"...A familiar ceiling."
Most of these situations begin with a line like "an unfamiliar ceiling," some lazy realization that the world's changed while they were unconscious. But this—this wasn't new.
The cracks in the ceiling. The soft rustle of wind through the loose window frame. Even the smell—sunlight on old paper and lemon floor cleaner. All of it exactly as he remembered. Not as it was yesterday, or last week, but from before.
This was my room.
The one I hadn't seen in years. The one I left behind when I...
No. I remembered it clearly.
I died.
"Ghk"
I instantly clutched my temples as memories of my encounter with the Domain Keeper and the Domain Walker flooded my mind.
"...Right, that makes sense."
Truthfully, none of this makes sense.
[Welcome Host]
"The Fu-"
I sat motionless on the bed, eyes flicking between the screen and my trembling hands. The bed felt real. The air in the room felt real. But everything else—the memories, the voice, the Domain Keeper—blurred together like a fever dream.
Though, one thing did confuse me.
"Host?"
'Is this system some sort of parasite then? or maybe we have a symbiotic relationship of sorts'
I sat confused on my bed, wondering what to do now. I looked at my surroundings, only to realize something was very wrong.
Everything was still.
There was no sound, the sunlight falling in my room looked stale, the curtains didn't flicker, and there was no movement of wind around me at all.
'Wait, isn't this the Cliche?'
I slowly got off the bed, my bare feet touching the cold floor. It felt... heavier than usual. Like I was moving through something thicker than air.
"It's like walking through syrup."
Curious — and a little unsettled — I walked up to the window and slid it open.
Nothing happened.
I blinked, almost expecting the wind to greet me with a rush of cool air, but it was like the world beyond the glass was sealed behind invisible glass. I leaned out slightly, eyes scanning the street below.
That's when I noticed it.
Across the road, a man stood mid-step, his phone raised to his ear. His mouth was frozen open, caught in the middle of a sentence that would never finish. His jacket fluttered unnaturally — the folds suspended like paper caught mid-fall.
A cyclist a few feet away was mid-air, his front wheel angled up, the back tilted off the ground as if he'd hit a bump. But he wasn't falling. He wasn't moving.He was just... hanging there.
Even the birds above were statues in the sky — wings outstretched, frozen mid-flap.
I looked down again and saw a can of soda slowly spinning as it hovered just inches above the pavement, its contents suspended in tiny droplets around it, like a miniature galaxy caught in a gravity-less void.
"Is time stopped right now?"
...
Right, there's obviously no-one who's going to respond to me in stopped time.
"Ha—HAHAHA!"
At first, it was just a breath — a small, startled laugh that slipped past my lips before I could catch it. But then it kept going. I couldn't stop. My shoulders shook, and the sound built until it echoed around my frozen room, bouncing off the walls like some unhinged soundtrack to the end of the world.
Because really... what else was I supposed to do?
"ITS ALL TRUE, EVERYTHING I JUST EXPERIENCED WAS TRUE. I THOUGHT I FINALLY WENT INSANE, BUT EVERYTHING'S REAL"
I stumbled back from the window, breath shallow, heart racing.
"I… I thought—fuck, I thought that was just some insane dream. A fairytale. A delusion. Yeah, that's it. A dream."
My breath hitched. My hands trembled.
"…Wait. What if I am dreaming? What if I never woke up? What if I'm still on that floor, bleeding out, and this—this room, this ceiling—it's all just some last hallucination before I die?"
I laughed. It sounded like a dying animal.
"No, no, that makes more sense, right? Because there's no way any of that was real. Domain Keeper? System screens? This isn't real. It can't be real."
"Did I finally overdose on alcohol? Am I really fucking tripping right now?"
Then the thought hit me.
My eyes snapped wide.
"Wait. Fuck. FUCK. I HAVE TO FIGHT THAT WORLD-EATER THING, DON'T I?!"
I grabbed my hair, pulling, just to feel something.
"I'm not ready—I'm not ready—I'm not ready—"
[Welcome Host]
"Motherfu-"
The screen that had been patiently floating near my bed snapped into view, materializing inches from my face. I stumbled back, heart hammering in my ears, nearly tripping over my own feet.It hovered there, calm and unbothered, like it hadn't just scared the absolute shit out of me mid-breakdown.
"Okay—shit—calm down."
I forced myself to breathe, slow and deep, eyes locked on the floating screen like it was some kind of lifeline. Focus on that. Don't think about the world-eating monster. Don't think about dying.
"A system, right? Then… um… Status?"
That command seemed to do something as the blue panel in front of me instantly changed.
[Name: Matsumoto Miyamoto
Age:16
Quirk: Zap
Template: N/A
Completed Templates :N/A
Attributes:
HP: 8
Attack: 5
Special Attack: 1
Defense: 6
Special Defense: 10
Speed: 8
Ability: Mental Protection
Moves: Observe
Gimmick: N/A
]
"Alright..." I muttered scanning the screen "Pretty standard Attribute Panel"
I somewhat understood the Panel. The Quirk attribute obviously referred to the quirk I possessed called Zap. Judging by the name, it could either be an electrical-type quirk or a speed-type quirk.
The stats took a moment, but I immediately registered them as the Stats that Pokémon possessed. But...I'm a human, why do I have Pokémon stats? Did I reincarnate as a Pokémon? I can't be caught by a Pokeball right?
'Calm down'
Let's see, HP was pretty self-explanatory, it determined the amount of Hitpoints I had, though there was no health bar in sight.
Defense referred to how much punishment I could take from physical blows—punches, kicks, any sort of close-range combat. Meanwhile, Special Defense was the mystical counterpart. Resistance against things like... psychic attacks, ghost-type interference, elemental weirdness.
Same logic applied to Attack and Special Attack. One governed how hard I could hit physically. The other boosted whatever supernatural forces I apparently had access to now.
Speed... well, that one didn't need much explaining. How fast I could move, dodge, react.
Moves probably referred to the various moves I could do, like creating named attacks and stuff. Gimmick was easy to understand too, it essentially referred to stuff like Mega-Evolution or Dynamax.
That was all I understood, though. What exactly was a Template, and why did I have a separate Ability slot if there was already one for a Quirk. Maybe because the ability the Domain Walker gave me wasn't a Quirk?
"Before I delve into that stuff, if this is a standard system, then there should be an Inventory, too right?"
As soon as I finished speaking, a second panel opened up beside the attribute panel.
"Let's see...a 10x10 inventory panel, meaning I can store about 100 items in it"
Thank god. An Inventory. That alone made this whole "system" thing worth it. Not just for combat, but everything else too. I'd never have to pack a bag again—no more stuffing clothes, food, or random junk into backpacks. Just think it, store it. Traveling was going to be so much easier.
"Bzzt, I know right?"
Instinctively, my body jumped across the room as I clutched the books on my bed, rolling them up in a paper bat as I turned around to see...
A Rotom? (Base Rotom, Electric/ghost)
"Bzzt, look at you, already inheriting your Asian roots and making a paper bat to beat up people."
"I...what?"
"Bzzt, I guess I should introduce myself. I am Rotom, your friendly neighbourhood Pokémon who also serves as a guide to the system you possess."
"Ah," I said, unsurprised, as if already used to nonsensical things happening to me. "I guess if there ever is a guide for a system, the best choice is a Rotom."
"Bzzt, now you get it."
The Rotom flew around me as it stopped beside me, staring at the Attribute Panel.
"Before I got on the Template stuff, let's explore all the other functions your system has first."
"I have more stuff?"
"Bzzt, as of right now, you have Perks, Quests, and Travel left to explor.e"
"Then...Perks"
A third window popped up
[Perk Points: 0
EXP Share: EXP share
Perk points required: 1
Experienced Trainer: Increases EXP gain by 10%
Perk Points required: 2
EV Trainer: Increases EV gains by 10%
Perk Points required: 2
Gotta Catch em all !: Slightly increases Pokemon capture chance
Perk Points required : 4
You're my friend now: Increases friendship gain with Pokemon
Perk Points required : 4
Mage: Increases Special Attack damage bonus
Perk Points required: 6
Brawler: Increases Attack damage bonus
Perk Points required : 6
...]
"Damn, this is some really good stuff, but why are most of them locked? Is it some sort of progression-based thing where the advanced things only get unlocked if I unlock all the basic stuff first?"
"Bzzt, I see you've played a bunch of video games huh?"
"Yeah, I have." I muttered as I looked at the perks. "How do I get Perk Points?"
"Bzzt, you usually get them from completing hidden missions. Additionally you also get 1 Perk Point every day that passes in the MHA world"
"Is that so..."
My Hero Academia is a world full of superpowers.
Basically, a very long time ago, there was a baby girl born with the ability to glow light. Over time, more and more of the human population started acquiring supernatural powers. Eventually, these powers were assigned the term Quirks.
A horrible name by the way.
'Though, considering the world of Pokemon is mixed in MHA, the original storyline or even the emergence of Quirks may have a different story. That's a bit worrisome because someone like All For One could have a very different Origin.
That is if All For One even exists. There's no way to know the changes that have occurred in the timeline. For all I know, One For All doesn't exist, or maybe All For One was defeated by a combination of humans and Pokemon'
Thinking about this for a moment, I shook my head
'That's probably not true. All For One is a smart person, he definitely has his own Pokemon as well. Wait, All For One can't steal Pokemon Abilities right? No, those aren't Quirks so probably not.
But if he could...'
"Agh, stop thinking. Quests"
[Current Quest: N/A
Rewards: N/A]
"That's a simple design. What was the last thing again?"
"Bzzt, Travel"
"Right, Travel"
[Travel
Current Worlds available for travelling:
Pokemon Red- 0%
Pokemon Blue- 0%
{LOCKED}
{LOCKED}
...]
"Pokemon Red and Blue?"
I narrowed my eyes in thought, then instantly opened them in child-like glee as a thought struck my head.
"Don't tell me..."
"Bzzt, indeed, you can travel to these worlds as you wish"
Holy Sheet
This is insane. The games that I spent my entire childhood playing were now free for me to explore to my heart's content?
"Rotom, the people in these worlds are real right? They're not just some NPC's right?"
"Bzzt, Of Course"
"FUCK YES"
I've always wanted to meet the people in the games. My Rival "DumbShit", Prof. Oak, Brock, Misty, Sarge, Giovanni, Mewtwo.
OH FUCK I COULD GET MEWTWO?!
"Man, this almost makes it worth fighting an Eldritch World eating entity"
Almost
"I'd be a lot happier right now without that worry"
"Bzzt, Pussy"
"Enable Child Mode"
"Bzzt, I don't have that"
"Wonderful"
I sighed running my hand through my face as the weight of reality sank in. In the end I was given this system with a purpose, to fight and kill the World Devourer.
"Right, tell me about the Geography of this world"
"Bzzt, Alright.
This world contains continents with different wildlife in each of them. Though they aren't explicable called Regions, they might as well be. For example, you can find Ice Types in the Antartica but not necessarily in Australia"
"Nah, I know a penguin that swam halfway across the world'
"The Champions are the strongest Pokémon of a certain continent. There is an Asian champion, an African champion, and stuff like that. The Elite Fours of the Continents function the same way"
"Hm, I noticed I don't have a Pokémon? Don't we get one at 10?"
"The rules are different in this world. You can only get Pokémon at the age of 18 upon registering with the Government as a Pokemon Trainer. Additionally, you can also receive one earlier if you enter a Hero School or have a specific quirk related to Pokémon. Of course, you can also inherit Pokemon earlier if your family has one"
"So if I catch a Pokémon in the other world, it won't raise an issue?"
"So if I catch one in the other world... that won't raise suspicion?"
"Oh, it'll raise plenty," Rotom said flatly. "You don't have a powerful family. You don't even have a family. And you definitely don't have some rich sponsor watching your back."
"Damn, as if the world of My Hero Academia wasn't unfair enough with Quirks, now even money plays a big role"
"Bzzt, Money always plays a big role"
"Ah fuck it, I'm not letting some stupid laws get in the way of my childhood dream of owning a Pokemon"
Suddenly, I had a thought
"Wait, you said Hero School, right? Then if I enroll in UA or Shiketsu, I could have a Pokémon no problem, right?''
"Bzzt, correct."
"Where exactly in the timeline am I right now?"
"Bzzt, let's see...About one month from Canon"
"THAT'S NOT LONG AT ALL"
One month from Canon meant there was only one month before the UA Entrance Exams.
"Shit, what am I supposed to do"
UA Academy is a prestigious academy that people all over Japan try to enter in. Not only is the practical examination tough, but even the written examination was horrifying, filled with the most difficult questions never asked before.
People trained their entire lives to even qualify. And now, I had thirty days.
"Not only is my Quirk completely untrained, but I barely know anything about Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Fuck, I don't even know the History and Geography of this world"
As for using Pokemon in the UA Exams? Don't joke around, I'll be arrested on the spot.
If I make it past the written exams, that is.
"Atleast my Quirk is decent."
Zap from the memories of this body is a speed-type Quirk that allows for extremely fast movement in a small radius.
"Basically, blink and you'll miss me."
But then I looked down at myself.
"…But my body is shit."
I could dash fast, sure. But if I didn't have the reflexes or the strength to actually land a hit—or dent a training robot made of steel—then it meant nothing.
"I can't even reach an acceptable standard through training in just one month"
"Bzzt, don't worry, you'll manage"
"How do you th-"
"Bzzt, it looks like time is flowing again"
The silence cracked. The curtains swayed, rustling softly as wind brushed across my skin. I hadn't even realized how tense I was until that moment—I inhaled sharply, then exhaled, letting the tension melt out of my shoulders.
A breath I didn't know I was holding slipped free.
Though the moment didn't last long.
The door to my room suddenly burst open. A figure stood in the doorway, gasping for breath like she'd sprinted the whole way here.
My heart lurched.
"...Sis?"
Of course. It was her.
My legs twitched forward instinctively. I wanted to hug her. Wrap my arms around her and never let go. But I froze. My body stopped before my heart could.
Even if I remembered watching her die, it's possible she didn't remember anything that happened. For all I know, she's still at the awkward talking stage.
'This could be the version of her that still hasn't learned to speak her feelings.'
And even if she looked the same, this was a different world. A different timeline. Maybe not even the same soul behind those eyes. For all I know, this wasn't even my sister, but rather this world's Matsumoto's sister.
At least… that's what I believed.
Thoomph.
Air escaped my lungs in a breathless cough as she slammed into me with everything she had, arms clutching my back so tightly it hurt.
"Wha—?"
"I THOUGHT YOU DIED!" she screamed into my chest, voice cracking into a sob.
My entire body went numb.
"Died…?"
'Wait. Does she—?'
"W-when that plant monster came in—when it grabbed you—I saw the blood—I thought—I thought—!"
Her words spilled out in choked fragments, shaking as much as her shoulders were. Her grip on me only grew tighter, like if she let go for even a second, I'd vanish again.
I didn't care about hearing the gruesome details. I already knew how I died from the Demigorgon. I didn't need the reminder.
But she remembered.
She saw it.
And she carried that pain with her all this time.
My arms moved before I could think. I wrapped her in the tightest hug I could manage, pressing her trembling body to mine. Her tears soaked through my shirt.
I clenched my jaw.
"...Thank god."
My voice cracked, barely audible.
"You're my sister—not 'his'."
She didn't reply. She just cried harder.
And while she lay in my arms crying, a memory popped into my head.
"I'll tell you one thing," Aoyama said, voice steady, even as he placed a finger gently on my forehead. "If your story is really supposed to be an angst fic, then there's no way I'm letting it have a bad ending."
...
My eyes which were previously filled with fear and delusion, brightened up in clarity. The thoughts of this world being a dream shattered the moment I laid my eyes on the person I loved the most in the world.
That's right, my mission isn't to kill the World Devourer; that was just a circumstance. My real "mission" is-
"You've already died once, Matsumoto. You don't get another redo. So in this life... don't you dare mope. Don't wallow. Live. Party. Make friends. Break the damn law if you feel like it. Love recklessly. Laugh too loud. Burn things down if you have to—but live. Like someone who got a second shot."
To live an amazing second life, free of regrets.
He smiled again. And there was something deeply terrifying in that smile.
"And if after all this—after everything I've done—you still manage to have a miserable life… I swear, I'll come back and end you myself."
'You won't have to...' I thought as I pulled her further into my embrace 'Because I'd be an idiot not to have fun now.'
'...Thank you, Domain Wal- No...
Thank you, Aoyama'