And the final round is off to a roaring start!! Phobos defied all expectations by knocking out everyone's favourite Icy-Hot hero, Todoroki! And boy was that fight fun to do. Having two people who can create fire makes for a truly awesome battle. And then there was the second fight where we laid witness to the top student from our resident Russian hero school. Sergei just demolished his way into round 2 and now him and Phobos are set to clash. How's our new favourite fire user supposed to beat the monster that is Sergei? Well, to be honest I haven't decided who wins the fight yet, so I can't really say anything. I'm more focused on the next couple fights which we'll be enjoying right now! Enjoy!

-POV: Josh-

"And next up, we have match 3, another international brawl!!! Trini of Queen's Strong is set to collide with Alexi of Gregorvsky Alpha!! Let's get this party started by bringing out the competitors!!" Present Mic announced as myself and Phobos watched the next match in my waiting room.

"First up, from Queen's Strong, she near effortlessly made her way through the first two events by just flying over everything!! Said to have one of the strongest psychic quirks in the world, she's risen to the peek and is now the top student at her school! Put your hands together for Trini Williams!"" All Might shouted as the dark green haired girl walked into the arena. She had a fierce smile on her face, like she was totally pumped up for this fight. She then took her position on the battlefield and waited for her opponent. 

"And next up, from the cold climates of Moscow, hailing from Gregorvsky Alpha, he wields a mighty Spike quirk!! Don't let him get too close or else you'll be the one getting the point!! Give a round of applause for Alexi Choreevsky!!" Present Mic introduced as Alexi made his way into the arena. He was around the same height as Trini, about 5ft. 8in. but he was completely bald with bright brown eyes. 

"I am going to crush you, girl." Alexi said to Trini as she began to laugh at him. 

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard that before. All bark and no bite is all you'll turn out to be. Yawn!!" Trini said as Alexi clenched his fists.

"I shall skewer you, cyka!!" Alexi shouted as the two of them took ready positions. 

"It looks like the combatants are ready to go and so are we!! So let's stop wasting time!! Let's get this battle underway, shall we!?" Present Mic shouted as the whole crowd responded with a "YES!!!"

"3..... 2.... 1........ BEGIN!!!" Present Mic screamed as Alexi made a mad dash for Trini. 

"Spike Cannon!!" He shouted as a bunch of metal spikes grew out of his hands. He thrusted them forward and they shot out of him and headed straight for Trini who was just yawning, not moving at all. 

"Borrrrriiiiiinnnnnnngggg." Trini said as her hair began to light up a bit and rise. She raised up her left hand and bent her ring finger inward. And then, all of the spikes that Alexi shot at her stopped in midair.

"And there it is, Trini's ESP!! And look at how precise she is with it!! Stopping over a dozen metal spikes instantaneously!!" Mic announced as Trini then bent her index finger inward, making all the spikes face down. She then waved her arm down and made all the spikes embed themselves into the battlefield. 

"Is that all ya got, mate?" Trini taunted her opponent as Alexi went on the rush again.

"I'll just crush you instead, cyka!! I'm going to punch a hole right through you!!" Alexi roared as he grew more spikes on both of his fists and arms. He charged right up to Trini and took a swing at her head with his left arm. But, Trini made no movements at all and instead used her quirk to make herself float and bend around all of Alexi's attacks, making her dodge them with very minima effort. 

"Stay still!!!" Alexi shouted in frustration as Trini kept on laughing at him.

"You've given me some good laughs, but you just keep on boring me. Maybe my next opponent will give me some more fun?" Trini questioned as she aimed her right hand at Alexi. She bent in her middle and pinky fingers and Alexi came to a complete stop before he could smash his spikes into her face. 

"What...... Let me..... go!!!" Alexi shouted as he tried to move, but Trini had him completely helpless and frozen. 

"No, don't think so. Now, bye, bye!" Trini said as she flicked her fingers back up, sending Alexi flying across and right off the battlefield. She crashed him right into the wall by his gate and embedded him there. 

"Jeez, hope I don't always have to fight blokes like him." Trini said as her hair stopped glowing and the crowd roared with excitement. 

"WOW!!! And that's it, folks!!! With little effort, Trini takes out Alexi and advances to the quarter finals!!" All Might announced. 

"Man, some of these England kids are real monsters!! Trini looks freakin' unstoppable!!" I said in utter disbelief after what me and Phobos just witnessed. 

"Dude, if you win your first match, good freakin' luck." Phobos said to me as he gave me a nudge on my arm. 

"Gee, thanks." I said as I stood up from my couch and did some stretches. 

"You're up next. You ready?" Phobos asked me as I gave him a nod. 

"As ready as i'll ever be, I guess. From what I can remember, Kendo's got a power type quirk. She can enlarge her hands and greatly boost her physical strength." I said as I began to do a few push-ups. 

"Well, i'm sure you'll have the speed advantage over her. After all, I don't think she can run over 50mph." Phobos said as I chuckled a bit. 

"True. But I think she knows that. Her quirk is one that would normally slow her own movements, so I think the time she's had at U.A would've been used to increase her reflexes and reaction time. It might not matter how fast I am." I said as the P.A system came on in my room. 

"Competitor Josh, please make your way to your entrance gate. Your match will begin in just a few minutes." The voice said as the system then cut out. 

"Looks like it's time." I said as I stopped doing my push-ups and stood up. 

"Good luck out there, buddy. And how's about this. Let's meet in the semi-finals." Phobos said as he got off my couch and held his right fist to me. 

"Sure, bud. I'll see you there." I said as I raised up my right fist and met his own. A promise we hope to keep. I then left my room as did Phobos so he could return to his waiting room. I then made my way down to my entry gate and stood there to be called into the arena. 

"That sure was a quick but entertaining bout, wouldn't you agree guys!?" Present Mic asked his co-hosts. 

"Sure...." Eraser Head said. 

"Indeed it was, Mic. Despite being outmatched, Alexi showed superb determination and refusal to quit. And Trini displayed excellent control of her quirk. I'd say everyone should keep an eye on her in the future." All Might saidmas Present Mic took over again. 

"Yeah, they were both awesome, but let's get back into business!!! It's time we get the next battle underway!!!" Mic shouted as the crowd roared with anticipation and excitement. 

"Sounds like everyone's ready for match number 4!!! So let's get to introducing the fighters!!" All Might announced as I was signaled by the supervisors at the gate to start walking in. 

"First up, from your very own Persevering Heights academy, this guys quirk allows himself to push to the absolute limits and beyond of human physical capabilities!!! He blew us out of the water with his insane running speed in the first two events, and I can bet he's also packing some crazy strength as well!! Everyone put your hands together for Josh Masterson!!" Present Mic announced as I made my way into the arena and over to the battlefield. I waved to the crowd and flexed my muscles for everyone, with some of the women in the crowd screaming even more. I then stopped as I took my position on the battlefield and waited for my opponent. 

"And now for our second combatant!! She's risen from the bottom and is now one of the top students of U.A!! Going by the hero name: Battle Fist, this student will crush anyone who gets in her way with her monstrous hands!! All the way from U.A High, say hello to Itsuka Kendo!!!" All Might announced as Kendo made her way into the arena. She had her long orange hair tied in a ponytail on the left side of her head and she looked as determined as ever for this fight.

"If I remember correctly, you were one of the 6 students who Cry brought into U.A that one day, right?" Kendo asked me as I gave her a nod. 

"That's right, I was there." I replied. 

"Whether you did much for her or not, you and those other 5 are the reason she's still kicking today. And I really appreciate that. Especially considering Wrath Queen means more to me than almost anyone else." Kendo explained to me. 

"Does she now? You sound like Cry, Jiro, and even Tetsutetsu. So, does that mean you're...." I began to ask but she stopped me and gave me a nod. 

"That's right. I'm the fourth and final member of that team of 4 who Wrath Queen took in for our work study program. The 4 of us make up U.A's strongest team. Intelligence, strength, speed, versatility, teamwork, compassion, we could do it all. And a lot of it came from Wrath Queen's training." Kendo explained to me. 

"Well this should be interesting then. Two hand-to-hand fighters who've been trained by the same pro hero. I'm kinda curious as to who'll win." I said as she agreed with me. 

"As am I. But I can assure you, i'm the one who'll win." Kendo said as she cracked her knuckles and spread her legs a bit. 

"Let's get this rockin' party started!!! 3.... 2.... 1........ BEGIN!!!!!" Present Mic screamed as both me and Kendo charged one another. We met right in the center of the battlefield and we both threw our fists at each other. We locked hands though and entered into a shoving match which Kendo was surprisingly winning. 

"Holy crap, i'm using about 50% of my full strength but he's still so strong!!" I thought as she was slowly making me slide backwards on my feet. 

"What's the matter, is a small girl like me too strong for a big guy like you?" Kendo jokingly asked me as she kept on pushing me. 

"You kidding? I haven't even begun to try yet. But maybe it's time I begin!!" I said as I grasped onto her hands harder, stepped back with my left leg and then twisted my upper body around as much I could. Then, in one fell swoop, I lifted Kendo over my entire body and threw her down into the ground in front of me. She landed hard on her front and was slowly getting up. 

"Don't think i'm done yet!" I said as I crouched down and wrapped my arms around her upper body and arms. 

"Let..... go...... now!!!" She yelled but I had other plans. I jumped up while still holding her and then tilted us back, making us fall head first into the ground. I smashed Kendo into the ground again as I rolled away before I hit the battlefield. 

"And Josh is off to a crazy start, delivering some powerful blows to Kendo!! Can Kendo get back up or has Josh already secured victory!?" All Might announced but Kendo, to no ones surprise got back up. 

"Nice moves..... but it takes a lot more to keep me down...." Kendo said as she brushed off some dust from her training uniform.

"Yeah, didn't think that would do you in. But that was kinda expected from someone who was on U.A's best team." I said as Kendo started running for me again. 

"Well now it's my turn to go on the offensive!" She shouted as she threw her right fist at me. But I sidestepped to my left and easily avoided the attack. But, I quickly found out that was part of her plan when her right hand enlarged and smacked into me, making me fall over. Kendo's right hand was now about 30 times its normal size and was packing some serious heat. 

"Let's see you take this!!" She said as she made a huge fist, raised it up above her and then brought it down onto me. I had zero time to get up so I crossed my arms in front of my chest and face and attempted to block the attack. Long story short, it wasn't very effective. Kendo repeatedly kept on smashing her giant hand down onto me, giving me no time to escape as she was literally cracking the ground below me. She was embedding me into the floor more and more with each strike. 

"Have to..... get out..... of this..... before.... she finishes.... me!!!" I said as Kendo raised her giant fist up once again. 

"NOW!!" I roared as I moved my arms over my shoulders and placed them flat on the ground. Then, as fast and as hard as I could, I pushed off the ground and shot myself at Kendo, delivering a drop kick to her chest and making her stumble back a bit. Finally, I was back on my feet. 

"Not bad at all." Kendo said as she shrunk her fist back to normal. 

"Thanks, you're pretty good yourself. Now let's see if you can keep up!!" I said as I began to run circles around Kendo. I was going near my max, around 40mph and I was actually kicking up a bit of wind and dust in the process.

"I may not be as fast, but i'm stronger than you!! One well placed shot and you're finished!!" Kendo said as she then enlarged both of her hands. She began swinging them at me, but as I predicted, they made her slower and caused her to miss a couple times. 

"What's the matter, can't keep up!?" I said to her as I went in and delivered a few flurries of punches to her head and upper body.

"Stop running and face me head on like a real man!!" Kendo shouted as she twisted her upper body and swung her right giant fist at me. She's predicted i'd come at her from this angle which caught me off guard a bit. But, I dropped to the ground and slid along it on my but, leaning my body back as far as I could so I could slide under her fist. Then, when I fully passes it, I jumped up and spun my left leg around. I delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to the side of Kendo's head and I made her fall over and shrink her hands. 

"With blazing speed, Josh proves he's more than a match for Kendo!! But what's this!? The orange bombshell is getting back up!! Can anything keep her down!?" Present Mic announced as Kendo pushed herself back up to her feet. 

"It's true that you might have more strength than me, Kendo. But if you can't touch me then that doesn't matter now, does it?" I said as she enlarged her hands once again. 

"Then maybe it's time I finally get serious. How does that sound?" Kendo asked as I taunted her to bring it on. 

"Show me what you can do then." I said as she slammed both of her fists directly into the battlefield. She effortlessly broke through the concrete that was the flooring and when she brought her fists up, she was holding two huge pieces of concrete in her hands. 

"Time for some extreme dodgeball!" Kendo roared as she threw one of the chunks of concrete at me. I went to sidestep away from it but my left foot slipped and I lost my footing. I began to fall but I adjusted by going into a roll which allowed me to just narrowly avoid the attack. But, when I looked again, Kendo had already thrown the second chunk of concrete, and this time, I wasn't dodging it. 

"Oh crap!!" I shouted as I reached forward with both arms and caught the chunk of concrete. But the force was so immense that it made me slide backwards a bit. And catching the giant piece of rubble hurt and it dug into the skin of my palms a bit. My hands were beginning to bleed but I was able to successfully stop the attack. But, I was nowhere near safe yet as one of Kendo's giant fists smashed through the piece of concrete, delivering a monster punch to my chest and face that sent me flying across the battlefield.

"What a turnaround!! Kendo finds a way to land a solid shot on Josh and is now in a commanding position!! Can Josh retaliate!? Or has his run finally ended!?" Present Mic announced as I managed to land still within the boundaries of the battlefield. But that one punch hurt like hell. My face was bleeding, no doubt I had a broken nose, and my chest was in a lot of pain as well. I figured it was from those injuries I received from that Markus guy in the forest last week. My ribs were healed and weren't broken anymore, but they still had severe bruising and that's what I was probably feeling right now.

"You alright? You're not looking so good there, Josh. Gonna give up?" Kendo asked me as she approached me, having both of her fists ready to strike again. 

"No way..... i'll be fine..... A hero doesn't quit..... right? There ain't no way.... i'm stopping here..... i'm goin'.... all the way..... to the top....." I said as I stood up on both feet and readied my own fists. I was maybe 10ft from the edge of the battlefield, one could blow would knock me off of it. 

"I'd say it's time I finish this then. Ultimate Move....." Kendo said as she brought both of her giant fists behind her. 

"I can do this all day. No matter what you do..... I am not losing here..... I made a promise, and I intend to keep it...." I said as I planted my feet and reeled back my own fists. I planned to use every bit of strength I had, and it was clear when the veins within my arms nearly popped out. 

"Double Giant Fists!!" Kendo roared as she thrusted her hands forward with all her might. 

"You're not knocking me out!!" I screamed as I did the same. We collided with so much force that the ground beneath our feet cratered. But, I was able to overpower Kendo and send her stumbling backwards. She looked utterly shocked that she lost that exchange. 

"How in the world....?" She questioned as I shook my hands a bit. Despite me winning that exchange, it still hurt a lot. 

"Surprised? I hope so. I didn't just do sprint training for the entire week we had to practice for this event! I pushed myself past all my limits and created new ones that surpass those before by long shots!! A current top running speed of 53mph and the strength to lift a 10 ton dump truck. And i'm not even close to stopping. So bring it on, Kendo. Just try and surpass me!!" I shouted as she shrunk her fists again. 

"Yeah, i'll admit I was a little surprised. I knew you were quick, but to be able to have the strength to lift 10 tons is incredible. But you're not the only one who can lift vehicles. You're a little stronger after all, but strength and speed isn't everything in a fight!! In he end, it comes down to the heart of the champion!!" Kendo shouted as she rushed for me. I did the same to get some distance from the edge and we both went to lock hands again. But mere moments before we touched, Kendo enlarged her hands and trapped my own inside them. 

"Now it's my turn to take you for a swing!! Let's see how you like it!!" Kendo shouted as she lifted me off the ground and then swung me over herself. She slammed me down into the hard battlefield, but she still kept a tight grip on my hands. She then lifted me up again and swung me around to slam me into the ground yet again. 

"This fight's over!! You lose!!!" Kendo said as she swung me one more time, but this time she let go of me. Only I quickly found out she threw me right towards the edge of the battlefield. 

"I.... refuse..... to lose!!!!!" I roared as I smashed one of my hands into the concrete floor, embedding my fingers in it. It stopped all of my momentum, saving me as I was inches from the edge of the field. 

"Talk about a close call!! Josh, by the skin of his teeth, saves himself and keeps himself alive in this brutal fist fight!!" All Might announced with excitement as I could feel my body was shaking now. I was near my limit. 

"Don't have much left in the tank..... gotta finish this soon...." I said as Kendo ran at me with her fists still enlarged. I did the same as we both reeled back our right fists to strike. 

"Come at me with your full strength!!!" Both of us shouted simultaneously as we both threw our fists forward at each other. But, just before my fist struck her giant fist, she shrunk it, forcing me to miss and making me stumble forward. Kendo then spun her body, swinging her other giant hand and delivering a powerful backhand which made me fall over. Kendo then enlarged her other hand, reached down with them and picked me up, using both hands to hold my entire upper body and arms so I couldn't move. She lifted me off the ground and began walking to the edge of the battlefield. 

"You fought well, Josh, but experience was what allowed me to take victory here. All you can do is watch now as I carry you and drop you off this field." Kendo said as we neared the edge. 

"No.... I made a promise to a friend..... And I always keep my promise!!! I WILL NOT LOSE!!!! NOT NOW!!!! NOT EVER!!!!" I roared as I began to use every ounce, every bit, every piece of strength I could muster to spread my arms. Slowly but surely, I began to open up Kendo's hands. And, when they were far enough apart, I raised up my legs and smashed then into Kendo's chest. I forced her to let go and free me as we both regained our footing. But both of us were breathing very heavily and we were bleeding. I'm sure we were both about to run out of gas at any minute. 

"What does it take to knock you out!? Alright fine!! I hoped I wouldn't have to use this, but you've forced me to use my new best move against you!!!" Kendo said as she planted her feet together, extended both of her giant fists straight out to her sides and began to spin for me. 

"I am the man without limits!! If something's in my way then i'll surpass it!!! I'll go beyond!!! Plus Ultra!!!" I shouted as sprinted for Kendo. 

"ULTIMATE MOVE: DOUBLE JUMBO LARIAT!!!" She roared as she came right for me, spinning herself and her fists so fast she was kicking up a small windstorm. But I wasn't afraid of this mighty attack. I ran straight for her and mere inches before she could strike me, I leaped off the ground, jumping over one of her fists. I then flipped my body forward and extended out my right leg. 

"FLYING AXE KICK!!!" I roared as I brought my right leg down, smashing it against the top of Kendo's head and driving her face into the concrete floor. A cloud of dust ensued from the impact but it quickly cleared to reveal me standing over my opponent. 

The official ran over to inspect the damage. He lifted Kendo's upper body off the ground and confirmed she was still breathing, but she wasn't reacting to him in any way. He then gently put her back down and made the call. 

"Kendo has been knocked out!!! Therefore, Josh is the winner!! He advances to the quarter finals!!" The official shouted into his headset as his words spread throughout the entire stadium. The crowd erupted into cheers and chants of my name. I raised my arms up in victory as I dropped to my knees in complete exhaustion. My ribs were in so much pain and i'm sure I lost a fair amount of blood from my broken nose. 

"We'll need a stretcher down here for Kendo, stat. I'm positive she's got a concussion." The official said into his headset. 

"Make that two. She hurt me pretty bad." I said to him as he gave me a nod and ordered two to come out. Sure enough, a few paramedics came rushing out onto the battlefield and carried me and Kendo away to the infirmary. I rested my body and head back as I took one long breath. It was over. I somehow came out on top. 

"Can't keep me down..... can't keep.... me..... down...." I said to myself as I closed my eyes to rest. Hopefully I could be healed in time for my next match. I really hoped so because I would need all the luck I could get in the quarter finals. Especially with Trini waiting for me. But, if I somehow defeat her, then i'd have fulfilled my promise. 

"Phobos..... i'll see you..... in the semi-finals...."