Assimilate

It was a typical day for Class 1-A. They were currently in Mr. Aizawa's class again, but recently the unit they were studying in was a bit different from the others. This time around they were learning about alien beings with powers that might either pose threats, or be valuable allies. Unknown to both Mr. Aizawa and the class, there was one student who already knew something about one such race of aliens.

That student was Chris Maverick, a transfer student from America. His quirk was called Copycat, which allowed him to copy the quirk of anyone he came into contact with, but only for a short time, or until he copied another quirk. That is, until he came across a new alien entity that enhanced his ability even further.

The current class was on the alien race called the Klyntar.

"Better known as Symbiotes, the Klyntar are usually seen as these blobs of black matter in their normal state," Aizawa said pointing to a slide on the presentation depicting a Symbiote, "They are most commonly seen as having bonded with a host like us humans as most commonly seen with the symbiote hero called Venom," here the slide turned to show a picture of Venom himself. Here, one of the students, a girl with relatively wild hair named Momo Yaoyorozu, raised her hand.

"You said they bond with a host. Does this mean they are some kind of parasite?'

'Oh, she did NOT just say that!!!' said a voice inside Chris's head. Chris simply rolled his eyes. The alien entity he had encountered was indeed a Symbiote. Bonded, the two became the Multi-Quirk hero, Assimilate, though Chris had lately been trying to keep the symbiote a secret for fear of his classmates turning on him. This wasn't easy as the symbiote had enhanced his quirk, allowing him to now copy three quirks at a time.

Aizawa answered Momo: "That is actually a common misconception. They seem that way, but the truth is they actually are intent on protecting their host, while at the same time keeping themselves alive. It's a symbiotic relationship between the two, hence their common name of Symbiote."

'Hey, that's the first thing out of him that I actually like hearing,' said the symbiote.

'Will you shut up! I'm trying to focus here!' Chris thought.

'Alright, alright. Geez, calm down.' The symbiote replied.

"Are they good or evil?" Uraraka asked.

"I was actually about to get to that, Uraraka. They are typically found at both ends of the spectrum. Some are known to be heroes, like Venom here, while others are evil and incredibly dangerous, like the Bloodlust villain, Carnage." Here the slide changes to show a red and black symbiote so deadly and scary, he would have put Stain to shame.

After class, Chris was walking through the hallway to head outside with the others when the symbiote spoke in his head again.

'Y'know, that lecture got me thinking about something,' it said.

'Ya don't say. What is it this time?' Chris thought.

'I think I might know a way for us to further enhance the strength of our bond. I've sent a call out that only other symbiotes can hear. If they get it, they'll pass it along until it reaches who I want it to get to.'

Chris was surprised: 'There are enough symbiotes for that to work? How many exactly are on this planet?'

'More than you may realize, kid. Anyways, we should probably sneak out onto the roof tonight. If they return the call, we should be able to hear it from there.'

'Alright then, but can I ask you just one thing.'

'Shoot.'

'Who, or what did you just call?'

The symbiote was silent for a few moments, then: 'Someone who could maybe show us how to become a better team.'

'Ooookay then, so tonight.'

'Tonight.'

Chris nodded, then ran to join his friends as they headed outside to train and study.

…

That night, Chris paced the roof, waiting for a response from the one Assimilate called. Here, where no one was watching, he was free to speak to the symbiote, whose head was currently extending from Chris's shoulder

"So, wait, you got this response when?" Chris asked.

"Sometime before you went inside after studying. They told me that the one I was trying to reach got my message and was on his way here. He should be here soon." Assimilate replied.

"Right, but you still haven't told me. Who exactly did you call?"

"Us, of course." Said a deep voice.

Chris whipped around to see a massive black figure perched above them on one of the AC units. A warped-looking white spider symbol dominated the figure's chest. After the lecture, Chris immediately knew who it was.

"You're… you're Venom." He said.

"Indeed, we are," Venom said jumping down to an even level with Chris, "and we hear that you are a new symbiote partner in need of some training."

"Yeah, you could say that. Assimilate here thinks you might be able to help. You can help us with that right?"

"Yes, but only if you are willing to learn."

"Oh, trust me, I'm willing." Chris replied.

"I'm willing too." Assimilate agreed.

"Very well then," Venom said, "But first, you will need to show yourself, Assimilate."

"Uhh, I'm right here, black tendril with a head right here." The symbiote said.

"Not that!" Venom snapped, "We mean ACTUALLY show yourself. Fully bonded."

"Ohhhh, that." The symbiote said.

"We've never actually done that before." Chris said nervously.

"Well, now would be a good time to start," Venom replied, "You know what to do, Assimilate."

Assimilate sighed: "Alright, here goes."

Slowly, Chris felt a tingling sensation as the symbiote slowly crept its way around his body, forming a kind of suit. After a few seconds, it was done. Venom looked impressed.

"Very good," he said, "Why don't you take a look."

Chris walked over to see his reflection in the steel AC unit, and was taken aback. Staring back at him was a figure in a black suit that had some green mixed in as well as well. The symbiote had also taken the time to modify the look, adding boots, gauntlets, and spiked shoulder armor onto the torso. His face did not have the mouth full of teeth that Venom did, but was rather more like an actual mask. A jagged green mark went down each of his eyes like scars.

"Wow, I, I mean, we look pretty good." Chris said.

"Indeed, you do," Venom agreed, "Now we are ready to begin."

Just then a small gasp was heard from nearby. Both Venom and Assimilate looked around.

"What was that?" Venom asked.

"Not sure," Assimilate said, "Let me check around real quick." He leaped down and stuck himself to the wall. Looking around he saw that someone was on the next wall and had been watching their conversation. Moving around the corner, Assimilate found himself face to face with, surprisingly, Mina Ashido, who was using her quirk to stick to the wall as well.

"Mina?!" Chris said, pulling back the symbiote mask to reveal his face, "What are you doing here?"

Mina seemed frightened: "I heard someone talking, so I went to see what was going on. And then I saw you in…that! Wait, is that a…"

"Symbiote? Yeah it is."

"How long have you had that?"

"A few months now. Don't worry; he's one of the friendly ones. He's been helping me this whole time."

"Well, if he's good, why haven't you told any of us about him?"

"Honestly, it was because I was scared. Symbiotes are powerful and dangerous, just like we learned in the class today. If word got out that I had one, who knows how you guys would have reacted. My biggest fear was that you would turn on me."

The symbiote interceded: "I'm especially nervous around that Jirou chick. High pitched sounds and I don't exactly go together. Chris here, however, doesn't seem to care due to certain...feelings." Chris nodded in agreement before realizing what the symbiote said and blushed.

"Hey!" he protested.

"You know I'm right." the symbiote said.

Mina giggled as Chris angrily stuttered in protest, then she placed a comforting hand on Chris's shoulder and said, "Well, if he's good, then I don't really see a problem with him."

"I'm glad you do," Chris continued, glad to be off the subject of his secret crush, "But I'm not fully sure about the others. Until I think it's the right time to reveal the symbiote, you have to promise me not to tell anyone. Please."

Mina thought for a bit, then nodded: "Okay. I'll do my best."

"Thanks, Mina. Now, you should probably get back to your room before someone notices."

"Oh, right. Well, good night!" Mina said and she jumped away, clinging to each wall with her quirk as she made her way to her room. Meanwhile, Chris redonned the symbiote mask and went back up to the roof where Venom was waiting.

"What was it?" Venom asked.

"Nothing, just a friend of ours," Assimilate answered, "We explained what we could to her and she's promised to not tell anyone, so we are in the clear."

"Good," Venom said, "Now we can begin learning the ropes of your new powers."

Venom, crouched into an attack position, "But first, let's see what you already know."

Assimilate crouched into a similar stance, his fists raised.

"Alright," Chris and the symbiote said in unison, "Let's do this!" and with that, they charged at Venom, ready to show him what they could do.