A storm hit UA High School with the force of a freight train. Dark clouds rolled in, crackling with static electricity, and the air was thick with an ominous energy. Inside, students and staff alike glanced nervously out of the windows as the storm raged, wondering what the weather was up to. The reports had said clear skies for the entire week so this was rather concerning.

"Awww I hate this! We were meant to go to the beach today!" Mina whined slumping at her desk.

There were a few disappointed sighs that roamed the class of 3A along with a growl from a spikey-haired blonde, "I hate the rain..."

A large hand slapped him on his back, "Oh come on Bakubro! It's just a bit of water, we will be fine for the patrol tonight." Kirishima grinned. The group at Bakugou's desk were depressed due to their ruined plans but sure enough, new excitement will soon fill their class.

"Hey, has anyone seen Denki?" Sero asked gazing through the class, there was no answer and even more, sighs were shared.

In the midst of this tempest, a new arrival stepped onto the campus. Valerie Black, a striking figure with a presence that seemed to blend seamlessly with the storm. Her waist-long raven hair stuck to her body as her dark green eyes scanned the soaked floor. She walked with so much confidence, a strong sense of purpose and determination. Her eyes, sharp and intense, scanned her new surroundings. She had recently moved from South Africa, to join her extended family in Japan to achieve her international hero license. Now, here she was, at UA High School, ready to embrace her future. Having struggled with her pronunciation and translation in Japanese, she was directed to the wrong station which is why she ran late on her estimated arrival. Her anxiety only added to her quirks buzzing feeling.

At the large doors of UA stood Denki Kaminari, her cousin nervously pacing and shivering at the weather. Denki had a mix of excitement and nerves, it had been years since he saw his cousin, she was family, but she was damn right terrifying. He had been eagerly anticipating her arrival, hoping she'd find a place here and adjust quickly after the past few weeks.

As he saw Valerie approaching, he rushed to greet her, his usually playful demeanour giving way to genuine concern.

"Valerie! There you are! I've been waiting for you," Denki said, his voice barely audible over the roar of the storm. There was a large quake of thunder causing Denki to duck below to the ground as the lightning followed.

Valerie gave him a large appreciative smile. "Hey, Denki. Looks like the weather's just as dramatic as I am." She winked.

Before Denki could respond, a loud crack of thunder echoed through the sky again, and lightning flashed, momentarily illuminating Valerie's face her eyes flickering to bright green before dulling again. It was as if the storm itself was acknowledging her presence in UA. Denki couldn't help but notice that there was something different about her—a powerful, almost electrifying aura. "Yeah, maybe it's best we go inside before we get struck by lightning!"

Valerie looked to the dark sky, "That would be nice, I need a recharge after that damn flight." Valerie whined while her cousin dragged her out of the rain.

"Come on! let's get you inside," Denki said, guiding her through the storm's fury and into the shelter of the school building.

As they entered, Denki noticed the storm's intensity seemed to fade, but Valerie's arrival had already set some whispers in the hallway as students approached their lockers.

Valerie noticed a sluggish tired man ahead of Denki, he raised his brow at her cousin "Return to class, I will take over with Black and finalise the details." Denki nodded, "No problem Sensei, Gives me time to prep them for an awesome team-up soon!" Valerie rolled her eyes as he strolled off.

"Valerie Black," he said in a tone that was low but far gentler than she'd expected. "I've been waiting for you." Aizawa shoved his hands into his pockets as his eyes met hers.

Valerie shifted under his gaze, nerves still buzzing under her skin. She gave a small nod, feeling the tension rise as the silence between them stretched. She was about to open her mouth when Aizawa stepped forward, his gaze softening as he studied her.

"You made quite the entrance the other day," Aizawa said lowering his voice, Valerie shivered as the guilt crept through her veins.

Valerie stiffened slightly, the memory of the storm she'd unintentionally created still fresh. The moment her emotions had spiralled, the sky had responded. Thunder cracked and lightning slashed the sky, a violent tempest reflecting the chaos in her heart.

Aizawa sighed quietly, his hand briefly resting on her shoulder. "I understand. You've been through a lot however, this isn't South Africa. Your quirk will be monitored here, and we don't allow scenes like that to happen again. UA is a place for control and discipline."

She clenched her fists, feeling the pulse of power flicker through her body. "It won't happen again," she said softly, meeting his gaze.

Aizawa met her eyes, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're not the first student who's struggled to control their quirk under stress. It happens. But you're here to learn control, to find balance. UA will give you that, but only if you let it."

Valerie smiled at his words, "Thank you very much Sir"

Aizawa turned toward the classroom door, pausing just before sliding it open. "I will say this though," he added, his tone firm but still gentle, "control is key. You've got power, but that power doesn't mean anything if it's not focused. Keep your head clear. Don't let what's inside you tear you apart."

She nodded. "I understand."

With that, he slid the door open, revealing the classroom filled with her new classmates. The chatter died down as everyone turned to face her. Valerie felt the weight of their eyes, but Aizawa gave her a reassuring look before stepping inside.

"Class, this is Valerie Black," he announced. "She's joining us starting today. Kaminari, help her settle in."

Denki Kaminari beamed from his seat, giving her an overenthusiastic thumbs-up. "You got it, Sensei!"

Valerie gave a small smile in return, but as she looked around the room, her gaze locked onto a pair of fiery red eyes—Katsuki Bakugou. He sat with his arms crossed, watching her with an intensity that set her on edge, but also ignited something in her, like a storm building on the horizon.

Aizawa's voice brought her back. "Valerie," he said quietly, so only she could hear. "You've got more support than you realize. Don't carry it all alone."

She nodded, the weight on her shoulders feeling a little lighter as she took her seat. Whatever lay ahead, Valerie knew now that she wasn't facing it alone.

As Valerie took her seat, the classroom buzzed with excitement. Conversations rippled through the room, and it wasn't long before her classmates started to swarm around her, curiosity and energy swirling like a small storm of their own.

"So, Valerie, right?" Mina Ashido was the first to approach, her pink skin gleaming as she slid into the seat next to her. "I gotta say, that hair is stunning! It's so long and sleek—like, do you do anything special to it? It's raven black!" Mina's eyes sparkled as she leaned in closer.

Before Valerie could respond, Jirou, sitting nearby, added, "And your eyes... that dark green? It's kind of intense, in a cool way." She offered a small smile, her earlobes twitching with her usual laid-back curiosity.

Valerie felt her cheeks warm slightly at the compliments, unused to so much attention. "Uh, thank you! It's just... you know, natural, I guess."

"Your quirk is natural too, right?" It was Izuku Midoriya's turn. He leaned forward from his desk, his notebook already out, scribbling as fast as he spoke. "I've heard Kaminari talk a little about it. Lightning quirk users are rare, but to be able to create, control, and conduct it? That must take incredible skill and concentration!" He paused, his green eyes wide and earnest, clearly fascinated. He continued to mutter and mumble gaining a light tap on the back by a round-faced girl named Ochako.

Valerie blinked, taken aback by his enthusiasm. "It's... yeah, it's a lot of practice. I can generate electricity from my body and shoot it from my palms and feet. The power scales are based on how much I channel, but controlling it is tricky. Too much, and things get... crazy."

"Wow!" Izuku exclaimed, writing furiously. "That kind of control is amazing! It sounds like you've really mastered it." Izuku began muttering again as he filled more pages in his notebook.

She couldn't help but smile at his genuine excitement. "Thanks, I wouldn't say 'mastered,' but I'm getting there."

As more questions and comments filled the air, Denki Kaminari suddenly stood up, puffing out his chest with pride. "Did I mention she's my cousin? That's right! My cousin!"

"Of course, she's related to you!" Mina laughed, elbowing him. "But how come you didn't tell us about her before?"

Denki shrugged with a grin. "I like to keep my secrets."

"More like we wouldn't have believed you" Jirou teased

Before anyone else could respond, Mineta leaned in from his desk, his beady eyes sparkling with mischievous intent. "So, Valerie, just wondering... what kind of guys are you into?"

A small shiver of discomfort ran down Valerie's spine at the suggestive tone in his voice. She glanced at Denki, who quickly caught on with a mischievous grin of his own.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Denki said with a wink. "Valerie's into short guys."

Mineta's eyes widened in excitement as he grinned, leaning closer to Valerie with a creepy smirk. "Now? Well, if you—"

Before he could finish his thought, Valerie's hand twitched. A small spark of electricity danced across her fingers and shot out with a soft crack, landing squarely on Mineta's arm.

"Yeowch!" Mineta yelped, jumping back from his seat as a faint trail of smoke rose from his sleeve.

Valerie couldn't help but shiver again, this time from how wrong he made her feel. "Stay back," she muttered, a warning laced with the electric charge that still tingled in the air.

Eijiro Kirishima doubled over, laughing heartily. "Man, that was awesome!" he exclaimed between breaths. "Mineta didn't even see it coming! You've got some serious reflexes, Valerie!" Kirishima's boisterous laugh filled the air, and Valerie couldn't help but chuckle along with him, feeling a little more at ease in the group.

Bakugou, however, was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, his sharp red eyes locked on her. He hadn't said anything during the whole exchange, but now, his gaze narrowed in surprise as he watched her.

'She made that little shock seem like nothing...'

As the class continued laughing, Valerie felt a little more at ease, especially with Mina and Jirou sticking close by her side.

Valerie smiled warmly, finally feeling a sense of belonging in this lively group of heroes-in-training.

"Tch," Bakugou scoffed from his seat.

She met his gaze, feeling the tension in the air shift slightly. It wasn't the usual challenge in his eyes—more like a flicker of curiosity, or maybe even respect, hidden behind that ever-present scowl.

"Guess your quirk's got some bite after all," he added, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth before he looked away like it didn't matter.

Kirishima noticed Bakugou's reaction and elbowed him playfully. "See, bro? I told you she was cool! That spark took Mineta out in like, what, a second?"

Bakugou clicked his tongue, not fully admitting it but clearly intrigued. "Whatever. She better be able to back that up when it really matters."

Valerie smirked, not letting Bakugou's tough exterior faze her. "Guess you'll just have to wait and see," she said, surprising herself with how confident she sounded.

Bakugougrowled, but he didn't say anything else as he stood from his desk leaving through the door.

Kirishima beamed. "You'll get used to him," he assured her with a laugh. "Bakugou's a bit rough around the edges, but he's a manly friend."

Valerie nodded, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and curiosity stirring inside her.

For now, though, she was happy to have found a place in the whirlwind that was Class 3-A.

***************

Hello,

Thank you for reading, I would appreciate it if you would like and comment on the chapters.

This will be a slow burn with mature content.

There will be trigger warnings when we deep dive into Valerie's past.

I have been struggling with writers block so may be slow updates.

:) Plus Ultra!