Chapter Text
Izuku sat in the Viewing room waiting for Class 1-A to exit the changing rooms, his dark-tint glasses just enough to dim the overwhelming sun that was All Might. This was how it was since birth, every person had a glow tied to their quirk with a personalised colour, at the very least for Izuku. His quirk made him valuable, made him a key piece in the grand game of chess between heroes and villains. Afterall, who wouldn’t want the kid who successfully figured out All Might’s quirk from a quick glance?
Quiet clacks of boots and heels filled the hallway in front and out came the future cavalry, the footsoldiers of tomorrow. The class were dressed in their costumes and almost immediately Izuku began filing away complaints to forward to Nezu afterwards. ‘I mean who the hell thought that showing that much skin was in any way safe?! Fucking perverts…’. For the most part, everyone’s costumes were stylish but lacking in what was needed, no outward defenses or support items that could bring out the full potential of their quirks.
“Hey it’s Midoriya! What are you doing here?” Uraraka’s voice rang out, quickly gathering a small crowd close to her and Izuku. The moss-haired boy chuckled.
“Did you forget I have to work with your class? I need to get practical work just as much as you guys.”
“Oh…yeah we kinda forgot that.” Ashido replied absent-mindedly, interrupting Uraraka’s embarrassed flailing.
“Of course you extras forgot, Pinky. You guys just haven’t seen him plan in action yet.” growled Bakugo. The two boys grew up close, Izuku’s quirk aiding Katsuki perfectly in training and leading to a mutual respect and rivalry among the teenagers. “You better not be slacking on your training Deku, that brain can only take you so far before you get your ass kicked.”
“Like I’d let myself fall behind Mr. Bomberanian.” Izuku laughed, “Someone’s gotta keep you in line on the field after all.”
“Shut up grasshead, we both know I’m just gonna be babysitting your ass in the future.”
“As if you-”
“Well, they say the costume makes the hero and I’d like to say all of you are looking positively dashing!” All Might interrupted massively, voice vibrating right through Izuku’s body. He didn’t have a suit, simply wearing the UA school uniform. No point in having a costume if you weren’t part of the Hero Course afterall. He watched as All Might explained the trial, a simple Battle Exercise where everyone would be grouped into teams of two. Only one issue though…
“Sir! There are only 19 of us, meaning one person will have to be themself sir!” Iida spoke, waving his arm like he was trying to snap a bring in two. Izuku could respect the dedication but god did he need to loosen up. 'Needs to get the stick out of his ass, as Kacchan would say.'
“Unfortunately yes, that is correct Young Iida. But! That means whoever will be selected must go even more Plus Ultra to show their skill!”
“How will the teams be selected, sir?” Momo spoke up.
“Why, by lotto of course!”
“Sir! Would it not be better to let-”
“Iida.” Izuku cut him off, “In the future, you’re not always gonna have a decision on who your teammates will be. People like me will be simply sending in the best choice of who’s close by. This way, you’ll have actual practical experience instead of fully controlled conditions so quiet down and let All Might speak.” he snapped out, hand smacking over his mouth and ears glowing red after realising how rude he’d been. 'Oh god oh no I should’ve justlethimspeakandthenAllMightwould’veclarifiedohwhathaveIdoneI-'
“You hit the nail on the head Young Midoriya! That’s precisely why this lotto is done, Young Iida. You’ll not always have that choice and it's better to get that knowledge out now than right in the field!”
Iida nodded curtly, head held down in brief shame before snapping to attention.
The lotto teams quickly formed, Izuku not paying much attention until the last ball was left.
“Why, it seems Young Bakugo will be on a team by himself for the exercise, good luck!”
“Wait! Why don’t you let Izuku here get some more experience and put him as a strategist on my team. He stays and plans while I’m out on the field kicking ass with his knowledge.” Bakugo grinned, eyeing the rest of the class with a feral intensity.
Izuku’s head snapped up immediately, mouth agape at Katsuki’s proposal. His jaw hit the floor as All Might nodded, accepting the reasoning nearly as fast as his full sprint. “That certainly seems fair, Young Bakugo! Young Midoriya, do you wish to team up with him?”
Faster than anyone could see, Izuku rocketed to his feet and ran to Katsuki and smacked his back. “Absolutely, Sensei!” he grinned, eyes focused and faintly shimmering when his glasses fell slightly.
“Very well! Team A, Bakugo and Midoriya, will be fighting Team G, Ashido and Iida!”
The smirk that adorned both Katsuki’s and Izuku’s faces startled the class; Izuku knew exactly what to do to beat this combination and he turned towards Katsuki slowly. He pulled his glasses from his face and his eyes illuminated in a mixture of green and blue hazy lights. His quirk drew forth both Iida’s and Ashido quirks in full.
“You remember Strategy 12, Kacchan?”
“Of course I do Nerd. Trip up the speedster with sharp turns.”
“Well, we’re gonna modify it slightly…”
While Izuku and Katsuki muttered to each other, the rest of the class gave Ashido and Iida a sympathetic look.
“We’re done for aren’t we?” Ashido sighed.
A unanimous “Yes” followed.