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Chapter Fifteen

Midoriya Izuku V

Midoriya stared at the billboard, trying not to cry at the number three shining beside his name.

He needed to be number one.

He promised All Might he would be number one. The desperation to win gave him enough strength to do the unthinkable and surpass both Todoroki and Kaachan, two amazing people.

But even this miracle wasn't good enough.

His eyes moved to Gon and Killua, fixated on their petite but powerful form. He witnessed firsthand how fast, strong, smart, quick under pressure and surprisingly merciless Killua can be. Midoriya had put him on a pedestal after the villain attack, he knew back then the pale boy could destroy him easily.

To see Gon surpass Killua is nerve-wracking. Even more so with the pressure to surpass the two. Reach the top.

His vision blurred. Terrified of failing and disappointing All Might but not believing in a way to defeat the two. They are too capable, barely human.

It scares him. Gods it scares him so much.

But he can't afford to lose. It's not an option. No matter how many bones he breaks. He will climb to the top!

He clenched his trembling hand into a fist. Ready for the next challange.

.

Cavalry battle.

Gon is worth 10 000 000 points. He needs to catch him.

It's alright, Midoriya can do it!

(Can do he truly...?)

All he needs is to understand Gon and form a strategy against him!

Unfortunately, he doesn't know Gon well, most of the information he has is either based on his appearance or someone else description. His hero notebook is filled with speculations regarding his strength and sketched of what he thought Gon would look like.

Midoriya doesn't know what to think of his target. He is a wildcard. He had looked like a dork, a bit of an airhead when he gave his speech but his presentation went completely against his performance. If the scary narration Present Mic and Aizawa gave were anything to go by, the boy is very, very smart and more stubborn than Killua. A horrible combination for an adversary.

Midoriya may be determined but he knows he won't be able to keep track of Gon. The only person that can keep him in check is the very pedestal he is trying to surpass.

"Zoldyck-san!" He yelled at his only hope, determination, and anxiety making his heart beat faster. "Please join my tea-"

"Sorry, I already have a team." Killua waved him off, filling Midoriya with dread, said dread turned to despair once Killua nodded towards his team: Their class representative and the star of Class 1-B himself. Momo was creating a thin metal wire and Gon was trying to convince a very disgusted blond to join them. Judging from the blond loud refusals to be in the same team as two "Class 1-A jerks", Gon probably would not make any progress with him.

"You'll team up with Gon?" Midoriya squeaked, his determined smile frozen in place.

"Yup"

His smile trembled at the confirmation, green eyes hollow.

He was so screwed.

To make things worse Momo threw a pair of yoyos at Killua, her quirk even more terrifying when assisting monsters. Killua easily caught it, looking at his new weapon and twirling in the air, the albino felt the weight and smirked "A little light, but it will do."

Memories of a similar yo-yo came to mind. He never got to see them in action, but he remembers the sheer confidence Killua displayed while their ship sank. This powerhouse was familiar with the odd weapon, when he first noticed the toy Midoriya had been curious about how he would use it. but now wouldn't be the best time to witness its power.

'Is okay. Everything is okay! Don't panic!' He told at himself, sounding panicked even in his own head 'Just don't. You need to make All Might proud!'

He shook his head, getting his head back in the game. He has two powerhouses to defeat. He will definitively have to sacrifice some bones but he can do it. Killua and Gon are strong, a Detroit Smash won't kill them so he can not hold back.

He walks around, eyes sweeping over all his classmates and landing on Todoroki. He went towards him, remembering his declaration of war against Killua before the Sports Festival started and hoping he would want to team up. His ice could be useful, and he was very fast "Todoroki-kun. Please, let me join your team!"

Todoroki and Tsuyu looked at him. Black eyes curious, heterochronic unreadable "Your quirk would be of no use to me. I can't afford to carry your weight."

"I can carry my own weight," He declared, not feeling as confident as he sounded "Freecs plan to partner up with Zoldyck." Todoroki narrowed his eyes "My punch may be one of the few things to affect them."

"And?" He asks, everything from his words to his expression as cold as ice "Even if we somehow manage to use your quirk as a distraction to catch Freecs off-guard, do you expect everyone to leave us alone once you fall?" Todoroki looks away, still talking but clearly dismissing him "I don't need a one-trick pony. I need a stable team."

Midoriya clenched his teeth in frustration, unable to argue with him but knowing his ice is his best chance of reaching the top. It's pitiful, but he tries one last time "I can come up with a plan, it may not sound like much but it was enough to get me higher up than y-"

"Do not mistake your third place in the racecourse as anything other than luck" Todoroki cold tone made him freeze "And stop wasting my time."

Luck...

It's true. If the last barrier wasn't a minefield he would be behind Todoroki. He would be one of the lasts...

He suspected as much but it's painful to hear someone else say it to his face.

"Sorry Midoriya," Tsuyu said, following Todoroki. "Better luck next time-ribbit"

He frowned, taking the words to heart and searching for someone else in the sea of people. Someone strong, but one he could trust, one that wouldn't mind his self-destructive quirk.

He looked at his fists, knowing they would be broken the moment he attacked. Would anyone be okay carrying him?

"Deku-kun!" His friend said, the cheer and energy in her voice like band-aids to his self-doubt "You wanna team up with me?"

He smiled at Ochako, her kind eyes a warm embrace after hitting Todoroki's ice walls.

"O-Ochako" His eyes watered, overflow with gratitude. "You want to Team uP WiTh Me?"

"Of course!" She yelled, awkward in the face of his attack of tears but just as determined "We are buddies, I'll guard your back!"

He smiled, feeling blessed to have such a wonderful friend by his side.

They're buddies, a team! He will accept her offer and make a strategy with Iida! Their friend group will be a blast!

.

"No" Iida refusal was like a slap in the face "I need to stop relying on you and follow my own path"

He then proceeded to join Todoroki and Tsuyu team.

Midoriya understood where Iida was going, he admired his attitude even, but he still felt disappointed. His anxiety peaking.

Ochako gave him a troubled look "What now?"

He doesn't know for sure.

He'll need to fight both Todoroki's ice and Gon super strength. Could he find a perfect ally?

No... No, he could not. Everyone was already fitting in their teams but he still had to try. It doesn't have to be the best team possible.

(It does)

He felt a lump in his throat. Yes... Yes, it does. But he won't be able too. So a good team will have to be enough.

Now, who can he-

"I don't need any half-assed ally!"

Midoriya froze at the familiar voice, holding his breath when Kaachan marched way too close for comfort, giving a side glare to someone behind him and snarling "I'll grab the headband from Shitty Boots by myself! You can find someone else to order around IcyHot!"

"You saw their power Bakugou." Todoroki talked back to Kaachan, seemingly not giving a shit about the blond seething anger.

Midoriya started to sweat. He knew Kaachan was a good pick but he didn't think Todoroki would try to use a ticking bomb "If throwing a tantrum is more important than raising your chance of victory I must admit you were not a good second choice."

Midoriya felt his blood leave his face. Admiring and fearing the sheer brutality of Todoroki's words. The madman then proceeded to walk away.

He didn't want to face death but he was too curious. He couldn't help but spare Kaachan a look, trembling at how bright with murder his red eyes shone.

"Not a good second choice?" Kaachan smiled, so furious the air around him could bake cookies. "Fucking second choice?" He stomped in Todoroki's direction, a monster of hate "Shut the fuck up or I'll fucking kill you! I'll kill you fucking bastard! You think you're hot shit hum? I'll be the b-"

Midoriya shivered at Kacchan screams, letting Ochako grab his hand and sneak them both away.

In the middle of the crowd, he spots a possible teammate.

.

Ashido blinked "You want me on your team?"

"Definitively!" He agreed "Your quirk and athletic skills are amazing Ashido-san! You're adaptable in teams and quick on your feet. Your acid can put Gon's team at a disadvantage and destroy any equipment Momo create. You would also melt Todoroki's ice. With all that, I am positive you're one of the best choices!" Midoriya agreed, his gushing session getting a strange look from Ochako. He blushes, oh shit was he rambling again? He forced himself to get to the point and avoid annoying their possible ally "Please join us Ashido-san!"

The girl laughs, basking in the praise. She slaps his back with a smile "Sure! But if I am coming Jirou-chan is coming with us! You should have seen her on the USJ attack, she is awesome!"

Midoriya and Ochako exchange looks. She is far from his first choice but since everyone is already in their own groups maybe...

"Do you want to join us?"

"I am down," Jirou shrug "But only if we don't aim for Zoldyck's team."

Not aim for the top?

It made sense, of course, but he needed to be in the top.

Jirou made a face, noticing his disagreement, "Zoldyck alone is untouchable, do you seriously think we can cross paths with him, Yaoyozoru and Freecs?"

"...No"

But he had too. He owned All Might a perfect victory.

How can he get a perfect victory?

With his team? He probably can't.

But with help, he might.

"We can't, not alone." He smiled, still anxious but allowing himself to be hopeful. "We'll need to form an alliance."

The girls exchanged looks, following him. He walked towards Tokoyami, determined.

"I know you already have a team." He said to his group "But do you want to make an alliance?"

"An alliance?" Tokoyami asked, sounding more curious than skeptical.

"Yes, we can make an agreement to help each other and team up against Freecs."

"But there is only one bandana" Tokoyami pointed out "We can't divide the points."

Midoriya nodded, a little bothered by this too "It's okay. When that happens, whoever gets the headband just help the one without it."

Kirishima blinked "Like, if you get Freecs headband you give us yours?"

"Yes. Same if you're the one to get it."

His possible allies exchanged looks, considering his offer.

"Hey" Jirou whispered to him, openly skeptical. "You trust them with this?

"Yes." Midoriya said, blushing at the close proximity with a cute girl "Tokoyami, Shouji, and Kirishima are honorable, they wouldn't accept a win if it meant taking advantage of us"

Jirou still didn't seem that confident in his plan but she let him be with a dismissive "Alright, whatever you say."

Cause it may be a bet, but at the very least this alliance gave them a chance of winning the first place.

And a chance is far better than nothing.

"Alright," Tokoyami said "We accept"

.

He, Ochako, Ashido, and Jirou were ready. The three girls easily holding him thanks to Ochako's quirk.

Shouji, Tokoyami, and Kirishima gave him a little nod. His team nooded back, happy with their alliance but not willing to lose.

Gon, Killua, Momo and a girl with blue eyes looked ready, the boys holding yo-yos and a fishing rod while the unknown girl protected Gon's side with her bare hands. The annoyed blond Gon tried to drag into his team was in another group, glaring at Killua and Momo with hatred in his eyes and sneaking betrayed looks in Gon and the blue-eyed girl direction.

Sero, Invisible girl, Aoyama, and Kaminari were ready.

Todoroki, Iida, Tsuyu looked determined and calm. Bakugou was just as determined but there was no calm, just murder in his eyes ...

Everyone was ready for the battle to begin. Itching to reach the top.

"Hey!" A short girl from class 1-B yelled, staring at Gon's finishing rot with unease "Aren't weapons forbidden?"

"Since a student made them. It counts as authorized quirk usage" Midnight said, licking her lips at Gon's fishing rod "Such an interesting choice. I can't wait to see it in action."

Midnight swung her hips, smile gaining a predatory glint.

"Begin!"

A/N: "Is that it?" you may ask and my answer is yeah. This is a bridge chapter, pretty short. Next one will be longer tho.

Below are the POV options~

Midoriya Izuku IV
Todoroki Shouto I
Bakugou Katsuki III