Rise up

~7~

"Please form two lines in order of your class number to prepare for entering the bus," Ida instructs, chopping his hand in the air as the bus pulls up. Everyone follows his order and begins loading up, but upon entering, "This bus's open layout has foiled my efficient strategy of entry."

Pushing past the sulking Ida, I grab the first open seat to my left. What I failed to notice was the boy already seated at the window seat of the row.

"Hello Takami." Todoroki greets.

"Todoroki." I nod, acknowledging his presence while sitting facing forward. I pull out my phone and begin aimlessly scrolling through social media to avoid conversation with the dual-haired boy on my right.

"I would like to apologize for my comment in the battle yesterday." He speaks up, "It was intended more for your teammates, and I figured you would have understood that. You are a Pro-Hero's child, after all."

"I have already told you Hawks is my cousin and guardian, not my father," I grumble, remembering the countless times I've run into Todoroki at Hero events before being in class together. Every time we met at events, he kept to himself and was rather quiet, but I always tried to strick up a conversation.

"Right, well, you understand what it is like being trained by a Pro and therefore are a step ahead of the class such as myself."

"Yeah, all that training is thanks to Hawks." I roll my eyes at the memory of my training with the commission, missing the similar expression of hatred from Todoroki. I refocus onto whatever app I had open on my phone and scroll through it.

"-Takami, Todoroki, and Bakugo." I catch the tail end of someone mentioning my name. I look across the aisle at Mina with furrowed brows hoping for an explanation.

"They are talking about who has flashy quirks." She fills me in, and I hum.

"Yeah, but Bakugo wouldn't be too popular since he has such a temper." Denki points out.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW EXTRA?!" Sparky abruptly stands in the row directly in front of mine, clutching the railing in front of his seat. I almost burst out laughing but quickly slap a hand over my mouth when Bakugo sends me a quick glare.

"It's funny we've barely known each other for a week, and everyone already knows the shit personality and temper you have." Denki finishes and only causes the ash blonde's bloodlust to rise.

"I'll kill-!"

With perfect timing, Aizawa interrupts Bakugo's outburst, "We are here. Everyone grab your things, and let's get going."

~*~

"Welcome to the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, or as I like to call it the USJ." The Pro-Hero No. 13 announces as we enter the large dome. Everyone is awestruck by the size and varying situations that are in the place. "This facility is home to six different zones which mimic real-life disaster, both natural and those caused by villains."

"Today, we will be focusing on the rescue aspect of being a hero. As you may all be excited about beating up villains, it is not the only necessary skill that is needed to succeed as a Pro. It is just as important to understand how to use your power and knowledge to aid those in need or injured." Aizawa adds.

"Precisely, some of you more than others understand the danger that can come with your quirks. Take mine, for example; when used properly in rescuing, it can be handy, but if I were to allow it to my quirk could cause far more harm than good. It could even be used to kill." 13 states, serious about learning to harness and control the many odd quirks we were blessed with. "So today, we will be learning creative and safe ways to help citizens when in need of a Hero."

"Okay, class, we will start at the-" Aizawa stops short.

As the lights flicker, everyone looks around the facility, curious as to what is going on, just like me. Then the water fountain at the center of the plaza sputters and stops flowing for a second. Many students begin to question what is happening, but a purple mist begins appearing from the fountain before that can be answered. As I squint to see what it could be, Aizawa blocks my view stepping in front of everyone protectively.

"Everyone stay back." He demands.

"Is this a part of the training exercise for today?" Denki assumes, like most of the class, including myself seeing as Aizawa has strange teaching methods. As I peak around the side of my teacher, I notice scruffy-looking people stepping out of the purple void in front of the fountain.

"No, those are real villains." Eraserhead begins getting into full Hero mode and slips on his goggles before grabbing hold of his capture weapon. "13 stay here with the students and protect them. I'll handle them," He finishes preparing to charge at the growing crowd of villains in the center plaza.

Looking back to the purple mist, I notice the creepiest-looking man step out. He is fully dressed in black with hands covering his body. I wish to say that this was the creepiest villain to step out of the portal, but something even more horrifying walks out.

I gasped, looking at the unsightly creature that just appeared. Its brain is exposed and stands at a ridiculous height making the hand-covered man look like an ant in comparison. A beak that stretches out from its face and muscles rivaling those of the symbol of peace himself.

"It appears that the information we retrieved is not entirely correct." The purple mist suddenly morphs and takes the shape of a human. "All Might is not at this location as it stated he would be."

"Yes, only the teacher and spaceman are here. Where is the symbol of peace?" The blue-haired man covered in hands replies, furiously scratching at his neck. "This ruins our plans, and after all the work I went through just to get a specific time and location on that stupid number 1."

"They must have used the press as a cover-up to enter and steal that information." Our black-haired teacher mumbles to himself as everyone can vaguely hear the conversation between the unknown villains.

"Don't worry, Shigaraki." The purple void assures his partner. "The Hero would appear if some of his precious students were to die."

I gulp, worried for the people around me and how they will handle themselves against real villains. 'There are tons of villains, and most of the class has barely had training prior to attending UA.' I stare at the variety of students around me, some panicking and others looking ready to fight.

"Mr. Aizawa, can you handle all of those villains on your own?" Midoriya speaks up with the same concern I had begun worrying over. "Your fighting style isn't exactly made for large groups such as this one."

"As a Pro-Hero, you can't only rely on one style of fighting; you must take into account the unknown situations you could be thrown into." The sleepy hero turns with a shadow of a smirk present. "Now, watch a real Pro at work."

I watch as the Pro begins to head into a battle where the odds are not in his favor. I had planned on staying with the class to help protect them, but I'm sure all 20 of them would be fine together.

"Eraserhead, in the most respectful way possible, let me say," I sigh. "Even though I believe you are a talented hero who can hold his own, you are greatly outnumbered, and this could go wrong fast. Let me help you. I have been training for years. Trust me. I am ready."

Before the Hero heads down the stairs, he turns to me, "It is my job to protect you all. And I will do that without risking any of my students no matter the odds."

"Sir, just let me provide you with backup. Other than a little help here and there, I will leave most of the fighting to you. Facing this on your own could end in serious injury," I plead, hoping the sleepy man will accept my help, "Or worse, fatal injury."

I hear him mumble to himself before he stops and turns to me. This gives me hope that he has considered my opinion and would allow me to assist him.