Dealing With Disapproval
Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of Hailstorm Vol. 2! We're getting down to the wire on the season here, and with no guest review questions to answer it can only mean one thing, one to the story!
Night Time: U.A. Gym Gamma
The month felt like it had flown by. The school festival would start tomorrow, and that's why Class 1A was currently in the gym putting the finishing touches on everything. "Okay everyone!" Called Kirishima, "We haven't got long before the gym closes, so let's get in one final check and run through before we leave!"
"Alright, here we go," Said Mina in a surprisingly serious voice as she counted off the tempo by clapping her hands. "Tap, tap, two, tap, tap, two and up!" The dance team moved along with the beat, taking the appropriate positions and movements until the last count where they all posed. Though Iida still looked like he was performing the robot for the entire routine. "Okay, now Aoyama center stage and Midoriya off-stage. And remember, focus your attention on the moves Midoriya, they're still too half-hearted."
"Roger," affirmed the green-haired boy as he went to take his place in the upper part of the stage.
"I'm getting a bit nervous about all of this," said Momo as she ran her part of the dance routine in her head for what must've been the thousandth time.
"Believe me you'll do fine," said Slade reassuringly with a hand on her shoulder, "Which is more than I can say for a certain exploding blonde." Said Blonde was currently getting told by Jirou for what must've also been the thousandth time not to improvise stuff during the performance.
"If you improvise anything weird it'll confuse the audience," explained Jirou as Bakugou grunted in his usual dismissive tone.
"I'm with her," said Clay, "we'll have plenty of fun while we're up there but the time to be throwing out improv phrases is past."
"It's not just him," said Tokoyami, "I too must resist such a notion now that my skills have improved somewhat."
"Well at least you know when and when not too," Slade pointed out before the doors to the gym burst open to reveal the snarling hero Hound Dog.
"It's already Nine 'O Clock!" Yelled Hound Dog, "Students should not be here past nine!"
"And that's our cue to leave," said Clay, "we'd all better rest up. We got an early start tomorrow."
A Short Time Later: U.A. Heights Alliance
Resting up had been the plan, except for one problem. "Woo, I can't sleep at all right now!" Cheered Kaminari.
"My excitements at maximum!" added Mineta who honestly looked like he could fall over asleep at any moment. And the tape holding his eyes open only added to that image.
"Will you two tone it down a little," said Mina, "some of us actually have managed to get to sleep ya know."
"I wonder if everyone will get as excited as we are," Iida thought aloud.
"I find it's a lot better not to think about stuff like that," Said Jirou, "worrying about getting embarrassed or just being nervous in general is the worst. Once you get onstage, the only thing left is to have a good time."
"But weren't you super embarrassed about this whole thing," Kaminari happily pointed out.
"That was different," defended Jirou while trying to hide the fact that she was still a bit embarrassed about that time.
"Well either way we've prepared to the best of our abilities," said Clay, "now all that's left is to put on a show. Whether or not everyone else likes it is up to them more than it is us. Hey Midoriya, there a problem over there?"
"I just noticed the rope we've been using for the harness is pretty frayed," replied Deku as he examined said piece of equipment, "it'll be dangerous if we try to use it in this condition."
"That's no biggie," assured Kaminari, "why not ask Yaoyorozu to make a new one?"
"Two reasons," Said Slade, "One: she's already asleep, and two, she's not our personal factory."
"But people use me as a charger all the time," grumbled Kaminari in response.
"This is what people mean when they say 'looking down on men,'" Added Mineta.
"Well you can always make use of a cloud rope," suggested Clay as he formed one from his hand, "I won't have to do my little shtick until after you fly the disco boy around the room anyway."
"I appreciate it Clay," said Midoriya, "but it's not really that big of a deal. I'll go buy a new rope first thing in the morning. I've already got morning training and I've been needing to purchase a couple of items for a few days now."
"But the performance starts at ten tomorrow, and most stores around here aren't open 'til nine," Kaminari pointed out.
"There is one," said Izuku, "about fifteen minutes from U.A. is a hardware store that opens at 8 am."
"Still cutting it pretty close there," said Kaminari as everyone began getting up to head to their rooms. "But I guess as long as you get back in time it'll turn out fine."
"Well we might do this tomorrow, but let's give it one more go this evening night owls," Said Mina, "Let's, MAKE THIS SHOW A SUCCESS!" Everyone gave an affirmative 'Yeah!' to one degree of enthusiasm or another before heading off to bed for the night.
Seven A.M.: U.A. Gym Gamma
Slade Mason was not one for showing outward excitement very often, or to be more precise his outward expressions of excitement were usually quite tame in comparison to some of the more outgoing students of U.A. High. That did not, however, mean he wasn't super excited about today. In fact, he was so excited that he'd even woken up before his own alarm went off and found that it was impossible to go back to sleep. So to keep himself from going stir crazy waiting on the time of the concert to arrive, the density shifter had opted to go into the gym early and start doing a bit of prep work.
"Good thing the staff opens this place up early most days," commented the U.A. student as he made his way around to the side entrance of the gym. It wasn't that it was a long walk to the stage, but Slade thought it'd be better to just go ahead and enter from backstage to start the prep. As he entered, however, he noticed that something was more than a little amiss. Someone was standing in front of the stage, and they were laughing their head off at being there for some reason.
"Ahahaha!" Laughed the unknown individual, who Slade observed was wearing a U.A. uniform with slightly long hair and visor-like shades over his eyes. "Oh it's going to be close but oh so sweet to see the looks on those Class 1A showoff's faces!" 'I think I might now that guy,' thought Slade as a name flashed through his mind.
"Hey," Slade called out, startling the individual as he looked to see who was present, "Aren't you with the Support Course? Doto, Dodo, Dotty-."
"It's Doton Bori!" exclaimed the U.A. student angrily, "and what in the world are you doing here Slade Mason of Class 1A?!"
"Oh yeah, now I remember," said Slade as he snapped his fingers in realization, "I got into a heated debate with you once about proper balancing on Power Loader's suit. You seemed to think adding a large drill attachment to the right arm wouldn't impede its movement or cause it to topple over."
"The suit is designed with powerful stabilizers to keep it from doing just that!" exclaimed Doton Bori, "Imbalanced loads were a consideration in its construction!"
"Temporary imbalanced loads," Slade pointed out, "but that was then and this is now, which reminds me. I suppose I should answer your question: I am here because I wanted to get some early prep for our show out of the way. The better question is, what are you doing here? I somehow get the feeling it isn't to help us out."
"Quite right," said Doton as he adjusted his shades, "if you recall I apparently lost that argument because Power Loader himself pointed out that the suit would lose maneuverability. But I'm not here to bring up old arguments from long past, I'm here to insure Class 1A is finally put in their place."
"By standing and laughing in front of an empty stage," Questioned Slade with a raised eyebrow, "I mean I'm sure you've got an actual plan here, but so far I'm not seeing it."
"That's just the type of dismissive attitude I'd expect from one who spends all their time in the spotlight," spat the Support Course Student, "yes the hero course was always big news but now that you're class has gone and gotten itself involved in multiple incidents taking on villains, it's like the rest of us don't even exist anymore. All I ever hear about news from U.A. anymore is 'Class 1A this' or 'Class 1A that'. Do you know how hard it's been for other courses to get any recognition ever since you came on the scene?"
"I'm being dismissive because once again your argument is a bit off-premise," replied Slade, "I'll grant that getting recognition is part of what our and most every class has to do in order to get a shot at a good Hero agency. But not a single one of us asked for those villain attacks. The USJ incident was villains going after All Might, The Training Camp attack was villains just happening to be after a student from our class. The sports festival is the only time where we were actively trying to gain recognition and the support and business courses still got a chance to shine along with us."
"And yet here you all are now, putting on a concert to make yourselves look good by acting like you actually care about how we feel," said Doton, "If not for your class this year's school festival wouldn't have faced possible cancellation!"
Slade let out a sigh. "Let me make one thing clear right now," said Slade, "we've been taught to put our best into what we do at this school. That means if we're at a sports festival we give it our all, and in the case of the school festival, even though it's the other course's time to shine, that doesn't mean we don't still do our best. And to be perfectly honest, holding a grudge against our class for stuff that's out of our control in the first place says a lot more about how bad your attitude's are than it does ours. Do any of you even care that several members of your own school have been nearly killed on multiple occasions? Because from where I'm standing it looks like you're all just thinking about yourselves and how inconvenienced you are, never once raising the question whether or not we're okay always being in the wrong place at the wrong time!"
"I already have an answer for you on that one," said Doton Bori as machinery suddenly erupted from his back and seemed to encase his body, in Power Loader's suit! "I'm not sure if I ever explained how my quirk 'body storage space' works! You see I'm able to absorb inorganic objects many times larger than I am-."
"By breaking them down to an atomic level," interrupted Slade, "then, once you need something you release it by returning the atoms to their original shape. Basic conservation of matter."
"Oh you even ruined my explanation!" Yelled a now irritated Support Course Student as he wound up and brought the suit's left arm down on Slade. Fortunately, the hero course student had already upped his density upon seeing the suit released and blocked the blow with his right arm, though that didn't keep him from sinking into the floor slightly. "This is exactly what I'm talking about, you and your whole little class stealing everyone else's thunder!"
"Oh give me a break," said Slade as he managed to shove the mechanical arm to the side and went in with a straight jab which Doton blocked with the suit's other arm. "Even if all of the shit we've gone through didn't happen you'd still hate us for showing you all up! But if us outshining you is the problem then work harder!" The density shifter proceeded to deliver a heavy kick to the mech's side, causing it to stumble back slightly before it righted itself and retaliated by swinging both fists at Slade, who lowered his density to jump over them.
Then just as quickly, Slade upped his density and landed on the outstretched arms, pushing them into the ground. "You just don't get it," retorted Doton Bori as he strained the mech's outstretched limbs to throw Slade off before charging and laying into the density shifter with blow after heavy blow, "it doesn't matter how hard we work when all of the good stuff keeps happening to you guys! It's like the universe is practically throwing your class a bone!" As he uttered his last sentence, he tried to pull back the mech's right arm for another swing, only to notice that it seemed to be stuck.
"You really wanna call getting attacked over and over again by crazed maniacs or always being at the place where trouble shows up the universe throwing us a bone?!" Said Slade as the clearing dust revealed him to be holding onto the large hand of the mech at near max density, "If anything it often feels like the universe wants to kick our collective asses!" He let go of the mechanical arm as he said this last bit, causing the still strained limb to practically fly back as Doton had been pulling the whole time, causing him to stumble back. The 1A student then leapt forward and to the side at low density before jumping back at high density and ramming into the side of the unbalanced mech's 'knee'.
"Wait, this thing shouldn't fall over that easily," exclaimed Doton Bori as the large suit slipped and crashed to the ground. As he attempted to get back up, the mech was forced back down by Slade standing on it at max density.
"This suit was designed with Power Loader's specific measurements, body weight and quirk in mind," said Slade, "as a Support Course Student claiming to have pride in what they do, why would you stoop to using not only someone else's invention but a teacher's at that?" He dropped his right foot down next to his opponent's head, denting the metal a bit as the student grew greatly intimidated by the large hero course student now filling his vision.
"M-my specialty is in modification of hero gear," said a stuttering Doton Bori, "I-I create add-ons for costumes that help in combat. I don't actually have any inventions I can use for fighting."
"Is that so," sighed Slade as he reached down and yanked out the control circuit connected to the helmet, "I guess it explains why you know how to work this suit but not how to fight with it. But given your surprise at seeing me I guess you weren't expecting a fight."
"My plan was to tear down the stage and escape before you all showed up," Admitted Doton Bori, "as much as I dislike your class, one fact I can't dispute is that you're all pretty good fighters. Though I never realized how good until just this moment."
"It's like I said," replied Slade as he held his hand out, "we work really hard, often times because we have too. Otherwise with our luck, we'd have been dead a long time ago. If such circumstances did hit another one of the classes, I've no doubt they'd all come out of it a bit tougher too. Now come on, let's get you back to the Development Studio."
"What," said a surprised Doton Bori, "but aren't you going to report me? I literally just told you I came here to tear down your stage."
"It's not like either of us really has time for that," Slade pointed out, "this is the school festival after all, everyone's supposed to be having fun. If we get Power Loader's suit back to where it belongs quickly enough, you should still have time to prep your stuff for the show. After all, this is the Support Course's time to shine, so shine." Even with his visor-style shades on, Slade could tell this apparent troublemaker was stunned. But in another moment, he grabbed hold of his hand while reabsorbing Power Loader's suit back into his body.
"I guess I owe you and your class an apology," said the Support Course Student, "I'd just assumed at this point that no matter what we did you'd just upstage us all. And after actually talking to you more, I realize I was also wrong in assuming you looked down on us."
"You can chalk most of that up to Bakugou," said Slade, "his arrogance is off the scale half the time, which is actually still an improvement over what it used to be. Most of us Class 1A students are just doing our best to keep up with the challenges that face us. Kind of like how the support course is always coming up with new innovations in a constantly changing world."
"Speaking of which, I need to get my own project ready," said Doton Bori, "and again, sorry about trying to trash your performance."
"Do a few good tweaks to my gear later and we'll call it even," said Slade as the two made their way back out of the gym.
A Couple Hours Later: Gym Gamma
"Cutting it more than a little close weren't ya Midoriya," said Clay as he and the rest of the class slowly gathered on the stage.
"Yeah, I lost track of time while I was out shopping," said the Green-haired boy as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Uh huh," said Slade, "and you got that many bruises from just falling down the stairs?"
"W-well you see I was-," Izuku responded nervously before Clay cut him off.
"Relax, we'll talk about it later," he said as he took his position at the keyboard, "right now we got a show to put on." A murmur of agreement ran through the student body as everyone else took their positions. The lights shut off then as the curtains drew back to reveal the massive crowd of students who'd gathered for the performance.
"Alright then," said Bakugou from his position on the drums, "LET'S KILL 'EM WITH OUR SOUND!" And thus, the performance began.
And now it's time to rock and roll! In the next chapter. I know, bit of a douche move cutting it off right there, but I have a reason. I've decided to make the next chapter the season finale for this story as the U.A. students don't do much during Endeavor's rise to number one battle. If you all have a different opinion on the matter, feel free to let me know the usual way, as well as what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters in your comments and reviews. Be sure to stop in next time as the U.A. School Festival gets underway.