Chapter 9: Hit ‘em High and Low

Right out of the gate, Izuku powered up his legs with 5% of One for All, feeling the familiar surge of energy course through him. He darted ahead of the competition, moving so fast that he elicited a few murmurs of surprise from the other examinees. However, those murmurs were the furthest thing from the forefront of his mind. The aspiring hero had to perform well but, at the same time, needed to rein himself in so that he wouldn’t break his promise to Katsumi. Did you know that the human hand has 27 bones in it? One slip-up and Izuku would be on the metaphorical couch for who knows how long. Regardless, he knew he had to stay focused and control his quirk carefully to avoid injuring himself or anyone else.

He spotted his first target, a hulking 2-point robot, and quickly calculated his approach. ‘Okay, first target. Have to take it down quickly. Launch with my legs, then focus on my arms. Just like I practiced.’

Energy that was surging through Izukus's legs suddenly shifted through him until it settled into his raised fist.

“Smash!” Emulating his mentor’s signature catchphrase, he launched himself at the robot, his fist connecting with a resounding crash. The robot crumpled under the ****, sparking and smoking as it hit the ground. ‘Yes! First one down. Keep moving!’

Izuku felt high from his first successful takedown, so he failed to notice a second robot approaching him from a blind spot. It lunged forward, its metallic claws gleaming in the sunlight. Izuku finally noticed at the last second, his eyes widened and his heart pounding in his chest. ‘Crap! I tunnel-visioned. I need to blo-’

Before he could act, Rikido Sato appeared, his muscles bulging with strength as he smashed the attacking robot into pieces with a powerful punch. Izuku let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, relief washing over him.

"Thanks, Sato!" he called out, a grateful smile spreading across his face.

Sato grinned back with a thumbs up, his earlier nervousness replaced with confidence. "No problem, Midoriya. Keep moving!"

‘He wasn’t kidding about his strength! I wonder what else-’ Izuku started to lose himself to his theory-crafting but caught himself. He grimaced at the realization that now was not the time. ‘I can’t let myself get distracted like this. I need to stay sharp and keep pushing forward.’

He scanned the area, quickly spotting another group of robots. He sprinted towards them, his mind running through the best strategies to take them down efficiently. He was fast and powerful, meaning using his momentum to strike hard was imperative.

The aspiring hero charged at the nearest robot, powering his legs to leap high into the air before smashing down with a powerful kick. The robot shattered under the impact, and he immediately rolled to the side, dodging the incoming attack from another bot.

He continued his ****, taking down robot after robot with calculated precision. Each time he struck, he could feel his confidence growing. ‘I can do this. I’m ready for this.’

As Izuku continued through the chaotic exam site, he suddenly heard a cry for help. His ears perked up, and he quickly adjusted his trajectory. ‘That must be one of the rescue bots Present Mic mentioned,’ he thought, his focus sharpening. ‘Perfect, this is my chance to demonstrate my rescue skills.’

He sprinted towards the cry's source, weaving through debris and avoiding his fellow examinee’s fights against robots. The sound led him to a collapsed building, where he found a rescue target pinned under a pile of rubble. Present Mic wasn’t kidding when he mentioned how they would be modeled after humans. The civilian-shaped robot being in this sort of situation made the circumstance eerily realistic. Without hesitation, Izuku focused One for All into his upper body and began lifting the heavy debris, carefully freeing the bot.

"Hang on, I’ve got you," he murmured, gently lifting the robot into his arms. Once secured, the robot happily beeped and lit up an arrow indicating its desired drop-off zone.

A loud crash caught his attention as he navigated through the debris-strewn area. A 3-point robot burst through a concrete wall, its sensors locking onto him. Before Izuku could react, a large, hairy creature lunged at the robot, tearing it apart with powerful claws. The robot crumpled under the ****, sparks flying.

Izuku stared wide-eyed as the creature turned to face him. It was a beastly figure covered in thick fur, but its eyes were behind glasses and were both intelligent and kind. The creature froze in shock as it recognized the robot in Izuku’s arms.

"My greatest apologies. I fear I may have placed your rescuee in danger," the creature said, its voice deep but friendly.

Izuku blinked in surprise. "Oh! It’s no problem! I should be thanking you for defeating that other robot, though."

The creature nodded and gave a friendly wave. "I’m Jurota Shishida. Best of luck with the rest of the exam."

Izuku smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "I’m Izuku Midoriya. Good luck to you too!"

With that, Shishida departed, leaving Izuku to continue his task. ‘What an amazing quirk,’ he thought, curiosity bubbling up inside him as he began to move. ‘I wonder if it’s a heteromorphic type or maybe even a transformative! Sweet! I’ll have to ask more about it later.’

With his eyes scanning for more danger, Izuku carried the rescue bot to the designated safe zone, a small enclosure surrounded by flags and marked in red. Seeing a few other examinees place their rescues down, he, too, carefully set it down and made sure it was secure. The Bot made another happy sound and showed off a “+7,” indicating the score of the rescue. He was surprised to see the high amount but recognized that rescues could be seen as complex, if not more difficult, than simply defeating a villain. ‘In a way, it’s almost like they want to incentivize rescuing over combat… I really like that. I’d expect nothing less from UA.’

With a renewed sense of purpose, Izuku darted out of the enclosure and quickly checked his surroundings, scanning for any other rescue opportunities or robots to take down. He took down a few more robots with calculated precision, each punch fueled by his training and preparation. As he moved forward, he spotted the stern, glasses-wearing man from earlier, engaged in combat with several robots simultaneously.

The man moved with impressive speed and precision, using the engines in his legs to deliver powerful kicks that easily dismantled the robots. Izuku couldn’t help but be reminded of his own MMA training, particularly the techniques involving kicks. ‘He’s really skilled,’ Izuku thought, admiration mingling with curiosity.

The man noticed Izuku watching and briefly paused his attacks. “Hello there! I don’t believe I introduced myself earlier. I’m Tenya Iida,” he introduced himself, maintaining a formal tone even in the heat of battle.

“Izuku Midoriya,” Izuku replied, nodding in acknowledgment as he moved to kick a robot drawn to the noise of battle. “Your quirk is incredible. Your kicks are awesome, too!”

“Thank you,” Iida said, his tone softening slightly. “I can say the same for yours. Your speed and power are quite potent.”

Before they could continue their conversation, they heard the cries of rescue bots in distress. Both turned their attention towards the source of the cries, their expressions shifting to focused determination.

“Let’s go,” Iida said, his engines revving up.

Izuku nodded, powering up his legs with 5% of One for All. The two dashed towards the rescue bots, moving in sync despite having just met. They reached the scene to find several civilian bots trapped under debris and several attacking robots closing in.

“I’ll handle the enemies,” Iida said, his tone authoritative. “You focus on the rescue efforts.”

“Got it,” Izuku agreed, already moving towards the trapped robots. There was no hesitation in following the command. No place for that during a rescue.

Iida launched himself at the attacking robots, his engines roaring as he delivered powerful kicks that sent the robots flying. Meanwhile, Izuku carefully lifted the debris off the civilian bots, ensuring their safety. He worked quickly but meticulously, and his thoughts focused on the task at hand. ‘Stay calm. Move fast but don’t rush. Make sure they’re safe. Imagine these are real people.’

With Iida keeping the attacking robots at bay, Izuku managed to free the civilian bots and guide them to a safer area. He checked them over quickly, ensuring they were secure and out of harm’s way.

As the last piece of debris was cleared and the rescue bots were safe, Iida finished off the remaining robots and joined Izuku. Together, the two carried their respective civilian bot to the safe enclosure and earned a handful of points for their efforts. The two shared a brief moment of mutual respect, their eyes reflecting a shared understanding of the importance of both combat and rescue in being a hero.

“Good work,” Iida said, extending a hand.

“You too,” Izuku replied, shaking his hand firmly. “We make a good team.”

Iida nodded. “Indeed. Now, let’s continue and ensure we give our best.”

The two heroes-in-training parted ways, each heading in a different direction in order to cover more ground. Izuku’s heart danced, knowing there were such heroic people with him in the exam.

Over the PA systems, Present Mic's voice echoed through the training ground. "Alright, listeners! There are only five minutes left in the exam! Give it your all!"

Feeling a sense of urgency, Izuku pushed himself harder, rushing towards the city's center. As he sprinted, he spotted Ochako Uraraka battling a few robots alone. It seemed so easy for her as she ran by, touched them with her fingers, and pushed them up, causing them to lose their gravitational pull and float in the air. Then, with her release command, they would crash back down, securing the pink-cheeked girl a plethora of points. He couldn't help but admire her from afar, a small smile forming on his face.

‘Such a cool quirk. She's really amazing,’ he thought.

His admiration was cut short when the entire training ground began to shake violently. It felt like a colossal earthquake. His instincts kicked in, and he desperately called to his newest comrade, "Uraraka! Look o-"

His warning had barely formed when a loud eruption drowned out his voice and showed the source of the tremors. Above the skyline was a giant robot casting a massive shadow over the commercial area. Izuku's eyes widened in shock as he recognized it from Present Mic's explanation earlier in the day—the 0-Pointer. It was humongous, intimidating, and, most importantly, not worth any points.

‘It's not worth any points,’ Izuku reminded himself, a part of him wanting to ignore the giant robot and focus on the smaller ones. ‘Should I stay focused on the ones that matter?’

But then he heard it—a whimper of pain. His heart stopped. The sound had come from Uraraka’s direction. Turning his gaze back to her, he saw her trapped under a pile of rubble near the base of the 0-Pointer.

‘Uraraka…’ Izuku's mind raced. He knew what he had to do. Ignoring the logical part of his brain telling him to stay focused on the smaller robots, he powered up his legs with One for All and darted toward her. ‘I can't leave her like this. I have to help.’

As he closed the distance, the ground continued to shake under the weight of the 0-Pointer. Izuku leaped over debris and dodged falling chunks of concrete. His eyes locked on his pink-cheeked ally.

"Hang on, Uraraka! Try to use your quirk to remove the gravity from the rubble!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency yet carrying an air of authority.

Ochako, wincing in pain, tried reaching behind her with a trembling hand and was barely able to graze the cement rubble trapping her. Fortunately, it was just enough for the pads of her fingers to connect, and the pressure on the girl’s leg and ankle lessened substantially.

As relief washed over the girl's face, Izuku quickly pushed the debris aside. Now that she was freed, Izuku helped her up and onto her feet. "Are you okay?"

Ochako tried to stand but immediately winced, nearly falling over. "My ankle... I think it's sprained. I can't walk."

Izuku's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't hesitate. "Don't worry. I'll carry you."

Before she could protest, he scooped her up in his arms, her face flushing with embarrassment. "M-Midoriya, you don't have to—"

"I want to," he interrupted gently, giving her a reassuring smile. "We need to get you to safety."

With Ochako securely in his arms, Izuku moved away from the collapsing buildings and the rampaging 0-Pointer. Despite the urgency, he made sure to be careful, avoiding debris and keeping an eye out for any remaining threats.

Ochako clung to him, her cheeks still red. "Thank you, Midoriya."

He nodded, focusing on getting them both to safety. "We’re both trying to be heroes, right? We look out for each other."

Ochako nodded, warmth flourishing within her. When they reached a safer area, away from the immediate danger, Izuku gently set his companion down and checked her ankle. He grimaced as he bore witness to the angry shade of red swelling along the appendage. "It looks swollen. We need to get you some help, especially if it’s broken."

She nodded, tears of pain and gratitude in her eyes. "I'm sorry. You’re missing out on points because of me."

"Nonsense," he replied firmly, maneuvering to pick her back up. "You are my priority. Now, let's find someone who can help with your ankle."

Having made some distance from the immediate danger, Izuku spotted Sato, Iida, and Shishida in the distance. They were all engaged in helping other fallen examinees. Relief washed over him as he realized he wasn’t alone in this chaotic situation.

He called out to them, his voice urgent. “Sato! Iida! Shishida! We need your help!”

The trio quickly gathered around him, concern etched on their faces as they noticed Ochako's injury.

“What’s going on?” Sato asked, glancing at the towering 0-Pointer in the distance.

“That giant robot is too dangerous to leave unchecked, even if it’s not worth any points,” Izuku explained, his grip on Ochako growing firmer. “We need to take it down before it causes more harm.”

The three of them exchanged unsure glances but quickly understood the urgency. Despite the 0-Pointer being worth zero points, its presence posed a significant threat to everyone around.

With everyone in agreement, Izuku laid out his plan. “Iida, with your speed, can I trust you to take Uraraka to safety?”

“Of course.” Iida quickly responded. “I’ll also endeavor to warn others of the plan and to keep them out of harm's way as well.”

Izuku firmly agreed. “Great idea. We’re taking it down to keep people from being in jeopardy, not putting them in it.”

Ochako wanted to do her own part in this and reached out to pat Izuku on the chest. “I’ll make you weightless again, Midoriya. You can get higher and hit it where it counts.”

“Thank you, Uraraka,” Izuku said, feeling the familiar sensation of weightlessness.

Iida carefully took hold of Uraraka and began focusing on evacuating the other examinees, his engines purring as they powered up. "May fortune be on your side.”

As Iida sprinted away with Ochako, Izuku turned to Shishida and Sato. "Alright, here's what we'll do," Izuku began, his mind racing with strategies. "Shishida, Sato, each of you go low and take a foot. We want it to stop moving if you can. Then, using Uraraka's quirk, I'll go high and try to punch its head to see if I can disable it for good.”

Shishida and Sato nodded, determination and focus clear in their eyes. "Understood," Shishida roared. "Let's do this."

Sato clenched his fists, his muscles bulging with strength. "Ready when you are."

Shishida and Sato charged toward the robot’s massive feet. Shishida used his beastly form to aim for its joints, while Sato used his sugar-strengthened punches to destabilize the robot’s footing. The combined **** of their attacks caused the 0-Pointer to wobble, its movements becoming unsteady.

Izuku watched their efforts, feeling the pressure of time ticking away. As the **** on its feet caused the robot to lose its footing, he prepared himself for the final blow. "It’s go time!"

Izuku powered up his legs with One for All and leaped high into the air. With the 0-Pointer destabilized, he aimed for its head. Channeling all his strength into his fist, he threw a powerful punch, the weightlessness allowing him to move with incredible speed.

“Detroit SMASH!” His fist connected with a resounding crash, and the 0-Pointer's head snapped back, sparks flying. The combined efforts of Shishida, Sato, and Izuku had done the job. The giant robot toppled over, crashing to the ground in a heap of metal and wires.

Floating still in the air, Izuku watched on in satisfaction as the robot crumbled beneath him. The cooperation between heroes was terrific and made short work of the robot. Now, focusing on the task of getting down, Izuku flipped over and kicked the air behind him. It wasn’t much, but it allowed him to maneuver back toward the ground, where he felt his weight return to him. Izuku’s arm ached, but he knew it wasn’t broken. ‘Did I go over 5% by accident? Oh well. Worth it.’

Just as the dust settled, the timer rang, signaling the end of the exam. The entire training ground momentarily fell silent before cheers and relieved murmurs filled the air.

Izuku glanced around at his teammates, a sense of pride and camaraderie filling him. "We did it," he said, a broad smile spreading across his face.

Shishida and Sato approached, both looking equally relieved and proud. "Excellent work, Midoriya," Shishida said, extending his sizeable furry hand for a firm handshake.

Sato grinned, patting Izuku on the back. "Yeah, we made a great team."

Soon after, Iida returned, carrying Ochako on her request after making sure the other fallen examinees were safe. He set her down gently, and she immediately leaped toward Izuku despite her injury, her eyes shining with admiration. "You were amazing, Midoriya! Like a real Hero!"

Izuku blushed slightly but smiled. "It was all thanks to everyone's help. We couldn't have done it alone."

While the green-haired man blushed from the contact and praise, Ochako felt her whirling emotions just fall into place. The man she was wrapped around was not only selfless, but he was humble, brave, strong, and… cute. Izuku Midoriya was the very picture of the sort of hero she and her sister fantasized about growing up. Her heart raced as she shared the man’s blush. He was her hero, and she wanted him.

As the dust began to settle, the chaotic sounds of the exam site slowly quieted. The examinees, though exhausted, were starting to regroup and catch their breath. It was then that Recovery Girl, the school's venerable healer, arrived on the scene. She moved with a brisk efficiency, her eyes scanning the students for any injuries. “Very nice, good work all around. You’re heroes in my eyes, every one of you.”

She approached the group and immediately recognized Izuku. "Well, if it isn't young Midoriya," she said with a hint of a smile. "I see you've managed to control yourself quite well this time. No broken bones, I hope?"

Izuku blushed slightly, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Yes, ma'am. Uhm, could you check my friend's ankle? Some rubble fell on it earlier."

The elderly healer’s gaze shifted to Ochako, who was still leaning on Izuku for support. ‘Those two are rather close,’ she noted. "Of course, let's take a look at you, dear."

Ochako winced as she shifted her weight, her injured ankle clearly causing her discomfort. Recovery Girl gently examined Ochako's ankle, and her experienced fingers quickly assessed the injury. "It's a nasty sprain, but nothing too serious. Hold still for a moment."

With a practiced maneuver, she kissed Ochako's ankle, activating her healing quirk. A soft, warm glow enveloped the injury, and Ochako sighed in relief as the pain faded.

"There you go," Recovery Girl said, stepping back. "You should be good as new in no time, but take it easy for the rest of the day."

Ochako, still holding onto Izuku for balance, smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much."

Recovery Girl patted her on the shoulder. "You're welcome, dear. Now remember," she said, turning to Izuku, "Self-sacrifice is a very admirable thing for a hero to practice. However, an alive hero will be able to save more people than a dead one."

"Yes, ma'am," Izuku replied, understanding her words of warning. Katsumi had already pounded that into his head.

As Recovery Girl moved on to check on the other examinees, Ochako tested her newly healed ankle, taking a few tentative steps. "It feels so much better," she said, looking up at Izuku with a smile.

Izuku grinned, relieved to see her back on her feet. "I'm glad you're okay."

They shared a moment of quiet camaraderie, both feeling the weight of the day's events beginning to lift. Other examinees were also being tended to around them, and the atmosphere gradually shifted from tense and chaotic to relief and accomplishment.

Iida approached Izuku with a firm handshake and a respectful nod. "Midoriya, it was an honor working with you. I wish you the best of luck in getting into UA."

Izuku smiled warmly, shaking Iida's hand. "You too, Iida. I'm sure we'll see each other again."

Sato and Shishida also came forward, offering their goodbyes and well-wishes. "Great job out there, Midoriya. Best of luck," Sato said, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Same to you, Sato. You did great," Izuku replied.

Shishida, now in a much smaller “human” sized form, gave the group a polite nod and took off without another word. Izuku was excited to ask him more about his quirk the next time he saw him.

With that, the examinees parted ways, each heading off to reflect on their performance and await the results. Izuku found himself standing alone, or rather, almost alone. Ochako was still hanging onto his arm despite her injury being healed.

Izuku looked down at her, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and amusement. "Uraraka, are you sure you're okay? Recovery Girl healed your ankle."

Ochako looked up at him, her cheeks flushed slightly. "Oh, right! I just... I guess I didn't realize," she said, quickly letting go of his arm. "Uhm, thank you, Midoriya. You really helped me out back there."

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. "I couldn't just leave you there."

Ochako smiled brightly, her eyes shining with gratitude. In a voice only she could hear, she muttered to herself. "Still… you were so cool. My Hero."

They stood there momentarily, an awkward silence emanating as neither knew what to say next. Finally, Ochako broke the silence. "So, what do you think our chances are?"

Izuku thought for a moment, then smiled. "I think we did pretty well. And even if we don't make it, we gave it our all. That's what matters."

Ochako nodded in agreement. "You're right. We did our best."

As the two returned to the transport buses, Ochako's demeanor changed to one of shyness. She glanced around nervously before speaking.

"Midoriya," she started, her voice softer than usual. "I uhm... I was wondering if you'd like to go out for dinner tonight. I'm only in town for the evening and I'd like to repay you for what you did."

Izuku blinked, taken aback by the sudden invitation. "Oh, uh, Uraraka, You remember I already have a girlfriend, right? You met her already."

Ochako smiled gently, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I know. And I don't mind sharing. I'm pretty used to that sort of relationship since my Dad has both my Moms. So it's not a big deal for me. Oh! Unless it is for your girlfriend. I don’t mean to intrude."

Izuku's eyes widened at her revelation, his mind racing as he tried to process what she said. Ever since his accidental Retcon normalizing polygamy, he had slowly come to terms with the fact that people just naturally dated multiple people. Yet somehow, having it happen to him still seemed beyond his imagination. Now, a girl he met today and admired was literally asking him out. Had the change also adjusted how forward people are? He had no idea. Yet, despite Ochako's openness and confidence, he also felt a strong sense of loyalty to Katsumi. He knew he had to handle this delicately.

Izuku breathed out and stabilized his pounding heart. Polygamy is normal. This is normal. Katsumi even said he had a green light. "I think… I'd like that, Uraraka. But, um, do you mind if I talk to my girlfriend, Katsumi, first? She's really important to me."

Ochako's eyes lit up with understanding and enthusiasm. "Of course! She’s your first girlfriend, after all. Throuple dynamics can be messy."

With plans set, they hopped onto the transport back toward the UA entrance. Ochako stayed nice and close to Izuku, the warmth between them growing. More than once, he felt shivers go up his spine when the curvy brunette cuddled into him. Katsumi was no slouch in the curve department, but Ochako was something else.

Once they arrived at the UA entrance, they found Katsumi already waiting, having wrapped up her exam earlier. She immediately noticed how close the two were and smirked.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Katsumi teased, crossing her arms. "I knew something would happen between you two. Spill the beans, Deku."

Before Izuku could respond, Ochako stepped forward, her voice confident. "Midoriya saved me during the exam, and I wanted to repay him as my Hero. I also wanted to see if... if there could be something more between us."

The tomboy glared in the brunette's direction, yet instead of flinching or backing down, Ochako stood her ground. Katsumi's smirk widened. "I like your attitude, Pink-Cheeks. Izuku is a damn fine hero, and he deserves to be appreciated, but only by the best.” The blonde then paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the two in front of her. Soon enough, she shrugged and came to a conclusion. “Eh fuck it, you two should go on that date."

Izuku blinked, surprised by Katsumi's easy approval. "Kacchan, are you sure?"

Instead of answering, Katsumi sashayed up to him and pulled him into a deep kiss, her lips firmly pressed against his, demonstrating the strength of their relationship in front of Ochako. “I’m your number one bitch, don’t forget that. Let’s see if she can keep up.”

With those words, Katsumi winked at the flustered brunette and kissed her man again. When they finally broke apart, Ochako, instead of being intimidated, decided that she, too, should demonstrate her resolve. She did so by leaning in to kiss Izuku’s cheek. Yet, with her ankle still recovering, the brunette tripped and fell with all her weight onto her crush instead. Katsumi snorted as she bore witness to the brunette accidentally kissing Izuku square on the lips.

The two’s heads spun as they shared their first kiss together. Ochako herself was having a hell of a time as she just spontaneously kissed someone for the first time ever. It was awkward and accidental, but it was still her first kiss, something she’d never forget. Especially when it was in such a mortifying way

Katsumi chuckled as the two awkwardly got back up. "That’s how it’s going to be, huh Cheeks? Now I'm going to expect him to make me need a new bed frame after this date of yours."

Ochako parted from Izuku but still hung off of him. Quietly, she hid her embarrassment by putting her head into his chest. “I, uh…. Yeah…”

Izuku, still a bit dazed from the unexpected turn of events, nodded. "I… Okay then, Uhm, shall we go?"

**********

AN: Howdy Howdy! The Exam is over! I hope y'all enjoyed the first bit of real action in the story. Plenty more to come! Plus, we get an unexpected twist with a rather forward Ochako. What sort of butterfly effect could have caused this!? Anyways, next time will be the unexpected date with our favorite gravity girl. See y'all soon!

As always, thank you all for reading, and be sure to check us out on my Discord for behind-the-scenes looks at all my writing. Lastly, a special thanks to Zephyr0F8 for beta-ing this chapter!