𓆱❀𓆱

I leaned in the back of the monitor room, picking absently at some old bandages leftover from yesterday's close combat training. Aizawa was unrelenting — even when I had exams the next day.

"It looks like I'll soon have a lot of work on my plate..." complained Recovery Girl as she wheeled across the room. I chuckled. With Midoriya and Bakugo on the same team, that was a given.

"Team Sato and Kirishima, practical exam," spoke a robotic voice over the speakers. A screen in the upper-left corner flashed, depicting an arena packed with buildings with one main road right down the centre. The live footage followed Sato and Kirishima running directly down the main road. Of course they're being straightforward and bullheaded.

The match was finished within minutes, as the two boys attempted to burst through Cementoss' assault head-on, only to be overwhelmed with cement and trapped in a dome. "I think the key to these exams will be finding a way to overcome our weaknesses to pass," Midoriya murmured.

"That's exactly right," agreed Recovery Girl. "Before your own turn comes around, you should think carefully about your compatibility with the teacher you're facing."

"Team Sato and Kirishima retires due to both members losing consciousness!"

I watched the first few matches before looking for the others in the lounge. I found Sato and Kirishima nursing their bruises and fretting over their fresh fail on one of the couches.

"Nice try, you two," I called.

"Oh, Akiharu, you were watching!" he laughed abashedly. "That's a little embarrassing."

I laughed, "Ha, ha. Ha—" and delivered a swift punch to his gut. "Why did you go straight through the front, you fool!"

"It's all I know how to do!" he complained, clutching his stomach.

"Exactly! The whole point of the exam is to make an attempt to recognize and overcome your weaknesses." I gestured to Mina and Kaminari who strategized on the floor nearby. "That's why these two have a great chance of passing, if only they manage not to be complete idiots!"

"Dude!" yelled Kaminari.

"She's not wrong there," Sero muttered.

I walked over to where the two dunces were huddled on the floor. "What are you guys doing down there, anyway–" I stared down at the cards placed on the floor. "You idiots are playing fucking cards? Get up and get out there! You're up next!"

"Eek! Already?"

"Why didn't you tell us sooner!"

The two morons left their cards behind in a flurry to get ready. I scooped the cards up off the ground, tapping them into a deck. What were these cards anyway? They didn't look like the regular kind.

"You wanna cool down with some Uno?" Offered Kirishima. "Your match is last!"

"Uno?" I questioned. Sero and Kirishima shared a horrified glance.

"Akiharu..." Sero rested a hand on my shoulder. "Were you raised in the woods?"

"I'm not sure what's more unforgivable. That you don't know Uno, or that you didn't recognize Thirteen," Kirishima griped.

I flushed with embarrassment. "I had better things to do than card games!"

Sero took the cards from my hands and began dealing them out. "I'm doing this for you as your friend."

"Now isn't really the time for card games..."

"Yeah," called Ochako as she knelt in our slowly growing little circle. "Akiharu, you're facing Hawks alone! What are you gonna do!"

I cringed while I picked up my cards. "I'm thinking about it."

Hawks' strengths were his speed and his versatility. He could be in a wide area simultaneously, thanks to the elevated senses his feathers provided him. My weaknesses were... Speed? Durability... Endurance matches? ...Swimming?

"Wow, Akiharu, you're smart but I guess Uno's not for everybody!" said Ochako nervously.

"Yeah, you suck!" cackled Sero.

"It's my first time!" I objected, putting down the hand that was nearly half the deck. I caught a glimpse of frizzy green hair and excused myself from the game to go 'get in the zone'.

"Hey Midoriya," I called to the boy pacing the hallway. The boy startled and turned to me with bright, curious eyes. "What do you think my biggest weakness is?"

"Hm?" Midoriya's face scrunched in thought. "Um... Well, You're very well rounded and strong! But if I had to say something..." His eyes squinted and his lips pursed. "Maybe that you tend to avoid going on the offensive...? Or, I suppose that's not always..." He trailed off into indecipherable little murmurs.

I gave him a short smile. "I see... You're next, right?"

"Um, yes!"

"Good luck, Midoriya. If anyone has a chance against All Might it's you two!"

"U-Uh, thanks!"

I wandered through the halls to go find a vending machine to rob. My nervous energy must have been burning calories it was so intense, and now I was hungry. My nose crinkled in annoyance as I saw my usual pick of cheese crackers had been replaced with all-organic nuts. "Damn," I cursed, kicking the machine. "I'm gonna punch that rat."

I heard a pair of footsteps stop and start again as Bakugo turned on his heel once he saw me.  He obviously did not want to be disturbed, but I called out anyway. "Hey, Bakugo... What's my weakness?"

"Your entire brain," he called.

"Gee thanks, how insightful," I muttered, turning away. "Jackass."

"The way you look down on everybody then," he retorted. "How about that!"

My eye twitched. His expression was reminiscent of the first couple weeks of school. "Damn, Blondie. Who pissed in your cornflakes?" Bakugo's jaw screwed shut and he started trundling back down the hallway. "Where do you get this idea that I'm looking down on everyone?" I called again.

"You act so high and mighty, thinking you can get through everything just good enough without giving it your all, and it's bullshit," he scoffed. "Shitty-hair is a complete and utter dumbass, but at least he always goes in expecting to crush 'em. You could learn a thing or two from him."

With that, he restarted his brisk march down the hall. "You could learn a thing or two from Midoriya, you know!" I called.

"Shut the fuck up, Shitty tie!"

"I'm not wearing my—" The shout fell on deaf ears as he turned a corner. I rolled my eyes and found a quiet place to focus and gather myself before the match. I only caught glimpses of Bakugo and Midoriya's match through the various monitors in the halls. Right off the bat, they bickered and fought – as if they weren't facing fucking All Might.

My battlefield would be Field Delta – a zone modeled after the Musutafu suburbs, separated into a residential zone, a commercial zone, and a small river and park.

What should my plan of action be? The escape gate would be somewhere on the opposite end of the arena. I could travel underground until the last second, but I'd have to emerge to pass through the gate. Once I did, Hawks would have the advantage. I'm sure he'd expect that move, too – either his feathers, or Hawks himself, would be waiting there for me.

That would be the biggest thing for me to overcome— That Hawks knew me too well.

I had to find a way to draw him away from the gate. Get his full attention to the opposite side of the arena, so I could sneak past...

Damn! That'd never work. No matter what, he'd post up at the gate until I showed myself.

So, what the hell did I do?

"If I had to say something you had to overcome... Maybe that you tend to avoid going on the offensive?"

So, what? Face him head on?

That's fucking crazy! Against Keigo? I wouldn't stand a chance.

"At lease he always goes in expecting to crush 'em."

What, just.. make a situation where winning is the only possible outcome! Easy, right...?

Aizawa was standing outside the gate of Field Delta. "It should go without saying, but make sure you cause minimal damage to the arena. Your roll here is that of a hero."

I nodded grimly. "Yes, sir." Hawks' close-combat skills are excellent. He's more experienced than me, so normally I wouldn't stand a chance. But with those weights... If I could find a way to get rid of enough of his feathers, then maybe...

"Good luck, Akiharu," he said, patting my shoulder. "Believe in yourself."

"I'm trying," I griped.

Aizawa cocked a brow. "What's got you so unsettled, kid?"

My eyes scanned above the arena as if I'd catch sight of Hawks flying above. "He knows me... better than I know myself," I muttered. "And I know him, and that's why I know this matchup is terrible and I need a damn miracle."

"With that attitude, you will," Aizawa griped, but his lips were quirked with the ghost of a grin. "I'll give you some advice... When you go out there, think on the fly." His hand ruffled my hair.

I rolled my eyes. "Terrible pun— and I'm garbage at making things up as I go."

"I know," Aizawa reassured. "And I'll tell you why– because deep inside, you're scared. You've been raised cautious. It's a double-edged sword. It'll keep you out of danger and it'll help you stay a step ahead— But it will also slow you down and make you stick to habits, good or bad, in your comfort zone."

"Does everyone get the premium Aizawa lecture before their match?"

Aizawa smirked. "Not everyone is facing the Third ranked hero on their own. Alright, kid. Get in there and be free— experiment, try new things – This is the one place you can safely."

Fear squeezed my chest like an overprotective hug at the thought of letting loose. "But—"

"You've got all the top heroes in the nation on standby, Akiharu. No one's here for miles. Just go in there and wreak havoc for once, like a real kid."

The speakers above his head crackled to life and the big metal gate swung open. "Akiharu Team, practical exam... Ready, start!"

I stepped cautiously into the arena, my eyes flitting quickly across the streets for any sight of Hawks' feathers. I slinked to the side of the main road and ducked behind the closest fence, closing my eyes. I inhaled deeply and focused, feeling the earth beneath me extend in all directions. I stretched my senses as far as they could reach beneath the ground, mapping out the buildings and roads and the empty lots for faux construction zones. I could not sense Hawks or his feathers – All of which would be levitating. By far, the best place for me to face Hawks head on...

I felt the ground dip beneath a small river that churned through the small nature park fenced off on the far West side of the arena.

Was it too predictable? I cautioned myself. If I don't show up at the gate, he'll be expecting that–

The fabric of my costume was suddenly slammed to the building at my back. My hand flew to the little red feather that had found me, pierced just above my shoulder, within seconds of the exam starting. I don't have time to overthink!

I yanked myself underground and the feather sprang after me. It was blocked by a mound of dirt before it could follow me deeper. Underground, I rocketed in the direction of the nature park. My heart pounded in my chest, nerves and adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I stopped beneath the riverbank and slowly pushed myself out of the ground, scanning the manmade forest before me for any hint of scarlet red. My fingers leveraged the diabase rocks from my belt. My ears perked at every rustle of the wind, which I could barely hear over the pounding of my heart. I felt like a caged mouse in a falcon's hunting grounds— I was prey being pursued by the top of the food chain. My stomach growled at the thought of food.

In a blur, I was surrounded by little red feathers, sharpened like knives. From above, Hawks lowered toward the ground. "Predictable, Haru... I taught you better!"

From every angle, feathers shot toward me like arrows from a bow. The soil at my feet shifted and propelled me to the air. One feather nicked my arm as I escaped to the sky. I weaved through the deadly projectiles on a plume of dirt. The ruby red projectiles shot after me with cunning speed, rapidly gaining, until they converged together on the dirt stream. The sudden impact disrupted my control.

I fell only a few metres to the ground and caught myself on an earth platform, lowering myself to the grass. The feathers pivoted up above and shot after me again. The blood rushed through my veins. Let loose, let loose, let loose— Hero! Minimal damage!

I yanked myself underground right before the feathers hit. I reemerged a few meters away, wiping mud from my sweaty face. "We won't get anywhere if you keep playing the dodging game, Haru!" Hawks called through the trees.

No shit! Just let me think! I stayed with my back planted to a tree with and my breath held, concerned the slightest movement would alert the sensitive senses of Hawks and his feathers. There was no time for planning. A flash of red in my peripheral and the feathers were upon me again, from every angle. My heart skipped a beat. I flung my hands before me and dirt flew up from the ground.

For a second, everything stopped. The feathers shivered against the grains of rock holding them in place like an invisible net. My mind screamed against the concentration required to hold millions of specks perfectly in place.

I ducked and rolled as my concentration broke. The feathers slammed harmlessly into the trunk where my chest was moments earlier. "Hey, that's a new trick!" called Keigo. I sprang to my feet and ran deeper into the nature park.

I dashed across the log bridging the small river churning through the arena. In the centre, I could see the sky and through the trees in all directions. Dirt from the bank began shifting toward me and filled the pockets of my costume, slipping in between all of the gaps and folds in my costume. I extended my senses to as wide of an area I could cover, concentrating until I could differ between each blade of grass.

I closed my eyes again and let my senses direct me without the distraction of my sight.

The grass at my back was ruffled by an unnatural gust of wind. Hawks shot to the air as I lunged. I managed to grasp his ankle as he took off high above the arena. My stomach plummeted as the wind rushed past my ears.

"I know you don't like heights, Haru... Maybe you should let go!"

I made the mistake of glancing down. Vertigo rushed through my head. I clutched harder onto Hawks' leg. With his feathers at half capacity, he would have to use all of them just to keep us in the air. I clawed up his pant leg, preparing to grab the cuffs from my belt.

"Woah!" chided Hawks, swerving and nearly knocking me off his back. I attempted to grab his arm and he rolled and began to dive headfirst back through the clouds. I thought my stomach would shoot out of my ass from terror as we rushed toward the ground. The wind stung my eyes and ripped across my face. I mustered the courage and once again grasped for Hawks' arms.

His feathers shot off of his back and raced toward me, piercing my costume and pulling me back to the air. Down below, he drifted slowly to the ground on the few feathers he had left. The nature park and the suburbs below me blurred together as I was lifted higher, and higher.

The dirt caught in my costume exploded out around me and caught the feathers. I slammed my hands togeter and contained them feathers in a ball of rock. The feathers struggled against my hold. I began free-falling through the air. The rushing wind tore at my concentration but I held my shaking arms in front of me, mustering a silent prayer that my Quirk could reach the ground before my body did. Just reach me!

In a flash, thick white roots broke through the earth below me. They twisted and tangled together and as I hit the natural net they slowed my fall, dropping me to the grass in one piece. I groaned and rubbed my back as I pushed myself to my feet, and the roots shot back below the ground as if they had a mind of their own.

My ears rang as I blearily scanned the landscape before me covered with mounds of dirt that the roots had disrupted. I felt a spot of blood dribble from my nose. I caught a glimpse of yellow through the trees and raised my hands. A mountain of earth shot up from the ground around Hawks. With the weights and his wings depleted, I was able to move just fast enough to catch him.

I ran toward the mound and pushed my hand against the earth. I could sense where the muddled energy of the ground turned to his figure; alight with vitality and energy. With the earth around him I pulled his body toward me, until just an arm stuck out. I clasped the cuffs around his hand.

The second I did, the mound of earth collapsed back into the ground. In unison with the earth, I fell to my knees, nursing my wounds and fumbling for my supplements.

"Team Akiharu Passes!" echoed the robotic voice through the arena.

"Good match, Haru!" chirped Hawks, extending a hand toward me.

I wiped the blood from my nose before I let him pull me to my feet. "Thanks for going easy on me," I muttered.

His lips quirked with a crooked smile. "It was a request of your teacher – But only if you faced me head on."

"I figured."

He slung my arm around his shoulders as he helped me limp out of the arena. "Ya wanna go for dinner tonight? I got the day booked off."

"Fried chicken?" I asked.

"You know it!" he chattered away, collecting his feathers from my pocket. His face and hair were covered in dirt and I was sure I looked no better. "What do they teach you at this school, by the way?"

I shrugged to myself at the thought, until a little smirk tugged at my lips. "Don't you know the motto, you dolt?"

Hawks grinned. "Go beyond: Plus Ultra!"

I grinned along with him. "Fucking cringe."

𓆱❀𓆱

3100 words