Izuku The Survivor of Vault 111

Izuku moved carefully, holding Eri in his arms, with Piper and his mother following closely behind. The world around them was strange and devastated: burned trees, collapsed buildings, and an eerie silence, broken only by the whistle of the wind.

**Mother:** *(Looking around, incredulous)* *How could this happen? Everything is... dead.*

**Izuku:** *(Frowning)* *The war. This is what's left after so much hatred and ambition.*

As they approached what seemed to be their old neighborhood, Izuku began to recognize some familiar landmarks. Although the houses were in ruins, the layout was the same. Something inside him stirred as he saw his destroyed home.

Suddenly, a metallic sound broke the silence. A familiar figure appeared, floating among the rubble.

**Codsworth:** *(With an emotional voice)* *Mr. Izuku! It's you! You're alive!*

Izuku felt a pang of relief when he saw the old robotic butler quickly approaching.

**Izuku:** *(With a faint smile)* *Codsworth! I can't believe you're still here.*

**Codsworth:** *(Spinning his blades nervously)* *Oh, sir, it's been a very difficult time. But what a joy to see you and little Eri! Though... I must say, the neighborhood is not quite as you remember!*

**Piper:** *(Curiously, observing the robot)* *Is this your butler?*

**Izuku:** *(Nodding)* *Yes, Codsworth has been with us since before... well, before all of this.*

**Mother:** *(With tears in her eyes)* *Codsworth, what a relief to see you well. What happened here?*

**Codsworth:** *(His tone turns melancholic)* *Madam, I'm afraid the worst happened. The bombs fell. Everything we knew was destroyed in a matter of minutes.*

**Izuku:** *(Looking around)* *And you? Have you been here all this time?*

**Codsworth:** *(Sighing, if a robot could do so)* *Yes, sir. I've tried to keep the neighborhood clean, but... it's not the same without you all. I've been waiting, thinking you might return.*

The sincerity in Codsworth's words touched everyone's hearts.

**Izuku:** *(Placing a hand on Codsworth's metal body)* *Thank you for staying, Codsworth. But now I need your help. Do you know if there's anything or anyone nearby? Some safe place?*

**Codsworth:** *Oh, sir, it's not safe to stay here. But I've seen movement in Concord, south of here. There could be people, though I'm not sure if they're friendly.*

**Piper:** *(Thinking)* *Concord, huh? Maybe it's a good place to start.*

**Izuku:** *(Looking at his mother and Eri)* *How far is it?*

**Codsworth:** *Not far, sir, maybe a couple of kilometers. But I'd recommend you go alone. It's a dangerous path, and little Eri and her mother would be safer here with me.*

**Mother:** *(Intervening)* *Leave us here? Izuku, is it safe?*

**Izuku:** *(With a serious look)* *Codsworth can take care of you. I'll go to Concord and see what I find. It won't take me long.*

**Eri:** *(Still half asleep, mumbling)* *Daddy... don't go.*

**Izuku:** *(Gently brushing her hair)* *It'll just be a moment, little one. Daddy always comes back.*

Leaving his mother and Eri under Codsworth's care, Izuku adjusted his Pip-Boy and prepared to leave. Piper, who had been silent, looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

**Piper:** *And me? You want me to stay here too?*

**Izuku:** *(Looking at her seriously)* *I'd prefer if you did. But I know you won't.*

**Piper:** *(Smiling)* *Exactly. Someone's got to cover your back.*

**Codsworth:** *(Intervening)* *Be careful, sir. The outside world is not what it once was. But if anyone can face it, it's you.*

Izuku nodded and took one last look at his family before heading toward Concord with Piper by his side.

**Izuku:** *(With determination)* *Let's go. Let's find out what's out there.*

With every step he took, the weight of the world felt heavier, but so did his resolve. He had no idea what he would find in Concord, but he knew his family was depending on him.

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**End of Chapter 5.**