Heroes of Tomorrow

Part 38~Kids

"Give those back! They aren't toys, ya damn brats," Bakugo creamed as two kids ran off with his gauntlets. He charged after them, having to jump over a kid trying to stop him.

"Did they really swipe your gauntlets that easily? How?" Todoroki frowned in confusion as Bakugo snarled.

"I took them off because it's too dangerous to keep the things on."

Camie wasn't having much more luck. A girl was growling at her and ignoring what she was saying. I mean, 'winning your hearts' is like super vague, you know? What are we even supposed to be doing here? This is way weird." She tried to touch the girl as she hissed louder.

Present Mic grinned, enjoying his spot by Mera and the teacher. "Team Fish Turds looks like they've completely lost the beat and are flailing like flounder!" Mera tried to restrain Present Mic, but it did little to nothing. "Let's hear from their teacher. Got any special requests? What do those kiddos need?"

"So much," she said as she sniffled. "These early elementary school years are an important time for character development. Because the difference between children's quirks has a huge effect on their self-esteem, we offer counselling in order to support healthy emotional growth. But counselling is not a cure-all. The students in this class have completely closed their hearts to us. I understand that this is my responsibility. But, still, I hope meeting heroes who're working hard to achieve their dreams will help lead these kids down a more respectable path."

Bakugo tutted as Todoroki stood up. "There's no time for us to bicker with each other. We have to save them."

"In other words, all we have to do is make friends. No problem." Inasa grinned as Bakugo stormed off.

"Let's get this babysitting over and done with. I'm ready to go back to some actual training!" Bakugo waved the other four over, holding up his hand. "The stupid teacher didn't fulfil her role as a leader, so the brats ended up taking over the class. This isn't something that just happens. If they're not listening to her, then somebody else must be in charge here. There's definitely some kind of 'boss' kid these little monsters are following. We just gotta figure out who it is."

Todoroki nodded. "And then?"

"We beat 'em up and hang 'em from a post to make an example out of the punk. Then we make the kids throw rocks at 'em. It'll be the most effective way to make them realise what an insignificant pest their leader is!"

"I don't think-" Naka began as Bakugo glared at him.

"I wasn't taking your suggestions."

"I thought the idea was for us to be nice," Inasa announced in confusion as Naka lowered his head.

"Wow, Bakugo certainly has a unique perspective," Present Mic announced as the teacher stared in shock.

"Whichever one of you is the strongest, step up! Come fight me!" Bakugo glared at the kids as they stepped back.

The kid who leaned against the wall smirked. "Such an outdated and violent way of solving problems. You're showing your true colours."

"Enough already! Just bring it!"

Camie blinked, trying to get Bakugo's attention. "Delinquents aren't in fashion, you know."

"The hell they're not!"

"Getting to know each of the kids is the fastest way to becoming friends," Inasa interrupted. "Who wants to be a hero?" Inasa held up his hand as the children cheered. Inasa scooped up the children, grinning proudly. "That's great! I wanna be one too! Doesn't heroic passion make your blood bubble with excitement?" Inasa calmed down, looking at the kids he held in his arms. "It's the job of a hero to make sure everyone smiles. Think if you cause your teacher trouble, you're likely to become good heroes?"

"I guess not," the boy muttered as Inasa nodded.

"Right, so then-" he couldn't finish when the boy continued.

"But wait, that means since you have the teachers and the commission guys more work by making them do this class, you can't become one either. Is that right?"

Inasa put the kids down as he blasted himself away. "That's true!" The kids laughed as Inasa bowed deeply, crushing his head on the ground. "I'm in no position to act so high and mighty. Please forgive me."

"Is it just me, or are these kids like super twisted?" Camie glanced back as Bakugo agreed.

"Yeah, exactly. So a little violence is necessary."

"Bakugo, they're just kids," Todoroki interrupted as Bakugo snarled.

"Well, that's how I was raised and look. I tuned out awesome."

"What if we-" Naka couldn't finish when Todoroki talked over him.

"No, I think I might have a better way."

"Oh? Why don't you show us what you have in mind? I'm sure this is gonna be good." Bakugo laughed as Todoroki stepped forward.

"Next up: Shoto Todoroki, exuding both fiery passion and chilling calmness," Present Mic announced as Endeavour screamed.

"Beat them, Shoto!"

"Now, how will he win over these youngsters? Let's watch and see!"

Todoroki took a breath as he began to talk. "My name is not 'Five Wienies.' I am Shoto from UA, and I wanna be a hero. My father, Endeavour, is currently the number one hero, but to be frank, I've always hated him, and I wanna forge my path," and so he continued.

The kids were bored out of their minds.

Todoroki slumped away, a dark aura around him, while Inasa beamed. "That was a nice try, Todoroki!" Inasa grabbed Todoroki, placing his hands on his shoulders in support.

"I guess we have no choice," Bakugo decided.

"Hey, you three have been yelling and running after them this whole time, but I dunno. Wouldn't it be faster if we like just showed them how cool all our Quirks are?"

"I was just about to suggest that," Bakugo shouted, pointing at Camie in annoyance. She did not care. "We have a lot of work to do. And plenty of these snot-nosed twerps seem to think it's fun to cause us trouble. We can't just try to gain their trust and think that's enough. We gotta go all in with a demonstration of our skills."

As the teens schemed, the kids stood up, a dark aura surrounding them. Their teacher jumped to her feet, gasping in horror. "Careful! Don't hurt them!"

One kid laughed. "You guys aren't foolin' anybody. We're better than you, and we'll take you down to prove it," he held out his hands as the quirks activated.

"Oh? Then bring it on. Let's have a proper fight." Bakugo grinned as he activated his Quirk. The others also got ready for a fight.

The kid leader continued to smile. "In the end, all you Neanderthals can do is resort to useless violence. Of course, that won't work."

Naka looked between the groups, holding up his hands. "Wait, we should-"

"Shut it, Copy."

Naka blinked in shock, his arms falling to his side. To the side, Seiji was joining Present Mic, taking over the commentary. "As Present Mic should already have deduced, if my peers fight seriously, the children will be left beaten and ashamed. On the other hand, if they use their discretion and let the children shine, then it will only make the delinquents even more brazen. Abandoning discourse will result in failure."

"Hold on," the teacher cried out. "I don't think you all know how dangerous this is. Those children are strong and believe wholeheartedly that their Quirk surpasses those of the heroes. They won't hold back against your trainees."

The students stood ready as their quirks flew around them, ready to launch.