20

Chapter Text

Until now, Iida Tenya had never truly understood the metaphor of 'calm before the storm'. Obviously, it referred to the phenomena of differing thermodynamic pressures that signaled the coming of high winds and rains, but he never really saw it happen within the human context as well as he did now.

Despite getting full reign of whatever food they wished from the cafeteria, the only one seemingly willing to dig in so to speak was Yaoyorozu, understandable given her quirk. Everyone ate their lunch normally or kept it within moderation. Nothing stopped them. In fact, it felt encouraging since fifteen of his peers had made it into the tournament. However, Midoriya and Todoroki had yet to return from whatever talk that Todoroki insisted they speak about, and the support girl Hatsume had wandered off while muttering something about babies and hadn't returned. Shiozaki never showed, and he didn't know the girl well enough to hazard a guess of what she was doing. Bakugo came back from something, but when asked he'd just said "bathroom" in a grouchy manner and went about his business of eating.

Now, Tenya would never stoop so low as to think that any of his fellow combatants were engaging in anything that would damage their chances going forward, but limiting themselves by going without nourishment before the main event was foolish.

Tenya himself was busy ingesting ample amounts of Orange Juice for his Engines. Facing off against Parker in the interim match, as well as the obstacle course had drained him far more than he expected. If he wished to perform at his peak, he would most likely have to pull off similar feats against his opponents as he did against Parker. Though, it hadn't been as effective as the boy had hoped.

Even so, his opponents would most likely assume that he would repeat such a maneuver against them. If they focused on a frontal defense, it would simply leave them open to flanking maneuvers. Not going all out from the beginning may be the best plan of attack.

Going forward, the Sweet Sixteen, as Professor Mic so loudly declared from the booth had been given a special room and cafeteria to sit at during the lunch break, and close by were their locker rooms. Everyone seemingly sat down randomly. Nevertheless, the table was quiet, everyone waiting in silence for the time where they would go out again to choose their opponents.

With one notable exception.

"Anyone ever wonder why gummy worms are bigger than gummy bears?"

Next, to him, his fellow American Tsunotori glanced at Parker quizzically, "No, why would anyone think that?"

"I'm just saying," Parker shrugged, throwing a bear into his mouth, "You'd think it'd be the other way around."

"As interesting a topic as it might be, there are more important things to focus on," Tenya said, throwing his perspective into the pool, hopefully stopping his vice-representative from distracting everyone from their train of thoughts. At first glance, it was rude for Peter to talk like that. Or it could simply be his way of reducing his stress? Thoughts aside, Parker notched an eyebrow upwards.

"Like what?"

"How about the fact that we're about to beat the crap out of each other over national TV?" Tokage offered with a coy smirk.

"I'm planning on saving what few cubes I have left," Sato commented, "Gonna be a good way to improve afterward." He grinned, flexing an arm. "Not that I'll need much to beat you guys."

A good-natured chuckle rang throughout the table, most of the sound coming from Parker.

"Didn't Todoroki freeze you? Ribbit," Asui inquired.

The large boy flinched, flustered.

"I-I got out!"

"I helped," Tsunotori added.

"There were many brave team efforts all around, what we need to focus on is what's ahead," Tokoyami muttered, and Jirou pointed at him with a thumb.

"What he said, except without making it sound all ominous."

The bird-headed boy closed his eyes. "It is simply the truth."

Sato laughed nervously, "It was a joke, relax."

"Wasn't the best one, dude," Parker said apologetically.

Jirou rolled her eyes, "Coming from the quip master himself, that's low."

"What?" Peter said, flabbergasted, "I don't quip."

As one, with the exception of Bakugo, nearly half the table raised an eyebrow, causing the American to pout. The only ones who didn't notice much were the girls from Class 1-B.

"Okay you got me, I do." Peter shrugged.

"Well... it is better than screaming 'Die' all the time if you ask me." Asui added.

"What was that, Frogface?!" A slam came from the other end of the table as Bakugo's red eyes glared at Peter and Asui. He stood up, finishing his burger in a few harsh bites.

"Stating facts. Like Tokoyami-chan I'm just saying the truth." Bakugo snarled at Asui's jab. Peter raised his hands.

"Easy easy guys, let's not get at each other now. We can do it in the ring!" The intervention allowed Bakugo to turn towards Parker, growling as he narrowed his eyes.

"Oh we will, Parker. We will." The blonde hissed at the brown-haired American with the force of a hundred nuclear bombs. Asui's eyebrow quirked up curiously. "The best heroes don't hold back! They take every confrontation fucking seriously! When we get into that ring, no more faking. You better bring your A-Game, or else!" Bakugo growled as he opened the door. "...like you should!" And slammed it upon exiting.

A tense silence filled the room. Tenya nodded his head sagely. Clearly, the tension between his fellow students was boiling over.

"Taking a fucking chill pill why don't you?" Parker muttered under his breath in English, almost bitterly as he ate the last of his desert.

"I don't think he ever will, Peter-san." Yaoyorozu added as she scarfed down a rice ball.

"Is it me, or was that… the first time Bakugo called someone by name?" Asui mentioned, finger to her chin.

"He doesn't call his fellow classmates by name?" Kendo asked, speaking up for the first time as she sat next to Tokage and Pony.

"Well, he calls me Frog or Frogface, Iida-chan Four Eyes, and Midoriya-chan Deku for some reason." Asui answered. "Before he called him Redshirt or American. This is the first time he's called someone by their real name."

"Wait, really?" Parker asked. Tenya perked up.

"I suppose you are right… Perhaps in his own way, Bakugo is coming around?" He mused, cupping his chin in thought. True enough, the bomber was very temperamental and confrontational, never giving anyone aside from the teachers their names.

"Well, if he's looking to be friends in his own way, ask Midoriya." Peter mused bitterly. "Heard they were childhood friends. I wouldn't want that guy as my friend." He took a sip from his drink, looking up to the TV. "Oh! There goes Mina on the relay race! It's starting!"

Tenya took a deep breath, but he couldn't stop himself from sighing. Parker looked around sheepishly.

"What? Just trying to change the subject." More silence from Parker's end of the table as he sighed. "Ain't working, is it?"

"Yeah, it's not." Jirou answered. "I mean, this is big. Bakugo just said someone's name who isn't a teacher."

"Still, Bakugo is our classmate, however rude he is." Yaoyorozu spoke diligently. "It is in our best interest to help him come around as best as we can." The American picked at his meal a bit before plopping a slice into his mouth, eyes rolling.

"Yeah, sure."

"ALRIGHT DEAR LISTENERS, IT'S TIME FOR THE MINIGAMES! YOU THOUGHT THEY WERE OUT, BUT HERE COME YOUR RUNNER-UPS FROM THE WAR OF FLAGS!!!" Present Mic declared from the stands.

Next to him, Parker and Jirou winced at the volume.

"Guy really knows how to keep it subtle," the punk girl commented, rubbing her sore ear.

"Think those stereos on his neck have a mute button?" Sato asked, curiously, looking up at the TV screen in the cafeteria as all the other students who didn't make it to the Finals came out to the field.

"Sato-san, he's our professor," Yaoyorozu chided.

"I know, but..." the muscular boy shrugged, looking around, "You can't say you're not curious."

"We shouldn't be discussing this," The black-haired girl deflected quickly.

"Think there's a button behind it?" Pony asked.

"But there are buttons on the front," Parker pointed out. He noticed a pause. "Of that neck-thingy he wears."

Yaoyorozu's eyes looked to the side as Tenya can see the wheels in her head turning.

"I suppose… but that device of his which helps amplify his voice, should have adjustment settings to the side to make it easier for his hands… could it?" Yaoyorozu mused.

"It's possible. All the basses and amps I deal with have their buttons in the back or the side." Jirou stated. "Mostly the back, but in Mic-sensei's case, I can see why it would be on the side."

"You know you can just ask him, rabbit," Asui said, casually.

Parker blinked, eyeing everyone at the table. The American drummed his fingers before throwing his hands up.

"Not it!"

Tenya sighed, "Parker, I understand your wish to relax before the event, but this is inexcusable. We are talking about our teacher-"

"Guess Tenya's asking him." Kendo spoke up for the first time as she sat with her fellow Class 1-B peers. Tokage was grinning per usual, while Tsunotori was more neutral-faced.

The Iida made a sound not unlike what came out of his Engines after they ran out of steam.

"Excuse me!?" Tenya asked.

Then, he saw everyone in the table, all of whom had their hands up. Even a sheepish Yaoyorozu and a mildly blushing Shinso who has kept quiet this whole time.

"Sorry bro, those are the rules," Parker said.

Tenya was floored. R-Rules? W-Was this some kind of game they were playing? Had he missed out on the signs? When did the game start? How foolish could he be?

"B-But I-"

"Nope," Parker said with a grin that matched Tokage's, "That's how it works, dude."

"Tell us over the group chat how it goes down," Sato waved his hand.

"I'm sure he'll be nice to answer ya, Ribbit." Asui reassured with a pat on the blue-haired boy's shoulder.

Tenya sputtered, "Wait, what do you mean? Are you not coming with me?"

No one met his gaze. Asui blushed, looking to the side.

And at that moment, Tenya felt like he'd failed every Iida that came before him.

"Alright… then as Class Secretary I must stand up to the task!" He stood up in pride, cup of OJ in hand, and about-faced. "I will return once I get confirmation from Mic-sensei about his equipment!" The boy left the room, and he broke into a light jog. Better ask Mic-sensei fast and then head back to fill up with more fuel.

(X)

Before long, all the students in the cafeteria went to the locker room to make final preparations. Iida hasn't returned yet, much to the surprise of many on Class 1-A's side. Todoroki and Midoriya came back together as well, but...

"Think Iida will be back soon?" Midoriya wondered aloud, looking out in concern as he was stretching, eyes watching the TV. Before it, the Minigames were still going on.

The stadium was more or less organized chaos from Pony's eyes. According to Mic who was calling it, they were doing an assortment of various games utilizing their intelligence and quirks. She saw that Uraraka girl ace a giant Tic-Tac-Toe game tournament watched over by Thirteen. The redheaded Tetsutetsu clone was in an arm-wrestling competition against Shishida, with others watching on. Lastly, many other students were finding and collecting various items, even going into the stands for a Scavenger Hunt of sorts. Peter, Midoriya, Sero and others were watching and rooting as if they were spectators, calling out some classmates like Uraraka, Kirishima, and some of her own peers in Class 1-B like Awase and Manga.

The blonde Texan sat on her bench, firing two horns from her head as she commanded them to float around. She felt her horns grow back, and Pony remembered her lessons under Mr. Vlad as they underwent their training and refinement exercises. She was able to get two under control a-okay. Any more and they would falter and fall to the ground. She could fire them in rapid succession, although only one or two at a time. If she really focused, she could pull off do three. She was improving, but controlling them as finely as she could with two would take time. Four was asking for the impossible.

Pony let out an audible sigh. "Still got lots to learn…" She muttered in English.

"I think Iida may be lost." Peter answered Midoriya as he dug through his locker, taking white vials of something and slotting them into his web shooters. He must have had extra in reserve. Considering how much he had used in the race and during the War, he would have ran out of web fluid during the tournament.

"If he doesn't hurry back soon..." Yaoyorozu looked up at the clock and Pony did so too. Eight minutes until their lunch break was over and they would be called out to begin fighting.

"I am back!" The door swung open violently, and Bakugo had to move quickly to avoid Iida's entrance.

"Watch it Four Eyes, you almost got me!" Bakugo barked, holding a thermos in hand as he went back to drinking its contents. The blue haired kid looked apologetic.

"Apologies, but I found Mic-sensei when he was going to the restroom during a commercial break!" Iida smiled.

"Oh? What'd ya find out? So where's the button for his voice?" Jirou inquired with crossed arms. Pony was attentive too. After all, she had Mic-sensei as well and that neck device on his person looked intriguing. Maybe she could find a device to help her with control of her horns? Something to hand down to the Support Department when she got a chance…

"I have confirmation." Iida beamed, puffing out his chest, adjusting his glasses, and placing his hands on his hips. "Mr. Mic has his Amp Device controls on the right side via holographic configuration to his fingerprints! It was a commissioned piece from I-Island as he told me! I hope this information has sated the curiosity of my opponents and fellow heroes and-"

"We get it! Now shut up and get ready!" Bakugo snarled. "This ain't a damn walk in the park." He said, shoving his thermos and ice packs that were around his arms in the locker. He stood back up before he marched to the door, walking past Iida before he stopped and turned. Pony followed his gaze. First to Peter, then to Midoriya as his lips twitched in annoyance, and finally Todoroki before he closed the door and left.

"Such a bad sport. I hope everyone is satisfied." Iida turned back towards the others.

"Nah, you're good. Thought you'd get lost." Parker waved before the blue-haired boy adjusted his glasses and smirked proudly.

"Thankfully the walls had maps for me to find my way! When it comes to a sense of direction I am unparalleled!" Iida declared as Peter laughed.

"Sure thing buddy. You're better than me in that regard. I can only get by with memory and landmarks." Pony focused her eyes on Peter and her big blue orbs softened.

To think that nearly two weeks ago he was fighting for his life against villains, and he was now acting as if nothing had happened.

She saw Todoroki stand up and walk towards the door. "See you in the tunnel." He stated towards Yaoyorozu, then he looked back at them group, prominently in Midoriya and Parker's direction before he departed too. Pony looked at the clock. Seven more minutes. She saw the Minigames wind down to a close and the blonde took a deep breath.

'Have courage, Pony. You're just gonna talk to him and thank him…' Pony thought to herself as she stood up and walked across the locker room, hooves clacking along the floor as Peter strapped his web slingers onto his wrists. She saw Yaoyorozu reading a book several lockers down and she narrowed her eyes.

'Don't bother. Just talk to him.'

"Hey Peter." Pony said in English, hands behind her back as she smiled down at him. Peter looked up and grinned.

"Sup Pony? Nervous for the Tournament?" The brown-haired boy asked back in his native tongue and Pony felt pink rush to her cheeks. She could feel various eyes on him and her but she didn't care.

"Sort of. Performing in front of so many people can be a bit nerve-wracking." She replied before taking a seat beside him. A nice distance away of course! Can't be too bold with a shy boy like Peter after all! He was like a delicate horse, not a wild stallion. "But I'm doing my best to get used to it! After all, as heroes we'll be in the spotlight the whole time!"

"Yeah. You're taking it better than me." Peter laughed, grinning as he looked at the floor. "I'm a nervous wreck when talking to so many people on a stage. Like, I needed that speech of mine or else I'd just be falling over myself!"

"You sounded confident to me, and when people were looking at you during the War." Pony had her hands on her lap, and she scooted… juuust half an inch closer. Peter didn't notice. Perfect!

"Well, I just smiled and waved is all. I'm trying to do my best out there, thinking of what certain people would do in my shoes." The boy's eyes were looking off in the distance, as if he wasn't here. "And try to emulate them I suppose."

"Well, I say you're doing a great job Peter… I mean, you heard what the audience and Mr. Mic said. Even the social media feeds agree. Look!" Pony pointed at the screen and Peter followed, seeing the students clear the field upon completion of the Minigames. Peter bit his lip, seeing the social media comments feed in.

This Parker kid is intense!- NobleSixer11

Yooo this boy be closer to All Might than anyone in UA right now and it aint even close #UASportsFest- Everyman

Is this guy a pro in disguise or something :O - FatcatMcg33

Gaijin boys are totes adotes olala~ -RealUtsushimi

U.A. TRULY IS THE BEST SCHOOL! WE MUST WORK HARDER TO SURPASS THEM! DO YOUR BEST, FELLOW HEROES! -Yorashi_Inasa

This Sports Fest is a wash wwwwwwwww Parker Might rolling this thing - Katagara

"Apparently…" Peter muttered. "Strange really… back home, if the public found out if I was this kind of superhero… I don't know what I would do…. Back home." He had his hands interlocked, elbows on his knees as he looked deep in thought, taking a deep sigh.

"What makes ya think that?" Pony asked curiously, tilting her head. Peter perked up, eyes wide.

"Well, uh..." He stammered, scratching his arm. "Just umm, didn't want to attract too much attention because I… didn't know what to do with it, hehe." He laughed awkwardly. "Still trying to get used to it and stuff, even if it is commonplace for most heroes nowadays."

"Well, you got me to help!" Pony chirped, making the boy of her dreams look up at her, his chocolate orbs meeting her sapphire ones. "You made me… you made me better so… I wanna do the same for you too." Her voice softened as she fiddled with her sun-kissed locks. "Only fair I repay ya back. We girls down in Texas never leave a debt unpaid after all."

"You don't have to worry about a thing, Pony." Peter grinned, the depression from before evaporating. "But, I appreciate the thought. This entire Sports Festival has been so much fun." He sat back, looking around as everyone was getting ready and filing out of the room towards the tunnel. "Where we can just use our abilities and cut loose and have a good time…"

"You were having a good time." Pony giggled. "Most of us were clawing and scraping like hogs in a pen trying to catch up!"

"Do pigs have claws and can scrap?" Peter inquired with a quirked eyebrow.

"Well, they have cleft feet. Could be claws. Could be hooves." Pony corrected, and the two of them laughed, earning them the gazes of several others.

"Peter…" She spoke, "I…" She paused, biting her lip as she tried to bring the words out. Just say it… Say it. But a lump formed in her throat, her cheeks burning up, as Pony took a deep inhale. "I really want to say that-"

"Would all contestants please report to the Tunnel for the Seeding." Said a voice over the intercom, and Pony looked up as she saw Peter stand up.

"Okay, time to be the Deputy Rep." Peter muttered in Japanese. He looked down at Pony. "we gotta go, Pony. We can talk later, sound good?"

…

"Umm, yes. Of course. N-No worries. Not like, haha, the sky is falling or nothing." Pony laughed loudly, even though she was cussing like a rancher inside of herself. 'Damnit girl! Get a grip! Be more confident!' "Let's go. And Peter… let's do our best." She added with a soft and sad smile.

"You got it." Peter whispered back with a nod. "Alright guys, let's move it."

"Everyone please follow me, Kendo-san and Parker-san!" Yaoyorozu called out as she and Kendo got to the door, opening it for them.

"May the best man win, Midori." Peter patted Midoriya's shoulder with a grin as he joined his fellow Class Reps. Midoriya nodded, smiling back. Pony allowed some of the others to walk past her, and she followed suit.

She saw Yaoyorozu and Peter talking again as they walked in soft and hushed tones. They talked to each other so easily…

Pony gripped her fists and her eyes bored lightly into the Creation girl.

'Allies yesterday, enemies today.' Pony thought, and deep down, she prayed for the chance to fight the black-haired beauty herself.

Up ahead, Todoroki, Bakugo, Tokoyami and Shiozaki waited patiently. Bakugo scoffed and joined the group, while Todoroki was neutral, but he and Midoriya locked eyes before they set their gazes on the students leading the group. Her eyes were with them. The people she would need to surpass.

'Momo Yaoyorozu... if we fight… I will beat you!' Pony declared mentally, and the group exited the tunnel and walked onto the field of the approving and roaring audience.

(X)

"AND HERE THEY ARE! GIVE THEM A HAND LADIES AND GENTS, YOUR SWEET SIXTEEN!!"

Mic's little speech whipped the crowd into yet another frenzy. They really couldn't get enough of those students, which was nice, it would serve them well when the recommendations came in. Could go without the bleeding eardrums. Shouta was already on Recovery Girl's checkup list, pretty sure adding hearing loss would end with him staying in these bandages for the rest of time.

Threats of acting like some cheap movie villain aside, Shouta did his best to keep track of the students as they came out. Most of them sold the image of confidence rather well. Bakugo kept his eyes on the center stage, taking point in the little group followed closely by Todoroki. The dual-colored boy was so stiff that you could use his back as a ruler. If Shouta had to hazard a guess, he was trying to put on the image of silent strength along with Bakugo. No smiles, no waving, two permanent scowls that somehow accumulated into an act capable of challenging Endeavor. The second they went out, it was like flipping a switch. Class 1-B's representative, Kendo Itsuka, took her time near the front, waving at the crowd and smiling calmly. Next to her, the other American in Vlad's class exaggerated her waves, but she didn't smile. She kept looking at her soon to be competition.

And the crowd went into a crescendo as the rest of the winning team came out. Parker, Iida, Midoriya and Yaoyorozu walked out like conquering kings and queens if the noise level was anything to go by. Parker was tentative, barely managing to wave at the roaring crowd and keep up his smile. The other three and everyone else kept their cool, laser-focused on the end goal like they should be doing. Even the general education kid Shinso was doing a good job keeping focus.

Thankfully they remembered to take this seriously.

One by one they lined up before the main stage.

"Alright then! To decide the seeding of the finals, we will draw lots numbered one through sixteen at random! To those unfamiliar with seeding, it goes from One versus Sixteen, Two versus Fifteen and so on! Now then, one at a time please." She gestured to the box in front of her, and the students got into a line and walked up, reaching in and pulling out a ball the size of a golf ball.

Rather pointless, but there was something to be said about the luck of the draw. In hero work, you could only prepare so much before a threat busted down a wall and forced you to fight it.

With every ball that was taken, the number displayed itself on the jumbotron. "We have our selections! Now, here is the seeding!" More importantly, the order in which they were fighting. One by one, the names come on, with several brackets appearing, four in each column.

Kendo Itsuka(1) vs. Pony Tsunotori(16)

Bakugo Katsuki(8) vs. Tokoyami Fumikage(9)

Midoriya Izuku(5) vs. Iida Tenya(12)

Todoroki Shoto(4) vs. Tokage Setsuna(13)

Peter Parker(6) vs. Hatsume Mei(11)

Shinso Hitoshi(3) vs. Rikido Sato(14)

Yaoyorozu Momo(7) vs. Shiozaki Ibara(10)

Jirou Kyoka (2) vs. Asui Tsuyu(15)

"THERE THEY ARE, DEAR LISTENERS AND VIEWERS ALIKE WE HAVE OUR FIRST ROUND MATCHES! IN A FEW SHORT MINUTES, OUR VERY OWN STUDENTS WILL SHOW US THEIR STUFF AND PULL NO PUNCHES! IT'S GONNA BE BIG, IT'S GONNA BE LOUD, IT'S GONNA BE PLUS ULTRA SO DON'T CHANGE THAT CHANNEL AS WE'VE GOT THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEROES RIGHT HERE FOR YOU TO SEE!"

"Pretty sure they'll hear you too," Shouta grumbled.

Thankfully, the radio hero didn't comment on his muttering, instead thanking the dozens of sponsors that apparently gave the money required to host this broadcast. All but two went back, and the two girls from Vlad's class assumed positions on opposite sides of the arena. Midnight took her spot and Cementoss gave the rundown to the two opponents.

The entire field quieted down, eagerness forcing each of them to watch and wait for the proverbial gun to go off.

"SO AIZAWA-"

"I don't know who's going to win," Shouta drawled, " So stop asking and just watch."

But if he thought about it…

(X)

Three matches.

That's how long Endeavor had to wait until Shoto decided if he wanted to keep up his little rebellion. First round was a wash, as he could beat that lizard-looking girl easily with his ice, but that made it the perfect opportunity to use his fire. Make the first opponent a sacrifice, and the weak would know how much better off they'd be to forfeit than try and face him. Anyone with a brain would do that.

Except his son that is. He'd use his ice until he ran into a brick wall. Thankfully, that brick wall seemed to be on his side of the bracket. A few notable students among the crop of first years.

They wouldn't see Shoto's first match as a sacrifice, they'd see it as an opportunity. An opponent so great that they couldn't ignore him, and that would force them to use everything to overcome him. Looking at most of them, there were a fair number that would try to overcome Shoto on pride alone. Commendable admiration, but it only served to give Shoto enough opponents to push him further.

Closer to the mountain of Number One.

If he didn't, the boy had no excuse. After all, he'd already called upon his flame twice now out of desperation. Deep down he knew he couldn't beat the best with just that woman's Quirk alone. Fire and Ice must be used to ascend to the pinnacle. In some ways… he was even thankful to that American brat and that green-haired kid for forcing Shoto into a corner. A good start, but it wasn't nearly enough. He should be filling the arena with heat like Endeavor's own Hellflame, nothing less would be acceptable for his son.

Until his matches, there were only one worth paying attention to. That annoying upstart American, Peter Parker. The cocky brat made him grit his teeth. At first, he thought Parker's supposed showings in the classroom were flukes.

Then the obstacle course happened, and the war. Those were no Fluke. He was talented. He was skilled... He was everything Shoto needed to surpass, yet time and again he was a brick wall standing in his way.

Just like...

If Shoto lost to Parker yet again in front of a national audience...

Enji's blood went cold as he felt a dark nostalgic chill flow through his spine. No, it couldn't happen again. Fate denied him once, it would not happen again!

After all, Enji didn't put all of his ambition into having another of American descent crush his dream to be the best there ever was. Once was a slight, twice… there were no words to describe the kind of insult that would be.

Enji took a deep breath, feeling the tell-tale signs of Hellfire overheating the area around him. A few melted railings wouldn't be too much to replace, but he didn't need to be burdened with the useless paperwork that the payment would bring if he melted more. He and his subordinates had better things to do.

For now, he turned his gaze to the head of ash-blonde hair in the stands, the only other challenge that might prove worthy. Bakugo Katsuki, according to the reports, the boy was registered as someone with an Explosion Quirk and was talented, and he showed it. Although now, it seemed his time at U.A. had given him the tools needed to harness his ability to go even beyond, even when hampered by baby powder which neutralized his Quirk. Another surprise in the grand scheme of things, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. Perhaps, the boy would be an adequate warmup for the rest of the finals, considering he and that green-haired brat were in Shoto's bracket.

Looking over the brackets, Enji couldn't help but smile. Most of the impressive students were in Shoto's bracket, Parker being an exception. They would wear Shoto down if he kept using his mother's quirk, forcing him to call upon his fire just to survive. He might want to spite his father, but the fact of the matter was that he wanted to win just as much as every other student wished to, and that was one thing Enji was happy about. His son had inherited his competitive spirit. That hunger for victory. His drive would overpower his promise, and he would call upon his fire. He would see that he couldn't reach the top with just one quirk, and the taste of where he could go with both quirks would prove intoxicating.

Shoto was, after all, his son.

Yet a thought nagged at the back of his mind, if Shoto managed to not use his fire. If he lost without using it… Or worse, made it to the Finals and got upstaged by Parker without using his Fire once…

His entire plan would be a wash. The world would be praising…

Enji's eyes looked up at the social media feed, seeing the common rabble blather on how they were seeing…

The All Might of this generation. That was the common denominator the sheep were spouting.

Another one to block his childhood dream that he had carried into adulthood, fatherhood, and beyond.

He gritted his teeth, feeling the temperature ramp up around him.

Shoto must learn that his actions had consequences.

He cooled down, seeing the sponsors' side-scroll, one of them being a divorce attorney firm.

Enji shook his head, it was a dark, heinous thought, and he gripped his arms. No, even through it all, he wouldn't do that to her. He was a Hero after all. Not a villain. Not even to motivate his son. He reopened his green eyes at Class 1-A's suite.

"Use your ability not for yourself, but for others… or else." His glare was focused on Shoto as he and the Class 1-A students were sitting in their press box now. "You don't deserve to be a hero, much less deserve my name."

(X)

If there was one thing that Itsuka knew she was at least decent at, it was reading people. Whether her classmates wanted to call her the big sister and throw her into the representative position, she always found herself capable of reading the situation.

And right in front of her, Pony was being an open book.

Itsuka couldn't remember any time that she'd seen the cute foreign exchange student this focused on anything. Though, she did have a habit of glancing at the stands, more specifically, towards a certain other American. Itsuka sighed. Honestly the open secret that was Pony's admiration towards Parker was, while cute, kind of a hassle. Hero work didn't exactly leave much time for the thing that most people call a family life. Also Parker was as awkward as they came. Nice guy, but you'd have better luck hitting him with a sign that spelt out your intentions.

However, Itsuka was wise enough to know how long Pony had trained her horns during the last two weeks. She stayed longer after school to practice with her horns. Seeing how far she had come from the shy foreign exchange student to becoming more confident and capable… It had to be because of Parker. The USJ incident hit U.A. and Class 1-B hard, even Monoma didn't go on a tangent until a while after classes resumed. Pony however was focused, and Itsuka, in the times she used the gym, could see Pony in the Training Centers, practicing her flying and her horns.

Seeing it all bear fruit during the Obstacle Race and the War… It made Kendo Itsuka proud and happy for her.

Still, sweet as she was, Pony displayed ferocity and vigor during the race when she was able to take out Todoroki and Bakugo to win the race by a horn, literally. Still… all of this for a boy, when hero work made family life tough?

She hoped he wasn't the only reason Pony was so serious though. There was more to hero life than boys.

"The rules are simple, the round is done if a fighter is knocked out of the ring, or they are deemed unfit to continue," Cementoss explained, "If there is any violation, I will stop the match immediately, understand?"

"Crystal clear professor," Kendo said, waving a hand.

The stone man looked to Pony. She kept her gaze squarely on Kendo, but nodded. Kendo winced, geez this girl was intense right now.

"And remember, this is your chance to show the world what you can do, do your best," Cementoss said with a grin, walking to the edge of the arena and making a high-rise seat for himself to watch over the match. Kendo stretched her arms, Pony put her hands to her head, aiming her sights at Itsuka. Sheesh, not even any pre-fight banter?

"I'm not gonna let you win because of him, Pony-chan. I have my reasons too. May the best girl win!" Itsuka grinned, getting into position. Pony exhaled through her nose, and her feet dug into the floor, like a bull ready to charge. No words.

Oh yeah, she's been this focused once when Tokage trolled her about Parker during their own private races.

On the jumbotron, the words 'BEGIN' flashed across the screen.

"AND BEGIN!" Professor Midnight declared, cracking the bullwhip.

Pony fired off her horns the second that the heroine was finished and the crowd roared. They rocketed towards Itsuka, but they weren't going to do a thing. Barely a thought, and Kendo's giant hands swatted the projectiles out of the way. She winced, but nothing a few nicks on her hands could do to stop her. The little things cracked the ground where they hit, shattered and useless, but Pony could always grow more. In fact, two more fired off. Itsuka burst into motion, sprinting across the distance while her giant hands pushed against the ground with a motion akin to a monkey. The orangette saw Pony's eyes go wide for a second before she hopped on her two detached horns and did the one thing that Itsuka really hoped she wouldn't do.

Fly off.

It was what Itsuka would've done in her position, however, it really didn't help. She had a brain after all.

Another horn flew at the orangette, and Kendo batted it aside as easily as another came zooming in. "She can use three for real now?" Itsuka muttered, green eyes going up to the air. Pony scowled, no doubt focused on doing damage, but Itsuka saw the horns on her feet wobble lightly. So she could…

But not for long! The strain would be too much and she'd fall unless she was really good at balancing on one horn, and her wide hooves wouldn't allow that!

"AND TSUNOTORI HAS TAKEN TO THE SKIES! AERIAL SUPERIORITY IS HERS!"

'Thanks Sensei, play by play is really working out for us.' Stopping her musings, she half-smirked at her floating classmate. With an enlarged hand and a grunt, Kendo smashed the ground in front of her, breaking the cement tile into a dozen different chunks. Or as Itsuka would like to call it; ammo.

Pony immediately went on the offensive, firing off several horns one at a time like a rotating crossbow as she began to circle Itsuka. They were nowhere near as fast, thanks to her focusing on the two supporting her. At her current speed, Kendo could keep track of them as well as pick up a handful of rocks. One hand to defend, the other to use the tile fragments to strike at her opponent.

One horn went straight for her, and Kendo put up her hand to defend, but Kendo didn't feel it connect with her giant hand. Out of the corner of her eye, Itsuka saw it flanking around her shoulder. She bent down, twisting as far as she could to dodge and throw her payload. It was a lazy throw, but the chucks were sizable enough that they forced Pony to dip out of the way.

A second of breathing room, and enough time to understand that this was either going to end with Pony falling off her horns from the effort of her firing multiple salvos while airborne, or getting a lucky shot. Itsuka couldn't just keep throwing rocks, but thankfully, she didn't need to. Sweet as she was and she had gotten better since the year began, all people had limits in regards to their quirks. Using it constantly hurt Pony's head, and she'd already put in enough work in the obstacle course and the war. She'd eventually run out of gas, even with the one hour break to let her recover. Time was on Itsuka's side, if she kept her guard up.

Another horn came her way, and one swipe was all it took to eliminate it. She saw Tsunotori descend to the ground as she put her hooves on one horn and aimed with her head, the other horn that was keeping her aloft flying towards her. "Too easy!" Itsuka declared, batting aside the one horn... only for Pony to be right in front of her in mid-charge!

"What?!" Itsuka threw her hand out like a shield, and felt Pony smash into her hand, head and shoulder first. "Gah!" One of her horns was in her hand now. She reached around to grab Pony, but the girl kicked off and Itsuka seethed at being kicked by her hooves. In her stumbling backward, she felt two objects slam against her stomach and shoulder.

And the horns started to push.

The twin impacts of the horns was enough to make Itsuka cough. They flew beyond the many broken and useless horns around the arena, taking her with them as their unwilling passenger. Itsuka struggled, but the horns seemed to move whenever she did, her shoes skidding amongst the ground, which only flipped her around so that two more horns could pierce either side of her jacket. Pony was focused on her opponent, moving her horns whenever Itsuka tried to grab them across her body, even with blood dripping down her temple.

Pony's forehead was bleeding as she arched her back and yelled. The horns pushed Itsuka off her feet, making the girl yelp as she was forced off the ground. She grunted and coughed as she winced in pain, rolling off the ground as she's been pushed. She rose to her feet, ready to continue, but she heard the bell. "Eh?" She looked down…

And saw that her foot was on the grass. Out of bounds. Her head fell, and Itsuka felt like a deflating balloon.

"HOLY MOLY! TSUNOTORI TOOK TO THE SKY AND LITERALLY FLEW HER OPPONENT OUT OF THE RING! OUR FIRST ROUND WINNER, IS PONY TSUNOTORI!"

Kendo rubbed her forehead, seeing her hand marked with countless pricks and scrapes as the crowd gave their applause. "Man, she got me good." Itsuka couldn't help but laugh. She'd lost but… the American from Texas had gotten the better of her fair and square. Blinking the remaining stars out of her eyes, she saw Pony walking towards her. Her focus was gone, and those blue eyes were back to being sweet.

"You okay Kendo-san? I hope I didn't rough up your hands too bad." She said, and Itsuka grinned.

"I'm alright Pony-chan. Not happy I lost, but..." She shrugged. "Sun will come out tomorrow. Great tactics by the way. Ummm." Itsuka pointed at Pony's forehead. "You gonna be okay yourself? You're bleeding." The blond shook her head.

"I'll live." Her eyes went to the Class 1-A suite, and Peter was whooping and hollering. Pony beamed as bright as the sun, and she skipped past Itsuka, excited as could be.

Itsuka sighed, well, good luck to her. She needed something to boost that confidence of hers. As for Kendo, she needed an ice pack, and something to drink. She may have lost… but she lost to a friend, and she was on her way to being a better hero.

If she could do that in her own way, then it was her duty as a 'big sister' to help.

(X)

"That was awesome!" Peter exclaimed, beaming as he sat back down in his seat.

"You were at the edge of your seat the whole time. Me and Koda here had to move aside." Sato said with a wry grin, Koda giving a shy wave in the process. Peter blinked before he blushed.

"Sorry, was I causing a fuss?"

"You were rooting for your friend, ain't nothing wrong with that, other than maybe you should tone it down a bit." Kyoka smirked. Peter laughed bashfully as he rubbed the back of his head.

"You sure were cheering loud in English. I think you were the only English-yelling person in the stadium!" Mina stated from behind him, sitting above with her fellow classmates.

"Yeah, could you reel it back, thought you were gonna lose your voice there." Sero winced, rubbing his ears as he sat next to Mina. Way to lay it on, buuut holding back may help.

"Okay, indoor voice going forward. Sorry, Pony's a good friend. You'd do the same for your buddy too, right?" Peter looked back at Sero, hands on his hips with an expectant look.

"Well yeah of course, but at the end of the day, you may end up fighting her if you go all the way to the Final Match." Sero pointed up to the jumbotron, seeing Pony's icon advance to the next round. In which she would face the winner of…

"About time we head on down." Tokoyami stated, rising from his seat and looking at Bakugo who also rose up. Their red eyes met each other. "I'm not going to hold back." He allowed Bakugo to pass, the ash-blonde walking with his hands in his pockets.

"Neither am I." Bakugo growled as he went into the tunnel. Tokoyami watched him go.

"Hey Tokoyami! Do your best buddy!" Peter waved, grinning as he earned the attention of the bird-headed boy.

"Yeah, you got this! Saw how you had him on the ropes back in the War from the Highlights! Man, you don't mess around!" Eijiro flexed, showing a toothy smile of his own.

"Be careful, ok? Bakugo may have a temper, but he has a motor like a fighter jet." Asui added. Tokoyami smiled softly.

"Your support is appreciated. I fought him before in the darkness, but if I am to be a hero, I must brave the light and overcome it." The shadow user then went into the tunnel, and Peter could hear the mutterings of Izuku sitting by his side.

"Kacchan and Tokoyami are both very fierce fighters but Tokoyami's Dark Shadow is faster but weaker in day, can it get weakened with additional light sources? What if Tokoyami knows this and uses Dark Shadow's speed, but Kacchan is no slouch in that department either. What if it's like Iida-kun and Parker-san's match where it's over in the blink of an eye or…"

"He's in a mumblestorm right now it seems." Peter waved his hand, Midoriya too focused on going over the upcoming match in his head. Behind him, he felt Uraraka kneel down.

"Hey hey Deku-kun, you're doing the thing again." She grinned, going up to the distracted green-haired boy and holding out her hand-

Snap.

Peter inhaled sharply, looking away as he felt his heart race a little. He could hear Midoriya talking with a laughing Uraraka as Peter focused on breathing.

"Peter-san?" Peter turned towards the voice, seeing a concerned Momo. "Are you alright?"

The American exhaled and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine." He spoke in English."I mean," He reverted back to Japanese. "I'll be okay. Just got, g-goosebumps is all." He forced out a laugh, smiling widely for the black-haired beauty. She was in a new U.A. shirt now, having replaced her tattered one from the War. "You doing good?"

"I'm doing fine. I needed that lunch lest I faint." She patted her midsection. "I'm recovering on lipids now, so I should be alright going forward in the tournament. You looked fine until just now." Her black eyes softened. "You looked like you've seen a ghost. Was it the noise?"

Peter bit his lower lip lightly. A snap… "Yeah, j-just the noise. Might be the uhhh, acoustics of this arena. Spiders have heightened hearing so… yeah.." He leaned back in his seat, smiling as he saw Midoriya stammering at Uraraka's teasing.

"The match is starting everyone, look!" Tenya declared, and Peter turned to the field, seeing Tokoyami and Bakugo walk onto the arena, Bakugo taking the far side as the crowd roared. He turned towards Momo.

"So, who do you think is gonna win?" He asked. Momo looked out to the field as the two fighters got into position.

"As much as it pains me to say it but I fee-"

"Iida Tenya." A deep voice cut in, and the students turned, seeing their trenchcoat-wearing teacher over by the tunnel leering down at them. The blue haired boy perked up.

"Yes, Ectoplasm-sensei?" The boy stood up at attention in front of the much taller hero.

"Please, come with me." Tenya opened his mouth, then closed it as he got up and walked out of the seating area.

"Well, if you insist. I'll go down to the tunnel and wait for you Midoriya, as our match is after Bakugo's." Tenya followed the teacher, whose face remained static and unchanging, but Peter could see that the Pro looked... almost somber.

"Sure thing, Iida-kun! See you there!" He waved before Tenya went into the tunnel, and Peter focused on the field.

"Let the second match for the first round..." Midnight raised her bullwhip. "Begin!"

(X)

Katsuki gritted his teeth, swiping at Dark Shadow and firing off a blast. "Die, you annoying loser!" He roared, the Shadowy construct taking the blast and whining like a little bitch because of it.

That's right, his Explosions back during the War had stalled his opponent. Now, no more Yaoyorozu. No more backup. Just him and Birdbrain under the sun! Man to man!

"That bloodlust!" Birdbrain muttered, and the shadow beast veered towards Katsuki as he landed. The blonde swiped again, firing another blast and stunning the crying beast. He began to advance, Dark Shadow retreating further as Birdbrain stepped back.

"Your Quirk is only good in dark areas like the Tower!" Katsuki yelled, satisfied with himself for figuring it out. "But out in the daytime it might as well be a weak puppy! Raaah!" He fired another explosion, stunning Dark Shadow again as he backed off.

"Grab him!" Birdbrain commanded, and Katsuki smirked. Vocal commands? Too easy and too noticeable, dunce! If that thing was a part of Birdbrain, he should train it to have it respond to mental commands to not give the enemy an edge.

Oh well, his loss, Bakugo Katsuki's gain! He used his quirk to dart over Birdbrain, avoiding the shadow beast's lunge. The monster roared as it charged, but Katsuki got his hands together and fired.

"Stun Grenade!" Before him was nothing but light, catching Dark Shadow right in front of it as Birdbrain yelped. Bakugo charged forth, tackling the bird-headed boy to the ground as his hand was a flurry with sparks, right in front of a whimpering and weakened Dark Shadow who looked to be no bigger than a puppy. The other grabbed his beak, hard.

"I had a feeling… that you had figured me out." Birdbrain muttered ruefully as he was pinned under Bakugo, and the blond bomber grinned darkly.

"This was payback for what you did back in the War, Birdbrain. Besides, it was just a bad matchup." He leered. "For you that is." The shadow-wielding student closed his eyes.

"I yield… I cannot fight now." He admitted, and Katsuki let go of his beak before he stood up.

"Tokoyami has surrendered the match! The Winner is Bakugo!" Midnight declared, and the crowd roared in approval and praise. Haaaa… now this was more like it. Things were going back to normal as Katsuki dusted his hands off and pocketed them. Too easy.

"So my next opponent…" He looked to the jumbotron, seeing his icon advance, and his next stepping stone… Katsuki turned towards the Class 1-B suite next to the Class 1-A's, and he narrowed his eyes at the Hafu sitting there with her peers. "Horngirl…"

"THAT WAS QUICK! TOKOYAMI DID AMAZING IN THE WAR, BUT TALK ABOUT BAD LUCK! HIS QUIRK JUST WASN'T GOOD AGAINST INTENSE LIGHT SOURCES!" Mic-sensei stated as Katsuki walked back to the tunnel, eyes locked on 1-B's box.

Yet Horngirl didn't yield, only glaring back. Huh, must have a spine under there.

Fine. Birdbrain was a warmup. Horngirl didn't look all that tough in her match against Orange. Still, she could fly while using her horns as projectiles before growing them back.

"She won't stand a chance." Katsuki's hand sparked as he walked deeper into the tunnel. For now, making a plan on how to beat Horngirl in decisive fashion. After all, he'd paid back Birdbrain for the War… he needed to get even with the Hafu for the minefield during the race. And Bakugo Katsuki always got even.

(X)

"Man, poor Tokoyami…" Mina muttered sadly. "He didn't land a single hit."

"Damn, and he was so good in the war too." Sato said somberly. "Like, he made the Red Tower impenetrable save for Todoroki's ice barrages."

"It's like how Mic-sensei said, it was just bad luck." Asui mused, her eyes on her raven-headed peer. "With all that light coming from Bakugo's explosions in addition to being out in the sun, Dark Shadow wasn't going to last very long regardless."

"The shadow's pretty manly, but I can't say that Bakugo wasn't ready for it." Kirishima said with crossed arms.

"Yeah, Kacchan and Tokoyami are strong… But not taking advantage of someone's weakness in battle would be foolish, especially when you're fighting villains. It's as Asui said, just bad luck." Izuku added, seeing Tokoyami recover and walk back into the tunnel, although now far more dejected. He stood up. "Alright, I got my match next."

"Good luck Midori," Parker said looking up at Izuku. "Iida's Recipro Burst is a straightforward move. If you can dodge side to side with your Quirk, you should be able to take advantage of it." His tone was level as he bit his lip.

"Thank you Parker-san, I'll keep that in mind." Izuku began to walk out of the aisle.

"Do your best, Deku-kun! I'll cheer both you and Iida-kun on!" Uraraka cheered with a wave and a bright smile.

"Ya go give 'em hell, Midoriya!" Kirishima added with a flexed arm. Parker gave a thumbs up. Todoroki meanwhile was silent, but his eyes were on Izuku, eyes full of expectation.

'That's right, I win this fight and if Todoroki wins his… I'll be fighting him.' Izuku clenched his fists and nodded, entering the concourse and taking the private elevator route down ten yards away. He got inside, going over his strategies in his head.

Iida's Engine allowed him to move at extreme speeds, so he would be potent offensively and may try to push Izuku out of the ring. To prevent that, going on the attack was his best option. Using Five Percent One for All, he could match Iida's speed! Well, in dodging and quick movements. In terms of straight-up speed he doubted he could keep up. Or would Iida try to end the fight as soon as it started like he tried with Parker?

'My best angle is to grapple him, maybe try to go for submission moves to slow him down. Or maybe use Iida's speed against him and try and go out of bounds by force?' Izuku looked at his hands. He knew he could only use zero to five percent right now, and then max power. No, it was too early to consider using One Hundred Percent. The elevator door opened and Izuku walked out, hand cupping his chin. He walked through the corridor and turned left, ready to advance to the tunnel, when he saw Mr. Snipe standing there!

"Ah, Midoriya." He put away his phone. Had he been talking to someone? "Did you just come down here?" He asked. Izuku looked around. No sign of Iida anywhere.

"Yes I did. Where is Iida? Our match is about to start!" Izuku clenched his hands. Where was he?!

"Iida… had to be pulled away due to a family matter. We were about to inform you, but you had already left your suite." Snipe shook his head. Izuku felt his blood run cold. A family matter?

"D-Did something happen?" He asked, biting his lip.

"Yes, but now is not the time Midoriya. Head back to your suite with your classmates. Everything is under control." Izuku's heart fell.

He had been planning on fighting Iida, one of his best friends in an honorable fight, to show the world that they were here. And now…

"Our apologies but there has been an unforeseen complication with one of our contestants." Midnight's voice echoed through the tunnel. "Due to this development, Iida Tenya has forfeited the match. Henceforth, Midoriya Izuku advances by default!"

Izuku could hear the crowd groan and boo out there as he turned around. He felt a hand on his shoulder, Snipe squeezing it firmly but softly.

"Don't worry about it. You just focus on your next match. I'm sure Iida wouldn't want you to feel bad for his sake." They got to the elevator and the Cowboy Hero pressed the button back up to the Suite level. Izuku took a deep breath, looking down at the ground.

So much for showing his talents even further...

"Yeah, sure." The door closed.

(X)

Shouta was already leaving the announcer's box as Present Mic did his best to salvage the situation with his upbeat self, calling out the next fight between Tokage and Todoroki. With his good hand he pulled out his phone and called Nezu. The mouse answered after just one ring.

"Aizawa."

"What happened to Iida?"

"We were about to inform you, actually." Nezu replied back as he leaned against the wall. "I'm afraid there's been a family emergency." Shouta narrowed his eyes. Iida Tenya was always very punctual, followed the rules and was honorable. Sometimes to a fault, but he was an Iida through and through and had great control over his Quirk. Not being able to showcase it to more hero firms and have the opportunity to grow pained the dark haired man inside, and he was feeling for his student.

"What kind of emergency?" Shouta asked with narrowed eyes.

"His brother, Iida Tensei, the Pro Hero Ingenium, is in the ER in Hosu." Nezu elaborated, and Shouta's eyes widened. Tensei was in Class B when Shouta and Hizashi were starting at U.A. all those years ago. He had been a model student, Class B's Class Representative for all three years of his academic tenure, and from what he had learned, an upstanding hero to his community. "He's fighting for his life."

"I see…" Shouta swallowed, forcing a swallow down past the lump in his throat. God, one of his own peers? Even if this was a competition to showcase one's talents to hero firms, this was just a series of games in the end. Tenya would rebound and have a chance to showcase his talents again, if not that then some hero firm would recruit him on the Iida name alone. He was exceptional during the obstacle race after all... "Is he with his parents?"

"They are leaving U.A. now for the next bullet train to Hosu." Nezu replied. "Will you talk to him?"

"Of course I will, I'm his teacher." Shouta replied in a heartbeat. "What happened to Ingenium?" He took a deep breath, going to his phone and checking the Pro Heroes website for any news. His eyes widened when he saw one of the threads.

HERO KILLER STRIKES AGAIN IN HOSU

"Son of a bitch…" Shouta muttered under his breath, cursing.

"You've seen the thread, yes? According to Tensei-kun's agency, he was hunting for the Hero Killer to bring him to Justice... " Nezu sadly mused.

"Hunter made hunted." Shouta exhaled out his nose. "I'll call him now."

"We're keeping this information suppressed. We don't need the Iida family to get harassed on social media, and most of the faculty save for Toshinori and Hizashi know of this." Nezu said further. "I trust you understand this and will keep it a secret?"

"Yeah, understood." Shouta hung up the phone and went to his contacts, getting his student's phone number and calling. "Pick up, pick up…"

No response. The black-haired man sighed and pocketed his phone. He would have to call Tenya later.

He opened the door, seeing Present Mic turn back to see him.

"Ah, welcome back! I was about to start up the pre-fight hype train, Mummyzawa! Hop on in!" Shouta rolled his eyes, limping back to his seat and sitting down. "Still, odd for Iida to resign like that. Weird isn't it?"

"Yeah," Shouta replied back. "Sure is." He looked out to the two students on the field, Tokage Setsuna standing on one end of the arena, and Todoroki Shoto on the other.

"AND NOW! WITH THIS NEXT FIGHT, IT IS A DUEL OF THE RECOMMENDED'S FROM RIVAL CLASSES! FROM CLASS 1-A, YOU HAVE THE FIRE AND ICE-USING WUNDERKIND! THE SON OF ENDEAVOR AND AN ACE IN HIS OWN RIGHT, TODOROKI SHOTO!" The black-haired man used his good hand to rub his ears. He wants to gag Hizashi so badly.

Nah, no need to.

"AND IN THE OTHER CORNER, FROM CLASS 1-B WITH A VERY PECULIAR QUIRK! SHE CAME FROM PARTS UNKNOWN AND PUT ON AN IMPRESSIVE AND STEADY SHOWING IN BOTH THE RACE AND THE WAR OF THE FLAGS! SHE IS LITERALLY THE CONCEPT OF E PLURIBUS UNUM! GIVE IT UP, FOR TOKAGEEEEEE SETSUNA!"

This was gonna end quickly.

(X)

Shoto ignored the noise. The constant, raging wall of sound that threatened to make his ears burst open. What was everyone expecting? A long, drawn out match between equals full of ups and downs?

He stepped up to the ring, and he was vaguely aware of Midnight talking about the rules. His opponent was tensing on the other end of the stage, but he didn't look at her. Shoto's eyes scanned the crowd, till he found three people. A vibrant blaze of hair, and a patchwork of green sitting next to a seemingly unimpressive block of quips and noise. Thinking about Midoriya, Shoto found himself glad that he wouldn't have to be worn down when they fought. He would be in top form.

For now, a demonstration was in order.

"AND LET THE THIRD MATCH OF THE TOURNAMENT!" Midnight screamed.

His opponent readied her quirk, arms and limbs separating.

It wouldn't do a thing.

"BEGIN!"

The bullwhip came down, his opponent's eyes and mouth detached from their body, and Shoto made the arena freeze.

The entire arena was filled with ice. Not a skyscraper-sized glacier, but the entire floor was smothered in ice, and in Tokage's general direction, snow and ice overcame her, like a tidal wave of frost all coming from Shoto.

For a moment, no one moved or even breathed. A thousand people around him, and he could hear a pin drop. He took a long breath, letting the steam rush off him as his body equalized. On the other end of the arena, his opponent stood in frozen shock, her body completely frozen with her detached parts being at the edge of the ice.

"Tokage," A half-frozen Midnight said, "Can you move?" Whoops, got his teacher by mistake.

"N-no," the green haired girl bit out through chattering teeth. The whip cracked again.

"Tokage is unable to c-continue! Todoroki Shoto advances!" The R-Rated Hero declared as she raised her non-frozen arm.

Shoto placed his left hand against the wall of ice. He let out stream of heat, enough to start thawing the ice, but not enough to ignite.

Inch by inch the ice melted away, freeing his opponent and the ice was enough to spread to his teacher, enough for her to break out with her own strength. A brief glance told him that she would be fine, might catch a cold, but nothing a hot drink and a few blankets wouldn't fix.

Shoto turned his gaze back to the stands with his peers. None of them could hide their shock. Why were they surprised when he had conjured a glacier during the war? Then again, that exertion of his quirk needed time to channel. His latest attack was instantaneous. Well, this would dissuade them. He saw Midoryia and Parker, the two peers that seemingly never stopped talking(mumbling in the former's case) were speechless.

Good, they knew what they were up against.

Then, in the corner of his eye, he saw that fire. His left side ached, threatening to overtake him and light a spark, but he kept it down. Instead, he focused everything he had on that man. For all of his stupid dreams and delusions, he was still the Number Two Hero. There was intelligence, cunning, and common sense burning beneath all that bravado and ego.

All three of those had to be screaming how impressive Shoto's right side was. Endeavor's eyes simmered in anger at that fact.

Shoto hoped that the man could see Shoto's eyes. He hoped he could see both sides of what he had created, and realize that his half wasn't needed.

Turning to the stands, he saw his icon rise up. His next opponent? Midoriya Izuku.

Sooner than he expected, but he wasn't complaining. He went back to the tunnel, hands in pockets.

"One step closer." He said to himself, proceeding into the darkness.

(X)

For the first time in a while as he walked to the locker room to get his gear, Peter found himself reevaluating a single truth. Whatever force of nature allowed quirks to operate, it didn't care for the laws of conservation at all. The amount of energy required to create that much ice had to be staggering, astronomical even. Thoughts of the frightening implications of that kind of power, Peter pondered a single question; how would anyone beat that?

There was a bit of buildup before the mountain back at the War exploded, maybe getting in close would work? This was more like dunes of ice, so it was faster. Or it could get you frozen, and last he checked, spiders didn't do well in the cold. Thinking about himself, his own strength, while impressive compared to most other quirks, wouldn't do a thing in the cold. The amount of ice made leverage an impossibility if he was frozen in a bad position, and considering the speed of the ice, it was the most likely outcome. On an open field, the advantages he had during the war and the villains exercise were out, so what was left?

Peter tapped his hand against the locker room table as he walked inside, his eyes wandering around the empty space. It was a small room, locked from the inside so that the contestants could be alone before their matches. Peter was pretty sure that he was supposed to be psyching himself up for his next match against Mei. Throw on that web shooter and get ready for a fight! That's how athletes got ready for a big match, right?

Whatever, he needed to think. Hatsume had all her… 'babies' and most of it was pretty cool tech. Nothing like Mr. Stark's, but cooler than anything that Peter had built before. He remembered a few of her babies. That net-gun she used. Those hover boots. A motion detection rig that reacted to any movement and worked to move the user out of the way of incoming attacks. Kinda like that little tingle that he got whenever something flew at him.

Now that he thought about it, he should probably name that. Something like… Petercognition? The Peter Tingle?

… okay, never thinking those again.

Peter flinched, the Peter Tingle going on overdrive. He kicked the table over, using the steel surface as a shield before the door to his room literally blew open! Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but the lock on the door did fly off to the other end of the room. From the other end, came a beaming Hatsume Mei.

"Parker, I need your help!" Hatsume declared, marching forward towards him.

"And I need context," Peter said, hesitantly looking over his table shield as he stood up.

Hatsume's eyes practically sparkled at the invitation and Peter leaned back on reflex as she got closer.

"Fantastic," Hatsume said, casually taking a seat in the only chair not flipped over, "Now, how much do you know about support corporations?"

Peter's mind immediately flashed back to Stark Industries. All of the tech, the suits, the good that it did after Mr. Stark changed.

"Not too much. I know some companies like Detenrat and Ygidolp Inc. exist," Peter admitted, frowning a second later, "Wait, back up, aren't we supposed to be fighting each other in like…" he glanced at the clock, "Ten minutes?"

"Not important," Hatsume waved off, and Peter felt his shoulders slump in disbelief, "What is important that, as one of the Sweet Sixteen, all the Support Companies are going to be looking right at these matches for Hero prospects to advertise for their new gear! Or, if someone from the Support Course made it this far…" She hinted, letting the American figure it out.

Peter nodded slowly, he remembered Mr. Aizawa talking about how this was a good chance for each of the students to get a sponsorship from a Pro. Guess big companies were what the support people were shooting to impress for employment opportunities.

"Yeah?" he said, but Hatsume was already looking away, her eyes clouded over in bliss.

"Just think, all those companies, all those CEOs and R&D Directors, all of them looking at my babies~!"

"Might need a different name if you're gonna market them," Peter muttered, but Hatsume didn't hear him.

She spun on a dime so fast that Peter started to wonder how she didn't get whiplash, walking towards him as Peter retreated backwards on instinct.

"Which means I'm going to need your help!"

Peter blinked once, twice, "Uhhh okay... how do I help?"

"Simple!" Mei stepped forward again, and Peter could see the outline of her chest get closer as he stopped moving, his back against his locker. "You're going to be outfitted with all of my babies so that every inch of you is covered in them for protection!" Hatsume declared, leaning forward and clearly forgetting that talk that Power Loader had with her about personal space. Her bosom was up against Peter's chest. Oh god why is she so close again!

Peter blinked, and it was at that moment that he noticed someone standing in the doorway. Pony, jaw ajar noting the two of them in the room. Her body pressed against her's.

"... I can explain." Peter said, raising a hand and pointing a finger. He bit his lip as he noted that his heart wanted to escape his chest like that one alien worm thing from the Alien movies.

"He's just helping me get my babies adopted!" Hatsume said. Pony's eyebrows soared upward.

".... I can explain better," Peter corrected shakily.

"Later!" Hatsume said, grabbing his hands, "We need to get you some protection! Oh, and lubricated up too! Gotta make sure it fits!"

Pony's eyes went as wide as dinner plates.

"P-protection!?" She shrieked in English as Hatsume dragged the other American out of the room via the other door, leaving Pony as pale as a ghost.

"It's not what you think! I swear!" Peter yowled back too in English.

"TO THE BABIES!~"

"MEI! CONTEEEEXT!!"

(X)

"ALRIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! THE NEXT MATCH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE BREAKS, FOLKS! WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE FIRST ROUND!" Present Mic roared as the crowd gave its approval, cheering in eager anticipation for the chance to see the star of the First Years again. "AND NOW, WE HAVE OUR CONTESTANTS!"

Peter bit his lip as he stood in the Arena, looking silly and blushing like a lunatic as he was in his normal hero outfit, no web shooters given how Mei tugged him out of the room without a single objection, and he had numerous pieces of equipment on him. So the 'lubricant' was just padding and a vest to separate the gear from the skin…

"FROM THE HERO COURSE! HE'S BEEN HIGH FLYING ALL OVER THE SPORTS FESTIVAL SINCE THE OPENING BELL! HE HAS THE SECOND BEST TIME IN THE OBSTACLE RACE EVENT SINCE ALL MIGHT, AND HIS FEATS DURING THE WAR OF THE FLAGS AND THE TIEBREAKER MATCH WERE NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR AND AMAZING! FOR SOMEONE WHOSE QUIRK IS 'SPIDER', HE SURE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A SPIDER DOES HE? LET ME HEAR IT FOR CLASS 1-A'S PETER! PARKEEEEEEEER!" Mic bellowed and the crowd roared, and Peter can hear the chants too. The social media feed on the jumbotron seemed to go by like lightning.

He rubbed his ears, feeling uncomfortable.

"ALTHOUGH I GOTTA SAY, HE'S WEARING A LOT OF STUFF ON HIS PERSON ISN'T, HE?!" Mic mused, and Peter looked at Mei, puckering his lips as the pinkette waved towards a confused Midnight.

"Hey hey Midnight-Sensei! That's not his gear, it's mine!" Mei elaborated, grinning as she had her own gear. "I wanted to have a fair fight so to speak, so I lent him my gear to give him an equal advantage! There was nothing in the rules saying that an opponent can't give someone a piece of gear if it doesn't give them a disadvantage, right?" She stated. "It's a-okay by me!"

"Well… that IS true, there's nothing in the rules saying that you can't if both parties consent… Seeing how Parker is wearing your equipment and not his own, I can assume he agreed?" The raven-haired heroine asked, to which Mei nodded furiously. The teacher then shrugged. "Well, if both contestants are fine with this arrangement, then I will allow it! So willing to even things out, as much as I love for a dominant force, but equal terms is naive and adorable in it's own way!" Midnight grinned, cracking her whip. "Resume on MC!"

"WELL, DON'T MIND IF I DO!"

"Okay… odd." Aizawa added and Peter wanted to disappear. He could only imagine how he looked in front of the whole world right now. But… if this was to help Mei, so be it.

"NOW THEN! FOR HIS OPPONENT! SHE'S BEEN CALLED THE MAD WITCH BY HER PEERS AND EVEN HER PROFESSOR, SHE HAS COME LOCKED AND LOADED AND READY FOR ANY OCCASION, ENOUGH TO BE THE FIRST SUPPORT STUDENT TO MAKE IT TO THE FINALS IN A WHILE! YOU WILL NEVER FIND HER WITHOUT HER SUPPORT ITEMS! FROM THE SUPPORT DEPARTMENT, IT'S HATSUME MEI!" Mic finished up as Peter tugged at his straps, then tapped his boots.

Then something dawned on him. As he got dressed in all of this… he never asked Mei about how all of this worked!

"Just run towards me! It'll figure things out all by itself!" Mei yelled, waving as if the pinkette was reading his mind. Peter looked back up and nodded. Normally he would look back at the suite where his class was at…

But his dignity couldn't bear what they would think of him. Momo and the others must think that he was a clown now. Has Pony even come back from the locker room? Why was she even down there in the first place? Did she forget something?

Peter smacked his cheeks. "Okay, gotta focus. Here I come Hatsume!" He got into position, seeing Hatsume lift up a… mic and she began to chuckle.

Peter Tingle going off mildly now.

"BEGIN!" Peter ran towards her. All he had to do was get her to ring out. He didn't want to hurt her too badly after-

"Come on Parker-san! Show me your legs and speed!" Hatsume spoke, and her voice boomed… from the stadium speakers?! Did she hack into them?! Or was she wearing speakers? Peter couldn't tell with all this ambiance! "You feel it, right?"

"Feel wha-whoa!" Peter looked down, feeling how… lighter he was! The leg braces around his legs were doing something! "I do!"

"Exactly! My custom leg braces are flexible and are able to keep up with the user's speed, allowing them to feel lighter, induce less wear and tear, and make you even faster!" Peter was ready to push her until…

"But with my Hydraulic Attachment Bars, I can dodge in any direction thanks to my motion-laser sensors!!" Her bars stuck out, and Peter had to jump over them, yelping as he turned.

"Those things were super fast, Mei!" Peter yelled in English. "If I was any slower I would have been punctured!" He chased after again, only for Mei to dodge to the side again. "Oiiiiiiii!" He barked in frustration.

(X)

"Uhhh… what's going on?" Hizashi asked as Shouta facepalmed with his good hand, his nose and cheekbones screaming in pain. Yet it was nothing compared to the cringe he was experiencing. He had gotten word from Power Loader that his best First Year, Hatsume, was a friend of Parker's and they solicited a lot in his studio right before the match… but this?

"She's turning the Sports Festival into a commercial...and Parker got played."

If Parker didn't have the talent, smarts, and heroic instincts to be the best student Aizawa had ever had, he would have expelled him on the spot. But… God…

This was just embarrassing.

(X)

"But wait there's more!" Mei tripped Peter again, the American boy stumbling as he fell forward, until the metal rods on his shoulder got him back up right when his arms lashed out to stop his fall. He stumbled and lost his balance a little. "With my Auto Balancers, also with laser-motion sensors, anyone who may fall down can get right back up on their feet! It has Hero and Civilian applications!"

"Stop messing around, Hatsumeeeee!" Peter shouted in Japanese before the rods turned, his words and yelling having a doppler effect, and he began to spin! Oh god, everything was going too fast! "Get me off this wiiiiiild riiiiiide!" He shouted in doppler-English before the spinning stopped courtesy of the rods, and he stammered, seeing the world go topsy-turvy, stumbling around like a drunk. He focused on Mei and growled. "Come here you!" Oh how he wished he had his web shooters right now!

He charged, but Hatsume jumped, high, and Peter looked up. "Whaaa?! I thought only Uraraka could do that!" He exclaimed, before noticing how her boots weren't like the big clunky ones Uraraka wore during the war.

"Oh, but she can't my friend!" Mei grinned like a madwoman, which what she is now. "My sleek Jumpboots use electromagnetic inductors on the soles to allow for fast and easy motion! You can jump to heights never before reached, and land softly with its soft recoil cushions based on the soles too! The perfect Parkour Attire!"

"That ain't Parkour attire and you know it!" Peter yelled as he shook his fist, chasing after her where she landed. "It's more sleeker and trimmer for faster motion and to ensure nothing gets in the way! Not like your big ugs!" Mei turned, eyes still wide and smile still plastered on her face, not even flinching of caring how her baby got compared to another form of footwear.

"Ohhhh, a good point! I'll have to jot that down as an improvement! But first!" Mei tapped her wrist and Peter felt his Peter Tingle again. Intense. That backpack she gave him started to fire up.

"Oh Crimeny Christ-MAASSSSSSSS!" Peter howled as the jetpack took off, and he began to fly around! Oh wow, this must be how Mr. Stark and Mr. Star Lord felt when flying!

This was the worst, get him down now! He hates flying! Flying suuuuuucks! "I can't control this thi-Whoa!" Peter veered left, and he was skimming the surface of the arena wall as the audience gasped at the sight.

"Even better! My Auto-Balancers combined with my jetpack allow for controlled movement to give you aerial superiority! Even those with non-flying Quirks can keep up with those who make the sky their domain!" Mei grinned as she tapped her wrist again, and Peter veered off, flying towards the stadium arena and had his arms and legs ready to soften his fall, before the Auto Balancers deployed again, and he flipped up, landing on his feet as the boy stumbled around.

Only for the Peter Tingle to act up and Peter avoided a large wide net. "Can't catch me like how did Ser-Oh!" Only for a smaller net to enclose around him and tighten up as he fell to the ground. "Oh come onnnn!" He reverted back to English, struggling clumsily as he tried to get out, but all the equipment on his person was clumsy as hell! It was getting tighter too! "Are you kidding me!?"

"As you can see, my Net Bazooka from the prior event is slower but allows for an efficient capture and can reel in like a fishing pole! But my Net Pistol is all for the quick apprehension and take down, with binders inside the netting that increase the more the villain struggles! In other words, the more they squirm, the tighter the netting for easier capture!" Mei declared as her Net Bazooka from the War of the Flags was at her feet, and her Net Pistol in her hand as Peter writhed inside.

"Oooh, kinky I love it~!" Midnight added.

"FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU-" Tokoyami's voice was cut off, as from out of Peter's eye, he could see that Koda and Sato had their hands over his mouth as he continued to squirm. Oh god… He really was looking foolish! In front of the whole world!

She said she only had a few gadgets she wanted to show, that's all!

"And who made these amazing items, you may ask!" Mei turned, yellow eyes focusing in on the luxurious suite boxes filled with rich businessmen. "Why say no more, Support Companies, for you're looking at her! Hatsume Mei! But wait!" She grinned, eyes twinkling dangerously as she leered at Peter, licking her lips.

Peter Tingle, Intensifying!

"There's mooooore!"

"THERE'S MOOOORE?!" The audience plus Peter shouted as one.

(X)

Todoroki's eyes were twitching. Bakugo was snarling. Both of their lips quivering and the latter's teeth grinding at the sight of Parker being played around like a puppet and yowling like a baby.

This….

'This is the guy I need to surpass!?' They all thought simultaneously, angry at their rival for being such a clown, and angry at themselves for being weaker than him.

(X)

"Holy crap… Hatsume has Parker-san on the ropes! There's nothing he can do!" Izuku said with his pen a flurry in his notebook. "Even her movements are faster than even I anticipated! How on Earth can she do this?! The Support Department must have some real monsters in there!"

"Is… Is Peter-san going to be alright?" Yaoyorozu asked with wide eyes.

Peter was now yelling as he was traveling across the arena on vest-attached hookshots after he escaped from Mei's bondage, the pinkette laughing it up and explaining the details of her device.

"Outlook not so good…" Jirou murmured, looking on sheepishly.

"Gahahahahahaha! Wow! THAT is the Ace of Class 1-A?!" Guffawed a voice. Everyone in the class turned their heads, seeing Monoma Neito laughing with a smug and wide grin as he leaned over the wall, standing from the Class 1-B suite right next door. "Wow, boy does he look foolish or what! He's like a puppet on strings out there! Next All Might? Yeah right! If this is the best Class 1-A has, then Class 1-B will surel-guh!" His face went blue and he slinked down, hand twitching as he let out a whimpering gasp. Two horns rose up, and the cross stormy blue eyes of Pony Tsunotori looked back at them.

"Sorry for the trouble." She growled. Izuku could swear he heard Kendo say "Whoa" over there. "Did you have to aim there?!" Shouted Tetsutetsu before Class 1-B's box went silent.

'So scary!' Most of the boys in Class 1-A thought as one, before their attention was turned to Peter now skating across the arena with those metal boots of his!

"Oh dear…" Yaoyorozu put a hand to her mouth as Jirou bit her lip.

"I know he's trusting and all and that's how we won the war but damn… pays being a cynic." The punk girl said to herself as she looked over, seeing Izuku continue his writing.

"Parker-san was able to maintain balance even after moving at such high speeds. When being a hero having balance while going fast is crucial. What kind of practice can help with that I wonder? Beam standing? Standing on moving trucks?" He muttered up a storm as Uraraka smiled while most of the class looked at him awkwardly. "I wonder…"

"Same ole Deku, mutter machine extraordinaire." She giggled.

(X)

Ten Minutes later…

Peter groaned facedown on the arena ground, twitching as if he's fought twelve rounds against Mike Tyson. The collection of support gear clinging to his body snapped open and fell off as their batteries lost their limited power so it wouldn't weigh down the user.

She'd thought of everything.

He peeled his face off the arena floor, glaring with annoyance at Mei's back as she continued promoting the 'products' and their collective... 'utilities' and functions.

There was a part of him that felt like he'd been tricked.

There was another part of him that reminded him that he knew better than most exactly who he'd been tricked by and that he kinda deserved it for falling for it.

The first part was currently in the process of brutally smothering the latter in it's sleep and feeling a sense of vindictive satisfaction in the act.

Maybe, just maybe, Peter felt a bit petty right now.

Maybe just maybe he wanted Mei to feel what it was like to be unexpectedly yanked to the side across the arena floor by a piece of machinery that was strong enough to pull even him when he tried to dig in his heels a bit to stop the madness. (Had she calibrated the devices to overpower his strength?)

Maybe just maybe he still had a grapple hook with a little bit of juice left clasped on his arm.

And maybe just maybe he knew how to operate the damn thing (unlike 90% of the gear he'd been strapped to)

And so, with a vindictive little smile tugging at his lips from his place on the ground, Peter took aim at Mei, fully entrusting her auto-sensors and evasion inventions to work like she'd demonstrated about a dozen times (with him as the test dummy) over the last fifteen minutes.

What Peter did not know, he couldn't have known.

It wasn't something as mundane as the devices malfunctioning, or something as simple as Mei having shut them off or them being out of battery.

No. The devices were fully functional, fully operational and giving their readouts as normal.

What actually happened was that Mei, as was typical for someone like her, got an idea in the middle of her speech.

Even she couldn't really say what brought on the idea, it hit her like a lightning bolt and blanked out almost every other thought in an instant, whitewashing her brain and making her completely forget about where she was and what she was doing.

And so, when the warning lights flashed Mei's smile spread from ear to ear, a sparkle emerging behind her eye as she turned and headed in Peter's direction, beaming smile on display.

"I'VE GOT A-OOF!"

And right then and there, with the machines unable to override her active, conscious motion lest they cause injury themselves, the Grapple Hook smacked dead center in her chest with a rather hard *clang* of steel striking steel. Mei's body lurched right back and hit the grass in a spread-eagle position, staring up at the sky as Peter gaped in concern, landing outside the ring.

"Oh shit!" Scrambling to his feet, Peter rushed towards his downed friend while hearing the confused and bewildered Midnight call out beside him.

"Err... Hatsume Mei is out of bounds? Peter P