Denki couldn't keep the grin off his face as they went to lunch. The cavalry battle had been so much fun! And he really couldn't wait to hear Izuku's opinion on their whole balloon strategy because it had seemed really weird at first but then it had actually worked?! He was really going to have to talk to that Hatsume girl about making him some hover boots of his own that would be able to withstand his electricity a little better, assuming that she ever forgave him for almost trashing her old ones. They would be super convenient if he ever partnered up with Uraraka again, or even just for mobility in general. And he might want to see about adding some kind of extension cord weapon while he was at it... that sounded really lame, didn't it?

Mei: Oh yeah, I can definitely make you some hover boots.

Mic: The extension cord weapon isn't that bad of an idea.

He shook his head as he got his food and turned toward the tables. He only got a few steps before Mineta practically barreled into his legs, Yaoyorozu and Jiro following along behind him, "Hey Kaminari! Bro! Tell them Aizawa said the girls have to wear the cheerleading uniform as part of the in-between games!"

(the girls all scowled at Mineta)

"Did he?" Denki looked over at Yaoyorozu and Jirou. "Wow, I'm excited. You guys are gonna look so good in those!"

"Well, I mean if it's coming from Aizawa." Yaoyorozu frowned. "I suppose I could create some..."

"Really?" Jirou wrinkled her nose. "I don't want to wear something so... revealing."

Jirou(glaring at Mineta): Exactly.

"I'm sure Aizawa wouldn't mind if you personalized them a bit." Denki shrugged. "If Yaoyorozu's making them, just have her make yours a little longer."

Setsuna: Huh, not a bad idea.

"Kaminari!" Mineta hissed. "Don't tell them that!"

Denki looked at him in confusion, "Why not? Dude, girls are hottest when they feel like they're rocking the outfit, that's like, a provable fact. If a girl doesn't feel hot in a sexy cheerleading outfit, then it's not really sexy, you know?"

(the girls liked how Kaminari was sticking up for them in this world whereas in theirs he was intentionally part of the prank)

Jirou smiled slyly, "How much personalization do you think we can pull off?"

"I don't know..." Yaoyorozu looked insecure. "I mean, the uniforms the actual cheerleaders are wearing are probably up to some sort of regulation standard..."

Reiko: But yours are just for fun.

"But yours are just for fun, so you can probably get away with quite a bit." Denki pointed out. "Plus that's probably what Aizawa had in mind anyway, because it's a great way to show off the versatility of your quirk to all the heroes watching!"

Aizawa: That was absolutely not what I had in mind but it works out I suppose.

Jirou immediately grabbed Yoyorozu's arm and started pulling her away, "Alright, hear me out, fishnets. And then maybe raise the neck a little bit?"

Mina: Oh, those are good ideas!

Yoyorozu smiled and nodded, "I can do that... I could probably make some synthetic leather belts as well, if you'd like, if the goal is to show off versatility, it might be best to showcase different materials."

"What about chains?"

Kodai: Good choices.

Denki grinned as he watched them leave, and turned back to Mineta, who was staring up at him with tears in his eyes, "I'm never going to forgive you! Not ever!"

He ran away and Denki just tilted his head, "What?"

(everyone snorted at how confused Kaminari looked)

Dabi couldn't believe he'd let Kacchan talk him into this. He was surrounded by so many heroes, all dressed up in bright colors and showing off their perfect strong quirks and building their stupid legacies. It was nauseating.

Toga: Hey, you're there, Dabi.

But while the company had been terrible, the experience hadn't been all bad. He got to watch Shoto compete, and lose, which was both absolutely hilarious and less satisfying than he'd expected. While it was great watching his father's perfect masterpiece come second place to Kacchan, he'd been hoping that watching the kid lose would be like watching his old man lose, which was some well deserved karma.

Todoroki(stiffly): I'm not Endeavor, Touya.

But Shoto wasn't Endeavor. He was his own person, something that Dabi had apparently been too angry to realize while their !@$#&* of a dad was still alive and when he was destroying those robots or fighting that electricity kid, Dabi didn't see Endeavor. He just saw a sad, angry kid who was trying to be seen for who he was and take out a little anger on the world. He saw himself and that pissed him off.

Which was why he was currently slipping through the back tunnels of the stadium. If he stayed around those stupid shallow heroes, he was seriously going to torch something, so yeah, searching for someplace with a bit more peace and quiet was a good idea.

Recovery Girl: Except you're not supposed to be there so...

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Dabi groaned as a pair of heroes blocked his path, "Away from idiots like you? Got a problem with you?"

A big guy who he thought was called Death Arms crossed his arms, "Yes, actually, considering that these are the student preparation areas."

Dabi rolled his eyes, "Are they really?"

Compress: Yes, they are actually.

The other hero, a wood guy that would probably be a lot of fun to torch if Dabi ever felt like crossing the line into actual murder, stepped up behind him, "Yes, so unless you are visiting a relative, I suggest you turn around and go back..."

Mt. Lady: Don't you dare hurt Kamui!

Dabi: Like I'd listen to you. But if it makes you feel better, I probably won't.

"I am."

Twice: Huh, you admit it? Couldn't keep your mouth shut, huh?

The words were out before he could stop them and he cursed internally as Death Arms looked him up and down skeptically, "And who would a homeless-looking guy like you even be visiting? That brainwashing kid from gen-ed or something?"

Shinso(affronted): Hey, we do not look anything alike!

"No." Dabi stood up to his full height, more angry now than anything else. He wasn't about to let another hero make him cower. Never again. "I'm here to visit my little brother, Shoto Todoroki."

It took Izuku a minute to find the door Eraserhead had said to go in, but it was already unlocked for him, which meant that Nezu had probably already gotten involved. He didn't know whether that was a good or a bad thing, considering that the only plan he had at the moment was a nebulous, half-baked tangle of quirk theories that he'd come up with after running out the door. All he could do was hope that would be enough.

Hagakure: Yeah... I hope so too...

Instead of going straight to the prep room to meet Eraserhead, not that Izuku would actually know where that was anyway, Izuku made his way toward where the students would be coming back after lunch. He'd been checking his notifications as much as possible while running here, mostly to keep an eye on Queen Bee's host, but getting to see the pictures and memes of Denki's team winning the Cavalry battle was a nice side effect. He'd seen that there was going to be a break before the third round, which meant that at least some of the students, including Denki, should be wandering the tunnels by this time, which mean that now, it was just a trick of finding the ones he needed while keeping out of sight of the ones he wanted to avoid.

Iida: Wait, he's looking for a student? Shouldn't he be looking for a teacher?

Midoriya: Wait... oh my goodness Kaminari I am so sorry!

Kaminari(freaking out): What are you apologizing for?!

Jana: No spoilers.

"I didn't think you were allowed back here."

Izuku froze at the vaguely familiar voice and turned around slowly, grimacing as he recognized Tsuyu Asui, wearing a version of the UA cheer uniform he'd never seen before. He may have already changed into his full vigilante gear, but if his get up hadn't fooled Kacchan, there was no way it was going to fool Tsu, not if she was anywhere near as astute as her parents seemed to be. Izuku was still about 87% sure that they knew he was the vigilante that had saved them.

Tsu: No, I definitely know, ribbit.

He gave her an awkward smile and waved, "Uh... hi? Um, I didn't know you were on the cheer team!"

Tsu frowned, "I'm not. A few of our classmates decided to play a prank on the girls. I'm just glad Momo made mine a one piece."

"Well, uh..." Izuku didn't quite know what to say, but if all the girls were wearing them, that would make the invisible girl a little easier to find. "It looks good?"

Sero: Yeah, it doesn't look half bad, Tsu.

Tsu just looked at him blankly, "Do the heroes know you're back here?"

Ectoplasm: Yes.

"Some of them?" Izuku swallowed. "Well, I mean, Eraser knows and I think Nezu does too, but I don't want anyone else knowing! It's, uh, kinda important that certain people don't know I'm here, if you know what I mean."

Tsu raised an eyebrow, "Because of your identity?"

"No." Izuku took a deep breath and met her gaze. "Because if the wrong people get word that I'm here right now and figure out why, someone might die."

Hagakure(stiffening): Like me...

Tsu's eyes widened marginally, but then she nodded, "Then maybe I can help. Who are you looking for?"

Izuku's jaw dropped and he had to shake himself out of his shock before Tsu had a chance to change her mind, "Uh, I'm looking for Denki Kaminari."

Kaminari: Is this why you're apologizing Midoriya?

Midoriya: Yes...

Aizawa(realizing): Oh. So that's why he's looking for a student.

Kaminari: Huh?

"Seriously?" Death Arms looked him over for what felt like the millionth time and it was really starting to piss Dabi off. "You're one of Endeavor's kids?"

"What? I don't look like the living embodiment of daddy issues?" Dabi grinned sharply. "When's that tree boy coming back anyway?"

Kamui(affronted): Tree boy?!

"Soon, and then we'll see if you're actually telling the truth." Death Arms said. "Think your baby brother will actually recognize you?"

Todoroki: ...No.

If Dabi was being honest, then no, there was no way Shoto would recognize him. His hair was different, not to mention the scars and the fact that they hadn't seen each other in ten years, but a part of him really hoped the kid would recognize him by some miracle, just to stick it to these morons who thought they had any right to judge him and his family. It wasn't gonna happen, but it was a fun fantasy, just like those old ones of killing his dad. He needed something to get him through the day, right?

(Todoroki looked at Dabi oddly)

Kamui Woods rounded the corner, "I got him."

")*@$# finally." Dabi muttered. "So moment of truth, right?"

Shoto came around the corner, "So you're the one claiming to be my dead brother?"

Dabi: Uh huh.

Dabi rolled his eyes, "Oh come off your high horse, Kacchan said you already figured out I was alive. He failed to mention you'd gotten annoying though."

(a few people snorted)

Shoto gave a barely-there smile and turned to the heroes, "Yes, this is my brother Touya. Thank you for your help, but we'll be going now."

(Dabi did a double take)

Dabi barely held back a snort at the heroes' shocked faces and flipped them off as he followed Shoto back into the tunnels. Apparently miracles did exist.

"Not that that wasn't spectacular," Dabi said after they'd turned the corner, "but how do you know it's actually me? I could just be any homeless dude pretending to be your brother for the money or something. And don't pretend like you actually recognize me, because I know you don't."

Shoto looked over at him and there was an amused twinkling in his eye, "Kacchan referred to you as scarface. I think it's fairly obvious why."

(everyone looked at Dabi's skin. Yeah, it was very obvious)

"That asshole." Dabi growled. "I swear, I'm gonna..."

"So, why now?" Shoto asked. "Why come visit me now when you could have come by for dinner anytime. You're family, Touya. I'm sure Fuyumi still remembers your favorites."

Dabi: I have different favorites now, idiot.

"My favorites have changed in the past ten years, twerp." Dabi huffed. "So have I. I'm not the hero hopeful the old man raised anymore. I go by Dabi now."

Shoto looked him up and down, "It fits."

"Thanks." Dabi said dryly. "I'm so excited to have your approval."

(they snorted)

Shoto raised an eyebrow, "You're welcome?"

Dabi turned away. This was so awkward, "So, uh, you've gotten pretty good with your ice and stuff. I bet Mom's proud."

Todoroki(softly): Yeah, she is.

Shoto shrugged, "I wouldn't know. I haven't really seen her since."

He gestured vaguely to his face and Dabi stopped walking, "Are you fucking kidding me? You get after me for not coming to visit, but you won't even stop by to say 'hi' to Mom?!"

Shoto's expression turned stony, "It's different. I don't want to make things worse for her. I still look like him."

(everyone winced when they remembered what Rei did to Todoroki)

"Yeah and I've still got his eyes, but she doesn't attack me when I go visit her." Dabi narrowed his eyes. "Wait, is that why you never used your fire in the first two rounds?"

(everyone stared at Dabi)

Endeavor: You visit Rei?

Dabi: I didn't! Well, not in this world.

"I'm not going to use his power." Shoto looked angry. "I'm going to be the best hero with only Mom's power."

Midoriya: Your fire isn't your dad's, and your ice isn't your mom's.

"*&@#." Dabi laughed. "You've gotta be kidding me! Endeavor is dead, Shoto! Villains killed him! You're really gonna let him keep holding you back like this? You're just worshipping a ghost at this point."

Shoto scowled, "I am not..."

"Then use your fire." Dabi challenged, lighting his own hand up with blue flames. "That $#!@'s hurt us enough."

Spinner: Is Dabi trying to be inspiring?

Compress: I think so.

"I see why Kacchan likes you so much." Shoto grumbled. "I need to prepare for the next round. Thank you for the visit."

"Yeah, sure." Dabi said. "Hey, where are Fuyumi and Natsuo sitting? I may as well give them a heart attack while I'm here."

Todoroki: Don't give them a literal heart attack.

Dabi(rolling his eyes): They'll be fine. It's not like they have heart problems.

He ruffled Shoto's hair as his little brother practically pouted, "Why did I think having you back would be fun again?"

(everyone giggled)

Dabi laughed, "No clue. Good luck in the next round, twerp. You're gonna need it."

Kaminari didn't know whether he should approach the girls and apologize for accidentally helping with Mineta's prank or if he should just keep his distance. They probably didn't even want to see him right now... or not, considering that Tsu was heading straight for him.

Tsu: Hurry!

Denki put on what he hoped was an apologetic smile, "Hi Tsu! Uh, I'm sorry about..."

Tsu didn't even let him finish, "Come with me."

Figuring that he probably deserved whatever was coming his way, Denki followed along behind her with his head down. Tsu didn't explain anything as she led him though the labyrinth of tunnels. He was probably going to get jumped and beat up by all the girls in the class, wasn't he?

Mina: No, just Mineta.

After what felt like way too many turns, Tsu stopped and turned to him, "Stay here, I'll go get him."

Denki felt his heart drop, "Him?! Wait, who's him?!"

Bakugo: Your boyfriend.

Izuku fiddled with his weapons as he huddled in the supply closet waiting for Tsu to come back. She'd recognized him, he was pretty sure of that, but for some reason, she hadn't called him anything other than Viridian and even offered to help him. It just didn't make sense.

Tsu: You saved my parents, ribbit. Of course I'll help.

There was a soft knock on the door and then it opened and Tsu gestured for him to come out, "He's just around that corner. Let me know if you need anything else."

Before he could stop himself, Izuku reached out and grabbed her arm, "Why are you helping me? I'm a vigilante. For all you know, I'm sneaking in."

"You saved my parent's lives." Tsu held his gaze seriously. "If it wasn't for you, me and my siblings would probably be orphans right now, so if you say you have a reason to be here, that's enough for me. You saved my family, so I'm just helping my parents return the favor."

Tsu: Thank you again...

Izuku swallowed thickly and let go of her arm, "Thank you."

Tsu gave him a small smile, "Good luck."

She walked away and Izuku took a deep breath, then turned the corner. Denki was standing, staring at the wall, but turned when he heard someone coming. When he saw Izuku, Denki's eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he looked him over from head to toe, taking in his entire vigilante outfit in all its glory. He could only hope Denki would actually help him and agree to save the fight for later. They didn't have time for a long confrontation right now, not when there were lives on the line.

Kaminari: Fight- Midoriya, I'm not going to be mad at you!

Midoriya: W-well the other me is a lot more anxious than I am so...

Izuku braced himself for the fallout as a slow grin spread across Denki's face, "Dude, you totally lied!"

(everyone snorted)