My Hero Academia: Tropic Thunder

Still trying to get used to the new routine, Kaminari is slowly learning to live with so many people. 4 months since the start of classes means four months talking to a picture frame and his own conscience. But he is learning. Having Koda as a neighboor proves difficult to socialize, but Ilda and Ojirou make up for it.

The two-minute walk from the dorm to school is a considerable improvement.

Once in the classroom, Aizawa-sensei's announcement that they would be participating in the provisional license exam for heroes was a wake-up call. And it didn't stop there, to their delight, the next classes would be dedicated exclusively to the creation of secret techniques. Kaminari couldn't ask for nothing more.

With the aid of teachers Cementoss, Midnight and Ectoplasm the class heads out to Gym Gamma, the controlled environment facility for the students to create their ultimate moves.

...

The training grounds of TDL were alive with energy and focus. Students were scattered across various zones created by Cementoss, pushing their quirks to new limits under the watchful eyes of U.A.'s pro heroes. Kaminari stood in a more isolated area, staring at the electricity that danced across his fingertips. This is it, what he yearned for every since he arrived at U.A: To be able to properly train his powers, but even in such important moment, it seemed Kaminari was at a impass.

Ectoplasm, standing nearby, observed Kaminari's tense posture. The pro hero, with his ever-calm demeanor, approached the young hero-in-training. "Your focus seems scattered." He noted.

Kaminari turned, his eyes reflecting a mix of excitement and worry as his teacher's calling snapped him out of his daydreaming. "Apologies, Sensei. I just... I don't know where to start. My quirk allows me to think of many possible ideas for ultimate moves. But at the same time I feel trapped because of my limitations, not knowing where I should focus."

Ectoplasm gave a small nod, seemengly understanding the dilemma. His gaze sharpened, taking on the no-nonsense edge he often used during drills. "It's true that with your quirk's potential, the possibilities are tremendous. But too many options can be as dangerous as not having enough." He continued. "Let's see, from what I know you are a close combat specialist, your current quirk usage doesn't allow you to attack at medium and long range, so you make up for it with immense speed and overwhelming your opponent with strong electrical surges."

Kaminari shifted uncomfortably, acknowledging the truth in Ectoplasm's words. "Yeah, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' right? So far, closing the distance and unleashing short bursts of electricity... It's where I can act without frying myself. But you're saying that's a weakness, right?"

"Not a weakness." Ectoplasm corrected, his tone firm. "But a limitation. One that any smart opponent will exploit. If they see you coming in close every time, they'll be ready for it. That's why you need something to keep them on their toes – a long-range technique. It doesn't need to be elaborate; it needs to be reliable and effective."

Kaminari's brows furrowed as he processed the suggestion. A long-range move... He had experimented once, at the U.A Festival against Shiozaki, although it had worked, the cost was tremenduous. "But Sensei, a long-range technique will drain me even faster. I already struggle with energy management, spending over half my tank on a long distance attack doesn't look efficient."

Ectoplasm's expression softened slightly. "That's why you start small. You are overviewing techniques under the assumption that you have complete control over your quirk. Develop a technique that suits your current control, think of it as an extension of yourself, not a separate entity. It should feel as natural as throwing a punch. You don't need to unleash all your power at once – a calculated burst can be enough to surprise and shift the momentum in your favor."

Kaminari felt a spark of understanding ignite in his mind. He clenched his fist, electricity buzzing with more purpose now. "So, a move that lets me stay in the fight but at a distance. Like a quick strike before closing in..."

"Exactly!" Ectoplasm said, a small smile ghosting across his face.

"Something that can disorient or damage without draining you. Start practicing that, and soon you'll find more balance in your combat repertoire. But one step at a time, Kaminari. Making your body more resistant to withstand the large amounts of electricity is also a priority."

Kaminari nodded, determination replacing the earlier confusion. "Thanks, Sensei. I think I know where to start now."

Ectoplasm's silhouette split into two clones, each mirroring his approving look. "Good. Now show me what that looks like, and let's see how you can turn theory into practice."

The challenge was laid out, and Kaminari was ready to take it on.

...

-Narrator's POV-

I had little to no progress at all, it's frustating. Ectoplasm-sensei gave me wonderful tips and advices, but its easier said than done. I know he said 'one step at the time' but I need to figure it out something quick, the provisonal license exam is coming.

"Having trouble, young Kaminari?" That voice! Is way too reconizable, it's All Might himself. The memories of the Kamino incident came flooding in, seeing him there at the center of the Chaos, standing over All for One. That image will never wash away, in that moment, he had avenged all the trauma that monster had given to my family.

"All Might! How are you?" My happiness cannot be contained, I'm going full Midoriya on the inside.

"I am okay, but more important, I am here for you. Listen carefully: Improvements can be done on all kinds of things, if you find trouble improving yourself, perhaps you oughta improve your belongings." His ever confident smile gets me, even on this 'frail' form, there's no mistake he is the symbol of peace.

"Improving my belongings? You mean my hero costume?" I'd catch his meaning quicker if I wasn't fangirling.

"Fast as lightning, I see. Go ask Power Loader-sensei for some tips, I am sure he will have improvements to suggest." A last bump fist onto my chest before he moved on. How could I be so slow? That's right, I will not fight villains on school uniform, I need my costume to keep up with my upgrades. 

...

As I see him leave, taking a good look at my hero costume, I look like an edgy teenager trying to look cool, it has nothing but looks, nothing practical that could give me an edge. I need to talk to Power Loader-sensei, it's time to be functional.

"Ectoplasm-sensei, may I excuse myself?" His unbothered nod was all the confirmation needed.

With his approval, I made way for the U.A Development Studio, a branch of study focused entirely on support. As I entered his office, The familiar sound of clanging metal and the whir of machinery buzzing around, the smell of oil and ozone is oddly comforting.

There he was, Power loader-sensei was at the center of the chaos created by Hatsume, who is enthusiastically working on an array of gadgets with her trademark wide eyes and grin.

"Excuse me, Power Loader-sensei, Hatsume." I greeted them both, raising my hand. The pro hero looked up from his blueprints, his mechanical gloves whirring as he turned.

"Ahh! Kaminari, right? How may I help you today?" Power Loader said with a nod. 

"I've got some things I want to change on my hero costume, some improvements." I said as I'm scratching the back of my head. "I need upgrades that will help me manage energy output, keep the power more controlled, and... Well, something that maybe helps with long-range attacks."

But before Power Loader could even reply, Hatsume appeared out of nowhere, eyes wide with excitement. "Ooh! New modifications, you said? I love it! Are we talking built-in launch mechanisms? Mini capacitors for power storage?" She was already skething on a nearby notepad, gears turning in her mind faster than the ones scattered around the room.

"Hold on, Hatsume. You already did that with Midoriya and Ilda before." Power Loader interrupted, a small smile forming under his mask. 

"Energy management and ranged potential, huh? Smart thinking." He goes into his computer and opens a file on me.

"From what I can see, you've been always good at CQC, so modifications to further improve those characteristics are also in need. We'll need to tweak the suits wiring, insulate new tech, and make sure it can handle adaptive discharge without frying it."

Hatsume's head popped up from behind a pile of parts, eyes wide with excitement. "Oooh, I've got some ideas! What if we integrate capacitors that store excess energy for controlled bursts? And maybe—"

Power Loader raised a gloved hand, chuckling. "Easy, Hatsume. We'll keep your ingenuity in check for now. Kaminari, your ideas are great, but it will take time to get them to take form. Give me a few days. I'll need to pull in some specialized resources, so come back then. We'll have something ready for you."

I nodded, feeling a spark of hope ignite. "Thanks, Power Loader. I can't wait."

...

Back to TDL, the whole way I was smiling like crazy, this can work, this may be the differential I've always needed to finally tame the power of my quirk. This is gonna be great, the days can't pass fast enough.

I see that Ectoplasm-sensei is already waiting for me, except he's at one of the corners. At his side, he gestures to a table stacked with thick books.

"Ectoplasm-sensei... What's this?" What's he up to?

"To be able to tame the storm is a near impossible task, one that willpower alone will not be enough. But knowledge shall makes things easier to digest. Start with the fundamentals, then make your way up—Ohm's Law, Coulomb's Law, Faraday's principles. Study them, understand them and then we'll see if you can apply them to your quirk." 

Oh man... This ain't going to be a badass training montage.