The stadium roared with anticipation, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the fighting arena. After the cavalry battle's chaos, an electric energy pulsed through the crowd—the best was yet to come.
Midnight strutted to center stage, her dominatrix outfit gleaming in the sunlight as she raised her whip dramatically. The enormous screens flickered to life around the stadium, displaying the U.A. emblem.
"And now," she announced, her voice carrying a sultry edge that made some students blush, "the moment you've all been waiting for—the one-on-one tournament!"
The crowd exploded with cheers. In the stands, pro heroes leaned forward, eyes sharp with interest. This was where real scouting began—where raw talent showed itself under pressure.
"After reviewing the cavalry battle's exceptional performances," Midnight continued, tapping her whip against her palm, "the judges have decided to expand our tournament to include two additional competitors!"
Murmurs rippled through the students. Hikari, standing between Midoriya and Uraraka, felt her breath catch. She'd placed third with Midoriya's team, but the rules had originally stated only the top sixteen would advance.
"These additional spots will go to students who demonstrated extraordinary skill," Midnight declared, her smile widening. "Hikari Shimura and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, you've earned your places in the tournament!"
The stadium erupted again. Hikari felt Midoriya's hand squeeze her shoulder in congratulation, his smile brighter than the sun. Across the field, she caught Todoroki's gaze—a flicker of something that might have been approval passing through his usually stoic expression.
"BUT WAIT!" Midnight's voice cut through the noise. "Before we reveal the bracket, we have a statement from two competitors!"
Ojiro Mashirao stepped forward, his tail curled anxiously behind him. Beside him stood a student from Class 1-B with matching determination.
"I... wish to withdraw from the tournament," Ojiro announced, his voice steady despite the shock rippling through the crowd. "During the cavalry battle, I have no memory of my actions. I believe I was being controlled by someone's Quirk."
His classmate nodded in agreement. "The same happened to me. It wouldn't be right to continue without earning our spot properly."
A hush fell over the stadium. Even Midnight seemed taken aback by their integrity.
"Very well," she finally said, her voice softer with respect. "Your withdrawal is accepted."
She turned back to the crowd. "Due to our already expanded bracket, we only need one replacement. Kendo Itsuka from Class 1-B, you're next in line!"
The orange-haired girl shook her head. "I'd like to give my spot to Tetsutetsu. His team fought harder than mine."
The silver-haired boy nearly burst into tears at her sportsmanship, while Kirishima from Class 1-A shouted, "SO MANLY!" in approval.
With formalities settled, Midnight dramatically revealed the tournament bracket on the giant screens:
- Midoriya vs. Shinso
- Todoroki vs. Sero
- Iida vs. Hatsume
- Kaminari vs. Shiozaki
- Mina vs. Aoyama
- Tokoyami vs. Yaoyorozu
- Kirishima vs. Tetsutetsu
- Bakugo vs. Uraraka
- Hikari vs. Monoma
"The stage is set!" Midnight declared. "You have one hour before the first match. Prepare yourselves, young heroes!"
In the waiting room, Hikari sat alone, staring at her reflection in the polished table. Monoma Neito from Class 1-B—her opponent. She'd heard about his Quirk: Copy. He could temporarily mimic others' Quirks through physical contact.
The irony wasn't lost on her. Someone who could take others' powers, facing someone who'd had powers forced upon her.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she called.
The door slid open to reveal All Might's skeletal form, his oversized clothes hanging loosely from his gaunt frame. He glanced down the hallway to ensure no one had seen him before slipping inside and closing the door.
"Young Hikari," he said, his voice filled with warmth despite its raspy quality.
"All M—" She caught herself. "Dad."
The word still felt strange on her tongue, but the small smile it brought to his face made the effort worthwhile.
He sat across from her, his long fingers laced together on the table. "You were magnificent out there. So controlled, so precise."
She looked down. "I was holding back."
"I know." He nodded. "And that's exactly what I wanted to talk about."
Hikari tensed slightly. "Are you going to tell me to withdraw? Because I won't." The words came out harder than she intended.
All Might shook his head quickly. "No, no. Nothing like that." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I've seen the toll these Quirks take on you. The strain when you use too many at once."
"I'm fine," she insisted.
"Hikari." His voice was gentle but firm. "You've always been stubborn, even as a child. You get that from your mother."
The mention of her mother sent a pang through Hikari's chest. She looked away.
"I just want you to remember," All Might continued, "this tournament isn't just about winning. It's about showing the world who you are as a hero."
"And who am I?" she asked quietly. "All Might's daughter? Endeavor's ward? The League's experiment? Everyone seems to have their own version of me."
All Might reached across the table, his large hand covering hers.
"You're Hikari Shimura," he said simply. "And today is your chance to show the world exactly what that means."
Something in his words steadied her. She'd spent so long being defined by others—her power, her connections, her past. Maybe it was time to define herself.
"I won't let you down," she promised.
All Might's smile was sad. "You never could. Just... be careful out there. These students aren't villains, but they're not holding back either."
"Neither will I," she replied, determination steeling her voice.
He nodded, understanding. As he rose to leave, he paused at the door. "Your mother would be so proud of you, Hikari. I know I am."
The door closed softly behind him, leaving Hikari alone with her thoughts once more.
The hallway leading to the stadium was a long, concrete tunnel, lit by fluorescent lights that cast harsh shadows. Hikari took her time walking through it, mentally preparing for her match.
Her footsteps echoed against the walls until they were suddenly joined by heavier ones. Heat radiated from behind her before she even turned around.
Endeavor's massive frame filled the hallway, his flames casting an orange glow across the concrete. His turquoise eyes fixed on her with an intensity that would have intimidated most pro heroes.
"Hikari," he rumbled, his deep voice reverberating in the enclosed space.
She stopped but didn't turn fully. "Endeavor."
"That's 'Father' to you," he corrected, stepping closer. "Or have you forgotten who raised you?"
Now she did turn, meeting his gaze directly. Few people dared to hold Endeavor's stare, but Hikari had never been afraid of fire.
"I haven't forgotten anything," she replied evenly.
His flames flickered slightly higher. "I expect you to show the full extent of your abilities today," he said, crossing his muscular arms. "Unlike my rebellious son."
The mention of Todoroki sent a pang through her chest. "Shoto has his reasons."
"Reasons." Endeavor scoffed. "Childish rebellion. But you—" His voice softened fractionally, something almost like pride seeping through. "You've always understood what power is for."
Hikari remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"You have the potential to surpass them both," he said. "Shoto and All Might. I've seen it in you since you were a child. That fire. That will to win, no matter the cost."
She thought of those brutal training sessions. The endless drills. The burns and bruises and tears shed on training room floors. But also the rare moments of approval—a nod, a hand on her shoulder, the briefest flash of pride in those fierce eyes.
"I'm fighting for myself," she said firmly, lifting her chin. "And to fulfill your expectations." The addition surprised even her, but she knew it was true. "You taught me to be strong. To never yield. I haven't forgotten those lessons."
Something shifted in Endeavor's expression—the closest thing to warmth his face ever showed.
"Good," he said simply. "Then show them all what we've built."
What we've built. Not just what he had created, but what they had forged together. For all his flaws—and there were many—Endeavor had seen something in her worth cultivating. Worth believing in.
"I will," she promised.
He nodded once, seeming satisfied, then moved to walk past her. As he did, he placed one massive hand briefly on her shoulder—a gesture so rare from him that it momentarily stunned her.
"Make them remember your name," he said, and then he was gone, flames and all, leaving Hikari alone in the suddenly dim hallway.
She took a deep breath, centering herself. All Might wanted her to be careful. Endeavor wanted her to dominate. What did she want?
To be free. To be seen for who she truly was.
That meant showing both restraint and power. Balance. Control. Everything she'd fought so hard to achieve.
With renewed determination, she continued toward the arena.
The first match of the tournament had the entire stadium on edge. Shinso's brainwashing Quirk was largely unknown to the crowd, but rumors had spread quickly after Ojiro's withdrawal.
Hikari sat with the rest of Class 1-A, her eyes fixed on Midoriya as he walked onto the concrete platform. His face was set in that familiar determined expression she knew so well—the one that meant he was overthinking everything.
"He'll be fine," Uraraka whispered beside her, though her clenched hands betrayed her anxiety.
Hikari nodded slightly. "He's stronger than people realize."
Down in the arena, Shinso said something that made Midoriya's eyes widen with anger. The moment he replied, his body went rigid. Horror washed over Hikari as she realized what had happened—he'd fallen into Shinso's trap.
"No," she whispered, gripping the railing as Midoriya began walking robotically toward the boundary line.
Every instinct screamed at her to intervene, to use her gravity Quirk to hold him in place, to shout and break his trance. But this was his battle, not hers. She had to believe in him.
Beside her, Iida shouted encouragements, while Uraraka covered her eyes.
Then, miraculously, Midoriya's fingers moved—just a slight twitch, but enough to send a shockwave through the concrete. The force broke Shinso's control, snapping Midoriya back to consciousness.
Relief flooded through Hikari. Whatever had happened—however he'd broken free—Midoriya was back in control.
The rest of the match was brief but intense. Without falling for Shinso's provocations again, Midoriya managed to physically overpower him, pushing him out of bounds with a final, decisive shove.
"IZUKU MIDORIYA ADVANCES TO THE NEXT ROUND!" Present Mic's voice boomed across the stadium.
The crowd roared with approval. Hikari couldn't help the proud smile that spread across her face.
As Midoriya limped back toward the tunnel, Hikari slipped away from her classmates, heading down to intercept him.
She found him in the corridor, still breathing hard from the exertion.
"Deku!" she called.
He turned, his exhausted expression brightening immediately. "Hikari! Did you see—"
"How you almost walked yourself right out of the tournament? Yeah, I saw," she teased, punching his arm lightly.
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "He mentioned Ojiro, said some things about using people as tools... I just reacted."
Hikari's expression sobered. "I know. Your biggest weakness has always been your heart, Deku." She smiled gently. "But it's also your greatest strength."
"I felt them," he said suddenly, voice dropping to a whisper. "When I was under his control. The past users of One For All. It was like... they helped me break free."
Hikari's eyes widened slightly. The implications were enormous—and somewhat unsettling. But now wasn't the time to analyze it.
"Save the ghostly visitors for later," she said, trying to keep her tone light. "Focus on your next match first."
He nodded, determination returning to his eyes. "Right. And you focus on yours." He grabbed her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. "Show them who you really are, Hikari."
His words echoed All Might's so closely that it made her chest tighten with emotion.
"I will," she promised. "Now go get Recovery Girl to look at those fingers before they fall off."
His laughter echoed down the hallway as they parted ways—him to the infirmary, her back to the stands to watch the next match.
Hikari returned to her seat just as Todoroki and Sero were taking their positions on the concrete stage. The contrast between them was stark—Sero grinning confidently, loosening his shoulders, while Todoroki stood perfectly still, his eyes distant and cold.
"This should be interesting," Kaminari commented from a few seats away. "Sero's tape is pretty versatile."
Kirishima nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And he's quick!"
Hikari said nothing, her eyes fixed on Todoroki. Something was different about him today—a tension in his shoulders, a darkness in his expression that worried her.
"BEGIN!" Midnight's voice rang out.
Sero moved immediately, shooting streams of tape from both elbows with impressive speed. The white bindings wrapped around Todoroki's torso before he could react, and Sero yanked hard, attempting to pull him toward the boundary line.
A perfectly executed opening move.
It didn't matter.
Without even a change in expression, Todoroki placed his right foot down.
What happened next silenced the entire stadium.
Ice—not just a wall or a wave, but a glacier—erupted from Todoroki's right side. It engulfed Sero completely, rising higher and higher until it burst through the top of the stadium itself, towering into the sky like a crystal mountain.
The temperature dropped so drastically that Hikari's breath clouded in front of her. The entire arena was frozen, spectators included, their shocked faces visible through the translucent ice.
Midnight, half-frozen herself, shakily raised her whip. "S-Sero is immobilized! Todoroki advances!"
A heavy silence hung over the stadium. Then, softly at first but growing stronger:
"Don't worry about it, Sero!"
The crowd rallied behind the completely overshadowed student, offering support for his valiant but doomed effort.
But Hikari wasn't looking at Sero. Her eyes remained fixed on Todoroki as he silently melted a path back to the tunnel, not even looking at his handiwork.
That attack hadn't been a strategy. It had been a statement. A release of fury and pain so profound it had manifested as a frozen monument to his suffering.
Memories flashed through her mind:
A young Shoto, tears frozen on his cheeks as Endeavor pushed him beyond breaking. Her small hand reaching for his, a silent promise of solidarity.
The two of them, backs against each other in the training room, moving as one unit—her manipulating gravity to enhance his ice attacks, making them both stronger together than apart.
The festival. His desperate face as they dragged her away. The last thing she saw before darkness took her.
"Hikari?" Uraraka's concerned voice pulled her back to the present. "Are you okay?"
She realized she'd been gripping the railing so tightly her knuckles had turned white. "I'm fine," she said, relaxing her hands. "Just... thinking."
On the field below, workers were using Todoroki's left side to melt the massive ice structure, steam billowing into the air as fire met ice.
Fire and ice. The perfect combination that Todoroki refused to use together.
In the stands across the arena, Endeavor's flames burned brighter than ever, his focus entirely on his son.
One side frozen. One side burning.
Hikari understood that division all too well.
The arena had been restored by the time Hikari's match was announced. The ice was gone, the concrete repaired, but the crowd's excitement had only intensified after witnessing Todoroki's display of power.
"AND NOW," Present Mic's voice boomed, "THE MATCH YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! FROM CLASS 1-A, THE GIRL WITH MULTIPLE QUIRKS, ALL MIGHT'S OWN DAUGHTER—HIKARI SHIMURA!"
The crowd erupted as Hikari walked calmly onto the platform, her crimson hair catching the sunlight. She kept her face neutral, ignoring the whispers and pointing that followed the announcement of her parentage.
"VERSUS—FROM CLASS 1-B, THE BOY WHO CAN COPY ANY QUIRK HE TOUCHES, NEITO MONOMA!"
The blonde boy strutted onto the stage with a confident smirk that immediately reminded Hikari of Bakugo—if Bakugo were more calculated and less explosive.
"So," Monoma called across the arena, his voice carrying a mocking edge, "the famous Hikari Shimura. Class 1-A's secret weapon." He clapped slowly. "Daddy's little girl, showing off for the cameras."
Hikari remained silent, taking her position at the center of the platform. She would not be provoked.
"BEGIN!" Midnight announced, stepping back quickly.
Monoma didn't move immediately, continuing his psychological approach. "I wonder," he said, circling slowly, "which of your many Quirks I should copy first? The gravity manipulation? The elemental powers? Or maybe—" his smile sharpened "—I should copy them all."
Hikari assessed him calmly. His strategy was obvious—get her angry, make her attack recklessly so he could make contact and copy her abilities. She wouldn't fall for it.
"You talk too much," she said simply.
Without warning, she thrust her palm forward. The air distorted around Monoma as gravity intensified, forcing him to one knee. His eyes widened in shock at the sudden pressure.
But Hikari was careful—this was just enough force to demonstrate her control, not to harm him. She didn't want to crush him like the Zero-Point robot from the obstacle course. She just wanted to show him the gap between them.
Monoma gritted his teeth, fighting against the increased gravity. With visible effort, he pushed himself back to his feet.
"Impressive," he managed. "But predictable!"
He lunged forward, hands outstretched toward her. If he could just touch her once—
Hikari changed tactics instantly. She released the gravitational field and sidestepped his charge with fluid grace. As he stumbled past, she touched her fingertips to the ground.
A wave of ice—nowhere near as massive as Todoroki's, but precise and controlled—spread across the concrete, freezing Monoma's feet in place.
The crowd gasped. She'd never publicly used cryokinesis before.
Monoma struggled against the ice, his confident expression faltering for the first time. "So it's true," he said. "You really do have multiple Quirks."
Hikari didn't respond. Instead, she raised her hand again, this time creating a localized wind current that buffeted Monoma from behind, nearly toppling him despite his frozen feet.
She was playing with him, and they both knew it. Showing just enough of her abilities to intrigue the audience without revealing her full potential.
"Is this all you can do?" Monoma taunted, though his voice lacked its earlier confidence. "Parlor tricks? I expected more from All Might's daughter!"
There it was again—that label. That expectation. Hikari felt a surge of irritation.
"You want more?" she asked quietly. "Fine."
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, centering herself. When she opened them again, they glowed faintly—a subtle indication of power being channeled.
With one graceful movement, she combined three Quirks simultaneously: she lightened her own gravity to gain speed, generated a focused burst of wind beneath her feet for propulsion, and created a shield of hardened air around her fist.
The combination sent her flying forward with controlled precision. Before Monoma could react, she struck the ice at his feet—not his body, just the ice—shattering it completely.
The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward, directly toward the boundary line.
At the last second, he regained his balance, teetering at the very edge. Relief flashed across his face—
Until Hikari casually flicked her wrist, creating a final gentle push of air that tipped him over the line.
"MONOMA IS OUT OF BOUNDS!" Midnight declared. "HIKARI ADVANCES TO THE NEXT ROUND!"
The stadium erupted with cheers and frantic discussion. Hikari had won without landing a single direct hit on her opponent, showcasing control and strategy rather than overwhelming force.
As she walked back toward the tunnel, she caught sight of All Might in the stands, his skeletal form nearly hidden among the crowd. He gave her a thumbs up, pride evident even from a distance.
On the opposite side, Endeavor watched with his arms crossed, flames burning steadily. He didn't smile—he never did—but the intensity of his gaze held something close to satisfaction.
And in the Class 1-A section, Midoriya was on his feet, cheering wildly, while beside him, Bakugo scowled with competitive fire in his eyes.
For once, Hikari felt truly seen—not as someone's daughter or project or friend, but as herself. Hikari Shimura. A hero in her own right.
The corridor beneath the stadium was quiet compared to the roaring crowd above. Hikari leaned against the cool concrete wall, gathering her thoughts after her match. She'd been careful—showed enough to impress without revealing all her capabilities.
Strategic. Controlled. Just as she'd planned.
Heavy footsteps approached from around the corner. Even before she saw him, she knew who it was—the distinctive sound of barely contained rage in every step.
Bakugo rounded the corner, his uniform slightly singed from his recent victory against Uraraka. When he spotted Hikari, he stopped abruptly, his perpetual scowl deepening.
"Holding back again, huh?" he said without preamble.
Hikari raised an eyebrow. "Hello to you too, Ka-chan."
"Don't 'Ka-chan' me," he growled, stepping closer. "That wasn't even a real fight. You were just showing off."
"And you nearly blew up the arena defeating Uraraka," she countered. "Glass houses, Bakugo."
His eye twitched at the use of his surname rather than the nickname only she and Midoriya dared use. He moved closer still, until they were nearly nose to nose, the scent of nitroglycerin from his palms sharp in the air between them.
"You better not hold back when you face me in the finals," he said, voice low and intense. "I want to beat you at full strength, not whatever sanitized version you're showing these extras."
Hikari didn't back down, meeting his fiery gaze with cool composure. "Bold of you to assume you'll make it to the finals."
"Tch." He smirked, the expression somehow both arrogant and genuine. "Who else would? Half-and-half? Deku? Please."
Despite herself, Hikari felt her lips curving into a smile. This was the Bakugo she knew—brash, unapologetic, demanding the best from himself and everyone around him.
"I guess we'll see, won't we?" she said.
Something shifted in his expression—a softening so subtle only someone who knew him well would notice.
"Yeah," he said, his voice a touch quieter. "We will."
For a moment, they simply stood there, caught in the magnetic field that had always existed between them—a push and pull of competition, respect, and something deeper neither was quite ready to name.
Then Bakugo stepped back, running a hand through his spiky hair. "Just... don't lose before you face me, got it?"
"Wouldn't dream of it," she replied.
He nodded once, seemingly satisfied, then turned to walk away. After a few steps, he paused without looking back.
"That ice thing... it looked like his," he said, and they both knew he meant Todoroki.
"You saw that didn't you." Hikari said she smile.
Bakugo was quiet for a moment, then let out a short, approving grunt before continuing down the corridor, leaving Hikari alone once more.
Above, the crowd roared as the bracket for the second round appeared on the screens. The first phase was complete.
The real battles were just beginning.
In the stands, All Might watched his daughter with a mixture of pride and trepidation. Endeavor's flames burned ever higher, his ambitions kindling with every match.
And somewhere in the shadows, other eyes watched too—calculating, hungry, waiting.
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and then Add to home screen.