The Emperor's Dragon

Obstacle Course

"What are you doing here?" Ochaco exclaimed.

Here was dressed in his PE Uniform with all the other first years who had entered the Sport's Festival at the starting line of the first event. Izuku gave her an ironic look. "Mei asked," he said as if that explained everything.

To his surprise, it looked like it did. Ochaco sighed and then nodded. "Mei mentioned she'd have a surprise for us."

Izuku chuckled. "I promised I'd do my best to ensure she makes it into the Tournament round," he told his oldest friend. "I'll do the same for you," he added.

UA's Sports Festival was televised, though most of the attention was on the Third Years. The format varied from year to year but the one thing that didn't change was the final round. That was always a Tournament Round for the individuals to showcase what they could do. With the focus mostly on the Third Years, the Tournament Round was where the First Year's had to shine if they wanted to be noticed by the talent scouts.

And really, with the opening speech given by some teen named Bakugou, there wasn't anything else to recommend the First Years. He'd come across as arrogant and self assured, and while he had won the Entrance Exam, he'd done it on villain points alone. Izuku wondered what type of hero he'd be if he hadn't even considered helping people in that Exam. Though equally, he had to admit the teen did have some skills. 77 points was impressive, especially given that the most robust robot was only worth three points. He had to have destroyed at least 25 robots, more actually to have made that score since it was unlikely he'd have only destroyed 3 pointers.

But that wasn't what he was here for, even if he could admit to a certain curiosity. He kind of wanted to know how he'd fare against Bakugou since it was obvious the boy knew how to fight. Or actually, Izuku could admit he was curious to know how he'd fare against any of the recommendation students.

"I think I shou-" Ochaco started before Izuku gave her a look.

"There's no rule against teamwork in the first parts of the Festival," he told her.

She gave him a smile. "You've checked?"

Izuku shook his head. "Mei checked."

That startled a laugh out of her.

"She had to check to see if I could enter," Izuku explained. "And if I could help her," he added.

"Of course she did," Ochaco muttered. She was coming to find that Mei had Izuku's view of rules. They were more guidelines and if there wasn't a specific rule against something, then there was no reason not to do it. And even if there was a specific rule then... Guidelines, Ochaco reminded herself. They saw them as guidelines.

"So?" Izuku asked.

Ochaco took a deep breath as she thought about her answer but she already knew it. "I want to try to get there myself," she said sadly. She wanted to take Izuku's help but she wanted to prove that she could make it on her own.

"Okay," Izuku replied. He didn't sound hurt. "Second round is usually groups though so-?" He didn't have to finish his question.

She grinned. "I'll see you there," Ochaco said firmly.

Izuku smiled at her before nodding as he disappeared back into the gathered group.

"You've got balls Uraraka," the voice startled her.

"Monoma!"

"He practically offered to carry you through. Or can't he do it?" The teen from her class said.

"He could do it," Ochaco replied.

"So don't you want to beat 1A?" Monoma asked, practically spitting the A designation.