As the dust settled from the previous exercise, Aizawa stood at the forefront, his expression as unreadable as ever. The students gathered around him, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

"Listen up," he began, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Today, we're conducting a training exercise that will test your teamwork and strategy in a rescue mission. You'll be split into two teams. Heroes and Villans"

He paused, surveying the group, before continuing. "Team one, Villains: Katsuki Bakugou, Izuku Midoriya, Mina Ashido, and Kirishma. Team two: Valerie Black, Shoto Todoroki, Hanta Sero, and Tokoyami."

The students erupted into excited murmurs. Valerie's heart raced at the prospect of being in a team, but she quickly steeled herself. Aizawa's gaze shifted to her, his expression softening just slightly.

"Black, I want you to lead your team. Discuss strategy and make sure everyone understands their roles."

Valerie straightened up, a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration coursing through her. "Got it, Sensei!" she replied, the determination in her voice surprising even herself.

As the teams moved to their designated areas, Valerie gathered her teammates in a circle. "Alright, everyone, let's come up with a plan. Our mission is to rescue Uraraka and Iida while capturing or defeating the villain team."

Shoto nodded, his usual calm demeanour radiating confidence. "We should use the terrain to our advantage. I can create barriers and control ice to restrict their movements. as well as attack with my fire"

"Good idea," Valerie replied, her excitement bubbling over. "I can create distractions with my lightning to draw their attention. Tokoyami, can you use Dark Shadow to scout ahead?"

"Absolutely, but I must add that Dark Shadow thrives in darkness and your and Todoroki's quirk may play a disadvantage if we are too close," Tokoyami replied, his voice steady. Valerie nodded in understanding.

Sero grinned, his tape ready in hand. "I can use my tape to manoeuvre us quickly around the battlefield!"

As they finalized their strategy, Valerie felt a surge of confidence. "Alright, let's put it all together. We'll execute the plan in three stages. Shoto, create an ice barrier to block their main path while I draw them out. Tokoyami, you'll scout while we prepare for the rescue."

Before they could discuss further, Aizawa stepped in. "Demonstrate your quirk so your teammates understand their full potential," he instructed.

"Okay, I'll go first," Valerie said, stepping forward. She focused her energy, feeling the familiar tingling sensation in her palms. With a swift motion, she unleashed a small bolt of lightning into the air, crackling with intensity. The light illuminated her teammates' faces, and Valerie couldn't help but smile. "This is just a taste of what I can do."

Next, Shoto stepped up, summoning ice from the ground in a wave that formed a solid barrier. "This is my ice quirk," he explained. "I can create walls and control the temperature to manipulate the battlefield." suddenly the ice melted with a burst of flames, "And that was my fire quirk"

As they continued their demonstrations, Tokoyami used Dark Shadow to extend into the shadows, moving stealthily and swiftly. "Dark Shadow can adapt to the environment, acting as both a scout and a protector."

Sero showcased his tape, quickly sticking it to a nearby tree and swinging effortlessly through the air. "I can use my tape for mobility and to bind opponents if needed."

With everyone having showcased their quirks, Valerie felt a surge of pride for her team. "Great work, everyone! I believe we can do this if we stick to the plan and communicate. Let's show them what we're made of!"

As they moved into their positions, the atmosphere shifted from excitement to a focused intensity. Valerie could feel the weight of leadership resting on her shoulders, but she embraced it, ready to lead her team into the fray.

Valerie was unaware of her opponent's quirks so this was a great test of being in the pro leagues one day.

Across the field, she spotted the opposing team: Katsuki Bakugou, his fierce expression locked onto her like a target; Izuku Midoriya, always the determined strategist; Mina Ashido, bouncing with energy; and Shoji, who seemed unbothered by the tension. Trapped somewhere in their scenario were Uraraka and Iida, counting on their classmates to rescue them.

As the exercise began, the sound of the starting whistle echoed through the air, and Valerie felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. The training area transformed into a mock urban landscape, complete with buildings and obstacles to navigate. "Let's go!" she called, leading her team into action.

As they moved, Katsuki's voice rang out, sharp and taunting. "Sparky is MINE!" as he blased off leaving his team behind

Valerie observed Bakugou as he approached them at speed.. "Shoto, can you freeze that building? It'll create a barrier for us."

He nodded, and with a flick of his wrist, ice erupted, encasing part of the structure. Sero shot his tape toward the building to swing them over the rubble, and Tokoyami summoned Dark Shadow to scout ahead.

"Bakugou is approaching fast!" Dark Shadow called, Valerie gazed between her team mates, "I'll distract him, Shoto, you lead the team from her with out plan! I'll met you at section D in 5 minutes!"

Shoto nodded as he and the rest took off to bottle the other members and complete the rescue mission.

Valerie ran across the building tops as Bakugou approached fast, "OI! FIGHT ME STATIC!"

Valerie glanced up at him, feeling a flicker of irritation ignite within her at the pathetic nickname. "Keep talking, Bakugou. It'll make your defeat even sweeter," she smirked

Bakugou shot multiple explosions at her, only causing the girl to give him a teasing smile.

"Time to play!" she called out, her voice light with mischief.

With a surge of energy, and lightning crackling at her fingertips her eyes glowed a vibrant green at the activation of her quirk. She darted around a corner, her heart racing, knowing Katsuki would be right behind her.

"Is that all you've got Boom Boom Baby?" she taunted, glancing back just in time to see him close the distance, his explosive attacks lighting up the area. The thrill of the chase electrified her.

Katsuki's jaw tightened in determination. "I'll show you what I've got!" he shouted, his voice echoing as he unleashed another powerful blast, the force pushing him forward like a rocket.

Valerie smirked, her confidence surging. With a swift motion, she turned and released a dazzling arc of lightning into the air, creating a stunning display that illuminated the surroundings. The light flickered and danced, momentarily blinding him.

"Nice try!" Katsuki growled, but he was too late. She had already darted off in the opposite direction, using the distraction to gain distance.

The adrenaline coursed through her veins as she weaved through obstacles, enjoying the freedom of movement. "Come on, Bakugou! Keep up!" she called over her shoulder, laughter escaping her lips.

Fueled by rivalry and frustration, Katsuki pushed himself harder, determined to catch her. "I'm not done yet!" he roared, unleashing another explosion to propel himself forward, closing the gap with each powerful thrust.

Valerie's heart raced, knowing she was playing a dangerous game. But as she glanced back, the gleam of excitement in her eyes matched the spark of her quirk. This was more than a battle; it was a dance of power and skill, one that she was more than ready to embrace.

As the two teams converged, the tension escalated. In the distance, she saw Uraraka and Iida, their predicament driving her determination. With every step closer, she felt the energy building within her, the storm brewing just beneath the surface.

"Let's finish this!" Katsuki yelled, launching an explosion toward her. But Valerie was ready. Channelling her quirk, she focused the lightning inside her, the air around her crackling with electricity. With a surge of power, she unleashed her own attack, shooting bolts of lightning from her palms, merging with Katsuki's explosion in a spectacular clash of power.

The combined force sent shockwaves through the air, resembling a thunderstorm come to life. The ground trembled beneath them as Valerie and Katsuki stood opposite each other, both pushing against the other's power. The sky darkened momentarily, illuminated by the brilliant display of thunder and lightning.

"Not bad, but I'm just getting started!" Katsuki shouted, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of rivalry.

Fueled by the intensity of their competition, he charged at her, ready to escalate the battle. "Let's see what you've really got!"

Valerie's heart raced at the challenge, the desire to prove herself igniting a fire within her. "Fine. You wanted this!"

As their attacks collided again, the sheer force of their powers painted the landscape with flashes of light and shadows. The world around them faded as they became consumed by their battle, the storm of their rivalry resonating in every strike.

And deep down, amidst the chaos, Valerie couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.

As Valerie unleashed her lightning bolts, Izuku Midoriya watched in awe from the position he stood battling Todoroki. He had always admired the way quirks manifested differently for each individual, but what he witnessed now was something extraordinary. With every crackling burst of electricity, Valerie's eyes flickered from their usual dark green to a brilliant, glowing bright green, illuminating her determined expression.

Beside him, Mina glanced over, her excitement bubbling. "Whoa! She looks like a lightning goddess! And that glow in her eyes, it's so cool!"

Izuku nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He could see the connection—how the glow symbolized the surge of power coursing through her. It made her seem even more formidable. As Valerie and Katsuki's attacks collided again, the air charged with tension, and he felt a surge of inspiration.

"Valerie's really got a handle on her quirk," he said, determination sparking in his own chest. "If she can harness that energy, she might be able to pull off something amazing!"

Meanwhile, Katsuki, focused solely on his rivalry with Valerie, grinned through gritted teeth. "You think being sparky makes you special? I'll show you how real explosions work!"

With another explosive blast, he charged forward, not realizing that Valerie's eyes observed every movement, knowing that he was coming in with a right hook. She ducked down and grabbed his arm, sending a surge threw her arms to electrocute him but he kicked free and blasted away, putting some distance between them.

Izuku's admiration for Valerie only deepened. "She's not just fighting to win; she's pushing herself to become stronger!"

As the battle escalated, Katsuki and Valerie exchanged blow after blow, their powers intertwining like a dance of thunder and lightning, each trying to outdo the other.

As the battle escalated, Katsuki's frustration grew with every strike Valerie delivered. Each time he unleashed an explosion, she countered it with a dazzling display of lightning, her laughter ringing out amidst the chaos. To her, this wasn't just a training exercise—it was a chance to embrace her quirk fully, to revel in the power she had long kept suppressed.

"Is that all you've got, Bakugou?" Valerie giggled, a bright smile lighting up her face as she danced around his attacks. The joy radiating from her was infectious, and for a brief moment, it shifted the atmosphere from one of rivalry to camaraderie.

But for Katsuki, her laughter only fueled his annoyance. "Stop messing around!" he barked, charging forward with another explosive blast. "This is a fight, not a game!"

Aizawa felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through him. He knew he shouldn't get emotionally involved, but the sight of Valerie embracing her powers so freely ignited something within him—a spark of hope, perhaps, helping her unlock her quirks true potential would be smoother than he thought.

"Keep your focus, Black," he called out, his voice stern "Harness that joy, but remember, this is training and your time is limited!."

Valerie nodded, her smile never faltering as she prepared for the next onslaught. The thrill of the fight surged through her, and as she glanced at Aizawa, the connection between them felt almost electric—another thread binding her to this new life in Japan, to her quest for strength and acceptance.

With newfound determination, she turned back to Katsuki, the playful glint in her eyes replaced by fierce resolve.

Valerie found herself backed against a wall, her heart pounding with adrenaline. Katsuki Bakugou, fueled by anger and rivalry, was relentless. He charged toward her, ready to unleash his most powerful attack. But in that moment, Valerie felt a spark of clarity.

With a swift pivot, she released a concentrated bolt of lightning, expertly redirecting it to create a shockwave that disrupted his momentum. Katsuki stumbled, the force of her attack pushing him off balance. Seizing the opportunity, she swiftly closed the distance between them and performed a perfectly timed manoeuvre, using her quirk to generate a burst of energy that sent him crashing into a nearby wall.

As the dust settled, Valerie stood tall, her breath steadying, her expression a mix of exhilaration and concern. She had won, but this wasn't just a victory for her; it was a chance to prove herself and bring a sense of camaraderie to their rivalry.

"Good match, Bakugou," she said, extending a hand, her smile genuine.

But instead of accepting her gesture, Katsuki's face flushed with rage. "Fuck off!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the training field. "You think you can just come here and show me up, you damn extra!"

Valerie's heart sank at his words, the weight of his anger crashing down on her like a storm. She had wanted to connect, to earn his respect, but instead, he was lashing out, hurt and frustrated.

Kirishima rushed over, concern etched on his face. "Hey, Bakugou, chill out!" he called, trying to bridge the gap. But Katsuki stormed off the training field, his fists clenched, leaving Valerie standing there, feeling the sting of his rejection.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to herself, the thrill of victory evaporating in the face of his anger. It felt unfair as if she had done something wrong just by being herself. She had fought hard and played fair, yet the bitterness in his words lingered like a shadow.

Kirishima turned to her, his expression softening. "Don't take it to heart, Valerie. He just needs some time. I'll talk to him," he assured her, but Valerie could only nod, feeling a mix of disappointment and confusion.

As she watched Katsuki's retreating figure, the thrill of the battle faded, replaced by a heavy sense of sadness. She had hoped that winning would lead to a connection, not this sharp divide.

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

helloo, a bit of a long chapter but I hope you enjoyed

below is what Valerie looks like when using her quirk... I used AI to generate the image :D

Please comment and like.

Plus Ultra!