The Sports Festival was a pivotal part of UA's curriculum at this point. It showed off the best and brightest they had, elevating their prestige jn the process. It was the crucible that would forge heroes, weed out those who were not up to slack, and provide opportunities for those who didn't pass the entrance exam. That was what the three of them, Izuku, Hizoshi, and Ochako were looking forward to. The violette's chance at becoming a hero.

And so, Izuku went to the festival to wish them luck, catching them before they had to go get ready. "Good luck with you two. I know you can do it, so just do your best."

Ochako was wondering something. "Will you be here?"
The green haired boy nodded, smiling brightly, "I'll be in the stands, cheering you both on. Don't be late!"

The brunette agreed, while Shinsou merely nodded in agreement, "Right, We'll look for you!"

The two entered the tunnel, getting ready for the first event.

Present Mic, the LOUD hero, was the main announcer for the event. "WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE UA ANNUAL SPORTS FESTIVAL! I AM PRESENT MIC, YOUR HOST, AND I'LL NOW HAND IT OFF TO THE R RATED PRO, MIDNIGHT!"

When the hero in question walked onto stage, the contestants couldn't help but wonder. Is she even school appropriate? Not that it mattered right now, as she announced the first trial: an obstacle course. Her voice called out, clear as the day was bright, "All students, get ready... set... GO!"

Izuku watched from his decent seat as ice coated the starting tunnel, but immediately smiled when he saw Ochako and Hizoshi float over the frozen crowd. They must have used the force or Ochako's quirk to get over the ice! Izuku cheered them on as they reached the first true obstacle.
"THEY'VE MADE IT TO THE ROBOT INFERNO! WHAT WILL TODOROKI, SHINSOU, AND URARAKA DO NEXT?"

Robot Inferno... wait... they can't be serious... It was then that the fist of a zero pointer obscured his view of the two of them. It took all he could muster at the time to beat one. Imagine getting past 7! With this obstacle now known to all, Izuku calculated that their best option was not to fight, but pass the robots. Those things were massive and not worth the time to take them on. Ochako knew this, but Hizoshi froze for a second when seeing them for the first time. The violette must not have seen them in her testing center, perhaps far away from where they roamed... and that hesitation almost caused her to get crushed... if Ochako didn't pull her along, out of the way. They spoke quickly, but the microphones didn't pick it up. However, he smiled, knowing they would make it past this test.

Ochako's voice rang in the violette's ears. "C'mon, don't freeze! If you do, you'll be left back in Gen Ed!"

Hizoshi's resolve strengthened when she heard that. That's right! I can't let anything stop me. With her determination renewed, they both bolted past. Todoroki was already ahead of them, but forced to stop at the next obstacle. "Right, what's the next one?"
The brunette looked ahead, squinting before realizing what it was with wide, shocked eyes. "I can barely see it... wait... when did they have time for...?"

Present Mic's voice rippled across the track, "THE LEADERS HAVE ALREADY MADE IT TO THE NEXT AREA... THE PIT OF DEATH!" There was a moment of silence before Aizawa presumably hit the loudmouth. After all, a name like that would never be allowed on TV normally. "OW, SORRY, THE FALL! HOW WILL THEY MAKE IT ACROSS??"

When they reached it, they found several ropes going to raised platforms which dotted the Fall. The Pit of Death might as well as been its actual name at this point, as the two didn't see how anyone could survive that kind of fall, even with a net at the bottom.

Looking around, Ochako came up with a plan. "The only way I can see us crossing this pit is to leap between pillars. We don't have much time, Todoroki's already here, and Bakugo will be right behind us."

Shinsou, unable to see a better strategy, agreed. "Right."

They prepared their powers, using them to leap between one pillar after another. Keeping an even pace, the audience didn't realize they were working together to get through this as quickly as possible. Either way, they still cheered the duo on, seeing them breeze past the current obstacle... eventually with them reaching the very last obstacle.

"NOW THIS IS A CLASSIC, A MINEFIELD. WHILE THESE AREN'T DEADLY, THEY PACK QUITE A PUNCH!"

The two thought about it, but Todoroki had reached halfway through the Fall. They'll have to make their move now. Shinsou didn't hesitate this time, using the force to accentuate the force from each blast, propelling her further. Ochako followed behind, but couldn't keep up with her friend, which was fine in her eyes. After all, if Shinsou made it, she'd enter her class. If Ochako got second, then she'd still be there. And that was good enough for her.

Midnight announced the first to pass through the stadium's archway: "First place goes to Hizoshi Shinsou! Second place goes to Ochako Uraraka!"

The next activity was the Calvary battle. Ochako wanted to form her own team, while Hizoshi searched for those to help her out. There weren't many, since most of those who succeeded were from the hero courses, and many from Class A didn't want to help her after her comment the week before. However, she managed to convince a boy named Tetsutetsu, a girl named Tokage, and was thinking about who to ask when Hatsume demanded to be on their team. She showed off her gadgets, which evened the playing field a bit more.

Midnight called the countdown, "Right, teams at the ready!"

TetsuTetsu was at the front, taking most of the weight, while Tokage was on the right, and Hatsume on the left.

"BEGIN!"

The calvary battle was a mess, but they managed to keep the headband through the event. Tetsu tanked hits, Tokage managed to snatch some bonus headbands, and Mei surprised everyone with her unpredictable gadgets. It was a clear victory when the event finished.

"Teams Shinsou, Uraraka, Todoroki, and Bakugo have made it to the next event! I would like to have a round of applause for all contestants so far! And for those that didn't make it!" The R Rated hero basked in the applause before talking again: "Allright, time for the last event: The Tournament!"

This would be the true test. The others were nothing but appetizers to the audience, and this would be the main course.

The first battle was actually Hizoshi vs. Yaoyozaru. She was a prim and proper girl, the opposite of what Hizoshi was. Believing she would be stuck up, she was surprised by what the ravenette said: "Best of luck to you."
She felt it fair to wish the same: "And to you."

Midnight called to both of them "BEGIN!"

Momo instantly made a sword and shield, then charged. Shisou moved quickly, using the shield as a springboard to launch herself over Momo. Using the force, landed and kicked her in the back. Yelping in surprise, Yaoyozaru dropped her blade, which Shinsou picked up and swung. The ravenette barely rolled out of the way, before creating another blade and retaliated. The blades clashed, but what Momo didn't know was that Shinsou had been practicing sword combat under Izuku's direction. They danced with the blades, causing the audience to watch with awe... until Shinsou used a mental trick, a force illusion in combination with a feint to make her believe that she was going to swing from one direction but really attacked from another. This combo knocked her back close to the edge. Hizoshi quickly ran and kicked, which Momo was forced to block...

However, Midnight's voice interrupted the fight, bringing it to a standstill. "Yaoyozaru is out of bounds!"

In shock, she looked down, "What..." And sure enough, her foot was indeed out of bounds.

Hizoshi tossed her sword aside, walking past her towards the rest area. "You fought well, and you weren't arrogant. Good job."
"Thanks?"

Next was Ochako vs. Bakugo. Izuku couldn't help but worry, on top of the dark feeling, almost a premonition for the fight to come. They stood across from each other. Bakugo was smiling. He never did unless there was a fight to be had. He was in his element.

The familiar voice of Midnight echoed across the stadium. "BEGIN!"

Bakugo immediately blasted towards Ochako, but she was ready. Izuku had given both her and Hizoshi tips on Bakugo, should they ever fight him. His right hook was point number 1. And she redirected it perfectly, almost throwing him out of bounds by applying her quirk. He quickly recovered, and blasted towards her, forcing her to retreat towards the middle. He was getting used to having no gravity... but that reliance was a flaw she took advantage of. When she released her hold on him, he fell to the ground face first. Spitting out dust, he swore curses as he launched at her again, blitzing her with a series of micro-explosions, knocking her around the arena, before she grabbed him and he launched himself up and out of the arena to the open sky. He launched himself down back at her, soon reaching terminal velocity. Uraraka released her hold on his gravity, and he was forced to correct it before he became a stain on the pavement.

She rushed him, keeping low to the ground in order to minimize being launched. This time, though, he was wary of her abilities. He used his explosions to cause chip damage, while maintaining his distance.

Heroes in the stands were calling for the event to be stopped, but Eraserhead spoke up from the presenter's booth.

"If you think that the fight should be over, then re-evaluate your position. Bakugo is treating her as an equal, taking precautions when usually he doesn't. It's a testament to her own strength, which should have been obvious to those watching."

However, the blond then immediately blasted behind her, into a blindspot, as she frantically tried to turn to face him. Grinning, the ruby eyed pyromaniac focused an explosion, knocking her out of the arena and slamming against a wall... Ochako was afraid as she heard, deep within her body, a snap, followed soon by a massive feeling of pain in her back. She tried to move and hold back tears, but was ultimately unsuccessful. As the salty wetness rained down silently, her thoughts turned to horror as she realized the extent of the last injury she sustained.

"BAKUGO WINS!"

Midnight noticed that Uraraka didn't move. While everyone was focusing on the winner, the heroine moved over, concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I... I can't feel my legs."

When Izuku saw the stretcher carry Ochako away, he was already concerned. Why couldn't she move on her own? Is it something about that last blast? Please have her be alright! He walked through the structure, trying to find her. He rushed past Endeavour talking with his son, and came face to face with Toshinori.

Surprise and sheepishness crossed the number one hero's features. "Y-Young Midoriya..."
Snapping, he didn't have the patience to deal with his former idol. "I don't have time for your bullshit, Allmight."
"Wait... I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
He shook his head, looking down the hall, searching for where the medical area was. "Now is not the time. I don't care."
That shook him to his core. The young boy that asked him so long ago was gone. That thought was soon interrupted by a concerned, yet still stilted question. "Where is Ochako?"
Realizing that he was looking for his friend, he gestured behind him, "Eh? She's in the medical room, down the hall and to the right."

"Thank you for being useful once in your life." He brushed past him and to his destination. Yagi sighed, resolving to do better and make it up the young man. Perhaps he can still be the man that he once idolized, but it would take effort.

When he arrived, he saw Recovery Girl looking over her, assessing the damage on an X-ray. "How bad is she?"
She looked over at him, then asked, "Oh, it's you again?" She sighed knowing better than to refuse him the results, and put it up on a board that illuminated it properly. "I can't treat her. Nobody can, it's too delicate a situation and my quirk could make it worse..."
Horrified, he couldn't help but ask, seeing the clear fracture in her back. "What happened?"
"Her spine broke when she hit the wall. When Midnight brought her here, she told me that her first statement was, and I quote: I can't feel my legs..."

Izuku was at a loss for words. "And there's no cure?"
"Even with all of the modern treatments we have, it's impossible."

Izuku thought, Modern tech can't fix it... maybe future tech could! "I know a doctor who uses... new and unique techniques. I could try to get Ochako to him to help her out..."

"How do you...? Oh, right, you were quirkless..." It was common for those who are quirkless to try to verify whether or not the results were true. It was a desperation, but... a justifiable one. The most desperate often underwent terrible procedures in order to try to earn one... but it often backfired catastrophically. His quirk came in late, which was fortunate for him. "If you can get her healed, I would love to meet this new doctor."

He nodded, absentmindedly, "I will... he helped tease out my quirk..." Izuku pulled out his phone and called his mother. She answered, "Izuku, what's wrong?"
With pain in his voice, he explained, adding an extra title to reinforce the charade. "Ochako needs treatment that Recovery girl can't give, can you get her to Doctor Revan?"
Immediately serious, she replied hurriedly, "Of course. I'll be there in ten minutes, if you could tell them to let me through."

"Alright." He ended the call, and turned to the elderly hero. "My mom is a friend of his, and will be here to help move her."
Recovery Girl asked, somberly, "Do you need any help?"
"Just to let her in when she gets here..."

Their conversation was interrupted by Present Mic: "AND NOW, FOR THE GRAND FINALE, HIZOSHI SHINSOU, THE RISING STAR VS. KATSUKI BAKUGO, THE CRUSHER OF ALL OPPOSITION! WHO WILL WIN?"
Izuku shook his head, "Sorry, I have to go support my friend."
The nurse understood immediately. After all, it was quite obvious he didn't care for Bakugo. Nezu had shared some of his blackmail material... and it was clear in class that the blond was going to be a future Endeavour. "Shinsou, right?"
He nodded.
Smiling slightly, Recovery Girl told him gently, "Go, her condition won't change. I'm sorry I couldn't help more."

He bowed respectfully to her. "Thank you for all you've been able to do, Recovery Girl."
The greenette, unfortunately, left before she could respond back. "I hope she can recover. She had a bright future ahead of her."

Izuku managed to get to his seat just before the battle started, and Shinsou waited for Bakugo to move first. He moved closer to the middle, but remained more cautious. What Izuku couldn't see, but could feel, was her attempting to manipulate Bakugo through the force, by altering his perception. It was a gambit, but it was going to be interesting to watch.

Bakugo got impatient and launched himself at her, only to find himself faceplanting. He checked the position of his arm, and found that his brain had been messed with. Furious, he growled, "What did you do?"
The violette's voice rang all around him. "I'm surprised you didn't realize what I could do... After all, you watched me take on the Ravenette and Endeavour's Son... My quirk is mental manipulation. Not suitable for robots... but I can fight people just fine. Can you fight against your own mind, Bakugo?"
"What do you..." And just like that, his world shifted and changed. The girl he was fighting multiplied around him, and he was confused about which to go after, so he aimed his palms to the side, and let himself go, spinning as his explosions covered all parts of the arena. Her voice, distorted, continued to taunt him, "Going to try to kill me, like you tried to kill my friend?" It knocked him out of the hallucinogenic fever dream for a minute, but it allowed him to see her properly. He bolted to her, shouting, "I'll Kill You!", but not trusting his explosions to launch him. When he got to her position, he tried to launch an explosion, but found it going up. She smugly responded, "Well, at least you didn't tell me to kill myself. I know what you said. Before UA." His arm seemed to re-materialize as reality started to take hold again, partially due to his own shock... before his shoulder was grabbed and he was knocked out with a Force enhanced punch to the head.

Shinsou was satisfied when her opponent crumpled to the ground. "That's only a fraction of what you deserve... for what you've done." Shaking her hand due to the thick skull she just punched, she smiled properly as Midnight announced the results. "Hizoshi Shinsou of Class C wins the UA SPORTS FESTIVAL!"

Todoroki stood in third place, Bakugo was chained to 2nd place, muzzled and thrashing about ever since he reawoke from his unconsciousness. Then, on the first place podium, was Hizoshi, standing tall, tired eyes full of pride and scanning the crowd. She saw Izuku cheering her on and her heart fluttered a little. That's weird, he's just a friend.

However, what surprised her was that Allmight would be presenting the medals. He approached the dual-haired boy.

"Congratulations, Young Todoroki. Remember that even though you only achieved third place, you have limitless potential as a hero. Stay true to yourself, and you shall achieve!"
He nodded as he accepted the bronze medal, looking at it while contemplating. He was clearly suffering, Hizosh estimated, considering the pure hatred that he emanated whenever his fire was mentioned. She had to personally remind him that a quirk was a part of themselves, not of their parents... it was really tragic.

He turned to Bakugo, nervous a little as he attempted to place the medal on the blond's head as he was still... feral. All he'll be, and all he'll ever be... is a rabid dog. "Good Job Young Bakugo... you made it to second, but know that a true hero doesn't break those around them, they save them whenever possible." He sighed, finally getting it onto them.

Finally, he turned to Shinsou. "Congratulations, Young Shinsou! Your determination, fearlessness, and creative mind aided you well as you fought against those with more raw power than yourself. Be proud of your accomplishment today, as you went, SAY IT WITH ME, NOW! PLUS ULTRA!"

With that speech, the festival was over.

Izuku waited by the exit as the students of UA exited the arena. When Shinsou saw him, she ran over and gave him a hug. "I won, I actually won!"
He reciprocated, even if he was embarassed to do so. "You did amazingly well! I could feel what you were doing, and it was funnier from an outside perspective. I don't envy your opponents."

Breaking it up, the violette searched around. "Where's Ochako?"
Worry crept into Hizoshi's mind as he explained. "She... Her spine was snapped in half after taking that last explosion from Bakugo. Recovery Girl couldn't heal her, so I had mom take her to Revan."

Content with that, she was about to ask... "Good thinking... but how are we going to..."
However, their conversation was rudely interrupted by a certain fleshy bottle of lukewarm nitroglycerin. "DEKU!!!"

Shinsou facepalmed, annoyed that he was ruining their time together, "Shit, why now...?" but when she looked back at him, there was a look of cold fury on his face as the blond stomped to him and got in his face. "WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU HERE?!"

To Izuku's credit, he didn't even flinch. Then again, he as used to it. She could feel his own emotions on the matter, and knew this was just as personal to him as anything could be. "To support my friends of course."
Spitting, he furiously responded, unaware of crowd forming around him. After all, Bakugo did get 2nd place, and Hizoshi was the 1st place winner. "WHAT FRIENDS? YOU'RE JUST A QUIRKLESS FREAK!"

Izuku smiled, "I guess you didn't hear. I was a late bloomer. So I have a quirk now. So buzz off. I'm not wasting my time with you. Besides, you're actually ruining yourself right now. Notice the cameras?" He gestured, and Bakugo looked around to see a lot of smartphones looking right at him. "Besides, I have at least two good friends, one of which you put in the hospital today. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Barely holding onto his rage, he could only... "Tsk. Stay off UA, nerd."
The greenette didn't break his gaze from the boy's, forcing the blond to look away first. "Don't worry, I have no intentions of trying to get in there. I see no value in it anyway."

The two walked off, leaving the blond deal with the crowd he'd formed.

Izuku smiled, "Despite Ochako's condition, today was a good day."

Hizoshi agreed, "Yeah. Let's head back."
"When Ochako recovers, we'll celebrate."
Smiling... serenely for a change, the tired girl also agreed to that. "Sounds good."

Izuku asked, hopeful. "Feel like Katsudon?"
Laughing at that, the winner of the Sports Festival pointed out: "You always do."

"Haha... that's true." The duo continued to talk, laugh and enjoy each other's presence until they arrived back home, content with today's results.