Author's Note:
Greetings everyone!
Some of you may know me from the Fairy Tail and South Park story I wrote a while back and the fact that those two fics are on indefinite hiatus. I took some time off because of university and did some reading to gain some inspiration and now I can finally say that I have returned. For the longest time I've wanted to write a BNHA story and I finally found the time to write this one out and release it.
Before we start, I want to say several things;
1. This story won't be a copy paste of canon. It may (at certain points) follow the canon timeline and canon events, but don't expect this to last. In addition to that there are certain characters and events that I'm going introduce or use differently in this story.
2. You may have noticed that the main pairing of this story is OC x Momo. That being said, don't expect this to happen right away. I want to try to portray this romance as realistically as possible. That means we're going to have to wait a few chapters before they get together.
3. While I don't think this is the darkest story I have planned out, I still believe that some of the things that I'll show throughout the story will be mature. The BNHA is a dark universe after all and I plan to show those elements in this story.
If you're bothered by this, then you are free to leave. However, if you're fine with this all, then the only thing left to do is to start the story.
Enjoy!
Wild Card
(also wildcard)
1. Countable Noun
If you refer to someone or something as a wild card in a particular situation, you mean that they cause uncertainty because you do not know how they will behave.
Excitement.
Fear.
Anxiety.
Determination.
All of these feelings and many others are what are currently bubbling inside of Momo Yaoyorozu's chest, as she looked at the massive gates of U.A. Highschool. The building in front of her was recognised as the "Harvard" of the Hero world. An institution that only picked the best potential heroes that Japan had to offer. It was here that Momo planned to start her education, and over the course of three years, gain enough knowledge and experience to become the best hero that she could be.
"That is….if I pass of course."
Momo slapped her cheeks and walked through the gates. The elegance and calmness in her stride towards the main building did well in hiding the small amount of self-doubt that she had in actually passing the examination.
The strange thing was that Momo, in theory, shouldn't have feared anything. Although she was taking U.A.'s recommendation exam, she wasn't the type of person to go into the test overconfident. Instead, she spent countless nights studying and working hard, even going as far as to read on advanced topics that shouldn't have appeared in the test, all so that she would be prepared in the exam she was about to take today.
Momo took a deep breath in to calm her nerves and proceeded to walk inside the building. She followed the signs the school set up specifically for those who were to take the recommendation exam, until she found herself in an auditorium with several seats scattered throughout.
She looked around to survey and take a look at the other candidates that had entered the auditorium alongside her. Her eyes widened as her eyes landed on a person she recognised as Shoto Todoroki, the son to the number two hero, Endeavor. Her heartbeat increased exponentially, as the prospect of competing with-no...alongside such a notorious figure in the industry was thrilling.
She had never talked to Todoroki in the past and only noticed him from afar during the lavish parties and balls that her parents had her attend. One of the reasons why she never approached Todoroki is because he was often near his father, who, with all due respect, wasn't the most pleasant person to be around.
"Should I approach him now and say hi? Oh no, that would be silly. He's probably too focused on the exam anyway" She thought, looking away from Todoroki. The young heiress to the Yaoyorozu could see a few more familiar faces.
Juzo Honenuki was in her middle school, though the two never really interacted. Yaoyorozu thought about making small talk with the teen, but he had the same focused expression on his face that Todoroki had, which deterred her from approaching him as well.
For the second time today, Momo slightly slapped both of her cheeks and shook her head.
""Focus Momo. Focus! You can make friends AFTER you've passed. For now you can…!"
Her thoughts were cut off, as the doors to the auditorium suddenly slammed open. Two figures rushed inside, almost flinging themselves into the room. Once they were inside, the two were panting heavily, sweat covering their bodies.
"K-Kami-sama. W-We made it. We actually made it." The first person said. Her sharp teeth glistened brightly as she gave her companion a wide smile. "What'd I tell you, Senzo. You were worrying over-!"
"Shove it, Setsuna. Just shove it!" The second person, who Momo now knew as Senzo, replied hastily. "That's the last time I rely on you for directions." He, much like his companion, was covered in sweat and could barely stand.
"Awww. How cold."
Momo flinched as the young teen suddenly looked at her, more specifically, looked at the small thermos of water that she had brought for herself if she ever got thirsty. She waited anxiously as the teen known as Senzo continued eyeing the thermos she had in hand, wondering if he was going to ask for a-
"Welcome everyone!" A voice suddenly boomed out. Momo looked at the auditorium's stage only to be greeted by an extremely small, but surprisingly well dressed...hamster? Rodent?
"I am Principal Nezu." The figure continued on speaking. "You are the select few who have been endorsed by special people in the hero industry to take part in the U.A. 's Recommendation Entrance Exam. You will have three hours to complete the written examination, and after that, you will all be directly led to a special venue he has for your practical examination."
"Sounds simple enough"
"Is that all? I expected more from U.A."
"Shinketsu's entrance exam is a lot more intricate. I guess they are the better school after all "
Momo heard several murmurs throughout the auditorium. It seemed like many of the candidates were underestimating the exam...or was it because they felt so confident in their own abilities that this didn't seem like a challenge to them?
"Was I worrying over nothing?" Momo thought. "If everyone is this confident, then I should be less worried right? Then why don't I..."
Nezu snickered loudly, catching all of the candidates off guard.
"There are currently fifty-six students for this recommendation exam. Out of your group..." Nezu said, pausing before speaking once more. "Not even half will pass."
The entire auditorium went silent.
Momo felt her whole body go cold. Nervousness overcame her, as Nezu's entire demeanor had changed.
"Do not for one second think that this is going to be a simple walk in the park. This examination is NOT easy. If anything, there is a lot more pressure considering all of you have been recommended by the most powerful people in the hero world." A dark and devious expression covered Nezu's face, making Momo shake a little.
"Good luck everyone. I have high expectations from this group. Oh! Before I forget..."
The young mammal gave one last look to the students before walking out of the auditorium's doors.
"Plus Ultra."
Shota Aizawa snickered as he watched the candidates take their exam. It had been only forty minutes after Nezu had given his "motivational speech" and many students had already either broken down in the middle of their examination or simply left and given up entirely.
"Plucking out the weeds, as Nezu calls it." He thought. It was a rational process to cut the weakest links off in the examination process. The entrance exams aimed to push candidates to use the maximum of their mental and physical capabilities. Their aim was to push candidates to the limit and ensure those who would remain would be the best of the best.
A cruel process? Yes, there was no denying that. However, Aizawa himself knew how brutal hero work truly was. He was aware of the gritty reality that the media rarely showed to the general public, who were oblivious to the dangers that his profession held.
"Twenty five dead interns just last week." Aizawa recalled. He glanced at the numerous students in the auditorium, watching as three more simply stood up to leave. "Better to fail here than out in the field."
"That being said...there is promise here." Aizawa noted. He was referring specifically to Shoto Todoroki, who had already submitted his exam and was simply waiting in his seat waiting for everyone else to finish. The son of Japan's number two hero had a different aura around him that separated him from the rest of his contemporaries. He also seemed to have a very hostile air around him.
"That lone wolf act won't get him far." Aizawa thought. "This one on the other hand..."
Aizawa brought his attention to Momo Yaoyorozu. The young teen had also finished her exam, albeit five minutes earlier than Todoroki. Despite having the same aura that Todoroki had, the air around her was anything but hostile.
"Have your eye on anyone?" A sultry voice said from right behind him.
Aizawa laid his eyes on Kayama Nemuri, better known as Midnight, as she walked towards him. Aizawa was sure that the R-rated hero had no shame, as she confidently flaunted her body through her tight dominatrix-like hero outfit, with each step.
"Todoroki and the Yaoyorozu heiress." He replied curtly. "How about you?"
"Inasa and Honenuki are close to finishing their exams. They just scream youth and vigor." She said, licking her lips in a way that made Aizawa uncomfortable. "There's also...that one."
Aizawa glanced at the brown skinned candidate that Nemuri was pointing at and recognised him as one of the two candidates who were almost late for the exam. The teen's red eyes were currently scanning the examination. He seemed to have finished his test but was probably going through a last check, before giving his paper.
"Senzo Saihara."
"Mmmm" Aizawa hummed. He searched his memory for whatever company or pro-hero held the family name Saihara, but none came to mind. Was there any news of some hot shot endorsing this kid? None came to mind. He gave up and glanced at Nemuri.
"I'm not familiar with the kid. What makes him so special?"
A mischievous glint was in Nemuri's eyes as she opened her mouth to reply
"Well-"
"Not including your strange and disturbing preferences of course."
His co-worker pouted before opening her mouth to speak again.
"It's not so much as who he is, rather it's more of who he used to be."
Aizawa gave her a confused look, causing Nemuri to sigh. She leaned in and started whispering into Aizawa's ear. When she was finished, only one thought echoed throughout his mind.
"Perfect. Exactly what I need this year. A wild card."