Pieces of Us

by Unity-In-Silence

Is Izuku blessed or cursed with what he is born with? A chance encounter at threes years old, the faith of many pushing him forward. How can one be a hero, when all they see and touch turns to grey? Setsuna Tokage X Izuku Midoriya. Will follow canon to a point, but will divert slightly in some parts for obvious reasons. Nicer Bakugo. Rated M for Language

15. Chapter 15

Two updates? Its a miracle. Well, I may have written an additional 7,000 words. So in reality this would have been a 27,000 worded chapter imagine reading all that in one sitting? In any case, I hope you all enjoy.

---

Sports Festival Training: Part 2

Unknown Location

"From what Intel has gathered Tomura. The Sports Festival will officially start a week from today."

"Hmmm." Tomura hummed aloud.

He was scratching at his neck gently, though the continuous movements had permanently scared a trail along his neck with how frequent of a habit he did it. Like a pair of tire tracks that had dried in mud from under the intense heat of the sun.

Kurogiri remained silent. His task of reporting that information to Tomura already having been done. Sensei had informed Kurogiri about it, and he wanted him to report back to him on the reaction Tomura would have.

"For the moment, we will remain in the shadows Kurogiri. I believe our best choice of action would be to look for new members, and go from there." Tomura paused the scratching on his neck. "Besides with the information we have on Izuku Midoriya; our next important task is already in action. We will strike soon enough."

Kurogiri chuckled darkly at the surprisingly mature response from the still young Tomura. It looked like he had suitable information to report back to Sensei after all. It was not much, but this rapid growth in Tomura's character was promising indeed.

A comfortable silence fell between the two villains in their quaint little bar hideout. After so many years having spent together; they could generally say the company they found in each other was a good thing. Though Kurogiri found it hard to imagine whether the rash Tomura could handle any others in what would essentially become a group with other members.

"Say, Kurogiri. And what of that lackey that we killed down in the water?"

"The one that Midoriya used his quirk on yes?"

"Yes." Tomura grunted. "Did our plan work?"

Kurogiri sighed, the sound coming off strangely from his wispy like appearance. "Izuku got off free from what Intel tells us."

Tomura reached for his neck, his fingers gnarled and ready to scratch.

"However, mentally the boy is at a new low. It's only a matter of time before he breaks." Kurogiri explained. "So calm yourself Tomura, there is still so much that needs to get done, but in due time you will have him."

Tomura's fingers tensed before dropping calmly. The hand on his face always was odd to Kurogiri; as the deep attachment Tomura had to it was bizarre in itself.

"Ahh…yes in due time…" Tomura said to himself.

His hands gripped the hand on his face gently, as if he were petting the severed appendage.

"In due time I'll finally know."

---

Two days later

Izuku awoke with a start, his hands felt numb and tingled. It was a feeling he was all to familiar with. With a somewhat dejected and excited sigh, Izuku lifted his bare hands off his blanket, fully expecting his quirk to have only affected the blanket that was wrapped around him.

However, much to his bewilderment, the entirety of his room was covered with the grey hue his quirk gave off. From the walls to the floor, to his huge number of collectibles and other nick-knacks, not a single thing was left uncovered.

"Izuku!" He heard his mother's shocked cries from down the hall.

"Son, I think your quirk is back." His fathers chuckled at the obvious.

"Shoot…" Izuku sighed.

Call it irresponsible, because it was, but Izuku liked feeling the softness of his blankets as he slept. It was a feeling he had not felt since the entrance exams, but there was a lot of things he missed touching. Because of this his hands were not gloved for the majority of the time his quirk had been gone. Imagine to his not so surprised mind that something like this would have happened. Of course it shocked him at first, but then again it was to be expected.

With a small chuckle, Izuku felt a bit curious and decided to walk down his hall and see how far his quirk had actually gone. Luckily for him, he grew into the habit of sleeping with his door open, so he was not caged in like some sort of animal. Also even luckier, he was able to slip out of his blankets rather easily since they only laid on top of him. So it acted like some weight over him, and was not wrapped around him.

At any rate, Izuku's bare feet gently walked along the ice cold stone floor then out his solidified door. To his slight horror, the entire hall, was covered. His parents were in the living room looking about the room in awe. Izuku followed suit as he now stood beside them.

Every single thing in the house was covered in stone. The floor, walls, furniture, kitchenware, pictured, house furniture, decorations, everything. Nothing was left untouched.

Inko peeked into the boys room, and saw that everything from his blankets had been covered. She nervously chuckled,

"Its a good thing we didn't sleep with the blankets over us last night Hisashi..." She giggled.

Hisashi chuckled while he walked down the hall right behind his son. "Say son. Did your quirk ever do something like this?" Hisashi wondered.

"Uhh, last time I let it just flare out like this was during the Scouting's way back when." He paused looking to his hands. "I haven't really tried seeing how far my touch could actually go. Then again I don't feel exhausted or winded like I do when I use my quirk like this. Not to mention, my quirk spread to literally everything in the house, and it did not just stick to one thing..."

As Izuku continued his rambling, Hisashi and Inko made their way to the window, but even the glass was greyed over. They could not see outside, nor could they hear anything from the outside world.

Inko grew a thoughtful look. "You don't think it spread throughout the entire apartment complex right?"

"Huh, that could be possible mom..."

All of their eyes widened. Acting quickly, Izuku hurriedly brought his fingers together, and just like it did every time. An odd sounding crumble echoed throughout the apartment as Izuku dropped his quirk. The building creaked and shook slightly, as Izuku's hands stung. Whatever was happening, was something he had not been able to do beforehand. This was all new to him.

As his quirk crumbled away; Hisashi had left the T.V the night before and much to their shock their was an ongoing news story going on in front of their building.

In real time, they watched as the shocked newscaster and spectators gasped as the building slowly returned to the color it once was. The grey seemingly disappearing in an imaginary wind as the building became free.

"BREAKING NEWS! IT SEEMS WHATEVER HAS HAPPENED TO THE TRAPPED CIVILIANS INSIDE HAS CEASED!" The newscaster shouted through the speakers of their T.V.

Izuku gulped as he looked to his parents in worry.

"Don't be alarmed." A familiar voice called from within the T.V. "This was not the attack of a villain as I have continually been stating, but rather from someone I know personally who lives within the building."

"How could such a thing happen?" The newscaster questioned the hero on the scene.

Midnight stood in front of the camera in casual attire, but held a somewhat endearing smile on her face. Behind the hero were various heroes rushing into the buildings to check on the residents living in the building. From what they could see on the screens; many of them looked confused and not scared at all.

"First and foremost, I would like to humbly apologize for my nephews quirk, it's something that he can't help sadly." She explained. "But fear not please, as his quirk is completely harmless!" She said in confidence.

Midnight turned around and faced the building, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have to take him to school…" She concluded as she made her way to the building.

Hisashi and Inko looked to Izuku in wonder before back to the T.V.

"Well there you have it viewers! It's a good thing this was not the work of a villain, but perhaps the work of a child who can't control their quirk yet! Back to you Kim!"

Izuku winced at the offhand comment, while his parents chuckled at his expense.

"Well I guess that's a way to start the morning huh?" Hisashi joked as a hurried set of knocks rang at their door.

"Guess that's your chauffeur." Inko teased as she made her way to the door opening it.

Upon the door opening, a relieved and happy Nemuri was smiling at the family within.

"Zu!" She gushed. "Your quirk is back!"

Nemuri embraced Inko and Hisashi in a hug before walking up to her still confused nephew.

"Have you eaten breakfast?" Nemuri questioned as she still saw the pajama wearing teen.

"Uhh, no. I just barely woke up and all this kinda happened?" He winced slightly.

Nemuri sighed lovingly as she tousled his hair.

"Oh you boy…" She giggled. "I guess it's still early." She paused looking to the Midoriya matriarch. "What's for breakfast mom?" She teased.

Inko chuckled dryly. "Oh ha ha." She rolled her eyes endearingly. "Well I'm kind of lazy so it's toaster waffles today."

Hisashi shrugged his shoulders. "Sounds good to me mom." He dared.

Which earned him a rough smack on the back of his head.

Izuku and Nemuri chuckled as Hisashi rubbed the sore spot that formed on his head.

"Don't push your luck boy." Inko threatened.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say the back of your head is shaping into Inko's hand." Nemuri joked.

Inko sighed. "Well everyone but Hisashi get seated. Get the coffee started honey, I'll start on the toaster waffles."

Hisashi saluted. "Right away ma'am!"

Inko gave her husband a loving but annoyed filled look. "You know. You may be annoying, but I seriously do love you with all my heart. Even if you drive me crazy."

"That's why I stick around." He teased. "Also I'm sure if I left you'd actually...do something." He finished ominously.

"Such a good boy." Inko giggled.

As the mother and father prepared the simple breakfast, Izuku sat in front of his aunt.

"Thanks for letting me take the train with Kacchan and Itsuka the other day." He said with a grateful smile.

Nemuri raised a brow at this. "You don't have to ask for permission Zu. You know the minute you say that you don't want me taking you to school anymore you just let me know."

Izuku shook his head, the smile still on his face. "I actually enjoy the drive to school everyday, even if we have to wake up sort of early." He chuckled. "Though can you be honest with me on something auntie?"

"Of course my love, what do you need?" She cooed gently as Inko laid a plate in the center of the table.

Izuku tapped the table gently with his now gloved hands. " I know I have been asking a lot of questions like the other night. But that feeling you felt a while back...?"

Midnight felt her pulse jolt for a second.

"Is it still there? That 'foreboding feeling', as you described it?"

Inko then laid a couple of waffles on the center plate.

"Eat up guys, you have to leave before us." Inko said gently as she went back to the kitchen, letting the two talk for now.

The two nodded to the woman gently, but did not make a move for the food just yet. Nemuri felt her pulse rise even higher as Izuku stared directly into her eyes.

The color was finally back, that same vibrant emerald hue that she adored. Yet, deep within those orbs there still held many secrets, and it confused her to no end. However, that was beside the point, Izuku's question bothered her. A lot.

Coincidentally, this morning she was awoken from the worst nightmare she had ever experienced in her entire life. This dream was like most of them, except instead of it involving herself and her younger days in the streets; it involved Izuku. That's what made it so terrible, and if Nemuri was being honest, it was traumatic. She looked to his hands for a second, large pillars of stone spikes and screams filled her mind before it went away just as fast as it appeared.

She may have perfected her stoic and indifferent outside personality, to some extent at least. Izuku's question only brought back all that happened in the dream. It was only made worse when she came to his apartment this morning only to see the building surrounded by heroes and news crews. That sure did not help quell her fears; yet she managed to keep it together and keep up the facade she had when in public.

"Auntie?"

Nemuri jolted in her seat. Shaking her head slightly, the hero looked to the now worried filled eyes of her nephew.

"You looked lost, are you okay?" He questioned gently.

She could feel her mouth opening slightly to answer, but paused when she also saw the worried looks of Inko and Hisashi.

She gulped. "Sorry g-guys. It's been a long morning I'll tell you that much." She joked dryly.

She reached over and shoveled some waffles onto Izuku's plate before doing the same for hers.

"To answer your question Izuku." She sighed, laying a hand on his now gloved ones. "The feeling is still there, but it's not as strong as it used to be." She eased.

Izuku smiled in relief as he nodded his head.

"I'm glad auntie, I trust everything you do so I know this is for the best." He lightly squeezed her hand. "Love you, now let's eat." He chuckled softly.

It took all of Nemuri's power to not outright cry on the spot. Izuku's heartfelt words really struck a chord in her heartstrings. However, that's not what really had her so upset. For she had lied right to his face. That feeling had not gotten better; it got worse.

---

"Good morning class, I see we all have made it once again for more training?"

Class 1-A gave out various cheers and grunts as Aizawa stood in front of them. They were all in the building again, ready for another day of practicing their quirks. It all made sense though, all the homework that they were given as they were away for that week, was actually work they would have done this week. The administration just saw it was best to give them the large workload, and then when they returned they can train properly, at least for the Hero course department.

"Same thing as always. Practice and practice, I would also like to inform you that the votes are in, and everyone agreed to continue classes all the way until Saturday to make use of as much time as you can."

Again, more cheers.

As with any school week, the students had to only come to school Monday-Friday. However, when questioned, they all agreed that they would continue practicing for their own sake and Sunday would be an off day.

"Quiet." Aizawa grumbled. "That leaves you all roughly three more days before your day off, then the Sports Festival starts." He paused looking to Izuku with a questioning look. "Ahh Midoriya, I see you have your gloves back on. I'm assuming that apartment fiasco was you?" He said already knowing.

Izuku chuckled nervously as he rubbed his head. "Y-Yeah that was me alright."

"Hmm. Well you out of everyone here have a lot to catch up on. In an hour or so, some of your teachers will be coming by once again, ask them or me any questions you can think of. Remember we are here to help you. Now all of you get to it." Aizawa concluded as the students broke out to their own parts of the buildings they had been using.

Izuku stood in the same spot as he thought over what exactly he was going to do. He slowly ungloved his hands as he walked to a set of wood pillars that just so happened to be near Todoroki.

The last two days of training, Izuku repeated what he had done previously. He asked Todoroki if he could witness the teen and his quirk in action, which surprisingly he agreed to each time. Then usually he would walk around and just see how everyone's progress was coming along. Not having his quirk working was a refresher in that he had more notes to take down when he would get home for his Hero Analysis notebook.

So just like clockwork, Izuku watched as Todoroki continued to use his quirk in rapid successions.

Shouto Todoroki was an anomaly. He still rarely talked to anyone unless first being spoken too, his face always looked sour, and the fact that the left side of his quirk had never been used once throughout all this training was a complete mystery.

Today was going to be different though, for Izuku was going to ask the question he had been wanting to ask since their training had first started.

"Hey, Todoroki?"

The cold teen paused his quirk for a second as he looked over to Izuku with a raised brow.

"Midoriya." He answered in his usual tone.

Izuku chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry to be bothering you, but I have a simple question if you would humor me?"

Izuku fully expected the teen to outright ignore him or deny such a request. Yet, to his utter surprise Todoroki actually turned his body fully to face him.

"What?" He furthered.

"Huh. Maybe he warmed up to me?" Izuku wondered. Deciding to take advantage of the opportunity given to him, Izuku decided to just get to it.

"So I noticed when you touch the ground with your hand, the ice shoots out from the ground. It even travels some distance…" Izuku paused, giving the teen a subtle bow. "I know I have no place in asking, but I was wondering if you can explain to me what exactly that feeling feels like?" He hoped.

Todoroki raised his brow, the cold look never leaving his face. "How it feels." He deadpanned. "You're wondering if your quirk can do what mine does, aren't you." He questioned in a not so questionable manner.

Izuku winced slightly, but smiled. "Yes." He answered genuinely. "I know we will all be competing with each other a few days from now, and I don't deserve to be given an advantage or a shortcut in a sense. I know you have most likely worked years to get your wonderful ice to the point it is at now, and not to mention the results sh-" Izuku's muttering came to a halt when the teen held a hand up to his face.

"Look, Midoriya." Todoroki sighed somewhat. "I'll be honest with you. Out of all our classmates you're the second one who almost equals my quirks power. You are still below me, don't forget that." The teen said a bit harshly.

Izuku felt a slight pang in his heart at the teens emotionless banter.

"However, for what you did at USJ. I'll explain to you just this once. We are not friends, we are not equals, I am above you. But for respect for the power you have, I'll do just this one thing." He explained with finality.

Deciding to hold his tongue for the moment, Izuku offered Todoroki a deep bow.

"It's all I ask Todoroki."

Todoroki held his hand up. "Midoriya, your quirk works with touch correct?"

"Yes it does."

Todoroki nodded. "I want you to just lay one of your hands on the ground for me. Just feel it flow out all around you, your quirk."

Izuku nodded and did as he was told. He placed his right hand flat on the ground, and just as what anyone would have expected, Izuku's quirk rapidly started to flush out all around him.

Todoroki said nothing as Izuku's quirk began approaching him, not moving a muscle as it eventually swept by under his feet. Izuku's quirk continued to fuel itself and continued to expand further and further till some of the others in his class noticed the odd color the ground took.

"Okay let go." Todoroki then commanded.

Izuku lifted his right hand, the subtle numbness he felt was like thousands of tiny needles pricking at his flesh. However, Izuku raised a brow when he noticed that once again he did not feel winded or even remotely tired. He actually felt really lively at the moment as he looked to Todoroki with an expectant look.

Todoroki reached down, touching the stone below with an unreadable expression. His hands grazed along the surface before he laid his own palm flat on the surface.

Nothing happened.

Izuku looked on with a puzzled look as Todoroki stood stock still, his hand still laid on the ground.

"Uhh, Todoroki?" Izuku questioned.

"Midoriya, drop your quirk." The teen said suddenly.

Once again, Izuku listened to what he was told and brought his hands together. The same crumbling sound, and Izuku's quirk disappeared from the floor.

Todorki's hand touched the ground again, and then his quirk flared out all around him. Except he kept the distance smaller and only reached up to Izuku's feet. The ground was frozen solid and had a chilling grip to it as Izuku looked to the ice in awe.

"Now touch it with your quirk."

"Wait with my quirk?" Izuku said in surprise.

"Yes."

"Was that what you were trying to do earlier?"

Todoroki said nothing as he looked to Izuku expectantly. Izuku gave the teen one final look before touching the ice frozen by his feet. Much to Izuku's surprise his quirk did not work. The ice stayed put, and his hand was met with chilling texture of the ground.

Todoroki's eyes widened for a few seconds as he looked on with disbelief. Though the look did not last as he laid his other hand on the ground, melting the ice in the process.

"Todoroki wait, what happened?" Izuku said just as confused. "Why didn't my quirk work? Why didn't yours?"

Todoroki stood silent as he looked to his hands in thought.

Unbeknownst to the two, Aizawa and a few curious eyes were looking to the odd exchange. With Bakugo's quirk going off, the shouts of Kirishima as he bashed his hard fist into pillars of cement, and a few of the other less curious ones using their quirks. It was nearly impossible to hear what the two teenagers were saying to one another. Aizawa, on the other hand was able to hear what they were saying, and he himself was especially confused on the whole quirk thing the two of them were going on about.

"Midoriya, Todoroki." Aizawa called. "Get back to training." He grunted from behind his still bandaged head.

Before Izuku could apologize, Todoroki spoke.

"You have to will it Midoriya."

"Will...it?" Izuku said in a puzzled tone.

"Yes." He continued. "Will it up, imagine your quirk lifting off the ground, don't limit it just to your touch. That's all I will say, now don't bother me for the rest of this week's training."

At those parting words, Todoroki walked away from a very puzzled and confused Izuku who watched the teen slowly move to another part of the building. Izuku had more questions than answers now.

"Will it?" Izuku thought to himself as he felt his hands tingle.

Izuku paced back and forth for a few seconds as he mewled over the words. Was it really that simple? Just imagine your quirk lifting off the ground? That's it?

With a determined breath, Izuku closed his eyes to calm his body and mind. Izuku took steady deep breaths, just like Hideki had taught him. Just how Itsuka drilled into his skull. Mediation was an art, and a form that took years to perfect, and if Izuku was going to use his quirk in the way he planned. He knew he had to be in the right mindset. It was how he managed to learn how to move his quirk in a straight line, and not just all around him.

Izuku sat himself upon his knees as he steadily calmed his mind and body, just like he was taught. His hands were laid on his knees as he felt his pulse shorten, and his muscles relax. The noises all around him turned to static as he entered his own mind.

Carefully, Izuku opened his eyes and placed both of his hands on the ground. Keeping the steady breaths, and calm demeanor; Izuku watched as his quirk slowly moved forward in a straight line in front of him.

It was like a flowing river, calmly streaming forward in a melodic fashion. Izuku then did as Todoroki had instructed cryptically, just 'will it'. Izuku imagined his quirk steadily rising up. He tried imagining that just like Todoroki's own quirk would; his would do the same. He tried envisioning the spikes the teen was able to do. Izuku felt the tips of his finger tips tingle for the briefest of a moment.

Izuku felt a strain envelope his hands as he had to shut his eyes as a sharp sting stung by the side of his neck. He pushed on as he continually willed his quirk to do as he wanted. Izuku could feel his breath waning, the stinging only intensifying before he gave out a cry; removing his hands from the ground.

Izuku's eyes were still shut as he clutched his head in pain. As the pain started to subside, Izuku opened his eyes, fully expecting something must have happened. He expected a stone like fissure or wall may have formed in front of him, but as his eyes opened he was met with nothing.

His quirk had only moved forward, almost reaching a somewhat nervous Uraraka who was looking to the ground and his quirk with curious worry.

"Nothing huh?" Izuku chuckled to himself as he stood up on shaky legs. "Of course it's never that simple." He joked to himself as he followed along his quirks path.

From what he could tell, nothing appeared to be different, if anything it looked like the stone appeared smoother and sleeker. If that was at all possible. Uraraka was still looking to him, and then at the end of where his quirk had stopped with confused eyes.

"Hey, Deku?" She called.

"S-Sorry about that Uraraka." He nervously smiled. "I was trying something new." He explained.

"Umm, is that what you and Todoroki were talking about?" She assumed.

Izuku nodded as he grew nearer; his eyes affixed to her and then the ground as he continued along his quirks path.

"Yeah, I'm just trying to see if I can lift my quirk off the ground like he does with his ice."

Uraraka pointed to the ground below. "Kind of like that?"

"Like what?" He said in confusion as he reached the end of how far his quirk had traveled.

Upon reaching where Uraraka pointed, Izuku's eyes widened in disbelief. He may have lacked the flare and extravagant power Todoroki's own quirk displayed; at the end of the path his quirk was slightly lifted off the ground. Albeit it by merely two inches, these little tiny pillar like spikes filed along the edge before rising ever so slightly.

"It worked…" He whispered to himself. "It actually worked."

"Does your quirk normally do that?" Uraraka questioned as she crouched down to get a closer look.

"No it does not!" He said now a bit more excitedly. "But this means-!"

"This means what my little Zu, huh?"

"Huh?" Izuku said in surprise.

Standing besides him and Uraraka was Midnight dressed in her usual hero outfit when on school grounds. She had a large grin plastered on her face as she looked to the two.

"Kayama-Sensei!" Uraraka called just as surprised.

"Hello young Uraraka, how are you today?" Midnight continued.

Uraraka smiled. "Oh I'm great! Practicing your quirk really gets the blood pumping!"

Midnight giggled. "Oh I know exactly what you mean." Midnight turned her attention back to the still excited Izuku. "So what's got you all excited? Huh?" She cooed gently.

Izuku chuckled. "Oh auntie Nemu!" He addressed her in an informal way. "I managed to lift my quirk off the ground!" He said while pointing to the ground.

"Lift off the ground?" She said as she looked to where he was pointing.

She had to crouch down to see it a bit better, but his quirk did in fact lift off the ground by just a few inches.

"Just like in the dream…" Her thoughts reminded her.

Midnight gulped. She was glad her back was to him as her fingers subtlety grazed over the little pillars that had came off the ground. It was still a far cry to what she had dreamt of, but this was a premonition in the making. What she 'saw' was chaotic and uncontrolled; while this looked calm and small.

"Auntie Nemu?" Izuku questioned gently as he tapped her shoulder.

Nemuri knew better than to let her emotions get to her, especially when it involved her nephew. She should be proud of him for the new possible reaches his quirk will have. This was honestly a huge step into how his quirk worked, and she knew how happy this had to have made him. Deciding it best to keep her emotions in check, Midnight stood up with the same smile on her face.

"I'm sorry Zu." She giggled as she ruffled his hair. "Just got lost in thought, but this is a really a big step for you! What do you say I start with you today huh?" She teased.

Uraraka chuckled. "Just like how you have been doing for the last two days?"

Izuku chuckled at his friends comment as the hero pouted.

"Hey! Who I train with is none of your concern, you all still have the others." Midnight teased, pointing to the other heroes now teachers as they walked into the building. "Also its not like he could use his quirk, I just wanted to talk to my little honey-bun~ But now he can actually train!"

Izuku groaned. "Pl-Please don't call me that at school..."

Midnight sighed. "So you do hate me after all."

Izuku rolled his eyes in a joking fashion. "Well how much time do I have auntie?" He addressed informally once more.

Midnight tsk'd gently. "Ah! It's Kayama-Sensei young man."

"O-Oh right." He laughed nervously.

Uraraka at this point walked away from the two as she made her way to Cementoss. Saying something about wanting heavy pillars created for her to lift.

"In any case Zu. Do you have any questions?"

Izuku looked over to his quirk once more. "Yes actually. Do you think it would be possible for me to learn this in the next few days?"

Midnight raised a brow. "What is it you're actually trying to accomplish?"

"I'm trying to lift my quirk off the ground like Todoroki does. So I can attack or defend myself with it."

Midnight hummed in thought as she crouched back down to the spiked pillars. They only rose off the ground a couple of inches, but they did look somewhat menacing.

"I believe you can do it sweetie. However, you are at a disadvantage since you are barely training now. Everyone else has had huge head start."

Izuku sighed. "That's what I'm worried about. The festival is meant to show the hero world of our potential. And I feel like I'm going to be lacking…"

Midnight scoffed. "Trust me. You're going to do amazing. I already know you'll make it to the finals. You are going to be getting a lot of calls and request from heroes I can tell you that much."

Izuku turned his head in confusion. "Oh, the internships right?"

Midnight nodded. "Yup. The main goal of the festival is to give pros a chance to look at the 'fresh harvest', and decide if you're worthy for their agencies or not." She then giggled. "I'll be willing to take you in Zu if you wanted~"

Izuku sweat dropped. "Auntie you don't even have an agency anymore."

Midnight shrugged. "Still, wouldn't interning with me be just the bestest?"

Izuku chuckled while nodding his head. "You favor me to much over everyone else."

Midnight swiped a hand in his direction. "And you favor this teacher over your others."

Izuku chuckled. "That's what you think..."

Midnight giggled. "Shut up. Anyways lets see, get back into the stance you were in this time and try doing what you did again."

Izuku gave her a nod as he sat back down on the ground. He figured that leaving his quirk still up would do him some good to compare with his second attempt. With practiced ease, Izuku closed his eyes and focused as best he could with his aunt standing only a few feet away. Midnight remained silent as she watched her nephew take a deep breath before putting both of his hands on the ground. Just like she had seen a few times, his quirk traveled forward in a organized fashion. She paid close attention to anything different she could spot, but no such thing came from her close watch as he suddenly removed his hands from the ground; the teen gasping for breath.

"Are you alright Zu?" She said in slight worry.

Izuku nodded from his spot on the floor, his sweat face looking up to her with a smile. "Yup. Anything?" He questioned.

Midnight looked to him in confusion before blushing in embarrassment. "O-Oh yeah. I was supposed to look at your quirk." She giggled.

Izuku chuckled himself. "Well lets go and see." He said as he stood up on slightly shaky legs.

"Don't you go pushing yourself Zu." Midnight slightly warned.

Izuku ignored her as he followed along the path his quirk made. There was already a noticeable difference as he noticed instead of his quirk being flat and solid on the ground, it now had little ripple and subtle pillars that poked out of it in different angles. Izuku got more excited as he continued along the path, his grin getting larger as he finally reached the peak. Even if he could spot it in the distance, he was shocked to see that his quirk had risen another inch from the ground.

"IT WORKED!" Izuku shouted in triumph as he turned around to face his aunt.

His grin fell when he saw the worried look on the woman's face as she looked to his quirk.

"Auntie?" Izuku said gently as he approached her.

She said nothing as she walked past him, reaching the same spot his quirk ended. The spiked pillars were still small compared to what she dreamt, but it was so eerily familiar that she gulped.

"Auntie Nemu?" He said once again. "You're acting really weird."

Midnight nodded her head gently as she chuckled lightly. "I really am aren't I?" She said in a defeated tone before messing up the teens hair.

"All I can say Izuku is that what you have going on here is something amazing. I know for a fact that you will be able to get this to a point that can be used in the festival." She smiled. "Before I head over to anyone else that needs my help, did you have anymore questions?"

Izuku looked to her with unreadable eyes before shaking his head no. "No auntie I'm good. Is it cool if I take the train home with Itsuka and Kacchan today?"

Midnight knew she was to blame for his sudden distancing, but she could not help letting her emotions get the better of her. She gave him a hurtful look without knowing and nodded her head.

"Of course sweetie. Do I pick you up tomorrow?"

Izuku nodded. "Yeah, see you tomorrow Kayama-Sensei. Love you." He flashed her a small smile before pulling his gloves from his pocket and walking away to a water fountain that was stationed by the buildings restrooms.

Midnight watched as her nephew walked away with a sag in his every step. She was going to reach out to him, when she felt a small tap on her back.

"Uhh, Kayama-Sensei. I am so sorry to bother you right now, but could you help me with something?"

Midnight put on her facade like she usually did and turned around to face a pair of floating clothes.

"Ahh! Hagakure, of course ask away..."

Izuku sighed as he put both of his gloves back on and made his way to get some water. Obviously something was bothering his aunt, and he knew it had to do with him. Whatever it was, he felt he would not like to hear what she had to say. Luckily for him, Uraraka just so happened to be drinking some water at the fountain; and Izuku could really use the distraction.

"Hey Uraraka, how goes your weight limit with your quirk?" He waved to her.

Uraraka smiled as she wiped her mouth. "Hey Deku! Well I can now lift around five hundred pounds of collective weight."

Izuku whistled in an impressed fashion. "Wow that is an insane amount of weight!" He said as his funk slowly left him.

Uraraka gulped. "However, I still get extremely nauseous. Especially when I try to float myself." She chuckled somberly. "Yeah I'm not doing that for a long while…" She blushed slightly.

"Oh yeah, I heard you almost threw up all over-"

Izuku stopped talking when Uraraka was shaking her hands in front of his face rapidly.

"Don't say it!" She squeaked, a mortified look on his face.

"Midoriya, Uraraka. Stop wasting time." Aizawa scolded them as he walked by.

"Y-Yes!" The two now yelped out.

Izuku shuffled with his hands awkwardly before giving Uraraka a subtle wave.

"Well back to it then huh?" He joked.

Uraraka smiled. "Goodluck! Hopefully you can master that quirk thingy you're doing in time!"

Izuku nodded in her direction as he looked back over to his aunt. She was now talking to Toru, helping her with who knows what. Izuku looked to his hands with wonder. He was wearing blue ones today, to celebrate his quirk returning. Yet, with how Midnight reacted to such an important development in his training; he could not help but feel sour about it for the time being. In any case, Izuku filed his concerns away for the time being, he needed to make sure he was on par with his classmates if he even hoped to make it far in the festival to come

---

Setsuna was having a blast!

Just how class 1-A was deep in their own respective training. Class 1-B were just as ambitious as their sister class most was. The colorful assortment of 1-B's quirks was no small thing to scoff at. They were getting more powerful, and frankly Setsuna could not help but admire how far her class had come in just this short amount of time.

Setsuna felt sweat break over her brow in the distance as she tried splitting her body into more pieces. At the moment, she had successfully managed to reach an individual whopping thirty five pieces. It always felt liberating being able to let her quirk just run rampant in the way it was now.

"I'll never get over how weird your quirk is Tokage." A feminine voice teased.

Setsuna paused trying to split her arms by the forearm, and chuckled as she looked to the voice.

"Awww, and here I thought my quirk was rather sexy~" Setsuna mused.

Itsuka snorted, holding a hand to her mouth.

"Pfff. Maybe to a certain stupid boy, but overall it's just odd seeing your body split like it does." She joked.

Setsuna chortled. "Ha! Your words wound me Itsuka, though I do wonder if my hero actually sees my quirk as sexy?" She thought aloud.

Setsuna already knew the answer to that. The whole instance where she visited him flashed before her mind. The stupid grin that spread across her cheeks was extremely noticeable as Itsuka gave the splitter quirked girl a questioning look.

"Uhh, riiiggghhhtttt." Itsuka chuckled. "Anyways, I see you have made some progress. I remember you could do what, twenty eight pieces when we first started?"

Setsuna nodded her decapitated head with a devilish grin. Knowing damn well the sight was very 'weird' to see.

Itsuka grimaced slightly. "Ugh. I know you're doing that on purpose too."

Setsuna laughed boisterously as she slowly tugged the pieces back together. As her torso formed, followed by her arms and legs, Setsuna felt like teasing her friend a bit more as her head lazily floated around the orange haired teen.

"I could be doing it on purpose." She paused, a quizzical look on her face as she kept her head floating by Itsuka's face. "Then again, I am doing it on purpose." Setsuna snickered as her torso made its way over to her head.

Itsuka groaned. "You're too much at times Setsuna." She then smiled. "Anyways, I guess it's going to be lunch in a few minutes."

Setsuna audibly groaned in pleasure as her head connected back to her neck.

"Man, that feeling never gets old." She winced slightly. "But yes! I wonder what our lovely friends over at 1-A got up to today?" She said in wonder.

"Class!" Kan called from the front. "You may all take a ten minute break before we head out to lunch. Make sure after lunch you're back here on time." He warned slightly before walking off to a chair that sat by one of the walls.

The class cheered at the much needed break and dispersed into their own little groups they had formed.

Setsuna and Itsuka waved to Pony and Ibara as they came sauntering over. Ibara looked to be free of sweat and not a spot of grime anywhere on her clean uniform. Pony on the other hand was dusty and slightly scratched by her arms and hands as she smiled largely.

"Hey guys!" Pony quipped.

"Hello Itsuka, Setsuna." Ibara said herself with a small smile.

Itsuka whistled as she saw the state Pony was in once again.

"Damn Pony. You're all dirty! I'm assuming more training on your stamina running on all fours, huh?"

Pony nodded eagerly. "Yup! Running great!" She cheered in her accent.

However, Setsuna could never pass up a perfectly placed innuendo that Itsuka had just spoke of. It was not an innuendo per say, but Setsuna saw her shot and she took it.

Setsuna sauntered over to Pony, wrapping her hands behind the somewhat taller girls shoulders. The look on Setsuna's face said it all, and the three girls already knew what was coming. Pony was blushing up a storm, knowing whatever came out of her friends mouth next would definitely warrant such a reaction.

"Tokage…" Ibara warned gently.

Setsuna ignored the religious girls concerned voice as she fluttered her lashes flirtatiously.

"Well Pony, practicing on all fours huh…?"

Itsuka's and Pony's eyes widened as Setsuna paused. Ibara was still concerned, but confused to whatever the greenette was alluding to.

"I wonder if Bakugo would just looovvveeee to see you on all fours eh?" Setsuna teased in the best English she could.

Pony froze, her eyes wide and shaky. Her face was red beyond belief, so much so it looked as if the poor girl had developed some sort of disease. It also did not help her ivory horns always seemed to make her face glow even more.

"SETSUNA!" Pony exclaimed in horror, her English slipping through.

Itsuka may have seen this coming, but she had to give Setsuna credit. The girl just had a knack for teasing almost anyone, with literally anything. Oh, and Itsuka was laughing along side Setsuna as the girl was slapping her knees; wheezing as her breath hitched on every octave her laugh seemed to reach.

Ibara on the other hand was confused. Usually, whenever Setsuna would say something vulgar or sinful; she had no trouble understanding the crudeness of what her friend had said. Yet, Ibara's English was not exactly the best, and what exactly does 'being on all fours' and Bakugo have to do with anything that would warrant such a reaction from Pony?

"Oh dear, what exactly did you say Setsuna?" Ibara implored, before shaking her head rapidly. "On second thought, by the grace of god please don't explain it to me…" She winced as she clasped her hands in a silent prayer.

Itsuka slowly calmed down as she walked over to the barely breathing Setsuna. Who's laughing fit was just barely coming to a close.

Pony was pouting, her arms crossed as she looked to the greenette with an annoyed look. Her face was still the same red as her heart continually kept beating faster.

Before Setsuna knew it, a firm smack was dealt to the back of her head as her laughing came to a stop. Setsuna already knew who had done it, and frankly she knew she deserved it.

"C-Come on now Setsuna. Leave the poor girl alone." Itsuka said with a not so straight face.

Setsuna giggled whilst rubbing the spot she was hit. "Hehe, I can't help i-it. Pony is just so freaking cute when she's flustered!"

Pony grumbled aloud as she spoke under her breath in English. Most likely saying a few choice words her good friend could not pick up.

"S-Sorry though Pony really!" Setsuna said a bit gentler. "I'm still so curious on that time with the school alarm, and how Bakugo was holding you." Setsuna explained with a smile. "There was just something about it that was so adorable!"

Pony's blush intensified, though a worrisome looked flashed across her face. It was something Setsuna picked up on, as well as the other two girls.

"B-But!" Setsuna said with a wave of her hand. "I know it's a sore subject for you, so my bad…"

Pony tapped her foot gently on the floor as she looked to her other classmates in the building. Oddly enough, no one was paying their group any mind as the others seemed to be laughing or joking amongst themselves just like they had been doing. Pony felt a small sense of relief wash over her as she looked back to her three friends. Itsuka was giving the blonde a knowing look with a hint of encouragement.

Pony searched for an answer on her friends face, which earned her a nod.

Pony took a deep breath. "I-It's okay Setsuna." She said with a smile. "Umm, I go ahead and say okay?"

Setsuna's eyes looked to Pony with worry, Ibara mirroring the same look.

"Pony it's okay really." Setsuna said with guilt. "It wasn't right of me to tease you in such a way, and in no way should you sate my curiosity when I was being a bad friend just moments ago…" Setsuna continued shamefully.

Pony shook her head, the smile still on her face. "I know you just kidding Setsuna. Plus, me want to talk about it." She said with a bit more determination.

Setsuna looked to Ibara, before looking over to Itsuka who only nodded her head gently.

"Pony. Are you sure?" Ibara eased.

Pony nodded once more. "Yes Ibara." She paused, stringing her hands together nervously. "No laugh at me okay?" She croaked out gently.

Setsuna looked appalled. "Hey! We would never!"

Ibara nodded fervently. "Never in my life would I ever judge a fellow friend."

Pony seemed to calm as she took a deep breath. "Okay...when alarm rang…"

---

Flashback

The loud alarm that sounded off in U.A was deafening. To Pony Tsunotori the sound was agonizing to her extremely sound sensitive ears. She had similar traits to a bull with the whole horn thing and her short temper that she had mastered on controlling since she was small. Also, the hooved feet and pointed ears she kept hidden in her golden locks also showed the more equine like features she also held.

Hence why the noise hurt her ears so much. It just so happened that in today's lunch she was seated right next to Bakugo, a boy that frightened her in a volume sense. Yes his attitude and personality was very off putting, but she rather enjoyed her friends company. Even if he might not see her as a friend, she could at least say she saw him as such.

In any case, Pony instinctively clamped her hands over her ears, a pained look on her face as she grit her teeth together gently. The alarm was mind numbing, and she could barely make out the voice on the alarm alerting her to some security breach. Whatever that meant.

What happened next frightened her even more. A stampede of students suddenly overtook the table she was seated at, and she felt herself being tugged out of her seat by a pair of strong hands. She daringly opened her eyes, and to her shock, Bakugo and Itsuka we're pulling the foreigner alongside themselves. She felt grateful to be around her friends as the crowd around her grew larger, and that's when her anxiety and claustrophobia kicked in.

Pony hated large crowds, she hated how trapped and confined they made her feel. It reminded her of her time in her early childhood. In grade school to be exact.

Pony clutched onto Bakugo roughly, her hands wrapping around his bicep as she started whimpering. Her eyes shut harshly as the alarm continually blared on; her body was shaking harshly as she remembered why things like this frightened her.

Pony was bullied relentlessly when she was small. Her small stature, abnormal looking legs, pointed ears, and the large horns on her head were easy targets for her classmates to pick on. Not a day went by in her grade school days where she was not teased for her goofy walk, for having horns bigger than her head, ears that were sharper that her stupid mind. The teasing was relentless and resulted in her being transferred to many schools all throughout her childhood. It never lasted long as kids just seemed to pick her out as an easy target.

They would surround her in a circle, push her around, tug on her horns, pull her ears, and overall just make her the center of attention that resulted in pure mortification. It became too much for the blonde American; she had to eventually be home schooled by her own mother in order to escape the nightmare. Mutant based appearance altering quirks in this world were always treated the worst for how they looked. Even now that she was older, smaller kids would point their fingers at her and laugh, but then again she grew to just ignore their taunts and instead smiled at them.

It was because of that traumatic time in her life that she practiced for months on how to properly correct her walk; so she would walk more 'human like' and not like a filthy animal, as they would tell her. She used to love having her hair short, as her family adored her little pointy ears, but she since grew her hair long and fluffed it out in order to hide the pointyness they had. In fact, a ritual of hers every morning was to style her hair in a way in order to hide them; something her father expressed his concerns about as of late. Though it was an insecurity that Pony knew would not leave her any time soon.

She was terrified as she clutched onto Bakugo, she did not even care what exactly he might have been thinking when she did such a thing. She felt a warmth of comfort and security overcome her as she held onto the powerful teen. And just like her therapist had told her, Pony practiced her deep breathing as she clutched Bakugo harder. She felt herself separating from him before the boy angrily shouted.

"HEY WATCH IT ASSHOLE! DON'T PUSH HER." Bakugo seemingly shouted to whatever or whomever was pulling her away.

Pony felt the teen wrap a somewhat hesitant hand around her back, pulling her closer as to keep her in place. His hold felt so strong and secure, yet it was so comforting. Pony was grateful that Bakugo had not reacted violently to her sudden clinginess , frankly she was surprised he had any sort of compassion like he was showing now. He may have not known why exactly she was doing such a thing, but she was grateful nonetheless.

"CALM DOWN, IT'S JUST THE MEDIA WHO GOT IN! STOP PANICKING." A familiar voice shouted down the hall.

She did not know when the alarms had stopped their cries, but the ringing in her ears slowly died down. Eventually the crowds parted around her as the crowded tension she felt dwindled.

She felt her muscles ease, though her grip did not relent as she felt Bakugo pulling her along.

"Come on Tsunotori. Let's meet up with everyone." He plainly said as he walked towards what she could only assume was their friends.

Unbeknownst to Pony, Itsuka had stayed right beside the two the whole time, an unreadable expression on her face. She was looking to the duo with a thoughtful look though she said nothing.

Pony slowly peaked her left eye open, her gaze looking up to the explosive teen she clung onto. In the moment Pony saw Bakugo in a new light, and a subtle warmth filled her chest. There was a strange tingling sensation in her stomach that confused her, but whatever it was she liked it.

She'd have to really explain to him one day on how much it meant to her; for what he did.

---

Setsuna, Ibara, and Itsuka were in a state of pure silence as Pony concluded her story. Itsuka may have been there during the alarm, but Pony's childhood was something she did not know anything about.

Pony felt herself shaking as she rubbed her hands together to calm her nerves. Never in the blondes life had she ever told anyone about her childhood. She had a few friends in America, which was why she was glad to be in a new country with new people.

Pony felt herself gasp in surprise when a pair of arms wrapped around her in an embrace.

"Pony Tsunotori." Setsuna said calmly. "Thank you for sharing that with us. I want to say one thing. You're fucking hot."

Ibara gasped. "Setsuna!"

Itsuka held a hand on the religious girls shoulder.

"Let her finish Ibara."

Setsuna gripped the girls face with her hands. "You're literally a bombshell with such an amazing personality that those kids can go fuck themselves!" She exclaimed. "What you went through I cannot even fathom, and I want to say I'm grateful to be your friend."

Pony felt tears graze her cheeks.

"Honestly, I can tell you right now you silly American, all of us adore you." Setsuna smiled brightly. "I'm glad Bakugo was there in your time for comfort, even if he doesn't know exactly what he did." She chuckled.

Pony nodded her head with a tiny smile.

The group of four had ditched lunch for the day and instead just sat outside away from everyone else as Pony explained what had happened. Itsuka had sent out a text to Izuku to let him know and the others that they would not be joining them for lunch today. Which earned her some confusion but she ignored his reply for the time being.

In any case Pony rubbed at her large blue eyes to rid the tears from her face.

"I know God will cast his judgement on those unruly bunch Pony." Ibara said. "Gods wrath is something we should all fear. Though I too am grateful for the friendship you've allowed me to have in you." Ibara continued with a hand to her heart. "I cherish you Pony and everything you do."

"That goes for me too." Itsuka smiled just as wide. "I'll be more blunt and say fuck those kids, and if I ever see them I'm knocking them into the stratosphere!" She joked. "But really Pony, we are all grateful for having such a caring friend like yourself with us. The same I know can be said with everyone else."

Pony took a deep breath as she felt her nose running slightly. "Thanks g-girls. I cherish you all!"

The four embraced one another, Pony being the center of the pile as they all giggled joyously. Though they may have only known each other for a short amount of time, this friendship they had built with one another, as well as the others was something that lasted a lifetime. The four were glad they missed out on lunch today. Even if they were walking back to training on empty stomachs, they shared an experience that only strengthen their bond.

"So do you like Bakugo or what?"

Pony, Itsuka, and Ibara groaned as Setsuna chuckled to herself.

"What?!" She said in mock offense. "Am I not the only one that sees the explosive blonde, and the gentle and beautiful blonde falling in love picture perfect?"

Itsuka sighed. "Setsuna I hate to say it but…" She gave Pony a teasing look. "I agree with you one hundred percent."

Pony gave her friend a look of betrayal.

"I-Ibara?" Pony implored in worry.

Ibara stayed relatively quiet as she looked to the ground. Though Pony's look of betrayal only grew tenfold as the religious saint offered the girl an apologetic smile.

"I ship you two hard…" Ibara admitted.

Pony blushed vividly and mumbled to herself in English once again.

"Maybe I don't like you guys as much as I thought I did."

The other three understood her perfectly and broke out into rambunctious laughter at the expense of the blonde. Though Pony did not mind. This laughter was not how the bullies would laugh at her. This was laughter between friends and she was happy.

Just like their sister class, 1-B was getting along with on another swimmingly. Their training was going just as good, and with the Sports Festival so close, they could not wait to showcase to the world what they had to offer.

---

Later That Night

"If my daughter had not 'begged me' to not smash your face in, I would have done so already you little shit."

Izuku prostrated himself on the floor.

"My apologies Kendo-Sensei. I never meant to cause Itsuka any emotional harm."

The older man grumbled. "Piss off with the formalities you runt. I already know you don't mean to be a nuisance." Hideki chuckled lightly as he pulled Izuku onto his feet. "Get up though, I'm assuming you finally came by after months to say you've decided to marry my daughter yes?"

Izuku sweatdropped. "Umm, no Hideki. I've already told you I don't see Itsuka in such a way nor does she."

Hideki crossed his arms. "So you're telling me, two hormonal teenagers who have spent years together, and who have amazing chemistry with one another have not once experimented together?"

Izuku's face flushed. "Wh- No!"

Hideki's eyes narrowed. "Bullshit. ITSUKA, COME HERE!"

Said girl reluctantly made her way over to the two, her face red and sweaty.

"Yes dad." Itsuka said in a deflated tone. She already knew her dad was going to say something not so normal.

"You two bump uglies yet?" He questioned bluntly.

Itsuka groaned loudly as her face burned hotly. "When are you going to realize that, one! I'm to young for that! Two! Izuku is like a little brother to me, so eww gross! And three! Izuku already has a girlfriend."

"Now when you say, 'already'. That means you have thought about it." Hideki accused.

Itsuka grew red in the face and stomped her foot on the ground. "I swear to god you're the most irritating individual on this fucking planet."

Hideki said nothing as his eyes narrowed even more whilst staring at his daughter.

"Listen sweetie. If you've done so I wouldn't blame you. You two are young after all, Not to mention you may think he's your little brother, but you still aren't related. And you ever hear the saying, 'who says you can't score when there's a goalie? I'm just worried the runt over there is stringing you along or something."

Again, Itsuka groaned. "Dad, does mom know you're constantly bothering Izuku and I whenever he comes by the Dojo?"

Hideki seemed to back off slightly. "Well I wouldn't go so far as to think that now. Your mother has nothing to do with this."

"Oh really?" Itsuka challenged.

Izuku watched the display like he always did. The familial dynamic of the Kendo's was always an interesting site to behold. Usually, at the mentioning of Itsuka's mother, the two would shiver in fear for some strange reason. Izuku always found that the woman was the sweetest and most caring individual in the world. She would always pepper him with kisses whenever he would come and visit their house. Yet, Hideki and Itsuka would always say otherwise much to his confusion. They would say that 'she was seasoning him like some fat turkey, ready to be eaten at any second'.

"Alright fine! I'll admit I just like poking fun at you two. Don't tell your mother." Hideki grunted.

Itsuka scoffed and looked over to Izuku. "And you!"

"Me?" Izuku questioned.

"I have a lot of frustrations inside of me so come over her so I can get rid of them."

Hideki smiled maniacally. "Oh come on sweetie! How the hell am I to not assume when you go and say shit like that!"

Izuku gulped. He only stopped by to get in some mental training before he trained tomorrow in class. Yet, here he was witnessing his best friend chasing her father up and down the dojo, screaming obscenities at the older man as her face looked like a Christmas light.

"TH-THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT YOU JERK!"

The older man laughed like a misbehaving child as he dodged the younger girls large hands. The other dojo goers once again just seemed to chuckle at the display and shook their heads in endearment.

He had been told by some of them that every time he stopped by, there was always guaranteed to be a show. Izuku could now understand what they meant, because this was a pretty interesting turn of events that was for sure.

Eventually, Izuku found himself seated alone in a room with Hideki.

The two of them were in a room that was usually reserved for one on one sparing, but for today, it would be a space used for concentration.

"I remember when your father had first brought you around here. You were scrawny sack of bones."

Izuku chuckled. "Well I have you and Itsuka to thank for my change."

Hideki hummed to himself as he nodded in approval. "You're damn right." The older man took a deep breath. "You know Izuku. We haven't had one of these one on ones in about two years. How have you been?"

Izuku took a deep breath himself. "I've been good Sensei. Life's been rough, but I have my family and friends supporting me."

Hideki snorted. "No wonder Itsuka has been so grumpy. When she told me that something had happened to you, and you kept her in the dark; I was about ready to finally take you out."

Izuku chuckled nervously. "My bad, I don't like making her worry about me…"

"Trust me. I know." Hideki in a rare sign of affection reached over and patted the boys shoulder. "Listen kid, you're always welcome here to talk or train you know this. I truly appreciate that you befriended Itsuka, even if I know she can be a lot. You and that Bakugo brat turned her around." Hideki smiled. "Thanks."

Izuku bowed his head gently. "Of course, she is a part of our lives. She's stuck with us." He chuckled.

Hideki nodded. "Keep her safe, I trust you two. Anyways, enough of this sappy shit. What'd you need help with?"

Izuku sighed as he laid his gloved hands on his crossed legs.

"I've realized my quirk can be used in a different way. I no longer have to rely on touch as much with what I'm hoping to achieve. But, I'm having difficulty concentrating."

"Have you forgotten how to meditate?"

Izuku shook his head. "I wouldn't say I forgot, more I can't envision what I need too."

Hideki nodded in understanding. "And what are you trying to envision?"

"My quirk lifting off the ground and being used in a way that could shield me, or as a form of attack."

"Okay, I already see the problem."

Izuku's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

Hideki sighed. "What's the first thing I taught you."

"Uhh, that concentration is key."

"Correct. To truly concentrate, what needs to be done first."

Izuku put a finger to his chin. "I need a goal?"

Hideki nodded once more. "Good! Goal. Notice it's singular form."

Izuku gave the man a blank look. "Uhh, singular?"

Hideki groaned. "Boy, you just said it, GOAL. What do you really want, to attack or to shield?"

Izuku then remembered, and it all made sense.

"It's one or the other…" The boy said in realization.

"For now." Hideki elaborated. "Itsuka already told me that the Sports Festival is in two days. So you need to decide what you want now."

Izuku noticeably slumped as he closed his eyes in thought.

"What do I want?" He thought to himself.

In this festival, it was a way to officially show off what he had. It was an early screening into the hero world; one where the pro heroes who attended the festival would scout out the new recruits. Aspiring minds and quirks alike would be participating in this festival. So everyone would be bringing their 'A' game; which meant Izuku had to bring out all the stops. Attacking seemed like the choice he needed to make, but being passive in battle was admired just as much.

Izuku thought to his classmates quirks, namely Todoroki's. Everyone was so strong and determined, if he wanted to compete in this festival and make it far it made sense what choice he needed to make.

Izuku's eyes opened as he looked to Hideki with a determined glare.

"Ahh, so the boy has decided. Good." He nodded.

"Yes. It's the choice I need in order to ensure I make it far in the festival."

Hideki grinned devilishly. "Well let's begin. Close your eyes and focus."

---

Two Days Left

"Concentration is key Izuku."

Izuku felt his hands tingling.

"Some of the best martial artists in history give credit to their meditations."

Izuku grunted, his throat stinging slightly as he ungloved his hands.

"For those with quirks. Meditation lets us reach a point that connects us to our quirks."

Izuku felt beads of sweat drip down his face as he held his hands over the floor.

"Your quirk is literally a part of you. It's not a second body so to speak. Your quirk is still you, you're still just single you. You and your quirk are one in the same. And that's what some of the greatest martial artists and heroes realize."

Izuku gave a large shout to steal his nerves as he slammed his hands on the ground violently.

"To be the greatest you have to be yourself. And what better way to be yourself than to be so with your quirk. As one."

Izuku could feel a slight burn in his hands as his hands met the floor. An unfamiliar feeling overcame him as he felt a tugging sensation at his fingertips.

"Be one with your quirk Izuku. Then you'll realize you can accomplish anything."

Izuku could hear the sounds of the ground moving all around him. It was like a rippling sound, almost like an earthquake yet calmer. He could hear some of the shocked gasps of his classmates around him, but he dared not open his eyes; less he lose his concentration. The tugging sensation on his finger tips kept going, almost as if that's where the ripples were originating from.

"Midoriya." The sharp voice of Aizawa called. "That's enough, you're going to break something." His teacher warned.

"H-Huh?" Izuku said as his concentration finally broke.

Izuku lifted his hands from the ground and looked towards the voice of his teacher. Or rather where he could only assume where his teacher was.

Izuku's jaw dropped when he looked all around himself. All around were stone spikes that jutted out of the ground. Easily towering ten feet tall each. It rippled like a wave around him, the distant they traveled was only ten feet around him, but it was like he was surrounded by mountains of stone spikes.

They jutted in all directions, not much coordination other than expanding in a circular motion around him.

"I did it…" Izuku said breathlessly.

His hands felt numb, his body felt a bit haggard, but a mental wall had finally been crumbled. He looked to his hands with an awe filled expression. Something felt different, like a part of his quirk was unlocked within him and his hands.

Every single one of his classmates were looking to the rock barrier with varying expressions. Some were impressed, others in shock, only one held a face of indifference. Aizawa was giving the boy an approving look, nodding in his direction as he looked over his students.

Ever since his training with Kendo-Sensei last night, Izuku had tried his best to envision his quirk like a raging river. One where it's rapids would crash against the rocks and splash into the air. He used his body as the rock, and all around him would be the water. Izuku could hear the murmuring of his classmates as they looked on in awe. Izuku touched his hands together and let his quirk fall, Izuku saw the imaginary wind sweep away his quirk like it always did. Oddly enough, the crumbling sound that he was so accustomed to did not happen, and there was no debris left behind.

Izuku thought back to when he used his index fingers at USJ. That is most likely when another barrier of his power had been lifted off. He had to go through the worst pain of his life, but it allowed his quirk to reach new heights. That could be the only explanation he could think of in the moment as he watched his quirk leave no trace behind.

"Well I'll be you fucking nerd." Katsuki grunted as he approached.

Izuku looked to his friend with dazzling eyes. "Kacchan! It worked!"

Katsuki nodded approvingly. "Good. Gives me a reason to go all out when we fight in grand finals."

"Impressive Midoriya!" Congratulated Iida as he approached as well.

Slowly, more of his classmates came along congratulating him for an obvious accomplishment. Even if they knew not of what he did, they figured it had to have been of some major importance.

"Deku! That's what you were trying to do last time huh?" Uraraka questioned.

"Kind of?" Izuku chuckled. "Last time I just went in a straight line, and here I just concentrated all around me."

"I must say it was interesting." Momo chimed in.

"Very much so…" A blushing Mina continued in awe.

Toru watched her friend with a knowing look. She felt slight worry overcome her as she thought back to her childhood friend Setsuna.

"That's enough class. Get back to training, lunch is in an hour so don't go wasting time now." Aizawa grunted.

One by one, most of the class returned to their corners or areas and began training once again. Izuku watched everyone get back into the swing of things with pride in them and himself. They were all training so hard, and Izuku had just unlocked something with his quirk that he could have never imagined would have been possible. Izuku clutched his fist tightly as he brought it to his chest in determination.

"Two more days. I need to perfect this as best as I can." He said to himself in confidence as he sat himself back on the ground.

Unbeknownst to him, Todoroki was looking to the boy with growing interest. A sharp look in his cold eyes. For once Todoroki felt like there was a possible threat in this class; and it unnerved him.

---

One More Day Left

It was now Friday. The time was finally upon them, and the students of both 1-A and 1-B were going at it in full swing. This was going to be the one of the last days for all of them to prepare, and it would be a lie to assume that none of them were not a tad bit nervous for the games to come. Izuku was feeling a bit exhausted and for one reason only. He had not slept in the last twenty or so hours. Ever since yesterday when he discovered what his quirk could now do; he practiced like he had never done before. At the moment he was trying his best to just use his quirk without having to meditate like he had done. He knew in the heart of battle, he would have no time to do such a thing as to just sit completely still.

Izuku felt himself sweating profusely as he kept bringing his hands to the ground in a crouching position. His quirk had increased a bit in its speed, and he watched in awe as his quirk rose from the ground a total of just five feet. He wondered how in the hell he was moving so quickly with his quirk development, but he was not going to ask questions just yet. He now had a upper hand in the competition to come, and it excited him beyond belief.

"Students, this is the last time the teachers will come around. So make sure you get any questions you have out of the way. Remember Sunday is meant to relax and prepare you for the Monday to come. Do not over work yourselves. Also, your first year teachers will not be joining us for training on Saturday as they have things they must do elsewhere." Just as Aizawa made this last statement, the doors to the building opened, and all the first year teachers walked on in.

Izuku looked to Midnight and offered her a tiny smile as she did the same. Izuku turned around and got back to what he was doing. He could already hear the hustle and bustle of his classmates talking excitedly with some of the heroes; while Izuku looked back to his quirk with some pride in his tired eyes.

Before Izuku could think more about his quirk, he could hear the tell tale sound of Midnight's heels on the floor as they approached him from behind. He fought the urge to wince before he turned and looked at his approaching aunt.

"Hey Zu." She commented awkwardly as she neared.

"Hey auntie, whats up?"

At the use of her familial title, Midnight felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. She smiled more genuinely this time as she looked to his still standing quirk behind him. "I see you managed to use your quirk a bit better?"

Izuku nodded, a small bit of excitement in his movements. "Yup! I know for a fact if I keep this up for the next hours I'll be ready!"

"You don't say?" Midnight questioned worriedly as she looked to his bloodshot eyes. "Zu, have you slept at all? You look exhausted." She scolded as she grabbed his face.

Izuku tried his best to move his face away from the older woman's hold, but she did not relent.

"What did I tell you about overworking yourself?" She sighed whilst letting his cheeks go. "You're going to drop before this Monday comes around if you keep this up."

Izuku grumbled to himself as he gave his aunt a stern look. "Auntie. I need to practice in order to keep up with the rest of my class and their amazing quirks. I missed three days, and I can't afford to miss anymore!"

Midnight bit her lip as she accepted his explanation for now. He did have a point even if she did not want to admit it.

"In any case, what is it you're working on now?" Midnight questioned.

"Well I'm trying to use my quirk without having to concentrate so hard. I've managed to reach the point you see there." He explained while pointing.

"I'm assuming you're time with that grumpy old man helped?"

Izuku nodded. "Yes. Hideki-Sensei made me realize what was stopping me."

Midnight once more brushed her hands along the spikes, admiring how many there were. She still thought back to the dream she had, but she blocked it out for now. Izuku watched her intently as she touched his quirk. He could practically feel the uneasiness that radiated off her body as her fingers grazed the spikes.

"And what did he make you realize?"

"For the moment, its either defend or attack." He continued.

Midnight nodded her head. "And what did you choose to do first?" She questioned already knowing the answer herself.

From what she could see, his quirk followed a straight path of up to twenty feet, and all along his quirk rose off the ground. It started low at first, rising by inches then into feet as it ended on its trail. She just barely stood over the peak of them in her heels. She already could tell by the way it moved, and how chaotic it looked; there was only one choice the teen would have picked. It would ensure he made it far in the festival.

"I choose to attack."

---

"So tell me Hero~ Whats all this excitement I hear about your quirk huh?"

Izuku laughed nervously. "I managed to get my quirk to do something amazing!" He explained in excitement. "You should have seen it Rose! I can't wait to get back to training in the next thirty minutes!"

Setsuna giggled as she sipped on a juice box. "Aww, so eager to leave me already?"

Izuku choked on the bit of food he was chewing on.

Setsuna laughed loudly as she got him again. "I'm joking Hero! I know I'd be just as excited as you."

Izuku nodded dumbly as he sipped on some of his water to help clear his throat.

"In any case..." She said while rocking on her seat. "I'm sure this Sports Festival is going to be something for the record books, don't you all agree?" Setsuna said aloud.

"Indeed it will be." Momo said in her usual dignified fashion.

"We all have such amazing quirks, I know many of us will make it far!" Uraraka cheered.

"The hero world is not prepared for what our classes have to offer." Iida chopped out.

Katsuki chuckled. "I can't wait till I smash all of you into the ground and take first place."

Pony was seated next to the explosive boy once more, but offered her own small smile. "B-Be careful Bakugo. We won't go down e-easily."

The table paused as they looked to the brave foreigner, who continued to drink on her juice box with a small blush. Katsuki on the other hand was grinning like a maniac.

"You got some spunk there Tsunotori. We'll see." He grunted with a challenging glare.

"Wow. You actually acknowledged her on a last name basis. If that was anyone else Katsuki, you would have yelled in their face and called them one of your 'famous' nicknames. You going soft, or is there something else at work here?" Itsuka teased.

"WHAT WAS THAT MAN HANDS?" Katsuki now shouted, his face red with anger or embarrassment none of them could tell.

Izuku chuckled as he watched his two friends bicker with one another over the table as some of the others looked on in worry. He knew nothing would come out of their arguing, and it was just Katsuki's way of showing his love.

"You still haven't told me what has you so excited with your quirk Hero~"

Izuku grew a thoughtful look. "I'm thinking I should just tease you like you always do with me and not tell you." He dared.

Setsuna's eyes flashed menacingly. "Is that so?" She chirped. "What if I fulfilled your wish?"

Izuku looked to her with a puzzled look. "My wish?"

Setsuna giggled, pointing to the boys now opened bag.

Izuku looked to her in confusion before lifting his bag up and peeking inside. What laid inside damn neared made the teen faint. From what he could make out, there appeared to be a mound in his bag, with a piece of a white cloth over it that looked just like the uniform the girls would wear. And he knew exactly what she had meant now by 'wish'.

"Like it~?" She whispered in his ear.

Izuku dropped his bag on the floor like it carried some deathly disease.

"To-Tokage!" Izuku hissed.

Setsuna was howling with laughter as she slammed the lunch table, gasping for breath.

"Y-You're to e-e-easy!" She howled as she reached over and took the 'piece' of her out of his bag.

Much to Izuku's surprise, there was a white cloth laid over the appendage, however, as she unfurled the package. Izuku's eyes widened when he saw it was just a piece of bread.

"It's a meat bun! Come on Hero I'm not that brazen!" She teased even more. "My old uniform no longer fit so I used the same material in that to wrap this. This is to get back at you for what you said the other day."

Izuku sighed in relief. "Th-Thank goodness..."

Setsuna casually brought the bread to her lips and took a bite out of it. "Want some?" She said with her mouth full.

Izuku shook his head with a tired smile. "No thanks you brat..."

Setsuna gasped. "Brat?! Only my mother calls me that!" She said in fake shock.

"Still being a brat..." Izuku said in an endearing fashion.

Setsuna giggled. "But seriously are you really not going to tell me?"

Izuku nodded. "Yes. As punishment for doing 'that', and I just want to see your reaction when you see it for the first time."

"Huh." She said plainly. "I can respect that. But I better be surprised, or you owe me more ice cream."

Izuku chuckled. "I still owe you from last time too."

Setsuna nodded. "Yes. You're a meanie." She finished while crossing her arms.

"I may be a meanie, but you like me for some reason." He shot back.

Setsuna put a finger to her chin. "Meh. You're alright. Think I may have just settled."

"Still a brat."

---

Last Day

It was an odd feeling walking the U.A grounds with only a few students in sight. From what Izuku could make out as he walked alongside Katsuki and Itsuka. Most of these students were third years, and many of them were looking to them in confusion. Luckily for them, they could make out some of their own classmates getting the same stairs as them.

At the moment the trio was making their way to the buildings in the distance. They had seen some of their classmates enter the buildings themselves, and walked in the usual silence they were used to. The train ride to school was the same as it always had been. Nemuri had said she would not be able to take him to school as she was going to be busy with preparations for the Festival come Monday. It made some sense now why none of the teachers would be able to assist them today now. As they almost reached their destination, a surprised gasped was shouted in their direction.

"Its you!"

The three looked to an excited bundle of blue hair float over to them. The energetic energy this person seemed to hold was blinding.

"Hado?" Izuku said as the girl floated above them for a few seconds.

"Yup!" She beamed brightly. "What are you first years doing here? Extra studying?" She paused. "Wait no that does not make sense so many of you are here. Maybe you are all gathered for some secret meeting that no one else knows about?" She implored in her usual fashion. "OR MAYBE-"

"Please for the love of god shut the fuck up!" Katsuki shouted as he walked away.

Hado pouted as she watched the teen walk off. "Well excuse me meanie!" She shouted back as he walked inside of a building in the distance.

Izuku sighed as Itsuka offered the older girl a apologetic smile.

"Sorry about him Hado. He is not exactly the easiest to talk to; but he always means well." Itsuka explained.

"She's right Hado. Katsuki is a character..." Izuku chuckled as he shook his head. "Anyways, we are here to train one last time for the Sports Festival. We all agreed as sister classes to use Saturday as another day for training, and tomorrow is our off day."

Hado's previously hurtful looked turned into one of understanding as she floated lazily above them. "Ohhhhhhh. That makes sense. Is that where are all of you are headed?" She said while pointing to the same door the meanie went through.

Itsuka shook her head. "That's where 1-A is going. 1-B goes to the building right besides it."

Hado nodded in understanding. "Oh! Okay! Wait, now I know why I stopped you." Her eyes narrowed. "You didn't message me!" She scolded.

Izuku blushed slightly. "Umm, sorry I have been busy with training. I hope I didn't come off as rude."

Hado eventually just shrugged her shoulders and set herself on the ground. "Meh, its all good. I just wanted to tell you about something was all, but it can wait till after the festival if anything!"

Izuku nodded his head. "Of course."

Hado suddenly rose back into the air. "In any case, have fun training!" She shouted as she flew away.

Itsuka and Izuku looked to one another before shrugging their own shoulders, and then continued their original path to the buildings.

"Hey Izuku. Katsuki and I were talking. On Sunday we are meeting at Dagobah and you are coming along."

Izuku looked to her with a raised brow. "And why am I coming along?"

Itsuka gave him a scolding look. "Seriously? You still have not told us what happened to get you in the funk you were. You owe it to us dammit."

Izuku's face went white. "O-Oh right."

Itsuka sighed. "Izuku you already know. We are in this together, and I am pretty sure I know what might have happened."

Izuku looked to her in wide eyes. "Y-You do?" He said in worry.

She nodded. "Yes. And if it is what I think it is, my opinion of you does not change. You're still the same irritating idiot that I've known since we were young."

"Oh."

Itsuka sighed. "Sorry to just drop it on you like that, but we will be around your house at noon tomorrow. Since we aren't having a lunch today, and only training for a few hours. Make the most of what is today." Itsuka held a fist up to him. "If we don't see each other today, I'll see you tomorrow."

Izuku met her fist with her own. "Okay Itsuka. See you then."

---

Sunday

Izuku was a nervous mess. It was now Sunday, his off day from training but he felt anything but relaxed. Yesterday's last bit of training was what he needed most definitely, but with what Itsuka had told him before they parted ways; and not to mention how Katsuki seemed to have been ignoring him for the majority of that day. Izuku did not know what to expect.

During his training, he managed to successfully move his quirk a lot faster and with increased height. The height had reached ten feet, like it originally had when he fully concentrated. But now, he could just touch the ground and will his quirk to move the way it did. He was proud of himself, but he felt tired still. He had listened to Nemuri and tried his best to get some sleep, but he would be lying if he said he was not up all night looking over his notes.

Izuku's only concern was how effective his quirk would be for combative purposes. The students could not attack or fight one another, but they could fight dummies and pillars and such. When Izuku flared his quirk in the dummies direction, it usually resulted in the thing being scrambled into pieces. Which of course worried him, but from what Aizawa reminded him about. Was that these were merely props, and they held no comparison to what the human quirk body could handle. Which was something that was known by science. Those with quirks, their bodies were a lot more resilient than those who lacked quirks. A sad reality, but it was just how the human body evolved.

So that was the only thing keeping Izuku confident that his quirk would not hurt others to much like they did with the fragile props. In any case, Izuku was still going in blind; the Festival would be the time for him to use his quirk on others now. And he did not know what to expect.

Izuku looked up at the clock by the living room T.V. It read 5:30, so that meant they would be here anytime now. Izuku looked to his gloved hands and rubbed them together gently. He had come a long way, and he knew the competition was going to be tough. If it was like the other years he had seen the Festival: general, support, and the business departments would also be competing. So there was a lot of things he would be facing blind.

Izuku jumped when he heard knocks at his front door. He already knew it was going to be Itsuka and Katsuki, so he begrudgingly got up from the couch and made his way to the door. He had already told his parents that he would be going out with his two best friends, and they told him to just return at an acceptable time. At the moment they were not home, and had gone out to eat dinner.

Izuku opened the door, and was met with the casually dressed duo that were his best friends. Itsuka was smiling, while Katsuki had a sour face.

"You ready." Itsuka said in a not so question like manner.

Izuku nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Katsuki grunted. "Good. We are running over there like we used to."

"Figured." Izuku chuckled as he followed them out of the house. He locked the door behind him and the trio were now on their way.

The jog to the beach was how it used to be. Very calm and relaxing, and to the now physically fit three. This was a cake walk compared to anything they endured at U.A thus far.

The beach was just over the horizon, and Izuku felt a feeling of nostalgia wash over him as he gazed at the still garbage riddled sands. The sun was just setting over the heaps of cars, and trash, it looked like a poetic representation of the litter of humanity. Izuku thought back to all the memories the three of them had made on this very beach. How they promised one another to always be their for each other, how they promised to give it their all at the U.A entrance exams. Where the three of them had become friends and experienced various hardships with one another. It was interesting how they always found themselves returning to such a desolate and filth ridden place.

"We are here." Katsuki grumbled as they all came to a stop by a railing that over looked the beach.

Izuku looked out to the ocean that could just be made out over the horizon. It looked golden yellow as the sun slowly sank lower and lower.

"Come one. Lets go to our spot." Itsuka said nonchalantly as the other two followed.

They were headed to the same spot they promised to one another all those years ago. It was a broken down car that sat atop other cars, but it was settled in such a way that allowed the perfect view of the area all around them; especially the ocean in front of them.

Climbing up the cars like they did when they were younger, they reached the top. All three of them genuinely smiled when they saw the broken down seats they had brought up here still remained.

"Guess no one has been here in a long time." Izuku chuckled as he sat himself down.

"Guess so." Katsuki said as he sat to Izuku's left.

"Yup. Guess so." Itsuka concluded as she sat on Izuku right.

The three of them remained silent as they heard the seagulls above call out to one another. The sound of the ocean beating onto broken bits of garbage was a fond memory they all shared, and they enjoyed the sounds for a few moments longer.

Izuku knew they were waiting on him. He feared what they would say to him, especially how Setsuna had first reacted when she was told. He especially did not want his childhood friends to fear or resent him in any way.

"I guess I should say something huh?"

Itsuka and Katsuki said nothing as they looked to the ocean still.

Izuku gulped. "Katsuki will remember, but Itsuka you heard about how I touched a villain with my quirk right?"

Itsuka nodded, as did Katsuki.

"W-Well I touched the villain with both of my index fingers. And, you remember what that did to the robot right?"

Itsuka's eyes looked to him in sadness. "I may have heard from Mina what had happened. I can only assume the worst right?"

Izuku shivered. "Y-Yes."

Katsuki said nothing, his gaze still looking out in front of him.

"That villain is dead guys. I killed him." Izuku just outright admitted.

He shut his eyes fully expecting any type of backlash. Killers were not exactly smiled upon, and Izuku figured with how heroic the two were they would distaste him now.

"You killed him huh?" Katsuki sighed out.

Izuku just nodded his head fearfully.

"What else?" Itsuka questioned.

"W-What?" Izuku said in surprise.

"What else you nerd." Katsuki jumped in.

"What do you mean, wh-what else?" He said in disbelief. "I killed someone!" He said in alarm.

Itsuka nodded, a solemn look on her face. "You did kill someone. But it saved the life of one of our friends."

"That is besides the point!" He said in disbelief. "I only meant to stop the villain, not kill it!"

Katsuki grunted. "I don't see the fucking problem Deku. You killed a scummy as fuck villain who was about to kill pinky. Of course killing is wrong, but you think being a hero would be without deaths and hardships like this?"

"I-I mean of course not..." Izuku faltered.

"Then what is the problem?" Itsuka continued.

"Because I killed another villain as well!" He revealed, his gloved hands reaching for his hair.

"And there it is." Itsuka offered him a sad smile. "I knew there was something else."

Izuku looked to her with a blank look.

"Izuku I am going to be blunt with you. It was fucking obvious that big villain would be dead. We all saw how it practically ripped open, and not to mention you never dropped your quirk around it. All the class knows that it most likely died." Katsuki explained. "So stop mopping around like a brooding widow and learn from this mistake."

Itsuka nodded. "As for the other villain, I am assuming it was the one in the water correct?"

"But h-how?" Izuku wondered.

"Asui had told me just seconds before she pulled you out of the water, she saw you had touched a villain with your quirk." Itsuka laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Only I was made aware of that information, and she has not told anyone but me as she felt I needed to know just in case you went crazy or something."

"A-Asui knows I killed that water villain?" He said fearfully.

"Well she was guessing they had met their demise since once again, you never dropped your quirk around them as far as she could tell."

Izuku visibly slumped in the chair he was seated in. "How can anyone of you be okay with this?"

"Its simple. Your whole class trust you Izuku. You used your quirk to save a classmate, and you show remorse for your actions. That is why those who know, do not judge you or see you differently. Except for Setsuna, we all agreed it was best to not tell her. So good luck with that."

Izuku groaned slightly. "Yeah I already told her and I'm lucky she looked past it."

Itsuka nodded. "Well then that is good." She paused pointing to Katsuki and herself. "As for us, we made that promise remember?"

"He sure acts like he does not fucking remember," Katsuki growled as he finally looked to his best friend.

"Ho-How can I be so lucky to have such forgiving friends?" Izuku questioned to the sky.

"Izuku we trust you, and even if Katsuki won't say it out loud, we love you like our brother." Itsuka giggled. "Seriously, you're in your head to much kid. The Festival is tomorrow, and I am sure this has been a burden that has been bothering you huh?"

Izuku nodded. "Very much so..."

"The fucking stop mopping around and give it your all tomorrow. I'm serious you two shitheads, if you get eliminated by anyone else but me, then I am going to have to fight you myself on my own terms." Katsuki threatened in his own friendly way.

Izuku sighed. "Thanks you two. There you guys go again making my worries seem like they were all for nothing."

Itsuka slapped the back of his head. "Yeah just don't go doing something like that again."

Izuku rubbed his head as he smiled to the two of them.

"Guess tomorrow is the big day." Izuku said as he looked back to now dark ocean.

"Guess so." Katsuki nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so." Itsuka concluded.

Izuku wrapped his arms around his two best friends. "I guess so..."

---

170,000 words later we are finally at the Sports Festival. That's got to be some kind of record right? Right...? Guys...? And the longest chapter I have written?! ...Guys...?

On the real I know I may have rushed the ending, I am well aware, BUT! That's because during parts of the Sports Festival I felt would be better to show how much Izuku had actually accomplished. I wanted to keep the details as open, but brief as I can as to fully showcase Izuku's progress. Remember he just barely learned to do this with his quirk, and with how much he has learned I feel it is almost pushing it. But Izuku needs a fighting chance in the Festival, so now from here on out we get to see our boy soar as he only gets better and better. Remember, he knows how to fight in hand to hand combat as he trained with Itsuka and Hideki for so many years, so he still has that. Also, if some of you might have have figured out, remember how Izuku's quirk traveled the entirety of apartment complex? KEEP THAT IN MIND. As it 'might' not pertain to just objects...

As for the dream Midnight had? We will see.

On a small, but adorable note. In case you may have noticed I am shipping Katsuki with Pony. There is something about it that I feel is the cutest thing on the planet, but also this all has meaning remember. I wrote all that for a purpose that will be explored down the line. So sorry to those who may have thought otherwise, but Pony and Katsuki has been a goal of mine for a while now. (So sorry to those five readers who wanted Katsuki and Itsuka.)

I wanted to wish all of my readers a happy new year, and here is to many more! I hope you accomplish what you said you would this year, and with 2020 coming your new goal (or the same) can be accomplished just as well! As always. Have an amazing day, evening, and night!

Here's to the new year!