Izuku and Momo sat at the police station waiting for their parents. The police were kind enough to give Izuku a new shirt and shoes. They gave their statements and with All Might's report, decided it was a case of using Quirks for self defense. So they both breathed a sigh of relief of not being in trouble. Now they just sat in the lobby , talking about the day that had just happened.
"Thank you again for saving me, you and Hulk I mean," Momo said
"You're welcome. Thanks for the trail, without it I wouldn't have known you were in trouble. What did they want with you anyway?"
"Well…"
Izuku leaned in, looking at Momo's apprehensive look.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No, I need to tell you. Have you heard of Yao-Corps."
"Have I!? They're the top support tool supplier in the world! They supply heroes with thee cutting edge of technology! They-!
' Mumbling…Annoying…'
Momo let out a chuckle at the boys mumbling.
'It's adorable how focused he can get. Wait, where did that come from?'
Shaking her head she answered.
"Yes, well my father is the current head scientist and my mother is the CEO."
Izuku looked at Momo with new eyes. She was the heiress to the most richest family in Japan, likely the whole world. However he saw a sad look and shook himself out of his amazement.
"I see."
The silence had returned before Momo broke it.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just never had a friend who liked me for me. They are either nice to me to get my money or sway with my parents. That or they're perverts who see me as some prize."
"I understand that all too well."
Momo gave him a quizzical look.
"Most people know my Quirk and steer clear of me. They see me as nothing but a violent monster. A villain waiting to happen. I'm sorry too. Guess we both had secrets."
They shared a look of understanding before she spoke once more with a smile.
"I did not see a monster. I saw a brave boy and a heroic soul. From both you and The Hulk. You both saved me, that's probably the farthest from a monster you can get."
'Heh. Hulk right. Pony-tail girl nice.'
"And I don't see some rich girl that exists for my own benefit. I see an intelligent, heroic girl with a heart of gold. I see someone who will make an amazing hero."
Unknowing they had gotten rather close during their compliments, before they knew it their hands were touching. Both blushed as they quickly withdrew and returned to their prior positions. Izuku spoke first a question on his mind.
"So we are friends?"
Momo smirked and quickly created a pen and paper. She then wrote something down and handed it to him. It was her phone number.
"Yes. I'd be honored."
They both shared a smile once more as the doors opened. First to come in was Inko who was accompanied by All Might in his skeletal form. Their presence there together earned a look of suspicion from Izuku, but it quickly left as she trapped him in a bone crushing hug.
"Izuku! Are you okay!?" she cried, tears from her eyes.
"I'm fine mom."
They hugged for a while before another couple came in.
It was a man and woman. The woman was dressed in a rather expensive looking business suit while her features were like a more mature version of her daughter, her hair was in a ponytail with red glasses on her face. The man was dressed in a graphic tee and lab coat with sweats. His hair was messy with goggles still on top of them. The woman went up to Momo and gave the same type of bear hug to Momo. She then looked into her daughter's eyes, concerned.
"Are you okay darling?"
"Yes mother, I'm fine."
As they exchanged pleasantries and affirmations, Mr. Yaoyorozu walked to the other family looking at Izuku. He then bowed deeply.
"Thank you for saving our daughter."
Mrs. Yaoyorozu quickly joined him and bowed as well.
"Yes, a thousand thank you."
Izuku held his hands out.
"I was just in the right place at the right time."
"They say that about most great heroes," All Might said, a proud look on his face.
Izuku blushed as Momo's parents rose from their bows. The father spoke first.
"Thank you young man for saving our most brilliant creation."
"Father!" Momo blushed, completely embarrassed.
"Well it's true darling," her mother agreed, patting her daughter on the back. " He certainly is how you described him. Truly a heroic soul. Tell us, how can we thank you for saving our daughter?"
"It's okay. The good deed is its own reward after all."
'Wait. Hulk wants to hear reward.'
'Hulk that's not how heroes act.'
Inko looked at her son with a hint of pride, a look that matched her blonde compatriots she noticed. It made her happy that there was someone else who believed in her son the same way she did.
"There must be something!" Mrs. Yaoyorozu shouted aloud, "What do you need? New phone? House? Mountain? Island?"
"Mother!" Momo reprimanded, blushing from embarrassment.
"Momo's right honey."
"Thank you father."
"There's no phone on the market that is better than one I could make! Or would you like a home A.I.? Smart car? Stealth plane?"
Momo buried her head in her hands as Izuku, his mother and All Might gave a chuckle. After her parents calmed themselves, Izuku nervously spoke once more.
"Again I don't need any reward. I just did what any hero or friend would do."
Momo gave a smile and their parents exchanged a knowing look. Her father then put a hand to his chin in thought before snapping his fingers, inspiration striking him.
"Eureka! Mr. Midoriya, you're training to become a hero, correct?"
Izuku nodded and the inventor's smile grew.
"Then how bout you come to our training grounds at our house? I understand you already have a training regiment, but still I think it could benefit you."
Izuku looked to his mentor who gave him a thumbs up.
"Sure. As long as I'm not intruding."
'New things to smash?'
"Very well. We'll contact your supervisor to set up a time." Momo's mother said, getting out an electronic planner.
"Actually," the thin skeletal man raised his hand, "That would be me." He produced his card and gave it to the matriarch.
"Oh! I didn't know your father worked for All Might!"
At the proclamation of being his father, Izuku nearly fainted and Inko and All Might began to blush up a storm.
"No I'm not the boy's father!/ No we're not together!"
They both took a deep breath to gather their thoughts.
"I just happened to become a friend of the family recently. I supervise his training and I don't see why we can't swing by."
"Excellent. Just send us the details later," her mother said.
With that decided the two families said their goodbyes and went to thicker respective homes. After making sure the mother and son were okay All Might dropped them off, though he found himself watching them be off to their apartment.
'A father huh? Me? Not possible. Not if he's still around.'
Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he gave one more look, before sighing and driving off. Meanwhile with Izuku, after some fretting from his mother, the boy soon found himself in his room with his day on the forefront of his mind. As he was thinking about it, he grabbed his phone and shot a text to his new friend.
"Hey! It's Midoriya. Just giving you my number. Like promised."
"Hello Midoriya. Thank you. Was waiting for your message."
"Oh! Sorry to keep you up."
"It's all right! I like talking to you."
Izuku blushed at that, but quickly shook his head. As a friend. She likes him as a friend.
"So All Might huh?"
"Yeah. Have you heard of the sludge villain incident?"
"Of course. I remember that news report. That was you?"
The teens texted well into the night. Trading stories and dreams of heroism and how they came to see each other. Both loved the fact they finally had a friend to talk to.
Couple of days later.
Izuku walked down the pathway to Momo's home. Taking a moment to look at the address on his phone before continuing. He walked along a big wall, a bit nervous of what was in store for him.
'I wonder what the training room will be like?'
'Hulk just happy to smash something new.'
'Try to go easy. We're guests here.'
'Hulk will try. Things just weaker than Hulk.'
Eventually the boy found the entrance gate. It was tall and imposing with a buzzer and screen to the side. He checked the address once more just to make sure.
'Yep. This is her place.'
'Big door.'
Izuku pushed the buzzer and a voice came through.
"Midoriya! Glad you could make it. We'll be right out," Momo said, excitement in her voice.
After waiting a moment, he could hear the locks unclick and the heavy door opened slightly. Momo greeted him with a smile and bowed slightly. She was wearing her workout gear like he was.
"Hello Midoriya."
"Hey Yaoyorozu. Thanks for having me."
Momo beckoned him to follow, which he did and he was stunned at what waited for him. The Yaoyorozu estate was ginormous! He could see the main house down the path and it looked like an old style American high school or college. Just from the size of it and the fact it looked like it was the size of a regular building from the entrance, he could only imagine the sheer scope of the size of the place. Momo smiled a bit as she closed the gate, a bit pleased at her friend's reaction.
"Taking it all in."
Izuku shook himself out of his stupor.
"Yeah. It's amazing."
"Most people have that reaction. Come on, we're going to the practice range on the other side."
'Otherside! How big is her house?'
'Big.'
Izuku followed Momo to a small golf cart-like trolley. There was no driver and only one seat next to Momo. she smiled at him and he couldn't resist. He sat down, blushing and feeling a bit awkward. Momo realized the implications and blushed as well, her smile becoming wobbly for a minute. Strangely they both found themselves thinking the same thing.
'It's just a ride to training with a friend. That's all.'
After a minute of silence, Momo decided to make small talk.
"So, Midoriya, would you like a small tour?"
"Sure."
The cart drove up to the main house entrance and the teens looked up at the imposing structure.
"The main house. This is where me and my parents live."
Izuku nodded still in amazement at the size.
"It's huge! How many rooms are inside?"
Momo put a hand on her chin in thought.
"I don't know. I don't even think I've seen all of them. I mostly spend time in the library."
"Think I could see it sometime?"
Momo turned, a sparkle in her eyes.
"Of course! I'd love to have you over for more than just training."
Izuku blushed at the implications, but still gave a smile at the offer. Both have always wanted a friend to hang out with and now they had that.
"I'd be honored, Yaoyorozu. I just need to check my schedule. I'm excited to see what you have in stock."
"Plenty for a full day of study or leisure I assure you.
Momo gave a beaming smile as the trolley continued on its way. They laughed for a moment and both thought the same thing.
'So this is what a friendship is like. It's not a bad feeling.'
They drove past many other things. A sculpture garden, a hedge maze with hedge sculptures and what even seemed to be an outdoor movie theater. There was a massive pool, causing both to blush at the thought of the other in a swimsuit. Soon the trolley arrived at a large building that looked like an aircraft hanger. They both gave determined expressions as they entered, ready to become the heroes they wanted to be.
Upon entering they were greeted with a massive empty space, much to Izuku's confusion and Momo's expectations. Mom's father was waiting, tapping away idly on a holographic pad. When he noticed the teens he smiled and approached.
"Hey honey. See you brought your hero."
"Father!"
"Hey I call it as I see it."
Izuku let out a little laugh at the father and daughter's light teasing. After they all calmed down for a moment, Mr. Yaoyorozu looked at Izuku with a smile.
"All right. Today you're going to handle some combat training modules we've set up. If anything, this should get you ready for what to expect from the entrance exam. The difference being scenarios and no other test takers in your way."
'All right. Time to smash.'
He tapped some buttons on the holo-tablet and the room came alive. Some people shaped combat robots filled the room as some pillars and walls of steel started to rise from the ground. The robots came in three types, each one standing next to the patriarch as he looked towards the teens. There was one built like a tank easily the size of All Might, one that was thin and sleek built for speed and the last seemed to be some small military drone. The bots brought some recognition to Izuku.
"Wow, just like U.A."
Her father let out a short laugh.
"Well, we are contracted with the staff, though Nedzu does make my designs slightly better. So these aren't exactly the same. Also his are more designed for combat, whereas mine are for non-lethal security."
Izuku sat in awe and he thought he was connected. Momo laughed and looked at her father. She had look of challenge in her eyes
"I think a demonstration is in order, father. I could use a refresh after what happened recently."
"Very well. Midoriya, follow me to the observation room. Momo, we'll go through exercise…"
"Seven."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure."
Her father nodded his head with a smile. Momo gave a nod and got into position, taking a small device from her father and putting it on her wrist. Izuku followed the patriarch to a small room. Tapping his tablet to the computers, a full holo display lit up. He could see Momo's vitals and bot numbers. He could even see the combat module loading. Activating an ear piece, the father spoke.
"Okay darling. We're about to begin. Are you ready?"
Momo gave a thumbs up and took a deep breath. Some of the sleek and thin robots surrounded her, numbering in ten total. They then rose from the ground as a circular wall surrounded Momo leaving her trapped in an arena. Izuku looked at the father quizzically.
"What's exercise seven?"
"Simple ambush procedure and fighting multiple enemies in small spaces. As well as a final stand against a boss."
Izuku nodded at that and took a notebook from his bag. On the page was a rough sketch of Momo as well as detailed notes on her Quirk. If anything, Mr. Yaoyorozu was impressed.
'He hasn't seen her Quirk in action, yet he has such detailed notes? This kid…'
"So you draw my daughter?"
Izuku got embarrassed almost immediately.
"It's not what you think!"
"Relax kid. Just poking fun. "
Turning back to the training room a countdown started. Izuku watched with great attention, excited to see what his friend would do to pull off a win.
Momo took a deep breath as the ten-second countdown started. Her thoughts went to the other day and how helpless she was.
'I need to not be helpless. I will be a hero. I will stand beside my friend.'
The buzzer sounded and two of the sleek bots leaped into action. At the end of their arms were tasers. Not enough to knock a person out, but enough to give them a shock. The two landed opposite ends of the girl. At the same time they charged the girls. In a flash, she opened her eyes and sprung into action.
She quickly created a metal bo staff and intercepted the bot in front of her. She Pierced the head of the first one, disabling it. She quickly spun the staff and whacked the side of the one behind her and knocked it aside. However she would not get any respite.
Three more of the bots dropped below as Momo took a defensive stance. The three charged at once. A tricky situation, but Momo had a plan. Took the one in front of her first with several quick strikes of her staff. While these pokes were less powerful than her two strikes before, she targeted the training bot's joints. The attacks were too much and the bot went down defeated.
The other two charged in a piercing maneuver, she could not get them both. So she ducked down, a clink sounding as they collided. They shook to recover, before hearing a beeping sound. Looking down, they noticed a small device. Said device exploded in a concussive blast, knocking them against the wall.
Momo stretched and rolled her shoulders as she prepared for the final assault. The walls closed in as the last five descended There was now barely any room to move her staff giving her a disadvantage. The girl just smirked and dropped the staff and her hands and chest glowed with the sign of her quirk. After the flash, she smirked, ready to take on the bots with her new items.
Upon her chest was a shining blue light with tubes connecting to red gauntlets on her arms and hands. A powering sound could be heard throughout the hanger as she let loose pure energy from her palms, slicing through the bots and leaving smoldering burns on the walls. However her fight was not over as the walls descended and one of the giant tank bots waited.
Said bot looked like a muscular robotic All Might. The bot charged and Momo stood her ground. She had no choice, her back was against a new wall cutting of any escape. Powering up her gauntlets she fired several energy blasts, knocking some armor off, but the tank continued to charge. Grimacing, she closed her palms and started to let the energy build up.
Just as the bot was about to crush her then she opened her palms and let out two torrents of energy combining into one, piercing the tank and disabling it causing it to fall and skid just stopping a few inches from her foot. Wiping sweat off her brow she smirks with a sigh of relief.
Izuku was amazed! She had done it! Mr. Yaoyorozu gave a proud look as he looked at his daughter.
'Way to go baby girl. You've really gotten stronger.'
Noticing Izuku's amazed expression, he chuckled.
"Yeah, my little girl's amazing. There's a reason I'm recommending her to U.A."
Izuku turned with great excitement.
"I can see why. That was an excellent use of her quirk. And those gauntlets! Where did she come up with those? She made her own power source! She really is amazing!"
'Pony-tail girl strong. Not strong like Hulk, but strong.'
The duo exited observation and met up with Momo. She had removed the gauntlets and had them next to her. She greeted her father and friend with a smile. Her father gave her a pat on the shoulder, but had a worried expression. He gave her an energy drink.
"You beat it in record time, but with a really risky maneuver. You know how much creating that takes out of you."
"I know, but I needed to push my limits. Heroes do it every day. I need to get used to it. Go Plus Ultra if you will."
"I know, but it's my job to worry."
Izuku took a moment to examine the small device that was attached to the gauntlets. It was a circular object with curiosity, something Momo's father noticed.
"It's a temporary ARC reactor."
Izuku looked completely surprised. He heard about the Yao-Corps ARC Reactor, which powers nearly half of all Japan. Momo can just make a mini one.
"Amazing!"
"Not really," Momo blushed. "It's only a replica, good for a few short bursts of energy. Those gauntlets I make are pretty much one use only. It also cost me most of my lipids so it's a last resort at most."
"Still, the fact you can make one at all! That's amazing."
Momo blushed even more at his praise as her father chuckled once more.
'Thank you Midoriya. I'll perfect my creation and be a hero alongside you.'
Mr. Yaoyorozu cleared his throat and turned to the boy.
"All right! Time to see what you got, kid."
Izuku shuffled nervously, taking the wrist device and looking at it and its creator with a worried look. He laughed and shook his hand.
"Don't worry, my daughter told me your quirk. It'll stretch to accommodate."
'Not what I'm really worried about…'
'Hulk ready!'
Izuku removed his top and let the angry thoughts flow. His eyes glowed green as he traded his places with the Hulk. The beast stretched his muscles and cracked his fist.
"Ready!"
Momo looked at the green giant with amazement. Even after seeing the transformation the other day, it was still an incredible sight. Her father produced the holo-pad and started to go through exercises they had booted up.
"Okay big guy, which one do you want?"
Hulk thought for a moment before bringing his fist together.
"Strongest mode!"
"Okay. Exercise 11 it is."
Momo looked bewildered. She had attempted it once and barely made it. Granted it was just she had speed on her side and she had won by attacking weak points. From her own experience with the Hulk, she knew he was going to try and muscle it.
With the exercise chosen, Momo and her father moved to the observation room as the Hulk rolled his shoulders preparing himself. Soon the training began.
The hangar did not change leaving it a vast empty plain. No places to run and hide, all the trainee could do was stand and fight. Luckily that was all Hulk wanted to do. Five tanks dropped down ready for combat. Their fists were alight with crackling energy ready to deliver blows. The Hulk readied his fist, some enjoyment coming to him. Momo's father's voice rang through a loudspeaker.
"Exercise 11: Take down five enemies past your capabilities."
All at once the tanks charged at once and tried to dog pile the Hulk. With a roar, Hulk threw them all off. Two skidded to a stop and charged once more. They each threw a punch which the Hulk caught in both his green palms. Not the brightest plan as high voltage started to flood the Hulks body, the electricity dancing across his skin. The Hulk roared in pain before clenching his teeth. The pain led to anger and that made the Hulk stronger. He crushed the two fists like they were made of paper and ripped the arms off the tanks.
The fell back surprised before going for two more punches, but the Hulk threw the arms at them stunning them, then he brought his green fist down upon the heads of the two. Their bodies crumpled and they fell defeated.
By this point the other three had recovered. One snuck behind and put the Hulk into a chokehold. The other two took the opportunity and began to land blows on his face and neck. Hulk grimaced in pain and anger.
"Robot's think they strong? Hulk stronger!"
The Hulk then threw his head back, breaking the bot's hold and crumbling its face plate. He then reached over his shoulders and grabbed the bot.
"Rah!"
With a yell he grabbed the bot and threw it at the other two. They caught it, but before they could toss it aside, the Hulk charged in with his shoulder. The bots were knocked down. Hulk then leapt up, before bringing his feet down on the three, With a few consecutive stomps, the bots were turned to a scrap pile. After he was content with his work he raised his fist in victory.
Within observation, Momo was amazed. He actually managed to win. The Hulk strength was truly awe inspiring.
'He'll surely become an incredible hero.'
She looked down to her hands, her mind going to the temporary ARC reactor she made.
'I swear, I'll get stronger to stand by you my friend.'
Meanwhile, her father looked at his statistics with amazement.
'This kid and his quirk! According to his levels and readings, he's still holding back! At his rate of growth he could even match All Might!'
The two left to go talk to the object of their amazement. Momo went up to the green giant as her father examined the goliath's work.
"Well, Jolly Green, nice to see those muscles aren't just for show."
"Heh. Hulk stronger then robots."
"Yes, but remember what I said, these are just toys compared to what Nedzu uses in the entrance exam. Also anybody could take on bots, it's the human element that will prove troublesome."
"Yes," Momo agreed, "For example, for the recommendation exam I have to compete against others rather than destroy robots in a combat scenario."
Hulk scratched his head at that, but he understood what he was saying. These robots might be All Might's size, but lack his intelligence and experience. As he pondered a timer blared over the hanger as the patriarch clapped his hands.
"That's lunch. Trust me, we should go. If we keep the missus found out I skipped any meals, she'll be as scary as you."
Hulk looked confused as Momo shuddered. She remembered the one time her dad ignored the mandatory break hours. The results of what her mother did was still terrifying.
"Oh! Father, is it okay if me and Midoriya take our lunches in the library?"
"I don't see why not."
The Hulk transformed back into Izuku and put back on his clothes as he joined his friend for lunch. Both young heroes were excited ,one to see and one to show. Both for having another person to share the moment with.
The two teens had set up on a table in the library, both sitting across from the other. Said library might've wel have been a fancy public one due to its size. Izuku was still amazed by how rich his new friend was. If Momo said to have every book ever written, he would believe it. At her insistence, before they ate she let him browse the selection. Both grabbed a book and read as they ate. Momo looked up, noticing the book he grabbed.
"So you're into anatomy?"
"Well I do draw as a habit, so I like to get the dimensions right."
"You draw?"
"A little…"
Izuku sighed and produced his quirk journal, sliding over to Momo to view. When she opened it it was her turn to be amazed. The drawings and notes were so detailed! She found her page and felt incredibly flattered to be considered amongst pros. She then noticed Izuku fidgeting nervously. Smiling, she slid it back to him.
"I think you're a true artist. As well as an astute quirk observer."
Izuku lit up.
"Thanks."
'Nice Ponytail girl… Hulk protect nice ponytail girl.'
With the name of the journal in mind, Momo asked a question she had been meaning to since they met.
"So, Midoriya, why did you want to become a hero?"
Izuku lit up and smiled as he reminisced.
"You know All Might's debut?"
"Who doesn't."
"Well that's where it started for me. He saved all those people with a smile. I've always wanted to be a hero like that."
Momo looked at him with awe. Her instincts were correct, this boy had a heart of gold.
"What about you?"
Momo thought a moment before answering.
"As you can see, I've lived a privileged life. I just want to give something back. Use my skills to help save the world, like my parents do."
The two teens smile at each other, both understanding the other's reasons. Izuku's eyes drifted to her own book she had chosen. It seemed to be some sort of hero romance novel. With a slight blush he looked at her.
"So, Hero romance?"
Momo now blushed and tapped her fingers together.
"I just have a thing for it, you know. I just like love stories and dashing heroes."
"I like it. It suits you and it's kinda adorable."
A pin could be heard dropping at that compliment. Izuku and Momo both turned into tomatoes as the silence sunk in. Eventually Izuku hurriedly broke it.
"So… this table… mahogany?"
"Yes! In fact those bookshelves…"
Both teens felt the awkwardness fade after an impromptu furniture history lesson. Then the two just shared in silence, eating a reading. However they found their thoughts in sync once more. Both looking forward to the next time they could share a moment like this.
Elsewhere
Meanwhile in a forest not far from Mustafu, another hero hopeful was training. It was Katsuki Bakugou, his eyes closed in some form of meditation. The blond is currently standing in the middle of a makeshift training area. His arms outstretched, he breathed deeply waiting for something.
With a clunk, two wooden targets dropped on opposite ends of the blond. Red eyes snapped open and the blond sprung into action. With a quick two hit combo, he reduced the targets to splinters. He then started to run through the trees, ducking or dodging under branches and trunks. His hands behind him letting off explosions, boosting his speed.
More targets fell and Katsuki sent his palms forwards, destroying them while on the move. He eventually landed in a clearing. Kneeling down and taking a deep breath. Wooden targets fell and surrounded the boy. Red eyes opened sharply. Spinning with efficiency, the boy destroyed all the targets with quick succession. The smell of burnt wood permeated.
It was time for the final challenge. Standing and letting explosions of his palms, a trigger released. A giant boulder swung down like a mighty hammer. The boy smirked and began to rush towards the falling boulder, boosting his speed with explosions. He was unafraid.
"C'mon!"
He started to spin, gaining more speed, before meeting the boulder headon. Placing his palm on the boulder. It sizzled with heat and the boy let loose a powerful explosion.
"Go to hell!"
The mighty boulder was reduced to pebbles. Breathing heavily and rolling his shoulders. He continued his stretching before sitting down next to his bag. He downed some water as he looked out at his work. He looked down in thought, said thoughts about an angry green giant.
'I've gotten stronger. I'll protect people from that monster. This is my duty as a hero.'
So the heroes trained. The green goliath. The creation heiress. The explosive bully. All with dreams of heroism and going to the best of the best. U.A. was their target and before any of them knew it, a year had passed and the exams were among them.