Chapter 25: Ch 24: And Lo… A Festival Shall Come!
*Beep!* *Beep!*
An alarm clock went off in the dark room, with sunlight barely peeking through the shut blinds.
*Bee–!* *CRASH!*
A hardened hand suddenly crushed the thing!
"Oh, whoops…" Kirishima sheepishly rose out of the bed, lifting his hand from the clock and itching the back of his head. On any normal day, he would feel bad about his reflexes kicking in like that…
But not today!
He threw the sheet off of him, and jumped on his feet. The date…
8th of May
And the time?
7:00
Wearing the undershirt and bottoms of a pajama set, Kirishima opened his closet door and as he was about to change,he just stared into the full-length mirror. "Ha ha!"
He tapped his fists together, hardening his whole body.
"Those nights really paid off, huh?!"
There were clear improvements. His face and chest were much more jagged and his abs were rock hard… Or maybe it just felt that way to him.
"Man, finally…" The redhead looked at the punching bag behind him. "Today is the day!"
He laid a couple swift strikes, making the thing violently swing back and forth! Regardless of whether he actually improved as much as he thought, his feelings about it were certainly true. Today he was in top condition.
The time was up!
The day had come–!
"KIRISHIMA!"
"Huh?" It was his dad's voice calling out to him.
"What was that?!"
"UMMM…" Kirishima said as he turned back to the clearly broken digital clock. It was beyond salvaging due to his hardened punch… and his dad sounded pissed.
"N-NOTHING!"
He quickly took the thing and slid it into his desk drawer. It was filled with random stuff anyways, so it wouldn't stick out.
In either case… It was time to go down, and get ready.
*Beep!* *Beep!*
The sounds of an alarm clock echoed inside a spacious and luxurious chamber. The walls were painted in a soft, pastel color. The bed was the centerpiece of the room. There was a study desk, with books from their library downstairs, along with her laptop on the left side of the table. Meanwhile to the right, there were two doors, one of them being for her closet.
*Beep!* *Beep!*
It felt relentless as she rolled to the other side of the bed.
"Little Miss." An elegant and ordered voice spoke to her. "Good morning…"
She opened her eyes ajar.
The sunlight immediately dazzled her… as well as the sight of the butler.
"Good morning, Alfred." She straightened up, rubbing her eyelids.
The little lady puffed up the pillows behind her and sat up in her green and black night garments with her lower half still submerged in the sheets. Her hands then reached up to the locks of hair that were standing up, tangled, clearly in need of brushing.
"Apologies for the intrusion..." He pressed on the alarm clock himself, and then reached for the blinds, letting the sunlight in fully as the little lady's eyes adjusted.
"However I have been given the task to wake you earlier than anyone else in the household."
"A task..?" Momo questioned.
"It was personally from you, and specifically kept from all other house masters."
Momo's tired eyes narrowed… before they suddenly shot open.
"Oh my–!"
She frantically reached for her phone, only for it to slip from her hands repeatedly. With one quick reach, Alfred grabbed it right before it hit the floor.
"Thank you so much." She turned on the device.
8th of May
Time: 05:40
She quickly jumped out of the bed, and dashed towards her bathroom. It was a good thing she woke up early. The events started at 9, and if she wanted more time for training, waking up at a time such as 7 wouldn't be suitable.
Alfred stood by the closed door.
"I apologize for having to wake me up so early in the day." Her muffled voice came through the door, as Alfred could hear the sink being turned on… then, right after, the hair dryer turning on as well.
He was quite surprised by the speed.
"I should have finished training earlier last night as well. I was too caught up. I hope at least you've managed to get your sle…"
He heard another sigh from her. "I also kept you up for that too!"
Alfred laughed under his breath. The panic in her voice was palpable.
"It's quite alright little Miss." He said as he stood, hands behind his back, waiting for her. "Being in the employment of your family, especially your father, for 40 years has prepared me for such 'extreme' cases."
"I…" There was surprise in her tone. "Forgive me if I'm misinterpreting, but you're making it sound like it wasn't as hard as I thought."
"That probably didn't even make the top 100." The butler stated. He heard laughter.
"I understand…"
The sink turned off.
"However, please make your concerns heard should you happen to be kept up so late again."
Alfred nodded. "Will do, miss. Now, as soon as you're ready, you may come to the dining hall for breakfast."
She rapidly stepped down the stairs for the dining hall.
"Good morning, sunshine." Her father had already sat down, with his cup of coffee at the ready.
"Good morning!" She said, her tone still a bit fidgeting from the excitement, as she sat down.
"As asked, I've prepared the optimal breakfast for today's undertaking." Alfred said as Momo started reaching towards the plates one after the other.
On that table, there stood a wide plethora of plates, all stacked with different types of breakfast foods, like hard boiled eggs, waffles, sausages, bacon, toasted bread, pancakes…
"Heaping piles of everything." Alfred said. "The American Version."
She lifted her head up as she finished one of her pancakes.
Momo put her fork down. "It is certainly the perfect meal. I need my breakfast to be early and rich in fat, so that I can have my body process it for the events later today. Thank you, Alfred, once again. Apologies for the trouble."
"It was my pleasure." Alfred bowed his head.
Mr. Yaoyorozu took a sip from his coffee, before side-eyeing the table. "And here I was thinking it's too much."
She perked up from her seat.
"Listen pumpkin." He raised his hand. "You've been up late last night as well. Hardwork is an important virtue to have, however not when it's to your own detriment."
"I know it's not the right time, but… you should try to unwind, and take it easy for a change." he said. "Don't stress too much."
Alfred assembled his hands. "Your father claims, as he's drinking his second cup of coffee."
Mr. Yaoyorozu turned to him. "What do you mean? I turned out well, don't you think?"
Alfred opened his mouth, before conceding.
"Verily."
"So I'm right?" he pushed, letting a bit of a childish attitude show.
Alfred sighed, before adding. "Never said that you weren't, sir."
Momo, though, kept her head low and grabbed the carafe for more orange juice.
"Father, compared to my classmates I've always been taking it easy, that's the problem. Hence I'm behind…" She put it down, and took a sip from the glass.
"Sorry, vice prez!" Ojiro yelled as he stepped back. "But martial arts is my lifeblood! There's no way I'm letting you win!"
Hamato Dojo: One Week Ago
"HA!" Momo swung her staff. Ojiro blocked it with his forearm, and skipped back.
Her grip on the staff tightened. "He's keeping his distance, searching for openings to attack."
Ojiro wiggled his tail and tapped on the ground behind him.
"I can't allow him a moment to think."
A pink glow emerged from her hand. Blunt ninja stars shot forward!
"In order to stop me, he has to engage."
Ojiro though, after a stunned expression, dodged with a tail smack, skipped right, put the wall behind him, and then propelled forward! All in an instant!
She tried to make a shiel–
His forearm clashed with her staff. Momo tried to move, but Ojiro had wrapped his tail on the weapon. He followed up with a kick right to her gut!
"Ah…" She found herself on the ground.
"Oh, sorry!"
He lent down his hand.
"I didn't mean to kick so hard. Are you okay?"
"Today… I need it to be different." She gathered her hands around the glass of juice.
There wasn't time… anymore.
"Yame!" Master Hamato's calls whenever a combat trial would conclude, rang in her ear.
Momo grabbed a slice of toasted bread, and then the butter–
"In either case, I wish you much luck, pumpkin."
She raised her head. Her father was getting up. "I know your mother couldn't join us for breakfast. But, know that we will all be behind a screen today, wishing for your success."
She looked down, flattered. "Thanks father."
"Or rather…" He thought out loud. "Alfred?"
"Yes sir?"
"Can you set up one of my monitors for the U.A.'s channel?" He asked. "I have a number of meetings I have to attend today, so I don't believe I will be coming out of my office."
"Understood sir." Alfred bowed his head… as Momo saw the dark, vibrant blue eyes of her father, meeting her onyx ones.
"I have little doubt that you'll be anything but exceptional."
Momo then, however, averted them.
"I…" She paused on them. The word 'try' came to mind, or the phrase "do my best", but, at the end, she determinedly said:
"I will meet your expectations."
She then reached the maple syrup for her waffles.
Her father nodded, as he then exited the room–
"Oh, one last thing. I suggest you also pace yourself…"
Momo obliviously raised her head… not noticing the honey, maple syrup, and butter that now surrounded the sides of her mouth. "What do you mean?"
He smiled. "I know you're unique, pumpkin, but overeating is one of the most common causes of cramps and discomfort in the abdomen region."
"I…" The weight almost hit her instantly as she stopped to take a breath. "I understand…"
He nodded again, and closed the door behind him.
"Now." Alfred spoke up. "I believe you have training with Master Hamato and your classmates after this?"
Momo could lower and raise her head only slightly. It was their final section of training, most likely a tournament between them, since that would be a proper way of maximally utilizing their skills, while also being in consideration to Uraraka who is still a beginner in physical combat.
"I see." Alfred responded. "I will contact Launchpad, once you freshen up. He should be here within 10 minutes or so…"
"Or at any time frame at all." He thought to himself. "Considering the major disregard for traffic laws."
Momo acknowledged it. After this, she would get prepared, packing her backpack and–
"Hmm…" She raised a hand to her face, seeing the mirror they had placed in the dining hall. Under her eyes, there were still some dark circles showing.
This wouldn't do. She should fix that afterwards as well.
Especially today, there was no need to raise any concern.
"Izuku, please be careful not to get hurt." Inko Midoriya had her hands held together concernedly, as it was time for her one and only son to set out.
"I will." He said as he finished tying his shoe.
"I'll record the whole festival, okay? In HD."
He put on his backpack and shared one last look with her. She put up her fists, trying to channel some enthusiasm. "Do your best out there son."
"I will." Midoriya nodded, and put a hand on the door. "Okay, guess I'm off."
The greenette opened the door… and then found Tennyson along with his cousin at his doorstep.
"Not without us you aren't." Tennyson remarked.
"Hi, Mrs. Midoriya." Gwen chose to wave.
The remaining half a week had flashed by in the blink of an eye… and the morning of the sports festival had arrived.
The whole class had put in their last bit of effort, and now…
Today… was the day.
Ben 10: Hero Force
Chapter 24
And Lo… A Festival Shall Come!
From on top of the hill where the nation's number 1 hero school resided, fireworks decorated the sky!
The day of the famous U.A. Sports Festival had come and… even though the school itself hadn't done much decorating on the outset, one sight at the busy gates would have made anyone think otherwise.
Many throughout the whole country were in front of a screen one way or another, to watch the promising new blood compete in hopes to claim the title of number 1.
"The security line is huge…" The female reporter from the NHA network remarked. "I mean, what's making a bag check take so long?"
"A bunch of villains *did* just break in." The cameraman said. "Of course they'll be more strict. Hell, there are people criticizing them for even deciding to hold it this year."
"Controversy equals ratings!" She held up two fingers. "This year, all eyes will be on Class 1-A!"
Kirishima was already inside, walking over to the school's stadium.
He had just come in from the entrance in the back, where only the competitors were allowed to enter and as he made his way, honestly, his anticipation only grew.
Barely any people have been allowed inside so far, so he got to see the merch stands and food booths that were just getting setup.
U.A., especially with how much money they had, never failed to stun him.
"Never thought I would get this far…" he thought to himself.
Though, those booths were probably gonna overcharge to hell, but he couldn't care less. The atmosphere was set. If only *he* was also here as just a spectator…
Kirishima shook his head. Nah, he was here as something way better!
The hardening quirk that he put his all to improve… Midoriya thought it could be flashy, so it was time to prove it!
His eyes then caught a familiar ash-blonde walking in front of him. "Oh, hey Bakugo!"
"And here we are! The school grounds, just like you asked, little Miss!"
Among the first year's competitors, the Hamato Clan members, Yaoyorozu, Uraraka and Ojiro had also just arrived. In style…
"Thanks Launchpad." Momo got up from her seat in the limo. "Let's go, everyone!"
"R-right, Uraraka let's go." Ojiro had a sore expression, most probably because of the training.
Meanwhile, the brunette was like a kitten softly gritting her claws to the cushion. "But the limo… :( "
Yaoyorozu got out, and the three of them, through some assistance from security and a clone of Mr. Ectoplasm, got inside the festival grounds from the back.
It was now their duty to find their way to the first year stadium…
"Do all events take place in different stadiums?!" Uraraka marveled.
"Of course." Ectoplasm replied. "In each festival, the events which are picked out for the grades are kept the same for fairness sake, however in order to avoid any spoiling and prior preparation for the other years, we work to have them happen simultaneously."
"It makes sense…" Yaomomo said. "That way the excitement generated is also kept around the same level for each grade, with the only disparity being the performance of the students."
"And that leads to pro heroes knowing who to scout!" Ectoplasm said as Yaomomo reached the very same conclusion. "Well done, Yaoyorozu."
Her chest swelled up with pride.
"And I mean, considering the school already had mock *cities*. I'm sure there was some budget left over." Ojiro sheepishly nodded in the meantime.
"It's actually harder to manage those cities than you think—" Ectoplasm added, before Uraraka raised her hand.
The brunette asked: "Mr. Ectoplasm will we have a break during the events?"
The pro-hero raised an eyebrow. "I recall there being an hour-long break for lunch. Why?"
"To enjoy the festival!"
Yaomomo could see Uraraka's mouth watering, as her gaze was noticeably going back and forth towards one of the mochi stands.
"I'm sure there will be time left after the events." He said. "Considering all the pro-heroes we've employed…"
He threw a glance, for all of them to turn and see Mt. Lady waving at them with a box of takoyaki, alongside Kamui Woods and Death Arms.
"I don't see why we would tidy up so quickly."
"Thank goodness." Uraraka was relieved. Her eyes glimmered. "Wanna look around afterwards, Yaomomo?"
A smile immediately washed over her face.
"I'd be delighted!" Momo assembled her hands. "Maybe we could call Jiro, and Midoriya… Oh, or maybe we could make it a class activity! It would be a perfect occasion to wind down after the stress of the festival. I could talk it over with Iida first."
"You may have to wait, Yaoyorozu." Ectoplasm said, as they had arrived.
In front of them stood the entrance to the tournament grounds of the first years, and right by the door, she noticed Kirishima and Bakugo.
"Kirishima!" Ojiro raised his hand, and the redhead turned to greet them.
"Hey, guys!" He pulled on ash-blonde's arm. "Bakugo, look who—"
"Let go of me already, shitty hair!" he angrily growled, right before all five of them came together.
It was evident a fire was lit under Kirishima's enthusiastic and masculine self, however… Bakugo's hostile aura had remained the same as ever.
"Most interesting." She put her hand under her chin.
Ever since the attack on the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, Bakugo's attitude towards Midoriya and Tennyson had seemingly tempered, with the initial aggressive comments taking the form of responses rather than threats.
"I was just asking Bakugo if he's nervous." Kirishima followed up. "You know, like, *this* is one of the three chances Mr. Aizawa told us about!"
His eyes then stopped on her. "It's where we get to prove ourselves."
Momo's heart skipped a beat.
"I agree." she said. "We've started with the basics to develop our depth of learning. Now, we get to show how much we've strived for our self improvement."
In front of many others no less. She had prepared, however, it would be a lie if she said the nerves weren't getting to her.
"Yep! And I know I put my all into this because–" Kirishima leaned on Bakugo's shoulder, only for him to move and make him fall. "Ow."
He perked right back up. "–Because, even though it was tough, I convinced Bakugo to be my training partner!"
Momo raised her eyebrows. Was that so?
Bakugo just shrugged, crossing his arms. "I just remember some dumbass who kept getting in my way."
She looked away. It was still rather difficult to get used to Bakugo's regular use of crude language.
"Not untrue, but come on." He tapped him on the shoulder. "You know it helped both of us."
Bakugo didn't answer the accusations.
"So…" Kirishima then turned to them. "Don't make me ask you guys. Where were all of you?"
Ojiro raised an eyebrow. "I… At school? Like, you saw us every day—"
"Yeah, I know that! But what about *after* school?!"
His eyes landed on her again. "I know you would have something special in mind Yaomomo! What is it?"
Her and Ojiro simultaneously looked away. "Uhh, we–"
Telling others wasn't exactly a forbidden condition of receiving the Ninjutsu training from Master Hamato. But, they preferred not being too open either.
One lesson that was drilled into them during the two weeks was that the shadows were a ninja's best friend, especially to Ojiro since he got to reveal his training to them.
"We received special training." Their third member then replied.
Momo had a hard time believing this was the carefree and laid-back friend of hers.
Her pupils were gone, steam was coming out of her grinning mouth, and her fists were striking the air one after the other. "It was very worthwhile…"
With a yellow spark Uraraka turned to them, and raised her fist sky high. "Let's do our best, everyone!"
Her stares suddenly went blank. They… all raised their hands one by one. "Yeah…"
"Whatever." Bakugo said with his hands still in his pockets. "I'm heading inside."
"Indeed." She added. "If I recall correctly, we're also going to be required to change into our gym clothes, so we cannot afford to hold up the event."
The group gave her a nod, and they then walked inside.
All she could hope now was the rest of her classmates were already inside.
Well, unfortunately, they weren't.
As soon as she entered the waiting room assigned for the class, their class president Iida greeted her. Apparently with their arrival, 15 out of the 20 of their classmates were now present.
Ashido pouted as she also looked at the gym uniforms on her. "Man… And I really wanted to wear my costume."
"To keep things fair, we can't." Sato said, stretching his arms.
Her mind however, was on who was missing.
There were Kaminari, Jiro and Mineta who could have been excused for being late. However, the last two were Tennyson… and Midoriya.
"Oh dear."
She checked her phone again. No messages.
"Easy Momo… easy." She pulled her hand back. "Do not overreact, everything is fine. Don't let this disrupt your focus."
She grabbed her ponytail. "They are all just… getting coffee. Yes, all at the same time…"
…On, perhaps, the most climactic day of their lives yet, AND after Tennyson has admitted to having a tendency towards getting into trouble.
She started letting her fingers brush through her hair.
"Magister Labrid has told us there isn't much of an alien presence left in Japan though, and Tennyson and Midoriya have both proven themselves to be just as capable, a formidable duo couldn't be defeated so easily." She thought. "The only way for them to get into such *serious* trouble as of this moment, would be if they were actively… seeking it… out…"
If only the concept of proof by contradiction could speak right now.
Her head, without warning, snapped in the direction of Kirishima, pleading help from the redhead who was oblivious, carefreely sitting with Bakugo and Ashido—
"Is something bothering you, Yaomomo?" Ojiro asked, which made her jump.
"W– No! What compelled you to ask such a question?" She asked.
For the time being, she had decided to sit with the other Hamato Clan members, mostly to propose the agreement of keeping their training hidden, since Ashido and Jiro hadn't compromised it for them.
But now, she was regretting not saving a seat with Kirishima.
Ojiro pointed down to her right leg tapping the ground like a drill.
"Oh…" She stopped. "I apologize."
"It's fine." Ojiro waved his hand. "You both just had your heads somewhere else, and it was getting worrying."
Yaoyorozu faced forward and saw exactly what he meant with Uraraka. Her likeness was still overcome by intensity.
"Like, could we save that for the duels in the final stage?-" Ojiro asked.
However Uraraka just brushed that aside.
"The first rule of Master Yoshi."
"I-" The tailed warrior stopped.
"Exactly." Momo felt like she should take a side. "As presumptuous as it may be, Uraraka has the right idea here."
Her friend had her eyes set on the upcoming challenges.
Momo raised her fist. So should she!
"We must keep our head on the challenges and ensure we won't be culled by the eliminations."
She said that, only to immediately check her phone again! No message—
"Oh come on, you saw her Jiro!"
She turned to the room's entrance and saw Kaminari, Mineta and Jiro entering all at the same time.
"She was so hot!" Mineta continued. "Redheads always look great with skirts."
Kaminari added. "She's such a tease with her attitude. Just like you, Jiro—!"
But the purple haired girl couldn't care at all, she just inserted her earphone jacks, shocking them both.
"He's literally right behind us for crying out loud. Could you at least be a little subtle?!"
The pieces had JUST clicked in the rich girl's head. "Right behind…"
"Hey."
Wearing the blue, white and red gym uniform of U.A, the last two students of 1-A had just arrived.
"Sorry about that class prez." Tennyson made his entrance to Iida by the door.
"My cousin came over from the states to watch the matches." He crossed his arms. "I wanted to let her in from the back, where competitors were supposed to come through, since the line at the front was *the* worst. Like, you wouldn't believe the crowd we pulled in."
Then Midoriya appeared. "Needless to say, the security didn't appreciate Tennyson's attempt too much."
"You can say that again." Ben was really sheepish. "Thankfully Midnight then came with the assist."
He then raised his hand towards the class president. "I hope it was no trouble."
Iida responded. "It wasn't. However, I must implore you two to not cut it so close for a school event such as this again."
"That goes for you too Mineta, Kaminari and Jiro!" The class prez turned to the other trio, gesturing to them with his stiff mannerisms.
The three students almost jumped with that yell, making Tennyson laugh.
"Sir yes sir." He quipped. "Come on Midoriya."
The greenette nodded, and the pair sat at the same table as Jiro, without much looking around.
"Cousin?" Momo thought. She let go of her hair, and got to searching through her mental files. "They should be the cousin Tennyson mentioned? Gwen, right?"
Her anxiety had kicked up again. She had to have come from America.
If so, could there possibly be some relation to aliens?
D-Did she need to be alert?
She raised her head and saw Kirishima now at their table.
"Wait… I've got to give a pledge?!" Ben asked, shocked beyond belief.
"Yeah dude! You didn't know?!" Kirishima fixed his own hair. He could hardly believe this. "The guy with the highest point in the entrance exam gives it."
"I. LIVE. IN AMERICA!" He retorted. "And I told in class– My parents never let me watch this thing!"
His hands were on his head, ruffling his hair as his face was down on the table.
"Huh…" Midoriya put a finger on his chin. "Considering U.A., you would think there would be an email about it."
"Yeah, or even a quick message."
Jiro scoffed. "Knowing Tennyson, he didn't check."
They then saw one of Tennyson's arms rise up, his green cellphone in hand, but it looked to have a keypad.
Jiro huffed amusedly. "Or his cell was a century too old?"
"When *you* have your whole allowance going for a debt to a grumpy, merciless store owner Jiro, I'd like to see you buy a smartphone." Ben kept a hand on his face as he raised his head back up.
"A debt?"
All *four* of them turned to her voice which made itself known, with Tennyson even raising his head and-
"Um…" Momo stumbled on her words, with her thumbs tapping at each other.
Kirishima could feel an awkwardness set in, and so he quickly gestured to the chair next to him, in front of Tennyson.
"Come Yaomomo!" He pulled the chair. "Don't keep standing like that, sit with us."
"Very… well."
Her mind could only put that much together, before she sat down, and assembled her hands, only to quickly undo that.
Despite all those lessons about manners that her mother had injected in her, as well as her father, she had no idea on how to act right now.
Only when she had actually arrived at the table did she realize that she had spent three weeks, mostly keeping her distance from these people.
Her intention was definitely not this. However, they still saw her in the premises of the school, and never once did she approach them. This was still true.
And…
Her eyes went to Jiro for a second, who seemed rather surprised.
…They hadn't exactly seen her leave in the best state of mind.
Then that false image with her past hadn't aided her either. In any case, this…shouldn't be the time to think about them.
Tennyson was also trying to avert his eyes. He seemed nervous too, so she just smiled at them.
"So…" Midoriya, thankfully, tried to spark up the conversation once more. "I've been wondering Tennyson, how did it happen? The debt?"
"O-Oh, you know." Tennyson slipped back into his previous mood remarkably easily. "One misunderstanding here. Another coincidence with my watch and his property there, you know how it goes."
He laughed, putting his hand behind his neck.
"Now that I think about it, I really ran into a bunch of trouble back in Bellwood."
Momo remembered a select number of stories Tennyson told them. Like him helping the grocery store owner's significant other. It was so sweet of him.
Through… Now that she thought about it, his stories excluded one of the monsters that attacked her back then.
The one after his Omnitrix, with his squid-like features and cybernetic enhancements, was called Vilgax. She knew that much, and Ben told that he threw him into space.
The other monster however… wasn't mentioned. Or exactly what Kevin was up to back then, to earn such vitriol from him. In all honesty, she would like to learn but… her position didn't exactly allow for any bargaining. Neither that it should.
"Really?" Jiro crossed her arms in the meantime. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
Tennyson complied.
"Well, it's a small town." He lifted up his head, and rubbed his nose proudly. "Of course my quirk was just too big for it."
Jiro rolled her eyes, shaking her head–
"Such as Kevin and Vilgax?" The rich girl added and a deafening silence struck as she realized what she just said.
Jiro smiled. "Kevin and Vilgax?" She turned to Ben. "Who are they? Your neighbors?"
"Nope." Ben was frozen solid. His soul had departed from his body.
Momo didn't fare much better. She felt like crumbling to dust after what she blurted out.
"WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!" She screamed on the inside.
She was supposed to be just thinking that!
AHHHHHHH!
Her mind was just panicking. She looked over to Midoriya and Kirishima, but they were just as shocked and drawing blanks! "I–"
An idea popped in for her aid… and for some reason she still didn't know, she went with it.
"Y-Yes!" she said. "T-They were your bandmates! You told us about them, did you not? Or p-perhaps I'm misremembering haha..."
"N-No!" Ben troubleshooted as well. "You're not wrong! Kevin and Vilgax! Yes! My bandmates! I-I was just surprised that you knew. H-How did *you* know about my band career, Yaoyorozu?"
The vice class president couldn't answer. Internally, she was busy with experiencing very minor heart palpitations right now.
Especially when Tennyson's left eye twitched!
"What…" Jiro raised an eyebrow. "What do bands have to do with this?"
"Everything." Ben responded. He had committed to that and rubbed his left eye.
Jiro.. seemed to still have question marks, so she turned to her. Thankfully, that provided him with a bit of breathing room.
"Y-Yes…" Yaomomo closed her eyes, trying to hide her sweatdrop. "I-I've had the chance to go to Tennyson's home town before actually! And I… got to see him perform before!"
Jiro seemed even more confused. "Wait, you two met before?"
Yaoyorozu turned to Tennyson, and apparently the transforming hero with the Omnitrix had the same idea. The two questioningly looked at each other.
"Oh… no." She spoke first. "I don't believe so. I was just…."
"A witness." Her heart said, but this time she had got a grip on the words that came out of her mouth.
"...someone who passed by." She said. "I doubt he would even remember."
"Y-You're right!" Tennyson then added. However, whatever face he made at that moment, Momo couldn't see.
She had looked away. "I still haven't told him, have I?"
The incident with the cable car… It hadn't come up.
Jiro then turned her attention to Ben instead. Perhaps she thought this was an uncomfortable topic?
"I presume it is." Yaomomo deadpanned in her head. "B-But, I could talk about it, in a roundabout fashion–"
"Then why didn't you?" Her mind immediately threw out the question.
"W-Well…"
"So, Tennyson." In the real world, as her mind was sorting through her questions, Jiro started talking. "A band, huh?"
"Y-Yep!" Ben perked back up. "Sure was–"
"What did you play?"
Tennyson's mind… hit the pause button. "Come again?"
"What did you play?"
"Uh…"
"Okay." Tennyson thought to himself. "Music. You know music. Yeah, I'll say the guitar, easy. I played the electric guitar before–"
He then made eye contact with Jiro.
"Uh…" He opened his hands. "Keyboard?"
Jiro raised an eyebrow.
"Just for a bit though!" He waved one hand. "I probably forgot even the basics!"
He could only wave with one hand, as his other one was busy with his left eye. It kept twitching for some reason.
"I-In any case, Tennyson." Momo cut in for the rescue. "I overheard that your cousin came to Japan to watch us in the events today?"
The transforming hero seemed surprised yet again, only to take a second to swiftly adjust. "Oh, right, Gwen."
He sighed.
"I think I told you about her?" He looked away. "Remember my dweeb cousin who sticks her nose into *everything* I do?"
A cross-like vein appeared over his head. He spoke under his breath. "Even when I tell her not to."
Midoriya, in a hesitant way, nudged him.
The greenette then felt her sights.
"Long story." He said, before noticing Jiro's glare as well. "O-Or so I've been told."
Momo nodded. Okay, she had confirmed her suspicions. Now, she might as well assist in directing the conversation to another topic. But the matter didn't feel so resolved.
Tennyson didn't have such an opinion of his cousin before, when they last talked. Did something happen?
Could it have something to do with them being late?
It was peculiar. Perhaps she could procure more information later. Ahhhh, but her impatience was pressing hard right now.
Jiro picked up the conversation. "I mean, let's be honest, you need someone to do that for you."
"I do." Tennyson said, and raised his hands, putting on a smirk. "I mean, I still have a speech to figure out."
"Tennyson." Momo got his attention. In all matters of fairness, this wasn't the best idea.
"If you are anxious about giving a speech, perhaps because of her presence in the crowd, I could try to help."
She put her hands together. "I know the time is limited, but I have been taught a fair amount in public speaking—"
"No."
Tennyson had raised his hand. " Thanks Yaoyorozu, but I think I can handle it."
She opened her mouth, only to close it back down.
Jiro raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You weren't so sure before though."
"Well, it's not like stressing is gonna help." He had his arms assembled on the back of his head. "I need to keep a cool head, and just carefully think about how to repres–!"
Iida barged into the room. "Everyone! Get your game faces on! We're entering the arena soon!"
"You were saying?!" Jiro burst out laughing.
The color on Tennyson's face instantly went down the drain.
"I… guess I'm gonna have to pull out something faster." He said, with his pupils still like dots.
It also made the talking among other classmates even more rampant.
"I wonder what the first round is going to be…" Sato said.
"No matter what it may be, we have no choice but to push through it." Tokoyami crossed his arms, closing his eyes.
Shoji nodded, as Aoyama just continued to sparkle.
Her mind couldn't worry about them though. "Tennyson?"
"Yeah, Yaoyorozu?"
There it was again. She bit her tongue. "I was wondering—"
"Yaoyorozu."
The sudden cold callout stopped her. She raised her head and saw…
"Todoroki?" The rich girl looked at the second recommended student walking over to their table with one hand in his pocket.
"Midoriya. Tennyson."
The greenette stood up from his seat. "Hey Todoroki. What's up?"
Yaoyorozu followed, in support of her friend. Tennyson seemed to have the same idea.
Todoroki observed their reactions only for a second. After all, the gaze of their classmates was gathering on them… and that was rather annoying.
"I will cut to the chase." he declared, making all three face him. "Looking at things objectively, you three feel like the most trouble."
He put one hand in his pocke–
"Well, I didn't want to come out and say it." Tennyson spoke first. "But since you did—"
Todoroki really didn't care what quip he was about to say. His eyes settled on the second vice-class president first.
"Yaoyorozu, we started from the same place, and for every challenge we've been pitted against, you've managed to get grades close to mine."
Momo's pupils shrunk. A–
He moved onto Ben. No need to waste time during this.
"Meanwhile, *you* have a quirk Tennyson, that makes no sense to me." He spoke. "I don't understand the correlation between a radioactive furnace, and an insect with explosive spit."
The transforming hero settled back into a familiar smile. "Well, welcome to my worl–"
"But it is immense." Todoroki and narrowed his eyes. "And would be the only thing in this room that could rival me, if you would stop holding back."
The smile faded from Tennyson's face, as fast as it appeared.
"Lastly for you…" Todoroki said, turning to the greenette and making him flinch. "I already know for a fact I'm stronger, just like many others in this room."
Bakugo scoffed. Todoroki looked at him from the corner of his eye, before he looked at Midoriya again.
"However, interestingly enough, you have All Might's favor."
That caused some noise from their classmates.
"Know I'm not here to pry about it." He quickly tagged on, dismissing whatever relationship they might have. "But I will beat you."
His eyes went through all three of them. "All of you."
The noise from their classmates continued in the form of faint murmurs.
"Tennyson, you weren't giving it your all?" Ashido asked.
"How great!" Sero threw up his hands. "Just when some of us thought we had a chance."
"For real!" Mineta piped up.
Todoroki felt an arm on his shoulder.
It was Kirishima.
"Hey, why are you picking a fight all of a sudden?" He had stood up from his seat, and that common competitive mood of his wasn't there.
"And right before we're going to get started—"
He brushed him off from his shoulder.
"We're not here to play at being friends." He turned around. "Don't forget, this isn't a team effort."
The four of them were left to their own devices, for all he cared…
Suffice it to say that Ben definitely cared. Now, he knew the guy was cold, but actively antagonizing?
"That guy…" Kirishima said under his breath, sharing the sentiment.
Yeah, if he wasn't motivated before, he was sure as hell motivated now.
Midoriya even took a step back, and his protective instincts flared up.
He would call him out. "Hey—"
"Wait a second Todoroki." Yaoyorozu cut in. Ben chose to back off.
"I will not assume to know what you're thinking when you say you'll be beating us." A dim onyx flame was lit. "However…"
Her eyes looked down to Midoriya.
"I promise we won't roll over so easily," he said.
The greenette looked like he was going to stare at Todoroki's shoes, but he didn't. He looked him right in the eye.
"I know you're better than me." Midoriya said, in a rather challenging way. "I also think you're more capable than most people in this room."
Ben knew what this was about. He knew a Midoriya that spoke with both his heart and mind when he saw one. "That's why…"
"...you were someone who was recommended for this course and I wasn't."
"Midoriya…" Ben wanted to take over. "Maybe you're being a little hard on y–!"
"But, everyone." The greenette cut back in. "The students from all courses will be aiming for the top with everything they've got!"
"All those people…" Ben thought.
Shinso had declared war on them.
Class 1-B, from what Pony said, were gunning to take the spotlight.
"We all have something to prove." Yaoyorozu stepped forward. "Both our places in the hero course, and to all others who are going to be watching us."
Tennyson noticed her also remaining steeled, not turning to look at him, or wavering.
"We did all we could during this limited time." She said.
"And I can't afford to fall behind." Midoriya took the word right back. "It's gonna be a fight to see how much we can stand out."
The creation girl, and the disciple of All Might, had a fire burning under their eyes.
"And in that…" They said, united in their words. "We are also aiming for the top spot."
Todoroki met their gaze in kind. "Fine…"
Midoriya wasn't flinching, not this time.
Bakugo gritted his teeth from where he sat, and the whole room felt muted, even when an Ectoplasm clone called their class to the stage.
As their classmates got up, and started exiting the room, Yaoyorozu looked at Tennyson, and their gazes met.
Tennyson looked into her onyx eyes, as his expression was one that formed into an ear to ear smirk.
"Well…"
He raised his right fist and tapped her on the shoulder.
"The festival didn't even begin, and yet, that was already quite the show, vice class rep."
He then went ahead towards the door and she just found herself staring.
Her mind was out of that serious state. It refrained from bringing up anything towards the events, and yet, in that moment, there was still some nervousness, especially around her stomach.
"I can do this!"
She looked up empowered grin formed on her face, as Uraraka then appeared next to her.
"(^ᴗ^)۶"
"HEY HEY! MAKE SOME NOISE, SPORTS FANS! GET THOSE CAMERAS ROLLING, MASS MEDIA!"
Inside of the tournament grounds, with the seats jam packed with people, Present Mic appeared in all four of the giant screens that hung over the walls.
"BECAUSE THE FIRST YEARS U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL IS HERE!"
The noise only got stronger, completely muffling out the clicking of the high spec cameras that probably had the largest lenses currently found in the industry.
"I'm your host for today, Present Mic, and with me here I got my good friend Eraser Head, for the commentary!"
Eraser Head, still in his bandages, faintly spoke to his caffeinated friend. "You're already connected to all these speakers. No need to make my head pound in the room…"
"What are you talking about Eraser?!" His blonde showman friend continued. "This year we're bringing you some of the hottest performances in U.A.'s history, guaranteed!"
He waved his hand. "I only have one question for all our watchers, listeners, and the crowd alike! EVERYBODY, ARE YOU READY?!"
The crowd roared in anticipation yet again!
"THEN LET'S LET OUR STUDENTS ENTER THE FIRST-YEAR STAGE!"
"Izuku…"
Inko Midoriya had her hands assembled as she watched on from the TV.
Sandra and Carl Tennyson sat down in front of the television snuggling, also with the remote in their hands.
"Let's see what will happen…" Ben's dad muttered.
"Tang Shen!"
From the center of his living room, Master Hamato shouted in his gi, sitting on the ground on top of his legs. "It's about to start!"
A woman with long black hair, red lips, wearing a white shirt as well as navy blue sweatpants entered the room, itching the back of her head.
"Fine fine…" She laughed.
"Is Miwa asleep?"
"Yeah, she's napping." She put a finger on her lips and Yoshi lowered the volume a little. He then gave her a joking smile, gesturing to the tv with his eyes.
She sighed. "Yeah, I will watch it."
She sat on their beige colored couch and tapped to the empty seat next to her.
Hamato Yoshi enthusiastically got up and took his place next to her on the couch.
"I guess, let's see what your students are made of."
The 1-A students entered the tunnel, with Midoriya walking in front of all of them along with Bakugo on his right and Iida on his left!
"I want you to tell the world that 'I AM HERE!'"
Midoriya, with the utmost resolve, responded to his mentor's words. "Roger that, All Might!"
The students stepped into the spotlight.
"U.A. Sports Festival!" Present Mic's booming voice came through the speakers. "The huge sports festival where fledging heroes sharpen their swords once a year!"
"Anyway, these were the people you were waiting for, right?!"
"The champions who overthrew a villain attack with their hearts of steel, in their first couple of weeks! Here comes the Hero Course, CLASS 1-A!"
With Midoriya leading them, under the gaze of countless spectators, all as a group they came out.
Bakugo, Iida, Ashido, Shoji…
Everyone, with most of them trying to keep their eyes facing forward, and others letting their eyes wander, came out from the dark tunnel with their hearts filled with pride and excitement.
"Th-There are so many people…" Midoriya kept one hand close to his heart.
"Will we be able to give our best performance while being watched by so many others?" Iida wondered out loud.
"Sure we will, class rep." Tennyson swiftly responded with glee. "Don't tell me you have stage fright."
"No, I do not." Iida said. "However…"
"Tennyson." Asui interrupted. "Do you still remember that you're gonna have to make a speech in front of all of these people? "
Tennyson's smile became crooked. "Uhhh—"
"They haven't had much screen time yet, but here's yet another arsenal of talent!" Present Mic's voice rose. "Hero Course: CLASS 1-B!"
With Tetsutetsu at the front, along with Kendo and Monoma on the sides, Class 1-B also made their splash on the tournament grounds. As soon as they saw each other, Pony waved towards them, and so did they.
"NEXT UP, THERE ARE, OF COURSE, THE GENERAL STUDIES! CLASSES C, D AND E!"
Shinso led this group, with Hagakure right beside him.
"We're here to just make them look good, aren't we…" One of the students looked around, depressed. "Not even a special intro…"
"I'm not feeling it…" Another female student said, right before both of them had invisible arms wrapped around them.
"Don't say that!" Hagakure said. "Once we get to the events, we're gonna show them all!"
She made invisible swinging motions into the air. "Present Mic won't know what hit him, when general studies wins this!"
Shinso didn't even look back, and grunted.
"THEN THERE IS OUR TALENTED FOLKS AT THE SUPPORT COURSE, CLASSES F, G AND H!"
Wearing a normal U.A. gym uniform, along with various gadgets and a set of red and gold steampunk goggles, a salmon pink haired girl led her group.
"AND THE ANALYTICAL MINDS OF OUR BUSINESS COURSE, I, J AND K!"
The final 60 students of the first years walked onto the arena… with documents in their hands?
"GIVE IT UP FOR U.A.'S FIRST YEAR CONTESTANTS!"
The crowd was going wild with cheers and yelling.
"Okay, I got the soda." Kevin entered the living room with a pack of them in his hand. "Let's see what all the hype was about."
He cracked one open. "You sure you aren't going to see it?"
Ingenium flipped his helmet in his hands, as he got a glance of his brother standing tall at the stadium grounds.
He smiled. "Sorry, but a hero's job never ends."
Especially today…
Kevin shrugged. "Your loss."
As the ex-con sat down, Ingenium asked. "Isn't there any ether-point cells left to be tracked?"
"Well, I'd like the garage to be fixed, before I do that again." Kevin rolled from the couch.
Tensei tilted his head before shrugging. Helen and Manny had done quite the damage. Fair enough.
"How're your people coming along with that anyway?" Kevin asked.
Ingenium nodded. "Pretty well actually."
There wasn't much structural damage to the building, except for the roof, so it should be done in another 3-4 days.
The ex-con kicked up his feet, fully laying down on one side of the couch. "Oh, speaking of damage, you might wanna *check* your backdoor, before anyone else sees it."
Ingenium crossed his eyebrows. "Why didn't you knock?"
"I did. Four times. You didn't pick up." He continued to lean back, and Ingenium didn't respond. He might have been too preoccupied, but that didn't matter. He had somewhere to be, Enigma had just managed to get a beat on him.
In Hosu.
The pro-hero fully suited up, and then checked his equipment. His eyes got drawn to the tv one more time. "Record that for me, will ya?"
"Will do." Kevin immediately responded and hit the record button on the remote.
"Now." The pro hero put one foot forward. "Turbo Hero Ingenium: Dep–!
"Don't forget the badge!" Kevin called out, as the pro hero almost slipped in place.
He caught it.
"And the gun." He picked it up from next to the couch, and passed it on. "I don't wanna have to fish you out again."
"Of course!" He then rushed to his room, and retrieved a green suitcase, which also had an hourglass symbol. "Now, like I said, Turbo Hero Ingenium: Deployed!"
He rushed out from the house as Kevin looked after him, shaking his head.
"Now!" A whip crack echoed all over the stadium, making everyone turn to the small elevated stage. Their Modern Hero Art History teacher, Midnight, was up.
Many people from the audience started to have leering looks towards their teacher.
"Wow, this year's chief umpire for the first years is the R-Rated Hero: Midnight?!"
"The other grades don't know what they're missing."
"Amazing…"
"Uh…" Momo found Kirishima coming next to her, trying to avert his eyes. "Maybe someone should have talked to Midnight about the dress code?"
She tilted her head.
"That's an R-Rated Hero for you." She then heard from Kaminari, blushing and expressionlessly taking in the sights.
"Is that even proper apparel for a high school game?" Tokoyami deadpanned.
"In regards to what exactly?" Momo still internally wondered. Their teacher was wearing her hero costume, wasn't she?
The little pervert of 1-A was still violently nodding.
"Silence!" Midnight cracked her whip again.
"For the student pledge, I now call Ben Tennyson from Class 1-A!"
Immediately, glazes from his classmates landed on him. His anxiousness crept up.
"You got it, man." Kirishima nudged him. "Break a leg out there."
"Not literally though." Midoriya turned around towards him, hands raised, excited but also analytical. "I did that a couple times. It's not fun—"
"It's *not* the time to bring that up, Deku!" Uraraka interrupted with a far more upbeat energy. "No need to worry Tennyson, you got this! (*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑ "
Ben, still high from his emotions, nodded. "Thanks."
He also instinctively turned to Yaomomo but almost instantly the awkward atmosphere came back. Just when he thought that was gone!
Anyway, his nerves already felt, at least a little better?
So, it's not like that mattered. He was supposed to stay away, and give her space anyway.
"Here goes nothing!"
He went towards the steps, arms hanging around his sides, and immediately felt the judging glazes.
"It's him?" Some students from the group muttered.
"That's the number 1 of the entrance exam?" Another one, which Ben guessed to be from general studies.
"What's that thing on his wrist?.. It looks so sleek."
Okay, he *knew* that comment was from a Support Course studen—
"Yeah, but he himself is so plain, isn't he?"
Ben turned his head. Who the f…
"Yeah, barely any advertising potential."
There was a kid with glasses and black hair, huddled in a group with his other two classmates.
"But who knows?" The third one actually defended. "His attitude could bring some eyes."
He cracked his knuckles again as he walked up.
"Nervous?" Midnight greeted him, putting on a sincere smile.
"Nope." He replied, grabbing and fixing the microphone to be at his level on the stand. "Buuuuut, I could definitely use a commercial break?"
"Not until half-time unfortunately." Midnight pointed to him. "But, I do have some last minute advice."
Ben clicked his tongue. "Okay, I'll bite."
"Oh, please don't."
The transforming hero raised an eyebrow. "Wha—"
"Nothing. Anyway, don't think of this as public speaking." She brushed that aside. Rather, just say what you want to say."
She opened her arms to her sides. "Let go of your inhibitions."
Ben raised a finger, and just let it down. He grabbed the microphone. "Okay, I'll try that… I guess."
He took a deep breath, and looked once more at the audience, not to mention cameras, filming him from above, before closing his eyes.
Momo, alongside her classmates, watched on from the stances. She was anxious to hear what he would say, but there was also this unease creeping up.
She didn't know how to quite explain it either, this was new and peculiar.
After all… it wasn't like she was the one up on the stage.
"What's he waiting for?.." Tetsutetsu from Class 1-B impatiently said.
"The peer pressure!" Monoma silently screeched. "All that fame was too much, wasn't–!"
With a chop to his neck, she then no longer heard him.
Tennyson opened his eyes and looked up to the stances.
"I pledge for you to not be afraid."
The silence he was met with in response was palpable. The audience was still looking at him, confused, and the students were no different.
Tennyson continued.
"On my way here I heard your concerns." He spoke, steeling his tone. "And I'm sure you're in the stands now. Civilians, reporters and even a couple of what we aspire to be the most, pro-heroes."
He extended his arm." I heard your voices, criticizing the school for holding the festival at a time like this. And I have one thing to say…"
His eyes were traveling across the stances. There was grumbling, and they were criticizing him as well.
"Trust in us!" He raised his tone, and gestured to the entirety of the student body behind him.
"I haven't gotten the chance to meet even half of the people here, but the ones I did showed it to me!"
He looked down, and Momo felt those green eyes glance at her.
"The ones who get in here are powerful." He looked into her onyx-eyes, before turning back to the audience. "They are capable, strong-willed, talented people. I am honored to be among them."
He clenched his fist, as his heart raced. "They're here because they have the heart and strength to never waver when hard times come around!"
His tone steadied.
"It's no wonder to me that villains lost to us three weeks ago!" Ben continued to declare. "And it will be no wonder when we scare all who reside in the shadows! Right back to where they came from, TODAY!"
Ben raised his fist!
"Let's show them everyone!" He yelled into the mic. "Let's show them what kind of future heroes will protect these parts in 2 years time, IN THIS FESTIVAL!"
He brought his fist down and with the Omnitrix shining in the sunlight!
"It's Hero Time!"
A wave of cheer rose up in response.
People liked it. That was honestly the best way to put the experience.
The audience were pumping their fists, absorbed by the soul of the competition. And the students, they were looking at one another, arms crossed, amazed towards the opinion he voiced.
Ben put the microphone down.
"You had all that in your think tank? Midnight remarked.
"Yeah…" Ben was even a little out of breath, as the wave of adrenaline was just now settling down. "Guess I was just itching that badly to get it all out."
"Oh trust me." Midnight licked her lips. "I know what that feels like."
Tennyson just took the chance to not question it, and left.
"What a speech by young Tennyson!" Present Mic said, whereas Eraser Head scoffed.
"It was satisfactory."
Present Mic put a hand over his microphone. "Come on Eraser, I know but you gotta support the kid–"
"Your mic is still on."
Ben laughed, shaking his head, as he walked down the stairs.
His classmates gave him a thumbs up.
"Way to spin our collective trauma as something encouraging…" Jiro said, and he couldn't help but shrug.
"I said I would pull something. And when I looked down…" He said, reluctantly looking away. "...the only thing I could think about was how strong you all were, surviving something like that from the first week, sticking by the hero course. I…"
He crossed his arms. "I felt lucky… to be a part of it—"
"Awwwwwwwwww!" Ashido immediately overtook him. "Group hug!"
She hugged Ben first… but no one joined in.
Ashido, noticing that, lifted her head. "Group hug?"
The class all collectively started to laugh… except for the broody ones.
Ben then searched for the black haired classmate, and found her a little behind the crowd of her class.
She seemed happy, dedicated, and even a little nervous.
He sent a reassuring nod in response, and Yaoyorozu… looked all the more empowered.
"Now, let's get started right away!" Midnight grabbed the mic, and cracked her whip towards the holographic big screen.
"U.A. is really not fond of wasting time…"
"The first game is what you'd call a qualifier!" Midnight yelled out. "Many of you will drink your tears here, as less than one fifth will get to move on!"
The games started scrolling rapidly.
Midoriya had clenched his hands… and even his own heartbeat sped up. Yaoyorozu in the meantime, held a hand under her chin.
"Now, here is the first fateful game!"
The scrolling stopped—
Obstacle Course
The screen, without giving them a chance to think, changed. "All students of 11 classes will take part in this treacherous contest, as they run the track of four kilometers on the outside of the stadium."
Midnight cracked the whip again… and licked her lips. "I don't want to constrain anyone, at least in this contest."
Tennyson's head had paused once more to process that.
"As long as you don't leave the course, anything goes! Take your place, contestants!"
Midnight raised her arm, and gestured to the area in front of a giant red gate that had a narrow passageway and three green lights in front of it.
Momo instantly chose to take a page out of Mr. Aizawa's book, and secured her spot to be closer to the front.
She could see the light at the end of the narrow and dark passageway just beyond the gate. This would immediately be a contest of speed…
An area she trained herself well in—
"Hmph…" Bakugo, with his hands in his pockets, in a rather frustrated manner got next to her.
Momo didn't want to say a word. Her classmate seemed naturally frustrated, but…
"Good luck?"
She wanted to be fair here, and spread the positive energy–
The ash-blonde however scowled in response.
"Like I'd need it."
His response was cold cut, so maybe it would be in everyone's favor if she kept her eyes to herself.
One of the lights turned off. Her eyes narrowed, and she rolled up her sleeves. It was time to put Master Hamato's training to the test.
Another one turned off.
Anxiety within the people around her spiked!
The last one turned off!
"START!" Midnight shouted!
Without hesitation, everyone, hero student, general studies, support, no matter! Everyone bolted to the front, to be number one!
"Okay, time for the play-by-play!" Present Mic got right into his radio star mood. "Ready for the commentary, Mummy Man?"
"How did I get talked into this…" Eraser head exhaustively looked up.
"So…" He asked. "Which part of the first stages do you think we should pay attention to the most?"
Eraser Head cynically looked down. "I think, right here would be good."
Through the cameras, both commentators could see the students, who had obliviously fell for the first trap already.
The narrow passageway had the whole lot of them pinned down!
"I KNEW IT!" Kirishima internally yelled out from among the crowd who were trampling over one another,
The redhead hardened his arms. If he could just–
Just then a green flash was heard, and an extremely cold breeze wrapped around his exposed ankles.
"The first sifting."
The cold roared like a storm, and overtook the whole space.
Present Mic was surprised as all the camera lenses had snowed over. He changed the screen to the outside.
The students who *were* at the front, now they were either slipping on the ice, or they had their ankles trapped!
"Ow! What the–?!"
"It froze over! I can't move!"
"So cold!"
"Sorry." Todoroki cut through the mist produced by the ice.
"OHHHHH!" Present Mic shouted. "Would you look at that?! Todoroki of Class 1-A launched a pre-emptive ice age!"
"He certainly got the jump on them." Eraser Head stated. "But…"
Almost instantly, Kirishima hardened his ankles, breaking through it, as explosions also thundered behind him and a pink fairy dust-like glow flickered into place.
In a dynamic exit, Bakugo, Yaoyorozu, and Kirishima all made it out of the icy cave!
Present Mic raised his voice even further. "The rest of 1-A is right behind him!"
"Naive, Todoroki!" Yaoyorozu leapt over the ice with one of her staffs, as Bakugo seethed, brushing past her with the explosions echoing as he flew.
"Bring your ass back here, YOU ICY-HOT BASTARD!"
That was not all either. Aoyama had also made it out, using his twinkling laser.
With her hoverboots, the girl from the support group also got in the top 10, and so did many others from the other hero class, 1-B.
Like one girl who had giant fists, and another with vine hair–
"C'mon Shinso!" The voice of the invisible girl came through. Her feet were stuck in some ice. "Pull!"
"I AM!" He pulled with his rather scrawny arms, before their hands slipped, letting him fall to the ground.
"Damn…" From the corner of his eye, he then saw some of the students he 'used his quirk on' from general studies. A cross shaped nerve appeared on his forehead.
"What the hell are you guys waiting for? A pretty please?" He stated towards them. "Help me get her out!"
Hagakure started laughing.
Ojiro and Ashido also followed out from the ice cave.
"You got us with that once Todoroki!" Ojiro said.
"Would be third for me!" Ashido pouted. "Even though the second one… wasn't actually him?"
The two shrugged. Honestly, what happened in the USJ was still a mystery.
Todoroki looked back over his shoulder. "More people managed to dodge that than I expected."
Tokoyami followed with Dark Shadow's arms, and then another student followed after him.
"So cold!" Jiro was rubbing her earphone jacks.
Even without her speakers, she could still break out by stabbing them in and sending the sound.
"Gonna have to hurry up though…" She thought to herself, as even the little perv was coming out from the icy cavern by bouncing on his sticky balls.
If she stuck around, other classes would take over her, but there was still something 'amiss' as Yaomomo would call it.
Where was—
Just then she heard it. Howling.
Leaping into the skies, a white, hulking wolf made its entrance!
With glowing green eyes, and outstretched claws, he posed before the sun, before landing on his hind legs, and shook all the snow off, letting his darker colors show.
"Blitzwolfer!"
He howled and the crowd was going crazy for it!..
However…
He then, awkwardly, pointed towards the front of the course. "It's… hero time."
"Classy." Jiro remarked.
"Thanks." Blizwolfer said. "What did you think I've been working on?"
"And there goes Tennyson with his showmanship!" Present Mic said.
"He picked Blitzwolfer as his form for this contest…" Eraser Head narrowed his eyes. "It's an interesting choice, considering the upcoming challenge—"
"Uh-uh!" Midnight cracked her whip from the arena. "No spoilers, Eraser Head!"
"Yeah!" Present Mic backed up. "After all, the first one is just around the corner!"
Blitzwolfer and Jiro started to run side by side.
"So…" She looked over to him. "Why this?"
Blitzwolfer raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, was Jetray on the fritz?"
"Oh!.. You mean, like that." Blitzwolfer said, before acting coy. "Just making the competition interesting."
"What happened to bringing your all?" Jiro asked.
"Don't worry, I will." Ben answered. "I'm just warming up, that's all."
"To which, I don't know if it will happen." He then raised an eyebrow. "You know? Since we have Todoroki around."
She put a hand on her face.
He laughed it off. "In any case, I'm not gonna break a promise to the audience, but there is still plenty of time."
"Yeah(!)" Jiro snorted. "10 minutes in cursive."
He laughed under his sleeve. "If only you knew..."
To think that most of the class still thought his powers were still restricted to that much time.
"Let me worry about that…" He could say, before seeing something green and mechanical, roll up from behind her.
"Look out!"
His jaw opened as he took out a robot from behind her, and one of her earphone jacks went to take out the robot from behind him!
The two were in a bit of a shock, as then more and more robots stood in front of them!
"Targets found: Lots!"
Jiro retracted the earphone jacks close to her. "The fake villains from the exam?"
She took note that the whole cast of front runners were here too. Todoroki, Bakugo, Yaomomo…
"OWWWW! Enemies have shown up out of nowhere?!" Present Mic commentated. "What will future heroes do against our ultimate test of strength and cunning… ROBO-INFERNO!"
She then felt the ground shaking in a very familiar manner. "Oh, great."
Like the robots weren't enough, ten zero-pointers rose from the ground!
The students who had never been in the exam were understandably horrified, and the ones that *were* there, just awed at the sight.
"So, this is what the other students had in the exam…" Todoroki said.
Yaoyorozu was surprised, but it quickly became apparent that it was for another reason.
She was very puzzled. "Where does the school even get the funding for these?"
Blitzwolfer looked at Jiro, who already seemed to be tired of looking at them.
"Roll over and die." His sensitive ears picked up from her.
"What?"
"That's what they expect, right?" Jiro explained her sarcastic remark, as she also eyed the waves of 1-pointers. "Because I'm not running, but against the big ones, that's probably what we'll do."
Blitzwolfer put a claw on his chin, and looked at the zero pointers.
"You know what…" An amused smile ran across his face. "You're half right."
His claw danced around the dial.
"Tell me if this feels familiar, Jiro!"
"What do you–"
As another green flash covered the two of them… another icy mist was kicking up.
"If they went through all this trouble…"
Todoroki, without a care in the world, stood in front of the group. Icy winds blasted from his right side, and his hand met the ground. "I'd wish it was on something more worthwhile."
His heterochromatic eyes looked up as the force which ice emerged ruffled his hair. Under his breath, he added: "Since that dear old dead-beat is watching."
He slid his hand just above the ground, with the ice crystalizing just behind it, only for Todoroki to then kick it up!
The zero-pointer that reached to attack him, then suddenly found itself trying to block the arctic updraft!
Instantly the outer metal chilled, before it creeped up the limb and covered the whole towering mech, freezing the circuits!
U.A.'s executor-class robot was suddenly a statue and it had been left… unsure.
Todoroki got up, and let out a chilling breeze out of his mouth, before running forward.
"Dude! He stopped the robot!" The general studies students yelled out. "Quick! Between its legs!"
Momo however, didn't move–!
She extended a staff from her palm. "No, wait!"
Her intervention stopped several students from going for the opening, as blocks of ice and snow fell from the robot's armor, and the structure came crumbling down like an avalanche.
"He froze them in an unstable formation." Her eyebrows knitted, as the students behind her were petrified.
"There you have Todoroki from Class 1-A!" Present Mic presented. "With one devastating display, he *already* pulls ahead of the competition!"
He slammed his hands to the control. "How elegant! Hey, maybe we should be watching him! It's almost unfair!"
Eraser Head, in the meantime, slowly leaned for his microphone. "His actions were logical and strategic—"
At that moment, just when all the screens were showing Todoroki, something akin to cannonfire echoed through the path!
Yet another zero-pointer had fallen on its back!
"Hey, hey, what's this now?!" Present Mic yelled out, which even got Todoroki's attention.
The fire and ice teen looked over from his shoulder as he ran and saw the orange and black comet coming down from the sky!
It uncurled mid-air!
"Expecting someone else?"
For the first time in forever, the fire and ice teen was showing emotion… and it was the most unexpected emotion too: Surprise.
"I'm not tired out of my mind now either!" Ben thought. "Get ready Todoroki!"
He raised his blunt and panda-like claw.
"I'll show you… what a war looks like!"
"OHHHHHHH!" Present Mic jumped out of his chair. "Class 1-A's Ben Tennyson took his place as the runner up! But he changed his form?! How's that possible?!"
The entire stadium cheered and leaned forward with the development!
"Was the number 1 always holding out on us Eraser?!"
"No." Aizawa shook his head and leaned towards the microphone. I've heard the ability to switch between his forms was a rather recent evolution to his quirk. However…"
His eyes through the slits of the bandage narrowed. "What's off to me is that he has chosen to use it on the first stage–"
"PERHAPS HE'S DRIVING HIMSELF FURTHER INTO A CORNER!"
Kaminari shrunk in his place. "Those guys are lucky. They have no problems like being crushe–!"
Almost like the world wanted to prove him wrong, three figures blitzed forward from right beside him!
Ojiro sprinted to the front of the crowd that had remained, and immediately hit the one pointer's head off!
Two of the robot's 'pals' tried attacking in response, but he was quicker.
He then jumped on its remains, spinned midair to keep his momentum, and landed a tail smack, connecting into two more of them!
A smile ran up his face, reminiscing about the exam. "Three points are in the bag."
From the side, there were two three-pointers taking careful aim, but just then, they got surprised by a hand with pads on all five fingers!
"Release!" Uraraka said, as she rapidly positioned the two to fire on each other!
Ojiro gave her a thumbs up.
But the zero-pointers were now joining in the fight!
"How are we supposed to fight those though!"
Ojiro got into his stance, for whatever that's worth!
The big mech reached down.
What to do?.. If she'd touched it, it would easily go over her limit, and she can't use her special move now–!
Right then, a spear stabbed into its neck.
Ojiro and Uraraka puzzledly looked around behind them.
"I should handle this." Yaoyorozu had taken the initiative. "Get clear."
"Yaomomo?!" Uraraka shouted, but she did not flinch.
Just like Todoroki and Tennyson, she wanted this to be her moment.
Momo jumped onto the robot's hand and started to run, full throttle. From her neck, a black cloak started to appear.
"?!" The robot's processor took notice."Target identified!"
She kept a watchful eye on its movement. "It will reach–!"
It reached with its other arm.
She unraveled the cloak, revealing smoke bombs between her fingers!
"Here!" A red mist overtook the robot's head. "This should scramble the sensors for thirty seconds or so…"
She put more force on her right leg.
And then at the left one.
Following that, she leaped. With a grappling hook from her arm, she swung right at the spear.
Her hands reached the solid steel, the robot was recovering–
Instantly Momo put her full power.
"HA!"
Just like Master Hamato showed, with one swift strike, she wedged in the spear even deeper, and then slit the Executor's neck wide open!
The robot tilted to its side, all functionality of its systems fading.
A smile fashioned her face as she got a look at the world from the… right place.
"Way to go Yaomomo!" Uraraka was cheering from the ground. "Nice one!"
Ojiro had a smile, giving her a thumbs up, as most other competitors watched her as well.
She felt the pride fill her heart. It wasn't proper to flaunt, however, perhaps it was appropriate in this one moment.
As the spear was put over her shoulder now, she… hesitantly raised her right arm, flexing it.
This is how you would show off a little, right?
Her eyes met with the rest of her student group from the Master's classes. She could feel an anxious blush come over her.
"Piece of cake!"
Uraraka mimicked her immediately, and that only excited her more!
This seemed right. The thought of it filled her head.
"I should be at this place… and move from here."
From above… From where Tennyson looked at the world all this time.