Episode XIV: Battle Royale Part II
Hosu City. A rather normal and unassuming place, where the people bustled and worked like any other major metropolis. But a string of murders and assaults had been occurring within the dark shadows and alleyways of this quiet place. Someone had been targeting pro-heroes and rendering them either dead or severely wounded if they were lucky. Tasked with hunting down this criminal was the Team Idaten Hero Agency. Led by Tensei Ida a.k.a the Turbo Hero: Ingenium. They had been tracking his movements for the past few weeks and had concluded that the individual had waited, targeted and struck at Pro-Heroes in dark alleyways and was somehow able to immobilise them. Possibly due to some form of Quirk, from what survivor accounts could verify.
"Squad A: Head North! Squad B: Check the West Side!" Ingenium ordered over the radio, as he got responses from his team. He just passed down a street, when something caught his eye. "Back there!" He stopped and turned towards the alley. He used his Quirks Elbow Engines to maneuver himself up the walls as he dashed across the rooftops and his gaze settled on an individual. "No doubt about it! It's him!" he landed in the alley, facing the individual.
"I finally found you! Hero Killer!" A man dressed in a dark combat suit, plated with metal armour across his body that holstered various weapons stood up. The torso was sleeveless, with his arms wrapped in yellow bandages from just below his shoulders to his wrists. He also wore long black wristbands and a watch on his left arm, while his knees were protected with metal pads, black boots with steel armour and spikes that completed the costume. The most striking feature was a blood-red scarf, matching headband, and a tattered cloth he wore around his face as a mask. The man only grinned as he drew his sword.
Meanwhile - U.A. Stadium - Preparation Room
Izuku made his way back to the stands, his mind focused on his next match, which would no doubt be against Todoroki. That's not to say that he didn't believe Ojiro could win; it's just that Todoroki was more powerful than a guy with a tail. And given the fact that Ojiro lost to Todoroki during the Hero Battle Trial, the prospect of winning was not high. But the day was still going, and surprises may still be around.
"…Although, if I were a betting man… I'd say Todoroki will win… sorry Ojiro…if you win, I will pay for your lunch for the rest of the school year," he apologised, even though he wasn't there. "Hmm?" he noticed Uraraka was making her way to the prep room. It made sense, since after Todoroki and Ojiro's match, hers and Bakugo's would be next. "She must be getting ready for her match… I should leave her be…" An image of Bakugo's glare came to mind and he shuddered. "But knowing who she's up against, maybe she needs a friendly face?" he decided as he knocked on and opened the door.
"Hey Uraraka, I just saw you walk by and was wondering how you're doing - whoa!" he jumped back slightly as her brows were extremely furrowed.
"Oh, Deku? Sorry, I was a little distracted getting ready and didn't hear the announcement. Your match went okay?"
"Uh yeah… I won… but uh, you doing okay? Your brows are seriously furrowed."
"My brows? Oh! Yeah, I guess you can say I'm a little…nervous?"
"Nervous? You look like you're about to scrunch your face into the next chapter. But then again, I get it. Kacchan is… intense… he wants to be Number One in everything, and he won't stop until he makes it happen."
"So, do you think he'll hold back on his Explosions?" she asked as he shook his head.
"No, everyone is doing their best to make it to the top, most of all Kacchan. He won't hold back, it's not his style." He reached behind and pulled out his notebook. "Listen, you need a counter strategy for Kacchan that utilises your Quirk. I came up with it on the fly, but I think you can win with this," he showed her his notebook and a plan on how to beat Bakugo.
"You made a plan to beat Bakugo using my Quirk, in a short time?"
"Well~… technically this was one done on the fly. I have several others that utilise my own Quirk. But I believe you can win with this," he said as he placed the notebook on the table.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Well, you're my friend, actually my first real friend since I came to UA and I want to return the favour for all the times you have been there for me." Ochako looked at the boy and then at the notebook on the table as she smiled before shaking his head.
"Thanks, Deku…but I don't need it," Izuku raised a brow at this. "I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I am grateful. It's just that…ever since I've met you, you've done some Amazing things. Saving me at the Entrance Exam, fighting that monster at the USJ, and the whole Sports Festival. You keep doing all these Amazing things, while I haven't done much. Everyone is fighting for their future, fighting to make their stand in the world. And I need to show everyone what I can do…" she explained before she looked back at Izuku and smiled. "So until the Tournament is over…we are rivals, and I want to face off against you in the finals. But only if I do it my way…" she said with determination in her eyes.
Izuku stared at the girl as he felt a great amount of respect for her. She was like him in a way. She wanted to work hard and make a name for herself just as much as he did. He smiled as he nodded to her.
"Yeah, I understand…" he put the notebook away, as he held a hand to her. "See you in the finals?" she nodded as she shook hands with him.
"See you in the finals." The pair smiled at each other before they both realised they were holding hands. They both snapped their hands away with blushes on their cheeks. "U-Uh well, I should be getting back!"
"Y-Yeah and I need to get ready!"
"O-Okay! I'll get going!"
"Super!"
"Awesome!"
"Okay bye!" They both shouted as Izuku stumbled his way out the door, as Ochako tried to calm down her beating heart.
"…Geez…what's going on with me?" Ochako asked herself as she placed a hand on her chest.
Arena - Shoto Todoroki vs Ojiro Mashiro
"Midoriya, what took you so long?" Ida asked as he made it back to the stand and he managed to calm down his beating heart.
"I was just stopping by the prep room to check on Uraraka. She's a bit nervous about going up against Kacchan," he explained as both Ida and Tsuyu nodded.
"Makes sense, ribbit. Bakugo is pretty intense, I would be nervous too if I had to go up against him," Tsuyu said. "But I'm sure she'll be okay." Izuku nodded as he watched the next match.
"Yeah…I just wish there was more I could do…"
"Okay, folks! We now move on to the next Match in the Second Round with Shoto Todoroki vs Ojiro Mashiro! Funny enough, these two have fought before in a training match, with Todoroki defeating Ojiro! Now he's back with a vengeance! But can he redeem himself!? Or will history repeat itself!?"
'Who said anything about vengeance?' Oiro thought to himself before he settled his gaze on Todoroki. 'But…I do want to do better than last time.'
Shoto and Ojiro walked onto the arena, as they stood apart from each other. Ojiro knew he had no chance to beat Todoroki, he had been defeated by him before instantly. He just hoped that he could put up a better fight this time than last.
"Fighters Ready!?" both nodded as Midnight brought down her crop. "Start!"
Shoto instantly sent a wave of ice at Ojiro, only for the boy to use his tail as a springboard and launch himself into the air, avoiding his attack and going straight at Todoroki.
"Did you think I'd fall for that trick again!?"
Ojiro sailed towards Todoroki, as he swung his tail at full force, hoping to knock him out or back. But Todoroki created a pillar of ice to block his attack. Only for the ice to shatter and he was forced back. He summoned several more pillars as they created an obstacle for Ojiro. But Ojiro continued to smash his way through, as he got closer to Todoroki. He had seen how powerful Todoroki was with large-scale area attacks, but he figured if he could get up close to him, he could knock him out of the ring. He smashed through the last barricade of ice and he slammed his tail downward, only for Todoroki to roll out of the way. Ojiro launched himself at Todoroki and slammed his tail into the boy, then grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt.
"I've got you now!" Ojiro shouted as he was about to throw Todoroki out of the ring.
"Holy crap! I think Ojiro might win!?" Sero shouted as Ojiro swung the boy by his shirt…
Only to halt as Ice started crawling up his leg.
"What!?" The ice rapidly moved up Ojiro's leg, as his entire lower half and tail were encased in ice. "W-When did you!?"
"When you attacked me just now. You've seen me use wide-range attacks. But nobody knew that I could do more delicate moves…" Todoroki explained, before Ojiro was soon fully encased in ice from the neck down. "Sorry…but it looks like it's my win again…" he apologised as Ojiro grunted.
"I…I forfeit…"
"Mashiro Ojiro is unable to move! Shoto Todoroki wins!" Midnight declared as the crowd cheered.
"So he can use precise attacks as well. Going to need to be careful about that," Izuku said as Ida nodded.
"I must head off to the Prep Room now. Wish me luck," Ida said as he got up and was about to leave. But as he was leaving he suddenly began to vibrate, causing Izuku and the others to jump slightly. "Oh, it's just my phone," he explained as everyone stared.
'…What setting is that on?'
"Oh it's mother, excuse me…" he said as he walked out of earshot. "Hello?"
"Tenya, listen, it's your brother! He-!" he instantly noticed the worry in his mother's voice.
"Mother…What's wrong?"
"It's Tensei… He… he was attacked by a villain and-and… he got him!" Ida froze up as he nearly dropped his phone.
"What!? B-but how!? Tensei! He would never-! I'm coming to you right now!" he shouted as he hung up and ran to search for a teacher. His mind raced with worry and fear, as his brother passed through his mind. "What the hell happened!? Who could do this!?"
Meanwhile Hosu City
Looking down at the crime scene from above, the same man from before watched as the police and pro-heroes investigated the area. It seemed that the Pro-Hero Ingenium managed to survive his attack. Though no doubt the so-called 'Hero' would be paralysed from the waist down for the rest of his life. He smiled wickedly as he admired his work, as he felt in his core that he was doing the world a favour. This world was filled with nothing but frauds and hypocrites, using the word 'hero' when most of them had no understanding of the true meaning of the word. Instead, they acted like celebrities and icons while profiting off their so-called 'Heroes Work'.
The only one who was a True Hero was All Might. A man who exemplified what it meant to be a Hero. He was the only one who had the right to be called a Hero. The only one who had the right to stop him.
"…These People haven't realised it yet… these so-called 'Heroes'. They're frauds… mired in vanity and hypocrisy… this world is twisted… There are so few True Heroes, like All Might… But I will make them see… I will make this world Just and True…"
"We finally met, Hero Killer: Stain…" The man now known as Stain instantly drew his sword and pointed at Kurogiri's head as he glared at the mass of black smoke.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Please, there is no need for that. We're on the same side after all. I've heard how infamous you've become and simply wanted to meet you in person. But I also do come with an offer, one I think you will find beneficial to your cause…may we have a moment of your time?" Stain stared at the villain as he glared before sheathing his sword.
"Fine…I'll hear you out…"
"Very good… now if you will allow me, I will take you to meet the rest…" The villain used his warping Quirk to transport both him and the Hero Killer far away from Hosu City as the villains plotted their next scheme to bring down the society they deemed 'unjust'.
Arena - Ochako Uraraka vs Katsuki Bakugo
"Okay, folks it's time for the next match in the Semi-Finals of our Tournament! In this Corner, we have the Angry-Faced Explosion Boy! Katsuki Bakugo!" Bakugo once again growled. "And his opponent, my pick to win! Ochako Uraraka!"
"Can you show a little professionalism?"
Ochako and Bakugo stared at each other from across the ring, as they were preparing for their fight. Both knew the other Quirk, what they were capable of and both had some form of relationship with Izuku Midoriya. But this match was important to them, as they were fighting to make it to the top.
"You're the floaty round face, right? You're friends with Deku…" Ochako flinched a little at the round-face comment. "I won't be like your last opponent, not going to make me blow chunks like him." Up in the stands, Monoma felt a jab at his pride and reputation. "And I'm not leaving this ring until I'm the winner. So if you want to quit, quit now. Because crying uncle later won't cut it with me."
"…Who says' I'll be the one to cry uncle?" she retorted as he almost smirked at that.
"Oh man…I hope Bakugo goes easy on her," Kaminari cringed along with most of the class.
"No, he won't…" Izuku answered as they looked at him. "I've known Kacchan for a long time, he doesn't hold back and he doesn't sugarcoat things. If he wants to fight, then he'll fight. Man or Woman, he'll face you head on…"
"Still though…is there any chance she can beat him?" Momo asked as Izuku pondered.
"Well…He has virtually no weaknesses when it comes to close-quarters combat. His Quirk is also more powerful the more mobile he is so he can maneuver in mid-air, but if she can get him floating she might have the advantage. Although Kacchan won't allow that. He's a tactical genius when he's focused. And right now, he is 100% focused on winning."
"Both fighters, ready!?" Midnight asked as both nodded. "Start!"
'I just need to get close enough!' Ochako instantly ran towards him, she recalled back during the team-up battle trial, how Bakugo always starts with a right hook
"Even if she can accidentally touch him, she can send him floating. So in normal circumstances, anyone would try and keep their distance from her. But if I know Kacchan he won't dodge, he'll confront her head-on." Izuku guessed and he was proven right as Bakugo began to rear back his right arm.
'There it is! I just need to dodge this and-!' but she couldn't dodge in time as he unleashed a blast from his Quirk right into her face.
"Damn! No hesitation at all!" Kirishima cringed.
"That's too harsh"
"Going all out on a girl, that boy has no tact whatsoever." the Pro-Heroes commented from the stands as they watched the match.
'Damn! I knew it was coming but I couldn't react in time! I'm not as quick as Deku!' Ochako cursed as she was obscured by the smoke.
"Now die…" Balugo said as he watched the smoke for any sign of Ochako. He suddenly caught a glimpse of her jacket as he reacted and lunged at her. "Don't underestimate-!" he stopped when he realised it was just her jacket,
"Whoa! Total Ninja Move!"
"She made her jacket float and used it as a distraction while she snuck around behind him! That's genius!" Izuku praised, as Ochako lunged from behind and stretched her hand out to him.
'Almost!' She reached out to touch him, but Bakugo reacted quickly and unleashed a powerful explosion behind him, sending her flying back. But she managed to stop herself from falling out of the ring.
"Damn, he reacted immediately after spotting her. The guy is a damn beast." Sero cringed along with Kaminari.
"Smokescreens aren't going to work on a guy that has that kind of reaction time," Kaminari noted as Ochako got back up.
"If she were faster she might've been able to touch him. But as it is, Bakugo is a lot faster." Tsuyu observed as Ochako rushed again at Bakugo. Only to once again be blasted by another explosion. But Ochako didn't give up as she charged at him again, only for Bakugo to blast her again.
"So Bakuo is that type…" Mineta said, with a hint of perversion (as if that wasn't normal) voice. Only to be knocked out by Kirishima.
"Ha, what an idiot," Monoma smirked in the Class B stands.
"You say something, Pukey?" Jiro countered as Monoma felt a direct jab into his soul and he crumbled. Ochako continued to seemingly charge at him haphazardly, as Bakugo continued to blast her with his Quirk.
"Ochako…" Tsuyu worried as she and the others watched her get blasted again and again for seemingly no reason.
"…I can't stand this…" one of the Pro-heroes in the stands said before he stood up. "HEY! THAT'S NO WAY FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO BE A HERO SHOULD ACT! IF YOU'RE THAT MUCH STRONGER THAN HER, JUST TOSS HER OUT OF THE RING ALREADY!"
"YEAH!"
"STOP BULLYING HER YOU JERK!"
"LEAVE HER ALONE!"
"And the crowd has turned on Bakugo! Geez this kid is becoming unpopular. I kind of agree with the on - ow! Hey! What's the big idea, Aizawa!? Why'd you elbow me like that bro!?"
"Which one of you said that? How long have you been on active duty? If you can't see what's going on, then you should go home and start searching for another job," The crowd went silent as Bakugo didn't have a vicious grin on his face like in the other matches. No, this one was completely calm. "Uraraka has come this far knowing her strengths, and her weaknesses. Bakugo isn't toying around with her. His caution of her has proven that she is a worthy opponent to him. He's not taking any careless action…he's determined to win, and won't hold back against her…"
Uraraka breathed in heavily as Bakugo stared at her face. Her eyes showed pure determination and will. It was the same way with Deku, his eyes never giving up no matter what.
'Not yet…' Bakugo's gaze focused on her, as she rubbed the dirt off her cheek. 'She's not dead yet…'
"Thanks for letting your guard down, Bakugo…" she finally said as she placed her fingertips together.
"Huh?"
Suddenly he noticed a shadow as he looked up above him, and his and everyone's eyes widened. It was then that they realised why she kept coming at him, kept going at low angles. She had been using him to blow open the concrete around them and carve them up into various sizes and pieces. Touching every single one of them with her Quirk, as she gathered them up into the air and created.
One Big Meteor Storm
"Holy cow! That girl is crazy!" Present Mic shouted as the rubble began to fall back down to earth, and Ochako rushed towards Bakugo.
"That is so reckless and self-sacrificing! Uraraka!?" Izuku cried out as she sprinted to him.
'That should be enough! Whether he dodges or intercepts them, I can close the gap and touch him! I need to win! I have to win! Like Deku!' Ochako rushed towards Bakugo as the concrete fell.
Only for her hopes to be dashed, as in one fell swoop, Bakugo unleashed a massive explosion that wiped out every piece of rubble to dust. Ochako was blown back onto her butt, and the shockwave was felt by everyone as it blasted out. Ochako looked up as she stared in shock and horror.
"I knew you had some sort of plan cooked up…You've been hanging out with Deku after all…" he growled in annoyance as his arms shook.
"No way…in one blast?" she gaped in shock as he turned to her.
"What an explosion! Bakugo just annihilated Uraraka's secret plan with one powerful blast!"
"That was a close one…" Bakugo's hand twitched as he pushed his Quirk further than he had before. He looked back as he grinned at her. "Now it's time to get serious! Uraraka!" he shouted as she slowly stood back up.
'I… I'm not giving up… if Deku were here, he'd do the same…' She clenched her fist as she charged at him. 'I won't give up! I will win, just like Deku!' she decided as she took one step forward before she collapsed on the ground.
"Huh?" Bakugo and most of the crowd said as she fell face-first to the floor.
'My… my body… i-it won't move…'
"Uraraka!" Izuku shouted as he gripped the railing. "Her weight limit… she already reached it…" he realised as Midnight went over to check on her.
"Not… not yet…" She weakly tried to get up but failed. Memories of her parents passed through her mind, as she desperately tried to get back up. "I…I'm not done… yet…mama…papa…" Midnight stared at the girl before she sighed.
"Ochako Uraraka is unable to continue, the winner is Katsuki Bakugo!" she declared as the crowd cheered. But Bakugo wasn't smiling, he just stared at the girl.
"Uraraka!" Izuku shouted as without a reason or explanation, he jumped down from the stands and rushed to the arena.
"Midoriya!?" some of his classmates shouted as he rushed over before skidding next to her. He didn't know why he did it, but his body reacted before his mind could think. Thank God his Spider-Powers allowed him to jump from such distances.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked as she weakly looked up.
"Deku? …I'm sorry… looks like, I won't get to see you in the finals…I must look pretty pathetic, huh?" she apologised as he shook his head.
"No, you did amazing. No one will doubt that," he said as he softly smiled at her. Despite the small tears in her eyes.
'…Ah, is it Springtime already?' was the general thought of the crowd, minus Bakugo, while Midnight gushed at the display.
'So cute! I love high school romance!'
"My baby has a girlfriend!" Inko shouted at the screen, tears of joy pouring out of her eyes. While hugging a confused Eri.
"Mrs Midoriya! Please stop crying! You're flooding the apartments again!" one of the neighbours downstairs shouted as water leaked in from their ceiling.
"Okay, Midoriya, thank you for the concern. But she needs medical attention now. Can you be a dear and take her to the nurse station?" Midnight asked, instantly seeing the evidence of a budding love between them.
"Huh? Oh, sure. Come on," Izuku gently picked her up, bridal style. "Sorry about this," he said, feeling nervous about carrying a girl like this, while Ochako shook her head with a blush on her cheeks as well. Izuku looked back at Bakugo as he sent a glare at him. The boy merely glared back as Izuku took her to the infirmary.
"Dang, I was hoping Uraraka would win. But Bakugo has won and moved on to the Semi-Finals or whatever…"
"…Could you show a little professionalism?" Bakugo walked off the arena as he shoved his hands into his pockets. His mind went over his match with Uraraka and how she didn't go down like a bug.
Infirmary
Meanwhile, Izuku had taken Ochako to the Infirmary as she was treated for exhaustion, slight burns and overextending her Quirk use.
"You sure you'll be okay?" Izuku asked as Ochako nodded next to Recovery Girl, who gave the girl a quick kiss on her cheek with her Quirk. Green energy illuminated her body as her burns healed. Although a few scratches and scraps were left.
"Yes young man, she'll be fine. It's mostly burns and exhaustion she's dealing with along with slight nausea. Not as severe as that Monoma boy from earlier," Recovery Girl remarked as Izuku and Ochako cringed slightly. "It's mostly just rest she needs now. Can't use my Quirk on her extensively while she's got little stamina at the moment. Remember, my Quirk accelerates the healing process of my patients, but it uses up their stamina as a cost. Even you, despite the surprising amount of Stamina you possess," she said while applying a bandage to Ochako's cheek.
"I know, thanks for this Recovery Girl," Izuku thanked as the old woman nodded.
"Just don't do anything reckless. You kids these days are too reckless, going to give me an ulcer," she remarked while giving Ochako some nausea tablets, and a glass of water, before walking away.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm fine like Recovery Girl said, just need to take it easy for the rest of the day."
"You know that's not what I meant…" she stared before nodding.
"…I lost… Bakugo was strong, huh? Man, he totally annihilated my plan like bam!" She tried to sound enthusiastic. But Izuku could tell she was just putting on a face. "Guess I got a little carried away, huh?" she said as she stood up. "Sorry, I won't make it to the finals with you, Deku. But hey, don't let me get you down. I'll be fine, just need to rest for a little bit and then make it back to the" she was cut off as Izuku suddenly and without warning wrapped his arms around her and gently embraced her in a hug.
To this day, he didn't know why he did it, but he placed himself in a hug with Ochako as he held her. It was almost like something inside him pushed him forward and told her to comfort the girl.
"D-Deku!? What are you!?" she yelled with a blush on her cheeks.
"It's okay," he suddenly said as she stopped. "I can see it on your face… You don't have to hold it in…" he told her before tears started to form in her eyes and she gripped his shirt while her body shook.
"…I-I tried so hard…" she started to cry as she held him. "I tried so hard and I still lost! I wanted to show everyone that I could handle different types of people and yet I failed. Now the scouts won't consider me."
"Of course they will, they saw how hard you fought. They saw you try your best, there's no way they wouldn't want you."
"But I need to do this. I need to get noticed and be a Hero. I need to help my parents and make their lives better. How can I do that if I got beaten so badly in my second round? I bet everything on one big move and when it failed I didn't have a backup plan, and panicked at the end. I'm not like you, who would've probably had another plan ." she said as Izuku sighed as he shook his head.
"Uraraka…I don't know what I can say that will make you feel better. And I doubt that me saying anything will help?" he started. "But, I know for a fact that you can and will be a Great Hero. You didn't win today, but you showed everyone your determination to be a Hero. You'll get people to notice you, you'll make it into the big leagues. And one day you'll take your parents on that vacation like you promised them. Because I believe in you, just like how you've believed in me," he said as she stared at the boy before wiping the tears from her eyes.
"That… wasn't bad at all…thanks Deku…" she said as she smiled at him, and he smiled back.
"…If you two are done, this is an infirmary after all. And you have a match next Midoriya," Recovery Girl finally cut in as both of them snapped back to reality, and shot off each other like grease off a frying pan.
"U-Uh well! I'd better get to the Break room! Ida's Match will be next and then it's mine after!"
"Y-Yep! I-I'm just going to head back to the stands! S-See you later Deku!" Ochako said as she bolted from the room.
"Yep! See ya!" he said and bolted out of the room, nearly colliding with the doorframe before disappearing in the opposite direction.
"… Teens, so hopeless…" Recovery Girl commented as she went back to prepping her infirmary. "If those two get together, it will be a miracle."
Ochako continued to make her way back to the stands when suddenly her phone started to ring. She noticed it was her parents, as she paused and stood in the hallway. She was afraid to answer, afraid of what they would say. But then she remembered Deku's words and she steeled herself.
"Hey Dad…"
"Ochako, your Ma and I saw you on TV. Are you okay?"
"Mhmm, yeah I'm okay. I was a little let down that I lost. But, I'm okay now…" she said as she could feel her parents' smile on the other end.
"Glad to hear it, because you were incredible out there. And I don't understand all the difficult-sounding stuff, but I know that you'll get them next time sweetie."
"I know… I just wanted to do good by you two, to say thanks for supporting my dream."
"Ochako, there's no need to rush. Much like construction, nothing is built in a single day. It takes time, patience and a lot of support. And know we will always love and support you, no matter what. Because you are our Sweet and Kind Ochako, and there is no doubt in our minds that you will become an Amazing Hero." Ochako smiled as she wiped away lingering tears from her face.
"Thanks, Dad…I love you guys too…"
"…By the way, that boy who came down to help you. Is he your boyfriend?" Her mother's voice cut in as Ochako's heart nearly burst out of her chest, her eyes bulged out and a huge blush encumbered her face.
"W-What!? No! Deku's not my boyfriend! W-Where did you get that Idea!?"
"His name is Deku? That's a little odd, I thought his name was Izuku?" Her mother asked as Ochako blushed brighter.
"W-Well no, Deku is just this nickname that he has, cause it sounds like Dekiru 'Can Do anything', ya know - And that's beside the point!"
"Oh, you two have nicknames? That is so cute! You know sweetie, just cause you're training to be a hero doesn't mean you can't have a boyfriend. You're only 15 after all, you don't have to focus solely on being a Hero."
"What!? She's way too young to have a boyfriend! No man is good for my little girl!"
"Honey, don't be like that. I think it's cute, and he seems like a nice kid. You should introduce us sometime," her mother suggested as Ochako accidentally activated her Quirk and started to float away.
"Okay-I-gotta-go! Love-you-bye!" She closed the phone as she tried to get her blushing face and feelings under control. "Geez, what are they thinking?" She managed to get herself back down and hold back the nausea from her accidental floating.
"It's not like that…"
Meanwhile, Izuku himself was making his way to the prep room, as his face was flushed. He still couldn't believe he did that, hugging another person, a girl no less! What the heck had come over him, Why did his body just move without him thinking? If he didn't know any better he could've sworn he felt a shove on his back. But that was impossible.
"I can't believe I did that. What the heck came over me? Will Uraraka be mad about that? No, no, you were helping her! Yeah, that's it! You were trying to comfort her after she lost and hugging is a normal thing to do! …I can't believe I hugged a girl!"
"What the hell are you doing, nerd?" Izuku nearly jumped out of his skin, as he snapped to see Bakugo glaring at him, as usual.
"Kacchan! Geez, don't sneak up on me like that! Do we need to get you a bell or something, cause I can't take any more heart attacks," Izuku said as Bakugo grinds his teeth in annoyance.
"Shut up…" he growled and brushed past him, before stopping. "That plan… You put it in her head, didn't you?" Izuku raised a brow. "The one that had her flinging herself recklessly like that. Listen, if you're going to be helping those other extras, don't. Don't need you stepping on my balls," Bakugo warned.
"You know what's funny, Kacchan? I didn't come up with that plan. Uraraka did, all by herself. Which means she was the only one stepping on your balls, metaphorically speaking." Bakugo merely glared as he stomped off. "Nice chat, let's do it again…" Izuku shook his head as he made his way to the prep room. "One of these days I hope he gets off that high horse of his and acts like a real person…if that day comes, I'll eat my mask…"
"Young Midoriya!" He suddenly heard, as All Might came rushing up to him. Before deflating to his normal form.
"Oh hey All Might, what's up? I was just about to head to the prep room."
"There's been a change of plans." He said as Izuku raised a brow. "Due to a sudden family emergency, Young Ida has dropped out of the Tournament. Which means by forfeit, Fumikage Tokoyami moves on to the next round and your fight is up next." He informed the boy as Izuku's eyes widened.
"What!? But why would Ida drop out, Did something happen?"
"I don't know the details, but there's nothing to concern yourself with."
"But Ida's my friend, I need to go see him!"
"You should focus on your match with Todoroki. I know he's your friend, but there isn't much you can do to help him. All you can do is go out there and face young Todoroki." All Might said as Izuku cursed. He wanted to help his friend, but he also knew All Might was right. There wasn't much he could do, not with it being a family emergency.
"Still… I hate this… I should do something, maybe give him a call?"
"He'll be fine, Young Midoriya. Your heart is in the right place, but you also need to focus on your goal. Young Todoroki is a powerful opponent, and you need to remain focused if you want to beat him… I know I'm putting a lot of pressure on you, and that's the last thing I want to do. Win or lose, I know you'll stand out as a hero who will one day replace me as the Symbol of Peace. But I can see in your eyes Young Ida is not the only person you're worried about?" Izuku nodded as he looked down the hall.
"Yeah…"
"It's Young Todoroki, isn't it?"
"…the way he's only using his ice, it's almost… sad. He could be so much stronger if he used his left side too. He explained some of the reasons why he won't use it, but the way he's limiting himself… It's self-destructive. I know I can beat him if he only used his right side… but I can't ignore that he's suffering because of it. I must sound stupid don't I?" Toshinori stared at the young man before smiling and patting him on the shoulder.
"Not at all, Young Midoriya. You're sounding like a real Hero." he smiled at him as the boy stared up. "The true essence of a Hero is meddling in the problem of others, even when they don't ask for it. You've been that way since the day I met you. From saving Young Bakugo from the Sludge Villain to your Classmates from Nomu to even your little sister Eri from Chisaki's cruelty. It's part of what makes you worthy as my successor. If you want to help Todoroki face himself, I will stand by your decision and know your mother and I will be proud of you." he assured as Izuku smiled.
"Thanks All Might… hey wait a minute, we still need to talk about you and my mum!"
"Whoops, look at the time! You have a match to get to! Later! Bye~!" he dashed off before Izuku could stop him.
"…Okay that's even more suspicious…" Izuku sighed before he turned towards the arena. "All Might is right, I can't focus on Ida right now. I'm sure he'll tell us when he's ready. And maybe it won't be that bad, right?" If only he knew what was going to occur in the next few days, he would've chosen his words more carefully.
Arena - Izuku Midoriya vs Shoto Todoroki
Ochako Uraraka made it back to the stands after she had her chat with her parents. She was happier now, knowing that her parents would always love and believe in her. But still felt confused when they kept asking if izuku was her boyfriend. Hence why her face was still red.
"You okay Ochako?" Tsuyu asked as she saw the girl's face. "Your face is all red, Did Recovery Girl not heal you?"
"O-Oh no! She did! This is just something else. I haven't missed Ida's match yet have I?" she asked as the others shared a glance.
"About that…"
"And we're back ladies and gentle heroes! We had a slight change in the program due to unforeseen circumstances! Tenya Ida had to unfortunately drop out! Which means Fumikage Tokoyami moves on to the next round!" Present Mic interrupted as Ochako's eyes widened.
"What!? Why did Ida drop out?"
"Something to do with his brother. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," Tsuyu tried to assure. But Ochako was still nervous, as she sat down.
"Oh, Ida… So I guess that means Deku is up next, right?" Tsuyu nodded as Ochako sighed. "Does he know?"
"More than likely, they had to have informed him by now." Tsuyuy placed a hand on her shoulder as she nodded. "But I'm sure Midoriya won't let it distract him. He knows how important this is," she tried to reassure, as Ochako nodded.
"I guess…" Ochako looked out to the Arena as Izuku and Shoto walked out onto the field.
"And now we move on to the Semi-Final Rounds between the up-and-coming Arachnid Hero who's been blowing his way to the top! It's Izuku Midoriya!" Izuku held his gaze on Shoto who glared back equally. "And he's the ice-cold competitor that's hard to beat! Shoto Todoroki!" Shoto glared as frost started to build on his right arm.
In a location far away, Tomura Shigaraki stared at the monitor as he and his master observed the UA Sports Festival.
"Pay close attention, Tomura. These two may become Obstacles for you in the future. Especially the green-haired one… such a fascinating Quirk…" his Sensei told him as Tomura scratched at his skin.
"What a pain…" he groaned as he stared at the boy's green eyes.
"Fighters ready!?" Izuku slid back into a stance. The red veins crawled over his skin as he activated One for All.
'One for All Full Cowl: 20%!' His body was illuminated with green electricity, while cold mist drifted off Shoto.
"Begin!"
In an instant, Izuku's Spider-Sense went off as he jumped high into the air, just as the ground beneath him was covered in ice. It was clear that Shoto was going in for a quick end, but Izuku didn't make it easy for him. He sent a large glacier of Ice spearing towards him, only for Izuku to maneuver out of the way and run down the ice. Shoto created a barrier of ice to stop him, only for Izuku to smash through it instantly with one Spider Enhanced One for All Punch. Shoto cursed as he created ice to push himself away from Izuku.
"You're becoming annoying, Midoriya!" He sent waves of Ice towards him as Izuku flipped and spun around the Ice. "You're keeping your distance! You know I can freeze you if you get too close! But without your web shooters, you don't have ranged attacks!" Izuku smirked at this.
"Who said I can't have range!?" He punched another ice shard, before grabbing the chunks and flinging them back. "Heads up!" He threw the ice at powerful speeds, catching Shoto off guard and forcing him to roll out of the way. He cursed as Izuku smirked at him, before sending more ice at the Spider-Hero in training.
"Dang! He's using Todoroki's ice against him!? That's nuts!" Kaminari exclaimed.
"Midoriya is crazy strong! It's so manly!" Kirishima shouted as he wished he had gotten further in the tournament.
"Midoriya is also being careful. He knows that Todoroki can freeze him in an instant if he gets too close. And Todoroki is keeping him at a distance because he knows how strong Midoriya is. This will be a tough match," Momo examined as she watched the fight.
"Yeah man, Bakugo and Todoroki are so cool being able to fire off as much ice and explosions as they want," Kirishima said as Bakugo scoffed.
"As many as we want? Don't be an idiot…" Bakugo grumbled as everyone in Class A turned to him. "What happens when you strain your Muscles too much? Answer: They tear. You run too long and eventually, you run out of breath. Everybody has a physical limit before they give out, it's the same with Quirks, they have a limit as well." Baugo glared down at Deku as he smashed another piece of ice into shards. "So no matter how strong someone might be, everyone has a limit. Even that Damn Nerd and Icy-hot bastard will have one too." Bakugo then looked down at his hands as he recalled pushing himself during his match with Ochako. 'Even I know how much I can fire off, that's why I had that gear specialised to maximise my Quirk…' he looked back and glared as he watched the two. 'So then what are yours, you Damn Nerd?'
Izuku flipped to the side and landed on one of the many spire-like ice Shards that Shoto had unleashed. His acrobatic skills allowed him to move with ease away from Shoto's ice. Another large glacier of ice shot up, and Izuku used his grip to carry himself up, before flipping back up onto the glacier and sliding his way down. Todoroki glared as he sent multiple spikes of ice up and towards him, only for Izuku to jump off and smash his fist down on the frozen floor, kicking up chunks of Ice and concrete. He then grabbed the large chunks of ice and threw them back with great force. Only to collide with another wall of ice. Todoroki glared before Izuku smashed his way through the wall as he was dead set on getting Todoroki out of the ring. However, his spider sense went off, and Izuku jumped back using his enhanced leg muscles and landed on another ice shard before jumping again to avoid more ice. He narrowly avoided a large shard of ice that grew just at his feet. But then he jumped up and used his feet to shatter the ice and send a large chunk flying back at Todoroki. He created just a large wall of ice to protect himself, but the shockwave and continued use of his Quirk were starting to take a toll on him and nearly sent him back. Had he not created a wall of ice to stop him from going over the edge. His right side was already becoming overgrown with frost and he could feel his limb going numb, as a cold mist left his breath.
"…You… are strong, Midoriya… I have to thank you…" He suddenly said as Izuku raised a brow. He looked over to the left and spotted his father watching from the stands. "Thanks to you, my father doesn't look very happy…" he noticed the annoyed look on Endeavour's face before turning back to Izuku. "But I won't let you get in my way… I will win this tournament without resorting to his power… in this way… I will deny him the satisfaction…" he declared as Izuku seemed to relax his stance and stood upright.
"…Even if it kills you in the process?" he suddenly spoke as Todoroki blinked along with the rest of the crowd.
"Look at yourself… you're shivering, are you really going to let yourself get frostbite because you have issues with your dad?" he asked as Todoroki glared. "You could easily fix your problem by using your left side to thaw yourself. But you're not… you're putting yourself on a dangerous path, and if you don't change course you won't get to deny him anything," Izuku glared into his eyes as he clenched his fist. "Everyone here is giving it their all, every single one of us is willing to put 110 % of ourselves into this so that we can stand proud as Heroes! But you! You're not giving it all you've got! You're holding yourself back! Not because you're strong! But because you are acting like an idiot! If you want a chance at beating me, then give me everything you've got! Otherwise, you'll never become a Hero!" Todoroki glared as more frost covered his body.
"…Give you everything I've got… Did my shitty old man pay you off or something?" he glared before rushing at him. "You're pissing me off!" he rushed haphazardly as Izuku sped towards him the moment he lifted his right leg.
"Hey! Do I look like a guy that would take a bribe!? I am insulted!" he avoided more ice as Bakugo glared from the stands.
'…he's getting slower…' Bakugo noticed. 'It must have to do with the frost that's covering his body. That large glacier he made during that Vine-Girls match must've been his absolute limit. It's kind of like a mana bar in a JRPG. It's different from my limit…Not only that, but his ice attacks are getting weaker as well. Deku is just slamming through them at this point...' Izuku ducked under Todoroki's arm and slammed a fist into his stomach, holding back as much as he could while Todoroki was sent flying back. Only just able to use his ice to create a wall to stop him. Todoroki held his stomach as he struggled to get up.
"Should I stop the match?" Cementoss asked Midnight via earpiece. "His body appears to be suffering hypothermia at this point. He keeps this up and he'll pass out."
"…Ultimately it's up to Todoroki. But if it looks like it will get worse, we'll intervene. But I think Midoriya is trying to break through to him. Trying to stop him from being self-destructive, even though he has a chance to win by letting him continue." Midnight noticed.
"He's trying to help his opponent. Why would he do that?" Cementoss asked as Aizawa stared down from the commentator box.
'…He doesn't want to see anyone else suffer…' Aizawa realised as he recalled the Quirk Test, and his desire to keep his sister from suffering. It made him respect Midoriya even more than he already did. Even if he was being reckless. 'Let's see if you will break through his walls.' Izuku stared at Todoroki as his body shivered.
"See what I mean. Not only are you getting slower, but your attacks are getting weaker too. You keep this up your body will give out before you ever get a chance to deny your dad…" Izuku warned as Todoroki glared.
"…Why are you talking? Why are you to butt into something that's not your business?" he managed to say despite his body shivering from the cold.
"Because I'm trying to live up to my expectations! I want to be a Hero who protects everyone! To keep them from ever suffering! I want to be a Hero who will never stop no matter what! That's why I'm giving it my all!" he sped towards Todoroki, as he tried to create an ice wall only for it to shatter from one punch. "You won't become Number One without giving it your all! If you don't then you won't be denying him everything!" Izuku charged as Shoto made more ice that shattered easily.
Images of his father's cruelty and his upbringing stirred in his mind, as Todoroki was forced to confront the painful memories he had tried to bury.
"Shut…up…" he shivered as Izuku knocked him back more, barely able to stand up because of the ice build-up. "I will deny him… I won't use his-" Izuku finally had enough as he shouted
"Oh for god's sake enough! He may be your dad, but it's not his Quirk! It's yours! It's your power! He doesn't own you! If you want to be a Hero then accept yourself!"
That one shout, that one statement of fact jogged a memory in his mind as he recalled watching an All Might interview with his mother.
'Yes, Quirks are passed on naturally from parent to child. However! That's not the only thing that matters! You have to have appreciation and recognition of yourself! That's why I always say 'I AM HERE'
He remembered watching the TV with childlike awe and enthusiasm as his mother smiled lovingly at him. And he even remembered the comforting words his mother gave him when he hated his father's side in him.
"It's okay if you want to be a Hero. You're not your father. You can decide who you want to become."
'When did I forget…' Fire suddenly erupted from his left side as his entire left side was consumed in flames. Izuku had to jump back as the blaze burned brightly. "I thought you wanted to win… yet here you are, giving me a pep talk… but still… you're right…" Shoto emerged from the flames as his left side was shrouded in fire. "I want to be a Hero too!"
"Whoa! What just happened!?" Present Mic exclaimed as Izuku started to smirk. Todoroki himself was ablaze with fire, all the while a smirk was on his face. While Endeavour had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face.
"SHOTO!" Endeavour erupted with fire as he marched closer to the arena. "You've finally accepted it! Excellent! This is just the beginning! With my blood pumping through your veins, you will surpass me! Surpass All Might! You will fulfil my ambitions!" he proudly declared as Shoto simply ignored him.
"…I think you can say you're giving him the 'Cold Shoulder?'… Okay, that was pretty bad," Izuku said as Shoto merely grinned at Izuku.
"…Making jokes, at a time like this… You are really Strange, Midoriya…" Shoto grinned as Izuku nodded.
"Yeah, that's how I do…" Izuku said all the while his Spider-Sense was going haywire.
'Yeah I get it, probably wasn't a good idea to provoke him to use his flames. Because honestly, I have no idea how powerful his flames are going to be. But if what he said is true and he's never used them before. Then it will be just like when I used One for All the first time. Which means it will be at full throttle and he'll have no control over it…'Izuku realised as the flames grew stronger. 'This is bad, if it's too big I won't be able to dodge it without going out of bounds, and if it's too strong it might go into the stands. I know Cementoss will stop it from hurting the crowd, but what can I do other than become a chargrilled Spider? …wait a minute…' Suddenly he remembered All Might's battle against the sludge villain and how his punch was able to blow out the flames. 'That's it! I can just use One for All to blow the flames out! But I can't shoot it straight at him, it might go back into the crowd behind him. So if that's the case…' Izuku held his fist to his side, as he grinned with One for All sparking over his body.
"Ready to give it your all now? Because I still plan to win!" Izuku asked as fire and ice equally erupted around Shoto.
"This is what you asked for…so don't blame me for what happens next…"
The two created powerful vortexes around them as they prepared for their next attack. Tension and nerves ran high as everyone watched with great anticipation, or in Inko's case fear, as the two combatants faced each other. Then in an instant, ice shot straight at him from Todoroki, as Izuku quickly smashed the ground and broke the ice into pieces with his left arm. In that instant, Todoroki raised his left hand as fire surged around his form.
"Midoriya…" The fire surged forward in a powerful blaze as it sailed towards Izuku. "…Thank you…" He whispered as Izuku stood his ground, raised his right arm back, twisted into an uppercut and shouted.
"Detroit…" Izuku charged up 100% of One for All into his arm as his sleeve was ripped apart from the power. "SMASH!" and with one uppercut, a powerful blast rocketed off his fist and pushed all the air upwards, causing the flames to travel with it and carry loose shards of ice and concrete. Creating a vortex of fire and ice. It was almost beautiful in a way, if everyone wasn't trying to hold on for dear life.
"What the hell!?" Mineta shouted as he was nearly blown away by the intense cyclone of fire and ice. "What kind of match is this!?"
"This is nuts!"
"Isn't this supposed to be a sports event!?"
"What the hell are they teaching these kids!?" Some of the spectators yelled, while Todoroki barely could hold himself to the ground with his ice, as his flames were pushed upwards from the air current. The flaming vortex eventually dissipated as a thick cloud of steam and dust circled the arena as Todoroki slowly began to stand up.
"This kind of power… could he do this the entire time?" But then bursting from the mist was Midoriya, his right arm all red and bruised, while his left arm was reared back as he charged straight at Todoroki. His eyes widened as Izuku grinned.
"Like I said!" and then with one punch, slammed his fist into his stomach and launched Todoroki out of the ring, where he slammed into the wall and fell out of bounds. "I still plan to win…"
All eyes were on the ring as they witnessed the last moments when Izuku had leapt from the smoke and punched Todoroki out of the ring. Endeavour had no discernible expression on his face, while everyone else stared at the scene in shock and awe. Midnight looked at the match before nodding in conclusion.
"Todoroki has left the ring! The winner of the Match is Izuku Midoriya!" she announced as the crowd released a sudden cheer.
"Yay, Deku!" Ochako shouted as she and the others cheered for their classmate, except Bakugo, as everyone else congratulated the boy.
"Way to go, Midoriya." Tsuyu congratulated the boy, as everyone in classes A and B cheered. Minus Bakugo and Monoma.
"Izukuuuuu! My baby!" Inko cried at him as her tears shot out like a fire hydrant. "I'm so proud of you!" she cried while Eri cheered for her brother…and the Neighbours once again considered moving.
"Man, that match was intense!" Kirishima shouted as he gripped his fists. "But oh so manly!"
"You're right bro! That match was totally manly!" he could hear Tetsutetsu shout from the other side as they grinned.
"Man, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Midoriya won. Dude has been crushing it lately," Sero said as Shoji nodded.
"Indeed. Midoriya is certainly a tough opponent to beat," he absentmindedly commented, as Bakugo glared at the arena before he got up and left for the prep room.
'He wasn't like that as kids… damn Deku, getting in my way…' he grumbled to himself and left.
Izuku held his right arm as it was bruised and discoloured. His arm had held up better than the last time he used 100% of One for All, but still, the backlash was intense. Luckily it seemed the bones weren't fully broken, but he still needed Recovery Girl to patch him up for his next match. He looked down at the arena as Todoroki stared up at the sky, and he jumped down before Midnight could stop him.
"Hey," Todoroki turned to Izuku as he held out his left hand. "Are you doing okay?" he asked as Todoroki stared at the boy, before grabbing his hand and lifting himself.
"…Better than you, apparently," he stared at the red arm. "It seems I've lost to you…"
"Yeah - argh. But losing is not the worst thing to happen…" Izuku held his arm gingerly as Todoroki stared at the arm.
"…Why did you go so far to help me? I was your opponent, surely you would've won easily if you didn't let me use my fire?"
"Yeah, but you're also my classmate and fellow Hero in training. How can I stand by and watch someone suffer if I can't do anything to help? All Might once said that the essence of a Hero was getting involved with other people's business, even if they don't want to. What hero would I be if I didn't get involved?" he asked as Todoroki nodded.
"…I see… thank you, Midoriya…" he looked at his left hand as he gripped it. "You've given me a lot to think about…" he turned around and left as Izuku stared and hoped that he would get through to him in the end.
"That was inspirational and all, Midoriya. But please go see the Nurse, your arm is starting to make everyone cringe…" Midnight interrupted as Izuku blinked and then cringed as pain returned to his arm that was dangling by his side.
"Argh! Yeah, good idea…" he said and allowed the bots to take him to Recovery Girl…
"Okay, folks! We're going to take a quick break to fix up the ring and then move on to the final round in the semi-finals!"
Meanwhile, Shoto was standing before Endeavour, as he intercepted him at the exit. "…You're in my way…" Shoto glared as Endeavour glared back.
"…You lost, Shoto…"
"I know…I was there…"
"I told you this would happen if you continued your childish behaviour. Had you used your flames before, you might've had a chance against Midoroya. But this loss is not without its victory…" he held out his hand to his son. "You've finally let go of your rebellious phase and embraced your true power. However, you lack control and it would be dangerous if you went all out. Come work for me at my agency, I can lead you down the right path towards Supremacy."
"As if I've put aside anything…" Shoto interrupted as Endeavour paused. "I haven't been swayed to work with you. But during my fight with Midoriya, for a moment…I completely forgot about you…" Endeavour stared at his son with muted shock as Shoto stared at his hand. "Whether that is a good thing or not, I don't know. But I have some things to think about…" he walked away as Endeavour stared at his son's retreating form. He almost reached a hand out but paused before shaking his head and walking away.
Shoto meanwhile, was in deep thought about what happened. He had used his flames, used the power he swore he would never use because he saw them as his father's flames. Yet somehow his battle with Midoriya had shaken his belief to the core. Was he wrong this whole time? Was he really just acting like a child because of a grudge he had with his father, for all the things he put him and his mother through? Maybe, but he knew that he couldn't forgive the man, nor could he ignore part of himself anymore. Otherwise, Midoriya's efforts would've gone to waste.
'Mother…I…' he paused when he and Bakugo bumped into each other.
"Hey! Watch it Icy-hot!"
"Sorry…" Shoto apologised as Bakugo merely grumbled.
"Tch," Bakugo clicked his teeth and walked away.
"…You were childhood friends with Midoriya, weren't you?" Shoto suddenly asked as Bakugo stopped. "He went out of his way to break through what was holding me back. Tell me… has he always been that way?" Bakugo suddenly had flashes of the times Deku would butt in and it pissed him off that he let loose an explosion in his palm.
"That Damn Nerd. Like I give a crap!" Bakugo shouted as he snapped his head to Shoto. "What does it matter if he's always been like that!? All those stupid speeches! It doesn't fucking matter! It just pisses me off that you lost! Fuck I wanted to fight you! I didn't give a damn about your family bullshit, I wanted you to come at me with everything you have!" he started to stomp away.
"But at least st now I get to settle it with Deku…"
Infirmary
"SMOOOOOOCH!" Recovery Girl's lips left Izuku's arm as her Quirk activated and his arm began to rapidly heal. In no time at all his arm was back to its original form. "There, your arm is fully healed. It still amazes me that healing factor of yours." Recovery Girl remarked as Izuku flexed his fingers. "But I once again warn you not to be reckless. If you continue to act without caution you may damage your body in a way your healing factor won't be able to recover," she warned as Izuku nodded. "I'm serious, your Quirk is unnatural, potentially unstable, and we have no idea what else it's capable of or the effects One for All has on it."
"I understand… Thanks, Miss Recovery Girl," Izuku bowed as he got up and rotated his arm in its socket, getting the kinks out.
"You did well out there, Young Midoriya," All Might praised as Izuku nodded. "Not only did you win, but you managed to get through Young Todoroki and get him to embrace the part of himself he denied."
"I don't know if he's embraced it. I just got him to use his fire. I don't know if it will actually stick?"
"Small steps, Young Midoriya. Small steps," he assured as he patted the boy's shoulder. "Next up is Young Bakugo and Tokoyami's match. You might want to get as much rest as you can. Something tells me that Young Bakugo will be gunning extra hard to take you down." Izuku had to release a dry chuckle at that, as they walked towards the Waiting Room A.
"No kidding. He's going to try and demolish me…" he then looked at his hand as he flexed it. "Guess this has been coming for a while, huh? He wasn't the nicest guy back in school, and he's hated me because of a stupid misunderstanding from when we were kids…" Izuku sighed as he shook his head. "I hope he changes this attitude at some point?"
"We can't control how people behave, act or react. All we can do is keep moving forward, and be the Heroes we need to be." All Might assured as Izuku nodded.
"Thanks All Might, Well I better get going. Knowing Kacchan he'll quickly defeat Tokoyami."
"You don't believe young Tokoyami can win?"
"It's not that I don't think he could win, it's just… I know Kacchan. He's not one to fail easily…"
In the Arena, Tokoyami attacked him with Dark Shadow. But Bakugo was quick to react and blasted him with his explosions. Causing the shadowy entity to back off. But Tokoyami wasn't going to back down as he tried to overwhelm him with a relentless attack much like he did before with Yaomomo.
"He's the most driven out of all of us to become the Number One Hero. Almost the same as me. He has a powerful Quirk, but that's not what makes him strong. It's his mind."
Bakugo blasted at him again, as Dark Shadow shrieked at the light and shrank back. The Explosive boy noticed this and grinned as he evaded his attack, blasted himself behind Tokoyami and unleashed a blinding light of explosions. Forcing Dark Shadow back into a smaller state.
"He's a natural-born genius. Been like that ever since we were kids. If he spots a weakness in his opponent, he will not hesitate to use it against them…"
Bakugo grabbed Tokoyami by the face and slammed him into the arena and holding firecracker-like explosions in his other palm. Creating a bright enough light to keep Dark Shadow from forming.
"Because to him, he has to be the Number One in everything. And I mean everything."
"…y-you figured out my weakness?" Tokoyami asked as Bakugo grinned.
"Wasn't that hard to figure out. You tried to tire me out or overwhelm me like you did Ponytail. But that just gave me enough time to figure out your gimmick. I guess you and I were a bad match up?" He grinned as Tokoyami sighed.
"…I surrender…" he declared as Midnight nodded.
"Fumikage Tokoyami has forfeited! The winner is Katsuki Bakugo!" She announced as the crowd cheered and Bakugo merely stepped off him and walked back down.
"Okay, folks we're going to take a short commercial break before we move on to the finals! Hope you're all excited! Because the next match will promise to be a doozy!"
Bakugo merely grunted as he walked out of the arena. His glare focused on his next match, as he was about to have the rematch he had been waiting for since the Battle Trial. The chance to prove that he was stronger than Deku.
'I won't lose again Deku… count on it!'
All Might nodded as he and Izuku heard the announcement over the PA.
"Seems your hunch was right. Good luck young Midoriya. Something tells me this fight is going to be explosive?" Yagi quipped as Izuku chuckled at that.
"Something like that, see ya All Might," he waved goodbye to his mentor as the Number One Hero nodded and left.
Izuku went into the room as he breathed a calming breath. Times like this he wished he had his mask to hide the trepidation he felt. But he had to face this next challenge head-on and bare all. Otherwise, nothing will have changed since Middle School.
"This… is going to suck…" he groaned before he felt his phone vibrate and he pulled it out. "Mum?" He noticed the caller ID and answered. "Hello?"
"IZUUUUKUUUUUUUU!" Izuku had to hold his phone away from his ear when his mother's voice pierced through the speaker. "I know I shouldn't be calling you but I had to call! You've made it so far! I'm so proud of you!"
"Y-Yeah, I know Mum. It hasn't been easy, you've been watching on TV?"
"Yes, I've even got it recorded! Oh my baby, you've worked so hard for this. Eri and I are proud of you,"
"Deku-Nii! You're so cool! You beat that icy-fire guy with that cool punch! It was like fwoosh! Then pow!" He could hear Eri on the phone as Izuku smiled.
"Yeah, it was pretty cool, huh?"
"You're going to win this, right?" She asked with child-like enthusiasm as Izuku paused before nodding.
"…Yeah …Of course I am."
"…Izuku?" his mother's voice sounded worried as she picked up his tone. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am… It's just…"
"…Katsuki?"
"Yeah, I guess I'm just nervous?"
"I'm sure you are. He's never been the nicest boy, has he?"
"Understatement of the Century Mum… This match… It's not going to be like the others. This has been something that's been coming for a long time now. Ever since Kacchan got his Quirk when we were four. He's always thought himself better than everyone else. And he's always seen me as someone less than everyone else. Been like that ever since we were kids…"
"Oh, Izuku…"
"But we're not kids anymore." He gripped his fist as he made a glare. "U.A. has shown me things are so much different then Middle School. I'm so much different then before. But Kacchan still doesn't accept that. I need to make him see that. And if that means beating him then that's what I have to do, then so be it. He wants to be the Number One Hero, but so do I. And I'm not letting him stand in my way," Izuku promised himself as Inko listened.
"…Izuku… do your best," she said as Izuku chuckled at that.
"I will… love you, mum."
"Love you too, Izuku."
"Deku-nii! love you!" Eri shouted into the phone as Izuku chuckled.
"Love you too, Eri. Wish me luck," he hung up the phone as he breathed in a sigh.
"Izuku Midoriya, please make your way to the arena."
The intercom alerted him, as he nodded and got up. He made his way towards the Arena as his fist was gripped tight. Small shocks of electric green energy sparked around his fist before they subsided and he made his way through the hallway. He stepped out into the crowd as Bakugo stepped up to the Arena with him from the other gate. Both boys knew that this match was going to be different. This wasn't just going to show the world how strong they were, or how much potential they had as Heroes. This was going to be a fight between two friends that had diverged long ago, and prove to themselves and each other how strong they had become.
"And this corner, he's the wall crawling hero to be, its Izuku Midoriya!" Present Mic announced as Izuku stood at the end of the arena. "And his opponent, the dude that really should chill his attitude! It's Katsuki Bakugo!" Bakugo growled slightly but kept his focus on Izuku.
"You Ready, Deku?"
"Born Ready, Kacchan. Are you?" Bakugo almost grinned at that as Midnight looked between the two.
"Both Fighters ready?" Midnight raised her crop in the air. Both of them settled in their stance as they prepared to fight.
"Begin!"