Chapter Text
Fireworks burst in quick succession all around the upper perimeter of the stadium. Loud orchestral music blasts from speakers, amidst the cheer of the spectators.
“Ladies and gentlemen, and everyone in between!” Present Mic begins, “After many breath-taking and heart-pumping hours of action and drama, we have come to the end of the first-year Sports Festival!”
All of the students, save for four, have gathered on the field in neat rows.
“It is time to bring this to a satisfying close! It’s all on you, Kayama!”
“Thanks Hizashi!” Midnight nods, “Now, I understand that we’re all exhausted after a long day of excitement, but I hope we can scrape up our last vestiges of energy to congratulate our top three finalists!”
The spectators cheer.
“That’s right! It’s time for the awards ceremony!”
Behind the R-18 heroine, a great blast of smoke and confetti rise from the ground, followed by a slight rumble. A three-tiered podium rises, bringing the top three contenders into view.
Most of the students, for lack of a better term, are gobsmacked.
“What the fuck?” Kyouka eloquently summarises the general feeling.
Very few pay attention to Izuku and Fumiko. Most, if not all, eyes are on Bakugou. The explosive blonde is literally restrained against a concrete pillar, muzzled like a rabid dog and hands secured with quirk-suppressant cuffs and a giant padlock-like mechanism. Bakugou thrashes against his restraints, screaming unintelligibly. Beside him, Izuku glances at his former bully and barely stops himself from rolling his eyes.
“These three have given their best to triumph over their peers, and there is only one person who is worthy of presenting them their medals!”
Booming laughter echoes overhead, and the spectators go absolutely crazy. This time, Izuku does not stop himself from rolling his eyes with contempt. On the roof, a silhouette stands against the afternoon sun.
“Give it up for the Symbol of Peace - ”
“GOOD CITIZENS! I AM HERE!” All Might accidentally interrupts Midnight’s introduction.
An awkward silence befalls the stadium.
“Oh god! I’m so sorry! I spoke over you!”
All Might flashes a thumbs-up, “No problem!”
A robot comes forth, carrying a tray with all three medals. Midnight takes the tray and goes up to All Might, “It’s all on you now!”
The Symbol of Peace takes the bronze medal, and comes up to Fumiko, “Young Tokoyami! Congratulations on a job well done!”
“Thank you, sir,” Fumiko nods.
All Might steps closer and wraps Fumiko in a hug, “However, in order to fight better against different types of quirks, you must learn to not fully rely on your own quirk! If you continue to build up your physical strength, victory will be easier to obtain!”
“Yes, sir. I’ll remember that.”
All Might then moves over to Bakugou. The man’s smile becomes strained, “Young Bakugou…um…”
Izuku takes silent vindication over All Might being incredibly uncomfortable before the rabid dog that is Bakugou. The hero takes extreme caution to undo Bakugou’s muzzle, since it looks like the blonde is all but ready to bite the man’s hands off.
“Now, now, young Bakugou! Don’t fret too much. You win some, and you lose some,” says All Might, “Take this as an opportunity to further improve yourself! I’m sure victory will be yours next time!”
“I DON’T FUCKING CARE! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT SHITTY MEDAL!” Bakugou screams.
All Might laughs awkwardly, “Come now, you don’t really mean that!” He tries to put the silver medal around the blonde’s neck, but Bakugou is busy trying to avoid the strip of tri-coloured ribbon. Eventually, All Might just drapes the medal over Bakugou’s jaw, and steps back before any damage could be done.
He is eager to move on to Izuku with the gold.
“Young Midoriya! Congratulations on your victory! You have shown unbelievable power and skill with your quirk, and commendable sportsmanship with your fellow competitors! You are the shining example of what a Yuuei heroics student should be! Allow me to honour your victory by presenting you with your medal!”
Izuku stares coldly at All Might. It is a one-eighty from Bakugou’s explosive temper, but it leaves the hero no less uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he places the medal around Izuku’s neck, and quickly turns around to avoid the piercing gaze staring straight into his soul.
“And there we have it!” All Might booms, “While we congratulate our top three winners, let us not forget that every one of you stood a chance of placing on the podium today! Reflect on your performance, let it be a learning opportunity for future growth and increased potential!”
He spreads his arms wide, “Today has been an important milestone in your journeys to becoming full-fledged heroes! It fills me with pride to see you all grow strong and brave against challenges and adversity! AS SUCH! THERE IS ONLY ONE THING LEFT TO SAY BEFORE WE CLOSE TODAY’S SPORTS FESTIVAL! SAY IT WITH ME, EVERYONE!”
“PLUS ULTRA!”
The stadium is rocked by deafening cheers and applause. Present Mic takes over for the last time, “And with that, we have come to the end of the Sports Festival! Please take care on your way home! And for all students, have a good rest! This is Present Mic…”
“…and Aizawa Shouta…”
“…signing off!” Present Mic concludes for them both.
Izuku hangs back while his classmates return to their respective locker rooms to collect their belongings and depart for the long weekend ahead of them. There is no reason for him to rush off, since he will be trapped within Yuuei’s walls for the next three days and beyond.
After a quick shower and changing into a fresh set of clothes, he leaves the locker room, and nearly collides with Nezu.
“Ah! Izuku-kun, I was just looking for you!”
“Is there something you need, Principal Nezu?”
“I wish to speak with you for a while!” the chimera chirps, “If you could follow me to my office, I would highly appreciate it!”
Faced with no other choice, Izuku nods and follows Nezu back onto the main campus. They sit down in the office, where a tea set waits for them on the table.
“Care for some tea?”
“No thanks.”
“More for me then!” Nezu chirps, helping himself to a cup. Izuku waits while the principal pours himself some tea, takes a sip, and sets the cup down on the table.
“What is it that you want to talk to me about?” asks Izuku.
“Are you aware of the ramifications of neutering the number two hero on live television, broadcasted to the entire country?”
Izuku’s expression does not change, “I am aware that every action has a consequence, but personally, I don’t care that I tore Endeavour’s reproductive organs out of his groin. I did what needs to be done.”
Nezu nods, “I understand your thought process, and I agree that Endeavour is a criminal who deserves to face justice. However, I don’t think you are aware of the scale of the consequences.”
“Are you saying that you rather have my head bashed in by a man who is more of a villain than a hero?”
“Far from it, Izuku,” Nezu replies, taking another sip of his tea, “I saw the security feed. You were within your rights to defend yourself. However, I need you to know that your public revelations has caused a social media firestorm that shows no sign of stopping. There are Twitter and Reddit threads calling for Endeavour’s head on a pike. And last I heard, someone was arrested for vandalising Endeavour’s agency with spray-painted penises. Izuku, you must understand that Endeavour and the hero commission will not take this sitting down. There is a reason why Endeavour’s crimes have been covered up for so long. There are people in power who helped him maintain a squeaky-clean, if somewhat abrasive, image. By revealing all of his skeletons to the world, you now have a target painted on your back. The hero commission will stop at nothing to preserve the status quo, even if it means blood being spilt.”
This is news for Izuku, but rather than being intimidated, he remains frigidly calm.
“For the record, Yuuei will continue to stand by you and provide protection,” Nezu reassures, “However, I strongly advise you to exercise caution, especially when you embark on internships next week.”
“Internships?”
“Yes,” Nezu nods, “It is tradition after every Sports Festival for students to embark on work attachments and internships. This year, we’re opening it up to first-year students as a pilot programme, especially in the wake of the USJ invasion. While the invitations are still coming in, we can expect you to receive a few offers.”
Izuku nods, “I suppose Aizawa-sensei will announce this next week?”
“Yes, he will.”
“Alright, is there anything else?”
“Nothing else, Izuku. You’re free to go.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
Izuku gets up, and bows. He leaves the office without a further word. As he heads back to his room, he thinks about the hero commission, a bunch of corrupt criminals under the guise of an organisation that upholds heroism. For all that Nezu’s warning holds water, these cowards who tarnish the name of heroism by covering up the worst of crimes don’t scare him.
If it comes to it, he’ll just unleash a storm, and let it rage on.
The cold doesn’t bother him, anyways.
To Be Continued.