"Love it, hate it and enjoy it"
My Hero Academia: Akio Takeyama
Chapter - 16
"Let the eighth match Begin!" President Mic yelled finally getting rid of the suspense.
Uraraka didn't miss a beat and went sprinting staying low to the ground similar to my match with Kara. I chuckled lightly to myself at the smart decision.
"That's very intelligent," I mumbled impressed. Bakugo explosions is obviously a quirk that can cause area damage. Maybe she's using my battle with Kara as a reference to try and create a smokescreen for herself to get close and touch him with her zero-gravity quirk.
If she does touch him the match is in her favor. They were close now and Uraraka seems to dive a little deeper as Bakugo swung back his right hand.
I wouldn't have dodged so early. My reason being you would've made it blatantly obvious what you were trying to dodge. In Uraraka case, that famous right hook. When Bakugo unleashed an explosion from his palm point blank on Uraraka I recoiled. Instead of his right hook, he swung it down as if he was clawing at the ground beneath him and brought it up.
"Even though you're fighting a girl you have no mercy, do you Bakugo?" Tsuyu pointed out a finger on her chin.
I turned to Midoriya with a smirk, "Looks like he learned from his mistakes in your battle Midoriya." As I state this, Midoriya becomes visibly distressed. Rightfully so, it's nothing to be proud of at the moment. If Bakugo indeed learned that his previous tendencies were becoming more predictable then Uraraka is in trouble.
"Ka-chan...no he couldn't have," Izuku mumbles to himself. He's in denial.
Let me snap him out of it then. "So why didn't he do his famous right hook?" My question hit's the mark and has it's desired effect. Midoriya facial expression immediately morphs into one of horror at the sudden realization. I returned my attention back to the fight.
Uraraka then demonstrated a clear strategy of turning your opponent's attention elsewhere to get the upper hand. With the use of her Jacket, Uraraka was able to get behind Bakugo. The advantage didn't last long, however, As Bakugo was quick enough to turn and emit a powerful explosion that sent the girl back to square one.
"He moved after he saw her?" Sero asked stunned and in awe at Bakugo proficiency not only in his power but his technique.
"With that reaction time, it doesn't matter if there's a smokescreen. With Uraraka not being able to activate her quirk unless she touches him, she's at a disadvantage with Bakugo reflexes." Kaminari states able to deduce that from that one interaction. He turned to me.
"Hey, Akio how come it didn't work for her?" Kaminari asked comparing the smokescreen from my match to Uraraka. I examined the Arena. I took account of every one position and the conditions of the arena.
After some thought, I answered. "Bakugo has a controlled blast. Do you see that?" I ask pointing their attention down at Bakugo. " We can still see Bakugo. I made Kara get covered in her own smoke cloud so she couldn't see which direction I was coming from but I have no problem seeing through the smoke as my quirk allows me to feel the weight that people put on the ground at a given radius." I explained as Sero and Kaminari nodded listening intently to my words.
"I mean really look." I motioned to the arena where we could visibly see Bakugo. In front of bakugo was a cloud of smoke it didn't cover him and the whole area in smoke. Which means there is a split second where he can see Uraraka coming to attack.
Kaminari awed in astonishment. "Oh, I see. So in simpler terms, Bakugo can still see and if he can still see he can react." Kaminari summarized. I nodded not the words I would use but accurate.
"That's pretty much it," I said accepting the shorten version.
Another hindrance was that Uraraka was naturally slow too because even as she emerged from the smoke about to advance again Bakugo rocked her with another explosion keeping her at bay. Somehow she got behind still using the smoke as cover to do so.
"I can't watch anymore!" Jiro refused to continue watching her classmate continue to take punishment time after time and covered her eyes.
"Ochako…" I trailed off not being able to find the words. You could see it on her face. She was trying so hard to win but for what? I have sympathy for Ochako she was handicapped the moment those lots had been drawn and it pit them against each other.
It has begun to get increasingly depressing watching Ochacko keep coming back for more each and every time. I felt something tingle in my body. Was it fear? No, it just didn't feel right watching this. Ochako just kept taking a direct hit each after the other. Still keeping low to the ground when she did advance. Uraraka just surrender...please.
"Uraraka keeps attacking without rest but...this is…" President Mic didn't know exactly what to say as Bakugo seemed relentless not giving Uraraka an inch. I could see some of the heroes in the spectating seats begin to get fed up as they voiced there concerns and anger.
"Stop bullying and playing with the poor girl!" Someone in the stands yelled, and the mob mentality followed as most started to join in. Everyone started to boo him but of course, that didn't affect Bakugo in the slightest. Even if it did, he didn't show it.
President Mic was about to agree with the crowd but Aizawa stops him. "Was that a pro saying he's playing around? How many years have you been a pro?" Everyone stopped booing immediately as the hard and judging voice of Aizawa echoed across the stadium.
"If you're saying that with a straight face there's no point in you watching anymore, so go home!" He paused, "Go home, and look into changing careers!" Aizawa clarified obviously appalled by the fact pro heroes were acting like children.
"Bakugo is being careful because he acknowledges the strength of his opponent who has made it this far. It's because he's doing everything he can to win that he can't go easy on her or let his guard down." Aizawa voiced stance on the matter has made everything much clearer. It brought a smile to my lips to know that Bakugo acknowledges Ochako as a threat. He may act all tough, angry, and unapproachable but he's not dumb. If that is the case then Bakugo really is a contender for the top spot at this festival. I have to stay away from him.
"What the hell!?" Kaminari exclaims unexpectedly, my eyes shooting over to him in a panic. There was sweat running down Kaminari head looking completely shook at whatever he saw in the sky.
I followed his gaze and my eyes widened in shock at the rubble floating above the arena! I gripped a handful of my blonde hair in utter disbelief at what I'm witnessing. Then I realized how foolish I was for not noticing sooner.
Of course, Uraraka knew she couldn't get close to Bakugo! She's was keeping her body low so that the explosions would cause area damage creating rubble for her to float in the air being stationary at her command. The smokescreen served as a cover for this because if Bakugo knew about the looming threat he would have disposed of it right away!
I leaned forward expectantly in my seat as Uraraka touched her fingers together to release the rubble. The terrible sound of the fast falling rocks as gravity pulled them down spoke how much effort was really put into this.
"A meteor shower!" President Mic yelled into the mic shocked at the new development. Though I couldn't blame him I was astonished at the girls resolve to keep taking damage like that just so she would have the advantage. Ah! That's what the smokescreen helped her to do.
"She had a desperate plan like that up her sleeves!?" Midoriya exclaimed and stood to watch with new reignited vigor. Attentiveness of what would happen next.
Uraraka started running forward using the debris as a distraction to finally make some solid ground. But Bakugo just raised his hand in the air and my smile slowly left my face. I pursed my lips, "Damn it…" I whispered as I stood and started to walk away.
"W-Where are you going!?" Kaminari asked and I just shook my head.
"I can't watch this," I responded intent on not staying to witness her defeat. Still, I forced my feet to stop at the beginning of the corridor and listened to the distant echoes of a massive explosion and then the announcement. I leaned on the wall and sighed.
"Uraraka is out of commision, Bakugo advances to the second round!" Midnight voice announcement booms throughout the arena. The cheers echoed and I pocketed my hands before walking to the waiting room for my next match with Yaoyorozu.
Yaoyorozu is smart so I know she'll pull out all the stops to advance. Hell, she wasn't even sitting with us this match. She also has something to prove after getting beaten by Tokoyami in the first round. I could do the same to force her out of bounds by just delivering blow after blow with my earth pillars but I know she'll switch it up.
I let out an exasperated breath and threw myself in my chair the stress starting to pile on my shoulders. Uraraka is no pushover either with the intelligence she displayed while fighting Bakugo I'll have no choice but to go all out. But that could be dealt with later. I crossed my arms and sighed. Rest your body Akio you're going to need it.
- Arena Floor - Akio vs Yaoyorozu - Akio P.O.V -
My arms were crossed as I watched Yaoyorozu across from me.
"Yeah! Let's start it! Here we have two people who got in through recommendations! Who is the better fighter?" President mic whispered into the microphone.
"Is it Akio a blender of rock and Ice or is it Yaoyorozu who is literally the definition of creating!"
"Can she redeem herself after the loss she suffered from the hands of Tokoyami and his dark shadow?" President Mic loomed over the crowd with a hum. I don't know the answer to that. I shrugged my shoulders as I scanned my opponent. Her eyebrows were furrowed indicating she was angry but I could see it in her eyes it was like she was calculating something?
"Let the match begin!" I planted my feet on the ground and summoned my pillars. Yaoyorozu did something unexpected turning her back to me as a wall burst from her back. I see...she was expecting that. I don't want to give her another moment.
I made the 3 pillars shoot forward as they hit the wall with a resounding thud. My eyes widened in surprise when it didn't immediately break down. I added more power into my next strike as they reversed and pushed forward again finally breaking through the wall. There was a cloud of smoke that blinded me for a second as I used my arm to shield my eyes.
Once my vision returned I found my pillars were obliterated as they fell in pieces on the arena floor. The rubble was falling out of the sky which indicates something blew it apart. I was right when my sight caught ahold of Yaoyorozu smile as she stood next to two cannons. I knew this wouldn't be easy. I started running for my life when they fired at me. There was only so much I could do in terms of mobility and Panic was keeping me from coming up with an effective counter. I cursed when one cannonball landed directly behind me where it's resulting shockwave launched me forward. I shoulder rolled and recovered, however, it was now or never if I were to strike back. I had to take a gamble and decided it was best to take to the skies. I let the arena floor below me grow into a pillar ascending me higher. Yaoyorozu didn't let up, however, as she readjusted the aim. Another short bellow of smoke erupted from the inside of the cannon as it launched a cannonball that tore through the middle of my pillar.
Gravity then did its job as the top half of the pillar leaned forward falling back to the arena floor.
"Shit!" I cursed as gravity made sure to pull me down also.
"Aizawa I can't watch! He's free falling right toward Yaoyorozu's cannons!" President Mic Yells understanding the dire situation I'm in. I could see Yaoyorozu smiling as she aimed the cannon right at me. This might be it for me. I closed my eyes accepting my fate. What was I going to do airborne? Without the ground or Arena to use my quirk on I was defenseless and useless. Had I seen this would happen I would've trained harder. Somehow the word triggered something in my head that made me remember some important advice.
...
"You're not a sitting duck y'know?" Miyuki said a scolding tone in her voice. She dabbed alcohol on the cut on my cheek making me reel away in pain hissing like a snake through my teeth.
"So what was I supposed to do?" I asked rolling my eyes as Miyuki slapped a bandage on my cheek. A tear fell from my eye as I nodded. I probably deserved that.
"The ice part of your quirk can be used without the need to be touching anything solid based remember?" Miyuki voice then started to get drowned out by the sound of the whipping wind hitting my face as I descended.
...
Only then did my eyes open with newfound determination. I stopped panicking and raised both of my hands in the air. I created a ball of ice about the same size as me. Yaoyorozu already lets off her cannon and quickly I let it fall out of my hands. It intercepted the projectile before it hit me getting rid of my imminent danger. I kept driving through the dust cloud forming a spear in my hands.
There's only a slight chance that I could get this. If I perform this just right, this will turn the tide of the battle in my favor. The moment I could see Yaoyorozu as I flew out of the dust cloud I aimed my spear right at the cannon before pulling back and throwing with as much might as I could muster.
Yaoyorozu must not have expected me to make it out of that conscious or alive for that matter as she didn't have enough time to pull the trigger as my spear lodged itself inside. In an instant, a small shield formed on her arm as she guarded herself against the blast that sent her tumbling away.
The moment I touched the ground I didn't waste any time disposing of the other one. Letting the arena floor grow tentacles that coiled around it before you could hear the grinding of metal as it was being crushed.
I turned and ducked as Yaoyorozu swung a newly made staff at me. She let the momentum of the swing pull her into a spin as she came about full force once more. I ended up stumbling back and falling on my behind as I formed a quick panic ice shield to defend myself with.
The shield Yaoyorozu jabbed into a second later cracking a little bit of the ice with the blunt force she put behind it. I kept on repairing it however but much to my chagrin I felt my arms become increasingly cold and my body temperature dropping. "Yaoyorozu gets the upper hand letting a flurry of strikes into his shield." President Mic commentates with excitement as the crowd cheered in approval of the action. Momo was hitting the shield with quick and precise strikes. She was breaking the shield faster than I could repair it. I blocked with one arm and slapped my hand on the ground to the side of me as the ground shifted forward under her feet.
"Akio fights back! Literally ripping the ground right from under her!" President Mic cries into the microphone.
"Wha-" Yaoyorozu lets out a confused yelp at the unexpected feeling of her weight shifting. She fell on her back almost comically. I didn't waste a beat and rose to my feet in an instant forming an Ice sword to accompany my newly repaired shield. She rose quickly too and we started to circle each other slowly. I raised my sword and she went low. I didn't strike and slowly changed my stance every now again trying to catch her off guard but she kept changing her stance with me. I took a deep chilly breath as I grew more aware of the surrounding area.
The stadium wall seems closer than before. I stopped a second later and she did too. I smiled, "Y'know I've found your weakness." I stated rather boldly. Her focused expression never left her face.
"Oh? What would that be?" She asked feigning her intrigued tone. The question made me laugh. "You're way too focused at times," I revealed. She raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"And what's wrong with that?" Yaoyorozu asked not realizing she was pushed into a corner. My laugh became more rumbunctious at how naive she was.
"You was so engrossed in the fight that you didn't realize you're skating on thin ice." Her eyes widened turning slightly to take a look behind her as her right foot just inches from the edge of the arena. She paled and tried to evade but I quickly stomped in her direction keeping her skating on the edge.
She closed her eyes and when she opened it her eyes were resolute as she moved forward in an overhead strike. I blocked and Parried it by hitting her shield. She swung again and allowed myself to be on the defensive as I guarded with my shield. Before letting my shield break and reforming it into another sword. At that, I put her on the defensive as I kept striking back and forth with both of the swords. As I kept hitting her shield I steadily started to get more confident and increased the output of power with each new purchase I found on her shield or staff.
"Game over!" I yelled as took both swords to one side and swung with all my might. "Ah!" Yaoyorozu cried as although she did block it with her shield it did send her skidding back a few feet. Just enough to put her out of bounds. "Yaoyorozu is out of bounds! Akio moves onto the losers second round!" Midnight declares making the crowd go crazy with cheers. Yaoyorozu dropped to her knees as she let the shield and staff drop at her side. She was obviously not happy about the loss and I walked over holding out a hand.
She looked up a defeated look on her face. "That was an amazing match Yaoyorozu I'm very honored to have fought you." I hold out my hand as I say this, with the most honest smile I could muster.
"It was nice fighting you too," Momo states a halfhearted smile on her face as I pulled her up on her feet.
"You definitely got to teach me more of your technique though," I said rubbing my left arm and taking a frosty breath. "How could you get so many strikes in the same exact spot?" At that Yaoyorozu lips curled up into a full appreciative smile.
- Spectating area - Midoriya vs Todoroki - Akio P.O.V -
I immediately started running my little rendezvous with recovery girl taking a little longer as she had to make sure my body temperature was at what she called 'the safe zone' before releasing me. I ran out of the tunnel and down the steps that led further down into the spectating area. I saw something I didn't expect to see. Midoriya blowing Todoroki ice away with his broken finger! The force was so strong that Todorki barely was able to keep inbounds using his ice behind him as a way to do so.
"Is he crazy!" I yelled softly. I could see it clearly his already broken finger he used it again. As far as I was looking almost all of his fingers were broken already.
"Tsk!" My eyes widened when I realized just how hot it was. I turned to my left to see Endeavor standing there a scowl on his face. He didn't seem to pay me much mind however as he continued to watch the match unfold. Todoroki started to run forward a minute later but the moment he lifted his foot off the ground Midoriya shot forward punching him right in the gut.
"A solid hit!" President Mic commentated. Todorki didn't get out of there without freezing Midoriya arm, however. They didn't let up and Todoroki tried to get in close again using his ice but Midoriya used his already broken finger to blow those attempts away. Midoriya swung at Todoroki and he dodged.
Todoroki can't keep using his ice forever like that. The more he does the more his body temperature will drop. It's the same thing with my quirk. It being physical affects the body in various ways. Midoriya quirk has so much power that it physically injures him. The muscles and joints in my body will definitely rip if I push the use of my earth quirk too far. It's an unfortunate weakness that can be reduced with training but not resolved. I gritted my teeth as I wondered what was driving Midoriya to send his body over the edge like this. Couldn't he feel the pain? When Todoroki was close enough he used his thumb to send another shockwave of power that knocked Todoroki back.
Todoroki stood there as Midoriya ran over and just punched him straight in the gut again. "Todoroki what are you doing?" I asked in a whisper. Todoroki was not in the right mind and it was affecting his ability to properly fight back. At this rate, Todoroki needs to wake up or Midoriya will run away with this match. He stood up and I watched patiently for his next move. At first, I thought he wasn't going to do anything again but something unexpected happens. An eruption of fire filled the air and I looked down to see it coming directly from his left side. My eyes widened as I realized just how powerful Todoroki is.
"Shoto!" A voice aggressively yelled from beside me. It was the Endeavor. I shielded myself activating my ice quirk to make sure I didn't melt from the sheer force of the fire erupting from him. He started descending the steps a...smile on his face.
"Have you finally accepted yourself?! That's it! Good! It all starts here for you! With my blood you'll surpass me...you will fulfill my desire!" The number two hero endeavor suddenly seemed like a maniac to me as I watched and listened to him speak about acceptance and what not. I see...that's why Todoroki was only using his right side for so long.
I'm not dumb. I knew his body was capable of producing much more heat than just a little steam.
At that Todoroki took a stance and I started to sweat as he activated his ice and fire quirk at the same time. There from his left a monstrous amount of Ice spouted itself towards Izuku but the boy jumped leaped over it rushing towards Todoroki with his fist clenched. It was almost too fast as another bright burst of energy from Todoroki as he moved forward to meet Izuku using his fire. I didn't even realize that Cementoss had even created walls to keep the clash from happening. I covered my face when their attacks hit the wall and on impact, I covered my face from the monstrous wind that came next it sent me skidding back a few inches from how powerful it was.
W-what caused that!?
"The air that had been cooled thoroughly was heated up and expanded," Aizawa explained right on time as I chuckled and rubbed my eyes. Those guys are completely out of my league.
So that's what created the explosion. "Just how hot was that!? Jeez, I can't see anything! Hey, Who won the match!?" President mic asked in complete astonishment. I was too focused on what had just happened for that question to come across in my head. Who won? Was it a draw or a loss!? When the dust cleared I saw Midoriya slump to the ground clearly out of bounds and knocked out. Somehow Todoroki using his ice was able to keep himself in the arena still standing.
"M-Midoriya is out of bounds, Todoroki is the winner and advances to the third round." Midnight declared and the indefinite roar from the crowd that came afterward spoke the magnitude of effect this match had on evryone here. I was still completely stunned at what had occurred to even process that however.
Todoroki won.
He achieved what he said before the festival even started. He beat Midoriya. I watched as the robots came and carried Izuku off the field a second later. They're taking him to Recovery girl, of course, I'll check up on him now.
…
It looks like Lida will be up on the plate next. Before that I'll have to face Tetsutestsu and then my match with Uraraka will commence. Although I'm not worried much about either matchup. Even if Uraraka was somehow able to touch me I'll just make the arena wrap around me or something to prevent me from floating into the air. It was a quick solution to a simple problem. She'll just get opened up by me. I'm practically untouchable when it comes down to it. The arena is obviously getting repaired and that will definitely take time. My eyes lowered in deep thought as I focused on my future in the death bracket.
If I keep on winning eventually the inevitable will happen. That being having to fight either Todoroki or Bakugo. Those two they're-they're too strong.
"Excuse me...Hopefully, I'm not bothering anyo-" I paused at whom I saw when I came in. Uraraka, Mineta, Lida, and Tsuyu. Looks like they beat me here.
"Oh hey, Akio!" Uraraka waved as I intentionally stayed away from making any sort of contact with Tsuyu. I smiled at the gravity girl as I claimed a spot beside her.
"So you came to look at him too huh?" I asked as I glanced at the weak form of Midoriya on the bed. I gave the injured boy a weak wave.
"Just came to say get better before my next match begins," As I say that President Mic voice echoed throughout the stadium.
"Now that the arena is fixed let's get started!" He yelled and then there was the distant sound of cheers coming from the arena.
"Ah, that must be for you Akio!" Lida chopped his hands at me as he said that. I nodded and turned around to exit the room and leave the party to it's own devices. I was stopped by the struggling and hoarse voice of Midoriya calling out to me.
"G-good...luck." Midoriya struggled out of his throat. The corner of my lips curled up in a smile appreciating the small gesture.
"This match is going to be a piece of cake," I reassured, my back still turned to Midoriya and the others. "By the way, Gravity girl. It won't be no hard feelings when I bury you alive right?" My question made Uraraka let out a yelp.
"A-are you serious?" Uraraka asked sounding rather happy I said that. I shrugged with a smirk. "Then you won't mind if I send you into the stratosphere right?" Her retort had me flopping on the ground in my subconciousness.
The air suddenly became thick and my smile as quick as it came left my lips.
"I don't mind." I didn't need a response nor did I want it. I promptly exited the room.
Lida kept doing his chopping motions as I ran out the room. His voice yelling at me from down the hall.
"W-wait you shouldn't say that to a classmate and friend!"
- Arena Floor -Tetsutetsu vs. Akio - AKio P.O.V -
"Here we are back again and showing just how good he is is Akio! Who has demonstrated that he's here to stay and here we are back with the iron fist Tetsutetsu. Iron vs rock/ice which is stronger!?" President Mic asked the crowd. Tetsutestsu growled not happy at me or president Mic.
"Iron obviously!" He yelled in response to President Mic question. We'll see about that. This match will reveal not which element is stronger but who is more skilled. Tetsutestsu or me?
Once we're given the signal to start rather loudly by President Mic Tetsutestu does the dumbest thing ever. He roars into the air before charging like a bull towards me fist raised.
I did the smart thing and waited for him to come to me. You would think that this boy would be smart enough to watch out for someone with a range quirk like mines. I'm starting to suspect the cause is because his brain is made out of iron too because it looks like I'm going to have to knock some sense into that brain of his.
Closer.
A little closer.
Tetsutetsu got so close he was only one step away from sending his fist into my face. In the most comedic effect, however, the ground sprouted up launching him into the air over me. I turned around and watched as Tetsutetsu flailed his arms in the air descending right onto the edge of the spectator's wall. I thought he was going to go crashing through it but in the most crushing - literally nut crushing way - he fell right on his privates.
"Oooooooo." I covered my mouth...I think I felt that too. Everyone hissed almost as if he or she knew how much that was hurting. No...they all knew how much that hurts. I started laughing when he fainted from the sheer pain and slid off to land on the ground out of bounds. My laughing got even louder as he landed out of bounds his ass facing the sky.
Someone please put that on a fail compilation.
"Well, I could feel that all the way from here," President Mic started, "Well hopefully he'll put some ice on that or something. Midnight hurry and announce the winner!" President Mic quickly dismissed.
I started walking off not bothering waiting for Midnight to declare the winner.
- Spectating area - Lida vs Shiozaki - Akio P.O.V -
Without suffering any injuries my next fight is right after Lida's. Sorry, Ochako I'm actually really going to have to bury you under the ground. I was sitting next to her right now and she was twiddling her thumbs not looking at me.
"Don't worry I'll go easy on you." Uraraka turned to me a worried look on her face.
"No no No! Don't go easy on me!" She shook her head at me a pout on her lips.
"So…" I started scratching my head in confusion. "You do want me to bury you under the ground?" Uraraka nodded then started waving her hands frantically in front of her face.
"No! No! That not why-not that- don't go easy on me but don't do that!" I had to hold my stomach when I burst out laughing.
"All right! All right!" I got in a thinking pose. "I'll just bury half your body, how about that?" I offered with a smile and Uraraka started hitting me on the arm.
"You're so mean Akio," Jiro said looking unimpressed.
"Says the one who makes fun of Kaminari whenever she gets the chance," I quickly shoot back. Kaminari then jumped and pointed an accusing finger at the earphone jack girl. "Yeah, why do I always got to be the brunt of your jokes?" Kaminari asked in which Jiro shrugged without a care before looking away.
"Because of you being a nincompoop," Jiro reasoned with a roll of her eyes as Kaminari narrowed his eyes at the girl.
"You know what…" He turned his back to the girl and with a girlish pout crossed his arms. "We're not friends anymore!" Kaminari declared.
"Recipiro burst!" My attention immediately returned to the fight at hand as I saw Lida dash behind Shiozaki before pushing her straight out of bounds. Disappointing, I expected her to win.
I stood and gave Uraraka a nod as I walked up the steps to our next match.
I stood as I waited for Uraraka to walk up. Like I always do I listened to President Mic's monologue as he introduced us to the crowd.
"Here we go! First second round match of losers bracket! The gravity girl Uraraka!" He yelled before whispering into the mic. "Still my favorite."
"Against the one and only brick wall A-K-I-O!" President Mic once again introduces me to the crowd with something new. I raised an eyebrow at that one. Where does he come up with this stuff? The crowd cheered and clapped as Uraraka stood opposite of me eyes full of determination.
"Let the match begin!"
Uraraka rushed at me and in response I shifted my foot forward activating my growth quirk as my trusty pillars sprouted out. Three this time as I made them come up and swoop down all at once like a wave. Uraraka jumped and touched her fingers making herself float as my pillars just barely missed her. She touched her fingers against each other once more as she landed on the pillar and started running across.
That's bad!
I started to make the pillars move again deciding to shake her off. The pillar raised and whipped wildly in one way. Much to my dismay, my attempt to shake her proved fruitless. Uraraka running on the pillar gave her a huge advantage because the height made it easy for her to float over me. I panicked and created an Ice shield the moment I saw her touch her hands. Uraraka came crashing down the sudden impact and weight of the drop made my legs buckle. I felt something graze my shoulder and I cursed when I felt my self-start to float my body leaving the ground faster then I realized. There was no time to activate my quirk.
Now that my body was off the ground I couldn't use my solid growth quirk anymore. I smiled. I foresaw that this would've happened. I let my body float higher before twisting in the air and formed an Ice spear in my hand. "You must have forgotten what my quirk was!" Uraraka eyes widened when I pushed the short spear forward and all of sudden it started to grow at a rapid speed. So fast that it broke through the arena ground and gave me something to hang on as I dragged myself further down.
She was definitely going to send me high into the air then release me making me drop and hit my face or she could have made me stay stationary in the air forcing me to give up. I would not let her do that. She seemed to panic at first trying to unlodge the staff but to no avail.
Slowly with two hands, I pulled myself further and further back to the ground. When I was close enough I reached and placed my hand on the arena floor making it sprout up and wrap around me like a noose. Slowly I made the earth retract as to allow me to stand again. I smiled at Uraraka who took a fighting stance.
"You sure?" She ran over and I watched with a playful glint in my eyes as she jabbed forward with her fist.
Most important rule taught to me about quirks. If you can, use the opponent's quirk against them. I tilted my neck and grabbed her wrist pulling her to me. "Game over," I said with a definitive tone in my voice as I let the earth unwrap from my waist and I started to float again bringing Uraraka with me this time.
"No! No! Put me down!" The gravity girl yelled in protest.
"Okay." I deadpanned. Her eyes widen in shock when I let go of her wrist only to recatch it. She looked down then up at me as she dangled. "Did you really think I was dumb enough to do that?" I asked my eyebrows furrowing slightly at Uraraka sheepish smile. If I dropped her all she had to do was make herself float before hitting the ground.
"There are 2 ways this can end Uraraka," I started putting up one finger. She gulped. "You release me and we both fall to our inevitable doom because I'm not letting go of you or you say the two magic words…and then someone might get us down. " I paused and waited for her to make her choice. She pursed her lips as she looked down then back at me. I waited patiently for her decision. "Or we can y'know...suffocate in space." If my previous statement wasn't enough to break her this one did.
Her cheeks puffed up and her face became red my lips curling up into a big smile as I watch the girl struggle internally. Uraraka had been put into a corner. "I surrender!" The girl yelled Loud and bold for everyone to hear. I smiled when President mic started to cry into the microphone.
"Noooo! Why?" President Mic exclaimed.
"Akio just was the smarter one in this matchup," Aizawa stated cooly. "He used her quirk against her and put her into checkmate."
I looked down and saw Cementoss create a ramp. Uraraka then made me weighty again as we descended down towards the ramp. We slid down and came to a stop on the arena floor.
I stood and dusted myself off and turned back to Uraraka to see her still sitting rubbing her arm. I offered a hand and she looked up at me with a genuine smile.
"Thanks," She said taking my hand with an appreciative smile and I pulled her up.
"That was quite unexpected Uraraka I never knew you for someone who was strategic," I said praising her keen intellect. She nodded and gave me a sheepish smile.
"Well, I tried my best." She chuckled halfheartedly not feeling particularly happy after her lost. I nodded and patted her shoulder. "Well, you had me worried there for a second," I said as we both walked off the stage together.
"Worried about what?" Uraraka raised an eyebrow at me in curiosity.
"That you were going to chance it and let us drop making us break all the bones in our body." As I finish. Uraraka laughs and waved her hands frantically about in front of her face. She even blows a raspberry as if I sounded crazy.
"W-what really? You thought I was going to that?" She asks looking at me as if I was being ridiculous. The nervous chuckle didn't make me feel any better as she even struggled to meet my gaze. I stopped walking but she continued.
"Wait! Were you actually considering doing that!" I exclaimed running a hand through my blonde hair.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Uraraka feined ignorance as the pace of her steps quickened. Realizing she was trying to make an escape I ran after her.
"Uraraka don't you r-get back here!"