Hey everyone! Back again with a new chapter for the story. I'm glad so many of you like where the story is going so far, but before we get to that, I feel I should address one of the reviews I saw on the last chapter. I can't message the person directly, so I will address it here.

Grilled Monkey:

To be honest, you are absolutely right in what you say about All Might. He is a brilliant man capable of going toe to toe with All for One. It's been shown multiple times in the series, like when he made the training regimen, and when he calculated Midoriya could use roughly 5%. These numbers and plans didn't come from nowhere.

That being said, those instances also display his greatest weakness in terms of his mental capability. Those instances you listed before are all examples of logical intelligence: the ability to take in information and come to a logical conclusion, such as knowing 2+2=4.

What he really struggles with is Interpersonal intelligence: the ability to understand and interact with the people around him. Keep in mind, in that same moment he moved to reassure Midoriya about his quirk being safe from Stain, he failed to notice that Midoriya was rather calm about the entire situation, hanging out with friends as usual. The same person who pushed Midoriya so hard during the final exam, he basically broke his spine. This is the same person who literally told Midoriya that his dream is impossible and left them on an abandoned rooftop. Don't you think it's crazy that a supposed #1 hero didn't notice all of the signs that Midoriya was depressed, victimized, and possibly suicidal?

You're right, I can't display All Might like a babbling idiot. But I can't put him on a pedestal either. Trust me, when Aizawa and Gran Torino get wind of what he did, Toshinori had better start running.

With that taken care of, back to the chapter! This one will, unfortunately not focus on the episode just yet. Too much to work out between Midoriya and Bakugo. Between their reactions to the news and everything else happening this chapter, I ended up writing more than 20 pages on word. But don't worry. We'll get back to the regularly scheduled program next chapter. In the meantime: read on!

This is a work of non-profit fan-fiction. All characters, Music tracks, and videos used below belong to their respective owners.

"Bakubro! Wait!"

"Kacchan!"

"Deku!"

The blonde heard voices call out behind him. He didn't know who, and he didn't care. Without bothering to look where he was going, he raced through the building, guilt gripping his heart. When he finally did come to a rest, Bakugo found himself in an old school concessions area. Red carpeting, foldable chairs and tables set around the room, and a large countertop with snacks and a popcorn machine on the far side of the room. He propped himself up on one of the tables, panting hard, just trying to make sense of what they had just seen, and immediately broke down in tears.

10 years. He spent 10 years tormenting De- tormenting Midoriya, training his quirk, convincing himself that he could be the best and for what? To be another one of their puppets? To end up becoming everything he ever stood against as a hero in training? The image of himself as a member made him wanna puke. How far had their manipulation actually gone?

But what was even worse for him was imagining what would have happened to Deku if he had gone down that road. If he truly had given himself entirely to the villains... If All Might had never shown up that day...

For a short time the room stayed silent, save for his sobs into the table, until- "Bakubro" A soft voice said behind him, but the blonde didn't even look up. Kirishima, Professor Aizawa, Round Face, and the Damn Nerd had followed him out there. Had they been standing there watching him bawl his eyes out this entire time? He didn't want them to see him like this.

"Get out of here you damn extras."

"But-"

"Leave me alone!"

Deku and Uraraka did flinch a little at Kacchans words, but Kirishima didn't back down. He was his bro right? And right then, his bro was hurt. He would never admit it, but Bakugo needed someone now more than ever.

"Look, I know that must have been hard to take all at once Bakubro. Why don't we hang here for a bit and let the others enjoy the show for a while. I mean-"

"It doesn't matter." He interjected quietly, much to the surprise of the red headed hero, his words almost making Bakugo feel worse. Everyone saw how he treated the damn nerd, so why was he so worried about him?

"What?"

A single sigh escaped Bakugo's lips as he tried to rein in his own emotions. "...It doesn't matter. If this really is Deku's origin story, then I'll be expelled before the episode ends."

Kirishima had never seen his friend this defeated before. This torn up about anything, and his words cut through him like a knife. "How can you just say that?..." he whispered incredulously. "After everything you worked for, after everything we've been through, you're just gonna give up!? Look, I know you and Midoriya have a rough history, but you were a victim too!" Kirishima put a hand on his shoulder, trying to look him in the eye, but the exploding hero hit his arm away and grabbed his hero costume, pulling him close and locking eyes, his red ones now completely bloodshot. Midoriya and Uraraka were about to intervene, when Aizawa held out an arm between them, wordlessly telling them not to intervene. To let Bakugo get this off his chest.

"Stop it with the hero crap already shitty hair! You still don't get it!"

"Then make me understand!" Kirishima yelled back, but there was no harshness to his words. Just a friend trying to understand why he was so hurt. Why he was so guilt ridden. Why he would turn his back on everything he loved. "Please."

His words hung in the air, unanswered. After all, where was the blonde even supposed to begin? The expectations? The pressure? The anger? He would never understand what it was like to be at that school. He never could. The only person who might was-.

"Kacchan."

Without letting go of the redhead, Bakugo looked past Kirishima, his watering eyes meeting Izuku's. The thing that pissed him off the most about this entire situation was the raw emotion in them. Rage you damn nerd! This would have all been so much simpler for him if Midoriya had gotten angry. So much easier to handle, but there was no fury in his gaze. All he saw was sorrow. "This is about what happened that day isn't it? The things you said."

A pregnant pause... And then...

"Even with the entire class bearing down on you, your drive to become a hero never wavered..." he paused, taking a shaky breath, as his eyes continued to water, unable to look at any of them anymore. "Even after everything you've seen, you still tried to help me! And it pissed me off!" He screamed, as he shoved Kirishima, who stumbled, but was still standing. "You, the quirkiness reject who couldn't even save himself! Here's this defenseless kid, and he was acting like I was the one who needed saving! Like I was the weak one! Like you and everyone else were looking down on me!"

His screams hung in the air, finally able to catch his breath, but the pleading looks in all fo their eyes never ceased. He didn't want their sympathy. He didn't deserve it. As if their worlds hadn't been shaken enough, his next words, voice almost a whisper, shattered what remained of their former view of both fledgling heroes.

"You did nothing but try to help me... and I almost killed you."

"What?!" Hearing his voice break, Aizawa's eyes widened, finally able to see just how deep both of their scars went. It left the teacher torn between hugging his student and kicking his ass.

Uraraka's hands flew to her mouth, trying to catch the breath that had escaped, eyes turned towards the green hero. His crestfallen stare was all she needed to see. Everything she needed, to know what he said was true.

"Bakubro?" Kirishima wavered, but Bakugo didn't stop his rant. There was nothing for him left to hide now.

"I wanted to be a hero, but I became exactly what the villains molded me into! I-" the words burned in his throat, now raw from screaming so much. It was almost ironic. A few seconds ago, he couldn't even begin to describe the guilt and regret that gripped his heart, but now that he started, he knew he couldn't stop. They had to know.

"I told Deku to jump off a building!"

His vision blurred with tears, 4 sets of horrified eyes burning into him, but he paid them no mind. "Everyone always treated him like an annoying pest. It was like he was just a part of the world. Like no matter what happened he would always show up the next day. I beat him up, he would stay nearby. I called him quirkless, he would try to become a hero. I tell him to take a swan dive off the roof and he tries to save me just a few hours later!"

"I thought he would just always be there no matter what, but later that day, he almost-" his eyes widened as his breath hitched, not sure if he'd even be able to say it, the feeling and understanding of his actions that day making him feel sick to his stomach. He slumped back into the chair behind him, bracing himself for the storm to come.

Shitty hair and round face were utterly shell shocked by Bakugo's tirade, but for two completely different reasons.

This was Kirishima's best friend. His Bakubro. And yeah, he obviously wasn't the nicest guy in school, but he had never been that harsh with anyone. This is really their history? This is their origin story?

And yet, at the same time, Bakugo's disdain for his own actions that day couldn't be more plain. His first instinct was to run. He didn't try to defend himself. He didn't try to justify what he said, no matter what the villains had put him through. That had to mean something... right?

Uraraka on the other hand was far more focused on the green head, who hadn't said a word since the tirade started. Even his best friend... he's been suffering in silence like this for 10 years? When the student in question finally looked up, she could see the pain and the regret in his eyes. See just how much he had been put through. He's been on his own, against the entire world.

But there was also something else there. Something more hidden behind those emerald orbs.

"You'll make sure we don't go too far?" One look was all Aizawa needed to understand his students plight, and he didn't like it. After everything they had been through, even after all the trauma, Midoriya was still willing to try. He was still willing to hold his shit together and be a hero, even for the same person who made his life a living hell. Because right then, he wanted to save Bakugo more than himself. Or maybe, saving him would also save himself. It didn't really matter which.

Either way, it was too important for both of them to just ignore.

"Once a problem child, always a problem child. Fine." he agreed reluctantly as Deku approached the blond.

"Stop trying to save me Midoriya." Hearing his words, the green hero hesitated.

"You act like the situation has changed, but if things had gone a little differently, you really would have taken that swan dive, wouldn't you?" The green clad student didn't say anything... what could he say? With everything they had been through, their childhood friendship was too far gone to save. The hazing... the scars... he could never just act like none of that ever happened. Neither of them could.

But maybe... just maybe... they didn't have to.

Grabbing his arm, Deku pulled Kacchan to his feet and started leading him through the building. He had memorized the plans before, and knew exactly where the two of them needed to go. The red headed hero seemed to catch onto this as well. "Is this gonna be a weekly thing for you two?" Kirishima joked, trying to lighten the mood a little, remembering how they got house arrest just a few days ago.

Midoriya laughed dryly, approaching the other side of the room. There, a red door with a small window waited for them. On the door was a small metal plaque reading "ground beta" Sure enough, the students were amazed to find that when they opened it, they seemed to enter an entirely different world. There were no walls, no ceiling, just a small doorway sitting in the middle of an exact replica of the city arena from school. There they stood in the middle of the main road. The same place where they passed their entrance exams. The same place where they fought for the first time as hero students. The same place where they faced All Might together.

The group marveled at the new setting, surprised by the similarities to their school grounds. "Are we sure this is still that 'pocket dimension?'" Uraraka asked.

As much as Izuku wanted to geek out and analyze the physics of the door, to learn more about their host and his home world, there were more important things to do. Taking one last look at Kacchan, who still refused to meet his gaze, Deku steeled himself and started towards the far side of the training ground, fully aware of the red eyes burning a hole in the back of his head.

I can never tell him this to his face. It's gross. Bakugo thought. But even before you saved me that day, I regretted those words the moment they left my lips. Even back then, I knew I had crossed a line. I just never knew how far over it I already was.

Silently, Uraraka, Kirishima, and Professor Aizawa made their way to the side of the road, the door behind them fading away like a mirage. The two boys now stood 20 feet from each, both taking a stance.

I put you through so much and you were still so driven. In that way, maybe you are stronger than me.

With the two of them taking a stance, Eraser head counted down, and the match began.

The fight had only just started, but Deku wasted no time launching himself towards the explosive hero, 8% One for All coursing through his legs. Bakugo did the same, surging forward like a rocket.

He knows I can anticipate his right jab, so he'll probably feint and go for his left. Sure enough, as they closed the distance, it was Bakugo's left hand headed for his face. In one fluid motion, Midoriya blocked with his forearm and moved into a spinning heel kick, slamming into the blondes head with a thud.

But as his friend was thrown against the pavement, Deku came to a startling realization. His first jab. There was no bang, no smoke. Bakugo didn't use his quirk.

"KACCHAN!" Deku cried, processing what had just happened. He rushed forward, hand outstretched to make sure the blonde was ok, but without a word, the boy smacked his hand away, standing up on his own. He didn't even look at Midoriya, or continue the fight.

"What are you doing?" He asked incredulously. Bakugo's eyes were still glued to the pavement.

"You wanted to get this out of your system didn't you. Then don't stop. I'm not that weak." His declaration earned a quiet gasp from Kirishima on the sidelines.

Midoriya on the other hand was much more vocal about his distress "Wh- Kacchan, I'm not going to use you as a punching bag like that-"

"Then what the hell are we doing here?!" He demanded, clenching his fists as the green head flinched. With a scoff, his eyes drifted even further away from the boy. "Just forget it. Go back to your shitty anime Deku."

"...You're really not gonna put up a fight?" His words were almost a whisper, but Bakugo still heard them, and he refused to answer.

The green hero's heart fell, the silence inflicting more pain than any attack. "Then the M.L.A. really did take everything from me didn't they? My dignity. My confidence. My sanity..." he took a shaky breath as his green eyes began to water. "Of all things, I had hoped you weren't one of them."

"..."

"Please Kacchan, stop holding back. You're the one always saying a great hero always wins-"

"And how do I know thats actually me talking huh?!"

When their eyes finally met, neither hero recognized the man standing before them. A small gasp left Midoriya's lips as a sob threatened to escape Bakugo's throat. But he couldn't allow it. There was just too much to say. Too much to do. Just too much. "You know what the worst part is? They actually made me think what I was doing was ok! They didn't just teach me to do these things, they made me think you deserved it somehow! They got inside my head, pulled it around, and strung me up like their puppet. How do I know their not still in there?!

"How do I know where I end and they begin?! I-" His words suddenly died in his throat as he went wide eyed. Midoriya hadn't done anything, but he felt like he'd had the wind knocked out of him. "I-" Bakugo's voice was horse from yelling so much, trembling as he finally unclenched his shaking fists. The realization washed over him and settled in the pit of his stomach as he stared at his open palms.

"...I don't know who I am anymore."

Deku saw how distraught his oldest friend was. How he was lost even in the confines of his own mind... and he hated it. For as long as he had known him, Bakugo had always been the loud and confident one even before he had his quirk. The one who was never afraid to jump into the fight and declare himself the best. Yet there he was, unwilling to even lift a finger at the prospect of being used as live target practice. Seeing him that far gone hurt Midoriya far more than the M.L.A. ever could.

He wanted the old Kacchan back. Midoriya prayed to whatever god was out there in the multiverse that this would work. That for once in his life, he would actually listen to him.

Because Deku didn't know what he'd do if he didn't.

"I don't think our relationship will ever be the friendship we once had... but I've known you longer than anyone here."

Midoriya clenched his fists at his sides, unintentionally activating his full cowling. His eyes were watering, and his breath was shaky, but Bakugo had to hear this.

"Come on Bakubro." Kirishima whispered to himself on the sidelines. He wished there was something more he could do, but right now, Midoriya was the only one who might be able to reach him.

"I saw how much you admired heroes. How big your dreams were, even before you found your quirk. Your desire, recognized by All Might. The army hurt us both, but this drive and passion you have always had, they could never replace it, BECAUSE IT WAS YOUR OWN!" Izuku's voice broke as it echoed throughout the city, his throat raw, tears finally stared to fall down his cheeks... But his rival still had yet to make a move.

"Please, you have to believe me Kacchan." He pleaded, barely a whisper now. 'You're more than just their puppet. You're a hero... you're my friend."

Deku poured his heart into his words, but all he was left with was a feeling like a hole in his chest. The entire pocket dimension came to rest in an unyielding silence. The blonde trainee hadn't budged an inch.

A single sob escaped Deku's throat, as the M.L.A. claimed their final prize.

It was too late. Bakugo had been broken.

"DAAAAMMMMIIIIIIIT!" Midoriya screwed his eyes shut as he lost control, tears flowing down his face as the full power of one for all flowed through his raised fist.

Aizawa let out a depressed sigh as he raised his scarf, preparing to stop Midoriya. There was no point in going on.

...So why does red riot still so determined? He wondered at a chance look down at his student.

*SMACK!*

As time seemed to slow down around them, surprise rippled across Midoriya's face. Through his tear stung eyes, he saw his punch had been deflected, a massive gale tearing through the buildings to his right as his arm snapped and cracked. He saw Bakugo thrusting his hand out towards Midoriya, sparking and flaring. And most importantly, he saw the confident glare back where it belonged.

"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHH"

*music: MHA Trinity*

With a bang, the two trainees were ripped apart by a massive explosion, sending Midoriya flying backwards as he reeled from the impact.

"Yes!" Uraraka cheered, a bright grin plastered on her face. He finally got through to him.

A small smile worked its way onto Kirishima's lips. "You never were one for all that sappy sentimental stuff. Whenever your upset, you'd rather hit something." Uraraka glanced at him confused, not hearing his whispers, but Red Riot shrugged her off, cupping his hands over his mouth "LETS GO BAKUBRO!"

Midoriya hit the ground running, moving into a combat roll, and preparing to charge forward for a counterattack, but he would never get the chance.

"You. Damn! NERD!"

Bakugo raced towards Midoriya, forcing Deku to jump back, but king explosion murder's reaction was faster, sending a blast to the pavement to match his momentum and slamming his open palm into the green hero's chest.

This explosion was even bigger than the last one, sending Deku flying into a building, and his adversary's assault wasn't done. With little option, Midoriya kicked off the wall behind him to avoid a followup, as the area he had landed on was demolished.

He's not giving me time to think. It's just like our last fight he thought, tumbling to the pavement. Even after just a few days, he's gotten stronger. Rising to his knee, he looked up at the cloud of smoke billowing forth from the building.

But then again, so have I. Using his full cowling, he launched himself back at the explosive hero going back on the offensive.

The blonde in question had been pulling himself out of the newly formed crater in the wall, and with the dust and debris left behind by his explosion, he didn't see the nerd coming until it was too late. Bursting forth from the smoke, he landed a solid left hook against his rival, throwing them both back into the crater.

Bakugo groaned landing hard on his left side, but as Midoriya tried to follow up, he kicked out with his right foot, hitting his shin and throwing his rival off balance.

"Get. Off. ME!" Bakugo growled, landing a strike with each word. An explosive propelled elbow in the stomach. Then a blast charged backhand to the face. With his rival stunned, he went for a big left haymaker, the blast sending Midoirya flying high above the street, and he was quick to follow.

You're being pushed to your limit, and your arm is broken... Deku recovered from the blow and twisted in midair, trying to land a roundhouse, but as he knew, king explosion murder was far more skilled aerial combat. He smacked the rivals leg and sent the two of them spinning through the air, kick sailing harmlessly passed as he used explosions to speed up his rotation. as he unleashed his biggest explosion yet, sending the damn nerd crashing into the street below he demanded:

"SO WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SMILING!"

It was true. While it had been strained at times, Deku hadn't stopped smiling since the fight began. Even as he picked himself off the road, the same cheeky grin remained plastered across his face. He looked up at Kacchan, lost in the chaos of the battle instead of his own head, and that smile only grew.

Kacchan, I'm smiling because... Red veins surged through his legs as Deku launched himself off the street, the pavement cracking below him from the takeoff.

"WE! ARE! HERE!"

And with that, he flew through air ready for another bout. But his declaration was far from unnoticed, his professor's eyes widening while Red Riot and Uravity tried to pick their jaws off the floor.

"Did Deku just say what I think he said?!" The gravity girl exclaimed.

"Now you all understand" a familiar voice called. Uraraka, Kirishima, and Aizawa whipped around to find Clarence leaning against the closed red door behind them, a shit eating grin plastered on his face. "Your world will never have another symbol of peace. Not like All Might. But maybe your world doesn't need one. At least not in the same way."

Meanwhile, Deku twisted again in midair, aiming another kick. And just the same, Bakugo knocked it aside, spinning like a top. But this time, Midoriya brought his other leg up behind him as he spun. His strike nailed the blonde in the chest, wind knocked out of him as he fell back.

Red Riot tore his gaze away from the fight for a few seconds to look at the traveler quizzically. "I'm not sure I follow." Clarence smiled at the red head.

"Peace and Justice are more than just symbols and people in both your world and mine. They're ideals. Beliefs that people live by every day. Tie those beliefs to a single entity, and they might last as long as it does. Tie them to multiple entities, uphold them with multiple people in ever-growing unity, and those ideals could last forever."

Aizawa's eyes widened in understanding, finally comprehending the big plan he had in store for his students. "You're talking about making a massive team of heroes"

"With Midoriya and Bakugo leading the charge." Clarence confirmed.

"Would it really be possible for a group that size?" Uraraka questioned, eyes wide at the revelation.

"I'm not sure. It's a great idea and all, but are we sure this could work?" Eraser Head asked, now worried about what this future may hold for his students.

Tearing his eyes away from the fight, he gave the professor a reassuring smile. "It worked for our dimension."

"SMAAAAAASSSHHHH!" They all heard Deku cry out from behind them, turning just in time to see the boy going in for one last kick hoping to end this before he could recoup.

But it was too late. Before he could get close enough, Bakugo grabbed Midoirya's leg, the shock of the impact racing up his arm with an audible crack. Nevertheless he fought through the pain, igniting his other arm to spin in midair, dragging the green hero with him.

"I WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU! X-CATAPULT!"

With one last scream, the blonde unleashed his biggest explosion yet, the force and momentum launching his friend into the next building. Pain raced through his back on the point of impact. When the dust finally settled, Midoriya was collapsed against the structure, a massive, human shaped crater formed in the concrete above him.

*music end*

"DEKU!" Uraraka yelled, running to the injured boy, crouching beside him. Even in his injured state, the kid was still smiling.

"I'm ok Uraraka. I- ow. Ow. OW!" He winced, pain shooting through his left calf as he tried to stand up.

"Easy! I got you." She assured, wrapping an arm around him in support. Slowly, Uravity helped him sit back down, back against the wall behind him.

"I think thats far enough problem child." Aizawa called from the doorway. Dammit. Doesn't he realize we don't have recovery girl here. He thought, contemplating the best way to handle the boys ever worsening injuries, still contemplating the plan they had just been informed of.

Midoriya leaned his head back against the wall behind him, exhaustion starting to grip his aching body. "Yeah. I can live with that."

"Damn nerd. You're never gonna become a hero if you break your bones like it's a hobby!"

Deku opened his eyes, his gaze meeting the berating blonde, now clutching his left shoulder as he walked up, Kirishima close behind. Despite the pain racing through his leg and arm, he couldn't bring himself to care, a small smile crossing his lips. The fight was over, everyone was ok, and he and Kacchan had finally talked about their past.

There was still a lot to unpack there, but at least they didn't have to be at each other's throats anymore.

Bakugo shot the green hero a sidelong glance as he groaned in annoyance. "Dammit. Looks like we may 'actually' have to make this a weekly thing."

...Or maybe they would be at each other's throats the whole time. Hearing that, Midoriya visibly tensed, fear in his eyes as he stuttered. "W-what?!"

Bakugo's menacing glare did nothing to calm Deku's nerves, but the blonde hero ignored it. "All Might said we both had the potential to become number 1 right? That means neither of us can ever lose again. I'll make sure you figure that out even if I have to beat it into your skull!"

The green hero was taken aback by the bold statement. At first, he thought it was just another threat or an insult, but then he thought back to the final exams, and how seriously he took studying and hero work. He said something similar to Kirishima back then... is he... offering to train me?

Before he could ask, the exploding hero turned away. "We can work out the details later. Right now, I'm pretty sure the extras are waiting for you."

"Hold it." Kirishima rest a hand on Bakugo's shoulder, preventing him from walking away. His glare was turned on the red head, but he didn't back down. In fact, Red Riot's smile couldn't be bigger. "There's one last thing you want to say, isn't there?"

If this were anyone else calling him out, the explosive hero would have decked him and left, without question. While he was frustrated with his best friend, he did find himself glancing back at his rival. Just as quickly he tore his gaze away, muttering something imperceptible to anyone but himself.

Deku tilted his head quizzically. "What?"

In the next moment, Izuku would have been jumping out of his skin at the intense snarl that escaped Bakugo's throat. At the murderous glare he sent him. At the pure loathing in his eyes. Or at least he would have. If they weren't paired with his now burning red cheeks.

"I SAID THANK YOU IZU-CHAN OK!? NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" he screamed, storming off to the exit, a smiling Kirishima right on his tail.

After everything they had seen, Midoriya thought nothing could surprise him. Boy was he wrong. Slowly, his and Uraraka's shocked expressions morphed into surprise and amusement. A soft laugh bubbled in the green heroes chest as he wiped his eyes, still watching his classmates storm away.

He hadn't heard that nickname in almost 10 years.

But before his classmates could get very far, their path was blocked by a certain dimensional traveler and professor, both contemplating what to do with the violent dumbass before them.

"I'm expelled aren't I?" His voice was just above a whisper. Kirishima rested a comforting hand on the exploding hero's shoulder, as the teacher pinched the bridge of his nose.

If the situation had been any different, he would have been. If he hadn't found solid proof of everything screwed up about these two problem children, Bakugo wouldn't even have to ask. And yet-.

"As your teacher, I think I'm a bit too close to the situation. I'll leave that decision to the principal, but I can tell you this: one way or another, this will not be ignored." Even with the threat of expulsion still looming large, Bakugo couldn't help but feel he deserved that kind of punishment at this stage, but at least he still had a place at UA. For now...

"In the meantime, let's get you guys patched up" Clarence declared, pulling a small brown drawstring pouch off of his belt. Upon opening it, he reached in and pulled out two small green objects, handing one to Bakugo before walking over to his rival.

"What the fuck?" Bakugo said softly, more confused than angry as Clarence knelt in front of Midoriya and Uraraka and handed one to the green hero.

"What are these things?" Midoriya asked, examining the bean.

"They're called Senzu beans, and they're incredibly rare, only found and cultivated in 1 known dimension."

"How the hell is a stupid bean supposed to-"

"Just eat it!" Clarence cut Bakugo off.

Midoriya turned the green bean over in his hand. It certainly didn't look like anything all that rare and important, and the jarring flavor didn't help with that argument. The texture was crunchy like celery, and it tasted like fish.

But it wasn't until after he swallowed it that things really took a weird turn. All at once, Midoriya felt a huge surge of energy rippling throughout his body, like someone had given him an injection of pure caffeine, and as it flowed through his body, the pain he felt started to grow numb, becoming more and more faint until it was just... gone.

Finally looking down at his arm, everyone was amazed to find the green hero's left was no longer purple, and back to its original pale color! He was able to move his leg too!

"Woah?! Did that seriously just happen?!" Midoriya and Uraraka exclaimed in unison.

Wide eyed from seeing the tiny bean's effects, Bakugo immediately shoved the bean in his mouth without a second thought, and felt the same warm energy as his body was healed of all injuries. "What the hell are these things!?"

"I told you! They're senzu beans! They have massive amounts of nutrients and energy packed into them. A single one can either keep an average man full for 10 days, or be used to instantly revitalize a person, even if they're on death's door."

The 5 heroes/trainees marveled at the prowess of the simple bean, amazed that Midoriya was back in working order, even with 2 broken limbs. "You aren't kidding! My arm feels better than ever!"

"Not surprising. I'm not sure how much they'll help since it's not a recent injury, but the bean should also help you restore the ligaments in your arms."

Hearing, but not believing his words at first, a wide eyed grin spread across Deku's face. "No way! You mean I can use my arms again?!"

"Well- to an extent- yes."

"Holy crap! Why not just give us a bunch of em and send us back to our universe?" Kirishima questioned, receiving a blank stare in response.

"What part of 'incredibly rare' and 'only 1 dimension' do you not understand? I've only got 5 left." He deadpanned, offering a hand to the green hero. "Now come on, we have a dimension to save." He declared with a smirk. Deku returned the confident look, pulling himself to his feet as everyone started back towards the red door.

Or at least, almost everyone. "Hey... are you ok?" Uraraka whispered.

4 words. Just 4 words in such a simple question... so why couldn't there be any simple answer for the hero in training?

"...I don't know... S.P.E.A.R., the videos, The M.L.A., Bakugo, it's a lot to take in all at once... I think... I think I'll need time to process all of this."

The pink heroine offered a reassuring smile, trying her best to put on a brave face. "Honestly, I'd be worried if you didn't. It's kinda overwhelming." She noted in understanding, but her thoughts were still on that image of Bakugo and his classmates in the video. "But if you need to talk about it, all you have to do is ask, ok?" It took a moment for him to reply, but to her surprise, the greenette wound up returning the smile with one of his own.

"Thanks Uraraka… I uh- I might take you up on that." He replied, awkwardly scratching his face as he looked away, trying and failing to hide a light blush.

He's been through so much, and yet he still finds a way to smile. Even after everything those villains put him through, he's always trying to put everyone else before himself. He's more heroic than anyone. Uraraka thought to herself, her heart fluttering. Silently, she vowed to stay by his side, and make sure he would never feel that kind of loneliness and solitude ever again.

In a moment of bravery, Uraraka extended a hand to his, trying her best not to activate her quirk and send him flying. While this initially surprised him, one look at her smiling, yet blushing, face was enough for him to intertwine his fingers with hers, both of them rushing to catch up with the others.

And with that, the group made their way back into the theater. Once everyone had gotten to the concessions stand, Clarence made a point of explaining his idea to Midoriya and Bakugo. How he wanted them to lead a team to take the place of society's symbol of peace. Midoriya gaped at the prospect, immediately pulling out his notebook.

"That would be amazing! There's been a ton of hero teams and pairings already, but if we can build one like you're saying, this could work! We gotta start looking for potential allies and members!" He declared, eagerly flipping through the pages.

"Where were you keeping that?" Uraraka wondered aloud.

Bakugo on the other hand grunted in annoyance. "You damn extra. I don't need a team to help me take the number 1 spot, or help me surpass Allmight!"

Clarence raised a hand in mock surrender. "I'm certain you don't. But like I said, we need a way to preserve that ideology over the course of many generations, not just yours and Deku's. That means working with people."

Bakugo considered that for a moment before turning away from the agent in question. "Yeah, whatever."

The red head next to him gave a toothy grin, jabbing a thumb at his best friend. "I think that's the closest you're gonna get to Bakugo agreeing with you Clarence." He laughed.

"SHUT UP!"

"It does bring up a question though." Aizawa pointed out, the entire group now facing the teacher, who eyed the dimensional traveler warily. "You said this worked for you and S.P.E.A.R. Before…. That means you have a symbol- or symbols of peace all your own." He concluded. Seeing where he was going, Clarence smirked and pulled out one of his coins again, this one bright red and white.

"You wanna know more about our team of heroes don't you?" He stated more than questioned. The professor nodded, now focused on the object in his hand. It was pretty clear this one was different from the other 2 coins he had used before now. Unlike the others, which had the same soaring eagle on them as his badge, this one was completely blank on one side, with the only mark on the other side being a slightly crooked letter A in English, a circle wrapping around it and the circumference.

"Computer, hologram mode." He commanded, flipping the device and letting it fall to the ground, blank side up.

The moment it did, a bright light emitted from the coin, and an image flickered to life floating in front of them, a 3-D display of the coin itself. Except the back side now had new symbols decorating it, changing each time it turned. There was an hourglass, an arrow, a clenched fist, a hammer, a metallic helmet, and a star on top of 3 circles.

"In S.P.E.A.R.'s home dimension-" the agent paused as he looked down in consideration as he let out a laugh. "I guess I should say in the dimension of its parent company: S.H.I.E.L.D. there was an idea... to bring together a group of remarkable people... in the hope they could become something more... so that when we needed them, they could fight the battles... that we never could."

Midoriya's eyes widened at the prospect. "That sounds kinda like the idea behind I-Island. Only with heroes instead of scientists. Did it work?"

"Oh, like you wouldn't believe." He snickered.

The image shifted again, now displaying a show of New York City, but what immediately caught the heroes attention was the smoke rising from many of the buildings, the entire city burning as strange creatures flew throughout the big apple.

Clarence's face fell. "One day, the world came face to face with a threat even they couldn't begin to fathom. An alien presence made known. One that intended to take over. We called it the invasion of New York…" he whispered grimly, as more of the creatures flew throughout the buildings.

The 5 guests were horrified at the levels of destruction being caused, watching in vain as a particularly large creature, almost like an eel with flippers and battle armor, crashed into the ground as it chased something.

And then, something amazing happened. In a split second, the mighty beast was forced to a near complete stop, crashing headfirst into something as it nearly flipped over itself. An animalistic cry rang out as the eel's armor started breaking apart, the figure it had been chasing wheeled around, shooting something at the monster tail while Clarence smirked at the action.

"Or I guess I should say…"

As he corrected himself, the device exploded, taking the massive beast down with it. As the aliens roared in outrage at the defeat of their ally, the image zooming in to finally get a look at what had stopped the beast.

Or rather- who… there before them stood six heroes, all standing in a circle as they prepared for a battle ahead of them. The first was a massive, green, hulking man standing 8 feet tall, roaring at the creatures around them in blind rage. Next to him was a brown haired man wearing a Kevlar vest, with a large quiver strapped to his back. He glared at the aliens around him and notched an arrow. The next hero was more extravagant in terms of his costume, wearing a flashy red cape overtop a set of leather and plate armor almost akin to that of the vikings, his look complete with his long, shoulder length blonde hair, and the powerful war hammer he raised in his right. Next to him was the only woman in the group, her black uniform bearing the S.P.E.A.R./S.H.I.E.L.D. Logo on the right shoulder. Her red hair was slightly disheveled, and she had her eyes locked on the buildings around her and she reloaded her pistol.

And then there were the two leaders of the group. The first one was wearing a blue, kevlar lined uniform, with red and white stripes around his stomach and a white star emblazoned on his chest, just like the American flag. In fact, he had a white letter A printed on the front of his helmet. In his left, he held a large, round shield with red and white circles surrounding a single blue circle and white star in the center. The other man in charge had the most intricate hero costume of them all. Rather than Kevlar or body armor, this hero was wearing some of the most advanced body armor any of them had ever seen. The majority of the armor was hot rod red, with a few gold patches on the arms, legs, and faceplate. In the center of the chest piece, a single circle was cut out that seemed to be glowing bright blue.

"And there came a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes were united against a common threat. On that day they became the Avengers." Clarence quoted, a shit eating grin plastered to his face as he watched the heroes prepare for action.

His guests could do nothing but gape at the 6 heroes presented before them. Deku was muttering like a madman as his hands flew over his notebook, trying to get a good sketch in of each figure. Of all things, he never thought he'd get to see hero's fending off an alien invasion like this!

A similar thought was running through Aizawa's mind. When he had posed his question to the agent, he had expected to see a team of six mini-all mights (which he dreaded). What he hadn't expected to see was a team this small successfully defending their entire planet almost on their own. Heh…. Now I've seen everything. He glanced back at Clarence for a second, who looked like he was having the time of his life watching the footage himself. Then again… maybe not.

Bakugo was grinning like a madman. He may not show it, but at the end of the day, Todoroki was right, he is just as big a fanboy as Midoriya. Possibly even bigger. And after hearing Clarence's words and seeing just two of them capable of knocking that monster out of the sky, Kacchan was itching to see what they would be able to do against an entire army.

"Now that's manly!" Kirishima cheered. Truthfully, his shark tooth grin didn't look much more sane than Bakugo's. He may not be as big a fanboy as either of the two, but seeing such a small group standing up to a literal army like the Avengers were, he couldn't help but admire them, reminded of his personal hero, Red Riot.

"Who are they?" Uraraka wondered breathlessly. Of the 6, her focus remained mainly on the man and woman with a gun and bow. They certainly weren't as flashy as the other 4 heroes were, and they didn't seem to be using any special support gear or anything for their quirks. It could be a coincidence…. But could they be-

Clarence smiled and pointed each one out, inadvertently cutting her off. "The invincible, armored, iron man. Thor, prince of thunder. The Hulk, strongest hero there is. Hawkeye, the world's greatest marksman. Master assassin, Black widow. And Captain America, the first Avenger."

With each name and title, Deku was quick to tie them to one of his sketches, still completely lost in his usual mumbling and focus, with almost everyone completely incapable of understanding….. everyone but the agent, who laughed lightly. "Yeah, I thought you'd get a kick out of them, especially you Midoriya."

That got the green haired hero's attention, looking back up. "Me? Why?"

Clarence gave one last shit eating grin before he turned away, starting back towards the door to the theater. He linked his hands behind his head, saying matter of factly:

"Because half of them are quirkless."

For about the 50th time that day alone, everyone felt their jaws simultaneously hit the floor. "WHAT!?"