"Welp," commented Sero. "That… was insane."
"My body feels all tingly," Kaminari said. "Todoroki made it super cold, but then he did that flash-explosion thing. Now I don't know whether I'm hot or cold."
"The answer is stupid," Jiro told him.
"What a display of power!" Sato gushed. Kirishima nodded. "Even though Todoroki won, Midoriya got him to use his flames so the match would be at its manliest! Mad respect there!"
Bakugo shot the redhead a glance, and then snorted. "Tsk. Stupid Deku. He played himself by making Icy-Hot mad at him. What's so impressive about that?"
Haru had a lot to think about. Not only had Todoroki wanted to win without considering other people's feelings, he wanted to do it with only half his damn Quirk. What an ass.
But… Midoriya's almost like a hero of heroes, isn't he? Helping me, trying to help Uraraka, even helping his own damn opponent. I really wish he'd won, but he probably wouldn't have been able to continue with all those broken bones.
"Is there anything you'd like to share with the class?" Tsuyu muttered at him dryly.
"Huh? Ah! No!" Haru jumped.
"You were really deep in thought, ribbit."
"As if you aren't. All the time," he shot back at the frog girl.
"New drinking game," said Sero, grinning. "Take a shot every time Asui makes an observation about someone without their permission."
"I wouldn't want any of you to get alcohol poisoning, ribbit. Also I told you to call me Tsu."
"Oh right. Sorry… Tsu. But anyway, Midoriya did way better against Todoroki than I could have."
"Yes," said Shoji, "but you also did not break your body."
"He won't be back up here for a while, I'd guess," said Haru. "Recovery Girl has some work to do." Uraraka and Iida had left to go check on him, as well as fight in the next match in Iida's case.
"Next match is Iida vs Tokoyami," said Ojiro.
"Ooooh," Hagakure whistled. "That's interesting."
Haru shuddered. "I'm glad Tokoyami wasn't in my bracket."
Mina grinned. "Scared of Dark Shadow?"
"I got enough Dark Shadow to last an entire lifetime during the cavalry battle."
She shrugged. "I guess I'd throw acid at it. Maybe it would burn it, maybe not. Plus it's really fast, but…"
"Wait," Haru gave her a look. "Are you planning to hit me with acid?"
She smirked. "The Queen never tells."
Tenya Iida stepped out of the tunnel.
"He embarrassed himself last match, let's see if he can turn it around! From the hero course, it's Tenya Iida!"
Cheers of course, but laughter as well. Tenya felt frustrated. He'd been trying his hardest to compete with Midoriya, and now he'd gotten farther in the tournament than his friend… but Midoriya had gained respect in the eyes of many, while he remained a laughingstock. What would his brother think? Tensei… I still have a chance to make you proud.
"And his opponent, offense and defense in one body! From the hero course, the dark samurai Fumikage Tokoyami!"
A lot of cheers erupted for him. Dark Shadow had become something of a festival favourite, it seemed. Tokoyami was unassuming on the outside but powerful, meaning he had a chance to be a real dark horse in the higher matches. That made him popular, Tenya supposed. Not to mention how he wiped the floor with the girl who came first in the Quirk assessment. Tokoyami was a formidable opponent. But unlike Hatsume, he had a semblance of honor. Which meant Tenya was looking forward to this match.
He called across to the boy with the bird head. "Tokoyami-san. Let us have a fair fight."
His opponent nodded. "Indeed. You are a noble adversary, Iida."
Midnight squealed. "Ohhh, I'm just so excited for this! Are we ready?"
"Aye."
"Ready," said Tenya. Dark Shadow is fast, but I am faster. I will trick him by running right at him with my normal boost, and when Dark Shadow comes at me, skid around to the side and use my Reciproburst directly on Tokoyami. I'll push him out and end this quickly.
"Second quarterfinal, START!"
Tenya put his plan into action, boosting straight for Tokoyami. The other boy's eyes widened. "Dark Shadow!" he commanded.
The spirit came snaking out, claws outstretched to meet Tenya in the middle. "Aye, Aye!" Dark Shadow whooped. Tenya prepared to sidestep him, already charging up the Reciproburst. But as he continued the move… Dark Shadow quickly retracted toward Tokoyami.
Tenya's eyebrows rose, but it was too late. He had already begun the burst, and had no choice but to try and outrun the spirit. The creature had a massive hard start, though, and as Tenya bursted toward Tokoyami, Dark Shadow wrapped itself around its host like a protective shield. Tenya hit them hard, knocking them back a few meters, but not achieving the push he'd wanted. Quick! I only have ten seconds before my engines stall!
When Dark Shadow realised Tenya's charge had ended, he attacked for real, reaching out with his shadowy claws to strike at Tenya's face. Tenya leapt and did a sweeping kick at the spirit, but the thing ducked low… and grabbed him by his ankles.
Tenya was suddenly swept upside down, his engines sputtering and stalling. No! No, dammit!
Dark Shadow threw him past the line.
"Iida is out of bounds!" Midnight declared. "Tokoyami advances to the semifinal!"
Tenya sat up, grimacing, aching from the impact. "Arrrgh." He rubbed his glasses in frustration. "You got the best of me; you saw right through my plan. How?"
Dark Shadow hovered next to its host, as if they stood together. "We learned from the cavalry battle," Tokoyami said. "You used the same move to zoom past us and take the headband. I figured you might try something similar to get to me, so I had Dark Shadow make a feint attack and then immediately fall back to shield me. Then I had him go for your legs." The bird boy bowed. "It was a good strategy, though. Well fought."
Tenya had no choice but to bow back. He is a respectable person, and clever too. I hope he gives Todoroki a challenge.
"Well done, kid!" someone shouted.
"Yeah, don't worry about it!"
"There's always next year!"
Tenya sniffed. They were talking to him.
"Damn, I feel bad for the guy…"
"Yeah, the girl from before just played with him. He seems pretty powerful, though."
"He won his team the cavalry battle with that charge if you ask me."
The comments from the crowd and the pros helped a little, but Tenya couldn't help feeling defeated. Tensei… what will he think of me?
I think I'll give him a call.