------Author's Note------

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHJJDN

I just left this morning to head to college! It'll be a couple day trip, but at least that means I have a lot of time to write from the backseat.

I'm so nervous, but also really excited! I wish those of you who are also heading back to school luck! It won't be an easy year with everything that's going on, but we'll power through it together.

•°•°•°•

The next morning, I wake up early, queasy as usual. After going through my normal routine, I head out to the kitchen. Mic is hastily packing up food, his hair already spiked up into his famous cockatoo-do. 

"What's up?" I sign when he turns my way. 

"OH, HEY THERE!" His voice reverberates around the room. I squint and rub at my ears. Something about his tone is off. "I'm just makin' something to go 'cause I gotta be in early!"

I rest my elbows on the counter and look up at him. His green eyes are flitting around uncomfortably. "What're you hiding?"

"WHAAAAAAAA? ME?! Hiding something? Noooooo." He grabs the food, shoving it into his bag as he runs for the door. "SEE YA SOON!"

Soon? My eyes widen. Aww, crap. 

There had been a rumour going around that we were fighting the robots from the entrance exam. When I brought it up to Mic, his voice got all high pitched and nervous, so I knew that theory wasn't true. 

Why would he say "soon"? That has to mean he's going to see the class. And why would the other teachers be in the class if we were just fighting robots? Are we fighting the teachers? Are we doing one on one battles? Are they setting all of us loose at once? Will it be a capture the flag situation?

As I run through possibilities, I find myself walking towards the training room. I know that Mic's voice can cause severe damage, so I grab a couple pairs of our high quality earplugs just in case. I never want to fight against Mic without them. In the event, the capture the flag method is what they're going with, I don't want Ochaco facing him without them either. 

How many teachers would they include in this? It's not like we're familiar with any of the other teachers' fighting styles. At least I'm not. Midoriya won't have any problem with this.

I pace between the living room and the kitchen a few times, my anxiety building up higher than it has in a while. When I can't stand the knot twisting in my stomach anymore, I grab my backpack and leave, taking the long route to school, seeing as I'm so early. The industrial smell of the city doesn't do much to calm my nerves, but there's not much I can do. 

I eventually climb the hill to UA, knowing that after today, I won't have to worry about any exams and I can just focus on the camping trip. This puts a new fierceness in my stride as I walk to the classroom, grab my costume, and head to the locker rooms. 

After the internships, I asked Mr. Aizawa if I could officially add the katana to my hero costume. He agreed only as long as I don't use it to harm anybody else. Of course, I can do more damage with just my illusing, but I was more thinking about fighting against someone like Sero. His tape is pretty much impossible for me to cut through with sound. The sword is just acting as a precautionary measure. 

I put the earplugs in my coat pocket and sit on the bench, bouncing my leg until the door opens and Momo walks in. 

"Good morning, Koto," she says with a smile. Her face appears calm and impassive, but I don't miss the way her hands are white knuckled, clutching her backpack and costume case. 

"Good morning," I illuse in response. "Hey I've been meaning to ask you something."

She opens her case and starts unbuttoning her shirt. "Go for it."

I turn away to give her some privacy, knowing that I would want her to do the same for me. "You signed something to me the other day. How long have you known sign language?"

"Oh, well I taught myself a few simple phrases when I found out that was how you predominantly speak. It's always in my best interest to make sure my friends feel comfortable."

"That's a very sweet gesture. Thank you."

She walks in front of me, adjusting her belt. "You're quite welcome."

She takes the seat next to me and starts eating a candy bar. I keep forgetting that her quirk uses the lipids in her body. Having to eat all the time would drive me crazy, especially with my anxiety-driven nausea. She pulls out a chemistry textbook and opens it to read. 

Hoping I'm not bugging her, I look off into the distance, trying to formulate a plan of how I can take on the teachers. 

If that's even what we're doing. What if I'm overthinking this? Maybe he's just helping Aizawa grade the class. But if that's the case, then why would he be acting so weird this morning?

As I continue to freak out, the other girls show up and change. We head out to the training field together, all the other girls talking in anticipation, but I'm just shaking. 

"Hey Koto," Ochaco grabs my attention. "You doin alright?"

I nod for the sake of the other girls, but sign, "I don't think we're fighting robots."

Her eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean? The second and third years said that's what they did."

"I'm not too sure. Mic was acting weirder than usual this morning."

"That could be because of anything," she tries to assure me, but I can tell she's getting nervous. Of course I feel a little bad, but she should know. If that makes her a bit nervous, at least she isn't taken off guard if plans change. 

We meet up with the boys as we walk. A large group of teachers is gathered before the doors of the plaza. 

"Now then," Aizawa speaks up when we arrive. "Let's begin the last test. Remember, it's possible to fail this final. If you wanna go to camp, then don't make any stupid mistakes."

Hagakure squeaks in anticipation and nervousness. "Why are all the teachers here?"

"I expect many of you have gathered information and believe you have some idea of what you'll be faced with today," our teacher muses in a tired voice. 

"We're fightin' those big ol' metal robots!" Kaminari exclaims.

Mina pumps her fist in the air and cheerfully adds, "fireworks! S'mores! Here we come, camp!"

Suddenly, Aizawa's scarf begins to move and a plucky voice comes from it, saying, "actually, this year's tests…" The tiny mouse principal comes popping out of the fabric, using our teacher's face to steady himself. "...will be completely different for various reasons!"

"Principal Nezu," half the class gasps. 

"You're changing things?" Momo exclaims, her voice becoming squeaky. 

The rat-man climbs off Aizawa's shoulders and lands on the ground. "The tests now have a new focus. There will be hero work of course, but also teamwork and combat between actual people. So what does that mean for you? You students will be working together in pairs and your opponents will be one of our esteemed UA teachers. Isn't that fabulous?"

Next to me, Ochaco gasps. "We're…fighting the teachers?!"

Her and I make eye contact for a moment. We both gulp and look back to the group in front of us. Mic smiles his signature smile and sends us a wink. I set my jaw in response, itching to go up and smack him for not informing me, but something tells me I'll be getting that chance sooner than later. 

"Additionally," Aizawa adds, "your partners and your opponents have already been chosen. They were determined at my discretion based on various factors including fighting style, grades, and interpersonal relationships."

Oh great, "interpersonal relationships" means I'm definitely fighting Uncle Mic.

"First, Yaoyorozu and Todoroki are a team," he announces with a dangerous smile. "Against me."

I fight to not pout. Of course I wanted to be partnered with Todoroki, and sure, as much as I like Momo, something about this pairing doesn't sit right with me. Why would he put them together? What sort of interpersonal relationship do they have?

"Then we have Midoriya, paired with Bakugo." The two boys look at each other in shock, although I'm not sure it's that much of a surprise. Our teacher is definitely the type to do something like this. "And their opponent is…"

A colorful figure drops from the sky and I suddenly realize he's been missing from the group all along. He usually has such a presence, but I've been too preoccupied giving Mic my sharpest glare to notice the number one hero not in attendance before now. "I am here," All Might declares, "to fight!"

Glancing at the two boys, their eyes are filled with terror. I can't really blame them. He's number one for a reason, so I'm sure it'll be difficult for two first year students to take him down. 

"We're up against All Might?" They look up at the man towering before them as he clenches a fist. 

"You're going to have to work together, boys, if you want to win."

Midoriya glances at Bakugo with trepidation while the blonde looks back in anger.

"And now, let's announce the teams and the teachers they'll be fighting in order," the principal says cheerfully. He pulls up a hologram board with our pairings and opponents.

Cementos vs. Sato and Kirishima
Ectoplasm vs. Asui and Tokoyami
Power Loader vs. Iida and Ojiro
Eraserhead vs. Yaoyorozu and Todoroki
Thirteen vs. Aoyama and Uraraka
Nezu vs. Ashido and Kaminari
Present Mic vs. Koda and Yamada
Snipe vs. Hagakure and Shoji
Midnight vs. Sero and Mineta
All Might vs. Midoriya and Bakugo

I level my uncle with a challenging gaze. 

I knew it. Good thing I brought the earplugs. I just hope Koda and I can beat him. 

The boy and I send each other a nervous look. Of course, send the two shiest students to fight against Mr. Extroversion over here. Great.

"To complete the exam, you'll have thirty minutes. In order to win, your objective is to put these handcuffs on your teacher. Or you can win if one of you manages to escape from the combat stage."

"So we've either got to capture the teacher or run away," Kaminari thinks out loud. "It's basically like the combat training."

"Yeah, but is it really okay to just jet?" Mina asks. 

"Yep!" Nezu answers simply. 

"It's gonna be much different than that combat training y'all went through earlier," Mic chimes in. "After all, you're up against people WAAAAAAY BETTER THAN YOU!!"

"Better? Really?" Tsu asks. "Wait, aren't you just the announcer?"

Oof, bad move, Tsu, I think as Mic's jaw drops in shock. 

"HEY, WATCH YO MOUTH GIRL! HAVE SOME RESPECT!!!"

"This time, your exam will be very similar to a real battle," Thirteen explains to take the spotlight away from Mic who's now having a crisis. "As strange as it is, please think of us as villains."

That'll be difficult for Ochaco. Thirteen is her favorite hero! How is she gonna be able to take this completely seriously?

"Assuming you come across your enemy, if you think you can win against them, then fight. However…" Snipe trails off, letting Aizawa finish explaining. 

"In instances where you're outmatched, it would be smarter to run away and find help. Todoroki, Iida, Midoriya," he singles the boys out. My heartbeat starts going quicker for them, anxious about what our teacher is about to say. Surely it'll be about the Hero Killer. "I'm sure the three of you understand."

Looking up at him, I notice Todoroki setting his jaw, lost in thought. Although they were able to take the Hero Killer down, it would've been much smarter and logical for them to leave it to the professionals. But then again, if they did that, would the Hero Killer be in custody now?

"So, we fight to win. Or run to win," Midoriya sums up. 

"That's right," All Might declares. "It's a test of your decision making skills! But with these rules, you're probably thinking your only real choice is to flee. That's why the support course made these super clever accessories for us!"

The hero holds up a metal gauntlet. 

"BEHOLD!" Mic screams. I watch with a small grin as everyone in the class flinches from the sound of his voice. "Ultra compressed weights!"

All Might attaches them to his wrists and ankles, as do the other teachers, setting their feet down hard. "These babies will add about half our body weight to our physiques. It's not much, but they will eat up our stamina and make it harder for us to move around." He finishes adjusting the weights in his wrists and groans. "Oh shoot! These are heavier than I thought! We had a contest to come up with these designs and young Hatsume ended up winning it!"

Isn't that that freaky girl who used the Sports Festival as an advertisement?

"Oh! Good for Hatsume," Midoriya exclaims. 

Bakugo glowers at the hero, ignoring his partner. "You think we need a handicap to win against you? Well think again."

All Might laughs at his declaration while I roll my eyes. He's too cocky for his own good. It could get him hurt someday. 

"This'll be fun," the hero declares, darkly. 

"Let's begin," Aizawa says. "The teams will take the practical exam in the order you were called. We have a stage prepared for you. Sato, Kirishima, you're up."

"Yes sir!" They both shout. 

"Oh and there's of course the issue of Mineta."

"No no! Not now!" Said boy gasps. Everybody turns to look at him, confused. 

"Oh, you didn't think his behavior would go unpunished did you?" Principle Nezu asks cheerfully. "I had been debating what to do about him for a while, however the peeping incident in the locker rooms solidified my decision! He is being expelled from UA due to his behavior! We are allowing him to take the exams so the teams will be even and his next institution will have a baseline for his grades, but after today, he will no longer be your classmate!"

"What?!?" The entire class gasps. 

"Dude! Why didn't you tell me?" Kaminari asks. 

The midget just hangs his head, his eyes squeezed shut in pain and embarrassment.

As much as I hate him, it's hard to see him going through this. Especially with all his peers and teachers here. I'm sure he thought they would tell us after he left. 

"Those waiting their turn to fight can either watch the exams or try to strategize together as a team. It's your choice. That's all," Aizawa drawls, reminding us of the task at hand. With that, the teachers turn and walk into the building. 

Koda and I approach each other. "Do you want to make a plan?" He signs. 

My eyes widen in shock for a few moments, but I recover. "Yeah. I didn't know you knew sign language."

"Well, I can talk, but I prefer to stay silent. If that's okay with you."

"Hey, I'm not complaining." I motion towards the doors. "Let's go inside and figure something out."

We head over to our training stage which appears to be a forest area. The first round is announced over a loudspeaker. 

"This should be good for you," I sign, looking through the fence. "There should be plenty of animals."

"I'm not too sure how we can fight against Present Mic with animals though."

I sigh, debating if I should share all the knowledge I have. I decide to tell a small lie, but keep the information relevant. "Well, I'm sure we can figure something out. Here, take these." I hand him a pair of earplugs. "I always carry them with me just in case I need to use a higher amplitude of sound, but they'll be helpful when fighting him."

"Good thinking. And we can communicate through sign language during the match, so we don't even have to listen."

"Exactly what I was thinking," I sign with a tiny smile. 

"Sato and Kirishima have been knocked out," the announcer says over the loudspeakers. "Exam over."

Koda and I look at each other with wide eyes. "That was fast," he signs shakily. 

"Yeah, too fast. I hope they're okay."

We decide to get down to business, creating a clear cut strategy for taking on Mic. I slip in the detail that we never know when a villain might know sign language, so we shouldn't use it when he can see us, just in case. I decide that's better than telling him for a fact that Mic knows sign language. 

I tell him about how I can use my quirk to control people to some extent. We decide that I should create sound to distract Mic and confuse him about our whereabouts, then Koda and I can split up and try to get to the exit. When it comes to fighting, Mic isn't the best at mobility or close combat. We have to take advantage of this and close in from two sides. I will keep an eye on Mic and if he notices either one of us, I'll fight him and try to immobilize him while Koda runs to the exit. 

•°•°•°•

Teams 2 through 5 pass the exam, but Mina and Kaminari run out of time. Koda and I are both shaking with anticipation as we put in our earplugs and step into the arena. 

"Ready?" He asks. 

I nod, noticing the trail that cuts through the forest. "Surely, he's expecting us to use that. I bet he'll be right in front of the exit. That way he can use his quirk no matter what direction we come from."

"So we go around?"

I nod, running to the left while Koda takes the right. Just as we step off the path, a shriek fills the air, rumbling the ground below us. Thankfully, it's muffled by the earplugs. 

"Good plan," he signs from his side. I begin illusing random noises in the arena. He waves to catch my attention. "The animals aren't going to go after him. His voice scares them away."

Crap. I guess this means I'm fighting him, doesn't it?

Mic continues to yell over the distance. The noise is bone rattling, causing us to pause in our advance. If only I knew where he was I could give him a taste of his own medicine. 

The sound bends the thinner branches of the trees and rolls rocks across the ground. As we wait for his attack to cease, I notice some ants retreating from their anthill, surely due to it collapsing. I get an idea.

I wave to Koda as he leans against a rock, holding his head. "Can you talk to bugs?" As soon as he sees my message, he blanches. "I'm going to take that as a yes. Look, Present Mic is terrified of bugs. If you can get them to just go near him, he'll leave his position and we can get to the exit."

"I really don't feel comfortable talking to bugs," the boy signs shakily. 

I groan, putting my hands to my temples as Mic gives his voice a rest. "I don't mean to be rude, but we need to do this to win. It's the only way to distract him enough."

His shaky hands sign, "okay, I'll try."

"Good, but let's get closer. We need to be close enough to the gate so that he can't stop us."

We continue through the forest, wincing through Mic's yells until we get to a river. Koda signs that there's a log connecting the two sides on his side of the path, so I run across as fast as I can, suddenly hit with a barrage of noise. With no trees or anything to buffer the sound, I'm knocked hard off my feet. I scramble up and run over the log, only to trip when my uncle screams again. I land on the uprooted tree with a hard thud and suddenly, pain tears through my head. I reach up to feel my left ear painfully empty.

Dammit! The earplug fell out into the water!

Tears course down my face as I plug my ear with my finger and keep running. Koda looks at me with wide eyes, but I wave him off. 

When Mic's leather jacket is in sight, we hide behind a boulder. I continue illusing sound in the area. Twigs snapping and leaves rustling, mainly on the opposite side of the path as us to take his attention away. 

When our teacher's latest onslaught ceases, I hastily sign, "Okay, let's do this. I'm going to turn up his hearing aids so that his attacks will hurt him as much as they hurt us."

It's an evil tactic, but it might be the only thing that works. I won't turn them up too much.

Suddenly, another piercing scream fills the air. My hands fly to my ears to block it, but the pain makes me nauseous; not a foreign feeling, but still not too pleasant. 

"So should I talk to them now?" Koda signs, obviously anxious about confronting his fear. He looks at me, horrified at the pain my body is in. I nod and hold up two fingers signifying him to watch me. 

If I mess with his hearing aids while he's attacking, he'll notice. And he'll also hear Koda. It needs to be a sneak attack. 

I motion for Koda to stay where he is as I run over to a bush. Through the leaves, I have a clear view of Mic and I'm thoroughly camouflaged. 

My uncle closes his mouth, cutting off the sound and I hastily sign "stop!" 

I zero in on the devices behind his ears. I've seen him adjust the volume on them plenty of times, but I've never tried this before. I illuse white noise, very delicately turning up the volume and praying he can't feel anything.

I notice Mic's eyebrows furrowing and he swats at the air next to his head as if a fly is bothering him. My partner runs up to crouch beside me, pale and sweaty, but with a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. 

"You're going to run," I sign. "Keep your hands on your ears. This will be an awful sound."

He blinks rapidly a few times, shaking. "I can't leave you! You're hurt!"

I stare at the blood on my hand from where it covered my open ear. "I'm going to make sure he can't get you. Now go!"

I hear the ground crumbling and an intake of breath from my uncle. I wrench my eyes shut, slamming my hands over my ears and pray that Koda follows the plan. 

The sound that follows is blood curdling. I almost faint right on the spot, the pain in my ears throwing off my balance. I stumble to the side, but large arms scoop me up bridal style. Koda sprints for the exit with me in his grasp. He sets me down gently as we emerge on the other side, shaking. 

I lay down in the cool grass, praying I don't throw up with my classmates watching. Tearing the other earplug from my right ear, I offer a handshake to my partner, letting my hand fall limp to the ground afterwards. 

He takes out his own earplugs and picks me up again so I can lean on him as we walk back to the central plaza.