AN: The texting bits take place 2 and a half days into the internships. The regular scenes are things that happened during those days. Enjoy!
Mischief Squad
Mr. Trickster: Hey! Anyone else on? These past two and half days of internships have been exhausting but worth it! How's everyone else been doing?
Hot Pocket: Hello Midoriya
Hot Pocket: My time with my father has been interesting I suppose.
Mr. Trickster: A good interesting or a bad, Todoroki?
Mr. Trickster: Because I can do something about it if you need.
Hot Pocket: No, that will not be necessary. Although, he did receive an anonymous package. Was that from you?
Yellow Raijin: What was it?
Hot Pocket: Hello Kaminari. And it was a package containing what it claimed was evidence of the "worst heroes ever" that Stain may target and should only be opened by Endeavor.
Yellow Raijin: Ok?
Hot Pocket: The only thing inside was a mirror.
Hot Pocket: That Endeavor promptly broke.
Yellow Raijin: BAHAHAHAHAHA
Mr. Trickster: That could've been anyone…
NoobMaster69: Sus
Dat Girl: That's seven years of bad luck. Ribbit.
Mochiroid: What a waste of a perfectly good mirror…
Yellow Raijin: Not this again, Tsu!!
Yellow Raijin: You don't need to type ribbit!!
Dat Girl: *Croaks in laughter*
Yellow Raijin: I thought your internship had you out to sea? How are you even getting online?
Dat Girl: The ship has WiFi. Ribbit.
NoobMaster69: I feel like that ribbit was supposed to mean: Duh.
Dat Girl: It did. Good catch.
Mr. Trickster: I guess Tenya is still not online?
Yellow Raijin: Doesn't seem like it
Mochiroid: His internship is probably keeping him pretty busy…
Mr. Trickster: That doesn't explain why he wasn't on much before that… but I'm sure it's fine! I'll just keep trying to reach out.
Hot Pocket: Tenko, you will be happy to know I have acquired the necessary material to test these mystery horror games you spoke about.
NoobMaster69: Did you get a game?
Hot Pocket: Yes, after I purchased the computer setup. The salesman at the store was very helpful once I told him price was no issue.
NoobMaster69:
NoobMaster69: You did WHAT?!
Hot Pocket: Yes, I wanted to be sure I had the full experience. Or rather, Endeavor paid for me to have the full experience ;)
Hot Pocket: Did I do that correctly, Midoriya?
Mr. Trickster: Yes, I'm proud of you.
Hot Pocket: ;)
Mr. Trickster: No, not like that Todoroki
Hot Pocket: ;(
Mr. Trickster: Hold on, let me DM you again to explain.
NoobMaster69: So how much is the Number 2 hero paying for his son to have fun gaming?
Hot Pocket: One moment, I have to see how much I spent on the games themselves.
NoobMaster69: Games? How many horror games did you get?
Hot Pocket: Yes.
Hot Pocket: Midoriya?
Mr. Trickster: Yeah, you did that one right :D
Hot Pocket: Wonderful
Hot Pocket: So, with the addition of my games, all the materials in total cost around 15,193,415 yen.
Mochroid:
Dat Girl: Ribbit!!!
NoobMaster69: Are you kidding me?!
Hot Pocket: Is there a problem?
Hot Pocket: I was assured by the gentlemen that my equipment was top of the line.
NoobMaster69: What did he sell you?!
Hot Pocket: Computer, several monitors, and a very large chair that was apparently made specifically for the act of gaming. Keyboard, mouse, headphones, sound system and sound proof panels, a microphone, and a VR headset.
Hot Pocket: I did not miss anything, did I?
NoobMaster69: I don't really know how to tell you this…but I think he sold you some stuff you don't need…
Hot Pocket: Ah, I see the misunderstanding. I was aware of the man selling me more expensive products than I needed. In fact, I encouraged it. Endeavor will not be pleased.
Hot Pocket: ;)
Mr. Trickster: There you go. You're getting it again.
Mochiroid: Back
Mochiroid: Sorry, blacked out for a second. Anyway…
Mochiroid: TODOROKI!! Even if it's to spite your dad, you shouldn't be spending money like that!
NoobMaster69: Well now hold on.
NoobMaster69: If Todoroki wants to spite his dad, who are we to stop him?
NoobMaster69: Especially if he wants us to help spite Endeavor by…I don't know…buying us high-end equipment.
Mochiroid: TENKO
Dat Girl: If during your spiting, you want to get me a gaming computer as well Todoroki, I wouldn't oppose.
Mochiroid: Not you too, Tsu!
Dat Girl: I don't know exactly what's going on between Todoroki and his dad but I do know there are much less healthy ways for him to get back at Endeavor than spending money the man has more than enough of.
Dat Girl: Plus, as much fun as I had playing games at Tenko's house, this would allow him and I to play together more often.
Dat Girl: I don't need anything expensive. Just the basics to get me started.
NoobMaster69:
NoobMaster69: Todoroki, get on it, NOW
Hot Pocket: Of course. And I apologize if this makes you uncomfortable, Uraraka. But my father has far more than he needs.
Hot Pocket: I could even get some equipment for you if you'd like. I know Midoriya likes to play.
Mr. Trickster: HEY
Mr. Trickster: If anyone's going to buy Uraraka high-end stuff, it's gonna be me!
Dat Girl: Wow
NoobMaster69: Wow
Yellow Raijin: Wow
Hot Pocket: ???
Hot Pocket: Wow
Yellow Raijin: Do you even know why we're saying wow?
Hot Pocket: No
Hot Pocket: I apologize
Yellow Raijin: Don't be, I'll explain it to you
Mochiroid: Can someone explain it to me?
Dat Girl: I will when I see you next
Dat Girl: By the way, I noticed that neither Midoriya nor Kaminari seemed surprised like the rest of us about the amount of money Todoroki spent?
Dat Girl: Ribbit
Yellow Raijin: IT DIDN'T NEED ITS OWN MESSAGE
Dat Girl: RIBBIT
Yellow Raijin: You know water conducts electricity, right?!
Dat Girl: Based on your test scores, I'm surprised you know that
Dat Girl: RIB
Dat Girl: BIT
Yellow Raijin:
Yellow Raijin: She's so much meaner on here than in person…
Dat Girl: And neither you nor your cousin answered my question
Mr. Trickster: Oh! Right! Yup. Totally a lot of money. Can't even fathom it.
Yellow Raijin: Right. Yes. That. It was certainly a large sum of money that I myself could never dream of having.
Dat Girl: Ribbit…
NoobMaster69: Suspicious ribbit, right?
Dat Girl: Right
NoobMaster69: Good
Dat Girl: Midoriya stutters when he lies
Mr. Trickster: Do you always have to point everything out…
Dat Girl: And I think if we were in person, you would've stuttered while answering my question
Mr. Trickster: I choose not to answer that
Mr. Trickster: On a completely unrelated note, thank goodness I can't stutter through text
Mr. Trickster: I mean, could you imagine?
Dat Girl: Ochako, you have been oddly silent on the matter. I thought you of all people would be curious about this
Mochiroid: Nope!
Mochiroid: Nothing to say!
Mochiroid: I don't know anything!
Mochiroid: So how can I say something if I don't know anything?
Mochiroid: I believe them
Mr. Trickster: Anyway!
Mr. Trickster: Getting back on track, I started this to see how everyone's first two and a half days of internships went! Here, I'll start…
"So, you wish to learn how to engage with your opponents in a more direct manner?" Gentle asks, the wind from atop the building they stand on blowing the high collars of his costume.
"That's right." Izuku smiles, looking down at the new signature in his notebook, before thanking La Brava again. The young woman waves off his thanks, probably because it was the fourth time he said it.
Izuku stands at the top of a tall building in the city, the cloak from his hero costume blowing in the same wind as Gentle's. The hero stood facing both he and La Brava, while Majestic stood off to the side, leaning against the balcony.
Vanishing the book, Izuku nods to himself. "I know you're not the first person most people think about when it comes to 'power,' but I think that works better for me, because I'm not all power either."
Lifting his hand, Izuku looks at Gentle, silently asking for permission. When the hero nods, Izuku disappears in a green light, turning himself into the man. "Like yours, my power is more utility, better for non-combat situations," he explains in Gentle's voice.
"The impression is uncanny and as impressive as it was on the television," Gentle compliments while leaning on his cane. "But I fear we do need to work on broadening your lexicon, should you wish to truly pass as me."
"Thank you, sir. But, as I was saying, our quirks aren't combat focused. But we both have access to abilities that change that." There's another flash of green, and a second La Brava now appears in Izuku's place, much to the real one's joy.
"You use La Brava's quirk in tandem with your own to gain the advantage over villains," the new La Brava explains. "And now I have my ice, that I need help figuring out how to use." Izuku can't help herself and runs a hand through her new hair, which went almost down to her feet.
It's weird having such long- "Ow!" Izuku cries when the real La Brava slaps her hand.
"You have no idea what it takes to get it that way! Don't mess it up!!"
"I see," Gentle muses, stroking his beard. Izuku turns back into himself, the man either not noticing or ignoring how his partner and new intern have begun to stick their tongues out at each other. "You came to me to find the most optimal path to combine utility and power!"
"Yes!!"
"Very well, young man! I will endeavor to aid you in your mission!" Gentle proclaims with such ferocity, Izuku can't help but feel excited!
"If there was anyone who could help me, I knew it'd be you!" Izuku cheers, pumping his arms in anticipation.
"There is only one thing we must do before we begin!" Gentle yells, raising his finger to the sky.
"Anything! I'm ready!" Izuku clenches his fist, determination running through his body like his own blood. This is it! Ever since the Sports Festival, he's felt a little lost. His dad had always been there to help him and push him forward with his powers, but with Loki's refusal to help him use his ice, Izuku wasn't sure who he could turn to.
Gentle lowers his finger to Izuku. "We must first resolve the issue of how to exactly accomplish such a goal!"
"Yeah! I- wait, what?" Izuku sputters out, deflating while La Brava shakes her head good-naturedly and giggles.
"He meeeeeeans… he has no idea," she translates.
"Et tu, La Brava?!" Gentle places a hand over his heart, seemingly stricken. "It is always those you hold dearest, that betray you in the end." Izuku snickers at the silly statement.
"No matter!" Gentle bounces back quickly. "My mustache has already declared its desire to aid you! And aid you it shall! Majestic, my thinking tea if you please!"
Izuku is confused for a moment before, in between him and Gentle, one of Majestic's platforms rises, holding a tea kettle and mugs. The greenette raises an eyebrow at Majestic, as if to ask, 'he really has you use your quirk for that?'
Majestic shrugs and laughs off Izuku's questioning gaze. This is probably a regular occurrence and something the other hero is used to. "Now, how to proceed…" Gentle lifts the kettle to pour the tea, but the high-altitude wind has another idea as it blows the hot beverage onto Izuku and La Brava.
Standing in front of the sidekick to shield La Brava, while Gentle strokes his chin, Izuku decides a demonstration may help his new mentor. With a wave of his hand, the tea being poured from the kettle freezes solid, catching Gentle's attention.
"I can freeze any liquid into ice and telepathically control it." Izuku demonstrates by having the frozen tea twirl around his arm. "I can also form it into different shapes or weapons."
"Fascinating." Gentle studies the frozen tea as Izuku makes it fly around them. "And what shall you do if you find yourself in a location where your access to water becomes limited?"
To answer the question, Izuku conjures a jug of water. "Like I told you in our emails, I have this pocket dimension where I can keep stuff. Usually I keep water just in case, but I can use that water to always have ice ready."
Izuku vanishes the jug. "So I think with that, I can always have my ice ready for a more direct attack if needed."
"And what of your illusions?" Gentle inquires.
"They're great for distractions and confusion while I use my ice to attack?" Izuku doesn't mean for it to sound like a question, but the way Gentle asked him made him feel like the hero had something in mind and was seeing how Izuku would answer.
"I see." Gentle stops the stroking of his chin and nods, seemingly deciding on something. "Young man, you will be delighted to know that I believe I comprehend how to assist you in your ordeal! If you'd be so kind as to return my tea to me."
"Right! Sorry!" Izuku redirects the iced tea back into the cup, before letting it return to its liquid form. "But you know how to help me?!"
"I do!" Gentle raises the mug. "There is a flaw in your thought process, young man! One I intend to correct! Allow me to enjoy a quick sip of tea and then we may-" the hero does just that, he takes a sip of tea, a face of disgust quickly overtaking his features.
"Cold!" He looks back up at Izuku, a smile still on his face but strained. "You wouldn't happen to be able to increase the temperature of liquids, would you?"
"No…"
"No matter!" Gentle is quick to put the tea down and wave to Majestic, who lowers his platform holding the beverages. "We should make our way to a new location that is more appropriate for the training I have in mind, post haste!"
The hero rubs his mouth with a handkerchief. "And perhaps, we save the freezing of the liquids for water?" Izuku is quick to nod.
"Excellent! Then let us be off!" Izuku should note that while Majestic's platforms brought them to the top of this building, he isn't ready when Gentle decides to jump backwards off the edge of the building with no warning.
He feels his scream is the appropriate reaction. "Gentle!! Oh my-"
"Yes, young man?"
Izuku blinks, now realizing that Majestic is also laughing in his corner. Gentle had just reappeared, looking concerned before disappearing again. "Is everything alright?" He just did it again! How is he- oh! It's so obvious, Izuku can't stop his facepalm. He'll blame his being dumb on the shock of just watching the hero jump off a building so casually.
Peering over the edge carefully, Izuku's theory is confirmed. Gentle had created an air membrane below him and was bouncing up and down. "With the number of my videos you have watched, this surely cannot be the first time you've seen this capability of my quirk?"
"No!" Izuku is quick to deny, waving his hands in front of him. "But you're usually in the air when your videos start. I've never seen you just…"
"You'll get used to it pretty quick," Majestic tells him, still calming down from his earlier laughter. "It's pretty common around here." To prove his point, Majestic allows himself to simply fall off the edge onto a waiting platform.
"Yes, well, come along, young man. There is no time to waste!" Gentle ceases his bouncing and creates a few membranes next to him for Izuku to land on.
'Every rational part of my brain says jumping off a building is a bad idea.'
'There are rational parts of your brain?'
'You wanna fly one day? This is the start!'
'Stop being a wuss and go already!'
'I wonder if there's a limit to the amount of force Gentle's quirk can take before it breaks?'
'Have La Brava film you doing a swan dive off the building and send it to Bakugo!'
Shaking his head vigorously to get rid of the voices of his clones, Izuku takes a deep breath and steps off the edge.
Mischief Squad
Yellow Raijin: Hahahaha, I love that the dude is the same person off and on camera.
Mochroid: Don't feel bad, Deku! I can remove my own gravity and I don't jump off buildings!
Mr. Trickster: Thanks
Dat Girl: I like his videos. He can be a little out there sometimes but if I'm not busy, I'll sometimes put one on
NoobMaster69: They're excellent meme material. But still good.
Hot Pocket: Endeavor doesn't like him.
Yellow Raijin: Shocker
Dat Girl: How long have you been waiting to use that one?
Dat Girl: Ribbit
Yellow Raijin: Uuuuuuuuuugh
Mr. Trickster: Haha it'll be ok Denki. How did the start of your internship go?
Yellow Raijin: Well…
Denki can't breathe. He can't see, can't hear, can't feel. All there is now is pain. It is never-ending, as if he's in the middle of the ocean looking down to the dark depths below, with no end in sight.
Movies were wrong. There's no bright light as you die, only crushing darkness that slowly suffocates all of your senses, until you can't tell what's real anymore.
"Hey, buddy! You did great that time! Ready to go again?"
Ah, something else that pop culture was wrong about. Demons don't have horns or make themselves look like kids to get close to you. No, they know not to appear scary. Instead, they smile brightly down at you, holding their hand out, after kicking your ass for so many rounds you lost count.
"Kaminari?" Mirio kneels, looking over his sparring partner, or elaborate punching bag, in concern. "Are you okay? Can you hear me?"
"I believe that's enough for now, Mirio," Nighteye says from off the mat; his words are divine to Denki's ears. "Sit him up."
"Right-O, sir!" Denki can only groan as his sore body is lifted up and propped against the wall, with Mirio making it seem like the younger blond weighed nothing. "You did a lot better than I thought! The fight lasted almost six seconds that last round!"
Denki can only offer a weak smile in response to the encouragement, using the rest of his energy to slow his panting breath.
"Splendid." Denki hears Nighteye walking across the room to him. "Now tell me, what did you do wrong?"
"Chose…chose you for an internship." Denki's quip elicites snorts from both Nighteye and Mirio, the latter continuing with a few chuckles.
"Yes, not bad," Nighteye comments, taking off his glasses to clean them. "Being able to provide humor in times of stress is an important part of being a hero. However, what did you do wrong during your sparring matches?"
When Denki says nothing, Nighteye answers for him. "You thought too much."
Denki hates everything.
"But…" His frustration finally allows the demigod to open his eyes, staring up at the pro hero. "I came here to learn how to think!"
"Correction." Denki's mouth snaps close as Nighteye shuts him down, his piercing stare cutting right through him. "You came here to learn to think efficiently. You believed your problem was not thinking enough before today. You were right, but in your fights with Mirio, you then tried to correct this by overthinking."
How is overthinking a bad thing? Or is this some kind of cruel joke? Oh, here's Denki, constantly clowned on for not using his brain enough. But then he tries to use his brain for once, and he's overdoing it?! So which is it? Over or under? How could he-
"You are doing it once again."
Denki squeaks as Nighteye had not taken his eyes off him. Mirio laughs, before gently pulling Denki to his feet. "There is a sweet spot in between," the older boy clarifies. "Sir helped me find mine, and I know he can do the same for you!"
"You overthought too?"
"Let's try it this way." Nighteye replaces his glasses back on his face. "How were you able to defeat Midoriya at the Sports Festival?"
"Um…" Denki feels a bit sheepish admitting it, not sure if the man might consider it some form of cheating or not, but he tells him anyway. "My dad taught me how Izuku and his dad fight and had me practice how to beat it."
"Exactly." Denki scrunches up his face in confusion, so Nighteye explains further. "Knowledge is how you won. Knowledge and practice. That's how you prevent overthinking."
The hero checks his phone, before sending Mirio to get the door. "With knowledge, practice, and eventually, experience, you will gain the instinct necessary to know how to react in various situations, should they arise. Just as you knew how to counter Midoriya at the end of your match."
Nighteye walks over to a table on the side of the room where Denki's suitcase sits. He opens it and is slightly surprised to find no hero suit, but Thunderstrike. "No uniform?"
"I don't need to carry it around." Denki scratches the back of his head, relieved his dad was able to get his new suit before internships started. "I can change outfits with my quirk like Izuku can."
"Useful," Nighteye nods before turning back around. "Very well. I believe you can start gaining aptitude in all three areas we discussed. But you require more variety in opponents to do so."
"What do you-" Denki can't finish, before there's a flash of blue and an older girl is floating in front of him, right in his face.
"Hi! Nice to meet you! My name's Hado! What's yours? Wait! You're Kaminari, right! Yeah! Sorry, I knew that from the festival. Wait, does that mean you knew my name from the festival too? Sorry, if you did! I didn't mean to assume! Oh! You really do have a lightning bolt in your hair! Is that natural or did you do it yourself? And you have blue eyes like Mirio and me! My friend Yuyu kept saying your eyes looked yellow on the tv but I knew they were blue! How many-"
Hado is silenced by a pat from Mirio, who pulls the flying girl slowly back from Denki's rapidly heating face. "Sorry about that, she likes meeting new people." Hado waves excitedly as if to prove his point.
"Nejire Hado and Tamaki Amajiki are both assigned to help their mentors search Hosu for the hero killer," Nighteye explains. "But until dusk is actually upon us, they have graciously offered their time to train with you."
"Okay…" Denki replies intelligently, looking around the room. "It's good to meet you Hado. But who's-" His question is answered when Denki sees someone standing in the corner of the room.
"I don't wanna be here. I don't wanna be here. I don't wanna be here. I don't wanna be here."
"Uh…hello?"
"I don't wanna be here. I don't wanna be here. AH!!! Nononononono-"
"Is he okay?…"
"He's fine." Nighteye dismisses Denki's question. "Between Mirio, Hado, and Amajiki, you will have plenty of styles and tactics to practice against. You will alternate between using your support item and not. We will reevaluate your progress soon."
"This'll be fun!" Mirio gives him a thumbs up, but even his enthusiasm isn't enough to help Denki's dread. "I'll go calm Tamaki down. Promise you won't bombard the kid some more when I leave?"
Nejire gives Mirio a dramatized salute. "Yes, Mirio, sir! It will be done, sir! You can count on me, sir!" Mirio shakes his head at her antics and leaves.
It's at this time Nejire leers over at Denki, before revealing her crossed fingers behind her back. He gulps.
Mischief Squad
Yellow Raijin: I can pretend to complain all I want, but I definitely didn't mind her giving me so much attention
Yellow Raijin: Tokage better lock me down soon
NoobMaster69: Uh huh
NoobMaster69: Because you have all the options
NoobMaster69: Pretty sure Tokage can get another guy in an hour while you take months
Dat Girl: Ribbit
Yellow Raijin: Daaaaaaamn, someone's mouthy right now
NoobMaster69: In game while I wait for Gran to nap before we go to Shibuya tonight
NoobMaster69: And I'm losing
NoobMaster69: RebelKorg420 has gotten better
Yellow Raijin: Fair. Lucky you weren't there Izuku, Hado would've gotten so close to you, I don't think you would've gotten a single word out!
Mochroid: I think Deku is perfectly happy with where he's interning
Dat Girl: Uh huh
NoobMaster69: HA
NoobMaster69: Suck on that, dumbass
NoobMaster69: I win again
Mr. Trickster: Speaking of you and Gran, how's that going, Tenko?
NoobMaster69: Hm…
"So to sum up." Tenko yawns as Recovery Girl speaks to All Might and Gran Torino. The nurse had just used her quirk to heal his hurt arm and the injuries he had gotten in his spar.
"Neither of you is aware of what's happening or why?" Recovery Girl finishes. When the two men shake their heads, she sighs. "Wonderful," she says sarcastically before finding a chair to sit on in the living room.
"So, when using One for All, the only thing that happened was these black tendrils appearing?" Tenko nods at All Might. "But you felt none of the strength or speed either?" A shake of his head and a growl from Gran Torino.
"Stop asking the same questions over and over, boy!" Gran yells, causing All Might to wilt. "We're far past if these things came from the quirk. The questions now are why, and how does he use them?"
"You really believe it wise to begin teaching him how to use this new part of One for All when we don't even know why this is happening?" Recovery Girl questions apprehensively.
"I do." Gran stamps his cane on the ground. "I won't say it doesn't matter, but no matter the reason, Tenko is going to have this aspect of the quirk either way. So he should learn how to control it before it goes haywire again and destroys my house!"
Recovery Girl inhales through her nose, while All Might begins to flip through his teaching for dummies book. "Even if that's the way we wanted to go, no one here has experience with a quirk like that. How is he supposed to be taught safely?"
Deciding to join the conversation, Tenko raises his hand, but very quickly puts it down when Gran and the old nurse look at him. "I think I can handle it."
Gran looks excited, but Recovery Girl is not so easily convinced. "How?"
"Because I have experience." The nurse's gaze hardens so Tenko quickly adds, "from my gadgets! My tech came with wires and grappling hooks I have practiced using. I think I should be able to apply the skill tree I have with them over to the quirk."
Humming, Recovery Girl puts her hand to her chin. "I'm not sure…"
"I got it!" All Might declares suddenly, turning his book around so everyone could see. "Right here. As teachers, we should never outright dismiss the ideas of our students, but work together to find solutions that we both agree on. This will ensure the student is comfortable giving their input again at a later date."
"I'll be damned," Gran says in wonder.
"I'll say." All Might flips through a few more pages. "Everything in this book is pretty much the exact opposite to how you taught me-"
All Might yelps when Gran smacks his shin with his cane. "I am a far better teacher than some book! You got that?!!"
"Yes, sensei!"
"Back to the matter at hand." Recovery Girl easily gets the focus back to their current task. "I suppose that's as good of a place to start as any. And Nezu has me here all day to avoid any further injuries. What other toys did you learn to use?"
"Let's see…" Tenko lightly scratches his neck before snapping his finger. "I had my wires like you said, pellets that make smokescreens, strength enhancement that was added to the handpieces. The repulsors on the feet let me float or had different gears I could fly in but was never good with that part."
By now, Tenko was using his fingers to count. "And finally, my Hyper-Velocity Impact system. Basically just a danger sensor for my HUD."
After taking a minute to soak it all in, Recovery Girl asks, "and you know how to use all of those systems?"
"I do. Used them all in the USJ. I spent a lot of time grinding with each one to get it right," Tenko confirms.
"I can second that. Was with the kid most times he was practicing," Gran helps his case.
Recovery Girl still seems unsure about the whole idea but seems to relent. "Very well. Because of your experience in learning new skills, I will allow you to practice. However, my presence will be required, understood?" It is more of a command than a question.
"Yes. But what if I'm too low level and lose control again?" Tenko asks what he feels is the most important question.
Gran cracks his knuckles. "If that happens, I'll be happy to-"
"Not to worry, my boy!" All Might interjects hurriedly. "If anything like that should happen, I'm sure I'll be able to contain you." Tenko doesn't comment on Gran's disappointed look.
Mischief Squad
Mr. Trickster: This new aspect of your quirk sounds super cool!
Mr. Trickster: The amount of possible applications are endless!
NoobMaster69: You have your notebook out, don't you?
Mr. Trickster: You have no proof
Dat Girl: While it is interesting, it also sounds dangerous. Were Recovery Girl and Gran Torino able to help you get a little control?
NoobMaster69: No, I wasn't able to do it again for the rest of the day
Mochroid: That's too bad
NoobMaster69: That being said…
NoobMaster69: While I couldn't do it for the rest of the day…
NoobMaster69: It was a little different after everyone went to sleep…
Dat Girl:
Dat Girl: RIBBIT?!!
"How come you got to talk to him first?! You know that's not how this is supposed to work!" A gruff but friendly sort of voice questions.
"This is the first time something like this has happened, we have no idea how this is supposed to go!" A woman's voice replies. Tenko can't see anything, but he can hear.
"Still, I'm not sure how Yoichi will feel about this. You know he saw him and Tenko as kindred spirits or whatever."
"I think video games are a bit different than the manga he read," the woman laughs. "But he's my grandson! I had every right!"
"It's my quirk!"
"Grandson!"
"Quirk!"
"Grandson!"
"Quirk!"
"We're getting nowhere with this."
"True. We need to figure out why this is happening so fast and why he doesn't have access to the stockpile. The kid used the quirk in anger and Blackwhip reacted to that. Now, he needs to figure out how to control his heart."
Tenko grabs his throbbing head, sitting up in bed. His skin is cold with a thin layer of sweat, and his breath is ragged. What kind of dream was that? He remembers two people talking, but not much more. Blackwhip? Anger and controlling his heart? Tenko stands, knowing he won't be getting any more sleep that night.
Grandson?
Standing out in the alley by Gran's house, he recalls being angry when he first used…Blackwhip? Whatever, it's as good of a name as any right now. He was angry at Gran when he first used it. So does he always have to be angry if he wants to use it?
It's not like he can bring his gaming rig onto the field with him and play a game to get his blood pressure going and get him angry enough to produce Blackwhip.
Could he?
No, no, that's dumb. The whole rig wouldn't work, but maybe having something like his Switch on him might. Wait, he's getting distracted. He's gotta try to find something else to make him angry. But not only that, it has to be the right type of anger?
Tenko must really be losing it if he's listening to random voices in his head, but he's getting nowhere any other way. So, he has to control his heart? How does that work with getting angry? Actually, besides Gran and games, what makes him mad?
Closing his eyes, Tenko lets the night breeze cool him down, clearing his head. What makes him mad…
"Should've figured you'd think you're so smart after being pampered by the heroes your whole life."
His breath stops.
"Well news flash, Shimura! I blame you. For all of it!"
Tenko's eyes snap open. He knows what makes him angry. What makes his stomach churn and his ear buzz more than any unearned kill in a game, stupid teammates, or broken item ever will. Hana. But he knows that anger isn't directed towards her.
"My name is Hirona now. And you think you can fix everything with a sorry? Killing me? Everything he did to me over the years?!"
No, he's not angry at her. He's angry with her. For having her life ripped away from her. To be forced to be something she never even had a choice in. For having to live her own life thinking no one cared!
Yeah, Tenko has plenty to be angry about. He's angry at the man who took Hana and has done who knows what to her. He's angry that, because of this, they've missed out on a decade of each other's lives.
Tenko is angry that he's been forced to go most of his life thinking he killed her! That he didn't get to know there was some part of his family that was alive! And he's angry hasn't been able to keep his promise. He's gonna get her back. Even if he has to drag Hana-
The gamer whimpers lightly, dropping to his knees as his arm suddenly strains itself, as if it's being pulled out of its socket. Tenko opens his eyes, tears pricking the edges, and gasps when he sees several tiny wisps of Blackwhip poking from his wrist.
Spotting a can nearby, Tenko keeps his concentration on how he felt about what happened to Hana, and aims. His low whimper turns into a quick shout when a black strand fires itself out of him and hits the wall above the can.
Dropping to the ground on his side, Tenko lets Blackwhip fade, content to simply pant. It was painful… but he had done it. And if he did it once, he can do it again. And that's enough for him. Slowly, Tenko gets back on his feet.
Mischief Squad
Dat Girl: So let me get this straight. Ribbit
Dat Girl: You unlock this new part of your quirk that you can't control and is dangerous. Ribbit
Dat Girl: One that your teachers told you not to use by yourself. Ribbit
Dat Girl: And at your first opportunity… you wait until everyone's asleep and leave to practice?! ALONE?!! Ribbit!
Dat Girl: What if you had lost control and gotten hurt with no one to help you?! Ribbit!
NoobMaster69: I made some really nice progress that first night…
Dat Girl: That's not the point, Tenko Shimura, and you know it. Ribbit
Mr. Trickster: HA. Not so funny when it happens to you, is it Tenko?
Mochiroid: What was that, Deku?
Mr. Trickster: Nothing
Yellow Raijin: *Casually dying of laughter in the corner of the room*
NoobMaster69: Sorry Tsu, I won't do it again.
Dat Girl: Ribbit
Hot Pocket: I'm happy to hear progress on this new application of your quirk is going well Tenko.
NoobMaster69: Thanks, it's just like everything else, you gotta start at level 1. What about you? Your old man helping you with your fire like you hoped?
Hot Pocket: Indeed. My father actually has a lot of in-depth knowledge and detailed guides to using fire that he has been willing to share with me.
"SHOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
Mischief Squad
NoobMaster69: Wow, you weren't kidding. That's very detailed.
Hot Pocket: It is. Ah, speaking of interning with top heroes, there was someone else I wanted to speak to considering how enthusiastic he was about his choice.
Hot Pocket has added King Explosion Murder to the chat.
Hot Pocket: Hello, Bakugo.
Mr. Trickster: Oh, boy
Yellow Raijin: Here we go
Mochiroid: *sigh*
King Explosion Murder: What the hell?
King Explosion Murder: Who the fuck added me here?!
Hot Pocket: I did. As someone else interning with a top 5 hero, Best Jeanist, I was curious about your experience so far.
King Explosion Murder: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!
King Explosion Murder: What Denim Head and I do is between me and him!
Yellow Raijin: What? Internship not living up to your expectations?
Yellow Raijin: It's ok to be sad, we're all friends here
Yellow Raijin: If you need to cry, let it out
King Explosion Murder: Your insides are going to know what fresh air feels like.
King Explosion Murder: I ain't gotta tell you shit. I'm gone
Yellow Raijin: Wow, nothing to say? I guess the stuff he has you doing must be too hard.
King Explosion Murder:
King Explosion Murder: FINE
Katsuki hates the smell of hospitals. It's way too clean of a smell for his taste. Growing up to the smell of caramelized sugar and smoke from his quirk, it almost felt unnatural for an environment to be so sterile, but here it is.
"You dislike hospitals?" Best Jeanist observes as the two walk down a hallway.
A grunt is all Katsuki feels like answering the man with. He wouldn't say he outright hates hospitals. The blond isn't stupid; he knows they're important and doctors do good work. Katsuki is an asshole but not that much of an asshole.
But the explosion user would say he's not a fan when it comes to himself. If he's here, it means he can't take care of himself and has to rely on someone else. Katsuki isn't a fan of ever feeling like that. Just give him some fucking gauze, and the spiciest bowl of ramen you can find and he'll be fine.
"Many people in hospitals, from the patients, families, and those who work there, are under stressful situations. As a hero, our mere presence can be calming, even uplifting," the hero informs him, nodding at a couple of passing nurses. "It is best to not have a look as if the building personally insulted you."
"I can't help it!" Katsuki throws his hands into the air. "This is what I look like all the time! Minus…" he gestures angrily at the attempt to gel his hair.
"Maybe so," Jeanist hums. "Shall we practice why we're here? This patient walking by us in a moment, try to give her words of encouragement."
Easy. Katsuki stares down the small old woman walking slowly past them while holding her IV pole close. "Hey!" She startles, looking up. "It could be worse! You could be dead!"
What was it the mutt told him to try more? Smiling! That was it. Supposed to help his mood and those around him or some shit, he doesn't know. But Katsuki gives his best grin to the woman, all of his teeth showing.
Her eyes widen as she takes a step back with a small, "oh!" Before waddling away as fast as she can.
"We can…work on it," Jeanist says carefully, leading Bakugo down to the last door in the hall.
"Tell me what exactly I did wrong?!"
The hero ignores the question. "Another aspect of the job is visiting patients personally after you have saved them. This will help you build bonds with the community." Best Jeanist opens the door and Katsuki finds himself in a typical hospital room. A little girl lays on the bed, an IV attached to her arm, while an older doctor stands over her, looking over her charts.
Something pulls at the back of his brain about the girl. She is young, probably still in elementary school, with red hair, small horns on her head, black leathery wings on her back, and a spiked tail poking out from behind her.
"Best Jeanist! You came back!" The girl cries out in excitement as they move closer, the doctor turning to smile at them as well.
"Of course, a hero should always keep his promises. Yoshinaga, meet my intern, Katsuki Bakugo."
"Hi!" She greets him, her tail starting to move a bit sporadically as she sits up. "I'm Hiromi Yoshinaga! What's your hero name?"
"King-" a stern look from Jeanist cuts Katsuki off. "I don't have one yet."
"I had to assist Ms. Yoshinaga here when she attempted to stop some bullies that were a bit too big for her," Jeanist says.
"A lot of people say I look like a demon," the girl explains, a little sadly before brightening up. "So I do my best to show people I'm not by being as helpful as I can be!" That's when it hits Katsuki.
A couple of years ago, he saw this same girl cowering in fear as her own bullies descended on her in a park. But she was saved. Not by him, but by Deku. All the while Katsuki hid and watched. He grinds his teeth to keep himself grounded and somewhat calm.
"Yes, and believe me, I can certainly attest to this young lady not acting like a demon," the doctor laughs, putting his clipboard down.
"That's certainly nice to hear, Dr. Reiwaru," Jeanist replies to the man. "And it's wonderful to see her in such a good mood. I'm hoping her physical health is well?"
"It is." Reiwaru grabs a pair of new gloves and begins to slip them on. "Keeping her overnight was just a precaution for her head injury, but after this last test, she should be free to go."
The doctor grabs a needle from its place of storage. Yoshinaga cowers a little behind him. "Oh, and since I know you will ask. I just had a checkup with Mr. Iida a few hours ago. Ingenium's condition remains the same, but he's in high spirits, as always."
"Thank you for the update."
"And Katsuki Bakugo!" Reiwaru gestures toward him. "Great to meet you! I hope you learn a lot from Best Jeanist here. I was afraid if you kept going down your original path, you and I would be seeing a lot more of each other in the future."
"Eh?" Katsuki challenges. "I'm the one who puts villains in the hospital! Not the one who ends up there!"
"Sure. That's what I meant." The man laughs. "Just remember." He points the needle at Katsuki. "Keep working on being the best hero you can be, or there will be the devil to pay."
Reiwaru nods, turning around. "This is the last thing we need to do before your parents can take you home," he says to Yoshinaga. "You're just going to feel a slight pressure."
"I don't know…" the little girl eyes the needle warily.
"You know, I don't think you're a demon either." Yoshinaga looks up, a smile beginning to form at the words. "And I personally love your wings." The doctor steps closer.
"You do?"
"I do! But let's see…how about… what's your favorite animal?" The man asks.
"I like dogs!"
The doctor laughs. "That's great, who doesn't like dogs? Although, I myself, am a big fan of goats. And we're done!"
Yoshinaga gasps, looking down and realizing that yes, he had taken her blood without her realizing.
"This is one of the reasons I brought you here, Bakugo." Jeanist folds his hands in front of him. "Being a hero isn't always about the big battle with the villain. Sometimes, it's about being with the little girl you saved while she has her blood drawn. The smaller moments matter just as much."
Katsuki says nothing as he studies the scene in front of him.
Mischief Squad
King Explosion Murder: THERE! HAPPY?!
King Explosion Murder: We just went to the hospital and made some sick people feel better.
Mr. Trickster: Wow, Yoshinaga took my words a lot more seriously than I thought she would. That's great to hear…
Mochiroid: You just can't help yourself when it comes to saving people, can you?
Hot Pocket: No, he cannot.
Yellow Raijin: I believe that Best Jeanist made people feel better…but you Bakugo?
King Explosion Murder: What's that supposed to mean?!
King Explosion Murder: I made them feel safe!!
King Explosion Murder: I made sure to let them know that if any villain got anywhere near the hospital, I'd kill them!!
Dat Girl: Yes, very soothing.
NoobMaster69: So charisma is Bakugo's dump stat…
King Explosion Murder: FUCK
King Explosion Murder: OFF
King Explosion Murder: I'm done, don't add me back here.
King Explosion Murder has left the chat.
Mr. Trickster: It could've gone worse.
Yellow Raijin: Definitely. But enough about him. I wanna hear about your training with Gentle, Izuku!
Mr. Trickster: Okay!
"Gently Rebound!" Izuku can do nothing as he is, yet again, sent flying away from Gentle and skidding across the forest floor, before finally landing in a heap of dirt by the small river he had been using to help make ice.
For someone who claims to hate violence and be a gentleman, he's good at doing the opposite of those things.
When Izuku stands back up, using his magic to get the dirt off him, he notices for the first time that La Brava has her camera out. "Have…have you been filming this?!"
"Of course!" The sidekick answers unashamedly. "Relax, it's not live. And Gentle's never had an intern before and I thought a before and after video would be great for both of you!"
Oh, no. Everyone's gonna get a compilation of him eating dirt. "Don't you need my permission to do that or something?!"
"We have it." She smirks from behind her camera. "Should've paid closer attention to that form you signed." Izuku sighs, dragging his hand down his face and debating on the pros and cons of permanently changing how he looks.
"Do not fret, Midoriya," Gentle consoles him, walking up to them. "The video is more to show how much you would have progressed with our tutelage! Now, do you wish to fail to attack me head-on once again?"
"Oh, I do!" La Brava snickers, moving closer.
"How about we try this?" Gentle concedes when Izuku looks like he's gonna puke. "Young man, which of the quirks that I have access to would you say is better for offense?"
"La Brava's quirk?" He's gotta stop wording his answers as questions at some point.
"A correct answer on a technicality. When I am forced to face villains in a more direct confrontation, do I limit myself to La Brava's quirk?" A faint smile begins to creep on the hero's face.
"No, you use it with your own quirk for even greater advantage." Izuku is sure of this answer!
"Correct again! So answer me this, why don't you do the same?"
"Because-" Izuku stops, the gears beginning to turn. He doesn't even acknowledge that La Brava's camera is practically in his face, as realization is hitting him a lot harder right now.
In almost all the times he had been using his ice, he had used it separately from his illusions. And how could he not? It wasn't something he grew up learning, and it was so different from everything else; it's easy to think of it as something to be used on its own. But…
Izuku freezes some water beneath him and forms it into a ball the size of his palm. Holding up his other empty hand, Izuku concentrates on the ice ball until an illusion of one appears in his other palm.
Gentle nods, looking proud. "You seem to believe that power and utility must be kept separate, but why? They are not mutually exclusive."
Chuckling to himself, Izuku uses his ice to form a replica of his Uncle's hammer in his hand. Of course, he'd think like that. Thor was always the power and Loki was always the tricks. Both great, but always separate. But with this…he doesn't have to be.
"Would you care to try again?" Gentle offers, a knowing smile on his face.
"Yeah!" They both back up, and Izuku throws the ice hammer at Gentle, letting it bounce off trees around the hero, attempting to confuse him in its direction.
"I dare to hope this isn't all?" The hero raises an eyebrow and Izuku meets the challenge.
"Nope!" He twists his hand and a dozen more hammers appear around Gentle, each barely missing him.
"Wonderfully done!" The man praises. "Now you have an ability that is sure to pack a wallop, backed by your illusion that makes it very difficult to- oof!" Gentle is cut off when the real hammer slams into his lower back, sending the man flying up into a tree.
"Ah! Sorry! I'm so sorry!" Izuku apologizes as fast as he can, running over with La Brava. "I don't have the best control sometimes!"
"It's fine, my dear boy! I shall wear the forming bruise with pride!"
Izuku finds his new mentor and has to bite his lip to keep from laughing, while La Brava shakes her head, seemingly unsurprised at the predicament he found himself in. "Oh, Gentle…" she dutifully keeps the camera rolling.
"You're catching on as quick as I'd hoped you would," Gentle praises him as the back of his suit hangs off a tree branch, his feet dangling well above the ground as his body sways. "I shan't let anything ruin the pride I feel or hamper my dignity!"
He has to admit, Izuku doesn't think anyone else can look half as dignified as Gentle does as he hung helplessly from a tree. Still didn't help him with his chortles though.
"And should your improvement continue through the rest of the day, we'd be happy to have you in our newest video tomorrow."
That stops Izuku's laughter. "Wait, wait! You want me in one of your videos?!"
"Indubitably!" Gentle creates an air membrane under his feet so he'd have something solid to stand on. "My first intern and runner-up of the Sports Festival should do wonders for our views and help jump-start your own hero career. What do you say?"
Mischief Squad
Mochiroid: What did you say?
Yellow Raijin: He said yes! I watched the stream yesterday! It was a lot of fun
NoobMaster69: I can't believe I missed that
Dat Girl: Same
Hot Pocket: When I told my father of my interest in watching it, he expressly forbade it, saying my time would be better spent training.
Hot Pocket: So naturally, I watched it
Hot Pocket: Well done, Midoriya. Would you be willing to help me create ice constructs of my own, if you have the time?
Mr. Trickster: Yeah, I'd love to!
NoobMaster69: Well, tell us about what it was like to be in one of Gentle's videos
Mr. Trickster: Haha ok! I'll tell you…
AN: More Izuku with Gentle next chap. And if you don't remember the little girl OC being treated by Tensei's doctor in this chapter, she's the same girl Izuku saved from bullets back in chapter 2. Thanks for reading!