AN: Thanks for reading and leaving reviews, everyone!
Melissa and Nejire quickly crossed the school grounds and a few minutes later arrived at Training Ground Delta. Beyond the entrance stood a perfect mockup of a Japanese rural district, filled with single-family homes and apartments laid out in a sprawling fashion. While Melissa supposed the sight of the peaceful homes should be welcome and inviting, today they were anything but.
"Is it just me, or are the bugs also quiet?" Nejire asked.
"What kind of-" Melissa started before she cut herself off and listened.
Silence.
"You're right," Melissa said as she unconsciously lowered her voice. "I don't hear them either."
"I wonder if they did that on purpose," Nejire speculated.
"It wouldn't surprise me," Melissa admitted. "Disaster sites are often quiet like this - we'll be forced to work in unnerving conditions once we graduate."
"That's true," Nejire placed her index finger on her cheek as she thought about it. Seemingly giving up, she shrugged and looked at her friend. "Oh well, let's go!"
"Lead the way," Melissa gestured.
As the two stepped inside, Melissa froze in panic. There, sitting on top of one of the buildings, were the vestiges of Uncle Toshi and Nana. Spotting her, Nana gave her a bright smile and waved.
"Melissa," Nejire began, causing her companion to jump. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," Melissa said sheepishly as she felt her cheeks heating up. "Sorry, just nerves." Glancing up, she saw that Nana was laughing. She'd have to find a way to get revenge later.
"I get it," Nejire bobbed her head. "We're facing down All Might! I'm scared too."
"You sure don't look like it."
"I guess I'm just better at hiding it," Nejire said with a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
Suddenly a holographic projection of Nezu appeared in front of them, startling both girls. "The test will begin momentarily. Please follow me to the designated starting area." The projection said.
Looking at each other, both girls nodded before they fell in line behind the projection.
"This open plaza's going to be the most dangerous part of our escape," Melissa said as she began to shift into hero mode.
"You're right," Nejire agreed as she looked around. "There's plenty of buildings and alleyways, but there's no way we can make it back to the entrance without All Might spotting us."
"And he's fast enough to intercept us."
"He's fast, but he's not as maneuverable as Gran Torino," Nejire pointed out. "Since he simulates flying by jumping, he can't adjust his direction in the air as easily."
"Good point," Melissa agreed. Unlike me, Uncle Might never had access to Float. "Still, if he's fast enough it won't matter much."
"And he won't have the telltale sound of jets that Torino's quirk did," Nejire pondered. "So if he comes at us from a blind spot we won't have as much time to react."
"I can see why they chose All Might for our opponent," Melissa said with a nervous laugh. "After everything Gran Torino put us through…"
"Well if we can't avoid All Might," Nejire asked as they followed Nezu down a narrow alleyway between two apartment buildings. "How do we escape?"
"We'll have to keep him busy," Melissa gave a sly smile to her friend. "If we can get him to crash into a building or something like that, it might buy us the few seconds we need! And if that doesn't work, I've got a few new tricks to try out!"
She raised her hand to show off her gauntlet to Nejire. After her discussions with Izuku, she wanted to prepare her cover story for her additional quirks early. In the meantime, it would let her field test new ideas for her classmates! And Izuku and Ochako!
"Oooh," Nejire examined the glove curiously. "Something in the palm and… some kind of launcher in your knuckles?"
"Yep!" Melissa said proudly. "I don't think the cables will do anything to All Might, but the laser should help!"
"I'm sure it will!" Nejire gave her companion a wide smile. "You're so smart and your support gear's the best!"
"Thank you," Melissa gave her friend an embarrassed smile in return.
The two continued to follow the hologram. They made notes of potential ambush points and places where they might be able to hide from Japan's top hero as they went until the image of their teacher stopped. As the projection spun around, a large red circle lit up on the ground. "This is your starting area."
Both girls walked into the circle, watching it change from red to green.
"Are you ready?" Nejire asked.
"As I'll ever be," Melissa assured her friend. "You?"
"Same," Neijre said.
The two didn't have to wait long until they heard a loud buzzer sound and the ring dissolved around them. "Students, you may begin."
There was a subtle shift in the two girl's attitudes as they finished assuming their 'hero modes.' Making eye contact, they both gave each other a subtle nod before they took off toward the nearest building, flying up to the rooftop. Quickly racing across it, they looked back toward the entrance of the exam site.
"I don't see All Might," Nejire said as she looked around.
"That doesn't mean much," Melissa replied as she examined the large open space in front of the entrance. While they could see about half of it from their vantage point, buildings still concealed the other half. She saw the vestiges, of course, as they sat there unmoving, but when she tried to follow their gaze she didn't spot anything. Not that she was expecting them to help.
"We should get closer," Nejire continued. "If we can't see All Might, that means he can't see us either."
"Right," Melissa agreed. Scanning the nearby buildings, she pointed to a nearby apartment complex. "That should give us a better view."
"Okay!" Nejire said as she activated her quirk and began floating.
Following her lead, Melissa activated Float, and the two girls quickly crossed the gap to land on the edge of the building. Not stopping, both girls broke into a run as they jogged to a nearby air conditioner and crouched down behind it.
"Do you think he spotted us?" Melissa asked.
"I hope not," Nejire said. "But I didn't see anything while we were flying."
"Me neither," Melissa agreed. "Let's keep going?"
"Yep!" Nejire rose to her full height and peeked out over the top of the machinery before she began floating along the roof. Following her lead, Melissa used Float to hover as well, gliding along the roof to minimize her sounds as they reached the edge.
The two girls looked around, planning their next move when they heard it.
"Detroit SMASH!"
The two girls reacted instantly, flying in separate directions as the shockwave hit the corner of the building. As she Floated away Melissa heard the sound of concrete cracking from the force of the blow, followed by a second thud as All Might landed on the roof.
"I Am Here. As your final test!" All Might declared with his signature smile as his gaze drifted back and forth between the two girls. "Now then, show me what you've learned this year!"
Melissa raised her arms only to watch as All Might launched himself at her teammate instead. Despite the weights he was wearing, he still moved incredibly fast.
"Nejire!"
Nejire reacted instantly by cutting off her quirk. At the same time, she raised her hands toward All Might and shot a blast of spiral energy toward the hero. While she doubted her Wave Motion would do anything to slow down the hero, it was enough to send her flying backward. Lifting her hands above her head she fired a second wave of energy, sending herself flying down to the alley below.
Not wasting any time, Melissa canceled Float as well and dropped down into the alleyway behind the apartment, her thrusters slowing her descent as she approached the ground. As soon as she landed she started running, One For All flaring as she weaved through the buildings towards her friend. Sliding around a corner, she was already raising her arm, ready to face whatever was there-
-only to see Nejire was alone. The indigo-haired student reacted to the sound and raised her hands ready to use her quirk as well. It only took a second, but recognition flashed across her face as she began to lower her arms. "Don't worry Sentinel, I'm safe."
"I'm glad," Melissa said as she looked back and forth. "We should probably move."
"Yep," Nejire said, already airborne as she activated her quirk.
The two made it two blocks before All Might caught up with them.
"Clever!" All Might praised them as he suddenly appeared in front of them. "Trying to limit my mobility by sticking to alleyways. Unfortunately for you, I've chased many villains over the years!"
"And we've been learning too!" Melissa shouted as she raised her hand.
Nejire matched her partner and fired a blast of Wave Motion energy at All Might at full power. The hero raised his hands to block the attack but was surprised by its ferocity. Almost losing his balance, he was forced to take a step backward to steady himself.
Smiling, Melissa launched a pair of smoke grenades out of her gauntlet. They impacted the wall next to the hero and began filling the alleyway with thick black smoke. Not wasting any time, she wrapped her other arm around her partner before launching herself skyward. Landing on the roof of a nearby home, the girls slid down the angled surface and dropped down into a fenced-in backyard. Nejire used her quirk to keep the pair upright, and the pair took off running as soon as they hit the ground.
"Do you think we lost him?" Nejire asked as they circled around the house.
Melissa heard a loud crash from behind them. "Yes, but not for long!"
The two ran down the street before Nejire grabbed Melissa and, with the faintest tug, directed her down a narrow alleyway. Turning her head, Melissa understood why - it was narrow and barely wide enough for the two girls to fit. For All Might - at least in his muscular form - it would be nearly impossible for him to fit into the alleyway. She gave her partner a nod and followed as Nejire led her to the entrance, both girls turning sideways as they began to shimmy through.
Melissa heard a rush of movement from behind them and froze. She spent several tense seconds watching the entryway to see if All Might would suddenly appear. Hearing nothing, she began to slowly raise her arm, ready to unleash an attack on the hero if he were to suddenly appear.
Her hand froze in midair as they saw All Might rush past the alleyway, seemingly disregarding it as he continued onward in the direction of the exit. She waited until she couldn't hear his footsteps anymore before she released the breath she was holding, letting out an inaudible sigh before she turned toward her companion. Nejire gave her a small smile in acknowledgment before she continued onward.
The two faced each other as they emerged into a wider alley.
"So what next?" Nejire asked.
"All Might was-"
"Above you the entire time!" All Might announced as he dropped to the ground behind Melissa, making her jump.
Melissa was thankful for her training as she began spinning around, her arm already coming up as her palm-mounted laser was charging.
"Sorry All Might, but we can't lose here!"
She activated the laser, firing a blinding beam of light in All Might's face. She heard him cry out in surprise but didn't want to wait around to see if it worked. Nejire had similar ideas, her hand already grabbing Melissa's other arm as she dragged her friend away. The girls didn't waste any time and fled the location. Activating their quirks they took to the skies only to land on a rooftop of a nearby apartment complex.
"We've just got the final obstacle!" Nejire exclaimed as she pointed to the massive empty courtyard that stretched between them and the exit. "Think we can get across before All Might recovers?"
Melissa looked back hesitantly. "Do you want to risk our grades on it?"
"Nope!" Nejire agreed. "So how do we get across then?"
Both girls' brows furrowed as they tried to come up with a plan. After a few tense seconds, Melissa's eyes lit. "Nejire, I've got it!"
The girls were racing along the sidewalk and managed to make it halfway across the plaza before they heard a booming thunderclap and a gust of wind behind them.
"That was a nasty trick you played, Young Sentinel!" All Might said from behind them. "But it won't work a second time!"
"Nejire, go!" Melissa shouted as she pulled back her fist, already charging One For All up to forty percent.
"Sentinel, we're in this together!" Nejire insisted as she turned around.
"No, you need to escape," Melissa said shot back. "There's no time!" Nejire looked like she was about to protest when Melissa punched at forty percent. "Emulated Detroit Smash!"
The move worked just as she had hoped and she hit her teammate with a gust of wind. Nejire was sent flying toward the exit along with various rocks and other loose debris from around them. Melissa watched with resignation on her face, until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"That was quite the noble sacrifice, Young Sentinel," All Might said from behind her. "However, this is the end of the line for you."
"Is it?" Melissa closed her eyes and smirked, thankful that her uncle was being sloppy.
With a flick of her finger, she disengaged the locks on her chest plate, the torso cracking open to allow her to escape. Ducking, she quickly escaped from the compromised piece of armor, leaving it behind in All Might's hands. Not wanting to give her uncle a chance to recover, she kicked out, her foot connecting with the hero's knee and sending him stumbling backward.
"Don't count me out yet!" Melissa said as she quickly stood up and assumed her combat stance. She'd have to be careful because the black body glove she wore under her armor wasn't going to provide protection from either All Might or her own powers, but her limbs were still armored and ready to go!
"I see," All Might's smile widened as he steadied himself. "You certainly are full of surprises Melissa!"
"I made a promise," Melissa smiled. "And I don't intend to break it here!"
Risa, Izuku, Ochako, Nejire- all of you! I won't let you down.
All Might came rushing in, his movements lighting fast. But with Overcharge she was almost able to match his speeds. Raising her fist, she caught the brunt of her uncle's blow with her forearm. She felt the armor protesting against the dueling forces of One For All waging inside and out, but it held strong. Despite that, Melissa was forced to take a step back to steady herself, but it was a far better result than the shattered limb she was expecting.
"My turn!" Melissa threw out an elbow, aiming for her uncle's side (the undamaged one! She's not a monster who would target his weak spot!). It was his turn to block, his hand coming up to catch her elbow. She once again felt her armor strain as it struggled to contain the opposing forces before she quickly pulled back, refusing to give him an opening to capture her.
The two continued moving at impossible speeds, trading punches, elbows, and the occasional kick from Melissa. Despite his efforts to subdue the student, All Might found his efforts thwarted.
And with each blow, Melissa heard her armor straining.
Until it finally broke.
Both heard the loud crack as Melissa's right arm held back All Might's blow. Responding quickly, All Might pulled his fist back, only for a large chunk of the polymer armor to fall away. The duo looked at the gauntlet, seeing a spider web of cracks racing out from the point of impact.
"Melissa, please don't make me continue," All MIght said as he looked at the ruined armor.
Melissa looked from her gauntlet to her uncle with a bright smile on her face. "We're not done yet."
"We?" All Might asked, only to finally hear the sound of Nejire's Wave Motion quirk.
It was too late to dodge as Nejire hit All Might in the face with a flying kick, sending him staggering back a few feet before she landed next to her teammate. "Sorry I'm late. Your blast sent me flying!"
"Sorry about that," Melissa said as she felt the heat on her cheeks. "I didn't know how much power I needed to emulate All Might there."
"It's ok, I'm here now!" Nejire smiled. "Ready to finish this?"
"Yep!"
As one, the two girls turned toward All Might. Nejire concentrated her Wave Motion energy around her right hand while One For All flared in Melissa's left.
"Nejire Strike!"
"Voltage Burst!"
The two girls punched All Might in the chest, the combined force of their attacks enough to send him flying into a nearby building. The two watched him impact, a cloud of dust and debris exploding outward. Rather than celebrate their victory, they turned toward each other.
"Run!"
Both turned away from their teacher and bolted toward the exit.
Coughing from the cloud of dust, All Might saw the two girls running away and smiled.
"I see. You know Nejire didn't have the strength to match One For All, so you acted as a distraction and caught me off guard." All Might pushed himself away from the wall and stood upright. He felt a new coughing fit coming on and raised his fist to his mouth, feeling the splash of blood as he did so. "You are becoming fine young heroes."
All Might rubbed his forehead. "I just wish Gran Torino didn't feel it was necessary to teach you that, however."
When Melissa and Nejire crossed the threshold, they heard the nearby loudspeakers crackle to life.
"Shield and Hado are the third team to accomplish their goal. Congratulations!"
"Third team?" Nejire asked.
"I'm surprised we ended so quickly," Melissa admitted. "It felt like we were running around for hours."
"Wait until the adrenaline wears off," Nejire teased before she heard her stomach rumbling. "Or in my case, my quirk catches up to me."
"It's okay!" Melissa assured her friend. "We'll stop by a bakery on our way to celebrate!"
"That sounds great!" Nejire beamed. "Let's go see how everyone else is doing!"
When they got back, they saw that Arabele was talking with the rest of their classmates that had finished. Juno spotted Melissa and Nejire as they approached, and extended outward to wave at them.
"Congrats on finishing! Too bad we came in first," Juno said with a hint of smugness in their voice.
"Juno," Arabele let out a sigh. "Just because we were able to handle Present Mic easily doesn't mean we should brag."
"Hey, it's not my fault they gave me plenty of water," Juno said. "I don't know why UA pays to keep the waterworks running in all of their training grounds, but I'm not gonna complain."
"Once Juno figured out where Mic was, it was a simple matter of using our quirks to capture him," Arabele explained. "Oda kept creating stone barriers to absorb his Voice shockwaves and then when we got close enough Juno gave us an opening to put the handcuffs on him."
"I'm awesome," Juno said before turning to the girls. "How'd you do against All Might?"
More students came trickling in as Melissa and Nejire recounted their tale. By the time they were done, Yuyu had arrived, and Nejire immediately leaned on her girlfriend as the exhaustion settled in. Tamaki arrived next. He and his teammate had to face down Aizawa, and they both admitted it was disorienting fighting without a quirk. However, they were able to organize an ambush and some well-timed squid ink was enough to disable the teacher until after they had captured him.
And finally, Rika and her teammate stumbled in.
"How'd you deal with him actually training you!?" Rika asked Melissa and Nejire. The fiery girl looked battered and bruised - almost as if she was the one who had faced down All Might, not them.
"It wasn't easy," Melissa admitted.
"He knew how to push us to our limits," Nejire said. "But in a good way! It hurt, but we always got better!"
"I don't feel better," Rika said as she plopped down on the ground. "I just want to take a hot shower, and then nap for a week." She held up her hand and the smallest flame appeared before it just as quickly sputtered out. "I'm pretty sure I'm suffering a bout of quirk exhaustion too."
"Guess what you've got to look forward to in two years?" Melissa said nervously.
"Ugh, don't remind me."
Feeling a bout of sympathy, Melissa offered her friend-slash-rival a hand. "Come on, after they announce the results I'll help you to the infirmary. Then I think this calls for a celebration." Rika took her hand and pulled herself upright before she gratefully leaned on the offered shoulder to support herself.
"Are your friends coming to the party?" Juno asked Melissa pointedly.
Melissa felt her face heating up as she looked at the living quirk. "O-of course not! They're not part of our class!"
"So a different celebration then," Juno said smugly.
Arabele glared at her quirk, who quickly retreated to the wreath around her neck. She was about to apologize but stopped and turned toward the approaching principal instead, drawing the rest of the class's attention. The twenty students all went quiet as they waited for the final verdict.
The principal slowly approached the class before stopping in front of the assembled students. Folding his hands behind his back, he began to look them over, ensuring he made eye contact with each of them as he did so. Satisfied, he finally spoke.
"Congratulations. You have all passed the practical portion of your final exams. Pending your written exam scores, you will all be moving on to the second year."
The class erupted in cheers.
Sorry this is a day late! My finals were rougher than I expected. But I passed, and that's all that matters :D ~SupportGrrl47