"A man in a mirror!?" Sports Maxx nearly choked on his drink. A series of coughs and havoc escaped his throat as he turned down the volume of the television. "You sure, Overhaul?"
His current boss nodded. "I thought I was seeing things. But I'm sure. And his employer wants a sort of... merger."
Maxx's mind rocketed away, thinking back to when he was slightly younger. "This guy in the mirror. Did he have long brown hair and red eyes?"
Overhaul looked at him steadily. "Do you know him?"
Maxx set his glass down. "Yeah. Back stateside, I... moved a few things for a European crew."
"Drugs."
"Naturally. Guns, too. Anyway, my guys and I were loading up, all under the watchful, reflected eyes of one of their men. He made sure we didn't keep any of the goods."
"I see. And did this enforcer have a name?"
"Never shared that info. But I can tell you this. The guys he answered to... ain't nobody to say 'no' to. They got eyes, ears, and hands everywhere. They're called Passione, and back in their home turf, they controlled almost everything."
"And you know this, how?"
"I moved things for them more than once. Hotels, casinos, restaurants, the cops. You couldn't send a text without Passione reading it. Overhaul, if they've put their foot in your door, open it and let them in."
Overhaul was indeed considering doing so, especially with this newfound information. The Yakuza had fallen so far in such a small amount of time. However, one thing was gnawing at his thoughts. "Who gives the orders?"
"Dunno. Nobody does. He, or she, is a ghost. A faceless enigma. All I know is that asking questions like that leads to trouble."
XXXXXXXXX
"They didn't have any wine, Lord DIO," Iced said as he returned to his seat behind his personal savior. He passed the bloodsucker a water bottle filled with crimson liquid. "So I cut my wrist."
"Thank you, Iced." DIO sipped the plasma as he continued to watch the fun unfold. "I trust you've treated your wound? We don't need people freaking out over it."
"Of course, my Lord."
"Well, this sucks!" Gyro said as Kirishima burst out of the debris left by Todoroki.
Another first year, gleaming with silver, did the same. "That damn moron could have killed us!"
Johnny continued running with the initial danger finally settled. "Surrounded by psychos."
Gyro followed suit. "Dog eat dog, Izzy! Move it or lose it!"
Midoriya could tell that his eccentric friend was correct. This was a race with only one rule. Two if they all went with the de facto 'no killing' principle of life. He made his legs carry him forward at the best speed he could muster.
Above them, explosions could be heard. Gyro glanced towards the sky to find Bakugo using his flying technique to catapult over the wreckage. "Man, I hate that guy sometimes."
Johnny kept his own eyes forward. "I'm prepared to shoot him if need be, Gyro."
Izuku was too far behind to hear Joestar's dark statement. This is only the first leg of the Festival! If I use One For All here, I'm done for! As he continued on, he spied something. A slab of metal, roughly as tall as he was and slightly wider. Must have fallen off one of the robots! An idea came to him. Without losing too much momentum, he reached down and grabbed it. Maybe I don't have to use my Quirk just yet!
All of those who had been left in the dust pressed on.
Far ahead, Bucciarati kept his own pace right behind Diego. You probably don't recognize me, Brando. I saw you in Rome once. We all did. And I want to know just what it was you did to make Trish shed tears like that...
Todoroki was the first to reach the next section of the Obstacle course; a series of ropes going from plateau to plateau over a shadowy ravine. Multiple courses to choose from. A multitude of tightrope walks.
Brando grinned. "See you in my tracks!" He leapt forward and sprinted along the thick line.
Bucciarati's veneer did not change. His Stand moved to be in front of him. As he came to the first rope, Sticky Fingers punched it twice. The first simply to dislodge it, and the second to use his Ability. Instantly, a zipper manifested on the twine, stretching from one end to another. Bucciarati grabbed the slider as it fell down. With but a mere thought, the slider moved towards the opposite end, dragging the Italian upwards. Coming to the rock above, he reached with his free hand and gripped the ledge. Pulling himself up, he went on, leaving a useless, split rope behind.
Far behind, Valentine seethed as D4C's legs overshadowed her own as she sprinted. "Damn it all! One rule, and it's one that my Stand breaks!"
Even further back, Johnny was unsure what to do. His nails were not so effective on metal, and there were too many Zero-Pointers to deal with. Before he could think further, a boom filled his and everybody else's ears. Something collided with the massive bot, sending it to the ground.
"Not even a sweat!"
The disowned son of the latest George Joestar looked over and saw Yaoyorozu, with her shirt undone, standing next to a cannon, smoke billowing from the muzzle.
Gyro could not help but laugh. "Nyo ho! I love that girl!"
More and more came to the second phase of the race.
"These are too wide for me to jump across, kero." Tsuyu got on all fours and started to make her way across the first gap. Before she even a meter inward, the rope bounced, making her hold on tighter.
Behind her, a black-maned young man had a face of smugness on. "If I can't outrun them all, I'll just make sure there's only one way to go!"
A whirring rang out overhead. Everybody within earshot tilted their heads back. The small plane from earlier was soaring once more. It nosedived... and opened fire. A barrage of bullets hit one of the small posts keeping the rope in place, sending it over the edge. Those who had made their way to the now destroyed way to cross stared for a moment. When the shock passed, they scrambled to the next passable route, only for more fire to rain down, wrecking another rope. Narancia continued his raging strategy over and over again, leaving less and less options to those behind him and Tsuyu.
"A little bit of overkill, Narancia!" Giorno claimed loudly.
Next to him, a young woman with pink hair covered in tech grinned. "Not a problem for me! Time for my babies to shine!" From a chest plate, a harpoon and line shot out, easily making it across the drop and burying itself into the closest ledge. It became evident that she had a winch on her as the cable quickly wound back into where it had come, taking her across. She landed on her destination with ease and excitement before repeating the procedure.
Giorno's resolve flared as Gold Experience punched the ledge he was standing on. Instantly, a sapling sprouted forth, and grew. Those behind him found the sight to be like watching a tape on fast forward. As the tree continued to increase in size and length, Giorno hopped on. Nature soon ran its course. The tree started growing upwards, towards the sun, its source of succentance. Fortunately, its initial growth proved to be useful. Standing on the branch closest to the other plateau, Giorno curled his leg muscles. He jumped. His arm outstretched and ready for the impact of grabbing on, he soon realized he had leapt too soon. He was not going to make it. With a mere thought, Gold Experience manifested once more in front of him. Its left hand grabbed his own, and its right managed to grip the rocky ledge in front of them. As he and his Stand pulled him up, the competition had seen the spectacle, and mobbed to the tree, intending to repeat his actions.
Along one of the select few alternate paths Narancia had missed, Iida used his Engines to propel him along, desperate to keep his balance. "I'm positive my brother is watching! And I can't let myself look so lame!"
Over in the audience, those words gave DIO a revelation. He snapped his fingers. Instantly, D'Arby passed him a phone. He dialed quickly and put it to his ear. Tone. Tone. Tone.
"Yeah?"
"It's me."
Those simple words were enough. "Lord DIO!"
"Yes. I should let you know, I'm in the country. I'm in the Festival's audience."
"You're here!? Are you..."
"No. He still has that role. I'm here because of... other reasons."
"The blonde kid with the fangs. Is he yours?"
"My late daughter's little boy. A gloryhound, through and through. You might like him. Or not."
"Is he in the loop, then?"
"No. I would gain nothing from telling him. In fact, it would be counterproductive. I've spent years keeping him happy. He enjoys the spotlight and praise too much. I saw your... attempt. How are your injuries?"
"You saw? They hurt like hell."
"I can imagine. I'm no stranger to pain." He rubbed his neck. "Anyway, are you watching the Festival?"
"I am. And..."
DIO cocked an eyebrow. "And what?"
"I think... DIO, I have to go. My bandages need changing."
"Of course. Take care of yourself, child." He hung up. "Did I miss anything?"
Pucci looked at the monitor. "They've reached the minefield."
Several small mounds were strewn about, marking the areas where explosions would be imminent. Todoroki had maintained his lead and reached it first.
Diego thundered in and inhaled deeply through the nose... and smiled wickedly before sprinting off. He sniffed again. "Black powder. Iron. There!" He altered his course and continued on.
That's a trick I cannot copy, Bucciarati mused. He heard explosions, but saw none of the mines detonate. Bakugo. He came up with his own idea. "Sticky Fingers!" His Stand appeared and punched the ground, making another zipper appear on the dirt. He drew in as deep a breath he could as it opened. He jumped in before it closed and vanished.
Still above ground, Todoroki sprinted. His lungs were flaming up and his muscles ached, but he paid no mind to any of it. One thing that did warrant his attention, however, was a series of explosions being let out behind him. Had he activated some of the mines? No, other he would have been flung towards Kingdom Come. Whatever was happening, it was getting closer.
The answer came in the form of angry words. "You declared war to the wrong guy, Icy-Hot!' Bakugo roared as he caught up, using his napalm to propel himself. "You and Lizard Breath are nothing! Nothing!"
His audible rage reached Diego's ears, making him grin even wider. I'm going to enjoy watching you fall into despair, Kacchan. Your tears will be my elixir! He forced his legs to carry him forward at top pace.
Below him, Sticky Fingers punched before its master with abandon, continuously opening a short distance with its zippers, allowing Bruno to keep moving. Bucciarati, being only human, could not see where he was going, only that his direction was towards the goal. His eyes could only register the absolute lack of light. He had gambled, going below ground to avoid the mines, but now his hand was coming up short. He couldn't breathe, and his lungs were all but screaming for new oxygen. He had no choice. He willed his Stand to aim upwards.
As the goal got closer and closer to being reached, chaos unfolded even moreso than before.
Johnny ran along. Years of horseback riding had toned his stamina and fatigue resistance. Next to him, he heard inane giggling followed by screaming. He and Tusk risked a glance. What beheld the User and Stand was something both would rather forget. Mineta, practically drooling, had used his hair balls to latch onto Yaoyorozu's back. Her disgust was evidently. The Joestar considered lending a hand. Or rather, a nail. His aim was good enough. He could certainly slice the adhesive orbs and send the diminutive pervert to the ground.
"Chumimiiiin!" Tusk rang.
Why should I? Johnny reasoned to himself. I have my own problems. His eyes returned to showing him what was in front of him and he continued on.
Todoroki and Bakuko remained neck and neck, when a yellow zipper formed on the ground a few meters in front of them. Both could not help but glance at it for the briefest of moments in bewilderment, albeit with slowing their paces. Out of the peculiar sight emerged somebody Todoroki recognized from earlier. 1-B's resident Stand User emerged from the earth and made a mad dash for the finish line. This sight snapped both behind him out of their trance and made them go even faster to catch up. An act they would have to do quickly.
The User of Scary Monsters felt pure elation. His vision sparkled at his imminent victory. His ears, however, registered a particularly deafening shockwave. He could hear the dirt flying high and smell the combustion. So, have one of the dogs taken the easy way out? It's only fitting! You're all beneath this Dio! He felt like cackling. First place was as good as his and his alone.
The winner is- eh? A shadow passed over him. His neck snapped back as his legs continued doing their job. A large, green rectangle was flying roughly six feet over his head. Was that what had caused that large boom a moment before? Had it fallen off one of the robots and onto a cluster of mines? Diego supposed it mattered little. After all, a heap of scrap was not a contestant in this race. At least he thought it wasn't. As it surpassed him, simultaneously losing altitude, he was able to see the skyward side. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. A messy heap of green hair met his eyesight, and he realized too late what had happened.
Midoriya clung to his metal shield like a child would a sled going down an icy slope. I did it! I caught up to the leaders! But celebrating would have to wait. This sprint was not over yet, and knowing Diego, the Brit would surely do anything to maintain his position. And he was not the only one who craved victory.
"Deku! You think you can get ahead of me?!" Bakugo seethed. He and Todoroki, now with three common enemies, stopped assaulting each other and made to take first place for themselves.
As Izuku's airborne momentum began to vanish, he and his mode of transportation tilted toward. The sky was below him and the ground about to introduce itself to his cranium. And right in front of, or behind him, depending on perspective, Diego was looking at him with an expression that was the perfect blend of shock and anger. While a small part of Midoriya felt bad for causing such a negative sensation in his friend, he could not allow it to consume him. He had a race to win, after all.
I'm losing speed! And Diego looks like he wants to eat me! His mind raced as he fell. Those few instants felt like hours. He began to separate from his metal. He gripped the loose wire attached to it. Kacchan, Todoroki, and Bucciarati closed in behind Brando.
You think you can surpass me, Izuku? ME?! It's impossible! I'm Diego Brando! The next Dio to lay waste to all who stand in my way!
Izuku continued to lose his lead as the determined foursome all caught up. No! I'm not about to give up! The cable went taut. He grasped it with both hands, and wound his arms back. I told you I'm not your punching bag anymore, Kacchan! I'm not about to let any of you pass!
He swung the piece of scrap downward in front of him, right between the cabal longing to claim victory. The impact was massive, as if one of the mines had detonated. Dirt and sand went everywhere, like a tornado in a desert.
As the force of the blow sent Izuku forward, he heard a high pitched, pain-filled "wryyyyyy!" come from the opaque debris. But he did not let it distract him. With the major threats dealt with, he regained his footing on the ground and sprinted as humanly possible.
"What on Earth are you teaching that class of yours, Aizawa?!" Present Mic was positively giddy with what was unfolding.
"He didn't learn that from me," Eraser Head replied with his trademark detachment.
"Well, wherever he got those moves from, the first one to return to us is 1-A's own Midoriya Izuku!"
The greenette panted as the applause thundered. Surely, he had shocked nearly everyone. And not just those watching from the seats. As he caught his breath, more and more of his peers reached the goal.
Diego claimed his spot... with a look that suggested he was trying to solve the meaning of life. It... it isn't possible. I lost? I'm Dio... I never lose...
Sticky Fingers supported its User, who was clutching his side.
Bakugo and Todoroki wheezed next to each other.
"We'll compile the results shortly!" Present Mic's voice boomed from the speakers. "For now, enjoy your breather!"
As more and more reentered the domed stadium, Izuku's friends came over to him. First, naturally, was Diego, who was looking at him as if he were a ghost with two heads.
"You... beat me..." He sounded lost. And insulted.
"Well, it was a race, right?" Izuku had this feeling that while Kacchan endlessly threatened him, Brando would actually act on it.
Diego took in a deep, haunting breath. But before he could answer...
"Deku! You were amazing!" The two saw Uraraka running over to them, beaming.
Behind her, Iida was in considerably low spirits. "To think, I would place so low with a Quirk like mine... but I will admit, using that airplane was clever."
As the last of the contestants returned to the arena, Midnight smiled from her position. "Well, then let's see the results, shall we?"
On the gigantic screen, the top three took up the first row. Midoriya Izuku. Brando Diego. Bucciarati Bruno.
More and more names quickly appeared, but Diego was solely concerned with his own. And that accursed '2' next to it.
"Doesn't feel so good, does it, Dio?" The Brit glanced to his left. Johnny was not smirking. Or even smiling. He was just... looking.
Diego snarled. "I don't need to hear it, Johnny."
"And yet I've heard it endlessly from you since we were kids." The American walked off to join Gyro and Momo, the former of which had forcibly peeled Mineta off the latter.
Ochako looked at Diego with confusion. "What does he mean by that?"
Iida spoke up. "I recall you two having a confrontation on our first day at UA."
"You all have no clue who either of us are," Dio replied. "If you looked closer at a portion of the zeitgeist that didn't involve Heroes, you'd all have known me by reputation alone when we first met."
He offered no further explanation before Midnight spoke again. "Well, only the top forty-two can advance to the next. But to all those who didn't make it, take heart! The real showstopper is yet to come! Now that the preliminaries are finished, onward we go! Just what awaits us?! I can barely contain myself!"
The proceeding contestants vanished from the screen, and were replaced by two words.
CAVALRY BATTLE!
Whilst a slight confusion washed over some of the students, the R-Rated Hero began her explanation. "You'll all form teams of two to four in the horseback formation!"
That lifted Diego's mood slightly. Any chance to display dominance over others got him in a pleasant state of mind.
As Midnight continued with the rules, one of the audience members paid no attention to her words. He only gazed at her.
"Enrico, tell me about that one," DIO said.
"Midnight. Kayama Nemuri. She can exude a gaseous substance that causes sleep when inhaled."
"No problem with her Quirk then."
Pucci continued. "She is dedicated to the job, but also considerably sadistic."
DIO's eyes narrowed as his lips curled upwards. "I like her already. Introduce me to her when this Festival is over."
"So be it, my old friend."
They returned to listening to the goings on. "... with the exception of first place. That position is worth ten million points."
Midoriya felt glass break within him. Everybody was staring at him. He could feel each and every eye bury into him like a spade to mud. Every single person around him knew that the headband that was to be given to him would ensure the win.
Among them, Diego came to his own plan. Fine. I can still use him. My dinosaur reflexes are invincible. And him pulling another stunt like earlier would be irritating to be on the receiving end.
As he schemed, the majority of 1-A gravitated over to Bakugo, begging to team up with him. He simply stared at the space in front of him for a moment. "What are all of your Quirks again?"
Gyro, standing directly in front of him, smiled and spoke in the most saccharine tone imaginable. "Ehi, vai a farti fottere, Bakugo! Spero che Brando ti mangi mentre stai ancora respirando!"
While most had no clue what the Spin User had just happily declared, a select few did.
Narancia did not bother holding in his laughter. "Hahahahaaaaa! I like that guy!" He wiped a tear out of his eyes. "Ehi, Giorno. Aren't you gonna go team up with your... what is he again? Your long lost brother?"
Giorno shook his head. "Nipote. And no. He has made it crystal clear that he is not fond of me. At all."
Bucciarati looked over to the blonde standing next to the Obstacle Course's winner. "Is that so?" He thought about Monoma's intention of gaslighting a rivalry, and started walking.
Narancia immediately lost track of what was going on. "Ehi, Bucciarati! What are you doing?"
"Hopefully, extending an olive branch."
A few meters in front of him, Midoriya looked like he was about to burst into tears. "You... really want to team up? You aren't mad?"
Diego responded with oil dropping off his words. "Of course not, Izuku. It makes sense, does it not? I think having the winner be on my team would be most pragmatic."
"Count me in too!" Ochako declared, taking a spot next to them.
Izuku was shocked. "R-really, Uraraka?"
"Sure! If we just evade everyone, we can win for sure."
Diego was unimpressed. "You do realize that it is not that simple, yes?"
"Of course I do!" She remained chipper. "But when all is said and done, I'd rather join up with my friends!"
Diego shrugged. "Have it your way."
Midoriya instantly caught sight of his other friend. "Iida!" He beckoned the class President over. "I think the four of us can make a perfect team. With you in front, the speed will be amazing. If Uraraka makes us float, our mobility will be unmatched. And with Dio as the Rider, his tail and claws have the perfect sort of reach."
A good plan, Diego silently conceded. Of course, I could also turn you all into my pets and make you blindly obey me. I've taught myself a new trick... but I think I'll save it for later.
Iida had the same opinion of Midoriya's setup. "Your penchant for strategy is, as ever, awe-inspiring, Midoriya. But I refuse."
Izuku blanched. "... what?"
"Every time we have been pitted against each other, you have bested me. If all i do is follow you, I'll never grow myself." He started walking away. "So I'll be doing my best to challenge you, and to win."
Ochako could not believe it. This was not supposed to happen. "Iida..."
Diego scoffed. "So be it." His teammates looked at him with confusion. "If he wishes to get crushed by Team Brando, then we should extend the courtesy."
"I don't suppose you all would consider letting somebody outside your circle to ally with you?" The trio looked over to who had approached them. He offered only a serious expression. As did his Stand. At least they assumed so, as its eyes were covered.
"You want to be on our team?" Midoriya could hardly process it.
Bucciarati nodded. "And I can vow that we will undoubtedly win."
"Really?!" Izuku got his hopes up, as did Uraraka.
"Yes. I need only borrow that ten million point headband you'll be receiving."
A skeptical Diego voiced his concerns. "And just how do you intend to do that?"
"Ah yes. You were in front of me for most of the Obstacle Course. You didn't see what Sticky Fingers can do."
Ochako looked slightly repulsed by the name. "Sticky Fingers?"
Rather than giving a verbal answer, the blue and white Stand tapped its knuckles on Midoriya's fingers. Instantly, a yellow zipper formed across his fingers, effectively fusing them together. Instinct took hold of him, and he tried to separate his digits. It proved to be a fruitless attempt. He grabbed it with his free hand and pulled, only to fail again.
With a mere thought from Bucciarati, it vanished. "Once I put something inside the zippers, only I can remove it. And them."
After testing his fingers to make sure they still worked, Midoriya caught on to why his newfound teammate promised they would win. As did the other two.
Not too long later, Midnight's voice again filled the air. "Well, prep time is up! Let's get this show on the road!"
"Alright then, hoist me up." Diego said nonchalantly and waited patiently as the trio did just that. Given his lithe physique and lack of exceptional height, it turned out to be an easy task.
As he gripped and lifted Diego's right leg, Bucciarati could not help but wonder why Midoriya was not the one on top.
Midoriya, positioned to be the front of their team's horse, knew all too well. Diego's insistence on maintaining his dignity would never allow him to put anybody, not a single soul, above him on his back. But... maybe his love of winning will outweigh it someday...
Being the rider, Diego tied the invaluable headband around his skull, and Sticky Fingers gently pressed its hands into it several times. Numerous small zippers ran vertically from his flesh, over the cloth, and back onto his skin.
"Do we have a plan?" Bruno asked.
The young Brando grinned in a way that made his grandfather proud. "We destroy all those who come near us. With this," he tapped the headband, "they'll all scurry to us like rats in a field."