"[*Dark Shadow talking*]"
"{*Tenno talking.*}"
Cetus was burning.
Fires raged across the marketplace as the walls laid in ruin. Most of the houses had been levelled, scattered and destroyed debris everywhere. However, most tragic of all had been the fate of the Unum. The once impenetrable and beautiful symbol of Cetus was in pieces, white structures fallen into the sea below as its fleshy insides were blackened and burnt.
Just an example of Grineer cruelty.
Yet not all was lost. Although the defenders had valiantly given their lives to fend off last nights siege, there were still survivors that had rallied at the coast. Currently, the Tenno were guarding them, fending off the Grineer hordes that dared try to finish what they had started.
Onkko Septenary guided a few refugees, a captured Grineer Stubba in one hand as he pointed at the docks. "Go, doh-ga! They will guide you to safety!"
"Unum bless you Quill!" An Elder praised.
The Ostron's were about to go before a shout was heard, originating from the marketplace.
"Orre klegra!"
Gunfire filled the air, bullets whizzing past. Onkko turned around, counting about 5 Lancers. The Ostron's retreated down the hill as he fired off his compact submachine gun. He struck one of the Grineer right through the helmet before riddling the next Lancer with a quick burst. The other Grineer quickly retaliated, firing their Grakatas. Onkko dove for cover, leaning his gasa forward to peer from a limited view range, trying to figure out how he would escape this predicament. His prayers were answered, as a set of louder shots were heard.
Two of the Grineer we're blasted, giant holes in their armor. The last one ran from cover, trying to escape before an arrow whizzed past, piercing the Grineer's back as he was skewered to the wall.
Onkko let out a breath of relief, turning his head to see his former wife and lover, Saya. She held a Quartakk in her hands as a Mag Prime Warframe stood next to her, preparing another arrow.
"Onkko!" She yelled, rushing up to him. Just three days ago, she had no idea that he was even still alive. But now...
He recalled for a moment, "How did it all come to this?"
Perhaps it was because the shield that the Unum provided had failed, strange red energy dismantling the calming blue. The Quills had a vague idea who was responsible, borrowing the name from the Red Veil itself.
The Man in the Wall.
For what reasons, they could not understand. Yet they did know one thing for certain...They were living in the darkest reality. An emergency contingency was enacted. Most if not all of the Quills were to rally and reform on Venus, that way their order could survive while a select few volunteered to help the Ostron's escape from Cetus to the Strata relay.
Onkko was one of them, possibly the last.
"Saya?" He rose up, hand to his shoulder. "Why are you here? You should be back at the-"
"Nakak ran off!" Saya announced, "I tried to get her on board the Railjack but she refused to come along! She said that the Lost One could save Cetus!"
"The Lost-?" Onkko froze up, absolutely still.
He knew where she was.
The Quill turned his head, "I'll get her back-" He felt a hand grasp his shoulder, Saya looking him dead in the eye as the Mag Frame stood vigil.
"I'll come with you, Onkko. Konzu...-" She paused for a moment, "-Konzu would've wanted you safe."
"He would...-" Onkko then sighed behind his visor, "But not as much as you."
As if on cue, a Grineer Galleon poked out from the heavens above, parting the clouds as it released a swarm of Dargyns. Most were shot down by a hail of projectiles, a few Warframes even intercepting with their archwings, but the message became clear.
They were running out of time.
"Go." Onkko simply said, "I will find her and I will rejoin you at the Strata Relay... I promise."
Saya stared at him for a moment before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, Onkko returning the gesture, holding her as the harsh reality around them ebbed away. They seperated, Saya whispering softly. "Be safe..." She turned to leave, arm bought up to eye level to wipe away her tears.
Onkko turned his attention to the Mag Frame as his former wife slowly walked away, "Tenno, please... safeguard the people... and Saya."
There was a pause before the Mag nodded, Operator speaking in a young and feminine sounding voice.
"{I will.}"
The Warframe then leaped, Archwing assembling upon her back as she took to the skies, joining her comrades to take down the aerial force that had threatened the remaining survivors. Onkko silently watched for a moment before turning, breaking off into a sprint as he ran through the destroyed marketplace. He reached a piece of debris, crouching down for a moment to scout out his surroundings and the remains of the gate.
Grineer we're currently flooding past the destroyed gate of Cetus, mustering for the next assault as they piled the bodies of the wall's defenders. It was a depressing and mortifying sight, knowing that they would never receive proper burials. Yet... the thrice as high pile of Grineer corpses next to it proved their valiant efforts.
Let it be known, that the gate broke before the defenders did.
Onkko finished his scouting, keeping his head low before taking a long calm breath, closing his eyes.
An aura of focused energy radiated around him, allowing him to 'see'.
The Quills held many secrets in their order... But their most guarded ones was how they were able to divine the future. The simple truth was that it was through the Unum, the more complex answer was that it was through her 'other' byproduct. While people of Ostron harvested the meat to feed their families and sometimes even sell it, their was also a secret secondary resource that was siphoned from within her... A velvet and mysterious liquid known as 'Kuva'. One of the initiation rituals to become a Quill was the consumption of the aforementioned liquid, connecting themselves to her eternal will and granting them exposure to the Void itself. Granted, the 'exposure' aspect wasn't to the same level as the Tenno, due to obvious reasons.
He saw pathways.
In some, Onkko had successfully bypassed the soldiers. In others... he saw his still corpse, riddled with bullets. It was simple elimination, discarding the paths of least success and choosing the ones that saw him through.
Going right seemed most reasonable.
He crouched, sticking closely to the shadows as he reached the collapsed bounty board. "Huut's too kuhut reger..." A heavy gunner mused with her comrades as they passed Onkko, oblivious to his presence. The Quill snuck forward, climbing past the destroyed wall before finally reaching the other side.
The Plains of Eidolon seemed to be in a state of turmoil, the sky a murky grey as the wind harshly blew through the tall grass. Every Grineer base was lit up with activity, distant shouts and commands heard. Onkko had to hurry, Gara Toht Lake was just up ahead. He began running, swiftly traversing the plains before reaching a rocky outcrop. The Quill jumped down before freezing up.
A dormant Warframe was kneeling against the pebble bed, hands limp as its towerful head leaned forward. Revenant had been retrieved from the depths of Gara Toht, but at what cost?
That cost became clear, as Nakak could be seen lying in front of it, unmoving.
He jumped down, "Nakak?"
No response.
Onkko lifted his visor, eyes blinking as he walked up to her still form. Her eyes were wide open, cheeks stained with lines of dried blood originating from her lids. He knelt next to her, asking again. "Nakak?"
Again, no response.
He put two digits on her neck, checking her pulse.
Nothing... She was dead.
Nakak had tried to perform transference, her own hubris leading her to believe that she could do it just as the Tenno did.
Ever since becoming a Quill, Onkko was taught to abandon all emotion and attachment. It was necessary, as looking into potential futures had to be regarded with a heart of stone. Yet... Nakak was his young charge, just as he was a mentor to her. She was on her way to becoming a Quill like him ever since the young girl began receiving visions from the Unum, the tell tale signs of potential. Onkko tasked himself to train her and induct her into his order, often spending days and nights trying to teach her their ways. Admittedly, it was a hard task, as Nakak was such a free and inquisitive spirit. Even so, she had passed their rituals, becoming an 'Mote' within their hierarchical structure and granted a taste of the Void so she too could see what they saw.
In a way... She had become the daughter he never had.
Something inside of him broke, tears beginning to well up in his eyes. For the first time in a long time, Onkko showed emotion.
"Why...?" He asked, thinking it was to no one in particular. "Why her...?"
This was all his fault. He could have stopped this. He could have looked further into her path. He could have-
"Targat akoroitier!"
A shot from a Vulkar was heard.
Onkko fell forward, landing next to Nakak's body. The pebbles turned red with his blood as he felt the taste of iron in his mouth. It suddenly felt almost impossible to breath, his chest heaving. The bullet must've breached his lungs.
He could hear footsteps traverse over the pebbles as he laid still, the Grineer talking in hushed radio silence.
"Agrear grear na warfram spotter." One of them announced, thinking that he was dead as they focused on the deactivated Warframe.
Onkko then began to feel something else, a burning sensation deep within his soul.
A rage that refused to back down.
He wasn't the one that drove Nakak to drastic measures. He wasn't the one who attacked his own home. It was these like-faced savages that were the cause of everything. Onkko gritted his teeth, peering up to Revenant with a vengeful look.
The Quill was going to die, so why not try?
He reached his hand out, one of Grineer yelling in alarm as Onkko grasped onto Revenant, focusing whatever energy he had left into that one singular touch. The Void worked in mysterious ways as the sensation was indescribable at first, a warm feeling spreading over his skin. Then it began to sink deeper, as if he was falling down into a tunnel, the warm sensation now becoming a burning agony. His head felt like it was going to explode, a building pressure becoming almost intolerable.
And then it stopped, calming down as Onkko blinked, no longer lying against the pebble bed.
Instead he was kneeling, a few Grineer backing away in shock and fear. He looked down, his body now the body of Revenant himself.
Two worlds had became one.
He didn't have the time to react to his new change as the closest Lancer raised his Hind to open fire. The Lost One responded by simply using his left hand, now metallic and overflowing with Sentient energies. He lashed out, enthralling the Grineer as glowing blue pylons could be seen puppeteering the man. The Lancer simply turned, using his gun against his own, much to the surprise of his comrades as shouts and yells were heard.
It spread like a virus.
One enthralled would shoot the Grineer, turning the unaffected under Revenant's influence and continuing on until the entire small contingent was ready to fight and die for him. In response to this, five Dargyns flew low from the clouds, escorting a Bolkor gunship as they opened fire on Onnko's position. The heavy rounds cut through some of Revenant's thralls, his minions retaliating as one of the Dargyns took too much fire and crashed
The Warden merely prepared himself before spinning, raising his arm as wild lines of lasers shot out into the land and sky. It cut clean lines through the ships, blowing them up within the air and dropping their burning wrecks into the Lake below. Not even his thralls were spared, as they too we're disintegrated by the powerful beams of energy.
All will perish.
That was all Onkko could think as Revenant threw back his head and screeched, expending every ounce of his being into the act. The sound was reminiscent to an angered Eidolon as pulses of magnetic and sentient energy radiated outwards. There was a momentary pause, the water of the lake shifting into a eldritch blue as the sky turned to dark.
They came, rising from the water or simply appearing from swirling blue mists. Teralysts, Gantulysts, and Hydrolysts began to scour the land as great swarms of Vomulysts took to the air, destroying everything in their path. Revenant silently laid witness to all the chaos, Grineer bases literally disintegrated and toppled by the towering ancients.
It bought a sickening satisfaction to him, knowing that the price of blood from his people had been paid.
However, he began to notice some of the Eidolons turn their attention towards the remains of Cetus. Revenant froze up, putting out a hand to try and command them.
It didn't work.
Onkko finally found his voice, his personality returning ."{Wait! Stop!}" He yelled, his words coming directly from Revenant.
They didn't listen.
He watched in horror as the Eidolons rampaged over the ruins, obliterating everything in their path. Onkko quickly came to realize what exactly he had done. The same energy that the Warden had used to seal them all those ages ago had been released by him. Perhaps there could have been a chance to rebuild after this, for his people to return to Cetus when the Grineer were driven out.
But he had unknowingly ensured that would never happen, as the Eidolons would never stop their ceaseless rampage for fulfillment. Perhaps it would even extend to the rest of Earth itself than just the Plains.
Onkko appeared in front of Revenant, the Frame standing still.
"What have I done...?" He asked himself.
Yet, a glimmer of hope.
A ship flew over one of the ridgelines, going out to the sea and away from the chaos. It was Tenno design, a 'Railjack'. The ship paused for a moment, gathering energy within its built in solar rail before shooting out into space. Onkko silently watched it leave, assuming that it was carrying the last wave of refugees.
Cetus would die, but at least the Ostrons would live.
"Proud of yourself, Surah?"
He turned his head in surprise, seeing another Quill stand next to Revenant. His visor, a menacing red than a calming blue.
"You really made a mess of everything..."
Onkko blinked, "Who-?" He then realized this presence, this energy that the Quill produced. It was the exact same that dismantled the Unum's sacred walls around Cetus. "You're him... You're the Man in The Wall."
The Quill gave no indication if his identity was found out or not, instead remaining silent.
"... Why?" Onkko simply asked, regarding everything that had happened.
There was a pause before he lifted his visor, revealing the smiling face of Onkko himself, his eyes a celestial black. "Because I wanted to see what would happen."
No ulterior goal, no complex purpose.
Just morbid, sick, curiosity.
Onkko felt his rage rise again, "What are we to you?! Toys!? So many have been lost because of you!"
"And so many avenged..." He replied with a smirk, "I made it possible so you did not end up like... her." The Man in The Wall said, pointing at Nakak's corpse.
"You-" Onkko tried to find words, "You're sick!"
"No." He crossed his arms, "Indifferent."
Onkko gritted his teeth, focusing himself as radiant Void began to act up around him.
"I would not do that if I were you... Surah."
He didn't listen, instead charging up a beam like he had seen other Tenno do before. He thrusted his hand forward, expecting to see the man before him annihilated. Yet the exact opposite happened.
Onkko began to grow transparent.
He stared at his hands in shock, realizing that he was able to see the pebble bed below him. The Quill turned to Revenant, realizing the same was happening to the Warframe.
"I gave you my gift to see what you would do, Surah." The Man in The Wall explained, regarding Onkko with a cold stare.
"And now... you're nothing without it."
The rest of Onkko's body began to fade as he wordlessly began to feel himself falling.
Down, down, down.
Before reawakening.
Onkko Septenary opened his eyes, his meditation over as he let out a sigh.
He remembered waking up alongside Revenant, stuck within a prison of his own. He remembered discovering Revenants sentience, and the potential that he and the Warframe held. He remembered teaching himself to manipulate his surroundings, making them bend to his will.
And most importantly, he remembered foreseeing a vision... A pathway of a certain boy named Izuku.
The former Quill looked down, taking out a drawing from long ago. It was burnt at the edges, yet it depicted Konzu, himself, and Saya, all three of them together. He smiled, before producing a high definition glyph.
A picture of himself standing next to Nakak, both of them holding fishing spears as the Young Girl had a bright smile on her face. There was a pain he felt, as always... But it reminded him of his new task.
To train Izuku and to not repeat the same mistakes of the past. He pocketed the glyph, standing up from the dry pebble bed. Currently, Izuku was about to reach a very important moment of his life.
Perhaps it would be nice to have a talk with him beforehand.
Onkko beckoned a portal to open, walking forward as he disappeared in a flash of yellow.
"I'm not gonna fucking sugarcoat it." Katsuki said, arms crossed. "It's about Half-and-Half Bastard."
Izuku blinked, "You mean Todorok-"
"Whatever the fuck his name is." The student turned his head to the opening of the tunnel. "I want to know what you think."
Katsuki was asking for his opinion.
For once, Izuku wasn't sure what to say.
Katsuki turned his head, "Hey, did you hear me, Deku? I was fucking asking you a-"
"But why?"
Izuku looked down as he asked that.
"Why do you want my perspective?" He looked up, "You're the last person I'd expect to ask this of me, much less care. So why ask now?"
Katsuki seemed to huff for a moment, silent before speaking. "... 'Cause I'm tired of fucking things up."
Izuku froze at that admittance.
"I'm going to win." Katsuki declared, "But I'm going to win in the way I envisioned it. A total victory." Katsuki crossed his arms, "I've been doing everything to make it happen. Analyzing other people's Quirks and shit. Fuck, I even bothered remembering Hedgehog hair's, Round Face's, Tape Arm's names."
"... Did you actually?"
"I did. I just don't fucking care to repeat them." Katsuki shamelessly added, "But you get my fucking point. I'm doing everything I can to reach the top and I-"
Katsuki paused for a moment, as if it was taking every fiber of his being to say the next set of words.
"I need advice."
There was a pause between the two of them, a few seconds passing before Katsuki spoke up again.
"There, I fuckin' said it. You want me to write it out for you, Dek-?"
"It's a personal reason."
Katsuki blinked, Izuku's eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his curly hair.
"Todoroki's Half-Cold and Half-Hot is just one Quirk, but it does have two different usages. Up until this point, I thought it was that his right-side produced ice while his left-side produced heat to thaw said ice... I was wrong. His left-side is capable of producing a roaring fire. He was just using it defensively the entire time."
Katsuki opened his mouth to say something only for Izuku to continue.
"I know what you're about to say. What does this have to do with anything when you already know that? I'll explain..." Izuku looked up, his face in complete analysis mode as his muttering became weaponized. "Todoroki's father is Enji Todoroki. Also known as Endeavour, the No. 2 Hero."
The other student blinked at that.
"Endeavour has a powerful fire Quirk, and they share the same family name, so it's simple deduction." Izuku continued, "While Todoroki's fire in inherited from his father, then ice must come from his mother... but a few months back, when I tried searching up about her, I didn't get much, just a name, Rei. Her family name was changed to Todoroki and their wedding was apparently kept under wraps... I think It must have- It must have been-"
Izuku paused.
"It must have been a Quirk marriage between his father and mother."
"A Quirk marriage? The fuck is-"
"Y'know, like an arranged marriage but with Quirks as the reason rather than money or position." Izuku shook his head, "Anyways, back to the point. Considering that Endeavour's Quirk is fire, and Shoto downright refuses to use his fire side, then I can only assume that him and his father are... not in good terms. And that, Kacchan-"
Izuku crossed his arms.
"Is what I think."
"How..." Katsuki paused, "How the fuck do you know all this shit?"
Izuku gave an uncharacteristic smile, "Because that's what I do, Kacchan. I mutter... and I know things." However his smile died out, "But I didn't share my thoughts in order to help you... I shared them to help Todoroki."
"... What?" Katsuki asked, head tilted.
"I-" Izuku paused, "I can't explain it. But..."
A mental image popped in Izuku's head, Shoto putting out the fire in his left arm as a Villain beared down upon him, resistant to the boys ice as he protected a family of innocent civilians.
"Maybe... by trying to pushing Todoroki to use his fire... You wouldn't be the only one 'winning'."
Katsuki blinked at that statement, turning to face the opening of the tunnel before turning back as if he had completed his thoughts. "... Whatever." He then began to walk away, "I'm gonna go get some water."
He was about to leave before Izuku called out. "Hey, Kacchan."
Katsuki turned his head, looking at the green haired student.
"Good luck. You're going to need it."
There was a pause before Katsuki huffed, turning around. "I make my own luck."
Izuku stood there, silently watching the student leave.
Lunch passed.
Izuku had came to lunch late thanks to his talk with Katsuki, missing a chance to talk with his friends. But regardless, the next round was about to be announced soon, and Izuku knew that he would have the opportunity.
Finishing his quick meal, he went to the stadium, where a mob of students had already gathered.
If only he was prepared for what he was about to witness.
Tsuyu wearing a cheerleader outfit, standing aimlessly amongst the crowd as she looked up at the big screen.
His jaw dropped, face absolutely red. "T-Tsu?!"
She turned her head, her vacant eyes blinking before responding in kind, a hint of shame in her voice. "Midoriya-chan..."
He was about to ask why before a series of complex mental chess played out in his head. "Don't ask. Don't say anything. She might get offended, or think its rude, or maybe just downright think you're a lecherous pervert, like Mineta..." His face somehow turned redder, "But... that cheerleading outfit really accentuates her flexibi-" He then envisioned himself smashing the chessboard into the ground, not wanting to carry on this train of thought.
Thankfully, Tsuyu explained herself. "It was a trick by Mineta and Kaminari. They told us that it was mandatory for all the girl to wear these for the next round."
"O-Oh... I-I see..."
"Kero." She turned her head, "I would change back into my PE kit but the next announcement was about to come, so I decided to wait until then."
"Hmm." Izuku nodded, the red blush beginning to fade as he decided to change the topic. "Where's Tokoyami-"
"I'm here."
Izuku turned his head, Fumikage walking up to the two of them. The bird-headed student seemed to have gotten over his sulking mood, but even so...
"Is there something you need?"
"Yeah. I-I wanted to tell you that..." Izuku paused, "You and Dark Shadow did a great job in the last stretch. You really had me fooled..."
Fumikage seemed to take in Izuku's words before sighing, "While normally I would interpret those words as sarcastic mockery, I know you well enough to know that you mean it from the bottom of your heart." Fumikage looked at him, a small smile on his beak. "Thank you Izuku... For being a friend about it."
"No problem." Izuku responded as Present Mic acted up behind the speaker once more.
"The recreational activities are about to begin soon. After that, however, is the main and final event! Between the sixteen members of the four winning teams, we'll be having a formal tournament! A series of one-to-one battles!"
"It's a head-to-head competition. But the format's switched from last year." Izuku thought. "I wonder if that means we'll be using the duelling ring..."
Midnight came up on stage, a yellow box in her hands. "Now, let's draw lots to determine the matchups. Once that's settled, we'll move onto the festivities and then the tournament itself. The sixteen finalists can choose whether or not they want to participate in the recreation. I'm sure one of you might want to conserve your energy and strength." Midnight walked forward, hand reaching into the box. "Now, without further ado, the first place team will be-"
"Um...! Excuse me."
Everyone turned to see Mashirao with his hand raised.
"I'd like to dropout."
Needless to say, that was unexpected. Tsuyu let out a ribbit as Fumikage and Izuku stared, the latter with wide eyes.
Iida was already asking the needed question.
"Ojiro, why!? This is your chance to get noticed by the pros!"
"Because of the cavalry battle... I have no memories of anything that happened until nearing the end." Mashirao then pointed. "It was probably because of his Quirk."
Izuku turned his head, noticing Hitoshi turn away.
Fumikage whispered, "That student... He was the leader of Ojiro's group if I remember correctly."
"Yeah." Izuku confirmed, "Hitoshi Shinso, from the general education course..."
Mashirao continued, "I know this is a great opportunity... and I know how stupid it must seem to throw it all away... But everyone else made it here by their own strength while I'm standing with them, not even knowing how or why. I just can't take it."
"Ojiro-" Mina walked forward, cheerleader outfit to show she had been duped as well. "-, me and you were on the same team and I can't remember anything either. Just do what I'm doing and make up for it by participating in the next round."
"Y-Yeah!" Toru agreed, "Think about this carefully Ojiro-kun."
The Tail-Quirked student put a hand over his eyes, "I'm talking about my pride here... I just don't think it's right..." He then looked up, "Also, why are you girls dressed like that?"
No one answered as Eijiro wiped away a tear, changing the subject instantly. "Ojiro... You're super manly..."
Midnight seemed to pause, taking in Ojiro's words and convictions. "How naive and green..." She then cracked her whip, "I LIKE IT! Mashirao Ojiro, I accept you're withdrawal!"
Tsuyu silently spoke up next to Izuku, "I have a feeling she accepted because of personal taste."
Mina and Aoyoma silently watched Ojiro walk away. Midnight put a hand beneath her chin in thought. "In that case, we'll have to move someone up from the fifth place of the cavalry battle."
A girl from class 1-B stepped forward, turning her head. "Well, if it's gonna be like that, then it should be Shiozaki."
The vine haired girl looked up, surprise in her eyes as her group regarded her with smiles.
"She was the one that got the highest score from the obstacle race. So it makes sense for her to go on rather than any of us."
Tetsutetsu nodded, "Yeah, go on Shiozaki. You deserve it."
"I-I-" She then put her hands together in a praying motion, bowing her head to her class. "Then with God as my witness, I solemnly swear that I will make you all proud!"
Izuku watched the exchange, "She seems religious."
Midnight continued, "And so, Shiozaki has been moved up to make sixteen competitors." The screen then changed, "Here are the matchups!"
Izuku scanned for his name, noticing that he was going to be the first to fight.
His eyes widened.
Izuku Midoriya vs. Tsuyu Asui
He slowly turned his head to his friend only to realize that Tsuyu was doing the same, her vacant eyes staring directly at him. For a moment, Izuku wished he knew what she was thinking, if she felt the same way that he did.
Because they were both going to have to fight each other.
Izuku forced himself to look back at the screen, the rest following.
Sato Rikido vs. Hitoshi Shinso
Fumikage Tokoyami vs. Ibara Shiozaki
Momo Yaoyorozu vs. Eijiro Kirishima
Katsuki Bakugo vs. Hanta Sero
Mina Ashido vs. Ochako Uraraka
Shoto Todoroki vs. Yuga Aoyoma
Tenya Iida vs. Mei Hatsume
"All right! Now let's set aside the tournament for the time being and get on with the thrill-a-minute festivities!"
Fireworks shot out as Present Mic announced the start of the recreational activities. Izuku peered up for a moment, mesmerized by the different colors before looking back down.
Tsuyu was already gone, silently walking away in her slouched posture as Izuku quietly watched. She was probably off to go change into her PE kit.
At least, that's what Izuku told himself.
He felt a hand gently grasp his shoulder, turning to see Fumikage.
A hint of knowing was in the students eyes.
"I-I just don't know what to do... Tokoyami-kun." Izuku admitted.
Fumikage gently sat on the branch of a tree as the green haired student sat at the base of its roots, heads turned downwards and upwards respectively.
"If I'm not serious, t-then she might be insulted... but if I give it my all... then she might think I care more about victory then our friendship."
The bird-headed student let out a sigh, "To tell you the truth, I don't see what the big problem is Midoriya. This is no different then the cavalry battle we just had, and most of the people in this competition are fighting someone they know or trust."
"W-Well..." Izuku paused for a moment, "That was because it was against teams rather than individuals... and we weren't using our Quirks to directly hurt or incapacitate. And second..." He paused again, "Tsu's different."
Fumikage raised an eye, "How so?"
Izuku looked at his hand, sprawling his digits. "Ever since I became inflic-" He then interrupted himself, "-Ever since I acquired my late bloomer of a Quirk... I-I feel like my ability to analyse went through the roof. Info gathering is something I used to do as a pastime, but now it's actually a part of who I am." Izuku looked up, "So when I look at someone, I can sort of tell what they're thinking or going through, or make a really good assumption if I think long and hard about it... but not Tsu."
"And I assume that's because she hides her emotions well?"
"Yeah." Izuku agreed before sighing.
The green haired student then let it all out.
"You two have been my only friends I've had since I started U.A... and I'd do anything in my power to not risk breaking it."
Fumikage blinked, a long pause emanating before Dark Shadow appeared beside him. "I was alone and an outcast for my years in middle school. Most tended to avoid me thanks to my reserved personality, and Dark Shadow was the only friend I had." He then looked down, "But with you and Tsuyu by my side. I feel so much more open... So I suppose the feeling truly is mutual, Midoriya. Do what you feel is right."
Izuku leaned his head back against the bark, eyes blinking, before leaning off. "I'm going to meditate now."
Fumikage tilted his head, "... Meditation? ... I swear, there is always something new I learn about you, Midoriya-kun."
Izuku softly smiled, crossing his legs together and closing his eyes as he drifted away.
Unbeknownst to the two students, a figure silently hopped away after eavesdropping on their conversation.
The time had come.
Izuku wasn't able to find Tsuyu before the match had started, so he resolved himself. He walked down the tunnel, the dim roar of the crowd vibrating from the walls themselves. Izuku spotted the exit of the stadium tunnel before freezing up.
A figure leaned in the shadow of the sunlight, wearing a very familiar gasa.
"O-Onkko-Sensei?!" Izuku said with surprise.
"Izuku." The Quill simply acknowledged.
"W-What are you doing here?" Izuku asked, slowly approaching. "I-Is there something wrong?"
"No. Not at all." Onkko reaffirmed, "Onkko just- I just wanted to see my pupil before he took the next big step of his path, that is all."
"Oh." Izuku said, rubbing his arm.
"Are you prepared?" The Quill asked, Izuku looking back up.
"E-Er,-" Izuku then scratched the back of his head, "Not sure to be honest... I-I'm going to have to fight a really close friend of mine... and I really don't want to think of the outcome."
Onkko nodded, "That is natural, to be unsure. Even I have doubts and worries at times."
"R-Really?"
"Indeed,-" Onkko crossed his arms, "But as for the ever-changing outcome of your path, win or lose, one thing remains constant."
"What's that?" Izuku asked.
Onkko's visor slipped up, the man's face perceptive and knowing. "You've made it this far Izuku, and you have come to accept the power you found yourself with...-"
"-I'm proud of you."
Izuku blinked, Onkko turning his head to the entrance.
"Anyways, enough of this old one's muttering. You have a tournament to- Ohp?"
The green haired boy hugged his teacher. A second passed before Izuku broke away, a smile on his face as he happily rubbed the tears from his eyes. "T-Thank you... Onkko-Sensei... For everything."
Onkko seemed to pause before smiling back, "It was my duty, and my pleasure... Now get out there and show them the extent of your training, Izuku."
Izuku nodded, turning away to walk towards the entrance. He turned his head one last time, watching Onkko open a rift before turning to face him. "Oh and one last thing. Once this festival concludes, return to the temple. There are some topics we need to discuss, as well as info regarding your amp."
His eyes widened, nodding excitedly as Onkko gave one last wave.
"Sho-lah."
And then the Quill was gone, taken back into the Void. Izuku turned back around, steadying his breathing. "Here goes nothing."
He walked forward into the light.
"Match number one! A ninja in the obstacle race and crazy in the cavalry battle, give a round of applause to Izuku Midoriya from the hero course everyone!"
Izuku put on a smile as he gave a light wave, quickly walking up to the platform as the crowd cheered and roared.
"Versus! You saw her Quirk in action during the cavalry battle, snatching points left and right for her group, it's Tsuyu Asui, originating from the hero course as well!"
Tsuyu silently walked up on stage, her face blank and stare ever present. Izuku, as confessed before, could not tell what she was thinking, as her poker face was impenetrable.
"The rules are simple! Force your opponent out of bounds, or immobilize them! You can also win by making your opponent say, 'I give up'! We've got our good old recovery girl on standby, so bring on the pai- Eh?"
Izuku calmly knelt down on both of his legs, kneecaps resting on the floor and bottom touching his heels.
He sat in a Seiza position.
This was a duel after all, so it was only polite to do so if being in Gunhead's dojo taught him anything.
She did her finger tic before gently copying what he had done, lowering herself as her knees came together, hands resting as she faced him.
And it was there, an understanding was reached.
Adversaries here. Companions beyond.
"Ooh, formal AND traditional. Neat!" Present Mic commented before moving on, "Anyways, dirty fighting's allowed! 'Ethics' has no meaning here! But of course anything life-threatening is crap! You'll be disqualified if you try to go too far. A true hero's fists fly only when in the pursuit of villains after all!"
A long pause enveloped the stadium, the order waiting to be given as Izuku and Tsuyu stared at each other.
"Midoriya-chan."
Izuku looked up, Tsuyu staring at him dead in the eyes.
"Don't go easy on me."
He blinked, "I-I'll try."
Present Mic then yelled out, "START!"
Izuku immediately stood up, assuming a combat stance as Tsuyu did the same, her body angled low against the ground.
"And our two fighters are assuming stances, waiting to see who will throw the first hit!"
Tsuyu acted first.
"Kero!" She ribbited, shooting out her tongue. It raced towards Izuku, the green haired student having to decide which action he would perform. Sidestepping was out of the question, as he knew the amount of control she could exhibit over the organ. Anything less than a dome when it came to his barriers was ruled out as well.
"Void Mode." His mind answered, prompting him to focus as he became non-existent. The tongue passed right through him before retreating back, Izuku appearing once more. "Alright, now I just need to close the dista-"
Only to be surprised as Tsuyu hopped forward, leaping through the air and plummeting downward, both legs outstretched for a kick.
Izuku's eyes widened, his body acting as his own as he jumped backward. His back curved as he performed an agile handspring, just in time to avoid the attempted takedown as Tsuyu landed, visibly scattering an air of cement dust at the bottom of her legs.
"Wow! This is off to a great start! Two opponents facing off with incredible agility."
He remembered seeing her knockout a villain underwater with that kick, even bend metal if he recalled further back to the entrance exam. If he had been hit by that, Izuku was sure he would've been done for.
Which reminded him, why did his arm feel wet and constricted?
He blinked, realizing that Tsuyu had used her tongue once again, mouth closed to add silence as it had caught Izuku off guard. She whipped her head to the side, swivelling her body. Izuku was thrown off his position as he let out a surprised gasp, dragged across the floor.
"Izuku's getting pulled around like a lasso!"
Izuku ignored the cement dust and the painful friction his left shoulder endured, focusing and slipping into the Void as he became incorporeal. He stood back up quickly, watching Tsuyu simply retreat away.
"There's a method here... a tactic she's enacting." Izuku began to analyze, "All of her attacks have been relentless, but now she's using a hit and run strategy... Is she trying to exhaust my energy so she can secure a takedown?"
"Wow, this fight is fast-paced." Sero commented.
Kaminari nodded in agreement, a smirk on the boys face. "I swear, everytime I look away and turn back, Izuku ends up becoming more and more of a Ninja... Not literally but you get what I mean."
"Hey look, he's popped back!" Mina announced with excitement.
Sure enough, the green haired student had returned from disappearing, standing upright as he stared at Tsuyu. Another standoff commenced.
Izuku then burst into a sprint.
Fumikage silently watched, arms crossed. "... So you've figured it something out, Midoriya."
Pressure.
That's what he needed to apply.
If Tsuyu wanted to draw this match on, then he needed to end this duel quickly.
She shot out her tongue again, intent on grabbing Izuku. Yet he narrowly avoided it by bullet jumping in his sprint, practically barrel rolling over it as he landed back on his running legs. Tsuyu reacted to this new change drawing her tongue back and hopping away.
Or she would've if Izuku hadn't Void Dashed forward, shooting his arm out as he firmly grasped onto her ankle.
Tsuyu let out a surprised ribbit as Izuku pulled her foot downwards, forcing her to the ground.
"Go for the takedo-" His mind tried to suggest an action, only to be interrupted as Tsuyu launched a sideways kick from her position. He raised an arm in defense, no time to even summon a barrier as his forearm took the brunt of the impact, even nudging his entire body to the right as his teeth rattled.
That hurt.
But now she was completely open.
Izuku used his now bruised and swollen arm, putting it together with his other hand before using a Void Blast. The force sent Tsuyu flying across the ring before she landed with a skid, shoes and digits against the floor. She had halted just inches away from the edge.
Izuku gritted his teeth, feeling a headache begin to develop.
It wasn't enough.
"WAHA! Asui's still in the game!"
"What am I doing?" He questioned himself, "I could've put more power behind that, I-"
"Midoriya-chan!" Tsuyu called.
He was broken from his thoughts, realizing that the frog girl was giving him an intense stare.
"You're holding back!"
And that was the truth. Try as he might, Izuku knew that in some way, he was subconsciously limiting himself.
He closed his eyes hard, fists clenched.
"Can I really do this? Is this the effort I'll put when face to face with chaos?"
Tsuyu gave him no time to think, shooting out her tongue again.
Izuku reopened his eyes, teal energy sizzling with focus.
"No."
He dashed.
Five times forward, all the way across the ring in one focused move.
Tsuyu blinked, tongue still out as time seemed to slow for the two of them, Izuku reappearing beneath her guard in a low stance.
"It is not."
And then he formed a palm with his right hand, smashing the underside of Tsuyu's jaw while her tongue was still out.
"Ke-!" Tsuyu tried to let out a ribbit of pain, her teeth biting into her tongue as her legs left the ground. Izuku wordlessly locked his hand around her chin before swinging her forward.
She was forcefully thrown out of the ring, hitting the grass with a painful thud.
A moment passed, the stadium eerily silent.
"Er,-" Present Mic seemed to regain himself, "M-Midoriya wins the match!"
The glow disappeared from Izuku's eyes, blood beginning to run down his nose the boy blinked. Realization dawned upon him.
"TSU!"
"Sacre bleu." Aoyoma murmured, rubbing at his chin with a cringed look.
Similar reactions were shared amongst the class, Ochako sporting a mortified expression. "I-Is Tsu okay?!"
"Not sure..." Momo quietly responded.
They watched as Izuku jumped off the ring and onto the grass, quickly running to Tsuyu's side.
"Tsu!" He called again, kneeling down next to her. "This is all my fault, I'm so sorry! I was a complete idiot! I should've-"
"Midoriya-chan." Tsuyu croaked, swivelling her head and opening her eyes, her jaw now a bruised purple. "Shut up."
"...?" Izuku made a noise, tilting his head.
Tsuyu looked away, head lying against the ground. "I wanted this." She then paused before blinking, realizing her words. "Kero, I mean, I didn't want my jaw bruised, or tongue bitten, but I did wanted to be treated seriously and...-" She looked away, ashamed. "-I figured... after eavesdropped on you and Tokoyami-chan talking, that I-" She pause again, "-wasn't going to hold you back..."
A moment of silence passed between the two.
And then Izuku began to laugh, chuckling softly as Tsuyu blinked.
"H-Holding me back? What are you saying, Tsu?" Izuku asked, "I may have a great Quirk, but the real reason why-... why I-I've gotten this far... was because-"
Izuku began to recall, faces popping up in his head. The loving support of his mother, the heroic inspiration of Mirio, the martial experience of Gunhead, the proud wisdom of Onkko, and finally, Tsuyu and Fumikage, standing alongside him after exiting the hospital.
He instantly found his answer.
"-of everyone who's helped pave my path." Izuku looked at her, "Tsu... It may not seem like it, but you were the one of the biggest reasons that I've got this far. Just being there for me... and being my friend. You even helped carry me here... literally." He smiled. "So I want you to stop, stop thinking that you're holding me back when everything you've done has helped push me forward."
Tsuyu froze up, mouth curled with surprise as she stared at him with wide eyes.
Loud footsteps were heard, the two of them looking up as Cementoss came up to the two of them.
"Is she alright?" The blocky hero asked.
"I'm fine." Tsuyu attempted to stand up, shakily rising. "I'll go to the nurse mys-"
A crack was heard.
"Kero!"
She croaked in pain before falling sideways, Izuku quickly reacting as he held his arms out, catching the shorter girl and holding her in a bridal style. "Tsu! Are you alright?!"
The frog girl nodded as Cementoss came up to her, wordlessly uncovering above the cloth above her shoe to reveal purplish and swollen skin. "Hm... You're ankle must've broke when you were hit out of the ring. Usually we'd have the robots take you away but since you're already being carried..." He then looked at Izuku, "Can you take her to recovery girl?"
"Hai!" Izuku nodded, already beginning to stride forward with Tsuyu in his grasp. "Don't worry, Tsu. I'll get you there as fast as I can!"
"M-Midoriya-chan, wait."
"Huh? What is it Tsu?"
"Don't hold me like this, it's embarrassing."
That's what she was going to say, but for some odd reason, the words had died within her mouth. Instead, she found herself staring into his eyes, her body beginning to relax in his gentle carry.
"I-" She then wrapped two arms steadily around his neck, "Here... so you can run more easily."
"O-Oh, uh-" His cheeks turned red, "O-O-Okay."
That's what she told himself, but deep down she knew the truth as he carried her to one of the stadium tunnels.
Tsuyu let out a quiet ribbit, her mind in a whirl.
"Midoriya... I have a crush on you."
"Mina... Don't say it." Jirou simply said as the pink girl next to her looked ready to explode.
Kaminari quietly whispered to Minoru. "H-Holy shit... Midoriya's one lucky bastard..."
"You got that right." Minoru muttered.
All in the while, Fumikage merely closed his eyes, looking down with crossed arms as Dark Shadow slithered out, two thumbs raised as if to signal a congratulation to Midoriya down below.
"This truly is a mad banquet of darkness."
Luckily, it appeared that only five (six counting Dark Shadow) had noticed the implication.
Tsuyu was left to rest and recover while Izuku was given a quick kiss on the arm by Recovery Girl. His bruises had disappeared, but the tired dizziness quickly set in, prompting him to quickly return to the excitement of the stadium seats.
Upon arriving, he was bombarded with worries and questions.
"Midoriya-kun!" Tenya quickly marched up to the boy. "Are you alright?! How is Asui!?"
"She's resting." Izuku answered, "And I'm okay, just a little bit tired right now."
Tenya straightened his glasses, letting out a breath of relief. "That's good to hear. That fight seemed rather intense."
Izuku nodded before noticing Rikido in the distance, already walking up to the ring as the audience cheered. "W-Wait, the next fight is already starting?!"
Fumikage turned his head, "Indeed. Though, if you feel tired then-"
The green haired student practically blurred past Tenya, vaulting over one of the rows like a cop in an action movie before effortlessly landing in one of the empty seats next to Fumikage. A pen and notebook was somehow already in Izuku's hands.
"... I rescind what I was going to say." Fumikage simply said.
Katsuki kept his eyes locked at the ring, yet nonetheless noticed the commotion. "Fuck-sake, Deku..."
Present Mic blared on the loudspeaker once more. "Second match of the first round! Rikido Sato, our favorite walking Jojo reference! Versus! Hitoshi Shinso, the mysterious trail blazer from general studies!"
Izuku watched carefully, pen at the ready.
Some words seemed to be exchanged by Hitoshi, Rikido blinking before sporting a face of surprise.
"Ready?! Start!" Present Mic announced, the match beginning.
Rikido walked forward a few paces, an angered expression on the students face as he said something.
Izuku felt his grip tighten around his notebook. "Shinso said something to anger Sato."
Fumikage nodded, "But what, and why?"
And then the hero course student froze, completely still.
"Agh!" Izuku and Fumikage turned their heads, Mashirao rising from his seat like many other students were. "I went through the trouble of warning him, too!"
Before either of them could ask what the tailed student even meant by that, Rikido had turned around and walked right out of the ring. Izuku stared, wide eyed as Present Mic blared. "WHAAAAT?! Sato's just stepped outside of the ring! H-He just lost the match!"
Fumikage watched with a gritted beak, "Shinso's Quirk-"
"Mind control." Izuku finished, "It has to be some form of mind control that Shinso is using." He then turned his head, "Ojiro, what did you warn Sato about?"
Mashirao looked down, "To not respond to that guy. I don't have the direct answer, but I'm pretty sure that's how he was able to control me during the cavalry battle."
"A verbal response?" Izuku looked back down at his notebook, "But does it need to be verbal? Or does he need to say it in a certain way? What if he's been hiding the true nature of it, using other ways to-" A muttering spree started, Fumikage sighing.
Rikido returned after a while, an ashamed and embarrassed look on the students face as Mashirao spoke.
"Sato! What the hell?! I told you not to respond."
"I know..." Rikido then looked up, "But the things he said... about you and Midoriya. I just couldn't take it."
"Huh?" Izuku tilted his head, "W-What do you mean, Sato-kun?"
Rikido seemed to hesitate giving the answer. "He told me that Ojiro was a dumbass monkey that threw his pride away... And that Midoriya being a pompous bastard that looked down on others. I-" Rikido balled his fists, "I couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer!"
Fumikage paused for a moment, arms crossed. "It's understandable, I suppose. He wanted you to talk so he could use his Quirk."
"Yeah..." Rikido agreed, "And I fell for it, like an absolute idiot."
Izuku shook his head, "Sato-kun, what you did wasn't a stupidity, not if you knew his Quirk beforehand. No, it was a product of conviction." Izuku put a hand on his chest, "Regardless of if you won or lost, I-I'm grateful knowing that you spoke out for me and Ojiro."
"Now that I know the context, I'm in the same boat." Ojro admitted, scratching the back of his head.
Rikido paused before giving a light smile, "Thanks... for understanding, you guys." He then looked at Izuku, "Next round, you're gonna be in the same bracket as him Midoriya... so..." He raised a fist, "Kick his ass for me, please?"
"U-Um..." Izuku looked down, quickly scribbling in a section of his notebook.
Hitoshi Shinso
Quirk : Brainwashing
Can mentally control people if they respond. Don't respond to him.
He then looked back up, "... Don't worry... I'll win the next round."
Fumikage crossed his arms, "Speaking of that, I must prepare for the next match. Would you like to join me on the way to discuss some strategy, Midoriya?"
"Oh!" Izuku nodded fervently, pocketing his notebook. "O-Of course!"
"Looks like Team Hado's been dealt a dead man's hand..." Snipe announced.
"I wonder how they will get out of this one?" Ectoplasm mused behind the speaker.
Mirio focused himself, analyzing the situation.
Currently, him and Tamaki had their legs stuck in fresh earth that had spilt into the arena thanks to a Quirk from class 3-A that could control dirt. Now three groups approached them, ready to take the point band away from Hado's forehead. While he could simply leave the dirt, Tamaki would still be stuck, making Mirio wish his Permeation could extend to other people.
Hado was silent, as was Tamaki as they too tried to find a way out of their predicament.
Mirio closed his eyes for a moment. "I guess now's the perfect time..." He then reopened them, feeling One for All course throughout his body. "Hado, get ready to grab some bands."
She tilted her head, about to ask what he even meant before Mirio empowered his leg, breaking out of the dirt with ease.
"SOUTH DAKOTA-" He then swept his leg across the ground, funneling the soil and wind together from sheer force alone. "-SWEEP!"
The other teams were pelted with the dirt, most of the riders yelling out in surprise as they were forced to cover their eyes. Hado immediately took advantage of the chaos, using her Quirk, Wave Motion, to go airborne. She flew in a curve, grabbing all of the bands right from their blinded heads before returning to her own group.
Tamaki in the meanwhile had noticed the dirt Quirk had stopped thanks to the user being stunned, allowing his chicken legs to break out.
They successfully got away as the crowd roared.
"Well I'll be damned!" Snipe blared, "Team Hado escapes like a bat outta hell!"
Mirio could already imagine All Might smiling amongst the crowd, only to be ushered back into reality as Tamaki spoke up.
"Mirio..."
He turned his head to Tamaki, a calculating gaze in the students face.
"What was that just now...?"
Mirio's world froze up, struggling within himself to find an explanation as he kept to running... Luckily, Hado had quickly entered the conversation. "Yeah! Where- What- H-How did you even do that?! Is that a new part of your Quirk? You were super strong all the sudden!"
He paused before smiling. "Let's win... And then I'll tell you guys my training routine."
It hurt him to lie. But he understood it was to protect as well.
"From what you told me, it sounds very similar to Kamui Woods Quirk, Arbor." Izuku said, writing in his notebook as Fumikage sat across. They were both in the waiting room, waiting for the bird-headed student's match to begin.
"That's what I perceived as well." Fumikage responded, arms crossed. "Admittedly, witnessing her Quirk first hand helped me understand how she got 4th place..."
"Yeah, and how we ended up in 7th..." Dark Shadow internally added.
"Hush, Dark Shadow." He shook his head, "Anyways, I'll have to be constantly avoiding her vines..."
Izuku nodded, "Binding types are really strong. Y-You almost never see someone break out..." Izuku then sighed, "But with how fast you said she was able to block off an entire section... and with how many vines there were... You and Dark Shadow would be quickly overwhelmed if you even try and stand your ground..."
Fumikage paused before sighing, "That's true..."
As if on cue, the sound of a beeper was heard, cheers that came from outside radiating into the room.
The round was going to begin.
"Well, I suppose I should be going now. It was a good talk, Midoriya." He walked past the sitting student, about to leave the room before Izuku spoke up.
"Tokoyami-kun, wait."
He turned his head, Izuku still seated.
"... I-If there's one thing I've seen from most fights,-" Izuku slowly closed his notebook, "It's that those that utilize imagination, often find the best path to victory..." Izuku then stood up from his seat, staring at Fumikage. "Maybe... instead of thinking what you and Dark Shadow are capable of, think of what you both could be capable of."
Fumikage blinked, taking in the students words as a long pause took hold.
Izuku seemed to fidget nervously, "E-Er, did that make any s-sense?"
Dark Shadow sprouted from Fumikage's side, giving a thumbs up. "[Don't worry! We'll win this!]"
"Indeed..." Fumikage nodded, "Thank you for the advice, Midoriya."
Izuku slowly smiled, "H-Happy to help."
"Moving onto the third match!-"
Fumikage walked up to the ring, standing still as he crossed his arms.
"-Offense and defense in one body! The dark samurai accompanied by Dark Shadow! From the hero course of class 1-A, give it up for Fumikage Tokoyami!"
Ibara came up on the other side, sporting a seemingly nonchalant face.
"And on the other side, we have the assassin from class B! Every rose has its thorns, and this girl is no exception! From the other hero course of Class 1-B, Ibara Shiozaki!"
Fumikage sized his opponent up for a moment before internally checking with himself and Dark Shadow, "Are you ready, Dark Shadow?"
"I was born ready!" The Quirk declared.
Present Mic started once more, "Now, let's start the ma-!"
"Um..."
Fumikage blinked, watching Ibara interrupt Present Mic.
"Pardon my objection, but what exactly did you mean by 'assassin'? I have only come to find victory, not to take my opponent's life."
Present Mic stuttered, "S-Sorry about that!"
She opened up her arms, as if calling to a higher power. "I wished to enter U.A. High School not for wicked reasons,-" She put her hands together in prayer. "-but for the salvation of others..."
"I said I'm sorry! My bad, okay?!"
Fumikage watched the entire exchange, trying to keep his uncaring facade up as an awkward feeling developed beneath his skin and feathers. "A fully grown man is being corrected by a student... could this get anymore bizarre? "
"Nope." Dark Shadow answered.
Ibara lowered her hands, a smile on her face as she bowed. "I thank you for understanding." She then turned, walking further into the ring before coming to a stop.
Her gaze turned vindictive.
"Now... to declare judgement upon thee,-"
The next words unnerved him.
"-Demonspawn."
Normally he might've taken that as a compliment, but deep down he knew that was under very negative connotation.
He didn't respond, choosing to keep his beak shut as he returned a glare.
"Anyways, START!"
Action after all, spoke louder than words.
Dark Shadow sprung forth, arms outstretched as Fumikage moved to the side. Although it seemed random, it was really the only choice as a moving target was harder to hit then one standing still.
Ibara merely turned around, vine hair shooting into the concrete below.
Fumikage's eyes widened as he witnessed cracks and fissures quickly trail toward him. Dark Shadow wordlessly acted, returning to its master and dragging him to the side as giant pillars of vines engulfed the area he was arriving to. He adjusted for a moment, looking up to see Ibara detaching the previous plant matter that she had used, injecting a new set of vines into the ground.
"Damn it...-!" Fumikage yelled, Dark Shadow quickly wrapping an arm around him as he jumped to the side. More vines broke out, swarming close to him as they reached for the sky.
An acute pain grew on his arm, making him realize that one of the sharp barbs had actually cut him.
Izuku clutched his pen tightly, silently watching the fight alongside his classmates.
10 seconds had already passed, and Fumikage seemed to be on the ropes. From what he was able to analyze, Ibara was a tough opponent. He watched as Fumikage dodged another set of vines, now closer than before.
"C-Crap." Kaminari whispered, "This doesn't look good..."
Izuku kept his gaze on the arena as Fumikage had Dark Shadow launch an attack, enlarging and outstretching its right arm forward. She merely kept a stern face, vines shooting up on her left as she shielded herself from the swipe. It seemed to make a tiny bit of leeway, the wall bending from the force before Dark Shadow had to retreat.
"Dark Shadow can't even reach her..." Izuku thought, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
"How is Tokoyami-chan doing?"
Izuku's eyes widened, turning his head to see Tsuyu limping down the stadium steps, a bandage wrapped around her ankle. "T-Tsu?! You're back already!? B-But Recovery Girl told me-"
"That I needed to rest, I know." Tsuyu then looked out toward the ring, "But I also wanted to see my best friend's match. So she let me go on the basis that I remain seated." She then looked at Izuku, "Can I... sit next to you?"
"S-Sure." Izuku replied, Tsuyu walking over before sitting down.
He turned his attention back to the match, noticing that Fumikage had retreated further back.
Fumikage panted, Dark Shadow beside his shoulder.
A menacing display of vines had grown in a cone, walling him off from the rest of the arena as his back was mere meters away from the ring line.
Saying that he was backed into a corner was an understatement.
"What can I do?" He thought, beak gritted. "Her Quirk is more fast and powerful... And not only that, she knows how to use it well..." He steadied himself, "Maybe I can try-"
"Give up."
Fumikage blinked, Ibara speaking out as she kept her vindictive gaze upon him.
"Can you not see? This match is hopeless for you."
He opened his beak, "No... I still have a chance."
Ibara gave him a stern look, "Very well then." Her vine hair began to stir, "I will just have to clarify your own futility."
Fumikage was ready for the attack, running to the left as Dark Shadow followed.
Only for his fortune to condemn him as he tripped on something. It was a singular vine, simply left there from a previous engagement.
That was all it took.
Within an instant, his body was engulfed, sturdy green vines wrapping around him as he was suspended in the air. He let out a wheeze, feeling his insides quickly become constricted, the air squeezed from his lungs.
"Uh oh! Tokoyami's been binded!" Present Mic hollered, cheering heard from the stadium.
He gritted his teeth, realizing that although he himself was caught, Dark Shadow was still free.
There was still a chance.
"Dark- Eurgh- Shadow, attack!" He managed to utter, his Quirk already acting.
"[Yes, sir!]"
It immediately went straight for Ibara, just as another mass of vines shot up from the ground, catching Dark Shadow midpoint. He watched as his Quirk thrashed and fought against their pulls, struggling fiercely as Ibara gave it a cold stare.
"This... this isn't good..." Fumikage thought, "It won't matter if Dark Shadow gets out of its predicament, I'm gonna get knocked out anyways..." He began to drift, "Is this really to be? To have my first match end like this? Come to think of it, it was my own wrongdoing. I never devised anything beyond just throwing Dark Shadow at my opponents and hoping for the best."
Fumikage began to hang his head down.
"I never had a cha-"
"Tokoyami!"
He turned his head ever so slightly, somehow able to pick up a miniscule yell as he saw Midoriya. The green haired students was leaning the guard rail, practically suspending upper half of his body in order to further his voice as Tsuyu stood next to him.
"Don't give up!"
Fumikage blinked, realizing that just about everyone else from his class was also standing up. Some with worry, some with determination, even Katsuki watching the match with a fierce gaze.
They cared about him.
Of course, it gave him no special power, no boost that could possibly help in this predicament like some shounen anime.
That part would have to be done with his own effort.
"What was that... That Midoriya said?"
"Instead of thinking what we are capable of, think of what we both could be capable of." Dark Shadowed answered calmly despite still fighting against her vines.
Fumikage almost felt like an idiot, realizing what Izuku truly meant as a moment of Eureka dawned, a new and insane idea that could work. "I see."
Ibara looked up at him, tilting her head. "Pardon me?"
"Oh-" He realized he said it out loud, "My apologies, Dark Shadow and I were recalling a friend's advice..."
Dark Shadow returned to him, slinking through the vines and back into his body. It may have seemed for a split moment that he had given up, but that was far from the truth. Fumikage was instead envisioning his Quirk, giving it instructions and details.
And then they both enacted.
Within an instant, Dark Shadow crept up behind him, putting its head and hands above his equivalent parts before fully easing over him like a suit of armor. He then let out a grunt, pushing against the vines that entrapped him. His strength, now added with Dark Shadows and amplified, was enough for the vines to give way, splitting apart and falling to the ground in clumps as Ibara's eyes widened.
"NO WAY! TOKOYAMI'S BROKEN OUT!" Present Mic announced.
He landed, almost in a heroic fashion as his knuckle and knee met the ground first, Fumikage slowly looking up.
"We have decided that we will not be going quietly into the night."
Ibara now seemed surprised, yet she quickly recovered, her vine hair beginning to unfurl. "Then I shall smite you down to the deepest pits of hell itself!"
This time, she didn't bother sending them to sprout from the ground. Now she was on the full offensive, possibly realizing that restraining him like before wasn't going to work. Ibara opted to use her individual vines to surround and weigh him down.
Yet he was ready.
They grabbed onto him and Dark Shadow, tightly, trying to pull at him and disbalance the both of them. Izuku had recommended that standing their ground would've been a bad idea, but that was before, when he and Dark Shadow never truly 'fought' together. Now, it was a completely different case. They were one, a focused vessel as he bought his arms together, Dark Shadow helping him gather and collect the lines that had attempted to restrain him.
Ibara realized too late what was going on.
"[GET OVER HERE!]" Dark Shadow yelled, yanking her vines as she let out a yelp. She found herself dragged across the cement before being bought head level by the hair with both him and Dark Shadow.
"This is it!" Fumikage declared with a shake, him and Dark Shadow pulling a fist back as Ibara panicked.
"No-!" She then put her arms in front of her.
Only to be unceremoniously bought and plopped over the edge of the ring, landing on her bottom as she let out a surprised umph.
"Shiozaki has been ringed out! Tokoyami wins!"
The crowd roared, Dark Shadow separating from Fumikage as he let out a sigh of relief.
He then heard Ibara speak out.
"I-I don't understand."
Fumikage looked down, Ibara shaking her head.
"I had faith... faith in God that I would win... Even my entire class believed in me and I let them down..."
He paused for a moment, peering towards the class 1-B stands. There was sadness, but he could definitely tell that it was more from the outcome then the girl resting on the ground in front of him.
Fumikage decided to give his own two cents.
"Faith can move mountains, so I've been told."
Ibara looked up, tilting her head.
"But I too have people that care for me. And that is why this mountain never bowed..." He then reached a helping hand out.
She blinked, reaching out as if she were in a trance as she took it, letting herself get helped up.
Fumikage continued, "And also, please do not call me and Dark Shadow 'Demonspawn'. In the end, it's just our Quirks. You of all people should understand that."
"Oh-" She then seemed embarrassed, cheeks turning red. "I- Very well then."
"Good." He then paused again, "You can... also let go of my hand."
"Huh?" Ibara realized that she was clutching his hand tightly. She immediately let go, retracting her arm as Fumikage bowed.
"Thank you. Now I shall be off. Good match and farewell."
"Yes." She simply responded, prompting Fumikage to raise an eye in confusion before shrugging, turning away to leave the girl as she began to hold a hand tightly against her chest, almost as if she were trying to steady a beating heart.
Which she was.
Naomasa quietly entered the cafe, taking off his hat and overcoat as he hung it over his arms.
He looked around for a moment, noting the western diner style before walking over to one of the booths, sitting down as a waitress quickly came over.
"Hi, can I get you some coffee?"
Naomasa politely declined, "No thank you, I'm just here to meet someone."
She nodded, turning to leave as a voice spoke out from across him, head hidden behind a folded newspaper and hand clutching a mug.
"I would've ordered the coffee. It may not look like it, but this place has some of the best coffee I've ever tasted." The newspaper was then lowered, revealing a man with medium long hair and two lines of warpaint beneath his eyes. "And I grew up in the states, so I would know."
Naomasa smiled, "I'll keep that in mind next time I come here, Sekigai-san."
Native took up his mug, taking a sip of his coffee. "Please, just call me Turner. Turner Sekigai. Or by my hero name if that makes things easier." He then put his drink down, "Now, let's cut to the chase. Who exactly is this person that you want me to find?"
The detective paused for a moment, reaching into his coat to produce a folder. "Here. It's everything I was able to compile... some of the images might be disturbing."
Turner took the file, opening it for a moment before visibly cringing. "Eurk, I think I lost my appetite... but this must be from the USJ, right?"
"Exactly." Naomasa confirmed, a little surprised that he was able to figure out so quickly.
Native turned a page, "Then this is old info. Was there some sort of cover-up so the media didn't pick up on all this?"
"Indeed. But to be fair, it wasn't exactly our full doing." Naomasa admitted, "The league of villains took up most of the spotlight after all."
"... And this is the only classification for his appearance?" Native asked in a skeptical, holding up the drawing. "No pictures? Nothing but this?"
"Well..." Naomasa scratched the back of his head, "It was drawn by All Might."
"A-All Might drew this?" Native asked in shock. "O-Oh, then... I guess that's a very reliable source."
Naomasa nodded, "So what is your take on all this?"
"Hmm." Native put a hand beneath his chin, deep in thought. "To tell you the truth, the reason why I had this meeting was to judge whether or not this case was worth it."
The detective raised an eye, "Worth it?"
"Oh, not terms of money, I mean in terms of the bigger threat." Native explained, "Tomorrow, I was going to take a train to Tokyo and help efforts in tracking down The Hero Killer."
The Hero Killer. Naomasa remembered that was still going on.
"But... from what I gathered, this person makes Stain look like a playground pushover. And worst of all, at least we both know that Stain has a goal, this guy on the other hand is an absolute enigma." Native then drew himself away from his musings, "By the way, you said you were assembling a squad..."
"Yeah, it's in the back."
Native nodded, turning to the last page as he read through it.
"The Buster Hero : Air Jet, The Bamboo Hero : Tanabata, The BMI Hero : Fat Gum, and..." Native's eyes widened. "Oh, she's actually in the 9th ranking as of now! You're thinking of asking her?"
"She's already given me her response, she's agreed to join." Naomasa corrected, "Now all I need is your answer. Will you help us?"
"..." Native seemed to pause for a moment before a scream was heard.
Naomasa flinched, swiveling his head to see that two people were at the cashier, one of them holding a gun in his hands as the other vaulted over the cash register, pushing away the panicking worker behind it.
"Alright everyone! This is a hold up! Hand over your wallets!" The robber declared.
The detective was already reaching for his hidden Nambu revolver before Native stood up from the booth, coffee mug grasped tightly in his hands. Turner then tossed it, the cup and its super heated contents smashing against the man's hand as he let out a pained yell, clutching his bleeding red hand.
Naomasa then took out his gun, standing up from the booth as well.
"Police! Freeze!"
The gun robber's eyes widened, raising his arms as Naomasa quickly kicked the gun away from him. The one at the cashier seemed to notice the commotion, turning tail to flee as he ran out the front door. Naomasa finished handcuffing the man to one of the poles.
Native casually went to the entrance, opening the door and walking outside.
Naomasa turned his head, noticing the cook arrive out of the kitchen, a mallet in his hand. "Can you look after this criminal? I'll be right back."
"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him." The cook said menacingly, Naomasa turning to follow Native outside.
The Hero was knelt down, inspecting an 1000 yen note. Naomasa turned his head left to right, noticing no sign of anyone. "Damn it! He got away." The detective declared.
Native merely chuckled, "I wouldn't bet on it." He then slowly stood up, tightly gripping onto the note. "After all, everyone leaves a trace behind."
Naomasa then saw it, glowing footprints beginning to highlight on the pavement below.
"My Quirk, Track, is perfectly suited for this." Native began to walk forward, following the footprints as Naomasa trailed beside him. They followed it to the back alley of the cafe, noticing that it ended at a wall.
"Did the criminal climb it?" Naomasa said thoughtfully as he looked up, only for Native to shake his head.
"No. He just has a very convincing camouflage Quirk."
And then the Hero threw a powerful left hook to what seemed to be nothing, his fist connecting as the runner simply sprouted into visibility. The man fell to the side, unconscious body slumping as he dropped his bag full of yen notes.
Naomasa stared with wide eyes as Native slowly turned around.
"Anyways, what I was going to say before was that I have a daughter who's attending the hero course at Isamu High School. She's even the class president right now." Native said with pride, "But... as much as I would love to see her become the best hero that she can be, I know that people like your Suspect exist. One day, she may have to fight someone whose violently insane..."
Native then looked up.
"Detective. I'll help you find this man and bring him to justice. You have my word."
Naomasa didn't smile, instead he responded with a determined nod. "Thank you."
Turner Sekigai, Hero Name: Native
Quirk: Track
Turner's Quirk allows him to trace and highlight the footprints of anyone so long as he touches something that was held, used, or worn by them. However, this effect can only last for a few hours before having to be refreshed.
Translations:
Ostron
Doh-ga: Hurry
Surah: Friend
Sho-lah: Farewell
Grineer
Orre klegra: Over there
Huut's too kuhut reger: It's too quiet here
Targat akoroitier: Target acquired
Agrear grear na warfram spotter: Area clear and warframe spotted
DONE! Holy shit, writing this was actually pretty awesome. Some days I would just sit down, write a few paragraphs, and then realize that I'd gone through 1000's of words already.
There's no better feeling then that.
Most are probably going WTF right now from that beginning. My simple explanation is that it is an explanation. How Onkko (Septenary) is the way he is. To tell you the truth, I was a bit afraid thinking how it would be perceived. If there's one thing I really dislike doing, it's doing theory crafting on something that could potentially change in canon.
But... I think this is the best possible outcome in terms of background. It draws from what we do know and is almost very plausible in the Warframe verse, adding a scenario to it that could very well happen.
The Fall of Cetus as I like to call it. Rip Early Lunches.
Anyways, some things I should point out, food for thought so to speak. As you can see, the sports festival is going quite differently this time around. I even made a bracket and strategically planned who would fight who without breaking the order.
I'll just hint and say that everything changes next chapter.
As for Naomasa's squad, I had a blast thinking of what it would consist of and I wanted to do a sort of challenge to get people hyped.
For Anime watchers only, who could be Native's daughter?
And for the Manga readers, who's the 'current' No. 9 hero as well as the proclaimed 'Bamboo Hero'? (Hint for the latter, Tanabata is a made up hero name that I gave to him, as it's a festival involving bamboo trees, but we do know his real name if we read Gentle's Arc closely.)
Now, for a short Omake.
"I must warn you, Izuku." Onkko simply said as he stood next to the child. "This next practice enemy will test every fiber of your being."
Izuku gulped, staring forward. "I-I'm ready."
"Very well then, may the Void have mercy on your soul."
And then a... rather old and ugly looking man wearing a strange set of body armour appeared. His upper and lower body seemed to be separated by a churning energetic void.
The man then spoke.
"Look at them, they come to this place when they know they are not pure. Tenno use the keys, but they are mere trespassers. Only I, Vor, know the true power of the Void-"
"Oh no." Izuku simply said, realizing that there was no fight to this.
It was just listening to this old fart... constantly.
"Indeed." Onkko agreed, "We are going to be here for a while..."
