Aizawa watched his students as they went through the training that the Pussy Cats had assigned them, "Don't stop now Ashido," he said as he looked at the pink skinned girl who was whimpering while cradling her acid-burned hands, "I know it hurts but you have to power through."
"Yes sir!" she shouted as she began spraying more acid onto the wall.
"Iida! You're slowing down! Pick up the pace!" He called over to the class rep, who let out a tortured scream as he picked up the pace.
A loud boom echoed through the clearing making everyone stop, it was different then Bakugo's high yield explosives, but the spiky haired boy was looking around in confusion as well.
Another boom filled the air and they all looked over to a large crumbling rock pyre, stained with soot and holes ranging from golf ball size to the size of a minivan, standing before that pyre was Izuku, who was lying flat on his back, breathing heavily as he hugged his scorched hands to his chest.
"Midoriya?" Aizawa called worriedly, speed-walking towards his pseudo son who forced himself to his feet as he arrived, "are you alright?"
"I...think...i've...reached...my limit." he huffed out, going through his forms once more and jabbing his right arm out, intent on creating lightning, only for the attempt to literally explode in his face, sending him tumbling back as he hissed in pain.
Aizawa looked about, then nodded, "fifteen minute break!" he called, making many collapse where they stood.
"You good Midoriya?" Iida panted out as he limped over to his friend, practically guzzling down juice as Izuku rolled his shoulders.
"My form only works if I'm at peace with my body and mind." he muttered, wiping his face with a nearby towel, "and trying to force it when I'm physically exhausted makes it fail more often than not."
'We have been at this for most of the day," Iida said with a nod, "how many can you do before it fails?"
"About...eight," he sighed, "then I usually fail once or twice, before being able to get another eight, towards the end all I got was failures."
"It's still better progress than what you were able to do at the start of the year." Iida praised, "at the entrance exam you were only able to use your attack once before falling unconscious."
"Yeah...but it's still not enough." he forced himself to stand up, looking around, "everyone else was still able to go for longer...I need to up the ante.'
"And that's what we're here to do!" Iida exclaimed, clasping his shoulder "I'm positive that you'll be able to get stronger!"
"Gee, thanks Iida...you got any more of those juice pouches? I could really go for one."
"I'll do you one better!" he proclaimed, holding out a bottle of water, "better for you in the long run!"
"Right," Izuku chuckled, guzzling down the water as Aizawa stepped forward.
"Alright! Breaks over, you all have a few more hours until we're done! Don't waste it."
"Back to the grind," Izuku said, handing the water back to Iida.
"Indeed! Good luck Midoriya!" Iida shouted as he took off at breakneck speed.
Izuku took a calming breath, then began going through his Kata, smirking when electricity began crackling at the tips of his fingers, "lets try this again!"
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Izuku slowly stumbled out of the forest, covered in black soot.
'Izuku." Yui called, working alongside the other students as they tried to make a passable meal, "are you barely coming back from training."
"Had to make up for earlier.' Izuku huffed out as he settled heavily on one of the picnic tables, "what's Bakugo making?"
"Why are you so sure it's that 1A brat who's cooking!?" Monoma shouted angrily.
"Because he's very particular about his food," Izuku deadpanned, then jabbed a thumb over to where Ochako and Bakugo were working diligently alongside Sato and Tsuyu, "also I can see them cooking while you're delegated to firewood gathering."
Monoma seemed to deflate, having had the wind taken from his sails as Izuku forced himself to stand up, "let's go see if we can help Yui."
"Mhmm."
"GET AWAY FROM MY KITCHEN PYRO.' Bakugo snarled as Izuku walked over.
"Come on, just came to see if I could help." Izuku said sheepishly.
"YOU'RE THE ONLY ASSHOLE I KNOW THAT CAN BURN WATER, GO START SOME MORE FIRES SO WE CAN COOK MORE YOU IDIOT!"
"Sheesh fine, asshole." Izuku sighed while Yui went to help Uraraka cut up some vegetables, "glorified stove, coming through." Izuku drawled, helping Todoroki start up several firepits; soon the food was ready and everyone was serving themselves a plate.
"Good as always." Izuku mumbled over a mouthful of spicy curry, happily eating alongside Yui as Bakugo wolfed down his own meal beside Uraraka.
'I'm always number one in everything I do! Don't forget that Shitty Deku!" Bakugo snarled.
"Who was it that beat you in the entrance exam and the Sports Festival?" Izuku wondered out loud with an impish grin.
"YOU GOT LUCKY!"
The table laughed at Bakugo's ranting, talking happily without a care in the world.
"Kota! Kota where are you!?" Mandalay shouted, sighing as she turned back to go inside, "I wish I knew where that kid gets to." she muttered.
Izuku looked behind him, nuding Yui slightly, making her look behind them to see Kota walking away into the forest.
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"Stupid wannabes," Kota grumbled, kicking a rock off the cliffside as he glared at the forest, "Stupid Pussycats, stupid heroes!"
"Lot of stupid people around huh?"
Kota jumped and whirled around, surprised to see Izuku and Yui walking towards him, Yui was carrying a plate full of curry, offering it to Kota quietly as Izuku looked out over the forest, "hmm, nice place," he said thoughtfully, "good view, remote, not many people know about it; it's a great hiding spot."
"What are you doing here!?" Kota asked angrily, pointedly ignoring Yui who simply shrugged and set the plate down on the ground before walking over to stand beside Izuku, smiling softly when he put his arm around her, "leave now!"
"Not yet kid," Izuku said with a yawn, "it's been a stressful few days, and I've been wanting to kick back and relax with my girlfriend, just act like we're not here.'
"But this is my secret hiding spot!" Kota snapped, "you need to leave, now!"
"Mmmm….don't think so." Izuku drawled as he and Yui settled on the cliff, feet dangling off.
Kota growled, then gave a mocking smirk, "why would you even want to be a hero anyways?" he asked snidely, "Nothing but pumped up glory hounds, wanting nothing but fame!"
"That's not why I want to become a hero." Izuku said, looking back at Kota.
"Well why do you want to be a hero?" Kota asked, his anger melting away into curiosity.
"So no one else has to go through what I have."
Kota froze at that, remembering all of the scars he had seen on the older boy, slowly he stepped back, "yeah well...you're still stupid." he snapped, picking up the plate of curry and stomping down the hillside.
"Kids," Izuku sighed, looking back out into the forest.
"Why did you say that to him?" Yui asked inquisitively.
Izuku pondered his words for a moment, "Yesterday the little shit saw something he shouldn't have," he began, "some scars from my childhood that I don't usually let anyone see...he asked about them and I told him to go to bed; didn't want to talk about it you know, but now I'm thinking I may need too…"
Yui stared at him, despite their relationship; she didn't know much about her boyfriend, and what little she did know was tinted with pain and anguish for him, so she didn't push for more information. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, smiling when he seemed to relax into her, resting his on top of hers as he wrapped his own arm around her, the two content to simply pass the time in each other's company.
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The next day saw Izuku collapse in a puddle of his own sweat as Aizawa called an end for the day's training, his arms were stinging and cramped from trying to forcefully produce lightning.
"Come on idiot," Bakugo growled as he walked towards him, likewise looking pained from his own torturous training; he helped Izuku to his feet and the two began walking back towards the lodge, "you good?"
"Fine," Izuku sighed as they headed down the trail with the rest of their classmates, "my arms feel like they're about to fall off, but other than that, just fine."
"Quit your bitchin'." Bakugo sneered, "unless you want me to snatch that number one spot while you're moaning."
"You're about as close to that number one spot as Mineta is to touching Yaomomo's boobs." Izuku scoffed, making several around him laugh while said boy began to gripe and sob.
"Just you wait shitty deku," Bakugo growled as they reached the picnic area, both collapsing against one of the nearby trees, "I'm gonna be number one while you're sitting at home, overweight and lazy."
"I'll be Uncle? If that's the case I'm completely fine with this." Izuku muttered, laying his head back, "You think I'll be able to make his tea by then?"
"You better," Bakugo huffed, "otherwise, why am I keeping you around?"
"Because I'm funny and my ass is to die for."
Bakugo snorted, laughing as Izuku let out a few weak chuckles before he forced himself to his feet, "Come on, lets go help with cooking."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever."
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After a filling meal both classes were once again in the beasts forest, the sun had set a few hours before, leaving the forest eerily silent.
"Are you ready kids!?" Pixie Bob called out as they all gathered up, "because we're gonna be conducting a test of courage!"
"Test of courage?" Uraraka wondered aloud as she stuck close to Bakugo.
"Yes!"
Izuku listened with half an ear as Pixie Bob explained the 'test of courage' and paired them all up, absentmindedly noting the students who were dragged away by Aizawa for supplementary classes; he barely realized they left as he looked off to the tree-line, eyes narrowed.
"What's wrong?" Iida asked, walking up to his friend.
"I don't know...I feel like something's...wrong…" he sniffed the air, immediately bristling when he did, "I smell fire."
"What?" Mandalay asked, overhearing the fire user.
"Something's burning out there." Izuku said, watching as smoke began to rise into the sky, alongside blue embers, 'oh shit…"
"We need to get everyone back!" Tiger ordered, "Pixie Bob see if you can't smother that fire!"
"On it-"
CRACK!
"Pixie Bob!" Mandalay shouted as the woman was thrown harshly to the ground, head bleeding from the sneak attack.
"Well, if it isn't the wild wild pussycats." Magne sneered as she walked out of the woods, Spinner at her side.
"The false heroes shall know death today!" The lizard man declared, putting a hand on his Katana.
"Everyone! Return to the camp! Now!"
As everyone else took off, Izuku hesitated, looking between the fire, and the cliff overlooking the forest, "Mandalay! I know where Kota is!" he shouted, making the hero spare a look at him in shock.
"Go!" she commanded and Izuku instantly fired off into the sky.
Please be alright, he thought to himself as he flew through the air.
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Kota stared in shock and fear as Muscular slowly lumbered towards him.
"That's a cool hat kid, wanna switch? Hate this fucking mask." the man sneered as he tossed said mask to the ground, "it's all they had and they told me to suck it up, but that hat-"
"Y-you're...you're a villain." Kota interrupted, "you're...you're the one who killed the water hose heroes…"
"Oh yeah I did do that!" he laughed cruelly, "what losers."
"You...you killed them, they were my parents and you killed them!" Kota exclaimed, hot tears trailing down his cheeks.
"Those idiots were your parents? Well kid, it wasn't personal, you see, I like killing people, and your parents got in the way so I killed them!" he pointed at his fake eye, "i don't even care that they did this to me, kinda respected them for it, but you get in my way, you die...heh, how about I finish what I started eh kid? After all, it's not everyday I get to say that I killed an entire family!"
Kota closed his eyes tightly as Muscular lunged for him, opening them again as he heard the man scream in pain.
Fire had engulfed the man completely, forcing him to stumble back in shock as he glared at the newcomer, "Kota, run to the lodge! I'll cover you!" Izuku shouted at the kid, still in a defensive stance in front of him, fists clenched and frame shaking from the amount of rage that filled him, "GO!"
"You think you're some kind of hero kid!?" Muscular snarled as his cloak tore apart to reveal grotesque muscle fibers covering his skin, the burned sections slowly tearing apart until nothing but pure healthy muscle was left, "hey, you're that Midoriya kid! Shigaraki wanted you alive, you and that Bakugo brat, wants you unharmed."
"Which means I don't have to worry about you going all out!" Izuku snarled as he sent several fireballs straight for Muscular, who easily dodged.
"If you think that'll save you then you're a bigger idiot than that kid's parents!" he laughed as he shot forward, fist driving into the ground where Izuku had been standing, the fire user having used his flames to propel himself into the sky and coming down with a heated Axle kick that forced Muscular to evade.
"GO KOTA!" Izuku snarled out at the boy who was still frozen in fear, watching as the teen he had ridiculed and tried to hurt fought against his parents' killers.
"All you got is speed ya friggin wimp!" Muscular laughed as he tried and failed to hit Izuku, the martial artist easily dancing around his attacks and practically bathing him in golden flames, "Even your fire is weak!"
Shit, Izuku thought as he jumped back once more, landing a few feet in front of the still frozen Kota, training really took it out of me today, I can't get my fire hot enough, and if I push it I'll pass out. He dodged again and let out a slight gasp as his foot slipped on the rock face of the cliff.
"End of the line Hot head!" Muscular shouted as he drove his fist into Izuku's stomach, sending him tumbling into the side of the mountain as Muscular pounced, driving his fists over and over into the fire user. "Shame SHigaraki want you and that bakugo brat relatively unharmed, but that doesn't mean I can't rough you up!"
Izuku let out a pained gasp as he felt a couple of his ribs collapse under Musculars barrage, I've failed. He thought absentmindedly as he fell to his knees, glaring at Muscular as the man brought his fist back.
"Weakling," the man sneered, ready to deliver the final blow, only to stop in confusion as a stream of cold water hit his back.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Kota shouted as he continued to pour water on the man, who began laughing at the boys pitiful attempt at an attack.
"You really don't know how to quit, just like your parents." Muscular scoffed, turning towards Kota. "you did nothing but get me a little wet!"
"He did enough,"
Muscular quickly turned back to face Izuku, screaming in pain as fire washed over him, burning muscle away with its intensity as Izuku jumped back to his feet, soaked from Kota's surprise attack, the injured boy moving fluidly through several stances as he began sending torrents of fire at Muscular; burning the man and forcing him back towards the cliff, "YOU WON'T HURT HIM!" he roared as his arms quickly went through a familiar sequence, a scream tore from his throat as pure lightning flew from his fingertips, tearing through Muscular's chest and sending him tumbling down the mountain side as thunder roared through the forest.
Izuku once again fell to his knees, breathing heavily as his hand shakily came up to cradle his ribs, "Kota, are you okay?" he gasped out as he forced himself back to his feet, looking at the boy in concern.
"Y-you saved me...even though he almost killed you…" he sniffled, "even after all those mean things I said to you…" he stopped as a calloused hand ruffled his hair, knocking his hat off his head; he looked up to find Izuku squatting in front of him, giving him a friendly smile.
"Don't worry about it kid,' he said softly, "this is what heroes do...now I have a favor to ask, I usually have a better tolerance to heat, but the training from the last few days have taken its toll, can you hit me with that water cannon of yours?"
"Oh...sure."
Izuku let out a slightly strangled sigh as the cold water washed over him, his muscles loosening as his body cooled down, "That'll do it." he sighed, standing back up, "Come on, I'll get you back to the lodge, but then I need to get back out there."
"B-but you're injured!" Kota exclaimed as Izuku picked the boy up and helped him settle on his back, "you should stay at the lodge and recover!"
"I stay at the lodge then I put everyone in danger." Izuku said as he began running down the trail, "they're looking for me and Bakugo, besides, I'm about the only one who can put that fire out quickly." from there the two were silent, Izuku's labored breathing the only sound they had as he dodged between the trees.
"Izuku!"
"Oh thank Agni." Izuku sighed as Aizawa broke through the foliage, looking at his adopted son in shock, the boy's shirt was gone, and his chest was black and blue from the hits he had taken from Muscular, "Kota was attacked by a villain! Muscular, I took him down but I don't know what shape he's in; fell off the cliff face during our fight. We need to relay what Information I have to Mandalay! Let everyone know that these villains are looking for me and Bakugo-"
"Slow down son," Aizawa said as calmly as he could, worrying over the boys injuries as he handed Kota off, "let's get you back to the lodge-"
Izuku shook his head and stepped back, "These assholes are looking for me pops,' Izuku said, looking towards the blue fire that was casting an eerie glow into the night, "and if I know who's behind those flames, then I know we don't want him anywhere near the lodge, I can stop those flames and at the very least find some of the other students; but returning to the lodge will only put those who are already safe in danger."
Aizawa hesitated, then nodded, "okay, but give Mandalay a message from me, tell her to let the other students know that Erasure head has given them permission to fight back."
Izuku gave a slightly bloody grin to his surrogate father, "you can count on me dad." he said before taking off into the forest.
"Be careful son…" Aizawa muttered before turning and running back towards the lodge.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Kota asked quietly as he ran.
"He's tough, I have faith that he'll get through this." Aizawa said resolutely.
"I made fun of him...tried to hurt him...I didn't get to say sorry."
"You'll see him again," Aizawa said, "and when you do, try to emphasize that 'sorry'.'
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Izuku didn't stop running, even as he came bursting into the clearing he had last seen Mandalay and Tiger in, he let out a war cry as he jumped through the foliage, flying flame kick sending Spinner tumbling across the ground as he continued running, "Mandalay!" he shouted as he went, "Kota's safe!"
"Oh thank god." Mandalay breathed out in relief, "Get back to the lodge!"
"I can't!" Izuku called as he neared the edge of the clearing, "I'm being targeted by the villains! So is Bakugo! I can't go back until we can all regroup! And tell the remaining students that Erasurehead gives them permission to use their quirks to fight back!"
"Wait stop!" Mandalay tried, but Izuku was already back in the trees, pumping his legs as fast as they could go until he was in the middle of the blue blaze, he came to a stop; taking deep breaths as he focused on his power, the flames around him began to grow bigger and bigger with each breath, until he took one last big breath, and slowly released it, hands pushing down from his shoulders and bringing the flames around him down until they petered out, leaving him with only the light of the full moon overhead.
"Well, well, well."
That familiar drawl sent a cold shiver down his spine, slowly, Izuku turned back around eyes narrowed as Dabi came strolling out of the forest, smirking at the young fire user as he came to a stop a few meters from him. "Gotta say, I'm surprised you were able to stop my fire."
"I'm full of surprises." Izuku growled, his arms loose at his side as he slowly began pacing around Dabi, the older man mirroring his movements.
"I'm sure you are," Dabi chuckled, "you were always resourceful, even when you were following my every command, you couldn't just stick with my plans; no, you had to improvise, adapt, bring the situation around to benefit you." he stopped pacing as Izuku stopped. "You even took that fighting style and made it your own...but you're not the only one who knows it." he laughed at Izuku's surprised stare, rolling his shoulders as he continued, "that's right, I found my own master, who taught me the ways of the firebenders of the Caldera Syndicate, and by the rights given to us by Agni themselves; I challenge you to an Agni Kai."
sorry for the wait, the writers block is real now a days, luckily I got it out and I'm hoping to start picking up on publishing soon.
I now have a account /sgt_peace if anyone wants to donate a bit, i'd be very much appreciative.
until next time,
peace out