Xiao-Long Temporary Household (Morning)

"Remember, it's on Channel 4. I want this recorded for future use." Dominic told his Wobuffet, who saluted before going into the living room to set up the TV. "Indeedee, Nihilego, be sure to cheer me and the others on!" Both Pokemon nodded, excited to watch the sports festival. "Say good morning to Eri and Amara for me, would you?"

With that, the blonde left. With it's trainer gone, Nihilego floated into the girls' room to wake them.

"Morning!" a cheerful female voice exclaimed as the UB disappeared.

1A Waiting Room (Day)

"Everyone, are you ready? We'll be entering soon!" Iida asked his classmates as he entered the locker room. Everybody was wearing their gym uniforms, as it would be unfair to the rest of the participants if they used weapons or armor that would grant them an extra edge.

Despite this, Nezu gave Dominic permission to use his Pokemon during the sports festival. Though, there were a few conditions. First, he was prohibited from using any Pokemon that exceeded a certain size. With this in mind, he was unable to use Wailord or Gyarados. He was also banned from using Moves that could permanently harm another student, like Heavy Slam, Blast Burn, or Meteor Beam. Finally, he could only use one Pokemon per event, making his choices a lot more important.

"Midoriya." Todoroki said to the greenette, pulling Dominic out of his mental rambling.

"Todoroki? What is it?" the boy asked.

"Looking at things objectively, I think I'm stronger than you." the monochromatic boy said. "But, All Might has his eye on you, doesn't he?" Midoriya flinched at that. "I'm not trying to pry about that. But I'm going to beat you."

"Oh? Are we just throwing out declarations of war now?" Kaminari asked, astonished by Todoroki's words.

"Yeah, calm down." Kirishima said, putting a hand on the ice-user's shoulder.

"I'm not here to make friends." Todoroki said, removing his classmate's hand from his person before walking off.

"Todoroki." Midoriya said, getting the dual-colored boy's attention. "I don't know what you're thinking when you say you'll beat me, but of course you're better than me. I think you're more capable than most people. Looking at it objectively..."

"Stop it, both of you." Dominic said, standing up while pocketing a very special Poke Ball. "This is hardly the time for focusing on putting eachother down. We have to give our all into this sports festival, or everything we've done up to now was for nothing." Granted, some of this was from his own feelings about losing to Nomu, but that didn't mean it had no effect on those around him.

"But, everyone..." Midoriya said, speaking up again. "The students from the other courses are aiming for the top with everything they have. I can't afford to fall behind. So I'll be going at it with everything I have too." he proclaimed, staring directly at Todoroki.

UA Stadium (Day)

"Hey! Look alive, audience!" Present Mic said, pumping up the crowd. All the seats were filled, and everybody there was cheering like there was no tomorrow. "This year's high school rodeo of adolescence that you all love, the UA Sports Festival, is about to begin! Are you all ready for this? It's time for the students to enter the first-year stage!"

The minute Dominic set foot onto the grass, he smiled in anticipation. 'Ah, the sound of a crowd's cheers. Reminds me of the battles in Galar.' he reminisced.

"Here they are! The miraculous new stars who overcame enemy attacks with their hearts of steel! Hero Course, Class 1A!" Present Mic said, acting as the class' hype man.

"Will we be able to give our all while being watched by so many people?" Iida asked himself as he looked around at the audience.

"You'd better hope so." Dominic said. "Many of the battles heroes have against villains are in public areas where hundreds of people can see them. In a way, that makes this part of our training."

"You really think UA had that in mind when they started the sports festival?" Ashido asked the blonde.

"It's a possibility." Dominic responded, shrugging.

"They haven't been getting as much airtime, but this class is also full of talent! Hero Course, Class 1B!" Present Mic said as another class of students walked onto the grass.

'Is that a Regieleki?' Dominic wondered, looking at a student with a similar build and body color to the Electron Pokemon.

"Up next, general studies classes C, D, and E!" Present Mic announced again as three more classes walked forth. "Support course, classes F, G, and H are here too! And business course, classes I, J, and K!"

'Geez. I knew this place was huge, but I can count at least 300 students here.' Dominic thought to himself, surveying the field. 'Even Beacon didn't have this many first-years.'

After a minute of walking, all the students arrived at a mansion-sized dirt field. In front of them was Midnight, who was standing on an elevated platform made from stone. "Time for the player pledge!" she shouted.

"What is Miss Midnight wearing?" Kirishima asked, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.

"When your powers require you to wear certain clothes, it's only natural to make that your hero suit." Dominic said, recalling another scantily-clad heroine.

"No, I mean, why is she wearing that at a school function?" the Hardening-user clarified.

"No clue. Maybe she just likes the attention." the blonde responded.

"QUIET, EVERYONE!" the woman yelled, silencing everybody in the arena. "Representing the students is Xiao-Long Dominic from Class 1A!" Sighing, the Pokemon Trainer walked up to the platform and took the microphone into his hands.

"WHAT!? How did HE get the speech!?" Bakugo asked, fuming.

"Xiao-Long got the highest score in the entrance exam, so he's the one who'll give the pledge." Todoroki explained.

"I'll keep this brief." Dominic said, getting the stadium's attention. "You all came here in search of knowledge, to get stronger and acquire new skills. And, once finished with your third year, you will dedicate your lives to the protection of humanity." Many of the students smiled at this, looking forward to becoming real heroes and saving people.

"But when I gaze out onto you all, I see nothing more than foolish children in need of direction and purpose." Dominic continued, putting those thoughts to rest. "Humans, as a species, assume knowledge will free them of this. But as you continue to study and train, you will learn that knowledge can only carry you so far. If you do not apply yourselves to take that first step toward true freedom, then this house of cards we call society will surely collapse." The blonde then walked back to his class, where several of his classmates looked at him with shocked expressions.

'What was that?' Midoriya thought to himself, confused. The entire time he knew Dominic, the boy was aloof and easygoing, making jokes even when their lives were in danger at the USJ. But this was like nothing he'd ever expect from him. 'It was almost like he wasn't even there.'

"Now, let's get started right away!" Midnight declared as a large screen descended to her level. "The first game is what you'd call a qualifier! Every year, many drink their tears here! Now, here's the fateful first game!" The screen started to shuffle through each of the previous festivals' games before settling on one. "This year, it's the Obstacle Race! All 11 classes will participate in this race. The course will be the outer circumference of this stadium, about four kilometers."

'Glad I picked this one, then.' Dominic thought to himself, looking down at the Poke Ball in his hand. The Pokemon inside was incredibly powerful, and had quite a bit of stamina and speed to boot.

"Our school's selling point is freedom!" Midnight yelled. "As long as you stay on the course, it doesn't matter what you do! Now, take your places!"

With a smile, Dominic made his way to the starting gate. "Now, come out!" he said, throwing his Poke Ball into the air.

With the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, there will naturally be some changes in the story from this point on. Dominic now has access to Paldean Pokemon, as well as Terastallization.