(Hi! This one was fun, but soon I have to return to the actual plot. Also, bear with me. I promise this is going somewhere.)
Grab all my stuff, suit up, and take a minute to shake off the performance anxiety.
Okay. I should be good. I should be ready. But God, it was hard to properly reach my guitar in this thing. I suppose I should have checked first.
Present Mic gave me a proper introduction, using his normal charm to do so.
"Ladies and gentlemen, U.A. High School would like to present a special, once in a lifetime experience! Please put your hands together for the one, the only, the incredibly well tanned music sensation who's rocking the nation, Midoriya Izuku!"
At this, I stood on the platform that rose slowly, a little bit of fog to give me a bit of a mystery that was immediately gone as soon as they saw the yellow boxy costume I was wearing.
"Are you ready to rock your hearts out!?" I yelled seriously, holding my beautiful Denden-Myōjin as I stood in front of the world in a SpongeBob costume.
I could hear them cheering, and the world seemed like it made sense. I forgot all my worries, and I grabbed the microphone.
"I'm gonna need you to sing when the words pop up!" I instructed them before taking a second and singing.
"I'm a goofy goober!" I sang, the audience yelling the word "rock" at me as it appeared.
"You're a goofy goober!" And they yelled "rock" again.
"We're all goofy goobers." Yelling "rock" again.
"Goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy goober!" Last rock for now from them.
"Put your toys away,
Well, then I got to say when you tell me not to play
I say, no way!" I sang out before pausing for them to yell out. "No way!"
"No, no, no, no way
I'm a kid, you say
When you say I'm a kid, I say, say it again
And then I say thanks!" And they yelled,"Thanks" back
"Thank you very much!
So if you think that you'd like to be like me,
Go ahead and try,
The kid inside will set you free!
I'm a goofy goober!" And here came another round of them yelling "rock."
"You're a goofy goober!" Yelling "Rock" again.
"We're all goofy goobers!" One final "rock!" From them.
"Goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy goober, yeah!"
The rest of the song was just a guitar solo, my fingers moving like there was no one watching until I slowed, letting the song fade out before speaking into the microphone.
"Now, we may all be goofy goofy goobers, but I do have two more songs. So hold onto your butts, cause I'm about to give you whiplash!" I told them, strumming now as speakers played the instruments I didn't.
"I'm hanging on to the other side
I won't give up 'til the end of me
Go
Yeah
Welcome to the mind of a different kind
Where we've been growing slowly
Think I'm on 11, but I'm on a 9
Guess you don't really know me
Running from the past is a losing game
It never brings you glory
K down this road before
Already know this story"
I sang now, the seriousness of this song compared to the silliness of "Goofy Goober Rock" enough to show off my talents and vocal range, the song a subtle challenge to everyone who had made it this far.
"Face your fear
Face your fear
It's time to face your fear
'Cause when your time has come and gone
I'll be the one to carry on
And you can throw me to the wolves
'Cause I am undefeatable
I'm hanging on to the other side
I won't give up 'til the end of me
I'm what you get when the stars collide
Now face it, you're just an enemy.
As I swept my eyes across the stadium, I could see a skinny man looking up from a private box, his face one of pride. If he only knew the real me, and the things I'd done.
"Whoa, whoa
You're crossing the line
Whoa, whoa
Now we've run out of time
Whoa, whoa
I'll take what is mine
Go
And when the story ends
It becomes a part of me
I'll give it what it takes
I'll find another way
I used to never know
But now it's crystal clear
This feeling's just a ghost."
Closing my eyes, I felt at peace. This wasn't for U.A. or Jirou. This wasn't for the League or Shigaraki. This was for me. I was here, facing the world as I was, burns and all, my heart on the line as I played like this was the end of the world, and I'd never get to play again.
"It's time to face your fear
'Cause when your time has come and gone
I'll be the one to carry on
And you can throw me to the wolves
'Cause I am undefeatable
I'm hanging on to the other side
I won't give up 'til the end of me
I'm what you get when the stars collide
Now face it, you're just an enemy
I'm hanging on to the other side
I won't give up 'til the end of me
I'm what you get when the stars collide
Now face it, you're just an enemy
Welcome to the mind of a different kind
We've been growing slowly
Think I'm on 11, but I'm on a 9
Guess you don't really know me
Running from the past is a losing game
It never brings you glory
Been down this road before
Already know this story"
Just a little more of what I'd sang to them now, and I took a moment to catch my breath, grinning like an idiot. Oh god, I was having the time of my life. My first public performance was here, on the world stage. Millions, maybe even a billion or two people watching me.
"Finally, since I have to wrap this up soon so the third event can be set up in time, I have one more song. Something for every student out here, giving it their all. So let's... not rock, but at least end on a high note!" I told them, quickly switching guitars and grinning out at the crowd as I began to strum.
"I had a dream so big and loud
I jumped so high I touched the clouds
I stretched my hands out to the sky
We danced with monsters through the night
I'm never gonna look back
Whoa, I'm never gonna give it up
No, please don't wake me now
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life
I howled at the moon with friends
And then the sun came crashing in
But all the possibilities
No limits just epiphanies
I'm never gonna look back
Whoa, I'm never gonna give it up
No, just don't wake me now
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life
I hear it calling outside my window
I feel it in my soul
The stars were burning so bright
The sun was out 'til midnight
I say we lose control
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life
This is gonna be, this is gonna be, this is gotta be
The best day of my life
Everything is looking up, everybody up now
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life!"
This really was turning out to be the best day of my life, at least up to this point. I mean, I'd embarrassed Bakugou several times, won the first two events, even if I got super lucky both times, and now here I was in front of the world, singing for them.
But good things did have to come to an end, and this was no exception. Although I did take a moment to catch my breath, grinning out and basking in the moment, in my moment. Their cheering was music. It was a symphony of admiration.
"Thank you! This has been the greatest day of my bloody life!" I yelled out, the scars on my face stretching uncomfortably with how hard I was smiling, but as long as no one could see the tears that were falling, I didn't care.
With my fist held high above my head, I took a few steps backward before turning and heading back down the same platform, I gave a bow in my SpongeBob suit, more mist enveloping me as I disappeared beyond their sight.
As soon as I reached the bottom, I set my guitar down and quickly got out of the costume. As funny as it was, it was irritating my neck and cheek scars.
Put my stuff away, and head back up to meet with Jirou and my friends. I needed a little respite before the third event anyway. It was usually a head-to-head competition, which meant I needed a little rest.
The first person to spot me was Kirishima, waving me over with a grin.
"Yo, Midoriya, that was so manly!" He cried out as we grabbed one another's forearms.
"You think so, huh? Well, that's high praise coming from you." I replied, spotting Denki and Mineta deep in conversation.
"Hey, I'm gonna go find Kyoka." I told my redheaded friend, patting his shoulder and sneaking up on my friends.
"Whatcha doing?" I asked, startling them with a smile, both of them looking a bit awkward and guilty.
"Midoriya! Hello, uh, we were just discussing your performance. You did great." Mineta told me quickly while Denki nodded his head fast enough that I was surprised he didn't break it.
"Uh huh... well, thank you. I appreciate your praise, but, to be honest, there's one person whose opinion matters a bit more to me. Where's Kyoka?" I asked them as they looked a little guilty.
"Oh, man, I don't know. I mean, last I heard, she was going to the bathroom." Denki told me too fast now as he clearly lied to my face.
"Sure... uh tell her I said good luck if you see her. I have to make sure my gear is ready." I told him as I patted his shoulder, assuming that he wouldn't lie for anything except if he really needed to. Whatever the reason, it was between Kyoka and God.
Walking off, I hated that I'd seen him flinch at my touch. It meant he was afraid of me for whatever reason. It also meant that reason was either because I had done something to scare him or because he suspected my identity as the Maestro.
Given my performance as SpongeBob, it was probably the second. Which meant... Kyoka probably assumed the same thing. But how?
It was a tricky question because I hadn't given them a reason not to trust in me. In fact, all I'd done was sing. But two of my songs were rock, meaning they probably heard my voice and matched it to the Maestros. But similar singing voices proved nothing. Not when the copy Twice made of me was there. Not when I'd endured extra burns on my face and neck to protect my identity.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. I just needed to make it through the third event. Running would only solidify any suspicions they have of me. For now, I'd keep to my plans and carry on.
I couldn't actually touch my gear right now, all of it was locked away to prevent cheating, but I did enjoy talking to Mei who was upset she hadn't made it to the finals to show off her babies.
"Don't worry, smarty-pants. This time next year, we'll be making babies that'll change the world, just you watch. Hatsume Industries and its subsidiary, Mido-Tech. What do you think, huh? Not too shabby on the naming?" I tried to cheer her up, watching her lift her head a little annoyed, still upset she'd missed this opportunity, already planning for the future.
"You'd have to go business with me? I mean, it makes sense you'd be the subsidiary since I'm the better inventor, but we'd need money for that, and I'm broke." She told me as she bolted down a nut her latest creation.
"Mei. I just performed at the U.A. sports festival after plugging my album. I'm making bank, and I'll bankroll you so you can put us on the map before we even graduate." I told her, watching her light up like a Christmas tree, getting uncomfortably close to my face as she did.
"Do you mean that!?" She yelled, and I grinned at her.
"Sure. We're partners. I wouldn't be at U.A. without you, remember?" I asked her softly, kind of liking how close she was now, and wishing she was closer.
She paused a moment, thinking hard about something, before speaking to me.
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. What do you want in return?" She asked me as she crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side.
"Right now? I want the ability to think without my thoughts being all about you. But if I have to choose..." I put my hand on her lower back. "I'd want you to be my dirty little secret."
It seemed I'd finally found a way to shut up Hatsume, who was stunned at my boldness, willingness to cheat on my girlfriend, her own shock, or a mixture of the three.
"Really? That's all?" She questioned, and I grinned.
"Whenever I want, plus fifteen percent of Hatsume Industries." I told her, watching her shake her head.
"Ten."
"Fourteen."
"Twelve."
"Thirteen."
"Deal." She told me as she shook my hand before I pulled her gently closer to me, kissing her as she kissed back a little awkwardly, improving as we wasted the next ten minutes figuring out how we clicked together.
"So. Not a bad deal?" I asked her, watching her shake her red face slowly.
"Not a bad deal." She replied softly, and I looked into her eyes. I wondered what thoughts were running through her mind.
"Wish me luck, Mei-Mei." I told her, walking away while I tried to whistle, my lips too messed up to make much more than blow air. But hey, I was a worldwide sensation. Who was gonna stop me when I was on top of the world like this?
Walking out to the field, I could the 1-A girls wearing cheer outfits like the professionals U.A. had hired, the invisible girl the only actually cheering as the others looked embarrassed.
"Oooooh. Man. Is that why Mineta and Denki were so scared of me earlier?" I asked Kyoka as I walked over to her, grinning ear to ear, my eyes running over her.
"Keep your mind out the gutter." She told me, jabbing me in the side with her jack.
"Sure... but maybe keep the outfit? It looks... well, to be honest, I can't say how you look without being jabbed." I told her, leaning in to whisper into her ear with a wicked grin, her face completely red as I pulled away.
"Ten minutes before the next event! Anyone using support gear, please report to Powerloader to get it!" Present Mic called, and I turned with a grin to Kyoka.
"That's me. See ya out there, cheerleader." I told her, laughing before running off so she couldn't jab me again.
"Midoriya... okay. All cleared for the third event. Please take your equipment and report to the field." Powerloader told me, watching me grab my stuff.
"Thanks, sensei. Hey, when I win this thing, remember me as your favorite student, okay?"
"Confident, aren't you?" He asked me, but I shrugged.
"I'm a rock star. The world is mine, and if I want to win, I'll win. No one stands a chance because I want to win." I told him as I finished gearing up, walking away without another word.
It occurred to me that I was a rock star. I could do literally anything I wanted, and no one would stop me. Kiss a girl even if I was in a relationship? Hatsume wouldn't say anything if she wanted her company. Be a secret villain? Who had to know? Win the third event, which was still a secret? I was prepared and armed to the teeth. Fuck the world? Well, the world had better bite the pillow because i was going in dry.
"Let's do this!" I yelled, running out onto the field and pumping my arms, feeling like a million yen as I looked up at Midnight, as I realized I was the last student to the field with a laugh.
"Between the sixteen members of the four winning teams, we'll be having a final tournament. A series of one-on-one battles!" She explained to us before I zoned out, thinking about Kyoka in that cheerleader outfit, before zoning back in as the lots were drawn, seeing that a few people must have dropped out, because team Tetsutetsu shouldn't have two members as part of this event.
"First match, and it's against... some dude?" I asked, trying to figure out who Shinso was.
"Izuku Midoriya, that's you, isn't it?" A purple headed boy asked, and I turned with a smile.
"The one and only." I replied before I lost control of the world, unable to move or speak or think.
"When our match happens, forfeit." He told me, time meaning nothing as I tried to fight whatever he'd done, struggling against my body he'd seemed to hijack, until the other students fled the field, and the first match of the third event began.
Somewhere beyond my own mind, I was sure I could make out Present Mic, but my feet dragged as I walked to the edge of the arena, about to forfeit. About to give up. I was about to lose it all.
"Seriously? This is how we lose? Letting some NEET tell us what to do?" I heard in the back of my head, a robotic voice asked, and I cried out for help.
"You really are disgusting, Midoriya Izuku. But I want to win too. So, for the time being, I'll help you." He continued to speak, and I could see Maestro standing at the tunnel to enter the field before I subconsciously raised my hand to my cheek, digging my nails into my scars and screaming as the pain broke whatever connection Shinso had over me.
Breathing heavily, I moved my hand away, blood dripping down my cheek as I assessed what I knew. Shinso had spoken to me, and then I'd been locked out of my own body. No. I'd replied. Then I lost control.
Turning on my heel, I pulled out a small retractable staff, pulling the pin out and holding it out in front of me as i stayed silent.
"Nothing to say for yourself?" He asked, grinning at me as I spun the staff in my hands and took a defensive position.
"Breaking my mind control... you must be the real deal. With a quirk like mine, I couldn't enter the hero course through the Golden gates. But you get that, don't you? Of course you do. You're just a quirkless frea-" He didn't get to finish his sentence as I rushed at him, my staff forgotten on the ground behind me as I tackled him, bringing my fist back and punching him in the eye.
"Don't." Punch. "Call." Punch. "Me." Punch. "A freak!" I yelled, each blow coming down as he tried to regain power and push me off, but his arms weren't half the size of mine. I'd been trained to dance, to work with heavy and dangerous materials. I needed to be strong.
After a moment of raining blows down on him, I stood and looked at him, going back over to grab my staff.
"Shinso, can you continue?" Midnight called out, Shinso nodding as he sat up and got to his feet.
"I can." He told her, looking at me.
"Hey, Midoriya. When I win, you think your slut girlfriend will wanna be mind controlled too?" He asked me, and now I charged at him, swinging my staff at his leg, but not able to bring him to his knees, his fist connecting with my cheek.
"What? I hit a nerve?" He taunted, my knee coming up and connecting with his groin, before I grabbed his hair and began dragging him to the edge.
"No!" He shouted, taking my forgotten staff and hitting me in the side of my head so hard I stumbled for a few seconds as my grip on his hair loosened, enough for him to get to his feet and tackle me, but like last time, I was bigger, heavier, and angrier.
It didn't take much to get him under me, punching him in the face until a whistle blew, and I got to my feet, my breathing heavy.
"Shinso is unconscious and therefore unable to continue! The winner, by TKO, is Midoriya Izuku!" Present Mic called out, but I was already taking my staff and walking away from the arena.
I spent the next few matches getting healed up by the nurse, Recovery Girl, doing my best to ignore what had happened. That Maestro hadn't manifested, become a separate part of me. That he wasn't the only reason I won, and not because I'd prepared for just the hero course students.
But, I did want to see Bakugou lose. And the only thing funnier than if he lost to me? If he lost to his classmate and then I beat them? Besides, it wouldn't hurt to talk to Uraraka. She and Iida were friends, and he was the president of 1-A. If I could get into their good graces, it would be easier to do my job for the League.
So I went down to the prep room and entered without knocking, finding Iida already there and trying to give her a pep talk.
"Midoriya? What are you doing here?" She asked me as I slid a piece of paper in front of her.
"I want Bakugou beaten. That is the best plan I have for you based on your quirk, but if you can do this, it'll be a little victory for me, too. I'll finally get to see him humiliated like I've been humiliated by him." I told her, watching her look at the paper, then me, and then push the paper away.
"Thanks, Midoriya, but I've come this far relying on my friends. I have to do this myself. That's why, thanks, but no thanks." She informed me, and I wanted to sneer, to call her stupid for ignoring her ticket to victory.
"Then... I'll see you in the finals, Uraraka." I smiled, and part of me understood. To beat someone like Bakugou by yourself, it would be the sweetest kind of victory.
"Right!" She nodded and ran out of the room, and I turned to Iida.
"Man. You are tall. Jesus. I can't reach the top of my fridge, and you're built like one? Not fair!" I complained with a grin, the two of us walking away and discussing potential outcomes for the coming match.
"Izuku!" Kyoka called as Iida and I approached the stands where the hero course was sitting, and I waved to her.
"Gotta go, Sonic." I told Iida, heading over and sitting next to my girlfriend.
"Sorry I missed your match." I kissed her cheek, taking her jack in my fingers.
"I'm just glad you're okay." She replied as her jack snaked up my hand.
"Iida won it looks like. It's not surprising seeing how many of my quirk enhancing items he breaks weekly. You're tough, but he's too quick." I decided as I pretended it mattered who won what. My next fight was Todoroki, and then Tokoyami. It was a shame I had to beat my avian friend, but I wanted to fight Bakugou in the finals.
Taking out a notebook, I began to cook up strategies for the fight ahead, mumbling about all sorts of things until a small jab from Kyoka pulled me away from my thinking.
"No nerding out." She told me with a small laugh, but I wasn't finding it funny. All I wanted was to overcome the impossible wall in front of me now. To show the whole damn world who I was. That quirkless didn't mean weak.
"Stop." I told her sharply, a little worried about how invested in this I was. I mean, the best I could hope for was U.A. to open a spot in the hero course for me. Then, I'd be able to spy directly and not from the support course. I'd be able to further the leagues needs.
"I wanna be a hero." I told her as I looked at my plans. I would push past every single barrier, climb every mountain that was built to oppose me, reach the top, and then spit in the face of God while I was up there.
She put a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to her, thinking of the League, of my own wants and needs, and how if the league failed, I would never change this world. It made me hurt. It made me want to die, tears falling as I balled my fist.
"I tried to push the idea I could down when All Might told me I couldn't. I found music, gear making, friends who understand me, a place where I feel happy. Then villains attacked the USJ. They took my face from me. But I want to protect people. I want to be the person All Might sees in me now! I want to be a hero, even if I'm powerless! I want to be more than I am and save this world!" I declared, taking my notes and standing up, pulling away as she took my hand.
"I have to do this. I have to push the boundaries of my heart. I can't let the only dream I've ever had just fade without giving it a fair chance!" I was manic now, able to see others staring.
"I WILL SHOW THE WORLD, I AM SIMPLY THE STRONGEST! THE BEST! I WILL BE A HERO!"
With that, I walked off, prepared to fight for the world I wanted. When I swapped to do the sports festival, I simply wanted to show the world my strength. Now, I wanted to save it from itself.
In my waiting room, I made sure my equipment was ready. My suit was in tip-top shape. The tools I had were ready. The only weak weapon now was my mind. It was full of crazy ideas and ways to improve myself and make my new dream of a new world built in my image.
Clearing my mind, I closed my eyes, waiting until it was time for my second and arguably hardest fight. One Todoroki Shoto.
"Okay, let's get one thing straight. I'm burning with a new, inextinguishable goal! I won't lose, even to you, top of the top!" I called out to Todoroki, who looked at me with what seemed to be surprise in his eyes.
Present Mics voice echoed around the stadium.
"Both of these competitors have won top marks in this festival so far, but there's only room for one of these greats in the ring! It's Midoriya VS. Todoroki!"
"I'm surprised you made it this far, but it was partly your luck and well-preparedness that got you here. Unfortunately, that won't be enough for you to beat me." He replied nonchalantly as the fight started, only making ice that covered my legs.
"You're right. My preparedness is what gave me such an edge. But you're discounting the mind behind the things I've done!"
Spikes protruded from my suits legs and shoes, shattering the ice.
"So don't think for even a second that I'll make this fight easy dammit!" I ran towards him, the tossing out a grenade and closing my eyes, the flash bright even as I covered my eyes with my hand, but it didn't matter. I'd blinded Todoroki and could still keep moving.
"And now, you'll fall to the mind you so easily overlooked!" I screamed out, a stream of flames coming out as he aimed wildly, my body freezing up as I panicked, falling back and scrambling away.
Fear overwhelmed me, ever sense blocked out as I made my way as far as I could, to the edge of the ring. I could let myself fall. I could forgo the pain of burning again.
But then a new fear took hold. The fear of not making my dreams come true. Of being weak.
So I stood and took a breath. I knew his quirk. I'd planned ahead for it. I'd planned for ice and fire. So I I'd just have to keep to the plans I'd made.
"Ahh! What did you do!?" Todoroki asked as he continued to build ice around himself, now in control of his facilities, but still blind and deaf to my movements.
"Flashbang. Low-grade, so you'll be okay after this, but prepare to lose." I told him as another shield, this one round and built to handle his heat, sprung from my chest. I'd prepared for the strongest in the entire hero course.
"I can't see!" Todoroki yelled, and I saw an opportunity to rush in, using an incendiary grenade to melt his ice and confuse him further, coming in from another side as I took my staff and brought it against the side of his head, the lights in his eyes fading as he fell back.
"And you won't, until you wake up." I mumbled to him, looking up at Midnight.
"You gonna call this, Ref? I mean, he's down for the count, isn't he?" I called to her, seeing her look just as shocked as Todoroki had, hearing movement behind me.
"I guess Todoroki Shoto can keep going. Good. Because so can I." I told him, the spike in legs and shoes retracting as I turned, kicking him in the side.
"But if you keep fighting, you'll hurt yourself! So stand down, because I won't!" I yelled to him, ice covering my leg, breaking as my spikes popped back out.
I would throw a punch, and he would make ice. I would kick him, and he would make ice. I would headbutt him, and he would still make ice.
The only thing keeping me moving was that my suit kept working. Heating me from the inside, breaking ice on the outside with my spikes. It was a battle of who could outlast the other. But between the two of us, I wasn't the son of a hero. I wasn't born to a good life, full of ease and having every advantage. I was struggling, even now, to get what I wanted.
"No! I am Midoriya Izuku, and this is my power! This is my resolve!" I screamed out, punching him in nose, hearing it crunch.
"This is who I am! I will be a hero, I will! Not even you can stop me!" I declared as I saw him fall back again, but this time I didn't turn away. Waiting to see if he was really unconscious.
"Todoroki is out cold! That means Midoriya is moving onto the third round!" Present Mic declared, and I fell back too, catching my breath. For someone to fight blind and deaf and still make me work for victory, I had to respect Todoroki, just a little.
"I need the microphone." I managed to speak, but I wasn't loud enough. Midnight couldn't hear me.
So I stood, walking slowly over to her and holding out my hand.
"I need the microphone." I told her again, this time getting what I asked for, and taking a deep breath to gather my thoughts.
"My name is Midoriya Izuku. You know me. But I have one goal, even if I tried to tell myself I didn't. To be a hero, one who saves people with a smile. That's all I have ever wanted. So that's what I'll do."
Handing Midnight back her microphone, I turned and walked off, needing to gather any strength that my brief rest between matches would bring me. But I overcame Todoroki. I could beat Tokoyami. I could beat Bakugou. I would.
So I sat in my prep room alone, thinking of the ways I could defeat my next opponent. How I would move what pieces in the chess game I was now playing. My entire existence was now wrapped up in this, so I couldn't afford to lose.
Finally, it was time for my next match, walking out and taking a deep breath. Tokoyami was smart. Silent. He'd no doubt look for an opening in my every movement. But i had already plugged my ears and was equipped with military grade glasses. I lost a sense briefly, but if I could make the first move, I'd win.
I couldn't hear the start, but I saw Dark Shadow rushing towards me, forcing me to toss a flashbang out and rush towards the hero behind the quirk, tossing more out at the boy.
"Don't you dare consider me a weak opponent! Don't you dare think I'm going easy on you!" I shouted out, my heart pounding in my chest as I punched Tokoyami in the stomach, then uppercutting him.
His lips moved, but I heard nothing, another flashbang going off as I moved back, then running forward again, throwing the scrawny boy out of bounds, one last flashbang following to prevent Dark Shadow from giving him a save.
Once I saw him on the ground, I took my earplugs out and then my glasses off, able to hear the entire arena, screaming for me. For how far I'd managed to get on pure tactics and unwavering spirit.
It didn't matter. I didn't want their admiration. I wanted to win. I wanted to be the one to push the league and our goals to the forefront of society.
So I walked back to my prep room, taking every second I had to rest and prep for the final battle ahead of me. It would be the toughest fight of my life, but I was ready.
I didn't get to just sit in silence this time, the door to my prep room opening as Kyoka and our friends came in.
"What, no knocking? I could have had a girl in here." I joked to her, but she didn't seem to find it as funny as I did, jabbing me in the side with her jack.
Putting my arm around her shoulder, I grinned at her, watching her annoyed expression turn into one of concern.
"Are you okay?" She asked me, and I wasn't sure what she meant. I was winning. I was so close to victory that I could almost taste the gold metal.
Then I remembered that I was about to go up against my childhood abuser. I should be shaking. I should be afraid. But I wasn't. Not anymore.
"I-I don't know, actually. I wasn't scared until right now. It didn't dawn on me who I was about to fight." I told her as I could hear them calling for the final contestants.
"With convictions as strong as yours, I have no doubt that you will emerge victorious." Momo told me, while Denki held out a fist.
"You're not alone." He informed me as he grinned supportive towards me.
"Neither are you." I replied, bumping his fist with my own, finishing the quote.
"Go win this thing." Kyoka told me, letting go and moving over next to our friends.
"Ha, there was never any doubt, not from you guys, huh?" I asked with a grin before I left them. It felt good, knowing I wasn't just fighting for myself now.
The arena felt bigger than ever, every eye seeming to be on me. It was more than I'd ever expected, and yet, here it was. My shot.
"De- er, Izuku." Bakugou began before looking baffled about what he should say.
"No. Whatever you have to say, it better wait until after." I told him as I stretched and took my place.
"At last, we've arrived! The best of the best among U.A.s first years will be decided! It's the final match, Midoriya versus Bakugou!" Present Mic declared, and I grinned so wide I split the skin at the left corner of my mouth, blood slowly falling.
"Start!" Midnight called, two of us rushing towards one another. I knew Bakugou. I knew the first thing he'd do was try to blast me, then punch me. But once I withstood the first blast, I grabbed his right arm pulled him over my shoulder, giving me a precious second to pull a pin on two canisters, which began hissing as smoke began rising around us.
"You think a little smoke will stop me!?" Bakugou yelled out, letting me know where he was before I pulled the pin on another canister and tossed it behind him.
This plan was a hail Mary. I didn't know if it would work. But if it didn't, I wasn't backing down. I'd already set my eyes on winning after all, watching with glee as he tried to use his quirk and failed.
I could only laugh, taking my staff from my utility belt.
"Mist? That is medical grade antiperspirant. Designed to prevent sweaty palms. I've upped the dose by several times the usual amount." I informed him with a grin, liking how it sounded when he growled in frustration or anger, detaching the shield I'd made to fight Todoroki and throwing it at him.
Unfortunately, he ducked out of the way, tackling me and punching me in the jaw.
"You damned nerd! All you ever do is get in the way! You're useless! Worthless! Trash!" He yelled as he punctuated each insult with another punch, not holding back.
Pressing a button on my hip, I looked up, grinning as another punch hit me in the cheek.
"Ha... heh... You're wrong. This time... You're in the way!" I yelled to him, my shield attracted to the electronic system I'd installed into it, flying back and hitting him in the ribs, cracking something and throwing him off me with a yell of pain.
Scrambling to my feet, I tossed the shield around the arena, calling it back with a grin as I looked at him.
"That all you got? I can do this all day!" I told him as I raised my shield.
"You shitty Deku!" He screamed to me, struggling to his feet and staring at me defiantly.
"A little. I mean, I didn't even come up with this suit idea myself. That masked villain, the one who did this to me... I admit, his suit was superior, but to be fair, the main thing I copied was combat mode."
At those two words my suit began guiding my actions and charging towards Bakugou, jumping back when he tried to punch me, and using the left side grapple to aim between his legs, launching me close quickly, enough i could headbutt him and move back again.
"You're copying some two-bit villain. You're not hero material, just a cheap knock-off." Bakugou taunted, but I laughed when I rolled away from a kick and grabbed my staff, hitting him in the ribs.
"A knock-off?! I'm no knock-off, Bakugou Katsuki. Oh no! I, Midoriya Izuku, am The Upgrade!" I announced, connecting to the stadiums audio system.
"You were born with power that you abuse, Bakugou Katsuki. I was born powerless. That is why, despite everything, I will be a hero! I will save lives with a smile! But I can't save lives alone. I need strong heroes to have my back."
I offered my hand, temporarily cutting my mic, grinning wide.
"You still need a sidekick, Kacchan?" I asked kindly, watching him go through a few expressions before looking at my hand and smirking.
"God dammit Deku. You're a real pain in my ass, you know that?" He asked, taking my hand and shaking.
"Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" I asked him with a wink, turning the mic back on.
"Well, we settled our beef on live tv... Do you wanna kick the crap out of each other until one of us gives?" I asked him, my suit barely dodging his fist, the wind from his attack strong enough I could feel it.
"This is still a fight! Stop playing games and fight me!" He yelled out, my mic squealing with feedback as I turned it off, turning off combat mode as well and tackling him, the two of us wrestling for dominance, just like kids.
Pinned beneath him, I grinned and looked at him.
"You know something funny? You're right? Which means I'm still playing dirty to win."
The spike in my armor shot out, plenty stabbing through his legs and hands before they retracted, and he got off me, struggling to stand.
"Dude, just call it quits. I'm feeling bad at this point..." I told him, watching as he grinned and made a few sparks in his hands before suddenly a blast warmed the air around me, my feet leaving the ground as I was slammed against the ground, rolling to the edge of the arena.
"Ahhh! My face!" I screamed as I held the right side of my face, writhing around as he ran over and pulled my right hand off my check, my left coming up and punching him in the eye.
"Gotcha!" I called and scrambled to get up, feeling my suit lock up and start sparking dangerously before it began to smoke and powered down.
"No! No, no, no, no, no!" I struggled to move, the suit way heavier when I was the one moving it, managing to work up enough strength to roll over his foot and start the emergency exit process.
First my helmet, tossing it at Bakugou and feeling the arms lock up, unable to move them as I lay there, helpless and out of options.
"Midoriya, can you move?" Midnight asked, and I looked away in defeat, the words stuck in my throat as I opened my mouth.
"I... I can't mo-"
Boom! Small explosions rocked the suit, and what I thought was my suit self-destructing turning out to just be Bakugou, freeing my right arm.
"There." He sneered and turned, walking to the other side of the arena, while I used the time he was giving me to free myself completely, undoing the emergency latches on my suit, getting to my feet and breathing heavily.
My body ached. I was tired, barely standing still. But Bakugou was standing across from me, bleeding and broken, still standing, so I couldn't stop yet. I had to give everything I had.
"Let's call that even for middle school." I joked with a laugh, taking two steps forward as he did the same both of us wary and not sure if our next attacks would knock out each other or ourselves.
"Let's call that even for the slime villain." Bakugou told me, and I paused, hesitating for a moment, before I grinned and raised my hands in victory, before falling back exhausted, my body giving in first, leaving me laying as Present Mic loudly declared Bakugou had won, my eyes fluttering shut.
(Goofy Goober Rock is by Jim Wise and Tom Rothrock. Undefeatable is by Kellin Quinn, SEGA, and Tomoya Ohtani. Best Day of my life is By American Authors.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, because D-Bag Deku is here to stay.)