"LET'S COMMENCE THE TEST BATTLES!!!"
The booming declaration resonated through the vast training ground, cutting through the remnants of the Quirk Apprehension Test's tension like a sonic boom. All Might's voice, brimming with an almost infectious enthusiasm, instantly commanded everyone's attention, signifying a dramatic shift in the day's curriculum. A collective ripple of anticipation, mixed with a fresh surge of nervousness, swept through the Class 1-A students. This was it: direct, simulated combat, the very essence of hero training.
All the girls, a flurry of movement and excited whispers, promptly headed towards the designated changing rooms. Their mission: to swiftly don their newly designed hero costumes. The air in the girls' changing area was thick with nervous energy and eager chatter. Each student carried a sleek, numbered suitcase containing their unique attire, a visible representation of their aspirations. They worked quickly, the previous day's Quirk Apprehension Test still fresh in their minds, but this was different. This was hero work, even if simulated.
One could almost feel the palpable tension that permeated the air, thick and electric. And why, you might ask?
Because the one and only All Might, the indisputable Symbol of Peace, was personally evaluating them! The sheer weight of his presence, his legendary status, was enough to send a thrilling, yet intimidating, jolt through every aspiring hero. Nobody, not a single soul in that class, wished to disappoint the Number One Hero, the embodiment of justice and strength. The desire to impress him, to prove worthy of his tutelage, was a powerful motivator.
Once they had completed their swift transformations, shedding their U.A. uniforms for their unique hero personae, an impromptu fashion show broke out. It was a spontaneous decision, a way to lighten the charged atmosphere and allow everyone to see each other's carefully crafted designs. Each girl took a turn, striking poses, showcasing their individual flair and the practical (or sometimes, less practical) aspects of their costumes.
So, here's a quick mental review by Lena of her classmates' hero costumes, as she observed them with her keen, analytical eye:
Ochako (Uraraka Ochako): "Well, I cannot deny that her hero costume possesses an undeniable charm with its delicate pink accents contrasting beautifully with the sleek black fabric. Somehow, the spherical helmet she wears lends it an aesthetic reminiscent of a futuristic spacesuit. I am quite confident she will garner a vast legion of admirers, primarily thanks to her... effervescent and genuinely kind personality. Definitely APPROVED!" Lena thought, picturing Ochako's warm smile.
Ashido (Ashido Mina): "Her costume, with its sleeveless design and vibrant colors, looks like something fashionable individuals would have worn before the tumultuous Quirk Wars, bestowing upon her an aura of undeniable coolness and refreshing originality. However, there remains an element about her costume that I find... subtly unsettling, a minor detail I can't quite pinpoint. Still, it's quite good overall." Lena considered the bright pink and purple ensemble.
Yao (Yaoyorozu Momo): "I am fully aware that her costume's significant exposure is a direct necessity for the optimal functioning of her Creation Quirk, enabling her to manifest objects from her exposed skin. However, she herself has voiced that her own costume, despite its practicality, is somewhat uncomfortable for her due to the sheer amount it reveals. If that's the case, then why, pray tell, not wear a cape or a cloak to offer some degree of modesty and comfort? It seems almost as if her costume was specifically designed with the intention of appealing to a certain... 'fan base' rather than purely for combat utility. Nevertheless, from a purely aesthetic and functional standpoint, considering her Quirk's demands, it is APPROVED!" Lena mused, pondering the efficiency versus modesty debate.
Tsu (Asui Tsuyu): "Tsu's costume is, in my professional opinion, absolutely perfect. There is nothing, not a single element, to critique or improve upon. It perfectly complements her frog-like Quirk, providing both functionality and a distinctly unique silhouette. Absolutely APPROVED!" Lena thought, admiring the practical yet adorable design.
Jiro (Jiro Kyoka): "Her costume, with its rock-and-roll vibe, looks more akin to casual civilian attire than a traditional hero costume. However, given her expressed ambition to become an Underground Heroine, a profession primarily focused on stealth and covert infiltration rather than flashy public displays, its understated design makes perfect sense. It's a strategic choice for her preferred method of operation. APPROVED!" Lena nodded, understanding the subtle genius behind Jiro's choice.
Toru (Hagakure Toru): "She is... well... isn't she fundamentally naked? Is she, by any chance, an exhibitionist? The very notion leaves me with nothing substantial to comment upon, as there's simply nothing to see." Lena's internal monologue was a mix of bewilderment and slight awkwardness, her analytical mind struggling with the concept of an invisible hero.
After this spontaneous, yet entertaining, catwalk of hero costumes and a few whispered comments exchanged amongst the girls, we swiftly darted down the hallway to rejoin the majority of the boys, who had already assembled, looking somewhat impatient.
What about my hero costume, you might ask? Good question.
My costume consists of a sleek, light brown airline pilot jacket, adorned with a small, embroidered Japanese flag on one shoulder and an American flag on the other, symbolizing my dual heritage. Below, I wore form-fitting, vibrant orange supplex pants, which featured a few black straps strategically placed between my remarkably well-toned thighs and derrière, serving purely as decorative elements to enhance the aesthetic. For my hands, I sported a pair of pristine white metallic gauntlets that meticulously covered my forearms while leaving my fingers unencumbered, allowing for full dexterity. To complete the ensemble, I wore a pair of futuristic metallic sneakers, specially designed to allow me to jump considerably higher than normal, enhancing my mobility.
This time, I deliberately chose to leave the Slipstream device visible. Not only did its sleek design and light blue glow perfectly complement my chosen outfit, but it also served as a constant, tangible reminder of the critical importance of caution, a silent warning of the severe consequences should I ever sustain a direct hit to the device during combat. It was a visible symbol of both my power and my vulnerability.
(A/N: Essentially, Lena's hero costume is based on her iconic Overwatch 1 outfit, but with the Slipstream device resembling the more streamlined version from Overwatch 2, just a bit smaller and more comfortable for everyday use.)
After a few minutes, the final student finally arrived, trailing behind the others, and it was none other than... Midoriya Izuku, his green hair slightly disheveled.
... .. . "WHAT IS THAT SUIT! HAHAHAHA!"
Bakugo, his voice booming with unrestrained mirth, along with Lena and Ashido (who were trying, but failing, to stifle their own laughter), began to laugh loudly, their amusement echoing through the training ground. Much of the class struggled to control their own mirth at the sight of Midoriya's unmistakably ridiculous costume, which was so heavily and obviously inspired by All Might's iconic appearance. It was a sight that bordered on parody.
Midoriya, however, seemed to remain blissfully unaware of the collective amusement he was causing, his focus entirely on All Might, whom he regarded with an almost desperate anxiety, his eyes wide and hopeful. All Might, for his part, was using every ounce of his legendary willpower not to burst into uncontrollable laughter at the poor young man's earnest yet comical attire. His cheeks puffed out, betraying the immense effort to maintain his composure.
"Well then, everyone, let's get started with the exercise!" All Might declared, his voice suddenly authoritative, effectively silencing the students' laughter. He then proceeded to explain the upcoming test in meticulous detail. "This is going to be an indoor couples test, meaning it will take place exclusively inside a designated building! Many people mistakenly believe that the majority of hero battles occur on open streets, in broad daylight. However, statistically speaking, the overwhelming majority of hero engagements actually take place indoors! Activities like illicit drug operations, hostage situations, black market dealings, and numerous other nefarious activities frequently occur out of sight of the public and the Heroes! In this particular test, there will be two opposing sides, randomly chosen: 'Heroes' and 'Villains'!"
All Might spoke fluently and with a captivating passion, his words flowing effortlessly. One could almost imagine him drawing upon years of teaching experience, perhaps even glancing at a hidden… notebook? The thought briefly crossed Lena's mind.
Before he could continue explaining the precise rules, several students spontaneously raised their hands and began speaking in quick, overlapping succession, eager to clarify their doubts.
"Are there any threats of expulsion for this test, All Might?" Ochako asked, her voice tinged with a little fear, still wary after Aizawa's earlier pronouncement.
"How precisely do we determine who triumphs and who suffers defeat in this scenario?" Yao (Momo) inquired, adopting a thoughtful pose, her analytical mind already dissecting the mechanics of victory.
"Can I just destroy everything inside the building, All Might?!" Bakugo exclaimed, his voice laced with an almost manic eagerness. He clearly just wanted to unleash his destructive power and get it all over with at once.
"I HAVE NOT FINISHED SPEAKING YET!" All Might roared loudly, his voice echoing, instantly shushing the eager students into stunned silence. "The 'Villains' team must diligently protect a fake nuclear bomb they are attempting to 'detonate' within the building. The 'Heroes' team's objective is either to secure the bomb or to capture the 'Villains'! If the 'Heroes' team successfully captures the 'Villains' or secures the weapon within the allotted time, then the 'Heroes' win! Conversely, if the 'Villains' manage to protect the weapon for the set time limit or successfully capture the 'Heroes', then the 'Villains' achieve victory!"
After this detailed explanation, we proceeded to select our teams at random, a digital roulette determining our partners. It was my turn, and I was assigned to "Team I" with Hagakure Toru. This immediately struck me as an interesting, perhaps even advantageous, combination given Toru's unique Quirk. If our team were designated as the 'Villains,' it could potentially lead to an extremely easy victory, with Hagakure's invisibility allowing her to sneak around undetected while I distracted the 'Heroes.' Alternatively, I could simply utilize 'Acceleration' to make an incredibly swift dash straight to the bomb, securing a quick win regardless of my teammate. The possibilities intrigued me.
"For the very first match, these will be the pairings! Team A versus Team B!" All Might announced, his voice still booming.
After that, I mentally disconnected my brain from what All Might was saying, knowing the details of the specific pairings weren't immediately relevant to my own strategy. I simply settled down, preparing to take a quick nap on the floor. However, before allowing myself to drift off, I made sure to carefully observe all my fellow heroes for a moment, making a mental note of their Quirks and general demeanors. Then, I turned to Hagakure and asked her, with a casual request, to wake me up when it was our team's turn to battle. My confidence in her ability to do so was absolute.
It wasn't that I didn't want to watch my teammates' games, to learn from them... well, to be entirely honest, I didn't really want to watch them. My energy reserves were precious, and a short nap would do wonders before my own battle. Plus, I already had a good grasp of most of their abilities from the Quirk Apprehension Test.
Moments after Lena succumbed to sleep, finding a comfortable spot on the ground, Toru, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension, went to join her friends to watch the inaugural match between Midoriya's Team A and Bakugo's Team B. The anticipation in the observation room was thick, everyone eager to see how the top students would fare.
Toru was utterly stunned when, seemingly out of the blue, Lena had casually asked her to wake her up only when it was their team's turn. They hadn't even discussed a rudimentary strategy for their impending battle! Her invisible face was etched with incredulity.
"Mnnn," Toru moaned softly, a worried sound escaping her, as she fretted about their situation. She desperately did not want to be eliminated from U.A. after performing poorly in Aizawa's test. She certainly didn't want a repeat failure in this test, which was being personally overseen by the legendary All Might. The stakes felt impossibly high. "What to do...?" she whispered to herself, her invisible hands fidgeting.
Hearing Toru's worried murmur, Jiro Kyoka looked sideways at her as the battle between Midoriya and Bakugo began on the monitors. "What's bothering you, Toru?" Jiro asked, her voice calm and observant.
Toru was momentarily surprised to be overheard, but quickly frowned, her invisible gaze fixed on Lena's sleeping form. "I—Well, Lena just went to sleep, asking me to wake her up only when it's our turn... and we haven't even discussed a basic strategy!" Her frustration was palpable.
Jiro looked at Lena with a raised eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on her lips, before looking back at Toru. "I think you should probably wake her up... mainly so she can observe how the other battles are progressing. She might be able to glean some insights or take note of something useful that she can then apply to our own match."
Momo Yaoyorozu, who had been listening to their conversation with her usual quiet attentiveness, turned to look at Lena before offering her own comment. "Honestly, I just think she's overly confident, perhaps even a bit foolish. She doesn't strike me as the most intelligent person... no offense intended, of course." Yao's tone was measured, but her skepticism was clear.
Jiro shook her head, a slight smile on her face, before adopting a thoughtful expression. "I don't believe she's an airhead at all. Back at our middle school, she was quite well-known for being able to answer almost any question correctly, often with barely paying attention in class. I originally theorized it might be a subtle aspect of her Quirk, but now that I know her better, I've come to realize she's simply smart in her own unique way, with a very practical, almost intuitive, intelligence."
Momo merely shrugged, a gesture of concession, as she redirected her attention back to the unfolding match between Midoriya and Bakugo on the screen. "She might indeed be smarter than I initially give her credit for, but I must remind you both that there are many distinct types of intelligence, and confidence can sometimes mask a lack of conventional study."
"Well, I'll endeavor to believe what you've conveyed to me, Jiro, but I cannot help but remain worried..." Toru admitted, her voice still laced with apprehension, to which Jiro simply shrugged her shoulders without offering any further comment or reassurance.
"Mnnn, who do you think would prevail in a confrontation between Midoriya and Bakugo?" Momo suddenly inquired, shifting the topic to the match playing out before them.
After a moment of careful thought, Toru replied, "It depends on the specific context, but in a standard battle, I believe Bakugo would ultimately triumph." Her analysis was brief but pointed.
"I concur; Bakugo would likely emerge victorious," Kyoka explained, her analytical mind already dissecting the pros and cons of each combatant as she watched the screen. "In this scenario, he holds the decisive advantage because Midoriya is seemingly unable to properly utilize his Quirk without causing himself severe injury or collateral damage. Therefore, I believe Bakugo will undoubtedly win."
"Why can't he utilize it?" Toru asked, tilting her head in confusion, though a vague idea of the reason was already forming in her mind, given Midoriya's earlier struggles. "Is it due to his physical condition?"
"No, it's because activating it fully would utterly destroy the entire building and could inadvertently trigger the hypothetical bomb prematurely..." Momo replied, providing a clear explanation for Toru's doubt, her knowledge of Quirks surprisingly extensive.
"Oh." Toru's single, invisible word conveyed understanding.
"Le..."
"Len...a..."
"LENA!!!"
"AHHHHHH!!!" Lena shrieked as she abruptly sprang to her feet, jolted awake by Toru's urgent shouts. Turning rapidly, she saw that her teammates were all staring at her, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on their faces. She also noticed that Midoriya was no longer present in the observation room, an unspoken confirmation that he had likely lost to Bakugo, as she had somewhat expected from their earlier interactions.
Turning her head towards the invisible girl, Lena could discern, by the frustrated position of Toru's floating gloves, that she was far from pleased with Lena's sleeping antics. It was an unmistakable sign of annoyance.
Scratching her head sheepishly before slowly and deliberately getting up, Lena asked, "What's the situation, Hagakure?"
"Just call me Toru," Toru replied in a curt tone, a puff of exasperated air escaping her invisible form. "Now, it's our turn. We're designated as the 'Villains' for this match."
"Shit," Lena spoke, the expletive escaping her lips without conscious thought, earning a potential glare from Toru, though it was impossible to tell when the girl was totally invisible. "Well, I guess there goes the easy way out..." The thought of a quick, stealthy win as heroes vanished.
"You had a plan?" Toru asked, genuinely surprised. In the few hours of observation, and the overwhelming strength of their opponents, she had already lost all hope of victory, especially considering who they were facing. The idea of Lena having a strategy was almost foreign to her at this point.
"It was more of a general strategy than a detailed plan, but I suppose so... but that no longer matters now," Lena replied, letting out a casual yawn as she rubbed her eyes, still shaking off the remnants of sleep. "Who are we going up against, anyway?"
"Todoroki and Shoji," Toru spoke in a subdued, almost defeated tone. "We're completely screwed, aren't we, Lena?" Her invisible form seemed to slump slightly.
Lena simply blinked, absorbing the information, before a small chuckle escaped her lips at the invisible girl's blunt assessment. "I suppose you could say that..." she conceded, the challenge in the pairing becoming starkly clear.
Toru raised an invisible eyebrow as she observed Lena close her eyes for a moment, a rare sign of deep thought. "What's wrong, Lena? Planning something?"
"We're at a significant disadvantage," Lena explained, her voice serious, outlining her line of thinking as her eyes opened, sharp and focused. "Todoroki possesses the ability to freeze the entire building, and we wouldn't be able to do anything to stop him once he unleashes that. No offense intended, Toru, but your Quirk, while useful for stealth, doesn't offer much in direct combat in this indoor setting. They already know that a villain team might try to ambush or sneak around, so they'll undoubtedly be on guard most of the time." Lena continued, the challenge evident in her tone. She had mentally run through scenarios against various opponents, but this particular combination was especially annoying because Lena lacked a traditional 'Tank' or heavy 'Attacker' partner like Bakugo, Tokoyami, or even Shoji himself, someone who could absorb damage or deliver powerful blows. "Our best option, therefore, is to somehow prevent Todoroki from freezing us completely, and once he reaches our designated corridor, we must ambush him and either quickly knock him out or secure him with the capture tape."
"..." Toru remained silent, absorbing the grim analysis.
"In short, we need a lot of luck," Lena clarified, allowing a small, weary smile to surface as she began to stretch slightly, limbering up her muscles. She then stopped, turning to look at Toru with a hopeful glint in her eyes. "Hey, Toru... what exactly does your Quirk do, beyond just making you invisible? What are its other capabilities?" She had a vague idea, but a full explanation was needed for her desperate plan.