Been awhile, hasn't it?

Before y'all read this, read the previous arcs as I have been editing them for a while.

Last thing, the Todoroki v Bakugo fight isn't going to be showcased because it's not that different compared to MHA canon.


Chapter 15: There After


The first thing to greet Izuku back to the waking world was the white ceiling of Recovery Girl's stadium infirmary. He takes a moment for both his hazy mind to clear and to get feeling back in his limbs. It was then he registered his heavily casted arm. Everything was very reminiscent of what happened after the Battle Trial during the first week of school.

As his mind became clearer, the events of his match with Todoroki returned to his mind.

And his loss…

Izuku, slowly and carefully, sat up in his temporary bed, his eyes downcast as he ruminated on his loss and questions plagued his mind. Was Toshinori disappointed in him for losing? What about Ruby? What about Penny? Is he still worthy of being All Might's successor? Is he still worthy of One for All?

Is he…?

"Finally awake?" Izuku nearly jumped out of the cot and looked next to him at the owner of the voice.

"Schn-Schnee?" It was indeed Weiss, her hair being held up by a different ponytail holder – a frog scrunchie? – and her face, arms, and hands riddled with bandages. That reminded Izuku of the match after his. "That's right…you faced Kaachan, haven't you?"

Weiss sighed. "And lost. But what can you do?"

"…I'm sorry that I missed your match," Izuku apologized.

Weiss looked perplexed. "Midoriya. You were unconscious. How could I expect you to watch the battle while you were in – oh, I don't know – surgery?"

"Ah…well…"

"In any case, it looks like you and I are sharing the 3rd place spot. After some careful consideration, I'd say it's…" A smile perked on Weiss' lips. "…a preferred outcome. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I…um…" Izuku looks down again at his loss.

At the sight of Izuku looking sorry, Weiss gives him a pointed look and puts her chin in the palm of her hand. "You know, if you weren't so focused on helping Todoroki, you probably would have won." A tinge of pink blossomed on Izuku's cheeks.

"…You noticed that?"

"I'd have to be blind."


After some words from Recovery Girl, they were freed to leave. Upon exiting the infirmary, they were met with Ruby and Toshinori.

"Rose! And Mr. Yagi!" Izuku exclaimed.

"Were you guys waiting for us?" Weiss asked, showing surprise. Ruby twiddled her fingers together.

"Maybe," she grinned. Without another word, Ruby moves to hug Weiss. She stiffened at the embrace before returning the hug. They pull apart, but Ruby keeps her hands on Weiss' albows. "You were amazing out there, Schnee." And Ruby told the truth. A truth Weiss chose to believe.

"Thank you, Rose…and, please…" Ruby looked at her, puzzled. "...call me 'Weiss.'"

"Are…you sure?" asked Ruby, finally removing her hands from Weiss' arms.

"I've spoken about why I wanted to become a hero: to bring honor back to my family," Weiss recounted. "Unfortunately, the Schnee name had been tainted for so long. In order for me to become a proper hero, I need to distance myself from the family name for the time being." The usually poised Weiss Schnee was suddenly shy as a tint of pink blossomed on her cheeks and she avoided eye contact. "So, if it's not too much trouble, can you just…refer to me by my first name?"

Ruby beamed a smile. "Sure! And, if you want, you can call me 'Ruby.'"

"I'll be happy to," Weiss nodded. "I think I'm heading to the stands for the final round. I'll see you all later." She notices Izuku still looking down. "And, Midoriya?" He looks up. "Don't let this loss get you down. Take it from someone like me."

"Oh! Um, th-thanks, Schnee," Izuku said.

"Just Weiss."

"R-Right! Thank you, Schn–I mean Weiss!"

Weiss smiled. "I'll see you guys back in the stands." She walks past Toshinori. "It was nice to see you again today, Mr. Yagi." Toshinori nodded at her and she continued on her way.

"It looks like she's finding her own path to become an amazing hero like her grandfather," Toshinori thought. "You are doing well, Young…Weiss…"

"...All Might…" Toshinori turned to Izuku's voice. Izuku looked dispirited again, just as he did before he was put under for surgery. "Am I…still worthy to be your successor?"

"Huh?" Ruby questioned.

"I…I failed you, All Might. I was so focused on saving Todoroki, I wasn't able to win the festival," Izuku lamented. "Sure, I somehow managed to make it to 3rd place, but…"

"You're thinking it might be better for someone else to be my successor. Is that what you are thinking?" Toshinori asked. Ruby gasped at that.

"What? Midoriya, do you honestly believe that?" Ruby asked, shocked.

"...There were better competitors than me in terms of skill and drive," Izuku said. "Polendina had a goal in mind. If she had beaten me, she would have no doubt won. Someone like her would make a better successor. And so would Achillea." Toshinori's hidden eyebrows rose slightly at Pyrrha's hero name. "And even Rose."

Ruby blinked. "...Really?" She gives Izuku a questioning look of disbelief.

"What I'm trying to say is…that maybe, someone who already has a Quirk has a better chance than me…"

"Midoriya…"

"One for All…is a crystallization of power. It can bolster Quirks. If someone else, let's say Young Todoroki, had One for All, it would further increase the strength of his already powerful Quirk," Toshinori explained. "Same can be said for Young Polendina. With the help of One for All, her strings could be stronger than diamonds. It would make them unstoppable superheroes." Ruby's eyes went wide. That is incredible. To think a Quirk could do all that.

While Ruby was amazed from hearing this, Izuku felt further inferior. He was born with no Quirk…he had to take the Quirk of someone else to become a hero… "Then–"

"I, however, was Quirkless in my youth."

Silver and green eyes grew wide and Ruby and Izuku turned to face Toshinori. "You…were Quirkless too, All Might?" Izuku asked, almost not believing what he was hearing.

Toshinori smiled and nodded. "It wasn't as rare as it is now, but yes."

"So, then does that mean…you…your identity…" Ruby stuttered.

"Is the truth. Toshinori Yagi is, in fact, Quirkless," Toshinori said. "Similar to you, Young Midoriya, I had someone who believed in me." The visage of Nana Shimura flashed in his mind. "It was thanks…to them, my master, that I am who I am today. I'm honestly surprised you two never asked."

Ruby sweatdropped. "That's quite the assumption…"

"When I first met you, Young Midoriya, I saw a bit of myself in you," Toshinori said. "You have time and time again proven to me why I have chosen you to be my successor."

"...He's right, Midoriya," Ruby said. Izuku turned to her. "As much as I am flattered you think that I am worthy to have One for All, I think that you are more than worthy."

"You really think so?"

Ruby nodded. "Also, I'd rather want all my limbs attached to my body. And I refuse to eat one of your hairs, no matter how cute and curly your curlicues are."

Izuku laughed a little. He looks at both Ruby and Toshinori, their words resonating in his head.

"I'll…do my best."

Toshinori grinned. "Good to hear."

"The final battle should be starting any moment. Let's go," Ruby said.

Izuku nodded. "Yeah."


The pair returned to the stands, as they did, they noticed that someone was missing.

"Where's Iida?" Ruby asked Ochako.

"We don't know," Ochako said, looking worried. "He left when his mom called him, but he hasn't been back since. I wonder if something happened."

"Ingenium was going after the Hero Killer, right?" Nora asked. "Maybe something happened?"

"Something…happened?" Ruby wondered.

What could have happened to Ingenium? Was he hurt?

Hurt…Like…

What happened to Yang?

"Nora…" Ren scolded, sensing Ruby's unease.

"Hm?" Nora blinked at her friend. It took her a few seconds to realize what Ren was trying to tell her. She clasped her hands over her mouth. "S-Sorry about that! He's fine! Just fine! Nothing bad happened! Forget what I just said! Hey, look! The match is about to start! Whoo-hoo! Go, go, go!"

Ochako looks at Ruby worriedly.

Ren shakes his head. Jaune smiled at them before facing Ruby.

"Hey, Ru–"

"Weiss! Is it okay if Midoriya and I sit with you?" Ruby asked, unintentionally cutting Jaune off and oblivious of his presence.

"I don't see a problem," Weiss smiled with Momo at her other side.

Ruby takes the other seat next to her and Izuku carefully sits beside her, being mindful of his cast.

"Oh. Is that a new scrunchie? It's so cute!" Ruby gushed.

Weiss nodded.

"Tsu gave it to me."

Tsuyu smiles at the praise. "Ribbit."

Ren and Nora notice Jaune's conflicted expression at the exchanges.

"Jaune?" Nora spoke, showing concern.

Jaune blinks and shakes his head. "Huh? Wh-What is it, Nora?"

"Are you…okay?"

"...Yeah. I'm okay," Jaune insisted, unaware of a saddened look he had in his eyes. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Nora and Ren exchange concerned glances.

Torches set up at the corners of the arena blaze to life once Todoroki and Bakugo arrive.

{Strap yourselves to your seats, listeners. We're just moments away towards the 1st Year Sports Festival One-on-One Tournament! For the final round, we have two of 1A's most powerful students, Shouto Todoroki vs Katsuki Bakugo! Who will win this year's tournament?}

"Kirishima, wasn't it you who said this would be a who's who fight?" Mina asked. "Because I think you're right."

"Both of them are among the strongest in our class in terms of raw power," Tokoyami said.

"This fight is gonna be epic," Kirishima said, practically shaking in his seat with anticipation.


And the fight was nothing short of epic.

Both Todoroki and Bakugo gave their all in the fight, to see who would claim the no.1 spot.

Well…Bakugo was…

Todoroki, on the other hand, reverted back to using only his ice again, still shaken from Izuku's words. He was able to keep himself from losing early due to the power of his ice. All throughout the fight, Bakugo noticed this and time and time again demanded Todoroki to use his fire against him, like he did against Izuku.

But…

In the end, Todoroki did not and lost in the end, getting knocked out and out of bounds.

Despite winning the 1st Years Sports Festival, Bakugo saw it as a false victory because Todoroki had been holding back, down right demanding the boy to get back so they could fight some more as he refused to win like this.

He only calmed down when he was rendered asleep by Nemuri Kayama's Quirk.


"Dude…that was something incredible," Kirishima said.

"Yeah, though it wasn't as cool as the fight with Midoriya," Kaminari said.

"Midoriya?" Ruby said, noticing the somber look on Izuku's face.

"Midoriya," Weiss said, getting up from her seat. "Let's go. We're needed down."


"All of the first-year events for this year's UA Sports Festival have all been completed," Nemuri announced. "And now…let us begin the award ceremony!"

Fanfare flared as the award podium raised from the ground with the respective winners on their designated spots: The still bandaged Izuku Midoriya & Weiss Schnee in 3rd place, a seemingly indifferent Shouto Todoroki in 2nd place, and a furious and bound Katsuki Bakugo in 1st place.

Really, furious wasn't the right word for Bakugo, who is currently strapped to a cement pillar and even had a muzzle on him due to trying to bite someone.

His classmates were slightly perturbed by his raging against the restraints, almost fearing he'll break through and attack the nearest person.

"He's been like this since he woke up…" Kirishima said.

"He's like a man-eating fiend," Tokoyami commented.

"That's one way to put it," Jaune said. Ruby stares up at the people on the podium with an uncertain expression. She looks to the side, where Tenya would be if he were here.

The reminder of his absence reminded Ruby of Ingenium and the Hero Killer…

…had something happened?


Weiss was just as unnerved by Bakugo's attitude.

"I almost regret losing to him," she muttered. She turns to Izuku, who was stiff as a board as he looked forward. Weiss followed his gaze to see the media take pictures and the like. A small smile forms on Weiss' face at Izuku's reaction to it. "You know…being the no. 1 hero means that this is going to happen to you on a daily basis."

Izuku breaks out of his statuesque posture. "Huh? Oh!" He chuckled nervously. "Y-Yeah…you might be right about that." Weiss smiles at him before looking forward with a frown. Izuku stared at her for a moment. He thinks back on what she said two weeks ago, her reason why she wanted to become a hero. "...Schnee?" She looks back at him. "Are you okay with this?" he asked her, now completely ignoring the flashing lights of cameras.

Nemuri continues on. "The presentation of the medals will be done by none other by…this man!"

The crowd cheered as a certain blonde-haired leaped from above and on to the ground in front of the podiums.

"All Might/Is me!" Nemuri and All Might exclaimed together. All Might peers over at her with a pointed glare.

"Oops. I talked over you. Sorry," Nemuri apologized. She holds up the tray containing the four medals. "Now then, All Might, please present the medals, starting with third place."

"All right." He takes the two 3rd place bronze medals from the tray and makes his way over to Weiss and Izuku, going to Izuku first. "Young Midoriya, congratulations." All Might puts one of the bronze medals around his successor's neck, which gives the man a feeling of pride. "You were incredible out there!"

"Oh! Um…I-Uh…" Izuku stammered. He stops when All Might gives him a light hug, being careful with Izuku's cast.

"I mean it, Young Midoriya," the man whispered, dropping his 'All Might voice'. "There are improvements that need to be made, but you did wonderfully. Keep it up." Izuku remains silent as All Might moves away and turns to Weiss. "Young Schnee." He puts the medal around her neck. "Congratulations." Like with Izuku, All Might gets Weiss a light hug. "You've done Edelweiss proud."

Weiss' eyes went big from hearing this. "...You…really think so?"

All Might moves and places a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "I do. Edelweiss had thought highly of his grandchildren and you are doing a swell job."

"...Thank you," Weiss smiled. All Might nodded and left to get the silver medal for Todoroki. Weiss closes her eyes, now finally feeling pleased with herself. She glances over at Izuku…

…to see that the boy was shaking from pure delight. He seems to be holding back a squeal.


Emerald rises from her seat. "Let's go, Mercury." Mercury follows her out.

"Got everything we need?" he asked. She nods. They head on over to an empty hallway, free of security cameras, androids, heroes, and anyone else.

Except one.

A certain petite, ice cream themed young woman.

Neo grins at them before sending a message on her phone. A dark portal manifests on the wall and the trio walks through it.


Blake sighs. "It's over. The next will be 2nd-years tomorrow and 3rd-years the day after that…and then…" Her ear swiveled at the sound of footsteps coming from the hall outside. Blake scurried over to a closet nearby just in time as the door opened.

The newcomer was a man in his early to mid 20s with dirty-brown, wavy hair in a quiff hairstyle and blue eyes. Those eyes looked around the room, seeing the bowl of once popcorn now kernels and the still on tv.

The man sighs in slight frustration. "I'm gonna have to talk to Sun and Neptune again. They can't just keep leaving a mess wherever they go." He turns off the television, picks up the bowl and trash he sees before leaving the room.

Once the door closes, Blake sighs in relief.


{~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* - Our Hero Academia - *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}

Weiss Schnee

Quirk: Glyphs

"Sigils unique to the direct members of the Schnee family, which gains new properties with each generation."

Affiliation: UA High School Hero Class 1-A Student

Birthday: 05/15 (Taurus)

Height: 157 cm

Blood Type: A

Likes: Apples, Blueberry Frozen Yogurt

Color: Heart of Ice (F7FBFF)

{~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* - Our Hero Academia - *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}

Shouto Todoroki

Quirk: Half-Cold, Half-Hot

"Two Quirks: 'Generates ice and cold with his right side and fire and heat with his left side."

Affiliation: UA High School Hero Class 1-A Student

Birthday: 01/11 (Capricorn)

Height: 176 cm

Blood Type: O

Likes: Cold Soba Noodles

Color: Cyan (00FFFF)

{~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* - Our Hero Academia - *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~}


Once everything was over, everyone returned to their respective waiting rooms. The atmosphere in the 1-A waiting room felt…weirdly tense.

Sure, it could be because Bakugo still had his gold medal clenched between his teeth like an angry dog, but…something…different…

"Is it weird that I was kinda expecting Iida to barge in and say some speech about how good we did and all that?" Mina asked.

"When you spend time with a guy like that for two weeks, some things become a norm to you, I guess," Kirishima said.

"At least seeing Midoriya experiencing a fanboy overload is making it less tense," Sero said, seeing Izuku still grinning and shaking in his seat. Ruby, Nora, and Ochako were doing their hardest not to laugh.

After some hesitation, Momo rises up from her seat. "...S-Since Iida isn't here to say it, then as his vice representative, I-I'll do it in his stead. Every one of us here did an amazing job out there. Yes, some of us didn't get to…advance as far as we wished…b-but the important thing is that we have given it a chance, r-right?"

Either it was because she didn't sound convincing or no one paid much attention, some of the class gave half-hearted replies. Realizing this, Momo sits back down, disheartened at her failure. Weiss puts a comforting hand on her arm.

Pyrrha comes in with Aizawa in tow. "Well, today was an eventful day all around, Class 1-A," she said. "I'm sure that you are all tired as well." The class tiredly agrees.

"Then use the next two days to take it easy," Aizawa said through his bandages. "Because the coming week will be a busy one. Be ready. Now, go home."


Todoroki was relieved that his father didn't beat him to the house. The only person there being his older sister, Fuyumi, with his older brother Natsuo being away for college.

Said sister greeted him at the door.

"You did incredible out there, Shouto," she said as he was replacing his shoes with his house slippers. Fuyumi's eyes trailed to his bandaged arm. "...So…what would you like for dinner?"

"Whatever," Todoroki said. He goes to walk past his sister to get to his room to think. Then, his fight with Izuku comes to mind, as did everything prior, from his fight against Ruby to his conversation with Izuku before the one-on-one tournament. "...Fuyumi?"

"Hm?"

"How's mom been doing?"

With his back to his sister, he couldn't see the look of shock on her face and he didn't need to. And he wasn't surprised by her reaction. Todoroki hadn't shown any interest in seeing his mother ever since the kettle incident. And it wasn't because of what she did and he didn't hate her. Todoroki felt that her seeing him would put a negative toll on her psyche and reverse whatever improvement she may have now…but…

'IT'S YOU'RE POWER! NOT HIS! GOT THAT?'

"Why do you ask?" Fuyumi asked.

"I…want to see her," Shouto replied.

"...Well…she's been doing okay. More than okay, in fact," Fuyumi said. "She's made a friend with a senior in the same ward as her. Fria McWinters, I think. Mom said that she…"


"You didn't need to walk me with me, Rose," Izuku insisted.

"Nah, it's fine," Ruby said. "I'm in no rush." They turn the corner into the parking lock of the apartment complex. "Plus, I've never been to an apartment before."

"Really?" They made their way up the stairs and headed on over to the unit designated to the Midoriya's. "Well, thanks for coming with me, Rose."

"No problem…" Izuku notices a conflicted look on her face.

"Rose?"

"S-Sorry. I'm just…thinking…"

"About Iida?"

"...Yeah…I tried texting him, but there was no response…maybe…" Ruby thinks back on what happened to Yang and fears for Tenya. "...something did happen to his brother."

"Rose…" Izuku muttered. He wasn't sure what to say, as he was an only child. After some thinking, he puts a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever may have happened, we'll be there for him, right?"

At that, Ruby smiled and nodded. "Yeah…yeah, you're right. Like how he was there for me when I was upset, right?"

Izuku nodded. "Yeah."

The door to his apartment opens and Ruby gasps in shock.

"B-Bakugo?!"

The woman laughs. "Yes and no. I'm his mom, Mistuki. Nice to see you again, Izuku. You were awesome out there!"

"Thanks, Auntie Mistuki," Izuku thanked. Ruby stood frozen and silent in shock. Mitsuki looks over at her.

"And you must be Ruby Rose," she said. "I thought you were familiar."

"...Familiar?" was all Ruby said, still shocked to see, basically, a female version of Bakugo…and smiling and being friendly. She seems as boisterous as Bakugo, Ruby could tell.

"When Katsuki came home from school on the second with cuts and bruises on his face, I asked him what happened. He said something about 'that annoying Petals' or something like that," Mitsuki said. She grinned. "Nice to finally meet the girl responsible."

"Uh…thank you?" Ruby wasn't which to be more confused by: the fact that Bakugo spoke of her at his home or his own mother…pretty much praising her for her scuffle against Mitsuki's own son.

"Katsuki's probably on his way home now," Mitsuki said. "Come on, Masaru. Let's get going. Thanks for having us, Inko!"

Masaru nodded and bowed slightly to Inko. "Yes. Thank you for having us." Ruby was rendered speechless again at the sight of Bakugo's, apparently, calm father.

Inko smiled. "It was my pleasure."

Masaru heads to join wife and sees Ruby. "It's nice to finally meet you as well, Ruby Rose. Izuku, be sure to take care of yourself."

"I will, Uncle Masaru."

"Hope to see you again, Rose," Mitsuki said as she left. Masaru nodded in agreement. "Have a nice day!"

"Indeed."

Ruby remained silent as the couple exited the apartment and left.

"...That was Bakugo's parents?!"


Weiss' phone rang for the upteenth time and she finally answered it during her ride back home to her sister's villa in her limo, driven by Klein. She didn't need to look at the caller ID to know who it was.

"Hello, father."

/3rd place, Weiss?! 3rd place?!/

Weiss flinched at the shout. Klein looked at her from the rearview mirror.

"Father–"

/Oh, don't 'father' me, Weiss. You said that I would be seeing on that 1st place podium at the end of this and look at you now, sharing the 3rd place spot with some fragile, baby-faced, hooligan!/

It doesn't take much for Jacques words to rub Weiss the wrong way and usually she knows how to take it…usually…

"Actually, father, what I said was you will see me on the podium. I didn't say anything about getting 1st place. It was my intention, but it didn't pan out. And…" Weiss' eyes went ice cold. "...Midoriya is not fragile."

Jacques scoffed.

/Say it however you'd like. Let it be known that you made me a laughing stock at the party. Everyone was waiting to see you take home the gold medal and instead you lost it to that rabid reprobate./

"Bakugo may have an aggressive disposition, but he's genuine in his actions. He took me seriously, something I wanted him to do," Weiss admitted deviantly. "And I lost. At least now I can learn what I can improve from that loss."

She heard her father taking deep breaths, likely to keep his temper in check.

/…You know, Weiss…/

Jacques' tone was unnervingly calm.

/I and your brother weren't the only ones who watched you get hurt. You're poor mother was so worried upon seeing those burns inflicted upon you…/

Weiss' grip on her phone tightened at the mention of her mother.

/She paced back and forth, wondering whether or not to go over there and care for you. How could you do that to your own mother?/

Weiss bit her lip, unable to say anything else.

/Well…at least you won something and we can salvage something from that. I'll talk to you later./

He hangs up.

From the view of the rearview, Klein watched worriedly as Weiss slowly lowered her phone before tossing it to the side and pulling her legs close to herself and wrapped her arms around them.

Klein was wondering what to make Weiss for her efforts.

Apple cinnamon muffins with a side of homemade blueberry frozen yogurt it is.


"Now, that was probably the most eventful Sports Festival for the first year students in years," Hizashi said to his fellow teachers in the meeting room.

"And for obvious reasons," Cementoss commented.

"Something tells me that the coming internship requests are gonna be the largest in many years as well," Snipe said.

"No doubt," Thirteen nodded.

"We must prepare ourselves as well," Cementoss advised.

A phone call is here! – A phone call is here! –

'Gran Torino'

Toshinori takes a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"Sorry," Toshinori apologized as he got up and headed out. "I have to take this." Once out in the hall, he answers. "Hello?"

/I gave it some thought, Toshinori, and after seeing what that boy did to himself with Endeavor's kid, I figured I'd lend a hand./

"Really?"

/Yeah. Someone has to clean up after you./

"R-Right…" Toshinori tries to control his shaking leg. "T-Thank you for agreeing."

/Yeah, yeah…Oh, and by the way. She's on her way here./

Toshinori's eyes went wide in shock.


Next Chapter: What's In a Name?


She? She who, I wonder…

Todoroki is taking steps forward on his path of self-healing while Weiss still seems to be stuck.

I do like the idea that Izuku calls Mitsuki and Masaru 'auntie' and 'uncle' respectfully. Same with Bakugo calling Inko 'Auntie' too, though he had probably stopped doing that at some point. Maybe he'll go back to that later.