Dragon of the Academia-12
"Begin."
As soon as the words left Midnight's mouth, all the teams were off running, off to try and get as many points as they could. Looking around, Athena spotted Kirishima and Mina were on a team with Sero and Bakugo, no doubt not having a choice but to work with him. She could plainly see, they were not liking being stuck with him. Looking to the left of her, she saw Monoma was on his own team, running towards her, but had tears in his eyes for some reason.
"After the slut, we'll get her out of this competition no matter what, and prove Class-B is superior to the mutts of Class-A." Monoma said, his voice a lot higher than usual.
Athena could see, his teammates were wanting to ditch him, the first chance they got, which was probably when he'd lost their headband, and she saw they'd already collected a large amount so far. So Athena decided to grant them mercy, and had her gem-clone run towards Monoma's team, while standing up in the stirrups of the saddle. Before they even had a chance to know what hit them, Athena had ran past them, grabbing all the headbands they'd collected so far, including their own, leaving them with zero points.
"After her. We have to prove our superiority." Monoma shouted, slamming his fist atop his lead horse's head.
Monoma's teammates looked to one another, before they all nodded in agreement, and let go of each other, dropping Monoma to the ground on his ass.
"Ow, what the hell is wrong with all of you?" Monoma questioned.
"Neito Monoma has touched the ground, his team is disqualified." Midnight called out.
"Now we're never gonna be able to prove how superior we are to Class-A." Monoma groaned.
"Oh shut up, and get over yourself Monoma."
"You went too far with what you said about Xiao Long before she beat your sorry ass."
"If you have a problem with Class-A, then leave us out of it. But if you ever go too far like you did two weeks ago, then we will not hesitate to beat your ass into the ground."
With that Monoma's team left, while he was seething with anger.
'Those fools. They don't truly understand what it means to be powerful, which is why they're fine with settling for second best. Well, come the end of the festival, I'll show them, what it truly means to be powerful. I'll even show that slut, just how powerless she truly is against me.' Monoma thought as he picked himself up and left the course.
(Cue Music… Life is a highway: Rascal Flatts)
"It's basically one big battle for ten million points." Tetsutetsu exclaimed as multiple Cavalry Teams went after Midoriya's with intent to grab the headband.
"MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'll be taking that headband Midoriya." Toru exclaimed, as Koda and Sato were trying to look anywhere but at her back, as they would have to acknowledge, she's riding shirtless and basically flashing the world.
"Not even giving us a chance huh?" Tokoyami asked. "Such is the fate of the pursued."
'This is it.' Uraraka thought.
"Make your choice Midoriya." Tokoyami exclaimed.
'Here they come.' Hatsume smirked.
"That's easy." Ruby stated. "We're running away."
"I don't think so." Tetsutetsu shouted.
"Yeah." His lead horse, Juzo Honenuki, said using his Quirk to soften the ground.
"NOW." Midoriya shouted as Mei and Uraraka lowered their heads to the sides.
The Cavalry Team with the highest point count, jumped out of the way, as Ruby used the rocket pack Hatsume put on her, to keep them in the air, while Uraraka was floating them.
"That was quick thinking Deku. How'd you know that was coming?" Uraraka questioned.
"You don't grow up training to be a hero alongside Athena, without learning to pay attention to details." Midoriya stated, lying about that.
"She flew? Damn support course." Tetsutetsu exclaimed, as his team turned around, before his point count headband went missing. "Huh?"
"Sorry metal-head." Athena called out, riding past them. "But I'm playing to win."
"Get back here." Tetsutetsu shouted, as his cavalry team went running after her.
"Jiro now." Toru exclaimed.
"I know." Jiro stated, sending her aux lobes after Midoriya's team.
Dark Shadow saw this coming, and knocked them away, proving to be one hell of a defense against most attacks.
"Stupid bird." Jiro stated.
"Good work. Please continue to watch over our blind spots Dark Shadow." Tokoyami exclaimed.
"Got it." Dark Shadow said.
"Wow that is so cool and amazing." Midoriya smiled, holding tight to Tokoyami's shoulders. "Dark Shadow is just what we needed. It'll take care of all our omnidirectional midrange defenses. Tokoyami, you're amazing."
"You are the one who chose me." Tokoyami exclaimed.
"We're landing." Uraraka called out.
"So what do you think of my babies, aren't they just precious?" Hatsume asked, after they began running from their landing. "Cuteness can be manufactured you know."
"Excellent mobility. Your babies are amazing Hatsume." Midoriya stated. "Great job making everything float Ochako."
"Thanks." Hatsume smiled.
"Just doing my job." Uraraka replied cheerfully.
"They're not that far away, c'mon Jiro, full speed ahead." Toru called out.
"Hey wait, Hagakure, your headband's gone." Sato stated.
"Huh, what oh no." Toru panicked.
"Sorry about that." Athena called to them, as she put the headband around her neck, winking at them. "But I am not coming in second place this time."
"Wow, barely two minutes have passed since we've started, and it's already into a free for all." Mic exclaimed.
"I'm back, what'd I miss?" Yang's voice echoed around the stadium, though it sounded like she was eating something.
"That's what was so important you couldn't wait, a jumbo burrito from the Mexican stand in the festival area?" Mic asked.
"What? I've got two month olds to take care of. My body needs the nutrients for milk." Yang exclaimed.
"Better watch it blondie you're gonna get fat if you eat like…"
"Shut up." Yang stated, as the sound of a fist making contact with a face, echoed throughout the stadium from the speakers. "My metabolism is through the roof, and never call a woman fat, or you'll regret it." Yang exclaimed as all the women in the audience nodded their heads in agreement.
"I already do." Mic said, sounding like he was in pain.
Midoriya's Cavalry Team jumped to the right as they kept going forward, just as Tsu's tongue came out of nowhere, and nearly grabbed the headband. Looking back, Midoriya saw Shoji running after them, but Tsu was nowhere to be seen. That's when he made the connection that she was being covered by the skin webbing of his arms.
"Midoriya, what we need right now is breathing room." Tokoyami exclaimed as Tetsutetsu's team came running for them. "We can't get trapped between multiple opponents."
"Alright everyone, hold on to me, and each other tightly, I'm gonna do something I've only ever seen Athena do." Midoriya exclaimed as they continued to run.
Focusing on his back muscles, Midoriya grunted in slight pain, as silver dragon scales showed themselves on his face and arms like gauntlets and a face guard, with a pair of matching dragon wings, sprouting from his shoulder blades, as he began to flap them, taking to the skies, while inadvertently destroying Hatsume's rocket pack as it fell to the ground with his tracksuit top, leaving him bare chested for the stadium to see, and more than a few girls, and some guys, in the cavalry battle, ended up with bloody noses when they saw his shirtless body.
"AH, my baby's ruined." Hatsume cried.
"Sorry about that Hatsume. But at least we got away from them." Midoriya stated, as he used his wings to glide them to another side of the arena while being propelled with the hover boots. "Wait, I feel like I'm forgetting something. Right, Bakugo."
"Don't think for a second you're safe." Bakugo exclaimed, as he appeared in the air, next to Midoriya's team, having used his explosions to propel himself into the sky. "I've got you."
"I don't think so." Midoriya said, using one of his wings to block the explosion Bakugo was gonna send at him.
"Eh, what the hell?" Bakugo questioned as Sero pulled him back with his tape.
"Whoa, Bakugo has been separated from his horses, is that even allowed?" Mic asked, wearing an ice-pack on his cheer.
"He never touched the ground, so technically it's okay." Midnight exclaimed.
"Scrap; that really hurt." Midoriya exclaimed as they made a rough landing. "Dang it, if I were a fire dragon like Athena's mom, I wouldn't have even felt that."
"You doing okay Midoriya?" Uraraka questioned.
"I'll be fine, but we're not gonna be able to fly for a while." Midoriya stated, bringing his wings back in.
~Security Breakroom~
"As suspected, everyone's after the first place team, giving them no time to catch their breath. What a show this is. I hope Midoriya's wing is okay." Present Mic's voice rang from the television.
"Wow, those Class 1-A students are pretty good." Death Arms exclaimed, sitting in the break room with Mount Lady, and Kamui Woods, as they were taking a break from running security. "Athena I'm not surprised about, and that speech she gave, got me right in the feels, but the others, damn this is something else entirely I see a lot of potential in some of them."
"I'm a little surprised, it seems Midoriya's cavalry team isn't fairing so well, at least they're managing to keep their headband without gathering more." Mount Lady exclaimed.
"That might just be their strategy." Death Arms stated. "I mean think about it, his team has little over ten million points, they don't need to worry about gathering more, and so the logical solution would be to just run instead of risking their headband being stolen when failing to steal another."
"That actually does seem like a solid strategy." Kamui stated.
"I get it. So they're trying to keep the points they have instead of going for points they don't need." Mount Lady smiled. "That is quite clever indeed. Though it begs the question, is that Midoriya kid gonna be going through the rest of the festival in just a pair of sweatpants?"
~Sports Festival Arena~
"Crap, I forgot about Todoroki." Midoriya exclaimed. "Well, I guess there's only one thing to do. Tokoyami call back Dark Shadow." Midoriya said. "Everybody hang on."
"You're not flying away that easily." Todoroki shouted as his cavalry team charged at Midoriya's.
When Midoriya felt the grip of her teammates tighten, he focused and tried to block his headband from being taken, but it looked as though Iida was charging up some special move of his. Midoriya couldn't make out what he was saying, but whatever he said, it allowed them to gain enough speed, for them to whiz past them and grab their headband.
"What the?" Midoriya questioned.
"Deku, where'd your headband go?" Uraraka questioned.
"We have to get it back." Midoriya said, turning to Todoroki's team. It looked like whatever Iida did, was keeping them in place, and leaving them vulnerable for another attack. "Charge, we can still make it." Midoriya exclaimed, charging his arm up with One-for-All. 'I don't need to hit him, I just need to get him off guard, with a misdirection.'
As they were within close proximity to Team Todoroki, as his team charged at them, Todoroki was taken off guard, and his left arm began producing flames. Ignoring that little detail, Midoriya thrust his arm forward, and past Todoroki's head, extinguishing the flames with the air pressure, and grabbed a couple of the headbands around Todoroki's neck.
(End Song…)
Midoriya looked at the two headbands in his grasp, and the look he had, showed he was disappointed in what he got. He didn't snag their headband, Todoroki had put them on around his neck backwards, with the intent to confuse his opponents. Before he could curse his bad luck however, Dark Shadow placed another headband in his hands, showing he'd snagged the headband that had been on Todoroki's most vulnerable spot when Midoriya had disoriented him, his head. Putting them, in fourth place.
"Times up." Present Mic called. "An' with that the second round is officially over. Now let's take a look at who our top four teams are. In first place, Team Todoroki."
"In second place, Team Bakugo."
"Ah, we were so close to first place." Mina sighed.
"Eh, sure but we're moving on. So it's all good." Sero smiled.
"I don't think our leader would agree with you." Kirishima deadpanned looking at Bakugo shaking in anger. "Like at all."
"In third place is Team Tetsutet—huh it's Team Shinso." Present Mic announced, as Shinso's team was looking around, wondering what had happened, and how they got there. "When did they come back from the dead?"
"Thanks for all your help." Shinso exclaimed.
"An' in fourth place is Team… Now this is strange." Yang exclaimed looking at the board. "Team Midoriya and Team Xiao Long, are tied for fourth place."
"We'll sort that out later after the lunch break. But in the meantime these five valiant teams, will advance on to the final round." Present Mic added. "Now, let's take an hour lunch break before we start the afternoon festivities. See you soon."
"Great, because I'm sure my baby girl is starving." Yang added.
"Mom, why do you gotta be so embarrassing." Athena hissed crouching down on the ground.
Over with Tetsutetsu's team, the four members were sulking over their defeat.
"What happened? We got our butts handed to us by the same student who nearly put Monoma in a catatonic state." Tetsutetsu exclaimed.
"Maybe it was some sort of karmic punishment for something we did wrong before the festival began." Shiozaki exclaimed. "Or when we stole that headband from that frog girl team."
"No fair I want a do-over." Tetsutetsu screamed.
"How disappointing." Tsu exclaimed, as steam puffed from her, as she walked away from Mineta. "Mina, congrats."
"Mmm, thanks but Bakugo only asked me to join because I could melt Todoroki's ice." Mina exclaimed. "It's not like, you know, I really helped that much."
"Iida you were holding out on us, I had no idea you could do that." Uraraka said, running in place, fuming at the ears.
"Rest assured it wasn't my intention to deceive you, I was just being strategic." Iida said, once again moving his arm robotically. "I merely wanted to show, I could compete with Midoriya and Xiao Long."
"You and Deku are always, trying to one up each other." Uraraka said. "Oh speaking of which, where'd he and Athena go?" She inquired. "Has anyone seen them?"
Over by the faculty and student entrance to the stadium, Midoriya and Athena were leaning against one wall, while Todoroki was standing across from them, with an intense look in his eyes.
"You brought us here, now what?" Midoriya questioned.
~Colosseum Stairwell~
"Yo, long time no see, let's catch up Endeavor." All Might said, addressing the former #2 Pro hero.
"All Might." Endeavor turned from his position on the steps, to glare at All Might, with his signature glare.
"I haven't talked to you since that press conference ten years ago. Been a while, I saw you and figured I'd say hi." All Might said.
"Did you now? Well then if that's all you wanted to do, we're done." Endeavor said. "Chatting like we're old friends, what a joke."
"Ahahahahahaha." All Might laughed, literally flipping down the stairs, and landing perfectly in front of Endeavor. "C'mon why the cold shoulder? Is this because my former sidekick took your spot as the #2Hero on the charts?" All Might questioned. "Anyways, enough about me. You should be thrilled, after all, your son's doing very well out there, just using half his power. You must be a great teacher."
"Are you implying something?" Endeavor questioned.
"No. I want to know your secrets. How do we train the next generation of heroes?" All Might questioned.
"Do you really think I'd tell you anything I've taught the boy?" Endeavor questioned, shouldering past him. "You're all flash, and no brains as usual. Out of my way."
"Okay." All Might said, clasping his hands together.
"Let me assure you of one thing All Might." Endeavor said. "Whatever it takes, that kid of mine, will beat you someday. I'll make sure of it, that's why I made him."
"You did what?" All Might questioned. 'If Yang or Athena heard about this, there's no way either of them would let Endeavor off with a simple lecture. They'd beat him senseless and… Oh dear. Why do I get the feeling Athena's already about to learn of this all of a sudden?'
"He's in a rebellious phase right now, but he will take your place, I'll make sure of it." Endeavor said, before storming off.
'I pray to the Goddesses of Creation and Destruction from Remnant, may you both have mercy on Endeavor's soul when Athena learns of his transgressions.' All Might said in a mental prayer.
~Todoroki, Midoriya, Athena~
"You know, if you're not gonna say anything, I've got a lunch with my name on it, waiting for me in the cafeteria." Athena said, as Todoroki remained silent.
"Yeah, we should probably eat soon. The cafeteria's gonna be busy, so it's best we get to lunch now." Midoriya said. "Don't you think?"
Todoroki just continued to stare them down, for a couple more minutes, before he began to speak.
"I was overwhelmed, and it made me break the promise I made to myself a long time ago." Todoroki exclaimed, unpocketing his left hand, and looking at it intently. "Iida, and Kaminari, Yaoyorozu, and Tokoyami, Uraraka. None of them felt it. In that moment, I was the only one who could sense your true power. It reminded me of something, experiencing All Might's Quirk, when he forced his way into the USJ, when it was attacked."
"Oh yeah? Okay." Midoriya said.
"Is that all?" Athena questioned.
"I didn't realize it at first, but it's so much like your strength as well, Xiao Long." Todoroki said.
"Your point?" Athena inquired.
"I'm saying, the power coming from both of you, felt the same as All Might's." Todoroki said causing Midoriya and Athena to worry. "Midoriya, Xiao Long, tell me… Are you really All Might's secret love children or something?"
Both Athena and Midoriya went wide eyed in disbelief, finding it very hard for them to believe Todoroki could be that idiotic. But then again, Todoroki not having any clue about the truth, could be a blessing in disguise for them.
'He can't be serious.' Athena thought.
'Okay, I'd get why he'd think that, as insane as it sounds.' Midoriya thought.
"Well are you?" Todoroki inquired.
"What, no way that's not it at all. Athena and I aren't even related." Midoriya said.
"Okay, not Todoroki, neither of us are All Might's secret love children. I mean, if you were to do a DNA Test comparing our DNA to All Might's it'd come back, showing there's no relation between any of us." Athena sighed. "Seriously, were you not listening when my mom explained to you my past, in the viewing room on the second day of school?"
"Just out of curiosity, why would you even think that about us?" Athena inquired.
"That's not it at all, is interesting wording. It suggests there is something between you three that you're not supposed to talk about." Todoroki said. "My father is the hero Endeavor. You must have heard of him."
"Well yeah, my family and I moved into the house that used to be his, and therefor yours I guess. We've even renovated the secondary house connected to it, into our own personal gym. Well, it's more like mine, since I'm the only one who uses it." Athena said.
"Which means you're both aware he's the former #2Hero, now the current 35th place hero on the charts." Todoroki continued. "So if you're both connected to the #1Hero All Might, in some way, that would mean, I would have even more reason to beat you both."
"Well yeah, both my moms were his sidekicks for a while, before my mom took Endeavor's place in the #2Hero Spot, and my Mama took 3rd." Athena said, suddenly getting a chill down her spine, like she'd just received someone's prayer to the Goddesses who chose her as their champion. "So, we've trained with him from time to time when he's not busy. Why are you so fixated on this?"
"My old man is ambitious, he aims for the top." Todoroki said. "He used his power to make a name for himself as a hero. But he was never able to best All Might, so the Symbol of Peace is living proof of his failure. He's still at it though, trying to take down All Might, one way or another."
"I'm not really sure what you're getting at." Midoriya said. "What are you trying to tell us Todoroki?"
'I've got a bad feeling, I'm not gonna like what I hear next.' Athena thought.
"Have either of you ever heard of, Quirk Marriages?" Todoroki inquired.
"I have. They're arranged marriages based on attempts of combining two people's Quirk to make a stronger offspring. This sort of thing first started up in the first few generations when Super Powers became wide spread. There were those who sought out potential mates, solely with the intention of creating powerful children, but were written off as old fashioned arranged marriages. But clearly there were those who opposed the Quirk Marriages, because it was unethical. There were even those that went as far as to marrying those they actually loved, the day before their arranged marriage was to be." Athena said. "Though, not as common as when they first began, they're still around to this day."
"You seem to know your history." Todoroki said. "My father not only has a rich history of accomplishments, but plenty of money to throw at his problems. He bought my mother's relatives to get his hands on her Quirk, and now he's raising me to usurp All Might. It's so annoying, I refuse to be a tool for that scumbag."
"Then I guess you and I have a lot more in common than I thought." Athena said, putting her hands behind her back, and leaning against the wall, crossing one leg behind the other. "We were both born and bred, to be nothing more, than weapons. Tools for someone else's gain, but refuse that as our destiny."
"I guess so." Todoroki said. "In every memory of my mother, I only see her crying. I remember she called my left side, unbearable."
"Before she poured boiling water on your face, right?" Athena asked, causing Todoroki and Midoriya to look up at her in shock.
"How did you…"
"She regrets it you know. She hates herself for what she did, she has every day for the last ten years since it happened." Athena exclaimed, looking directly at Todoroki. "I visit your mom in the hospital, at least once a week. I have for the last six years, ever since I got my own scar covering my face." Athena said, tracing the scar over her right eye. "I understand now, what drove her to breaking. She never told me how it happened, she just told me about the incident that got her locked up in the hospital. When I first saw your left eye, and heard your last name, I knew you were Rei's son. I just didn't want to say anything, in case I brought up some bad memories for you just from talking."
"Is… is my mom?"
"She's doing fine. She's actually sound of mind now, able to leave the hospital whenever she wants." Athena said. "Only problem is, she can't without Endeavor's say so."
"I see." Todoroki said. "The reason I picked a fight with both of you, was to show my old man, what I was capable of doing, without having to rely on his damned fire Quirk."
"So you swore to never use your left side, which produces flames, is that it?" Athena asked, the claws of her gemstone hand, digging into the wall, as the strength of her grip increased. "I'm sorry Todoroki, but that is the stupidest reason I've heard."
"What?" Todoroki questioned, starting to look a little angry at her words.
"Let me put it to you this way." Athena began. "Let's say, there's a villain that you could easily take down, if you'd used both your fire and ice. You could easily save the day, if you'd only stop limiting yourself to your ice."
"No, I refuse to use my left side." Todoroki said.
"You think, a villain's gonna care about your daddy issues? You think the family members of the people you could have saved, if you'd only used your fire, are gonna accept that excuse when burying their loved ones, when their deaths could have been avoided if you'd only used your flames?" Athena questioned. "No. This vow, you've made to never use your left side, is gonna do more harm than good, and the ones who are gonna pay the price for it, are the innocent civilians who will lose their lives, if you keep this senseless vow of yours going strong."
"Athena…" Midoriya said, noticing her hand digging into the wall.
"An' you know what people are gonna say about you? What they're gonna talk about when you fail to save innocent lives, just because you're keeping to this grudge? People are gonna say, you shouldn't be a hero at all, you shouldn't even be on the streets, because you're not 100% committed to the role your license allows for you. They're gonna tell you to pack it up, and find a different career, because they won't be able to trust you, with their lives. They'd rather trust the villain to protect them, than someone who won't put aside his petty reasoning's for hating his father, to do his job properly. You want to be a hero Shoto Todoroki. Then prove you're better than your father, and show him that your power is your own, and he doesn't own you."
With that, Athena released her grip on the wall, revealing that a chunk of it had been crushed, and was not in the best of shapes. Walking towards the food court, Athena pulled out her scroll, and gave her mom a call.
"Hey mom, it's me. We need to have a talk. Do you think we can… oh great, I'll be at the teacher's lounge in a minute. There's something we need to talk about, and I'm needing some coffee because I just had a mentally exhausting conversation, with Todoroki… I'll tell you when I get there, see you in a bit."
~After the Lunch Break~
"Get those foam fingers in the air, it's time for the last round." Present Mic exclaimed. "But before that, good news for everyone who didn't make the finals. Since this is a sports festival, we've prepared some super fun side games everyone can participate in."
"We've even brought in cheerleaders from America to get your blood pumping." Yang smiled before she and Present Mic went slack jawed.
"Hold up." Present Mic exclaimed.
"What are they doing?" Yang questioned. 'At least Athena's not part of that group.'
"Looks like Class 1-A is going full on fan service." Present Mic exclaimed as Kaminari gave a thumbs up of approval.
"What, you tricked us? You're gonna regret this." Momo shouted.
"Why is it that I always end up falling for that little pervert's stupid schemes?" Momo asked as Mineta and Kaminari were sent flying through the air by Bakugo. "I even used my Quirk to make these outfits."
"There-there." Uraraka said, patting her back to make her feel better.
"Ugh, I hate those guys." Jiro shouted, throwing her pompoms onto the ground.
"Well we do have a little time before the finals start, and I kinda like these uniforms so… how about we just roll with it?" Toru asked, waving her pompoms around.
"Are you crazy?" Jiro shouted.
"Wow Toru, you got skills." Tsu exclaimed.
"The only reason why you're fine with it is because you're not actually visible unless you're wearing clothes. Don't think I didn't notice how you were going commando up-top the entire cavalry battle." Athena exclaimed. "You're a total exhibitionist."
"Oh like you're one to talk, you're still planning on wearing only a sports bra for the rest of the festival." Toru argued.
"I don't have a choice. Unless I want to end up like you after using some aspects of my power, I can't wear anything but the sports bra since it's made to adjust to when I use my power." Athena countered.
"Have fun competing in the side games everyone." Present Mic's voice rang from the speakers. "After they're over, the sixteen students from the top four teams will be duking it out, in a tournament style fighting competition. I promise you're not gonna want to miss these epic match ups."
"Hold it Mic, you're forgetting one thing. We're still needing to decide how Athena's gonna participate since she tied with Team Midoriya." Yang's voice echoed after Mic's.
"Dang you're right. So either one student forfeits the tournament, or we gotta fill it in with three other students." Mic exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, finally getting a chance to show what we're made of." Kirishima smiled. "I watch these finals every year and now I'm actually in them."
"So wait, is it always a tournament?" Mina questioned.
"The final's always a one on one competition, but they switch it up every time. Last year it was a foam sword fighting match." Sero explained.
"Come closer and draw lots to see who you're up against." Midnight exclaimed. "Then enjoy the pleasure of the recreational games before we start. The sixteen finalists have the option of participating in those activities, or sitting out to prepare for battle. I'm sure you all want to conserve your stamina."
"Does she even hear herself when she speaks?" Ruby questioned.
"I'll start with the first place team." Midnight smiled, moving to step off the stage.
"Um, excuse me." Ojiro exclaimed holding up his hand. "Sorry, but I'm withdrawing."
"Ojiro, no you can't." Uraraka exclaimed.
"But this is a rare chance for you to get scouted." Tenya exclaimed.
"It just wouldn't be right. I barely remember anything from the cavalry battle until the very end of it." Ojiro stated.
"You were on Shinso's team right?" Athena asked to which Ojiro nodded. "Makes sense then. His Quirk allows him to brainwash people just by having them answer a question. Because of that, he was teased about becoming a villain instead of a hero through middle school. At least that's my guess." Athena said looking at said purple haired boy.
"With that being said, I'd still like to withdraw from the competition." Ojiro exclaimed. "I know this is a great opportunity, and I wish I could take advantage of it, but my conscience won't let me."
"Alright, if you feel that's what's best, then I won't try to stop you." Midoriya sighed.
"Midoriya you can't be serious, he's throwing away a good chance to be scouted." Iida exclaimed.
"He's made up his mind, I can't force him to change it. Otherwise I'd be no better than Shinso." Athena stated. "It's clear Ojiro refuses to give up his pride. He wanted to prove he deserves to be here by making it on his own, not by being someone's puppet. So let him keep his pride, it's what he deserves at least."
"Also, why are all the girls dressed like cheerleaders?" Ojiro questioned.
"I'm not dressed like a cheerleader." Athena said.
"Kaminari." Midoriya exclaimed.
"Should have known." Ojiro sighed.
"Nirengeki Shoda, from Class 1-B. I think I should withdraw for the exact same reason. Regardless of how strong I am." A short, light blue haired boy said, stepping up to Midnight. "This isn't how I wanted to get here. It would go against the values of the festival to advance without earning my spot."
"Listen to these guys, they're so manly." Kirishima said, tears coming to his eyes.
"Well now, here's another weird turn of events." Present Mic exclaimed.
"We'll have to see what Midnight has to say about all this, she's the one in charge." Yang stated.
The crowd of students were silent for the most part, as Midnight came to her final decision.
"This sort of talk is incredibly naïve my boys." Midnight exclaimed raising her tasseled whip. "That turns me on. Shoda, Ojiro, you're withdrawn."
"Did she say it turns her on?" The entire crowd of students questioned.
"Don't worry, I'll win it for you." Aoyama said, putting a hand on Ojiro's shoulder.
"Seriously? Aoyama, the only reason you're in the Hero Course is because of your fancy belt." Athena stated, to which Aoyama froze in shock and fear.
"Now let's see. We'll have to move a student from the fifth place cavalry team so we have enough contestants." Midnight exclaimed.
"We were frozen most of the time. Honestly we barely did anything in the cavalry battle. Isn't that right? Girls?" Kendo asked her team. "You should choose from the group that kept fighting the whole time. Team Tetsutetsu."
"Kendo." Tetsutetsu said in shock.
"I'm not doing this as a favor. It's just fair." Kendo exclaimed.
"Seriously you guys. Thank you." Tetsutetsu stated, shouting into the heavens.
"An' so Tetsutetsu has advanced to the final, since Ojiro's spot was filled in by Athena Xiao Long." Midnight exclaimed. "Take a look at the bracket my dears. These are you opponents."
"Hmm, Tetsutetsu against Kirishima." Midoriya exclaimed.
"Seriously, how does this keep happening?" They said in unison.
"Yaoyorozu, against Tokoyami huh, who's fighting Shinso then?" Athena questioned. "Huh, looks like it's me. Okay, now Ashido again Aoyama." Athena read. 'Huh the Acid Quirk Girl, against the Quirkless Rich Boy with a laser beam belt. Wonder when he's gonna come out to his parents?'
"Hey look, Athena's fighting against that brainwashing dude." Kirishima pointed out. "If she wins, then she's fighting Todoroki next."
"Oh, not good." Midoriya exclaimed. 'After the chewing out she gave Todoroki during lunch, Athena's got a lot of pent up anger, just ready to burst.'
"Todoroki and Sero are the second match, I'd hate to be him in that fight." Uraraka exclaimed.
"Now let's see, which one is Tenya Iida?" Hatsume questioned looking around for her opponent in the first round.
"I'm right here." Iida said, moving his arm robotically.
'Alright, if I'm facing off with Todoroki in the second round, I'm gonna need to grab a snack after my match with Shinso. Speaking of which, I have to worry about him right now.' Athena mentally contemplated
"That is you right?" Shinso asked pulling Athena from her mental fortress of solitude, appearing behind her, which didn't startle her, as she sensed his presence. "Athena Xiao Long?"
'What is he doing here?' Athena thought, turning around and taking a few steps back to face him.
"A pleasure, so you excited?" Shinso questioned.
"Uh ye-"
"Not so fast." Ojiro said, covering Athena's mouth with his tail. "He can put you under his control if you answer a question he gives. So don't answer any of his questions, understand?"
Athena gave a thumbs up, before Ojiro removed his tail from her mouth, allowing her to be able to speak again. Shinso just chuckled, before walking away, leaving them to their own devices.
"Now I'm only going to say this once Athena, so you'd better listen." Ojiro said. "Shinso has the power to brainwash people, when they answer a question he asks, do not, I repeat, DO NOT answer a single question he gives, during your fight. Just knock him out of the ring, restrain him, or knock him out."
"I know all that, but you don't need to worry. I actually have quite the sturdy defence against guys with power like his." Athena exclaimed, lightly knocking on her noggin.
"Uraraka, who the hell is that?" Bakugo questioned, looking up at the board. Behind him, Uraraka wasn't even surprised, knowing how self centered he was, and how he didn't care about anyone but himself. She did find the scar on his cheek to be a nice touch from Ashido's handy work.
"Okay, let's press pause for a momentary interlude." Present Mic exclaimed. "Before the battles begin, it's time for some pulse pounding side games."
"I'm out." Athena exclaimed, leaving for where their class would be sitting. "I'm gonna take a nap, wake me when my match is gonna start."
"Enjoy your nap." Mina smiled. "Shinso's in for a rude awakening. Athena isn't one to go down without a fight."