Capítulo 21: U.A Festival (Power Unbound)

Never since first leaving for Japan he felt such anxiety. Shiozaki Nobara, Ilda Tenya and Todoroki Shoto were different but similar in the way they fought, pinpoint focus and a clear goal, the next one... A berserker best defines him, no more brawn than brains, both even fielded, that made him the most daring challenge, unpredictable, except for the fact that he's coming guns blazing the moment the duel starts.

Kaminari leaned back in his chair. He knew that his injuries were serious, and he was struggling to come up with a plan for the upcoming match against Bakugou. He couldn't take off his restraining collar, which meant he couldn't use his full power, and he was worried that Bakugou would take advantage of his weakness.

Placing his fingers gently upon the newly scar, between his ribs, "Goddamn..." He thought to himself, a little further and a lung was gone. Still sensible, one rib felt as if cracked, hopefully by the time the match starts it will be good.

Soon the echoes of the crowd reached his ears, it was time. Walking out of the room and towards the arena, his mind was focused on what needed to be done to achieve the dream made his.

...

Outside, the atmosphere was heavy as the anticipation for the final match of the tournament reached its peak. The crowd was restless, buzzing with excitement, eager to witness the clash of two powerhouses. The stadium was filled to the brim, and not an inch of empty space was left in the stands. The air was charged with the energy of thousands of voices, all cheering for the finalists, creating a deafening roar that echoed across the arena.

The tension was almost too much to bear as it mounted like a tightly coiled spring that threatened to snap at any moment, and everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the moment when those two would collide. It was a moment that possibly could go down in history, a moment that would be remembered for years to come. And at that moment, no one in the arena could predict what the outcome would be.

Present Mic's voice boomed across the arena, "Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the moment we've all been waiting for? The finals of the U.A. Sports Festival are about to begin!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the two competitors stepped onto the stage, the air thick with anticipation. On one side was Kaminari, the electrifying outsider student, who had proven himself to be a formidable opponent throughout the tournament. On the other side was Bakugou, the explosive prodigy whose fiery determination had carried him this far.

"From the left corner, a marauder, fearless, merciless and ready to destroy all who dare stand on his way, from class 1-A: Bakugou Katsuki!" The entire structure seen to tremble as Bakugou made his way to the center, his gaze aimed at his Kaminari, the final insect to crush for absolute domination, he thought to himself.

"Aaaand from the right corner, the pleasant surprise, a passionate individual and the epythome of electrifying expectations, also from class 1-A, please welcome him: Kaminari Raio!" There was no doubt, Kaminari was the crowd favorite based on the roar they emanated alone, his walk was slow paced, his gaze turned to the ground, his eyes devoid of any emotion that may strafe him of the path of victory.

The eyes of the spectators were glued to the stage, where the two combatants stood, both smiling confidently, ready to give it their all. Their bodies were tense and their eyes gleaming. The energy emanating from them was palpable, and it felt like a storm was about to break loose over a raging volcano.

The two locked eyes for a moment, each sizing up the other. Kaminari has a focused look, while Bakugou's expression is as fierce as ever. The tension built with each passing second until finally, Midnight's voice cut through the silence.

"Let the final match of the U.A. Sports Festival begin!" she declared as she motioned her arm downwards.

...

The roar of the cloud was deafened, their eyes blinded by the sudden explosion that engulfed the arena, not even Midnight's arm finished moving by the time Bakugou propelled himself, gritting his teeth, avid for his chance to finally put Kaminari in his place, bellow him.

Kaminari remained motionless, this startled Bakugou even if it was for a split second, no matter, if he won't move, too bad, Bakugou aimed his open hand in front of his foe's face. The little sparkes gave way to the bigger explosion, a cone like triangle of smoke and fire at point blank range.

"Why didn't he move?!" Mina shouted from the stands, hands on his head, sure that Kaminari took the blunt head on. Others had the same concern, while some remained focused.

"Have you learned nothing?" Tokoyami spoke, determined. "It's Kaminari you are talking about." This did little to calm Mina, however.

A mere flick of a shadow was enough to warn Bakugou that danger wasn't in front of him, but above. Another blast redirected his body from taking the hit as Kaminari descends from the sky at rapid speed, his body barely visible, only sparks of electrical power here and there, crawling against the smoke.

Recomposing in mid-air was difficult but manageable. Bakugou felt his left thigh burn, as if a hot iron had grazed it, the pain was not a problem, the tingling however, even if it was for a tenth of a second, proved problematic.

*CRACK*

Kaminari immediately takes off, his feet barely touching the ground as he uses his electrical powers to propel himself forward. Sparks of electricity dance around him, creating a stunning visual effect as he zips across the arena, leaving a trail of crackling energy in his wake. Bakugou, with his intense gaze fixed on his opponent, smirks, confident in his explosive Quirk.

"No evasive maneuvers at this speed." A stronger firing blast erupted, a slight twitch of his arm reminds Bakugou to not overdue this soon, as it also helps him notice the hand of Kaminari merely centimeters from touching his hand. However, the reflexes are quicker than his body can react, Kaminari's feint worked, his hand envelops Bakugou's.

The body convulsed violently as arcs of electricity surged through him, a searing pain exploding in every nerve. His muscles locked up, rigid like steel cables, refusing his desperate attempts to move. The sharp, crackling energy felt like molten fire coursing under his skin, lighting every fiber of his being with excruciating heat. His vision blurred, flickering between blinding white flashes and darkness, while the taste of iron flooded his mouth. He could feel his heartbeat struggle, erratic and weak, as if the very life force inside him was being fried, fighting to stay conscious as agony overwhelmed him.

Through the searing agony, a spark of defiance ignited deep within Bakugou. His teeth clenched, his vision swam, but fury fueled him. With a roar, he forced his hands to move, trembling as they fought against the electrical current still surging through his veins.

His palms began to glow, faint at first, but the heat quickly intensified as the air around them warped and pulsed.

With a guttural shout, Bakugou unleashed an explosion. The force was immediate and cataclysmic—fire and concussive energy erupted from his hands in a blinding flash. The shockwave rippled outward, shattering Kaminari's hold and sending him stumbling back.

Freed from his grasp, Bakugou staggered back, smoke rising from his burned skin, but his eyes were ablaze with wrath. The pain faded as adrenaline took over ready for more.

Kaminari is thrown back, hitting the ground hard. He lay there for a moment, stunned, disbelief washing over him. "Impossible..." His eyes locked on Bakugou, still standing amid the smoke. He had expected that surge of electricity to finish the job, to end it all right there.

Slowly, he pushed himself up, shock giving way to something darker. "He should be down," he muttered, breathless, wiping blood from his lip. His confidence wavered, a cold realization creeping in. "How... how is he still fighting?"

Bakugou stood tall, a grin spread across his face. He took a step forward, eyes blazing with a wild fury. "You thought that would stop me?" he growled, voice low and dangerous. His fingers flexed, the air around him humming with volatile power. "Now it's my turn."

With that, he lunged, ready to unleash the full force of his rage.

Raio utilizes his speed to dart around Bakugou, creating afterimages that confuse the explosive hero. He launches a quick series of strikes, his fists charged with electrical energy. Each punch crackles with power, aiming to catch Bakugou off guard. Bakugou responds with his own explosive blasts, the sound of explosions ringing out as he counters Raio's rapid attacks. The arena lights up with bursts of light and energy, showcasing the intensity of the battle.

As Raio speeds towards Bakugou again, he channels more electricity into his body, momentarily enveloping himself in a bright aura. He leaps into the air, aiming for a powerful aerial attack. Bakugou, anticipating the move, unleashes a massive explosion beneath him, propelling himself upward to meet Raio in mid-air.

"Don't underestimate me, you traumatized BASTARD!" Bakugou shouts, maniacally laughing.

"So be it." Kaminari thought as he flunged his arm fist foward.

The two collide with a thunderous boom, their powers clashing in a spectacular display of light and sound.

Kaminari, undeterred, uses the momentum from the explosion to flip backward, landing gracefully on the ground. He quickly unleashes a powerful burst of electrical energy that arcs toward Bakugou, aiming to stun him momentarily. Bakugou, however, grits his teeth and charges through the electric attack with his own explosions, the two forces colliding with a massive shockwave that sends debris flying.

The audience is on the edge of their seats as the battle rages on, both fighters showcasing their unique strengths. Kaminari relies on his agility, weaving in and out of Bakugou's explosive range, while Bakugou uses his raw power and tactical thinking to anticipate Kaminari 's moves. The arena becomes a battlefield of speed versus explosive force.

"Woah! Those two are something else" Kirishima is in awe, he couldn't even believe mere freshmen were this powerful.

"It's incredible how much they developed their quirks, the combat adaptation is surreal" Midoriya exclaims, leaning foward with his eyes wide open.

"Aaargh!" Kaminari lets out as a sharp pain comes from his right side.

Class 1-A notice Kaminari's struggle.

"That's bad, the damage he took during the previous battles are hindering his perfomance." Tokoyami statement shocks many, greatly distressing Jirou and Yaoyorozou.

"Damn it, not now." He barely managed to say in between the pain waves, his injuries won't heal while focusing on Bakugou.

The latter sees his opponent squirm and smiles. "You took too much damage, reckless idiot, you're finished!" he says wasting no time, lunging towards Kaminari propeled by blasts.

He goes for the left side of Kaminari who tries to block the incoming attack but the sudden movement makes the pain even bigger. The block is made, but Bakugou isn't there, fainting a left hook but opening his right palm at Kaminari's throat.

Raio gasps for air but to no avail, Bakugou's grip is surprisingly strong.

"You're mine." Bakugou exclaims as once more uses the explosion to propel himself to the air, still holding on to Kaminari.

"I win! Die, scum!" he raises his arm towards the sky, a final explosion launches them both downward, towards the concrete floor.

*BOOOM*

Kaminari takes the blunt of the impact as his head hits the hard floor. The spectators squirm, while other gasp.

"It's over." Many collectively think as they watch Bakugou letting go of his grasp and standing above Kaminari.

"Learn your place, maggot. This is where the bar is set." Bakugou aims both of his palms at Kaminari's head. All who witness become desperate. He wouldn't... not against a fellow classmate, right?

"That's bad!" Midnight exclaims as she's prepares to intercept, but Bakugou is faster.

"DIE!"

*BOOOOOOM*

A violent explosion, so strong the shockwave almost launches Midnight from her stand, shakes the stadium. Many watch in horror as the smoke fills the arena.

"Raio!" Edith fears for her son's life, almost going into the arena herself, but Maxwell places his hand on hers, closing his eyes.

"You don't think Kaminari is..." Uraraka whispers as her hands are covering her mouth in shock.

"There's no way he can take one that big at point blank." Kirishima says, also concerned.

The smoke starts to settle, the spectators all watch, horrified by what may had become of Kaminari.

"Just right... had just one left before emptying." Bakugou says to himself. "Watch me, worms, I'm the true vic-WHAT?!"

The dismay is reasonable, Bakugou looks at a empty crater as the dissipating smoke reveals for all to see. Frantically looking, he finally spots his opponent on the other side of the arena, struggling to stay on his feet.

The stadium roars in a mix of relief and happiness, the only one who didn't share the enthusiasm was Bakugou, clenching his teeth, livid that his foe is still standing.

"Stubborn cockroach, if you're gonna hold back like a whimp, do me a favour and die." He said almost growling.

Kaminari remains barely standing, gasping for air, his entire body is in deep pain, vision is blurry, can't see beyond a few meters in front of him, but he can see a humanoid figure approaching. The finishing blow is coming, perhaps he should just forfeit and be done with, enough has been done.

It's only when the figure stops that Kaminari understands, Bakugou can't be this small, nor has black hair.

"Ana?" his eyes widen as he sees his sister standing next to him, a big smile exactly like she used. He can't help but smile back.

In a blink she was gone, sadness flooded his heart. Forfeit the fight? Give up? Is Ana's dream soo easily forgotten?

"[...] If you hold back, you are dishonoring your opponent..." Endeavour's words rushed in.

"Not my opponent, if I hold back, I'm dishonoring Ana's memory." This final thought was decisive, adamant to finish this, he's ready to risk it all.

Bakugou notices his fire and worries for a mere second, reading himself.

"He's done, Cementoos, I will stop it the second he kneels." Midnight exclaimed over the comms.

"I agree." Cementoos replied.

Both flinch as shivers are felt, the air is filled with electricity.

"Bakugou!" Kaminari called for his foe, who stands at the ready.

His hand slowly rose to the collar, fingertips brushing the cool surface. The faint glow in his eyes intensified, electricity buzzing just beneath his skin. "You don't know what you're asking for," he warned, voice steady, though there was an edge to it—a promise of what was to come.

Edith, Jirou and Yaoyorozu gasp at the sight of what he's about to do.

*click*

With a sharp twist, the collar clicked, then snapped open.

*zzzzzzPAAAAAG*

...

The air around him exploded in a sudden burst of static. A brilliant surge of electricity erupted from his body, lightning crackling violently in every direction. His muscles tensed as the full force of his power was unleashed, no longer restrained, no longer bound. The very ground beneath him scorched, singed by the raw energy that poured from him like a storm unleashed. His eyes gleamed with electric fire.

Across the arema, Bakugou's excitement couldn't be restrained, he let out a savage roar, muscles bulging, fury burning in his gaze, laughter is heard, this is the greatest moment of his life ever since his quirk first manifested. His sheer brute force had been enough to overwhelm most, but this was different. He charged forward.

Kaminari stood above the ground, electricity crackling with growing intensity. "Come on, then," he muttered, voice calm but filled with deadly intent. His fists tightened, glowing with energy as the berserker barreled toward him.

In a flash, the boy raised his hands, and bolts of lightning shot forth, the sky itself seeming to ripple with the force of his unleashed power. "Let's finish this."

The ground trembled as the berserker student crouched low, muscles bulging with raw power. With a deafening roar, he launched himself into the air, the sky darkening around him as smoke and debrid gathered from the immense energy for his final strike. His body rotates rapidly with a fiery aura, fists always firing with destructive force, ready to crush everything in his path.

The ethereal student mirrored his movement, soaring upward in a burst of electric speed. Lightning swirled around him in a furious storm, the air itself vibrating with the intensity of his power. His eyes locked onto his opponent, unwavering, as he drew the energy into his fist. Sparks erupted from his hands, growing into blinding tendrils of electricity.

The sky between them cracked with the clash of their auras—fire and lightning, destruction and storm. In that split second, as they hurtled toward each other, the world seemed to hold its breath. The impact would decide everything.

"MAXWELL!" Edith screamed desperately.

"On it." Like an impending sense of doom, Maxwell acts, summoning his own power just in time, an electromagnetic field is formed around the stands, shielding the audience from the upcoming schism.

"This ends now!" they both roared, their powers at their peak, surging forward in a final, cataclysmic collision.

"HOWITZER-"

"ROARING-"

"-IMPACT!!!!"

"-THUNDER!!!!"

The moment their powers collided, the sky erupted in a blinding flash of light and deafening sound. Fire and lightning clashed in midair, twisting into each other as a monstrous explosion detonated at the point of impact. The force of it sent shockwaves tearing through the atmosphere, the ground beneath them shaking violently.

The explosion expanded outward in a blazing sphere of orange fire and crackling blue lightning, its brilliance overwhelming. For a moment, the sky looked like it had been split open. As the energy rippled outward, the blast formed a massive mushroom cloud, rising high into the sky, its core glowing with residual electricity that arced and crackled along its edges.

The shockwave hit the ground like a tidal wave, flattening the platform Midnight was standing and sending debris flying in every direction. People who had been watching from a distance were thrown back by the sheer force of it, shielding their eyes from the blinding light, their ears ringing from the concussive blast. Some gasped in awe, others stood frozen, stunned by the sheer scale of destruction unfolding before them.

"THESE TWO CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" Mineta screamed desperately as he clinged on his adhesive balls so to not be blasted away. Other classmates held to whatever they could.

For a moment, there was only silence as the mushroom cloud lingered in the sky, lightning still dancing through its swirling form, a testament to the immense power that had just been unleashed. Then, the wind picked up, carrying dust and smoke across the battlefield, leaving everyone wondering who, if anyone, had survived the devastating clash.

As the dust began to settle, an eerie silence blanketed the battlefield. Spectators held their breath, eyes wide and hearts racing, waiting for the smoke to clear and reveal the aftermath of the explosive clash.

When the haze finally dissipated, a figure emerged from the chaos: Kaminari, battered and bruised, barely standing. His clothes were singed, and his body trembled under the weight of exhaustion and pain. Sparks still flickered along his skin, but he was alive. With a fierce determination, he lifted his head, eyes ablaze with defiance, even as his breath came in ragged gasps.

Laying in front of him, the once-mighty Bakugou was sprawled on the ground, unconscious and defeated. The aura of chaos that had surrounded him faded into the stillness, the ferocity of his power extinguished.

The spectators erupted into a mix of awe and relief.

"He did it!" someone shouted, disbelief mingling with joy.

Kaminari staggered, catching himself on a nearby rock, eyes locked on the defeated classmate. "Your dream lives on." he muttered under his breath, knowing deep down that this were far from finished, but only the beginning. But for now, he had won.

As the dust continued to settle, a heroic figure emerged from the cement barrier, stepping forward with unwavering confidence. She adjusted her mask, eyes scanning the gathered crowd and the wreckage of the battlefield.

"Spectators of the crowd!" she called out, her voice echoing over the ruins. "Today, we witnessed a battle unlike any other—a clash of titans that shook the very foundations of our stadium."

The spectators turned, breathless, hanging onto her every word. "But I stand before you now to announce that a winner has triumphed!"

A wave of relief washed over the crowd, gasps of disbelief turning into cheers. "He fought with everything he had, and though he stands battered and bruised, he has emerged victorious!" Her voice grew stronger, filled with pride. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of this year's edition U.A Festival: KAMINARI RAIO!"

With that, the crowd roared in celebration.

...

As the cheers erupted around him, Kaminari stood there, swaying slightly. The sound of the crowd—thundering applause and joyous shouts—washed over him like a wave, but it felt distant and muffled, almost surreal. He was exhausted, every muscle in his body screaming for rest. "All I want is to lay down and sleep", he thought, blinking against the brightness of the day and the lingering shock from the battle.

Medical teams rushed toward him, their voices urgent yet reassuring, but he barely registered their words. "He did it!" some of his fellow classmates shouted, their faces beaming with pride. He managed a weak smile, a flicker of warmth igniting in his chest despite the fatigue. The sight of their encouragement made the struggle worth it.

As he began to turn away, he caught sight of veteran heroes in the distance, their weathered faces breaking into genuine applause. The sight filled him with a sense of pride he hadn't anticipated.

...

"Just a little longer, Ana." he murmured to himself, forcing his legs to move as the medics approached, ready to assist him. Their hands were gentle, guiding him away from the chaos, but he couldn't shake the sound of the cheering crowd from his mind.

"You were AWESOME, KAMINARI!" Kirishima called out.

"I can't believe that reckless jerk." Jirou muttered, disguising her pride and joy. Yaoyorozu had her eyes glistening as she applauded.

"Such raw power, we're grateful he's on our side." Serou retorted amusingly.

"His power is on another level, and to think he was holding back..." Tokoyami exclaims with a twinge of jealousy.

"He's definitely gonna get all the spotlight now." Mineta blatantly says.

...

Maxwell and Edith watch their son being victorious, she has tears in her eyes, he maintains composure.

"Your son is wonderful, Mr and Mrs Kaminari. You are sure to be proud of his resolve." All Might exclaimed with certainty.

"Our boy kept his promise." Maxwell reinforces, tears sliding down his cheeks.

...

As he walked away, supported by the medical team, the applause continued to ring in his ears, a haunting melody of victory that would carry him into the rest he so desperately needed.