They were on the bus, heading for an undisclosed location, Trace sitting with Kirishima and Jiro, Mina was seated with Toru and Uraraka. While they wanted to sit next to each other, they had a seating chart picked out for them so that wasn't an option, but they agreed it would be fine, since they could still talk to friends.
Trace was talking about pokemon with Kirishima, (turns out he is a major pokemon fan as well) while Jiro awkwardly fidgeted with her right ear jack. Trace after a few minutes of nerding out noticed Jiro's face. He looked at Kirishima and said, "Is it okay if we continue this later, I don't want Jiro to feel left out", he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
Kirishima smiled before asking, "what do we talk about that she's interested in".
Trace put a hand to his chin before snapping his fingers, He noticed Jiro watching videos of Super Smash Bros tournaments. Trace turned back to Kirishima before asking, "do you know a game called Super Smash Bros".
Kirishima's face lit up, "I was a top ranked player in that tournament 2 months ago, but I got second place in that tournament", Kirishima put a hand up in determination, "but i'll just have to try harder next time".
Trace chuckled slightly before hearing Jiro speak up.
"You were in the Crazy Crazels tournament", Jiro was excited.
Kirishima chuckled, "yep, I would have had first with joker but a guy named paroxidal came in and just barely edged me out".
"Paroxidal is crazy with his PAC-MAN, but also his Richter", Jiro had a video pulled up of a montage of him, causing Trace to chuckle.
Trace reached into the bag beneath his seat and pulled out a wolf mask, resting it against his face before saying, "waka waka baby".
Both Kirishima and Jiro sat there shocked.
Trace was about to put his mask up when Kirishima put a hand on his shoulder.
"Where did you get his mask from, I heard he doesn't have merch".
Trace began to laugh. Kirishima was confused but Jiro had figured it out pretty quick.
"It's a custom made mask, after all, if I'm to hide my identity at tournaments, then I need a pretty good mask", Trace chuckled.
Kirishima became wide-eyed at this. "Wait, you're paroxidal?!".
Trace began smiling before cheerfully saying, "guilty as charged".
Jiro was about to squeal when Trace turned to her, "but I don't want word of this getting out, so for now, try to keep it a secret please?".
Jiro managed to calm herself enough but had so many questions but very little time. She decided on three questions. "May I ask three smash bros related questions?".
Trace simply smiled before saying, "go for it".
Jiro getting confirmation started. "Okay, 1: why did you pick up Pac-Man of all characters, 2: who did you start out playing when you first played the game, and 3: who was your toughest opponent".
Kirishima leaned in, excited about his answers, but also curious.
Trace was ecstatic to answer. "1: I picked up Pac-Man because he was so versatile, 2: I actually started out playing Ridley but people got fed up with my fireball tactics so I moved on to Luigi, then Richter, then Pac-Man, and 3: Kirishima easily".
While most would have assumed he was just being kind, Kirishima knew better. Their last match was so close, both players being launched simultaneously out of play, but Trace got lucky he was slightly farther from the blast radius. Kirishima truly was his toughest opponent. He gave trace almost no ability to make distance, forcing Trace to play close range. Plus, Joker's counter was difficult to deal with since it could be popped at any time.
"If I was slightly closer to the blast radius, that match could have easily gone the other way", Trace said joyfully.
The three of them continued talking about Smash Bros, possible character matches, and even bouncing ideas off each other for potential combos. Jiro at one point asked who would be a good character for her to learn. After a line of questions, Kirishima and Trace determined that either Peach or Jigglypuff would be good starters, but she would have to playtest to find which one speaks to her best. After a few minutes of talking, Jiro absentmindedly began rubbing Trace's ears, inciting purring from the kid. Kirishima looked at Jiro with surprise but soon smiled. Trace had already given everyone permission to touch his ears if they wished, so it wasn't so weird, Trace even said it was a feeling he missed.
Mina was chuckling at the sight, Jiro didn't even realize she was rubbing his ears or smiling at Trace, despite Trace's purring, Kirishima was on the verge of laughing, and Trace was laying against Jiro, and though content, was blushing slightly. Mina was about to say something to Jiro when Toru whispered. "Looks like you're not the only one who likes them". Mina began blushing slightly before jokingly saying, "Don't act like you didn't do the same thing at the mall".
Toru went quiet for a second before saying, "his ears are pretty soft". No one could see it but Toru was blushing heavily.
Mina began laughing before slapping a hand on her back, "I'm just messin with you, he gave everyone permission because he knew there were people who really wanted to but wouldn't admit it". Mina turned to Trace before saying, "enjoying yourself Trace".
Trace opened his eyes, surprise filling his face. He was leaning against Jiro who was blushing heavily. He began blushing before moving back to his original position. "Sorry about that Jiro, I don't know what came over me".
Jiro had retracted her hand from his ears. "Apology accepted". Jiro had covered her face in embarrassment.
Mina began laughing, harder than expected. Trace was about to say something before Mina interrupted. "I'm just messing with you Trace, It was cute to watch". Mina shot a wink at both Trace and Jiro, causing both of them to hide their faces, inciting laughter from the entire bus almost.
Eventually, Trace calmed down enough to uncover his face. He was thinking about putting on a mask but decided against it. Instead he turned to Jiro and asked, "are you okay Jiro?".
Though muffled, He could hear her say, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize what was happening there".
Trace took her hands in his own and put them to her sides. He looked her in the eyes and said, "Jiro, you don't have to be embarrassed by that, neither of us were thinking so it's okay, it's not like it was planned".
Jiro began smiling. "Thanks Trace", Jiro relaxed enough to continue watching Super Smash Bros tournament videos.
After a few minutes, the bus stopped.
"ALRIGHT", Aizawa made sure he had everyone's attention. "RESTROOM BREAK, YOU GOT 10 MINUTES".
Everyone filed off the bus, each student heading for restrooms. After 3 minutes, Trace returned to the bus and waited outside of it.
He looked around to see no one around. Seeing his chance, Trace leaned against the bus, and began singing. (Unbreakable by Faydee)
"Times like this, I'm wish I never existed, nobody wants to listen, I'm screaming out for help",
Trace began smiling, "times like this, I wish that I could let go, and open up a window, free to be myself".
"Then there's you, standing over me, trying to make a fool of me, trying to get the best of me, oh", Trace's eyes began glowing a faint blue, "then there's you, trying to shut me out, trying to kick me when i'm down, that ain't gonna stop me know, no".
"How does it feel? To know that I don't care at all? your words don't mean a thing at all, I choose to rise, you choose to fall", Trace began standing straight up, "How does it feel, to know that I am capable of more than you will ever know?".
Trace was smiling, but he could feel tears falling. "Don't tell me I'm not good enough, don't you bring me down, I'm moving up, and you're over now, you gave me fire, every time you came around, my feet are standing on the ground and you won't knock me down… NO MORE OHO OHO OHO, NOW I'M UNBREAKABLE, WOAH OHO OHO OHO, NOW I'M UNBREAKABLE!".
Trace closed his eyes ready to continue, when he heard rustling by the railing.
"Such a lovely voice", someone said.
Trace turned to the railing blushing, "I can hear you, you know".
He stared at the railing, waiting for whoever it was to reveal themselves… but they never did.
Trace raised his fist, "either come out or I come to you", Trace's eyes their neutral brown, but also slightly yellow.
A hand appeared over the railing, "WAIT WAIT WAIT, WE'RE COMING OUT".
4 people jumped out from the railing, revealing them in cat-like costumes.
"TIGER".
"MANDALAY".
"PIXIE-BOB".
"AND RAGDOLL".
The four jumped into a pose before saying, "AND WE ARE THE WILD WILD PUSSYCATS".
"Wait, why were you hiding below the railing", Trace wanted to figure out the motives.
"Well", Ragdoll began, "we were gonna surprise your entire group since we're gonna be helping you train but since you caught us, we may as well just wait here".
Trace felt bad for ruining the surprise. After a minute he sighed, "I can just pretend I never saw you guys, that way you guys can rehide and you get to surprise the others".
Ragdoll lit up with excitement, the others simply smiled. "Thank you sir", Ragdoll said, she was about to jump back down when another thought crossed her mind. She turned back to Trace and asked, "If it's not too much trouble, could you continue your singing, your voice is kind of soothing".
Trace began blushing heavily, "I- I guess I can tr-try". He wasn't comfortable with singing in front of others yet, but it was clear she wanted to hear more so he would give it a shot.
"Thank you kind sir", with that, Ragdoll jumped down with the others to rehide.
Trace took in a breath before leaning back against the bus. He continued.
"Times like this, I'm picking up the pieces, I'm making up the reasons, not to tell a soul", Trace began to smile again, getting into the song once more, "Times like this, I'd rather speak to no one, I just wanna move on, stand up on my own".
"Then there's you, standing over me, trying to make a fool of me, trying to get the best of me, Oh".
"Then there's you, trying to shut me out, trying to kick me when i'm down, that ain't gonna stop me now oh".
"How does it feel? To know that I don't care at all, your words don't mean a thing at all, I choose to rise, you choose to fall", Trace began smiling wider, forgetting where he was, "How does it feel, to know that I am capable of more than you will ever know?".
"Don't tell me I'm not good enough, don't you bring me down, I'm moving up, and you're over now, you gave me fire, everytime you came around, my feet are steady on the ground and you won't knock me down, NO MORE OHO OHO OHO NOW I'M UNBREAKABLE, OHO OHO OHO NOW I'M UNBREAKABLE".
Trace lowered his head slightly, becoming more solemn. "I remember getting teased as a kid, cause of the place that we live, we never had it easy believe me, but that don't excuse the things that we did", Tears fell quickly down Trace's face but his voice held strong, "wouldn't accept that I was never accepted, shed so many tears like I fell in depression, but if i changed I wouldn't get called names, but it was all the same, I was feeling rejected".
Trace stopped leaning against the bus. "Putting someone down, that's a low blow, what goes around comes around like a yo-yo, wish that I could stop time like a photo, but we stand strong bounce back like a pogo".
Trace was so enveloped in the song, he failed to notice his classmates hiding behind the bus, listening to his song. He began singing with his whole heart.
"Don't tell me I'm not good enough, Don't you BRING ME DOWN", Trace was holding his head to the sky, "I'm moving up, and you're over now".
"You gave me FIRE, everytime you came around, MY FEET ARE STANDING ON THE GROUND, and you won't KNOCK ME DOWN".
"NO MORE OHO OHO OHO, NOW I'M UNBREAKABLE, OHO OHO OHO, NOW I'M UNBREAKABLE". Trace raised a hand in the air.
Trace looked at the railing before thinking, "hope you're happy, Ragdoll". He turned back to the bus when he noticed everyone standing there. Trace began blushing heavily. "How long have you guys been watching".
"When you got to "Remember getting teased as a kid" so, about a minute or so maybe", Kaminari said, looking at his watch. "You have a nice voice by the way".
Trace looked down, hoping his blush would fade quickly. He looked at Aizawa who was just standing there smiling. "Is something funny sir", Trace said slightly annoyed.
Mr. Aizawa raised a hand in defense. "Oh no, nothing here is funny, it's just kaminari is right bud, your voice is soothing".
As if sensing his discomfort, The wild wild pussycats jumped from their hiding spot.
"LOCK ON WITH THESE SPARKLING GAZES! WE'VE COME TO LEND A PAW AND HELP!! COMING OUT OF NOWHERE… STINGINGLY CUTE AND CATLIKE! THE WILD WILD PUSSYCATS!!!".
Everyone turned to them in surprise. Trace knew he had to play dumb so He simply put on a look of bewilderement.
"What are you guys doing out here", Mina asked.
Mandalay smiled warmly at them, "we heard about your trip, so we figured we would give you all a challenge, try to reach the cabins in 2 hours", Mandalay pointed past her to the forest behind her.
"What if we would rather take the bus", Mineta asked worriedly.
Pixie-bob began laughing, "oh you don't have a choice bud",
Tiger using his Pilabody quirk, (for those who don't know, he can stretch and flatten his body, but we're getting off track, anyway) Tiger knocked the students over the railing, sending them into the forest.
Trace was the first to reach his feet. He began looking around, seeing his friends on the ground. He ran up to the closest person, which was Mina, and began taking any injuries she had. Trace would then run to the next closest person, and remove their injuries, he would repeat this for everyone until everyone was in tip-top shape.
After a few minutes, his friends began to stir, allowing Trace to finally relax. He turned to the forest before looking at the railing. He knew where to go, but he needed to get the others up first. He began clapping his hands together, "ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE 2 HOURS TO MAKE IT TO THE CABINS, SO LET'S DO THIS".
