Chapter 11: Trials
2020. What a time to be alive. Stay safe, everyone. Remember to wash your hands.
[Chapter 11]
Edit: 23/3/20: Renamed Chapter 9 part 2 to chapter 10 for consistency. No edits except for slight corrections to misspelled words.
Midoriya Kirimi had her eyes glued to the screen, watching as her brother thundered across the frozen ground like a man possessed. He was in the lead behind the ice Quirk user, his emerald form racing across a frozen heap of gargantuan metal.
Her sister Izumi had a contemplative look on her face, little fists gripping her skirt tight while she muttered under her breath and analyzed the situation. She too had almost all of her attention on the TV, wishing for her brother's success.
Inko, however…
"Izzuuuuuuukuuuuuuuu!" Inko wailed from the couch, hugging the two sisters tightly while still focusing on the TV. "My boy! My baby!"
The siblings quickly dabbed at the older women's wet cheeks, but Inko's tears were like a geyser that gushed all over the room.
"It's okay. Don't cry, obaa-chan." Kiri murmured, reaching for another tissue.
"Mm, we're gonna need more tissues…" Mimi said. Aftermath appeared behind her and casually strode over to the kitchen to retrieve another box, Inko not even noticing in her worry.
Up next was an obstacle that the announcer called 'The Fall', consisting of gaping chasms and tightropes. Inko let out a horrified squeal as she watched her son begin to make his way across a rope, a heavy metal plate slung atop his back. Mimi's attention was drawn away towards another participant, Kiri easily noticing the way she stiffened.
"Mei…"
A pink-haired student was laughing maniacally and gliding across the obstacle, avoiding the pitfall entirely. Purple-pink particles erupted from a bulky conical device on her back, and the girl was somehow able to fly without any means of conventional propulsion.
"The H-Drive? That's weird." Mimi muttered under her breath, just like her brother. "She's not supposed to have invented it yet…"
Another gasp from Inko drew Mimi's attention. The next segment of the race was a minefield, and somebody had just stepped on one.
The poor woman's wailing reached a crescendo when Izuku promptly blew himself up on the minefield obstacle, using the explosion's recoil to propel himself forward after he'd lost the lead in the previous obstacle. Kiri 'oohed' and Mimi watched with interest while Inko let out another pitiful cry.
Her worry immediately tripled when Izuku slammed the piece of debris he'd been carrying into the dirt while still mid-air, detonating the mines that lay between Bakugo and Todoroki. His gambit worked—the two were flung aside while he hurtled forward, tucking and rolling into an immediate run once he landed. Kiri could feel Inko's arms grow weak as the older woman was on the edge of fainting again.
The triumphant roar that echoed over the speakers quickly dragged her back to reality.
"And the winner of the obstacle race is… Midoriya Izuku!"
"Of course." Mimi smirked. "Was there ever any doubt?"
"Yay, onii-chan!" Kiri cheered.
"Izuuuuuuukuuuuuuuuuu!"
[x]
"—We'll be right back after a five-minute break!"Present Mic announced over the speakers, the audience starting to mill about in search of restrooms and snack stands.
"Deku-kun~!" a young, excited voice called out.
Uraraka Ochaco trotted up to him, still a little out of breath from the race. She huffed, giving him one of her thousand-watt smiles like always. Behind her Iida wore a sullen expression, having been a speedster beaten at his own game.
"You were amazing, Deku-kun!" She leaned in dangerously close, too innocent to have any ulterior motives. "Congrats on first place! It sure stings a bit though."
"Great job, Midoriya-kun. But to think I'd place so low with a Quirk such as my own…" Iida grumbled, before straightening with resolve. "All the more reason for me to work even harder!"
"T-thanks, you two." Izuku blushed at the praise.
The trio continued to make some small talk while the rest of the participants enjoyed the short break. Izuku took the time to think about how most of it had been pure luck, but at least he'd managed to put some of the lessons he'd been taught to good use. Be resourceful. Use the environment to your advantage.
He had wanted to use his secret trump card, but it was still difficult to activate what he called 'Full Cowl'; a technique that utilized a mere fraction of One For All instead of the whole thing. After the others had taught him the technique Mimi had helped him refine it slightly, giving some pointers that allowed him to raise it from one to three percent. Even so, maintaining Full Cowl was still a major problem he was facing; he needed more training seeing as the ability could only be used in bursts for now. It was better than breaking his bones with every use, but he still needed to focus and concentrate to use it.
Embrace it. Mimi had told him. Stop thinking of it as a thing to be used; it's a part of you now. She promised to train him more after the festival as there wasn't enough time since everyone else except the two sisters had trained him so far, unlike the others they would have plenty of time afterwards. She didn't want him to keep breaking his bones just to wield One For All. He knew it hurt her; hurt all of them to see him do that, which was why he decided he would only do it as a last resort. The look on his mother's face when he'd told her of his monstrous power still haunted him sometimes.
The boy was dragged out of his thoughts when someone behind him cleared their throat.
"Ah, um, excuse me? Sumi-masen. Moment to talk?"
They turned to see a blonde girl with long, tan horns. It was one of the girls that had cornered him the other day! Her name was… Izuku searched his mind for a moment. Tsunotori Pony. He remembered her as one of the nice ones, especially when she got a burger for him.
"Hi, can we help you?" Ochaco asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"Not you." Pony shook her head. "Broccoli boy. We talk."
Izuku saw his usually bubbly friend stiffen. Wanting to avoid another repeat of the cafeteria incident, he quickly got between the two girls and held his hands out placatingly.
"Ahhh, umm, sure. Tsunotori-san, right?" Izuku asked nervously. "Do you need something?"
"Short word, please." Pony nodded with a polite smile.
"Umm, sure." He glanced at Iida and Ochaco. "You guys go on without me."
"If you say so, Deku-kun." his brunette friend said hesitantly. "Call us if anything happens, alright?"
"I will." He smiled. Why would anything happen?
A few moments later they were off to one side of the field where they could have some semblance of privacy. The members of class 1-B eyed him curiously while they passed, and he was surprised they weren't outright glaring at him. Izuku wondered what this girl wanted with him—perhaps it was a follow up from the last time?
"You wanted to speak to me, Tsunotori-san?"
"Heard what happened with Monoma-kun. Felt bad for you." the horned girl said. "Came to say sorry."
Izuku blinked in surprise when she made a slight bow.
"U-um, it's fine really. You don't have to—"
"Not under Reiko-chan's instructions. She, um..." Pony struggled to find the words.
"Doesn't apologize. Yeah, she told me."
"Mmm-hmm." the blonde nodded. "Monoma usually not so… aggressive. Hear rumor. Reiko-chan contain rumor. Stop from spreading. Slip though."
Izuku's eyes widened. She had really done that? As far as he was concerned that girl was now his benefactor, he owed her at least that much for helping to keep his reputation intact. The boy let out a low sigh of relief at the realization.
"I… I see."
"Yes. Reiko-chan help you lots." Pony gave him a relaxed smile. "[I'm surprised she even did all that for you, to be honest. All that trouble for someone she doesn't even know.]"
"[Well if you see her, tell her I said thanks.]" Izuku sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "[I definitely owe her a favor for this…]"
The boy didn't notice when Pony's eyes widened comically, striding up to him and suddenly grabbing him by the shoulders. Before he even had any time to process she was shaking him frantically, a great big grin on her face.
"[Dude! You can speak English?!]" she asked excitedly.
"[I can?]" Izuku asked in pure confusion, before clamping a hand over his mouth in horror.
Oh God, I can speak English.
"[YES!]" Pony said. Her fists pumped into the air excitedly. "[You gotta help me, bro. Japanese is hard as hell and I can't make any bloody sense of this hiragana and katakana stuff—]"
"[I, ummm, errr—]" Izuku panicked, backing away while Pony edged closer to him with every word.
"[Juzo's the only other person I know who speaks my language. I mean, the guy's nice and all but I really miss talking out loud in my native tongue with all my friends. That, and he can't eat ramen, which is one of my favorites. Poor guy, can you believe it?!]" Pony continued, overwhelmed with eagerness. "[Y'know what, the three of us should totally, like, hang out sometime! I know this burger joint down at Nakamura street—]"
Were all foreigners this friendly? Izuku thought, stunned by her fearlessness. Thankfully, he was saved when someone called out the blonde's name.
"Tsunotori-san! They're starting." Yanagi Reiko called, stopping for a moment when she saw Izuku, Pony still edging closer to him with every word. "Hm. In a bit of a pinch, Midoriya-kun?"
"Hi, Reiko-san." Izuku greeted her nervously. He thought for a moment and decided to add on. "This isn't what it looks like."
"What does it look like?" Reiko asked, a hint of mischief in her tired gaze. "You tell me."
Eventually the platinum blonde managed to pry away her excited friend, shooing her back to the stage where students were gathering. She turned back with a look of amusement, the boy trying not to turn pink in response. Then she gave him another one of those beautiful, demure smiles, winking at him before rejoining her class.
Izuku was rooted to the spot. Reiko winked at him! Or… was it a blink? He could only see one of her eyes, after all. Nevertheless, he soon made his way back to the crowd gathering around Midnight's stage, heart beating a little faster at the display.
What followed next was a quick demonstration of the stadium's energy shields, Cementoss demonstrating by launching a fist-sized glob of concrete at the audience which bounced off an invisible barrier. It was reassuring to know that the audience would be safe from any stray attacks from the student's Quirks, but it also meant that the next event would be a rowdy one.
A rowdy one it was. Midnight flicked her whip towards the jumbotron, the giant screen showing a spinning graphic reminiscent of a slot machine that finally landed on one particular event. The Cavalry Battle. Participants would gather in teams with four people at maximum, their combined point values from the previous race displayed as a headband upon the rider's head. Their objective was to score the greatest amount of points by stealing headbands from others, and the point value of the number one from the race was…
Izuku had to say the words to himself again just to comprehend them.
Ten million points.
That was seven zeroes! The schoolboy felt the world start to tighten around him as Midnight announced that ridiculous figure. A Cavalry Battle, that was the next event. Headbands with point values, and taking them from opposing teams to increase your own point value. With the ten million bounty on his head, every other team was going to be after him like sharks drawn to blood. Who would even want to be on his team now? If they even wanted to be with him in the first place, that is.
His vision blurred and he was back in that infernal classroom again, surrounded by mocking laughter and condescending looks. At the forefront of his middle school classmates was Bakugo, a hateful sneer on the bully's face as he flaunted his Explosion.
'What can you even do?'
Izuku grit his teeth and shook his head quickly, ridding himself of those haunting thoughts. It was different now. He was no longer in middle school, no longer the doormat that let everyone walk over him. But those words and feelings from back then weren't something that one could get rid of so easily; the insecurity and feelings of inferiority like scars upon his heart that would never truly fade.
He already knew that others would be reluctant to team up with him, especially when he'd gone through the first event without even using his Quirk. His classmates only knew him as the boy who would break his own bones every time he used his power, and teaming up with anyone from 1-B seemed out of the question. He had to hurry, people were already starting to form teams! The two that he wanted on his team were undoubtedly her and him.
"Deku-kun!" a cheerful voice echoed behind him.
Izuku whirled around, already expecting an apology or a rejection of some sort.
"Uraraka-san, I—"
"Let's team up!" Ochaco said happily.
He blinked, vision blurring with tears. She… she was okay with it? Even if teaming up with him would place her in the most disadvantageous position in this event?
"Uraraka-san!" Izuku stammered. "A-are you sure? I mean, everyone will be after these ten million points…"
"Mmm-hmm! If we play our cards right, we'll definitely win!"
"I feel like you're overestimating me." he said dejectedly. Why would she even want to team up with a wimp like him?
"As if!" She pumped her fists energetically. "But when all's said and done, I'd rather team up with people I'm friends with, any time!"
Her brilliant smile was as radiant as morning sunrise, and Izuku scrunched his face up in response. An overpowering solar flare before the dreg that he was.
"Uwaahh, what's with that face? You'll look ugly like that, you know." Ochaco laughed.
"It's nothing, it's just that you're so bright I can't look at you directly."
Moments later they made their decision and headed over to Iida, explaining their plan for a speedy, untouchable horse that could evade all their attackers. However, a surprise came in the form of a rejection from the tall boy.
"You're amazing as ever, Midoriya-kun… but I apologize. I refuse to join your team." Iida said curtly.
"H-huh?" Ochaco blinked, looking between her two friends. "Why not?"
"Ever since the entrance exam, I've done nothing but lose to you." The tall boy's gaze was laser-focused on Izuku even when he adjusted his glasses. "You're a great friend, but if I keep on following you, chasing your back and relying on you… I will never grow."
Iida turned on his heel and marched towards another team. Todoroki's team.
"Which is why I'll be doing my best to challenge you, Midoriya-kun."
Izuku gulped, but nodded. "I understand, Iida-kun. I won't let you down."
His bespectacled friend stopped in his tracks, looking back with the barest hint of a smile and a solemn nod. "I know you won't."
He could feel Ochaco looking between them worriedly, a little 'uwaa' escaping from her lips. To her, it must have been like seeing a friendship break apart, but he knew better. This was a battle between men!
At least, that's what he would have thought if he was some sort of Shonen protagonist. Right now he was trying not to show the internal panic he felt by wearing a smile, just like Nana had taught him. In the face of adversity, one had to smile. Either way, he had to find new team members, and fast. All the promising students had already banded together, some of them even eying him hungrily. Those ten million points were the ultimate reward in this event.
Izuku would make them work for it.
He looked around, and found what he was looking for. It was a stretch and he doubted the other student would even accept his proposal, but it was better than standing around and doing nothing. No fence-sitting; that was another lesson he'd learned the hard way.
"Um, excuse me."
Tokoyami Fumikage opened his eyes, hands still in his pockets.
"Midoriya Izuku. To what do I owe this pleasure?" the bird-headed boy hummed, his eyes calculating.
"I was wondering if you'd like to be part of my team, Tokoyami-san." Izuku began.
"What's in it for me, emerald one?"
Izuku blinked, formulating an answer on the spot. "All eyes will be on us? You get to show off your prowess to the crowd."
"Do I look like the sort that craves attention?" The chunnibyou raised an eyebrow. "If it were up to me, I'd rather revel in the dark than stand before this audience of millions."
"To be honest, having that many people watching does make me nervous." Izuku admitted sheepishly. "But recognition is something a hero needs as well. After all, I want to show them that 'I am here'!"
"I see. That recognition you seek is not for your own ego, but rather the means to a noble end goal you gave in mind. Admirable, at the very least. In all fairness, recognition was already the end goal of the sports festival as a whole. An inviting prospect, like whispers in the dark promising of power." Tokoyami's eyes narrowed. "However, I will only join you on one condition."
"Nn." Izuku raised an eyebrow. "And that would be?"
Tokoyami leaned in to whisper in Izuku's ear, his voice like a sword being drawn.
"I want you to tell me about your Guardians."
Izuku leaned back in confusion. "My… guardians? You mean my mom?"
Tokoyami said nothing, wisps of darkness escaping his abdomen. Dark Shadow writhed and undulated like an eel when he manifested, letting out a low croon of delight upon seeing Izuku.
"Ahh, my Prince of Crows! You have brought the little Lord. No, not yet a Lord." Dark Shadow whispered. "A Prince, like yourself."
"There's no need to hide, we mean you no harm. I know what you are." Tokoyami said slowly, carefully. "You're like me. I've been looking for someone like you."
"Yes, yes." Dark Shadow shuddered with glee, Ochaco looking in curiosity. "But… little ones are not here. Where?"
"Little ones?" Izuku asked.
"Twin Queens." the projection said. "Little Fairies."
Everything stopped, the blood in Izuku's veins turning to ice. The words hit him like an eighteen-wheeler barreling down the highway and scattered his thoughts all over the floor, rooting him on the spot. Izuku turned deathly pale while the breath caught in his throat. Dark Shadow was talking about his sisters. He knows about them. He… he could see them? When, where?! Amidst the panic his mind reached a startling realization.
They had the same type of Quirk.
He should have suspected something like this. He had made notes on Tokoyami after all, even comparing the boy's unique Quirk to his own. Mimi had managed to affect Kiri Invulnerability since they shared the same psychic wavelength; it wasn't too far of a stretch to assume that other projection-type Quirks also ran on similar wavelengths. Almost like how certain spectrums of light can only be seen by humans or animals. There was no way he could hide it from Tokoyami, or more specifically; Dark Shadow.
"I see." Izuku said shakily, trying to hide his panic and failing miserably. "You are like me. But… not here. Not now."
The bird-headed boy's glance flickered to Ochaco, who had a look of mild confusion on her face. Izuku grit his teeth in an effort to stop trembling.
"Please."
Tokoyami's expression softened, and he winced. "I understand. It was... difficult for me, too. Shall we talk after the festival?"
He held out his hand and Izuku looked as if he had been presented with a live snake.
The green-haired boy considered his options. On one hand, it would be unwise to let anyone know of his sisters' roles and Valkyrie and Viking, but on the other… he would finally have a chance to understand his Quirk better. Even Kiri had admitted she didn't know how she came to be. Izuku sighed. He guessed it would be okay as long as he didn't reveal the secret that they were both actually infamous vigilantes. Tokoyami didn't look untrustworthy, but still… the potential benefits outweighed the risks, as long as he kept a tight lid on the vigilante business. It would be nice to have someone to talk to besides his mom as well. Furthermore, Tokoyami did mention that he'd been looking for someone like him, and Dark Shadow's talk of Princes and Lords lit a fire under his inquisitive spirit.
He gulped, but ultimately shook the other boy's hand.
"Deal."
Dark Shadow cackled and swirled around Tokoyami like a great, ethereal serpent. The crow boy simply patted his head protectively, calming the projection like how one would comfort a younger sibling. It was then Izuku understood; their relationship was just like the one between him and Kiri. They were a family.
"Um, I have no idea what's going on but I'm glad you two have solved your differences?" Ochaco said.
"Perhaps we are not so different." Izuku glanced at Tokoyami, letting most of the tension drain from his shoulders.
"Indeed." the crow boy nodded.
Dark Shadow slithered through the air, his beak inches away from Izuku's nose.
"Use your rightful strength, little prince. Like me and mine." The projection gestured to his master. "He is mine. And I am his. One can only rely on their own strength. Only then can you ascend to a Lord."
"Umm… okay?" Izuku blinked, not really understanding those cryptic words.
"Midoriya-kun, my dude! Are you done being all mysterious and making deals with shadow demons?"
He'd recognize that voice anywhere, despite meeting its owner just the other day. She had a very unique disposition, after all. Hatsume Mei was the type of person that tended to leave a lasting impression.
"Let's team up, Mr. First Place!" Mei boomed, striding over like she owned the entire stadium.
"H-hello, Hatsume-san…"
"Oh. Do you know her, Deku-kun?"
"Yeah, she's the new friend I made the other day. You know, the one I told you and Iida-kun about." Izuku said bashfully, a tiny smile blooming on his face.
Ochaco twitched slightly but the pink-haired girl surged forward without a care, her smile wide as ever.
"Greetings! I'm Hatsume Mei, future CEO and Chief Engineer of Hatsume Heavy Engineering!" the pink-haired girl announced, hands on her hips. "Nice to meet you!"
"Hatsume Heavy Engineering… oh!" Ochaco's eyes lit up in recognition. "You're talking about the company that provides the Haro units! My daddy uses them in his construction work."
"Ah! Glad to see them being useful."
"You'd like to join our team? Sure, Hatsume-san, but um… everyone will be after the ten million points—"
"And that's precisely why I'm joining!" Mei interrupted, getting right up in Izuku's face while he blushed. "If I'm part of your team, my beautiful, adorable, pretty little babies will get a chance to shine in the spotlight, on national television! I need sponsors! I need funding! I neeeeeed it!"
"U-um. Babies?" Ochaco ventured.
"Right, speaking of babies—" Mei paused to pull out her phone. "Look at the baby we made, Midoriya-kun! Isn't he just the cutest thing?"
It was another picture of that horrid spider-bot that lurked around the dark corners of Mei's workshop. Izuku winced, preparing for the cold shiver that would run down his spine and—nothing happened. Mei had done a complete overhaul of the spider-bot; now it resembled a large jumping spider instead of the spindly long-legged monstrosity from before, two large eyes and stubby legs painting a much more child-friendly image.
"Oh. He's actually kind of cute." Izuku agreed.
"The b-baby we made?" Ochaco repeated, starting to turn an odd shade of white. She began trying to peek over Izuku's shoulder until Mei pulled away.
"Uh-uh-uh! Not yet, he's a work in progress." Mei smirked. "Don't worry though—"
The pink-haired girl draped an arm over Izuku, and he felt something soft press against his side. Warmth crept up Izuku's cheeks like a house on fire.
"Me and my dude, we're gonna make tons of babies after this." Mei gave Ochaco a thumbs up, then turned to the blushing boy with a wide grin. "Isn't that right, Midoriya-kun? Let's get into some hardcore babymaking after we win this this thing."
What remained of Izuku's composure died an ugly, agonizing death on the ground. Or perhaps somewhere between Mei's generous bosom and his left arm, especially with how closely she was pressing herself into him.
"H-h-h-hardcore babymaking?" Ochaco stammered, looking like she was either going to faint or burst into flames with how red she was turning.
"The folly of youth." Tokoyami turned away respectfully, a hint of red on his feathers. "Be sure to use protection, you two."
"Protection's nice and all, but you sometimes gotta have that feel, y'know?" Mei drawled, wriggling her fingers to demonstrate. "I gotta feel the raw material. Gotta know what I'm working with here, and sometimes gloves aren't gonna cut it, I need to feel it, touch it, handle it with my bare hands—"
"Hardcore… babymaking…" Ochaco said in a trance-like state, her eyes gazing off into the distance.
"S-she's talking about her inventions! Gadgets, machines, devices!" Izuku managed with a scarlet face, trying to ignore how soft Mei's full body felt. "She's a tinker, an inventor!"
"Baby… making babies…" The lights were on in Ochaco's head, but nobody was home.
"What, wanna join us in making babies?" Mei smiled, giving the brunette another thumbs up. "Sure, why not? I wonder what kind of baby the two of you would make."
That seemed to snap Ochaco out of her trance, the girl turning tomato-red to match her green haired friend. Her eyes met Izuku's once, before flickering to the ground in pure embarrassment.
"Me and… Deku-kun's b-baby?" Ochaco whispered, trembling hands squeezing together atop her belly unconsciously.
Izuku lit up like a Christmas tree.
Tokoyami looked at Izuku, then Ochaco, then back at Izuku again with a sort of understanding.
"Ah, the folly of youth."
Meanwhile, a certain spiky-haired boy was marching across the stadium towards a crowd of gathered students.
"Yo, Bakugo!" he called. "Todoroki's already got himself a full team! Team up with me!"
"Shitty hair." Bakugo grunted.
"It's Kirishima! Remember my name, man!" Kirishima huffed. "Anyway, let's team up. Who else here can withstand the recoil of your explosions?"
"Someone with enough guts."
"No, dude! Me! Besides, you've already chosen Mina-chan and Sero-kun, right?! With me here, we'll be a horse that can't crumple!"
"Horn buddy!" Mina cheered, noticing Kirishima. "We'd be glad to have you."
"Says who?!" Bakugo snarled. "Can your lousy hardening even take a single one of my explosions?"
"I can take 'em all day, bro. I am a rock." Kirishima huffed proudly. "I am an island."
"So a rock feels no pain," Sero asked wryly.
"And an island never cries?" Mina finished, giggling.
"You said it, horn buddy!"
"Fine! You can join the other extras." Bakugo growled, staring back across the stadium and into the crowd. "All we have to do is beat shitty Deku and shitty half-and-half, and prove that I'm the undisputed champion by taking those ten million points."
"Don't you mean prove that we are the undisputed champions?" Sero raised an eyebrow.
He didn't even get a reply.
A bright orange ponytail swung from side to side a few meters away, its owner looking around with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Kendo-san, what's so special about this guy anyway?" Her blonde companion grumbled. "We could have filled that one slot on your team with anyone from Class B. Why pick an outsider? A Gen Ed student at that."
"Because he's not just 'some guy', Monoma-kun. I saw what he did in the first segment of the race. We're gonna need that kind of power if we want to accomplish our goal of beating Class A." Kendo answered, still looking around. "Also, just because someone is from Gen Ed or Support doesn't make them any less of a U.A student. Don't be a dick."
"Wasn't trying to imply that. But I gotta know, what changed? Honestly, I didn't expect you to be so onboard with the plan."
"Let's just say there's someone I want to beat. He's made quite the… impression on me in the past few days." Kendo smiled, noticing her prey. "Hey, there's the guy we're looking for. Go up to him."
"Me?" Monoma asked incredulously. "What am I supposed to say?"
"Anything you want. I've got an idea."
The blonde boy simply sighed and shrugged, making his way over to their target.
"Hey," Monoma called, raising an arm. "Hey, buddy!"
"I ain't your buddy, pal." the tall, purple-haired boy grunted. "But you're about to be mine, aren't you?"
"Don't get too cocky. I…" the blonde trailed off, his eyes suddenly blank and staring at nothing.
Kendo narrowed her eyes. So that's how he does it.
The purple boy noticed her looking a bit too late, opening his mouth for a question. "What are you looking at—mmph!"
Her enlarged hand wrapped around his head, leaving only his eyes visible and widening with a sudden panic. With her other hand Kendo slapped Monoma on the back, the blonde teen jolting awake from the Quirk-induced trance.
"Wake up, doofus. Watch me in case he gets me." Kendo turned to her struggling prisoner. "A question, eh? Let me guess, some sort of mental override? No, mind control. Very nice… and very dangerous."
There was a flash of anger in the purple boy's eyes.
"Calm down, I wasn't trying to imply anything. In fact, I think it's a really cool Quirk!" Kendo showed off her friendliest smile. "So cool in fact, that I came all the way here to recruit you."
Purple eyes blinked with confusion.
"That's right, buddy. I've got a proposition for you. Blink twice if you wanna hear it."
Her captive did so and she let him go, still keeping her guard up. He opened his mouth but her enlarged finger was on his lips in an instant.
"Oh no you don't. Tell me how it works first. Monoma-kun, cover your ears."
Her classmate grumbled but cupped his ears obediently.
"I can control anyone who responds to me verbally." the purple boy said hesitantly, surprised when her smile grew wider instead of wilting in discomfort. "I call it Brainwash."
"Nice. And what do you call yourself?"
"Shinso Hitoshi."
"Well, Shinso-san…" Kendo's smile was all teeth. "Let's get you talking."
[x]
While Class 1-A was forming their teams, Class 1-B was doing the same. A lone, stoic-looking girl stood still within the crowd, slowly thinking to herself.
Kodai Yui blinked, having not received a single offer to join anyone's team. Oh well. She'd go find someone then. Kendo; being the popular girl, already had a team of three within seconds of Midnight's announcement and had decided her final member was an outsider she saw earlier. Too bad, she had wanted to team up with her.
Yui thought for a moment. Then again, it wasn't good to keep relying on someone. Looks like she was doing this herself.
She sort of understood why no one had tried to get her on their team. They didn't really know how to talk to her, especially with her stoic demeanor. That, and some of them were still wary of her after what she did during the battle training exercise.
Yui strode over to the one person who was arguably even quieter than her in class. He stood out in the crowd, his massive frame towering over their classmates. Unsurprisingly, he hadn't been chosen either.
The tiny girl reached up and tugged at his shirt sleeve.
"Bondo-san." Yui said softly.
Bondo Kojiro turned slowly, seven empty holes for eyes gazing down at her. Any other student would have been nervous, or perhaps even terrified at the massive mutant staring down at them. Yui simply tugged at the taller boy's sleeve again, trying to imply her thoughts through her actions.
Be my horse.
Bondo was quiet for a few long seconds. Then he nodded.
Right, they still needed one more person. Yui made her way over to another classmate, this one in particular being one of the strangest individuals she'd ever met.
"Well, if it isn't Kodai-san and Bondo-san! The dynamic duo, eh? The silent ones. Y'know, they say it's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for, and in this case I have to agree with them! Man, the two of you already possess a frightening amount of power, but together? I couldn't think of a more dangerous combination. Nah, just kidding I definitely can. But it's the intimidation factor you know? Bondo-san looks like he gonna beat the shit out of me, and Kodai-san looks like she's gonna step on me; not that I mind, I'm just not really into that sort of thing but some people definitely are; in fact I was just talking to—"
Bondo's massive hand clamped around the speech bubble that was Fukidashi Manga's head.
"Okayshuttingupnow." Manga squeaked.
Bondo grunted.
Yui blinked. She had no problem with Manga, really. It was just that the boy's mouth tended to run at a million words per minute. Perhaps it was a side effect of his Quirk, but Manga could talk for hours without ever seeming to stop. He was her exact opposite, so it was rather ironic that they were teaming up.
"Nn." Yui said, and Bondo let go.
"Whew. Alright, what can I do for you, Kodai-san? Let me guess, you guys need a third member?"
Yui nodded.
"Sure, I'd be glad to join you!" Manga said cheerfully. "What's the plan; are we rushing in? Or are we going sneaky-beaky like?"
Yui leaned over and whispered in his ear, or where she thought his ear was. Manga's 'face' turned into an emoticon.
(゜Д゜;)
"A plan like that? That's crazy, girl! What did the guy ever do to you? You know what, I don't even wanna know. Oh, maybe you like him or something? That's adorable, it's like watching a grade schooler trying to get her crush's attention by annoying him—"
An arctic stare shut him up faster than Bondo's hand around his face.
"Right, none of my business." Manga coughed. "But are you sure this plan is viable? You'll be detached from your horse. Not to mention what you want me to do with my Quirk…"
Yui tilted her head towards Midnight.
"Fine, fine, I'll ask her." The talkative boy shrugged. "But in return, tell me all the juicy details after you've had your fun with him. I just love a good story."
The stoic girl blinked very, very slowly at him in an effort to show her annoyance.
(OwO)
Don't OwO at me.
Manga soon strode over to Midnight and sent them a thumbs up after they'd finished talking. Just in time too, seeing as Kendo let out a high-pitched whistle to draw Class 1-B's attention. She made a grasping symbol with her fingers atop her head, and they knew what it meant.
Gather.
The respective team leaders of each horse gathered around Kendo shortly, Yui among them. Monoma was already beside her friend, speaking to the redhead in hushed tones. Getting all of 1-B through the obstacle race was his plan, after all. Now it was Kendo's turn.
She had a feeling Midoriya-kun had something to do with this sudden sense of competitiveness that welled up in both Class B presidents. Yui shrugged internally, deciding not to pry after seeing how pissed off Monoma had been the other day; cursing about 'stupid green-haired playboys' or whatever that meant. It wouldn't be good for their secondary commander to lose his cool, after all.
"Everyone here?" Kendo took a quick look around, nodding with satisfaction. "Good. Teamcomps?"
The team leaders reported to her one by one, not wasting any time. Yui simply thumbed over her shoulder when it was her turn; she could practically feel Bondo's empty stare and Manga's hand waving.
"Hmmm, alright. Before we start, does anyone else have anything they want to add?"
Yui leaned over and whispered a plan into her friend's ear. The others had the pleasure of watching Kendo's face change from mild amusement, then shock, and finally to a devilish smile.
"That's crazy, but I like crazy. Think you can take him?"
Yui shrugged. Probably not. she admitted.
"Well, I like that plan too much to let it go to waste. A few modifications and it should fit in nicely with ours." Kendo gave her a thumbs up. "Yo, Setsuna-chan!"
"Yeah?"
"You're heading up there to back up Yui-chan if she gets into trouble, which she most likely will."
"Broccoli boy?"
"Who else?"
"Aight." Setsuna smiled darkly, some of the other team leaders backing away nervously.
"Um, Tokage-san is heading up where now?" someone asked.
"You know it when you see it. As for when it appears, Yui-chan will give the signal." Kendo said. "On her go, execute Operation Babydog."
"Kodai-san, you're giving the signal?" Hiryu Rin asked dubiously from beside her. "No offense, but you're not exactly the loudest person in the room. Want me to do it?"
"Believe me, you'll definitely notice." the redheaded girl smirked knowingly, patting Yui on the shoulder. "Let's just say she's got something big in mind."
"Operation Babydog?" Awase Yosetsu asked, bewildered.
"It was either this or Operation Piccolo. Blame Monoma-kun for the silly names."
"Wha—Me?!"
"Moving on! Number off. One."
They did so at her instruction, with absolute faith in her leadership.
"Remember your team numbers. We'll use Midnight-sensei's stage as a reference point. Odd groups go right, even groups go left." Kendo ordered, demonstrating with her hands. "That means teams 1, 3, 5, - right; 2, 4, 6, - left. Teams 5 and 6 are skirmishers; to finish off anyone too close to the edge or weakened and trying to escape. Team leaders for 5 and 6, raise your hands. Guys, take note."
The team leaders nodded as one.
"Okay, listen up. You are going to go after them, very very slowly before the signal. And by 'slowly' I mean super slow. Keep a low profile and let them exhaust themselves first, it'd be ideal if they fought each other too. Do not engage Bakugo-san early into the match. The last thing we need is bomb boy breaking our formations, which I know he's capable of. Keep an eye on that one; if you get aggroed, you are going to lose your headband because you didn't know what to do." The ponytailed girl waited for them to nod again before continuing. "Watch out for Todoroki-san as well. If you get caught by the ice you're also going to lose your headband, for not being where you were supposed to be. Whatever you do, do not stand next to other teams or he'll catch all of you with an AOE attack."
"Can't we just avoid Bakugo-san until he cools off?" Awase suggested. "Aggro reset."
"There is no aggro reset with that guy." Kendo shook her head. "Which is why we'll be using that to our advantage. Monoma-kun's team will be in charge of stalling Team Bakugo and drawing their attention away; even better if they can steal their headband. Isn't that right, buddy?"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here." Monoma grumbled but nodded. "I'll do my best."
"I'm sure you will. As long as you don't over-aggro. Keep him mad enough to distract him, but don't rile him up too much or you'll give him enough motivation to beat you in one fell swoop. I know how that type of person thinks." The redhead looked to her audience. "Guys, back him up when he needs help. Also, watch the clock and pay attention to the timer. We need to regroup in those last five minutes or shoot for the most number of points, whatever comes first. Improvise, overcome and adapt as needed."
"Roger that."
"Okay."
"Right."
"Meanwhile, Yui-chan's going to do her thing. Her team's in charge of facing Team Midoriya." Kendo sent her friend a knowing look. "Setsuna-chan's team is gonna be helping her out."
"Midoriya? Heard on the grapevine that he's got some sort of super-strength Quirk with high recoil." Awase stated, glancing at Yui nervously. "You gonna be alright, Kodai-san?"
Yui gave him a quiet nod.
"Of course she will, I believe in her! Get those ten million points for class B!" Kendo cheered. "Finally, my team will be primarily focusing on Team Todoroki. Team Kaibara, you're partying with me to counter the ice."
The leader of team 2, Kaibara Sen, nodded politely in response.
"Now, remember what our end goal is. Surpass Class A; that means we have to beat their top three contenders, claiming the ten million points is a bonus. I want at least two—no, one team from Class B in the final event. They're stronger than us, or at least more experienced—which is why we can't afford to hold back. What we lack in skill we'll have to make up with numbers and tactics. At first I was thinking we should give the captured headbands to the strongest members of our class, but…" Kendo looked around and smiled. "The way I see it, you've earned your place in the finals if you managed to get those points yourself anyway."
"K-kendo-san!" Awase said, looking shocked. Grateful looks were directed at the Class B president.
"No infighting. If you see any of Class A's teams alone out there and you've got a B-team nearby, collapse on them. Collapse on them like a house of falling bricks. Take their headbands and regroup with friendly teams to retreat—smash and grab. If they start to huddle up—penetrate and annihilate. Nuke 'em, dot'em, whatever; just take the headbands and get out of there ASAP." Kendo smacked a fist into her palm for emphasis. "The reason I'm making this so vague is because no plan survives contact with the enemy; there'll certainly be hiccups here and there that you guys will have to respond to in your own ways. We'll be using Mission-type Tactics for this; meaning that I just have a set goal, it's up to you guys to use whatever methods you see fit to reach that goal. A favourable situation will never be exploited if commanders wait for orders. The highest commander and the youngest soldier must be conscious of the fact that omission and inactivity are worse than resorting to the wrong expedient. Remember; surpass Class A."
The girl held out her hand, and the other team leaders placed their hands together.
"Go forth and conquer. For Vlad-sensei!"
"For Vlad-sensei!" the others cheered; even Yui whispered the words in her tiny voice.
In the stands where the teachers were seated, 1-B homeroom teacher Vlad King shed a manly tear.