Eventually, preparations ended and the day of the Sports Festival came.
Needless to say, Izuku was on the edge. His mother had decided it was better to watch it from home, where she wouldn't embarrass him with her over-protective nature and herself with the emotional streak they shared (not to mention she had better access to water and tissues at home...), which was alright by him.
He knew that Usagi and her group were going to attend, so even if he was technically against his friends and classmates, he was going to have plenty of support, both open from Usagi's group and from the sidelines from All Might and his mom.
Given the special day, the classes were to gather at the stadiums - yes, plural, Yuuei had an absurdly high budget... - instead of at the main building, divided by year.
Aizawa-sensei has been vague, as usual, assuming his students knew about the event for it being in their interests since they were born, and they, indeed, knew the outline of what was waiting for them.
It didn't take anything from the worry and excitement. Nothing was certain in the Sports Festival, from the tasks that the contendents had to face to the results that weren't always in favour of the ones with the strongest quirks. The latter part was probably to give a fighting chance to those of the other departments as well, in particular the General Studies's kids, who aimed for a way to shine and get a pass into the Hero course.
"I understand the other way around is also possible for you" the purple-haired kid from the General Studies had said.
It wasn't clear whether it was true or just a way to get them riled up, but the chance of being moved out the Hero Course was legit scary.
There was more. Everyone was determined because that was a unique chance in more than one way: visibility, future popularity and internships depended on those three determining days in their high school careers. There was no falling behind.
Midoriya didn't have time to perfection the flow of One for All beyond what he already did, so he knew it was necessary to restrain his quirk usage for at least the first stage, he had to play his cards well and exploit every possible chance.
"You don't give your brilliant mind enough credit" All Might had told him, weeks before. Now, he was going to need to use it at his best.
He took a breath and went to enter the waiting rooms in the stadium where the first years were going to compete, but before he could cross the door, he saw Uraraka coming his way. The girl had a fire in her eyes, there was no hiding it. Underneath her gentle nature and soft smiles, hid a fighter to be feared, he knew that much already, but she was particularly fierce today.
«Good morning, Deku-kun!»
«G-good morning, Uraraka-san. You're all fired up, uh?»
She nodded eagerly, fists closed «It's our time to show what we're truly made of!»
He couldn't but nod. The overall excitement that had invested them all in the previous weeks found its peak today and he too, despite his initial underestimate of the situation, was pumped up for the incoming fight.
«Izukun!» a known voice called, making both him and Uraraka turn to see the wide smile of his friend, arm in arm with Chiba-senpai, while Chibiusa held her other hand.
«Usagi-chan! What are you doing here? Are they letting people in already?» Uraraka exclaimed.
«Not yet» Usagi assured «We have special passes!» she showed the plastic holder that hung from her neck «Papa gave them to us, so we could come and cheer for you guys»
«That's great! Uhm...» Ochako glanced at the two she didn't know.
«Oh, Uraraka-san this is Chiba Mamoru-senpai, Usagi-san's boyfriend, and this is Chibiusa-chan» Izuku introduced.
«Nice to meet you!» Chibiusa chimed, while Mamoru gave a curt nod.
«The others are still outside, but they wish you good luck too, Izukun. We'll be all on the bleachers. Except for Mamo-chan, he...»
«It's a secret!» Chibiusa cut off, then glared at the blonde «Baka Usagi»
«Chibiusa! How many times do I have to tell you can't call me baka!»
«If you are an idiot I call you as such» was the quick retort.
A snort could be heard from behind and Izuku turned in surprise at the sight of Bakugou who was sporting an unusual smirk.
«Ah! Hello, Katsu-kun!» Chibiusa waved, a wide smile aimed towards the usually grumpy boy «Good luck for today!»
«I don't need luck» he rebutted «I'm the fucking best, you'll see» then he disappeared towards the lockers' room with his hands in his pockets.
«Rude. Wait... How do you know him?» Usagi turned at Chibiusa in disbelief.
«It's a se-cret» Chibiusa answered with her tongue sticking out, then ran away.
«Chibiusa! You brat, come back here and tell me!»
Mamoru sighed as they ran in a sort of tag game, which he ignored to turn at Midoriya «I'll better follow them, or they'll get lost when the crowd comes in. Good luck» he added with his hand extended.
«Thank you» Izuku smiled and took it, a surge of confidence investing him in warm waves. He felt something like a pull from his shoulders too, like a feeling of melancholic fondness, completely different from the visions he had had in the previous days, but even that went away as soon as it came, only the newfound certainty stayed.
He had a tough competition ahead, but he could make it, Izuku assured himself as he and Uraraka went in.
He had to.
«Sorry for the lateness» Ami bowed.
«Security checks took forever!» Minako complained.
«Which is understandable. They had a Villain attack recently, they can't risk another» Rei shielded her eyes from the sun as she took in the surroundings «Especially at such an important event for the school's reputation. They go all out for it, it seems»
Minako shook her head «I still don't understand how could they have possibly gotten in»
Usagi shrugged in reply. This wasn't the kind of thing her father spoke up about. Not that she actually asked: she had the feeling he wouldn't tell her much anyway.
«I still find incredible Yuuei's Sports Festival is considered more important than the Olympic games in Japan, to the point schools are closed today» Ami had a bit of a disappointed pout.
«Who cares? It's a free day, hurray!» Minako jumped, her cheerful nature coming back in a heartbeat.
«No-school days are always good days» Usagi nodded to herself «I'm only sorry Hotaru-chan couldn't come too. She said she had a medical check-up scheduled for today ever since she knew there would be no lessons anyway. I would have liked for you to meet»
The girls tensed ever so slightly.
«Usagi, we talked about this» Rei started «You can't be sure she's not involved...»
«She's good» the other replied «The people who could be involved, well I think they are those who are in charge of the main clubs and other important stuff inside the school, they're all so boring and with their noses stuck up, it can be only them! Hotaru-chan, on the other hand...» she paused.
There has been a moment, a split second in which Hotaru had looked like a different person than the sweet girl she was now used to see... but no, she was sure Hotaru was innocent. It was only a moment of anger for how she was mistreated, anyone would get angry at this kind of things.
«It's not that we don't trust your judgement, Usagi-chan» Minako put a hand on her shoulder «We only want you to keep your eyes open since we can't be there with you»
Usagi could only nod, and Makoto took the lead «Come on, now. Let's find a good place to watch from»
The stadium was still positively empty, most people must have stopped at the stalls outside or were still busy with the security checks, only in a section there were a few cameramen who were working on settling their equipment, but they were far from them.
«And I thought Mugen Academy was fancy» Minako commented with a whistle «Yuuei is another kind of rich»
Makoto nodded «We only saw the training grounds so far, but this makes me think the inside must be crazy too»
«Yuuei and Shiketsu are the top two Hero schools of Japan» Ami offered «The funds they get are above any other school in the country, even elite and private schools»
After a bit of deliberation, they choose a spot close to the stairs, down enough to see all up close but mid-height not to miss what would appear on the high placed screens all around the arena.
«While we wait... I think we found out what happened to the Sailor V game» Ami informed quietly «Apparently, the Sword was supposed to show up as a bonus item after Minako extracted it from the Moon Castle. We're not sure why it didn't, but it was already in the game's coding»
«So it's just a chance that it appeared when Midoriya-kun was playing?» Makoto frowned.
«We're not sure. We took in account what Chibiusa said about the King's Guard in her future and there are mentions of a similar establishment in Silver Millennium's data. It's possible the game recognized a pattern and tried to "train" Midoriya-senpai to this aim» Ami continued, her voice slightly lower «It seems like the ancient King's Guard was supposed to protect the King of Silver Millennium. They were also called the Housekitennou, "Gem Emperors", and there should have been eight of them»
«They were noblemen of the most ancient Houses of each Planet, in some cases princes or kings themselves, chosen one for each Planet that formed our alliance. They had similar charges to the Earth's Shitennou. There used to be an interplanetarian controversy on who started the custom and all that drama» Minako precised.
Ami nodded «But since there was no King next to Queen Serenity I, the original Housekitennou never actually entered in charge. They took care of what happened on the respective Planet, from the Castles on the main satellites. The next Housekitennou must have been appointed among the highest lieutenants we had in the administration of our duties, but the data about them are damaged, it'll take some time to recover them» Ami concluded.
Usagi pouted, unsure of what to think of all of that «It sounds like they must have been pretty important. How is it that we don't remember them?»
Rei shrugged «It's unclear. Either it's because they didn't exist before, or it's just that our memories of our previous life are still partial. That's why I tried to interrogate the fire. I saw glimpses of them, nothing recognizable. We came to the conclusion it isn't imperative to find out now, anyway»
Makoto agreed «We have more important things to deal with...»
«Not today» Minako interrupted with glee, a finger up «We're here to cheer and have fun»
«And see what awaits us in the near future» Rei added.
«Killjoy» Minako muttered, then turned to nod her head towards the rapidly filling stadium, a clear sign they had to close the topic if they didn't want people to eavesdrop what they weren't supposed to.
Ami got the hint and swiftly changed the topic: «Tell me, Chibiusa-chan, how are you doing here?»
The little girl wiggled her legs «Good. Izukun is weird but funny and Toshi-papa is nice. Oh, did you know? I'm going to start school this Monday!»
«We told Toshi-papa her parents don't want her to go at Mugen» Usagi added.
«Which is technically true» Makoto offered with a wink.
«He was confused but agreed» Chibiusa completed «He even promised he'll buy me a good bed because futons aren't good on that house's flooring. Something about avoiding backaches and humidity»
«Papa is very sensitive on this topic» Usagi nodded to herself «Something about the fact he had to sleep on a futon most the time when he was young and "this kind of things leave a mark on you that you feel later in life, my girl", he said» she completed with a bad imitation of her father's deep voice.
«What's wrong with futons?» Rei frowned.
«Well, nothing per se, as long as they're used on traditional flooring, but on ceramic floors or other modern materials, there isn't enough aeration and back support...»
Ami's explanation - and further discussion - was cut short by the arena's screens lighting up, fireworks blown in the sky and music came out the loudspeakers, sign the opening ceremony was about to start.
«The Yuuei Sports Festival! The huge battle where fledgeling heroes sharpen their swords once a year!»
«Oh! It's Present Mic!» Minako exclaimed while the Hero kept going on about the students.
«Do you know him?»
«Yup, he's famous, lots more than some, because he works in the music world too. I started listening to his radio show a while ago, he's cool»
«Hero course, Class 1-A!»
One of the doors in the arena's border opened, and the teens walked in, all in gym clothes. The screens made a panoramic of their faces before the next classes were announced.
«They look so nervous!» Usagi noted.
«You can bet they are» Makoto shrugged «Who wouldn't?»
«It's a chance to shine!» Minako opposed «They should be elated instead! And smile. Gloomy looks don't suit handsome boys»
She ignored a couple raised eyebrows from her friends at the last statement.
The students gathered on the red square of pressed sand that made the center of the stadium, right in front of a small platform on which climbed the referee.
«It's Midniiight!» Minako screeched.
«Are you aware she's known as "the R-Rated Hero" for her, uhm... unconventional style?» Ami blushed as the implications. It sounded like they had this discussion already, because Minako had her answer in a heartbeat.
«A role model, I tell you!»
«You're crazy, Minako» Rei shook her head «Besides, this is a high school, should R-Rated Heroes even be allowed to teach teens?»
Usagi perked up «Ah! She's the one that stopped us in front of the gates!»
«You met her?! Why didn't you tell me?!» Minako whined.
«Quiet everyone!» Midnight's voice resonated around through the speakers, that caught also the swish of her nine-tails, then she called for the student who was supposed to make the pledge.
«Katsu-kun!» Chibiusa cheered when she recognized his slouched figure on the screens.
Makoto's brows furrowed «Isn't he that rude kid from back then? Why did they pick him of all people?»
«The student chosen for the pledge for the first year is the one who got the top mark at the Hero Course exam» Ami offered «Did you meet him before?»
«Chibiusa knows him better, apparently,» Usagi said, a side-eye towards her future daughter «But she didn't tell me»
«Whaat?»
«Uff. I met him on the train, happy now?» the little girl caved in «Now shh!»
«Pledge... I'll be first»
Not only it was unexpected, but it caused a lot of indignant reactions from all over around, both on the bleachers and down in the arena.
«How arrogant!»
Chibiusa sort of pouted, but didn't reply.
The first "game" was called immediately, shown on the huge holographic screen behind the stage.
«Obstacle course race? Sounds a little too simple»
«Piece of cake,» Minako said «I won tons of those. Even with Artemis telling me I didn't train enough» she added, memoirs of her time as Sailor V and the mistrust from the white cat at her natural abilities.
Ami shook her head «When it comes to Yuuei, nothing is simple. Quirks will be involved, obviously, but the obstacles will be on par with the hardships of the Hero Course»
As if to punctuate Ami's intuition, Midnight ended the short explanation with: «As long as you stay on course, it doesn't matter what you do!»
"This sounded bad" the girls couldn't but shiver.
A gate with green lights on top slowly opened.
«Isn't that gate too small for everyone?» Usagi wondered «How are they all going to pass through?»
«They won't» Rei replied «That's the point of it»
The start proved it right. Even the commenters made notes about the first bit being an obstacle in itself.
Quite a few of the Heroic Course students moved in advance with a certain ease, especially those with quirks that could skip higher or hinder others. A large patch of ice created by the leading teen made for additional stumbling as most people were blocked or slowed down.
«They really mean everything is allowed!» Usagi all but shouted. Any other comment was abruptly stopped by the appearance of huge robots, announced as the "First barrier".
«Those robots are...?»
They remembered their first day at Yuuei, when the headmaster had set rows of robots against them, but none of them were quite as huge.
Makoto's brows furrowed «I think the Hero Courses use those for training, maybe for exams too»
«But they're huge!» Chibiusa exclaimed.
«Yeah, but also slow and they're not as sturdy as they look» Makoto assured.
«Speak for yourself» Usagi muttered, with a pout «I had bruises for days»
Todoroki, as Present Mic introduced the kid who used ice, had frozen all the robot barrier in seconds, showing another way to get through them.
Although the way he froze them revealed to be temporary and tons of metal fell down soon, while he ran away.
«You think Izukun will get past those since he already knows how they are?»
«Not with ease. But he seems ready to»
«Eeh! Someone was stuck underneath!» Chibiusa fretted.
Indeed, two kids from the Hero Course, Kirishima and Tetsutetsu, emerged from the wreckage of metal with angry scowls, while Present Mic illustrated their very similar quirks to the audience.
The thick commentary went on among the girls in short bursts of exclamations.
«Wooah! Katsu-kun is using explosions to fly!»
«He isn't the only one who is going for the air way»
«Is that a cannon she pulled out her body? A whole cannon?!»
«Does that shadow thing count as a quirk?» Rei wondered, focused on Tokoyami's Dark Shadow «Looks more like a corvid spirit to me»
«Eeeh?! Like a ghost?! Scary!» Usagi shrieked.
«He's in the Hero Course. I doubt he has ill intentions»
«S-still!» Usagi sniffed «Ghosts are scary»
Chibiusa nodded her silent assent.
«Really, though, 1-A seems the class that is advancing faster. Must have been because of their firsthand experience. You know, at USJ»
«Their fight-or-flight reaction time must have honed thanks to that»
«Is that a piece of robot Izuku-san took? What for?» Rei wondered, looking at Usagi since she was the one who knew him better.
The blonde shrugged «He and papa talked about using his head more and how to turn obstacles into weapons. Whatever that means»
«As long as he doesn't take "using his head" as "headbutt stuff", he should be fine» Makoto joked «Even if, with how hard-headed he is, that could work too» she added.
«But it's going to be dead weight at some point» Minako's eyes were towards the newly announced second part, a huge canyon-like structure that looked far deeper than it should have been in such a place and that must have been built for the very purpose of the games.
There were ropes in between the different stumps of rock, but not enough for everyone to use at once. Not that everybody needed them, as a few people followed their own tracks, like Bakugou and his explosion-flight or a girl from the Support Course with her equipment.
The second part took most the group longer to go through, so the people on the bleachers spoke loudly to each other to make observations, especially on those who stood out for better or worse.
Ami busied herself trying to store as much info as possible, from both the competition and all over around, with Rei occasionally supplying with what she knew.
«I sort of remember the name Todoroki. His family was influential in... you know, before» she said, cryptical enough only her friends would understand what she meant «One of my father's important contacts in the jet-set. He's well known as Endeavor, here, the second Hero in the Chart» Rei ended with a bizarre scrunch of displeasure.
Clearly, the association with her father put the whole family in a bad light to her, but the notion he used fire was even worse. It was a personal affront that someone she didn't like any semblance of similarity to her.
«Fire and fire-related quirks are common, though» Ami observed, pulling out a statistic that did nothing to cancel the scowl of the miko.
Todoroki had reached the last part, a minefield, as Present Mic explained along with the fact the mines weren't dangerous on their own.
It didn't look too hard a task, but the more people on it, the more explosions would go off, so it was a matter of being quick, careful and not be distracted by other people's mistakes.
Todoroki had to slow down, which allowed Bakugou to reach him and fight for first place.
«Isn't he tired? Must be hard to stay in the air for so long. Even assuming his weight is average for his height and age, the power the explosions should set for him to be airborne should be around...»
«And we lost Ami-chan to math» Minako fake-sighed «She can't really help it, she has science in her bones and iron in her soles...»
«Minako-chan, that doesn't make sense»
«Can anyone see Izukun?» Usagi wondered. The screens couldn't show all participants at once, even with multiple angles, and she couldn't find him. Until...
«What is he doing?»
«The best he can. Collecting power to surpass the others»
Before anyone could ask what she meant, Izuku slammed himself with the piece of robot he collected on the bunch of mines he gathered.
The large explosion that came from the start line of the minefield pummeled him forward, way faster than anticipated. One of the cam-drones managed to get the focus on his face, which had a weird mixture of fright and determination, while everyone wondered how was he going to land and the former leads stopped fighting to pursue him.
Turned out he didn't need to: a quick manoeuvre of his makeshift air-sledge, which he stomped to the ground to set another, smaller, explosion, let him surpass both Bakugou and Todoroki, roll to the mines-free ground and run back inside the stadium.
«He did it!» Usagi jumped up and down in excitement «First place! Yayyy!»
The girls cheered loud as well, like most the stadium, at the unexpected victory.
Izuku's face, replicated on the screens all over around, was a sight to behold, teary but victorious.
«Eh, he was lucky» someone from the crowd said.
Usagi caught that and jumped up «It wasn't luck! He was amazing!»
«He exploited the environment to his advantage. If anything, it's smarts» Ami added, more calmly.
Unbeknownst to them, Izuku was having similar thoughts. He didn't think anything but his luck had to be praised.
Still, he was there. He passed the first stage and had a certain ticket to the second.
For the immediate future, it was more than expected.
Notes:
Sports Festival arc, at least!
I am truly sorry for the long absence, I had to deal with severe writer's block here, not to mention my exams took the most of my time and efforts, plus other irl stuff, hence why I went on a sort of radio silence and this chapter is far later than usual. On the bright side, I almost finished binge-writing the whole Sports Festival, so I'll post the next chapter within the usual three weeks.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think the Sports Festival was the most boring of the animated arcs (so far) despite the fact it has the best intro song (next to "Polaris"). Going with the girl's angle of things was the only good idea I had for it. Sooo I'm working on the actual Festival super-quick and we'll get out this stadium as soon as possible. I half-thought of having the Witches 5 attack here to shake it up, but with so many Heroes present, it'd be a plain stupid move for the Death Busters, so nada.
