Hero's Kingdom
Chapter 10: Tag Team
Izumi stood in place as the qualifiers from the race lined up. There were a total of 48 competitors left of the two hundred that had originally signed up. The second round would cut that fourty down to 16 with the team round.
"We've the results from the race. The first forty you see displayed on the monitors are the contestants who will move onto the next qualifying round." Kayama licked her lips in a sadistic fashion. "Note the real fun begins. Magical abilities are encouraged as they will help you determine your team's fate in…"
The screen went wild with colors and then flared out the font of the next competition. "Joust!"
"Joust?" Izumi raised a brow. "...but isn't jousting a single rider event?"
"You've never seen a jousting competition before have you Midoriya?" Iida pat her shoulder companionably.
"No, but I've read that-" she started but Iida shook his head.
"That's the olden days. Recent jousting events have become team battles. There are multiple teams on the field. Each team consists of one rider, a front horse, and two supporters. The rider can use weapons or magical abilities to knock down other riders from their seats.
"HEY!" Kayama snapped a whip making the two jump and tense up. "Why don't you two shut up and let me explain it!"
"Yes ma'am!" they lowered their heads in shame.
"Good… now then, the qualifying contestants will pair up into groups of four. Make your decisions wisely as the abilities of your teammates could mean the difference between victory and defeat." Kayama continued and the display board changed to show examples of the game from previous tournaments. "The teams will then combat each other using weapons and magic to throw their competition off. A team is disqualified if their rider hits the ground, is knocked unconscious, or if one or more teammate is separated from the group. When only four teams remain the game is over and those teams will then move onto the Melee tournament as individuals."
"Now I see...I'm at a serious disadvantage." Izumi murmured and tapped her lips. "With my size I can only be a rider but I've never seen nor participated in such an event. Hand to hand combat is my specialty but this requires a great deal of balance and-"
"Do you make it a habit of talking to yourself?" A voice from behind her made Izumi jump and she whirled around at the stranger, his face cloaked by a cape.
"Oh, forgive me, I sometimes don't realize I'm even doing it. I just get lost in my own thoughts." She rubbed the back of her head nervously.
"Don't apologize… if your mind is that busy it means you're already working out a strategy, which I admire." The man removed his hood and Izumi immediately recognized him.
"Lord Tokoyami!" She bowed respectfully. "I had no idea you were participating in the tournament this year. I didn't see you amongst the other combatants."
"I'm afraid without the use of my magic my participation in the first event was shrouded… but thankfully I prefer to hide in the shadow… so to speak. As I am one of the qualifying finalists..." He lifted a hand from out of his cape offering it to her. "I would like the honor of joining your team."
Izumi's eyes glittered with admiration and she held her heart. She'd admired Lord Tokoyami for some time, knowing he was a strong and wise wizard from the Shadowlands, and first knight to Queen Kayama.
"I'm the one that is honored, my lord." She bowed respectfully still a bit stunned with disbelief.
"Your humbleness is refreshing. Do you know any others who would join us? I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the majority of the fighters here." Tokoyami nodded to the posting again and Izumi read and shook her head.
"Ah well, I know a few people. Kacchan won't join me since he plans to lead his own team. There is Iida and a few other knights I train with but-" She glanced back and saw Iida walking straight to Todoroki. Her eyes looked around for other familiar faces, but they all cluttered together with other groups."It would seem those I'm friendly with already have teams of their own."
"I see that is unfortunate but we'll make do. I'm surprised at the lack of interest. You won the first round against great odds. I thought more would flock to your team. It's disheartening."
"Well those that know me know of my weaknesses as well. I'm only an average fighter, I'm small and I don't really like to show off any of my magical abilities during training. No one has any real confidence in me. I'm sorry," her eyes saddened. "I can understand if you wish to go to a more reliable team."
"I've already decided on you." Tokoyami set a hand over his heart. "I am, if anything, true to my word. I watched you during the first round and was impressed by your quick thinking and vast knowledge. If you put your ingenuity into your athleticism you'll do well in the tournament."
"You flatter me a great deal, my lord." She smiled sweetly. "It's very encouraging that a strong fighter such as yourself has confidence in me. I only wish-"
"There you are!" A pair of hands come onto her shoulders and Izumi squeaked in surprise. The hands turned her around and Izumi felt her face going bright red as the man leaned in close. "First place girl, please allow me to join with you."
"Too close!" Izumi thrust her hands up smacking the guy hard across the cheek. He stepped back rubbing the sore cheek but smiled wide.
"Oof, strong too. As I thought you're perfect! I need you?! You must bear my children!"
"Eh?! Excuse me?!" Izumi stammered and pointed a finger at the strange man. She'd never seen anyone so oddly dressed for battle. The uniform he wore was a crisp white shirt, and a vest made of leather. The pockets held tools and and appeared to be decorated with gears and chains. His pants were tight and the shoes sturdy with odd wheels and mechanisms built into the soles. His face was hidden by a pair of brass goggles that made his eyes look twice their normal size. "Who are you? I don't even know you!"
"Oh yes of course where are my manners." He lifted the goggles atop his head, his pink hair spiky and mussed around his handsome yet interesting face. "My name is Mavis Hatsume. I am a blacksmith and inventor from Musutafu. I'd like to join your team."
"Oh!" Izumi took a relaxed breath and held her chest. "I see… you're an inventor? Why are you participating in the Games then?"
"It's quite simple really, we inventors are always looking to find ways to show off our work to get discovered. I specialize in fortification and weaponry and these games is where my babies will shine!"
"Babies… ooh wait so when you asked me to bear your children you mean you want me to use your inventions?" It finally clicked and Izumi smiled brightly when Hatsume nodded and set his pack down digging through it.
" I'm not a trained knight or warrior but my inventions help me measure up to the rest of you. If it can do that wonderous thing for a non fighter like myself, just imagine the kind of wonders they could do for you, my dear." He brought up a pair of gauntlets and slid them over her hands, the silvery shine to them making Izumi stare in aw. "Beautiful aren't they?"
"Yes, and they're so light… what kind of metal is this?" She flexed her hands and started punching and invisible foe. Tokoyami also took notice of them and rubbed his beak in thought, wondering what other gadgets the inventor had in his pack.
"It's special alloy known as mythril, light as a cloud, but tough as a dragon's hide." He tapped the knuckle "Very handy with hand to hand combat."
"Is it really okay that I use them? They're your weapons." She looked a bit reluctant.
"The rules of the tournament say that all fighters may use whatever weapons, and tools they feel will assist them in the tournament. The only limitations is your own capabilities. Since my own capabilities are slim at best, I would much rather my babies shine in the hands of someone truly capable such as yourself."
"Capable…" Izumi's head lowered as her own self confidence began to waver. The two man standing beside her had such faith in her abilities. "You both humble and honor me. I don't even know if I'll be able to use these in this round." She started to remove them but Hatsume held up a hand.
"Nonsense! There's all kinds of magic and physical force the other teams will throw at you. It's better your hands, which I understand are your primary weapon, are protected… and besides they look so beautiful on you!" He held her face squishing her cheeks together. "Beauty is divine, and beauty can be made. Can you not see it, Izumi Midoriya?"
"Uhmm herr yesss…" Izumi muffled through squished cheeks. "I think I can."
"I haven't even shown you the best part." He pressed a button on the wrist and the gauntlets deform and clasp around her wrists as two silver bracelets. "A lovely accessory as well, good with any outfit whether it be frock or leggings. You can take them with you everywhere, the travel capabilities are endless!"
"Wow that is cool…" Izumi smiled liking the duality of the weapon. Okay, toughen up Izumi. This man was offering her something incredible and genuinely wanted to be on her team. She had to do right by him. Her head lifted and she nodded her head having made her decision. "Alright Mr. Hatsume, you've officially sold me. Welcome to the team."
"Marvelous! Now then, Lord Tokoyami I noticed you taking an interest as well might I offer-" Hatsume approached his teammate beginning his second sell. Izumi in the meantime got her head back in the game. She had Lord Tokoyami, and the inventor Hatsume on her team. She needed just one more fighter… and her eyes browsed the individuals still left standing alone.
She stepped towards them her hands at her sides and she stood in front of them all trying to figure out who she should ask. Her eyes met with one warrior in particular, and after a moment she stepped to him feeling the connection.
"You good sir… would you please be the fourth member of my team?"
Neito Monoma stared down at the girl in question his eyes showing humor and curiosity.
"Oh? The great first place female wants help from the likes of me?" Monoma snickered. "Why should I?"
Truth be told he was the only one whom she had any connection with at all. She felt the strain between them, but his reputation spoke for itself.
"I know you do not think I am capable of doing well in this tournament. I placed first in the race, but that was more luck than skill. I want to prove to you and the other naysayers that I can match wits and grit with the men."
"That still fails to answer my question." He grabs her chin making her stare him down. "Why should I help you?"
Izumi looked him in the eye and couldn't help but smile a little.
"Because you're curious… and though I may be on friendly terms with him I want to beat Kacchan… Prince Bakugo." Izumi clarified and nodded her head in Bakugo's direction. The young Dagohban prince was already tense and seething at seeing the two of them together. "I thought that was something you wanted as well."
Amusing… quite amusing. Monoma snickered and let out a long satisfied sigh.
"You are a curious little thing. I am intrigued, but I will not join your team as I already have one of my own." He smirked sadistically. "However I will offer you a suitable substitute." He turned around and called out. "Tetsutetsu!"
The knight in steel armor approached and saluted.
"Yes, My Lord?"
"I'm removing you from my team." He ignored Tetsutetsu's fretful look and eyed Izumi again. "I would like you to join Miss Midoriya's team instead. I feel you'll be much more useful to her than you will be to me."
"Are you sure of that, My lord?" Tetsutetsu looked between them. "I mean that would mean I'd have to-"
"It's quite alright, I'll spare no hard feelings should she try to throw me from my seat. It is a competition after all. However, this also means I can do the same to you." He pat his shoulder. "Enjoy yourself, Tetsutetsu, it's rare you get to be so intimate with a girl who isn't my fiancee."
"Huh? Wha- Wait!" Tetsutetsu grunted a bit and rubbed the back of his head. "Well…" he looked to Izumi a bit flustered. "I suppose this makes us teammates."
Izumi couldn't help it. She smiled and let out a sweet laugh.
"Yes it does… I'm happy to have you, Sir Tetsutetsu."
~Times up~
Izumi sat propped up behind Tokoyami with Tetsutetsu and Mavis helping to brace her feet. The three under her considered themselves lucky to have such a small and light rider of only 110 pounds in comparison to come of the other men who had to heft people between 180 to 250 pounds. Izumi didn't think it was that much of an advantage. She was a lighter carry, but an easier target to knock off. Her own magic would give her some fortitude, but she had to be smart not to get hit too often or she'd be out of this match and fast.
"Here…" Hatsume held out the javeline all teams were presented with. The ends were dulled so as not to cause mortal harm, but just feeling the thickness and weight of the weapon in her hand left her feeling unnerved.
"Aim for their heads." Tetsutetsu advised. "If you go for the torso it'll be too easily blocked or someone can snatch your weapon away."
"Got it." She leaned forward into tokoyami her eyes fierce on the competition around them. "You ready, Lord Tokoyami?"
"Yes…" He closed his eyes breathing deep and let out a small roar as he released his magic. He summoned the shadow beast from inside him and the dark bird like creature shot straight up into the air and came back down roaring with delight at its freedom.
"Amazing…" Izumi said with pure admiration. "Your magic is wonderful, My Lord."
"Yes, it is an impressive and useful tool." Tokoyami nodded to the shadow which narrowed its eyes on him.
"Oh I don't think it's a tool." Izumi leaned forward, risking to stroke a hand over the head of the shadow and had it leaning in and crooning at her. "It's a part of you… like a friend who's always there to support you."
Tokoyami looked back surprised… and his serious eyes go soft and affectionate. His intuition on this woman had been correct. She was definitely the answer to his kingdom's problems.
"Thank you."
"Competitors take your positions!" Kayama called out to the fighters and raised her whip in the air. "May the strongest teams survive! BEGIN!"
Izumi felt her breath escape her as the teams all lunged forward straight into the center. It didn't take any of them long to start going at each other trying to knock their opponents down. Javelins whipped out, magic clashed and exploded to life and Izumi felt the fear build up in her again.
"What's the plan Miss Midoriya?" Tokoyami asked, Dark Shadow bracing as two teams took notice of her and made a beeline straight for them.
"I'm too easy of a target. The objective of this battle is to survive so it would be better to run." She gripped the javelin tightly and clenched her teeth.
"So?" Tetsutetsu leaned into vision smirking up at her. "What's the verdict?"
"It's smarter to run…" she smirked back down at him and the gauntlets at her wrist unfold and clasp over her hands. "But I'm here to fight!"
"That's more like it!" Tetsutetsu roared out and used his own magic to encase himself in metal armor.
"Forward Tokoyami!" She whipped the javelin out and over her head spinning it. The two teams halt narrowly getting missed by the end. "Knock them off balance!"
Dark Shadow laughed and squealed as it thrust up acting as defense and scared the first opponent off its seat and into the dirt. Izumi smiled but then gasped as a javelin narrowly missed her head. Her team held her firm as she lounged backwards to dodge the neck hit and then forward and sideways to keep from being smacked in the face.
"We should move!" Tetsutetsu suggested shifting to keep Izumi upright. "We can't keep dodging like this or you'll surely fall."
"One problem!" Hatsume pointed out kicking a stone out and watched it bounce off the sizzling bubble barrier around them. "They've got us sealed in."
"We're trapped!" Izumi panted leaning over Tokoyami, Dark shadow coming around her to block the next blow. The snickering knight who was her opponent kept swinging and the electrified forcefield around them caused by his teammate's magic kept her team from being able to move and kept dark shadow, who was weakened from the light, from attacking.
"Any ideas, Midoriya?" Tokoyami asked keeping Dark Shadow concentrated on defense.
"Just one." Izumi gripped her own javelin… but instead of striking it outward she stabbed it into the ground next to them. "Let go!" She pulled away from them by jumping up and using the javelin to swing her body around. Dark shadow moved out of the way and her legs kicked out knocking the javelin out of the opposing team's grip and forced their rider back and off his seat.
"NICE ONE!" Tetsutetsu complimented taking firm hold of her legs again with Hatsume. "They didn't even see it coming!" The forcefield let go and they moved away from the bulk of the group to recollect themselves.
"That was close though. We should be more careful from now on." She took a deep breath her body shaking from how frightening that attack had been.
"You handled yourself well, do not doubt your abilities." Tokoyami complimented. "However do keep up your guard. This battle has only just begun."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I sincerely apologize! Due to my computer crapping out on me I wasn't able to post this update when I'd planned to. Thankfully I got it fixed quickly! Hope you guys are enjoying the fic so far!
Next Chapter: A Rival's Grudge