This is a great chapter and it does a lot for power progression I think... and some character development...

Enjoy!

"AH!"

Bakugo's cry alarmed Izuku as he flipped the boy on his back, it was unlike the one time bully to react to getting his ass kicked. In the past he took it all with a silent cruelty, a mocking silence to let the world know how utterly unaffected he was. To hear any noise like that was... odd to Izuku's ears. This was the fifth fight in a row that Izuku had won, and yet it felt like Bakugo was becoming worse with each fight, not better. Like he wasn't learning, which was really odd seeing as the boy's intelligence was what made him so scary in the past.

"You okay?" He asked, helping his old foe up.

Katsuki sighed but before he could answer, Mirko stepped in, her eyes filled with a rare understanding. "You just got put on meds, right?" Katuski flinched, ashamed, then nodded. " I thought so. I was told you used to be exceptionally violent, cruel and sadistic before you got on your meds. You could and would challenge anyone and go all out no matter the cost... I think that's the issue. Your not sure where to draw the line now that you know better then to go all out on every opponent, Your understating yourself, your overall capacity and your sense of limitations... " She sighed, and walked over to her fireplace, pulling out a box. "I can't believe I am showing you this, share it and I will crush your ugly faces... but look. "

There, sitting in the center of the box, was three bottles, each a familar orange. Immediately both boys shared a look of understanding.

Bakugo spoke first. "You take meds for..."

"For my mental health. I was bullied a lot as a kid if I am being honest... for my "Bunny Quirk", for darker skin, my muscular body... things like that, and to to be frank that kind of thing, mixed with my natural temper well... it made things hard. I almost killed a mouthy civilian when I was still in school, during my second internship actually. Nezu wasn't working for my school but he heard of what happened and helped me get on meds, and into therapy. To be honest a lot of heroes go to therapy, they need help for PTSD, depression, anxiety and a whole host of things. Don't be ashamed of that part of your life...

Learn from it.

Now that sharing time is over, let's work on what we can, shall we? Bakugo, you need to amp up your attacks. If you go to far I will stop you and we will redirect your energies. It's a called a learning curve for a reason. Izuku, you need to work on variable accceleration, or in laymans terms shifting your speed up so people cannot feel you out. You've really only ever fought people weaker or less skilled then you, so you aren't accustomed to fighting a better fighter. Trust me a master would rip you apart. they'd read your style in second and tear you to shreds."

"Yes Ma'am." Izuku said sharply, making mental notes of the women's suggestions. They were sound and he knew they'd help.

Mirko smirked. "Lovely, now, Bakugo you are going to go full out on Midoriya, show me what you can really do. No holding back, except for using your quirk. I want you to beat his ass like a drum."

Bakugo, unsure, nodded. "I'll try."

"You'll do, not try."

:::

Shinso hated failure, the sour taste of defeat... and yet here he was, looking down at the capture weapon that failed to move where he wanted it to. That he failed to move..

"It took me six years to master that, trust me it takes time." Aizawa said, smirking next to him.

"Will it take me six years?"

The man snorted. "I hope not. I made the capture weapon with the help of the support labs and made an entire new combat style. That's why it took six years. You have a teacher, and I know how to use the capture weapon, so I don't think it will take that long. No, my guess is by a years end you will have enough mastery to be useful in combat on a serious level. By the time you graduate, you will be comparable to me sans experience if that makes sense."

"It does... so... what's next?"

Aizawa fell into a low stance. "Let's try regular combat for a while, get you used to not using your capture weapon. You need to be good at both."

Shinso didn't bother replying, falling low into a stance as he had been taught before charging the man he knew would kick his ass. That he was on the floor, arms pinned behind his back less then three seconds later only served to bruise his ego."

"What did you do wrong?"

Sighing, the Hypnotic teen answered. "My stance was sloppy, I charged a superior opponent and... I am not sure what else."

"You used moves that your not strong enough to capitalize on. Your body needs more work, which will take time. Your not an instinctive fighter, so this will always be harder for you but also that much more rewarding... now, come on and come at me again. I will show you a basic manuver, taking advantage of your boney elbows. Trust me, this is effective against almost everyone."

"""

Bakugo, as it turned out, was a lot stronger then his thin frame implied. Going all out, or at least at a far higher level, made that clear. He could punch like a heavy weight boxer and he picked up some of Izuku's movements in seconds, mimicing them with startling effeciency. He even countered a few of them, to Izuku's shock. What really was shocking was his speed, Bakugo could move at near blinding speeds that even Izuku could barely see with all of his training. It was infuriating, but also relaxing... it meant that Bakugo was recovering, but also that he was so naturally talented that even without having actually trained in hand to hand beyond the basics he might overcome Izuku's constant effort.

It made him want to scream, but he held back, knowing it was a dumb idea... and that he was being a baby. Some people were naturally talened, that was a simple fact...

Bakugo had always excelled... at everything. It was his nature to do so...

Izuku had to reign in his jealousy every few seconds, and his deep seated annoyance. He knew that even with his surpassing natural talent, Bakugo was still no match for him at top speed but he was also trying to vary his speed and skill, a push and pull to lull people into a sense of security and to conserve his energy against lesser foes. Or so he assumed that was the point...

"Much better! Bakugo, never forget, Midoriya has a lot more experience then you do. Midoriya, Bakugo has to have a lot of strength to handle the recoil of his strength, so don't be bitter." Mirko chirped, looking oddly pleased. "You two are going to be epic, I just know it. Someday you might just be a challenge for me to spar... which brings me to the next challenge...you are, individually, going to spar with me full out. All the bangs and whistles, toys and quirks allowed! In my basement though, where it's safer for us to spar and not destroy this house." Both boys followed the mildly insane women into the basement, which was decked out with matts galore and airconditioning to keep them from overheating. Hopping, literally, she fell into a perfect but odd stance. "Bakugo, your first, show me what you got!"

The boy snarled a challenge and charged the women...

Leaving Izuku to watch them both, making mental notes and plans he hoped would stem his ass beating for a least a few moments...

Absently, he wondered how Todoroki's internship was going. He had gone to Nezu with his concerns regarding Endeavor's horrible statement about destiny and his son's duty to defeat All Might... the fears it bore within him. The Rat, well technically the Stoat, had not taken it well from what he could read and Izuku knew that something fierce and interesting would happen as a result... he just didn't know what.

:::

Todoroki couldn't help but smirk as he walked alongside the Wild Wild Pussy Cats, walking upwards towards their homes in the mountains. He would have never guessed his life would have gone in this direction, but here he was... and all because Izuku Midoriya had decided to care for him, even if from a distance. Who could have guessed that what he assumed at first was petty interference could bear such amazing fruit?

He certianly could have never guessed it...

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Todoroki had never entered the Principls office, he had no idea what to expect from the man... rat? A warm smile was not high on his list.

Nezu was sitting warmly at his desk, two cups of steaming tea present. "Tea, please help yourself."

Always a sucker for tea, Todoroki helped himself. "What am I here for?" He figured it was best to be straight to the point."

"Blunt, I like it. Too many linger on formalities... very well let us be blunt. Worries were brought up concerning your father, something he said to you... specifically how he felt it was your destiny, your duty to surpass All Might. That and your father's past history of being violent, excessive and brutal made the reporter worried that you may be in danger of abuse."

The urge to scowl, hiss or... something overtook Shoto. 'How dare someone interfere? And yet, I can use this to get back at Enji, always a plus really.' He took several deep breathes before focusing his attentions back on the rat. "My old man is ambitious. He aims for the top. He used his power to make a name for himself as a hero. But he was never able to beat All Might, so the Symbol of Peace is living proof of his failure. He's still at it, though, trying to take down All Might. One way or another... if that means molding me to whatever he pleases, then so be it."

Nezu sighed. "I feared as much. I knew you refused to use your Fire side... I assume it has to do with your father's less then kind behavior?"

"Have you ever heard of... quirk marriages?" asked Todoroki, leaning in with the urge to horrify the rat. To his annoyance the rat merely nodded, looking at him straight and focused. "They became a problem in the first few generations after superpowers became widespread. There were those who sought out potential mates solely with the intention of creating powerful children. Many people were forced into relationships. They were simply viewers as old-fashioned arranged marriages. But, clearly, it was unethical. My father has not only a rich history of accomplishments but plenty of money to throw at his problems. He brought my mother's relatives to get his hands on her quirk. And now he's raising me to usurp All Might...It's so annoying. I refuse to be a tool for that scumbag. In every memory of my mother... I only see her crying. I remember she called my left side unbearable before she poured boiling water on my face," Todoroki told him, touching his scar... then he froze, cursing himself for revealing so much, but he knew the cause. Thinking of his mother always brought out his more maudlin side... the dramatic parts of his personality shined brightest when his mother played a part.

Nezu placed down his tea, stepped off his seat and walked over to him. To his shock, the rat grabbed his hand. "My boy, I profess a deep, and geniune apology. We heroes claim so much power and influence and yet no one thought to look into your father's home life, despite knowing of his capacity for darker emotions. Especially after what happened to Toya, which I now believe was no accident if what you told me is true. We should have at least looked into your home life after we learned of your scar, or of the refusal you have to weild your fire side. We failed you that regard, all of us.

I can assure you we will look into this, fully, and with all our power. We will get you away from him, now and forever. Enji has no right to force his believes onto you, nor the right to abuse you or your mother, whom will also be saved as much as we can. It may seem impossible now but I assure you that we do have the resources to handle him..." The rat bowed low, allowing Shoto to mask his heavy breathing, the panic his heart. "I can hear you panicking, speak child."

"He is the Number two hero, he is beyond wealthy and loved... how can you promise me anything like that?"

"Because I am a hero and it is my duty to protect those that cannot protect themselves, no matter the risk to myself."

And, to his own shock, Shoto started to sob. His body shook, his head aching horribly as a lifetime of pain broke through his fascade of stoicism. The honest and open declaration of duty and the care directed at him by someone, who actually had reason to mean it... it was too much for Shoto. The Rat held him close, patting his back and murmuring sweetnesses into his ears. After a while he began to calm himself and pull back.

"I am sorry, I have never... not since my mother burned my face..."

Nezu smiled. "Crying has medically been proven to be good for you, it is a release of locked up emotions... think of it as cleaning house. Now outside of going to therapy, which I very much reccomend, I would like you to change your internship to better set you apart from your father. If you are willing, I have an idea that would do you wonders."

"Who?"

"The Wild Wild Pussy cats! It is true that neither have your quirk, but they can teach you things you lack. Skills for Rescue and Teamwork, which you struggle without outside of a leadership role... and they have emitter quirks so you can learn fluidity, adaptation and so on. Really they would be a great for all aspects of your development."

Slowly, Shoto nodded. "I can see where you are coming from... and it would keep me away from my father... I guess I can agree to that, but how do I be sure that my father will not retaliate?"

Nezu's smirk was more chilling them anything Enji could ever manage to be. "Oh, my sweet summer child, you will see."

And so he did as the Rat suggested and went with the Wild Wild Pussy cats... they were a treat. Mandalay was almost maternal and reminded him of his mother, just more bubbly. Pixiebob was almost obnoxious but sweet all at once. Ragdoll made him laugh... and Tiger was just odd but he liked him. Overall the strange themed beings were just what he needed to improve and master his powers.

So far they had a variety of ideas for him to try, based on Pixiebob's Earthflow Quirk. He had spent most of the day before watching them go through a few sequences, showing their impressive mastery of their quirks and teamwork, inspiring Shoto greatly. He just knew he would become something great by watching them, and even greater by working alongside them...

That is spat in his father's face was all the better as far as he was concerned.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a lot of fun to write... I loved it.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.