At Luna Nova's Cafeteria, the witches were trying to enjoy their lunch break, but a great sense of unease was filling the atmosphere. Right in the area's centermost table, Bakugou, Deku and Todoroki sat alone, a ring of empty tables surrounding them.
After potions and pharmaceutical class, the witches in Akko's grade had their magic numerology class which the heroes didn't need to attend since there was no way for professor Badcock to even integrate quirks into her curriculum. Deku still dragged Bakugou and Todoroki along to observe of course. However, their boredom got to the point where they dashed the moment Badcock had a breakdown at her own class' tediousness and told them to save themselves by breaking for lunch early.
Of course, grabbing a table first meant that the witches knew where not to sit when they joined got to eat later. The result was the tables not surrounding them being rather overcrowded.
Soon enough, Akko, Diana and Amanda linked up with their usual friends and observed the situation at hand.
"Why isn't anyone sitting next to them?" frowned Akko.
"Probably the same reason no one wants to be in the blast radius of a bomb." noted Diana.
"But we're being kinda rude...and you know...inhospitable or something." replied Akko.
Amanda blew it off. "Eh, Bakugou has himself to blame after that stunt he pulled last class. I mean, it was hilarious I gotta admit, but ya know."
Amanda's gaze was focused on the heroes, who were apparently in the middle of an argument as Deku appeared to be apologizing for something that was setting Bakugou off, which prompted Todoroki trying to put an ice barrier between everyone.
Akko pouted. "He's a brat. Still, we gotta show we're the bigger person than him or else we're just gonna prove to everyone that witches and wizards aren't prepared to deal with the world!"
"If the modern world is filled with people like him, then maybe it's not worth embracing." suggested Diana.
"Well that's easy for you to say Ms. I'm from a sheltered aristocratic family!" exclaimed Akko. "Where I'm from, quirks are a part of everyday life, so I gotta get these three future heroes to embrace magic or else no one in Japan will ever care about it!"
There was silence amongst Akko's circle of friends. It was clear how personal the task was for her since bringing magic's relevance back to Japan needed her to be in a position at least equal to the three star UA high students.
Lotte spoke up. "To be fair, Bakugou was experimented on...which most people aren't fans of."
All eyes were on Sucy. She shrugged and simply said "Meh, he'll get used to it like Akko does."
"I am not!" roared Akko.
Jasminka meanwhile finally finished chewing on her meal. "I think that we should try to focus on Deku. He's the real sweetie of the three!"
"Exactly!" nodded Akko. "He's the onewho gets me the most. Even if Bakugou remains a jerk and Todoroki remains apathetic, I can get at least one hero to spread the good word."
"Yeah, if he doesn't faint from shock!" joked Amanda.
Akko raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"The guy's a nervous wreck when he's not fighting villains. Like hell is he gonna have the charisma to bring magic back to your home. Doesn't matter how good he is at punching." explained Amanda.
"Are you kidding me!" replied Akko in a way that looked like she was personally insulted. "Deku's the kind of guy that would be swimming in fan girls back home!"
Everyone who could hear had their mouth drop. Except Jasminka who kept eating.
"Excuse me?" questioned Diana.
"Short pathetic boys that cry a lot are totally number one with girls in Japan right now." explained Akko. "Especially if their hair looks like broccoli."
Sucy slowly blinked. "I know Japan has sunk low before, but even that's dumber than usual."
Sucy blushed. "Deku's cute, but Todoroki is kind of my prince charming guy. His personality is a little off though."
Sucy sighed. "I'm not into boys, but if I were to guess, wouldn't Bakugou be the hottest in ways more than one?"
Amanda thought about it. "Yeah, but when he's angry he looks, sounds, and feels like an ugly goblin. Hard to look at."
"And that's most of the time." added Diana, observing whatever fight was causing Deku to block a grab from Bakugou.
"Hotties or not, they're gonna be number one soon, and as witches we shouldn't let our name be dragged through the mud no matter how much ridicule we get." said Akko.
"I agree on that last part, but if the world of heroes is full of people like Bakugou, then we can't change their minds." countered Diana.
"Well," stammered Akko. "...You're kinda of a coward too right now!"
"Excuse me!" shot back Diana.
"Come on, since when did anything in history get achieved by people being silent! We have to grab them by the horns!" announced Akko.
"Oh great, it's her protester side again." sighed Sucy.
"Just think of it like this, Deku represents all the radicals, Todoroki represents the moderates and Bakugou represents those stubborn reactionaries who won't change." stated Akko, climbing on the table, which grabbed everyone's attention sans the still arguing heroes.
"Are you sure we can convince all of them though?" asked Sucy.
"Of course we can!" insisted Akko, hopping on the table.
She pointed to the heroes. "Just look!"
Her friends looked at them, but came up with nothing other than the fight between Deku and Bakugou having seemingly died down.
"What am I supposed to be getting?" inquired Amanda.
"Look at Bakugou's uniform!" pointed Akko. "Notice something?"
"It makes him look more like a villain?" guessed Amanda.
"That and he's wearing a tie!" said Akko. "When I see his pictures his online, Bakugou never wears ties. The fact that he didn't burn his already means that there's a tiny bit of him that we can get through. God knows how much he must've opened up after he was kidnapped by villains that one time."
"Kidnapped?" repeated Lotte.
"It was big news back home, but moving on, I think there's a little part of him that I can get around and open his evil little eyes!" suggested Akko. "And we can start by taking the initiative."
"I appreciate your bravery Akko, but this almost seems like a lost cause." sighed Diana, but even she was hesitant in her words for once.
"Come on, even if we can't convince them that magic is still important, we can at least show them that we're not a bunch of sissies!" exclaimed Akko, pointing a fist to the roof.
"Can I have your things once you're exploded into a million pieces?" asked Sucy after a moment of silence.
"SURE!" agreed Akko, still pointing a fist in the air and yelling at the roof.
Diana closed her eyes. "Fine. I don't think we'll get through Bakugou or Todoroki, but I won't let any of them push me around."
"That, and Finnelan will fail us if we don't do our duty." noted Amanda.
"That's the spirit! Besides, I know for a fact they're the kind of people who like it when someone takes the lead." smirked Akko, grabbing her lunch tray and making a dash for the heroes, her friends hesitantly following.
With a bright smile on her face, Akko approached the table the boys were sitting at. She could hear the other witches whispering things such as "rest in peace" or "they're screwed" but they could all go to hell for what Akko cared.
She stood in front of the heroes, who glanced up at her with mixed expressions. Todoroki neutral, Bakugou hostile, and Deku welcoming as usual.
"Hey, you didn't think you could get away from us did ya?" smiled Akko eyes closed and head tilted to look as cute and non-threatening as possible.
"You came here after us." replied Todoroki.
"Oh you're so funny!" joked Akko, eyes still closed. "Come on, let's enjoy our first lunch together."
Before anyone could respond, Akko nudged the other witches to take their seats next to the heroes. The boys already had some space between them, probably to desecrate another fight, so Akko placed herself right in the open chairs. Lotte was about to sit next to Bakugou, but one look at his devilish eyes was enough to excuse her on the other side. Jasminka by contrast, couldn't be broken and remained smiling as she took Lotte' place.
"Want some of my Shepard's pie?" offered Jasminka.
"Eat it yourself." hissed Bakugou.
"More for me then!" cheered Jasminka.
"Why don't you want more of that, it's the best item on the menu." said Akko, before she nudged her head to the other side very close to Deku.
"It's great right?" asked Akko, in her cutest voice possible.
Deku blushed. "Um, yeah it is." Akko was almost lips distance away from him which caused him to back off a bit, only to realize that he was dangerously close to Diana as well, who raised an eyebrow at him.
Deku audibly yelped and tried to face forward. He found Amanda, elbows on table and head in her hands, nudging forward at him with a sly grin to deliberately exaggerate his mood.
Deku tried to ease his thoughts by looking down, where he noticed that Akko's, Diana's and Amanda's skirts were far shorter than the average witch's here. Why did he have to be a leg and thigh man?
While Deku was lost in his freak out, Akko tried to make conversation.
"So, how are you finding it all here?" she inquired.
"It has a UA feel for what it's worth." answered Todoroki.
Bakugou huffed. "Yeah, but for teaching magic so it's like the opposite of UA in being relevant."
Diana rolled her eyes. "How do you think we feel about all the stuff you learn in your little hero and quirk schools?"
"Difference is that we're future while you've rotted in obscurity for centuries," replied Bakugou. "Really, how pathetic is it that you've all been so damn compliant in letting your culture fade away?"
"Cool it Bakugou." warned Todoroki.
Amanda snickered. "That's gonna be hard for him."
"Really, we wouldn't even know about this place if it wasn't for Akko screwing up bad enough for us to drop in here." stated Bakugou.
"Hey!" pouted Akko, bringing her face up to Bakugou's, the latter surprised at her resilience.
"Don't talk to her like that!" stood up Deku, which would have normally resulted in a firebomb from Bakugou.
"At least your stupid face knows there's a problem," acknowledged Bakugou to Akko. "Can't say the same for you reclusive idiots."
"Not true!" smiled Jasminka. "I plan to open witch cafes in Moscow and Kiev that everyone will love."
"That's your stupid master plan?" checked Todoroki.
"Of course!" beamed Jasminka.
Bakugou twitched. "Does anything get passed Ms. eyes always shut here?!"
"No." bluntly stated Akko, Amanda, Diana, Sucy and Lotte at the same time. Even Constanze, whose silent presence went largely unnoticed by the group, was shaking her head.
Todoroki half grinned. He knew how to keep a largely cool exterior around Bakugou, so if his exterior was an icy cold fortress, then Jasminka's was made out of hard steel.
"It's this kind of destructive and arrogant attitude that makes wizards and witches hesitant to fraternize with the hero world." pointed Diana.
Bakugou laughed. "Oh, you're calling us arrogant? Look who's talking."
Todoroki twitched and took a deep breath. "For the love of God, can you at least try to accept or hold the olive branch for once!"
This caused everyone to remain still. Seeing Todoroki this emotional wasn't no longer for the heroes, but even they knew this meant something was serious.
Todoroki scowled. "I'm having it up to here with your stupid attitude! I know this is how you act in UA, but right now we're pretty much the ambassadors to another culture. Yeah, I think that their seclusion is stupid and their fault too, but you're probably just gonna drive them further into it!"
It was as if the pupils in Bakugou's eyes vanished. "Further into it? They've all been declining long before the first quirk showed up by hundreds of years! I don't think they can go any further, but I wouldn't be surprised."
"Oh what do you know about our history?" scoffed Diana.
"Unfortunately a bit since Deku won't shut up about it when we're alone!" growled Bakugou, causing Deku to almost shiver, but he kept his brave face on.
Akko knitted her eyebrows. "See, some people here know what struggles we've been through."
"Last I recall you're not exactly from a magical family." pointed Diana, which caused Akko's anger to be redirected towards her.
"And the party splits." sighed Amanda.
"I'll get to your blood purity thing in a minute," foreshadowed Bakugou. "Till then, I wanna know how the hell it took one damn industrial revolution in Britain to wipe out your relevance."
"Ordinary people embraced technology, like they embraced quirks. There wasn't any room for magic in this new world." bitterly stated Diana.
"Oh, and you just capitulated like that?" sneered Bakugou. "Because if Deku's shitty rants are anything to go by, your history is just blank pages from 1800 up until now. Chariot, who you all hate, was the only witch worth a damn lately. You're all lucky if something relevant happened involving magic once per decade. All because you idiots were so insulted by technology."
Todoroki pointed to Constanze, who was building another magical robot. "But isn't what she's doing embracing two worlds?"
Bakugou smirked. "Yeah, Constanze here at least has her shit together. But she doesn't talk much and isn't trying to make history here is she?"
Constanze shook her head no.
"Hey, aren't we the only ones allowed to use modern tech here?" frowned Deku.
"Shut it nerd! As far as I'm concerned she has my permission to violate that shitty rule!" roared Bakugou, who Constanze gave a thumbs up. "Seriously, the only one here willing to to move forward and she can't even legally do that."
Todoroki glanced at the robot and was rather impressed. "You know, we have a bunch of support hero courses back in UA. Have you ever considered signing up for one of those? I'd kill for those robots."
Constanze placed a finger on her chin, actually considering it.
Amanda rolled her eyes. "You don't have to be a traitor."
"And why shouldn't she?" questioned Bakugou. "I'm waiting to be convinced, but magic had its chance. Quirks are the future. Quirks are the present. Quirks will make history."
"We're making history now with this course aren't we?" defended Akko.
"It might be too late for that." noted Todoroki. "Isn't it true that people with quirks can't use magic? And that once magic stays in your blood it ends your ability to use a quirk?"
"It is." nodded Akko.
Bakugou smirked. "And that brings me up to the blood purity part. You all are too caught up in your little communities that you missed the chance to ever stop the age of quirks from happening. Just think! Maybe I'd have magic powers in another realm."
Todoroki shrugged. "I do kinda think quirks were nature's way of giving most humans powers they should have had centuries ago."
"And where have we ended up with that?" remarked Diana. "Destructive heroes with no regard to collateral damage, and worst of all, villains that plague society everyday!"
"Are you crazy? As if there were never any bad witches or wizards." replied Bakugou.
"The correct term for a bad wizard is a warlock." said Diana, trying to muster all the snobbery she could. "There would only be a single bad witch or wizard per decade in a one, maybe two parts of the world at most. The modern world needs fully trained superheroes to keep villains in line every single day! That shouldn't be normal."
Akko nodded. "I'm not gonna lie guys. Japan is kinda scary if you don't have a quirk."
"I know that how that felt." agreed Deku, whose empathy made Akko place a hand on his lap, a warm smile on her face. Of course Deku was almost paralyzed again.
"I haven't exactly heard about the last bad witch or warlock since like, ever." concurred Amanda.
"Still a fallacy to think that if magic replaced quirks, we'd be a bit more peaceful no?" questioned Todoroki.
"The fact is that quirks are physical abilities rather than a fine art, so therefore we have a mass villain problem. Statistics don't lie." retorted Diana.
"Well, your slimy little ancestors didn't get it on with puny non magic folk, so I guess your ideal world isn't gonna happen." challenged Bakugou.
Akko placed a finger on her chin. "I mean, it would have been just easier to train more witches and wizards like me."
"Didn't you still get some discrimination for coming from a non magic family?" noted Todoroki.
"I was used to being left out for being quirkless, and it's gotten better," defended Ako. "Once I graduate, I want to encourage more quirkless kids on my path."
"Right!" added Deku. "All those quirkless kids can learn how to use magic. They can become support heroes like Constanze, or heroes in their own right!"
"Yay!" beamed Akko, placing a hand on Deku's shoulder and shooting her other arm up. "Why can't we be heroes too?"
"Honestly that's because I've yet to find a wizard or witch that thinks it's cool or worth it." explained Amanda.
"And it's just like Chariot all over again," noted Diana. "That isn't what magic stands for. It's a sophisticated practice with each established magical family having their own specific role to play in its study. Not something that can be unleashed to the masses unless you want the apocalypse to play out early."
"There you go again," noted Bakugou. "Think your decline is our fault? You all keep shooting yourselves in the foot. Constanze fiddling with magical tech? You ban her from doing that. Akko proves the quirkless can learn magic? It's a little too late for a magical revival because quirkless numbers are declining. Breed quirks outta existence? You had your chance and you still play family politics."
Bakugou took a deep breath. He was always the jerk. He didn't see the hypocrisy in his statements, guilty of many of the things he accused magic folk of doing. Still, the bully could have a way with words when he wasn't spouting death threats.
"Bakugou's right, we've been sabotaging ourselves." admitted Akko.
"But I still see a big turn around." encouraged Deku.
"Duh, but we can't do that on our own without outside help," replied Akko. "But some people on both sides don't wanna build a bridge."
"Or they're just too occupied with other things." defended Amanda.
Todoroki gave an unusual grin. "I mean at the end of the day, I still we aren't too different."
Everyone was now looking at Todoroki, whose semi devilish smirk grew.
"Oh, let me make it clear that I hate family elitism when it comes to special powers. Trying to form cartels on knowledge. Hating outsiders who want to learn and train. I mean look at me."
Todoroki pointed to his scar. "I'm the product of neo eugenics for God's sake. My old man's an ass who is more than happy to keep his competition in line. As far as I know the most powerful quirks are gonna start being controlled by a few families while the rest will have to make due with useless quirks or turn to villainy."
Todoroki intended to point to Constanze, only to realize she had gone chasing her robot that was attempting a rampage. But he digressed.
"In regards to tech? I don't know about you guys, but isn't it weird that you can look at a picture as far back as say….2020 and realize how similar it looks to our world?"
The group around him thought about it, and they had to concur.
"Face it, we didn't do as good of a job embracing technology as we should have. All our new tech is dedicated to making heroes better at fighting villains and the other way around. Nobody gives a damn about innovating for general leisure or welfare like they did centuries ago."
"I did always say we may have been exploring the universe by now if it wasn't for quirks." admitted Deku.
Bakugou tried to blow him off. "I think you're making some stupid false equivalents. That's a cowardly way out."
"Oh, I think magic and quirks do have their differences," admitted Todoroki. "But right now I say we're walking down the same path these people did."
"I don't think quirks are going away though." shook Amanda.
"Not that, but the problems still plaguing your society are plaguing ours," clarified Todoroki. "Right now, we're playing a game of no you, no you, no you. We're all hypocrites right here, so as far as I know we have no choice but to rectify our problems together if we want magic to stick around while ensuring quirks don't create some stagnant oligarchy."
"YAY!" beamed Akko. "You get it!"
Amanda placed a finger on her chin. "That's, actually pretty true half and half."
Todoroki sighed, he really hated being this talkative. "No worries."
Amanda looked at him with an ecstatic expression. "I mean it. I'm not an old lady, but it would suck if I grew up in the world that stayed the same. It's fun now, but even Luna Nova is getting stale. All those adventures I crave, the the pranks I pull and challenges for me to overcome, I want something new. God knows I want start messing with you hero chumps someday too."
"And we'll make sure you pay the price." joked Todoroki, in a manner that almost made it sound like he was still brooding.
It was now Deku's turn to get up on the table. "This is awesome. We got more people on board with Akko's cause here. We all have of our differences and some people think we can't get along. But I think both of our worlds are closer than they are different and we need each other to overcome what's holding us back and apart!"
Deku almost started screaming on the top of his lungs. "So that we can create a world where we live like equals! No stagnation! No quirk or magical oligarchies! Where everyone has the chance to be a hero! Whether you have magic, quirks or something else, it shouldn't matter! A world where one can contribute for all and all can contribute for one!"
"Calm down Karl Marx." bluntly said Sucy, eager to get a word out.
Deku sat down placed a finger on his chin. "Well, I mean my birthday is on the same day as the establishment of the Japanese Communist party and.,."
Deku almost stated that his quirk was called one for all, but was distracted by Akko's big smile and giggle.
"Uh, what did I say?" frowned Deku.
"You should see her during any form of social protest," teased Amanda. "Total bleeding heart."
Diana, who came from a noble family, rolled her eyes, but pressed on.
"You two are so alike!" beamed Jasminka. "Just a bunch of eager delicious cinnamon rolls!"
Deku blushed. Akko smiled wider.
"We are huh?" cooed Akko.
"T-totally." nervously chirped Deku.
"Well, I can tell one way you aren't." snickered Amanda at Deku's display.
"True, but anything resembling another Deku is twice the trouble for me." groaned Bakugou.
"How do you think I feel about another Akko?" lightened up Diana.
Bakugou and Diana almost stared at each other, which didn't go unnoticed by the others. Yet another playful quip was shared.
"I'm curious to know who I'm like." pondered Todoroki.
Lotte gave it a thought. "Eh, I'd say you have Amanda's coolness, but Diana's seriousness. Bakugou, you have Amanda's tendency to show off, but you're also uptight like Diana."
"I am not uptight!" yelled Bakugou and Diana at the same time.
Bakugou pointed a finger. "Compare me to your friends one more time and you're gonna regret it. You hear me!"
"Kaachan!" scolded Deku. "Cut it out!"
Todoroki knocked Bakugou's hand away. "NO! I don't give a damn what you think about magic, but you are not going to continue being an asshole to someone just trying to be nice. You're too far gone in UA and maybe Diana can be difficult, but for the love of God take the high ground for once in your life!"
Bakugou just took a deep breath.
Todoroki did the same. "High ground….you're gonna need it if you ever want to be a hero."
"Todoroki's right, you don't have to like anyone, but...please...just try for once." requested Deku.
Bakugou raised an eyebrow. He never saw Todoroki or Deku this defensive about a group of people before. Something was making them act up. He had a feeling regarding what it was, given who the two were looking at, but that was something that couldn't have developed so soon. The seeds were clearly there at least.
Since he didn't need to see Deku look more like a wimp or fight with Todoroki, all Bakugou did was cross his arms at bite his lip.
Diana pretty much mimicked his motion. "I don't think our worlds our compatible, even if I admit your's is the future. But I will NOT take any more of your shit."
Akko gasped. "She swore!"
Amanda smirked. "Finally, right?"
Diana actually struggled not to laugh. "We're not gonna stop having this argument, I think. Until then though I will not let you walk over me, humiliate me and try to ruin my experience here. Otherwise I'll use you as target for new curses and hexes."
Sucy raised an eyebrow. "Good luck with that. Lab rats aren't fun when they have sharp senses and explosive tendencies."
Bakugou smiled. "Well, you don't back down. I like that. I just wish your people didn't when the modern world hit."
Akko spoke up. "It's still hitting us, and we're not gonna hide anymore."
All of a sudden a voice called out that almost made everyone jump.
"You really should work as an activist one day Akko." complimented Ursula, who was holding Constanze up by one hand, and her toy robot by the other. The latter was still trying to break free and unleash havoc.
"How much did you hear?" asked Amanda.
"Just the last few parts," answered Ursula.
Deku tried to defend everyone. "We're really sorry! We're just having a..a.a bunch of mixed emotions because of how sudden this thing all is, right guys?"
"Right, well I'd ask you keep those emotions in check because of your upcoming class." told Ursula, knowing that there was still a powder keg amongst the groups that only needed a spark.
Akko's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, what do we have next?"
"Broom flying," answered Diana. "Which I would recommend we go to now if we don't want to be late."
"Aren't we gonna have to practice dodging quirks for this month?" brought up Lotte.
"Oh no!" blurted Deku and Todoroki, noticing Bakugou's slasher smile.
"Why oh no?" asked Amanda.
Todoroki bit his lip. "I think we're about to set magical and hero relations back another century.
Authors note: What should have been a shorter chapter ended up much longer. Anyway, it was pretty fun to write Todoroki and Amanda finally coming to terms with the whole issue, with reservations of course. I noticed that OVA Diana and Amanda have elements of both Todoroki and Bakugou which makes them a little more dynamic in my eyes for this fic. Series Diana is more just like Todoroki while her OVA portrayal has some of Bakugou's antagonisms. Series Amanda I found to be more like a "nicer Bakugou", but her OVA depiction also gives her a lot more of Todoroki's aloofness. Both depictions are still pretty fun to write.