Chapter 25: Sound & Fury
Watching the final moments of the cavalry battle portion of the Sports Festival had exhausted Chisaki with how outrageously competitive the bystanders in the seats all around him were. Loud, obnoxious, and shuffling about with signs and cheers made the entire experience more miserable.
Many of the people here he assumed were proud parents and relatives, but it should be common courtesy to be respectful to those around them. Not to behave like animals when one group of brats manage to get more headbands than the other to progress onto the leaderboard. Some half-and-half kid won with a loud blondie placing second in that time. Third place had been what Makima said was her highest value pawn and to not be touched whatsoever during the plan.
It didn't help when the jumbotron showered its camera his way and to a couple other people in the crowd during intermissions. The theme of it mainly revolved around look-a-likes spotted, and he'd be compared to some overseas actor from the Americas.
Chisaki wanted nothing more than to leave this, but Makima promised him I-Island, and he'd make damn sure she'd honor it. Not many brave souls could locate or perform a successful heist against the facility, yet they didn't possess the right mindset and goals to perform it like he did. With I-Island in his grip, the research around Eri's quirk would boost to a quicker rate.
Yet… He'd need Makima's assistance in getting another 'willing' soul to dedicate their time and effort on researching Eri's quirk with advanced equipment if he'd nabbed somebody from the elusive island. Which meant he'd have to continue working with her…
The idea made him nauseous and a series of cluster headaches were beginning to form because of that woman. Working with her meant more favors and more time she spent being with Eri. He had to nip that ridiculous notion of a good figure Makima was to the girl. Make her dependent back on him instead of someone who thinks they could just butt in and call themselves the 'good' one.
He leaned forward in his seat, pointing at the hunking block of walking cement tending to the grass, formulating a battle arena with his quirk. "That's your target, Hari. How'd your aim be if we get up close towards the latter half of the tournament?"
Hari Kurono squinted and framed a photo-like gesture with his hands, gauging the distance. "It'd be a far cry from a perfect shot. Doubt a syringe can even pierce, let alone scratch him."
"That's what I thought. She's given us an impossible target to begin with. But he's going to be in the way if he's still mucking around with that quirk of his."
"Hmmm… Didn't she say she'd handle him if we can't get a good shot?"
"That she did. Which means we'd have to angle our shot to Endeavor over there." He pointed to the hulking mass of fiery muscle a couple of sections over, arms crossed. "Seems he's playing monitor today too, just as she'd predicted."
"You and I both know the man's liable to see us if we make a move on him."
"Then you and I best be prepped for Irinaka to shutter the world out by the time we nip the fire out of the equation." Chisaki knew it'd be a ballsy move against an end-game Pro Hero like Endeavor.
He didn't fancy his odds against a living flamethrowing monster like him. Pulling out his burner phone, he texted Makima that she'd have to deal with Cementoss on her own and that they'd deal with Endeavor.
"I'm going to get some food before they set up the stage, wanna come?" Hari asked, stretching and rising out of his seat. "Watching that," he pointed to the students all playing games or doing cheerleading moves out on the field, " Isn't my form of entertainment."
"Neither is it mine." Chisaki agreed. "But one of us has to stay."
Hari sat back down with a disapproving look. "We don't have to follow her word, boss. At the end of the day, she needs us. Wouldn't do her any good if she got on our bad side."
Chisaki rolled his eyes, of course he knew they held all the cards. Didn't need an idiot to figure that out. He waved off the complaint. "Try finding another sap who could get us into I-Island then, Hari."
When his assistant made no motion to counter it, Chisaki scoffed. He knew his subordinates hated Makima with their hearts. Irinaka being the most vocal still relented on having a contingency in place should their 'benefactor' turn tail once the chaos begins.
For now, he'd play the part of a spectator until the final rounds of the tournament kicked off. His quirk would be at the ready, so too would Irinaka whom he bet wasn't having a fun time hanging around the retractable roof above.
"Just come and find me when you can. And try to enjoy this as much as possible. We want to look authentic." Chisaki ignored Hari's scoff of indignity, opting to try and relax his back into the uncomfortable plastic seat covering behind him.
His assistant left, waving and descending down the stairs while the cavalry looked to be coming to a close.
Shinso couldn't believe he'd made it to the tournament section of the Sports Festival. To think it was all thanks to some Ojiro kid's dexterous tail maneuvers. Shame the guy didn't seem too amicable about his mind being stolen. Would have made a great addition to his posse in the future.
Hopping off, he raised a fist in celebration, praying Ms. Makima had been watching his achievements. He'd made it to third place. Third place! Just as planned. Nothing too serious but nothing too dopey.
His heart kept beating like a band's drum roll with anxiety and anticipation though. He was getting closer and closer to his part in all of the games. A one-on-one fight between himself and other students.
Ms. Makima assured him he'd not get any unsavory students with quirks that could easily counter his, but it did sting a little. He wanted to win it of his own accord to show her he is useful and worth keeping around for the long haul.
Shinso didn't want to be a one-trick pony to Ms. Makima whatsoever after the plan was finished. He needed to show her that he's able to handle everything without fainting or going overboard. For that, he'd have to not hold back once he won this thing.
Shinso vowed to make Ms. Makima the happiest woman in the world. For her sake, Shinso would stop at nothing to get to the third round of the tournament.
He clutched at his head again as another episode of cluster headaches threatened to break free, and with them fake memories of something that didn't even happen.
She told him it may have been a side effect of his awakened quirk and it made sense. The output of his newest abilities required a lot of brain power, so it made sense that these 'hallucinations' she called them, would try to burst forward and replace fact with fiction.
Ms. Makima never lies. She'd tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
Shinso watched with the rest of the students as the digital screen of the jumbotron rolled names like a slot machine, choosing what the first bout of competitors would be.
Shinso Hitoshi vs. Momo Yaoyorozu.
He'd be the first match for the whole nation to see, and likely the whole world. From what Makima had told him, this girl had the ability to make anything out of her body. Be it a weapon or tool, she would be dangerous if he let her get any distance.
He stepped forward, as did Momo, standing tall and stoic.
"It's the Control Killer Jr…." Someone whispered behind his back.
"Yikes… Why did they let him participate in the games? What if he cheats?" Another kid chimed in.
"He'll cheat with that killing quirk of his!" A third piled onto the venomed whispers.
Shinso did his best to ignore their words - none of them would matter at the end. He extended his hand out to Momo and saw her eye his form with suspicion before reluctantly taking his gestures.
"May the best win." She said, her eyes steeled and full of determination.
"Yeah. We'll see." Shinso replied, not caring for this nobody and instead searching for Makima in the crowd above them. Not seeing her, he coped with the fact that she was simply busy tending to stuff behind the scenes.
The two did their respective bows and left to their entryway into the newly built arena made by Cementoss. All eyes were on them at this moment and Present Mic began the count down.
"Five."
The crowd chanted with their loud announcer; some stomped their feet; others cheered with shouts of encouragement.
Shinso saw Momo's hands resting on her stomach, already drumming up what to summon.
"Four."
He leaned forward, prepping his legs for a full-on sprint to end this quickly.
"Three."
Momo's legs shuffled, grounding herself for something.
"Two. "
He readied his fists, closing them, trying to not outright use his quirk just yet. If he used it now, his next two opponents would no doubt study it and learn more.
"One… Begin!"
The horns blared and Shinso rushed forward, his eyes catching the sight of Momo conjuring up a bean-bag launcher from her stomach.
She loaded in a purple bag and aimed. The loud pneumatic pop from it sent the bean-bag careening his way and he sidestepped it, not letting that halt his sprint!
Momo looked to have anticipated it, tossing the bean-bag launcher his way when got close enough, pulling out a baton and using two hands to swing for his gut.
He reached out to grab at her wrist, latching on with a quick grip and twisting for a shoulder throw, planning to knock the wind out of her.
Momo yelped when his grip tightened around her lithe wrist, her eyes going as wide as saucers as he started the motions up for the shoulder throw.
"G-gah!" Momo cried out and the crowd all let out a collective gasp or 'ooh' at the impact as her back connected with the hard cement floor. A thick amount of spittle flew from her mouth, and she rolled over to dodge a stomp from him.
"I-I won't yield! Not yet!" She cried out, pushing herself up. Shinso had to hold back from not groaning too loudly. This girl had to concede the defeat. He can't keep Ms. Makima waiting!
He took the initiative to go at it again, closing the distance to Momo before she could recover fully from the shoulder toss. He looked to her hands palmed over her stomach, a bright purple glow emanating from it, and he assumed she was trying to make something to defend herself again. But Shinso was faster. Much faster thanks to Ms. Makima's training.
He got into her guard and grabbed at her left forearm this time, twisting it behind her back. She cried out in pain. Her legs trying to kick back at him; her fingers clawing into his arm.
Empathy for this was not allowed. He could hear the boos coming from the crowd for him to treat her better, but this was all or nothing. He looked over her shoulder and began to rush her toward the edge of the arena, fully intent to force her off her balance to get a ring out.
Sharp pain shot out immediately into him however just as they'd reached the edge.
"G-geuh!" He felt something hard bulge out from her nape and into his forehead, forcing him to let go of the grapple. The momentum of the rush had been lost, leaving him slightly staggered and clutching at his newly formed bruise.
W-what is going…. His awakened quirk tried to break free, and he had to hold it in. Like trying to hold in a sneeze, he clutched at his face. Vast amounts of those false memories and scenarios rushing forward again.
Scenes of him in his house, clutching at an older woman who had his eyes - her body limp and her neck sliced open.
Scenes of him in a dark room with shadow-like figures, taking their turn torturing his body with grins and laughter.
Scenes of him in a kitchen crying on the floor in a fetal position. It was too much.
"This isn't….. I'm…." Shinso began hyperventilating. Now was not a time to have a panic attack! Not now!
He covered his face in his palms, taking deep breaths like Ms. Makima had instructed. The loud blaring crowds and chants didn't help one bit.
"They're not real…. Ms. Makima loves you. She loves you. I love her. I'm…." More and more memories burst forward. It made him wilt. It made him cry. It made him…. Angry. Angry at something. He pulled at his hair and clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms until they hurt.
Why though? Why did it make him so mad…? He loved Ms. Makima, so why did his heart feel so… detached from the idea?
"Deep breaths, Shinso. Deep breaths." He steadied his tremors.
It looked like Momo had taken the opportunity to regain her own footing during his outburst.
She'd created a weapon in that short amount of time. Shinso's mind already had its gears running. She could conjure it not just from her stomach, but from other areas on her body.
"You're not using your quirk…" Her arm created a small mini-buckler. The type used in a medieval-like duel. "Am I too pathetic for you to use it for an easy win?" She said with heavy pants and a face dripping with sweat. "You'd easily win this." Her other hand held a yellow stun baton. Electricity crackled from its pronged tip.
He could, he really could end it here and now. She just fulfilled the prerequisite, but people were watching. His future opponents were watching. Ms. Makima had explicitly told him to save his trump card for the third round and only the third round."
"Saving it." He mumbled, readying up his fists and getting into a crouched position.
"So that's how it is. Not wanting the others to figure it out til later…" The girl sighed. "Fine. You're only handicapping yourself, but who am I to judge? We're evenly matched at this rate."
Shinso dashed again, forcing Momo to get into a guarded position, raising her buckler up high and her cattle prod aimed.
Just as she was about to strike, her eyes went blank. He hated having to do this, and no doubt Ms. Makima would know. But he had to finish this fast so her plan wouldn't be delayed. It was all for her sake! It hurt his heart going against her wishes…
"Announce you'll concede and that you're too hurt to continue." He commanded and the girl's head bobbed up, dropping her weapons with a loud clatter. The crowd went silent as she announced her surrender. She turned heel and stepped down the stairs, giving a curt bow to Cementoss and heading towards the vomitorium.
"Well…." Present Mic took a long pause, still in surprise. "What a way to kick off the Sports Festival, guys and gals! Shinsoooooo Hitoshi is the victor!" Present Mic said with a dramatic flair with his vocals. "What did you think of that fight, Eraser Head?"
"Hmmm, it was a battle of attrition. Both were evenly matched, but it seems stamina dictated the victor here. Surprised Shinso hadn't used his quirk here. Whether that was even the match for Momo or not, I'd say it was kind but stupid."
"Yowch… Talk about a drama queen, am I right, guys and gals?! Hah, just kidding!"
"Tch… It's how I see it. I'd hope Shinso takes this into account for the next round."
Shinso didn't heed Aizawa's words; he was more worried if Ms. Makima would call him and scold him for why he didn't listen to her.
She'll understand. She's always understood you, Shinso. She'd applaud your quick thinking.
He left the arena, making a beeline to the vomitorium to clean up and await for the next bout.
A quick taxi back to the stadium proved to be more of a delay than anything else. Makima should have just chosen to walk instead.
Traffic had been at an all time atrocious high due to the anticipation of the final bout of the Sports Festival. The display of quirks, battle intellect, and potential internships drew everyone's attention, so it made sense people would arrive in the masses to see it in person.
For her, it meant more and more viewers to increase the likelihood of her plan to work. Her phone vibrated inside her coat pocket and she pulled it out, seeing Chisaki's initial popping up.
"Cementoss is a bust for us. We're swapping for Endeavor." Makima read the text from Chisaki and sighed. She'd hoped that Hari would have been the crackshot to somehow eliminate the local cement manipulator out of the equation early, but it was hopeful thinking.
She would have to visit him during the break room and lace his manju with the drug. Makima's eyes drifted to the window to see people enjoying the locale, touring around with shirts of All-Might, Endeavor, and other heroes.
"Would you be so kind as to pull to the side? I really need to get to the stadium." She asked the sweating driver who nodded, taking his fare from her and letting her out. Makima stretched and rested her hands onto her hips, the gigantic Sports Festival station booming with celebratory music.
Techno, hip-hop, and oldies played at an obnoxiously loud level to soothe the crowds as she assumed it was going on a brief break to set up the next match. It was right on schedule.
Tokoyami, or rather, Dark Shadow was added to the board. He'd be at the ready. Now, she just had to get back to the stadium, fulfill the final touches for her side of the plan, and then let Shinso do the rest. It would be smooth sailing so to speak.
Putting her hands into the pockets of her trenchcoat, she began her journey to perfection.
"Hey, Tsukauchi… It's Toshinori. Just thought I'd drop a message to see where you are and that you're doing alright. We can go get drinks if you're feeling down."
He ended the voicemail and pushed send, pacing back and forth. Toshinori didn't usually worry for things like this, but his gut had been telling him something was off. He just couldn't place it on something feasible. Maybe it was just his nerves acting on instinct due to the fact that young Midoriya would be out there in front of thousands of people.
He'd be showing off One For All in all its early-stage glory. He had no doubt in his mind that his old mentor, Gran Torino, was watching too. Probably thought of it as a crapshow with how reckless the kid was during the race and the cavalry battles. It'd be his chance to shine as a potential student to all who watched that he had what it took to be a Pro Hero.
The tournaments would start soon, and thankfully it looked like he wasn't next yet. The kid did really well against Class B's Ibara Shiozaki and Neito Monoma through the first two brackets. It was between one of Aizawa's kids and Vlad King's. A tie in a way with how long the battle had gone through with both sharing a similar quirk….
The break room was quiet, save for the occasional flicker of the AC going on automatically once the temperature went past a certain level.
Toshinori nearly felt his heart jump at his chest when someone entered the room. He assumed his All-Might Form, flashing a smile along with a boastful pose, but he relaxed when it was just Hayakawa.
Thought it was the press or a student… Whew.
He plopped down onto the couch with relief.
"All-Might." She bowed, walking past the couches he had to sit down on and to the counter, grabbing a cup of coffee. "I'd have thought you'd be out there cheering on your students."
"Ah… Principal Nezu thought it'd be better if I show up at the end, honoring the victor with the medals and such." He scratched his head, their conversation ending abruptly and silence followed after.
The only sound now was Hayakawa pouring her coffee, tearing open a creamer, and stirring the paper cup.
It felt awkward. He needed to save himself. "Would you like to sit for awhile? I bet the Police Chief is really hounding you with everything going on."
"That he is." Hayakawa took a seat in front of him, sipping at her coffee and adjusting her glasses. "The Control Killer has certainly made us beef up various areas around the stadium just in case of anything strange."
"Ain't that tough… Guess you've had to tone down everything after Nezu hounded you not to? He did want to make the Sports Festival feel welcoming."
"Indeed. We've managed to get some approval to make our presence a lot less intimidating. We've had a majority of our officers on standby just in case though. Can't be too sure in these scenarios."
"Heh, you sound like Tsukauchi." He didn't miss the slight frown that Hayakawa hid under a sip of coffee. Crap. Of course he had to blurt that out.
"How did your talk with Principal Nezu go?" She asked, her tone sounding as if she wanted to lean away from the subject.
"Oh, that! Ha." He had to force out some laughter. "Just some old talks between friends, you know. The usual. We spoke of how it was back in my prime days. I made it to the finals. Was quite a show too for those who came." Toshinori scratched at his face. "Might see it on the web if you look."
Hayakawa hummed and took longer sips. "I'll have to see it on my own time." Hayakawa took a longer pause, sipping and maintaining eye-contact with him. "Hmm… Say, can I ask you a question?" She set her coffee down onto the short maplewood table in front of her. "Nothing too outrageous to take up your time."
He looked at the clock behind her head and shook his head. Young Midoriya wouldn't be selected until after Kirishima and Tetsutetsu's match. A little conversation wouldn't hurt. "Not really. Why, got some juicy details about Endeavor? Or what do I do on weekends?" He said, feeling a lot more alleviated with the atmosphere getting somewhere less on the acquaintance end.
"Hardly. I imagine you're tired of that sort of stuff. It's something I asked of Tsukauchi a while back. Made me consider the wonders of it all, really. After all, I don't ever get the chance to get a one-on-one talk with the Number One Hero of Japan."
"I suppose that is true since Tsukauchi's usually the one asking me to swing by the station." He said with a simple smile. "Apologies if we haven't been on proper speaking terms. We ought to be given how we work in tandem with you guys."
"It's no issue at all. I understand that as the symbol of peace, it must be taxing to handle all the assignments of your caliber."
"Don't I know it." Toshinori recalled all of the previous tasks he'd been given at his prime. Handling behemoth-level villains or dealing with One For All's minions, most would quit under those conditions, but not him.
"But what sort of question did have in mind–"
Hayakawa's hand went up to shush him. Her radio went abuzz at her hip, and the sound of Chief Kenji's voice barked over it with a crackle. " Detective! We need you at the scene; Tokoyami's escaped his cell. He's running rampant outside the station!"
Hayakawa's face went into full-surprise mode, but, almost like how Tsukauchi usually does, her expression hardened. "On it. I'll be there shortly. Keep him contained and away from civilians." She rose quickly, downing her coffee and strided past the table.
Toshinori gently placed a hand onto her shoulder. "Mind if I come along?"
Hayakawa looked almost relieved at his words, but shook her head. "I thought you'd be more keen on staying here to keep the peace of the Sports Festival?"
Toshinori let out a heroic bout of laughter and flexed with a pose to a non-existent audience. "As if I'd turn down the chance to aid our local law enforcement. Besides - that's one of my students rampaging. It'll do me good to try and talk him out of it. I got time." He looked to his watch on his wrist one last time, taking note that even if Kirishima finishes up his match, it'd take a while to set up the next.
He had time before Young Midoriya would share with the world that he is here to be the next successor of One For All.
"You're too good for me, All-Might. I can see why Tsukauchi likes you." She laughed. "Are you certain I won't be keeping you? I'd hate to steal away a prime symbol to deal with a teenage outburst."
He clapped her back, causing her to stumble. "Hah! Not at all. From how Kenji sounded, it seems bad. Now, let's get going! We've a student of mine to reprimand!"
Toshinori saw the usually stoic and reserved Hayakawa that clung to Tsukauchi's side, smiling with mirth. She was likely happy to be partnering up with him, and he couldn't blame her. He was a force to be reckoned with all on his own. To be serving as the backup would do great things for the Police Force's image.
He'd even go say hello to Tsukauchi while he was it. The poor guy was probably up to his gills with issues.
Makima smiled to herself as she had her eyes closed - peering through the eyes of crows as Jin's double had All-Might tailing behind with an oblivious grin on his own face.
She'd chosen to relax in the break room again, wanting to finish up another cup of coffee.
The trump card of this stadium was on sabbatical for the time being. She ensured to flood Dark Shadow with as much of the trigger drugs that Chisaki could make in a short amount of time.
He'd be a walking leviathan of darkness by now. Wrecking havoc wherever it went. A being of darkness full of sound and fury - attacking at random while its host could do nothing but watch. It'd make All-Might hesitate for a while.
She opened her eyes back up to see Present Mic announcing the tie-up match between Kirishima and Tetsutetsu, and letting the match roll the next few combatants. Shinso had already moved up to the third bracket, beating Mina Ashido after an extensive battle.
It shouldn't have taken him too long to beat her. It was a slight concern to Makima.
She cherry-picked the best opponents for him, so there shouldn't be any difficulty on his end.
Unless someone squealed to the girl about the prerequisites to his awakened quirk. Thoughts of Giran immediately splashed forth, but no, it couldn't be him. The cockroach of an info-broker was too whipped to try something so stupid. She saw him snooping around, but he knew he couldn't stop the inevitable.
Who else could provide such quick battle information in such a short amount of time?
He simply needed to win this one and to acquire a key quirk to keep the aftermath at bay. It was the only amount of time she'd bought with All-Might out of the picture.
That green-haired child would have been Shinso's opponent had she not changed up the process. His quirk, however it connected to All-Might's, made it certain that he'd be immune. No matter though. That Izuku Midoriya wouldn't have the chance to stop this either once it was in motion.
"Whoa-oh, there guys and gals! We got an interesting one! We've got the underdog Shinso Hitoshi vs. Katsuki Bakuooogo! Both of these boys have proven themselves to be top-notch. With Shinso's incredible hand-to-hand combat skills and our residential powerhouse's explosions, this is sure to be an interesting match!"
The crowd went wild with glee and they'll soon cry out a better tune by the time Shinso wins.
AN: "Oh yeah, it's all coming together." Makima says in her best impression of that Kronk meme with facial expressions and everything. XD I can see it now.
I've still got that silly, chaotic mode on from the Kobeni story. Gods, I love her unlucky pitiful self already :( XD Go check it out if ya haven't already
Makima's plan is like at 80% completion rate with how fast she's getting things on a roll. I see her as that ridiculous cure bar from Plague INC that rises no matter what you do. Try to delay it...? Nah, it'll just ignore your attempts and just mosey on its way to screw your playthrough at any cost. Curse you, cure bar! ARGH!
Here's the 25th chapter of ATI! Hope ya like it. I'm still trying to perfect my fighting scenes since it's been a while since anything action-related has happened. Gotta dust off the 'ole reference material from time to time (stick man battles).
Until we meet again, my fellow Makima connoisseurs! Your words and insights mean the world to me. I treasure each one as we continue our journey together to Makima's story.