Angel: I feel like despite me not having chosen yet whether or not there will be a Dark Callista, I'm gonna be reminded of it until I'm dead lol. I'm still thinking about it, that's all I can say now. People can still have their curiosity, but until I get to season 6, it's gonna stay in limbo. I'm working on the third movie this week, so it won't be much longer for me to come up with an answer. As for Izuka's moves, I just don't think she needs a fight style, it's just my opinion. And even if I consider the fact that another OC did it, wouldn't that no longer be original to the character who did it first...? Cause then their fight styles are the exact same when both differ in power dynamics. Izuka has meta abilities and Sumi doesn't, so I just don't see how having her fight like a ballerina needs to be a part of her character.
Izuka's thing is that she has to learn how to fight with her Quirk in general and she likes art, I just don't understand why ballerina moves have to be included? But if people disagree with me on that, I'm not gonna take that opinion away, I think for me I just don't really get it. Makes more sense for Mina to me, who can dance while Izuka would never. Will the reporter take a photo with Izuka in season 4? Yes. Was Izuka's glass-blowing something I took from Elemental? Also yes, because it's cool as shit, and it'll come back up again much later.
Three weeks earlier
The Heroes Public Safety Commission was currently holding a meeting regarding the provisional licensing exam. "Targets and balls?" One of them asked in disbelief. "Sounds more like a game than an examination. Is it too easy?"
"You're not seeing the bigger picture," A second one argued back as they were all looking at their computer screens in front of them. "The real test is how they handle the ensuing chaos. Will they panic? Or maintain the level head of a pro who utilizes their Quirk to make wise decisions? It's crisis response."
"And the second round is the same way?" The first one asked, as he thought that this was too safe. It wouldn't convey the real trouble heroes went through like the Hosu Incident or the Kamino Incident. "We normally focused on individuals, not how well they work together. "
"This proposal came from the National Police Agency," The second one explained to them. "They've revised the exam criteria and the way we grant licenses. We have to abide by their orders. We're to assume that, at this level, all examinees will have knowledge of basic emergency procedures and first aid. Therefore, we'll be paying closer attention to how they cooperate with each other."
"Heh. Teamwork, huh?" One of them scoffed a little. "Alright."
"It's necessary for our future," All Might came to mind once again since his retirement was relatively recent. "People loved All Might not just for his strength, but for his personality. We must accept the fact that the number-two hero is no replacement." And that would be Endeavor...whose personality was not only more stoic, but more intense than All Might's ever was. "It will be difficult to find someone so charismatic."
"Rather than waiting for the next All Might, we should fill the hole he has left with an army of heroes boasting a strong sense of unity and comradery. And the exam now reflects that goal."
Mera looked up from his podium in thought. 'Well, the second round of the test is underway. Rescuing people injured in a large-scale terrorist incident.' Izuku made it to the first-aid station with the HUC child in his arms. And dealing with the villain behind the attack.
The ground shook, and an explosion went off. Izuku gasped while hugging the HUC child close. "What happened?" The other examinees looked over in alarm. Another explosion occurred, and he turned to the side.
Gang Orca was there, but not as a hero today. Instead, he would be playing the attacking villain, along with his sidekicks. He was even dressed like a villain.
"Tell me, wanna be heroes. Can you rescue people and fight at the same time?"
Izuku flinched at his appearance. "That's Gang Orca!"
Mera stared at the arena, wondering what the students would do. 'During the search-and-destroy mission against the League of Villains, Gang Orca fought alongside Endeavor and Best Jeanist. He's a strong pro.'
Gang Orca clenched a fist as the gang ran down the pile of debris. "The terrorists have appeared and are beginning to sweep the area. Hero candidates at the scene should continue their rescue efforts while also suppressing the newly-arrived villains." Most of Class 1-A were very uneasy after hearing about this.
"We're gonna have to save people and battle?" Tenya looked at Mezo and Minoru.
"Are they serious?!" The latter held his head in annoyance. "Jeez! Come on! Aren't they expecting too much from us?!"
Mr. Aizawa and Ms. Joke were surprised by the change as well. "Even for a pro, this would be difficult. They're going a little far, I'd say."
Izuku looked towards the HUC actors as Gang Orca approached from the smoke. "Now. How will you react? Will you fight or protect? Help or run away? What would a hero do?"
Izuku then narrowed his eyes at them, knowing that his decision-making would be tested...
"Another attack?" Mashirao asked in alarm from the mountain zone. He was dragging a HUC man away from the scene.
"Look! By the first aid station!" Fumikage called out in warning. They turned to the first-aid station to see the smoke.
"Not good," Mashirao commented a bit nervously.
"Right by all those hurt kids and old people?!" Mina cried out, clenching her fists in frustration. "That's so mean!"
Tsuyu poked her head out of the water, looking towards the area as well. "We still have a lot of bystanders to rescue," She reminded her team of Toru and Shoto. "But we can't just ignore the villains."
He looked towards the smoke, not even looking back towards her. "I know..." He knew that this was part of the test, so what were they going to do...?
Mera looked at his computer, several hero safety commission officers behind him. For this second test, everyone starts out with a certain number of points. They'll be judged on how many they lose. Rikido, Momo, Ochaco, Kyoka, and Hanta continued to save HUC victims. HUC evaluates whether or not someone's acting properly during their rescue. For example: if the examinee has put themselves in the position to best use their Quirk. Two HUC people looked up blankly as Katsuki was yelling down at them. Eijiro and Denki were holding him back. Izuka slowly shook her head and summoned a flying star to get them back up. Several people in suits and wearing earphones were in the stadium watching. Additionally, there are one hundred and one employees of the Public Safety Commission who are grading each person individually, based on the scoring manual and the examinee's background. Students automatically fail the moment their total score falls below 50 points. The examinee on his screen had just failed. I hope everyone down there has the patience to make smart decisions.
Izuka did a double take after reassuring the two HUC victims, seeing smoke. "You two, take them somewhere in neutral territory," She warned Eijiro and Denki as she summoned another flying star. The three looked up at her, baffled.
"Hah?! Get back here!" Katsuki shouted as she flew off without another word. She could worry about him later, although she did just piss him off just now. He gritted his teeth, clenching a fist. After what she blurted out to him, this wasn't helping their situation...
"Where are you going?!" Denki yelped up at her, but she didn't answer the question.
"I'm sure she knows what she's doing," Eijiro glanced at the boy. "I don't think he realizes it, though..." He glanced back at the seething Katsuki awkwardly.
"Shut up! I don't give a damn what she does!" He then kicked a small rock angrily. Izuka kept her eyes forward while speeding as much as she can.
I have a feeling that the people at the first-aid station are in danger! I have to help ensure their safety...
Izuku gritted his teeth at the situation. "Get everyone to safety!" Yo yelled while running past him.
"Shindo, wait!" Izuku called out to him.
"Do it!" He urged as the gang of 'villains' were still advancing. "Get them as far away from the villains as possible!"
Izuku gasped as he then remembered the boy's Quirk, and that he had to work with Yo. Even though he still didn't trust him alone with his sister. "Right!" He turned around to head for the HUC people.
"I'll start hammering away at the henchmen at one second intervals," Yo explained while touching the ground with his hands. He then caused the ground to split apart, knocking the Orca Terrorists off their feet. "Weren't expecting that," He gave a small smirk, but it turned into a gasp as Gang Orca appeared right in front of him.
"Nice try," He mocked the boy before using his echolocation to send a giant sound wave.
"Whoa, dang, look at that," Ms. Joke panicked a little, worried for her student. "He's going all out."
"I wonder," Mr. Aizawa deadpanned since he could see that for himself.
"Shindo!" Izuku called out as the boy fell backwards, unconscious. Izuku looked at him with an open mouth while carrying a HUC victim over his back.
"A single rear guard to hold us back?" Gang Orca ridiculed, looking up towards Izuku. "You've underestimated me."
Gang Orca! Quirk, Orcinus! He can do whatever an orca can, even on land. That includes using an ultrasonic wave to paralyze his prey!
Yo was still on the ground, shaking while getting over the effects. Izuku looked a bit frustrated as now that left him and the other examinees. But they were all focused on getting the HUC people to safety. Gang Orca approached and then let out a grunt as he turned around. He let out another ultrasonic blast while a flurry of ice appeared in front of him. Izuku gasped, turning to see that it was coming from both Shoto and Izuka.
"Todoroki! Izuka!" He cried out in relief.
"Midoriya," Mashirao called out while he and his team came over. "Are you evacuating? We'll help!" He held out his arms as Izuku handed over the HUC victim to him.
"Todoroki's fast, and so is Mido," Mina commented as she saw what was going on.
"Hey," Izuku looked up at them in surprise. "Where have you guys been?"
"We found hurt people over by the river," Mashirao sweated a little while using his tail to point. "Everybody else ran to the city first, so we were searching on the outskirts." As he was talking, Mina took off into a run. Shoto used his ice to capture some of the terrorists. Izuka ran up to several of them, jumping around and using her shooting stars to knock them out. "Yaoyorozu and Asui stayed behind to search for survivors. But we couldn't stand by and watch these villains do this."
Shoto sent out another flurry of ice towards Gang Orca, who counterattacked with another ultrasonic wave.
"Your power is nothing."
Izuka gritted her teeth a little. "Ah, if only we had Jiro-Chan here..."
Shoto let out a small icy breath. "Guess we both know why he's number ten. We can handle him, Mido. If anything, we can buy the others some ti-" A gust of wind suddenly interrupted him and he looked up in realization. "This wind..."
Inasa came flying down from the sky using his wind. "I'm gonna blow you evildoers away!" He shouted while also breaking through Shoto's ice as he landed. All of the Orca terrorists screamed while flying backwards. Gang Orca himself kept his stance, not being blown away since he was far too large. "A second villain attack. Man, they really pulled out all the stops for us, didn't they?"
Shoto's eyes shook a little, feeling some tension already given what happened between them in the anteroom. Izuka blinked in alarm to see him. Inasa himself gasped in shock to see Shoto.
"Hey, it's him!" Izuku recognized him as he carried a HUC victim in his arms. Fumikage, Mashirao, and other examinees were doing the same. "The one who turned down UA."
"Good timing," Mashirao sounded a bit relieved to hear this. "We can keep evacuating while the strong attackers hold them back."
"Yeah!" Mina cried out while holding a boy's hand.
The other employees from the Heroes Public Safety Commission were watching the arena closely at each specific examinee. "Good. They're prioritizing the safety of the first-aid station, which is the cornerstone of the entire rescue effort. That's smart of them. And they put the three students best suited for holding Gang Orca back on the front line. And one of them did fight with All for One with All Might, so she knows how to handle herself in this type of situation. Nice work!"
Inasa glared down at Shoto as his passion had immediately disappeared. "Of course you're here, too..."
"Mm," Izuka gave a small frown up at him.
"I just can't help but hate both of you."
Shoto looked at him wide-eyed and then turned away. That's my line. Everything you say is a distraction. He gritted his teeth angrily, knowing that if Inasa was around, he'd be too distracted by the boy's hatred. That he thought Shoto was the same as Endeavor when really, he didn't want anything to do with his father's goals still. "Why don't you go help with the first-aid station instead? Your Quirk would be good for that!"
"Uh! Todoroki," Izuka turned to him in disbelief. "You two can't just separate, we'll need all the help we can get! I'm asking for a lot here, but is that really the best decision?"
"It'll be fine," He shook his head as Inasa kept his intense glare. He didn't see it as splitting up to make things easier. More so, he saw it as Shoto undermining his skills. Which was the last thing he needed to hear. "The two of us will take care of him!"
"Todoroki, come on!" The girl protested as a wind tornado surrounded Inasa. Shoto held out a hand towards Gang Orca, who watched the trio closely.
"Here they come..."
Shoto flung his arm to use his fire just as Inasa used a powerful wind attack. Both of them headed for Gang Orca...and then cancelled each other out before they could reach him. Because the wind had messed up Shoto's aim, and the fire made the wind miss.
"Uhh..." Izuka opened her mouth in disbelief, an eyebrow twitching while sweating immensely. Did they really think that was gonna work...?
"Huh?" One of the terrorists murmured in confusion at this. "Where are they aiming?"
"Why'd you use your flames?!" Inasa shouted down at Shoto, who looked embarrassed by the messed-up shot. "The heat makes the air rise up!"
"Because he didn't fall to my ice earlier or hers," Shoto gritted his teeth a little, glancing up at Inasa. "You ruined my shot on purpose, didn't you? Using your wind to blow away my fire!"
Izuku glanced back with a gasp as he could hear the arguing. "You blocked me so you'd get all the glory!" Inasa argued right back at him.
"What?!" Shoto asked him, baffled since that wasn't like him at all. That would be something Endeavor would do, or even Katsuki. "Why would I do something like that? Mido, can you tell him I wouldn't do something like that?"
She pinched her nose, looking exasperated. "Why do I have to be involved...?"
"Why wouldn't you? Hatred's in your blood. You are Endeavor's son. Hey, Midoriya!" Izuka flinched from being called out, looking over her shoulder. "You can see it, right? Tell me I'm not the only one!"
Shoto glared at him asking her the question since she knew that he had family problems. Something he didn't think Inasa could understand. Izuka herself looked to be done with both of them, and it hadn't even been 10 minutes.
"What the hell has been up with you this whole time?" He demanded from the boy, straightening up. "My old man's got nothing to do-" Something grey suddenly hit him, and he looked up wide-eyed.
"Like my Cement Gun? Good luck trying to move when that hardens up," One of the terrorists called out.
"Shoto!" Izuka whipped around to him in concern.
"This is outrageous," Gang Orca commented at the behavior of the two boys. "I can't believe you're arguing."
Izuka gritted her teeth as she ran up to Gang Orca. "This attack ends now!" She jumped up while firing a shooting star. Gang Orca used his ultrasonic wave once again to counterattack it. She held up her arms to make a star-shaped shield in front of her. However, the strength of the attack caused her to fly backwards. She yelped as she landed in a crouch, sliding to a stop.
"Mido, are you okay?!" Shoto looked over to her.
"I should be asking you that," She glanced over to him, seeing the terrorists about to fire. She dove towards Shoto as he created an ice wall and she used her Uranus Orbit around it for reinforcement. She then rolled to a stop.
Inasa flew around in the air, avoiding the shots of cement flying towards him. "This has everything to do..." The two UA students looked up while Izuka was trying to get the hardened cement off. "With your cold-blooded father."
"Is this really the time?" Izuka called out to him, but he ignored her. All he could think about was what happened to make him hate Endeavor so much.
A younger Inasa beamed with a small blush on his face. "To me, heroes should be full of passion." He was looking towards Endeavor, who had just stopped a villain. "They bring hope and inspiration to people with the fire burning in their hearts! They care!" Endeavor had a triumphant smirk on his face, instead of one that should've been of care from a hero.
Inasa held out a small board and marker for an autograph, as Endeavor was someone he looked up to so much. But instead...he slapped both objects away carelessly. "Move it. You're in my way," He growled out as the items hit the ground with a small thump. Inasa shook with fear from this reaction as he couldn't believe what he had witnessed. He was sitting on the ground as he could only look up in silence.
"It was a shock to meet your father. Because the only thing I could see in his eyes was an insatiable anger aimed at the entire world." What he didn't know was that it was aimed at All Might, and Endeavor was too focused on his goal to beat him.
Students that were recommended to UA were heading towards the school for the entrance exam. "And then, at the entrance exam, I saw you." Inasa looked around in excitement and then he saw Shoto walking away in silence. "And I knew who you were immediately." He approached Shoto eagerly and talked to him, only to get no response. He beamed a little at the boy. "Because when I said hello..."
Shoto had the same look in his eyes that his father did the day Inasa met him. "You're in the way."
"Your eyes were the same as his."
Izuka's eyes slowly widened, glancing towards Shoto. He met both of them...and they turned him away? Endeavor I could understand a little, but...Shoto back then was a very different person. Even when he started UA, he was never that friendly with us. There has to be a big misunderstanding here...
She wasn't defending Endeavor's ideals at all, nor did she care for him. But if his issues with his family and All Might were hurting other people like this, then she was going to have a problem with it.
"You think we're the same?" Shoto gave him a small glare. He didn't want to be compared to his father in any sense. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Guys! This isn't what we should be focusing on!" Izuka squeezed her eyes shut. "I know that you two are both going through a lot, but please! Can't we just work together on the villains? Your personal feelings shouldn't be getting in the way, both of you!"
As she spoke, the Orca terrorists were still attacking the ice wall.
"You're a fool," Shoto snarled and she looked at him in shock. "I'm nothing like him," He growled out, as he didn't want to have this conversation. But it was just distracting. I have to stop listening. He's just someone who hates my father. He doesn't really know me. I have to focus on the test. He narrowed his eyes as he tried to calm down. I have to keep my cool. I have no feelings about my old man anymore. And yet, despite this, he felt a fire burning within him thinking about Endeavor. And that was something he didn't want for himself. No. There is still some hate inside me. He felt like the fire was turning into the silhouette of his father, which he didn't want to focus on. But with Inasa, it was next to impossible to ignore it. His left arm was on fire thinking about the whole situation. Dammit. This is no good. The flame got a little smaller, two employees glancing to each other.
Gang Orca let out a small huff, shaking his head in disapproval. "A villain in front of you, and two of you have done nothing."
"Jeez," Mera gave a bored look.
"You and your father are the only heroes I can't accept!" Inasa growled out, gritting his teeth. Izuka shook her head rapidly to snap out of it. As much as she wanted to help them, she couldn't ignore the attack either.
I don't have time to get involved with their dick-measuring contest. I need to do something and something quick! Or else they're both gonna fail! I really hope this can get them back on track. She rushed out of hiding and jumped up to the sky using her shooting star. The ones with the Cement Guns looked up and fired as she swung her arm.
"Jupiter Wind!" She fired off an attack of wind to knock back the cement. The terrorists all jumped around to avoid them.
"Hmm. I'm almost impressed with how much she's not tolerating their arguing..." Gang Orca murmured while looking up at the girl, since he heard their conversation. "And instead, she's trying to help both of them focus so they can pass..."
"You don't deserve the title!" Inasa raised a hand, wind surrounding it. "Understand?! Now move!"
Focus! Shoto aimed his fire, but once again, both attacks cancelled out. Instead, they went upwards while heading straight for Izuka. Both of them flinched in alarm, looking up at her wide-eyed as their hearts dropped. "WATCH OUT!" The two of them shouted just as she turned around in a slow fashion. She had no time to react as the wind hit her first in the chin hard, causing her body to go limp. And then the fire hit her in the stomach, causing her to go flying backwards.
"MIDO!" Shoto screamed up at her, but she didn't respond.
"Again? And now I just hurt someone?! Are you kidding me?!" Inasa growled as Izuka continued to fall. However, both of them noticed...that she was falling towards fire heading for Yo, because he had just woken up from Gang Orca's attack. Shoto's eyes widened in horror for the danger they just caused for the both of them.
No! He'll be incinerated and she'll get injured!
Someone zipped by and Gang Orca looked up. Izuku was carrying Yo by the vest, looking up as Izuka was right above him. He braced himself as she landed on his back, a few scrapes on her face. But otherwise, she was okay. Shoto looked up at him in shock for his arrival, though somewhat relieved that Izuka was safe. Inasa's eyes widened to see him as well. Izuka gripped onto her brother's back, revealing that she was not unconscious as her hand shook.
"Seriously?" She growled out towards them with an intense look from behind her brother's back. Not because she just got hurt, but because they were still so focused on fighting with each other instead of the actual problem at hand. Even when I reach out a helping hand, that still wasn't enough!
"Dammit. What are you two doing?!" Izuku yelled down at the two. He had the same mindset as Izuka, just as frustrated as she was right about now.
"He's right! Whatever you two have pent up about each other, that's not important right now! So what are you gonna do to pass?!" She screamed down at them, her hair flying around.
I've never been afraid of anything. Even when I was a kid, I was fearless.
A roach ran around in a rapid fashion. "Ah! It's so fast and cool!" Inasa then picked it up with his bare hands, freaking out two girls from his school. "I dig these little bugs!" He smiled as he held a second one as well.
I could find reasons to like just about anything.
They wiggled in his hands and he had no problem with it whatsoever.
That's why...the minute I understood what a hero was, I knew what I was going to be when I grew up.
He watched a hero on TV and then pumped a fist into the air excitedly. 'Tackling crises, rescuing people, risking their lives for the sake of the world.' He watched as the superhero gained the upper hand on the supervillain, putting him in a headlock. Inasa beamed happily in admiration over the display. 'That took real passion!'
However...his mind came back to how Endeavor treated him. Which is why I couldn't understand him. Endeavor. Who had eyes that seemed to hate everything they saw. He was the only thing I couldn't stand. When he saw Endeavor that day...it unnerved him that someone who was supposed to be fighting of the world...could look so hateful. Even though deep down, he didn't know the full story of Endeavor.
"Rock on!" Present Mic announced at the UA entrance exam. "The written part of the recommendation test is over. The practical's next," His sunglasses shined a little. "And then, finally, the interview. You'll go six at a time for the practical. Get steppin' when your number's called." Six boys stood in front of them, and three of them were Inasa, Shoto, and Juzo Honenuki. "The exam will be a three-kilometer race. But it's an obstacle course, so you can't just run straight through it," Present Mic warned all of them. Behind him was the obstacle course. "Use your Quirks to reach the finish!"
Inasa smiled proudly at the challenge in front of him. 'This is it. The best hero school in Japan.'
The buzzer sounded off and he ran through the course using his wind. 'The most passionate training I could hope for is waiting for me!' He narrowly missed a bunch of ice right next to him from Shoto. He was practically skating on it, to the amazement of Inasa. 'Making an ice path to move. That's smart.' He clamped his mouth shut, as he recalled Shoto's expression from earlier. 'I really didn't like the look in his eyes. But his abilities are on fire!' He then gave a slightly annoyed look while staring at the boy. 'He'll probably be accepted after this.' He had a hopeful smile that things would turn out differently compared to Endeavor. 'Then maybe I can become friends with him, and his eyes won't bother me anymore!'
He then raced faster with his wind, hoping to be on par with Shoto. He crossed the finish line by stretching out his foot. "Wowzah! Number 41 finishes first by a hair!"
Inasa grinned widely while Shoto gritted his teeth for his stolen win.
Present Mic opened his mouth in disbelief. 'And it's three minutes faster than the average time!'
"Alright!" Inasa cheered, pumping up his fists happily. "I won! But who knows what'll happen next time," He pumped a fist while turning to Shoto. "You were amazing! I'm guessing you must be Endeavor's kid, am I right?" Shoto flinched upon hearing this. "That's so awesome."
"Shut up," Shoto growled, since that was a sore spot Inasa didn't know he was hitting. Inasa flinched, looking at him in surprise. "I just came here to pass a stupid test, that's all. I don't care if I beat you or not, so give it a rest."
Inasa opened his mouth a little in disbelief to be dismissed the way he was. He then noticed Shoto's eyes again...they were still the same as when they met.
'Those eyes.'
"You're in my way."
He then gave a horrified look by Shoto's behavior. 'It's like he hates something...that isn't even here.' He couldn't even imagine what it was.
"Dammit. What are you two doing?!" Izuku yelled down at the two. He had the same mindset as Izuka, just as frustrated as she was right about now.
"He's right! Whatever you two have pent up about each other, that's not important right now! So what are you gonna do to pass?!" She screamed down at them, her hair flying around.
Both Shoto and Inasa looked at them in shock as they landed hard into the ground, causing some smoke. Izuka coughed as she sat up, covering her mouth with her wrist. Izuku bent down to the girl. "Are you okay?!"
"Me? What about those two?" She looked towards them with a deep frown. "They're not gonna accomplish much at this rate!"
"Hard to believe they're from top schools," A teacher from the stadium rubbed his chin.
"Probably end up failing," Another one from the row behind commented, her arms crossed. "Not that I'd blame the judges."
Mera was typing onto his computer, keeping his eyes on the screen.
A Quirk that uses wind. And it was so strong that it managed to hit Mido faster than she could dodge it. Shoto gasped as he looked up in realization at Inasa. That's right. He was in my way. He beat me at the recommendation exam. Inasa gave him another intense glare, as he had a small feeling Shoto recognized him. His eyes shook a little as...that might've been why Inasa never went to UA after all. Because he didn't want to be around Shoto if he had been in the same class as the boy. Because...that was when he started to hate him. Why didn't I remember him? He's so loud and obnoxious. However, in this moment, his face wasn't that at all... I guess I wasn't really seeing him back then. I just needed to reject that bastard. Once again, his father came to mind. I wasn't thinking about anything else.
Shoto looked at his left hand, his eyes softening. "I forgot all about you."
Endeavor let out a sharp gasp from hearing this...the fact that Shoto still wanted nothing to do with his intentions despite using his left side. "Whether that's a good thing or not..." He then walked right past his father. "Well, I guess I'll find out."
I did everything I could to ignore who I am.
Endeavor simply glanced over his shoulder, not even saying anything as he was still processing what just happened.
Is that catching up to me? And now because of my father, I've hurt my friend! All she was doing was just trying to help me, the both of us. My past, and my blood... His left arm caught on fire while Inasa surrounded his body with wind. He narrowed his eyes up at Inasa. I can't just bury them or forget about them.
She had no time to react as the wind hit her first in the chin hard, causing her body to go limp. And then the fire hit her in the stomach, causing her to go flying backwards.
"MIDO!" Shoto screamed up at her, but she didn't respond.
Nor should I be hurting my friend with either of those things...
Gang Orca reached out a hand, looking very menacing. He was tired of the two fighting at this point. "No more games." Shoto turned around sharply as the hero was reaching out to him from behind. "First I'll stop the wind," He looked up at Inasa first. The hero then used a sonic wave to knock his wind away.
"No!" He cried out at this, letting out a painful yell from the ringing in his ears.
"Got im!" One of them jumped up and down happily.
"That's our boss! A total powerhouse!"
"Now it's time to trap these do-gooders in cement!"
Inasa grunted as he fell towards the ground. "No good. I can't control it..."
"Hey!" Shoto looked up at him in alarm, only to be grabbed by the neck by Gang Orca.
"You reap what you sow," He brought the boy closer, using his sonic wave in close proximity. Shoto grunted in pain from the noise just as Inasa landed on his face. Shoto struggled to breathe, another gust of wind coming in. Gang Orca turned around to Inasa summoning his Quirk despite not moving. He was too far away. He's not done yet.
The Orca Terrorists then ran off with their Cement Guns. "While the boss is at it, let's go destroy the evacuation shelter! He'll love that!"
"Hell yeah!"
Shit! Shoto gritted his teeth while struggling to move. But between his right arm in cement and Gang Orca's hold, he couldn't.
Not like this... Inasa shook a little, not wanting to fail this way.
"Dammit! What are you two doing?!"
"He's right! Whatever you two have pent up about each other, that's not important right now! So what are you gonna do to pass?!"
The memory of Izuka getting hurt by both Quirks also came to mind to them once again. Seriously! Both boys thought in unison.
Inasa's eyes shook, knowing that if he didn't egg on Shoto, this wouldn't have happened. And he wouldn't have accidentally hurt another examinee. How did I become...everything I hated?
Shoot bit his lip hard, acknowledging that if he had listened to his friend, he wouldn't have caused this. If he had just been nicer to Inasa in the beginning... I'm in this mess...because of my own actions.
Izuka stared into his eyes with empathy during the Sports Festival. "And I also wanted to say that I understand what it's like to feel like you're trapped," She confessed, earning a gasp from him. "I wish I was in control as you are with your Quirk, fire or ice."
Izuka showed him her sketchbook once they were off the bus and he gave a small nod of approval.
"You can call me Shoto or Todoroki. We're friends, aren't we?" He gave her a small smile, surprising everyone.
"Todoroki-San, stop!" Izuka grabbed his arm gently and he yanked it away.
"Stay out of this, Mido. If you won't stand up for yourself, then I will."
She squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm stopping you from probably making the biggest mistake of your life!"
"I think that with enough time, we can be really good friends, if that's what you want," She smiled a little, holding out her hand. "So can we have a do-over?"
And I even broke my promise to Mido...! What kind of friend am I?
I have to fix this! Both he and Inasa thought at the same time.
"Oh no!" Mina cried out while dragging the HUC child. "They're gonna catch us! Faster, guys!"
Izuku looked up at the terrorists while still holding onto Yo. At this point, Izuka had gotten back on her feet. She watched him put down Yo and she placed him on a flying star, moving him out of harm's way. They're too close. We have to be the front line.
Yo jumped off the flying star and then pushed himself in between the twins before either of them could do anything. "I'll take care of this!" He slammed down his hand, causing the ground to vibrate and become uneven. The Orca Terrorists let out a yelp as they couldn't stand.
"Whoa, Shindo!" Izuku looked down at him in shock.
"Thank you," Izuka blinked incredibly at him—though part of her dreaded Katsuki finding out about this.
"I thought you couldn't move because of his blast," Izuku pointed out in disbelief.
"Well, my extremities are still pretty numb, but I'll bounce back," He confessed to the both of them. "Soundwaves aren't that bad. Not much different from my vibrations. So I've built up a pretty good tolerance to them. Might be the first time I've been thankful for that recoil. Anyway..." He looked up at them, annoyed. "I was trying to get a surprise attack in on that whale! And then those two first-years ruined it!"
Both of them stared down at him awkwardly, since he wasn't able to move during that time to begin with.
So intense... Izuku looked a bit afraid.
Would it even have worked even if he pulled that off? I'm proof that those two aren't able to get a grip on the test right now... Izuka gave a small awkward laugh.
"I've tripped the henchmen," He looked back up ahead at the army, causing them to regain their attention. "Now you two make sure they're out of the game. We'll split up and get the remaining injured to the shelter!"
"Right!" Izuku activated his power and ran off.
"You can count on us!" Izuka jumped up to the sky using a shooting star.
"Now then," Gang Orca dropped Shoto onto the ground, looking over to Inasa, who hadn't moved. "I'll take down the wind-user and continue with the attack." He turned around and took a few steps forward.
Shoto shook a little, trying to recollect himself. We competed with each other for no reason. He twitched as he then fell to the ground face-first. And we got Mido involved in our competition. Our Quirks aren't compatible, and we have zero teamwork. That must've been what she was trying to show us when she stepped in. There's no way we can beat a top hero when we're at odds like this. Hopefully, he understands too, and feels the same way I do.
He glared towards Inasa, his left side of his face lighting up. "The heat makes the air rise up!"
He activated his flames while still on the ground. Come on. Work with me. He sent out a huge flame from his body.
Inasa slowly looked up at him. I'm so numb that I can't put much into my Quirk, but... Nevertheless, he understood where Shoto was going with his plan. I have to do this! He then activated his wind, sending some towards Shoto. Together, they combined their Quirks into a wind-fire attack.
With fire...
And wind...
Gang Orca could only stare at their attempt. We'll trap you! One side was fire, and the other was wind while surrounding Gang Orca. He braced himself while looking towards Inasa, who was still on the ground.
He didn't even move his body. His strength and accuracy have decreased...but his incapacity wasn't complete. He's able to control his Quirk. Barely. And this one. He looked back at Shoto, who hadn't moved from his spot either. Todoroki can't move either. But he's adding his raw power to Yaorashi's attack. This won't make up for their foolishness earlier, or for hurting Izuka Midoriya...but it's not a bad start. He narrowed his eyes as he realized why they were going to this length towards him. They realized their mistake. And as such, they're trying to make up for it. Both of them were laser focused on their Quirks, despite being unable to move. I have to admire their persistence.
"Hey, behind us!" One of the Orca Terrorists cried out, noticing what was going on with Gang Orca.
"The boss is trapped by some kinda fire tornado!"
"Isn't that bad? He's an orca, so he's super weak when he gets dried out!" One of them realized in concern. "Forget the wind. Stop the flame!"
All of them immediately began firing the Cement Guns towards Shoto. He sensed their attack, however, and put up an ice wall behind him. "What?!"
"Todoroki! He used both sides!"
He looked up towards the group. 'If I could only use both sides at the same time. Switching slows me down. I need to practice more. That's right, one of Mido's abilities involves ice and fire. Maybe I should ask her for advice.'
Izuka clenched her hands into fists, throwing her arms as huge blasts of fire and ice came from her hands.
'When I can't move...my speed doesn't make a difference.' He then gritted his teeth towards the army.
"Should we go back and help?" One of them wondered, though they didn't have time to think about this.
"Hey, look out!" Another looked up to see the twins heading towards them.
Smash! Izuku kicked several back with his leg.
Comet...Burst! Izuka recoiled back her arm as fire appeared to form into a comet. She then threw it at the ground, not towards the people. She managed to explode the ground underneath a group and they all yelped while flying into the sky out of control.
We can stop them! Izuku gave a determined look as he and Izuka stood back to back.
"Keep shooting!" One of them ordered while they fired the Cement Guns once again. Mashirao used his tail to grab one of them by the arm. He then landed and jumped behind the man.
"I'll take this," He used his tail to knock him down and then pushed one away quickly. He rushed back over to the twins.
"Nice moves," Izuku gave him a small smile.
"All that hard work training paid off," Izuka let out a small hum, looking over her shoulder.
"Kay," Mashirao didn't register the compliments as he was staying focused. "The injured have all been evacuated, and reinforcements should be here any minute now," He reported to the two of them with a small smile, all of them preparing themselves.
Mera continued to stare at the computer screen. He was watching Ochaco and Momo rescuing more HUC members. Looks like almost all of HUC has been rescued. They only have 3 people to get to safety before they're done. He then switched the screen to see Tenya, Minoru, and Mezo still rescuing others as well. Then, the test will be over for the year. They just have to do their best to hold Gang Orca off until then. He then looked up towards the ceiling, hoping that it was done sooner or later. I'll be able to sleep soon...
Mina fired her acid while Dark Shadow reached out. "Hey guys!" Mina gave a small smile, both students having jumped in to attack. "You miss me?"
"We're here to help," Fumikage assured their friends.
"Ashido-Chan and Tokoyami-San!" Izuka smiled at the two in relief.
"Mow them down!" Their sudden appearance didn't stop the Orca Terrorists from firing the Cement Guns. "Don't let up!"
"Ribbit!" A large tongue flung them onto the ground. Tsuyu revealed that she was in camouflage as she stood up.
"Asui-er, Tsu!" Izuku corrected himself in shock. "When did you sneak over here?"
"I've been training my frog skills," She revealed as her tongue went back to her. "And I've finally reached a new level of control. Camouflage. That's my new special move."
"Oooh!" Izuka's eyes shined a little. "Thank you for the save, Tsu-Chan!"
"Wow, Asui," Mashirao looked at her in surprise as well. "Are you done with the search and rescue already?"
"For the most part," She reported back to him. "Ribbit! Look out!"
Mashirao turned around to see more Orca Terrorists heading towards him. Suddenly, a bunch of hair knocked them away before they could attack. And they couldn't break free from it either. It was revealed to be Nagamasa who had assisted.
"Shiketsu High!" Mashirao exclaimed in disbelief that he showed up.
"I sent Inasa here to help," Nagamasa revealed to the others. "But he has disgraced our school's name," He then looked up intensely. "There should be no enemies left!" He then sent out a large clump of hair around him.
"So strong!" Mashirao looked up at this.
"Yeah..." Tsuyu murmured in a bit of awe.
"We're not done yet," Fumikage jumped up past him and they followed.
Gang Orca was still caught in the wind-fire tornado. The twins looked up ahead, narrowing their eyes. They could tell what was going on just by looking. "A cyclone prison of wind and fire. Not bad," Gang Orca spoke up from his spot. "An ordinary villain would give up. Would weep and beg your mercy. But what would you do..." He had water and was pouring it over him to prevent himself from getting dried out. "If your desperate trap was not enough. You must always be planning your next move!"
Shoto and Inasa were at a loss for words from this, and then Gang Orca broke himself out of the trap. The wind-fire tornado went away, though a few smaller flames were still around.
"So? What now?!" Gang Orca challenged them both.
I have nothing... Shoto could only stare at him, since neither of the boys could move still.
Inasa let out a small frustrated growl. Gang Orca then reached out a hand.
"No!" Izuku cried out from above. "Get away from those two!"
"We won't let you hurt them!" Izuka declared while swooping down from the other side using her flying star. Izuku reached out to kick as she held out her hand, firing off ice from her Mercury Blast. Gang Orca held up both of his arms to stop them in place. The girl gasped sharply at this reaction time.
"The Midoriyas!" Gang Orca's eyes got intense looking at them. Inasa and Shoto looked up in alarm, his left side of his face giving off smoke.
How do they always do this...?
The two were just about to attack...when a buzzer went off, getting their attention. "Um, yeah, so at this time, all of the HUC members who were deployed have been rescued from the disaster zone," Mera announced to every single person. Katsuki was storming off while Denki and Eijiro held HUC members.
"Huh? Really?" Denki looked up in surprise.
"We were the last ones?" Eijiro turned to him, just as caught off guard.
"It may seem anticlimactic, but with this, the provisional licensing exam has officially been completed!"
The twins let out a small gasp, having been released by Gang Orca. Izuku had managed to damage some of his armor though with the kick. His sister had managed to do the same.
"It's over...?"
"Just like that...?" Izuka murmured while glancing to her brother.
"After we tally the scores, we'll announce the results here in the arena. Anyone injured should go to the infirmary. The rest of you are free to change clothes and wait wherever you like."
"Sorry, boss," One of the terrorists rubbed the back of his head. "I guess we didn't do our job all that well, huh? And your restraining gear must've made it pretty hard to move."
"No. The gear wasn't the problem," He spoke up to his team, scratching the side of his head. "That tower of flame was an inspired attack. And with the Midoriyas' surprise counter once I had been weakened...we might have had a hard time if the test went on. Even lost. Hmph..."
"Okay," Mera mumbled out tiredly. "Everyone. Thanks for your hard work in today's exam." Everyone was dressed into their respective school uniforms again. "Now, before I announce the results. I should probably explain the way we evaluated you. Between HUC, and those of us at the Heroes Public Safety Commission..." As he spoke, Ochaco was waiting nervously as she closed her eyes. She reached out to take Izuka's hand, who squeezed it hopefully. The short girl had gone to the infirmary at this point, some bandages on her face and arms. "We had a two-fold demerit system that we used to determine your total scores. In other words, we were evaluating you based on how few mistakes you made in a crisis situation."
Shoto and Inasa in particular didn't have high hopes for their scores. Both of them gave a brief glance to Izuka, but she didn't pay either of them any mind. She was just waiting for her name to be up there as she bit her lip. However, Katsuki did notice, and he didn't have a good feeling about it as he gritted his teeth.
"Anyway, the names of those who passed are listed here in alphabetical order. Keep my words in mind as you search the screen for your name," He gestured to the big screen next to him as all of the names popped up. Everyone looked for their name intensely.
Midoriya...Midoriya... Izuku then gasped sharply, his heart beating...