Tournament Trouble
After Izuku returned to the stands, it was Todoroki and Kyoka's turn. It was over before it could truly begin. As soon as Midnight began the match, Todoroki froze Kyoka instantly! She was in no condition to fight after that and weakly surrendered. "That wasn't very ice", said Thomas. "Why are you the way that you are?", asked Present Mic. "OK, so what's the plan to deal with that attack?", asked Monkey from within Izuku's mind. "Not sure yet", said Izuku, "Although, he does seem fatigued. Maybe we can use that against him".
Tetsutetsu saw what happened to Kyoka and shivered with fear. He took several deep breaths at a time, but it wasn't helping. "Tetsutetsu, you doing alright, man?", asked Setsuna. "Yeah, fine", said Tetsutetsu. "If you need to sit this one out, we can talk to Midnight for you", said Kendo. "No way", objected Monoma, "We need every victory we can get to show up Class 1-A!" "Not at the expense of our fellow student's health and safety", said Kendo, "If you want to take his place, by all means". "It's alright, Kendo", said Tetsutetsu, "I can do this. I need to do this". "You sure?", asked Reiko, a girl with her short, gray hair combed over one of her eyes. "Positive", said Tetsutetsu.
At the same time, Momo stretched her arms in anticipation. While she had lost half of her team in the King of the Mountain exercise, she still had enough strength for the third round. Kirishima walked over and cracked his back. "Good luck out there, Kirishima", said Momo. "Thanks, Yaomomo", said Kirishima, "I can't wait to get out there and lay down some smack". "You do that, whatever it is", said Momo. She then noticed Tetsutetsu down near the ring, looking nervously up at Kirishima. Momo simply gave the 1-B student a polite nod and a smile.
Midnight watched as Kirishima and Tetsutetsu walked into the ring. "OK boys", she said, "Same rules as always. I want a nice clean fight. No funny business, got it?" "Y...yeah, sure", stuttered Tetsutetsu. "Is everything alright, Tetsutetsu?", asked Midnight. "Just a bit nervous, but I'll power through", said Tetsutetsu. "Had it not been for what you said two weeks ago, I'd say that's pretty manly", said Kirishima. "OK, on your marks", said Midnight. She then cracked her whip, the sound echoing like a gunshot. "BEGIN!" At once, Kirishima took on a hardened, rocky appearance, while Tetsutetsu coated himself in steel.
They immediately went at it, with Kirishima throwing punch after punch, while Tetsutetsu blocked each attack! Tetsutetsu was then able to knock Kirishima back with an uppercut! Kirishima knocked him back with a flying kick and tried punch again, only for Tetsutetsu to duck and punch Kirishima in the stomach! Tetsutetsu knocked Kirishima back with two more punches before the rocky student kicked him in the stomach! Kirishima then roundhouse kicked Tetsutetsu in his metal head! Tetsutetsu then ducked under another punch and tackled Kirishima, who held his ground! As they grappled, Izuku made a stunning observation. "You know, given how similar their Quirks and fighting style are, I have a feeling we'll be here for a while".
Nearly a half hour of fighting later, Tetsutetsu and Kirishima were still going at it, albeit a little more sluggishly. "My word, they're still going", said Present Mic. While most of the audience had gotten bored, Thomas was busy analyzing the fight below him. He saw how Tetsutetsu was losing the motivation to fight as the battle dragged on, while at the same time marveling at the skill on display. If his friend, Yang, were here, he could see her offering Internships on the spot. As it stood, Thomas knew when a fight was going to end. "Alright, Presentation Michael", said Thomas, "Here's a riddle for you to guess. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?" Tetsutetsu let out a sigh after what had to be his fiftieth punch. "This is going nowhere", he said, "Kirishima, consider this my apology. You deserve to win more than I. I surrender". "That is correct", said Thomas.
"Tetsutetsu has surrendered", proclaimed Midnight, "Kirishima advances to the next round". Tetsutetsu bowed before walking back to his side of the stadium with Class 1-B. "Why did you do that?", asked Kirishima, confused. "After the research I did for Midnight's detention, I saw some ugly stuff from Heroes", explained Tetsutetsu, "I realized I didn't want to go that route. Maybe not the manliest I could've handled it, but what's done is done". "Well, it seemed pretty manly to me", said Kirishima, "Apology accepted".
Elsewhere, Monoma was fuming. "He just threw his chance away!?", he cried. "Save it, Monoma", snapped Kendo, "We'll have other chances. Don't forget, you threw your chance to 'show up Class 1-A' away when you tried to attack that Bakugo kid and lost your entire team's headbands". Monoma grumbled to himself as Setsuna practiced some kicks. "You ready, Kendo?", asked Setsuna. "Almost", said Kendo as she dropped the weight set, "Alright, let's go".
Momo glared down at the ring as Setsuna's name was announced. "Don't like the green lady, I see", said Monkey as Izuku's face changed. "That green lady is my cousin, Setsuna Tokage", explained Momo, "We both got in via Recommendation Exams". "Hey, Auntie", said Setsuna with a wave. "Hey there, Dino Gal", said Midnight. "Keep it professional, you two", reminded Cementoss. Monkey noticed Momo's grip around the guardrail tighten with rage and took a step back.
Down in the arena, Kendo and Setsuna bowed before getting ready to fight. As soon as Midnight had cracked her whip, Kendo charged forwards with her enlarged fists, hoping to knock Setsuna out of the ring, only for Setsuna to split in half at the waist and evade the attack! "You shouldn't move so fast, Kendo", said Setsuna, "You'll fall to pieces!" To emphasize, Setsuna detached her arms, using her flying fists like missiles to knock Kendo back! Kendo knocked the flying fists away, only to be met by Setsuna's left foot hitting her stomach. "Bet you can't stomach this", said Setsuna as her pieces flew back onto her body, allowing her to deliver a roundhouse kick to Kendo's face! "Now what's a pretty girl like you doing in a place down there?", asked Setsuna. Kendo blushed, only for Setsuna to kick her out of the ring! "Setsuna Tokage advances to the next round", proclaimed Midnight.
Momo looked down to see that she had snapped off part of the guardrail. "Not a big fan of your cousin, I see", said Monkey. Momo stopped channeling One for All and sighed. "Setsuna and Mom have always been close", said Momo, "I's not enough for her to be gregarious and have friends. She just wants to show me up". "Well", said Izuku as his face changed, "I don't think she's all that great. Although, I can't help but wonder how her blood circulates when she detaches pieces of her body". Momo chuckled as Izuku mumbled up a storm about Setsuna's Quirk. At the very least, she could use some of his speculation, to her advantage in the upcoming fight.
Fumikage waited in the shadows before his match with Momo was set to begin. "So, Fumi, whilst I gather strength in the dark, how do you plan on beating Yaomomo?", asked Dark Shadow. "Don't give her the chance to create anything", said Fumikage, "Once Yaoyorozu is out of the game, our revelry in the dark will truly begin". "I like the sound of that", said Dark Shadow, "and for our victory music…" "Oh, would you look at the time", said Fumikage, "Let's go!"
"In this corner, we have the Prince of Darkness, Fumikage Tokoyami", proclaimed Thomas. Fumikage's feathers bristled in the wind as he heard the crowd cheering. "And in this corner, the Goddess of Creation, give it up for Momo Yaoyorozu!", declared Present Mic. Momo gave a bow to the cheering crowds. "No need to be formal", said Midnight, "Just act naturally". "OK", said Momo. As soon as Momo and Fumikage were ready, Midnight cracked her whip. Immediately, Dark Shadow surged at Momo, only for the girl to punch her away! Momo then made a shield that Dark Shadow bashed against! Momo held her ground as Dark Shadow continued to push her to the edge of the ring, only for Momo to duck to the side! Dark Shadow let out an inhuman roar as she punched Momo, knocking her closer to the edge! But then, Momo tossed out a flash-bang, blinding Dark Shadow and Fumikage! Momo then charged at Fumikage, only for a blind and angry Dark Shadow to lunge at her, pummeling her into the ground! Then, Dark Shadow hoisted Momo above her head and tossed her out of the ring! "Yaoyorozu is out of bounds", proclaimed Midnight, "Fumikage advances to the next round". Momo shakily got up and dusted herself off. "Better luck next time, Peaches", said Midnight, "You did good". "I guess", said Momo as she walked away.
As Momo walked down the hall, she heard Monoma laughing loudly. "Oh, man", she heard him say, "The 1-A VP was just all ass out there. I bet she only got in by coasting by on her Quirk". A loud thud then filled the air. "What's wrong with you, Monoma!?", yelled Kendo. "Yeah, she got in on Recommendation", said Setsuna, "You know how hard it is to do that?" "No, but I know a bad Hero when I see it", said Monoma. Momo decided to go somewhere else as she heard the rest of Class 1-B rip into Monoma, though his words about her began to echo within her mind.
Up next, it was Shiozaki and Mei's turn to fight. "In this corner, we have the Vine Assassin of Class 1-B, Ibara Shiozaki", declared Present Mic. "Excuse me", snorted Shiozaki, offended, "I'm no assassin. I'm simply trying to spread God's love." "Which one?", asked Mei. "The Christian one", said Shiozaki as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "In that corner, we have the Support Class Gremlin, Mei Hatsume", said Thomas, who then turned off his microphone and turned to Present Mic, "Support Class Gremlin? Buddy, this is why you should let me write my own material". Mei gave Shiozaki an almost feral grin, making the vine girl struggle not to shake in fear.
Suddenly, feedback began playing over the speakers. "Oh, that little gremlin", said Thomas in disbelief, "She hacked us". "Let me introduce the stunning support gear of Hatsume Industries", said Mei as she dodged Shiozaki's vines, "I'm currently dodging attacks with the Hatsume Industries Air Balancer", said Mei, "Watch what happens when I pull this cord". She pulled the cord on the jet-pack, which released two poles on the sides she flew down, knocking Shiozaki over! "These stabilizing poles make great side weapons, right?", said Mei, not expecting an actual answer. Thomas noticed that his mic was still working and decided to have some fun. "What about the boots?", he asked loudly. "These Hover Boots make running a breeze," said Mei as she landed. She dodged some more vines before performing a flying leap, knocking Shiozaki back! "What about that gun strapped to your back?", asked Thomas. "It's my patented Hatsume Industries Net Grappler", said Mei, "Observe!" She then fired several nets, tying some of the vines down! Shiozaki then used some more vines to grab the gun and slam it into the ground! "My baby!", cried Mei as she was grabbed by the foot. Shiozaki freed more of her vines, then slammed Mei onto the ground! "You fool!", she cried, "My Hatsume Industries Kinetic Energy Chainmail ought to straighten you out!" She then sent the energy into her glove, and then used the jet-pack to charge forward, punching Shiozaki out of the ring! "Mei Hatsume advances to the next round", declared Midnight. "Wait, what?", asked Mei, "But I didn't…" "Hatsume!", cried Thomas, "That Kinetic Energy Chainmail and gloves? I'll take your entire stock!" "Really?", asked Mei. "Not only that, but I'll recommend Hatsume Industries to all my friends", said Thomas. "All of them?", asked Present Mic as Thomas turned his mic off. "My friend Ruby will love this kid", he said.
Shiozaki had never felt so humiliated in her life. The Support Class Gremlin truly lived up to her name. She sat down in the bleachers, brooding all the while. "You doing alright, Shiozaki?", asked Juzo Honenuki, a tall kid with no lips and exposed teeth. "Fine", said Shiozaki. "You did the best you could", said Yui Kodai, a quiet girl with a bob of black hair, softly, "At least you made it this far". "True", said Shiozaki. "Look at it this way", said Setsuna, "You still have next year. Imagine how much better you'll be by then". The more Shiozaki thought about it, she couldn't help but chuckle a little at the idea. "See? She can smile", laughed Setsuna. Shiozaki giggled some more as she watched Reiko and Pony's match, which Pony had won easily by using her flying horns to knock Reiko away from the ring.
Ochako nervously paced back and forth before her match with Bakugo was set to begin. Ever since the Battle Trial, Ochako was well aware that Bakugo was, to put it simply, psychotic. There was no getting around that fact. Just then, Izuku walked in. "Hey, Uraraka", he said as he set down some notes on the seat next to her, "These might help you. Bakugo's Quirk is the one I've studied the longest, so I came up with a plan to counter it". "Thank you, but I won't be needing these, Izuku", said Ochako, "No offense, but I need to take him out on my own. Besides, I just thought of a plan to deal with him". "Well, OK", said Izuku, "Just stay safe out there". "I'll do my best", said Ochako as she walked out to the field.
"Begin", cried Midnight with the crack of her whip. Ochako touched the ground before dodging a charge from Bakugo! She then punched him back before putting her fingers together. Large portions of the ring floated into the air as Ochako was punched back by Bakugo! "Let's see how Deku's plan works against this!", he yelled as he used his explosions to knock Ochako back! But then, Ochako canceled her Quirk, creating a small meteor shower that smashed onto Bakugo! "What a finish!", cried Present Mic. Just then, a small rumbling was heard from the smoke and debris.
Cue Song: Lionize by Jeff Williams
Bakugo flew out of the smoke and punched Ochako! Then, he used his explosions to rocket back and elbow Ochako in the face, breaking her nose! Ochako then ducked under another elbow and punched Bakugo with an upper cut! Bakugo growled before kicking her in the ankle and punching her in her broken nose! He then swept out her legs and stomped down on Ochako's arm before punching her in the face repeatedly! This action drew large boos from the crowd! "Why're you booing me!? I'm winning!", cried Bakugo. "Boo, you suck!", yelled Thomas!
Aizawa thought this was getting ridiculous and called in on the Sports Festival Hot-line. "You're live", said Thomas. "Shame on you and all of those others booing Bakugo", said Aizawa, "He is respecting his opponent like a true hero". "Right, because a true hero beats down a target that's already been subdued", said Thomas, "Come to think of it, causing excessive injury is something only a villain does. The way I see it, you can either get mad or get that kid therapy. Just my two cents". Thomas then hung up the phone. "Any lies detected?", he asked. "None at all", smiled Present Mic.
Meanwhile, Kurogiri saw everyone from the hot-dog man to the announcer booing Bakugo. "I suppose he's our guy", said Lady Nagant. "Yeah", said Kurogiri. "How do you plan to convince him to join us?", asked Dr. Merlot. "His case will need a personal touch", said Kurogiri, "If what I saw is true, then my old friend, Aizawa, is still pulling for the strongest in his mind. Yes. The best way to convince him to join us will require that you stand back. He'll come on his own after I talk with him". "Are you certain of that?", asked Lady Nagant. "Look at his expression", said Kurogiri, "As this exercise wears on, he'll soon grow more desperate for positive attention. Any positive attention".
"Don't worry, dear", said Recovery Girl, "Uraraka is simply resting after I used my Quirk. She'll need it to be honest". "Thanks for the update, Recovery Girl", said Izuku. "Poor dear", said Recovery Girl, "She had it the roughest of any of the people here". What Izuku and Recovery Girl didn't realize was that they were being watched. "Looks like Midoriya is going to be here for a while", said one voice. "Perfect", said another, "Let's put our master plan to work".
Momo was just forgetting all about Monoma's unkind words when Kaminari burst in. "Guys, Aizawa Sensei just said the cheerleaders canceled". "What?", asked Mina. "Yeah", said Kaminari, "He told me to tell you all to get changed into the standard uniform". He handed Toru a picture to demonstrate before running off. "I can make that", said Momo, "What size is everyone?" As soon as she had the information needed, Momo used her Quirk to make copies of the cheerleader uniform.
After changing, the girls ran out to the field, where they saw some cheerleaders in American uniforms. "Wha...what?", asked Momo confused. "They fell for it", said Mineta as he high-fived Kaminari. "Looks like the ladies of 1-A have gone full fanservice", said Present Mic. Izuku walked out onto the field to witness the spectacle. Some of the audience began to laugh along with Mineta. All at once, everything came crashing down for Momo. The laughter, the prank, Monoma, Mineta; it was too much. Her lip trembled as she dropped her pom-poms and ran back into the hall, tears rolling down her cheeks as she fled in humiliation and pain.
To Be Continued...