"Let me get this straight." Shigaraki mockingly opened his arms.
Tavern of the Villains
"There is a pest problem in your hub locations…" Just from his tone, Shigaraki managed to mock him to no end. "And you think of us as your exterminators."
Basically this black and gold knight, along with his red partner, had prepared a side-quest for them.
"The forces we are dealing with are no ordinary hirelings." The black and gold knight explained. "They are few in numbers, however their level of organization and precision are uncontested, to put their efforts mildly."
The knight with the golden mask put his hand on the table, letting it slide across the wood, as he grabbed one of the glasses. The alcohol inside it shined in the dim yellow light.
"We have tried increasing the motion sensors, shifting patrol schedules, recruiting more to our cause, and arming ourselves with heavier artillery." He placed the glass back, right in front of Kurogiri, even though the misty guard's eyes were kept on him. "However, at every turn, they manage to infiltrate and secure whatever they desire."
Shigaraki leaned forward, assembling his hands. "Sounds like my kind of people."
From the screen, the utmost sinister voice rose, almost darkening the atmosphere on a whim.
"They are making your war more difficult." He stated.
Enoch retorted frustratedly. "Not a war."
He met the screen's display with pride. "Just a trifling excavation process, for what's ours. After all…"
The knight stood back up.
"It's not much of a war if our adversaries are mere huscarls lining up to get shot, is it?" Enoch's voice subsided, as he glanced back to the red knight. "They are merely volunteering, and ensuring that those holes are sealed unbare."
Shigaraki hopped off his red seat. "I don't care."
He walked up right to the knight's chest. "All of us have scuffles with those self-righteous hero bastards. You're not special."
"Good, because those jesters are the least of my concern." Enoch said.
"Neither is Ben Tennyson and his crew." He, delightfully, stated. "I presume of course."
Enoch shot a glare.
"Yes. And we are aware of the reach those who can contact us are capable of." he responded. "Do not mistake us for fools."
"Then give me a reason." Shigaraki clapped back.
He rolled his eyes, as he backed off and walked around the knight, shaking from one side to the other.
"Because ever since I've seen your facemask, all you've done is hide behind it and begged for us to come and clean up your problems."
Enoch raised an arm, stopping the junior, wannabe villain in his tracks.
The two's gazes locked. One move from either, and the other would drop to the ground.
Kurogiri's smoke kindled with a protective instinct. Shigaraki's red eyes stared into the black abyss of the knight's mask.
"Huh…" The knight stated first. "Color me disappointed."
Enoch turned to the screen once more, scorning at the attempt of foreboding. "For someone of your stature, the help you've employed presumes so much."
"I would say he's maturing." He, on the screen, stated.
"Maturing?" Enoch raised a curious eyebrow at that. However, Shigaraki's festering anger proved to be of little intrigue.
"How arrogant–"
Shigaraki tapped the armor's leggings… And all in an instant, Enoch had turned around, and lifted up the brat.
"You will know respect."
Shigaraki dismissively looked into the black eyes of the mask. His pupils from behind that severed hand, were glowing, seething with rage.
"I hope you're ready to part ways with that arm." He coldly stated. "Or your life."
The red knight grabbed his swords, and Kurogiri grew to his full size, erupting from his suit!
"Easy Tomura."
Shigaraki felt the strong urge to continue. "Master!"
"Same goes for Enoch."
The knight with the golden mask gritted his teeth. Tension was sucked out of the room, however both villains kept up their stances.
"Their presence here is something we've requested." He said. "If they are daring to ask us to prove ourselves, you wouldn't have any qualms putting them into their place that way, wouldn't you Shigaraki?"
The eyes of the whelp narrowed, as Enoch lowered him slowly.
"Now. Kurogiri."
The misty servant of the most dangerous villain in the country, shrank back into his suit, before growing again to form a portal. Shigaraki approached it, and Kurogiri spoke from within.
"Remember, no Nomu's, young master. Just us."
Shigaraki didn't even make a sound, and with hands in his pockets, he stepped through as Kurogiri vanished.
"I hope you're satisfied."
"My king's satisfaction precedes my own." Enoch responded. "We are aware that your skill set lies in twisting situations to your liking, and that level of manipulation is unrivaled in usefulness, however we need to know how your subordinates would function if your facade… were to come crumbling down."
"Referring to Tomura as a subordinate would be a short-sighted mistake, Enoch."
Enoch clenched his fist. "Is that a threat?"
"No." He stated. "Like I said, as of now, he's an unmolded child of raw power. If you do not see what he's suited to become in the future–
"You would refer to *him* as a successor?!" Enoch cut him off in disbelief. "A cild such as him, named as heir?!"
"Back in the day, your plans also crumbled around a shapeshifting kid, did it not?" He asked. "And if I recall, he was much younger."
Enoch's voice settled down, as he simmered with anger.
"Yes… point taken, even now he continues to be a thorn." Enoch simmered. "However, they are one which can't even draw blood."
His hands gathered behind his back. "Their current segregated conflict will keep attention away from us, and when the time is ripe, their retribution will come due, for everything he did."
The red knight's visor glowed red in reaffirmation and aggression.
"We have the same desire then, Enoch."
"We do." Enoch reaffirmed. "However, as I'm continuously forced to remind you, I am a loyal servant."
He retorted. "Like I said, we will see what my king thinks of your stripling inheritor, and servant first. Only by then, a collaboration could perhaps unite our paths in conquest, no before."
"The very same one that abandoned you to the dream machine." This time, the doctor finally spoke with mocking vitriol.
"The very same one that came back for me." Enoch sharply responded, but the people behind the screen weren't threatened.
If anything they were amused.
One was by desperation. This so-called king… who went back for scraps.
And the other was by the display of loyalty. A card, within this distant king's hand.
"Hmm. Let's hope he doesn't try that again then." The doctor said.
However, Enoch wasn't in the proper state of mind for it to have any effect.
The gloved hand went to his face, as another grabbed the very same glass.
"Whatever may have happened to me is irrelevant, the Forever King's reckoning is absolute." He sat down at the bar… and looked at the drink once more.
"And when He does. When he acquires his curios, All for One, may you have his favor…"
The glass was put down with conviction.
"For the Forever Knight heart's shall not bleed for anyone."
"Alright, I'm off then."
The door burst open, and Tennyson just stepped right on outside.
"That… didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would." He thought to himself.
"Do not pull any more surprises like that anymore, Tennyson." Aizawa continued to scold him on the way out.
"This is a school." He said. "We would like you to improve, but you know UA would like to *properly accommodate* your growth, and that can't be done through hiding from us."
"Understood…" He reluctantly said.
Aizawa's eyes glowed. "What did you say?"
All Might tried to mediate. "AIZAWA, YOU'RE–"
"I've recently been injured All Might." The underground hero was very deadpan and sarcastic. Very much his usual mood, given that he was around Ben. "Sorry if that affected my hearing."
Ben only got more amused by it though. Well, if his teacher was waiting for a resounding answer, he better not disappoint, right?
His hand went to the Omnitrix, and all in a flash there were 10 clones of his small new form.
"UNDERSTOOD!" All of them said, not screamed, at the same time.
Ben then tapped the dial and turned back.
"HA HA HA!" All Might responded in his booming laughter. "THAT'S THE ENTHUSIASM YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?"
Eraser Head though just settled for rolling his eyes. "It was satisfying."
"Well, I still have Blitzwolfer." Ben raised up the watch again.
"Just. Go."
Ben laughed, and closed the door behind him. Yeah, that was never going to get old.
He crossed his arms. Not old at all.
"Greetings, Tennyson."
At that second, Ben turned to his side, and found 1-A class prez and vice class prez arrived in the flesh.
"What's up, class prez?" He asked. "You're looking more cheerful than usual."
"Indeed." Iida answered. "After you had left, Yaoyorozu brought up an excellent suggestion for a class activity, once the events today have concluded."
Yaoyorozu nodded.
"However, right now!" Iida perked up. "We have to talk with Mr. Aizawa about our tie predicament."
Ben stepped out of the way. "Well, be my guest."
They knocked on the door–
"Fair warning though." Ben added. "I… might have left Mr. Aizawa in a bad mood."
"How so?" Iida asked, but Ben just gestured for them to go inside.
Iida loudly announced their arrival and entered inside, Ben… leaned next to the wall.
He looked in front of him, at the corridor… where silence was palpable, and he was feeling a cold glare–
Ben shook his head. "Is the reception low, or do my thoughts only have one channel on right now?"
It was his talk with Todoroki again. Something just… brought him up again.
The door suddenly opened.
"That was quick." He stopped leaning.
"Yes." Thankfully Iida hadn't caught him putting one foot on the wall. "It seems they will inform us when an agreement is reached. For now though, we shall head back to the main stage."
"Yeah…" Ben lightly laughed. "We should…"
He couldn't say it, but Ben wanted to stall. And Yaomomo saw it.
"Do we not have time?" She asked, but Iida was persistent.
"The earlier the better!" He got a move on–
"Actually…" The transforming hero reached out. "If we have time, may I borrow you for a sec, Yaomomo?"
Iida and Yaomomo looked at each other.
"Of course." She stepped away from the class president.
Ben gestured to the corridor with his thumb. "We're gonna take the long way around."
"Alright, but don't be late for the events, you two!" Iida robotically gestured to them.
"We will not." She answered, and he left the two alone, making his way to the arena.
Now that the two were left alone, Ben took a deep breath.
"I couldn't really ask, but you don't mind, right?" Ben asked.
"Not at all." Yaoyorozu shook her head. "You wanted to have a word, right? About…"
She gestured to her wrist.
And Ben lifted up the Omnitrix. In all honesty, he should talk with the team about the capture mode as well.
But not right now.
"Not really." he shook his head.
This subject was going to be something a little more on the human side… only problem was how to approach it.
The purple grimdark portal opened, as Shigaraki stepped out.
Aichi Prefecture/Japan
"This is the location?" He scoffed.
All that was in front of them was a fenced-off dirt field, with junkpiles spread around, and a giant warehouse as the centerpiece.
"I have been taken through the entire country several times before. This is the closest location I was aware of."
His red eyes went through the area, seeing brief flashes of sunlight, reflecting from many sights which already had him in their center.
"Our stealth mission already failed…" Shigaraki walked up to the warehouse.
"Young Master!" Kurogiri held out his hand.
With some careful listening, as his hand lingered around the electric fence, he could hear guns cock, and some pulse to life.
Aim was taken, however he didn't pay no mind. With his five fingers descending on the steel, a brief shock ran through… but it couldn't resist the anger he had.
Silently, and almost serenely, the metal gave way, but Shigaraki wasn't done. Even as a hole big enough emerged, he was going to destroy it. All of it–!
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
"Kurogiri, gate."
The velvet protector got in between, and absorbed all the bullets into him!
"What the–!"
"Keep up your guard, bros!"
"Stop firing!"
"He's got some absorption quirk, dude–AH!"
Just the way they went in, the colorful energy bullets then zipped right back out, towards their warehouse!
*PEW* *PEW* *PEW* *PEW* *PEW* *PEW* *PEW*
Some nicked the concrete… while some pierced through. Bodies fell by the walls of the structure, and smoke came out from the junk piles.
"AH!"
"Men down!"
"Target is NOT well-built. I repeat!"
"What was that?"
"I'll pull you to safety with my quads!"
"Move. Move!"
"Perimeter breach!"
More of them were coming. Shigaraki let go of what was once the fence.
"Kurogiri."
A separate portal opened in front of him, one which the protege himself stepped through.
"Reload, and shoot without fear bros, before they can…!"
The phrase of the soldier came to an end, as Shigaraki had warped inside, next to the line of guards, clutching their wounds.
He saw the injuries had cauterized, just then taking in that they were using different energy weapons… not guns.
The guard closest shakily grabbed and aimed his weapon.
"Get ba–"
Neck of the first assailant, though, was then firmly grabbed… as cries and laser fire covered the air, and–
… nothing quite opened Tennyson's mouth.
As they were on their course, making their way through the corridors of U.A., Tennyson hadn't lifted his head.
His brows had gathered, his hands were assembled behind his back. It was clear he was thinking deeply about something, and she would like to give him time to order his thoughts.
"I've been quite anxious before, after all." She thought. "However…"
It would not be prudent to wait.
From the corner of her ear, she could hear the sounds from the crowd get ever louder.
"Our time is restricted." She thought. That could only ever mean one thing… it was up to her to start the conversation.
She sweated. Yes, it was not her expertise.
Her hand clenched in determination though. No matter how she may mishandle this, Yaomomo had to do it!
"So… "
The goal was set. Start the conversation with her tactful manner intact. Of course.
"The idea which pleased Iida." She stated. "I… it has been brought on by Uraraka initially, and perhaps I thought it may capture your interest."
Tennyson didn't react, but Yaomomo didn't fold just yet.
"She suggested that we, as a class, should get to enjoy the festival's activities once the award ceremony is completed."
Ben still wasn't reacting.
"Hence Iida and I…" She methodically slowed down, gauging for any reactions. "...took it upon ourselves to make the offer."
Still no response.
She thought a chance to 'blow off steam' might cut through his condensed thoughts. What else was there? Or rather, what else was there *which would be best*?
What else had she learned about breaking the metaphorical ice?..
The light bulb above her came to life.
"Well, it is unorthodox…"
Her hand glowed pink, and as she put a hand in front of him and stopped, Ben was forced to look at it… and the American coin in her grasp.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
Back in the cafeteria Kaminari had made a joke, so, this could work?
Ben's eyes actually reacted to the coin. He picked it up, seeing half not having the pattern made to be applicable.
Visibly, Tennyson cheered up.
"Okay, that was pretty good."
Yaomomo smiled. "I've done it." She self-congratulated.
"Sorry I just pulled you aside and went still as a brick." Tennyson continued. "I'll definitely join you guys, write me down for it,, but… right now I just had something on my mind."
Rather abashed, he put a hand on his neck. "Something that I need advice on, but don't exactly know how to exactly bring up."
Yaomomo raised an eyebrow. She could settle down to her comfort zone once more.
"Plainly would suffice for myself." Yaomomo said truthfully. "What's on your mind?"
His hand brushed against his own shoulder.
"Well, when I say 'person born with everything' to you..." Ben said. "What do you think about?"
Ben noticed his classmate's expression became one of confusion. It made sense however, if he was going to get any proper answer, she was the best candidate for it.
Midoriya's answer would be something more quirk based, power, saving people, heroic.
Kirishima COULD give a more straight answer, no doubt, but it could also be simple, and at this point, he had already gone through all the simple stuff.
Her…
Ben couldn't quite explain it, but in the cafeteria, she seemed intelligent, reliable, logical… Maybe what he needed now was someone who wouldn't be affected by the emotion of it all.
"I'm not sure exactly what you mean." She answered. "'Everything' in regards to what?"
"Anything." Ben waved his arms around. "Whatever 'everything' means to you."
"Hmm…" Momo crossed her arms. "Then… I'd suppose it would be someone who is very fortunate."
"Affectionate guardians, an overly formidable quirk, and sufficient financial stability to go on whichever venture they desire."
Ben nodded, and tilted his head. "Well, you think you are one of them?"
Momo bowed her head. It was admittedly not something she gave much thought to.
Only one answer showed itself.
"I suppose, in this scenario, I can be claimed as so."
"Then…" Ben asked genuinely. "Would you say that I'm one as well?"
Momo's eyebrows went up.
"I mean, I gave it some thought," he said. "And I just don't know. I have nice folks. In terms of a quirk, I have the Omnitrix. The money is probably the only question, I can't exactly buy a whole GAP store on a whim, but I got ties to alien tech. That should count."
"But…" His arms crossed. "It doesn't sound right. I don't want it to."
Momo could sense his conflict.
She carefully asked. "Tennyson, what brought this on?"
"I…" He blurted out, before settling a little bit. "Todoroki.. kind of said some stuff, along those lines."
He spoke in semi-admittance. "We talked, one on one and… after I said 'no' to him, I started giving it some thought."
"About what you would call yourself?" Momo asked.
"No, I know who I am." Ben's arms unravelled, and confidently, he spoke. "But I still want to try and understand him more. So I'm trying something new."
He gave her back the coin, and she looked at it.
First side, the one with all the engravings, face, detail… She had made sure to make it as close to the real authenticated money that everyone around the world could see.
She flipped it around.
And the other was a flat, copper surface. A side which couldn't be known by merely being looked at. It must be asked… to learn of its creation, to be understood.
"You're one of the lucky few who know both sides." He said. "So, what would you say? Am I born with everything?"
Her gaze, upon the question, directed back to the penny again. She looked at both the surfaces, feeling them out in her hand, pondering about it as he asked.
Yaoyorozu gave the coin back.
"The way I see it." She determinedly spoke. "The answer is not as clear cut as a yes or a no–"
"But if it was?" Ben, rather impatiently asked.
That's how Todoroki would go about it. He wouldn't worry about but's, or 'on the other hands'. He gave his question, history, and answer straight, just fifty minutes ago.
Yaomomo bowed her head. "Then… yes." She answered. "You are born with everything, Tennyson."
Ben looked up. So, she sees it too then.
His eyes narrowed.
"However, it is not because you have naturally started out as so."
Ben, confusedly and inquiringly side-eyed her.
"Born… it is a word of multiple meanings." She stated. "One of which means the ability to excel at a particular field. That's the definition, I would say, fits you."
Momo raised her head, and added onto her own words. "You might have not started out with much, but you have *made* everything… your own."
He fully turned to her now, an action which made her struggle, but push forward regardless..
"In a way, you were given so much more than you were, and yet… you adapted with ease."
Ben saw Yaomomo's clenched fingers push against one another, shaking as she put power into it.
"For so long, you've been able to manage it all alone, and all I can see is an idea of the reputation you've garnered. I can't help but admire that."
"I imagine… it is more than a lot of pro-heroes achieve in their entire lifetimes."
Ben couldn't help but smile for that. "Thanks."
"And…" Her mouth wavered. "I… suppose that's the reason for Todoroki's stubbornness."
"What do you mean?" Ben asked.
"Your reputation." She spoke, embellished in clarity. "Your position, or rather this position of the number 1, is where actions hold the most sway over the lives of others. For you it may mean the universe, but for him, it still means the entire planet."
Ben nodded, as the pieces fit together for him too.
"It feels powerful, purposeful, worthy to set as an end-point, and…"
She felt her own core shake. Her own hands clenched, almost holding onto what she's going to say.
"That's why… he's envious." The words escaped from her lips, as she also conceded.
It hurts to say that.
"...as am I." She lowered her head, however Ben was oblivious.
"How do you help someone like that then?" He was still on Todoroki. "Someone that stubborn? Trying to prove something?"
Momo, at that moment, felt her mind freeze. Her head shook from side to side.
"I, unfortunately, don't have an answer."
Ben sighed.
"I… guess then I should just keep up my promise." He palmed his fist."Bring my full power and basically hope for a hail mary that he figures it out."
Momo's pupils contracted as she heard the statement. His full power.
"R-Right…" She said, searching for options of her own, almost exhaustively.
Intentionally or not, but it had invoked dread in herself.
"Sorry…" Ben was too busy with himself to see it though. "Whenever I brush one thing aside, two more pop up… and I make you deal with the blowback."
He looked at Yaomomo, and pointed at the penny. "Thanks… for both this and the assist at the cafeteria. You had my back today."
However, after taking a look at it, she gave it back to him.
"Don't mention it." Yaomomo replied. "We knew what we were joining."
He shrugged, and put the coin away.
"No, you didn't."
Momo instinctively wanted to refute it, but… admittedly it was the simple truth. They had no idea what they were walking into that night.
"No, I guess we did not." She conceded–
"It is what you pulled them into…"
Yaomomo looked back. The voice of doubt crept up in the back of her mind again.
"You got in his way…"
She shook her head.
"You okay?"
Tennyson had asked that. She opened her eyes, and saw his concerned face.
"Yes…" Her regular mood flowed back into her. "However, we knew you were in trouble at the very least, and desired to help you. This is just an extension."
Her hands went to her hair, and fixed it up again.
"Albeit a minor one."
Ben shook his head at that though.
"No." He smirked. "It's nice to have someone to talk to about these things, count on that."
He took a deep breath, hands on his hips. "... especially when you're working to be a leader."
Momo could see it. That determined, dutiful, and yet compassionate and optimistic attitude.
He seemed a lot more full with life and enthusiasm now that he understood one of his classmates better.
As the hindsight dawned on her, she felt something stab into her. To think that, with her blackmailling, all she contributed was grief, and further pressure to someone of his predicament. It did not feel merely distasteful now, but disrespectful, wrong…
"I apologize for the insensitive way I approached it." She said, wanting, pleading for him to know that now.
Initially, she wanted to make amends by being better. Training in martial arts, proving her usefulness and letting actions speak for themselves, so that this first interaction may be washed off.
But this… This, even though it was mere words, felt right.
"No problem." Tennyson shrugged. "Trust me, with you being the vice class prez, you're gonna get plenty more examples for how a little talking can go a long way."
"A little talking can go – No…" Momo tried to call out to him.
She wanted to apologize for the night, not the earlier comment! "That's not what–"
They reached the stadium grounds, and the wave of cheering interrupted them.
"AND THE LAST OF THE TWO STUDENTS JUST ARRIVED!" Present Mic said.
"Hey!" Ashido waved her hand this time.
"No time to dilly dally, you two!" Iida shouted at them. "It's about to start!"
"Give me a sec!" Ben replied for the two of them.
First.
"Yaomomo…"
The rich girl turned to him.
"In the next break, could you and Kirishima meet up with me and Midoriya?" He winced sheepishly. "We may or may not have something to admit to you."
Her mouth opened, still stuck at the earlier misunderstanding…
"Understood." She replied, biting down on her tongue yet again and hands on her ponytail.
"Great."
"Yes… 'great' as he called it." She exasperated–
"One last thing." She saw Tennyson facing towards her, pointing to the area under his own eye.
"Have you been pushing yourself too hard?"
Yaomomo quickly raised her hands, tensed.
"It's… my training." She tried to cover it up, the concealer must have brushed off during the competitions. "Thank you for your concern as well."
Ben chose to not push further. "Alright."
He ran to enter the stage, and join up with the rest of their classmates.
Little did she know, the teachers wouldn't take long to hold up their part of the word. The decision on how to handle the tie…
Earlier
"Sir!" The communicator ran static. It's the South–!"
Ingenium couldn't believe what he heard. The bombastic tone, fizzling out… It was from Bigshot's.
"Keep your distance Bigshot!" Ingenium put a hand on his communicator.
"Hey, speedster." Fat Gum got in front of him. "Wait up, you're gonna need back-up."
"I'm Bigshot's backup! Out of my way!"
With one burst of exhaust, he jumped over Fat Gum! He had side-skipped the pro-hero and dashed off with resounding speed.
"Best Jeanist!"
"I've sent a couple of my sidekicks already, Fat Gum." The radio responded as… the large pro-hero could physically hear the other, fixing his hair and riding in a car.
He must have left the police and the rest of his sidekicks to hold the perimeter.
"I can only hope they are going to be able to support Ingenium till I manage to arrive."
"Squad A, go north! Block 40!" Ingenium pressed on his helmet. "Squad B, west! 35 to 39!"
"Squad A, roger." Enigma's voice came out concerned.
"Squad B, roger!" Onemu's voice was panicked.
Police sirens were covering the city now. Ingenium gritted his teeth.
Both arms opened to his sides, steam roared, as he wall jumped between two buildings, flying to the sky!
"There is no doubt about it." Ingenium thought. "It's him!"
He graciously landed at a tight alleyway, barely squeezing past the fire escapes and the garbage cans, and took a fighting stance.
"I've found you!"
The sinister shadow cast looked on with malice, as fury was the only distinguished emotion, and his tattered scarf blew in the air.
One hand remained on the long sword on his back, as the black shadow reflected eyes filled with an insane and yet chilling bloodlust.
"Hero…"
"AND WELCOME BACK SPORTS FANS!"
The 1 hour lunch break was over, and the events were back at full swing. All the students had gathered in the tournament grounds.
"Get those hands in the air, because it's time for the last round!" Present Mic said. "But before that, we have to decide who even gets to participate!"
"That's right!" Midnight took over. "It is designed to hold at most 16, so I'm sad to say it but some of you have to be left out of the fun!"
"16, huh." Ben put his hands on his hip.
"It's probably the tournament." Sero nudged him, and before he could speak up, Ashido lifted an eyebrow.
"Wait, how are you so sure?" She remarked. "Is it always a tournament?"
"It's always a tourney." Kirishima added. "They just change up the rules a little every time."
Ben nodded. Uh-huh, then the tie would be a problem.
His eyes drifted over to Todoroki, and he saw him and his team staring down Yaomomo's team. It was going to be the fated showdown of the two 1-A recommended students, that's for sure.
"I wonder how they are–"
"But don't worry!" Midnight cracked her whip. "To decide who gets to move on, and who gets to be left behind, we will have preliminary!"
The 8 tied students perked up. Preliminary?
Eraser Head leaned forward. "That's right. One match each."
He looked down at all of them.
"Students from the two cavalry battle teams have been randomly assigned against one another."
"Winner gets to move on!.." Present Mic called out, as Midnight licked her lips.
"And the losers, don't."
Ben could notice Todoroki's burning glare turn towards him.
His stoic face was never changing, that's for sure, but… Ben didn't shrink back down now.
Earlier he was more forthcoming, understanding. Now though, Ben was battle ready.
He was committed to it. If Todoroki wanted a wall, he was ready to give him one without compromise.
"We are similar a bit, Todoroki. I know that now." he thought. However, in this competition, Ben was determined to show him one difference.
"How far each of us are willing to go… when all the marbles are on the table."
The effects of his additional responsibility were going to show. They had to.
"I hope you were thoroughly recharged." Eraser Head remarked. "Because U.A. will not wait another moment."
Midnight took out a card from behind her back.
"First up!" She called out. "The master of two elements out of the four, it's Todoroki Shoto! Versus the skilled sovereign of the skies! Tokage Setsuna!
The two recommended students stepped forward. With her sharp, pointy teeth she grinned at him. However, even as there was a challenge in front of him, Todoroki looked back… towards what lay in wait.
A chilly breeze appeared over his shoulder.
"This will only take a second."