Chapter Twenty: Culmination

Itsuka floated through a haze of pain and painkillers. She surfaced to consciousness at different points of a surgery, and what bits she could make out of Recovery Girl's exchange with the nurses, they were effectively rebuilding her arm.

Coasting along the sea of anesthetics, she was sure she was bordering on delusional. Faint voices echoed in her head. She couldn't place them, but they seemed...familiar. But instead of steadfast and reassuring, they were chaotic. Distressed. Worse still, she was feeling whatever these phantom spirits seemed to be feeling.

"No…" one said, a woman, sobbed. "No, no, no, please, God, no-"

"Seven?" a gruff, male voice hesitated.

Sobs turned to broken fury. "How did he find them-!?"

"Nana?! Shit, someone me help calm her down!"

The voices flickered, like flotsam being pulled away by undercurrents, and away from her.

"It...going...rough."

"Do it!"

Then something like to seize her by the shoulders, holding her steady in the furor within her own mind.

"Keep calm," a light, wispy voice said, as if spoken to her directly. "It will soon pass."

And then Itsuka's eyes pulled open, tears trailing down her face. She reached to wipe her eyes with the sleeves, but her right arm refused to cooperate. Trying with her left arm wasn't much better, sluggish and stiff. Not a "broken and still healing" stiff, but a "worn and exhausted" stiff. That she could tell the difference should have been alarming.

Lovely.

Her struggle did not go unnoticed, though, and the rest of the room slowly worked its way to her conscious mind. The smell of antiseptic, the IV in her arm, and the bright lights beaming from overhead.

"Welcome back, sweetie," said Recovery girl. She looked her over, then asked, "How are you? Are the painkillers not working?"

"I'm fine...I think. I might have had a bad dream while I was out."

Recovery Girl looked hardly convinced, but let the matter rest as she check up on her. "You really did a number on yourself, young lady."

Off to her right, Itsuka blearily noted her arm being in a full cast. She couldn't feel anything but numb pins and needles. Far less than what she expected from the gnarled mess it had looked before she had passed out.

"I was planning on surrendering," she said, "but I wanted to get one last shot in. That rebound was...unexpected. I think I lost control for a moment."

"It was quite something to witness." Looking around some more, Itsuka spotted All Might sitting in the room, shrunk down. "I wasn't expecting you to go so far for schooling event."

Itsuka scrunched her brows in thought. "Recovery Girl, ma'am? How bad is it?"

The older woman sighed. "I've done the best I can for the moment. I'm recommending a specialist for making sure it's put back together properly." She rounded on All Might, who shrank back under the withering glare she sent his way. "But I expect her training to be adjusted to prevent this from happening ever again."

"Alright. I'll withdraw." She raised her bound arm. "From the looks of it, I'm not going to be able to fight anytime soon better to let it rest."

All Might sat up straight while Recovery Girl nodded, sagely.

"At least you have more sense than this one." She punctuated with a jab of her cane into All Might's hip, but he didn't react, watching Itsuka expectantly. "I will let Midnight know."

"I've already made it to the top three," Itsuka added, this time directed at All Might, and there's two more Sports Festivals after this that I'll get to participate in. It looks like I'll just have to get stronger." She hoped her smile was reassuring. "Can I see the rest of the Sports Festival?"

"As long as you stay in that bed. But if you feel the need to sleep, don't push yourself."

All Might bulked up, and said, "Here. I can wheel her out."

In the recovery room, she was greeted by some of her fellow Heroics classmates congregating around the beds, as patients and as visitors. Todoroki was still out, by all appearances. That didn't stop Yoarashi from mean-mugging the boy's back from across the room. Him, Yui, and Setsuna had been joined by Momo and Uraraka, the last of whom was regaling the spectator's view of hers and Midoriya's fight.

"-And you were all like 'Hwa!' and 'Hya!' and 'Pow!'. I hadn't seen anything like that outside of Hero fights."

Midoriya chuckled. "I'll have to watch the highlight reel later. It sounds like it was as much a spectacle to witness as it was to experience first-hand." He paused and turned slightly. "And I see Miss Kendo has graced us with her presence."

Propped up on some pillows, bandages wrapped around the upper half of his head, Midoriya looked little worse for wear for the beatings they had exchanged. The worst she could see were the fading bruises and some flecks of drying blood around the ears, nose, and eyes on the bandages.

"You doing okay there, Midoriya?" asked Itsuka.

"Just letting my eyes and ears rest after overclocking my Quirk." The green-haired teen shrugged, wincing a little with the gesture. "It's not as bad as it looks, I assure you."

"Because it was actually worse!" Recovery Girl snapped, lightly rapping her can against his knee. "If not for your own regenerative abilities, I would have already shipped you off to the hospital, even if I had to hogtie and drag you there myself."

Itsuka grimaced as the Youthful Heroine rounded on the other students, particularly Uraraka and Yoarashi.

"I better not see either of you here for more than a couple of bruises and scrapes when you two are done. For your own good, if you think you're going to break a bone to win the tournament, listen to sense and withdraw."

"By the way, Kendo," said Midoriya, while Recovery Girl was distracted, "Congratulations on your victory."

"It sure doesn't feel like it."

"The loss conditions were clear, were they not? Tell you what. When we're both recovered, I'd like to go for a proper spar. Controlled conditions, obviously."

"Hey, Prez," said Monoma from his bed. He was sat up, legs crossed, keeping one eye on the screen, as if missing a second of 1-B being on screen constituted a crime. "Running the risk of being repetitive, how are you feeling?"

"I'm sure I should be in agony," Itsuka answered.

"That's what the drugs are for."

"I'm more embarrassed it was necessary. I could have backed out, and that wouldn't have reflected poorly on me."

All Might cleared his throat, and said, "I think I will take my leave." After some awkward shuffling, he exited the room.

Well, Itsuka thought, it wasn't as if I'd be able to ask him about his predecessors in a crowded room.

"So...what was that about?" asked Monoma. "Also, how did I miss All Might being in the room!?"

"He and my dad are old friends, and since he was my mentor leading up to U.A., he's feeling unnecessarily guilty for what happened. As for the other thing, he's surprisingly adept at avoiding the spotlight when he wants to."

"Not that I mind visitors," said Midoriya, "but don't some of you have a fight to get ready for?"

"You and Kendo did a number on the field," Momo explained. "They're having to clean it up before they can reset for the next match." She looked at the TV in the corner and perked up. "Ah. It looks like the highlights are already playing."

The scenes cycled through, each fight's highs and striking moments and scenes, moving in turn until it came to the most recent match. Uraraka flushed at the position the both of them had fallen into. Honestly, Itsuka was struggling not to follow suit, though for entirely different reason.

She had flirted with him in the middle of a fight, for heaven's sake.

"Were you groping her?" asked Setsuna.

Itsuka blushed furiously. "What?!"

"I was pressing against her sternum," Midoriya corrected, and then sat up. "Wait. Did it look like I was groping her?"

Monoma hummed, then said, "From the angle they're showing? Kinda?"

Itsuka smiled sweetly at her classmate. "Monoma, you better be glad that we're both recovering and I have a broken arm."

The blond held up his hands. "He asked what it looked like. If you're going to blame anyone, blame the camera operator."

"Besides," Midoriya cut in. "I like to think all of us would know better than to commit sexual harassment on national television."

"Then you wouldn't have cared to hear what Mineta had to say earlier," said Momo.

Midoriya smiled, all teeth and little mirth, a remarkably disturbing expression with only half of his face visible. "Hm. Sounds like I need to have a talk with the guy."

"That shouldn't be necessary. I had Sero tape his mouth shut and set Iida on him."

"You are a cruel woman, Momo. I'm proud of you."

Recovery Girl reentered the room and sighed. "I appreciate that you've come to visit your friends and classmates, but even if you two have to wait for your match, I believe your friends are in need of some rest, and you are being much too loud."

"Of course, Recovery Girl," said Momo, bowing and herding the rest of the group out the door and into the hall.

"Show them who's boss, Yoarashi!" Monoma hollered after the retreating students.

Yoarashi inhaled to answer in kind when Recovery Girl hissed at the blond. "Shush!"

After that, the recovery room fell quiet, and Recovery Girl checked on each of them, further healing the damage the teens had inflicted upon each other.

Monoma hummed and laid back onto his bed. "It sucks, being knocked out of the running like that. I guess it'll be up to Yoarashi to carry 1-B to victory."

"Don't go breaking out the champagne just yet," said Midoriya, pulling his bandages aside to look him in the eye. "Ochako's got plenty of tricks up her sleeve."

Eyes turned to the TV, waiting for the final match to begin.

[IB]

Tomura eyed the TV as the announcer came back onto the stage, tension palpable even through the TV screen.

"Due to being knocked out of the ring, Midoriya is considered eliminated. But in light of her own injuries, Kendo has chosen to bow from the competition. The next round will be considered as the final match."

The chorus of groans and shouts of indignation rang off the interior of the bar. Not that Tomura really blamed them. Some of them had made some pretty big bets. Then again, it wasn't as if he actually cared about final score. He wanted to see the other team's strategies.

Tomura smirked to himself. Poggers, Izuku.

Blade still looked smug, refusing to say anything. If he were any more expressive, or prone to spamming chat, Tormua would have been tempted to smack him for it.

Refocusing on the play of the game, he tapped the replay button, starting at the final clash.

He had spent countless hours watching videos of All Might. All Might was Izuku's favorite hero as a child, after all, and Tomura had continued the trend to better understand his enemy. Sensei approved. So he had an abundance of reference materials, both archived and burned into his memory.

All Might didn't have any children, and Kendo's family history was well accounted for; no familial ties between the two. Even without Sensei's own hints, a quick search more or less answered the questions he had, save for two.

Who and what exactly was Kendo to the Symbol of Peace? And how could she be used to break him?

[IB]

"The final match of the Sports Festival is to be decided by our remaining competitors," Present Mic announced. "Floating on a high from her previous victories, it's Ochako Uraraka! And on the other end of the field, we have the buzz-cuttyphoon master, Inasa Yoarashi! Ladies and gentlemen, it's a magnificent showdown between both Heroics courses! Let me hear you say yeah~!"

Cheers ripped through the stadium as the final contestants stepped to the ring. The cement had been replaced or repaired, but the grass was still left a pockmarked battlefield.

Ochako bounced on the balls of her feet, shadowboxing to keep the nerves at bay. On one hand, she didn't have to worry about facing off against either Izuku or Kendo and if the previous match was any indicator, that's a relief in more ways than one. No, this was her last match, and conserving her strength and stamina for another bout was no longer a concern.

On the other, it was the last match of the Sports Festival for the first-years. All eyes would be on her and Yoarashi. The whole of Japan was going to be watching, and the videos were going to be repeated around the world, picked apart and analyzed by Pro-Heroes, support companies, and management agencies!

Yoarashi gave her thumbs up. "Let's have an excellent match, Uraraka!"

Ochako returned the gesture, grateful for the distraction as Midnight took her place on the sidelines.

"You both should know the rules by now," she said. "'Til ring out, knockout, or forfeiture. And try not to send each other to the hospital."

Ochako nodded. "Got it."

"Understood!" Yoarashi boomed.

Both settled into their respective stances as Midnight counted down.

As before, there was nothing to grab onto, nothing to use as a weapon. The ring itself was too big and heavy for her current limits, and she hadn't had the opportunity tag Yoarashi. Not that she would have wanted to.

No, this would be a matter to resolve with just her and her Quirk, fair and square.

"Let the final match of the First-Year's Sports Festival...BEGIN!"

Without a moment's pause, wind whipped at Ochako, pushing against her as she dove down and laid flat onto the ground, leaving no room for an updraft to dislodge her. The gale continued to buffet her as Yoarashi tried to scoop her up, so Ochako engaged her Quirk, willing it to the opposite. Instead of becoming lighter, she became heavier.

Unlike when she canceled gravity or mass, she didn't have to worry about losing her lunch from the impending sense of vertigo. On the other hand, the effect of increasing her mass and gravity was much more noticeable right off the bat. Her bones creaked from the pressure they were under the strain, and her muscles protested her every movement.

At an impasse, Ochako couldn't easily move with her Quirk applied in this fashion, but neither could she be moved. Yoarashi's earlier fights were pretty quick affairs, so any gauge of his stamina were lacking. He didn't seem to run on any fuel, and his element was in abundance.

She would have to let up and be blown away, or take a risk and come out swinging. The answer was obvious, but, Izuku was going to lecture her for what she was about to do.

Yoarashi eased up with his Quirk, and Ochako took the time to disengage and reengage her Quirk at a lower setting, then rose to her feet. Now that she was standing, the stress against her body was more apparent as she began stepping closer to Yoarashi. More gusts began to hit her, and she sank to a low crouch as she advanced towards her opponent.

Seeing her steady approach, undaunted by the barrage he sent her way, Yoarashi broke into a wide grin.

"Yes! Show me your passion!"

With that, he began closing in, first slowly, and then gaining speed to meet her head on, swinging wide. When he did, Ochako lunged, wind smacking her in the face when Yoarashi flipped over her instead of committing to the offensive. In hindsight, the feint was so obvious, Ochako could kick herself for falling for it.

While Ochako was struggling to turn, Yoarashi almost tackled her, pinning her arm aside as he tried to flip her over. But when he went to physically pick her up, he had to immediately set her back down.

"You are hernia and a half," he grunted.

That moment of hesitation allowed Ochako to use her free hand to seize his shirt. "Do you even lift?!" she shot back, headbutt him in the face.

As he reeled back, she took a swipe with her hands, both of which, through either serendipity or by his own reflexes, Yoarashi dodged, and then flew back out of reach.

Ochako rolled her shoulders, and sure enough, her arms were slower with the motion in a way that fatigue couldn't account for. Great. More weight meant slower movements until she had the strength to move it. This was going to take some getting used to.

Releasing her Quirk, she used it again, making herself lighter again. The familiar wave of nausea was almost a relief, but she needed to see if she had made the marker before Yoarashi caught onto to what she was doing. A quick hop, and she fell towards her target.

Yoarashi swung his arm, his Quirk following the motion, and tried to throw her back, but all that did was make her execute a slingshot maneuver, and still falling, landing a kick that almost sent him out of the ring.

The wind user wasn't recommended for nothing, however, and he recovered and launched himself back to safer territory. Safer run, but not safer to stay, as Ochako hounded him again and again, careful not to let her land another hand on him, and made doubly sure not to go for any grapples or holds. But unless he stripped his shirt off, she had her marker where she could make use of it.

Alternating from the applications of her Quirk, she was feeling the strain and drain from a day of intensive activity throughout the day. She still smiled, determined to keep going to the bitter end. Yoarashi returned the favor, and Ochako can see the beginnings of fatigue itself known with each physical clash.

This was not the artful display of martial arts, though both made a fair showing on that account. Nor was it an awe-inspiring demonstration of raw power, even as both brought their Quirks to bear in order to push one to submission or exhaustion. No, this was a simple trial of endurance, to be the last standing.

In the end it's neither her limit or Yoarashi's that brings an end to the fight, but a simple misstep by the latter that stutters his careful rhythm. Ochako almost reacted too late, and body-checked him, then lashed with a slap followed by a palm strike. The one-two saw her her fingers fingers register on skin, just enough for all five fingers to make contact.

And in his haste to escape, Yoarashi went spinning out of the ring, flailing to correct his trajectory when Ochako drew up to full height and tented her fingertips.

"Release," she intoned, too queasy to go any louder.

The pressure on her body dissipated, and Yoarashi crashed back down, only enough time to cushion his fall onto the field out of bounds.

"Uraraka wins!" Midnight declared.

And the crowd went wild.

[IB]

Itsuka was cleared to walk to the podium, with strict orders to return to bed rest afterwards, which is how she found herself marching with her peers to somewhere beneath the stadium's center for the final presentation of awards.

Snipe tipped his hat to the passing teens, and ushered them to where Midnight and Cementoss were waiting for them.

"You'll be hearing this often enough for the next week," the R-Rated Heroine said, "but congratulations, all of you. You all performed marvelously."

"I can't believe I won the Sports Festival," Uraraka whispered.

"It will come to you sooner than you might think. Just don't let it get to your head, you hear?"

Midnight then gave them a quick rundown of what to expect for the ceremony, and some pointers on how to react, while Cementoss directed them to where they needed to be.

Taking her spot on the podium for third place, she was joined by Midoriya. On the other side, Yoarashi stood firmly on his spot on the next tier. Uraraka standing on the precipice setting her mouth to a determined line, though nervous tension was still radiating from the other girl.

"Okay, everyone," said Cementoss. "Hold steady."

The platform rose with a slight lurch, nearly causing Itsuka to lose her balance. Midoriya placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her, then pulled away before the ceiling parted.

"Can't have you falling over just yet," he said, offering a slight quirk of the lips. "You good?"

"Just the effects of Recovery Girl's Quirk," Itsuka answered. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Anything else was lost when the raucous din from the audience hit them. Hundreds of cameras taking the victor's stands streaming to millions of TVs, monitors, and phone screens around the world.

All Might leapt from the top of the stadium, landing in front of them. Barring the embarrassing moment of Midnight talking over him, it was an impressive sight.

"You are a capable fighter, Midoriya. Should you ever choose the path of a Professional Hero, I am certain you will be welcomed with open arms."

"Thank you, All Might. I will take that under advisement."

It was strangely humorous watching the giant from of All Might stoop down to give Midoriya a hug. When he pulled away, Midoriya giddily vibrated in place.

Then All Might turned to her. Itsuka dipped her head and let the bronze medal settle around her neck.

"It takes wisdom to understand your limits," said All Might. "While there may come a time such an option won't be available, neither will you be standing alone when that day arrives."

"I still have much to learn, sensei."

"And you will not lack opportunities at this institution, Young Kendo, so long as you have the fortitude to seize them."

"Best. Day. Ever!" Midoriya whispered.

Yoarashi was much in the same state as All Might draped the silver medal around his neck, and yes, All Might was giving each of them a hug, it would seem.

Then came Uraraka's turn.

"I feel like I got lucky through all of this," she said as she received the gold medal.

"It is not luck but your own efforts," said All Might. "Even if luck played a role, it would have been for naught without the skills and training to carry through to the end. Stand tall, young Uraraka. Stand proud."

Uraraka looked up, smiling brightly as the Symbol of Peace turned back to face the audience.

"Here they are! The winners of this Sports Festival! But listen up! Anyone here could have ended up on these podiums. It's just as you saw. Competing! Improving each other! And climbing even further! So, I have just one more thing to say. Everyone, please say it with me!"

"PLUS ULTRA!"

A/N: And with that, the Sports Festival arc is *FINALLY* wrapped up! While there's still the aftermath, the next chapter essentially starts up the Work Experience Week.

Izuku and Itsuka were always going to be a mutual knockout, and while I could have saved it for the actual final match, this seemed funnier, and also gave Ochako some time in the spotlight. Also, pitting Uraraka or Yoarashi against either Midoriya or Kendo would have been extraordinarily unfair in any combination that could have transpired.

Also, Happy Birthday to Yui Kodai! I promise she'll get some actual character moments at some point in this story.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? A pressing need to vocalize outrage at the abrupt ending to the Sports Festival? Let me know in a PM or review. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Until next time!

Winterman, out.