Izuku wakes up to the sound of clanking metal. It serves as an annoying yet, efficient way to get them up. Soon enough, all the boys were wide awake and searching for the source of the noise.
His eyes land on the very tired looking form of his teacher. Aizawa is hitting two frying pans together as he circles the room. The man is wearing pink sweatpants instead of his usual black jumpsuit and has his hair in a braid. It's only when he seems satisfied enough, with the end result, that he retreats back out of the boy's lounge. Without a second glance to the awestruck teens he left behind.
Deafening silence takes over the room for a couple of seconds before it's broken by none other than Kaminari. The latter whispers a quiet "What the fuck" in a mix of confusion and shock.
It feels like a pin dropped and suddenly, the calm is replaced with utter chaos as the boys try to make sense of what they just witnessed. They make a collective decision to not bring it up again.
Izuku is proud of the way he managed to act just as surprised as the others. Given that he's already seen Aizawa-sensei like that and has grown used to his guardian's antics. He barely manages to stifle his laughter, at his classmate's reactions.
Once fully dressed, they walk out into the main field. All of them are still groggy and tired from the lack of sleep following yesterday's events. Yet, the girls seemed much sleepier than the guys. Given the way the boys were woken up though, it's only natural.
"Today, the real training camp begins." Aizawa says as soon as they are within hearing range. Their teacher appears back to his usual clad in black self. "Ideally you will all emerge stronger. Strong enough to acquire your provisional licenses. More specifically, there's a growing hostile force out there, through this, we will prepare you to face it. So, stay sharp and work hard." His eyes sweeping the field, leveling each and every one of them with a stern stare. He's making sure we know the severity of the situation, Izuku notes.
Aizawa then beckons Bakugou over, tossing him the same ball they used in the quirk apprehension test.
"Last time, when school started, your record was 705.2 meters… How much have you grown since then?" Sensei enquires.
Bakugou scuffs as he prepares himself to throw the ball. His stance is confident and his demeanor unwavering. He retracts his arm and fires off an explosion that rattles the ground around them. Yelling his usual "Die!" As he watches he ball sore through the sky.
Yet, when the meter beeps, the screen lights up posting the barely changed number of 709.6.
Bakugou visibly stiffens as the rest of the class deflates. All of them expecting a somewhat bigger change.
Izuku now realizes the purpose of this demonstration.
"You have been through a lot these past few months… Undoubtedly you all have grown. But it's only your techniques and mind that have matured. Well, and your bodies a bit too." He adds as an afterthought. "But as you have just seen, your quirks haven't kept up with the pace." He walking closer to them. His eyes staring at them with an intensity even bigger than before. "Starting today, you will improve on your quirks. This will be harsh and grueling… So, do your best. Plus, ultra!"
Looking around at his class, Aizawa can see the newly lit fire under each one of his kids. He sees the blazing determination in their eyes. He knew they'd take it to heart.
Just like that, they dive into their individual training. Each one working on improving and strengthening their quirks while working on their weaknesses.
Izuku knows that to strengthen his quirk, he'll need to improve his physical abilities. Work on building more muscle and working on his fighting style. He came a long way with the help of his teachers and mentors. Now, his improvement depends on his own hard work.
The day passes in a mess of sweaty and strenuous work. By the time lunch comes by, they can barely stand on their feet. Exhaustion weighs them down as they try to move their aching limbs.
Yet, they manage to prepare their meals and soon enough, they are all sitting in the cafeteria, enjoying their semi-edible meal. The teachers having already decided that making their food would be their own responsibility.
Izuku notices Mandalay's nephew slip off to the woods. Making an attempt to connect with the kid, he takes an extra bowl of food and follows the kid into the forest.
Somehow, they find themselves on a cliff a couple of blocks from camp.
Izuku makes his presence known by calling out to the boy. Kota seem startled a bit, however, his surprise turns to anger as soon as he realizes who followed him.
"You! How'd you know where I was?" The kid shouts indignantly.
"I thought you might be hungry… so, I followed your footsteps here. Here's a plate. It's curry…" Izuku replies bashfully, rubbing his neck nervously as he sets the bowl next to Kota.
"Nope, don't want it. Like I already said, I don't feel like fraternizing with that sort of you people. So, get away from my secret base!" He seems to get angrier the more he kept talking.
"Look Kota, I know about your parents…" Before the kid could shout some more, Izuku raises his hand up. A motion for the boy to wait. Strangely enough, he does. "They were the water hose heroes weren't they. It's really unfortunate what happened to them and society is pretty messed up for praising something like that."
The kid seems to be speechless so, Izuku continues and pushes on.
"But, you need to know that they aren't just going out there playing heroes and villains. Heroes are out there because they help the people who need saving. Your parents didn't die for nothing. They died because they were helping someone." There's a pause, as he gathers his bearing to say what he wants to say. "I- I needed a hero once and they didn't show up right away…but they eventually did. They might have been late but they were there in the end, when I needed them the most. And without them, I wouldn't be here right now…" He lifts his gaze, meeting the shocked stare of the smaller boy. "My words may not seem like much right now. But one day, maybe, you'll understand."
The kid seems to snap out of his confused daze.
"You don't know just when to shut up don't you? Just go away!" His eyes shine with frustrated tears as he yells at Izuku to just leave him alone. Izuku understands that his words are nothing more of a stranger's words to the kid. He can at least see that. He walks away, promising that he'll help this kid. After all, giving help that's not asked for is what makes a true hero.
Later that day, as the sun began to set, they were gathering in front of the forest. The trees are shrouded in darkness, making the next test, they'll endure, even harder.
They're having a test of courage. Each pair of students will go venture the forest. The students are supposed to retrieve their individual name tags. The opposite team, in this case, class 1-b is supposed to make it hard for them by scaring them or as Tiger, the third member of the pussycats refers to it, they're supposed to "Make them piss themselves". This allowed a versatile use of each of their quirks and a strengthening in courage for the opposing team.
They drew lots and strangely enough, Izuku ended up paired with Shinsou.
The test starts, the first to go into the forest are Uraraka and Tsuyu. Their quickly followed by Bakugou and Todoroki though. They sit there, each team waiting for their respective turns.
Yet, something feels off… There's some kind of tingling sensation just under his skin. It feels like there's a thousand ants crawling up his spine. Like they're being watched. It's the same feeling he got that day back at the USJ. However, Izuku just shrugs it off, thinking It must just be the courage test getting to him. After all, the forest can be creepy at night.
This was his first mistake.
It's just a couple of minutes later, that he thinks he smells something burning. At first, they think it must be the result of one of the student's quirks. Knowing that Todoroki and Bakugou both have fire-based abilities.
Their doubts are proven wrong when the flames turn out to be blue. The flames were dancing and flickering from within the forest. Burning brighter by the minute.
He can only stand there, frozen as Pixie Bob is suddenly flung across the clearing. Her head colliding with some kind of metal weapon. The remaining pussy cats, Mandalay and Tiger can only watch in horror as their third member falls limp to the ground. Blood trickling from a gash to her head.
Ever so slowly, two dark figures emerge from the flames. They walk with purpose as a threatening aura practically oozes from their every move. One of them has a lizard mutation, he's wearing a poor imitation of Stains costume as he swings a weapon made of multiple swords. Next to him, walks another villain. They hold the same weapon that hit Mandalay in their hand. The hero lays motionless at their feet.
Izuku's blood runs cold as he realizes what's happening. The league of villains is attacking the camp.
He looks around him, taking note of the remaining students.
The only students left are Shinsou, Iida, and a couple of others. Still, most of the class has already gone out to the forest. His gaze flickers to the Pussy Cats. All of them are already in fighting stances. Their posture tense, ready for anything at any moment.
He startles as he hears Mandalay's voice in his head. 'WE ARE UNDER ATTACK BY TWO VILLAINS! THERE MIGHT BE MORE OUT THERE! ALL THOSE, WHO CAN, SHOULD GET BACK TO CAMP AT ONCE! IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN ENEMY, DON'T ENGAGE! JUST RETREAT!'
"Get going everyone! And remember, now fighting! Lead them back class president!" Mandalay hollers from her position, not even glancing back at them, her eyes are trained on the incoming threat.
"Understood! Let's go!" Iida shouts back, his tone serious as he eyes the villain warily. Izuku is certain that it must be unsettling for him to see one of stain's followers here.
As he prepares himself to follow his classmates back to camp, he remembers Kota. The last time he saw the kid, he was going to his secret hideout.
He can't leave him alone out there. The pussy cats will be too busy to even get to him in time. What if he gets attacked by one of the villains.
"Midoriya! Let's go!" Shinsou urges from behind him.
Before he can even think twice about it, he's already speaking up. "Go on without me guys!"
"What do you mean Midoriya!?" Iida shouts back incredulously.
"Mandalay! I know where he is!" He ignores his friend's shouts, knowing that they wouldn't let him go unless Mandalay agrees to it.
The hero's eyes flicker towards him, her expression turns from shock to understanding as she realizes who he's talking about.
"Be careful! Get him and go straight back to camp!" She finally turns towards him; her eyes hold an air of authority. He has never really felt it before, coming from her. She looks at him and he feel the seriousness and weight of the situation settle on his shoulders. With a nod to his friends, he runs off. Ignoring the distance shouts for him to stop, to wait for at least one of them to go with him.
Meanwhile, back at the camp, Aizawa and the remedial kids hear Mandalay's broadcast. Each and everyone one of them pray for their friend's safety. Aizawa already moving to help the others.
"Damn Idiot! What makes him think he understands how I'm feeling!" Kota scuffs under his breath as he recalls the conversation he had with the green haired boy.
However, before he can even continue his line of thought, a voice rings in his head. Mandalay's voice is panicked and distressed as she addresses him directly. It's the first time he's heard her this distraught. "Kota! Do you hear me? Get back to camp!" She orders, her tone desperate "I'm sorry I don't- I don't know where you're always running of to! I'm sorry, I won't be able to come for you! You need to go back now!"
He can't help the fear and confusion that engulfs his senses. He looks around and finally sees the blue fire that's quickly spreading through the forest.
His fear turns into horror as he hears a voice from behind him. The voice is foreign, unfamiliar. "I didn't expect to find anyone here, never mind a child! I'm going to have fun with you kid!" Shivers run down his spine at the sheer amount of malice oozing from every syllable the man utters. Ever so slowly, he turns around. In front of him stand a cloaked figure. The man is tall and his built is imposing.
The villain steps closer and as soon as Kota sees his face his blood runs cold. It feels as if the world comes crashing down around him as he comes face to face with the man that has been plaguing his nightmares ever since his parents died. Ever since his parents were murdered. Because, right in front of him, stands none other than his parent's killer.
His eyes are as red as he remembers seeing them on the news. He has one of them missing, he notes. Kota remembers hearing that his parents were the ones that caused it, so long ago.
The villain raises his fist in the air, his whole stance changing. Kota remembers seeing his aunt move like that while training. It's a posture for when they're about to charge. To fight.
His mind screams at him to move, to run, to do anything. He doesn't. His feet feel like they're made of led as he stays frozen in his spot. He can't move, he can't breathe.
The man laughs as he inches closer, a manically wide grin can be seen from just under his hood. It makes him feel sick. Kota squeezes his eyes shut in anticipation of the blow. Yet, it never comes. He feels his body being shoved back, strong arms wrap around his mid-section as he's being carried away. He expects pain but it never comes. Instead, he's gently let down to the ground.
Hesitantly, he opens his eyes. There, standing in front of him, like some kind of shield is none other than the green haired boy.
"It's going to be okay Kota! I'm going to save you!"
One for All flows through Izuku's veins as he races through the forest, his surroundings blur together as he runs faster and faster. He needs to get to Kota before any of the villains get to him. He just hopes that the kid is safe.
He finally sees the clearing, he can't help the curse that escapes his mouth as he sees the figure towering over the smaller boy.
He prays he won't be too late as he dashes between them. Scooping the kid in his arms as he leaps to the other side of the clearing, noting the way the kid shivers in his hold. He was almost too late. He sets Kota down gently behind him. Making it clear for the villain that if he wants to get to the kid, he'll have to go through him.
"Hey! What- Oh! I know you! You're on the list! You and the Bakugou kid!" The villain exclaims, his voice shows excitement albeit slight disappointment.
List? What do they want with Bakugou? He needs to find a way to warn him. Still, he needs to focus on the more pressing matter right now.
Izuku ignores the man in favor of addressing the kid behind him.
"It's going to be okay Kota! I'm going to save you!" His heart pounds in his chest and his ears fill with static. Nonetheless he knows that he needs to remain calm. For both himself and Kota. He needs to assess the situation and come up with a consequent plan. His phone got crushed when he jumped, and no one knows where he went so he can't expect backup any time soon. Somehow, he's going to have to face this villain alone.
He recognizes the man before him as 'Muscular', he's seen him on the news before. His gaze lands on the man's missing eye and he can't help the way his eyes widen at the horrible realization. This man is the villain that took down the Water hose heroes. Kota's parents.
He puts the information at the back of his mind as he tries to focus on the task at hand.
From the information he has on the villain, the man has a muscle augmentation quirk. It allows him to augment the muscle fibers that are beneath his skin, effectively increasing the power and speed behind his movements.
"You're going to save him?" The villain bellows loudly as he laughs hysterically, the sound wicked and mocking. "A hero would say that… Always spouting bullshit about justice and all that nonsense" Pink, raw muscle starts to form on his arm as he powers up his quirk "You're Midoriya right? This is perfect! You're our priority on the list! Boss man wants you alive though, what a shame." He sighs in annoyance; However, his features are soon overtaken by a sickly grin that makes Izuku's gut churn in dread "They didn't say you had to be in one piece though…"
With that, the villain charges. Izuku barely has time to push Kota out of the way before he's being flung in the air. His back hit the mountain side, hard. His breath getting knocked out of him in the process as he hears a sickening crack in his ribs. He wheezes as he tries to get back up, only to be kicked again.
"What was that again? You're going to save him, right? So, why are you just sitting there? That's a weird way to save someone!"
His head hits the rocks and he feels dampness spread down his forehead. Yet, he doesn't hesitate to stand back up.
"Oh, so you do have some fight in you! That makes it even better!" The villain charges again. Izuku manages to lift his hand up to counter just in time for the blow to come. It proves to be the wrong move when he feels his bones shatter under the power of the hit. He swallows down the urge to scream as he's thrown back again. Barely managing to contain the hiss of pain that threatens to escape his lips.
He feels the strengths leave his limbs as pain overtakes him. Yet, he remembers the crying and shivering form of Kota's body in his arms. It spurs him into action as he gathers whatever resolves he has and gets back up again. He doesn't miss a beat as he rushes at the villain, powering whatever percentage of One for all he can handle and pouring it into one hit.
Nevertheless, the villain seems completely unfazed as his smile grows larger.
"So weak! Is this your quirk! You're like an inferior version of me! Still think you can save the kid? You really ought to be honest with yourself!" He raises his arm ready to deal the finishing blow. Izuku doesn't think he's going to be able to dodge.
A voice rings out from behind them. Making the villain pause as he's about to move.
"Water Hose… My parents, did you torment them like this when you killed them!?" Kota cries out, his voice wavers and cracks as fresh tears roll down his cheeks. He's shaking in his boots and yet, he's standing up to the man who cost him so much.
Izuku curses himself for letting this happen. Muscular turns fully towards the boy, he marches towards him as he replies.
"Whoa, you're their kid? This must be fate or something! Water Hose! They're the ones that gave me this glass eye!" He declares, pointing at the glass eye taking the place of his missing one. "I don't really hold a grudge against them though, I killed people just like I wanted to and they tried to stop me. We all did our best and had to live with the consequences. What's bad is when you can't put your money where your mouth is! Just like your mom and dad!" Izuku watches as the villain towers over the child. He moves before his mind registers it. A plan quickly forming in his mind.
He can't match him in speed and he can't damage him. Which means he has to look for a loophole. A way around Muscular's powers.
Izuku leaps in the air, fully expecting it when the man turns around to face him. "AHA I KNEW YOU WOULD ATTACK ME YOU BRAT!" The man brags as his eyes meet his own, only to widen as he realizes his plan. Izuku jams his broken arms into the man's muscle, effectively stopping further augmentation. "So? Going to hit me with that weak arm of yours?" Muscular mocks him with a scuff
"Doesn't matter if I can or can't…because heroes…" He retracts his remaining arm, Powering up his fist. He feels One for all pulse through his veins, prepares himself for the impeding pain "Heroes risk their lives! Turning talk into action is what we do!" He screams, his voice raw with emotion as he summons one hundred percent of his powers and finally hits his target.
The resulting pain is piercing as he feels all the bones in his arm shatter simultaneously. The shockwave sends both, him and Kota flying backwards. Izuku barely manages to catch the kid before he topples over the cliff.
Kota can only stare in awe and horror as Midoriya, despite his alarming injuries, stands back up. "Let's get back to camp… it's not far from- "Izuku's voice slowly fades away as the ground behind them rumbles. From the dust emerges the villain. Muscualr seems relatively unharmed, if only slightly disgruntled and tired.
"No way… no freaking way… that was at 100%" Izuku whispered in shock, the same crippling fear overtaking him once again. Even with All might's power, Muscular was still standing.
"S- STAY BACK!" Izuku shouts, his tone desperate despite knowing fully well that the villain won't stop. Won't back down.
"No way, that power of yours! I'm not going to be playing around anymore. I'm coming at you with everything I have!" The villain retorts, the same manically wide grin etched on his features.
"Kota! GRAB ON!" The boy scrambles onto his shoulders just as muscular charges at them. They dodge just in time for the hit to miss them. Their landing is rough but it's Izuku who takes the brunt of it for Kota's sake.
Quickly positioning himself in front of the boy, he prepares for whatever the villain has in store for them next.
"I though you wanted me alive!" He shouts, trying to stall as much as he can in order to form some kind of plan.
"Oh! I did but now… Now I'm excited! I want to see just how strong you really are Izuku Midoriya!" The man's tone sends chills down his spine as he realizes just how much stronger Muscular got. The man was really just playing with them before.
"Get back Kota! I'm going to charge at him now and when I do I'm going to need you to run. As fast as you can! Run back to camp! Okay?" He whispers to the shaking form behind him, his eyes trained on the threat facing him.
"Run? No! What about you? Don't do it! It's hopeless! Let's just run!" The kid pleads, his voice shakes and cracks with every syllable. "You saw… your attack didn't even put a scratch on him! And your arms… They're both broken- "
"IT'S OKAY!" He interrupts the child, his voice unwavering as he positions himself into a fighting stance. "Trust me Kota!" He doesn't miss a beat as he leaps at the villain, his fist powered up to the maximum as he meets the man halfway. "DETROIT SMASH" He yells as he pours all his strengths in one final stand. One more leap of faith. "I WON'T LET HIM GET PAST ME KOTA! SO… RUN!" He screams at the top of his lungs; his legs dig into the concrete and his arms ache with every pulse of energy. Yet, he stands his ground.
"DAMN KID! YOU'RE SOMETHING ELSE!" Muscualar exclaims, his voice strained as he counters Izuku's hit with his own.
"RUN KOTA! RUN!" He feels his body giving out as Muscular overpowers him. Darkness begins engulf his vision as he thinks that maybe this is it. Maybe, that's how he dies.
A small gush of water splashes Muscular's back, making the villain pause and look behind him. With lidded eyes, Izuku sees the way Kota trembles, his arms raised as he addresses the villain.
"Stop it!" Kota screams desperately. Izuku curses himself internally for ever thinking about giving up. Because, what was he thinking. Kota was still counting on him and what was he doing? Giving up?
He has people who are counting on him. He has people who care about him. He'll fight even if it's the last thing he does.
"Wait your turn okay kid? I'll kill you after I'm done with this brat!" Muscular replies smugly, barely noticing the way Izuku's eyes shoot open. Nor the electricity that pulses all over his body.
"I won't- I won't let you hurt him!" Izuku grits out as he gathers whatever strengths he has left in one final blow. "ONE FOR ALL! ONE MILLION PERCENT!" Power, pure unadulterated power surges through him "DELAWARE DETROIT SMASH!" The shockwave is even bigger than the previous one, excruciating pain takes over him but he's still standing. Adrenaline courses through his veins as he can finally breathe. Muscualar lays motionless in a pile of rubble. Izuku's powers finally having overwhelmed him.
Kota stares in shock as Midoriya risks his life for him. Kota can't- for the life of him- understand. This guy… The boy he's done nothing but insult and yell at since the beginning, has put everything on the line for a person he doesn't even know.
'…Why…'
He remembers what his aunt told him all those years ago. A hero stakes their lives to save others. His parents gave up their lives... He didn't understand it before…
'…Why go so far… for me...?'
'You'll understand one day…You're going to meet someone and then you'll get it. Someone who will stake their lives to save yours… To you, that person will be...'
"My hero." He whispers in awe. Finally understanding what Mandalay meant that day.