Chapter 2: Training and Trials
Three days later
Kai's POV
The days after the encounter with Kage were filled with anticipation and a sense of unease. Izuku and I had made it into UA, and we were eager to start our journey. The weight of everything we had been through made this achievement all the more meaningful. I often found myself reflecting on how far we had come, from the dark alley where Inko had found me to this moment of triumph.
Living with the Midoriyas had been a blessing. Inko treated me like her own son, and Izuku was the brother I never had. Inko provided us with all the resources we needed—books, training equipment, and connections to mentors. She never wavered in her support, and it made all the difference.
Despite the excitement, the nightmares didn't stop. Each night, I would wake up drenched in sweat, the scent of smoke and ash lingering in my mind. The flashes of a house engulfed in flames haunted me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something important I was forgetting. But I never let it show. I couldn't. Not when Izuku depended on me.
Izuku's POV
Having Kai around was like having a personal hero. He was strong, determined, and always knew how to encourage me. Despite his own struggles, he never let them weigh him down. His belief in me was unwavering, and it gave me the strength to keep going.
Our first day at UA was nothing short of a dream. The campus was bustling with students, all eager to start their hero training. We met our classmates—each one unique and full of potential. Ochaco Uraraka, with her gravity-defying quirk, Tenya Iida, with his powerful engines, and many others. But it was our homeroom teacher, Shota Aizawa, who left the biggest impression. His strict, no-nonsense attitude set the tone for our training, emphasizing the importance of hard work and discipline.
The Quirk Assessment Test was our first real challenge. Aizawa-sensei didn't mince words. "If you want to be heroes, you must push beyond your limits." His gaze was intense, and I could feel the pressure mounting. But having Kai by my side gave me the confidence to push through.
Kai's POV
Aizawa-sensei's Quirk Assessment Test was designed to push us to our limits and beyond. Each test was a grueling trial that required not only strength but also strategy and control. The 50-meter dash was the first challenge. As I stepped up to the starting line, I focused on channeling my Dragon Flames to give me an explosive burst of speed.
"Ready, go!" Aizawa-sensei called out.
I shot forward, flames propelling me across the track. The intense heat singed the air around me, and I could feel the strain of maintaining control. I crossed the finish line, panting heavily but pleased with my time.
Izuku was up next. He had a determined look on his face as he prepared to use One For All. The power surged through him, and he sprinted down the track, his movements swift and powerful. He stumbled slightly at the end but managed to recover and finish strong. I could see the frustration in his eyes, but I knew he wouldn't give up.
The next test was the grip strength test. I took a deep breath and summoned my flames to strengthen my grip. The machine beeped as I squeezed, and I was satisfied with the result. Izuku, using his newly acquired strength, managed an impressive score as well, earning a nod of approval from Aizawa-sensei.
As the tests continued, I noticed Bakugo glaring at us. His competitive spirit was as fierce as ever, and he wasn't pleased with our performance. During the long jump, I used my flames to propel myself forward, while Izuku managed an impressive leap using One For All. Bakugo, with his explosive quirk, flew through the air with ease, his expression a mix of anger and determination.
The final test was the ball throw. Aizawa-sensei handed us each a ball and instructed us to throw it as far as we could using our quirks. I focused my energy, channeling my flames into my arm. As I released the ball, a burst of blue fire shot it far into the distance. The flames left a trail in the sky, and the ball landed with a satisfying thud.
Izuku stepped up next. He took a deep breath, focused, and threw the ball with all his might, using One For All. The ball soared through the air, leaving a powerful shockwave in its wake. Aizawa-sensei recorded our scores, giving a small nod of approval.
Izuku's POV
By the end of the Quirk Assessment Test, we were both exhausted but satisfied with our performance. Aizawa-sensei gathered us all together and gave us a stern look.
"Remember, this is just the beginning. You must continue to push yourselves if you want to become true heroes."
As we left the training field, I felt a sense of pride. We had proven ourselves today, but there was still a long way to go. Kai and I walked back to the dorms, discussing our performance and how we could improve. The camaraderie we shared with our classmates was growing, and it felt like we were all in this together.
That night, as we prepared for bed, I noticed Kai staring out the window, lost in thought. I approached him, concerned.
"Kai, what's wrong?" I asked, sitting beside him.
He hesitated before speaking. "It's the nightmares. They're getting worse." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I keep seeing a house on fire, and I think... I think it's my family's house."
My heart ached for him. "We'll find out the truth, Kai. I promise."
Kai's POV
The support from Izuku was unwavering. He was my anchor, the one who kept me grounded when my mind threatened to spiral. Together, we tackled each challenge UA threw at us.
One day, during a particularly intense training session, we faced off against Ashura, a rogue monk with a terrifying quirk that summoned spectral warriors. The training exercise was designed to test our abilities under pressure, and Ashura was relentless.
As the exercise began, Ashura summoned his spectral warriors, ghostly figures that moved with incredible speed and precision. Their ethereal blades slashed through the air, aiming to incapacitate us. I took a deep breath, feeling the familiar burn of my quirk. Flames erupted from my hands, illuminating the dim training area.
"Stay focused, Izuku," I called out, my voice steady despite the chaos.
Izuku nodded, his eyes determined. He activated One For All, his muscles tensing with power. Together, we moved as a unit, our training and trust in each other guiding our actions.
A spectral warrior lunged at me, its blade aimed at my chest. I sidestepped and countered with a burst of blue flames, the heat vaporizing the ghostly figure. Another warrior attacked from behind, but Izuku was there, using his enhanced strength to shatter the apparition with a powerful punch.
Ashura watched us with a calm expression, his eyes calculating. "Impressive," he said, his voice echoing through the training area. "But can you handle this?"
He raised his hands, and the spectral warriors multiplied, surrounding us on all sides. I gritted my teeth, the intensity of my flames increasing. The air around me shimmered with heat.
"Don't lose focus!" I shouted to Izuku.
We fought back-to-back, our movements synchronized. I unleashed a wave of fire, the blue flames dancing around us like a protective barrier. Izuku used his agility and strength to fend off the spectral warriors, his punches creating shockwaves that disrupted their forms.
Despite our efforts, the onslaught continued. The spectral warriors were relentless, their attacks precise and unyielding. I could feel my energy waning, the strain of maintaining such intense flames taking its toll.
"Just a little longer," I thought, pushing through the exhaustion.
Suddenly, a warrior broke through our defenses, its blade aimed at Izuku. Time seemed to slow as I saw the danger. Without thinking, I moved, my flames flaring to their peak. I intercepted the attack, the heat of my flames burning with a ferocity I hadn't felt before. The warrior dissolved into smoke, but the effort left me drained.
Izuku's voice cut through the haze. "Kai, hang in there!"
His words anchored me, and I found the strength to continue. Together, we pushed back against the spectral army, our combined efforts creating a whirlwind of fire and force. Finally, with one last surge of power, we shattered the remaining warriors, leaving us panting and victorious.
Ashura nodded in approval, a rare smile crossing his face. "Well done. You've proven your strength and your resolve."
The exercise ended, and we collapsed to the ground, our breaths heavy but triumphant. Despite the exhaustion, I felt a sense of pride. We had faced a formidable challenge and emerged stronger for it.
Izuku's POV
The days at UA were rigorous but rewarding. We trained hard, learned from the best, and grew stronger with each passing day. But the shadows of Kai's past continued to haunt him.
One night, after a particularly grueling training session, Kai confided in me about his nightmares. "It's always the same," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "A house on fire, shadows moving in the flames. I think it might be a memory."
I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll find out the truth, Kai. Whatever it takes."
Our determination to uncover the mystery of Kai's past led us to investigate further. We spent hours in the library, combing through old records and news articles. It was slow, frustrating work, but we were driven by the hope that we could find answers.
One afternoon, after an exhausting day of training and research, we sat in the common area with our classmates. Ochaco, always curious, asked about our past.
"Hey, Kai, Izuku, how did you two become so close?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Kai and I exchanged a glance. "We grew up together," Kai started. "Inko found me when I was young and took me in. She's been like a mother to me."
Ochaco smiled. "That's so sweet. You guys are like brothers."
"Yeah," I agreed. "We've been through a lot together."
Bakugo, who had been listening from a distance, scoffed. "Don't get too comfortable, Deku. Just because you made it into UA doesn't mean you're a hero."
I felt a familiar sting of insecurity but reminded myself of Kai's words. "I know I have a lot to learn, Kacchan, but I'm not going to give up."
Kai stepped in, his presence a comforting shield. "Izuku's stronger than you think, Bakugo. We both are."
Bakugo glared at us but said nothing, turning away. The tension lingered, but I felt a sense of pride. Kai believed in me, and that was enough.
Kai's POV
The days at UA were rigorous but rewarding. We trained hard, learned from the best, and grew stronger with each passing day. But the shadows of my past continued to haunt me.
One night, I had a particularly vivid nightmare. I saw a dark figure, a villain standing amidst the flames, his eyes glowing with malice. I woke up with a start, the image seared into my mind.
The next day
Kai's POV
During a patrol exercise, we encountered Kage, a villain with a shadow manipulation quirk. The exercise was meant to simulate a real-world scenario, and Kage was a formidable opponent.
As we patrolled the training grounds, the shadows around us began to shift and move. I tensed, feeling the familiar burn of my quirk ready to ignite. "Stay alert, Izuku. Something's not right."
Suddenly, Kage emerged from the darkness, his form shrouded in shadows. "Well, well, what do we have here? A couple of UA brats?" His voice was cold, filled with malice.
I stepped forward, my flames igniting in my hands. "We're not just any students. We're future heroes."
Kage laughed, a sinister sound that sent chills down my spine. "We'll see about that."
He moved with incredible speed, the shadows wrapping around him like a cloak. He attacked, his shadowy blades slicing through the air. I countered with a burst of flames, the heat pushing him back.
Izuku joined the fray, using One For All to enhance his movements. He delivered a powerful punch, creating a shockwave that disrupted the shadows. But Kage was relentless, his attacks coming from all directions.
I focused, channeling my energy. The flames around me intensified, burning brighter and hotter. "Izuku, cover me!"
Izuku nodded, his eyes filled with determination. He moved in, distracting Kage with a flurry of punches and kicks. I took a deep breath, feeling the power of my quirk surge through me.
With a roar, I unleashed a massive wave of blue flames, the heat scorching the ground. The flames engulfed Kage, burning away the shadows that protected him. He screamed, his form flickering as the heat consumed him.
But Kage wasn't done yet. He emerged from the flames, battered but still standing. "You think you've won?" he sneered, his eyes glowing with hatred. "You don't know the truth."
He raised his hand, and the shadows around us thickened, creating a barrier that separated me from Izuku. I could see the worry in Izuku's eyes as he struggled to break through the darkness.
Kage stepped closer, his voice a whisper. "The fire that destroyed your home... it wasn't an accident. It was the work of a villain named Zoltar."
The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. "You're lying," I spat, my flames flickering with uncertainty.
Kage smirked. "Am I? Ask yourself why you remember the flames so vividly. Why the nightmares won't stop."
His words echoed in my mind, the memories of the fire flashing before my eyes. I felt a surge of anger, the flames around me flaring uncontrollably. "Enough!" I shouted, the heat intensifying.
With a final burst of energy, I unleashed a torrent of flames, the blue fire consuming everything in its path. Kage screamed as the heat overwhelmed him, his form disintegrating into smoke.
The shadows dissipated, and I collapsed to the ground, exhausted. Izuku rushed to my side, his expression filled with concern. "Kai, are you okay?"
I nodded, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "I'm fine. But we need to find out more about this Zoltar."
As Izuku helped me to my feet, we both knew that this was only the beginning of our journey. The revelation about Zoltar had opened a door to a past filled with darkness and unanswered questions. Determined to uncover the truth and bring Zoltar to justice, we steeled ourselves for the challenges ahead. Little did we know, our next test at UA would push us to the brink and reveal secrets that would change everything.