(A/N: Seems the site might be ok now so hopefully this will be posted on time and not do a disappearing act. We'll see.
Formatting reminder: "Dialogue heard through a sound system." ... "PRESENT MIC'S DIALOGUE HEARD THROUGH A SOUND SYSTEM." )
...
Fumikage stood alone observing the other teams as they were being formed. He wasn't sure of his plan as of yet and was waiting to see where he would fit in best. His Quirk, Dark Shadow, was a powerful entity with many capabilities. But there were certain types of Quirks it was necessary for him to avoid as they would negatively affect his own.
Light. It's Dark Shadow's weakness. Which is understandable considering a regular shadow was also affected by light. On a bright sunny day, shadows were small or close to none existent. While at night, even with the moon full and bright, shadows were the rulers during those dark hours.
The bird headed boy didn't necessarily hide this weakness from his peers. He simply didn't talk about it. Thinking that, if one paid close enough attention and used simple logic, they would realize it on their own. Though he wasn't sure if any of his classmates were aware it as of yet.
"Excuse me."
Fumikage was broken out of his thoughts to find a slightly taller green haired boy standing in front of him. The other was decked out in what looked like Support Items making it obvious he wasn't from the Hero Course but in fact the Support Course.
"May I help you?" Fumikage asked, eyeing the boy curiously.
"H-hello! And, um, yes," the boy replied nervously. The other took a deep breath as if to build up his courage, before determined green eyes met inquiring red ones. "I'm Midoriya Izuku and I'd like you to join my team."
He came over to inquire about me specifically? Hmm…
"Tokoyami Fumikage," Fumikage replied with a bow. "Is there a particular reason you desire for me to accompany you into battle?"
From his recollection he had never met the other before and so wondered as to why he had pointedly sought him of all people out.
"I already have two on my team and amongst us we have offense and mobility covered," the boy, Midoriya, explained. "What we need, and what I'd like to ask from you, is help with our defense."
"Defense, you say?" Fumikage responded, brow quirked in interest. "Pray tell why you believe I am the most suited for the task."
"Your Quirk is Dark Shadow…"
How does he know of Dark Shadow? Fumikage thought with slightly widened red eyes as said entity poked out its head from his stomach. The other boy's eyes flicked down at the spirit briefly before looking back up.
"…which has the power and skill to be used for both offense and defense."
Astute observation. Though it is still unclear as to how or when he learned of my Quirk.
"However, Dark Shadow is not all powerful. Like a normal shadow, Dark Shadow becomes bigger in darkness and smaller in the light."
Fumikage stared at this stranger in surprise with widen eyes. He figured his weakness was logically obvious but not so obvious that someone he had never met before knew of it. Dark Shadow came out a little more but mostly remained hidden.
"Since we'll be fighting in daylight, I assume that Dark Shadow's attack power would be lessened due to the amount of light. But there's still a lot of potential for defense since Dark Shadow is sentient and can react to defend us without direct orders from you."
A sound strategy, Fumikage thought. A silence fell between the two as he eyed the teen in front of him, considering his proposal.
"Your…observations are correct," Fumikage stated, after a minute. "Dark Shadow is indeed weaker in the light. Its attack power is directly affected by the amount of light it dwells in. However, I am curious. How did you come to know so much of my Quirk? I have no recollection of ever making your acquaintance before. Do I know you?"
The greenette blushed and his eyes widened as if in realization of something. He brought his arm up and rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"Oh, yes, um," Midoriya said, looking at the dark teen shyly. "You know th-the student who has been observing y-your training? Hiro? Th-that's me."
This is Hiro?
Fumikage had been curious of the mysterious student who had observed their training. He had wondered why he, who was obviously disguised, had cloaked himself in such secrecy. Perhaps he was one who also embraced the soothing cover of darkness? Or was he in a certain predicament that required a shroud of mystery?
"If you are Hiro," Fumikage said, red eyes assessing the other. "Then that infers you are aware of not only my Quirk, but of the other's Quirks within 1-A as well."
"And 1-B," Midoriya added, tone a bit more confident. "As well as the other students who are not in the Hero Course that made it through to the second round."
"Knowledge of their Quirks is quite advantageous," Fumikage stated, his gaze turning contemplative.
"A-anyway, like I said I have two more in my group," Midoriya said, sounding a bit shy again. "One for offense and one for mobility. I-I can also help with offense. I think you'd be a good addition to our defense. Dark Shadow could keep an eye on our blind spots. I know I d-don't have a high point value and m-maybe someone of your strength should go for a higher point team, but I…"
"Midoriya," Fumikage said, cutting the other boy off who blushed. "Your assessment of my Quirk is astute and your strategy is sound. You have taken into account my Quirk's weakness and have chosen the correct role for me. You have proven you truly are Hiro. Very well. I will follow your lead."
"Really? Great!" Midoriya beamed, smiling so brightly that it alone could become a weakness for Dark Shadow.
Speaking of.
"I like him, Fumi!" Dark Shadow piped up, emerging from him entirely. "But he's too bright."
Midoriya stood there wide eyed as Dark Shadow moved itself into his personal space, looking over their newly made ally.
"Indeed," Fumikage agreed with a smirk while the other boy blush. "His smile appears to be the sun incarnate." That only caused the other to blush further.
Dark Shadow flickered around the boy who slowly reached out a hesitant hand. The entity eyed the gloved hand before nestling its head against it. Fumikage stood there surprised as the spirit allowed the boy they had only just become acquainted with to pet it while nuzzling into the touch. All the while the boy smiled during the experience as the sentient shadow looked close to purring.
"Can we keep him, Fumi?" Dark Shadow blurted out of nowhere.
"K-keep me?!" Midoriya squeaked, withdrawing his hand in shock.
"You can't keep him, Dark Shadow. He's not a pet," Fumikage scolded, causing the entity to send him a challenging look which he returned with one of his own before turning back to the other boy. "Apologies, Midoriya. Dark Shadow can be…difficult to handle at times."
"O-oh, it's ok," Midoriya assured with a smile. "Um, shall we?"
He gestured for them to join the rest of their group before the dark teen nodded and followed his lead. As they walked, the greenette asked various questions about his Quirk both to him and the entity emanating from him. Dark Shadow was eager to share its own thoughts and Fumikage was surprised but pleased that the other boy treated the spirit as the individual it was. Dark Shadow may be a part of his Quirk, but the entity had a mind of its own.
Fumikage did not know much about this boy and had only recently discovered that he was indeed the Hiro that observed their training. But the other had a solid strategy and the advantage of having knowledge of everyone's Quirks. On top of that, he treated himself and Dark Shadow with respect.
Yes. Under the circumstances, joining this team will indeed be the best fit.
...
Before the Sports Festival, Hitoshi and Izuku had discussed in great length all the in's and out's of past festivals, picking the events apart and looking for reoccurring components. Such as the first round being a qualifier with an average of fifty-ish students moving on to the second. Or how the top students from the first are thrown off with some sort of twist to, as Midnight had said, 'spice things up.'
Another thing they had noticed is that one, the second round is usually a group battle, and two, those who make it tend to stick with the other students in their class. Which could prove to be a problem for the outliers such as Izuku, Mei, and Hitoshi. Like the Hero Practical, the Sports Festival was skewed towards physical Quirks. Meaning those that passed the practical typically did well in the festival too. So, the top fifty-ish mostly was made up of the Hero Course usually.
With students sticking to those in their own classes, the outliers like himself were left to either talk their way onto another team or the dregs left over had no choice but to team up. It was a shitty reality, but a reality none the less.
Izuku had a bit of an advantage in avoiding the latter of the two options. He was closer friends to the Hero Course students who ate lunch with them and if Mei wasn't able to team up with the top spot, Hitoshi was sure she would pair with her fellow Support student. But for Hitoshi, being the only one from 1-C, had no classmates to fall back on. And he'll be damned before he teamed up with the pervert who sullies the color purple.
Hitoshi's team-up prospects seemed bleak, but he had a plan. And it involved reuniting with another student who had challenged 1-A. As teams were forming around him, Hitoshi made his way to the far end of the field where 1-B was gathering. Upon approach, he heard a boy with sandy blonde hair giving a speech.
"Seems almost everyone in the audience is foaming at the mouth, focusing on Class 1-A. Why is that? What makes them so different? They fight off some Villains and suddenly they are the stars? It's like Tetsutetsu said. 1-A is so damn cocky. Thinking they're greater than us. But just because we're Class 1-B doesn't mean we're second rate. Let's show them we can win this whole thing and that we're not ones to be underestimated. What do you say? Are you with me?"
The other students in Class 1-B cheered at the speech, getting fired up. Their cheers naturally died down but they noticed there was one persistent slow clap remaining. The blonde along with the others turned to see a boy with gravity defying purple hair still clapping and smirking at the group.
"That was a nice speech," Hitoshi snarked, clapping one last time. "I want in."
"Sorry, but we're all full up," the blonde sneered, hands on his hips and a smug look on his face. "We have a beef to settle with 1-A and don't need a General Studies leech feeding off our hard work."
Let's see…sandy blonde hair, light blue eyes, cocky personality, hatred of 1-A…this must be Monoma. So that means…
Hitoshi scanned around the group and began to place the student with the Quirk from Izuku's notebooks. Along with training and strategizing, Izuku and he had spent hours reviewing the notes Izuku had taken during his observations of the Hero Course's combat training. They could come in quite hand for the pair of aspiring Hero students. And they would. Right now.
Pointing toward the boy he saw outside of 1-A with the silver hair, he said, "Steel."
Turning to another student, a girl with orange hair in a ponytail. "Big Fist."
"Scales," Hitoshi continued on, pointing at each student in turn. "Black. Twin Impact. Mushroom. Solid Air. Weld. Size. Razor Sharp. Cemedine. Lizard Tail Splitter. Poltergeist. Vines. Horn Cannon. Beast. Gyrate. Comic. Softening."
As he had pointed at each 1-B student and stated that student's Quirk, the group as a whole became paler and paler as his reveal went on. Finally, he pointed to Monoma.
"Copy."
When he finished with the sandy blonde, he didn't even try to stop the smug look that grew on his face as the other's disappeared into one of shock.
I do love to mess with people.
"H-how…" Monoma began, before clearing his throat and composing himself, feigning confidence. "You know our Quirks. How?"
Izuku was right. His cockiness is a kind of mask.
"Let's just say we have a mutual friend," Hitoshi answered, folding his arms and smirking. "One who observed yours and 1-A's training."
"You mean Hiro?" Monoma asked, blue eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Hey, I remember you," the silver haired teen interjected. Tetsutetsu, if he recalled. "You were the Gen Ed student who challenged 1-A before me. You wanted to be in the Hero Course but didn't make the cut."
"Yeah, that was me," Hitoshi confirmed, sparing the boy a glance before slowly passing his gaze across the group of 1-B students. "Those like me who were pushed to the side in favor of those deemed more worthy are willing to fight our way out of the masses and claw our way to the top. Teaming with you will allow me to do that. Together, we can knock them off their high pedestals and show the world we have what it takes too."
He could see some of the 1-B students looked at him in awe, which was weird by the way. While others had the fire of determination burning in their eyes. Hitoshi's Quirk may be Brainwashing, but he had a natural ability to pick up hints and find the words to manipulate others. A skill he planned to always use for good and heroic purposes.
"What's in it for us?" Monoma asked snidely, crossing his arms. "How do we benefit?"
"I told you," Hitoshi said, turning his attention to the blonde. "We have a mutual friend. One who observed your Quirks…"
Tired but driven purple eyes stared into curious pale blue ones.
"…and 1-A's."
That was what got Monoma on board. With some discussion, introductions, and rearranging of teams, Hitoshi found himself on a team with Tetsutetsu, Shiozaki, and Shouda. With their combined points of 85, 170, 200, and 55 respectively, their team was worth 510 points. He was also let in on half of 1-B's plan to focus on collecting lower headbands during the Cavalry Battle.
Huh…that's similar to what Izuku plans to do.
As the last of the prep time ended, the teams spread out to make their own strategies. For his own group, Tetsutetsu's Steel would be good for defense, Shiozaki's Vines would provide offense, and Shoda's Twin Impact could be good for both. As long as none of their Quirks made another team fall.
"And you, what about your Quirk?" Tetsutetsu asked, directing the question to Hitoshi as they continued to strategize.
"With my Quirk," the brainwasher replied with a smirk. "I can be…persuasive."
...
"Your fifteen minutes are up!" Midnight announced as she stretched her arms. "Time to get this party started!"
"HEY, LOOK ALIVE, ERASER!"
Huh, I'll bet Aizawa-sensei was taking a nap. Did he bring his sleeping bag up there? Making him a caterpillar commentator? Ha!
"AFTER HAVING FIFTEEN MINUTES TO FORM THEIR TEAMS AND STRATEGIES, LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE TWELVE TEAMS LINED UP AND READY TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD!"
"Hmm…interesting. They've come up with some unexpected student combinations."
Izuku looked around at the other teams and agreed with the Erasure Hero. He noticed Todoroki had teamed up with Iida, Yaoyorozu, and Kaminari with a total of 10,000,425 points. Katsuki teamed up with Kirishima, unsurprisingly, but also with Ashido and Sero, totaling at 685 points. The greenette's own team consisted of Mei, Uraraka, Tokoyami, and himself with a total of 470 points. He didn't have much time to take in the other teams before Present Mic continued his commentary.
"PUT YOUR HANDS UP, LISTENERS, AND LET ME HEAR YOUR BATTLE CRY! IT'S TIME FOR UA'S BATTLE ROYALE! HERE COMES ONE FINAL COUNT DOWN BEFORE THE GRAND MATCH!"
This is it.
"Uraraka-san?! Are you ready?"
"Yeah!"
"THREE!"
"Mei-chan?!"
"Heh heh heh!"
"TWO!"
"Tokoyami-kun?!"
"Yes!"
"ONE!"
"Alright…let's do this!"
"BEGIN!" Midnight shouted and instantly, the field came to life in a burst of activity.
Predictably, there was a mad dash after the first-place team. But those who thought that Todoroki's team would be a push over were utterly mistaken. Iida, their front man, improved their mobility with his Engine Quirk and also his fit body provided defense as well. Kaminari, as the left guard, would be able to keep other teams at bay with his Electrification Quirk. Yaoyorozu, as the right guard, could provide insulation from Kaminari's Quirk as she did in the USJ as well as help with movement and defense. She even made roller skates for Kaminari and herself to help with mobility.
And Todoroki…he could provide both offense and defense with his ice. Though Izuku thought his combat advantage would increase if he ever decided to use his left side, but the greenette knew the ice user refused to use that side of his Quirk. It was frustrating to the Quirkless teen that someone with such natural power would squander it for unknown reasons. But they were his reasons and his alone. Though…perhaps Izuku could try to find out what those reasons were.
Later. Now is not the time for that.
Izuku's team watched as numerous others went after the ten million. Team Hagakure, worth 410 points, consisted of Jirou in the front, Kouda on the right, and Satou on the left with a topless Hagakure as the rider taking full advantage of her Quirk albeit it being a bit risqué. Team Tetsutetsu, worth 510 points, also aimed for the top. Tetsutetsu, as the rider, pursued the prized headband along with Shouda as the left, Shiozaki as the right, and…wait, was that Hitoshi at the front?
Looks like he decided to team up with 1-B. Huh. Good luck, Hitoshi-kun!
"WE'RE BARELY TWO MINUTES IN AND THE FIELD IS ALREADY COMPLETE CHAOS AND A TOTAL FREE FOR ALL!"
Those teams were so focused on going after Todoroki's team that they didn't notice that others had a different strategy. Still on the sidelines to observe, Izuku and his team saw Team Monoma take Hagakure's headband. The 1-B team, consisting of Monoma as the rider, Tsubaraba as the front, Kaibara as the left, and Kuroiro as the right, suddenly increasing their points from 325 to 735.
"WATCH THOSE HEADBANDS! THE TEN MILLION IS QUITE A PRIZE BUT DON'T THINK THAT MEANS YOUR OWN POINTS ARE SAFE! ANY AND ALL HEADBANDS ARE UP FOR GRABS!"
"Huh," Izuku muttered from the rider position.
"What is it, Izuku?" Mei asked from his right.
"It looks like some teams from 1-B is also going for lower headbands," Izuku replied. "I figured everyone would be going for the ten million, but it seems some of 1-B has a different strategy like us."
"Will that prove to be an issue?" Tokoyami asked from the front, while Dark Shadow kept a look out.
"No, we'll stick to the plan," Izuku assured. "Stay away from the top team, focus on how many points whichever team is in third has, and take any points we can when the opportunity arises."
"Right!" all three of his teammates said together.
So that's what they did. As a team they stuck to the outskirts, targeting any other group that came near them while also paying mind to the team in third. With two Support students on one team, they had their choice of 'babies' to choose from. Izuku and Mei had interchanged some babies, but not all, for optimum use amongst their team members.
Mei wore his Fire Breath mask and had his Tape Gun strapped to her leg. Izuku sported her Air Jet inspired jet pack while Uraraka wore Mei's Hover Soles. The brunette had used her Quirk on them to negate their gravity to increase their mobility. Just in case they needed a quick escape though, since they weren't the holders of the ten million, they didn't need to use that strategy very often.
That didn't mean they were free from being targeted at all. After all, Team Midoriya wasn't the only one going for other point values than the ten million. Thankfully, with the motion detecting sensors in his goggles, Izuku was able to dodge the hand that reached out for his headband. He turned to find that the hand belonged to the sandy blonde boy with the Copy Quirk, Monoma.
"Well well well," Monoma drawled, with a smug look. "Look what we have here. Some of 1-A's cocky students pairing up with Support Course dregs. You must have been desperate to form such a team, 1-A. Did the other's in your class not want you?"
Izuku knew the blonde's demeanor was more of a mask than anything, but what he was saying wasn't very nice. It was one thing to have a rivalry with the other first year Hero Course class, but he didn't have to be so rude about it. Also, Support Course dregs? Not cool!
"Be careful what you say, Monoma-kun," Izuku said, getting a surprised look from the other boy at the use of his name. "You may have your issues with 1-A, but I won't let you insult them or my friends. My team wasn't made out of 'desperation', but of cooperation and strategy."
"You sure talk all high and mighty for a kid not in the Hero Course," Monoma sneered, arms poised ready to attack. "But you won't be for long once I copy your Quirk!"
Monoma lunged forward and Izuku blocked him by grappling with his hands. The blonde's face sported a triumphant look when they connected. Only for it to morph into confusion when his Copy Quirk came up with nothing.
"Try all you want, Monoma-kun," Izuku said with a leer. He leaned forward to the blonde's ear and whispered so quiet only he could hear. "But you can't copy something I don't have."
Pale blue eyes widened as realization struck as Monoma gasped, "…Hiro…"
Taking advantage of his surprise, Izuku shoved the other boy away and signaled to his teammates to retreat. In an instant, Mei and Uraraka covered their eyes as Izuku activated the jet pack and sent them into the air. With the help of Uraraka's Quirk and using the Hover Soles, the brunette was able to maneuver them away for a quick escape and they landed a fair distance from the attacking team.
...
"What just happened?" Kaibara asked as Neito was still stunned.
"Were you able to copy his Quirk?" Kuroiro prodded, glancing back.
"No…I…" Neito looked to the greenette to his own hand and back. "I couldn't…"
"Oh, one of those 'misses' you talked about, huh?" Kuroiro commented, looking back at the other team with a calculating glare.
"Yeah…" the blonde said, staring at the Quirkless boy whose stance was defensive.
This was Hiro. The same boy who observed all of the Hero Course's Quirks and said they were all fascinating. The one who was, as that Shinsou kid had said, a 'mutual friend.' The one who told the copier that his Quirk was useful unlike everyone else had told him growing up.
'You'll never be a Hero with a Quirk like that. There's no such thing as a Hero who can't do anything on their own.'
Hearing those words all his life had hurt. They didn't believe he could be a Hero with a Quirk that could only copy other people's powers. That when it came to a fight, without another Quirk to copy, he would be useless. But Hiro, a boy without a Quirk, saw his ability as useful. Versatile. A way to 'add an advantage to a fight.' He didn't see it as 'weak' as everyone had in the past. Quite the opposite in fact.
'It's a Quirk you can use to make yourself strong.'
This boy…he too knew what it was like to be considered 'weak' by others. At least with Neito's Copy Quirk, other's thought the blonde would have some use in any other area than being a Hero. At least he had a Quirk at all. But this boy, he had nothing but himself. And yet, he didn't let it define him. Hiro said so himself. He also said that it didn't define Neito either. That he was the only one to decide his own worth.
'Every person, and Quirk for that matter, has the potential to be great.'
Neito didn't think he would meet Hiro on the battle field and yet here they were. Facing off. In a fight that was in all sense a Quirkless one since the other had no Quirk for him to Copy. A standoff. One that, in any other situation, he would gladly take on. A true test of skill without reliance on Quirks. But now was not the time. They still needed to prove that Class 1-B was just as good as 1-A. That they were not to be underestimated. Something that he knew Hiro already understood.
"Come on, guys," Neito announced suddenly. "Let's leave them be."
"Wha?!" Tsubaraba exclaimed indignantly. "But what about their points?!"
"Don't need them," Neito declared with a smirk. "We have other teams to steal from…"
The sound of explosions rang through the air from the other side of the field.
"…like that pompous Bakugou."
The sandy blonde sent a subtle nod of understanding and comradery towards the greenette who returned it. Then he steered his team to chase after the explosive teen. The other's on Hiro's team seemed a bit confused as to why the copier had left them alone. But they weren't going to look a gift horse in the mouth and went on to implement their plan.
...
(A/N: Heyo! It was brought to my attention that some, or possibly all, readers are confused about how to use the blog stuff at the end of the chapters. I made a tumblr for this fic with additional comments and notes that I have posted on AO3 but not here due to formatting differences. Since I can't put the actual link 'cause this site won't let me, please use the below format to go to the blog. But with actual punctuation because I had to actually spell those out to write this here.
(blog name) period (tumblr) period com slash (notes extension)
Anyway, hope that helps and please read them if you would like! :D)
Tumblr blog name: ja0-s-blank-canvas-fic
Notes extension: post/634427515260338177/chapter-38-sports-festival-off-to-the-races
Cavalry Battle Teams: post/634427395842228224/bcfic-sports-festival-cavalry-battle-teams-and