Chapter 7: Iron Man
Ejiro Kirishima was well on his way to becoming a top hero at U.A. High School. Known for his unwavering spirit and indestructible quirk, he didn't just love the thrill of hero training; he cherished the camaraderie he built with friends like Bakugo and Midoriya. Together, they faced challenges, learned their abilities, and dreamt big, all while supporting each other through the trials of teenage life. The future seemed bright, and adventure was just around the corner.
One evening, after a long day of hero training, Kirishima decided to take a shortcut through a dimly lit alley. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. A shiver ran down his spine, and when he turned the corner, he spotted a young woman backed against a wall, looking frightened and breathless.
"Hey! Are you okay?" he called out, immediately stepping forward, his instincts as a hero kicking in.
But the moment he tried to reach for her, panic flashed in her eyes. With a swift motion, she raised her hands, and suddenly, a wave of shimmering energy burst forth. Kirishima barely had time to react as the force knocked him to the ground, the world blurring around him before slipping into darkness.
When he came to, he found himself lying on a sleek metallic surface, blinking against the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. Disoriented, he pushed himself up and glanced around—he was in a high-tech environment that felt surreal. Steel walls lined with screens, gadgets, and what looked like various suits of armor surrounded him. His heart raced; this was unlike anything he had ever seen.
"What's happening?" he murmured, feeling the weight of something heavy on his chest. Looking down, he gasped. The light glinted off a polished, chest-mounted arc reactor buried within an armored suit that encased his entire body, shiny and red—just like Iron Man.
"Am I…?" He stumbled as he realized he was no longer just Ejiro Kirishima, but Iron Man? How was this possible? The panic rose in his chest like a tide. "Where are my friends? Is the lady okay?" Confusion twisted in his gut, but he took a deep breath. The hero in him wouldn't let him succumb to despair.
He caught sight of a piece of paper pinned to a nearby console—a neatly written note with a familiar scrawl. "Emergency Contact: Include JARVIS Activation." Unfortunately, the notes didn't explain how he got here or what had happened.
As he trekked through the unfamiliar space, the feeling of exhilaration began to seep back into him. Perhaps being Iron Man came with perks. He spent the next few days experimenting with the suit, discovering its capabilities to fly, project beams of energy, and even interface with extraordinary technology.
Yet the looming questions haunted him: Where was he? And more troubling, where were his friends? His thoughts drifted to their faces, laughter, and the endless nights spent in the dorms of U.A. High School. With no eventual answers and lost in this new lifestyle, he felt increasign depression.
After what felt like an eternity, Kirishima stumbled upon another note—one searching for coordinates of his apartment. He found a small, stark white apartment ringed with windows overlooking a skyline of tall towers, shimmering lights, and more advanced technology than anything he had ever known. Shock coursed through him; was this really his new home?
The walls were adorned with accolades, awards, and gratitude from those he had saved. He genuinely was a hero—just in a different world. His heart raced with pride, but the bittersweet ache of longing for his friends tightened around it. Everything was different now—his purpose, his life—but the core of who he was as a hero remained intact.
He began to put the pieces together, diving deep into the role of Iron Man while also searching for the means to get back to his world, his friends. Every night, he activated JARVIS, refining his skills and knowledge, still unstoppable.
Eventually, he realized that being a hero in this world wasn't just about the suit; it was about heart, sacrifice, and unyielding determination—the very principles that had guided him as Ejiro Kirishima, as a student at U.A.
He took to the skies, ready to protect this world, feeling an unmistakable blend of excitement and resolve. Armed with the indomitable spirit of a hero and a fierce heart etched with the memories of his friends, he vowed to not only understand this new identity but to find a way back to the world he came from. After all, a true hero would never let go of the bonds that made them who they are—no matter where they might end up.