Chapter 17: Capture The Flag
"Now then, here is the second game. I already know what it is, but what could it be? What could it be? I just said it, and now here it is… "
The wheel landed on the words: Capture The Flag.
"Capture the flag! Now that's going to be easy." Denki pointed out.
"It's not an individual event, so I wonder how it'll work…" Tsuyu exclaimed, as she had a finger on her chin.
"The participants can form teams of two to four people as they wish. It's basically the same as a regular capture the flag, but the one thing that's different is…" Midnight explained, before taking her breath. "…based on the results of the last game, each person has been assigned a point value."
"A point-based system like the entrance exam, huh? That's easy to understand." Sato said.
"In other words, each team is worth different points depending on who's on the team!" Ochaco exclaimed.
"I see!" Mina yelled, as she understood the game.
"You guys don't hold back even though I'm talking, huh?!" Midnight shouted angrily, as she flicked her whip. "Yes, that's right! And the points assigned go up by five starting from the bottom. So 42nd place gets five points, and 41st gets ten points...!"
I see so that's how it is, then if I've done my math correctly, I should have 210 points. Izuku thought. Unluckily for him, reality had different plans for him.
"And the point value assigned to the first place is… ten million!" Midnight exclaimed, with a grin on her face.
Izuku just stood there with a blank expression, and so confused about what had he just heard. "T-Ten million?!" He shouted in panic, with his eyes widening from the shock.
Unfortunately for Izuku, as soon as he was assigned with the ten million points, he became everyone's target.
Ten million, huh?
In other words, if you take down the first-place player's team… you can stand at the top no matter what place you're in!
"That's right! It's survival of the fittest, with a chance for those at the bottom to overthrow the top!" Midnight further explained.
At this moment, Izuku was able to feel the stares that he was receiving from all the other participants. They clearly wanted a piece of him and his ten million points.
"What the hell can you do?! You're Quirkless!" Izuku closed his eyes, as he remembered his childhood. The eyes around me are different from junior high… The top spot I got for an instant changed that… S-So this… this is what All Might has to deal with every day, huh? To always have a target on your back… to have everybody want to have a piece of you. Yes… this is what it truly means to be Number One! Izuku said in his head, as determination began to surge through him. Even if the odds are against me, I didn't make it this far just to go down without a fight.
You're quick to understand, huh, young man? All Might thought, as he could see the fire of determination in his successor's eyes.
"Now then, I will explain the rules of capture the flag. The time limit is fifteen minutes. Each team is worth the total of its members' points, and the flag will have that number. Teams will try to steal each other's flags until time runs out, and try to keep as many points as they can. Stolen flags must be placed in the team's designated area, so the more you steal, the harder it will be to manage them! And the most important thing is that even if your flag gets stolen, you're not out!" Midnight said, as she explained the basic rules of capture the flag.
"Which means…" Momo said.
"…since there are 42 people, there will be ten or twelve teams on the field the whole time?" Sato said as he finished Momo's thought.
"That's tough." Aoyama commented.
"One strategy could be to let someone take your flag first so you'll be more free." Mina added.
"It is hard to say without seeing how all the points end up getting split up, Mina." Tsuyu hummed.
"During the game, it will be a cruel fight where you can use your Quirks. But it is still a capture the flag. You will get a red card for attacks that could seriously injure someone! You will be removed immediately! Also, you're not allowed to move your flag from its place, unless it is to bring it back!" Midnight warned.
"Fuck!" Bakugo shouted.
"Now you have fifteen minutes to build your teams, but before that…" Midnight said, as she made a signal to Present Mic, who pressed on a red button, and as soon as he did the ground started to shake.
"W-What's happening?" Kirishima asked, as the ground was shaking violently.
"The stands… they're moving, they're being pushed back." Itsuka remarked, as she saw that they had more space now in the stadium.
Once, the stands were pushed back far enough, Midnight made another announcement. "Now, once you've chose your team, you'll take your flag and choose your designated area, don't forget you have fifteen minutes. Now start!"
"So, who wants to be in my-" Izuku said, but stopped once he noticed that practically everyone has moved away from him and began forming their own teams, completely isolating him.
Staff Break Room:
"The UA Sports Festival is more about simulating the competition they'll face as Heroes than seeing how prepared they are to be Heroes." Deatharms said as he smoked a cigarette while sitting down and enjoying his break. He and the other Pro Heroes who were assigned as security guards for the Sports Festival were currently watching the prestigious event from a monitor.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" The blonde Heroine, Mount Lady asked as she too was enjoying her break with her colleagues.
Deatharms blew out a puff of smoke before replying. "In a world crowded with Hero Agencies, in order to put food on the table, there are times when you have to kick down others in order to show your stuff. That was what the obstacle course race in the qualifier was about, right?"
Mount Lady covered her nose as she waved away the puff of smoke Deatharms blew out before she answered. "Doesn't that just pain your heart?"
"What? You little- You did that quite gleefully, remember?" The Wood Hero, Kamui Woods said as a tick mark formed on his head. He still remembered clearly the day that Mount Lady made her debut. She stole the spotlight right when he was about to finish off the Villain. She shamelessly took all of the credit for apprehending the Villain while the poor Wood Hero moped in sadness in the background.
"On the other hand, even if you're business rivals, there are many cases where you have to work together." Deatharms added as he also knew there were times when Pro Heroes had to cooperate with one another to take down a group of Villains.
Mount Lady widened her eyes in realization. "Oh, that's just like Capture the Flag! If you win, your teammates also win. You have to think about compatibility and other people's Quirks… It is a give-and-take situation…" She now clearly understood the purpose of the preliminary rounds of the Sports Festival. She had to admit, it was a very clever structure and design. She'd expect nothing less from the Number One Hero school in Japan.
"Coordinating with your sidekick and joint Quirk training with other agencies…" Kamui Woods muttered as he realized that is exactly what the Freshmen students of UA were doing now in the upcoming event.
"The kids are doing stuff now that will be their way of life after they become Pro Heroes." Deatharms replied.
Mount Lady sighed as she thought about what the young adolescents had to go through. "Man, they've got it rough."
"You said it! And let's not even talk about the guy who got first place. Midoriya, was it? He has it the worst out of all of them! Absolutely nobody would want to team up with somebody that has a huge ten million point target square on their head. Although, something tells me that this kid is going to face the challenge head on." Kamui commented.
"Oh, you want to bet and see if he'll advance to the next round." Mount Lady replied to Kamui's comment, with a smirk.
"Ha, I'll bet on 5000 yen that he'll win the whole Sports Festival." Kamui replied.
"Alright, and I'll bet on Endeavor's son." Mount Lady exclaimed. "What about you Deatharms?" She asked.
"Hmm, I think it's too early to decide, but if I had to, I'll bet on Endeavour's son too." He replied.
"Fine, no problem, more money for me then!" Kamui said.
"Team up with me!" Sato said, as he pointed to himself.
"What? Bakugo, team up with me!" Mina exclaimed.
"Don't you want to team up with me?" Aoyama asked, as he clenched his stomach, he had a stomachache from overusing his Quirk.
However, they never expected that all this time, Bakugo didn't give a shit about their very existence. "I don't know what Quirks you all have! What!" He shouted.
"I can understand not knowing Class B's, but-" Mina began.
"He doesn't pay attention to what's around him at all, huh?" Sato finished her thought.
Even though his personality's like that, he still came in third and has two hundred points. Considering the all-purpose use of his Quirk, it makes sense that he's popular. All Might thought.
"Hey! Todoroki chose his team already! Bakugo, team up with me!" Kirishima exclaimed.
"Weird hair." Bakugo simply replied.
"I'm Kirishima! At least try to remember!" Kirishima replied, annoyed by the fact that Bakugo doesn't even know his name. "Also, my hair's not that different from yours! You're gonna be an attacker, and try to steal flags, right? Then who'll be the wall that will guard all these flags?"
"Someone with guts." Bakugo replied.
"Not really, but yeah! Me, with my Hardening! I'll be a wall that never breaks! You're gonna get it, right? Midoriya's ten million points?" Kirishima pumped the explosive boy and managed to sell himself, as the latter gained an evil smirk on his face. Damn Kirishima you should consider a sales manager career.
Meanwhile, Shinso had just finished brainwashing Aoyama into joining his team, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Undo the brainwashing, if you want to team up, I'll team up with you but we'll work as a team." Ojiro said.
"Or else?" Shinso questioned.
Ojiro shook Aoyama out of his trance, before replying. "Or else, I'll expose your Quirk to everyone."
"Tsk, very well, I'll cooperate with you during the second round, besides I'm sure you know more about your classmates Quirks." Shinso replied.
"Yeah, and with you as our element of surprise, I can think of two more people who'll be solid teammates." Ojiro replied.
As expected, people are teaming up with their classmates, huh? Since no one has a good grasp of what Quirk those in the other classes have. I need to do something quick, too… about the current state where everyone's totally avoiding me! Izuku screamed in his head.
"Deku! Let's be a team!" Ochaco offered.
"Uraraka! Is it really okay?! Everyone'll probably be after me because of my ten million points!" Izuku screamed, happy to finally get his first teammate.
"If we protect the flag the whole time, then you'll win, right?" Ochaco asked.
"I-I think you're overestimating me, Uraraka." Izuku replied, as much as he was confident in his abilities, he knew that he couldn't defend the flag alone, even with Ochaco with him, he needed more teammates.
"Like I would! Remember who's the one who saved me by punching the Zero Pointer." She said, as she tried imitating Izuku's punch. "Or that time, when you defeated one of the Nomus with that Super-Duper Dragon Kick." She added as she tried to imitate Izuku again, while Izuku was getting embarrassed. "Anyway, it's better to team up with people you can get along with!" She said, as Izuku closed his eyes. "What's the matter Deku?"
"You're so bright Uraraka, so bright that I can't look straight at you… Actually, I wanted to team up with you, too. Thanks! For teams, it's best to be with people you can communicate with smoothly, right?" Izuku replied.
"Yup, yup!"
"Actually, with your Quirk and the one other person… I thought of a plan!"
"Iida!" Izuku called, his turbo friend, before he made his offer and explained his plan.
"I expected no less from you Midoriya. But I'm afraid I have to refuse." Iida rejected their offer. "Ever since the Entrance Exam, I just keep losing to you. You are a wonderful friend, but that's why, if I just keep following you, I will never grow. Bakugo, Todoroki and Ojiro aren't the only ones who see you as a rival. I will challenge you." Iida added, as he went to join Todoroki's team.
"Iida…" Ochaco simply said.
It has already begun. Everyone's an enemy. That's right, I'm at the top right now. I can't just play at being friends. Izuku thought as he stared at Bakugo, Ojiro and Todoroki's completed team.
"As I thought, this is great. You stand out!" A girl with pink hair, and weird goggles said. "Team up with me, person in first place!" She added, as she got close to Izuku.
"Ahh, so close! Who're you?!" Izuku questioned, as he freaked out.
"I am Mei Hatsume, from the support course!" The pink haired girl replied.
"Oh, that weird person from back then." Ochaco replied, as she remembered seeing that girl using some weird gadgets to cross the second obstacle.
"I don't know you, but let me use your position!" Mei bluntly said to Izuku, while also ignoring Ochaco.
"She's honest!" Izuku said, shocked by Mei's behavior.
"If I team up with you, then I'll inevitably become part of the team everyone's watching most, right? If that happens, then my super cute babies will inevitably be seen by the big companies. That means, in other words, that those big companies will see my babies!" Mei explained.
"Wait what, babies? You brought babies here?! I don't understand." Izuku replied, completely confused.
"Yes, what companies and ba-" Ochaco added, but was interrupted and ignored once again.
"Yes, I have lots and lots of babies, I could even make one for you." Mei bluntly further explained to Izuku.
"W-Wh-What! Wecan'tdothathere,andwe'realsobhscbhvbhvbb." Izuku began to mutter and freak out, with how Mei was close to him, and with that talk about babies.
"Himiko dear, what's wrong?!" Inko asked, as she looked at said girl who had a purple aura around her.
"My Izuku is playing around with another girl senses are tingling right now." She replied, as she clenched the chair's arms crushing them.
"What's wrong Itsuka?!" Ibara asked, her friend.
"My Izuku is playing around with another girl senses are tingling right now." Itsuka replied.
"Then why didn't you join his team then? I mean you like him, right?" Ibara asked. Although, she was against relationships between teenagers in school, she knew that her class president would be rational about it, not to mention that everyone respected Izuku in the Hero course, so of course she would want her friend to be with a guy like that.
"W-Wh-What! No of course not, he's just a… friend, yeah, definitely!" She replied, as her whole face was red. "Besides, as your class president and your friend, I should make sure that you're not left out."
After, finally clearing the misunderstanding about the babies stuff, and discovering that Mei was referring to her inventions, Izuku accepted her in his team. He only had to find one last team member for his new plan to work.
"Midoriya, please allow me to join your team." Momo asked.
"Yaoyorozu, you were actually the person who I was looking for. But are you sure about this? I mean we'll be everyone's target you know, with my ten million points." Izuku replied.
"Yes, I'm sure of my decision." Momo replied.
"Great, glad to have you in our team then." Izuku then gathered his team and chose his area. "Everyone, first of all, we all agree that we're only going to defend our flag during the whole match, unless it is taken."
"Right." Everyone replied.
"If we're being realistic, we do lack defense power and this event will be so hard, however the keys to our success are you two." Izuku said, as he looked at both Momo and Mei. "I can't use my full power without breaking my bones, so I'm constantly holding back. I'm sure you two know about this, but Mei doesn't." Izuku explained.
"How much are you holding back, Midoriya?" Momo asked.
"Umm, let's say I'm using about 8%."
"8%!" The three girls yelled in unison.
"Yes, and that's why Yaoyorozu and Hatsume I need you two to…"
"Now then, it's about time to get started!" Midnight shouted, as the time limit alarm rang.
"AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES TO FORM TEAMS AND TALK STRATEGY, TWELVE TEAM ARE PRESENT IN THE FIELD!" Present Mic announced.
"There are some interesting teams out there." Aizawa pointed out.
"NOW, RAISE THOSE BATTLE CRIES! IT'S TIME FOR UA BLOODY BATTLE! LIGHT THE SIGNAL FIRE!" Present Mic yelled, as each team finished their preparations, like Todoroki who just covered his flag in a glacier of ice.
"Uraraka, Yaoyorozu, Hatsume… Please step back, and get ready for phase 1 of plan A." Izuku said, as he activated his Sharingan.
"I chose you three because I thought it would be the most stable formation. Awase you'll be on defense and make sure that any flag we bring here, doesn't get out of our area, by sticking them with your Quirk. Tokoyami you'll also be on defense, close to the ice cave and the flag, where you can use Dark Shadow a lot much better. Tenya, you're going to attack with me, and bring any flag I give you here as fast as possible." Todoroki explained, their roles.
"So, you will attack and create diversions with ice and fire, then, Todoroki?" Iida asked.
"No. In battle… I will never use my left." Todoroki said, as he clenched his fist and looked at his father coldly.
"ALL RIGHT, YOU MADE YOUR TEAMS? I'M NOT GONNA ASK IF YOU'RE READY OR NOT! NOW LET'S GO! COUNTING DOWN TO THE BRUTAL BATTLE ROYAL! THREE…"
"We're aiming for…" Bakugo said, as he cracked his knuckles.
"TWO!"
"…one thing." Todoroki finished Bakugo's thought.
"ONE!"
"Start!" Midnight yelled.
And as soon as the second event started, all the attackers rushed at Izuku's team to take their flag.
"It's basically a battle for the ten million points!" Tetsutetsu yelled.
However, Izuku was standing alone in front of his area, wearing a weird gauntlet in his right hand, his eyes were closed, as he was focusing on the task at hand, and as everyone got closer, he charged 100% of One for All and yelled. "Detroit Smash!" As he punched the air, creating a powerful shockwave and gust of winds, that were able to push all the participants back, while Momo, Ochaco and Mei took cover.
"So that's Midoriya's full power… Incredible!" Momo said, as she was shock by Izuku's power.
"UNBELIEVABLE FOLKS, WHAT IS THIS POWER! ERASER WHAT DID MIDORIYA JUST DO? HE… HE WAS ABLE TO KNOCK DOWN ALL THE PARTICIPANTS BY PUNCHING THE AIR!" Present Mic exclaimed, with visible confusion and shock in his voice.
Aizawa then looked at Izuku and analyzed the boy's gauntlet for a few seconds, before replying. "Well, as it was stated before, Midoriya only got his Quirk a year ago, and because of that he still lacks some control over his Quirk. Normally when he uses his full strength, he tends to break his bones, but from what I'm seeing, it seems like he asked the girl from the support item to make him some kind of gauntlet that could help him release all of his power without injuring himself."
"YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT WHAT WE JUST SAW WAS MIDORIYA'S TRUE POWER?! WHAT ARE YOU EXACTLY FEEDING YOUR STUDENTS ERASER HEAD?"
"Just pay more attention to the match, and stop disturbing me!" Aizawa replied.
"I see, even the gauntlet can't withstand a 100% smash… I'd give it two more times before it breaks." Izuku murmured, as he glanced at his gauntlet.
The students who were knocked down, began to stand up again. For a few seconds they didn't know whether to try to steal Izuku's flag after their first failed attempt, but as some of them began attacking again, the others decided to follow.
"Damn it, I was hoping that they would be afraid to attack our area again after the first smash. I guess I have no choice I'll have to use the same attack again." Izuku said, and as he prepared to use another Detroit Smash, his feet began to sink in the ground like he was in quicksand.
"I won't let you use that attack again!" Juzo Honenuki shouted.
Name: Juzo Honenuki
Quirk: Softening. Juzo's Quirk allows him to soften any non-living thing he touches. For example, he can soften the ground to make it similar to quicksand, hindering movements and mobility. If Juzo makes contact again, he can undo the effect. He is also capable of swimming through softened material. He's also one of the four recommendation students like Todoroki and Momo.
"I see it's his Quirk, huh?" Izuku questioned, as he grabbed some kunais from his pocket. "Good thing Momo and Hatsume made these too." He added before throwing them in front of the participants.
"Ha! Your aim is off, is that the best you can do?!" Juzo taunted Izuku, but Izuku was just smirking, before the stadium was covered in multiple explosions that knocked multiple participants away.
"That was my baby number 150, explosive kunai!" Mei gladly cheered and boasted about her invention.
"Phase 2 of plan A, successful." Izuku simply said, still with a smirk on his face.
"Wow! Deku was like a ninja the way he used the kunais!" Ochaco pointed out, as she was surprised by Izuku's ability.
"I have to say, I never knew that he knew how to use them, when he asked me to make them earlier, I was afraid that he was going to hurt someone." Momo exclaimed.
"Well done Midoriya, that's my student for you. The way he used those kunais was flawless." Kurogane said from the stands.
"You mean our student." Daisuke corrected his friend.
"Haha I have to say, he's handling the situation pretty well!" Mori cheered.
However, as the dust settled another explosion was heard, but this one wasn't coming from Izuku's kunais.
"DEKU! GET READY BECAUSE THESE TEN MILLION POINTS ARE MINE!" Bakugo yelled, as he came from the sky, and let another explosion from his hands, before rushing at Izuku to punch him.
Izuku responded by giving his own punch and clashed fists with Bakugo. "I knew you'd come Kacchan, but don't think I'll hand over the ten million points!" Izuku replied.
"YOU DAMN NER-" Bakugo began, but was cut off.
"Yaoyorozu, now!" Izuku shouted.
"Right!" Momo replied, as she fired a canon ball from her canon towards Bakugo, which made him back off a couple of steps.
And as many participants were trying to gang on Izuku, Izuku once again charged 100% of One for All in his arm. "Detroit Smash!" He shouted, as once again he managed to knock away his enemies.
"What do you think of my babies? Aren't they cute? Cuteness can be made, you know." Mei shouted from behind Izuku.
"Excellent long-range attacks and very good durability! The babies are amazing, Hatsume!" Izuku replied.
"Right?" She replied.
"It's because I made the materials and the kunais…" Momo murmured, with a frown on her face.
"We're going after them too! Come on, Jiro, time to get revenge!" Toru shouted, as she went to attack Izuku's team with Jiro.
"They never rest do—aaaahhhhhh Toru why are you naked?!" Izuku screamed in panic.
"What do you mean Midoriya, I'm invisible. W-Wait don't tell me you can… see me!" She also screamed from embarrassment. Luckily for her Momo quickly made a spare shirt and threw it to Jiro who handed it to Toru.
"Midoriya even though I was so scared to come back and attack again you… YOU! How dare have a Quirk that lets you see Toru naked, and how dare you have three girls in your team, including Momo you bastard! I'm going-" Mineta exclaimed as he was behaving in his usual perverted manner, but Momo took one of Izuku's explosive kunais and threw it at him, making the perverted teen fly away.
"Umm thanks Yaoyorozu." Izuku said, as he smiled sheepishly.
"I hate that pervert." She simply replied.
Izuku suddenly felt an incoming attack, but he was able to swiftly dodge, thanks to his increased perception. "A tongue, that could only mean…"
"I didn't expect any less from you, Midoriya." Tsuyu said.
"…Asui."
"Call me Tsu!" She replied, as she used her tongue to attack again, but this time Izuku activated his Full Cowl, and grabbed Tsuyu's tongue. And as soon as he did, Tsuyu immediately felt her whole body jolt from a shock, as if she got hit by a taser gun.
"M-Midor-" Tsuyu began as she was struggling to stand up, but was interrupted, by the sound of an explosion.
"Kacchan!" Izuku said with visible shock, he didn't expect Bakugo to come back so soon.
"DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY! DAMN IT!" Bakugo, yelled as he was firing explosions from his palms to boost himself. He then fired an explosion directly in Izuku's face, but Izuku managed to block it, although it did hurt his arms.
Izuku was ready to counter and go on the offensive, when he saw Bakugo ready to shoot another explosion. Only for it to turn out to be a feint, which gave Bakugo the opportunity to get past Izuku, but not before Sero used his tape to restraint Izuku.
"Shit!" Izuku exclaimed, as he was now worried.
"WOW! COULD YOU SEE THIS EVERYONE?! TEAM BAKUGO WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET PAST MIDORIYA'S DEFENSE, WILL BAKUGO MANAGE TO FINALLY GET THE TEN MILLION POINTS! HE BETTER DO CAUSE ONLY SEVEN MINUTES ARE LEFT!" Present Mic shouted, as the crowd cheered.
"Release!" Ochaco shouted, as she brough her hands together, making multiple rocks fall in front of Bakugo, slowing him down.
"DAMN IT, OUT OF MY WAY ROUND FACE!" Bakugo yelled, as he destroyed the rocks with his explosions. "THIS FLAG IS MINE!" He shouted as he got closer to the flag.
"Good job Uraraka!" Izuku exclaimed, before he mustered all of his strength to get his hands out, then grabbed the tapes that were connected to Sero's elbows and threw Sero towards Bakugo. Izuku then grabbed his last item, a capture weapon like Aizawa's and captured both of them, before throwing them out of their area.
"INCREDIBLE! TEAM MIDORIYA WAS ABLE TO KEEP THEIR FLAG SAFE THANKS TO MIDORIYA AND URARAKA, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE MIDORIYA USED… YOUR CAPTURE TECHNIQUES ERASER HEAD!" Present Mic announced, as the whole crowd were curious about how Izuku was able to use Aizawa's capture weapon and techniques.
"It's really simple, Midoriya has the ability to copy other people's fighting styles thanks to his eyes. He already saw me using it many times, so it's not a surprise that he's able to use the capture weapon like me." Aizawa simply replied, while the whole crowd were wondering what is Izuku's Quirk, or how many Quirks does he possess?
"Phew, that was close thanks Uraraka." Izuku said, as he gave Ochaco a thumbs up. "Phase 1 of plan B, successful."
Staff Break Room:
"Damn, that kid Midoriya is really good. He was able to keep the ten million points for half of the match. At this rate, he really might get to the next round." Deatharms said, as he was amazed by Izuku's power and strategies.
"See I told you, looks like I'm going to go back home with my pockets full." Kamui replied with a smirk.
"Oh, it's too early to say that." Mount Lady replied.
"NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT EACH TEAM'S POINTS! HERE ARE THE CURRENT RANKINGS UP ON THE SCREEN!" Present Mic pointed out, as the results were shown on the stadium's big screen. "HMM, IT SEEMS LIKE OTHER THAN MIDORIYA AND OJIRO'S TEAMS, CLASS-A ISN'T DOING SO WELL. IN FACT, MORE THAN HALF OF CLASS-A AREN'T DOING SO WELL! AND BAKUGO'S TEAM… THEY HAVE 0 POINT!" Present Mic said with visible shock, as he analyzed the scores, which made Bakugo go back to check on his team.
"Class A is too simple-minded." Monoma said, as he grabbed team Bakugo's flag, while Kirishima and Mina were trapped in Juzo's quicksand.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY YOU BASTARD! GIVE THAT BACK! OR I'LL KILL YOU!" Bakugo yelled.
"Since Midnight said it was the first game, it wouldn't make sense for them to cut a ton of people in the qualifier, right? Assuming they'd keep about forty people for the next stage, we just made sure we stayed within that number as we ran, observing from the back the Quirks of those who would be our rivals. There's no point in being obsessive over winning in the prelims, right?" Monoma explained his Class' strategy.
"You did this as a class?" Bakugo asked.
"Well, it wasn't a consensus but it was a good idea, right? Now excuse me because I'm done playing with small fries like you, now it's time to face a real Hero, my real rival, Midoriya." Monoma exclaimed, as Bakugo grew God only knows how much tick marks on his forehead.
"Kirishima… Weird Face… Racoon Eyes… change of plan… Before we get shitty Deku, let's kill all these guys!" Bakugo said, as he looked like he was being possessed by the devil. He then immediately, fired multiple explosions and attacked Juzo first, knocking him and allowing his teammates to get out of the quick sand.
Class B had a long-term strategy that involved throwing the qualifier, huh? It's true that they could leave a stronger impression by overturning the mood that favored Class A before the Sports Festival started. But based on their way of thinking, it means they won't necessarily come after me. Izuku mentally said, as he analyzed their situation, he was happy because that meant that Ojiro's team, that consisted of Ojiro, Itsuka, Ibara and Shinso were probably not going to attack him. They were actually one of the teams that Izuku was worried about.
"Everyone, our load will be easier, now that Bakugo's team and Ojiro's team won't-" Izuku said, before seeing two familiar faces coming towards him. It was Shoto and Tenya.
"Forgot about me, Midoriya?" Shoto asked, while his father was watching his son go against Izuku.
"Todoroki… It won't be that easy, huh?
"AND NOW IT'S TODOROKI'S TEAM TURN TO TRY TO STEAL THE TEN MILLION POINTS. I WONDER WHO'LL WEAR THE TEN MILLION POINTS IN THE END?! THE SON OF THE NUMBER 2 HERO, OR MIDORIYA THE POWERHOUSE!" Present Mic announced as the crowd cheered.
"I'll be taking that now." Todoroki exclaimed.
"Alright, remember Shiozaki I'll leave Kaminari to you while I take on Sato and once we do, we'll get their flag and fall back, understand?" Ojiro said, as he and Ibara revised their plan for one more time.
"Understood." Ibara replied.
"Good, now let's go." Ojiro said, as they rushed at Toru's team area.
Denki immediately noticed Ibara coming towards him, and knew that it was his time for action. However, he couldn't help but think how Ibara was cute though despite knowing that she was also strong. "When this is over, wanna grab a bite to eat? I'll comfort you if you'll have me. Cause this match will probably be over in a second!" Denki said, as he activated his Quirk and ready to discharge his electricity. "Indiscriminate Shock! 1.3 Million Volts!" He shouted.
"Crucifixion." She simply said, as her vines went underground before coming out again and trapping Denki in a ball of vines, while suspending him in the air to restrict his movement.
"Wheeyy!" Denki said, as he was smiling up there and looked like an idiot.
Name: Denki Kaminari
Quirk: Electrification. Denki's Quirk allows him to generate electricity and cover his body in it. While he can also emit this energy over a distance, Denki has little to no control over it. Exceeding his wattage limit causes his brain to short-circuit.
Ibara then giggled before sarcastically saying. "You're funny, at least I'll give you that."
"Haa and you were calling yourself a competitive Pokémon player, what player doesn't know that grass has advantage over electricity dumbass." Sero also sarcastically said.
"FOCUS ON KILLING THE ENEMY WEIRD FACE, BEFORE I KILL YOU!" Bakugo shouted at the tape user.
"All right, all right sheesh." Sero replied.
"Good job Shiozaki, I knew I could count on you!" Ojiro cheered, as he was fighting Sato.
"I won't let you get our flag!" Sato shouted, as he rushed to attack Ojiro, but surprisingly Ojiro managed to catch his fist.
"If that's all you've got then I'm afraid to say that this ends now." Ojiro said, as he smacked Sato's face with his tail, stunning him, before doing a front flip and stomping Sato's shoulder in an axe motion with his calve, bringing him down immediately.
"H-How?... How was his kick so… heavy?" Sato murmured, as he was in a lot of pain. It felt like Ojiro's leg weighted 40Kg (93lbs) or something.
"WOW AND JUST LIKE THAT WITH THEIR AMAZING PERFORMANCE, TEAM OJIRO MANAGED TO CAPTURE A THIRD FLAG, GIVING THEM SECOND PLACE!" Present Pic announced as the crowd cheered.
"As I expected I knew that Todoroki's team was going to attack us sooner or later, after all he wanted to recruit me to defeat Midoriya." Momo said, as she observed their new opponents
"Only five minutes are left, we won't lose now!" Izuku exclaimed.
Todoroki began his advance, sliding on his ice and Tenya activated his engines to build up some speed. Unfortunately for Izuku though, Todoroki's team wasn't the only one attacking his team now, many teams who lost their flags became desperate and decided to attack Izuku's team with everything they have.
Damn it, I'm out of kunais now and I can only use the gauntlet or one more time, I guess I have no choice then. Izuku thought, before charging 100% of One for All in his arm. "Detroit Smash!" Izuku yelled, as he threw one last punch to the air, destroying the gauntlet and knocking everyone away. Unluckily for him, Todoroki immediately made a wall of ice to stop himself and Tenya from being knocked away.
"You should know that this trick won't work on me again, well it won't work on anyone anyways." Todoroki said, as he glanced at the shattered gauntlet.
"My babyyy!" Mei shouted, as she saw her invention broken on the ground.
"Guys, I'll leave the rest to you, I'll take care of Todoroki." Izuku said, as he activated his Full Cowl and headed towards Todoroki.
"So, you finally decided to get close and abandon your post." Todoroki said, as he froze the ground in an attempt to trap Izuku.
Izuku however, dodged the attack thanks to his enhanced prediction and mobility and jumped through the air ready to deliver a roundhouse kick to Shoto. "Well I thought that it would be a good idea to stretch my legs a little." Izuku said.
"I see warming up, I'm not good at that though." Shoto said as he made a wall of ice to protect himself from Izuku's kick, before making an ice spike to attack Izuku.
"Then why don't you use your left side. You can release fire from that side, can't you?" Izuku replied, as he dodged Shoto's attacks.
Shoto immediately felt his mind overcome with rage at the mere thought of using his father's flames. He threw the ice spike towards Izuku who dodged it, before freezing the ground, trapping Izuku and the other participants that were around them. He then rushed at him with another ice spike in his hand, before saying. "I'll never use my left side."
Izuku however was in quite the predicament, he to do something quickly. He looked around him and saw one of the kunais he used earlier, and immediately picked up, before blocking Shoto's ice spike with his kunai. "If you never use your left side, then forget about defeating me." Izuku said, as he looked at Shoto in his eyes, then paralyzed him for a moment with a Genjutsu, before freeing one of his legs thanks to his Full Cowl and kicking Shoto in his chin, knocking him and bringing him out of his trance.
"Midoriya, you bastard!" Todorki said, before freezing the whole area around them, and separating the other participants from interfering in their battle.
Ochaco and Mei were taking care of the other participants, when they saw the wall of ice surrounding their area. "What is that?" Ochaco asked.
"Is that Todoroki's ice? I didn't know that it was this powerful." Momo said, while she was fighting Tenya with her staff and her fair share of support items.
"Unbelievable, I didn't know that Todoroki had this much power!" Tenya gasped in shock.
"WOW! CAN YOU SEE THIS FOLKS TODOROKI MADE A GIANT WALL OF ICE TO SEPARATE HIS TEAM AND MIDORIYA'S FROM THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS! IT SEEMS THAT HE'S TRULY AIMING TO GET THESE TEN MILLION POINTS! WHAT POWER!" Present Mic announced as the spectators were in awe after seeing Shoto's power.
"Monoma stop provoking him! You'll be the same as him." One of the students of Class-B said.
"That's right. I wouldn't become a hero. Besides, don't you often hear about heroes who get done in by villains who want revenge?" Monoma said, further mocking Bakugo.
"Bakugo, calm down! If you don't calm down, we won't be able to get our flag back!" Kirishima tried to calm down Bakugo.
"KIRISHIMA! I'M SERIOUSLY CALM, NOW COME HERE IT'S TIME FOR SOME TEAMWORK." Bakugo said.
"Teamwork? You? Since wh-" Kirishima began, but got interrupted by Bakugo who grabbed him. "Wait, Bakugo what are you doing?"
"KILLING THESE EXTRAS!" Bakugo said, as he lifted Kirishima by his shirt and used an explosion to threw him on Monoma's team. "KIRISHIMA LAUNCHER!" He yelled.
Kirishima understood immediately what Bakugo wanted to do and hardened his body, taking down one of Monoma's teammates. "Bakugo you scared me! But that was manly!" Kirishima said.
Bakugo however, rushed at Monoma and fired an explosion to his face, before saying "DIE!" But Monoma swiftly dodged, while also making skin contact with Bakugo's hand, copying his Quirk, and firing an explosion in Bakugo's face.
"Wow, what a nice Quirk!" Monoma taunted.
"Bakugo, someone has the same Quirk as you, too?" Kirishima asked, but was ignored by Bakugo who really wanted to murder Monoma.
"DAMN IT!" Bakugo yelled as he fired another explosion at Monoma, to which the latter blocked with his forearm, using Kirishima's Quirk that he copied earlier.
"Really, such nice Quirks. Mine's better, though." Monoma exclaimed.
"Wha…Mine…! The same again…?" Kirishima questioned in panic, clueless about what was happening.
"No. This guy copied them." Bakugo deduced.
"That's right!" Monoma replied.
Name: Neito Monoma
Quirk: Copy! He can use the Quirks of anyone he touches as much as he wants for five minutes. He can't use two at the same time, though!
"Well, even an idiot can figure it out, huh?" Monoma further taunted Bakugo. Damn, someone really has a death wish.
"YOU THINK I'M GOING TO LOSE TO A COPY-CAT YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Bakugo growled.
"Yes, because I'm part of the copy-cat duo along with my rival, Midoriya! Just like he copies fighting styles, I copy Quirks!" Monoma exclaimed.
"TO HELL WITH YOU AND THAT SHITTY NERD!" Bakugo replied.
"ONE MINUTE LEFT!" Present Mic pointed out.
"Bakugo forget about him, let's try to take other people's flag, please." Mina pleaded.
"NO, WE'RE NOT BACKING DOWN NOW, WE'RE GOING TO GET ALL THE FLAGS THAT THIS BASTARD COLLECTED!" Bakugo said with unbroken determination.
"TODOROKI MADE IT SO HE'D HAVE THE TEN MILLION TO HIMSELF TO SEIZE IN AN INSTANT! AT LEAST, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT FIVE MINUTES AGO! BUT UNBELIEVABLY, MIDORIYA'S BEEN ABLE TO DEFEND HIS FLAG IN THAT CRAMPED SPACE FOR FIVE MINUTES!" Present Mic announced as the crowd cheered.
That's good young man! Keep it up! All Might thought with a smile on his face.
"Damn it Shoto, try to take other people's flags, or you won't make it to the next round. He can see right through you. Fool, if he's that man's grandson you won't be able to take his flag. Even though their Quirks are a bit different, those eyes are still the same. Yes, the eyes that can see through anything, The Sharingan." Endeavor murmured to himself.
He's been staying on my left side the whole time now, making it harder for me to deal with him. He's paying attention. At this rate, if I want to freeze him fast enough before he dodges, I have to turn around. At this rate, I'll also reach my limit, while this monster doesn't get tired at all. Tenya is also having some trouble with the other three. One more minute. That bastard! We didn't get any other points other than what we already had. Todoroki thought.
"Todoroki, there's less than a minute left. You won't be able to use me after this. I'm counting on you!" Tenya said.
"Iida?" Todoroki questioned.
"Make sure you bring the flag back to our area, Todoroki." Tenya said, as his engines started to emit blue flames. "Torque Over-" Tenya said, as he ran at blinding speed towards Izuku's flag.
"Reciproburst!" He yelled as he grabbed Izuku's flag and began running, while Izuku and the others didn't have the time to react.
"No! The flag!" Momo shouted in panic.
WHA..? WHAT HAPPENED? SO FAST! SO FAST! IIDA, IF YOU COULD ACCELERATE THAT FAST, THEN SHOW US IN THE PRELIMS!" Present Mic exclaimed as the crowd cheered louder, this was the part where things get exciting.
"What was that?" Todoroki asked with visible shock.
"By forcing the torque and rotations to increase, I created an explosive power. With the recoil, my engine stalls after a while, though. It's a secret move I hadn't told anyone in class yet." Tenya said, while Izuku was now in complete shock on how did that just happen. "I told you, didn't I, Midoriya? That I'd challenge you." He added.
"THE TABLES ARE TURNED! OFFENSE AND DEFENSE RIGHT AT THE EDGE! REINING THAT IN, TODOROKI GETS THE TEN MILLION! AND MIDORIYA IS SUDDENLY LEFT WITH ZERO POINTS!" Present Mic announced.
"Get back here!" Izuku shouted, with his Full Cowl activated, he rushed at Tenya but Shoto made an ice wall in front of Izuku to slow him, before taking the flag from Tenya.
"W-We… lost." Momo said in defeat as she fell to her knees.
"No! Not yet I won't allow us to lose, I won't allow things to end like this! Not after how far I came, not after all this training." Izuku yelled.
"The next All Might… the fledgling Symbol of Peace… Izuku Midoriya. I want you to tell the world "I am here!"" Izuku remembered All Might's words.
Damn it, I didn't want to use it before the final match, but… Izuku said in his head.
"All right! We'll get it back, Deku! We definitely will!" Ochaco yelled, as she used her Quirk on Izuku to make him float over the wall.
*Music: You Say Run*
"Uraraka…" Izuku simply said, as he was amazed that she didn't lost her will to fight.
That's right, it's not just me. The feelings of the three… who put their trust in me… even if I don't make it after this, they have to. "After all, I'm carrying all their trust and dreams with me right now!" Izuku yelled as he activated his Full Cowl and pushed it to his limit, with the lightning around him intensifying and sparkling more. He started to control his breath, and was getting ready to perform his ultimate move.
"Don't tell me he's going to do it now?!" Kurogane questioned with visible shock in his voice.
Izuku was only a few seconds away from activating his ultimate move, when suddenly he heard an explosion, coming through the sky was Bakugo, who with a surprise attack managed to hit Shoto with an explosion making the flag fall out of his hand.
"I ALREADY SAID THAT THOSE TEN MILLION POINTS ARE MINE!" Bakugo yelled.
"Bakugo?!" Izuku questioned in surprise.
"TEAM BAKUGO WAS ABLE TO SEIZE ALL TEAM MONOMA'S FLAGS MAKING THEM EARN SECOND PLACE! THE RANKINGS KEEP CHANGING IN THE FINAL STAGES! IT'S THE PASSION OF YOUTH!"
"It seems like the idiots managed the bring back the flags safely to our area." Bakugo said with a grin.
"Sheesh Bakugo, if even after securing our spot you still went to get the ten million, but that's so manly!" Kirishima said from Bakugo's team area.
And now with fifteen seconds left, Izuku, Shoto and Katsuki were standing around the ten million points flag, each one of them not letting their guard down. The time left was being displayed on the screen's stadium and as ten seconds were left, they all rushed towards the flag. Bakugo used his explosions to boost himself, Shoto used his ice in the same way and Izuku used his Full Cowl and ran as fast as he could. The whole crowd were now watching the intense final few seconds, with All Might sweating up from nervousness.
No! This… This isn't enough I have to catch it. I have to catch the flag first! Izuku yelled in his head, as he pushed himself more and more running faster and faster, until he finally managed to catch the flag first. Now, he had to deal with Bakugo and Shoto's attacks, but Izuku didn't even hesitate he charged 60% of One for All in his arm, ready to nullify both of their attacks.
Todoroki immediately saw this and without even knowing it, activated his flames, but it proved to be useless once Izuku punched both of their attacks and nullified them with a strong shockwave, that was also able to knock them away, but now he had to go back to his area.
"THREE!" Present Mic yelled.
"TWO!" The crowd yelled.
"On-" All Might was about to say, when he heard a loud boom, with gust of winds being produced, before something or someone crashed into a wall.
"ZERO!" Present Mic announced, but there was a moment of silence as no one knew who got the ten million points.
He looked at where the three competitors where, only to find Izuku missing, so he looked at the dust that was filling the air in Izuku's area, and slowly fading away. Suddenly, they saw someone coming out of the rubble at Izuku's area, and that person was surrounded by green lightning, it was Izuku, with a broken leg, a broken arm and covered in blood, he was using the flag as a cane to support himself, and was indeed in his area with his flag. His Sharingan and Full Cowl were still activated.
"AAAAHHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M SEEING! IZUKU MIDORIYA, THE POWERHOUSE HIMSELF OF CLASS-A MADE IT BACK TO HIS AREA SAFELY. HE REALLY DID IT FOLKS, IZUKU MIDORIYA MANAGED TO KEEP THE TEN MILLION POINTS TO HIMSELF!" Present Mic yelled with all his might, with the crowd following and giving their applause.
Izuku gathered all his strength to lift his broken arm, as a victory sign with a smile on his face, while Ochaco, Momo and Mei also celebrated their victory.