Many know of the story of Icarus. The old Greek story of the son of an inventor that was given the power of flight with wings made of wax. How he flew too high to the sun despite many people's warnings and plummeted to the cold harsh ground below...but what many forget about the story of Icarus is he laughed as he fell.

Threw his head back and yelled into the winds, arms spread wide, teeth bared to the world as he fell to his oblivion. For you see there is a bitter sense of triumph in crashing when you should be soaring. A beauty in doing more then what you were destined to ever do, even if at the very end you crashed and burned.

Icarus is a story about pride, yes, but its also a story of running where you should be walking. Leaping where you could simply climb. A story of pushing all rational thought aside to do what you love no matter the cost.

I sometimes wonder what Icarus thought in his last moments as he fell. Falling from a great height as the details of the world quickly came back into focus, the ground coming up to meet him. The wax melting off of his wings as feathers scattering down from above. The feeling of deaths kiss creeping along his neck.

Did he feel regret for not listening to the warnings...or happy that for just a second he could almost touch the sun?

A flaring spark. The faint burst of light followed by a popping sound. The gasp of a classroom of children.

That's all they were, kids. Kids that got overly excited over the silliest things. Kids that loved to climb and play pretend. Kids that didn't know better.

Standing in front of them all Bakugo smiled widely down at his hands, tiny fireworks flickering from his fingers.

Back then they were no big deal, tiny pathetic little things that would probably just scare off a cat more then anything...and yet, the way his class watched him was exhilarating. There was something in their wide eyed, excited looks that filled him with pride. Their excitement bleeding into him and fueling him like the kindling of a fire.

That should have been the start to his journey. The first step of many leading to his destiny of being the strongest hero this world had ever seen.

Looking over his shoulder and into the crowding group he could spot his best friend's hair anywhere. The green bush he called his hair bouncing a little as he hopped up and down excitedly. His big eyes looking over to him in awe.

At that moment Katsuki Bakugo was on top of the world with every option laid before him.

He could be whatever he wanted, do whatever he wanted. So he chose to be the best. He was supposed to be the best...then why...

Why...

Falling back against old, dirty lockers the back of his head stung much like his right eye. The skin around his eye already starting to swell from the hit.

That was going to bruise, he just knew it.

"Get the hell up Bakugo."

"I think he's had enough man..."

"I'll tell you when he's had enough!"

Glaring up at the group of older boys with his one swollen eye he turned to spit on the tiled floor. The handful of boys surrounding him like a pack of wolves, all of them furious and gnashing their teeth. The biggest of them, he thinks he was a jock or something, took a step forward to give him a cocky smirk.

"What? Don't tell me you're done already. Not so tough now that you're fighting someone bigger then you, are you?" Rolling his broad shoulders the bigger boy cracked his knuckles.

Glaring up at him Bakugo bite his own tongue, any scathing words hanging in his mouth but refusing to come out. Jock didn't seem to like that answer much, getting angry he lunged forward to grab Bakugo by the collar of his school uniform, lifting him up into the air to slam him into his locker.

"What? Cat got your tongue? I thought you were supposed to be tough! Say something!" Waving him about in his grip he growled. "My little brother comes to this school and he doesn't have a strong quirk, you planning on bully him too!?"

Staring up at the ceiling the dim flickering lights of the school hall greeted him. Words moving through his head, quietly telling himself that he wasn't worth it in a vein attempt to stop his blood from boiling.

It was every day with this shit. Every day some punk was trying to pick a fight with him, trying to prove they were tough shit. Just another pathetic loser trying to barge his way into his story. He would blow them all to kingdom come if he could but his new school didn't even allow quirk use...

Fuck it.

Jerking suddenly he thrust his head forward, slamming his forehead against the bridge of the jock's nose. The larger boy cursing out as he fell back against the lockers and letting him go. Landing back on his feet he scowled down at the boy as he squirmed in pain before turning to face the rest of his group. Cracking his neck he smirked, a sight that made a few of them take a step back.

"Bla bla bla with your shit. A bunch of children the lot of you." Rolling his neck from side to side he took a step forward to scoop up his backpack off of the ground. Slinging it over his shoulder. "C'mon then. I dont have all day."

When all of them jumped him all at once he fought back the best he could, thrashing and swinging with all of his might. Elbowing one of them across the face he turned to see a fist coming at him from his blind side, it flying straight for him and then...black.

"Mrs. Bakugo. Your son had only recently been brought into this esteemed halls and he had already gotten into a number of fights." Esteemed halls his ass. This place was a dump, even worse then Aldera. "Perhaps its best that your son finds his education elsewhere..."

Sitting up a little in her seat his mother's eyes widened a little before shaking her head at the principal. "But the camera footage clearly shows that my son did not start the fight. He did not start any of them! You cant expel my son for defending himself!"

"Frankly Mrs. Bakugo, I don't care." The smarmy piece of shit said. "Your son comes in here every day. Refusing to call anyone by their name, growling at people who stare too long and is constantly trying to start something with anyone that even so much as crosses his path. When all you do is look for a fight, typically that is what you find."

"Please Principal Inai! This is the last school we can come to! Give my son one final chance, I promise you you won't regret it."

Looking at his mother grovel pissed him off. They should be honored to have him at this shit hole. Not trying to get rid of him.

Letting out a hum the principal nodded. "Very well...your son does have exceptional scores in all of his classes. If your son does well during the up and coming annual exams I may be able to over look these infractions."

Rolling his eyes his crossed arms tightened a little, a finger tapping against his bicep.

Of course that's what this shit was really about, he should have known. He just wanted better exam scores so their school looked better on paper. He never had any intention of actually expelling him.

"Thank you so much Principal Inai! Thank you!" Grabbing hold of the back of his head his mother forced him to bow as well. "My son won't let you down!"

"See that he doesn't Mrs. Bakugo...see that he doesn't."

...

"Are you even listening to me Katsuki?"

Huffing he walked with his hands in his pockets. "Yeah mom. I'm listening." Turning to look at the lockers as they walked.

Looking back to him with a small smile she rolled her eyes, acting like her real self in what feels like forever. "He was such a tool wasn't he? Give a man a sliver of power and it goes right to their head."

"Why didn't you call him on his shit?"

She thought about how to phrase it, turning her head.

"Katsuki...there is only one thing that men like that hate more then having to actually work and that is being proven wrong." Placing her hands on his shoulders she squeezed them in a comforting gesture, letting out a small sighed. "I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself...just try not to get expelled from this one, ok? You only have to tolerate this place for a while and then you'll be out of this dump."

Nodding at the ground he frowned.

"Got it."

"And use your inhaler. Your father and I spent a pretty penny on that thing."

As if he was going to use that shit...he wasn't some pathetic weakling. The tiny piece of plastic sitting in his backpack almost mocking him.

"Sure."

"Now let's go get something to eat. I've been craving barbecue."

"I still have classes."

"Oh please, you are one of the highest scoring students at this shit hole. You can miss a day."

Despite all of his rage and frustration at his current situation a small smile came to his face as he skulked behind his mother.

"Sure. Whatever you say mom."

"Its come down to the first match of the semi finals ladies and gentleman! Just a few more fights left now! Only a handful of contestants, all of them crawling over each other for the coveted golden medal!" Shouted Present Mic over the speakers. "Who do you think is going to come out on top Eraser head?"

"It can be anyone's fight Mic. We wont truly know until it's over."

"You have to have a favorite though righhhht?"

"...no."

Ignoring their ceaseless chatter Bakugo frowned, raising a hand to rub at his bandaged nose.

That crazy, red headed bitch did a number on his face, his right eye already starting to hurt under the glaring sun of the stadium and the bandage under his eyebrow starting to itch.

Recovery girl told him that she wouldn't be able to heal him in time because he was still participating in the tournament and her quirk would take too much out of him, more or less elimination him from the competition.

...Not that he needed her help anyway. He could do the rest of this on his own.

His ears ringing, his body covered in specks of blood. Red hair of a woman laying in a heap in the grass...her body unmoving.

Shaking his head he growled, trying to shove this horrible feeling back down. An uncomfortable feeling bubbling up. Was he feeling guilty?

Of course not! It wasn't his fault...he didn't mean to lose control like that. He did what he had to to win.

Then why...why did that memory refuse to leave him!? Clamping an open palm down on his shaking wrist he squeezed it.

Damnit stop shaking! Damnit damnit damnit! He's not a weakling! He's not! This is all to win, if his opponent was so weak they couldn't take a few explosions they shouldn't even be here! All Might wouldn't be taken out with a few explosions, he would keep fighting no matter what.

Hardening his resolve his fingernails dug into his wrist before letting his arm go. He didn't bother looking amongst the screaming people, didn't even think about all of the pro heroes or talent scouts watching down on them in the hopes of scouting them for a work study. He honestly could care less about some weaklings trying to cling onto his coattails on his way to the top. The only thing that mattered was right here, right now.

The match he had been preparing for ever since their talk earlier today.

Izuku Midoriya stood before him and he could not be angrier. His rage culminating like a roaring inferno inside of him.

"Representing one of the two General Study Generals! He has climbed his way to being the top four of the first years surprising many along the way! Can he be the first in fifteen years to go all of the way from general studies to first place!? I sure hope so! Everyone give a loud cheer for Izuku Midoriya!"

Bakugo couldn't help but sneer at the sound of the crowd as they all shouted and cheered for his childhood friend.

Those were his cheers god damnit! His fucking glory! Not something worth being wasted on someone like Deku.

Watching him walk up the steps told Bakugo everything he needed to know. The damn nerd was running on steam. Sure he was holding himself up better then most but his movements were so jerky and rough, a fact that only pissed him off even more.

He had the gall to stand before him like that?

After he went through the trouble of making a declaration of war at him he had the fucking nerve to come to him injured and barely standing like a wounded animal. Why come here at all if he wasn't planning on giving him his best? He wanted them to fight at their strongest, not this shit.

Shifting his weight Bakugo watched as Midoriya took a breath before standing tall like he wasn't even injured. Looking over at him as if he was the bad guy in this situation?

He fucking hated that look.

Ever since they were little Deku would always look at him with those eyes. The strong, sharp kind of eyes that did not match the rest of him.

He may have gotten bigger since then but he couldn't fool Bakugo. Underneath the tall frame and the false bravado Deku was still as weak as they came and soon, he was going to show everyone how weak he really was. Running a hand against his sweaty face he smirked.

It's a good thing he spent the entire time breaking a sweat in their resting room...this was going to be fun.

"Not to be outdone! He's the Blonde Haired Nuke! The Ticking Time Bomb! You've seen him climb over smoldering piles of his enemies, crushing everyone in his wake like a natural disaster! But can he put an end to this general students journey? Can he prove the power of the hero course and swat our underdog down like a fly!? Cover your ears! It's 1A's Katsuki Bakugo!"

It was almost insulting how much quieter his applause was then his opponent. His rage being redirected to Present Mic in the booth for a second before looking back at his opponent.

What the fuck was he doing make it sound like he was the bad guy in this situation!? Was he trying to make him lose? Everyone is out to fucking get him but he refused to let them. Not here. Not now. He's come too god damn far to fail now.

Cracking his knuckles tiny sparks popped from his fingers.

Midnight from her stand looked amongst them with a harsh glare, the pro hero already picking up the animosity between the two. Letting out an annoyed sigh she knew that she couldn't exactly cancel the match outright...just because she was the ref didn't mean she could make the rules.

Pressing a button on her earpiece she turned her head as she spoke, only speaking loud enough so the others on the end can hear.

"Are you sure about this Principal Nezu? I don't see this ending well."

There was a pause before her question was answered in a higher voice. "Yes sadly...the hero commission has already contacted us after the USJ incident and threatened to pull their funding if the Sports festival is stopped. Our hands are tied I'm afraid."

"We're risking their lives for money Principal Nezu?" Came Cementoss voice from the ear bud. The stocky looking male moving around a little in the corner of her eye.

"As harsh as it sounds...yes. If the hero commission pulls funding others will as well. There are rumors about All Might retiring soon and it has the hero commission rattled. They want to see power displayed on the big screen for all to see and they demand to have it no matter the cost."

"I don't like this." Muttered Midnight somberly.

"Neither do I...we have already had a number of outburst today, more so then usual." Chimed the Principal. "Let us hope this match goes smoothly."

Looking amongst the two young opponents Midnight frowned, biting her tongue to stop any of her thoughts from coming out just incase they became real. Turning back to face her waiting audience she smiled, putting her persona back on before doing a little hip sway.

Something in her experienced bones told her that something was going to happen here today, she only hopes that whatever it was the damaged would not be unfixable.

To say the trek back to the 1B booth was stressful would be an understatement.

It wasn't slow in the building tension kind of sense, it wasn't gradual like a scary movie or anything. If anything it was more quick and sporadic...mostly because Kendo ran all of the way back to their booth as soon as Midoriya left her sight.

Worry and adrenalin were a hell of a combination if you wanted to do something quick...and Midoriya fighting his childhood bully while already injured was one very potent combination of the two.

Swinging the large doors open she made her way inside, the loud slam making her entire class turn to look at her as she made her way back to her seat. Slipping in to sit next to Set with a sigh.

"Did I miss anything?" She muttered to her friend.

"Nothing yet, they are mostly just building hype since its the semi finals." Looking over to her with a raised eyebrow Set actually sounded a little worried in her tone. "You cool? You look like you ran a marathon."

"That's not too far off...I may or may not have sprinted back here so I wouldn't miss Midoriya's match."

A small chuckle next to her. "I'm a little surprised to see you up and about after what you just went through. Recovery girl has a hell of a quirk huh?"

She didn't have anything to say about that...mostly because she knew the truth about what really happened. Tetsutetsu quickly got up to slide in on her right side and smiled at her, not saying anything but sticking close reguardless.

"Mmm."

Jumping slightly the three turned to find Kodai sitting behind them with her blank stare, the faint trace of a scar along her eyebrow.

"Oh uh, hey Kodai. What's up?" She said with a questioning look.

"mmm, you are ok."

Smiling a little at that she nodded. "Yeah, I'm ok. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."

"It's ok."

"I'm glad to see you are ok as well. That match with your cousin was pretty crazy."

Staring back at her unamused her lip turned down slightly before looking away. "Mmm."

Was it something I said?

She didn't have time to dwell on that because a loud crack of a whip rippled through the air pulling all of her attention back to the ring.

It was starting.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, an eerie kind of quite filled the area as the first match to the Semi Finals was about to begin.

Midoriya stood across the way from Bakugo in one of the corners of the square shaped ring, his eyes looking over his opponent slowly. Even from that far away he could see the sweat glistening off of Bakugo's body, beads dripping down his face, shoulders and neck. The dampness of his outfit clinging to his body.

While it was certainly hot out it wasn't THAT hot. Running a hand along his face he frowned.

Looks like Bakugo wasn't planning on messing around...he was going to try and end this quickly with great force. Midoriya thought, rubbing his wrist. The fight with Kendo must have really taken a lot out of him if he was planning to use excessive force like this. That means his stamina is already partly drained, he could use that.

Taking a step forward he winced under the pulsing pain moving through his body.

Not that he was one to judge about not being at his best. Most likely Bakugo was going to keep him at a distance since he knew that there was no way to counter attack...this was going to be trickier then he thought.

"Are both challengers ready!?" Midnight shouted from her up high pedestal.

Nodding Midoriya closed his eyes to let out a slow breath. "Yeah. I'm ready as I'll ever be."

"Of course I'm fucking ready!" Bakugo shouted out angrily. "Just start the match already!"

Midnight looked over to Cementoss from across the ring, the two exchanging a quick look before he nodded. Raising her whip into the air momentarily she brought it down with a crack.

"Then let the first match of the Semi finals...begin!"

Midoriya wasted no time, breaking into a full sprint toward Bakugo, determined to close the gap quickly.

Taking a long leap back to put distance between them Bakugo reached an open palm out towards him, bracing his wrist with his other hand. His palm starting to crackle before sending an incredibly big explosion right dead center on the advancing Midoriya's position. Pieces of concrete cracked and splintered under the force of the blast, a roaring force careening right for him.

Reacting quickly Midoriya changed his direction, his red shoes skidding as he turned to sprint diagonally of the explosion. Leaping into the air he hit the ground with a combat roll. A stinging heat barely missing his shoulder and flying past to collide into the grassy plane beyond the arena, creating a crater where it hit.

Looking back at the crater with wide eyes Midoriya quickly started to run again, not wanting to get distracted for long.

Bakugo wasn't playing around, that hit would have seriously done a number on him.

Landing back on the ground in a crouching position Bakugo silently cursed as a low thrum of pain hit his wrist before raising his hand for another blast. Smoke still billowing from his open palm as he fired off a second blast in the direction that Midoriya was heading.

Swerving to the side he ducked low, breaking into a slide to go under the incoming blast. The almost painful heat soaring overhead and creating a second crater.

Closing the distance Midoriya swung at Bakugo but only found air, the blonde boy being too fast for him.

Firing at the ground Bakugo propelled himself into the air.

Let's see how he does against smaller, faster blast.

Bakugo thought, twisting around in the air before firing a volley down from above. Multiple scattered blast firing out like a machine gun.

Moving from left to right Midoriya danced between the multiple blast as he tried to get closer again, the painful sting of one of the blast hitting his shoulder and knocking him back.

Wincing he rolled back onto his feet before dodging to the side, watching as Bakugo landed back on the ground. His old friend watching him from across the ring to see what he did next.

Turning to look at the burn mark on his shoulder Midoriya frowned. The sleeve was almost completely gone, leaving tatters blowing in the wind.

This wasn't working. Neither of them were going to budge and he had no way to get in close.

Sliding his hands up he pulled the destroyed uniform over his head and off of his body, leaving him in just a black tank top. Standing back to his feet everyone could see his muscular arms and chest as he wrapped the tattered uniform around his right forearm.

Raising an eyebrow at the display Bakugo made sure to stay on guard. He had no idea what kind of game Deku was playing but he didn't like it.

At least four girls in the hero course sat up a little straighter at the sight with wide eyes. Tokage letting out a whistle that was somehow heard over the crowd.

Trying to ignore how much louder the crowd got he blushed as he faced Bakugo. Finishing the wrap around his arm.

Ok. Let's try something else.

Almost in sync the two jumped right back into the action, both of them circling each other as they fell back into their game of cat and mouse.

Raising his protected arm Midoriya used it as a makeshift shield to shoulder some of the blunt of the blast, Bakugo's blast still hurting but not enough to stop him. Small green embers flickered from his mouth as he moved.

Quickly unwrapping his uniform he scooped up a medium sized rock off of the ground and wrapped it in his shirt, twisting it a few times as he moved. Watching Bakugo leap into the air he took hold of the good sleeve and flung the rock like a make shift sling, forcing Bakugo to dodge out of the way mid air and back to the ground where he could reach him.

Midoriya was getting too close for Bakugo's taste. Aiming an open palm on Midoriya Bakugo paused before firing a concentrated blast at Midoriya's feet instead. The arena exploding outward before he had a chance to dodge it, covering the area with a dust cloud.

Getting closer to the dust cloud to try and finish Midoriya off he fired blast after blast into the cloud. The dust billowing and shifting in every direction as the the ring splintered. He had yet to see Midoriya leave the cloud and he wanted to make sure he stayed down, each blast slamming into the stage, a large chunk of the arena now missing from the excessive force.

Then there was silence. Silence from the audience and silence from Bakugo.

Inching closer to get a closer look Midoriya erupted from the smoke, coming at him from his blind side and startling Bakugo, forcing him to try and counter attack with a wide swing.

Izuku Midoriya knew everything about Bakugo. His quirk was the first quirk he ever put into a book after all. He knew his way of thinking, he knew his strategies...and he knew that Bakugo always started with a right hook.

Catching the fist with his covered arm he could feel the heat radiating from it.

He was going to fire it at close range.

With one fluid motion Midoriya wrapped his tattered uniform around Bakugo's rapidly heating hand for protection before pivoting his waist quickly, swinging Bakugo over his shoulder and then slammed him back into the ground.

The thud of his body hitting concrete was almost sickening, his back slamming into the hard ground.

Twisting Bakugo's arm around he put him into an arm bar, using the clothe as a hold as he grabbed hold of his shoulder with his other arm and forcing him onto the ground.

Thrashing in his grip like a wild animal in a cage Bakugo growled as he struggled to break free. Midoriya's hold was too strong. Turning his wrist upward he fired a blast into the sky and near Midoriya's face, making him wince under the intense heat of the blast just long enough to give Bakugo an opening. Wrench his arm free he slammed both of his open palms into the ground and firing right into the ground directly on top of them.

Another explosion rocked the stage, not unlike what happened earlier with a certain red head, only this one was weaker and not as devastating.

Pulling himself back to his feet Izuku panted, feeling what little stamina left in his body leave after he used it to heal his injuries.

Everything hurt. His body almost getting used to the pain and drifting past it into a level of numb.

He didn't have much left in the tank. He had to finish this now.

Standing from the smoldering crater Bakugo looked just as beaten, panting over at him with an angry look. His wrist were shaking from the continuous blast.

Staring at each other they were waiting for the other to make the first move before both of them running at each other. Slamming their fist into each other at the same time, the sound of flesh on flesh filling the air.

Elbowing Bakugo across the stomach Midoriya went in for more before getting kicked away, rolling back to his feet.

No longer bothering with his quirk Bakugo leapt at Midoriya and punching him in the throat.

This was no longer a match, it was a street brawl. The two refusing to yield as they used everything in their arsenal to make the other fall first. Midoriya was quickly pushing ahead, bouncing back quicker and hitting harder.

This was it, he was going to do it. He was pulling ahead. He was going to win this! He...

Before they met in the middle again Bakugo fell to his knees, letting out a set of booming coughs. His fingers digging into the concrete as his chest shook after every cough. Spit and phlegm rocketing from his mouth.

...

Bakugo looked so defeated at that moment...like a defeated child. There was fear in his eyes as he was at the mercy of his own body. Each cough rocketing through him and reminding both of them what happened.

He couldn't win, not like this.

Taking a step forward Midoriya slowly reached a hand out to him. "Bakugo are you..."

Swatting his hand aside Bakugo stood back to his feet, the fear giving way to pure frustration and anger.

"How DARE you!" He shouted out through a raspy voice. "How dare you fucking take pity on me right now! After everything I did to you you have the gall to still look down on me!?"

Taking a step back Midoriya flinched like he was hit.

"What are you doing just standing there!? Hit me! Punish me! Don't you fucking want your revenge for what I did to you!? I'm right here, sprawled out on a silver platter for you! Stop fucking standing there and do something you weakling!" Limping forward Bakugo shoved him. "I know I deserve it! Take your fucking prize!"

Bakugo always hated that look, so full of caring and condescending concern. Just lording his sickness over him. He wasn't an idiot, he knew what Deku was saying about him behind closed doors! How could he not after everything he pulled! He deserved it, if they were in each others shoes he would have done it in a heart beat!

So why did the nerd keep looking at him like that?

"This is all your fault!" Bakugo shouted. Midoriya staring back confused.

"...my fault?"

"Yes your fucking fault!" Thrust an accusing finger forward Bakugo growled as he took a step forward. "If you didn't go fucking telling people like a snitch I would still be at Aldera! I wouldn't have had a mark put on my permanent record! I wouldn't have gotten caught by that villain! I wouldn't be like...like fucking this!"

Gesturing at himself with his hands Bakugo turned towards him and threw a punch, hitting Midoriya right in the face but it was weak and tired. Yet why did it look like it hurt him more?

"Everyone abandoned me when you left! The extras! The teachers! I had no one thanks to you and now you are too fucking cowardly to finish me off!? You are going to pay for this! You hear me Deku!?"

"While you just...shut up!" Midoriya's hand clenched, rage fueling him as he drive a fist into Bakugo's face, knocking back a little from the blow. "What was I supposed to do!? Just take your abuse for years until you got tired of me!? If everyone left you it's because you pushed them away like you always do! You push anyone that cares about you away!"

Pot meet kettle. A dark part of Midoriya's brain chuckling out.

It took a second to process what he just said, Bakugo staring before his shock eyes shifted into a glare. Growling Bakugo rushed him to kick him across the stomach. "Shut up! I'll kill you!"

Midoriya and Bakugo were running through a forest together. The tree leaves tickling Bakugo's arm as he ran past, giggles coming up from him as he ran. Sweat pulled at his neck and face, the warm beat of the sun bearing down upon them.

They had to be at least two or three, the two best friends frolicking through the park as if it were a rain forest, going out to do some grand adventure.

Everything felt like an adventure back then. Back when it was just the two of them...back when you did not need much to be best friends. Where all you needed was a love for the same kind of thing and a kind word.

Back where differences did not matter...

Coming to a clearing the two sat on a large log of a fallen tree, the faint traces of mushrooms starting to grow on it.

"Kacchan, do you think we'll always be best friends?" His best friend said, his eyes shining with hope and awe of the world. Turning to look at him with admiration and love as he kicked his little legs back and forth.

"Of course idiot!" He laughed, smirking back at him. Bakugo remembers wanting to look tough, the lips of his face fighting not to turn into a full smile. "You and me, we are going to be the best heroes ever!"

Getting knocked back from a hit Bakugo stumbled before righting himself.

It was a little surprising that the boy was still conscious, his red eyes glaring back at Deku with disdain. Blood was starting to pool at his cheek as a cough rocketed from his lips. He didn't have much time, he could feel his breath leaving him, that all too familiar tightness in his chest. Spitting out some blood he growled.

"Shut up."

"You think so?" The green haired boy shyly asked, shifting a little in place. Light shined in and Bakugo remembers feeling so, so happy at that moment. An intense sense of pride at the way his best friend looked back at him.

"I know so! I don't know what my quirk is going to be but I plan to be the bestest hero ever! Even better then All Might!" Standing up on the leg he stumbled a little, the log shifting under the weight before resettling in the grass. "Just you wait Zuku! I promise to be strong! Stronger then anyone else!"

Giggling Midoriya smiled before nodding repeatedly, quickly getting from his seat as well. The log rolling yet again and making them both yelp a little. "Ok! Then I plan to be even better then that!"

Stumbling back from the hit Midoriya shook his throbbing head. How he was still standing was a miracle, he has a feeling that once the adrenaline and anger left he wasn't going to be able to get up again.

There was no way that he was going to have enough strength for the next match...

Trading blows the match drew on, furiously swinging at each over and over. Grabbing hold of Bakugo's collar he drove his forehead into Bakugo's nose.

"Nu uh!" Bakugo laughed. "I already said I was going to be the bestest!"

"And I said I was gonna be even better!"

"You cant be better then the bestest! It's the law! If you dont obey the law you are gonna get caught by a hero!"

"W-well My mama always says some laws are dumb and should be changed if they dont serve the people!"

"That's dumb!"

"Y-you're dumb!"

Pulling Midoriya into a head lock he gave him a noogie, Midoriya trying in vain to pull him off despite the smile on both of their faces. The log shifting again and forcing them to lose their balance, both of them yelping before falling back into the leaves. Staring up at the blue sky they quickly started giggling, the two best friends smiling widely. Looking over to his best friend Bakugo gave him a genuine smile, his cheeks starting to hurt from all of the laughing.

There was something about that moment that stuck in his mind all of those years...he had almost forgotten it.

"Shut up! Shut up shut up shut up!" Running a hand along his blonde hair Bakugo shouted out, screaming to the heavens or whatever god that would listen to him. An angry curse to anyone that would listen. "You did this to me!"

Looking amongst the shouting people tears threatened to leak from his eyes. If they all came here wanting to see him fail so be it...but he wasn't going to go down like a punk.

"You all did this to me and YOU WILL PAY!"

Slamming both of his open palms into Midoriya's chest he put his everything into one final blast. Midoriya looking up at him with wide eyes. The world slowed for a second as the pro heroes rushed to try and stop what was about to happen but they were too slow.

A long shot showing the middle of the stage exploding with a blast so strong it shook the stadium.

BOOM

If Itsuka Kendo was honest with herself she was a little mad that Midoriya went behind her back to heal her even though she didn't even ask him to.

There he goes carrying everyone's burdens on his shoulders yet again with no care of his own well being. She thought bitterly. She was strong too! He didn't have to do it all on his own. She could carry her own burden thank you very much.

In the end her worry for him outweighed her anger at him but it was still there, just dangling in the background. She knew it was going to have to be talked about at some point...she just figured that she could wait until after the Sports Festival.

Yet.

Watching Bakugo fire his quirk into Midoriya point blank she could understand a little more why he did what he did.

It was scary to see it from the audience.

The two trading exhausted blows before Midoriya being launched backwards in a ball of fire and rocketing into the grass with a loud bang.

She was up from her seat before she even realized she was doing it. She had to get to him to help, she wasn't even sure what she would be able to do but she had to get there. She had to see him, every interaction they ever had running through her mind as she moved to the door. Her hand hovering over the door handle and grabbing it to swing it open.

If she's quick maybe she would be able to...

Something stopped her in her tracks. An uncomfortable feeling rushing over her...it, it was hard to describe. Itsuka's grandpa would always talk to her about a certain feeling that he would get right before a natural disaster. She always thought it was a little silly, its not like people had a sixth sense about them or something. They weren't mind readers or have the power to see into the future...at least if they didn't have a specific quirk but that's just because quirks can be bullshit sometimes.

She always thought Grandpa Dai was just stretching a story to make it sound cooler then it actually was...man was she wrong.

A cold sweat ran down her back and a part of her brain was screaming at her to run far away from here.

Looking over at the rest of her class she noticed everyone else was feeling it too. The shouting panic of the stadium turning into a silent, dread filled quiet.

It was...coming from the arena?

Pulling her hand from the door she slowly walked back over to the railing, her hands squeezing it as she looked back down.

Everyone's gaze being drawn back to the ball of fire that was Izuku Midoriya...

and then the second explosion happened.

A faint echo rippled around him as his feet patted against the ground, a wet smacking filling the air as one foot after the other slapped against it. Almost like he was walking in a continuous puddle. Darkness encompassed everything around him, hindering his sight to only things right in front of him. Raising a hand he could barely see it even when it was just hovering over his face.

Blinking slowly a sense of deja vu came over him, he was here again, back in the dark endless stretch of void. Small ripples moving along the dark oily floor.

WEAK.

The voice was deep, powerful and shook the ground when it spoke. It was familiar, like listening to a voice recording of himself speaking, only deeper and more distorted by time. He should be scared yet for some reason he was not, a weird feeling of nostalgia coming over him as it spoke. Looking around the darkness his green eyes flickered around until stopping.

A single burning green ember in a world of darkness.

Walking towards it slowly it hovered in place, a small mote of green light stuck in a perpetual dance. The voice rumbled again, only louder this time, as he got closer.

AFTER ALL OF THIS TIME YOU ARE STILL WEAK. WHY DID YOU SHOW MERCY? AFTER EVERYTHING HE DID TO US.

Gulping he frowned, his lips dry and his throat parched. He felt like he had been walking for years with no water.

Opening his mouth the words surged forward through a strangled gasp. "I-it didn't feel right. Bakugo had tortured me in the past but I think...I'm just now realizing that I'm not the only one who suffered from Aldera. Don't you think he's suffered enough?"

The ember did not answer him, it floated there in a small rhythmic dance. Silently chastising himself he shook his head.

This was silly, this was just the same dream he always had. It couldn't actually responded to anything he said, he was talking to no one. Turning his back to it he started to walk but stopped when it spoke.

I SEE...MAYBE I SHOULD SHOW YOU WHAT TRUE STRENGTH IS.

What did that mean?

Turning to face it he opened his mouth to respond when he felt his body shift, like something that was holding him up has given away.

Was he sinking?

A cold feeling ran up his body as he started to slowly sink into the murky water. Reaching out he tried to grab hold of something, anything to stop it but it felt like he was in tar. His hands unable to take hold of anything as he drifted farther down. Thrashing about he could feel his waist hit the cold, icy water, then his forearms, his shoulders, his neck. Holding his head up to breath he opened his mouth to take a big final gasp of air, his gaze flickering over to the small mote of fire before disappearing amongst the jet black water down below. The onyx kiss of inky water greeting him as he faded into the darkness.

Sinking into the dark depths his last thought was how the ember had somehow turned orange.

"Go to commercial! Go to commercial!" Present Mic's voice could be heard over the intercoms, his tone quickly changing to his damage control voice. "Everything is fine everyone, just a slight accident. There is no need to panic! We have the finest medics in the world on standby!"

Letting out a groan Bakugo sat up slowly, his body feeling like it was being weighed down by something massive. The ringing in his ears almost immediately putting him into a panic.

Fuck! Not again! What did he do!?

Forcing himself back onto his feet he wobbled a little as he struggled to stand. His body feeling like he was in molasses, every movement and every action taking way longer then he's used to.

In the corner of his eye he could see green hair, the same green hair that he grew to despise over the years. Whipping his head around quickly a thrum of pain rocked across his head making his teeth grit from the pain.

Despite his pain he didn't once look over his own body, his gaze unable to look away from Midoriya. He was laying in the grass unmoving, his large frame slumped over.

Oh god, oh fuck. What did he...he didn't mean to!

Limping forward to get closer he ignored the panic going off around him.

Where the fuck were the pros? Why are they never hear when he needed them!?

"Izuku..." All anger was gone from his voice. "Please be ok...I didn't...I didn't mean to..."

"If everyone left you it's because you pushed them away like you always do! You push anyone that cares about you away!"

Fuck fuck fuck!

He was almost half way over to him when something stopped him in his tracks, an uneasy sense of dread coming over him. Eyes widening he took a single step back as Izuku Midoriya's body exploded outward into a ball of bright orange fire, the flames licking and moving along the ground.

Staring in pure shock everyone watched as from the flames something emerged...it looked, it looked like Midoriya, at least his body was the same. He was wearing the same torn uniform and the same tanktop but where his head was supposed to be was instead a large burning fire with no face. There was no features at all, it was just...a burning fire. Orange, bright and constantly moving in place.

Bakugo should feel relieved, he thought to himself. He didn't go overboard and kill someone. Midoriya just had some secret new move that he was hiding...but another part of Bakugo knew that wasn't the case. Whatever this thing was, it was not Midoriya...

Turning to face him he froze in place, frozen under the non existent gaze of the...thing. Bakugo could hear his heart beating in his chest as it looked at him.

Taking a step towards him it moved as if it had never used its legs before, slow and clunky. Kind of like a baby, Bakugo thought. It's movement unpracticed and sluggish.

To his left he watched Midnight rush over with her hands up, a steely look in her eyes. Anxiously taking in the situation as she ran a hand along her actual weapon.

"Midoriya! Stand down! I don't know what this is but you need to control yourself! Power down and we can get you medical attention!"

Despite her shouts it didn't stop, its movement slowly starting to become more fluid. Reaching a hand out to Bakugo the thing started to run.

"Shit..." Raising her whip she flung it out with one quickly sudden motion, the tip of it lashing out and wrapping around one of its arms.

Slamming his palms into the ground Cementoss created cement shoes formed around it's legs, stopping it's movement in its tracks.

"Last warning Midoriya! Stand down or we will have to use force!" Midnight shouted out to it.

Turning towards them it stood unmoving, it's body taught in place before it started to scream. A loud, high pitched scream that almost sounded inhuman, its body coming ablaze with an orange flair.

Raising a hand over his face Bakugo squinted under the intense heat, a stinging pain rushing through his entire body. It was like looking at the sun, impossible to look directly at and scorching hot. There was so much anger and pain in that scream, the emotions slamming into him and almost toppling him over. Running a hand along his face Bakugo noticed that he was crying, hot tears running down his face. Turning his head away he noticed that it was also happening to Midnight that was standing next to him. Her body barely standing under the intense force slamming into them, tears running down her face.

Up in the stands the live audience watched on unmoving. Kendo covered her mouth in shock, a startled scream choking in her throat and refusing to come out. Nearby Shiokazi was on her knees, whispering out a silent prayer over and over as her tears fell to the ground. Shishida stood tall but was shaking under the immense pressure. Tetsutetsu stood right next to her like a protector, his teeth gritting under the strain of standing as his quirk covered his body. His survival instinct taking over. Set was in pieces with her hands over her ears and even the unreadable faces of Kodai and Bondo were staring down in horror.

In the class of 1As booth they weren't doing much better. Everyone just watched on and were unable to look away like seeing a car accident in person. Uraraka had her hands to her mouth and was openly crying.

Kyouka Jirou could hear everyone's hearts beating as one. An ominous chorus of sounds that nailed her in place. Within the chorus of sound she was able to notice something almost immediately...Midoriya's heartbeat was slower then the others. It was a sound she had heard before when her father was passed out on their couch after a long day of writing music.

Izuku Midoriya was passed out, dead to the world...but if that was true how was he still standing? How was he moving?

Shuddering a part of her didn't want to know the answer.

Back down below Midnight took a step closer, and then another. Her hands raised in an attempt to shield herself under the pressure. Falling to one knee she panted for a second before standing back up. The closer she got the worst it was, every nerve in her body screaming out in fear and pain. It was like standing next to a burning car only a million times worse, a sharp stinging sensation covering her entire body.

Opening her arms out wide she inched closer, whispering out to him as she walked. "It's ok Midoriya, I'm here. Everything is going to be ok."

Wrapping them around his burning body she was surprised to find that it wasn't actually hot despite the burning feeling radiating from it. Ripping at her sleeve pink smoke blew into the creatures face, the screaming slowly stopping as it collapsed in her arms. In a burst of light the burning fire that was his head flickered out like putting out a camp fire. Embers exploding outward and flickering into the air to reveal the face of an unconscious Midoriya collapsed in her arms.

Everyone in the stadium almost fell to the ground all at the one, the lack of pressure almost jarring. Some even fell to the ground to take the first breath in what felt like forever.

Looking over his unconscious face Midnight was relieved to find that he was unharmed, any wounds completely missing from his body. Raising a hand she parted his hair and let out an exhausted sigh...she couldn't wait to go home to her cat, eat an entire tube of ice-cream and drink a whole bottle of wine to forget all of this.

Standing nearby Bakugo watched with wide eyes. Guilt coursing through his veins and running down his face as he swallowed.

What the fuck was that?

Notes:

Oh noooo not the big event this whole story was built around. Not two massive, emotionally stunted trains gaining speed and colliding on live television. Nooo not that, you so sexy, ha ha.

All joking aside. This abrupt end marks the end of the Sports Festival arc. Emotions were had, fist were thrown and it all ended with revelations, many explosions and a giant clash of memories. I wonder how this event will effect everyone around it going into the next big arc...

Don't worry, If you all have questions about Midoriya's quirk some of them will be answered this next chapter...not all just some. I have to keep SOME of my secrets for now. Until then you guys have a good day!