The Wraith Within (On Hold Indefinitely)

It had been two weeks since the initial confrontation with Class 1-B, and the excitement in the air was palpable. The students of Class 1-A were standing in the locker rooms, the nervous energy of the Sports Festival charging through the air. Izumi stood among her classmates, feeling her heart beat a little faster than usual. This wasn’t just another training exercise—it was a spectacle, an event that would be watched by the entire world. Today, they’d face off against other students, against each other, and against their own limitations.

As Izumi adjusted her gear, making sure her tentacle-like legs were free to move and her scythe arms were properly positioned, she couldn’t help but feel a slight tug of anticipation. She had fought villains, but this was different. This was a test of everything she had learned so far, and it would be her first real chance to prove herself in front of an audience.

“Are you ready for this, Izumi?” Uraraka asked, standing next to her, a mix of nerves and excitement in her eyes.

Izumi nodded, flashing a small smile. “I think so. Just... a little nervous. You?”

Uraraka’s eyes sparkled with determination. “A little, but I’m ready. I want to make sure I do my best, for everyone.” She glanced at the rest of their classmates, all of whom were getting into position. “We’ve come a long way. It’s time to show everyone what we can do.”

Before Izumi could respond, a voice called out to her—one that she hadn’t expected.

“Oi, Izumi,” came Todoroki’s voice, cutting through the chatter in the locker room. He stood near the door, his usual serious expression etched onto his face. “I’ve been thinking.”

Izumi turned to face him, intrigued. “Thinking about what?”

“About the race,” Todoroki said, a slight edge to his voice. “I’m going to win. I want to see how far you’re willing to go in the competition. Don’t hold back.”

Izumi raised an eyebrow, surprised at the challenge in his tone. She had always admired Todoroki’s calm demeanor, but now she saw something else in his eyes—a quiet resolve. He wasn’t just participating in the festival; he was determined to come out on top.

“I’m not one to hold back,” Izumi said coolly, her gaze steady. “I’ll give it my all, just like you.”

Todoroki nodded once, his expression unreadable. “Good. I’ll be waiting.”

Before Izumi could say anything else, the door to the locker room opened, and Aizawa stepped in. His tired, almost bored gaze swept over the room, and the students immediately fell silent.

“Alright, listen up,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension. “The Sports Festival isn’t just about showing off. It’s about testing your abilities, your teamwork, and your willpower. It’s a competition, but don’t get too caught up in trying to beat each other. Work together, and you’ll go far.”

The students exchanged glances, all knowing that Aizawa’s words carried weight. This wasn’t just a race—it was a trial that would shape their futures.

“Now,” Aizawa continued, “you’ll be entering the stadium shortly. Izumi, you’re up first. The principal wants you to give a short speech to kick things off.”

Izumi blinked in surprise. Her? She hadn’t expected that. Her heart skipped a beat.

“I—uh... okay,” Izumi said, her voice slightly shaky. She quickly steeled herself, mentally preparing for the public speaking ahead.

A few minutes later, Class 1-A made their way through the tunnel leading to the stadium field. The roar of the crowd above was deafening, a constant wave of noise that surged around them. The students stepped out into the spotlight, each of them greeted by the cheers of the crowd. The bright lights made it difficult to see much of the audience, but the presence of so many people was almost overwhelming.

Izumi felt a lump form in her throat as she saw the rows upon rows of spectators, including heroes, teachers, and journalists. The weight of the moment crashed over her, but she took a deep breath. She couldn’t afford to be intimidated. She had to speak, and she had to speak confidently.

Principal Nezu, standing at a podium in front of the students, waved to the crowd before turning his attention to Izumi.

“Alright, Izumi Midoriya, you’re up,” the principal said, his voice unexpectedly high-pitched for such a large creature. “Take it away.”

Izumi stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the eyes of the entire stadium on her, waiting for her to speak. Her mind raced, but she forced herself to focus. She glanced over at Class 1-B, who were lined up opposite them. Her eyes briefly met Monoma’s, the cocky student from 1-B, and she narrowed her gaze. She wouldn’t let anything distract her today.

Clearing her throat, Izumi spoke into the microphone.

“Hello, everyone,” she began, her voice steady but loud enough to carry across the field. “I’m Izumi Midoriya from Class 1-A. I know many of you are here to watch the competition, and we’re all ready to give it our best. This festival is a chance to show what we can do—not just as individuals, but as future heroes. We’ve all trained hard, and I know the rest of the classes are just as prepared. So, let’s make this a great experience—for us, and for the people who will one day rely on our abilities. Let’s prove that we’re more than just students. We’re heroes in the making.”

The crowd erupted into applause, and Izumi felt a surge of pride as she stood tall in front of the stadium. She hadn’t expected such a warm reception, but the cheers made her feel more confident. She looked back at her classmates, who were now giving her encouraging nods.

“Thank you,” Izumi finished with a smile, stepping back.

The crowd slowly began to quiet down, and the announcer’s voice boomed through the stadium.

“Alright, the first event of the UA Sports Festival is the Obstacle Race! The rules are simple: get to the finish line first, and avoid getting knocked out of the race. Sounds easy, right? Well, let’s see if that’s really the case.”

Izumi felt her heart rate pick up. She had trained for moments like this, but the obstacles ahead weren’t just about speed. They were about endurance, strategy, and adaptability. She’d need to use all of her stealth and speed to overcome the course. The competition was fierce, and with Class 1-B on their heels, this was more than just a race—it was a statement.

“All participants, take your positions!” the announcer called out.

Izumi’s eyes swept over her classmates. Bakugo and Todoroki were at the front, their competitive spirits visible, but Izumi didn’t let that distract her. This was her moment.

As the students lined up, the massive arena gates in front of them opened, and the obstacle course was revealed. It was a chaotic maze of various challenges, including flying obstacles, lava pits, and massive, moving walls. Each section of the course was designed to test every aspect of their abilities.

Izumi could already see it in her mind—the perfect path to take. Her warp blasts would let her clear distance quickly, and her Phantom ability could give her a temporary advantage in confusing opponents. The race would require more than just raw speed. It would require precision and quick thinking.

“Ready… set… GO!”

The moment the signal sounded, Izumi launched forward with explosive speed, her tentacle-like legs propelling her into the air with ease. The other students shot off from the starting line, but Izumi’s agility and speed immediately set her apart from the pack.

She was determined to win. This race was only the beginning.