Hey all! We're about to finally end the second round of the tournament with this chapter! Really happy to see a lot more support for this story going forward, especially with so many reviews!

I do have to give a quick notice though: if you're a guest reviewer, be sure that you're reviewing on the latest chapter. I've noticed a couple of recent ones that seemed to be directed toward later chapters than the ones they were actually on. Remember, if I don't have at least 4 reviews counted on the latest chapter, it won't update.

Also, I'm gonna hold off on answering guest reviews unless they present some questions for the story. I'll be glad to answer them in due time. Thanks for all your support, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Rebecca wasn't scared. Not now. She stared down Katsuki with determination in her eyes as the crowd's cheers died down in her ears. She took on a ready stance, activating her Quirk as her wing-like markings appeared upon her legs.

"Rebecca..." Izuku uttered out from the stands worriedly. He, like a few others, was tensing up out of anxiety. His rival already proved his strength during his first match against Ochaco. It seemed reasonable for one to assume that he'd defeat the Leaper Quirk user as well. But the One For All inheritor had faith in her. He could see the determination in her eyes. Midnight raised her flail.

"And... begin!" she exclaimed, swinging it down. Immediately, Rebecca dashed forward.

"And now you're dead..." Katsuki muttered, rearing his right arm back as small explosions crackled off of his sweaty palm. His opponent took notice, remembering how he started fights with a right hook, much like he did against Izuku and Ochaco. She dashed to his left, evading the blast as he widened his eyes in surprise.

"Gotcha'!" she exclaimed, swinging her right leg out for a strong roundhouse kick to his side as he winced.

"Whoa-ho!" Mic yelled through the loudspeakers, "Bluegarden's already starting this match off strong!" he exclaimed excitedly. However, Katsuki planted his right foot down to stop himself, followed by glaring at his foe, who grimaced.

"Weak..." he growled out, grabbing her leg with his left hand. He then set off several explosions from his right, propelling him as he swung her around and tossed her aside like a ragdoll. She hit the ground, tumbling across it before slowing to a stop just inches away from the edge of the white line.

'Darn!' she yelled through her thoughts, 'I landed a hit, but it wasn't nearly strong enough!' she realized, getting onto her feet, 'I've got to-!' Her thoughts halted as she narrowly ducked down in time to avoid the blast sent her way from an airborne Katsuki. He smirked down at her.

"What's the matter?" he inquired mockingly, "Afraid to get your ass kicked by yours truly?!" he guessed, readying another powerful blast from his hands. Rebecca sped forward to evade the attack, breathing heavily. Already, the Explosion Quirk user had her on her toes. He wanted everyone on their toes, ever since middle school...

FLASHBACK

"Huh..." Rebecca exhaled, wiping the sweat off of her face.

"Wow, Rebecca! You really are fast!" one of her classmates complimented, catching her attention.

"Yeah, and you weren't even using your Quirk!" another added. Rebecca chuckled sheepishly with a blush. She disliked gym the most out of all her classes, but it was good to get exercise every now and again. Running was something she liked doing a lot. And it helped strengthen her legs to boot.

She looked over and watched the boys running by during their own exercise... with Izuku tiredly tailing behind. Like her, he disliked exercising. But if he wanted to be a hero like All Might one day, he needed to be stronger. His best friend watched as he slowed to a halt, breathing heavily.

"Heh," one of the boys chuckled afterwards, looking back at the exhausted Izuku, "Looks like Midoriya's ready to hurl..." he pointed out, causing some of those around him to chuckle, including Katsuki. Overhearing, Rebecca tensed up. She started to walk over, only to get stopped as one of the girls put a hand onto her shoulder.

"Hey, don't bother with those guys," she advised to the Leaper Quirk user, who blinked in surprise, "There's no reason for you to go and get involved in that..." she noted, causing Rebecca to glance down worriedly in thought.

"Besides, Midoriya's the one asking for it by bringing up the rear..." another girl remarked. Blinking in surprise, Rebecca took on a frustrated expression before walking forward, shoving the girl's hand away to her shock.

"Need a trash can, Midoriya?" the boy with rocks for hair inquired teasingly. Izuku could feel his stomach curdle. Even if wanted to retort, he wouldn't be able to without vomiting. At that moment though, he saw Rebecca approach. "Bluegarden?" the rock-haired boy uttered in confusion, seeing her come up to him, "The heck are you-? AH...!" he gasped out, interjecting himself.

The boys nearby all yelped in horror, while Katsuki blinked out of surprise. The Leaper Quirk user had just kicked their rock-haired classmate squarely in the crotch. He fell onto the ground, clutching his aching groin as he whimpered. Rebecca then turned and glared at the others.

"Anyone else...?" she inquired in a threatening tone. No one responded, not wanting to suffer the same fate. The Leaper Quirk user went over and helped Izuku onto his feet. "Let's get you some water," she insisted. He merely nodded in reply, though he still seemed scared. She held onto his hand as they started to walk off.

"Hmph," Katsuki scoffed out, catching their attentions, "Why the heck are you defending that damn nerd anyway?" he asked as they stopped, "He says he wants to be a hero, but he's got no Quirks like us..." he pointed out, "He'd die even trying to be a cop!" he mentioned with a laugh. Rebecca kept a firm grip on her best friend's hand.

"You don't know that for sure," she stated to his and everyone's surprise, "There're all kinds of heroes with Quirks that people would think don't do much to save people or fight villains," she noted, "Even my favorite heroes don't have Quirks that're built to fight with," she added, looking back at her best friend and smiling, "So I've got no doubt Izuku's going to be a hero one day, even if he doesn't have a Quirk..." she declared firmly, letting off a small giggle toward the freckled boy, who gave off a grateful smile. Scoffing again, Katsuki stomped off with annoyance. He'd prove both of them wrong one day...

END FLASHBACK

"What happened to Deku being a hero without any Quirk, huh?!" Katsuki inquired as he landed another blast onto Rebecca, "I thought you always went off about him being a hero without it!" he noted aloud, firing off another explosion to sent her flying back as her ponytail came undone. She winced from the burning sensation upon her arms, gritting her teeth together. She had seen everything throughout her childhood with Izuku. All of the insults, attacks, and downright threats Katsuki had issued to her best friend.

Yet he never retaliated. He was too good of a person to just attack someone he used to know as a friend. And she hated that. She hated how he was too kind of a person. He never held any kind of grudge. But yet...

'He only retaliated when he hurt me...' she remembered, sliding to a stop as she breathed heavily, 'Maybe Mina was right about us... in a way...' she suggested to herself, giving off a small smile.

"I did say he'd be a hero..." she admitted, making Katsuki perk up, "And he's been one ever since we were kids," she mentioned firmly, taking a ready stance, "He's the one who'll never give up on his dream!" she yelled out, "Even if you tell him to kill himself!" she added angrily, causing her opponent to blink in surprise, while Midnight lightly gasped.

"Hmph," the Explosion Quirk user scoffed, "Why don't we stop talking about Deku and finish this damn fight?!" he insisted, rocketing forward in a blast from both of his palms.

"Sounds fine to me!" Rebecca responded as she sped forward.

"Both students are going at each other one last time from the look of it!" Present Mic exclaimed over the loudspeaker, "Which one's gonna take the victory?!" he wondered loudly. Katsuki reared his right arm back, while his foe closed in. But instead of attacking from the side like before, she went straight ahead... and punched him in the face with her right fist.

"Ah!" Izuku gasped, while everyone's eyes widened around him. Rebecca glared intensely as her fist dug into her opponent's cheek. He was definitely caught off guard. But he steeled himself as he unleashed a powerful blast from his right hand, blowing off her jacket in the process. She fell to the ground and tumbled out of the ring, coming to a stop upon the grass. She lied on her stomach, wincing in pain before finally succumbing and falling unconscious. Midnight looked on at her, giving off a somber expression.

"Hey, are you gonna call the match?" Katsuki asked, getting her attention. She seemed hesitant, especially after what she heard Rebecca say. However, she did raise her flail.

"Bluegarden is out of bounds!" she announced, "Bakugo wins and advances to the third round!" she declared as the crowd cheered.

"Rebecca..." Kyoka uttered out worriedly, seeing her being carried away upon a stretcher.

"Hey, Deku-" Ochaco stopped talking as she noticed that the One For All inheritor was gone, having left his notebook behind. He was hurrying through the halls before arriving at the tunnel Katsuki was heading out from. He blinked in surprise to find his rival there, breathing heavily as he stood in front of him.

"The hell do you want, Deku?" he asked, raising an eyebrow while tilting his head to the side. Not responding for a moment, the freckled teen balled his hands into fists. "...Hmph," the Explosion Quirk user scoffed, "If you've got nothing to say to me, then stay out of my way..." he muttered, about to walk past him. However, Izuku grabbed him by his arm to his surprise. "The hell?" he uttered. He then blinked as he noticed the fierce look on the One For All inheritor's face, matching the one he had back in middle school.

"I know it was just a match, Kacchan..." he noted, tightening his grip on his rival's arm, "but after that, you better hope I don't end up facing you in the next round..." he stated in a threatening manner. The very fact he even said that made Katsuki tremble a little. However, he shoved Izuku's arm away and stomped off.

"Then you better win your next match, ya damn nerd..." he muttered out. There was a new tension that was building between them. And this time, Izuku wasn't intimidated. He was rightfully angry.

And that ends the second round! Quite the turn of events, huh? You'll get to see just how things go as we finally head into the quarterfinals, with some big matches to kick things off! Until then, I'll catch you guys later!