I am here with a new chapter. The last chapter before you have to wait for six more to be done and the start of the Sports Festival Arc. Sorry it's a little late, I had a little family trip and just got back. No real review reply but Ruby does have something to say.
Ruby: To the one person known as 'Guest' who keeps asking me and Izuku questioned... were not answering any we have to focus on the story at hand!
Izuku: Hey it doesn't take that long too...
Ruby: NO MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS! Also thank you for reading our story.
With that out of the way let's get on to the chapter.
Sports Festival Arc
Chapter 30: Rivals and Enemies, New and Old
Classes were cancelled the day after the attack. Izuku, Ruby, and co. used the time to relax at Izuku's apartment during the afternoon and into the evening. While this was going on, at UA, a few of the faculty and staff were gathered in the conference room with Naomasa.
"Thank you all for being here today. I'd like to go over what we've managed to uncover about this group called 'The League of Villains' so far." He began. "First things first, we've gone through the quirk registry in search of 20-30 year old men with a disintegration quirk or warp gate like quirk. Unfortunately the results came up negative for anyone named Shigiraki or Kurogiri. It's likely that these are mere aliases. One thing that is for sure, is that were dealing with people brought up in the underworld."
"Which means we've got next to nothing on this League of Villains." Qrow noted.
"Well we outta learn fast before the leader of them varmints recovers from his bullet wounds." Snipe added.
"Yeah… leader… hm…" All Might mused.
"What is it All Might?" Nezu questioned.
"Well… something's about this attack doesn't sit quite right with me. This was well planned yet daring attack, one that certainly needed some underworld bigwig to organize." All Might began. "But this Shigaraki character went on about some ridiculous ideology he didn't even believe in. He was also so quick to brag about that Nomu guy's abilities that Young Midoriya was able to get him to reveal his quirks before I even showed up. And to top it all off, the minute things didn't go his way he started throwing a tantrum."
"So the big boss of the whole thing is one big man-child." Qrow pointed out.
"Correct, he's someone who couldn't quite keep his childish nature hidden. He does whatever he wants and thinks it'll just go his way." All Might explained further.
"So a kid who got way too much power." The hero Vlad King noted.
"It's possible he didn't receive proper quirk counseling in elementary school." Midnight added.
"Regardless that brings us to the real question. Why would anyone follow such a man into an attack like this?" Vlad King brought up.
"I was gonna bring that up too. In total, we apprehended 71 villains. All of them back-alley thugs. They have no real reason to follow this 'man-child'." Naomasa added. "Though in today's society which is saturated with heroes, small time villains like them who normally get kicked around could have been drawn to that kind of simple-minded evil."
"It's possible." Qrow admitted.
"Lots of people out there that ain't got a clue what to do with their quirks." Snipe pointed out.
"Still it's alarming how many were willing to join in on this attack." Midnight added.
"That brings me back to other topics involving these small time villains." Naomasa continued. "First there's the villain who was betrayed and killed by one of their own that Bakugo and Kirishima mentioned. Then there's the missing transport. The police officers who were in it have been found dead, all with stab wounds. However the villains who were being transported have yet to be found. Based on the autopsies we've performed, we've found that there's a high likelihood that these two incidents were caused by the same person."
"Hmmm… it seems like someone was expecting this attack to fail. And they used that failure to gain some subordinates." All Might noted.
"But why would they attack and kill one to stop him from attacking some of our students?" Qrow questioned.
"Hmm… this is purely conjecture, but it's possible she wanted to try and insure that this Shigaraki and Kurogiri were captured." All Might brought up. "Young Bakugo and Young Kirishima had both come to fight against the villains. If they had had more training prior to this, it's likely that Shigaraki and Kurogiri would have also been captured."
"That'd make sense. If she's looking to amass power in the underworld, taking out a potential rival would be wise." Midnight added.
"This is all very disconcerting." Nezu expressed. "Three villainous factions we know next to nothing about. First there's the group lead by Kai Chisaki and Cinder Falls. Thanks to the testimony of Eri we know that they were developing some sort of method of erasing quirks through her blood. Now we have this 'League of Villains' lead by Shigaraki. He may be childish now, but in a lot of ways he's like our students. He has the potential to grow into something truly frightening. And if your right All Might about someone backing him, then he certainly has the mentor to foster that evil. Lastly we have this new unknown individual. They're motives are unclear, but what is clear is that they are quite cunning."
"Indeed… thankfully the efforts of you heroes is allowing us to focus on our investigation into all of this." Naomasa expressed. "We're expanding our search and devoting more resources to this. One way or another, we will bring these villains to justice."
The next day…
Izuku and Ruby entered the classroom. A few people were already there and were chatting about the attack the other day. Soon more a more people filed into the classroom until all the students had arrived. Not long after the door opened and in stepped Qrow.
"Mornin'" He greeted.
"Uncle Qrow? Your our substitute." Ruby questioned.
"Yep, someone has to look after you kids. And since I'm not too busy with my normal classes it fell to me." Qrow explained.
"Makes sense with how badly Mr. Aizawa was injured. He's probably still in the hospital." Itsuka pointed out.
"Oh no he's here. He was gonna come in but I had Midnight put him to sleep. He's resting the nurse's office now. The dude looks like a mummy with all the bandages he's wrapped up in." He explained.
What kind of insane person tries to teach in that condition! Itsuka thought to herself.
"Out of curiosity Mr. ahhh… Qrow… sir, what exactly do you teach here we've yet to have a class with you?" Mashiro asked with raised hand.
"First off, just Qrow none of this sir or Mister crap. Second, UA has what's known as the hero transfer course. Students, often in the general ed courses, who show promise are brought to me and I train them up to make a shot for the hero course." Qrow explained. "Right now I don't have any since the sports festival is where we're really are able to spot out potential students and all the other students I had, have transferred out. Speaking of which the main announcement I have is that said sports festival is coming up soon."
"Wait we're still having it? Even after the villain attack?!" Minoru shrieked.
"Of course, rule number one of dealing with villains is don't show fear or weakness. That means that they have some power over you." Qrow stated. "Besides, this is the biggest opportunity you kids are gonna have. The UA Sports festival is one of the biggest events in Japan. Hero agencies across the country will be watching to see what the top talent of UA have to bring to the table. This is one of only three opportunities you have to make a name for yourself. You can't miss this opportunity for anything."
"Yeah, if we do well, we can get noticed by top agencies." Eijiro expressed.
"It'll make getting hired on as sidekicks super easy." Kaminari added.
"Yeah but knowing you, you'll be stuck with that gig your whole life." Kyoka returned.
"Did you really have to say that?" Kaminari replied.
"No, but I did it anyways." Kyoka stated.
"There's one more thing that sports festival will do." Qrow continued getting all the students attention. "Prepare you for the International Competition of Heroic Students should you get in."
"The international tournament held every four years." Izuku noted.
"The tournament that has taken the place of the Olympics in terms of scale." Momo added.
"Correct… You'll be third years by the time it roles around." Qrow stated. "You along with every third year student in the country will be competing for one of the eight spots to represent Japan. If you get in, then you'll be competing with eight of the top hero students from every country participating. Train up hard."
Murmurs of excitement rang throughout the classroom, however, Ruby was silent. She was lost in her thoughts. I see Uncle Qrow. Your telling me along with Jaune, Ren and Nora to train hard to get in. This tournament is our best bet for someone from Remnant to recognize us. Who knows, maybe we'll see some of our friends there.
Lunch time…
With the end of Cementoss' Modern Liturature class came the end of fourth period and the start of lunch. The students made their way towards the cafeteria in their various friend groups.
"Man I can't wait to show my stuff at the Sports Festival thing." Nora exclaimed.
"I know right this will be big if we want to make it as heroes." Itsuka added.
"Well we all know who's most ready for this though." Ruby noted.
They all turned to Ochako who had a fierce aura surrounding her. She wore an uncharacteristically serious and intense expression on her face.
"Let's do our best." She breathed out with fierce fiery terrifying passion.
"Y-yeah…" Izuku express nervously.
In between the end of the Entrance Exam and the start of the school year, everyone's reasons for being a hero came up. Because of this they already knew Ochako was gunning for a chance at the top to make more money so she could help out her parents.
"Young Midoriya!" All Might exclaimed as he dashed up to group, breaking Ochako out of her serious mode.
"Oh hey All Might. What is it?" He asked.
"Lunch, you want to eat with me?" All Might asked while holding out a lunch bag as if he were a school girl.
"So adorable." Ochako expressed.
Really All Might? Really? Both Ruby and Itsuka thought.
"Uh… yeah sure." Izuku replied.
I wonder what this is about. Izuku thought to himself as he followed All Might. The rest of the group made their way into the cafeteria.
"I wonder what All Might want to talk to Midoriya about?" Jaune questioned.
"I wonder if it has to do with Eri and her situation." Ren mused.
"Well Tsu did mention that he and All Might have similar quirks, it probably has to do with that." Ruby pointed out.
And he did train us before all of this but probably best not to mention that out loud. Ruby thought to herself. As the group continued to chat one Shoto Todorioki was listening in on their conversation.
In the break room…
"Your down to only an hour now?!" Izuku questioned.
"Afraid so, you telling me about that Nomu guys quirks' helped keep it from getting worse, thankfully." All Might expressed. "I'd have wasted unnecessary energy in that fight if you didn't. Even with that my time has shortened considerably and it's getting shorter every day."
"I'm sorry to hear about that." Izuku expressed.
"Hey don't worry about it my time was gonna be up eventually anyways." All Might replied. "But that's not what I brought you here to talk about. The Sports Festival is coming up, you'll need to prepare. Your still only able to safely draw out three percent right?"
"Yeah after that I'll start hurting myself." Izuku admitted.
"Then we'll need to work on getting it up and fast." All Might stated. "My time as The Symbol of Peace is quickly coming to an end. And while we can't rush, we still need you to get a better handle on [One for All]."
"Yeah…" Izuku sighed.
"Those with villainous intent are starting to notice my weakening. The attack the other day proved it." All Might added. "This makes the Sports Festival all the more important for you. The whole county will be watching and you, as the fledgling Symbol of Peace, will need to declare to the world one thing. That 'I am here'."
"Yeah… this is my opportunity to gain notoriety. But I don't know how I feel about this. I'm not really used to being in the limelight." Izuku admitted. "But… everyone is going to be giving it their all. Which means I have to as well, it'd be an insult not to."
All Might smiled. Looks like you don't need anymore motivation Young Midoriya. Do your best kid you've got a whole lot of competition to go through.
Later at the end of school day…
Ochako opened the door to leave the classroom, only to find seemingly every first year in the school waiting outside their classroom.
"What the heck's going on?" She questioned.
"Why are they all here?" Minoru questioned.
"Isn't it obvious, there scooping out the competition grape head." Katsuki stated. "We're the class that just survived a villain attack. We're the one's there going to be gunning for the most."
He stepped out of the classroom.
"Not that it matters, there just cannon fodder that needs to get out of the way after all." He stated.
"Did you really have to say that Katsuki we're supposed to make good impressions, not bad ones." Ruby scolded.
"So this is Class 1-A huh?" They heard someone question.
The crowd parted and out stepped a young man with tired looking eyes and wild purple hair.
"Gotta say prez, I don't get what you see in these guys." He expressed as he shifted his gaze some to who Izuku recognized.
"It's more the people who got in that I'm interested in, Hitoshi." Flash stated as he stepped through the crowd.
He moved passed the now named Hitoshi. He stopped right in front of Katsuki and stared down slightly at him.
"I look forward to another chance to fight you, Bakugo." He declared.
Katsuki smirked.
"I hope you've improved a lot. I'd hate to stomp you again Blue Hands. If you ever get the chance to fight me." He replied before walking off.
"Wait Bakugo! You can't just leave us! We've got a Mob haters because of you!" Eijiro shouted.
"Not my problem I'm aiming for the top, that's all I care about." Katsuki declared before pushing his way through the crowd.
Flash smiled as he watching walk away.
"Don't go thinking your the only one aiming for the top. I don't plan on losing this time." He finished before turning his gaze to Izuku. "And the same goes for you Midoriya. You caught me off guard in our first bout. But know I rarely let the same trick work on me more than once."
Izuku smiled back confidently.
"I won't make it easy Flash, none us will. We'll all be aiming for the top. So I hope your ready." Izuku declared.
"Same to you. Though I didn't come here just to make my personal declaration. As the president of Class 1-B, I'm here to say this. Don't think that surviving that attack means anything for this tournament. Us fellow hero students in 1-B are working hard to become heroes as well. We'll be gunning for the top too. In past years there has been something of a friendly rivalry between the two hero courses. In the spirit of that rivalry, I am here to make Class 1-B's declaration of war."
Ruby smirked before stepping out of the room. She looked up meeting his gaze with her own.
"Then as the president of Class 1-A, I, Ruby Rose, accept your declaration." Ruby stated holding out her hand.
Flash took hold of her hand and gave her a firm shake.
"Speaking of declarations, we're not the only ones from our class here see people." Hitoshi expressed.
"Yoooooooooou bet!" Shun loudly declared as she landed right next to Ruby with a slam.
"Ahhh!" Ruby screamed as she flinched away.
Shun was immediately in Ruby's face.
"Ruby! It's soooo good to see again. I super uber duper happy you got in to the hero course as well. Oh and that you survived that villain attack." She greeted energetically.
"Oh… hey Shun. N-nice to see you too." Ruby replied.
"Ohhh… you remember me!" She squealed happily.
She pulled Ruby into a tight hug.
"I'm getting Penny vibes from her." She breathed out quietly.
I miss Penny. Ruby thought to herself. Shun pulled back and took up a fighting pose
"I wish I was there at the USJ though I would have taught those baddies a lesson." Shun confidently declared.
She threw a few jabs before performing a high kick. Minoru quickly moved to try and sneak a peek. Only to find she was wearing shorts under her skirt, much to his disappointment. Suddenly a fist from above slammed him into the ground. With a groan he looked only to be met with Flash's piercing gaze as he pulled his hand out of a portal. It was a look that screamed death. Minoru's face turned a pale white. Ruby looked over her shoulder with a disappointed look.
"As the class president of Class 1-A I hereby give you permission to punish Minoru as you see fit." Ruby coldly stated.
"Whaaa?" Minoru expressed in tears.
The shadow of Flash loomed over him. He placed his hand down right by him. A portal opened up and expanded in size. Before the grape headed boy could do anything, the portal was big enough for him to fall through, which he did. He fell and was transported to a portal on the ceiling right above the other one. Because of this, he was constantly falling. As this happened Qrow walked out of the classroom.
"Hey your a teacher can't you tell him to stop!?" Minoru pleaded.
Qrow looked at the constantly falling boy.
"I could. But you did just look up that bunny girl's skirt. And I'm pretty sure I saw you try and look up my niece's skirt one time so no." Qrow stated before walking away.
"Why me?" Minoru cried.
Seeing all of this Shun couldn't help but blush as she placed her hands on her cheeks.
"Ooohhh… Flashy is such a gentleman." She cooed.
"Someone has a crush." Spinter noted as he popped up onto Ruby's shoulder.
"Hmm?" Shun expressed as she looked to Splinter.
She immediately sped towards the duo. She looked on with big eyes at Splinter.
"Ooohhh what super cute rat. And it talks!" She exclaimed.
"Geez… how much caffeine does this girl take?" Splinter questioned.
"Believe or not, none." A sultry voice spoke.
Walking through the crowd was a beautiful mature looking woman with long wild maroon hair. Her eyes were also maroon in color and alluring. She placed a hand over her chest.
"Vice-president of Class 1-B Mei Amai. It's a pleasure to meet you all." She greeted with a bow.
"Well if it isn't the now famous 1-A." They heard a male voice jeer.
Out of the crowd stepped a young man with short blond hair.
"Looks to me like…" He began only for Mei to chop in the back of his neck, knocking him out.
She sighed.
"I left you knocked out in the classroom for a reason." She stated.
"SORRY AMAI!" Someone shouted.
Running through the crowd was a young man with messy grey hair.
"He woke up and slipped away when I wasn't looking!" He shouted.
"It's fine just take him back to the classroom." Mei stated as she picked up the blond and tossed him towards the other boy.
The grey-haired boy caught him.
"Got it!" He replied before running back to his classroom.
"Now then," She began, turning towards 1-A. "I look forward to having the opportunity to face you all in combat at the Sports Festival. Please, do your try your hardest to best me."
(A drawing of Mei Amai is posted up on my Deviantart. Just search zmanxv cause I can't post the link.)
Ruby: Man I can't believe we have to wait to get to the sports festival. I can't wait.
Izuku: I know, I wonder what his take on my fight with Todoroki will be like.
Ruby: I don't think he knows.
Izuku: Confidential information Ruby! CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION!
Ruby: Ohhh it's fine. But I can't wait to see how I do. I got to make my mark so everyone from Remnant knows I am here.
Izuku: I got a do a similar thing, though so I can take my spot as the next Symbol of Peace.
Ruby: Anyways next time Chapter 31: Off to the Races.
Izuku: Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Til next time.
