Chapter Notes
Be My Cheerleader
Sorry for such a late update, a lot of stuff happened in December (both with family and personally) and I finally got back in the groove of writing. I also worked on some art and more world building so hope you all enjoy the bonus figures coming up in future chapters.
Below is the map of the fantasy AU flashback world; specifically only the Northern Kingdoms. The whole world map will be revealed later in the story when it is relevant.
*** Ayane
The king has ordered I accompany him for the whole week. He says it was to ensure I am trustworthy to remain in his lands. Kirigaya reassured me it is simply his way of gaining my trust.
I do not know which is true. It could be that both of us are in need of building a bridge for honesty to be easily received. Nonetheless, I know I will not be sharing my true identity with this vulgar man anytime soon.
If he knew, I would be sent back home before the sun rises the next day.
Two suns have risen since we have landed in his castle. I am given private quarters of my own, one attendant by my side, and a friend. The quarters are the epitome of the forest; vined curtains, steady and carved wood furniture, satin and velvet cloth that resembles the flowers and lakes we passed on our journey.
My attendant is a witch by the name of Oriko Iruka; she has short twine like hair, eyes the color of honey, and cheeks dusted rouge like the king's cowl. Her voice is soft and her touch is gentle as her entire being oozes with kindness and grace. I've only seen her snap in anger once, and that was reprimanding the king. And that too for using an extensive amount of potions which taxed his muscles and bones.
The friend is the only other dragon shifter to be alive. Commander Manami Ashida. Kirigaya's betrothed. However, her scales are a bright magenta, the color of nebulas in the night sky, and contrast against her soft rose pink complexion. While her eyes are inky voids with golden suns in the center, and her horns are ivory, peeking from her soft pink candy floss hair.
She took me to the skies, right beside the king on Kirigaya, showing me the new kingdom shrouded from the fog of Ryu Zukotsu lake. The markets and the towns are lively here, all the bright glowing magic meshing together, blanketing one in warmth and security of an open minded society. People of all colors, species I have never encountered, animals I thought were just echoes of tall tales and myths live in harmony here.
It saddens me that my home has nothing near the unity I see in and around the wooden fortress of the Okuninushi Kingdom.
At least the unity in the tribal towns outside the citadel of the fort. Within his home's walls, there still are a few disagreeable individuals.
One being Noritaka Mori. A blond, lavender eyed soldier who detests my presence. Whilst the majority of the king's men and women of his army duel in the training yard just northeast of the fort, three squadrons are placed within its walls. And this Sir Noritaka is in one of these elite squadrons.
These select soldiers have a schedule to train every dawn till high noon in the citadel. They duel with bouts of laughter and screams of conviction. And if not doing that, they help the servants with hauling heavy sacks of goods and food from the gates to the kitchens and the cellars. They patrol and they guard, and they do anything the king commands even if it breaks their spirits and spills their blood.
I have crossed the citadel on a few accounts. Once accompanied by my attendant, once by my friend, twice by the king's right hand, and fourfold with the majesty himself.
Of these accounts, six times Sir Mori has scorned my name with underhanded taunts and jeers. However each of these times were harmless, only stating facts of my reckless behavior during the journey to this land and my peculiarity towards the customs practiced with magic.
His seventh time, however, he insults my skills as a warrior.
His laugh, detestable the more I hear it, echoes in the quad walled citadel. He brings his sword and points it at my sternum, stopping my stride as I cross diagonally alongside Oriko.
"You, dame Ishiyama, seem to be a fragile and weak thing." The tip presses into my blouse, against the leather vest I wear underneath the cotton garb. "No wonder his majesty had to rescue you from a pit of your own despair and frailty."
I anger easily. This is a known fact from how I've snapped at the king more times than I care to admit. This conceited man only brews rage thicker than lava, denser than stone.
But before I can clench out a response, the king's deep vibrato pierces through the citadel from my right.
"Why don't you test her strength then?" He says with impassive eyes and a leveled tone. "There is only one true way to see one's strength."
Noritaka's grin stretches, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"I, Noritaka Mori, challenge you, Ayane Ishiyama, to a duel."
I bite my lower lip trying not to reveal the excitement in my veins from his foolishness.
"I accept." I say, pressing the tip of his sword deeper as I bring out my hand in question. "A sword? If you may."
He is too gleeful to notice the heckle in my voice, and lowers his sword while unsheathing his second sword on his belt.
I take it from his hand, leaning forward and straining my arms, pretending the weight is too much for little dame Ishiyama.
Snickers flurry through the citadel, and Oriko whispers her disagreement in the arrangement. I glance once to her, smiling subtly, and then once to the king.
He does not react with his expression nor his words. However the flexing of his hand on the grip of his sword was telling enough.
I do not know what outcome he wants from this. What I do know is that his bright crimson eyes, like the sharp and glistening rubies I would wear back home, are brimmed with pride and anger.
When I turn back to face Noritaka, I am met with a blade coming at my face.
It takes one second for my reflexes to kick in, the hours of training my uncle forced me through throttle at that moment as I dodge with a lock of my hair getting cut by his sword.
He blinks once, twice, and then he raises a brow, his smile broadening in fury.
"So you are fast?" He swings his arm again, the impact harsh and heavy against my blade as I hit it back.
"You tell me." I grit, sliding my blade against his, sparks flying between them until my blade is against his neck while his is still against mine and trying to cross to my neck.
He sneers, aiming at my stomach.
Instead, I let go of my blade, let it fall in my other hand and cut against his shin.
He winces and cries, crimson soaking his suit and the steel of the borrowed sword.
"Yield," I command, standing straight as he wobbles on his bad leg. "I do not want to injure a fellow compatriot anymore."
"Never!" He brings his sword back up, aiming for my left underarm.
I sigh, hitting his sword twice in quick succession and then swiveling his blade around mine until his sword flies out of his grip. It lands in front of the king's feet, the metal digging into the ground and standing straight so the sunlight hits against it.
Now I raise my sword, digging the tip in his sternum as I puff my chest in pride and smirk with a taunt of my own on my tongue.
"I win, Sir Mori." I press it deeper into his leather armor. "You lost to a weak and frail peasant girl from a magicless land. I hope you learn to never underestimate one's disposition again."
And Sir Mori shakes with enmity I did not know he could possess. "You are some spy of another land," He claims with surety, "You've come to deceive us!"
My eyes widen, and I grip the sword tighter. The whispers get louder, the echoes of his claim, the distrust in his eyes are being sown in their hearts.
I swallow, and I can feel my core tremble.
If anyone ever discovers my true name and true title, they surely will assume I am a spy. They would never trust my word again.
Hence if I want to start anew, I must pretend that Ayane is dead. I must forget who that Ayane was.
And that starts with denying his slander.
But before I can, someone else does the deed.
"Do not slander those who you do not know you big headed imbecile." The king's rage burns like fire burns through a forest as he spits those words to his soldier.
Sir Mori's eyes peel open, his whole body petrified as he bends his head down. "I apologize, my liege," he says monotonously yet with disdain.
The king does not entertain the soldier any longer, turning and walking away without another word.
When he rushes away into the corridor towards his quarters, I follow him.
I am aware it is foolish to stalk such a hunter. Nonetheless, I wish to thank him for giving me a chance to prove my strength and for clearing my name as well. It is the least I can do; even if he did not mean to be in my favor in the slightest.
I am about to call for him as I turn one final bend, however, I hear the murmur of two engaged in conversation.
"That is not why I allowed the challenge." I recognize the king's hissed words immediately.
"Are you positive, my liege?" That is Kirigaya, and his soft chuckle right after makes me the more curious. "Dame Ishiyama seemed all the more graceful with a blade than she did with the dresses you have given her."
My eyes go wide, my cheeks grow hot, my fingers tremble as I clench the front of my dress. What is the commander implying?
That the king? The vulgar embodiment of barbarians is-
No. That is not possible.
"You see that only now?" The king says, and I swear on the gods, I can hear a smile in his voice. "I have seen it since the first dawn with fire in her eyes."
I feel my ears burn, feel my heart thunder beneath my bosom. To think he has such a way with words. I am truly astonished to hear it.
There is a silence dragged on, one terribly imposing, as I keep my back plastered to the wall, listening for the next in this conversation.
I hear them breathing. Or is it my own breath I hear?
"Have you grown attached to the dame so soon?" Kirigaya's voice seems winded, nearly appalled at the development. "It has not even been ten suns."
The king releases a grunt, one of annoyance and pique.
"Do not misunderstand me, Kirigaya." His voice is impossibly low, almost a whisper but not quite. "The dame is not the apple of my eye. I was simply looking forward to seeing her show Mori his place."
Kirigaya laughs, the sound of a clap on skin startles my heart. "As you say my lord. Nonetheless your rouge complexion says different."
The king snarls, and with a bark of insults his footsteps recede far away into the corridor.
And before Kirigaya can find my inquisitorial nature, I rush away from the wall back into the main citadel.
I cannot think anymore of what I just heard. I believe my mind will go mad if I do.
So when the sun makes my eyes squint, and Oriko rushes to my side with a potion to help with the light- headedness I might be experiencing, I make a vow to gain the king's favor.
Maybe then I can survive in this land.
And maybe one day I can share my true identity with him too.
~~~
Ayumi
I wake up to the smell of curry and rice. Apparently, I had fallen asleep sitting down, my head resting against Mina-chan's shoulder until Yao-Momo and Jirou-chan got both of us food.
I blink away the drowsiness until my stomach starts to grumble in hunger. My mouth waters and I shovel the curry and rice, barely paying attention to my surroundings.
I am too occupied by the dream I just had. I mean apparently Monoma was present in my past life too?! With the same attitude too?! I do think Sir Mori was more polite in his own way though. I guess I'll have
to see based on whatever future I have later.
The most concerning thing for me though, is the fact Ayane is lying about her past. I can only see flashes of who she was in the Haniyasu Kingdom whenever she recalls those memories, but nothing was clear enough for me to decipher who exactly. All I can tell is that she lived in the palace and gained the royal family's favor.
Before I can dwell on it any longer, I'm ripped from my thoughts; I hear something about cheerleading outfits. And then the Grape-head and Kaminari-kun tell us about how Aizawa Sensei had mentioned for us to wear the outfits.
I want to crawl in a hole and never come out. I don't want people to see the scar on my torso. Or for anyone to objectify my body when wearing those outfits.
But everyone seems so enthusiastic, I'll feel bad for ruining the spirit. And if it truly is something Aizawa Sensei is expecting from us, I think I can swallow my pride this once.
So YaoMomo uses her quirk to make outfits for us; tiny orange crop tops that blend in with my freckles and hair, and matching skirts with green filled within the folds.
Not that the skirt is any helpful. My spandex shorts are visible if I so much as skip. It doesn't matter really. I'm too worried for the scar visible when I raise my arms.
The easy solution is to keep my arms down, hug my torso in a defensive pose as well. However, right after the outfits, YaoMomo made us all pompoms to carry, not letting me cover my birthmark as I normally would.
However, after some time, walking into the arena, I find the courage to feel confident in my skin. I mean, the birthmark is almost like a larger freckle, just sharp jagged edges framing the denser center. Kinda looks like a scar from a far, which as a hero, is just a badge of honor.
So yeah, I shake off the anxiety and irritation and walk forward into our formation. We're gonna show the world just how confident we Class-1A girls are.
***
Katsuki
The girl extras look stupid in their cheerleading outfits. It's pretty obvious both the Dunce Face and Grapehead both need the discipline Ears is handing out to them right now.
I don't feel as bad for the lot of them, falling for the obvious ass trick. Any qualified hero could see right through their motive and intrigue to convince that type of prank.
Even Tangerine got sucked into the part.
I can't help but roll my eyes (stupid Yumi actually looks decent in the outfit) and I'm about to look towards Midnight Sensei to know the brackets of the one on one battles.
But my eyes get caught by the mark on her stomach. It looks like a seven pointed star, but that isn't why my heart sinks in my stomach.
It was the flash of Tangerine's smile morphing into a frown and the sparkle of humor in her eyes turning into tears that has me frozen (shitty flashbacks).
And instead of the mark, I see the arrow that killed Tangerine's (Yumi's) doppelganger, Ayane. I see the blood pouring from the wound.
Hell, I hate this shit. Distracting me in broad daylight. Thank-freaking-finally Midnight Sensei starts her announcement for the following battles. It is easier to ignore her with the next round in mind.
I am going against an Uraraka (whatever that is (I know she's Round Cheeks but I don't care enough to know her name)) first.
Sensei explains the rules, which are pretty straight forward: fight your opponent until either one gets out of bounds or one looses consciousness.
That should be easy. Just gotta blast these extras to oblivion.
When Sensei gives the okay to go prep before our matches, I head over to the secluded hallways in the stadium. I need to clear my head somehow.
I stare at the wall blankly. It seems the quickest way to clear my thoughts at the moment, to cool down the rage and fire within my chest from the loss of number one in the cavalry battle.
"The wall sure looks interesting huh?"
I audibly exhale an agitated breath. Of course she found me here.
"Leave me alone."
"If you want to be alone, you shouldn't be standing in the middle of a hallway where anyone can cross your path."
I glare at her with explosions shooting out of my eyes. She simply tilts her head with a smile (shitty cute smile).
"You're a pain in my ass."
She smirks in a way that makes me wanna punch her (and would make the stupid king from my past life want to kiss her).
"We'll see how much of a pain I am when I battle against you." She whispers, leaning in and her eyes glinting with playful mischief. (Stupid stunning eyes).
I can't help but grin wildly at that. "You should worry about your first match, Tangerine. Last time I checked, electricity is stronger with metal in the picture."
A laugh bubbles out of her chest, bordering between gleeful and cynical (a stupid pretty laugh that makes my stomach twist and curl). She walks away, her hair blowing in the draft the halls carry from outside.
"Well then it's a good thing the human Pikachu has a limit."
After she leaves and is out of view I snort a breath. She isn't wrong about Dunce Face's limit. And when I think no one is there to hear my voice, I mumble under my breath, "Stupid Yumi."
Chapter Notes
Let the Battles Commence
Good news all! I finally got a scheduled worked out for this fic! Chapters will be published every Monday starting this week!
Hope you enjoy!
Katsuki
We are waiting for the next battle to start. Deku already won his first round.
He had gone against a purple headed brainwasher. The idiot nearly lost too. The general studies student really was in over his head if he thought he could win with his quirk alone.
Good thing the nerd showed him his place. (No, I'm not cheering for the shit-nerd, shut up!) Tangerine left a few minutes ago. Her battle is right after IcyHot's and Tape Arms.
Everyone is buzzing with contagious excitement. But I can't relish in it with the rest of the extras. I need to focus and gather intel on any possible opponents I could get. When I reach the finals, I'll need all the data I can use.
It's easier without the nerd mumbling my ear out. But I know it's short-lived the moment I see the bastard gets on stage. He glares at the floor, not moving when Sensei calls the start of the match.
When the Tape-idiot wrapped IcyHot in an instant, I knew he was going to freeze in his icy hell.
And just as I predicted, a glacier that tore through the roof of the stadium erupted from IcyHot's right- foot.
From overhearing his conversation with Deku, it was easy to guess where that power came from.
The rage against his shitty old man is enough to fuel his quirk. His stubbornness is what caused him to restrict only using half his power.
When I go against him, I'll force those flames out of him. I'll claim total victory against him with his full power. Just watch me.
The half hour drags at a snails pace as the half-and-half bastard and the UA staff melt the ice. Shitty Hair comments on how I should help. I only grumble how he needs to mind his own business. (And no, I
am not thinking about how this gives Shitty Yumi more time for her battle. Shut up.)
When the last of the water evaporates, Midnight Sensei resumes the battles, announcing Tangerine (Shitty Yumi) and Dunce Face for the next round.
They face each other, both smirking and shouting flirtatious taunts either way. (If the discount Pikachu what's good for him, he'll back the ef off right now.)
And with the sound of the horn, they launch their attacks.
Dunce Face releases indiscriminate shock at a million volts. But the idiot doesn't see the poles Tangerine already circled around him.
The poles suddenly flatten into sheets and forms a dome to cover him.
Tangerine shouts when the electricity zaps within her trap, falling to her knees. But she's still holding the dome down. She's still breathing.
It reminds me of when All Might punched the structure she made to hold down the Nomu during the USJ attack. I'm sure her quirk drawback is that any metal she controls becomes an extension of her nervous system.
But compared to Dunce Face's quirk drawback, hers is obviously superior. At least she doesn't get even more idiotic with her quirk.
And when she raises the dome, Dunce Face is well... He's got a dunce face.
"Denki Kaminari can no longer fight!" Midnight Sensei raises the red flogger in her hand, "Ayumi Yamamoto wins!"
The crowd goes wild. The extras cheer her name, shouting congratulations as she stands up on her shaky legs. She lifts her fist and beams to her joyous audience.
And no.
I'm not smiling like an idiot cause she won. Shut up.
***
Ayumi
I feel like the shocks are still going through my system.
And Kaminari-kun seems to have already recovered in a handful of minutes with his flirtatious quips praising my win.
"That was a fair match, Yamamoto-chan," He says, sitting beside Bakago. I'm surprised all he gets from the ball of aggression is a half-hearted threat for him to move away.
"It was."
What I don't tell him is that he might've sabotaged my future battles despite his loss. I keep feeling the tingles all through my limbs.
"Ya should get rid of the statics." Bakago points to my head, "Your hair is still floatin'." I widen my eyes and look up. Sure enough a few locks of my hair are defying gravity.
"Ah rats," I grumble, making a bracelet from the metal rings on my boots, letting the shock channel from my nerves.
When I look up, I notice Bakago's steady gaze, almost as though he was sending daggers with his eyes.
"What?" I snap.
He clicks his tongue, glaring to the wall by his side.
Kaminari-kun then proceeds to tease him, elbowing his side with a whisper of something I didn't catch.
Whatever he said, it warranted Bakago to explode his head in a fit of rage.
I can't bother with them any longer, and take a seat next to Kirishima-kun on the first row.
Iida-kun just beat Shiozaki-san in the stadium, pushing her out of bounds in a few seconds before she could use her quirk effectively against him.
Timing truly was the key in their match and Iida-kun did a good job of utilizing each second.
In my next match, I'll be going against him. I'll have to figure out an effective way to stop his engines before he can use it against me.
As Midnight-sensei wraps up the match, Sero-kun walks down the stairs with a shiver down his spine. Going against Todoroki-kun was a brutal hit on his ego; the echoes of "Don't mind," seems like my worst nightmare made into realization. I admire how he's carrying it though.
Next up is Mina-chan versus Aoyama-kun. I cheer for my partner in crime and with her physical prowess, I know I'm cheering for the winner.
While Mina shoots acid on Aoyama's belt and his pants fall in international embarrassment, Kirishima- kun bids his farewell for the next match, asking for well wishes and flashes a fist of determination. (He says he knows Mina-chan will win so he has to keep it up; I'm sure their friendship has something to do with their past lives too).
I'd missed Midoriya-kun's mumble storm in the previous matches. But this time, I witness it in its full glory. If I had the capability to decipher his every analysis, I would. Maybe I should ask him for pointers on his analysis techniques in the future.
While listening to Midoriya-kun's word vomit, I missed Ochako-chan's departure to prepare for her match.
I understand her need to slip away silently. Going against the human bomb won't be easy. When I turn around, I notice Bakago is gone too.
(Despite his ego, he takes all the games seriously. If he's anything like King Kousuke, he might fight against Ochako-chan with caution.)
With Mina's acid finally wiped off the arena, YaoMomo and Tokayami-kun's match starts. And it ends before we can get any good action.
Midoriya-kun was right when he said their match depends on timing. If only YaoMomo knew of Tokoyami-kun's weakness; all she had to do was make a large flashlight and shine it on Dark Shadow until the pair surrendered.
She should know she did great for what she knew. I should tell her. Still, I know it's better if I stay quiet. It might just rub more salt in the wound.
It only takes a few more minutes for the next match to start.
Poor Kirishima-kun. I can see his manly tears when Present Mic Sensei introduces him the same way as he does with his iron opponent, Tetsutetsu-kun.
Their match drags on for twenty minutes, both fighting each other with the same moves and enduring the same injuries. I won't lie. I find myself yawning near the end when both get knocked unconscious.
No one really notices, but Mina-chan starts to pout when she sees Kirishima-kun's beaten body on the concrete floor.
Suddenly, my mind grows foggy, my vision blurring into one of the past as I see her expression and I see him on the floor.
Except this time I see Manami in tears with her tattered armor and Kirigaya in a pool of his own blood. His scales flicker.
I blink furiously. Once. Twice. The third time my vision is back and Mina-chan has a hand on my shoulder.
"Yumi-chan? Ya good?" She asks.
Am I good? No.
Am I honest when I answer her? Also no.
"I'm fine, Mina-chan. Just spaced out."
She smiles sheepishly, squeezing an arm around my shoulders. "Mmm, spacing out cause of Bakugo?"
I splutter. Why does she poke in possible romantic affairs?
"Definitely not. The last person I'd cheer for is Bakago."
Her laugh blares in my ear. "Ya can't fool me. Ya even have a cute nickname for him."
I'm sure the heat on my cheeks and ears are giving away whatever "feelings" I might have for him- rather I have for Kousuke.
"You're out of your mind, sweetheart." I tease, poking her arm. "The nickname is revenge for the one he gave me."
She leaves it at that, humming knowingly. I can tell she wants to press it further, but Midnight Sensei's voice booms through the speaker.
The final battle of round 1 is starting.
Present Mic introduces them. Bakago is insulted for his disastrous expression, that his mother wouldn't love him for it. (The fact he chooses to keep that expression when he has a resting pretty face is hilarious to me. He's probably trying to establish fear or something else barbaric.)
And the match begins.
Ochako-chan starts with a full on charge, keeping her body low on the ground. He explodes her at point blank.
She's launched away and hits the concrete. Only to repeat the process.
Run low. Explosion. Sent flying back.
After a few tries, she tricks him with her jacket and uses the smoke as a cover, her fingertips just barely touching him.
But I know it's not enough. His reaction timing is one of the best in our year.
"His reaction timing is no joke," Kaminari-kun winces as another explosion vibrates through the stadium.
I can't help but agree. Still, no one sees the caution he's exhibiting. Only exploding when she's near. He isn't letting loose as he usually would.
Again Ochako-chan gets up. Again she runs low. Explosion. And she's sent flying back.
Rubble breaks off when she's flung back and can't help but flinch at how she lands on her back.
But that rubble doesn't fall with her. It's weightless...
Oh. Oh. That makes sen-
"Yo, stop playing with the poor girl!" A hero shouts from the crowd. "Get the match over with already!"
Another hero echoes the sentiment and soon a small crowd agrees with him.
I want to scold them for their stupidity. She's clearly got a plan! What does he mean by "poor girl"?!
"Which hero said that?"
The crowd goes silent, goosebumps raise on my arms. I haven't seen Aizawa Sensei that disappointed before.
***
Katsuki
"Whoever did, they should hang up their cape." Damn straight. Stupid hero. "Bakugo is clearly respecting Uraraka's strength and her capability as an opponent." Of course I am. She didn't get here from pure luck. If anything, she must have some plan up her sleeve thanks to the shit nerd, Deku. "And if you were paying attention, you'd notice what's above you."
Shiiiit.
I look up instantly. And I clench my jaw when I'm faced with a meteor shower just hung above my head. Effin' Uraraka.
She's just as smart and crazy as the witch in my dreams.
"Release!" She screams.
I brace myself. I need a wide stance for the impact I'm about to release. I hold my right arm steadily. Ignore the stupid pebbles. I gotta destroy the big ones.
Thank All Might I'm already warmed up and it's the hotter time of spring.
I hear Uraraka running on my left. The rubble is just two seconds away from crushing me flat like a shitty pancake.
Sparks. And then– I let loose the biggest explosion I can make.
Smoke, dust and pebbles rain from the sky. I hear Uraraka's body tumble away from the impact. Hell, the strain on my forearm is annoying.
"That was close." I grumble, pressing down the muscle to soothe the shitty cramp. Damn she's freakin' strong.
I turn quickly, my stance ready to fight.
She's on her feet, her stance a little weak but her eyes are just as ferocious.
"Let's go, Uraraka!" I can't help but grin. She's a worthy opponent all right.
But then her eyes blur and she falls on the ground.
For once, the fight leaves me peacefully. The win feels more bittersweet than anything.
Like dark chocolate.
Midnight Sensei announces my win and I watch as the medical staff carry her away.
She gave it her all, and didn't hold back a single moment in the entire match. Hell, she probably surpassed her endurance to get this far. She has warranted my respect.
I huff and walk the way I came.
Chapter Notes
Copper Glow
So I haven't published in three weeks... I apologize but life has really not been giving a break. The schedule I planned wasn't working out so I decided to get ahead on writing chapters before starting to update. So excited to say, chapters will be published every Monday starting March 13th! This chapter is an early update as a peace offering :)
Hope you enjoy!
Katsuki
The shitty nerd, Deku, lost his fight. Serves him right tryna compete against one of the strongest.
The shithead managed to make IcyHot use his flames though. An endurance battle was something I expected but didn't realize until late that the nerd was tryna help save the bastard.
IcyHot had it coming. With how he was over using his ice side, his endurance was withering. As much as I hate admitting it, he would've lost if he didn't use it. But at the cost of Deku's arms.
The shithead's quirk really is bothering.
Borrowed quirk my ass. It's impossible to transfer quirks. Everyone knows that.
The next match was Four Eyes against Tangerine (stupid Yumi).
It's obvious what her main move is going to be. His mufflers were made of metal; all she has to do is clog them and he can't use his speed.
So when he holds zooms past, holding her by the arms and pushing her towards the barrier, I want to scream out why she's being stupid.
But, like I thought, she blocks his mufflers and he halts just two seconds before she crosses the barrier.
It is only for a split second but I see her metal flicker orange before she encases metal all around Four Eyes. It might've been my imagination but the color is more than just a trick of the light.
With the verbal confirmation from Midnight Sensei and the loser of the match, Tangerine (stupidly cool Yumi) is declared the winner.
Majority of the class is celebrating, cheering with too wide smiles and too loud hoorahs for her win. Some are sympathetic to the Class President's loss. But she isn't smiling.
She stares at her hands in shell shock, her shoulders shaking with every shuddering breath. Something is wrong. I can see it as clear as the blue sky overhead.
I don't dare say anything though.
I can't. Not without exposing my shitty weakness (my care for her wellbeing) out in the open.
So I press my lips into a finer line and furrow my brows as she disappears into the darkness of the tunnel with her current shaken frame.
I get up, heading to prep myself for the next match. I'm going against Shitty Hair anyway, it should be an easy win if I go on the defense until the strain from keeping his quirk intact weakens him. Then all I gotta do is go all out and overpower his stupid hardening.
After all quirks are just like the muscles in our bodies.
But before I get to my match, I should massage my forearm. It'll get too sore if I keep overworkin' them-
"Bakago."
The freakin' hell.
"What?!" I snap, turning to find the stupid Carrot-head staring at my frame with no emotion.
And ya know what? Her impassive expression is pissin' me off more than her shitty smirk.
"Nothing. I just wanted to wish you good luck for the next match. Kirishima-kun is a strong opponent."
I snarl. Of course I know that.
"I don't luck. I'll win an indisputable victory."
Her snort triggers my anger more but I hold it back. There was something incredibly and annoyingly sad in her eyes.
"Your arm." She points to my right one, taking two steps closer. "It's been sore since your match against Ochako-chan.
"Shut up." Why the hell did she notice that? "Ya don't know shit."
She ignores me. (She ignores me. The audacity.) And then she grabs my arm, coiling a thin sheet of metal around my forearm.
"What the hell are ya doin'?!"
The metal constricts, pressing harder at pressure points down my arm.
I'd never admit it, but it felt nice. All the pain melted through my fingertips, seeping outward.
"Keep it on until right before the start of your match. Unhook this-" she points to the clasp in my inner wrist. "-and let it fall to the ground. Don't worry about returning it, I'll know where it is."
I glare at her. (I seriously hope the heat on my ears is not signifying they are as red as Shitty Hair's bad dye-job.)
"I ain't worryin' about anything." I turn my head away, not daring to meet her inquisitive and soul- dissecting eyes.
She really knew how to make one feel exposed without even saying a word. It might've carried over from her past life's tendency to do so.
Annoyin' past lives.
She giggles, and I can't help but dart my glare at her for a second.
She looks like an idiot, cheesin' while starin' at my profile. (She looks pretty goddammit!)
"Of course your not worried. I wouldn't expect any less from the barbaric king."
I scowl and purposefully angle my eyebrows in a sharp angle.
"Who the hell said anything about being barbaric? I'm the King Explosion Murder."
I hate how my heart skips a beat when she laughs out loud. I hate it all. (I kinda sorta don't.)
"Of course you are." She says, and from her smile I know she's being oddly sincere.
It's giving me a bad feeling.
"Whatever." I grumble.
"Good luck," she says, pointing behind her with her thumb. "Your match is close."
"I said I don't need luck!" Seriously! I hate repeating myself.
She smiles and walks away without another word.
And when I no longer hear her footsteps, I realize that I never asked about the orange glow during her match.
***
Ayumi
Bakago won his match.
It was a little surprising to see him on the defense. Nonetheless, I knew he'd pull through eventually. With the mark of his win, the best of four was announced.
Me versus Todoroki-kun and Tokoyami-kun versus Bakago.
I've practically secured my position in the top three. But I'm feeling too uneasy since my last match.
The copper light flashing as I captured Iida-kun in my metal trap was unnerving. Still is. I felt a surge of power when it happened. And even though it was only for a split second, it felt both addicting and dangerous.
I have to be careful. I don't know what'll happen if I succumb to its power. I walk through the tunnel, trying my best to calm my nerves.
The game plan is simple. Dodge the ice while slowly getting closer to Todoroki-kun. He's not the greatest with close combat and if I immobilize him with metal on both sides, he'll hurt himself more with the extreme temperatures.
Midnight Sensei calls for us and the walk to the platform is the most nerve-wracking it's been all day.
Todoroki-kun analyzes me with a curt nod, and his eyes sharpen as I balance my stance with a more defensive tactic.
"And start!"
I expect an ice fortress to erect almost instantaneously.
But it doesn't.
Todoroki-kun watches me and I watch him. Frost slowly creeps on the floor but no attack is launched. Similarly, my metal melts into a platform but I make no move against him.
He's being just as cautious as I am.
Did he notice the copper glow too?
Thirty long agonizing seconds pass and we both have not moved a step forward.
"What is this?" Present Mic exclaims, "Have we come to witness an impasse?"
That seems to trigger my impulse to prove others wrong. It's an annoying habit I have. I know. But I fall into the trap anyway.
I lift myself on the surfboard I've subtly created, zipping in zig-zags toward Todoroki-kun's side.
He takes the hint, finally unleashing his power at me. An idea comes and instead of dodging the ice I hide behind it, waiting, biding my time.
Turns out he's waiting for me too.
"Stop hiding!" He exclaims. He's more like Bakago than I thought.
My breath quivers in the cold. I don't make a peep. My hiding place would be revealed too soon if I give in to his taunts.
A rumbling shakes the ice and I notice walls of ice come from both sides.
Stupid, stupid Ayumi.
I made the perfect opportunity for him to enclose me in a trap.
With more strength than I thought possible, I launch myself through the crack between the walls, molding the metal surfboard into a thinner one.
I realize too late that Todoroki-kun is waiting on the other side. He shoots another wall of ice towards me, trapping me in the small ice room he made.
I had encircled my metal into a thin sheet around me in a small sphere, hoping I could insulate my warmth so I could find a way out.
But it's too cold. Holy All Might it's too cold. I blindly look at my fingers in the dark and I'm sure they're blue like Ayane's were in my dreams.
I don't want to lose like this. It won't be worth all the wins I got to get to this point.
A crazy solution comes to mind. It'll push me to my limits. Might even get me to tap into the copper glowy power thing too.
But if I don't take risks, it won't be worth it.
I mold my metals into spears. And hell it's really hard because the cold is making them more rigid and stiff than usual. But I somehow manage. I have to.
And then I push the spears outward, in all directions. I push and pull and throw again. The ice shakes and my muscles spasm.
Freaking hell ice is strong. Though, metal is stronger.
I pierce it again and again. The ice cracks and my will strengthens.
This might work. Oh kami this might work.
The cheers outside start to die. They must've thought I don't have any more fight in me, They were about to get a rude awakening.
Because the strength I needed to rip through ice was from the power I haven't used yet. And I know it's reckless to go there. I know. But I'm doing it anyway, my hands glow and the metals and the ice is exploding away from me.
And soon my vision is also copper tinted while my mind blurs into thoughts that I can't keep up with.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Todo- Who?
Katsuki
Metal sings when the orange glow erupts from the center of Icyhot's ice prison.
To think Tangerine was hiding that big of a power-up up her sleeve.
What the effin' hell!?
Ice explodes, Icyhot flies and catches himself. The wind grows cold again (I really hate this freezin' shit) and icy mist blocks our view.
And I would've tried to see what was happening. If it weren't for the literal auditorium ripping itself apart.
Metal beams are coated in the same orange light beaming from the center of the stadium. Debris starts to fall on our heads. I explode a lot of it away; Shitty Hair protects the shitheads next to me; I'm sure Birdhead got majority of the front covered.
"That was close," Dunce Face says.
I simply nod. It was close; no shame in admitting it damnit.
"Yamamoto-san really has rocked the stadium!!! Nothing us heroes can't handle!!!" Present Mic Sensei hollers in encouragement.
The crowd screams. Not in encouragement but in fear. It's a good thing most of the extras here are heroes and they can lift their own weight.
The ones complaining need to get new jobs. Shittier ones. Ones meant for the side characters.
Cement manages to snake up the stadium's main beams; probably because Cementoss Sensei's positioning at the near center of the stadium is perfect to restabilize the structure as evenly as possible.
When the shitty mist clears, the first thing I notice is that Tangerine (shitty Yumi) is flying with no metal carrying her. The second thing is that all the warped metal is surrounding her from all sides.
It is a bone-chilling sight. Even I'm willing to admit that.
She glances down at Icyhot's frame; Endeavor shouts some twisted form of encouragement to use his flames and Deku follows suit.
He reacts, flames erupting to her. But it's already too late. Stupid- beautiful- strong Yumi is already outstretching her palm towards him, the metal spikes shooting towards him, cutting through the flames, in a lethal attack.
The crowd screams again.
"She's goin' for the kill!!!" Present Mic yells in horror.
Cementoss Sensei erects a defensive wall to protect the Half and Half Bastard.
Yet the metal never pierces the wall. It falls to the ground, the orange light dying around it and dying around Tangerine (Yumi) too.
Aizawa Sensei has deactivated her quirk from where he sits in the observation deck. And she falls.
She falls, and being the chivalrous idiot Icyhot is, he uses his ice to propel himself forward to catch her in his arms. Medics hurry to the scene and it's clear she's unconscious.
He is declared as victor of the round; Tangerine (Yumi) is declared as one of the third place winners. I get up, ignoring the protests from the extras to be careful of going down.
Right on cue Present Mic announces, "The stadium is safe to move around in! We'll have a twenty minute break before moving to the next semi final match!!!"
I huff as I go to prep in my room.
It's stupid but she should've won.
She was clearly the stronger one. She was just dumb when it came to battle instincts. I'll be the one to beat Icyhot with his flames.
Just you wait.
***
Ayane
The snow and ice is my least favorite of all the seasons. Even as it twinkles in the sun, the shivers that go down my spine make it all that revolting.
I enjoy the season of flowers, the colors blooming in every corner of our kingdom's valley. Unfortunately, the time of year is the limbo in between. The showers drenching the dry trees and evergreen all around the kingdom.
Water pitter patters against the stone walls, the green velvet curtains framing the stained glass of the throne room.
I was summoned by my uncle, the current king of the land. He is a despicable being, but he has always treated me well.
He sometimes jests I am the son he never had with my better expertise of the kingdom's dealings; better than his pair of prissy daughters anyhow.
The throne room is bathed in gold fire light, the knight's silver armor reflecting the light in delicate strings. My bestest comrade from the training days, Sir Tobio Iida, follows me by my flank, whispering speculations of what I could possibly be summoned for.
I may have a clue. Formal summonings with such an audience always have something to do with the future of the kingdom. Either it is for my consultation on a possible alliance, or it is to inform me of one.
Considering the kingdom's wealth dwindling from the harsh winter we barely survived from, I suspect it is the latter.
"My niece." He regards me, his crows feet deepening with the smile he flashes. "I have good news. The best actually."
He slogs to me, his heavy viridian cloak trailing behind him. "You have a proposal, one that'll protect our lands forevermore."
I cannot help the gasp of shock leave my throat. A proposal is not what I suspected. Nor is it something I want.
"I decline." I spat. "I will not leave my kingdom for another."
The king frowns, his eyes piercing and his grip on my shoulder robustly clenched. "Leave us," He commands, "Now."
The throne room is emptied save the pair of us. The rain is all that fills our silence.
Until my uncle sighs. "Oh dear Ayane," He starts remorsefully, his tone soft yet stiff. "I know you wish to protect the kingdom. However, this is how we can protect our dying lands. We need to progress our trade, and there is only so much that emeralds can buy us from the south."
"We cannot trade anything in the south. You have banned to mingle with the mystic folk five summers ago. That is what led us to this fate, uncle."
"I know. Oh, I know." He weeps with no tears. "But we have a chance to right my wrongs. If you accept Crown Prince Todokoro's proposal then we can survive. King Enjiro has accepted extended trade with our kingdom, and the building of bridges across Kaji River to allow passage between the lands. We will also have access to Okami Kingdom's trade routes."
I swear on our patron goddess that my heart halts in my chest as a hear Todokoro's name. "The proposal is from the Godai Kingdom?"
My uncle freezes, as though the ice from Okami has petrified him. "Yes, it is."
"Uncle," I breathe, holding his hands in mine. "I beg you to decline the proposal. This alliance will turn the Godai Kingdom into an empire. I thought you knew of King Enjiro's greed; it is said his son is worse than him."
"His proposal is a generous one. If we decline, we'll resort the kingdom to a war we cannot afford."
"But Uncle, we are the stronghold between Godai and the Mystic Lands. If he knows of our helm, he can-"
"Princess," He scolds. I straighten my spine. "He knows nothing of our helm. I will not let him know. However, we must accept the proposal. They've asked for your hand, none of my daughters. You know why."
I do know why. They mean to merge our kingdoms into one; with this alliance the Haniyasu's heir would become the Godai's heir. The same has happened with Okami's kingdom. The day King Enjiro passes and his heir becomes king, both kingdoms will raise the same flag: Godai's.
"Uncle. Is this the only way to secure our future?"
I know the answer. There is a way to avoid joining families with the Todokoros. It is to join with the Mystic Kingdoms, the Daikokotsu Kingdom and the Okununishi Kingdom. And while Daikokotsu has always cloaked their true strength, the Okununishi houses the barbaric king, Kousuke Bakugan. When compared against King Enjiro, King Kousuke is the lesser of two evils.
But the king would never join sides with them. Not when magic holding assassins had killed his queen in her sleep.
"It is the only way." His eyes shine greedily.
"Very well then, Your Majesty." I curtsy, turning away to leave the throne room that was to be mine.
I should've known my uncle's- the king's kindness was only to control who the heir of the kingdom shall be after me. The northern world knows I am next in line; my father was the true king until he fell ill and passed away ten winters ago. It is just as well known that my future husband will be named king of the Haniyasu Kingdom.
I am princess Ayane Yamasaki after all.
And to protect my kingdom, I'll run south until I find an alliance worthy of battling the Godai Kingdom.
~~~
Ayumi
My head is splitting in half when I wake up in the medical bay. Not literally but it sure feels like it.
The dream was disorienting for sure. (I can't remember anything except the stone walls, green curtains, and rain; why can't I remember?) I think the pain is from the fact I tapped into that very power I promised myself I wouldn't tap into. So much for that whole mental pep talk. Jeez.
"You woke up," Recovery Girl says, startling me from my thoughts. "How are you feeling?"
"Peachy." I'll say. "I don't exactly remember what happened. It's all very blurry."
"Your quirk went through some sort of evolution out there. It could've been part of your fight and flight response when facing a life or death situation: in this case being surrounded in ice. I would take it easy when using your quirk and closely examining its power when in Aizawa Sensei's company when trying new moves."
I nod, "Did I hurt anyone?"
"No, you didn't." I sigh. "But you were close." My heart races and my breath freezes. What? "I suggest you watch your match to understand your full strength."
I nod again, trying to breathe as leveled as possible. Before I can further contemplate on what I could've possibly done, Todoroki-san and Bakago are filed in on medical cots.
"Wait did the final match finish?"
"Yes," Aizawa Sensei replies at the door. His mummy get up nearly made me scream in fright. "Bakugo won."
My eyes widened as I stare at them. "Is he injured?"
"He's fine. Just knocked out courtesy of Midnight Sensei."
"That's good- wait- Midnight Sensei had to knock him unconscious? Why?"
He sighs. This sports festival seems to shave off a few of his years. "After watching the match, it'll make more sense."
I blink rapidly. I guess they both were being idiots in their final match.
After a final check up and a curt send off from Aizawa Sensei, I am directed to a room one level below the stadium's center; to stand on the final ranking stands beside Tokoyami-kun.
To think I'm the only girl on here.
Soon Todoroki-kun walks in, his gaze sad and not meeting mine.
I wanted to say something. I didn't. I couldn't. Not with how disconnected he seems.
I simply wait as Present Mic Sensei's voice reverberates through the ground.
That is until Bakago is dragged inside the room. In chains.
In chains.
What the heck?
"Uh, is this okay?" I mumble to Tokoyami-kun.
"I don't think they really have a choice."
After seeing Bakago fight against the stand he's being fastened to the concrete stand, I sigh and shake my head in disbelief.
"You're right." I sigh sarcastically, looking up as the sun shines through. "This is going to be great."
***