"Now, let's take an hour lunch break before we start the afternoon festivities! See ya soon! Hey, Shouta. Let's grab some food." Present Mic had announced.
"I'm taking a nap." Aizawa responded.
The contestants were all walking out of the stadium, conversing among themselves. Thalia, however, was approached by Todoroki before she could check on Bakugo.
"Dragomir, I need to talk to you." He'd said.
Now, she stood on front of the heterochromic boy, an intense look on his face. They leaned on opposite walls. Thalia's arms were crossed as she looked him directly in the eyes, matching his gaze, if not gentler.
"...What did you need to talk about, Todoroki?" Asked Thalia cautiously. After a few moments, he spoke up, his voice raspy.
"I was overwhelmed. Back at the battle, I broke the promise I made to myself a long time ago."
"What happened at the battle?" Asked Thalia, her expression gentle. Todoroki looked away.
"We were fighting against the other team, and I... I used my left side." He muttered, like it was hard to say.
"...Can I ask why you don't want to use that side?" Asked Thalia.
"As you know, my father is the Flame Hero, Endeavor." He began. Thalia's eyebrows went up.
Don't tell me... He also...
"You must've heard of him, which means you know that he's the number-two hero. My old man is ambitious. He aims for the top. He used his power to make a name for himself as a hero. But he was never able to best All Might, so the Symbol of Peace is living proof of his failure. He's still at it, though. Trying to take down All Might. One way or another."
"What are you getting at, Todoroki?" Thalia asked, her frown deepening. Her tone wasn't as hard as it would normally be, and he noticed that. "What are you trying to tell me?" He faced her, making eye contact once more.
"Have you ever heard of quirk marriages?" An anvil of dread crashed in her chest. She allowed herself to show it on her face when she paled.
"They became a problem in the first few generations after superpowers became widespread. There were those who sought out potential mates solely with the intention of creating powerful children. Many people were forced into relationships."
"Todoroki, I know what a quirk marriage is. Please, don't tell me your..." Thalia said desperately. He lowered his chin, maintaining eye contact. His tone grew scornful.
"My father has not only a rich history of accomplishments, but plenty of money to throw at his problems. He bought my mother's relatives to get his hands on her quirk. And now he's raising me to usurp All Might." He said darkly. Thalia's arms fell out of their folded position, her eyes widening with horror.
"It's so annoying. I refuse to be a tool for that scumbag. In every memory of my mother, I only see her crying." Todoroki lifted a hand to cover the scar over his blue eye. "I remember she called my left side unbearable before she poured boiling water over my face."
"Todoroki, I..." Thalia breathed, her tone laced with dread and sympathy. It felt wrong that he was telling her all of this without knowing her well.
"The reason I made this promise to myself was so that I could show my old man what I'm capable of. Without having to rely on his damned fire quirk." He took his hand off his face to reveal both equally intense eyes.
"You see, I'm going to show him that I reject his power, and I can take first place without using it." He said with conviction. Wow, we're... Hauntingly similar.
"Todoroki, I..." Thalia began softly.
"Save your pity. I'm going to beat you, you got that? I know you think you're the strongest, but-" Thalia's face contorted into that of anger and she interrupted him.
"Todoroki, stop. This isn't pity. It's... empathy. I know how you feel. Exactly how you feel. It's... It's why I hate my dragon form." Todoroki's eyes widened slightly at that. "I know, you saw it in USJ. But I had no choice. Nine realms... If I hadn't shapeshifted... Into that..." Thalia swallowed her rising tears. She sighed, looking back up at him, her eyes soft, carrying an emotion Todoroki hadn't seen before in a person other than himself.
"I knew I recognized the pain in your eyes..." Todoroki murmured, eyes wide.
"Titan, the number four hero, is my father. I'm sure you know that. He's kind of the opposite of your father. He comes off as an amazing person. It seems like his kids had amazing childhoods with him. But... It's not right. My father puts me through... A lot... When I have to visit him. He used to be my hero, but..." Thalia's mouth hung slightly open, her vision trailing down to the floor below her.
"Once he learned that shapeshifting for me was incredibly painful, he got... Abusive. Toward both me and my brother. Told me I'd be nothing but a liability on the battlefield, and that I needed to get stronger. And then he would turn around and tell me that I'm hopeless, that I don't have a future. Now, he's taken my ability to feel pain because of the constant, and I mean constant shapeshifting. And what's worse?" Thalia looked back up at Todoroki, her eyes filled with tears. His own were wide and horrified, just as hers had been earlier.
"He's trying to act like a normal father again. He's trying to gain my trust. Just so he can rip me down again. He's the one odd that I just can't overcome. The table I can't turn. And what he gave me... Is my most powerful form. No animal has the same strength. I've tried almost everything. If I use it, I'm showing him that I accept him. But... When he smiles at me... All I see in his eyes are malice." Thalia's voice rose at the end, barely audible. Tears leaked down her face. They kept coming. Biting her lip, she looked angrily up at him, determination shining behind her glassy eyes.
"So... As much as I hate these declarations of war... I'll humor you. I'll beat you without my dragon form. And you're gonna try and beat me without your fire side. We're stronger than our old men. We can fight without what they gave us. So win your damn matches so you can make good on your promise, okay?" Todoroki gave her a look of shock. Thalia stepped forward, pushing off from against the wall. She looked away from him.
"And hey... Thank you for telling me this. It means a lot to know that I'm not alone." She smiled. Todoroki was still speechless as she walked down the hall. She turned to look at him, and his gaze was still on her.
"Hey, good luck!" She shouted before finally walking away. Todoroki sent a baffled look in her direction.
How can someone so damaged... Be so loving?
Bakugo hid around the corner, his mouth hanging open and his eyes widened in horror.
"Get those foam fingers in the air! It's almost time for the last round! But before that: good news for everyone who didn't make the finals. Since this is a sports festival, we've prepared some super fun side games everyone can participate in! We even brought in cheerleaders from America to get your blood pumping! Hold up..." Present Mic announced, trailing off.
Thalia stood in the field with the rest of the girls in her class, absolutely mortified. She and the other girls from Class 1-A wore the cheerleading outfit and the pom-poms the other Americans were wearing.
"Looks like Class 1-A's goin' full-on fanservice!" Shouted Present Mic. Thalia slowly turned her head to Kaminari and Sero who were blushing and chuckling at each other.
"What?! You tricked us?" Screeched Momo. "You're gonna regret this!" Thalia just stayed silent, recalling lunch earlier that day.
"Yaoyorozu, Jiro, Dragomir." Thalia turned around along with Jiro and Momo, facing Kaminari, Sero, and the purple-'haired' guy from the obstacle course.
"Uh huh, do you need something?" Asked Momo.
"What's up?" Asked Thalia.
"Well, I'm sure you already know since you're like... A class rep." Responded the purple-haired boy.
"But they said all the girls have to wear those uniforms for the big cheer battle this afternoon." Said Kaminari, almost smugly.
"Huh!?" Asked Jiro, alarmed. Thalia cocked her head to the side, frowning.
"That's odd. This is the first I'm hearing about it. Are you sure?" Asked Momo calmly.
"Hey, you don't have to believe us if you wanna get in trouble. But this is coming straight from Aizawa-san." Said Kaminari. The other boy nodded as he spoke. "I thought maybe you'd forgotten, so we figured we'd remind you, just in case." Kaminari confirmed. Thalia furrowed her brows.
"Okay... I guess. We'll let the others know." Thalia said. "Mina, can you help me with my braids?"
"Sure, Thalia."
Momo collapsed on the ground, devastated.
"Why is it that I always end up falling for that pervert's stupid schemes?" Asked Momo dejectedly. "I even used my quirk to make these outfits." Ochako kneeled by Momo, a pom-pom on her shoulder. Thalia, however, stared at Kaminari and the shorter boy, debating shapeshifting into a lion and tearing them apart, and her atmosphere and eyes showed it.
"Ugh, I hate those guys!" Exclaimed Jiro, throwing down her pom-poms and crossing her arms with a blush.
"Well, we do have a little time before the finals start, and I kinda like these uniforms, so..." Said Toru, waving her pom-poms, "How 'bout we just roll with it?"
"Are you crazy!?" Jiro exclaimed roughly.
"Wow, Toru. You've got skills." Said Tsu with a light blush.
"Have fun competing in these little side games, everyone!" Exclaimed Present Mic. "After they're over, the sixteen students from Team Gold will be duking it out in a one-on-one tournament-style fighting competition! I promise you're not gonna wanna miss these epic match-ups!"
"Aw yeah! Finally gettin' the chance to show what we're made of!" Exclaimed Eijirou excitedly. "I watch these finals every year, and now I'm actually in them!"
"So wait, is it always a tournament?" Asked Mina. Sero turned to her with a grin, and Mina turned to him with a glare.
"The final's always a one-on-one competition, but they switch it up every time. Last year, it was a foam sword-fighting match." Said Sero meekly.
"Man, that would've been fun!" Whined Ochako.
"Especially if the swords were real." Thalia said evilly. Ochako looked at Thalia with wide eyes. She knew they could both get intense, and they got it from each other as they grew up.
"Come closer and draw lots to see who you're up against." Said Midnight, holding up a golden box of lots. "Then enjoy the pleasure of the recreational games before we start! The sixteen finalists have the option of participating in those activities or sitting out to prepare for battle. I'm sure you all wanna conserve your stamina. I'll start with the offensive team."
"Uh... why are all the girls dressed as cheerleaders?" Asked Ojiro. Thalia paled with the other girls, and she shot a glare at Kaminari, who cringed under her icy gaze.
"You stupid lamb! The fuck are you doing? Why are you dressed like that!?" Scolded Bakugo raucously, his face flushed. Thalia growled, rage lighting up her eyes like blue fire.
"Kaminari fucking tricked us! Don't get mad at me!" Thalia snapped. Bakugo turned his glare on the yellow-haired, who whimpered.
"You fucking pervert! What the fuck kinda person does that! You have no dignity!" Screamed Bakugo, explosions crackling on his palms. Kaminari screamed girlishly, and hid behind Sero. Before anyone could do anything, Midnight spoke up.
"Take a look at the brackets, my dears. These are your opponents!" Midnight announced, whipping her tassel toward the board. Thalia snorted when she saw that Eijirou and Tetsutetsu were paired.
"Seriously!? How does this keep happening?" Eijirou and Tetsutetsu exclaimed angrily. Tokoyami and Momo were also paired.
"I'll give it my all." Swore Tokoyami.
"Good. That's all that I ask of you." Responded Momo determinedly.
"Hey! Mina, it looks like I'm up against you!" Thalia called with a smile.
"I can't wait to melt your ass!" Mina exclaimed excitedly.
"In your dreams, pinky." Thalia teased playfully.
"Uraraka? Who the hell's that?" Asked Bakugo rhetorically. Both Thalia and Ochako looked baffled at Bakugo. "Hey." He said, looking at Thalia. Her expression melted off her face when she looked at him questioningly.
"If you win all your matches, you're up against me." He said darkly. Thalia frowned and looked up at the chart- he was right. Then, if she won against him, it was her versus Todoroki. She clenched her teeth.
"Yeah." She replied, taking a deep breath.
"You better fucking win." He growled, his ruby red eyes locking onto hers. Thalia matched his glare and smirked.
"I will." Thalia replied determinedly, slightly raising a pom-pom. He flushed and looked away.
"Okay. Let's press pause for a momentary interlude! Before the battles begin, it's time for some pulse-pounding side games! First, how 'bout a scavenger hunt, huh!?" Present Mic exclaimed.
The girls decided to make the best of their situation- and cheered with the Americans as the contestants competed in side-games. While Ochako was leaping up and down, Momo was faintly waving her pom-poms. Thalia was beside Momo, but there were pom-pom strings weaved all in her horns- and she decided to keep them there.
The finals began- which came far too fast for Thalia's comfort. Again, Cementoss created the battle area once more- except now it was just a small platform.
"Thank you, Cementoss! Hey sports fans, are you ready!?" The crowd went wild at Present Mic's words. "After all the action you've already witnessed, it's time for the real battles to begin! Can ya feel the excitement!? Our competitors are on our own now! Sometimes, heroes only have themselves to rely on! Heart. Skill. Strength. Wisdom. Courage! They'll have to use all of these things to rise to the top!" Cried Present Mic.
Thalia was back in her P.E. uniform- the back had been fixed, probably only to be ripped again, and she still had a pom-pom string or two tangled in her horns. and was sitting next to Bakugo. He slouched, his arms crossed. His expression was fiercely determined, like he was trying to come up with a strategy. Thalia's feet were kicked up on Ochako's seat. Ochako leaned back, her head resting comfortably between her legs.
Mina is highly mobile. It would be easy for her to just push me out. Maybe I should be flying, and I could toss her out..?
Fire erupted from each corner of the arena, shooting high as the crowd cheered.
"Alright, audience! Let's cut to the good stuff and not delay these finals any longer! Welcome our first fighters." Present Mic announced. On the hologram that showed his face previously, it was now Shinso and Midoriya. "Woah, he looks kinda scared in that picture, doesn't he?" Commented Present Mic. Thalia watched Midoriya and Shinso walk out of their respective tunnels across the stadium from one another.
"It's Izuku Midoriya from the hero course versus Hitoshi Shinso from general studies, who stole a flag from the silver team singlehandedly! The rules are simple- immobilize your opponent or force them outta the ring! You can also win by getting the other person to cry uncle! Bring on the injuries, because we've got our very own Recovery Girl waiting on standby! So put your morals aside and don't be afraid to play dirty! But of course, no life-threatening crap, folks. It's not allowed! Real heroes use their power to throw villains in jail, not kill them!"
"I'll stop anyone who tries to get too rough." Said Cementoss from his cement throne nearby the arena. He projected his voice loud enough to be heard by everyone- but the speech between students wouldn't be heard unless Thalia shapeshifted her ears.
"I'll tell you all if they say something." Thalia said, flicking an ear.
"Ready!?" Shouted Present Mic. Thalia winced.
"You know, the girls in your class are really a bunch of sluts for dressing up like the cheerleaders." Said Shinso. Thalia gasped, unbelievable rage boiling in her chest. Her upper lip curled, gritting her teeth angrily as she repeated what Shinso said.
"What the hell? Why would he say that!?" Kaminari said angrily from next to Iida.
"So disrespectful of him! Toward his past allies?!" Iida exclaimed disbelievingly.
"Ouch!" Said Jiro, wincing.
"What!? That's not fair, it wasn't even their fault-" Said Sero.
"Yeah, it's you and Kaminari's damn fault everyone thinks we're sluts now!" Thalia snarled, turning her head toward him. Kaminari flinched away, whimpering. Iida spread his arms, a worried expression on his face.
"Hey, hey-"
"Don't you dare stop me, Iida-!"
"Don't you talk about them like that, you hear me?!" Midoriya cried, charging, pausing Thalia from her Bakugo-like rage. However, after a few steps, he stopped in his tracks. Thalia frowned. Shinso was grinning.
"Aaagh! We warned him not to say anything!" Ojiro growled, standing up and flicking his tail angrily. Thalia looked at Ojiro and Tsu with an odd look. Tsu looked up at Thalia, her finger on her lip and her eyes filled with worry.
"That's Shinso's quirk. If you reply to something he says, he can brainwash you. Ojiro and I tried to warm him in advance, but..." She turned back around. "He must've forgotten."
"Uwah? Hey, hey..." Exclaimed Present Mic.
"Come on, Deku..." Muttered Ochaco, standing up with Iida.
"Why in the world isn't he moving?" Muttered Iida.
"It should start out with a bang! The fight has just begun and Izuku Midoriya is... completely frozen!? He's not moving a muscle! And what's with that look on his face!? Could this be his quirk at work? Hitoshi Shinso seems to have Izuku Midoriya completely stunned, just like the team he got past back during Capture The Flag! It was obvious in the last round that he was powerful enough to take down multiple people with just a few words, it's possible that Shinso's crazy powerful! Who could've imagined such a turn of events!? That's the festival for ya!" Present Mic announced with a wild laugh.
"This is a perfect example of why the entrance exam isn't rational." Said Aizawa.
"Eh? Why's that?" Asked Present Mic. Arya didn't hear the rest of what they were saying, in favor of focusing on Shinso's speech.
"So here we are." Said Shinso. Thalia perked and turned back to the battlefield. Seeing her reaction, the others did so as well.
"You're lucky to have been so blessed, Izuku Midoriya. Now turn around and walk out of bounds like a good little hero." Shinso told the green-haired boy. Thalia gripped her seat's armrests in anger. Who was he to talk to him like that?
To Thalia's surprise, he obeyed him without a word.
"Uh- What!?" Present Mic exclaimed. "Midoriya's obeying him!"
"What?!" Thalia exclaimed exasperatedly, her vision trained on the battlefield. She leaned forward, her hands on the seat on front of her.
"Oh no, Deku, what are you doing?" Said Ochako worriedly.
"He can't walk out of the ring! He'll lose the match if he does!" Exclaimed Iida, waving his arms around him. From beside Thalia, Bakugo stayed silent. In fact, the whole crowd was silent as they watched Midoriya cross the clearing- until suddenly a huge explosion resounded from Midoriya's side. Thalia frowned, trying to see what exactly it was.
Midoriya was back to normal now, breathing hard.
"What's this!? Midoriya stopped just in time!?" Present Mic screamed.
"That's the way to do it!" Exclaimed Iida.
"Woah. I was about to freak out!" Sighed Ochako, relieved. Thalia let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, and sat back down next to Bakugo, propping her legs up on the back of Ochako's seat again. Bakugo simply stared down with a glare.
"Whew, that just about killed me." Said Ojiro, sitting down.
"No... impossible!" Muttered Shinso. He clenched a fist. "You're not supposed to be able to fight back! What did you do!?" He snarled. Midoriya covered his mouth in response.
"Come on, say something!" Shinso yelled. Midoriya stayed silent. Thalia's felt her lips quirk up into a smirk.
Midoriya's got this one in the bag, now.
"I didn't know you had so much power in your fingers. I'm kinda jealous of you." Said Shinso. Midoriya charged at him, holding his wrist.
"I've always been at a big disadvantage. But someone as blessed as you wouldn't understand that. You're lucky enough to have a heroic quirk! It'll be so easy for you to reach your goal!" His shouting became more raucous as Midoriya got closer. Thalia's ears flattened, her eyebrows angled upward.
Midoriya finally reached him, and shoved him with his forearms, protecting his two apparently broken fingers. He merely pushed him toward the other side of the ring.
"Say something, dammit!" Shinso snarled before punching Midoriya in the face. Thalia let out a small gasp, her eyebrows raised. However, that didn't stop Midoriya. Shinso then punched Midoriya on his broken fingers. Thalia winced. Shinso got himself out of Midoriya's way. At this point, they must've been just under a meter away from the white lining.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Shinso said angrily as Midoriya stumbled behind him. When he turned around, Shinso had a hand on his face. "Get outta this ring, you lucky brat!" He snarled. Thalia clenched her jaw. But to her shock, Midoriya, with a scream of pain, grabbed the arm of Shinso's that was pushing him and his collar, and proceeded to fling him out of the ring. Thalia saw Bakugo straighten beside her, and she glanced in his direction. His eyes were slightly widened. Thalia felt the same.
Shinso landed hard on the other side, so hard that he bounced back up and landed again. Thalia was speechless. Her eyes widened, eyebrows raised, ears angled downward, a balloon in her chest. A rattle.
"Shinso is out of bounds! Midoriya advanced to the next match!" Shouted Midnight. Thalia's previously gaped mouth widened into a grin, and she fell back into her seat.
"Yeah, Midoriya!" She shouted, raising a fist. From beside her, Bakugo was frowning downward. Thalia lowered her fist, sending Bakugo a look of concern. "Uh, sorry, Bakugo."
"He'd pulled that shoulder throw on you before, huh, Baku-?" Said Kaminari, waving his arms.
"Shut your damn mouth, dunce-face." Bakugo interrupted, pissed off. Thalia frowned at him as he glared down at Midoriya, wincing as she shifted her ears back. She knew not to put a hand on his shoulder or make a move of reassurance, knowing he'd push her away for it.
"Oh yeah! That was actually kind of a boring first match, kids. But both of you fought bravely. Let's show them some love, everyone!" Said Present Mic as the crowd screamed for the two boys that now stood peacefully across from each other in the middle of the ring.
"Mmmmmmwah! That should do it." Said Recovery Girl, wrapping Midoriya's injury. Thalia stood next to Uncle Toshi, who leaned against Recovery Girl's desk.
"That match with Shinso..." Thalia perked as she heard Midoriya talk. He looked up at Uncle Toshi. "I couldn't smile through it like you would." Uncle Toshi sighed, putting a hand behind his neck.
"I heard some of the things he said to you. It must've been painful, knowing how much you could relate to him." Said Uncle Toshi. Thalia frowned.
"What do you mean? Midoriya, what was your quirk before One For All?" Thalia asked, confused. Midoriya looked away bashfully. rubbing the back of his neck.
"A-ah, about that... I didn't have one." He stuttered. Thalia raised her eyebrows.
"Wow, you really could relate to him." Thalia muttered. She looked up with a gentle smile. "That's pretty awesome, Midoriya. You've overcome a lot." The green-haired boy blushed, looking away with a small smile.
"T-thank you." He squeaked. His determined look returned. "Either way, I couldn't go easy on him. I still have to keep my eyes on the prize." He looked up at Uncle Toshi. "Aiming for the top. Just like you've said." Thalia frowned, thinking of how much she wanted to reach the top.
Nine realms, I hope I won't have to fight him.
"You poor little darling." Sighed Recovery Girl. The attention was turned to the small, old lady. She shifted a glare onto Uncle Toshi. "Have you been putting too much pressure on him again!?" She then elbowed him right in his injury. Thalia snorted, but Midoriya looked horrified.
"It was necessary, and that hurt!" Groaned Uncle Toshi, hunched over and rubbing his side. Thalia couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Oh yeah, All Might! I had some kind of vision during the match." Uncle Toshi looked up at Midoriya's words. Thalia's attention was also focused on Midoriya. "There were... people. Maybe eight or nine of them? I'm not sure." Thalia frowned when he paused.
"Could this be why you were able to snap out of Shinso's brainwashing?" Thalia guessed, her tone serious. Midoriya looked up at her and nodded.
"When I was under Shinso's control, it felt like my head was... Full of fog. But when the vision appeared, it completely drove the fog away. That's when I was finally able to move for a second. Just my fingertips." Midoriya looked at Uncle Toshi. "One of the figures had eyes like yours, All Might." Thalia widened her eyes as she realized something.
"Maybe those were the past generations who've used One For All." Thalia said, her voice awestruck. Midoriya looked up at her, his eyes wide and solemn.
"Maybe those people were there, pushing me on! Like spirits!" He said.
"Spooky. I'm a ghost?" Said Uncle Toshi shakily. Thalia and Midoriya looked equally horrified at his reaction.
"Huh!? I thought you'd have answers!" Exclaimed Midoriya. Uncle Toshi sobered.
"Actually, I saw something like that, too. In my younger days." He admitted. Midoriya and Thalia both calmed when they looked at the tall blonde.
"Huh?" Chorused the two students. Uncle Toshi looked down at Midoriya.
"It's a clear sign that you're getting closer to making One For All your own power." Said Uncle Toshi. Thalia frowned slightly as she listened.
"What was it?" Asked Midoriya.
"I think it's like a trace of the user's spirit that's left behind in One For All when it's passed on. Don't worry. Whatever you saw, it won't be interfering with you or your progress in the future I'm sure. In other words, that vision wasn't what got rid of the brainwashing effects. Regardless of what you saw out there, it was your passion that allowed you to overcome Shinso's power, even if it was only long enough for you to wiggle your fingertips and expel some energy." Uncle Toshi explained. Thalia stared.
Wow. He has such a cool quirk.
"Man, that explanation is so not satisfying." Said Midoriya, bummed out, scratching the back of his neck. Thalia stared at Midoriya with a deadpan expression. When her shock wore off, she growled, repeatedly smacking his head.
"Midoriya Izuku, you have a quirk that lets you see the ghosts of the people that used the quirk last and you say it's not satisfying enough!?" Thalia said, her voice raised. Midoriya tried- ineffectively- to shield himself from Thalia's light blows.
"Ow- ow- I'm sorry!" He replied frantically.
"Forget about it!" Said Uncle Toshi, almost annoyed. Thalia stopped her abuse and looked up at the tall man, as did Midoriya. "More importantly, shouldn't you be worrying about who you're fighting next?" Midoriya started, his eyes wide.
"You're right!" Midoriya got up from his seat, leaving the room. "Thank you both very much!" He said before he left.
"You're welcome!" Said Recovery Girl.
"Goodbye!" said Midoriya. The door shut, and Thalia could hear his running footsteps.
"Thalia, sweetie, could you make sure that boy doesn't get into any trouble? I don't need him coming over here more than he has to." Said Recovery Girl. Thalia turned around, looking at the small old lady who was smiling gently at her. Thalia chuckled, scratching the back of her head.
"Sure thing, no problem. See you guys later!" Thalia said, moving toward the doorway.
"Hey, good luck on your match!" Said Uncle Toshi. Thalia turned as she reached the door, sending them both a big smile.
"Thanks!" She grinned, departing the room. Her smile calmed when she left, and she ran ahead to catch up with Midoriya.
"Midoriya!" Thalia shouted to the green-haired boy ahead of her. He turned, and Thalia huffed when she met him, her hands on her knees.
"Ah! Dragomir!" Midoriya said frantically. Thalia sent him a small smile.
"Hey! You on the way back to the stadium?" She asked, standing up straight.
"Oh, yeah! I am." He replied. The two began their walk to the seats.
"So your next fight is against Ashido, right?" Said Midoriya. Thalia glanced in his direction.
"Yeah. I'm really not sure how I'd approach that battle. I think we're equally matched." She admitted, looking down and scratching the side of her head, by her horns. Midoriya looked at her like she was crazy.
"What!? You really think that? You're one of the most powerful students in our class, if not in the school! You can totally beat Ashido!" Midoriya exclaimed excitedly. Thalia turned to him, surprised.
"Huh? You think so?" She replied.
"Of course." Midoriya nodded enthusiastically. Thalia sent him a bashful smile.
"So, how do you think I should go about it? I honestly have no idea what I should do. I've never been all that great at strategizing, I usually wing it with an idea of what I'm getting into." She explained. Midoriya looked at her like she was crazy.
"What!? How will that win you any battles?" Midoriya said exasperatedly, waving his hands. Thalia sweatdropped.
"Well, it's worked for everything else." Thalia admitted, a little embarrassed.
"Let me help you." Beseeched Midoriya, looking at Thalia with his fists by his chin and stars in his eyes. Thalia laughed.
"What do you have in mind?" She asked. Midoriya then pulled a notebook out of nowhere. Thalia raised her eyebrows as he flipped through the pages- she saw sketches of all the students in 1-A- she noticed with a smirk that he'd taken extra time drawing Ochako. He stopped on a page with Mina.
"So Ashido's very mobile with her acid. She also beats you in agility unless you shapeshift into something dexterous, like say an antelope, or the hummingbird from the race. I think the best thing to do would be to overwhelm her somehow and stop her before she can get too much acid out, because the more acid on the ground, the easier it'll be for her to move around." Midoriya explained. "Though- and forgive me if this is insensitive- but your past gives you a huge experience advantage- when it comes down to it, you could probably beat most of the kids in this class in a fistfight. Though even with that, Ashido's acid would probably make it more difficult to land hits." Thalia frowned and put a finger on her lip and hummed.
"I see what you're trying to say. Y'know, I bet I could try out your antelope idea, then if it gets too slimy, I can shift into a hummingbird and go for the eyes! A great idea! Thanks, Midoriya." Thalia said with a smile. Midoriya blushed madly, scratching the back of his neck.
"A-ah, it's noth-"
"Ah, there you are Deku! You did good!" Said Ochako. She noticed Thalia.
"Hey, Thalia!" She greeted with a big smile. Thalia smiled back, waving. She also noticed Bakugo sitting behind Eijirou by himself, pouting.
"Come down here, we saved a seat for you both!" Said Iida, patting the seats next to himself and Tokoyami.
"Heh, thanks, guys!" Said Midoriya. Thalia scratched the back of her head.
"Actually, I'm gonna sit next to Bakugo, behind Ochako. But thanks! I appreciate it." Smiled Thalia, taking the seat by Bakugo. He gave her an incredulous look.
"You can really make friends with anyone, can't you, Thalia?" Sweatdropped Ochako. Thalia propped her legs on the seat ahead of her next to Ochako's shoulder, with a roll of her eyes.
"Enough standing around!" Shouted Present Mic as the fires at the corners of the platform. On it, Todoroki and Sero stood.
Todoroki's got this in the bag. Thalia thought certainly. Sero was her friend, yes, but he was outmatched.
"Welcome to the ring, our next players. He's got skills! But at the expense of some really creepy-looking elbows! From the hero course, it's Hanta Sero!" Thalia snorted at Mic's comment on Sero's elbows.
"Versus, an early frontrunner in the competition who's way too strong for his own good! Someone who rightfully got into the hero course based on recommendations! It's Shoto Todoroki! And now for the second match of the finals. Ready!?" Mic announced.
The match ended quickly. Sero constricted him in tape and flung him toward the outside of the ring, only for the entire stadium to quake as an enormous ice wall grew rapidly from the ground by Todoroki's foot.
Thalia pressed herself against the seat, her eyes wide. The heat of mid-spring was forgotten as the giant wall of ice cooled the air around them. She felt a bit claustrophobic, as she barely had any breathing space.
He must've run into his dad before his second match.
"Tell the truth, Sero." Thalia heard Midnight's faint voice, "Can you move at all?"
He must've been the target of the ice wall.
"Sero has been immobilized! Todoroki advances to the second round!"
Thalia cringed when she heard the crowd cheering "Nice try!" for poor Sero. She'd probably want to fall into a hole if she'd not only lost a match so quickly but for the crowd to start pitying her afterward.
She'd have to check in on them both when she could.
"Sero? Todoroki?" Thalia called. She wasn't too loud- she didn't want the whole stadium to know she was looking for those two people.
However, someone else found her.
"Hello, daughter." Said a deep, guttural voice. Thalia froze like she was petrified. Turning around, she was face-to-face with the number four hero in all of Japan. Her father. Atlas, He Who Holds the World, also known as Titan. Chihiro Dragomir.
His honeyed, brown, slit-pupil eyes gazed down at the slightly shorted girl. A black and gray beard cascaded down his face to the middle of his collarbone. He wore a suit of dark gray armor with a darker gray bodysuit underneath. The suit would change with him, as Thalia's did. A spartan-like helmet covered his bald head, holes in the sides that made room for his thick, twisted, blackened horns. His dull olive skin was barely visible.
"What do you want?" Thalia asked tightly, her jaw clenched, on edge. Chihiro raised his chin and let out a bark of laughter.
"Don't treat me like a stranger, honey. I am you father, after all." He said matter-of-factly. Thalia glared.
"What. Do you want." She repeated, her tone steely. Fear clawed her stomach. She tried her best to keep it out of her eyes.
"Can a man talk to his daughter?" He said. A few beats of silence. "I just wanted to let you know how proud of you I am." Thalia bit her cheek, staring him down.
"You wouldn't have said that a year or two ago." Thalia said lowly. She turned around and walked in the other direction, her chest feeling like she was deep underwater.
"Ali, why can't you just accept the fact that I've ch-" She stopped in her tracks.
"Don't call me that." She snapped, struggling to keep the panic out of her voice. She hated that name. She hated it. Chihiro called her that before she got her quirk, called her that throughout her abuse, and he called her that now. She hated it. "I need to get back to the bleachers. The next match is gonna start soon." She said curtly, looking back ahead.
She resumed walking away, trying to ease her breathing.
"You know, if you used your dragon form, you'd win this a hell of a lot easier, darling." Chihiro commented. Thalia paused her walking without turning.
"I'll be fine without your damn dragon!" She snapped. She continued walking away. Chihiro didn't say anything more. She could feel the knives of his glare stabbing her back. He had failed to befriend his daughter once again, and it showed in his frustration. She could see right through him.
Her travel back to the bleachers felt like a blur. She was terrified of what Chihiro would say next time she visited him. Once they were out of the public eye. Thalia bit her lip, tears threatening to fall. She barely realized she was close to the inner stadium until the scenery around her changed and she was suddenly at the section the young heroes-in-training sat.
"Yo, Dragomir! Where were you?" Sero exclaimed. Thalia couldn't muster a smile, and plopped back down beside Bakugo.
"I was looking for you and Todoroki. I'm sorry about that loss, dude, I would die if people started cheering for me for losing." Thalia said. Sero sweatdropped.
"Oh god, I'm never forgettin' that. I'm so embarrassed." He groaned. Thalia let out a huff of a chuckle. Bakugo's vision lingered on her for a bit longer than normal for him before he returned his gaze to the now-ice-less platform. Thalia switched her ears to cat ears again, the ringing becoming familiar and less jarring.
"Welcome back to the finals, everyone!" Announced Present Mic. Thalia looked down at the platform, seeing Shiozaki and Kaminari on the ground, facing each other. "Sorry for the long wait, that insane amount of ice from the second match has finally been cleared, though. So it's time to welcome new competitors!" The fire on each corner of the platform erupted once more.
"Even beautiful flowers have thorns! It's the assassin from Class 1-B! Shiozaki Ibara from the hero course! Versus the boy with the electric personality! Another hero in the making, Kaminari Denki!" The crowd erupted at the introduction. "Keep those eyes peeled! I wanna see a super flashy battle this time!"
"Excuse me!" Shouted Shiozaki. She stood at the edge of the platform, her hand raised. "Please pardon the interruption. I'm not sure why you called me an assassin. I've come to the festival in search of victory, not to take my opponent's life. That wouldn't be in line with the values of a hero at all, sir!"
"Right, I'm sorry-" Present Mic began, only to be interrupted once more.
"Gentlemen, I didn't enter U.A. for wicked or selfish reasons, but to deliver salvation to others! It is my humble quest to spread true good across this world."
"Listen, I said I was sorry! That was my bad, okay!?" Said Present Mic frantically. Thalia giggled.
"I thank you for your kind understanding." Said Shiozaki with a bow. She has quite the personality.
"So, anyway... Begin!" Present Mic announced.
"What do you say you and me go out after this? I'd be happy to treat you to a bite." Asked Kaminari. Thalia facepalmed.
"Idiot just asked her out." Thalia groaned. "He's so girl-obsessed." Some of the students around her sighed and laughed.
"...And comfort you after your loss. 'Cause this is all gonna be over in two seconds, honey." Electricity glowed around Kaminari. Thalia returned her attention to the battlefield at the voice. "Indiscriminate Shock: 1.3 million volts!" He exclaimed.
"He's too overconfident. What if he fails? He'll be incapacitated for the rest of the match and he'll lose." Thalia said to herself. That's pretty much what happened- Shiozaki's hair grew and detached into a wall of vines that effectively blocked the electricity. Kaminari's brain short-circuited, so he wasn't able to fight back when Shiozaki wrapped him up in her vines and lifted him high into the air.
"He's immobilized! That's all, folks! It was over in an instant!" Announced Present Mic. Thalia flicked an ear, a deadpan look on her face.
"The winner is Shiozaki! She advances on!" Midnight declared.
"I'm just so glad I was able to make the most of the opportunity I was given today." Shiozaki said graciously.
"Man, she's good." Said Jiro.
"Guess she was right..." Said an unfamiliar voice. Thalia turned her head in the direction she heard it coming from. A cute boy with straight blonde hair had poked his head over the wall. "The match really was over in just two seconds! I wonder if his real quirk is the ability to tell the future! Hey, wasn't class 1-A supposed to be so much better than us?" He laughed manically.
Thalia had to cover her mouth to keep from bursting out in laughter, finding the boy's gloating to be funny. Suddenly, he stopped his laughing and slumped down the wall. A few beats later, a prettier girl with bright blue eyes and light ginger hair tied in a side-ponytail poked her head above the wall, smiling kindly.
"Sorry 'bout him." She apologized, seemingly embarrassed for him.
"It's no problem! That was quite funny." Thalia giggled.
"Yeah, he's basically the class jester." The orange-haired girl laughed. Thalia snorted.
"We have one too, you just saw him lose the fight." She added.
"I like you, you're cool. Good luck in the fight." The orange-haired girl grinned. Thalia blushed.
"Y- you too." She waved.
"I've seen Kaminari in action- he's super strong." Thalia looked down at the source of the muttering she heard- and with raised eyebrows, though she was entirely unsurprised, she noticed it was Midoriya, who was furiously writing notes in his hero notebook. "...But Shiozaki placed fifth in the entrance exam. And those vines. I wonder if she studied Kamui Woods' moves." As Midoriya kept going, Thalia noticed Bakugo seething next to her. His muttering was obviously getting to the ash-blonde.
Thalia's gaze turned worried at the ticking time bomb next to her. She carefully placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to soothe his anger, and completely expected him to slap her hand away. However, though his glare ahead was intense, his body language cooled. Thalia's cheeks lightly dusted with blush.
He's... okay with it!? And it worked?! ...Huh.
Flower petals drifted down her chest.
Fuck.
"Maybe you should take a sec to relax before planning too many matches ahead..." Advised Ochako nervously. Midoriya yelped.
"Oh! Sorry!" He covered his mouth, his fluster turning his face red. "Sometimes I don't realize I'm talking out loud when I'm taking notes. It's not every day I get to see incredible quirks from people outside our class!"
"Uh, actually... I've been taking notes on everybody in our class, too!" He held up his notebook with an enthusiastic smile, flipped to the page that showed Ochako. "Here's what I've got on your Zero Gravity!" He said with childish excitement. Ochako was frozen, her face beet red. Thalia snorted.
Looks like we're in the same spot, Chako-chan. Thalia thought as she glanced nervously at Bakugo, whose eyes were still trained ahead of him.
"Let's keep pumpin' out these hits and move on! Time for the fourth match!" Announced Present Mic. Thalia's head perked, and she tried to fixate on the match instead of her newfound fuzzy feeling.
well, this is the last chapter i made all those years ago. time to start writing chapters with a blank slate! y'all let me know if you read a difference between the writing in these 10 and in the next chapters. it may take a bit longer because, again, i'm writing all of this fresh, and it'll take me a bit to formulate Mina and Thalia's fight.
see y'all in the next chapter ;)
reviews
MayNura: Updateeeeeeeeeee
workin on it love ;)
Spark10111: Love the story! I can't wait until our cuties admit their feelings for each other :)
i'm so glad! teehee
M: Love this! Great chapter! Glad Thalia and Todoroki talked to each other! At least they can both relate to having difficult fathers. Glad we get to see an interaction between Andrija and her father. It really helps solidify how their relationship goes. Your descriptions for Titan are amazing, I can literally picture him! Also your OC character names are amazing! I feel like both Thalia and Bakugou will take a long time to admit they have feelings for each other. Looking forward to the next chapter!
thank you so much, M. i was hoping it didn't seem like a copy-paste of Todoroki's backstory, i took inspiration for Thalia's situation from my own home life, back when i started writing this. i saw myself relating to Todoroki as i watched, and i guess i just didn't want the boy to feel alone.
edited 11•10•21
edited 11•22•24
word count: 7,891