"Oy, Two-Face! Are you just gonna keep standing there or are you gonna let us get something to eat?!" Katsuki barked rudely.
Shoto was silent for the longest time before finally giving out a sigh.
"Midoriya, Bakugou, you both blindsided me. It made me break the promise I made to myself... A long time ago."
"What? The fact that you don't use your damn fire?" Katsuki sneered. "It was a stupid ass promise, to begin with!"
Izuku nodded nervously. "B-Bakugou's right, Todoroki. Sooner or later you're going to overextend, and send yourself into severe hypothermia that can't be treated with just some extra heat."
Shoto looked at his left hand. "I thought I knew the full scope of your true power... From what I observed in footage of the entrance exam, the Quirk Assessment Test, our combat training, and later during the attack on the USJ. But now I realize... You're still learning. You've only just begun to master your Quirk. That power reminded me of something..."
"Oh no...has he figured out about [One For All]?" Twilight nervously thought, biting her lip.
"When I saw All-Might's Quirk for the first time, I realized how similar it is to your own, Midoriya," Shoto said. "Tell me...are you All-Might's secret lovechild or something?"
You could hear glass shattering in Izuku's mind as he and Twilight turned white as sheets in disbelief. However, Katsuki was a different story as he broke out into roaring laughter, nearly falling over from how hard he was cackling.
"Y-You...ARE YOU THAT RETARDED?!" Katsuki guffawed, wiping tears from his eyes. "Deku doesn't even look close to being All-Might's kid! And I doubt Auntie Inko was sleeping around, the woman's too pure for that kinda shit!"
"Uh...yeah..." Twilight awkwardly said in response to Katsuki's words.
Izuku slapped his face to snap himself out of it before shaking his head to regain his focus as he gave a hard stare at Shoto.
"What makes you even think I'm related to All-Might, Todoroki?"
"Personal experience," Shoto explained. "My father is the Flame Hero: Endeavor. I've seen all the notebooks you have on various heroes, so I'll assume you've heard of him."
"Huh, didn't think you paid attention to Izuku's notes," Twilight noted. "But what do you mean about your dad?"
"My father has a long list of accomplishments. He used his power to aim for the top and make a name for himself, but he was never able to best All-Might. So the Symbol of Peace is living proof of his failure." Shoto explained.
"Yeah, failure to inspire the people, dumbass." Katsuki snorted. "Endeavor is an antisocial dick who never pays any of the people he's rescuing the time of day. All-Might is there kicking ass and making sure everyone is okay."
"Come to think of it, Endeavor only really interacts with the media during press conferences..." Twilight said.
"No matter what my father tried, All-Might was the insurmountable pillar he could never reach...so he devised a new plan," Shoto said, his tone becoming low and dangerous. "Tell me, do any of you three know about Quirk Marriages?"
"The act of two people being forced into a relationship to make stronger children? I-I didn't know people still practiced them." Twilight said in surprise.
"Wait? Was Endeavor part of a Quirk Marriage?" Izuku asked in surprise.
Shoto nodded. "He only sought out my mother in an effort to counter the weaknesses of his own Quirk. Her family was in danger of going bankrupt and he swoops in like a knight in shining armor, paying off their debts for them...in return, he asks for their daughters' hand in marriage."
"Heh, Endeavor does have a lot of money to throw at problems." Katsuki sneered. "It's no wonder he's able to pay off any damages he accidentally causes."
"Was...was your dad...?" Twilight nervously asked, afraid to ask.
Shoto, picking up on Twilight's expression, shook his head. "No...he never forced himself on her. But once he saw that I was exactly the kind of child he wanted, he started grooming me to replace All-Might."
"Well, that's not a good way to raise your child..." Izuku frowned.
"It's annoying, I refuse to be nothing but a tool for his own selfish ambitions," Shoto growled. "In every memory of my mother... I only see her crying. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore. I remember her calling my left side unbearable... And she poured boiling water on my face..."
Twilight gasped, covering her mouth in horror as Izuku and Katsuki paled considerably. The three now realized just where Shoto's scar came from.
"Because of that, dad had her shipped off to the hospital...and she's been there ever since. Because of that, I aim to prove that I don't need my shitty old man's influence. Without having to rely on his fire. I'll reject his power, and take first place with my mother's alone."
There was a silence between the four of them. Twilight and Izuku had looks of sympathy but Katsuki was a different story. He did feel bad about what Shoto went through, being with someone like Elleanor for so long made him more capable of empathy, but there was still something about Shoto's pledge that pissed him off.
"Are you an idiot? Are you seriously that petty that you'd limit yourself over DADDY ISSUES?" Katsuki snapped.
Izuku and Twilight looked at Katsuki in surprise. Shoto growled and grabbed the explosive blonde by his shoulder.
"Are you mocking my pain?!"
"Bitch, you already did that when you accepted your old man's recommendation into UA!"
Katsuki's words hit Shoto like a slap to the face, making him let go and reel back in shock.'
"If you really wanted to show up Endeavor, you'd have taken the Entrance Exam like the rest of us! Even Four Eyes was able to make use of the entrance exam to stand out"
"Todoroki..." Izuku began. "I can't begin to understand how hard your life must have been. I'm here because I've had so many people helping me. My friends, the ones I've made before and since coming to UA, my teachers, my mom...All of their support have helped carry me this far."
"If you limit yourself out of spite, you won't make it far as a hero." Twilight frowned. "You declared war on Izuku earlier, but now it just sounds hollow."
"So let's give you a declaration instead..." Katsuki sneered. "One of us is going to beat you and make you realize how shitty your little 'pledge' really is."
The three then left for the cafeteria, leaving Shoto alone. Unbeknonwst to them, Ghidorah and Tony had been listening in intently, both of them with their own thoughts on the matter.
"You're not the only one with daddy issues, Todoroki...but I don't let the past define me. I only look toward the future."
"You are unbearably naive. I agree with Midoriya, Bakugou, and Twilight; one of us is going to make you understand just how hard it really is to be a true hero."
"Your children are quite impressive." Endeavor said as he talked with Celestia and All-Might. "They've already surpassed Shoto in two different events. He will need to learn to use the other half of his power if hopes to beat any of them."
"If only for the briefest moment, Izuku was able to make Shoto use his flames." Celestia noted.
"Seems your ambitions finally caught up with you, old friend." All-Might shrugged.
Endeavor scowled. "I gave Shoto everything. When the three of us graduated, I had soared through the ranks. It was because I made that climb that I understood... unless I reached the summit, it was all for nothing. If all I cared about was titles, I could've worn a smile like you two... and played the part of the lovable idiot or the all-loving angel. But I wanted to be the strongest!"
Celestia frowned. "If strength were all that mattered, wouldn't that already make you the #1 Hero?"
"Yes..." Endeavor said, knowing Celestia had a point. "I fear that I have only made Shoto weaker. I didn't take into account how delicate Rei was...and what happened to Toya was still fresh in my mind."
"Enji..." Celestia said. "I know things would have been a lot worse had I not been there. But even though Shoto doesn't see it, you've been trying your best to improve. You still visit your wife at the hospital, you try to connect with your other children, even if Natsuo has yet to forgive you fully..."
Endeavor bowed his head slightly, Celestia's words ringing true.
"I can only hope that Midoriya and his friends can be the ones to make Shoto see reason."
After lunch was over, it was time for the final round of the Sports Festival.
"ALRIGHT, IT'S TIME TO GET ON TO THE FINAL EVENT!" Present Mic announced. "FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT, DON'T WORRY! YOU CAN STILL GET SOME ATTENTION IN THE SUPER FUN SIDE GAMES WE'VE PREPARED!"
"After all, a Sports Festival with only three events can hardly be called one at all." Aizawa added.
"I SEE EMI'S BEEN RUBBING OFF ON YA, SHO!" Present Mic laughed.
The girls of Class 1-A were dressed up as Cheerleaders for the Cheerleading Competition. As it turns out, Minoru and Denki had convinced them to try it out.
"Honestly, why did we let you talk us into this?" Momo sighed.
"Come on, Yaomomo! Don't you think this would get you noticed by some strong female heroes?" Denki pointed out.
"Not if we look like a bunch of prissy girls in a cliche high school drama..." Tempest grumbled.
"Hey! Don't blame Mineta and Kaminari! I convinced you guys to do this too!" Elleanor said as she, Pinkie, and Tooru shook their pom-poms excitedly.
Meanwhile, Monoma had noticed that even the students who had gotten into the finals were participating in the side games.
"What's the point? They've already got a golden ticket. Besides, I'll be able to show up those stuck-up brats in no-ugh!"
Itsuka had slugged Monoma over the head with her Quirk, [Big Fist], which let her enlarge her upper arms, increasing her strength in the process.
"He's terribly misinformed." Jotaro noted as he walked by.
"Yeah, that's the problem with guys like him." Itsuka sighed.
"The final tournament is about to proceed!" Midnight called out. "We have a total of 32 students going into this. This year we'll be having one-on-one fights, full contact allowed. You'll be drawing lots to see who you're up against. We'll start with the first-place team."
The eight teams that managed to pass the Cavalry Battle all drew lots, which decided the first bracket.
Izuku Midoriya vs Terumi Haiiroiwa
Lydia 'Twilight Sparkle' Yugure vs Trixie Lulamoon
Diane 'Pinkie Pie' Hanasakura vs Yuuga Aoyama
Jackie 'Applejack' Applelane vs Asahi 'Sunset Shimmer' Nichibotsu
Iro 'Rainbow Dash' Dashell vs Mamoru 'Flash Sentry' Tatezakia
Rarita 'Rarity' Kagayaku vs Fumikage Tokoyami
Himari 'Fluttershy' Utsukushicho vs Stella 'Starlight Glimmer' Vaiself
Marco Nui vs Hitoshi Shinsho
Lor D. Ghidorah vs Momo Yaoyorozu
Shoto Todoroki vs Elleanor Yagami
Katsuki Bakugou vs Juuzo Honenuki
Murakumo 'Tempest Shadow' Tatsuinei vs Monoma Neito
Anthony 'Tony' Panelle vs Ochako Uraraka
Eijirou Kirishima vs Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
Denki Kaminari vs Ibara Shiozaki
Tenya Iida vs Mei Hatsume
"SERIOUSLY! HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING!?" Eijirou and Tetsutetsu called out in disbelief.
"And to make things extra exciting, the brackets will be randomized after each match!" Midnight announced. "You never know when it'll be your turn to step into the spotlight!"
The match-ups began spinning before finally settling on Marco and Hitoshi. Marco looked surprised that he would be going first before noticing Hitoshi looking at him with a nod of silent acknowledgement.
"Well, guess you're up first, Marco." Izuku said to his surrogate brother, who gulped.
"I just hope I don't make a doofus of myself..."
"Awww, you'll be fine!" Pinkie giggled before giving Marco a cupcake she had stored in the hammerspace of her hair, the pastry completely untouched and clean. "Cupcake?"
"Thanks, Pinkie." The extradimensional being said as he took the cupcake and ate it, sharing some with Click.
Once the side games finished and the final competitors had been given time to prep, Cementoss used his Quirk, [Cement], to create an arena for the competitors to battle in.
"ALRIGHT SPORTS FANS, ARE YOU READY?! CUZ THE FINAL TOURNAMENT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!" Present Mic announced, the crowds going wild as Marco and Hitoshi stepped onto the arena.
"Well, here goes nothing..." Marco gulped as he gave Click a gentle stroke on the head before facing Hitoshi, whose face remained impassive.
"IN THE RED CORNER, WE HAVE THE COOL BLUE DUDE FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION! HE'S GOT THE ELEMENTS BENDING AT HIS BECK AND CALL AND HE'S GOT A CUTE LITTLE SIDEKIC TOO! GIVE IT UP FOR... MARCO NUI!"
Marco bashfully waved as the crowds went wild, Click standing up on his hind legs to wave his forelegs as well.
"AND IN THE OTHER CORNER, WE'VE GOT THE DARKHORSE FROM GENERAL ED! GIVEN HIS AMAZING PERFORMANCE, HE JUST MIGHT MAKE IT INTO THE HERO COURSE! INTRODUCING... HITOSHI SHINSHO!"
Hitoshi kept his face neutral, a determined glint in his eyes.
"The rules are simple; full use of Quirks or any other powers is authorized, so long as it doesn't endanger your opponent's life." Aizawa explained. "To win you must either immobilize your opponent, take them out of the ring, or make them forfeit."
Hitoshi smirked. "So you can just give up, huh? That makes it a test of spirit."
"You'll find that my spirit doesn't waver, Shinsho." Marco said as he started forward, only for a wave purple psionic rings to briefly flicker from his forehead, making him stumble in surprise. "What the?"
Hitoshi was just as surprised. "He's immune to mind control? That wasn't what I was expecting."
Izuku looked surprised at Marco's reaction as well as Hitoshi's own surprise.
"What's going on, Midoriya?" Sunset asked.
"Marco told me that one of the elements of his home world is Psionics. He can read minds, scan memories, project his thoughts to others, control minds of the weak and block others' mind powers."
"Huh, so Shinsho's powers are mind-based." Twilight realized.
"I actually read up on him once." Flash said. "An aspect of my Quirk is that I can read data files on people. Shinsho's Quirk is called [Brainwashing] and he can mind control anybody who verbally responds to him."
"Whaaaaa?! That's so cool!" Pinkie said.
"Yeah, which is why the Entrance Exam is stupid." Tempest scoffed. "It only caters to those of us with physical Quirks when those with mental and healing Quirks are a godsend in this community."
That's why they added the idea of hidden rescue points, and remodeled the robots so they could be manually shut down." Starlight pointed out. "But I guess some students fall through the cracks, simply because the way their Quirk works leaves it difficult to grade them."
"How are you able to resist my Quirk?" Hitoshi called out.
Marco figured from the way his Psionics element reacted that he shouldn't answer the question, least Hitoshi try to hit him with his Quirk again. Instead, he slapped his palm on the ground and caused stone fists to shoot out to try and knock Hitoshi out of the arena.
The General Ed student was quicker on his feet than expected, and he rolled out of the way of the stone constructs. In a fit of desperation, he ran toward Marco and threw a punch at his face but Click quickly turned into his Shield Form and blocked the blow.
"Sorry, Shinsho, but this is my win!"
Marco then thrust his palm forward and used his Gravity element, sending Hitoshi flying out of the arena and tumbling across the grass.
Midnight brought up her hand. "And by way of ring out, the winner is...Marco Nui!"
Hitoshi groaned as he slowly got up only to see Marco approach him and offer his hand.
"Anyone other than me would have been completely under your control, you know."
"Guess I was unlucky then..." Hitoshi sighed as he was helped up. "I thought this would be my chance to prove myself. Everyone has always said that my Quirk would be good for a Villain...but I want to be a Hero."
"There's no such thing as a Villain's Quirk. Even the most heroic-looking of Quirks can be used for evil." Marco said. "The people who said that your Quirk was villainous are idiots."
Hitoshi chuckled. "You're surprisingly considerate of people."
"Well...I had a good mentor." Marco smiled, thinking back to a man with wild green and black hair with a five o'clock shadow who looked just a bit like Izuku...
"Man, that was amazing, Marco!" Ochako cheered as the Toa returned to the seats.
"Yeah, I heard that pep talk you gave Shinsho. You're a pretty cool guy." Kyouka smiled.
"Your powers certainly far exceed what Quirks can do." Tenya noted.
"Well, I feel like Hitoshi needed an ear to listen to more than anything." Marco said humbly. "I have a feeling that things will look up for him very soon."
True to Marco's words, Principal Nedzu was making some very close considerations.
"So we have one student from General Ed that has the true spirit and desire of a hero, and one from the Hero Course that is far too full of envy for his peers."
Vlad King nodded. "I think we may have to consider a change in the class roster. Something tells me that Monoma is not going to make a humble showing in his match."
Shoto was walking through the halls. His match against Elleanor had been set up next and he kept a steely focus, only to run into the one person he didn't want to see.
"What do you want?"
Endeavor frowned. "You're behaving disgracefully, Shoto. You saw how much power your peers were able to put throughout the Sports Festival. If you truly hope to even stand beside them, you can't hold yourself back. This childish rebellion of yours needs to stop, or you'll never be the sort of hero who can excel."
Shoto scowled furiously and clenched his fist as he picked up his pace, moving past his father.
"I don't care what you say... I will never give you the satisfaction of being what you want me to be."
Endeavor gave his son a disappointed glare before sighing as he walked off.
"AND WE'RE READY FOR FOR THE SECOND MATCH-UP OF THE TOURNAMENT!" Present Mic called out. "FIRST UP, WE HAVE THE SWEET, SQUISHY, ORANGE SLIME WHO'LL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE... ELLEANOR YAGAMI!"
Elleanor came out, doing some extremely extravagant stretches to show off as the crowd cheered.
"AND HER OPPONENT; THE ICY-HOT APPRENTICE! SO FAR, HE'S ONLY SHOWN HALF OF WHAT HE CAN DO, BUT LET'S SEE IF HE CAN SHOW HIS FULL STRENGTH! GIVE IT UP FOR... SHOTO TODOROKI!"
Shoto walked out with a furious look on his face, his encounter with Endeavor having soured his mood considerabley. Elleanor frowned, knowing that considering Shoto's powerset, she wasn't very well-matched, but she was determined to at least do something.
As the match began, Elleanor stretched her hands and grabbed the ground before pulling herself back, slingshotting toward Shoto and enlarging her hands. Shoto was cut off-guard as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, squeezing as tightly as possible.
Shoto struggled but suddenly felt a strange wave of calm rush through him. This was thanks to Elleanor's Quirk, [Jubilation], which not only made her body slime-like and allowed her to shapeshift into any form she chose, but she could also release phermones that helped calm people down and even induce happiness in others.
With his new sense of calm, Shoto focused and then released a burst of ice from his right side, forcing Elleanor off as she slumped down, some of the ice making her body go more solid due to the cold temperature affecting her composition.
As Elleanor got up, a bit more sluggish due to the cold, Shoto took the opening to unleash a large wave of ice that encased most of her body in a mini-glacier. Some of the ice had also accidentaley frozen Midnight as well.
"F-F-Feel better?" Elleanor asked, her teeth chattering.
"Sorry. I went too far with that." Shoto apologized.
"T-T-The match is over b-by immobilization!" Midnight shivered. "The w-winner is S-Shoto T-T-Todoroki!"
"Damn, Elleanor didn't even care about winning...she just wanted to cheer him up." Denki noted.
"She's always been too good for this world." Tony sighed as he turned to Katsuki, who was glaring at Shoto.
"Mess with my girl, Icy-Hot...You better pray to god that you don't face me next."
"Elleanor knew what was up." Pinkie said, rather softly. "Todoroki is both angry and sad right now."
"Maybe a muffin could cheer him up?" Derpy asked, holding a muffin in her hand as she said this.
"I don't think muffins will help much, Derpy." Rainbow said.
"Whoever faces him next...will just have to beat some sense into him." Ghidorah said, punching his fist into his palm.
We begin the tournament part of the Sports Festival and the first two matches are already underway! Shout-Out to Ezio1-3 for helping me with Marco's match against Hitoshi! If you have any other ideas for how the other match-ups should go, feel free to tell me!