Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia or Fate/Stay Night

...

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" repeated Rin, over and over again as she continued to beat Shirou over the head with a pillow that she had found. Shirou meanwhile barely found the contact distracting as it belted over his crown time after time as he sat down at the table and focused on the small television that was in the waiting room. On the screen, Ojiro was successfully closing the distance between himself and Aoyama, the laser wielding student beginning to panic at the thought of the battle going into close combat.

That would be something that Shirou focused on when next the two of them came face to face.

"Just what were you thinking you idiot!" shouted Rin, charging the pillow with enough magical power that when she next connected with Shirou's head, the resulting blow nearly sent his forehead careening into the table. Shirou did manage to barely prevent himself from suffering more damage before calmly exhaling, sitting upright once more before turning to look at Rin.

"If you'll calm down, I'll tell you exactly what I'm thinking," said Shirou, gesturing for Rin to take a seat across from him. Rin held her ground for a handful of seconds before relenting and taking the offered chair, placing the pillow she had been using as a weapon on the aforementioned chair before seating herself. "Are you calm?"

"I will be if you pull a miracle out of your ass and give me a satisfying reason as to why you decided to play your ULTIMATE..."

"Calm down," ordered Shirou, his voice raising the slightest of amounts before Rin could begin her tirade once again.

"Fine," grumbled Rin, crossing her arms across her chest before falling silent, her mind already made up that nothing Shirou said would be acceptable as an excuse.

"What are you doing?"

"What am I doing?" Rin said, her voice leaking vengeful retaliation as she found her fist clenching.

"What are you doing?" repeated Shirou before elaborating. "This world isn't governed the same way ours is. We don't need to be cautious that any move we make will be monitored by Clock Tower or any other construct that would see our actions as breaking the secrecy of magecraft. All we need to do is say that it is simply our 'quirks' developing. I know you hate that word and referring to your magecraft as such but it is a gateway that allows you to be you without having to hide a part of you."

"I know you could have worded that better," stated Rin, getting mildly frustrated by Shirou's inability to state what he wanted to say clearly.

"Probably, but my point still remains," said Shirou. "We got thrown into this world without any warning. I've adapted. I'm enjoying teaching kids how to better themselves and their ability while they chase similar dreams to what I had growing up. Going out and doing what I want, this world is something I have found a place in. You haven't." Shirou paused momentarily as he watched the tension in Rin's body lacken ever so slightly. "You are still trying to control everything around you, myself included. Before you tell me otherwise, we've been together for over half a century, I know when you're playing some sort of game. What your end game was, I don't know but I do know this. It won't work, or at least it won't work in the way you think it will. That's simply because this world doesn't work the way you think it will. I'm going with the flow of the world around me while you are trying to take unfamiliar circumstances and force them to bend to your will."

Rin emitted something similar to a low growl as she waited for Shirou to continue, knowing that he had more to say. "Outside of whatever it is that you are playing, what is it that you want to do? Travel, relax, continue to study? Everything I felt you have done has been so centered about whatever you are chasing that the greater picture is obscured. I know you have had this on your mind for a long time and I could tell from the day when we got caught by the police. I know you Rin, you could have gotten us out of prison a dozen different ways that didn't include us breaking down the wall and painting a bigger target on our backs. Also, we fought for forty minutes before being defeated. That's all. I know you can go for far longer than that regardless of the opponent. You were going easy, you wanted us to get caught and seeing this, I went along with it. You really think that I would have taken that kick to the head normally?"

"Fine!" said Rin with authority, silencing Shirou before he said something else that got under her skin. She found her teeth grinding together as she actually tried to find something to argue against. She didn't want to admit it, but he was right, at least in parts. Rin knew she had been trying to manipulate things, for a long time. She had even been the one to tip off the police that the two of them were living in the same apartment without any supervision, which had simply been the start of the plan she had put into play.

The worst thing that she could do now would be to admit that she had been doing everything up to this point to help Shirou find a point and purpose to live and not chase the inevitable death he sought. To die atop a hill of swords. That was how she knew Shirou would one day die and she so desperately wanted to push him away from such a path. He had already spent a lifetime fighting wherever there had been conflict. She had just wanted him to stop.

It seemed that he had, at least partially. He was still in conflict, though to hear that Shirou found enjoyment in pushing children to break through their limit was something which surprised her, the conflict had simply changed. Rin tried to think back to the last time she had asked Shirou how one of his late night adventures had gone where he did his best to change what he could. She found it mildly irritating that for months he had gone out and fought before returning and she had not asked him how the night had gone. She simply looked up from whatever it was she was doing, saw that he was alright before returning to whatever task she had undertaken. Had she been that goal oriented that she hadn;t taken the time to work out what she wanted?

It was a terrifying thought, one that Shirou would never know that he had been correct in, but she didn't know what to do. What was it that she truly wanted to do? Not for Shirou, not for the betterment of magecraft, not for anybody but herself. Could she simply switch off; spend a couple months lying off a luxury island somewhere and get pampered from dusk to dawn without worry? Or perhaps delve into some texts that weren't based around thaumaturgical foundation and simply get lost in a novel?

Could she stop worrying about Shirou and focus on her own wellbeing?

Thankfully, it seemed as if Shirou wasn't expecting an answer, or at least he wasn't expecting one right at this moment. He had turned his attention back to the television where Bakugo was currently obliterating his pink skinned classmate. Maybe she didn't need to worry about him as much as she did and could actually focus on something for herself.

Still didn't mean that he would get away for making her get so worked up. Stupidity needed to be properly punished after all.

...

To say Yaoyorozu was disappointed in her performance against Todoroki was an understatement. She had been beaten...convincingly so. The blink of an eye was all it took between when the match had commenced and she had found herself encased in a prison of ice, not even enough time to craft anything that resembled a defence. Not that anything in her abilities would have been capable of defending her against such destructive power.

Sitting in the nurse's office, Momo found herself with her knees pressed to her chest as she found herself struggling to find her worth. She had entered the academy the same way that Todoroki had, through special recommendations. The skill level between however was mountains apart.

Ever the first lesson since she had taken in UA she had found her levels of self doubt forming. Ranking only eighth after having entered through such a prestigious manner had been the first blow to her ego, her confidence temporarily shattering when having to compete against Shirou in the first obstacle their teacher had thrown at them. She had recovered late into the events but by then the damage had already been done.

Suffering defeat in the first team battle had done nothing more to help her self esteem. Having tasted the bitter taste of defeat against the students who had struggled the most in the earlier assessment. Their tactics had been sound but they had been bested regardless, herself without even having encountered the most dangerous aspect on the team.

Then there had been the encounter against the villains who had brazenly attacked the facility. She, Jiro and Kaminari had been the only three who had been at the mercy of the villains who had attacked the students, their electricity wielding peer having been held hostage with them unable to do anything. It was only through the retreat of their leader did they find some manner of safety, the villain threatening them choosing to surrender than to face the strength of All Might.

Then after intense training, both in and outside the school, she had felt herself prepared for the events of today. She had found herself coming in seventeenth through the first event, almost not having made it into the top half of those who had made it into the second round. While she had played a role in the cavalry battle, the star well and truly was the person whom she was carrying into the next event. The one who had beaten her so quickly only an hour later.

What was she doing? Why was she here? Could she even become a hero?

Unfortunately, to these questions, Yaoyorozu had no answers.

...

Iida admired the atmosphere that surrounded him as he stepped on to the arena. All these people here who would witness just what he was capable of. He could not have asked for a greater platform on which to announce that the brother of the famed hero Ingenium was here for the world to see.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," said his opponent across the ring. Iida turned his head and looked at the person who he would shortly do battle with. Just because he was from the general studies course didn't mean that he should take him lightly.

"Of course, such an event comes around only so often and I may never get to be able to put on a good show in front of such an audience again," commented Iida. "Therefore, I must do my utmost best now in order to give myself the best chance of making a name for myself so early in my career."

"Well then," said the general studies student as Midnight announced the start of the match. "I wish you good luck then."

Iida couldn't help but return the well wishes in kind, only for him to suddenly find himself outside the ring, eliminated from the competition without even having thrown a strike at his opponent. Turning around in shock, Iida watched as Midnight announced his opponent the winner of the contest. He could do nothing but stand there, flabbergasted, wondering just what had happened. Across the rest of the arena and all those who had been watching on a nearby television, the answer was as plain as day.

...

"Brainwashing huh," said Shirou from his seat. "Triggered through a response in conversation. I take it he'll give up before the next round now that his ability is revealed to his next opponent."

"Yes," acknowledged Rin. "All he needed to do was get to this stage to show what he was capable of. Considering he is matched against Todoroki next round who likely won't even give him the chance to speak, he will just remove himself from the equation beforehand."

"Compared to your own hypnosis though I take it is nothing special. While powerful against those ill prepared he cannot count on them responding in the first place," analyzed Shirou. "I take it he hasn't taught himself anything else at this stage, no hand to hand combat skills of any nature to be able to engage regardless of whether his brainwashing works."

"It is something to consider, I might even put myself under his power momentarily before breaking out to show him that he needs to think outside his little box," added Rin. "What about your next opponent, the boy with the tail, will he forfeit? Surely he knows he cannot defeat you."

"He's aware of it," said Shirou. "He'll likely still come at me though, just to show that he is willing to throw himself at an opponent far stronger than him."

"That sounds awfully familiar of an annoying person I meant so long ago," mused Rin. "How he would throw himself against heroic spirits despite having no battle experience of his own."

"My, I wonder who that could have been," replied Shirou, the sarcasm practically dripping from his lips. As he pushed himself to a standing position, he rolled his neck from side to side. "I'd ask you to wish me luck but we both know that he needs it more than I do."

Rin crossed her arms over her chest, tossing her head to the side in mock disgust. "I'm offended you think so little of the luck I can impose upon someone."

"Yeah yeah," said Shirou, waving off Rin as he made his way to the door. As he gripped the handle however, his guard was let down enough that he didn't expect several blasts to crash into his back. Perhaps having turned his back to Rin who was likely still hating him after what he had done may not have been the best of ideas.

"See, why send your opponent luck when I can actually give them a handicap?" said Rin, clearly pleased with what she had done.

"Wonderful," said Shirou as he felt the curses that Rin had inflicted upon him settle into his system. Despite the illness that was spreading through his body, he knew that giving in would only further the smug look he knew was likely on across Rin's face. Stepping out the doorway, he found his bearing difficult to maintain, almost having to lean against the nearby wall to prevent himself from falling to the floor.

Worse than the feeling that was pulsing through him however were the final words he could hear from the waiting room behind him.

"Good luck."

...

Ojiro was nervous, rightfully so. Here he was, still mildly burned and damaged from his battle with Aoyama and now he had to fight the juggernaut that was easily the favourite to win the tournament. Win was too simple a word, perhaps saying that he was the favourite to obliterate the competition would be making it sound more realistic.

Here he was, a man with a tail, against someone who could make the entire audience shiver in fright by chanting some words and channeling his power. Ojiro knew that nobody would blame him were he to quit right here but now he couldn't bring himself to do it. He would go down, that was a guarantee. If he could land one hit in though, that would be something he could gloat to the world about...if he wanted to be reminded of the beat down he had received to land a single blow.

"Here he is!" shouted Present Mic, building up the crowd to the best of his ability. His words only caused Ojiro to find his nerves building even more, perspiration starting to form on his brow. "Ladies and gentlemen, the man who has bested both professional heroes and villains alike, the competitor we have all come here to see, I present to you Emiya Shirou!"

Ojiro braced himself to look at the imposing figure marching towards him, every step sentencing him to a painful fate. Only to find himself oddly surprised to find Shirou struggling with his walk to the ring. His steps were small, shaky almost. Had whatever he had done in the opening bout against his friend sapped away at his strength? If that was the case, it only made what he was trying to do slightly more terrifying.

Other than fear though, was an emotion that Ojiro had effectively given up on. Hope. If Shirou wasn't at his peak (and preferably around ten percent of his potential) then Ojiro found himself believing that he might very well have a chance.

It seemed he wasn't the only one that had noticed that Shirou wasn't at his peak. Midnight had approached him and Ojiro could just hear her asking him if he wished to continue. The approval Shirou gave for the fight to go ahead was defiant and Ojiro found himself bouncing on his toes. One strong blow to knock Shirou off balance would be enough to tip the advantage completely in his favor and he could potentially knock him out of bounds.

So lost in his thoughts, Ojiro nearly missed the start as Midnight signalled for the two of them to begin. Not giving Shirou the time to compose himself properly, Ojiro charged forward, crossing the distance between them in only a handful of seconds. Launching himself, Ojiro twisted and allowed his tail to turn at high velocity. Somewhat unexpectedly, the blow was dodged with Shirou stepping backwards to prevent the muscular limb from connecting with his ribs.

That was something of a sign for Ojiro. Shirou had dodged his attack. Not blocked, parried, countered or anything which led to immediate defeat. He had dodged it.

Carrying on the assault, Ojiro launched at Shirou with repetitive attacks, whilst mostly centred about his tail, the teenager included a random assortment of kicks and punches into the mix to try and catch Shirou off guard. Every blow however was dodged, barely in some cases which only served to spur Ojiro on more since he was slowly pushing Shirou closer to the edge.

Leaping up and twisting in midair, Ojiro tried to bring his tail crashing down atop Shirou's head only for the limb to strike, unfortunately it wasn't true. Shirou had raised his arms up to prevent the blow from doing any sort of real damage. If anything, Ojiro felt as if he had taken more damage in that exchange than Shirou had.

Leaping back to give himself some space, Ojiro looked at the state of his opponent. Shirou still looked worse for wear, as bad as Ojiro had ever seen him. HIs stance however had firmed if only a little and the teenager had to remind himself that the person in front of him had faced off and defeated enemies far stronger than he was.

Still though, he had to strike while he still had the chance to do so. Rushing forward, Ojiro lunged at Shirou in the hopes of tossing him over the edge of the arena and winning via a ring out. When he struck Shirou however, he found him to be immovable and a single thought swiftly rushed through Ojiro's mind.

His window of opportunity had just slammed shut.

Shiro crafted a weapon, one which Ojiro was more than familiar with though one which nobody in the arena would understand the fear of. Torashinai, the wooden training sword that Shirou had used to defeat him and his peers repetitively on a day to day basis. He could almost hear the anguish and despair from some of his classmates over the sound of the crowd.

"It seems as is Shirou has been toying with Ojiro, even now not even producing one of the more dangerous weapons we know he has at his disposal," announced Present Mic, though Ojiro saw it differently. If anything, Shirou opting to bring out that weapon from his arsenal as opposed to the hundreds that he himself had admitted to having at his beck and call meant that he saw this as nothing more than training.

Here, on this stage and even in the condition that he was in, Shirou was still trying to train Ojiro. The will to forfeit crept into Ojiro's mind but he couldn't bring himself to do it, not after having come this far. Steeling his nerves, he charged forward once more knowing the sensation of defeat he was soon to feel.

...

Hope you enjoyed.