The day shifted to afternoon as Noikari touched down in the courtyard of U.A., gently releasing Rumi upon landing. Taking a moment to breathe, the Rabbit Hero immediately began to yell at Noikari.

"You stupid brat! What were you thinking?! Are you mad!?"

Noikari laughed sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry... I was just so excited I guess."

She sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose before reaching up and ruffling his hair playfully.

"Whatever. Let's just go inside before you give me a heart attack."

Noikari merely smiled in response.

As they entered from the door which led to the courtyard, the duo went to look in Class 1-A for Aizawa, as it was the most likely place for the stoic hero to be currently. Reaching the classroom, Noikari quickly stepped in only to be greeted by a strange sight.

His teacher, Aizawa, wrapped up tightly in a sleeping bag. Beside the sleeping pro, stood Katsuki, Momo, Izuku and Shoji. As soon as they saw Noikari enter, Aizawa opened one eye and gave the boy a tired smile before closing it again.

His eyes still closed, Eraser Head began to address Noikari. "I take it you found her?"

"Damn right!" The Rabbit Hero proclaimed, punching her fists together. "And not a second too soon either cause this moron nearly killed me by flying like some sorta-"

She stopped herself, noticing the confused glances everyone was giving her.

"Never mind that," Aizawa sighed, cracking a single eye open. "What took you so long? I dismissed you during homeroom and it's been almost two hours. School's nearly over. What were you doing?"

Noikari froze, his mind coming up with any possible lie he could possibly think of to explain what he had been doing.

"Err..."

Before he could continue to stutter incoherently however, another voice joined the conversation as he felt an arm wrap around his head before pulling him close. It was Rumi.

"I'll tell ya what he was doing. He was taking down the Killer Bees like a hero! With my help of course."

Now Aizawa had both of his eyes opened, a look of surprise and confusion painted across his features. Noikari just stared back nervously.

"You mean the organization with ties to the League of Villains?"

Everyone looked at him, each of them clearly surprised to hear those words come out of his mouth. Though, none were quite sure how to react to that fact.

Mirko was the first person to break the silence that ensued. "You're damn right we did!" She exclaimed excitedly while still holding Noikari close, practically smothering the boy in her abs.

The students of Class 1-A continued to stare at the trio in shock before Kaminari spoke up, with a sound of realization from the Electrification Hero causing the others to turn toward him.

"Well, Noikari, we need to think of a good hero name for you!"

Noikari sweat dropped awkwardly while rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Haha, you don't need to worry about that Denki."

"We do, we really do!" Mina argued, shaking her head at the auburn-haired boy while gesturing toward Noikari. "You gotta have a good hero name, otherwise you won't catch anyone's attention!"

"Right."

"Plus you'll make lots more fans then if you just have a regular name!"

This made Noikari stop and consider her statement. After a moment, he realized that she had indeed a valid point there.

Izuku shook his head. "You're acting like that's the main point of being a hero."

"Well, whatever!" Katsuki interjected, clearly irritated at the amount of time that the conversation had gone on for. "Just come up with a damn name!"

Shaking out of Mirko's grasp, Noikari was lost in thought as he tried coming up with a good name. One that would inspire people while also striking fear into evildoers. Finally, he decided.

"I got one."

Kaminari turned towards the auburn head. "Got what? What name?"

Still without opening his eyes, Noikari replied. "It's a little silly, but. . ."

All eyes were on Noikari as he announced his hero name.

"Nebulidius."

The moment the name left his lips, everyone's expression changed. Even Shouto seemed taken aback slightly before he broke into a small grin. On the other hand, Katsuki was quick to mock Noikari.

"You really wasted our time coming up with that shitty name?"

"Hey! That's uncalled for!"

Kacchan was cut short by Midoriya stepping forward with his hands up in front of him placatingly. Looking directly at Kacchan he said simply "That's a wonderful hero name!"

With that, Katsuki was rendered speechless as the others gave their approval of Noikari's hero name. Feeling rather proud of himself, despite his embarrassment over his nickname, Noikari looked up toward Aizawa who was now out of his sleeping bag. Eraser Head merely nodded. Although he didn't speak, the gesture was enough for Noikari to know that the Pro Hero approved of his choice. Katsuki went back to his seat with a snort, muttering something under his breath as he plopped down into his seat.

"So, when the hell is this Fighting Festival?" Bakugo asked, obviously annoyed, but unable to hide the hint of excitement underneath his irritation.

Aizawa rolled his eyes before replying.

"Three days. You'll all have three days to prepare yourselves and train."

Noikari nodded in understanding.

"Good, because the sooner I get to kick Midoriya's ass, the better!"

Aizawa groaned as he facepalmed. Of course Bakugou would still try to challenge Deku. Honestly, why didn't he expect anything less?

The moment lunchtime came around, Noikari eagerly approached Kaminari.

"Hey Kaminari! Mind if I tag along with you?"

Although slightly startled by the sudden request, the blonde recovered quickly and responded with a wide grin.

"Not at all, man!"

Within an hour, the two were sitting together at their usual table, having a simple and easy lunch together. Noiari enjoyed listening to Kaminari ramble on about his day and what the girls were saying, which caused his ears to ring due to the loudness of the blondes voice. In between bites of his food however, Noikari noticed Izuku approaching from across the cafeteria.

Looking up, Izuku was smiling at him.

"Hey! Care if I join you guys?"

"Yeah! C'mon!" Kaminari shouted, waving for the green haired male to sit beside him. "Come eat with us. We wanna know all your secrets and stuff!"

Ignoring the last part, Izuku sat next to Noikari and Kaminari as the three began excitedly discussing the Fighting Festival. Noticing the child starting to space off, Izuku turned toward him.

"So Noikari, what are you looking forward to most about the Fighting Festival?"

Noikari blinked. He hadn't even realized that he'd spaced off. Taking a few seconds to think back, he finally answered.

"Honestly? if the opportunity arises, what I'm most looking forward to. . . is to fight you."

Kaminari nearly choked on his food as Izuku was shocked into stunned silence. However, Izuku quickly regained his composure and gave a warm smile.

"To be honest, I've also wanted to battle againt you as well, Noi. This Festival will be the perfect chance."

Extending a friendly hand out towards the boy, Izuku wore a determined grin as he declared:

"If we do fight, let's both give it our all!"

Smiling with the same determination, Noikari agreed, reaching out to shake Izuku's hand. The handshake turned into the two students firmly grasping each other's hand as they locked gazes once more.

As the two heroes stood up, Izuku couldn't help the growing excitement he suddenly felt. While he had never battled against Noikari before, the boy had given him so many hints of potential as well as his willingness to train to become a Hero. To battle him would be nothing short of fantastic! Just imagining it filled Izuku with anticipation and nervous excitement all at the same time. The pupil of All Might knew that Noikari would most likely train rigorously until the day of the Fighting Festival, and he would do the same.

No one really knew what Noikari's real abilities were in combat. He'd no doubt grown stronger since the battle against the Colossaeus, and with no one except Mirko seeing his fight against Shirota, it was hard to gauge his true power. But the one thing he was certain about, was that this Fighting Festival would surely prove Noikari to be far stronger than himself or anyone else could ever imagine.

In an abandoned bar, a distinguished man sat at a large, dark wooden desk. With his elbows resting atop a stack of papers, he leaned slightly forward on his palms as he rested his chin on his hands. His gaze was set deeply on the papers laid before him. They were a detailed outline of a quirk. A Quirk which he himself had created.

The Quirk of Noikari.

Sitting next to the man was a petite young girl with ash-colored hair wearing a plain seifuku. She was playfully twiddling with a knife as she watched her ally read the papers set out in front of him.

Himiko Toga smiled, a devious glint in her violet eyes. She leaned in closer, annoying the doctor with her presence.

"Oooh, isn't this about the little runt you made?"

Dr. Hetodah pushed her head away as he flipped one of the papers over.

"Indeed, he seems to be improving quite well. Though my goal has always been to improve him. I just need a little push is all." He stated confidently. "After all, a hero can only take so much of the world's cruelty."

Toga giggled and wiggled herself closer to the older doctor.

"So will I get to drink some of his blood? Just a pinch?"

Dr. Hetodah turned to her with narrowed crimson eyes.

"Do not get ahead of yourself. There may be times where you may use your powers to do as you wish, but that doesn't mean I want you to do that just yet. You see, my dear, our plan is still far too early in the game. The time will be soon, but you must be patient."

Pouting slightly, Toga grumbled before crossing her arms indignantly.

"Fine. If you say so..." She sulked.

"Good." Dr. Hetodah turned his attention back to the paper, taking in the details before him again. As he did, he smirked to himself. Soon everything would start to fall into place. All that remained was to wait. The scientist and Toga turned as the sound of a door creaking open interrupted them.

In walked Toya Todoroki.

With a slight bow, he walked around the large desk before him and took a seat opposite Hetodah. His sharpened gaze was focused intensely on the papers lying in front of the doctor as he listened intently. After several minutes, Hetodah raised his gaze up to meet Shigaraki's eyes, which despite the decayed hand which covered the villains face, was still remarkably easy.

"Yes, Toya?"

Without breaking eye contact with the doctor, the wielder of Blueflame simply said:

"Shirota has been defeated."

Dr. Hetodah's eyes widened slightly before he spoke.

"Is that so?" he questioned coolly. Toya nodded.

Dr. Hetodah shook his head, like a disappointed parent. "What a shame. All of that hard work and he failed. You know it wasn't easy splicing the genes to give him those Quirks. Especially yours, Dabi."

Dabi simply grinned, clearly enjoying hearing the praise.

"Of course. It is difficult to contain the Quirk in someone so weak. I am only glad you were able to do it so quickly."

Despite being slightly concerned, Todoroki didn't let on that he was affected at the fact that the doctor could give a person multiple Quirks through genetic manipulation. It was rather similar to how All for One transferred stolen Quirks into others. But whereas All for One needed to physically steal a Hero's Quirk, Hetodah only needed a sample of their DNA. A piece of hair, a flake of skin, a drop of blood; that was all that was needed. That was the reason the scientist had been recruited into the League of Villains.

As the meeting drew to a close, Dabi excused himself as he left the room. Hetodah stayed seated behind his desk as he continued to look through his files. After another minute, the door creaked as it opened, revealing a familiar misty figure with yellow eyes. Looking up at the new visitor, he smiled.

"Kurogiri, what brings you here today? You're not usually the type to visit me without Shigaraki present."

Gravely lowering his head as though in shame, Kurogiri replied:

"It is my fault. I have failed you, doctor. My master has ordered me to bring you something."

He extended his long shadowy hand towards the desk, showing the small vial full of red liquid in his palm.

Hetodah took the vial carefully, turning it over in his hand. His face slowly grew a bright smirk as he stared down at the clear liquid inside.

"You've done your job perfectly."

Reaching under his desk, the scientist pulled out the chair before him, motioning for his old comrade to sit.

Standing in front of Kurogiri, Hetodah looked at the misty creature in amusement.

"Have Twice and Spinner returned with the body?"

"They're bringing it here as we speak. I hope your plans worked out. All for One has high expectation of you."

"Oh yes, they are working out quite well. In fact, this might be the best plan for a while. We just have to wait for things to fall into place."

With the conversation concluded, Hetodah grabbed a bottle from the front bar and poured its contents into a glass, taking a sip as his mind drifted away.

'Soon.' Hetodah told himself, 'Soon everything will fall into place, and I will have you once again, Noikari. . .'