Before the finals begin, there's a preamble of carnival games and such. Raijin didn't bother, instead, he remained in the back messing with his battery.

"What are you doing?" Raijin looks up to find Yui standing above him.

"I'm making adjustments to my battery." He answers returning to his work. "Why aren't you enjoying the festival before the finals? We both qualified."

"About that..." She mutters. "I was gonna request I be removed from the finals."

"What? Why? It's the best chance for you to be scouted."

"I don't remember the cavalry battle at all."

This finally grabs Raijin's attention. "What do you mean?" He asks putting the battery down.

"Well, before the cavalry battle, I was talking with Kendo and Tokage. I stepped away to speak with your friend Bokasu when suddenly the guy from General Studies asked us a question. After that, everything's a haze."

"A brain-washing quirk?" Raijin mutters. "That'll be tough to fight." He grabs his battery and puts it back on his lap returning to his work. "Have you spoken to Bokasu or the other kid on your team about this?"

"Yeah. Nirengeki and I agreed to back out of the finals."

"And Bokasu?" Raijin asks.

"We haven't been able to find him."

"I see." Raijin finishes his adjustments and looks to Yui. "You're very honorable for this. But I still think it's a bit dumb."

"I know." She responds with a light smile.

"Okay, well the fun and games are almost over, we should get out there." Raijin stands, offering a hand to Yui and helping her stand. The two make their way out together catching the eyes of many of their classmates.

Chapter 9: Watch Me...

After a few minutes, all of the students are gathered in front of a monitor, waiting to see who will fight who.

"Aw yeah. We're finally gettin' the chance to show what we're made of." Kirishima says excitedly. "I watch these finals every year, and now I'm actually in them!"

"So wait. Is it always a tournament?" Mina asks.

"The finals are always a one-on-one competition." Sero answers. "But they switch it up every time. Last year it was a foam sword-fighting match." Sero jokes.

"Come closer and draw lots to see who you're up against. Then enjoy the pleasure of the recreational games before we start. The 16 finalists have the option of participating in those activities or sitting out to prepare for battle. I'm sure you all want to conserve your stamina. I'll start with the first-place team." Midnight announces how the. A bracket will be made.

"Um." Yui raises her hand. "Excuse me." Everyone turns to her. Raijin, who stood next to her unknowingly grabs her free hand noticing her shaking rather violently. "S-Sorry. But I would like to withdraw from the finals." Everyone but Raijin, and her classmate Shoda gasps.

"Yui..." Tokage murmurs.

"But this is a rare chance for you to get scouted." Monoma says also awed by this.

"It... It's not right. I barely remember the cavalry battle except for the end." Yui lowers her head. "I think it was that guy's quirk." Raijin & Midoriya's gaze both turn to Shinso. "I-I know it's an opportunity but... but it still doesn't feel like I earned this." She glances at Raijin. "Everyone gave their all in the cavalry battle, I was just a puppet. I can't accept this." She shakes her head.

"Nirengeki Shoda from Class 1B." The boy spoken about steps forward. "I think I should withdraw for the exact same reason. Regardless of how strong I am, this isn't how I wanted to get here. It would go against the values of the festival to advance without earning my spot." He pleads.

"Listen to these two. They're so manly!"

"She's a woman." Bokasu retorts.

"Women can be manly!" Kirishima shouts back.

All eyes fall on Midnight, her decision is final. "This sort of talk is very naive, children. That turns me on! Shoda, Kodai! You're withdrawn!" She announces.

"Did she say it turns her on?" Many of the students ask.
"Eww, what the fuck?" Raijin comments.

"Now let's see. We'll have to move up two students from the fifth-place cavalry team. So we have enough contestants." All eyes turn to team Kendo.

"We were frozen most of the time. Honestly, we barely did anything in the cavalry battle." She turns to her team. "Isn't that right?" They all nod and hum in response. "You should choose from a group that kept fighting the whole time. Team Tetsutetsu."

"Kendo!"

"I'm not doing this as a favor. It's just fair." She smiles.

"Seriously, you guys! Thank you!" Tetsutetsu shouts.

Replacing Yui & Shoda are Tetsutetsu & Ibara Shiozaki. After the lots are drawn the bracket is made. Raijin and Bokasu fist bump, seeing their opponents.

Izuku Midoriya Vs. Hitoshi Shinso
Hanta Sero Vs. Shoto Todoroki
Mei Hatsume Vs. Tenya Iida
Ibara Shiozaki Vs. Aka Bokasu
Kyoreki Raijin Vs. Mina Ashido
Fumikage Tokoyami Vs. Momo Yaoyorozu
Eijiro Kirishima Vs. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
Ochaco Uraraka Vs. Katsuki Bakugo

Before the battles begin Raijin and Bokasu sit across from each other playing chess after nearly an hour the first round was about to begin. First up... Midoriya & Shinso.

Raijin & Bokasu sit with their class watching. Within moments Midoriya shouts at Shinso before freezing.

"Ah! I warned him not to say anything!" Bokasu shouts jumping to his feet.

"What's wrong with Midoriya?" Iida asks.

"Hitoshi Shinso. Responding to his provocation means he can control your actions." Bokasu pounds his fist into the wall in front of him.

"I see." Raijin mutters. With a single command, Midoriya begins walking out of the arena. There's a flash of energy from Midoriya's hand. His finger is broken and he turns to face Shinso.

"That's the way to do it!" Iida shouts.

"That fucking lunatic." Raijin comments gaining a small grin staring at Midoriya's hand, noticing the two broken fingers. Midoriya runs for Shinso and starts pushing Shinso out of the ring. Shinso punches Midoriya he counters and slams Shinso out of the ring.

"Shinso is out of bounds!" Midnight announces. "Midoriya advances to the next match!" The crowd cheers.

Raijin leans back in his seat. "To dream of being a hero." He closes his eyes. "Such a beautiful lie."

"Lie?" Iida asks.

"Don't worry about it." Raijin says shaking his head and waving a hand. The next match is Sero Vs. Todoroki. Raijin sighs as he walks with Todoroki until the hallway out to the arena. When they turn a corner they both look up and see him. Endeavor.

"What do you want?" Todoroki asks bluntly.

"You're acting disgracefully, Shoto." He answers bluntly too. Raijin and Todoroki continue walking neither responding to the Pro Hero. "If you simply used the power in your left side, you would've had an overwhelming victory in the first two rounds." The two properly walk past Endeavor fully. "It's time to stop this childish rebellion of yours. You have a duty to surpass that imbecile All Might." Raijin glances over to Shoto gritting his teeth, his jaw tightly clenched. Raijin nods seeing this but remains silent. "Do you understand what I'm saying? You're different from your siblings. You're my greatest masterpiece." Raijin nearly freezes, stopping for the briefest of moments before continuing to walk with Todoroki.

"Is that all you have to say to me, you bastard?" Todoroki speaks. Raijin glances to Todoroki with a huff then he smiles. "I'll win this match and advance only using Mom's quirk." Todoroki says through gritted teeth. "I won't give you the pleasure of seeing me use yours."

"Even if that works for you in this tournament, you'll soon find the limits of that power."

"God would just shut up." Raijin breaks his silence.

"What?" Endeavor asks turning to the other red-head.

Raijin turns having stopped before exiting with his classmate. "You're actually worse than All Might." This enrages Endeavor. "I don't mean that in terms of being a hero. Though this conversation speaks volumes towards that. I mean you're genuinely a piece of shit." Raijin starts walking back to his class. "And I'm willing to bet if given the choice, all of your children would happily watch you burn and die before they gave you recognition as their father. A shame truly, that shits like you get to live while actual heroes like LiveWire had to die to set the system up for you." Raijin walks past Endeavor a small amount of red electricity bouncing, unconsciously Raijin activates his quirk as a scare tactic.

"You're Asumi's kid?" He stares at Raijin's back, eyes somewhat wide.

"Yeah. I am. And she was a better hero, and parent than you ever will be." Raijin says turning the corner away from Endeavor. Raijin returns to the Class' room with a can of root beer. As the match starts Raijin opens the soda, just after he does a massive wall of ice shoots up in front of him skewering the can and freezing it instantly. Raijin sighs grabbing the can and trying to use his electricity to heat the soda so he can drink it. "God damn it Todo." He mutters.

After nearly twenty minutes Raijin walks away to buy another soda watching the monitor.

"Welcome back to the finals, everyone!" Present Mic shouts to everyone. "Sorry for that long wait. The insane amount of ice from the second round has finally been cleared, though, so it's time to welcome new competitors!" Fire explodes in the corners of the ring. "Even beautiful flowers have thorns. It's the assassin from Class 1B Ibara Shiozaki from the Hero Course!" Present Mic introduces Ibara as she walks into the ring. Approaching from the other side, his pace increases as he approaches. "Versus, the master of momentum. Aka Bokasu from Class 1A of the Hero Course!" The crowd explodes seeing Bokasu who was among the top five in the first round. "Keep those eyes peeled. I wanna see a super flashy battle this time!"

"Excuse me!" Shiozaki speaks up. Across from her, Bokasu is tapping his feet rapidly, far faster than any normal human should be able to. "Please pardon the interruption. I'm not sure why you called me an assassin. I've come to the festival in search of victory, not to take my opponent's life. That wouldn't be in line with the values of a hero at all, sir."

"He's speaking in metaphors darlin'." Bokasu says growing impatient. "Sorry Darlin, but I've got a date to keep. I need to win this." Bokasu gets into a running stance still bouncing his foot so rapidly it barely looks like it's moving.

"Begin!" Present Mic shouts.

As the match starts Bokasu shoots forward before she can react grabs her by the jacket and pulls her behind himself to the edge of the ring. He releases her stopping suddenly as he feels the wave of energy hit him and push him back he grabs her both falling backwards. Her foot catches her just outside the ring, as Bokasu holds her from falling but also keeps himself from falling a small trail of blood leaking from his nose.

"Ibara Shiozaki is out of bounds. Aka Bokasu is the winner!" Midnight announces. The next match is Iida Vs. Hatsume.

"It's time for the fourth match! Get ready to watch two new players Duke it out!" The crowd roars. "He's the kid with engines in his legs, Tenya Iida from the hero course! Versus a fully equipped gadget dynamo the support courses Mei Hatsume!" Everyone watches as Iida straps a gadget to his body.

"Her course students can't use support gear unless they have to. And you didn't fill out any of the proper paperwork for that." Midnight scolds him causing Raijin to laugh.

Iida gasps. "I didn't know that was the rule! Aoyoama got to wear his belt. And Raijin had his battery pack, so I thought it was fine."

"They turned in the proper forms."

Iida bows respectfully. "I apologize, ma'am. It's just that, my heart was moved by my opponent's sportsmanship. Even though she's from the support course, she wanted this to be as even a match as possible since she made it this far, to have a fair fight! So she offered to give me this equipment. I respect her integrity. That's why, to honor her, I would like to wear this gear!"

"Such youthful vigor!" Midnight squirms in what I can only assume is ecstasy. "I'll allow it!"

"Well, if everyone's on the same page, let's begin the fourth match!" Present Mic shouts.

Iida begins running causing Hatsume to smile. She speaks her voice projecting across the attire arena. She uses him as a commercial for her gear. She spends nearly ten minutes doing this before she willingly leaves. Iida is embarrassed. Raijin is annoyed, in fact, most people are done with this.

"We're gonna charge right along to the fifth match!" Present Mic says as Raijin & Mina stand across from each other. "The Most Electrifying Student in all of UA, Kyoreki Raijin from the hero course!"

"Let's get this over with." He says annoyed.

"Versus!  Is there some kind of purpose for those things sticking out of her head? From the same class, Mina Ashido!"

Mina giggles. "This match is gonna be a piece of cake!"

Well, you're right about that." Hikari flips a switch and takes a deep breath.

"Now! Let's get started!"

Raijin jumps back against the edge of the arena. He crouches down a single knee on the ground there's a crackle of electricity at his fingertips. "Let me show you why I've dominated this festival!" He shouts. "And why...!" He shouts his hands forward as electricity shoots out of his fingers that he swings around, ten chains of electricity that force Mina to dodge. "...You need to get serious about this!" Raijin uses the cords to force her to keep dodging. She slowly gets closer, before Raijin smirks. Once she's about to reach him the beams vanish and he shoots high into the air and away from her, he lands on the ring just as she steps where he was crouching. "It's over, you've stepped on my Landmine." Raijin looks directly at Mina as she fully steps down and there's an explosion of electricity that launches her out of the ring. Just as she's about to hit the floor, Raijin catches her midair, using Lightning Pillar to slow their descent. He places her gently on the ground.

"Ashido has fainted and is out of bounds. The winner of the match Raijin!" Midnight announces.

Raijin sighs and helps Ashido onto the stretcher before walking away.

Next is the sixth match, Tokoyami Vs. Yaoyorozu and it's another wash. Tokoyami obliterates Yaoyorozu. Yaoyorozu is left standing there downcast. Raijin sighs and exits walking to the tunnel. Next is Kirishima Vs. Tetsutetsu.

Raijin walks into the hallway finding Youyorozu crouched against a wall. Silently he approaches and crouches down on the wall across from her.

"Well this is familiar, aye Momo?" He says gathering her attention.

"I... suppose it is." She says softly still hiding her face.

"When was the last time we spoke in private?"

"I don't know..."

"I do." Yaoyorozu finally looks to Raijin, his eyes remain fixed on her. "Six years ago. We were both nine then. Your parents were hosting an event for the Abadon Agency. Sana and I attended with Fox. Do you remember that night?"

"You sneaked away to my father's study." Yaoyorozu says quietly.

"I was still hurting back then. I hated going to gatherings that involved heroes, so I ran, I ran and I hid. You found me." Raijin says softly relaxing into sitting against the wall. "That day, we played so many rounds of tictactoe I think we went through an entire journal. That was the most I had smiled in years at that point. So you lost." Yaoyorozu immediately looks down. "And? What do you do next?"

Yaoyorozu looks up at him, her cheeks wet and puffy, her eyes also red. "What?"

"What comes next?" Raijin says fully serious. "I can tell you what comes next." She stares at him silent. "Or, you can decide what you do next yourself." Raijin stands and walks away hearing Kirishima's match ending.

The next match is Uraraka Vs. Bakugo. Raijin returns to the stands just in time for it to start.

"Come on Bakugo, don't you disappoint me by losing in the first round." Raijin mutters.

The pair stand across from each other as the match begins.  And it's a slaughter initially, he blasts her directly in the face.

"You shoulda dropped out of the match." He launches another blast. "There's no way you're gonna beat me!" When the smoke clears it's revealed to just be her jacket. Before she can get him from behind, he launches yet another explosion that launches her away.

"Look at that reaction time!" Sero comments.

"Seriously, the dude's insane." Kaminari comments. "You can't get the drop on him. And since Uraraka can't use her quirk unless she touches him, his Lightning-fast reflexes put her at a disadvantage!"

"Too slow!" Bakugo shouts launching her away again. Everyone watches horrified as this plays out repeatedly for a few minutes. Uraraka is relentless. But so is Bakugo.

Raijin chuckles gathering everyone's attention. "God you're all stupid." He says gathering his class's attention.

"This is shameful!" A hero shouts from the audience. "Listen, kid, you really wanna be a hero? Then stop acting like a bully. If you're so good, just send her out of bounds."

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Raijin shouts from the class's booth. "Was that hero? Cause if so they're fucking retarded!"

"Raijin! You shouldn't talk like that!" Iida shouts.

"Oh grow a pair!" He shouts as the audience begins booing Bakugo.

"Where is the man who started this uproar?" Everyone hears Aizawa speak, Raijin recognizes the disdain in his voice. "Are you a pro? Because if you're being serious, you can go home and hang up your cape. I'd suggest looking into another career." Aizawa's hatred is blatant.

"You know what he's talking about?" Midoriya asks.

"That hero's a fucking joke. That's what he's talking about." Raijin says frowning.

"Bakugo's fierceness is an acknowledgment of his opponent's strength. He knows she deserves to have made it this far, so he's making sure he does whatever it takes to keep her at bay and come out on top." Aizawa blasts the crowd.

"I think it's about time." Uraraka says wiping some sweat. "Thank you, Bakugo. For keeping your eyes focused on me!" She brings her fingers together. "Release!"

"What?!" Bakugo asks.

"I don't blame Bakugo for not noticing. But for a pro and all of you to not notice is fucking embarrassing."

"What?" Iida asks.

"She kept low to the ground. Bakugo's attack tore up the ring. She made the ring her weapon. She kept him focused on her. He was kept oblivious." Raijin watches as the arena floor begins to fall from the sky down on Bakugo, at the same time she rushes towards him.

After a second there's a powerful blast that destroys all of her debris, and launches her back. Uraraka struggles to continue, barely standing.

"Alright then, time for us to get serious, Uraraka!" Bakugo acknowledges her and runs for her. She turns to continue but she collapses, her body quit her before her mind could.

"It's over." Raijin comments relaxing. "Her body gave out."

"Uraraka is KO'd." Midnight solemnly announces. "Bakugo advances to the next round." The crowd cheers. After the match, the ring is repaired for Kirishima and Tetsutetsu finally decide who the winner is with Kirishima winning.

Bakugo arrives at the room only for Sero and Kaminari to turn to him. "Hey Bakugo! Playin' the villain, huh?" Sero taunts. "Must've been tough."

"Even if it was just because of who you were up against, you did make a pretty convincing bad guy." Tsuyu comments.

"Shut up, you idiots, or else!" He retorts.

Kaminari shrugs. "For real, dude. I don't know how you were able to aim a powerful blast at a frail girl like that."

Bakugo huffs. He and Raijin speak in unison. "I definitely wouldn't call that girl "frail." The two glance at each other, Bakugo glares at Raijin, who smirks in response.

Chapter End.