A/N: Still don't own MHA, and I hate saying that.

A Queen Among Women: Yeah, sorry. I changed the name because I felt like the original title was starting to get misleading. And truthfully, the backlash will probably be somewhat unrealistic, as I have never been involved in or witnessed any large scandals/rumors like this.

Izuku knew that his remarks would be broadcasted to every channel. However, he failed to consider the fact that some of the reporters were sending live feed to major news channels.

In other words, more than a few students at UA watched his speech in real time.

"For the next three days, all classes will be replaced with training and studying sessions, starting today. Attendance is still mandatory, but you can do whatever with your time. Finals are this Friday, so be prepared."

Aizawa dismissed them after that, and Izuku planned his training sessions as he grabbed his costume and walked to Ground Gamma.

"Jeez, I can't believe the teachers are still letting him in," one of the second years loudly said as Izuku passed them.

"Yeah. What's next? Criminals?"

Strangely enough, not everyone's response was negative.

"Woah, you're Stain's student! That's so cool! His speech really resonated with me. What do you think about him?"

It struck him as odd, but he remembered that many people saw Stain as a revolutionary figure who was actually doing more than some heroes.

"He was a good teacher, and even fatherly to a point," Midoriya answered as he kept walking to the training grounds.

Three more incidents came and went, but Izuku shrugged them off without a care.

Finally alone, he ducked into an alley and changed into his costume. The next hour was spent free running through the facility and going through his typical training.

"Well well well, if it isn't Stain Junior."

Izuku turned and was met with some students he didn't recognize. By their appearances, they were probably second or third years.

"I'm not sure about that. I'll have to get a DNA test before you can call me that," Izuku quipped before returning to his training regimen. The antagonizers just scoffed and walked away, leaving Izuku alone.

Days came and went, and the day of the final exam was upon him.

Or it would have been, were it not for the mob waiting for him outside UA again.

"Midoriya! How has the recent admittance of being the hero killer's former student affected your school life?"

"Over here! Over here! Are you actually-"

Midoriya, like usual, pushed through them and made his way through the gates, only stopping to send a bloodcurdling glare at the reporters before heading in for homeroom.

"Midoriya! Wait up!"

Iida came running up from behind and slowed down so he was walking next to Izuku.

"Are you ready for your final? I heard Yaoyorozu held multiple study sessions at her place, and hopefully those in need attended. I still don't know what to expect from the practical exam, but I overheard we may be fighting the robots from the entrance exams."

"I've been trying to study, but it's not easy with everything that's been going on recently. By the way, how's Tensei? Is he still in the hospital?"

"Thankfully, he is not. He even has been practicing using just his engines to make up for his legs," Iida replied with his karate chop motions.

"You know, I was wondering if he could get some kind of prosthetic layer. In fact, I bet Mei or some of the support course students would be able to mechanize the legs in his suit. You know, like robotic legs,"

"That is interesting. I will have to ask him what he thinks about that. But more importantly, how are you doing?"

As if to answer his question, a small group called over to Izuku and made remarks about his past.

"Just a walk in the park," he replied sarcastically. "But honestly, it's nowhere near as bad as what he put me through. The only pain is getting swarmed by the press every single morning just outside the main entrance."

The two walked into the room and took their seats, disregarding the conversations that seemed to stop the moment the green-haired on stepped in.

Aizawa made his usual appearance and handed out the final exam, which was a combined test on all the classes they'd taken over the term. They were given until lunch to finish, which was more than enough time for some, but hardly enough for others.

Izuku finished ten minutes before the bell, and looked around at his classmates. Yaoyorozu, Todoroki and Iida were finished as well, Bakugo was writing hard enough to tear through the paper, Kaminari and Mina weren't looking so hot, and everyone else was somewhere in between.

"That's it, pencils down," Aizawa instructed when the lunch bell rang. "Leave your exams on your desks and grab your uniforms. You will be taken to the Center Plaza as soon as lunch period is over, so anything you don't bring will be left here until the end of the day. When you're ready, wait by the main entrance."

Everyone rushed to grab their briefcases from the wall slots and grabbed their backpacks before rushing down to Lunch Rush's Eatery.

"H-Hey, Deku?"

Iida and Izuku caught sight of Ochaco, who placed herself alongside the two.

"How do you think you did?" she asked.

"I know I passed, but aside from that, I have no idea. What about you?"

"Same, really. How about you, Iida?"

"I can say for certain that I did acceptable."

On the way to the dining area, there were the usual stares and remarks thrown his way.

"You know, I figure they would have gotten more creative. But at this point they're just using the same insults over and over again."

By the time they got to the cafeteria, Izuku had heard two more comments about how he shouldn't be allowed at UA, four mutterings that he couldn't make out, and one person who was interested in hearing about Stain.

So do you think we'll actually be fighting those robots again? If so, I hope you don't have to save me again," Uraraka asked.

"Either way, it's probably going to be harder than expected. I wonder if augh!"

His response was cut off by an elbow to the back of the head. Monoma stood there, physically and metaphorically looking down at the 1-A students.

"I'm sorry, did that hurt? Oh, what am I saying? Of course it didn't. After all, Stain's student shouldn't be hurt so easily!"

"You know, you're awfully brave for someone who's useless without someone else's quirk," Izuku threatened while standing to face the blonde. Suddenly, he reached out for Monoma's neck, but grabbed someone else entirely.

"Not yet, we're talking," he said to the person behind Monoma, then let go and lowered his hand. Monoma looked back and saw Kendo, whose hand had been stopped from coming down on his neck.

"Go ahead, say what you were going to say," Izuku urged.

"No. Monoma, stop bothering the A class, especially him. He's already got enough on his plate." Kendo interrupted while dragging Monoma back to another table.

Izuku sat back down and finished his meal in peace, then the three went to where Aizawa said to meet. Luckily, the mob had left, so Izuku was able to wait peacefully. A bus stopped in front of the gates, and soon enough Aizawa ushered the students onto the bus.

It was a short ride to the Center Plaza, where Aizawa stepped off to meet with some other teachers.

"As you can probably tell, your final will consist of fighting a teacher. You will be put into groups of two, save one group of three and a one on one. The rules are similar to the exercises you've done throughout the year. You may use any and all means to win, which is accomplished by handcuffing the teacher or making it to an escape gate. We will all be given a handicap in the form of weighted bracelets. Any questions?"

"When you say, 'any and all', do you mean-"

"Yes. Anything goes. We are playing the villains in this test, and you are to stop us by any means possible. Okay, here are the teams..."

(A/N: For the sake of writing, the pairs and results, unless otherwise stated, are the same as in the manga/anime.)

"Then it'll be Ochaco, Aoyama, and Bakugo against All Might."

"Sir? What about Midoriya?" Kirishima asked with a point at his classmate.

"Don't worry. We've got something set up for him. Now change into your costumes and start planning."

Everyone split into bathrooms and changing rooms and met up in an observatory.

"So Sato and Kirishima are first. Two brawlers versus Cementoss. This won't end well for them," Izuku noted aloud.

"What makes you say that?" Kaminari asked.

"Well, Cementoss has years of experience as a hero, and probably deals with villains similar to those two on a regular basis. Not to mention the surroundings are perfect for him."

As Midoriya expected, the two lost. It wasn't even a close fight.

One by one the teams took their final until it was time for Ochaco's group to face All Might.

"Good luck Uraraka. You'll need it, dealing with Kacchan and all."

"Thanks Deku. Good luck to you too."

Izuku was less than surprised when Bakugo both refused to listen to his teammates and insisted on fighting All Might head on. Of course, All Might had the upper hand in raw power, but Bakugo was fearsome and tenacious. Whether or not he would have beaten All Might, no one would find out, as Ochaco and Aoyama escaped through the gate, cutting off the fight.

Midoriya left the observatory and made his way to the field Aizawa had assigned him to.

"Hey, Midoriya? Who do you think you're facing?" Sero asked when he passed Izuku on the way to his final.

"I don't know. The fact that Aizawa put me alone instead of breaking up the team of three means it's definitely not going to be pleasant," he answered, then resumed to his test. He stopped in front of an area resembling Ground Gamma, with many of the teachers standing outside.

"Midoriya, the one you'll be facing for your final is already inside," Aizawa stated. A mechanical sphere flew from inside the training grounds and hovered by Mr. Aizawa's shoulder. "Follow the drone. It'll lead you to your opponent. Don't worry, we've got everything covered."

"Yes, sir."

"But first, your goggles," the teacher added and held out hand. "Like you said in the joint training, they defeat the purpose of the exercise."

Izuku nodded and reluctantly handed over the red eyewear. With everything prepared, the student let the drone lead him into the arena and kept an eye out for his opponent.

Back outside, the teachers shared nods between themselves, and many followed the path inside the factory layout.

"Should we turn off the feed? Chances are, this won't be pretty," Aizawa asked Nezu.

"I believe it would be best if we left it on. This way, they know he is actually being tested while getting a look at what the real world might have in store for them," the mouse-like being answered before jumping onto All Might's back. The number one hero then practically flew into the facility, followed by Aizawa and the rest.

Aizawa and Vlad King walked side by side for a few minutes, neither talking to the other.

"Just remember Eraser, it's on you," Vlad King stated before taking a different path along the twisting pipes and constructs.

As Izuku travelled deeper and deeper, he started wondering if this was a trick. Maybe Aizawa was his test and he was tiring Izuku out to make it harder for him to pass. Or maybe it was two or three teachers.

His thought process was cut short when he bumped into the drone, which had stopped its forward progress. The only thing to be seen was just another one of the factory sheds, which Izuku slowly approached and entered.

Inside, he was met with one of the last things he expected to see.

Stain was there, but he was restrained in a heavy metal chair with straps and chains galore. On the floor beside him was a small chunk of his arsenal; a few smaller knives and a visibly dulled sword was all he was given.

"Stain?"

Flashback

"There is no way in hell we are letting that happen," Vlad King sneered.

"To put it in a friendlier way, that is a terrible idea," Present Mic agreed.

"Now now, I'm sure Shouta has his reasoning. He was brave enough to suggest it, so we may as well hear him out. Go on, why do you suggest this so suddenly?" Nezu stated.

"A few reasons really. The main reason being, he's the best option to test Midoriya. All Might would flatten him like a pancake, Snipe would riddle him with bullets, as he has no long range options, I'm only useful against those that rely too heavily on their quirks, which is the last thing we need to worry about with him. Mic is in the same category as Snipe, Midnight is, no offense, a lack of a challenge in his case, Nezu's already been assigned to the two lowest students in 1-A, and Cementoss is overkill. And Ectoplasm, Thirteen, and Power Loader just aren't good matchups for him."

"That still does little to prove that we should take this, in my opinion, disastrous risk when we could simply give him a bad matchup. Getting him out of Tartarus alone would be an arduous process, but bringing him here? Letting him fight a student?" Midnight declared.

"Yes, but allow me to rephrase. He taught Midoriya, making him the best person to fight him. And if we cover up his temporary release, keep constant guard over him, and bring in a few more failsafe protocols, we can get this done without issue."

"I still don't like it one bit," Thirteen added.

"I can agree that he makes some almost arguable points, but I just can't get on board," Power Loader said.

"Which is why I am willing to take full responsibility should anything happen," Aizawa added.

The teachers all fell silent and stared; to see Aizawa go this far for one student was a spectacle rarely seen.

"We'll need some time to discuss it," Nezu stated, making him the center of attention.

"With all due respect, sir, are you actually contemplating this?"

"He is rather insistent, and he makes a good point. Compared to Stain, none of us can compete when it comes to being a good matchup against Midoriya. However, this does not guarantee that we will allow this to pass," Nezu stated.

Later, the teachers would reconvene with their decision.

"We have thoroughly discussed it, and we are willing to go through with it under these circumstances. One, you will take any and all responsibility for anything that may come of this. Two, you will be the one to get the support courses and any agencies you know to prepare the equipment for the contingency plans. And lastly, you are will deal with any resulting messes on you own. Do you understand?" Nezu asked, much more serious than usual.

"Yes, sir," Aizawa answered.

"Very well. Stain will be Midoriya's final exam. I trust you have the others planned?"

(IMPORTANT: I know everything that just happened would NEVER actually happen, but please bear with me)

"Hey kid. Got it all figured out yet?"

"I think so. I'm facing you for my final exam, but that means I need to let you free. And I really don't know if that's a good idea."

The drone, which had followed Izuku into the building, spoke with Aizawa's voice.

"Don't worry, Midoriya. I already said we have it covered. Just do it and show everyone what you're made of. If you need us to stop the match, just shout for us."

Quietly, Izuku walked up and undid the bindings holding his former mentor in the chair. The man stood up and stretched his limbs, then grabbed his weapons and faced Izuku.

"No way! That's who he's facing? How did they even get him here in the first place?" Mina exclaimed.

"As bad as this is, I really want to see how it goes down," Kaminari offered.

"It will be interesting," Mineta threw in.

"Deku..." Ochaco worriedly thought.

Bakugo just growled.

"Before we begin, let's step outside," Izuku requested. The former pair took to the alley, where the green-haired teen started tossing aside his gear. His mask, the utility belt, the gauntlet and wind glove, even the chains were tossed aside.

"I assume you have a reason?" Stain said as his once student took a prepared fighting stance.

"Ever since our fight in Hosu, people have been talking about your apprentice. As time went on, more and more people put the pieces together and realized it was me. Now, everywhere I go, pretty much everyone is either afraid, disgusted, or even disappointed in me. I guess now, I might as well show them why they should be afraid of me. Win or lose, I'm going to do it with just my skills. No gadgets, no tools, just my own abilities."

"It's your funeral," Stain coldly stated with a point of his sword.

"Yeah, I guess it is," Izuku replied just as coldly.

The two combatants raced at each other and met in the middle. Stain had the advantage in physical strength and experience, along with having his weapons. But Izuku was faster and more flexible from his training and youth. Not to mention he had no reason to hold back. Everyone knew who he was now, so there was no secret to keep hidden this time.

Stain slammed his knee into Izuku's stomach and reached for one of his small knives, but Izuku forced himself to push through and headbutted Stain in the nose. Blood trickled down his mentor's face, giving him the beginning of an idea.

Izuku ran at Stain and blocked a slice, which he followed with a kick to the shin with his steel toed shoes. Stain dropped to one knee, and Izuku took the moment of weakness to reach into Stain's mouth and pull out his tongue, which he then dragged across the dripping blood.

"A valiant attempt. But I have to want my quirk to activate," Stain said before stabbing Izuku through the upper arm with the sword. Izuku retreated and cradled his arm, kicking himself for not requesting even more armor for his appendages.

"You can't beat me. You should know that. Compared to me, you're still just a beginner."

"Ever heard of 'beginner's luck'?"

Stain made a dash at Izuku, who gave everything he had at blocking and countering Stain's moves. At some point he managed to get a blow to Stain's stomach, which he followed with a slam to the face with his armored forearm.

"Damn..." Kirishima said at the sight of the two vicious combatants.

"He's scary, but kind of intense," Asui muttered.

"I could sometimes tell something about Midoriya was off, but this is something else," Sato threw in, which was followed by a quick nod from Koda.

"You've done a good job at keeping your blood out of reach. But I wonder how long you can keep it up."

"I'll keep it up for as long as I have to," Izuku replied, then prepared for the next round.

Kicks, punches, jabs, and strikes flew left and right as Stain and Midoriya went at it again. When they separated, Izuku was left with a knife sticking out of his left leg and Stain's right eye was starting to swell shut.

"Aizawa, should we stop the exam? It's getting pretty ugly down there," Midnight asked into her radio.

"I told him to shout for us if he wants us to. He hasn't yet, so we'll have to wait."

However, Aizawa was also readying to interfere. Both of them were extremely dangerous, if the increasing injuries on both of them were to be taken seriously. And there was no telling just how bad they could get hurt if it kept going.

Back on the ground, Izuku pulled the blade out of his leg, barely even flinching from the wet squishing noise it made.

"By the looks of things, I'd say the next bout will be the last," Izuku declared as he flipped the knife in his hand so he was holding it blade-down.

"Yes. Either way, only one of us will be walking away after this."

"Stain, it would be an honor if you gave me every last drop of energy in you for our last fight."

"Midoriya, I can say the same about you."

Once again, the two prepared to go at each other. Neither would hold anything back; it was all or absolutely nothing.

Despite all the wounds the two had received, the final round was by far the more intense. Adrenaline and determination pumped through both of them in record amounts as they each went for weak spots and openings. Izuku blocked a slash with his armor and Stain parried an attempted stab from Midoriya.

Even with the blood flowing freely, Stain wasn't given a single chance to use his quirk, as doing so would require him to drop his defenses.

At any given moment, it would appear that one was going to win, only for the other to push back and start to take the upper hand. Izuku put as much pressure as he could on his former teacher and began to push him back again. As Stain stepped backwards, his boot slipped on a small pile of debris from the fight.

It was at that moment that the fight was determined.

Izuku saw the brief slip in control Stain had over his retreat and took advantage of it. With a quick leg sweep, he got Stain into the air, then spun around and brought him down with a devastating hammer kick to the ribs.

Stain crashed into the ground with Izuku standing guard, ready to get back into the fight. His breathing was wild and his heart was pounding like a jackhammer in his chest. He knew if it came down to it, he wouldn't be able to hold Stain back for any longer.

However, Stain didn't move. He wasn't dead or even unconscious, just still.

"You... you win, Midoriya. I don't think I can go any longer," the man stated. He started coughing, and pushed himself into a seated position leaning against a nearby structure. "Those shoes, they got steel heels and toes, don't they?"

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that."

Stain chuckled, then coughed up some blood. "I guess I'm heading back to Tartarus. There's no way I can fight all of your teachers."

Izuku sat down, then sprawled himself on his back beside his teacher. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say we went at it more than we did back in Hosu."

Aizawa, All Might, and Cementoss approached the two, wary of Stain and shooting concerned looks at the student.

"Recovery Girl? We could use your assistance in here," Cementoss said into a radio.

"You know something, Stain? I'm glad we did this. It's sort of a relief that the last fight between us was on good terms. Even if I ended up getting stabbed again," Izuku said with a laugh at the end.

Suddenly, Iida appeared holding Recovery Girl piggyback style, and got to his knees so the older woman could hop to the ground.

"Thank you, sweetie," she offered before giving Izuku and even Stain a kiss.

"They should be fine. If not, me and the medics at Tartarus can deal with any lasting damage."

Aizawa and Cementoss lifted Stain and carried him to the chair, where he was strapped back in without incident.

"Good luck, Izuku," was the last thing he said.

"Thank you. You too."

The villain was carried away, and Izuku felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I have to admit, I was scared to come in here. I knew he was beaten and wouldn't be too much of a threat, but I was still terrified of him. But I'm glad I did. I learned he's much more human than any of us thought. Or at least when it comes to you," Iida said.

"Yeah, I've noticed that as well. Sure, he's a bad guy, but he's not a bad guy, if you get what I mean."

"I believe I understand. Now, let's return to the observatory. Can you walk?"

"Recovery Girl healed my leg, so I should be fine. But if I fall, I won't argue with being supported on the way back," Izuku offered, feeling tired from Recovery Girl's quirk.

Iida, Izuku, Recovery Girl, and the teachers made their way out of the field and back to the bus, where they were met with the rest of 1-A.

Hope you enjoyed! Leave a review if you wish, and I'll see you in the next chapter!