Justice Across Time and Space

Chapter 15

This chapter will include a bit more of me mocking the sports festival as well as where I'm going to go with the tournament and the fighters for the one-on-one battles. I've gotten some new ideas for other stories, thanks to plugging in my old PS2 and playing the classics like the Sly series, the true SW Battlefront 2 and a personal favorite, War of the Monsters. The last has been especially inspiring for a new hero form for Izuku. But that is enough rambling. On with the show.

(Jotaro POV)

This whole thing is completely ridiculous. They are literally doing this whole competition to represent the hero system they made. Where the top spot is constantly fought for. In other words, it's for the animals to fight, preen and claw for so they can say they are the best dumb animal or monster. But I know Sahiraah and I can pass this one by with no problem. I don't need to play by their rules. I'll do the human thing and think around the problem.

As I observe around the area and listen outside, I'm realizing more and more of my thoughts are correct on why they are all idiots when it comes down to these matters. It really is like I told Toshinori while we were training Izuku.

(Flashback)

At one point during the martial arts training of Izuku, Toshi and Jotaro had stopped and were watching from the sidelines. "You know, I think this may be one of the few instances where I've seen someone focus on fighting technique more than their quirk. For all the years I've been a hero, everyone just focused more and more on their quirks and support gear with it."

Jotaro to the side huhs at that statement before asking a question that has been stewing in his mind. "Okay Toshinori I gotta know: How long have you been doing all of this? Doing this hero as you see it thing? How long have you been active?" Jotaro says with a look of skepticism at how it could have changed that much. Toshi coughs before saying, "I've been active for almost…. I think a little over thirty-five years."

Hearing that Jotaro hums again before speaking his mind more. "I'm guessing you've had the power of OFA just a little longer than that. Right?" At Toshi's nod, Jotaro goes on to explain what he was thinking.

The first point being, "If you've been active that long, then that makes sense on why people have lost touch with what it means to be a hero. For starters, thanks to everyone having powers they think they can do whatever they want. At least at first. Then you show up on the scene and give an idealized version of a hero and screws them up even more. If anything, that Bakugo brat is more representative of the world than we realized."

Toshi isn't sure what Jotaro is getting at so he explains by saying that most everyone stuck with the extremely selfish nature of humans and the quirks dehumanized them even more. "Because they all have power in some way, they can't relate to true human selflessness anymore. Let alone those who try to make a combination of quirks better for the next generation. Its why Izuku confuses most people. He still has his humanity. And it scares them."

While Toshi doesn't like how he put it, he can't fully deny that people have lost their way. He thought about Endeavor and his obsession with surpassing him. And the rumors about him going through a quirk marriage to make a stronger group of kids down the line. He had focused on making a peaceful world but couldn't see the problems to that behind the scenes. But if what Jotaro had told him about his own abilities was true, then he may be able to. Once OFA fully transferred to Izuku.

(Flashback end)

'You're thinking something rude again, aren't you?' I hear in my mind as we're getting ready for the second event. 'Maybe. Don't worry I won't say anything right away. But you and I both know were going to school all of these idiots.' Even without seeing her face, I know she's rolling her eyes. As Midnight is announcing the planned time for the next event, I can feel all the eyes going toward me. They don't see Sahirah but that is entirely planned. This will really throw them all for a loop.

(no POV)

With a crack of her whip, Midnight announces the start of the calvary battle. The first thing that happens is Bakugo and Todoroki's teams rushing toward where they saw Jotaro. 'He's probably acting as the horse and Saphentite is probably invisible.' Todoroki thinks while keeping an eye out for other attackers.

'I'll knock that big guy down a peg with this attack.' Bakugo thinks while telling his team to hurry towards where the brickhouse had been sitting. But once they get there, they all see that he is nowhere to be found.

While they are looking around Izuku's team have instead chosen to focus on others. The first one they take down is Mineta, Asui and Shoji's team. While Shoji did a good covering the two, Izuku managed to find a perfect moment to use something that had slightly awakened for him. He couldn't fully control it, but he managed to snag all three of their headbands.

"Midoriya what was that?" Tokoyami asked as they were running. Izuku coughs a bit before saying it was a new way his power operated. "I'm not entirely sure, but it's like I can make the energy I've built up manifest in a few ways. It's not that strange for those like me and Jotaro. And you already know he has a few abilities."

While Tokoyami knew Izuku was dodging his question, he pushed it aside for the time being. "I'm not sure what you're talking about but still well done Midoriya! I'll keep us moving at full speed. Just be ready to defend as needed." Ida announced while pulling his floating partners around. Ochaco seemed a bit sick, but a quick pinch behind her ear managed to alleviate some of her issues.

Meanwhile everyone was questioning where Jotaro was. Even Midnight can't see them on the field. It is then that Aizawa speaks up with, "Look up." At that they all see a rug flying in the air. The cameras focus in and show Jotaro sitting down on it without a care in the world.

"That's cheating! He can't do that! Where's the girl?" At a move up with a drone, Power Loader asks a few of the questions they all had. "You just said the teams need to have a horse and a rider. You didn't say how we had to handle this. So why would I do the same as the idiots down there?"

"What are you talking about? You're alone up here!" Power Loader says through the drone. Jotaro raises his eyebrow and looks down at the carpet he is on. Power Loader points the camera at the rug, and it winks at him. This makes everyone's jaws drop. Saphentite was taking the role of the horse in this situation. "Instead of fighting like stupid animals, we went with the human approach to avoiding the unnecessary fights altogether. There's no rule against it. So. Back. Off."

More of the audience is disturbed by the audacity this student had, and the students are also mad too. 'Now its almost impossible to fight him.' Bakugo thinks; and Todoroki is mulling over the same thoughts as he has his team move in on the others. They shake it off and instead decide to focus on the others in the competition.

Back in the thick of the action, Juzo quickly softened the ground to throw off more of the teams. "If I can't get to the big guy, I'll just eliminate everyone to fight him at the end!" Bakugo shouted before leaping and blasting off toward Tetsutetsu's team. As he's lashing out with a small explosion, Tsuburaba creates a wall of solid air. While it shattered, the wall absorbed the impact and left the temperamental teen open for a metal fist from Tetsu.

"Shit!" Bakugo said before bouncing himself up slightly so he wouldn't hit the ground. Ibarra then grabbed him with her vines and pulled him back to safety. "You should be more mindful. If you go too far, I might not be able to pull you back in time," the holy vine girl says with a disapproving look.

The explosive teen snarls and tells her to focus on keeping him in play. "She's right man. We can't help you get further if you take yourself out of the race!" Kirishima warns before taking an attack to his hardened face. Mina then uses her acid to block and then slide around to avoid a different attack.

Namely a quick attack from Izuku. He used a Delaware Air Force Smash to try and knock Katsuki and his team out, but Mina kept them safe. "Deku!" Bakugo screamed before leaping up and trying to attack Izuku. Only to be struck in the stomach by Dark Shadow. And Ibarra again saved him once more. "I know, I know! But they're still sitting in second place and could get us a major jump up!"

"He's got a point. But we should probably try for some others." Kirishima advised before focusing on Monoma's team. Ibarra makes a comment about feeling guilty in attacking her classmates. "But that is the nature of this battle!" she says as she pushes Bakugo up to attack. He shouts out a "die!" while unleashing an explosion but is surprised by the horns that get shot his way. Not enough to stop his attack and he almost hits Monoma.

The blonde from class 1-B smirks at the explosive teen before mocking him for how hard he was trying. And when Bakugo attacks again, he gets an explosion to his own face for the trouble. "Oh, I get it. Your quirk is all about copying others. Not as strong or impressive as mine is. But a problem. Though I can guess how it already works!"

Unleashes a few more explosions in front of himself while going for the headbands Monoma was guarding. Only for the young man to not notice as two were swiped by Ibarra. And then they get knocked around by Kirishima and Mina pushing forward. "Clever. I guess I underestimated him because of his status as a general course student." Monoma says before reacquiring Pony's quirk.

Shoto's team had taken a more defensive approach as the leader advised that they just needed to stay in the top five. "Even if we drop slightly, I think they'll pull in others for the next round. Jotaro-kun and Saphentite-san aren't playing by the normal rules we're accustomed to." Momo noted from the back of the horse.

Denki agreed and hoped that their front runner was really up for this. "He hasn't been practicing and training with me for no reason. Don't worry about that." Itsuka said while adjusting the position of both of her hands. Her right big hand was directly in front of her team, ready to attack and defend. Shoto meanwhile had a large platform to stand on thanks to Itsuka's quirk.

"I'm a little surprised you're willing to work with us. Given the rivalry of our classes." Shoto said while creating some ice to fight back with. Itsuka shrugged and admitted she really wanted to get to the next stage. "And I thought my odds would be best with you or Midoriya. But he already had a full team ready to go. No offense by the way."

Todoroki raised an eyebrow at that and said there was some taken. 'Huh. Wonder if this was what he felt at times? Never mind. I have to focus and make sure we stay in good standing,' he thinks before advising Momo to get a headband from Toru's group.

She does with a special grapple tool, but their opponents are ready to engage and charge at them. Jiro aiming to push some Heartbeat Fuzz into Itsuka's hand. "Yaoyorozu! Think that'll work?" Kaminari asks with some worry. "It should! Try it now!" she calls out while throwing an item forward.

"Here goes! Time for a little shock!" Denki says before unleashing some electricity along towards the item Momo had slapped together. It acted as a lightning rod and Jiro's team got a good jolt from it. Not enough to knock them out, but enough that they were warry of trying again.

It wasn't foolproof, however. "Still got a little shocked over here." Itsuka says while wincing at the pain from the electricity. Todoroki acknowledged that it was similar for him. "But still, good job you two. That got us some space and made others unwilling to-"

"Going down Half and Half!" Shoto heard above him as Bakugo rocketed at him with his explosions. And he'd perfectly timed it to where the group was taken off guard and attacked from Itsuka's slightly weaker side.

"Kaminari! Do it!" Momo calls out before quickly creating insulation cloth to cover what she could. The electric teen then let off an indiscriminate shock to knock Bakugo back and Ibarra had to save him again. Though once again, the insulation wasn't quite enough and Itsuka had to switch hands. "We need to move away. Kendo was a bit hurt by that." Todoroki noted before making an ice wall to stop future attacks.

As time was winding down, two more teams were eliminated and Shinso's team rocketed up into fourth place. While the teams of Monoma and Bondo were eliminated before they could even understand what happened. Reiko meanwhile used her quirk while standing atop Kinoko and Setsuna's hands to pull off a headband from Toru and Rin.

Izuku meanwhile had grabbed a headband from Tetsutetsu after an exchange of blows. Mostly by taking advantage of his opponent's dedication to "a manly fight", so he wouldn't notice when Izuku sped up his fists a bit to grab the item. "I have an idea for something myself Midoriya. Recipro Burst!" Ida called out before rocketing forward fast enough for Dark Shadow and Izuku to grab a headband from the Kamakiri and Toru teams.

And before either could really get their chance, Jiro's team was eliminated by the quick actions of Reiko once again. Bakugo snarled and saw that his team had been put down into the boundary for elimination from the final round. 'Okay. No going after the big ones. So I go after the others,' he thought before instructing his teammates to go for Kamakiri and then the Tetsu teams.

But while he made a big show of trying to capture the headbands, it was just a feint. He told Ibarra his plan by saying he'd go in first and the other two would charge in to catch up. "While that's happening, they won't be expecting you to use those weeds of yours to snatch the goals. Let's do this!"

"They are vines; not weeds!" Ibarra said as Bakugo blasted off. And his plan worked just as he thought it would. He was still upset that they weren't much higher than fifth to fourth, but he was still ready to show everything he had for the final stage fights.

And that was just where he was going. As Ibarra snatched the headbands, Izuku did the same with his team. "Ha! You only got one headband in that last pass Deku! We got two!" Bakugo called out as Izuku had managed to grab a headband off of Rin with a new burst of speed from Ida.

Izuku just smiled at his former friend and pointed to the scoreboard. "Maybe. But my team is still in second place," he said with a look that was somehow confident and scared at the same time. Bakugo snarled looked up to see that his team had gotten into third place with the last two headbands. Much to the frustration of Todoroki as his team was in fourth place. Shinso let out a strained sigh and some tears that his team was in fifth place. And thus unable to move on.

"Nicely done. And now we can get on with this whole affair." Jotaro said while floating down while atop Saphentite. Who quickly transformed and started stretching her back. With that done and the students gathered again and they would all take a break for lunch.

During this time, Shoto has taken Izuku aside to talk to him about his past. As well as telling him that he will win, no matter what Jotaro and Izuku try to do. Jotaro in the meantime has heard the entire conversation and sighs at acknowledgement that what he assumed about the Todoroki's, was actually true. That Endeavor had tried to make a new stronger quirk, following a bit of natural selection and specific breeding.

'And they still want to claim this is the next step in evolution. What a joke.' Jotaro thought while eavesdropping on some of the conversation. He managed to keep something of a neutral face, but he was exceedingly tempted to punch Endeavor into space.

"All right folks! It's time for the main event! The individual battles!" Present Mic exclaims and the crowd cheers. Once they have calmed down a bit, he has Midnight take it from there. "Well, there is a bit of a problem given the odd number of students thanks to the top team. So, we will be accepting a few others as well!"

She then gestures to the screen and the fifth-place team and a few others would be allowed to join in the tournament section of the festival. But just as Ojiro, Shoda, and Aoyama were being told they could participate, the tailed teen stepped forward.

"I…. want to pull out of the tournament. As much as I'd like to show what I can do, I don't remember anything of what happened during the calvary battle. I couldn't really do or show my best last time because… I was being manipulated."

As he's saying this, he shoots a glare towards the one he was sure caused his lapse in memory, Shinso. Who narrows his eyes and still intends to participate in the final round since he had the opportunity. But Ojiro isn't the only one to bow out. Nirengeki Shoda also asks to resign for much the same reason. Midnight smiles and happily accepts their reasoning and resignations from the finals.

"That still leaves a few open spots though. And we will fill it with those who were still standing after the calvary battle. Team Tetsutetsu. Team Yanagi. Please select a representative to join in the tournament!"

Tetsutetsu's smile is huge as his teammates push him forward to continue in their stead and to hopefully win for 1-B. Setsuna initially wants to go, but Kinoko convinces her to send Reiko. "She did steal a lot of the headbands and keep us in the running," the mushroom girl reasoned with a look to the recommended student. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Good luck Yanagi!" the lizard girl said with a gentle push of Reiko's back. And with the new members chosen, it was time to announce the matches.

Jotaro Svoboda vs Shinso Hitoshi

Todoroki Shoto vs Ida Tenya

Kaminari Denki vs Ibarra Shiozaki

Aoyama Yuga vs Ashido Mina

Yaoyorozu Momo vs Tokoyami Fumikage

Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu vs Kirishima Eijiro

Kendo Itsuka vs Uraraka Ochaco

Saphentite Anwar vs Yanagi Reiko

Midoriya Izuku vs Bakugo Katsuki

With the matches announced, a few were panicking or excited for their upcoming matches. Izuku wasn't sure what to think about facing his bully, but he knew he didn't have a choice. "And the sooner I deal with this, the faster we get it over with." Izuku said to himself.

Bakugo on the other hand was greatly looking forward to supposedly beating down and taking the place of the person who he felt never belonged there. For some though they could see this as a way to move ahead. Jotaro felt Shinso walk over to him as it was announced that they would be opponents for the first match of the one-on-one battles.

He is about to try talking to him when Ojiro interrupts and says, "Hey Jotaro can we talk?" With a nod, Jotaro follows Ojiro to a distance away from the rest. As Ojiro is thinking over what to say, Jotaro comes out and says, "you're gonna tell me how his power works right?"

Ojiro is shocked but he guesses he shouldn't be given how talented Jotaro had shown himself to be. "Yeah. It happened right after I responded to him. I think he needs that to take over minds." Jotaro hums a bit before saying, "I wondered why you didn't respond much after that. Guess that answers that question."

Even without looking Jotaro can guess what Ojiro is thinking. "I listened in on all the conversations he had. Including how he got to fifth place in the first place. I was figuring he had to be taking control of people to fight them. He was being a bit smarter about it, but he was still relying on his power."

"Wait how did you hear all the conversations?" Ojiro asks confused at how he could have noticed those minute details. Jotaro looks over at Ojiro with an eyebrow raised before saying, "Did I not mention to everyone that I have enhanced senses?"

Ojiro facepalms and remembers the USJ incident when he talked about it. He then goes on to ask what Jotaro will do. "Don't worry too much. You might actually be surprised on how weak his power is anyway." Jotaro says while making his way to the arena.

"First up. One of the highest-ranking students on the practical exam and a powerhouse from across the seas: Jotaro Svoboda!" At the mention of the first competitor, a few people cheered but not as much as the earlier announcement. Jotaro considers his match with Shinso as he's walking out into the arena. 'He's obviously going to try and use his quirk. But I already know it won't work. Quirks are weak and useless as is. I'm just going to show that more.'

Most still remember the boy as the one who claimed to not have a quirk and was making all of them with quirks look weak. Then he went against what most had come to watch and avoided a big battle altogether by flying above the others. "And on the opposite side; The dark horse of the tournament. The sleepy-eyed student from the General Ed course: Hitoshi Shinso!" With that there were a few more cheers for him compared to Jotaro. Who in turn just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"All right! Are both competitors ready?!" At a nod from the two Midnight called out, "Then let the first match BEGIN!" With that done most expected Jotaro to go in and push Shinso out of bounds, but instead he just walked toward his opponent slowly. His hands in his pockets. "So, you think this will be so easy that you don't have to work at it?" Shinso questions. Jotaro just smirks a bit before saying, "Considering what you can do? Yeah." Shinso smiles and then says, "Now walk out of the arena."

"And why would I do that?" Shinso stops smiling and looks up at Jotaro and sees that he still has that easy smirk on his face. "What the- how!? I know I used my quirk on you!" Jotaro just moves his head around a bit before saying, "is that what that little buzzing is? I can feel you trying to poke in, but you definitely won't be taking control." At that, more and more people are astonished by what he is saying. It is in this moment that a few realize what Shinso quirk can do: Brainwashing.

"But how can this guy who says he's quirkless fight back against it?" A few heroes and some in the stands ask. To which Jotaro smiles a bit before saying, "I'm guessing you've never tried to use this on an actual human have you?"

"Yes, I have. Everyone in middle-" Jotaro stops him by saying, "Ap! People with quirks don't count." This statement shocks and insults more people, but Shinso on the other hand goes over it in his mind, realizing that no one he has controlled was quirkless. "Seems like you're realizing part of it. Most of you probably don't realize this but when your quirks go active, you basically get a bit of brain damage."

At that more people are shocked and dumbfounded at what he said. Recovery Girl is especially gobsmacked but then she thinks about the fact that most hadn't looked deeper than the surface with most quirks. "If you're wondering how I know this; it's because I sense energy. And the brain shows activity through electrical impulses. I noticed something when I was walking by elementary schools and the like. When kids would have their powers go active, their brains would dim a bit. And it didn't recover at all."

At this, more and more people are shocked, and a few doctors decide to test some of what he has said. Shinso on the other hand is confused on Jotaro's capabilities. "Then how are you able to do all of the things you can do? I've seen your strength and speed. Let alone how tough you are. Are there other things?"

Jotaro just nods before saying he also absorbs energy from all around him and can channel that energy in a variety of ways. "My power isn't something that was just handed to me like most of you idiots. I only awakened because I was in trouble, and it activated violently. To be honest, I wish I didn't have it most days."

Shinso takes offense at this. He goes off on Jotaro saying he has the greatest potential to be a hero, and that he was blessed with his power. This angers Jotaro, so he decides to show him what he means by that. He takes a deep breath, before letting it out and causing a windstorm again. Shinso is blown away and out of bounds, but Midnight can't call it because she is bracing herself as well.

The spectators are also panicking as they don't know where this is coming from. Then they start to feel the ground shake. They all think it is just another earthquake, but Shinso notices it first. When he got close to the arena again, he saw that the shaking was in time with each of Jotaro's steps. After a few seconds, Jotaro reigns himself in again and the storms and shaking stop.

Midnight is getting ready to call the match when Shinso comes up and says, "You caused all of that? How were you doing that?" Everyone in the stands and watching is shocked at what Shinso said. And Jotaro just sighs before saying, "I did all of that, by letting go of the control I have over my strength. That was me letting loose a little bit."

This terrifies even more people while Shinso realizes what he meant. As Midnight is calling this Jotaro's win, Shinso says, "You have to constantly reign in your power. Every day is an exercise in control for you. You hold yourself back constantly to keep all of us safe."

Jotaro nods before saying, "I don't do it just because it is what a hero should do. I try to remind myself I'm still human. That there is more to me than just my insane power. But the rest of you are all fools or monsters, who are so wrapped up in your powers, they are basically all you can think about. Most of you have forsaken your humanity to gain more. Rather than think about wanting less to help others."

Shinso is shocked and a bit ashamed of himself for thinking that Jotaro was some big powerhouse who didn't feel like he had to put out. Instead, he was protecting people every day, and holding back an amount of power that would corrupt almost everyone else with a quirk. That was when he did something that surprised even Jotaro. He held out his hand to shake it. Jotaro did with a smile, and they walked off to let the next match commence.

For everyone in the stands however, they were feeling scared and confused. If what that teenager had said was true, then that would mean their quirks were hurting them more than some of the side effects they knew of. For Endeavor however, he felt this boy was going to be a big problem for Shoto. 'It's like looking at another version of All Might. And that boy says he doesn't have a quirk. Maybe there's more potential there than we realize.' While he is going over those thoughts, Izuku is realizing that this could have greater effects down the line. But for now, the next match is about to begin.