Chapter 23: The Third Event

After the second event, the first-year students were called back to the stadium to participate in a series of useless games for the audience's amusement. The whole ordeal was humiliating (it had largely been created to inflate the length of the games to sell more commercials), but at least it wasn't too exhausting. After an hour of making fools of themselves, the first-year students were dismissed for lunch while the half-time event played.

In the cafeteria, disappointment hung thick over Class 1-A as they sat together in sullen silence while eating their lunches. This wasn't how the Sports Festival was supposed to go. Though several of them were advancing to the third round, all of their victories felt hollow; like they had managed to squeak through on technicalities as opposed to merit. Even Bakugo was pensive as he poked away at his burger with his fries.

For those unfortunates who had not advanced to the third round, their minds were filled with a clawing doubt. Aizawa had told them that if they failed to live up to his expectations during the Sports Festival, they could be replaced by those who did. Maybe they deserved it? Maybe they really weren't qualified.

Momo, who had been browsing the internet for news, lowered her smart phone and broke the silence.

'They're saying that this is the first time so many support heroes and general education students have advanced to the third round in Sports Festival history.' she said morosely to the group, 'So either they're that good-'

'Or we're that bad.' Mina finished glumly, 'This sucks.'

'At least you guys qualified.' Kirishima said, smiling mirthlessly, 'I never even made it past the cliffs.'

'I never even made it to the robots.' Tsuyu croaked, still hugging the hot water bottle that Recovery Girl had given her, 'I'm as good as gone.'

Bakugo snorted, 'Listen to you guys. What kind of heroes are you? If this is how you act then you deserve to get kicked out.'

Mina scowled at him fiercely, 'Bakugo, I've had enough of your-'

'No wait!' Kirishima interrupted and Mina looked over at him in surprise, 'I want to hear what he has to say. Okay Bakugo, what would you do?'

'Well to start I wouldn't sit around and mope! I'd get pissed off!' Bakugo growled, 'Do you think it's a coincidence that all this weird stuff has been happening? Mark my words, this is all Deku's doing.'

Kaminari, Jiro, Kirishima, Shoji, Sato, and Ojiro all exchanged looks. They had each had a suspicious encounter with Izuku during the track.

'Are you talking about what happened to us on the course?' Jiro asked.

'Yes! And even before that! I don't think you guys realize just how sneaky and manipulative Deku is! Who but he would be devious enough to use fucking forest fire suppressant on us? Hell, he was probably planning this ever since the incident at the USJ! Scouting us for vulnerabilities, figuring out who to take out!'

'Are you saying the reason why he targeted me in the minefield is because he saw me fighting and figured I was some threat to his masterplan?' Ojiro asked incredulously.

'Yes!' Bakugo said, pounding his fist on the table.

'Why didn't he take me out?' Mina asked, twirling her hair, 'I was right beside Oijiro.'

'Oh, he has some sort of weapon in store for you raccoon eyes. You can bet your horns on that.' Bakugo said darkly.

Momo scrunched up her face as she considered what Bakugo was suggesting.

'This all sounds highly unlikely, Bakugo. Izuku helped Ojiro in the USJ remember? He helped me, Jiro and Kaminari too. I somehow doubt he's been following us around examining for weaknesses. Taking advantage of the chaos during the event is one thing, but to suggest that he's been researching us? Come on. We've never even run into him outside of school.'

Ochaco cleared her throat and everyone looked at her.

'I-I talked with him on the weekend before the festival.'

'What?' they chorused, Bakugo looked furious.

'What did you tell him?!' Bakugo snarled.

'Nothing! Honest!' Ochaco said desperately, 'I just found him while I was going for a jog…' At that she told them all the story of encountering Izuku that Saturday and the conversation they had.

'Really that's it! He never mentioned anything about secret weapons, or anything creepy at all!' Ochaco pleaded to her grim-faced peers.

'Maybe he was trying to figure out if you were a threat.' Jiro said studying her hands, her brow furrowed in concentration.

'Listen to me. I've known Deku his whole life. He keeps entire fucking notebooks about people's quirks. He's always analyzing people, looking for weaknesses and shit. It's pathetic, but that's what gives him his edge.' Bakugo said, scowling to himself.

'So if he knows everybody's weaknesses then how do we beat him?' Hagakure asked.

'I don't know about you weaklings, but I'm just going to blast him. His fucking gas won't help If I'm right on top of him!' Bakugo declared, eyes alight with energy as he thought about finally giving Deku his just desserts.

'That's quite a theory you have Bakugo.'

Everyone turned to the end of the table. It was Todoroki.

'But I have one question. Why? Why would Midoriya go through so much trouble?' Todoroki asked quietly. Bakugo pushed away from the table and stared back at him.

'Because his whole life Deku has wanted to be a hero. He's always dreamed of going to UA and becoming All Might's sidekick or some stupid shit. But when he found out he had no quirk, he had to settle for the support department instead. He knew he could never pass the hero program entrance exam so he's been biding his time, waiting for his chance to worm his way into the hero department some other way. I bet he thinks that if he wins the Sports Festival they'll transfer him over to the hero program.'

Everyone was silent as they thought it through. It all seemed to make perfect sense.

'Gee, after all the work he's put in, maybe he deserves it.' Kirishima said, in a tone bordering respect.

'Oh? Then why don't you tell Aizawa that, porcupine? I'm sure he'll be happy to transfer you. Remember, our class is full. So if Deku comes in, one of you losers is out. Get it?'

Everyone was silent again. Their minds whirling. It wasn't like they hadn't all dreamed of being heroes since the day they were born either. It wasn't like they didn't work their asses off too. It was decided. Izuku must not be allowed to advance in the tournament.

'Hey, where's Todoroki?' Mina asked.

Class 1-A looked around the cafeteria but he was gone.

Izuku sat across the thin railing overlooking the parking lot and gazed towards the skyline of Musutafu. He wondered what Weasel was doing right now. Was he running around his apartment like a madman, banging on his neighbours' doors while shouting the good news? Or was he phoning all the bookies he knew, confirming their bets? Whatever the case, he was sure that when they met later he was going to get an earful.

With a contented sigh Izuku opened up his lunch bag and retrieved his left-over pork cutlet sandwich. The hard part was over. All he needed to do now was just ride out the third round. Of course, if he was able to make it to the podium, he would get triple the money, but he didn't want to think about that. Just as he was about to take a bite, he sensed someone approaching from behind him. He stared longingly at his sandwich for a second before setting it down on his lap. Hopping off the balcony railing, he waited for the person to show themselves.

To his surprise the person who appeared in the doorway was Shoto Todoroki.

'There you are.' Todoroki said as he walked out on to the balcony, 'You weren't with your classmates in the cafeteria.'

'N-No. I, uh, brought my own lunch.' Izuku said, lifting his sandwich helpfully. In truth he had thought about sitting with them, but he decided he wanted some privacy. It had been a busy morning.

'Oh. Huh.' Todoroki said moving to stand beside him, 'Congratulations so far in the tournament. I don't think anybody expected the support department to get this far. Bakugo was telling me that you're the one behind the fire extinguishing attack during the first event. Is that true?'

Izuku gulped, 'M-Me? No! I mean…well…yeah I knew everybody's weaknesses and I might have made a few suggestions here and there but I didn't design the weapons themselves per se.'

Todoroki was silent as Izuku stammered out his excuses, cool skepticism written across his face.

'I see.' he said finally, 'I guess we all underestimated you. Listen, I didn't come here to threaten you or anything, Midoriya. I just wanted to tell you that I respect you. And if we are matched up against each other, I will take the fight seriously.'

Todoroki gave him one last glance before walking back out the doorway and out of view. Izuku looked after him for a moment before hopping back on the railing.

He's "taking the fight seriously"? Hopefully he doesn't burn my hair off. He thought as he took a bite of his sandwich.

An hour later Izuku was standing in the prep room checking over his gear. After lunch had ended, Midnight had told him that he was going to be fighting in the first match of the day. His opponent was the acid slinging, ditzy, loudmouth Mina Ashido. By all accounts she didn't amount to much in the brains department, but her quirk was strong and she had ranked highly in the class 1-A fitness tests. Underestimating her would be a serious mistake. Thankfully, she had a glaring weakness that he could exploit.

He double checked his satchel. Everything was set. Taking a deep breath, he regarded himself in the mirror. What he saw caused him to giggle. With his grenades, utility belt, nightstick and empty holster he looked ridiculous.

I should try to win this round. I don't need to, but I should try. I was the one who designed the acid neutralization bomb after all.

While he stood there, the door to the room opened and he turned to face the newcomer. It was Power Loader.

'Mr. Maijima!' he said, taken aback. He hadn't seen his teacher since the event started.

'Midoriya, it's time. Are you ready?'

'Y-Yes, sir!'

'Good. Follow me then.'

He accompanied Power Loader through the halls and down a flight of stairs. As they walked, he found himself repeatedly adjusting his utility belt and satchel bomb. Even though he didn't need to win, his fellow classmates were looking up to him and he didn't want to let them down. They had their own matches to fight after his and how would it look if he just got destroyed in the first round? Besides, the extra money would definitely come in handy.

I shouldn't just throw in the towel. As long as I'm careful, I'm sure I can make it to the podium without revealing I have powers.

Power Loader must have sensed something as he inclined his head towards him.

'Are you nervous?'

'No.' Izuku lied automatically. There was really no other appropriate response.

'Hm. Good. Just stay alert Midoriya and you'll do fine.'

Coming to the bottom of the stairwell, he found himself at the start of the long ramp leading into the stadium. Echoing down the concrete corridor, he could hear the dim rumbling of tens of thousands of spectators. The ceiling itself seemed to be shaking with their clamour. Power Loader gestured with his arm towards the sunlight at the end of the tunnel.

'Good luck.' he said before turning around and climbing back up the stairs. Izuku watched him disappear before turning back towards the ramp. Slowly he started to walk towards the light, each step magnifying the sound of the fearsome energy above him.

Izuku exited out the tunnel and walked stiff legged towards the central stage where Midnight and Mina were already waiting. As he walked, he was buffeted by cheers and shouts while cameras swirled overhead recording his every step. About halfway to the stage he suddenly became painfully aware of his gangly arms but he resisted the urge to start swinging them.

Even though he was alone, he didn't feel the same nervousness he had when he had first entered the stadium.

I guess after you've been humiliated once on national TV, you kind of build up a resistance to it.

After crossing the grass, he climbed up a short set of steps to the grey, square concrete dais that was to be the battleground for the matches. The fighting space was gigantic; fifty metres by fifty metres. Plenty of room for a prolonged match, though he wasn't planning on one.

There were two teachers waiting for him. Midnight who stood in the middle of the square and Cementoss who was seated in a solid concrete chair just outside of the arena.

Izuku turned his attention to Mina. She looked determined as ever though he couldn't help but notice that she was paler than usual. It could just be a trick of the light, but the way her chest was heaving told him that she was likely just as nervous as he was.

She probably doesn't want to look like an idiot either. The slightest screw up and we'll be the laughing stock of the internet for the next week.

'Alright contestants.' Midnight said once the pair had stopped advancing, 'The rules for the fighting tournament are simple, but absolute. For you and your opponent's safety you will follow them to the letter.' she said looking between the two, 'Understood?'

'Yes, ma'am.' Izuku and Mina said in unison.

'Alright. The first rule is that if at any time myself or Cementoss calls an end to the fighting, you will both immediately stand down and await further instructions. Understood?'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Good. Next, victory is decided by ring out, forcing your opponent to surrender, knocking your opponent unconscious, or immobilizing your opponent. Do you understand?'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Then you may advance to the black painted line.'

Midnight gestured to the line and he and Mei started to walk towards their respective starting positions located on opposite sides of the square. As he neared his line, he saw Mina roll up her sleeves.

Good. The more exposed skin the better.

Upon reaching their positions they stopped and the stadium grew quiet. It was a surreal experience. Being surrounded by tens of thousands of people who were just watching. The silence was broken by Midnight who called out to them.

'I will count three, two, one, go. Ready? Three.'

'Two.'

'One.'

'…'

'Go!'

As soon as the word was given the stadium erupted into cheers as Mina charged. Midstep her arms became covered in a milky white film that spread down to her hands. Rushing forward, she raised them up at her sides. While she approached Izuku unslung the strap of the satchel around his shoulders and readied himself. Taking hold of the black cord that dangled off from the satchel, he waited for her to come within range.

As she moved, a droplet of the white substance dripped off of her and splattered on the concrete. A plume of smoke rose from where it landed, instantly burning a hole into the arena floor. Izuku's eyes widened at the sight.

Holy shit! If she splashes me with that stuff, I could be turned into a puddle in seconds!

Deciding that she had come close enough, he yanked the black cord and hurled the satchel by its strap towards her. It lobbed through the air, spinning end over end as it flew. Mina looked at it uncertainly for a half second before flicking her arms towards it. A splash of deadly acid coated the device and it immediately started smoking an acrid black. However, the pack was not destroyed and instead continued on towards her. She raised her arms defensively and attempted to dodge away, but before she could move it exploded in the air in front of her.

Izuku's view of her was temporarily obscured in a thick white cloud of what looked to the audience like flour. The stadium went silent and Izuku watched breathlessly.

Did it work?

A moment passed. And then another. Just as Izuku started to reach for one of his grenades, he heard a terrible wailing scream come from within the cloud. Charging out of the white dust was Mina. She was wildly flailing her now foam-covered arms while running around in circles, screaming at the top of her lungs. After a second of this stunning performance she dropped to the concrete and started rolling back and forth.

'Get it off! Get it off! Get it off! Aaahhh!' she screeched, trailing a puddle of bubbling water as she slid around like some sort of diseased snail. Suddenly from off stage a jet of water activated and began spraying her down and immediately her cries of anguish ceased.

Izuku merely stood there slack jawed. After a moment he snapped his mouth shut and quickly did some mental chemistry.

I have no idea what kind of acid she creates, but I can guess its pH based on how it reacted with the concrete. Judging by the amount of water that formed during the reaction, the heat of enthalpy must have been enormous! Let me think…carry the four…

Before he could approximate the energy released from neutralizing Mina's acid however, Midnight interrupted his train of thought.

'Um, winner by surrender: Izuku Midoriya!'

The stadium erupted into cheers and Izuku was startled at the sudden burst of sound. He had briefly forgotten that there was an audience.

As the crowd cheered, he glanced over to where Mina was laying. She looked like she wished she could dissolve away into the concrete. The gym uniform she was wearing was in tatters and her usual bubble gum coloured skin was now bone white.

'G-Good fight!' Izuku shouted to her.

He thought he saw her mouth something in response but he couldn't hear her over the crowd. Turning, he walked back over to the exit tunnel, waving in a way that he hoped didn't seem cocky.

Meanwhile several kilometres away Ruriko was sitting in her crowded apartment with the rest of her family watching the games.

'Ha!' Ruriko shouted triumphantly, 'Ya'see? I told you Deku would win!'

'How though? What was that bomb thing he threw?' her mother asked puzzled.

'Probably a base or something to neutralize the acid.' Ruriko said smugly. Her brothers rolled their eyes behind their matching sunglasses. She had become such a know-it-all ever since she got into high school.

'Is that allowed?' her father asked frowning as Izuku walked off stage.

'I suppose it must be dear. Otherwise they wouldn't have allowed him to use it.' Ruriko's mother said back.

Her father shook his head disapprovingly, 'Back in my day, it was about quirks versus quirks. Skill versus skill. Nowadays they're letting people in with weapons to try and level the playing field. Makes no sense if you ask me.'

Ruriko ignored him.

Come on Deku! You show 'em! Quirks don't count for everything!

After his match, Izuku was directed back to the support department class's private viewing balcony where all his classmates were seated for the duration of the games. Immediately upon entering the gallery, he was hailed by his fellow students for his victory.

'Izuku! You did it! Great job!' Mei said as he was pressed on all sides by his classmates.

'Thanks, Mei!' he said, grinning back.

'Of course, your satchel bomb thing was a little pedestrian if I may say so myself. Who chose that colour, Izuku? And why didn't you make the foam have colours too? You must put more thought into presentation.' she said haughtily.

'I'll keep that in mind.' Izuku returned laughingly. Taking his seat, he turned to the others, 'So, who's next?'

'It's Todoroki versus that weird kid, Shinso.' Kiska said before taking a slurp from her drink, 'I still don't know what his quirk is.'

'Shinso is doomed. There's no way he can beat Todoroki. Not in a million years.' Bukimi said as he stretched comfortably in his seat.

The other support department students voiced their agreement, but Izuku kept silent. For some reason Shinso put him on edge. His spider sense told him that there was something dangerous about the purple kid.

'We'll just have to wait and see.' he mumbled.

He took his seat and tried not to blush while the others returned to complimenting him on his win. Thankfully the conservation was broken a few minutes later by the cheering stands as Todoroki and Shinso entered the arena.

'Oh, boy!' Here come the fireworks!' Kiska said eagerly, rubbing her hands together in glee, 'I heard that Todoroki can…like…well. Let's just wait and see!'

Izuku watched intently as the two boys took their positions on the black painted line. Shinso seemed to be confident enough. But why? What quirk could Shinso have that could compete with Todoroki?

'One…two…three…begin!' shouted Midnight swishing her whip down.

Izuku and the rest of the stadium gripped their armrest's in anticipation for the fireworks, but nothing happened. The two boys were just standing there. A few seconds passed and the stadium broke out into confused murmuring as everyone wondered what was going on.

'Are-are they talking?' Bukimi asked, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hands, 'They are! What gives?'

Izuku frowned. His spider-sense was twitching like crazy. Something was happening down there. Suddenly, Todoroki spun around and started marching back towards the entrance ramp. Shinso remained motionless in the centre of the ring, watching his opponent's back as he walked away.

'What? What's happening?' Mei said jumping out her seat, 'What are they doing?! Dance, monkeys! Dance!'

Mei was hardly alone in her sentiment and the crowd started booing, but Todoroki continued unimpeded. Eventually he crossed over the threshold of the arena and went out of bounds. The crowds booing intensified as everyone rallied against Todoroki. They had wanted to see him unleash his power. Was this some form of protest?

'Shoto Todoroki is out of bounds! Hitoshi Shinso wins!'

'What the hell was that?' shouted Kiska incredulously, 'What a gip!'

'Mei!' Izuku said, grabbing her arm, 'You must have seen something, what did Shinso say to Todoroki? What is he doing?'

Everyone turned to her.

Mei shrugged helplessly, 'I don't have a clue! Todoroki just started marching as soon as they were done talking. And now Todoroki is just standing there, blinking like zombie! This is bizarre!'

Izuku slumped back in his seat as he tried to figure out what he had just witnessed.

They were talking and then Todoroki just gave up? Did he convince him to surrender? What did he say?

'What the hell is Shinso's quirk? How did he beat Todoroki?'

Everyone in the competition was repeating that same question, but nobody had an answer. How had he done it? How?

The next few matches progressed without anything unusual happening with the exception of Bakugo versus Hagakure (it had taken them a while to discover that Bakugo had in fact won). Before long, the matches ticked down until it was Mei's first fight. Her versus the president of class 1-A, Momo.

'Alright, Mei. Career opportunity of a lifetime. Don't choke!' Mei muttered to herself as she left the booth. Izuku and the others offered her words of encouragement, but she barely acknowledged them.

'I hope she has a plan for dealing with Momo. She's going to need something unique and wild otherwise Momo will just copy her.' Saigo said.

Izuku nodded. From the corner of his eye he noticed Hiretsuna was about to say something, but then she quickly went silent again.

I really wish she would just talk. It's not like any one of us would have done anything differently if we were in her shoes during the cavalry battle.

But he also said nothing. This was one area where he had no idea of how to proceed. Motivating Moyashi had been easy. He had understood what Moyashi was feeling after all, but Hiretsuna was a different animal entirely.

His fretting was interrupted by the sound of the crowd cheering once again. Down below, Mei was strutting, with her shining silver jet boots, backpack, and goggled headgear towards Momo who likewise walked on. Albeit warily.

'I don't know why she's wearing her jet boots. They can't generate enough lift to leave the ground, just suspend you in the air for a short while.' Moyashi said.

'Hopefully Momo doesn't beat up Mei too badly.' Bukimi added, laughing nervously before trailing off into an apprehensive silence.

Once Mei and Momo had taken their positions. Midnight began her countdown. Despite himself, Izuku felt himself start to get worried. Momo was almost a half a head taller, was an award-winning athlete, and had supposedly been training in martial arts for years. Mei on the other hand had, by her own admission, never even seen a fight first hand, much less been in one.

This is going to get ugly. Izuku thought just as Midnight finished her countdown.

'Go!' Midnight shouted.

Immediately, the skin on Momo's arms flashed bright pink. From the pink light pouring from her body sprouted a shield in her left arm and a staff in her right. The light lasted for only half a second before she was armed. Raising her shield in front of her, Momo ran forward towards Mei, staff poised to strike.

Mei still hadn't moved. She seemed to fumbling with her headset.

'Move Mei! Snap out of it!' shouted Bukimi. Izuku felt his face start to pre-emptively wince as Momo drew closer, her staff drawing back for a thrust. Suddenly Mei's voice came on over the stadium speakers.

'Testing…testing…one, two, three.' her voice rang out.

Izuku and the others looked at each other in disbelief.

'She's hacked the announcer's box!' Izuku exclaimed in disbelief, 'What is she-'

'Ladies and gentleman, greetings! My name is Mei Hatsume and I would like to have a moment of your time please.'

Down in the arena, Momo had canceled her attack and seemed to be hesitating. The stadium's roaring cheers had broken apart into a low buzzing. Everyone was looking at each other in bewilderment.

Izuku groaned.

Is she serious?

When Mei had said she wanted to use the tournament to sell her gadgets he figured she meant by beating her opponent, not by giving a live commercial!

And yet that is exactly what she proceeded to do.

Present Mic howled in displeasure at his computer screen, furiously tapping at the keyboard in vain.

'Why isn't it opening up the audio systems! Windows 23, why do you…Suck! So! Much! Argh!' Present Mic growled, grabbing the monitor as though to strangle it. Aizawa merely rolled his eyes.

'I knew you shouldn't have plugged in that USB you found.' Aizawa remarked dryly.

'You're not helping!' Present Mic snarled, 'Call IT! Where's the IT guy?! How do I uninstall a virus? Maybe if I delete my browsing history…?'

Putting his elbow up on the desk, Aizawa rested his head in his hand and sighed. Somehow the "fight" was still going on. Momo was charging in again, staff raised high. With a mighty two-handed sweep, she swung at Mei, but with a touch of a button the support hero was thrown out of harms way. Saved by the telescoping metal pogo-stick like attachments that she had concealed in her backpack. This repeated several times while Mei droned on and on. They really should have put a time limit on the matches.

'This is a farce…' Aizawa said, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes, 'Do you have any aspirin?'

Meanwhile in the stands, Izuku and his classmates were slouched over in their seats, smartphones in their hands, barely even watching the match in front of them. It had been over fifteen minutes since Mei had started her presentation and they had long since lost interest. Mei's Telescope-o-Matics ™ had launched her into the air where she was now hovering with the use of her jet boots, happily yammering away about her crisis harness. Meanwhile Momo was desperately trying to pull her down with a long-hooked pole.

'Hey Izuku, somebody already uploaded your fight to YouTube.' Bukimi called over.

Izuku perked up.

'What are the comments like?' he asked as he leaned over to look at Bukimi's screen.

'Hey, guys. Guys! I think it's finally over!' Kiska said excitedly and everyone looked into the arena.

'….so in conclusion I would just like to thank you all for your time and wish you a pleasant festival!' Mei said, bowing shakily.

It seemed as though her boots were beginning to struggle to keep her aloft. Adjusting herself, Mei flew over to the boundary of the arena with Momo following her closely below. Likely not wanting to take any chances, Mei flew well outside the boundary before landing. Izuku and the rest of class 1-H joined the smattering of applause as she bowed again to them all.

'Mei Hatsume loses by ring out. Momo Yaoyorozu is the winner.' Midnight announced disdainfully as Mei happily strolled out of the arena. Momo dropped her pole and stared after Mei venomously while she caught her breath. She hadn't managed to land a single hit.

While the applause died away, Saigo entered the booth.

'What happened? Is it over?' Saigo asked.

'Yeah, it's over.' Izuku said, tucking away his smartphone, 'How are you feeling? Are you ready?'

Saigo was fighting next. His opponent, Itsuka Kendo, was the head of class 1-B and they didn't know how powerful she was.

'Oh, yeah! I'm ready. Just you guys watch, I'm going to show everyone that some people in support are ready to fight!'

Izuku and the other support heroes gave a cheer. Mei's antics were starting to make them look bad.

'Kōun Saigo defeat by knockout. Itsuka Kendo wins!'

The crowd cheered as Kendo bowed graciously. Izuku and his classmates couldn't hide their disappointment. Saigo had put up a valiant effort, but he was too slow. His net gun had been blocked by Kendo's rapidly expanding hands and he was knocked to the ground before he could ready his other weapons.

From across the stadium they could see Class 1-B celebrating uproariously. In the booth next to them class 1-A was also joining in, shouting down their own praises to Kendo who waved to them all.

Bukimi shakily got out of his seat, 'W-Well. I'm up next.' he said, swallowing.

Everyone looked at Bukimi who appeared as though he might faint.

'Um…wish me luck.' he mumbled as he stiffly walked over to the exit.

'Kōmori Bukimi is out of bounds! Fumikage Tokoyami wins!'

The students of class 1-H groaned. Even though they had deduced Tokoyami's weakness to bright light, Bukimi had failed to throw a single flare. Tokoyami was just too fast.

'Well. We all knew it was a long shot.' Kiska said glumly, 'Looks like it'll be up to you, Izuku.'

'Go down swinging' Saigo mumbled past his swollen lips, shifting the ice pack that was braced against his face. Izuku could only nod before leaving his seat and making his way to the exit.

The first bracket of fights was over and it was going to be much more difficult now.

Izuku stopped before the black line on the arena floor; staring wide eyed at Momo who was glaring daggers back at him. Her jaw was set as she clenched then unclenched her hands. He could practically feel the aggression boil off of her.

Why is she staring at me like that? Mei's the one who made her look bad.

'Alright, you two know the rules.' Midnight said, raising her whip, 'On the count of three, ready?'

'Three.'

'Two.'

'One,'

'Go!'

As with her earlier fight against Mei, Momo rapidly created a shield and staff before rushing forward. At the sight of her snarling face, his hand involuntarily went to his nightstick before he stopped himself. He had built the nightstick to take out opponents with enhanced durability and as far as he was aware, Momo had a normal person's resistances.

Instead he charged, meeting her head on. Momo's face flashed temporarily with surprise at his boldness, but she quickly reacted. As soon as he was in range, she thrust her staff forward; its hard, blunt tip aimed straight at the centre of his chest. He could tell it was a mighty blow, no doubt she intended to end the fight immediately. As it darted through the air, he considered what to do. He had plenty of time.

Should I duck beneath it? No. She'll probably just smash me with her shield. What are her weapons made of? Probably some low-density composite. Eh, I'll figure that out later. Maybe I should step around her staff and punch her in the face? That might be for the best. No sense in overcomplicating things.

'Hm.'

Actually, on second thought that's probably a bad idea. It won't look good for anybody if I break her jaw or knock out some of her teeth. Oh God, what if I crater her face in?! Jeez, that would suck. She's so hot too. Alright, alright, alright, I'm getting distracted. Focus, Deku, focus! I know. I'll come at her from her weapon arm, sweep her legs, then pin her down. Win by submission. No blood, no broken bones. Nice and easy.

Just as he was about to make his move, he felt a thrill run up his spine. Glancing up towards the staff booths, he spotted a familiar face. It was the thin blonde man! His blue eyes were watching him with rapt attention. Izuku felt the small crease of a frown form on his face.

Him again! Maybe once I'm done here, I'll go do a little sleuthing. Someone has to know something about that guy.

He switched his attention back to Momo. Her staff had barely moved.

Dodge, sweep, and pin.

Pivoting on his heel, he let the staff go sailing past him. Momo's eyes began to widen is surprise as she overstepped. Now standing beside her right shoulder, he swept his foot towards her ankle. Before she could process what was happening. his blow knocked her feet out from under her, sending her tumbling down to the concrete.

As she fell, he brought himself down with her. Planting his hands on her shoulders, he lifted his knee and aimed it so that it would land on her neck. As soon as she hit the ground she bounced, shield and staff falling from her hands. Momo gasped, her breath was knocked out from her lungs at the impact. Before she could hit the ground a second time, Izuku's knee pressed into her throat, forcefully pushing her back into the concrete.

Momo tried to breathe, but he had already pinned her. She struggled, desperately raising her hands to grab at his face, but he intercepted them before she could reach him. Pinning her right arm to her side, he twisted his right leg to cover her left arm. All he had to do now was wait.

After a few seconds of futile struggle, Momo's eyes rolled up into the back of her head. She was unconscious. Quickly standing, he backed away from her. It should only take a few seconds for her to recover.

'M-Momo Yaoyorozu is unconscious! Izuku Midoriya wins!' shouted Midnight.

The crowd was stunned for a moment before breaking out into rapturous applause. Izuku waved his arm to the audience as he looked up to where he had seen the thin blonde man. He was still standing there. Quickly averting his eyes, he continued to wave as he made his way back to the ramp.

Class 1-A looked on gravely as Midnight helped Momo up to her feet. She looked dazed and doubtless her throat was sore, but otherwise she seemed okay.

'Damn.' Kaminari said finally as Momo was led off the stage, 'He beat her instantly.'

'Momo was saying she didn't have a weakness he could exploit, but I guess he knew he could take her in a fist fight if it came down to it.' Kirishima said grimly, 'I wish I could fight him…'

Several of the class 1-A students looked at each other worriedly. When they saw how easily the other support heroes had been taken out they had started to believe that Mina had just been a fluke, but now it didn't look as though things were going to be that easy.

Izuku kept climbing the stairs up past the student boxes and towards the private booths. Eventually he reached the very top of the stairwell where the staff were seated. Stepping out of the staircase, he nonchalantly walked over to the entrance. Mounted to the door was a large sign that read "Staff Only!". Trying the doorknob, he discovered it was unlocked.

With a furtive glance behind him, he slipped inside.

Past the door he found himself in a gently curving hallway that seemed to run around the entire lip of the stadium. Every few meters was an open doorway leading into a small private booth. Sensing that the first booth was empty, he entered the small room and looked into the stadium grounds below. Judging by his current position in the stadium and where he had been standing in the arena when he saw the blonde man, he guessed he had to cross about ten or twelve booths to get to where the blonde man was.

Stepping back into the hallway, he began to stealthily make his way forward. Every so often he would come across an occupied booth and he would quickly spring past the door. He didn't know what kind of trouble he would be in if he got caught, but he didn't want to risk it.

As he crept down the line of four-person boxes, he spotted a white space suit with a black bubble helmet through one of the open doors. It was Thirteen.

Thirteen is back!? I didn't know she had recovered!

Izuku's brief elation was cut short when he saw she was seated with Power Loader. Getting caught now would not bode well for his detention. Skirting past, he couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

'I bet you Aizawa is green with envy right now!' Thirteen said excitedly.

'Definitely.' Power Loader replied smugly, 'Knowing him, he's probably trying to come up with some reasonable argument to steal Midoriya and Shinso.'

Izuku froze.

'Do you think they would want that?' Thirteen asked.

Power Loader was silent for a moment as he considered the question.

'Probably. All the first years want to be in the hero class, but-'

'But you think Midoriya would do better in support.' Thirteen finished.

'Yes.' he said finally, 'I'm hoping to show him and the others that being in support isn't so bad. I'm just waiting to hear back from some people.'

Without warning Power Loader began to turn his head Izuku's way and Izuku quickly sprang up and latched on to the ceiling.

'Anyway, what do you think about Hatsume? She's quite, uh, unique.'

Izuku didn't dare stick around. Scurrying away on all fours across the ceiling, he scampered out of sight. Reaching the door to an empty booth, he let himself drop and snuck inside. Holding his breath, he listened. Just barely he could still hear that Power Loader and Thirteen were still talking.

Whew! That was a close one.

Suddenly he noticed his surroundings. He was in the blonde man's room!

Pacing around he saw that besides a few drinks in the cupholders, there was nothing of note. He must have just missed him and whoever his company was. While he debated what to do next, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Quickly exiting out into the hall, he made to retreat the way he had come, when he heard voices coming down from the other side of the hall too. He was trapped!

'So when will All Might be making an appearance, Toshinori?' Izuku heard the voice of Ectoplasm, the math teacher, say 'He's yet to make his big entrance!'

'Soon.' said a raspy voice from a speaker he didn't recognize, 'He'll be there for the medal ceremony.'

Izuku looked right then left then up at the ceiling. There was no cover, nowhere to hide. All he could do was retreat back into the private booth.

Ah, dammit! Why did I have to go snooping? What am I supposed to do now?

Eyes whirling in their sockets, he scanned every square inch of the room. He could try pressing himself against the wall, but there was no way that would work. Judging from the footsteps, there were at least four people coming his way and in such a small room he would be noticed for sure.

Maybe I can just say I had a…question? I needed to talk to a teacher? What could I say? I was uncomfortable with fighting? What if-

He felt cool air against his skin. Looking in its direction, he noticed a small grate just above the floor. Fast stepping over, he popped the cover off and peered inside. The vent was small, almost too narrow to fit his shoulders and it plunged straight down – probably all the way to the basement if he had to guess. Before he could make up his mind about what to do, he heard more voices.

'You don't need to push yourself.' said Ectoplasm from just outside the door, 'Midnight knows how to entertain a crowd.'

'No, no. I don't want to disappoint anyone. I'm sure that-'

Acting on impulse, he dove into the vent. Squirming his way inside, he hastily reattached the vent grill before releasing his grip and letting himself slide down the metal tube.

Vents. Always more vents. He thought as he dropped faster and faster.

Climbing back up the stairs to the support student's booth, Izuku patted down as much dust as possible from his gym uniform. He was sure his back was still filthy, but it couldn't be helped. Walking into the booth, he greeted his classmates. They all looked over at him in surprise.

'Izuku! Where were you?' Mei said before she stopped and took in his appearance, 'And what happened to your clothes? Why're you so dirty?'

He tried his best to look ashamed.

'Well after the fight I, uh, got lost and found myself in the basement. One thing led to another and I accidently snagged my clothes on some machinery and well…here I am.'

His classmates all exchanged exasperated looks before rolling their eyes and shaking their heads in disapproval.

'Ugh, you're such a doofus. Well come on.' she said pulling him down into his seat, 'You missed some fights! Bakugo took out Kendo, and Shinso advanced as well. After this round it's the semi-finals!'

'Oh.' Izuku said, blinking. He had been lost in the vents for longer then he thought. 'Well okay, who's fighting now?'

'Its Tokoyami against that vine girl Shiozaki from class B.' Mei said, 'The match is set to begin at any moment now. We were all just betting on who is going to win.'

'Are you a betting man, Izuku? Who do you favour?' Bukimi asked.

'Hmmm.' Izuku murmured while he rubbed his chin in consideration, 'Shiozaki.' he declared, 'I think her vines are stronger than Tokoyami's shadow bird…thing.'

'Alright, I'll take that bet. Mark Izuku down for ten thousand yen.' Bukimi said to Saigo who nodded.

He looked back at them in alarm.

'Erm-' he started, but Kiska interrupted him.

'Look! The match is starting!' she hissed.

Izuku suddenly felt anxious. He didn't have a thousand yen much less ten thousand. Just as he was about to tell Bukimi to cancel the whole thing he suddenly remembered the money he had already won from his bets with Weasel. Even after paying his billion to the information broker he would still have more than enough to cover his bet with Bukimi.

Turning his attention down to the stage, he watched as the two fighters approached each other. After a moment, Midnight cracked her whip and the fight was on.

Immediately the two attacked each other. Tokoyami with his dark spectral projection and Shiozaki with her whipping hair vines.

'Come on Tokoyami! Take her down! Come on!' Saigo, Moyashi, and Bukimi chorused.

Tokoyami's bird dodged around the vines and rushed towards Shiozaki. Suddenly caught off guard, she tried to rally her defences but it was too late. She was being forced back.

'Fight Shiozaki! Fight! What are you doing?! Argh!'

Kiska, Mei, and Izuku shook their heads in disappointment as Shiozaki was grabbed and tossed backwards. Tumbling end over end, she fell out of the ring.

'Winner by ring out: Tokoyami!'

Bukimi turned over to the three, an enormous shit-eating grin on his face.

'Well, well, well. That'll be thirty thousand yen please.'

'I'll pay you back next time we see each other.' Izuku said sourly.

'I tell you what, Izuku. If you beat your next opponent, I'll consider us square.'

'Deal!'

Everyone waited with baited breath for the order of the semifinals matches to be announced. While they waited, Izuku spotted Bakugo on the other end of the stadium pointing at him, then making a motion across his throat with his finger. Izuku grinned and made a heart with his hands. He held it over his chest for a second, before pointing at Bakugo and smiling dopily. What followed was an arms race of increasingly elaborate hand gestures and nonverbal insults until finally Midnight appeared back on the stage.

'Everyone may I have your attention please. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing some technical difficulties (Mei let out an amused snort) so I will be announcing the order for the semi-finals. The first match will be…'

Izuku leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation.

'Izuku Midoriya versus Hitoshi Shinso! And the second match will be Katsuki Bakugo versus Fumikage Tokoyami!'

'Huh.' Izuku said nonplussed, 'Okay.'

Before he could say anything else, his classmates quickly crowded around him with their advice.

'Izuku what ever you do, don't look him in the eye! I heard at lunch that he hypnotizes people!'

'No, I heard it's his voice! He brainwashes you with his voice!'

'Wear a gasmask Izuku! It's a pheromone! If you breath it in, he can control you!'

'D-Do you really think he mind controls people?' Izuku asked the group as he felt his spider-sense flare.

Everyone looked at each other uncertainly. Truth was that they had heard all sorts of things, but one detail was always the same. The people he was fighting had all hesitated before they attacked.

'Just-just don't think about it and do your best.' Mei said.

Izuku silently ran through his strategies while Power Loader led him towards the arena. Several times it looked like his teacher was going to say something, but each time he seemed to change his mind. Eventually he just wished him luck before leaving him at the ramp.

Walking out to the arena, he saw that Shinso was already waiting for him. Without being prompted Izuku went to his spot on the black line. As a precaution, he avoided making eye contact with Shinso and instead looked up at the stands. As he did he felt his spider sense throb. The blonde man was back. Watching him.

While he was distracted by the blonde man, Shinso began talking.

'So you're the famous Izuku Midoriya.' Shinso said in a disdainful tone, Izuku could practically hear his lip curl, 'I must say I'm unimpressed.'

Izuku blinked and directed his attention back to Shinso.

What did I do to you?

'Contestants are you ready?' Midnight said, 'On the count of three…'

'Three.'

'Say, Izuku can I ask you a question?'

'Two…'

'Its about your secret.'

Izuku raised his eyebrows questioningly.

'One'

'Is it true that you're a cheater?'

'Go!' Midnight shouted.

Caught of guard by the question, he opened his mouth to respond, his lips forming words but he found that he couldn't talk. The buzzing of his spider-sense had become a tangible thing; a sound that was emanating from his very skull, drowning out the crowd and setting his nerve endings on fire. It was a feeling of such intense sensation that it bordered on pain.

What is this feeling? Am I being mind controlled?

Gasping, he jerked his head down and looked at his hand. He lifted it, flexing his fingers.

I can still move my hand…

'Deku!'

Izuku snapped his eyes back up. The nickname was strange coming out of Shinso's mouth. It had no meaning coming from him. Ever since he went to UA the only person to call him Deku was Bakugo…

'Deku! Answer my question! Are you a cheater or not?!'

He realized his mouth was open and he immediately shut it.

He almost sounds like he's trying to do a Bakugo impression right now. Is he trying to provoke me or something?

'Deku! Izuku! Answer my question! Why won't you answer me?!'

Wordlessly he started walking towards Shinso. He didn't know what was going on, but as long as he could move, he could fight.

Shinso took a half step back before he again shouted something, but Izuku couldn't understand him. He could only hear the buzzing in his head. Shinso stopped backing up and uncertainty flashed over his face, his purple eyes narrowing. After a moments indecision he suddenly brought up his fists and charged.

Shinso's attack was ferocious, desperate, but ultimately clumsy. More primal than anything else, the transformation from cool and calm to savage berserker would have been shocking if Izuku hadn't seen it over a dozen times already. Few things could compare to a fiending Trigger junky that had finally gone off the deep end.

Shinso lunged, hands clawing for his throat. Before Shinso could reach him, Izuku swung out with a right hook straight to the boy's chin. It was a clean hit and upon connecting his purple eyes went dim. Shinso's momentum carried him forward and he collided with Izuku, staggering him, but he held his ground and Shinso collapsed at his feet, unconscious.

Izuku carefully backed away from his crumpled opponent.

Is that it?

Apparently it was.

'Winner by knockout punch: Izuku Midoriya!' shouted Midnight.

He raised his fist in triumph amidst the deafening cheers of the crowd. To his relief his spider-sense had stopped tingling.

That wasn't so bad! He thought as he walked back towards the ramp. Why couldn't the others beat him? Shinso was actually pretty weak all things considered.

Todoroki lowered his eyes as Midnight declared the winner. Midoriya was victorious and in turn he was twice shamed. Once for losing to an opponent who wasn't the champion; and again for his opponent being defeated in a fist fight with the weakest person in the school. Or so he had believed. Forcing himself to look back up, Todoroki brought his hands together in polite applause as Midoriya cheerily waved to the crowds.

He really thought that Shinso was unbeatable. He didn't know how he had lost, but after seeing the replay of his match, he had started to believe the rumours – that Shinso could control minds. But if that were the case then how come Midoriya won? Did he have more willpower? Was his mind stronger?

Todoroki clasped his hands together and rested them on his lap. His father, the renowned, noble, stoic, heroic, Endeavour, was somewhere in the stadium - fuming. When he had first lost his father had cornered him on the way back to his seat and had been apoplectic with rage. He had accused him of throwing the fight out of spite. He had denied this of course. Not out of fear, but because he couldn't stand the idea of his father thinking of him as being weak. He'd wanted to win.

But maybe he really was weak. What could he say in defence of himself now? That Midoriya was somehow more powerful? Ridiculous. More intelligent maybe, but…

He couldn't understand it. Midoriya must have discovered Shinso's secret and was able to protect himself somehow. Bakugo said that he was a deep thinker and a strategist, maybe for once he hadn't been exaggerating?

Todoroki took a deep breath and held it before exhaling slowly. For now, he would just have to deal with his father, but sooner or later he would discover what Midoriya had done.

Izuku returned to his booth to the accolades of his fellow support heroes. When they asked him how he had managed to win he had responded truthfully with: "I dunno."

Naturally they found this explanation unsatisfactory but he kept to his story no matter how they pried him. Eventually he just shrugged.

'Maybe he does have a mind control quirk. Who knows? All I know is that if he does, it didn't activate. He must need to fulfill a very specific set of circumstances for it to work.' he said.

Mei and the others wanted to continue questioning him, but they were thankfully interrupted by Midnight announcing the next match.

Tactful as always, Bakugo stomped out across the ring towards Tokoyami who calmly walked out opposite of him. Izuku and his classmates didn't bother speculating on who would win this match up. Based on their research, Tokoyami's weakness was bright flashing lights and Bakugo created explosions. Needless to say, nobody offered any bets.

The battle was over quickly. With Tokoyami's quirk weakened under repeated barrages from Bakugo's blasts, Tokoyami was forced to concede defeat. All that was left was the championship match.

In the ready room, Izuku was titled back in his chair, legs up on the table. Twiddling his thumbs, he stared vacantly at the ceiling fan as he pondered the upcoming match. The moment he heard that Bakugo was going to fight Tokoyami he knew what was going to happen. Izuku didn't want to win - he knew that he didn't deserve to - he just wished it wasn't Bakugo who beat him.

He may not have wanted to win, but he couldn't stomach losing either.

I guess this is my punishment for lying to everybody. Izuku thought as his eyes tracked a spinning ceiling fan blade. I'm not sure why my karmic balance is still in the red though. You'd think all the good I do would have earned me some good fortune by now.

He sat back up in his chair and sighed. He needed to focus on the big picture. Once he had the money from Weasel, he was going to meet up with Knuckleduster and arrange a meeting with the information broker. Then he would track down the League of Villains and bring them to justice. That was the plan anyway.

I just hope Weasel made the right bets.

He heard footsteps approaching the door. No doubt it was Power Loader coming to fetch him. Straightening in his chair, he waited for him to enter. The door opened and Power Loader poked his head inside.

'Midoriya. It's time. Are you ready?' Power Loader asked.

'Yes.' he said, standing up from his chair.

Exiting the room, the pair started to walk together towards the stairwell. Izuku noticed Power Loader seemed a little twitchy. Obviously, something was on his mind. Eventually it seemed he couldn't stop himself and he spoke.

'You know Izuku, you're the first one of my first-year students to get so far in the Sports Festival. Well done. I can see that you have a great future ahead of you.'

Izuku swallowed. This wasn't helping his guilt.

'Um…thanks.'

'Not just you. All of you have gone above and beyond my expectations. Win or lose, I want you to know that.'

Izuku just nodded. He wasn't sure what he could say. They continued together in silence again as they got nearer to the ramp. Coming to the end of the hall, Power Loader turned to him.

'Your gear isn't well suited to fight Bakugo, Midoriya.' he said bluntly.

Izuku was taken aback. He had expected Power Loader to just wish him good luck and send him on his way.

'Y-Yeah. I know. Me and Bakugo grew up together so I know his quirk really well.'

Power Loader fixed him with a steely gaze.

'I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but there's no point in injuring yourself unnecessarily. If you find the fight getting too one sided, just signal to the refs. Remember, what I said about taking risks.'

Izuku felt his face go red slightly at Power Loader's words but he managed to keep his voice normal.

'I understand, Mr. Maijima.'

Turning away, Izuku started off alone down the ramp. As he went, he noticed a bitter taste in his mouth. He wasn't aiming to win, so why did he feel so angry? The money was all that mattered, not some childish tournament.

It just had to be Bakugo.

Izuku paced over to the black starting line while watching Bakugo do the same. Bakugo had a devious little smile on his face as he examined Izuku from top to bottom, taking in all his equipment. What he saw must not have worried him too greatly as Izuku noticed his infuriating smile get a little wider.

'You have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this, Deku.' Bakugo said, flexing his hands, 'Ever since that day back at Aldera, remember? Oh, yes. I've been waiting for this.'

Despite his best efforts to be the better man, Izuku sneered back, 'Yeah. Yeah, I remember that fight. I let you off easy!'

Bakugo let out a sharp bark of laughter and Midnight looked between the two warily.

'You let ME off easy?! Well I tell you what, nothings holding you back here is there? Go crazy! I see you've got those little firecrackers with you and a little baton too. How cute.'

Izuku gritted his teeth, 'If it weren't for all these stupid rules protecting you Kacchan -'

Bakugo rolled his eyes, 'Yes, yes. Very scary. You know, if it was up to me, I would let you build anything you wanted. Then you'd have no excuses for when I show everybody how weak and pathetic you are.'

'Boys!' Midnight said sharply, 'Keep it civil! This is not a brawl! Remember the rules! If at anytime I call an end to the fighting the match is over!'

'Yes, ma'am.' Bakugo said, smirking.

'Yeah.' Izuku muttered darkly as he cracked his knuckles.

'I tell you what, Deku. I'm not going to be-' Bakugo stopped speaking and he glanced at Midnight and Cementoss. They were both regarding the pair seriously. Whatever he was about to say he must have reconsidered it as he quickly closed his mouth and shook his head. Both of the boys were silent, but Izuku knew what Bakugo was going to say.

"I'm not going to be holding back." Oh, is that so Kacchan? If that's the case, then maybe I shouldn't either?

'Ladies and Gentlemen, here competing for first place are this year's champions. Izuku Midoriya…'

The crowd cheered loudly at his name and he raised his hand in acknowledgement.

'…and Katsuki Bakugo!'

The crowd cheered again but Bakugo didn't react. Izuku could practically see the wheels in Bakugo's mind turning. No doubt he was visualising his opening offensive.

'I'm going to go over the rules now boys. I don't want either of you complaining when the fight is over and there will be no excuses if there is any sign of foul play. Get me? So remember…'

He and Bakugo listened impatiently to the rules, nodding when they were supposed to. However, they never let their eyes leave each other.

Once Midnight finished reciting the rules she looked over to Cementoss. He stirred in his concrete chair, hands gripping his armrests. After a moment he nodded.

'On the count of three, two, one, go. Ready? Three…Two…One…Go!'

Immediately Bakugo opened his palms and let loose an explosive blast. Diving to the side, Izuku barely managed to dodge the flames, though the shockwave still smashed into him like a tonne of bricks. Flying backward, he drew his nightstick and threw it as hard as he dared. The nightstick spun end over end as it hurtled towards Bakugo's face.

Bakugo's eyes widened as he spotted the projectile spinning towards him. With a complicated gesture he angled his hand and blasted upward. The explosion rocked the air surrounding the nightstick, destabilizing its flight and causing it to warble past his face, missing his ear by mere millimetres.

He saw a harsh grin form on Bakugo's face as the projectile flew by. Leveraging his palm again, Bakugo let out another explosion. This time he couldn't escape and the blast hit him full on. He briefly became a pretzel as the force from the explosion snapped back his limbs and the heat crackled his skin. The next thing he knew he was hitting the ground hard, tumbling into a tangled mess.

With a groan, he flipped himself over just in time to see Bakugo preparing to unleash another blast.

I need to catch my breath! Buy myself some time.

Grabbing one of his smoke grenades, Izuku popped the pin and threw it just as Bakugo let loose his blast. Izuku's aim was true but the grenade was flung harmlessly out of the way by the explosion. Again he was tossed up from the concrete and sent hurtling through the air. While he fell Izuku growled in frustration. He needed to recover faster. The way the fight was going he would just be juggled and thrown around until he was eventually tossed out of bounds, assuming he even survived that long.

Suddenly a small voice popped up in his head.

I thought you planned on losing this fight?

Ignoring his better judgement, Izuku twisted and angled himself in an extraordinary feat of dexterity so that he could land on his feet. While he was still falling, he grabbed one of his concussion grenades. The blast would be next to useless against Bakugo - he was capable of withstanding the enormous strain of his own explosions after all - but the grenade itself was heavy.

These particular grenades had a variable timer depending on which pin was pulled. The shortest pin would detonate the grenade after only a second. He had originally intended for them to be used against Tokoyami, but they were all he had now.

Pulling the pin, Izuku kept his eyes on Bakugo while he counted the milliseconds. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he whipped the grenade at the blonde boy's head. The grooved metal cylinder whistled through the debris and smoke-filled air straight at its target. Bakugo saw the grenade but before he could raise his hands to intercept it, it smacked into his cheek throwing his head back. A split second later it exploded into a brilliant flash of white light.

Izuku grinned to himself as he saw Bakugo stagger. Stumbling slightly, he prepared to charge forward to capitalize on Bakugo's condition before he suddenly felt something wet on his side. Wiping his hand across his hip, he felt a thick warm liquid. Looking down, he saw that his uniform was perforated with tiny holes. The concrete shrapnel from the explosions was reaping its toll.

He got me pretty good but I've taken much worse!

He prepared to take a step forward but before he could move, he felt something click in his head.

Maybe Spider-Man can take this kind of punishment, but can Deku? You're supposed to lose remember? You're not fighting for yourself; you're fighting to stop the League of Villains.

Between the flying shards of concrete and dust, he glanced over at Midnight and Cementoss. Both of them appeared to be on the verge of intervening. Midnight was tearing open her sleeve while a ripple of concrete was pulsing down from Cementoss's chair. The match was already over.

'Aw, screw it.' he muttered.

Going slack on his feet, he let himself trip on his first step. As he fell, he felt that same bitter taste return to his mouth, but he swallowed it down. His pride wasn't worth it.