Heroes of Today

Part 9~Calvary

The second round started, everyone charged at Midoriya's team. Akiko wasn't pleased as she used her vines to disrupt their run. Grabbing the headbands of the others, she started to run the calculations. She wanted to make sure that even if they lost the 1 million points, they would still get in the top four. Uraraka tapped on Midoriya's back as they launched into the sky.

Uzu ran out, Todoroki wanted to target the 1 million points, only getting other points as a side product. Uzu wasn't as confident once that team had both the first and second place winners, so he took any and all headbands that he could grab. Todoroki froze the ground as they continued their charge.

Naka wasn't quite sure what Bakugo was doing as the angry pomeranian launched in the air. He almost got to Midoriya but Akiko saw him.

She slapped him away as Uraraka softened the landing with boots given to her by Hatsume. Naka blasted the group forward to catch Bakugo before he touched the ground. Naka was not pleased as there were only so many times he was willing to do that.

Midnight seemed willing to let Bakugo continue as Naka sighed. He had a feeling this was going to be a long day.

Naka's eyes widened as someone stole Bakugo's headbands. The blond idiot even started to brag. It was like he wanted to die. At least they aren't going after Midoriya anymore.

Midoriya could feel the jetpack heating up. It would not last much longer. Uraraka gasped as her shoes became stuck and she was unable to move. Mineta- on top of Shoji- threw his balls at the team. Tsu's tongue shot out to take the headband but Akiko stopped her. Akiko sliced the soul of Uraraka's shoe off as Hatsume screamed in horror. Akiko smeared a berry on Urara's back, swiftly lifting them up from the ground. Uraraka looked a little amazed as Akiko controlled gravity easily.

Once they were safe, gravity returned to normal. The team wasn't allowed long as ice charged at them. Uzu reached out but Akiko was able to predict his movements. Midoriya pulled the team out of Todoroki's way, keeping the ice out of the picture.

Akiko found it easy to dodge any attack Uzu sent out and Kaminari was practically useless, so didn't need to worry about him. The one person they were worried about was Momo since she was less predictable and could take them out in one blow. At least she doesn't seem to be attacking for now.

Bakugo screamed as he snatched back half of his points. The team barely made it over in time to catch him before he was blasting off again. Clearly half wasn't good enough for Bakugo.

Naka was half tempted to hold Bakugo down but they didn't have time for that. Time was almost out and Naka was not going to lose to Uzu. "Come on Bakugo! We need to go after the 1 million before this ends," Naka ordered as Bakugo growled.

"I know that! Move it extra!" Bakugo hit the back of Kirishima's head as Naka glared at him.

The team charged to the ice-covered mess where Todoroki fought Midoriya. Akiko blocked yet another attack as she took harsh breaths. Her fingers were hurting...

Without any time left, Uzu did something reckless. He hit against the ground, sending Todoroki flying. Midoriya screamed as he strikes back, a small shockwave of power throwing Todoroki off target.

Akiko went up to defend herself from the flying pomeranian but before she could the buzzer went off, announcing the end. Akiko let out a sigh of relief as she dropped Midoriya.

Midoriya's team finished in first while Todoroki's team got second. Bakugo's team claimed fourth while third place was snatched away by Shinso's team- whoever they were.

Uzu of course held his higher placement over NAka's head as Midnight told them about the next- and final- task. Head-to-Head matches. This is where they are forced to stand on their own two feet. No hiding behind others, this is where they prove themselves.

"Excuse me, I wish to drop out."

No one expected Ojiro to drop out. Nor did they expect Nerengeki to follow his example. They claimed that since they couldn't remember the second round they had no place going through and let Kendo take their place. Of course, it wasn't that simple, as Kendo claimed to have spent the majority of the event frozen and so offered it to Ibara and Tetsutetsu who thankfully, took the place.

The names were shuffled as everyone looked up. Match 1: Nakashima Hatsuharu Vs Hitoshi Shinso. Match 2: Mei Hatsume Vs Yuga Aoyama. Match 3: Katsuki Bakugo Vs Ibara Shiozaki. Match 4: Akiko Ueda Vs Ochaco Uraraka. Match 5: Shoto Todoroki Vs Mina Ashido. Match 6: Izuku Midoriya Vs Denki Kaminari. Match 7: Enjiro Kirishima Vs Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu. Match 8: Uzu Kamishiro Vs Momo Yaoyorozu.

Naka furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the name. "Who on Earth is Shinso?!"

"That would be me," a purple-haired boy announced, causing Naka to look at him. Shinso had heavy bags under his eyes and pale skin. "I'm looking forward to our match." Shinso offered out his hand as Naka smiled. "Are you going to blow up then too?"

Naka's smile left his face as he went to defend himself but he found a tail in his mouth. Ojiro glared at Shinso as he pulled Naka away. "Don't answer him."

Akiko sighed as she turned to Uraraka. "Have a good match. I won't hold back."

Uraraka nodded excitedly as Akiko walked away.

Uzu glanced at Yaoyorozu, a conflicted look in his eyes. Uzu wanted to beat Naka but he didn't want to hurt Yaoyorozu.

"Come on," Akiko ordered, hitting Uzu around the back of his head. "If you don't fight, how do you expect to win? Don't worry, Yaoyrozu will be fine. Recovery Girl is on hand to help and Midnight and Cementoss will stop you if you go too far- not like that is going to happen though."

Uzu grumbled under his breath as he followed Akiko out of the arena.