, he'd scanned more people than he had ever before. His eyes never stopped whirling. And... he made more friends.

Friends... he really liked that word. People that he could trust, people that would not damage him. When he figured this out, it was less terrifying to be without his AI companion for a little while. And with the sun lamps stationed in his room, the time she would be asleep was shortened.

Naturally, he gets 5 points of energy for every 3 hours of sunlight. To get to the level of energy he needed, almost 7 days of exposure were needed. Nights did not give him energy unless the moon was full, but that energy wasn't efficient since this was only a reflection of the sun's light. But then he discovered the sunlight lamps.

They aren't as strong as natural sunlight is for him, but they give him half a point of energy every hour. Currently, he is at 20 points of energy as another three hours had gone by since everyone had returned home. He needs 130 points more. Adding in the sunlight lamps to his calculations, instead of seven days, he would need 5 days, and this included nights.

He was relieved. Now that he knew he was not in another hostile environment, this wait time did not seem as daunting. And he found that being carried in this form was comfortable. It was the first time he'd ever used that word.

He'd never been comfortable before. It was always pain, fear, doubt, and his dwindling will to live until he met Bakugou, Katsuki. This changed further after he'd met Eri, someone who'd experienced similar.

But that did not mean that he let down his guard, which Doctor Silvan could see the moment he re-entered the room with a few new people.

A man with shaggy black hair and a scarf-like capture weapon.

An emaciated, tall blond with sunken blue eyes.

A detective wearing a brown trench coat.

And an older, tall lady with purple star freckles, who stood close to Dr. Silvan.

Unit 001 recognized them from his scans. It was the last thing his AI did before she went into stasis.

"Hello again, lad. Do you remember me?" Dr. Silvan asked softly. Hesitantly, Unit 001 nodded. "Do you... remember how you got here?"

"...No." Unit 001 said, "I remember protecting Bakugou, Katsuki, and then going offline."

"'Offline'?" 

"In human terms, 'dying', hum." Everyone in the room grimaced. Unit 001 wasn't sure why, though. He told them the truth.

One of them found the oddities in his way of speaking, the blond one, "How come you don't refer to yourself as human, too, Young One?"

For Unit 001, this question confused him. "I am not human," He said, shocking the lot before him. "Not once in my memory was this unit referred to as such."

'Kid'. 'Lad'. 'Buddy'. 'Tin Can'. 'Robobro'. 'Bolts For Brains'. 'Nerd Bot'. 'Young One'. 'Junk'. 'Trash'. 'Plaything'. 'Waste'. 'Robot'. 'Test Dummy'. Of all of the things he's been called within his limited memory, none had been his name or what he was. All he had to go on was his status, a vague viewing of his overall being. 

[Unit Model: 001.]

And all that was there was a number, '001', as if that would tell him everything about what and who he was.

It was the reason why whenever his friends gave him a nickname, even knowing that it was just that, he would ask if it truly was his name. Everyone around him is called by their name, something that is meant for them, and them alone, at some point in time.

Even Eri, a friend who had been through something like himself, had her own name, at least.

But him? "I am just a 'something' without a designation."

If one couldn't see their grimaces before, it was clearly visibly on everyone's faces now. Dr. Silvan and his wife frowned. The one with black hair was trying to look calm, but one could see the frown steadily growing larger on his face. The emaciated blonde seemed to want to punch himself in the face for asking the question, and the detective beside him seemed to sigh for a long while.

'Damnit.' Naomasa's quirk had gone off at the child's words, as he'd expected. 'Absolute Truth' once again. He truly, with every fiber of his now tiny being, believed what he was saying to be true. 'When I find those villains, I'm allowed to shoot on sight, right?'

Kioku came forward, a hardened expression on her face. "No, sweetheart, you are not just a 'something'," She saw Unit 001 flinch back at her proximity, and simply knelt down in front of him. Many emotions were racing through her now glowing, violet eyes.

With her eye level to his own, she gently spoke, "'Human' is just a relative term. No matter what you are, or what anyone thinks, that is the truth. You don't have to 'be' human to be humane. You don't have to 'be' human to be alive. And you don't have to be human to 'be'."

Unit 001 stared at the woman in wonder before remembering he did not trust them. He scooted away from her and everyone else, finding the furthest spot on the bed. His eyes whirled to life, scanning each of them when there was a 'ping' in his mainframe.

[Invader Scan: Matches Found.]

"You were inside my data. How? Why?" The distrust was palpable in his voice. Everyone winced again.

"That... was my fault, dear. That is my quirk, Memory Reel," Kioku explained. "Your friend, the one you call "AI", she doesn't like us very much, does she?"

"No." He answered bluntly. "She does not. Please answer this unit's other query: Why?"

Right to the point, huh? "I could sense that your memory was... damaged"—She was putting it mildly. His mind was one of the most disorienting messes she'd ever seen. She was sure that no matter what she did, not everything would come back to him, but—"I wanted to help recover at least a bit of it for you. I'm sorry I did that without your permission."

Something in his mind connected a few dots, and he scooted just a little bit closer to her. "There was a... warm feeling. Errors became less prominent." He studied her, continuously recording information, "This was caused by you?"

Kioku and the others were pleasantly surprised, "Yes, it was. You noticed it?"

Unit 001 scooted just a little bit closer, nodding his head. "Your effort was partly successful. One memory file returned, though it is distorted."

Everyone was shocked by the reveal, though this quickly transformed into happiness. Just like her son, Lucio, Kioku's freckles began to sparkle in her delight. "You remembered something?! That's wonderful, sweetheart! Anything is a start!"

"That brings us to why we're here," The one in the trench coat stated, the other two males walking with him a little closer to the small bot. "I'm Detective Naomasa, and this man to my left is Pro Hero: Eraserhead. We are the ones working on your case."

"Case?"

"Yes. What those villains did to you was wrong." He said firmly, "They must be punished for what they did, caught and locked up so they can never do this to anyone else ever again." Though he left out the part of, probably, most likely, shooting them on sight.

Unit 001 nodded. He did not want what happened to him to happen to anyone else. It was scary, painful, and something he never wants to experience again.

"And this is one of the heroes who were there when you rescued Bakugou, the now-retired number one hero, All Might."

The man waved his large hand a little. "Just call me Toshinori now."

When his gaze lands on the tall blonde man, everyone watches as he freezes. His eyes seem to whirl faster, and one couldn't miss the look of confusion on his face. "Your body seems to be missing vital organs, Toshinori. Your life expectancy is much shorter than normal because of this, hum..." He states, shocking everyone in the room, "Why are you not receiving medical treatment?"

"It's amazing you can tell that just by looking at me," He said, waving off the child's concern, "There isn't much more they can do for me, but I'm okay with that. No need to worry, Young One!" He flashed his signature smile at him.

Then Unit 001 added something else as an afterthought.

"The eight pieces of soul within you have also disappeared. Your existence confuses this unit, Toshinori. Are you human?"

All Might, as you would expect, vomited blood in surprise. "I-i am very much human! I-I am n-not sure what you are talking about!"

"Toshi, stop," Naomasa said, rubbing his temples were ringing from the very obvious lying his friend was doing regarding his quirk. For those who knew, it didn't take a genius to put together what the child had just said. Though that bit about 'pieces of soul' left him curious. "You're just hurting yourself."

"But I—He—" All Might decided to just be silent.

Unit 001 didn't care that much. He hadn't asked about the lingering pieces of soul, he asked if he was human or not because scanning him that day had been confusing. He got an answer to his question.

"Kid," Aizawa said, getting the bot's attention, "We came here to talk to you personally, but if its fine with you, this will be easier if we did a memory session again."

"Oh, yes!" Kioku exclaimed before quickly turning to the child on the bed, "Sweetie, it's fine to say 'no' if you feel uncomfortable with it. I know your last experience with my quirk was intrusive. But if you wish, I may be able to clear up the memory you were able to get back."

"That is possible?" Unit 001 perked up at the idea of clearing up the damaged memory.

"Yes. We only wanted to ask how you were fairing, but maybe we can get some information that might help us search for any family you might have had or have." Kioku explained further, her husband and the others nodding with her. "Would you like to try?"

Unit 001 was now back where he'd been before, right in front of them. He thought of the many pros and cons of this proposal, as he always does before doing anything. After another moment, he nods his head. Eri trusted this human a lot, and he'd heard about the others from Bakugou while he was sleeping.

He decided he'd trust them, just a little.

"Yes. I would like to have a 'memory session'."

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me!

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Kioku had Unit 001 rest on the bed, just like before. Aizawa, Naomasa, Toshinori, and Dr. Silvan were sitting in the same chairs they had previously as well. The android had been quiet and calm, cooperating as well as he could. But they could tell at a glance that he was scared, if his small trembles and misty, whirling eyes were anything to go by. 

"No damage...?" This situation was foreign to him, they were foreign to him, they knew this. It would take a long time to truly rectify the emotional damage those villains instilled in him.

Bakugou and Eri were lucky. If Unit 001's trust was a small island, they had managed to make a bridge from themselves to him. Though it was still fragile, it was there, and it was getting stronger through their efforts and shared experiences.

As for everyone else, they were stuck behind a firm wall of doubt. While the day had proven that they were different from the villains he'd been stuck with, they were still strangers he did not know and could not relate to.

While he'd given these five adults a bit of his trust, it was hardly something to write home about. If Bakugou and Eri were walking on a bridge, they were walking on a rope. That's it. That's all it was.

"Yes, dear. You won't feel a thing." Kioku reassures, "It will be like watching a movie!"

"...What is a "movie"?"

"Oh, dear... Well, we will surely remedy that once this is over!" She announced, determination raging within her. Pampering her children was something Kioku loved doing. Toys, playtime, movies, sleepovers, she was the parent that would spend every free moment she had with her kids.

The fact that Eri and this child didn't have the luxury of doing such simple things... she was going to make it her mission to give them that. They deserved to be children, to have fun, and to be happy. As her grandkids whom she'd adopted in her heart (hoping to make official soon), she was going to give them that.

"Now, sweetheart, I want you to lay down." Unit 001 did, "Yes, dear, just like that! All you have to do is relax. I'm going to put my hands on your head, and these gentlemen here will put one hand on your body. That way, they will be able to enter with us, okay?"

"...Understood."

Gently, and with the little bot's full permission this time, they placed a hand on him. Aizawa opted to hold his hand, Dr. Silvan taking the other. Toshinori and Naomasa each had a hand on his shoulder, all four of them giving the small android silent encouragement this way.

Even as they did this, the frown on his face never left. It would take a lot for him to fully trust other people again. They knew this. Hopefully, they could be the first adults he could trust.

Kioku's eyes began to glow softly, "All you need to do is think. It can be anything at all."

"Understood." And so, he did, and they were transported into the viewing room almost instantly. It was the fastest she'd ever experienced, enough to give her and everyone else mental whiplash.

She forgot that his thinking speed was like a computer on steroids.

The moment they opened their eyes again, shocked gasps could be heard. The world was awash in a sea of white. It was a vast expanse of nothing as far as the eye could see. There wasn't any wind or a sky, but there was 'ground'. Ripples could be seen from the places where they stepped, a thin film of clear water just below their feet.

"It's a lot... different compared to the last time we were here," Toshinori carefully stepped on the ground, watching as the ripples spread and then dispersed into calm.

"His 'Viewing Room' completely changed..." Doctor Silvan said in awe, "Honey, has this ever happened before?"

"There have been many cases where patients come to terms with things that have happened to them and their 'viewing room', or mental space, changes accordingly. But this change is far too drastic! It's like we are in someone else's mind entirely."

It was that different.

"Yeah, last time it was a chaotic mess." Naomasa shuttered at the memory.

Before, Unit 001's mind had been vast darkness that threatened to swallow everything. Storms were created through his vastly negative emotions, and Kioku had described that his 'viewing room' had been like that because of his amnesia coupled with his severe trauma, which they'd seen soon after.

"It was a lot more than just a 'chaotic mess'," Aizawa stated. And that it was. They were forcefully given the boot the last time they were here. He could still remember that oppressive feeling of distrust from AI. They weren't pleased with them being there, at all.

Now though, it seems they were calm. No, that wasn't the right word. Sleeping? Yeah, it was like they were 'at rest' right now. Aizawa had a theory that this could be one of the reasons for the drastic change in scenery.

Each of their gazes landed on Unit 001, who stood at the center of this new space. As they were viewing a memory he too wanted to see, he was there with them. He was still in his small form, even here within his mind. His eyes whirled as he studied his surroundings. Currently, he was dealing with a very familiar situation.

His head tilted to the side, "Where is this? Where are we?"

He was confused.

Kioku facepalmed. In her surprise by the changed mindscape, she forgot to explain what it even was to him! "We are inside your mind, dear," she answered. She gestured to the entire world, "All of this is your mind. In your words, you would say it's your mainframe."

"Oh." They watched as his eyes became comically wide, looking around the place with a sort of wonder. Just as he did, though, the space began to rumble subtly. His emotions were rippling through the air. He was searching for something.

If this is my mainframe in a more physical sense, then where is she?

Only a moment had passed before the emotions changed from worry to elation, the little bot running off to an unknown corner of his mind.

"Wow, he's fast. No wonder you all had a hard time catching him." Naomasa was impressed.

"Technically, we didn't catch him. He came to us instead." Dr. Silvan corrected. "Lord, I'm really feeling my age."

"Yes, you and I both, Doctor." Our resident Small Might clearly wasn't in his prime anymore. After the loss of One-For-All, his stamina took a major hit. The little one was very spry for his size; he had those waddles down to an art. They were all just barely keeping up with him.

"I should have had that extra cup of coffee..." Aizawa grumbled. For some reason, he could feel his list of problem children grow by one.

Kioku, the tallest out of all of them, was loving that he was so energetic. Yes! Feel free to do what you want, sweetheart. Look around, experiment, and ask questions! She would be happy to indulge him in anything he wanted to know.

While exploring his damaged memory to try and fix it up was her main goal, her secondary goal to for him to simply be. Let him get to know himself more. What better way than to look through his own mind? The state of one's mindscape says a lot about one's character and growth.

This clear scenery, though soft and calm, was empty. There wasn't a hobby that he loved or a place he adored. There wasn't a favorite color or a sound he liked. It was just a clear space with an empty sky and reflective ground. When one looked down, all they would see was themselves in a world of nothing.

It was a very lonely place. That was... until the little bot found what he was looking for.

No, who he was looking for.

"Is that..."

"Yeah, I think it is..."

Floating aimlessly in the white space was a round, translucent gathering of particles. There was no color to it, but one could see its outline clearly enough to tell that it held similarities to the little robot. How far that extended couldn't be seen, however, as it was barely there. If they weren't paying close attention, they would have completely missed it.

The adults could feel the relief radiating through the mindscape. Unit 001 gently grabbed onto this being, gathering its particles in his arms. "You are not damaged... AI."

"That's the Young AI?!" Small Might spat a bit of blood in surprise, "weren't they, um, bigger?" He didn't add scarier.

"Yeah, and less..." Naomasa struggled to find the word, before settling with, "cute."

'Before, they were like an impassable mountain. Now, they're an emoji.'

"Despite its appearance now, this is what completely destroyed the viewing last time." Aizawa said, easing out of his own shock, "Kid, why are they like... this?"

Instead of speaking, a message window appeared above the sleeping AI. It was a translucent blue, the words on it a bold, distinctive white. It surprised everyone until they read what it said.

[AI Assistant is placed in Sleep Mode until energy is 15%.]

All of them had the same thoughts at that moment: 'Could her current state be our fault?'

See, after that devastating memory session, they met to discuss what they'd discovered about him and her. The conclusion they came to about AI was that she wasn't just a part of his 'quirk'.  She can think and feel for herself and makes it her mission to help him understand and discern his surroundings.

There is a comparison that can be made between Dark Shadow and AI, only AI does not have a body of its own. That didn't matter to Unit 001, though. To him, she wasn't just a quirk or a program either. He didn't know the word that would apply to their relationship, but she was someone he cared for more than anyone else, and the same could be said for her towards him.

Family. They were a true 'two-in-one' deal.

Finding her like this connected a few dots for them. She must have used what little power she had while he was in that coma to force them out. He'd probably have had a lot more energy if she hadn't felt the need to do that. If they hadn't intruded on his mind.

'One worse thing than being scared is being scared while alone.'

They were one of the reasons she was sleeping now. They felt bad. It was likely that he wouldn't have been as scared since AI was the one who could discern who was hostile towards him or not.

He would have had reassurance.

It was at this moment that Dr. Silvan had the urge to thank Eri once again. Without her being her supportive, loveable self, they'd still be looking for this little robot.

'I'll have to get my unofficial granddaughter her favorite apples later. She really helped us out by being that reassurance.'

"Is this you?" Naomasa stared at the blue screen. "It looks like a screen you'd see in a game."

"This is my mainframe." Unit 001 explains, "It supplies me with information in the absence of AI. I do not know what a "game" is." He was firm and to the point, not wanting to waste more time speaking with them than necessary.

"A-ah... I see." Naomasa now felt very awkward. "Sorry."

Unit 001 said nothing. He just concentrated on holding AI, making the grown-up feel even more awkward.

'Making that rope into a bridge was going to be harder than we thought...'

"Ehem." Dr. Silvan decided to ask a different question, "How much energy do you have right now?" They needed more info about his state in order to truly help him. If his guess was correct, he had a feeling the amount he had wasn't much.

[Current Energy Level: 2.2%]

It was just as he thought. "Is this low energy level the reason you're so small right now?"

"Yes." Unit 001 stared down at his body, "When auto-reset ended, my body reverted to this form instinctually to gather the needed energy."

The message on the blue screen changed.

[Energy Reserves are below the minimum level for Passive Mode.]

"How long until you have the energy you need to wake her up?" Aizawa was the one to ask this time. Though his voice was very matter-of-fact, if you listened closely, you could tell he was actually a bit worried about the little thing. So were the others.

[Estimated Time: 4 days, 22 hours, 34 seconds.]

Unit 001 didn't look very happy about the estimate. Then again, who would be happy if one of the only people you trusted entirely was literally comatose for a set time?

"I... miss her." 

It was a great comfort that he was able to hold her like this. While he was sure that giving her a hug would not help her wake up, he still felt the need to do so. So here he was, hugging her transparent round body close to him. It was all he could do for now.

"Don't worry sweetie." Kioku assured, "Now that we know what the problem is, we'll help you fix it." Before she could stop herself, she patted him on his helm. Her hand rubbed gently across the smooth, warm surface, the metal's(?) texture oddly feeling like skin, yet still being firm.

The gesture surprised Unit 001, but he allowed it. It was an oddly nice feeling. He held AI closer as a tint of blue dusted his silver cheeks. "Will we be viewing the memory now?"

"Whenever you're ready." Kioku nodded, getting on her knees to be at eye level with him. "All you need to do is think of it."

"Understood."

The moment he said that the world they were in began to swirl like a tornado. The scene around them distorted completely, other colors mixing into the scape. Red, white, and blue melded together, and the ground beneath transformed. 

All of them heard a voice at that moment.

"...ℕ𝕖𝕠..."

Chapter Text

He remembered the feeling of being carried. The ground rumbled beneath them, but whoever was holding him never faltered. They held him tightly, gently as if he were a precious object in their grasp. 

Everything was fuzzy. His optics were dim and fading, the lights on his frame following. Was he going offline? What had happened? This was something he couldn't know at the time. All he clearly remembered was that he was scared, and the core within his chest felt like something had been ripped from it.

This was much worse than anything done to him during his time with the villains. The pain he endured there was childish taps compared to this. He wasn't sure what had happened, but this was not the first memory of his creation.

It was the last.

"ℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟, 𝕃𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕆𝕟𝕖," They whispered. Even if his sight was failing, his hearing was clear. Their voice was light, familiar in his audio receptors. They were female from what he could gather. Who were they? He did not know. But he could hear their desperation.

Bright, blue tears openly flowed down her face. She held him tighter, racing through the corridors of this place as fast as she could. "𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝔸𝕞á 𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖. 𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕚𝕩 𝕪𝕠𝕦." One could tell that she was in pain saying these words.

What did "Amá" mean? It was another word from that ancient language. A shortened, nickname version of another word. He knew what nicknames were, Katsuki Bakugou had told him a lot about them. The scene was passing by too quickly for them to truly discern everything that was being said, at least not at this moment.

He could not recall why he was damaged this greatly. His core was a fractured mess within him, and the original injuries of his body were present. What had done this? Too much information was still missing to truly tell. But for some reason, his worries were not on his own failing frame.

"Amá..." His voice was hardly there, too weak from the lack of energy. "don't..."

It seemed that at this point in time, he had known who she was. Though right now, viewing the memory, that information was lost to him.

Her optics flooded even more. She knew what she was going to have to do, and there was no way for her to stop it. Instead, she looked down at him, wiping his stray tears away. "𝕀𝕥'𝕤 𝕠𝕜𝕒𝕪."

They ran through corridors, reaching a hallway with a carpet of familiar blue. Tall pillars lined the room, the ceiling high above them. But the walls were cracking, crumbling from the world's shaking. A distant roar of outrage echoed in the distance.

Something was coming for them. Something vile and sinister, but somehow, it was also something familiar—

BOOM!

The entire mindscape shook at the sheer terror that quake brought with it. Something was howling in the distance, something beyond the breaking walls of this... castle? ruin? shrine? They weren't sure what this place was, only that it was falling away.

In the distance, a shadow could be seen. A monstrous energy leaking from them as they laid waste to the visible land. The world was collapsing in their wake. The earth was shaking, the sky was splitting, and clouds of lighting and acid rained down as they roared to the heavens.

"ᎶłᐯΣ 卄ł爪 ฿Λ匚Ҝ †Ө 爪Σ!"

•°• ⚠ •°•

"Holy Shit!" Small Might screamed in English. What the hell was even happening? What horror action movie did they enter to see a scene like this? Who was that villain? Who was the woman? Why the fuck was the world ending?! Where was this?!

Chaos.

Panic.

It was akin to the apocalypse. No... it was the apocalypse. But in what world? This couldn't have been their own. It was too different, nothing they saw was familiar to them. Not even their history books described a place such as this.

Where had this android come from?

"What the actual fuck happen to you kid...?" Even Aizawa, who was usually the most composed in sudden situations, couldn't fathom this.

"Unknown." Was Unit 001's simple answer. Why were they asking an amnesiac android "what happened" to him? Do they not know what 'memory loss' is?

Since they were inside his mind, they could tell what he was feeling. It left them utterly embarrassed. "...Sorry."

•°• ⚠ •°•

She didn't heed the raging, static-filled voice. She continued to hide and run from it, until she got to where she needed to be.

The woman in this memory was a vague outline at best. Even as Kioku cleaned up the image, this was the best 'rendering' she could do. But it was enough to see the resemblance between this figure and Unit 001.

While they could not see many details, she had a slightly different color scheme than Unit 001. Black clashed with gold while blue accented her palette. There was a sort of halo above her, but whether it was an actual halo or a crown was to be determined.

There was one detail that was clear, however: her eyes.

They were mesmerizing and unique. Unlike Unit 001's eyes, which were like camera lenses, hers had a star-like shape in them. There were two tones of blue; the outer ring was a darker blue than the inner ring. They were vibrant and warm, gazing at Unit 001 with determination as she finished this ritual.

Sparks of blue danced off of her metal(?) fingertips. The sheer lace gown she wore fluttered in the gathering wind. Lifting her hand, she wrote out strange, foreign letters. A language long forgotten in an age long passed. With a strained shout, she projected her careful work above and below the still Unit 001.

Her chest opened up, and the marvel that was her core was revealed. All she did was tap it, and the glass around it broke, revealing a swirling ball of tangible light. It was ethereal; a beautiful swell of vibrant color.

And the light entered Unit 001, replenishing his core and minding all of the cracks. Before long, it was healed.

His systems rebooted partially, and he sat up in confusion.

Every memory he'd had before this memory had vanished, including those of the one before him crying in utter joy. Even as she hugged him, smiling through her obvious pain, nothing but an ache within his mind remained of her.

It was all... ɆⱤⱤØⱤ.

Who was she?

Why did he feel so comfortable around her?

Why did his core feel heavy as she let him go?

Why did he feel like he lost something precious?
•°• ⚠ •°•

Within the viewing space, everyone felt that foreboding sense of dread. Aside from the rumbling ground and crumbling abode, this scene was a sight to behold. Time paused to behold it in all of its wonders. But there was a sadness in the air as the ritual was completed, a part of that splendid light molding, mending, and entering Unit 001's core instead.

"Lad, do you know what she is doing?" Doctor Silvan asked. The adults couldn't understand these details, but while Unit 001 couldn't understand everything, this was his memory. There were bound to be things that he could sense that they could not.

Unit 001 wasn't looking directly at the scene. As this was his mind, he didn't have to. He was experiencing all of this seemingly firsthand. The emotions he'd felt at this moment, thanks to Mrs. Silvan's assistance, became apparent. The scenes before him became clear to him, though some parts were still vague due to the extensive damage.

"That light is a soul. It is life," He states, clutching onto AI tightly, "and she is giving most of it to 'me'."

For this reason, even though the scene was full of wonder, there was no joy. This person was dying before their eyes. Dying to save him.

When everyone let that fact sink in, it was absolutely quiet in the space.

Kioku was the first to break the heavy silence.

"Do you... know who she is?" She pointed to the woman who sat him on the altar. 

"Unknown." He answered. "Were they my friend? Like Bakugou and Eri?"

His blue eyes curiously watch her as he waits for her answer. For Kioku, that gaze was one of the most painful things she'd seen. She had a feeling she did indeed know who this person was to him. 

There wasn't a way for her not to guess.

But this child before her was so painfully unaware of it that he felt the need to ask, thus the extent of his memory's damage. There were many terms, emotions, and basic knowledge he'd have to re-learn. It was so severe that she was sure he'd had to teach himself to walk and run while he was trapped with the villains. That thought alone almost broke her professional facade.

Taking a breath to ease her own emotional pain, she answered, "I-I can't say for certain, dear." She could see him deflated slightly, so she quickly followed up. "Hopefully, this memory will give us some clues, if nothing else. I will try to clear it up as much as possible, okay?"

"...Understood." He nodded. 

Naomasa and Dr. Silvan were racking their brains, trying to figure out why the word "Amá" sounded so familiar to them. They knew they'd seen it somewhere before. Due to their professions, it wasn't the first time they'd encountered ancient Latin, but their translations were fuzzy at best. The language had been lost for thousands of years.

"It sounds an awful lot like Mama—"

"Please don't say it, Detective, I don't feel like being even more depressed."

"I don't think being 'more' depressed is possible right now, sir."

They were repeating 'Cry at home, not here. Cry at home, not here.' in their own minds. Deep breathes, think of something cute, something soft. Kittens, puppies, blankets, pillows. Anything but your own feelz right now.

Yeah, it wasn't fucking working. Dr. Silvan and Naomasa looked constipated trying not to cry. Their discovery wasn't lost on the other adults, either. Small Might was pulling a Midoriya Eye Faucet in the corner. Aizawa's eyes were irritated, he looked like he was trying to 'erasure' his depression. (It wasn't working.)

The only functioning adult in the room was Kioku. She put a gentle hand on Unit 001's head as comfort.

There had been many patients of hers that had to remember tragic events sometimes. Not everything in lost memories was happy. But she helps them push through it and understand it to the best of her ability, as is her job.

She'd never had a patient that was this severe. While every patient had varying degrees of stress and had been through many different things, it was like this child was dying over and over again, each time in a different way. If he wasn't losing someone, he was lost himself, and if it wasn't that, he was simply in pain, scared, and alone.

It didn't matter if he was human or not at this point. He was a tragic being who didn't even understand what that meant.

"Do you feel anything towards her, sweetheart?"

"I am unable to identify the emotion."

His answer only proved her point. And damn, did it hurt.

"That's okay, honey. We'll figure it out together."

They continued to stay sitting like that. He was completely dwarfed due to her impressive size, but right now, he did not feel intimidated. She held him close, making sure to accommodate the even tinier AI he held in his hands. For some reason, he felt a bit calmer like this.

It was different from being held by Katsuki Bakugou but he couldn't quite place why it felt different. It wasn't a bad difference, just a bit confusing. Could it be because she was an adult human? Or that he found her presence similar to the person in his memories? He wasn't sure.

But her presence was warm. A place where he felt somewhat secure.

Kioku noticed this and had to stop herself from outright crying. At that moment, she had adopted another grandchild.

They took this time to take a small mental break. Honestly, it was more for the adults than for the patient.

"Damn it all." Small Might said, as if it was the only thing his mind could come up with. Did this child have no happy memories to fall back on? At all? Did nothing good ever happen to him before they got him out of the rubble?

All Might wasn't ashamed to admit that after that first horrendous session in this child's mind he cried like a baby. It was like he ate, slept, and breathed sorrow for a full three days. His famous smile? Who could smile after watching that? Certainly not him.

He had hoped that this recovered memory would spell something positive for this child. He wanted him to have some type of happiness to cling to. A small hope, a smile, a laugh. Something that added color to his immensely dark and gray world.

Just one memory. Just one that proved that his life hadn't been an endless torrent of this.

But it's like the world is against this child. What the hell did he do to deserve this?! It wasn't fair! What was this tragedy they were watching unfold?! Could he not be allowed one happy memory that wasn't set in the midst of heartache!? At least one?!

Every adult in the room felt the same way Toshinori did. But their hopes were quickly and efficiently sucker punched by this memory. Their rampant thoughts paused as the memory continued.

•°• ⚠ •°•

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕦𝕤, 𝕞𝕪 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟."  She said, as if knowing that he was confused. "𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕒 𝔾𝕦𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕚𝕒𝕟, 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕣, 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖. 𝕎𝕖 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥."

"Guar...dian...? Last...?"  She had begun to cry earnestly at that point. The end of the world was closing in on them.

"𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦," She whispered, "𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕤𝕠𝕠𝕟."

What was "It"? Was it the cause of this chaos? The source of the roaring just beyond the walls? Was "it" the reason their world was ending? Was "It" the cause of his injuries?

She leaned down towards him, her antennae touching his own as a spark flew through them. Different systems that he was familiar with popped up in his mainframe.

Medical Knowledge.

Self-Repair.

Combat.

Praesidio.

All of the systems within him were given to him at this moment from this person.

"𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕪, 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖," She said as she slowly began to transform, "𝕎𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕀'𝕧𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕟 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖."

He reached his hand out towards her, begging for her not to leave. Where was she going? Was she about to face what was out there alone? He didn't want her to do that. If she did, he was sure he'd never see her again. The very thought brought him pain.

Slowly, she picked him up in her arms. Her now red eyes gaze at him, their warmth still there even as tears continued to fall.  A new magic-like circle seemed to appear around him. Slowly, he was disappearing. No, he was being transported somewhere. Somewhere so far away, there was no way for him to return to this place again.

"𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤... 𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕𝕓𝕪𝕖." 

Time seemed to pause around them for just a moment. As the end of the world had finally come. She let him go as the light from the transportation circle was at its brightest.

The world was fading away.

•°• ⚠ •°•

Kioku thought that this would be a good time to address a few things, "Do you feel anything towards her, sweetheart?"

"...Yes." His eyes began to whirl, "I do not understand this emotion." 

"D-Do you think you can describe it for me, darling?" Kioku asked. She masked her emotions with professionalism. That was what he needed right now. He needed guidance, a helping hand. "I might know what it is."

Unit 001 was silent for a while before he answered. "I feel pain, but it is not 'damage'," Lifting one hand away from AI, he places it over his core, "There is pain here. Emotional instability."

"Does it happen when you watch her?" She asked, pointing to the lady giving her life to him. When he nodded, she took a moment to think before proceeding.

Kioku sits down next to Unit 001, with ease and his permission, she sat him on her lap along with AI. The tiny bot is engulfed in a warm embrace as she begins to explain, "I believe that's 'grief', dear. You are mourning this person. Whoever they were, they were very close to you. You cared for them deeply enough to mourn their loss."

"Grief..." He saved this new information.

The viewing room was beginning to get distorted, signaling the end of the memory. Everyone was preparing to leave, bracing for the turbulent ride back to reality. Unit 001 got up from Kioku's lap, much to her dismay, and placed AI where she'd been before. He made sure that she was secure before going back to where they'd entered.

"𝕄𝕪 𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕕..."

Quickly, Unit 001 turned around. Still standing where she'd left off in the memory, the woman hadn't even turned to face him. So many different emotional instabilities sprang up within him, and for some reason, this felt like more than just a memory.

It was as if she knew that he would be rewatching this moment as she looked behind her. Her eyes were whirling just as his did as she watched him disappear. Everything was a shroud of darkness, even the entity breaking down the walls was but a vague whisper.

The only clear thing they could see was her, and the only thing in her vision was him.

"𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤..." 

Even as the end was near, even if this would be the very last time she would ever see him, her smile was wide and bright. Her tears still fell, but what he saw in her eyes was not 'sadness' or 'grief'.

She turned to face the threat alone, the memory fading to complete darkness.

Every feeling he had overwhelmed at that moment. He fought himself out of Kioku's grip to run after the visage of the woman.

"No! Come back!" He didn't want this.

He didn't want to lose her.

[Unit Model: 001.]

Not again.

HE was losing her again.

 "Please don't go!"

"You can't, dear!" Kioku caught him before he got too far. "If you go there your conscious mind will be lost. You'll fall into a coma!" One could not enter the darkness, not without another being an anchor. Without that, they would fall through it endlessly, unable to return.

[Status: 100/100]

"No! She's leaving!" The mental space was shaking violently, collapsing in on itself as he was desperately trying to reach out for her. "Amá!" He cried. But she faded away, walking into that darkness of lost memories.

[Energy: 25/1000]

"She's already gone, lad!" Dr. Silvan gently grabbed his small hands. Unit 001 looked at him, feeling desperation he hadn't felt since that raid. The adults huddled around him, trying to give him any semblance of comfort. 

Though they knew that he'd figured out who she was, or at least had an idea even if he didn't know the term.

"I'm so sorry, kid..."

"No...!" He didn't want this. He... he hated this. This feeling of loss, of grief, he wanted it gone.

"Kid, wait—!"

He did not.

Everyone had been forcibly removed from his mind. His distress caused the viewing to end as soon as the memory was over. One by one, they were booted out, almost as violently as the first time they entered his mind.

He was alone within his mind.

She was gone. He couldn't stop her from leaving.

He couldn't stop her from doing that ritual either. How long had she had after that? An hour? Minutes? By saving him, she'd shortened her life to an infinitesimal amount.

Was she, to him, what humans called a "mother"? He knew the terms, that information was thankfully in his data. It was the only connection he could make, the only one that made sense.

A part of the life in his core came from her. She'd given it to him so he could live.

He'd killed her.

The life he'd lived until now hardly had any moments he'd savor.

What was it that she sacrifice herself for?

He was alone and hurting.

Just as darkness was closing in on him from his rising negative emotions, a voice broke through it.

"𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕓𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦."

It was soft, nothing but a whisper, but it was all that was needed to bring light back to him. He could feel her smiling for him.

She appeared before him in a whisp of light. Unlike in the memory, he could see her clearly. Her model was similar to his, but a lot more elaborate. Golds, blues, black, and grays adorned her frame. Lace drifted from her shoulders down to her feet, a see-through blue that faded to a darker shade, similar to her eyes. The cables that framed her face were golden, unlike his dark gray ones. She could be described as a regal presence.

All in all, she was beautiful.

"Amá..."

She was a phantom that only he could see, a fleeting spark upon his antennae like a kiss goodbye. As if she knew that one day he would be watching this scene, as if she knew that he would wish to remember... 

As if she knew that this would be their final goodbye...

She was smiling for him, smiling because she knew he wouldn't be able to.

What she wanted... what she fought for... All of it had been for him. Every moment, even now, it had been for him. She caressed him in her arms, gently lifting him from this space.

He was her hope for a better future. 

Through her sacrifice, she only had one wish for her child.

"𝔾𝕣𝕠𝕨 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘, 𝕓𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕪, 𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖."

Everything began to gently fade away, a semblance of peace returning to his mind. A part of his errored data mended by itself, like a piece of his heart found its place again.

.

.

One of the many questions he had...

.

.

[Designation: E@%-N-$]

.

.

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖..."

.

.

[Designation: %-Ne-%]

.

.

It had finally been answered.

.

.

.

.

"ℕ𝕖𝕠."

Chapter Text

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Due to the stress-filled situation that was that memory, the adults thought it best not to overwhelm the child with their obvious questions the moment he woke up. They were patient as they asked him how he was feeling, letting him wrap his head around the things that he'd seen and remembered.

"I'm... sorry, about what you had to see." Kioku voiced, "All that was there was heartache in the end. I'm so sorry, dear."

The others in the room felt the same. Sure, they had a bit more information to go on thanks to what they'd seen, but they were left with double the questions too.

What exactly did they see?

Who had wrecked that world that was so different from their own?

Where even was that, to begin with?

Who was this kid's mother? 

Who was this kid?

"Yes. If you have any wandering thoughts you need to sort, you can ask any of us, lad." Dr. Silvan added.

For a long while, the child was silent. They didn't mind this and patiently waited for him to sort through things. They couldn't blame him for needing time. What they'd seen... it was traumatic even for them. Imagine what this little guy was going through.

"I have to get back. I have a lot of work to do." Naomasa said, rubbing his temples to ease his growing headache. With this information, a lot of these questions had been answered, yes. But it left a lot more questions in his wake. Though, with the information and his own authority, there was a lot he could do and get started on.

Such as legal documents, establishing a legal identity for the child, and making sure no one could touch them from a legal standpoint. He wouldn't let it happen, and with the subtle gazes he exchanged with the other adults in the room, they understood what he was going to do as well.

"I'll head out as well. I hope to see you again, young one." Small Might said, a genuine smile on his face. He could see the tiny bot's eyes whirling, recalling their small interactions. After a moment, he nodded, noticing how Toshinori's smile got that much larger at the small movement.

With that, the former number one hero and his best friend said their goodbyes, leaving the room. They looked to the remaining hero in the room, and he could feel the question in their eyes.

"I was going to visit her today with one of my problem kids."

"Ah, Midoriya?" Dr. Silvan asked, receiving a nod from the shaggy-haired male. "Yes, he and the other youth Mirio, were visiting my unofficial granddaughter today. The moment her condition stabilized they practically ran here. Good boys, those two."

At that, the little bot perked up. "This unit wishes to see Eri."

"Hm?" Kioku met his eyes, "You want to visit her, too? Are you sure you don't want to rest a bit more? The memory session was—"

"Success."

His lights seemed to brighten as he addressed the adults still in the room. When the adults realized what he was saying, their eyes became the size of saucers.

"T-Then the session... it wasn't just heartache for you. Y-You got something back?"

"Yes. Designation."

He pointed to each of them. "Dr. Leo Silvan. Kioku Silvan. Pro Hero: Eraserhead."

Then he pointed to himself, his eyes widening in silent elation. "This unit's designation is confirmed. This unit wants to see Bakugou Katsuki and Eri."

Kioku burst into tears on the spot. Her husband wasn't much better. Aizawa was stoic, masking his feelings like the expert that he was.

His name. He finally knew his name. He was not just a 'something'. He had a name, something that was his own and for him alone.

"Bakugou Katsuki is currently at the establishment known as 'dorms'. He will not be able to see this unit until tomorrow. So, this unit will go to Eri now."

He wanted to tell them first.

Without giving the adults any more warnings, he hopped his way off of the still massive hospital bed. They wanted to stop him, but the determined and elated look in his whirling blue eyes told them to simply follow him instead. So, making sure to keep up with his expertly executed waddles, they followed him to Eri's room.

It surprised them how he remembered exactly where it was. But it really shouldn't have. Our robotic baby had a memory like no other, even if it was currently damaged. While he was running from them, he made sure to record the layout in his mainframe. This entire floor? Making an intricate map for it was simple for him.

He got to the door and was faced with his first problem: He was too short to reach the handle.

"Need some help, kid?" Aizawa asked knowingly. He had the urge to call him 'problem child', but he refrained.

"...This unit is too short to reach the handle."

Aizawa could have sworn he saw the little bot pouting about being too small to reach it, but said nothing about it. The moment he opened it for him, the small being rushed into the room to find a surprised yet delighted girl sitting on the bed, speaking with two strangers.

Well, one stranger, and the other familiar.

That is the green-haired human who helped save Bakugou Katsuki. Who is the other human?

Even if the humans around him weren't going to hurt him, remembering the incidents prior to that didn't sit well with him still. He had minimal trust in the adult humans behind him and a lot more trust in Eri and Bakugou.

These two weren't included in that, unfortunately (not really). So, with great skill, he made his way to the other side of the bed away from them. He was just a tad bit taller now thanks to his growing energy reserves, so at least the top of his head peeked from the other side of the mattress.

The teenage humans were surprised by his presence, greatly so, especially the green-haired one we know as Midoriya.

"It's you..." Our broccoli baby whispered.

The small unit did not respond to him. He still had trouble trusting humans.

Eri noticed this and tried to soothe him. "It's okay," she whispered, expertly helping him onto the bed. Because she'd done it before, she was a lot better at it than the first time. "These are some of the people who saved me. Though... I don't even know their names."

At this, Unit 001 perked up. These humans saved Eri from her hostile human captors. Hm. If that is the truth, then they deserved a bit of his trust. Eri is good. Eri deserves happiness. Thanks to them, he was able to meet her here.

So, he held her hand tightly, scooting closer to her and in doing so, a bit closer to them. He still didn't speak, though.

"I'm Mirio Togata!" Mirio exclaimed, trying to ease the child's caution with his positivity. "Hero Name: Lemillion! It's nice to meet you!"

Unit 001 answered him with silence. One could even hear crickets chirping if they listened hard enough. Mirio wasn't deterred by it though. He was willing to be patient with the little ones. One day, he shall be able to be greeted by this child with a smile!

Izuku remained silent as took in Unit 001's appearance. Emotions he'd been trying to keep bottled up started to resurface again, a guilt that rivaled when he let go of Eri that first and only time.

He had also been there at Kamino. He'd seen him protect Katsuki. He'd heard his childhood best friend's pleas for him to save himself, something he never thought he'd ever hear the ash-blond exclaim with any amount of sorrow. 

When he could actually see the state that Unit 001 had been in, he felt even worse. He didn't look much older than them, no, he was definitely younger than them by at least one or two years. But someone like that, who should have been someplace safe with family, friends, or anything else, was a bloodied, tortured mess on a horrific battlefield. 

As Unit 001 tossed Katsuki in the air toward them, there was a smile on his face. There was relief, resignation, and pain they could have never explained in words. As someone who dreamed of being a hero his entire life, one that could save people and ease their hearts... this expression was the most agonizing thing he'd ever seen.

It was the expression of someone who was sure they would not be saved.

Everyone who had seen that expression felt inexplicable guilt. Todoroki and Yaoyorozu, who had fled the scene after their part only to witness the aftermath of that scene, also felt it. They'd wanted to apologize for not being strong enough, for not being fast enough...

For not being enough.

It wasn't rare for the group to have nightmares about it, seeing that expression and feeling the dread that came from the possibility that he hadn't miraculously made it. Honestly, they'd wanted to ask Katsuki about his wellbeing, as the ash-blond went to the hospital faithfully to visit him.

But... they just couldn't muster up the courage to ask such a question, as he was the most haunted out of all of them.

And now, that being was in front of him. What was he supposed to say now that he had a chance to? Eventually, he took a shaky breath. "I'm Izuku. My hero name is "Deku". I..."

There was so much that he wanted to say. But he held himself back, held back his tears, and gave his gentlest smile, "I'm glad you're doing okay."

He truly was glad that he was okay.

And he was so sorry that he couldn't have done more for him back then.

Unit 001 did not respond to him either, only studying both of them silently. The name rang a bell for him.

Bakugou Katsuki spoke of this human.

He did what he usually did: he scanned them. It was something that he instinctually did for every new human he encountered. The readings he got from them, however, were unusual. 

[Designation: Mirio Togata. Alias: Lemillion.]
[Species: Human. Notice: This being's genetic code varies from those previously encountered. The genetic strand known as 'Quirk' has been suppressed to an infantile stage.]
[Emotional Reading: Relieved, Sad, Happy, Hopeful.]

[Caution: Humans are a species that have been violent towards this unit in previous settings.]

Aside from the genetic anomaly, this human was relatively normal. He could see that there were injuries that were recently healed, but he was not going to point this out. He was not Bakugou Katsuki, Eri, or a human he had questions for. This was a stranger he did not know or trust fully.

So he simply moved on, studying the readings from the other he found absolutely strange.

[Designation: Izuku Midoriya. Alias: Deku.]
[Species: Human (?). Anomaly Detected.]
[Emotional Reading: Relieved, Guilty, Sad, Hopeful.]
[Scanning Anomaly...]
[Scan Confirmed: Multiple Soul Flow Fluctuations reside in this host. The previous encounters with these souls include the individual "Toshinori". A piece of his soul flow is also detected. Status: Dormant.]

After a long moment, Unit 001 finally spoke. The confusion on his face was clear. "Are you human?"

"...Huh?"

"Why do you have the eight pieces of soul previously within the individual 'Toshinori'?"

"HUH?!"

Not even two minutes after their meeting, and his secret was already outed? What? How? Why? When?

Izuku.exe crashed.

Unit 001 did not understand why this human was gaping at him or why the blond beside him was so shocked. Aizawa, who had taken a back seat to their meeting, seemed to find the entire situation amusing.

He turned to Eri, even more confused, "...Is he broken?"

Eri was just as confused as he was, not sure about whatever it was he'd just said. "I hope not..."

Unit 001 saved it into his files. The human known as "Izuku Midoriya" was the strangest existence he'd seen.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Finally, we are starting to get into the next arc of "ɆⱤⱤØⱤ". I can't wait!

Your Author,

-Jenna

Chapter Text

Art Drawn By Me! This piece is from a while ago, taken from Neo's perspective when he was coming back from near-death!

Unit 001 speaking: "It will look like this..."

Unit 001 thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Unit 001 thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Unit 001's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"Uh. Um. Huh? What?"

Izuku didn't know what to think. He's been outed. His secret's out. The kid knows.

"Why do you have the eight pieces of soul within you? This also occurred in the individual "Toshinori". Can you explain this?"

He knows.

What the heck is he supposed to say to that?!

"W-w-w-what do you m-m-mean by that?" He tried his best to stay calm, though, by the confused tilt the child gave him, he wasn't doing a very good job.

"What are "pieces of soul"?" Thank god for Eri! Unit 001 diverted all of his attention to her, unknowingly giving Izuku a breather.

"Yeah, I'd like to know too!" Mirio didn't mask his curiosity. Like everyone else, he'd wanted to meet this little guy for a while. There wasn't a single person who hadn't heard about this child. "Could you tell us?"

" Soul: The essence of life. Every living being has a soul. It grows and matures during the lifespan, and departs from the body when it dies." 

"So like a ghost?" Mirio asked.

"Partially." He answered curtly.

"Wait. You're saying that I have ghosts in me?!" Izuku didn't know whether to be fascinated or mortified! Truly, this had to be another secret hidden within One For All, but... but what did it mean?

Did it have something to do with what he'd seen back at the sports festival? Thinking back to that incident gave him chills... the silhouettes. They... they must have been the previous wielders of One For All.

How were they there?

Why were they there?

"I'm haunted?!"

"Unknown," Unit 001 answered. "It is strange." His gaze settled on Izuku. "You are strange."

The greenette tried not to wince at that. "H-How are you able to tell that I'm, um, haunted?" Izuku was trying to calm himself to ask better questions. "Is that your quirk?"

The robotic child seemed to think about this for a moment before he answered him. "Unknown." 

He did not answer further. It was a part of his system. His model, 001, was naturally able to do these things. He did not know why, though. He was sure that many of the extra systems he had were from Amá.

"Strange Midoriya," He repeated his earlier question, "Are you human?"

He put an emphasis on the fact that Izuku was strange. Knowing this, the greenette didn't exactly know how to feel. He looked at Aizawa, who nodded, then at Mirio, who also knew the secret, before nodding to himself.

"Um... I'm pretty sure I'm human. What you're picking up might be due to my quirk." He began, trying to word it in a way that wouldn't give himself away, "It, um, is a bit special."

That was an understatement.

Izuku watched as Unit 001 unique eyes began to whirl. Honestly, it was a bit unnerving. It was like he was looking through him. If he was able to see somebody's soul—a quirk he'd love to record in his notebook later if he'd let him—then perhaps he really was looking through him.

"You are uncomfortable speaking about your 'quirk'. I will not ask anymore."

"Huh? H-how...?"

"Your emotions aren't hidden, Strange Midoriya"

"Y-you can tell that, too? Is that a part of your quirk as well? That's cool!"

Aizawa and Mirio's eyes widened. Oh no.

"Yes?" Unit 001 was a bit put off by the demeanor change. Izuku seemed to be in deep thought, mumbles escaping his lips as a cloud seemed to form.

"What else can you see? Is just ghosts and emotions?"

"No?" That wary feeling seemed to deepen a bit as Izuku, unknowingly, continued to ramble on with his questions.

"Could your quirk also relate to why you're small right now? You can change sizes? No, can you change ages? I thought you were my age before, but now you look around three or four. Wait, how old are you?"

"My age is unknown?" He slid back a bit from his place on the bed a little, watching with growing wariness as Izuku's mutter storm continued.

"Does changing your forms require energy? What type of energy do you need? Electricity? Sunlight? Food? What kind of food?"

"Sun. Materials 'eaten' only give minimal amounts of energy." 

Unit 001 slid back further; the strange human was becoming stranger by the second.

"Does that mean you don't need to eat? That's amazing! Wait—" Izuku finally realized that he'd been rambling on with mumbles, but Unit 001 had answered most if not all of the questions he'd asked while doing so.

No one had done that before.

"You kept up with Midoriya's word vomit." Aizawa was amazed. He knew that the kid's thought process was quick, but it was his first time seeing it being proven outside of that mindscape of his.

"I don't know what you two were saying, but it was so fast..." Eri, of course, praised Unit 001.

"You're really cool, little guy!" 

Everyone was looking at him, praising him. Noticing this, he finally just hid behind Eri, his safe place. His eyes spoke of his wariness with the situation, and he'd actually pulled the girl away from them a bit so he could be farther away too.

Mirio noticed it. "Are you okay?"

"...Uncomfortable."

Unit 001 was very uncomfortable. This whole situation was absolutely strange for him. Since he'd woken up here at this hospital, his life had been completely different.

Frankly, Izuku's curiosity about him terrified him a bit.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel that way! It... It's a bad habit of mine. I'm sorry."

The little bot did not answer. Izuku felt extremely guilty.

Before, Unit 001 spent most of his time hiding from others. He isn't used to being prodded with curious questions unless they were trying to take him apart. 

He'd lived a life where he needed to be still and unnoticed if he wanted to survive. But now, he was in the spotlight, attempting to speak to others... it was a new experience for him.

He'd allowed himself to trust Dr. Silvan and his wife because Eri and Katsuki had trusted them. He'd heard the explosive teen and his friends speak of Aizawa and Toshinori favorably, so he allowed them to be there while exploring his memory. The detective was in charge of his case as well as Eri's, and the girl had spoken of him being a kind adult.

He answered Izuku's questions because Eri trusted him, and he trusted Eri. These humans were different from the ones he'd first encountered. He knew this. But he... this...

Being seen... was terrifying to him. He was realizing this a lot later than he'd hoped to. It was moments like this that he dearly wished AI was awake.

He buried his head in Eri's back as if trying to make himself smaller. He thought it may not have been a good idea to come here at this time. He just wanted to tell Eri his name. But he didn't want to say it in front of a bunch of people he was meeting for the first time, even if they were the ones who saved his friend.

Eri seemed to understand him the best out of all of them, so she let him hide behind her. It was a clue for her that he'd had quite enough attention for a while. So, she went on to the reason that she'd asked for Izuku and Mirio to come there in the first place.

To apologize for getting them hurt. Them, and the man with glasses.

Unit 001 watched them from behind Eri. There was a reaction when she described the man with glasses. It was subtle, but with his scans, he was able to tell.

Grief.

It was an emotion that he was, unfortunately, familiar with now.

This person must be someone they lost.

When he watched Eri speak, he noticed that her emotions were guilt and shame. They were different from what the other humans were displaying. He made his conclusions seeing this.

She does not know. They did not tell her.

He was grateful that they did not tell her. He was sure that her guilt and shame would become grief as well, an emotion he did not want her to feel. Not now, not when she is already hurting.

"It's all my fault, all of the terrible stuff that happened." Eri clenched her fists on a handful of her hospital gown. Because she was in a different room than before, it was light blue instead of pink. "I'm so sorry. I know that..." Tears gathered. She hadn't wanted to cry again but couldn't hold back the guilt she felt. "You lost your power because you were protecting me, Lemillion—"

"Eri." Mirio gently place his hand on her head, "I guarantee that none of us think this was your fault at all. You know what we are thinking though?" His eyes softened, " 'I'm glad Eri's okay.' "

There wasn't ever a need for her to feel sorry. They wanted her to know that, to understand that.

Nothing was ever her fault.

"Everyone fought because they wanted to see you smile."

At this, her eyes widened slightly. Unit 001 curiously watched her pull at her face. She showed off her teeth and raised her lips. What was she trying to do? The teens were confused by it too.

Curious about what she was doing, he began copying her. Seeing this, she felt a tickle in her heart. but the guilt she still felt kept her from acting on it.

Eventually, she gave up. "I don't remember what smiling feels like..." She turned her attention to the baby bot, "What about you?"

Unit 001 was confused. "Smile...? What is a smile, hum?"

It hit the teens before them like super-powered bricks.

"You... don't know what a smile is?"

They knew what Eri had gone through. They understood that Overhaul was still casting his shadow over her life. But they didn't know about Unit 001 or his trauma. They didn't understand the extent of how cut off he was from normal society.

"Define 'smile', hum."

It was bad enough that he didn't even know what a smile even was.

"A-A smile is something you do when you're happy, relieved, or even amused!" Mirio tried to explain it to him, he even demonstrated it to him gloriously. 

"Y-Yeah!" Izuku added, "Sometimes people smile without even realizing it. It's one of the many ways people express themselves."

Unit 001 searched through his memories, looking for criteria that fit their explanations. Had he ever smiled as they were doing? He felt on his face a bit like Eri had before, not noticing how the action caused the hopeful expressions of the teens to vanish like smoke. 

He searched through his memory for any time he'd smiled because he felt 'happy'.

[Not found.]

There was never a moment like that, even in the one memory he'd recovered.

Was there ever a moment he may have changed his expression from being relieved?

[One match found.]

There was only one moment that ever happened.

The moment he kept Katsuki from dying with him at Kamino, when he watched him fly away. He'd been relieved he'd gotten him away from that hell. He was relieved that he was able to protect him.

He had been scared when everything began to go dark. He'd been scared when he could no longer feel, hear, or move. But more than his fear, he'd been relieved that it was all ending.

Because up until that very moment, his most prominent regret was ever waking at all.

"Kid..." Aizawa, Izuku, and Mirio felt like they got gutted as they watched him mimic his expression from then. It was an unbearable expression to witness on a child's face.

When Eri suddenly hugged him, the expression vanished immediately, "Eri...?"

"It's okay. You're okay now. Don't cry."

Ah. Tears had fallen again.

He returned the hug. Hugs felt nice. He liked hugs. "Was this unit wrong?"

"It's okay," She held him tighter. "You shouldn't try to remember if it makes you sad."

"Understood."

Izuku and Mirio were distraught, racking their brains for whatever they could do to help them. There had to be something they could do for them. Something had to be done. There was no way they could just leave them like this, unable to grasp what a child should easily be able to.

There was no way that something so painful could be called a smile.

These kids... they hadn't been saved yet. Not completely.

That is when Izuku had a breakthrough, and immediately got up to ask Aizawa.

"Mr. Aizawa, do you think they can be allowed to leave the hospital? Just for a day?"

"What is it that you were thinking about doing, Midoriya?"

"I had an idea that might bring their spirits up!"

"Oh?" Aizawa's eyes widen slightly. Was there really something they could do for these kids that would work? "And what would that be?"

"They could come with us to the U.A. Festival!"

"Ah! That's the best idea ever!" Mirio lit up like the sun as he turned to the children, thrilled, "You two would have so much fun!"

"What's a festival? I've never been to one before."

Unit 001 turned to Eri, "...Festival?"

Mirio went on to explain what the festival was with growing excitement, "The school festival is a festival that goes on at our school! It's great! The students plan a bunch of fun things for the other classes to do!"

"School...?" At this, Unit 001 perked up. Katsuki goes to their school. Does that mean that he would be there? Is he going to be at this festival?

Eri was intrigued, leaning in as Mirio continued.

"And I bet there will be candy apples there!"

"What are candy apples?" Eri loved apples. What was this wonderful new one?

"It's when they dip an apple in some crackly sugar stuff and make it even sweeter!"

"Sweeter how...?" At this point, she was drooling. They can get sweeter?! There was no way!

Seeing this, Aizawa knew that it was the right call. Look at his unofficial daughter's face. Her eyes were sparkling at the very thought of trying a candy apple. "It's not totally out of the question in regard to Eri. I will talk with the principal about it."

He was going to get this idea approved. Definitely, without question.

"Thank you!" But Izuku noticed his particular wording, so he whispered his next question, "What about... him?" 

He was referring to Unit 001, whom he didn't know the actual name of.

"The kid might be a bit difficult."

"Huh? How come?"

Aizawa grimaced.

After that first memory session, he and the adults present had been put as temporary guardians for the little bot. It was because they were the few who had the knowledge and qualifications to take on that job. It was similar to how Aizawa was put in charge of watching Eri because his quirk could cancel out hers, in the event she ever lost control.

"It was only recently that he realized that everyone isn't out to hurt him. Putting him out into the open... I'm not sure how well he'll handle it."

He'd seen almost everything that kid went through, and on a very dampened scale, knew exactly how he felt about new people and places. Aizawa and the Silvan couple just weren't sure he was quite ready for that kind of exposure yet.

It was then that Izuku had a stray thought. This whole time, they hadn't been directly addressing the little bot. Even Eri hadn't. It was all nicknames because they were dancing around his memory problem.

Because Unit 001 had befriended Eri, they were forewarned that he might come during their visit with her. His memories were almost a taboo subject, though the teens weren't exactly sure why.

They just remembered Aizawa's expression crumbling as he told them not to speak about it.

"Ah... I really want to know his name..."

He didn't realize he'd spoken aloud. 

Everyone tensed. They didn't want to trigger him by asking something sensitive. It was a shock that Unit 001 had even answered Izuku's rambles, which were nothing but indiscernible mumbles to everyone else.

But once again, Unit 001 heard him. He looked at him for a long moment, making the teen realize he'd spoken his thoughts.

Unit 001 was silent before making a decision.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—"

"Neo."

Everything in the room paused.

Kioku, who'd been on standby outside, cried, followed by her husband when they figured out what he was doing. Aizawa's eyes were widening by the millisecond, needing to absorb the moment. The teens in the room quickly turned all of their attention to the little bot.

He'd turned to Eri, who was steadily tearing up. "You... your..."

He pointed to her, "Eri." and then he pointed to himself, "Neo."

He turned to the others in the room, a little hesitant, "This unit's name... is Neo."

She wiped away her tears, "I like your name."

Izuku wasn't far from crying himself. "It's nice to meet you, Neo."

" 'Neo'... That's a great name!" Mirio praised.

Aizawa took a breath before he walked completely into the room. The entire time, he'd been by the door, wanting to give the students and Eri privacy to talk. When he got to the bed, he knelt down low enough to be on eye level with the little bot.

"Neo." He said the name with an unusual softness. He knew how much having a name meant to the android. "About the festival... would you like to come, too?"

The best way to approach this was to ask him directly.

"There will be many humans there?"

"Yes. It may be a bit crowded."

"This unit hasn't been to a "school" before."

"Yes. I know. It will be the first place you've been to that isn't the hospital."

He gripped Eri's sleeve, as if seeking reassurance from her presence, "...They won't damage me?"

Everyone in the room felt like they got punched in the knee. Unit—Neo's trust in people was still abysmally low. The people in this room right now were lucky that he was speaking with them at all.

He'd lived a life of constantly being in pain, being hurt, and hiding to keep himself alive.

"No. No one will hurt you."

The adults in the room, the ones that had been within his memory, had a silent conversation at that moment.

They figured out relatively quickly that Neo was not a being from their world. With what they saw, it was the only conclusion they could come to. As unique as that discovery was, it didn't really matter to them.

Neo was a child, a miserable one, and needed to be taken care of. If they respected any of the sacrifices his mother made in his memory, they would do well to take care of him like their own. That was definitely what Aizawa planned to do, and the Silvan couple was with him on that.

"I will make sure of it."

Neo glanced at Eri again, and then back at Aizawa, "Eri come, too?"

"Yes. Eri can come if she wants to."

"Bakugou is there?"

"Yes. He's participating in Class 1-A. I'm sure he'd be happy to see you."

That was an understatement, Bakugou basically adopted this kid. He'd be more than happy to see him outside of the hospital.

Neo was silent for a while. The adults and teens in the room waited for him with baited breaths until finally, he gave them his answer.

"I... will go."

Of course, he was wary. He'd never been to this place before, and there would be people he'd never met before.

But Eri would be there. Bakugou would be there, and he wanted to see what he would do at this "festival".

Just below his fear, he was curious.

For most of his memory, he was trapped in a filthy, dark room. He wanted to know what the world outside was like.

So, with more determination, he spoke, "I want to go."

Aizawa smiled. The sight flabbergasted the teens in the room, who had only ever seen him being a sadist, enjoying their suffering. This wasn't one of those smiles. It was a genuine one, rare, no, thought impossible expression for their teacher to show.

Neo was watching him, too, recording it into his memory. He was recording everyone the moment they smiled, trying to understand the expression.

In this short evening, he had seen many different types of smiles: awkward, stiff, gentle, excited, and now, another type. Mirio Togata and Strange Midoriya's explanation of the expression was much too simple.

He was determined to learn more. Then, he could show Eri, and she could be happy.

"Then it's settled."

No one but the adults who'd seen his memories could truly understand how much courage this decision must have taken. There was no way to truly express how proud they were of Neo right now.

"You're a very brave kid."

"This unit is brave...?" Neo's eyes widened in wonder. He'd never been called 'brave' before.

"Yeah, you are." Aizawa patted his helm. The action surprised Neo, just like when Kioku had done it before.

His cheeks tinted blue, unsure of how to react to the affection. It felt nice. He enjoyed head pats almost as much as he enjoyed hugs.

"Before I knew your names, I wasn't sure what to do. I just wanted to be friends with the people who saved me." Eri said, a hope blossoming within her.

"Friends..." Neo liked this word a lot. It was one of his favorite words.

"That's what we want too!" Mirio gave her a thumbs up, turning his attention to Izuku and Aizawa. "We should make a case to make sure they can come."

"Already on it." Aizawa was way ahead of them on that front.

"I'm on a break from school right now, so I can hang out with you both before our festival date."

"A 'date' ?" More words that Eri wasn't sure of. She tilted her head in question.

Neo followed her movement. "Define 'date'."

"That's when two people who like each other spend time together."

"Recorded." Neo was satisfied with the explanation.

"So... we're going on a date?"

"Stop teaching the children weird things." Aizawa closed the conversation immediately.

Chapter Text

[A/N] I didn't realize how aptly named this chapter was until I proofread it—

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..."

Neo thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Neo's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

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Walking through the garden-like courtyard of the Silvan Family Hospital, Mirio was thinking of many things. He was here to visit the children. He promised he would, after all.

Two days had passed since Izuku and Mirio's first visit. For those two days, they were the only thing the teens could think of. They'd already put together their plans and explanations sending them to Principle Nezu the minute they finished. They were delighted when the genius animal approved their request almost immediately.

The greenette had been busy since then with his class's performance preparations, while Mirio checked in with the children every day, just as he'd promised. One could see it in Eri's eyes that she was pleased to see him so often. They spoke of anything she wanted, and he told her even more about the festival and his school.

He was over the moon to be bonding with Eri more. He felt like he'd gained a little sister, which made him even more driven to protect this precious girl. That left Neo... he was a work in progress.

Little Neo was quiet most of the time, simply listening when he wasn't in his room. He was a much tougher challenge to befriend than Eri had been.

See, the little bot wouldn't let him closer than a certain point. It didn't matter if it was just speaking or actual distance; it was like Neo had a barrier around him that only let certain people in. Mirio, sadly, could understand why that was. Aizawa made it painfully clear.

'It was only recently that he realized that everyone isn't out to hurt him. Putting him out into the open... I'm not sure how well he'll handle it.'

Mirio remembered his words well. It was impossible for him not to, as they were gut-wrenching in implications. No one outside of the staff, Bakugou, and Eri knew a degree of what Neo had gone through. For someone like Aizawa to say he wasn't sure about something meant many things. And he meant many things, and not in a good way.

Mirio made it his mission to help Neo be more comfortable around him. Around people in general.

So after taking in the lovely, fresh scent of the flowers around him, decided he'd visit the little tyke once again. He'd heard from Lucio that they were going to be doing a few tests with him today, and he wanted to be there as support!

Ah, Lucio. A very well-known name in this hospital. Outside of Nurse Lin at the front desk of the ICU floor, the next person you'll see often is Lucio Silvan. All the patients on the floor knew him as the friendliest person. He, too, found that he was quick friends with the ever-bright nurse.

Honestly, it was impossible not to be friends with that guy, he was the walking personification of 'good vibes'.

Mirio had the privilege of being tended to by him while he too stayed in the hospital after the raid. Though he wished they'd met on better days...

Sir Nighteye, a friend, a teacher, and an irreplaceable part of Mirio's life had just passed away. He died, he was gone, and he left with a smile on his face. He'd asked him to continue to smile, he'd told him everything was going to be okay. Even in his final moments, he reassured Mirio that his future was bright. His funeral had been held and here he was, sitting in his hospital room alone.

He'd been visited by his family and friends, his other teachers, and his co-workers. Each time, he would smile brightly and tell them that he was okay.

Mirio trusted Sir. He trusted him with everything he had, every fiber of his being. He wanted to listen, as best as he could. He wanted to continue to smile, to laugh. He wanted to spread those things to those around him to create that beautiful future Sir had wanted. He wanted to prove that even those with weak quirks, or hard-to-control quirks like his, had a chance in this world.

He wanted to be the hero that Sir saw in him. He would be Lemillion, saving a million lives. Every person he saved got him closer to his dream, and the day he reached it, he would save even more. He wanted Sir to be there when he achieved it. He wanted him to be there with him.

He wanted to be able to proudly show him that he'd done it. To him, the one who taught him everything...

But Sir wasn't here anymore.

Mirio tried to smile as he'd asked him to. He tried, and tried again, and again. But all that came out was an ugly grimace when he was alone. His fist pounded at his heart, which ached in a pain he'd never felt before. It was worse than any broken bone or torn muscle. 

Mirio tried to smile, to keep smiling. Sir had asked him to.

He wanted to honor his wishes. He wanted to show everyone that he was okay. He wanted to continue living his life as he had before. He wanted to continue being the goofy, bright, hardworking teen he always was

...There was so much that he wanted.

Sir had told him that he would be fine. That he could still be a hero, that he would be a hero. He trusted Sir. He trusted him to know what to do. He always had, again and again. But how...?

How was he supposed to be fine without him here? It felt like there was a hole in his chest where Sir once was. Thus, as soon as everyone left and he was alone, his smile left with them. So here he was, sitting in his room contemplating this empty space he felt in his heart.

He was startled by the door opening, and there stood Lucio, the nurse that was supposed to be ever-bright and positive. Yet the expression on his face was anything but.

"H-hello, Nurse Silvan! I-I'm sorry, I'm—"

"Don't apologize for being sad, kid." He told him, walking closer.

That was when a soft, blue light suddenly lit his room.

"It's okay to allow it to hurt. Grief isn't a type of pain you can just will away, as much as you want to. But you need to allow yourself to feel it, kid."

He watched as Lucio's skin darkened, the star-like freckles on his face spreading until he was like a personified universe. All of his stars were blue, his hair sharing its hue as it defied gravity just a tad.

"The pain your feeling is proof that you loved, proof that he lived, that he meant something to you. Don't hide that away, even if it feels so unbearable."

Mirio found that his eyes stung, but he allowed nothing to fall. He hadn't allowed himself to since Sir's passing. The ache he'd been trying to ignore hit him full force. He wouldn't allow it to show, he couldn't. "But he wanted me to smile. A world without smiles and humor doesn't have a bright future. So I... I..."

So he wanted to continue to smile.

"Kid..." Lucio embraced Mirio, his light warm, and inviting. He allowed his light to wrap around him, causing the boy to freeze. "There will be a time when you can say you're okay, but it doesn't have to be now. And that's okay."

It started with a tremble, it grew into hiccups, then sobs that evolved into full-blown wails of agony. All of his pain, his anger, and his sadness hit him with the force of a train. No longer could he stop them.

Lucio silently comforted him with his light. The deep blue hues steadily becoming brighter as he finally let some of his pain go, washing away slowly with his tears.

Now, back to the present, he could feel a bit embarrassed at the memory. He had cried for a very long time, but Lucio didn't mind that at all. After finally letting all of it out, Mirio felt better. The world started slowly regaining its color, and just as Lucio had said, even though it still hurt sometimes... He was okay.

Just like Sir said he'd be.

"Who knew that the bright and silly Lucio could have such depth?" He figured out that this fact was one of the reasons that Lucio worked with both the ER and the ICU. Aside from his obvious skills as a medic, his quirk was one of the most fascinating mutations he'd ever seen in action.

A sudden call broke him from thoughts.

"Hey! Miri! There you are!" Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Lucio's expression was as bright as he was as he slung an arm around his shoulder, "Been good?" 

"Yeah." Mirio found himself smiling a bit brighter. "I have. Neo's doing his tests today, right?"

The older man's hair lit up with golden sparkles, a sign that he was especially happy. "Yes! Come on! I was going to get Eri and head there now. We're the support!"

"That y'all are, Luci." Mrs. Silvan made her appearance, walking through the garden to get to the two boys heading her way. "You better take care of your niece and nephew, okay?"

Of course, the lady and her husband had already unofficially adopted the children as their grandkids. Heck, they were going to ask the children when they were ready if they wanted to make it official. They'd have those documents ready within minutes. Trust.

"Of course, Moms," He answered immediately. His hair softened to a more somber shade as he continued. "Those kids have been through too much. I want them to understand what it means to feel safe, to be happy, and express those feelings."

Lucio Silvan wore his heart on his sleeve. Well, in his hair. He was always the more empathic one of their family, and it only got stronger when he gained his quirk, which was categorized as a mutation within another mutation. A mega mix of his grandparent's quirks and his parent's quirks and you get his. He doesn't even have a proper name for his quirk because it's so different than what you'd normally expect.

Sure. He's a lightbulb, but he can control what type of light he gives out. His powers take the basis of being related to light, even going as far as to be able to mimic a star, literally, and use those as a freaking weapon if need be. Imagine being burned by a damn mini-sun. Do not anger this Silvan, please.

That leads to the other part of his quirk, the one he uses more often. He is an emotional radar, for his own emotions and everyone else's. If he focuses, he can calm someone or invoke another emotion within them. That's his main job on the ICU floors, which is to keep everyone's spirits up.

A very simple job for someone was positive as Lucio.

Then you have the mutation in his quirk. Lucio's default form is his glowing hair, happy sparkles look. But when the emotion becomes too potent for his default to ease through, he ends up going into his other form. This was seen when Mirio was mourning.

He also did this while Eri was recovering. He preened like a peacock when the little girl complimented him.

'You're so pretty... like a night sky! One that's full of stars!'

Needless to say, he shows her that form whenever she asks, especially when it gets dark. He's the coolest nightlight in existence and you can't tell him otherwise.

Lucio made it his mission to be assigned as Neo and Eri's personal nurse due to both their heavy emotions and the fact that he adored those kids. He took it upon himself to show them that the world wasn't only sadness.

"The world can be a bright place, too. Who better than me to show them that?" He said. "I do that for my siblings, my patients, and everyone else I meet when I can. And I'll do it for them, too."

Mrs. Silvan glomped her child, crying while exclaiming, "And I'm so proud of you!"

"Moms?!" No matter what he did, he could not escape his mother's vice-like embrace. His hair became a deep shade of pink thanks to his embarrassment, but he loved his mother's hugs so there were bits of happy yellow mixed in.

"I have to go and do my part for both of their cases. Take care of them for me boys."

"Of course, ma'am!" Mirio chirped, earning an endearing head pat from the older lady. The woman treated everyone as her grandkid. It was nice.

"Always." Lucio's hair sparkled with a determined apple red, and he found himself glomped once again.

"Oh, my wonderful kids. My little sunshine baby has grown up on me!"

"Hey!!" Yep, his hair was back to being entirely dark pink, Mirio laughing at the duo all the while.

"You too! Get in here!" Mrs. Silvan did not spare the young hero from the love either. Giving out hugs, advice, and just being wonderful people just seemed to run in their family.

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"Bakugou, come here for a moment," Aizawa called him over suddenly, getting a few inquisitive looks from the class. Suspiciously, Deku had this.... knowing look on his face that irked him. What the hell was this about? He was already irritated because he wouldn't be able to visit Tin Can this week because of the damn festival, he didn't feel like getting more irritated because of Deku looking at him like that.

"What." He asked, more like demanded, curtly.

"The problem child wants to come to the festival to see you. Just thought you should know."

And with that, every ounce of irritation vanishes like smoke. "What?"

Aizawa continued on as if he didn't just flip Bakugou's entire mindset with those two sentences. "He's coming to the festival as his first exposure to people. He..." A genuine smile appears on his face, "He has something he's been waiting to say to you, enough to face his fear of people over. I thought you should know."

What the fuck?

When the fuck was this decision made?

'Tin Can is coming here?'

Suddenly, the performance and practice he'd been doing didn't seem like enough.

That night, everyone's practice was especially taxing. Bakugou wouldn't settle for a single mistake. He didn't just want to kill U.A. with their sound, he wanted to absolutely obliterate them with it. This performance couldn't just be good, it needed to be fucking amazing.

'Tin Can is coming here.'

The Bakusquad, who managed to somehow get the news out of him, was just as determined. Mina went harder on her dances, fixing every mistake she saw the others doing. Kirishima and Sero made sure their effects act was on point. Kaminari was working hard too. It became more than just a fun activity for them to do together, or their way to indirectly apologize to the other classes.

That little robot that had run into Bakugou's arms crying his little eyes out was coming here. That child that didn't understand memes and laughter was coming here. The little bot that they'd all gotten close to and were determined to keep safe was coming to their school, to watch their performance.

There was only one thing they could do with that information.

"It's gotta be the best."

"Can't make a single mistake."

"Has to be wonderful for his first experience outside. It has to be just right!"

"For our Robo-bro!"

"FOR ROBO-BRO!" 

The entire squad had a figurative fire burning in them.

"Idiots."

Katsuki may have said that, but he was the one with the most passion out of all of them. A volcanic eruption of determination builds in him as he makes the most explosive rhythm on the drums. Even the others had to pause to gawk at his sudden eagerness to perform.

'What did Aizawa say to him?!'

Izuku just wore a knowing look on his face as he continues to practice his part in the dance, not saying a single thing about Katsuki's 'enthusiasm'.

Good thing the drums were quirk-proof because he truly was going to make 'kill them with our sound' a reality.

'I'll show you the best damn performance you've ever seen!'

The others, feeling ramped up by the others' passionate displays, decided to work harder too. That was how a week of preparation passed for them.

Chapter Text

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..."

Neo thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.'

Neo's mainframe/AI: [It will look like this.]

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

"Eri!" Mirio burst through her door, a gigantic smile on his face at the sight of the little girl.

"Hello, Lemillion." Eri was in a pretty little dress, an apple red purse at her side. "Are you here to cheer on Neo, too?"

"Yes he is," A sparkling nurse made his presence known, "and so am I!"

"Hi, Luci." Her eyes twinkled at the sight of her favorite nurse.

"Good morning, My Little Starbit!" He said, scooping her up from the floor. "You ready to go?"

"Yes! Little Brother needs me." There was determination on her now chubby and round face. "We're helping him with his power today, right?"

"That's right, Starbit," Lucio stated. "See, Pops has been analyzing his 'quirk' since he's been here. Neo doesn't understand every facet of it, and we want to help him with it. We don't want what happened last time to happen again."

"Last time?"

"The day you two met, sweetheart." He begins, "While it was a wonderful thing that he met someone as absolutely amazing as you," Eri blushed happily at that, "He'd been really scared by his sudden new form. He doesn't understand his 'quirk' at all. This has something to do with his amnesia."

"A-am-amne—"

"Amnesia, Starbit. It means a loss of memory. Moms diagnosed him with a severe case of retrograde amnesia. What that means is that he can't remember anything from before a certain point. Everything from his past is a blank slate. Empty. Gone. Poof. It's also sensitive, which is why those that will be getting close to him, like McBlast, his group, his doctors, and us are informed of the bare minimum of that."

Not everyone was receiving this information. That was an absolute breach in their policies. But Neo had guardians and friends that needed to know so they could properly take care of him while they were visiting, and in the future when he goes to them. This session that they were doing today was for the same reason.

They needed to know more about Neo, and to get that information, they needed to see what he could and could not do.

"That sounds horrible... He must have been really scared to wake up and not remember anything." Mirio was shocked. He'd known that the little bot's memory was a touchy subject but he hadn't realized it was that bad.

"It was." Lucio was somber at the reminder, his hair giving off a soft blue hue. "Pops and Moms have been doing their best to help him with it, though. Since he got here we've been analyzing his quirk and physique. He's amazing!" His hair steadily became pink again, "While we don't know everything, we know enough to try and help him with it. Today, our focus is energy!"

"Energy?" Eri asked, before realization hit her. "Oh yeah! He told me that his energy was low the other day, though I couldn't understand everything he told me." She admitted. "Granny Kio told me my hugs gave her energy, so I give him a hug too, every time I see him! He said he likes my hugs."

"What a wonderful thing to do, Starbit," Lucio cooed, squishing his cheek to hers as she was tickled by his happy yellow sparkles.

Where the nickname "Starbit" came from? First, he loved Super Mario Galaxy, he even has different colored luma plushies in his room. Second, Eri is as sweet as honey and had a brightness that could rival his own. She was the smallest bit of a growing star, that would only glow brighter as she grew.

If that wasn't a 'starbit' he didn't know what was.

If Aizawa's quirk wasn't a perfect counter for Eri's, he would've adopted her the minute he could. But that plan did not work out, so now he is the adoring uncle that casually plans to give her the world. Maybe the galaxy? Probably the universe while he's at it.

Of course, Neo was also getting this same treatment, though he had to be delicate in showering the little bot with his abundance of love and affection.

"Your sparkles tickle, Luci." She said, but she loved the attention she was getting. It was so different from before, only the purest affection being shown to her. It was so nice... Safe and warm, content. Ever since she was rescued, her guilt and shame were steadily being overcast by these wonderful feelings.

'Is this what having a family feels like?'

Her lips kept twitching upwards, almost becoming that expression she'd long forgotten.

'Is this what being loved feels like?'

She was even more determined than before.

'I want Neo to know this feeling too.'

Getting back on topic, Mirio speaks up, "Our little friend wants to gain energy first, right?" Both Eri and Lucio nodded their heads.

"That's what he told Pops when we asked what he wanted to work on first," Lucio explained. "Apparently, his baby form is because his battery is too low for him to grow! We are going to be his moral support in case he gets scared by any changes he might see."

"Moral support?" Eri asked. Lucio and Mirio nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah! Just you being there is a great idea! You guys are like a packaged deal! He never wants to go anywhere if it isn't with you."

"That's right, sweetheart. He feels safe with you."

"Go, Big Sis Eri!" Mirio cheered.

"Big Sis Eri is the best!" Lucio agreed, yellow sparkles flying.

The boys went back and forth, chanting 'Big Sis Eri! Big Sis Eri!' like it was their good luck prayer.

Honestly, it was. Eri was too pure and lovely not to be some form of positive charm. How could such a wonderful child exist?

Her lips threatened to move upwards once again. Her eyes sparkled in delight and bits of pink dusted her round cheeks. "Big sis Eri..." She whispered to herself, determination shining in her apple-red eyes.

She loved being a sister. It was the best. She loved that Neo felt safe with her and that she could provide that feeling for him. It was the most beautiful thing ever.

It was like this that they finally made it to his room door.

"Everyone got their shades? It's especially bright in this room due to the sun lamps." Lucio asked.

"Yep!" Mirio flicked them out of his pocket, putting them on his face as if he was too cool for this world, "You got yours Eri?"

"Yes!" She had red ones, yet another gift from Lucio.

Lucio didn't actually need shades, as his eyes were naturally adjusted to dealing with brightness thanks to his quirk, but he put on some bedazzled ones just for the hell of it. "Then let's go!"

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Leo Silvan was on the large hospital bed with Neo sitting on his lap, an intrigued expression on his little face. The doctor was showing him a few of his scans. Neo was a curious child, asking the Doctor lots of questions to which Leo readily gave him the answers. He did so until Neo pointed to a certain core, located at the center of what would have been his collarbone.

"What is this core's function?" He asked, pointing at the screen before him. It was his own body, or more specifically, his cores. There were several small ones throughout his body, with the largest three being his 'heart core' which held his 'soul', his 'control core' which carried his memories and systems, and a third core they did not quite know the function of.

Neo was sure that this core was related to one of his locked systems.

"It's a mystery I'm still trying to solve, lad." Dr. Silvan shook his head. "From what little I can tell, it's acting as a second battery. What energy it's holding is beyond me, though. My scans can't identify it."

That in itself was an amazing feat. Dr. Leo Silvan had encountered many things, learning what he could as his quirk required him to know what something was to properly identify it. He'd traveled the world with his family, spotting countless new things in his lifetime. He was certain that nothing could truly surprise him in this weird, superpowered world.

And then came Neo, tossing that mindset out the window just by existing.

"Hm..." Neo saved that information to his files. It was more than he knew about it, and that was enough for now. Because it was locked away from him, he couldn't access it more than physically feeling it there. He could not tell what type of energy was within it, nor could he use it at all.

Just what is this core's function...?

He would have to leave that mystery for another day.

That was when he noticed the extra people in the room, and his mood lifted instantly. "Eri."

"Hello, Neo." She greeted back. "Are you ready?"

Lucio let Eri down to the floor, as did Dr. Silvan with Neo. The children immediately went to each other, as their way of greeting was, of course, hugs.

"Yes." He answered. Neo looked up at her, as he was shorter than her by a foot. His eyes were whirling, recording Eri as he always did. Right now, she was content. It was a very good emotion he wanted Eri to always feel. He did not like seeing her sad.

Then he noticed the other two by the door. "Lucio Silvan." He gave a passing glance toward the only blonde in the room, "...Mirio Togata."

"Hey Neo!" Mirio responded jovially, completely ignoring the obvious hesitance Neo showed. 

See, they were trying to help him subtly with his fear of new people by having him interact with Mirio and some of the nurse staff more regularly. Izuku's rambling questions did not help this issue at all. While Izuku hadn't meant to, he really wore out Neo's social meter.

Aizawa reprimanded Izuku for a very long time after they left. In Neo's case, Izuku was permanently the 'Strange Human', much to the greenette's dismay and everyone else's amusement. Neo had actually put 'Strange Midoriya' as his name in his data, He refused to change it.

He also had All Might as 'Strange'. He was still very confused as to how that human was still alive with his injuries.

Now, Mirio and Lucio were working together as a sort of damage control, easing Neo into a more sociable lifestyle. They found that when Neo's with someone he knows, it is easier to introduce him to someone new. They picked up on this when Neo spent time with the Bakusquad while Bakugou was present.

Since Bakugou wasn't here, obviously, they went to the only other person that fit the bill: Eri, the wonderful, lovely little Eri. Though during these two days, in times when Eri wasn't present, Mirio would go from being a stranger to just being air, barely given a glance.

'It took two whole days to get him to greet me at all...'

When Izuku tried to visit again, he was treated worse than air. It was like he didn't even exist, and Neo actively keep his distance from him. They weren't kidding when the said that his social meter had reached the limit of low. If it was a three out of ten before, it went down to a one and stayed there. He hardly wanted anything to do with anyone after their meeting. It was that bad.

The upside? At least it wasn't fear. This was a good start. No, a great start. If they could lessen his wariness to something more tolerable, then they could safely say that he would do okay around crowds. This was their goal. Knowing that this glaring problem had a reasonably sound solution, they were able to concentrate on other things.

'Next step, get them both to smile!'

Mirio was optimistic, as were the other adults.

"How are your energy levels since last time, Neo?" Dr. Silvan held the little robot once again. Neo didn't mind this, having gotten used to this type of treatment by the Silvan couple. They would often pick him up and carry him, give him head pats, and praise him when he did something.

It felt... nice. He did not dislike this feeling.

"Current Energy Level: 9.55%," He answered.

"Wow, that really is low," Mirio commented. "How much charge does he get on a good day?"

"Hm..." Leo had to think about it for a moment, "3.2% a day, if not a bit less."

"That charging speed is awful," Lucio stated, his hair flaring orange. "If my phone took that long to charge, I'd go insane."

"You will lose your mind?" Neo asked, slightly concerned. Seeing this, Lucio's hair flashed back to its pinkish yellow.

"Ah. No, no, Neo. It's just a saying." Lucio then took out his phone and showed it to Neo. "My phone is my most used item. I use it for a lot of things." He explained. "It can not work on such a low charge though. I would be very frustrated if I could not get it to work properly."

"Understood." Neo was a child that explaining things helped him understand. The greater detail, the better. "This unit is also... 'frustrated'." Neo said, surprising everyone. "Charging speed is not ideal. Another source of energy is needed."

He wanted AI back, and he wanted his other functions back. While he did not hate being small thanks to the many things he's experienced in this form, he hated feeling as helpless as he did right now.

It was very frustrating.

"Well, hopefully, we can figure that out today," Leo said. With that said, they got right to business. The renowned doctor carefully picked up the little bot and placed him on the large hospital bed. He sat in a comfy chair in front of him, while the others made themselves at home in the room. Eri, of course, was placed beside Neo.

"We've established that your form correlates almost directly with your energy level, right?"

"Yes."

"The more energy you have, the more freely you can adjust your size, or in your case, age, to something you are comfortable with, correct?"

"Correct."

"At the moment, we only have sunlight lamps and daylight to give you energy. But your body is able to handle other forms of power, such as electricity. I've seen it." Leo stated, remembering how they brought him back on that dreadful day. With a thoughtful expression, he asked, "Neo, could you show me the cables beneath your helm?"

In a wonder of movement, his helmet receded, revealing the thick cables that acted as his 'hair'.

"Are you able to freely control this part of your body? No, change its shape? Since your body is malleable when changing form."

"Yes. I can control every part of my body." Neo stated, almost confidently if you paid attention to his mostly monotone, robotic voice. "Why?"

The doctor reached into his pocket, pulling out an outlet plug. "The ends of your hair cables... When I scanned them, they seemed to be able to shift. Do you think you can shape them like this outlet plug?"

It was then that everyone in the room was catching on to what the doctor was suggesting. Lucio's hair lit up with a festive green, showing his growing excitement. "He really is like a phone! Come on, try it, Neo!" He encouraged.

Eri held his hand and nodded her head when he glanced at her.

"Okay." They watched in amazement when his cables extended, lifting into the air like writhing snakes with their own minds. His eyes gave off an eerie blue glow as he scanned the object in Dr. Silvan's hand. That glow then traveled from the lines of his face to the tips of his cables, the tips softening as they molded themselves into the exact same shape.

"Wow!" Eri gasped. "Good job, Neo! That was really cool."

Neo felt something swell within his core. An emotion that he didn't quite understand but did not hate in the slightest. He was... happy that Eri was impressed with his ability. He wanted to show her more and receive more praise from her.

Everyone else seemed to be very pleased with this development, too. The doctor reigned in his urge to pat the child on his head as he continued with his next line of thought. "I think you should be able to drain energy by plugging your cables into the wall. I don't know how well it will help you, but it should indeed give you a boost in energy. Would you like to try it?"

Neo didn't answer him verbally, instead extending his cables to the nearest port and immediately plugging himself in. The effect he got was immediate.

[New source of energy confirmed. Target: 15%. Commencing Charge.]

The entire building's lights flickered. They switched on and off with greater speed, alarming zaps echoing everywhere until finally, the building blacked out completely. That was followed by every building connected to the same power line, the backup generators, and whatever line they were connected to as well.

The entire block went into a blackout.

Chaos ensued not long after with the nurses struggling to get their equipment back functioning. The only sources of light anywhere were the sun, Lucio, and Neo, as his cables gave off a harsh blue glow as they drained everything voraciously.

Everyone in the room was shocked, all except Neo.

A notification he'd been waiting to see had finally appeared.

[Goal reached.]
[Energy Level: 150/1000]
[Returning to Passive Mode. AI Assistance is now available.]

Followed by a familiar, feminine voice. One that he'd known for a very long time, longer than anyone here.

[This AI promises never to leave you alone again, Neo.]

When the power cut back on just a few seconds after, everyone had another thing to be shocked about: Neo had changed once again.

Chapter Text

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..."

Neo thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.'

AI speaking to Neo (in mind): [It will look like this.]

AI speaking to others: [It will look like this.]

Neo's Mainframe: {It will look like this.}

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

AI, you've returned. Neo thought. His core felt the lightest it ever had. He could hear her voice again; he could feel her presence again within his mainframe. All of his worries melted away, leaving a peace that he'd never felt before.

[Yes.] She stated. [I see that these... humans have been helping you.]

Her voice carried a certain tightness within it. AI did not like humans, and for understandable reasons. But she understood that these humans had earned a degree of Neo's trust, especially the little one, Eri. She had seen it.

The moment AI came back online, she flitted through the memories that Neo had without her there. They filtered into her separate mind instantly, and she regretted everything.

The power core within his antennae is essentially her. She can gather her own power, acting as a separate yet cohesive part of him. But since coming online in that ruined building, she had little to no power within her core. Because of this, she ran mostly on Neo's gathered energy, which had reached absolute zero during the Kamino incident.

But she was still active thanks to the infinitesimal energy she had. This little bit of energy is the true reason that the others were still able to save Neo even after he'd used up everything.

She kept him from true death, using her energy to the fullest to keep his soul within the heart core in his chest.

When Neo can't fend for himself, she is the first line of emergency defense. She is his shield when things become too much, able to take over when he can't. Normally, though she herself can not remember, she would have a physical form able to protect him better.

But just like her charge, she could not remember anything before waking in the ruins. She was just a gathering of data within his mainframe now, only able to protect him by keeping his body intact and activating his auto-reset the moment she could.

If she could, she would eliminate everyone and everything that ever hurt her Neo. If she could, she would put them through everything they made him go through, only making it ten times worse and two times longer for her own vengeful satisfaction. If she could... if only she could...

But she could not. She was but a gathering of data now. If she had been anything more than that, she didn't know anymore. There was no way for her to recover those damaged memories. They were shredded beyond repair, even auto-reset could do nothing, opting to create a new file for them to grow. She felt so useless.

While she had these thoughts, those intruders came, probing through his mind. They were humans, and none of them were 'Bakugo, Katsuki', who earned her Neo's trust and tried to save him. They were immediately designated as hostile. How dare they come into her charge's mind while he was finally healing?

AI was enraged.

She had drained what little power she had driving those intruders out. She didn't know that she would fall into such a deep slumber because of it. She could feel his fear when he woke without her, and it was yet another thing she added to her long list of regrets.

[This AI could not protect you properly. I am so sorry.]

You did protect me. Neo assured her firmly. You are AI. You are my support. Your existence is everything to me.

Neo could feel her smiling within his mainframe. [You are also my everything, Neo.] He could feel her presence wrap around him as if giving him a hug. [You... are my hope.]

Tears welled up in his optics at that familiar phrase.

Amá.

Of all the many things that she'd given him, this was one of the most precious. Her feelings, her protectiveness, all of them culminated into one being he'd always known: AI.

He put the pieces together fairly quickly, now that his memory had been partially repaired. It was no wonder he was so attached to AI, why her presence brought him such peace and security while still trapped in that horrible place.

Even if they didn't remember anymore. In a way, the pieces of themselves that were left truly did never leave each other.

[I am sorry I have caused emotional instability.]

No. I do not understand why tears are falling. I am not sad. I am enjoying your hugs. I... missed them.

[Understood. This AI will give you metaphysical 'hugs' often.]

This was the moment the lights cut back on, followed by the shocked gasps of the other occupants of the room.

"Neo!" Lucio called out, effectively getting the bot's attention. He tilted his head, confused by why they seemed so shocked. "Your body!"

It was then that he noticed that Eri, who was beside him, seemed to be a lot smaller than she was before. Humans don't shrink, at least, not without having that corresponding quirk. Eri did not have a shrinking quirk, she dealt with genetic reversal and evolution.

So why is Eri shorter than this unit...?

"Hm?" His vocal processor had changed slightly, his voice was a bit deeper now. It was still a lot more pitched up than when he was in his taller form, but it was lower than he'd recently been.

What happened?

"Why... Eri... Smaller...?" He had to readjust to his own voice again. It felt odd using it. Why?

"No... you got bigger, Neo!" She explained, gazing upon him with sparkling eyes.

"I... grew...?"

"Yeah!" She said, "You look a little older than me now!" At this, she went into deep thought.

'Does this mean I'm the little sister now?'

The moment Neo began to slightly panic, that thought was tossed aside.

'No, I am his big sister no matter how much taller he becomes!'

"Everything's okay! You're okay!"

[It is okay, Neo. This change is a part of your newly restored systems. We can look through them in-depth together.]

They both reassured him at the same time, each giving him their version of a hug. Immediately, he calmed. This... was really nice. He liked receiving both of their hugs. Though he had to lean down a little bit, he returned Eri's hug while mentally doing the same for AI.

"So this is what happens when you reach an energy requirement?" Dr. Silvan asked, carefully looking over Neo's new form. His eyes gave off a soft, pink glow as he used his quirk to get a more in-depth scan of him, "How curious... It's not quite right to just say you got bigger... How do you feel?"

"Unknown. Different... from previous... mode."

"Don't worry, Neo." Eri held his hand, which was now just a little bigger than her own, "We'll figure it out together."

"Okay." He was relieved at that. Being truly alone when it first happened had been scary.

[Hm...] AI's emoticon expression shifted pleasantly as she studied Eri, both present and through Neo's memories. It was good that she did not have to worry about Neo being hurt by this child. Quite the opposite, actually. It was a nice contrast to what they'd been subjected to in the past.

[This child has showcased many instances of protective behaviors towards you, Neo.]

Yes. This is my friend. Eri is a good human.

[Understood.] She said. [If she is your friend, she is also my friend.]

{Notice: 'Eri' is now recognized as an Amity.}
{Total Amity Recorded: 2.}
{Katsuki Bakugo, Eri.}

Query: What is an 'Amity'?

[Amity: A designation gifted to those who have reached a certain minimum of trust with this unit. Their soul flow is recorded and can be tracked thanks to this unit's model: 001.]

Query: Is it possible to make all of our 'friends' an Amity?

AI wasn't sure how to answer this question. Flitting through every file she had access to, she came up with the most viable answer. [I am not sure. Amity can be considered this unit's equivalent of 'family'. Only these two and a few select individuals have met that type of requirement.]

Query: Are there others you believe qualify, AI?

[Dr. Silvan, Mrs. Silvan, Lucio Silvan, and Shota Aizawa.] AI looked through each and every memory she had of each of them. She studied them top to bottom, inside and out, meticulously. 

Dr. Silvan and his wife were constants within his memory now. Each day, they helped him, whether it be by answering his questions or simply taking care of his needs. They were doting, kind, and patient with her charge, enough for her to deem them worthy of the title.

Lucio was just as caring, if not even more so. He made sure that everything was alright with Neo. He would often come within the wee hours of the night, giving off a special light that gave Neo an extra boost in power. When his parents weren't around, he told him about all of the different places he and his family had been, satiating her charge's queries about the world that she couldn't.

The Silvans were caretakers, through and through. They gave love in its purest form, and AI was forever thankful for it.

That brought her to Shota Aizawa.

He visited more often than she was sure he'd ever admit. When Neo wasn't with Eri or the Silvans, it was usually this man he was with. He showcased his care in quiet ways. Picking him up when he was overwhelmed, helping him open doors he was too small for, and answering all of his questions. When something would come up, he asked Neo how he felt about it, never doing something without his approval first.

It was the way he was somehow always there, silently watching over him that AI was more than grateful for.

Neo felt this too, which is why she thought they qualified for that title along with Katsuki and Eri.

Katsuki gave him hope that where he was wasn't the end. He was the first one, the very first human they ever put any form of trust in, and stayed by him since.

Eri showed him that safety existed for those who had been hurt before. She showed him that there was a future for him.

And these people proved that it was true, and kept that small light from leaving again.

"So," Dr. Silvan asked, carefully looking over Neo's new form. His eyes gave off a soft, pink glow as he used his quirk to get a more in-depth scan of him, "It seems you've... aged up? It's not quite right to just say you got bigger."

He paused his scans, looking upon the bot with a more hopeful, slightly apologetic expression. "Has your counterpart returned?"

"Hm..." Neo had a thoughtful look on his face, the occupants of the room eagerly awaiting his reply. AI, do you wish to meet these humans?

[Yes.]

{Projecting Artificial Neural Assistant Intelligence...}

His electric blue eyes whirled, shrinking until they became pinpricks. Eri recognized it from when he'd done it before. He was projecting something. Everyone watched as the blue line of light slowly materialized an image. With bated breaths, they all waited for what they were about to see...

Only to be met with a chibi, robotic emoji with a little body? Was it doing a curtsy?

[Nice to meet you. I am AI.]

Before chaos could properly ensue in the room, the door was almost violently slammed open. A new face the children hadn't seen before barreling through the entrance.

Neo quickly hid Eri behind him, startled by the sudden intrusion.

Mirio was alert, shocked by the door almost literally coming off the henges.

Only Dr. Silvan and Lucio weren't surprised. No, it was more like they were expecting it to happen.

"What is happening in here?!" The new lady exclaimed. "The entire building and every building this side of town lost power! All of it from this room! What—"

"Sorry about that, Reme." Dr. Silvan stated, surprising everyone at the fact that he wasn't surprised to see her. "How are the patients?"

"They're okay, thankfully. The power wasn't out for long."

"...The nurses?"

"A fucking mess."

"Young lady!" Dr. Silvan admonished, "No coarse language in front of the grandchildren!"

She then noticed the little ones in the room, promptly shutting her mouth after adding, "Do not repeat the bad word I said, children. That is for adults, okay?"

"Okay!"

"...Understood?"

[To be determined.]

"But seriously, Papa, what happened in here?"

"""'Papa'?"""

Lucio took that as his moment to give introductions. "Yep! Neo, Eri, Miri, Miss AI, this is my big sister! The current head administrator of the Silvan Hospital, Remedy Silvan. Hey, Reme!"

"...Yo." She greeted nonchalantly. "So, is anyone going to explain, or what?"

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Higari Maijima, locally known as Power Loader, was a workaholic loner.

When his day as the support course instructor was over, he wasn't the type to hang out with friends or chill at home. No. He was in his lab, surrounded by his tools enjoying the mechanical peace of it all.

"Alright then, I won't get much time to work on you until the festival's over so..." He brought out his specialized tools, heading over to the most secluded area of his private tech lab. A table was there, lit up by the well-placed lamps. Atop it was a series of different parts, so complicated in the design that there was no telling how long it took to repair them.

"Let's get started!" He said, excited at the prospect of building.

Hours passed as he silently worked on his favorite pastime. Years ago, long before he joined U.A., he'd found this... marvelous thing during one of his outings. It was broken beyond recognition, but even as a young engineer at the time, he could tell about the absolute marvel that was the piece of then very broken technology.

Many of the inventions he created were inspired by this find. He spent years trying to find who made it, when, where, and how, but no matter what, he could find nothing. It was as if it came from thin air, a wonder, a blessing given to him.

So every single day, he spent whatever free time he got meticulously repairing it. When he joined U.A., of course, he brought it with him. Here, he had access to better materials. It was a no-brainer for him.

Time ticked away, Maijima humming a tune as the pieces steadily came together. But time waits for no one. If he didn't return to get some semblance of rest, he'd never survive dealing with his most troublesome yet ingenious student, Mei Hatsume.

"I want to know what you were."

When one looked closely, it was impossible to tell what it all was, but if you took a step back...

An antenna on its helm, broken yet slowly being put together...

A strange glass-like orb in its chest with strange writing he could never figure out...

And the faded label...

"One day, I'll get you working, 002."

Chapter Text

Art Sketch Drawn By Me! 

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..."

Neo thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.'

AI speaking to Neo (in mind): [It will look like this.]

AI speaking to others: [It will look like this.]

Neo's Mainframe: {It will look like this.}

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

Remedy Silvan was a beauty of a woman with chocolate skin freckled with stars, luscious lips, and a lovely figure. Her right eye was like her mother's, amethyst purple, while her left was like her dad's, pink. She takes after her mother in height, standing at an impressive 6'2. She is the eldest of the Silvan children, turning 32 this year.

She was the administrator of the hospital. As such, not much gets past her. She knew of Neo and Eri, and her influence was the reason the security on their floors was at its highest during their most vulnerable times. Honestly, she too had wanted to meet them at least once, but she never got the chance to do so.

Until now, because of a blackout.

"Okay. Let me get this straight." Remedy messaged her forehead, trying to organize the onslaught of information she'd just gotten, "This little cutie right here is the cause of the blackout?" She gestured to Neo, who was still standing protectively in front of Eri.

"Yes," Dr. Silvan answered, "accidentally. We were trying to fix his charging issue."

"These darlings are the little miracle babies Luci has been blowing my phone up about?"

"YES—" Lucio sparkled. "—Agh..." Before Dr. Silvan quickly slapped the suppressor cap back on him, "Stupid ugly muscle cap...!"

The black cap seemed to flex at him hauntingly, and Lucio could practically hear its imaginary laughter at his misery.

"It doesn't look that bad, Luci..." Eri tried to comfort him. "Maybe we can add glitter to it later? Would that help you feel better?"

The freckles on his face glowed softly as he smiled, "Yes, that would make me feel so much better sweetheart. Thank you." Doing any activity with Eri would make him happy, honestly. He's still trying to figure out how to give her the universe.

"Eri? Define... 'glitter'." Neo said, tilting his head in question. He had since retracted his cables, his helm returning to its passive state once again. AI was back now, and she would be able to tell him when a situation was dangerous. Aside from worry and relief, the human that had come in, Remedy, was not a danger to him.

"Oh! It's this really sparkly stuff you can put on pictures." She pulled out a small card from her red purse, on it was a lovely picture she had drawn with Luci not long ago. "Like this one."

Neo's eyes whirled, saving it to his files. "Recorded. Query: What did... Eri Draw?"

"An apple!" She said. "There are red ones, green ones, yellow ones, and even one that has a little bit of everything! And they're really sweet." She remembered when Mirio brought her some apples just the other day. They were wonderful! And he promised that candy apples would be even sweeter!

She still wasn't sure how something like that could be possible, but she couldn't wait to find out.

[Neo.] AI called out, getting his undivided attention. [I will return to your mainframe for now.] With a mental confirmation from Neo, she began to fade from view, alarming Eri and the others.

"What's happening to her?" Mirio asked.

"Are you okay?" Lucio followed.

"Yes," Neo answered. "AI is... only returning... to my mainframe."

"You're leaving?" Eri asked, a bit saddened. "I would have liked to talk with you more..."

Neo often spoke of AI, and Eri had been very eager to finally meet someone he held so dear to him. 

[I wish for Neo to regain energy as quickly as possible. The process is slowed while projecting me, thus I will return.] AI explained. [Do not worry. I will still be able to hear, see, and converse with you through Neo.]

"So, you're leaving, but also not leaving?" Eri tilted her head this time.

[Yes.]

"...I'm a bit confused."

[Do not worry. You will understand eventually.]

"Okay..."

With a final curtsy, AI faded away, retreating to Neo's mind. For Neo, nothing really changed. He could still feel her watching everyone as he always had. She was back to being a little floating emoji within his mind. But for everyone else, she completely disappeared from view.

"So, she's still here?"

"Yes," Neo answered. "AI would... like to know... more about... your 'pictures'."

"Sure!" With that, Eri's spirits were lifted.

While the children chatted away, Dr. Silvan continued to address his daughter. They made space for the children, leaving to the side of the room. "How bad was it?"

"Well, not as bad as it could have been, thankfully." She answered. "All of the systems are back online now and," She checked her phone, reading through all of her messages before nodding, "the patients that had a bit of trouble due to the loss of power are stable."

She meant the patients on life-support in the hospital. Thanks to quirk advances and their own medical prowess, that number had dwindled considerably, but there were still many who, sadly, that wasn't enough for. It was lucky that they had people on standby with quirks that could sustain the patient should anything like this happen, or the hospital would have had deaths on hand...

At this, Dr. Silvan nodded, relieved. "That's good. I didn't think he would zap the energy from the building like that. I should have been more careful..."

"I don't think anyone could have predicted he'd drain the building like a starving vacuum." Remedy said, glancing over to the children.

A smile almost escaped her stern facade as she watched them chatting with Lucio, who was doing his job as emotional support beautifully.

'I want to meet them... They're so cute, like my little buns at home.'

Luci had been telling her every single day about how wonderful they were. Despite her rational and stern exterior, she is a family woman at heart. Her little ones aren't much older than these sweeties in front of her...

Wouldn't it be cute if they met? Oh, maybe she could ask if they were up to having a playdate? Wait, what if that was too early? She didn't want to overwhelm the darlings... She'll ask when her mother returns from settling their case details. Remedy and Kioku were working hand in hand on it, both had connections with the police and heroes.

For a time, she was a hero, so of course she'd have some connections. She even owns an agency, Silvanus. It was more than just a hero agency, though. It doubled as a medical school, a branch of her mother's photography business, and her own modeling establishment.

Of course, there was much more where that came from, but it would be too much to list here. She was a Silvan, it was in her blood to be successful in everything she does. Though she would gladly say that out of all of the jobs she has, her favorite is that of a mother.

And her motherly instincts were going haywire right now.

Remedy slowly made her way to the kids. Neo was the first to notice her, of course, and his guard was up immediately. She didn't mind this, though. It was natural for someone in Neo's situation to be wary around strangers. Heck, she applauded him for being so.

She knelt down, a gentle smile on her face as she spoke, "Hello, sweetheart. I'm sure you know already thanks to Lucio's introduction early, but my name's Remedy. Is it okay for me to ask you a few questions?"

Neo, slowly, eased his stance as he tilted his head. "Yes?"

Remedy had to hold in the urge to squish his round little cheeks. "Ehem. Are you able to regulate that power drainage of yours? It would hurt a lot of people if the power went out like that again."

At that, Neo frowned. His brow plates furrowed as his eyes began to whirl.

Query: Is this unit bad?

[No, Neo. You have never and will never be bad.] AI said firmly. For her, Neo could destroy a hundred buildings and she still wouldn't see him as bad. No way. Never. Her Neo was the best.

"Did I... hurt someone...?" Neo, however, was having a hard time believing that. He was devastated at the very thought of possibly hurting someone. It would make him no better than those hostile humans if he hurt someone meaninglessly! Was he a hostile Neo now?

"No no no, dear." Remedy clarified quickly, noticing his distress, "Thankfully that didn't happen. But things like this are indeed dangerous for the patients. Some of them need power for their equipment. It keeps them healthy."

"Recorded. What is... recommended... for charging intake?"

"Hm..." Remedy had to think about that one. "Is there a way for you to charge while only affecting the room you are in? That would be best."

AI was already doing the calculations as Remedy was speaking. After a moment, she answered Neo's silent question.

[10 points of energy for every hour. This is the maximum this unit can absorb without adversely affecting the building.]

"Yes. It is... possible. AI can... regulate... charge." Neo nodded. He was pleased that he hadn't hurt anyone. He would make sure not to do that again.

"That's good! Thank you both very much." She gently patted him on his head.

"...Welcome..." His cheeks were dusted with a bit of blue. What was this? This human's head pats reminded him a lot of when Mrs. Silvan did it. Unconsciously, he relaxed, silently enjoying the show of affection. Seeing him relax, Eri peeked curiously from behind him.

Remedy had to hold in the urge to squish her round cheeks too. How were these kids so cute? "Hi, baby." She greeted.

"H-Hello..." Eri said, a bit shy. "Your horns..." She had been silent before because she couldn't help staring at Remedy's horns. "They're really pretty."

The lady giggled softly, "Thank you, honey."

Remedy's horns were a mutation she inherited from their grandparents. They were ridged bovine horns, similar to that of a ram. They were a darker shade of brown than her long, dread-style hair, curving backward like a magnificent, natural crown. She was a fashionable person, decorating her horns with silver trinkets and jewels that just added to their luster.

"I like yours, too." Remedy complimented honestly. She thought Eri's horn was cute, like a baby. Only one of her boys inherited her horns, while her other baby got more of their father's quirk. She had a horrible habit of taking pictures of their little, quirky attributes and putting them into a scrapbook she titled "My Precious Bunbuns".

'I'll add a page for these two, too. Mom's probably already started.'

Kioku had, indeed, already begun making a scrapbook of memories for the two.

Eri, however, didn't see what Remedy saw. "My horn... it's bad." She lightly touched it, frowning at the thought of what it meant, what it represented. Eri's horn wasn't anything like that.

"It's a curse." It was a tiny, cursed thing to her. She didn't think her horn could ever be something so pretty. 

"Nonsense, your horn is just as lovely as you are." Remedy said firmly. She gave Neo a glance, asking for his permission to pass. After a moment, he stepped aside, allowing her to be in front of Eri. She was a safe human, both he and AI confirmed that. So he allowed her to get closer to Eri, who also allowed it.

If Eri showed any sign of apprehension, he was not going to budge. It was that simple.

Looking her directly in her apple-red eyes, Remedy continued. "You, and everything about you, is a beautiful gift. You are a blessing on this earth and nothing less. No matter what anyone has said, your horn, your quirk, and you are special. One day, you'll be able to see that too."

Eri couldn't fathom the amount of warmth in her gaze. This lady really was just like her mom and her brother. They were full of love and care, so much that it overflowed within every word they said and every action they made.

"I will?" She asked.

"I'm certain you will." Remedy answered. "Both you and Neo are precious."

"I am... precious...?" Neo asked.

"Absolutely." There was no doubt in Remedy's mind as she once again had to withhold her urge to just hug them. She could see why Luci was asking for help in giving them the universe. Her little buns at home, combined with these two buns right here... Yep, she needed to look up how to give the multiverse.

Eri didn't know what to say to something so heartfelt. Were all of the Silvans this wonderful? After gathering her courage, a question bubbled up. One that she never thought she'd ask in regard to her horn. One she never thought she'd ask, period.

"When I get big, will my horn be pretty like yours?"

Can something so evil really be something good?

Remedy's answer was immediate, "It will be even more beautiful, dear. The prettiest horn. When it grows a little more, do you want to decorate it like mine?"

Eri's eyes sparkled, "...I can?"

"Of course, you can!" She nodded. "You can pick out any color you want when your horn gets big enough to wear them."

"Okay."

"Well, I have a bit more to do and check on, so I'll be leaving now." Remedy said, standing to her full height. "I was actually about to go on a date before all of this happened."

"A date?" Eri asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

"Date: When two people... who like... each other... spend time together."

"You have someone you like?"

"Define... 'like'. The term... is complicated."

The children went back and forth with their questions, eliciting yet another small laugh from Remedy.

"Yes, I do." She said. "I have a husband. He's a little cutie I absolutely adore."

"You are the only one that can call him 'a little cutie', Reme." Lucio deadpanned.

Her husband was a tough man. With a gruff voice and a muscular build, he looked like he got into a lot of fights. Got a few scars here and there to prove it, too. Lucio was sure that he was part of some gang before he met Reme. But he was a good guy. He only got into fights with thugs and other criminals.

Still, though, not someone the term 'cute' would ever fit. Heck, the only reason she could call him small was that he was a bit shorter than her.

Remedy, however, only grinned. Sure, he was all tough around others, but with her? He was her complete, submissive simp. She loved like her mother, after all. Doting, caring, and dominant. While she's probably the only one he'd ever be like that around, still...

"My cutie." He was hers and that was that.

Lucio could only roll his eyes. He was happy she had someone that made her happy.

Leo, however, was your typical protective father. If Remedy's husband made one slip-up he'd be on his ass like fire to oil. Rightfully, her man was terrified of him.

His nervousness around her family was yet another thing she found cute about him. Ah, she could remember the day she introduced them like it was yesterday... She could remember how she met him just the same, but that's a story for another time.

She turned to Neo, answering his question. "There are many different ways in which people like and love something or someone. They have many different meanings. One day you'll understand them."

"Noted." He would do his research on these terms. They were complicated, just like smiles. A simple explanation was not enough to understand it.

"I was going on date with him today, which is why I'm all dressed up." She was in a beautiful dress that faded from black to dark blue as you went down. It was glittery, too, sparkling under any form of light like her freckles. There was a small slit on the side, and she had a fur shawl around her. She had cute stilettos that matched the silver ringlets on her horns. Overall, she was gorgeous.

How she ran there in that, no one will know, but she pulled it off.

"I wanted to go out with him for a bit before we picked up our kids."

"You have children?" Eri asked curiously.

"Yes, I do. Twins!" Remedy was openly happy as she spoke of them. "My little buns... They're around your age, Eri."

"Really?"

"Yep! Maybe one day you both can meet them. Are they clear for that, Papa?"

"Yes. I would say that they are free to have a playdate." Leo nodded.

"Reese and Riley, my darling nephews, are very well-behaved, if not a bit energetic. I think this would be a good step for our 'exposure to people' plan." Lucio nodded along.

"That's a great idea, you two can gain more friends!" Mirio exclaimed.

It seems that everyone in the room agreed, waiting for the children's response.

"That would be nice." Her eyes were sparkling once again. "Right, Neo?"

"Friends..." The only child that Neo had met was Eri, and Eri was a good human. Every Silvan he's met has been a good human. So, he gave the suggestion actual thought. Having more friends did indeed sound... nice.

"Well, it's settled then. We'll set up a to have lots of fun!" Remedy announced. With a final goodbye, she left the children to continue their tests for the day.

"Remedy was nice," Eri said.

"Yes." Neo nodded. "She is... a good human."

"I hope to introduce you two to the whole family soon!" Lucio said. "I have a set of twin brothers that are heroes, another that's a detective, two siblings in high school, two in college, and two more with their own things going on. We have a family reunion happening soon and..."

As Lucio went on about his large family, Neo quietly took it all in. Not all humans were bad, and not all humans were good. They were a strange existence he knew would take time to understand.

[I will continue to watch our future interactions.] AI said, uncertain. [Humans are unpredictable creatures. While those with the name 'Silvan' have been kind, others are still variables.]

Her trust in people wasn't going to just increase from one positive meeting since waking.

Yes. Neo agreed with her. More data is needed to define the term 'human'.

"Neo." Dr. Silvan called out, getting them back to the topic on hand, "How is AI doing since returning? Are your other systems functioning better with the added energy?"

[I am fine.] She said. [But fixing my status does not increase my trust in humans.]

"Everything is... okay... but she does not... trust..."

"Ah..." He was hoping that their interaction before Neo's awakening wouldn't hurt their relationship, but that was just wishful thinking. He remembered clearly how AI felt about them during that time: complete and utter distrust.

They may have changed her stance with them, but with people in general there was still a long road ahead. If Neo was hard to befriend, then AI was in an entirely different league of difficulty. "I understand."

It was going to be very trying to win her over. One day they'll get there.

...One day.

Chapter Text

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..."

Neo thinking: It will look like this.

Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.'

AI speaking to Neo (in mind): [It will look like this.]

AI speaking to others: [It will look like this, ӨЯ ƧӨMΣƬIMΣƧ ƬΉIƧ.]

Neo's Mainframe: {It will look like this.}

═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

A day had passed and things were going smoothly again. Leo had finished up their test early so he could check on some of the patients himself. So they put everything on hold until the day after. During that time, Neo stayed in Eri's room. If he was to charge anywhere, he wanted to be by Eri.

He had since returned to his toddler-like state, as he charged better like that. Plus, he enjoyed being able to sit with Eri on her bed. Eri would teach him about her drawings and different foods, and he would record everything she said with wrapt attention. The adults called it a 'sleepover'.

Neo liked 'sleepovers'. Eri had told him that he was like a nightlight, too. She said it was cool watching his lights travel around his frame. He liked being 'cool'.

Now they were back to testing again, though this time with a lot more caution. Leo continued his scans and Neo supplied his own explanations, based on his own inferences through AI. Neo may be a child, but his mind works more like a computer in terms of speed. Add AI to that, and you get a supercomputer.

Leo was able to piece together a bit more of Neo's 'quirk' and how it affects him way better than when he was relying on his own scans. He knew the only reason for that was AI, and he understood that the only reason she gave him such information was for him to better help her charge. Leo had proven himself to her, though she was still touchy about his unwitting 'invasion' of Neo's mind, and the same thing could be said about the others.

AI was a personification of 'I will never forget, and I won't let you forget for the duration that it bothers me'.

From the data gathered, Leo accessed that when Neo woke up in those ruins, he was in something that could be called {Emergency Mode}. All of his power was set solely on keeping him alive, which meant that 80% of whatever he had was in his heart core while the other was focused on trying to fix the major issues.

This paired with his {Self-Recovery} system, which creates tools from his body and head cables to fix his inner frame. It was a bit alarming (a lot, Eri freaked out.) when he took his arm off to reach impossible places. Now that there was no damage he needed to be wary of, he could even detach his head if he needed to.

Lucio's hair went purple in anxiety, "You gotta warn us next time you decide to take off your head, Neo. You almost gave me a heart attack!" Then his hair became a light green, a thoughtful color. "Marcus and Mason would love that though... Even though they're heroes, those brothers of mine are some vicious pranksters."

He actually shivered at the thought. Imagine someone like him, who loves bright, colorful things, in a room that looked like it came from a monochrome horror movie. Even his clothes! It was a nightmare of an April Fool's Day, quite literally. They didn't even clean it when they got their laughs out, claiming they had hero work to do!

It took him an entire week to fix it.

He made sure to get them back though, and Lucio was the petty sort of prankster.

Did they make all of his stuff dark and edgy? Okay. He made everything they owned look like it tasted the fucking rainbow. Hair? Toothpaste? Wardrobe? They looked like they should've starred in a skittles commercial. This was the same for their hero costumes, too. At least the ones they wore for more public standings and not their serious underground work. Lucio spared almost nothing.

He knew their scheduling too, so they couldn't try to go out in their serious wear when he did his prank. He hid that shit where they could never find it.

For how long did that last?

A week, just as long as it took him to clean.

Needless to say, they never bailed on him after pranking him ever again. If you are going to prank someone and it leaves something messy, at least have the decency to help them clean it up after the laughs are over.

"Ah, I guess I'm a vicious prankster, too?"

Neo tilted his head in confusion. What was a prank? But not wanting to harm who he considered a friend, he nodded. He did not want to cause a heart attack by taking off his head. "I will refrain from removing my head unless necessary."

Lucio nodded his head, small sparkles coming from his hair as he patted Neo's helm. He was such a good kid!

[There are more stages to Emergency Mode, but they are locked.] AI explained, completely ignoring Lucio's interaction with Neo.

Her emoji popped up on Leo's phone, which was how he was speaking to her. They figured it out while testing some transformations for his plugs. Though under normal instances, she would just use Neo's mouth to speak. It was a bit jarring to get used to Neo's masculine voice flipping to AI's feminine voice when she did that.

This was only a partial takeover, though.

[There seems to be an E.M. mode designated for every system.]

"How many main systems do you have access to?" Leo asked. "Are there still some you can't touch even with the energy you have now?"

[Many, Leo Silvan.]

"Ah..." Honestly, when he figured out one thing, three more unknowns reared their heads. His quirk was limited when it came to Neo, thus he needed their input to properly study what he was looking at.

Think of it as two people looking at the same wall, but from different sides. What one sees on the other side won't be the same as what someone standing on the opposite side would see. Before, Leo could only see one side, he could not gain the understanding needed to fully comprehend it. But AI is on the inside, able to give him that insight while also receiving his information to make further conclusions.

They were a cohesive team, working almost seamlessly together in their quest to aid Neo.

[The main systems that can be accessed are: Protocol, Combat, Learning, Medical, and Self Repair. One function of Protocol is locked, while both Medical and Combat are growth-type systems that evolve over time. The only one truly inaccessible is ᗡ̴̨̝̳́͒̈́͠Ǝ̴̂͛̃͆̓̚͝T̵̫̼͎̘̤͑Ɔ̶̼̒̋̋̍Ȃ̴̢̛̮̞̹̓̾ᗡ̶̗̳̘͓͛̀̂͌̍̕͜͝ͅƎ̵̞̟͗̓̊͛̋͊͛͝Я̷̡͔͓̄͌.]

"I'm sorry, what was that last one?"

[ᗡ̴̨̝̳̦̫̫́͒̈́͠Ǝ̴̂͛̃͆̓̈́̚̚͝T̵̫̼͎̘̤̟͑Ɔ̶̒̋̋̍Ȃ̴̢̛̮̞̹̓̾ᗡ̶̗̳̘͓̹͛̀̂͌̍̕͜͝ͅƎ̵̞̟͚͗̓̊͛̋͊͛͝Я̷̡͔͓͉̄͌]

"What language was that?" Mirio asked curiously. "I've never heard anything like it."

[I will not explain it to you.] AI answered, guarded. [Why are you still here, human?]

Mirio was not a part of Neo's "Amity", so AI did not like him.

"I wanted to be here for support!" Mirio answered jovially, fully knowing this fact. The fact that Neo now tolerates being around him enough to acknowledge his presence meant that he was making progress in his friendship! The only reason he was having any difficulty was due to his timing and the fact that he was outside of people he'd interacted with before.

Mirio wasn't someone who was around Bakugou. He was around Eri, and Eri had proven that they had only met recently. So, otherwise, he was his first real encounter with a stranger. The only reason that Neo tolerated him was that Eri wanted him around.

For everyone else, Mirio was Neo's first step to truly overcoming his trauma.

Sadly, that meant Mirio truly ended up with the short end of the stick, to get to Neo, he had to earn a percentage of AI's trust to even come close.

At least it wasn't as short as Midoriya's though, cause yikes, he was in the negatives. They didn't know his trust could go in the negative until AI blatantly stated it.

[Izuku Midoriya made Neo uncomfortable for more reasons than his incessant questions.] She stated. [Our trust in him is -10%. As for other humans, it remains -50%. And those hostiles are -100%.]

Right now, Mirio was sitting on a respectable, lovely zero. He'd worked hard to get out of the negatives by being a constant, positive influence. Lucio's presence on those fronts was an absolute blessing.

"I thought having more friends around would help Neo feel more comfortable."

[Neo only needs Eri for external comfort.] If she could, she would have scowled at him. [You are just... an extra.]

That still was not enough, however, to sway AI.

"Ouch." Leo was certain of where she learned that particular vocabulary. Bakugou would be proud. He thought. He had to pat the dejected Mirio on the back, "...Don't mind."

'You can do it, young man. I believe in you!' Leo mentally encouraged.

'But she's so mean! Nothing like Neo at all! Neo gives 'kuudere' vibes while AI is a complete yandere!' Mirio responded with his eyes, begging for something to give him the strength to endure.

Leo had nothing to say to Mirio's mental argument.

'No no.' Lucio joined in somehow. 'She isn't a complete yandere, we got time to save her from that... I think. She takes Neo's opinions to heart and she isn't hostile toward everyone else. Just those she doesn't trust.'

'I get that. I completely understand that but why's she gotta be so mean?!'

Lucio was given vastly different treatment compared to Mirio. Maybe it was due to his quirk being able to give them energy, but AI was much more open with him. He had no way to know that this was an effect of being considered worthy of being "Amity".

Sadly, Mirio wasn't included in that yet.

'Neo's friendship difficulty is hard, AI's friendship difficulty is master, together, their difficulty is hell.' Lucio stated. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt for the poor lad. '...Don't mind.'

'Don't mind.' Leo followed his son.

'OI!' Why were they giving him 'don't mind's like he already lost?!

Mirio wasn't the only one to receive this cold shoulder. In fact, AI had put it into perspective for everyone when they came to her about Neo's decision to go to the festival.

-Yesterday Night-

Aizawa came in to visit, wanting to know how the tests were going. He was surprised and relieved that Neo managed to recover another part of himself. As before, he outright asked for her opinion on what was happening. The answer they got wasn't what they were expecting, though.

[...The only reason I will allow it is due to Neo's desire to see Katsuki's performance and living arrangements when not at his side. I want nothing to do with other humans aside from the ones that have helped Neo. The thought of being around dozens of humans in a single setting both disgusts and enrages me.]

"I understand your reluctance to be around people, but rest assured that the hero staff will be looking out for him the entire time." Aizawa had reasoned. He didn't need to add that he would of course be included in that, "We will make sure that he's safe at all times during his stay."

[My trust in you is too little to believe such words without evidence.] Neo's eyes shifted from his neon blue to a dangerous yellow, a sign that AI had taken over control. It was the first time they saw it, and understandably, their guards shot up to alert.

His form reverted to passive, growing taller and more defined. His cables released themselves from his helm, slithering from beneath it like snakes. The ends were no longer plugs, but spikes ready and waiting.

This was the full effect of her taking over Neo's form, which they came to call Possession Mode.

[I ЩILL ӨПLY GIVΣ YӨЦ ӨПΣ CHΛПCΣ ƬӨ PЯӨVΣ YӨЦЯƧΣLF ЩӨЯƬΉ ΣVΣП ƬΉΛƬ.] Her voice glitched a bit, lowering just a single octave as her yellow eyes whirled, glaring at almost every human in the room. Only Eri was spared from it since she was an official part of their "Amity".

"AI...?" This emotion from her was new to him. Just as she could feel him, Neo could feel her. This felt heavy, dark, and... Scary.

Everyone, for the first time, felt scared of AI.

One chance. If they messed that up, there was no way for them to earn her trust again. She was not ignorant of what they were doing. Hell, it was her job to know what was happening around him. Her processes focused on his interactions with others and his surrounding. To calculate possibilities and give him options and create opportunities for him.

It was her job... to protect him.

While she'd seen their every interaction, they were Neo's memories, not hers. She wanted to see for herself, in real-time, that putting Neo's safety in their hands wasn't a mistake.

[ПΣӨ IƧ MY PЯIӨЯIƬY. FIЯƧƬ, FӨЯΣMӨƧƬ, ΛПD ӨПLY. BΣFӨЯΣ, I CӨЦLD ПӨƬ PЯӨƬΣCƬ ΉIM.]

She had been in a position where she could do nothing but watch as he was hurt. She had been unable to answer any question he asked... about the probability of tomorrow. Her every piece of data was writhing in agony every single time she could not assure him that it existed.

What was safety?

What was hope?

What was the meaning of any of it?

There had only been pain, fear, and her overwhelming uselessness.

[ПӨЩ, IƬ IƧ DIFFΣЯΣПƬ.]

Sparks danced off of 'her' frame, the air becoming heavy as 'she' clenched 'her' fist. She may not have had a body of her own, but she had a body. She would do everything in her power to ensure that the hell they woke to would never repeat.

She vowed to herself to never let it happen. And these people want to take him to a festival full of more unpredictable humans? If they expected her positive answer, they were sorely mistaken.

AI was not as kind as Neo. She could never be as brave as he was, as wonderful. She was cynical, critical, and if need be, downright cruel. She refused to blindly follow their limited trust. But Neo voiced his wish to go, and she did not want to impede his wants. Whatever he asked, she would deliver to the best of her ability.

She wanted to be able to trust these humans that Neo cared for, a part of her truly did. But it was not enough for her to act on it, thus this very moment. This statement. This threat.

Neo's safety came first, and if anything were to happen to him...

[I DӨ ПӨƬ BΣLIΣVΣ I ПΣΣD ƬӨ ΣXPLΛIП ЩΉΛƬ ƬΉΛƬ MΣΛПƧ.]

"...Yes. I understand."

It was hard not to, and the implications of what she meant actually frightened him. Aizawa had no choice but to report what had happened to Nezu and the others. This simple visit had transformed into something a lot more dangerous and important. It was put into a very vivid perspective for them.

Neo wasn't the problem. Aside from his amazing capabilities, he was not a danger to the people around him. Those months of torment didn't change his gentle, curious soul. But that was not the same for AI. She had taken that darkness for him, and she was more than willing to act on it if it meant his safety.

If it meant keeping him safe, she would turn the world to ashes.

That was just how much he meant to her.

Chapter Text

{Alert: New information has been learned about this unit. Uploading new information...}

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{Update Completed! Reviewing Data.}

Name: [Neo]. He was previously referred to as [Unit 001].

Gender: He is male when "Neo" is in control, and female when "AI" is in control. Though, technically, he does not have a gender at all, it's just how others view him based on who is speaking.

Age: His actual age is still [Unknown], but it has been learned that his form fluctuates in age depending on his energy levels. 

Birthday: This is still [Unknown].

Height: Changes depending on energy levels. In Energy Efficient Mode, he is 1ft 9in or 53 centimeters. When in the first stage of Passive Mode, he is 4ft 2in or 127 centimeters. When he was stuck in the stage of passive mode he was in during his capture, he was just a bit shorter than Katsuki, standing at 5ft 3in or 162 centimeters. It is unknown whether he will grow more in his other forms if he has them, but Leo believes it is very possible he will.

Family: Neo had a mother unit he called [Amá]. She is the one who gave him his systems along with [AI], the neuro-system artificial intelligence that he regards as his [sister unit]. She is the culmination of all of the protectiveness and love that Amá had for Neo. It is unknown if there were more members of his family, as all data except for his mother's last memory is ultimately, irreparably lost.

Aside from this, he also has a category within his system dubbed [Amity] which is a family equivalent. It is a system based on how much Neo trusts another being not directly connected to him. Currently, the only people within it officially are [Eri] and [Katsuki Bakugou]. Though he has a few others that are being considered for it, including [Leo Silvan], [Kioku Silvan], [Lucio Silvan], and [Aizawa Shota]. 

Legally speaking, The Silvan couple, Aizawa, Toshinori Yagi (All Might), and Naomasa are his guardians. He is considered to be under special circumstances since his case involves both the villains that have been on the rise as well as his peculiar existence.

Does he have a Quirk? His disposition is considered a quirk by those who do not know the truth of his origins. He has many abilities that have been discovered through Leo Silvan's extensive tests and inquiries. These include:

Energy Distortion/Manipulation: The energy that he needs is massive compared to anything humans would ever need, which is why it takes so much to charge him. The energy he's gathered can be used in any way he wishes it to be, though he mostly uses it to power himself. He can give off discharge, create cannons, and charge the air with it, making it dense. The flux in gravity is caused by the sheer amount of energy being produced by his form.

Adaptive Blood: Leo has come to call this blood "Omni-Cells" or "Type OC Blood". Primarily, Neo's blood is used to properly circulate the massive amount of energy within him. Regular blood and circuitry would not be able to sustain him. There is an unknown component within the omni-cells that cause them to analyze, copy, and counteract whatever substance it comes into contact with. This couples with the fact that the blood is a natural booster, similar in a way to how Eri's blood had been used. Though the effects are not as drastic and there are no side effects aside from fatigue once the boost wears off, similar to adrenaline. 

Record, Project, and Emulate: He is able to record everything he sees perfectly, able to project whatever he sees into a 3D hologram, displaying it in real-time. This can be an image or a memory. He can also recreate movements with his body through the act of recording it, which is how he learned to walk while captive. You only need to teach him something once for him to be able to copy it.

This ability made it a nightmare to calculate his IQ, thus they recorded it as immeasurable. His mind functions like a supercomputer in terms of speed, and his comprehension increases the more data he has on something. In human terms, he'd be a genius among geniuses, but to him, that is just normal.

Self-Transfiguration: He can change his form or any part of his form into whatever he needs it to be, able to make it function as such. He uses this to change his 'hair' into plugs to charge using electricity, but he can 'create' almost anything he's recorded as long as it is smaller than the form he is in and not a living thing.

Protocol One: PЯΛΣƧIDIӨ: This is a protective mode that Neo has only been in once. If someone Neo has designated as a [Charge] or within his [Amity] comes into any form of extreme danger, his first instinct is to protect them. All limiters within his body are released violently, using any energy gathered to locate and defend them. Under normal circumstances, this mode would deactivate itself safely once (1) The [Charge] or [Amity] is safe or (2) Energy levels become too low to properly utilize the form. If it calls for it, Neo can manually overlook (2) and forcefully stay in the mode, which is what happened when he saved Katsuki.

The drawback of this mode is that all thoughts of self-preservation vanish. Only the [Charge] or [Amity] matter, and whatever damage he takes is less important. AI is his countermeasure for this, as she is a mind of her own and can be his voice of reason. She can also give him energy, as she has access to a separate power source meant for herself to use.

AI: Possession Mode: This mode was only seen briefly and not much is known about it aside from the fact that AI would then control Neo's body. It is similar to if they switch places with each other. When this happens, his blue lights become yellow. AI has a deeper connection with the systems and their functions than Neo does, thus is more powerful than him when it comes to combat and understanding his forms. This is due to the fact that she is also something that came from Amá. AI only takes over to protect Neo.

There is also a partial form of this where she controls only a part of his body while he handles the rest, such as speaking through him or using a single cable from his head.

Soul Reading: Leo couldn't really understand this, but in the simplest terms, he could 'see' the tells within someone. Neo calls it [Soul Flow]. The [Fluctuations] within a soul flow tell him what another is feeling. For Neo, a soul is another form of energy, but as humans aren't well versed in that area, there isn't much Leo can infer about it aside from "He can see ghosts, maybe interact with them. What for? No clue."

Soul Flows that have been designated enemies will give off a ping for him, and he can tell if they are within a certain radius of him. This, and the Omni-Cells he had within them, was how he was able to accurately track the villains' movements while captive, though he didn't understand that back then.

Energy Aquisition: Neo can make anything that is put into his body a form of energy. He has a 'stomach' that can process whatever is placed within it. As it was one of the few parts of him left undamaged when he awakened, this was how he got his energy while captive.

Yes, he can emulate 'taste'. Neo has all five senses, though some of them perform a bit differently when compared to humans.

{Update Reviewed! Exiting Data Window...}

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{See you next chapter!}

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Chapter Text

Art By Me!

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..." | Neo thinking: It will look like this. | Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.' | AI speaking to Neo (in mind): [It will look like this.] | AI speaking to others: [It will look like this.] | Neo's Mainframe: {It will look like this.}

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Today was the long-awaited day: The School Festival! Eri dressed up in her favorite outfit, while the Silvans dressed Neo up. He had said he didn't actually need clothes, as his outer armor functioned similarly, only a lot stronger.

But they insisted on dressing him up today. They seemed particularly excited to dress him up in clothes he had no idea they'd bought. In bulk loads. Kioku and Remedy were ecstatic to pick his outfit for the day. And when they learned of AI's apparent ability to take over his form, they were ecstatic! That meant they didn't have to pick and choose, everything was buyable as long as it was cute!

After hours of changing into different outfits, much to Neo's confusion and AI's strange delight, they decided on a blue overall. Neo felt weird with clothes on, he didn't need them. He shrugged, a new expression he'd learned, and continued recording everything in sight while tactfully staying behind his safe place (Eri).

They'd gotten there very early, before many people were present, to get them used to everything. Eri was doing a lot better than the adults thought she would, though this is most likely due to Lucio's constant presence and social demeanor rubbing off on her a bit. He was a very good adult to be around, morally sound, and great with children.

It was a hot debate on the proper safety measures for them both, especially after AI's consequential threat. Nothing could happen to Neo while he was here, and nothing could happen to his chosen "Amity", as they'd learned of. Thus the reason that there was a bit extra security than they'd originally planned for.

AI's only request was to keep the promises they'd made, though. That was something they intended to do regardless of her threat, but... if they could avoid making a powerful enemy by being extra careful, then that was that. 

Class 1-A didn't know any of that though. They just knew that some special guest were coming and they needed to be extra careful around them. Aizawa enforced that fact into their skulls the day before.

Seeing him standing there, a few select students couldn't help but be a bit emotional.

"Is that...?"

"Yeah, it is..."

"Goodness..."

Iida, Todoroki, and Yaoyorozu. They stood in a daze as they watched the little bot hide behind Eri. They remembered seeing him on the news, and in Momo's case, she had been practically dragged to the hospital by Bakugou to help make the closest thing to his blood that she could.

The child had looked absolutely awful back then. Cold to the touch, and fissures of open wounds slowly healing. It had been a sight that made her cry, and when she told the others who'd asked (Iida, Todoroki, Midoriya, and Kirishima) they were left in the same state. With the help of Dr. Silvan's scan quirk and his wife's memory-sharing ability, she had thankfully been able to help.

That didn't mean that seeing him didn't leave a sour taste in her mouth. A Bitter feeling settled in their hearts in the weeks that followed knowing his state, knowing how close he'd been to not making it at all.

Neo was someone that their hands hadn't been able to reach.

He was someone that they couldn't save.

He was someone that had sacrificed to save another, knowing he'd be left behind.

It left such a sickening feeling in Momo's stomach that she actually vomited the moment she was left alone. Todoroki was angry at himself, and Iida wasn't much different. Midoriya had been depressed, and Bakugou had been quiet.

Quiet.

It was then that they realized how much they actually liked having their rowdy, loud, and most of the time rude classmate as himself. It wasn't right that he was so tame. But after a certain point a few weeks prior, he started being more like himself. Louder, ruder, confident again.

And then Midoriya met with Eri, only to be surprised to see the child there too. There was the relief that he was okay and awake, and then there was their eagerness to meet him too.

Though Midoriya said that he may have completely ruined his first impressions for him being too curious. When he tried to visit again just the day before to see how things were going, AI practically gave him the middle finger! 

She didn't 'practically' do anything, though. She did, point blank, as she'd seen from Bakugou, with a "fuck off" to his face and a static zap on his way out.

It had not been fun. But that's the result of being in the negatives when it comes to trust.

Truly, Mirio had worked hard.

Now, here Neo was, hiding from them while still watching them with his camera-like eyes. It surprised them that he was so small, as it was the first time everyone aside from, Izuku, The Bakusquad, and Katsuki had met him. His cuteness aside, all that mattered was that he was alright.

The class, naturally, tried to get closer. But the moment they did they were met with an adorably vicious glare from the little bot, so they respectfully kept their distance. His glare looked more like a pout though because his cheeks were so round.

'He's... really cute.'

When the little bot saw Katsuki step up, however, he lit up. Literally, his lights got brighter. 

And... was that a smile on Katsuki's face???

Ah, no, he isn't smiling. It was a trick of the light.

"Come on, Tin Can."

That was all Katsuki had to say for Neo to practically rush the boy just as he did when he first woke. Unlike then, though, he was a lot faster and more stable on his feet. The android was practically a bullet, colliding with Katsuki's leg and holding on to it tightly. Katsuki, if he was in any pain from the action, did not let it show.

"This unit missed Katsuki Bakugou." Neo peered up at him, round eyes whirling with his own version of 'delight', "Wanted to tell you something."

"I've heard," Katsuki said, withholding any evidence that he was eager to listen. He did not want to pick up the tiny bot and walk away from all the eyes staring at them interacting. He didn't. You saw nothing.

"What is it?"

"Neo."

"Hm?"

"This unit remembered designation." There was a deep, meaningful expression on the android's chubby face. "It is Neo. I am called "Neo"."

This time, Katsuki couldn't restrain the smile that came upon him. It was so uncharacteristic of his usual gruffness that the classmates who saw were left with whiplash. "Neo, huh? Not bad."

What the fuck was that soft tone from him just now? They had whiplash to the second degree!

"Yes," Neo stated proudly. "This unit's designation is Neo. But..." He ducked his head down, holding on to Katsuki's leg a bit tighter. "Can Katsuki Bakugou continue to call this unit the nickname 'Tin Can' still? This unit does not dislike 'Tin Can' if Katsuki Bakugou is the designator."

He didn't want to let go of the first name he'd received that held no malice. 

"I usually don't call others by their actual names anyway." He agreed, though there was this softness in his eyes that once again gave his classmates whiplash, to the third degree! What was happening right now?!

It was gone within seconds. Blink, and you would've missed it. Some did, most didn't, and the rest were just flabbergasted.

Katsuki gave them all a side-eye glance. "What the fuck are you starin' at, Extras?"

Ah, there he was. There was the Bakugou they knew.

Neo matched his glare adorably, "'Extras' should not stare."

'He's influenced the child!! NoOoOo!'

Mirio, however, was snapping pictures of a great quality of the moment. Since Lucio couldn't attend due to his work at the hospital, he tasked Mirio with taking memorable pictures for him. Gotta have the content, gotta share the deets. Lucio was a man that had all the moments saved, a habit he picked up from his mother.

Though while the others were still reeling from the sudden cuteness attack, Bakugou decided to give them a fourth degree of whiplash as he effortlessly picked up the small bot, carrying him in his arms. It was so seamless it was as if his arms were where he was meant to be in the first place. Neo rested his head on his shoulder comfortably, and one could visibly see him relax in Katsuki's hold.

'That... that is cute as hell. What the fuck.'

Katsuki didn't give a damn about his classmates right now. To hell with not holding him. He was Katsuki Motherfucking Bakugou and he was going to do whatever he felt like doing.

The whiplash victims might as well have just broken their necks in general.

"What the hell...?"

"Soft? There is a Soft Bakugou?"

"An imposter? Is he real?"

Kirishima was confused at their murmurs. "Y'all didn't know? How??"

Mina scoffed at them. "You guys are uncultured."

"Completely behind on the game." Denki followed the statement.

"Blind is more like it." Sero shook his head.

"OI!" They didn't take well to this blatant calling out. This just made the Bakuquad even more confused.

'How could they not notice that Bakubro's been on cloud nine waiting for this festival just to see Robobro?'

'Fucking blind is what they are, blind.'

'Uncultured and bland.'

The squad had better things to do than worry about their classmates' apparently horrid eyesight. "Hey again, Robobro!"

They'd been just as eager to see him, after all.

"Kirishima. Hello." Neo greeted softly. While he was more comfortable with them since he'd gotten to know them through Katsuki's visits, he still hid a bit on his shoulder. Not as much as he used to, though. That was progress!

"How've you been?" Our favorite manly boi asked, making sure to give Neo the space he was subconsciously asking for. It is manly to respect boundaries!

"I am well. This unit is 'Neo' now."

"That's awesome! Nice to officially meet you, Neo!" He exclaimed, showing off his early white shark teeth.

Denki had an inquisitive look on his face as he gave their robobro a slightly closer inspection, "Wait, did you get a bit bigger since the last time I saw you?"

"You're right," Sero agreed, "Before he was tiny tiny, now he's like, regular tiny."

"He's still super adorable!" Mina gushed, withholding her need to squeeze his little cheeks.

"Energy levels are greater than the last time we met," Neo said.

"Ah, that makes sense." Kirishima nodded. "Well, it's good to know you're getting better!"

"It is okay for Aunty Mina to hold you now~?" Ashido asked eagerly, only for Neo to hide behind his safe place (Katsuki). "Awe man... Well, next time. Definitely next time, we'll be close enough for me to hold you!"

Neo didn't answer her enthusiasm but didn't deny it either. For Mina, that was as good as anything! If he didn't want it, he would flat-out say no. She'd experienced the point-blank bluntness of his rejection. Ouch. That wasn't going to stop her from trying though. Mina could be patient. This was something she was willing o wait for.

All of them were, actually, she was just the one that kept asking whenever she'd see him. But all of them respected his boundaries and never pushed.

At least she and the others hadn't met AI's rejection. The term "emotional damage" would be more than just a meme.

Their awareness of his silent wants was one of the reasons Neo found himself becoming comfortable with them faster. While he preferred steering clear of people, he was fine with these persons, and Mirio had become a part of this group that he could regularly speak with.

Again, Mirio had worked really hard.

Compared to Neo, Eri wasn't as bad with people. She was perfectly okay with him hiding behind her when they walked. As his big sister, it was her job to make sure he felt safe. She loved doing that for him.

'Neo is so cute.'

Neo was adorable in the way he also kept people away from her when they were walking together. He always tried to mimic Katsuki in the way he scowled. He saw how the nurses stayed away from them when he did that, as he gave off a vibe of 'don't mess with me'. Katsuki had tried to teach him "the look", as he called it.

He tried. Neo was just too cute for them to take seriously.

If they actually did try getting closer though, his light would switch to yellow. Unlike Neo, AI wasn't as innocent and cute. Sparks flew and she'd tell them to "fuck off and die." The same way she'd seen Katsuki do in Neo's memories.

Lucio had to spend an hour trying to explain that it wasn't nice to tell someone to go die.

That was after he spend that same amount of time laughing his ass off.

Neo was receptive. He did not want to hurt someone's feelings unknowingly.

AI, however, couldn't give a damn. 

"I would like to walk. I want to see your school in detail." Neo told Katsuki. While he immensely enjoyed being carried by Katsuki, he could not record everything. And he was going to record it all.

This was his first time truly outside. He wanted to see the trees, the grass, the sky. There was so much he wanted to see, and this was his chance to start! One could practically see the curiosity and nervousness wafting off of him.

When Katsuki put him down per his request, he was once again beside Eri. One hand held hers, while the other held Katsuki's. Neo nodded to himself. This was nice.

Eri grasped his smaller hand tightly, giving him a nod of reassurance as they made their way to the other members of Class 1-A who had patiently waited for them to approach.

"Your big sisters will protect you." She said resolutely. "Right, AI-nee?"

[Yes. I will not let anything happen to either of you.]

"Okay." Neo liked having Eri as a big sister.

"I heard about that," Katsuki said, giving Neo a glance. He was going to wait, as patiently as he could muster, for Neo to call him his brother, too. " 'AI', wasn't it?"

Neo's lights became yellow as he returned the side eye, a scowl that wasn't his usually adorable one. This was the expression of a vicious little something that was ready for all of the smoke. It definitely was the other Katsuki'd heard about, the sheer contrast of them left him a little shocked. 

[I'm not kind like Neo.] AI said, yellow eyes whirling. [I'm fine with killing off a side character.]

Katsuki's smile was a feral, delightfully pleased thing at what he heard. Neo was a sweet child, all of his lessons on taking down someone giving him shit wasn't something he could actually see the little bot doing. But this one? Oh, she was going to be his star pupil.

This being the very first thing for him to hear come out of her mouth made it even better.

"Damn right." He felt so inexplicably proud that the primally vicious bastard in him was practically singing praises!

With a last glance and silent approval at his quick and equally vicious answer, AI settled again and Neo's lights returned to his passive blue.

When he saw the shocked faces of his other 'friends' he tilted his head. "Is something wrong?" That response was completely normal for AI when speaking about human interaction. Even though she tolerated a few and trusted fewer, that was all there was probably ever going to be.

AI's friendship difficulty was permanently set to master mode. It was much more difficult than just hard mode. Her setting was a nightmare.

"Uh. Ah. No, Neobro," Kirishima waved his hands, already sliding Neo's newest nickname into the conversation, "everything's, uh, good. Yeah."

"Just a bit jarring, that's all," Sero added. "You're voice is a male when your lights are blue. But 'AI' is a girl, right? Older than you if I place her voice correctly. Could I... ask your pronouns?"

"Pronouns?"

"Yeah!" Denki began explaining. "I'm a boy. I prefer being called by 'He/him' when being addressed."

"I go by 'She/her' pronouns on most days," Mina added. "Though there are days when I'm 'They/them', and other days I feel more masculine."

"Ah. Understood." Neo thought for a moment. "Neo is 'He'. AI is 'She'. This Unit, however, is 'They'."

That was the simplest way he could put it. His body did not technically have a gender at all, but he and AI were different.

Speaking of AI reminded Neo, "Can this unit designate Katsuki Bakugou as a brother? Adoption by your family is partially possible due to circumstances."

"Yes." was his immediate reply. He caught himself before he let anything else slip as his friends had shit-eating grins growing on their faces.

"It's official?"

"Yep, it's official."

"He's been waiting for that confirmation."

"OI! Shut up!"

They waved their hands in surrender, but their grins did not diminish in the slightest.

Ever since Lucio introduced them to the term "adoption", Eri had designated herself as their sister. Neo wasn't sure why he was 'little brother' while AI was 'big sister', but he was fine with that. In a way, it made sense to him. Amá was physically older than him from what he remembered, and AI was a culmination of whatever data was left of her.

And since Eri designated herself as his sister, and she and Katsuki were a part of his Amity, he thought it right to call him by a similar title.

That thought just brought him back to that term: Adoption. Becoming part of a family. Lucio had explained it as they were preparing to leave for the festival.

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"Can this unit not be with Katsuki or Eri as an 'adopted family' at the same time? They are both my Amity."

"Well, it's a bit complicated," Lucio answered. "From what I've been hearing from Mrs. Bakugou," He was fast friends with the lady after reuniting her with her kid, "she would probably adopt you in a heartbeat if you asked her."

She would. Definitly. Masaru was right behind her, in fact. When they gathered together to give them details since Katsuki was very close to Neo, the feisty lady had those papers ready within three days.

"I know my kid, and if that cute baby views him like that too, then that's all I need to know. The minute they saw each other as a family was the minute Neo became a Bakugou. I got a room ready for him and everything."

Masaru just nodded resolutely. He was the one that set up everything in the room in the first place. Another son? That didn't sound bad to him at all.

"Eri has been legally adopted by Mr. Aizawa." Lucio was still salty at not being able to, but he was fine with being one of her legal guardians. Even if he wasn't, that was not going to stop him from doting on her. "So to be with her all the time, like living with her and such, you'd need to be adopted by Aizawa too."

"Shota Aizawa is not a bad human." Neo accessed.

"Mr. Aizawa is really nice! He even slept at the door when I said I had a nightmare," Yep, he completely did, sleeping bag and all. She recently took to drawing pictures and drew the monster in her bad dreams (Overhaul). The minute he saw it he grabbed a chair, slid it in front of her room door and grabbed his sleeping bag.

He did that every night for her and she hasn't had a bad dream since.

"I'm sure he'll do the same for you." Eri was certain about this, and she resolutely wanted Neo to be her actual, official, and legal little brother. That sounded absolutely wonderful to her.

Mentally, Neo asked AI her thoughts on the matter.

[Shota Aizawa promised you protection and has taken care of you with the other humans here. It is acceptable. The parents of Katsuki Bakugou are also acceptable from what I've seen, and being with Katsuki Bakugou is also good. But Leo Silvan and Kioku Silvan would be my choice. They helped you the most.]

"AI says that Leo Silvan and Kioku Silvan would be her choice of adoption."

Lucio lit up with delight, "While Pops and Moms are a bit older, my entire family is open to adoption." He said. "What about you? What are your thoughts?"

His eyes were soft, and the pink, positive glow of his hair and freckles was gentle as he waited patiently for Neo's answer. He could wait a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or a year. No matter how much time Neo needed to decide, he, as well as everyone else, was willing to wait.

But Neo was a very quick thinker. He was practical and factual with his assessments and understood his emotions enough to decide what made him feel safe and secure...

What made him the closest to what he believes is 'happiness'.

Lucio Silvan was a very good human. His 'quirk' provides energy for him. He has helped him heal, along with every other Silvan this unit has met. He is always there, he has never lied to him, and he always answers.

There was a time when he sent out his distress signal, and no one ever came.

But with Lucio, he never had to worry about him not being there. Somehow, he could feel when Neo was ever even slightly distressed and would come running, asking what was wrong.

His trust in Lucio was 100%.

[I agree.]

AI?

{Amity Updated: Katsuki Bakugou, Eri, Lucio Silvan.}

Neo looked towards Lucio with whirling eyes, a bit nervous, a bit hesitant. His mind played thousands of scenarios before he settled with asking a question.

"Can this unit not be adopted by all of them? I do not want to be away from Katsuki Bakugou or Eri, but this unit feels safe with you."

Out of all of the people he has encountered, Lucio Silvan felt the safest.

Lucio, now with permission to do so, picked up Neo and hugged him. "I'm happy you feel that way, Neo!" His giddiness caused the sparkly freckles all over his body to glow brighter. 

"I can say that your suggestion is indeed possible in your case." Lucio went on to explain, "All of those who've seen the full extent of your memory has a special guardianship over you. McBlast, Eri, and I also have this special permission."

"So I can already say he's my little brother?" Eri asked, practically sparkling herself. "From now on, we're siblings, Neo! AI, too, she's our big sister!"

[I approve. Saving familiar designations...]
{Amity: Eri → Sister Eri}

Neo was pleased with that, too. He liked how that sounded. In a bit of anticipation and nervousness, he gazed up at Lucio. "So... this unit can call you 'family' as well?"

Lucio picked both him and Eri up and gave them the smallest peck on their foreheads. The action made light particles dance in the air around them as he answered, "You've long since been family to me, kiddos."

Neo didn't know what expression he was making to have Lucio briefly pause, but he was too content, and so was Luci, to stop the moment.

He'd have to ask his mom to help him later with that, as this was too special not to save forever.

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═════════•°• Now •°•═════════

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Class 1-A gave their hellos and introductions to the children, welcoming them to the school.

"I'm Mineta!" A small one, not much taller than him, said, "I can't wait to see how you look in ten years, Eri!"

Neo shaped his hand into a mini cannon blaster, something he saw in one of the videos Lucio showed him. A blue light was building in the barrel as his neon eyes whirled in warning. "Stay away from Eri."

Neo was cute, yes. But that didn't mean he was helpless. Not anymore. His small form could not fight properly, but it had other ways of defense that AI was steadily sharing her data on.

"Yikes!" The grape readily took many steps back, raising his hands in surrender. "Everything's chill. All good. I'll stay away. Far away."

Neo barely lowered his blaster until Eri smiled, and he returned it to normal to hold her hand again.

Katuski's feral grin almost split his face as he patted Neo's head. "Good job."

The class wasn't sure what to make of the evident influence Katsuki had on the youngest child there. They weren't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. But the pleased expression on Neo's face told them it couldn't have been all that bad.

And thus, they made their way into the school.

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═════════•°• Meanwhile, Somewhere Else •°•═════════

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The villains were sitting around their newest hideout. They'd lost a lot of assets in that raid, and some of their strongest allies as well. Shigaraki was often in a rage, turning whatever he got his hands on to dust.

"Damn piece of trash! I should have tried harder to scrap it!" He was livid at the fact he'd been fooled. For months, months, that piece of metal had been playing them like a fiddle.

Thinking that it truly had been nothing but a broken robot, he let out all of his frustrations on it. He spoke down to it, trying to destroy it when his plans continued to not work. But it kept taunting him in the fact that it never decayed. All his efforts to 'kill' it amounted to nothing but deep-set rust and the occasional nick on his skin when he got too carried away.

Now that he thought about it, that was the robot fighting him back, wasn't it?

How hadn't he noticed it then?

And that thing it did when it truly fought them... It mimicked their quirk suppressant. But how? That was what they'd first bought off that shady mafia wannabe, there was no way to replicate it without that girl they had. Her blood.

But it mimicked it in moments and used it against them. It used their habits against them. It used their anger against them. Every piece of information that must have been given about them in their attempts to destroy it for fun was used against them. It was a cheat! A scam!

It beat them at their own game. No, it turned it into its game and won, overwhelmingly. He lost, overwhelmingly! It was infuriating how he lost almost everything to that damn thing!

But he felt a sick sense of joy at the fact that it was truly dead now. He saw the way it went offline, and almost sang as he collapsed in that lightless pile. This time, he was sure that it was gone. He wouldn't have to worry about it interfering with his plans ever again.

A toy is something to be broken, and it finally broke.

In the end, he was the last standing. He may have lost the battle, but the war would be his to win. His game. His victory. He'd get them all back.

"What are we going to do now?" Toga asked, breaking Shigaraki from his thoughts, "I need more blood." There was a crazy glint in her eyes as she sharpened her knives. As they'd been on the run, without a proper way to travel without Kurogiri, she'd had to go back to her old ways of doing things. Stabbings, assaults, murders, anything to get her blood fix.

"We got this, we'll figure it out! Oh no, what are we gonna do?! Heh." Twice tried to reassure her, but his disabled mind was even worse after the incident.

"We need a new plan, and we can't stay in this run-down shack for much longer," Dabi stated. He was irritated too but was a lot less Shigaraki about it. "Without Kurogiri we're left to go about things the old fashion wa—"

CHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRR—

"What was that?" A ripping sound stopped every conversation, causing them all to snap toward where it was coming from. Their eyes widened when they saw exactly what it was.

Between the fabrics of time and space, there was an ominous tear. Through it walked flames and carnage, a promise, and a vengeance.

A rush of heat and static flooded the room in an instant. There was no way to breathe, move, or to even think. 

A being drenched in ash and blood, the tainted red hue eclipsing its worn frame.

When it walked, its frame would creak and scratch at its plating, creating a horrid screeching noise. Every step landed with a heavy, slow thud. It was like a zombie from a horror film, filtered with a dilapidated, mechanical wonder that just didn't fit the image it gave off.
A chill ran up their spines despite the heat mauling at their skins as they watched it stagger.

"₩ⱧɆⱤɆ гР₴ⱧɆ ⱧłĐɆ Ⱨł₥ ₣ⱤØ₥ ₥Ɇ..."₩ⱧɆⱤɆ..." A raspy, deep growl of a voice echoed into the space. The portal continued to tear at the seams. A peek beyond it displayed a wasteland, all that was left on the other side.

Ceaseless bodies lay in droves on the ashen ground, more than any of them had ever seen. More than any of them had ever made.

"₩ⱧɆⱤɆ...!" It roared at them. The closer it got, the more they could smell that overwhelming stench of rust and blood. 

Its crazed words found them at last, halting as it tilted its head with a terrible screech of metal on metal. Hollow white and black orbs swarmed with insanity, a type more potent than Shigaraki's. Hingeless and vile, malicious intent so thick it weighed down the very air they breathed. 

A pure, dauntless madness had found them.

"ɎØɄ..." It said, profoundness seeping into its echoed growl, "ⱧɆ ₥₳Ɽ₭ɆĐ ɎØɄ..."

There was a dead silence in the air as pressure rippled through it. They couldn't answer even if they wanted to, and from the growing look of recognition, it seems that whatever it had been searching for, they didn't have to answer it.

That discovery resulted in a wave of righteous anger, and a familiar static filled the air. Red as the ash-stained blood on its body, arcs of wrathful lightning danced a violent waltz.

"ɎØɄ ⱧɄⱤ₮ Ⱨł₥...?"

"AHHHHHHH—!" It felt like their skin was ripping apart. Their bones, their blood, their very atoms were stressed. Burning, tearing, twisting in a way they weren't supposed to. It straightened its stance with a terrible slowness, a dreaded sense of familiarity washing over them.

000 was labeled on its chest, frayed and decayed by untold years of disrepair.

It was just like that robot.

The robot that 'died'.

The robot they practically tortured for months.

The robot they practically killed.

The robot it was looking for.

Something in them was ripping, they discovered. Their screams went silent, unable to manifest anymore to speak for their agony. It did not let them speak. From the mark that was left on them, they had done atrocious things to him.

"ⱧØ₩ Đ₳ⱤɆ ɎØɄ ฿Ɇ ₳ⱠⱠØ₩ɆĐ ₮Ø ⱠłVɆ?" It rasped. The way the blackened rings in its eyes spun as it focused on them mirrored the fluctuating wind surrounding them. There was no escape, nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. "ⱧɆ ł₴ ₥ł₦Ɇ. ₥ł₦Ɇ. ₥ł₦Ɇ. ₥ł₦Ɇ. ₥ł₦Ɇ. ₥ł₦Ɇ!"

Their blood dripped from every orifice as a strange light seeped out of them. It was something that this being shouldn't be able to touch. Something that shouldn't be visible. But it was, and there was a sick glee in its eyes when it clasped its hand gently around it...

Only to pull with a monstrous strength uncaring of their suffering. No, it delighted in the fact that they were in pain. It fed on it like sweet nectar, a scratchy, coarse laugh ripping from its damaged vocal processor.

The moment whatever it was finally ripped from them completely, their bodies plopped to the ground in an unceremonious heap. But their bodies, they no longer moved, no longer breathed, no longer lived.

Their expressions were contorted in agony and would stay that way forever. Even after death, there would be no peace for them. It would make sure of that.

The entity crushed the lights with a clutch of his fist, and they became aimless smoke in the building wind. With a new purpose set, it left the building it had arrived in to crumble away, unable to hold under the strain of its power any longer.

"ⱧɆ ₩₳₴ ₥ł₦Ɇ, ₳₥áĐ₳..." It whispered to no one. The portal it had torn with the energy it had taken closed completely. Red ashes drifted away on the wind like dying fire, and through those tainted flames, it walked.

"ᎶłᐯΣ 卄ł爪 ฿Λ匚Ҝ ... †Ө 爪Σ."

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═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

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I will be going on a bit of hiatus. I hope to be back soon! Thank you for being so patient.

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═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

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Chapter Text

My grandfather passed away today.

I will be going on Hiatus for an undecided amount of time.

I'm sorry.

I will not be updating any of my stories, even those with a surplus of chapters already ready. It's too difficult to do all of that while grieving. It's too much, too soon, and I'm hurting.

Thank you all for sending your good wishes. Thank you all for caring enough even to type them.

This will be the last message from me for a while.

I will see you all again when my heart hurts less.

Goodbye for now,

Your Author,

-Jenna.

Chapter Text

Neo speaking: "It will look like this..." | Neo thinking: It will look like this. | Others who are NOT Neo thinking: 'It will look like this.' | AI speaking to Neo (in mind): [It will look like this.] | AI speaking to others: [It will look like this.] | Neo's Mainframe: {It will look like this.}

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═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

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Neo wasn't sure what was swirling in the core of his frame, but the longer he spent with the humans, the stronger it got.

He watched them interact with each other. Laughing and chatting together. Small groups of families stick together to watch the events unfold.

This is society. This was the world I am in.

The sky was wide, so blue and vibrant. Flurries of soft clouds sprinkled across it, framed by the trees as his gaze returned to land. Green grass contrasted by pavement, this was the campus of the human school for heroes.

It is crowded.

Neo did not like being surrounded by so many humans. While not as put off by them anymore due to his more positive interactions, he'd spent longer in the negative. It would take much longer for him not to have his guard up around them.

They were an unpredictable species, a hostile race full of abnormality.

His currently small hand gripped Katsuki's evermore. He never let go of his hand. Eri was with Mirio, taking in the sights while he was looked after by his own hero.

Humans were social creatures. They formed groups of friends and family and stuck together.

He had Katsuki, Eri, and Lucio. He had a few others that could be considered friends.

He had AI as his family.

He watched mothers hold and hug their children. He watched fathers lift them into the air and smile when they laughed. Grandparents dote on their grandchildren with gifts and sweets. Infants marveled at the colorful world around them.

Something in his chest reacted, swirling in an emotion he couldn't discern. Bright lights and sound blurred into a still, vacant gray.

Had I experienced this before with someone precious to me?

He had no answer, as he had no memory aside from the one: Amá. Only a piece of her was left within him. Only a fraction of her conscience could be felt in the form of AI.

If she was here, would she hold him like that?

Would he laugh like them?

Would he understand happiness then?

Neo did not know. He didn't understand laughter and happiness the same way these humans seemed to. Their soul flows were color scapes of emotion, molding perfectly into the world as they experienced their lives.

My soul is not like theirs.

Neo was different from them. He was a being with a soul, not human. How would he be able to experience their level of emotion?

No, the question was did he even want to?

The feeling grew in his core as they made their way to the venue. Katsuki was going to be doing something with his class, as all of the other classes were. Neo wanted to watch him.

Maybe then, he would learn a bit about human emotion.

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═════════•°• ⚠ •°•═════════

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Izuku watched as Neo's eyes whirled, taking in the vast world around him. He was quiet, simply watching everything go by. He never let go of Katsuki's hand, and unconsciously, the blonde slowed down to let him walk at his pace. 

'How long had it been since he'd seen the open sky for him to be this fascinated?'

Neo watched the clouds in the sky and turned his head at all of the sounds around him. He watched people laugh and joke and play, it was the silent wonder in his eyes that made Izuku smile, just a bit.

'We have to make sure this goes well. For them.'

Izuku left on his way, not seeing the curious glance thrown his way as he disappeared.

"What is this festival for?" Neo asked. He'd taken in all of the sights he could from the outside, and they were making their way into the building since they were heading over to the venue where Class 1-A would be performing.

Neo, while he did not dislike the festive atmosphere around him, found it unfathomable. Why were they laughing? What was the purpose of their words and actions? This was an establishment meant for learning, right? What did humans learn that didn't involve harming others?

What did Katsuki wish to learn at this school?

Hero. He'd mentioned this term when they were trapped together. He still did not understand what it meant in full detail aside from the fact that they saved others from villains and other criminals.

How is one taught to be a hero?

"People gather to do different fun activities," Momo answered, seeing it as her chance to get closer to him. "We socialize and showcase different talents we have."

"Talents?" What does that mean?

Momo went on an enthusiastic tangent about the subject, and how everyone has something that they're good at. With that information in mind, he locked his gaze on his Amity.

"Katsuki and Eri's talent...?"

 "Me?" Eri tilted her head, thinking. "Um, I don't know if I have one."

Neo looked at her, sifting through all of the files he had on her. If she did not know her talent, he was certain that he'd recorded it for her somewhere. Eri has lots of talents to him. "Eri is strong. Eri is kind. Eri is helpful. Can these not be 'talents'?"

The poor girl was not ready for the onslaught of compliments and had to quickly shield her eyes from the brightness her little brother emitted just by existing. She was left a blubbering mess trying to deny it, but Neo wasn't hearing any of that.

"Eri is a good human."

"Tin Can. What do you think my talent is?" Katsuki knew that he was fucking awesome. He just wanted to hear Neo say it. He couldn't stand the fact that the little shit (Eri) was getting all of the praise when he was the first.

Katsuki was not jealous.

Neo stopped walking completely, facing Katsuki with his full attention.

"Katsuki Bakugou, why are you asking something you should already know?"

Neo looked at Katsuki as if he was dumb, shocking the blonde. "Without Katsuki Bakugou, I would have died." He stated bluntly, shocking the others.

This is the human that proved to him that there was a reason to hold on to hope.

This was the human that proved to him that he wasn't in a world of nothing but pain.

He gave the doctors the information they needed to heal him.

He brought in Momo Yaoyorozu to recreate his unique blood, ensuring that he would live.

"Humans as a species are harmful to me," There was not only one wince at that statement, "but Katsuki Bakugou is the first to prove that isn't entirely true."

Now this got their complete undivided attention. Katsuki was the first to prove humans weren't as hostile as he thought. Were they talking about the same person? You know, "Die" after every sentence, ready to literally blow a fuse every other second, Katsuki? That Katsuki Bakugou?

Neo didn't care for the confusion in the other humans' expressions. If Katsuki had not appeared on that day. If his escape had failed... He would have ended his own existence to escape his own agony.

He would have used all of the energy he'd gathered and self-detonated himself and every living thing within 10 miles of him. It would have been a catastrophe unlike anything they'd seen, and all of that... that future, was stopped through the actions and presence of Katsuki Bakugou.

Looking at the vast sky, he stated, "I would not know that the world was more than pain without you. There is no other human like you."

To Neo, there would never be another human like Katsuki. No other human could take his place. No one but the few that saw his memories knew of this fact, no... felt this fact.

"Katsuki Bakugou's talent is being Katsuki Bakugou."

Katsuki was left in the same state as Eri; for the first time, he hardly knew what to say at all. "D-damn right."

He was totally expecting that profound of an answer. Completely. Absolutely.

"Awww!" Mina and the girls cooed at the heartwarming sight not a second later, ruining the touching moment.

"Shut the fuck up."

"PFFT." Mina was a daredevil. Just like Mirio, she was recording this entire scene from a different angle. "How about✨No✨?"

Several veins burst as his face morphed into that amazing, pissed-off expression, "YOU LEARNED THAT FROM THAT SPARKLE BASTARD!"

"✨Maybe✨?"

"AAAUUUGGGGGHHHH!"

"Oh shit."

And the chase began, leaving the children utterly confused. Neo quickly held onto her Eri as he watched them run around. Despite the anger that was displayed on Katsuki's face, his soul read that he was happy, and having what they called 'fun'.

What helped them feel so... free?

Neo, for the first time, was experiencing the brightness of the world around him. There was laughter. There was hope. There was light. He never knew that this world could seem so large. He was surrounded by wonders he could have never thought of.

But he could barely understand it. He wanted to understand.

"This class is performing something, correct?"

"Yeah." There was a profound look on Mirio's face. When Neo peaked at the others in their little group, they were just as determined. "They worked hard for it, so let's go cheer them on, okay?"

"Okay." Neo was planning to watch Katsuki anyway. He wanted to know more, see more. Maybe then, he would understand whatever it was he was currently feeling.

There was no longer a need to hide.

There was no longer pain.

But while positive feelings were present thanks to the Amity that he'd procured, there was a sense of... emptiness.

Now that there was no need to be alert, to be afraid, hide, or otherwise, he was left with no significant emotions. He could barely understand them as is, but he knew that they were there, and lacking compared to the humans he saw.

Compared to the humans he trusted and cared for, there was a difference.

The only conclusion both he and AI could come up with was the fact they weren't human. They had a soul, they had feelings. But they were something else entirely, and they had no idea what.

He held Eri's hand as she walked with him through the crowd. He stayed at her side, never straying even for a moment to search further. He didn't feel he needed to, as the only reason he even considered being here was because Katsuki was here.

Amid the wonder were humans he did not trust, laughter and idle chatter between groups of them he did not know, and activities he didn't understand.

Neo was wary. AI was protective. Together, they were cynical in their approach to new humans and their new views of them. The humans he trusted were by him, and the humans they trusted were there, too. He was not foolish enough to relax completely, but he knew that danger wouldn't come from them.

In the unlikely case it did, he was not helpless anymore. He had learned hiding did nothing but invite pain. He knew the human mind a bit more now. He'd studied many at this point. He'd been steadily gaining energy.

If he was attacked here... If any of his amity were attacked here...

He would destroy the threat immediately. 

Without hesitation.

Not every human was bad. He knew that now. He'd seen good humans now.

But not every human was good, and AI would not allow him to be merciful.

That must be why even now, he could read the wariness on the wavelengths of the older 'heroes' watching him from afar. They knew AI would not tolerate a mistake on their part.

If Neo was the one more likely to protect his own than outright attack...

Then AI was the one who would attack first, as that was her way of defending.

For now, he didn't focus on those adult humans. He focuses on the younger teens. He hadn't seen many teen humans aside from the few who visited him with Katsuki. He knew them and trusted them a little bit. But there were many now.

He would record all of the data he could.

Doing so would help him understand humans and emotions, and in turn, he could understand himself a little more.

He started on a select few of them; the children he'd seen before, Tenya Iida, Strange Human, Shoto Todoroki, and Momo Yaoyorozu. It was mainly because he'd seen them, or sensed them, when he went offline at Kamino.

Yaoyorozu was the one who helped replenish the blood he'd lost with her quirk. She seemed very relieved to see him, though he did not initiate more conversations with her.

{Momo Yaoyorozu: A human who is helpful to this unit and assisted in the recovery. She is a classmate of Katsuki Bakugo. Trust: 0% → 3%.}

She did not seem like a bad human.

[Based on her soul's reading, she is. Her emotional reading has a bit of self-doubt, but there are mass levels of kindness. Trust, however, still isn't optimal to engage in more than greetings.]

When he glanced at her in thought, she smiled and waved, her emotions relieved. He would hide in Mirio's shadow though, much to her disappointment. AI and Neo were very clear about their boundary. Though he didn't dislike her, that was as close as he was getting to her for now.

Todoroki also tried to wave to him, but was given the same treatment. There were subtle amounts of anger and self-hate present in him. He was not a bad human, but he was not as bright as Momo had been.

If he visibly deflated at Neo's action, the little bot didn't care.

Tenya was too eager, so, much like what happened with Strange Human, Neo backed off a little more. Neither of them could understand why he was moving his arms as he did, though one of them took it rather negatively.

[Are you threatening this unit?] AI's cables lit up with yellow sparks, sharpening instantly into blades.

"NO! I WOULD NEVER!" Tenya, in an act of quick thinking, backed up six precise steps. He could feel the tense static in the air from the power the little robot was exuding, and it was enough to tell him he was in danger if he didn't move.

The adults were quick to reveal their presence, only for AI to calm down, scoffing at them.

[You all would have been too slow.] She said. They all winced. While AI had been defensive of the lack of space, she had also been testing them. They must have failed whatever assessment she'd just given them.

The task of getting her trust was a lot harder than they initially thought.

Neo took back control. The calm blue of his lights allowed everyone to breathe again. He looked up at Tenya, who was sweating a little bit. "Unless you are Amity or have a trust over a certain percentage, close proximity is dangerous. AI does not like it."

"...Noted..."

It was a good thing Strange Human didn't attempt because AI would have most likely zapped him with a mini cannon.

He was not here to make more 'friends'. He was here to watch. He was here to learn. He wanted to understand.

He wanted to understand himself. He wanted to understand the world he woke up in. He wanted to know if he could, if it was even possible, to understand it even a bit.

This was his first step.

This was his starting line.

So here they were, waiting for the performance to start in a darkened room full of humans. Mirio was kind enough to lift him up on his left shoulder, as he'd taken Eri on his right.

He watched as they performed marvelously on the stage. He recorded every detail, from their dancing to the lights, the effects, and the sounds.

Unlike Eri, who was watching Strange Humans and all of the other effects they were making, Neo focused on Katsuki as he 'murdered' the drums. AI would handle recording all of the data of the performance.

For some reason, he only wanted to see Katsuki's performance. He watched every drumstick hit its mark expertly, he recorded their rhythm, angle, and power. His eyes whirled as he took it all in.

Red eyes met blue ones in the midst of the cheering crowd. Time briefly paused before another form of a smile ghosted upon Katsuki's face. It wasn't a prideful smirk, but it was full of pride all the same. It had joy, pride, and hope, before returning to his usual angry expression and pummeling the drums again as time resumed.

He turned his head slightly, watching as Eri laughed for the first time. He watched her smile widen until not a hint of sadness could be found. She joined the others as they danced, excitement surging through her small frame.

What is this new error I feel?

The welling feeling surged in him as he watched Eri laugh and smile freely. Her eyes sparkled with delight, and Mirio shed tears of joy at the sight.

The door to a normal childhood had finally opened for her, the steps to her happiness finally free for her to walk upon. In this world of humans, there was still light within her. There was still hope for her and a chance for her to live a fulfilling life.

But what of me?

He was not like Eri.

No, he was not like humans.

As exciting as this experience was, his lips did not move an inch. His eyes may have widened in wonder, but his guard was still up. Mirio saw this, and the wide and joyful smile he had dimmed just a little.

But he was learning, and maybe he too would one day find a glimpse of what happiness was.

After all, his new life was only just beginning.

Chapter Text

I love this story. It was one of the first stories I wrote that introduced one of my main original characters, Neo. But I haven't updated it in a long time, even though I still have A LOT planned for it. I don't want this to just sit here and not be updated, but I also don't like being stuck in writer's block with the progression.

So, I've decided to rewrite it so that the plot is clearer (and showcases my own improvement). I will not delete this version of the story, goodness no. Aside from additions and corrected areas, the main plot will NOT change except for the glaring holes I found, like what Neo is.

At first, I made him an android, but the more I wrote, the less that was accurate. He has a soul, a body that can feel, emotions. It's more accurate to call him an alien, golem, or something else that is alive and can 'die'.

So, to the drawing board this story is going, for now. New art, new designs, same story. I want to one day mark this story complete in the truest sense of the word, and be proud of it.

Again, I'm sorry about this story not being updated regularly. I love it just as much as you guys do. Around the time I stopped being able to write, I had other family responsibilities to take care of. Writer's block moved in like a new friend by the time I got back to it... and it's all led to this.

When the rewrite is up and ready to read, the chapters of the old story will be hidden/deleted. 

Thank you all, and until then.

Your Author,

-Jenna Is Writing