Chapter 34: Quirk and Quarrel Pt.2

So, the battles are still going on and everyone is raring to go. Recovery Girl is so lucky, she is able to watch all the matches at her leisure…as long as no one gets hurt, that is.

Hello again, guys! I initially thought about making this in to a full chapter, but decided against it. Reason being is that, I felt like it will drawl out for a while and make it less presentable. My biggest fear is that I added way too much excitement in the other chapter and this one might be less hyped. This chapter will deal with the PPGs; their battles and battle partners.

Also, to the viewer, Rico? I know you want Bubbles and Boomer to pair up, but it ain't happening pal. After this, I am taking a brain vacation.

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 34: Quirk and Quarrel Pt.2

-Team: Bakugou & Blossom vs. Nezu-

The two students stood outside the doors of where their match was taking place. Ground Delta. A tall structural building, loomed like a fortress, angular concrete structure exuding an imposing presence. Devoid of windows, framed in dark metal, reflected the sunlight, while a heavy steel door marked the entrance, complete with a high-tech keypad and security panel. Surrounding the facility, a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire enclosed the area. The only sign of life was the trees that rustled in the wind outside the fence.

Bakugou was in his usual fiery mood. "Why the hell am I here instead of fighting All Might?! I should be the one to take him down, not that pathetic Deku or that other Powerpuff sissy!" He crossed his arms, glaring at the door as if it had personally offended him.

Blossom, feeling exasperated, mumbled under her breath, "How did my day end up like this?" Bakugou caught her comment and whipped around, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell did you say, fodder?"

Rolling her eyes, Blossom shot back, "Maybe you should focus on the task ahead of you and not on someone else's match when we start."

Before Bakugou could respond, a voice crackled through a nearby speaker. It was Principal Nezu, his tone cheerful as ever. "Welcome, students! Your match will begin momentarily!"

Bakugou scoffed loudly. "How is this fight going to work, anyway? Am I really going to fight some rat?" Blossom gasped, about to reprimand him, but Nezu chuckled in response. "Now, now Bakugou, I understand that you are eager, but I must inform you that unfortunately, this won't be like the battles your colleagues are experiencing."

"What the fuck?!" Bakugou growled, frustration boiling over.

Blossom, more composed but curious, stepped forward. "What do you mean, Principal Nezu? I thought you said we'd be fighting the teachers directly?"

Nezu's voice came through, light and playful. "You see, Miss Blossom, I never said you would be fighting each teacher directly, only that you would be facing flesh and blood, but not necessarily in combat."

Bakugou growled, "You said we'd be fighting teachers! That this would be a battle!"

Blossom sighed, piecing things together. "He never really said we'd actually be fighting; just that we'd face them in their chosen zone." Bakugou shot her a glare, clearly still angry.

"Indeed, Blossom," Nezu continued, amusement clear in his voice. "You will be facing me in my chosen area. This is my challenge of choice." Blossom nodded, accepting the challenge, while Bakugou let out mini explosions of anger.

Nezu smiled, his tone brightening. "Today's challenge will test each of you according to what I want to see from both of you individually or more. Not only will you need to defeat me by placing handcuffs on me, but you will also participate in a simulated rescue scenario."

"I already did that in the first week! I was promised a fight!" Bakugou protested, crossing his arms defiantly.

Blossom shot him a look. "If you're so set on being a hero, you must learn to protect others, as well."

"Shut up, bitch! A true hero fights bad guys first!" Bakugou snapped, glaring at her.

Nezu interjected smoothly, "Nevertheless, your challenge will involve two objectives. You'll need to fight and apprehend me," he said with a chuckle that sent a shiver down Blossom's spine, "Or rescue civilians that I, as the villain, have captured and tied to a bomb that might level this entire room by the end of the challenge."

"A BOMB?!" Blossom gasped, her eyes widening in alarm, while Bakugou merely glared.

"Indeed," Nezu said, his tone playful and teasing. "As the challenge implies, you'll be entering Ground Delta, one of our training sites and my personal favorite!" Giddiness in his voice. "This place is vast and essentially a maze, filled with twists, turns, and surprises. Once you step through the door, you'll face a choice between two paths: one will take you to me, where you'll ultimately face a confrontation, while the other will lead you to a civilian you need to rescue."

He paused, his tone shifting slightly. "But I must say, either way, you would be successful if you manage to accomplish either task, though the path to true success may reveal itself through your combined efforts."

Blossom furrowed her brow, sensing there was more to this than met the eye, but her thoughts were interrupted by Bakugou's impatient shout. "Whatever! When do we start already?!"

Nezu chuckled again. "Momentarily! But first, I will provide you with certain items essential for your journey. How you choose to utilize them will greatly influence your path ahead."

As he spoke, a panel opened in the wall beside them, revealing two sets of items: a pair of keys and communication devices. For which they both took one of each.

Just then, the large doors swung open, the atmosphere shifted from tense anticipation to palpable danger. Nezu's voice echoed once more, slightly menacing and playful. "Good luck, students! But remember, I won't go easy on you. So…come and get me if you can!" his words filled the air, before the speakers cut off, leaving only the ticking of the timer echoing in the silence.

Before them lay two tunnels, each marked clearly. One tunnel bore a stark warning, a bright red sign depicting a bomb, while the other featured a villainous logo, ominous and foreboding. Blossom squared her shoulders, her mind racing. "Okay, I believe the right choice of action is to-"

"Shut up! You're not the boss of me!" Bakugou interjected, stepping forward with fierce determination. "I'm going to beat that rat and win this!" He strode toward the tunnel with the villain logo, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "He may not be All Might, but I'll be damned if I lose to an overgrown mouse!"

Just as he was about to enter, a rock suddenly floated into his path, glowing with a distinct pink energy. Bakugou scowled, his eyes narrowing as he turned to glare at Blossom. "What do you think you're fucking doing?!"

Unfazed by his anger, Blossom calmly replied, "Bakugou, even you aren't that foolish enough to head into this challenge bullheadedly. We don't know what we are up against and rushing in to battle blind, will not get us anywhere." She tried to appeal to his sensible side. "As future heroes, we need to plan and decide as a team to choose the path that will help us pass this exam." Her tone was steady, underscoring the importance of cooperation.

Bakugou merely stared at her, a blank, emotionless expression. Without a second thought, he lifted his hands and unleashed a powerful blast, obliterating the floating rock in an instant. Dust and debris filled the air, and Blossom quickly shielded her eyes. When the chaos settled, she opened them just in time to see a gauntlet swinging toward her face. Reacting with lightning speed, she blocked the attack with the back of her arm, the impact resonating through her body. Her moment of surprise faded, replaced by a fierce scowl as she met Bakugou's hateful gaze.

"Listen here, you leader wannabe," he spat, his tone dripping with disdain. "You may think you're all high and mighty just because you have some stupid tricks, but I don't believe that. You're just a stepping stone to my victory, just like the rest of your Deku cheer squad."

He continued, pushing against her arm in a futile attempt to knock her off balance. "I should be fighting All Might and proving that I'm the number one hero! But I can't because you're slowing me down!"

"So just keep your weak ideas to yourself! I am strong, and I will prove it here!" Bakugou's words hung heavily in the air. He turned sharply toward the right tunnel, throwing one last remark over his shoulder. "Don't dare follow me! I don't need some girl to slow me down." With that, he stormed into the darkness, leaving Blossom standing there, fists clenched in frustration.

For several moments, she simmered in silence, her anger swirling inside her. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, centering herself before reopening them. She let out a puff of cold air, a calm persona replacing her momentary anger. "Fine, Bakugou…have it your way," she murmured, glancing at the two paths before her. Resolute, she chose the left tunnel: the rescue route. "Alright, time to ," she declared, stepping forward. The massive doors closed behind her with a heavy thud, sealing her into the labyrinth of challenges ahead.

(-)

-Monitoring Room-

"I wonder what Nezu is planning," Recovery Girl muttered to herself as she switched the camera feeds from the outside of the site to ones inside. She hummed to herself. "I've known Nezu for a while now, and he tends to be very… detailed in his approach. He loves to throw challenges at the students that push them to their limits, mainly psychology. This time is no different."

"Those students are in for a real treat," She chuckled to herself, but she knew that if any of those students were seriously injured, she would give Nezu a piece of her mind. "Well, let's see if the trend continues," she said, turning her attention to a different screen where a battle in Ground Beta was taking place.

(-)

-Team: Izuku & Buttercup vs. All Might-

In the city testing site, the two students were slowly making their way down the road, each with a different expression to their names. To say that Izuku was nervous, would be an…understatement by a long shot. Outside, he looked calm and ready to get to it. On the inside however, he was a trembling mess. First it was dealing with All Might, his idol and mentor; him having to be the one he faced off with his testing. Someone as strong as him was going to be impossible to actually beat in a fight. Sure, he could not complain about the partner he had but-

Izuku glanced over at Buttercup, trying to gauge her feelings about the impending battle. Her nonchalance was both confusing and frustrating. "B-buttercup…" he began hesitantly, "I couldn't help but notice that you're not at all worried about fighting All Might. Aren't you the least bit concerned?"

Buttercup shrugged, her expression indifferent. "Why should I be? Compared to the written exam, this will be easy," she replied, determination written all over.

Izuku's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and frustration washing over him. "E-easy? Fighting All Might isn't easy! He's one of the strongest heroes in Japan. We're talking about someone who can level buildings with a single punch. I don't think you understand just how powerful he is!"

Buttercup's gaze remained steady. "Look, green bean, it's just a fight. I've faced stronger bad guys before. It's not like this is our first challenge. We don't need to be so scared."

'She's faced bad guys…' Izuku shakes that thought away and focuses. "Scared? This isn't about fear! It's about reality. We're no match for him. Our best course of action is to escape and avoid a direct confrontation. There's no way we can defeat him."

Buttercup's eyes narrowed, a hint of irritation flashing across her face. "Escape? Are you serious? We're here to show our skills, not run away from a challenge. I get that All Might is strong, but running isn't always going to prove anything. We need to at least try."

Izuku's frustration boiled over. "Trying isn't going to be enough, Buttercup! All Might is a legend, he's beyond what we're capable of. We're talking about someone who has saved countless lives and has more experience than we can even imagine. We should focus on showing what we can do without trying to take him on directly."

Buttercup crossed her arms, her expression firm. "So, you want to just give up before we even start? That's not how I operate. I get that All Might is incredible," Izuku caught her eye subtle eye roll, "But running isn't always a solution. We need to come up with a strategy, not just bail out."

Izuku's face flushed with exasperation. "It's not about giving up; it's about being realistic! We can't win this fight, and we'll only get ourselves hurt if we try. We should come up with a plan to escape or at least avoid direct conflict."

Buttercup shook her head, clearly annoyed. "I'm not backing down from a fight. If we're going to face him, we need to approach it head-on. Maybe we can outmaneuver him or find some other way to prove ourselves without getting ourselves 'killed.'"

Izuku sighed deeply, his anxiety palpable. "Fine, if you're not going to listen, then at least let's try to come up with a plan. But please, Buttercup, just understand that this isn't going to be easy."

Before Buttercup could respond, a thunderous sound split the air. "SMASH!"

The shockwave from the impact nearly threw them off their feet. The ground shook and debris flew as a massive figure crashed into the road ahead of them. Izuku stared in stunned silence as All Might's enormous form emerged from the rubble, his signature smile, as radiant as ever.

"You two were talking so loudly that I could practically hear you across the training ground!" All Might's voice boomed with an amused chuckle. "It made it far too easy to find you! Any hero would be foolish to give away their positions like that!"

Izuku's throat tightened as he took a step back, his eyes wide with both awe and fear. "T-this isn't good…"

Buttercup, however, was already on the move. Her face set in a determined expression, her hands crackling with a green glow, she charged at All Might with fierce resolve. "Let's go, muscles!" she shouted, her voice filled with confidence.

"Buttercup, don't!" Izuku shouted.

All Might's eyes gleamed with both amusement and respect. 'Ah, attacking head-on instead of trying to flee, huh? Determined, aren't we?' he thought to himself as Buttercup flew toward him, leaving a trail of green light in her wake.

Buttercup threw a powerful punch, her green glow intensifying with her speed. All Might's eyes momentarily widened in impressed surprise as he registered the sheer force and velocity of her attack. For a split second, he acknowledged the girl's impressive speed. But shook it off

With uncanny agility, All Might dodged the head-on strike effortlessly. In a swift, practiced move, he grabbed Buttercup by the arm, his grip firm and unyielding. "Nuh-uh, not so fast there!" All Might taunted, his voice carrying a playful edge.

With a sudden, forceful motion, All Might hurled Buttercup through the air. She crashed into one of the nearby buildings with a resounding impact, the structure crumbling as she went through it. The debris from the collision rained down around of Form Izuku's eyes widened in terror. "Buttercup!" he screamed, his voice cracking with fear and worry for his friend. He tried to move toward her, but the sight of her being thrown and the scale of All Might's power left him frozen in place.

All Might turned his attention to Izuku, his smile fading slightly as he saw the fear in the young hero's eyes. Without missing a beat, he closed the distance in a blur. "Don't think I've forgotten about you, young Midoriya," he said, his voice carrying a stern edge. "This is a match for both of you!"

Izuku's eyes widened in panic as All Might charged at him. He yelped and tried to dodge, but All Might's speed was overwhelming. The pro hero grabbed him effortlessly, spinning him around before launching him into another building with a powerful throw. Izuku crashed into the rubble, the impact jarring and disorienting.

All Might landed back on the ground, his gaze shifting to the still-crawling Izuku emerging from the debris. He felt a pang of pity for the young hero, understanding the struggle and fear Izuku was going through. But he also knew that pushing him was necessary. 'I need him to push himself, only then can he rise to the challenge.' Just then a strange sound was heard.

"Wha-" But before All Might could react further, a green blast of energy struck him from behind. He was momentarily pushed off balance and backed against a wall, the impact causing a slight tremor. All Might stumbled slightly, hitting the wall with a thud, and he quickly caught himself. "What was that?!" he wondered aloud, his eyes scanning for the source of the attack, and he spotted it.

A smoke trail led to the opening in the wall, catching his attention. He saw his other challenger emerging from the building he threw her in, her face set in a determined expression. "Not a bad throw." She shook off the debris from her previous rough landing and slowly walked over, "But this ain't over," she said, cracking her knuckles. Despite the earlier collision, she wore a fierce grin, and her eyes briefly flashed with eagerness.

Wiping the remaining dust off her face, "Not by a long shot!" she declared and was followed by a green energy blast.

(-)

-Monitoring Room-

"Hmm…" Recovery Girl sighed and leaned in her chair. "Midoriya's clear idolization of All Might is both a strength and a weakness here," Recovery Girl remarked, watching intently. "His fear and respect for his hero are holding him back, making him hesitant to engage fully. Meanwhile, Buttercup's headstrong and brash approach is quite the opposite. She's charging in without hesitation, ready to face the challenge head-on."

Turning to another screen, she continued, her voice thoughtful. "It's clear she won't shy away from a fight, but the real question is: how will these contrasting strategies play out in the end? This will be a telling moment for both of them."

(-)

-Team: Jirou & Bubbles vs. Cementoss-

In Ground Beta, the designated site for the practical exam, chaos reigned supreme. The expansive training field, designed to mimic a suburban neighborhood, was a battleground of rumbles and destruction. Cracks snaked through the pavement, and debris littered the area as the sound of battle echoed in the air.

The ground shook violently as waves of cement shot forth from Cementoss, who stood confidently in the center of the road. He unleashed pillars of concrete that shifted between solid and liquid, aiming to immobilize and capture one of his students.

Bubbles, one-half of her team, wasn't giving him an inch. With her super strength and speed, made quick work of the incoming attack. She unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks that left the constructs to pieces flying to the ground. Cementoss did not relent, unleashed a wave of semi-liquid cement at his opponent, intending to trap them. Bubbles reacted fast, her aura erupted and let loose a barrage of blue spheres that when made contact, caused an explosion that nullified each other's attack.

"You do not seem to tire easily." Cementoss calmly stated as he raised his hands up. "We shall see, how far you can go."

Bubbles clapped her hands together, and a brilliant blue energy sphere formed between her palms. "See this!" she shouted, as she launched the orb straight at Cementoss.

The sphere shot forward at high speed, radiating with vibrant energy. Cementoss remained calm but cautious, his eyes narrowing as he anticipated the impact. With a swift motion, he resurrected fifteen slabs of close, solid concrete from the ground, each one rising to form a protective barrier.

As the energy orb collided with the slabs, an explosion of light erupted, sending debris flying in all directions. The force of the blast rattled the surrounding area, but Cementoss stood wide open, his barriers fallen from the impact.

'Quite impressive.' He thought to himself, analyzing the damage taken. Another blue glow erupted from the girl's body, and blue mini spheres hovered around her. As Bubbles readied her attack, she shot a quick glance around, till she spotted her teammate, Jirou, making her way towards the gates.

Jirou, standing by, watched as Bubbles was taking on Cementoss with not even an ounce of fatigue. 'Damn, she is strong! Glad she's facing him,' she thought, then quickly looked over to the gate. Without wasting anytime, she ran towards it.

"Yes," Bubbles muttered under her breath. But unfortunately, with that second window of distraction, Cementoss unleashed a wave of cement that overtook and engulfed her in a sort of prison-like structure. From the corner of his eye, Cementoss saw the action, and was quick to react. "Clever little plan. Distracting me like that," he muttered before proceeding his other target. Hands placed on the ground. "But not clever enough," his control of the environment extended to wider radius. He focused his quirk, and the ground rippled as the cement turned towards Jirou.

"Jirou, look out!" Bubbles managed to call out from a hole in the structure. "Huh?" Jirou turned around to see the incoming attack. She quickly inserted her jacks in to her boots and unleashed a blast of her heart beats; dispelling the chunk of cement. Cementoss wasn't deterred and unleashed more waves of cement that surged toward Jirou like a tide, relentless and unforgiving.

"Not today!" Jirou shouted, her determination igniting as she braced herself. With a swift motion, she activated her jacks again, the sound of her heartbeats pulsing through the air. A series of shockwaves emanated from her feet, dispersing the advancing cement waves and sending them crashing harmlessly to the ground.

Bubbles watched with wide eyes, her heart racing. "Nice save, Jirou!" she called, while she did her best to shatter the walls around her, but, "What?!" it reformed over and over again, when there was a fault. She then her teacher's voice. "You may try to break tomb, but you are not strong enough to accomplish that, not when I don't tire easily," with that he directed his other hand to deal with Jirou.

As Cementoss unleashed another wave of cement, Jirou dodged to the side, her heart racing. She could feel the sweat trickling down her forehead as she barely managed to stay one step ahead. "I can't keep this up forever!" she panted, launching a blast from her jacks to dispel a chunk of cement just inches from her.

More cement surged at her, flowing like a relentless tide. She quickly activated her jacks again, propelling herself away from a rising slab. "Come on, think, think!" she muttered, glancing over at the gates. They were sealed off, buried under a mountain of rubble. "Great, just great. Not only is Bubbles trapped, but now I can't even escape!"

Cementoss chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "You girls have spirit, I'll give you that," he taunted, enjoying their struggle. "But it's over. Time to end this!" With a flick of his wrist, he caused the cement to erupt from the ground, creeping up Jirou's legs like a living thing.

"Ah! No, no, no!" she shouted, trying to use her jacks to break free, but the cement kept climbing, immobilizing her. "I can't… let it get me!" She struck at the encroaching material, but it only thickened, wrapping around her more tightly.

"I guess this is the end of the li-" his words of victory were cut short when a loud crash interrupted him. "What was that?" He turned to see the cement tomb around Bubbles cracking and splintering. Shock washed over him, and he exchanged bewildered looks with Jirou.

Before they could react, there was another deafening bang, and the entire structure shattered, revealing Bubbles glowing with blue energy. Without a moment's hesitation, "Get…BAAAACK!" she unleashed her sonic scream. The sound waves surged forward, obliterating everything in their path, lampposts bent, windows shattered, and the ground trembled.

Cementoss scrambled to create a massive slab wall, but he miscalculated the power of Bubbles' attack. The wall shattered like glass, sending him flying back against a gate pole with a loud thud.

"Shit!" Jirou gasped, just as the wave of sound reached her. She covered her ears and braced for impact, her own body flying back with a cry as the cement binding her legs exploded outward.

Bubbles, still caught in the moment, felt the rush of victory but quickly hunched over, panting heavily. Just then, an announcement echoed through the area: "Team: Jirou & Bubbles have passed the exam via escaping the testing site!"

Bubbles squealed in excitement, jumping up and down. "We did it! We passed!" But her joy turned to horror when she looked around. The path left by her scream was devastating. Lampposts were crumpled, windows were shattered, and the road was scarred with a deep crater leading straight to the gates. At the gate, Cementoss lay crumpled against the gate pole, clearly out cold, while rubble surrounded him.

"Oh no…" Bubbles gasped, her heart sinking as she spotted Jirou outside the gate, but laying on the ground, looking dazed. She rushed over, kneeling beside her friend. "Jirou! Are you okay?!" She gently shook her, worry flooding her voice.

Jirou blinked slowly, a bit of blood trickling from her ears. "I think… I'm fine… just a little dizzy…hey, when did earth starting shaking?" she murmured, before her eyes rolled back and she passed out.

"Jirou!" Bubbles cried, her lips quivering as panic set in. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" She frantically looked around before picking her teammate up. "Let's go to Recovery Girl's office-" but before she could fly away, she remembered another casualty of her attack. With that, she effortlessly took hold of her fallen teacher in her arms; securing Jirou to her back before flying to the medical hero's office.

(-)

-Monitoring Room-

As she watched the video feed, Recovery Girl couldn't help but tsk in disappointment. "Honestly, I was hoping to avoid even less than two casualties…." she sighed. "…but I guess that's a lot to ask for with this year's batch." She had a thought. "That girl has a lot of heart, but her emotions seem to act as a catalyst for her powers," she mused aloud, shaking her head. "Interesting to say the least. I wonder if it is the same for the other two."

-Back with Bakugou & Blossom vs. Nezu-

Blossom flew through the tunnel, trying to make time. As she did so, she scanned the structure around her, marveling at the blend of cement and sleek technology surrounding her. The construction must have been done with Cementoss' help, the thought running through her mind. The atmosphere seemed unnerving, no one around, and she knew she was being watched by her Principal, at the very moment.

Suddenly, "Wait a minute," she halted mid-flight, straining to hear a sound that pricked her ears. "What could that sound be?" she wondered, the echo of her own heartbeat filling the silence. Just then, the unmistakable whir of mechanical limbs sliced through the air, and a trio of pointer robots materialized just around the corner, before her.

Though surprised, she was instinctively on the offense, her hands glowed with a vibrant pink aura, ready for action. Once the girl was in the robots' scanners, it engaged. The first robot lunged, its metal claw aimed straight for her. With her impressive agility, Blossom jumped back out, just in time, the claw crashing into the ground where she'd hovered moments before. Locking eyes on the assailant, her gaze intensified, and she unleashed her laser vision, sending the robot skidding, as it crashed into the wall with a deafening clang.

Before she could catch her breath, the remaining two robots launched missiles at her. "What?!" she gasped, adrenaline surging as she weaved effortlessly between the incoming projectiles. Each movement felt fluid, like a dance of survival as she bobbed and ducked through the narrow tunnel, narrowly avoiding the explosive blasts.

"Principal Nezu!" she shouted, her voice echoing against the cold concrete. "I thought robots weren't involved in this exam?!" Nezu's voice crackled through the speakers, a playful hum preceding his response. "Ah, Blossom! I said we would revise the exam, not remove the possibility entirely." His laughter chimed through the air, ringing in her ears

Groaning in frustration, Blossom muttered to herself, "Of course he did that." She redirected another missile attack, crashing it behind her as it exploded. Suddenly, his cheerful tone cut through the tension once more. "My, my, Blossom! Impressive maneuvers, I admit! But remember, these robots can be fun, yet time waits for no one!"

She knew she needed to focus and push through the distractions. "Alright, enough messing around," she declared, determination solidifying in her chest. She raised both hands, channeling her power. The two attacking robots froze mid-motion, suspended in her control, their metallic limbs immobilized.

As the first robot she had downed began to rise, Blossom seized the moment. With a flick of her wrists, she hurled both immobilized robots toward it, smashing them together in a spectacular collision that sent sparks flying. The force of the impact reverberated through the tunnel, and the remnants of the defeated robots clattered to the ground, leaving only silence in their wake.

As the glow of her power faded and the last of the debris settled, she took a deep breath, clearing her mind. "Hate to say it, but I hope Bakugou is doing as well." She muttered to herself, as she took off flying to whatever obstacles were awaiting her.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Bakugou's tunnel was a cacophony of chaos. The air crackled with energy, filled with the acrid scent of smoke and destruction. He stood amid a pile of shattered pointer robots, a triumphant sneer plastered across his face. "Not so fucking tough, huh?!" he shouted, blasting another trio into oblivion, the explosive force sending shockwaves through the chamber and leaving a smoldering trail in his wake.

"Bakugou!" Nezu's teasing voice echoed over the speakers, cutting through the din of destruction. "My, my! You must be having fun, aren't you?"

"Fun?!" Bakugou growled, his eyes narrowed and filled with fury. "I'll have more fun when I take your rat behind down!" His defiance radiated from him, every word dripping with determination as he surveyed the wreckage around him, searching for his next target.

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that, I just love a challenge!" Nezu continued, undeterred by Bakugou's anger. "Oh my, I completely forgot to mention. Those communication devices I handed to you and your partner are for more than just talking. If either of you needs help, simply press that button, and the other can rush to your aid, or locate you to better ace-"

"Help?!" Bakugou spat, his fury boiling over. "I'm not fucking weak enough to need that weaklings fucking help!" He glared into the camera, fully aware of the audience watching his every move. "I'll show you! I'm going to be the number one hero, and I'll handle this on my own!"

With that declaration, he unleashed a massive explosion, the shockwave from the blast obliterating a cluster of robots in a fiery display. The force of the explosion sent debris flying in all directions, and Bakugou's laughter rang out amidst the chaos, a sound of pure exhilaration.

But the battle was far from over. More pointer robots emerged from the shadows, their mechanical limbs whirring ominously as they advanced on him. Bakugou's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Bring it on! I know I am getting close to wherever you are hiding!" he shouted, channeling his explosive quirk with fierce intensity. He launched another barrage of blasts, each one tearing through the oncoming waves of robots, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction.

As the smoke cleared, Bakugou found himself facing down a particularly large robot, its eyes glowing with a threatening red light. "Time to show you what real power looks like!" he roared, gathering energy in his palms. With a swift motion, he detonated a massive explosion, the blast echoing through the tunnel like thunder.

The impact sent the giant robot crashing to the ground, but Bakugou didn't stop there. He propelled himself forward, leaping into the air and landing with a ground-shaking explosion that sent debris flying. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted, breathing heavily but grinning from ear to ear.

In a dimly lit room, Nezu watched the monitor flicker and die as Bakugou's blast took out the cameras. He chuckled heartily, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You have big dreams, Bakugou," he mused to himself, fingers steepled. "But the question is, will your hubris get in the way of them?"

-Back with Izuku & Buttercup vs. All Might-

The air buzzed with tension, the ground rumbling slightly as Izuku coughed, clutching his stomach after finally getting back to his feet. His head swirled, but he shook off the dizziness to take in the chaotic scene unfolding before him.

Buttercup unleashed a flurry of green energy blasts at All Might, each one crackling with vibrant power. Beams shot through the air, expanding into bolts of energy that lit up the surroundings. Despite being caught off guard for a moment, All Might dodged with ease, slipping past the blasts with a graceful agility that belied his size. "Nice try! But you'll have to do better than that!" he taunted, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

But Buttercup smirked, "Gladly!" With incredible speed, she dashed forward, her fists clenched. "Where did sh-Ugh!" She launched a surprise punch squarely at All Might's jaw, the impact sent him stumbling back with a grunt

Izuku watched in worry, his heart racing. 'That's not going to work…she can't beat him!' he thought, anxiety gnawing at him as he observed the fight. All Might's smile faltered as he rubbed his chin, a flicker of respect crossing his face. 'Seems like that girl can really punch, can't play around now,' he mused, momentarily distracted.

Just then, Buttercup launched herself into the air, winding up for another attack. But All Might wasn't about to let her get the upper hand again. He sidestepped her flying punch with impeccable timing and, before she realized what had happened, he grabbed hold of one of her legs. With a swift motion, he tossed her against the wall of a nearby building, the force of the impact sending rubble cascading down around her.

"Guess you could say that hit really knocked the wall down!" he quipped, chuckling at his own pun, though a hint of concern flickered in his eyes.

As he spoke, Izuku felt a surge of determination. He couldn't just stand by. He had to help Buttercup. "No! I won't let her fight alone!" he thought, pushing through the worry. He charged at All Might, screaming, "One for All! 7%! Rushing Palm!" The determination in his voice echoed through the space as he unleashed his attack.

All Might crossed his arms over his chest, bracing for the impact. Izuku's palm struck him head-on, creating a rush of wind that swept through the area, pushing debris aside. Panting and nervous, Izuku jumped back, glancing at All Might, who laughed menacingly in his villain persona. "Young man, do you think that flimsy attack was going to hurt me?!"

With only a few feet away, Izuku took a defensive stance, but his face betrayed him, quivering in awe at All Might's formidable presence. Just as All Might strode closer, he heard Buttercup's voice ring out. "Hey, Muscles, look out!" she shouted, catching his attention.

Before All Might could react, he noticed Buttercup slam against the wall beside him, a result of their earlier clash. Suddenly, a large section of the wall began to crumble and fall toward him. Instinctively, he raised his arms to shield himself, managing to catch the massive concrete chunk just before it could crush him. Even with his incredible strength, he strained slightly under the weight of the three-ton slab above his head. "Grr… not bad! Trying to use this to slow me down?!" he grunted.

Buttercup stalked forward, her fist glowing with energy. "Hey, I did warn you, Muscles," she quipped, a smirk on her face. All Might narrowed his eyes at her bravado, his fingers digging into the wall, cracking it. But before anything else could go down, Izuku sprang into action, activating 10% of One for All to carry her as he sprinted away.

"What the hell?!" Buttercup exclaimed, caught off guard by his sudden intervention.

"We have to regroup and find cover!" Izuku insisted, not giving her a chance to argue as he speedily dashed around the corner, Buttercup in his arms, leaving All Might behind.

All Might managed to free himself from the wall, tossing the broken pieces aside. He stood tall, still wearing his signature smile, though it now held a hint of annoyance at the unexpected hassle. "Honestly, that girl is quite troublesome… striking and running away!" he said. "Young Midoriya is not performing as best as he should!" His tone was a mix of setback and exasperation. But then his expression turned serious. "Though, her strength is impressive…" He glanced at the wall he had tossed aside. "Alright, time to find them!" With that, he rushed off in pursuit, the thrill of the challenge driving his every step.

Having put some distance between themselves and All Might, Izuku found a hiding spot in a building and sighed in relief. He peeked around the corner and, seeing nothing, said, "Okay, the coast is clear. We can dis-OW!" He was interrupted by a strong punch to his shoulder. Rubbing his arm, he looked up to see Buttercup glaring at him.

"What the hell, was that pal?! We could have won back there!" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.

"Shhh…" he tried to silence her by putting a hand over her mouth, but Buttercup grabbed his hand, giving him an icy glare.

"I just saved you!" Izuku insisted, his tone firm. "We couldn't defeat All Might. He would have broken through that wall any moment!"

Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, like he was so in a rush to push away that little present I left," she said, smirking.

Izuku frowned, feeling peeved at her dismissive attitude. "Buttercup, all you were doing was annoying him. Your attacks were nothing to All Might!"

Buttercup narrowed her eyes. "So, that punch I gave him, it didn't make a difference, huh?!" she shot back.

"Look, Buttercup, I get that you want to fight, but do you even realize who we're up against? All Might isn't just some guy!" Izuku exclaimed, exasperation creeping into his voice. "He's the Symbol of Peace! Every punch you threw was like throwing pebbles at a wall. He didn't even flinch!"

Buttercup rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. "Oh please, he's not invincible. I hit him! I was just toying with him, trying to see what he was made off."

"Toying with him?!" he asks in disbelief. "Buttercup, he's literally the strongest hero there is! You might think you're tough, but you can't underestimate him like that. If you keep acting reckless, we're going to fail!"

Buttercup, irate, opened her mouth to shoot back at Izuku, but then a rumble echoed through the air, cutting her off. Izuku shivered, instinctively sensing that something bad was about to happen. Just then, Buttercup's ears perked up. "Get out!" she yelled, grabbing Izuku and dashing to the other side of the room just as the wall beside them came crashing down. When the dust settled, All Might stood there, a towering figure of raw power.

"Well, well, I see you two decided to hide!" he said, his tone condescending as he looked over the duo. "Clever, but time is running out. Do you want to give up?!" his tone was more mocking than the least bit helpful.

Buttercup, as always, was ready to fight, but glancing at Izuku, who seemed all the more hesitant, she decided on a different approach. Taking a moment to think of what Blossom would do, she spotted her answer and with a sly look, she said, "Thanks for the heads up, Muscles. We wouldn't want to cut it too close." Her left hand glowed green as an energy bolt began to form. "But I don't think we're choosing to give up, just yet."

All Might chuckled, confidence radiating from him. "I will say that your attacks are impressive, but…" He took a dismissive stance. "Not enough to handle me!" He proclaimed.

A smile crept onto her face. "Oh, yeah? Try this!" Without warning, she shot the energy bolt into the roof above them, causing it to crumble. All Might froze, taken aback by the unexpected tactic. Izuku froze, about to yell a warning, "All Might, watch-AH!" but instead let out a yelp as Buttercup pulled him by his collar and flew out the nearby window.

"Now we fly!" she shouted as the building crumbled behind them. They soared away from the scene, Buttercup holding Izuku tightly. She glanced ahead and laughed. "See, green bean? I told you, we're gonna win!" she smiled as she looked forward, giving distance.

Izuku didn't respond; he only looked back, wondering if All Might had been truly stopped. His answer came with a crashing sound from the demolished site. A blast erupted, sending an air gust that made him and Buttercup cough from the upturn. Dread filled his chest. Suddenly, they both heard something above them. When Izuku looked up, he saw the last person he wanted to see. As they landed down, a crash echoed between them and the distant gate, forcing them to stop in their tracks. A dust cloud appeared.

Through the dust cloud, a silhouette emerged, a red glint flashing in his eye. "I AM HERE!" was the only indication they got before All Might bolted toward them. Buttercup reacted quickly, shoving Izuku to the side for safety just as All Might charged. He tumbled away with an "oomph!" while Buttercup readied herself to confront their foe. She aimed a glowing punch, but All Might barely dodged the attack.

"What the h-" she began, turning to attack again, but was abruptly slammed down by a palm to her face, the impact creating cracks in the ground beneath her. Izuku, still reeling from being tossed aside, quickly scrambled to his feet. "Buttercup, no!" he screamed in panic, witnessing the overwhelming force of his mentor against his partner. Fear surged in his chest as he glanced around, searching for anything he could use to help her.

All Might stood tall, laughing heartily as he held Buttercup up high, face in his large hand. "Well played, young lady, but what do you think you will do now?!" His voice dripped with condescension, amusement evident at her apparent defeat. Buttercup held her ground, her body tense and her eyes blazing green behind his hands. 'Now he did it…' were her only thoughts before her next move.

-Back with Bakugou & Blossom vs. Nezu-

After smashing another robot into oblivion, Bakugou approached a door marked "Villain's Lair." He sneered, muttering, "This better not be some lame ass joke." Just then, Nezu's face flickered onto a nearby screen, "Ah, Bakugou! This is no joke," his tone was cheerful and mischievous. "The exam is within this room!" he chirped, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Whatever!" Bakugou growled, slamming the door open. He was ready for a showdown, but was met with a chilling emptiness, just a solitary TV flickering in the center of the room. "What the-Nezu! Get out here and fight me!" he shouted, irritation bubbling to the surface.

The screen crackled, revealing Nezu, who was laughing maniacally, a cup of tea shaking in his paw. The sound sent an unsettling chill down Bakugou's spine. "Oh, Bakugou! Welcome to my… trap!" Nezu declared, pressing a button that slammed the doors shut behind him, a steel barrier sealing the exit.

"What the hell?!" Bakugou growled, unleashing explosions from his palms. "I thought I was gonna fight you!"

Nezu chuckled a bit more, before he slowly regained his composure. "Oh, Bakugou, I never said you would confront me directly, only that a confrontation was in store." His laughter echoed, fueling Bakugou's growing rage.

Bakugou's eyes widened in disbelief before narrowing with fury. "What kind of sick game is this?"

"Dear Bakugou, as a villain for today, I must remind you: we can't always be truthful. That was your first mistake. But perhaps your biggest mistake was splitting up when it was clearly stated this was a match done in pairs." Nezu smirked, reveling in Bakugou's frustration.

Clenching his fists, "Fuck this! This was a waste of my time. I'm leaving!" Bakugou turned to unleash another explosion at the door. But as the smoke cleared, he realized the door remained intact. Confusion and anger twisted in his gut. He turned back to Nezu, a sneer plastered on his face. "What's going on?!"

Nezu simply smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Blossom flew into a large room, her heart pounding as she spotted over dozen three-pointer robots and a room leading to more coming in. Their scanners locked onto her. She flinched but quickly noticed behind a clear glass wall, a massive bomb was placed at the center, its shape eerily reminiscent of the decoy bomb from the Battle Trials. "Help! Help me!" A muffled voice cried out, sending her heart racing as she understood that is was the captive, tied to the bomb; but didn't know who as their face was hidden beneath a sack.

"Hang on! I'll be right there!" she yelled, determination surging through her. But before she could charge in, the three-pointer robots launched missiles at her. "No!" she yelped, narrowly dodging and stumbling out of the room.

Regaining her footing, she peeked back inside. The robots raised their weapons, ready to attack. Just then, Nezu's voice echoed through the room, rich with mirth. "Congratulations, Blossom, for making it to my captive! But too bad you'll be too busy to save them!"

"What do you mean?!" she shouted, confusion etched across her face.

Nezu pressed a button, and a screen flickered to life, displaying Bakugou in another room, unleashing explosion after explosion without success. Blossom gasped, eyes wide as she struggled to comprehend the situation.

"Greetings, kids!" Nezu's voice boomed over the speakers, cutting through the chaos of Bakugou's attempts. "Although I'm a villain today, I'm still your principal. Each of you is in a trap set up by me. This test was about working together, but you both missed the mark. We can remedy that!"

Blossom's heart sank as she processed his words. "You see, Bakugou is trapped in a room that can only be opened with two keys, one of which you each possess. You have ten minutes to save your friend and complete the exam, or risk the life of your captive!"

"What? What do you mean?!" Blossom exclaimed, realization crashing over her. "And how do I find and save him?!"

Nezu continued, his voice calm and almost gleeful. "The door trapping Bakugou can only be opened by each of you placing your keys in the keyholes on either side of it and turning them at the same time. But here's the catch: the facility is designed like a maze, and navigating your way back to each other will be quite the challenge."

"To assist you, I've gifted you each with a tracker, earlier as well. Whoever activates it will give away their location, sending a signal that allows the other, capable one, to track them. But there's more at stake: the bombs are also linked to the keys. You'll need to insert both keys to deactivate them before the timer goes off. Quite frankly, you will need the other in order to save the day and complete the exam!"

Blossom sighed in relief. 'Alright, there is still plenty of time and if I really hurry, we could pass this exam. Okay, we can do this! We just have to find each other, and then we can save him!' She was ready to shout her plan to him, but—

"I don't need help!" he loudly proclaimed, no room to argue or waver. Silence filled the room, thick with tension.

Nezu hummed in amusement. "Are you serious, Bakugou?"

"I'm not weak enough to need anyone's help!" Bakugou shot back, defiance radiating from him.

"You can't be serious?" She said in disbelief. "You can't seriously prioritize your PRIDE over saving someone's life! What's wrong with you?!" Blossom's anger flared. "This is a team exam and like it or not, we have to work together to at least save the captive! So, please, Bakugou just send out the tracker and I can-"

Bakugou's indifferent voice burst out, cutting her off. "I already fucking told you that I don't need your help! I'll find a way out and save your butt instead!" To prove his point, he unleashed blast after blast of his quirk, each doing little at a time. And with that, the video cut off, leaving Blossom, dumbstruck.

"Why you-" Blossom's hair began to swirl around her, her eyes glowing pink as her emotions took over. Just then, a missile was launched toward her. Instinctively, she raised her hands, and the missile halted mid-air, enveloped in a vibrant pink glow. With a fierce look, she turned her attention to the robots.

"Stand down, target!" they commanded, their mechanical voices echoing ominously.

Blossom scowled, and wasting no time, hurled the missile back at the offending robot, and it exploded in a shower of sparks, leaving nothing but debris. The bomb remained unharmed, but time was slipping away. Without a second thought, she lunged at the remaining robots, unleashing a series of psychic strikes that sent two of them crashing to the ground. As she darted between them, she unleashed her freeze breath, encasing one robot in a thick layer of ice, rendering it immobile.

Nezu watched the scene unfold with a detailed look. "Oh, this is going to be quite the show," he muttered to himself, as he sat back and watched the whole thing unfold.

Izuku's mind raced, a torrent of helplessness and indecision flooding his thoughts. He watched in horror as his friend was held off the ground, presumably unconscious. 'What do I do? I can't just stand here!' 'But… should I fight?' 'Could I really hurt All Might?' He glanced anxiously at Buttercup, then back at All Might, and finally to the distant gate, desperately searching for a plan or even a way to move his shaking legs. What if I ran?' 'Or could I go all out?' 'B-but…what happens to her?' 'But this is All Might… he's on a whole different level! What if I mess everything up? What if-' the sound of shook him out of his thoughts.

"Right, Midoriya! As you can see, it is time to end this game. Your teammate seems to be doing just that!" he boasted, still holding Buttercup securely by her face.

Izuku suddenly flinched, but not at All Might's words, but as he witnessed Buttercup, who he thought was unconscious, slowly moving her arms to reach for All Might's enormous fingers. Gripping them tightly, she surprised everyone, including All Might. "Well, young Kayama, I see you still have some fighting spirit in you," he chuckled momentarily, before continue, "Can't fault a hero for that! But I'm afraid to say that the battle is ov-AHH!"

All Might gave a loud, unexpected yell in pain. Izuku, startled by the noise, could not believe why. It was at that moment that he saw Buttercup, still in All Might's grasp, but had captured both the man's thumb and pinky; and like it was no problem, bent them to an unnatural direction. On reflex, All Might pulled his hand away from her face, nursing his injured fingers.

Buttercup landed to her feet, "You messed with the wrong hero, Muscles," turning her fierce gaze toward All Might. Her eyes glowed intensely and everything changed from their.

All Might, still nursing his fingers, muttered to himself, "Ouch... that actually hurt..." He then turned back to where he had dropped his opponent but found her gone. Izuku blinked, confused and worried about where she had gone.

Now confused, All Might wondered, "Now where did she-GAH!" a sucker punch to the face, stopped whatever he was about to say, as he grunted in pain. He staggered back, his smile still there but eyes filled with disbelief, as he turned to see Buttercup glaring at him.

In an instant, he was caught up in a whirlwind of close quarter attacks, as she unloaded a flurry of punches and kicks that came at him without warning. Each strike landed with growing intensity and power. Buttercup delivered uppercuts, followed by a couple of hook punches that connected with his jaw, sending him reeling. A swift kick to the chest made him gasp as he struggled to defend himself.

'This can't be happening!' All Might thought, panic rising within him. 'I'm getting overwhelmed by a kid! And she doesn't have One for All?!'

He managed to regain his footing, blocking a few punches, but it was clear he was struggling. Bruises began to slowly show on his skin, his hero suit tearing from the strikes, and his hair fell disheveled, a stark contrast to his usual polished appearance. As he fought to sidestep and seize the opportunity to lunge and pin the student down, misfortune struck, she slipped past him effortlessly. In a heartbeat that felt like slow motion, Izuku's eyes shot wide in alarm as he finally moved, desperate to intervene, but All Might was too off-balance to react.

Buttercup skidded to his left, dodging his grasp with ease, and wound up for a right hook. With a feral expression, she cocked back her arm and landed a heavy blow to the hero's side. "GAH!" All Might gritted his teeth as pain shot through him, his knees buckled under the feeling. He slowly fell to the ground, clutching his side, trying and failing to cover up the severity of the hit; where a familiar ache throbbed menacingly.

Just as he managed to get his breathing under control, a clinking sound was heard and he looked down to see a familiar pair of cuffs placed on the arm that was placed on the ground. And then an announcement echoed through the area: "Team: Izuku & Buttercup have passed the exam via capture!"

Hearing that, Buttercup's eyes returned to normal, her fierce expression softening. She paused before bursting into cheers, "Whoo-hoo!" cheering and jumping up and down in victory. "Oh yeah! We did it Green Bean!" she yelled, running around in her typical exuberant fashion.

But Izuku wasn't celebrating. He hurried over to All Might, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay? Are you alright?" he asked in a hushed but nervous tone.

All Might didn't answer immediately, gathering his composure before he turned to stare at Izuku with a serious expression. "Did you…tell her about my weakness?" His voice was strained, filled with urgency.

Izuku's heart dropped. "No! I swear, I didn't tell her anything!" he stammered, trying to defend himself. "I would never reveal your secret or your weaknesses!" All Might seemed to relax slightly, but the seriousness remained. "Alright," he said, taking a deep breath. "Just… be careful next time."

Rising slowly, All Might composed himself well enough to announce, "Congratulations to both of you competitors! That was a definite Plus Ultra match, and you performed admirably!" He extended his hand, the one not clutching his side, for a shake.

Izuku hesitated, guilt gnawing at him as he reached out, shaking All Might's hand. Buttercup stepped forward, her spirit still soaring. "No problem, Muscles! That was one heck of a match!" she exclaimed cheerfully, shaking his hand before letting go. All Might merely grunted in agreement, the hint of a smile breaking through his pain. "Well, it's best that I must go! But I hope you both visit Recovery Girl's office for a check-up. Until next time!" With that, he bolted away, despite the pain.

"Yeah! We totally crushed it!" she replied, her energy infectious. "Let's go celebrate! We deserve-!"

"What were you thinking, Buttercup?!" Izuku's frustration boiled over, and before he could stop himself, he shouted, "You shouldn't have hurt All Might like that!"

Buttercup halted mid-cheer, taken aback. "Ah, what the heck…?"

"You fought him! That was a bad idea!" Izuku continued, his voice rising. "We should have come up with a plan to escape instead of charging in headfirst like that!"

Buttercup crossed her arms, growing irritation flashing in her eyes. "What's your problem, pal?! All this time, you've been so worried about All Might and his 'title,' that you barely lifted a finger and let me bail you out! Twice!"

"I wanted us plan an escape. I was protecting you from the dangers!" Izuku shot back, urgency creeping into his tone. "Especially when you wanted to take down All Might! That's insane!"

"We did or rather, I did take him down and passed." Buttercup scoffed, a smirk playing on her lips. "Why are you so butt hurt about that?"

"Did you not see the injury you gave him?" he felt the same pang of guilt in his throat. "That side was already-"

"What do you mean 'already?'" Buttercup's brow furrowed, eyes narrowing. "Did he have an injury before this whole battle?"

Izuku clamped his mouth shut, panic rushing in. "N-no…I-I mean…! I'm just saying that was a stupid and reckless move! You could have gotten hurt!"

Hearing that, Buttercup clenched her fists, fury sparking in her gaze. "Stupid? STUPID?! Oh, I see! If your dear 'friend Kacchan' did something similar, he'd be praised, but if I do it, it's stupid, huh?!"

"No! Kacchan would never battle All Might head-on without a plan! He might be impulsive but he potential to be a great hero!" Izuku insisted, frustration at the change of subject.

Buttercup laughed dryly, her tone loud and mocking. "Oh yeah, Mr. 'Die, die, die,' is such a level-headed guy," rolling her eyes. "Face it, Izuku! Your so-called friend is a menace, and he would have stepped up to Muscles, as well!"

"His name is All Might! Show some respect, Buttercup!" Izuku snapped, frustration boiling over. But she ignored him.

"If Captain Muscles fought you and Boom Boom Baby instead of me, I guarantee you'd be in a full-body cast for a week, because of his temper!" In a matter-of-fact tone.

Izuku's turn to scoff. "Your one to talk, Buttercup! You have the same temper as him, and yet he has friends!" The moment the words left his mouth, Izuku clamped a hand over his mouth, shock flooding him.

Buttercup's expression shifted, vulnerability flickering in her eyes before it vanished, replaced by simmering anger. "Oh yeah…?"

"N-no, please, B-buttercup," he stammered, desperate to fix it. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"

"Can it, Izuku!" she yelled, her voice cutting through the tension. "Wow, ha, ha!" she laughed bitterly to herself and Izuku felt a growing knot in his stomach. "You compared ME to Boom Boom Baby?! The very same person who lunged at you during the quirk appreciation test?" she raised a finger. "The same guy who almost scorched your freckled behind in the battle trial?" another finger. "THE SAME GUY WHO PUTS YOU DOWN AND CALLS YOU INSULTING THINGS LIKE DEKU; BUT YOU'RE STILL FOOLING YOURSELF THAT HE'S YOUR FRIEND?!" she yelled at the guy. Her eyes glowed with anger, disbelief, and something akin to hurt.

Izuku trembled, shock coursing through him as he kicked himself mentally for what he'd said. "B-Buttercup, I-I didn't mean-"

"Save it!" she interrupted, turning away. But Izuku wasn't done.

"Wait! I am-" Buttercup turned back to him, hurt in her gaze. "For the record, Deku!" That made him instantly recoil, like he was slapped. "The difference between me and your so-called 'friend' is that, unlike him, I actually li-care about you and treat you like a person, not some piece of shit…" She took a breath, visibly calming herself. "...but I guess you'd rather have people around you, who treats you like shit and tears you down, than people who actually care about you, huh?" Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, keeping her emotions in check.

Izuku stood frozen, his heart racing. "What… did I just say?" Guilt flooded him as he watched her retreating figure, each step twisting the knife in his chest. Facing the gate where his teammate had just left, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just lost one of the few friends he has…or rather, had.

-Nezu's viewing room-

In a room reminiscent of the main monitoring facility, Nezu sat comfortably with a cup of tea in paw, sharing the space with a shivering individual. "I do apologize for you being caught in my student's crossfire," he chuckled, choosing his words carefully. "Figuratively speaking, of course, but I guess it was rather cold of me." He offered his guest another cup of tea to help warm him up.

They took the tea. "It's no problem, Principal Nezu. It wasn't that bad," the boy replied, his voice shivering slightly. He took a sip and sighed contentedly, feeling the warmth seep in. "Anyway, I hope you'll consider the students' performance. I couldn't really see through the bag, but I heard a lot of commotion. She took down the robots by herself and managed to free me," he added with a chuckle. "Though I know she didn't really use the keys, just her ice breath." He shivered again, a reminder of his recent ordeal.

Nezu smiled thoughtfully. "I understand where you're coming from, but I can't make a decision until all the teachers come together to grade. Still, I was quite proud of her tactfulness and ingenuity." He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "However, the other's performance will require more deliberation."

Mirio nodded in agreement. "That seems fair," he said, finishing his tea in one big gulp. He stood up, brushing himself off. "Well! I best be going. You know how Sir Nighteye gets when I don't report in," he stated with a grin.

"Indeed..." he subtly drawled. "Thank you again, Mr. Togata. I appreciate your participation in my little test."

Mirio waved a dismissive hand. "It's no problem! What kind of senior would I be if I didn't help my juniors grow? Anyway, see you later!" With that, he left the room.

Nezu sat for a moment, reflecting on the day's events. He couldn't hide the delight he felt. "Ha ha. I do hope I'll have more moments like this in the future," he mused to himself, finishing his cup. He rose and made his way out, ready to join his students on the bus. As he stepped outside, he couldn't shake the feeling that the ride would be quiet, but expected.

Author's Notes:

That wraps up the exams, and I'm excited to share how each pair fared! Here's a little insight into my choices:

1. Bubbles and Jirou vs. Cementoss- Okay, I know some of you might be thinking about Bubbles' ability to fly, but I wanted to challenge myself and explore new angles. I was caught in a bit of writer's block, but ultimately, I think they handled the situation well and definitely passed. Jirou will be fine…hopefully. Also, I know that Bubbles' fight was comparatively shorter than the others and I promise I am not picking favorites, only that I didn't know how to drag it out long enough. Jirou to me, was not an easy character to pull along, and the reason I chose Cementoss over Present Mic, is because I thought it would be a proper challenge and although Jirou was not really shone much in the battle, I believe it was the best I could do; given what I had to work with.

2. Blossom and Bakugou vs. Nezu- I aimed for a dynamic that showcased both Nezu's strategic mind and Bakugou's stubbornness. Initially, I considered pairing Bakugou with Izuku, leading to Izuku ditching him for All Might, but I wanted to explore a different route. Bakugou can be a jerk, and I think Blossom has more than what it takes to stand her ground against him. The results of their exam are still a mystery, so stay tuned for the next chapters!

3. Buttercup and Izuku vs. All Might- Yes, I'm that writer who loves to throw a bit of chaos into the mix! Izuku, like in canon, would rather avoid fighting his "savior," and I wanted to keep that tension alive. I know that it is quite different than canon, but I wanted to add a bit of turbulence and add more fuel to the ship's fire. Buttercup taking on All Might will definitely be entertaining for the teachers, and I can't wait to reveal their reactions. Plus, Buttercup's rant is something Izuku really needed to hear, time for him to recognize that his "childhood friend" is nothing than a big bully with anger issues!

I believe I have two more chapters to do before I head on over to season 3, namely the forest training camp and that will be the next stage of HIM's performance. But I might take a break, hopefully after I finish these two remaining chapters. I am also planning two new MHA fanfictions, but I can't really say when they will be uploaded. I can promise that it will be interesting…Dahling. Lol!

Honestly guys, thanks for the reviews and follows, it makes me happy to see that my little hobby is quite favored by the fandom. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it! I'm feeling a bit drained now, so I'll take some time to recharge. Don't forget to leave your thoughts, RxR! Until next time, bye