Happy 1 year anniversary of this story. Hard to believe it's been an entire year since the first chapter!
Early in the dawn of morning when the rest of the world was still asleep one Izuku Midoriya sat on top of a hill. The small nip of the early morning greeting him as he looked down at the still sleeping city, the cool breeze doing wonders for his aching...everything. Letting out a content breath he smiled against the still rising sun.
"Leaving so soon?" Chiyo's voice called out, the short woman hobbling over with a smile. "And here I was hoping for a goodbye."
Raising his arms over his head he twisted his body, letting out a small groan at the cracking sound his body made before he shot back playfully. "I'm still working under you. We'll see each other later on today...unless you are firing me from helping in the office?"
Barking a laugh she shook her head amused. "You wish. Like I would let you get away from me so easily after all the time I spent on helping you."
"Good to know that I now count as a sunk cost fallacy." He chuckled back, not needing to look over his shoulder to know she was probably rolling her eyes at him.
Why do all of the woman in his life always roll their eyes at him?
"If not for me at least go say goodbye to the old man. He will never say it aloud but he had a blast training someone that could actually take it. Looks like he took quite a liking to you."
If beating him daily was his way of saying he liked him he would hate to be on the ex pro's bad side...
He has known Recovery girl long enough to know not to question her.
Nodding he turned and went back inside, the front steps to the entrance making a soft squeaking sound under his red shoes. Walking farther inside he found Kenjiro standing not far away, his body ridged as he leaned against one of the walls.
"You heading out?" He gruffed out. His voice somehow even deeper this early in the morning, almost sounding like a growl from a wild animal.
"I am, I have to get up early to make it back to UA on time. Thought I should at least say goodbye."
"You didn't have to go out of your way on my account. I'm a big boy."
"I wanted to." Reaching a hand out towards him Izuku smiled. "Thank you, Mad dog...for helping me. I, don't know how to make it up to you."
Kenjiro stared down at his waiting hand before smirking, reaching out he firmly took his hand in his and shook it. "Yeah kid. It was fun...but I think I know a a way for you to pay me back."
"Oh? What's that?" He said with a raised eyebrow.
"Tell me your hero name."
That made him pause, blinking a few times. "I'm not in the hero course yet."
"Tsk, yet. You need to believe in yourself more."
He...appreciated the sentiment but he honestly didn't think he would get this far. There was a point where he had a few ideas for names but after everything that happened to him they didn't feel they were as relevant anymore. He doesn't even have an idea for a hero costume yet either...
Kenjiro must have picked up on his reluctance because he cut off his thought process, letting out a laugh as he slapped his shoulder.
"There you go over thinkin things again, I thought I beat that out of you but I guess old habits die hard!" Shaking his head he let his hand go with a laugh. "That's ok. You got plenty of time to figure everything out. I'll catch you later...Izuku Midoriya."
Watching the shadow boxer go back into his home Izuku looked down at his scarred hand before clenching it into a fist.
Heading back outside he started on his long trek home, waving to Recovery girl as he descended the mountain back into city life.
...
After seven long grueling days of training everyone's internships had officially come to a quick and uneventful end. Students started to head back to UA from all over Japan, all of them feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction as they took one of many steps towards the heroes they were eventually going to become.
You would think after all of the time away the atmosphere around town would have started to even out but it weirdly had gotten even worse since they were gone.
You could see it in the people just walking around town. In the whispers amongst each other just out of ear shot. There was an...edge, to their stares.
Like they were expecting the other shoe to drop any day now.
At first he thought it was aimed at him, people still talking about what he did at the sports festival but after the last few times he started to realize that it wasn't directed at him. The hardened stares were towards his uniform.
His UA school uniform.
Walking past an electronic store Izuku stopped to stare at the flickering light of the TV screens.
Moving across the screen in text were the words...
Is Hero Killer Stain Right?
The TV station showing two people having a very heated discussion over the news. Their eyebrows were surprisingly low as they pointed at each other in accusing gestures although he could not hear what they were actually saying. Watching the two silently shout amongst each other for a few moments he frowned as he turned and started back on his way.
Hoping onto the closest train towards UA he pulled out his phone only to find the same kind of conversations going on everywhere he looked. Heated discussions and arguments everywhere you turned...and it was all over a single video.
He had heard about it the first few days he was at his internship. Apparently a video on the origin of the hero killer was taking the world by storm, a bizarrely made documentary about his life. Normally such a video would just have been scoffed at any other time but tensions were high right now. The disastrous sports festival had put a bad taste in many people's mouths and now came this video talking about the corruption of heroes.
It was almost like it was planned...
On top of all of that there had been a rumor about the number two hero abusing his family and putting his wife in a medical facility. Speculation had started to build up and people were coming out of the wood work to speak out about things that Endeavor had done in the past.
UA had yet to comment on anything that was going on, despite Endeavor coming from their school, which only seemed to fuel the fire more.
How could public opinion of heroes dwindle so much over just a week? It was honestly so startling.
Lurching to a stop the motion jolted Midoriya from his thoughts. Quickly shoving his phone back into his pocket he hoped off on his stop.
Blinking a few times at the crowd he was a little surprised to see so many people waiting at the entrance of UA at this hour. School wasn't open for at least another few hours, the only reason he was even here this early was so he could head back to his apartment to get ready for the day. Yet here they were, looking like they camped out in front of the entrance for at least a few days.
Walking closer some of them turned towards him, it taking a second for one of them to recognize who he was before surging to their feet and rushing towards him like a stampede of wild buffalo.
"Mr. Midoriya! Mr. Midoriya! Is it true that you and Katsuki Bakugo are remnants of the terrible incident at Aldera Middle school!?" One of the reporters shouted, shoving a mic into his face.
"Hold on who told you..."
"Do you have any comment on being accused of being the worst part of hero society!?" Another pushed on, interrupting the first question.
"Wait!? Who said I was the worst of..."
"Have you had contact with hero killer Stain over your long weekend? If so what is he plotting!?"
That one really confused him. "Why do you think I would be contacted by..."
Questions launched at him faster then he could process let alone answer any of them. He was floundering under the harsh flashes of their cameras but just as fast as they got in his face they were already moving on. The reporters quickly noticing a bigger fish walking up the steps and shoving past him to rush at the candy caned hair of Shoto Todoroki.
He really should have taken that as his cue to quickly leave the scene but he found himself watching the reporters rush Todoroki instead.
"Mr. Todoroki! Is it true that your father abused you as a child!?"
Todoroki walked ahead without even addressing him.
"Did he give you that burn on your face? Can you tell us what happened?"
Still nothing.
"Where is your mother now? Is it true that your father put her in the hospital!? Rumor has it she is staying at..."
For the first time since they've arrived they now had Todoroki's full attention. Turning to shoot a stone cold glare at the reporter that asked that last question he reached a hand out and touched their camera. Ice creeping up the piece of expensive equipment from the point of contact before completely coating the camera in ice.
Letting out a startled yelp the camera man dropped the block of ice onto the ground, it making a splintering sound as it broke into many pieces.
Without so much as a word Todoroki turned and walked past the gate and the startled looks of the reporters, heading farther onto the campus. An action that Izuku quickly took advantage of to follow after him and walking in step next to him.
"Thanks for the back up Todoroki. I appreciate it."
Looking over to him with a frown Todoroki's eyes softened for just a second before he looked away. "Don't thank me. They pissed me off is all."
"Still, I appreciate it." Midoriya pushed on with a kind smile. "I hope there's no hard feelings from the sports festival, I would hate to have made a very dangerous enemy. We're both here to be heroes after all and grudges are hardly heroic."
Stopping his step Todoroki turned towards him, his hardened face looking him over for a long moment. He almost looked like he wanted to ask him something but quickly decided against it, choosing instead to turn away again and head towards the main UA building.
"I may have underestimated you once Izuku Midoriya but I refuse to do so again. Watch your back because I will be gunning for you with all that I have."
Watching Todoroki wander off he couldn't help but think about how lonely the hero student looked at that moment. Cold, icey walls built high around himself like a fortress...he could kind of relate with him.
Frowning Izuku couldn't help but want to help him but he had no idea how, the boy was too closed off to even hear anything he could possibly have said.
Fiddling with the straps of his backpack Izuku Midoriya took one final look at the direction that Todoroki went to before turning around and heading off towards the general study dorms.
Something to think about later I guess...
Slipping through the crowd of people Shinso stared at the ground in thought, his brows knitted together in a contemplative silence. Pausing for a few seconds at the end of the hallway, as other students walked past.
It was currently lunch time so the crowd was extra aggressive as they pushed and shoved so he stayed as far out of their way as possible. Far be it from him to get in between a college student and food.
Ignoring them he pressed up against one of the walls and waited for them to pass. Fishing into his pocket to pull out his phone.
He had looked over the series of text many times over the last few days but he still didn't know how to fix it.
It started out simple enough. Him and Kodai started to exchange messages over the last month, not really typing much but still trying to communicate.
As well as the two could he supposed.
He was trying to get tips on how to be stealthier, following any instructions or advice she gave him...that is until she typed out a very specific message.
Looking over the sentence again he frowned in thought, the text simply saying.
"You need to make no sound at all. Try to imagine that if you are even so much as perceived you will be harshly scolded and judged. Merge into your surroundings and act as if you dont even exist."
It was...the longest message that Kodai had ever sent to him. It was so sad and so specific that when he first read it his insides twisted around in an uncomfortable dance.
Because he knew what she meant.
He had spent much of his younger life not trying to make waves at school and in his life. Trying so hard not to speak because of the looks people would give him. The way his parents would flinch every so slightly whenever he tried to have a conversation with them.
Shinso was never really good at socializing. Conversation were hard to have when most people were afraid of what you could do to them so he didn't exactly have many chances to talk. That's probably why he typed out what he did, his response haunting him as he stared down at the blinking text.
His text response reading. "Is that how it was for you growing up?"
Looking back the response was stupid and blunt, especially since he knew how she must have felt. Only after he sent it did he realize how insensitive that must have sounded, especially over text where you can't exactly tell someone's tone.
It had been days since he typed that and there had still been so response, their text chat growing quiet and still. The only way he knew that she had seen it at all was the little pop up message saying "text read."
She was mad at him obviously.
He cant blame her, he would be mad at himself if he was in her shoes. Some things are best not brought up, especially things involving the past.
The crowd had thinned now giving him a chance to move farther into the cafeteria. Putting his phone back into his pocket he went inside to get food, his gaze scanning the horizon until he had found their table.
Their normal group sitting where they usually were. Tokage was chatting with anyone that would listen, the slinky girl talking Iida's ear off as the stoic boy pointedly ignored her. Yaoyorozu was chatting with that punk girl Jirou and Shishida was busy with his nose in a book.
Probably trying to get some extra studying in for the semester finals.
Watching them from a distance for a second he let out a small sigh before joining Midoriya and his little group. He was currently having a conversation with his totally not girlfriend Kendo while Uraraka and Kodai flanked him at both sides.
Taking a seat next to Kodai she turned towards him with her normal blank expression before looking away, not even throwing a mmm his way. Looking down at his food he let out a sigh to himself.
Yup. Definitely mad at him.
Laying in bed Izuku Midoriya restlessly rolled about, his body shifting left and then right. Letting out an annoyed groan he sat up, running a hand through his messy and uncombed hair. Letting out a yawn as the exhaustion swayed heavy on his eyes.
He had only been gone from his general studies apartment for a week but it already felt so alien to him. The small box that he called his apartment so empty, so quiet so...so.
Lonely.
You would think he would have gotten used to living alone in his room far away from everyone else by now but he recently has been spoiled as of late. The Suzenji home was always so full of bustling life no matter the hour. Recovery girl was always doing something and her husband made it a habit to attack him whenever he left his guard down. At the time it was stressful and chaotic but now that it was gone he weirdly found himself missing it.
Yet again he was alone, isolated away from everyone he cared about.
Getting out of bed he wandered over to his single window in his boxers to lean against the frame, his gaze flickering to the empty night sky as he wondered how his parents were doing right now.
I hope my mom isn't working herself too hard...
Looking back at his night stand his phone sat on its charger, the item calling to him from the dark. Reaching for it he paused, his hand hovering in the air.
It was already so late, he shouldn't bother her at this hour. She needed her rest, he could always call her in the morning...he...
The buttons clicked under his fingers as he pressed in her number by heart, laying back against the bed as he pressed his phone to his ear. The dull ring of his phone filling the quiet of the room before there was a click, his mother picking up the phone after the second ring.
"Izuku?" Her voice sounded horse and tired. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"
He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Hey mom, sorry to call you this late at night. I just...wanted to hear your voice."
A faint sound of rustling as his mom most likely sat up. "Cant sleep?"
"No." He shook his head absently. "I guess I'm just worrying about finals. Too much buzzing around in my brain."
There was the faint sound of a laugh on the other end. He really missed her laugh. "Don't I know how that goes. Do you know what I usually do when I get like that?"
Rolling over on his side he pressed the phone closer. "What?"
"I like to say thank you."
That...was not something he expected to hear, a small snort of a laugh coming out.
"I-Its true! It really helps." He could almost see her puffing her cheeks out at him annoyed even though she was so far away. "It's called Gratitude and Grace, a mental exercise that I learned a long time ago that helps you from over thinking. Instead of dwelling on the past and what ifs it helps ground you into the now. It doesn't even matter on what you are thankful for, what you are thankful for can be anything."
"Ok...then, what are you thankful for mom?"
"Well..." Her voice trailed off for a second. "It was really beautiful today, the sun was just the right temperature for this time of year. The grocery store wasn't packed and there was even my favorite cashier there. Her and I talked for a while, she's such a lovely young lady I wish you could meet her."
"Maybe I will next time I stop by..."
"That would be nice. She's such a sweet girl. What else...I'm thankful for you and your father for still being in my life. Despite the hardships life has been throwing at you you both have been working so hard, never staying on the ground for long. I really admire that about you two...I guess I'm just really proud of the man you have become. Stuff like that, it doesn't have to be anything big. Returning to a state of thankfulness can help you unwind and ease into sleep."
There was a yawn on the other end and what she did looked like it helped her.
"I'll let you go mom, sorry for holding you up. I think I'll try it."
Moving to hang up his mom whispered out to him from the phone and stopping his fingers. "Izuku. You are ok...right?"
"Of course I'm ok." His answer was immediate but even then he wasn't sure if it was actually true, more a gut response he was used to telling his mother over the years. His mom was always so stressed, he didn't need to add onto that.
A pause over the line and for a second he was unsure if his mother hung up or if she just fell asleep.
"Izuku." She sounded so soft. "You know its ok...to not be ok. Right?"
His hand shook a little as he gripped his phone a little tighter, his body curling up a little.
"Yeah mom. I know."
"Alright..." Her voice trailed off like she didn't believe him. "Just, get some sleep Izuku. I'll talk to you later."
"Ok mom. I love you."
"I love you too Izuku, always and forever."
"Always and forever."
Pressing the end call button he set his phone on the night stand next to him before taking a slow breath. Laying back against his bed he closed his eyes, going down a list as he thought about what he was thankful for.
Hidden away in the darkness of a room there was a faint clacking sound, a rapid slamming of fingers on keys as Shigaraki typed away at his computer. His fingers were a blur of movement, typing faster then most people. The only light was from the dull dim of his computer screen, a scribbled, blurry mess of words moving across the reflection in his eyes.
Looking at the screen it looked like he was on some kind of forum, walls and walls of text moving rapidly across the plastic surface.
With a loud slam a door behind him was swung open, a cascading bridge of light filling the room as a dark silhouette stood in the doorway.
Shigaraki did not even turn towards the sound as he continued to type. His frame hunched like a question mark as he sat in his rolling chair unmoving.
"Shigaraki." The voice of the hero killer barked out. The silhouette taking steps forward as he came into view and focus. "I have abstained from going out on my hunts as you have requested and I gave you information on my life...but I am starting to lose patience! How long do you expect me to sit around in a bar when there is work to be done!?"
"Stain please." Shigaraki droned on, looking over to him with a twisted smile before at his screen. "You will get your time. You can't just rush an over powered boss, you have to grind first."
Frowning at that Stain walked closer, looking over his shoulder at his computer.
"And, what pray tell are you...grinding?"
"Discord."
When Stain didn't respond at that there was a pause in typing before he quickly stopped. Shigaraki pulling away to finally look at him, his feet crisscrossing on the chair.
"You remember what happened at the sports festival, correct?" Shigaraki said, his gaze flickering away as he scratched his neck.
It only took Stain a second to answer. "You are talking about the semi finals with the Midoriya and Bakugo boy?"
"Exactly." Shigaraki responded in a sing songing tone. "There was other things that happened but that event was the focal point. Ever since those two fought the internet had come to life about the event. Bakugo apparently has a history of cruelty under his belt and Midoriya may seem nice but judging off of what happened he has a dark side as well."
Huffing annoyed Stain leaned in to the screen. "So that's it? You are trying to recruit them?"
"No, its actually the exact opposite. Those two are the perfect starting point for our mission."
"Our...mission?"
"To ride this world of its fakes." Shigaraki answered like it was easiest thing in the world. "I've been combing the web, hiding out in places and leaving comments where I could. A critique here, a rumor of Stain there. If we want to do a witch hunt we need a fire... and if we need a fire we first need embers."
Giving a long moment to think Stain frowned back at him. "How will this get rid of fakes in hero society? Would it not be better to just kill them and be done with it?"
"That doesn't solve the problem, if anything that's just putting a band aid on it. The way society is someone else will just come along. Right now we are two drops in a storm but if enough people agree with us we can tear up the hero world and they may even thank us for it."
"I don't like it. More people means more problems."
Pushing his legs out he rolled back to his computer, Shigaraki giving him a smug shrug. "You can judge them yourself if you wish, I won't question it."
"I still don't think this is a good..."
"Did you know Endeavor abuses his kids?"
That stopped Stain in his tracks, his teeth pressing together tight enough to make a clicking sound. "What?"
"At least that's what my source says. Someone who's close to the family had reached out to me after Giran stuck his feelers out...Giran is a recruiter my master found, he..."
"Get to your point Shigaraki." Stain growled.
Smiling a little more Shigaraki turned to face his computer before going back to typing. "Yeah yeah, so blunt. This guy says he has proof of Endeavors abuse, we can use that to shed light on how twisted the hero world truly was...the only thing he wants in exchange is to meet you. Whether he joins us or not is up to you."
The typing resumed as the hero killer Stain watched from a far. Glaring at his back with his pointed red eyes he huffed before turning back around to leave the room.
"Fine. If what you say is true I would like to meet this...informant. Let me know when he gets here."
The door slammed closed yet again, plunging the room back into darkness, Shigaraki's smile growing more twisted as he continued to type. An almost giddy sound coming up from him as he hummed out the tune to his favorite rpg.
"This will be fun..."
Staring up at the wall of books Kyouka Jirou's eyes scanned the multiple names of text, her mouth pursing as she tried to spot the one she was looking got. Turning her head she followed the wall farther down the hall until it curved around the corner and out of sight.
She had no idea there were so many books in UA's library. Hell, if she remembers right this was just one of many amongst the campuses...although she cant imagine all of them being this big.
Maybe this one is bigger because its closer to principal Nezu's office?
After looking back at the main wall she eventually found what she was looking for, a thick looking book a few rows up calling out to her. Getting up on a stool she hopped up to grab it before tucking it under her arm and heading back to their little group.
They have been there for a while, already set up at a table. After Mina and Kaminari came to Momo basically on their hands and knees begging for help she met with Kendo and started up a group study session. Kendo of course recruited Midoriya to help with some subjects and a bunch of students from both 1A and 1B came flocking to their little study sesh.
Tho she supposed they could hardly call their study group small now.
Sitting next to Momo she handed her the book she requested.
"Thank you Kyo, I appreciate it." The girl said with a smile, giving a small nod before she went back to helping Kaminari with some math problem he was struggling with.
Looking about at all of her classmates studying she couldn't help but feel pride at how many friends she had made now that she was at UA.
Before all of this it was just her and Midoriya before...uh yeah.
Frowning at the thought she turned to see the very same green haired boy helping Uraraka with English, Pony and Kendo sitting nearby to chime in as well.
Things have been kind of none existent ever since they "made up." He said he forgave her but she could tell the energy between them was different...more tense then what it used to be. She wasn't an idiot, there was no way that their friendship was ever going to go back to the way it was before but even still it was at a point that she didn't like.
She still wanted to talk to the guy after all.
Trying to think of a nice gesture she could do for him she winced a little startled when a hand chopped her head.
"Kyo. Are you even listening to me?" Momo said with a huff.
Rubbing her head she laid back a little. "Obviously I wasn't...doesn't mean you should go chopping people on the head like that!"
Momo actually rolled her eyes at her, which was weird to see the princess actually sass her back...maybe she's been hanging out with her punk friends too much.
"As I was saying, I was reading up on this animal and I figured it would be helpful to you since you currently lack offensive power."
Looking down at the book placed before her she picked it up for a closer look. The cover being some kind of crustacean with its pincers raised into the air.
That was not what she expected.
"The Mantis Shrimp?" She read a loud, Momo letting out humming sound in confirmation. "Uhhh, no offense Momo but how is a tiny shrimp going to help me not get my ass beat?"
Thinking for a moment Momo placed a finger to her lips, an action that made her absently think about how cute she was. Blinking a few times Kyouka felt her cheeks redden.
Wait, where did that come from!?
"Though the Mantis Shrimp may be tiny it actually has an amazing ability." Momo said, completely oblivious to her friends inner panic. "It can vibrate it's claws at such a speed and frequency that it can punch at almost 50 miles per hour, allowing it to even break glass. Scientist have theorized that if we as humans could vibrate our arms the same way we would be able to throw a baseball into orbit."
When she didn't say anything to that Momo tucked a stray hair behind her ear before shrugging. Her tone sounding playful as she turned away.
"Sounds fairly useful to me."
Looking at Momo and then down at the book again she smiled a little, opening to the first page.
"Hell yeah, that sounds metal as hell."
The final few days blew past in a blink of the eye and regardless if any of the students were truly ready their final exams were upon them. While many from general studies were already saying their prayers Izuku focused on doing the best he could with what he was given. He had been studying for days now and even though he was unsure about how he was going to do there was no point on dwelling on it now.
As Kendo used to say to him when they were younger, "Eh, whatever happens happens."
He would never jinx himself and openly say the exams were easy but at least he recognized every question and was able to confidently answer each one. Whether the answers were correct or not was a whole other thing, a thing he wont have an answer to until next week.
He was unsure how he faired in Literature and Science but he was sure that he at least did well at Math, the subject always coming fairly easy to him.
Hearing the bell for the end of the class he stood up expecting that he was done for the day, preparing to go to lunch and coast through the rest of the day only to be stopped by his teacher. The kindly woman handing him a piece of paper before sending him on his way.
When he got to their normal table he was a little surprised to find more people there than usual, a handful of 1A students gathered around Yaoyorozu as they sung her praises.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" Ashido praised, her hands put together as if she was praying to some goddess. "You are a life saver! There was no way I was passing that without your help!"
"I didn't even leave anything blank!" Kaminari declared proudly.
He was unsure if that was a good thing but he shrugged, walking over to their table.
"I'm glad you guys found it so helpful." Yaoyorozu smiled, looking absolutely giddy at all of the attention.
While the other members of the study group all but worshipped their savior, Uraraka came over to Izuku when she saw him. "I'm so glad we did that study session! I would have been doomed in the math section if we didn't go through it together!"
"Yeah, Ectoplasm gave us some really tough questions." he said back with a smile.
"N-now that the finals are erm, over. I wanted to see if you wanted to..." Uraraka choked out, struggling with her words as her face only got redder and redder.
"Few! Thank God that's over!" Tokage exclaimed loudly as she sat at their table, slamming her tray down and making Uraraka practically leap into the air. "If mama sees another math problem I might just jump out a window!"
"Set stop exaggerating. You told me that you were good at math." Kendo said with a shake of her head, sitting down as well.
"Just because I'm good at it does NOT mean I like it!"
"Mmm!" Kodai said with a nod.
"None the less I am proud to say it is over." Shishida said with a smile, raising a hand to adjust his glasses. "Here's hoping that we all pass!"
Uraraka looked a little miffed for a second before smiling. "Heh yeah! Now we just have the practical to do! We're more then half way there!"
Popping food into his mouth he looked amongst his friends. "Oh yeah that's today isn't it? Any ideas what you guys are going to do?"
"No...Mr. Aizawa is keeping it a secret from us." Uraraka said with a huff, her cute cheeks puffing out. "Something about us figuring it out on our own."
"Kan said the same thing." Grumbled Tokage, waving a fork around.
"Don't tell anyone but a senpai above us told me that we will be fighting robots." Kendo said with a shrug before Ashido slams her hands down on the table next to them.
"Really!? That sounds awesome!"
"Well yes but it's just a rumor, they might have...and your gone." Turning her head Kendo watched as Ashido ran off, most likely to tell everyone.
Looking amongst each other they all let out an amused laugh before digging into their food.
When it finally came time for the practical exam, the only piece of communication that was given to 1B was to head to the bus depot beside the school. Getting dressed in her hero costume Kendo and the rest of her class hoped onto buses that took them to...god knows where. The bus taking a route that was probably done to confuse them. Her class was weirdly quiet, choosing to sit in contemplative silence as they drove down the road. Tilting her head she let out a sigh before sitting up a little when she felt someone's eyes on her. Turning towards the source Tetsutetsu quickly turned away like he wasn't just caught staring at her. Tapping a finger against her forearm in mild irritation she felt a little annoyed at how he was acting lately. The silver haired boy has been avoiding her for a week now and she was this close to just dragging him off somewhere to talk.
He can't just pretend to ignore her forever.
Looking away she made a silent promise to herself to talk to the boy once this was all over.
Hoping off of the bus when it came to it's designated stop they walked the rest of the way, heading through the metal facility that they have done test in in the past...except this time there was something concerning waiting for them. All of 1A were just standing around when they arrived, on top of what looked like the entire hero course faculty.
"Good. You're right on time." Aizawa rolled his shoulder. "Then we can get start..."
"Wait what are they doing here!?" Monoma shouted indignantly, his hand raising from the crowd to point.
She had heard that Monoma was forced to take classes for his internship to try and improve his attitude...it sadly didn't seem to work when it came to 1A.
"In the past we have done the practical portion separately between the two classes but recently we at UA have started to realize how toxic it may be to pin our classes against each other." Kan answered, shooting Monoma a look that immediately shut him up. "So this year we are going to try something new and have the two classes work together."
"Why are there so many teachers…?" She heard Jirou murmur nearby nervously.
"As we begin the practical exam, remember that it's possible to fail this too." Aizawa continued. "So if you want to go on the trip to the forest lodge, do your best. Now then, I'm sure you've all tried to dig up what you could on what this test is going to be."
"We're fighting robots, baby!" Kaminari cheered, shooting dual thumbs up excitedly as Ashido hoped up and down next to him. "Yeah! Just let me at em! I can already smell the campfires from here!"
"Robots!? Hell yeah we got this in the bag!" Tetsutetsu shouted, pumping his fast as Kirishima nodded along. Kamakiri sharping a blade arm in anticipation.
"An interesting deduction and normally you would be correct any other year!" A voice shouted from Aizawa's scarf, the grey piece of fabric wiggling around before the furry face of Principal Nezu popped out to smile at all of them. "However. We've decided to change things up and provide a completely different kind of test this year!"
"How long was he in there…?" Hagakure asked quietly.
"Do you think he even walks anywhere or just rides on people's shoulders?" Ojiro muttered.
"How even fit?" Pony questioned next to them with a slight tilt of the head. A question that many of them asked quietly to themselves.
"Before we go into detail however we seem to be missing some people." Nezu chirped, climbing further out of the scarf and shaking his head. "Can we bring the other two out as well?"
Other two?
Turning towards a third bus Kendo watched as Midoriya and Shinso hopped off of it to the surprise of both classes. Midoriya waving awkwardly as he walked over and stood next to her.
Looking up at him she shot him an almost offended look that he would keep such a secret from her only for him to give her a look that said. "I'm as surprised as you honestly."
Perching himself on Aizawa's shoulder Nezu stood up a little to clap his little paws together, silencing the group in an instant.
"Now then, in light of recent events we at UA have decided that our usual robots are not quite capable of simulating real life experiences. We figured that it would be better for all of you to experience what a real world battle would be like for all of you outside of school!"
"A real world battle?" Midoriya repeated a loud, an eyebrow raising as he looked amongst the teachers. She could see the pieces connected together in his mind, something she was starting to pick up on as well. If they were supposed to fight each other why have so many teachers...unless. Eyes widening she figured it out right as Nezu spoke again.
"In other words," Nezu's eyes glinted mischievously. "Each of you will form off into pairs of four, two from each class and engage in combat with one of our teachers here."
"Against pro heroes!?" Uraraka repeated, horrified.
"T-thats insane!" Komori gawked.
"You don't have to worry about forming teams, all groups have been decided long before. Be sure to pair up when your name is called!" Kan shouted out. "From there you will all be taken to an observation room before and after your battle. You will have thirty minutes to either escape the battle arena or capture your opponent as a team."
There were two different ways to win? Probably forcing them to plan out something together.
"Even with four of us isn't that a bit extreme? You guys are pros, you are just going to wipe the floor with us if we try and fight." Hiryu Rin asked with a raised hand.
"Ah but that's the interesting part!" Nezu said with a smile. "We had the support department make these! Combat weights tailored to be about the third of the pro heroes body weight. With these, combat with your teachers will be more weighted in your favor...ignore the pun."
Despite what Nezu said a few of them chuckled.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just have four of us scatter? So long as someone makes it out we win correct?" Class 1Bs vice rep questioned, Momo nodding along at that question.
"Oh ho! If that's how it worked villains would get away a lot more from heroes, I believe you will find getting away from a pro much harder then you think..." Nezu chuckled, scratching his chin. "But I suppose you might be right. That's why we made a rule that you only pass if one member of each class escapes, not just one. That way you only truly win when one from 1A AND 1B get away."
That made the two classes look amongst each other in realization. If they truly wanted to win this they had to work together...or fail together.
"That's not even counting for individual scores." Aizawa drawled on as he rubbed at his eye. "There will be a team based score and an individual one, you need both of them to pass. Now that that's out of the way...Todoroki, Yoarashi, Manga, Tsuburaba."
Almost on cue the two classes looked at each other as the four grouped up, muttering out in surprised whispers.
That's a powerful team up...who could be...
"You are going against me."
Ah ok, that makes sense. The four that heavily rely on their quirks against the person who cancels them out.
"Sato, Shishida, Tetsutetsu, Kamakiri. You'll be up against Cementoss." Shouted Kan.
The four smirking as they shared a look.
Pairing the close ranged fighters against someone like Cementoss will be a hard fight...
"Tokoyami, Kaminari, Komori, Awase you are with Ectoplasm." Aizawa said tiredly.
Ectoplasm nodded at them, a mix of emotions on their faces.
"Uraraka, Aoyama, Kuroiro, Kaibara you are up against Thirteen." Kan said.
Uraraka gasped out excitedly before realizing that she actually has to fight her idol, looking around before slumping a little in disappointment.
"Yaoyorozu, Jirou, Honenuki, Yanagi. You four are up against Principal Nezu." Aizawa read off.
Kendo watched as both Momo and Jirou got a little stiff, Momo raising a hand. "We are going to be fighting you Principal Nezu?"
"Indeed." Nezu said with a smile, a dangerous look in his eye. "I do hope you make it interesting for me..."
"Ashido, Mineta, Tokage, Shiozaki. Your opponent is Midnight."
On cue, Midnight winked at all four of them. Cocking her hip as she purred. "Well...I don't usually roll that way but I think I can make an exception just this once."
The three girls looked horrified as Mineta in the middle of all of them looked the happiest he had ever been.
That...sounded like a terrible idea. Shiozaki alone looked like she wanted to strangle Mineta. The other two would probably help bury the body.
"Midoriya, Shinso, Rin. You are with me!" King said with a large smile. "Just because you are down a man doesn't mean I'm planning on going easy on you!"
Kendo's eyebrows knitted together as she watched them group up.
Guess that explains why those two are here. Maybe this is their final test into the hero course.
She silently hoped that was the case. With how hard those two worked they earned it at this point.
As Aizawa and Kan continued down the list through the various pairs and teachers, there was something she noticed...there was not enough teachers to go around? The way they were set up they would be down a teacher.
Were they going to have a teacher fight twice or something?
"Iida, Ojiro, Bondo, Shoda. Your opponent will be Power Loader."
"Koda, Sero, Pony, Rin. You four are against Present Mic."
"Shoji, Hagakure, Kodai, Kaibara. Up against Snipe."
All the way down the line they went until Kendo looked over who was left in pure shock and horror.
"Bakugo, Kirishima, Kendo, Monoma..."
Looking at a surprised Midoriya she turned to meet Bakugo's eyes, the blonde haired boy looked equally as shocked. She half expected to see him losing his mind or something but there was something else in his look. It took a second for her to realize what it was...a level of embarrassment stacked on top of fear.
What he was afraid of she has no idea but the look looked so foreign on the boys face she almost thought he was a different person.
"And your opponent will be…"
"ME!"
Descending from high up above a towering figure slammed down against the ground, the tiles beneath him cracking from the force. The light shone against it's back as he stood tall to his towering height, looking over at them with a blinding smile. From the startled sounds of her classmates she knew she wasn't dreaming, knew that this wasn't some crazy nightmare.
Standing before them wearing large weights on his wrist and ankles All Might's blonde hair blew silently in the breeze. His large wide smile facing them as he cracked his knuckles.
"I AM HERE TO WIN!"
...you've got to be fucking kidding me.
Notes:
Pay no mind to me sweating in the corner...I just now realized that I've yet to think of a hero name for the main character is all...
Phoenix by itself isn't really a good hero name...
Maybe something like "The Phoenix hero, Cauterize" or like "The Healing Flame hero, Sentinel?"
It can't be too scary sounding since he is a rescue hero...I'll have to think on it.