Test of Heroism (Part 1)

Chris couldn't contain his excitement. He also couldn't contain his nervousness. Momo put her hand on his. "Hey. Relax. You're going to do fine." Chris nodded in agreement and did his best to relax. Two months had gone by far too quickly. Today was the day. The class was now on a bus heading towards the Hero Probationary License Exam. This would be the hardest test Chris had ever performed. The test would be conducted in two phases. The two phases would be announced right before the test in order to keep the testers on their toes. Chris looked over to see Jason and Shoto talking quietly. They were ready for today. Chris smiled, feeling a little more confident. The class had made a pact the day before. No matter what, they were going to help each other pass today. They were a team first and foremost. They needed to pass. No matter what.

Class 1A filed out of the bus, immediately dividing up to stand next to their friends. Mina wrapped her arms around Jason and Shoto in a big hug. "I'm so excited guys!" Jason smiled at his pink skinned friend. "I've been waiting for this day." Kirishima fist bumped Chris. "You look nervous." "That's because I am nervous, Kirishima." "...You know what helps me relax sometimes?" Chris tilted his head in confusion. Kirishima smiled. "I call myself by my hero name. When I do, it calms my nerves. So get your game face on, Impact!" Chris smiled, feeling a little calmer. "Alright, Red Riot." Shoto giggled and looked over at Jason. "Are you ready, Endgame?" "Born ready, Shoto. I still wish you had picked a hero name for yourself." Shoto shrugged. Mina winked at Momo. "Let's do our best, Creati!" "Momo smiled. "We'll do just fine…" Her voice trailed off. Everyone stared at Mina. The woman looked around confused. "...What?" Chris scratched the back of his head. "I don't remember your hero name." Momo nodded. Jason looked over. "She didn't pick one, remember?" Mina shouted. "I have a hero name!" Kirishima laughed nervously. "Alien Queen was rejected, remember?" "My hero name is Pinky!" Her friends stopped smiling. Momo blinked a few times. "When did you pick that name?"

Before Mina could be interrogated anymore, Aizawa raised his hand. "Alright students, grab your briefcases and start filing inside. You'll change in the locker rooms before going into the arena itself. As per usual, you can't be in your costumes until you're inside. Make sure to-" "Eraser Head!" The teacher rolled his eyes as he turned to the light green haired woman walking up to him. Chris smiled. "It's the pro hero Ms. Joke!" The woman stood in front of Aizawa with a giant smile. "It's good to see you again!" "Hello Ms. Joke." Momo whispered to Chris. "Who is that?" "That's Ms. Joke. Her quirk can make anyone around her laugh uncontrollably." The two teachers caught up, Ms. Joke forcing Aizawa into conversation. A couple of students from Ms. Joke's class approached class 1A. "Hey! It's that class from UA!" Kirishima smiled. "That's right. After the USJ attack we've basically become celebrities." Ms. Joke looked at Kirishima with confusion before whispering to Aizawa. "...Did you not warn your students…?" Aizawa shrugged. "Not knowing will help their growth." Chris, having eavesdropped with his super hearing, gently nudged Jason before whispering what he overheard. Then the classes walked into the stadium.

1A entered the arena itself, whispering among themselves. Momo was deep in thought. "What could Aizawa be hiding from us?" Kirishima shrugged. "Maybe the teachers already know what the tests are going to be." Chris stopped. "No." His friends stopped and turned to him. "The Sports Festival." Momo swore out loud. "Everyone in the country watched us fight in the sports festival!" Kirishima had a panicked look in his eyes. "Everyone here knows about our quirks!" Mina thought for a second before smiling at her friends. "Not all of us. We have a secret weapon that only our class knows about." Nobody knew what she was talking about. Mina was smiling at Jason. Chris smirked. "That's right. Only our class knows about Jason's quirk." Jason smirked. "Then I guess I'll give them all quite the surprise."

The Director of the Hero Commissioning Office, also known as the HCO, sat down in his seat overlooking the arena. He talked amongst the other judges for a few minutes before activating his microphone. "Hello heroes to be. We don't have a long time, so I'll be quick. There will be two rounds today. The first round is called 'Capture the Flags'. Yes, flags. Plural. Each of you is wearing a red flag tied to your waist. Your goal is to have five flags. If you get to the gate with five flags in your possession, you pass the test. Only 100 of you will pass this first test." Jason tensed up. "...Only 100…" Chris was pale. "...There's 2000 students here…" The Director continued. "Once 100 testers have made it to the gate, we'll move onto the second half of the test. You all have five minutes to prepare."

Chris stretched. He was finally done mentally preparing himself. It was game time. Shoto hugged her boyfriend. "Hey honey. I'm going to run off on my own. My quirk doesn't work well in a team setting." Jason smiled down at her. "Alright. I'll see you in the waiting room." Shoto leaned up and kissed Jason. The two heroes then let go and Shoto jogged away from the class. Chris just shook his head. Jason smirked. "Jealous?" "You two are way too public with your interactions." "When you and Momo finally get together, I'm going to make it my mission to complain just as much as you are now." Chris shrugged. Then he froze, realizing what Jason had just said. Before he could argue back, the siren rang: the test had begun.

Jason sprinted ahead of the class. Chris was right behind him. Chris smirked as he sped up, matching Jason's speed and running beside him. This would be the first time Chris would fight alongside his best friend as an equal. Jason smiled as Momo, Kirishima, and Mina caught up to them. Jason shouted his favorite battle cry as he led the charge. "Alright! Let's rock!"