That's the Idea, Elsa

When they were little, Anna and Elsa had been really close. It was why Anna still loved her so dearly.

"Oh, noooooooooooo!" Cried little Anna. She was no more than three or four in age, and she draped herself dramatically across their bench outside in the garden. The summers in Japan were hot and humid, making anyone who stepped outside practically miserable. "It's soooooooooo hot! Someone save me!"

"Never fear!" Declared little Elsa, only about six or seven in age. She had her legs apart and her hands on her hips- a truly inspiring hero. "I am here!" She threw her arms up and shot out a pile of snow, dumping it unceremoniously on her sister.

Anna broke through the pile with a giggle, throwing her arms up joyously. "Hurraaaaaay! I'm saaaaaaved!"

Elsa giggled, Forming a little snowball in her hand, and taking a delighted bite of it, relishing in the cold water in her mouth. "Mmmmm..."

When her quirk was first forming, all anyone could feel was the cold air around her. They assumed she had inherited a temperature changing quirk, like her father. It wasn't until Anna noticed something they realized the difference.

"What is that?" The tiny girl furrowed her little brow, face scrunched in confusion as she reached for it. It was a tiny white thing floating in the air. When she tried to grab it, it vanished in her palm, leaving a tiny wet spot.

"I don't know," Elsa admitted, finding another. But when she reached her palm out, the white speck, and the others that had formed around her swirled into her palm, gathering into a tiny sphere.

"Whoa," Anna breathed. "You can control it like mama!"

"Snow!" Their mother gasped as she saw it. "You're creating snow!"

They would often play in it as they got older- whether it was making snowmen or having snowball fights, the girls would always find a way to have fun. Sometimes they would simply frolic in the snow, and other times they would pretend there was some kind of danger, sometimes asking their parents to play a villain. Sadly, their parents were often busy, so they'd ask a staff member to stand in instead. Since the worst Elsa did was throw snowballs at them, they didn't really mind.

"And once again, Elsa saves the day!" Anna announced happily. She loved playing the damsel in distress, so didn't mind letting her sister play "hero". Though she still dreamed someday of being rescued by a handsome hero and living happily ever after. But for now, she'd settle for her sister until she found a cute boy to do the job instead.

"You know what?" Elsa decided. "I'm gonna be hero! Like All Might, or Endeavor!"

"Aaaaw, I wanna be a hero!" Anna decided too. "They're all famous and everyone loves them!"

"Sure," Elsa grinned good naturedly, bending down to be eye level with her sister. "Once you get your quirk I'll let you practice too. We can be heroes together!"

"Yay!"

"Alright children," Their father called from the door. "Break time is over, it's time for Elsa to finish her homework."

"Aaaaaaw," both girls complained, but complied, returning to the house and back to work.

At first their parents had thought it nothing more than kids' games- silly fantasies that all children had when little. Everyone liked pretending to be a hero when they were little, that was a fact. It wasn't until Elsa had started actually arguing with her father that they realized she was really considering it.

"But dad, I can't study, I have to practice my quirk! Look, watch this!"

She focused on her feet, and out bloomed a patch of ice to surround her. It was only a couple feet in length at the time, but certainly did not diminish the possibilities.

Her mother gasped, hand to her mouth. "It's not just snow?"

"Seems like it," their father observed, kneeling down to hold his hand out over the icy patch. It began to steam, slowly melting away under the hot air he was exuding. "Seems like she can freeze things too."

"See?" Elsa claimed excitedly. "I have to practice my quirk to see what I can do, then I can become a great hero someday!"

"Elsa," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Being a hero is hard work! Plus it's dangerous, you could get hurt."

"I won't get hurt," she said confidently. "I win all the time against Kai!"

"Elsa, playing games is different from a real fight. Real villains are mean, and dangerous, and they wouldn't hesitate to hurt you." He put his other hand on her other shoulder. "Besides, you're my oldest daughter. My company is going to be yours someday. I need to teach you how to run it, so you can be a successful leader."

"But I don't want to run a company," she argued. "I want to be a hero!"

"I know you feel that way now," he conceded. "But you'll change your mind once you get older. Leave it to All Might, Elsa. He'll protect us. You'll be safe here, with us."

She couldn't bring herself to argue, realizing she wasn't going to win this argument. "Yes, Papa..." She conceded her defeat, following her father obediently, and going back to studying.

After that, she didn't much feel like playing with Anna anymore. She spent most of her time practicing her music and studying, or, when she was on break, just sitting dejectedly on the bench, making a bit of snow for Anna when she asked. It only got worse as they got older, the homework getting harder and Elsa dedicating more and more of her time to getting everything right. Eventually, Anna had given up trying to play with her, focusing on her own homework and making other friends. They talked only during dinner time. And of course, that changed once Elsa hit middle-school, being shipped off to Josei Academy boarding school, only seeing her family on holidays.

And all that had changed after the incident when Elsa decided to go into U.A. They talked together, practiced together- Anna had helped and encouraged her as much as she could, relishing in their time together. And she noticed the change in her sister as she gained her passion back, joy coming back little by little.

And now all that was gone again, evaporating as quickly as it had come. Anna's heart broke, realizing her sister was leaving her all over again, and she would go back to that silent, dejected girl she grew up with.

Which was why, when Gerda brought her Elsa's letters, she bit her lip and tore them open. She was confused at first when there were two, thinking maybe there had been some kind of mistake. She opened the first and scanned it silently, face falling as her sister's fears seemed confirmed. Wanting to just be sure, she opened the second, face squinting in confusion.

"Did she not get in?" Gerda asked.

"Yes, but..." She read all the way through, making sure she understood. "The business course..."

Elsa didn't even pause her studying when she heard the knock. "Come in."

Anna slipped in, hands behind her back. "Don't be mad, but..." She hesitantly brought out the paper. "I read your letters."

She finally looked at her, more confused than angry. "Why?"

She fiddled with her hands, glancing away nervously. "I just wanted to make you feel better if you were rejected." She held up the letter with both hands. "You… got into the business course."

"I figured I would," Elsa acknowledged, turning back to her desk. "It doesn't matter now."

But Anna approached her, her face worried yet inquisitive. "But… why did you apply for business? I thought you wanted to be a hero."

"It was a back up plan." She said, and Anna could hear her voice losing it's life. "In case I didn't pass the entrance exams, I could try again later. They have a program to transfer students into the hero course if they do well in the sports festival. I figured I could do that, just in case."

Anna gasped, jumping with excitement. "That's it, then! You still have a chance!"

"No, Anna, I'm giving it up. It's not practical anymore." Elsa argued. "I'll go with Father's plan for the academy."

"What, no! You can still get in!" Anna practically shook in joy, hands balled up excitedly. "We just didn't have enough time to prepare before! With a few more months, you can-"

"No," Elsa cut in sharply, and sighed. "That's not the problem. I'm still a danger to people. Even if I did get in, I'd still have the issue of not being able to fight. It's too much of a risk if I get upset-"

"Ok wait, just hear me out," Anna argued, holding up her hands to halt her words. "I've been thinking about it. You failed before because people were in the way, right? But that's on us! We were thinking too big! We kept thinking you'd basically be by yourself showing off your quirk, but it's not like that at all! We just have to think about people being there. Make your quirk smaller, more precise! That way you can still fight around people, and not put them in danger!"

"Anna aren't you listening?" Elsa sighed, annoyed. "I'm a danger to people. Even if I can learn to fight, I'll still-"

"I don't believe that," Anna said sharply. "You didn't know how strong you were before, but now you do. Your power isn't instant, Elsa, you still have time to control it! Once you see it growing, just reel it in!"

"How can you be arguing this?" Elsa asked, more flummoxed than anything. "I put you in the hospital, Anna! You better than anyone should know how dangerous this is!"

"You didn't mean to!" Anna insisted. "It was an accident! And I don't blame you, I blame- …. I blame father. He was the one who put all that pressure on you to get perfect grades and do all that studying, and stuff! You were having a mental breakdown- anyone would get that in your position."

Elsa didn't know how she could do it- to be so optimistic and understanding of her despite the obvious danger she was. Maybe she was just oblivious. She had gotten off easy so she downplayed the danger.

(But Anna wasn't oblivious- in fact the incident had cost her. She lost several toes to frostbite and wore her slippers around the house so Elsa would never know. She forbid her parents and the servants from ever telling her the truth, knowing that it would absolutely gut her inside.)

"Elsa, listen to me," Anna insisted, and reached out to grab her shoulders. "You have the gifts to be a great hero! If you just practice-"

"Anna, don't, I'll freeze you!" Elsa knocked her hands away.

"I know, but I'll be fine!" She said, pulling her arms back. "See?" She held her hands up. "No ice!"

'Only because I stopped you,' Elsa thought wryly, but said nothing else.

"Your control has been getting better!" Anna insisted. "You only had a couple months to prepare after everything! If you have a few more months, then you won't have to worry about it going out of control, I'm sure of it! And I'm sure being in this school will help you even more. Endeavor was impressed, wasn't he? That's gotta count for something!" She inhaled through her nose, throwing her head back and snapping her finger. "Prove them wrong! Make those naysayers eat their words! That'll show 'em!"

Elsa sighed, though couldn't help but smile fondly at her fire cracker of a sister. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"I know," She smiled with a sassy little shrug. "I'm pretty amazing. After my exam, I'll help you with practice."

Elsa looked at her, then sighed with a resigned smile. "I'm not going to win this, am I?"

"Nope! I'll keep bugging you 24/7 until you agree."

"...Alright," she finally conceded. "I'll do it."

"YES!" Anna did a victory pump, "This is so exciting~!"

"Thank you," She sighed again, but looked at the letter in her sister's hand. "Well, I better tell mother and father. Wish me luck."

Elsa knew Anna was eager to help her, and she definitely appreciated it. She just didn't realize how deep her sister was until about three weeks later, when she introduced a stranger to her.

"Elsa, meet Westergaard Hans, your new personal trainer!"

"Personal trainer?!"

Elsa wasn't opposed to getting some help for her goal, and given her lack of knowledge about exercise and fitness, she could fully admit to wanting a professional to guide her. But this boy looked like he was her age at least. He couldn't possibly be a professional!

"It's an honor to meet you, Miss Bradt," He greeted with a bow, giving a charming smile. "Ann- I mean, Bradt has explained to me your goals for UA, and I've already made a plan to help you reach them."

"Oh, that's… great," she ground out, managing a strained smile, but quickly cleared her throat. "So, uh, Westergaard-"

"Please, call me Hans."

"...Hans, what exactly are your... credentials?"

He laughed a little, easily catching onto her unspoken question. Even at fifteen, her statements were so careful and diplomatic. "Actually, I've been homeschooled most of my life, and dedicated most of my education to learning about the human body. At first I was planning to go into the medical field, but then realized my talents were best suited elsewhere. May I?"

He extended a hand out to her, and behind him, Anna nodded excitedly to encourage her. Confused, but compliant, Elsa took a breath to steady herself, and extended a gloved hand to grasp it.

"I see..." he mused, eyes critical as he scanned her body up and down. "You've already sustained a lot of damage from the stress- I assume from cramming this past year. Your BMI is low, but your muscle mass isn't ideal for an athletic body type." He released her hands, straightening up. "Before we get into strenuous exercise, I would recommend practicing meditation- I believe it would greatly improve your calm and focus, and relax your body from the stress. We'll need to build up your upper body strength and core muscles. You'll need to increase your intake in both protein and fats in order to sustain your work outs and," he lowered his voice with a bashful smile. "If you don't mind my saying so, you also have a vitamin D deficiency. I would recommend supplements to counter act this."

Elsa blinked at him, eyes wide in surprise. "Oh..."

"Isn't he great?!" Anna squealed. "He can read anyone in an instant!"

He laughed a little. "Only if I touch them. And I can't read thoughts, just physical and emotional health."

"Aaaaand he knows what to do to fix it!" Anna chirped, then played with her fingers as she looked at her sister hopefully. "Soooo, what do you think?"

Elsa was quiet a moment as she considered it, then looked to Hans critically. "You said that Anna told you about my goals for U.A. Did she tell you why?"

"That's not my concern," He said easily, "I'm here to help you with your goals, not examine the why. Also, Anna already made me sign a nondisclosure agreement." He admitted with a smile, but looked to her thoughtfully. "Do you think there's something I should know?"

Else played with her fingers, indecision wracking her for a moment before deciding to confess. "I can't.. fully control my quirk. I've been getting better, but, I'm not sure I'll be able to get it in time for the sports festival."

"I see," he sighed sympathetically, shrugging honestly. "I have to admit, my expertise is in physical fitness, not quirk control. I can't guarantee results in that area."

"I know, I just… wanted to know if you'd still be willing to work with me despite that."

"What is your quirk?"

Moment of truth, the sisters realized, sharing a look. Taking a breath, Elsa tugged off her glove, and held up her hand. After a moment, crystals of ice bloomed across her palm, creating tiny spires of glass.

"I can create ice."

There was a moment where Hans showed clear surprise. He looked between her face, and her hand, seeming to put two and two together, his expression going shocked. "You're… the one that froze over Josei Academy, aren't you?"

She breathed sharply through her nose, and slipped her glove back on. "I am. So I understand your hesitation. Thank you for your time, Gerda can show you out-"

"Hold on-" he said quickly, hand up. "I didn't say I wouldn't help you."

Both sisters looked at him, Anna with hope, Elsa with shock. "You will?"

"Yes," he said easily, but he was looking away almost in a daze, mental cogs already working overtime to comprehend this information. "Although I may need a little longer to figure out how to work with this. You'll have to explain to me how your quirk works and where you're struggling. I'll have to make sure I don't… make it harder for you to control."

"I understand," she said simply, though inside she was reeling. Knowing who she was, but still willing to help- it almost seemed too good to be true. "What do you need to know first?"

He was amazingly adaptable when it came to different strategies in her work out routine. He gave her basic exercises she could do herself, so he wouldn't have to get too close to her.

"Right now you're too worried about your quirk," he pointed out. "Just try to focus on your body and get yourself moving. We can fine tune things as we progress."

Focus…

She changed her diet, asking their chef to take his recommendations into consideration. He didn't change the family meals of course, but her snacks and breakfast leaned more toward proteins and fats.

"Meditation may not be the best option for you after all," Hans admitted to her one day, "Meditation is about "letting go", but you have to consciously reel your quirk in. Tai Chi may be a better option, since it puts emphasis on focus and moving your body."

Focus…

"Anna," she said one day. "I need you to surprise me."

"Surprise you?" She asked. "How?"

"Any way, just randomly." she clarified. "I have to keep myself under control no matter what. That means even if I'm scared, or startled. If I'm going to face villains, I have to steel myself for it."

"Ooooooooh I get it!" Anna agreed. "Ok, ok, I'll think of something! I'll do my best!"

When practicing her quirk, she tried to think up different scenarios and situations with which she could use her quirk, with Anna giving a few suggestions of her own.

"Ooh, ooh, what if you skated across the ice!" Anna suggested excitedly. "Like those hockey players! They're wicked fast!"

Elsa laughed, briefly imagining herself in a hockey player's get up. Somehow, that didn't quite seem to suit her. "I haven't gone skating in years. Guess I could give it a try."

"Yeah! That way you can slip up those villains, but just be sailing across the ice!"

Not a bad idea, Elsa conceded, and would certainly help her travel distances without wearing herself out, like last time.

After a few weeks, Hans started recommending equipment, deeming it safe enough to be "near" her to better supervise her.

"I actually have some equipment, if you'd like me to bring it over," Hans offered. "I imagine you're not comfortable enough for a public gym yet."

"No… I'll get my own," she decided, nodding to herself. "If this is going to be my life now, then I need to start preparing."

"For what it's worth," he said, putting a hand to her shoulder. "I think you're progressing very well."

"Thank you," she smiled at him. "Your help has been most appreciated. But if you don't mind," she shrugged out of his shoulder. "Please don't touch me without warning me."

"Yes, of course. My apologies, it's habit."

"Understood."

There was one other issue with the festival Elsa and Anna hadn't realized until Hans pointed it out.

"It's going to be broadcast?!" Elsa gasped. "Live?"

"I totally forgot!" Anna squealed in excitement. "Elsa you're gonna be on live TV!"

"Anna, I've been on live TV! For the news! The second people see me on there, they're going to realize it's me!"

"Ooooh right..." Anna deflated slightly, wincing bashfully.

"This will come up sooner or later," Hans pointed out. "If you're trying to be a hero then eventually people will see your quirk and put two and two together. If this is too much for you, I suggest you back out now."

Elsa was quiet, weighed down by his words. He was right, and she had been mentally preparing herself for that possibility. She just hadn't expected it to be so soon.

"...They'll hate me," She realized quietly. "Instead of respecting me as a hero, they'll be afraid of me. Maybe for the rest of my life."

Normally, this would be where Anna would deny her doubts and encourage her. But she couldn't lie to her. She knew of the damage at school, and how that would look on a wide scale.

"...there may still be a way," Hans said quietly. "You're not the only person with an ice quirk. We can just deny it was you."

"But the students who were there will know." Elsa pointed out. "I won't be able to hide it forever."

He sighed briefly, conceding her point. "It's not too late to stop, if that's what you really want. But, if you ask me, I think you should do it."

Both sisters looked at him, thought Elsa was the only one who asked: "Why?"

"You won't be able to stop people from fearing you," He confessed. "Not everyone will believe in you. But after spending time with you, I seriously doubt anyone could hate you."

"That's right, Elsa," Anna piped up, eager to go along Han's track. "Once people get to know you, and realize what happened, they're bound to like you! You just need to tell them your side of the story!"

"But that doesn't change my quirk control."

"No, but practice does!" Anna pointed out.

"She's right," Hans agreed. "I don't have any worries that you'll lose control of your quirk, especially not at the festival. Your focus has been getting better, and I think only extreme circumstances would set it off. I don't think you'll have another incident like Josei."

"You think so?" Elsa asked hesitantly.

"I know so!" Anna said emphatically. "Just think about it, Elsa! It's about time you showed people the real you anyway!"

Elsa breathed in sharply through her nose, hugging herself as her anxiety got the better of her. "….All right. I'll do it."

"Yes!"

Summer passed, and school started, sending Anna back to Josei Academy, and cutting down on practice time to force Elsa into the night. The business course still left her with a hefty homework load. Hans, ever so determined and helpful, accommodated her schedule, coming in for late night training sessions. She got better and better, regaining her confidence, and her quirk control. She barely even had to think about holding it in anymore. And if she ever started doubting herself, Anna came in on the weekends to help and cheer her up.

"Elsa..." Anna grimaced as she came up to her one day. "I want to stop this whole "scaring" and "surprising" you thing… it's not really fun anymore."

"Oh..." Elsa blinked. "Well, if it's too much work, you don't have to-"

"It's not that. You're just so on edge around me," Anna pointed out. "We can barely even talk normally anymore. You're always suspecting me, and glaring at me. I swear I feel like you hate me sometimes."

"What? No, no, Anna, I don't hate you!" She reassured her, completely blown away. "I just… brace myself so I'm not caught off guard."

"But that's the thing! I don't want to have you be on guard around me! We're sisters! We should be happy, and talking, and, and supporting each other! Not tiptoeing around each other like this!"

As she saw her hurt and her distress, Elsa remembered her guilt, and sighed, conceding. "You're right, Anna, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to do this, I just-"

"BOO!" She screamed as she grabbed her shoulders. She burst out laughing at Elsa's jump and scared face. "Oooooh man that was too easy," she sighed. "You should've seen the look on your face!"

Elsa grunted, trying to look stern despite her smile, and failing. "That was a low blow. I really thought I had hurt your feelings!"

"Are you kidding? I've been dying to mess with you for years!" Anna waved her off. "But I totally got you, didn't I?"

"You did," she conceded with a sigh. She raised her brows and looked at her primly, her expression whenever she was playfully jabbing someone. "You should go into television."

"Ah!" Anna squeaked. "Could you imagine? Me, a star!" She breathed out dreamily, before giggling and skipping off. "Alrighty, back to homework!"

Elsa sighed, making a mental note to never, ever fall for her sister's crocodile tears again.

And so, after a few months, the sports festival finally arrived.

And the stadium was huge.

There were cheers, there were fireworks, there were announcements, and if the students weren't feeling enough pressure already, the hullabaloo was enough to cement in how huge this event was. Izuku knew he had a lot of pressure on his shoulders. All Might was counting on him to make a statement, even with the trouble he had with One for All. Tense, but determined, he had his eyes on first place, knowing what was at stake.

But there was another hopeful hero far, far behind him, trailing in with her classmates onto the field. Her gloves were off, and she was trying not to think of the crowd, or accidentally freezing over this entire massive stadium as she trailed onto the field. She had her hair up in her signature traditional updo, despite the hindrance. Hans pointed out the style was too tight and heavy, and was adding to her stress. But unfortunately some of her hair was too short for a ponytail or braid, leaving it in her face. She had to keep it out so she could see. She knew her mother liked seeing the traditional style on her daughter as well, and wanted to keep her happy. Hopefully, this would be enough to clear her mind and help her focus.

Focus…

Midnight called up a student from class 1-A to say the pledge and kick start the festival. Elsa zeroed in on him, trying in vain to quell her beating heart. This was her goal. Her target class was right up ahead, preparing for the festival probably even more than her. She paid polite attention, even though her mind started racing with all the quirk strategies she and Anna had come up with. She had to be good enough, she had to be strong, she had to-

"I pledge…

…That I'll be number one."

… Wow.

Even that was enough to take Elsa's attention. Though everyone screamed and shouted in anger, she was too off-put to be angry. She was too stunned by his bunt answer, and wasn't really obsessed with getting first place anyway. After all, like Anna pointed out, she didn't need to win in order to get noticed. To transfer into the hero course, she just had to be among the top and prove she could keep up, that way they'd see her skill and potential. Admittedly, it did take some of the burden off her shoulders.

(Truthfully, Anna had told her that because she realized she was still spending so much time on homework. She had to point out that she didn't need a perfect score on every homework assignment, or every single quiz, saving her energy for her physical exercise and quirk practice. And the thought of "beating" the hero course was making her more anxious and doubting herself and her abilities.)

Well, whatever class 1-A's attitude, that wouldn't affect how she'd do this. She had trained too hard and too long to let a little something like that distract her. She wasn't exactly planning on getting in his way. Maybe if she could get second or third place instead.

'Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.' She took a breath and let it out slow. 'Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.'

She was ready.

As she watched the screen determine her fate, she couldn't help but feel anxious. After all, they had no idea what the events were. What if they threw another curve ball Elsa hadn't prepared for?

She shook her head briefly, bracing her nerves. It didn't matter. She could still do well.

The words flashed on screen, and she couldn't help but be surprised. 'An obstacle course?'

Four kilometers… last time she had been exhausted after less than one.

Time to see if all their training had paid off.

In the stands, Hans was seated near the back, eyes on the crowd of students and flicking to the big screen. He did have a back up plan in case things didn't go well, but he hoped, really hoped that she would be able to score well in all this. It would be the easiest path for him in the long run.

He checked the time on his phone, and sent a message to Anna, since she had made him promise to do so. 'They're finally starting. They'll be doing an obstacle course race.'

He put his phone back in his pocket, focusing on the field. Hopefully Elsa would take Midnight's hint to heart, and use her quirk to help her along in this race.

The students took their places near the archway. Elsa was placed near the back, since the business course had lined up further from the entrance. The rest of her classmates were already leaving the crowd, setting up their places and market simulations.

"Wait, Bradt, are you actually competing?" One asked in confusion.

"Yes." She said, but didn't elaborate. She was nervous enough as it was, and didn't want to waste what little focus she had on explaining herself. He simply shrugged and took his place with the others, figuring she wouldn't make it past the first event anyway.

Elsa knew she was at a disadvantage from the get go, but she didn't let that bother her. There would still be time to catch up.

'Just focus on finishing,' she told herself. 'That's all that matters.'

The lights turned on, and she took her position, ready to run. 'This time, no hesitation.' She told herself, face set. 'Just keep your eyes on the finish line.'

One light down…

'You don't have to beat them, just catch up to them!' She told herself, heart already hammering in excitement. 'Prove that you belong here!'

Second light down…

'Show them you have what it takes to be a hero!'

Start.

Oh no! The race has started! How will Elsa do? Will she make it into the hero course? Will she have what it takes to show those naysayers wrong!? Leave a review and tell me what you think!

Also to answer your question, I won't be changing canon for the next few chapters, all I'm doing is establishing where she's at in the story and then will divert it later alskdjaslkdjasd.

Lol, ANYWAY thanks so much for reading! Want to support me? Commission me here: aspiringcommissions. tumblr post / 665225620714815488 / writing-commissions

It would really help me a lot and keep me motivated~