Chapter 25: Overcoming Obstacles
"What an explosive start, isn't it Mummy man?!" Present Mic's commentary came in with a bang!
Midoriya was quite frankly amazed by what he saw. "She defeated that zero pointer so easily."
Now, with a black cloak and spear in her hand, Yaoyorozu looked even more proficient.
"Not one, not two but three zero-pointers down and out one minute into the event!"
The Robo-Inferno, the first obstacle in a string of 3 in the Obstacle Course, was in full swing.
"Shoto Todoroki! Ben Tennyson! And now, Momo Yaoyorozu! Three Class 1-A students, all with an already set precedent!"
At the stands, there was a section dedicated to the teachers.
"Looks like all the pack leaders are mostly coming out of class 1-A." Snipe said from the seat at the right.
Starting from him, going to the left, there were Cementoss, Vlad King, Thirteen and lastly All Might also watching..
"It's not that Class 1-B and the rest are doing badly…" The number 1 hero spoke.
He had a more keen eye towards the students he gave combat training to.
"It's that Class 1-A don't idle around." Aizawa, even with the bandages covering most of his face, stated.
Iida launched forward, and landed a knee at the robots. Jiro, using both earphone jacks, deactivated two more.
Aizawa stood determined and observant. "Those who've experienced the real world lying in wait…"
Kaminari and Mineta even, dodged the attack of the robots and then countered with their quirks. Kirishima, just as he was keeping up with Tetsutetsu, knocked down two more robots who got in his way.
"Those who've dealt with the fear and pulled through…"
Midoriya, picking up one of the armor platings of the zero-pointer, sliced right on through another bot. After that, with one hand, he launched a dynamic Delaware Smash, and destroyed tens of them!
His finger managed to get out unharmed.
"...Those are the students who use experience to drown out all hesitation."
Yaoyorozu, from on top of the wreckage of the mech, threw more explosives towards the optics of another–
"MOVE IT PONYTAIL!"
Emerging from a ball of fire and smoke, Bakugo brushed past Yaoyorozu from on top of the robot wreck!
"Class 1-A's Bakugo!" Present Mic narrated. "He just takes the high road, with the bottom becoming a warzone! Clever!"
Chaining one sweat explosion to the other, dodging the attacks of other zero pointers, Bakugo managed to land on top of another one of them.
"Hey!" The ash-blonde then suddenly heard behind him.
Sero rolled up his tape back into his shoulder.
"I'll hitch my own ride as well." Tokoyami also rose, using Dark Shadow to get over the robot. "Land!" He commanded the beast.
But Bakugo gritted his teeth. These extras were just pretenders, imagining they could even catch up.
No, they weren't the real deal.
They weren't part of the bugs he was gonna squash today.
Todoroki looked over his shoulder.
There was some commotion at some of the sizable robots. One was Tennyson, and the other was still up on top of one of them.
He stomped his foot on the ground, turning the dirt ground under him into a frozen tundra.
"I meant it every word, when I said I want you at your best Tennyson…"
The ice reached Cannonbolt's path, and made him slip and uncurl.
"I know why I said it."
His eyes went to the stands. And who, or rather *what* he saw.
Even the light of *it's* flaming costume was enough to irk him. He crossed his eyebrows, and faced in front of him again.
The small flickers of pain, from an ice crystalizing, colder than ever before, felt like an itch in his hand.
"Then." An icy breath exited his mouth. Frost overtook his left side. "Let's see how capable that really means."
Almost like they were in sync, two students saw the challenge ahead of them.
"I have to try."
Yaoyorozu Momo, 1-A's second recommended student, narrowed her eyes.
Her eyes held a hopeful determination, letting the bright morning sun shine upon her, as she took the spear from out the wreckage and stabbed it to another robot.
"Because, that's what you would do."
Cannonbolt, Ben Tennyson himself though, saw the makeshift ice rink.
He was closing in on the leader, and as he did so, the transforming hero smiled.
"Bring it."
Ben 10: Hero Force
Chapter 25
Overcoming Obstacles
"GET BACK HERE!" Bakugo shouted.
The location of the current conflict was the dirt road after the first obstacle. Now, heading to the leader of the pack, Todoroki, Bakugo had managed to catch up with the current number 2, Mr. Ben Tennyson.
With the power of his quirk, catching up to the panda was easy, obviously. The two were getting to race side by side now, for the mere prize of second place.
"Hmph…" Bakugo rolled his eyes. As much as he hated to admit it, neither one of them were slowing down, and Tennyson was slowly putting some distance…
"...Then, what if I slowed him down for him?"
Bakugo launched himself extra high. The fire in his palm crackled like a firecracker. With a straight face, he outstretched his hands.
"Take! This! HA HA!"
With the tensing of his palms, the roly-poly was enveloped in light and smoke. The ice below them shattered, making way for the dirt, however the rat-bastard came out unscathed.
Tennyson then swerved right. "AVON calling!"
"Trying to throw me off?!"
Bakugo instinctively paused to avoid a crash, his feet connected with the dirt, the roly poly took advantage and grabbed the lead.
"That's what you get!" Tennyson's gruff tone came through. He sped up.
"What I get?! Hmph!"
Even louder, more ferocious explosions crackled as he took his second flight.
"Like you wouldn't try it!"
His speed had increased, so much so that the wind hitting his eyes, and messing with his hair was really hindering, not to mention the ache of his hands.
Bastard tried the swerving trick again, but it wouldn't work!
He took the thing further into the air instead! He spun over him in the air in response!
"DIE!"
As his momentum was kept, Bakugo then sent another explosion, way fiercer than last time, right on freak show's *path* rather than him.
It made the roly poly tumble and put them head to head again.
"Deku." He growled, maybe even deeper than usual. "You and your found pests…"
"I WON'T LET THEM PULL AHEAD!"
He took another leap forward, only to see Cannonbolt coming right at him from the left.
"HUH?!
He had to make an explosion forward, stopping and making him land.
Cannonbolt blitzed right in front of him. "SEE YA!"
And as he then bounced again, he overtook icy-hot too!
Bakugo didn't need to see his face to see how perplexed he looked.
Cannonbolt uncurled. "Easy."
"Hey, hey! The first barrier is easy, is it?!" Present Mic posed dramatically, one hand over his face and orange shades. "Then what about number 2?!"
He opened his arms as a chasm of platforms and ropes between said platforms revealed themselves.
"IF YOU FALL, YOU'RE OUT!" He yelled out. "IF YOU DON'T WANNA FALL, THEN YOU GOTTA CRAWL! IT'S THE FALL!"
The leading trio had just managed to arrive.
Todoroki, even though he had fallen to third place, slammed his foot to the ground, and his ice bolted forward ahead of him.
"I won't be a pushover either, Tennyso–"
"Get out of my way, freak show!" Bakugo's palms crackled, he was charging to send an explosion to the current leader!
"Bakugo–!" Todoroki was startled.
As his ice manifested into a wall, Cannonbolt dodged the explosion, and let Bakugo's attack make him a door out from Todoroki's makeshift obstacle.
"Guys, guys, there is no 'I' in teamwork!" Ben said. "And unfortunately, there is also no 'u' in 'first place'."
"AHHHHHHHH!" Bakugo shouted. "Dammit!"
"Of course…" Todoroki thought to himself.
Cannonbolt emerged from the hole of the frozen water wall, Bakugo was second and Todoroki emerged with his ice as third.
Cannonbolt wasn't really paying attention to the road ahead though.
"Let's stop here." He thought. Honestly, after all the trouble and 'challenge' these two gave him, he was feeling like gloating. "Present Mic's new obstacle might be just ahead too."
Bouncing in place, he jumped up and uncurled, landing backwards on the path, eyes… firmly placed on the current number 2 and 3.
"Face it you two." He told. "You might want me at my best…"
He crossed his arms.
"But you can't handle me at my best."
Both of the other leading figures paused as well. They should have kept going, but right now this contest felt more than a race, it felt like a battle!
"From what I've been taught…" Todoroki spoke. "Hubris is the thing many people manifest, before their downfall."
Bakugo's eyes were on Cannonbolt right at the start, however after icy-hot's words, an idea came to mind.
"Pssh!" Cannonbolt waved his arm. "Todoroki, seriously, with this armor, you ain't stoppin Cannonbooooooo-Woah!"
As he took one step forward to roll, he finally SAW that the ground was ceasing to continue!
He should have jumped. If he had continued rolling, and parkoured, this wouldn't have even been a problem right now!
Ben was on the edge though, not close to the ropes at all, and was about to lose his bala–!
"HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!"
Bakugo came behind him, and drop kicked him right off!
"Nice idea, icy-hot!" Bakugo said with a smirk, while Todoroki deadpanned.
"What idea?"
"OH, Looks like this was it for Ben Tennyson!" Present Mic yelled out. "After such a short showing too! I'm disappointed!"
Aizawa narrowed his eyes. "If so, indeed, this would be his most disappointing performance yet–"
"Also could we talk about how Bakugo got rid of him?!"
The pro-hero just threw his colleague's comment under the bus.
"Could that be considered heroic? Is that allowe–"
"It was rational." Now, Eraser Head brushed HIS comment off. "Midnight laid the rules, and this event is not about being heroic. Tennyson was the one who left himself open. Seeing as how he's a strong opponent, it would make sense to take the chance to take him out of the games early."
"Yes…" Present Mic pouted. "But I just lost my golden goose!" He crossed his arms. "NOW, who am I supposed to commentate?!"
"Whoever's at the lead of course!" Eraser Head retorted.
"HA HA HA!" Bakugo deliberately continued to fly, and stopped on top of one of those platforms to watch the class's "number 1's" literal downfall.
"Serves you right, small fry." He cracked his knuckles.
Now that bastard was out of the competition, time to face forward–
Icy-Hot, like the two hadn't stood side by side, hadn't waited a second, and got to doing the obstacle.
"No matter." Just when he was about to say something nice about that assist too. A demonic grin spread over his face, as well as his crimson red pupils.
Bakugo looked into his palms. He waved them in the air.
They felt hot, and extremely so. Gusts of wind that hit him were enough to send a shiver for a moment, as his body really had got to sweat.
"That freak show's head to head race worked in my favor."He thought. "I got to work up quite a sweat—"
From the corner of his ears, he picked up… extras.
Turning around, his eyes met some more extras, as well as Ponytail. Someone Icy-hot had challenge–
"Coming through!"
With one green hand shooting out from the depths, and sinking to stone, Bakugo looked down… only for Wildinve to emerge!
"OH, Tennyson seems to have not quite fallen!" Present Mic announced. "He's back in the race!"
"Okay." Bakugo sighed, putting one hand on the bridge of his nose, and smile fading. "First… WHAT?!"
Tennyson switched forms again?!
"Second." His fists clenched. " THE F–?!"
"Huh…" Eraser Head, rather deadpan, responded. "The instance I've heard, was him changing between forms *once* before returning to normal."
In his seat, still bandaged from the fight three weeks ago, the pro-hero was made to ruminate.
After the USJ, Tsukauchi *had* given them access to his students' statements, and he had made sure to read them thoroughly in the hospital, when he could open his eyes.
The screens were still on Wildvine carefreely swinging, getting on Bakugo's nerves by making thorns in his path, all with a smile on his face.
"Did his quirk evolve?" The homeroom teacher tossed out the thought. He leaned back on his seat, pondering.
The file that they got earlier was very clear, ten forms and ten minutes, that was it. This however, was unexpected.
There was no real anger in his tone either, perhaps a bit of frustration since Tennyson clearly knew this evolution based on how carefreely he was using it now. However, other than that, nothing–
Or wait, scratch that. There was *one person* that he let train with Tennyson personally, and he didn't even communicate to him about this.
"I better get a hold of him during the break." he thought. "Either him… or All Might."
Wildvine swung, as he then got hit in the back with an explosion!
"FALL!" Bakugo growled. As the root was swinging from one ledge over to the other, he continued to be in hot pursuit!
That attempt was so close. If he could maximize on the shock, he could still, PERSONALLY, take Tennyson out of the competition.
Whenever he would launch an arm upwards, stabbing into the stone, he would dash to scorch it, letting the bastard fall!
"You aren't making it past this obstacle, freak show!" He held up his arms. "Count on it!"
He launched a blast backwards, which also propelled him forward, but Tennyson just stretched out his body, and threaded the needle between his two palm blasts.
"And here I thought *I* didn't like my vegetables."
Reaching to his back, he threw a barrage of smoke bomb seed–!
Bakugo dashed past them without a care, and touched down on the cliffside, right where Wildvine's hand was embedded in stone.
Like firecrackers going off in his hand, he scorched the tether off, letting Wildvine fall.
"Ah!" Tennyson called out.
"Cheap tricks ain't gonna work!" He yelled down.
Bastard really thought he could switch up his bombs and expect him to not notice. What the hell did he think?!
Bakugo was catching up to the icy-hot ahead. He was the explosion expert–!
Now Tennyson's left hand shot out right on top of one of the pillars.
He probably waited to get low enough and intended for him to forget!
Bakugo changed direction, and almost like a cue was given, Tennyson's limb completely froze in ice!
His eye widened, and as he looked down, he saw that Wildvine didn't expect this either. Now… how could he resist launching another attack, when Tennyson was one arm down in a great chasm?
He launched himself to the frozen vine and did the exact same thing as before!
Tennyson got back to falling but…
"Good trick!" His voice still echoed.
With all roots outstretching, he stuck himself to the wall. Two new hands grew in their place.
"But not good enough."
Bakugo narrowed his eyes. What was he planning?
The flytrap around his head closed, and the root dug into the pillar!
Almost like an express elevator, Tennyson then rose from the top of one of the platforms.
"Yep." Ben even acted like it was an elevator, with hands growing out of the black stumps from earlier. "This is my stop."
He then looked down at the flying Bakugo down at the ravine. Yes, Wildvine was technically third right now, and he had conceded second to Bakugo, but that surprised expression was so worth it.
"What's wrong? Didn't know I had this TM 38, did you?"
Bakugo rolled his eyes. "It's 28. Idiot."
Wildvine paused. Was that so–
"AHHH!"
This plant form had no ears, or skin, but as soon as he heard that scream, he got goosebumps.
"I'm coming!"
There was only one person who could scream like that, or rather, one person who *he heard* scream like that.
"Yaoyorozu." As he swung and turned the corner, their view came before his one blue eye.
He saw numerous grappling hooks, and spears stuck to the platform sides. What she did was obvious. Yaomomo had tried to brute force it, alternating between swinging on the grappling hooks, and using spears as occasional stopping points.
…now, one of the ropes had slipped from its place, and… a collection of floating body parts had grabbed her from under her arms, and bit her shirt's collar.
"Come on, Yaoyorozu!" The mouthpiece said. "Recommended crew don't leave each other behind."
She was in shock though. Ben growed his hand, and then fluffed it out with leaves, and then shot it towards them!
"What?" Both girls seemed confused, but only the one in pieces could talk.
"Let me!" He told them, and both Yaomomo and the other one let themselves go, allowing themselves to be lifted up
"You two okay?" Wildvine asked.
"Yep!" The peppy moss-green haired girl answered as her pieces fit one another. "Thanks for the assist."
"Always." Wildvine nodded as he then turned to Yaomomo. She had no words, as he had saved her… again.
"Well. Pleasure helping you." He clapped his hands together, very much eager to get out right now. "But, you know, first place calls."
He shot his hand to another pillar, and quickly got back to swinging. That gesture had firmly put him in number 3, but something told him that he would get that back soon enough.
As this went on of course, not only were the students taken in, blinded to everything around them as they raced for glory, pride and extra clout over the industry, excitement also coursed through the spectators.
Gwen Tennyson had her video camera out, recording the whole thing, not just Ben. Mostly because, you know, he was Ben.
Her cousin had gone and found himself in trouble, and that wasn't any different. What WAS different was some of these other competitors.
She was also a Bellwood kid, just like Ben she hadn't gotten to see many competitions where quirks were widely used, so this was a prime opportunity to soak in the performance of Ben's peers.
"That guy in first place is way ahead…" She said from the stances, rather amazed as she watched on.
Among them, even though Yaoyorozu's show of force earlier was impressive and it made her glad that someone like her was privy to the alien secret, it was the one currently holding the lead that mostly had her attention.
The dual-haired teen extended his lead, using his ice quirk with extreme efficiency to slide on the ropes, freezing them as he got further in the obstacle while preventing others from using them as well.
On top of all that, he wasn't a showboat.
"His quirk is not only strong, but athletically and judgement-wise, he's a cut above the rest too." She thought outloud. "He's perhaps the toughest competition here."
"Well, naturally he is so."
She turned to the audience member next to him. A fair skinned guy with white hair, green eyes, and black circular glasses, all tied together with a rather steampunk get-up, consisting of a light blue shirt, gray vest, blue trench coat, black pants, boots and gloves… in the spring.
"The both famous and infamous flame hero, Endeavor, is his father after all." The man took off his spectacles and wiped them on his coat. "And if that guy's attitude in hero work is any indication, I suspect he would have the same seriousness in raising his legacy."
"Is that so?" She replied, and curiously leaned forward to the screens that showed him.
Yes, his eyes were perfect indications in how driven he is.
"Indeed." The man next to him nodded. "He is the hero just below All Might, and that's his blood. There should be wars on who gets him as a sidekick…"
Gwen heard the clinking of small intricate mechanisms as the coat shuffled, the more diplomatic and reserved tone as he spoke, almost like he was royalty, even though he also had this unruly air… and was that a plague mask he had?
"...or horror stories on how many hero agencies he's going to put out of business. One or the two, really." He said, watching the festival with great interest.
"One below All Might…" Gwen mimicked him. She put the video camera from earlier aside and leaned forward. "You better be careful Ben. There really might be some challenges for you here, after all."
"Almost." Speaking of which, both of Todoroki's feet then landed on the ground. He was done with the second obstacle as Bakugo and Tennyson were too into fighting to actually register that.
All that stood in front of him now was a staircase.
Running up the steps, he made sure to look around. Most students had just started, but the ones closest to him admittedly had some good ideas, with a vine haired girl letting her scalp carry her main body over, Tokoyami using his Dark Shadow to climb, and Iida using a similar tactic as him with only one engine.
"YEAH!" A glimmering enthusiasm rose behind everyone. "Come on, what are you standing around for!"
It was the pink haired student from the Support Course. As she sported the UA uniform just like everyone else though, hers had a couple of additions: Like the high tech boots that came up to her knees, all with propellers at their bottoms, a roll of cable on her back as well as an extra utility belt, all going with the initial red and gold steampunk goggles.
"Here is the chance…" She smiled eagerly. "The perfect obstacle to show off our ingenious ideas and creations to any company who might recruit us!"
She opened her arms. "I hope you employers are watching! FOR HERE COMES MEI HATSUME!"
A harpoon launched from the device on her waist!
"Come! Take a look, all you big companies! ESPECIALLY THE BIG ONES!"
His boots activated, making her hover right off, from the front of the obstacle!
She hit a button and the cord tied to the harpoon started to retract, making her go up and up from the side of the platform.
"MY SUPER COOL BABIES, INSPIRED OR NOT, ARE HERE TO MAKE A SPLASH!"
As she launched herself above, and towered on top of the world, the salmon-haired girl had opened her arms, letting the sun cover her body, as an overzealous laughter reverberated around. Green robotic dragonfly wings emerged from her backpack, and allowed her to glide gracefully through the stage.
"My older brother is probably watching this." Iida thought as he stood over yet another cable and the glare behind his glasses hardened.
He opened both of his arms to his sides!
"I can't let him see me look foolish!"
"BOY, DOES HE LOOK FOOLISH!" Present Mic remarked and inside Ingenium's condo, Kevin could only sit with a hand over his face.
"Maybe it's a good thing he isn't watching this."
"There is still a decent amount of distance." Todoroki thought.
He was past The Fall and had climbed up the stairs, now there was only a bit of dirt path in his way before he got to, probably the last obstacle.
"Depending on what it is, I should be fine." He said in his head. An icy mist crawled up his body, his quirk should be able to make short work of it, unless it was another obstacle akin to the last one.
"However–"
A twinge of pain ran behind his calf. Todoroki stopped, and looked at it. It was ice, leftover from the skating. He reached down and patted it down.
"I have been using my quirk more than I wanted."
"DAMN IT!" The ash-blonde's shouting also echoed like it came from a speaker.
And it sounded like that excessive usage wouldn't cease anytime soon.
He scoffed. "It might just get troublesome–"
…only for the path in front of him to change.
"And would you look at that, he's now at the final barrier!" Midnight spoke this time.
The camera bots looking over the stage panned to show the wide dirt track, with two posters of flaming skulls placed at the beginning and end of the stage.
"The one and simple reality here is that… it's a minefield!"
Todoroki narrowed his eyes. Some parts of the dirt seemed to be marked.
"You can see where the mines are if you look carefully, but will you have time to do that with all those people behind you?!"
Midnight cracked her whip. "Get those eyes and legs moving, hot-shot! There are no more obstacles after this!"
As soon as he heard that, Todoroki got to work.
Present Mic then whispered a secret to the audience.
"By the way, these landmines are for games, so they are all flash and no game." He then raised his voice back up. "But at this stage, who knows? It might even be enough to make you wet your pants!"
Eraser Head cut in. "That depends on the person, don't you think?"
Todoroki didn't completely ice the stage this time.
"I see…" He walked carefully. "This is an obstacle that puts those in the lead at a disadvantage. All about show business, aren't they–?!"
Unfortunately though, at that moment, the sounds of explosions got… too close.
"That's the *final* challenge?!" Bakugo roared as he soared from outside the caverns of the Fall. "Lazy bastards in U.A. can't do anything–!"
"Woah woah woah!" Ben wrapped the vines all around him. "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME, YOU GIANT ROOT–!"
Ben just went ahead and wrapped another around his mouth, but…
"Root?" Wildvine tilted his head. Get a clue, dude. I'm a vine."
He then wrapped him like a present to a light pole.
"Maybe this explains it better?" He opened his arms to his sides.
Bakugo looked to be absolutely livid.
"In any case, I gotta jet and I know It's 7 months too early…" He shot his claw yet again, and started swinging along the lamp posts again. "But tell Santa I said hi!"
The transforming hero could hear some of his growling on the way out.
"Let's see…" He thought. "I'm doing well on time."
His singular eye went down on the dial.
"I should have two more switches." Ben then looked in front of him again and smirked.
This 'challenge' of a lifetime was kind of easy, wasn't it now?
"Guess it wasn't quite built for me." he shrugged, as with another leap, he landed on the ground.
"Let's see, it didn't take long for Present Mic to announce the minefield after Todoroki finished the fall, so that means its not far off…"
He tapped on his chin, and as soon as he turned to his left, his eye landed on exactly what he wanted.
"Bingo."
"Tennyson has also just arrived at the landmines!" Present Mic announced, and THAT had gotten Todoroki's attention.
He briefly turned to look, and saw a green flash go off!
"BRAINSTORM!"
The fire and ice teen knitted his eyebrows.
Brainstorm was swiftly on his way to catch up to the leader. Just according to plan!
"If you would be benevolent, I would be the one claiming the leading position!" He clasped his pincer.
Almost immediately Tennyson started making short work of the stage!
With his stick legs, he was really agile around the mines, and he was really precise in where to step. Almost like he could 'see' where each landmine would be.
"He was intelligent in the combat trial. Extremely so."Todoroki thought, as the reason for Tennyson's precision clicked. "Could he be calculating the position of every mine?"
Todoroki sent a wave of ice, but Tennyson protected himself in a bubble!
"Shell-fish on ice, Todoroki?" He clasped his outstretched claw. "Now that's cold."
The current leader erected a wall of ice!
There was still distance between them, so if the lightning couldn't get him, perhaps he could still finish this obstacle early enough to win. Midnight just said as so, there are no other obstacles after thi–!
"DON'T YOU *DARE* GO AHEAD OF ME!"
A thunderous explosion resonated across the tournament grounds!
"AND BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!" Present Mic couldn't help himself to laugh.
"Or in this case, the ash-blonde!" Midnight remarked from her podium. "Bakugo's blew off his restraints–
"And is beelining it straight to the leaders!" Present Mic completed her sentence.
She cracked her whip. "It's now become a three-way… battle for the top spot."
Eraser Head shook his head, trying to put his hands on his face, but not being able to because of the bandages. "I can't wait for this to be over."
An absolutely deranged Bakugo cut into them, completely bypassing the mines!
"ALL THIS SHIT DOESN'T EFFECT ME!"
*BOOM!*
He blew Tennyson away first.
"AND YOU!" He directed another hand. "DON'T DECLARE WAR TO THE WRONG PERSON, BASTARD!"
He tried to land another explosion, but the icy-hot bastard barely backstepped.
"AND NOW, WE GOT SOMEONE NEW IN THE LEAD!" Present Mic announced. "Rejoice mass media! It's the kind of final act development you like!"
The rest of the pack were also getting to the final stage!
Kirishima, Ojiro and Uraraka had already started, Iida was using his super speed but failing to do so, Tokoyami trying to feel out the position of the mines using Dark Shadow, everyone were trying their absolute best to get an edge on each other–
"However!" Present Mic cut back in. "It looks like Todoroki's not taking that loss well!"
Todoroki dodged another one of Bakugo's explosions, and the ash-blond pulled his arm away, barely saving himself from being ice-blonde!
"Even as they push and pull against each other, can the two at the top remain in the lead?! Without stepping on any landmines?!"
Their eyes were locked at each other, as various pink clouds of smoke rose from the beginning of the stage, as they were reaching the end!
Brainstorm pulled himself up from where he was knocked down.
"Perhaps, not the best strategy."
From the corner of the stage, he saw his two classmates ahead of him, competing for the spot of number 1.
"Ugh." He got up from his spot, a little surprised that no landmines were set off at his position. "In any case, I was hoping to keep quiet about this discovery until a more decorious time had arrived, however…"
His claw went to the dial, and Ben appeared in his place.
"But, they've been bringing their all." He pressed on the crowns of the watch again, and his alien holograms appeared again. "Todoroki asked for it, they all did, and I kinda implied it during my speech as well."
Ben took a deep breath. "Besides, what other chance will I get to use this power irresponsibly?"
He found his alien of choice and slammed it down!
Bakugo shot another explosion, right towards the current leader he was racing, icy-hot, but he blocked with a pillar in between them.
The two were continuing to run and fight at the same time.
Todoroki then launched a retort, with another ice wave, he pushed the small pillar onto Bakugo, trying to force him onto some mines.
"That won't work!" Bakugo sidestepped.
"Hmph…" Todoroki put his leg down again, ice tried to strike from below to cover him, but this time Bakugo jumped up.
His attempts to encase him weren't working. Bakugo was slippery–
"Tidal warning!"
Todoroki ducked down, and suddenly Bakugo was hit with a stream of water.
Emerging with his red and black armor, green eyes, and the Omnitrix dial shining proudly on his chest, Water Hazard had shown his face!
"WATER HAZARD!"
"So, you've changed again." Todoroki continued to hold his arms high defensively.
"Yep!" From under his visor, Ben smirked to himself. "Oh, if you could only see my reaction when I realized it though."
The words of Azmuth manifested in his head.
"Since you seem to have experience regarding quick changes between alien forms, I have also unlocked them. I have limited them to 4 at a time..."
"You skipped one detail, Azmuth." Ben thought. "If I transform back to human first, THEN THAT COUNTER RESETS!"
Even with the 20 minute deductions from his time, he should still at least have *a* quick change now!
To be honest, he hadn't been counting the minutes.
Bakugo angrily turned to Water Hazard. Tennyson just wouldn't get out of the way, would he!
He opened his palms. Whatever, he would just fly over–
However, not even one spark came out from his palms.
"What?"
He tried again, but again, nothing.
"Your power was nitroglycerin-based, right?" Water Hazard said, as a gun cocking sound came out as his portholes took aim. "Too bad water washes that out pretty well."
Bakugo gritted his teeth with unrelenting fury! How. HOW?! It wasn't supposed to go like this!
Water Hazard, cockily held up his hand.
"Game, set…" He snapped his fingers. "...match."
At that moment, it was a surprise for Ben to see Bakugo not pop a vein. In either case, Water Hazard and Todoroki were now at a stand-o–
*KABOOM!*
Without warning, a deafening explosion struck like lightning from the obstacle course!
All participants instinctively shielded themselves from the wind that it caused, making the smoke blew away, before the commentator's words did ring true, and it quickly died down—
"Was it an accident or did he do it on purpose?!" Present Mic then commented.
All, technically three, leading contestants, Todoroki, Tennyson and Bakugo, looked up at the sky and, cutting through the pink bright light show, saw a green piece of metal–
"Class 1-A's Midoriya is in hot pursuit!"
"WHAT?!" Among all the spectators, All Might became the one to jump out of his chair.
Todoroki's expression was one of astonishment, like someone who had just disturbed a hornet's nest and just saw the swarm come out!
Tennyson was no different. His visor lifted up, and he had put his arms to the side, just watching the development happen.
The wet Bakugo on the ground though was like a bull who had just seen red.
"*SUPER* EXPLOSIVE SPEED TURBO!" The pupil of the number 1 yelled out from inside, as he flew right over the pack leaders!
"NEVERMIND, HE TOOK THE LEAD!"
Midoriya could barely keep his eyes open. "I flew just like I wanted, but there was too much force! Not to mention–"
The ground was closing in fast.
"I didn't think about the landing at all!"
His balance was off too. As his angle changed, he was no longer on top of the armor, but rather, he was barely holding onto the cable!
"I'm losing speed!"
"DEKU!" From behind him, Kacchan growled.
He got to his feet, one hand on his face. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKIN, HUH–?!"
Suddenly Bakugo sensed the cold presence near his feet. Todoroki was pressing his right leg on the stage.
"This ice path will end up helping others, but there is no time to worry about them!"
He ran as more frost manifested and spread out from under his feet.
"Nice one Midoriya." Ben had his arms crossed.
Instead of Bakugo and Todoroki who were stressing about getting a move on, Ben stopped and… felt proud if anything. "Who'd think to see you in the big leagues?"
The eyes of the Orishan then went up.
"Tennyson…" Midoriya looked him dead in the eye, with determination never before seen. "I've set my pace… and I'm coming for you."
Ben recalled that from the quirk assessment, and laughed.
"Well." He jumped up, and used his water jets. "I should at least try this one first!"
"LOOK AT THAT PLOT TWIST!" Present Mic didn't care about what happened in the back though. He pulled the microphone even closer to him. "With that common enemy, all 3 leaders are gunning for Midoriya! The fight is not over yet!"
"Anything can happen." Eraser Head added.
Midoriya looked down, as he was on a head-first course to the dirt.
"They'll overtake me in a second."
He didn't think of his own survival though. Midoriya had just gritted his teeth, eyes were wide open, eyebrows crossed.
The greenette got to the level where he was almost face to face with them.
"No! Don't let go!"
His hand clenched on the wire.
"Damn it! Grab a hold of your chance to win… AND DON'T LET GO!"
He curled his legs, flipping and making himself face forward again with their weight, as his red boots then stepped on Todoroki and Water Hazard's shoulders!
"I WILL TELL THE WORLD THAT I. AM. HERE!"
The armor slammed onto the dirt, filled with landmines, and in a boost of pink light, dust and ash, Midoriya launched forward yet again!
"In a stunning move, Midoriya has blown past his classmates from 1-A!" Present Mic got back into commentary.
He had a bit of a rough landing, rolling around in the dirt, but still keeping his speed as he barely got back into running.
"Would you believe it! He's the first one to clear the final obstacle."
The entrance back into the stadium, where they started in the first place, was now just ahead. From out of the corner of his eye, he briefly looked back and saw the two coming out of the pink smoke as well, unfazed!
"Can't give Tennyson a chance!" Midoriya thought, and got into a stance.
Ben's eyebrows alarmedly raised. "Wait a sec!"
Midoriya leaned forward slightly, knees bent, and hands on his sides… both of them ready to launch one flick.
Ben's arms crossed mid-air, as he then looked at the dial. "Hope this works!"
Bakugo got back to… running?
Yep, for the first time in this stage, he was forced to work the legs!
The ash-blonde, as one eye kept watch on the landmines, the other kept watch on his soaked hands.
"Come on! COME ON!" The veins on the right hand he held up, as well as his face became extremely potent.
The blood had shot to his brain, his heart rate was through the roof… and as a result, smoke came off from his palms.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
With one more push, a small flicker went off–
Then a strong gust of wind went and extinguished it!
"SMASH!"
Like thunder, Deku turned himself into a green human bullet… as a red one followed and caught up after it!
"Eraser Head! Your class is amazing! What the hell have you been teaching them?!"
The homeroom teacher just calmly looked down at the feed from the cameras. "I didn't do anything."
He saw the three students, giving their all to finish first, only for his eyes to then catch a yellow blur immediately dashing through the minefield.
"They got each other fired up, on their own—"
"There you have it! Eraser Head is a terrible teacher!"
"Wait what?!" The co-commentator deadpanned, as Midoriya was close. He was inside the building and the light beyond the tunnel was right there.
As his heart pounded, the world felt like it was moving at a snail's pace.
The feeling of frost creeping up through the floor, as well as the irrational fear of Kacchan being behind him were right on his back, but he was relentless.
Even as his legs and fingers hurt, he persisted, kept moving forward with an undaunted spirit—
"Hey Midoriya."
The pupil of All Might turned to the right.
"The first one to make it back…!" Present Mic stood on the edge of his seat, as Jetray made his splash onto the tournament grounds.
It shocked him for a second, but with glee, the pro-hero picked up the microphone again as the red manta-ray soared into the skies in celebration!
"BEN TENNYSON IS OUR CHAMPION!"
Jetray landed and turned back into his human form, before just taking in the crowd.
They were not only in shock, but also exhilarated, thrilled…
The audience, or rather people… *this many* people were cheering, pumping their fists into the air, because of him.
Ben's chest swelled, as his friends then started coming in.
"And now, they're finishing one after the other!"
Midoriya came in second. The greenette was panting like there was no tomorrow.
"Need me to call Recovery Girl?" he quipped, as Midoriya looked up at him.
The greenette, a bit begrudgingly, and a little ecstatically, laughed. "Yeah… I think there is a hole in my lung…"
Ben grinned. "What? The runs at the beach weren't enough?"
"Oh no…" He shook his head. "They wouldn't compare."
The greenette sat down on the ground, and Tennyson did so with him.
"Look." Ben said. "About saving Jetray, and teasing you the victory, I—"
"No, I…" Midoriya cut in. "I'm glad."
He was still exhausted, but continued to talk. I was wondering why you weren't using him."
Ben felt surprised.
"Considering his flight and speed, you'd be done in a second." The greenette said, to which he looked away.
"Yeah." he replied.
But Midoriya spoke up again. "I'm glad that you used him, Tennyson."
The pupil of All Might got back up. He looked into his palm, determined.
"That just means that… there is no such thing as a lucky punch." He said. "I will just have to try even harder."
Ben crossed his arms. Glad that his friend took defeat in a good stride.
Todoroki then arrived in third place. He also seemed out of breath and sweating, but his right side quickly compensated for that.
"Tennyson and Midoriya. Their speed at the end of this stage was…" He clenched his right fist, as his eyes stuck to observe them. "…unrivaled."
His challenge to them, at the start of everything, felt justified.
Bakugo. was. mad.
"FUCKING…"
He was holding his forearm, really trying to hold back himself from screaming, and pinning all three of those punks into the ground, telling them what for.
"DEKU."
Not only did icy-hot bastard, the freak show, and–
He looked around. As he arrived with his wet getup, there were already more people there. All people who used their 'extra' quirks to arrive, and to pass him, but Deku too?!
"NOT AGAIN…"
His fists clenched, even harder than that green haired bastard. This… this wasn't going to stand. Come the next game and HE…
HE WOULD CRUSH THEM ALL!
Bakugo responded to his disappointing score with fury, and little did he know, there was another who felt the exact same way.
Yaoyorozu sat on the ground, far from any of the groups, and lamented.
Her reception was one of self… and solemn judgment. Refusing the anger to take over, she turned her gaze towards her own feet.
"I was too arrogant."
"Deku!"
Midoriya and Tennyson had their arms crossed, talking and laughing about the first event, as both then saw the exhausted Uraraka coming at them.
"You were amazing! First place was so close too!" She said, "It must be frustrating."
Midoriya went red. "Y-yeah!"
Ben put a hand behind his neck, looking away, before Uraraka turned to him. She was about to berate him for Jetray too, wasn't s—
"And then *you* got first place, Tennyson." Uraraka pouted. "But how come you didn't tell us that you could quick-switch?! That's so unfair!"
"I know." Ben sheepishly said.
"How did you figure out how to keep changing like that?"
Ben made a shh sign. "Trade secret."
Present Mic took the word back. "We'll make a list of the results later, but for now, good work!"
"These brats…"
As the match went on though, not all spectators were of the friendly and sport-enthusiast variety.
In a relatively ordinary teenager room, with some trash from the groceries still on the floor, shelves filled up with video game character figures, and a two big monitor set up on top of his desk, Shigaraki was watching on.
He itched the sides of his face, as his bloodshot eyes focused on the screen that showed the students.
Tennyson, Midoriya, Todoroki…
"What do you want?!" He raised his tone, annoyedly.
"Our presence is requested at the bar." Kurogiri put his hand, on the shirt and green jacket that he wore,
"No." Shigaraki didn't even shake his head. He put his hands together, and put his chin on top of them. "I want to watch!"
"The master is having it recorded." Kurogiri said. "However, for now, we've both been summoned, possibly for a mission."
Shigaraki continued to scoff—
"Master also said that there might be some enjoyment to be had… for you."
Shigaraki's eyes widened, before a sinister grin manifested behind that severed hand.
"Fine!" Shigaraki kicked back, and got out of his chair.
He stretched his wrist.
"I don't mind a new game to play."
"The first game of the first year stage is finally over!" Then Midnight posed from her podium. "Now let's see the results!"
One after the other the holographic screen listed the results from top to bottom for the students to see, as the four big screens around the stadium did the same thing.
1st: Ben Tennyson
2nd: Izuku Midoriya
3rd: Shoto Todoroki
4th: Tenya Iida
5th: Juzo Honenuki
6th: Fumikage Tokoyami
7th: Ibara Shiozaki
8th: Setsuna Tokage
9th: Katsuki Bakugo
10th: Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
11th: Eijiro Kirishima
12th: Mashirao Ojiro
13th: Momo Yaoyorozu
14th: Ochako Uraraka
15th: Itsuka Kendo
16th: Pony Tsunotori
17th: Hanta Sero
18th: Tsuyu Asui
19th: Reiko Yanagi
20th: Mina Ashido
21st: Awase Yousetsu
22nd: Manga Fukidashi
23rd: Nirengeki Shoda
24th: Kyoka Jiro
25th: Hiryu Kin
26th: Mei Hatsume
27th: Denki Kaminari
28th: Toru Hagakure
29th: Hitoshi Shinso
30th: Koji Koda
31st: Mezo Shoji
32nd: Jurota Shishida
33rd: Rikido Sato
34th: Kinoko Komori
35th: Kosei Tsuburaba
36th: Neito Monoma
37th: Togaru Kamakiri
38th: Sen Kaibara
39th: Shihai Kuroiro
40th: Yui Kodai
41th: Kojiro Bondo
42th: Yuga Aoyama
Midnight announces: "This is the top 42 who have made it to the next round!"
13th
That line had dropped into her stomach. She opened her mouth, but no words flowed. Momo's black eyes gazed down on the ground–
9TH?!
Bakugo also had the same description of events, but with a much different attitude.
His red eyes were now bloodshot.
This… words couldn't begin to describe it beyond UNACCEPTABLE.
From the corner of her eye, Jiro saw Kaminari, with his hand out, counting.
"What are you doing?"
"Counting how many of us made it in." The electric user shrugged. "Is it just me or only 19 of us are here?"
Jiro shook her head, why was he being ridiculous.
Her earphone jacks levitated as she counted like him, starting from their top ranking friends.
Tennyson was 1, Todoroki made 2, Midoriya took 3, Iida was 4…
Yeah, there were nineteen. Who was–
With everyone getting to soak in their results, Midnight spoke up from the podium. "Now that we're waited, has anyone been left on the stage?"
The screen behind her changes, and they are treated to a small collective of general studies students, as well as support course students, and–
"Help?" The screen cut to a light pole just past The Fall. There was someone whimpering inside. "Somebody?"
"Hold up. I'd know that voice anywhere." Kaminari cut in with a perplexed expression.
And it was the same for Jiro.
"That's the little perv?" Jiro asked, and from the size of the cocoon and the screeching, it was surely him.
"It's unfortunate if you couldn't get to show off like some stars!"
Todoroki looked away with one hand in his pocket, as Ben took in the attention and flexed his arms.
Yaomomo also, with eyes still on the ground, and one hand on her elbow, took a step further back–
"But don't worry!" Midnight cut back in. She licked her lips. "We've prepared even more events. Such as!"
She cracked her whip, and the screen changed once again to the scroller for the next game.
"Now then, let's see what we have in store for you next. Will your wildest fantasies come to life? Or will it be absolute torture?"
She waved her hand. "Prepare yourselves, for this!"
Cavalry Battle
Momo's eyes widened, possibilities flowing into her mind.
Kaminari sweatdropped. "A team game? Ah, that sucks, I'm bad at those…"
"I just wonder how it will work." Asui said, with a finger under her chin.
"Let me explain then!" Midnight put her hands on her hip and turned towards the screen. "The participants will form teams of two to four as they see fit, and pretty much it is similar to a playground game… with one caveat."
She turned to the student body.
"Each player has been assigned a point value, based on their performance in the first challenge."
"A point based system?" Sato said. "Well, that makes things easier."
Uraraka put her fist on her palm. "And so, each team will have a different point value based on the students that make up the team."
"Aha…" Ashido pointed to her– only to get a whip crack from Midnight!
"DO YOU MIND?!"
The students stopped discussing.
The screen changed back to showcasing their rankings, but now there were their points listed next to them.
As soon as Ben saw his points… he sweatdropped.
Midnight continued with her explanation. "The point assignments go by the increments of 5, with the last space being 5 points, 41st being 10 and so on…"
Yaoyorozu pouted at the 150 points that she was worth. It… was so little, in comparison to everyone else.
Todoroki had earned himself two hundred, and Midoriya… could secure even more, at 205, and then Tennyson–
She put a hand over her mouth. The value was enough to dazzle her. "Oh my–"
"But for number 1, their score will be TEN MILLION!"
A very potent silence went through, not just the competitors, but the audience as well.
"REALLY NOW?" Bakugo became the first to react, turning towards the transforming hero.
The gears in Yaomomo's head turned in an instant, and her head rose. "Which means if Tennyson's team were to be defeated…"
The deflated rich girl disassembled her hands, an onyx fire lit under her pupils.
"...their adversary would be guaranteed to become first."
Tennyson looked all around him, but there was no hope. All around him were feral expressions, looking to get their clutches on him as soon as the game began.
"That's right. It's survival of the fittest!" She cracked her whip. "A chance for those at the bottom to overthrow the king!"
Maybe it was Midnight's presentation having an effect, but he could feel himself getting smaller, as the students with bright red eyes like that of the robots, towered around him.
"So this is what it's like to be number 1?"
The only thing illuminating the area besides that was his watch.
However…
He met the gazes of his talented friends. "I like that."
"Time for some ground rules!" Midnight cracked her whip on the podium.
The screen behind her changed to one of Thirteen, Present Mic and Snipe, playing the game, carrying All Might by assembling their hands so that he can step on them, and use their shoulders to make for a place for him to sit.
"In a moment you will have 15 minutes to make teams of 2 to 4 among yourselves, to survive on the field against one another on the field for another 15 minutes."
"Like the competitors have stated…" She sent a glare towards Uraraka and Ashido as she said this. "Each team is worth the total of its members' points. And that value will be worn around the rider's head via a headband."
She crossed her arms. "The goal is to swipe as many headbands from the opposing teams and keep as many of those points until the time runs out. Teams with the 4 highest scores will then get to move onto the final challenge."
A picture of All Might struggling with 8 different headbands on top of the one he's already wearing is shown.
"The stolen headbands must be worn from the neck up." Midnight said. "So, the more you collect, remember that it will be harder to manage. However…"
She looked at the students intently.
"The most important aspect is that if you lose your headband, or get knocked over as a team… you won't be out."
The 18+ hero grinned.
"We're here to have fun after all." She winked. "You can keep playing until time is up! And recover some headbands while you're at it!"
Tokoyami crossed her arms. "It will be anyone's game."
"Yeah." Sato said. "With 10 to 12 teams all running around headless chickens too. It's gonna be chaos."
Aoyama despaired. "Sounds hard…"
Midnight cut back in. "During the game, it will be a cruel fight where you can use your quirks to your heart's content, but there are still rules. Make a team fall on purpose, and I'll slap you with a red card. You'll be removed immediately!"
Bakugo clicked his teeth, looking away.
"Now, your first 15 minutes start now! I'd recommend you get started!"
"I'm just about done here." Ingenium stopped, as he skidded towards a near full parking lot.
The pro-hero, like he said before, was hard at work, only able to catch glimpses of the festival on display televisions.
Apologies to his brother but… Enigma'sreport had returned true. The maniac was out in the streets right now.
"West sector secure." Ingenium put one hand on his helmet. "How is the North and South?"
"Quiet." Enigma called in.
"Boring." Onemu Shinya dismissively added, right before Bigshot checked in.
"All quiet on the western front, boss man."
Ingenium would have smirked, hearing all his pals, but the situation was serious.
"Alright. Check in with the others and then circle back around to the east. We will continue the radial sweep there. Once you arrive, wait for everyone to do so as well, do not rush ahead.
Acknowledgement from all teammates poured in, as his engines roared, and the pro hero made for the roads.
"Best Jeanist's city perimeter guys didn't report an irregularity, and the subways are being monitored, thanks to Fat Gum and his crew." Ingenium thought outloud. "He either escaped…
He sped through the streets, checking every single one, trying to hold in that anticipation.
"...or we have him boxed in."
At every turn, he expected a knife to be thrown, or a sword to be sliced close to his face. Ingenium felt that his nerves were shot.
He teadied himself, and took a deep breath.
"Either way, I hope my sidekicks don't get to find him." he thought. "This one might just be above their paygrade."
*CRACK!*
Kevin, still back at the condo, looked back from the couch.
"Now, what's this about…"
He got up from his seat, and walked towards the end table in the corner of the room. One of the picture frames on it had fallen.
"Huh, what do we have here?" Kevin picked it up, and flipped it over. It was a picture of the blue blazes, with the little brother by his side from a couple of years ago, at Mount Fuji.
The crack had come from the top left, cutting across Ingenium's face… and stopping at his little brother's chest.
"Oh, I see what's happening here." Kevin deadpanned.
He put the picture back in its place, and crossed his arms. "Sorry universe, but if you think I'm gonna fall for that million-year-old trick is going to–"
*CRACK!*
Kevin's eyes turned to the ground. Yet another picture that had fallen.
Without realizing it, he had put his hand on the end table, and had leaned on it.
"Hmph..." He grunted and picked up the picture.
It was from one of Iida's family reunions. All around a table, there was Ingenium, his family, and his extended family, all with two uncles, aunts, with a girl cousin at each side, along with grandparents.
The crack was from the bottom left this time. It had cut through Ingenium's legs, and then stopped at the little brothers–
"Oh, fine!" He brushed his hands across his face, and rubbed his eyes. "You win."
The ex-con grabbed his car keys from the bowl, and after a second of hesitance, the charm that Gwen left him as well.
"Let's hope I'm not right for a change…"