Chapter 33: Quirk and Quarrel Pt.1
So, the battles have commenced and everyone is raring to go. Recovery Girl is so lucky, she is able to watch all the matches, at her leisure.
Hello everyone, sorry if this came late, another one of my writer's block. Honestly, I have been reading other fanfictions about this arc, trying to gather some ideas and I hope that you like it. Honestly, I am following the manga on the premise of every match is happening at once.
Also, I hope I like it too. I will cast my vote at the very end.
Chapter 33: Quirk and Quarrel Pt.1
-Monitoring Room-
"Alright, let's see what's in store for me," Recovery Girl muttered to herself.
Down the halls, located in the center of the multiple testing sites, a monitor room was set up, where the school nurse was based. The monitor had screens displaying different areas of the matches, just in case she was needed to go and heal any injuries, stat. The room was off limits, and she was essentially alone, being that the students would all have to be there on their respective fields at once.
She looked up to the first match displayed on the screen. "Let's begin."
(-)
- Team: Koda& Kirishima vs. Hound Dog-
In the heart of the forest, the dense canopy above cast intricate shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the faint sounds of wildlife. Koda and Kirishima trudged in to clearing, keeping an eye out for their opponent, Hound Dog, who would soon make his attack.
They were both on high alert, but Kirishima couldn't help but admire his teammate's new look. Koda's costume was a significant change from his usual tight yellow suit. Instead, he now wore a camo green lightweight, fitted hooded jacket with grey accents and practical pockets. A pair of deep, muted yellow cargo pants, designed for practicality and easy movement; and finally, he wore brown durable hiking boots, with nature motifs, that completed the ensemble. He had on what seemed to be five slightly different bracelets on his left arm.
"Hey, Koda, that costume is looking sharp! Definitely more suited for this environment," he said with an enthusiastic grin.
Koda, slightly blushing, glanced down at his outfit. "Oh, uh, thanks, Kirishima. Bubbles helped me put it together and, uh, gave me some advice on it," he admitted, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "I think it turned out pretty well, huh?"
Kirishima's grin widened. "Yeah, it looks great! Definitely more practical than before."
Koda's smile grew a bit more as he nodded. "Yeah, I think so too. It feels good to be prepared for this kind of environment." Koda squeaked when the timer to the start of the test, rang out.
The cheerful exchange died down and Kirishima's expression shifted to one of intense focus as he activated his quirk, his body hardening and bristling with energy. "Alright! Let's go, Koda!" he shouted, charging into the clearing with boundless enthusiasm.
"Kirishima, wait!" Koda called out, but Kirishima was already sprinting ahead, not even a bit of hesitation.
"We don't even have a plan…" Koda sighed, initially fearful, took a deep breath, shaking off his initial hesitation. The seriousness of the challenge began to replace his nerves. "Alright, Koda…you've got this," he muttered to himself, gathering his resolve, he ran after his partner.
He began to catch up with Kirishima into the clearing, "Ki-Kirishima, we need a strategy. We don't know much about Hound Dog's tactics or the full extent of his quirk," Koda said, raising his voice to Kirishima, trying as possible to not give out their location.
Kirishima slowed down slightly, his hardened arms still active and realizing his error. "Darn! You're right, man. We should-"
A sudden rustling in the bushes interrupted them. Both boys tensed at that, their attention snapping to the direction of the sound. Their eyes were peeled open, surveying where their opponent could be. Kirishima was on guard, trying not to let the guy get a jump on them, while Koda, was quickly fiddling with one of his bracelets, and when he could recognize the one he needed at the moment, his eyes glowed yellow, activating his quirk. Now with the DNA of his pet rabbit, he listened closely, trying to use his heightened hearing, accompanying his eyes to pinpoint where their teacher could be.
More rustling was given off, from different sides of them and Koda was having a difficult time to follow it all. But From the shadows, "Rrrr…Let's go, little pups!" a growl came off and Hound Dog emerged, a few feet before them. His imposing figure framed by the dense forest, his canine-like appearance of a dog due to hisquirk; his scruffy mane of blond hair sticking straight out behind his head, his pointed snout was covered by the muzzle that he would typically wear around the school. When he set his eyes on his challengers, he let out a low menacing growl as he stood at the ready.
Hound Dog's eyes glinted with a predatory intensity as he regarded the two students. "Grrr…So, you've chosen to face me?!" he growled, his voice deep and resonant, carrying a hint of amusement.
Kirishima squared his shoulders, his bravado undeterred. "You bet we have! Let's do this!" he declared, slamming his hardened fist together in anticipation.
Koda didn't say anything, rather, he took a step back to focus on their teacher's movements and anything that could help them in determining how to beat him. He still remained with the DNA he sampled, incase if he needed speed or a way out.
Hound Dog scanned his new play things, keeping an eye on both students, knowing the basics of their quirks, it's safe to say that he will have some fun. His eyes then darted and rested on Koda, "Rrrr…What's wrong little one? Too afraid to speak?!" he addressed with a threatening growl.
Koda, feeling shaken, but he didn't back down though, "N-no! We will beat you!" he said with as much conviction as he could muster there. That was enough to give the teacher the go ahead, "Grrr…Then, we begin!" he leapt at them, springing in to action and starting the exams.
Both boys had different reactions, while Koda with his heightened agility and jumping prowess, leapt out of the incoming attack, Kirishima, now in full body hardening, took to a head on approach.
"Bring it!" he yelled, as he too launched in to deliver a punch.
The forest clearing erupted into chaos as Hound Dog leaped forward with startling speed. Kirishima charged headlong into the fray, his fists swinging with powerful intent. His bravado met Hound Dog's growling fury as the teacher's canine-like agility allowed him to dodge Kirishima's initial strike with a smooth sidestep.
"Grrr… You'll need more than brute strength to take me down!" Hound Dog growled, his voice echoing through the trees. He swiftly countered with a low sweep of his leg, aimed at Kirishima's feet. Kirishima stumbled, but quickly recovered, his hardened body absorbing the impact.
Hound Dog didn't relent; he spun on his heel, his movements fluid and predatory; quite unlike his heavy build. With a powerful thrust, he aimed a sweeping punch at Kirishima's side. Kirishima managed to block it with his hardened arm, but the force of the blow drove him back a few feet.
"Grrr… Is that all you've got?" Hound Dog taunted. He was already in motion again, leaping into the air with a ferocious kick aimed directly at Kirishima's head. Kirishima dodged and rolled away, just in time, but the gust of wind from the kick sent leaves flying into his face.
Seizing the opportunity, Hound Dog dropped to the ground on all four limbs and charged, aiming a series of rapid, low strikes and punches, aimed to trip Kirishima up. Kirishima tried to block and dodge, but the barrage of strikes overwhelmed him, sending him crashing back into the underbrush.
With Kirishima incapacitated, Hound Dog's attention shifted to Koda. The teacher's eyes, wild and scary, locked onto the remaining student. "Grrrr… Now, it's your turn," Hound Dog growled, his voice resonating with a chilling authority. He rose to his full height, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the forest floor as he advanced towards Koda.
Koda felt a jolt of fear, seeing his teacher's attention on him. Hound Dog lunged forward with a menacing snarl, Koda leaped to the side with incredible speed. He dodged the first swipe aimed at him, the air from Hound Dog's clawed strike ruffling his jacket. Koda scrambled to regain his footing, his mind racing to find a way to counteract Hound Dog's superior agility.
Hound Dog's predatory gaze tracked Koda's every move. "Grrr… You're quick, but not quick enough," he growled. With a sudden burst of speed, Hound Dog closed the distance, aiming a powerful swipe at Koda's side. The sheer force of the attack forced Koda to dive away, rolling through the underbrush to escape the blow.
"Rrrr… Running away? How amusing!" Hound Dog's growl echoed through the forest as he pursued Koda.
(-)
-Monitoring Room-
Recovery Girl tutted at what she saw. "Oh, dear. Looks like Hound Dog is not making it any easier on those poor kids," she sighed at the injuries amounting from this. "Honestly, the students each have amazing quirks, but with someone like Hound Dog, he has a very clear advantage with his experience; what with that quirk of his," she hummed to herself, "Those boys, will need to find a way to either evade him or subdue him long enough to place the handcuffs on him."
She shifted her gaze to another match on the screen. "Oh, this should be interesting."
(-)
-Team: Mina and Kaminari vs. Midnight-
The rocky terrain echoed with the sound of Midnight's whip cracking through the air, "What are you going to do now, little lady? Your teammate seems to have taken a nap." Midnight teasingly said, her gaze flickering toward Kaminari, who lay unconscious behind her.
"Crap," Mina muttered under her breath, a very good distance from her teacher.
The exam had long since began and it was proving quite challenging to the two contestants at the very start. Mina and Kaminari were told that they would face Midnight in their battle. Initially, they were not thinking much of it, confident in their own quirks to fight long range and all. But when the battle timer went off, it was all downhill from there.
Mina's eyes narrowed in determination as she glared at Midnight. "Kaminari's down, but I'm not going to let you win this so easily!" She clenched her fists, and took off, sending her acid through her specialized shoes, as she slid in the direction of the R-rated hero.
Midnight's eyes gleamed with amusement as she watched Mina's approach. "Oh, finally some action," she purred, readying herself.
Mina jumped up and shot a stream of acid at Midnight. Midnight, in a display of her athleticism and acrobatics, dodged the shots of acid, coming her way. "Is that all you've got?" Midnight said, mock pout, but her eyes cast a playful glance at Mina, clearly enjoying the game. She effortlessly avoided another wave of acid.
"Ugh, stay still!" Mina, frustration evident in her voice, sent even more shots of acid at her teacher; each more with more intensity and at different angles. Midnight responded with a dazzling display of agility, twisting and turning with an acrobat's precision. Each movement was a blend of athletic prowess and effortless grace, her body flowing around the corrosive attacks as if she were performing a choreographed dance.
Midnight ducked behind a rock to dodge the last attack, and wasting no time, lashed her whip, expertly aimed to keep Mina at bay. The whip's tip snapped dangerously close to Mina, forcing her to dodge and weave through the rocky terrain.
"Oh, come on now," Midnight purred, her voice dripping with innuendo. "Is this all you've got? I'm not even wearing my special costume today, just to give you two an advantage."
Mina then popped out of her hiding spot, slid over to Midnight. "Not even close! Try this on for size!" letting loose a torrent of acid attacks, and this time, sent Midnight backpedaling; but her whip took a hit from the acid.
"Yeah!" Mina celebrated. 'If I remember right, her quirk is most potent to men, but can still affect me if I stay in the mist for too long. At least I hit her whip. That should increase my chances to make a break for the gate.' Her train of thought was interrupted by her teacher's wild giggles. "Huh?"
"I must say, that was so close," she cracked her whip, shaking off the remaining acid. It showed minimal damage and that made Mina's eyes widen in shock. "B-but…how?! I sent a very strong acid at it!" she exclaimed, still on guard.
"My dear, you must know that as an R-rated hero, my equipment," she sensually said at her innuendo, "is quite sturdy and made of tougher material." A finger was placed on her chin. "But I must say, you did manage to keep me on my toes," she said thoughtfully.
Midnight then tilted her head, amusement now written all over her features. "You're quite athletic, my dear, I'll give you that, but there is still more to learn," she smirked as she ripped the sleeves off both her arms. "Now, I'm bored. let's see how you handle this," with that, she activated her quirk.
Mina's eyes widened as Midnight's quirk was let out, shrouding her body a heavy mist, leaving a dark silhouette of the woman. Midnight's voice was low and sultry as she quickly approached her, "Careful now, you wouldn't want to get caught in my web of delight."
Midnight charged at Mina, the mist swirled around her like a veil, and swung her whip, and Mina barely managed to dodge the crack of it. The sudden movement sent her stumbling, but she pressed on, aiming to make it to the cover of a large boulder nearby.
The moment Mina ducked behind the boulder, she didn't know she inhaled a breath of the mist. Her head now felt heavier, her vision starting to blur at the edges. She clutched the boulder for support, trying to steady herself. "Stay focused," she muttered under her breath, fighting the drowsiness that was beginning to creep over her.
Midnight's voice, smooth and mocking, drifted over from where she stood. "Oh, don't hide from me now, dear. It's more fun when you're out in the open. We still have plenty of time to play, you know? Or are you just too tired to keep up?" Midnight's tone was laced with amusement and a hint of cruel enjoyment.
Mina's thoughts raced. The gate was so close. If she could just get past Midnight, she might still have a chance. "Alright, Mina, focus," she whispered, mustering the last of her strength. She emerged from behind the rock and made a break for the gate.
Midnight's keen eyes spotted her immediately. "Oh, how adorable. You think you can just run away?" Midnight laughed, her voice echoing through the rocky expanse. She released another wave of her mist, the pink cloud trailing behind her as she chased after Mina.
As Mina ran, the mist's effects began to intensify. Her vision blurred slightly, and her steps felt heavier. She willed herself to stay awake, pushing through the fog in her mind. "Almost there… just a little further," she thought, her determination still strong despite the mounting exhaustion.
Just as Mina reached the gate, hoping for a miraculous escape, out of nowhere, Midnight's whip shot out with precise accuracy. The whip wrapped around Mina's legs, yanking her to the ground with an abrupt thud. "Oomph!" she grunted as she landed hard, right next to Kaminari, who was still unconscious.
Mina, her body aching and her mind clouded, managed to lift her head just enough to see Kaminari lying beside her. Her heart sank seeing him in such a state. "Kaminari…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Footsteps approached slowly, each step echoing with a finality that made Mina's heart race. She turned her bleary eyes toward Midnight, who was walking with an air of satisfied authority. Midnight's expression was a mixture of sadistic pleasure and genuine respect.
"Well, well, well," Midnight said, her voice a smooth blend of mockery and admiration. "Nice try, kids. You certainly made me work for it. But in the end…" She knelt beside Mina and Kaminari, her villainous gaze, was cold yet tinged with a twisted sense of enjoyment. "You just didn't have quite enough in you."
Mina's eyes were heavy, the effects of the quirk finally overwhelming her. "Damn…," she murmured weakly, feeling herself drifting into unconsciousness. Midnight's face blurred as the last remnants of her consciousness faded.
"Better luck next time," Midnight said, her voice trailing off as Mina's vision darkened.
(-)
-Monitoring Room-
Recovery Girl tutted. "I must say, that Midnight is a sadistic one. That battle did not last very long and though, she may act too crass, but, she's not, if anything, she's a seasoned hero," Recovery Girl adjusted her seat as she continued watching the various battles unfold on the screens. Her brow furrowed in concern as she shifted her gaze to the next match.
"Let's see how the others are faring," she muttered, her fingers hovering over the controls to switch to the next feed.
(-)
-Momo & Todoroki vs. Eraser Head-
As Momo headed in to the exam site, her partner and opponent, Mr. Aizawa, would be present. She could not help but recall her teachings from the time at Fat Gum's Agency.
*Flashback*
Momo sprinted alongside Fat Gum, her breath coming in sharp, determined bursts as they pursued a notorious thug who had recently escaped from custody. Fat Gum's usual cheerfulness was replaced by a look of worry as he glanced at Momo.
"Yaoyorozu, slow down! We don't know what kind of quirk this guy has. It could be dangerous!" Fat Gum's voice was a low, urgent whisper, laced with concern.
Momo, however, was driven by a fierce desire to prove herself. The voices in her head, echoes of her self-doubt and determination from her training with Fat Gum, pushed her forward. "I can handle this! Just trust me," she shouted back, her voice tinged with both determination and an undercurrent of anxiety.
Ignoring Fat Gum's pleas, she rounded a corner and skidded to a halt. There, ahead, was the thug. He turned and sneered at Momo, clearly amused by the sight of her alone. His grin widened as he mocked her. "What's this? A little girl playing hero? Where's your big, strong teacher?"
Momo's heart pounded, but she squared her shoulders and forced herself to remain calm. "Freeze! Surrender yourself now!"
The thug's laughter echoed through the night air as he activated his quirk. His ability was to generate and control a dense, shadowy mist that obscured vision and slowed down anything it touched, effectively creating a disorienting, foggy battlefield.
The mist began to roll out, thick and choking, as Momo struggled to see through it. She attempted to activate her own quirk, trying to form a suitable creation to counter the thug's abilities. Her mind raced, but the anxiety and the swirling fog made her thoughts feel sluggish. Her attempts to materialize various objects were slow and uncertain. In a moment of desperation, she conjured a metal staff, hoping it would be enough to help her fight.
The thug's misty tendrils lashed out at her from the obscured darkness. Momo dodged as best as she could, her staff clashing with the misty strands that sought to entrap her. She was forced into a corner, her movements growing more frantic as the thug's taunts pierced through the fog.
"You think you can beat me with that? You're nothing but a child!" the thug jeered, his voice dripping with disdain.
Momo fought back with every ounce of her strength, but her quirk's delayed activation and her lack of a coherent strategy left her vulnerable. A particularly aggressive strike from the thug's mist sent her staff clattering to the ground. She stumbled, struggling to regain her footing.
Before the thug could deliver the finishing blow, a booming presence burst through the mist. Fat Gum crashed into the scene, his formidable size and quirk clearing the area of the oppressive fog. With a series of powerful strikes, he subdued the thug, who lay defeated on the ground, groaning and struggling.
After the skirmish ended, Fat Gum turned to Momo, his expression a mix of sternness and concern. "Yaoyorozu, what happened out there? You went in without knowing your opponent's quirk, and it almost cost you dearly."
Momo's shoulders slumped in embarrassment and exhaustion. "I... I should have been better prepared. I was too focused on proving myself and didn't think things through."
Fat Gum sighed deeply, his voice softer but still firm. "Confidence is important, but it needs to be backed by preparation and strategy. You have the potential to be a great hero, but you must remember that understanding your opponent's abilities and devising a plan is crucial. You can't just rely on raw confidence alone."
Momo nodded, absorbing his words with a solemn expression. "I understand, Fat Gum-sensei. I'll work better on my planning and strategizing ahead of time."
Despite his disappointment, Fat Gum's expression softened into a smile. "I'm glad to see your confidence growing, but remember, confidence also comes from being well-prepared." He clapped both hands together. "Now, let's celebrate your progress with some dinner. It's time to refuel and regroup."
As they walked towards a nearby diner, Fat Gum continued, his tone light but teasing. "By the way, we need to talk about that costume of yours. Who was the genius that thought it was a good idea to put you in something so... inappropriate?"
Momo sweat-dropped, feeling a bit like she was with an overly concerned father. "I-I suppose it could use some...retouching," she replied with a small smile, trying to stay upbeat despite the situation.
"You got that right!" Fat Gum laughed heartily, clapping her on the back. "Let's get some food and then we'll talk about a new design. Something that is more functional.
*Flashback End*
"…Yaoyorozu!" As Momo snapped out of her reverie, she heard Todoroki's voice calling her name. "…Are you okay? You seem a bit distracted."
Momo blinked, momentarily disoriented as she refocused on the present. "Oh, Todoroki …I'm fine. Just... remembering something important."
Todoroki studied her for a moment, a somewhat concerned look on his face. "It's okay to be nervous, you know. We're up against Eraser Head. His skills are formidable."
"I'm not nervous," she firmly said, staring down her teammate with confidence. "I'm focused. I was just thinking of a plan, that's all"
Todoroki nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "Yes, of course, I'm…sorry if I came on pushy," he apologetically said. "Just remember that it's normal to feel some nerves. It shows that you care about the outcome. And it can be a good motivator."
Momo took a deep breath, appreciating Todoroki's and apology calm demeanor. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
He nodded. "You said you had a plan," he said.
"Oh, yes!" she immediately said. "You see, Aizawa isn't affecting our Quirks right now, so he's not within eyesight, most likely." Momo created a Russian Matryoshka doll from her palm to demonstrate. "That gives us time to plan and me time to create what we'll need for multiple plans." Todoroki's expression changed, gradually seeing the workup. "And as my time with Fat Gum has taught me, is that you must plan a strategy on what you know." She said, creating more items they need. "His Erasure works by sight…so if I can make some items that will allow us to obscure his sight and render his Quirk ineffective…"
"…We can take him down, most effectively! Brilliant, Yaoyorozu!" that got the girl a little blush. "That's better than what I'd thought of." Todoroki admitted as he held up his right hand and froze his palm. "I was going to have both of us continue to use our Quirks, and when we couldn't, then we'd know that Aizawa-sensei had erased them."
"I-it's not a bad warning system." Momo smiled reassuredly, as she made the last of the objects. "Here, Todoroki, these three are smoke grenades." She handed him three dolls that were gray in color. "These three are flash bombs." These were colored a bright yellow. "And these three are tear gas." The final three dolls were pink. "I'd suggest placing them on your belt in a way that you'll remember." Momo put her three smoke grenades on her right side, the flash bombs on her left side, and the tear gas on the back of her belt.
"What do you think about cloaks?" Todoroki asked as he placed the Matryoshka dolls on his belt. "I'm sure that Aizawa-sensei will expect me to be in front for offense and defense with my Quirk, but if he can't tell who's who, then we can confuse him."
"That's a sound idea," Momo agreed as she pulled the first black cloak from her stomach in the rainbow of colors produced by her Quirk. She handed the new cloak to Todoroki and quickly produced a second, identical black cloak for herself. "Do you remember the direction of the gate?"
"It's that way." Todoroki pointed in the direction they'd initially entered the townscape training field from. He donned the black cloak and pulled up the hood, completely obscuring his body.
"Let's head out then." Momo pulled up the hood of her own cloak, making them look identical. She peeked around the corner, scanning the street for any sign of Aizawa. Not seeing him at street level, she looked around at the rooftops of the fake houses. "I don't see him."
"He doesn't know where we are exactly, let's move carefully and try to avoid getting his attention." Todoroki followed after Momo, both of them staying low as they moved so that they could use the wall next to them for cover.
Three streets over, crouched on the top of a telephone pole, Aizawa spotted the two cloaked figures moving as they crossed an intersection with no cover. "Cloaks, huh? Not the worst idea for such short notice, but let's not sing their praises, just yet." He kept a close eye out, choosing which of them to take out first. "Now…who's the leader and who's the follower?" Ideally, he'd like to disable Todoroki first, the overwhelming defense and capture ability of his ice make him a problem. Throwing one end of his capture weapon across the street, it wrapped around another telephone pole and Aizawa swung down from his perch. "I'll come at them from behind, try and take them by surprise first. Villains have no morals about sneak attacks after all."
"See anything?" Todoroki whispered to Momo as she peeked around another corner.
"Nothing…it's strange." Momo whispered back. "Aizawa would've made a move by now, right?" she hoped her plan was not a fail, but then it struck.
A loop of a very familiar capture weapon fell over Todoroki. With a strong pull, the cloth tightened around the cloaked teen and pulled him off his feet. "To-" Momo turned sharply, suppressing her desire to call out to Todoroki so that she wouldn't give away who was who.
Todoroki angled himself as best as he could with his arms pinned to his sides, his right foot stuck out from the bottom of the black cloak and he unleashed the largest mass of ice that he could from the small area in the direction that he was being pulled. That amount ended up being a miniature glacier that engulfed the street that he and Momo had just traveled down.
'They baited me, playing to my expectations of using Todoroki as the vanguard.' Aizawa realized as he rapidly ascended into the air by pulling on his capture weapon that was loosely wrapped around a nearby lamppost. The wave of ice froze everything below his new position. "Hmm…a seemingly rational deception…" His tone could almost be called approving.
BANG
A thick white smoke filled the area where Momo and Todoroki were. Aizawa pulled back his capture weapon, freeing Todoroki before the boy could grab it and freeze it solid. The lack of sight forced Aizawa to change positions to try and find his two students.
"Where did they go?" Aizawa narrowed his eyes as he landed on the roof of a fake house and scanned the street. The smoke was slowly beginning to clear up…but there were no signs of the two cloaked students. He spotted the black cloaks a street over and realized that the two had run the second that Todoroki was freed. "How long do you think you can run, I wonder?" He knew that Todoroki was in the back now, so the prudent thing was to get ahead of them and lay a trap.
A couple minutes later and the two cloaked teens skidded to a stop. The street in front of them was crisscrossed by dozens of wires, all of them only visible because of the sunlight on such a clear day. Unless they broke through, this way was cut off for them.
Clink Clink Clink Clink…
The two turned to face the sound behind them and saw that the way they'd come was now littered with at least one-hundred caltrops, the sharp metal spikes would make walking through impossible without clearing a path first. It was only as the loops of Aizawa's capture weapon wrapped around them both that Momo and Todoroki realized that their homeroom teacher was above them. The scarf-like weapon tightened, but not all of the way, only enough to catch the black cloaks and yanked them upwards and off the students.
"Shit!" Todoroki cursed as he couldn't activate his Quirk.
"What will you do without your Quirks?" Aizawa spun his capture weapon and the ends tossed the two cloaks aside before returning to his hands again. There was a red glow coming from his eyes behind the yellow goggles.
Todoroki responded by throwing a Matryoshka doll at Aizawa.
"More smoke?" Aizawa didn't sound impressed, tossing the end of his capture weapon at the doll and then yanking it strongly to make the end snap and swat the doll aside.
Ting
The sound of metal coming apart was heard and a bright flash of light nearly burned Aizawa's retinas as the flash bomb went off. He leapt backwards off the telephone pole, even blinded, and safely landed on the balcony of the two-story house nearby. He'd already memorized the location while setting up his trap, so he knew where to jump without seeing it.
CRACK
This proved to have been the right decision as a wave of ice engulfed the telephone pole that he'd stood upon not a second later.
"Run, he dodged it!" Momo called out as she made a wide floor broom from her back and used it to clear a straight path through the caltrops.
"He was blinded and still avoided that much ice?" Todoroki grimaced at his inability to capture their sensei.
"He's a Pro Hero for a reason." Momo tossed the broom aside after they'd cleared the caltrops, they rounded the first corner and sprinted for the exit gate.
"Smoke and flash bombs…" Aizawa slowly opened his eyes again. "As much as I'm trying to take away their Quirks, they're doing everything they can to nullify mine." He easily got on top of the roof of the house and looked around for his targets. "Yaoyorozu…she planned and knew they could lose access to their Quirks, so she made them some gear that would be effective against me on the fly." In his head he marked down another point for the pair. 'They're thinking properly, at the very least.'
"There's the exit!" Momo called out as she and Todoroki rushed towards it.
"He's coming!" Todoroki's ice on his right hand suddenly went out.
The two turned around and saw Aizawa coming at them from above again, his capture weapon allowing him to swing around the corner and fly at them. The scarf-like tool was released from the lamppost and both ends rushed towards the students while Erasure nullified their Quirks. A fast and tactical rush down that had taken care of more Villains than Aizawa cared to count in his career.
"Incoming!" Momo yelled, mostly to force Aizawa to focus on her for a brief instant as she threw a Matryoshka doll at him.
The doll was knocked aside by the end of the capture weapon with Aizawa not slowing down.
BANG
A thick white cloud of smoke went off between Aizawa and Todoroki, courtesy of the Matryoshka doll the boy had tossed at the ground. The smoke did exactly as Momo and Todoroki intended…it cut off Aizawa's line of sight for just long enough for Todoroki to use his Quirk.
CRACK
Ice formed through the smoke at ground level, forcing Aizawa to abort his rush and backpedal. He saw three of the odd dolls in the flames close to his location that had been hidden by the smoke bomb earlier. "What now?" He deadpanned, not looking forward to finding out what else his two recommendation students had cooked up.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
The three dolls exploded into a noxious thick orange-ish smoke. Aizawa recognized it for what it was and covered his mouth and nose as he backstepped and then leapt over the wall nearby to get into one of the years of the many fake houses.
"Team Yaoyorozu and Todoroki have passed the exam via escaping the testing site!" the announcement blared across the area through the loudspeakers.
Aizawa, watching from his position, let out a deep sigh. "Well, they've definitely shown some impressive growth. Yaoyorozu in particular, she's really come a long way. The way she used those Matryoshka dolls to set up a trap for me; though, I'd say it made up for Todoroki's lack of fire use." He rubbed his eyes.
With a tired sigh, Aizawa reached for his eyedrops and prepared to settle in. "I think it's time for me to get some rest. I've earned a nap after this."
Outside the site, the two students were catching their breath. "We did it, Yaoyorozu." He smiled a bit. "Great job," Todoroki commented to his teammate.
"Our plan…actually worked…" As the results sank in, Momo stood frozen for a moment, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, overwhelmed with joy, "We did it, Todoroki! Yay!" she couldn't help but let out a cheer. He couldn't help but feel a short sense of happiness for her, whatever trivial it may seem. Her excitement bubbled over, and before Todoroki could fully react, Momo had wrapped him in a spontaneous hug, her face alight with triumph.
Todoroki was momentarily taken aback, his stoic demeanor faltering as he stood stiffly. The surprise of the embrace left him unsure of how to respond…but not hating it. A few seconds passed before Momo seemed to realize what she had done. Her cheeks flushed a bright red as she quickly stepped back, her hands nervously wringing together.
"I-I'm so sorry, Todoroki-kun! I didn't mean to-" she stammered, her face burning with embarrassment.
Todoroki, struggling to regain his usual composure, managed to mumble, "It's... It's okay." His attempt to maintain his stoic nature was marred by the faint blush that colored his cheeks.
As Momo hurriedly left the area, her own face still flushed, Todoroki remained standing for a moment longer, the awkwardness of the situation hanging in the air. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before turning and leaving as well.
The silence lingered, filled with an awkward tension that seemed to echo the unsaid words and emotions between them. Somewhere in the monitoring room, a certain elderly woman, could not help but chuckle at the display. "Ah, to be young again."
-Back with Koda and Kirishima-
Several minutes had passed, since Kirishima had the air knocked out of him; and he struggled to his feet. His body, still in its hardened form, ached from the barrage of strikes. He scanned the scene, muttering to himself, "Ah man… Teach was really not playing around, huh?" Kirishima then thought about the whole situation again and knew they needed a change to get a better outcome next time. As his thoughts raced, his mind went back to Fat Gum and one of his training sessions.
*Flashback to Fat Gum's Training Dojo*
Kirishima was panting, drenched in sweat, as he faced off against Fat Gum in a controlled training environment. Fat Gum, ever the enthusiastic mentor, had been demonstrating various strategies to his trainees.
"Remember," Fat Gum had said, his voice full of wisdom and enthusiasm, "sometimes brute strength alone isn't enough. You need to think tactically. Use your environment to your advantage, and if you find yourself overwhelmed, don't hesitate to regroup and reassess. A hero's strength lies not just in their power but in their ability to adapt and strategize."
Kirishima, still finding it hard to stand, could only nod at his mentor's words.
*Flashback Ends*
The lesson was about resilience and thinking beyond sheer power. "Huh, we'll…need to thank Fat Gum, after this…" he said as he brushed off the leaves and debris that clung to his body. He winced slightly, feeling the slight aches and fatigue sneaking up his body. "Right, now I have to find Koda and come up with a plan to beat the-" he was cut off, seeing the teammate in question, rushing up to him.
Koda skidded to a stop beside Kirishima, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Kirishima! I'm so sorry I left you behind…I got thrown off track. I tried to use a faster animal's DNA to escape him, but he's just so quick… I managed to evade him at the far corner, but I'm not sure what to do now," he stammered, tired and clearly reaching his physical limit with his quirk.
Kirishima shook his head, a light of realization sparking in his eyes. "Why didn't you just head for the gate? We could have ended this. We could've won by just you making a run for it," his voice deadpanned.
Koda's eyes widened, his face flushing with embarrassment. He smacked his forehead in frustration. "I'm such an idiot! I didn't think of that. I'm so sorry, Kirishima," he said dejectedly.
"Hey, hey, it's okay!" he said earnestly, quickly put a hand on Koda's shoulder. "We still have a chance. And I've got a plan," he added with a serious look. "Running into the situation was kind of dumb, but that's okay. We now realize what we're up against. So, we'll use our environment to our advantage."
Confused, Koda asked, "How do we do that? With his quirk, Hound Dog is quite strong."
"Yeah, he is. But everyone has weaknesses, and so does he," Kirishima said, cupping his chin thoughtfully. "His quirk gives him enhanced senses and abilities… but his temperament is also evident. He is like a…"
"A d-dog…" Koda quickly spoke. "A German Shepherd!" Kirishima was at a loss, so he continued "I read about lots of animals and dogs were one of them. It says in a book, that German Shepherds are smart but can get overwhelmed by too much sensory input. They're confident and can be a bit predictable in their actions. We can use that to our advantage!"
A metaphorical lightbulb went off in Kirishima's head at that. "That's brilliant, Koda!" he praised his partner. "Yes, and if we work with our quirks, we could confuse him long enough to cuff him. But we need to be fast. This is where it might get tricky, Koda," Kirishima said, his tone unusually serious.
Koda gulped at the gravity of the situation but pressed down his nerves.
Kirishima continued, "I will face him off, trying to buy you some time, for you to create a distraction with your quirk while I keep Hound Dog occupied. I hope you are not too tired for it?"
"N-no, I can do it." Koda nodded, determination replacing his earlier anxiety.
Kirishima's grin returned. "Alright! Let's do this!" Then they heard a growl coming close. "Let's hurry before he jumps us," and the two teammates sprang into action. Koda, with the help of his bunny DNA, sprinted in to position, for whatever is left of his energy, and using his heightened hearing, zeroed in on his teacher. Choosing a perfect place. "Okay…let's do this…"
Hound Dog, approaching fast and feeling quite angry, muttered to himself, "Where did they go? The announcement didn't go off. I'll find them, and when I do-" He heard a faint clanking sound, the noise just enough to catch his attention. "There they are!" Hound Dog growled as he zeroed in on the source of the sound.
Once he followed the sound, he was met with one of his students, and he was not looking deterred. Kirishima's eyes flashed with determination. Activating his quirk, his body hardened into its rock-like state. "Bring it on!" he shouted, his voice echoed with new found fire.
"Round two," said Hound Dog, with a grin, charging at Kirishima with a swift leap. Kirishima met the attack head-on, swinging his hardened fist to counter Hound Dog's incoming strike.
Kirishima's strategy was clear: he needed to stall Hound Dog long enough for Koda to put their plan into action. He dodged and blocked Hound Dog's rapid blows with a combination of strength and agility, his hardened body absorbing the impact of each hit. Hound Dog, however, was relentless. His canine instincts allowed him to move with incredible speed and precision. He feinted a high punch, then swiftly aimed a low sweep at Kirishima's feet. Kirishima managed to jump over the sweep, but Hound Dog was already in motion, launching a series of quick, powerful strikes.
Despite Kirishima's best efforts, Hound Dog's speed and agility kept him on the defensive. Each of Hound Dog's blows pushed Kirishima back, forcing him to adjust his strategy on the fly. Kirishima gritted his teeth, focusing on buying time and keeping Hound Dog occupied.
'C'mon, Koda,' Kirishima thought, sweat dripping down his brow as he took another hit. He continued to block and dodge, trying to wear Hound Dog down while keeping an eye out for any sign of Koda's plan coming to fruition.
Hound Dog's movements were a blur of motion. He executed a powerful uppercut, sending Kirishima crashing into a nearby tree with a loud thud. Kirishima groaned, struggling to get back on his feet as Hound Dog approached, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.
"Well, well," Hound Dog growled, "You've got some skills, but you still have a long way to go if you want to be a pro. Fighting alone like this is a major flaw."
Kirishima, wincing in pain, looked up at Hound Dog. "You're not wrong," he gasped, "but who said I am alone?" Hound Dog, not paying much thought, continued to advance, confident in his superior position. Just then, the sound of a flock of birds swarming around them and a faint voice from Koda filled the air. Kirishima, hearing the commotion, couldn't help but smirk.
"Better focus yourself, Hound Dog!" Kirishima called out.
Before Hound Dog could respond, dozens of birds flocked around him, pecking and annoying him. "What the-? Get off me!" Hound Dog growled, swatting at the birds. "Stop it! I can't concentrate with these pests! Grrr… How dare you! I'll…"
Koda's voice rang out, "Kirishima, now!"
Summoning the ape DNA from the bracelet, Koda charged at Hound Dog. As the birds began to disperse, Koda tackled Hound Dog to the ground, engaging him in a grappling struggle. Hound Dog growled and thrashed, trying to get out of Koda's hold. Kirishima, seeing the opportunity, charged in with the cuffs. Hound Dog fought harder, growling, "You have no chance! Should have just run when you had the chance!"
Kirishima, sweating and gritting his teeth, snapped back, "We won't give up that easily! Not this moment!" Feeling inspired, Koda pushed through his exhaustion, putting all his strength into keeping Hound Dog restrained. Hound Dog, having had enough, erupted in anger, shaking off Koda and Kirishima with a powerful burst. The two students were slammed into the trees with a resounding thud.
Hound Dog growled, "Is that all you've got?" But Koda, with a new found, confident smile, pointed downward to the teacher's leg. Hound Dog, confused, looked down and was wide-eyed when he saw that their cuffs were now placed on him.
"Team Kirishima and Koda have passed the exam via placing the handcuffs on their opponent!" the announcement blared across the forest through the loudspeakers.
"W-we…did it…?" Koda dazedly asked.
Kirishima broke out in to a big cheer. "Alright, we did it, Koda!" Breaking out in to a mini celebration, with cheering and shouting; only to be stopped, once hearing Koda squeak. "Hey, man. What's u-" he turned to the sound of a growl and saw Hound Dog walking over to them.
They both now froze, momentarily concerned, until Hound Dog howled and burst into a hearty, frightening laugh. "You two were quite a handful! I've never had so much trouble with first years before. It was… enjoyable." he turned to Koda, who looked bashful despite his tiredness. "You did well, little pup. Your quirk is impressive, and you obviously know how to use the knowledge of animals effectively. I'm impressed."
Kirishima stepped forward, "As a team, we don't leave each other behind. I'm glad Koda came back."
Koda, momentarily shocked, smiled happily. Hound Dog gruffed but nodded. "That's admirable. Now…YOU TWO RUN OFF, GET OUT OF THE FOREST!" He growled at them. "…Or do you want a rematch?!" He leaned in, eyes filled with renewed fire.
"No, sir, thank you!" Kirishima quickly said, with Koda aggressively shaking head "NO!" As if they both had a speed quirk, they both booked it out of the forest, leaving Hound Dog looking back at them, 'Maybe this generation of heroes, won't be so weak.' smirking behind his muzzle.
Author's Notes:
I have some things to say about each battle and why I did, what I did:
1. Kirishima and Koda vs. Hound Dog- The idea came to me, thinking that Hound Dog doesn't really do anything besides growl and scare students. I wanted him to test both boys, not just on quirks but on strategic thinking and courage. And I believe they both passed. Yay! Yes, I did give Hound Dog some added abilities, but not much is known about his quirk (okay he has the senses of a dog, but…that's boring) and quite honestly, he is a Pro Hero, so it is safe to presume that he can tussle with the lot of them. Koda's quirk is really strong but it shows with how he uses it. I mentioned that if he is in contact with the animal DNA, he will be able to harness their key attributes. Looks OP? Maybe. Worst idea? NEVER! Kirishima learning to use his head and not just his fists, makes this all the better. Especially how he took charge and proved he is not without brains. (If only he could use his common sense when dealing with Bakugou, but I digress)
2. Mina and Kaminari vs. Midnight- I enjoyed this, really, I did. Midnight deserved more screen time and a chance to whip people in to shape, lol. And DON'T come after me, saying that she is weak or she should have been defeated. I. WILL. CLAP. BACK. Besides, she is a Pro Hero and has dealt with harder stuff…no pun intended, lol! At least I gave Mina a fighting chance, but in the end, she lost…quite terrible.
3. Momo and Todoroki vs. Aizawa- I wanted Momo to get some confidence and she did! Momo is so underrated and it shows, especially how in season 2, they did not really capitalize on her quirk use and made her limited, which I can understand, as it was building on to her character, but nah…I will work it now. Also, there might be a ship there and I will ride it, lol.
I have to say, I did like this chapter and although I took my time, I hope you all like it, too? Do please RxR, see you next time.