"ALRIGHT! LUNCH BREAK IS OVER! EVERYONE TO THE FIELD!"

I tapped my foot in the elevator rapidly, wondering if it would be worth it to just tear open the roof and jump out immediately.

On the plus side, the impatience was fueling my anger, and anger is power for me. I would be all ready to go once I arrived. I clasped my hands together, rubbing them against one another as I grasped my own strength. I just had to get there, that's fine.

The elevator dinged, and I stepped out quickly, pivoting and hurling myself down the hallway, blowing a stack of paper out of a faculty member's hands as I tore past. I shoulder-slammed a door open, not even checking to see if it was still attached to a wall, before I crouched and jumped, clearing the building and landing on the roof, running along for the higher launch pad.

I kicked up gravel as I sped up, before I reached the edge and leapt off, arms spinning to keep my balance and hopefully add some extra distance. I landed with a thud as I tore up some grassy turf, and floored it right through the opening doors. I gradually started to slow down, hoping nobody would be in the way. I slowly skidded, taking long drags out of the bottom of my shoes as I ground to a stop, and arrived just inside the interior wall of the stadium.

"BEFORE WE GET TO THE FINAL EVENT, I'VE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS FOR ALL THOSE OUT OF THE RUNNING! THIS IS STILL A SPORTS FESTIVAL, SO WE'VE PREPARED SOME RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. WE EVEN SHIPPED CHEERLEADERS FROM AMERICA TO GET YOU PUMPED UP…HM? WHAT'S THIS?"

I was checking the bottom of my smoking soles to see if I had torn completely through, before I looked up in confusion. It wasn't often an announcer would be unaware of something planned.

"CLASS A!? WHY!?"

My head glanced over slowly, and I just kinda stared at what I was seeing.

The girls in my class…class 1-A…were in cheerleading gear, and looking dead on the inside.

"MINETA! KAMINARI! YOU TRICKED US!?" Momo screamed in betrayal from the sidelines, and I saw the two culprits give each other a thumbs up.

I just shook my head and looked back down at my shoes, idiots, if they had that much freetime you would have thought they would have done something more productive.

"HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS THIS LITTLE RECREATION COMPETITION! ONCE THAT'S OVER, WE'RE ON TO THE FINAL EVENT!"

I just remained where i was. I wasn't with the rest of my classmates and peers, but I kinda liked this angle. I could see more of them then if I was among them.

"BETWEEN 16 MEMBERS OF THE FOUR WINNING TEAMS, WE'LL HAVE A FORMAL TOURNAMENT! A SERIES OF…ONE ON ONE BATTLES!"

I, not gonna lie, locked eyes with Bakugo, and he snarled at me…and I just grinned back.

Something about just flattening ill-conceived notions…is just so refreshing.

There is no way in hell you'll beat me Poprock, there ain't no way in HELL.

XXX

So, pairings were announced for the fights.

Shocker, I wasn't listed.

Apparently, the "Challenger" seat was something that happened to a specific individual for one of three reasons. The individual is deemed unworthy to showcase their talents on a grand scale, their quirk is too dangerous to unleash on student opponents, or the more powerful students require a significant show at the end for their gain, and the Challenger can better showcase their talents.

None of it is for me, but rather, because I am a problem to the system.

Essentially, I've been removed from the competition to the end…and even then, its purely ceremonial. There is no real victory if I defeat someone who has fought three opponents previously, and even If I won, what cheer would I get?

None.

I might as well have just left right after the chariot battle.

I sat on the roof, not really watching the battles. I knew, in the end, I would be fighting Bakugo or Todaroki. I don't really see how the current roster could best either of them. Midoriya had the best chance, Ururaka had the drive, and Momo and…Tokoyami I think his name was, had the capacity. The only issue was simply the matchup. Bakugo with his powerful output and good battle sense was an opponent that would just be too overwhelming, and Todoroki's range and AoE couldn't really be dodged for long.

Midoriya would probably win if he didn't damage his own body in the process, shame really.

I was on top the outer wall, looking out over the city. I knew I had time, I think it was Ochako and Bakugo right now duking it out, but I knew how it would end. Ochako had the drive, but Bakugo was just…out of reach currently. He has the instincts of a soldier and a lack compassion that's suitable for combat. He's faster, stronger, and provided he's taking this seriously, smarter.

I watched the city from a distance, the far away roar of cars and bustling of people not entirely lost over the gap between us. Maybe I should just go. I'll end up losing either outcome.

Hell, they could even pit of them against me like I was a villain, and show case it. If I won, I would make the school look bad, and if I lost, I would just further cement myself as a villain.

Seriously, Fuck Nezu…I should just leave.

I gathered my hands under myself, and I launched off, heading fast for the ground. I flipped, and near silently, I padded onto the grass, catching myself in a crouched stance.

Yes, I can land without making a boom.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, and started heading out.

"Leaving Ikari?" I heard a familiar voice drone behind me, and I turned with a look of partial surprise and anger.

"Ah, Aizawa, I thought you were in the commentator's booth.

"Nezu swapped with me, said that you would be doing something stupid right about now."

"Huh." I said, anger now overtaking surprise, "Well, whether it's stupid or not, I really just don't see a point in me sticking around."

I felt a sudden pulse in my body, and I felt further anger appear in my system as Aizawa's glowing red eyes showcased what he had done.

He had erased me quirk.

He was planning on keeping me here by force.

"We need you to stay. Your participation is the Grand Finale in the Sports Festival, as well as Nezu's own plan in detecting the mole in our Academy. This trap won't work without its bait."

I said nothing, before I sneered, a look quite unbecoming of a hero, "Well, try and make me Aizawa-sensei."

Aizawa's eyes widened at my statement and expression, and I could practically read his thoughts.

'And he wants to be a hero?'

He lunged, remaining low to the ground, and my stance shifted. He stopped mid charge, and drew into a stance himself. "You know martial arts?"

"Martial Arts is control over the body. I practice it to better myself. Probably what kept me from knocking your skull off its shoulders in the Quirk Assessment Exam."

"Why are you resisting this?" Aizawa asked critically, "Even if this position might seem lackluster, it will secure your own safety and the defeat of a heinous organization."

"Because that's the BEST outcome!" I snarled, "What about after? What about me? What about the future that I have to live? Do this, become that, fight for us and fuck your dream, that's all I've heard! Despite being a heroic academy, the only thing you've made me become is the villain. Is that what you want? A villain for your next generation?!"

"Careful." Aizawa said lowly, "A hero is someone who puts others before himself."

"BULLSHIT!" I roared, "Look AROUND YOU. How can you say that with a straight face! If that criteria was enforced my class would lose 50% of its members!"

"They're students who are learning."

"They are no better than some of the current heroes! If it wasn't for All Might, this entire program wouldn't even function as it does now!"

"People recognize the power of heroes."

"People fear the power of villains, your existence is only justified so long as you have someone to fight."

"Why are you being so stubborn!" Aizawa said impatiently, "This isn't a bad thing-"

"Why are you so BLIND!" I hissed, "Are your eyes only good for taking things away?! Give me a chance! Why can't I get the help I need!?"

"You were the most viewed person in the obstacle course!"

"And you want me to ruin it during the Grand Finale." I said, my voice dying to a lower growl. "I hear it all the time, I see it on people's faces. People fear me, people hate me, they refuse to believe I can be a hero. All they see is a monster of anger…and yet somehow, Bakugo can?! He's cruel, violent, and a bully for fuck sake! Even my own CLASSMATES…ugh."

I just clenched my fists, before I just sighed, a breath of air rushing from my chest as Aizawa tensed, his legs shifted as he caught my stare.

It was dark.

"Fine. I'll be your villain. After this stupid festival is over, I'll be dropping out."

"Don't be rash." Aizawa said, sidestepping as I walked past him towards the stadium, "you too are learning-"

"Shut up." I growled, and he did, watching me fall back into the shadowed area of the back entrance, and I turned back to him, a pair of red eyes glowing from the darkness.

"I'll put on a nice display for the entire crowd…I promise."