Chapter Text
Voice Communications Between The Doctor and [Unknown]
[Unknown]: How is he coming along?
The Doctor: Excellently sir. Though Living bases often require far more induction, I find they acclimate to their new capabilities far quicker.
[Unknown]: That is good to hear. How is his stability?
The Doctor: Incredible. I’ve never seen it this high, this late in the process. If all continues as is, I have no doubt that he will be a High End. Perhaps even beyond that.
[Unknown]: Beyond? Need I remind you of what occured last time you spoke to me of that?
The Doctor: I assure you sir, that Subject CHI-057 was an outlier. As we’ve seen from the Hounds in Blacksite 4 the effects of the Nomu process are different for animals. It’s why we jumped to Human Trials, and look at the success we’ve found.
[Unknown]: I suppose that is true. Still, be cautious. We cannot have another incident like that again.
The Doctor: I completely agree, it was nearly catastrophic. Years of work, and dozens of brilliant minds sacrificed to maintain our cover.
[Unknown]: Still, I must emphasize the need for caution. Ambition is fine so long as you do not let arrogance blind you from reality. Monitor the situation carefully.
The Doctor: Of course sir. If I may ask though, why have you given him that quirk?
[Unknown]: It is as you said Doctor, I too have high hopes for him. He is to be a leader of the other Nomu. Being able to regenerate them can only benefit us.
The Doctor: I understand, but would that quirk not have served you better?
[Unknown]: No, the damage it inflicts before regeneration could result in my death. It is useless to me, so I may as well grant it to someone better suited for it than I.
The Doctor: I had considered it a possibility, but you have more knowledge of the quirk than I do. I simply wanted to make sure this was the best course of action.
[Unknown]: And I thank you for it Doctor. Were it not for your mind, I would have never been able to reach this far.
- Voice Call between LOV Persons of Interest.
-(o)-
After what felt like an eternity, Internships were coming to a close. Izuku had less than a week here with Rumi, before he would be headed back to Mustafu, and back to UA. Part of Izuku was glad, missing his classmates, and ready to get back to normal school. Another part though, didn't want to leave this all behind. In the time since he’d gotten here, Rumi had become almost like a big sister to him. He didn't have an actual sister for comparison, but he felt it was a good enough analogy.
She was fun to hang out with on their breaks, and while she would tease the hell out of him when he admitted dumb things, she didn't try to coddle or protect him from them. She would help him when he needed it, push him farther than he would be able to go on his own. He’d miss her.
And while she was obviously important, he’d miss quite a few other things. Being able to go out on patrol and help out often. His room at her apartment. Exploring the city after dark. They were all things that he’d never had or done before this internship, and now, he couldn't imagine having to give them up.
He’d tried not to show it, tried to keep up a smile, and not let it get to him. Judging from the looks Rumi kept sending him, he was failing. He sighed loudly.
“Kid?” Rumi questioned, breaking him out of his musing. The two were technically on patrol, but the city was quiet today, and at the moment they were taking a break on the roof of a building, overlooking the street. “You doin alright?” She asked after a moment.
“Ah…” He started, unsure of how to reply. “I guess.”
“Something on your mind?”
“Just… Gonna miss this. That's all.”
“Ah.” Neither of them say anything for a moment. Then he feels her arm nudge his own, and turns to look at her. She sends him a small grin. It's not like her co*cky, challenging ones she sends in fights, or the teasing one she sends at her apartment. It's softer. More reassuring. “You know this ain't over entirely, right?”
Izuku’s eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. “What do you mean?”
She punched his shoulder lightly. “Idiot. You really thought I was just gonna drop you? f*ck no. In case you forgot, you’re the first anything at Usagi Agency. You weren't just an intern I took on for a week. Look at your license kid. What does it say?”
Izuku blinked at her for a moment, before projecting the image of his Provisional License onto his palm. Rumi leaned closer and pointed to two lines. “Agency: Usagi Agency. Designation: Crisis Hero.” He didn't fully understand what she was trying to say.
“Kid. You’re a member of my agency. The first, and almost certainly last. That Designation? That's what you’re logged as in the agency. You are considered a Crisis Responder, official Hero, as far as my agency is considered. You’re not just an intern for a bit. You’ve got a permanent spot here.”
“Oh…” He was definitely crying. Hopefully that didn't mess up the suit.
She wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him in to lean against her. “Kid, just know that when your school does work studies, I’ll be waiting. When you graduate, I’ll be waiting. And if you ever just wanna hang out, talk, or just want a place to stay for the night, I’ll be waiting.”
Ah. He was sobbing now. That was always fun. Her words hit him hard though, and he was still trying to process it all.
-(o)-
Katsuki Bakugou had changed quite a bit since coming to Skyloft agency. Not just in his fighting style, or personality, but in his mindset. His fighting style had been changed by his dreams, and the city. For so long, He had wished to fly, and here, in Nukashina, he was given the opportunity to learn.
His personality had been changed by Horizon. She had taught him how to relax and the difference between bold, and rude. How to better talk with people and not just insult them. It was nice, knowing that people liked him for who he was, rather than just for his strength
And his mindset has been changed by Midoriya. He’d thrown away his old, never ending desire to be number one. He still wanted to be the best he could, but now it wouldn't come at the expense of someone else. Now, he simply wanted to save people. Recognition came after, or never at all, and that would be fine by him.
His experiences here, and during internships had changed him, and he would never be the same. As he rode one of the Cable Cars through the city, he looked out over the vast expanse of it all. Nukashina had quickly begun to feel like home to him, and he would admit to being sad to have to leave it behind. He’d definitely be back though.
Returning to UA also had him nervous. He’d been an asshole before internships, and yet somehow he had friends. He wasn't sure how the class would see him when they returned. Would they still believe him to be nothing more than the self absorbed asshole he was? Would they feel like it was an act?
He wasn't too sure to be honest. Until the time came, he didn't have any way of knowing. He just hoped that it wasn't too late to fix things with them.
-(o)-
Admittedly, Tenya hadn't learned much combat wise from his internship. At least, that's what it felt like. And yet, looking back on it, he wasn't disappointed with it. Railyard was a fantastic mentor, and had figured out that what Tenya had needed was help with his mentality rather than anything else.
For the longest time, he had been rigid, unchanging. It had scared him, to not be in control, and so he took every opportunity possible to do so. It made losing Tensei all the more difficult. It felt like the world was crumbling down around him, and yet everyone continued on like nothing had happened.
Tenya had been consumed by rage. By anger and revenge. It was something he had never felt before, not so intensely. He would have gone to Hosu, gone to find Stain, and he would have met the same fate as Tensei, or worse.
Then Midoriya happened. It was funny. He seemed to have a habit of knowing exactly what to do or say, despite his usual social awkwardness. Midoriya, as well as Aizawa Sensei had convinced him to put aside his desire for revenge. And so he accepted his internship with Railyard.
The older hero had much to tell him, and much to teach him. During his time at Central Station, He had taken Tenya under his wing, and had focused on his mindset more than anything. He’d opened his eyes to new possibilities, teaching him that a good hero has to be able to adapt to new situations, change how they think about things, and recognize when something isn't working.
It's allowed him to loosen up a bit. To relax and unwind the spring so tightly coiled inside him. To take an analogy from Railyard, everyone has an emotional suspension. Some people have theirs set too loose. Their wheels would never leave the ground, continuously pushing them forwards. But every bump in the road sends the chassis, the mind, wobbling, left to attempt to recover, all the while never stopping, struggling to change course.
Some people wind their suspension too tight. In an attempt not to let anything rattle them, they lock themselves so tight that rather than just the Chassis, instead the whole car, the whole being, is what bounces when an obstacle makes itself known. All control is lost, and all it takes is one bad hit for it all to snap, and flip.
Tenya had a scary hit. His car had jerked, tilting dangerously. He’d stopped, stuck in a ditch off the side of the road, no worse for wear, no damage yet, but unable to to recover. Midoriya and Aizawa Sensei pulled him out, and helped him get back on course. It has stuck with him though, the feeling in that moment where his life had changed completely.
Railyard had been a mechanics shop he’d stopped at along the road. Where he’d figured out how to loosen his suspension. How to keep himself from being wound so tightly that he may as well have no suspension at all. How to keep going even when the smooth, fresh asphalt turns to winding trails of dirt and gravel.
Railyard would be retiring shortly after Tenya left to return to UA. He’d served Japan as a hero for nearly 30 years. At 49 years old, he was reaching his limit. Unlike hero’s like Yoroi Musha, who could keep going despite their age, Railyard’s quirk also showed its age, with rust and wear appearing more frequently on his constructs.
Tensei had told him to always respect the older heroes, because this was a dangerous profession. Fear the old in a profession where the men die young. A bit dated of a saying, but very true, if the skill and ease that Railyard had displayed in the last two months was any indication. The man certainly deserved it after so long.
So Tenya would be ready to return to UA. Ready to help lead his class once more. Though, he would be a bit more lenient this time. Not everything needed to be a major issue. A bit of fun was always needed to take the edge of hero work off.
-(o)-
“So, you ready to head back to UA?” Mandalay asked Ochako as they ate dinner in the Cat’s cabin.
“Yup! I can't wait to show everyone how far I’ve come!” She grinned. “I’d like to see Bakugou beat this!” She said, holding out her hand, fork hovering a few inches above her palm. The fork then began to circle around her hand, orbiting it.
Since returning from Akkido, she was determined to learn how to accomplish that feat again. She’d wanted to be a hero, both to help her parents, and to save people. But her fight with Bakugou, and then with Muscular, had opened her eyes to how far she needed to go. She never wanted to feel as weak as she felt in the beginning of those fights again.
Not when the next time, more lives could be on the line. Not when she’d had the time to train, to prepare. So she tried, over and over, to work her way back to that feeling. She trained as much as she could, and a few weeks ago, she’d made progress. There was definitely quite a ways to go, but it was progress nonetheless. She was on her way to being that strong, all under her own power, no help needed.
Next time, She’d be ready. Next time, even if Midoriya couldn't be there to help her, she would have the strength to deal with it herself. Because She was Ochako Uraraka, and she controlled Gravity and Orbit! Nothing could hold her down anymore!
-(o)-
Never let it be said that Midoriya gave bad advice. As far as Shouto was concerned, Midoriya’s word was as good as divine intervention. In the span of a single conversation, he’d helped completely overhaul his entire life philosophy, and in another, his whole fighting style. He’d convinced him to use his fire for the first time in years.
He’d been the one to push Shouto towards Firefight, rather than simply joining his Father. It had been an eye opening experience, and one that had shaped his hero career to come. Shouto still had the massive, ranged attacks he’d been taught by his father, but he had other options.
He’d never liked those large moves, though it had been the only thing he’d really known when he first came to UA. They’d messed with his temperature too much, sending him from normal, to freezing, to boiling in seconds.
Now though, combining Firefight’s advice and Midoriya’s, he’d developed what he called Arsenal Style. He had been training with a number of weapons, and would no doubt be getting Yaoyorozu’s aid for a few of them when they returned to UA.
It fit him better, he felt. Despite Endeavor’s size, and Strength, he rarely utilized it when fighting, preferring to keep range with his quirk. Despite not being quite as large, Shouto had inherited his strength, and could pack a mean punch. Getting up close and personal suited him just fine.
He would admit to being excited to return. He hadn't hung out much with Midoriya, only a few times during Internships. He had started a friendship with Sero as well, which was quite fun. All in all, he wanted to interact with the class a bit more, now that he’d come out of his shell a bit more. It would likely be nice. And he could terrorize more people with his goblin activities! That was always a nice benefit.
-(o)-
UA was beginning to get busy. With the rest of her new class returning from their internships, Aizawa and a few of the other Teachers had work to do. Himiko could barely contain her excitement. Being in Class with Kumiko every day! It would be amazing.
She was a bit worried about her ability to keep up, but Aizawa had told her that she was already very skilled, and that she would likely not be too far behind, if she was even behind at all. That was a big confidence booster. She still wasn't entirely sure whether or not she really belonged here, but Kumiko, Aizawa and Yamada helped give her some confidence.
Shinsou was also very cool, having a similarly disliked quirk, at least according to the general public. He would occasionally join her during their training, learning to properly use his Tonfa that his suit gave him. While he specialized in fear and shock, he was pretty good at coming on with sh*tty pick up lines, biting insults, or awful jokes to get her under his quirk.
She was sure he’d be an absolute menace when the class returned. According to Aizawa, there were only a few weeks before Final exams for the semester. She just hoped that she’d be able to hold her own. From what she could figure out, it would be done in groups, and she didn't want to let anyone down. She’d give it everything she had when the time came!
-(o)-
Despite the… less than ideal start of his Internship, Minoru found himself glad. Admittedly, Mount Lady didn't have too much to teach him about fighting, considering their quirks were almost completely different, but she did have a good amount of insight into the structure of the Hero Industry.
Let it never be said that she was an airhead, because when it came to playing the market, she was brilliant. She had carefully crafted, and honed her persona, designed her costume, hell even her debut and the fight with Kamui was planned out to gather attention. She knew how to stretch funds, and how to secure deals. It was frankly a little terrifying watching her usual laid back person switch on a dime to a terrifyingly efficient market analyst.
It actually made a bunch of sense when he figured out she hadn’t graduated from a hero course, but rather had been in UA’s Business course, and had gotten her Hero License through an Apprenticeship, something extremely rare nowadays. She’d been attempting to pass as much of that knowledge down to him as possible, though much of what she knew inherently was about feminine heroes, so they did have to do some research.
It was also what had led to his costume's redesign. Changing the yellow cloak for a dark green one, with a leaf design made it fit better with the purple. The diaper also went, switching out for a more conventional set of pants. They were loose above his knees, but tucked into his boots, to give him freedom of movement without getting in the way. His crossbow had also been updated to the new color scheme.
It had the secondary effect of benefiting him while he was on patrol with Edgeshot. It didn't happen often, he was busy often, but it had taught him the benefits of stealth, and how to use his size to his advantage. The mobility, and recon skills he’d picked up were coming in handy even on normal daylight patrols.
Kamui Woods had actually been the one to teach him the most during his internship. With him being another capture based hero, he was able to provide Minoru with quite a bit of insight. He’d gone on a number of patrols, and was getting his combat style down. While his smaller stature would usually lead to low mobility, he could quite easily bounce around using his quirk. It made him unpredictable, and after learning how to use his crossbow while moving at high speeds, he was quickly becoming a pretty big nuisance to villains. He had even gotten a B-Rank Provisional License!
Perhaps the most shocking thing that had happened during internships though, was his friendship with Yaoyorozu. After the events of Hosu, he had mentioned another quirk science article he had read. They had talked for nearly an hour about it, and would send each other interesting things every now and then. He hadn't made any lewd comments, or attempted to perv on her whatsoever, more interested in the conversation.
By this point, they got along pretty well! She’d sent him an article yesterday about scientists beginning to figure out how to discern specific quick lines in an otherwise similar quirk family. It was a really good read! Honestly, their conversations were better than any perving he’d done in a while, because he’d never had someone to nerd out with about these things. Not to mention he had already intended on dialing it way back anyways, it was a pretty easy call to make.
No more perving on people. If he absolutely needed something he had a phone. He wouldn't go back to how he was at the start of the school year, being disliked by pretty much all of his classmates.
-(o)-
Denki Kaminari, despite what common sense would indicate, wasn't stupid. Yes he struggled with math, and science, and English and… you get the point. He wasn't the best at most school subjects, but that didn't mean he was dumb.
Actually maybe it kinda did, but whatever! So what he didn't do well at school! He was going to be a hero, and if his experience with Current was any indication, he was a pretty good one! He just needed to change his entire combat style… which was admittedly a little daunting.
He was working on it okay! Despite shorting himself out quite a few times, he was getting way better at being a human Taser, rather than a stun gun. He could pretty reliably hold his own against most low level villains they found on patrol, and was steadily learning more and improving each day.
Man, he couldn't wait to get back to UA and show off how far he’d come! Jirou and Yaoyorozu would be so proud seeing the difference from the USJ to now.
He kinda regretted how he’d fumbled there. Yeah, they were both really strong, and certainly didn't need him to beat them, but making them need to watch over him as well was not only embarrassing, but also pretty pathetic. The one benefit to it was that he got two new friends out of it!
Jirou was really cool. She was a badass punk rocker and could kick his ass. Whether he let her or not. It was simultaneously reassuring and terrifying. Her whole vibe was cool though, and she’d introduced him to so many new bands it was kinda insane.
He’d also hung out with Yaoyorozu before internships, with all three of them going to an arcade once to teach Yaoyorozu the joys of video games. She was mildly disturbed at the absurd ticket price of most of the items, but after watching him win the jackpot on like, five different games to get her a stuffed animal he saw her eyeing, but clearly not willing to use her quirk to make, it seemed like she had a fun time!
She’d also helped him study a bunch. He’d have to ask if she could help again before finals, because his midterms before they left for internships were lackluster to say the least. Regardless, he couldn't wait to be back!
-(o)-
Mina was so ready to get back to UA and show off her stuff! Wash had been a really good mentor, helping her enhance how she used her quirk. With a liquid based quirk like herself, he had quite a few useful insights for her.
Adjusting the pressure, changing the viscosity, using surface tension to her advantage. All of it were insight she never would have gotten at UA, simply because nobody had a quirk similar enough to her own. She'd gotten pretty scary by now, and was so ready to kick some ass!
Having gotten a taste of the real world, and seeing how most people fight, she was struck by how terrifying some of her classmates were. Midoriya, Todoroki, Blasty, hell even Kirishima and Sero had been making waves, albeit smaller ones.
For the longest time, she’d thought the first three were way past what she was capable of. Wash had shown her the real versatility of her quirk, and just how scary it could be when used properly. Not to mention if she managed to figure out how to do that power up state from the Stain fight. She’d be unstoppable!
She could hardly contain her excitement, practically vibrating. She’d already made so much progress, and with how fast she's done so, Class 1-A better watch out!
-(o)-
Koji had plans. Big plans. Most people who saw him thought of a shy, weird looking boy who didn't speak. And while that wasn't entirely untrue, it wasn't correct either Koji was more than that. He was shy when it came to speaking, but in a fight, or when rescuing someone, his doubts left him in an instant. He was a little odd looking, but he was far from the only person, even just in Class 1-A. And he did speak, he just wasn't comfortable doing so with people.
He had never gotten over his aversion to speaking, even when he knew no one would mind. Even when he knew it was more annoying to not respond. He just couldn't find it in himself to talk unless he absolutely had to.
But Koji didn't mind people thinking those things about him. They weren't the kindest, but at least people didn't dislike him because of them. He could deal with that.
As for his plans, he’d been speaking with the Principal, and King Leonidas. Despite the QFU being pushed back, Hosu was hit hard by the combat. People wouldn't be returning for quite some time. That also meant the animals there would be struggling as well. But Koji could speak with them, and being gathered under King Leonidas's banner meant they could easily be assembled.
So he’d been working with Principal Nezu, and they believed they’d come up with a solution. For as large as the rodent and avian population of Hosu was, UA campus was similarly large, and if they constructed specific housing for them, they’d be easily able to take them all in as “Refugees” so to speak.
Now all Koda had to do was get King Leonidas and Noctis on board to join. And figure out transportation for that many rodents. The birds could probably fly there. Anyway, they had some things to work out, but if they got it all figured out, the Koda would already be saving thousands of lives.
-(o)-
Shouta was so not ready for this. After dealing with his hell class for half a semester, the two month break was very much needed. Upon seeing the chaos that they all got into during it though, he was not looking forward to their return.
And yet, he was at the same time. He would never admit it aloud, but god dammit he was proud of them. Aizawa had been teaching for nearly 6 years now, and he knew how to handle these kids. Until this year, not a single one of his classes had been full by the time the first semester’s exams came around. Hell last year he hadn't even had a hero class at all by this point.
So yes, Shouta would begrudgingly admit, only within the sanctity of his own thoughts, mind you, that he was proud of his class. Not only had he kept all of them, but somehow, he picked up two more, one of which he was fostering, and very quickly getting attached to.
Himiko Toga, for all that she was a gremlin among the likes of Hizashi, was also an irreplaceable part of his life now. He’d helped train her, and she was quickly growing to be a powerhouse just on raw strength and skill alone. If she didn't go into undercover heroics, he’d eat his capture scarf. Her acting ability was somewhat terrifying, seeing her turn into him and replicate every single one of his unconscious tics.
He shuddered to think of what might have happened, had she been on the other side of the law. That would have been a security nightmare to deal with. He’s just glad they don't have to worry about that.
Regardless. The kids would all be coming back soon, and they would quickly be heading into their Final Exams, and Training camp. While the Training camp would be mostly similar to past years, Albeit with far more operational security, and different location, the final exams were proving to be a challenge.
Because Class 1-A was far too skilled for the usual robot exams to pose even the slightest hint of a threat. And while the Heros could do two on one exams like the 2nd years get, even that might not pose a big enough threat.
So Nezu had proposed they bring in Double Back for their exams, which meant… things that Aizawa wasn't entirely comfortable with. They still had to work out everything, but Yagi had proposed that said exercise allowed them to opt out, for a more personal exam. It was a good option, and certainly one that he much preferred. Still though. The fact that such lengths were being considered, and worse than that, might even be necessary left a bad taste in his mouth.
-(o)-
Rumi Usagiyama wasn't very well known. Miruko, her Hero persona was, but while it wasn't all that different from her real self, it was different in the ways that mattered. Very few people knew the real her, and very few people stuck around for very long.
She’ll readily admit to being a bit standoffish, but that was because people had opinions that they should keep to themselves. Either she shouldn't be a hero, because she was a cute little bunny, or she was too violent for a hero. She could kick more ass than nearly anyone else in Japan, and She knew when to dial it down. So she couldn't give less of a sh*t about some random person's opinion.
Despite that though, despite keeping most people at arm's length, to save herself the time of getting rid of them after they turned out just like everyone else, Midoriya had wormed their way past that, and had planted themself firmly at her side. And damn if she wasn't glad he did.
In the time they’d been at her place, she’d come to think of them almost as a little sibling. Not that she would ever say so out loud. To anyone other than them. And even then only maybe. But regardless, the kid was a monster at fighting, absolutely brilliant, and wasn't scared off by her attitude.
Their whole situation was pretty complicated, but the fact that they felt comfortable enough to bring her in on what was apparently a national level secret spoke volumes. She’d be damned if she didn't do everything she could to help the kid.
Which was another thing. The whole gender situation with them. So far, they hadn't asked for any different pronouns, or anything. However, they had admitted to trying some things out, and not being entirely sure what they were. So Rumi used gender neutral pronouns in her head, because she had a strong suspicion they would be coming soon, if not outright jumping straight to feminine pronouns.
Regardless, Rumi would be there for the kid. Whether they liked it or not, they were stuck with her now. Like she told them before. They're the first hero she’s taken into her agency. Like hell was she gonna just let them leave.
