24.12.2019
Hey there, it's me and I'm bringing you this longer chapter as a christmass gift and an apology for the long break between the last two chapter.
Enjoy the content and do stick around for the end notes ;D
Even though this square has seen a major fight already, it was not done. Just a few minutes later another skirmish broke out and strengthened the 1-A rivalry.
In the middle of the square stood three students. Each one holding his opponents in place with their Quirks. The situation was tense and there was no defusing it. The trio looked like a barrel filled to the brim with gunpowder. Only question was - who will light the spark?
"So… how did we end like this?", the question came from the resident vegetable of 1-A; Izuku Midoriya. His muscles were tensed and ready to pounce at even the slightest movement.
"Have no fucking idea", the blonde to his left answered with a scowl on his face. His hands were raised and pointed at his opponents with little explosions sparkling in his open palms. "Maybe Icy-Hot knows. Oi, Icy-Hot do you know how the fuck did we end up like this?!", Bakugo yelled to his left, the question directed at Todoroki.
"I guess I might have an idea…", he stoically said, but did not relax his stance. His right foot was directed at Bakugo and slightly raised, ready to release a wave of ice at will, while his left hand made sure that Midoriya won't try any funny tricks.
And with introductions over, it was time for a retrospection…
Ten minutes earlier.
"Is everyone ready?", Kendo asked after they sat in silence for a few more minutes.
"Yeah, I'm good now", answered Midoriya, who was the sole reason for them to need a break at all. "I'm sorry that we lost time because of me and you didn't have the occasion to show off what you can do", the green haired teen apologised as they all got up from where they were seated.
"I assure you, that we don't blame you for anything Midoriya", was Shishida's kind answer.
"Besides Broccoli, I think that we will have a chance to show off quicker than you think", Tokage spoke in a hushed tone which hinted that they should quiet themselves.
Team A crawled slowly towards the window to look at whatever it was that Setsuna has spotted. Being extra careful not to step on the broken glass or give away their position in any other way, they made their way towards their teammate. Tokage detached her right hand and pointed towards the middle of the square with it.
"Goddamnit... ", they heard Midoriya and Tokoyami mutter at the same time.
"Let me guess, we were trying to avoid this guy?", asked Tokage, though it sounded more like a statement.
"Yup, this is Shoto Todoroki, the son of the number one Pro Hero Endeavour"
Kendo whistled quietly and focused on the heterochromatic student. The exercise wasn't easy by any means, but now it has gotten much harder.
Team E was slowly walking through the square, oblivious to the fact that they were being observed. And chased.
"Aren't they a little bit too carefree? Casually strolling in the open like that?", questioned Midnight while they observed the square from multiple angles.
"If it was any other team, yes. But, this is Shoto Todoroki, the strongest student the first years have to offer", explained Aizawa. "You saw how quickly he dispatched the members of Team F in the hills. He is very strong and intelligent, but being overconfident may be his most glaring weakness"
"That's why we tailored his team the way we did!", exclaimed happily Nezu. Really, was he never like… sad or something?
"Tailored? Weren't the teams random?", asked a very confused Present Mic.
"The random part was only partial", Eraserhead quickly spoke up. "We have created three teams by hand"
"We?"
"Me, Principal and Kan"
"And why would you do that?"
"As I said earlier, overconfidence is a serious weakness that we should address while we can. That's why instead of letting Lady Luck pick Todoroki's team, we put him by his lonesome and Kan gladly let us use some of his students as cannon fodder. The second team that we created was Team D. Yaoyorozu tends to rely on others when it comes to decision making which is very hindering to her performance. That's why we paired her up with Bakugo, who knows everything about decision making but nothing about teamwork. The Principal and I hope that going against Team E will show him, that he won't be able to do everything by himself"
"And the third team that you have created?", asked Ectoplasm when Aizawa didn't continue his explanation.
"It's a… pet project of mine", he answered with a small smile that looked more like a maniacal grin.
"He is referring to Team's A Midoriya", explained Nezu as he put the aforementioned students on screen. "While Young Midoriya is a very promising hero in training and has shown much improvement and dedication, we still think that he is holding himself down"
"I must agree, that only Yaoyorozu has been able to keep up with him in terms of academics", came Ectoplasm's sudden statement.
"The little listener sure does rock!", was Mic's loud follow up.
"But, why is he holding himself down?", asked Power Loader, who was not as familiar with the green haired student as the rest of the faculty.
"He is doing this unconsciously. Being Quirkless his entire life has left him with confidence issues similar to Yaoyorozu. On top of that he has a tendency to overexert himself and try doing everything on his own. Though this is not a sign of arrogance, he just doesn't want to be a liability to anyone"
"And how are his teammates going to help him?", questioned Kan out of curiosity. He might have agreed to handpick certain teams, but was kept in the dark just like the rest of his coworkers.
"He needs to learn that he can rely on others and should ask for help if he needs it. That's why we have Tokage there, she is the third smartest first year and from what Kan said she is very sociable. Kendo and Shishida are also well mannered and not prone to judging someone out the gate. Team A was constructed to help Midoriya grow and open up to others"
"We have made it seem like this mock battle was in no way different than everything that they have done so far. But in reality this is the perfect opportunity to measure their growth. This is their end of term exam!", exclaimed Nezu with a wide grin on his face.
Back to the square. While the teachers were talking amongst themselves, Team A did some brainstorming and came up with a plan. Their opponents were chosen and the operation was almost started, when they heard an explosion in the distance.
The time seemed to stop as they turned their heads towards the sound. Todoroki and his teammates also turned around to face the danger, which turned out to be Team D. Bakugo was using his explosions to propel himself towards his opponents, while his three companions were running right behind him.
"Where's their fifth person?", asked Kendo as she observed the other students.
"Maybe they were knocked out in an earlier battle?", theorized Shishida.
Answer to their question came in the form of a tin can falling from the sky. Seven tin cans to be precise. They looked towards Team D to see them wearing gas masks as they were about to clash.
"I might have an idea who is their fifth teammate", Midoriya spoke as soon as he realised what was going on. The cans, must've been created by Yaoyorozu, the question now was, what was in them? "Nana, I need you to analyze the trajectory of these cans and try to locate Yaoyorozu"
"Ask another AI", the ever present voice in his head answered, audibly pouting.
"Can we argue about this later Nana?"
"With cuddles?"
He sighed, of course she would want something from him. But, did he have another choice? "Yes, with cuddles"
"She is two blocks behind her teammates on a balcony"
Midoriya had to stop himself from sighing again. It should've been obvious to him, that she has already analyzed the trajectory, she was smart and thoughtful like that. Also constantly bored.
At that point, the canisters decided to announce their presence by detonating at once and releasing a massive amount of smoke.
"Is that tear gas?", questioned Tokage as she looked at the cloud that hid the other teams.
"No, I think it's just normal smoke, but it's white to imitate tear gas, you could call it a logical ruse", the other greenette explained.
"Logical ruse is my bitch", whispered a sleep deprived Pro Hero.
"Okay you two", Kendo grabbed the attention of the green haired students. "We need a new plan, but like NOW"
"You don't have to tell me that", grumbled Setsuna as she once again looked out the window to evaluate the situation. Unfortunately the smoke still hasn't cleared. "Ugh, Broccoli you have anything?", she turned to the mastermind of 1-A.
"I might have an idea"
Meanwhile in the square.
"Watch out Icy-Hot, I'm coming straight for your heterochromatic ass!", the war cry was muffled by the gas mask that was on the blonde's face, but still could be counted as menacing.
"I'm pretty sure that my ass is monochromatic"
A shift in the smoke told Todoroki everything he needed to know. He raised his right foot, but instead of slamming it down, he shot his flames to the left. He heard someone cursing in english and sensed something coming towards him. He slammed his foot down and released a wave of ice in the direction of his attacker.
Bakugo was somewhat surprised with the short reaction time that Icy-Hot seemed to possess, but was also quite ready to dodge any possible counter attack. He released one explosion in the direction of his opponent and a smaller one directly beneath himself. The move slowed him down a fair bit and sent him flying over Todoroki's head.
The Dual Quirked teen was not aware of that, as the smoke managed to hide Bakugo's action. Only when he heard an explosion behind him and felt the force of it he realised, that his attacked must've missed. He was sent flying out of the cloud and back into the open field. Tired of being at a disadvantage he sent a stream of fire directly into the smoke.
His move seemed to work, as in a matter of seconds the clouds have dissipated. Todoroki quickly scanned the area and spotted a blonde girl from 1-B that he have frozen before Bakugo attacked him.
Kirishima and Tetsutetsu were both hardened and engaged in a manly, of course, boxing match. They were just standing and trading blows not paying attention to anything else.
While they were doing just that, a ghost-like girl from Bakugo's team was hovering two of his teammates in the air and using them as meatshields so that Rin can't shoot her without hitting his teammates.
"Where the fuck are you looking Icy-Hot?!", the angry question came barreling down along the angrier blonde, who was flying by releasing small explosions towards the heterochromatic student.
Todoroki however was prepared this time and created a wall of ice between himself and his opponent to stop his approach. Then he sent a wave of ice around his barrier in hope of catching his opponent of guard. This proved to be futile as Bakugo simply used a bigger explosion to fly over the obstacle. Todoroki used his quick thinking and melted the ice around them and released a massive wave of fire.
Bakugo was forced to dodge out of the way, but Pony was freed from her ice prison in the process. She immediately jumped into action and went after Hiryu Rin, as he was too focused on Yanagi to spot her advance towards him. With the exchange student out of the way, Reiko clashed the students she was holding with her Quirk against each other, knocking them out in the process.
"Everybody ready?", asked Midoriya in a hushed tone.
"Yup, let's do it!", shouted Tokage as she disassembled herself and fly off.
The fighting seemed to cease for a moment as everyone, or at least those that were still conscious, turned to look at the newest challengers.
"Oi, damn nerd! I was about to finish Icy-Hot over here and then go after your nerdy ass! Thanks for sparing me the trouble of finding you!", yelled Bakugo.
"I'm pretty sure that my ass is as normal as one can be!", Midoriya yelled back.
"Way to smacktalk your opponent Broccoli…", Tokage inwardly sighed as she was still close enough to hear the exchange between the 1-A rivals.
With 'introductions' out of the way, Team A sprung into action, following Midoriya's carefully planned, as carefully as one can plan on the fly, course of action.
Tokoyami made his way towards Yanagi, Izuku's reasoning being that she CAN lift Tokoyami himself, but she CAN'T lift Dark Shadow.
Meanwhile Shishida and Kendo went after Rin and Tsunotori respectively. Jurota could easily avoid Hiryu's projectiles while in his beast form and Itsuka could use her big hands to block Pony's horns.
"We really need to give him additional points for this one. Throughout their whole exercise he managed to fully use his teammates' potential", came a general statement from the crowd of AU's faculty.
"So, it has finally happened", muttered Todoroki.
"What the fuck are you mumbling about you Half 'n Half Bastard?!", yelled Bakugo and turned towards his Dual Quirked opponent.
"Don't take your eyes off of your enemy!", the shout was too close for comfort in Bakugo's opinion, seeing as he barely managed to dodge a flying kick that Midoriya tried to deliver.
"You're gonna have to do better than this!", taunted Katsuki as he unleashed an explosion in the green haired students direction.
The attack however was stopped by a wave of ice that seemed to encase Midoriya. Fortunately for the Augmented Hero, the explosion cracked his prison enough for it to easily give in to his punches. Seeing that his opponents were focused on each other he tried his flying kick one more time.
He went straight for Todoroki who currently had his back turned in his direction. Bakugo spotted the green missile over Icy-Hot's shoulder and moved out of its way. However seeing this, Midoriya shifted his position in the air and instead of sending Todoroki forward he kicked him in the blonde's direction.
Both of them had no time to react as they were forcefully shoved into each other. They flew a couple meters back, before Bakugo released an explosion that separated them and then stopped himself using his Quirk to slow down, while Todoroki caught himself with an ice ramp.
"Okay little shits, let's see how you like this!", shouted Bakugo while grabbing the pin on his gauntlet. This was the first time anyone has seen him do it, so they really had no idea what was about to come. "Finisher Move: Accumulated Explosives!", and with a final yell a massive explosion encompassed a good half of the square, with paving stones being torn from the ground and peppering the buildings in the immediate vicinity.
Meanwhile (yes this is a cliffhanger, no it won't end here) Tokage was flying in the direction that Midoriya told her to. She stuck close to the roofs as to try and hide her position.
It was proved to be pointless as Yaoyorozu managed to create a motion sensor of sorts and easily detect Setsuna. "How the fuck does she know how to make a military grade motion sensors?! Oh right, internet is a thing…", were her thoughts as she dodged another net that was thrown in her direction.
"You can come out already, I know you are there!", Tokage heard a shout from slightly below her.
"No you don't!", she shouted back.
"T-that doesn't even make sense!", was Yaoyorozu's slightly confused answer.
Seeing as they were in a stalemate, Tokage decided to use one of her many skills to get herself out of this sticky situation. "I've met your resident Broccoli! He seems pretty cute!", distraction was the name of the game.
"B-broccoli? Do you mean Midoriya?", her tactic seemed to work even better than she would've thought it would.
"Do you know any other walking husband material with a mop of green hair on his head?", she continued and tried moving very, very slowly.
"Come to think of it, I don't", was Yaoyorozu unconscious response. When she realised what she agreed with, her face turned red. At least that's what Tokage thought happened judging by the silence that has settled in.
Spotting an opening, Setsuna leaped from the roof and split herself into five parts to dodge anything that Momo could throw at her. What she wasn't expecting however was for Yaoyorozu to stand there, waiting for her patiently, with a shotgun in her hands. "And how the fuck did she know how to create a shotgun?!", Tokage screamed mentally at first and then screamed out loud, when a rubber bullet made contact with her abdomen.
"You have fallen for my trap!", Yaoyorozu stated proudly with a smile, though a slight blush was covering both of her cheeks.
"Don't count me out yet!", Setsuna yelled and threw her hands towards Momo in hopes of catching her of guard and snatch the firearm. She was, again, surprised as she watched Yaoyorozu easily target both of her detached arms with a grace of a skilled marksman. "Is there anything that this girl can't do?", Tokage thought to herself before letting her consciousness leave her.
"Phew, that was a close one", Yaoyorozu mumbled silently as she sat on the balcony that became her fortress. The small trebuchet she made to launch the fake tear gas was standing at the edge of it and leaving her enough place to make herself comfortable. "Husband material, huh…?", Momo recalled the words of her fallen opponent, but what quickly shaken, literally, out of her thoughts as a massive explosion was unleashed in the square. "What is going on there?", she wondered before deciding to rest a little and then head towards her teammates.
Bakugo coughed a little as the magnitude of his attack surprised even him. "Must've really worked up a sweat while I was chasing Icy-Hot", he thought to himself as he admired the destruction he has caused. Everyone was caught in the explosion.
And I mean EVERYONE. Katsuki's teammates included. As dust began to settle he could make out the forms of his victims, allies and enemies alike. Though even if he counted twice or thrice he still was missing two people.
The mystery however decided to resolve itself, as dust finally revealed an icy dome covered with cracks. After a few short moments, the icy cocoon began to melt and from within emerged unscathed Todoroki. That still left them short one person.
The student in question fell from the skies and created a crater in his landing spot.
"I can understand Icy-Hot's ice fucking thing, but what the fuck did you do, you damn nerd?!", yelled angry Bakugo. Angry at himself for not ending it then and there and at his opponents for, well, not allowing him to end it.
"I pretty much jumped the whole incident", Midoriya flexed as his coat finally settled from all the wind.
"I think it's time to end it", said Todoroki in his calm tone and raised his right foot, while shifting his left arm towards Midoriya.
"You better not try any funny business Icy-Hot or it's going to get real nasty", threatened Bakugo and raised his hands at his opponents.
"Gentlemen, there surely must be another way to solve this", reasoned the green haired student with an unusual calmness and a smirk.
"So this is it, huh? A fated battle between rivals", muttered Todoroki.
In the middle of the square stood three students. Each one holding his opponents in place with their Quirks. The situation was tense and there was no defusing it. The trio looked like a barrel filled to the brim with gunpowder. Only question was - who will light the spark?
"So… how did we end like this?", the question came from the resident vegetable of 1-A; Izuku Midoriya. His muscles were tensed and ready to pounce at even the slightest movement.
"Have no fucking idea", the blonde to his left answered with a scowl on his face. His hands were raised and pointed at his opponents with little explosions sparkling in his open palms. "Maybe Icy-Hot knows. Oi, Icy-Hot do you know how the fuck did we end up like this?!", Bakugo yelled to his left, the question directed at Todoroki.
"I guess I might have an idea…", he stoically said, but did not relax his stance. His right foot was directed at Bakugo and slightly raised, ready to release a wave of ice at will, while his left hand made sure that Midoriya won't try any funny tricks.
And with introductions over, it was time for a-
"Okay, that's enough Icy-Hot! You could've left the last two minutes out of the retrospection for fuck's sake!", yelled Katsuki.
"For once, I have to agree with Bakugo", seconded the statement Midoriya. "Wait, was it really ten minutes?"
"And how the fuck did Icy-Hot know our thoughts? Or about the battle between High Class and the fuckin' lizard wannabe?!", if Bakugo was angry before, he was furious now.
"A well hidden fourth wall break", answered mysteriously Todoroki.
"It's not hidden at all…", deadpanned Midoriya.
"Enough with the bullshit! Are we gonna duke it out or not?!", the situation was becoming more and more tense every second.
Just as the shit was about to go down, Bakugo's words not mine, a tired voice sounded in their earpieces.
"The exercise is over, head back to the control room"
"Jesus fucking- God damnit! How the hell am I supposed to show them who is the boss now?!", the blonde fell to his knees and turned his head upwards.
"Katsuki", Midoriya sudden deep voice brought his attention back to earth. The grin haired student was offering him his hand and had a very Kirishima-like look on his face that emanated manliness. "It was a good fight"
"Fucking nerd", Bakugo muttered, but took the hand a was hoisted up to his feet in no time.
"Let's head back. The med bots have already taken the injured students to infirmary", Todoroki informed them and headed in the direction of the control room.
The other two students shrugged and followed their mutual rival.
The exercise might've been over, but the three of them knew, that the rivalry still wasn't resolved. Gone was the tension from before and the barrel filled with gunpowder, at least for now. They knew, that their three way tie needed to be addressed at some point.
So... yeah, I was planning on doing an epic battle, but realised that this way, the rivalry can grow a bit and make for an even more spectacular battle in the future
So... it's the 24th of December so... Merry Christmass everyone! :D
I hope that you had a wonderful year and in case I won't update in the upcoming seven days - Happy New Year! Let 2020 be even better than 2019 was!