Off To The Races
"As is tradition", said Present Mic, "The student with the highest Villain Bot kill count will be the first to give a speech to commence the Sports Festival. Give it up for Katsuki Bakugo". Bakugo stepped up to the microphone and sneered at the audience. "I just want everyone to know that I'm going to win", he declared. "God, I hope not", muttered Thomas under his breath. "I guess with that, we're off to the events", said Present Mic.
"OK, so here's how this going to go", said Thomas, "Our referees, Midnight and Cementoss, will spin a wheel for the first two events, and anyone still standing will be fighting tournament style in the arena. Did I read that right?" "Yes", said Midnight from below, "Our first event will be…" She spun the wheel, with everyone watching it go with bated breath. Tensions ran high, with no one's eyes leaving the wheel as it spun and spun. After what seemed like half an eternity, it stopped. "The Obstacle Course!", said Midnight with the crack of her whip. "Ah, yes, the Obstacle Course", said Thomas as he looked through his notes, "The challenge here being to go through at least three levels of increasingly difficult paths. Did I read that right?" "You continue to read that right", said Midnight.
Neito Monoma, a blonde student in 1-B, looked to see Tetsutetsu looking nervous. "You OK, Tetsutetsu?", he asked. "Yeah, fine", said Tetsutetsu between deep breaths. Monoma clapped his hands, gathering the attention of Class 1-B. "OK team, gather 'round", he said, "OK, so here's the plan. We're going to hang back and watch those show-offs in 1-A during the Obstacle Course. With any luck, we should learn enough about how they operate to beat them in the next two rounds". "Monoma, that's a terrible idea", said Shishida, a furry student with glasses. "Yeah, I have to agree", said Awase, a student with a striped headband and black hair, "I think most of us already know how 1-A works". "I have a cousin in 1-A", said Setsuna Tokage, a girl with sharp teeth and dark green hair, "I've been asking my aunt about how she works all week". "Why didn't you tell us sooner?", Monoma asked. "You didn't ask", smiled Setsuna. "We're wasting our time", said Kendo bluntly, "We'll keep up with them, but hold back just enough to know what they're doing. Any objections?" "You'll hear none from me", said Kamakiri, a mantis Faunus with a light green Mohawk. "Good", said Kendo, "Now let's get in gear".
At the same time, Aizawa was forcing himself not to march up to Nezu's office and punch him out. I mean, seriously!? Thomas Azure, of all people, had taken HIS spot as announcer!? He looked over to see Bakugo sulking away from the rest of his class. "Remember what I said two weeks ago", said Aizawa as he put a hand on Bakugo's shoulder, "If you win this, they will respect you. Hell, maybe they'll make you Class Representative like you deserve". "Yeah", smirked Bakugo, "After this, I'm finally getting what I deserve". "Attaboy", said Aizawa as he walked back to the stands.
Bakugo smiled, but that smile turned to a scowl as Todoroki walked over to Izuku. "Midoriya", the scarred boy said, "Your strength is formidable, but it will not help you. I will surpass you no matter the cost. Consider this my own declaration of war". "Jesus, what's everyone and declaring war on you, Host Body?", asked Monkey. "How should I know?", asked Izuku, "The guy only says a few words to me. Watch, Mineta is going to declare war next". "Are you even listening?", Todoroki asked. "Yeah", said Izuku, "Good luck. Break a leg and all that". Todoroki glared but was cut off by the announcement for all students to get ready for the Obstacle Course.
Izuku walked over to Momo and stretched his arms in order to get ready for the inevitable race. "I see you at the finish line, Midoriya", smiled Momo as crimson flames danced out of her eyes. "Same here", said Izuku. "All right", called Present Mic, "On your marks...get set...GO!" Everyone took off for the doors at once, only to crash into each other! "Ha, the Bottleneck", said Thomas, "Never gets old, but how is everyone getting out of it?"
"I can't move!"
"I'm stuck!"
"Mineta!"
At once, the large, furry arms of the Green Gorilla pushed everyone aside, forcing them against the walls. The beast looked at both sets of students staring up at him in awe, then grunted before charging down the path. "Still think we have a chance against that?", asked Tetsutetsu as he chased after the other students. Monoma simply growled as he ran forward, with Shinso not far behind him.
"OK, first obstacle", said Thomas, "We like to call this one Robo Inferno. You'll see why in a bit". At once, the Green Gorilla dodged several lasers fired by white robots with T-shaped faces! The ape dispatched three of them with a single punch before leaping over a spider robot! Momo surged up and slammed through the spider robot, shattering it! "Wow, what a punch!", cried Present Mic. "You said it, Presentation Michael", concurred Thomas. Momo opened up the top of her gym uniform to pull out a bazooka from her stomach, which she then fired at another spider robot! Then, she ducked out of the way as Todoroki fired waves of freezing ice at the other robots! Just then, four Zero Pointers appeared, ready to attack!
The Green Gorilla growled before charging forward and leaping up, punching one of the robot's heads right off! Momo followed, launching herself off the ground and through the chest of one Zero Pointer! Just then, as she landed on the ground, Momo rolled out of the way of a large chunk of ice as a frozen Zero Pointer crashed onto the ground behind her! Todoroki smirked as he slid on a slide of ice. Just then, he leaped out of the way of Bakugo, who used his explosions to fly past him! "You half and half bastard!", he roared, "You declared war on the wrong person!"
"Next up, the tightrope", said Present Mic, "Can our heroes make it across the gap?" The Green Gorilla saw the chasm up ahead and took one mighty leap, landing on the other side with ease. "What a jump", said Thomas, "Guess now we have to wonder how the rest will catch up". Uraraka pressed her fingers together and floated over the chasm, with Momo following on a hang-glider. Todoroki made a bridge with his ice and ran across, several students stampeding behind him.
"OK, what's next?", asked Thomas as he looked through his notes. "That, Thomas, would be the minefield", said Present Mic as the Green Gorilla skidded to a halt at a cliff overlooking a dry, sandy field with several mounds, under which sat landmines primed to explode at the slightest movement. Uraraka flew past him, with Momo running just behind her. But then, the Green Gorilla stopped Momo with his massive arm. "Looks like Midoriya just stopped Yaoyorozu", said Thomas, "What's he planning to do?" The Green Gorilla turned Momo around, revealing Mineta, clinging to her back with a drooling, leering expression on his face! Momo felt disgust flowing through her veins as the Green Gorilla glared at Mineta.
DOINK!
With the flick of his finger, the Green Gorilla sent Mineta flying back to the starting line of the race before snorting and running off, with Momo running close behind. The Green Gorilla tore a piece of concrete out of the ground and tossed into the minefield, blowing up most of the landmines! The beast charged through the rest of the field, with Momo taking several flying leaps to avoid the blasts! The Green Gorilla raced past Ochako and slid down the hillside before leaping onto the ground! Momo and Todoroki were on either side of him, but the finish line was so close. The Green Gorilla then slid on his side, and crossed the finish line first! "What a finish", cried Thomas, "Midoriya has been the first across the line, alongside Yaoyorozu, Todoroki, and...hang on, let me see if I read that correctly, Bakugo". "Looks like the other thirty-six students didn't do so bad either", said Present Mic, "We'll be back right after this quick commercial break".
In a far away bar, Lady Nagant scoffed as Kurogiri poured another drink. "I'm guessing he could be a problem", said Lady Nagant. "Put it this way", said Kurogiri, "I saw what the beast is capable of with my own eyes. You, my dear, wouldn't stand a chance in a straight fight". "I could snipe him from a distance", Lady Nagant suggested. "The beast is stronger than your bullets", said Kurogiri as Kane walked in. "It took a while, but Giran is ready to talk", he said. "Watch the bar", said Kurogiri as he walked into a portal, "I'll be back for the next round".
As he stepped through the portal, Kurogiri saw a man with a fluffy scarf, purple suit, and yellow shades. "Good to see you again, Kurogiri", said Giran. "Do you know where Stain is?", asked Kurogiri. "Getting down to business I see", said Giran as he flashed a gap-toothed smile, "That particular client is on his way over. Said he needed to deal with a problem first". "Another Hero for the pile?", asked Kurogiri. "Lunch", said Giran, "You can't expect his type to do his work on an empty stomach". Kurogiri made a portal under Giran's feet, sending him falling toward the street before another portal shot him back onto the roof! "I don't like my time being wasted", said Kurogiri. "Just give it a bit", said Giran as he dusted himself off, "I gave him the location of the bar and told him about your sales pitch. Knowing him, he'll want to know more". "Good", said Kurogiri as he clapped Giran's shoulder, "You truly are the best in the business". "Someone has to be", said Giran. Kurogiri checked his watch. "Time is running short", he said, "I have to check the bar. I'm sure you can see yourself out". With that, Kurogiri stepped back into the portal to his bar, leaving Giran to find a way off the roof, unaware of a small, spider robot on his shoulder.
"I wasn't sure about cracking his connections", said Dr. Merlot as Kurogiri walked in, "But this should be easy enough from what little you've provided me on his cyber-security". "Can you repair all of his destroyed files?", asked Kurogiri. "Child's play", said Dr. Merlot. Lady Nagant snorted but had to admit that the idea of working with Dr. Merlot struck her as surreal. A few years ago, she would've put a bullet in his head, an idea that was starting to sound pretty good the more she heard him talk. Ojiro leaned beside her on the bar. "Now, what is a nice girl like you doing running around with people like us?", he asked. "I was asked to shoot shit", said Lady Nagant, not even looking at him, "Anything else is just a nice bonus". "Quiet, both of you", said Kurogiri, "I wish to see which of these students will join our ranks". "Will any want to?", asked Ojiro. "Society has a way of dragging down exceptional individuals", said Kurogiri, "We need only find the one most rejected by their peers".
Bakugo was seething. Fourth place, one less than three. How did Deku do it? Bakugo snarled as he used an explosive punch on the wall, making a small crater around his fist. "You OK, Bakubro?", Kirishima asked. "Do I look OK, Shitty Hair?", snarled Bakugo. "So you got fourth place", said Kirishima, "At least you didn't lose, right? Look at this way, you still have time to be number one". Bakugo hated to admit it, but Kirishima was right about that at least. "Yeah", said Bakugo, "Just wait and see. I'll win this shit yet".
"So I tell Emily that she stopped a giant globe and didn't technically save the world", said Thomas, "Boy, she went off...Oh, hey folks. Welcome back to the Sports Festival. Looks like Midnight is about to spin the wheel for the second event". Midnight spun the wheel and as soon as it landed, she declared: "The second event will be King of the Mountain!" "Alright, I love this event!", said Present Mic. "Me too", said Thomas, "For those of you just tuning in, the King of the Mountain event works like this. Headbands worth a certain amount of points will be distributed to the winners of the Obstacle Course. Several of the 42 students will form teams of four and try to take the headbands from the winners. The one who holds the one with the most points is the titular King of the Mountain, so naturally, I expect everyone to gun for him and his team. Now, if the King of the Mountain keeps his headband as well as takes the headbands of others, his team will advance to the third event. Should he lose his headband before the end of this exercise, his team will not advance".
"Sounds about right", said Monkey from within Izuku's head. "Will the Obstacle Course winners step forward?", proclaimed Cementoss. Izuku, Momo, Todoroki, and Bakugo stepped in. "You will each be given a headband", said Midnight, "Only after we're done here will the worth of them be revealed. Keep them on tight if you can". Momo suppressed a groan as Midnight passed out the headbands. Izuku's face changed into Monkey's as soon as she got over. "If you two need to change, then whatever it is you're planning is fine", smiled Midnight, "I know you both well". "Perfect", said Monkey. 'Be honest, you're planning on having me wear that on our finger, aren't you?', asked Izuku from inside his mind. "Read my mind", said Monkey as Midnight strutted onto the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our champions thus far", she said, gesturing to Monkey, Todoroki, Momo, and Bakugo, "With a headband worth one hundred and twenty points, give it up for Bakugo." Tepid cheers poured out from the audience. "Next up, with headbands worth one hundred and fifty thousand points and nine thousand points respectively, we have Shoto Todoroki and Momo Yaoyorozu". Louder cheers came from the audience. "Finally, with nearly ten million points to his name, Izuku Midoriya", proclaimed Midnight. Izuku chuckled nervously as the audience burst into loud cheers. "That's not a good sign, but we should be good as long as we get some good people for our team", said Monkey from within Izuku's head.
Mina saw the chance presented to her and nonchalantly pushed Ochako towards Izuku. "Oh, Uraraka, are you joining me?", asked Izuku. "S-s-sure", stuttered Ochako. "Perfect", said Izuku, "Now we just need…" But then, a girl with pink dreadlocks leaped over. "Let me join, Ten Million", she said, "I have so many cool babies to show off!" "You brought babies into this?", asked Ochako. "My inventions", said the girl, "I am Mei Hatsume, future CEO of Hatsume Enterprises, and my babies are going to kill the competition". "Good enough, you're in", said Monkey as Izuku's face changed, "Who else?" Koda shuffled over, looking rather nervous. Izuku transformed into the Green Gorilla and began to converse with Koda in ape speak. "Guess he's in", said Mei as Koda gave a thumbs up.
"It's hopeless", whined Monoma, "There's no way we can beat Class 1-A when they have that monster in their ranks". "Good Gravy", snorted Pony Tsunotori, a blonde gazelle Faunus with long horns on her head. "Oh, hush up, you two", said Setsuna, "If we use our brains, we'll beat Ken Allen over there". "Who's Ken Allen?", asked Awase. "He was an orangutan known for more zoo escapes than any other animal", said Setsuna, "He was an orange, hairy guy with big hands. Remind you of anyone?" Setsuna was then met with a karate chop to the head. "OW!", she cried. "Serves you right", snarled Kendo, "But Ken Allen was not a giant gorilla. If you ask me, the best way to beat him is to take enough of the other headbands to advance to the next round." "I think I can help with that", said Shinso, "But I'll need three of you to help me". "Count me in", said Tetsutetsu.
"Let's see, we have Team Momo, Team Bakugo, and Team Todoroki", said Mei, "So we shall be...Team Discovery Channel". "Sounds good to me", said Midnight, "I'll pass it along. Now get ready, it's almost time". Mei ran back to her team just as Cementoss used his Quirk to create a volcanic-looking environment, with Team Discovery Channel atop a mountain. "Looks like Team Discovery Channel is ready for a royal rumble", said Thomas, "But can the others climb the mountain and become champions themselves?"
"Midoriya", Momo called, with Mina, Kyoka, and Shoji standing behind her, "I will match your strength with my own, but let's try to stay friends, OK?" The Green Gorilla gave a thumbs up. "OK teams", said Present Mic, "On your marks...get set… ATTACK!"
With that, all of the teams charged up the mountain. "Looks like we may be in trouble", said Ochako as a strange flapping sound filled the air. "But at least we have reinforcements", smiled Mei as a murder of crows flew in! With that, Team Discovery Channel charged into battle!
Cue Song: Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
To be Continued…
Gorilla Fact: Gorillas can run at speeds of up to 25 miles an hour. No wonder Izuku made it to first place.