I wake up to Shoto shaking me as I scream. I immediately bury my face in Shoto's shoulder realizing it's him by his smell. As I'm panting with my face buried in Shoto's bare shoulder I hear Dad's footsteps and him stop in the doorway.
Dad asks quietly, "Is she okay? Cara?"
I stay quiet still trying to calm down from the nightmare. Shoto keeps holding me to him trying to help calm me.
Dad walks in and gently rubs my back to find it coated in sweat and causing my tank top to stick to me. Dad goes over to my air conditioner and turns it down some to help cool me off.
I whimper from Shoto's shoulder, "I'm sorry."
Shoto whispers to me, "It's okay, Cara. You don't have anything to be sorry about."
Dad comes over and sits on my bed behind me and pulls me towards him saying, "He's right, Cara." I curl up in Dad's lap with my face buried and Dad says to Shoto, "Go back to bed, Todoroki. Igot this. We'll discuss what to do tomorrow. Thank you for helping her before I got here though."
Shoto nods and walked out of the room and back into his. Dad stays with me for a while as I calm down and ends up picking me up and moving me down to his room for the remainder of the night.
I wake up really early in Dad's room and while he's still asleep I leave and go upstairs and grab my clothes for the day. I quickly get changed and finish my morning routine. I sit in the common area and watch as the others come and do their thing. I'm still in large denial on what happened to me so I somewhat have a blank stare.
After being attacked by the League of Villains twice in one school year. UA brought its students to live on campus in order to keep us safe though I also know the secondary reason behind it as well since Nezu trusted me with it. Our dorms, Heights Alliance, was a five-minute walk from the main school building. Things were a little strange at first, but once we finally settled into our new home, we returned to normal coursework and our goal of becoming heroes. We will definitely be a pro one day.
It had been a while since the attack on the training camp with me and Bakugo being kidnapped and my realization that Dabi was Shoto's older brother who was thought to be dead, Toya Todoroki. I was still struggling with the way to tell Shoto that Dabi was Toya and honestly still somewhat in shock myself about it.
We are back in our homeroom class sitting down and Dad is in front at the podium. Dad addresses all of us saying, "I believe I mentioned this already, but your main focus this summer is obtaining provisional hero licenses. Like Cara already has."
All the students say, "Yes, sir!"
Dad says looking at us all, "Do not take this lightly. A hero license means that you're responsible for human lives. You can imagine that the exam to recieve one is very difficult. As Cara can easily tell you. Only 50 percent of students pass the tests required for these permits each year."
Mineta says, "It's that hard to get a provisional license?"
Dad glares at him and says, "In order to prepare, today you'll concentrate on creating something new."
The door to the classroom opens causing me and some others to look at it. I see Midnight, Ectoplasm, and Cementoss at the door. They go to stand with Dad at the front.
Dad continues, "Two ultimate moves."
Kaminari and Eijiro say together, "Ultimate moves?"
Kaminari and Mina together say, "An exam is a normal school thing."
Eijiro and Sero say, "But this is total hero work!"
Ectoplasm says, "When we say 'ultimate', we mean a move that will ensure you win against your opponent."
Cementoss says, "An action so unique to your identity that no other person can hope to copy it. Simply put, you must learn to lean in to your strengths."
Midnight says, "Your moves represent who you are. These days, most pro heroes have an ultimate move. Those who don't are fools."
Dad says, "This may sound abstract, but we'll explain more as the days goes on. For now, change into your costumes and meet in Gym Gamma. Regarding your costume improvements. Once you've figured out if anything needs to change, head to the development studio here. Get the experts to help you out and give suggestions. They'll know what to do."
We all quickly change and I immediately find some comfort being in my hero costume again since I felt very 'naked' during the attack at the training camp without it. I was somewhat nervous to create ultimate moves as with my many Quirks I have too many options for it. Though I also wondered if I had to take the provisional license test again since I have mine or not. I smile excited to work in Gym Gamma again as it's been a while.
We get to Gym Gamma and Dad stands in front of us saying, "Gym Gamma, also known at the Academy as the 'Training Dining Land', or TDL."
Ochaco, Mina, and Izuku all say, "Huh?"
Izuku mutters, "First the USJ, and now this?"
Cementoss starts using his Quirk and says, "This facility was my idea." He created a small demo of what it will look like and stands to face us as he continues, "We can prepare unique terrains and obstacles for each student here. Here you will learn to serve up justice, hence the name."
Kaminari says, "That's pretty cool."
Tenya raises his hand and says, "Please allow me a question." I roll my eyes knowing he'd ask at least one. Tenya continues, "What is the advantage of having ultimate moves for our provisional exam? May we know your reasoning?"
Dad says with a knowing look on his face, "That's two questions. Calm down."
I step up and say, "Dad, allow me to explain please?"
Dad says, "Go ahead, Cara. I know you've heard it multiple times."
I turn to Tenya and say, "The job of a hero is to save people from all sorts of dangers. Crime, accidents, and natural or man-made disasters. Of course, the licensing exam analyzes how well you're able to deal with such things. It won't just be fighting. Your ability to gather information and make quick decisions will be judged. In addition to how well you communicate, cooperate, and lead others."
Dad says now as I had stopped to take a breath, "Every year a new test is used to evaluate these qualities."
Midnight steps up and says, "One thing is especially important. If you want to be a pro hero, you must be able to prevail in battle. If you're prepared, you won't have to worry. And those of you with an ultimate move will have stronger results."
Cementoss says, "Your circumstances should not dictate the results of your future battles. Learn to be consistent and you will be a great asset on the front lines." Cementoss goes to walk away to make the platforms for each of us.
Ectoplasm says, "Your ultimate move doesn't necessarily have to be an attack. Take Iida's Reciproburst, for example."
Tenya gasps.
Ectoplasm continues, "This sort of temporary boost in speed is valuable enough that it falls into the category of excellence we're looking for. Cara also has a few as well though her multiple Quirks help as she has more options than most others."
Tenya gasps and says, "You mean I've been doing an ultimate move all along?"
Sato says looking at Tenya, "So, it's basically our secret weapon. Something that gives us the edge so we can win no matter who or what we're facing."
Midnight winks and says, "There's a smart boy. For example, how Kamui Woods is able to use his Lacquered Chain Prison to capture opponents in an instant. That's exactly what we want to see."
Dad turns to us and says, "The training camp was interrupted." I flinch as he continues, "But the practice you did get in to develop your Quirks was part of the process needed to create these defining abilities. Now that you're caught up-" Cementoss starts putting the platforms up with his Quirk as Dad continues, "You'll be working hard to develop powerful moves of your own for the next ten days or so."
Ectoplasm uses his Quirk to give us something to fight to develop our ultimate moves.
Dad continues saying, "This is how you will spend the remainder of your summer vacation." We all look at the stage for us and Dad says, "Prepare for intensive training. In addition, you should think about how you can improve your costumes, especially now that you have a better understanding of your Quirks. I expect each of you to go Plus Ultra. Do you have it in you?"
We all say, "Yes, sir!" I'm smirking now somewhat excited for this.
Kaminari says, "I am so charged up for this."
Izuku mutters looking at his hand, "What's my move?"
We all get to work and I first stare at the ground wondering what I should do. In a way what Ectoplasm said was true because of my multiple Quirks I have a lot of options. Really using any 2 or more Quirks at the same time for me is an ultimate move. I watch as my classmates, trying to get ideas.
Ojiro is trying to hit Ectoplasm's clone with his tail though it doesn't go very well. Ectoplasm says to him, "It's obvious you're relying too much on your tail. Let's re-examine the basics of how you fight."
Ojiro says, "Yes, sir!" to him. Then mutters, "But my tail is my power."
I turn my gaze to Mina as she says, "Ultimate move. Shooting acid from my hands. Super geyser!" I want to laugh as it doesn't go very far so it can't be an ultimate move. Mina looks at Ectoplasm's clone and asks, "Whaddaya think?"
Ectoplasm says, "If you're going to go that route, make a nozzle with your fingers to increase aim and reach." Mina does what he says and continues, "Yes, like that. Go." I watch amazed as it does help a lot.
Mina says, "Oh, crap! I'm totally awesome!"
Ectoplasm says to her, "Now let's focus on increasing the potency of your acid."
I turn to Momo as the Ectoplasm clone there says, "Two Creations at the same time. You may start with something simple."
Momo closing her eyes concentrating says, "Yes, sir!" She makes two steel poles at the same time.
I turn to Izuku as I hear him mutter, "Everyone's making headway."
I see Ectoplasm's clone kick him in the head and ask, "Why are you staring off into space?"
Izuku says, "Oh, um. About the moves we're coming up with. See...If I put too much power into my arms, then I won't be able to use them anymore. I'll break them. So I don't know what a special attack of mine would even look like."
Ectoplasm's clone says, "Hm. It's true that your Quirk is interesting. Not exactly one that we'd call consistent. If you don't have a fixed attack style yet, then let's focus on developing your power."
Izuku says, "Yes, sir."
I turn towards the door as I hear All Might say, "Everyone's workin' hard, huh?"
Dad turns to the door and says quietly, "All Might."
All Might says, "Yeah, I am here." He goes into his hero/muscular form with a thumbs up and says, "Because I have the day off and I don't have anything else to do. Ha!"
Dad and Midnight look at him and Dad says, "Will you please focus on recuperating and lesson planning?"
All Might deflates again and walks towards them saying, "Hey, why the cold reception? They're workin' their big moves now, right? There's no way I could miss being here for this. I'm still a UA teacher, you know." All Might mutters to himself, "Young Midoriya. Looks like you're having trouble."
There's a crash and I turn to look at it just as All Might does and of course it was Bakugo. Bakugo flies around with explosions and says, "Now you explode!" He blasts a big one straight at Ectoplasm's clone which causes it to desolve and says, "It's been a while since I was able to really let loose." Bakugo turns to the actual Ectoplasm and says, "Ectoplasm! I killed 'em! Gimme another one."
I turn back to All Might, Dad, and Midnight as All Might says, "That boy is incredible."
Dad says, "Yes. And he'll get even stronger in the future."
Bakugo goes again as another Ectoplasm clone appears to him.
Ochaco floating says, "Ooh. Look at that! Bakugo's going hardcore."
Sato says, "I bet he's got a ton of ideas for his special moves already."
Hagakure says, "He's been planning this stuff since the entrance exam!"
Ochaco yelps as she starts wobbling and says, "Whoops."
Ectoplasm's clone tells her, "Focus!"
Ochaco says, "Yes, sir!"
Mineta says, "Just in case anyone was wondering, I've been working on Grape Rush since I was a kid."
Kaminari says, "I mean, we've all thought about it before, right? I used to imagine wielding a lightning sword! I'm getting hyped up just thinking about doing something that cool in real life."
Izuku looks at his fist and mutters, "How can I fight with these damaged arms?"
All Might goes over to him and says, "Hey..."
Causing Izuku to gasp and ask, "What are you doing here?"
All Might says, "I've come with advice. Think for yourself. You're still trying to imitate me."
Izuku says, "Oh. I guess I didn't..."
All Might says, "Yo, Young Kirishima."
Eijiro looks over his shoulder at him and says, "Hey, All Might."
All Might says, "I've got some wisdom to lay down on ya." All Might gets to Eijiro and says, "So, instead of going for small tricks with your Hardening, try being a bulldozer."
Eijiro says, "Yes, sir!"
All Might looks behind him at Izuku as he mutters, "I wouldn't be a good teacher if I just gave you the answers. Use that clever head on your shoulders. There's no right or wrong here. What's important is that you realized your full potential on your own."
I see Dad watch as All Might says, "Young Jiro. Listen up." He gets to Jiro as he says, "I have a few things that might help you."
Dad watches him slightly open mouthed and says, "He's suddenly good at this?" He gasps seeing something and I see a small book in All Might's pocket and I read that it says 'Even Dummies Can Be Teachers! Easy Education Theory.'
I call out, "Hey, Dad! Can I talk to you?!"
Dad says, "Yeah, come down here though."
I jump to the bottom easily landing on the toes of my feet without hurting myself despite being at the highest platform than anyone. I quickly walked the couple of feet to him from where I landed.
Once I reached Dad, he asked, "What is it, Cara?"
I look up towards my classmates watching them and say, "I'm not sure what to do for my ultimate moves. I mean Ectoplasm was right. I have way too many options. I literally can use 2 Quirks at the same time and it be a special move because almost no one has multiple Quirks except me. The only other things that do is the Nomu's." I turn to look at Dad again to see him looking at me closely.
Dad says, "Hmmm. Your mother used to say the same thing because of her two Quirks. Of course that was before she was able to breathe both fire and ice at the same time. For now work on perfecting using two Quirks at the same time. And maybe even attempting to use most of them together."
I nod and start going back up to my platform to try it at least until it's my turn to make adjustments to my hero outfit as I had a few in mind.
