Chapter 9: Marie Spars Deku

Marie

After her classes were done, Marie headed to her dorm room with the other girls helping her navigate through U.A., if she completed her homework fast enough then she could spend a few hours training in the Dorm's Gym. On entering, the other girls all looked around. "Wow, it's definitely…different," Ashido Mina said. "I know, I just wanted to bring as much of home with me as I could," Marie admitted as she found her desk. Next to her desk was her mini-fridge and a small stovetop heater, with kettle on. Her bed was on the far wall, while next to her door were two bookshelves filled with horror movies and novels, while her walls were decorated with an assortment of posters for Fool Moon 2 Nite and horror movies, and one wall had the flag of the United States and South Carolina on it, under which was her Father's Presidential Medal of Liberty, granted to Heroes who went above the call of duty. Next to Marie's bed was a shrine for her deceased parents.

"So," Marie said, "Do you guys want any American iced tea? I got unsweetened, sweetened, and peach tea." "Sure," Tsuyu said. "I'll try it," Uraraka said. "Isn't that like really cold?" Jiro said. "Don't be rude," Ashido said. "Sounds nice," Yaoyorozu said. "Oooh! I've always wanted to try peach tea!" Toru said. Marie got some cups from a container under her bed and pointed out which teas were which. Toru and Yaoyorozu had peach tea, Jiro and Uraraka had unsweetened, while Tsuyu and Ashido had sweetened tea. Marie had peach tea and Ashido said, "Here's a toast! To our new swol girl, Marie! Welcome to U.A.!" The seven girls clinked their plastic cups together as Marie heard them all say, "Welcome to U.A.!" "Thanks girls," Marie said as she took a big swallow of her peach tea. "WOW! That is really sweet!" Toru yelled.

"I know, it's pretty much the only sugar I have, no more than two cups a day can ruin my diet," Marie said. "It's not as bad as I thought it would be," Uraraka commented. "Yeah, but WOW! This tea is really sweet! Like candy or something," Ashido said. "The secret," Marie said as she opened her laptop, "is to add the sugar and stir it up while the tea is hot and fresh. That was how my Grandma taught me to make it. I don't use as much for peach tea because the peach juice makes it good already. Hope you like it, that's genuine South Carolina tea, made in the Charleston Tea Plantation. South Carolina is the only state in the U.S. where tea can be grown." Jiro took a second sip, "It's good, but I don't think I'll make it a habit to drink cold tea in Fall." The other girls agreed, cold tea was definitely a summertime drink.

The girls all sat and worked on their assignments together. Yaoyorozu was a great help for Marie, her Japanese wasn't as good as she liked, and some of the more historical terms left her stumped, and soon they were all done with their assignments and just started talking. Marie told them about her life, including how she wound up in Japan, and received a lot of sympathy from her classmates in return. After an hour, there was a knock on the door. "Marie, Joey's here," Midnight said on the other side in English. "Door's open," Marie replied, and Marie came in with Joey beside her. "Oh hey," Ashido said in English, "You must be Joey. Your Big Sis was just talking about you." "Hi," Joey shyly greeted all the girls, and Marie thought she smelled some hormones coming off him and smirked.

"Oh, he's so cute!" Ashido said in Japanese, and the other girls agreed. If it wasn't for Joey's skin color, he'd have been as red as a tomato. "Well, that's it for homework, I'm heading to the Gym. Wanna come, Joey?" Marie told her little brother. "Yeah! I saw some of the boys working out. Deku is pretty cool, he had this one guy, uh…Kaminari, sitting on his back while he was doing pushups, like you and Dad used to do!" Joey excitedly said. "Alright, let me change," Marie said. She grabbed her gym clothes and changed, after Joey was escorted out her room. Marie headed out with Joey, Uraraka, Yaoyorozu, Toru, and Ashido coming along, with Midnight leading them. Marie smelled the boys' sweat as they got close to the Gym; and would be lying if she said it didn't excite her.

She heard as Midoriya and Kaminari were now competing with Bakugou and Kirishima. "Forty-five…Forty-six…Forty-seven! I can make it to one hundred way faster than you, shitty Deku!" Bakugou yelled. "Mind if I join in?" Marie said as she walked in. "Go ahead," Midoriya said, only to be drowned out by Bakugou, "You're too late, Kuroko! You can't catch up to us!" Marie's tail wagged at that as she smiled, "Challenge accepted. Uraraka, get on my back." "Alright!" Uraraka said as Marie got into position. "Hang on," Marie warned her as Uraraka grabbed Marie's shirt. Marie immediately started doing pushups like her life depended on it, soon doing thirty in thirty-five seconds. "HEY!" Bakugou yelled, "No cheating, Pink Cheeks! Don't help that bitch by using your Quirk!" "I-I-I'M N-N-NOT!" Uraraka yelled as she struggled to hold on to Marie, who was moving like a bull riding machine, up and down, up and down.

"GO MARIE!" Joey yelled. "More like rokuju-go," Yaoyorozu said as the whole class started watching the three-way contest. Marie, Midoriya, and Bakugou started slowing when they hit ninety, but none of them stopped. Marie was sweating furiously, but kept on pushing, counting in English, "Ninety-three…Nin…ty…four…Nine…ty…five…" The three of them were all sweating furiously, it was a struggle to do pushup ninety-nine. Pushed too hard too early…focus! Even if you're not Number One, you can always finish! That's what Dad always said! Marie was growling furiously as she yelled, "ONE-HUNDRED!" At the same time, Midoriya and Bakugou yelled, "HYAKU!" "Say what?" Marie said as Uraraka got off her and she flopped to the ground. "We're tied?"

Bakugou yelled, "HOW THE HELL DID THESE ASSHOLES TIE WITH ME?!" Kirishima said, "Aw yeah! THAT WAS THE MANLIEST CONTEST I'VE EVER SEEN! FREEMAN-CHAN, YOU'RE ONE MANLY GIRL!" Marie laughed, "I'll take that as a compliment." "That was a compliment," Kaminari said, "coming from Kirishima. Good job, Midoriya, Freeman-chan." "Good job, Deku-nii-san!" a little girl yelled. "Eri-chan! I didn't see you!" "Huh?" Marie said as she realized that the smell of sweat, and her own excitement for the contest, led her to miss that a little girl was in the room. "Midoriya, who's that? You got a little sister?" Marie asked. "Huh? Oh, no, this is Eri-chan," Midoriya explained as he walked closer to Marie, holding Eri, "Last year, I saved her from this Yakuza gang, the Eight Precepts of Death. They were…monsters to her. She's an orphan, so U.A. kind of adopted her, although Aizawa-sensei is her usual guardian."

"Nice to meet you, Eri-chan," Marie said, and held out her hand. Eri put her smaller hand in hers and Marie shook it. "Are you Joey-san's big sister?" Eri asked. "Got it in one," Marie told her. "You're really strong," Eri said, "But Deku-nii-san is stronger when he uses his Quirk." "Oh yeah?" Marie asked. "Yeah," Eri excitedly said, "Deku-nii-san beat Chisaki, and Chisaki turned into a giant monster, and Deku kicked him up into the sky! And then knocked him out with another kick! POW!" Midoriya bashfully laughed, "It was a little more complicated than that, but I couldn't have done it without you, Eri-chan." Marie's jaw dropped, "You mean she's serious!?" Midoriya answered, "Well…yeah."

"Midoriya, spar me, now!" Marie excitedly said. "You mean right now?" Midoriya said. "Yeah! After hearing that, I need to experience that myself! I've been itching to spar someone here. Just for like…three minutes!" Marie said. "OOOHHHH!"

Everyone looked, except for Marie, but she could smell the excitement coming off of her Mother. "This is a perfect opportunity for the power of youth to show itself! I'll even referee it!" Midnight happily offered. "Are you sure, Sensei?" Uraraka said, "I mean, Deku-kun and sparring doesn't always…" "They'll be fine," Midnight cut her off, "As soon as someone has sustained a terrible injury, I'll end the match. It'll only be for three minutes, that shouldn't be too bad." "Come on Midoriya, show me what you're made of," Marie said with a smile. Midoriya sighed, "Alright…but we need more space…and time to stretch." "Just follow me then," Midnight said, leading everyone out of the Gym, no one wanted to miss this.

Midnight led them to another building, judging by the acoustics, it was a fairly large building, maybe enough to hold an entire passenger plane. Midnight explained, "This is Training Center Alpha, it's rather simple, only a flat surface with sand, but it should prove adequate for our needs." Marie felt the ground, the sand wasn't too deep, just enough to cushion any falls. "Now then," Midnight declared, "This sparring match shall be one round of three minutes. The winner will be the one to make ten points within that time limit. Strikes are worth one point, while pins and holds that last for ten seconds will be worth five points. There will be no biting, no eye gouging, no attacks to the groin or ears. If I tell you to stop, you will stop, or else you will forfeit the bout. Do you agree to my rules?" Marie nodded, "I got it." "Sounds fair," Midoriya said. "Now," Midnight said, "Take ten minutes to stretch you two."

Marie did as ordered and started stretching. She could practically feel people's eyes on her when she touched her knuckles to the ground. She breathed deeply as she stretched, feeling her muscles loosen up, embracing the pain. As she stretched, Midnight said, "Marie, be careful. Midoriya-kun's Quirk is one of the most powerful I've ever encountered. In fact, for a significant portion of his first year, he couldn't control it. Every time he used it, he would shatter his bones. Don't underestimate him." Marie grunted as she sat down, stretched her legs out and reached for her heels, "Isn't it cheating to give me advise?" "I'm going to tell Midoriya about you as well to make it fair. But, as your mother, I want you to be careful. In a head to head confrontation, I have no doubt that he can beat you." "I understand," Marie said, "And thank you, Kaa-san. But I need this. Even if I lose, this will help me keep moving forward." Midnight nodded and headed over to Midoriya.

After the ten minutes were up, Marie and Midoriya walked to the center of the Training Center. Marie clenched her right fist and brought it to chin height before wrapping her left over it and bowing to Midoriya, "Let's have a good fight." Midoriya was flustered, but bowed in the Japanese manner before saying, "Let's have a good fight." Marie and Midoriya assumed their stances and activated their Quirks as Midnight said, "Ready!" "BEGIN!" the Pro-Hero yelled as the sound of a whip crack thundered through the air.

Midoriya went for a punch, only for Marie to deflect it to the side and kick his stomach. She then followed up by pouncing towards him, but he avoided her. Marie dodged a kick and kicked him again in the chest. "Midoriya, if you're holding back on me, I swear to God I will kick your ass over your head," Marie growled as she attempted a chopping strike that Midoriya caught, and then he landed a hard punch to her stomach. Marie struck his forearm to make him let go and they both backed away. "That's more like it," Marie said as she ran at him after catching her breath. Midoriya caught her arm a she tried a punch, and then threw her to the ground, keeping hold of her to then put her in a tight arm lock. Marie struggled to break free, but Midoriya's technique was solid enough to keep her from breaking his arm lock. "That's it! Come up!" Midnight declared.

Marie and Midoriya got up and Marie rolled her shoulder to make sure her arm was fine. "The score is six for Midoriya, and two for Freeman!" Midnight said, "Fighters get ready!" Marie took a deep breath and assumed her stance again, Midoriya was raw, unpolished, but his technique was adequate, and any weaknesses in technique were overcome by the raw strength his Quirk granted him. His smell…what the Hell…not enough adrenaline or testosterone, his strength isn't just from those fine muscles I'm feeling. Mom was right, I can't overpower him. Need to fight smarter

"GO!" Midnight yelled. Midoriya jumped at Marie with speed that defied belief, but she still managed to block his kick and grabbed his ankle. She then felt as something hit her, making her let go. "The Hell!?" she yelled, then barely dodged another kick before flipping back. Was that…AIR!? Did he punch so hard that the shockwaves hit me!? Marie barely avoided another kick before throwing a hook kick that hit Midoriya's head. Midoriya was hit hard by it, and Marie seized her chance to jump on him and tackled him to the ground, holding him tight while she was on top and pinning him down. Marie struggled with all her might and managed to keep him pinned for ten seconds. "UP!" Midnight declared. Marie and Midoriya got up and Midnight announced, "The score is seven for Midoriya and eight for Freeman! This is the last minute! Fighters get ready!"

For the last time, Midoriya and Marie assumed their stances. "Midoriya," Marie said, "Thanks for this. I'm looking forward to spending the school year learning with you." Midoriya took a breath and said, "The feeling is mutual, Freeman-san. You're an amazing fighter." Their talk was ended when with one last crack of her whip Midnight yelled, "GO!"

Midoriya shot forward faster than before and landed a punch to Marie's face, and then another before she could block it. Marie jumped over him to avoid another strike and spun around for a side kick that hit his stomach hard, making him stumble back. Marie ran at him full speed, ready to end it with a palm strike, only for Midoriya's fist to slam into her palm instead.

Marie could only feel shock then. There was no other word for the sensation of feeling every bone in her arm; her hand, to her wrist, to her forearm, elbow, upper arm and shoulder shatter all at once. Her right arm slumped instantly, like a boneless worm. Marie could only fall to her knees, feeling as Midoriya helped her up. "I'm so sorry!" he said, over and over again. The words didn't reach Marie's brain for five seconds as she felt her Mom hold her. That was when the pain finally hit her. Marie screamed so loud that the entire Training Center echoed with her scream. She kept on screaming in pain as she was carried out, and into the main building. She recognized that it was Midoriya carrying her as they got up to the Nurse's Office.

"Recovery Girl!" Midoriya said as he went in and explained what had happened. "Midoriya! I can't believe this! Bad enough that you nearly destroyed your arms last year, but now you're doing that to a fellow student!?" "Wait," Marie managed to say. Recovery Girl stopped yelling at Midoriya and Marie said, "I wanted to spar him. He just went along with it. It was all my idea. Don't punish him, at least, if you do, I deserve the same punishment," Marie managed to say through gritted teeth as she struggled to remain conscious. Recovery Girl sighed, "This generation. You kids have no self-preservation instincts at all."

Recovery Girl then went to Marie and kissed her arm, and Marie felt as her arm healed, and the pain stopped. Marie flexed her arm and rolled her wrist and moved her fingers a few times. She was completely healed. "Thank you, Recovery Girl," Marie said. "Don't do something so reckless ever again!" Recovery Girl said, "That goes for both of you!" "Yes, Sensei!" they yelled. "You can go now," Recovery Girl dismissed the Heroes-in-Training, and they left her office.

As they walked back, Midoriya said, "Freeman-kun, I'm so sorry. I was trying to hit you, and your hand, and-" "Forget it," Marie cut him off, "I challenged you, I got what I had coming to me. Besides, I'm all better now. You got nothing to apologize for." Marie smiled as they continued heading back to the Training Center, "You know Midoriya, I think I could fall for a guy like you." "HUH?" Midoriya stopped in shock, and Marie laughed as he started babbling incoherently. It wasn't the best way to end a fight, but she was satisfied with it.

Author's Note: Happy New Year! I hope this makes up for the wait!