Holy crap the likes, favs. Thank you very much for reading my simple story that's filled with mistakes. Editing is tedious but I am editing and writing each chapter best as I can. Lastly, I still sucked at writing action. lol XD Sorry for the long update too.

Uploaded: 07/20/19

All Might's chest swelled with seeing Izuku win. He had faith in his apprentice would win. Not only in winning terms of placement but winning by being better than who he was yesterday. His successor's improvement was evident in his usage of One for All. Far from perfect but it was getting there. The hope that maybe his apprentice would master the legacy he inherited before he finished UA was possible, and it made him grin thinking so.

He could see the stoked flames of Midoriya-kun burning brighter as he fought to stay on top. The way his apprentice persisted through every student he faced, especially from Bakugou and Todoroki. It shocked him to see Midoriya create two but two portals and still stand. The last time he did that was when they first met and nearly drained him even when he just did small multiple warps before it. He certainly didn't expect Izuku to hold on after that move.

Perhaps, I should've inquired more from Cementoss about Izuku's progress? Nah, he banished the thought. It was better and more fun that he was surprised by the progress of his protégé.

Still, his win and quirk progress was not the only thing that made him proud. It was the fact that he won using only what he had unlike most which had chosen their teammates and it's proven that Izuku was tough and that under pressure he would persevere to get through it.

Toshinori couldn't stop grinning when he picked Shiozaki Ibara after Tokoyami's refusal. That was certainly was a godsend, for he knew behind the Vine user's gentleness, lies thousands of thorns once motivated.

"That certainly was a blast, Toshinori," said the small critter of a principal of U.A. It was only him and the quirked animal as every faculty member of UA has left for lunch. "Midoriya Izuku is prudent and knows how to pick his battles. He has potential just like the boy Nighteye chose."

Ah, Togata Mirio or Lemillion as he was known to the public. A third-year student and part of UA's famous "The Big Three." A good kid with a heart of gold from what he heard and observed. Also, persistent that he turned his very disadvantageous quirk into his strength. His smile reminded him too much of the seventh holder of One for All. His chest stung at seeing the blond youth beaming at him as he thought their class.

His quirk was nothing to be scoffed at too, despite the hushed words of the students. The teen was resourceful and has a sharp eye behind his happy nature. If Toshinori hadn't met Midoriya first, he might have even chosen him as his successor. Reluctant as All Might was to admit to himself. Togata had an iron will, and drive to go with his pleasant personality.

If only Toshinori can pass his quirk twice then there was no doubt he would pass it to those two, but alas he cannot. He couldn't dare compare the two for they had different strengths. Nighteye chose a boy whose smile can light up a person's heart during troubling times while he had chosen a boy who persisted to become a hero in the form in any form just to be like his father he never met.

"Though I have to say Midoriya have somehow been lucky," the principal stated after a sip of the tea.

"How so," he replied to the small critter. Already he had an idea what the other would say but he would like to hear it from Nedzu himself.

"Notice how even as the students chase after him, they didn't attack him aside from the few that did," Nedzu paused to sip his tea. "Obviously they consider him a threat to be wary of them just as they are with Todoroki and Bakugou. They were waiting for his points to be stolen."

All Might agree with the small sentient animal's observation. Most of the match was due to Izuku and his team's quick thinking but he could agree there were times they were lucky. The second was that there was always someone interfering with Enji's son, either isolating or distracting him from chasing the top team. When Izuku was cornered, Todoroki isolated them preventing the others from getting the point.

"Ha ha ha!" bellowed All Might. "You are right Principal Nedzu. But all that matters for me is he did it against all odds. He showed the world who he is."

The tiny Principal chuckled. "He certainly did. Although what surprised me is his control of One for All and his original quirk. His usage certainly improved."

The Number One hero's smile widened, "it's all thanks to young Midoriya's efforts. I wanted to assist him in his training, but he insisted on doing it himself."

"Hmm, I see," the Principal hummed. Whatever the principal was thinking, All Might didn't want to know because he didn't like the gleam of his eyes. It was too mischievous for his taste. "I could see how Bakugou Katsuki influenced him. I dare say that he changed the other boy too. I could imagine how they became friends."

"They certainly do affect each other." Midoriya Izuku, a meek, but a passionate boy. No doubt, his cursing and seldom hotheadedness coming from Bakugou. Bakugou Katsuki, on the other hand, didn't look like one to be patient and friendly, but he was amicable behind that tough act. Maybe that was where his apprentice comes then, he got through the other boy's exterior. "Principal Nedzu, do you want to join us for lunch?"

"No thanks," the white-furred creature's head turned and smiled. "Though I appreciate the offer. Perhaps next time. Go on, I will be fine. And don't keep Enji waiting."

"Okay…," All Might scratched his cheek. Endeavor is here? He often forgot that the principal was a sentient animal and not a mutant quirk type person to have a good sense of smell and hearing. He then went out and headed to where the teacher's lounge was.

Only him and his click-clacking footsteps made noise in the wide hallways of the UA Stadium. His thoughts went to their last meeting about what the Police had gathered. The subsequent meeting with him, Aizawa, Nedzu, and Tsukauchi had a week after the event came to him had him racing every time he thought about it.

No, he refused to fully see that what Aizawa had said chances of happening.

Toshinori simply refused to believe it no matter how logical the reason was. One might ask why would he deny it so vehemently? It was because he himself had personally seen his demise. He made sure so. He simply would not believe that his mentor's death and his injury was for nothing if the shadow king of the underworld or perhaps his legacy was still alive. There was another way to gain multiple quirks aside from that.

It was only a probability given by Aizawa and nothing more. He would not believe so until everything, every evidence points to it. Right now, it was nothing more than as a hypothesis and less credible than someone using some scientific method to force multiple quirks on someone. With the advancements they made over the years, someone could've discovered it.

Snapping himself out of the past, he focused on today for this was a day for joy. He should forget about that for now and celebrate the first step of the students to being heroes. Thus, he went down the stairs since the cafeteria for the Heroes was two floors below. Even in the bright white light setting, he could see the orange hues of flames glow from behind the corner coming from the right side of the stairs.

Grinning, he waved at his friend, "yo, long time no see, Enji!"

The flame hero grunted before revealing himself arms crossed and outward expression colder than his known quirk. All Might knew that behind his cold persona, Enji was as fiery and passionate as his power in his bid to outmatch him as a hero. "Toshinori."

"Ha ha ha, long time no see, Enji." Even years not talking and seeing each other his friend was still aloof as ever. He and Endeavor hadn't seen each other in a long time. When did they last meet? Two years ago or so? Toshinori couldn't remember clearly. "Are you headed for lunch as well?"

"No," replied his rival. "I came here to talk to you."

That made him smirk a little which caused his friend to glower. Still, what could the Number Two hero want from him? For him to be searched by Endeavor meant that it was important. In any case, he waited for Endeavor to say what he wanted knowing the man always goes straight to the point in any conversation. "I hear you've taken an unofficial apprentice. Specifically, that Warp quirk boy, Midoriya Izuku."

I didn't do anything to hide this fact. Puffing his chest, his smile widened. He must've forgotten in the years they were apart on how much prideful Enji was. He didn't like being ignored, to be second. It would make sense that he would be concerned for Shouto being treated as second.

He scratched his cheeks. "Not exactly. I know this seemed like favoritism, but I can assure you it isn't Endeavor. I am keeping an eye on Midoriya-kun because he also has strength quirk like mine as an added effect of the warp energy he has. I give him advice on how to control from time to time because we don't want any injuries right? Rest assured, your son and his classmates are not forgotten as I still treat them equally. If I cross the line, I am sure that Aizawa would be —"

"This isn't about that," Endeavor snapped.

"Oh," the blonde hero scratched his cheek. He thought that his friend would be concerned about his teaching if it looks like he's favoring one. Though he was, not for reasons people normally think about and waste his only chance of raising the next generation of heroes. "Then what is this about."

"Your apprentice is powerful, no wonder you favor him. Did you help train him."

All Might stared at his friend and blinking for a second before howling in laughter. He wished he had, then he would have something to take pride on but he didn't. "Yes, he is my apprentice in a sense if you think about it," he replied not denying nor confirming but couldn't hide his pride from leaking into his voice. Thankfully the other teaching staff of UA was accepting of his reason to be concerned about him and Izuku. "Izuku is indeed powerful, but not because of his power. It's something in him; his determination, his drive to be a hero. I wish I could say that I helped in his training, but no, he insisted on training alone for the festival."

He neglected to mention that he did train Midoriya-kun to control One for All for a month. Though seeing as how that was not what Enji was referring to, he didn't say anything about it.

"I see," was all Endeavor said grunting afterward.

"What about young Todoroki? Did you help him train that's why he's strong even just using his ice quirk?"

His friend sneered, "Shouto's in his rebellious phase. He denies my teachings and everything I give him. The boy still denies the power flowing in his blood. He would feel the folly of only using his other half alone during the last part. His pride in his ice would be his downfall."

"Why?" was all he could say in return not liking the tone of his friend. Was this his friend who had an inner fire brighter than any of his colleagues?

Why, was all he could say to everything he heard. None of this was making sense. One look at Endeavor's eyes and he was not liking the look in his eyes. They were cold and wild. Whatever fiery flames it had when they last saw each other now completely disappeared. There was no passion behind them. Only cold calculation like Aizawa's but lacking the silent pride he had with his students. "Why would Todoroki-kun only use his ice half?"

Toshinori knew Todoroki only used his ice. Even from the first day, which Aizawa had allowed since the limits of his ice was powerful enough to measure up in the Erasure hero's standards. For now. He remembered his colleague say and that he would deal with it in the future.

"My son is made to surpass you, All Might. Sooner or later he would realize that. He would surpass you, I will make sure of it." Uncrossing his arms, his rival glared and Toshinori could feel himself sweating from the rising temperature.

Something clicked in him. The whispers of the other heroes came to mind.

"How can you remain friends with him, All Might? Haven't you heard? Endeavor drove his wife crazy."

"Don't you know about his children? Or why his wife went nuts?"

"If he wasn't such a good hero and popular, I doubt he'd he be left alone by the government. Numerous cases destruction of public structure and not to mention behind the ones behind closed doors about his family."

He had heard of the rumors, okay, a lot of rumors about his friend but he paid no attention to it since he knew his friend was not like the person like they said he was. Endeavor wasn't liked much in the hero world, aside from his abilities to solve crimes and villain arrest rate, and he had a feeling why. But now, hearing that from Enji himself, there may have been truth to it. Well-intentioned his friend maybe, but his friend was going at it in ways nobody would like.

"It seems we have already chosen people to leave our legacy to." Walking towards the flame hero, he grasped his shoulder with one hand which Endeavor tried to remove slap away, but he put a little of his strength in it. The first time he did so.

It was not Toshinori's business but maybe his friend just needed a push. Everyone needs one once in a while to pull them back down to earth from their tunnel vision. Maybe the bad things he heard affected Endeavor.

Out of respect, he didn't think badly of his friend. Rumors may have a basis of truth in them, but it was not the whole truth. He wouldn't press for the truth because it was not his way. Truth was earned, not forced out. He did not believe the words said about Enji because he knew that he means well in his own way. Too well, in fact.

Todoroki Shouto's incredible skill even using his icy half alone was proof that Endeavor probably taught his son well. To make him the best of the best. To possibly replace him, All Might, as a symbol of peace in the future, was not bad since it was him that kept most of the dangerous evil lurking in shadows but perhaps there was another way. A path less to do with molding one after your image. Just inspire them. Give them a reason to become like their idols not mold them to be one.

Maybe, just maybe, Todoroki's aversion of fire stemmed from too much teaching by his father if his abstaining from using fire was anything to go by. It does not bode well for their relationship as both father and son, and even as a mentor and apprentice.

Just this once, he would say something to his friend. He would say anything because if the glint in his eyes told him something, it's that maybe he felt that Endeavor lost what he had before. He was not certain what it was, but he nevertheless said. "I know I am not a good mentor nor a teacher and may sound a bit hypocrite but let me say this; let the young ones shape themselves. They are not us. Nor will they ever be."

"Don't throw the towel in the chase yet, Enji," smiling at Endeavor, Toshinori patted Enji's shoulder. He left Endeavor and went to his destination.

"Go on ahead guys, I'll catch up."

Kacchan gave him a long dubious stare then a sharp look at their dual quirked classmate before leaving with the others. Todoroki didn't even glance at them and only focused his steely gaze at him.

He leaned against the wall, silently groaning at the sturdy support behind him. The teen, in waiting for the other to speak and rubbed his arms slowly. He cleared his throat to clear the silence between them.

Izuku wondered what Todoroki was going to discuss. Endeavor's son wasn't the sort to be bitter to a loss. In fact, he had come to know the fire and ice user to be motivated by learning at any loss as he was always calm and rational. He was like Momo in that regard, both of them were calculating and calm. He would've seen the loss as a reason to become better, which made Izuku's heart pump swift in facing him in the last round knowing the other was prepared for his Warp.

So, what did Todoroki want with him? What did his classmate hope to get out of him with this talk?

"Todoroki," he broke the silence between them. "What do you want to talk about?" Better to start it now before the cafeteria becomes full and miss lunch. He will need every energy he had for the final round of the festival knowing the inevitability that he'd have to face his friends and Todoroki.

"I wonder how much truth is there for your reason having enhanced strength," Todoroki's left hand clenched. "No matter how one looks at your reason, it seems probable but after what I've seen what All Might can do up close. I'm not sure if what you tell is the truth. No two quirks are the same."

Izuku swallowed heavily. "What're you saying?" Why was Todorroki saying these things?

"I've been overpowered by you Midoriya," the other held out his open hand palm towards him. He had a feeling that he would not like where this was going. "I felt something similar to it before."

"What?" he raised his brow, acting mildly surprised. He was confused as to what was Todoroki's point.

Izuku didn't know where Todoroki was going with this. What does he mean by "something similar?"

His classmate looked at the empty hall then back to him. "I was the closest one when All Might arrived at USJ and fought the Noumu. I've seen him fight the Noumu's up close before we were ordered to evacuate the scene."

He can see where this was going and he was right not to like the direction it went. Izuku grinned, cheeks shaking from the effort. "What do you mean? All Might doesn't hurt his body when he uses his quirk. And I don't see any red lines or electricity all over his arms or body every time he uses his quirk."

"Still, that doesn't affect how similar your quirks are Midoriya. I'm sure of both your quirk's similarities. Are you," All Might's apprentice froze sucking in a large amount of air as his classmate said this. Could it be? Please don't. Who knew Todoroki of all people might figure out the secret between him and All Might. He figured it might've been Kacchan or even Aizawa-sensei to know of it. Here it goes, the moment where Todoroki pieced everything together.

"All Might's secret child."

His mind went blank as the words echoed for a good long while before clamping his gaping mouth shut. "What, uh," Izuku blinked for a second. "What?" was Izuku's smart reply while blinking in embarrassment. Come on Izuku. Get a hold of yourself. I thought for sure that was a close one.

"Are you? All Might has never revealed his life to the public. Even amongst heroes, only a few know him, like Endeavor. Plus, it's not a secret that he pays attention to you more than the others. It would make sense hypothetically since he pays attention to you more because of your relation to him and the similarities of quirk."

Was Todoroki concerned that he was possibly treated above the others?

Recovering from the mental blank earlier, Izuku along with the blowing wind wiped the sweat on his forehead and laughed. "It's not like that. That's not why he calls me from time to time. Not that I am his son or anything," he chuckled feeling the slip of sweat drag down his face. "You're right, our quirks are similar and that's why he calls me or I find him from time to time because I needed his guidance to control my quirk. Besides," he shrugged, "how could that be that I'm his son, Todoroki? My power is warp. The enhanced strength is just a bonus no matter the similarities. All Might's is super strength," he responds waving his arms. "Plus, do I resembled him in some way?"

"Mutation is a possibility, Midoriya," Todoroki was really into this. If given enough imagination and research, he might conclude something ridiculous like say, a passable quirk! "It's covered by the Singularity Quirk theory. It wouldn't be farfetched to say you inherited All Might's strength along with the mutation of a Warp quirk."

He chuckled just as his cheeks burned. "I wish that were true but that's not it. Even if I was you wouldn't believe me," the teen scratched his nape. If he was Toshinori Yagi's son, then he wouldn't have to look far just to be with his father. But, fate was not good to him and bereft him of a dad and his mom of a husband. "All Might's just training me from time to time to control my strength. That's it and nothing more."

Todoroki's eyes narrowed. "That's not it. That means there is a deeper connection between you and All Might than what you've said. Something you two only know."

Crap. He really had to watch what he was saying in front of this particular classmate of his. He was too observant to let his guard down.

"Why are you so interested in my relationship with All Might," he asked in return narrowing his eyes. It was so out of the blue for his classmate to do this.

"Forgive me for asking," the other replied. "Not that it's any of my business, but I had to confirm your connection to him."

Confirm his what? That he was related to All Might?

"Then what do you really want to talk about." He tilted his head to the side. First, he asked if he was related to All Might, then after confirming he did have a connection to the Number one hero, he confirmed something. What is his goal?

"By now, you know that I don't like to use fire." Izuku nodded wondering where his classmate was going with this. "Do you know about quirk marriage?" Izuku nodded again.

Who wouldn't? It was one of the subjects they are required to study. They were taught of it back in Aldera. Fix marriage or force marrying people by buying, negotiating, or dealing with the hand of the spouse from their respective families to usually mix the strong quirk genes to the one marrying them resulting in a stronger heir. The process would raise the social standing of the family, though in certain cases only one of them if the marriage was mutual.

It was a culture that he was glad to have been tabooed half or so a century ago. It was only made illegal about twenty years ago and those found out doing it were imprisoned for twenty-five years.

That was only in Japan though. It was not illegal and only shunned and nearly bordering as a crime if it was known the other party was coerced in any way in some places. It remains uncertain in some parts of the world. That meant Endeavor married Todoroki's mom before the Anti-Quirk Bill has been approved.

"Endeavor's my old man," his classmate said "old man" coldly glaring into the ground. Old man, not dad or father. Not only that, but the term old man was not said endearingly. That gave him weird thoughts that maybe there was something more to Todoroki and Endeavor than what was said. "I'm sure you know that he's been stuck as Number two hero for years. He knew that he won't beat All Might, so he married my mom."

The more Izuku listened to Todoroki the faster his heart beats. All the puzzle pieces were starting to fall into place. The cold referral to his dad, the possible refusal to use fire. He didn't like the conclusion he was getting to.

"Out of my siblings, only I inherited their blood perfectly. I had inherited both ice and fire and was trained early to beat him. To surpass All Might."

Izuku gasped. At what? Perhaps for many dark things he would find out. Or for the fact that a hero such as Endeavor could call his son as something that was "made" to do something, specifically made to surpass. His blood just ran cold that he was left speechless. How could a person like Endeavor be a hero? That's just… undeserving? He didn't think that a hero could do that.

"That's…," what could he say? It was a surreal concept. That was not adding the fact that he was made to surpass All Might.

"Every day since I was young, all I see is his cold eyes and his lifeless words. That…," left hand went for cover the red scar marring his otherwise immaculate face. "I was isolated from my siblings, not allowed to have friends. All I did was train to surpass All Might. It hurt our mother to see, to hear me cry. Soon, it drove her to the brink to be in his presence. And the darkness he caused to our mother passed on to me."

He dared not move from his place when his gaze locked onto Todoroki's smoldering heterochromatic eyes. He can't move as his heart stilled. "One day, she said to me; "your left side is unsightly," she said as she poured hot water on my face."

Izuku's eyes widen as he sucked large amounts of air. What could I say? He and Todoroki were worlds apart. He didn't know that kind of life existed! Should he hug his classmate? Cheer him? Joke about it? Pat him? What? He was at a lost for words.

All Izuku knew in his short life was simple things in life. Even without his father, all he ever knew was one would normally know in their lifetime, family, school, friends, and maybe perhaps, love too? He couldn't understand what it must've been in the hybrid's place nor would he know what to do if he were put in that position.

"Now I know there really is something between you and All Might. Then I have more reason to beat you. I will beat you without using his quirk," curled hands covered the burned half of his face. "I will prove to him that I can be strong without his damn fire. I'll never be a tool to a heartless scum like him. In my heart, my mother is always crying because of him. Her words and tears sometimes haunt my dream." The lone eye moved to gaze at him. The pain that he didn't see before now freely open for all the world to see.

"So that's why I will reject him by winning by using my ice alone!" He stared blinking owlishly at Todoroki. The anger and hatred dripping from the voice were unlike he'd ever thought his calm classmate was capable of. It… all of this caught him off guard.

"I don't care what your connection to All Might is," Todoroki said his back facing him as he walked onwards the canteen. "But I know as long as I defeat you with just my right side, I have proven my point to my old man. Sorry for wasting your time," with that, Todoroki moved to his right towards the exit.

What could I say? So much pain hidden in those eyes. Compared to him who lived a mediocre life, he couldn't understand how and why it happened. No one needs to suffer like that. No one.

Izuku watched as his classmate became smaller and smaller until he disappeared from his gaze completely. He looked at his back and thought that if this was some Shonen anime, Todoroki would be the protagonist, this was his story and he was just a supporting character.

He had a lot of rethinking to do about the number two fiery hero.

"Are you okay, Deku-kun? You look a little white."

Many eyes on the table turned on him on the prompt of Uraraka. Kacchan, who sat across on the other side of the table with Uraraka, narrowed his eyes at him. He swallowed heavily at his friend's look. Iida, seated on his left, looked like he was scrutinizing him beyond what he could see physically while Kirishima, on his right, was just plainly concerned.

"Did that half and half bastard do something to you?" his childhood friend demanded.

"What?" Izuku raised his eyebrow at the worried looks pointed at him. "No, no, no, no," he replied waving his arms and went back to eating his food. Uh oh, Izuku didn't like the dark look in his best friend's eyes. "No. He just wanted to talk to me about something. Nothing big."

Nothing big, a part of him, that sounded like Kacchan, scoffed. Sure. Let's ignore the fact that your classmate was possibly abused by the number two hero since his childhood to beat All Might since he couldn't defeat him! Nope. Nothing big at all. He wanted to tell someone, but he just couldn't. It's not his to tell and he would betray whatever trust Todoroki had in telling him if he told the others' without him knowing.

"What did you two talk about?" Kirishima asked curiously. He liked that about the redhead, very respectful of other's privacy and patient when he wanted to be.

He shrugged playing it cool while he avoided Iida and Katsuki's gaze. "Not much. Just rivalry banter. He was adamant in his promise to beat me." Technically not a lie, but also not the whole truth and he didn't feel like he had the right to tell Todoroki's secret with his friends. He always told the truth to Kacchan, but this was one of the few times he couldn't.

Izuku fixed the PE uniform's collar and averting his eyes from Kacchan's who kept his gaze at him. Even as he sat beside Uraraka, Katsuki's gaze felt like it would pierce him. "Anyways," he looked at everyone, "what I'd miss?"

"We were just talking about the final part of the festival," a grinning Kirishima said besides Katsuki. "Bakugou here said that the final part of the will be the one on one matches since the first two rounds were team matches."

"I agree, there is no doubt about that. It has always been a pattern of the Sports Festival since the beginning," Iida seconded the statement. "It is there we will know how far we've come in our training."

Izuku nodded too. It was always that way. The order of the events would be different but there would always be a one on one match for the students. The purpose was many but primarily—according to their older schoolmates he'd asked—it was always to show off to gain future supporters, whether in an internship or a spot in a hero agency when someone becomes a sidekick or a hero.

Uraraka's eyes burned with determination. "I will make it up there and defeat all of you!"

"I too have to win. I have to show my brother all the fruits of my labor." Iida firmly met all of their gaze, eyes behind the glasses glinting with a challenge.

"Heh, I'm so pumped! Don't expect to make it easy to you guys just because we're friends!" Kirishima revealed his sharp toothy grin showing his excitement and confidence. "I'm gonna be the number one."

"Likewise," Katsuki said with a devilish smirk. "Heh," Kacchan's hand thundered when he slammed it on the table. Iida winced but composed himself. "Only I can kill you scrubs, so you better win before facing me."

"That is if you don't lose first, Kacchan," Uraraka giggled ignoring the scowl of his childhood friend.

When they got back to the stadium, any damaged done was fixed by Cementoss. Here they were, once again gathered on the stadium with Midnight on the center stage just like earlier.

"I know everyone here has an idea what will happen but," she began, then grinned, "but for this part, it has been decided that there will be five teams participating in the last round." Murmurs arose from the students all around. Looking around, his classmates that were placed in fourth or fifth, was relieved. "Since the fifth placers are tied, then this means that there will be six teams in this final round."

Izuku, standing next to his childhood friend said, "do you think they're planning something, Kacchan? Usually, it's the top three teams in every Sports Festival are left in the third portion."

"They obviously are, but who cares," scoffed his friend. Izuku could clearly see the smirk his blond friend had. "This just means that I could kill some more before I face you and that icy hot bastard."

"There are twenty-two contestants left. Too many, so," Midnight waved towards the giant screen. "To weed out the participants faster, the first part of the battle will have a six three-person free-for-all fight and two one-on-one fight. Each fighter is selected randomly as presented on the screen. Any questions?"

Bakugou's fist met his palm making small explosions. "Much better." Excitement rolled off his best friends' words that his feral grin was easily imaginable. It was one that Izuku found doing too. He blamed Kacchan for this.

"If there are no more questions, everyone back to your booths and wait for the events to start."

"Free for all?" Izuku spluttered forward as Kirishima put his arm on his right shoulder. "I didn't expect this. So, pumped!" Oh man, Kirishima's arm so heavy. "UA really knows how to spice things up. Hope we get to fight some of the 1-B guys."

"Right? UA really enjoys the 'Plus Ultra' motto they have. It really keeps things different." Uraraka, on his left, chirped happily. "And I think the 1-B guys are good people to challenge. I hope we could hang with them after this. "

"It is expected of UA as one of the top hero institutions of the country. It is expected that they will change things from time to time to prevent stagnation of future heroes," Iida said passionately making gestures as he talked. Wasn't Iida overthinking it? Or maybe not too since he heard from their older second and third schoolmates that the principal was a slave driver. So, maybe a bit of both?

"I hope I get to fight one of you guys."

It was obvious they all shared Uraraka's sentiments with the way Kirishima talked about who he wanted to fight, the way Iida wanted to win to prove the fruits of his labor, and to the way Uraraka's determination to win to get noticed by heroes for her future career.

"Now," Midnight announced. "We'll choose our first contenders!" The virtual slot machine rolled.

Sweat dripped as Izuku prepared himself for the result. Looking around, it seemed the other felt the same just on their expressions. Some are looking forward to it.

He didn't know whether to like being one of the first contenders or be scared because his enemies could be anyone. He wished it was not Todoroki, that'd surely spend his energy without going to the second fight and that would not be ideal at all.

The hologram slowed and, his name rolled which caused him to skip a breath then breathe heavily once it passed his name. The slots gradually lost speed and he quirked his brow up at the name.

"Iida," he read. The middle one stopped in blank and the third one stopped a second later and he read it. "Hanta."

"The first match of the third event is Iida and Hanta!" Present Mic called. "1-A's fastest versus the Sticky hero! It looks like they're quite prepared!"

All of them moved out and into their bench. On the way there, he saw Shinsou talking with some of his friends. A brief glance and nod were sent his way before the purple-haired teen and his classmates turned left and 1-A turned right.

When they got there, the fight just began. "So, who do you think will win," Kacchan beside him said not taking off eyes on the fight.

"Well, I'd say Iida because of his speed but I wouldn't count out Hanta-San yet," he replied. It was too early to tell. He didn't know what Sero training did and what improvements he had. Same goes for Iida, his special move was a big surprise and if it wasn't for his teammates, Iida would've had him. Though truth be told, he's really leaning towards Iida winning.

Iida ran straight for Hanta, but their other classmate already anticipated the move and launch tape from his right elbow. Iida stopped and curved around the tape user who still launched at him endlessly but was unable to catch up to his speed. He suddenly braked and swiftly swerved left dashing fast in a straight line and ducking when the sticky white strip passed overhead.

The tape user fired another, but Iida jumped then grabbing the tape as he landed and spun. Iida was strong that he lifted the other and the audiences roared as he did this. The engine quirk teen stopped spinning and chuck their classmate sending the likely daze Hanta flying away, but Iida followed suit in being pulled stuck to the tape.

"In a surprising move, Iida has sent Hanta out of the ring! But it looks like Iida's following," Present Mic screamed. "What are you teaching these kids, Eraser."

He tuned out what Eraserhead said and jotted down every little information he can gather about his classmates. It's clear that Hanta is weak on melee combat, unlike Iida who excelled in it.

Hanta, with his free elbow, fired a tape on the ring towards the right, far away from Iida but then his friend moved fast to where it landed as the other still pulled towards it. When the tape user neared him so did his engine quirked friend who reared his left foot. His engine roared and kicked the now landing Hanta stronger this time that the tape stuck to him flew off and their classmate was sent rolling a many times and out of the ring.

"With that, last kick, Iida wins and moves on to the next fight!" Izuku couldn't help himself but smile at this. Iida certainly improved during the last two weeks, he was much faster that Izuku thought no doubt when they fought it'd be a battle of speed, his warp versus his engines.

"I knew four eyes was gonna win," Kacchan said assuredly. "Tape was trapped in the beginning. He's weak in melee."

Izuku had to agree with that assessment because Hanta used his quirk to his advantage by firing his tapes and trying to trap Iida by the tape's stickiness and pulling him out of the ring but in the end, Iida turned it against their classmate.

He greeted Iida and Hanta with a smile when they got back. "Man," the tape user groused nonchalantly, "Iida got me. I was hoping to throw him out of the ring."

"That's okay," Kirishima put an arm around Hanta. "You did your best until the end. Right guys."

"At least you reached and fought in the third part," Mineta complained glaring at nothing. "You got to show off your moves."

"Mineta's right," Momo, who shuddered a little, said. "Just be thankful you reached the third round. At least someone would still be willing to intern with you after seeing what you can do."

"They're going to announce the next fighters," Jirou motioned at the large monitor.

All talks were silenced or became mutterings. He held his breath as names rolled fast. Beside him, Kacchan remained silent while Uraraka on his left, hands clenched tightly on her lap. If it was really random like he thought it would be, chances are he would have to fight someone strong on his first fight like Todoroki and Kacchan. If, or maybe when, that happens that'd possibly leave him exhausted and not enough time to recover his strength.

The first name gradually slowed, and Izuku breathed deeply seeing his name past by and stopping at, Shinso. Kirishima's name followed and lastly, Aoyama. His two classmates went down to the ring where Shinso came first and was already waiting.

It's going to be a tough battle for Shinso. Kirishima would give him trouble in close combat, that was not counting his purple-haired friends' skills yet. Aoyama would be troublesome in a long-range attack while Kirishima can handle it with no problem. He had no doubt that Aoyama was aware of Shinso's quirks since he was Jirou's teammate from the second part.

As for his redhead friend, well, that remains to be seen.

With a scream of "Start!" from Present Mic the contenders still just stood most likely eyeing each other. Without warning, Kirishima ran towards Aoyama.

It was already the fifth fight, and still, Izuku's nerves were still on high alert, whether in excitement or nervousness he didn't know, because Todoroki and Kacchan were still wasn't picked.

Thank god that Shiozaki was already picked, it'd be a tough fight if he fought her. Though he wished it was not on the consequence of having Uraraka fight her. She's his friend's—and temporary ally— worst opponent; a long-range fighter having a more than decent offensive and defensive quirk.

Even with Tetsutetsu and Uraraka teaming up against the vine quirked girl, they still lost. It was an intense match with Uraraka touching the plants that kept appearing out of the ground hoping to make the vine haired girl float away, but she cut the vine fast enough for his friend to only affect the plants. The metallic Tetsutetsu planned to attack his classmate directly but was pushed by the overwhelming plants at the same time as Uraraka. Up till now, there were vines on the field below just outside the ring.

Izuku looked around for Uraraka. It was clear that she was not going back yet after a few minutes. She wasn't injured, was she? He had the urge to look for her, and he did so for he cannot resist it. She was not on the bathrooms on the way to their bench nor in the clinic. He turned and heard a voice echo in the next hall. There, Uraraka leaned on the wall holding something in her ear just as he turned around the corner. "Mom, dad…," her voice hiccuped with every word. "I'm sorry."

"I was completely beaten." He flinched at her wavering voice and hid behind the corner. He didn't like Uraraka sounding so sad. It was just so wrong and doesn't belong in her voice and face. "I… I, I didn't have a plan."

"I'm sorry! I couldn't make you and papa proud!"

He wanted to say something but he held his voice and listened to something held dear to his friend's heart. He couldn't take it! The disappointment echoed and hang on Uraraka's every word. There was the itch for him to say something. Anything, to make her feel better but there was none but hollow words that he wasn't sure she'd take in a good way. It felt wrong to listen to her words that he left her feeling so ashamed for being such a coward!

Only thoughts of cheering her up were on his mind as he sat down watching the next fight commence.

He knew that Shinso knew martial arts, but not the extent. Though not on the level of skill he'd seen Ojiro-san does on their training, it was still impressive in its own right. It seems his friend was holding himself back during their spars, probably to keep it as his trump card. It was amazing the way he handled Kirishima by using Aoyama's boisterous nature against him and then controlling him to attack Kirishima. His redhead friend attacked the blonde and pushed him out of the ring. He remained silent and held on but eventually, his excitement got him, and he responded to one of Shinso's taunts which ended the match quickly.

Shinsou's win really surprised his classmates, except for Momo and Jirou, who already knew it.

For Hatsume's match, well, saying it was weird would be an understatement. She was like a salesperson presenting her items, the hover boots, the jetpack, and etc, as Juzou and Ashido fought her. The 1-B student, along with Mina tried to attacked Hatsume, trapped her both in the quicksand-like quirk and acid quirk. But the girl was fast and nimble with her items as she hovered and quickly turned on all their attacks. The match ended fifteen minutes later when Mina was trapped in Juzou's quicksand and forced to surrender. This followed by Hatsume bowing and surrendering having already shown off her "babies."

Kendo and Jiruou, Izuku hesitantly thought, was too one-sided. Itsuka Kendo, the girl with the enlarging hands quickly defeated Jiruou seeing as melee combat was her weakness. Though she lasted for only maybe about five or so minutes, she was impressive in her own rights in her dodging and counterattacking when she saw an opportunity.

Now, all attention was on the monitor. Curious as to who would be the next contenders. While this happened, he turned to the just returning Uraraka—whose face left no sign of ever crying—and smiled.

"What I'd miss?"

"They're choosing the contenders now," Ojiro replied his eyes never leaving the monitor.

As if to break the tension, all the names stopped at the same time and Izuku froze for a second before clenching his hands. His opponent was his classmate Kaminari and Tsunotori Pony of 1-B.

"Go Pony! Defeat that nefarious Midoriya!" someone from 1-B shouted. "Avenge us, your fallen classmates just like Kendo, Awase and Juzo will." He didn't need to think twice to know who it was.

Midnight waved her flag and called them forth to the arena.

"Show no mercy," a smirking Kacchan clasped his shoulder before he stood.

Uraraka beamed at him with vigor and a thumbs up—which felt wrong for it didn't have the same enthusiasm she usually had—but he returned the smile nonetheless. "You can do it, Deku."

Kirishima gave him a toothy grin. He searched around for Iida, but he wasn't there. He may have left after Jirou and Kendo's fight. He saw him there beside Kirishima before that fight began.

His electric quirk classmate gave him a smile, "may the best man win, prez. No hard feelings if I beat you," he said as they walked towards the field.

Izuku liked the slight retreat of his classmate when he gave him a savage grin. "Sure, Kaminari. No hard feelings," he held out his hands. With a large gulp, Kaminari took his hands and shook it quickly before they separated since each player has to exit their assign exit.

When he got out into the ring, the crowd roared cheering in excitement.

He swallowed heavily. He wasn't shaking, was he? No, he clenched his fist. He can't let his fears control him. On both sides of the field, the two contenders walked at the same pace as he was. Kaminari looked nonchalant and a part of him envied his classmate for his acting as he waved at the crowd. Tsunotori Pony, on the other hand, really didn't hide her nervousness at all.

He looked to the left where Pony was, then to the right towards Kaminari.

"Fight!" Midnight declared.

Izuku slowly moved back where he could see the two. Kaminari was slowly approaching him, and not a second later he was already running towards him. Knowing the blonde, he planned to use his uncontrollable quirk in close range and stun him long enough to possibly throw him out of the ring or knock him unconscious. He punched, or attempted to, only to evade as he had to dodge a horn that came flying for him.

Just Izuku's timing, Pony had a long-range quirk. Still, he ran and met him dodging the two horns sent his way. The horns curved and were returning to him like a boomerang.

With a flick of his hand, a portal was in front of Izuku, with the drain doubling, and fell in front of his classmate who had turned his back facing the other warp. Grabbing his arm, and the back of his shirt, he threw him.

Before he could summon his warp quirk, two fast horns swished going for Kaminari catching him midair. He gaped at the speed Pony's horn caught his classmate. That was an enhanced throw imbued with One for All!

The horn was not able to carry all of Kaminari's weight eventually dropped and rolled a few times. He turned to Pony who was shooting him with more horns. Holding back his hand, his punch sent her and the horns flying everywhere. The last he saw of the girl was her crouching as she slid backward. Not a moment to waste, Izuku opted to let out another wind blast but surprisingly strong hands gripped his arms.

Looking to where he last saw his classmate, he was already gone and before he could ask where, "not this time prez," the words of Kaminari masked by his ragged breath said. "Not this time." What was said after that was not heard as he screamed when the pain overwhelmed his body. No thoughts were on his mind but the electricity that filled him with pain.

Izuku, with an enhanced elbowed punch, freed himself his classmate's hold and torturous quirk. Izuku was on his knees, breathing hard from the ambush of his classmate. Damn, he gritted his teeth. It was his first time being hit by his classmate's electricity. His body screamed in protest at the pain.

Glancing westwards, even with his messed up vision, he saw Pony was already up but too far away to do anything aside from her horns. He didn't know of Kaminari's state but he saw him still lying down. So, with wobbly knees and heavy labored breaths, a portal swallowed his classmate and dropped just outside the ring with an audible thump as he landed on the grass.

Pony launched horns again, this time faster than he expected.

Clicking his tongue, the horn was relentless but at least the two can't team up against him where they can cover each other's weakness. It was a good thing he neutralized Kaminari now. With a flick of his finger, strong winds blew away the projectiles heading for him.

He figured that the 1-B girl must be weak in close range combat, why else would she keep him away from her. She was firing at him at a constant rate, but he was prepared this time, just like how the first time he met Toshinori-sensei, her horns were intercepted with many small portals. With the speed of the objects, it took most of his concentration to predict their trajectory, but he persevered and lo, the projectiles were swallowed by his warp.

Horns were flying all towards Pony now, and while she deflected her own attacks, he appeared before her and moved to punch her. She only noticed too late before his punch sent her flying, rolling backward and out of the ring.

Izuku winced when the crowd roared and some booed at him but he ignored it.

If Katsuki would not let the thoughts of other people affect him, then so could he. Less than his best for his opponents would be a disservice to them for they did their best to be here and he would just half-ass it?

No, a determined part of him said. He would ignore the jeers of the audience for he knew he was right. This is not just a competition to find potential interns and sidekicks for heroes, not just one big entertainment for everyone to watch. It was also an event to find if they had improved in the time they were in UA. If they have the strength of a hero to fight against those who would misuse their quirks or any power they had to cause destruction in society. So, anything less would be a big no for him.

Slowly he walked towards the entrances and tried to calm his anxious heart. Izuku shuffled uncomfortably still feeling himself writhing from the tens of thousands of bolts unleashed at him. The teen hoped he didn't accidentally injure them with One for All. He knew his control of the quirk was good, but it was not good enough for him.

With guilt in his chest, he went to see them in the clinic.

Knocking gently, he only entered after given the all-clear by Recovery Girl. "Hello, dear, what can I do for you. You haven't broken a limb, have you? Or perhaps the electricity did more damage than you thought," the old heroine, from her desk, asked smiling and glanced briefly at his arms.

"No," he shook his head. "I'm fine, thanks for asking. I just came to check up on Kaminari and Pony. Are they alright?"

"Don't worry, Midoriya-chan, they're fine. Nothing serious, just bruises here and there that need a li'l rest. That's to be expected from this event, so I won't worry much if I were you," she pointed to the only two drawn curtains in the room. "If you want to talk to them then go ahead. The young man's still resting."

With that said, he let out a sigh of relief. If the others were hurt or were going to be hurt, no doubt Cementoss and Midnight would be the first to stop a fight.

Quickly thanking the woman, he went first to Kaminari first.

"Yo, Midoriya," his classmate lazily saluting to him as a greeting on his bed. Kaminari was wearing a new PE Uniform and didn't have any scratches or anything on him. "Didn't expect to be visited by you after beating us."

Izuku chuckled hands on his nape. "I was just worried that punch. I didn't hurt you too much with the punch did I? I know I punch strong enough to render you unconscious earlier."

Kaminari's laughter thundered in the silent room but quickly stopped it when the healer heroine shushed him. It was good then if the blonde was laughing with no problem. He was feeling fine, right?

"I appreciate the worry dude, but don't sweat it," he shrugged easily enough. "I mean, yeah you pack one hell of a punch and it really hurt, but Recovery Girl said no broken bones. It only took a little healing from her."

He gave his classmate an overall look, "are you sure?"

"Pretty sure. So stop wasting your time here and prepare for your next fight."

A simple nod was his answer and left his classmate after that and went to Tsunotori Pony.

Izuku shifted uncomfortably before her curtain, "Tsunotori-san," he slowly peeked behind the curtain. The girl was laying there already healed and looking at him curiously.

"Can I help you, Midoriya-san?"

She must've been not long in Japan because he noticed the oddness of the pronunciation of her words. She had a good accent but he could detect a little bit of English in it. "I just came to see if you're fine. I didn't punch you too hard, did I?" he smiled sheepishly at the girl.

"It's fine," she simply shook her head. "This is a competition after all. I appreciate the gesture, but as Kaminari-san said, don't worry about us."

He scratched his cheek wondering what he could say to her, but nothing came to mind. "It's good that you're fine then."

He returned to his classmates in time to see the start of the next match.

Intended blank space just because