Wow, we're getting to new chapters pretty quickly! The big battles are close, so I hope you're all ready for what's ahead. Anyways, I wanted to mention something about this chapter in particular.
When I posted this story on Archive of our Own, I had someone suggest that I should deviate from the story a little more, along with trying to change up how certain characters got their comeuppances. In this case, you'll see how those changes will affect the story going forward.
"So Müller's already copied the Master Code Quirk?" the voice over the communication channel inquired to Drakken, who was in a small room alongside two others. One was a tall and slim man whose eyes had pupils shaped like sniper lenses and had a cigarette in his mouth. His physical appearance greatly resembled that of a skeleton with how his skin looked. His attire consisted of a cowboy hat and a light-colored leather jacket over a dark grey-colored, v-neck collared undershirt. He also sported a pair of long, multi-colored striped trousers held by a belt that held his pistol holster on his right side, and boots.
The other one was a large and extremely muscular man with short, light green cropped hair. He wore a dark-colored, sleeveless shirt with a digitized skull on the back, a striped scarf wrapped around his neck, a pair of bands around his elbows, and metallic bracers. He also sported a pair of tan-colored pants and black shoes.
"Yeah, the old bastard's done it," Drakken responded, "At least, that's what he's relayed..." he corrected.
"Hm," another voice from the channel scoffed, "I doubt that bastard's ability to recreate Quirks can match mine..." he muttered out.
"Now let's not dwell on that..." the master villain insisted, "At the moment, everything is set into place," he noted.
"Yeah," Drakken agreed, "All that's left is for Shigaraki to play his part and get the Hero Killer on his side," he explained.
"But a problem is posed..." the master villain pointed out to his surprise, "Stain has ideals that have led him to attack certain heroes," he mentioned, "If we're to make this experiment work, your guinea pig will have to do everything he can with that recreated power," he told his colleagues.
"Hmm..." the bar owner hummed in thought, "Be in touch soon," he said, ending the call by tapping the icon.
"Phoo..." the smoking man exhaled afterwards, "It's scary to think that they're trying to make a move like this..." he admitted.
"If they're able to provide enough of a distraction, then Jamilov can get all the intel he needs from the Hero Association," his muscular colleague noted.
"But of course, that's only if the Master Code Quirk works," Drakken noted as he stood up from his seat, "Seth, Diego," he said, causing his subordinates to perk up, "Go find men for Shigaraki," he instructed of them, "I think he's gonna need all the help he can get after this," he added as he walked off.
"Why do you want us for that?" Diego asked.
"Yeah, isn't that Giran more of the broker kind of guy?" Seth inquired as he took out his cigar from his mouth.
"He's not so good with getting Ether-Types together..." their boss responded to their surprise, "Besides, I want my Element Four like I've always imagined," he added with a smirk before leaving.
"Ergh..." Rebecca groaned before she awoke, finding herself lying upon a bed in the nurse's office. She had her black tank top on, as her jacket had gotten burned away from the last explosion she took from Katsuki. Sitting up, she clutched the bedsheets. She was frustrated that she couldn't win, especially when she was trying to emerge victorious for her best friend's sake.
"Oh, you're awake," a voice chimed in, getting her attention as she saw Recovery Girl and Sister there, "You want yourself a Pez, dearie?" the former of the two inquired, holding up a Kamui Woods-shaped dispenser.
"Or maybe a Dispel Driver from me~?" Sister guessed teasingly.
"NO!" Chiyo yelled, smacking her atop the head with her cane. Rebecca chuckled sheepishly. At that moment, the door opened.
"Rebecca!" Izuku exclaimed as he entered, jogging over to her.
"Izuku..." his best friend uttered out, giving off a small smile, "...Can I get a hug?" she requested of him. He smiled himself, embracing her warmly as they both exhaled content sighs. Watching from nearby, Chiyo and Sister smiled as well.
"Are you okay?" he asked Rebecca after pulling away, "Kacchan didn't seriously hurt you, did he?" he questioned on.
"No, I'm fine," she assured with a shake of her head, "More importantly, shouldn't you be getting ready for your match against Shoto?" she inquired out of concern.
"They're holding off on the third round to give time for the stage to get repaired," he replied, "Kogetsu and Iida's match won't start for a bit," he pointed out additionally.
"Well, that gives you a bit more time to think about a plan..." Rebecca noted, "And... it's sweet that you came here for me..." she added with a light blush across her cheeks. Izuku blushed himself, sheepishly scratching at his right cheek. At that moment, the door opened again.
"Oh, Midoriya's here, too," a familiar voice said, catching their attentions as they saw an unmasked Midnight and Cementoss entering the room.
"M-Miss Midnight," Izuku stuttered in greeting.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready to ref the third round?" Rebecca questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"We'll be returning to the stage shortly," Cementoss assured in reply, "We just... needed to confirm a few things," he mentioned to her confusion.
"Strictly speaking, it's about something I overheard you say, Bluegarden," Midnight confirmed, causing the Leaper Quirk user to perk up in surprise, "And I'm fairly sure it was in reference to Midoriya," she added.
"Wh-What was in reference to me?" the freckled teen stuttered, looking over at his best friend. A look of realization came across her face before she sadly lowered her head. If there was one thing she regretted doing in that match, it was opening her big mouth. She was lost in the moment, so much so that she yelled out a very disturbing truth.
"Midoriya..." the R-Rated Hero began to the One For All inheritor as he turned to her, "did Bakugo ever tell you commit suicide or anything along those lines?" she inquired. Widening his eyes, Izuku looked back at Rebecca, who clutched the bedsheets tightly as her eyes trembled. She was evidently sorry for revealing such a truth, especially without his consent. However, her best friend understood how she was feeling. He balled his hands into fists and turned to his teachers.
"Yeah... back in middle school..." he confirmed in reply, causing both Midnight and Cementoss to blink in surprise as they lightly gasped, "I was diagnosed as Quirkless for most of my life, so... I was pretty easily picked on..." he noted, glancing away ashamedly, "And I tried to just ignore all that Kacchan was doing..." he added in admittance, "But... I really shouldn't have," he said, taking a deep breath, "He's been a bully... and still kind of is..." he pointed out. A moment of silence filled the room as the faculty members were all surprised.
"Well... I suppose we'll have to deal with this by the end of the Sports Festival," Midnight decided as she sighed, "Just know that we're here for you, Midoriya," she assured to the One For All inheritor.
"Indeed," Cementoss agreed as he nodded, "We don't condone bullying at UA," he stated firmly, "whether from the past or the present," he added, "Bakugo will be dealt with properly after the festival," he promised.
"I...I appreciate that," Izuku said with gratitude. Both teachers gave him small, encouraging smiles before leaving. Turning to Rebecca, the One For All inheritor saw the smile on her face as well. She was actually starting to tear up a little. "AH!" her best friend gasped, "Wh-Wh-What are you crying for?!" he stuttered out worriedly.
"Oh, it's nothing..." she claimed in reply, wiping her eyes, "I'm just glad you're finally standing up for yourself..." she confessed with a sniffle, "Do your best against Shoto, okay?" she insisted, pumping her left fist, "No matter what he throws at you, I know you'll overcome it!" she assured confidently.
"...Right!" Izuku responded with a nod and a smile.
Homura Kogetsu VS Tenya Iida
Izuku Midoriya VS Shoto Todoroki
Shiki Granbell VS Fumikage Tokoyami
Laguna Husert VS Katsuki Bakugo
"The third round or the quarterfinals!" Mic's voice exclaimed through the loudspeakers, "Either way, we've got ourselves quite a set of battles ahead!" he pointed out excitedly, "So..." he continued, "ARE YOU READY?!" he questioned, enticing the crowd to cheer.
"Huh..." Homura exhaled as she exited the tunnel and made her way up onto the stage. Tenya did the same.
"I'm honored to be fighting the pupil of the strongest of the female heroes," the Engine Quirk user told his future opponent, bowing to her politely.
"I'm honored to be facing you as well, Iida," she responded with her own bow, "That said, I'm certain you recall my vow during the pledge, yes?" she inquired.
"Indeed I do," Tenya replied, standing up and adjusting his glasses, "And I'm sorry..." he apologized in advance, "but I shall defeat you here," he declared, taking on a ready stance as his exhausts revved with energy. Homura made her red-glowing markings appear along her arms before forming a single blade of energy in her right hand. She crouched low to the ground.
"Five Sword Fencing..." she began, giving off a determined glare, "Snake Stance..." she uttered out. She glanced up towards the stands and spotted Endeavor staring down at her curiously with contempt. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, the Soul Blade Quirk user dashed forward.
And... the third round begins the next chapter! Sorry for the runaround, but trust me, what's ahead will be worth it for sure! Until then, I'll catch you all later! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!