Chapter 7: Let the Battles Begin!

The atmosphere in Class 1-A was anything but electric. For most of Izuku's classmates, including Bakugou and his usual circle of friends, the U.A. Sports Festival had been... underwhelming. The excitement that typically buzzed around the event was noticeably absent. The obstacle race had been a breeze for Izuku, who, thanks to his enhanced speed and ability to fly, had effortlessly secured victory. With his mastery over Ki techniques, he had no trouble holding onto his million points during the cavalry battle. Yet, despite the ease with which he dominated, the thrill of competition had felt distant—until now.

The upcoming event promised to change everything.

The Single Round Matches!

Just the thought of going head-to-head with their fellow students ignited a spark in Izuku and his friends. The anticipation of testing their mettle in one-on-one combat was palpable. Their training with the visiting Saiyans had pushed them far beyond their previous limits, and now they were eager to see just how much they had grown in such a short time.

"Hey! They're announcing the fights!" Mineta's excited voice broke through the tension.

All eyes turned to the massive screen, where the matchups were about to be revealed. The names began to spin, a roulette of fate that would decide their opponents. Some watched with bated breath, while others could barely contain their eagerness.

The first name finally clicked into place—Izuku Midoriya.

"Alright!" Izuku couldn't help but grin, his fists clenching with excitement.

The second name slowed to a stop beside his, revealing his first opponent—Itsuka Kendo.

The students of Class 1-A exchanged puzzled glances, clearly unsure about the identity of the mysterious girl. Even Izuku found himself scratching his head in bewilderment.

"Huh? Who's she?" Izuku voiced the question on everyone's mind, his confusion evident.

"You'll find out soon enough!" A new voice chimed in.

Heads turned to see Itsuka Kendo standing nearby, a confident smile on her face. Behind her were two girls: one with a blank expression and the other with silver hair, a single bang partially covering her eye.

Itsuka approached Izuku with a soft smile, stopping directly in front of him. "Remember me, Izu-kun~?" she asked, her tone playful.

"IZU-KUN!?" Izuku's friends erupted in disbelief, eyes wide as they tried to process why this girl was being so familiar with him.

Izuku's brow furrowed as he searched his memory, genuinely baffled. "Uh... I'm sorry, have we met before?"

For a moment, Itsuka's expression faltered, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. She let out a long sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Yes, we have... but it's been a long time. You probably don't remember..." Her voice softened, tinged with a hint of sadness. But then, as if flipping a switch, she smirked, her eyes lighting up with renewed determination. "But don't worry, I'm going to make you remember! Just you wait, Izu-kun, and when you do... you're going to take responsibility!"

"R-Responsibility!?" Momo gasped, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "Could this be the beginning of a long-lost childhood romance!?"

Jirou shot Momo a deadpan look, unimpressed. "This isn't one of your romance novels, Yamomo," she quipped, rolling her eyes at Momo's dramatic reaction.

The tension in the air thickened as the next round of matches was announced, and all eyes turned to the massive screen. The first name appeared in bold letters—Denki Kaminari.

With a confident smirk, Kaminari cracked his knuckles. "Looks like it's my turn to shine again!" he declared, the spark of electricity already crackling in his fingertips.

The board spun once more, the name of Kaminari's opponent flickering rapidly before settling on none other than Shoto Todoroki. The room fell silent as Todoroki's name appeared.

Todoroki turned his gaze to Kaminari, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. "You're going to lose, Kaminari," he stated with a calm finality, as if the outcome was already decided.

But Kaminari's smirk didn't waver. He met Todoroki's gaze head-on, a spark of determination in his eyes. "We'll see about that," he replied, electricity surging through him in anticipation.

The excitement didn't stop there. The screen flashed again, revealing the names for the third round—Mineta versus Kirishima.

Kirishima grinned, slamming his fists together as his quirk activated, hardening his skin. He looked over at Mineta with his trademark enthusiasm. "Hey, no hard feelings, right, Mineta?" he said, his tone friendly but his intent clear.

Mineta, always ready for a challenge, smirked right back at the redheaded brawler. "Yeah, no hard feelings!" he shot back, though the gleam in his eye suggested he had a few tricks up his sleeve.

The fourth round was set, and the names of Iida and Momo appeared on the screen.

Momo turned to the class president, a polite smile gracing her lips. "I hope we can have a good match, Iida," she said, her voice filled with respect and determination.

Iida returned her smile with equal sincerity. "The same goes for me, Yaoyorozu. Let's give it everything we've got!" he replied, already mentally preparing for the strategic battle ahead.

The tension in the room continued to build as the fifth round match-up was revealed—Jirou versus Mina.

Jirou smirked, leaning back with a casual shrug. "Looks like I've got it easy this round," she teased, her tone playful yet confident.

Mina, not one to back down, puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout. "Hey! Don't underestimate me!" she shot back, her eyes narrowing with playful defiance. "I'm tougher than I look!"

The sixth round brought a shift in the atmosphere as the next match-up appeared on the screen—Bakugou versus Ibara, one of the top students from Class 1-B.

Bakugou's reaction was predictably intense. His expression remained blank, but the determination in his voice was unmistakable. "She's going down," he stated flatly, as if it were a foregone conclusion.

Kirishima, ever the peacemaker, nudged his fiery friend with a grin. "Jeez, man, lighten up! It's supposed to be fun!" he laughed, trying to ease the tension.

The seventh round was set, pitting Ojiro against Tokoyami.

Ojiro offered a respectful smile to his dark and mysterious classmate. "May the best man win," he said, extending his hand in a show of sportsmanship.

Tokoyami nodded, his expression as serious as ever. "Indeed," he replied, grasping Ojiro's hand firmly. The two shared a mutual understanding that this would be a battle of both strength and strategy.

Finally, the eighth and final round was revealed—an unexpected match-up between Setsuna from Class 1-B and Shinsou from General Studies.

Neither fighter said a word, but their eyes locked across the room. Setuna's calm resolve met Shinsou's smirking confidence, the unspoken challenge between them clear. Though they didn't exchange words, the anticipation of their clash was palpable, leaving the rest of the students eager to see how the final round would unfold.

With the matchups set, the students were granted a brief 15-minute break to strategize and gather their thoughts. Izuku and his friends made their way back to their waiting room, chatting lightly about the upcoming battles. But before they could reach the door, Bakugou stepped into their path, his presence demanding attention.

Izuku noticed the intense look Bakugou was giving him and felt a wave of confusion. "What's up, Bakugou?" he asked, trying to gauge his rival's mood.

Bakugou's eyes blazed with determination as he jabbed a finger toward Izuku. "You and me, broccoli boy—we're going to the final round," Bakugou declared, his voice low but laced with fiery intent. "And when we do, I'm going to pulverize you, got it? I'm going to show you, and all these so-called Heroes, that I'm the strongest and the best. You better be ready."

Izuku met Bakugou's fierce gaze with a confident smile, his green eyes gleaming with excitement. "Sure thing, Bakugou," he replied without hesitation. "I can't wait."

Bakugou's lips twisted into a wicked smirk, his eyes never leaving Izuku's. "Neither can I," he shot back, the anticipation clear in his voice.

With that, Bakugou turned and walked away, his posture radiating his usual intensity. As he disappeared down the hall, Izuku's friends exchanged puzzled glances, their eyes settling on the green-haired Saiyan.

Jirou finally broke the silence, raising an eyebrow at Izuku. "Remind me again why you're so dead set on egging him on?"

Izuku chuckled softly, glancing down the corridor where Bakugou had vanished. "Because I see the potential inside him," he explained, his tone thoughtful yet respectful. "He may not be a Saiyan like me or have Ki, but he's strong. And I don't doubt that one day, he could rival me. When that day comes, I want to be ready."

Mineta's eyes widened in disbelief. "B-But you're the strongest guy out there!" he stammered, his voice tinged with awe. "Heck, I bet with your Super Saiyan form, you could even beat All Might!"

Izuku scratched the back of his head, a bashful smile forming on his lips. "Maybe," he admitted, "but so could Bakugou one day. He's got this untapped power inside him, and he's always aiming to be the strongest, just like me. I don't know, I just feel like... he and I are alike in that way."

His words left everyone stunned. It wasn't often that Izuku spoke so highly of someone, and for him to compare himself to Bakugou—a person who most saw as his rival—was even more surprising. While Izuku always saw potential in his friends, they had long believed that they couldn't compare to him, especially after witnessing his Saiyan abilities. The idea of surpassing Izuku seemed like an impossible dream, one they hadn't dared to voice.

But for some, Izuku's words sparked something deep inside—a flame of determination that had been smoldering quietly until now. They realized that if they were truly going to be heroes, if they wanted to be protectors of the earth and stand alongside Izuku as equals, they couldn't settle for being left in the shadows.

They had to get stronger.

The realization hit them hard, but it was also motivating. They couldn't just rely on Izuku to carry the weight of protecting the world; they had to step up, push their limits, and unlock their own potential. As they exchanged determined glances, a silent vow formed between them: they wouldn't just be backup. They would be heroes who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Izuku, ready to face any challenge that came their way.

Meanwhile, in the teacher's booth high above the arena, Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale watched eagerly as the single-round matches were about to begin. Their eyes were fixed on the field below, their excitement palpable as they anticipated their son, Parslock, taking on the competition.

"I can't wait for Parslock to win!" Kale exclaimed proudly, her chest swelling with maternal pride.

Cabba nodded in agreement, though his gaze remained thoughtful. "Yes, but I'm also curious to see how the rest of his friends fare. They've trained just as hard as he has, and this will be their chance to show how far they've come."

Caulifla leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with fierce determination. "Yeah, those brats better not let our training go to waste!" she said with her usual fiery spirit. She had poured everything into their training, and she expected nothing less than their best in return.

Just as Cabba was about to add something, he suddenly felt a sharp spike of unfamiliar energy ripple through the air. The power surged briefly before disappearing just as quickly, but it was enough to make him tense. His eyes darted in the direction where he sensed the energy, his body instinctively rising from his seat.

Noticing Cabba's sudden shift, Caulifla and Kale exchanged confused glances before looking at him with concern.

"Cabba?" Kale asked softly, her brow furrowed in worry.

"Did you guys sense that?" Cabba asked, his voice tinged with unease.

Caulifla frowned, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. "Sense what?" she asked, her tone more serious now.

"There was a sudden spike of energy... dark and evil energy," Cabba replied, his voice tinged with unease.

Caulifla frowned, her confusion evident. "We didn't sense anything," she said, glancing at Kale, who nodded in agreement.

Cabba slowly sat back down, but the uneasy feeling in his stomach only grew stronger. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of what he had felt. The energy had been unlike anything he had ever encountered—dark, malevolent, and filled with a sense of foreboding. It wasn't just powerful; it was wrong, as if it carried a twisted intent that made his skin crawl.

He had faced powerful foes before, including Frost, who was no stranger to treachery and darkness. But this... this was different. The energy he had sensed was more sinister, more unsettling, and its brief appearance had left a lingering chill in the air.

Cabba's thoughts swirled as he tried to push the feeling aside, but it was impossible to ignore. Whatever had caused that spike of energy was not just powerful—it was dangerous, and the fact that it had vanished as quickly as it appeared only added to his anxiety.

He glanced at Caulifla and Kale, who were watching the matches unfold with their usual intensity, seemingly unaware of the darkness that had momentarily seeped into the arena. Cabba wished he could dismiss it as easily as they had, but he couldn't shake the sense that something was very wrong.

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Meanwhile, on a remote, deserted island, the only sign of life was a small, peculiar ship resting on the pristine white sand. The vessel, as large as a semi-truck, had a curious shape, resembling a massive, metallic apple. Its polished surface glinted under the sun, almost blending into the serene surroundings. Standing on the beach near the ship was a tall, blue-skinned man with long orange hair tied back in a ponytail. He wore a crisp white vest over his muscular frame, red puffy pants that billowed slightly in the sea breeze, and black boots that sunk slightly into the sand.

The man, Peraas, gazed out at the horizon, his piercing eyes narrowing as he sensed something in the distance. "Hmm... interesting," he muttered, his voice deep and contemplative.

A voice broke the silence, coming from behind him. "What is it, Peraas?"

Peraas turned to face his companion, another blue-skinned male, but much smaller in stature. This one had a short, bright orange afro that contrasted sharply with his companion's sleek ponytail. He was dressed in a black tunic, white pants, and matching black boots, his appearance giving off a more understated vibe compared to Peraas's imposing figure.

"It seems there are those who can sense energy on this planet," Peraas replied, his gaze returning to the horizon, the wheels in his mind clearly turning.

The smaller alien, Leon, furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued. "Is that why you had me lower my energy?" he asked, now understanding the earlier command.

Peraas nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. We're here on a scouting mission, Leon. We can't afford to be noticed, not yet," he said, his tone firm but measured. The mission was delicate, and any misstep could jeopardize their plans.

Leon, still processing the information, nodded in agreement. "Alright, I get it. But tell me... how strong are they?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Lowering his energy to a barely detectable level, Peraas closed his eyes and focused intently on the source of the incredible power he had sensed earlier. He extended his senses across the vast distance, searching for the energy signatures that had caught his attention. After a moment of concentration, he located four distinct presences.

"Four of them," Peraas said, his voice measured as he analyzed the readings. "Three are exceptionally powerful, one of them especially so. The fourth... is weaker, still strong by most standards, but nowhere near our level," he continued, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information.

Leon, who had been waiting eagerly for the assessment, smirked at the news. "Can any of them defeat Emperor Elppa?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of challenge.

Peraas allowed himself a small, confident smirk as he shook his head. "Perhaps one—if the stars align and they fight with everything they've got. But the rest... they don't stand a chance," he replied, his voice dripping with certainty.

Leon's sinister grin widened at Peraas's words. "Good! Then should we assemble the Elites?" he asked, his excitement barely contained. The thought of conquest and the glory that awaited them was already fueling his anticipation.

Peraas nodded, his expression serious as the weight of their mission settled on his shoulders. "Yes. We'll return to inform the Emperor that this planet is ripe for the taking. It will be the first of many to fall under the banner of the Hera Empire," he proclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of pride and cold determination.

Leon's eyes gleamed with malicious delight as he shared in his partner's vision. Without another word, the two aliens turned and quickly made their way back to their ship, their footsteps leaving deep impressions in the sand as they moved with purpose. The ship's entrance opened with a soft hiss, and the two of them swiftly boarded, ready to depart and deliver the news to their leader.

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It's been a long time since I've updated this and I am sorry! But I'm back with it so let's go!

The single-round matches begin and Izuku goes up against Itsuka who seems to want him to remember something! Meanwhile, an alien race scopes out Earth, but just who are these mysterious enemies, and do our heroes stand a chance?

Also, for those confused, the Hera Empire is the Universe 6 counterpart of the Hera Clan, AKA the clan that Bojack belongs to in the DBZ movie Bojack Unbound.

While not canon, I wanted to add an alien threat to Earth that wasn't Frost, and at first, I wanted to use Demons but changed it up since I wanted to save them for later.