[Monitor Room]
"Whoa! So fast!"
The room buzzed with excitement as the monitors displayed the dizzying speeds at which the Dittos moved. Each one, crackling with green electricity, dashed through the building in a blur of rapid motion.
"I didn't know Ditto could move like that!" Uraraka said, eyes wide with amazement.
"It must be his second quirk powering up his alien forms," Iida reasoned, his hand chopping through the air as he tried to explain the sight.
All Might, standing off to the side, had a proud but concerned expression. 'Like an army of Gran Torinos... Midoriya, are you sure this form was the best choice? If one goes down, they all feel it...' he thought, but even with his concern, he couldn't help but smile at Izuku's tenacity.
[Back to the exercise]
One of the Dittos sprinted down a narrow corridor, his small, rubbery body bouncing with every step. His large, round eyes scanned the area ahead, and his alien mouth stretched into a grin. Ditto's orange, gooey body shimmered with the One For All electricity, crackling like tiny lightning bolts across his stretchy skin.
Suddenly, Bakugou appeared from a side corridor, his hand outstretched, sparks erupting from his palm.
"DIE!"
The explosion roared toward him, but Ditto's reflexes kicked in. With a quick, agile backflip, he narrowly avoided the blast, flipping through the air with unnatural ease and landing in a skid a few feet away. His tiny body was jittering with the residual energy of the dodge as he locked eyes with Bakugou, a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Found you," Ditto taunted, the playful gleam in his alien eyes unmistakable.
[Monitor Room]
"He almost got the jump on him!" Ojiro exclaimed in awe.
"Sneak attack Bakugou? Seriously? What kinda man pulls cheap moves like that?" Kirishima chimed in, half annoyed but also impressed by the strategy.
"It's a good tactic! He's acting the part of a villain well," All Might said, a note of approval in his tone.
"But it didn't work! Midoriya dodged it!" Ashido cheered, pumping her fists in excitement.
[Back to the fight]
Bakugou, crouched low from his failed strike, glared at the small alien before him, his crimson eyes burning with anger. His hand still crackled from the explosion that missed.
Ditto's small orange form didn't look intimidating at first glance, but the way the green sparks of One For All danced over his stretchy skin made him seem a little more formidable. His body, almost jelly-like in appearance, seemed to wobble with each breath, but his wide grin never faltered. He had the look of someone who knew something his opponent didn't.
'Okay, I found him. Just need to let everyone else know... this is going to hurt.' Ditto braced himself, his little alien heart pounding in his chest.
"Hey Bakugou," he called out, his voice cocky despite his size, "How does it feel being number two?"
Bakugou's face twisted in anger, his teeth grinding audibly as his fists sparked with violent intent.
"You talk big for a useless extra!" Bakugou snarled, before launching himself forward, his fist charged with explosive energy. "I'll hit you just hard enough to stop the fight, but not enough to put you in the hospital!"
Ditto closed his eyes just as the explosion hit his shoulder, sending him flying back like a ragdoll. He crashed against the floor with a thud, his rubbery form bouncing slightly from the impact.
[Monitor Room]
"Midoriya!" Ashido shouted, slapping her hands to her mouth.
[Back to the fight]
All of the Dittos froze momentarily, each of them wincing in pain and clutching their shoulders.
"Did you feel that?" one Ditto muttered, rubbing at the spot Bakugou had struck.
"Yeah, definitely Kacchan's explosion..." another replied with a grimace, still holding his aching shoulder.
"I'll go help the other me. It sounded like he's on the second floor," one Ditto said as he shook off the pain.
"You guys go find the bomb!"
The others nodded in unison before they all blasted off in different directions, their tiny bodies flickering with One For All as they zipped through the building like electrified marbles. Their green streaks illuminated the dim hallways, each Ditto determined to execute the plan—no matter how painful it got.
...
Bakugou stood over the small orange alien, his laugh cruel and mocking. He sneered down at the battered Ditto, explosions popping in his hands like a villain savoring his victory.
"That's what you get, Deku!" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You worthless, quirkless piece of shit! You think 'cause you scored some lucky points you're better than me!?" His red eyes were wild with fury as he stepped closer. "I'm gonna beat your ass so bad that everyone will see how weak and worthless you are! And that freak Levin won't be around to protect you!"
The Ditto on the ground winced but slowly pushed himself up, his body wobbling slightly from the impact. His small, squishy hands dusted himself off as he got back to his feet, his large eyes narrowing as he took a stance, ready for more. Then, something clicked. His wide, alien eyes widened in surprise as he realized something important.
"I-I'm not shaking?" he murmured to himself, the disbelief evident in his voice. "I'm not scared...?"
He stood up straighter, his little rubbery body crackling with the residual green electricity of One For All, and stared straight into Bakugou's angry, bloodshot eyes. For the first time, he wasn't trembling beneath the weight of Bakugou's presence.
"You should've picked something else!" Bakugou snarled, stomping toward him, the explosions in his palms sparking louder. "All your forms are as worthless as you! C'mon, transform into something else already!" His voice was like a growl, his body hunched over like a predator ready to pounce.
Ditto remained still, his form unwavering, his confidence steady as Bakugou barked insults at him.
"Transform into that four-armed guy! That's your strongest, right?" Bakugou snapped, his tone mocking. "C'mon, you bastard!"
But Ditto's gaze shifted slightly, his grin returning as he spotted movement from the corner of his eye.
"Took you long enough," he said casually, a smirk playing on his small mouth.
Bakugou's eyebrows knitted in confusion, his mouth opening to retort, but he didn't get the chance.
Before he could say anything, a fist slammed into his face, sending him flying backward, blood spraying from his nose. He twisted midair, using his explosions to avoid hitting the ground, but his mind was racing. What the hell just hit me!?
When he landed, Bakugou's crimson eyes widened in shock. Standing before him were not one, but two Dittos, both with their tiny fists raised, green sparks of One For All crackling across their elastic orange bodies.
"Cloning?" Bakugou growled, wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand. He looked down at his bloodstained fingers and clenched his teeth in anger. "That's all this one can do?"
His fury bubbled over. "Oh, now I'm definitely gonna hurt ya!" Bakugou roared, preparing another explosive charge.
The Dittos, their expressions in sync, narrowed their eyes.
'Kacchan always starts with a right hook swing... to counter that, I need—' Ditto's mind raced through the combat notes he'd written in his various notebooks, analyzing Bakugou's movements.
As predicted, Bakugou launched a right hook, his palm crackling with explosive energy. But before it could connect, one of the Dittos stepped in. With expert timing, the Ditto ducked beneath the punch, and in a flash, grabbed Bakugou's arm.
Bakugou's eyes widened in shock as the small alien lifted him off the ground with surprising strength. His feet dangled for a split second before Ditto slammed him into the floor with a thundering crash. Bakugou groaned in pain, the air knocked out of him, his back arching from the impact.
The second Ditto leapt from the ground, bouncing off the ceiling like a spring, and then shot downward in a blur of speed, his fist glowing with green electricity. The punch connected with Bakugou's gut, hitting him with the force of a bullet. Bakugou's body jerked violently, his mouth hanging open as he gasped and spit flew from his lips.
The two Dittos stood over him, their tiny bodies still crackling with energy as they settled into identical fighting stances, ready for whatever Bakugou tried next.
Bakugou, hunched over on the ground, glared up at them through a haze of pain, his breaths ragged and labored. But even in the face of defeat, his anger didn't wane.
"You bastards..." Bakugou growled, wiping his mouth, still not willing to back down.
[Monitor room]
"Woah, Midoriya's got some moves!" Mina exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat with excitement.
"When he got hit the first time, I was kinda worried, but look at him now!" Toru added, her voice filled with admiration as she watched the screen.
"Cornering a guy like that feels a little unmanly," Kirishima admitted, scratching his head with a grin, "but it seems Mineta isn't helping much, so go Midoriya!"
"Impressive power... and speed," Tokoyami noted, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the situation. "This form is ideal for close-quarters combat. The walls and ceilings give him excellent propulsion."
Tenya nodded in agreement. "Indeed, he can dodge and attack without causing structural damage. It's remarkable how he adapts his form for every situation."
"And with his clones, he can take on both enemies at once," Tsuyu added, her calm voice filled with quiet approval.
All Might's eyes shone with pride as he watched. 'He let himself get injured to communicate with his clones, ensuring the others can focus on finding the bomb without worrying about Bakugou. Clever strategy, Young Midoriya.'
[Back to the fight.]
"I analyzed every hero, every move they made, even you!" the green-haired boy turned alien shouted, his fists clenched, eyes fierce with determination. "I wanted to learn everything I could about them. All of it was in the notebook you burned and threw away! You can call me Deku, but I'm not the same helpless, defenseless kid anymore! Do you hear me?! I've changed! From now on, Deku means nothing to me!"
Bakugou gritted his teeth, struggling to get back to his feet as pain rippled through his stomach. 'Did he read my moves?! No way! He's not that good! He's just a worthless pebble!'
His face twisted with rage. "Deku, you bastard! I'LL KILL YOU!"
[Monitor room]
"What's Bakugo saying? I can't really tell with the camera stuck at this angle and no sound," Kirishima said, his eyes glued to the screen.
"It looks like they're exchanging words," Toru observed.
Jirou narrowed her eyes, trying to pick up on their body language. "It's hard to tell, but there's definitely something going on between them."
"This is a battle between men!" Ochako added, clenching her fists in determination, her voice full of passion.
Jirou raised an eyebrow at her. "Yeah... sure. If that's what you want to call it." She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper between Izuku and Bakugou. They weren't typical rivals, and they certainly didn't act like friends.
It gnawed at her, the way Izuku stood up to Bakugou—it felt off. It reminded her of that Quirkless kid back at her school, always scared of everything. But that couldn't be right. Izuku wasn't Quirkless. He was powerful now. There was no way he had ever been without a quirk... right?
Shaking her head, she pushed the thought away, unwilling to make assumptions about her friend.
"So this is how much young Midoriya has grown," All Might said with pride, watching closely as his former student stood his ground against Bakugou.
...
[Back to the fight]
Bakugou stood up, blood trickling from his nose, wiping it with the back of his hand. He snarled and thrust his palms behind him, blasting forward with an explosion. One of the Dittos leaped to the ceiling, his fingers digging into the wall for support, while the other remained on the ground, watching Bakugou's advance.
Bakugou charged the Ditto on the ground, unleashing an explosion, but the small alien ducked, narrowly avoiding the blast. He countered with a swift roundhouse kick, catching Bakugou off guard. Before Bakugou could react, the Ditto on the ceiling launched himself down, aiming at the explosive teen.
Instinctively, Bakugou propelled himself out of the way with another explosion, but it wasn't enough—the other Ditto seized the opening and delivered a solid punch, sending Bakugou crashing back to the floor.
Reeling from the blow, Bakugou barely had time to process as the Ditto rushed in again, landing a punch square in his face. He stumbled back, trying to recover, but the second Ditto swept his legs out from under him, slamming him to the ground. With a growl, Bakugou retaliated, blasting an explosion, but the smoke cleared only to reveal the two Dittos still standing, coughing slightly.
"You good?" one Ditto asked, looking at the other.
"I'm you, you idiot! If I wasn't, neither would you be!" the second Ditto responded through the haze.
"Don't be so rude! But yeah, our moves are working. We're getting some hits in." The Ditto's voice dropped to a whisper. "We can't let him take either of us down."
Bakugou staggered to his feet, his body aching from the barrage of hits. His thoughts raced in anger. 'Since when did he get this good?! How the hell does he know martial arts?! How am I losing... to him?!'
Across from him, the Dittos panted, eyeing Bakugou closely. 'He's too focused on fighting me,' the original Ditto thought. 'Good. That'll give the others time to find the bomb and Todoroki.'
Bakugou's hands balled into fists, pure rage burning in his eyes. "WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU LIE TO ME?!"
The Dittos froze, their expressions confused as they glanced at each other.
"You had a flashy Quirk this whole time?! WHY DID YOU LIE ABOUT IT?!"
The Dittos were silent, memories crashing over them like a tidal wave. Images of Bakugou's taunts, the constant bullying, the shame of being Quirkless, and Kevin—his only friend—who had always defended him. Kevin, who had gotten into trouble, who had suffered because of Izuku's lack of a Quirk. The investigation that exposed the truth about Aldrea had taken months, and it wasn't until recently that many teachers had been fired for allowing such cruelty.
Izuku hadn't known any of this until a few weeks after he received his acceptance letter to U.A. Now, Bakugou stood before him, accusing him of hiding everything just to make him look like a fool.
"FIGHT ME WITH YOUR STRONGEST FORM! THAT FOUR ARMS GUY! YOU OWE ME THAT MUCH AT LEAST! COME ON, MIDORIYA! USE HIM, OR ARE YOU AFRAID YOU'LL LOSE?!" Bakugou's voice shook with frustration, his rage building as he pieced together his own twisted conclusion. "Or is that it, huh?! YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING DOWN ON ME THIS WHOLE TIME, HAVEN'T YOU?!"
The Ditto clones stood frozen, the accusations hitting harder than the explosions.
"THAT'S WHY YOU NEVER USED THAT FORM! SO YOU COULD LOOK DOWN ON ME!" Bakugou shouted, his anger bubbling over. "HAVE YOU BEEN LAUGHING BEHIND MY BACK?! ENJOYING MAKING ME LOOK LIKE A FOOL IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?!"
He clenched his fists, explosions crackling in his palms. "DID YOU ENJOY IT WHEN OUR TEACHERS MADE ME HUMILIATE MYSELF?!"
Ditto's eyes darkened as memories of Kevin flashed before him. His friend had defended him at every turn, standing up for him when no one else would. Midoriya felt his anger surge as he remembered how long Kevin had been gone—missing, lost after everything he had sacrificed to protect him.
"How dare you," Ditto growled, his voice laced with fury. In a flash, one Ditto leaped toward Bakugou, green electricity sparking to life as his body activated Full Cowl at 11%. Bakugou's eyes widened as Ditto's speed increased drastically, too fast to counter. Ditto's punch landed hard, sending Bakugou flying across the corridor.
From the observation room, All Might's eyes widened. "What—? Such a sudden shift in power!"
Ditto stood over Bakugou, panting with barely contained anger. "You think I would've hidden my Quirk and let my only friend get punished for defending me? You think I'd do that just to show you up?!"
Bakugou groaned, glaring at the alien clone as he slowly pushed himself off the floor.
"I was Quirkless!" Ditto shouted, his voice echoing in the hallway. "And I don't owe you an explanation! Not to you! The world doesn't revolve around you, Bakugou. Despite what our teachers made you think."
As Bakugou stared, disbelief mixing with fury, Ditto split himself into more clones. Six Dittos stood now, all with electricity crackling around them, ready for a fight. Bakugou popped explosions in his palms, his body tense with a mix of anger and something else—something like... uncertainty.
With a battle cry, the room erupted into chaos as the Dittos and Bakugou launched at each other, the hallway filled with the sounds of fists, explosions, and the clash of raw power.
[With other Ditto's]
The Dittos moved swiftly through the building, scouting each room with meticulous precision. One particular Ditto paused at a door that seemed no different from the rest.
Having finished his search of the other rooms, he decided to add a touch of humor. Straightening an imaginary tie, he raised his fist and knocked, as if paying a formal visit.
Inside, Todoroki leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, though his senses remained sharp. The faint sound of knocking reached him, causing him to tense.
KNOCK*KNOCK
Todoroki's eyes shot open, and his muscles stiffened. He turned his head toward the door, remaining wary. With a slight shrug, he took a step forward, figuring it was probably Bakugou messing around. "Who is it?" he asked, uncertainty lacing his voice.
Before he could take another breath, the door blasted off its hinges, splinters of wood flying everywhere as a small figure appeared through the dust cloud. It was a black-and-white creature, no taller than his waist, surrounded by crackling green electricity.
"Justice," Ditto said in a low, resolute voice, though his diminutive size made him look more like a determined puppy than an intimidating force.
Without hesitation, Todoroki's hand slammed to the ground. In an instant, a wave of ice shot out from beneath him, freezing the entire floor and climbing up the walls like a rushing tide. Frost spread through the hallway in the blink of an eye, leaving the room cloaked in white.
His breath came out in a cold mist, mingling with the freezing air as the temperature dropped sharply.
In the lower levels, Bakugou had been trading blows with the other Dittos when the sudden frostbite crept in, coating the entire floor in thick ice. "What the hell—?" Bakugou's eyes darted down to see his feet encased in ice. Growling in frustration, he yanked his leg free, looking at the trapped Dittos with a scowl. "That icy bastard did this?"
The Dittos shivered, trying to shake off the frost clinging to them.
Todoroki, back upstairs, stood tall amidst the icy mist, a smirk playing on his lips as he surveyed the results of his handiwork.
[Monitor Room]
"Holy crap!" Sato blurted out, wide-eyed as he watched the building freeze over on the screen.
"Yeah, that's insane," Kaminari muttered, staring at the scene in disbelief. "He froze the whole building in, like, a second..."
Yaoyorozu's expression reflected awe. 'I knew Todoroki was strong, but this...' she thought, her heart sinking a little as she considered Midoriya's odds. 'There's no way Midoriya stood a chance from the start.'
Toru, blushing slightly, added, "He's... incredible..."
"Froze the whole place in a blink!" Kirishima exclaimed, unable to contain his admiration. "That's the kind of stuff you get from a recommended student."
Momo nodded, still flustered. "It takes a lot of control to use his Quirk on such a massive scale... He must have trained so hard."
"Impressive," All Might agreed with a grin, but his eyes gleamed with something more. "But Todoroki made a critical mistake."
The students turned to him in confusion, then quickly looked back at the screen.
[Back to the Fight]
"Sorry, this isn't personal. We just—" Todoroki began, his voice calm. But before he could finish, a fist smashed into his face, the impact sending him careening across the room. He gasped as pain shot through his cheek, planting his feet against the floor just in time to stop himself from crashing into the opposite wall.
His hand flew to his face, clutching his cheek where the blow had landed, his skin already bruising. He looked up through narrowed eyes, cold fury building within him.
Meanwhile, the Dittos began breaking free from the ice, cracking it off their feet with visible shivers from the cold. Their bodies trembled, but they showed no signs of stopping. With a surge of energy, they launched themselves at Todoroki, bouncing off the walls, ceiling, and floor like a flurry of rubber balls. The room filled with the sound of their rapid movements as they zigzagged toward him.
Todoroki gritted his teeth, summoning sharp, jagged ice formations from the ground, trying to trap them. The air around him chilled even further as ice spikes shot upward, but the Dittos weaved through them with uncanny precision. Some leaped over the frozen barriers, while others punched straight through the spikes, shattering the ice into splinters.
Two of the Dittos got in close, but Todoroki was quick to respond. With a swift motion, he summoned twin columns of ice, freezing the pair in place. Their bodies were encased in the cold, frozen mid-air. But it was far from over. Another group of Dittos dropped from above, their fists aimed directly at Todoroki. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the crushing impact as they cracked the floor beneath them.
Todoroki didn't stop, rolling back to his feet and sending more ice shards across the room like a barrage of arrows. The Dittos countered, splitting into pairs and dodging the attacks. One of the Dittos rushed him again, fist poised to strike. 'He's aiming for my face again?' Todoroki thought, preparing to counter. 'Predictable.'
But just as Todoroki moved to block the attack, the Ditto changed his trajectory mid-air, sending a knee crashing into Todoroki's nose with brutal force. Blood sprayed across the room as Todoroki staggered backward, pain shooting through his face.
Before he could recover, another Ditto leaped toward him, fist raised. Todoroki barely had time to react as the punch slammed into the side of his head, sending him reeling. Another Ditto followed, launching upward, his fist colliding with Todoroki's jaw in a brutal uppercut.
Todoroki stumbled, ice spikes erupting from every surface as he tried to regain control. He panted heavily, his breath visible in the freezing air, blood dripping from his nose onto the ice-covered floor.
Ditto stood amidst the chaos, his arms crossed as his clones spread out, surrounding the dual-haired boy.
"So, what was that you said about me not being on your level?" Ditto taunted, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction as Todoroki wiped the blood from his nose, glaring at the small creature in disbelief.
[Monitor room]
The class sat in stunned silence, their jaws practically on the floor, unable to tear their eyes away from the screen.
"Did you see those moves?!" Kaminari exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Green..." Jirou murmured, equally taken aback. She had known Midoriya was strong, but seeing his close-quarters combat skill up close was something else. It was almost mesmerizing.
"In close quarters, he's incredible. His movements are almost impossible to read, and that flying knee kick... flawless execution," Ojiro added, a smirk tugging at his lips. The martial artist in him couldn't help but appreciate the raw skill on display.
"He landed a hit on Todoroki!" Sato nearly shouted, still in awe of what they were witnessing.
"Wait, he's going to fight both of them?!" someone asked in disbelief.
"How do all the clones know where the bomb is?!" Sero chimed in, scratching his head in confusion. The sheer coordination between the Dittos made it seem like they shared a single mind.
"Woah, Midori's is fighting both of them?!" Mina said, excitement bubbling in her voice as she leaned forward, completely invested in the outcome.
Yaoyorozu, usually calm and composed, found herself utterly speechless. She had always admired Todoroki's raw power, and her logical side still backed him to win. But seeing Midoriya confidently take on both top students at once was impressive beyond her expectations. She watched his movements, how he managed to locate the bomb and keep the villain teams separated with such precise strategy.
"He's... incredible," she muttered without thinking. But then, catching herself, she shook her head. 'Todoroki still has this,' she thought, mentally reaffirming her support. Yet, deep down, she couldn't shake the quiet admiration growing for the green-haired boy's tenacity. A small part of her heart yearned to see him win, even if she didn't want to admit it.
"I knew he could do it!" Uraraka said, hope sparkling in her eyes. Her faith in Midoriya had never wavered, but seeing him in action like this was validating.
"The match isn't over yet!" Iida reminded them, though even he couldn't hide the hint of admiration in his voice. Midoriya's tactics and adaptability were nothing short of impressive.
"He's not just fighting," Jirou added quietly. "He's planning... every step. He's been outmaneuvering them from the start."
[Back to the fight]
The ice binding Bakugou shattered with a thunderous BOOM as he blasted himself into the air, propelling free from the frozen trap. Chunks of jagged ice ricocheted off the walls, scattering like broken glass. Heat from the explosion steamed off his arms, and his breath came out in harsh clouds.
"These damn freaks," Bakugou growled, twisting midair to dodge another flash of green lightning trailing behind one of the Ditto clones. They zipped past him with rubbery bodies, their unpredictable bounces making them impossible to track.
Several Dittos, each glowing with the fierce power of One For All, ricocheted off the walls and ceiling. Every impact sent a sharp crack through the air, as if the building itself was groaning under their relentless assault. Sparks danced in their wake, and the green electricity snapped and hissed like a live wire.
Bakugou snarled, wiping frost from his brow. "You think you can outmaneuver me?!"
He thrust both hands forward, detonating a massive blast that lit the hallway with a fiery explosion. The force launched him toward one of the Dittos, who twisted away at the last second. Bakugou's fist smashed through drywall, but before he could recover, another Ditto shot down from above, slamming into his ribs like a cannonball.
The impact forced a sharp grunt from Bakugou as he hit the ground hard, skidding across the cold floor. But he recovered instantly, twisting with a wild grin as explosions crackled from his palms. "Tch—that's all you got?"
With a deafening blast, he rocketed toward another clone. This time, he landed a clean hit, the explosion sending the Ditto careening down the hallway like a ragdoll. But more replaced it just as fast, bouncing off the walls like living pinballs.
One swept past his blind spot and smashed a kick into his back, forcing him to stumble forward. Another streaked past his legs, tripping him up as he barely caught himself.
Bakugou's muscles burned from the cold, and he could feel the frost creeping under his skin, slowing him down. But instead of faltering, he pushed harder, his explosions doubling in intensity. Every blast cracked the air like thunder, tearing through walls and sending smoke curling through the corridors. His crimson eyes blazed with fury, sweat freezing on his skin as he grinned through clenched teeth.
"You're all dead. I'll tear this whole place down if I have to!" He exploded forward again, blasting straight through walls, causing the hallway to buckle under the destruction. The floor beneath him groaned as dust rained from the ceiling, cracks spreading like a spider web from the force of his assault.
[With Todoroki]
Todoroki stood still, his breath forming white clouds in the freezing air. His hands flexed at his sides as eight Ditto clones surrounded him, the glow of One For All flickering across their bodies like crackling green fire. They bounced off the walls, floor, and ceiling with alarming speed, their momentum building with each ricochet.
He tracked their movements carefully, his sharp gaze following the erratic arcs they took. His muscles burned, and bruises throbbed beneath his uniform—proof that the relentless attacks were taking a toll. His jaw clenched as he inhaled slowly, the frost in the air prickling his skin.
One Ditto clone strolled forward, lazily pretending to light a cigarette. He exhaled an imaginary puff with exaggerated flair, flashing a smug grin. "Sorry, kid," he said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "It's just business."
Todoroki's eyes narrowed, his expression cold and unreadable. His left side began to glow faintly with warmth, steam rising from his skin. "Business?" he murmured quietly. "Let's finish it, then."
The Ditto clone flicked his imaginary cigarette to the floor. "Get 'em, boys."
In an instant, the room erupted into chaos. The clones launched themselves at Todoroki from every direction, their bodies snapping and bending mid-air like elastic bullets. Green lightning flashed as they ricocheted wildly, filling the small space with deafening impacts.
Todoroki extended his right hand, a jagged wall of ice exploding from the floor and surging outward. One of the clones was caught mid-leap, encased in a prison of frozen crystals. But before he could take a breath, another Ditto clone shattered the ice with a brutal punch, sending shards flying in all directions.
A third Ditto shot past Todoroki's head, his electrified kick grazing his shoulder. Todoroki hissed in pain, the green lightning stinging like fire. He retaliated with a blast of fire from his left side, scorching the air and forcing the clone to twist away. But no sooner had the flames died down than another clone crashed into his side, slamming him into the wall.
Gritting his teeth, Todoroki pushed himself up. His breath came in ragged bursts, each one visible in the freezing air. The room was too small, the clones too fast. Every attempt to trap them in ice failed, and their relentless attacks were wearing him down. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced himself to stay focused.
The air around him grew colder as frost began to spread along the walls and ceiling. Ice crept over his boots, climbing up his legs as he summoned more power. His left side burned hotter, steam rising from his skin as he balanced the two opposing forces within him.
One of the clones leapt toward him, fists crackling with power. But this time, Todoroki was ready.
"Enough," he whispered.
With a sudden roar, Todoroki unleashed his full power. A colossal wave of ice erupted from the ground, consuming the entire room in a frozen tidal wave. The glacier tore through the walls, ripping apart concrete and metal with ease. Outside, the side of the building exploded outward as jagged sheets of ice burst free, forming a massive iceberg visible from the street below.
The room fell silent, the air filled with nothing but the faint sound of ice settling into place.
Todoroki stood at the center of the frozen wreckage, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
His body trembled from the cold, his breath forming thick clouds in the air. He wrapped his arms around himself, shivering as the weight of exhaustion settled over him.
-SAMETIME-
Bakugou shot forward, explosions detonating from his palms, the shockwaves reverberating through the room. Smoke filled the air, curling around them like a veil of war. His crimson eyes burned with murderous intent as he locked onto one of the Dittos, soaring upward through the swirling mist. His grin was feral. I've got you now.
The Ditto leapt high, his body twisting mid-air to avoid the oncoming blast. Exactly as Bakugou predicted.
"There!" Bakugou snarled, blasting himself through the smoke, rocketing toward Ditto with deadly precision. The air sizzled with heat as the blast propelled him closer, his gauntlet primed to release an explosion point-blank.
Just as Bakugou stretched his arm forward, palm open—ready to detonate—Ditto swung his leg.
With an inhuman twist, Ditto executed a flawless mid-air overhead kick, his momentum carrying him in a fluid arc. The kick connected under Bakugou's arm with startling precision, slamming into his gauntlet and knocking his hand upward.
BOOM!
The explosion detonated above them, a fiery blast tearing through the ceiling. Smoke and debris rained down, the force of the misfire sending Bakugou careening sideways. His eyes widened as the realization hit him.
'He did a backflip—while still in midair?!'
Snarling, Bakugou twisted his body, aiming his other hand toward Ditto to counter. But before he could fire, a second Ditto shot out of the smoke like a bullet. With his hands clasped together, he brought them down in a hammer strike.
CRACK!
Bakugou's skull slammed into the ground with a bone-rattling force. Pain exploded in his head as he grunted, dazed but still forcing himself to rise.
"GAAK!" Bakugou spat blood, rage fueling him as he pushed himself up. But before he could regain his footing, another Ditto lunged from the smoke, grabbing him by the neck.
"Gh—!" Bakugou gasped, struggling to pry the iron grip from his throat.
The Ditto grinned wickedly and slammed his knee upward.
CRUNCH!
The sharp crack of bone echoed as Bakugou's nose shattered under the impact. Blood poured freely from his nostrils, staining his uniform and lips with crimson. Enraged, Bakugou roared and grabbed the Ditto by the arm, swinging him violently into the nearest wall.
BAM!
The wall shuddered under the impact, cracks spider webbing outward. All the Dittos recoiled for a split second, feeling the blow ripple through their shared consciousness. But before Bakugou could press his advantage, another clone appeared from his blind spot.
With a vicious uppercut, the Ditto sent Bakugou flying back. Pain shot through his jaw as his head snapped back, stars bursting in his vision.
"Ugh—dammit!" Bakugou cursed as he was flung into the wall. Dust and rubble rained down, but he didn't stay down for long.
He dragged himself back to his feet, glaring murderously at the Dittos. His chest heaved, each breath a ragged growl.
"Hey..." Bakugou wheezed, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "Where the hell did you learn those moves?"
The Dittos paused, the exchanged confused glances before turning to him with a bit of on not impressed look.
"Huh?" one of them asked.
"Don't play dumb!" Bakugou snarled. "I know damn well your sorry ass couldn't teach yourself that! Someone's gotta be showing you how to fight like this!"
The Dittos shared a look, their grins widening, which only stoked Bakugou's fury.
"Her name is Itsuka Kendo," one Ditto said, a proud gleam in his eye as One For All crackled brighter around him.
"And she's the greatest teacher!" another chimed in with a cocky grin.
The lead Ditto smirked. "So when I'm done kicking your ass, make sure you thank her!" he said, launching himself at Bakugou with a flying knee.
Bakugou's eyes narrowed. He saw the move coming.
"Predictable as ever, you damn—"
Before he could finish, Ditto switched legs mid-air, his other knee rocketing upward into Bakugou's chin. The unexpected strike snapped his head back, causing him to bite his tongue.
Blood flooded his mouth as he stumbled, coughing violently.
"Oh look, we got Bakugou to shut up!" a Ditto jeered, grabbing one of his clones by the arm and hurling him toward Bakugou.
The clone twisted mid-flight, fists clenched. He drove his punch deep into Bakugou's gut.
WHAM!
The breath whooshed out of Bakugou's lungs, and he doubled over, coughing up blood. But before the Dittos could press their advantage, Bakugou exploded backward in a fiery blast, his eyes blazing with pure hatred.
He gritted his teeth, fury bubbling to the surface.
...
[Monitor room]
All Might had comical tears of depression as he clenched at the screen. 'Young Midoriya what about me? I taught you as well!
[Back to the fight.]
"Enough playing around... I'll kill every last one of you," he growled.
His gauntlets began to glow an ominous red.
Bakugou's lips curled into a wicked grin. "They're loaded."
All the Dittos stiffened, their smug expressions vanishing as they saw the change in his demeanor. The lead Ditto gulped as he stood at the front of the group.
"Kacchan..." the Ditto muttered, his voice wary.
The rest fell into defensive stances, tension filling the air like a taut wire.
Bakugou slowly raised his arm, palm open.
"Y'KNOW SOMETHING, YOU DAMN NERDS? I OVERHEARD YOU!" Bakugou bellowed. "IF I TAKE DOWN JUST ONE OF YOU, THE REST GO TOO!"
The Dittos exchanged panicked glances, quickly merging into a single form. The remaining Ditto now stood alone, visibly sweating.
"And with all your creepy stalking, you probably already know..." Bakugou said, pulling the pin on his grenade-like gauntlet. "MY QUIRK LETS ME SECRETE NITROGLYCERIN-LIKE SWEAT... AND THESE GAUNTLETS STORE IT."
The Ditto's eyes widened in horror.
"Don't tell me that's—!" All Might's voice crackled frantically through Bakugou's earpiece. "Young Bakugou, stop! Are you trying to kill him?!"
"OH, HE'LL BE FINE—AS LONG AS HE DODGES!" Bakugou roared.
"Kacchan, no!" Izuku's voice shouted from the other end, panic clear. "You can't—!"
But Bakugou didn't hesitate. With a manic grin, he yanked the pin, unleashing an explosion bigger than anything they had ever seen.
KA-BOOOOOM!
The room was swallowed in a blinding inferno. The force of the blast tore through the walls, sending debris flying in all directions. Smoke and fire surged outward like a tidal wave, the sheer pressure rattling the foundations of the building.
[Monitor room]
The explosion roared through the monitor screens, the force of it shaking even the observation room. Flames and debris engulfed the battlefield, and thick smoke swallowed everything in sight. The students watching froze in disbelief, their hearts hammering against their ribs.
"No way..." Kaminari whispered, his voice barely audible.
"GREEN!" Jirou's voice cracked with fear, her fists clenching as she stared wide-eyed at the screen. "C'mon, you idiot! Don't you dare be dead!"
"DEKIRU!" Ochako screamed, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. "Please, no—get up, get up, get up!"
Tsuyu's lips trembled, her wide eyes brimming with tears. "M-Midoriya-chan... no..." she whispered, clutching her chest as if the pain was physically pulling her down.
Momo gasped, her face pale, hands pressed to her mouth. "Midoriya... He couldn't—he can't be—" She stopped herself, fear choking her words.
Toru clenched her invisible fists, her voice rising in panic. "Midoriya! Somebody stop this! He's—he's not okay!"
Mina was the first to look away, unable to handle what she was seeing. Her heart thudded painfully as she whispered, "Midori... please, don't..."
Iida turned sharply toward All Might, his voice laced with frustration and fear. "Sir, this has gone too far! If you don't cancel the match now, Midoriya will need immediate medical attention!"
But All Might remained still, his gaze fixed on the screen. Everyone's emotions spiraled into chaos, yet he stood unmoving. Slowly, a small, knowing smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth.
[Back to the fight]
Todoroki stood still, his breath fogging the cold air, every inhale shallow and labored. His limbs felt heavy, the frost biting into his skin. I overdid it... he thought as he glanced at the wreckage. His glacier attack had worked, freezing over everything in sight. His lips curled into a faint smirk. "But at least we won."
Then came the first crack—deep, resonating through the floor.
Todoroki's eyes widened in alarm. The massive glacier, which had spread through the walls and ceiling of the building, was now crumbling. Sharp fractures ran through the ice, splintering outward, and before he could react, the glacier exploded, shards flying like deadly knives.
The Ditto clones burst from their icy prison with bursts of green lightning crackling around them. Todoroki gasped, struggling to steady himself. His body was cold, his muscles sluggish, and his energy all but drained.
But that wasn't the worst part. As the ice gave way, so did the building's structure. A massive support pillar, frozen solid by Todoroki's attack, cracked under its weight.
The ceiling groaned above him, large chunks of concrete beginning to fall.
Todoroki looked up, horror dawning on his face. "No...!" He tried to move, but his legs refused to respond fast enough.
The ceiling groaned again as the beam plummeted, moments from crushing Todoroki beneath its immense weight. His mind raced, but his frozen body betrayed him, unable to act in time.
I can't dodge... This is it...
But just as the beam was about to hit—
A blur streaked through the air, green lightning arcing wildly in its wake. The impact came not with crushing metal but with a loud, thunderous shockwave.
A Ditto clone had appeared at the last second, launching himself at the beam with a surge of determination. With a primal roar, he thrust his body against the heavy metal, redirecting its descent with sheer force of will.
The clone's muscles strained, veins bulging as he pushed against the weight of the collapsing pillar. Sparks erupted around him as One For All surged through his limbs, illuminating the chaos of the room.
Todoroki stared in disbelief, his mind struggling to register what had just happened. "Why...?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the groaning structure.
The Ditto clone, his face contorted with effort, glanced down at him.
[With Bakugou]
The room was filled with thick black smoke, swirling like a chaotic storm Bakugou stood at its center, explosions flickering in his palms, his grin stretching wide across his face. His eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he scanned for his target.
"You should've picked a different you damn nerd!" Bakugou roared into the smoke veins bulging along his arms as his heart pounded with adrenaline.
"SOMEONE LIKE YOU NEVER DESERVED TO BE HERE!" His voice echoed, full of venom and raw hatred, believing Midoriya was still somewhere in the smoke, hiding like "useless Deku" he'd always been.
"YOU HAVE AND ALWAYS BEEN A USELESS DEKU! JUST DIRT NOW YOU KNOW YOUR PLACE! BENEATH–"
CRACK!
The ground beneath his feet split open with a deafening noise. Bakugou's eyes barely registered the fissure before a white fist erupted from the rubble like a bullet, striking him square under the chin with a bone shattering-uppercut.
His head snapped back, the world spinning as he was launched into the air, limbs flailing. Blood splattered from his mouth, painting the air with crimson droplets. His thoughts blurred for a split second, but he had no time to recover.
The Ditto sprang from the shattered floor, splitting into another mid-air. The second clone shot forward, green electricity crackling around him, with a wicked smile, he twisted his body into a tight spin.
BAM!
The clones fist drove into Bakugou's face, the impact violently whipping his head to the side. Bakugou's body hit the ground with a sickening crack, the impact rattling through the floor as his skull bounced violently off the concrete. His eyes rolled back for a moment pure white as the blow sent his mind spiraling toward unconsciousness.
But then with a low glutaral growl, the whites of his eyes flickered away the red returned.
Bakugou coughed out blood as he flew across the room, his body barely responding. His muscles screamed, his mind swirling with rage and disbelief. Every damn insult at Midoriya echoed in his skull louder and louder as the room spun around him. He hit the ground hard, his limbs heavy, his breathing ragged.
"Y-You'll never beat me!" Bakugou snarled, his voice hoarse but still burning with hatred. He forced himself up on shaky arms.
"You... will always be a useless Deku!"
The Ditto loomed over him, his fist shaky as he clenched it green electricity exploding out. "And I told you... You can call me Deku..."
"THE HERO..." Bakugou's pupils shrank to pinpricks as dread washed over him. He tried desperately to put Deku back into his damn place, but
"No..." Bakugou whispered to himself.
"Deku means nothing to me!" Ditto exclaimed as his team victory rang out.
"...TEAM WINNNSS!"
As the echoes of victory hung in the air, a Ditto clone surged forward, propelled by sheer determination. With a primal roar, he hurled himself at the massive, collapsing support pillar.
The sheer weight of the metal beam was overwhelming, and as the structure creaked ominously, the clone's muscles strained to the breaking point, veins bulging as One For All coursed through him, electrifying his movements.
The ground trembled beneath the clash, the air charged with raw energy as the Ditto pushed against the pillar. His form shimmered under the strain, a whirlwind of color and power. He poured every ounce of strength into his effort, the weight of the collapsing beam threatening to crush Todoroki beneath it.
With a final, thunderous effort, the Ditto redirected the falling pillar, the metal screeching in protest as it was thrust aside with a powerful shove. The ground shook violently as the pillar crashed to the floor, sending dust and debris spiraling through the air.
The immediate danger had passed, but the aftermath lingered, a heavy silence settling over the battlefield.
Todoroki stared, disbelief etched on his face, as he tried to comprehend what had just unfolded. "Why...?" he whispered, the sound almost lost in the swirling dust.
The Ditto clone staggered, panting heavily as it began to merge back into one solid form. Its vibrant green lightning dimmed, fading into nothing. His muscles screamed in protest, burning with exhaustion, while sweat dripped from his face. He bent over, hands clutching his knees, struggling to catch his breath.
Todoroki straightened slowly, the frost that clung to his limbs already beginning to melt. Without a word, he extended his hand toward the frozen parts of the building, using his flames to thaw the ice and prevent further collapse.
"Uh... good match, Todoroki," Ditto muttered between heavy breaths, unsure what else to say. His words hung awkwardly in the air, and he gave the dual-haired boy a tired, lopsided grin.
Todoroki glanced at the alien, a flicker of something rare—gratitude—softening the usual coldness in his gaze. It was subtle, but there, a quiet acknowledgment of the effort the clone had just made to protect him.
"Yeah, whatever," Todoroki muttered, fatigue weighing on his voice.
The final Ditto clone, leaned heavily against the bomb in the corner of the monitor feed. His chest rose and fell with deep, ragged breaths, body slumped in pure exhaustion. Having crawled through the window moments earlier, he had simply touched the bomb and let himself collapse against it, too tired to celebrate the victory.
[Monitor room]
"He... He won," Sero breathed, disbelief in his voice.
"The little guy actually did it!" Sato cheered, eyes sparkling with excitement. "I always thought Midoriya was kinda wimpy, y'know? Not the type to throw down like that. But wow—he really proved me wrong!"
"That was insane!" Kirishima exclaimed, pumping his fist. "Talk about guts! He didn't just hold his own—he went all out!"
"I'm more shocked that he pulled it off so smoothly," Jirou added. She crossed her arms, trying to seem nonchalant, though the flutter in her chest betrayed her.
Watching him throw everything into saving Todoroki—an opponent, no less—hit her harder than she expected.
Her gaze flickered to the screen again, replaying that moment where Midoriya, muscles trembling and sweat pouring down his face, stood beneath the collapsing beam, refusing to let it crush Todoroki. That raw determination stirred something she wasn't quite ready to acknowledge. Her face grew warm as she thought about him.
"Yes, his quick thinking played a vital role in today's victory," Iida said, adjusting his glasses with a firm nod. "It's the kind of strategic prowess we all should aim to develop."
"This is a valuable lesson," Tokoyami said, his voice calm and contemplative. "One must never judge someone's strength by appearances alone."
"Agreed," Shoji nodded, his arms crossed thoughtfully. "He has more than just power. His ability to think under pressure... it's impressive."
Uraraka's grin stretched wide. "He really came through for Todoroki in the end! I didn't expect him to take such a huge risk like that, but... it totally paid off!"
Momo remained silent, her gaze fixed on the screen, replaying the moment in her mind—the moment Midoriya threw himself beneath that collapsing beam, struggling with every ounce of strength to save Todoroki, his opponent. Everyone had gone silent, awestruck as the green-haired boy, trembling and exhausted, refused to let go.
Her heart skipped a beat, the memory making her stomach twist into unfamiliar knots. The warmth that spread across her cheeks caught her off guard, and she couldn't quite place why concern for him had struck her so deeply. When his plan had finally succeeded—when Bakugou fell, and victory was declared—only one word slipped from her lips. "Incredible..."
Mina's grin grew wide as she leaned back, a faint blush creeping over her face. 'Man... the way he moved, how he just kept pushing through everything... It's like nothing could stop him!' Her heart fluttered at the thought. 'That was... kinda amazing.'
Tsuyu was curled up under a blanket with Toru, the two of them huddling close to the heater Momo had conjured earlier. She blinked slowly, still processing what she had witnessed.
"Midoriya-chan..." Tsuyu whispered softly, her voice tinged with quiet admiration. A subtle, fond smile tugged at her lips.
Even Toru, usually playful and carefree, found herself unusually quiet. She stared at the screen, watching the replay of the fight, her invisible frame almost motionless. Somehow, Midoriya had done it—again. Despite being cornered time and time again, despite overwhelming odds, he kept going, refusing to back down. He didn't just survive; he thrived.
As the replay looped again, she hugged the blanket tighter, whispering in awe, "He just... doesn't know how to quit."
All Might burst out of the room, his eyes immediately locking onto the monitor displaying Bakugou's distraught expression.
Bakugou stared at the screen, disbelief flooding his features. "I-I-I lost. Deku beat him. H-He won?! He beat me again?!"His voice wavered, the weight of the words crashing down on him like a tidal wave.
Panic surged through him, and his breaths came in quick, shallow gasps. Sweat beaded on his forehead as his heart raced, pounding loudly in his ears.
"Damn it!" Bakugou shouted, fists clenching at his sides. His mind raced, spinning in circles as he tried to comprehend the loss. Each thought was a jagged edge that cut deeper into his pride. "This can't be happening!"
"Kacchan?" Ditto asked, concern etched on his face. Bakugou's eyes darted around the room, wild and unfocused, as if searching for an escape from the spiraling chaos within him.
"Are you okay?" Ditto pressed, watching his friend with growing alarm.
Bakugou's breath quickened further, his chest tightening. He could feel the walls closing in, the familiar sense of helplessness washing over him.
The room felt too small, too suffocating, and the edges of his vision blurred as he fought to keep it together.
Just then, All Might approached, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, young Midoriya. I'll take young Todoroki and young Bakugou to the infirmary to meet up with your classmates."
"But—"
All Might leaned in closer, whispering, "Listen, young Midoriya, I know you're worried about young Bakugou, but I think you're the last person he wants to see right now."
Bakugou shook his head, desperation creeping into his voice. "I can't—I can't go like this!" The panic surged, and he felt his breath hitch, his hands trembling. He was about to spiral into a full-blown panic attack.
Ditto nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, before he and the other Ditto clones exited the building. As they stepped outside, they encountered Mineta, who was bouncing with excitement.
"Hey, we won!" he shouted, beaming with pride.
The Ditto clones exchanged deadpan looks before bursting into laughter. 'Yeah, 'we' won."
"We took on Bakugou and Todoroki. We got frozen and nearly exploded."
"Yeah, 'we' won. That's hilarious," another Ditto said, rolling his eyes.
"You just stayed and played with your balls." A Ditto said.
"Anyways, Mineta, let's head back."
Mineta frowned, his enthusiasm dampening. "Ugh, fine. Wait, what about Todoroki and Bakugou?"
"They're headed to the infirmary," one of the Dittos replied casually, picking his nose.
Mineta gulped, his face paling. "He sent both to the infirmary?!"
...
The Dittos and Mineta began to stroll toward the monitor room, all the clones utterly exhausted. Their rubbery bodies sagged slightly with each step, and one Ditto let out a wide yawn, his pointed ears twitching. As he pushed open the door, they were immediately surrounded by the excited students of Class 1-A.
"Dude, that was incredible!" Kaminari exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Those moves were awesome! You've clearly been trained by an excellent master!" Ojiro added, nodding with approval.
"You weren't exactly dazzling, but—" Aoyama began dramatically, only to be cut off by Ashido, who practically bounced toward the group.
"You were incredible out there, Midori! I've never seen moves like that before!" she gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I could barely keep up with what you were doing! That was so manly!" Kirishima added, giving a hearty laugh and clapping a Ditto on the back. The alien stumbled forward slightly, his rubbery frame absorbing the force with a slight wobble.
"Taking on the two strongest students and holding them off was… impressive," Shoji said with a respectful nod.
Ditto blinked, his glowing green eyes wide with surprise. The sudden wave of compliments made his black-and-green markings pulse faintly, and the slight blush forming across his smooth face didn't go unnoticed by Ashido. A nearby Ditto scratched the back of his sleek head, clearly flustered by the attention.
Ashido leaned in, a teasing grin playing on her lips. "You guys were amazing," she said again, noticing how the alien's glow dimmed shyly under her gaze.
"Told you you'd be eating those words," Jirou said with a smirk, nudging Kaminari.
Momo stood back for a moment, her gaze lingering on the alien form of Midoriya. As much as she had rooted for Todoroki during the game, she couldn't help but be impressed by how sharp Midoriya's tactics had been. 'He knew Bakugou would come for him and used it against him. On top of that, he predicted Bakugou wouldn't cooperate with Todoroki...' she thought, biting her lip slightly. 'And he even managed to bait them both into fights that worked in his favor.'
Despite herself, a faint blush crept onto Momo's face as she shook her head, trying to dismiss the admiration building inside her. 'Even if the terrain worked against Todoroki a bit… that was still an incredible strategy.' She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest, a conflicting emotion that she didn't fully understand.
After a moment, she stepped closer to the nearest Ditto and offered him a polite, if slightly flustered, smile. "Congratulations, Midoriya," Momo said softly. "You were really impressive. I underestimated you—you executed your strategy perfectly."
Ditto blinked at her with those bright, glowing eyes, visibly caught off guard. "Uh… thanks," he mumbled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his rubbery head with a clawed hand.
Another Ditto glanced toward Ochako, his small fanged smile lighting up his childlike face. "Guess you were right… I really did do it," he said, his tone a little bashful.
Ochako's face immediately turned bright red, and she fumbled for words, waving her hands wildly.
"A-Ah! Don't worry about it, Dekiru! I-I knew you just needed a little confidence! You did amazing!" she stammered, her voice rising an octave as she tried to keep her composure.
Ditto tilted his head slightly, ears flicking in mild confusion. "No, really! I thought about how much you believed in me the whole time—it helped a lot!" he said earnestly, making Ochako's face heat up even more. She pulled her hands to her cheeks, clearly overwhelmed, and tried to hide behind them.
"And Jirou! Thanks for believing in me, too!" Ditto said with excitement, beaming at her.
Jirou coughed awkwardly, her face turning pink as she glanced away. "Y-Yeah, whatever," she muttered under her breath.
As the adrenaline started to wear off, the Dittos' energy began to fade. Their glowing markings flickered softly, and the clones exchanged tired glances.
"Alright, boys, looks like it's time to merge back," one Ditto said with a yawn, stretching his arms wide. The others nodded in agreement, their movements sluggish as they prepared to reunite.
But just as they were about to fuse, Ashido and Ochako sprang into action, clinging tightly to two of the Dittos.
"Nope!" they chorused, grinning as they held onto the squirming aliens.
"Wh-What do you mean, 'no'?!' one Ditto stammered, his pointed ears twitching in surprise.
"You're way too cute! Do you really expect us to let go of this much cuteness?" Ashido teased, tightening her grip around the struggling alien.
"Yes! It's me! Let me go!" one of the trapped Dittos protested, squirming like a cat trying to escape a bath. His ears flattened in frustration as he hissed under his breath.
"Boys would kill to be hugged by cute girls!" Ashido said with a mischievous grin, hugging the Ditto even tighter.
"I'm not going through this again!" Ditto wailed as he flailed in her grasp.
"Again?" the entire class echoed in unison, their curiosity instantly piqued.
...
"When he transformed the first time, me and Kendo didn't want to let go of him. He was just so cute!" Ochako explained, rubbing her cheek affectionately against one of the Dittos. The clone squirmed in her arms, his glowing green eyes narrowing in frustration as his sharp ears flicked irritably.
His sleek, black-and-white body and soft, round face gave him the look of an annoyed kitten, only making him seem more irresistible.
"Agreed! He's adorable," Tsuyu added sleepily, pinching the cheek of another clone. She was wrapped snugly in a large blanket Momo had made, looking half-asleep as she lazily cuddled the struggling alien.
"Not you too, Asui!" Ditto protested, glaring up at her with the pout of a child forced to endure unwanted affection.
"Call me Tsu," she replied calmly, her blanket cocooning her like a tired frog about to hibernate.
"Tsu sounds pretty cute. Now, can you please let me go?" Ditto muttered, trying to pry himself free. His rubbery body gave a little bounce as he wiggled, but Tsuyu simply held him tighter, her wide-eyed expression unchanging.
Another Ditto struggled in Ochako's grip, his movements reminiscent of a puppy trying to escape its owner's clutches, only to be squeezed even tighter.
"Ah, man!" he groaned, kicking his legs in frustration.
Jirou leaned in, pinching one of the Dittos on the cheek. "Huh? Don't you usually get all flustered around girls? I'm surprised you're not passing out," she teased.
Ochako giggled. "Oh, when Dekiru turns into Ditto, he gets all childish! Instead of being a blushing mess, he just acts like a grumpy little boy trying to escape girl cooties." The Ditto in her arms hissed dramatically, his fanged mouth open as his green ear twitched like an irritated cat's.
"You sure you can't stay like this forever?" Ashido teased, still holding her Ditto close as he squirmed helplessly in her grasp.
"For the millionth time, yes! Now let us go!" Ditto shouted, his voice rising in frustration as he twisted, only for his flexible body to spring back like rubber.
"Never!" Ashido laughed, cuddling him tighter as he grunted in annoyance.
Off to the side, Kaminari and Mineta watched in disbelief, their faces twisted in equal parts envy and rage.
"That bastard is trying to start his own harem!" Kaminari seethed, his fists clenching at his sides.
"Using the power of cuteness! Such a devious plan!" Mineta added, his wide eyes filled with burning jealousy.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Ditto sighed as the familiar warning of his transformation's end blared from the Omnitrix.
"Saved by the beep," he muttered under his breath, a mix of relief and dread in his voice.
The glowing Omnitrix symbol atop Ditto's head began to pulse with vibrant green.
As the adrenaline of the moment wore off, the Ditto clones held tightly by the girls suddenly floated upward, leaving them momentarily stunned. Slowly, the duplicates drifted together, converging in midair toward the main Ditto trapped in Ashido's embrace.
BWOOO
With a bright flash of green light, all the clones fused into one unified form. When the glow faded, Ashido realized she was now holding onto the real Izuku Midoriya, no longer soft and rubbery like Ditto. Instead, her arms wrapped around his actual body—toned and firm from all his training, a stark contrast to the squishy alien she had been squeezing moments ago.
"P-P-P-Please let me go," Midoriya stammered, his face turning crimson. His awkward, flustered demeanor had returned full force, and it took all his willpower not to pass out from the close contact.
Ashido, sensing his embarrassment, couldn't help but grin mischievously. "Fine... but when this is over, I am going to feel all those muscles," she whispered in his ear with a playful glint in her eye, sending his blush into overdrive.
Midoriya nearly melted on the spot. "T-Teasing me is so unfair, Ashido," he muttered weakly, his mind scrambling to stay coherent.
"Teasing you is fun, Midori!" she laughed, ruffling his hair. He gave her a deadpan look but was too flustered to say anything further.
As Midoriya tried to collect himself, he noticed Hagakure shivering in a corner, bundled tightly in a blanket Momo had made. Concerned, he walked over to her. "Hagakure, are you okay?"
The invisible girl gave a shaky thumbs-up, though it was barely visible. "I-I-I'm okay," she said, though her trembling suggested otherwise.
"Todoroki's ice made the room colder than expected, but she should be fine now," Iida explained in his usual composed manner.
Realizing she was still cold, Midoriya quickly shrugged off his hoodie, revealing a fitted black undershirt beneath. The snug shirt clung to his frame, showing off his surprisingly toned muscles.
Several of the girls blushed, their eyes briefly lingering on his physique. Even Momo, usually calm and composed, felt her heart flutter as she tried to suppress the warm flush spreading across her cheeks.
"Midori has muscles..." Mina whispered to herself, wide-eyed.
Then, before she could stop herself, Ochako blurted out, "You should see him shirtless..."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Every head turned toward her, and she froze in horror at what she'd just said.
Realizing her mistake, Uraraka's entire face turned scarlet. "I-I didn't mean—! I mean—!" she stammered, waving her hands frantically.
Trying to steer the conversation away from his growing embarrassment, Midoriya turned back to Hagakure and handed her his hoodie. "Here, this should help keep you warm."
"U-Uh, t-thanks," Hagakure stuttered, slipping the hoodie over her invisible form. Almost immediately, the warmth from the hoodie spread across her body, as if it were radiating heat.
She hugged herself tightly, her shivers subsiding. "Wow, Midori, I didn't know this was a self-warming hoodie."
But when she glanced down, she realized something strange—Midoriya's hoodie had become completely invisible, blending perfectly with her. Only her boots and gloves were still visible to the others.
Kaminari's jaw dropped. "Uh... Hagakure, please tell me you can make stuff invisible."
"N-No..." she mumbled."I can't..."
Curious, she peeled off the hoodie and handed it back to Midoriya. As soon as it left her body, the garment became visible again. Momo, always intrigued by the unknown, reached out and slipped the hoodie on herself.
The fabric effortlessly adjusted to her body, molding to her shape without tearing or stretching. The girls watched in fascination as the hoodie fit her perfectly, making her look surprisingly cozy despite the plain design.
Everyone's gaze shifted back to Midoriya, who stood frozen under the weight of their stares. His face flushed as he started sweating bullets. The silence in the room grew heavier, thick with unspoken thoughts.
Finally, with a nervous chuckle, Midoriya scratched the back of his neck.
"A-Ain't that something, huh?"