Review Responses:
Teknofan- Taro Suzuki is a character from one of Horikoshi's earlier works, Oumagadoki Zoo, and in this story, he appeared previous in the 1-C scene from Chapter 21. He's little more than a cameo character, but he does serve to expand on 1-C's presence in the story.
King-Chris 2426- While Nobunaga is one of the later Servants I finalized for this story (although the idea of including her had been bouncing around for a decent while before that point), the idea of Nobunaga abandoning Izuku was something that came about after I set Izuku's Servant in stone.
Wickerstein- Thank you! An ensemble cast is certainly tricky to manage, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. One of my goals with this fanfiction was to look at familiar characters in new ways, and Izuku is definitely at the forefront of that.
Thank you to everyone who Favorited, Followed, or Reviewed. Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia or any Fate works, and they are the properties of their respective creators.
Tournament Uproar IV: Riders in the Stadium
First-Year Stage, U.A. High School
Day 22, Morning
Hitoshi Shinso felt he must have been going crazy.
When his classmate Izuku Midoriya, who was worth ten million points in the next event, came up and asked him to join his team, Shinso should have been quick to refuse.
Yet for some reason that even Shinso didn't understand, he had accepted Midoriya's offer, and the purple-haired boy found himself following his teammate to their next recruitment attempt, 'Seriously… what was I thinking? Why the hell did I agree to this?'
Admittedly, Shinso hadn't exactly had the biggest market for potential teammates. Suzuki and Togeike's team was an option, but he had major doubts about the pair's ability to carry him to the Third Event, so he had been hesitant to go that route. Instead, Shinso had been planning to use his Quirk to force some members of 1-A and 1-B into becoming his team.
'Midoriya isn't powerless anymore, so I guess that's some solace, but we still need more firepower. But if he can't convince anyone, will he let me force some people in?'
Sighing, Shinso focused back on his surroundings, as Midoriya suddenly bowed in front of two of Class 1-A's students.
"Please, Jiro, Tokoyami— I'd like you to join my team!"
The sudden invitation was a surprise to both the jack-eared girl and the bird-headed boy, who stared at Midoriya's outstretched hand with expressions of curiosity and apprehension.
Of the two, Tokoyami was the least conflicted about the offer. He didn't have any problem joining Midoriya's team, but he couldn't help but feel a bit confused. Midoriya was a General Studies student— how did he know enough about Tokoyami's personality and Quirk to make this confident offer?
'Perhaps he caught sight of Dark Shadow and I during the Obstacle Course? Even so, he must be taking a risk. How valiant.'
With a small laugh, the bird-headed boy replied to Midoriya's offer, "Very well. I accept. You have yourself a third companion, my new friend."
Midoriya's face glowed with delight, and he quickly turned toward Jiro, hopeful expectation on his face. As the boy stared at her, Jiro rubbed the back of her neck nervously. She didn't dislike Midoriya, but his ridiculous number of points would make being a part of his team a challenge. Yet, with each second of hesitation, Jiro could see the other teams were rapidly forming around her— most likely already suspecting her of having joined Midoriya's team. She needed to make a decision quickly.
Jiro sighed, "Why not ask someone else? Like your other two General Studies classmates? Shouldn't you ask them? I know we know each other through the beach training… but wouldn't you work better with them?"
Unfortunately, Jiro spoke just a bit too loudly. Grimacing, she noticed Ashido standing near Kirishima, Sero, and Bakugo, staring at her with glittering glee.
Jiro wanted to put her head in her hands, 'Great… that's a conversation I don't want to have later. Fantastic work, me.'
However, seeing Midoriya was beginning to answer her question, Jiro focused on her fellow Master, "I-I can't get into the details unless you agree to join, but I think we can utilize both you and Tokoyami's Quirks to get an advantage."
'An advantage? Did he notice what I had been practicing in secret?'
Sighing Jiro made her decision, "I'm probably gonna regret this, but… screw it, I'm in."
While Midoriya breathed a sigh of relief and contained joy, Shinso spoke up, "Alright then, so we've got a full team… now let's talk strategy."
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Mei Hatsume let out a cry of disappointment as she watched the four talk, "Aw, what? Mr. First already has a full team? That's no fun! Well then…"
Whirling around, she pointed at Koji Koda and Tenya Iida, who both reacted with surprise, "... you two! Team up with me!"
Koda nodded on reflex, while Iida sputtered out a response, his single-focused focus on trying and join Todoroki's team momentarily swapped for confusion, "Well, I… I actually intended to…"
Glancing over, he saw that Todoroki's team of Kaminari and Yaoyorozu was already approaching Kendo. Adapting on the fly, he put out his hand, "...never mind. I shall accept your offer of a team!"
"Nice job, four-eyes! Now I can use you to show off all my cool gear!"
The boy flattered, "Excuse me?"
Ochaco, seeing Iida joining up with his team, turned to her classmates, Ojiro and Sato, "Looks like I won't be able to ask Iida to join us…"
Ojiro shook his head, "Don't worry, Uraraka… Sato and I have got your back!"
As Class 1-B split off into groups, the mantis-like Togaru Kamakiri stared in confusion at his vine-haired classmate, Ibara Shiozaki.
"You want me… to join you? And why should I do that, church girl?"
Before either of her extant teammates, Juzo Honenuki and Hiryu Rin, could reply for her, Shiozaki spoke calmly, "Take a glance around the arena. Kodai has already formed a full team with Awase, Kaibara, and Tsuburaba. As for the others, it looks like they'll probably gravitate to Monoma, Kirisame, or Tokage… none of which I believe you get along with, yes?"
Honenuki wanted to whistle as he watched Shiozaki work her magic, 'I didn't know Shiozaki had a manipulative side to her… it's kind of scary.'
After a moment of glancing toward his limited other options, Kamakiri grumbled in agreement, "Well I certainly ain't gonna bother teaming with Shoda or some 1-A's or 1-C's… so you win, church girl. I'll join your fucking choir group here."
Shiozaki smiled, "Wonderful. Although your language could use some work, I must say."
Kamakiri grumbled, "Yeah, yeah… just shut up."
Meanwhile, the two remaining members of 1-C in the events looked over at Midoriya's newly-formed team with mixed emotions. Suzuki looked at Togeike, "Are you not going to celebrate Izuku recruiting that Heroic Course girl? Or Shinso?"
Togeike sighed, "No, I… feel kinda bad, now that I think about it."
Suzuki tilted his head, "Hmm?"
"Back when we got attacked by villains at the comic book store… I couldn't save Midoriya from them. I wasn't able to stand by him when he needed it, and now I pushed him away because of some point value. Some friend I am."
Suzuki absorbed Togeike's statement before responding, "Chi… you're not a bad friend. I'm sure Midoriya would agree with me on this."
"But…"
"Listen, I saw you reach out to Midoriya on that first day. Before that Bakugo freak attacked him and he earned those pity points. You didn't care if he was Quirkless then or whatever— you reached out to him. Plus, Midoriya's smart. He knows you want to win. He's not going to hold this against you. So let's come at him with everything we've got."
After a few more minutes, Midnight called out once again to the students, "Your fifteen minutes are up, kiddos! Time to get started! Get into your riding positions!"
As the students began scrambling into their horse-and-rider formations, the heroes in the commentary box discussed the happenings below, "Wake up, Eraser! The Second Event's about to get started! They've had their time to form teams and strategize, and now all twelve teams are getting lined up and ready to move!"
Eraserhead glanced down at the monitor next to him, where the teams began to filter into place. As they appeared on the monitor, the Erasure Hero grinned beneath his bandages. Temporarily disabling his mic, he chuckled, "Interesting… so these are the teams they've come up with."
Present Mic, meanwhile, began announcing the teams.
"Starting in the 12th-place slot, with a total of only 30 points… it's Team Togeike! Make some noise for this pair of General Studies competitors!"
Team Togeike: [30 Points]
Chikuchi Togeike [5 Points]
Taro Suzuki [25 Points]
Eraserhead could have alternated in, but he left the announcing to Mic for now.
"Next, in the 11th-place slot with 180 points… it's Team Monoma! Just above them in 10th is Team Shoda with 235 points!"
Team Monoma: [180 Points]
Neito Monoma [20 Points]
Kojiro Bondo [75 Points]
Pony Tsunotori [15 Points]
Reiko Yanagi [70 Points]
Team Shoda: [235 Points]
Nirengeki Shoda [40 Points]
Jurota Shishida [60 Points]
Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu [135 Points]
Looking at the screen, the Voice Hero murmured before his next announcement, "Hmm… seems that most of Class 1-B had a rougher go of the Obstacle Course, because the 9th and 8th-place spots both belong to their students as well! With 295 and 355 points respectively, we've got Team Tokage and Team Kodai!"
Team Tokage: [295 Points]
Setsuna Tokage [10 Points]
Tsuka Kirisame [195 Points]
Kinoko Komori [35 Points]
Shihai Kuroiro [55 Points]
Team Kodai: [355 Points]
Yui Kodai [50 Points]
Yosetsu Awase [130 Points]
Sen Kaibara [90 Points]
Kosei Tsuburaba [85 Points]
Eraserhead chose to interrupt at that point, if just to ensure that Mic didn't earn Vlad King's wrath any further, "However, we shouldn't underestimate any of them. Kirisame on Team Tokage, for example, placed best out of all of 1-B, getting 4th Place in Round 1."
Down in the stadium, Monoma bit his lip in frustration. Class 1-A's homeroom teacher was saying the exact sort of thing he didn't want getting into the 1-A students' heads, 'Damn Kirisame and the others… they should have been following my plan!'
"Well, well… seems Eraserhead's finally chiming in! Want to take over for the next few, buddy? They're your students after all!"
"Alright… in 7th, with 375 points, is Team Uraraka. Being seeded above them in 6th, with 390 points, is Team Mineta."
Team Uraraka: [375 Points]
Ochaco Uraraka [115 Points]
Mashirao Ojiro [140 Points]
Rikido Sato [120 Points]
Team Mineta: [390 Points]
Minoru Mineta [100 Points]
Tsuyu Asui [165 Points]
Mezo Shoji [125 Points]
"Aghh, where's your passion? They're your students! Don't worry folks, I'll take command for these last five! So let's keep going with our highest-ranking 1-B team. Starting in 5th, with 430 points… it's Team Shiozaki!"
Team Shiozaki: [430 Points]
Ibara Shiozaki [175 Points]
Juzo Honenuki [180 Points]
Togaru Kamakiri [30 Points]
Hiryu Rin [45 Points]
The Voice Hero, true to his word, continued without giving Eraserhead a chance to interject, "Now, reaching the top 4, we've got our highest-seeded team of three. With a mix of 1-A and 1-H students and 445 points… it's Team Hatsume!"
Team Hatsume: [445 Points]
Mei Hatsume [190 Points]
Koji Koda [95 Points]
Tenya Iida [160 Points]
Below, riding atop Iida and Koda, Hatsume yelled excitedly, "I'm ready for your offers, support companies!"
"In 3rd, with a truly frosty rider and 615 points… it's Team Todoroki! But they've got fierce competition in our 2nd place team! With a squad of ferocious high rankers from the Obstacle Course and 635 points… it's Team Bakugo!"
Team Todoroki: [615 Points]
Shoto Todoroki [185 Points]
Denki Kaminari [80 Points]
Itsuka Kendo [200 Points]
Momo Yaoyorozu [150 Points]
Team Bakugo: [635 Points]
Katsuki Bakugo [205 Points]
Mina Ashido [105 Points]
Eijiro Kirishima [155 Points]
Hanta Sero [170 Points]
Below, helping hold up Todoroki, Kendo gazed over at Bakugo, 'It's not just Midoriya I have to beat… Bakugo will be a powerful adversary.'
"Now then, to finish up our rankings, we have the team that is worth more than 10 Million Points— that's right, it's Team… Jiro? Am I reading this correctly?"
Team Jiro: [10,000,320 Points]
Kyoka Jiro [110 Points]
Izuku Midoriya [10,000,000 Points]
Hitoshi Shinso [65 Points]
Fumikage Tokoyami [145 Points]
Eraserhead proceeded to explain the situation, "Teams are free to elect whatever captain they choose. Many might default to selecting their most valuable member, but it seems our 1st-place team doesn't care about that. It's a completely logical move. And as I might point out, Team Todoroki and Team Tokage did the same thing, just to name two."
Present Mic recovered, "Well, anyway… let's get a strong battle cry, everyone! Here comes the starting signal! Let the bloody cavalry battle begin!"
Tightening the headband around her head, Jiro steeled her nerves, "Alright… I'm ready."
Midoriya nodded behind and to Jiro's left, "Right. Let's just hope everything goes to plan."
Shinso smirked next to him, "Idiot. You know it won't."
Tokoyami, who carried the horse from the front, gave his own comment, "Either way, we shall smash through their attempts to stop us!"
Dark Shadow screeched in excitement, "Let's get this party started!"
Stadium Grounds, First-Year Stage
Day 22, Morning
"A cavalry battle… I must say it's a lot different than the jousts of my country's past."
Standing outside the First-Year Stage, Richard the Lionheart, the True Saber of the Holy Grail War, smiled up at the large display screen above. Next to him was his fellow Saber, Musashi Miyamoto. Despite being in public, both were in their Servant attire. That was because both were currently taking part in another of Nezu's schemes.
As part of his plan to make their appearance at the U.S.J. more believable, Nezu had forged false identities for both Richard and Musashi. The premise was relatively believable— both of them were American Pro Heroes that Nezu had contracted as security following the press break-in just before the Nagoya Disaster.
Plus, thanks to a favor that the U.S. Military's Commander Timothy Agpar owed All Might, Nezu had even managed to get false records into the United States's Hero Database. If the HPSC looked into it, they would find "The Crusader Hero: Volteface" and "The Journey Hero: Kaede" seemed just as genuine as Star and Stripe herself.
As an extra precaution, however, Nezu had asked the two Servants to watch over the Sports Festival as a part of the heroic security detail. They would be further supported by False Caster, whose Noble Phantasm would allow her to detect the arrival of Servants who might appear at the Sports Festival.
That was what had led the two to this area near the food stalls. During the first event, Caster had detected a discrepancy in the strands in this area of the stadium. While they had reported as normal, she had noticed the faint taint of what appeared to be divine energy affecting the strands.
As they had headed over, both Musashi and Richard had kept an eye on the screen, watching their respective Masters complete the obstacle course. Taking his eyes away from the screen, True Saber put a finger to his chin and murmured, "My good fellows… do you sense anything?"
o) « Yes… but only slightly. Whatever presence came through here is gone, my king. »
Richard frowned, "Unfortunate. And judging from your silence, Joachim, I assume you can't sense anything either."
£) « Indeed not. I apologize, Your Majesty. »
"It is quite alright. Perhaps we can use other means."
Richard's eyes fell upon a Pro Hero who was ordering from a nearby karaage stand. The Pro Hero's name was Elecplant. He was dressed in a red cape and a black bodysuit that covered even his face. Over Elecplant's ears were two bolt-shaped radio antennae, hinting at the electrical nature of his Quirk. He was a Pro Hero who was quite well known in both America and England, being a storied member of All Might's generation of heroes. In part due to his respect for All Might, Elecplant had made it a habit to visit Japan annually to observe the U.A. Sports Festival.
Noticing Richard and Musashi approaching, Elecplant quickly paid for his lunch and stepped away from the stand, "May I help you?"
Richard nodded, "Why, yes! Me and Kaede here were responding to a report of a possible malicious intruder. Have you seen anything of the sort, my friend?"
Elecplant shook his head, "Sorry, I've seen nothing… say, do I know you? You seem familiar."
Richard responded calmly, "I don't believe we've met. Maybe I remind you of someone?"
Elecplant contemplated that possibility for a moment before nodding, "You're right. I'm sorry… you just remind me a lot of my colleague, Lionheart."
Richard raised his eyebrow, "Lionheart?"
"Oh, right. I shouldn't expect everyone to be up to date on international hero rankings. Lionheart is Britain's No.4 Hero. Has a whole knightly and Arthurian vibe just like yours. Styles himself as a new Richard I."
At Elecplant's words, Richard broke out into a boisterous laugh. Sensing the Hero's confusion, the Servant smiled as he collected himself, "A copycat! How delightful! Well, my good sir— I shall bid you farewell! Thank you for your help!"
With that, Richard began walking off towards a nearby Takoyaki stand, near which the buxom heroine Mount Lady munched distractedly on a ball of Takoyaki.
Elecplant turned to look at Musashi, although his confused expression was hidden behind his costume, "That partner of yours… he's quite… what's the word… spirited?"
Musashi shrugged, "Eh, aren't all heroes a little weird? I'm certainly guilty of that. Anyhow, see ya~!"
Elecplant merely responded with confusion at the rapid closure of the conversation, "Goodbye…?"
Unperturbed, Musashi smiled brightly as she walked over to join Richard and the heroine he was talking to.
'Hmmm… haven't I seen a lady who looks like that in Kendo's memories? Regardless, I might as well just follow my fellow Saber's lead!'
General Spectator Seating, First-Year Stage
Day 22, Morning
While the Sabers investigated outside, their quarry sat calmly in one of the many seats of the stadium. Although she would normally revel in the effect her charm had on humanity, Ishtar had taken the time to apply an enchantment that masked her beauty to those around her. She would still be sinfully attractive, but only slightly above the level that Konako Haizono had been.
'I cannot have myself drawing too much attention. Gilgamesh and Enkidu have been keeping their distance, but I cannot be certain for how long they will stay idle. That all aside, an event such as this is sure to draw in other Masters and Servants regardless. Moths to a flame… although I suppose I flocked to this "Sports Festival" as well.'
Ishtar could feel the presence of several magical presences within the stadium. Two were elsewhere in the seating areas, with one feeling oddly familiar to both Ereshkigal's and her own presence. The third, to her slight intrigue, was down below.
'So one of the humans developed magic circuits. Alas, in the end, they are still nothing before the likes of a Heroic Spirit— let alone a goddess like me.'
Chuckling softly to herself, Ishtar's mouth curled into a small smirk as she awaited the beginning of the Cavalry Battle, 'Gilgamesh… I do not doubt if you knew I was here, you would not hesitate to draw your sword within this stadium. Not that I care for the lives of mortal fools… but what a destructive display that would be. Both child and "hero" alike would be swept aside by Ea, obliterated by your ardent search for me. I wonder… just what sort of Master do you have? Would they too be caught in the crossfire of your rage?'
Serenno Hotel, Tokyo
Day 22, Afternoon
In an opulent suite in the prestigious Serenno Hotel, the Heroic Spirit Gilgamesh watched the Third-Years of U.A. compete with only mild interest. Not being engaged in battle, the King of Heroes had opted for attire befitting his current lodgings. His hair was slicked back, and a small gold necklace was placed around his neck. Over a burgundy dress shirt, he wore a white suit jacket with black lapels, which paired well with his black dress pants and brown loafers.
"Hmph. What a trivial game this 'Capture the Flag' is. These mongrels are the next defenders of their world… but I suppose they are still children, to follow the standards of this era."
In the chair next to the couch that Gilgamesh sat on, Bazett watched the television as well. She was dressed much more simply than her Servant, opting for only a white dress shirt and brown pants. Bazett's eyes danced across the TV screen as she observed a black-haired boy suddenly turn his fingers into squid tentacles. In an impressive display of skill, he swerved the tentacles around his opponents, grabbing several flags from one of the several hills set up inside the stadium floor.
Through the intercom, the voice of one of the commentators, which Bazett had previously observed to be a female hero with gear-shaped irises, explained the situation, "And in a single move, Amajiki of Team 2 has nabbed four of Team 3's flags! If he can get back safely, his team will be staunchly in the lead, and he'll get a massive boost to his own score!"
Yet Bazett's mind lingered on Gilgamesh's words. Despite his disparaging tone, the ancient king had spoken of the third-year students with an undertone of amusement. She'd suspected it ever since she saw him react maturely to an accident in the hotel's restaurant. During their meal two nights ago, the young daughter of a CEO staying at the restaurant had spilled her drink all over Archer's outfit. Yet, instead of being wrathful, the King of Heroes had laughed and dismissed the CEO's attempts at reparations. He gave the daughter a lesson on keeping awareness of her surroundings, and sent her off, both of them having a smile on their face.
As she reminisced about that night, Bazett smiled lightly at her Servant, 'Gilgamesh, King of Heroes… he is judgemental and harsh, but I guess he has a soft spot for children.'
Quietly, the two continued to watch the second event of the Third-Year Stage, and eventually, Bazett's mind wandered away from the events again. This time, however, she settled on a less positive topic than before. In the mire of her mind, Bazett thought about the message that had been delivered to them seventeen days prior, back before the month had turned over.
'Francesca Prelati… she must be the organizer of this war. I'd heard tell of them during my time as an enforcer.'
Francesca might be the current guise of the war's overseer, but Bazett was aware of her true identity as Francois Prelati. The magenta-haired woman knew exactly what sort of horrid deeds the heretic priest had done, actions that disturbed even a magus's sensibilities.
'And if Gilgamesh's words are to be believed, and I am sure they are… she has allied with an Outer God. One that controls this very world and its laws.'
In retrospect, the situation in this world made a lot more sense once an Outer God came into the picture. While studying the Outer Gods was generally seen as taboo, Bazett had enough cursory knowledge to know that Outer Gods were capable of feats that were outside the Common Sense of Man. Yet, as higher beings, they were also restricted when trying to penetrate lower levels of reality.
'That must be what this 'Olkoth' needs Prelati for— while they have a degree of control over this world that outstrips most Outer Gods, they still need an agent to perpetrate their goals.'
Bazett wasn't sure how she'd fare against the likes of Prelati, who had eluded enforcers again and again and seemed to reappear even when killed.
If nothing else, Bazett had the solace of Fragarach being in her arsenal. The Noble Phantasm was a sacred relic of the Fraga clan, a reward for their faithful servitude to Manannán mac Lier and the other ancient deities of Europe even after the end of the Age of Gods. Even her unexplained transportation through space and time did not seem to cause Fragarach to part with her, although she did worry about what her absence meant for her clan's already dwindling pedigree.
'Even so, I can't be frivolous with it. It takes a whole month to make more ammo for Fragarach, and even so, this world lacks reagents I'd need for the ritual. I've only got three shots— I'll have to make them count.'
Gilgamesh, who had been quietly observing his Master out of the corner of his eye, smirked ever so slightly before opening his mouth to speak.
"Bazett Fraga McRemitz… distance yourself from the obscurities of the future."
The magenta-haired magus looked up at her Servant in confusion, "Your Majesty?"
"You know exactly what I speak of, mongrel. You may believe your thoughts are concealed, but your expression speaks volumes. I order you thus… concern yourself not with the distant future. That is the domain of I, the King. A subject such as yourself has no part in it."
"I… as you command, your majesty."
Gilgamesh's smirk widened, "Good. Now then… let us immerse ourselves in this 'Sports Festival' we have been observing. These commentators are boorish… prove to me you are a more worthy analyst than they."
Setting her eyes on the television, Bazett nodded. If Gilgamesh wanted her as a commentator, she would indulge him. After all… it was in her best interests to remain in the good graces of one of humanity's mightiest heroes.
Streets Near Uwabami Agency, Tokyo
Day 22, Morning
In the backseat of a limousine, the Pro Uwabami sat with her phone up to her ear. Although she wasn't on active duty right now, the Snake Hero had opted for her usual heroic attire of a long, sleeveless burgundy dress decorated with a snakeskin pattern. However, as her Quirk made her slightly vulnerable to colder temperatures, she had also opted to wear a white fur-collared jacket. It was the latest in a series of designer jackets produced by the Hutta Fashion Company— and was, as such, absurdly expensive.
Uwabami wasn't worried about being recognized on her outing today. The restaurant she was heading to, Sushi Oboro, had a special area reserved for celebrities and heroes. Uwabami would not have to even go through the main entrance, so paparazzi would be a total non-issue.
Her reason for visiting Sushi Oboro was because of the very person she was currently on the phone with. To Uwabami's surprise, her fellow Pro Hero, Ms. Joke, had invited her to lunch. The two weren't exactly what Uwabami would call proper friends, but she had done some modeling work with Emi Fukukado in the past.
'Hopefully, she doesn't yap my ear off about her plans to confess to Eraserhead this time.'
Deciding to be frank, Uwabami finally voiced her questions about today over the phone, "Say, Emi— why exactly did you invite me out to lunch today? Shouldn't you be busy watching whatever stage Eraserhead is commentary?"
On the other side of the line, Emi Fukukado responded with a hearty laugh, "Hahaha! Was wondering when you'd ask that, Umi! Well, to be honest, it's cause I thought us '-mi's' should stick together."
Uwabami grumbled at the awful response, "Emi, I'm serious. Why aren't you watching the Sports Festival?"
Emi, sensing that a jokey response would be ill-suited, responded seriously, albeit still jubilantly, "Well, while I do love the chance to see my future hubby, I wanted to ask you about Nagoya."
Umi raised an eyebrow, "Nagoya? What about it?"
"So you know how I teach at Ketsubutsu, right?"
"Yeah?"
"Basically, I'm running a special class pretty soon. We're gonna be analyzing Nagoya's evacuation efforts, and I figured since I wasn't at Nagoya that should ask people who were how it went!"
"Fair enough. I'll be happy to tell you what I can. See you soon, Emi."
"Seeya in a jiffy!"
Umi smiled as she turned off her phone, 'I guess I should reevaluate Emi somewhat. Her jokiness aside, she is doing her best as a teacher.'
Her questioning about her upcoming meeting resolved, Uwabami's mind turned towards her second matter of interest— her Servant.
In the days that had followed Chrysaor's chaotic battle against Heracles, Gilgamesh, and Hippolyta, tensions had been high between the Saber-class Servant and his Master. Chrysaor had felt slighted, torn away from a chance at revenge, slim though it was. Umi, meanwhile, had felt disappointed, seeing Chrysaor as having abandoned reason for vengeance.
The announcement from Francesca, whom Umi was surprised to learn was not dead, had improved things slightly, although not by much. Chrysaor may have been pleased by the understanding there was ample time left in the war, but he still had spent most of the last two weeks out patrolling and hunting for opponents. He'd even managed to accrue a greater reputation as a vigilante, with "The Golden Saber" becoming a small-time legend in the Tokyo area.
Today, Umi's Servant was out on another of his patrols. From her lack of a headache, he didn't seem to be fighting, but Umi thought it prudent to check on him before she got caught up in her meeting.
Sighing, the Snake Heroine focused her thoughts on Chrysaor, her mental message making its way toward its recipient, 'Saber. What's your current status?'
Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
Day 22, Morning
Inside a maintenance tunnel below the Tokyo Dome, the Heroic Spirit Chrysaor moved through the shadows. As he had for the last few days, he was investigating the large magical presence that pervaded the Tokyo area. It wasn't a presence that was easy to notice, and he was sure that if he wasn't already on the hunt for Heracles, he would have missed it. Chrysaor hadn't informed his Master of the details, but he finally believed he was close to the source of the foul mana he sensed. Yet as he approached an odd patch of wall in the dimly lit hall, a voice echoed through Chrysaor's mind.
"Saber. What's your current status?"
Upon hearing the voice of his Master in his head, Chrysaor sent a curt reply back.
'Master. We have been over this. I am on patrol.'
Umi was unamused, "Saber, I know that. What I am asking about is the details. Where are you? What are you hunting? You've dodged my questions these last several days and I am tired of it."
'...'
"Saber! Answer me!"
With a sigh that echoed through the tunnel, Chrysaor answered, 'I'm in the Bunkyo Ward. Beneath the Tokyo Dome.'
"The Tokyo Dome? Why would you…?"
'Isn't it obvious Master? I'm following a presence. I've sensed a vast energy underlying Tokyo… something is hiding in the depths of the city.'
"Then why haven't you told me? I understand you might be angry about me pulling you from battle before, but this is a war! You can't do this alone!"
Chrysaor frowned. He knew that his behavior was shameful. If Callirhoe was here, she would have no doubt admonished him for his actions. Yet, Chrysaor did not know how to go about fixing things. Despite all that Helios and his household had done for him, Chrysaor had always found his sense of human emotions lacking. Try as he might, as the child of a monster raised in the house of a god, he didn't truly know how to interact with humans. Continuing down the tunnels, the Servant of the Sword tried to formulate a response.
'Master, I…'
Before Chrysaor could say anymore, the sound of shifting stonework echoed through the hallway. To the Saber-class Servant's surprise, the odd patch of wall he was passing had begun to fold away, revealing a dirty stairwell that spiraled into darkness. Staring down into the shadows, Chrysaor knew at once he had found the source of the vile presence throughout Tokyo. Compelled by a strange urge, Chrysaor felt himself inching towards the stairway.
"Saber? Are you there?"
The voice of his Master broke Chrysaor out of the Labyrinth's hypnosis, but his response would not please Umi.
'Master, I have found the source of the presence. I am moving to investigate further.'
As Chrysaor began stepping downwards, his Master's response was fuming, 'SABER! NO! Don't make me use a Command—zzzzrtttt'
The moment the False Saber of the Grail War had reached the bottom of the stairwell, his master's voice in his head was replaced by static, before it eventually fell into silence.
"Severing my mental link with my Master… what sort of place is this?"
While Chrysaor gained his bearings, the maze around him had already set its sights upon him. It couldn't afford to set its attention upon him in full, however.
Elsewhere in the maze, unbeknownst to False Saber, the very Servant he so hated fought back against the forces of the Labyrinth. False Archer, who had come in search of Eri, had been in a lengthy battle with the Labyrinth, becoming a threat that the Maze was having trouble containing. Although it had managed to overcome Heracles twice in the days since his arrival, the Archer-class Servant had merely revived through the power of God Hand, coming back stronger and more resistant to the Labyrinth's tools. With no way to further strengthen its puppets without endangering the life of its Master, the Labyrinth had reached a blockade it had not figured out how to solve.
With Chrysaor's appearance, the problem was two-fold. The Labyrinth had to stop False Archer, but part of its attention would be stuck on False Saber's presence in its halls. Weighing the variables, the Labyrinth reached a rapid conclusion. To prioritize its more dangerous foe, the Labyrinth would go against its baseline protocol of preventing escape. It would drive False Saber out of the Labyrinth— so that it could focus solely on overcoming Heracles's invasion.
Setting its solution into motion, a roar began to echo through the Labyrinth, as the hallways began to shift and churn. Both Chrysaor and Heracles would pause in their respective pushes, glancing around cautiously as the True Berserker of the Holy Grail War began to act.
Whatever the situation, the maze would push for the prime objective. Drive out the invaders— for Eri's sake.
First-Year Stage, U.A. High School
Day 22, Morning
"Listeners, follow my lead! Let's start the final countdown to this brutal battle royale!"
Following Present Mic's direction, the entire stadium began to the countdown for the beginning of a chaotic Cavalry Battle.
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
"ONE!"
"AND…. START!"
The moment the signal went off, all twelve teams burst into action. As Team Jiro expected, multiple teams instantly started by making a rush for the 10 Million headband.
Izuku gulped, 'I suppose it only makes sense… they want to win.'
Leading the charge were two teams in particular— Team Tokage and Team Uraraka.
Setsuna Tokage, one of Class 1-B's recommendation students, laughed confidently from atop her classmates Tsuka Kirisame, Kinoko Komori, and Shihai Kuroiro.
"It's like they say— early bird gets the worm! Let's get that 10 Million and win this battle!"
Uraraka, meanwhile, gave a battle cry of her own as she rode atop Mashirao Ojiro and Rikido Sato, "Ojiro! Sato! Let's not give them the chance! Let's show the world what we got!"
Ojiro, who made up the back portion of the Team Uraraka "horse", nodded as he pushed the team forward with his massive tail, "Right!"
Shinso, supporting Jiro's left leg, narrowed his eyes at the approaching two teams. It wasn't just them either— Team Shiozaki, Todoroki, and Hatsume weren't far behind them, "Alright then, Midoriya… what's the plan? Looks like that brown-haired girl's team is reaching us first."
Next to Shinso supporting Jiro's right leg, Midoriya quickly gave orders, "Tokoyami! Can Dark Shadow hold back Team Uraraka's members?"
Setting his eyes on Sato, Tokoyami nodded, "Yes. Sato's Quirk makes him remarkably strong, but Dark Shadow should be able to hold him back."
Moments later, Team Uraraka was upon them. As planned, Dark Shadow shot forward, quickly boxing with Sato. However, Team Jiro didn't get any time to breathe. From above a chuckle rang out, and they looked up to see the disembodied upper half of Setsuna Tokage grinning at them.
"You thought we'd just leave you alone while you took on that team from 1-A? Think again!"
Team Tokage's strategy was simple. Tokage's Quirk, Lizard Tail Splitter, would harass the enemy at long range. This would give Kirisame, their mid-range fighter, time to strike with her flame tails. As for Kuroiro and Komori, they would run close-range support, using Komori's Mushroom Quirk to hamper the opposition.
Further away, on Team Todoroki, Denki Kaminari cried out in complaint, "Come on! She's the rider! Can she do that?"
Midnight answered via commentary projected to the whole stadium, "As our competitors have noticed, 1-B's Setsuna Tokage has left her unit, in a sense. However, as she is not touching the ground, it's all good as far as the rules are concerned! Use your Quirks to their fullest, children!"
Tokage smiled at Midnight's approval. The R-Rated Hero was one of her inspirations, and the praise made her internally jump for joy, "My role might be long-range harassment… but I can still make a move! Not like you can grab my headband from up here!"
Tokage then launched her hands for Jiro's head, causing Shinso to cry out in alarm, "Jiro! Use your jacks!"
Nodding, Jiro launched her jacks at Setsuna's hands, and Tokage wasn't able to dodge both jacks. With her left jack now in contact with one of the splitting girl's hands, Jiro pumped vibrations through the jack. Tokage yelled out in pain, the feeling of vibrations having extended to her whole body. As Shinso had hoped, while Setsuna's body parts were separate, she experienced sensations universally. With Jiro's move, the captain of Team Tokage wouldn't be able to bother them for a bit— she'd be too busy making sure she didn't lose her own headband.
Midoriya eyed the other teams coming toward them warily, "Tokoyami! How's it going?"
The bird-headed boy narrowed his eyes as he watched his shadowy companion push against Sato. Seeing Ojiro winding up his tail, he yelled to his Quirk, "Dark Shadow! On your left!"
"On it!"
Just as Ojiro's tail swept in, Dark Shadow pushed back Sato, catching Ojiro's tail. Using the momentum against Team Uraraka, Dark Shadow swung them— taking full advantage of their disorientation. When Team Uraraka landed, Uraraka yelled in worry, "Guys! My headband!"
Dark Shadow giggled as he retracted back toward Tokoyami, Team Uraraka's headband in his grasp. The headband was quickly tossed up to Jiro, who tied it around her head.
Present Mic commented excitedly, "And that's the first strike of the match! In a masterful display, Team Jiro pushed back both Team Tokage and Team Uraraka, even stealing a headband in the process! But how will they handle the other teams approaching?"
As Mic had indicated, even with Team Uraraka pushed back and Tokage momentarily handled, there was still plenty of danger to come. Jiro swore lightly as she saw who was leading the charge, "Shit— it's Todoroki and Shiozaki!"
Before Team Jiro could even formulate a plan, Team Todoroki's captain was already making his move, "You're not going anywhere."
With a single swipe of his arm, Todoroki caused a line of ice to rush toward Team Jiro. It wasn't incredibly powerful, but it was more than enough to lock his targets in place.
Todoroki locked eyes with Jiro, who was surprised by the intensity in her classmate's eyes, "Now… let's get them before Tokoyami breaks them out of that ice."
Kaminari nodded, "All over it, man! We've— huh?"
To the surprise of Kaminari, Kendo, and Yaoyorozu, who were supporting Todoroki, the ground below them had suddenly become soft and muddy.
Kendo looked toward Team Shiozaki, "This must be one of 1-B's Quirks!"
Kamakiri on Team Shiozaki laughed, "Nice one, Honenuki! You really fucked up their plan, hah!"
Shiozaki smacked the vaguely-insectoid-looking boy with a vine, "Language, Kamakiri."
"Shut it, church girl…"
Honenuki came in as the voice of reason, "Enough. I've given us a window to take advantage of Todoroki's move. Rin, cover our approach."
Hiryu nodded, ready to fire off scales at their opponents, "On it. We've got the Team with the Support Course girl coming up on us."
Letting his arm get coated by scales, Hiryu aimed his right arm toward Mei Hatsume and her teammates. Firing off a few warning shots, he watched as Tenya Iida guided the team out of the way.
"Iida's too fast. I can't hit him."
Honenuki reassured Rin, "Just slow them down. We're almost on top of Team Jiro."
"Right."
"Ooh! Looks like Team Shiozaki is hampering both Team Todoroki and Hatsume! They really want that 10 Million! Will their in-fighting give Team Jiro the chance to escape? Seems our current top team has broken free from Todoroki's ice! Seems that Team Shiozaki will—"
"Not so fast, Mr. Announcer! Team Hatsume's just getting started! Hit it, Four-Eyes!"
Although disgruntled by his team captain's nickname for him, Tenya Iida did as the pink-haired mechanic asked, turning two dials on the support devices on his arms. Seconds later, the whole team rocketed forward, blasting right past Team Shiozaki toward Team Jiro.
Kamakiri yelled out in surprise, "What the…?"
Before Team Jiro could figure out what was happening, Mei Hatsume had already zeroed in on her prize— and like a thief in the night, turned the situation of the Cavalry Battle upside down.
Kyoka's head, around which moments earlier had been decorated by both the 10,000,320-point headband and 375-point headband, was now completely devoid of any points at all. Instead, both headbands now rested squarely in the grasp of a cackling Mei Hatsume.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! IN A SINGLE INSTANT, TEAM HATSUME HAS BLASTED INTO FIRST PLACE! TEAM JIRO HAS NOT JUST LOST THE 10 MILLION, BUT ALL OF THEIR POINTS! YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP, FOLKS!"
"Stop yelling so much. You're going to burst my eardrums."
Jiro's eyes widened in horror, "No… they got us!"
Tokoyami nodded, "That support device was coupled with Iida's speed… we were wholly unprepared."
Shinso glanced his eyes across the battlefield. With their loss of points, Team Jiro had been quickly deprioritized. As Team Hatsume rocketed around the battlefield on a victory lap, other high-value teams like Team Todoroki were already being eyed by their competitors.
Midoriya made his analysis, 'Team Todoroki is still being hampered by the earlier move by Shiozaki's team… but what about Kacchan?'
As it turns out, by losing their points, Team Jiro had avoided another dangerous confrontation. Had they escaped the swarm of Team Todoroki, Hatsume, and Shiozaki, they would have had Team Bakugo to contend with.
Despite his animosity with Midoriya though, Katsuki Bakugo wasn't a fool. This was a competition, and going after the headband-less Team Jiro now would earn him nothing. If that damn nerd and his team tried to go after his team though— he wouldn't hesitate to put that useless Deku in his place.
"Hey Bakubro! Which team should we go after next? Hatsume? Todoroki?"
"Let's…"
Bakugo's command was interrupted by a shout of indignation from Ashido, "Huh? What is this stuff? Glue? It's all over my shoes!"
Looking down, Sero and Kirishima realized that they all had been caught in a large puddle of sticky gloop. It wasn't preventing them from moving, but it was very much slowing them down.
"That, you prideful fools, is strategy. Something I thought you would have learned on that little U.S.J. trip of yours. I expected better, but you walked right into our trap. Although, I suppose I shouldn't expect much from a team run by the victim of the Sludge Villain Incident."
The explanation had been provided by the blonde-haired rider who proceeded to snatch away Bakugo's headband, also making sure to brush his hand on Bakugo's neck as he did so. He was Neito Monoma, a boy who had an almost zealotic hatred for Class 1-B.
Bakugo whirled and tried to hit Monoma with an explosion as he processed the boy's insult, but he found his arm refusing to move close enough to do any actual damage, "The hell?"
Monoma smiled, "I'll leave you to try and figure that one out… simpleton."
A vein popped on Bakugo's head at Monoma's words, "Simpleton…?"
Ashido glanced up at her teammate, "Bakugo?"
Snapping, the explosion-wielding boy howled with anger, "RAAAAGGHH! THAT FUCKER'S GOTTA PAY!"
Reeling his emotions in, Bakugo set his furious gaze upon Team Monoma, making Pony Tsunotori flinch. With his rage still bubbling beneath the surface, Bakugo directed his team's next move, "Plan's changed… forget the other teams. We're gonna get payback on that 1-B fucker… and get our damn points back."
Kirishima grinned, his thoughts in line with Sero and Ashido, "No complaints here. Let's roll out!"
On another end of the stadium, Team Todoroki was being faced with its own troubles. Thanks to the work of Juzo Honenuki on Team Shiozaki, the high-ranking team had become a major target for the other teams in the Cavalry Battle. Rushing toward them with a fierce hunger for points, both Team Kodai and Team Shoda prepared to clash with some of Class 1-A's strongest. Momo Yaoyorozu looked up at her team captain, "Todoroki, we should save Kaminari's abilities for emergencies, but let us…"
The frosty boy cut off Momo's suggestion with a sharp refusal, "No need. I alone am enough."
Sending two waves of ice toward the opposing teams, Todoroki stopped both of their charges in a single act. Setting their eyes on the closer of the two, Team Kodai, Todoroki's team moved in. Sen Kaibara of Team Kodai had already begun to drill them out with his gyrating arms, but before he was finished, Todoroki's arm had already swept by, a light shock from Kaminari preventing Yui Kodai from resisting the loss of her headband.
The voltsy boy winked at the black-haired girl, "Sorry, beautiful! We're just trying to win."
Kodai gave Kaminari only a blank stare in response, while Kendo spoke sharply to her teammate, "Not the time to flirt, Kaminari! Now hold on everyone!"
Todoroki, who was confused by Kendo's words, turned to see that Team Shoda had already broken their way out of the ice. While Nirengeki Shoda himself was a diminutive boy, his beastly and steel-skinned teammates Jurota Shishida and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu were both as tough as they come. Even Todoroki's ice wasn't enough to hamper them.
Tetsutetsu shouted confrontationally, "Let's get those points! I can't be one-upped by that 1-A copycat!"
Shishida, next to him, muttered softly, "Isn't Kirishima on Team Bakugo, though?"
Kendo, however, was quick to react, expanding her left hand to a massive size. With the addition of what little power she could access from One For All, she was easily able to fend off Team Shoda's rush. Momo quickly produced insulation for her team, just in time for Kaminari to knock back Team Shoda with a powerful shock.
"Sorry man! Should have stuck to challenging Kirishima— I'm just too awesome!"
Kendo spoke calmly to her leader, "As you can see Todoroki… we aren't helpless. And we aren't going to leave you to fend for yourself either."
The boy contemplated for a second before answering, "Fine."
Team Todoroki still wasn't out of the woods yet though, as Kaminari's panicked warning soon indicated, "Uh guys… we've got incoming!"
Approaching from Team Todoroki's right was Team Shiozaki— vines, blades, and scales at the ready. Todoroki and his teammates tensed up, Quirks at the ready. They were one step away from 1st Place… and they refused to give that up, even with a fight.
Todoroki barked orders to his team, "We'll push them back… and then go take the 10 Million for ourselves!"
As the two teams from 1-A and 1-B faced off, Team Bakugo began its maniacal rush for Team Monoma.
Present Mic's eager commentary accompanied the chase, "Wowza, folks! Team Bakugo sure isn't holding back! They're ignoring the other teams entirely, stopping at nothing to get their points back! Thoughts, Eraser?"
"While I would normally call it irrational… their team headband does have the second-highest point value. It's a strategic move to retrieve it. However, it seems they aren't the only hunters out for Team Monoma's points."
"Hmm? Whatcha mean— Ah! Sorry folks, I don't know how I missed it… Team Jiro has joined the chase for Team Monoma!"
Bakugo yelled in fury as Team Jiro slid into in his vision, "DEKU? GET YOUR NERDY TEAM AWAY FROM MY PREY!"
Looking back, Midoriya mustered the most confident look he could manage, "Sorry Kacchan… I'm not giving up. I've got too much on the line today to lose!"
Tokoyami affirmed his teammate's words, "Well said, Midoriya. Dark Shadow— take us in!"
Using Dark Shadow to propel themselves forward even faster, Team Jiro closed in on Team Monoma.
The 1-B team responded accordingly, and Jiro veered her head out of the way of one of Tsunotori's horns as she made a grab for Monoma's headbands. Yet just as she almost had one, Monoma himself turned and poised his arm near her, causing her to be unable to move, "Impudent Class 1-A… it won't be enough. Take this!"
From his hand, to Team Jiro's shock, came a familiar explosion. Midoriya's eyes widened, 'Kacchan's Quirk… but that means…'
Izuku yelled out, "Watch out everyone! He can copy Quirks!"
Monoma smirked, "Correct, you uppity General Studies student! With my Quirk, your unique powers are no longer just your own! My lovely teammate Yanagi's Poltergeist… that 1-A simpleton's explosion Quirk… it's all in the palms of my hands! Now, Tsunotori, Yanagi, Bondo… let's punish this alliance of 1-A and 1-C students for their impudence!"
Just as Team Jiro prepared for a brutal assault, a loud explosion resounded in the air, "So you're a copycat, ya damn prick? Don't be so full of yourself— here's what a real explosion can do!"
Monoma turned worriedly to see Katsuki Bakugo flying at him through the air, having left his unit behind to make his assault. As the boy unleashed a massive explosion, Monoma found himself barely able to keep himself atop his teammates. He'd made the earlier decision to copy Bakugo's Quirk, but now realized that he might have made a tactical error.
'I should have copied the Quirk of that red-haired boy on his team… or Tetsutetsu's.'
As Team Jiro tried to approach Team Minoma again, Bakugo blasted Tokoyami's Dark Shadow back with another explosion, "Don't get cocky you damn weaklings… and stay out of my way!"
Midoriya stared at his former childhood friend with frustration, 'Ugh! We can't close in while Kacchan's on the offensive!'
Shinso, however, had an idea, "Hey… everyone."
Tokoyami raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"
Shinso looked at Monoma, "Get Monoma to pay attention to us for a bit. I have a plan."
Tokoyami, after a moment's thought, nodded, "I can delay Bakugo. Midoriya and Jiro, can you hold back Monoma's teammates?"
Midoriya spoke up, "I think so."
Jiro nodded as well, "No problem. Plus it looks like they put the glue guy at the back… we've got a positioning advantage."
Shinso smirked, "Then let's move. They won't know what hit them."
As Bakugo clashed with Team Monoma, his teammate Sero called out to him, "Bakugo! Team Jiro's coming back!"
The explosion wielder growled, "Damn Quirkless nerd… doesn't know when to give up."
As he turned to push back Team Jiro, Bakugo didn't realize that their opponent's assault had already begun. Dark Shadow wove underneath Bakugo, grabbing him by the foot. His momentum interrupted, the sandy-haired boy was plummeting toward the ground.
"Oh no! Team Jiro's Tokoyami has caused Bakugo to fall to the ground! That's not good for Team Bakugo!"
Eijiro Kirishima, temporarily taking up command, gave his team orders, "Sero, use your Quirk!"
Hanta Sero nodded, extending tape from his elbows to save Bakugo, "On it!"
Reeling their captain in, the team helped Bakugo get back on top of them as the boy roared, "RAAAA! GET THEM!"
Ashido muttered softly, "Which one?"
"DEKU! BIRD FREAK! COPY FUCKER! ALL OF THEM!"
Back at the main clash, Monoma laughed as Jiro, Tokoyami, and Midoriya used their Quirks and magecraft respectively to fend off his team.
"Hahaha! Just like I said earlier— it won't be enough! Class 1-B shall reign supreme!"
Shinso gave a strong retort, "Then why is Team Hatsume in first, and not you?"
Monoma scoffed, "Hmph, how imp..u..de.."
Caught by Shinso's Brainwashing Quirk, the eyes of the zealot of 1-B glazed over, and his movements all but ceased. With his body no longer under his control, Monoma reached up to the headbands wrapped around his head. Before his teammates could realize what happened, the blonde-haired boy threw both Team Bakugo's headband and his team's own into the air.
Extending one of her jacks that wasn't currently holding off Team Monoma, Kyoka Jiro nabbed one of the headbands. Reading the point value, she reported to her teammates.
"180 points… it's Team Monoma's!"
Shinso frowned, "Tch!"
As Monoma's teammates smacked him back to his senses, the blonde-haired boy looked around confused, "What?"
Pony Tsunotori spoke up, "T-They did somethung to ya, Monoma! Ya trashed away our headbands!"
Reiko Yanagi quietly corrected her American-born classmate, "Tossed, not trashed, Tsunotori."
Monoma gritted his teeth, "Damn that General Studies student… he must have used his Quirk on me— but that's not our concern right now! Get the other headband, quickly!"
However, the team was impeded by a splash of acid unleashed by Ashido of Team Bakugo. With a wink, the pink-skinned girl laughed at their opposition, "No way! You're not getting our headband!"
Snatching back the headband, Bakugo firmly fastened the 635-point cloth back around his head. As he did so, the excited voice of Present Mic celebrated their achievement.
"And with that, we're already halfway through the Cavalry Battle! It's been upset after upset, but now, Team Monoma's rise has been squashed! With Team Jiro climbing back in 8th and Team Bakugo now in 3rd, it's still anyone's game! Will anyone unseat Team Hatsume from the top? Who will win between Team Todoroki and Shiozaki? Keep watching folks— the chaos has only gotten started!"
Exterior Construction, First-Year Stage
Day 22, Morning
Far above the raging chaos of the Cavalry Battle and the roaring crowds of spectators, the Heroic Spirit Oda Nobunaga gazed down upon the Sports Festival. She was dressed in the same militaristic attire she had been summoned in, and her jet-black hair ebbed and flowed in the wind that flowed through the metallic alcove she stood upon.
Oda's face was set into a neutral frown, her crimson eyes watching each proceeding of the Cavalry Battle with hawk-like precision. Her observations were flawless, taking note of every time that a headband changed hands.
Uraraka to Jiro, Jiro and Uraraka to Hatsume, Bakugo to Monoma, Kodai to Todoroki, Monoma to Jiro, and Bakugo back to Bakugo. Through it all, her summoner's team had jumped both down and up in rankings, currently sitting in the 8th place spot.
'That power my summoner displayed in the first event… so it is magecraft after all.'
Nobunaga was not too familiar with magecraft. While it had still been a part of Japanese society in her time, she had not interacted much with the likes of the Tsuchimikado or the Koutoki, whose influence waned in place of gunpowder. Besides, Nobunaga had always been a woman of technology and innovation. She had cared little for the dejected, narrow-minded philosophies of magi.
Presently, however, she could not deny Midoriya had achieved something with his new skill.
'Saru would have been impressed by Midoriya's growth. Not that my summoner holds a candle to the idiotic brilliance of my dear friend.'
Nobunaga knew not everyone started competent. Her summoner was certainly no exception, having been told his entire life that he was not good enough. His classmates and teachers had derided him, his father had abandoned him, and even his mother had struggled to believe in his far-flung dreams.
'Yet even if Midoriya's lack of faith in his abilities is a result of his environment… I still refuse to accept a useless Master.'
Her eyes practically glowing in anticipation, Nobunaga's mind was clear, 'Show me proof of your efforts, Izuku Midoriya… prove to me you have the power to take hold of the future.'
First-Year Stage, U.A. High School
Day 22, Morning
Just after Present Mic's announcement, Midnight used her microphone to make a supplementary comment to the students, "Just to reiterate, students… you've just around seven minutes left! Don't pull out just yet~!"
Amongst the formation of Team Hatsume, Tenya Iida could only shake his head lightly at Midnight's innuendo, 'Her crass way of speaking is shameful to this prestigious institution… but she is still a teacher.'
Yet as he and Koda carried around the cackling Hatsume, he felt a strange sense of discontent.
'Miss Hatsume's invention is incredible… but it feels cheap to win this way.'
As Iida contemplated, Present Mic reported happenings from elsewhere in the Cavalry Battle, "Seems that on the other parts of the battlefield, the situation around Team Todoroki has changed! They were locked in a fierce struggle with Team Shiozaki, but both teams have fallen back for now, with Team Shoda and Team Tokage narrowly avoiding the retreating Todoroki, and poor Team Togeike losing their headband to Shiozaki's vines! Seems like Togeike's Quirk didn't help them in this situation!"
"Togeike's team is well-positioned though… we might see some action from them soon."
As they approached the completion of yet another lap, Iida's focus was shattered by a strange squelching sound, "Hmmm?"
Suddenly, before they could realize what was happening, Team Hatsume's forward momentum was disrupted. Falling forward awkwardly, they landed on the ground in a heap. Tangled amongst his teammates, Iida began to push himself up, using a nearby pillow to support himself.
'Wait… pillow?'
Looking over, Iida almost screamed in shock. To his horrified discovery, his right hand was not being supported by a pillow at all— instead, his left hand was placed firmly on one of Mei Hatsume's breasts.
Removing his hand from her person right away, Iida apologized profusely, "Miss Hatsume! I'm so sorry! I didn't realize—"
In his distraction, Iida had overlooked the fact of them being in a live competition, including thinking about why they crashed. If he had been more vigilant, he might have been able to rally his team in time to prevent what happened next.
Hatsume, whose head was still spinning from the clash, mumbled weakly in response, "Huh..h..? Whuzzat? Yo-ou want to sponsor me?"
Before Iida could decide what to do next or assess the condition of his other teammate, the voice of Minoru Mineta rang out nearby, "Oi, Vice Rep! Don't hog the boobs! Let me have a feel too— grk! Agh, no! Tsuyu! I'm sorry!"
"You will call me Asui, kero."
When Iida turned, he was surprised to see neither Mineta nor Asui, but what seemed to be only Mezo Shoji approaching him. Yet on closer inspection, he noticed that Shoji had generated a tent-like structure of membrane and extra arms.
Present Mic excitedly commented, "Well lookie here folks! Taking to the center stage is Team Mineta, making ample use of their member Shoji's Quirk! Will they snatch up the 10 Million, never to be seen again once it's in the clutches of their fleshy fortress?"
Aizawa added his thoughts, "If I had to give a prize for best formation, it would be to Team Mineta. They've made full use of Shoji's build and Quirk to hide the other members of the team. With their set-up, they are effectively stymying any chance of retrieving a headband once it's in their grasp. Team Mineta is a team to be reckoned with, no matter what Quirks their opponents might have available."
Aizawa's announcement may have been praising, but it also had an unfortunate side effect of putting the spotlight on Team Mineta. Bolstered by the realization of what Asui getting the 10 Million would mean, Team Uraraka increased their pace. The loss of their headband to Team Jiro was a strike to their pride, and they were eager to regain a place on the leaderboard outside of last place.
Uraraka shouted confidently to her fit companions, "Sato! Ojiro! Let's ram them!"
The two boys spoke in unison, "Right!"
As Uraraka's team closed in, Tsuyu Asui had already begun making a grab for the headbands. Narrowly avoiding Iida's attempt to guard, Asui used her flexible tongue to grab all three of Team Hatsume's headbands.
Iida yelled in frustration, "NO!"
Asui then began to retract her tongue, but before the headbands could vanish inside their formation, the Shoji-tank was shaken by the strikes of a pumped-up Rikido Sato. From the momentary disorientation this produced, Uraraka took her chance, snatching two of the headbands from Asui's tongue.
Yet before Team Uraraka could celebrate its victory or confirm the value of the spoils, another team came to bring them to heel— Team Todoroki. Sending out a mass of ice at the brunette's team, he instantly set Team Uraraka off-balance. Closing in, Todoroki grabbed the object of his desire from Uraraka's hand— the 10 Million headband.
"Seems we've got a new top team folks… IT'S TEAM TODOROKI! THEY'VE NABBED THE 10 MILLION!"
Looking up at Todoroki, Kendo raised an eyebrow, "Todoroki! What about Team Hatsume's headband?"
The boy remained unperturbed, "With the 10 Million, we don't need it. Let it be bait for the other teams to fight over."
Yaoyorozu nodded, "A solid strategy. Now… it looks like Team Monoma has some interest in our newfound lead."
"Then we'll fend them off. Simple as that."
While Team Todoroki was pulling away, Team Uraraka finished reorganizing and prepared to head out themselves. Team Hatsume was recovering nearby and so was Team Mineta, so they'd be in trouble if they didn't get out soon. Yet before any of those teams could act, Mashirao Ojiro moved his tail to try and strike something, "Uraraka! Sato! To the left!"
Coming up from the team's blindspot was an unexpected contender— the two-team duo of Chikuchi Togeike and Taro Suzuki. Suzuki, pressing a hand against Ojiro's tail, swerved the team at a seemingly impossible angle. Before Team Uraraka could understand what just happened, their last headband was stolen away from them. They were back at square one.
Togeike, meanwhile, was all smiles, "Awesome! We're on the board, Taro!"
Suzuki was grinning as well, "Yeah!"
However, the small but motivated team was instantly set upon by a new threat— Team Tokage. Having failed to procure any new points so far, they were eager to make a bigger impact.
Tokage grinned, "Let's get 'em! Team Hatsume's points shall be ours!"
The other three members of the team shouted in various volumes of agreement, as Tokage formulated a plan, "Kirisame, corral them with your tails— and when that's done, you can go wild, Komori!"
"Sounds good to me!"
"I'll d-do my best, shroom!"
Aboard Suzuki, Togeike grimaced, "Ugh, we've already got a team on our butts…"
Suzuki smirked, "No worries… I happened to overhear a few weeks ago what that brunette's Quirk is. It's mushrooms."
Togeike smiled somewhat evilly, "Oh, do tell…"
Unaware of Team Togeike's knowledge, Team Tokage initiated their plan. Using Kirisame's Flame Tails Quirk, they harassed their quarry, slowing them down. Yet just as Komori was in range to activate her Quirk, something odd happened, which Kuroiro was quick to comment on, "Oi… what's a mushroom doing on me?"
Komori looked confused, "H-Huh? But I didn't…"
Before Komori could finish her sentence, mushrooms began sprouting like crazy across Team Tokage, as their members (Komori included) responded with confusion and shock.
Making a rapid U-turn, Team Togeike began charging toward their former pursuers, "Sorry 1-Bs! You had the bad luck of coming at us with the wrong Quirk!"
As it turns out, Kinoko Komori's Quirk was one of the few that fell under the purview of Chikuchi's Togeike's Quirk, Overgrow. An extremely niche Quirk, Overgrow allowed its user to make plant and fungal Quirks go out of control. While powerful, its limited application and tendency to have exceptions to its rules (such as Shiozaki's Vine Quirk) made it one that Togeike couldn't see making her into a Pro Hero. Plus, Togeike tended to not like her Quirk anyway, as it didn't even give her a degree of plant control— it only let her mess with other people's powers. For a girl like Togeike, it was a disappointing power.
'Well, I guess it's nice to have gotten a bit of mileage from it for once in my life.'
Snatching Tokage's headband from her head, Togeike quickly went about tying it over her own, "That's 295 more points for us… I wonder how Midoriya's doing?"
Grasping the headband of Team Shoda, Team Jiro rushed away before the group of 1-B students had a chance to retaliate.
Shinso glanced at the number on the headband, "That's 235 more points. What place are we at now?
Jiro, glancing toward the scoreboard, "6th… Shoda wasn't worth much. We're still below Shiozaki."
"Three minutes left! Get those points, students! YEAHHHH!"
"Was wondering when you'd do that."
Midoriya's expression became concerned, "Just five minutes…!"
Tokoyami, however, had something to say, "Everyone— I understand we still need more points. And to that end… I have a suggestion. Looking forward, the rest of the team followed his eyes to look at Team Bakugo and Todoroki.
"I think my thought process should be quite clear… we will make use of Midoriya's gambit."
As Team Jiro strategized, the battles around the stadium continued to boil. As the last five minutes continued to move by, rapid clashes occurred. Team Mineta and its invincible fortress was now contending with the threat of Team Shiozaki's creeping vines.
Team Togeike, meanwhile, came under fire from Team Kodai, who managed to nab one of their headbands in the chaos. To Team Kodai's disappointment, however, they discovered they had gotten the Tokage headband. The Hatsume headband was still in Team Togeike's grasp.
But Team Hatsume, who had finally recovered, was getting ready for their next big gamble.
"RAAAAGGGHHH! DIE, POPSICLE HAIR!"
Throwing forward his arm to initiate a massive blast, Katsuki Bakugo made his latest strike at Shoto Todoroki. However, before Bakugo could hit Todoroki with a new explosion, a balloon was suddenly thrown in his face. Popping on impact, the boy was suddenly blinded by the jelly-like substance Momo Yaoyorozu had produced to fill it. Realizing the danger, Sero rapidly reeled their leader back, as Kirishima tore a portion of his jersey to use as a cloth.
"Dammit… that stupid ponytail bitch, Fat Hands, all of them… everyone's getting in my way!"
Sero nodded, "Yeah… and doesn't look like they are the only ones."
Team Uraraka, now spurned for points twice, was coming for Bakugo's headbands.
As part of the team's horse, Sato muttered worriedly, "Uraraka… should we really go after Bakugo? Maybe let's go after a less dangerous target?"
"Sorry Sato… but we can't compromise here! We've only got a few minutes left!"
"Right… then we'll just have to support you as best we can!"
Bursting forward, Team Uraraka made a careful dodge as Kirishima and Bakugo both swiped at them. Anticipating that Bakugo would be more protective of his head, Uraraka took the chance to tap the boy's stomach, instantly causing him to begin floating away.
The moment he floated up, however, Bakugo was forced on the defensive, as the airborne Team Hatsume rushed toward him. Uraraka yelled out in frustration, "Iida! Don't ruin my chance!"
The representative of Class 1-A responded calmly, "Unfortunately Uraraka… I cannot allow friendship to control me here. Just like you, I am here to win!"
All the while, the still-airborne Bakugo had another opponent to contend with— Team Todoroki. Despite having the 10 Million, they were still hungry for more points.
"You may have avoided Iida and Uraraka's attacks, Bakugo… but you won't escape mine."
Suddenly, the explosive boy was caught in a ball of ice, courtesy of Todoroki. However, Shoto wouldn't get to reap the spoils. As Bakugo plummeted, Hatsume activated a claw machine attached to her arm, nabbing the Bakugo headband… until Sero's tape grabbed it as it retracted, returning the headband to Team Bakugo's control. Bakugo meanwhile, was freed by a combination of a powerful punch from Kirishima and using his own Quirk to blast himself. He landed on his horse roughly— but landed nonetheless. Team Hatsume then tried to take a grab at Team Todoroki, but a combination of ice and a shield from Momo protected them.
"Unbelievable! It's a wild foray between Teams Uraraka, Hatsume, Bakugo, and Todoroki! What an incredible sight, folks! It's so chaotic, I almost forgot to mention— it seems that while Team Bakugo and Todoroki are holding on to their bands, Team Togeike has fallen victim to Team Monoma! Both Togeike and Suzuki seem quite torn up about it!"
Bakugo, hearing about Team Monoma, gained a wrathful adrenaline, "Oi. We're getting out of here. We'll hit that 1-B fucker fist… and then crush Deku's team."
Ashido nodded, "On it! I'll use my special move. Kiri, Sero… don't worry, this acid won't be strong!"
Shooting out a long stream of low-power acid, Ashido and her teammates stepped onto the slippery pathway, suddenly moving at rapid speeds.
"ACID ROAD!"
Pro Hero Seating, First-Year Stage
Day 22, Morning
Up in the crowd, the heroine Hyade grinned at Mina's maneuver, recognizing the move as similar to one of her own. Turning to one of her sidekicks, she spoke excitedly, "That pink girl, Ashido… put her on my intern list, Jumper!"
Next to her, the Pumpkin Mask Hero: O'Lantern chuckled, "Oh, my rival… let's make this a competition. Rei— put her on my list."
O'Lantern's secretary, a brunette named Rei Seishino, nodded with a blush, "Y-Yes, Mr. O'Lantern!"
Hyade growled in annoyance, "Dammit O'Lantern! Why do you always try to steal my thunder!"
In response, all Hyade got was a burst of obnoxious laughter, "KAHAHAHAHAHA!"
First-Year Stage, U.A. High School
Day 22, Morning
Team Todoroki had finally been given a moment's peace. With Team Uraraka noticing an easier target in Team Kodai, Team Hatsume eyeing Team Shiozaki, and Team Bakugo on a mad dash toward Team Monoma, the massive clash had shifted. Unbeknownst to all those teams, however, the stage was now set for Team Jiro's big play.
Midoriya spoke a final word of warning, as Jiro contemplated her part in the plan, "Remember… this idea, if it works, will only be able to work once. I don't think Tokoyami or Dark Shadow could handle doing this move twice."
Jiro nodded, "Right. We've got one shot. Not odds I enjoy… but it's better than nothing."
Tokoyami nodded back, "Now… Midoriya, Shinso. Are you ready?"
Both boys murmured a quiet "Yes" as Midoriya began to flood Reinforcement into his legs. Pushing them off with remarkable power, Team Jiro rocketed toward Team Todoroki… and their target, the 10 Million.
As they moved forward, the voice of Present Mic once again rebounded across the First-Year Stage, "It's the final countdown, everyone… 1 Minute remaining!"
To be continued in Chapter 28: Last Man Standing
A/N: The cavalry battle was quite possibly the most effort I've put into planning scenes in this story. I mapped out all the point exchanges overall several "segments", and even used a spreadsheet to verify the rankings of each team. I thought of trying to work the scoreboard into the chapter itself more directly, but I found it just clogged up the chapter. If you want a fun chapter analysis challenge though, see if you can figure out the scoreboard shifts across the chapter! All in all, though, I had a ton of fun planning this all out and thinking of all the moves the different teams could make with their Quirks. There's still a bit of cavalry battle left in the next chapter, so look forward to the finale of the second event!
Lunar Files: Sports Festival Cavalry Battle Teams
All twelve Cavalry Battle teams are sorted in the reverse of their announced order. Point totals and rankings reflect the amount from the end of this chapter. Teams with no headbands are ranked according to how long they've been without points.
1- Team Todoroki [10,001,290 pts]
Current Headbands: Todoroki, Kodai, Jiro
Shoto Todoroki (Rider)
Denki Kaminari
Itsuka Kendo
Momo Yaoyorozu
2- Team Mineta [765 pts]
Current Headbands: Mineta, Uraraka
Minoru Mineta (Rider)
Tsuyu Asui
Mezo Shoji
3- Team Bakugo [635 pts]
Current Headbands: Bakugo
Katsuki Bakugo (Rider)
Mina Ashido
Eijiro Kirishima
Hanta Sero
4- Team Shiozaki [460 pts]
Current Headbands: Shiozaki, Togeike
Ibara Shiozaki (Rider)
Juzo Honenuki
Togaru Kamakiri
Hiryu Rin
5- Team Monoma [445 pts]
Current Headbands: Hatsume
Neito Monoma (Rider)
Kojiro Bondo
Pony Tsunotori
Reiko Yanagi
6- Team Jiro [415 pts]
Current Headbands: Monoma, Shoda
Kyoka Jiro (Rider)
Izuku Midoriya
Hitoshi Shinso
Fumikage Tokoyami
7- Team Kodai [295 pts]
Current Headbands: Tokage
Yui Kodai (Rider)
Yosetsu Awase
Sen Kaibara
Kosei Tsuburaba
8- Team Togeike [0 pts]
Current Headbands: None
Chikuchi Togeike (Rider)
Taro Suzuki
9- Team Shoda [0 pts]
Current Headbands: None
Nirengeki Shoda (Rider)
Jurota Shishida
Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
10- Team Tokage [0 pts]
Current Headbands: None
Setsuna Tokage (Rider)
Tsuka Kirisame
Kinoko Komori
Shihai Kuroiro
11- Team Uraraka [0 pts]
Current Headbands: None
Ochaco Uraraka (Rider)
Mashirao Ojiro
Rikido Sato
12- Team Hatsume [0 pts]
Current Headbands: None
Mei Hatsume (Rider)
Koji Koda
Tenya Iida