Up in the commentator booth, Aizawa turned to Yamada who tapped his mic. "So, you and Midnight agreed on something... what?"

"Now, now, Mummy Man, I've gotta make it a surprise somehow?" He grinned, turning on the mic. "Gotta admit, even I'm surprised by this little listener's eagerness,"

~Hey there, sports fans! While we wait for the repairs to the ring, we've got a short, sweet bonus event for your viewing pleasure!~ His announcement got a frantic cheer from the crowd. ~That's what I like to hear! Now, she's a bit shy so let's say we give her some encouragement! Take it away Midnight!~

Down below, Midnight grinned with anticipation, cracking her riding crop. "As a small message from our little surprise, this is for not just the audience but every student that's competed in the Sports Festival today, and the Pros watching eagerly for new side-kicks! Take it away, Ciana Finley!"

Now standing in front of the piano and the microphone, despite how nervous Ciana was right now… she was willing to push past her fear for everyone around her, giving off a big smile and nod before now sitting on the stool. Leaning close to the microphone… Ciana took a deep breath before speaking into it. "This song goes out to all the people out there who are thriving hard to become heroes in this world as well as to bring hope for a better future!"

She first responds, now… bringing her fingers to the keyboard, Ciana begins to play a beautiful melody her mother taught her. Keeping her eyes on the keys as Ciana starts to play, opening her mouth to sing the first part…

~𝙒𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙘𝙤𝙨 𝙄'𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙮, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚

𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙥, 𝙘𝙤𝙨 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥~

Ciana's smile rose more warmly and her eyes began to glow again as she continued playing the next tune from the piano.

Class 1A sat in complete astonishment, not expecting Ciana to do something so bold and... beautiful. Most were at a complete loss for words, Jiro seemed the most in tune, smiling softly. "Wow... that's amazing," She couldn't believe her ears. "Maybe we should practice sometime..."

"This is just... so manly," Kirishima wiped his eyes as rivers of tears fell, Ashido smiling fondly at the song as she patted the redhead on the shoulder.

Katsuki stared straight ahead, mouth slightly ajar, Uraraka beside him smiling with her hands by her chest. Tokoyami had his eyes closed, listening in serenity. Somewhere else, Todoroki was shocked to see her perform, again, his mother's words repeating in his head, bringing him some freedom from his internal turmoil, like Ciana's quirk expanded over the arena. Over by 1B, everyone more or less gave the same reactions as their classmates. Yuuki was the one who stood there, staring down at Ciana as her eye twitched with hesitance, trying to remain aloof.

The teachers enjoyed the display, as well as the audience captivated in silence. Aizawa watched furrowly, he had seen Ciana's personality first hand, she worried a lot for Izuku, and the well being of her class, and came off as timid or shy. In reality, she was very passionate about her stance on what made a hero, and hardly showed an ounce of fear should anyone threaten that stance of hers. She may not be the strongest physical wise, but even if she didn't win the festival, she had the fortitude of a hero.

In Recovery Girl's office, said woman listened with a smile while working. All Might sat in his chair with a wide smile at his student, but spared a glance to his successor, smiling all the more. Izuku was star struck, no longer laying down but sitting straight as his eyes remained wider than plates, mouth ajar slightly as he listened to every word, the gentle tune of the piano. Everything burned in his heart, as a few tears caught in his eyes.

Ciana was fighting so hard all day, her doubts, anguish, pride, it was all buried for their sakes until now. She was fighting her own way, she didn't need to win or to fight to prove who and what she is. He loved her, God he loved her more in that moment, his own smile appearing again as his heart pounded in his chest.

Ciana already could feel the smiles around her, not even glancing up to see that as she felt strangely warm inside… it was enough to continue, her own smile stayed as she played.

~𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜

𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪~

She thought about Izuku during that part, her expression turning warm and her cheeks even turning pink thinking of her hero.

~𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙄'𝙢 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙄'𝙢 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚~

Now thinking of everyone around her as she puts a lot of heart into the next part of her song.

~𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡~

That part of the song might be referring to Izuku, Todoroki, Bakugo and even Uraraka as Ciana was thinking of them. Once again pausing her voice to play the next tune…

Far away from the Sports Festival, watching a flat screen alone with his thoughts, Meru Zena twiddled his fingers, listening to the girl's gentle song, he bowed his head, feeling himself fall back into his memories. His cause, however sinister it may seem, he will achieve it. This girl's resolve only hardened his own, that of which he was thankful for.

Back at UA, Chaser sat on his own personal perch, using a phone he... procured, to record the sight of the girl's smile and actions. "Well, what better way to show her growth than with video evidence? A letter can only do so much," He chuckled to himself, keeping the camera steady.

Ciana doesn't even shake up or stutter as she sung and played, feeling very confident in herself now especially thinking of all her friends around her… even her mother who taught Ciana to play and sing these encouraging songs that would help perk her up, Ciana felt more happy knowing she got to share her song in a whole new world… which had her shed some tears but still kept smiling.

~𝙒𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙘𝙤𝙨 𝙄'𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙮, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚

𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙥, 𝙘𝙤𝙨 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥~

A tear slipped down from her eyes, but nothing sad as she made a promise to everyone through this son. Slowly closing her eyes, she finishes her last part for everyone around her.

~𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡… 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥…~

Now finished with her last line… Cianas eyes closed again once she finished up with the next piano tune… her fingers now off the keyboard as her eyes opened back up, looking bright like stars as well as her smile with some tears still showing in the corner of her eyes…

There was utter silence for a few seconds before a few started to clap from various corners of the stadium. Soon, that few turned to dozens, then hundreds upon thousands as the crowd yelled and clapped for the performance. Slowly, Present Mic came back on the speakers. ~What A Performance from Class 1A's Ciana Finley! Talk about going Plus Ultra, am I right!?~

"Woo! That was awesome~!" Up at her class' stand, Ashido was waving her arms frantically with Kirishima.

Ciana stood up to hear all the claps, cheers and comments around her. Her hands went up to her heart as she felt even warmer seeing how her song made everyone feel. Her smile became even brighter with a pleasant giggle as she felt so happy and proud in this moment… a few more tears leaked out but gave a bow towards everyone around her.

Ciana felt her song got through a lot of people now, hoping especially towards her friends… now waving cheerfully around her as she stood back up to walk off the stage.

Returning to her class for a bit before her match with Yuuki. Ciana turned the corner only to be immediately bombarded by her friends. "That was so beautiful! Your singing is soooo good!" Hagakure waved frantically.

"It was so sweet, I loved it~!" Ashido wept a little, rubbing her eyes just like Kirishima.

"I feel like it spoke to my soul, Finley!" Kirishima agreed with them.

"Your voice was so nice to listen to!" Uraraka and Tsu said at the same time.

"Your words have touched many hearts," Tokoyami concurred, nodding his head in respect.

"Really, none of us could believe it when you suddenly appeared beside Ms Midnight," Sero pitched in for the boys.

"I know you said you sang but I never knew you were a pianist?" Jiro, the musician of the bunch, was the most intrigued. "Self taught or is your family like mine? Music being a thing for you?"

Ciana was very startled and yelped by the sudden bombing of her friends, darting her gaze around to meet each one's eyes. Ciana was incredibly red from the praises she was getting but made her so happy to see everyone lit up like she hoped it would do for them… making her really happy as a few more tears ended up appearing in the corner of her eyes again. "M-my mom taught me how to play when I was very young, I figured those skills I learned would be put into some good use during this festival."

Ciana expressed happily, really glad to have brought her mothers song out to everyone around her. "Thank you everyone… I-I'm so happy I could do something for all of you, it's my way to thank you all for all the support you've been giving me…" she expresses from her heart as her hands locked together above her chest.

"You kidding? You've been giving all of us encouragement since today started, heck, even before that!" Kirishima shrugged like it wasn't obvious.

"You may not have done anything spectacular in the festival itself, but you've done things your own way which were pretty admirable, ribbit," Tsu replied.

"Seriously, like, you even got this guy to be left speechless," Kaminari smirked as his thumb pointed back to Katsuki who swung around and yelled, his eyes jagged.

"What was that, Dunce Face!?" He growled.

"Cool your jets, Bakugo, just admit it, Finley was pretty cool," Ashido grinned with narrowed eyes as she put her elbow on Ciana's shoulder.

"I wasn't asking for your opinion, Raccoon Eyes!" He huffed, turning to face the arena. "And besides, your match is next."

"So, guess the way to this guy's heart is through bloody combat, talk about a high bar," Hagakure snarked bluntly.

Ciana kept smiling at her friends around her and was even very surprised to hear her song touched Bakugos heart too which had her eyes widened a little, but they could clearly see she was happy to hear that as well as the other comments her friends made, causing her to giggle happily.

Ciana at least hasn't forgotten about her match soon, giving a nod and a determined smile as she raised her fists to show she's ready. "Right! I'll give it my very best!" Already she repeats her words from her song. "Win or lose, I'm happy to have represented all of you in my mothers song."

"Good luck!" Several of her closest friends waved as Ciana took off.

Upon running down the stairs, Ciana brought herself to a halt as she almost crashed into somebody. That 'somebody' being the person she hoped heard her song the most, Izuku. He was still wrapped with bandages, and wore a spare jacket, leaving his torso exposed, even his burnt trouser leg wasn't replaced but he was able to move around again.

"..." He stared at her, completely enthralled for a moment as his heart rate bounced and a steady pink pigment crossed his face.

As happy as Ciana was to see Izuku, her worries returned seeing he's already up and still injured. "Izuku?" She quickly approached to look him over, not paying any mind to how he's reacting towards her but more concerned for his well-being still. "W-what are you doing out of the infirmary already? You should be still resting after that intense explosion before…" Ciana eyed his wounds, wondering if he wasn't completely healed, she figured the nurse's healing would have left Izuku drained.

"Uh, y-yeah, I... I just needed m-my stamina back a-as I only had minor scratches and bumps l-left," He stuttered, still caught staring at her eyes. "Plus, I-I wanted t-to be here for your m-match,"

As happy as she was to hear Izuku still wanted to support her… her gaze looked back up in concern still for him. "Doesn't look like just normal bumps and scratches… you shouldn't push yourself like this Izuku, can you even walk fine?"

"Yeah, i-it's why I'm here, R-Recovery Girl's scary," He chuckled a little before looking down with a silly smile. "I-I heard y-you sing again... it w-was really nice,"

Forgetting about her song for a moment, she now looked surprised to hear his comment. Which brought her shy smile back as well as the pink in her cheeks. "Y-you heard too? I-I'm so glad you think so!" She expressed happily but bashfully at the same time.

"I-I planned that as a surprise for everyone, I admit I was worried I chicken out… but thinking of all of you has given me a lot of confidence to proceed and pull it off." Thinking of her friends and her mother has helped her, Ciana honestly couldn't believe she managed to pull it off in front of a crowd.

"I, uh..." He held back on what he wanted to say, and to do. Now wasn't the time, and she needed to focus as he had for his battle with Todoroki. Offering instead a confident smile with his fist out to her. "I'll be rooting for you, all the way."

Ciana kinda expected him to say more, but her smile rose back confidently again with a determined nod. Fist bumping him back. "I'll give it everything I have!" She replied more pleasantly, then quickly she pecked his cheek… which one again gave him a warm boost.

Now continuing down the stairs with a bright smile, looking back at Izuku with a wider smile. "Rest up and don't keep pushing yourself, I'll see you again soon!" She responds before taking off running toward her match once again.

[Transition]

~And we're right back into the mayhem after that clash of the elements! I hope you're ready because it's a total cat fight!~ Present Mic hollered as two contestants stepped up onto the newly rebuilt stage, the audience roaring louder. ~After that touching performance, this wildcard's been making some unexpected moves today, making it to the quarter finals, it's Ciana Finleeeeey! Meanwhile, on the opposite end is the cool, calm, and collected assassin that made quick work of all her enemies. From 1B it's Remiru Yuukiii!~

Both girls stared each other down. "So, it has come to this..." Yuuki murmured, adjusting her mask over her mouth and nose.

Ciana kept her smile as she walked out to the field and back onto the platform, surprised they could fix it up so fast… Ciana gave Yuuki a confident, kind smile and a nod towards her in response. "Looks like it has, whatever happens it's an honor to compete with and against you."

She replied happily, now getting into her battle stance. "Ready whenever you are Yuuki." The glint in her eyes showed back in them again.

"Hm, we'll see," She replied, her aura radiating similarly to Todoroki's. Her snow-white glow gave off no emotion, suppressing everything like a machine.

"Midoriya, Uraraka?" Behind the two, Iida appeared with a grim face. "I must apologize but I'm afraid I must leave for a family emergency,"

"Huh?/What?" They gaped, seeing that the match was about to begin.

"But what about your match?" Uraraka asked worryingly.

"I will have to forfeit, though I've explained to one of the teachers, so the festival will still carry on as normal, but I at least wished for you two to know to inform Finley of my absence from her match," He bowed a little to them, ashamed he couldn't watch her fight.

"I-it's fine, she'd want you to go immediately too," Izuku replied for Ciana, Uraraka nodding vigorously. "But... what's wrong?"

"My brother, he... was in an accident, but I can't say much else I'm afraid," Iida informed them vaguely. Forcing a smile, he asked them, "Please, in my stead, give her my support as well,"

While it sucked he had to leave, they understood the significance. The two smiled to one another, nodding to their friend. "Sure, you can count on us, Iida!" Uraraka saluted, and their Rep sighed with relief.

"Thank you, both of you," With this, he quickly ran off, leaving them to return to their seats.

"Poor Iida, hopefully things will be okay," Uraraka bit her cheek, wondering how bad it was.

"All we can do is hope, but let's show his support as well as ours," Izuku affirmed, the two sitting down. "Ciana needs all the support she can get, Yuuki... is by far her most dangerous opponent,"

~Let's get this party started, Begiiin!~

Hearing the start, Ciana once again lights herself back up as she makes her move. Remembering how closely she watched Yuuki fight before and knew she would be a tough one to beat. "I have to keep an open mind against her, from how she was with Kaminari, it won't be too easy to make a strike or grab…"

She at least worked out some strategies so hopefully Ciana can find an opening.

Once Ciana started moving, Yuuki did nothing but watch. Seeing as her opponent didn't want to fight first, Ciana rushed her, gathering light between her fists before releasing them once she felt she was close enough. Two flashes went off, and when the light cleared, Ciana gasped as she found a foot lodged against her stomach, the force knocking the wind from her sails as she took a tumble backward. "I've seen that move too, how predictable,"

Taking a breath, Yuuki made her move, catching up to where Ciana caught herself on all fours. Yuuki swung her left leg, Ciana pushing backward to avoid the sweep only for Yuuki to bring the heel down, nearly striking Ciana who rolled back to her feet and lunged for a peek-a-boo technique, swinging her body with her strikes, but the silverette evaded them all without breaking a sweat, suddenly rushing to Ciana's left, striking her across the cheek with her right fist, causing the ravenette to stumble. "Amateur at best,"

~We're already started and not one of Finley's attacks have landed!~

Ciana actually was very stunned none of her attacks were working, it's clear even Yuuki has kept a close watch on her too. Even if she's got the upper hand, Cianas fists still clenched with her determined smile still intact, willing to still give it her best. "You clearly have been observant from every turn around you, I admit I'm really impressed."

She ends up commenting as she still tries and fights, kicks, punches, even dodge. Cianas glow kept becoming brighter the more she felt determined to succeed, gritting her teeth as Ciana tried and fought hard just like all her friends did.

Every time Ciana made a form of counterattack, Yuuki simply evaded and struck home. Knocking Ciana around like a punching bag without restraint. However, Ciana kept getting back up, her aura keeping her body from getting too bruised but there was only so much it could absorb for her, whatever Yuuki's quirk was, her attacks were hard and fast.

"So, we have no idea what her quirk is?" Uraraka ended up asking, wincing every time Ciana was knocked flying backward by a snap kick.

"Nothing. I assumed it was a form of enhancer but it's so hard to tell, but I'm certain she uses this technique me and Ciana were taught when we first trained for the entrance exam," Izuku's brow was creased, pencil frozen above his notebook. "Yuuki's clearly had proper martial arts training too, and her resolve is almost chilling,"

"Yeah, no kidding..." Uraraka gulped. Meanwhile, Katsuki kept his eyes on the two below, watching Ciana's moves carefully.

Again, Ciana swung a left hook, one blocked with ease by Yuuki who pushed it aside only to blink as Ciana dipped underneath her jab and swiped her right arm wide, striking Yuuki's side. The silverette stumbled a bit, regaining her bearings as she rubbed her side.

~Looks like Finley finally landed a solid punch!~

Ciana smiled more confidently at the first strike, even if it wasn't enough so far at least she did something. Seeing an opening, with her eyes narrowing in more seriousness and determination Ciana makes the next punch and kick, even the light in her eyes shined brighter.

Yuuki stood straight, now, her eye was narrowed. "...is that all? How big of a hypocrite are you exactly?" Catching Ciana's fist, she twisted her arm and struck Ciana's chest with the heel of her palm to shove her back. "Spouting hollow words that you don't even believe in yourself,"

Despite the painful strike, Ciana perked up in confusion by Yuukis words. Which sounded cold and insulting. Ciana didn't understand what she meant but not like she let it get to her as her smile rose again. "Who says I don't?" She replies playfully but determinedly as she tries to push forward again with another punch or kick somewhere.

"I got this far because I had all my friends and my mothers words to encourage me to push forward!" Even as she talked she kept going. "Knowing some of my friends who are struggling to achieve their goals is more than enough for me to keep fighting! I'm not just fighting for myself but for everyone around me who I come to love in this world!" Cianas eyes and her aura around her became even brighter as she thought of them, giving her much strength in her heart.

"Her movements are getting faster... though not by much," Yuuki noted, keeping the girl from touching her as now Yuuki struck Ciana across the cheek then dove over her jabs to bring her leg down across Ciana's neck, catching her and tossing the ravenette across the concrete. "You keep saying that, you really believe the bullshit that comes out of your mouth?"

Ciana spun around to strike only for Yuuki to catch wrist, bringing her left elbow across Ciana's face again, stumbling back, Ciana was forced to evade to the left, then to the right of Yuuki's sharp crosses. One jab Ciana caught with both hands, but found herself struggling to push back as Yuuki held her fist forward, pressing down on the otherworlder's palms. "Big promises but all talk."

Ciana didn't understand why she suddenly was being so mean now especially since she said she wanted to help her classmate before, either way Ciana gritted her teeth as she now tried to push hard against her hands. "Why are you suddenly acting so cold? I mean you always came off a mystery but you came here to be a hero didn't you?" Her feet tried to stay firmly on the ground as she struggled a bit.

"I get that this is a fight to prove who's the best but no reason to not act more sportsmanlike." Trying to lighten up the mood, grunting as Ciana tried to stand strong.

"Why would I care about sportsmanship?" Suddenly, Yuuki swept past Ciana, allowing her own weight to fall forward as a sharp pain shot through her lower back as Yuuki swung her leg across it, flinging Ciana onto her stomach. "Every time you keep smiling like everything is okay, when it's not. This world doesn't care for people like you who think smiling will solve anything,"

Without rest, Yuuki closed the gap, striking Ciana left and right, even as she struck it's as if Yuuki knew exactly the move Ciana would make, avoiding and countering all in the same frame as her tone grew more jagged. "A smile can't fix broken lives, a smile won't heal wounds, and words are so much worse, they're hollow, meaningless phrases that carry no weight without action. I've seen how you act, you're by far the one type of person I hate most in this rotten world!"

One final punch to the gut nearly brought Ciana down, crumbling to her knees to cough as her vision finally pierced the cold aura surrounding Yuuki. Her anger, hatred, sorrow, despair, it was all centered around herself. Yuuki... "...you hate yourself?" Those three words brought Yuuki to a standstill, eye frozen in place.

~What's this!? It seems like Yuuki's completely frozen up, and after holding the advantage this whole time!~

Cianas gaze turned up to look sympathetically toward the girl, Ciana was shocked enough the girl actually hated her but it sounded like she was going through some pain herself… Ciana stood back on her feet, eyeing the girl with curious and concerned eyes as her hand went to her shoulder to ease her own pain she currently felt from the strikes.

"Why…? What happened to make you feel this much despair?" She now asked in concern rather than anger, now just worried how Yuuki was feeling.

"Shut up... you don't know what you're talking about," Yuuki warned. But aura saw through it all. Yuuki was hateful towards anyone that got close. Her sorrow was built upon by years from lack of parental love. Parents... was that the route of it? Her sorrow buried deep in that word, her grief, even specks of anger. The once white field around her heart had turned into many shades of grey that Ciana could see and pick apart with her gaze alone. Aura was evolving, she could see Yuuki's heart.

Ciana could understand some of what she felt, it's how she felt back in her world… Now instead of fighting, Ciana powered down to approach the broken girl. "Yuuki… I-I might not understand what you're going through, but you're not alone as you might think…"

She paused her steps, her hand going to her heart as she still eyed her worryingly. "You have so many friends here who look up to and support you, in a way they are your family who love you… I could see it from your classmates, especially Kendo who acts like a sister toward you." Ciana can remember how soft she goes when she's around the girl.

"I was alone for a while too… especially when I lost my mom, I had some resentment and lost my faith in the world when she was murdered. I didn't even have any friends before either but meeting everyone in UA has brought me so much warmth and happiness, you have that too from how you are with your friend… that's proof you are loved and not alone." Ciana tried to offer a compassionate smile toward Yuuki despite the hatred she still might feel for her.

~What's going on down there...?~ Mic murmured as the crowd was a little quieter.

But Yuuki felt her heart rate beginning to race out of control, her hands rose to her head, tugging on the black bow as if it irritated her. Even her breathing got shallow as her head clogged with images of nothing but fire, the stench of ash and burning skin and hair, the horrible sound of glass shattering. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the memories that kept pouring through her cracks. She had a mission... she had to... she... she...

Something in her head snapped. Her bow was torn off by her nails, now sharpened to a point, revealing the pair of whitish-pink cat ears once concealed as a matching tail swept from the waistband of her trousers as a feral rage burned in her iris. "What the hell do you know!?" She screamed, and before long, pain erupted across Ciana's right arm that raised to block the strike, seeing three long cuts down her skin that pierced her aura. "You still have a home to go back to!" Her claws swept down viciously, carving through Ciana's aura. "You still have family to go back to!" Another row of claws tore down the ravenette's arms, trying desperately to block their bloodied tips. "You can rely on nobody but yourself!"

She swung her foot forward, cracking against Ciana's stomach, lifting her off the ground with a strained cry as she spat from the force, collapsing to the ground in pain. Then, Yuuki stomped down on Ciana's back, pinning her. "But you... you squander a power so many would bleed to have! You fear it, yet it can do so much good - you make me sick! Don't pretend that damn quirk gives you any right to understand me! People... heroes like you... are scumbags!" She pushed down harder, forcing a cry from Ciana. "Yield..."

Ciana was very shocked and taken back to see Yuuki's fury, especially her own quirk… she felt a lot of pain the way she clawed her. But despite how she felt… she could tell Yuuki was hurting more. As she was struggling with a wince and a grunt, she opened her eyes with her own fierce glare. "N-no! I won't yield!" She yelled… the aura in her eyes burned brighter, now pushing back as hard as she could.

"I may feel how hurt your feeling but even if I didn't have the power I can see it clearly in your eyes as well!" She yelled. "I'm here because I want to stand up for people like you! Whether you believe me or not, I suffered pain worse than you can imagine!" She replied as she now was getting strong enough to push her back, flinging her away as Ciana now stood up again with more seriousness in her eyes.

"I watched and witnessed how others suffered here too! But no matter how much they hate or want to push me away, I want to be here for all of you like you did me! And I won't give up on you either, Yuuki!" She shouted out as her glow burned brighter in so much fierceness and determination.

By now, Ciana's eyes were like stars, but there was something else, her aura no longer surrounded her like a veil, instead, it formed in compact layers around her bleeding forearms. A layer around her shins and chest like radiant armour. Yuuki crouched on the ground, panting heavily, her eye trembled with rage as she lunged for Ciana, pouncing like a wild cat without realizing it, but her speed only seemed to remain the same, closing the gap on her enemy in seconds.

She slashed like a wild animal in long, arching strokes, her right hand coming down across Ciana's arms and into the ground with enough force to split the concrete. Yuuki rolled right before leaping, bringing the full weight of her heel down across Ciana's right arm, dragging it away from the girl's face as a gust of wind billowed beneath them. Ciana took the silverette's frenzied state to sock her across the face with her left, the heat from her aura burning the bandana off her face.

Yuuki stumbled, shaking off the strike as her bandana fell away, and a small gust of wind pulled back her hair, revealing her right eye. The colour was faded and glazed over, Yuuki was blind in that eye, long white scars like a shrapnel blast marring the skin around it. But with her face no longer covered, her teeth were clenched, showing off her fangs. Then, Yuuki closed the distance, grabbing and punching Ciana with her own right fist before slamming her elbow into Ciana's chest.

"Why won't you just give up?" Yuuki growled, pivoting away from Ciana's knee followed by a left cross. Yuuki wrapped her arm under Ciana's neck, choking her as she threw Ciana down with enough force that an audible slap echoed. "You couldn't beat me with your half-assed strength what makes you think you can now!?"

Her foot struck the ground, missing Ciana who rose with her uppercut, striking Yuuki across the jaw, followed by her foot pressed to Yuuki's left forearm, spinning herself around to strike with right foot in a snap kick, swiping Yuuki's cheek. The two girls stumbled away from one another, panting heavily with sweat dripping down their faces.

Despite how exhausted Ciana was feeling right now, it wasn't enough for her to give up… panting heavily, she faced Yuuki again with her fierce glare still intact. "I endured much pain over the years which made me how strong I am today, but not just that. But because remembering all the people I came across who suffered and cried just like I did when I was little…" She goes to approach her now with her eyes staying on Yuuki with a bold walk.

"I'm determined to stand strong and be here for all of you who felt the same pain I did, no one else would do that for my mother when she stood up for someone that costed her her own life… and I'm not going to let fear stop me from wanting to be there for you!" She glared down at her as she approached, her eyes softening up a little towards the broken girl.

Yuuki was starting to see red. This... brat, the only reason she was even here was to fill the role as her battery to forcibly evolve her quirk to open rifts to other worlds. If not for her master, Ciana would be some nobody girl that would disappear someday in her boring life. And yet, she was bleeding and sweating just to fight Yuuki. She kept getting up, she kept fighting... why? "Why is she so damn determined...?" Yuuki's hands shook with fury, charging straight toward her, caution abandoned. "To Beat Me!?"

~When I said this would be a cat fight, I never expected it to be literally! Our two competitors are battling tooth and nail with almost not end in sight!~

"Hyaaaaah!"

Gold and silver collided. Yuuki tackled Ciana to the ground slashing at her warded arms, when one claw swept by, Ciana twisted her hand around Yuuki's shirt, punching her square in the face until she could wiggle her legs underneath the girl and boot her off. With the grace of a feline, Yuuki landed perfectly, but she remained hunched, clearly fatigued as she was struck against her side and smacked with Ciana's elbow to the jaw. As she stumbled around, Yuuki sprang her leg back, knocking the wind from the ravenette's lungs.

Catching herself, Ciana twisted her grip around Yuuki's ankle, dragging the silverette close enough for her right cross to connect, flinging Yuuki back on her hands and knees, claws dug into the earth. That's when Yuuki froze in horror, staring down at her blood-stained hands. What was she doing? Why was she using this part of her? No... everyone can see it now.

Ciana could see how much she was bleeding like her, this isn't what she wanted… to cause others pain… seeing that has caused Ciana gasp in horror of herself. Ciana didn't want to cause pain… she wanted to prevent that, she ended up stepping back when Ciana noticed Yuuki bled.

Ciana didn't want to keep this fight going to win, but she had to defend herself and stand strong for her… Ciana approached again but this time… to offer her hand. "Yuuki… this has gone far enough, whatever is affecting you please let me help you, I know all our friends will want to do the same for you as well. You're not alone." Ciana softened up, her eyes full of much concern for the poor girl.

~After a grueling battle, it seems like Finley's... offering her opponent a hand! Who could've seen that coming!?~

Yuuki slowly wrapped her tail back underneath her trousers, but she couldn't hide her ears, as much as it disgusted her. But her eyes widened upon seeing Ciana offer her hand... they were in the middle of a fight, you fought to win, not call it quits when you felt like it. Yet, this wasn't a battle to the death or with a villain, it was just a stupid festival. Closing her eyes, Yuuki let out a shaky breath, "I win," In a flash of silver, Ciana felt a strong grip yank her wrist, dragging her around before she was tossed, hitting the soft grass below.

The stunt shocked the whole stadium as Yuuki stood up, patting her hair down to cover her scarred eye as she walked away. Midnight sighed, but raised her hand. "Finley is out of bounds, Yuuki will advance to the next round!"

~Well, uh... ahem, what an intense match! Who could've predicted such a close quarters fight from two polar opposite competitors!?~

A number did cheer, but it was clear her action at the end left many distasteful of her lack of sportsmanship, but Yuuki didn't care, her anger was gone, replaced with too many thoughts that clouded her mind. She just wanted people to stop staring at her while she vigorously wiped the blood off her hands, trying to ignore how it made her chest feel ice cold. She failed... She failed her master's mission.

Ciana was surprised by the throw, she landed across with a grunt, she may have lost but winning is never what mattered to her. As soon as Cianas power was down, that's when she began to feel pain from the harsh slashes… Ciana hissed in pain and tried to stand up as she eyes Yuuki where she landed.

But her vision got blurry… without warning Ciana went limb as she now passed out on the grass in defeat…

[Transition]

What only felt like minutes to her, Ciana grunted as she felt her eyes adjust to the ceiling above her. She was right back in Recovery Girl's temp office. Sitting upright, she found herself without her jacket, it sat neatly at the end of the bed. Her arms were wrapped up in bandages, same for her forehead, and upon lifting her shirt, her stomach was the same, she felt weak and awful.

"Well, I'm surprised you're awake so quickly, and after exhausting your quirk again," Recovery Girl huffed, frowning at Ciana. "You are as reckless as Midoriya, you had drained far too much stamina for me to heal you properly, so the rest of your injuries will need to heal naturally, so no quirk usage," She pointed sharply, then handed what appeared to be a chocolate bar. "Eat this to help,"

Ciana could see she ended up just like where Izuku did, she frowned sadly but mostly by what the nurse said. Her friends are probably so disappointed in her right now… sitting up, she accepted the chocolate bar without question. "Thanks…"

She thanked her and then took a bite out of it. "…I'm so sorry, I know that was reckless… but I had to keep fighting, but it wasn't to win…" she replied sadly, she remembered the pain in Yuuki's eyes when they fought. She somehow suffered terribly…

"Yes, yes, you both seem so adamant about that stance," The older woman sighed, turning to look at Ciana in her chair. "But you need to learn to take care of yourselves, how are you supposed to be heroes if you already come within an inch of your lives, hm? What you did was the right thing but please don't make this a habit," Then she gave a small smile. "You did well, I'm certain All Might will praise you for your actions but don't let that reckless fool get into your head."

Ciana perked up her gaze toward the nurse as she managed to smile a little, nodding at her words. "I'll try my best, sometimes we can't help but do dumb and reckless things when we really want to help someone." She smiled a bit more, at least didn't take the loss hard. But Ciana was more worried about how her friends viewed her during that match… they are probably so confused about what just happened.

"If you're confident you can walk, the next match won't be long now, so relax and take it easy dearie," Recovery Girl reminded her.

She nodded again, now swinging her legs off the bed to stand up… she winced a bit but she didn't want to lay down all day. "Thank you again." She thanked her again with a smile before walking out the door, though now goes back to frowning… Ciana was afraid to face her friends after that match, knowing Bakugo… he will probably be so disappointed in her…

While in her thoughts on how her friends viewed her, a voice caught her attention not far from the office. "-I know, I... yes, I understand,"

"Hm?" Hearing the voice that perked her up in curiosity, Ciana went to go follow it as she began to wonder who it was that was nearby…

Rounding a corner, Ciana came to a stop when she saw Yuuki standing alone, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her cat ears were hidden behind a new bow, and her nails were no longer extended into tiny claws. But she looked stressed, and despite her quirk being out of commission, it was obvious how much anxiety and fear fell from Yuuki's lips as she spoke down the phone. "I apologize, i-it won't happen again - yes, yes I will... bye," Hanging up, she sucked in a trembling breath, her body letting out a shiver.

Ciana was startled a little when she ended up spotting Yuuki, hiding behind the corner as she began to wonder who she was talking to? Her brows narrowed in curiosity of what that was all about… though after that intense fight Ciana had with her, she wasn't sure how to approach the girl right now…

Yuuki raised her head, eye narrowed slightly. "You know I can hear you, just come out already,"

Flinching at her voice, she forgot how observant Yuuki is… sighing, Ciana ended up showing her face by coming into view. Offering her a smile but it looked anxious. "Hey Yuuki…" she greeted her, rubbing at her injured arm. "Congratulations for making it to the finals… are you alright?" She now asked as her gaze turned worried again.

"Semi finals, I will be confronting Katsuki Bakugo," Yuuki corrected, her malice dried up as she looked at her clean hands wrapped in bandages. "I... lost control, I let everyone see that side of my quirk... I swore I'd bury it, but some aspects I cannot avoid, like heightened senses, hearing and sight in particular," Her bow twitched to emphasize that. "You saw through my walls, you..." She exhaled, closing her fists. "My... mentor, wasn't happy with my performance... for what I did... I... apologize," This time, her voice wasn't nearly as apathetic when she spoke, she sounded almost as lost as Todoroki.

Ciana could clearly see that even without her power, she wasn't angry with her. Ciana smiled a little more for her as she went to approach her more with a hand on her shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with showing off your quirk like that, despite how mad you are at me, I really thought you looked cool. It makes sense now why you're so swift like that, like a cat." She smiled more for her.

"It's not my place to ask so I won't until you think you're ready… whatever your mentor expects out of you I'm not sure, but what you showed out there shows how really strong you are and even you didn't give up how much I fought you." Ciana does admire Yuuki's fighting style especially from what she heard from her friends. "I know we barely know each other and you might not trust me yet… but if something is bothering you Yuuki, try reaching out to your friends or even ms Midnight." She advises, her eyes softening a little. Not showing any fear of her.

"Whatever is troubling you… I know they all will be here to help you with anything that's bothering you, I wasn't comfortable telling my friends my problems for a while… but when I finally did, they made me feel so warm and at home… so I know they will do the same for you if you just open a bit more." Ciana still wanted to be here for Yuuki especially when she saw the pain in her eyes.

"It's a curse..." She shrugged off Ciana's hand. "I don't get you... I've ran your words into the mud, I tore you apart with a quirk I wish I never had, I've done nothing to warrant your trust at all," They came eye to eye, and Ciana saw the hesitation - no, the utter loss in what Ciana was trying to do. Yuuki didn't understand it because... she really didn't. "What is it you want from me?"

She blinked from her question, not understanding it as she tilted her head in confusion. "What do I want? Nothing at all other than wanting to help you." She answered honestly, offering another smile.

"Your quirk isn't a curse Yuuki, someone close to me once told me a quirk isn't bad depending how you use it. Everyone here has powerful and dangerous looking quirks, but they use it for good intentions. Even the pro hero's." Her arms went behind her back as she kept her smile. "Yes I worried too my quirk was bad news… but instead of using it like the villains I want to put it into good use, it's my own power. Not anyone else's."

But that's what Yuuki was. She was the only hope her people had to leave this awful world behind. If she couldn't grow strong enough, then they'd continue to suffer, none of them will find peace. But, that's all she's ever known. She was the catalyst that would save them, she was no hero, she only wanted to do what was right without limits. Yuuki closed her eyes. "...all my quirk has done is remind me of..." She bit her cheek, no, she wouldn't say it. "You said they see me as family, but we're not blood related, none of us are family, we're just students, you... have no reason to be near me," Ciana was her target, nothing more... right?

Cianas eyes began to look sympathetic toward the girl, staring at her a few moments in concern. "Yuuki…" she didn't have any anger towards her, she clearly wasn't a bad person to her, so Ciana kept smiling for her. "Listen… I have a friend who felt the exact same thing you probably do." Referring to Todoroki but doesn't mention his name knowing he doesn't want anyone to know of his problems. "His father was really ruthless and abusive who expected him to be just like him… but he never wanted to be like him, so he refused to use his quirk because it left a lot of bad scars and memories for him…"

Ciana's smile turned sad recalling Todoroki's past. "He suffered a lot of pain too and pushed anyone away who got close… but later he ended up having friends to support him and no matter how much he pushed them away, they didn't give up on him." She smiled more again, referring to Izuku and herself but her other friends too. "Eventually… he finally let those fears go and used his quirk he thought to be a curse, his father was pleased but his son still refused to ever be like him… he wants to be a hero to be there for others and not hurt anyone with it."

"I am not like Todoroki," Yuuki deciphered, her fists shaking slightly. "I don't want to be a hero," Because if Ciana knew, Yuuki was a villain, she never killed but she had still done bad things in the name of salvation. "I just... want to prevent any more tragedies this world makes - but I have to deal with a twisted system to do so, otherwise, I'm a 'villain'," She scoffed, raising a hand to her bangs hiding her right eye. "I have nothing to offer anyone else, I have a role to fulfil and I will do so without complaint. So again I ask, what is it you want from me?" She had no reason to make attachments to allies who would later become her enemies. So why did it hurt to think of that? Why did her chest tighten the more she spoke? What was going on?

Ciana was surprised she actually knew it was Todoroki she was talking about, now becoming confused again as her brows narrowed. She didn't want to be a hero? Then… Why was she even here? Yuuki is more of a mystery to her now. "Yuuki what I want… is to be your friend." She ended up saying, her gaze looking serious.

"I want to stand up and be there for you against anything that's hurting you, even if you still hate and don't trust me… at least open up to your own friends, you don't have to open up everything at once but just start out small." She once again advises, wanting to help her but also for her friends to help too. "I'm sure they will stand up and fight to protect you from whatever hurting you if you just try."

"My... friends?" She rolled the word around in her head. Yes, she knew what that word meant, but... that wasn't something she knew well. "You...? I was taught it didn't matter - that making connections would only create more harm in the end, I... don't think I've had one since... erm... a year after my quirk manifested? I'm not sure," She was five? Maybe six? Yuuki's mind felt foggy on those days. She scratched her cheek a little, clearly out of her element.

Her gaze now turned angry but more whatever the person told her that belief. "That's stupid…" she ends up saying, her voice becoming a little more blunt. "Whoever told you that is horrible, it's obviously to manipulate your own beliefs… Yuuki there's so much hope coming out of this world and I saw it each day I spent here because I had friends who were there for me for each hard path I took…"

Her fists now clenched. "If I hadn't met Izuku then I'm sure I would have felt so lost and probably think this world is dangerous too… but they showed me so much good they want to use their quirks and hearts to make this world a better place to live in."

While that seemed hopeful, it was exactly as Yuuki predicted. She lowered her gaze to the floor. "...you shouldn't speak so openly on your personal bias of this world. I've seen it through a different lens, a hero didn't save me, the ones you speak of... there are far less in the world, they care more for their titles and fame, that inaction and greed breeds vigilantes, villains, the Hero Killer, and those between," Yuuki let out a sigh. "...as I said, I am only here to be licensed in the eyes of those greedy people to satisfy them, but I could care less for being called a hero,"

Relaxing her sharp gaze, she turned her head away, hugging her arms. "I just... need time alone... I don't know what I am to you, or to my class anymore... I... am confused," And scared, new thoughts were filling her head, they made her heart race with excitement but also terror at the consequences.

Ciana sighed… but could tell she had a lot to think about so she didn't pressure her further. "I understand you need time to think… but let me ask you this, you don't have to answer me now but in the future. What do you see?" She now suddenly asks with more seriousness in her eyes. "What is it you see around you and believe? Don't take it from someone who told you how the world works, not even from me. But each day you spend in UA and what you witnessed from peoples actions here… everything that's happening to you right now, do you really believe there's no hope?"

There was no such thing. Is what Yuuki would've said in a heartbeat. But her head and heart weren't communicating anymore, no, they never did, she just followed orders, if she did so, people could have better lives, it was a tangible truth. Now? She had worked her way into the hero course, learned and fought alongside them while safe guarding her master's third person of importance while applying herself. Today had thrown her plan out of the window, she failed to keep Ciana in the festival, she lost her temper, she spilled things that were never meant to be seen or heard. And now she was caught between wanting to stay the course... or to accept the hands that were offered to her.

"I don't know..." Her gaze was genuinely lost. "...I..." She squeezed her biceps tighter. Turning away from Ciana, she whispered. "The final match of the quarter finals will happen shortly, you shouldn't miss it,"

She nodded from her words, though since her friends never came to visit her, she assumed they were ashamed of her… Ciana had her bag with her right now and planned to fulfill the promise she made to Chaser by offering the sweets he wanted. "I'm well aware… give yourself time to think about what I said, keep witnessing everything around you and think over what you see and what you believe… remember, it's what you see with your own eyes. Not anyone else's."

She offered another smile before taking off with her bag, Ciana planned to go outside and see Chaser who would appear before her.

Yuuki watched her leave, pulling out her phone to stare down at the message from her master. It simply said, 'we can talk later if you want?'. For the first time in years, Yuuki stared long and hard at the message, and did the last thing she expected to do, and swiped left to delete it. Pocketing her phone, she tucked her hands into her pockets and wandered down the halls alone.

[Transition]

Just before Ciana could walk up the stairs back to the viewing booths her class were sitting in, she jumped as the entity in question grinned from a shadow on the ceiling, staring at her upside down. "You rang? Yes, I bugged you, gotta keep tabs on my contractor, I like to be professional,"

She got very startled from the sudden appearance on the ceiling, not expecting him to appear there. "Jeez! Don't scare me like that! I understand you want to keep yourself hidden but could there be a less startling way to do it?" She replied playfully, now taking out the sweets in her bag that were still in the container, as well as the letter Ciana wrote to her dad.

"Well, either that or I can walk around in my actual form instead of my Host's, and trust me, that... will draw more heads, haha," He grinned sheepishly, hopping down to stand before her, eyes sparkling with delight. "Oooh, is that them? Mm, I can smell them already~!"

Ciana giggled at the eager display he made, her smile back as she offered them to the guy. "Yep! As promised, I hope they are good as they smell" she replied, now handing them to the world travel.

Taking the package, he opened the container to pick out a dango, the three spheres pink, white, and green in order. With a single bite, he shovelled the whole skewer worth into his mouth, humming with delight as he chewed. After a minute he swallowed, grinning ear to ear as he cooed. "They taste as good as they look~! Ah, if there's one thing all the Japans I've seen do right its delicacies like these!" Licking his lips, he closed the box. "I'll save the rest - now then! I know you've got a match to watch very soon but first, as promised, I shall see to your scouting request, with a letter delivery on the side,"

It was funny and cute to witness the world traveler having a weakness for sweets which caused her to giggle a bit more, perking her smile up wider as Ciana now handed Chaser her written letter. "Thank you so much for everything so far, I can finally rest at ease knowing my dad will ease his own worries." She replies happily, happy to finally be given a chance to reach out to her father.

"You know, getting your hands on Gatestones would probably help," Chaser noted as he toyed with that coin again in his hand, possibly what he was referring to. "While I'm unsure how many otherworlders have come and gone from this realm, there's a chance Gatestones might've ended up here. These little coins are remnants from when people travel between worlds, crushing one with a desired destination in mind will open a one-way portal, have enough of them and you can go anywhere you wish. Pretty handy for a mercenary like myself," His tail patted his chest.

Ciana never expected to bring something like that up, causing her to be really surprised by the news. "Gatestones? Whoa… t-that's incredible, where do you even find one of those things?" She tilted her head in wonder of this new information she's been told.

"Eh, anywhere. Trouble is, the less travellers to and from this world or past it, the less that will form. They can be in the middle of nowhere or in a storefront someplace, who knows," He shrugged, opening his cloak a bit to reveal small pockets lined with matching stones. "As you can tell, I'm already well prepped for travel, so a little scouting request is child's play," As he said this, he crushed the coin in his hand, tossing the sapphire dust ahead of him to form a literal gash in the air, a small pull from it causing their hair to billow. "Won't hold forever, so I'll be going, be back tonight," He patted her head again, waltzing toward the rift.

Ciana watched as he left through the rift which was incredibly cool… So that's how they travel from different worlds? Either way, Ciana smiled and waved goodbye to him for now. "Until next time! I'll see you another time!" She replies happily.

As soon as he was gone, Ciana took a moment to process the info she was just given. Her hand on her chin as she thinks about these so-called Gatestones. "Huh… those things sound pretty dangerous to appear around… I recall I came here by going through an alleyway… would one show up to where I appeared?" That theory of hers had her wondering of the possibility, maybe she will go back and check one of these days, if she can remember where it was….

"That might be hard…" she comments sheepishly, though now thinking back to her friends, Ciana began to frown again. Debating if she should go see them or not. "My friends… never came to see me when I was at the infirmary, not even Izuku…" Ciana frowned sadly realizing this, thinking they are disappointed in her… clenching her fists… Ciana decided not to meet up with them as she turned around, but that doesn't mean she won't watch the match… she ended up going to watch from another location, taking her notebook out to write down her thoughts and what she learned.

Right now Ciana needed to be alone… even as she watched the match from a different location.

Ciana took a spot by the railing above the front most viewers, giving her an ample view of the arena below. The contestants already on the field, she sighed, thankful she made it on time but was a little annoyed she missed Katsuki's and Kirishima's fight. ~After some deliberation amongst the Pros present due to a small bump with our shortage of contestants, it's time for the first match of the semi finals!~

Ciana leaned on the railing, watching closely. ~Time for another elemental showdown! From the hero course, Fumikage Tokoyamiii! Versus, his classmate Shoto Todorokiii! Start!~

Todoroki remained silent, sending a wave of ice instantly to attack Tokoyami, he avoided it, using Dark Shadow like a bungee cord as another small wave of rime formed to his right, forcing him to evade again. But now he was caught between two walls, forced to face Todoroki head on.

~Tokoyami's been surrounded!~

"Dark Shadow, be ready!" Tokoyami alerted his quirk as Todoroki built a cold wind around him, sending a larger glacier down the middle.

~Todoroki's already going for the win!~

"To be, quickly!" Dark Shadow grabbed his master, lifting him above the ice before springing forward on the offensive, much to Todoroki's surprise.

Wasting no time at all, Dark Shadow extended its left arm, swinging for Todoroki who ducked under the blow, but with an inhuman twist, the shade swept back with the same claw, slamming it down on Todoroki's back hard as Tokoyami landed, allowing Dark Shadow to lunge and bind the heterochromia teen's torso.

~Look at that teamwork!~

Todoroki attempted to freeze the ground around them with his palm, but again, Tokoyami evaded with Dark Shadow lifting the boy into the air, pulling him toward the border as quickly as possible.

As Ciana now watched from a different location, so far the match had Ciana perk her up again in awe, especially bird faces attack. "Whoa! So that's the guy's quirk? I thought he had some kind of eagle ability rather than some kind of dark shadow attack…" Ciana remembered when she first met Tokayami, the moment she bumped into him she was so taken back by his bird-like appearance… It was freaky and yet funny to see a student with an animal like head.

"I never recalled birds could unleash shadow-like powers…" Ciana chuckled, there's still so much about quirks Ciana doesn't understand as she smiled watching where she was at the two fighters.

Tokoyami had to focus, if Dark Shadow threw Todoroki out of bounds now without him unleashing his fire he'd-

The sound of ice caught in his ears, alongside Dark Shadow's wail as ice wrapped around the shade's frame. "So far, I've been letting off long-ranged attacks, but focused strikes are my specialty," Todoroki breathed, freezing Dark Shadow entirely in ice as he stepped toward Tokoyami, freezing the ground as he ran. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to match Dark Shadow's speed but grabbing a hold of me was a bad idea,"

"Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami called but the connection between him and the shade couldn't pry him loose, he was stuck as ice crawled up his legs, and before long, he too was encased in ice.

~Tokoyami as been immobilized, Todoroki advances!~ Midnight declared with the crowd going wild again, but Ciana frowned, while she couldn't use her quirk, she saw the expression on Todoroki's face, the same one Yuuki wore, he was lost in his thoughts too.

~Todoroki moves on to the finals without even using his flames again!~ Present Mic all but confirmed it.

Ciana tilted her head in wonder of Todoroki's feelings, she thought he would feel more confident in himself now that Izuku got through to him. Was his dad giving him a hard time again? "I wonder if I should go see him again now that the match is over… maybe now he finally will open up a little."

Her arms laying on the railing as she watched, her concerns were back on Todoroki. Though Ciana worried he still hated her… but not like she can just leave him to be sad, so she ends up going to try and meet up with Todoroki again as she takes off to go find him…

Rounding to where Todoroki would eventually leave, Ciana spotted him leaning against the wall, staring at his hand, then into space. He was deep in thought and hadn't noticed Ciana approaching.

Ciana could see he was distracted… thinking he was worried about his powers again, now approaching with a concerning expression. But smiled a little. "I'm glad you're okay…" she ends up responding. "After seeing that huge explosion you unleashed before… I was so terrified thinking you both lost your lives… I'm relieved to see you're still standing strong, I shouldn't have worried knowing you both." She smiled more warmly after saying that, referring to his match with Izuku.

"Oh, Finley..." He murmured, blinking a bit. "Yeah, the force of our attacks causes the temperature in the air to rapidly heat up and cool down, Midoriya survived based on his power output I imagine, then again, the most damage he suffered was to his forearms,"

Ciana was happy to see he's softening up now, which perked her up more. "Both of you were really reckless out there… but clearly incredibly strong, where I'm from… an explosion like that would have easily killed someone, it amazes me how durable you all are here." She comments with a brighter smile, but then softens back into concern again.

"Are you by any chance still concerned about your power because of your dad? If it makes you feel any better… I didn't give him any satisfaction thinking he got through to you, guy sure is stubborn though." She looked pretty proud now for sticking up for him the second time, though he was probably pleased he watched her stumble with her match with Yuuki…

Again, his eyes fell to his left hand. "I don't know... what Midoriya... and yourself have said is giving me a lot to think about, I'm not quite sure yet what to make of it, I just... need time to work through it," He admitted, if he should reject his fire or accept it as his own. Then his eyes met hers. "Oh, and... I apologize... for lashing out, I see now why you both were persistent, though it can be annoying how easily you both dig into the hearts of those around you,"

Ciana was very surprised by the apology, it warmed her heart to see he's finally opening up. "Don't worry about it, I understand why you were upset. I'm sorry too for meddling in your life… but I didn't want to leave you hurting." She looked a lot more happy now he accepted her as his friend it seems.

"I can understand how hard it is what you're going through… but you don't have to use your flames like your dad, you can use it your own way to succeed. No matter how you decide to use it I know you won't be like that jerk of a father of yours, I believed in you since day one. Why do you think I kept coming back to your side and not felt any fear toward you?" She tilted her head and smiled more pleasantly after saying that.

He stared at her for a moment, unsure of what to say, mainly because he expected she'd show some resentment for the way he talked down to her, and for hurting someone close to her. Instead, he nodded, moving to walk down the hall. "I need time to prepare for whoever I go up against, I'll take what you've said for thought," Then he paused after passing her. "Since you might not have heard, I think the others were trying to see you earlier after your match but came back as Recovery Girl barred them, though that's all I've heard,"

Ciana can see he still needed time to himself to think but is happy she was there for him still, watching him go off. Ciana was taken back in surprise that… her friends did try and go see her, did that mean Todoroki tried to too? Either way she was thankful for the info as she smiled very thankfully toward him, feeling so much relief now.

"Thank you so much for telling me Shoto… that really made me relieved to hear, good luck on your next match! I hope we can talk again soon." She gave him one last bright and happy smile before taking off to finally go see her friends…

Author note

MHA song | Polaris (lullaby version) - /e9kvx_7wDqw