Chapter 8: Sports Festival! What Motivates You?

(Play Peace Sign Eng. Cover By Jonathan Young)

Oh, woah, ohh

Oh, woah, ohh

Oh, woah, ohh ohh

(Izuku is seen on a rooftop with a determined smirk on his face as he watches All Might fly through the air while the wind blows through his hair before the music kicks in and the title: My Hero Academia: Fox Sin)

Well, it's strange my head is rememberin'

How the airplane flying overhead

Looks so effortless, but I cannot guess

Why it lingers in my mind

Evening after this, I'm a crying mess

And to be stronger now, my only wish

So I can finally have the bravery

So I can reach on up to the sky

(The scene changes to Uraraka in a tracksuit inspired by her costume doing a stretch while Taida does sit ups on Chastiefol. Then it shows Kirishima stretching down between his legs, Bakugo doing holding squats, and Iida doing a forward lunge stretch.)

This cruel fate engraving

It's carved into the stone

Hoping it reveals itself all to me and then I will Know just where to go

This moment, this moment

I know that I can breathe

Hanging on a feeling... believe in

My only meaning!

(The scene changes to Izuku doing some stretches on a rooftop before he looks up at the sky. It then changes to Shoto doing some stretches with the shadows of the clouds covering him, which leaves him as he glances to the rest of his classmates.)

I hear a voice a' calling, telling me to risk it

Asking if I have been going the distance

Singing with a passion that I cannot deny

My eyes are swollen with the tears that I've been crying

But, to the rest of the world, ever smiling

Singing for the courage that I'm dying to show!

(The next sequence shows Izuku busting through Shoto's ice with a Delaware Smash as Shoto blocks the fragments from his face. Iida is then shown using his quirk to speed around the arena. Then a shadowy back shot of Shinso, Tokoyami using dark shadow, and Bakugo blasting around before attacking the screen. Then it switches to Hatsume, Tetsutetsu, before All Might comes flying in and landing in front of UA with Aizawa and Mic before the shot pans out of the rest of the students standing in front of the school)

With my peace sign up when I say goodbye

Write a story of a hero!

(The final sequence shows Bakugo, Iida, Uraraka, Shoto, and Izuku attacking as they lead everyone else into battle)

At the residence of the Midoriya family, Izuku was in his room watching the first video of All Might that was taken during his debut and he looked at it while huddling in his chair. The day following the USJ attack was a break for the students caught in the fighting, knowing that it was a serious deal. Izuku didn't complain, and decided to relax as best he could. That didn't mean he didn't have anything on his mind, though.

'I… Can't believe I let Euryale slip through my fingers. I should have ended her there!' The boy thought angrily as he lifted his weights while sitting on his bed. After a few minutes, he heard his mother knock on the door.

"Izuku, It's lunchtime. You're food's getting cold." She told him as she walked into the room.

"Oh. Coming." He replied as he got up. As he sat down he started eating, and his mother saw his troubled expression.

"Is something the matter honey?" She asked him. He was silent as he gathered his thoughts before he replied.

"During the USJ attack, I learned how Ochako was still alive. She was, and still is, soul linked to a villain that's been captured. I wanted her to release the bond, but she wouldn't." He explained, still feeling bitter about the ordeal.

"... What did you do to try and 'convince' her?" Inko asked, knowing how her son got when it came to the woman he loved.

"I was ready to kill her, if it came down to that." The immortal sighed, causing his mother to flinch.

"Izuku…" She whispered while taking his hand.

"I can't stand it… I can't stand the thought of the life of the woman I love being in the hands of some heartless psychopath." He said with gritted teeth.

"Well, at least she's in prison." The woman offered as a silver lining. Izuku sighed before smiling.

"Yeah, at least there's that." He nodded.

(Later)

Everyone was at UA in class 1-A, just casually talking about stuff as everyone waited for class to start.

"I still can't believe how Midoriya went crazy like he did." Kaminari said as he sat back in his seat, getting the attention of the kids around him.

"Yeah. That was insane. I didn't even know that level of anger was possible." Sato nodded.

"The heart can make one do incredible things when put through Hell." Tokoyami said as he crossed his arms.

"I'm just glad that the woman who cursed Uraraka is behind bars. Absolutely despicable." Momo scoffed in disdain.

"I must agree with that. That woman truly is vile." Shoto nodded in agreement.

"You have no idea." Izuku growled as everyone started talking about who would be the substitute for the class.

"Hey Tsu, since -Ah!- Aizawa sensei is injured, who's gonna teach class?" Mina asked as she almost fell back before the frog girl caught her.

"I'm not sure. Mr. Aizawa is still recovering, *ribbit*." Tsu said in thought. Right at that moment, Tenya came in.

"Everyone, it's almost time for class to begin! Stop talking and get to your seats!" He exclaimed.

"We're already seated. You're the only one who isn't." Kirishima pointed out. This caused the speed teen to go to his seat with his fists clenched at the awkward moment he set himself up for.

"Dang it!" He snapped as he sat down.

"Don't sweat it!" Uraraka smiled, right as a bandaged and clearly still injured Aizawa walked into the classroom.

"Good morning class." The man said through his face wraps. Everyone instantly knew who it was.

"Aizawa-sensei!" They exclaimed in surprise.

"I thought you'd still be recovering." Mina commented with wide eyes.

"I'm glad to see that you're okay, Mr. Aizawa!" Iida added.

"My well-being is irrelevant." The man said as he walked in front of the class. "What is important is that you all know that your fight isn't over yet." He added, causing everyone to tense up.

"Please don't tell me it's as bad as the USJ attack!" Taida pleaded.

"Shut up and grow a pair, King!" Bakugo barked.

"Both of you shut up." Izuku growled.

"... The UA Sports Festival is coming up." The Erasure Hero said, causing everyone to yell in relief.

"Why would you scare us like that?!" They then shouted.

"Alright! Let's go kick some ass!" Kirishima cheered before Kaminari put his hand in the redhead's face.

"Hold up, are you sure that's a good idea?" The blonde asked.

"Yeah. The villains could attack us while we're in one place." The younger Uraraka sibling added.

"The Festival is one the school's biggest events, second to only the Olympics in scale and ratings. We were never going to cancel it because of some villains." Aizawa told them.

"I assume security is getting beefed up considerably due to the attack?" The green haired immortal guessed casually. This got a nod from his homeroom teacher.

"That it is. In comparison to previous years, security is getting increased to ensure absolute safety." He stated.

"Uh… Not that I don't understand where you're coming from but, why can't we cancel it? It's just a sports festival. Plus…" King said before he pointed at his sister. "My sister almost died. This seems kinda insensitive." He added.

"I second that." Izuku nodded.

Aizawa let out a sigh. "I won't deny that what happened was a problem, but unfortunately we can't cancel it because of the significance it has to your futures as heroes."

"Right, agencies from all over will be watching for people to scout." Momo nodded.

"Yeah. Once a student graduates they often go to an agency to be a sidekick if they do well." Kaminari added.

"Yeah, but that's as far as some go. They missed their chance to go indie and stay eternal sidekicks." Jiro shrugged before looking at Kaminari. "Actually that's probably where you're going. You're kinda dumb." She told him.

"Gah!" He squawked with wide eyes. Izuku rolled his eyes; he knew her type. The kind of girl who's mean to the guy she probably likes, or was just a colossal bitch, either fit jiro pretty well.

"Exactly. You'll get one chance a year, three chances in a lifetime. No aspiring hero can miss this festival." Aizawa nodded. "So you better not slack off on your training." He warned.

"Right!" The class chorused.

"Class dismissed." The Erasure hero said before leaving, however... "Midoriya, stay here, we need to talk." He told the Sin of Greed. Izuku raised an eyebrow before walking up to his desk.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I heard about what happened. I just want to know if you're okay mentally. Seeing someone you're… 'close' to almost dying a second time, losing yourself in your own anger and having the woman who cursed said friend slip through your fingers must be hard for you to handle." His teacher stated frankly. The immortal sighed in aggravation.

"I am still very much sour about it, I won't deny it. I had her right there, and she just slips out of my grasp." He growled before sighing. "At least she's been imprisoned." He muttered.

"Right… But I'm more concerned with that form you took." Aizawa stated. "I want to be sure that from now on, you won't allow yourself to get that angry again, understand? Keep your emotions in check, that's a big part of being a pro." He continued.

"I can't make any promises, but I'll do my damndest to make sure to keep myself in check." The boy nodded.

"Good. Now go, and good luck in the festival." The hero told him.

"Thanks." Izuku nodded before he left.

(Later)

At lunchtime Izuku was going to the cafeteria with King, Iida and Ochako. "Hey Ochako, I'm curious, how's your parent's construction company doing?" The boy asked, this made King stop floating.

"Uh… It hasn't been doing so well-." He started to say.

"Which is why I'm trying to use my career as a Hero to help them." Uraraka finished.

"Seriously? Why not just use your quirk to float everything so they can sell the heavy lifting equipment?" The Fox Sin asked.

"That's exactly what I was gonna do!" She exclaimed as she pointed at him before she frowned. "But my parents don't want me to work for them. They want me to focus on my dreams first." She continued.

Izuku couldn't help but facepalm with an aggravated sigh. "Ochako, I respect and love your parents, but them not letting you help them when you want to... is asinine." He groaned.

"Not how I would have worded that last part, but I must agree." Iida nodded with a small frown.

"Yeah…" Uraraka sighed. Just then, All Might appeared.

"Ha ha! Young Midoriya, is here!" The Symbol of Peace said as he appeared out of nowhere. This caused everyone to look at him.

"Hey All Might, what's up?" Izuku asked his mentor.

"Lunch. You wanna eat with me?" The man asked, holding up a cloth wrapped bento box… With the cloth having bunnies on it.

"PFFFFT! That is so adorable!" Ochako snorted mirthfully at the sight.

(Later)

"Ohh, man I feel light headed." The green haired boy sighed as he sat down with a deflated All Might.

"What's the matter?" Toshinori asked.

"Recovery girl wanted me to give her some of my blood, something to do with a healing elixir she wanted to make from it." The boy sighed as the man set some tea in front of him.

"Considering it gave my stomach back, I'm not surprised." The man shrugged. "Your blood is really powerful because of your quirk, so it's not unreasonable for something like that to happen." He added.

"Yeah, but I'm type O+, so I'm only compatible with positive blood types." Izuku sighed.

"I'm type A… Which makes me realize we should've checked our blood types back then." The lanky man groaned as he facepalmed at the recklessness the duo unwittingly displayed.

"Oof, big oof." The boy groaned as he drank his tea. "So what'd you want to talk about?" He asked.

"I wanted to tell you, I've shortened my time limit to fifty minutes now." The blonde told him. "And I can only look like All Might for an hour and a half."

"Shit…" The Fox Sin spat. "I'm sorry. If I hadn't lost it back then, maybe things would've been-." He started to say before All Might started laughing and coughing up blood.

"Man, you have this compulsive habit of apologizing for everything! We really are alike, aren't we?" He laughed before he calmed down. "I also wanted to talk to you about the sports festival. I wanted to see what you had planned since you still can't control One for All fully yet."

"Actually, remember that weird-ass looking brain villain? I landed a One for All powered punch on him and didn't get any backlash from it. It didn't break my arm, but it didn't hurt him, either." The boy corrected.

"Oh yeah, ya did mention that." Toshinori noted in realization. "Okay, so what was different about that smash in particular?" He questioned.

"It was the first time I was using it on a person." The boy replied. His mentor nodded thoughtfully.

"I see, looks like you subconsciously put on the brakes to not kill him." The blonde nodded. "Well that's some kind of progress, plus you seem to be able to channel small percentages in single limbs too. So there's that."

"Yeah." The boy nodded.

"Well, I wanted to tell you that this festival will be something that the pros, no, the entire country will be watching." The man said as he walked to the window. "And I want you to use it to your advantage as your debut. Because you, Izuku Midoriya, are the fledgling symbol of peace, the next All Might. So I want you to go to the festival and proudly say "I am here!" He added.

"And I will." Izuku nodded with a grin before he frowned slightly. "But… I'm not sure if I'll do any good. I mean I failed not once but twice to save ochako, so what will make the world think I can save more than one person? And that's not even mentioning-..." The boy started to ramble until All Might fell over.

"Man no one is better at spouting word vomit than you, kid." The man sighed.

"Shut up. I needed a hobby." The boy retorted indignantly.

"I do get your concerns. I felt the same way when I was your age, but there are two kinds of heroes: the ones who aim for the top and those who settle, the differences between them usually determine how well you do in the real world." The man told him. "I just hope you haven't forgotten how you felt when you finished your training at the beach."

"That feeling of fulfillment… How can I forget?" The immortal sighed in a wistful manner.

(Elsewhere)

In an old building an elderly man was sitting on a couch while reading a letter.

'Greetings. The air is warm here, feels like summer is just around the corner. Hope this letter finds you well, sir, in good health and even greater spirits. This semester I took a position as a teacher at UA, that's right, teaching the next generation of heroes. I was hoping to find a worthy successor to inherit my power among the elite students of the school, a powerful student with outstanding test scores and a powerful quirk. However, before I began my tenure at UA, I met a young man. He had lost someone he treasured in the past, and he viewed his quirk as a curse because of it. He showed incredible bravery, He ran head-first into a situation that caused pros, including myself, to hesitate and saved the life of a classmate. He didn't have a plan of any sort when he acted, but he knew he had to do something. His actions taught me something that day, and they reminded me of the virtues I must embody if I am to call myself a pro. A hero. That's why I was serious when I said to him: "Young man, you too can become a hero." Afterwards, I told this pupil the secret of my quirk, and proposed that I transfer to him. This ability that's been passed from person to person, cultivated and made stronger. The crystallization of power that binds itself to a courageous heart for the good of those in need. One for All. He accepted without a second thought, and I began training him for the trials he'd need to overcome to be accepted into the hero course at UA highschool. Even when he struggled at times with his newfound abilities, he just got back up and kept giving 100% as he tried to harness One for All. I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I think I've found the perfect successor to pass my quirk onto. He's shown me time and again that, in spite of the troubles of his past, he has what it takes to become a true hero. I'm still new to the role of instructor, and there will come a time where I must trouble you every now and then for advice, my old teacher. I'll be counting on your patience and wisdom when that time comes.

Until then, please take care of yourself as the seasons begin to change. Sincerely yours, Toshinori Yagi.

P.S. If you take an interest in my successor, ask about the quirk he already had before receiving One for All. It would be best if you heard it from him personally rather than from this letter.

The man put the letter down as he drank a cup of coffee and ate a Taiyaki pastry. "Hmm, So… Toshinori found a worthy successor, huh?" The man said to himself thoughtfully.

(Later)

Several weeks passed and everyone was training like mad. For example Kirishima was training with Bakugo (who he had become rather close to as of late) and the red haired boy decided to ask something that had been bugging him.

"Say Bakugo, how'd Midoriya get that scar? With his quirk, I didn't think that was possible." The boy questioned. The sandy blonde shook his head at the question.

"That's an… interesting story, to put in lightly." He started as he tried to figure out the correct words. "It goes like this…" He continued as the story began.

(Flashback)

"Hey Kacchan~! Why won't you let me see that cool pro hero themed pocket knife you got, huh?" Izuku asked as he, Bakugo and their middle school friends camped in the woods outside their neighborhood, a campfire between them.

"Don't try and take it, Deku. You don't want me to get angry." Bakugo replied in a warning tone. Though he soon had to grab said knife as Izuku tried to take it after the immortal got past him with Phantom Hunt, Zero Sign's prototype move.

"Angry? You, Kacchan?" The boy grinned in a sly manner. "I've known you since we were little kids, and 'angry' wasn't even an emotion you showed." He added as he continued to try and take the knife.

"Let go." The exploder ordered.

"But since you've peaked my interest… it makes me wanna see you angry, actually." The Immortal purred.

"Uh, Midoriya, I'm not sure that's a good idea…" One of the other kids said in concern.

"If taking this knife is what it'll take to make you angry, then it makes me want it more. No, it makes me wanna steal it!" The Fox Sin grinned as he pulled on the knife from inside its scabbard until…

SCHLK!

Faster than anyone could react, Bakugo brought out the pocket knife and slashed at the base of Izuku's neck on the left side. He didn't fall down, but he was sent skidding back, the wound on his neck bleeding profusely.

"Oh ho, seems I found Kacchan's se-cret side~!" The immortal sang as he touched his bleeding wound while grinning.

(Flashback End)

"Whoa… That's hardcore." Kirishima said in surprise.

"Tell me about it. His wound healed up, but I didn't realize that it'd give him a scar at the time." The blonde nodded before he shuddered. "The tongue lashing I got from both my mom and Deku's mom made me unable to sleep properly for a few days after." He added.

"Dude…" The redhead said, shaking his head.

(Later that day)

Everyone was about to leave to go home the day before the sports festival, and Class 1-A found themselves blocked by a horde of students at their classroom doorway.

"What the hell is going on?" The immortal of the class asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, are you guys trying to make us late getting home?" King asked indignantly.

"They're scouting out the competition. Since we were attacked by villains, they wanna see how strong we are." Bakugo said as he stepped forward. "Well now you know what future pros look like, now move it, extras." He stated curtly.

"You can't just call people you don't know extras!" Iida exclaimed.

"Yeah. No reason to make enemies of other students, Kacchan." Izuku sighed.

"Well I came to see what the other classes were like, but you just sound like an ass." A purple haired boy who looked just as shabby as Mr. Aizawa said as he approached them. "Are all the hero course students delusional, or just you?" He questioned further.

"What's with him?" Tsu asked in confusion.

"How unfortunate to find that this class is full of egomaniacs. I wanted to join the hero course, but due to certain circumstances I was forced to choose another track, such is life." The boy sighed. "Scouting the competition? Maybe my peers are, but I'm here to tell you that if we do well in the sports festival, the teachers can transfer us into the hero course and transfer people out to make room. So consider this a declaration of war, if you don't do your very best, I'll steal your spot out from under you." This last line caught the indignation of the Sin of Greed almost instantly.

"And what makes you think we'll just let it happen, pal?" He hissed, walking up to the boy and standing taller than him. "If anyone's gonna do any stealing around here, it's gonna be me."

The purple haired teenager looked at Izuku tiredly. "I recognize you. You're Izuku the Undead. The Fox Sin of Greed. You were on the news when you survived a truck hitting you at full speed and being sent careening into a brick wall face first. You should've died, but you didn't."

"Yeah, that was me." Izuku nodded.

"How is it possible for you to survive things others can't? It doesn't make sense." The boy questioned.

"My quirk, genius. What else could it be?" The immortal replied rhetorically as he pushed past them.

(The next day)

It was the next day at the school and everyone was getting ready for the school festival to start. "Man, I was really hoping I could wear my costume." Mina complained as she looked at her tracksuit.

"It's not all bad. At least there's a sense of equality like this." Ojiro commented.

"This is so nerve wracking!" Groaned Uraraka.

"No kidding." Sato added.

"No matter what the adversity, we must persevere." Tokoyami spoke.

Izuku was silent the whole time before Shoto approached him. "Midoriya." The two toned boy said. The green haired teen craned his head and looked at him.

"What is it?" He asked in a chill tone.

"From an objective standpoint, I think it's safe to say that I'm better than you." The pyro and cryo mancer stated.

"There are a ton of other people who are better than me. What's your point?" Izuku asked, not really caring about that little detail.

"You have All Might helping you out, also I've seen what you're capable of when the ones you love are threatened…" Shoto replied while glancing at Uraraka subtly. "Regardless, I'm not here to pry about what's going on between you two, but know that I will beat you." He declared. Izuku smirked savagely in response.

"Lookin' forward to the fight." The immortal replied before getting up close and personal. "When I make your face become very well acquainted with the ground." He said quietly and fiercely. This caused Shoto to glare back at him.

(Later)

Everyone was stepping outside as Present Mic was announcing the classes, until they gathered around a stage where the R-Rated Hero: Midnight was standing in all her drop dead sexy BDSM bombshell glory.

"Silence everyone!" The woman called as she waved her flogging whip.

"Uh, someone should talk to Miss Midnight about what she's wearing." Kirishima said with a blush.

"Yeah. That costume should come with a warning." Kaminari gulped.

"I must agree. That outfit is not appropriate for an event like this." Tokoyami nodded, his feathers hiding his blush.

King, meanwhile… he was saved from fainting by falling back on his pillow as Tsu tried to fan him off. Izuku, however, seemed unfazed, as if he couldn't care less about how Midnight looked.

'She can dress up however she wants. I got my eyes fixed on someone else.' He thought, glancing at his gravity controlling childhood sweetheart.

"For the student pledge, we have: Katsuki Bakugo!" Midnight called as Bakugo stepped up to the podium.

"Oh boy." The Fox Sin groaned, knowing where this was going. The explosive blonde stood at the mic silently for a moment before he spoke.

"I just wanna say: I'm gonna win this." He stated.

'I KNEW HE WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!' The rest class 1-A thought as the audience started booing at him.

'DAMMIT, KACCHAN!' Izuku yelled mentally as he facepalmed. And with that, the games began.

"And now, the first fateful game of the festival is…" Midnight said before the screen showed... "An Obstacle race! Here you will race the four kilometers around the school and meet back here. On the subject of quirk use, I don't want to restrict anyone, at least in this game." The woman continued before seductively smiling and licking her lips. "As long as you don't leave the track, you're free to do whatever your heart desires!" She exclaimed. This caused the Sin of Greed to perk up and grin.

"Oh, I am gonna have a ton of fun in this race!" Izuku murured excitedly. With that, everyone got ready to run.

"So Eraser Head, what do you think we should look out for at the start of this race?" Mic asked Aizawa.

"The doorway." Aizawa told him.

As the two men continued to make commentary, the race started several seconds later and they were off. "Zero Sign!" Izuku intoned as he stole the perception of everyone around him and leapt over their heads and used his staff to extend his Snatch powers to drag himself to the front of the race before everyone regained their senses, and by then, he was already well ahead.

"Don't think I'll let you win that easily, Midoriya!" Shoto exclaimed as he created a large amount of ice for him to skate forward on. This had the effect of leaving most of the other students frozen at the feet… Keyword being 'most.'

"Nice try, Todoroki!" Momo yelled.

"You won't beat me, you Icy-Hot bastard!" Bakugo roared.

"Yee Haw!" King laughed as he surfed on his spear above the ice. Suddenly…

BAM!

The Grizzly Sin was sent flying to the ground. Izuku was able to catch him, but when he turned to see the culprit, he was met with a familiar sight.

"The robots from the exam? Are you shitting me?!" He exclaimed in exasperation… and then saw several zero pointers. "Oh come ON!" He yelled.

"Where do they get the money for these things?!" Momo wondered as she looked around warily.

Shoto sighed as he watched Izuku rushing ahead and then at the robots. "So this is the thing my classmates had to face in the entrance exams." He noted, conjuring ice around him. "They obviously went through a lot of trouble but I wish they made something more difficult. Especially since my dear old dad is watching." He said.

In one move he sent ice at the bots and froze them in place off their balance, and as they fell forward Izuku was right in front of the falling path of one.

"Oh for fuck's sake-." The immortal said before…

BOOM!

He was crushed underneath the giant robot. This didn't go unnoticed by the two-toned fire-ice user, who actually looked concerned.

"Did I just-" He started to say before Izuku burst out from the side of the robot and sent an annoyed glare his way.

"I'm gonna fucking get back at you for that!" He yelled angrily. He did not appreciate having a giant robot falling on him.

The sports festival was getting juicy…

Dragon Emperor0: So that's how Izuku got his scar. Guess Bakugo wasn't always so openly hot headed all the time. Wonder what changed?

ThermalsniperN7: Who knows. Also, can we take a moment to agree with Izuku's somewhat blunt statement of Ochako's parents not wanting her to work for them when she wants to? They should be touched by the fact their daughter cares so much about them, FFS!

Dragon Emperor0: News flash people, most parents would kill to have a kid who wants to help them! Why would you squander it? God, parents and their stupid logic. Jeez.

ThermalsniperN7: IKR? It's nuts. Anyway, see you guys next time!