The second stage was announced immediately and, with it, its cruel rules.

Cruel not because they were inherently bad - okay, maybe a little, especially for those who had to be the horses - but because the ones admitted were 42, and because they had to work in teams, meaning the loss of the team would mean the loss of all, and because of the way the points were assigned.

Midoriya's luck had clearly run out and the poor boy was burdened with ten million points, basically a ticket for the next stage. Of course, best prize, worst competition.

It also meant fewer chances of allies, but Usagi confided in Ochako's good heart to be by his side. She didn't know much about Izuku's other friends, but she hoped it all would go for the best.

«Fifteen minutes is not much time to form an optimal team and choose a strategy, especially since they probably know only the quirks of their own classes» Ami reasoned.

«But it's something that can happen on the job, no?» Minako wondered «Having to team up to face an emergency, in the fastest and most effective way, with whoever is free, while knowing little about them. You may know more about some and next to nothing about others»

«The team-ups will show the ability to make good teams on the spot» Rei completed.

«Even though...» Usagi bit her lip «Heroes don't team up much, according to sensei. Mamo-chan thinks it's because of too much competition to be seen by the media»

«I guess it's partially true. But large-scale events, by their nature, require cooperation»

As expected, the allotted time passed quickly. Given the screen showed only the Yuuei logo and not the participants, it was nearly impossible from the bleachers to figure out teams in advance.

Usagi could only catch that Izuku was approached by Ochako first, just like she hoped, then by a girl with the various equipment on her body and, finally, the ghost-crow boy.
«A lot of people went to Bakugou and Todoroki, uh?»

«Second and third places have lots points, plus they showed off they have a good ability to match up. I don't want to sound too gloomy, but Izukun will have to sweat to escape them»

The twelve formed teams placed themselves at the edge of the red terrain, ready to go in. A big screen showed formations and points, then a countdown.

And it started.

After the first charge, where everybody went for the ten million points, which led to Midoriya's team leaping up thanks to the support gear, the smaller teams started to prey on each other.

It was chaotic at best. Flashy moves, good exploits, but nearly impossible to follow neatly. Each of the girls focused on whatever caught their eye, tossing basic comments at one another until the seven minutes mark of the first half was announced with the new ranking.

«Katsu-kun's team is losing badly!» Chibiusa exclaimed, «They lost their points!»

«Whole Class A is, except for Midoriya-kun's team, in the lowest spots» Rei added «They underestimated the adversaries they didn't know and they're paying the price for it»

«That's why most are switching strategy» Ami noted «Most teams changed directions now»

«That's good! If they focus another way, it'll give Izukun some respite!»

Makoto frowned «Not that easy, Usagi-chan»

The wide electrification from Todoroki's team involved the few other groups that were still in pursuit of the ten million band, while subsequent ice stuck them in place.

«He really is amazing!» Minako gushed.

Rei could only nod «He got rid of the other pursuers, then cornered his prey. I hate to admit that, but that's some outstanding skills»

«Midoriya-senpai didn't use his quirk yet» Ami observed «Anything could change depending on how he uses it»

«It wouldn't work that well against us, right?» Usagi asked, unexpectedly.

At their curious looks, she went on «Mako-chan wouldn't be stunned by electricity, so we'd be covered there. And Rei-chan's fire can counter ice well»

«We wouldn't be cornered, but we couldn't attack either. Fire could only keep them away» Rei shook her head «If we had a normal number of points, it would be nearly useless»

«I could blind them» was the simple answer from Minako «Once like that, they wouldn't even see us»

In the meantime, Midoriya's team managed to stay on the defensive until the last minute and Todoroki's group didn't seem to be able to do much in those five minutes.

Much to everyone's shock, Todoroki's team pulled out such a quick move even Present Mic was unable to immediately tell what was.

It costed Midoriya's team their headband, that much was sure.

Ami's hand ran to her mouth, the tug of a string pulled in her memory for a split second, when Iida's unexpected move surprised the onlookers.

Did she know that move firsthand or was it only one of the many searches from her mainframe? Was it even possible for it to be in her data, given it was unlikely the boy ever did it in public before?

Her hand ran to her earpiece and prompted a search for matches, which showed up soon enough.

Iida family, an heritage of pro Heroes known for the engine quirk. Although this gave her some peace of mind, she realized most the Heroes in the prestigious family had arm engines, leg ones were rarer, but there was footage for those as well.

It quieted down her flood of questions, along with the possible connection to the Silver Millennium: she had been too agitated and in a rush to find answers she ended up adding up even things that weren't connected, that was, she told herself.

Hyper-brain allowed her to think of all this in the span of the few seconds that took Midoriya's team to counterattack, Izuku's arm glowed in red tendrils visible even from afar.
«He decided to use it!» Usagi fretted, hands clasped in hope he wouldn't break his bones again.

Air pressure swept the dust around, pushed away Todoroki's flaming arm and broke clumps of the ice that separated the two antagonizing teams from the rest, but that wasn't the only fight going on.

«Ah! Look, look!» Chibiusa exclaimed, jumping on her seat «The others teams are doing crazy!»

«With only a minute left they are pulling out everything they have! So exciting!» Minako screeched.

«Start the countdown!» Present Mic announced, and with it, the giant board showed the ten seconds left.

It was quick: Bakugou had broken the rest of the ice barrier and barged in the fight, while Midoriya's team attacked again and was countered by electricity. The three riders, Midoriya and Bakugou on the attack, Todoroki on the defence, were about to clash...

«Time up!»

Mic's voice resonated along with the sound of the countdown closing, putting an end to the second stage.

Results were announced immediately and the stadium waited for them, since the countdown hid the live ranking of the teams.

It was: Todoroki first, Bakugou second, Shinsou third and... Midoriya fourth.

A literal fountain came the from boy's eyes, the effect astounding to the point one could easily think that was his actual quirk.

On the bleachers, Usagi happy-cried a bit herself while she cheered.


A lunch break was announced and Usagi took the chance to exploit her pass.

«I'm going to see how Izukun is doing. See you later! Get something for me too!» she recommended before running away.

«But, Usagi...» the others tried to stop her, but she was already gone.

She wandered a while, trying to follow the signs to the preparation rooms, until she stumbled onto Uraraka and a few others of 1-A who were going to get lunch.

«Ochako-chan! Well done!» she exclaimed with a wide smile.

The brunette turned and smiled «Usagi-chan! Thank you!»

The rest of the group stopped, curious about the blonde girl, who waved amicably «Congratulations you too! You were all amazing out there»

A mix of thanks, blushes and uncertain stares were thrown Usagi's way, who never stopped smiling even when she asked: «Have you seen Izukun?»

Uraraka looked around, looking for confirmation from her classmates «I'm not sure. We were wondering about that too...»

«I'm going to look for him then! Thank you!» Usagi left without giving anyone time to reply.

She wandered outside the stadium for a while, unsure which opening would lead to the right place, until she caught a familiar string of mutters, cut off by a few considerations in low voice. She stopped in her tracks, unsure whether to come back later and let them speak, it sounded imp...

«Are you All Might's secret child or something?»

Usagi tensed, leaning against the wall. The question wasn't aimed at her, obviously, but it didn't make her any less alert.

Izuku, on his side, panicked «What? You-you no... it's not me! I know that denying it probably makes you think it's obvious and if I was and I'm not... I would do that soitdoesn'tsoundthatconvincingbutyougotitwrongreally...»

Usagi tried to peek, to figure out who Izuku was talking to. She caught a glimpse of red hair when the other voice interrupted Izuku's muttering, almost making her jump back.

«I suspected for a while, I saw you and that girl walk home together the whole month. You look little like each other, but you both have glaring resemblances to All Might. I assumed you are illegitimate and All Might decided to acknowledge you only now because your quirk is similar to his and you managed to get in the Hero course»

Oh. Oh, no. No one was supposed to figure out the nature of One for All, but this was... this was...

This was actually good, if Usagi thought about it. Minako-chan had guessed something similar, even if it was in playful banter, a joke of sort. But it was ideal, because it'd keep One for All's nature under protection. She half hoped Izuku would go with it, they could explain Toshi-papa in a heartbeat, it'd be an easy cover...

«Todoroki-kun, you misunderstood! Usagi-san is my friend and I'm not related to All Might»

Or not. Holding back a sigh, Usagi peeked again to see the boy, Todoroki, facing Izuku.

Mismatched eyes looked in front of him, a single eyebrow raised in disbelief «Is it for your quirks, then?»

«Uh?»

«There's something you're hiding. I want to know. He matched you with his daughter to merge your quirks, is that so?»

Izuku shook his head again, confused almost as much as Usagi felt «What...?»

Todoroki looked more intense, his fists clenched «You know my father is Endeavor, the second Hero in the ranks. If you have a tie with the Number One, I have all the reasons to crush you. Both of you»

Despite the harsh words, his voice was still level.

«Do you know about quirk marriages, right?» Todoroki asked.

Usagi was confused by the quick shift of topics, as if he backpedalled to explain himself better, and she listened more attentively.

«They started becoming a problem after the third or second generation after quirks appeared. People would choose a partner and force them into marriage for the sole purpose of passing on a stronger version of their own quirk, or produce a more powerful combination. Those earlier generations had no ethics or qualms about matching up to the best convenience. There are still families, old-fashioned ones, who do that. Wealth and fame lured my mother's family to agree, so my father got his hands on my mother's quirk. He is trying to fulfil his desire of raising higher than All Might by raising me to do so. I hate it. The idea of being his tool in this... I don't want to be that» he was finally showing his hurt and anger through his voice, barely restrained.

Usagi found herself both outraged and hurt. Hurt because such a thing was plain evil to her eyes, to force someone to marry just for a goal. Outraged because she got what Todoroki insinuated, that her papa would be that kind of person too. But also because, in a world of Heroes, no one stopped such a thing. Because a man who was supposed to be a Hero had such lowly goals, to the point of making people, family, miserable to achieve them.

She kept listening, because of course, it wasn't all. He told how his mother was so upset she hurt him, giving him the scar Usagi could see so clearly from her side.

How he felt the need to challenge Izuku without using the part of his quirk he inherited from his father to show his spite, and that his goal was to never use it until the tournament was over.

It was... wrong on so many levels, she couldn't even wrap her mind about it.

She realized he moved from the wall and was going outside, in her direction, and she moved back, to hide or pretend she just got there, but Todoroki wasn't looking back, so she managed to get behind a tree, the rustling of wind covering her light footsteps.

The conversation she overheard left such a sour taste in her mouth it was hard not to address him, even so she forced herself not to speak up and stay put.

Izuku did, instead.

«I...» he walked outside too «I've always had help. In the past and even today» he looked down at his right hand, the one he used the most and needed healing so many times, crushed by a power he couldn't still control in full.

«A lot of people supported me, that's how I got this far» he admitted, then looked up «I want to be a Hero like All Might, who helps people with a fearless smile. In order to do that, I have to work harder and give back to all the people who helped me, grow stronger to get there. My motivations may seem empty to you, trivial in comparison, but I can't lose. Not only for myself, but for them, because I have to live up to their expectations and show I earned their support. It isn't right for Heroes to challenge each other to rise in ranks, but this is the first step towards my future. Heroes shouldn't be against each other, not if we aim to the same goal, to help and protect people. So, for today, I return your declaration of war. I will win. But I won't antagonize you because, one day, we'll be Heroes who'll work together for a better world»

If Todoroki was surprised, he didn't show. He glanced back for a long moment, then turned again and walked away.

Usagi waited until he was out of sight to show herself and call Izuku out the thoughtful state he had fallen in after the confrontation.

For once, he didn't jump out his skin. It took him a glance at her address to figure out: «You heard that, right? What Todoroki-kun told me...?»

«Not all of it» she answered, head down and fists clenched on her sides «Only the last part. It's cruel and unfair and I don't know how someone like that can be called a Hero!»

Izuku nodded. It wouldn't have been right to share what had been confided, but Usagi heard it on her own and it took a burden out his shoulders to be able to speak about it, even just a little, and know what he felt, his indignation and anger were shared.

«But» she let her hands loose and looked up «I heard what you said too. I hope this helps him a bit, knowing he won't have to compete forever»

«It's because of what All Might and Chiba-senpai said the other day, on the train» he explained «It made me think... If the Chart wouldn't exist, Endeavor wouldn't have done that, maybe. And All Might expects us to fix the wrongs in Hero society, starting from the unjust competition among pros. To compete for a school tournament is one thing, but to hate each other when we all should have the same goal is... wrong»

Usagi smiled, encouraging «Another thing to add to the to-do list for the future»

The boy was spooked «Do you have a list?»

«Mamo-chan does» she revealed «He didn't show me yet, but I know he's been working on it. There will be a lot to do. But worry not! We'll be here, to do it together!»
Izuku nodded back, a small smile on his face.

«We'd better go to get lunch now, you can't win with an empty stomach!» she fretted «The girls are waiting for me too. Do your best!»

«I will!» he assured.

Notes:
Again, with nothing to change battle-wise, this was underwhelming and short, I know. I did what I could to make it not too boring and I decided to post in advance because of this, I hope you like it anyway.
Next chapter will be the last of this arc and will be a lot longer.
I wish this quarantine meant more time for me to write, but I'd be lying: my anxiety is skyrocketing and my Uni decided to do online live lessons and exams, which means I have to keep up with it anyway. About the situation: stay safe, wash your hands, take all the possible precautions, don't underestimate it. In Italy we did and we're going through a nightmare now.

On a lighter note: Usagi was on the outside while eavesdropping, while Bakugou was on the other end, inside. So basically there were two blondes sticking their noses in Todoroki and Midoriya's private conversation, but neither was aware of the other lol

See you!