Here is the thirty-second chapter in this story released when I wanted it to be released based of my release process for this series. The quarterfinals are in the books so it's time for the semifinals of the first year's Sports Festival. Only 4 students remain, all are guaranteed medals and likely hundreds of offers even if two are only interested in getting at least one of nine specific ones but there is only medal that they want and are currently thinking about, the gold, and soon two will get that chance while the other two will settle for the shared bronze. Todoroki, Asta, Yuno, and Bakugo, who will advance to the finals and who will be knocked out at the penultimate hurdle? It's time to find out as the semifinals begin. That is all I have for the administrative stuff I have for y'all and while there are no questions to answer there are three guest reviews to respond do which I will do now. Do keep them coming as your support is the best motivation for me to keep producing chapters at this kind of rate.
To Guest (guest), yup, that battle was never going to change, it's too critical to Todoroki's development and when it comes to certain key canonical moments like that I don't mess with them. Naturally Nero's mystery will continue, that's going to be an ongoing subplot for a while. Well Anti-Quirk worked on Engine because it's a little different to a standard mutant class Quirk but who knows about some of the more whole body ones like Frog or Invisibility which Erasure doesn't work on as well, that is still to be seen. Yuno was possibly the worst matchup that Tokoyami could have, even Todoroki, Bakugo, and Leo can't generate the light a star can after all. Bakugo may not respect Ruby enough to learn her name but he can at least take her seriously enough to end her quick but Yang's not happy and I feel like she's looking forward to the moment that she can teach Class 1-A what it means to be one of the top 10 at U.A. Do keep reading and enjoying my work.
To Nathan Ramos (guest), thank you for enjoying the last fights, Ruby certainly learned a few things there and in time she'll have to figure out how to counter someone with that kind of overwhelming offensive firepower and who can at least counter her speed. As for the coming matches, I won't say anything on them as they are coming now but do remember that no Quirk is infallible and all have strengths and weaknesses which will play a role in the coming chapter. As for your suggestions, firstly ki, if ki does appear and it is likely as from what I've gathered it is actually something that exists in Japanese culture so it will likely be there and if so the core concept of it will be as it is in Black Clover because it doesn't need magic but anything like zetten likely can't be transitioned over. I will consider your points but they do seem a bit OP for my tastes though there may be a way in incorporate a fair bit of it more as an overall consolidation into a specific Quirk as you've mentioned someone I'm struggling to truly adapt into MHA's canon but the overall points could work well in that regard so while this won't be ki it could be someone's Quirk. As for things like mana zone and natural method, those are really too magical to be adapted, they just don't really fit within the MHA lore. Magic has always been the hardest thing to adapt in and this is one that may not make it. I can possible see some of this coming into play for certain Quirks that have awakened, there are two in particular who this would really work for and who I've not had the chance to really explore the adaptation of but not in general. I'm sorry, there are just some things that can't be transitioned into the narrow scope of the MHA lore and for the most part it is certain boosts and other magical things from Black Clover and the supernatural elements of RWBY that fail to make the cut. I will consider this though as they are good suggestions and see what works and what doesn't but I can't promise anything. I am enjoying the manga for both, I read them weekly and at least predicted something from the last Black Clover chapter though the MHA cliffhanger was annoying but I do respect a good cliffhanger though I don't read the spoilers and it seems like you may have accidentally given one there so remember that, I always wait for Sunday when it comes out. Do keep reading and enjoying my work. P.S. I had already responded when you posted your later reviews so thank you for clearing a few things up but as I said I just don't really see ki working like that though I've already noted it as a potential Quirk for a character in the coming chapters as it is really useful in that regard. As for your second point, firstly I've never watched Naruto or Dragon Ball so I don't get the reference at all, and secondly I'm not sure if I will adapt the gods of light and dark into this series, as of right now it's almost certainly not, so I don't think this would work. They are another factor that just doesn't fit with MHA lore which is the backbone of the crossover and what the adaptations are geared towards. Do keep suggestions coming as you never know what may or may not help me work some things out as there are things I'll miss, overlook, or not think of.
To KGBeastboy (guest), thank you for review and enjoyment of my story. As for Shiozaki, I'm probably going to just keep her as is, if anything she'll probably see herself as on her own mission and chose her own path that way. On the front of killing villains, I'm probably going to stick to the implied MHA canon that it is only justified if the villain is S-Rank or higher as the only times we see heroes use lethal force it's been on Hood, Shigaraki, All for One, and Twice and all four were S-Rank at the time. Your point there is also similar to another Black Clover/MHA crossover that was one of the stories that helped inspire me to do my own and I'd rather come up with my own work than copy another author's work. Of course the attitudes between the branches will vary with the Quirk Knights being more willing to kill an S-Rank if the need arises, main heroes other than Endeavor (who never hesitated with Hood and Shigaraki) and Huntsmen being the most hesitant due to a mix of Grimm being their primary opponents and the fact that their weapons given them a greater sense of lethality than other branches. Certainly history and tenure will play a role though I'll probably go into more details on this in a potential prequel focusing on the formation of the Quirk Knights post Lumiere (only if we get the name of the second Wizard King though) and the actions of Princia and someone else in the formation of the Huntsmen and Huntresses before the Hero Codes came out of Providence. All in good time though as that is a long way out. Do keep reading and enjoying my work while letting me know what you think as I do enjoy hearing from those who like what I produce.
That is it for this long pre-chapter note which means that it now officially time to sit back and enjoy the thirty-second chapter in Black RWBY Academia.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these three great franchises.
Chapter 32: Finding the Final Two
"It's time for the first semifinal and this is a true battle of social opposites!" Present Mic said the excitement clear in his voice as Asta and Todoroki walked out of their entrances and headed to the battlefield. "One's from a top tier hero family making him from part of society's elite while the other is an orphan from the remote northern village of Hage and yet both have made it to the final four of the U.A. Sports Festival! It's Todoroki verses Asta! Boys, what are your thoughts on this one?"
"This just shows how egalitarian Quirks have made society that someone of Asta's birth can not only make it this far but stand as an equal to the likes of the Todoroki family." Aizawa said. "This match will more than show it."
"Precisely and it will give us some sense as to the full nullification range of his Quirk." Oobleck said as the boys began to climb the stairs. "This will be one of the more interesting matchups of the final event I feel."
"Don't forget that just to get here Asta has beaten members of the Vermillion and Ida families as well." Port added as the boys reached the top of the steps and walked onto the battlefield. "This is just another name for him to beat and really remind us that social status can only take you so far in this day and age."
"That is true and to help show that we have a special 5th commentator who I persuaded to join us in lieu of the Wizard King to give us a Quirk Knight perspective, which will be really helpful what with two aspiring Quirk Knights remaining in the competition." Present Mic said. "None other than the Captain of the Golden Dawn Squad, the top Quirk Knight Squad, and the current odds on favorite to succeed Julius, William Vangeance. Welcome William."
"Thanks for having me Mic." William said his voice calm and measured as it carried over the stadium. "This is new to me but I will do my best to provide some good commentary in the final two rounds."
"Then let's start with your thoughts on the coming battle?" Present Mic asked. "What are they?"
"How did you get him to come here?" Aizawa asked. "Seriously, how do you manage this stuff Mic?"
"This will be a good one for sure." William said ignoring Aizawa as he responded to Present Mic's question. "Family is of course important and we know that Quirks get stronger through the generations, something which has in the past led to a distasteful practice known as Quirk Marriages, but those are illegal now and besides there will always be surprises and we have a few now."
"Wise words from one of the calmest men in the nation." Present Mic said. "Now…"
"They've got that right." Asta said a grin on his face as he came to a stop facing Todoroki and droned out the new commentary with Vangeance as part of the crew. "I don't care who your family is, Todoroki, I'm going to be the Wizard King and beating you is just one step on the way to that."
"Midoriya showed me that I can be more than my father so I don't care for the family aspect either." Todoroki said cooly though internally he was still reeling from his battle with Midoriya. "I'm here to win this. I've beaten Midoriya so now all that's left is you and whoever wins the next battle."
"Yeah I heard your challenge and I meant what I when I tried to help out." Asta said still grinning. "Midoriya isn't the only one who's going to beat some sense into you."
"Whatever, just because I've realized I can use my flames without thinking of my father or viewing it as his power doesn't mean we're going to be friends." Todoroki said. "You're just another obstacle in the way only now I'm winning this for me and not to prove anything to my old man."
Todoroki was calm as he spoke but he couldn't deny that he was actually nervous about this battle which in turn made him look forward to this challenge and for the moment he was able to put aside his internal issues and focus on the battle in front of him. That was because of anyone in their class, Asta was frankly his worst possible matchup. After all, the kid could nullify Quirks and the effects of them, that was a serious power and one that couldn't be taken lightly.
As such Todoroki knew that he'd have to win this fast just like Ida tried but where Ida had to actually grab Asta and push him out to win, all he needed was one fast, overwhelming attack and he'd freeze Asta in place before he could use those damned swords. That was how Todoroki was going to win and he fully intended on winning this battle.
For his part Asta was more than ready for Todoroki. In fact, this was a matchup he'd already thought of and realized that it was in his favor. All he had to do was not mess up and he'd win it. Course winning and getting to the final before Yuno so that he could face Yuno when Yuno beat Bakugo was essential and this Asta's primary goal but if he got the chance before he delivered the winning blow he'd have a few moments to sort something else out because just like Midoriya before him, Asta felt that Todoroki needed to learn a few things whether he wanted to or not. It would make him a better hero in the long run.
"Begin!" Present Mic said interrupting any last minute thoughts the boys had as the crowd roared at the start of the first semifinal.
Almost instantly Todoroki bent down and slapped his right hand on the ground as a wave of ice larger than what he'd used on Schnee but not as large as he had on Sero was shot at Asta from his right hand and foot. He had to go big to incapacitate Asta but Asta had his own plans as the rend appeared in the air next to him and he grabbed the handle of his great sword and pulled it out as fast as he could. Thanks to all his practice it was an easy, smooth motion that drew the sword and slashed the ice just as it reached him, which was all that Asta needed to do.
The moment his sword hit the ice it shattered and dissipated into the air as if it hadn't been there to begin with. First the ice in front of him did that and then it proceeded to crack back and towards Todoroki shattering and dissipating as it did and showing just what Anti-Quirk could do. Todoroki just stared a little shocked as he pulled his hand off the ground and the last of the ice shattered and vanished as Asta began to walk forward towards him with no ice in the way, not even a chill in the air from it.
"Did you think that that would work Todoroki?" Asta asked as another rend appeared in the air and he drew his second sword as well as he felt he'd need both in this fight. "Fire or ice, send them both at me because I can dispel either seeing as it is created by your Quirk."
"Let's test than then." Todoroki said not willing to back down as he sent out another blast of ice at Asta this time it was like the one he sent at Midoriya so a fast, narrow, jagged line rather than the massive wave. "All Quirks have limits."
Again Asta just swung the side of his sword into the ice as it reached him and he cut through the ice with ease as it shattered and dissipated back to the source with the attack barely slowing him down with the only difference from before being that Asta used the smaller sword this time. Todoroki tried again but again Asta shattered it with his great sword and Todoroki started to back up a pace as his predictions about Asta were right. This truly was a challenge to face and he started to doubt himself for the first time in a long time.
"It's your Quirk. Yours, not his!"
The words that Midoriya had shouted at him, the words that got Todoroki to finally use his flames, his left side, in battle rung through his head as Asta nullified another ice attack. Ice wasn't working but it was solid so all connected, fire wasn't solid and that may get around Asta's power. Midoriya was right, his fire was his not his father's which meant that he could use it in battle and so Todoroki raised his left arm as he backed up a bit more and Asta neared while the fire began to circle his arm.
"Todoroki is about to use his fire again!" Present Mic exclaimed as the crowd roared. "This has to be getting serious for him to do that."
"It's may be a better idea than his ice." Aizawa admitted. "But we shall see."
Asta ignored the commentary, just grinned as the fire was blasted off Todoroki's arm and at him in powerful gout of flames. This was what he wanted to see from Todoroki, his fire as well as his ice as it showed that Midoriya had gotten through to him and Todoroki was embracing his full power. That was good, and meant that it was time for Asta to do so as well.
"Finally!" Asta yelled as the fire neared him and slashed both his blades at it as he spun around to make sure he hit as much as possible. "Now we're talking Todoroki."
The blades hit the flames as the did with the ice and as with the ice the flames were dissipated as they made contact with Asta's swords only this time the more fluid nature of the fire did ensure that some of it got through a bit and burned Asta's arms and face in places while singeing his hair and clothes but he smiled as he finished slashing and as he spun back to face Todoroki he broke into a run and charged at his classmate while the last of the fire dissipating into the air as he ran. The fire could be an issue so it was time to end this.
"Damn it just go down." Todoroki said as the fire burst apart to reveal Asta sprinting at him now and Todoroki blasted more fire at him to try and hold him back. "At least fire seems to be somewhat effective."
"Not a chance Todoroki, you need to learn something." Asta said as he slashed through the flames with his smaller sword, getting a few more burns in the process but pushing through them as the fire dissipated and he reached his target his great sword out to his right side and swinging in as he spoke. "And you will before you lose!"
At that Asta slammed the heavy great sword into Todoroki's left side under his outstretched arm and into his ribs with a sickening crack that caused Todoroki to stagger to his right from the force of the blow. He was used to pain though and fought through it as he formed ice on his right side to protect him from Asta's lighter sword the was now swinging at him from there. That didn't do much though as the sword hit the ice and cut through it to slam painfully into Todoroki's right bicep while all the ice on his body burst and disappeared into the air.
"Huh, why can't I use my Quirk?" Todoroki asked his eyes wide as he tired to summon ice or fire to use the closeness of Asta to his advantage but failing as blood began to run down his chin and his breathing began to become laborious indicating that his left lung had been punctured. "What on…"
"It's not just the effects of Quirks that I can nullify, so long as I hit your Quirk factor, which for you is your whole body, I can nullify your actual Quirk for a bit though the dual nature of your Quirk means you effectively have two Quirk factors one for ice and one for fire." Asta said as he tossed his swords away causing them to vanish into the air as he cracked his knuckles and grinned at Todoroki as he closed the final distance between them "Now we got a few moments before I win for me to beat some sense into you because sometimes that's just what friends have to do."
"Huh, I said…" Todoroki began but before he could finish Asta punched him in the face to shut him up but not hard enough to knock him out though it did stagger Todoroki back a few paces as Asta started to push him towards the back of the ring.
"Shut up I'm talking." Asta said as he punched Todoroki again for good measure. "You're my classmate Todoroki and that makes you my friend whether you like it or not. We're going to be heroes together even if we take different paths as you want to surpass your father and be a great hero while I want to be the Wizard King, that doesn't stop the fact that we are friends working to make each other better."
"What are you…" Todoroki said as he recovered only to be punched in the face again from the other side before he could even see if he could use his Quirk again though internally he felt he couldn't, well that and he could taste the blood coming up from his punctured lung.
"That's what friends do, they help each other and in our class we are all friends." Asta said and punched Todoroki a fourth time as he kept pushing the other boy back while Present Mic commentated on how strange the exchange was. "Sure we get on each other's nerves at times, but that's just what friendship is. Yes Bakugo can be an ass and Noelle and Schnee had to warm to it but now it's your turn to thaw out as well Todoroki. Just accept it, we're friends and we're here to help you even when you think you don't need it because we can see you do need it. That's why Midoriya was the way he was last round and why I will make sure you understand that now. Stop being an ass and doing everything on your own. We're here for you."
"I am fine as I am." Todoroki said as he spat out blood while more ran down his chin but Asta punched him again and he croaked out in a slightly woozy voice now. "I need to prove to my father that I'm not him, I won't be that bastard and I don't need you lot getting in the way of that."
"Shut up about your daddy issues!" Asta roared as he punched Todoroki once again and the boy was now on the brink of staggering out of the battlefield but before he could do so Asta grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him towards him so that a bloody Todoroki could look him in the eye while still being in bounds. "I was abandoned at a church when I was born so you know what Yuno and I decided when we were kids?"
Todoroki was getting hazy but he heard Asta and shook his head at the question. His life was vastly different to Asta's so he had no way to relate to or understand it but Asta didn't care, he was going to get this through to Todoroki whether he liked it or not.
"We agreed that all our friends would become our family because we had none so to us friends became family." Asta shouted. "And that means you as well Shoto so get that through your thick skull, whether you want it or not we're here to help you even if I have to beat some sense into you because sometimes family has to fight like this to get to a healthy resolution."
Todoroki opened his mouth but Asta wasn't done. This was the moment he'd prepared for from the start of the Sports Festival hoping for a chance to try and talk sense into Todoroki and fate had ensured that he'd get it in the semifinals so he wasn't going to waste it.
"So I say this; screw your old man!" Asta roared in Todoroki's face. "You get to choose your family Todoroki, not him, all he did was create you, if he wasn't a father the way a father should be then you don't have to see him as such. I didn't have a father but I chose my friends to be my family so deal with it. I'll leave you to think on it while I win the Sports Festival."
At that Asta cocked his head back and slammed his forehead into Todoroki's nose breaking it as he headbutted the boy and let go of him at the same time so that he fell backwards and towards the edge of the battlefield. Todoroki wouldn't even need to be out of it, he was already about to pass out from the beating but finally Asta's words had gotten through to him just as Midoriya's had only this time it was Todoroki who was on the losing end of the confrontation. Still, he managed to croak out a final sentence before he passed out.
"I see, thank you, Asta."
That was all that Todoroki got out before he passed out and hit the ground out cold with his upper body out of the battlefield with his arms spread and blood burbling out of his mouth. Asta just stared down at him and smiled as he panted slightly. Sometimes family had to fight but in the end they all came back together because they were family and it looked like Todoroki had finally started to see things in a better light.
"Todoroki is out of the arena." Midnight said with a crack of her flail. "Asta is the winner. He advances to the final round of the Sports Festival!"
"Asta has made it to the finals with another stunning, if unorthodox, victory!" Present Mic said. "What was that last bit about though? He had Todoroki dead to rights the moment his swords hit him but didn't finish him any thoughts?"
Asta just ignored the commentators as they discussed his victory. He just grinned and looked to Class B's box. Yuno was there at the top watching Asta reached the final as there was a bit of a break between the matches but his rival just turned and walked off making Asta grin even more. He'd made it to the final and now it was Yuno's turn. He couldn't wait and finally began to head off to watch the other semifinal as the robots reached Todoroki to take him the Nurse's Office.
"I'm counting on you Yuno." Asta said as he walked off. "I made it now it's your turn. I await you in the final."
"Did, did Asta just try to beat friendship into Todoroki?" Noelle asked as the class watched the end of the match and Asta's advancement to the finals with a little confusion especially because they couldn't really hear what Asta was yelling as he pummeled Todoroki before delivering the final blow. "Because it seemed like that was the case. He did call Todoroki a friend earlier after all and we all saw how Midoriya pushed him I have a feeling that Asta was yelling about friendship as he was punching Todoroki."
"It's Asta so probably." Nero said with a shrug. "What else would he do at that point. The moment he touched Todoroki's sides with his swords he won so why delay if not to, well, be Asta towards him. Asta's a lot like Midoriya so he'd do something similar only without the whole breaking himself in the process part, I think."
"Huh?" Izuku asked looking up from his thoughts on the recent match at the sound of his name as Asta began to walk off the battlefield. "Did you say something Nero?"
"Just that you and Asta are similar in a lot of ways." Nero said. "Though you're more analytical than he is, Asta seems to adapt more on the fly."
"Yeah I was making some mental notes on that." Izuku said. "Shame I don't have my notebook though, or can even write for that matter as I'd liked to have written down my observations on that battle."
"Did you learn something Deku?" Ochaco asked from next to him as Ruby and Weiss finally returned to the group with Ruby's shirt open and bandages all over her chest to help her back fully heal, the session taking a little longer than anticipated so they only just caught the end of the battle as they reached the box. "That was a pretty fast and straightforward battle to me though Asta did take longer than he needed at the end it seemed."
"I'm not sure but I think so." Izuku said his brow furrowed in thought and a small frown on his face. "It seems like the ice and fire are separate factors of Todoroki's Quirk because he could still make the ice when Asta hit his left side. It was rather interesting and comes off more as two Quirks than one as the fire and ice seem to be independent of each other."
"Awe what did we miss." Ruby said as she plopped down next to Izuku and Weiss sat next to her oddly quiet though Nero noted a smile and blush on her and wondered what had happened to make Weiss like that though seeing as the white haired girl had gone to make sure Ruby was ok after her loss to Bakugo that alone could explain Weiss's reaction. "Asta won but how? We saw the end but that was it."
"Pretty standard really." Izuku said turning to Ruby. "His Quirk neutralizes other Quirks and their effects so he just cut through the ice and fire…"
"Wait Todoroki used his flames again?" Weiss asked snapping out of her thoughts of being there with Ruby and how nice it had been to hold her hand, as a friend of course nothing more, while Ruby was being healed, and turned to look at Izuku as she interrupted him. "You forced him to but still I didn't expect he'd use them again so soon."
"Asta was more than a match for the ice so Todoroki was likely forced to try and use his fire." Izuku said. "It's not a solid like ice is so theoretically it was more likely to work. It didn't as Asta cut through it as well though he may have been burned slightly by it. Then Asta hit Todoroki in both sides and beat him until he was out."
"Woah so annoyed I missed Asta with his swords, he's not half bad with them though nowhere near Weiss's level." Ruby said causing Weiss to blush a little at the praise. "Meh, oh well it was nice being with Weiss as I healed so worth missing the early part of the fight."
"Th, thanks Ruby." Weiss said as her blush deepened at that. "Though I am surprised that Todoroki isn't in the finals. Asta's good and all but with that power you'd think Todoroki would make it. In battles like this raw power combined with the training and technique Todoroki has should take him to the finals."
"That's the thing, Todoroki is only power and a little finesse at times." Noelle said. "Power is good but Asta's unorthodox and has a strength that is hard to overcome even for someone as well trained as Todoroki. He's amazing like that and Anti-Quirk really showed what it can do against power based Quirks."
"Asta certainly earned his spot." Nero said as everyone but Izuku and Ruby, and Noelle herself for that matter, noted the tone in Noelle's voice as she praised Asta. "But will he face Yuno or Bakugo next. That's the…"
"He's going to get his wish and face Yuno because Yuno isn't losing to that brute Bakugo." Monoma said popping his head up again to once more annoy them now that the time for the sole remaining Class 1-B member to fight was drawing close. "He's shown that your class is no match for him and when he beats Bakugo he'll be on the brink of winning this and proving that we're better than you."
"Despite that fact that your class lost all its people but him before the quarterfinals and only beat us twice in the first round of the final event." Weiss noted cooly. "7 to 1 is certainly something to note."
"And yet he's still there which is why we'll prove that we're better because we only needed one quarterfinalist to win it all while you failed with 7." Monoma said with a laugh. "Yuno's got this, mark my words."
"Not necessarily." Izuku said thinking on it getting Monoma's attention. "I'll give it to Yuno, he's really strong, has a powerful Quirk and excellent control and knowledge of how it works. He's shown that throughout his time here be it topping the entrance exam, the last two events where he came second and first respectively, or making it to the semifinals without ever moving from his starting spot. He beat some tough competition to get there and did so with ease."
"Tell me about it, it was so manly how he beat me." Kirishima said tears in his eyes at it while Momo just nodded she was deep in thought over the loss she'd suffered and how her confidence was now badly shaken for it, along with the 10 million point steal that Yuno had also orchestrated during the Cavalry Battle. "Makes me want to get even stronger so that I can be on his level one day."
"He showed me that I must continue to work on my weakness." Tokoyami said seriously. "A hero must overcome such a thing and I thank him for teaching me that."
"All true but Kacchan is different from the others." Izuku said. "And he's had three rounds to study Yuno's skills and his fighting style, he'll have a plan and be ready while also being able to adapt on the fly."
"True Bakugo did blast away my attack." Ochaco said. "I thought I had it there but he showed he had a lot more firepower than he'd let on."
"And he understood how to beat me." Ruby said. "Even with my speed I couldn't evade him when he set his mind to overwhelming me."
"Exactly." Izuku said. "This match is going to be close and really push him but Kacchan isn't one to lose. He's been coming fourth consistently up to now and a loss here is as good as fourth again so he'll want to avoid that. Kacchan will do all he can to win and when Kacchan is pushed that's when he's at his best and of everyone here Yuno will push him. Kacchan will see Yuno as a true rival, someone worthy, and he'll show that to us in the coming battle."
"Well still, Yuno will…" Monoma said before he was chopped again by Kendo and fell down, falling backwards this time.
"Sorry for that, this is almost over and we are all rooting for Yuno here as he is the only one of our class left." Kendo said popping up. "Best of luck to you as well. Whoever wins, that final will be good."
"It will be." Izuku said as Kendo went down. "Especially because I'm certain it will be Kacchan in it."
"You have a lot of faith in him." Ochaco noted.
"I've known him my whole life basically." Izuku said as the commentary began for the second semifinal showing that the break was over and it was time to begin it. "Kacchan always rises to a challenge and Yuno is certainly a challenge that he wants to overcome and prove that he's better than. This is a match that Bakugo has wanted since the start of the year when he came fourth in the entrance exam and Asta is in the final and he also beat Kacchan in the exam. The semifinals was perfect for him, this is were we'll really see what he can do."
All the others could do was listen to that before they turned to the battlefield and got ready to watch the second semifinal. One semifinal was in the books and now it was time for the other one and to see who joined Asta in the final of the first year's U.A. Sports Festival.
"After that slightly odd but entertaining first match, it's time for the second one of the semifinals!" Present Mic said excitedly as the crowd roared and Yuno and Bakugo walked out and towards the battlefield. "Like the last one this is another battle of powerhouses who have been leading the pack since the start of the Sports Festival. It's also an interclass matchup as the last member of Class 1-B left in the Sports Festival, Yuno, looks to set up an interclass and Quirk Knight track final with Asta but in his way is the boy who's been chasing him since the start of the year and seems to constantly come fourth, Class 1-A's Katsuki Bakugo! Who's got this one boys?"
"Hard to say." Aizawa said as Bakugo growled at the introduction. "Yuno has been a leading competitor the entire way but Bakugo's drive can't be overlooked. This will be a true challenge for both of them."
"Yes we've not seen Yuno move once in the final event winning all three of his matches without take a single step." Oobleck said. "But given the factors at play in the previous battles compared to the ones in this battle it may be impossible in this one."
"Yuno has shown poise to Bakugo's intensity." Port added as the boys reached the top of the steps and walked onto the battlefield. "A good matchup indeed, a clash of opposites which will push both students."
"Yuno is what many of us look for in a Quirk Knight while Bakugo is a little rough around the edges but he's the kinda hero who'd get the job done even if he's not liked very much by some people, kinda like Endeavor in a way which is a good thing as we need heroes like that who simply get the job done rather than seek fame and glory." William added. "He actually reminds me a bit of my Vice-Captain Langris in terms of how they're both offensive powerhouses who will do all they can only Bakugo is more explosive in that style."
Bakugo just toned it out as he came to a stop and glared at the pretty boy across from him. There were few in his own class who Bakugo considered worthy of recognition, really only Todoroki and Asta at this point and the latter only because he just beat the former. That said Round Cheeks had shown him some skill to test him and force him to go all out so he used her name at the end as a sign of respect while Petals wasn't to be taken lightly given her speed and control over her Quirk hence why he ended that match quickly lest he get caught in her hold.
However, that was just his class, Class 1-B was different and in that there was only one that Bakugo would consider worthy, one who was a true challenge that would force Bakugo to get better to win and that was Yuno. Now he was going to get that chance because this was a match he wanted above all else, even Icy-Hot because of all that Yuno had done to show him up be it the entrance exam, the Obstacle Race or the Cavalry Battle.
In all of those encountered Bakugo had always been one step behind him. Well not anymore. No, now Bakugo would be the one who was going to win and he grinned at the upcoming battle. This was the challenge he truly relished, the fights that forced him to go Plus Ultra if he wanted to win and he fully intended to do just that as he beat this bastard and made it to the final. After all that Yuno had shown to this point beating him would really show the nation that Bakugo would be the next Number 1 Hero, winning the Sports Festival after that and against someone like Asta would only solidify that.
For his part Yuno was as calm as ever though he knew not to take Bakugo lightly. The boy was powerful, relentless, and intelligent with a battle acumen that while it wasn't as good as Asta's it did appear to be close to it in Yuno's mind. As such Yuno had to win this and win it decisively. His previous three had either been straightforward wins against opponents with Quirks that could be blocked or redirected before they fell to his offensive stars, or such significant advantage that he's been able to blow through the bracket to this point. That wouldn't be the case with Bakugo and Yuno was ready for that.
"I told you at the start of the year that when I got the chance I'd destroy you the moment I got it, pretty boy." Bakugo said with a grin. "That chance has come and I'll show you and everyone what it takes to be the top hero."
"Despite your personality, you're talented, I'll give you that, so beating you will show what it takes to be Wizard King when our generation reaches that point." Yuno said calmly. "But I don't intend to lose to anyone today. My rival has made it to the final already and now I will as well."
"Bring it on then." Bakugo said his grin getting wider. "I'm going to crush you, Yuno."
"I accept this challenge, Bakugo." Yuno said his tone as calm as ever.
"Begin!" Present Mic yelled unable to take it anymore and the second semifinal started with a roar of the crowd and a massive explosion from Bakugo that rocketed him at Yuno.
"Die!" Bakugo roared as he let off another explosion to increase his speed.
"Not likely." Yuno said raising his hand and created in teleportation star right in front of Bakugo. "I…"
"Nice try bastard but I saw that trick against Ponytail." Bakugo yelled as he blasted down with his left hand so that he went over the star that Yuno had planned to use to get Bakugo behind him and bombard him with offensive stars that he was about to form. "I study those who are worthy, those who I want to beat and you're the top of that list pretty boy."
At that Bakugo raised his right hand and as he blasted himself forward with his left he unleashed a barrage of explosions from his right at Yuno that filled the air before him with hot blasts of fire and smoke. To mitigate it Yuno formed a constellation shield, the stars twinkling to life before him and connecting to take the damage that would be caused by the explosions but their light gave them away and Bakugo grinned as he twisted his body sideways and blasted around Yuno with his left hand using his right to unleash more explosions onto the boy from all angles as he flew around him.
For the first time all day Yuno took a hit as the first few explosions slammed into his side and back before he could erect a shield which staggered him forward a step, his first movement of the day. They were strong and painful, tearing his cloths and singeing his skin but not enough to do more than that mainly because Bakugo was using both hands which actually weakened his explosions a little not that Yuno realized it.
Regardless, the main thing that the explosions they did was that they broke his concentration and the constellation shield before him flickered out as Bakugo flew in front of him and unleaded at Yuno's chest. Rather than reform the shield or let the blast hit him, however, Yuno formed a transportation star on his chest as he looked up and vanished into the air high above the battlefield. He may not have moved in the battles until now but he wasn't arrogant enough to think that he could beat Bakugo without moving around, nor anyone for that matter as he'd always been ready to move he'd just not needed to.
"That's it bastard!" Bakugo roared with a grin as he saw Yuno vanish and turned to look up at him as he righted himself in the air and blasted downwards with a massive explosion that rocketed him up and after Yuno with enough force that his explosions cracked the cement below him. "I got you to move! Now fight me with all you got, show me what the next Wizard King might be and I'll show you who will surpass All Might!"
Yuno didn't respond he just chained teleportation stars to go higher as Bakugo shot upwards on a series of explosions switching between looking up to place his next star and down to see Bakugo as he shot at him while dispelling those stars so that Bakugo couldn't use them to get right to Yuno. The boy was going all out as well and Yuno know that he'd have to respond in kind to win this as a field of attack stars at different heights formed as he moved sending out beams of starlight down and at Bakugo as he blasted up an at the retreating Yuno who could teleport away but that just made Bakugo push harder to get reach him.
As he did the blasts of starlight rained down on him like white rain that forced Bakugo to spin twist and move around in the air as he shot upwards grinning the entire time as he evaded the attacks. This was just the kinda fight Bakugo wanted, pushed to his limit to evade the powerful attack while maintaining his speed and ascension was a true challenge and the air was filled with explosions and flashes of starlight as Bakugo chased Yuno down.
Bakugo didn't even care that a few of the blasts of starlight hit him, it showed how strong the Quirk was that even he couldn't evade all the attacks. The first to do sliced Bakugo across his right cheek opening up a cut that bled freely there while another scored a line on his left bicep, a third ran over the to of his left shoulder and a fourth even cut him on the back of his right calf due to the angle.
However Bakugo just ignored the hits and flashes of pain they caused as he closed in on Yuno ready for his next move. All he just needed Yuno to go into defense mode which as Bakugo drew closer and closer to Yuno became clear that he would have to as Bakugo could cover more distance than Yuno could when he teleported due to Yuno being the one who was retreating at the moment.
Yuno noticed this so he stopped teleporting, formed two stars under his feet to stand and look down at Bakugo as a whole blanket of attack stars formed in a wall below him to unleashed a rainstorm of star beams onto Bakugo in a continuous downpour of them. It was taxing to his Quirk, using multiple kinds at once always was, but Yuno couldn't hold back against someone like Bakugo and if he couldn't beat the explosive boy then Yuno felt he had no chance against Asta.
Despite the attack covering a good area with simultaneous blasts of star beams, Yuno knew that it wouldn't take down Bakugo as the boy just swung his arms out and unleashed a powerful blast from his hands to shoot backwards and out of the area before the downpour could hit. Bakugo then swung his arms back down to blast right at Yuno thus evading the attack and coming right for Yuno again.
However, the attack wasn't actually meant to take down Bakugo, it was meant force him away for a few second, seconds that Yuno needed to set himself. He used that time wisely as a whole dome of defensive stars formed around Yuno and connected to each other in a spherical constellation shield just as Bakugo unleashed his next barrage at Yuno and the attack stars vanished no longer needed leaving nothing but small holes in the battlefield below them as a sign that they'd even been there in the first place.
The blasts slammed into the shield but it held and Bakugo proceeded to unload once again as he spun around the shield in a flight pattern that allowed him to cover all of it as he filled the air with explosions and smoke roaring obscenities as he did. The shield held though and while Yuno couldn't see, which meant he couldn't place a constellation star as he needed line of sight to place it though he didn't have to look at it to transport to it once it was place and the ones he'd used he'd dismissed, he could get ready and he had a second dome within his dome filled with attack stars to pepper Bakugo the moment he could.
The one thing Yuno was acutely aware of though was that while his stars were holding he was getting close to his limit for the first time since the entrance exam as there were only so many stars he could produce and control at a time and multiple types increased the toll his Quirk took. All he'd had to use to get to this point was more than he'd used since getting into U.A. but that was fine with him, he needed these challenges to really push him to get stronger if he was to surpass Asta and become the Wizard King. Plus Bakugo had to be near his limit as well so this likely would come down to who's Quirk held out longer.
Bakugo was indeed nearing his and he could feel the sting in his wrists and arms from the recoil of his explosions but he wasn't going to back off, not when he knew the time was nigh to unveil this move. He'd developed it a while ago but he'd not needed to use it until now, until he faced someone who truly forced his hand and make him use it to win. As such he was grinning as he got above Yuno in his dome and rained down the attack even more as he ascended higher into the air easily at eye level for the top ring of the stadium.
Now, though, the explosions weren't meant to try and get through the constellation shield but rather they were to obscure Yuno's vison. As Bakugo had been chasing Yuno he'd seen how the other boy had had to look to place those transportation stars so if he blinded him with smoke Bakugo would buy the time he needed to form his move. The pretty boy of Class B wasn't the only one who could use distraction to his advantage after all.
The moment he was high enough above Yuno, and there was enough smoke still in the air to ensure it, Bakugo flipped his legs back and above his head as he ended the explosions onto the star dome he was facing but rather blasted them to his sides and slightly upwards to make himself spin and create a tornado of explosions as he dove towards the dome from above. The twister would then collect momentum and oxygen adding to the explosion which would also be boosted by gravity as Bakugo shot down to the stars that glinted as the smoke cleared.
"Howitzer Impact!" Bakugo roared as the smoke cleared and Yuno had enough time to see Bakugo spin before he placed his left hand on the constellation shield and unleashed an explosion that was greater than the one he'd used to block Uraraka's attack. "Die!"
Yuno had been holding out and was ready to counter but now he just had to brace himself as the explosion rocked the whole stadium, which when you factored in that they were on par with the suite level only added to it, as the massive fireball formed and blasted outwards rattling windows and causing the audience to brace as light and fire filled the air. It was the second largest such explosion after the end to Midoriya and Todoroki's match though as it was off the ground the only thing that was felt was the shockwave, there was no damage like what had happened in the quarterfinals.
In the explosion though, the force was such that Yuno's stars shattered, destroyed by the sheer power Bakugo had generated. They did hold up to protect Yuno from the blast but the force of it threw Yuno backwards and down to the battlefield below.
All anyone could see was Yuno blasted backwards out of the explosions before he slammed into the hard concrete with a bone jarring boom a second later. Yuno himself let out a gasp and exhaled a fair bit of blood as he hit the ground. He was still conscious though; he'd used the last of his stars from the shield to form a platform behind him which took the brunt of the impact but it was still bad and there was no way he could get up from this.
Even if Yuno could, Bakugo blasted down and through his explosion that was still going on above Yuno and flew down towards him as Yuno hit the ground only to pull up at the last minute and arrest his fall with explosion, explosions he pumped into Yuno for good measure. Between the concussive force of the blast that had shattered his dome and the impact with the ground Yuno didn't have any strength to defend and was rocked by the explosions on the ground that were clearly targeted for maximum stun power.
That lasted a good few seconds before Bakugo stopped the attack and landed on his feet straddling Yuno and crouching over him as smoke filled the interior of the stadium blinding everyone. Present Mic complained about not being able to commentate because he could see what was going on while Aizawa and Oobleck explained the nature of Bakugo's move and what he'd done with Port and William adding their own opinions on it and what might be going on as the smoke began to clear.
Despite all this Yuno showed his grit and determination by remaining conscious throughout it all but even before the explosions faded he felt it as Bakugo slammed his right hand into Yuno's chest over his heart and grabbed Yuno's face with his left though he kept Yuno's mouth free. Bakugo's hands were warm as he had small, controlled, explosions on them, enough to make it uncomfortable for Yuno but nothing more though it made clear to Yuno his position right now. However, Yuno could feel the tremble in Bakugo's hands and knew that like him Bakugo had been pushed to the edge with his Quirk.
"Not bad, you're as good as I expected." Bakugo said with a grin his breathing a little ragged as the smoke cleared to show the stadium of the sight of him crouched over a spread eagled and clearly battered Yuno with his hands on him. "Forced me to use my strongest move for the first time, I commend you for that, but you're done. Do you think that in your state and in this position you can make a star in time?"
"No, you're right I'm barely able to stay conscious." Yuno croaked out blood bubbling from his mouth as he spoke and looked at Bakugo. "You may have won Bakugo but Asta won't be as easy as me, my rival is better than me. It's a shame I can't face him but I'm not going to deny the situation. I surrender."
"Yuno gives up." Midnight said with a crack of her flail as Bakugo rose and stepped off Yuno while the crowd processed what had happened and the robots hurried out to get Yuno who passed out as Bakugo rose but not before noting that he still had a long way to go to surpass Asta and vowing to get stronger because of it. "Bakugo is the winner!"
"That is it! the semifinals are over and we have our finalists!" Present Mic said as Bakugo stepped away from Yuno and looked to the jumbotron. "The final of this year's U.A. Sports Festival for the first years will be between Asta and Bakugo!"
At that the jumbotron changed to show a vertical split screen between with Asta on the left and Bakugo on the right and a big VS between them. Bakugo noted it as the commentators began discussing the semifinals as a whole which he ignored as he turned his gaze to his class's box and saw Asta there standing in the area behind it.
The gray haired boy had a hard look and Bakugo grinned. He'd beaten Asta's rival and denied him that sweet matchup in the final. Well tough, Bakugo was going to win this and Asta would be a great final stamp on Bakugo's victory. With that thought he turned and walked off the battlefield ready for the final.
Everyone was as the whole stadium and those watching at home, including in the church were Asta and Yuno were raised where Father Orsi, Sister Lily and the other orphans cheered for Asta to win it, prepared for the climactic end to the first year's Sports Festival. Only Bakugo and Asta remained and soon one would gain immortality and they battled it out for the gold medal and the honor be being crowned a winner of the U.A. Sports Festival.
Well there it is, the finals are now known as Asta and Bakugo advance to what should be an epic final. The Sports Festival is drawing to a close and after many great events and performances two remain to fight for immortality as they clash but who will win? Well stay tuned as that will be coming though due to various IRL factors I am not expecting to have the next chapter out for at least 3, if not 4 weeks. Soon I should be able to go back to a more set and frequent schedule once life returns to normal for me and my primary story is forced to go on hiatus due to catching up with the MHA anime (I could use the manga but it's a lot easier and smoother to work off the anime) but all in good time. Lastly, while not the usual style, William's reference to the similarities between Bakugo and Langris is a nod to them sharing a VA so that's there as well and one of the slightly deeper ones I've made so far. Anyway, that is all that I have to say on this chapter, there really isn't much more to add after the epic battles we just saw so I will leave it off here. If you like this story please follow, favorite (this story and me) to keep up with it and leave a review or PM, your support is what helps motivate me to keep up this work and any questions posed before the next chapter is uploaded I will try to answer. Until next time.
Stringdog