The group watched as both teams began to enact their plans. On one screen, Bakugo left the room and made his way down the hall. On the other, Kirishma and Uraraka inched their way through the building, their eyes scouring every shadow and corner.
"Why is Bakugo leaving?" asked Kaminari.
"Not good teamwork just ditching your partner," Jiro added.
"Very true. But it's best to watch and see before making assumptions," All Might cautioned. While their initial interaction would detract from their overall performance, their ability to recover and plan would definitely help. The plan was risky, but the effort was what counted.
"So, who do you think will pop up first?" Ochako asked.
"Hmmm. Probably that Bakugo guy," Kirishima responded.
That was what she had thought as well. While he didn't talk much, his behaviour during the tests told a lot. Flashy and a show off.
"What should we do if he shows up? His quirk is pretty dangerous."
Kirishima stopped to consider. "It'll probably be better for me to fight him. We're both good fighters, but my quirk is better for defending against that kind of power." Before she could respond, a voice sounded nearby.
"You sure about that!?" A huge explosion blasted apart the wall before them, knocking them back. Groaning, Ochako looked up to see Bakugo standing amongst the smoke, a wicked grin on his face. How did he know we-?
"You guys talk too loud!" he laughed. "Don't go surrendering on me now, though!" He blasted forward.
Before she could move, a blur of red rushed in front of her. Another explosion went off, but it was dulled slightly.
"Uraraka, you go on ahead! I'll hold him off!" She nodded and ran down the hallway to her right. After making it safely, she spotted the staircase and headed for it. But before she made it halfway to it, she stopped.
What am I doing? Why am I running? How could she do that? All that time training and she's gonna run from her first real fight?
"No, not again." Turning, she ran back.
"Hey, she turned back!" Mina exclaimed, hopping up and down.
"Good thing too," Mineta added. "Kirishima is getting wrecked."
All Might said nothing as he watched. Going back to help a teammate. She's treating it like a real situation.
Whatever Bakugo and Shoto's plan was, it wasn't going well.
Kirishima knew Bakugo was tough, but this was ridiculous. At first, they seemed evenly matched. He hardened his whole body and was able to resist the blows. He refrained from punching him, not wanting to do too much damage.
Sadly, Bakugo didn't share that sentiment as he was relentless with his explosions. Slowly, he felt his defenses weakening. I can't hold it like this for too long. Dammit!
Finally, a punch landed into his stomach, winding him. He fell back, dazed and in pain.
"Nice try," Bakugo mocked. "Can't defend against me."
Shit. I can't lose now! Bakugo's foot on his chest stopped him from getting up.
"Hey, Icey Hot." I got Kirishima. You can come down to get the gravity girl."
But just as he was about to lose consciousness, a pink blur darted out and hit Bakugo on the side of the head, knocking him into the wall.
Kirishima blinked. "What the…?"
"Come on, get up!" Ochako said, holding out her hand.
Grabbing, Kirishima pulled himself up. Looking over, he saw Bakugo was dazed, half conscious against the wall. "Thanks, but why did you come back?"
She smiled and punched his arm. "I'm not running away from a fight. Plus, I was about to say before he interrupted. You'd probably do better against Todoroki. You could break out of his ice. I can't."
Kirishima nodded. "We should be careful going up. He called for Todoroki when he had me down."
A growl sounded from Bakugo. He was starting to come to.
They both reached for their capture tape.
"Where did it go?" Ochako murmured nervously.
Kirishima cursed. "They probably fell off in the explosion." They glanced around at the rubble. "We don't have time. Let's go." With that they ran down the hall.
"They did well," Iida said.
"Sucks that they couldn't bind Bakugo, though," Satou cut in. "He's gonna be pissed when he wakes up."
So far, both teams have had their ups and downs. Let's see how well this goes.
A few minutes later, they were sneaking their way up the stairs leading to the top floor.
"Ready?" Kirishima asked.
Ochako nodded. They peaked through the doorway and saw…..
"Where is he?" Kirishima asked quietly.
They edged in slowly, looking at the pillars nervously.
As they got within ten feet of the Bomb, the ground suddenly dropped in temperature and their feet stuck to the ground.
"What the-?"Ochako pulled, but her feet wouldn't budge.
"Looks like the plan worked." Turning, they saw Todoroki climbing in from the back window, having been standing on an icy platform just out of sight. His right hand was on the ground, ice radiating outward.
"Dammit!" Kirishima cursed, punching at his feet. Suddenly, ice erupted between the two of them, forming a thick wall. Looking forward, he saw that it cut him off from the Bomb. He was completely cut off.
It was trap all along?
Meet them down there and fight them. Try to separate them if you can. If you get one cornered, make it seem like I'm coming down to help finish them off.
It was convoluted for sure, but it was the best he could think of given the circumstances. He wasn't sure if it would work, considering Bakugo was actually beaten. But it all worked out.
"Looks like you lost."
"Oh no!" Mina said, stomping her foot.
"That was anti-climatic," Kaminari said.
"Now now, students. Whether climatic or not, what matters is what's learned. In addition, it shows a sad truth that we heroes don't always win, which is why we must strive to never do so!"
He was about to speak to both teams when a loud, indiscernible roared into his ear, nearly knocking him off balance.
Oh no….Bakugo.
"Young Bakugo, don't use it it!"
The ground beneath them rumbled, causing the ice to crack.
What was that? Ochako looked back at Todoroki, even he looked surprised.
Suddenly, the ground in front of her exploded, tearing up and through the ceiling. The ice holding her completely shattered, freeing her.
"DAMN YOU!" Looking up, she saw Bakugo standing at the lip of the hole, his eyes animalistic with rage.
How did he do that? She looked at his right gauntlet, which was glowing red.
"Dammit, Bakugo!" Todoroki yelled, trying to freeze the ground again. Ochako was ready this time. She jumped and pressed her hands together, her quirk keeping her in the air.
"Shut up, Icy hot! Just keep the red guy down!" He raised his hand menacingly, explosions popping between his fingers. "She's mine."
Shoto sighed and ran to Kirishima, who had already started to make his way to the Bomb. He sent ice to trap and block, but he started pounding away at the obstacles.
Ochako looked at Bakugo as he walked towards her.
This is bad. He's faster and stronger. He isn't afraid to hurt his classmates. I just need to out maneuver him.
He suddenly blasted towards her, his mouth curled in a fierce snarl.
Oh God! She dropped to dodge, his hand missing by an inch. She pushed off of his shoulder, transferring the quirk's effects to him.
Suddenly, he was floating away from her.
What the hell!?
"Hey! You little-You're dead! You hear me? Dead!"
Ochako laughed a little, than ran to help Kirishima.
Enji smashed the newly formed ice holding him.
Okay, this is getting annoying. He looked at Shoto, who was running to catch up to him while trying to stall him. His arm was starting to frost over and his breathing getting more ragged.
His annoyance faded, giving way to concern.
He's freezing over.
Turning around, he ran at Shoto. His eyes widening, he attempted to freeze him in place, but Enji dodged them all. When he got close, he swung his fist around, knocking Shoto to the ground out cold.
"Sorry pal. Don't want you getting hurt." Turning back around, he saw Ochako running to the Bomb. He was about to run and join her when he felt a burst of wind. Looking back, he saw Bakugo blasting his way towards the bomb, even faster than before.
"Look out!" He yelled.
Ochako turned and yelped, pressing her hands together. Bakugo suddenly decreased in speed, skidding on the ground before stopping between her and the Bomb. Not giving any time, he slammed his hand down in a big explosion. She was just able to use her quirk on herself when she was sent flying back. After a few moments, her stomach knotted and she had to stop. She stopped and fell to the ground, retching multicolored dust.
I'm at my limit. Why now!?
She couldn't risk anymore, or else she might really hurt herself. Taking a shaky breath, she started to push herself up, unaware of the blasted hole in the wall behind her.
"Back for round two, huh?" Bakugo sneered, breathing heavily.
Kirishima cracked his knuckles. "Just warming up."
Looks like I'll have to crack him this time. Just as he was about to use the other gauntlet, All Might's voice came through.
"If you use that again, your team will be disqualified."
He gritted his teeth. "Dammit," he muttered. "Looks like I'll have to get my hands dirty again."
Just as he was about to rush forward, his eye glanced over to a large hole in the wall to his left. It must have opened in the first explosion. He then saw that gravity girl standing at the very edge, looking sick. The ground beneath her was still icy and slanting towards the edge.
Moron, he thought. She'd learn not to mess with him after he was done with this guy. But something about the sight made him feel uneasy. His heart started pounding and a tiny pain in the back of his head flared.
What the hell? What's going-
The girl, now standing, started to slip and lost her balance. She fell towards the edge.
Red shoes at the ledge. No sign of him.
His mind snapping back to reality, his mouth opened and words came out faster than he could process them.
"GET AWAY FROM THERE YOU IDIOT!"
Ochako tried to stay steady, but the ice made it impossible. She slipped and fell backward. As she did, she felt sunlight hit her face. It was then she realized that there was no wall, only an edge.
Oh no….
She put her hands together, but only felt a twinge in her gut.
No no no no no no….
Everything was silent, almost in slow motion.
She frantically grabbed at the ledge, one hand gripping a loose bit of stone that started to crumble.
I can't….I can't…..
"Hey sweetie. I happy that you want to help us. But I'd be happier if you achieved your own dreams."
Dad…
Just as her hand came loose, another snatched her arm. Looking up, she was surprised to see Bakugo there, a wild look in his eyes. With a growl, he pulled her up and flung her away from the ledge.
As she tried to come back to her senses, she heard a voice calling out.
"Hey! Are you alright?" He helped her to her feet.
"Y-Yeah. I'm okay." Looking over at Bakugo, he stood with his back to them, unnatrually still.
"T-Thanks," she said weakly.
He said nothing for a few moments. Then…
"What!? What do you mean we lost!?"
He glanced over to his left. They followed his gaze and saw that the bomb was destroyed.
I must've blasted it when I…..
Why did I do that?
Shaking his head, he let out an angry yell.
Then he pointed a finger at the pair. "You got lucky this time!" He then stomped off.
There was a moment of awkward silence.
"So….we won?" Kirishima asked.
"I guess," Ochako responded, watching as Bakugo left. That look in his eyes when he saved her. She couldn't make it out. It was like fear but, not quite. In fact, it was almost familiar.
Shaking her head, she pointed at Shoto. "We should help him up."
Kirishima nodded and they went to help their classmate.