Chapter 17- Second Round: Flags Up! Time for Battle!
"What took you slugs so long?" A smug looking Buttercup was standing next to her unamused looking sisters.
"You try evading hordes of competitive students, while they are doing freaky stuff to slow you down. Then we can talk." Bubbles replied, defensive at the moment.
"Oh please, it couldn't be that bad." Rolling her eyes at her explanation.
"Oh, just because you won the race. Suddenly we are all high and mighty, huh?" Blossom cocked an eyebrow at the raven haired girl.
"Jealousy is not a good look on you, sis." Shrugging off her sister's glare. A small argument broke out, 2 against one, siting about one particular girl's ego.
Izuku was busy staring at the girl who bested him on the race. He so wanted to win the first event, but inside he knows that it's not over yet. 'Yeah. I came to win and prove myself.' He was brought out from his thoughts, when a familiar face came over.
"Deku!" Uraraka came over to him, panting and out of breath. "H-hey…I um…glad you got second position. It was awesome that you finally got a handle of your powers like that." Through the fatigue she felt, gave him a tired smile.
Izuku could not help but reciprocate. "Oh, thanks Uraraka." Rubbing the back of his head. "Honestly, I just wish I had put in more work and maybe I would have gotten first place." He said.
"Well Deku, its fine. All that matters is that we can face the next event together and gladly win." Her eyes shown a new rise of determination.
"Right."
Once the last of the students crossed the finish line of the Obstacle Race, it was revealed that only the top forty-two students would go on to the second round. Looking around at the ones that had made the cut revealed the General Studies guy with purple hair that had declared war on Class 1-A and the pinkette from the Support Course. To Bubbles delight, the girl who also made her own declaration of war was cut off as well.
Midnight came out to give their long awaited announcement.
"Now people! As we have come out of our first event of the festival, we're also coming across our first rankings. As you can see, there's a leader board of where you placed in terms of race's outcome! But if you can't seem to find your place on the board that means you have placed below 42nd place, and are now eliminated! Which means that you are prevented from moving on to the next event!"
"Now, let's discover the second round event!" Midnight cracked her whip as the wheel on the display began to spin rapidly. Everyone watched on as the wheel spun. The sudden stop revealed the event and everybody was quick to read it.
[Capture the Flag]
"Capture the Flag? I'm not so sure my Quirk is going to be good for this." Kaminari looked a little worried.
"Since it's not an individual event, how is it going to work?" Tsuyu questioned curiously, unknowingly voicing the thoughts of several others.
"Allow me to explain, it has quite the twist! Firstly, this next challenge involves teams and with the help of the screen above me, it will display and place each of you in to teams at random, which means, you won't get to choose who you will partner up with!" With that, the Teams were placed on the screen.
Everyone looked over the screen and some realized that certain members of each class were mixed together.
"Well this sucks." Buttercup deadpanned at seeing the list, no one she spoke to was on her team.
"Hmm, they might be doing this as a way for us to learn to work with heroes we might not know well in the future. Kero." Tsu deduced at that, making others understand now.
"Now! The game will take place in the forest, located on school grounds, but don't worry, it's not a big area, just enough to be covered by trees and greenery! There will be camera surveying from the skies, capturing all the action; displaying it on the screen for all the teachers and people to see! Each team will be making a sort of home base that will house your flags! Aim of the game is just the same as the standard match of Capture the Flag! The main difference being that based on the results of the first game, each person will be assigned a point value! Those points will be added together to determine the value of a Team's flag! And at the end of the competition, we are to have at least 6 teams, with 16 remaining contestants!"
"Wait. There are at least about 4 people in each team. And if you want 16 contestants from the 6 teams, how are we supposed to run down the numbers from 24 to 16?" Bubbles inquired, speaking out what everyone was thinking.
"Ah, that's the twist my dear! Out of the 11 teams on the board, I did say that we are to have 6 left with the most points and out of those, 16 contestants will go ahead! But, there will be further eliminations according to the position of the said teams!" Everyone gasped at that twist. "Basically, the top two teams with the highest points, will get to move on without losing an individual! The next two will lose at least one teammate and the last two teams will lose THREE!" Everyone gasped and worried about the whole situation.
"Wait, so how do the four last team's individual's get eliminated?!" Mina asks, worried.
"That's for us to decide and you all to keep an eye out!" Midnight remarks all slyly.
"What would happen if the team lost their flags, does it mean they're out automatically?" Tokoyami inquired.
"Not so my student! If you can accumulate enough points, even when you seem to have lost your flag! Then your good, as long as those points are enough to guarantee your spot in the next round!" Midnight answered.
"Oh I see. We are meant to accumulate enough points, just like we did in the entrance exam." Momo nodded.
"Yes, you're completely correct! The points assigned start at five for the student in forty-second place, and then go up by five from there. That means the forty-first place is ten points and fortieth place is fifteen points."
"That means that Buttercup has two hundred and ten points. Seeing as she placed first in the Obstacle race." Blossom deduced, standing next to her sisters.
"Not quite, Blossom! You see, there is one exception to this rule. The point value assigned to first place is...TEN MILLION!" Midnight gave them a sadistic smirk while pointing her whip at Buttercup.
The girls suddenly felt all eyes turn to Buttercup and focus intently. In their mind's eye everyone had turned into shadow-like silhouettes with bright red-eyes. Buttercup felt a momentary tinge of nervousness at being the target of literally everyone else in the Second Round. She never would've figured that there would be some kind of penalty for her success in the Obstacle Race. Guess her ego came back to bite her in the butt sooner than expected.
"That means as long as you have the ten million point flag, you automatically win." Someone said just loud enough for everyone to hear. Girls didn't recognize the male voice, so it must have been one of the members of Class B.
"That's right! It's survival of the fittest, where even those at the bottom can overthrow the ones at the top! Now, you have 15 minutes to find your teammates and make a plan! Before time is up, head on over to one of the hero teachers on either side of the exit, to show you where the field will be!" Midnight declared with a wide grin.
"Oh crap!" Buttercup muttered under her breath. As she turns to look at her sisters now, she sweat drops at their faces. Each one has an 'I am going to get you flag' face that makes Buttercup a little more nervous. She understood that this was a game and she can proudly say that she can be way too competitive, but she did not like the chances of everyone including her sisters gunning for her.
"All the best Buttercup." Blossom said with a cunning smirk.
"Yeah. This will be so much fun." That innocent tone of Bubbles, made her shiver a bit.
With that, the blue and pink girls left, leaving Buttercup to the mercy of her new teammates, who some did not look too pleased to be in her group,
"Right, so this is our team? Okay…we just need to-" She was cut off by Momo
"I think the best course of action, would be to create a fortified barrier around our flag. Insuring a proper defence, while we all provide an equal standard offence." Momo explained.
"Uh yeah…" Buttercup blinked in surprise. "Well, I say that we all-"
"I say we just get on the field and try to win. Honestly, I can't believe I am on a team with all you Class A losers." Juzo groaned the last part out, but it was abundantly clear that he was not happy being with any of them. While the other was hard to read but she could not help the single thought going through head at the moment.
'Yup. I'm doomed.'
Over to the other side of the stadium, Blossom could see the three people that would be on her team. The first two she recognized as Izuku and Uraraka and the last girl with pink hair must have been from the support class mentioned on the board.
She walked over, overhearing a conversation about…Babies?! That nearly makes her stumble at those words.
"Yes with my babies, we will surely win the whole round!" Pink haired girl said, while showing a chest of her inventions, Blossom took a sigh of relief, 'Oh, she meant her inventions, that's…good to hear.'
When Izuku comes down from his discussion session about the jetpack the girl had, looking similar to a certain hero. He spots Blossom coming their way. "Oh, hey Blossom!" He kindly waved over her.
Blossom gave a small smile, as she arrived. "So, this is our team, eh?" She politely asked, not wanting to sound disappointed.
"Yeah. It's not much, but I hope we can find a way to win this." Izuku nervously remarked.
Blossom nodded. "I see. Well, if this is the team, then we have to form a plan of acquiring points and defence." She commented. "First to start off, my powers as you heard from Present Mic, is called Chemical X, like my sister's quirks name."
"Oh yeah, your powers deals with more on psychokinetics right?" Izuku asked, for which I nodded, "Yes, more or less." Trying not to over share.
"Well, as you have seen, my quirk allows me to enhance my speed, so-" H was cut off by a confused Uraraka. "Wait Deku, I thought your quirk was a strength enhancement type, how come you were able to move so fast back there?" She questioned.
Izuku looked a bit flustered at the question. "Well you see…um, it also amplifies some of my other physical abilities and such." Giving the best answer he could. But Uraraka was not letting up. "I see, but what about-" She was then cut off by Blossom.
"The questions seem all fun and dandy, but can we go back to the task at hand and deal with this later." She said, not wanting to waste any more time and seeing as the boy was not feeling like explaining his quirk any further, which she could respect.
She looked a bit miffed, but went on. "Okay, right. Um, my quirk is called Zero Gravity and allows me to nullify gravity on anyone or anything I touch." Uraraka commented
"Quite interesting. My quirk's name is Zoom, it allows me to see things up to five kilometers away or teeny tiny things while I build my babies! Useful, right?" She grinned as she gave a brief rundown of her Quirk to her teammates.
Blossom thought that would be very useful in the plan she was coming up with. If they all play their parts right, they would surely win this round. "Okay, Hatsume, is it?" The girl eagerly nodded. "I want to know what sort of "babies" you have and whether or not some can help with the plan." That got the inventor to squeal and give a rundown on some of the support gears that she was able to bring in to the competition. On the other side of the competition, more plotting was being done to reach their goals.
"Okay everyone. This is our team and seeing the rules, we will have to get the top spot. That being said, we must obtain those million points at all means." Shoto said, determination in his voice. For which everyone agreed wholeheartedly.
"Beg my interruption Todoroki. But may I ask if you have a plan to obtain them? I hate to admit it but it might not be an easy feat to acquire said points, especially with her having it." Iida remarked, knowing full well who he is mentioning.
He nodded. "Yes I do. But it will need us to be very quick. That's where you come in Iida." He commented, for which the glasses wearing boy nodded.
"Alright everybody! We have a few minutes left! Please go over to the exits, and follow the assigned teacher to the fields! Now, let's get this game of Capture the Flag started!" Midnight announced. Everyone went their respected ways.
"Hey, hey, come on, wake up, Eraser! The second round is about to start!" Present Mic shook the dozing Aizawa awake. "It's now time for the Capture the Flag battle to begin! We have all of the teams displayed on the monitor!" He exclaimed to whip the crowd up.
"Hmmm... There are some interesting teams out there." Aizawa commented as he took a few seconds to look at the teams. Not much to go about, but he was sure it would be interesting.
"Now, raise those battle cries! It's time for the bloody battle!" Present Mic declared and the crowd roared in excitement.
"You're exaggerating. I doubt that there will be much bloodshed." Aizawa gave a side glance at his old friend. Mic ignored him entirely as he continued to fan the flames of the cheering crowd's excitement.
"ALL RIGHT! Every team is ready to begin! I'm not going to ask if you're ready or not!" Present Mic yelled loudly stirring up the audience as they eagerly anticipated the beginning of the Sports Festival's second round. "Now, let's go! The countdown to the brutal bloody showdown begins!"
"You're exaggerating again," Aizawa drawled as the countdown began.
"THREE!" Mic began the countdown.
"TWO!" Midnight called out.
"ONE!" The entire stadium roared!
"BEGIN!" Midnight yelled as she snapped her whip with a loud crack.
-UA Forest-
On the monitor, the camera's caught something big.
A massive wall of ice sprung up around Todoroki's team. The two-toned teen was apparently going on the defensive to protect his team's flag first. He'd effectively made an icy fortress right off the bat. But it does make it more clear to everyone on their location.
A bit further away and one could see Sero -a part of Team Bakugo- rapidly setting up a huge net of his tape around their flag. In short order the flag was behind layers and layers of the strong adhesive tape. Aside from trying to burn through it all, or slicing it if a person had a suitable Quirk, there wasn't much way to get to the flag now. There seems to also be mushrooms sprung out and covering their fortified base now
"Alright guys, you understand the plan right?" Blossom asked her teammates.
"Yeah!" They all said in unison.
"Okay, let's go." She said.
The plan was as so. Izuku and Uraraka, with the help of Uraraka's quirk, Mei's hover boots and jet pack, will take to the sky and try to locate and obtain as many flags as they can get. They will be aided by Mei's capture weapons to better immobilize any of the targets, while Mei will assist Blossom in defending against all the other at their designated spot. As the two left to accomplish their part of the mission, a certain sound was made.
"Look over there." The pink haired gestured. It seems an ice fortress erupted in a far enough distance. Blossom could only deduce it was Todoroki who made that as his base. She was certain that him and his team would rather ambush Buttercup then come after her team's flag.
'Probably for the best I didn't get those million points. Having a big target on your back is never good.'
"We have company on its way!" Just then she was brought back out of her thoughts by an alarmed Katsume.
With Mei's quirk, she could see quite a far distance, which was good for Blossom as it helped with her plan.
"Okay, where exactly?" Her question was answered when a sharp moving object landed a few inches before her foot.
"I would say, here already." Her nonchalant attitude made Blossom groan for a second before facing her opponents.
There was a boy a with a braided ponytail that she recognized from the obstacle race, his power seemed to be forming green scales on his arms and shooting them like bullets. And a girl with dark moss green hair. Blossom doesn't know her powers but nevertheless is still vigilante.
The boy transforms, covering both his arms with the green scales, aiming for the flag, he lets out a number of blasts. Before Blossom could think to redirect the shots, Mei threw a disc in the direction it was heading and within a second, a foamy mount appeared and took the force of the shot.
"One of my babies! A compact foam disc, used to absorb certain attacks, such as bullets and some blunt attacks!" The girl practically squealed as she gave a brief rundown of it. Blossom would have asked more questions if she wasn't dodging flying human parts left and right.
"Why you dodging? I just want to get close to you." The girl whined in a mocking tone. Blossom was not giving an inch with any of her parts. But a thought went through her head and took a moment to realize her flag was being whisked away by one of her floating appendage at a fast speed.
"Gotcha!" She smirked to herself.
Blossom was not having any of it. Raising a hand up, her pink aura covered the appendage before it could get back to her. The girl tried but it was basically a game of tag of war, where she was losing by a hand. Blossom was able to retract the team's flags, much to the other's dismay. But just then…
"Look out!" Mei cried out, as the boy she was versing with, went on to attack Blossom. But before he could do anything, she fully enveloped the other girl with her pink aura and launched her with enough force to slam the guy back on his butt.
"Mei, now!" Taking the opportunity, the pink haired girl with a wide smile, used her capture weapon, releasing a net that covered the fallen duo. Now bound and struggling to break free from the otherwise strong net.
"Yay! My babies will surely be noticed by now!" She exclaimed with joy at the prospects of her inventions being used and seen by the present support companies.
"Glad to hear it." Blossom said, happy for her. She hoped that the others were working well according to plan.
Sadly the air team consisting of Izuku and Uraraka were not faring well on their own. The plan was to be able to use the skies and snatch some flags from the other teams, but they only managed to not get attacked out of the sky by other people's quirks. Team Kendo had been an immense surprise for the Zero Gravity user and the green haired boy. Kendo's Quirk had almost smacked them out of the air. The silver-haired girl on another team, had launched a mass of pebbles from the arena floor at them like buckshot; Izuku could not help but ponder if her telekinesis strength would be a match for Blossom's. The worst part was that Kaminari was practically standing over the flag just waiting for anyone to find a way into the fortress. In an enclosed space like that, a single shot of Kaminari's Quirk would render any invader incapable of continuing the match.
Seeing that there was nothing to be done, "We'll have to get back, seems that we won't be able to get any flags before time is up." Ochako didn't want to throw in the towel so soon, but she had to admit that they weren't having much luck in the flag snatching department. Nevertheless they went back, but at the corner of Izuku's eye, he saw a dark moving rapidly through the trees. He had an idea who it could be but left it alone for later.
With Bubbles' team, they were having a battle with some of the other contestants who wanted to steal their flag. Bubbles was doing her best to keep up the force-field bubble she had on, but the attacks were still coming. Tetsutetsu and Jurota were busy handling the individual battle. Koda was taking to the trees like a monkey. He chose to handle his battle by evading it, as well as drawing out attention from Bubbles.
-Announcers Booth-
On the monitors, everyone was watching with how the students were performing well. Some of the Pro Heroes in the stadium were discussing about certain students who caught their individual eye.
"Did you see that kid?"
"Her quirk is very impressive."
"Wow! It seems that our first years are each trying to show their own in this battle! I can honestly say that some of them have caught our attention!" Mic announced, feeling thrilled about the whole event.
"Naturally in situations like these, a hero is expected to work another hero. Whether they know each other or not. This event is to teach the kids about teamwork and working together in unfavourable situations." Aizawa explained in a serious tone.
"Oh, you mean like what is happening in the team over there!" Mic said, gathering everyone's attention to a team facing their own situation.
"Give me that flag Kayama." Shooting a trail of ice spikes at the raven haired girl.
"Not happening candy cane." She declared with a blast of her plasma beams that broke the ice. Buttercup manage to dodge an explosive strike from behind, jumping a few feet away from the attacker. "THAT TEN MILLION POINT FLAG IS MINE!" Bakugo proclaimed loudly as he glared fiercely at Buttercup.
"In your dreams!" Sending another form of plasma blasts at the blonde hot head, who countered it with a strong explosive blast.
Buttercup took a moment to scan her environment, she saw that some of her teammates were holding their own, but not much. Momo and Juzo-as she has come to learn-are battling off Kirishima and Ibara. Tokoyami using Dark Shadow, guarding the reinforced structure housing the teams flag, was also trying to guard against Tenya and his speed.
Buttercup could remember that upon working with her team, she worried for nothing (almost nothing) about her teammates not working with her. Momo and Tokoyami were cool to work with, but the other had his reservations about her and quite honestly pissed her off. They spoke about their quirks and what they could. Buttercup wanted to come up with a plan of attack but Momo, came up with an interesting idea of fortifying the teams flags away. She went on to create the material, Buttercup used her strength and heat source to put all together in to a dome of some sort. Tokoyami volunteered to scout out the competition and tackle one or two things; which they all agreed.
"Don't get your feather butt captured!" Buttercup cried out to the disappearing bird teen.
It was not too long before some unexpected, expected company showed up and boy was Buttercup not in the mood for the couple of jerks she would have to deal with.
Bakugo launched for a full head on attack, for which Buttercup jumped out of the way and delivered stun blast that sent the blonde sprawling across the ground.
Her teammates were not having an easier time. Momo was too slow to create anything more offensive other than a bow-staff in the battle against Kirishima, she also had a shield but was easily getting totalled by the red heads hardened punches and kicks. Juzo was also having a hard time capturing Ibara in his quick sand trick, for she would use her vines to rise up and avoid his traps.
Buttercup looked around, 'Geez, these bozos are a real pain. I have to hurry this up before time runs out.' She readied in a fighting position, ready to for what's next.
Todoroki knew he was running out of time and needed to end this whole charade now. He looked over to Iida and Ibara, signalling them on what must come next. Tenya escaped from the battle with Tokoyami, much to his confusion.
"Forgive me, for the fate that will befall on you all." That was the only warning that she gave before her vines sprout out from the ground and bundled and restrained all the opposing teammates by surprise.
"What the fuck is going on?!" Bakugo thrashed and tried to break out.
"What the heck is going on?!" Buttercup shouted in surprise.
Todoroki who was now a good distance away, placed his right hand on to the ground, "Sorry, but this game is over." He sent out a stream of growing icicle shards in the direction of where her and her teammates were. Everyone were freaking out, not able to defend in their situation; momentarily to use any of their quirks. Buttercup for a second was wide-eyed but came out of her initial shock with anger. She tore through the vines with blazing strength and blitz towards the icicles; once in front, wound back a flaming fist and struck a punch that shattered the ice. As if time had slowed down, ice crystals were falling down as she gave a heated stare towards her opponent, who looked smug.
At which time she saw a glimpse of Iida speed through and take her flag that was broken out of the fortified cage. He ran off, leaving Buttercup outraged.
"What the hell?!" As if to add insult to injury, the timer for the game was over, concluding the match.
"Time's up!" Midnight's voice was heard over the speakers. "All teams bring your flags to me to be tallied!"
"See, I told you that the game was over." Turning around, leaving the beaten team behind him.
-Break room-
The competition came to a halt and every one of the first year students made it back to the stadium in one piece, albeit with some scrapes and bruises but all in all, fine to say the least. Midnight surprised everyone with the twist of elimination being amongst team members to decide.
Some of the students looked pleased what they had done, but others were salty at the outcome, knowing they would not place in the top teams. They were given time to rest and heal before the ceremonies would begin. That gave the girls ample time to re-group and talk about their experience, whether good or…not so good.
"I AM GOING TO FUCKING KILL THAT CANDY CANE BASTARD!" Buttercup yelled like a mad woman in the room that her and her sisters were currently residing in. They two heard about the fake out that Todoroki did and although Blossom could appreciate the tactic, the outcome could have been dire if Buttercup had not reacted in time. Yeah to say that she was upset would be an understatement. Her body emulated her green aura, barely able to hold her anger in check. Not a good sign.
Bubbles spoke up. "Buttercup, please relax. It was just a game and besides, you did all you could do." Trying to calm the fire that was inevitably trying to come out. The words fell on deaf ears as the raven haired girl's eyes were glowing bright and dangerous.
Blossom had enough and went over to cool off her sister. Taking a deep breathe, she trapped her sister in an ice block, but not more than a minute had passed before it the said girl shattered through it; steam coming out. "What's the big idea red?!" Buttercup exclaimed, still looked angry but not so much as before.
Blossom unfazed and spoke, "You've seemed to have calmed down now. Great. Now you can simmer your powers before you blow a gasket, i.e. THE WHOLE STADIUM!" She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as if to punctuate her point.
Buttercup wanted to tell off her sister/ "Team leader" but knew she made a point. Her anger simmered but still held her scowl and crossed her own arms in annoyance. "Yeah yeah, whatever." Averting her eyes to the side, making her annoyance clear.
If nothing else, that seemed to reassure the two sisters as well. She knew she was still angry but that was better than full blown furious.
"Now, use your words." She didn't mean to have a mocking tone, but wanted to lighten the mood.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine." She exhaled. "I am just mad at that smug guy beating me, that's all."
"Buttercup, we know you could have taken him, but we also understood that he tricked you with that stunt. You had to save your teammates." Bubbles said.
"Still bullshit." Buttercup muttered.
"Yes we understand, but what can we do. At least you had some points in the end." Blossom pointed out.
"Yeah, like how did you guys pull it off?" Bubbles asked, awfully curious as well.
"Well, after I managed to free the others, we were obviously upset that we lost but Tokoyami-"
"You mean the one with the adorable black bird thing from his body?!" Bubbles cooed.
"BUBBLES!" Blossom yelled, followed by an embarrassed sorry from the blonde girl. "Please continue Buttercup."
"Yeah, like I was saying, the guy surprised us when he pulled out a few flags from his pocket. Apparently, his "scouting" was his way of securing more points in the unlikely chance of us losing ours. Came true in the end." Buttercup groaned that bit of information.
The girls looked at each other and were impressed at the sneaky feat, glad they were not either of the one's he was targeting.
"That's great to hear anyway." Bubbles cheerfully said.
"Yeah it is, if you are not at the bottom of the barrel!" Buttercup exclaimed.
"You don't know that." Blossom commented.
"Pretty obvious to me." Rolling her eyes. "Besides, even if my team made it on the top 6, how will one us decide to be picked?"
That was a good question. They knew about the twist, but were they going to be properly placed. The door opened at that point, "Hey guys, it's time for the announcements to begin, come on." The girls wasted no time and followed.
-Sports Stadium-
"Welcome back everyone from the short recess! That's the end of the second round and our Capture the Flag Battle!" Mic declared as the crowd cheered loudly. Everyone had enjoyed the dynamic and surprising second round of the Sports Festival. "Now we'll take a look at the top six teams right away! These will be the teams where some of their members will participate in the third round!" The giant screens around the stadium lit up, displaying the rankings of the various teams. Everyone glanced up and some were relieved, others angry at their placements while others were shocked.
Team A: [Shoto Todoroki, Tenya Ida, Denki Kaminari, Ibara Shiozaki] 1st
Team B: [Izuku Midoriya, Blossom K, Mei Katsume, Ochaco Uraraka] 2nd
Team C: [Bakugo Katsuki, Eijiro Kirishima, Hanta Sero, Kinoko Komori] 3rd
Team D: [Bubbles K, Koji Koda, Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, Jurota Shishida] 4th
Team E: [Buttercup K, Momo Yaoyorozu, Juzo Honenuki, Fumikage Tokoyami] 5th
Team E: [Hitoshi Shinso, Nirengeki Shoda, Pony Tsunotori, Yuga Aoyama] 6th
"Todoroki nodded at his team's placement. He knew his method was a bit much, but this was a competition, where only the strong could win.
"You did great, Iida!" Kaminari praised his teammate. "You even bumped us up to third place!"
"Thank you, Kaminari, but I did follow the role I was assigned to, that is to capture that flag. It was just my duty to our team leader!" Iida plainly spoke of his own actions while Kaminari and Sero sweat dropped at that.
"Hey second place isn't anything to scoff at, right?" Izuku nervously smiled at their placement.
"Yeah, you're right, no reason to complain." Blossom agreed with a nod as she smiled at her teammates. "We did everything we could and we prevailed."
"At least I get to show off more of my beautiful babies!" Mei exclaimed happily as she bounced so close to the red head, much to her growing annoyance.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it…" Bakugo raged under his breath at placing behind to Izuku of all people! Small crackles of his Quirk were sparking off his palms in his frustration. He should've been the undisputed winner!
Bubbles spoke to Koda about what happened. "How come you aren't moving on?" She asked sadness present in her voice.
"I am not much of a fighter. I decided to vote myself out and would rather just stay on the side-lines, cheering you on." His voice was whisper, but Bubbles nevertheless still heard it.
"Aw, Thanks though." She hugged the big lug, who blushed furiously and nervously.
Buttercup wasted no time in going over to her former teammates; though she only managed to find the two of her classmates. They noticed her approaching.
"Okay you two, spill. Why am I the one to move forward, I thought we would have to argue or something?" Buttercup inquired, folding her arms.
"Quite simple, we, meaning me and Momo, wanted to thank you for saving us." He said.
"We decided that you would be the best fit and although we defended as a team, it was you who saved us all in the end. Even though you could say that some of us didn't do much." Momo honestly spoke, though you could hear the sadness in her voice. Maybe it could be guilt she felt.
Their answer took Buttercup back a little. "Huh, I don't know what to say." Buttercup bluntly added.
Tokoyami just gave a small smile. "Well I am not much for feelings but I do wish you all the best." Tokoyami said as he left with Momo in tow, before Buttercup could say anything.
'Hm, maybe these Class A guys aren't total jerks. Some of them.' She thought to herself, as she went back to her sisters.
"There you have it!" Midnight called out to everyone in the stadium. "These are the sixteen students that will advance to the final round!" With a crack of her whip the screens changed to a list of the competitors.
[Third Round]
Todoroki Shoto
Ibara Shiozaki
Denki Kaminari
Tenya Ida
Midoriya Izuku
Blossom K
Uraraka Ochako
Hatsume Mei
Bakugo Katsuki
Eijiro Kirishima
Bubbles K
Sero Hanta
Hitoshi Shinso
Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
Jurota Shishida
Buttercup K
[Third Round]
"Now, I am sure everyone could use a break! With that being said we'll be putting the Sports Festival on a two hour pause for lunch! When we come back it'll be straight into the third round! See you all in a bit! Hit the restrooms, grab some food, buy some merch, all proceeds go to the school!" Mic informed the public as the crowd began to stand up from their seats to take advantage of the break.
"Don't pressure them to buy things." Aizawa was heard over the speakers.
"I'm not pressuring, it's a suggestion!" Mic chuckled at his co-commentator.
"Whatever…" Aizawa replied dully just before the speakers clicked off.
"Hey, let's go grab some food, Shota." Mic grinned at the thought of food.
"Go get it yourself, Hizashi. I'm taking a nap." Aizawa replied as he climbed into his sleeping bag and turned to face the wall.
"What? Come on, how many naps do you need?" Mic questioned his friend while nudging him with his boot.
"More than I get." Aizawa responded as he buried himself deeper into his yellow sleeping bag.
"Well I don't want to eat by myself, so you're coming too!" Hizashi declared as he grabbed the top of the sleeping bag and dragged it along behind him.
"Ugh…" Aizawa groaned in dismay at his pushy, extrovert friend.
Chapter 18- Third Round: Battles of Traumas and Insecurities
As everyone was given a lunch period before the Third and final event could take place, the students ran to the food vendors and cafeteria to enjoy a much needed break. The PPG's were also heading over to grab a bite to eat when Bubbles said that she going to take a little stroll around the grounds for a bit, wanting to check out more of the awesome stands and stuff that they had around. Her other sisters were not against it but told her not to go overboard with her spending; well, Blossom did.
"Alright Bubs, but I warn you. I might eat your food if you don't make it back in time!" Buttercup jokingly yelled, as she left off in a hurry; living an unamused Blossom behind. "Don't worry, I will keep your food safe. Be safe and hurry back." She said with a small smile as she left too.
Bubbles only gave her own beaming smile at them as she left to do her own tour of the place. Honestly, Bubbles was not too interested in the amazing merch and stuff to buy, okay she kinda was but it was more of her needing to get some fresh air and rest from the craziness of the day. Don't get her wrong, it was a fun and all, but it was still sad that she didn't get to fight with her sisters. She understood that even though they are a team at the end of the day, it was still not fun, working with people that she didn't know, minus Koda that is.
'Kind of childish to always rely on them, huh?' She shook her head and put that thought aside and focused on just the walk she was on, taking in the sights, the smell of the fresh air and the sounds and feeling of…
'Strange… Something is not right.' With that, Bubbles picks some strange feeling. She looks around and darts towards the corners of the stadium exit. When she could pick up something akin to a conversation, she knew it was none of her business but something compelled her to stay put.
"W-what's up, Todoroki?" She heard Izuku's voice, seeming nervous.
Todoroki seemed to be completely unreadable "Ever since this competition started, I have noticed a certain change in your abilities. Especially when you raced one of those Kayama girls. You seemed to have a better handle on your powers, even if it is a little." Todoroki deduced.
"Um, yeah…just some extra training, you know." Izuku playfully remarked, feeling a slow of nerves building up.
Todoroki slightly huffed, "Yeah I bet. Must be with those three girls you hang around with." That statement made Bubbles' focus more intense, and Izuku taken aback a little.
"I have also noticed that you all seem so close." He continued. That made Izuku and Bubbles slightly more curious. "Midoriya, are you dating those three girls?" He finally inquired.
That made Izuku do a spit take and splutter over the question. "No no no, nothing like that. We are just good friends." Bubbles was trying desperately to not react, her emotions ranged from dumbfounded to confusion to laughter.
"I see, then it leads up to my second question. Are you all, All Might's secret love children?" Whatever semblance of fear Izuku had at that moment was replaced with stunned silence. 'Weird thing to ask someone. But I am curious as why he asked.' Bubbles mused over the question as well.
Izuku could only think of that little conversation that Todoroki and he had in the locker room that could possible suggest why he could possibly think this. "Well are you?" That question brought Izuku out of his stunned thoughtful silence.
"No no, it's nothing like that and even if it was like that, I guess I couldn't tell you, so you might not believe me in the end. But honestly, there is nothing like that at all." Trying to reassure the bi-colour haired boy, but tripping over his words along the way.
"Izuku." Bubbles sighed under her breath at the crazy hole he was unnecessarily digging for the four of them.
"Interesting choice of words, it would imply that there is something else going on. But as for those three, it seems not so sure. Anyway, it doesn't matter, for now." Izuku felt dumb for not choosing his words carefully. "Then… Why did you ask?" He questioned.
"It has been my destiny since birth. Ever since I became the son of the Number 2 Pro Hero."
Bubbles eyebrows furrowed. She did not do as much research on the heroes in this world as Blossom, but she did know who he was talking about and her thoughts were proven right by Izuku question.
"Endeavor, you mean?" Izuku asked, but he knew.
Todoroki paused, then nodded. Izuku stumbled back, flattening against the wall as she recalled the Hero.
"That's right… Enji Todoroki." He whispered. "He's the Flame Hero, who has a Quirk who can control fire."
Todoroki scoffed softly. "Yeah. And he's a complete disappointment of a father."
Both Izuku and Bubbles gasped, the latter covering her mouth, as they were taken aback by his words. Meanwhile, he looked unbothered.
"Your knowledge gained from online articles only tells you so much. If you knew it all, you would know that Endeavor isn't just a #2 Hero. He's a madman, hell-bent on taking the #1 title from All Might."
Bubbles eyes softened. She could hear and feel some underline sadness coming from the boy, this father of his does not seem so great.
Todoroki's eyes glazed over slightly, as if tuning everything out.
"Beating him would be the closest I would get to beating All Might."
His confession threw Izuku for a loop.
"What? Beating All Might? Why would you want to do that?" He asked, dropping his guard entirely.
Todoroki seemed hesitant as he closed his eyes. "... Because it's my destiny."
The world stopped.
All of the loud noises of the festival seemed to drift away, leaving only Todoroki's voice and hers. It was like with only his words, Todoroki froze the very atmosphere. Including Izuku, as his blood ran cold.
"Your… destiny?"
"Have you ever heard of Quirk Marriage?"
Izuku's stunned silence was key that he knew.
'Quirk Marriage?' Bubbles mentally thought to herself.
"A union. Between two powerful Quirks. That was how he came to be with my mother, with his money and accomplishments, he bought my mother's relatives to use her quirk. And that's how I came into this world. My Quirk was the perfect balance. Fire and Ice. Hot and Cold. My old man is obsessed with All Might. Everything in his career, he did to rise above All Might. And if he couldn't do it himself, he would ensure someone of his kin did. He wanted to make sure that his child would be the perfect mold for the Number One Hero. With the strongest Quirk, the keenest intellect, and the ability to meet high expectations. " Todoroki bitterly explained.
Izuku couldn't believe what he was hearing. Taking in his lineage and the potentials of his Quirk, Todoroki was an unimaginably strong person. A fact that ran way deeper than he could ever comprehend.
Todoroki continued on, unaware of Izuku's horror-stricken face.
"From my conception, I've been trained to take over the #1 Hero spot. It was the only reason why I was created, of course. My old man isolated me, you see. My family were distractions, he said. And my mother… I almost never saw her. The only memories I have of her now were her crying… and this scar."
Todoroki softly touched the left side of his face, where his pinkish healing scar was.
"H-how does a scar remind you of her…?"
Todoroki closed his eyes. "She gave it to me. She had called my left side, my fire, unbearable before burning me with boiling water."
Bubbles quickly put a hand to her mouth, biting back another gasp. She couldn't help but feel pure terror in that moment for Todoroki. All for an event that seemed to have happened years ago.
Despite that, if Todoroki noticed any horror on Izuku's face, he didn't acknowledge it.
"The reason I picked a fight with you. The moment I entered this festival today, my old man wanted me to do it. Use the fire he's given me to win this tournament. But I refuse. For the things he's done to my family. To my mother. He doesn't deserve the pride he'd get from me using my fire side. I will win this whole thing without the damn thing."
After he said that, Todoroki's gaze cleared and he blinked. He finally focused on Izuku, who tried his best to hide any sign of concern or worry he felt in that moment. And it was like Todoroki suddenly realized what he was here for, as his gaze took on a steely determination.
"Luckily I did not need to use it out, you all nearly drew it out of me. That Kayama girl I faced, is a strong opponent and her energy reminds me a lot of his, that's why I took joy in beating her in the last event; if only she would have lost."
As he said those last words, his voice takes on a sudden venomous anger, startling Bubbles. Bubbles felt relieved that Buttercup did not hear that, she would have good reasons to really pound him. Todoroki took a deep breath, his shoulders dropping slightly.
"Even with everything else, those three are merely stepping stones to beat you in the end. I know that I will cross paths with one of those three again, but it is you I want to face and will beat." He narrowed his eyes, making it clear he was deadly serious.
Izuku let his declaration hit him at once. He understood that the lives they lived are so different, aiming for the same thing but having such different childhoods. Izuku was still in his thoughts even as Todoroki was leaving, but he noticed Todoroki pause outside the door way.
'I could have sworn someone was out here.' Todoroki thought, shrugging, he deemed it unimportant.
"As I said Izuku. You're obviously connected to All Might in some way, and I will beat you to reach my goal."
Izuku understood the desire to win and attain one's goal, he also understood that he wasn't going to back down so easily at his words alone.
"Wait!"
Todoroki paused at his call, keeping his back turned but glancing over his shoulder. As he did, Izuku felt his newfound, even if it was a little, confidence take rise as he spoke his mind.
"My motivation to win may not be as heavy as yours. But it doesn't mean that I am any less motivated to do so. I have gotten a lot of help to achieve my dreams, and I know I will still need it." He said dryly as he looked down at his hand, "But it's okay, because I know I came here to win and make not just myself but also those who helped me proud." Looking at the boy infront of him with familiar determined eyes. "Just like you declared war at me, I say ditto, for I won't back down."
Todoroki let his declaration sink in as well. Finally he walked away.
As he left the area, Izuku slowly exhaled. He knew now that Todoroki was to be his rival, one of the only things stopping him from getting to the top. And like he just told him, he was the same to him as well.
Even though the conversation still ran wild in his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them…
Up on the roof, Bubbles was peering down at the two boys, now one, as the other left; leaving Izuku to scope his surroundings, trying to locate someone.
"That was too close for comfort." She exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. She hid out of sight, till she knew the coast owas clear and got down. Honestly, it's a good thing that no one was around or she would have gotten in trouble. Bubbles now had a sad expression, thinking back to what Todoroki said to Izuku about his father. It made her think of the Professor, sure he never treated her and sisters like that but in the past, it seemed like something was off with his behaviour.
'I better head on and find the girls. They might have an idea, well Blossom would, Buttercup might want to still pound Todoroki.' With that, she went on her way.
"What is Shoto doing?!"
The furious yell echoed throughout the empty hallways, not doing much to overcome the sounds of the cheers in the heart of the stadium. As the words faded, the speaker gritted his teeth, the flames lining his shoulder growing in intensity.
"He still wants to defy my gift, huh?" He muttered to himself. "His wasting his potential. If it wasn't for his miniscule plan, he would have lost again to that GIRL!"
Overcome with rage, he punched a wall. The very structure trembled from its power, as a rumbling noise was felt even along the walls farther away from the punch's location.
And among that rumbling noise, a familiar happy voice shouted.
"Ah! Punching walls again, old friend?"
Slowly, he turned, his eyes fiery. And before him, approaching down the hall with that signature grin, was the Number One Hero himself.
Instantly, the man straightened, pushing off the wall just as hard as his punch. Instantly, his eyes narrowed in the presence of his fated rival. The one he hated oh so much.
"All Might." He growled.
All Might finally got close before stopping with open arms. "Endeavor! It's been so long!"
Endeavor was still staring at All Might with undisguised contempt. He lifted his head, almost turning his nose up from him.
"Well, that's no way to treat an old buddy!" All Might announced, a little daunted by Endeavor's behaviour. "We haven't spoken in… what? Like, 10 years? I wanted to give you a shout-out. Perhaps we can convene over some tea-"
Before All Might could finish, Endeavor was already moving, suddenly walking past him and walking away. This took All Might for a loop.
"You can take that tea offer somewhere else, All Might. Good day."
With his back turned, Endeavor didn't seem to notice All Might's smile disappear entirely, as the latter furrowed his brows deep in thought. Suddenly, All Might goes up to Endeavor, grabbing his arm to hold him up.
"Listen, Endeavor…. In the grand scheme of things, Shoto really is remarkable. Even without using his fire. It doesn't matter if he hasn't gotten first place yet. He still is in the making for a great Hero." After he said that, All Might grinned again. "So, that proves all the more how great a teacher you can be. And from a friend to a friend, I'd like some advice on how to cultivate this promising generation of Heroes."
Endeavor was quiet, looking at All Might then at his hand on his arm. Finally, he pushes it away.
"Your attitude is as sickeningly annoying as ever. As for Shoto… There is no doubt he is skilled. I created him to be that way. And I don't care how many… clones of you come out in the tournament to beat him, because he will rise above everyone. Especially you."
Saying everything he intended to say, Endeavor walked away and this time, All Might didn't stop him. Once All Might was alone in the hallway, he sighed, shaking his head.
"Hm. Some things never change…"
Bubbles had finally made it to the lunch room, as she entered; she saw a familiar face having two lunch trays with one of them having some untouched food on it. She walked over to where he was sitting and was greeted with a friendly smile, for which she reciprocated with her own gleaming smile; that seemed to make the big lug blush a bit but was unnoticed.
"Hi Koda." She greeted. "Have you seen my sisters? They were supposed to meet me here for lunch." She asked, confusion in her voice.
Koda nodded at that, "They said that they had to deal with some teacher's request and Buttercup was called in by Recovery Girl afterwards. But they bought you some food before they left. I was just waiting with it." He said in his shy and quiet voice. Bubbles smiled, and understood the situation but she needed her sisters for a meeting of sorts.
"Oh well, I guess I can wait and have lunch with you until they come back." Saying that, she sat down next to a welcoming Koda. What the girls got her were four chicken salad sandwiches and a chocolate milkshake. She felt somewhat better and was happily eating her meal in silence, until a familiar figure came over to her table.
"If it isn't the 1/3of the wonder trio." Bubbles raised her head to see a familiar boy. He was a relatively tall boy with messy, indigo-coloured hair that flares out in large tufts around his head, notably straight teeth. His eyes are usually half-closed, and he has dark eye bags underneath them. Right now, he had a sinister smirk on his face as he looked toward the blonde girl.
Bubbles with a full mouth did not reply but gave a "what did you say?" look towards the boy.
He scoffed, not losing his devilish smirk. "I said that you are one of the girls from the race that put on a show. Must be nice being gifted such amazing abilities that you don't deserve."
Bubbles at this point was stunned at this stranger's rude comment.
"I guess I am the first person to tell you this, figures. You and your sister's privilege powered lives must be all fine and dandy. But you must be the weakest among the three of you, that much I know." Narrowing his eyes at her.
Before she could even attempt to reply to that, a gentle hand came over and covered her mouth. She was spooked for a second before looking up to see Aoyama with a serious expression on his face.
"I think mademoiselle doesn't want to be rude speak monsieur, especially as she is having her déjeuner a le moment." Aoyama said with his signature flamboyant French accent, only it contained hints of detest. Koda was standing by her as well.
Shinso was initially disappointed that his plan didn't take place, but he swiftly smiled at the seed he planted from the questioning eyes the girl had.
Raising both hands in defence, he turned to leave. "Honestly, it's very obvious how weak you are compared to the other wonder girls. Maybe your perfect quirk is that compared to us "unprivileged" few, but it seems you're still weaker than the others." He made one last comment before he left. Leaving a disheartened Bubbles, wondering what just happened. She was so distracted by the guy's words that she didn't notice the hands that were once on her mouth, had left; two hands resting on her shoulders now.
She looked up to see one hand belonging to a now slightly miffed Koda, who had a face that asked if she was okay and another hand that belonged to Aoyama, with a slightly more miffed look. "Sorry mademoiselle, but it was well advised to not respond to his distasteful words, oui?"
She just gave a small reassuring smile at the both of them. She remembered that the guy was another one of the students who declared war at her class weeks ago. She understood that he was just trying to bait her, but…she couldn't help the thoughts going through her mind. 'Am I really that weak compared to my sisters?'
After having her lunch, Bubbles was still pondering her thoughts even with the explanation and reassurance of both Koda and Aoyama, with the latter soon after leaving; she was still second guessing herself. Soon her sisters came back and told her of what had happened. Buttercup was called in to assist Recovery Girl with some minor injuries, but there were a lot of students, so it took some time. Blossom was almost roped in to a ploy by Kaminari and Sero, wanting her to be part of the cheerleading group; neither of them figured that she would call up Ms Midnight to confirm, leaving them to face some afterschool punishments in the future. Bubbles was glad that they finished, and more than glad to tell her about what she found out, but before she could, Present Mic's voice was on the speakers.
"And now, the time for fun festivities is finally over!" He announced. "All students, please gather around Midnight to hear how the final round will proceed!"
Immediately, the students stopped what they were doing and got themselves in order, gathering in the middle of the arena. As they did, that familiar feeling of dreadful anticipation wormed its way into everyone's mind. It didn't help to relieve the mood that everyone was in.
"And so it begins…" Blossom whispered.
"Well this is gonna be fun! I've been waiting for this moment!" Buttercup declared, grinning as she crossed her arms. She took a moment to glance over her other sister, to see that she had a sad stricken expression. "Yo Bubs, what's with the sour mood? Not really your look." She may have teased, but she was genuinely worried.
"Oh it's nothing, honest." She lied, trying not to worry her sisters. "Speaking of moments… How is the final round going to go? Do you know what we're doing?" Bubbles asked, trying to divert the topic.
After she spoke, another classmate surprisingly answered the question.
"Beats me…" Kirishima speaks up. "It changes every year."
Next to him, Buttercup looked surprised. "It changes? Man, that's confusing."
"Not really." Sero enters the conversation. "All of the time, it usually involves a one-on-one match."
Sure enough, Midnight finally speaks up to confirm Sero's words.
"Okay, everyone! Now I know you guys have been waiting for what the final round holds. And I'm pleased to announce that this year will be a fighting tournament!"
At her words, students looked happy and cheered, especially Buttercup.
"FIGHTING TOURNAMENT?!" She shouted, her eyes filled with energetic glee. "AW YEAH!"
Midnight winked. "That's right! In just a few moments, we will be starting a tourney with the 16 last individuals! First off, we will do 8 one-on-one battles for our first round. Whoever wins their match will move up to the second round, where the cycle repeats and our third round begins! Finally, the winners of the third round battles will enter the final round and whoever comes out victorious will become our Sports Festival CHAMPION!"
As everyone cheered once more, Izuku slowly exhaled, the instructions sinking in.
So for him to win the finals, he had to beat three opponents. Plus the finalist. In total, he needed to win four entire battles to win the festival. The feat seemed simple enough, but with everything that's been going on… he knows that whatever he writes off as simple proves to be the opposite.
His rivalry with Todoroki and Buttercup is proof of that.
"Hey, everyone! Are you ready to rumble?" Mic called out over the speakers. The resounding roar was a clear answer. Everyone was ready for the third round to finally begin. "A lot has happened today, but now it has come to this! A serious battle where you can only depend on yourself! Here, you have no teammates or comrades! It's a fan favorite! The classic one-on-one tournament! Heroes have to be able to face what comes at them, whenever it comes at them! Skill, Knowledge, Experience, Perseverance, and sheer Determination, use them all to your advantage in this round!" Mic kept the excitement building as the crowd was practically rumbling now.
"Now, please look at the screen above to see who you guys are paired up with for the brackets!"
With Midnight's cue, the board switched to a drawing of the tournament bracket. The 8 battles were lined along the bottom, with 16 brackets with names grouped up in pairs. The names were as follows:
Buttercup K. vs. Bubbles K.
Todoroki vs. Sero
Blossom K. vs. Shinso
Kirishima vs. Tetsutetsu
Iida vs. Hatsume
Kaminari vs. Ibara
Uraraka vs. Bakugo
Izuku vs. Jurota
As the names were displayed, some were hyped about their matches while others were dreading it.
'I'm facing Buttercup.' Bubbles thought to herself, as she was subconsciously tightening her fists. "Okay."
"Who is this Uraraka?" Bakugo asked himself, much to the said girls surprise and hurt pride.
'Hm, Hitoshi huh?' Blossom scoped out her surroundings, trying to find the guy. He spotted him, who made contact, but not with her. Looking back, it was at Bubbles, who seemed to have a scowl on her face, looking at him, while he had a smug smile. That was odd to say the least.
"Bubbles, what's that about?" Blossom whispered to Bubbles.
Bubbles snapped out of her contemplation, grounded back in her own situation. Almost annoyed, she glanced at her sisters.
"Nothing." She replied dismissively. Suddenly, she turned her back and started to leave with the rest of the group heading to exit the stadium floor. Meanwhile, her sisters watched her leave, somewhat unsettled.
"Hey… do you think Bubbles okay? I have the feeling that something is off with her." Blossom asked Buttercup.
Buttercup looked at her, and for the first time, she looked serious as her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Who knows? She's been having this look of second guessing and looking sour, ever since we stepped on to the field."
Blossom's expression of concern intensified.
"Do you think it has anything to do with your match against her?" Blossom suggested.
Buttercup shook her head, her face already shifting to her light-hearted attitude. "Nah. She's good, besides you know Bubbles, she's a pretty kick ass fighter, well…aside from me anyway."
Blossom couldn't help but roll her eyes, but she also smiled at the compliment that Buttercup gave, she finally sighed as the two began to walk with the group. "I guess. But she looked really serious and somewhat in pain."
Buttercup frowned, not liking that one bit. "Relax Red. Bubbles can handle herself and if she were in a mood, she knows she could come to us, well, mostly you as you deal with all that mushy feelings stuff. I just kick ass!"
Putting aside Buttercup's ego, she was right about Bubbles and she could come to us. Though she felt she needed to do some digging of her own.
"Right! I'll let you get ready for your battle. Make sure not to destroy anything or kill anyone!" It may have sounded like a joke, but she was dead serious. Buttercup just gave a resounding whatever, as she to left to get ready.
Bubbles couldn't stop herself from pacing. Something that sounded completely unlike her. She was walking backfrom the field and heard many people give
Faintly, she recalled her days back home, a time when she used to battle her sisters for practice or monster battles. She always remembered the intense build-up before a fight. Blossom and Buttercup were great fighters in their own right, using brains and superior skills to their advantage. Bubbles was just as good, but she only got there if she was mad or even lost it.
But now? She can't really afford to go "hardcore" without serious consequences to unfold. But she felt that she couldn't beat her sister without doing so.
First Match: Buttercup vs. Bubbles
"Hey sports fans are you ready?! Let's get started with the first match!" Mic called out to the stadium and the cheers of the crowd. "For match number one, let's start this off with a battle of sisters! In this corner we have the raven haired striker, Buttercup Kayama!"
"Thanks, Teach!" Buttercup grinned widely at the introduction. The teen waved to the crowd as she headed for the ring.
"Her opponent will be the bubbly bouncing ball of 1-A, Bubbles Kayama!" Mic introduced as Bubbles walked towards the ring with a determined look on her face.
The two girls stood across from each other a few moments later. Both stared each other down as they squared up to begin their match. The tension began to fill the stadium as the first match was about to begin. The cheers of the crowd faded into a low rumble as they waited.
"Are both competitors ready?" Midnight questioned both students, looking between the two teens. Though she could tell something off.
"Oh yeah!" Buttercup grinned as she readied her fists.
"Bring it on, princess." Bubbles remarked narrowing her eyes at her sister, much to the surprise of Buttercup and Midnight.
"B-begin!" Midnight cracked her whip hesitantly, and Bubbles, like lightning, quickly launched backwards, to ready her attack.
Bubbles' blue aura emerged and she formed her familiar blue sound spheres by the dozen; launching them at her sister at great speed. Buttercup came out of her initial shock, replaced now with anger as she saw what was coming at her. She pressed her hands together and formed a green plasma sphere of her own, flinging it at the others attack; both attacks collided and cancelled each other out with a boom. That made everyone in the audience amazed at what they just saw.
"Whoa man!" Someone in the audience exclaimed.
As the dust settled, both girls glared at each other.
"What did you call me?!" Buttercup demanded to know, as she gave a ready position.
"Come at me and find out." Bubbles remarked, as if it was obvious.
"Okay, that's it." With that, Buttercup readied an energy charged fist and leapt forward. Bubbles also leapt forward to deliver a sonic infused kick. And as the two attacks collided, there was another collision of energy as each girl was not giving an inch to the other; until they both backed away on a stale mate.
Buttercup took the opportunity to race after her sister, two fists at the ready, for which Bubbles countered with her bubble force-field, taking the attack head on. Buttercup was not letting up as she fired consecutive strikes, glaring at her sister who was inside the force-field, who was taking it with a determined glare of her own. With enough strength, Bubbles pushed back the force-field enough to dodge the impending attack; leaving Buttercup to miss her by an inch and slam her fist in to the concrete.
Dust erupted and Buttercup didn't see the solid round house kick that made impact across her face; sending her sprawling once before getting back up on to her feet. Bubbles jumped towards with her own concussive punch, that Buttercup quickly blocked, delivering a plasma blast directly in to Bubbles gut; inciting a grunt, as she was knocked backwards to the ground.
Buttercup flew forward, leaving a green trail behind her as she went to attack her sister, who recovered from the blast and launched up in to the air. "Oh no you don't!" Buttercup exclaimed as she redirected her flight in to a U-turn heading up to her sister. She sent blasts after blasts, trying her best to not really hurt her, but that etiquette was not reciprocated. Bubbles dodged it well and as Buttercup was getting closer, she did a triple spin and delivered a hammer kick that Buttercup blocked with her arm crossed. Resulting in her being shot down to the ground with a thud.
Everyone was watching the scene with mixed expression. Some looked on in awe at the abilities of the girls, others were scared at the unbelievable feet and there was some that were concerned about the whole battle.
"What are they doing? This doesn't look right." Blossom muttered to herself in worry. She knows that neither one of them were going to back down, but this was becoming a bit too intense. She also noticed some of her class mates were also sporting concerned expressions, Koda and Aoyama to be precise. Something tells her that the latter knows why her little sister is fighting with vigour.
The two girls were trading punches and kicks, each one laced with their own coloured aura and a lot of fury. The battle field looked cracked; their clothes had cuts and tears. Thrown off by an attack, Bubbles crashed into the ground, rolling away a fair distance. But before she could react, Buttercup raced towards her, jumping high into the sky, and coming down with an energy-fuelled punch.
"QUIT BEING SUCH A BABY!"
Eyes widening, Bubbles rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the bullet punch that tremendously shook the ground. Buttercup's head snapped in her direction before lunging at her sister. Once again, Bubbles dodged and got up on her feet, raising her fists.
"MAKE ME!" She shouted with equal fervor.
Buttercup glared before shouting a war cry and colliding with Bubbles. The two were now throwing punches and kicks, sparring with bicolored energy and with burning glares. The crowd was going wild around them, loud voices ringing in their ears, and yet nothing distracted them from their duel. Each of them tanked their super powered hits all while trying to weaken the other, locked in a fearsome boxing match.
Buttercup funnily had enough and wanted to talk. She then grabbed on to her sister's arm and did a shoulder throw, sending her across the field, but not enough to get her out; simply landing on her back.
"Okay don't get me wrong, I love a good tussle. But what is your problem Bubbles?!" She yelled. "You're acting crazy and you called me princess. No one calls me PRINCESS!" Buttercup yelled at her sister.
Bubbles stood to her feet and sent a glare at her sister. "You want to know why I am fighting like this, fine! People think I am weak compared to you and Blossom and I wanted show everyone that I am just as strong as the rest of the "wonder trio" are!" She exclaimed.
Buttercup was shocked at that. "Wonder trio…What kind of name is that?! And, of course you are strong Bubbles, who's fools idea did that come from?!" She demanded to know, anger rising high.
She shook her head, "No it doesn't matter!"
"Yes it does!"
"No! What matters is that I win and I will!" Saying that, Bubbles took a deep breath and was about to let out a sonic scream. Buttercup having had enough, launched at her sister, eyes glowing green as she delivered a glow of energy. As Bubbles was about to let loose, the sound didn't make it in time as Buttercup already collided with her sister.
A cloud of smoke rose in to the air, covering the field, leaving everyone waited in baited breath at what had happened.
As the dust settled, everyone saw that the two girls were still standing. What was more shocking was that Bubbles' foot was out of bounds and Buttercup had her arms around the girls neck, in what looked to be a hug.
"Okay Bubbles. We are going to talk and we will all listen to each other, okay?" Buttercup whispered in to her ear, in an uncharacteristically soft but firm tone. Bubbles only nodded her head, which hanged on her sister's shoulders.
"Good." Giving her a good squeeze for good measure.
Midnight nodded at that display before making her ruling. "Buttercup Kayama wins the match on account of Bubbles Kayama's foot out of bounds!" Everyone broke out in cheers and applause as the two sisters made it out of the ring and toward the exit.
"Oh my stars! Did you see that folks?! Because I hope you were not just tuning in finally watch the games, cause that was an awesome way to start a match!" Mic exclaimed as he was equal parts excited and terrified at what these girls could do.
Shockingly, Aizawa was too stunned to make a comment.