What Makes a Hero

22

"The first-year students are already off to a rocky start, and it's only the first round. Talk about a cruel obstacle course!" Mic shouted into the microphone. "our students are racing against each other in a vigorous battle where anything goes as long as they stay in the track!"

Midoriya looked at Mic curiously as he was repeating the rules. Was there a commercial break? He didn't remember there being any breaks during the rounds in the previous years, and no one had told them commercials were on. So why was the hero talking as if there had been some kind of pause?

Shaking his head, Midoriya focused back onto the obstacles. He felt proud seeing that most of the kids in the lead were from his class. As expected from future heroes.

They're not as hesitant and careful as the other students. He thought. Was this because of the attack? Would they be this confident if we had never been there?

When most of the students made it past the first obstacle, Present Mic introduced the second one.

"If you thought the first obstacle was easy. Let's see how you feel about the second one!"

Now Midoriya could see why Aizawa didn't want to participate. The pro hero was a little too loud, but he didn't say anything. This was the one exception where he was able to be loud and not get hushed. Midoriya knew how much it hurts to be scolded for doing what you liked.

The second obstacle was some sort of giant hole with pillars a great distance away from each other connected with a thin rope. It didn't look safe at all, but none of the other kids were complaining.

Midoriya watched as a student from a different class used some equipment she made to help herself get past the obstacle.

"she's from the department that remade my contacts," Midoriya marveled, "she's pretty talented if she could remake my contacts in short notice, it took the scientists years"

Midoriya glanced towards the end of the second obstacle and grinned "looks like Todoroki and Bakugo are still far ahead"

"and now we're finally approaching the last obstacle" Present Mic pointed at the area in front of Todoroki." everyone tread carefully. You're stepping onto a minefield!"

"a minefield?!" Midoriya gasped "is that safe?"

"don't worry, those land mines were designed for the game, so they might be loud and flashy, but they're not all that powerful"

Midoriya sighed in relief at that. In a flash, Bakugo flew next to Todoroki and aimed one of his blasts towards him slowing him down.

"Kac- Bakugo has taken the lead!" Midoriya shouted excitedly.

"and everyone is going crazy! There's nothing more they love more than an upset!"

Midoriya watched in excitement as the two stayed head to head with each other to stay in the lead"

"will the two be able to fight and keep their lead?"

"they're both really far ahead of the group, and both have very talent quirks to keep them ahead, but one wrong move and they can both easily fall behind or get eliminated" Midoriya answered.

The two easily got through the mines and disappeared into the entrance.

"The first one to walk through that door is the winner!" Mic reminded everyone.

Everyone watched the door intensely. Some chanted the names of who they wanted to win and others were too focused to realize they were spilling their food and drinks from leaning so much.

Midoriya remembered being this excited for the festival at the league's base. The rushing feelings of waiting to see which competitor would come out on top. But this was different, he wasn't being forced to watch it from a small screen. He's now watching it live next to heroes. He was announcing everything the students did now, he was the one people would listen to on TV.

He was on TV.

"Shoto Todoroki is the champion!"

Everyone cheered, the whole place was at its loudest, almost louder than Present Mic. Midoriya was among the people cheering. This was a new feeling. He could freely express himself without being worried about punishments. And he was going to take the opportunity.

____

The TV was bright in the small dark room. Random excited faces passed through the screen as the camera recorded everyone's reaction to Todoroki winning the race.

Then it paused on Izuku's face as he cried out of excitement next to a panicked Present Mic and unbothered Eraser Head.

"How interesting" a low voice spoke.

Shigaraki started scratching his neck while watching the screen.

"it looks like our little nomu is alive and has befriended some heroes" Shigaraki grinned. "I thought he would've killed himself by now, or died from the lack of commands. I guess he also found some worthless hero to work under"

Kurogiri watched Tomura stare at the TV. "what do you want to do now?" he asked worried for the boy's safety.

"we'll let him have his fun for now. After the festival, we'll spread papers for his return with some kind of reward that no villain could resist" Shigaraki shrugged "money maybe? A new quirk?"

"would sensei agree to that?" Kurogiri asked

"it doesn't matter, we'll kill the person after they give us the boy" Shigaraki frowned. He looked back at the screen.

"I hope you've had your fun brat, you'll learn not to side with the heroes once you're back with us"