Go Beyond, Prince of All Saiyans!
Chapter 5 - The Battle Between Fated Rivals
Excitement was rife among the students as they raced to enter U.A.'s classroom. Some would mingle on the front lawn or the beautiful Greco-Roman architecture that enveloped the doors to the building, there was still some time before class started.
One of these students, a ripe freshman specifically, slowly walked past the entrance to the campus with anticipation and uneasiness.
"Second day of school, can't be that bad right?" Izuku thought to himself as he gripped the straps to his backpack tightly. After a full day of physical tests under the threat of expulsion, he could only wonder what else Sensei Aizawa could throw at the class. Not to mention the other teachers who were undoubtedly pro heroes as well, plus Sensei Vegeta.
"Midoriya!" A familiar stern voice called from behind. Izuku yelped as he felt a firm grip on his left shoulder, then cranked his head to see that it was not a certain blonde much to his relief.
"Oh, Iida! Didn't see you there!" Izuku laughed despite his shock.
"I didn't get the chance to see you out yesterday, are you looking forward to today?"
"Y-yeah of course! To be honest, Sensei Aizawa gave me a bit of a spook yesterday but I guess there's no use complaining since he's our homeroom teacher."
"I'll admit, I was concerned myself by his teaching methods," Iida confided as he gave a quizzed look in his signature hardened features. "But UA is exemplary in its hero academics, they obviously know what they're doing hiring a teacher like Aizawa. Even then, lying is downright immoral no matter how good the intentions."
"Well If I remember correctly Iida," Izuku chirped. "It was more or less a 'rational deception'."
Much to his surprise, Iida gave out what almost sounded like a chuckle at his remark.
"If you put it that way, I guess that makes more sense!"
"Hey, you two wait up! Don't head to class without me!"
It just so happened that Uraraka was hurrying to meet with the two boys as they stopped in their tracks, her arms oddly outward. Izuku found her to be a pleasant sight though. As the girl closed the distance, she skidded to a stop.
"Ah, it's the infinity girl. Your throw yesterday was most impressive!" Iida greeted.
"It's Ochaco Uraraka silly!" She giggled. "So you're Iida and then there's... uh... Deku right?"
"Deku!?" Izuku gasped, what in the world made her call that all of a sudden?
"That's what that Bakugo said during the test yesterday right?" Uraraka asked with a puzzled look.
"O-oh! You see, my name's actually Izuku. Deku's just a 'nickname' if you will, something that Kacchan likes to call me," Izuku clarified. It took only one day for all his classmates, homeroom teacher included, to learn of his infamous nickname. Kacchan always ensured that only he had the exclusive rights to belittle him like this all the way back.
"Quite dishonorable if you ask me," Iida commented.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize that!" Urakaka apologized as she scratched the back of her head awkwardly. She then shifted to a lowered fist pump. "I just thought that 'Deku' could make a good hero name, and I think it sounds kinda cute too!"
"C-Cute?!" Izuku shouted as his face flushed red. 'Cute' wasn't anything someone, a girl especially, used when it involved him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but Uraraka's odd confidence in this label gave him some as well.
"But didn't you say earlier that it was an insult?" Iida questioned.
"It's just that I've never heard it such a way that wasn't degrading," Izuku said as he calmed himself. "It's quite refreshing actually."
Uraraka gave a brightening smile towards them before the trio continued their way to class. As they stepped inside the glass-laden building, there were more students inside hanging out in the hallways to pass their time. The young Midoriya boy didn't recognize any of his other classmates from the numerous faces.
As the homeroom's view was getting closer, Izuku noticed that a rather lengthy period of silence fell between the three. After a gulp for confidence, he decided to speak up.
"So you guys excited for today's classes?"
"Yeah!" Uraraka said in a cheery tone. "I'd say a few classes is way better than a bunch of tests. Especially if you get expelled for failing!"
"I agree with Uraraka," Iida replied. "Since it's the second day, we should be getting our daily schedule. It's imperative that we learn well and fast."
The three students were now only at an arm's distance to Class 1-A's homeroom. The towering door proved to still be intimidating despite its familiar sight. Izuku winced as Uraraka gave him a soft pat on the shoulder.
"Well, you ready take on this school 'Deku'?" She said with a wink.
Izuku replied with a grateful smile before he turned to place his hand on the door despite his anxiousness. He found that both of his peers gave him a sense of confidence.
"Now, one of these sentences contains a grave error. Can you tell me what it is?"
Izuku barely resisted dozing off from the boring lecture Present Mic gave. It was the first period, English Literature, and it proved to be quite the unexciting start for the second day of school. This subject material was an unusual contrast to the DJ hero's flamboyant persona.
Iida and the gorgeous-looking Momo Yaoyorozu were the only students showing some actual interest no matter how dull it seemed. Izuku wished he could have the same discipline as his new friend.
The second period was Art History, taught by the R-rated hero Midnight. Both her flirtatious personality and her 'interesting' choice of a costume were nearly impossible to ignore when she taught the class, her admiration mainly coming from the boys. Izuku was unsure whether this style of teaching was intentional to see how the pro heroes could focus under 'certain' distractions.
Ectoplasm took charge of the third period which was Math. The large set of teeth and his glaring eyes proved to be an intimidating combination for Class 1-A, especially as the pro hero was determined to get something out of them before the period was over. Izuku shuddered nearly the entire class period as he feared getting his name called and failing to answer the question completely, he had plenty of that experience in his middle school. Despite his fears, he knew that the robotic-looking hero wanted nothing but the best from his students just like Aizawa.
Then there was Modern Literature taught by the surprisingly gentle Cementoss, the final class before it was lunchtime. Izuku was amazed that UA's cook was none other than Lunch Rush, his greatest feats including a French cuisine for ten thousand victims of a typhoon. He made sure to fill his plate thoroughly to show his thanks.
"Wow Deku, you must be really famished!"
Izuku gulped down his food in embarrassment as he remembered that he was groveling in his food in front of Iida and Uraraka, the former simply correcting his lenses while the latter gave a cute giggle.
"S-Sorry about that, it's just that all those classes got me on an empty stomach!"
"Can't blame you there!" Uraraka then diverted her attention to something else in the cafeteria. "Oh look, our other classmates! They look pretty excited!"
True enough, the rest of Class 1-A were visible even as many of the students were spread out in their own groups. Izuku could tell that they were very much riled up.
"I can tell, no doubt it's because the next period is Hero Training!" Iida pointed out with a smirk.
"That's right!" Uraraka gasped in eagerness. "I wonder who our teacher will be!"
While she and Iida were conversing on all the possibilities on who their instructor would be, and what kind of material they will learn in the following class, Izuku kept to himself but was still attentive towards his peers. One theory laid dormant in the back of his mind and he'd rather see it for himself if it was true.
The clock ticking was the only source of sound in the classroom as its residents sat in their seats in boredom. It had nearly been five minutes since class began and there was no sight of the teacher. Boredom was rife among the students as some of them even began to doze off.
Even Izuku had to resist the temptation despite Hero Training being his most anticipated course. He looked around his class, Iida was stiff as a board even as his eye began to twitch while Uraraka resisted letting out a yawn. Kacchan's grumbling could be heard in the seat in front of him.
"Well, this sucks." droned the usually upbeat Kaminari.
"Shut up," Jiro snapped. "Don't make this more awkward than it has to be."
"More awkward than it needs to be?" Kaminari responded exasperatedly. "We've been waiting forever and our teacher isn't here yet!"
"Just be patient bro, I'm sure whoever's in charge of this class knows what they're doing," Kirishima reassured.
"For that is why I am here."
A sudden 'FWOOSH' of wind filled the classroom as the door slid wide open. An intimidating figure stepped through, his right arm extended in a dramatic fashion. The earlier weariness had dissipated completely as every student perked up as they recognized just who their teacher was, Izuku especially.
"Coming through this door!" Vegeta shouted with pride.
"Sensei!" Izuku watched his master stride up to the teacher's desk in a marching-like rhythm. The students of Class 1-A could not help their excitement as they conversed amongst themselves.
"Holy crap, Vegeta?"
"It's really him!"
"Can't believe he's our teacher!"
"Is that his Silver Age Costume?"
Just like Asui said, the number one hero was garbed in the outfit of his Silver Age. It was mostly a grey undersuit in a contrast to his usual blue with a white chest piece, gloves, and boots. Vegeta wore this outfit when the Z Warriors finally brought peace to Japan after the time they spent in the U.S., which was only more fitting how he was displayed for the future generation of heroes.
Even as much as he enjoyed seeing his master revealing himself as the class's instructor, Izuku found something off about his mentor. Vegeta was acting more cheery than, well, than he ever does. The bright smile on his face only served as further proof of that.
"So now that you all passed the Entrance Exam, you're set on becoming heroes correct?" Vegeta asked the class as he folded his arms with an odd-looking grin.
"Oh hell yeah!" Kaminari cheered.
"It would be such an honor to be under your tutelage!" Yaoyorozu greeted.
"My thoughts exactly!" Iida added. "It would be very fitting that the number one hero would be our instructor!"
"Vegeta's the manliest of manliest," Kirishima praised. "We'll be heroes in no time!"
"WRONG!"
Vegeta's unforeseen shout hit the entire class like a tidal wave as excitement now soured into dread. The students who went as far as to jump out of their seats when the pro hero entered the room now sunk into their desks.
"You are not heroes," Vegeta hissed as he scowled. "You will never be heroes, for all I see are children with the aspirations of adults!"
These words stung the students like venom as they stared at their teacher in disbelief, Izuku especially. The senior pro hero made sure of that as he quickly scanned the room with a glare.
"Let it be known that I will accept nothing but the very best out of every single one of you, but only if you make it worth my time. The path of heroism is not to be taken lightly, so for any of you who have second thoughts, even an ounce of hesitation, leave now!"
Izuku could tell by the corner of his eye that some of his peers were fidgeting at the last part of their teacher's stern address. Kaminari was rapidly shooting looks as if waiting for someone to get out first, while even Aoyama could not resist breaking his usual smile. Iida and Yaoyorozu were the only two who remained firm but Izuku could tell that they, too, were unnerved.
"No one?" Vegeta asked one last time before he mumbled to himself audibly. "Either sheer willpower or stupidity, so be it."
"You must've been all excited, no doubt because you know this is the most important class in this school," He continued. "But don't think for one second that gives you an excuse to slack off on your other courses, for today we will begin battle training."
"Battle training?" Knowing his sensei, Izuku had to resist praying that it didn't involve sparring sessions with the teacher. On the other hand, Kacchan seemed to be excited judging from how he perked up in front of him.
"But for this course, you will need these," Vegeta said as he pressed a button on his desk. The classroom's wall suddenly rumbled to life as what appeared to be shelves ejected from the left side with number-labeled suitcases. "Your costumes, courtesy of your special request forms."
Eagerness came back once more as Class 1-A broke out of their broken spirits as they gazed in excitement, some even standing up from their desks to find which suitcase belonged to them.
"All of you will change and come out to Ground Beta in ranking order. Hurry up, if you really do want to become heroes." The number one hero concluded before leaving for the door, not even taking one glance before stepping out.
Izuku's heart fell a little at the blunt farewell until he settled his mind on his suitcase, no doubt containing the hero costume he's worked on. It was finally time to show his peers and sensei a prelude to what he will become.
"They're certainly taking their time."
Vegeta had been waiting ten whole minutes for his trainees to change into their costumes, growing impatient as each second went by. They certainly got the message that he wasn't messing around with his teaching style, just as he hoped. Even Midoriya was surprised and fell for his feint.
He took advantage of his isolation to ponder how he was going to tackle between training his successor and nineteen other students. A wise instructor treated each one of their pupils with equal attention, which he knew very well from experience. Thankfully for the exercise he has chosen, Vegeta would get a chance to see their capabilities.
More time droned on by until the Saiyan caught notice of shadowed figures slowly walking towards him from the towering exit, becoming more visible by the second. Class 1-A had now fully revealed themselves in their glory, all of them striding onto Ground Beta in confidence.
"Take pride in your costumes, for they can be an inspiring sight to citizens and bring fear to evildoers," He said as he closely inspected his students. Though he has seen far better designs from his peers, Vegeta had to admit for himself that creativity was poured into these outfits.
Some opted for the simple spandex approach, like the muscular Sato and Shoji, while the bird-looking Tokoyami was clad in a dark robe. Others had outfits that looked like everyday clothes such as Koda, Kaminari, and Jiro, the latter two looking as if they were a part of some punk rock band. Mineta had what looked like a giant diaper in his already short stature, who was already leering at his female classmates. Vegeta remembered a special note from Aizawa to keep an eye on him.
But there was one sight among all that struck a nerve in the pro hero as it was enough to interrupt his thoughts. Far back beyond the mass of students, a straggler was hurrying in fear of being left behind in the darkness. As the figure revealed himself, Vegeta gave the latecomer a scowl for his tardiness only to regret it.
"M-M-Midoriya!?"
Words could barely describe the Saiyan's disbelief in his apprentice's choice of attire. Blue-ish green gi, a full set of white gloves, a dark blue undershirt extending to his arms and legs, and his red sneakers to top it all off.
Vegeta felt his eye twitching as he stared in horror, even young Midoriya took notice of this and tilted his head in oblivious wonder. He silently cursed himself for not taking even a second to consider the choice his successor would make in what image the next symbol of peace would be. The two definitely were going to have a 'conversation' about this after school.
"S-sir?"
"What is it?!" Vegeta snapped, now focusing his attention on Uraraka. The pink tint in her glassed helmet did little to hide her yelp.
"Sorry sensei! It just looked like you wanted to say something.."
The Saiyan scowled in confusion until he stared wide-eyed as he realized the students took notice of his internal rant.
"Ahem, as I was obviously saying," He reassured with a cough. "We will be using these grounds for battle training."
"Sensei! It's apparent that this is the same area used in the entrance exam! If that's truly the case, will we be further conducting urban maneuvers?" Iida's asked in a muffled voice. He was fully adorned in armor styled after his prestigious family.
"Not at all, instead we will be moving ahead by two steps," Vegeta responded. "The most publicized and well-known fights have taken place on the outdoors. On the other hand, numerous examinations show that the most cunning villains use the confines of the indoors. Bank robberies, heists, backroom dealings, hostage crises... lawbreakers never run out of creativity, especially when civilians are involved. That is why your first assignment in this class will be two pairs commencing in two-on-two indoor battles, split into teams and heroes and villains!"
"So that means no basic training?" Asui asked.
"This is your basic training. Sparring your peers will not only strengthen the bond between you and them but give you further resolve to do better!"
"So how will wins and losses be determined?"
"Can't I just blast whoever the hell I want?"
"Are you gonna expel us if we don't pass?"
"How will we organize our teams?"
"Is my cape fabulous?"
Before he knew it, Vegeta was met with an overwhelming barrage of questions. Whether they had to do with the assignment or not, he could not discern between them all as he was quickly losing control of the entire class.
"One at a time! ONE AT A TIME!"
His deafening bellow was enough to calm the students to their senses as they hushed themselves and each other. After slightly daring to see which poor soul would speak up, Vegeta brought out a booklet of notes he composed the day before to read aloud its contents.
"A pair of villains will be in charge of protecting a dangerous weapon while a pair of heroes will try to stop them. Be aware that there's a time limit, so think twice about dawdling. Hero teams will win if they capture the villains, the weapon, or both as long as it's before time runs out. That goes the same for the villains. As far as how teams will be organized, you will all be drawing lots."
The senior pro hero then brought out a small box containing all the names of Class 1-A's students. Many hesitated to be the first ones to have their names drawn until Iida took the initiative to organize everyone into a single file line, with the assistance of Yaoyorozu. One-by-one they approached Vegeta, some quivering in each step as they tried to avert their gaze from his hardened stare.
After the last student drew their name, the rest took the time to get acquainted with their partners. As he prepared to bring out two boxes displaying who will be heroes or villains, Vegeta took a glance at his apprentice and noted that he was paired with the Uraraka girl. From what he saw, Midoriya was blushing as the girl gave him encouraging words of advice.
"Damn teenagers and their hormones." He grumbled inwardly. Once he set up the two boxes, everyone quickly became aware and focused their attention on him. The Saiyan then plunged both hands into each box and immediately pulled out the two small spheres: Team A and D.
"The Heroes will be Team A, while Team D are the villains! Both teams will follow me. Everyone else, head to the observation room," He ordered, a chorus of 'yes sir' following as a reply. As he led the way, Vegeta glanced back to see Midoriya shiver as Bakugo did nothing but stare intensely at him. After much hesitation, Midoriya responded with a firm look of his own which only made the blonde growl in reply.
The sight was enough to pique the Saiyan hero's interest though he still kept onto his path. Once the small group reached their destination, Vegeta handed all four of them the required materials. After that, he stood near the entrance with Bakugo and Iida.
"The villain team will head in first as they are in charge of protecting the weapon," He instructed. "You will have five minutes to set up your defenses until the heroes sneak in."
Vegeta then turned to the villain team, young Iida and Bakugo who were just about to enter before being stopped. "For this exercise, you will be 'roleplaying', if you will, as villains. So be sure to play the part. Be aware that I will not hesitate to take things into my own hands if any of you go too far."
Despite the hero's directions, Bakugo kept his spiteful gaze on Midoriya who was inspecting the blueprints to the building. "Bakugo!" Vegeta barked. "Do I need to repeat-"
"I heard to you the first time," The blonde grumbled as he brushed past Iida and entered the building. The Saiyan hero furrowed his brow as he watched the student's figure engulfed into the darkness.
"No need to worry sir," Iida said optimistically. "Whether my partner is willing or not, we will do nothing but our absolute best in this exercise!"
"You'd better, all of you," Vegeta responded in a grim tone as he turned to face the hero team, immediately taking notice of him. Midoriya was the most anxious compared to Uraraka as he could barely look at his mentor in the eye.
Despite the lack of words spoken, Vegeta could tell that his apprentice took heed of his words as well. Months of training led to this day, which was a reassurance of its own that young Midoriya will have eyes watching his every move.
The Saiyan hero leaped off the ground as he flew straight to the control center where the rest of the students were waiting.
"Don't think for one second that I'll go easy on you just because you're my successor. As far as I'm concerned, you're just another student."
"Geez, and I thought Sensei Aizawa was scary. What do you think Deku?"
Izuku's inner thoughts were interrupted by Uraraka's question as he turned to her with an embarrassed look. He had to, at the very least, quell this old habit if he wished to make a good impression on his teammate.
"Well you know, it's different when you see your heroes in person compared to the TV or the internet," He replied with a nervous chuckle.
"I guess you can say that. At least he won't expel us if we don't do a good job," she said with an optimistic tone.
"Y-yeah so we got n-nothing to worry about right?"
Despite his attempt at a positive mindset, Izuku could not help hiding his dread at what was to come. Not only was he part of the team selected first, not to mention his master and the rest of his classmates watching him from surveillance, but he had to go up against Kacchan of all people. Kacchan.
"So why are you worried?" Uraraka giggled as she took a seat on the metal handrail.
Izuku looked down to see that he nearly crumbled the blueprints in his hands before he eased himself. An odd feeling in his skin also gave him the sign that he must have been sweating through his costume.
"It's just that we're gonna fight Kacchan, then there's Iida. A pair like them should keep us on their toes, who knows what they've got up their sleeves."
"Oh yeah, Bakugo," Uraraka said in lowered spirits. "He's the one who picks on you right?"
A short pause followed as Izuku stared into empty space after being reminded.
"Yeah, he can be a pain. But at the same time, he's amazing," he sighed as a great weight fell on his chest. "His power, his conviction. He's better than me in every way possible."
Izuku took the moment to reflect on all the times he had seen Kacchan with his powers, most of them involving himself as the unfortunate target. He remembered how his blonde friend even had the ambition to surpass Vegeta as the number one hero.
"Which is why I'm not gonna let him defeat me, even after all that," he said in a tone with more assertion than before. Izuku placed the pamphlet in his pocket and straightened the gi his mother made for him.
"So I guess that makes you two fated rivals then?"
"W-what? I'm sorry for that!" The successor to One For All apologized to Uraraka who, for some reason, was amused by this monologuing. "I don't want you getting wrapped up in my drama or anything!"
"You're kidding, right? We're a team!" Uraraka exclaimed before jumping to her feet and raising her mighty fist in the air. "Let's win this battle!"
Izuku was nearly at a loss for words at his teammate's confidence. Nevertheless, he let out a smile in gratitude that she would stand by his side. Before he could put said gratefulness in words, a loud blare echoed through the entire mock-up city.
"Team A and D, it's time for you to start!" Vegeta's loud voice echoed through the loudspeakers before an audible cut signified the end of the transmission.
Barely a moment passed before Izuku turned to his partner who now had her pink-tinted visor equipped. "Well, what should our first move be?"
"Hm, going through the front door would be too obvious. How about the window on the side? That way, we can go all the way up to the top!"
"They won't expect us from that route, let's stick together unless it's absolutely necessary to split up."
"Got it! It'll be easier thanks to these communicators Sensei Vegeta gave us!" Uraraka lightly tapped the small device on her left ear.
"Good, now let's head in and quickly but quietly. They're no doubt on the hunt for us."
Uraraka gave a pretty-looking grin before she followed Izuku as they sped around the south side of the building. Just as the blueprints described, there was a window fixated at a corner of the first floor. He was the first to enter as he vaulted over the short ledge, his partner quickly following in suit.
Just like that, they were in.
"Alright, let's be careful," Izuku said in a low whisper that was still audible for Uraraka to hear. "They could be using all of these blind spots to their advantage."
There was no reply from the girl though he could tell she understood the direction by a simple nod. Both of them began to make their way through what was akin to a maze. There were numerous corners, doorways almost hidden, and towering ceilings at that. It was a breeding ground for an ambush.
Izuku and Uraraka kept a short space between them as they treaded silently, the latter occasionally stopping to take a quick look before hurrying up to her partner. Despite there being no contact, yet, the two remained vigilant. This gave more than enough time for Izuku to strategize.
One For All was an unpredictable powerhouse of a quirk, which made its use against any one of the enemy participants out of the question. That only left Izuku's ki and physical strength as well as Uraraka's zero gravity. He had to keep in mind the physical prowess of his newfound ability though there was also the advantage of shielding himself in a protective aura. Unfortunately, he could only focus on a particular area of his body like back in the quirk assessment test.
How Uraraka's ability performed indoors was something Izuku had to brainstorm. He saw how she defeated the machines back in the entrance exam despite being several times her height. Even then that was in the wide-open spaces of the streets, who knows how it was in comparison to the confines. This concerning thought made Izuku mentally chastise himself for not asking her this question when they were supposed to be reviewing their plan.
There was no good complaining about it, all the two heroes could do now was improvise. Izuku recalled his notes on indoor scenarios as well as tight spaces. Anyone who would come for him and Uraraka could pounce on them at any time, he had to remember all that he wrote as it was the real deal now.
Right as the two approached the end of a corner, a figure darted into their view above them to the right. Flying midair was a masked individual with black flares protruding from his blonde hair with an edge of orange. Grenades looked to be strewn across his waist as the assailant was bent over with his left arm crossed.
It was Kacchan, and he found them.
The pair froze in their tracks as the blonde shifted his course towards them before unleashing a blast with his right gauntlet. After taking a quick glance at the petrified Uraraka, Izuku leaped off to the side, shielding her with his back as he ignored the hot stinging from the explosion.
"He barely got me, you okay Uraraka?!" Izuku asked as he hunched over his partner. He could feel a twinge of small burns on the left side of his face.
"Yeah, thanks!" Uraraka replied as she panted to catch her breath. "B-but your face!"
"It's alright."
"Don't bother dodging Deku," Kacchan said as he swiped away the remaining smoke with his hand. A hole remained where the two heroes stood. "It's easier if you just let me destroy you."
Izuku stared unflinchingly at his opponent as he turned to face him. "I'd figured you would catch me by surprise."
"Whoa! A sneak attack?" Mineta exclaimed.
"What the hell are you doing Bakugo?!" Kirishima shouted at the screen. "It's dishonorable to just ambush them like that!"
"Stealth attacks are still a valid strategy to some," Vegeta replied to the redhead in a scolding tone. "Don't expect your opponents to play fair on the battlefield."
Kacchan let out a manic smile and reeled his right hand, racing towards Izuku at an alarming speed. "I'll mess you up enough to not be disqualified!"
Izuku only responded with a yell as he took one stride forward to catch his opponent's arm, wrapping his arms around the enlarged gauntlet.
"Wow! Nice move Deku!" Uraraka praised from behind.
Without wasting a second, Izuku slid his left foot past his body while swiveling his torso to place the blonde's arm over his right shoulder. Placing all of his energy into his arms, Izuku heaved Kacchan over his shoulder and slammed him into the ground with an audible thud.
Back at the control center, most of the students watching held a collective gasp at Midoriya's unexpected move. Even Vegeta couldn't resist widening his eyes in surprise at his apprentice. He would have been smiling if not for all the students around him.
Bakugo gasped for air as he slowly got to his feet. So many questions were ringing in his head at the moment. Where in the hell did Deku get such lightning-fast reflexes? How did that loser read his moves right from the get-go?
"You always start a fight with a right hook," Deku panted. "I've analyzed that from you and every amazing hero that inspired me to become one myself. Remember that notebook you blew up and threw out the window?!"
The blonde snarled as he indeed remembered that time, not even long before he got attacked by that sludge creature. He, and some two extras that followed him everywhere, disposed of the pathetic thing after learning that Deku applied for U.A. as well.
That loser now took a straighter stance as he tightened his fists and set defiant eyes upon the blonde. "You can call me Deku all you want, but that name won't belong to some worthless punching bag for a bully like you. Deku will be the name of a hero!"
Bakugo curled his gloved hands into fists as he stared in bewilderment and rage at the loser's gall. It all harkened to ten years back when Deku tried to defend some kid from knowing his place. At that time, Bakugo and his extras simply just cast aside the pebble he was. Now not only did Deku have a quirk after all this time, but he's somehow been learning how to actually defend himself for once.
"It's funny how you spout that crap all the while you're scared out of your mind," The blonde huffed. "I can see you shaking in your boots."
Despite his attempt at a fighting stance, Deku was indeed shaking to the bone in that ridiculous outfit of his. It was clear he still had a long way to go if he would actually stand a chance against the superior student as if he had a chance.
Not all men were created equal, and Deku was certainly within that group.
"It pisses me off," Bakugo growled that turned into a roar. "THAT'S WHY I HATE YOU!"
"Uh, what're they saying?" Kirishima asked. "There's no sound coming from the video."
"They're communicating through micro transceivers," Vegeta responded as he placed a finger on the one he had in his left ear. "You will receive them as well as the blueprints to the building."
The Saiyan then brought out a small roll of tape no thinner than chewing gum. "Not to mention this capture tape you'll be using to capture your opponents, it will be your only source of proof."
"Wait, the heroes only got fifteen minutes yet they don't know where the bomb is right?" Ashido asked.
"That is correct."
"So that means they're at a disadvantage here, a big one."
"Heroes are always at a disadvantage, some more than others," Vegeta sternly reminded the young girl. "But even then, that does not serve as an excuse for failure."
"Ah, monsiuer Bakugo is back!" Aoyama exclaimed.
Everyone redirected their attention to the video feed as the blonde regained his strength and made an accelerated leap.
"URARAKA, RUN!"
Said girl didn't hesitate for a single second as she turned tail, retreating in the opposite direction of the two boys. As for Kacchan, he lunged himself forward with his gauntlets and sent a mid-air roundhouse kick with his left leg. Izuku barely had time to block the attack as he could feel the blonde's shin against the side of his head.
"You still think you can take me on?" Kacchan goaded before cocking his head in alarm.
All in one move, Izuku managed to wrap the capture tape on his opponent's leg. Now gripping both ends in each hand tightly, enough time managed to be stalled until Kacchan shouted another curse before launching a right hook again, successfully this time. Fortunately, Izuku managed to duck away from the explosive blast and lunged forward in a roll.
"I had him for one second, but it looks like the capture tape alone won't be enough to stop him."
There was one other option: run.
Izuku left behind only a small puff of dust as he fell back around the corner, setting heavy breaths as he heard Kacchan's thunderous voice echo through the hallways.
"It must've been fun playing dumb this whole time, hasn't it?! So where's that flashy quirk of yours now? It's nothing compared to mine, I'll still destroy you!"
Anticipating that the blonde would've begun to chase him after all those threats, it was surprising that there was none. After ascending to what he counted as the second floor, Izuku took a knee at a corner leading into another hallway to catch his breath and re-evaluate the situation.
The fact that Kacchan straight-up ignored Uraraka even after she started to make her way towards the objective, and the absence of Iida, only solidified that there was no teamwork whatsoever on the villain team. It would've been more sensible to allow Iida on the vanguard, the maneuverability of his engine quirk allowed him to cover more ground through this labyrinth of a building.
However, that would've made the chances of the hero team's victory even slimmer if both Iida and Kacchan were present to combat them at the start. And even if Izuku took advantage of his withdrawal to regroup with Uraraka, Kacchan would've caught up with the two and further impeded their progress. Had the two tried to fight the blonde themselves, they would be left with little to no time to secure their objective.
"No, I can't join up with her, not for now," Izuku thought. He'll just have to find a way to defeat Kacchan and leave Uraraka to find the weapon, dealing with Iida as well.
"Come out you coward!" The blonde yelled from an echo.
Hearing Kacchan made Izuku focus back when he was mocked for his U.A. application. Even he couldn't believe how he finally gathered some courage to stand up to him after all these years, though he still found him to be amazing.
"I should've told you this Kacchan. I take back everything I've said!"
"And like it or not, I'll earn my place at U.A.!"
"Deku will be the name of a hero!"
They were all words Bakugo thought he'd never heard from that loser Deku. It didn't make any damn sense, he was and always will be just a worthless bug. How could he, for all these years, hide the fact that he really did have a quirk? How did he fool everyone around him and got away with it for all these years until now?
"Forward march, Bakugo Agency!" The blonde shouted as he led the group of boys atop a fallen log overlapping a small stream of water. "Sound off- Whoa!"
Bakugo felt his shoe slip on moss and fell into the stream with a loud SPLOOSH.
"You okay? Get up here dude!"
"He's alright, Kacchan's so strong nothing can hurt him!"
Said blonde quickly submerged from the water soaking wet.
"Oh, I'm okay! No big deal," Bakugo rubbed the back of his head as he look right over his shoulder. It wasn't that he got hurt or something like that, it was just a show of confidence.
"Are you hurt Kacchan? Can you stand?"
Bakugo widened his eyes as he saw Deku standing above him with his right hand reaching out towards him. What was most odd about him was that stupid look on his face.
"I thought you hit your head, is that why you're rubbing it?"
"I couldn't just let you die Kacchan!"
Bakugo grit his teeth to the point where he could feel them rub against each other. Both of those times, Deku looked down upon him like he was some kind of weakling that needed to be saved.
That was never the case! Deku was always the weakling, him! In both of those times of their lives, Bakugo had never needed any help. He was just put into an awkward situation that he, himself, could get out of like always!
Not this time, this time Bakugo knew that he'll prove to that loser he'll always be better than him. And if that meant a beating in front of the entire class, so be it.
"Deku!"
Alarmed, Izuku set his finger on his micro transceiver. "Uraraka! Are you okay, what is it?"
"It's fruitless to call upon your allies 'hero'! Our victory will be imminent, and your defeat will be set upon your own hands! MUA HA HAHA!"
Izuku was unsure what to make of that voice, but it definitely didn't sound like Uraraka.
"Who's that?"
"It's Iida," Uraraka spoke again. "He found me, and he's really getting into his role."
The sight of Iida acting like a Saturday morning cartoon villain would've been amusing to Izuku, had they not been in the current circumstances they were in now.
"Where are you?!"
"Right in the middle of the fifth floor!"
"That's right above me," Izuku said aloud as he gazed at the ceiling. If Uraraka found Iida, that must mean he's guarding the weapon. Who knew how much time they had left, so it was now or never before the villain team wins. Neither he nor Uraraka can lose here, that Izuku knew.
A soft rumble distracted Izuku as he turned to see Kacchan standing menacingly at the end of the corridor, was he watching him this whole time?
"I'm all loaded up," The blonde said as he raised his right fist.
"What does that mean?"
"Why aren't you using your quirk?" Kacchan replied in a smug tone. "You're not mocking me are you, Deku? Get over here and show me what you're really made of!"
Izuku tightened his grip on the capture tape as he tried to ignore the trembling feeling in his legs. There was no other way out of this, he had to face Kacchan here and now.
"Kacchan, I-I'm not afraid of you anymore!"
The blonde boy made what looked like a growl before curling his lips into a manic smile. "You should probably know this from all your creepy stalking."
"The sweat from my palms secrete nitroglycerin. That's how I've been making my explosions," Kacchan continued as he aimed his right hand straight towards Izuku. "Now imagine if I've had a lot of it."
Izuku widened his eyes as a creeping feeling overcame him when the blonde cocked back a part of his gauntlet that revealed a small pin. "These bad boys aren't just for show, all my sweat's been stored for one big monster blast!"
Kacchan fitted his left index finger through the pin and slowly started to pull it out, all the while bracing himself by leaning on his left leg. As it was happening, a glow began to light up the barrel in his gauntlet.
"Young Bakugo!" Izuku heard Vegeta's voice boom through the blonde's earpiece. "Stop this at once, you'll kill him!"
"He won't die if it's not a direct hit!" was all Kacchan responded as he drew the pin out with a ping.
What ensued was the largest fireball Izuku has seen in his life, he had suffered the wrath of Kacchan more times than he can count but this was nothing like he's ever seen before. There was not enough time to run, Izuku had no choice but to brace for impact. He only had a single moment to cross his arms over his face with hope that his ki would protect him from the inferno, the wind nearly knocked out of him as he fell to the floor.
A loud ringing persisted in his ears as his vision was met with haziness. As his vision became clear, the aftermath of Kacchan's devastating attack was in full display. Sunlight bore into an enlarged hole, courtesy of the blonde. Debris was littered across the room as well as smoke festering through the air.
Izuku quickly brought up his arms to his face, sighing in relief that they were intact free of little to no burns. The same could not be said for white gloves and the sleeves of his undersuit as they were completely burned off with only scraps dangling. Inspecting the rest of his body, Izuku noticed that his entire costume was nearly in tatters. Explaining this to his mom wasn't going to be easy, and he was hoping to show it off to sensei Vegeta as a surprise.
The successor to One for All gasped for breath in disbelief at the sheer size of the blast. "I-Is that even allowed?!"
"Why don't you use that stupid quirk of yours now Deku?" Kacchan prodded as he emerged from a large cloud of smoke, morbidly satisfied with the success of his experiment. From how he looked, it was akin to a predator finally cornering its prey. "Take me on at your strongest, but even then I'll still destroy you!"
Izuku wanted to get up on his feet, just like every time he was ordered to by his sensei whenever he was knocked down during their sparring sessions. But he couldn't. This wasn't his master, this was Kacchan. Izuku felt like he was four years old again when he finally dared to challenge Kacchan and his goons when they were picking on some innocent classmate. His entire body was icy cold as he shivered when his former childhood friend only reveled in his dread.
"You look a little scared Deku. You took that hit head-on, so that means you're not dead yet. So come at me!"
With the fact that the gauntlets provided Kacchan superiority at long-range attacks, Izuku resisted cursing himself as now would've been a good time to use his ki for his own blast attacks. Even if he were to flee from him, Kacchan would eventually find him and use his gauntlets again for another explosive shot. Nowhere else was safe.
It was all down to the wire now. Izuku brought a finger to his earpiece. "Uraraka, how's the situation?"
"Not good!" Uraraka responded.
"You're not ignoring me are you?" Kacchan cackled. "Let's see you pay attention to this!"
"Sensei shouldn't you stop him?" Kirishima questioned in a very worried tone. "That Bakugo's acting crazy!"
Vegeta ignored the protest as he focused his attention on the screen, reminiscing what only he alone was able to hear.
"I'll mess you up enough to not be disqualified!"
"He won't die if it's not a direct hit!"
Even the senior pro hero could recognize that it was insanity to suggest that young Bakugo has the full intent to murder Midoriya. He was no psychologist, but he could tell it was all a part of the blonde's intimidation tactic. At times it would be effective on the morale of opponents, but this was not one of them.
"Bakugo," Vegeta addressed on a small microphone. "Use that move again, especially at another student, and I will stop this fight immediately and your team will lose the match."
"What?!" the volatile student responded. Upon the right-handed corner, Midoriya was talking into his earpiece much to the obliviousness of his opponent.
"A ranged attack such as yours will only result in the building you're supposed to protect," Vegeta continued. "Such reckless use of your power will not only be deemed unacceptable at this school but also in your career as a pro. Do well to remember that!"
Bakugo slumped his shoulders before he roared, bringing his hands up to his head. Almost in a flash, the blonde positioned his arms behind him as he used smaller explosives this time to propel him forward.
"The pillar by the window, get there now!" Izuku commanded before gasping in horror as Kacchan honed onto him like a missile.
"We'll just go hand-to-hand!"
It was for absolute certain there was no dodging this attack, Kacchan was too close. Izuku positioned to his side and clenched his right hand as he threw it forward only to have his vision momentarily deprived when his opponent sent a small blast to his face.
Izuku found himself flying forward as it felt like someone had kicked him with full force, The overwhelming heat being a sign that it came from Kacchan's gauntlets. He hunched over to catch his breath and ignore the stinging that was bestrewn across his back
"Here it comes nerd, that famous right hook you won't shut up about!"
The boy swiveled, bringing up his forearms to block Kacchan from slamming him with his gauntlet in a powerful blow. Izuku didn't even have time to grit his teeth as he felt a tightened grip on his bicep.
"Don't you ever forget what you are!" He heard Kacchan yell followed by a sharp jab in his gut. "Just a weakling!"
"A loser!" Izuku was slammed onto the ground, just like he had done to his opponent at the beginning. He barely saw the ceiling as his vision was now getting blurry.
Vegeta clenched his teeth in rage at the scene that ensued. After all those months of training, Midoriya was now losing at his first real chance of an opponent.
"It's just torture now!" Ashido cried out. "Why didn't he use the capture tape?"
"Very villain-like of him," Tokoyami chimed in.
"Midoriya had a good start," Kaminari observed. "But he's completely outclassed by Bakugo."
The Saiyan's apprentice got to his feet, catching his breath before he began to scurry away to the edge of the room. Vegeta wanted to end this all right now, but he knew that it would only be a hindrance to the boy's sake.
"Why won't you use your quirk!?" Kacchan yelled as he stomped towards him. "Is it because you can stop me without it?!"
Izuku bowed his head to the ground. "It's not that simple."
"You've been hiding your power all these years and no one batted an eye. Was it because you were looking down on me?! IS THAT WHY?"
"That's what you think?" Izuku felt a flame slowly fume inside him. "You idiot."
He clenched his fist as set a determined gaze upon Kacchan, even as tears welled. "You've always been stronger than anyone I knew. You've always been better than me at every single thing I did."
The blonde only grunted in reply as he got closer. "Can't you see?"
Izuku now set upon a full sprint. As he reached Kacchan, he slid under a blast last minute before jumping onto his feet once he was behind him. Kacchan responded with a backhanded swing only to be interrupted when Izuku took hold of the gauntlet's handle.
The green-haired boy used his remaining free hand to grab hold of the blonde's other arm before bringing both above his head, then downward. Kacchan's cries of pain pierced Izuku's eardrums as he gritted his teeth in an attempt to ignore them.
"IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE AMAZING KACCHAN!" He screamed in the blonde's ears. "THAT'S WHY I WANT TO BEAT YOU!"
Izuku planted his foot on Kacchan's back and kicked forward as he released his grip. Kacchan tumbled in a roll before he used his knee to stop himself.
"GETTING SERIOUS, HUH?! THEN QUIT PLAYIN' AROUND!" He bellowed as he aimed his left arm this time, pulling the pin with his right.
Izuku winced but remained firm on his feet. There was no escaping the first time and he witnessed the aftermath, he had to stop Kacchan now.
"Ah! He's gonna use that big blast again!" Mineta exclaimed in fright.
"If he does that, the whole building will come down!" Kaminari added.
Though the circumstances were dire, Vegeta refused to allow himself to doubt Midoriya despite the temptations. Not only because he wanted to see his successor's skills firsthand, but how the boy's passion was in full display. Just what he wanted to see, such aspirations haven't been seen since his training.
The said boy now began to charge right at Bakugo, the latter staying in place as he was about to unleash his devastating attack once more. That is what got the Saiyan worried, Midoriya had little to no chance of blocking or dodging effectively the way he was going.
"Sensei! Midoriya's gonna die, you can't let this happen! Please!" Kirishima cried out.
The redhead's plea only reminded Vegeta of the consequences resulting in his own hand. Stop the fight now, and Midoriya will be spared from further pain but lose this opportunity to lay the foundation of his success. Let it continue, he ran the risk of suffering severe to permanent damage from that unstable blonde Bakugo. Either way, the choice was in the Saiyan's own hands.
The two were now at arm's distance from each other, the glow from Bakugo's gauntlet now shone brighter as Midoriya got closer.
Vegeta brought up his microphone, "BOTH OF YOU STO-"
"Uraraka, NOW!"
"Right!"
Vegeta stopped himself mid-sentence in confusion to see Uraraka grab hold of an oversized pillar next to her. Looking back at what was going on the lower floor, Midoriya set his right hand in a fist and brought it low. As his face was only at a hand's distance from the barrel, he immediately sent an uppercut against Bakugo's gauntlet right as the pin was fully released. The blonde widened his eyes at the forced recoil as his arm was now aimed straight up into the air, firing the explosive round at the ceiling.
To the spectating students' disbelief, the blast traversed up the building all the way to the roof. A hole from the explosion formed right between Uraraka and Iida, the former in a confident stance as the pillar she grasped was now detached. Much to everyone's surprise, even Vegeta's, the girl held it like a baseball bat.
"Sorry, Iida! Don't take this personally! Improvised special move: Comet Home Run!"
As she swung, debris from the hole flew in scattered pieces at the armored student.
"In the name of villainy, I demand that you stop this!" Young Iida ordered in a panicked tone as he blocked the fragments of rebar and concrete with the assistance of his iron-clad costume.
Taking advantage of the diversion, Uraraka took a giant leap right past Iida straight at the makeshift bomb. Once at a safe distance, she set her fingers together and allowed gravity to attach herself to the objective.
"I-I got it!" The girl panted in relief.
Even Vegeta had to admit the sight was amusing as Iida gasped in horror. Below the two, smoke from the explosion only concealed the location of Midoriya and Bakugo. As the timer finally set to zero, the Saiyan quickly huffed out some air before declaring on his microphone:
"The hero team... the hero team wins!" He said in what sounded like a whisper. After taking a quick glance at the students beside him, the Saiyan shrugged off the earlier worries before turning to the crowd.
"Stay here as I retrieve your colleagues. All of you better take the time to reflect on the match." Vegeta ordered as he passed through the high-schoolers with no trouble as they had no hesitation to step out of the way.
As the Saiyan made his way to the building where the first team of heroes and villains were set, he sighed in relief as the match was finally over. Midoriya, no doubt, would be suffering injuries from the match but that was the least of Vegeta's concerns. From what the boy learned from his master, pain is a very wise teacher.
"That's... that's it?!"
Bakugo simply had his sights on the ceiling, gazing at the numerous holes from his explosive round that was meant for that loser Deku. Speaking of him, the blonde certainly didn't anticipate his opponent to suddenly strike at his gauntlet to "shift" his aim somewhere else. It was suicide for Deku to run head-on at his stored-up explosion.
Yet he still did it, and it was all without his quirk.
"This was your plan from the beginning, was it?" Bakugo cranked his head downward. "You were born with a gift just like the rest of us, and you just tucked it away until now. Is that right you mocking bastard!?"
"Yes, you're right Kacchan."
The blonde slightly released the tension in his jaw as the smoke dissipated to reveal the great liar himself. Deku's arms were now slumped to sides as he heaved in exhaustion, a very red bruise visible from his right hand.
"I was born with a power, but I didn't know it until now," The phony spewed. "I never lied to anyone, not even my own mother. Right now, there's too much backlash. My power's too much to properly contain. That's why I can't use it all the time."
Bakugo only widened his eyes at what he was hearing right now. What the hell did Deku mean by all of this?
"You were there, you saw how Sensei Aizawa said I'd be useless. So I listened because I want to make him proud. I want to make everyone... proud."
He fell onto his back, his earlier vigor now gone. The blonde could only do so much as watch.
"The hero team... the hero team wins!" He heard Vegeta's voice on the loudspeakers.
The match was over, Deku won and he lost. Those were words Bakugo never thought would ring in his head. How did it all come to this? A worthless bug, that was all Deku was and ever will be.
Today, though, it seems all of that changed. First, he somehow predicted his attacks. Second, he outsmarted the blonde with his own attack. He was obliviously trying to make Bakugo look like an idiot, and he was succeeding. On top of that, he still won even as his ass got kicked left and right.
All without his quirk. Why? Did that fraud have something else up his sleeve? If they were in a real fight, nothing holding the two back, Deku would beat him with his power!?
A firm hand was now placed on his shoulder. "Calm yourself young Bakugo. The match is over."
Said blonde broke out of what seemed to be a state of hyperventilating to see that Vegeta had now approached him, his frown never leaving.
"It's time for your grading. Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter. What does matter is how much you will learn from this match, assuming you have the right attitude to do so."
Bakugo looked down to see Deku's exhausted form. After taking one gulp of breath, the blonde made his way back to the monitor room where his fellow peers were waiting. On the way, he looked over his shoulder to see the pro hero looking down at his opponent as if he were telling him something.
Hello again everyone! Hope you're enjoying all this new year has to offer! To be brutally honest, the reason why it took me so long to put this update out is that I've been waaay too distracted from writing as I've been making every excuse imaginable not to get back at it. Nevertheless, here's the first of two parts of the battle trial arc with some changes here and there.
As far as Izuku's outfit goes, it's mainly inspired by Gohan's Great Saiyaman outfit but with some things changed like the removal of his helmet, etc. I chose this form of attire as it held both elements from what Goku and Vegeta wore. It'll change, though, as the story progresses.
In conclusion, I've made my own new-years resolutions as late as it is now. That includes not only being more active with my writing but actually taking the time in its quality, something I'm already failing at lol. But no matter what, I'll make sure to have the right ambition and mindset when it comes to this as well as balancing everything else in my life.
As far as my other resolutions go, I'm planning on expanding my horizons besides MHA and/or their respective crossovers with other series. Some of these ideas include what I've brainstormed since I was a wee little middle-schooler. I honestly have no idea how long I'll be doing this, but I want to enjoy every minute of it as I can.
Huge thanks to everyone who viewed and favorited/followed! Be safe.