My Hero Academia Symbol of Hope (DC x MHA)

What it means to be a hero

Kara sat quietly in the waiting area, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of her plate. She let out a heavy sigh, her thoughts swirling with a mix of relief and unease. The first part of the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam was behind her, but it didn't feel like the victory it should have felt that passing the firt part of the exam the way she did was a bittersweet result.

Izuku's words replayed in her mind as they were being separated by the students that created an earthquake in the arena "Pass, Kara. Use your speed and get through. we'll catch up to you."

Without thinking she as he instructed, using her speed to outmatch a group of students and secure her spot. Her victory had been swift, efficient—and hollow. She glanced at her plate, untouched, as her stomach churned.

Kara's chest felt heavy as she replayed the events over and over in her mind. Her speed had made it easy to slip through the chaos of the first phase. She'd outrun and outmaneuvered the opposition, crossing the finish line before most had even processed her presence. But the sense of accomplishment she'd expected never came. Instead, an unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling took its place—guilt.

Kara's hands tightened into fists, her fingers trembling slightly. What would Kai have done in her place? He wouldn't have run ahead alone, that much she knew. He would have moved the entire arena for his classmates to make sure everyone passed.

"You made it," a voice took her out of her thoughts as she looked up and found Todoroki 

Kara managed to smile a small smile. "Yeah. You too."

One by one, other members of Class 1-A began to trickle into the waiting area. Momo arrived next, then Tenya and Mina, followed by Jiro and Tokoyami. Each new face brought a wave of relief, but it wasn't until Izuku arrived—panting slightly, with Ochako and Sero at his side—that Kara felt the tension in her chest ease.

Izuku's bright smile lit up his face as he spotted her. "Told you I'd catch up."

She gave him a playful smirk. "Took you long enough." She said but she was relifed that he made it.

Izuku noticed right away that something was off. Kara's smirk was there, but it didn't reach her eyes. The usual fire and determination she carried seemed dimmed, replaced by something heavier. As the others began to chatter about their experiences during the first phase of the exam, Izuku found himself watching her closely. She wasn't joining in like she normally would. Instead, she stared at her plate, her fingers idly tracing its edge again, her expression distant.

"Kara?" Izuku stepped closer, his voice soft. "Are you okay?"

She looked up, startled, and then quickly tried to mask her emotions. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... tired, I guess."

Izuku didn't buy it. "You don't seem fine," he said gently, pulling up a chair next to her. "Something's bothering you. You can tell me."

Kara hesitated, biting her lower lip. For a moment, she considered brushing him off again, but the concern in his green eyes stopped her. She sighed, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms.

"It's just... I keep thinking about what happened out there," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I used my speed, just like you said, and I passed. But I didn't stop to help anyone. I didn't even think about my classmates or the people struggling around me. I just... ran. And now I can't stop wondering if Kai would have been disappointed in me."

Izuku tilted his head, confused. "Disappointed? Kara, you passed the exam. You did what you had to do."

"But that's not what being a hero is about!" she said, her voice cracking. "Kai would've never left anyone behind. He would've done everything he could to help everyone, no matter the cost. That's what it means to be Superman. And if I can't even live up to that in an exam, how am I supposed to do it out there, in the real world?"