Viel Of Scales: The Dragons Ascension

Smoke and Trials.

Scene: Cute Chaos in Middle School

The school hallway was a war zone. Not with explosions, villain attacks, or anything that remotely screamed hero training. No, this was far far worse.

"Izuku-kun! Look this way!"
"Izuku, smile for the camera!"
"His eyes are so shiny... and his fangs are adorable!"

Izuku Midoriya was backed against his locker, wide-eyed, with at least twenty students surrounding him from all sides. A cacophony of phone camera clicks filled the air as boys and girls alike swarmed him.

"K-Kacchan," Izuku stuttered, his gaze darting around like a cornered rabbit. "Help me!"

But Katsuki Bakugo wasn't anywhere near the crowd. He was busy yelling at some first-years who were trying to scribble "Cutest Boy in School" on the blackboard in big, bold letters.

"Oi! You stupid extras off Deku right now!" Bakugo stormed toward the mob, his voice sharp enough to cut through the commotion. "Heroes aren't supposed to be cute, you morons! They're supposed to be badass!"

The students barely spared him a glance, one girl holding up her phone for yet another picture of Izuku. "But look at him! His eyes are so cool!"

"They're black pits of doom!" Bakugo roared, grabbing the phone out of her hand.

"His fangs are the cutest!" another boy squealed, trying to snap a selfie with Izuku.

"THEY'RE MEANT FOR TEARING APART VILLAINS, NOT MELTING YOUR BRAINS!"

Izuku tried to slide away from the crowd, his hands raised in surrender. "I-I don't even like taking photos! Please, can everyone just-"

"Smile for the camera, Izuku!" a girl cooed, ignoring his plea.

Bakugo shoved his way through the throng, grabbing Izuku by the back of his shirt. "Alright, that's it. Everyone, back off, or I'll start blowing up phones!"

That got their attention.

The crowd hesitated for a moment, looking between Bakugo's furious face and Izuku's mortified expression. Slowly, they began to leave, though a few lingered at the edges of the hallway, sneaking longing glances at Izuku.

Bakugo let out a frustrated growl, dragging Izuku down the hallway and into an empty classroom.
He slammed the door behind them.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Deku?!" Bakugo snapped, letting go of his shirt. "You're supposed to be training to be a hero, not running a damn fan club!"

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I didn't ask for them to follow me around, Kacchan. They just... think I'm cute..."

"Cute?!" Bakugo barked, throwing his hands in the air. "Heroes aren't cute! Heroes are cool, intimidating, and scary as hell!"

Izuku winced. "I can't help it... It's not like I can change the way I look."

Bakugo grabbed Izuku by the shoulders, leaning in close. "Listen to me, nerd. You've got pitch-black eyes and fangs. Fangs! That's not cute-that's terrifying!"

"But... they don't think so..." Izuku mumbled.

Bakugo groaned, letting go and pacing the room. "Alright, new plan. I'll train you so hard they won't even think about calling you cute. You'll be so strong, so badass, they'll forget all about your stupid eyes and baby teeth."

Izuku blinked. "Fangs, Kacchan."

"Whatever!" Bakugo shouted, punching the air. "We're starting today, Deku. No more cute crap. You're gonna be a hero!"