"Now, what's the lesson here? Even the mightiest can be humbled. Sometimes brute strength alone won't cut it. A bit o' cunning, a dash o' discomfort, and a willingness to swallow pride can accomplish what brawn never could. Quirks and hammers alike are mere tools, nothing more, until the hero lends them purpose."
"So remember, Class 1‑A: don't be the fool who trusts only in raw power. Be the one who knows when to don the gown, so to speak, and when to wield the hammer. True strength is not just what you have; it's what you're willing to do, no matter how ridiculous it seems, to protect those who need you."
The eyes of the kids lit up with the story told by Mimir. By the end of it, almost everyone had a smile on their face with newfound determination and a new goal in their minds. Mimir was a master storyteller. The way he knew just the perfect story to not just teach the children, but also how to deliver it in such a way that it lightened the atmosphere completely, while teaching them something valuable. His wit and charm were truly legendary.
Within just 15 minutes, every single person present inside that courtyard felt a profound change in their impression of Kratos and Mimir. Gone was the impression of some coldhearted, hard-ass dude who was tighter than the ass-cheeks of a goblin suffering from explosive diarrhea! Instead, they felt newfound respect and curiosity, a surprising warmth replacing the earlier apprehension.
But this shift was nothing compared to what those kids felt for Mimir. All that could be said was: he was an instant favorite of almost everyone there. The explosive boy, Bakugo, and the hot/cold boy, Todoroki, kept their feelings and thoughts hidden behind their usual stoic or scowling facades, but the rest? Their eyes were shining as they looked at the floating, talking head.
Mimir saw this and smiled, his Bifrost eyes twinkling. "But enough talks. Talks will only take ye so far, eh? Now, who is ready for some practical class?"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the students. Kratos, with a low grunt, carefully reattached Mimir to his belt and then turned to give All Might a subtle nod. All Might, ever the showman, beamed and strode back to the front of the class, his imposing figure once again commanding attention.
"Excellent, young heroes!" All Might boomed, his voice resonating with his characteristic charisma. "Today, we dive into the heart of hero training! The Hero Basic Training program here at U.A. isn't just about mastering your Quirks; it's about mastering yourselves! It's about learning to apply your abilities in real-world scenarios, understanding the nuances of combat, and forging the bonds that will make you true symbols of peace!"
He struck a dynamic pose, one fist on his hip, radiating an aura of unwavering confidence. "And today, you will face your first major challenge: a combat simulation exercise! But there's a twist, young heroes!"
He paused for dramatic effect, letting the anticipation build. "Today's pairings will not be made randomly!"
The students exchanged puzzled glances. Their chatter, which had begun to rise, died down in confusion. They looked to the silent, unmoving figure of Kratos, half-expecting an answer, knowing full well they wouldn't get one from the God of Few Words. Their gazes then instinctively flicked to Mimir, hanging quietly at Kratos's hip.
But before Mimir could even open his mouth, All Might interjected with a booming laugh. "Haha! You're all wondering why, aren't you? Well, that's a secret for now! Kratos and Mimir have come up with a rather… unique approach to today's pairings. And whoever discovers the hidden logic behind these pairings will earn themselves extra points for today's exercise!"
Suddenly, every student's eyes lit up. Extra points! The competitive spirit, inherent in aspiring heroes, flared instantly. They leaned forward, eager, waiting with bated breath for All Might to announce the first pairing.
All Might, ever the master of ceremony, then launched into a detailed explanation of the exercise, his voice booming across the courtyard. "Alright, young heroes! Today, you'll be divided into teams of two! One team will be the 'Heroes,' tasked with infiltrating a designated building and either capturing the 'Villains' or securing a simulated nuclear weapon hidden within!"
"The 'Villain' team, naturally, will defend the weapon or capture the Heroes! This is a real-world simulation, so use your Quirks, use your wits, and go 'Plus Ultra'!" He outlined the building layout, the time limit, and the conditions for victory, just as he had done countless times before.
"Now then, for our very first match!" All Might's voice swelled with dramatic flair. "Taking on the role of 'Villains' for this round, we have... Tokoyami Fumikage and Bakugo Katsuki!"
A ripple of murmurs went through the class. Tokoyami stood calmly, his dark form unmoving, no visible emotion on his bird-like face. As for Bakugo, a wild, predatory grin slowly began to stretch across his face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"And facing them as our 'Hero' team, we have... Kirishima Eijiro and Rikido Sato!"
To this announcement, Kirishima let out a boisterous "Yeah!" and instantly high-fived a beaming Sato, whose muscular frame seemed to vibrate with excitement. The two boys looked ready to rumble, their enthusiasm a stark contrast to the stoic Tokoyami and the subtly menacing Bakugo.
-----
Inside the sprawling, multi-level training building, the air crackled with Bakugo's barely contained impatience. "Alright, bird-brain," he snarled, gesturing with a palm that already sparked faintly. "Fifteen minutes to keep this damn thing hidden. Where's the best spot for your shadow monster to guard it?" He held up a small, blinking device – the 'bomb' the heroes needed to locate.
Tokoyami, ever the calm strategist, surveyed the cavernous space. "Dark Shadow thrives in dim conditions, Bakugo. The lower levels, where natural light is scarce, would be ideal. We can establish a defensive perimeter there." The inherent conflict between their Quirks was immediately apparent. Bakugo's powerful explosions produced intense light, which directly weakened Dark Shadow, making it docile.
"Great. So, I just... don't use my Quirk? Because last I checked, explosions make light, bird-brain," Bakugo scoffed, a small, controlled explosion popping in his hand.
"A controlled application is necessary," Tokoyami stated, his voice even. "Your concussive force can be utilized for area denial and creating obstacles, while minimizing the illumination. We can collapse sections to create more enclosed, darker spaces." He pointed towards a series of support pillars leading down to the basement.
Bakugo grumbled, but a flicker of grudging respect for the tactical suggestion crossed his face. "Fine. We'll make this place a maze of rubble and shadows. They won't know what hit 'em, and they won't find this bomb." He quickly moved, descending to the basement where the emergency lights provided only a faint glow.
There, in a deeply recessed, shadowed alcove, he placed the bomb. He then began strategically blasting support beams on the basement level, causing controlled collapses that created a labyrinth of debris and deeper shadows, particularly around the bomb's location. The timer on the bomb began its five-minute countdown.
Dark Shadow, a shadowy entity, emerged from Tokoyami's body, its form slightly larger and more defined in the basement's gloom. It stretched, its claws flexing, ready to defend.
Outside, Eijiro Kirishima and Rikido Sato stood ready, their hero costumes sharp against the morning light. Kirishima, brimming with his usual "manly" enthusiasm, pounded a hardened fist into his palm. "Alright, Sato! Fifteen minutes on the clock! Let's go in, find that bomb, and smash through whatever they throw at us! A manly, direct approach is the best defense!"
Sato, clutching a small pouch of sugar cubes, nodded, his expression determined. "Right! We'll hit 'em hard and fast!" Their strategy was straightforward: a frontal assault, relying on their physical prowess and durability to overwhelm any resistance. Both were primarily close-range, physical combatants, a shared limitation they were about to discover.
As All Might's voice boomed the "START!" command, they burst through the main entrance on the ground floor. Kirishima immediately activated his Hardening Quirk, his skin turning jagged and crimson. Sato, with a quick gulp of a sugar cube, felt a surge of power as his muscles visibly bulked.
Just inside the cavernous lobby, the air shimmered with heat. Katsuki Bakugo stood not far from the entrance, a smirk slowly widening across his face. His strategy was simple: keep the muscled brainiacs occupied. Tokoyami, with his versatile Dark Shadow, would protect the bomb. There was no way two meatheads could ever hope to beat him.
"DIIIIIE!" Bakugo roared, propelling himself forward with a series of concussive blasts from his palms. He shot towards Kirishima and Sato like a human missile, his gauntlets spitting smoke.
"Incoming!" Kirishima yelled, hardening his arms and bracing for impact. Bakugo spun, slamming an explosive right hook directly into Kirishima's hardened arm. BOOM! The force rattled Kirishima, but he held his ground, gritting his teeth. Sato, already moving, lunged in from the side, a massive, Quirk-enhanced fist aiming for Bakugo's midsection.
Bakugo twisted, a smaller explosion from his left palm diverting Sato's punch just enough to miss its mark. He then blasted off the ground, circling high above them. "Too slow, extras! You really think you can hit me?!" he taunted, raining down a barrage of smaller, rapid-fire explosions that forced Kirishima and Sato to cover up, their durable Quirks absorbing the hits.
"Damn it, he's too fast!" Sato grunted, his vision momentarily obscured by smoke.
"Sato! Break through!" Kirishima yelled, charging forward, a hardened wall of crimson. "I'll keep him busy!"
Bakugo dropped, meeting Kirishima's charge head-on. KRAKA-BOOM! A massive explosion erupted as their Quirks clashed, sending a shockwave rippling through the lobby. Kirishima slid back a few feet, his hardened skin smoking, but his eyes were resolute. "You're not getting past me, Bakugo!"
While Bakugo was fully engaged with Kirishima, Sato seized the opportunity. He ducked under an arc of smoke and burst past the explosive exchange, a blur of muscle heading deeper into the building.
Bakugo, mid-blast, noticed the movement. "HEY! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, YOU CHEAP MUSCLE FREAK?!" His eyes blazed with fury. "YOU THINK I'D LET YOU JUST SLIP BY?!" He unleashed a powerful explosion, forcing Kirishima to recoil, and then propelled himself after Sato.
"Stay focused on me, Bakugo!" Kirishima roared, giving chase.
The chase became a chaotic dance through the building's simulated floors. Sato, relying on his raw speed and strength, tore through doors and burst through thin walls, seeking a path to the bomb. Bakugo, a furious whirlwind of explosions, was always just behind him, blasting away any obstacles or firing concussive blasts to force Sato to dodge.
"You're not escaping, fatty!" Bakugo screamed, narrowing the distance. He peppered the hallways with explosions, ripping up the floor and sending debris flying, trying to corner Sato. Sato responded by smashing through the debris with his powered fists, creating his own path of destruction.
Meanwhile, Kirishima, a determined red blur, pounded after them, his hardened body absorbing stray blasts and debris. He scanned each floor as he passed, his eyes darting for anything resembling a bomb. "Any sign, Sato?!" he yelled through the cacophony of explosions and crumbling architecture.
"Nothing yet! Just more walls!" Sato bellowed back, punching through a reinforced door.
This pattern continued, a relentless game of cat and mouse fueled by Bakugo's rage and the Heroes' single-minded determination. They ascended through the building, floor by floor, the sounds of their chaotic battle echoing through the mock city. Each floor became more damaged than the last, a testament to Bakugo's destructive pursuit and Sato's forceful attempts to create distance.
Eventually, they reached the very top floor. Kirishima, his hardening still active but his breathing ragged, burst onto the rooftop, followed closely by a panting, sugar-infused Sato. They were both roughed up, their costumes torn, dust and grit clinging to their sweat-slicked faces. Bakugo landed behind them, panting hard, but his wild grin was still firmly in place, even if his gauntlets were smoking more intensely. He had kept them occupied, just as planned.