Arthur POV
We all walked back into the stadium after a fullfiling lunch where I ate, meat, rice, fish, noodles, yogurt, ice cream, okay this list was going on for too long the point is that I was full.
We passed through a gate settling ourselves in the center just like before.
The crowds had quieted considerably compared to the cavalry battle.
"Now that lunch is over, it's finally time to reveal the last game!" Present Mic's voice boomed across the stadium, somehow managing to cut through even the crowd's murmuring. "But before that, there's good news to all of you who didn't make it into the finals! This is just a sports festival! So we've prepared recreational games that everyone can participate in too! We've even brought real cheerleaders from America to cheer things up!"
I noticed several students from the general courses perk up at this announcement. At least they'd have something to do before the finals started. I also looked to the side where the cheerleaders from America where trying to ignite the crowds again.
I couldn't believe Mineta wanted to make the girls from our class dress up like that.
"Alright everyone! Let's have fun competing in the recreational games!" Present Mic continued, his enthusiasm infectious even through the speakers.
I looked up at the massive screen displaying the U.A. logo. The image flickered, then transformed into a tournament bracket design, sixteen empty slots waiting to be filled with our names.
"When that's over, the sixteen from the four teams that made it to the final round will duke it out tournament style, one-on-one!"
"I already expected it," Kirishima said beside me, bouncing slightly on his feet with barely contained energy. His sharp teeth gleamed as he grinned. "Still, it's awesome to think about the fact that I'm gonna stand on the stage I watch every year on TV! My whole family's watching!"
His excitement was contagious, but I couldn't shake the memory of my conversation with Nejire. She'd told me the tournament format changed every year, last year had been chanbara matches, she said I'd probably have done well in that, although I probably couldn't have used Excalibur.
Midnight's heels clicked against the platform as she walked forward, a box held in her gloved hands.
"Now let's draw lots to determine the bracket," she announced, her voice carrying a theatrical flair that few people, her included, could pull off. "Once the bracket is determined, we'll have the recreational games and then start! The sixteen finalists can choose whether or not they want to participate in the recreation. I'm sure some of you want to rest or save your strength."
She descended from the platform. The box she carried looked simple enough, just polished wood with the U.A. emblem burned into its surface.
One by one, we all drew our lots.
Once everyone had drawn, Midnight returned to the platform, her tablet now connected to the main screen. "This is the bracket based on the results of drawing!" she announced excitedly, waving one of her fans with a flourish.
The screen lit up with names, and I felt the atmosphere around us shift as everyone looked up to their matches, students, pro heroes, teachers and crowd alike.
Hitoshi Shinsho vs. Izuku Midoriya
Shoto Todoroki vs. Hanta Sero
Denki Kaminari vs. Arthur Pendragon
Tenya Iida vs. Mei Hatsume
Mina Ashido vs. Toru Hagakure
Fumikage Tokoyami vs. Momo Yaoyorozu
Rikido Sato vs. Ejiro Kirishima
Katsuki Bakugo vs. Ochaco Uraraka
My eyes lingered on the first match. Shinsho versus Midoriya. After what had happened during the cavalry battle, I couldn't let Midoriya go into that fight blind. My gaze swept across the crowd of students until I found Shinsho. Our eyes met across the distance, his tired as always.
He held my gaze for a moment, before he turned and began walking toward where the general course students were gathering. I honestly didn't like how he looked at me.
I shook off the thought and looked for Midoriya. He was staring at the bracket with his moth open, which made him look a little dumb. His finger was pressed to his lip.
"Midoriya," I called out, making my way over to him.
He jumped slightly, he always seemed surprised when people approached him. "Uh, A-Arthur, hi."
The stammering was still there, I wondered if he would ever get past it.
"Listen, about your match with Shinsho," I said, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "Don't answer anything he says. His quirk can mess with your mind, it's some form of mental manipulation which I think is triggered by verbal response."
His green eyes widened.
"O-oh, ok, thanks for the advice. That's... that's really helpful. I was wondering what his quirk might be since he's from general studies, so again thank you."
"No worries. Just remember, don't respond to him verbally, no matter what he says or does to provoke you. Good luck out there."
"Good luck to you too," he said, his gaze looking up to the screen once more, where I saw his name land on Todoroki's, I wondered what they had talked about. Thoughts for later I guess.
I walked back toward my friend group, who were still clustered around the bracket display. Tsuyu's large eyes tracked my movement, her head tilting in that distinctive way she had.
"What was all that about, ribbit?" she asked directly.
"It's nothing major, just giving Midoriya some heads up about his opponent," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "Shinsho's quirk could catch him off guard if he's not careful."
But Kaminari wasn't paying attention to our conversation. He was still staring at the screen, his golden eyes fixed on our matchup, muttering under his breath. His usual cheerful demeanor had completely evaporated.
"Come on, man," he said, running his hands through his hair with its distinctive black lightning bolt streak. "It was a 1 in 15 chance. Why am I so unlucky?"
"Kaminari, are you okay?" Toru asked, concern evident in her voice even though we couldn't see her expression.
He didn't answer immediately, just kept staring at our names on the bracket like they might rearrange themselves if he looked hard enough.
"Why am I so unlucky?" he repeated, his voice carrying genuine distress.
Mina placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, her black and gold eyes soft with understanding. "It had to happen to someone, Watts. Sorry it had to be you."
"But why me?" he groaned, finally turning away from the screen. "I mean, no offense Arthur, but you're literally impossible to beat. You took down those Nomus at USJ, you can move faster than anyone can see, and you have that sword that can cut through anything!"
"Hey," Kirishima interjected, his tone both supportive and challenging. "That's not manly, giving up before the fight even starts! Just do your best, that's all anyone can ask!"
But I could see Kaminari wasn't convinced. His shoulders slumped, and he kept glancing between me and the bracket. Then suddenly, his expression shifted, like he'd had an idea.
"Hey Tsuyu," he said, turning to her with newfound energy.
"Yeah, Kaminari?"
"You're close with Midoriya, right? Is it true that he jots down notes about our class's quirks in that notebook of his?"
Tsuyu blinked slowly, considering. "I think so, yeah. I've seen him writing during our matches. Why do you ask, ribbit?"
"No reason," Kaminari said quickly, too quickly. "Just... give me a sec."
Without another word, he jogged off toward where Midoriya was still standing. I didn't need to follow to hear their conversation, my enhanced hearing picked it up easily.
"Hey, Midoriya," Kaminari said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. "You wouldn't happen to have a page on that notebook of yours about Arthur's quirk, would you?"
I shook my head with a small smile. At least he was trying to prepare.
"Well," Tsuyu said, bringing my attention back to the group, "I guess I'll be doing the recreational activities alone. Unless any of you want to join?"
"I'll do them too," Mina said, stretching her arms above her head. "Need to clear my head before the tournament. Plus, it might be fun! They usually have some pretty cool stuff."
"Same here," Toru added, her gloves gesturing enthusiastically. "We should stick together! Make it a girl's thing before we have to fight each other!"
"Count me in," Kirishima said, then paused. "Wait, can I join the girl's thing?"
"Of course!" Mina laughed. "You're practically one of the girls anyway with how much you hang out with us."
"I'll pass," I said, already thinking about where I wanted to go. "I actually have to meet up with someone. See you guys for the tournament."
"Alright, see you in the tournament then," Toru said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Yeah see you guys then," I assured her.
Before anyone could ask any follow up questions, I disappeared from my spot in a burst of speed, the world blurring around me for an instant before resolving into the interior of one of the stadium's private viewing rooms.
The room was luxurious in an understated way, plush sofas, a small table with refreshments, and most importantly, a perfect view of the arena through floor-to-ceiling windows. And there, sitting on the central sofa with a china cup balanced delicately in his paws, was exactly who I'd expected to find.
Nezu looked up as I appeared, his button eyes crinkling and tahte eerie grin of his spreading across his face. Steam rose from his tea, carrying the scent of jasmine, I think, I didn't know much about teas.
"Arthur," he said warmly, setting his cup on its saucer with a gentle clink. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be down there with your friends? I know we told you that you didn't have to participate in the recreational games, but it's not like you're tired, right?"
The concern in his voice was genuine, and it made something warm bloom in my chest. Despite everything, despite his occasionally manipulative nature and his tendency toward theatrical cruelty in his lessons, Nezu had become something like family to me. The closest thing to a guardian I'd had since...
"No, I'm not tired," I replied, my smile widening slightly. "I just wanted to have a talk with you, if that's possible."
"Sure, lad," he said immediately, patting the sofa cushion beside him with one paw. "What do you want to talk about?"
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed today's chapter, I don't have much to say it, other than the fact Kaminari is screwed lol. In the original he had to deal against someone that was his almost perfect counter and now he has to deal with this, my man can't catch a break.
Oh, I was also thinking it over if Toru, Sato or Arthur would resign before the tournament like it happened in the og with two members of Shinsho's team, but because of the last part of the cavalry battle where they were fully awake I don't think they would resign now.
I hope you dudes and dudettes enjoyed this chapter. Send those stones, if you want extra chapters. Thx for reading. Author out.