As Todoroki walked back towards the waiting rooms, he saw his old man standing in front of them. "So, what happened to not using your left side?" Endeavor mocked. Shoto said nothing. "Now that you're working properly, you need to be taught to use your left side." Todoroki still said nothing. "However, your loss was embarrassing. So after you graduate, come work for me. I'll train you on how to be an upgraded version of myself."
"You know… back then… for one brief, shining moment, I forgot about your existence." The Number 2 gaped. "It was the best moment of my life… and it helped Midoriya's statement sink in. It's not your Quirk. It won't ever be yours." With that, Todoroki walked away, leaving Endeavor snarling.
"That brat…" He growled. He wondered if he should arrange a 'gas explosion' wherever Izuku lived, but decided against it. After all, if that monster decided to tell All Might about his threat, and he carried it out, then he might actually be arrested.
At Recovery Girl's office, said nurse was poking around Izuku. "If this were anyone else, you would've permanently damaged your bones. Even normal regeneration would've had effects. "You're saying that his regeneration isn't actually regeneration?" Yagi asked. Recovery Girl nodded. "His body is just forcing itself to change. For example, he should've had bone bits in his joints. However, it seems that the bone bits just became part of his joint, changing from bones to ligaments. And then, the excess parts were moved to where the bones used to be, and were turned to bones. It isn't regeneration. It's transformation."
"I knew that my mass just shifted around but I didn't realize it changed so much." Izuku croaked out. "Indeed. Your biology is unique." Recovery Girl said. "Don't get me started…" Yagi muttered.
Izuku walked back to the waiting room. "Deku!" Uraraka shouted. "H-hey everyone… when's the next match?" Iida was the one to explain it. "They have to repair the stage." Uraraka nodded. "Deku… were you planning on using the tendrils?" She asked. Izuku paled before shaking his head furiously. "NO! N-no, I wan't. I was just trying to frighten Todoroki!" Iida tilted his head. "Why are you all so worried about Midoriya's extra limbs!?" he scolded. Everyone sweatdropped at him. "You've never seen him use them, and it shows, Iida." Uraraka deadpanned. Mineta scoffed. "I agree. What's so bad about them!?" Tsuyu bitchslapped him with her tongue. "I know you were knocked out you disgrace of a human being, but that's no excuse! Iida, just ask literally anyone in 1-A besides the wannabe rapist here."
In a few minutes, it was time for the matches to continue. Iida beat Ibara by menervuring around her and he politely but forcefully pushed her out of bounds.
Next was Fumikage VS Mina. He just used Dark Shadow to push her out of bounds. Like the previous match, it was over in under a minute.
The match after that was Kirishima vs Bakugou. Kirishima was practically immune to Bakugou's blasts, at least for a while. Eventually his hardening ability ran out, and Bakugou knocked him unconscious.
And finally, it was time for the third round. The first match was Iida versus Izuku. "So Midoriya, why is everyone so afraid of your extra limbs?" Iida asked. Izuku looked around. "There are too many people here to answer that, Iida. I'm sorry. I'll tell you about that after I beat you." Iida started chopping the air. "No! I'll defeat you!"
"START!" Mic screamed. Iida immediately tried to run around Izuku and kick him, but Izuku caught the kick in his claws. Iida backed up and tried in the opposite direction. This time, Izuku used his shield against Iida. The bounceback almost sent Iida out of bounds. Iida then fired up his engines for a Recipro Burst and slammed into Izuku. Izuku wasn't prepared for it, so he tumbled head over heels. Iida grabbed him and ran towards the disqualification line. However, Izuku's blade appeared, and the extra weight sent them both toppling over. Izuku managed to get a kick in, and that little bit of extra 'oomph' pushed Iida out of bounds.
Elsewhere, Ingenium was lying on the ground, bleeding. Stain was over him. "I'm sorry Ingenium… I never would've gone after you. You're far better than most heroes." Stain picked up Ingenium phone. "I see your younger brother is calling you. Do you want me to hand you the phone?" Ingenium coughed. "You're… a lot… nicer than I expected." Stain laughed. "That's because you're one of the heroes who's extremely close to being a perfect hero, and you don't use your status to commit crimes." The call timed out. Stain immediately dialed 119. "I bid you farewell." With that, the Hero Killer fled the scene.
Back at the stadium, Bakugou was fighting Fumikage. Dark Shadow was able to absorb the explosions, but not for long. Soon, Bakugou had Fumikage pinned, a continuous explosion going off. "Did you know Dark Shadow's weakness?" The bird-headed boy asked. "I figured it out during the match. You were a great opponent, Tokoyami. Now give up." Fumikage sighed. "I surrender." As soon as Midnight called it, Mic decided to announce the next fight. "And now the finals will be between Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugou! We look forward to an explosive finale!" Katsuki started to shake. "Maybe I should've let you win…" he muttered.
After the match, Iida had a phone call. "Hello, Mother. I'm sorry that I lost." Iida heard a sniff. "I-It's not about that. I-Ida, please listen calmly… T-Tensei… a villain got him!" She broke down in sobs.
Stain watched as the police and emergency personnel loaded Ingenium onto an ambulance. It wouldn't do to have him be attacked. "It's a shame that I had to fight you, Ingenium. You were one of the best heroes. The closest thing to a count against you was that heroics is a family business to you. However, you still put your heart and soul into it. I'm truly sorry that I had to cut it short. At least you'll be able to spend more time with your wife and soon to be born child…" And then he stabbed behind him. His sword went through a black mist. "Please remain calm. We are of the same mind." Kurogiri spoke. "I have been looking for you, Hero Killer Stain."
Izuku was sitting down, still thinking about the events of the day. 'To think I got as far as I have…' He flashed back to when his dad was home, comforting him after thawing out the tendrils. For some reason, his Quirk would shrink away from his dad, but he didn't know why. All he knew was that his father provided relief from the constant desire to consume. His dad would hold him close, and Izuku could just cry into his shoulder.
FLASHBACK:
"Why am I cursed with this Papa?! Why!?" the four year old Izuku cried into his father's arms. Hisashi rubbed his back. "Don't say that Izuku. You're not cursed." his father replied. "H-how can you say that?! My Quirk k-killed somebody!" His father's eyes hardened. "What you did was self-defense. Remember that." Then his eyes softened. "Look at me, Izuku. Don't try to run from what you are. It will catch up to you. However, don't just blindly accept it either. Mold it. Change it. Make it what you want to make it."
FLASHBACK END
Izuku walked up to the stage, where his best friend was waiting. Bakugou looked confident, but Izuku could easily see the fear in his eyes. "It's the final battle of the UA sports Festival! The top of the first years will be decided with this very match!" Mic shouted. "On one side, we have the teary-eyed kid with the Quirk that keeps surprising us all! Give it up for Izuku Midoriya! And on the other side we have the ruthless but surprisingly civil Katsuki Bakugou! START!"
Izuku immediately pulled up his Shield just in time to absorb a blast from Bakugou. Said explosive boy then used his explosions again to get away fast. 'He's still showing fear! Then again, it's not surprising…' And then Bakugou launched himself at his friend, priming a massive explosion. When it hit, Izuku was shocked. Instead of light and sound, it was mostly heat! He screamed as his shield shriveled up. "H-how did you do that?!" He stammered. 'Did he modify the input of his explosives to mostly produce heat?!' Bakugou, who was once again a good 20 feet away, smirked. "I've been training to fight off your Quirk for years, Deku!" With that, he swatted a glob of sweat, and when it hit, the shockwave was much stronger then it had any right to be! "And that includes learning how to make thermobaric explosives!" He unleashed another glob, and Izuku dove back to avoid it.
"Come on, Deku! I know you know just how to beat me! Show me what you've got!" At this, Izuku sighed. "Very well."
With that, the tendrils popped up and rushed at Bakugou. The explosive teen let off four massive explosions, sending them back shriveled. This still created a lot of smoke, so he couldn't see. Izuku lunged out, claws outstretched. Bakugou then sidestepped and set an explosive blast right on Izuku's back. Izuku activated his blade, which allowed him to stay in bounds, albeit barely. However, Katsuki appeared in front of him again and aimed his explosions downward. This blast severed the blade. Without wasting a second, he sent another explosion right into Izuku's face. This last bit was enough to remove Izuku from the combat area. "AND LOOK AT THAT! MIDORIYA IS OUT OF BOUNDS!" Mic screeched while Midnight cracked her whip. "The winner is Katsuki Bakugou!" Said teen, however just walked towards Izuku. "Hey Deku, what was your plan anyways?" he asked. Izuku chuckled. "I was trying to use your fear against you. I was hoping you'd duck or forfeit." Katsuki grumbled. "That's really fucking low. Also, what would've happened if I hadn't moved and called your bluff?" Izuku shrugged. "They were aimed six inches from your feet. Did you really think I'd put you in danger?"
At the League base, All For One was laughing. "HA HA HA HA! Damn son, you even surprised me! I guess emotional manipulation runs in the family!"
"And now, all of the events have been completed! The winner of the First Year UA Festival is Katsuki Bakugou of Class 1-A!" Mic screamed. The cameramen swarmed to the stage, where Midnight was waiting. "The First Year Sports Festival is completed! And now, we will begin the Awards Ceremony!" Fireworks ignited, and then a podium rose. On it, from left to right, were Izuku, Bakugou, and Fumikage. "In addition to Fumikage, Tenya Iida is also in third, but due to family issues, he had to leave early. However, it is not I who will award them, but him!" Midnight pointed to the top of the stadium. "HA HA HA HA! I HAVE BROUGHT THE MEDALS!" As All Might was speaking, Midnight continued. "Our very own Symbol of Peace, All Might will be awarding them!" There was a silence as Midnight realized what had happened. "I'm sorry for talking over you…" she muttered. She did recover quickly, however.
"All Might, please award these medals to the students, starting with the third place medals." Midnight handed the medals to him. All Might put the medal around Fumikage. "Good job, young Tokoyami. You sure are strong!" He praised. "You're too kind." the boy said. And then he was next to Izuku. "Young Midoriya! Your Quirk is very versatile, and you're quite good at thinking outside the box when the situation requires it! With even more training, you will become unstoppable!" The Symbol of Peace gently put the medal over him as well. "And you, Young Bakugou! Congratulations on First Place, and well done pushing your Quirk to the limit!" Bakugou nodded.
"THESE ARE THE WINNERS THIS YEAR! HOWEVER, ANYONE COULD END UP ON THE PODIUMS NEXT YEAR! COMPETITION GIVES INSPIRATION TO EXCEL! IT WORKS IN ECONOMICS, AND IT WORKS ON THE PERSON-TO PERSON LEVEL!" During this speech, Kaminari turned towards Sato. "Why did he add the economic part?" he asked. "During his stint in the American Republic, he was inspired by their political and economic system. They're the strongest nation on Earth, and they were the strongest even before the emergence of Quirks, so it's natural that he'd look at what their strengths are and wish to inspire other nations to copy them." Kaminari chuckled. "So they're not the anarchy-filled hellhole that we've been told to believe?" he asked. "Remember what 13 said? The American Republic isn't like that."
Meanwhile, All Might was finishing his speech. "THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEROES IS CERTAINLY SPROUTING! AND FOR THAT, I HAVE ONLY ONE THING TO SAY, AND I WANT EVERYONE TO SAY IT WITH ME! PLUS ULTRA!" Up in the booth, Aizawa sighed. "For a moment there I thought he might just say his motto." Mic laughed. "Nezu told him that there would be repercussions if he did."
After the Festival, Aizawa decided to give an announcement. "You all did very well, save one, and I'm looking at you, Mineta. Please note that there won't be any school tomorrow or the day after. The pros who watched the festival will undoubtedly want to recruit you, so we'll have to organize the lists for you. And Mineta, your actions in the Obstacle race were utterly inexcusable!" Now he glared at the midget.
"W-what?!" he screeched. "While the media didn't notice, Mic and I, along with many of your classmates, did." Aizawa was grinding his teeth, and it was scaring everyone. "Unfortunately, due to… circumstances, the school cannot afford to expel you… literally." Mineta smirked.
"However…" now the smirk was beginning to fall. "The staff has decided to transfer you. You'll be going to the General Studies. Now get out." Before Mineta had a chance to reply, Aizawa used his capture scarf and chucked him out the door. There was a stunned silence. "Now I bet you're all wondering why he wasn't expelled. The answer is simple. Mineta's father has a significant portion of the government in his pocket. He could easily order a massive budget cut to UA, or even close the school." Everyone gaped. "Thus, this slap on the wrist is the only thing we can do," Aizawa sighed. "Now then, your new classmate will be joining you after the break."
That night, at the Hosu General Hospital, Iida had finally arrived. He sprinted up the stairs, ignoring an instruction to not run for the first time in his life. "MOTHER!" he shouted. "Iida!" she replied. "How's Tensei doing!?" he fiercely asked. When she didn't respond, Iida barged in. "HEY! Wear a mask!" a doctor shouted. Iida looked at his brother. He was unconscious. "The anesthetics have worn off, and he's regained consciousness. He's in a haze, though. However, his condition isn't as bad as we had feared. In spite of his wounds, he's stable."
Ingenium opened his eyes. "Tenya… mother…" he croaked out. Iida ran over. "To think… you still look up to me…" Iida began to tear up. His older brother let out a chuckle. "I… lost." he got out. "TENSEI!" Iida sobbed.
Meanwhile, Stain pulled his sword out of a villain's gut. "You're not going anywhere near Ingenium's family," he snarled at the corpse. He then put his blade away and put on his civilian clothes.
As this was going on, Todoroki was heading towards a mental institute. It was very out-of-the-way, and thus out of the public eye. He checked in and headed towards the maximum security ward's visiting area. There, he heard mutterings. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'll save you… I promise… I'm sorry… " And then he saw his mother. She was in a straightjacket. "Sorry, we can't let her out. She'll try to escape," an orderly explained. When she set eyes on him, she started to cry. "Please be real!" She bawled. Shoto gently wiped away the tears. "I'm real, Mom. I'm real."