My Hero Academia: Tropic Thunder

-Narrator's POV-

As the announcement blared across the arena that the first exam had concluded, Kaminari exhaled, the tension in his shoulders loosening just slightly. The last few minutes had been a whirlwind of electricity and adrenaline, but he'd made it through, alongside Bakugou and Kirishima.

"Let's move it already!" Bakugou barked, his usual growl cutting through the post-exam chatter. Kirishima gave Raio a thumbs-up, his trademark grin showing no signs of fatigue despite their close call earlier.

Kaminari chuckled softly, still catching his breath. "Yeah, yeah, don't break a nail."

As they entered the debrief room, the sterile walls and quiet hum of air conditioning felt oddly comforting compared to the chaos outside. Students were steadily filing in, removing their target markers as officials supervised.

Raio spotted Jirou near the corner of the room, fiddling with her earlobes, clearly deep in thought. She looked up when he approached, raising an eyebrow. "You look like you just went through hell."

"Not far off, I was with Bakugou, after all." Raio said with a smirk, plopping down into the chair beside her. He stretched his arms, electricity faintly crackling off his fingertips as his body cooled down. "It sure was... Intense."

"You don't say." Jirou replied, her tone dry but her eyes betraying a flicker of concern. "I saw your barrier earlier. That was nuts. I don't think I've ever seen you actually controlling your powers before."

"Thanks!" Raio said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Aegis worked better than I expected, but it drained me fast. And, uh..." He hesitated, his grin faltering. "Flying around like a human lightning bolt was cool, but I might've overdone it. Barely had anything left for Voltai strike at the end."

Jirou tilted her head, curious. "Voltai Strike?"

Raio's expression brightened slightly. "Oh, right! You missed it. Alright so think precision, speed, and enough volts to not need an ambulance but just in the right spot make someone regret their life choices. It's a work in progress."

She smirked. "Soon you will have a technique to open a door. Any other secret techniques I should know about?"

Raio laughed. "Not yet, but give me time. What about you? How'd your group do?"

Jirou shrugged. "We made it, but barely. Our teamwork was all over the place. And... it's hard not to compare myself to people like you or Yaomomo. You guys make it look so easy."

Raio shook his head, leaning closer. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. I've seen you out there. You've got control and precision I'd kill for." He gave her a reassuring grin. "Besides, it wouldn't be 'easy' without you backing me up."

Jirou rolled her eyes, but there was a faint blush on her cheeks. "Yeah, yeah. Save the pep talk for the next exam."

Before either could say more, a sharp announcement rang out over the speakers: "All participants, please make your way to the main arena. The second exam will begin shortly."

"Round two, huh?" Raio said, standing and offering her a hand. "Guess we'll see what kind of madness they throw at us next."

Jirou took his hand and stood, her smirk returning. "Try not to steal the spotlight from the rest of us, Kaminari."

"Can't make any promises." He shot back with a wink.

...

The crowd of examinees had gathered in the main arena, their murmured conversations blending into a low hum of anticipation. The large screens displayed an expansive, city-like landscape with streets and buildings stretching in every direction. Kaminari scanned the area, his thoughts wandering briefly to the effort it must have taken to set up such a massive simulation.

On the central stage, Mera from the Hero Public Safety Commission stepped forward. His slouched posture and perpetually tired expression didn't inspire much confidence, but the man's commanding voice silenced the crowd instantly.

"Congratulations on passing the first exam." Mera began, the tone of his voice betraying just how little he cared. "But don't get comfortable, we're moving straight into the next test."

The screen behind him shifted, revealing a diagram of the city layout.

"In this round, we're simulating a large-scale disaster." Mera continued, pointing at the map. "A villain attack has caused extensive damage to the city, resulting in numerous casualties. Your job as provisional license candidates is to perform rescue operations. Your ability to prioritize saving lives, your teamwork and your judgment under pressure will be evaluated."

The crowd murmured again, some students exchanging anxious glances. Raio furrowed his brow, absorbing every word. Rescue operations... He thought back to his training and Endeavour's emphasis on control and efficiency. This was going to be a challenge, but it was exactly the kind of challenge he wanted to face.

Mera raised his hand, silencing the chatter. "The injured will be played by professional rescuees from the Help Us Company. We call them H.U.C. You're to treat them as real victims. Their evaluations of your performance will heavily impact your score."

As if on cue, several costumed individuals entered the arena. They were actors from the H.U.C., their outfits ranging from civilian wear to specialized suits meant to mimic severe injuries. They waved to the crowd, their exaggerated enthusiasm standing in stark contrast to Mera's deadpan delivery.

"Let me be clear." Mera continued, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "This exam isn't just about saving people. Heroes must balance rescue operations while dealing with unforeseen complications, like villains or environmental hazards. Keep that in mind as you perform."

A palpable tension settled over the crowd. Raio clenched his fists, determination settling into his features. No room for error, he thought. Stay focused. Save as many as you can.

"And finally." Mera added. "Remember that this isn't just an individual test. Cooperation with others will be crucial. The Public Safety Commission is watching how well you work with your peers. A hero who can't collaborate is no hero at all."

Raio glanced around, his gaze briefly catching Bakugou's intense scowl and Kirishima's determined grin. His thoughts flickered back to Jirou's earlier words about teamwork. I know I need to work with others… But can I?

Mera stepped back, his speech finished. "You have your instructions. Prepare yourselves."

The ground began to rumble as the city simulation powered on. Sections of the floor shifted and rose, creating broken streets, tilted buildings, and collapsed structures. Smoke machines activated, filling the air with a haze that made the scene feel eerily real.

"Remember." Mera said one last time. "This is a test to see if you have what it takes to be a real hero."

The siren blared, signaling the start of the second exam.

...

The simulated disaster zone was chaotic. Crumbled buildings leaned precariously, and overturned vehicles blocked the narrow streets. Smoke and debris filled the air, and the echoes of distant cries for help added a sharp urgency to the scene. The actors from the H.U.C had fully committed to their roles, their screams and moans chillingly realistic.

Raio stood in the middle of the street, his sharp eyes scanning the area. While his classmates spread out cautiously, Raio knelt, placing his palm flat against the concrete.

Focus... reach out. He told himself. Sparks flickered from his fingertips as he activated a technique he'd honed through years of necessity.

"Electroreception!"

A faint pulse of electricity rippled outward, unnoticed by others but crucial to Raio. His technique allowed him to detect electrical signals—subtle, constant traces of living beings amid the chaos. He visualized the signals like glowing blips in his mind: one faint trace near a collapsed building, another stronger one trapped under a mangled car.

He stood abruptly, sprinting toward the nearest signal.

As he ran, memories flooded his mind—scenes of his father, standing tall in the aftermath of a hurricane, shouting orders to volunteers. Raio remembered carrying water to survivors, watching how his father triage'd victims, how every decision mattered in those critical moments. He hadn't just learned how to save lives; he'd learned how to think like a hero in the field.

He reached the collapsed building and immediately crouched low. A woman's voice cried faintly from under the rubble, her hands barely visible through a crack in the debris.

"Hang on!" He called out, his tone calm but firm. "I'm going to get you out of here!"

The woman, a H.U.C actress, groaned weakly. Raio's eyes darted to the unstable structure, assessing its weight and balance. 

Raio knelt beside the wreckage, quickly assessing the trapped woman's condition. The metal bar pinning the rubble over her leg was thick—about 3 centimeters. Steel. He needed to cut through it cleanly without heating the debris too much.

3000°C should do it. He took a steady breath, adjusting the output in his mind. High voltage, tight focus—don't let the arc wander.

"Hang in there, look away and don't move." He murmured, fingers crackling with concentrated energy. A thin, blinding arc of plasma snapped to life at his fingertips, its heat immediate. He pressed it to the metal, a sharp hiss filling the air as it began to glow molten orange. Sparks flared, but he held firm, watching as the metal weakened.

And—snap.

The bar split, clattering loose. Raio didn't hesitate. He wedged himself under the slab, bracing his back against it. The structure groaned in protest, the weight pressing down hard, but he grit his teeth.

"Deep breaths." He instructed. "And pull yourself out when I lift—ready?" She nodded.

"Move!" He urged.

The woman scrambled free just as his legs nearly gave out. He twisted away, pulling her with him right before the debris crashed down and with a grunt of effort, Raio pushed upward, using his enhanced strength from his quirk to stabilize the debris just long enough for her to crawl free. As soon as she was clear, he let the slab fall with a loud crash.

"Are you feeling pain?" He asked, already scanning her for injuries.

"My leg..." She whimpered, pointing to a scraped shin.

Raio nodded, grabbing a strip of fabric from his belt and improvising a bandage. "This will hold for now. Stay here—help will arrive soon."

Kirishima, busy helping an elderly mock civilian to her feet, cast a sideways glance at Raio. "Man, Kaminari's got this." He muttered in admiration, sweat glistening on his brow.

Bakugou, crouched next to a fallen teenager with a faux-injury, scoffed. "Tch, show-off." He grumbled, but even he couldn't deny that Kaminari's precision and care were impressive.

Raio didn't stop. He reached the trapped signal under the car, his electricity-enhanced strength allowing him to tilt it just enough for the victim—a young child—to crawl out. After he assessing the boy's situation, he smiled and gave him a reassuring nod before running off again.

Soon, his efficiency became a spectacle. As others fumbled to assess situations, Raio moved with precision, his experience shining through. He didn't just save people; he triaged on the spot, delegating as needed. His classmates began to notice, some even deferring to him.

"Bro, where did you learn to do all this?" Kirishima asked during a brief overlap.

Raio glanced at him, panting but determined. "My country... Storms, landslides and floodings. You either learn fast or..." He didn't finish the thought, dashing off to the next signal.

As he crouched to help a young man with a 'broken arm', the ground trembled beneath him. A deafening explosion erupted in the distance, shaking the entire area. The cries of the H.U.C actors were suddenly drowned out by a new wave of chaos.

Raio's head snapped up. Smoke billowed from the far side of the city, and a new sound—harsh laughter—echoed through the air. The "villains" had arrived.

Raio clenched his fists, sparks flaring instinctively around his hands. He glanced down at the civilian he'd just finished bandaging.

"You're going to be okay." He reassured them, his tone steady despite the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

As the tremors from the explosion subsided, Raio took a moment. His sharp eyes scanned the area, but he didn't make a move toward the disturbance just yet. Prioritizing the simulated survivors remained his focus, and he knew better than to let distractions compromise his performance.

...

A team of H.U.C actors huddled together nearby, observing him from the edge of the disaster zone. Dressed in civilian garb and equipped with hidden earpieces, they stayed in character, but their whispered comments betrayed genuine surprise.

"That one." A man murmured, jerking his thumb toward Kaminari as the young student hauled another 'injured' civilian over his shoulder to safety. "He's way ahead of the curve. Did you see how fast he identified the critical cases?"

"Yes, I did. I thought this was just another cocky sports festival champion." A woman added, adjusting the fake blood on her arm. "But he's like a pro already. Look at the way he's handling triage—practically textbook."

"Textbook nothing." The man replied, shaking his head. "This is instinct. He's done this before. You can't teach that kind of composure in chaos."

Raio set down the actor he'd carried and crouched beside them. "You're going to be okay." He said softly, wrapping a cloth around their staged 'wound.' His calm voice contrasted with the frantic energy around him, and the actor couldn't help but smile, even through their act.

"You're really good at this." He whispered, breaking character for a second.

Raio blinked, surprised, then smirked slightly. "Just doing what I can, Sir."

As he stood, sparks danced around his fingers. Another pulse of his Electroreception flared out, lighting up more signals in his mental map. Without wasting a second, he dashed toward the next survivor.

The H.U.C team exchanged glances, their attention growing.

"I heard he's from South America." Another actor remarked, pretending to limp as they shuffled into position. "Makes sense. They deal with disasters all the time down there. If this is the level he's operating at during the provisional license exam..."

The first man crossed his arms, watching as Raio expertly navigated the crumbling environment. "He's going to be a hell of a pro someday."

As Raio continued his work, more H.U.C actors began to notice. One of them, a senior member with years of experience overseeing hero exams, turned to a colleague.

"Keep an eye on that one." They said, nodding toward Kaminari. "If he doesn't get his license today, it'll only be because the villains took him out of the running. He's leagues ahead in rescue work."

As he prepared to search for a next target, he heard another explosion rocking the ground. Raio clenched his fists, his instincts flaring. As the smoke rose in the distance and the sound of the 'villains' echoed across the zone, he muttered under his breath, "Guess it's time to switch gears."

With one last look at the group of actors, he took a deep breath and turned toward the epicenter of the explosion.

Kaminari crouched low, his body crackling with electricity as his eyes narrowed at the distant explosion. The unmistakable signal of the 'villains' reverberated across the disaster zone, a stark contrast to the chaos left in their wake. Sparks danced around his arms and legs, building up energy as he prepared to move.

"Here we go." He muttered, surging forward.

Electro Drift kicked in, sending him hurtling across the rubble-strewn field in a streak of electric blue light. The wind howled in his ears as he zipped past clusters of his classmates, rescuers, and confused onlookers. His mind raced faster than his feet, analyzing the unfolding disaster.

As he reached the epicenter, he saw two familiar figures—Todoroki and Yoarashi—locked in an intense confrontation with Gang Orca. The heatwaves from Todoroki's flames collided with Yoarashi's fierce winds, creating a volatile mix that only added to the chaos.

Their lack of coordination was evident, each move an uncoordinated display of power that only fueled the ruthless efficiency of Gang Orca's counterattacks.

"This is a mess. Those two have no sinergy." Raio thought, skidding to a stop just in time to see Midoriya leap in, saving Shindo from a stray attack. The sight snapped Raio's focus to a group of minions swarming toward the injured 'civilians'.

Kaminari's eyes narrowed, the memory of his father, 'Supercell', training him in disaster-stricken areas roaring to life in his mind. He could almost hear his father's voice: "A true hero's job is to protect first, fight second."

"Not on my watch!" He barked, launching himself toward the group, landing between the civilians and the villains, boots scraping against the broken asphalt, the air around him charged with static. The world smelled of smoke and ozone. He barely had time to take in the scene—frightened faces, wide-eyed children clinging to their parents—before the first 'villain' lunged. A wiry man with a sharpened laugh, moving fast. Too fast.

Raio's instincts screamed, and he moved on reflex, pivoting on his heel as lightning licked across his fingertips. A bolt arced from his palm, a pale blue wire of raw power that struck the man square in the chest. He screamed, convulsed, and crumpled, his body twitching on the pavement.
No time to breathe. Another came, bigger this time. He swiped at him, but Raio was already moving. He had learned to move, to never stop moving—if you stopped, you were done.
He ducked low, rolling across the debris, and surged forward, lightning thrumming beneath his skin. His body ached—Ectoplasm's words echoed in his mind. Balance, Kaminari. You go too far, you burn out. You don't go far enough, you die.
A mistake here would mean lives lost in the future. He had no time for mistakes.

Gang Orca's sharp eyes flicked toward Raio as the young hero tore through the ranks of his minions. The imposing pro hero's deep voice cut through the chaos like a knife.

"You." Orca growled, his tone both amused and impressed. "Taking on villains instead of retreating or waiting for backup... Interesting choice. Reckless, but bold."

Raio didn't respond immediately, sidestepping a charging villain and knocking him out with a Voltai Strike to the back. "Not much of a choice." He finally replied, meeting Orca's gaze. "Any of those alternatives means leaving civilians unprotected, they need a shield to cover their rear and I'll gladly be it."

Orca's mouth curled into what might have been a grin. "Hmph. We'll see if your resolve holds up."

Gang Orca's eyes darted toward the sudden storm of electricity as Kaminari squared up, the residual energy buzzing around him like a halo. The villain's growl resonated in his chest as he prepared for the incoming clash.

"Kaminari!" Midoriya's shout pierced through the chaos as he lunged forward, his quirk flaring up in a torrent of green sparks. Their eyes met for the briefest moment—an unspoken agreement crystallizing between them. They knew they had no chance at defeating such Hero, but stalling was not out of the picture.

"Thunder…" Kaminari began, channeling every ounce of his energy, the blue of his lightning deepening to a fierce, stormy hue.

"…Smash!" Midoriya finished, launching himself into Gang Orca's path.

The impact was titanic. A shockwave rippled out as their combined power met Gang Orca's muscular frame, splintering the ground and shattering the protective guards on his forearms.

He staggered back, eyes wide with surprise.

Orca reeled back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the damage. "Hmm. Not bad." He said, rubbing his forearms. "But you're both a little too late."

The sound of a buzzer echoed across the arena, signaling the end of the exam.

Raio and Midoriya stood side by side, their chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath. Around them, the remaining 'villains' dropped their acts, stepping away as the simulation ended.

"Great work, Kaminari." Midoriya said between breaths, a small grin on his face.

"You too, impressive attack." Raio replied, though his eyes remained fixed on Gang Orca. The pro hero was already walking away, his commanding presence undiminished despite the simulated defeat.

As Gang Orca passed them, he paused just long enough to say. "Your instincts aren't bad, but you're still rough around the edges. Sharpen them, and you might make real heroes one day."

Raio's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Thank you, Sir." He muttered.

Midoriya nodded. "Yes! Thank you, Gang Orca Sir."

The two shared a brief chuckle before turning back toward the evaluation area, where their classmates were already gathering.