Work Text:
-1-
Nezu smiled as he looked at the mascot in front of him. The official U.A. Mascot Nezzy, of course, was just himself but mascot sized. Was it conceited to make the mascot of his own school, himself? Perhaps. However, he also recognized that he was a super adorable animal and that children loved both him as well as all the plushies of himself(including the life sized ones) that he also sold. However that was neither here nor there. What was important was the topic of conversation.
“Are you sure you are going to compete in the first two rounds while wearing the costume?”
Nezu asked and Nezzy nodded his head. Nezu took a sip as he let out a hum.
“Very well. Everything seems to be in order then. I’ve got a new version coming in tomorrow so whatever happens to the one you are wearing, happens. Though I do hope you keep the image of the school in mind and don’t let anything silly befall our beloved mascot.”
Nezzy started waving his hands frantically and Nezu could tell what he meant. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’ Something which Nezu respected. After all, this one was a dreamer and if he dreamed of it, he would make it happen, or so Nezu liked to believe.
“Well then, good luck out there.”
He commented and Nezzy gave him two thumbs up before waddling out of the office. Nezu just smirked and took a sip of his tea. It looks like the Sports Festival this year would be very entertaining.
-2-
“Can you believe that guy? I’m going to win. Who gives a speech like that?”
Hagakure huffed and Mina nodded.
“Really, I get that he’s strong but people already don’t like us thanks to him earlier. Could he not paint a bigger target on our backs?”
“Yeah. I can feel them glaring now.”
Ochako Uraraka agreed as she walked with her friends. They were currently getting into position for the first round of the Sports Festival and she was already feeling her nerves.
It had been a wild time in U.A. so far. First day, their teacher expels a student for coming in last place in the Quirk Apprehension Test. Second day, she watched both Bakugou and Todoroki completely overwhelm their opponents, and even send one to the Nurse’s office. Then at the USJ, she had to watch her favorite hero, Thirteen, and her teacher Aizawa almost die. Thankfully Todoroki was able to freeze the area, though it did result in Aizawa’s injuries worsening before All Might saved him. As such, he only just got back from the hospital yesterday and he looked like a mummy. It was honestly pretty scary but they were all here and alive so she suppose that was good.
Suddenly a large shape out of the corner of her eye drew Uraraka’s attention as well as the other two. The biggest reaction though, came from Hagakure, who’s invisible pose was one of shock.
“It’s… NEZZY!!!”
Hagakure cried as she leapt to hug the white-furred mascot. The giant version of their principal immediately returned the welcoming hug.
“I really love Nezzy! I’ve collected every plushie of Nezu available just because they were practically Nezzy! Even the limited addition one that only had three hundred released! Though I may have used my quirk to cut in line to get that one. Teehee.” She said before taking out her phone. “Can we get a selfie?”
Ochako chuckle as she and Mina watched Nezzy give a peace sign as Hagakure took her selfie. Mina grinned.
“I didn’t realize you loved Nezzy so much.”
“How could I not?” Hagakure said as she put her phone away in a protective case. “After all, my awakening came from Enemy to Lover Anthro Slash Fics featuring Nezzy and the mascot of Shiketsu.”
Nezzy seemed to jolt in surprise before waving goodbye and walking off.
“Bye bye Nezzy! Cheer us on!”
Hagakure waved goodbye to the mascot. Ochako and Mina also waved goodbye, but when he was out of sight, Ochako turned to Hagakure.
“Hey can you send me a link to those fics? I need new things to read.”
-3-
Tsuyu Asui was very proud of her froggy abilities that came with her quirk. Yes it posed challenges sometimes but she still enjoyed being a frog. It became especially useful in the U.A. Sports Festival as their first round was an obstacle race. Her first move was to cling to the ceiling in order to avoid Todoroki’s ice. Then she used her tongue to get past the giant robots(and dodge Mineta who was thrown through the air by said robots).
Now it was her time to shine at the chasm as she used her quirk to quickly move across the ropes, her hands and feet easily sticking to the surface. That was when she noticed something odd though.
On the rope next to her, inching like, well, an inch worm, the U.A. Mascot Nezzy moved across the chasm at just as quick of a pace as her.
She knew Nezzy of course. Her little sister loved the mascot and had been devastated when the balloon she got from him during a school visit had deflated. Satsuki even still had the picture of their family together with the mascot hanging in her room. However, in no way did Tsuyu ever think that said Mascot would ACTUALLY compete.
Reaching the other side, the two immediately got up and started running towards the third obstacle as Todoroki and Bakugou started working their way through it. Idly, Tsuyu wondered if they had gotten a third year to be the mascot and compete for the sake of School Spirit. Either way, it did send a small bit of happiness into Tsuyu as she and the mascot competed together.
After what happened in the USJ, Kuraokami knows she needed it.
-4-
Hitoshi Shinso frowned as he looked around the arena, searching for potential teammates for the second Sports Festival event, the Cavalry Race. He already had the sparkly blonde with the ranged quirk but he needed muscle. He just needed to pick out which ones were good in order to recruit(aka. Brainwash) onto his team.
Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder and Hitoshi turned around to see… U.A. had a mascot?
Wait, why was the mascot here? It seemed to be waving at him and gesturing to itself. Obviously it didn’t disprove of the usage of his quirk or else it would be telling him. No…
“You want to join my team?”
He asked and the mascot gave a double thumbs up. Hitoshi frowned. Why would a mascot join his team? What even was the point? Unless…
“Are you making fun of me? You think this is all just a game to me? That I’m not serious?”
He growled in anger and the mascot shook his head frantically. That wasn’t it? Now that he thought about it, there was no way a normal person could have competed in a mascot costume, right? Was this a third year here to show school spirit? If that’s the case, the third year(probably hero student) would only join his team for one reason.
“Do you think that I’m so weak that I need your help?” Hitoshi accused. “You’re taking pity on me and want to help me move on?”
The mascot once again shook his head before the fuzzy suit held up a fist and touched Hitoshi’s chest with it, right over his heart. Something clicked and Hitoshi finally understood. It wasn’t pity or making fun of him. No, there was only one reason aside from those that would make a dumbass compete in a costume.
“You’re… You’re like me. You weren’t given your chance and you need this one now?”
He asked and the mascot nodded. Instantly, Hitoshi felt something wash over him. It was an emotion he hadn’t experienced before but… He had found a bond. A brother in arms who understood his plight, if just a little bit. Somehow he got the feeling that they knew what it was like too. What it meant to them to finally have this chance, even with this burden of a costume.
“Alright. Let’s do this, partner.”
Hitoshi grinned and the mascot raised his fist in the air, mimicking the “Plus Ultra” pose and Hitoshi felt excited to finally get his chance at becoming a hero.
Also maybe he was also a bit excited at being able to ride the rather adorable looking mascot too.
-5-
Momo Yaoyorozu stepped into the hallways leading further into the arena under the stands.
She had lost.
She was supposed to be better than this! She was a genius. She had a great quirk. She was a recommendation student. She had the best training in body, mind, and quirk that money could afford. She had a PLAN!
But none of that mattered.
It had all happened so fast and her mind immediately went blank when she was rushed by Dark Shadow. She had panicked and barely had time to create a shield before it was ripped away from her. Her second shield only defended her enough to be pushed out of bounds.
She couldn’t even do anything.
Nothing…
Suddenly a paw was place on her shoulder.
Momo looked up to see Nezzy, U.A.’s mascot smiling down at her(granted it couldn’t really do any other expressions but the impression was still there). It pumped its fist excitedly and Momo blinked. It was happy? Happy that she lost? No. A memory of Kirishima and Mina went through her head as she found the term she was looking for. He was fired up from that fight. But why? She had done terribly.
Then Nezzy performed the Plus Ultra pose and Momo couldn’t help but smile.
He was right. She couldn’t let a simple loss drag her down. And maybe she should think outside the box next time? Intern with a combat specialist rather than who she thought would be a more logical choice. Perhaps that would be how she could go Plus Ultra!
“Hey Nezzy. You’re up next. Are you ready?”
A girl’s voice sounded. Momo turned to see a girl of an average build with dark hair. She had ear-length bangs are arched slightly up before they come down, which is styled into a set of low, curved pigtails. She had thin, stern-looking eyes with notable lower eyelashes, an annoyed look on her face.
Then what she said dawned on her.
Nezzy was going to fight? How? He was an adorable fuzzy and cute mascot that was the same height as her!
“Yeah.”
The deep voice broke Momo out of her thoughts. She twisted her head to look at Nezzy only to be met with abs…. Could she grind meat on those? She was pretty sure she could grind meat on those.
Her eyes focused on the figure in front of her, even taller than Shouji, he stood, the Nezu head still on his own, but he remained shirtless, wearing only a pair of U.A. gym pants.
“It’s time to end this dream and make it reality.”
He said, his voice still muffled through the Nezzy head. Then the giant started to stalk towards the arena. Momo couldn’t help but stare as the warrior made his way into the stadium to fight.
“He’s mine so don’t get any ideas.”
Hissed the girl and Momo jolted before quickly replying.
“I wasn’t thinking it!”
“Yes you were.”
“You can’t prove it!”
-+1-
The stadium cheered as two figures made their way to the arena. Eijiro Kirishima clenched his fists as he entered, pumping himself up for a manly fight!
“Manly and passionate hardening! From the Hero Course, it’s Eijiro Kirishima!”
Eijiro grinned wide for the audience, though he was still a bit subconscious about the large crowd and how not-flashy his quirk was.
“Verses, the mightiest warrior from the land of dreams, hoping to turn them into reality! From the Common Department, Izuku Midoriya!”
Eijiro watched in surprise as a tall figure stalked onto the stage, the Nezzy head still on his shoulders. He was only wearing his U.A. gym pants, completely forgoing his shirt and the amount of muscles he had? Manly as hell. Like, it wasn’t oversized like Satou when he roided out on sugar but this Midoriya dude definitely hit the gym.
“I’m sorry, Nezzy.”
Eijiro saw his leg move and then a gust of wind forced him to shield his eyes. When he was able to look again, Midoriya was standing still, both his legs on the ground. Then there was a crack sound and a moment later, the Nezzy head split cleanly in two revealing Midoriya’s face.
He was crying manly tears(in Eijiro’s opinion), and had a rather impressive pompadour, green eyes, and a set of diamond pattern freckles.
“The time for dreams is over.” He said before taking a fighting stance. “It’s time I start making them real.”
Eijiro noticed his resolve and respected it. He had to respond in kind. Hardening himself to his max, the red-head readied himself, and with the crack of a whip, the two charged.
-Extra-
Several heroes all gathered around a conference table in U.A. After all, these heroes just so happened to be teachers as well, in charge of teaching heroics to children of U.A.
“So, I think we all agree that Mr. Hitoshi Shinsou is not ready for the hero course yet, but we will move into preparing him for it on a trial basis and seeing if he can stick to it.” Nezu announced which received a few murmurs of agreement before the mammal continued. “And onto the next candidate, Mr. Izuku Midoriya, also from the general course.”
“What’s to talk about? He’s a thug who shouldn’t have been allowed to compete in the first place.”
Aizawa grunted, the mummy of a man, leaning uncomfortably in his chair.
“Not just any thug.” Snipe reminded him. “The boy’s the third boss of the All Bikes vigilante biker gang, name after our newest staff member, of course.”
“M-me?”
All Might asked in surprise, missing the respect for said vigilante gang in Snipe’s voice.
“And let’s not forget that he punched out someone with a defensive hardening quirk. Like, he PHYSICALLY punched and kicked him until he was unconscious.”
Present Mic added and Aizawa scoffed.
“And we should be rewarding that reckless behavior? There were a dozen of ways for him to win that didn’t involve punching his knuckles raw.”
“But it WAS a good display of power.” Present Mic added. “And isn’t that what this is about? Showing off what you can do?”
“You’re just biased because he was the only person to respond to your call in the entrance exam.”
“Hey! Do you know how many I get to call back? He was the first one since the U.A. Streaker! Besides, YOU were plenty of bias towards your mini you earlier.”
“Gentlemen, this arguing will get us nowhere.” Nezu interrupted. “The way I see it, yes, it was reckless of him to try and knock out Mr. Kirishima, however it showed not only his power, but his durability, and pain tolerance as well. Then against his fight with Mr. Bakugou, which he unfortunately lost, Mr. Midoriya still managed to break Mr. Bakugou’s arm but he showed a lot more control in that fight and against an opponent with superior training and such a powerful quirk, it shows he can learn strategy plenty as well.”
“Sir, are you sure you’re not bias as well since he’s the only one in years to willingly wear the Nezzy costume?”
Aizawa asked and Vlad King spoke up.
“Actually, yeah, how did you get him anyway? I mean, he’s a vigilante gang leader, how did you convince him to wear the costume?”
“It was easy actually.” Nezu explained, his eyes gleaming. “You see, Mr. Midoriya is a Hero Fanatic. That extends to U.A. which trained his favorite hero, All Might. Unfortunately, the HPSC forbade us from accepting him in the hero course no matter how well he did in the Entrance Exam, however their rules are rather lax when it comes to the Sports Festival. After all, how can some General Education student beat hero students who not only have good quirks but have been training professionally for a month or so. So on the first week of school, when I offered him the chance to be Nezzy AND potentially get into the hero course, he was through the roof.”
“So bureaucracy. Got it. In that case, I vote he gets in just so long as Vlad gets him.”
Aizawa said, his dislike of the “government” showing rather clearly.
“The Little Listener’s got my vote!”
Present Mic added, giving his finger guns.
“Agreed.” Vlad King nodded. “Even though Aizawa is the one with the open seat, his potential is too great to not guide into becoming a hero.”
“I’m saving my seat for when Shinsou is ready.”
“How are you accusing people of being bias and then going around saying that?!?”
“I agree with letting him in.”
Midnight interrupted before the two started fighting again.
One by one the other teachers slowly agreed. Nezu smiled as wide as his animal face would allow.
“Then its settled! Mr. Midoriya will be go through a quick training course with Snipe to get up to speed and then he shall become our new fortieth Hero Course student!”
With that, he stamped Midoriya’s file with approval ending the boy’s dream and quite happily turning it into reality.