17 Chapter 17 - The Sports Festival

It had been a week since Aizawa had announced the Sports Festival. Previews and advertisements for the festival had exploded everywhere, reminding Izuku of what he had in store for him. In a way, Izuku found the anxiety he felt about the festival ironic. He had survived ten months Batman's training, grueling fights in The Underground, mirceless training at the hands of Aizawa, and even a villain attack. But the sports festival was a chance for him to really shine, and show those who doubted him that he truly deserved to be where he was. Not just that, but to prove it to himself as well.

He just hoped that his trump card would be enough. He had worked tirelessly in the Support Lab in an attempt to create his newest weapon. It was more powerful and dangerous than any other weapon in his arsenal, and required delicate precision. The festival was in two weeks, and if he stayed on task, it should be finished in time for the festival, but there wouldn't be much time for testing. He supposed that the Sports Festival itself would make for an adequate field test for the device.

If he didn't inadvertently kill anyone, that is.

He was going over their schematics when the bell sounded for the end of their study hall. Uraraka, Izuku and Iida were preparing to head to lunch when Uraraka stopped at the door abruptly.

It was as if the whole school was standing outside their classroom. They didn't say a word, simply staring at Class 1-A in hushed silence. "Uh," Said Uraraka nervously. "Why are you all standing outside our classroom?"

"Do you have some sort of business with our class?" Asked Iida.

"Why are you blocking our doorway?" Said Mineta indignantly. "I won't let you hold us hostage!"

Izuku scanned the class. Most of them had looks of fear and anxiety on their faces, as if they were staring into a cage filled with angry tigers. They were obviously here to size up their competition. They were the only class to survive a real villain attack after all. As Izkuk stepped forward, the students turned to him, whispering and murmuring.

"That's him! "

"The quirkless guy?"

"Didn't you hear? He's being sponsored by Batman."

" Batman?!"

"Is he the next Robin?"

"He doesn't look like much."

"Don't let that fool you, he's really strong."

"I wonder how many gadgets he has in his utility belt."

"All right, everyone!" Said Iida. "We all have places to be, please let us through!"

"So this is class 1-A?" Said a drawling voice from the crowd. A student stepped forward to the front of the horde. He had wavy purple hair that stood straight upward, his eyes had deep shadows under them, as if he hadn't slept in days. He strongly reminded Izuku of Aizawa. "I heard you guys were impressive," He continued. "But after looking at you I'm sad to find you're just a bunch of egomaniacs. I wanted to be in the hero course too, but like many others here I was forced to choose a different path. Such is life."

The student turned his gaze towards Izuku, looking him up and down. "The whole school is talking about you," he said. "How you somehow got into the course without a quirk. You even had a sponsorship from one of the biggest Pro Heroes in the world. It must be nice to have such connections to take you places."

"That's not fair," Said Uraraka angrily. "Izuku has proved himself time and again that he deserves to be here!"

"If you say so," said the student, shrugging. "But fancy gadgets and gizmos can only provide a showy front. Without them, are you really as strong as you think you are?" Izuku didn't answer, but didn't avert his gaze either. The student stared back at him, as if he wanted Izuku to answer him. Eventually, he turned back to the class. "I didn't cut it the first time around, but now I have another chance. If any of us do well in the sports festival the teachers can transfer us to the hero course, and they'll have to transfer people out to make room. I'm here to let you know that if you don't bring your very best, I'll steal your spot right from under you. Consider this a declaration of war."

Some of the students in class 1-A glanced about nervously. The student returned his glaring gaze to Izuku. He didn't feel threatened by this declaration of war. Instead, Izuku couldn't help but feel his interest piqued. This student exuded confidence and determination, more so than any of the other students before him. Izuku had no doubt that this student had a powerful quirk, and wondered what the reason could be he was not accepted into the hero program.

"Hey you!" Shouted another voice. Izuku and the others turned to see an animated student with a fierce look on his face running towards them. He had sharp teeth and wavy silver hair. His eyes were intense and sharp. "I'm from Class 1-B next door to you!" He said loudly. He spoke quickly and angrily, looking at Izuku as if he just stepped in his dinner. He continued on his tiriad about how class 1-A are arrogant and egotistical, but Izuku tuned him out. People seemed to really hate them, despite the fact they almost lost their lives barely a week ago. It was as if they were being blamed for being attacked by the villains. More than that, as the purple-haired student had demonstrated, people still couldn't fully believe in the possibility of a quirkless hero. Once again, Izuku's talents and abilities were being overshadowed by the fact that he didn't have a quirk. He had just about enough of it. He didn't care about sponsors, fame or notoriety. He had one goal for the Sports Festival, and only one: to show the world that the powerless can be powerful.

It was the morning of the festival. The stadium outside the school was packed to bursting with people. Pro Heroes from all over the country were there, reporters, local celebrities, vendors, fans and enthusiasts, all chomping at the bit for a taste of what awaited them within the stadium walls. The students of UA had trained tirelessly. This was the chance of a lifetime for them to showcase their skills: Pro Heroes in training hoping for an internship at an agency, Support students looking to showcase their creations for the various companies in attendance, general education students aiming for scholarships into the colleges of their choice. Even the business students were taking advantage of the situation by selling various UA merchandise and swag. This was the place where dreams came true.

Izuku and his classmates were all waiting in the Class 1-A waiting room. There they were able to change into their gym uniforms and prepare for the first events.

"Aw man," Said Aishido glumly. "I was really hoping I could wear my costume."

"At least everyone will be in uniforms," said Ojiro. "That will keep things fair, right?"

"What about you, Midoriya?" Asked Kirishima excitedly. "What kind of gadgets are you going to be using today?"

Izuku had thought long and hard about this. He had to fill out a form a couple of weeks ago detailing the support items he was going to be using. He had his secret weapon, but he didn't want to use it too early in the festival. He had been wrestling with the desire to keep his utility belt, but the words of that purple-haired student kept echoing in his head: fancy gadgets and gizmos can only provide a showy front. Without them, are you really as strong as you think you are? He was standing in front of his locker, holding his belt in his hand.

Uraraka came up beside him. "Are you O.K.?" She asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Said Izuku.

"You shouldn't let what that boy said rattle you," Uraraka said. "After everything you have done and been through with us, you deserve to be here just as much as the rest of us."

Izuku looked back at his utility belt. "But what if he's right?" He asked. "What if all I am is just a bunch of showy gadgets?"

"How is that any different from using a quirk?" Asked Shoji.

"What do you mean?"

"Each of us were gifted with different abilities," Shoji explained. "But most people tend to think that having a great quirk makes you unstoppable, but in reality, it often causes them to over-rely on their quirks. Eventually, that catches up to them." He walked over to Izuku, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "I have seen you in combat, Midoriya. You're abilities are not limited to what is in that belt. You have the innate ability to think on your feet, to strategize and to use your environment around you to your advantage, no matter the situation. These are the skills that are going to help you in this festival."

Izuku felt as if an immense weight was lifted off his shoulders. "Thank you, Shoji," said Izuku. Shoji nodded, and returned to his locker to finish preparing.

"I wonder what they have in store for us during the first round," said Sato nervously.

"No matter what they've prepared for us, we must persevere," said Tokoyami.

"All right, everyone!" Said Iida, coming through the door. "Get your game faces on, we're entering the arena soon!"

The students all began their preparations. Mineta stood next to Izuku, chanting "swallow your fear" to himself. Izuku had felt much more confident now after Shoji's words, and wrapped his utility belt around his waist. He was ready.

"Midoriya," came a voice from behind him. Izuku turned to see Todoroki approaching him.

"What's up, Todoroki?" Said Izuku.

Todoroki looked Izuku up and down. "I think that from an objective standpoint, it's fairly clear that I'm stronger than you," he said bluntly.

"Is that so?" Said Izuku.

"Last time we battled, you caught me off guard," Todoroki continued. "That won't happen again."

"I see," Izuku said.

"I have noticed that All Might has taken a strong interest in you," said Todoroki. "I won't pry as to what's going on between you two. Just know that I will beat you."

"What's with all these declarations of war?" Said Kaminari.

"Yeah, what's the big deal?" said Kirishima, placing his hand on Todoroki's shoulder. "Why are you picking a fight all of the sudden?"

"We're not here to be each other's friends," Said Todoroki, knocking Kirishima's hand away. "Don't forget, this isn't a team effort." He turned and began to walk away.

Izuku felt his anger boil deep inside him. "Nice monologue, Todoroki," said Izuku. "Now you listen to this: I don't know what you've got going through your head. And you're right, you do have more power than me. In fact, you probably have more potential than anyone in this room. But It wasn't luck or chance that I was able to beat you last time. You believed that your power made you unstoppable, and in your hubris I was able to exploit your weakness. I expect better from you, Todoroki. You better come at me with everything you've got, because I'm coming for you. And I won't hold back this time."

Todoroki stared back at Izuku, his face passive, but his eyes intense. "Fine," he said simply, and walked away.

Fireworks exploded above the stadium. The crowd of observers were cheering in exponential exuberance. The UA Sports Festival was about to begin.

"Welcome back to the UA Sports Festival!" Present Mic's voice blasted over the PA Systems, although it was debatable whether or not he really needed them. "Where up-and-coming heroes leave everything on the field as they fight for the chance to achieve worldwide fame and celebrity! This first group are no strangers to the spotlight, you know them for withstanding a villain attack -- the dazzling students lighting up your TVs with solid gold skills. The hero course students of Class 1-A!!"

Izuku and his classmates marched onto the field. He took a moment to gaze around him as he walked, taking in the sheer amount of people in the stands. He knew there would be a lot, but he was still taken aback at their numbers.

"I hope we are still able to give our best performances despite all these eyes watching us," said Iida. "I suppose it's just one of the aspects of being a hero we all have to get used to."

Present Mic continued to introduce the rest of the courses: Hero Course class 1-B; General Studies classes C, D, and E; Support classes F, G, and H; and Business classes I, J and K. They all approached the Introduction Podium where Midnight was waiting for them. A few of the students commented about her revealing apparel and whether or not it was appropriate for a school.

"Now, the introductory speech!" Shouted Midnight, cracking her nine-tails whip. "And for the student pledge, we have --" She turned and faced Izuku directly.

"Izuku Midoriya!!"

Izuku felt his stomach drop to his feet. They chose him to be their representative? Of all people, why him? Was this a publicity stunt because he was the first quirkless student to ever attend the UA hero course? He must have been frozen in contemplation for a while because he was nudged forward by Iida. His legs were shaking as he slowly approached the podium. He could hear the other students murmur and question among themselves as to the teacher's choice for their representative. The stadium went deathly quiet as he reached the microphone. Izuku could feel himself being crushed by the weight of every single eye on him.

Izuku cleared his throat. "Um," he said. He looked at his classmates, Uraraka and Iida were all giving him encouraging looks. He desperately racked his brain for anything to say. He was blowing it. He was-

Something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Up in the VIP box, behind Midnight, sat two familiar faces that Izuku recognized instantly: an elderly man in an expensive pinstripe suit and bow-tie, sporting a green foam finger and holding a sign that read "Izuku Midoriya: The Next #1", and next to him was a tall, handsome man with a gaunt expression that Izuku knew only too well.

Bruce and Alfred.

Izuku barely suppressed a laugh. He felt the anxiety drain away, a new confidence flowing through him. He wasn't sure if they would have made it, and they were even there with a few people that Izuku didn't recognize: A tall, younger man with long black hair and a charming smile, and a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair, both who were also cheering him on.

"Ahem," Midnight said, nodding towards the microphone. Izuku nodded, smiling.

"If you would have told me I would be where I'm standing now only a year ago," Izuku said. "I would have laughed in your face. The first quirkless student ever to be accepted into the Hero Course at UA. Someone I once looked up to, someone I admired as a hero, once told me that I couldn't be a hero without a quirk. But then someone else came along, someone who believed in me, who helped me get to where I am today, and told me something that has always encouraged me: 'You, Izuku Midoriya, will become a hero. That I promise.' So to anyone here who is like me, who is told by others that their dreams are unrealistic, you simply tell them --" Izuku raised his fist into the air.

"Go beyond. PLUS ULTRA!"

The crowd erupted in thundering applause. Izuku returned to his class, and he was besieged by cheers, pats on the back and shoulders, and even a hug from Uraraka.

"Without further ado," said Midnight, "It's time for us to get started!"