Heyya Guys! Been a hot minute huh? Lol, well, lots has happened, this whole Virus going around and that.
I hope everyone is doing well, staying safe, and while I personally wasn't let off work as I work two essential businesses, I thought I could post a bunch of chapters and give you guys some reading material. Keep in mind it isnt really…proof read? I guess? There may be the odd typo, but Hey, it will be fun to look through with a critical eye…or at least more fun that absolute boredom XD.
Stay Safe guys! Please enjoy the following chapters.
XXX
"GATHER 'ROUND MASS MEDIA! This year, all your favorite high school kids will let their youth run free like a bucking bronco once again…THE UA SPORTS FESTIVAL HAS BEGUN! EVERYBODY! ARE. YOU. READY!?"
"Jeez, doesn't that guy just turn down his volume? What's wrong with using the speakers?" I mumbled, cleaning an ear with a pinky, stretching lazily.
"Everyone! Are you preparations complete!? We're set to enter in no time!" Tenya lectured loudly, and went vastly ignored.
"Damn, I really wanted to wear my costume."
"They're not allowed, unfair advantages and that."
I rolled my eyes, as if their spandex could give them any other benefit than scarring their opponents eyes.
"Midoriya" A dry voice called monotonously, and I turned in interest as Midoriya flinched…interesting, I didn't think Todoroki would actually call anyone out…wonder what brought this on.
They moved to the corner, not that it mattered, as they became the center of attention, Todoroki spoke first. "On an objective basis, I think I'm above you in terms of practical strength."
Midoriya was fidgeting, "Wha!? Ah, uh, yeah…"
"Even so, you've managed to get All Might's eyes on you, right?"
Midoriya flinched, right on the money it seems, Todoroki continued, "I feel no need to pry into that…but."
Todoroki squared off, "I'm going to beat you."
The class suddenly buzzed, "Oho?! What's this? A declaration of war from the strongest kid in the class!?" Retard said in amazement, incurring a snarl from Bakugo.
"What's with the belligerence all of a sudden! Don't spring this on him right before-" Harden came in on defense, but Midoriya's fists clenched. "I'm not here to play nice and make friends", Todoroki said bluntly, "but whatever."
Midoriya looked down, fiddling with his shirt, "I have no idea what you want from me…Telling me all that. You're definitely stronger than me. I think the vast majority of the people are probably no match for you…"
"C'mon Midoriya, don't be so negative-" Harden chimed in nervously, but was cut off from Midoria, actually squaring off himself. My eyes widened at the determination appearing in the boy's eyes, and my own fired up slightly at seeing his drive.
"Even so! Everyone, even kid's from other departments are aiming for the top with all their might!...so not even I…can just let myself lag behind the rest!"
He stood strong, "So I'm going to go for it, With all my might, too!"
The class had their moment to appreciate it, and I laughed, a small shock of surprise, "Well said! Don't pussy out now!" all this emotional stuff was making me a little free-lipped!
He flinched and moved back to his normal state, and I just laughed again, standing up from my seat against the wall, and walking over.
"I do believe its time, show 'em what your made of Nervous Wreck!" I said with a wide smile, and he shook a little in realization at the crowd no doubt outside the door. I pushed him along, "C'mon!"
"IT'S THE FRESHMEN STAGE! AUDIENCE MEMEBERS, THE STUDENDS ARE MAKING THEIR ENTRY NOW!"
I walked with a hand firmly on Midoriya's shoulder, steering him forward as his footsteps became stronger.
"You've got something to reach don't you?" I asked conversationally, and he nodded, not really understanding, and I shook him a little, "Then you best stand up straight, I'm gonna get a crook in my back if I have to lean over any more."
He stood up straight like a nimrod, and I just chuckled at his energy, and we stepped out.
"HERO CLASS 1-A MAKES IT TO THE STAGE! SHOW THESE KIDS YOU'RE HERE FOR THEM!" Mic roared out at everyone, and the cheer was met with thousands of voices…maybe even tens of thousands.
Midoriya looked ready to shit himself. "Who-oao….so many people."
I pulled him up straight, "c'mon, what's more important, the people or my back? Think fast."
He was straight once again, and I just smiled. I could have let go, but this was more entertaining.
"Now Now, Fair Play!" a Heroine called from a smaller stage platform, and her outfit was definitely her selling point for remembrance.
"Hey! Check it out! If it isnt the 18+ only Heroine Midnight! She's the chief referee for the freshman stage this year!"
I blinked and looked over at Nezu, who was undoubtedly in the booth with Mic way up top…was this a way of trying to appease me? He knew I needed a Pro Heroine to assist me in my growth…interesting. I had a specific hero in mind, but she might work too…provided she keeps her whip to herself. That will no doubt piss me off faster than her quirk can put me to sleep.
"Wait, did you say "18+ only"? Even though this is a high school! Is that really ok!?"
"SILENCE! MY TENURE HERE IS PERFECTLY ON THE LEVEL! NOW, FRESHMEN REP COME FORWARD!"
I glanced at Tenya, but blinked when he looked straight at me in surprise and horror…what?
"IKARI SENSHI OF CLASS 1-A! YOUR ATHLETE'S OATH!"
….huh?
I blinked in stupor pointing at myself, "Ha?"
"You did place first" Midoriya reminded me under my grip, and I fought the urge to throw him. I released him, and walked forward, my mind blanking on what exactly to say. I walked up onto the platform, and looked at the mic…what to say.
I stared out at everyone, looking at my class as well as the other classes, and even up at the stands.
"My Oath huh…" I said dully into the mic…
I leaned over to midnight, "What's that?"
"A promise of excellence." She said immediately, and I frowned, no point in stating something stupidly obnoxious…hmm.
"I pledge to try and not break the stage, no promises though."
Laughter, I was expecting that, though I could have sworn I caught a grateful look from a Pro Hero on the sidelines…CementFish or whatever. He probably would have been tasked with remaking it. The stadium howled at what they thought was a joke, and I just hopped off, walking past my bewildered peers, my class mates and competitors. I went back to Midoriya's side, and just kinda stood there.
I looked at Midoriya quizzically, "That was all I had to do right?"
"U-u-uh yeah, I think so!" he squeaked at the sudden collection of eyes that drew near him by proxy, and I just sighed. This kid seriously needed a pair of balls, how long is it going to take? The dude can knock over a god-damned sky scraper.
"Now! Without any delay, let's get the first even started!" Midnight announced, and the crowd cheered so loud I almost missed Ururaka's little comment.
"Everything at U.A.'s always without delay." She mumbled, and I chocked on a giggle…she looked so utterly stoic at that statement it just looked hilarious!
A large slot wheel appeared above her head, and she cracked her whip at it as it started spinning rapidly. Was it really at random? That seems like a massive flex or a publicity stunt.
Probably the later.
"These are the qualifiers! It's in this stage that so many are sent home crying every year! And the fateful First Event is….THE OBSTACLE COURSE RACE!" The machine stopped, exploding with light as the name "Obstacle Race" lit up with a neon glow.
What.
"It's a race between all the classes, Every Member! The course is a Four Kilometer lap around the stadium itself! Our school preaches freedom in all things! So as long as you don't go of course, anything is fair game! Racers! TO YOUR POSITIONS!"
A massive wall folded out into a pair of doors, and people rushed to get front line spots. I hung near the back, letting my class jockey for an early spot. I stood alone near the back, watching them all with an impassive stare.
"What's This! The Freshman Rep is giving them a head start!" Midnight announced over the mic, and the crowd boo'd. I looked up in confusion at the statement, and every big screen in the stadium had my "are you an idiot?" expression plastered on it in high definition.
"Ha?" I said slowly, before snorting, "yeah, a head start, you could call it that." I said, before a large grin split my features, and I kicked the ground with my toes, stabbing into the turf and falling into a sprinters stance. People who were watching me suddenly no longer wanted to be in my line of fire.
Not that it mattered.
"Uh Oh! Look Out freshman! I get the feeling the start of this race is going to be messy! TIMER STARTS NOW!"
The lights started to flicker, and the line was scrambling to remain close to the front without being in my way.
The truth is, I was this far back for a run-up. I needed one for my soon to be +1…I still owed her.
"GO!"
Everyone dog piled forward, and I just jumped into the fray, lowering my shoulder and throwing people over my shoulder as I barreled through. I could have jumped over, but I needed her first.
Ice shot across the ground, and I could hear the announcer scream in delight, "OOO! TODOROKI TAKE THE LEAD WITH AN EARLY SPRINT!"
Soon enough, my peers who could leapt forward, catching up, and I grinned.
There she is!
"Yowch! I'm all frozen!"
"So cold!"
"That bastard!"
Sorry fellas, got a favor to repay.
I jumped up, cracking the ice slightly at my take off, and I snagged Yaoyorozu-sama right out of the air, startling her as I hooked an arm around her waist, and swung her onto my back in one smooth swap. I landed again just in time to see Todoroki freeze over the…oh hey, those are the Zero-pointers from the exam. Nice…old news though.
"1-A's TODOROKI! BUSTING THROUGH AND SABOTAGING THE OTHERS IN ONE MOVE! THIS GUY'S COLD!"
"What are you doing?!" Yaoyorozu-sama shrieked in surprise and embarrassment, and I just laughed as she held on for dear life, the dust and ice falling around us like a mini-Armageddon.
"Repaying a favor Yaoyorozu-sama, it's the least I can do!" I said with a wide smile. Part of me wished I could have taken Toru, but she was invisible, and in this crowd, finding her was going to be a lot harder than it already was. At least this way, I was clearing a slate.
"You're taking this too seriously!"
"Nah, I think I'm pretty chill, don't fall by the way!"
"It Looks like Freshman Rep has taken on a +1! How cute!"
I just ignored the voice as Yaoyorozu-sama went silent at the announcement, and I sprinted forward, rapidly leaving the crowd behind me, and closing the distance between me and Todoroki way to fast. Robots swerved in to intercept me, and I felt Yaoyorozu-sama let go of a hand from my shoulders. I hooked an arm behind me to catch her right leg in surprise, and I saw a staff end point out past me.
Was this a jousting match now?
I actually kinda like it!
I laughed out loud, uproariously even as I closed the distance with even more speed, "I'll trust you on this one Yaoyorozu-sama!"
"Call me Momo!" she cried fiercely, and stabbed a robot straight through the head, discarding the staff and summoning another one in the time it took to greet the next one with a powerful swipe to its neck, knocking it off course. An idea pinged off in my head, and I leaned forward, lowering to the ground slightly, and I brought my left arm forward like a shield. A group of them appeared, releasing themselves from Todoroki's hasty Ice grip, and charging us in a line.
Excellent!
Momo let out a grunt, and suddenly, my vision shaded briefly as she slapped a short medieval shield on my arm. I was ecstatic! She could read my mind!
"I'm liking you more and more! Yaoyor-Momo!" I said mid correction, and she swiped the first two away, leaving me the big one.
"Hold on!" I roared, and I kicked off, slamming into it with enough force to make it warp around my shield. The shield itself crumpled, but it prevented sharp metal fragment and powered wires from zapping me out of commission as I ripped the thing in two with a fast strike to the side. I hooked her other leg, fully supporting her, and I charged faster, blurring the surroundings.
"Please note that most people cannot properly register their surroundings like us speedsters! To them, it is a mass blur of color and a nauseous experience. Practice proper restraint." A voice echoed in my mind, and I slowed down slightly.
"What's wrong?!" Momo asked, and I kept my pace, definitely a good one, and still closing ground. Should probably watch my heat level as well, don't want to burn her.
"Last time I took a friend with me at faster speeds, they threw up." I chuckled over my shoulder, not the least bit tired from the extended speedy sprint thanks to my quirk.
"So the first barrier was a piece of cake?! How about the second?! Fall and you're out! You gotta crawl across if you wanna make it!"
I blinked as I rounded a corner, and I saw it. A veritable deathtrap with columbs of rock acting as stepping stones with ropes in between.
They expected me to crawl?
Fuck that!
I steadied my course, and steam started to huff out of my mouth as I riled up at the indignation. As if I would ever make Yaoyorzu-sama crawl like that! Silly thing to get angry about, but when you want to be angry, anything works.
Momo's grip tightened around my chest as I didn't slow down, and she screamed into my ear, "YOU SURE ABOUT THIS!?"
"Your light as a feather!" I said back deftly, and I jumped, springing off the Cliffside, right past Todoroki, who was skating on the ropes, and leapfrogging from rock to rock, clearing the entire section in less than a minute.
"Class 1-A's IKARI SENSHI STEALS FIRST WITH AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF STRENGTH! SHE BETTER BE WORTH IT!"
Again with the romance jokes! I don't need to explain it to the whole fucking nation do I?
"The Leads keep breaking ahead, while the rest of the pack is bunched up! Our racers don't know how many will get to move on, so all they can do is aim for first place! Our new leader has reached the final barrier! That is to say…THE MINEFIELD! IT'S A Deadly explosive carpet! A quick glance is all you need to reveal the mines locations, but can you run full speed and watch your step at the same time!?"
I skidded to a stop. I couldn't clear the whole thing in one go, and I wasn't risking taking both of us out for my mistake. I couldn't throw her across, and Todoroki will move faster through the mines thanks to his little icy path. He won't start with it to prevent an easy path for followers, but he will definitely use it to close the gap.
I can't have that.
So then, I have two choices…
Leave her behind.
Or set them all off to clear a path.
I growled at the situation, before another option occurred.
Or, I could let Todoroki over take me, and just use his path, and overtake him again…it would be risky.
But doable.
I doubt he out would outright attack me, but Momo would have my back regardless-
"I GOT YOU! DIE YOU DAMN BASTARD!" I heard a vicious battle cry behind me, and light flared as I whirled around, and tried to shield Momo from the blast…except I had my arms hooked under her legs.
Oh boy.
I ducked low immediately, swirling under it, and watching in amusement as it set off the first mine, and sent Bakugo into a series of flips as he tried to right himself. The dude can fly?!
"Oh! Sorry, forgot you were racing with me!" I said with a laugh, and he snarled, "ASSHOLE! GET LOST!" he snarled, before launching off, "FIRST PLACE IS MINE!"
Well, I can't have that.
Time to test our teamwork!
"Momo, think your strong enough to polevault us?
"I can't make a rod that long!"
"It doesn't have to be. I need you to make a staff long enough to divert me off a mine before I hit the ground."
"Got it" she said, and I could tell she was just giving up on thinking and just going for it. A staff appeared in the corner of my eye, and I ran forward, leaping over the first several mines, and landing in an open patch, leaping again. I leapt farther, and her staff shot forward, stabbing the earth between a dense clutter, and carrying me over to a safer spot. I grinned at the success, but her gasp was enough to tell that it was definitely not something she could do forever.
I might still owe her after this…I don't actually mind that.
I heard ice crackled, and my speculation was on the money, Todoroki was on the warpath for us and I grinned evilly.
"Momo? Think you could maybe…detonate a few behind us?"
Without a word, she started summoning small balls that seemed insufficient, but she tossed them over her shoulder like buckshot, and I jumped forward again to ride the shockwave as I heard ice crack apart with a few more chain reaction explosions.
Nice!
Suddenly, the earth shook.
An explosion that was several times larger than it should have been ignited the sky with pink, and I whirled around to watch several other mines rush forward like a wild fire of chain detonations.
A small smoke trail ejected from the cloud, and I damn near face planted onto a mine at the sheer shock of what I was seeing. Midoriya, the timid kid, was riding a piece of armor plating like a floating sleigh without any reindeer, looking badass. He soared over Todoroki, forcing Ice to sprout as he chased, and Midoriya continued on past the minefield! Damn!
I quickly dispelled my admiration as I saw him soar overhead, with a dangerous realization.
He isn't going to land well.
"He's going to owe me for this!" I shouted into the air, and I shot forward, Momo recognizing the danger Midoriya was in as well, and working with me on overtime. Her spear fell out of her hand from exhaustion after the final push, and I swung her over against my chest with a single arm, pinning her against my chest as best I could while swooping in for Midoriya's now screaming decent.
I skidded across the earth like a baseball player, and caught the green-haired idiot in my lap, hurriedly standing up and sprinting forward, carrying him under my arm like a dead body. I saw it was a straight shot, Bakugo accelerating as well as he saw I was closing the gap.
I wasn't going to make it with three.
But I could with two.
I felt fear seep into my system at having to leave either of them behind, before I gritted my teeth.
"Momo, Make a sled, last time."
She did, clearly tiring out from fatigue and nausea, and it popped out in a hand. It was small, like a baby dumpster lid, but it would have to do. Still running, she threw it in front of me, and I reacted. I tossed her and Midoriya onto the board, before diving low. I inhaled sharply, bringing up both hands from below, and my anger from the situation came flooding in. I snarled, and a wall of air welled up behind my limbs as I slapped the sled in the back with one, mighty, push. The air thundered like lightning struck, and Midoriya screamed in surprise as his head snapped back from running speed to flying in an instant.
"DON'T FALL OFF!" I roared, as they went flying. Momo's eyes were the size of dinner plates as the shock of accelerating without breaks kicked in, and Midoriya quickly laid down flat, hoping to take advantage of my well-wishing and make it in first.
I watched them pass Bakugo much to his rage, and I smirked, that little "in your face" move sapping the anger out of me, and I slowed a bit to a jog. I could live with this. I did well enough to advertise, and I don't think I lost really, it was actually fun. All's well that ends well. I'm sure Momo had stakes in this as well. Her ability to support my mobility ought to have been an attractive feature for pro heroes looking for a sidekick.
I heard the crowd roar as Midoriya and Momo slid into first on their sled, and I just smirked, jogging forward towards the light. Bakugo cleared it second, stopping with smoke trailing his palms, and landing roughly hunched over in obvious anger. I trotted in at third, and got the second biggest cheer as I moved over to the sled to help them up. Momo was lying on her back, breathing hard, whilst Midoriya looked to be in shock like a small rodent. He was locked up, hands clamped onto the sled as if it was more important than his limited edition exclusive All Might merch.
I walked in front of them, and offered a hand, a big old satisfied smile on my face as they looked up at me slowly.
"Well, that was fun huh? Well played, and thanks for the laugh." I chuckled, gesturing for them to take my hands. They did, Izuku moving rather robotically, whilst Momo looked a little sluggish. I hope she does ok after this. I steadied her as she rested back on her own two feet, and let her lean on me for a bit as she was reacquainted with normal, slow, movement. I was moving kinda fast with all those jumps.
"I see what Toru-chan meant now." Momo said with a groan and grumble, "it really is disorientating."
I nodded, "Yeah, sorry about that, consider us even!" I said with a wide smile, and she just sighed, "I believe I owe you now with everything considered."
"You helped me through the mines, and robots, whilst I got you a leading placement and an accurate display of your ability for the cameras, I'd say it equals out." I said with a nod, but grinned unrepentantly as I offered her a fist bump, "though you were one hell of a teammate, Me, You, and Toru might be a dream team."
She laughed, and it was then that the rest of the group started barging in, looking definitely exhausted. I examined that runner ups and stragglers, and saw Todoroki leaning on his knees, staring at Midoriya with a fixed stare…oh yeah, his declaration. Oops, I scrapped that.
Meh, he'll live.
"Deku! That was awesome!" I heard Ururaka say in congratulations, and Tenya was standing behind her, clearly in shock. He was mumbling about the shameful performance, and I just laughed, walking over and giving him a strong pat on the shoulder. Ururaka was right in Midoriya's face with praise and energy, the poor kid looking ready to overheat, and I just enjoyed the feeling. This is what heroes did, they made other's dreams and helped others put them together.
Tenya glanced up at me suspiciously, "You could have had first by a large margine."
I blinked, looking over at him, "how so?"
"You managed third whist carrying a person, and taking another on in the final stretch. Your speed was hampered, and your jumps were restricted. I saw move far faster at the…USJ incident."
I eyed him carefully, he suddenly not meeting my eyes, "Hey." I said slowly, and he flinched.
"Do you think I can be a hero?"
He froze, shock freezing his hands in place. I looked up at the crowd, watching all their faces. "Nobody would cheer for me if I took first. Nobody would celebrate someone with my quirk winning battles. I…don't inspire victory…I'm supposed to be the enemy that would be defeated."
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye with a small smile, "Until I am flawless with my anger, until I cannot be corrupted, until I can't fall into a rage, until I become a real Hero, I can't stand in front of a crowd, and have them smile back at me. I'm…a monster."
Tenya remained silent, and I took that as his agreeance. I wasn't afraid of that conclusion, it was clear he was unsettled by my Rage at the USJ. I was out of control, something he clearly and studiously stood against. I released my breath, and walked off.
"I think you can be a hero."
I stopped, blinking, before turning over to a floating uniform to my left.
"Toru? How long have you been there?"
She didn't sound out of breath or anything, so she couldn't have been there for just a small time.
"I think you can be a hero." She repeated, before I saw her run forward and start punching my arm as I felt her familiar anger surface on my radar, "And you took Momo! But why though! It would have been so fun! I could have pushed people off cliffs, thrown mines! It would have been a BIG blast!"
"I owed her for a favor. We are even now." I said with a smile, feebly blocking the blows that did no real harm.
"Yeah, but now, she'll want to go for more runs too!"
Ha?
"I don't think so, she didn't seem to like it very much." I said flatly, remembering her grumble.
"And I didn't know you could jump like that! You gotta do that with me too!"
"Yeah, sure!" I said, trying to just calm her down as we were attracting a small crowd with the approach of the next event.
She huffed, and I could positively see the steam coming off her form from her harrumph. We all turned around as Midnight made it to the stage, and the announcements were underway.
"So! Let's check over the results!"
A large hologram board appeared over the stadium, and names and faces came up.
Midoriya First, Momo Second.
Wonder how they decided that, works for me though.
Let's see…Bakugo third, I took fourth, almost a podium finish. Todoroki 5th, ouchies, that's gotta sting the pride a bit. Toru was 38th? She's fast! Oh, and that ballsy kid from yesterday with the declaration of war, he got 27th, not bad. At last he can back himself up.
"The Top 42 from this qualifying round will move on! But for those who placed lower, don't worry! Ive got another way for you to show your stuff!" she licked her lips, and I face palmed, she really liked that "R-Rated" hero biz way too much.
"And now! The main selection REALLY begins! The Press Corp's going to be jumping out of their seats, so give it all you've got! Now! Onto the second event! I already know what it is ofcourse…" she teased, and I frowned, what was the point of that big spinny thing then, oh, right, sorry, dumb question.
"CAVALRY BATTLE!" she proclaimed with a hand on hip stance, the hand-cuffs jingling on her wrists as she grinned.
Cavalry battle? What's that?
"SO we are teaming up, but how exactly…?" Frog-lady said with a pondering expression, and I blinked. It was a team thing? Interesting.
"Participants will, on their own, form teams of three to four members and get into a horse-and-rider formation! The rules are fundamentally the same as those of an ordinary cavalry battle. Snag your opponents headbands while guarding your own, but with one exception…"
She smiled evilly, "Each of you has been assigned a point value based on your ranking in the last event!"
"Point system like the entrance exam, sounds simple."
"SO the point value of each team depends on its members!
"That makes sense!"
"This seems fun!"
"Interesting…"
"IM ABOUT TO EXPLAIN IT SO JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!" Midnight snapped, before smoothing herself out in a not so pg-13 friendly way, and continued, "Anyway, Yes!, and your individual point values start at 5 at the bottom! So the student who took 42nd is worth five points, 41st is worth ten…get it? BUT!"
She leaned in as if telling a nasty secret, "Our First Place participant is worth…TEN MILLION POINTS!"
I was suddenly very nervous as everyone's heads darted to Midoriya.
"Ten million?" Midoriya sweated, looking like the world just flipped on its head in a psychedelic display of color and confusion. I let out a low whistle of guilt as I apologized to the kid, "You can call us even, you don't owe me shit."
That outta at least do something right?
Midoriya looked at me fearfully, "you too?!"
Oh boy.
"AAAAAAND!" Midnight said, looking at me this time, "Our Principal has felt the need to make it a little MORE interesting! Freshman Rep! Your task is a little different."
Uh oh.
"You may choose one person to be your partner, and your mission is to…DENY POINTS!"
She pointed up at the board, "Instead of points, you'll be racking up actual headbands! Every band is worth 1 to 3 points, and for every point you earn, you must dispose of the headbands to the sidelines out of reach. A twist! The Top Ten placements bands are worth 2 points! Top 3 are worth 3 points!"
I nodded, "If my score is different, how will I be placed?"
"It's quite simple! The more teams you take out, the greater your chance at making it to the next round!
"What about my points?"
She grinned, "If your points are taken, you lose."
My eyes narrowed, "I can pick anyone?"
"Anyone on this field."
"So I have a quota to fill, and if I make it, I head to the next round?" I asked curiously, and she nodded like a shark.
I nodded, already knowing who I wanted. Momo would have been fun with her utility, but she would probably throw up from anymore of my movement today. Midoriya would have been hilarious, making all the teams come to me, but that kind of pressure when I have more to lose than they do would be counterproductive.
I need someone who has an idea already, maybe even a resistance, someone I synergize with, and definitely capable of snatching headbands.
Only one real choice.
"Do I need to say it?" I said aloud, a grin spreading across my lips as I already knew she was behind me. everyone around me stared at me weirdly, before a familiar voice giggled.
"You're getting better at that." Toru said with a giggle, patting me on the shoulder, and I turned without losing my smile, "ready to roll up those sleeves?"
She giggled, before reaching over, and tearing off her shirt sleeves completely. I didn't think she had that kind of strength, surprising me slightly as she tossed them lighting into my chest, "I'll do you one better!"
I turned and knelt, letting her situate herself on my back, and I let out a slow breath. "Think you can hold on without my help?"
"I think I got it."
"I appreciate the confidence."
"Ya never know!"
I blinked, before I picked up the sleeves she just tore off, and shredded them some more. I felt her lean over my shoulder in curiosity, her hair tracing my cheek with a tickling sensation. I tied the ends together, and tossed it around me, tightly securing her to my back…or at least securing her tighter, I never know with this fabric.
"Holler, and I'll catch you." I said, and she hugged me, "Those are the words every girl wants to hear."
I snorted, and stood up, crossing my arms on my chest as her legs hooked around me. If she wasn't wearing her uniform, it would have looked like she wasn't even there.
I won't ask her to either, that would just be a bad idea.
"Teams! Are you ready?!"
I blinked, realizing that everyone else had their teams formed rather quickly. Midoriya found Ururaka, Shadow-bird dude, and mecha-girl. Four members, not bad, though I'd imagine they'll be spending the game running. Momo teamed up with Iida, Todoroki, and…Retard?
I'm sorry for your loss.
Actually, that's mean, I'm sure they'll figure something out.
"3!..."
On the plus side, the headband's points don't matter.
"2!..."
All I have to do, is just take the bands…meaning that as long as I get Toru close, and distract them…
"1!..."
We won't fail.
"START!"
I spread my feet and extended my arms out, ready to move in any direction, and I felt all the air rush as suddenly…
Everyone ran away.
I blinked in surprise. Surely eliminating me would make the game safer for everyone? Why are they abandoning the possibly successful group effort?
"IT'S BASICALLY A BATTLE FOR THE TEN MILLION PONTS!" I heard that iron guy roar out in a battle cry, and everyone charged Midoriya's team, arms raised and fighting spirits ready to crash.
I blinked, before laughing quietly, "What's so funny?" Toru asked quietly, as if it were a secret, and I looked up, my eyes radiating a dangerous crimson.
"Taking their eyes off me was very bad idea." I said with a mumble, before I quickly darted forward, leaping into the air with hardly a sound, surprising Toru tremendously, and I jumped on the closest team with its back to me. I didn't know their names, probably from the B Hero class, but they went down without even noticing I was already on top of them. They shrieked in shock, and I grinning at the band in my hand.
They didn't say it had to be my rider to grab them!
I quickly backed away, leaping into the air, and flipping just to see how Toru would react. She let out a muffled scream in shock, and I landed with a dull thud, tossing the points out onto the grass outside the arena.
"TEAM 9 HAS LOST THEIR POINTS ALREADY!"
Perfect.
The rest of the teams were still focused on Midoriya, an excellent distraction! I might save them for last!
I moved back into the fray just as Midoriya took to the skies, blasting over the people's heads, and I had a sudden idea.
Everything is fair game right?
I moved off, predicting where they were gonna land. The other teams were slow, three and four members a team, whilst I had a small girl on my back. I by far out matched everyone In mobility, and I intended to use it. Midoriya landed, and I landed next to him.
He quickly leaned away, and Shadow-bird lunged at me.
I knocked it aside with a rage-powered fist, and I held up my other in surrender, "Wait!"
Midoriya stopped, looking at me from arm's length, "What?!"
"They said we had to make teams, but they didn't say we couldn't make alliances." I said with a grin, and soon recognition lit up.
"You want to protect me!?"
"Hell no, you're the perfect distraction. Stay in their sights, and I'll clean up the back line."
"So that they'll start preying on each other because they have no points!" Midoriya said, catching up real quick.
"Right. Scratch my back, I got yours."
"Teamwork!" Toru said, making him flinch in surprise, and I sighed, "We have a deal or am I taking your headband?"
"Why even team up! You could have done this without my consent!"
"Because if you work around me, and I work around you, then this whole thing will clean up quick."
"TEN MILLION!"
Midoriya's eyes snapped forward, they were closing in again, "Fine!"
I nodded, giving the Dark Shadow a fist bump, "Sorry about that, no hard feelings?"
"Hmph!"
I sulked slightly, "Seriously?"
"A NEW FACTOR! THE TEN MILLION POINTER HAS MADE AN ALLY! LOOK OUT EVERYONE!"
I sighed, before crouching low, and launching to the side, skirting around the edge of arena in less than two seconds, Toru laughing at the experience.
"Nauseus?
"Nah! I got this!"
I zoomed forward, pitching my weight from side to side to make my steps harder to read, and I took Toru's words for granted as I started moving as if she wasn't even there. I flipped and spun, sliding between other team's defensive arms, and snagging bands. I backed out and dove in like lightning, the wind working in my favor as the air roared off my limbs like armor, batting their eyes and ruffling their headbands tassels for easier grabs.
I leapt off again, skidding to a halt, and tossing another two headbands off the side.
"ILL TAKE THAT!" I heard a call from the side, and a pieces of white tape suddenly snapped forward, catching them both, and retracting from the out of bounds back to their owner.
Tape-Guy looked at me smugly, though seeing my eerie smile in response made it die off is face. I stomped a foot forward, and gripped the ground.
"Toru, you think you can grab them?"
"Definitely!"
I forced power into my legs with a strong push, and I felt everything pause for a nanosecond, before I looked up, and pushed. I shot off the ground like a missle, Toru's legs and the strap squeezing my torso tightly as she tried to hold on, and I extended both my arms to the side to make it look like I was coming from below. Bakugo turned at Tape's sudden scream for help, and he grinned like a homicidal maniac as his palms flared a dangerous red. I shot to the floor right in front of them, and in an instant, I faded out. Acid splashed through my afterimage as I appeared above them, and I taunted Bakugo with a middle finger.
He growled at me, before shock overtook his snarl at the headbands that suddenly wrenched itself off his head. I skidded to a halt a few feet away in a low crouch, and I reflected his earlier maniacal grin back at him, the headband floating down on top of my head as if it was meant to be there.
"See you later Third Place!" I said tauntingly, before I back flipped away into the air at Tape's second attempt to grab me. I took three huge jumps back, and sand to a knee on the boundary line. I took off the band, and made a dramatic show of dropping it off the side as Bakugo watched, his expression absolutely lived.
"TEAM BAKUGO HAS HAD THEIR POINTS DENIED! THEY BETTER HURRY AND FIND SOME MORE, TIME IS TICKING!"
As if on cue, a wave of ice sprouted across the floor, solidifying teams in close proximity in place. Todoroki's team seemed unaffected by the environment, and whizzed about collecting a few more headbands.
I danced on my toes, avoiding the gripping ice with a few preemptive leaps. I landed in a crouch soon after, my body temperature making the ice steam slightly as I turned up the heat. Toru let out a small grunt, and I blinked, immediately cooling down.
"Sorry."
"Don't worry about me! I'll hate myself if I hold you back!"
"You can take it?"
"Definitely!"
I frowned, before I glared forward at Todoroki's team just before he sectioned off a large part of the arena to isolate Midoriya's movements.
"We can pass with what we have done so far…you don't have to."
"Don't say that." She said quietly, and I felt her arms tighten around me, "I know you want to go after them too…don't say that."
I remained motionless, "Up to you."
"Go for it Dammit!"
I sat on the ground, and waved to my lap, "Hop on, I'm shedding a layer."
"Ha?!"
"We can use my top as a protective layer if we fold it, I'll hate myself if I get you burned."
She remained silent for a moment, before she slid over my arm, and I felt her come to rest in my lap as I stripped.
"WHATS HAPPENING OVER THERE! OUR FRESHMAN REP HAS DECIDED TO GIVE HIS INVISIBLE RIDER SOME SERVICE!?"
I snorted, flipping him the bird as I tied the sleeves around my neck like a cape, before I let Toru climb back around. With my arms free once again, and my bare chest rippling as steam started to pour off it in greater quantities, I sank my fingertips into the ice below.
"Hold on." I said dangerously, before I jumped.
Higher than before.
A LOT higher.
We clear the arena, and stared at the booth boxes at the top of the stadium eye to eye. I examined the battlefield below as I rose, before tucking my arms in and falling like a spear from the gods. At the last second, I flipped, and landed feet first on the inside of the ice wall, and surfed down it like a wave as I slid around. Todoroki noticed my presence as soon as I skidded to a halt on the opposite side of them.
"A good tactic Todoroki." I said, my voice a little deeper…and darker, "Caging a bird is an effective way of removing its mobility, though I prefer a simpler one."
Todoroki's team turned to face me, their mutual understanding coming forward that even if they secured Midoriya's points, it would come to nothing if I got to them first. We had less than three minutes afterall.
"And what's that?" Todoroki asked calmly, and I grinned, suddenly changing my stance, and lunging forward illusively, images of myself fading away as the real me closed the gap quickly.
"Clipping their wings!" I roared, and lunged at his head. Electricity sparked suddenly, and I swerved, diving to the side in a tucked in roll, and landed on all fours with a growl as the little Pikachu started panting, his eyes fogged.
"Interesting. You have a strong team, without them, you'd already be off the field."
"Jealous?" Tenya fired out, and I blinked, examining him curiously, "I was not told to form a team of four, I was told to grab a partner…I wouldn't trade her for any other."
Her grip tigthened around my chest, and I grinned, "A small observation, you need that rubber blanket of yours to remain unharmed…but you cant reach out of it to grab Midoriya's headband with that kind of current running through your body. All I need…is the right moment."
I jestured to my forehead, and I tapped my own headband with a knowing smirk, "And you, will leave this field empty handed."
Todoroki glared, "And that 10 million point headband has no value to you?"
I grinned, seeing his anger glow within his eyes, "Perhaps you don't remember, Each headband is just that, a headband. However, the Top 3 are worth 3 points…so, should I take you out seperately…or."
I clapped both hands together, and squeezed them as if I caught a bug, "Should I grab them both in the same moment."
Realization came in both Midoriya's and Todoroki's minds, and Midoriya actually looked…thankful. Totodori was the oppisite, his eyes flaring with a small bit of anger as Midoriya watched from the sidelines. Tenya's eyes lowered, before I saw him look up again in something I have seen very often in Midoriya's eyes.
Determination, and acceptance.
This outta be good!
"THEN I JUST HAVE TO BE FASTER THAN YOU!" Tenya announced, before he grit his teeth and set himself in a runners stance at a quick pace.
Tenya's legs fired up, screaming like a jet as the exhaust shot out blue flame. I quickly lowered myself into a launching stance, and started charging forward, leaping in great bounds to intercept.
He was faster than even I anticipated.
But Toru proved her worth once more.
Midoriya's hands grasped the empty air as Todoroki zoomed behind him, headband in hand, but I already had a guess as to where they would be. That kind of speed had no real turning radius, it was a point and dash line.
Every line has a start, and an end point.
If I couldn't both, I would atleast get one.
Todoroki's eyes of victory were suddenly overshadowed by realization as six separate hands grabbed him. Fire sparked to life immediatley afterwards, and Midoriya backed off in shock. Toru let out a yelp in surprise, rearing back.
A little heat wasn't going to bother me.
I reached in, and ripped the top headband from his neck, and hopped away. All Todoroki had left was his 10 million points in his hand, and two headbands on their last threads around his neck. I held up the haedband with a grin, and I just span them around a finger.
"Hold this for me?" I asked Toru, and she took them without comment. I frowned in suspicion, and resisted the urge to reach up and check…I was seriously hot right now. Was my uniform not cutting it? I leapt to the side to avoid a grab from dark shadow, and I spartan kicked the wall of ice, shattering it as the other teams stopped to observe the state of the cage.
"HE'S OPENED THE GATES! AN INTERESTING PLAY!"
I quickly grabbed some of the pieces lying around, and I slipped them behind me, hoping that it would cool off my uniform and give her some breathing room. I heard her sigh in releif, and I felt a small bit of worry pool into my system. I powered down to near base level, and I climbed ontop of the ice wall. It would be hard for teams to follow me up there considering their "chariots". I sat down, and I started breakign apart the wall. The games had yet to be stopped, but eveyone was just…watching me.
I started gridning the ice into crushed partciles like gravel, and wiped myself down, steam pouring off me thanks to the treament, and I returned to my natural skin tone.
"Hop on my lap again."
Toru hardly mentioned anything this time, quite glad apparently to enjoy the cool air. I laid down on my back and a small puff of steam escaped my torso. I breathed a a long sigh of releif at the feeling, like a fireplace in the winter ovrheating your shirt, and you ran and fell back on the carpet. I grabbed some ice, and sat back up, holding up for Toru, "Here, some for yourself…you really should tell me you know."
Toru remaind silent, before I felt a hand push on my chest, and I fell back on an arm in surprise. Toru's back pressed agianst my chest, and her legs sat atop mine as the iceball I gave her moved up and down her arms.
"Umm…Toru?"
"Saying stuff like that…" Toru said to herslef, the iceball suddenly floating over…other curves.
I looked away, some of the observers staring at me gobsmacked. I was looking for something, ANYTHING to divert my attention.
"DIE!"
Found it!
I quickly grabbed Toru and leapt backward, the ice behind me shattering into pieces as a bomb blew it to pieces. White tape yanked it back into the sky, and Bakugo managed to regain control in the air, turning, and diving me again.
"DIE YOU SHITTY BASTARD!" He screamed out in rage, and explosions rocked the arena as I just hugged Toru to my chest and danced around the rippling flames and fierce winds. I hopped and dove, keeping Toru from touching the ground whilst trying to avoid the onslaught of this mad blitz bomber. Neither of us could use our hands.
A rage bloomed in my arms, and I blinked at its intensity.
"Where do you think your grabbing?"
I blinked again, my hands twitching on their own to regain their bearings.
Squish.
Oh boy.
Bakugo came in for another run, and my options quickly cut themselves down to a remaining three. Get attacked by Toru, get attacked by Tory AND bakugo…or one other.
SHIT! HOPE THIS WORKS! "Trust me!" I said Bakugo dove in for another pass…
And I threw Toru into the air.
Bakugo's eyes flicked away from me, eyes locked on Toru's apparent floating pants and that was all I needed. I lunged, grabbing his arm, and throwing it behind me back at his own team. Harden dove to catch him, and all of Bakugo's explosives exploded on contact the abrupt stop. I focused hard, feeling out, and I leapt back a space, holding out my arms rapidly, and a weight fell in them, a familiar light weight.
"Thank fuck." I said in relief, grasping what I knew was her arm and leg tightly, "Sorry about…all of that."
"…hmph." She muttered, and I winced, yep, I was in a deep, deep hole.
"WHATS THIS! TODOROKI SUDDENLY USED HIS FLAMES!"
I tossed Toru over my shoulder, and she slid on with almost practiced ease, and I hopped, now fully back in the game. I landed silently on the otherside of the gate, and I ran forward, assessing as I moved in.
I ran in, low to the ground, and closing in rapidly. I would make it!
"10 SECONDS LEFT!"
I came in low, "Toru!"
"ON IT!"
I jumped forward, the time ticking past the 7 second mark. I landed in-between them, Pikachu's last shock already discharged, and I leapt straight up in an uppercut, grabbing the bottom of the cloak, and yanking it straight up. Todoroki fell back off balance, and Midoriya rushed in, capitalizing on my opening. Bakugo was right behind him.
I span in the air, and I felt Toru's arms unlatch from my chest, and snake out.
I kicked away Dark shadow's arms while keeping my spin, and I saw Todoroki's ten million suddenly pull taught.
TORU YOU AMAZING GIRL!
"TIME!"
I landed off to the side gruffly, an arm around Toru's back to steady her, and I hoped, and looked up.
Oh my fucking god!
SHE GOT IT!
"A MASSIVE UPSET! THE FRESHMAN REP MANAGED TO DENY THE 10 MILLION LAST SECOND! A HUGE GAME CHANGER! THE FINALS SCORES ARE NOW…"
"FIRST PLACE! TEAM BAKUGO!"
"SECOND PLACE! TEAM TODOROKI!"
"THIRD PLACE! TEAM SHINSO!"
"FOURTH PLACE! TEAM MIDORIYA!"
"TEAM IKARI LOCKS THEIR PLACE IN ON THE CHALLENGERS SEAT!"
I blinked, "Challenger's seat? Midoriya got fourth?"
"You saved Midoriya you know…" Toru said quietly, "If you hadn't disarmed him, they wouldn't have been able to snag that final headband."
I remained silent, before a smirked with a small hum. I knelt, and felt her slide off…I really don't want to get used to that feeling.
It is nice though…STOP IT!
"Maybe, maybe not" I said, turning and looking at where I felt her face was, "Besides, I get the feeling he has more riding on this than I do…consider it a favor for the future."
"You're a stickler for favors and debts."
"I call it good memory."
She snorted, before I felt her hug an arm, and she hopped, "But that was really fun! I didn't know you could jump that high either!"
I smiled, "Well, if we can get you some sort of heat suit, I can take you as high or far as you want." She giggled, squeezing my tighter, and I smiled and laughed off my nervousness.
"WE WILL NOW GO ON A ONE HOUR BREAK! GET READY FOLKS, THIS YEAR'S CANDIDATES ARE ON FIRE!"
The crowds gave a massive cheer, and I followed everyone back to the backstage rooms. Everyone immediately left for their social groups, and I took that as my cue to leave. An hour break right? plenty of time to relax. I quickly left the backroom with hardly anyone noticing, hugging the right wall straight out the back, and exiting to the outside world. I don't know if we were allowed to leave the stadium or not, but I wasn't going far, so it outta be alright!
I following the back wall for a time, staring up at the roof. After finding a suitable niche with some shade, I crouched, before I jump, using my hands as hooks as they sank into the brick and mortar once I was high enough so the marks would go unnoticed. I landed on the top a moment later, quickly avoiding the heat as I hid beneath an overhang nearby a skylight. I breathed a sigh of relief at the cool space, and relaxed, leaning my head back against my hands as I stared up at the clouds over a distant horizon.
Yeah, an hour of this would be great…
"And what might you be doing up here Senshi-san?" I heard a voice ask, and I blinked, looking over to see…someone.
I don't know who this person is.
I stared at them blankly for a long few seconds. They looked to be a student here, but somehow, I think it was just a costume…there is no way a student would be this…developed.
I mean, Momo is something else, but this is just not it.
She was tall, for one, with a rack that would make Mineta die on the spot. She had electric blue hair, something that distracted me from the obviously gifted bust on this woman's torso. She was clearly fit as well, her stance not missed by my gaze. She was squared off unconsciously, used to taking a push and not moving an inch.
Interesting.
"Thought I'd take a nap away from the crowd and people…guess I failed."
"Sorry to bother, but I wanted to seek you out."
"I don't know you."
"I know Kate."
That made me stop. That meant three things, one, she was from that "secret" ward, two, she had been kidnapped, and it was remaining hush hush to protect the people in the stands, or three, she was a friend of Kate's in some way, and I was just the unlucky prick that happened to be in between the two smack-dab in the middle.
"Congrats? What does that have to do with me?"
"She wanted me to bring you down and work on something for a small moment with her."
Guess that answers that, she's from the ward…wonder what her quirk is.
"Does she realize that I am supposed to be resting?"
"I think we both know you're not tired in the slightest. The chefs in the cafeteria are present in the ward."
"Lead the way."