Powerless - A My Hero Academia/ DC Crossover

Chapter 21 - Izuku vs. Uraraka

It had been thirty minutes since the side-games started. Izuku found himself wandering the halls of the contestant preparation center. He and Uraraka were slated to fight as soon as the side-games ended. The Cavalry battle had already pitted himself against one of his friends, and now he would have to face off against his best friend - in martial combat, no less.

Uraraka was strong, but she wasn't a fighter. Izuku already knew everything there is to know about her quirk. He had studied the quirks of all his classmates, but with Uraraka, it was different. There were no secrets between them, and she was the closest friend he had ever had.

And now, that friendship might be in jeopardy.

"Master Midoriya," came a voice behind him. Izuku recognized the voice instantly. He turned to see Alfred standing behind him, foam finger in hand, smiling.

"Alfred!" Izuku said. He had never been happier to see him.

"I have to say, you've been causing quite a stir among the veteran heros in attendance today," said Alfred. "Such is the burden of the bat, you might say." Alfred cocked his head. "Is something amiss, sir?"

"No, not at all!" Izuku lied.

"Izuku, in all my years in his employ, Master Bruce has never been able to keep the truth from me," said Alfred matter-of-factly. "What makes you think you will fare any differently?"

He had him there. "I don't know what to do," Izuku said. "I have to fight Uraraka."

"Ah, I see the quandary," said Alfred knowingly. "Miss Uraraka has performed quite admirably as well in these games. Perhaps she will pose to be more of a challenge than you anticipate."

Izuku looked at Alfred, puzzled. "Master Bruce has been a patron of UA for years, Master Midoriya," Alfred explained. "As such, I have had the distinct pleasure of handling most of the day-to-day aspects of that relationship, and I have seen a lot of students come through this course. There is a common theme among the students who succeed in the course, and those who fail."

"What's that?" Asked Izuku.

"The students who succeed don't always have lofty goals and admirable intentions," Said Alfred. Izuku immediately thought of Endeavor and his conversation with Todoroki. "What sets them apart from the others is their willingness to do what is necessary. The path of a hero isn't easy, and sometimes, it will put you at odds with those you would call your friends. And sometimes, failing to do what is necessary will only prolong the pain to come."

"I don't understand," said Izuku.

"If Miss Uraraka wasn't prepared to do what is necessary to succeed, she wouldn't have made it this far," said Alfred. "I'm sure she is just as conflicted as you, but knows that if she is to become a hero, than she knows that when a hero is called to battle, a hero answers, even if they know victory is slim."

That made sense to Izuku. It was easy to draw the line between hero and villain, but it wasn't always so black and white. Heroes often times found themselves on the other side of that line, as fighting those who were once their friends or allies, if that is where their mission took them. It was a difficult lesson, but a reality heroes had to face every day.

"Thank you, Alfred," said Izuku.

"The pleasure is mine, Master Midoriya," said Alfred. "Now, I must be back to watch the rest of the games. I believe you know where you need to be."

Izuku made his way to the preparation rooms. Uraraka should be in preparation room 2. He wanted to at least talk to her before the match started.