Chapter 16
Blackout
Fed By Comments
- Location
- Who knows?
The concept of a Quirk-free zone was a simple one. A privately owned area where people could use their individual abilities to their heart's content, at least within certain limitations, in exchange for a small fee. Some offered instruction or specialized facilities, others simply allowed you to roam free.
There were a number of such places near Musutafu, Utapau Flight Facility and the Musutafu Aquarium to name a few, but over the years we'd been to every single one.
Luckily for people like me, people had recognized the immense business opportunity, and similar sites had been built across Japan. Dathomir Park was one such area, a privately owned area where Quirk usage was freely allowed, albeit with restrictions about causing damage to the park or other visitors. Hundreds of acres of lush river valley, free to explore to my heart's content.
"Ryuko, look!"
My sister could barely stop herself from laughing as I emerged from the forest, a tiny squirrel balancing on my nose. She'd brought me here to relax, and blow off some steam before the Sports Festival.
"Look, it's completely tame!" I told her as the furry critter ran up the length of my head, perching up between my ears.
"The family that runs the park have animal communication Quirks." She told me. "They must have communicated that we're not a threat, lest we scare them all away."
Ryuko was in her dragon form as well, watching the squirrel climb around my back. Eventually it decided to jump off, disappearing into the underbrush.
"Having fun?"
"Yep." I replied, walking up to her "Thanks."
Dragon hugs are a bit of an awkward affair, as you might imagine with two long-necked quadrupeds with wings. I ducked my head under Ryuko's wing, pulling close to her side.
'You're growing too big for this." Ryuko laughed, as we pulled apart. When we both stood at rest, she had to crane her neck up fractionally to be at eye-level. "Damn teenagers these days. Who gave you permission to be taller than me?"
"You, when you decided to be a midget." I shrugged. "Your position has been usurped."
"You'll always be my adorable little sister, no matter your size." She assured me, leaning back to bask in the sun. "It feels like it was just yesterday when you were this big, toddling around, furiously scowling at everything that displeased you." She held out her claws, holding them slightly apart. "And now look at you, tomorrow you're going to be competing in your first Sports Festival. Do you remember when Dad brought you in to watch mine?"
"Yeah." It had been ten years ago, a couple months before Ryuunosuke Tatsuma's funeral. Mom had thought it inappropriate for a five-year old, but while I'd been ready to accede Ryuko and Dad has eventually brought her around.
Most of those memories were a faded blur, but I could still picture her every match blow-by-blow. Probably because of how many times I'd watched the replays. "You fought Miruko in the finals. She kept bouncing around but you knocked her into the air, where she had no footing, nothing to kick against."
"Yeah. We didn't get along back then, she was the loudmouth and I was trying to be the cool kid in the class."
"I'd say that those descriptions are still apt."
"Shut up and let me finish." Ryuko shoved at me, before going on. "But yeah, once I got her into the air I knocked her out of bounds. I thought she'd be mad, but she just laughed it off and demanded a rematch some other day."
"And that's how you two became friends?"
"Yeah. I never thought we'd get along but we hit it off pretty well after that. She even became my Vice-President in our Third Year, when the previous one decided to drop." She reminisced. "But enough about me. Tomorrow's going to be your big day."
"I guess." I shrugged. "Me and everyone else's."
"Well, you're certainly going to stand out from the crowd."
"I know." I stated curtly, but Ryuko caught on to my apprehension instantly.
"Is something the matter?"
I sighed. Might as well be out with it, Ryuko would drag it out of me eventually. "...I'm just not really looking forward to it."
"The public attention?" She asked.
"Mmm." I grunted in vaguely affirmative fashion.
"...Do you want to talk about it?"
"Are you going to give me the option not to?"
"Nope."
I sighed. "I just… when we went to that event, and did the interview, it just all felt so… fake. It made my skin crawl. I'm not really looking forward to it all over again."
"I know you don't like it. Believe me, I've known you for over fifteen years. But being in the public eye is an unavoidable part of being a Pro-Hero."
"I know." I sighed again. "I want to be a Hero. I want to be the best Hero I can be. I won't give up."
I closed my eyes, and thought back to the entrance exam, sitting in that room with Nedzu, trying to explain why I wanted to become a Hero, and reminded myself why I was doing this.
"I just won't enjoy that part of it." I breathed in, and then back out again. "I guess I just don't fully understand the point of it all. I mean, I get that being well-known helps with Hero work, you've explained that much. But the media circus, the endless chase for fame and popularity… it all feels so… unnecessary. Pointless, when compared to actually saving lives."
Ryuko was silent for a good moment, mulling over her next words.
"I know that it's easy to think that fame doesn't matter. I do get that. But, let me ask you a question; what's the biggest contribution a Pro-Hero will have on the society as a whole?"
"...My gut tells me it's the people they save, but I assume that's not where you're going for with this?"
"No. That's an incredibly important one, yes, but in absolute terms, the amount of people a single person can directly affect is limited. Just as vital is the role Heroes play in reassuring the populace, and giving them hope. They see their protectors, and know that no matter what, they will be safe." She paused for a moment, before continuing. "Did you know that it is estimated All-Might is, alone, responsible for a double-digit percentage drops in crime rates?"
I nodded mutely.
"He doesn't do that by physically stopping every single criminal and villain by hand. He does so by simply announcing "I am here!", and the population knows that all will be well. He is the Symbol of Peace because he is exactly that, it's Symbol, even moreso than he is it's foremost champion." Ryuko explained, gesturing with her claws for emphasis. "Now imagine if All-Might was replaced by an identical robot. It has all of his power, but it will only appear to fight villains, and then disappears. He doesn't smile, he doesn't give interviews, he doesn't reassure people in anyway, and he doesn't even say "I am here!". Would he still be the greatest hero on earth?"
"Isn't that a black-and-white fallacy though?" I asked. "You're jumping directly to the other end of the spectrum."
"True." Ryuko admitted. "But it, at its simplest, demonstrates that there is value in building up a public image and reputation. You're right, there is a problem in the system, where the media circus is often out of control and fame is sought for its own sake. I'm not always immune to it either, because it's hard to see when you're caught in it yourself. But there is value in it, there is a reason why it exists. People like Stain want to throw out the entire Pro-Hero system, the good and the ill. I believe that the system is best fixed from the inside, little by little."
"Wow. That's umm… some pretty heavy stuff." Especially on the day before the Sports Festival. But I guess I could only blame myself for that one. "I'm not… really sure what to think of it all. I can see where you're coming from, but… I just don't really know."
"And that's perfectly alright. Normal, even." Ryuko comforted me, leaning against my side. "You're only fifteen, after all. You have time to decide how to feel about things like this. But if you want to aim for the top, to become the best hero you can be… sometimes you will have to do things you don't necessarily like."
"Right." I swallowed.
"You know, there's a certain personal element to it as well, that I think might be a good motivator for you." Ryuko added, after a moment of silence.
"What do you mean?"
"So far… you've kind of lived in my shadow, haven't you?" She replied. "People know you as my sister, but they don't know who you are."
"I mean… yes." I said, unsure of what to feel. "You are the Number Ten Hero in Japan, and even famous abroad. You taught me all I know about being a Hero, and recommended me to UA. It's only natural."
"But do you want it to stay that way?" She asked pointedly. "Are you content with that state of affairs for the rest of your life?"
That…
Was a good question.
Don't get me wrong, I loved my sister with all my heart, and she'd done more for me than I could ever repay.
But if I got a single yen every time somebody asked me if I was Ryukyu's sister I'd be richer than she is. I understood why she was world-famous and deservedly so, but I had to admit that it was… frustrating, in it's own way, to always be compared to Ryuko.
I understood that it was inevitable, and likely I'd never be fully rid of it- nor did I want to, at that, but it would be nice to make a name for myself.
"So tomorrow, I want you to show the world who you are." Ryuko went on. "I want you to make an impact so big that when I see the headlines on Tuesday they'll be talking about "Ryuuzaki Tatsuma"." She poked a claw i to my chest. "Not "Ryukyu's sister,'' you."
Wow. That was… a task and a half she'd given me.
But at the same time, I couldn't deny the appeal.
"What do you say?" She asked.
"Alright. You win." I sighed. "That's going to be even more pressure on me tomorrow, though."
"A little pressure can be just the thing to keep you going, to force yourself forward when the going gets rough." Ryuko said. "Feeling motivated?"
"I- yeah." I swallowed. "I just don't know if I'm going to be able to live up to the task."
"You trust me, right?" She asked.
"Implicitly."
"And would you say that I'm expertly qualified to judge matters regarding Heroics?"
"Well, yes."
"Then believe me when I say this: you can do this. Even if you can't believe in yourself, then at least believe in me who believes in you."
Did she just-
"Have you been watching my things without my permission again?"
"What can I say?" She smirked. "There's some good stuff in there."
How fucking dare she.
But dammit, it was working. I did feel better.
-----
"Yo! Tatsuma!" Yoarashi hollered across the waiting room, breaking the tense silence. In only a few minutes we'd be called out onto the stadium floor, in front of the entire world.
"Yeah?" I said as I raised my head. I hoped I didn't look as tired as I felt, I had barely managed to sleep due to my nerves. Yoarashi, of course, looked like he was practically vibrating on the spot.
"You going for the first place?!" He asked, confidently striding up to the middle of the room, drawing all attention to himself.
"Yeah." I told him, thinking back on what I'd talked about with Ryuko. "I am."
"Awesome!" He flashed me a thumbs-up. "I'm going for it too. In fact, I'm gonna extend that challenge to everyone here!" He whirled about, regarding the whole class. "What do you say?!"
"Don't think we're letting you recommended students just run away with the prize!" Tetsutetsu said, pushing himself to stand. "We're coming for it too."
I glanced around, seeing nods all throughout the room.
"I think it would be accurate to say that everyone here is heading for the first place." Shishida said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "That is what we are in the Heroics Department for, after all."
"That's what I wanna hear!" Yoarashi said, a massive smile splitting his face. "May the best man- or woman- or dragon- win!"
-----
"It's UA's Sports Festival! The one time each year your fledgling Heroes compete in a ruthless Grand Battle!"
Present Mic's voice was audible even to the preprooms, grating on my ears. I don't think he was even using a speaker, just his Quirk.
"Get ready." Kendo said. "We're leaving in just a moment."
"First up, you know who I'm talkin' about! The miraculous rising stars who brushed off a villain attack with their steely willpower!" A distant cheer accompanied the announcement. "From the Hero Course, it's class 1-A!"
"We survived a villain attack too." Monoma complained, only to yelp as I poked him with my tail.
"We've talked about this."
"I'm just saying-"
"Well stop that, and smile for the cameras."
"They haven't been getting as much attention, but this class is also full of talent!"
"That's our cue, get moving." Kendo and I herded the class into the tunnel, emerging out into the light.
"Also from the hero course, Class 1-B!"
The cheer didn't abate as we walked out onto the stadium floor, but I could tell at a glance that Monoma was still resentful of following in 1-A's wake, if the cold glare he was directing in their direction was any indication.
"Look at them." He grumbled. "Thinking they're better than us."
What was more surprising was that Yoarashi joined him, his previously jovial expression fading into an angry scowl as he saw the split-haired student at the head of 1-A's column.
"That's Endeavour's son, right?" Kendo whispered to me, as we brought up the rear of the group. "What's Yoarashi's problem with him?"
"I'm not actually sure." I told her. "I think he tried to make friends with Todoroki in the Recommended Student Exam, and got the cold shoulder."
"Really?" She asked. "That seems like it goes deeper than that." She nodded in Yoarashi's direction, who looked absolutely livid.
"Mmm." I grunted in agreement. How was I supposed to know?
Still, even I couldn't help but steal a glance towards the "Heroes of USJ" that had been so hyped up.
They looked… like normal teenagers. Determined, but nervous.
Like us.
"Next up, General Studies Classes 1-C, D and E!" Yet more students appeared, streaming out into the stadium floor"Support Course, Classes F, G and H are here too! And Business Course, I, J and K! All of UA's first years are here now!"
Honestly if anyone had the right to be resentful, it was them. We at least got a unique announcement, Present Mic was just rattling off the non-Hero classes like an afterthought.
And in a way, that was what they were. The Hero classes were selected for combat ability and Quirk strength, and received specialized training in both. Put them up against what were, for all intents and purposes, regular High Schoolers, and the results weren't hard to predict. I'd seen a lot of Sports Festivals, and the overwhelming majority would never make it into the Second stage, and only on rare occasions would any reach the Third.
It didn't seem fair that they were being brought here just to lose, and from what I overheard, they knew it too.
"Hard to get motivated…"
"...Just here to make the others look good."
We walked up to the middle of the arena, the tensions palpable in the air as each class formed its own crowd. The cheering eventually began to abate, and I finally had a chance to properly appreciate the sheer amounť of people gathered there. The stands were absolutely packed with people, and camera-bots hovered overhead transmitting the live feed across the nation, and even abroad.
I felt a chill run through my spine as I considered just how many people were watching us. It'd be easier to ignore it and push the feeling down once we got going, when there was a convenient distraction, but right now I couldn't help myself.
And then there were the Pro-Heroes. I spotted Endeavour, his flame-wreathed form sitting in the VIP section with a collection of other Pro-Heroes, including Ryuko.
And then there was… Ryuo. Sitting in the opposite end from Ryuko was my uncle, his reptilian features unreadable.
I ripped my eyes away, hoping he hadn't seen me looking. I didn't want to acknowledge his existence.
"And now for the Athlete's Oath!"
Oh god it's her.
"It's the R-rated Hero Midnight!" Somebody called out.
Well. Whatever. It wasn't my place to question such things.
I would have tried to ignore her and focus on something else, but it's kind of hard when she's our referee.
"Quiet down!" She cracked her whip as she stood on the podium, gesturing towards the crowd. "Representing the students will be Juzo Honenuki, from Class 1-B!"
Really?
I mean, not that he's a bad pick, it's just…
Well, he has no outstanding characteristics. He's good at everything, but not the best either, and he's always super reasonable.
Which, now that I thought about it, actually made him a great student representative.
"It must be because he placed first in the Entrance Exam." A green haired boy from 1-A mused, his hand on his jaw.
"Shut the fuck up, Deku!" Another student from 1-A snapped at him, a boy with a spiky tangle of ash-blonde hair.
"The Heroics Entrance Exam, you mean." Somebody called out from the General Studies group, and I had to suppress a sigh. If that was the criteria, well, I could see why they were upset.
Honenuki walked up to the stage, standing in front of the microphone. I had to respect his calmness- literally tens of millions of eyes were on him now. Had they warned him beforehand, or was he just that good at keeping his cool?
"On behalf of all of my fellow students, I would like to take this oath, that I will participate in the First-Years' Stage of the UA High School's Sports Festival, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to this sport without cheating or malicious intent, in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Thank you."
For a moment there was silence. Then, somebody started clapping. At first it was a polite, restrained one, but soon grew to a thunderous roar lf noise as the crowd joined in. I…
-actually how was I supposed to clap as a dragon? Shit, now I'm going to look like an ass.
The applause faded before I could figure out an answer, and Honenuki walked down to rejoin us. I wouldn't say that the tension was gone, by any stretch of the imagination, but at least there were less snide comments.
"Now, let's get everyone started!" Midnight called out, as a holographic screen flickered into existence behind her. "The first test will be what you might call a qualifier! Many will be sent home in tears from this one! And for the First Years, that event will be… this!"
The words Obstacle Course blinked onto the screen, and the crowd cheered. Behind us a huge gate built into the side of the arena swung open, metal panels pulling away to reveal a tunnel to the outside.
"It's a race between every member of all eleven classes!" Midnight announced, cracking her cat-o-nine-tails. "The course is a four-kilometer track around the stadium! The only rule is to stay within the boundaries! Beyond that anything goes!"
And just like that the tension snapped back, as everyone digested what those words meant.
Anything goes… unlike before, we would be free to interfere with each other, I mused as we began walking towards the gate. But focusing too much on that would risk neglecting your own progress… and make enemies.
"-nd knock 1-A down a peg."
My ears twitched as I heard Monoma's voice coming from behind. I craned my head aside slightly and saw him huddled in whispered conversation with several of our classmates.
Eavesdropping is bad, but… I mean, it's not really eavesdropping, if you're using your Quirk to your advantage in a competition, right? Midnight said anything goes, so...
"-not here to beat 1-A." I heard Kendo tell Monoma. "We're supposed to be showing off our skills."
Whatever idea he was proposing, it didn't seem to be gaining as much traction as he'd have liked, judging by his frown.
"It's risky." Tokage said, a hand on her chin. "If it doesn't all go to plan in the second stage, we'll have wasted the first for nothing."
I could see Monoma sigh in defeat, bowing his head. "Very well. I can tell when I'm outvoted."
They exchanged a couple more words I couldn't quite make out before separating, Monoma heading in my direction.
"What was that about?" I asked him as he got closer. I glanced over his shoulder towards Kendo, but she gave me a "I'll-tell-you-later" look.
"It's nothing." Monoma said with a shake of his head. "It doesn't matter now. From one thing to another, could I borrow your Quirk for the Obstacle Race?"
That…
Hmmm.
"Alright."
If he had wanted to copy my Quirk, he could probably have grabbed it without my notice. Plus from a pragmatic perspective, anything he could do with my Quirk, I could do better.
Except, you know. The obvious.
And…
"You will lift each other up."
Yeah.
"Thank you." Monoma nodded gratefully, as we arrived at the starting line. "I owe you."
A tunnel lead into the outside of the stadium, but a quick glance made it immediately apparent that it wasn't wide enough to admit everyone at the same time. It would become jam-packed with students as soon as the race started, and in such a situation strength and mass would determine who would be able to force their way through.
In other words, ideal for me. The first inkling of a plan began to form as the three lights atop the gate began the countdown, turning green one by one. Bulldoze through the tunnel and get into the air, taking an early lead. Flight really was a superlative ability in a race: I'd be able to bypass ground-bound obstacles, and remain safe from most of the interference other students would be able to create.
I actually felt a mote of confidence gathering in my chest.
When the final light blinked green, several things happened. The crowd roared, of course, and everyone surged forward, toward the tunnel. And then… ice.
I felt the air temperature drop as the ground was rapidly covered in a layer of frost. A wave of ice travelled through the crowd of students, freezing many of them to the ground by their legs and shoes as it passed by, but they were not the true target.
It was heading for me. Far too fast to dodge at such a close range, the wave crashed against me, encasing me in a miniature glacier, like some sort of sculpture.
"A RUTHLESS attack!" Present Mic howled, though even his voice was muffled by the layer of ice around me. "I say again, RUTHLESS! Class 1-A's Todoroki takes absolutely no prisoners! 1-B's Tatsuma is frozen at the starting line!"
Damn it, he must have realized the same as I had, and decided to take out a threat early. I mentally kicked myself, and would have done so physically if I was able to. It was the obvious play, it's probably what I would have done in his place.
And it was working. Ice wasn't particularly hard for me to break, but encased in a full-body mold as I was I had no leverage or room to move. Worse, I felt the cold seeping deep into my body, sapping strength from my muscles as my inner heat bled away, and my eyelids suddenly felt heavy, like I could drowse off at any moment. I couldn't even speak.
Dammit, dammit, dammit.
The ice had frozen some of the others, but the main target of the attack had been me, and even now the main body of the students was streaming through the tunnel, the Hero students at the forefront with Todoroki leading the pack.
I could hear Present Mic's commentary as well as the sounds of crashing in the distance, but I pushed the distractions out of my mind. I hadn't wanted to reveal this move so early, but I was left with little choice. I closed my eyes, and focused.
I pictured Ryuko's disappointed face as I was taken out literally at the starting line. I forced myself to consider the hit her reputation would take, having recommended an absolute failure like me. I thought about the humiliating headlines that would fill tomorrow's newspapers.
No, that was anxiety, embarrassment and nervousness. I needed anger, and fear, and rage.
I pictured Fujiwara leering down from the stands, every spectator replaced with his face.
Suddenly I heard a hissing sound, coming from all around me.
There it was.
I concentrated on that thought, imagining his voice calling down to me, mocking me, taunting me, telling me how he'd ruined my chances of becoming a Hero. After all, this obstacle would have been nothing were I able to transform.
The hiss grew in intensity and pitch, accompanied by a series of cracks. I pushed with all of my not-inconsiderable might, and the ice shattered, releasing a billowing cloud of steam created where my superheated body had turned the ice into vapor.
"But it looks like she's not out of it yet! The Dragon of 1-B reveals she's got some tricks up her scaly sleeve!"
Without wasting anymore time I scrambled towards the tunnel, which had by now mostly been cleared of students. The few that remained wisely made way as I thundered through, emerging out into the first stretch of the actual race. The ground was heavily-packed dirt, whilst a low wall on either side marked the path. The upper boundaries were seemingly marked by holographic lines projected by a series of small emitters lines along the track.
Well, I didn't think UA was going to let me fly in a straight path over to the finish line anyway.
The majority of the contestants hadn't managed to push more than a hundred meters beyond the tunnel, as a wall of metal barred their path. A dozen gargantuan robots the size of skyscrapers crowded the race track, whilst smaller ones buzzed around their legs, intercepting those who tried to sneak their way through between them.
Several of the huge robots, probably the zero-pointers that Pony and the others had told me about, had already been destroyed while I'd been trapped in the ice, frozen or smashed by what looked like a fully functional cannon lying abandoned on the race track. A smaller group of people had made use of the opening and gotten past the blockade, mostly Heroics students from 1-A and B, but even as I watched the robots lumbered into place to close the gap. I spotted Monoma flying overhead, and cringed. His form was terrible and his rhythm nonexistent- help from his Quirk or no, you don't become an expert in flying in a couple of minutes.
At the front of the pack were Yoarashi and a blond-haired kid from 1-A, the one who'd yelled out earlier, a cyclone of wind and explosions trailing them.
And beyond even them, out in the distance I saw Todoroki, a trail of ice marking his path. I felt my blood boil. I understood the logic behind his actions, but it didn't make the burning feeling of humiliation any less potent.
I leapt into the air with a beat of my wings, sending several nearby students sprawling to the ground by the backdraft. I could see the "roof" of the track had, all but certainly deliberately, been placed so low that you couldn't fly past the robots without getting to within their reach.
If my training with Nejire and Snipe had taught me anything, it was that the difference between speed and maneuverability, and my deficiencies in the latter. Being as large of a target as I was, realistically I couldn't count on getting past without being grabbed.
Which meant that I'd have to go through instead.
Fine by me.
I began accelerating, gaining altitude until I reached the very ceiling of the race track. I tucked in my limbs to reduce air resistance, furiously beating my wings to achieve maximum velocity with the space that I had to work with. I found my target: a lone building-sized monstrosity. A veritable swarm of smaller robots scuttled around its legs, but they did not concern me.
A few seconds before impact I folded my wings tight behind my back, and let momentum and gravity carry me the rest of the way like a cannonball.
All of the force from my mass and velocity was concentrated on the tip of my horn, and it punched through the metal like it wasn't even there. The rest of my body followed a millisecond later, driving the horn deeper into the zero-pointer's head and smashing into metal structure akin to a runaway freight train.
There was a terrible metallic groan followed by a resounding snap as the zero-pointer's head came free of its neck.
For a moment I was in freefall, tumbling around, before I managed to spread my wings and reassert control. Behind me the decapitated robot fell on its back with a crash that must have carried all the way to the stadium, it's massive form kicking up a huge cloud of dust. Several of the students still stuck at the first obstacle were apparently making a run for it through the gap that I had created, but my attention was on the next one.
It appeared to be a massive pitfall, with only thin ropes to connect the thin stone pillars. I saw the others making their way through, navigating the ropes as best they could. Tokage and Pony were using their Quirks to fly over the pit, while Kendo was using her powerful hands to swing forward along the tightropes. One student from 1-A had even stolen a blast shield from one of the robots earlier, crawling across the ropes with it strapped onto his back.
"The Hero classes lead the way!" Mic hollered. "1-A has a slight lead overall, but it's very close!"
"1-A have forgotten how to hesitate, and so push on without stopping." Another voice spoke out much more calmly. "But 1-B's cooperation is on point."
I saw Yui and Komori constructing a bridge over pitfalls, huge mushrooms growing out of the side of the pillars. Shishida tossed Shiozaki over the chasm, and she repaid the favour by sending out a thicket of vines to form a bridge thick enough for him to cross.
While the majority of the Hero Class students were only just now starting on the second obstacle, Todoroki, Bakugo and Yoarashi were already almost through, taking potshots at each other as they vied for first place.
"The leads just keep pulling ahead! But they've got stiff competition coming up right behind them! A ravine can't stop a dragon, Tatsuma's just bypassing the obstacle entirely."
I grit my teeth as I tried to eke out every bit of force from my wing muscles as I flew over the other Hero Course students.
"Not entirely." The other voice spoke out again. "The ceiling of the track gets lower and lower near the end."
It was the same damn thing that they'd done in the Recommended Student Exam. Let the fliers use their Quirks for their advantage, but don't let them run rampant either. Due to my wingspan I was already getting dangerously low and-
All of a sudden I felt a sting on my underside, and a distinct tug.
"Hey, Ms. Dragon! You won't mind if I catch a lift, right?"
Glancing behind, I saw what looked like nothing less than a grappling hook latched onto my side, lodged between the edges of my belly scales. The cable connected to the chest harness of a pink-haired girl decked out in a full complement of support items, reeling herself in.
Huh. I wasn't aware those were allowed. But given that the referees hadn't called her out, I had to assume they were.
"Now, you could probably snap my baby off!" She shouted over the wind, utterly fearless. "But the question is, can you afford to?!"
And the worst part was, she was right. She'd aimed well, putting the hook in a position I could not easily reach. I absolutely could not risk losing any speed here, not with everything that was on the line here.
But I had something better in mind.
Up ahead, a yellow-scaled dragon was visibly struggling to stay in the air, the wingbeats both frantic and erratic.
"Monoma!" I called out over the wind rushing past, as I pulled closer to him. "I could use that favor you said you owed me!"
He glanced at me, and I saw the understanding in his exhausted eyes. "Of course."
I saw the pink-haired girl's eyes widen behind her goggles as Monoma snatched her in one scaled fist, yanking the hook free.
"Say, is that a jetpack I see on your back?" He asked smoothly. "See, I'm about to run out of time on this Quirk, and it would be a great opportunity for you to show…" His words faded out as I overtook him.
Did… he just manage to turn that into an opportunity?
Whatever. I shook my head, focusing on my own race.
The holographic lines were pressing close again, and I had to lower my altitude even more, to the point that I was forced to glide instead of true flight. I wasn't sure of the penalty they'd levy for violating it even by a little, but I wasn't interested in finding out.
"And our leader has reached the final barrier! That is to say… It's the Minefield! A deadly afghan carpet!"
…
Wow. Wasn't that a coincidence. I felt a chill run through my spine, but forced myself to ignore it. No time for that. Not here.
I surveyed the third obstacle, where the ground was dotted with slight, circular bumps of upturned earth. Very familiar kind of bumps.
"A quick glance is enough to tell the mines' locations! So keep both eyes open and watch your step!"
Without room to properly use my wings I wouldn't be able to stay aloft for long, and I was losing altitude by the moment. I needed a plan.
Glancing up ahead, the lead trio were vying for the top spot, ice, wind and explosions being thrown back and forth, though careful not to set off the mines.
There were a lot of things I'd forgotten, but there are just some things you couldn't unmemorize even if you tried. And I knew landmines by heart.
There are a number of ways to clear mines. Explosives of your own are the most common method, while mechanical devices like mine flails and rollers were another. Even simply shooting them was a tried and true tactic.
But if you're in a hurry, if you have no other options and know the composition of the minefield? Get a big fucking tank and run them over. An anti-personnel mine won't even have the oomph to detrack one. And that was the principle I put into action.
So I didn't slow down, landing in the middle of the minefield and converting my motion into a full gallop, even as dozens of landmines went off in my face. I felt the shockwaves buffet me, but they were designed for people more than a hundred times lighter than I. Of course, a real minefield would mix in anti-tank mines to keep the enemy honest, but a quick glance before landing had told me UA had elected not to plant anything capable of seriously hurting the human students.
Though I was half-deafened by the explosions and all but running blind, I kept going, uncaring of how many mines I triggered as I thundered through the field, the ground shaking beneath my feet. A simplistic solution, but an effective one.
The others were forced to limit their Quirk usage and watch where they stepped, to avoid setting off too many mines, but I could keep going at a dead run. And while dragons are not the fastest things on the ground, I was plenty fast enough.
"And Tatsuma takes the lead!"
I don't know what the others thought of me as I passed them, plowing through the minefield, but I didn't care. I was in the first place. It felt like my heart had vacated my chest cavity in favor of the back of my head.
"But the former leads have no stopped fighting each other, and bolted after her! They're using the channel she's creating to catch up!"
I couldn't see the others, but I could hear them well enough, the howl of the wind and the cracking of ice. I just had to trust that I was faster.
That was when I felt the shockwave hit me from behind.
"A giant explosion from behind!? What caused such a blast!? An accident? Or no, it was intentional!"
I risked a glance behind, seeing the green-haired kid from 1-A sailing through the air, skirting the holographic ceiling, holding the blast shield beneath him. He must have used it to detonate a bunch of mines, propelling himself into the air.
But… based on his speed and flight arc, it wouldn't be enough. He'd gain a slight lead, but we'd overtake him again in a matter of seconds.
Then I saw his eyes, sharp and focused.
No, he had a plan. He was aiming for me.
It was too late to dodge: kicking off of the metal plate he landed on my back and grabbed a hold of the harness strap of my UA uniform vest. Despite the rough ride he held on as I ran forward, a kind of manic desperation burning in his eyes.
"1-A's Midoriya fashions himself a dragonrider! This is the kind of upset you all love!"
I barreled out the minefield, almost overcompensating and losing my balance as the explosions suddenly ceased. I could suddenly see again: he green-haired kid- Midoriya, as named by Mic- was hanging onto my back, near the base of my tail. It was a spot where I couldn't reach, not without slowing down- that had to be what he was counting on.
What he probably wasn't counting upon, however, was the second person to land on my back.
"Deku, you bastard!" The blond-haired boy howled, swinging his right arm wildly as he landed on my back. "Don't you dare get ahead of me!"
I felt the explosion glance off my scales as Midoriya dodged at the last moment, throwing himself at his opponent.
"A dragonback duel!" Present Mic yelled. "Midoriya and Bakugo are going at it with fisticuffs!"
The two of them were all-out brawling on my back, trying to simultaneously throw each other off whilst desperately hanging on to avoid being thrown off by my movements as I ran towards the finish. Midoriya was pressing close to Bakugo, trying to prevent him from using his Quirk, lest he hit himself as well.
I heard the cracking sound of ice being formed, and glanced back to see ice gathering beneath Todoroki's feet that would catch all three of us- only for Yoarashi to slam a whirlwind blast into him, disrupting the attack. I didn't know what his beef with Todoroki was, but right now it was my only saving grace, as the split-haired boy was forced to concentrate on his defence, surfing up on a wave of ice.
Behind them, I could see the others were making their way out of the minefield as well: Shishida was loping forward on all fours, contending with who I had to assume was Ingenium's brother. Shiozaki was pulling herself forward on her vines, while a 1-A student with a bird head seemed to be doing the same with a tendril of black shadows extending from his stomach.
I needed to get the two 1-A students off of my back, but as soon as I did so Todoroki or Yoarashi would overtake me. But if I didn't, they could jump over me just before the finish line, and steal the first place. I needed a plan, and I needed it quick.
I saw the tunnel back to the stadium looming ahead- yes. That was it.
The tunnel.
"First place is being fought for even at the final meters! Who will emerge victorious?!"
Midoriya and Bakugo were still grappling for supremacy as I approached the entrance, the crowd audible even at this distance.
"Jump if you don't want to get crushed." I stated matter-of-factly, and without waiting for a response, threw myself into a forward roll, tumbling over my back. I didn't look back to see what they did, but based on the amount of curse words and surprised yelling, they were probably alright.
"Tatsuma's not having any of it! That tumble looked practiced!"
"It is only rational train for dealing with unwanted passengers, when the size difference is that big."
The momentum of my roll carried me into the tunnel, stumbling slightly as my feet found the ground again, but managing to regain my footing. I'd lost a good amount of speed in the maneuver, but it didn't matter: in the narrow tunnel there was simply no room to pass me.
"What an incredibly close race!" Present Mic shouted as we emerged into the stadium. I glanced towards the stands, seeing Ryuko jumping up and down in her seat. And with a final push, I threw myself over the finish line.
"But… Ryuuzaki Tatsuma takes it! First place!"
There were a number of such places near Musutafu, Utapau Flight Facility and the Musutafu Aquarium to name a few, but over the years we'd been to every single one.
Luckily for people like me, people had recognized the immense business opportunity, and similar sites had been built across Japan. Dathomir Park was one such area, a privately owned area where Quirk usage was freely allowed, albeit with restrictions about causing damage to the park or other visitors. Hundreds of acres of lush river valley, free to explore to my heart's content.
"Ryuko, look!"
My sister could barely stop herself from laughing as I emerged from the forest, a tiny squirrel balancing on my nose. She'd brought me here to relax, and blow off some steam before the Sports Festival.
"Look, it's completely tame!" I told her as the furry critter ran up the length of my head, perching up between my ears.
"The family that runs the park have animal communication Quirks." She told me. "They must have communicated that we're not a threat, lest we scare them all away."
Ryuko was in her dragon form as well, watching the squirrel climb around my back. Eventually it decided to jump off, disappearing into the underbrush.
"Having fun?"
"Yep." I replied, walking up to her "Thanks."
Dragon hugs are a bit of an awkward affair, as you might imagine with two long-necked quadrupeds with wings. I ducked my head under Ryuko's wing, pulling close to her side.
'You're growing too big for this." Ryuko laughed, as we pulled apart. When we both stood at rest, she had to crane her neck up fractionally to be at eye-level. "Damn teenagers these days. Who gave you permission to be taller than me?"
"You, when you decided to be a midget." I shrugged. "Your position has been usurped."
"You'll always be my adorable little sister, no matter your size." She assured me, leaning back to bask in the sun. "It feels like it was just yesterday when you were this big, toddling around, furiously scowling at everything that displeased you." She held out her claws, holding them slightly apart. "And now look at you, tomorrow you're going to be competing in your first Sports Festival. Do you remember when Dad brought you in to watch mine?"
"Yeah." It had been ten years ago, a couple months before Ryuunosuke Tatsuma's funeral. Mom had thought it inappropriate for a five-year old, but while I'd been ready to accede Ryuko and Dad has eventually brought her around.
Most of those memories were a faded blur, but I could still picture her every match blow-by-blow. Probably because of how many times I'd watched the replays. "You fought Miruko in the finals. She kept bouncing around but you knocked her into the air, where she had no footing, nothing to kick against."
"Yeah. We didn't get along back then, she was the loudmouth and I was trying to be the cool kid in the class."
"I'd say that those descriptions are still apt."
"Shut up and let me finish." Ryuko shoved at me, before going on. "But yeah, once I got her into the air I knocked her out of bounds. I thought she'd be mad, but she just laughed it off and demanded a rematch some other day."
"And that's how you two became friends?"
"Yeah. I never thought we'd get along but we hit it off pretty well after that. She even became my Vice-President in our Third Year, when the previous one decided to drop." She reminisced. "But enough about me. Tomorrow's going to be your big day."
"I guess." I shrugged. "Me and everyone else's."
"Well, you're certainly going to stand out from the crowd."
"I know." I stated curtly, but Ryuko caught on to my apprehension instantly.
"Is something the matter?"
I sighed. Might as well be out with it, Ryuko would drag it out of me eventually. "...I'm just not really looking forward to it."
"The public attention?" She asked.
"Mmm." I grunted in vaguely affirmative fashion.
"...Do you want to talk about it?"
"Are you going to give me the option not to?"
"Nope."
I sighed. "I just… when we went to that event, and did the interview, it just all felt so… fake. It made my skin crawl. I'm not really looking forward to it all over again."
"I know you don't like it. Believe me, I've known you for over fifteen years. But being in the public eye is an unavoidable part of being a Pro-Hero."
"I know." I sighed again. "I want to be a Hero. I want to be the best Hero I can be. I won't give up."
I closed my eyes, and thought back to the entrance exam, sitting in that room with Nedzu, trying to explain why I wanted to become a Hero, and reminded myself why I was doing this.
"I just won't enjoy that part of it." I breathed in, and then back out again. "I guess I just don't fully understand the point of it all. I mean, I get that being well-known helps with Hero work, you've explained that much. But the media circus, the endless chase for fame and popularity… it all feels so… unnecessary. Pointless, when compared to actually saving lives."
Ryuko was silent for a good moment, mulling over her next words.
"I know that it's easy to think that fame doesn't matter. I do get that. But, let me ask you a question; what's the biggest contribution a Pro-Hero will have on the society as a whole?"
"...My gut tells me it's the people they save, but I assume that's not where you're going for with this?"
"No. That's an incredibly important one, yes, but in absolute terms, the amount of people a single person can directly affect is limited. Just as vital is the role Heroes play in reassuring the populace, and giving them hope. They see their protectors, and know that no matter what, they will be safe." She paused for a moment, before continuing. "Did you know that it is estimated All-Might is, alone, responsible for a double-digit percentage drops in crime rates?"
I nodded mutely.
"He doesn't do that by physically stopping every single criminal and villain by hand. He does so by simply announcing "I am here!", and the population knows that all will be well. He is the Symbol of Peace because he is exactly that, it's Symbol, even moreso than he is it's foremost champion." Ryuko explained, gesturing with her claws for emphasis. "Now imagine if All-Might was replaced by an identical robot. It has all of his power, but it will only appear to fight villains, and then disappears. He doesn't smile, he doesn't give interviews, he doesn't reassure people in anyway, and he doesn't even say "I am here!". Would he still be the greatest hero on earth?"
"Isn't that a black-and-white fallacy though?" I asked. "You're jumping directly to the other end of the spectrum."
"True." Ryuko admitted. "But it, at its simplest, demonstrates that there is value in building up a public image and reputation. You're right, there is a problem in the system, where the media circus is often out of control and fame is sought for its own sake. I'm not always immune to it either, because it's hard to see when you're caught in it yourself. But there is value in it, there is a reason why it exists. People like Stain want to throw out the entire Pro-Hero system, the good and the ill. I believe that the system is best fixed from the inside, little by little."
"Wow. That's umm… some pretty heavy stuff." Especially on the day before the Sports Festival. But I guess I could only blame myself for that one. "I'm not… really sure what to think of it all. I can see where you're coming from, but… I just don't really know."
"And that's perfectly alright. Normal, even." Ryuko comforted me, leaning against my side. "You're only fifteen, after all. You have time to decide how to feel about things like this. But if you want to aim for the top, to become the best hero you can be… sometimes you will have to do things you don't necessarily like."
"Right." I swallowed.
"You know, there's a certain personal element to it as well, that I think might be a good motivator for you." Ryuko added, after a moment of silence.
"What do you mean?"
"So far… you've kind of lived in my shadow, haven't you?" She replied. "People know you as my sister, but they don't know who you are."
"I mean… yes." I said, unsure of what to feel. "You are the Number Ten Hero in Japan, and even famous abroad. You taught me all I know about being a Hero, and recommended me to UA. It's only natural."
"But do you want it to stay that way?" She asked pointedly. "Are you content with that state of affairs for the rest of your life?"
That…
Was a good question.
Don't get me wrong, I loved my sister with all my heart, and she'd done more for me than I could ever repay.
But if I got a single yen every time somebody asked me if I was Ryukyu's sister I'd be richer than she is. I understood why she was world-famous and deservedly so, but I had to admit that it was… frustrating, in it's own way, to always be compared to Ryuko.
I understood that it was inevitable, and likely I'd never be fully rid of it- nor did I want to, at that, but it would be nice to make a name for myself.
"So tomorrow, I want you to show the world who you are." Ryuko went on. "I want you to make an impact so big that when I see the headlines on Tuesday they'll be talking about "Ryuuzaki Tatsuma"." She poked a claw i to my chest. "Not "Ryukyu's sister,'' you."
Wow. That was… a task and a half she'd given me.
But at the same time, I couldn't deny the appeal.
"What do you say?" She asked.
"Alright. You win." I sighed. "That's going to be even more pressure on me tomorrow, though."
"A little pressure can be just the thing to keep you going, to force yourself forward when the going gets rough." Ryuko said. "Feeling motivated?"
"I- yeah." I swallowed. "I just don't know if I'm going to be able to live up to the task."
"You trust me, right?" She asked.
"Implicitly."
"And would you say that I'm expertly qualified to judge matters regarding Heroics?"
"Well, yes."
"Then believe me when I say this: you can do this. Even if you can't believe in yourself, then at least believe in me who believes in you."
Did she just-
"Have you been watching my things without my permission again?"
"What can I say?" She smirked. "There's some good stuff in there."
How fucking dare she.
But dammit, it was working. I did feel better.
-----
"Yo! Tatsuma!" Yoarashi hollered across the waiting room, breaking the tense silence. In only a few minutes we'd be called out onto the stadium floor, in front of the entire world.
"Yeah?" I said as I raised my head. I hoped I didn't look as tired as I felt, I had barely managed to sleep due to my nerves. Yoarashi, of course, looked like he was practically vibrating on the spot.
"You going for the first place?!" He asked, confidently striding up to the middle of the room, drawing all attention to himself.
"Yeah." I told him, thinking back on what I'd talked about with Ryuko. "I am."
"Awesome!" He flashed me a thumbs-up. "I'm going for it too. In fact, I'm gonna extend that challenge to everyone here!" He whirled about, regarding the whole class. "What do you say?!"
"Don't think we're letting you recommended students just run away with the prize!" Tetsutetsu said, pushing himself to stand. "We're coming for it too."
I glanced around, seeing nods all throughout the room.
"I think it would be accurate to say that everyone here is heading for the first place." Shishida said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "That is what we are in the Heroics Department for, after all."
"That's what I wanna hear!" Yoarashi said, a massive smile splitting his face. "May the best man- or woman- or dragon- win!"
-----
"It's UA's Sports Festival! The one time each year your fledgling Heroes compete in a ruthless Grand Battle!"
Present Mic's voice was audible even to the preprooms, grating on my ears. I don't think he was even using a speaker, just his Quirk.
"Get ready." Kendo said. "We're leaving in just a moment."
"First up, you know who I'm talkin' about! The miraculous rising stars who brushed off a villain attack with their steely willpower!" A distant cheer accompanied the announcement. "From the Hero Course, it's class 1-A!"
"We survived a villain attack too." Monoma complained, only to yelp as I poked him with my tail.
"We've talked about this."
"I'm just saying-"
"Well stop that, and smile for the cameras."
"They haven't been getting as much attention, but this class is also full of talent!"
"That's our cue, get moving." Kendo and I herded the class into the tunnel, emerging out into the light.
"Also from the hero course, Class 1-B!"
The cheer didn't abate as we walked out onto the stadium floor, but I could tell at a glance that Monoma was still resentful of following in 1-A's wake, if the cold glare he was directing in their direction was any indication.
"Look at them." He grumbled. "Thinking they're better than us."
What was more surprising was that Yoarashi joined him, his previously jovial expression fading into an angry scowl as he saw the split-haired student at the head of 1-A's column.
"That's Endeavour's son, right?" Kendo whispered to me, as we brought up the rear of the group. "What's Yoarashi's problem with him?"
"I'm not actually sure." I told her. "I think he tried to make friends with Todoroki in the Recommended Student Exam, and got the cold shoulder."
"Really?" She asked. "That seems like it goes deeper than that." She nodded in Yoarashi's direction, who looked absolutely livid.
"Mmm." I grunted in agreement. How was I supposed to know?
Still, even I couldn't help but steal a glance towards the "Heroes of USJ" that had been so hyped up.
They looked… like normal teenagers. Determined, but nervous.
Like us.
"Next up, General Studies Classes 1-C, D and E!" Yet more students appeared, streaming out into the stadium floor"Support Course, Classes F, G and H are here too! And Business Course, I, J and K! All of UA's first years are here now!"
Honestly if anyone had the right to be resentful, it was them. We at least got a unique announcement, Present Mic was just rattling off the non-Hero classes like an afterthought.
And in a way, that was what they were. The Hero classes were selected for combat ability and Quirk strength, and received specialized training in both. Put them up against what were, for all intents and purposes, regular High Schoolers, and the results weren't hard to predict. I'd seen a lot of Sports Festivals, and the overwhelming majority would never make it into the Second stage, and only on rare occasions would any reach the Third.
It didn't seem fair that they were being brought here just to lose, and from what I overheard, they knew it too.
"Hard to get motivated…"
"...Just here to make the others look good."
We walked up to the middle of the arena, the tensions palpable in the air as each class formed its own crowd. The cheering eventually began to abate, and I finally had a chance to properly appreciate the sheer amounť of people gathered there. The stands were absolutely packed with people, and camera-bots hovered overhead transmitting the live feed across the nation, and even abroad.
I felt a chill run through my spine as I considered just how many people were watching us. It'd be easier to ignore it and push the feeling down once we got going, when there was a convenient distraction, but right now I couldn't help myself.
And then there were the Pro-Heroes. I spotted Endeavour, his flame-wreathed form sitting in the VIP section with a collection of other Pro-Heroes, including Ryuko.
And then there was… Ryuo. Sitting in the opposite end from Ryuko was my uncle, his reptilian features unreadable.
I ripped my eyes away, hoping he hadn't seen me looking. I didn't want to acknowledge his existence.
"And now for the Athlete's Oath!"
Oh god it's her.
"It's the R-rated Hero Midnight!" Somebody called out.
Well. Whatever. It wasn't my place to question such things.
I would have tried to ignore her and focus on something else, but it's kind of hard when she's our referee.
"Quiet down!" She cracked her whip as she stood on the podium, gesturing towards the crowd. "Representing the students will be Juzo Honenuki, from Class 1-B!"
Really?
I mean, not that he's a bad pick, it's just…
Well, he has no outstanding characteristics. He's good at everything, but not the best either, and he's always super reasonable.
Which, now that I thought about it, actually made him a great student representative.
"It must be because he placed first in the Entrance Exam." A green haired boy from 1-A mused, his hand on his jaw.
"Shut the fuck up, Deku!" Another student from 1-A snapped at him, a boy with a spiky tangle of ash-blonde hair.
"The Heroics Entrance Exam, you mean." Somebody called out from the General Studies group, and I had to suppress a sigh. If that was the criteria, well, I could see why they were upset.
Honenuki walked up to the stage, standing in front of the microphone. I had to respect his calmness- literally tens of millions of eyes were on him now. Had they warned him beforehand, or was he just that good at keeping his cool?
"On behalf of all of my fellow students, I would like to take this oath, that I will participate in the First-Years' Stage of the UA High School's Sports Festival, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to this sport without cheating or malicious intent, in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Thank you."
For a moment there was silence. Then, somebody started clapping. At first it was a polite, restrained one, but soon grew to a thunderous roar lf noise as the crowd joined in. I…
-actually how was I supposed to clap as a dragon? Shit, now I'm going to look like an ass.
The applause faded before I could figure out an answer, and Honenuki walked down to rejoin us. I wouldn't say that the tension was gone, by any stretch of the imagination, but at least there were less snide comments.
"Now, let's get everyone started!" Midnight called out, as a holographic screen flickered into existence behind her. "The first test will be what you might call a qualifier! Many will be sent home in tears from this one! And for the First Years, that event will be… this!"
The words Obstacle Course blinked onto the screen, and the crowd cheered. Behind us a huge gate built into the side of the arena swung open, metal panels pulling away to reveal a tunnel to the outside.
"It's a race between every member of all eleven classes!" Midnight announced, cracking her cat-o-nine-tails. "The course is a four-kilometer track around the stadium! The only rule is to stay within the boundaries! Beyond that anything goes!"
And just like that the tension snapped back, as everyone digested what those words meant.
Anything goes… unlike before, we would be free to interfere with each other, I mused as we began walking towards the gate. But focusing too much on that would risk neglecting your own progress… and make enemies.
"-nd knock 1-A down a peg."
My ears twitched as I heard Monoma's voice coming from behind. I craned my head aside slightly and saw him huddled in whispered conversation with several of our classmates.
Eavesdropping is bad, but… I mean, it's not really eavesdropping, if you're using your Quirk to your advantage in a competition, right? Midnight said anything goes, so...
"-not here to beat 1-A." I heard Kendo tell Monoma. "We're supposed to be showing off our skills."
Whatever idea he was proposing, it didn't seem to be gaining as much traction as he'd have liked, judging by his frown.
"It's risky." Tokage said, a hand on her chin. "If it doesn't all go to plan in the second stage, we'll have wasted the first for nothing."
I could see Monoma sigh in defeat, bowing his head. "Very well. I can tell when I'm outvoted."
They exchanged a couple more words I couldn't quite make out before separating, Monoma heading in my direction.
"What was that about?" I asked him as he got closer. I glanced over his shoulder towards Kendo, but she gave me a "I'll-tell-you-later" look.
"It's nothing." Monoma said with a shake of his head. "It doesn't matter now. From one thing to another, could I borrow your Quirk for the Obstacle Race?"
That…
Hmmm.
"Alright."
If he had wanted to copy my Quirk, he could probably have grabbed it without my notice. Plus from a pragmatic perspective, anything he could do with my Quirk, I could do better.
Except, you know. The obvious.
And…
"You will lift each other up."
Yeah.
"Thank you." Monoma nodded gratefully, as we arrived at the starting line. "I owe you."
A tunnel lead into the outside of the stadium, but a quick glance made it immediately apparent that it wasn't wide enough to admit everyone at the same time. It would become jam-packed with students as soon as the race started, and in such a situation strength and mass would determine who would be able to force their way through.
In other words, ideal for me. The first inkling of a plan began to form as the three lights atop the gate began the countdown, turning green one by one. Bulldoze through the tunnel and get into the air, taking an early lead. Flight really was a superlative ability in a race: I'd be able to bypass ground-bound obstacles, and remain safe from most of the interference other students would be able to create.
I actually felt a mote of confidence gathering in my chest.
When the final light blinked green, several things happened. The crowd roared, of course, and everyone surged forward, toward the tunnel. And then… ice.
I felt the air temperature drop as the ground was rapidly covered in a layer of frost. A wave of ice travelled through the crowd of students, freezing many of them to the ground by their legs and shoes as it passed by, but they were not the true target.
It was heading for me. Far too fast to dodge at such a close range, the wave crashed against me, encasing me in a miniature glacier, like some sort of sculpture.
"A RUTHLESS attack!" Present Mic howled, though even his voice was muffled by the layer of ice around me. "I say again, RUTHLESS! Class 1-A's Todoroki takes absolutely no prisoners! 1-B's Tatsuma is frozen at the starting line!"
Damn it, he must have realized the same as I had, and decided to take out a threat early. I mentally kicked myself, and would have done so physically if I was able to. It was the obvious play, it's probably what I would have done in his place.
And it was working. Ice wasn't particularly hard for me to break, but encased in a full-body mold as I was I had no leverage or room to move. Worse, I felt the cold seeping deep into my body, sapping strength from my muscles as my inner heat bled away, and my eyelids suddenly felt heavy, like I could drowse off at any moment. I couldn't even speak.
Dammit, dammit, dammit.
The ice had frozen some of the others, but the main target of the attack had been me, and even now the main body of the students was streaming through the tunnel, the Hero students at the forefront with Todoroki leading the pack.
I could hear Present Mic's commentary as well as the sounds of crashing in the distance, but I pushed the distractions out of my mind. I hadn't wanted to reveal this move so early, but I was left with little choice. I closed my eyes, and focused.
I pictured Ryuko's disappointed face as I was taken out literally at the starting line. I forced myself to consider the hit her reputation would take, having recommended an absolute failure like me. I thought about the humiliating headlines that would fill tomorrow's newspapers.
No, that was anxiety, embarrassment and nervousness. I needed anger, and fear, and rage.
I pictured Fujiwara leering down from the stands, every spectator replaced with his face.
Suddenly I heard a hissing sound, coming from all around me.
There it was.
I concentrated on that thought, imagining his voice calling down to me, mocking me, taunting me, telling me how he'd ruined my chances of becoming a Hero. After all, this obstacle would have been nothing were I able to transform.
The hiss grew in intensity and pitch, accompanied by a series of cracks. I pushed with all of my not-inconsiderable might, and the ice shattered, releasing a billowing cloud of steam created where my superheated body had turned the ice into vapor.
"But it looks like she's not out of it yet! The Dragon of 1-B reveals she's got some tricks up her scaly sleeve!"
Without wasting anymore time I scrambled towards the tunnel, which had by now mostly been cleared of students. The few that remained wisely made way as I thundered through, emerging out into the first stretch of the actual race. The ground was heavily-packed dirt, whilst a low wall on either side marked the path. The upper boundaries were seemingly marked by holographic lines projected by a series of small emitters lines along the track.
Well, I didn't think UA was going to let me fly in a straight path over to the finish line anyway.
The majority of the contestants hadn't managed to push more than a hundred meters beyond the tunnel, as a wall of metal barred their path. A dozen gargantuan robots the size of skyscrapers crowded the race track, whilst smaller ones buzzed around their legs, intercepting those who tried to sneak their way through between them.
Several of the huge robots, probably the zero-pointers that Pony and the others had told me about, had already been destroyed while I'd been trapped in the ice, frozen or smashed by what looked like a fully functional cannon lying abandoned on the race track. A smaller group of people had made use of the opening and gotten past the blockade, mostly Heroics students from 1-A and B, but even as I watched the robots lumbered into place to close the gap. I spotted Monoma flying overhead, and cringed. His form was terrible and his rhythm nonexistent- help from his Quirk or no, you don't become an expert in flying in a couple of minutes.
At the front of the pack were Yoarashi and a blond-haired kid from 1-A, the one who'd yelled out earlier, a cyclone of wind and explosions trailing them.
And beyond even them, out in the distance I saw Todoroki, a trail of ice marking his path. I felt my blood boil. I understood the logic behind his actions, but it didn't make the burning feeling of humiliation any less potent.
I leapt into the air with a beat of my wings, sending several nearby students sprawling to the ground by the backdraft. I could see the "roof" of the track had, all but certainly deliberately, been placed so low that you couldn't fly past the robots without getting to within their reach.
If my training with Nejire and Snipe had taught me anything, it was that the difference between speed and maneuverability, and my deficiencies in the latter. Being as large of a target as I was, realistically I couldn't count on getting past without being grabbed.
Which meant that I'd have to go through instead.
Fine by me.
I began accelerating, gaining altitude until I reached the very ceiling of the race track. I tucked in my limbs to reduce air resistance, furiously beating my wings to achieve maximum velocity with the space that I had to work with. I found my target: a lone building-sized monstrosity. A veritable swarm of smaller robots scuttled around its legs, but they did not concern me.
A few seconds before impact I folded my wings tight behind my back, and let momentum and gravity carry me the rest of the way like a cannonball.
All of the force from my mass and velocity was concentrated on the tip of my horn, and it punched through the metal like it wasn't even there. The rest of my body followed a millisecond later, driving the horn deeper into the zero-pointer's head and smashing into metal structure akin to a runaway freight train.
There was a terrible metallic groan followed by a resounding snap as the zero-pointer's head came free of its neck.
For a moment I was in freefall, tumbling around, before I managed to spread my wings and reassert control. Behind me the decapitated robot fell on its back with a crash that must have carried all the way to the stadium, it's massive form kicking up a huge cloud of dust. Several of the students still stuck at the first obstacle were apparently making a run for it through the gap that I had created, but my attention was on the next one.
It appeared to be a massive pitfall, with only thin ropes to connect the thin stone pillars. I saw the others making their way through, navigating the ropes as best they could. Tokage and Pony were using their Quirks to fly over the pit, while Kendo was using her powerful hands to swing forward along the tightropes. One student from 1-A had even stolen a blast shield from one of the robots earlier, crawling across the ropes with it strapped onto his back.
"The Hero classes lead the way!" Mic hollered. "1-A has a slight lead overall, but it's very close!"
"1-A have forgotten how to hesitate, and so push on without stopping." Another voice spoke out much more calmly. "But 1-B's cooperation is on point."
I saw Yui and Komori constructing a bridge over pitfalls, huge mushrooms growing out of the side of the pillars. Shishida tossed Shiozaki over the chasm, and she repaid the favour by sending out a thicket of vines to form a bridge thick enough for him to cross.
While the majority of the Hero Class students were only just now starting on the second obstacle, Todoroki, Bakugo and Yoarashi were already almost through, taking potshots at each other as they vied for first place.
"The leads just keep pulling ahead! But they've got stiff competition coming up right behind them! A ravine can't stop a dragon, Tatsuma's just bypassing the obstacle entirely."
I grit my teeth as I tried to eke out every bit of force from my wing muscles as I flew over the other Hero Course students.
"Not entirely." The other voice spoke out again. "The ceiling of the track gets lower and lower near the end."
It was the same damn thing that they'd done in the Recommended Student Exam. Let the fliers use their Quirks for their advantage, but don't let them run rampant either. Due to my wingspan I was already getting dangerously low and-
All of a sudden I felt a sting on my underside, and a distinct tug.
"Hey, Ms. Dragon! You won't mind if I catch a lift, right?"
Glancing behind, I saw what looked like nothing less than a grappling hook latched onto my side, lodged between the edges of my belly scales. The cable connected to the chest harness of a pink-haired girl decked out in a full complement of support items, reeling herself in.
Huh. I wasn't aware those were allowed. But given that the referees hadn't called her out, I had to assume they were.
"Now, you could probably snap my baby off!" She shouted over the wind, utterly fearless. "But the question is, can you afford to?!"
And the worst part was, she was right. She'd aimed well, putting the hook in a position I could not easily reach. I absolutely could not risk losing any speed here, not with everything that was on the line here.
But I had something better in mind.
Up ahead, a yellow-scaled dragon was visibly struggling to stay in the air, the wingbeats both frantic and erratic.
"Monoma!" I called out over the wind rushing past, as I pulled closer to him. "I could use that favor you said you owed me!"
He glanced at me, and I saw the understanding in his exhausted eyes. "Of course."
I saw the pink-haired girl's eyes widen behind her goggles as Monoma snatched her in one scaled fist, yanking the hook free.
"Say, is that a jetpack I see on your back?" He asked smoothly. "See, I'm about to run out of time on this Quirk, and it would be a great opportunity for you to show…" His words faded out as I overtook him.
Did… he just manage to turn that into an opportunity?
Whatever. I shook my head, focusing on my own race.
The holographic lines were pressing close again, and I had to lower my altitude even more, to the point that I was forced to glide instead of true flight. I wasn't sure of the penalty they'd levy for violating it even by a little, but I wasn't interested in finding out.
"And our leader has reached the final barrier! That is to say… It's the Minefield! A deadly afghan carpet!"
…
Wow. Wasn't that a coincidence. I felt a chill run through my spine, but forced myself to ignore it. No time for that. Not here.
I surveyed the third obstacle, where the ground was dotted with slight, circular bumps of upturned earth. Very familiar kind of bumps.
"A quick glance is enough to tell the mines' locations! So keep both eyes open and watch your step!"
Without room to properly use my wings I wouldn't be able to stay aloft for long, and I was losing altitude by the moment. I needed a plan.
Glancing up ahead, the lead trio were vying for the top spot, ice, wind and explosions being thrown back and forth, though careful not to set off the mines.
There were a lot of things I'd forgotten, but there are just some things you couldn't unmemorize even if you tried. And I knew landmines by heart.
There are a number of ways to clear mines. Explosives of your own are the most common method, while mechanical devices like mine flails and rollers were another. Even simply shooting them was a tried and true tactic.
But if you're in a hurry, if you have no other options and know the composition of the minefield? Get a big fucking tank and run them over. An anti-personnel mine won't even have the oomph to detrack one. And that was the principle I put into action.
So I didn't slow down, landing in the middle of the minefield and converting my motion into a full gallop, even as dozens of landmines went off in my face. I felt the shockwaves buffet me, but they were designed for people more than a hundred times lighter than I. Of course, a real minefield would mix in anti-tank mines to keep the enemy honest, but a quick glance before landing had told me UA had elected not to plant anything capable of seriously hurting the human students.
Though I was half-deafened by the explosions and all but running blind, I kept going, uncaring of how many mines I triggered as I thundered through the field, the ground shaking beneath my feet. A simplistic solution, but an effective one.
The others were forced to limit their Quirk usage and watch where they stepped, to avoid setting off too many mines, but I could keep going at a dead run. And while dragons are not the fastest things on the ground, I was plenty fast enough.
"And Tatsuma takes the lead!"
I don't know what the others thought of me as I passed them, plowing through the minefield, but I didn't care. I was in the first place. It felt like my heart had vacated my chest cavity in favor of the back of my head.
"But the former leads have no stopped fighting each other, and bolted after her! They're using the channel she's creating to catch up!"
I couldn't see the others, but I could hear them well enough, the howl of the wind and the cracking of ice. I just had to trust that I was faster.
That was when I felt the shockwave hit me from behind.
"A giant explosion from behind!? What caused such a blast!? An accident? Or no, it was intentional!"
I risked a glance behind, seeing the green-haired kid from 1-A sailing through the air, skirting the holographic ceiling, holding the blast shield beneath him. He must have used it to detonate a bunch of mines, propelling himself into the air.
But… based on his speed and flight arc, it wouldn't be enough. He'd gain a slight lead, but we'd overtake him again in a matter of seconds.
Then I saw his eyes, sharp and focused.
No, he had a plan. He was aiming for me.
It was too late to dodge: kicking off of the metal plate he landed on my back and grabbed a hold of the harness strap of my UA uniform vest. Despite the rough ride he held on as I ran forward, a kind of manic desperation burning in his eyes.
"1-A's Midoriya fashions himself a dragonrider! This is the kind of upset you all love!"
I barreled out the minefield, almost overcompensating and losing my balance as the explosions suddenly ceased. I could suddenly see again: he green-haired kid- Midoriya, as named by Mic- was hanging onto my back, near the base of my tail. It was a spot where I couldn't reach, not without slowing down- that had to be what he was counting on.
What he probably wasn't counting upon, however, was the second person to land on my back.
"Deku, you bastard!" The blond-haired boy howled, swinging his right arm wildly as he landed on my back. "Don't you dare get ahead of me!"
I felt the explosion glance off my scales as Midoriya dodged at the last moment, throwing himself at his opponent.
"A dragonback duel!" Present Mic yelled. "Midoriya and Bakugo are going at it with fisticuffs!"
The two of them were all-out brawling on my back, trying to simultaneously throw each other off whilst desperately hanging on to avoid being thrown off by my movements as I ran towards the finish. Midoriya was pressing close to Bakugo, trying to prevent him from using his Quirk, lest he hit himself as well.
I heard the cracking sound of ice being formed, and glanced back to see ice gathering beneath Todoroki's feet that would catch all three of us- only for Yoarashi to slam a whirlwind blast into him, disrupting the attack. I didn't know what his beef with Todoroki was, but right now it was my only saving grace, as the split-haired boy was forced to concentrate on his defence, surfing up on a wave of ice.
Behind them, I could see the others were making their way out of the minefield as well: Shishida was loping forward on all fours, contending with who I had to assume was Ingenium's brother. Shiozaki was pulling herself forward on her vines, while a 1-A student with a bird head seemed to be doing the same with a tendril of black shadows extending from his stomach.
I needed to get the two 1-A students off of my back, but as soon as I did so Todoroki or Yoarashi would overtake me. But if I didn't, they could jump over me just before the finish line, and steal the first place. I needed a plan, and I needed it quick.
I saw the tunnel back to the stadium looming ahead- yes. That was it.
The tunnel.
"First place is being fought for even at the final meters! Who will emerge victorious?!"
Midoriya and Bakugo were still grappling for supremacy as I approached the entrance, the crowd audible even at this distance.
"Jump if you don't want to get crushed." I stated matter-of-factly, and without waiting for a response, threw myself into a forward roll, tumbling over my back. I didn't look back to see what they did, but based on the amount of curse words and surprised yelling, they were probably alright.
"Tatsuma's not having any of it! That tumble looked practiced!"
"It is only rational train for dealing with unwanted passengers, when the size difference is that big."
The momentum of my roll carried me into the tunnel, stumbling slightly as my feet found the ground again, but managing to regain my footing. I'd lost a good amount of speed in the maneuver, but it didn't matter: in the narrow tunnel there was simply no room to pass me.
"What an incredibly close race!" Present Mic shouted as we emerged into the stadium. I glanced towards the stands, seeing Ryuko jumping up and down in her seat. And with a final push, I threw myself over the finish line.
"But… Ryuuzaki Tatsuma takes it! First place!"
A lot of people have been asking me how I was going to handle the Obstacle Race, and I hope I was able to deliver satisfactorily.
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