The smoke was dense… no one could see a thing.
"Come on Trace", Mina said, worried for Trace.
The smoke began to fade, revealing a figure barely standing. The figure became clearer with each passing second. Trace was barely standing, energy expended. Over by the wall, Todoroki was laying against the wall, surprised at the explosion that went off.
"Midnight raised a flag quickly saying, "Trace is the winner of the match".
Trace began walking to shoto. Trying to check on him. Stumbling every step, Trace was barely able to stand, let alone walk, but he had to do this.
After what felt like ages, he reached Todoroki. He saw many cuts and bruises on him. Trace extended a hand which began to glow green, as todoroki lost injuries, and Trace gained injuries. After a minute, Todoroki was fully healed but still unconscious.
"At least one of us is okay", Trace said before falling, blacking out before he hit the ground.
Midnight and Cementoss immediately picked up the kids and said in the mic, "Short intermission while we fix the platform".
When the recovering girl saw them, She immediately scolded The heroes for letting the fight go on for as long as it did.
Before Recovery Girl could get a chance to swing her cane, Trace spoke up.
"We didn't give them a choice".
"THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE-", Recovery Girl never got to finish that sentence.
"Did you not see me destroy cementoss's structures with no issue".
Recovery Girl simply sighed, "Let's just get you fixed up Trace". Without another word, Trace's injuries were fixed. "I'm sorry", Trace said head low, "I don't want them to be yelled at for my actions".
Recovery Girl simply looked at him sternly before turning to a warm smile. "You are too pure sometimes, as anyone ever told you that sonny".
"Plenty", Trace said honestly.
The room filled with laughter. Everyone's spirits were up. Todoroki was still asleep from exhaustion but almost everyone.
Eventually The arena was fixed and the matches continued. Though no match was as intense as Trace, and Todoroki.eventually the semi-finals began.
"Trace Wilqs, and Iida Tenya come to the arena". Trace was excited. He had a chance to see if he had speed or brawn over Iida.
Both students climbed up a set of stairs, standing on opposite sides of the arena.
Both students came to a halt once they were in bounds.
"Hey Iida", Trace shouted to him.
"Yeah", Iida said confused.
"Let's put on a show for the books", Trace said smiling.
Iida returned this smile with one of his own, "You're on Trace".
"BEGIN".
Iida was the first to move, Closing the distance in a second. Trace, raised a fist, planning to intercept, but clearly underestimated his friend.
"RECIPRO BURST". A leg went right into Trace's stomach, sending him sprawling toward the edge. A barrier barely keeps Trace in bounds. Iida attempted to follow up, running straight at Trace to push him out of bounds. Every moment getting slower and slower, time moving at a standstill. Iida would be on him in 5 seconds, 4 seconds, Trace began to position himself. 3 seconds, 2seconds, 1 second. Iida reached his arms out to push Trace. But that's what Trace was hoping for.
"Game over", Trace said. He ducked down and kicked Iida's left leg out of under him. He was too close to the edge to stop.
Iida's eyes widened as he realized what just happened. He hits the ground but more importantly, is out of bounds. The battle was short, but in those few moments, they were champions, each with a clear plan in mind, one was luckier.
"THE WINNER IS TRACE WILQS".
Trace rose to his feet, breathing heavily, clutching his sides in pain before raising his hands. A tap on his shoulder snapped him out of the fame. He turned to see Iida standing there with a smile.
"That was quite a plan Trace", Iida said joyfully, "I thought I easily had speed on you but you proved speed wasn't enough, thank you". Iida extended a hand out to Trace who happily accepted the handshake.
"Truth be told", Trace began, "I didn't think I could outspeed you, so I hoped I could play distraction until a moment presented itself".
Iida began laughing alongside Trace, both clutching their sides.
"Oh, you would wing it Trace", Iida said.
"We both knew we had an edge, it was a matter of what", Trace said laughing. "That fight was awesome".
"I can't wait to see you at 1st place Trace", Iida said.
"Thank you Iida, I'll reach the top to show what I can do", Trace said in return.
They both started heading up to the spectators stand.
Trace was excited, he would show everyone that he was number one. He would do this for so many people, Iida, Fumikage, Shinso, Ochako, Mina. Trace froze at that name. His eyes turned from one of joy to fear. He began searching for Mina but she wasn't where they were. He would be hearing an earful soon he bet. He sighed before hearing an announcement.
"KATSUKI BAKUGO AND TRACE WILQS COME TO THE ARENA".
Trace gulped as he rose from his seat. He began exiting the spectator area, heading for the arena. In the halls he heard a familiar voice.
"THERE YOU ARE TRACE".
Trace turned to see Mina standing there upset.
"WHERE WERE YOU AFTER BEATING TENYA", anger was powerful in her voice.
"I searched around for you for so long Mina, I need to hurry or they'll disqualify me", Trace said running down the hall, "PROMISE ME YOU'LL WATCH ME KICK BAKUGO'S REAR", Trace screamed down the hall.
"So the pipsqueak showed up", Bakugo said to Trace.
"It'll take more than a gun show to scare me off", Trace said.
"BEGIN".
Bakugo wastes no time in closing distance. He fires off his gauntlets at point blank, causing Trace to fly backwards, he catches himself with a barrier to avoid ring-out. Bakugo follows up quickly before firing away from Trace.
"You honestly think you can catch me with the same move you beat Iida with bitch".
Trace rose to his feet, saying nothing. He looked at Bakugo with yellow eyes, raising his fist before charging him. Bakugo aimed and fired, but came up empty handed. Trace had formed a barrier in front of the blast, sliding under to not stop completely. He caught himself before firing an uppercut into bakugo's chin, sending him upwards. Trace wasted no time forming a barrier to break bakugo's momentum, bringing him back down toward him.
"TAKE THIS BASTARD", Bakugo screamed, firing a blast at maximum power point blank into Trace's body. Trace only avoided ring-out because the blast was pointed into the concrete.
The smoke thickened for a minute before Bakugo blasted it away, showing everyone Trace's state. Blood running down his hoodie and mask, cuts all over his hoodie. Trace himself barely standing.
"TRACE", Mina screamed, scared for Trace.
Bakugo simply smirked, "You never had a chance Trace, you should have just given up when that shadow took control of you".
Trace froze, He said that for the world to hear. Now everyone knows he was the one who killed those thugs. The world knew he had murdered people. Trace began to fall, tears dripping from his face.
Bakugo simply continued, "It's a miracle you even got into U.A. with that murderous spirit.
Trace's eyes opened wide, anger filling his body. He stood, his injuries healing themselves. "TAKE IT BACK BAKUGO".
Bakugo simply laughed, "Make me bitch".
Trace was done, Bakugo had drawn the last straw.
Trace moved faster than light, Knocking Bakugo into the ground. "DJINN IS NOT AN EVIL SPIRIT", Trace said rearing back, "DJINN IS A HERO", Trace brought the hand down Sending Bakugo flying out of bounds and into a nearby wall. Trace simply rose to his feet in victory.
"And don't you forget it Bakugo".
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE WINNER OF THE SPORTS FESTIVAL IS NONE OTHER THAN TRACE WILQS".
The crowd was dead silent. Trace shut his eyes, waiting for boos and insults to erupt from every direction, but they never came.
"WOOOO, WAY TO GO TRACE".
Trace opened his eyes and looked at the noise, Mina was Cheering him, happier than a Kid in a candy shop.
Little by little, everyone began cheering, even chanting, "TRACE AND DJINN", over and over.
Trace looked inwards, "wanna come out buddy", Trace asked Djinn.
"Let's do this", was all Djinn replied with.
Trace let the darkness control his entire left side, Both Trace and Djinn raised a hand, causing the crowd's cheers to increase in numbers and noise.
Trace continued looking over the crowd, until he saw something that angered him.
Endeavor was practically screaming at Todoroki for losing.
"Djinn", Trace began, "I need you to take a backseat for a minute, is that okay?".
"You're gonna battle Endeavor aren't you", Djinn said.
"Right on the money".
"Alright then". Djinn retreated to within Trace.
Once in full control, Trace turned to face them.
"ENDEAVOR", Trace screams ensuring he caught everyone's attention.
Endeavor turned, more out of annoyance than anything.
"Mrs. Midnight", Trace began, 'I wish to spar against Endeavor'.
Midnight was floored but saw the look in his eyes.
Endeavor hearing this kid wanted to battle amused him, but nevertheless. "I have no interest in battling you murderer", Endeavor said.
This angered Trace. "So you're backing down from a challenge", Trace said.
This caught Endeavors attention.
"Are you afraid you might lose to me", Trace said, letting his anger get the better of him. "If you back down from me then how will you surpass All Might".
Endeavor was furious, he began approaching the arena. "Fine then boy, you want a fight, I'll give you a good knocking around, and once you realize you can't win, then I expect a written apology", Endeavor said, fire burning bright.
Midnight was about to say something until Trace spoke.
"No Ring-Outs, we keep going until one of us surrenders to the other", Trace said. "Midnight, I won't take no for an answer".
Midnight finally snapped out of it before hesitantly nodding.
"ENDEAVOR VS TRACE WILQS"
"BEGIN"
Without hesitation, Endeavor mustered the strongest fire he could and fired it in a beam at Trace who simply Put his arms in front of him, taking the brunt of the attack. The attack lasted for 10 seconds of nonstop sun fire. Once Endeavor stopped he smirked, "Had enough child".
Trace was still standing, clothing burnt in some areas but for the most part intact, Trace easily had many burns on him, many scars from where his wounds were cauterized, but he still stood.
"Todoroki was stronger than you Endeavor", Endeavor froze at this before lighting up in anger, "TODOROKI WILL BE A BETTER HERO THAN YOU EVER WILL, HE SURPASSED YOU WHEN HE GREW A HEART".
Endeavor grabbed Trace by the hoodie and Fired a beam of fire straight into his face.
Everyone watching was mortified.
"YOU STILL WANT TO TALK SMACK CHILD", Endeavor said angry.
Trace was barely breathing, burns covering his face. But he still was there.
"You robbed him of a childhood", he began, "he would have been a great hero if his father supported him… but instead all his father cares about is being better than everyone else, no matter who they step on", Trace's eyes narrowed as he said that.
Endeavor, enraged, slams Trace into the ground before firing another beam into him.
"HOW ABOUT THIS THEN". Endeavor screamed with pure anger, giving everything he had into the shot, which only surprised him when the kid stood up through the attack.
"ENDEAVOR, ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS BEING BETTER THAN EVERYONE NO MATTER WHO YOU HAVE TO STEP ON", Trace said yelling every word with conviction, "BUT I DON'T CARE ABOUT BEING THE BEST, I FIGHT FOR MY FRIENDS, I FIGHT FOR MY FAMILY, I FIGHT FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T, I CARE FOR OTHERS, "Trace narrowed his eyes to slits, "WHICH IS MORE THAN I CAN SAY FOR YOU". Darkness began enveloping Trace's left side as his left eye became purple.
Without hesitation, Trace Charged at endeavor, rearing back his Shadow fist. Endeavor tried to block but was far too slow. He got hit in the face and dropped to the ground. Trace followed up by throwing him into the air, kicking off the ground to launch himself into the air.
With the speed he was moving, Endeavor didn't have a chance. Trace launched a fist, putting everything he had into it. He hit Endeavor square in the chest, a large beam, about 200ft wide appearing in the end. Trace began falling, having used up all his energy. He and Endeavor hit the ground with thuds, though Endeavor was easily worse for wear.
Trace began rising to his feet and began trying to walk over to Endeavor who had unfortunately made it to his feet already.
He began laughing. "You never stood a chance kid", He began putting his palms together and prepared a beam of fire. "You should have stayed in the dark". He fired his fire at full power, if it was anyone else, they would be dead. But trace wouldn't give up. He threw his arms in front of himself, Taking the brunt of the attack once more. He had to endure. He would endure. He opened his eyes to Endeavor charging him. Endeavor Grabbed his hoodie and put a hand to his face. "Anything you want to say before I knock you unconscious darkness boy". Endeavor laughed as he said it.
"Actually, yes", Trace said, "No matter how dark it is", Trace's eyes began glowing a bright yellow, "THERE WILL ALWAYS BE LIGHT". Trace pushed himself beyond his limit, he took his arm and Threw a punch that rivaled his punch against the nomu. He punched Endeavor as hard as he possibly could, breaking his arm in the process. Endeavor went spiraling into a wall.
The janitor sighed, "We just had that fixed".
Trace began walking slowly toward Endeavor, still on his knees.
Endeavor managed to get to his knee before looking at the kid, Sparks flying off in every direction, Eyes bright yellow, Half his body enveloped in shadows, The boy had surely gone past his limit and didn't slow at all. Endeavor realized he couldn't win. This kid would go beyond to protect his friends. Then Endeavor realized. This whole fight was to show how horrible of a father he was. He couldn't deny how terrible of a father he was until then. He never gave Todoroki the care or love he needed, He didn't let Todoroki live a life, instead opting for him to become a soldier of sorts. A tear would have fallen from his eye if the heat from his face didn't keep evaporating them.
Trace had finally reached him. "Yield", was all Trace said, Determination in his voice as he stood over the number 2 hero.
Endeavor unable to stand simply chuckled. "You young man, will make a fine hero, you have the drive, the kindness, The strength, You have everything you need to be the next symbol of peace", Endeavor said, surprising Trace enough to turn him to his normal form. "Fine then", Endeavor said, making sure others could hear him say what he was about to say. "I yield to you Trace Wilqs, you have bested me in battle".
Trace held a hand out to Endeavor, "You have a lot you need to amend with Todoroki, but the conviction in your voice tells me you plan to do just that, just make sure he has a loving caring father Endeavor", Trace said with a smile.
Endeavor took the hand and shook it. "Thank you so much Trace for showing me my errors". Endeavor tried to stand but couldn't.
"THE… THE WINNER IS TRACE WILQS", Midnight said, surprised he had done it.
"I see your injured Endeavor, allow me to heal you", Trace said holding a hand to Endeavor before transferring his injuries to himself.
"Thank you young man", was all Endeavor said.
"Trace, please come to the podium with the others" Midnight said, motioning to the podium with bakugo on 2nd, and Iida and Fumikage sharing 3rd. Trace approached the stand, no limping or pain visible. He went to the number one podium and stood tall holding a hand in the air for all to see. He had done it. He had shown everyone he could be a hero.
"Congratulations young Wilqs", All might said to him, presenting a trophy to him. He grabbed hold of the trophy, and raised it into the air screaming, "LIGHT WILL ALWAYS SHINE THROUGH THE DARK". He stood there for 5 minutes due to newspapers wanting photos and interviews with him. After a while he simply said, "Apologies but I cannot take anymore interviews or photos as I need to head home to prepare for school", and walked away.
