Chapter 6

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“Uh… Deku? Are you alright?”

I raise my head from the table I’d been resting it against, Derpy’s worried expression now in my line of sight instead of the blue-painted wood.

Our group are currently sitting at a picnic table outside Canterlot High, around the back.

We’re all dressed in winter casuals, since we didn’t do any training today because I’m too exhausted and we are now in the months of winter.

Wallflower’s wearing her usual look, while Diamond didn’t have to change her look to much, just wearing black trouser and Silver Spoon is pretty similar, only she’s wearing a purple sweater and pink trousers instead of her usual skirt.

Derpy is wearing the outfits shown in the Rarity music video Life is a Runway. Apparently, it’s really warm.

I sigh, gingerly straightening myself and yawning loudly. “’m just tired, Derpy. Nothing t’ worry about.”

Wallflower gives me a firm look. “If it were nothing to worry about, you wouldn’t look like that.”

As if they’d rehearsed it, Silver Spoon pulls a compact mirror out of her bag and holds it up to my face.

What I see staring blearily back at me would startle me if I wasn’t so tired.

My face is a bit more gaunt than usual and I’ve massive bags under my eyes.

“Nana, we’re worried about you,” Diamond Tiara says firmly, giving me a “we are having this talk” kind of stare, the kind your parents give you as a kid when they are imposing how serious something is.

“You’ve been going back and forth from Equestria to here to help us train for months now,” Wallflower nods. “Nana, you need to take a break.”

“I’m… fine,” I say, my head nodding forward for a moment. “Wallflower, could the three of you stop moving around. It’s hard to focus on the middle one when you all keep moving like that.”

The girls all share a look, before Diamond glares at me. “Okay, no. This is serious, Deku!” She slams her hands on the table. “You’re beyond exhausted. Are you really that determined to get us ready to defend ourselves against the League of Villains and become our world’s Symbol of Peace so quickly?”

I blink at Diamond for several minutes. “Me, this world’s Symbol of Peace? Naw, man. That’s a flawed ideal. That’d do more harm than good in the long run.”

That causes confused looks.

I sighing, I smack myself several times to wake myself more, before explaining. “It’s true, Allmight became the Symbol of Peace for his world and it did work, for a very long time, but, there in lay the problem. Being the Symbol of Peace means taking on more burdens than any human is physically and emotionally cable of. Plus, once Allmight’s time started heading for its final days, the loss of the Symbol of Peace almost broke the whole world, not just his home country of Japan.”

The girls all look stunned.

I nod, holding up a finger. “Allmight had the right idea, instilling a sense of justice and joy into the world, so people weren’t always cowering in fear at the idea of a villain attack, but, by placing all that on himself, society itself started to falter. People who weren’t villains but looked it started getting treated as such. Certain heroes started caring only about their public image instead of protecting people since they thought Allmight would be able to do that for them. Those who felt ostracised grew up hating the world and came together due to their likeminded views and wanted to cause nothing but harm. Hero Society only works when everyone is doing their part. One person being the Symbol of Peace will work for a short term, granted, a very long time, but, still only short term and, once it ends, it’ll be followed by chaos for a long while.”

“Then, what’re you doing?” Wallflower asks. “If you’re not trying to become our world’s Symbol of Peace, why do you keep trying to help?”

I smile. “Because it’s just the right thing to do.”

There’s silence as the girls process everything I’ve said.

It’s Diamond, five minutes later, who finally breaks the silence.

“So, if you’re not trying to become the next Symbol of Peace, why’re you so exhausted?”

I blink, before chuckling. “Oh, nothing. Just had to deal with one of the most chaotic weddings in Equestria’s history after Cadance and Shining Armour’s happening long after it was originally supposed to.”

Their eyes widen, so I explain about Cranky and Matilda’s wedding, plus everything else that’s been going on in Equestria lately, including how I’d been asked to Appleloosa with AJ and the CMC to help deal with Troubleshoes.

Things there went much easier since, in my role of hero, I was able to “apprehend” Troubleshoes shortly after the CMC talked with him, without the rest of the ponies getting involved and convince everypony he wasn’t malicious and the CMC still took that important step in getting their Cutie Marks by helping Troubleshoes understand the true meaning of his.

Not to mention the fact that the wedding happened out of order from what I was expecting threw me off.

The CMC got their Cutie Marks before the wedding in the version of Equestria I ended up in.

Learned that the embarrassing way when, after noticing the events of Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? and Brother Hooves Social happened before the wedding, went to ask Matilda directly, only for Cranky to overhear me and chew my ears out for several minutes for not bothering to read the date on the invite… before Matilda pointed out they hadn’t given me one yet, what with my spending most days in the EQG world.

Two days after, the CMC got their marks and Spoiled was arrested for embezzling school funds on a statue in commemoration of something that didn’t even happen.

Three days after that, the wedding happened and… it was even more chaotic than the episode described, not helped by the fact Twilight and the others refused my help in fighting the Bugbear, even though it would’ve saved a lot of time and caused far less damage.

A simple flick at 5% and it would’ve gone down easily, but, they insisted, not wanting to have to start relying on me when the EQG world (or Sunset’s world, as Twilight put it) needs my help more due to the League of Villains, even though the League hasn’t made a peep in months, their lacky locked up in Tartarus being the only indicator of their presence in this world.

Though it takes me a bit to realize that, instead of what’s going on in Equestria, they’re more interested in hearing about Cadance and Shining Armour, my having briefly forgotten the only version they’d know are form Crystal Prep.

They’re certainly shocked as we head instead when I mention Cadance is pregnant (another episode who’s events annoyingly happened out of order, coming before the CMC got their marks), since they’re pretty sure Cadance isn’t pregnant in this world, though they are aware she and Twilight’s brother are married.

It’s as Diamond mentions Shining and I slip, saying Twilight’s happy that she’s going to become an aunt, Wallflower says something that, if I weren’t so exhausted, maybe I would’ve been able to handle better.

“Wait, if Princess Twilight is going to be the aunt of Cadance’s baby in Equestria… doesn’t that mean our world has a Twilight who’s would be our world’s Cadance’s baby’s aunt?”

There’s a long pause, before all the girl’s heads slowly turn back towards me.

I sigh, and am about to explain how their world’s Twilight has a very different life from her pony counterpart, but I’m cut off by someone calling out, “Hey, Piggly Wiggly.”

I stop, glancing around in confusion.

“Nana, what’s wrong?” Wallflower asks.

I don’t answer, due to notice Applejack and the others close by, said farm girl looking around too.

I frown, rubbing my eyes. “You girls are right. I really do need some rest. I can’t think straight.”

I’ve a nagging feeling that loud “Piggly Wiggly” and Applejack looking around are connected, but I’m too tired to think of why.

“Sis! Sis!” all our attentions are now on Applejack and co as her little sister runs up to her, looking worried, holding up her phone.

““Did you guys know when AJ was a kid she loved playing with her pigs. OMG! She sat in the mud for hours! Her whole family calls her “Piggly Wiggly” cause she loves them so much! What a PIG!”?” Applejack takes her sister’s phone, reading it out loud.

I blink, frowning. This is sounding way too familiar. I wince, holding my head. I really need some rest so I can think clearly.

“Who’s this Anon-A-Miss?” Sunset asks.

Alright, that’s it!

“Deku, what’re you—?” Derpy starts to ask as I shove my backpack into her hands.

I clench my fists and charge up. One For All: Full Cowling: 28%!

Thanks to the months of training with the girls, I’ve actually managed to push my limits of One For All to 24%. I’m going 4% my limit because that’ll hurt.

It does the trick, if only for a short time.

The pain wakes me up more and I shake my head, focusing on current events.

Quickly, everything falls into place and I walk up to the girls, arms folded, a disapproving frown on my face.

“Oh, hey, Deku, what’s up?” Sunset asks, before noticing my gaze and whom it’s aimed at.

“Uh, Miss Deku?” Apple Bloom asks nervously.

During my months here, I have interacted with the girls and stayed on friendly terms with them, though probably not as often or as close as I’d really have liked, though that was mostly because I want to wait until Sci-Twi joins the group and they get their magic from Everfree before really getting involved.

After all, until they get that magic, there’s no chance they’ll be able to defend themselves if the League targets them.

With my mind clear, however, I can see what’s going on and I intend to put a stop to it before it even begins.

“Care to explain?” I point to the phone in AJ’s hands.

“Huh?” is all seven’s response.

“What’s going on?’ Wallflower whispers to Diamond.

“Beats me,” Diamond whispers back, opening her phone, clearly trying to understand and snickers a little.

I tap my foot, staring down at Apple Bloom. “As the little sister of this world’s Element of Honesty, it would be pretty shameful to continue down this road, Apple Bloom.”

“R-road?” Apple Bloom laughs nervously. “Wh-what road? Ah can’t even drive.”

Now the others are looks to the yellow girl with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m not going to out you here, Apple Bloom,” I say, my voice full of disapproval, “however, there’s a thing called trust. Breaking someone’s trust, especially someone close, is a very cruel thing to do. And trust like that, once broken, can take a long time to fix. Just food for thought.”

With that, I walk off to re-join my group, hearing Rainbow saying “What was that all about?” as I leave with them.

It’s true, I’m not a student here, but, having informed Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna about the situation months ago, they’ve agreed to let me stay in the school as a kind of transfer student… though I do worry about the paper trail.

I’m unsure how many members of the League were actually aware of Deku’s granddaughter before they came to this world, so whether they’ll recognize the name Nana Midoriya should they stumble upon the school records somehow.

After all, the name Midoriya alone would not only stand out to them, but, it would stand out anywhere in this world.

So, instead, I asked them to go with the translation, Green Valley.

It’s not exactly a name I’d like to go by, but it’s technically not lying either. At least, if the League does notice my name, even if they’re Japanese, it shouldn’t click in their heads.

Later, after class, Diamond shows the girl’s the Anon-A-Miss page and, while there is snickering at first, one look from me makes them stop.

“Ya know,” Diamond frowns at her phone, “this Anon-A-Miss’s profile picture is the same colours as Sunset Shimmer’s hair. Is possible that…?”

I give Diamond a firm look. “Diamond. In all these months, has Sunset in any way made it seem like she’d willingly post something like that? I’m not talking about the old Sunset. The current Sunset, the one you’ve seen ever since the Fall Formal. Does that Sunset seem like she’d do that, especially to those she cares about?”

There’s a long pause, before the girls all sigh, shaking their heads.

I nod, glancing to Sunset and the others as snickers and murmurs of “Piggly Wiggly” happen around us and find myself having to stop 1% of my Quirk charging through me out of frustration, not helped by the lack of sleep.

I mostly stop it, but not before a few sparks of blue electricity crackle around me, causing several students to look my way in annoyance, before looking away nervously at the glare they receive in turn.

Apple Bloom, my words better have reached you.

That night, I choose to stay in the EQG world, knowing full well what should happen tomorrow, should they not.

I get permission to sleep in the infirmary, as I don’t want to inconvenience anyone and so I’m here early in the morning.

Come morning, I wait in the hallway. I see Sunset and the others come in together… slowly followed by a frowning Sweetie Belle.

As Rarity’s sister splits from the older kids, I watch her go. Wallflower is standing nearby and I nod.

She nods back and, after making sure no one’s watching, goes invisible and follows after the white girl, her mana-infused clothes disappearing with her.

I follow Sunset’s group, splitting off when Sunset goes to a different class than the others, staying by the main group.

My presence doesn’t go unnoticed.

“De— um, Valley?” Rarity asks, causing the rest of the girls to stop before splitting off themselves. “Why’re you following us?”

“I’ve chosen to go to your class today,” I say simply.

With how my being in the school is structured, I don’t have to follow the same class schedules as everyone else. I can go to whichever class I want, in whichever grade (within reason, of course), so long as I do the tasks assigned to me during those classes.

With a good night’s sleep under my belt, I know how thing should play out if Apple Bloom didn’t heed my warning and, in the event of events playing out like normal, I intend to be there to derail that train as soon as possible.

The girls seem uncertain, but choose to accept my reasoning and I join them in class.

As class is ending, Applejack gets a notification on her phone and, upon looking at it, her expression tells me to step in.

“I’ve a pretty good idea what’s wrong, AJ,” I say as she shows her phone to the others. “However, I ask you wait until we hear back from Wallflower. She had a free period, so I sent her on a reconnaissance mission,” I add to the questioning looks.

As Sunset meets the girls in the hall, I give AJ a look so she understands.

She reveals the photos to Sunset and asks about it, with Sunset insisting she didn’t post the photos and not understand how Anon-A-Miss got them.

However, due to my intervention, the girls don’t accuse her, though still seem unsure, which is understandable, I guess, given the circumstances.

After a few minutes, Wallflower appears next to me, startling the girls.

“Well, Wallflower?” I ask, indicating to the girls. “We’re we right?”

Wallflower sighs, looking apologetically at Applejack and Rarity. “Your sisters are Anon-A-Miss.”

The two look aghast, then enraged.

“Before you two bite her head off,” I interject, looking firmly at them, “I told you I sent Wallflower to spy on your sisters.”

“No you didn’t!” Rainbow snaps, pointing at me. “You simply told us to wait for Wallflower to return from a… reconnaissance… mission?”

I watch as dawning enters all their expressions.

“I’m not going to outright call out your sisters,” I say, arms folded, “but, I recommend you three put them in a position where they’re unintentionally call themselves out. Suggest how you think Anon-A-Miss got the info she has so far. Say it the right way and they’ll trip themselves up.”

Dash folds her arms. “Couldn’t you just use your Quirk to do that?”

I frown at the rainbow-haired girl. “My Quirk doesn’t do that, Dash. None of our Quirks do.”

Dash snorts. “Typical. Why couldn’t someone have gotten a mind reading Quirk.”

I can’t help glancing at Sunset and inwardly smirking.

It may not be a Quirk, but, give it time, Dash. Give it time.

Suddenly, a thought occurs to me I hadn’t before.

“Sunset?”

“Yeah,” she asks, still seeming anxious.

“Where did you live in Equestria? Before Celestia took you on as her student, I mean,” I add to the odd looks.

Sunset looks confused, before folding her arms and looking up at the ceiling. “Nowhere, really. Just this little place called Sire’s Hollow. From what Twilight’s described, it makes Ponyville seem like Manehatten.”

I conitue looking at her for several moments, before smiling and nodding.

Wallflower and I head off down the hall, myself intending to help the girls train a little before heading straight back to Equestria for a bit.

I’ll return after Hearth’s Warming for the Friendship Games, possibly with some news.

Author's Note

Not gonna lie... this is not the chapter I expected to be posting today.

Yesterday, i wasn't able to do any writing because we had my grandfather on my mum's side funeral.

So, with that in mind, i kept my mind as far away from this story or any other for the day, focusing on the day's events only.

However, it was as i was laying in bed trying to go to sleep this morning that, it occured to me, i had no idea where this story was in the season 5 timeline anymore because of how many chapters i'd done in EQG.

as such, i looked up the episode list for season 5 and, while going over it and putting yearly seasons into the calculations thanks to Hearthbreakers, i remembered that, for Legend of Everfree to happen during Summer (since it wouldn't make sense Fall could've lasted all four movies), that, since Fall was the start, Winter needed to happen before then and Anon-A-Miss came to mind and i realized how i could work with that.

After all, as a hero, or a good person in general, for Deku to know the events of Anon-A-Miss were happening but not do anything about it, knowing full well how it goes, it would be pretty villain like.

and, i'd unintentionally set up Wallflower with the perfect Quirk to derail events before they got out of hand.

So, next chapter, we finally get to Friendship Games, with Deku planning on making sure Sci-Twi doesn't end up with the emotional scars of Midnight Sparkle.

i was originally also going to introduce the other current Quirk User at CHS, but then realized it would clog up the chapter and also require forcing reasons said user didn't interfere sooner, so she remain Quirkless... for now.

shortly after Legend of Everfree, however?

hoping in the next couple weeks, most likely sometime in november, to maybe update a few other fics, including A Love Bug's Life, as, i promise you, that fic is not dead yet, but we'll see how it goes.

I'm really eager to get to a specific part in this fic after Legend of Everfree, since it... Nope. on second thought, saying anymore on that would be spoilers.

So, Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter and, til next time, stay safe, stay clean and see you later everybody