Issue #12: The Sports Festival Part 2: The Cavalry Battle
"Those of you at the top will suffer the most. Of course, you will hear this over and over at U.A. So use what Plus Ultra means! Wade Walker, who placed first in the obstacle course, is worth ten million points!" Midnight exclaimed to the participants.
Wade froze up when he felt every single pair of eyes lock-on him. Hungry to take his points and knock him out of the games.
His heart was beating fast, trying to remain strong. Their eyes felt like the same eyes that he would get back when he was still Quirkless, but now... it was different. He was different. Wade only grabbed the first place because of his dumb luck, but now, he's finally seeing what All Might has to deal with all the time, every day as the Number 1 Hero. To always have a target on his back and everyone wanting to get their hands on him. But Wade wasn't deterred. Filled with more determination to win, Wade wasn't going to back down for this fight in any way. The odds were against him, but he's going to fight to the end, even alone if he had too.
Even All Might saw that Wade was quick to understand, seeing his successor's fiery determination.
"First years, these are the rules that you'll abide by. The game itself will last fifteen minutes. Individual point values will be added together to reach your team's total. Everyone will know your worth thanks to your headbands. Swipe as many headbands as you can to raise your team's score. Stolen headbands must be worn from the neck up. So the more you steal, the harder it'll be to manage them! And another thing, even if your headband gets stolen or your team falls, you can keep playing until time's up!"
"It's anyone's game then." Momo said with a hand on her chin.
"Since there are 42 contestants, there'll be 10 to 12 teams fighting on the field the entire time." Sato responded with a thoughtful look.
Aoyama poked his head up. "Sounds like a bad time."
"So if you lose your head at the beginning you have more time to make up a plan." Mina said, looking at Tsuyu.
"I don't know Mina." Tsuyu said with a finger on her chin."Maybe we should wait and see how the teams turn out first before we start strategizing."
"This is going to be rough. You may use your Quirks as much as you like! But, there are still rules; make a team fall on purpose and I'll penalize you with a red card. That means you'll be disqualified!" Midnight warned the students, which didn't seem to sit well with Bakugo. "Now you've got 15 minutes to build your teams! I recommend you get started!"
Wade took a moment to think. In his case, his teammates' points didn't really matter. All he had to do was pick the right people. People that're in his class, as it was a gamble to pick someone that he didn't know the powers of. He had to act fast.
The Spider-Man looked around...
...and saw that he was completely isolated by every single person on the field.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Wade screamed up at the sky while grabbing his head. How was he going to have no team if they were all avoiding him like the plague? But then he saw that Mina was running nearby. "Mina!"
Mina stopped and looked at him with wide eyes. "Wade?" She asked as he ran over to her.
"Let's team up!" He said hopefully. "It'll just be like the combat training exercise."
Mina had a downcast expression as she scratched the back of her head. "Yeah...actually Wade, I was thinking of teaming up with Bakugo." She then said nervously.
"..." Wade stared at her for a moment. Really hoping that she was playing around with him. "...What?"
"Yeah, please don't take this the wrong way. I would have loved to team up with me again, but...it's just you're worth so much that everyone's going to be gunning for you." the pink girl said before walking off towards Bakugo. Leaving Wade in a state of horror. She felt guilty about leaving him all alone, but afterward, she'll make it up to him when the games are over. "Good luck!"
She ran over to where Bakugo was standing. Being surrounded by Sato, Aoyama, Shoji, Hagakure, and Sero. All of them wanting to be on his team
"You should team up with me!" Sato exclaimed, putting himself as Mina reached the group.
She ran up to Bakugo and pointed to herself. "No! You definitely want me by your side!"
"I don't mean to beg, but please." Aoyama moaned, holding his stomach in pain as he was still yet recovering from using his quirk too much during the race.
Bakugo stood there for a moment. Staring blankly at all of the students begging him to be on his team. But he had only one response.
"Wait, remind me what your Quirks are again," he said, "And your names."
Mina and Sato looked at him in annoyance. "You're kidding! We're your classmates!" The pink girl complained, now started to think that teaming up with him was maybe a bad idea.
"Can you really be that self-centered?" Sato exclaimed with a frown of disappointment.
"I could've told you that!" Wade shouted from where he was standing. He then sighed. "Mina probably better off with Bakugo. Considering his 200 points and how versatile his Quirk is, she's probably making the better choice. Ugh, now I hate when I say that."
Unfortunately, that also means that he's at an even bigger disadvantage. No one wants to try to keep over ten million points for the game. It's a better strategy to try to steal the points at the end. And unlike Todoroki and/or Bakugo, Wade didn't use his full power, so no one had any idea if their Quirks could be compatible with his. Wade didn't know what he was going to do, making him more nervous.
"Hey, Wade!" Wade heard a familiar female voice and slowly turned around. Ochaco was the one that called him with a bright smile. "Let's team up!"
Wade stared at her with wide eyes for a moment. He then started crying anime tears as he grabbed Ochaco's hands, moving them up and down. "Ochaco?! Are you sure about this!? I mean everyone's going to be coming after me because of my stupid ten million points! I don't want you to be thrown out of the games because of me!"
After he got a grip and let her hands go, Ochaco said. "Hey, that's fine! Who cares?" She beamed with an angelic smile that brightened Wade's heart. "Besides, it's better to team up with people you like!"
Staring at her with amazement and a slight blush on his checks, Wade took a moment to just admire her commitment to her friends, and also for how beautiful she was. Shaking his head to clear it, Wade said, "Thanks, I was wanting to ask Mina, but she turned me down. So thank you! Even if we haven't worked together before, I think we'll still have great communication and coordination." He said with a smile before looking down at his fingers. "Now that I got you, I just need another two other people who can join our team. With them, we'll have the perfect plan."
Wade turned around and spotted just the two people he was looking for. He walked over to them and called out, "Iida! Momo!"
"Huh?" Both the speedster and creator turned to see their Spider-Man friend.
Wade brought his three friends together in a circle as he began to lay out his plan. "I want you to join me. If the four of us make up a team, we'll be able to stand a chance at winning. Iida will be in the front and we'll use your speed to get us away from trouble. And by using Ochaco's Gravity-Quirk, we'll be lighter, faster, and more maneuverable. Momo, your job is to be the one that supports us from the sides and back. Create defenses to keep them off our backs. As the one with the most points, I'll take responsibility and be the attacker. I'll use my Venom Blast if anyone gets too close." He explained it to them before grinning. "If we work together, then we'll have the best combination of offense and defense!"
The three students looked at him with astonishment. He really thought of all that in just a few minutes? Iida and Momo straightened themselves as the Class Rep adjusted his glasses. "I'd expect nothing less from you, Wade. When you're not being reckless, you're actually a great tactician." He said with admiration. However, that smile disappeared. "...but I'm sorry..."
"I'm afraid the two of us must refuse your offer..." Iida said, also wearing a downcast look.
Wade looked at his two friends in shock. "W-Wait, wait. I-I don't understand." He said, completely shocked and wondered why they would walk out on their friends.
Momo felt a little bit of guilt, feeling that she was abandoning Wade. But she gave her response. "I'm sorry, Wade. You're a wonderful person who's saved me more than once. I'm forever thankful to you, but I can't grow as a Hero if I continue to be unable to stand on my own two feet."
"Momo's right." Iida said, looking into Wade's eyes. "Ever since this all started, I've been losing to you. Please don't think badly of Yaoyorozu or myself. You're a great friend, but I have to agree that if I continue to follow you, I'll never get stronger."
Both heirs looked at Wade with steely resolve in their eyes as they stepped back and started walking away. "Bakugo and Todoroki have challenged you already, but they're not the only ones to see you as a rival." Momo said, as they joined back with their group, where Todoroki and Kaminari were waiting for them.
"We'll try our best to defeat you, Walker." Iida said with his back turned to Wade.
Wade looked sadly at them but sighed. He really should have been expecting this. Iida could understand, but Momo was a surprise. He didn't know she really felt like that. But then again, they all had a great determination to be Heroes. It hurt and it felt like he was being betrayed, but the Spider-Man didn't take it personally. He respected them for wanting to walk their path and not have another person carry them all the way. As future Heroes, they had to make their own decisions.
He looked around and saw that all the teams were staring at him with predatory looks. They were no longer friends, but enemies. He was at the time of the totem pole, and all of them are coming after him. There was no relying on anyone else. "May the best of us win." He said in a whisper, glaring at each and every one of them. Daring them to come at him.
"Wade? Are you okay?" He snapped out and looked over his shoulder to Ochako, who just asked with a worried look, it's obvious she was also shocked that his friends turned their backs at him.
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it." Wade said with a sigh. "I know it sucks, but I have to understand their decision. But we still need to find other two people who can join us. I'm starting to think we're on our own." He replied with his crossed his arms
"Hehehe! Oh perfect. You're still alone! And you're the star!" A somewhat creepy voice behind them said. Wade and Ochaco turned around. Only for Mei Hatsume to get uncomfortably close to Wade and get right up in his face. "Team up with me, person in first place!"
"What the hell?! Who are you!" Wade yelled in fright, backing away from the girl. But when he stepped back and looked at her, he realized she was the same girl from the Support Course.
Mei grabbed her goggles and lifted them up, revealing some rather strange and unique looking eyes that had yellow irises with what appeared to be crosshair reticles implanted in each of her eyes. "I'm a student from the Support Course. The name's Mei Hatsume!"
"Oh, you're that weirdo from the obstacle course." Ochaco said after seeing all the gadgets she still had on.
"We haven't met, but I'd like to use your current fame for my personal advantage!" Mei exclaimed, not at all ashamed by what she said. Wade was about to respond to her when she suddenly and speedily got up close to him. "If I team up with you, then I'll be in the spotlight! Part of the team that everyone's keeping their eyes on!" She said rapidly.
"Uh-"
Mei got up close to Wade again, making him and Ochaco backing away from her. "That means my super cute little babies will inevitably be seen by the big companies CEOs that are tuning into the Sports Festival!"
"Wait, what are-" He was interrupted again when Hatsume got in his face again.
"In that line of reasoning, this is the best way for me and my marvelous gadgets to get recruited!"
"Could you slow down a minute?" Ochaco asked, holding up her hands to get Hatsume to stop. "Did you bring babies here or...? I mean-"
She stopped when seeing that Hatsume wasn't even paying attention to her and was focused on the increasingly nervous Wade. "And I think you guys will also benefit!" She exclaimed before the pink-haired girl pulled out of nowhere and opened it. showing a sizable selection of many different gadgets made by her. "The Support Courses specializes in creating equipment that helps Heroes deal with their Quirks and enhance their skills. I got to bring a ton of powerful babies with me, so I'm sure you'll find something you like floating around my arsenal! Oh, I see this one caught your eyes." Hatsume pulled out a jetpack from the box. "I based this on a certain Hero's backpack, adding my own original twist to it."
Wade's eyes widened when he saw it. "Oh yeah! You mean the Buster Hero, Air Jet! I remember—Is that a grappling hook?" He suddenly asked, pointing at a grappling hook that was in the box.
"Yes, it is! It's one of my Wire Arrows in a handheld form!" Mei replied, her voice was filled with pride.
"You really made those things on your own?" Wade raised his head with an amazed look like a kid who's receiving a christmas gift.
"With blood, sweat and tears!" Mei puffed out her chest proudly.
"Okay, you're in!" Wade said quickly, before grabbing the grappling hook. Meanwhile, Ochace watched Wade and Mei chatting with each other. Interacting like they were buddies all of a sudden. And it wasn't just her, as Momo and Mina were watching from where they stood with their teams.
'They seem to be getting along pretty well.' All three girls thought in their heads as they frowned. Seeing Wade talk with Hatsume passionately about Heroes and the girl's gadgets made the three girls annoyed. An unknown feeling entering their hearts.
Wade stopped his conversation with Hatsume and started to look around for someone that could join them. He had to admit, not being able to team up with Momo and Iida was a huge blow to the game plan, but at least he's got Hatsume and Ochaco, but still, that wasn't enough. He still needed another person with them.
The problem was that everyone else was on a team already. But fortunately Wade has found out what power he was missing.
There was only one person that could fill that spot. One guy who can help him make a plan B.
That's when he spotted that person. Standing all alone with no one even offering to ask him to join their team. Wade took a deep breath and started walking over to the person, much to Ochaco and Hatsume's confusion.
Approaching the person from behind, Wade placed a hand on his shoulder. Making him look at the Spider-Man.
"Wanna be partners?" He requested.
Meanwhile, with Todoroki's team of four, the two-color-haired boy was now speaking with the three students that joined him. "I choose the three of you because I believe we'll make for the most stable formation possible." He told his teammates. Todoroki turned his head to Kaminari first. "Kaminari is our left wing. He can use his Quirk to keep enemies at bay." He then looked at Momo. "Yaoyorozu, you'll take the right wing. Focus on installation and defense." Finally, he turned to Iida. "Iida, you'll take the front. We'll rely on you for mobility and physical defense."
It was the same as what Wade had planned, as Tokoroki had overheard them when the Spider-Man told Momo and Iida his plan. "And just like how Wade planned for his team, you'll be top. Attacking and creating diversions with ice and fire, is that right?" Iida was the one to point this out.
To his confusion, Todoroki turned his head to the left. "Not quite." He said, looking up at the stands. There he saw the author of all his pain.
His father, Enji Todoroki. Aka, Endeavor.
Endeavor was a tall, sturdily-built man with a very muscular physique. He had short crimson hair which he wore spiked up around his head and sharp light blue eyes. His beard and mustache appeared to be made of fire. His Hero costume consisted of a tight, navy turquoise bodysuit with lines of flames streaming across his chest, upper torso, arms and most prominently his shoulders. He used his flames as a makeshift mask around his eyes, and the tall boots he wore appear to be either made of fire themselves or constantly left alight, as only their soles and laces are visible around the flames. He sported white bracers on his lower arms, styled in a cage pattern, and a blue belt with a pouch attached on either side.
Todoroki's left hand clenched hard into a fist as he glared hatefully at his father. Endeavor simply glared back at him with his arms crossed. Looking at his son-his "masterpiece"-with a look of disappointment.
"When I'm in battle, I never use my left side."
The buzzer went off. The 15 minutes to gather together a team was over.
"Oh, good. It's time to get this party started!" Midnight said, stretching her arms.
President Mic looked to Aizawa, who was napping. "Hey! Hey! Look alive!" He patted him on the shoulder, walking up Aizawa. Present Mic then turned to the audience and turned on his microphone. "After fifteen minutes to pick teammates and talk strategy, 12 cavalry teams are ready to go head to head!"
Aizawa groggily looked down at the field at the teams. "...I'm seeing some interesting team-ups."
"Come on! Everyone get your hands in the air! It's time for an arena-thumping U.A. battle royale! Let me hear you scream!"
As the crowd cheered, Wade looked down at his headband that gave his team 10,000,325 points. He took a deep breath in and attached it to his forehead. He was already being held by his teammates with two grappling hooks in the pockets of his pants, while also wearing Hatsume's prototype jetpack. On his right was Hatsume, wearing all of her gadgets. To his left, Ochaco was equipped with the gearhead's hover-soles.
And for his rider, Tokoyami unleashed Dark Shadow who popped out of his host.
"You guys ready?" Wade asked the three. "This is it. If we're going to make it, we're going to the finals!"
"Yeah!" Ochaco exclaimed with a look of determination.
Hatsume giggled madly.
"Yes." Tokoyami answered nonchalantly.
However, he and the rest of Class 1-A had better watch out. Class 1-B was plotting to overthrow them. To them, Wade's class was filled with nothing but a bunch of cocky students that got all of the attention because they took down a bunch of villains. Not even thinking that Class 1-A wouldn't have wanted that attack on them. That they all nearly died or mortally wounded. But Class 1-B didn't care.
All they wanted was to show up their rival and take them down.
Whoever it was, all of them were going after Wade.
"Okay, all you first-years. I hope you're happy with your chosen teams!" Present Mic announced. "Let's get this party started! One final countdown before the game starts!"
"3!"
Bakugo cracked his knuckles. "Let's get him..."
"2!"
"He's ours..." Todoroki stared at Team Walker.
"1!"
Wade saw everyone looking at him and his team, and smiled a toothy grin of defiance. "Alright, let's kick-ass!"
Midnight waved her whip and shouted. "BEGIN!"
At the drop of a hat, the numerous teams stampeded towards Team Walker. Surrounding them from all sides. All wanting to get their hands on him and his points.
"It's basically one big battle for ten million points!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed.
Hagakura's team was one of those that was rushing Wade. Being carried by Koda, Sato, and Jiro. She was laughing joyfully. "I'll be taking that headband, Walker!" She yelled, shirtless as her teammates looked a little embarrassed.
"Not even giving us a chance." Tokoyami said as Dark Shadow moved close to his host. "Such is the fate of the first pursued… make your choice, Walker!"
"Right! Then we're running away!" Wade exclaimed.
"Don't think so!" Tetsutetsu yelled. His rider, Juzo Honenuki unleashed his Softening Quirk. This power allowed him to soften anything he touches, effectively turning solid objects in a semi-liquid form. And that's what Honenuki did to the ground. Turning the ground around them into something that was similar to mud. However, things got worse when they started to sink into the ground like it was quicksand.
"What's happening?!" Ochaco exclaimed, as their legs descended into the ground.
"We're sinking!" Wade exclaimed before looking up, realizing that it was Honenuki's quirk.
Ochaco tried with all her might to step out of the ground, but it wouldn't let her go. "It's no good! I can't get out!"
Wade grabbed the remote for the jetpack and looked to Ochaco and Hatsume. "Girls, watch your faces!" He yelled, and both girls closed their eyes and turned their heads around. Wade pressed the red button, activating the jetpack. The powerful device's thrusters pulled them out of the ground and sent them flying high into the air, going over all their pursuers.
"He flew!?" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, glaring at the Spider-Man's team and his own team turned around towards Wade. "Damn Support Course! AFTER THEM!"
"Jiro, now!" Hagakura ordered the purple-haired girl.
"I know!" Jiro sent her earphone jacks towards Wade's team. Aiming for his jetpack to take them down. However, Dark Shadow came around and swiped away her jacks, knocking them away and ruining the attack. Much to the punk-rock girl's frustration. "Stupid bird."
Wade grinned seeing the living Quirk bring able to define them.
"Good work." Tokoyami phrased the bird-like creature. "Please continue to watch over our blindspots, Dark Shadow."
Dark Shadow said. "Got it!" He then started to scan the area as the team floated into the air.
"That's awesome! Your shadow is just what we needed." Wade said, praising the bird-headed boy. "He'll cover us at midrange from every direction! I knew I could count on you!"
"You are the one who chose me." Tokoyami said bluntly.
"We're landing!" Ochaco exclaimed, seeing the ground coming up. She then created strong winds with her hover-soles to slow and easily land on the field. She made everyone weightless except for her. Leaving the others to carry her, their clothes, and equipment.
Team Walker landed on the ground before starting to run again. Trying to avoid being an easy target.
Hatsume looked up at Wade. "So what do you think about my babies?" She asked. "Aren't they just precious? Cuteness can be manufactured, you know."
"I'm really not sold on calling them 'babies', but these gadgets are awesome! You really made wonders, Hatsume!" Wade replied. While still weirded out by the pink-haired girl's attitude, he wouldn't deny that these gadgets had so many benefits to them.
"Thanks!" Hatsume chirped at his praise.
Ochaco looked away while feeling a little jealous. "I'm the one who's making us float." She muttered to herself
"They're not that far away! Come on, Jiro! Full speed, ahead!" Hagakura exclaimed, wanting to get Wade's points as much as everyone else.
Still bushing that he was carrying around a topless girl, Sato looked up and noticed that the headband for their team was gone! "Hey, wait, Hagakura! Your headband is gone!" He shouted.
Although you couldn't see it, the invisible girl reached for her head. Feeling around it, she realized that it really was gone. "WHAT!? But when?! How?!" She screamed. Not noticing that a short distance away, Monoma was twirling the headband he stole from Hagakura with his finger. Shamelessly enjoying points he stole from her.
"WOW! Barely two minutes have passed since we started, and it's already a total free-for-all!" Present Mic yelled and the crowd cheered. Enjoying the game. "YEAH! Watch those headbands! You can even ignore the ten million points and go after the other chart-toppers!"
Wade and his team then heard maniacal laughter from behind them. He turned his head and saw Shoji rushing at them with his arms folded behind his back. However, there was no one with him. Was he alone?
"We're getting boxed in!" Tokoyami informed Wade. There were two other teams charging at them from the right and the left. "We need a breathing room, Walker! We can't get trapped between multiple opponents!"
Ochaco and Hatsume nodded and were about to start moving again. However, when the gravity-controller tried to take a step, she felt her hover-sole get stuck. "Oh no!" She exclaimed, looking down.
"Is something wrong?" Wade asked, looking down at her.
"Yeah, I'm stuck!" Ochaco informed him, trying to lift up her foot. However, it was no good. That when Wade saw that it was stuck to a purple ball.
"That's one of Mineta's balls! But where did it come from?" He asked, looking around frantically for where the little pervert was.
"From right over here." Wade looked and saw Mineta peeking out from the inside of Shoji's arms through an opening. "Heeeeey, Walkeeeeeer..." He said with a creepy grin that sent Wade shivers.
"Wait, is that even allowed?!" Wade asked rhetorically.
"The judges yes!" Midnight replied from across the field.
"Ah come on!"
Suddenly, a long pink tongue shot out from the same opening. Wade's spider-senses went off and he quickly dodged it by ducking his head. It also went for Tetsutetsu's headband, but he dodged it too.
The tongue returned to its owner, revealing the person to be Tsuyu. Also hiding inside of the arms of Shoji. "Impressive moves, as usual, Wade." The frog girl said but she wasn't surprised. She remembered all of his abilities during the USJ Incident and knew how adaptable he was.
"You're in there too, Tsuyu?!" Wade exclaimed. Surprised that she would team up with Mineta of all people, but could complement the strength of their teamwork.
"I told you to call me Tsu!"
"Right, sorry!"
Tsuyu then launched another attack with her tongue. Mineta joined in, hurling his purple balls at Wade to get one stuck on him. However, Wade dodged each ball effortlessly. He also dodged the tongue and also batted it away from him. He then grabbed it, much to her shock. "Sorry about this too!" He electrocuted the tongue with a safe voltage, shocking her with electricity before pulling it back and letting it go. Making it slingshot back and hitting Mineta in the face.
"Good work, Walker, but we need to get away!" Tokoyami ushered.
"Alright, we're taking off again!" Wade exclaimed and pushed the button. The jetpack activated and pulled them up. Ripping off the bottom part of Ochaco's hover-sole and skyrocketing the team into the air
Hatsume gasped in horror when she saw this. "My babies! They're ruined!"
"I'll pay you back, but right now, we're in the clear!" Wade told her. That was quickly proven wrong when the Spider-Man's senses went off and he heard explosions. Wade looked down in the direction it was coming from, and his eyes widened when he saw Bakugo rocketing towards him. His eyes having that ever so familiar feral glare in them. "Oh, you got to be fucking kidding me."
"YOU BUG!" He yelled, using his explosions to get up to Team Walker. "Don't think for a second you're safe!"
"He's gonna blow us up!" Ochaco terrifyingly screamed.
"More like he's gonna blow me up! Tokoyami!" Wade shouted as Bakugo was almost within arm's reach. Dark Shadow appeared and got in front of Bakugo as he unleashed his attack. The Quirk took on blast and absorbed it.
Bakugo growled in rage as he started falling towards the ground. However, a line of tape shot up from down below. Grabbing onto the blonde's shoulder and pulled him back. "Whoa, nice catch!" Kirishima yelled as Sero brought Bakugo back down to his team, who caught him in their arms.
The cheers from the crowd grew after finally getting to see some combat, however, some of them were questioning if what Bakugo did was legal. He did separate from his horses and could have seriously hurt someone. Midnight responded to make the rules clear. "He never touched the ground! As long as your feet don't touch the ground, technically it's okay!"
Wade heard her and thought of several plans. He then noticed that they were descending towards the ground, but at a slow pace. Before landing and started running around. "Good work, Ochaco!" He said.
"It's hard to control where we're going with just one foot!" She replied as she fought back the sickness. Wade nodded, understanding what she was saying. With one of her hover-soles out of commission, it was best to stay out of the air unless absolutely necessary. They'll increase their mobility with Ochaco's Zero Gravity and Tokoyami's Dark Shadow for defense.
Wade and his group kept moving. All eyes from the audience and the Pros that were watching the games were on him, as he was the biggest target. The fans watching were all impressed by the students' flashy moves, but that's to be expected from having to survive real villains.
Suddenly, his spider senses tingled once more before Wade looked behind and saw a giant hand swiping at him.
"Whoa!" He quickly ducked just before that giant hand was about to take off his headband. As he raised up, he took a clear view on that person who almost stole his points.
It was one of the team leaders of the Class B team and their Class Rep, Itsuka Kendo: a girl with teal eyes and long, ginger hair, that was always worn tied into a high ponytail on the left side of her head. Her bangs were split into three clumps around her eyes. Some of her hair stuck up in large tufts on the top of her head.
"Damnit! I was close!" She cursed as her team were getting close to Wade's.
"Gosh! She could've squashed us with that big hand!" Ochako shouted as she just noticed Kendo's team behind.
"Run faster! She's gaining on us!" Wade said as he turned to his teammates, but when he turned back to focus on Kendo, his eyes landed on a mouth that was literally floating inches away from his face
"Sup?" The mouth said with a female voice.
"WHAT THE SHIT!" Wade almost stumbled when he was startled after he just noticed that creepy mouth. But then his spider senses warned him again before he noticed some globs of flesh floating around him.
He looked back at Kendo's team and noticed that one of the girls who's holding her on the right had a mouth and some parts of her body missing. It was Setsuna Tokage, a young girl of average height who had surprisingly large, upturned dusky green eyes with long lower eyelashes, and notably long and pointed teeth. Her hair is a dark moss green, collectively reaching just below her shoulders aside from a short clump that hangs in the centre of her forehead, and it grows waiver and thinner the lower down it gets. She was using her Lizard Tail Splitter quirk, which allowed her to split her body into several pieces and control them telekinetically.
"That bandage is ours!" Tokage said as her floating mouth grinned at Wade.
The fleshy orbs shot towards Wade. But before the floating bits would come closer to Wade, Dark Shadow flew over Wade and swiped the fleshy orbs away from him.
"I got your back!" Dark Shadow said before he blocked a giant hand attack from Kendo.
"Thanks, shadow! I owe you one!" Wade said with a smile.
"Wade! They're coming from our right!" Ochako warned.
The young Walker turned to his right and saw another class B team heading towards them. It was a young girl with shoulder-length dark hair, being carried by two guys. One of them was a larger and muscled man with yellow skin and was wearing some sort of helmet. The other guy was short and his head was literally a speech bubble from the comics. He knew that even though he would divert his team, there'll be another team who will try to surround him, not to mention Kendo's team was gaining up to him. And since Ochako lost one of her hover-soles, it will be difficult for her to land back and he didn't want her to get sick by using her Gravity.
Suddenly, he remembered what Midnight just said a while ago when Bakugo split up from his team.
'He didn't touch the ground! As long as your feet don't touch the ground, technically it's okay!'
And once again, a chibi-spider lit a lightbulb in his head.
"Guys! I have a plan!" Wade said, gaining the attention from his teammates. "When I said 'Now', I want you to throw me up in the air and I need you to go in that direction, as quickly as possible." He pointed to the spot where it looked like a safe zone because no other teams were found there.
"What are you gonna do?" Ochako asked, a little concerned about the sound of his plan.
"Just trust me! We need to get away from the others before it's too late!"
"Alright, we'll trust you on this Wade." Tokoyami responded, almost surprising Wade. However, Tokoyami always knew Wade is the man with the plan and he won't even hesitate to put his trust in him.
Just when Kendo and the other team was about to encircle Wade, he gave it the signal.
"NOW!"
Ochako, Mei and Tokoyami placed their hands on Wade's feet and then the young Spider-Man jumped out of their hands before he turned out the jetpack and flew up in the air. The whole audience and some of the students watched in awe at the young man flying up like a rocket launching, though other teams were also frustrated that they didn't get the chance to take his million points.
As Wade turned off the jetpack, he looked down and saw his team reaching to the location he pointed at. "Alright, Mei! Time to test your toys!" He then pushed the buttons on the devices in his pants and then two grappling hooks shot out and stretched all the way down to the arena before they pierced into the ground. At that moment, the cables speeded Wade back to the ground level while he shouted in excitement.
Before the audience was about to fear that this student would get himself hurt, Ochako, Tokoyami and Mei just reached the landing zone and they caught Wade before he would touch the ground. After the grappling hooks detached off the ground and zipped back to the devices, they carried Wade and ran somewhere else as long they remained away from others.
"Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Wade exclaimed with his pumped fist. "Your grappling hooks really did the trick, Mei!"
"I told you my babies are amazing!" Mei cackled almost maniacally.
"Your plan paid off, Wade! Good job!" Tokoyami said with a smile.
"Yeah! Way to go, Wade!" Ochako added cheerfully.
"Save the cheering for now, we're not out of the woods yet!" Wade replied as he turned behind to see the other teams trying to pursue him, but they found themselves out of his reach. "We have to hold on until the time runs out!"
The crowd was absolutely enjoying it, it's been now seven minutes since the game started and it was time to see the scores. However, what they saw was shocking, to say the least.
Hearing the crowd quite down, Wade looked at the scoreboard.
Other than his team, the other's weren't too good. All of them had no points. Even Bakugo had his points stolen. However, he saw that Team Todoroki was in fifth and that there were three Class B teams right behind Wade's.
Bakugo's points were taken when he felt a tug on his head, with his forehead no longer having something on it. Turning, he glared at the team in second place, Team Monoma. "Your class is too small-minded." He taunted, taking the headband away. "Think bigger."
"Even Bakugo got his points stolen?!" Ochaco shouted in amazement.
However, with the way Monoma was taunting him, as well as seeing his former bully having an aura of pure, crimson red anger and hatred, Wade knew that the Class B blonde was a dead man walking. "Knowing Bakugo's, his pride wouldn't allow him to just give up and let the guy go." Wade said, feeling a sense of relief to see Bakugo will now be focused on Monoma instead of him.
At the same time, he started to understand Class B's strategy. They threw the Qualifiers and planned for the long game. Even before the Sports Festival, Wade had the impression that they're stronger than they seem and wanted to end his class's supremacy. But from that, he can only guess that they're not necessarily dead set on targeting him.
"At least he's off our back. We're going to be okay!"
That hope was quickly dashed away when another team came rolling on rollerblades. Getting in front of his team and making them halt. Wade lunged forward when he felt the stop, and when he looked up, he started to get nervous.
Glaring at him with his cold, mix-matched eyes was Todoroki, who was currently being held up by Iida, Momo, and Kaminari.
Less than halfway into the Cavalry Battle and with Class B rising up against Class A, the ice/fire user was finally coming after Wade.
Both teams stared at each other like they were in a Mexican standoff. Waiting to see which of them would make the first move. Wade was starting to get nervous, especially when his eyes glanced around to see multiple teams were starting to rush them. To calm himself, he took in a deep breath, before putting on a smirk.
"Hey, Todoroki. How's it hanging?" He asked his biggest opponent. "Finally decided to come out and play?"
Todoroki continued to stare an icy glare at his rival. "I'll be taking that now."
"I didn't think this conversation would happen until later in the contest." Tokoyami said, with Dark Shadow out in front. "He seems to have it out for you."
"What can I say, I'm a charming guy." Wade joked to hide his fear. It was clear Todoroki's team had a clear advantage over them with their abilities and how little weaknesses each of his teammates had. "The game's only halfway over. We can't stop now!" He said, raising his hands and charging his electricity.
"Now, Iida! Forward!" Todoroki ordered, ready to travel at fast speeds.
"Right!" Iida activated his Quirk and speeded forward.
"Yaoyorozu, be ready to protect us!"
"On it!" Momo replied, and her right arm and stomach started to glow, creating a new object out of her body.
"Kaminari!"
"Oh, I know what I've got to do!" The blonde replied as he charged his body with his own electricity.
Wade's spider-senses went off and he saw the other teams coming for him. "Dammit, get ready! Everyone's coming for us!" He yelled.
The thing Momo was creating was a pole that was dragged into the ground. "I hope you made something strong, Yaoyorozu!" Kaminari exclaimed, charging his electricity. Todoroki pulled what Momo made with her stomach out, revealing it to be an insulation sheet that was large enough to cover his team. Wade gasped as his senses went off again. "Indiscriminate Shock, 1.3 million volts!"
Electricity was unleashed in every direction. Shocking all of the teams surrounding them and rendering them immobile after having no protection against the attack. Team Walker, however, was saved when Dark Shadow quickly got in front of the team and took most of the damage.
Throwing the sheet off, Todoroki produced frost on his right hand. "Less than six minutes left. It's time to make a move." He said and grabbed the black pole Momo made from her arm. Freezing it over with his ice. He then used that pole to have his powers freeze then the ground. Ice spread quickly and trapped all the other teams to the ground. He then called back to them. After the obstacle course, Todoroki learned that many students are capable of getting around the ice, so he adapted to that. "Sorry, but you'll just have to bear it."
However, before anyone could react, another path of ice was formed. Going back around towards the trapped teams.
One second Kendo felt the headband on her head, but in a second it was gone. She reached for it, only to realize it was completely gone.
"I might as well take these." Todoroki said nonchalantly as he held up not one - but three headbands. Giving him a total of 1,370 points.
"HEY! COME BACK!" Kendo angrily shouted as the other Class B team realized that his points were stolen too.
Seeing Team Todoroki coming at them again. Wade tried to activate the jetpack to get them out of there. However, it was broken. Internally destroyed by Kaminari's bolts. "Damn it! It's busted!"
"My baby!" Hatsume cried. "Does he need some upgrades?"
"They're too fast! We can't get away!" Ochaco exclaimed, trying to get the team away from their opponents.
"I'll create a diversion!" Tokoyami had Dark Shadow fly towards Team Todoroki. The Quirk swiped at the two-colored hair boy, but Momo quickly created a stone structure from her arm and blocked the attack.
The shadow came back. "With Momo's Creation Quirk, it's going to be a pain to get away and fight back properly." Wade growled.
"No. Kaminari's the real problem." Tokoyami said, getting Wade's attention. "His sunlight attack would have wrecked my armor..."
Wade gasped when he remembered what Tokoyami told him before the game began.
-(Flashback: Before the game began)-
"All you have to do is devote yourself to defense," Wade told Tokoyami after asking him to join his team. Ochaco was on the ground, putting on the hover-soles. Behind him, Hatsume was attaching the jetpack to Wade's back. "If we're lucky, then you have to attack. Sounds good?"
Tokoyami closed his eyes with his hands on his hips. "Interesting." He said, to Wade and Ochaco's confusion. He then went on to explain his powers and Dark Shadow. "My Quirk's offensive abilities get stronger when I'm in darkness. But that makes Dark Shadow aggressive and difficult to control. On the other hand, the beast is easy to handle in the sunlight. That's at the cost of its attack power." He opened his eyes to look at Wade. "You couldn't have known, and yet you've chosen the correct role for me. Your proposal seems like a good one under the right circumstances."
Tokoyami then did the one thing that Wade didn't think he'd ever see.
He smiled. "Very well. I'll follow your lead. We'll be continuing on you, Walker."
-(Present)-
"I get it. Kaminari's electricity is our big problem."
"As long as he keeps that up, I don't have a shot." Tokoyami told his team leader. He looked at his Quirk, as Dark Shadow whimpered. "This little guy's so fickle."
"Violence solves nothing." Tokoyami's shadow muttered, seemingly gloomy after taking too much damage that at this point he can't keep going.
Team Walker came to a stop. They were trapped. When Todoroki stole the other headbands, he put up an ice barrier around Wade's team. Trapping them with an open side. But that was because the white line was there. With nowhere to run, all they did was face their enemy as they rushed towards them.
"So you have less offensive power now, but they don't know that, right?" Wade asked the bird boy.
"Probably. The only one I ever told about my weakness is Kuchida, back at the USJ. But he doesn't talk much."
Wade nodded and looked at Todoroki's team as they came at them. There was only a minute left. "If that's the case, then we can use that." He said. He then saw that Todoroki wasn't using his left side's power. He didn't know why he wasn't using his fire, but that gave him an idea. "This can still work. We'll just have to hang onto the 10 million points at all costs."
When Todoroki's team came near them, Wade ordered his own to move to the left. Team Todoroki stopped and turned towards them to attack again. But again, Team Walker moved to the left.
"Keep them away!" He exclaimed as Dark Shadow popped out.
Todoroki could see what he was doing, and he had to admit, the black-haired boy was smart. Wade was keeping his distance and staying on his left side. That way the most direct route for Todoroki to freeze them would also hit Iida. If he let them goad him into acting recklessly, his own ice could be his downfall. And then there was Tokoyami's Quirk blocking Kaminari's electricity, it was also draining his teammate. There was just one minute left.
"Everyone!" Iida suddenly exclaimed, getting his team's attention. "We have less than 60 seconds. I'm going to do something that'll make me useless to you. But it's worth it."
Todoroki and his other two teammates looked at him in confusion. "What're you going to do?"
Iida got into position to move, as the engines in his legs powered up. "Make so you get that headband!" He told the half-powered boy, as Todoroki grabbed onto his shoulder. "Brace yourself! And hold on tight!" His engines turned red hot as flames shot out of the exhaust pipes, before turning blue.
"TORQUE OVER! RECIPRO BURST!"
It happened faster than Wade's senses could have alerted him. Time slowed down as Team Todoroki passed right by them. Todoroki's outstretched hand snatching Wade's headband the moment they went by. Everyone in the stadium was shocked as Team Todoroki came to a stop a few meters away. Even Momo and Kaminari were shocked. Now they had ten million points.
As he was putting on the headband around his neck, Todoroki looked down at Iida with wide eyes. "Iida, what was that?" He asked.
"I forced my Quirk and R.P.M into overdrive, which gave me explosive power." Iida explained, as the exhaust pipes in his leg were bellowing out dark smoke. "Unfortunately, the recoil stalls my engines for a while. It's a secret move I've been saving. No one in the class knew about it!" Wade looked at him with a shocked glare, as Iida looked towards him. "I told you, Wade Walker. I'd do my best to beat you."
Wade growled in frustration. This was bad. With the time running out, there was so little time to and they were without points. "Alright, time for payback!" He yelled.
"Kaminari's still a problem for us!" Tokoyami explained as Dark Shadow whimpered and shook his head. "It'll be smarter for us to try for other points now!"
"We can't! Todoroki has got most of the other headbands and we're trapped in here! Just get me in closer and I'll take care of the rest!"
"Then let's do it!" Ochaco suddenly pushed them much to her team's surprise. "We'll get the points back, Wade! I know it!"
Wade looked at her with shock. That's right. This wasn't just about him anymore. It was about his team and how they put their faith in him. He had a plan, and he was going to make sure that all three of their trusts were not in vain. All of their hope was in his hands and he was going to carry them all to victory!
Using One-for-All, he charged a Venom Slash...
And jumped high into the air, going straight for Todoroki.
The ice and fire user froze up as his eyes widened. Watch as Wade suddenly and unexpectedly jumped for him and his team. Even Iida, Momo, and Kaminari were stunned that he would really do something like this. There was no stopping him as Wade glared at Todoroki with his Venom Slash ready to be unleashed. Without even thinking, Todoroki raised up his left arm as his fire activated to defend himself.
Perfect.
"GOTCHA!" He yelled with a grin. Wade wasn't actually going to hit him. Instead, he swiped his right arm in an outwards swiping motion. Slicing through the air as the force of One-for-All forced Todoroki's arm to move away from Wade, and extinguished the flames, breaking his defense.
Wade landed on Team Todoroki. Stepping on Iida's shoulder's and grabbing three of the headbands on Todoroki's neck. The sudden and surprising action knocked the team off-balance and a stunned Momo, Kaminair, and Iida had to step in multiple directions to get back their footing.
Todoroki, however, was more focused on his left arm to do anything, shocked and even a little horrified that he used his left side.
He was further stunned when Wade punched him in the face. It wasn't hard enough to knock him out, but enough to buy him some time. Also using his hand on the headbands to force him to remain on top of his team. His hand and arm were hurt but weren't broken. As for the three headbands he was grabbing, Todoroki flipped them around to hide the point values, and his points was the last one he put on so it should be on top. But then again, they could have mixed up the order.
Better to be safe than sorry.
Wade ripped the three point-values off Todoroki's neck as he jumped back high into the air. "I GOT THEM!" He yelled. Dark Shadow then flew up into the air and grabbed Wade around his stomach. Pulling him back down to his team. The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
"WITH ONLY SEVENTEEN SECONDS REMAINING, WALKER PULLS OFF A STUNNING AND BRUTAL ATTACK TO GET BACK THE TEN MILLION POINTS AND TWO MORE POINTS!" Present Mic yelled, and when he looked to Midnight, she was giving him a thumbs up. Knowing what he was going to ask. "AND THE JUDGES SAY IT'S ALLOWED!"
"Alright!" Wade yelled cheerfully with a big grin, before looking down at his points. "We got-"
He stopped when he saw the points.
70, 165, and 520.
"MY LUCK CAN'T BE THAT BAD!"
"You didn't know that we mixed the headbands up, I see." Momo said, looking somewhat impressed with Wade. "And yet despite how reckless and/or clever your attack was, it seems like luck wasn't on your side, Wade!"
"Todoroki, snap out of it!" Iida exclaimed as their leader was rubbing his left arm. "That was too close!"
Team Walker had 755 points in the game. Putting them at 4th place on the leaderboard. They had to get those ten million points back! But time was running out, and the final countdown had just begun!
10
"Tokoyami!" Wade yelled Dark Shadow was sent out towards Team Todoroki.
9
"Kaminari!" Todoroki yelled and pulled out another insulation sheet from Momo as Kaminari shocked Dark Shadow.
8
There was a loud explosion as Team Bakugo suddenly came bursting through the ice wall. "BUG!" Bakugo yelled as he went for Wade.
"Bakugo!" Kirishima yelled as the team ran after their leader. Kaminari was now stupefied.
7
"Ochaco!"
"LET'S GO!" Ochaco yelled as Team Wade rushed at Team Todoroki
6
Iida tried to activate his Quirk, but it was still offline. Leaving them unable to move anywhere. "Yaoyorozu!" Todoroki yelled and Momo started to make something.
5
"Who's got the points?" Bakugo saw that the ten million weren't on Wade anymore and then looked to Todoroki, who got a metal pole from Momo's Quirk. Seeing that he now had the points if Wade was desperately going after him.
4
"Damnit! Icy-hot!" Bakugo yelled and rocketed towards Todoroki. Wade reached out a hand. Todoroki froze the pole. All three of them on a collision course for the points.
3
2
1
"TIME'S UP!" Present Mic suddenly shouted. All three stopped only a few feet from each other, with Bakugo comically falling flat on his face. The crowd cheered on as the 2nd round came to an end.
Wade stopped reaching out his hand for the ten million and could only growl in frustration. He failed his team.
"Bakugo!" Sero exclaimed as he, Kirishima, and Mina ran over to him. The blonde was still on the ground.
"Are you okay, man?" Kirishima asked worriedly. But their response was Bakugo growling out loud in anger and banging his fist on the ground.
Todoroki jumped down from his team, also frustrated that he let his fire powers come out by his 'rival'. "Damnit."
"Now, let's take a look at who our top teams are!" Present Mic announced as the rankings were displayed on the jumbotron. "In first place: TEAM TODOROKI!"
The bi-colored boy glared at Wade, before turning to his left hand. Despite his determination to never use it in battle, but as soon as he was overwhelmed, he broke his own promise. He clenched his fist in anger. "At this rate, he'll win. And I'll end up exactly who he wants me to be." He whispered to himself.
"And in second place is TEAM WALKER!"
Wade gasped when he heard that and looked up at the jumbotron. He was shocked when he saw that their team's points jumped up to 1,370! His eyes widened when he saw that. "But-How?! We only had three headbands that equaled up to 755!" The black-haired teen asked his team.
Ochaco looked at him, before smiling as she and Mei - who was still behind him working to take off his jetpack - pointed towards Tokoyami. "I must apologize. When Todoroki was shaken by your sudden attack I tried to grab the ten million point headband. But just like you, things didn't go according to plan." Wade then gasped when he saw Dark Shadow appearing. Holding up a headband in his mouth. "Still I got one." Tokoyami told Wade as he pointed to Todoroki's 615 point headband. "It was around his head, where his guard was the weakest. It was all thanks to you, Walker."
Dark Shadow gave him a thumbs up.
Wade's shocked expression turned into a smile. And before Tokoyami realized, Wade lunged at him and gave him a bear-hug, surprising the bird boy. "HAHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE A LIFESAVER, TOKOYAMI! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" The young Walker laughed, shedding tears of joy as he spun around with Tokoyami in his arms.
"You're… welcome… I can't breathe!" Tokoyami gasped as he felt Wade's arms crushing his lungs.
"Oh, sorry, sorry." Wade let go of Tokoyami as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I never seen you so happy, Wade." Ochako laughed heartily. "But I agree with Tokoyami, thanks to you we made it!"
"No. It was all of us." Wade chuckled, looking to all of his teammates. Ochaco smiled and patted Dark Shadow's head as he blushed, Mei was too busy working on her gadget, and Tokoyami gave a small smile. "We were all amazing!"
"In third place: TEAM BAKUGO!"
"Aw, we were so close to first place!" Mina complained, shaking her hands right to left.
"Yeah sure, but we're moving on, so it's no big deal." Sero said with his trademark grin.
Kirishima sweatdropped as he looked at Bakugo, who was still on the ground. "I don't think our leader would agree with you. Like at all."
"I lost to Walker...by 20 points? I lost again...GAAAHHHHHH!" Bakugo yelled profusely in rage.
"And in fourth place is Team Tetsu-Wait, WHAT!? It's Team Shinso?! When did they come back from dead?!" Present Mic exclaimed in shock with the crowd also confused too. Even his own team looked confused as to where they were. But the purple-haired student walked away with a smug smirk plastered on his face. "These four teams will advance on to the final round!"
When lunch break was announced, Wade let out a sigh of relief, almost feeling like he wanted to faint after all that pressure. He saw some of his friends congratulating each other for making it to the finals. Even if they were opponents, it was good sportsmanship to walk away on good terms.
"Wade." He felt someone touching his shoulder.
"AH!" Wade was startled and turned around, seeing it was Iida with Momo. "It's this gonna become a regular thing?"
Iida didn't answer the question, instead he held up his hand to Wade. "We know we turned our backs at you before the game began. But…"
"It wasn't anything personal and we want to congratulate you for making it to the finals." Momo finished with a smile, though there was a hint of sadness, no doubt feeling regret for about before.
"Thanks. Same to you both." Wade smiled softly as he accepted the handshake. "And no hard feelings, this is a competition after all. Whatever happens, we're good."
Iida and Momo smiled, feeling relief to know nothing has changed between them.
Wade proceeded to congratulate the rest of the Class A-1, with Mina being more than happy that he's also going to the finals with her. He wished he could try to befriend with other classes, but they still held a grudge against Class A, even though it was just a game.
He then noticed Todoroki approaching him. The Spider-Man gave him a friendly smile and held out his hand for a handshake. Wade didn't want there to be any more bad blood between them.
"Good game, man." He said as he shook hands with Todoroki. "You were pretty cool out there."
However, Todoroki's right hand didn't grab Wade's hand but gripped his shoulder. Wade gasped, taken aback by the coldness coming from his opponent's hand. Todoroki glared into Wade's eyes, now looking more angered than during the battle. Everyone around them saw this and felt the air get tense, even Bakugo after he stopped yelling in anger. Half of them were expecting Wade to tell the half-and-half boy to let him go, or for a fight to break out.
Todoroki continued to stare coldly glared at Wade, not letting go of him.
"We need to talk."