Chapter 4-The path towards respect

UA Teachers' Lounge

"It sounds like we're all on the same page for this semesters schedule. Any questions?" Nezu asked his staff. He could see a few of their faces quirking as if to say something. He wondered who would be the first to speak.

Almight coughed a bit before speaking up. "I must admit I'm curious, it's about class 1A- "

"You'd like to know why a person bearing no quirk is in the Hero Course." Nezu stated calmly

"Well, um, yes." Toshinori replied, with a few of his fellow teachers nodding, "It does seem too dangerous to allow someone without a quirk in the Hero Course."

"He did pass the exam." Nezu told him simply. "If I recall correctly, you even recommended the addition of Leadership Points."

All Might gulped. "Well, yes, but I thought he had some kind of support quirk or something-."

"Is this really so different?" Dinah Queen, AKA Black Canary, interrupted the number 1 hero. "He passed the exam. Unless I'm mistaken, we couldn't expel him now even if we needed to."

"Now wait a minute!" Snipe prepared to refute the new teacher. "We can expel anyone if they lack potential or if it's too dangerous for them to continue. I think this qualifies." The new teachers save for All Might were shocked at that.

"Frankly, I'd like to know how someone hasn't already done so." Midnight interrupted looking towards Eraser. "Afterall, it's not like Shoto over here is averse to the concept."

Glaring at his coworker, "I judge my students by potential, the test I usually use isn't suited for properly evaluating Drake's ability." Eraser looks toward the Principal. "Besides, he wasn't allowed to take the test anyway."

All Might frowns at this. "I may not be too fond of Eraserhead's methods, but at least this one time that test could have been useful. Expelling young Drake then could have protected him in the future."

Minutes pass with this argument growing heated. Most, like All Might and Snipe, want to expel Drake before he hurts himself, while Black Canary points out that since he passed the exam, he deserves the chance to prove himself as much as any other student. Eraserhead and Midnight are in the middle ground of wanting to wait until his potential can be adequately gauged before making any decision.

"What do you know about the villain known as "King Snake"" Nezu asked the group suddenly.

Most look confused. "He was a businessman with a radar quirk who was in charge of a drug ring based in Tokyo." Eraser responded, wondering where this was going. "He was found unconscious in his office after the police received an anonymous tip with evidence against him."

"Indeed." The principal replied. "While there is little evidence to substantiate my theory, I believe it's hardly a coincidence that Mr. Drake was reportedly in Tokyo that week."

"You think he's a vigilante?" Midnight asked in disbelief

"Certainly Not." The mouse responded in an even voice. "While the office was certainly the scene of a battle, any security footage or other evidence had been wiped clean by the time police arrived. For his part, King Snake refused to say who defeated him. There is no evidence one way or the other. But given this coincidental set of events, and Mr. Drakes skill in the exam, I am choosing to allow him a place in the Hero Course. Any other questions?" he asked, concluding the debate.

…

Being early the next day, Tim found his way again to the 1A classroom. When he got there, he noticed Iida had arrived first.

"Ah, good morning!" the teen shouted. "My name is Tenya Iida, I arrived here from Somei university." He said while chopping his hand.

Tim was slightly taken aback by his demeanor. "Ah, nice to meet you Iida. I'm Tim Drake."

"Drake, I must apologize for my utterly disgraceful behavior yesterday. I am deeply ashamed of myself."

"What?" Tim let out confused.

"Yesterday, when told of your lacking a quirk I refrained from speaking to you. I am deeply ashamed of showing such disrespect. I must tell you, as my classmate, and as someone who passed the entrance exam, you do have my deepest respect." Iida explained, once again bowing.

"Oh. It really wasn't a problem. I understand that it will probably take a while for everyone in the school to get used to me being here." Tim responded sadly.

"Nonsense." Iida exclaimed. "I'm certain our classmates will respect you as they respect others."

Tim grinned. "Thanks Iida. It means a lot to hear that."

"It is I who should thank you! For helping me examine my biases Drake!"

Tim laughed a little. "Uh, sure. One thing though, please call me Tim. I'd prefer that be what my classmates call me."

Iida nodded. "Of course, Dra-I mean Tim."

Waiting for class to begin Tim met more and more off his classmates. Outside of a few, let's say, personality quirks, they all seemed nice enough. This waiting ceased when the door flew open and "I am Coming through the door like a hero!" was yelled into the classroom.

Most of the class started cheering but quieted down when All Might began to speak. "Welcome to the most important class of UA! Think of it as heroing 101! Here you will learn the basics of being a Pro- and what it means to fight in the name of good!"

Looking around Tim could see the excitement was palpable. Even Bakugo had a smile like expression. The only one who wasn't enamored by All Might's performance appeared to be Todoroki. As energetic as All Might was, Tim noticed a split-second frown when the hero looked at him.

Pulling out a card that read "BATTLE" All Might continues "Let's get into it! Today's lesson… Will pull No Punches!"

Tim smirked. He could hear Conner a seat over celebrating the loudest. Bart was in between vibrating in excitement. On his other side Cassie was busily taking notes. Looking forward he could see Izuku was nervous about the battle. "What's his quirk again? I heard someone say it was hard to control whatever it is. If sparring's involved, I should try to knock him out quickly to keep him from hurting himself in a prolonged fight…"

Once the class settled down All Might resumed speaking.

"But one of the keys of being a hero is…" a shelf opens up behind him revealing a number of costumes, "Looking good! These were designed for you based on your quirk registration forms and the requests you sent in before school started. Get yourselves suited up and meet me and Black Canary at training ground beta." All Might instructed.

"Yes sir!" the class as a whole responded."

Tim lined up to grab his bag and smiled. This is it. It was finally time for a legacy to continue.

… Training ground Beta

"I still don't like this." All Might remarked while waiting for the students to get here.

Canary rolled her eyes. "Oh well."

All might looked at her incredulously. "I don't understand how you can be supportive of this! Pursuing this path, Young Drake could be severely injured!"

"So could the rest of the students we teach!" she shot back. "I don't see you favoring Aizawa's ideas of rampant expulsion."

"Of course not! That would go- "

Their debate is interrupted by Bart bolting into the area wearing a white and red jumpsuit with bulky goggles over his eyes. "Hey! Where is everyone?"

"You simply arrived first young Allen!" Almight responded, quickly smiling. "Like a true hero you were ready for action in a flash" He laughed at his own joke.

Both Bart and Canary rolled their eyes at the older hero's antics.

…

"This is it." Tim thought as he exited the building into the training grounds. He was decked out in a dark green shirt with black pants and a yellow belt meeting separating them. From there he had on a bright red jacket with a gold R in a black circle where a pocket would be on a shirt. Behind him billowed a black cape with yellow trim. He was ready.

That was a lot. I feel I must defend this portrayal of All Might. From the second episode we saw how he viewed Quirckless. Not as them being worse than those with quirks, but as being too weak to be heroes. Thus, I think it is in character for him to be adamantly against a quirckless student. Not out of a sense of racism or anything, but out of concern for their health.

King Snake is from the original Robin miniseries that starred Tim. In this fic, his quirk is like a toned-down version of Marvel's daredevil's powers.

I rather enjoyed Black Canary in the Young Justice show, So I hope this rendition will do her character justice.

Iida apologized! He's probably my favorite student in the show, so I wanted him to get a scene to himself. With his perspective, I feel once he reminded himself that Tim was recognized by the faculty as capable student, which Nezu did last time, he would be a supporter due to his respect for UA.

And so, the next Arc starts. I tried to describe a costume for Tim that reflected his various Robin suits while still fitting in the MHA universe more than the traditional look.

The other three were easier. Superboy has his look from the reign of supermen movie, Wonder Girl has her current comic costume (I think they fit just fine with some of the more casual hero costumes in MHA), and Bart has his traditional Impulse costume. Granted it's different from most in MHA, except for a few like Uravity's, but with Bart's origin, being weird makes sense.

See you next time when the battles begin.