"Team Midoriya and Bakugo have passed!"
I sighed and looked up. True to his word, Aoyama came striding towards me. He held out his hand to help me up.
"How are you feeling?"
"Nervous."
He nodded. "Let's go find Principal Nezu and ask what you are doing."
We barely took two steps before All Might landed in front of us. We jumped and clung to each other.
"All Might?!"
"Don't do that!"
We breathed out and let go simultaneously. All Might eyed us, then grinned. "Kitia. It's your turn for your exam!"
"Yea. But what's happening with that?"
He grinned and wagged his finger. "It's a surprise. Come with me. Young Aoyama, I suggest you go back to the monitor room. You're going to want to watch this."
Aoyama and I looked at each other and shrugged. "I'll see you after, mademoiselle." He squeezed my hand then left.
All Might nudged me. "You two, huh?"
I frowned, then looked at him. "What are you..." I made a face. "No. He's in love with himself. Everyone knows that. Jeez. Let's go. I'm getting antsy."
"Hmm."
"What?"
He grinned. "Nothing. Let's go."
I had been basically dumped in a city setting. I was told to wait until the speaker said 'Go!' before I was allowed to move, so I looked around while I waited. I did it for two reasons. One: to see what kind of setting I had; Two: to make sure no one was sneaking up on me.
"Kitia. Practical exam. Ready, go!"
I took off down the street to the closest alleyway. Would whoever I was up against know I'd do that? Probably. I stopped and quickly looked around to see if no one was there. Nope, good. I ran down to the end of the alleyway. There was a door and a ladder. I kept my ears open as I thought about it. I turned around and went back to the ladder at the mouth of the alleyway. I jumped up and started climbing. If Aizawa was the person I was up against, he'd be up there somewhere, but it was also the easiest way to get around. I just had to take my chances. Plus, if I happened to be up against Power Loader, I was better off up here anyway.
I vaulted over the side and sat down against the wall straight away. I looked around. The gate was...I closed my eyes searching the streets. Ah. I opened my eyes again.
"Four blocks." I muttered. "I should be able to make that. Surely."
My ear twitched as I heard a noise. I frowned. What was that? I got up in a crouch and ran low to the other side of the building. I heard voices, but I couldn't make out the words. How many voices?
Two. It sounded like two.
I looked over to opposite building. If I was to jump, whoever it was would see me. If I was to confront anyone, I'd prefer one on one. Dammit.
Wait.
This practical exam is pitting students against teachers they'd have a hard time with on purpose. I think the key will be how they deal with their weaknesses to pass.
My weakness. I deliberately avoid combat. They think I can't fight. Is that what they think my weakness is?
No.
You need to learn to slow down and think about things. You are not invincible, Kitia. Doing something like that can get you killed.
If I was to jump, they'd see me. If I run, I might run the risk of running into someone else anyway. What option is safer?
Well, either way, staying in this spot is definitely not safe. They'd be patrolling everywhere.
I kept low and trotted to the back corner of the building. Ok, let's just assume worst case scenario, and I'm up against all the teachers including Aizawa and Nezu. I shuddered. I fucking hope not. Focus!
I looked down and saw Present Mic and Midnight. I ducked down again before they saw me. I looked up and saw two sets of handcuffs sitting on a concrete slab. I frowned and quickly grabbed them.
Alright. Think. What would Aizawa say if he was here?
I blinked. "You can't be a hero with just one trick..." I grinned. "That's it!"
I looked around quickly, then ran and jumped over to the next building. I dropped into the closest window. Present Mic was better off outside, so if they saw me, I dare say Midnight would be the one who came in. I pressed my back against the wall and tucked the handcuffs into my belt. I heard footsteps. One set. Good. Hopefully it was Midnight. If not, this plan would still work.
I slipped through the window and held onto the side of the building, balancing on the ledge. Present Mic was just below me, leaning on the wall, whistling. I frowned. You're seriously underestimating me? Prick!
I let go and dropped onto his back, instantly covering his mouth. I twisted a hand and two tendrils appeared, grabbing his wrists. He threw himself backwards against the brick wall but I made a shield. He then licked my hand, obviously thinking I'd find it gross.
I grinned. "Sorry. I'm not like other girls. It's going to take a lot more than that to gross me out."
I looked over to the door. If Midnight doesn't run through there, then...Present Mic took a deep breath as I looked up. I yanked his head around and let go as he yelled out. The blast hit Midnight as she tried to jump on me, releasing whatever that stuff was that made people sleep. I leapt backwards and covered my nose and mouth. Present Mic's blast had knocked Midnight out and Midnight's scent had put Present Mic to sleep. I wrapped my cowl around the lower half of my face and quickly put the cuffs on them.
Hm. The speaker didn't say anything, so there must more.
I wonder how much time I have left? More importantly, who else was left?
I went behind the building and ran towards the gate. The gate was in the main street, but if there were more teachers, well 'villains', one of them would be near the gate. If there were more than one, one would be at the gate, and the other would be following me.
I kept my head low, running in and out of the back streets. I had figured by now that Aizawa was one I was probably up against. I could almost feel him watching me. Unless, of course, he was watching the monitor.
I spotted a water tower. Brilliant. I leapt up onto the ladder and started to climb. Nobody was near me yet. Where were they?
I got to the top and looked around. I didn't see anyone sneaking up on me. I looked towards the gate. Shit.
Cementoss was standing in front of the gate and Ectoplasm was standing a little further down the street. I watched as he puked out that white, smoky crap and created clones. How many? I counted eight. They looked at him for a moment than took off in different directions. Either they were looking for me or...Yup. Setting up a perimeter. I watched as each clone took a partner and stood North, East, South and West of the gate.
I smiled and nodded my gratitude. Ectoplasm wasn't underestimating me. That made me feel good.
Still, I had an idea to get rid of them anyway. I looked over to the ladder and spotted two more sets of handcuffs. They hadn't been there a minute ago. I picked them up and grinned. "If you're going to give me the cuffs, the least you can do is hand them over to my face, Eraserhead."
I heard him land on the other side of the platform. He didn't say anything.
"So, are we going to fight, or can I go down there first? I'm assuming you want to see what I'll do first?"
"You're bargaining with a villain?"
I turned around, putting the cuffs in my belt. "Am I wrong?"
Aizawa stood there, with his hands in his pockets, scarf moving around with the breeze. He looked almost exactly the same way as when I first met him when I was twelve.
He lowered his head slightly and closed his eyes. Then, he smiled. It was only small, but I noticed it. "Unfortunately, no. You aren't wrong." He opened his eyes again. "This time, don't hold back."
Before I could reply, he turned and dropped off the platform.
I grinned. "I wasn't planning on it, sir."
I looked around the corner of a building that was two blocks away from the gate. I couldn't see four of the clones, I gathered they had gone into buildings, either searching for me or going to the roof.
I stepped out of my hiding place and walked up the main street. I turned my head side to side, looking at the buildings as I passed.
I got to the last block and stopped when Ectoplasm and two of his clones spotted me. I had my hood up, hiding my face. They couldn't see my grin as I reached up and slowly put on the goggles Aizawa had given me. He didn't want me to hold back? Then, I won't.
"Kitia. It's ab-"
I threw my arm out, creating a shield wall that hit the two clones; it hit them hard enough for them to disappear. I ran up behind the shield, and saw Ectoplasm shake his head. My grin widened.
Cementoss put his hands down on the ground and a wall came up in front of me. I grabbed the top of it and pulled myself up, dropping down before it got too high. I landed not too far from Ectoplasm. I grinned, waiting for him to open his mouth. I didn't have to wait long. I created a ball and threw it into his mouth. I had left a line attached to the ball and yanked myself towards Ectoplasm. I grabbed his shoulder, swinging myself onto his back and tying the line around his head. He tried to hit me, but I pinned his arms behind his head with my elbows and put the cuffs on him.
"There. One to go." I leapt off his back as a wall threw me into the air. I flipped myself, landing in a crouch. I threw my arms out, as Cementoss created more walls.
Hm. Let's try a thing. I pushed my shield out and waved my hand. A giant purple drill appeared behind my shield. I pushed and the drill went forward, demolishing Cementoss' walls. I jumped up onto the drill and waited for the next wall to appear.
There. I leapt onto the wall and launched myself at Cementoss as the drill went through the wall. I kicked out and he went to grab my leg. I flung my arms towards him, pushing myself backwards. I still hadn't worked out how I could do that. I think it had something to do with the air. I heard explosions going off and grinned. I had rigged a few of the buildings I had passed with non-fatal bombs. If it was the clones that set them off, they'd be gone now.
I landed and stood up straight. Cementoss threw more walls at me and tried to bury me, like he did Kirishima and Satou. I smirked under my hood. Sorry, Cementoss. That won't work on me.
I threw my arms down by my sides and I shot upwards. I kicked my legs and my body shifted, aiming for Cementoss. He was staring at me, shocked. I grinned. Good. I held my arms up and created a shield just before I hit him. We rolled and I leapt up, jumping on him before he could sit up. I cuffed him and sat down, legs crossed. I lowered my hood and the goggles.
"So, there's only Aizawa left?"
Cementoss stared at me and nodded. I smiled. "Oh good. I doubt I have much time left." I stood up and looked around. I didn't see him, so I shrugged and went to the nearest building. I flipped my hood back up again and put the goggles back on.
Alright, Mr Aizawa. You come to me then.
I stood on top the roof of the nearest building. I had already worked out a few ways to handle Eraserhead. If he had used his quirk on me while I was fighting everyone else, it didn't work. On the other hand, if he didn't use it on me, he's more than likely going to now.
I looked up and saw him through my goggles. He stood on the other side of the building. He had his goggles on too.
"You successfully put handcuffs on the four 'villains'. That's impressive."
I didn't say anything, but a little mini me in my head was doing a dance from the praise.
"You still held back, didn't you? You're afraid of hurting someone. I think from now on in training, we will work on the new quirks and controlling that power you seem to have."
Why was he talking so much?
"I'm sure your classmates are all watching this and are impressed with you. Perhaps they are even envious, or even annoyed that you don't show your true potential."
I frowned. There's that word again. What potential?
"Perhaps you are confused. What should you do? Who should you trust? What, or who, should you become? What will you do, Kitia? When faced with that decision, what will you do?"
He's testing me! I don't know whether he's trying make me mad, or make me doubt myself, but he's making me think. He's distracting me. But from what?
I didn't move as he kept talking.
"Principal Nezu is a kind person. He helped you from the start, did you know that? He allowed you into the school, regardless of knowing your history-"
I sucked in a quiet breath. He told Aizawa?
"-regardless of what you could possibly become. I didn't think you could possibly become anything other than what you going to become. But then, you came into the class and settled well. You made friends, you came to school, you attended classes. You continued to improve until I saw what potential Nezu talked about. I saw who you really are underneath all that self-doubt and questionable morals."
I widened my eyes slightly. Time's nearly up! That's what he's doing! He's talking, distracting me. Does he think I'll fight him or go to the gate?
"You still have a long way to go on the road. Which path will you choose?"
I cocked my head slightly. "Which path?" I grinned. "This one." I stepped off the edge of the building and kicked my legs against the wall, pushing myself towards the gate.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Aizawa swinging on his scarf towards me. Even if he used his quirk on me, it would do nothing, as I wasn't using any of my own.
I looked towards the gate. I was nearly there. Just one more push. If this doesn't work, I fail.
I threw my arms down by sides, hard. Black, smoky wings appeared on my back, shooting me forward. I held my arms out in front of me and created a Naginata. I slammed the pointed end into the ground and swung myself through the gate, landing heavily.
I lay on my back, looking up at the sky, breathing hard.
"Kitia has passed! All matches for Class 1-A's practical exams have been completed!"
I closed my eyes and grinned. Good. I would've been so pissed if I failed.
I limped into the room with the venting machines. I really needed food. I'd prefer real food, but a packet of chips would do for now.
"Kitia!"
I looked up and blinked. "Yea? What?"
Kirishima grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. "What the actual fuck?! What was that? What are doing? You can do all that?"
I stared at him. "Uh, mate. You need to calm down, because I have no idea what you're babbling about..." I looked at Satou. "Can you get me something please? His gripped hasn't gotten any lighter..."
"Uh, sure."
"Thanks, man." I looked back to Kirishima. "What's your problem?"
"Your exam!"
"Uh, yea? What about it?"
He shook me again and I shifted slightly. "Uh, Kirishima, you're kinda freaking me out a little...Could you stop..."
He blinked and loosened his grip. "Sorry. I just...I thought that..."
I sat down, rubbing my shoulders. "Thought what?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter..."
I looked at him and frowned. "Don't give me that. What?"
He shifted his feet then sat next to me as Satou handed me a packet of chips. My favourite flavour too. "He was worried about you."
I saw Kirishima look sharply up at Satou and go slightly red. "I was not! I knew she'd pass!"
I shrugged. "I didn't. I was debating on just going through the gate, but with both Cementoss and Ectoplasm there, it wasn't an option. Then Midnight and Present Mic were there to see how strong or smart I was, so that was easy. I still don't understand why they were together. Their quirks cancel each other out, clearly, so why? And Aizawa was just there to see what I would do. He kept monologuing, distracting me. At first, I didn't know why, but then I figured it was one of two things. One: Someone sneaking up behind, or two: I was running out of time."
"You were running out of time. By the time you went through the gate, you had thirty seconds left."
I dropped my bag of chips on the table, mouth open. Kirishima reached over and closed my mouth. "Not a good look..."
"Thirty seconds? Are you serious? How much time did I have?"
"Fifteen minutes." The three of us turned as Aizawa walked through the door.
"Fifteen minutes?! Are you serious?! How is that even fair?!" I created a ball and threw it at him. He lifted his hand and caught it, his expression never changing. I growled and waved my hand, making the ball disappear.
"You did it, didn't you?"
"Yes, but that's besides the point! Why didn't you tell me I had less time?"
"Ah. That's my fault." Principal Nezu stepped out from behind Aizawa's legs. "I thought that if you were told, you wouldn't perform as accurately as you did. Having you think you had the same amount of time as everyone else, didn't put as much pressure on you, and we could see how you would do." He clapped his paws and smiled.
I tried to be mad, I really did. But I just couldn't get mad at Nezu. I sighed instead. "You guys suck..."
"Well now that that's settled. Kitia?"
"Yes sir?"
Principal Nezu looked up at me and smiled. "Well done." He patted my knee, turned and walked out the door. Aizawa looked at me and nodded, then followed Nezu.
I looked back at Kirishima and Satou. "I think I impressed them both."
Kirishima couldn't help himself and hugged me. "I think you impressed everyone."
I sighed. "You're too clingy, you know that." But I smiled at Satou.
