[Extra credit] Penalty and Passion [retro thread]

Ivan murmured angrily. Nocturne had given him a taste of whatever that plus ultra crap was. Well? What exactly was beyond his armor... He could only clad one or two limbs at a time, and beyond that, the boy was just a carbon copy of the image his father created, as much as he hated to admit it. He desperately wanted to win, and beyond that, he wanted his own identity. If there was a moment to try...

He watched Shizo concentrate his quirk. It was a bit obvious he wasn't used to handling his own raw power. As powerful a quirk it was, there seemed to be some sort of chip on the boys shoulder when using it. Ivan angrily created an X with his arms in front of his chest defensively. "It's not about tightening anything wimp! Breathe through it like breathing through heavy weight training. Press it out, and shape it to your will and ideals. As the hero with the brightest ideal always wins. " He wondered why he was spouting advice... likely a pull from Nocturne's imposing prowess. 

In a way the hero inspired the both of them. Ivan wasn't going to be best by some first year. He damn sure wasn't going to let Shizo be the only one walking away with growth. His other arm would become clad, increasing the need for more load. Notably, he'df been going rather hard and at this point was spending more reserved power than he could accumulate over time. He knew that, but continued. His arms shimmered a brilliant amber this time before a light projected X would appear in front of his guard in the same color with shimmering silver flaking off of it. Ivan would inhale deep. 

"Tch... Plus ultra this, plus ultra that. I'll show you a bloody plus ultra. " It seemed like Shizo took a page from Nocturne's example and parlayed into a ball of some sort. Ivan began rushing forward in an impressive sprint as Shizo unleashed the blast. Rather than dodging, Ivan rushed headstrong into the unknown with confidence in his own abilities. Nocturne begrudgingly sat back to watch what would happen. Nervously his hand would rest on his bokken just in case. This was getting deeper and deeper into the unknown, but it was indeed plus ultra. A best case scenario for both parties. While this growth was fine and dandy, he still wanted them to be safe.  A violent collision could be heard as the beam slammed into Ivan's cross, the beam beginning to fray as Ivan slid back from it's force. The errant lightning would crash and strike into nearby poles, as well as the ground, and building walls. 

A step.

And then another, Ivan inched his way deeper closer despite the beam ramming into his newly created super move. His greatest asset... defense, combined with the overclocking shine used to power himself up and use these super moves. He'd combined the two to create a shield that would allow him to surge forward, a shield that he could used to press into his enemies and crush them with all his might.  "AAAAAAAAH! AMBER CROWNED CROSS!" He roared as he pushed himself forwards. His steps were slowly becoming a light jog, and finally a full sprint again. Lighting rolled off his body, and it was clear Ivan was glazed over in concentration. Fully in the zone, the only thing he had his eyes on was Shizo. The x expanded a bit as the beam finally ceased and Ivan surged forward. leaving nothing but dust, destruction and chaos behind the 3rd year. Ivan hadn't felt himself get shocked. This was mainly due to his adrenaline rushing.  

It seemed like his speed was increasing. He'd jump impressively high despite his legs not being clad, and aim his entire body at Shizo while his body slowed from reaching the peak of his jump. There was a loud burst of energy leaking from his right arm as his armor cracked before descending downward toward Shizo. "Damn iiiiiit!" Ivan realized he couldn't contain this new move any longer. It was growing a life of it's own, due to his armor cracking at such an inopportune time. The X would expand once more, followed by another leak of energy from his left.  


At a last ditch effort, Ivan flexed his core and tilted himself to the only person he knew could handle it. With a cross chop motion, he tried to whipped the attack right for Nocturne, but it was too late.  Nocturne would leap into action, taking his blazer off and in one hand before cloaking both it and his entire arm in vantablack shadows. "Kotai... Right arm of the Ryuujin." With a swipe of a large dragon like shadow hand, he'd meet the X before deflecting it upward. It would dissipate quickly the further it travelled.  "What were you thinking? That could've seriously hurt someo -mmm...?" Nocturne glared at the third year, not realizing his nose began to bleed again. He also hadn't realized how quickly Ivan cleared the distance. With a breath to calm himself down, Ivan picked Nocturne up, and attempted to make a stride toward the mound. 

"Ivan... ten minutes has officially passed." The teacher sounded a bit glum, but was okay with this result. While Ivan did fall under the timer rule, he did in fact make an unexpected save. Despite declaring wanting to beat Shizo fair and square, Ivan chose to alter his attacks path when he knew something wasn't right.  " I guess you can make a save when you need to. I'm not sure how to grade that... Rightfully so, due to the timer rule, Shizo will be granted 80 of his points. "

Nocturne would return to his fight, as Ivan whipped around and pointed to Shizo. "HUH?!? I knew there was some sort of trick. What was it? because I surely could've washed him if there wasn't a timer! Oi oi oi!" He barked at the teacher. The teacher was bothered by two things. He was a bit concerned of how accurately Ivan could make a decision that quickly when things were going wrong, and on top of that, the kid still had plenty of fight left. It wasn't exactly normal, but he had to remember despite being a trasnfer student Ivan was a legacy kid with a hero parent, uncle and grandparent. The kids who went to this school sometimes had awful parents. He couldn't judge about awful parents... as his own going to ua was because it was his only way out of a yakuza life. Everyone had their bagagge. This caused him to analyze Shizo as well. There definitely was some sort of mental block, but to bring out his A game and try an unpracticed new move against a more seasoned opponent was daring and impressive. He was hoping Shizo wasn't also in the shitty parents club...  The teacher was glad the boy had someone like Giga Bite looking after him. 

  Nocturne looked at Ivan with a dry expression while gingerly holding his arm. It was the same arm he used earlier. "To save me... or rather, to be a hero and earn hero points..... You didn't save me, but using a penalty to save your junior is extremely admirable. Again, I'll have to review it later. I won't count that penalty against you... "

"Well yeah, at least the load of power didn't implode on my arms like when I was back home. Couldn't use my arms for few days. " Ivan replied with a thumbs up and a smirk. Nocturne would meet that response with silence, forcing himself not to ask about what kind of training hell Valor and his hero family put Ivan through. "Time to rest a bit, before Shizo's defensive round... starts in a few. You runts are giving me a headache, go discuss what you learned or whatever" He would point the kids to Brine's water tanks and go cool his head as well as wipe his nose clean. 


...

"Yo kid. That move back there... -were you trying to emulate radiant gun?" Ivan asked with an arched brow. 

Both students would be pleased to note tanks of foaming aqua blue water would arrive in front of them. Brine would leer at all people in attendance. This took away from his precious time doing paperwork. In a hero academy, paperwork was the closest thing to getting paid for doing nothing he could get.  Ivan would jump right in without hesitation. Shizo's shocks were taking a toll over that extended period of time, not that's ever give off the slightest glint to his opponent. "And?" He seemed more annoyed than before. He looked at Shizo as if the first year would understand. Rather, the fact Shizo was a first year kept flying over Ivan's head. They hadn't exactly gone over supermoves too much in Gigabites class, whereas for a third year, such a thing was a bit of a no-brainer. They were more concerned about in field and situational practices than academics. 

"WHY DIDN'T YOU NAME IT?" He barked. For Ivan this was a precious moment. Amber Crowned Cross was the first super move he'd created without mimicking a family member's super move. "If you're going to fight in any instance, you need to put your name as a hero on the line. You're imprinting all in attendance of who you are when you show off a move that's unique to you and only you." For Ivan this new super move was proof he wasn't a carbon copy of his heritage, but what exactly did it mean for Shizo. While his intensity was dwarfed off the battlefield there still was an almost childlike passion about heroics that the 3rd year presented. 

"Matter of fact, who even is Shizo? What kind of hero do you want to be?" Good question, especially since he was trying to beat the boy's face in not even a few minutes ago. Bygone be bygones? For Ivan what happened on the field stayed on the field, he didn't take any of it personal. He was raised to be this way...

Ivan intently listened to Shizo's every word. He leaned back in his foamy tub and looked up at the sky. Another kids who's parents treated him poorly. It sounded a lot like Yoichi, another one of his juniors. Why was it like this? Great heroes and greedy people weren't so different. If people took more time to care, maybe there wouldn't be so many villains walking around. Ivan couldn't help but think this as Shizo spoke. 

"I'll accept that answer." He folded his arms. "It's a little different for me. I'm basically starting from ground zero all over again. I already was who my family wanted me to be. They think loosening me leash and sending me to japan will make me miss them and come crawling back. TAH, I'm going to finally be who I'm meant to be. Not some puppet of my damn father and grandfather."

He shrugged and pulled himself deeper into the tank for a better soak. While it had healing properties, it had a nice cool soothing sensation to it. He didn't want to leave.  "I am to be the pinnacle, the very top. Sure I make mistakes but it's about heart, and dedication. It's why I chose the hero name Crest. "

He paused, accepting the sentiment about his parents, but chose not to dive deeper. It only brought bad memories. Maybe at a different time, they could talk more about it. "A bit more than just training..., but "Ivan arched a brow. "If it makes you feel any better, you're classmate lost to me as well. She was shooting hair at me until her scalp bled..." in reference to Yoichi.  "As long as you come at me with your best, I'll meet you with just as much grit. I don't see the point in making it easy for you to catch up to me." He clutched his fist and squeezed it tight. 

"Everything matters in hero school, everything. Especially with finding good teachers. You lot are spoiled with top 10 heroes as your instructors... You better not waste this opportunity. Find someone willing to invest in you... someone or group that really speaks to your needs and wants as a up and coming hero. " He'd bring his fist to chest and softly pound at his heart. "I found someone who was willing to not only bet on me, but to bet on the future entirely. Strive's Partner Speed. He believes so much in the younger generation, I can help but feel like I have to measure up to his expectations. He's had a front row seat to your country's pillar. I believe if I invest in the agency like he invests into me, I'll get to my goals. To be the strongest savior, the shining example. I'm not gonna rely on these has beens forever. Just wait til it's my turn. Just you wait, Raijin, I'll show the world what a real hero can be."

The boy stared long and hard at Nocturne. 10 was the bottoms of the top 10 totem pole... It was clear Ivan wanted to challenge the man in earnest when the time came. Despite using the phrase has been, it was more than obvious Ivan held a deep respect of all the top 10 heroes. They were who he strove to be. 

"It's not about relying on others, it's about seeing the top 10 as competition instead of putting on some stupid pedestal. " He felt as though Shizo was missing the point a bit.  He held no issue with relying on teammates, but he was meaning he'd surpass the current top 10 as a part of next generation of heroes and was willing to prove it. He stands from his foaming water tank and point. It was nowhere near where the mound was, in fact it was a ways behind him. Around the mound the robos were trying their best to patch the ground up from their prior round. 

Nocturne stood on the mound already. It seemed like he was caught in a thought, or maybe something or someone was pulling on his attention. It wasn't very like him. He generally focused well on the task at hand, and if he were distracted, nobody would ever really noticed. Behind his usual scowl was a shade of worry. He'd text a few contacts in his phone before shoving the device back in his pocket. Dr. Brine would tap his foot. "That's all folks, come back when you're done your next round." He declared. 

Ivan would nod, and make a few steps to toward the direction he pointed, only to turn back to Shizo to make sure they were going in the same direction. Behind Shizo, he'd finally notice Nocturne. "...oh." With stomping feet he pretended as if the mistake never happened.