55 Chapter 55 - Rescue Exam

The first test of the provisional licensure exam had officially ended. Only 100 of over 1,500 applicants made it through, with UA's Class 1-A among them. It had been pretty close, but Izuku was happy to see that all of his classmates had made it to the next test. However, at this moment, the last thing Izuku was thinking about was the exam.

He was still shaken by what he had seen before reaching the anteroom. Had Kacchan really appeared to him? Was it because of what J'onn had said, how an imprint of himself was living inside his quirk? And what did he mean? Was he trying to tell him something? His mind began to buzz as his analysis continued.

"Midoriya!"

Izuku jumped as he felt the hand of Iida on his shoulder, trying to get his attention. He didn't realize how deep in thought he was, a habit that still carried over despite his training. "Sorry," Said Izuku. "What did you say?"

"They're about to announce the next test," Said Iida. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Izuku lied. "Let's see what they have to say."

"All right," came the tired voice of Mera over the speakers. "For those 100 of you who passed the first exam, please draw your attention to the screen."

The jumbotron above the applicants came to life as an image of the testing arena appeared on the screen. Then, to the shock of everyone in the room, large explosions began to emanate from the arena around them. Buildings began to fall, mountants crumbled, turning to craters and rubble, leaving the once-pristine arena looking like a warzone.

"There is only one test left in the exam," said Mera. "Your goal is simple: undertake rescue exercises and save the bystanders from these disaster areas. Treat this like the real thing. It will help us gauge your ability to carry out successful rescue procedures once you obtain your provisional licenses."

Izuku began to understand. Now that they were tested on the strength of their quirks, strategy and fighting prowess, now they were going to be tested on their ability to save innocents from disaster scenarios.

"What's that on the screen?!" Said Sato, shocked. As he said it, various people began crawling out of the rubble, including men, women, children and even the elderly. Izuku was shocked. Surely, they didn't intend on bringing in actual civilians for this exercise. That was extremely dangerous.

"Don't worry," Said Mera. "These are specialists from the 'Help Us Company.' They have been trained as professional rescuees. They will be dressed up as civilians and will be placed across the disaster site. We'll be judging how well you keep them safe as you go about your mission."

Izuku had heard of companies like this. It was the kind of job you never would think about, but a necessary one, considering the sheer number of hero training courses like theirs that were across the country. Not only this, but they were also used by other law enforcement and rescue agencies, such as the police and fire departments, in an effort to train and prepare them for rescuing and handling citizens while on the job during a myriad of crises.

"You'll be graded on a point system," Mera continued. "If you have more points than the benchmark at the time this exercise comes to an end, then you pass the exam. We'll start in ten minutes. Take care of any and all preparations now."

"This looks familiar," Said Iida.

"It looks like Kamino Ward," Izuku agreed. He wondered if this exercise was based on the final battle between All Might and All For One. The event haunted Izuku, even to this day. Seeing such destruction before him, even though he knew it was staged, caused a chill to run down his spine.

"Perhaps it's similar," said Iida. "But back then our only goal was to get you away from the villains safely. All Might, Batman and the other pros handled the rest. And there were still many casualties."

"Not this time," said Izuku. "We'll rescue them all."

As the timer countdown began, the applicants conversed with each other, going over strategy, preparing for the exam, and some making friends. The Shiketsu students made their way over to Class 1-A. Their leader, Mora, who was a large student hidden beneath a massive amount of hair, had wanted to apologize to Kirishima and Kaminari for his classmate's actions during the exam. Todoroki noticed Inasa, the student Aizawa mentioned, seemed to shoot him a sideways glance. He normally wouldn't have noticed or cared, but Inasa had been glaring at him since he had entered the anteroom after completing the first test. This look in particular seemed to shoot right through him: one of intense hatred.

"Todoroki," Said Inasa as he walked past.

"Wait," Said Todoroki. "I can't ignore the looks you've been giving me. Did I offend you somehow?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt your feelings?" Asked Inasa. There wasn't an ounce of sincerity in his voice. "Well, the thing is, Son of Endeavor, I just can't help but hate the both of you." Todoroki was taken aback, stunned by how much animosity Inasa had for him.

"You've changed a little bit since the first time our paths crossed," Inasa continued. "But you definitely still have your father's eyes." With that, he turned on his heel and marched away, leaving Todoroki at a loss for words. Izuku began walking over towards Todoroki to see what was wrong when he was suddenly accosted by Mineta and Kaminari.

"Midoriya!" They shouted in unison.

"Whoa, guys what's going on?" Said Izuku, genuinely startled.

"Don't play dumb with us!" Said Kaminari.

"What devious things were you doing with that hottie while the rest of us were trying to survive?" Said Mineta, pointing to the shapeshifting Shiketsu student from the exam. In response, she simply smiled and waved at him.

"The boot fits!" Shouted Mineta. "Just how Plus Ultra did you go with her?!"

Sero, you loudmouth, Izuku cursed inwardly before speaking aloud. "It's not like that, you guys," He said. "She's a shapeshifter and she almost cost me the test."

"Don't lie to us, Midoriya!" Said Kaminari. As the three of them continued to argue, Izuku noticed out of the corner of his eye something odd. Uraraka was staring at him with a strange look on her face, one that he couldn't quite place. When he looked at her, she turned and walked away. Before Izuku could follow her, the sound of an alarm rang throughout the anteroom before Mera came on the speaker.

"Villains have performed a large-scale terrorist attack across 'Insert City Name Here,'" He said, not bothering to come up with a city name. "Since most buildings collapsed, there are many injured."

"Sounds like a background story," Said Asui.

"Does that mean --" before she could answer, the walls of the anteroom came crashing down, just like in the previous test, placing them smack-dab in the middle of ground zero of the disaster area.

"Looks like we're starting," Said Izuku.

"Due to destroyed roads, first responders have been delayed," Continued Mera. "Until emergency services arrive, the Heroes will take over the rescue effort. Your task is to save as many people as you can and help the injured. Good luck."

The 100 remaining applicants stormed out onto the testing arena. Class 1-A stayed together, just like last time. Izuku calculated that it was less likely the other applicants would attack each other as it was in the last test. Rescuing citizens was the key to gathering points, but they were in the dark about how the points were actually accrued. All they could do was work together and follow their training until they had a better idea of how to garner enough points to pass.

"Let's head to the closest urban area," Said Iida. "We need to work as a team as much as possible!"

"Everyone stay alert!" Said Ojiro. "There may be falling debris around."

Izuku stopped in his tracks. The earpiece on his cowl was picking up a sound several clicks East of his direction. It sounded like a child crying. Turning on his cowl vision, he could see a small signature in the middle of a crater, surrounded by fallen debris.

"What's wrong, Midoriya?" Said Iida.

"I see someone," Said Izuku. "Follow me, they need help!"

As the class approached the crater, they found the source of the crying: a small young boy in a blue baseball hat, hanging his head. "Help me!" Said the boy. "My grandfather's crushed under the rubble!"

"This looks bad!" Said Kaminari. "Where is he?"

"'This looks bad?'" Repeated the child, lifting his head. The boy was revealed to be a small man instead, looking angrily in Kaminari's direction. "That's points off your score! The first thing you should do is see how bad my injuries are and if I can walk!"

"Uh. . ." said Kaminari, flabbergasted.

"Didn't you see that I'm bleeding from my head?!" The man-child continued angrily. "A licensed hero should be able to assess this in an --"

"Let me examine your wounds, please," Said Izuku, stepping in. He pulled up his gauntlet computer, which projected a holographic image of a male human figure. Both the man-child and his classmates looked in awe as Izuku began to work.

"What is that?" Said the man-child.

"It's a tool that will allow me to assess your symptoms," Said Izuku. "What are you currently feeling?"

"Uh, difficulty breathing," Said the man-child. "Dizziness? My leg hurts too."

"You could have a punctured lung," Said Izuku. "We need to be careful when moving you. Let me examine your head," Izuku examined the wound. Even though it was fake, he took meticulous care in treating the wound as if it was real. "I'll take care of him!" Izuku said to his classmates. "The rest of you, look for his grandfather under this rubble. Be careful! The area is filled with hazards!"

The rest of the class immediately complied, fanning out in search of the man-child's grandfather. Izuku finished his examination, drawing several bandages from his utility belt and began field-dressing the wounds.

"Are you able to walk?" Asked Izuku.

"No, my leg is broken," Said the man-child.

Izuku grabbed a small piece of wood discarded to his right and made a make-shift splint, tying it to the man-child's leg. "I'm going to carry this boy to the first-aid station," He said to the others. "Keep going on without me."

Izuku picked up the man-child and ran towards the first-aid station while the man-child continued his fake crying. "You're going to be fine," Said Izuku as he ran. Though he appeared calm on the outside, he was trembling. Batman had drilled him on various field-medical practices from first aid to military paramedics. It was one thing in theory, but nerve-wracking in practice. This exam made his thoughts fly back to his fight with Muscular and Deathstroke during the summer training camp. At the time, all he could think about was saving Kota and staying alive. Now the casualties were judging him on every wrong move he made, which could potentially cost him his provisional license.

He was just glad there were no villains around.

Uraraka watched as Izuku took off with the injured man-child. Since the first exam had ended, her heart felt like it was buzzing out of her chest. Seeing Izuku with the Shiketsu girl had awakened feelings in her that she wasn't prepared to feel during the exam, at the least opportune moment.

She couldn't deny that she had feelings for Izuku. They had been best friends for over a year, since he had helped her on the street from that mugger. But he lived in a completely different world than she did. He was giving everything he had to not just pass the exam, but making sure that the rest of them passed. This selfless nature is what she admired most about him. He was willing to throw himself in harm's way, and was willing to sacrifice what he wants most, so that others can get what they want the most.

She remembered what Himiko Toga told her back in the forest. You've got a crush on someone. So do I. And I bet you also wanna be exactly like that special person, huh? Her words tore right through her heart, as she never expected such truth to come from a villain.

I have to push these feelings away, she thought to herself. So he can achieve his dreams. And I'll focus on working just as hard as he does, so I can achieve mine.

Mera sat in the announcer's box high atop the stadium, watching the students below as they went about the exam. "It's been ten minutes so far," He said. "Everyone's doing well for the most part. But what's a test without a few surprises?"

He turned and nodded to the large man standing behind him. He stood at least eight feet tall, was dressed in a black pinstripe suit that did little to hide his impressive and intimidating physique. Several others dressed in black combat gear stood behind him, and one by one they began piling out of the room, heading to the arena floor to do their part.

For the second test, every examinee starts out with 100 points, and they are judged on how many they lose. The Help Us Corporation members will judge people based on whether or not they are acting properly during their rescue. Additionally, there are one hundred employees of the Public Safety Commission who grade each person individually based on the scoring manual and the examinee's background in an effort to win back points. Students automatically fail if they reach below 50 points. This meant they had to have the patience and discipline to make smart decisions in the heat of the moment.

I hope they didn't think this was going to be straightforward, thought Mera. The students were doing well, but in order to help citizens in need, they have to multitask. They can't just rescue. They have to adapt to every situation thrown at them.

Class 1-A was working tirelessly to rescue the Help Us Company workers from the impact zone, splitting up into smaller groups and going to the different areas where their quirks would be most beneficial. With each rescue it was like a different test, and the HUC workers continued to drill them in all their decisions and choices. It was like an intricate puzzle where they were penalized for wrong answers. They all had to use their knowledge and work together in order to succeed. They knew that if they tried to do it on their own, they would easily run out of time and points. But working together is what Class 1-A did best.

Izuku, Iida, Kirishima and Sato continued to carry wounded to the safety zone when a large explosion nearly knocked them off their feet, creating a gaping hole in the side of the arena wall. Izuku rallied, drawing a batarang while using his other arm to hold the HUC member upright. Something wasn't right, and he had seen enough to know to be ready.

"A villain has completed another large-scale attack," said Mera over the speakers. As he spoke, a large, imposing creature stepped through the wall, surrounded by men and women in combat armor. Izuku recognized the creature immediately as Gang Orca, the Killer Whale Pro Hero.

"Tell me, wanna-be heroes," Said Gang Orca. "Can you rescue and fight at the same time?" He gestured to the armed guards standing behind him, who began to enter the arena and sweep the area.

"Stay together!" Shouted Izuku to the other examinees around him. Immediately, Izuku and the others circled up, forming a protective area around the HUC workers as Gang Orca's horde began to swarm.

"Now what will you do?" Said Gang Orca. "Will you fight, or protect? Will you help, or run away? What would a hero do?"

As the Orca villains continued to advance on the injured HUC workers in the first-aid zone, Izuku and the others readied themselves for the onslaught. They would have no choice but to fend off as many as they could while the HUC workers tried to escape. Immediately, Shindo from Ketsubutsu ran forward past Izuku.

"Get everyone to safety!" He shouted. "I'll hold them off." As he tried to use his Earthquake quirk to knock the charging thugs off balance, it was ultimately fruitless. Gang Orca rushed forward and used his quirk to produce a hypersonic wave, knocking Shindo backwards and rendering him unconscious.

"A single rear guard to stand against us?" Said Gang Orca. "You've underestimated me."

Izuku began to throw his batarangs, but Gang Orca was able to toss them aside as if they were made of tin foil. Izuku found it difficult trying to hold the injured while fighting, and with Shindo out of commission they were at a severe disadvantage. As Gang Orca marched towards his prey, he turned suddenly to the right, using his hypersonic wave to shatter a pillar of ice that was thrust upon him. Izuku turned to see Todoroki engaging Gang Orca, while Ojiro, Tokoyami and Asui ran towards the HUC workers, helping them evacuate.

As Todoroki's ice began to entrap the villains around him, Gang Orca increased the power of his hypersonic wave, shattering the ice and freeing his comrades. Todoroki could see why he was the number 10 Pro hero. Suddenly, the air around him grew cold, as the wind began to pick up. Todoroki looked up to see Inasa flying towards their position.

"I'll blow you evildoers away!" He shouted, blasting a large gust of wind to blow away several of the villains. His gaze grew from passion to anger as his eyes fell upon Todoroki. "Of course you would be here." He added spitefully.

"Go help with the rescue! I'll take care of this!" Said Todoroki. He knew that his chances of winning against Gang Orca were slim, but he didn't want Inasa's hatred for him to complicate the situation. Todoroki threw a blast of fire towards the Pro Hero, but his flames were stunted as it was met by a large gust of wind.

"Why did you use fire?!" Shouted Inasa. "The heat makes the air rise up!"

"Because he didn't fall to my ice earlier!" Shouted Todoroki. "You ruined my shot on purpose, didn't you?!"

"What?! It was you who blocked me so you would get all the glory!" Inasa shouted back.

"Why would I do something like that?!"

Gang Orca and his villains watched in disbelief as Todoroki and Inasa continued to bicker. While distracted, the villains raised the guns mounted on their arms, firing upon Todoroki and Inasa. Todoroki hit the ground hard, a sticky glue-like substance forming where the blast had hit him. He and Inasa hit the ground hard as they struggled against the glue.

"Outrageous," Said Gang Orca. "I can't believe you're fighting each other when you should be fighting us."

"Now look what happened," Said Inasa. "It's all your fault, Son of Endeavor!"

"What is your problem?!" Said Todoroki, struggling against the glue. "My old man has nothing to do with this!"

"He has everything to do with this!" Said Inasa, struggling to his feet. "You're no different from your father, filled with an insatiable anger and hatred. I saw the same look on you at the Recommendations Exam at UA! You're the reason I didn't go to UA!"

Todoroki remembered. He was surprised and ashamed that he didn't remember sooner. Inasa had beaten him at the Recommendations Exam, but all Todoroki could focus on was rejecting his father, and Inasa was in his way. He had tried so hard to fight against who he was that he was acting like the very person he worked to reject. And now, that was catching up to him.

As Todoroki struggled to his feet, Inasa rose into the air with his wind quirk, trying to stop Gang Orca, who threw a hypersonic blast towards him, causing Inasa to shriek in pain, falling from the sky and hitting the ground hard, and lay motionless.

Todoroki tried to rush to Inasa's aid when a large hand grasped around his neck. Gang Orca drew him in close and used his hypersonic wave at close range. Todoroki felt as if his entire mind was being flayed. His limbs failed him, hanging by his throat in Gang Orca's massive hand. He could feel his vision doubling as he began to lose consciousness.

"Go destroy the evacuation center!" Shouted Gang Orca. The villains began to advance on the remaining examinees as they continued to evaluate the HUC workers. In a few moments they would be on them.

Suddenly, a large explosive blast engulfed Gang Orca, causing him to drop Todoroki. He struggled to look up from the ground, seeing Izuku burst through the smoke, throwing every bomb, batarang, sticky and ice grenade he had at the horde of villains before finally locking horns with Gang Orca himself, who tried to use his hypersonic wave, but Izuku stood tall.

"That won't work on me," Said Izuku, tapping the protective earpieces of his mask.

"Midoriya. . ." said Todoroki weakly.

"What are you guys doing?!" Shouted Izuku at Todoroki and Inasa while continuing his battle with Gang Orca. "Quit fighting each other and fight together!"

Todoroki and Inasa watched as Izuku and the other examinees fought against Gang Orca and his villains. Even from the distance apart they lay, they were able to share a glance of understanding. Though neither of them could move from Gang Orca's attack, they began to use their quirks in sync: Todoroki's fire mingling with Inasa's wind to form a fire tornado that began to engulf their enemies.

Well now, thought Gang Orca. It appears that even though they can't move, they're still using their abilities in tandem to defend against the attack. Precise control merging with raw power. This won't make up for their earlier mistakes, but it's a start.

As the flames continued to engulf Gang Orca, Izuku turned his attention to his thugs firing their clay guns. As more and more HUC workers were rescued, more and more examinees came to join them in their fight. The battle raged, flames and wind blazing around the arena as the villains fell beneath the might of the examinees. At last, the final buzzer sounded, signaling the last of the HUC workers having been rescued.

The exam was over.

Izuku could hardly believe he was holding his provisional license in his hand. The exam had been grueling, and the pass rate had been brutal. Due to their actions during the last test, Inasa and Todoroki were among the few that didn't pass, with Todoroki. Izuku felt bad for his friend for being the only one in the class to fail the exam. However, because they passed the first exam, both he, Inasa, and any others who failed would be given a chance to pass a remedial test, which would allow them to get their provisional licenses. Inasa had taken the first step forward and apologized to Todoroki for his behavior. The two of them seemed to have patched things up, and everything worked out.

Izuku stared happily at his provisional license, wiping away tears. All of his training, all of the hell he endured, everything had accumulated to this moment. Quickly pulling out his phone, he took a picture of the license and sent a message to his mother, Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Barbara, Melissa and even All Might. He received an onslaught of congratulations text messages immediately, with Bruce's text consisting of two words: "adequately performed." High praise coming from the Batman.

Izuku couldn't help but feel lighter than air.

All Might and Batman sat in silence in the batmobile, driving back from their meeting with Detective Tsukauchi. All Might had preferred to take a cab or the subway, but Tsukauchi insisted that he go with Batman for his own safety

"Looks like Young Midoriya passed the licensure exam," Said All Might, breaking the silence. "You must be proud."

"He performed as I expected he would," Said Batman simply.

"You don't give a lot of praise, do you?" Said All Might.

"The results themselves are their own rewards," Said Batman.

"I'm still mad at you, you know," said All Might.

"Bully for you," Said Batman.

"I'm serious, Bruce," Said All Might, annoyed. "You should have told me about Shigaraki."

"We've been over this, Toshinori," Said Batman. "I'm not apologizing over what I did to keep you safe."

"Keep me safe?" Said All Might.

"Yes," Said Batman. "Had you known, Shigaraki and All For One would have exploited your feelings for and his lineage to Nana Shimura, and it would have gotten you killed. Have you ever considered the fallout from a situation like that?"

"What are you talking about?" Said All Might. "It'd be no different from where we're at right now."

"Wrong," Said Batman flatly. "All For One wouldn't have stopped at killing you. He wanted to see you broken, humiliated and utterly beaten before allowing you to die. He would have wanted the whole world to see. They are already struggling enough to recover after Kamino Ward, and that was a battle you won. If you had fallen in battle before that, or worse, been shown to have been broken before death, the world would have been thrown into utter panic, and every villain worth their salt would be lining up to join the League of Villains. This is exactly what All For One wanted."

"There are other heroes," said All Might. "There's the Justice League."

"The Justice League is stretched thin enough as it is," Said Batman.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been out of the Justice League a long time, Toshinori," Said Batman. "Did you really think that it ended with Brainiac, or that he was the only threat in the universe? Oh, no. There's more, a lot more, and it has the Justice League, The Martians, the Green Lantern Corps, and every ally we have in the cosmos currently fighting to hold them back."

"You can't be serious," Said All Might.

"I'm always serious," Said Batman. "And what's more, our worst fear since defeating Brainiac has been realized. Pieces of himself have been spread across time and space. All For One already merged with a piece, and there's no telling how many more of them are out there. And I don't have to explain to you what that means."

"He could come back," said All Might, horrified.

"He already has through All For One, albeit not completely," said Batman. "Just imagine, 10, 100, or even 1,000 of him. And that's just the beginning. You think that suit I wore was really meant for him? And even that wasn't strong enough, forcing me to overhaul the design completely. All the while, our forces struggle to continue the fight out there so the world can continue to feel safe. Truly you have no idea what's really going on, what's lurking beyond our solar system waiting for the right window of opportunity to break through our defenses. One day soon, they will make their way here to Earth, and we're not ready."

"Ready for what, Bruce?" Said All Might. "What's out there?"

"Nightmares," Said Batman solemnly. "Pure, unhindered nightmares."

avataravatar