Just as Nico thought, she and Mei took two whole days to get all the gear she wanted made, she even put in a few upgrades to her own tech so they wouldn't have to have their cuffs. It had taken her a little longer than she expected so she work up until the last minute to make sure that everything we prefect.
Finally the day of the final round of team battles was on them. With the top two teams from each class had been selected to compete against each other and only one team was going to be announced as the victors and given the option of selecting where they would be going on their trip.
"You guys ready for this?" Nico asked as she waited for them to finish changing.
"Don't you know babe." Bakugo came out first, raising an eyebrow at what she was wearing. "I thought we were past hiding under huge sweaters."
"This is what my costume is while I'm here, when I'm not a cat that is." she looked down at her oversized hoodie, "I worked with a designer closely to make it a little more durable that the one you smashed." she did pull down the hood and kissed him. "For luck, not that we need it." she fixed the glasses that sat on her nose.
"We're going to kick so much ass today that you'll get you trip." he gave her one last kiss before Izuku joined them.
"I've come up with replacement tech for the cuffs." Nico held out a little discs to them. "It'll allow me to keep track of you if we get separated. I already tagged Momo and Todoroki so all that's left is the other classes."
Bakugo took the disc and put it in a place he was sure that wouldn't get in the way. "How'd you know that we need to take them off?" he asked as Izuku did the same.
"I just had a feeling. I've also been studying past encounters with each person and how their quirk could affect my tech." she held her palm up and a map of the area come up. "Green is us, blue is our classmates and red will be everyone else. Once they go down and are inactive for more than two minutes the tracker will drop off of the map." she explained quickly before they were to join the rest. "I'll do my best to stay out of my cat, but I will shift if the need comes up. You guys are the muscle for this and I'll do my best to be the tactician we need."
"What's with the eyewear?" Bakugo asked as she adjusted her glasses again. "I thought your eyesight was perfect."
"And it is, these are a display screen. I can track the movements of everyone without having to stop." Nico took them off so he could see for himself, "If I had more time I would have made two more sets, problem is I can't get them to stay where I want them to. I think I spent too much time working with Mei on everything else so I didn't get to perfect them."
"Did you try bending them a little to fit your face better?" Izuku offered as the walked to the training ground. "Maybe that's all it could need."
"I'd have to be careful of the computer components, but that may just work." she placed the glasses back on her nose and gently bent them down. "I'll have to do for now, let's hope that this test run goes smoothly." she slipped her hand into Bakugo's to steady her nerves.
"We're more than ready, you can count on us no matter what they throw at us." Bakugo gave her hand a little squeeze before they entered the waiting area that had been put together for students.
They happened to be the last ones to arrive so it made it easier for Nico to stealthily slip her trackers onto the other teams. Just as she tagged the last person Aizawa came in to give out their instructions. "Alright since you're the top of your classes, so we decided to put you up against not only each other but the teachers as well." he got their attention as he made with way to the front of the crowd to stand next to a box on a low table. "As you already know it's until there's one team left standing, so I won't have to go too many rules. Any gear you've brought with you is allowed and any tactics your team has come up with as well. Go until your opponent is unable to continue or surrenders, and the teachers can disqualify anyone they see if."
"There are spectators from different organizations looking for new prospects to consider. Show them your best and prove that you are the best UA has to offer." Aizawa put a hand on the box, "Each team will pick on person to draw lots and that will be the order you enter with a three minute intervel in between."
Whispers spread through the crowd, "We've got the upper hand on matter when we get to go in." Bakugo seemed overly confident while both Nico and Izuku ran over every situation they could come with. "You two are being quiet, now you got me worried."
"I didn't think we'd be going you against teachers too, I didn't prepare for that. And I also noticed that each team had at least one teacher they didn't fight." Nico started chewing on her thumb nail, "This isn't good because we never got to fight Aizawa or Present Mic, both of them can easily put me out of commision and I don't like the odds that we might see them today."
"And we can't be sure which teachers are going to be out there, do you have any of the trackers left?" Izuku asked as Nico shook her head.
"I only made enough for the other students, got get our number and let me think." she told Izuku, pointing at the box. "This really isn't good if we end up pulling a low number, the higher the number the more time I have to think of something."
"We've got enough tricks to catch anyone off guard, I watched you with the support chick and you two did an amazing job stocking up." Bakugo ran a hand over her arm. "You're great at thinking on your feet, we'll be fine." he reassured her as Izuku came back
"We're last, is that more than enough time?" he asked as the last few teams went and got their numbers.
"Plenty, I need to find a spot where we can plan in peace." she looked around the tent, "I would assume we're not allowed to leave now that we're here until it's our turn. I've got about thirty minutes to come up with plans if we run into either Mic or Aizawa." she set a countdown timer once the first team left.
By the time it was their turn to enter the training grounds, there was only one team from the general studies department, one of the class 2-B teams and their classmates left. "Six teams down, looks like the B team is going up against GE. If we get lucky they'll take each other out." Nico studied her map as they ran. "At least one of you has fought against Todoroki so you know how to handle him, I'll take care of Momo."
The guys nodded, it was the best plan they had to handle their friends and classmates. "Can you tell who's left?" Bakugo asked as Nico skidded to a stop.
"I can only see the B team, it looks like the quirk stealer Monoma and Tetsutetsu made this far. I want to get closer, that way I can see the threat level for myself." she did a quick scan of the area, "This way, if we use the buildings for cover we shouldn't be seen."
They found their way up to the third floor of the first building they came to, and found the best place to watch from. "It looks like there's only one of the GE students left, and of course it would be the one I couldn't find anything on." Nico watched as the boy with indigo colour hair side stepped a charging Tetsutetsu.
"I kind of fought him in last year's sports festival. That's Shinso, he got a mind control quirk that lets him control anyone who verbally respond to him." Izuku explained.
"Right, so it's a good thing we don't always rely on verbal communication." Nico chewed her lip a little as she thought. "If he takes out B team, we can get the drop on him from here and …" she didn't get to finish her thought as she dropped to her knees gasping in pain.
"Clever and while the three of you wait why don't I see what you're made of." Aizawa came into view, "I should have known Gatta tagged the other students, but let's see how well you fight with her life on the line."
When the guys didn't move, Nico had to spell it out for them. "Make him blink. While he's looking at me I can't do much, it hurts too much." she managed to pant out, it felt like her whole body was on fire.
"I'd say she got about five minutes before passing out, after that the three of you will be disqualified." Aizawa took a couple steps closer as the boys flanked Nico.
We just need a smoke screen. Nico managed to reach into her hoodie pocket, but was quickly caught up in Aizawa's binding cloth. "Nice try, but I know all about you little tricks. Now behave and watch." he bound her in place.
Nico noticed that Bakugo wasn't moving, "Stop worrying about me, just get him to blink and I can get away." she snapped, "Work together with Izu and I'll be fine."
That was all it took to get them moving, trying to get their teacher to break his gaze but he just dodged everything they threw at him. "Guys, I don't have much time left." Nico panted out, "I know you two have been working on something, just use it already."
With a nod to each other, Bakugo used a small controlled blast to propelle Izuku forward. As their teacher backed up a few steps to avoid Izuku's kick, Bakugo used the opening to get in his face, freeing Nico from the erasure quirk.
Not waiting for a moment, she shifted into her cat and got lose of the binding cloth. "Just give me a minute to recover and I'll join you guys." she called from a safe hiding spot, "I just gotta get my breath and I'll be good to go again."
"Take your time, we got him." Bakugo called back as Nico studied her surroundings while she rested, noticing the beams overhead would be the safest place to get her revenge on Aizawa from. Carefully making her way up, Nico positioned herself just above the fight.
First she dropped one of the smoke screens, that way she could slip down and lay her trap unseen. "Guys, to the windows. I can take it from here." they didn't wait for more than that and took off out of the smoke. "As for you, Aizawa, that wasn't very nice what you did to me. I take it you've gone up against a Gatta before." she didn't stay in one place too long, just in case the smoke cleared before she was finished.
"You could say that. She was just as tough as you are and just as clever too." Aizawa admitted, "So what trick do you have up your sleeve to get yourself out of this one." he followed her voice until the smoke finally cleared.
"I wouldn't make any sudden movements if I were you, look around." Nico called from the rafters, she had laid little pyramids of paper all around his feet. "The are motion sensitive and the slightest jostle will set them off. Do you surrender?" she demanded.
"Yeah, you got me." Aizawa looked up at her with a grin, "Your aunt taught you well."
"I know." she jumped down, landing hard on the floor setting off her glitter bombs. "And she also taught me to never hold a grudge, just get even. Have fun explaining why you look like a first grader's art project."
Taking her place in between the boys, Nico smiled at the frightened looks they were giving her. "Kacchan, your girlfriend scares me. Please don't ever piss her off." Izuku pleaded with Bakugo.
"I don't think I would ever be that stupid." he answered, "so who's left?" he could see Nico's map did have many markers left.
"Looks like Momo and Todoroki finished off whoever the winner was from the B team and Shinso fight so it's a battle between us and them." she pointed to the two blue markers, "They don't seem to be far off either, we could get the drop on them."
"Then what the hell are we waiting for." Bakugo took a few steps back and charged the window.
"You psycho," Nico shouted after him, "He's going to be the death of me, mind giving me a lift? I'm still not right after having my cat attacked like that." She asked Izuku before turning into her cat form and climbing onto his shoulder.
They only caught up to him when came to an intersection, "Alright house cat, which way now?" he asked as Nico tested the air.
It didn't take her long to pick up the scent of her friend and took off running leading the boys. Shifting as they rounded a corner, "This is where we part ways, Todoroki is that way." she pointed down an alley, "but be careful of traps, we can't be sure of what they have planned." she warned them before heading down the street that had Momo's scent.
"Watch your back too," Bakugo gave her one last look as she waved back at them. "Don't forget we're going out to celebrate tomorrow, so try staying in one piece."
It didn't take her long to find Momo, there hadn't been any traps along the path. "Momo, I can track you wherever you go, just come out." Nico called as she got closer. "It's just you and me while the boys fight it out."
"I'm sorry Nico, but I won't hold back." Momo said as she tried to get the drop on Nico. "I know you'll go all out so I won't have to worry about holding back."
"Good because it wouldn't feel like a real win if you did. I unfortunately can't afford to let you win, I have somewhere I need to go." Nico said as she danced away Momo's attacks.
While the girls traded blows for a while, Nico felt the ground shake a little. "Right, I'm sorry about this but I can't keep playing with you." she managed to slip behind Momo and hit a few pressure points, knocking her out. "I'll make this up to you, I promise." she made sure that her friend was in a safe spot before taking off.
Skidding to a stop Nico barely missed getting hit with a blast of fire, seeing that Bakugo and Izuku had Shoto completely distracted it gave her a chance to slip in close and catch him off guard.
"You're the last one standing, don't make this harder than it has to be." she used her stealth to her advantage and knocked him to his knees. "I know your father is watching so you need to make the show a good one, I'm in the same boat with my grandfather. You and me, let's make it look real." she whispered before signaling to her teammates to stand down.
"Worried that if you get help from them it might affect the deal between our families?" Shoto asked getting to his feet.
Nico started to circle him, Shoto followed her watching her every movement. "Nope, I need my family to know I'm not a failure as a warrior, that I have power all my own. You understand that more than they do."
"Clearly you and I are a lot a like. I can respect that, fine, have it your way." he let his fire flare, "But I can't hold back, I would assume the same for you."
"I wouldn't want anything less than your best." they surged forward at each other and at the moment they would have made contact, Nico shifted, leaving her outer layer of clothes behind. She was now barefoot in tight shorts and a tank top.
Slipping under Shoto, she quickly shifted and back landed a kick to his back. While her teammates watched on, Bakugo could see the same feral look on Nico's face that she had when she was scrapping with Nina but this time it didn't seem as primal.
Nico danced away from all of Shoto's attacks while he simply ducked or sidestepped. "I guess the Gatta train for combat from a young age, not many can keep me at bay like this."
"You flatter me, but I'm not giving you an inch. I need this trip." she countered his latest barrage, "I'm done toying with you, it's been a long day and I want to get some sleep."
She took the opening that she had made and slipped behind him, locking his arms above his head. "Submit." she hissed as she felt something burn her left arm. "I said submit." she tightened her hold, not letting despite the pain.
"Fine, I surrender." he relaxed, knowing she wasn't going to let up. "Let me see you arm, that burn has to hurt." Nico dropped him and went to collect her clothes.
"Leave it, I'll heal on my own." she pulled a case from pants and put the glasses away. "You fought well, you should be proud of yourself." she snapped the case closed as they were joined by some of the spectators.
"Nicole." an elderly man snapped her name, making her drop her clothes and cross her hands behind her back. "Care to explain yourself, why show mercy to one that is clearly defeated."
"A moment of weakness, sir. I will not allow it to happen again." she answered without a moment of hesitation. Her eyes trained straight ahead not focusing on anything.
"See that it does not." he watched her as she fought against the pain in her arm. "Are those tears of pain?"
"No sir, just some dust in my eyes." she blinked a couple times trying to clear her eyes. "I hope that actions today did not affect our dealings with the Todoroki family."
"Actually your showing today helped a great deal, so I should be thanking you." the old man dismissed her as he turned to leave, "We will be having a proper family meeting in a month's time, you are expected there."
"Yes sir." was all she said as he left. Nico didn't move until she was sure he wasn't watching anymore.
"Who the hell was that?" Bakugo asked as made his way over to her.
"That was my grandfather, uncle Nick had warned me that he was coming today so it wouldn't be a shock." she bent down to gather her belongings again. "Wonderful old man, isn't he."
"He didn't really seem to care that you were hurt, let me see." he gently took her arm and looked it over. "It's not too bad, might not scar."
"But the important thing is we won." she finally managed a smile. "I hope you got swim gear, because we're going to Okinawa."