Chapter 25: Victory or Defeat
"ALRIGHT FOLKS THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER, IT'S TIME FOR THE FINALS TO NOW BEGIN!" Yelled Present Mic.
"STARTING WITH OUR FIRST FIGHTERS, IZUKU MIDORIYA OF CLASS 1-A VERSUS HITOSHI SHINSO FROM CLASS 1-B!" Yelled Present Mic.
As the two students approached the ring, Present Mic began to explain the rules.
"THE RULES ARE SIMPLE, IMMOBILIZE YOUR OPPONENT OR FORCE THEM OUT OF THE RING!" Yelled Present Mic.
"AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY, WE GOT A RECOVERY GIRL ON STANDBY!" Yelled Present Mic.
Once Present Mic finished the rules, Cementoss formed a concrete seat with ease as the liquified cement hardened at his will.
"Midnight and I will too be on standby, to ensure that the match doesn't get out of hand." Said Cementoss.
Midoriya sighed in relief, glad to hear that they'll at least be able to make sure no one goes too far as to hurt someone badly.
"So, that means we can not only immobilize but also force our opponent to give up right?" Asked Shinso, catching Midoriya's attention.
"This isn't just a test of physical skill, but also our spirit, if you wanna complete your goal then you can't let what others think bring you down." Said Shinso.
"READY?" Asked Present Mic.
"I don't even know what you see in those guys in your class, the red hair girl is smart, i'll give her credit for that but I just see nothing but idiots for Monkey Boy and Baldy." Said Shinso.
Midoriya began to get frustrated, not just upset over what Shinso was saying but how he had the nerve to call out his classmates.
That would be when he makes the mistake that would soon almost cost him the match.
"BEGIN!" Yelled Present Mic.
"Don't you dare talk about them that way-" Yelled Midoriya, trying to when suddenly it was like he hit an invisible wall.
Everything went blank in his mind as Shinso smiled, Midoriya's body wasn't his own anymore when he stopped running.
"That's it, I win." Said Shinso.
"Dammit, I told him not to say anything!" Yelled Ojiro as he groaned in frustration, growing worried as did Yoarashi.
Crap crap crap that guy did it again, like those guys from the other teams. Thought Yoarashi.
With no one else down there Midoriya's finished! Yelled Yoarashi.
"Wait, was this what happened to all those guys during the Cavalry battle?" Asked Sato with Ojiro and Yoarashi, both nodding.
"Hey hey what's going on, why did he stop?" Asked Michiru, trying to get a closer view with her hawk eyes, even leaning a bit over the railing with hopes of seeing Midoriya's face while her other classmates gasped.
Shirou and All Might may have not been in the same room or even close to one another, but they too were shocked and both worried about Midoriya.
"Can you see anything Kagemori?" Asked Ashido.
"His face looks completely blank, it's like he's in a trance!" Yelled Michiru.
Michiru didn't understand what had happened at that moment, she didn't even know what happened with during the Calvary Battle.
"Oh no Deku!" Yelled Uraraka as she gasped, as did Will and Ida, worried over what's going on after Michiru said.
"WHATS GOING HERE?" Asked Present Mic.
"NOT EVEN A THIRTY SECONDS IN AND MIDORIYA HAS ALREADY STOPPED IN HIS TRACKS!" Yelled Present Mic.
"WILL SHINSO ACTUALLY WIN THIS?" Asked Present Mic.
Aizwa gave off a lecture about how Shinso's quirk worked and how he got a different exam in order to pass the Entrance Exams.
"You were lucky to be so blessed with a Quirk like yours, Izuku Midoriya." Said Shinso.
"Now turn around and walk out of the rounds." Said Shinso.
Midroiya did as he was told and started to walk away.
"WAIT WHAT, MIDORIYA IS OBEYING HIM!" Yelled Present Mic.
"Oh no, Deku, what are you doing?!" Yelled Uraraka.
"He can't walk out of the ring, he'll loose the match if he does!" Yelled Ida as he was freaking out.
"I don't think he's doing it cause he wants to." Said Will.
Everyone looked at Will.
"What do you mean?" Asked Michiru in confusion at what he meant.
"How do you think we got our opponents headbands during the Calvary Battle, Shinso must have some sort of mind control Quirk." Said Will.
"That does make sense." Said Yaoyorozu.
"Well Will, you said you had a similar power right, can't you use it on Midoriya?" Asked Michriu, not wanting her friend to loose the first round.
"If i did that and get caught, then they would accuse me and Midoriya of cheating and they would probably disqualify both me and Midoriya from the games, as much as it pains me, we're gonna have to let this match play out." Said Will.
Michiru scoffed but knew she was right.
"Ah, what are you doing kid, get back in there and show 'em what your made off!" Yelled All Might..
Midoriya was conflicting in his own mind.
What's happening? Asked Midoriya.
My body's moving on it's own, i feel like, my brain's full of fog. Thought Midoriya.
I can't concentrate. Thought Midoriya as he neared the edge.
No, not like this, gotta stop! Yelled Midoriya as he tried to gain control of his body.
Damn it, i feel for it even after Ojiro and Yoarashi warned me about his Quirk. Thought Midoriya.
I'm an idiot, this is all my fault! Yelled Midroiya as remembered his conversation of Yoarashi and Ojiro's warning.
Flashback
Midoriya have a gulp when he heard what they said.
"So his quirk allows him to control People?" Asked Midoriya.
"Can i beat someone like that?" Asked Midroiya.
"Yes, by not giving him a chance to use it." Said Ojiro.
"Yeah, the only reason he got control of our opponents heads was because they talked to him, i think that's how he does it!" Yelled Yoarashi.
"So i have to be careful not to say anything or i'll loose for sure." Said Midoriya as he gave off a frightened face.
"Not exactly, even if he gets you, there's still a chance." Said Ojiro.
"We noticed then when someone was bumped into someone during the battle, they became free and themselves again, i think that maybe how you can break it." Said Ojiro.
"But that's really just a guess rather then an answer, especially since in the next round is gonna be one on one battle from here on out." Said Yoarashi.
Ojiro stood up from his seat.
"Anyway man, hope that's helpful cause that's all the information me and Yoarashi have on this guy." Said Ojiro.
"Thank you so much, your a good guy Ojiro, you and Yoarashi." Said Midoriya as he stood up while shaking his fists.
"Midoriya, i know this sounds selfish but win this battle for both me and Ojiro." Said Yoarashi.
"I'll do my best." Said Midroiya as the three of them exchanged a fist bump.
Present
I can't stop it, i'm going to loose, it's all over. Thought Midoriya.
Even though so many people are counting on me, everyone is watching. Thought Midoriya as he was nearing the edge.
Everyone! Yelled Midoriya.
Then in a flash he look at the door that lead to the hallway he was looking at and saw 8 figures in a blurry images.
He suddenly felt One for All being turning on by itself.
What is going on? Asked Midoriya.
His two fingers glowed.
Wait. Thought Midoriya.
Just when his foot was about to cross the line, an explosion came from it.
Everyone looked away as a dust cloud was coming towards them.
When they looked back at Midoriya, they were shocked.
Midoriya was panting but no longer under Shinso's control.
"WHAT'S THIS?" Asked Present Mic.
"MIDORIYA STOPPED JUST IN TIME!" Yelled Present Mic.
Everyone in the crowed cheered.
"That's the way to do it!" Yelled Ida.
"Whoa, i was about to freak out." Said Uraraka as she begins to calm down.
Michiru noticed something.
Wait, his fingers are broken, did he somehow use One for All, without even noticing? Asked Michiru.
Both Ojiro and Yoarashi sighed with relife.
"That just about killed me." Said Ojiro.
"Though cutting a bit close, don't you think?" Asked Yoarashi.
"No, impossible." Said Shinso in shock, no one's ever broken out of his trance before.
"Your not supposed to fight back, what did you do?!" Yelled Shinso in demand.
Midoriya was about to reply when he remembered what happened and covered his mouth to prevent from talking.
I'm the one who uses One for All but i didn't move my fingers back there, so who did? Asked Midoriya.
He remembered the people he saw.
People i didn't know came into my mind and for a second it was clear, could it be? Asked Midoriya as he remembered that All Might said that One for All is passed down through others.
Those people, could those have been the previous users? Asked Midoriya in shock.
Did they save me, is that even possible? Asked Midoriya as he looked down at his broken fingers.
"How'd you do that?!" Demanded Shinso, becoming impatient.
Later, i don't have time to figure things out right now. Thought Midoriya as he shook his head, remembering there's still a fight going on.
Midoriya glared back Shinso.
He's not answering, did he find out? Asked Shinso.
No, he knew, that Monkey and Baldy must have told him about it. Thought Shinso.
I have to get him to talk again, but how? Asked Shinso as he gritted his teeth.
Midoriya ran to him while Shinso began talking things to him to get Midoriya to talk but nothing would work.
Midoriya grabbed Shinso by the shoulder and chest and began pushing him.
"Say something, damn it!" Yelled Shinso as he landed a punch on Midoriya.
I can't loose this! Yelled Midoriya as blood came out of his nose.
Shinso gasped as Midoriya pushed harder.
Shinso looked back.
"He's pushing me out!" Yelled Shinso.
Shinso landed a punch on Midoriya's broken fingers, hurting Midoriya further.
Midoriya let go because of the pain and Shinso grabbed him by the face and started pushing him out of the ring.
Midoriya however grabbed Shinso by the arm and threw him over his shoulder.
Everyone was shocked by what just happened.
Midnight raised her arm.
"SHINSO IS OUT OF BONDS, MIDORIYA ADVANCES TO THE NEXT MATCH!" Yelled Midnight as Shinso's feet were sticking out of the line that was required to win the match.
Everyone was cheering as Midoriya was panting, out of breath.
Uraraka let out a breath.
"Boy, that was really nerve wrecking!" Yelled Uraraka.
"Your telling me!" Yelled Will with Michiru nodding in agreement.
"A Classic Midoriya move." Said Ida as he was impressed.
"He pulled that shoulder throw at you once before, eh?" Asked Kaminari as he teased.
"Shut your damn face, sparky." Replied Bakugo.
That jerkwad, he's defiantly aiming for the top, and that purple hair guy fell for his trap. Thought Bakugo.
Shinso walked out of the ring, while throwing a congratulations at Midoriya, as not to be a sore looser.
The crowd continued to cheer as Midoriya eventually left the arena, leaving his classmates to talk among themselves until the next match.
"Can you guys believe that?" Asked Sero.
"Yeah, that was crazy!" Yelled Kaminari, worked up about the suspenseful match.
"We'll when you put it that way just imagine how the next few matches will turn out." Said Asui with a blank look.
Uraraka in the background becoming nervous about what she had said.
"Yeah, i wonder." Said Uraraka as she was worried about her matchup with Bakugo, he was one of the best hero course students, scoring first place in the physical entrance exam.
Since his quirk was extremely powerful too she needed a good strategy to get close, but there were so many things going through her head she couldn't think straight.
"Come now don't become worried, you'll do well on your match I'm sure of it Uraraka!" Yelled Ida.
"Yeah, Bakugo may be a formidable classmate but if Midoriya could beat him then so can you!" Yelled Will, trying to lift her spirits as he reminded her of his encounter with Midoriya back in training.
"I heard that red hair." Said Bakugo calmly as it startled Ida and some of the other classmates.
"You were supposed to." Said Will without even looking back.
Bakugo wasn't in a way surprised Midoriya had won, but in another way he was.
He managed to break free using his quirk by breaking his fingers, while also using the same throw from combat training.
Midoriya was using everything he learned up to now to increase his odds of winning, it was practically annoying Bakugo.
It pissed him off even more how he's gotten this far.
Kirishima noticed something.
"Hey yo where did Kagemori go?" Asked Kirishima.
"I thought I just saw her." Said Kirishima disappointingly, hoping to chat when Ashido answered.
"Oh yeah, she said she went to go look for Tokoyami, hadn't seen him since the race." Replied Ashido.
Yoarashi looked over, rather curious about what was happening when Ashido finished.
"Huh really?" Asked Yoarashi in confusion as he looked around.
"That's weird, has anyone actually seen Tokoyami?" Asked Yoarashi, some people answering no or nodding the same answer.
"No, Tokoyami's been pretty quiet since the Sports Festival, plus he's been distant." Said Shoji as he was a bit concerned for his friends well-being.
"We'll, more so than usual." Said Jiro, knowing well how the only couple of people he was friends with besides him was Shoji and Michiru.
Pretty much everyone else in the class he's not very talkative with. Everyone knew it was probably ok, while they prepared to watch Todoroki and Sero's match soon.
Midoriya was at Recovery Girl's officer with All Might, Will and Recovery Girl healed him and bandage him up.
"That match with Shinso, i couldn't smile through like you could." Said Midoriya.
All Might groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"But still Midoriya, you can't win if you keep breaking your bones every time you use One for All." Said Will.
"I know, i just want to win, you know aim for the prize, like you said." Said Midoriya, looking at All Might.
"Midoriya." Said Will sadly, she knew Midoriya wanted to win but that won't happen if he keeps pulling stunts like this.
"Oh you poor deary." Said Recovery Girl as she leaned again her chair.
Will however glared at All Might.
"Were you putting too much pressure on him again?" Asked Will as she kicked All Might at his side, making him groan in pain.
Midoriya looked shocked at what she did while Recovery Girl could barley contain her laughter.
"It was necessary and that hurt!" Yelled All Might, rubbing the side Will hit.
"Oh yeah, All Might, i saw some kind of vision in the match." Said Midoriya, making All Might forget his pain and looked at Midoriya in shock.
"What kind of vision?" Asked Shirou.
"There were people, maybe eight or nine of them, i'm not really sure." Replied Midoriya as he began to explain.
"When i was under Shinso's control, it felt like my brain was full of fog or something, but when the vision appeared it completely drove the fog away, that's when i was finally able to move, just my fingertips." Said Midroya.
"One of the figures had eyes just like yours, All Might." Said Midoriya.
"Do you think that all the people who used One for All in the past were pushing me on?" Asked Midoriya.
"They had to be, who else had connection to One for All." Replied Will.
"So they were like spirits?" Asked Michiru.
"Spooky, you mean i'm a ghost?" Asked All Might, freaked out by that.
"Huh, i thought you would have the answers!" Yelled Midoriya.
Some teacher he is. Thought Will.
"Well actually, now that you mention it, i saw something like that once, in my younger days." Said All Might.
Midoriya gasped at this.
"It's a clear sign that your making One for All your own." Said All Might.
"What's it like?" Asked Midoriya.
"I think it's like a trace, that users left behind in One for All when it's passed on to others, don't worry, it won't interfere with your progress in the future." Replied All Might.
"I'm sure of it, that vision isn't what got rid of that brainwashing, regardless of what you saw, it was your passion that allowed you to overcome Shinso's power." Said All Might.
"Even if it was long enough for you to wiggle your fingertips and expel some energy. " Said All Might.
"I'm… not sure if that's the case…" Said Midoriya as he felt his heart practically beating from his chest, he didn't know where to start or what to say.
He remembered nine figures, all previous users of One For All, but something else as well, a person with red hair that took the form of what looked like a fairy and then into a beast of sort.
"I saw something else, it looked like a fairy I think." Said Midoriya which got everyone's attention again.
"But it was surrounded by small floating single flames." Said Midoriya.
"All of which were different colors, I don't know and then it turned into some kind of Beastman, but I think this has something to do with the Will or Michiru, maybe?" Asked Midoriya in confusion.
All Might showed no expression, holding his chin processing this information while Recovery Girl watched.
"With me?" Asked Will.
"But i have no connection to One for All, neither does Michiru, hell we'd never even heard of it until All Might told us, how could we be connected?" Asked Will in great confusion.
"I don't know, but right now we should focus on who your next opponent is." Said All Might.
"Right, thanks you both very much!" Yelled Midoriya as he left the office with Will behind him.
Soon it was just All Might and Recovery Girl were left inside.
"So he saw you in it." Said Recovery Girl.
"That's a good thing." Said All Might as he looked down.
"Tokoyami, hello?" Asked a voice.
"Wake up!" Yelled the voice again.
Tokoyami was startled from his rest on a tree, he woke up sweating as he took deep breaths to slow his heart rate.
He looked around trying to figure out who called to him, looking down to see Michiru a bit worried.
"Kagemori?" Asked Tokoyami in surprise.
"You startled me." Said Tokoyami as he climbed down the tree.
"Oh I'm sorry, I needed to make sure you weren't dead is all." Said Michiru as she joked.
Tokoyami rolled his eyes to the tree just before he got down.
"No one has seen you though, everything ok?" Asked Michiru with worry in her voice.
Tokoyami looked away hesitantly sighing.
"Yes I'm fine… I was just tired and needed rest." Said Tokoyami as he lied.
Michiru tilted her head, she knew he was quiet but with how he acted, she knew something was wrong.
"There is something i want to ask of you Kagemori." Said Tokoyami suddenly.
Michiru, although confused, nodded.
"If by some chance we do end up fighting, i want you to promise me you won't hold back." Said Tokoyami in his most serious voice.
"Ok, just wanted to make sure you were gonna come watch the matches, but sure i won't hold back in our match." Said Michiru as she backed away with her hands held high, signalling she wasn't here to fight
Tokoyami smiled and nodded, which made Michiru blush.
"Todoroki is about to fight Sero so we should get going." Said Michiru.
"Wouldn't be surprised if Todoroki won, his quirk makes him much stronger than most, but Bakugo may as well win the festival." Said Tokoyami with a blank voice.
"Well don't count Will out, with all those powers, i wouldn't be surprised if she ended up winning it all." Said Michiru with a defeated tone, remembering what happened in their last fight.
She clenched her fist.
I'm not gonna let her upstage me anymore, i will beat her the next time we fight, no matter what round we're in. Thought Michiru.
"Are you alright?" Asked Tokoyami with concern in his voice.
Before she could answer, she suddenly felt the ground shake, coming to as she looked back at the stadium realizing how much time went by as she had spent time trying to find Tokoyami.
She didn't realize Todoroki's match had started, seeing an overwhelmingly large mountain of ice that reached just to the top of the stadium.
Neither one of them could believe what they saw, gasping in shock.
"Don't tell me Todoroki's doing that?!" Asked Michiru in shock.
Todoroki was on his way to his next match.
Of course Midoriya won. Thought Todoroki.
He turned a corner and noticed something.
"What do you want?" Asked Todoroki in anger.
It was his father, Endeavor, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Your acting disgracefully, Shoto." Said Endeavor.
Todoroki ignored him and continued walking.
"If you simply used the power in your left side, you wouldn't have lost in those two matches, worst of all, loosing to the the daughter of the Silver Wolf." Said Endeavor as their argument was still fresh in his memory.
"It's time you stop this childish rebellion of yours at once." Said Endeavor.
"You have a duty to surpass the imbecile All Might and that bastard the Silver Wolf." Said Endeavor.
"Are you even listing to me?" Asked Endeavor in anger as his son continued to ignore him and walked away.
"Your different from your siblings, your my greatest masterpiece." Said Endeavor.
"Is that all you have to say to me you bastard?" Asked Todoroki in anger without even looking back.
"I'll win this match and advance, using only mom's Quirk, i won't give you the pleasure of seeing me use yours." Said Todoroki with rage in his voice.
Endeavor merely looked away.
"Even if that works for you in this tournament, you'll soon find the limits of that power." Said Endeavor.
Todoroki said nothing back and continued on walking, his eye filled wit rage and hatred like nothing before.
Will and Midoriya went back to where the students are seated.
"Oh, there you are you two!" Yelled Uraraka.
They looked down to see Uraraka, Ida and Tokoyami sitting in their seats right at the bottom.
Uraraka was waving a them.
"C'mon down, we saved a seat for you two." Said Ida, pointing to the seats next to them.
"Huh, thanks guys." Said Midoriya as he smiled with gratitude.
He noticed Ojiro and Yoarashi pumping a fist to him.
Midoriya gave a nod in reply.
All three of them sat down as the match was beginning to start.
Michiru really wanted to talk to Tokoyami, but for some unknown reasons, he was ignoring her, she decided to ask him when the match was done.
"WELL THEN, LET'S MOVE ON THE SECOND MATCH FOR THE FIRST ROUND!" Yelled Present Mic and then on his left side came Todoroki walking towards the arena, his hair was actually covering his eyes
"FROM THE HERO COURSE IN CLASS 1-A, SHOTO TODOROKI!" Yelled Present Mic.
The crowd's excitement seemingly came back to them after hearing the name 'Todoroki', and immediately recognizing him as the son of the no. 2 Hero, Endeavor
"AND HIS OPPONENT, ALSO FROM THE HERO COURSE IN CLASS 1-A, HANTA SERO!" Yelled Present Mic.
Sero also proceed to the arena and face Todoroki, who had a hardened look on his eyes, then Midnight took her position and raise the flag
"Are both of you ready?!" Asked Midnight.
"Yes!" Yelled Sero in excitment.
"Yeah." Said Todoroki in a blank tone.
"Well then, BEGIN!" Yelled Midnight.
And the fight has begun and Sero was the first one to make a move, flexing both his arms upward
"Well, It seems that I don't stand a chance against someone like you, but." Said Sero.
Then in a swift motion, Sero immobilized Todoroki by launching a tape from his left elbow and wrapping it around the boy's body and then he launch another set of tape, this time from his right elbow and then he use it to drag Todoroki outside the ring, this action earned collective gasps from the audience and from the other students
"What the-!" Yelled Midoriya.
"Sero intended to put Todoroki outside the ring using his tape." Said Will.
"GO FOR IT SERO!" Yelled Will.
Back at the fight, it appears that Sero was the one who's going to win the second match as Todoroki was being dragged each second have passed, however, Todoroki has other plans
"Sorry about this!" Yelled Todoroki.
Then to everyone's surprise, Todoroki effortlessly stop the momentum that was pulling him outside the ring by firmly planting both his feet on the arena and then from his right feet, he launch a carpet of chilling Ice towards Sero, who didn't react on time to dodge
All Might and Recovery Girl felt the impact of Todoroki's power.
"What the hell is going on up there!?" Asked All Might.
Shirou on the other hand stared blankly at the arena, jaw dropped at the sight of the ice that practically touched the audience all the way up to the roof of the stadium.
No one in the stadium said anything, not even the staff had any words.
Death Arms and Kamui Woods were outside the stadium, patrolling the perimeter when suddenly, a giant tremor occurred causing the two Pro Heroes to struggle to maintain their balance, after that tremor, they immediately notice a multiple giant ice spikes that was sticking outside the stadium
"W-What the heck is this?!" Yelled Kamui Woods.
"Holy crap!" Yelled Death Arms.
Inside the stadium, everyone became silent just like before, half of the arena was completely covered with ice and Sero was completely trapped inside of it save for his head, he's currently shivering from the cold, Todoroki let out an icy breath while glaring at Sero, he then shattered the frozen tape that was still wrapped on his upper body
"D-D-D-Don't you think, T-T-T-This is way too much?" Asked Sero.
"S-Sero, can you move?" Asked Midnight shakily, it seems that she wasn't spared from Todoroki's attack as some part of her body was covered with ice
"O-O-Of course not, It's hurts." Replied Sero.
"Sero was immobilized, Todoroki advances to the second round!" Yelled Midnight.
And just like before, silence covered the whole stadium, everyone didn't dare to say anything regarding the outcome of the battle.
They eventually said nice try to Sero as to cheer him up.
"Sorry about that, i was just angry." Said Todoroki as he approach Sero and then melt the ice that was covering him using the heat on his left side, then after he freed Sero, he went back to the exit, just after he give his father a look and then he left
"What a rebellious brat." Muttered Endeavor as he crossed his arms
Midoriya look at the arena, which was being checked by Cementoss for any damage that needs to be repaired immediately before continuing on the third match, then he shift his gaze on the exit where Todoroki walked, he can't help but to wonder about something
He really intended to win this without using his left side huh, in that case, if we get matched up in the next round, then I'll force him to use his left side. Thought Midoriya as he watch the upcoming match of the other participants.
A/N: Hope you like what i did to the battle, i know it's kind of different but still.