[USJ Facility - Flood Zone]
The roaring waters of the Flood Zone were no joke. Artificial currents swirled through the simulated area, creating unpredictable tides that threatened to sweep students away at any moment.
The students this time around are given more boats for footholds.
The crash of synthetic waves echoed through the arena like the roar of a titanic beast.
*Chrk*
To make things more interesting, a strong steel barrier was erected with water level lines. Green, yellow, and of course red.
Churning currents surged against the barrier that defined the test's boundaries, threatening to flood over into the red zone.
The objective was simple—rescue 'drowning civilians', subdue the Villain Bots, and prevent the water levels from breaching the red line.
Pinky's voice crackled from the intercom with barely concealed glee:
*Intercom screech*
Pinky:"A real hero can handle any situation, wet or dry! But don't let the water fool you—if you lose control here, it's game over! Now, GO!!"
The second the signal blared, chaos erupted.
Students flung into action, some struggling against the rushing waters while others attempted to navigate using their quirks. Many of them who landed on shore are finding it hard to deal with the rising sea level.
Boats bobbed violently across the water, some already overturned.
The Villain Bots didn't make it any better. These machines, made for aquatic combat, move almost effortlessly through the water, making them even more dangerous.
"Ahhhhh!!!!!!!"
Students struggled to find footing on the scattered boats, floating debris, or barely exposed platforms. Some used their quirks to try and stabilize their position.
Others were already soaked to the bone, desperately trying to keep Villain Bots at bay. This new tech compared to previous iterations display a difficult match against Quirk users.
Though one team from the all female, Seiai Academy, was surprisingly more prepared than others. Wanting to deal with this trial in style.
Well...some of them did.
"Ugh, the boots are ruined already." groaned Yoshiki Rema, her Quirk [Hydro Turn], letting her dash across shallow to semi-deep water, though she mostly used it for flair.
"Let's just snag the civilians and rack up points. Leave the real fight to us." barked Mayuna Ki.
Whose Quirk [Tide Pulse], allowed her to repel water in quick bursts.
"How about we stick to the plan?!!"
Then there was Nukeme Intelli, daughter of Seiai alumni Saiko Intelli. Her Quirk [Full Range] lets her body be flexible and strong after the consumption of cold coffee.
Her mother went through a great deal setting Nukeme and her team up with the Flood Zone. Even a plan to efficiently deal with the trial at hand. Today is not the day to disappoint.
Nukeme: *gulping* "AHHHHHH!!! We're getting this win!!"
In agreeance, the team went with their plan.
Though this plan worked for everyone. They forgot one person. A barely noticeable fourth member, a trembling girl with oversized goggles and a soaked cloak, wading in behind them.
Mayuna:"Try not to slow us down, Kusu."
"Kusukuru."
The raven haired girl in the corner mumbled something too softly to hear.
Kusukuru:"Kusukuru. We're not friends, so you can't call me Kusu."
Nukeme:"What? Did the fish whisper something?"
She lowered her gaze, fingers fidgeting.
*******************
Mayuna and the rest of her Seiai Academy team were pushing toward the center zone, too busy showcasing their quirks to realize one of the "civilians" they rescued had already been pulled away again by a passing bot.
Nukeme:"What?! That bot just yoinked my save!!"
Yoshiki:"Ugh! This water is worse than back-alley ramen broth!"
The synthetic sea surged with relentless fury, threatening to wash over the red zone marker as the simulation escalated in difficulty.
Most students resorted to brute force or flashy coordination to dominate the environment.
Villain Bots continued to cut through the currents like torpedoes. It began to overwhelm groups of students with ease. Even with their well thought-out, yet secondhand, tactics, the Seiai girls were flushed.
The team scrambled to re-coordinate.
*KERSPLUNK! blub-blub-blub*
The timid figure trailing behind had already started walking a different path. Not toward glory. Not toward points. But toward the cries.
She heard it.
*CLAP*
Clasping her hands together as if in prayer.
Kusukuru Tokoyami, or in this case: The Dawn Hero-Lux Fen, her goggles glinted under the sunlight as she focused on a distant voice. A barely-visible figure clung to a broken pole near the red zone, one of the simulation's "civilians." No one else noticed.
Her fingers twitched.
Her heart pounded.
Kusukuru:"…Breathe."
With a whispered breath, she dipped her hands into the water. Her gills flared open along her neck. The moisture around her shimmered—glowing, dancing.
Then, she conjured it.
A brilliant whale-like beast, forged entirely from sparkling water, surged upward. Its body shimmered like crystal under sunlight, rippling with translucent elegance. Her Quirk[Light Beasts]—responded not to brute will, but empathy. Summoning an shimmering animal according to what her heart felt.
She has only ever shown "distress" with her Quirk. And that ache summons a Whale. One that she named:
Kusukuru: "Go Freed!!!"
The Whale obeyed.
Effortlessly, it dove through the current, weaving between debris and bots, reaching the simulation civilian in seconds despite it's size. Wrapping its luminous form around the figure, it returned to Kusukuru, lifting the target gently into her arms.
A direct save. No damage. No alert. All without needing to fight.
The Seiai trio froze, stunned.
Mayuna blinked.
Nukeme dropped her empty coffee bottle.
Yoshiki: "Huh… okay, not bad."
But it wasn't a fluke.
Another cry echoed across the zone.
A civilian caught on an overturned boat.
Without hesitation, Kusu sent Freed out to the wreckage near. Freed and Kusu then began to mimic one another. Her raising an arm while Freed lifted a fin.
*SPLAAASH—WHUUMPH—gloob gloob*
The wave caused the boat to reach great heights leaving the man in mid-air confused and falling.
"Whyyyyyyyyyyy?!!!!!!!!!!"
Before being caught safely in Freeds' mouth, swimming to dry and stable land.
Seeing all of this while being saved by the Quirk of someone she didn't consider, Nukeme, who was supposed to succeed with her mother's careful plan, started.
Nukeme:"This was supposed to be my victory!!! You're just a little fish, my mom's plan was perfect. Those bots. You! You!!!!"
She began cocking her fist to land a hit onto the timid heroes face.
Until...
Nukeme:"GARHHG"
********************
Aizawa:"…points deducted for her Quirk tackling a fellow student."Hawks:"Never been a fan of open water myself, but that did make me—pff—hah."
The Deputy Commissioner in a high position failed hold in his laughter.
Aizawa: "Acting out of safety of its wielder. A very empathic ability. not many of those out there."
Hawks:"Soooooooooooooo?"
Aizawa:"Why do you even need my stamp of approval again?"
Hawks:"Because your judgment's sound. You've raised more heroes than half the Commission combined. Like a mom, if you will."
The one eyed retiree annoyed at his peer.
Aizawa:"Dawn Hero - Lux Fen then."
Two spots left to give. Not an easy task.
Hawks:"Now these next 3 students...will be a bit of a head scratcher."
Hawks throws 3 folders onto the table. Two spots left. The dossiers slammed on the table promised tougher choices ahead.
Shota looks them over. Dropping one of them, but clenching the other 2.
He stares intensely at the winged man then asks:
Aizawa:"Why these 2?"