Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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Character Speech: “hello”

All Might or other Dynamic Character Speech: “ I Am Here! ”

Thoughts: I wonder if my favorite shampoo is still available?

Foreign Language: “ hello ”

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Izuku walked out of his room bright and early in the morning ready for his first day. His mother was in the kitchen already making breakfast. Her dark green hair was pulled up in its usual bun, she turned to him, excitement clear on her face. "Good morning Izuku!" 

Izuku smiled it had reassured him that his mother was happy. It had pained him when he was younger when she looked so sad, thin, and lost. "Good morning mom, how are you today?" 

She smiled happily, "I'm well Izuku, are you ready for your first day?" He nodded. 

"Of course, it's all been leading up to this. In fact, that was why I came home early yesterday, my boss let me go early because of that." He said while sitting down. 

Inko put his plate down in front of him, "are you still going to work even though you'll be at U.A?" 

"It's a fun job and I don't think they'll mind." The unsaid, we need the money as well , hung in the air between them. 

*********

Izuku walked toward the main entrance of U.A his uniform was perfect except for his mini tie as he had never learned how to tie one. His mother's boyfriend did offer to teach him but he turned him down. Besides he liked his mini-tie it reminded him of an old cartoon character. He ran his hand through his hair, he had combed or at least attempted to comb his hair back but it still stuck up in places. 

He wandered around the hallways searching for his classroom when he finally came across the door to 1-A. "What kind of students did they have before?" The door was massive, clearly built for students with large mutation quirks. 

He pulled the door open to the side and already inside was most of his classmates. Including the guy with glasses and Kacchan. They were having their own type of loud discussion that the rest of the class was engrossed in their conversation so they ignored his entrance. He shrugged and went to find a seat in the back. To his right was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen with long dark hair pulled up in a high ponytail. He looked away so as not to be caught staring. 

To her right, he saw his semi-possible friend Shoto Todoroki. After dropping off his things he made his way over to him. "Yo Todoroki-kun nice to see you again." 

Shoto looked up at him and nodded respectfully, "Midoriya, nice to see you again. What do you expect from this class?" He asked awkwardly, trying out small talk. 

Izuku smiled knowing what he was trying to do, "I don't know I mean it's just homeroom. I'm kinda curious about the teacher though, you know that most of the staff here are pro heroes, I wonder who we got?" 

"Uh excuse me?" They both turn their attention to the girl next to them. She looks at them shyly then back down at her desk before taking a deep breath. "I know who the teacher is." 

"Who is it?" Shoto asked. 

"Well, it's a Pro-hero named Eraserhead. That's kind of all I know about him." She said her face was neon. It was clear that she was not used to speaking with new people and was embarrassed. 

Izuku had a thoughtful expression on his face, "oh I know him. He's an underground pro-hero, he can erase quirks just by looking at them. He wears special goggles too so that you can't tell who he's looking at. I once saw it on a loud resolution video online, he's got interesting tactics." Both Momo and Shoto are awed by his knowledge.

"He would've been big if he went public," Shoto said. 

Izuku shook his head, “Yeah, but he probably didn't want to. In the end, he probably felt like the media would get in the way of his job. Some heroes don't mind it but others just feel that it gets in the way of their job that's why they'd prefer to be underground." 

"Well, what about you? Would you prefer to be a public hero or an underground?" Momo asked. 

He had a thoughtful expression on his face, "Both are appealing, personally, I'd prefer to be an underground hero, I tend to freeze up on cameras." He said jokingly, "Ultimately, my goal is to form a hero team so it'd be up to the majority of what they want. I'd go along with it." 

Shoto raised an eyebrow, "wouldn't you be in charge couldn't you overrule them?" Momo nodded in agreement. 

Izuku shrugged, "true but wouldn't that undermine the unity?" 

"Uh…" Momo said quietly interrupting their current discussion, "sorry it's just we've been talking for a while and I don't know either of your names." 

"I'm Midoriya Izuku and this is Todoroki Shoto." Shoto nodded in acknowledgment. 

"How do you two know each other?" She questioned as if she wasn't there when they first met.

"We met after the entrance exam. We had an enlightening conversation about heroes." Izuku said. 

"Are you two friends?" She said tentatively.

The two exchanged a look before nodding at one another. "We're friends.

"We're best friends," Izuku added with a grin. Unbeknownst to him, it gives Shoto a warm feeling. 

Momo smiles and then brings her hands under the desk and taps her index fingers together nervously. "Well, would you m-m-mind having another friend?" 

Izuku is stunned but gives her a genuine smile, "sure I wouldn't mind another friend, I can't speak for him though." 

Shoto stared at her appraisingly, Momo was blushing harshly under his gaze. He looks away, with some red on his cheeks. "I don't mind either." He didn’t come here to make friends but he wouldn't mind them. Momo claps her hands together pleased.

"Thank you I'm Yaoyoruzo Momo. It's a pleasure to meet you both." 

"Excuse me Midoriya-san?" Izuku turns around to see the glasses guy from his exam. 

"Ah hello, I've been meaning to talk to you. My name is Iida Tenya. I'd like to apologize actually for how I treated you back there at the entrance exam." 

He waved him off, "no it was my fault, I made a mistake and misjudged you. Then again you are the one who figured out the true meaning of the test." He declared proudly bringing attention toward Izuku. 

He smiled politely, when got the letter he was congratulated for his high amount of hero points for saving individuals and taking out the Zero-Pointer. "I didn't actually, it's just when I see someone in trouble my body just moves, it reacts to help them. For example, when the Zero-Pointer came out I saw two things I saw that someone was in trouble and that it was making massive amounts of collateral damage so I moved to stop it. I didn't have a plan B after stopping it, actually, if it wasn't for that girl that slapped me then I would've died." He admitted earnestly. 

Tenya then began to applaud Momo, Shoto, and a girl with vines for hair. The rest of the class began to applaud him as well. “Amazing Midoriya-kun!”  Tenya called out, tears falling from his eyes. He was not the only one; another individual with red-spiky hair also had tears in his eyes and was mouthing praise for Izuku. The only one that wasn't was the boy with spiky blonde hair who sat near the entrance was glaring daggers at Izuku, his palms were steaming. 

The door was pulled open yet again, this time a short brunette female came in with an even shorter blonde girl. This girl had long wavy blonde hair that stopped above her butt, she had two large horns on either side of her head that made her look taller. She turned her bright blue eyes on everyone, she raised a peace sign and laid it on her forehead. "Hi, I'm Pony Tsunotori! I'm excited to be here with y'all !"

She had slipped into her natural accent by accident and it was clear that the others had noticed as they were momentarily lost. Izuku then stepped up to go and talk to her, “ Awesome looking forward to working with you !” Pony shot up excitedly, her head barely reaching Izuku’s chin. 

“ You can speak English too ! ” Now that Izuku was closer he could see that she had hooves and a tail that was poking through her skirt. He nodded in response to her statement, “ so cool, now I have an English speaking buddy !” 

Shoto had made his way to Izuku along with Momo and Tenya. “You can speak English?” 

He waved his hand in maybe fashion, “so-so, it’s the grammar that really has me confused. I know some phrases and words, nothing really too major. Can’t you guys?” 

Shoto waved his hand in a similar function, Momo nodded, and Tenya looked away embarrassed. “Not at the moment but I will learn this. For the sake of my classmate!” He declared pumping his fist in the air, Pony mimicked him matching his energy. 

Ochako was about to tap on Izuku's shoulder when a cough at the door caught their attention. "You're too noisy." It was a man? In a yellow sleeping zipper up to his chin. 

"All of you be quiet and sit down." He wiggled his way to the podium then unzipped the sleeping bag. "It took you ten seconds to quiet down. Now introductions, I’m your teacher Shouta Aizawa…" he pauses to let it sink in. "Alright, that's out of the way." He reaches behind the podium, pulling out a standard gym uniform, and tosses it to a plain-looking boy with a tail. "Everyone picks one up on your way out we're heading to the field, we're gonna do a Quirk Apprehension test." Before anybody else can say anything he picks up his sleeping bag and walks out of the classroom. 

The class was confused but quickly complied, going up to the podium to grab their gym uniforms. Shouta had stayed at the door and was keeping his eye on the students but one in particular. He clicked his teeth and then walked away. 

*********

(Outdoor Field)

Once everyone was out there, Shouta appraised them momentarily and then tossed the ball to the angry blonde boy at the front.  "Bakugo, you got first in the entrance exam. How far was your softball throw in Middle School?" 

"67 meters ." He said, staring at the ball in his hands.

"Use your quirk, see how far it goes this time." He said walking away, making some distance between himself and Katsuki. 

Katsuki thinks to himself, all right I'll add some spice with this one ! He brings it back and then on the throw his palm ignites and launches the ball far. He screams out, "DIE!" During his throw just so the class knows who their strongest is. 

Each of them are surprised by the explosion he created to throw the ball, and his choice of words made one roll his eyes. "Hmm, good throw." He has a smartphone that displays the score. He shows it to the rest of the class off and it impresses everyone. 

It says 709.6 meters on the screen. “For this test, you'll be doing a series of physical tests, and you’ll use your quirks to boost up your score.” 

"All right, let's use our quirks! Let's show it off!" A girl with matching pink hair and skin calls out. It appears to be the wrong thing to say as Shouta's eyes widen and his quirk activates. His hair is raised and his eyes shine with a red light. 

"Really think it's time to show off? Alright, fine the person who doesn't impress me will be the one expelled." There is the terse moment of silence that came after his statement, everyone feels a pit grow in their stomachs at the idea of being expelled on the first day. 

Tenya whispered to himself, "impossible, no that's just an empty threat." He said, trying to calm himself down. 

Momo nodded to herself, " yes there's no way he'd be willing to expel a student on the first day." Several of their classmates overheard and breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Sorry but you're wrong." Everyone turned their attention to Izuku who had his arms crossed over his chest. "It's in his eyes this guy's determined. He's making us a promise, if we don't impress him and show how strong we've trained our quirks then he'll kick us out. He’s making sure that we match the strength we showed off during the exam." Izuku took a step forward and smirked at his teacher. "I'm ready sir. I'll earn my spot and so will everyone else." He pointed to him declaring his intention. 

That in turn hyped everyone up, they began to feel hopeful about this test. A tall spiky red-haired boy stepped up behind Izuku. "Let's do this! Let's show our teacher why we earned our place!" 

Everyone cheers along with him and Izuku. 

"Eijiro Kirishima. Quirk Hardening: He can harden his body to a rock-like state making him an immovable object." Present Mic said happily. 

Even Shouta was amazed, one at how the boy was able to see through his ruse, two at how he was able to boost up the class's morale, the kid was becoming more and more interesting by the minute. Even then he still had to talk to the young man. 

Another teacher was also amazed at the tenacity the young man had. He was right behind the class hidden in the bushes, if someone were to look they could easily spot him by his two long blonde bangs styled upwards. He smiled brighter than normal as he cheered on his successor, yes Young Midoriya!

"Alright then." Shouta said, cutting through their cheers, "show me what you got!" 

**********

(The Long-run) 

The first test was a long run to see how fast they could go, while individuals like Tenya who’s quirk was meant for speed breezed through others had to get creative. The tail boy used his tail as a springboard and bounced off of it, one who shot tapes out of his arms pulled himself forward, while another boy who shot a beam out of his stomach shot himself forward using that. He did lose control briefly but quickly regained it, at the end, he lost to his partner. It was the pink-haired girl, she shot some kind of liquid from her feet and slid on those. 

Shoto matched her style only using his ice instead, Momo made a bike and rode over on that, and one of the girls just kept on leaping forward, similar to a frog. The rest of the students merely ran trying to push it further. The last two to go were Izuku and Katsuki, he growled at Izuku menacingly. Izuku ignored him and focused on his quirk. 

Much like the tape boy before him, he pulled himself forward. Only this time he shot Blackwhip from the palms of his hands. He could his partner’s gasp and he smirked at his confusion, but he knew all too well what that confusion would morph into so he prepared some more Blackwhip. He was right, after he beat Katsuki to the end he moved forward to attack Izuku with his palm outstretched sparking widely. 

“DEKU TELL ME HOW YOU GOT A QUIRK YOU QUIRKLESS BASTARD!” As he got near Izuku moved his left hand in front of him to defend himself, Blackwhip shot out and wrapped itself around Katsuki. Izuku created more and more of it so that way he could keep himself at a distance from the other boy. Katsuki was quick to notice that he was being pushed away from his target and decided to use his other hand in order to launch some explosions so he could get near Izuku. Only for that plan to fail as well, as he could no longer make any explosions with that hand. Actually, he couldn’t use his quirk at all, then he felt something else wrap itself around his forehead, chin, and his left arm. He was suspended in the air several feet away from Izuku, wrapped between two opposing forces. “WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?”

He turned around to see his teacher staring at him with red eyes, his hair defying gravity as it hung above him. “What’s going on here? Is there a problem?” He approached them like how a predator would attack his prey. 

“He was going to attack me, sir. I wanted to defend myself.” Izuku said with a clear voice, ignoring the trembling in his knees.

Shouta nodded to Izuku indicating that he understood his position and turned back to Katsuki, “and you?” 

“I wanted to know how and where he got his quirk. Last time I saw him he was a quirkless loser.” Shouta ignored his vulgar language because he was focusing on his other information. ‘ He was a quirkless loser’, so not only was Midoriya quirkless, but he and Bakugo have a history. Given the fact that Midoriya was so ready to defend himself, I can guess it’s not a nice one. He pulled back his capture weapon and turned off his quirk. 

  “Midoriya release him, Bakugo. I've got my eye on you. Do this again and you’ll be following the lowest-ranked student out of here, Is that understood?” Katsuki said nothing, he gritted his teeth and glared at Izuku. “Bakugo?” 

He stopped gritting his teeth and hung their limply, “understood.” Izuku lowered him down and once his feet hit the ground he let go and retracted the Blackwhip he used to capture him. Once it was retracted he rubbed the palm of his hand and walked back to where the other students were. 

The other students were talking amongst themselves about their teacher’s hero identity, how cool his quirk was, and the sad drawback it had. As Katsuki began to walk away, Shouta pulled out the eyedrops he kept on his belt leaving some drops on his eyes he thought to himself. Great, if I keep them then I’ll be stuck with two problem children.

  He looked at them and saw an immediate difference, Katsuki moved away from the main group preferring to be alone, Izuku on the other hand was immediately surrounded by those near him asking if he was okay. Shouta also recognized those that who were questioning him, were also the ones that seemed to be ready to move to Izuku’s defense when he captured Katsuki. 

Izuku had gotten back to where he was standing when his friends rushed him. 

“Midoriya what happened?” Shoto said rushing to his best friends side, 

“Midoriya-kun why did that ruffian do that?” Tenya was next to question him, a concerned look on his face. Momo, Pony, and the brunette from the Entrance exam were right behind him, each of them worried for their classmate. Others in the class as they did not know the boy stayed back but watched the situation with worried looks. 

Izuku clenched his fist, “I’m fine. I just used a bit more power than I'm used to so my hand’s a little numb.” I need to remember to control my emotions when I use Blackwhip, if I’m too angry when I’m using it I’ll end up losing control. 

“What! Do you need anything? Gauze, bandages, pain killers?” Momo said worriedly, shifting through the recipes to make them in her mind. Izuku gave her a reassuring smile. 

“No, it’ll go away soon thank you.” 

“What was wrong with that guy? Why would he just attack you?” Pony questioned confused as to why someone would attack Izuku. From what she could tell he seemed like a nice guy, a little plain looking so why would anyone want to hurt him. 

"Simple. He doesn't like me." That didn't settle anything and instead raised more questions for them. 

"What about you? What do you think about him?" Izuku clenched his fist and frowned. 

"I personally could care less about him. After all this the first time I've interacted with him in three years." Once again it did settle the questions the others had but they held back for now. Izuku unclenched his fist and looked up to see the girl from the entrance exam. She was staring at him worriedly, he felt his face turning red, "hi." He said simply to break the ice. 

She blinked and then her own pink cheeks took on a darker hue, "Hello." Her voice came out softly. She sounded sweet. 

He reached with his left hand to scratch the back of his head, "I'm glad to see you made it in. I'm Midoriya Izuku by the way." 

The girl gave him a small smile, "it's nice to meet you Midoriya-kun I'm Uraraka Ochako. Thank you for helping me back there. Let's go do our best!" She ended her statement with a smile, one that bothered Izuku. As if she was forcing herself to smile. 

He didn't comment on that but gave her a smile in return. "Yeah let's do our best." The others also began to do the same and introduced themselves to one another. Except for Pony and Ochako as it turns out that Ochako had helped Pony get to class. 

Shouta gave the students a bit of leeway considering what happened before but now it was time to stop it. They still had some more tests after all. "Alright, that's enough. Back to showing me why you deserve your spots!" 

Everyone has suddenly reanimated again, putting all their attention onto the test. Shouta hid his smirk underneath his scarf, they don't seem that bad. Damn it guess now I have to actually teach.

*******

The tests passed rapidly with some students excelling higher than others. For example, the six-armed boy got the highest one grip strength test, while Momo got the highest on the endurance run because she created another bike to support her, the girl Ochako actually got highest on the baseball throw considering the fact that her ball just floated upwards earning her an infinity as her score. Izuku had to admit that he did do decently on the test, earning himself the number five spot just one above Bakugo. The lowest was a girl named Jiro Kyoka, she looked fearful when Shouta turned his gaze onto her, 

“Listen up, I’m going to say this once, I came here this morning fully planning on expelling one of you, specifically the person who scored the lowest. However, you impressed me with the way you used your quirk. Therefore, you get to stay.” She took a sigh of relief. “However, let me make one thing clear, if you do not continue to impress me then I will drop you from the hero course. Head back inside, grab your syllabus they are on the desk in front.” As everyone began to head back, he called out to someone, “Midoriya hang back. I’ve gotta talk to you.” 

Izuku stood still and waved away his classmates while he went back to talk to their sensei. “Sir? You needed to talk to me?” His body language was on the defense, at any point he was ready to throw a punch or to run away. Shouta missed that because he was looking at the boy in the eyes. 

“Just one question, How’s your father?” He said that calmly and evenly, not knowing what it was doing to his student. Izuku stiffened and cursed mentally of course those at U.A would know , they’d know about him and that man. 

He sighed tapping his foot twice into the dirt,” I don’t know sir, I haven’t seen him in years. Not since I turned four and he found out that there were better things to do than hang out with his worthless child.” He said that bitterly as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. 

Shouta had remembered reading that in his file, Izuku was declared quirkless at age four but re-registered at age fourteen with a strange quirk called Blackwhip. Even though he could tell that Midoriya had heroic intentions he might’ve been faking them. From his initial observations of the students, they clearly already had some kind of respect for him. Who knows he might appear to be a white knight, only for him to turn out to be the dark knight. He hated himself for thinking like that about a student, especially one of his but the cynical part of himself was saying that you never know who your enemy might be. Determining his answer satisfactory for now, he would keep his eye on him, just to make sure. Then another question popped into his mind. 

“I know I only said one question but, what’s your relationship to Bakugo Katsuki ?” Izuku chuckled before giving his answer. 

“We used to be friends, then once I turned out to be just a little different he turned on me.” Shouta’s eyes widened with fury, despite the fact that he didn't trust Midoriya he could only imagine how it felt to be betrayed by someone you saw as a friend. That and given the way Bakugo acted, confused that he was being stopped for attacking Izuku. “I haven’t seen him in three years, sir, given the way he acted it’s clear that he doesn’t like me. Personally, I’m past the point of caring, after all, we’re not friends we’re just two people who want to be heroes.” Shouta remembered that on his file it said that he was homeschooled prior to attending U.A although he did spend a month at Aldera middle school. “Is that all sir?” 

Shouta nodded, “that'll be all for now. Midoriya, if Bakugo antagonizes you…”

“I’ll ignore him, that’ll piss him off to no end.” With that Izuku took his leave leaving Shouta alone on the training field. Shouta watched him leave and only now did he realize that his question might have some repercussions. His body language. This probably isn’t the first time he’s been asked that question. Not only that but I made it obvious that I am suspicious of him, with his history he’s obviously going to have trust issues and issues with teachers. Despite the fact that Shouta did not trust Izuku, it did hurt the fact that he probably did some damage to his student’s mental health. 

From his spot in the bushes, All Might was not smiling instead he was frowning at Shouta. I understand your wariness Eraser. I too had the same reaction upon meeting Young Midoriya, but to just ask him like that point-blank?  

**********

(End of the school day)

The rest of the day passed by quickly, the students were introduced to their other teachers, and were teased by them that they could expect something great the next day. Now everyone was leaving with a sense of anticipation, well most everyone. 

Izuku sighed and ran a hand through his hair. The teacher knew his secret, well one of them. As he walked out of the gates he didn't notice that there was someone waiting for him. 

"Uh, Midoriya-kun!?" He turned and saw Ochako catching up to him. 

He waved hello to her and stopped walking so she could catch up. "Hello Uraraka-san, were you waiting for me?" 

She nodded, "I have some things to ask you, and I want to thank you." 

"It was no problem that Zero-Pointer wasn't really that tough anyway." He said honestly. 

She shook her head, "not for that for...the well... the act of vigilantism." He stopped in mid-step and turned towards her woodenly.  

"What do you mean?" She tapped her index fingers together nervously as she began to explain. 

"Well, you kinda saved my life a while back when you were training with your quirk." Izuku stiffened and suddenly he remembered.

It had been early on when he first got his quirk. He had been practicing with Blackwhip when his emotions got the better of him and it ended up shooting him off of his feet, flying through the sky until he managed to control them. He landed in some park where some punks were threatening some girl. Seeing that no one was there he had to help and the fact that they were already using his quirks, he used his newfound power to defeat the guys while the girl went away to get help.

"You're that girl!" He cried out pointing to her. 

Ochako quickly attempted to shush him. "Yeah, thank you for saving me that time and at the entrance exam." She bowed seeking his thanks. Izuku put his hands on her shoulder and pushed her up. 

"It's fine, I just wanted to help and I'm glad I was able to." She smiled brightly at his words, then hesitated with her next words. 

"Um, actually I was wondering if you could help to train me?" He looked at her confused and she elaborated. "You were really cool back there and now, so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me so I could get stronger." 

That seemed to have flipped a switch within Izuku as he began to bounce in place, with an excited look on his features. "Sure, I'll be happy too! You can join Todoroki-kun and me! I've got a teacher who has a place so we can train in anything! When are you free?"

He had shortened the distance between themselves, it made Ochako blush while she was thinking to herself, too close, he's too close! He backed off and began to make plans out loud while she slowed down her heart rate. "I'm glad." 

That broke his attention, "What do you mean?" 

She tapped her index fingers again, “Well I kinda maybe that about holding it against you. You know the fact that you used your quirk in public." 

"So your original plan was to blackmail me?" He deadpanned. She waved her hands in front of her hoping to negate his claim. 

"Well not entirely, I mean in a way…" Izuku suddenly began to laugh and she huffed at him. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, just you might be a little devious individual Uraraka-san." He continued laughing while Ochako angrily pouted at him. The two walked in sync away from the school. 

"It's not that funny," Ochako said still annoyed that he hadn't stopped laughing. 

That in turn made him laugh harder.

Little did they know that they were being watched. As they walked out of the U.A grounds from the higher floor Toshinori Yagi watched them. 

"Good on you my boy. Enjoy it, for tomorrow your true test begins." He walked into the teacher's office and staring back at him was his silver age costume.

(The Next Day)

The next day the first half of classes were very boring, as they were basic classes. It was after lunch where they got interesting, and it got even more interesting when the teacher came into the room. 

"I am coming into the room like a normal person! " He declared as walked heroically into the room. Izuku's classmates began to cheer while he just had a sly smile on his face. Go big or go home huh Yagi-sensei. He came in his classic Golden Age costume, the bright red one with a white circle in the center and the blue cape. 

All Might then told him their exercise would take place in Ground Beta, and they would need their hero costumes. Right now Izuku was among the first there, not even All Might had shown up yet. He was actually impressed with his costume and liked the simplistic design.

His costume consisted of a sleeveless green hoodie, with a thick black line running down the center, and white shoulder guards. It had been reinforced with kevlar plating for any eventuality.  He wore red boxing wrappings on both arms, which matched his utility belt and shoes.

He wore black combat pants, that were held up by a red utility belt that had multiple compartments. He couldn't find any other shoes to wear than his classic red high-top boots, however, he was able to request some armor for them. Flexible interconnected metal cover that reached up to his lower knee. They were meant to compliment his fight style along with his elbow pads. He also had a metal faceguard that hung loosely on his neck. 

He turned to the gates of Ground Beta, where All Might came running in. "Hello Young Midoriya punctual as always!" Izuku flashed him a peace sign in response. 

"Hello sensei, looking forward to today?" All Might gave him a thumbs up. 

"Of course, for my first class, I've decided on a battle trial!" Izuku blinked slowly as if he misheard him. He looked at him warily.

“Are you sure about that sir?” He nodded like a child who was asked if he was ready for Christmas morning. 

“Of course I went over my curriculum and ideas for it with the Principal and along with the other teachers. It was approved, and my substitute teacher has been made aware of my lesson plans on the days that I cannot be there. ” Izuku had a sour look on his face reminded of his teacher’s weakness. He held his wrist tightly thinking about their shared power. “ By the way have you made any progress on….” 

Izuku shook his head, “no sir. I don’t know why but I can’t access the strength boosting part of One for All, I can still only use Blackwhip.” 

All Might shook his head, “well something’s better than nothing. At least you’ve grown proficient with it, so let’s look on the bright side.” There were some footsteps coming from the gates, “ seems that everyone else is coming, time to get ready. ” Once everyone else showed up, All Might opened his arms wide as if he was about to embrace everyone in the class. “ Well don’t we all look impressive! Now you look like heroes!”

Izuku looked around at his fellow classmates and was either amazed or saddened at their designs. Some were different and fantastical. He had to admit Katsuki’s was one (it resembled one that they had drawn together years ago), same with Tenya’s (a clear imitation of Ingenium’s costume) and Momo’s...well it had impressed a part of him. Others were just clothes. A blonde boy with a black streak in his hair and a girl with short dark blue hair whose costumes looked like clothes you would wear to a party. The last group was just the hell were they wearing? The blonde boy with shining armor who was admiring his cape, the girl with vines for hair wore some kind of white robes mixed together, and Kirishima’s was just a pair of pants with some weird arm straps. 

“Midoriya?” Izuku turned his head to see Shoto approaching him, his costume was immediately put into the what the hell were they wearing in the section of his mind. It was a white jumpsuit with a tan utility belt and white boots. The strangest part of the costume was the cover of ice on the right side of his body that had a glowing red eye. “You changed fast.” 

Izuku looked down at his, “I needed to keep it simple, what about yours? Is that your own ice?” Shoto reached over to touch it.

“No, it’s just a cover, kind of like armor. I actually requested a change but it isn’t ready yet. I was thinking differently when I originally designed this.” Izuku nodded politely but inwardly he was thinking, yeah I bet you were. 

“Ah, Midoriya-kun there you are!” Tenya’s voice called out. Behind him walked Momo, Pony, and Ochako. Tenya’s is obviously meant to be in homage to Ingenium, down to the boots. Underneath various pieces of silver armor (most notably a chest plate, shoulder guards, elbow guards, and a spiked helmet connected to a metal collar) the helmet is interesting as the mouth portion is full of holes similar to Izuku’s. Around his waist there was a strange type of wrapping along with engines that stuck out of his back, they appeared to be purely decorational. His legs were the most armored, specifically his knee guards as they were clearly made for combat, with massive and possibly heavy boots that had had gold plating on his shins, a black one-piece suit is visible underneath all of that. 

Momo’s is a red leotard with white sleeves that was open down to her belly button, there is a lot of open skin visible especially down the center of it. She wears some kind of tan around her waist and upper thigh, while just below her neck is a band that connects to the other side of it. High-heeled boots match the overall red color scheme of the costume.  Behind her is a small holster that holds a book.

Pony’s is an orange skin shirt with white additions around her chest and stomach, tan pants, and orange covers around her hooves. She also has a type of rope-ish hairband, that is probably related to her quirks name.

Ochako’s is a skintight black and pink bodysuit that had multiple bulky additions. Specifically around her wrists, belt, neck, and boots. She wore a kind of half helmet with a glass visor that covered her face and had two antennae sticking up in the back. Each of the bulky items was a brighter pink than her bodysuit, except for her belt which was white, and it's center a red button. The boots were also heeled like Momo’s and reached up to her knees. 

Izuku saw the girl's costume not just those closest to him, he began to mentally curse the designers for making them geared toward Male enjoyment, a more perverted part of himself began to praise those designers. 

"Midoriya-san are you alright?" Momo asked. Izuku quickly shook his head and gave his attention back to his friends.

"I'm okay. Your costumes look, cool guys." He then gave them a thumbs up. Ochako and Momo felt self-conscious about their costume, however.

"Mine's too skin tight I should've specified the measurements." Ochako gestured to her costume. 

"I asked for ways to have open skin to maximize my quirks potential. I too should've decided to send in more drawings so that my costume would be less risque." She had her arms crossed over her chest in an attempt to cover it. 

"Actually I wouldn't mind floating you some idea Yaoyoruzo." They turned their attention back to Izuku. "I'm a fan of studying quirks and their potential. Todoroki-kun knows my methods." They turn their attention to Shoto. 

"He does, he's given me several ideas on new ways to use my quirk." Without using my other side. The last part was only for himself. During their training session, he would only ever use his ice power and Izuku never pressed as to why he didn't use his fireside. Instead, he helped him develop newer ice techniques that wouldn't harm his body as much. He gave him some advice as well, that one day there would come a day in which he would have no choice but to use his fire, and he'd have to be ready.

He had stressed his part. Shoto clenched his left hand, one day he'd use it but not now. Everyone looked interested in getting stronger and learning new techniques. Ochako gave him a look and Izuku immediately remembered their talk from yesterday.  "Everyone needs help getting stronger, and this way we can help each other get even stronger." 

The group around them nods in agreement with his statement.  "If you'd like after the battle trial I can give you guys some ideas on ways to improve your quirks?" 

There's a murmur of agreement among them, in fact not just them but those around them as well. 

"Sounds like a good idea. Hey Midoriya-kun, would you do me too?" A boy with a  Tape- dispenser-like helmet asked. 

“Me too!” The pink girl said excitedly. 

“I wouldn’t mind but don’t be too surprised if you can’t find anything to improve on,” The boy with blonde hair and a black streak said. Pretty soon the rest of the class surrounds the mini group asking Izuku to analyze their quirks. All Might let them settle in, he knew that protege would do well by them after all he had given him some new ways to use his quirk. He frowned when he saw that out of everyone, one boy stood out among the rest giving Izuku and hate-filled glare. He frowned momentarily before affixing his classic smile back in place. 

“Alright students time to begin the Battle Trial to start off you will be placed with a randomized partner!” 

Tenya raises his hand, “sir why are the partners randomized?” Several other students are also asking that same question.  

All Might is quick to answer, “ because in the world of heroes sometimes you might have to make a team-up with whoever’s nearby. Oftentimes you might have to team up with a hero that’s completely unknown to you, despite that you have to work the situation to your advantage. After all, isn’t that what’s being a pro all about! ” He ended his answer with a thumbs up in Tenya’s direction. Tenya nods satisfied with the answer, “ if there are no other questions. Let us begin!”  

He gestures to a board that turns on and shows the team placements. 

“And there you have it please find your partners!” All Might held his right arm out to the class as if he was a show host.

Izuku was quick to find Tenya, while the others scrambled to find their partners. Once everyone had found their partner All Might left them in suspense for the next part. 

“Now for the idea of this battle trail, Heroes vs. Villains. ” He lets the students gasp before moving on, “ the scenario is the villains have hidden a bomb in the city and the heroes have to go in there and take them out. Now the heroes can win by wrapping this capture tape around the ‘villains’. “ He pulled out a roll of it from his utility belt. “ Or by touching the bomb. The villains can win by capturing the hero or by letting the time run out. Now let's see which two teams will be the first to fight it out.” Inwardly Toshinori was cheering given the fact that he had managed to get through this without stuttering or stopping once. The night before had practiced all of these lines in front of the bathroom mirror making sure that he got them just right.

He pulls out a remote control and presses a button on it and it shows how the team battles will go. 

Izuku wondered if the man did this on purpose or if the universe had something against him. He could feel Katsuki’s eyes on him, now he could either ignore him or give him a response. He looked over to him and flashed him a peace sign. He could swear that he could hear Katuski grinding his teeth at him even from the distance between them. Tenya broke his attention away from that. 

“Midoriya-kun perhaps you shouldn’t antagonize him, “Tenya then saw how Katsuki was glaring at him, “or look at him.” Tenya then thought to himself that Bakugo had been staring at Izuku murderously since the day before. It was clear that there was something that happened between the two and while Izuku was brushing it off Katsuki wanted to address the issue.  

“Now then for this exercise Team B will be the villains, and Team E will be the heroes. I’ll take the villains over to where their base will be and they can decide where to place the bomb. Both teams will be given these communication devices, and the heroes will be given a blueprint of the building. ” He quickly gives everyone the tools they need for the exercise. “ The hero team will be given ten minutes to prepare, please use your time accordingly.”’

He motioned for the teams to follow him over to where they need to be. He felt so proud of himself for doing so well during his heroic lesson. He had managed to deliver the instructions to the students without stuttering or messing up even once. 

“Uh, All Might-sensei? What are the rest of us supposed to do?” The girl with the frog-like quirk asked. 

All Might stopped himself and pointed to where the examiner’s room would be. “Just head-on in that direction, I’ll be over there shortly to lead you on.” He didn’t look back as he was embarrassed and it showed on his face. 

*********

(Examiners Room) 

All Might had dropped Izuku and Tenya back at their “lair” and gave them time to set up; he wished both of the teams and went rushing back to the others. He opened the doors and let them into the examiner’s room, each of them facing a wall of blank monitors he was waiting for just the moment when the exercise would start then he would turn them on.

 He tapped on his communicator it allowed him to listen in on the students' dialogue as the monitors wouldn't, he frowned when he heard Team E’s discussion it seemed that the Bakugo boy’s ego was worse than what Young Midoriya described. At least Tokoyami was willing to work together only to be brushed aside. Listening in on Team B’s … he was a little surprised with how his successor was going to deal with the exercise at least he was working with his partner. Checking the time he turned on the monitors and spoke on the PA. 

“Let's do this! Team E go get the villains and Team B get ready to play defense!” On one of the monitors that shows the outside of the building, it shows Katsuki blasting away from his partner leaving him in the dust as he has one goal in mind. Fumikage walks behind him at a reasonable pace, his quirk coming out of his stomach in front of him, moving to hover away at a distance. Toshinori pulls out his grading sheet and begins to make notes on it regarding Team E’s performance. 

“Sensei Bakugo-kun just made it to the top.” He hears young Ashido say behind him. His eyes darted to the monitor that showed the top floor of the building, so they hid the bomb there. A little cliche isn’t it my boy? The students watched as Katsuki without any hesitation destroyed the doors leading to the top room.

(Ground Beta)  

His hands were creating little pops dangerously as he searched for his target."Deku! It's time for me to put you in your place!" 

He is shocked however to see that Izuku is not there but rather his partner. "Ah so now you've arrived, have at thee! Prepare to fall!" 

Tenya fires up his engines and charges him, he delivers a massive kick to his ribs knocking him off balance. 

******

(Examiners Room)

All Might coughed into his hand, so he was after Young Midoriya. Well...isn't he surprised? 

He then hears young Uraraka call out, "Look, Tokoyami-kun is about to face Midoriya-kun!"

On another monitor, Fumikage enters a room where Izuku sits at a desk waiting for him. He has pulled up his hood and raised his face-guard.

*******

"So this is where you were Midoriya." He asked. 

Izuku flashed him a peace sign. "Yo." 

"You know that Bakugo is looking for you?"

Izuku shrugged, "yeah but that'll open a can of worms I don't want to be opened." He tapped his shoes twice on the floor. "Yeah, say now that I've got you alone I've got some questions to ask you if you don't mind?"

Fumikage raised an eyebrow, "what about?"

"Just about your quirk. See I'm a fan of quirks and I like studying them yours seems pretty interesting. I'd like to take some notes on it." 

"Fine. How about this if you defeat me then you can ask me any questions you like about my quirk." He said confidentially.

Izuku smirked, "good because after I win I might have some extra notes for its combat ability." Dark Shadow pulled itself out of Tokoyami's stomach. 

" Sorry, buddy boy you're going down! " Izuku's smirk grew. Blackwhip rushed out his right forearm, rather than coming out vertically, it grew horizontal to his arm. 

A long tendril came up and then went clockwise until it hit its original point. More Blackwhip came out and it began to fill out the roundish skeleton, “Blackwhip: Oahe Lake Shield!” A small round shield now rested on his arm. He then raised his right arm and out of his hand, Blackwhip came rushing out, growing and forming itself until it resembled a sword. "And Blackwhip: Black Blade!" 

"You ready?" Izuku took his fighting stance shield forward and his sword held in the back at the ready. Tokoyami nodded and let Dark Shadow pull itself out farther. Dark Shadow rushed toward Izuku and he raised his shield to block. 

(Examiners Room)

All Might smiled even broader, then let the exercise truly begin!