Biokinetic - Chapter 14

“Times up! Villains WIN!”

With that announcement all the excitement and tension that had built up between Kenichi and Tokoyami instantly drained out of them. Both of them instantly slumped and groaned in annoyance. They'd been looking foreword to the spar and Kenichi had been excited to see what Tokoyami could do with early access to his Dark Abyss move.

Kenichi couldn't help smiling behind his mask when he caught Tokoyami muttering about the 'dark evils of time limits' while Dark Shadow slid off of him and back into his stomach. While Tokoyami powered down, Kenichi did as well. The room quickly became brighter as his Dark Light Quirk stopped messing with the overhead lights. His eyes stopped glowing and the steam vents on his mask quick working while he removed it and tucked it back on his belt. Kenich smiled brightly at Tokoyami while pushing his hood down, “Dude! That move at the end was amazing!”

Tokoyami looked proud and happy at the compliment, “It's thanks to you that I thought of it. Saying that Dark Shadow and I were not working together. Such devilish insight inspired me!”

While Tokoyami and Kenichi talked, Todoroki easily released himself from the capture tape and silently made his way out of the building. Kenichi and Tokoyami took their time so they could keep talking, “Man, seeing your Quirk in action like that was so much cooler than in those lame tests yesterday! You looked completely badass with Dark Shadow wrapped around you like that.”

Tokoyami... preened. There was simply no other word for the way he held his head a bit higher and with more pride in himself and his Quirk. It wasn't arrogance, like some folks would have felt, but pride in a new accomplishment, “I shall need to work on moving deeper into the darkness to draw forth more power and abilities. Would you care to join us in our search for further avenues into the night?”

It took Kenichi a moment to translate the Tokoyami-speak but translated it as, 'would you like to hang out and see if we can come up with any other ideas together?' Which just make Kenichi smile and nod, “I'd like that Tokobro.”

Hearing 'Tokobro' caused Tokoyami to freeze in place and stare at Kenichi with wide eyes and a hint of a blush. Seeing the look on his face, Kenichi politely asked, “Is is not okay for me to call you that?”

Tokoyami immediately looked away and caughed into his fist, “N-no, i-it's quite alright.”

The rest of their walk to the exit of the building was in silence as Tokoyami tried to reel himself in and calm down. As they stepped out they both spotted Kaminari wandering around making a thumbs up and muttering 'Wheeee.'

Kenichi sighed and looked at Tokoyami, “He tried to fry you with everything he had, didn't he?”

Tokoyami just nodded. Kenichi sighed once more before grabbing Kaminari by the hand and leading him back to the observation room the same way he would a young child. As the trio entered the observation room they were met with loud clapping and some cheers.

“Dudes! You were both so MANLY!”

“Oh my gosh! Did you make up a brand new move in there?!”

“We might not have been able to hear what you said but even we could feel the tension!”

“Kenichi-san... so scary!”

It took All Might a moment to calm down the class so he could ask, “So, who would you all say is the MVP this time?”

There was a bit of silence with Kirishima saying, “Man, it's too hard to decide. They were both awesome.”

Momo cleared her throat, she hadn't wanted to say anything for fear of showing favoritism but since it seemed the others couldn't decide, she spoke up, “Nii... I mean Kenichi would be the MVP.” She quickly assured, “And not just because he is my brother! Tokoyami-san did amazing, and it even looked like he came up with a brand new use for his Quirk, but I have to ask... Tokoyami-san, was it my brother that helped you make the new discovery?”

Tokoyami nodded solemnly, “Together we stared into the abyss and I came to know its darkness further.”

Momo paused in confusion at his statement but quickly recovered and continued, “So, instead of simply defeating you using his superior speed and strength, nii... Kenichi took the time to push Tokoyami-san further and helped him discover a new use for his Quirk while still doing his job to guard the bomb. I'd even go further and say that Kenichi taught Todoroki-san a lesson about over confidence when he ambushed him. Confidence is a good thing, but being arrogant and assuming that you've won without confirmation is foolish. It's best to learn that lesson here and now than in the field with your life on the line. So, in essence, Kenichi not only fulfilled his mission for this exercise, but he also put some effort into helping his fellow students learn some lessons!”

“Well said Yaoyorozu-shojo! Yaoyorozu-shonen, you did an admirable job protecting your device. By choosing to stay and protect it over trying to find Tokoyami-shonen within the building you showed the ability to stay on target and fulfill your duty. Very well done young man. This concludes today's lesson, Aizawa will give you all any further notes he feels are necessary tomorrow morning, after he reviews the recordings. Go get changed, you're dismissed for today!”

With his piece said, All Might vanished in a blur of speed leaving the students to make their way back to the locker rooms. Once everyone changed out of their costumes, they returned the cases to their designated sections of wall within the classroom. Sadly, they didn't technically own the costumes they were using, the school did. If the costume survived until they graduated, none ever had, they would get to keep it. Though, most costumes went through many revisions and were destroyed before graduation so the costume they were gifted with would be completely different from the one they started with.

The support companies were not only subsidized, but would always be able to claim that the 'next big hero,' whomever that turned out to be, wore a costume from their company first! It was a fact that the company that produced All Might's first costume when he graduated from U.A. was now one of the richest in the world. The same applied to the companies that made costumes for Endevour, Mirko, Ryukyu and so many other top heroes in Japan. Every support company scrambled to be the first to endorse young heroes in the hopes of scoring a huge publicity win.

Once all the costumes were up, Kenichi approached Tokoyami with a smile, “Tokobro, seeing as your new move is all about melee fighting, are you interested in joining me and a few others in checking out the school's gym facilities?”

Kenichi and Momo had planned to check out the school gym to compare it to their home gym as well as to spend some time with the other students in a calmer environment. Momo had Mina, Hagakure, and Jiro joining her for some stamina training. Kenichi had Kirishima, Shoji, Sato, and Ojiro all joining him for a workout. He wanted to invite Tokoyami because the dude was a true bro and because he could use the extra muscle mass. None of the guys he'd gotten to join him were out of shape, but not all of them were as strong as they could be either.

Also, it was a good chance to chat with them all and put some ideas in their heads. He couldn't flat out tell them to do things with their Quirks that he knew they were capable of, but he could hint at it until they came to the right conclusion. He had a few reasons for going this route, not the least of which is getting them all to think about further possibilities for their Quirks on their own. He just wanted to give them a jump start on the thinking.

Tokoyami looked up at Kenichi from his seat and thought for a bit before nodding, “I would like that. Though I must ask, why do you call me...” He cleared his throat and was fighting a blush, “Tokobro?”

Kenichi grinned broadly, “I just knew you'd be a bro the instant we had our epic stand off. I only wish we'd had the chance to test ourselves against each other after you made up that new move.” He shook his head in clear disappointment, “Still, there's always next time and sparing. I'm sure you'll need to get plenty of practice with it! And who knows. Maybe you'll come up with some more.”

Tokoyami nodded his head, “I would be honored to join you.”

Kenichi just chuckled and gave his shoulder a firm pat, “Excellent. Hey, can Dark Shadow work out and get stronger?”

Tokoyami paused at the question and had a considering look on his face. He didn't reply until after he'd stood up and was on his way with Kenichi to join the other guys joining them, “I do not know. However, I do not believe that Dark Shadow could get stronger in that manner. As a being made of darkness itself he is energy. Still, it might be worth a try.”

Kenichi nodded in understanding. Dark Shadow was definitely and energy being so he obviously didn't have muscles. However, Dark Shadow was also a Quirk and pushing the limits of a Quirk is how it got stronger. So the question wasn't quite as dumb as it might seem on the face of it. Putting Dark Shadow under a lot of pressure could, in theory, improve its strength.

The mixed group of guys and girls made their way out of the classroom but quickly came to a halt when they spotted Aizawa standing outside the door. Aizawa's eyes locked on Kenichi's own, “Come with me.”

Kenichi sighed and looked at the group, “I'll meet you guys there.”

The group went one way while Kenichi followed Aizawa to a familiar door. Once inside the room, Kenichi looked around to make note of who was present inside of Nezu's office. Nezu, obviously, All Might, Detective Naomasa, oddly, and Aizawa. He figured he was called up here to get reamed for what he did during the lesson. He wasn't worried about anything as he sat down. The absolute worst that Nezu could do would be to expel him from the school. If he did... Well it wouldn't be a good day for U.A. after that. Expelling a student for forcing a teacher to do the right, the lawful, thing? It'd be a massive blow to the school's reputation.

Not to mention that his sister would leave to follow him to their second choice, Shiketsu. That school had badass hats as part of their uniform! It was also likely that he could convince quite a few of the other students in class 1-A to join them. In just two days the staff at U.A. had fucked up bad enough to make it easy for him to call a few of them away. So, he had nothing to worry about.

Once Kenichi was seated, Nezu cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, “Yaoyorozu-san, I've called you here today to address the growing issues between you and the staff of the school. In two days you've had clashes with two teachers and the present state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.”

Kenichi nodded along with Nezu's statement, “I completely agree.”

Nezu smiled and continued, “To that end, I believe you might do better in class 2-B.”

Kenich snorted, though it morphed into giggles that quickly became laughter at the slightly affronted look that he was getting from the people in the room. Nezu frowned, “I fail to see how this is a laughing matter. Your attitude and treatment of the teachers cannot go on. It's either swapping you with a member of 1-B or expelling you.”

Kenichi carefully regained control of his humor and cleared his throat, “I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't find it funny Principal Nezu, but I do. Your solution to having terrible teachers isn't to fix the issue but to try and bury it by moving the student who points out how terrible they are?”

Seeing the affronted looks on three of the four individuals in the room threatened to have him break out into laughter again. He managed to hold it in, just barely. Nezu's affront quickly turned to cold anger, “I will not have you insulting the teachers of this institution like that.

Kenichi schooled his face into what he'd dubbed his facade. It was the face he was taught to hold by his parents when dealing with certain situations, such as politics and negotiations. It was a simple calm look meant to hide every emotion and present a calm front. This was simply to prevent him from giving anything away during negotiations, “Prinncipal Nezu, the truth is never an insult. It is but the truth.”

He looked directly at All Might, “All Might, you are an excellent hero and an amazing inspiration that has no doubt inspired everyone within this schools walls in one form or another. However, that does not automatically make you a good teacher. Today you were prepared to allow a student to get away with attempted murder. When another student asked you to stop the exercise, you refused. You only relented when I forced you to.”

Seeing the look of guilt on All Might's face, Kenichi nodded, “I can see you understand where you went wrong. I am not implying that you cannot become a good teach, nor that you don't have mountains of excellent advice and life experience to impart on the students of this school. However, you are inexperienced at teaching, you have no background in education, and I'm not even certain you have a teaching license. Though I would assume having one is mandatory and implies you do, in fact, have one. Honestly, I would feel better if you had another teacher working with you to show you how to properly do the job until you were more experienced. Just as you did not become the number one hero instantly, you will not instantly be an excellent teacher.”

The room was silent as everyone absorbed what Kenichi said. Kenichi did like All Might, he found the man to be an inspiration and was honored to be his student. That didn't change the fact that All Might had never gone to school to learn how to be a proper teacher. There was a reason most teachers had college degrees.

Kenichi continued, “Aizawa-sensei is clearly incompetent. Or perhaps its just pure laziness? He did, after all, expel and entire class last year simply because he seemed to think they wouldn't be good heroes. I wonder when he became the arbiter of who would make a good hero? I wonder if he could even pass his own standards back when he was a student. Put him up against a Mutant type Quirk and he's essentially Quirkless, after all.”

Aizawa interjected, “Perhaps, but I have the training and experience to handle such situations.”

Kenichi gave him a completely bland look, “Such as the training the students in last years class would have gotten from the number one hero school in Japan?”

Aizawa clammed up and said nothing in response. Kenichi returned to facing Nezu, “Aizawa-sensei is incompetent and would rather sleep in class and foist his responsibilities off on anyone else. This morning, instead of addressing yesterdays issue, he merely took attendance then lay on the floor in his sleeping bag. He claims we need to be willing to overcome, adapt, and improve ourselves to be heroes, to put in maximum effort. Yet he puts in minimal effort and sets the worst kind of example possible.”

He looked over at Aizawa once more, “Practice what you preach. This 'do as I say not as I do' double standard is just reinforcing the fact that you're a hypocrite to the class.”

Kenichi turned back to facing Nezu and finished with, “Moving me to 1-B will not change anything. What will change things is simple. Aizawa-sensei needs to apologize to the class and try to keep his hypocrisy to a minimum. I know that people can be hypocrites, I know I can be. The difference is, I'm not in a position of authority or responsible for teaching anyone. All Might needs someone with him to make sure he doesn't make mistakes like he did today. I honestly expected Aizawa-sensei to be with us for the entire class. You know, because if someone's Quirk was going to go out of control it would be during the stress of a combat situation. You know, the one place his Quirk would be excellent to have on hand?”

Silence reigned for a while before Detective Naomasa cleared his throat. Once he had everyone's attention he spoke in a level, if firm, voice filled with authority, “I've been given the facts of the matter and was asked to sit in as a neutral third party. I've spent a little time going over some video recordings and believe that there is some merit to what Yaoyorozu-san is saying.” His black eyes locked onto Kenichi, “Though his attitude clearly needs to be reigned in.”

He looked at his friend All Might, “I reviewed the video of today's event. It's pretty clear what happened and I just have to ask, what were you thinking letting the match continue? Bakugo-san very clearly ignored your orders and fired a deadly weapon at another student.” He looked at Nezu and showed clear disappointment, “I'd like to know which individual on your staff thought it was appropriate to give a fifteen-year-old a support item that was only capable of mass destruction. Training with Quirks is dangerous enough, adding items clearly designed only for massive destruction is just asking for casualties.”

His gaze moved unerringly toward Aizawa, “You should have done more than simply scold Bakugo-san when he was very clearly looking to assault another student during your tests yesterday. I saw the video as part of my investigation and, to me, it's clear that if you hadn't interfered there would have been a physical altercation. Just because you stopped it, that doesn't mean it wasn't an attempt at physical harm. Bakugo should have gotten a heavier punishment than a simple scolding.”

Kenichi was nodding along until Naomasa focused on him, “As for you Yaoyorozu-san, you've gone about all of this in probably the worst and most immature way possible. If you plan to be a real hero you can't simply go around running your mouth off and threatening people when they do something you don't like.”

Kenichi surprised everyone when he spoke, “I agree.”

Seeing their surprise he smiled a little before once more schooling his features, “I may not act like it at all times, but I was raised in the Yaoyorozu family and taught proper behavior, manners, and that my actions have consequences. However, I deliberately chose to behave the way I have for rather simple reasons, it was the most annoying course of action.” He focused on All Might, “Though in your case, I meant what I said and was prepared to do.”

He looked at Nezu, “As for Aizawa-sensei, I figured the best way with someone with his attitude was to get under his skin. He's too lazy and too detached from the students for more subtle methods to work. After just a few minutes with him I was certain that polite discussion or suggestions would be ignored as irrational or a waste of time. Can you blame me for thinking he was irrational when his first act as our teacher was to scold us like toddlers and complain that we weren't rational enough because it took an entire eight seconds to become quiet?”

The last sentence from Kenichi caused Nezu to give Aizawa a disappointed deadpan. Kenichi had to fight not to smile at that before he continued, “I unreservedly apologize for most of my behavior, especially related to All Might. Though as long as Aizawa-sensei treats the class like an annoying waste of his time, he will get no respect from me and I will continue to constantly point out his faults. This is supposed to be the premiere hero school in the country, it'd be nice if all the teachers could act like it.”

While Kenichi meant his apology, everything else was... misleading at best. His actions had been a combination of annoyance for the incidents from his past life and his teenage hormones running rampant within his body. Yes, he could control his hormones if he wanted. He could even make himself physically older and skip puberty entirely while maintaining his same outward appearance. He hadn't because he worried it would make him detached from the other students. He wanted to make friends with them, he wanted to work with them, and he wanted to help them with their Quirks. He feared he wouldn't quite be able to relate to them if he made himself physically older than them.

It might seem stupid, but he could distinctly remember a few incidents with his teenage nephew in his previous life where he'd wondered if the boy had been out of his mind or on some serious drugs. But, no, his nephew was just hopped up on hormones and they had a distinct hold of his mind. The hormones rushing through his brain would encourage him to do stupid shit, just like every other teenager, and help him relate to his peers. It didn't hurt that he found it kind of fun.

The discussion ended there and Kenichi was dismissed with the threat of being swapped into 1-B still hanging in the air. Kenichi didn't mind it and made his way toward the gym to rejoin the others from his class. As long as the swap into 1-B happened after the USJ incident, he wouldn't care if he changed classes. It wouldn't be hard to insert himself into any of the other incidents, if necessary, when they came around. He was kind of looking foreword to it happening.

He grinned when he opened the door to the gym and saw his fellow students working out using the various machines. Life was good and he planned to do his best to keep it that way.

-----Line Break-----

AN

Sorry for the delay on this one. I had it half written then was too busy for the last few days to finish it. It just sat there, taunting me.

But it's done now. Let me know what you think!