The Wraith Within (On Hold Indefinitely)

The atmosphere at U.A. was charged with an unmistakable tension. The end of the semester was approaching, and for Class 1-A, that meant one thing: the final exams. Izumi had been preparing for this moment for weeks, but now, as the day loomed ever closer, there was a mix of excitement and nervousness in the air.

A Day of Preparation

It was the day before the exams, and Class 1-A had gathered in their usual classroom. The students were restless, exchanging tips, talking about their quirks, and discussing the upcoming test. Aizawa, as usual, was sitting at his desk, eyes half-lidded, as he looked over some papers.

“The final exams will be unlike anything you’ve faced before,” Aizawa’s voice broke through the chatter, gaining immediate attention. “You will be facing off against some of U.A.’s top heroes in simulated combat. You will be paired up with a classmate and sent to different locations. These exams are not just a test of power, but also a test of strategy, teamwork, and the ability to handle pressure. I expect you to take it seriously.”

Izumi glanced over at Bakugo, who was glaring at the desk, his hands clenching in anticipation. He was already fired up, and Izumi couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement herself. She had been looking forward to this for a while. After the events with the USJ attack and the Sports Festival, this would be her chance to prove herself even further.

The Exam Announcement

The next day, the students gathered in front of the U.A. Training Grounds. The area was enormous, surrounded by tall walls and various obstacles. Aizawa stood at the front, his usual expression grim.

“Listen carefully,” he said. “Each pair of students will face off against a hero who will be playing the role of your examiner. The objective is to defeat the hero or capture them, using your quirks and whatever tactics you can think of. The hero will be doing their best to stop you, and they will not hold back. This is the real deal.”

Izumi’s heart began to race. She looked around at her classmates—everyone seemed tense but determined. She turned to Uraraka, who was next to her.

“Are you nervous?” Izumi asked, a soft smile on her face.

“A little,” Uraraka admitted. “But we’ve been through a lot already, right? I know we can do this.”

Izumi nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. She could sense the familiar pull of her abilities, her quirk humming beneath her skin. She had trained long and hard for this moment, and now, it was time to show everyone just how far she had come.

The Paired Teams

As the students were divided into pairs, Izumi found herself facing none other than Bakugo. The class was murmuring as they saw the two of them together, but Izumi remained calm. It was just another test, and she had faced more intense challenges than this.

Bakugo shot her a look, his usual scowl in place. “This’ll be a piece of cake,” he muttered. “Don’t get in my way.”

Izumi met his gaze, unphased by his usual arrogance. “Just don’t expect me to hold back,” she replied coolly.

The two of them were then escorted to their designated area. The exam was about to begin.

The Test Begins

Izumi and Bakugo stood across from All Might, who had been assigned as their examiner. All Might was grinning widely, his usual cheerful demeanor in place. Izumi could sense the power radiating off of him, but she also knew that this was not going to be an easy fight.

“All right, kids! Ready for your final exam?” All Might’s booming voice filled the area. “Give it your best shot!”

Bakugo immediately launched himself forward, his Explosion quirk flaring up as he propelled himself toward All Might with incredible speed. Izumi hesitated for only a moment before following suit, using her Warp Blast to zip across the field, her agility allowing her to close the distance between them quickly.

All Might dodged Bakugo’s explosive attack with ease, but Izumi was already on the move. She created a decoy of herself with Phantom, confusing All Might for just a moment, enough to give her an opening. She swung one of her scythe-like arms at him, aiming for a precise strike.

But All Might’s reaction was swift. He ducked under her arm and grabbed her by the wrist, twisting it and sending her into the air. Izumi landed nimbly on her feet, her tentacle-like legs providing her with stability. She didn’t hesitate to spring forward again, her movements fluid as she tried to take All Might by surprise.

Bakugo, meanwhile, had continued his relentless assault, launching explosions left and right. The two of them worked in tandem—Izumi using her speed and precision, while Bakugo blasted away with his sheer destructive power.

The Battle Intensifies

All Might was holding his own, but the two students were proving to be a challenge. He could see their teamwork improving as the fight went on. Bakugo’s explosive attacks created openings for Izumi to strike, and her decoys kept him off balance. However, All Might wasn’t one to underestimate his opponents.

“You two have gotten much stronger since the beginning of the year,” All Might remarked as he dodged another explosion from Bakugo. “But you still have a lot to learn!”

He leaped into the air, landing in front of Izumi and Bakugo with incredible force. With a single swing of his arm, he unleashed a powerful shockwave, sending both students skidding across the ground.

Izumi gritted her teeth as she rose to her feet, feeling the strain of the attack. But she didn’t back down. Bakugo, too, was ready for the next round. He grinned, flames dancing in his eyes.

“All right, All Might!” Bakugo shouted, his voice full of determination. “We’re not finished yet!”

The Conclusion

The fight raged on for what felt like hours, but in the end, All Might was forced to acknowledge the strength of his students. Izumi and Bakugo had given everything they had, working together in a way that was both effective and creative. All Might’s cheerful grin faded into a serious expression as he looked at them.

“Well, I’ll be honest,” All Might said, slightly winded but still smiling. “I’m impressed. You two have really grown.”

Izumi looked over at Bakugo, who was panting heavily but grinning in his usual cocky way. “I told you not to expect me to hold back,” she said, flashing him a small, knowing smile.

Bakugo scoffed but said nothing, his pride not allowing him to admit it, but the respect in his eyes was evident.

“You both passed,” All Might declared, his voice full of approval. “You’ve shown incredible growth and teamwork. I think you’ll make great heroes.”

The battle had been intense, but in the end, it was a success. Izumi and Bakugo stood tall, proud of their performance. Their journey toward becoming heroes wasn’t over, but this was one more step in proving that they had what it took.