I AM HERE... with another Episode of Paragons!
Thanks once again to ZeroTheOne and The Mysterious Mr.E for their consultations.
There are notes at the end of the chapter, but right now, let's hit PLAY.
Goodwitch's Combat Class, Combat Theatre #2, Beacon Academy
Students filed into the room, filling up the tiered seating that overlooked the main combat area. 1-A stayed close to the friends they had made in JNPR and RWBY, taking the highest rows. Down on the ground level of the amphitheatre by a large screen and lectern, stood Professor Goodwitch, holding her scroll in her left hand, and the Disciplinarian in the other, by her hip. Aizawa stood to her right, hands in pockets, his tired looking eyes scanning his students, as well as the other first year Beacon teams.
When everyone had taken a seat, Goodwitch had spotlights illuminate the fighting stage. "Today, we'll be doing three matches." She said, her voice easily carrying across the room and holding the student body's attention. "These matches will be between students from our own Academy, and our guests from UA."
Aizawa stepped forward, and all eyes were drawn to him as he began to speak. "The rules are as normal for Goodwitch's class, but we'll quickly go over them for 1-A's sake."
"First rule," He raised his right hand and held up one finger. "Stay in the ring." Said ring being a raised circular dais just over 30ft in diameter. "Second Rule," a second finger was raised, "the match is over the moment one opponent reaches the red zone in their Aura levels, if they are immobilised, forfeit, or are knocked out of the ring."
"Third rule," Goodwitch took over, even as Aizawa held up a third finger, "you may use any equipment that you bring into the ring, as long as it doesn't recklessly endanger either combatant, or the spectators. Any equipment that is knocked out of the ring is counted as out of bounds, and cannot be retrieved until after the match is over."
Aizawa nodded as he put down his hand, giving a stern look to everyone in attendance. "If either me or Goodwitch, feel a match is going to far, we will stop it without hesitation. Understood?"
"Yes, Mr Aizawa." 19 voices responded, while Bakugo simply nodded in agreement.
"Very well then," Goodwitch nodded, "we will announce the matches…"
"Excuse me, Professor!" Glynda looked up and frowned at Cardin Winchester, who lazily raised an arm as he interrupted her (uncaring of the struggle in the back rows to prevent Iida from actively scolding the boy for said interruption). "I was wondering," he sneered "are these matches predetermined, or are we able to issue challenges?"
"We had predetermined matches based on an idea of skill level and ability," Goodwitch coolly answered, "but if you wish to issue a challenge to someone from UA, and they accept, that is also acceptable."
"Well then, in that case," Cardin's sneer grew wider, as he stood up and turned his attention to the students above him. "I choose to challenge..." he dramatically paused, hand raised and pointing, panning for a few seconds before he found his victim. "...Him. The kid... Sorry! 'Hero'. The 'Hero,' with the weird balls on his head."
Mineta looked aghast at the idea at first, quickly looking between his seat-mates, Sero and Sato for help. His panic however stopped when he felt Jaune's hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down, I know what he's doing." Jaune leaned in to whisper in the younger boy's ear. "He thinks you're the weakest, and simply wants to show off and taunt your class with an easy win. But I saw you back in the Forever Fall, and I know what your Quirk can do. You've got this." Mineta turned watery eyes on the blonde knight, grateful for the support.
"Ribbit, I think you can do this Mineta." Asui spoke up from the third row. Others nodded and gave their own encouragement.
"Break his legs Grape Juice!" Nora declared. Aizawa heard that one and mentally groaned.
"No, Nora." Ren put in, though Pyrrha had a thoughtful look in her eye as she stared in Cardin's direction.
"...Not a bad idea though…"
"See! Pyrrha gets it!" Nora gleefully smiled, while Ren shook his head, knowing that Pyrrha's comment just lost him the battle.
"You better not make us look bad, Grape head!" Bakugo snarled, sitting at the end of the row next to Kirishima. Coming from him, it was both encouragement and a threat. Mineta, screwed up his courage, clenched his fists and nodded before turning his attention to Cardin.
"I accept the challenge!" Cardin grinned, his team snickering as if in on some joke. They didn't take the dwarf seriously.
"Professor!" Another voice rang out, capturing everyone's attention. Yang was standing up, and looking very serious. "I wish to challenge someone as well."
"...And who would that be, Miss Xiao Long?" Goodwitch asked, though Aizawa thought he had a pretty good idea.
Yang turned from her spot next to Ruby and Weiss in the top row, and caught Bakugo's eye. "Katsuki Bakugo. I challenge you to a one on one match." Bakugo looked at her in mild surprise, before growing a feral grin.
"I'd be disappointed if I didn't get to fight. You want to challenge me, Goldilocks? You're dead."
Aizawa shared a momentary look with Goodwitch. 'This... could get intense.'
[Cue Opening – Save The Day]
Episode 5: Burnin' Sparks! Yang Vs Bakugo!
Izuku tapped his foot, as he held a notebook open in his lap. Mineta had left to get changed, as had Cardin. Goodwitch had announced that their match would be first, followed by a predetermined match of their choice, and then Bakugo and Yang.
"I wonder if this is a little too soon to be doing actual fighting." He looked pensive. "We haven't had our Aura unlocked for very long..." Uraraka and Iida were sitting on his right side, nodding their agreement.
"Yeah, we've only been here at Beacon for about three days, and the only Aura training we've had has been quick sessions with Ren and Weiss. Not that it hasn't been useful..." Uraraka nervously rubbed the back of her hair. Iida chose then to speak up.
"I don't disagree, but, we should remember that UA's motto is 'Plus Ultra' for a reason." He smiled warmly at his friends. "None of us at this point, are unfamiliar with pushing ourselves in order to get stronger. One could suppose that our teachers want us to get used to using Aura in combat under controlled conditions."
"That would make a level of sense, especially after everything we've been through this past year." Yaoyorozu mused hand on chin. Jiro, who sat on her left side, leaned forward to regard Mineta as he had now changed from the UA style uniform that Momo had recreated for everyone, to his hero costume.
There were some hushed giggles from some students at his attire. And some not so hushed snickers from Cardin's team. "That's true. Even if you forget all the crazy stuff with the League, the school has certainly pushed us pretty hard." Jiro grimaced as a sudden thought occurred to her. "Then again, UA hasn't had us go up against robots with live ammunition."
"Cardin doesn't have a gun feature with his mace," Ruby jumped into the conversation, sitting on Izuku's left. "Or at least, if he has, he's never shown it to anyone. Maybe a Burn Dust crystal, but I've never seen him use it for a ranged attack." That was a small comfort.
"It's kinda crazy how many weapons supposedly do that," Sero said to Kaminari. The electric Quirk user hummed to himself in response.
"Yeah... 'This is Remnant, where over 80% of all melee weapons, are also a gun!'" His mock narrator style comment, got a few laughs, even from the Beacon students listening in.
Izuku meanwhile started to make some preliminary notes. "Jaune," he said, getting JNPR's leader's attention. "I take it you've fought Winchester before." Jaune groaned but nodded to confirm.
"Goodwitch tends to pit people against others of the same relative skill against each other, normally. So I've had a few matches against him... and lost them all." The UA students near him in the next row turned their heads in mild surprise. Jaune noticed and sighed. "Cardin IS better than me in a one on one fight. Also I had this whole macho idea in my head of how to go into combat, and that... frequently didn't work out. I'm training harder to improve and re-evaluate my tactics for solo fights."
"That's pretty manly." Kirishima commented, Bakugo next to him, made a 'tch' sound but kept his thoughts to himself. "You faced him head on, but realised your weakness, so now you aim to do better."
"Kinda reminds you of our practical exam against Mr Cementoss, doesn't it." Sato said, and Kirishima gave an embarrassed smile, but didn't deny it. The memories of that one sided fight still made him wince.
"So Winchester will most likely lead by going into close combat then," Izuku analysed, his voice not quite becoming a mutter. "Unless he has a Semblance that can counter Mineta's Quirk, this should be a pretty easy win, given that you already said he's underestimating Mineta."
Weiss leaned forward to regard Izuku, mildly impressed. "That's right. Though I don't think I've ever seen Cardin use his Semblance before." Ruby and Blake agreed. Izuku frowned though.
"Does that mean he hasn't discovered it yet? Or does his power give him no real benefits in combat?"
"Hold on a second," Jiro said turning round to look at the top row, "didn't you say back at the forest that you'd saved Winchester from an Ursa?" Ruby, Weiss and Pyrrha chose to not make eye contact with each other in that moment. They just all had the same small smile. Jaune rubbed his head awkwardly.
"Yes, that did happen. He and his team panicked when it practically sneaked up on them, and he was definitely, not so confident then."
"If the Grape extra loses, I'll murder him." Bakugo stated, not impressed with Cardin. In the back of his mind though, he looked at Team CRDL, and was annoyed that he could mentally picture them being swapped out with the various lackeys, and boot-licking extras, who used to follow him around when he was younger.
Yang looked at Bakugo with a scowl, that Kirishima noticed and tried to placate her. She didn't really listen. Her head was elsewhere…
…
"Ruby Rose is such a deku!" One snot nosed kid with navy blue hair snickered as he counted the pocket money they took from her. Up until, it was snatched out of his hands. He looked up with an angry glare, only to get a fist in his face.
…
"Yang," Tai knelt down so that he was eye level with his first born daughter, only 8 years old, sat on a stool and looking angry and upset. "Why did you break his nose?"
"He took Ruby's lien, after pushing her over. And it's not the first time he and some of the others have done that." Yang wasn't looking her dad in the eye, just down at her feet, tears in her eyes. Normally lilac, they were now shifting back and forth between red and blue.
Tai Xiao Long, gave a sad smile, and used his right had to gently tilt Yang's head up so that she could look at him.
"I'm proud of you Yang, but you shouldn't try and solve every problem with your fist. Otherwise, you'll end up a bully yourself."
"But nobody was doing anything about it!" Yang yelled, but Tai wrapped her up in a hug. He understood. He really did.
"I'm sorry I wasn't around to properly help. Just promise me, Yang. Promise me, you won't let yourself become the thing you hate…"
…
Yang shook her head clear of the memory. It had been a long time since she'd thought about it, honestly. Instead she turned her attention to Cardin entering the ring, with a cocky swagger, mace resting on his shoulder, as if he'd already won.
'Well... I guess that's one thing I can agree with Bakugo on, right now at least. Kick his ass, Grape Juice.'
Mineta Vs Winchester
Mineta took a deep inhale, eyes closed, and then exhaled and opened them. Before him was the smug jerk face of Cardin Winchester.
'I don't know what his power is, but I'm willing to bet he doesn't really know what I can do either.' He thought, getting into a ready stance, arms out wide, knees slightly bent. 'Jaune gave me that encouragement for a reason. He really believes I can win. I can't make a cool guy like him, or myself, look foolish!'
"I sure hope you won't need to change your diaper," Cardin mocked, still relaxed. "Seriously, you look like a baby playing dress up."
Mineta scowled, but kept his mind clear. He had a plan. He was also feeling pretty good since this morning, so his balls were going to be at their stickiest. He heard Goodwitch (super-sexy, strict teacher who could give Midnight a run for her money) begin the countdown.
"Three... Two... One... Begin!" A klaxon sounded, and Cardin charged toward him, his mace held in a two handed grip.
He held his smug confidence for exactly two seconds.
Mineta moved faster than he expected, pulling off the balls on his head at speed and hurling them at the bully. All the while Mineta was zig-zagging. "Grape Rush!" he yelled out as he passed by a bewildered Cardin.
The Beacon student looked down at himself, and frowned in disgust. "The hell...?" he and his mace were covered in about a dozen of the purple balls. He tried to pull off one that was stuck to his armour near the neck... and then started to freak out when his hand got stuck too! "What the...? How do you get these things off?!"
Mineta, was quietly proud of himself for not replying with the line that went through his head at that moment. Even his classmates that disapproved of his perverted ways would have struggled to not laugh, he was sure, but he didn't want to deal with a lecture from Aizawa about being inappropriate.
Instead, Mineta threw a ball at the ground in front of him, and then jumped on it, bouncing back towards Cardin! He planted both feet on the back of Cardin's head, and the taller boy had a fleeting moment of realisation in regards to his fate, before crashing face first, into his own mace, and the arena floor!
…
"Wait... how did he not get stuck himself?" Weiss was baffled, looking towards the UA students for answers.
"The little pervert just bounces off his own balls, while pretty much everything else sticks." Ashido answered, begrudgingly impressed with how smooth Mineta took down his opponent. Hagakure turned in her seat, her invisible face looking back at Weiss and the other members of team RWBY.
"If you're wondering why his costume doesn't get stuck, it's because a support company came up with a chemical spray that allows him to make his costume, and any of his clothes and shoes, effectively an extension of himself."
"Yes, he came up to me the other day regarding this." Yaoyorozu said, "he was hoping my Quirk would be able to recreate the spray he normally uses, since he had none on him when we arrived in Remnant."
"Wait," Izuku looked up from the notes he had been writing about what he observed in the very short match. "Yaoyorozu, were you able to recreate it?" The Vice rep shook her head.
"Not as of yet. However, he has provided me with all the details of the ingredients involved, so with some testing, it might be possible."
"I'm suddenly reminded of Mr Aizawa warning us of getting stuck ourselves, when we first met." Ruby nervously chuckled, not liking the mental image of herself and her team being trapped by accident.
"Cardin really didn't think this through at all." Ren simply commented, his face ever stoic, though Nora could tell, he was happy to see the bully humbled.
'Is... no one going to comment on the fact that they openly called Mineta a pervert?' Blake silently wondered.
…
Cardin was furious. And also a little panicked, because he really couldn't remove himself from the floor. Nor his face from his weapon.
"Mr. Winchester... are you able to move at all?" Goodwitch asked. Cardin scowled, before groaning in defeat.
"No ma'am…"
"I see." Goodwitch nodded, looking back up to the gallery. "Cardin Winchester is immobilised. Minoru Mineta is the victor."
"Let that be a lesson to all of you, and don't make me repeat myself," Aizawa called out. "Do not underestimate your opponent, regardless of who they are, or what they look like." Cardin just felt all the more embarrassed and angry at that.
"Hey! Mineta!" He called out to his opponent, who was walking past him. Mineta stopped and looked at him, suspicion clear in his eyes behind his mask. "Get me free of these things!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I can't do that." Mineta gave him a creepy and evil look, as the dwarf revelled in Cardin's misfortune. "My balls stick around for hours before dissolving, and since I had a good poop this morning, they're even stickier than normal. I wouldn't be surprised if they lasted the rest of the day!" Cardin suddenly felt a measure of both disgust and fear at the possibility!
Aizawa sighed. "Mineta," the boy tensed as his name was spoken, "stop mocking your opponent. It's bad sportsmanship." Mineta's head sank as he mumbled a "yes sir". Aizawa turned his head up to the gallery. "Todoroki, can you come down and free Winchester, as well as destroy any other balls Mineta popped off."
Cardin felt very little vindication at the mild rebuke from the purple boy's teacher. Instead he lay there, his face very uncomfortable on top of the 'Executioner', before he saw the aforementioned Todoroki approaching. He looked up as much as he was able, as the scarred boy knelt down next to him.
"My fire, or my ice?"
"Huh?" Cardin was confused. The boy's dumb deadpan face didn't change, he held up his right hand for him to see.
"Would you prefer that I use my Ice," he formed the stated element in his hand, before dropping it and lifting his left. "Or my fire." Flames suddenly danced in his palm. "Considering your Aura, it shouldn't do any real damage or anything lasting at least. So which would you prefer?"
Cardin scowled, but after a moments hesitation, he made a decision. "...Fire." Todoroki nodded, and set to work.
…
Cardin, back in uniform, sat in the gallery, silently fuming, arms crossed, a small burn still visible on his face. His own team chose not to bring up what happened, even as others around them excitedly discussed the next announced match.
Pyrrha Nikos Vs Momo Yaoyorozu. The two mentioned had already left to head for the locker rooms to get changed. Both UA and Beacon students were eager to see this.
"Midoriya, who do you think will win this one?" Iida asked, while Izuku tapped his pen against his chin.
"It's going to come down to one of two factors," he said, already turning to a fresh page of his notebook, in order to make his observations.
"Those factors being...?" Weiss cocked an eyebrow as she asked. She had already made up her mind on who would win, but was admittedly curious as to what Midoriya had come up with. His observations were fairly on point, though in her opinion, he could stand to mutter less in public.
"Close combat, and creativity."
Uraraka nodded at Deku's response. "Right, we've seen already just how effective Pyrrha is in combat, so if she holds the initiative then she'll easily dominate."
"But while Yaoyorozu might be lacking in close combat experience, compared to Nikos that is," Todoroki suddenly put in, his eyes never leaving the stage, "she's smart enough to come up with a strategy beforehand that could give her the edge overall." Weiss stole a look at the back of Todoroki's head, even as Midoriya and his classmates generally agreed.
"You have a lot of faith in her, Todoroki." He looked back, and even though it wasn't stated as a question, he gave a small inclination of his head to confirm it. Weiss, turned her gaze to Ruby and Yang. "Who do you think will win?"
"Pyrrha of course!" Ruby stated with a smile. "Yaomomo is awesome sure, being able to make a cannon with her Quirk, but Pyrrha didn't become a tournament champion for nothing." Yang and Blake made noises of agreement.
Bakugo heard what they said, and for the first time actually looked their way to join the conversation. "Sparta Girl won a tournament?"
"Several, actually." Weiss stated, though she wasn't sure if Bakugo was being insulting or not with the nickname. Yang certainly seemed to think negatively of it, due to her scowl, and Nora and Ren also frowned. Jaune, meanwhile rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment once again.
"First time I met her, I was... very oblivious to that, until Weiss pointed out that she got her face on Pumpkin Pete's cereal box. That only happens for the seriously, mega-celebrities on Remnant." That got some appreciative whistles from those listening in.
"Huh," Bakugo said, and looked back to the stage just as both young women entered. "Maybe this won't suck after all." In his head, he was already ready to analyse everything, in the event he fought the champion himself.
Nikos Vs Yaoyorozu
Pyrrha looked her opponent in the eye as they took their positions. Yaoyorozu looked confident, and determined. 'From what I understand of her Quirk, she can make any number of unliving things with her power, but she's limited by how much she can make due to her bodies own supply of lipids, as well as her understanding of how it's put together.' She took up a stance, Akouo out in front, with Milo as a Javelin in her right hand, held back and ready to strike.
"May the best fighter win." She said. Yaoyorozu smiled back.
"Agreed, lets both go beyond!" Pyrrha felt a smile on her face in response. It felt good, being up against someone who looked at her for her, and not for the number of victories she'd built up. This was going to be an interesting match, and she was secretly thrilled.
In the gallery above, two sets of students began cheering and shouting encouragements to both sides. Not so loud it drowned out the count though. The klaxon sounded, and Pyrrha was already charging forward, only for Yaoyorozu to toss... dolls? They bounced off her shield, some cracking open, empty, but one wasn't! It caught her eye, and she realised too late the threat as the flash-bang went off.
She flinched, but kept her shield up, trusting her instincts as she rolled to the side, dodging a thrown net. Her vision was blurry, and she couldn't stop blinking spots out of her eyes, but Pyrrha was happy. She was ecstatically happy!
This would be a real challenge, one that tested her skills in a way she normally didn't have to face from her usual opponents.
She rolled forwards, once again dodging a thrown net, while switching Milo to rifle configuration. Balancing the gun on her shield, down on one knee she took aim at the blurry (but getting clearer by the second) Yaoyorozu. The hero in training recognised the threat and responded, making a large riot shield. Pyrrha fired a few shots, the rounds leaving noticeable dents, but not penetrating the shield.
But Pyrrha wasn't looking to do that. She was simply buying time to recover. 'From what I gather, you have guns in your world, but you rarely have to deal with them, the focus is all on an opponent's power.' She emptied her last shot, and quickly reloaded, before standing back up, Milo shifting back to Javelin form. 'So it make sense, with so little training in using your Aura thus far, you'd use your Quirk for a defensive shield to protect you from my rounds.'
'But that puts you on the defensive, and even with that little see-through slit you've built in, your vision is now largely obscured.' Her vision now clear, Pyrrha raced forward, hurling her weapon at Yaoyorozu. It actually pierced her shield, and the recommended student, made a sharp cry of pain. Pyrrha was already in front of her, pulling back Milo, and leaping on top of the shield, and forcing it down and away with her foot.
Yaoyorozu however, was not unprepared. With a pained smile, even as she clutched a bleeding arm, light glowed across her exposed body, and suddenly Pyrrha found herself being enveloped in some kind of thick industrial metal wires.
"I'm sorry," Yaoyorozu said, "you are clearly superior in close combat. That's why... I planned to beat you without getting into such a situation!" She panted in exertion, but she also looked relieved that her plan worked. Not smug, just happy for her plan to work.
Pyrrha, closed her eyes, and focused. She focused on enhancing her physical strength with her Aura, straining at the bonds restraining her and her weapons. And she also used her Semblance. A faint field of black energy formed around the wires.
Yaoyorozu looked surprised as with a supreme flex, Pyrrha freed herself, and then leapt up before Yaoyorozu could react, and threw Akouo at her. The shield smacked her right in the head, and Yaoyorozu went down. She released the wires from her body, and tried to push herself back up, before feeling the point of Milo's blade at her neck.
"Yield... please..." Pyrrha panted, a sheen of sweat across her face. Yaoyorozu looked frustrated for a second, but then gave a resigned smile.
"I forfeit." With that Pyrrha relaxed and putting Milo away, offered a hand, which her opponent accepted. "That was... really impressive. I didn't think you were that strong."
"Benefits of Aura, though you certainly made me work hard there." Pyrrha took note of the cut on Yaoyorozu's left arm, though she waved away the concern, even as her own Aura healed the injury. "I'm sorry," Yaoyorozu looked up, confused. "I didn't mean to injure you like that."
"I should've considered making the shields out of a stronger material." Yaoyorozu said, her smile warm and soft. "Don't feel bad. If anything, I feel I learnt a lot from this. So, thank you Nikos." She bowed.
Pyrrha blushed, a little embarrassed. "Honestly... I wanted to thank you as well." Yaoyorozu looked up, a curious look in her eyes. "I haven't had a fight that... difficult, compared to how they normally are... I really enjoyed myself out there, and…"
"Ahem!" Pyrrha was interrupted by an annoyed looking Aizawa, and an impatient Goodwitch, both standing by the lectern, with the holographic screen behind them showing both fighters Aura levels. Pyrrha's had dipped into yellow, but Yaoyorozu was just a little above red. "While it's good the two of you are getting along, we have another match to get through. You can continue your talk in the locker rooms or after the class."
"I'm sorry!"
"Yes sir! Sorry Sensei!" There was a small titter of good natured laughter from the audience, but the pair ignored it, as they bowed to their teachers and made a quick, yet dignified exit.
"Yaoyorozu...?" Pyrrha said as they left the room, the younger girl turning to look at her. "Call me Pyrrha." She offered her hand. Yaoyorozu smiled warmly and took it with a firm shake.
"And you can call me Momo."
…
"Wow..." Jaune breathed, "that was closer than I expected." He smiled though, glad to see his partner win, and show good sportsmanship.
"Yeah," Yang nodded, with a mischievous grin. "I guess you could say…"
"Yang..." Ruby warned, though it lacked any real bite to it.
"Please, no..." Weiss already had her head in her hands, anticipating the cringe before it happened.
"...That it came right down to the wire." Yang punned. "Eh? Right guys?" She was answered by a collection of groans, one loud 'BOO' from Nora, and a few chuckles from Ashido and Kaminari. Yang just shrugged off the response, already mentally preparing herself for her match. She stood up, and with a cheeky grin and wink at her team, she started walking away to the changing rooms.
Bakugo, after reflecting on what he saw in Nikos' match, stood up, and with hands in his pockets, made his own way out of the gallery, ignoring the various extras around him wishing him good luck.
He briefly locked eyes with Deku. The nerd sitting next to Uraraka, had just shut up about some point he'd analysed in the fight. They didn't say anything, but there was an understanding.
'I'm going on ahead... so you'd better not slack off and fall behind.'
Professor Port's classroom
"...And so I returned to the village after slaying the King Taijitu, and was welcomed back a hero...!" Yagi couldn't help the sweat-drop he could feel, as he listened to the Pro Huntsman come to the close of one of his many, many, adventures.
He knew some Pros who liked to toot their own horn, but this man…
...Maybe he shouldn't be so harsh. Port could tell some 'Big Fish' tales, sure, but he knew his job well. He had (at great length and embellishment) explained how he had managed to trap and bring back Grimm for the students to practice fighting in a controlled and safe environment. A fact that was confirmed by the other members of staff.
Grimm, as he had explained, did not normally endure capture. Frequently, Grimm that recognised they were truly trapped, would end themselves. So it was usually young Grimm, relatively inexperienced and more aggressive, that could be trapped. They would only last a day or two at most in captivity, but for the purposes of the lessons Port was teaching, that was more than enough time.
Right now, as Yagi reflected on all of this, sitting off to the side of the class, out of the way, the man was asking for a student volunteer to demonstrate a move or two against a 'Creep'. Yagi was taking literal and mental notes. Both on how teachers at Beacon ran their classes, and how to best fight the Grimm.
Based on what he'd learnt here, and the battle in Forever Fall, Grimm could be killed like any other animal. But they did indeed, get stronger, tougher, and smarter, the older and more experienced it became. Unless a gun had exceptional firepower, and the shot was very well placed, it would be difficult to just kill the things with one hit. It would often mean wearing the monster down with as much damage as possible over time.
No wonder so many Huntsmen and Huntresses had weapons that could shift between ranged, and close combat. The sheer necessity of quick adaptation, and the inevitability of close quarters fighting made it essential.
That didn't make Yagi feel any better about the possibility of arming his successor and his classmates with lethal support gear. Quirks could be dangerous enough if they were mishandled. Pro's were licensed to use those abilities where the police and others couldn't, but it was under the belief that they had proven that they could do so responsibly.
Adding guns and blades into the mix...That's not even getting into the strict firearms laws in Japan... He shook his head off that train of thought as he paid more attention to the volunteer student, bring down an axe at the Creep's neck, beheading the Grimm in one swift motion.
'Young Bakugo would definitely be one for testing himself against the Grimm again,' Yagi thought, trying not to be unsettled by the casual violence demonstrated. 'I wonder what he would think about acquiring new gear...? Would he welcome it, or dismiss it as beneath him?'
Goodwitch's Class; Xiao Long Vs Bakugo
They both stepped onto the dais, and looked the other in the eye. Yang, noted that Bakugo had forgone the massive grenade styled gauntlets he'd had on when they had first met.
"Are you going easy on me?" She teased, "I'd have thought you'd bring all your gear in with you."
"Ha! Keep on yappin', Goldilocks!" Bakugo gave the smile of a hungry predator. He was just as itching for a fight as she was. "Unlike you, I'm good enough without the gauntlets." He held up two fingers. "If you can last two minutes against me, with your lame ass Aura, and dumb bracelets, maybe I'll be impressed."
"Oh, I am more than meets the eye, Bakugo." Her eyes flashed red briefly, but then she settled into a fighting stance. Bakugo held his arms out by his sides, palms open.
…
"What do you think of this match Midoriya?" Jaune asked. "Yang's a solid brawler, but we didn't really get to see Bakugo in action beyond that throw he pulled off."
"It all depends on how skilled Xiao... Yang is." Izuku mused. "Kacchan's a natural talent in combat, he almost has no openings to exploit, and the longer the fight goes on, the more sweat he'll build up, that will make his explosions even stronger."
"Ugh!" Ruby mimed vomiting. "Explosive sweat just sounds so wrong." Weiss nodded, but turned the conversation back on track.
"So he's never lost a fight then?" She asked, and was surprised when Todoroki answered.
"There are opponents he can have trouble with. Those with greater long distance attacks, and good accuracy, or Quirks that can affect the environment over a wide area quickly." Todoroki's comments got some of Class 1-A nodding.
"Yeah, like that creepy guy from Shiketsu," Kaminari added his two cents, "He was able to slip one of those creepy floating fingers of his around to catch Bakugo off guard."
"I'm sorry... floating fingers?" Blake asked. She and a few others looked a little queasy at the thought. Kaminari waved the question away, saying he'd explain later. Kirishima suppressed a shiver, before giving his thoughts.
"Yang's pretty tough, and honestly, I can tell she's a better fighter than I am, but besides skill, is her natural toughness and Aura, good enough to out last Bakugo?"
"Both fighters have tempers that can equally save them in a fight or doom them." Tokoyami said, arms crossed and head bowed in contemplation. "We should all watch carefully and take note, so that we can continue to improve."
Down below, Goodwitch began the countdown. "Three... Two... One!"
…
The klaxon sounded and both fighters rushed towards each other, Bakugo using his explosions, while Yang used the recoil from Ember Celica to propel her forward. Bakugo was slightly faster, and he swung his right arm out to blast Yang. She used her left to guard against it, uttering a soft grunt at the feeling of heat and force.
Bakugo went for repeated back to back blasts, as he thrust his palms back and forth. His feral grin of arrogance slipped, when he realised that Yang had endured all of that, and kneed him in the gut. He grunted, and then switched to the defensive as she came forward, her fists punctuated by shotgun blasts.
'Shit, she's a better brawler than Kirishima,' he cursed in his head, as he tried going back on the offensive, only for her to duck his next swing, and shoulder check him. It was taking every inch of his honed instincts, and experience, to dodge her fists, already getting grazed by both her fist and blast, three times. 'I can't let her keep the initiative, or let her get a hit in with those damn shotguns strapped to her arms!' He blasted himself back, and then thrust his arms forward, the palms an inch apart.
"STUN GRENADE!" He yelled, as he created a massive flash of light and sound. Yang was caught off guard, and was too late to shield her eyes. Disorientated, she was easy prey.
Bakugo surged forward. "HOWITZER IMPACT!" He spun himself in the air, over and over, becoming a human missile. When he collided with Yang, he knocked her on her back, and she bounced and rolled on the ground before stopping near the rings edge.
Yang, grimacing, picked herself up, and shot forward again, only as Bakugo moved to counter her with a simple explosion to the face, she used her gauntlets to push her up above his attack, and then with another, rocketed down right in front of him. The impact of her landing put a small crater in the dais, and sent a pulse radiating through the ground that knocked Bakugo off his feet.
'She can make a freaking ground quake?!' He snarled, though in the back of his mind, a part of him was glad she wasn't going down so easy. That part relished a challenge.
While Bakugo was picking himself up, Yang ejected the expended shells from Ember Celica, and with a flourish, pulled out some orange shells from her jacket, tossing them up into the air before catching and slotting them neatly into her weapon. With a quick pump of her fists, her gauntlets were fully reloaded and ready to go. She started punching the air, and firing a string of, what Bakugo assumed were, essentially mini rockets. Bakugo swiftly got up and used his explosions to propel him away.
He thought that Yang would just pointlessly chase him with her shots, but to his surprise, Yang actually tracked his movements and switched up her aim. Bakugo had to make sudden and quick adjustments with his explosions to get out of the way of her next few shots. All too close to where he would've been.
'I thought she was dumb slugger, but she has good aim.' Again his mind was divided in opinion. The part that relished a challenge that pushed him, and allowed him to showcase his skill and ability roared, but the other part was irritated at the stress his body was undergoing with all the sudden zig-zagging. Using explosions to keep him airborne and moving was useful, but sudden changes in momentum just to avoid an explosion to the face (he didn't appreciate the irony of that) was taking a toll.
However, he was thinking ahead. He noted how many shots Yang had for each gauntlet. He managed to keep track of each shot as he dodged. When she fired her last rockets, he swooped down on her hard, before she could even have a chance to reload.
He hit her with a constant barrage, yelling loudly as he did so. When he stopped, he grabbed her hair and then thrust her face to the ground hard enough to crack the floor.
"You're not bad Goldilocks... but I'm better!" he declared, sharply pulling her head up, and pulling a few hairs loose in the process.
As Yang blinked her vision clear, she noted one of those hairs floating right past her nose. "Give up!" Bakugo demanded, not seeing the shift in her eyes to red, "I know all your tricks now. You're done!"
"...You..." Bakugo looked confused for a moment as Yang spoke, noting a trembling through her body. "...You bullying... BASTARD!"
Suddenly Yang's hair was shining bright gold, and then there was a fist underneath his jaw. He took only a glancing hit, his body instinctively moving back, but his head was rattled still. He clutched his jaw as he stepped back to look upon an enraged Yang Xiao Long, looking like she was wreathed in yellow flames.
'Did...did she just go super sayian?' Bakugo went on the defence, using another 'Stun Grenade' but Yang was suddenly on his left, her eyes closed, and immune, or just uncaring of the noise. Bakugo cursed as he jumped back, switching to another move instead.
"A.P. SHOT!" The concentrated blast, centred through his right hand, was one of his strongest moves, and would have taken out Yang easily if it hit. Which it didn't, as Yang suddenly demonstrated her reflex speed was higher than she'd shown before.
Bakugo and few others had been described as having lightning fast reflexes before. It was a slight exaggeration, as they weren't that fast. But what Yang did, ducking under his shot and continuing to swiftly advance. That was lightning fast!
"DAMMIT!" He yelled as he resorted to 'Autocannon'. That forced her back, a little, but then she tossed something into his attack. Suddenly there was a series of explosions that weren't Bakugo's doing. It was almost as if he'd hit a display of fireworks and set them off. He was stunned, trying to figure out what happened, when ploughing through the smoke like a runaway freight train, Yang Xiao Long, reloaded with her standard red shells, charged him, wordlessly yelling as she pulled her right arm back, and launched a punch right at Bakugo's chest!
Bakugo knew he couldn't dodge this one. In his head, he briefly flashed back to the time he fought Deku at Ground Beta. When he had confronted him about One for All. Where they had started to get their feelings, their frustrations, out. In that moment before Yang connected, he saw Deku charging him, wreathed in green lightning, that determined grin on his face. Bakugo raised his right hand, and reflexively, fired off an attack, as big as possible…
The two struck at the same time. Yang's fist and shotgun blast struck Bakugo dead centre of chest. Bakugo's explosion went off directly in Yang's face. Both went flying backwards, and hit the opposite walls of the auditorium at the same time, their Aura flickering amber and gold around their bodies as it reached it's limit.
Bakugo coughed. Then he heaved. He hadn't felt a hit like that since he and the nerd fought All Might in the final exams! His ribs were definitely feeling abused, along with a soreness in his back from colliding with the wall. His vision swam, but he forced himself to look up. On the other side, Yang was struggling to stand up from the crater she'd put in the wall, and she looked as beat up as Bakugo felt he was.
They locked eyes. She wasn't backing down. Neither was he. He tried to stand up, before he felt a hand stopping him. He looked up in surprise to see Aizawa looking at him. Not with disapproval, or like he was weak. Just a look that silently said the fight was over.
"Both combatants were knocked out of the ring at the same time, and both reduced each other's Aura levels to the red zone." Goodwitch moved to the centre of the dais addressing everyone. "This match is declared a tie!"
"What?!" The gallery exclaimed, and it looked like Yang was also put out. Bakugo managed to shakily stand, feeling his weak Aura work on healing him. He chanced a look at the screen behind the lectern. The one that displayed each opponent's profile picture and Aura level.
Yang's face was smiling, flirty even. His picture was one of disinterest. But he wasn't looking at that. He was looking at the Aura levels. They were both at the same level, so deep into the red that there was only a sliver of Aura still registering.
'I thought she was done for... but she pulled something out the bag at the last minute, and it took me down that low...! Bakugo gritted his teeth. 'Why? Why didn't she use that strength at the beginning? Was she playing me...?' That got him thinking.
Yang was fast, with good aim, good reflexes, and well trained. There were times when he landed attacks, that he felt she was arrogantly letting him hit her…
Aizawa stepped away from him, and joined Goodwitch on stage. "I'm going to keep this brief. Xiao Long." Yang looked up, her eyes back to their normal lilac, as she regarded Aizawa. "I don't know if you had a strategy going, especially regarding your Semblance, but there were times when you could've dodged, and didn't. Especially early on." He frowned. "Bakugo was holding back, because he knows just how powerful and dangerous his explosions can be in an enclosed environment, like this room. If he could cut loose, he would have won easily." Yang's eyes widened at that. "Take fights more seriously. Tough as you are, you're not indestructible." Aizawa then turned his head towards his own student.
"Bakugo, you also need to take more care. What if Xiao Long's gauntlets fired actual shotgun shells instead of the fire dust versions she uses? You are fast and durable, but you are not so fast that you're faster than a bullet, or for that matter, bullet-proof. That last hit in particular could've been fatal. Be smarter when going into a fight." Bakugo looked like he'd eaten something that had gone bad, but he nodded in tired acceptance.
Aizawa then turned to the gallery. "Aura is a safety net, but as you saw it can be worn down quickly if you throw yourself into a fight without care. I expect to see, all of you, being smarter next time." He then turned his head toward Goodwitch, who nodded her approval, before speaking up herself, the screen with the aura levels changing to the Beacon coat of arms.
"That'll be all for today. Remember that the Vytal Festival will be upon us soon. So if you haven't signed up yet, and wish to compete in the tournament, speak to me, and train hard. Dismissed."
…
"Holy shoot! That fight was terrifying!" Mineta shivered in his seat, still not over what he had witnessed. He had been rooting for Yang (Bakugo was already high up in the rankings in their class academically as well as in combat, he didn't need another win to feed his ego) but he had to admit she could be scary as well.
"Yang's Semblance definitely helped her. I at first thought her strength would gradually increase over the course of the fight, but it's actually only increased when her Semblance is active, as indicated by her her glowing hair, and…"
"Does he have an off switch?" Weiss irritably asked over Izuku's muttering. Uraraka gave an apologetic smile to the Schnee heiress (even as Ruby gave a whispered chastisement to her partner for being rude) and gently poked Izuku's cheek. He blinked as he stopped muttering, and then realised what had happened and offered apologies.
"Will Yang be okay?" Blake asked Ruby. Her team leader smiled confidently.
"Yang doesn't lose often, but she'll bounce back. Don't you worry."
"That was easily the most intense match yet." Sero commented, and Sato wiped his brow.
"Bakugo's not an easy opponent to have, but it looks like Xiao Long is no push over either. I wonder how I'd handle a villain with a Quirk similar to her weapons, or Semblance for that matter?"
"That match was... so MANLY!" Kirishima said with tears in his eyes. He watched as his friend slowly trudged towards the waiting rooms, even as the students in front of him, started to get up and leave.
…
Yang sat in the locker room, silently going over the match again in her head. She didn't notice Bakugo enter, or when he stopped a few metres from her.
"I figured you out." She looked up, her head twisting to look at him. He had already changed into his uniform, though he never seemed to wear a tie. His hands were shoved into his pockets, as he regarded her with a... neutral expression.
"And what did you figure out?" Yang asked, her fire for the moment gone.
"Your Semblance. You absorb damage and use it to make yourself stronger, right?" Her eyebrows shot up. She didn't think he'd figured it out after one fight. "You're not denying it, which means I'm probably right." He sighed, looking down for a moment before looking back up and locking eyes with her.
"Listen, I don't really care that much what you, or your sister, or what any other extra at this academy thinks about me. I'm not planning on living here and being liked. My goal, is to become the number one hero. This is just a detour." Yang frowned. Where was he going with this?
"But after that fight... I've realised that my classmates and I, we need to up our game. You weren't weak, you didn't roll over and die. There's a lot that I'm figuring out. I've been doing that a lot since I came to UA."
"You're not that different from me." Yang felt like she'd been slapped. A little fire was restored as she stood up, a retort on her lips. "You may not have been like I was in the past, but you've got talent, and good combat sense, and I'm betting you didn't exactly sign up to become a Huntress out of some noble ideal." That stopped her.
"...Yeah," She admitted, "I'm a thrill seeker at heart. But my parents taught me and my sister the importance of helping people. I figured I could get my thrills and help people at the same time." Bakugo smirked.
"Yeah... maybe a little nobler than my goal... but not that different."
"What's your point Bakugo?" Yang folded her arms, uncomfortable with how this talk was going.
"I'm not the same as that dumb, mace wielding idiot. And I'm not the kid I was back in middle school. But I'll never stop chasing number One." Bakugo said simply. "I'll try not to cause trouble whilst I'm here, but maybe you try and not freaking judge me when you don't know me that well. Got it?" Yang bit her lip. Then slowly she nodded.
"Fine." Bakugo nodded, and then turned to leave, before pausing and calling over his shoulder.
"I want a rematch against you. I know your tricks now. Throwing your own explosive ammo was a good touch, but you won't beat me the same way twice." He set his face in a determined scowl. "Train yourself hard, and come at me with the intent to win, Xiao Long."
Yang was honestly speechless. 'Did... he just call me, Xiao Long...?' By the time she worked up a reply, Bakugo had already left.
Beacon Faculty Lounge
"So..." Yagi looked at Aizawa from the couch, whilst the man, poured himself a mug of steaming black coffee, "...dare I ask how the combat class went?"
"We had to make some adjustments due to challenges being laid down between students," Goodwitch said, sat down at a table with a cup of tea across the room from Yagi, "but I'd say we learnt quite a bit. I'm quite impressed with your students Aizawa." Aizawa made a non committal noise as he sat down on the couch next to Yagi, taking a long sip of coffee.
"So what have we learnt?" Yagi asked. Aizawa regarded his reflection in the mug.
"...Huntsmen and Huntresses are more prepared to use lethal force." Aizawa looked up and met Goodwitch's gaze. "It makes sense. The primary purpose of Huntsmen is to protect people, by hunting and slaying the Grimm. Secondary to that is handling bandits and criminals. Back home our focus is fighting Villains, but we always put emphasis on not killing. I don't mean that Beacon's students are taught to be especially bloodthirsty, I mean, that in this world they have to be more prepared to take a life, because the way this world works, not doing so means you could likely get killed yourself, or have the people you're protecting die."
"Of the three matches we held today, two in particular showcased just how potentially lethal Beacon's students can be against a human opponent."
"Were there injuries?" Yagi was a little concerned after hearing that, and especially after watching Port's class.
"Some," Goodwitch admitted, "but nothing that Aura couldn't fix on it's own, though I suspect Bakugo might be sore in the chest for a day or so."
"Young Bakugo... lost?"
"His match against Xiao Long was a tie." Aizawa reassured him. "Though even though he couldn't use his most powerful explosions due to the environment he was in, I'm honestly surprised that the fight lasted almost three minutes." He took another deep sip, before speaking again.
"Xiao Long's weapons, combined with her strength... honestly she's on par with our best Second years, and possibly good enough to stand on even footing with the Big Three, but she has a temper, that much like Bakugo's, could put her in danger if she doesn't start thinking smarter. And Nikos is very much as I expected after reviewing her transcripts, and after what I saw of her previously, but there was still a close call where she cut Yaoyorozu, through her shield." He shook his head.
"We're used to dealing with students that have powerful Quirks that can be dangerous. But Beacon's teachings especially seems aimed at maximising combat effectiveness in terms of skill, power, and weapons."
"We shouldn't discount what 1-A achieved though." Goodwitch put down her tea, "Mineta was quite a surprise, effectively neutralising Winchester as fast as he did."
"Winchester severely underestimated Mineta. He wasn't looking for a fair fight, he was looking for an easy match to make himself look good." Aizawa frowned as he pointed that out. "Honestly, with that attitude, I'd have expelled him from day one for not taking this seriously enough."
Goodwitch's eyes widened. "Would you really do that?" Yagi sighed and nodded.
"Aizawa is especially strict with his students. Last year he expelled an entire freshman class on their first day."
"I have an arrangement with the Principal." Aizawa put in seeing Goodwitch fix a demanding stare on him, that he had to silently admit, would do Midnight proud. "I can't stand to see students throw their lives away. It's my goal to make sure that my students make it to graduation, and beyond. If I think they're not taking things seriously, overly hesitant, or are just being negligent in controlling their powers to the point of self harm, I give them a little 'death'. After that, if I think they deserve a second chance, they can be reinstated, and they'll work twice as hard."
"...I see." Goodwitch's eyes narrowed, but she chose to let the matter drop for now. There was a moments awkward silence, that broken by a cough from the fourth person in the room. Port, coughed into his hand, while he stood next to the water cooler, and a potted plant.
"Well... getting back to what you were saying before... about how the young 1-A did in their matches?" The other three stared at him for a heartbeat, before looking back at each other.
"... Well, I ultimately agree with your opinion on Mr Winchester's attitude." Goodwitch adjusted her spectacles, and crossed one leg over the other. "Moving on from that, I was quite impressed with Miss Yaoyorozu's strategy. I honestly thought she had Miss Nikos for a moment there."
"Young Yaoyorozu has always been a bright and driven student," Yagi said, "how did she ultimately lose?"
"She underestimated the strength enhancing abilities that Aura can provide." Aizawa cupped his chin in thought. "Though... it's possible Nikos may have used her Semblance, but it's hard to say for sure."
"Certainly possible. Miss Nikos isn't like some of the other students in showing off her power." Aizawa nodded along, but looked up to give Goodwitch his full attention.
"While I can certainly appreciate the subtle use of her abilities, as an underground hero, such skills are essential, I do have concerns. What if she is in a situation where subtlety isn't required? Would she be able to go all out?" Goodwitch pursed her lips, and silently contemplated that. Aizawa decided to leave that alone, his point made.
"Finally, Bakugo…"
"Ah hah! The explosive student I've heard about!" Aizawa gave Port a tired glare, but the Huntsman misread it as a sign to continue. "He's already getting a little bit of a reputation from what I gather. So what was his match like?" Aizawa sighed, and slowly face palmed. Goodwitch stepped in to answer instead.
"Not as bad as we were initially worried about, though that being said, his aggressive personality is... concerning. He runs the risk of being a regular Grimm magnet. He does, however, pay very good attention to his surroundings and opponent. I have to agree with you Aizawa," She looked back at the tired homeroom teacher. "He would likely win almost certainly if he hadn't been inside, and under restrictions."
"Young Bakugo has definitely grown in both character and ability since the start of the school year." Yagi said thoughtfully. "He may not have got his license along with his classmates, but he's been making good progress, along with Young Todoroki, in his make up classes. Perhaps his current attitude is merely his frustration at not being able to continue those lessons, at the feeling of being left behind?"
"He's always been abrasive," Aizawa nodded, "but I agree with your point. And we are going to have to keep an eye on the rest of the class as well. The longer we are here, the more the students are going to worry about not being able to go home."
There was another moment of awkward silence. No one really had an answer to that problem just yet. Once again, Port tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Ahem! … Sooo... Yagi. I was wondering what you made of my lecture? I saw you diligently taking notes. What did you think?"
"Oh! Well... I..." Yagi stumbled whilst internally he groaned. 'Oh boy. Where do I begin?'
RWBY's Dorm Room, Late Evening
"Are... those bunk beds... really safe?" Jiro asked pointing at the one on her left, which seemed to be largely held together by a rope pulley.
"I assure you, they are far more secure than they appear to be." Weiss reassured, though Jiro wasn't entirely convinced.
Jiro and the other girls of 1-A had been invited to RWBY's dorm for a bit of a 'girl's night', though Yang lamented the fact they couldn't do it properly by going out into Vale. Ruby, meanwhile, lamented that both Pyrrha and Nora had turned down the offer of joining them in favour of some late night training.
While Jiro, and Yaoyorozu were a little nervous of the self made bunk beds, Ashido and Hagakure were already gushing over the 'character' their friends had given their room. Uraraka and Asui also though the set up was pretty neat, with Asui commenting on how it reminded her of when her siblings had been younger.
Ashido leapt onto Yang's top bunk, followed by Hagakure, who had a helping hand from both her best friend, and Yang. Asui and Uraraka got comfortable next to Blake on the lower bunk. Yaoyorozu chose to pull up one of the chairs from the writing desks, while Jiro, gathered up her courage and actually joined Ruby on her top bunk.
"So... is every lesson with Goodwitch that intense?" Ashido asked, "because outside of Mineta's match,, the other two had me on the edge of my seat."
"It was certainly satisfying to see Cardin Winchester on the receiving end of Karma." Blake said with a small smile. Weiss who was sitting by the window chose to actually answer the question.
"We're only first years ourselves, but I could certainly say those were probably some of the most exhilarating bouts I've seen to date." She turned her head to regard Yaoyorozu. "Yours especially Momo. I know I wasn't the only one to be both surprised and impressed at how you fought Pyrrha." Yaoyorozu smiled at the praise.
"Thank you, but I can see why you and so many others think so highly of her. I'm just glad I didn't try for making a staff, as I might have done earlier in the year." She put a hand to her cheek. "If I tried taking her on in regular combat, she would've won far sooner."
"Don't knock yourself Yaomomo!" Uraraka cheered. "You did great!"
"Yeah, totally. You rocked it out there." Jiro smiled down at her best friend.
"Ribbit. Yeah, I'm sure there's not many amongst us who could actually take her in a fight." Asui put a finger to a chin. "I mean, Todoroki could have frozen the entire arena in an instant..." Team RWBY blinked at that, but it went unnoticed by the Frog Quirk girl. "...Maybe Ashido could have melted her weapons with her acid," the Huntresses were beginning to sweat as they imagined their own gear being melted (Ruby especially was having a silent mental panic attack) "and possibly Bakugo, if he could out manoeuvrer her. Ribbit."
"...Yeah, I can certainly agree with the last one." Yang said, catching everyone's attention. She sounded uncharacteristically serious. "It's actually kind of frustrating, I fought my hardest out there, and found out I only scored a tie against him because he couldn't go all out."
"I think you did pretty well." Blake honestly stated. "Even holding back, he was clearly a difficult opponent." Uraraka nodded and pushed herself out and turned herself so that she could look up at the blonde.
"At the sports festival, I had to fight Bakugo in the first round of the one on one matches. I know just how difficult he can be to even get close to, as well as how frustrating it can feel when you go for a big gambit, and he just, with seemingly casual ease, blows it away." She let a fierce grin spread out. "I started actually learning some hand to hand martial arts after that, and I found watching you fight really inspiring. Makes me want to spar against you myself." That got a surprised laugh out of Yang.
"Thanks, Uraraka, and you too Blake." She shook her head. "I guess... I don't know. I had this image of who and what I thought Bakugo was, and figured I could take his ego down a peg or two. Only, now I look at myself, and find that maybe I wasn't all that different. And maybe he isn't quite as bad, as I believed him to be." Ashido nodded as she listened, Hagakure, possibly doing the same, though it was hard to tell.
"Yeah, Bakugo can be a real pain, but I think we've learnt to tolerate him because we know that beyond his attitude, he actually does kind of care about us. He's ultimately on our side, and we can rely on him."
"Class 1-A sticks together!" Hagakure cheered.
"Yeah, him and Midoriya, both have this weird way of inspiring the rest of us to do better." Jiro agreed. "It's kind of funny how they can both do that when they rarely ever get along themselves." That got some nods, and Jiro turned to look at Ruby, only to flinch in surprise.
Ruby had this intense look on her face, and a sheen of sweat on her brow. Jiro could swear she was holding her breath. "Ru...Ruby?"
"You can't melt Crescent Rose! She's my baby!" The loud response caught everyone off guard, as Ruby nearly yelled. She was staring forward, before blinking and realising what she just said.
"Oh! Um.. heh heh, sorry. Um, what were we talking about again?"
"Did you hear anything past Asui…"
"Call me Tsu."
"...Past Tsu, talking about Ashido melting weapons?" Weiss asked, a nerve twitching in her forehead.
Ruby nervously laughed and rubbed the back of her head, which had the other girls good naturedly giggling.
Team BEAS Room
Bakugo couldn't sleep. He'd retired early as always, but even with his Aura healing him (taking it's damn time recovering, he mentally grumbled), his chest still felt sore. But it wasn't really that keeping him up.
He thought back to the fight. He should have realised Yang's Semblance earlier. Her hair had glowed back when she'd helped Deku finish the boss Grimm, or 'Mega-Carrion' as it was apparently called. How the level of strength had gone up only then.
He'd been on the other side of the clearing true, and recovering from his throw, and being dropped into Frog's and Pink cheeks arms. But he still should have noticed sooner.
He'd dismissed Aura too easily. Maybe the Hunters weren't that effective without it, but when they did have it, the best of them could throw down like Pros. He thought of Yang's, admittedly sweet, shotgun gauntlets. He thought of Nikos, switching her sword to a javelin, and a rifle.
He thought of Valkyrie, with her grenade launcher/ War-hammer.
He compared all of that to the support gear, he and his classmates used. After musing on it for a while, he came to a single conclusion.
'We need to upgrade. If we want to keep up, and hold our own next to the Hunters, we need to upgrade our gear. And soon.'
[Cue Outro]
1st Outro for Season 1 – Part 4: Yang
[Tai Xiao Long mourns the loss of Summer, while Yang is left looking after Ruby.]
[Yang is making cookies (and a mess) in the kitchen while Ruby's eyes look over the counter.]
[Yang discovers a photo of her mother Raven. She puts Ruby in a tug-along-trolley.]
[After walking for a long time, she and Ruby arrive at a run down shack with a Crow on the roof. Two Beowolves approach, only for Qrow Branwen to appear and slay them both.]
[Yang runs through darkness. Her head is down, and she bites her lip. As she comes to a stop, she sees ahead, her younger sister, her new partner, Weiss, as well as Kirishima, Uraraka, Ashido, Sato and Shoji.]
[Blinking back the tears, Yang begins to genuinely smile. Beaming at her friends and family, she rushes forward as the darkness disappear to reveal blue skies and rolling green hills.]
RWBY's Dorm Room
"OMIGOSH!" Ashido squealed under her breath. In her hands she held one of the books in Blake's private collection. The title of such, was 'Ninjas of Love'. Ashido had the book open before her, as Hagakure looked over her shoulder, and Blake (having failed to keep the book from falling into Ashido's hands, and subsequently unable to get it back without damaging said book) was keeping Ruby and the others distracted.
Already Uraraka was floating in an embarrassed mess as Yang teased her about how close she was to Midoriya. Asui and Ruby were happily trading family stories, while Blake managed to get Jiro and Yaoyorozu into a conversation with Weiss about music (Jiro was very impressed with a recording of a performance Weiss had made prior to her coming to Beacon, and Weiss was actually curious to hear Jiro sing).
'This... this is something I could see Ms Midnight having in her private collection!' Ashido thought as she turned the pages. 'Oh Blake Belladonna, you are never living this down. And we are going to be such good friends...' Her thoughts trailed off, as she came to a pull out poster. She slowly tipped the book, allowing gravity to reveal the artistic representation of the main characters.
She and Hagakure, still sitting on Yang's top bunk, just stared in silence for a beat, while feeling their faces and bodies rapidly heating up. "Oh...wow..." Hagakure whispered, with a bit of a nervous giggle. "...now that's a katana!"
Next Time on Paragons of Virtue and Glory:
[Mei: Ha ha! Support course prodigy, Mei Hatsume, is here to do the preview!]
[Deku: Wait a minute Hatsume! You don't appear this Season!]
[Mei: Details! In any case, the next episode focuses on something that I don't want to miss! Making Babies!]
[Ruby: Um... what?]
[Deku: (tiredly) She means making support items and weapons.]
[Ruby: Oh... OH! OH I get it! I understand! I had the same energy as I was planning to make Crescent Rose!]
[Mei: Ahahaha! Yes! You understand don't you! And 1-A are all going to plan how to upgrade their gear with Remnant's impressive mecha-shifting tech! Ooh so jealous!]
[Ruby: Well... I have been thinking of some upgrades, would you care to help?]
[Mei: ABSOLUTELY!]
[Deku: (Sighs) Next time: "New Tools of Trade"]
[Mei: While I'm at it, I'm going to give Muscles here, some rocket propelled boots as an upgrade to Iron Soles!]
[Deku: (Gulps) … Um... Go Beyond...]
[Mei and Ruby: PLUS ULTRA! HAHAHA!]
NOTES:
Yang Xiao long & Katsuki Bakugo...
Honestly, you could write an essay on how similar and how different each character is, but I'm going to try and keep this to a few notes.
Yang and Katsuki are both arrogant, highly confident blondes, with a penchant for close quarters fighting, explosions/fire, and how they both get stronger through a combination of how long a fight lasts, and their own rage. And both, over the course of their respective canon, go on a journey of self discovery and reflection. They grow up, and yet remain recognisably themselves.
One of the big differences to me, is not so much the world, but the environments they grew up in. I won't go into whether or not Bakugo's parents are truly abusive, but it is massively different from what Yang had. His parents, I'm convinced, care about him and his well being, but while I can see Mitsuki Bakugo trying to compensate for all the praise others filled Katsuki's head, and stoking his ego, she could've gone about it differently. And that has, in it's own way, contributed to her son's personality and world view; don't be weak.
Yang, on the other hand, had a largely healthier relationship with her family, but of course has to deal with the trauma of losing the only mother she ever knew, and having to step up as big sister, as her Father struggled to cope with both this loss and doing work. And that's not even getting into her abandonment issues over her birth mother. This has left her growing up, more empathetic towards others, as well as developing her cocky persona, which is as much the real her, as it is a shield to hide her own insecurities.
Ultimately, Yang turned out someone that most people would generally like and enjoy hanging out with, while Bakugo, kept developing a toxic masculinity personality, certainly not helped by those around him, and his fragile ego. And both end up over the course of their stories facing their failures, their assumptions, and having to reassess themselves and their world view.
So, both have faced off, and now have some understanding and respect for the other, even if they don't like each other. Their similarities is something I'll come back to touch upon as we continue the story. I hope you all enjoyed it. And expect more challenges for Bakugo at Beacon, that he can't just explode his way out of…
Speaking of continuing the story, I'd originally planned to write two chapters a month (pretty much the first three Episodes were written out over January – March). However after noticing some errors in my notes, and with the intention of not pushing myself to burnout, I'll be taking a little break. I'll likely still be working on the next few chapters, but the release state will be likely closer to once a month like most other authors. I'll be reviewing and cleaning up my notes, and the road map I have worked out. It has been a massive relief and joy, to find people have been enjoying Paragons of Virtue and Glory, and I hope to continue for the next few years.
As always feel free to leave a review, and your speculations, and I'll see about addressing some questions next chapter. UnTiL nExT tImE!
EDIT: This chapter has been edited since release to correct mistakes missed previously, to better improve the story, and reading experience - (Last edit 30th July 2023)