After the announcement of the sports festival was made public throughout the school, those participating began training effortlessly to prepare themselves for what was anticipated to be a brutal tournament; with the circumstances of this year's festival, classes who were usually pitted against one another for individual glory were working together so U.A. Japan would come out on top, and while classes 1-B and 3-A were taking their rivalries with their abroad students as competitive fun, most of class 1-A were going about the showcase of quirks and teamwork on a more serious note. When the day finally came, no one had any idea what to expect, but a potent concoction of anxiety and excitement was present in everybody.
Early that morning, a major news network, one that hosts the sports festival on television every year, stated that due to last year's multiple incidents tied to public broadcasting, there would be no live coverage or taped footage of the events; what they were unable to reveal was the main reason- which involved the knowledge of the abroad students that was instructed by the school itself weeks prior. However, an invitation was personally extended to families of students and other schools who wished to view the events in person, which, regardless of circumstances, meant that security would be tighter than usual despite the abundance of heroes in attendance. As people began to crowd in by the dozens, navigating through the campus became inconvenient for students and faculty of U.A. Japan due to various blockades and privileged accesses, but the minor subterfuges didn't matter, nor did any other ruses. Today was their day to show what they were made of!
The roar of the overcrowded arena came in waves; rushes of anticipation and elated commotion overwhelmed the audience as they impatiently waited for the start of the festival. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and Pro Heroes of Japan, are you ready?!" Announced Present Mic enthusiastically as the crowd cheered vehemently and eagerly. "Welcome, everybody- to this year's U.A. Battle Royale! We've got ourselves a spectacular line-up for you, a once-in-a-lifetime festival for the ages: heroes of Japan versus heroes from around the world! Who will come out on top, and who will learn a harsh lesson in reality?!" The audience thundered wildly for their home team as the abroad students took their place on the decorated makeshift stage and presented themselves by class. "And here to introduce our international opponents is U.A. teacher and Pro Hero, Eraserhead!" Present Mic shouted as he presently emphasized Aizawa, who appeared to be dredging over the fact he was chosen to speak.
"From class 3-A," he began, "Saudi Arabian hero, Shark Bait."
Bassam al-Qahtani is wearing a worn, cotton breechcloth secured similarly to a subligaculum, a keffiyeh of the same material and wear wrapped around the top of his head, and loosely tied in the back- remnants are hanging down off to the side, and woven sandals. He is fashioned with a wooden barrel on his back imprinted with his family's seafood distribution company name in Arabic, settled around his waist with a rope, and an admiralty anchor hung above the barrel bound at the ring with rope; the remaining length is draped over his shoulder and around his torso.
"-French hero, Mirage."
Fatima Kamal is wearing an emerald caftan abaya with sirwal underneath, a half niqaab with a chiffon veil, and slippers. Each piece is adorned with intricate gold embroidery, patterns, and beaded ornaments, accented with gold jewelry such as multiple rings and hair pins. Her green, gold, and black makeup compliments her hero costume.
"-American hero, Abracadabra!"
Chelsea Weisz is wearing a red, tailored tailcoat with black silk lapels, silver Hamsa lapel pin, silver cufflinks, studs, and covered buttons, fitted, white marcella dress shirt with purple bow tie, black, high-waisted hot pants, white gloves, matte, seamless, sheer-to-waist pantyhose, black, shiny, patent leather pumps, and black silk top hat with purple ribbon. Her hair is worn down, revealing the long, razor-cut style of her hair length and bangs. Her makeup is paired with a natural, full-coverage face and red lips.
"-And lastly, Somalian hero, Thantophobia."
Omar Muhammad-Najjar is wearing a black, loose-fitting jellabiya and sarawil, navy cotton sheets worn around his waist reaching just above his ankles and another draped across his shoulder, navy cotton shemagh, and sandals with straps over the instep and around the ankles. A synthetic leather eyepatch with a thick buckle strap is worn over his right eye.
"Now give it up for Japan's own 3-A!"
Present Mic broadcasted loudly over Aizawa as he finished his introductions while the remainder of the class was walking out toward the center of the arena. Mirio, who was up in the stands with Eri up on his shoulders, was cheering vociferously while flaunting his U.A. sports paraphernalia.
"From class 1-B," Aizawa taxingly continued,
"Haitian hero, Diamant Noir."
Estelle Bonaly is wearing a white lycra, silk, and mesh competitive figure skating dress with a high neckline and open back; her skirt and sleeves are adorned with rhinestones, swarovski crystals, and diamonds in a sporadically random, alternating, rhythmic pattern while the upward, alternating, flowing pattern on her torso and lower right corner of her neck is more concentrated. Her tights are decorated in the same pattern as her sleeves and skirt, her boots are matte white. Her hair is fastened into a tight top bun. Her makeup is bold and accented with loose and chunky white glitter.
"-Australian hero, Ka-Blam!"
Mickey Cox is wearing a blue, spandex body suit with a red belt and white, five-pointed star belt buckle, white boots with red trim, white gloves, a red, ankle-length cape, and a red eye mask. Their hero symbol, located at the center of their chest, is the Union Jack in the shape of a large, seven-pointed star with their hero's name comically printed over the top, along with four smaller seven-pointed stars surrounding the symbol. Their hair is slicked back except for a curl that hangs over their forehead.
"-Chilean hero, El Volcán Niño."
Javier Montañero is wearing a vicuña wool, richly-dyed unca, designed with black and white checks and a red triangle below the neck, breechcloth, and yacolla of the same material and vibrancy, sewn with gold thread. The soles of his sandals are made of untanned leather, and the straps are made of brightly colored woolen cord. His jewelry, such as his rings, bracelets, and tunnels, is gold; however, his breastplate and helmet are copper, and his headdress is adorned with feather plumes and tassels. The exposed skin on his face, arms, and legs is brushed with war paint.
"-Finally, Mexican hero, El Delantero del Desierto."
Ximena Delgado is wearing an off-white western shirt with a stylized yoke on the front and back and embroidered rustic red roses beneath the collar, striped poncho of rustic green, brown, red, yellow colors and off-white accents and tassels, rustic red kerchief around her neck, brown gloves and sash, and rustic red prairie skirt. Her hair is parted in two and tied into french braids, secured with cloth ribbons. Her hat is a sombrero with a decorated high crown and broad brim; a stampede string hangs loosely under her chin.
"Japan, make some noise for 1-B!" The other hollered as he hung over his partner next to him, whose annoyance was increasing the more he was touched and subjected to Present Mic's voice in close, enclosed proximity. The class came out beaming, letting themselves be known and heard as they joined their classmates.
"From class 1-A," Aizawa spoke with clenched teeth, "Dutch hero, Rock' n Beats."
Arjan van Haestregt is wearing a white leather, long-sleeve top with PVC trim and cone spikes, detailed in a cage strap arrangement on his torso, back, and arms; his pants are fashioned with the same material and design. His shoes are white, knee-high boots that are adorned with an ornamental buckle strap and cone spikes.
"-Nigerian hero, Synthia."
Yemi Ogunsheye is wearing- or rather, she wasn't, wearing anything; Yemi's anatomy was mysterious to many, there weren't many heroes that took automatic forms, and because she didn't speak, it was difficult to determine whether or not her choice to wear clothing was optional or mandatory. Her body consisted of the same plating, padding, and texture throughout.
"-Native Hawaiian hero, Air Riff."
Keali'i Ho'omalu is wearing a white, lycra, sleeveless, turtleneck crop top, white, fingerless, tactical gloves, white cargo pants fashioned with straps, white belt, and white, platform, mid-calf boots with ornamental straps.
"-And, American hero, Canary."
Shelby Pascal is wearing a white, sleeveless, turtleneck bodysuit with a tanga cut adorned with white lace and embroidery throughout; her mask is white with gold trim and accents, white, sheer nylons, and white, heel, knee-high boots with gold heels, soles, toe caps. All eyelets, rivets, and aglets throughout her hero costume are gold. Her hair is pulled back into a high ponytail fashioned with a gold satin ribbon.
"Here th-! Hargh!" Before he could present the rest of class 1-A, Aizawa had elbowed him in the side to release him from his person- to get his mouth as far away from his ear as possible. As Present Mic began to collect himself, Aizawa leaned into his microphone, "Class 1-A, everybody." then sat back in his seat, pretending not to acknowledge his aching partner; making their way towards the center, the students stood tall amongst their own and their competition.
"LeT tHe gamES . . . beGgiiiin~!"