We got up from the groud, rubbing the places where we'd all been blasted back into the cement.
"What's happening?" asked Iida.
Kirishima got up on his shoulders again, and I stepped onto Midoriya's. We took a peek over the wall to see what was going on.
"Mt, Lady, Gang Orca, Even best Jeanist" said Kirishima.
"And Mr. Tiger too!" I added. It seemed they'd secured all the Noomu. There were cops, and agents, and people there ready to take the initiative and restrain all the villains.
"The heroes were making their move long before we were," said Iida, grinning.
"Amazing," said Kirishima.
"Well, let's get out of here," said Iida, cheerful agin. "There's nothing for us to do here!"
Midoriya had lingered behind, and he was gazing - not really at anything in front of us, more like he was looking somewhere far away, wherever Bakugou was. "'Gone with All Might? Is he where Kacchan is?" he murmured.
I smiled, relieved and eagar to get moving; I told him, "If All Might's there, there's no reason for us to worry. "Come on. Let's get going."
We headed down the alleyway, but Midoriya had stopped. He was looking back again. In the distance, something like footsteps were coming. Long footsteps we could hear even from this distance. Loud voices from the Pros, sounding like they were panicking. And then -
It happened in an instant. We couldn't even turn around. We had no idea what happened, in a single instant - in less than a second - this man's aura, it made us see death itself. Visions of it, really. I could see us all, stretched in a pool of blood in my head, lying on the ground and broken.
The man floated above the ground - he floated like someone hanging from a rope instead of flying, like Uraraka would. He wore a face mask, filled with pipes, a black suit, dark shoes…no sign of a face, or eyes.
And we could hear now, his raspy voice through the pipe mask. "Just when Tomura was starting to think for himself. And beginning to lead others by himself…if possible, I'd like for you all to stop interfering. Well then, let's get it over with."
clap - clap - clap -
The noises came to us through a sea of fear.
"As expected of the Number four hero, Best Jeanist," said the villain. "I was trying to blast everyone away. But in an instant, you controlled everyone's clothes and pulled them out of the way! Your judgment, technique…you've got nerves of steel! But the strength that you possess is the result of considerable training and practical experience. Yours - I don't need yours…"
And we heard the sound - which we saw over the wall's broken side - was the sound of the villain blasting a hole in Best Jeanist's stomach.
"Your quirk doesn't suit Tomura's personality," he concluded.
What in the world was that? Oh no…My body won't move…
splash -
"Ugh, what the crap is this?!"
Bakugou!
He'd been warped in from nowhere, it seemed, and he was coughing in front of the villain.
"Apologies, Bakugou," said the Villain.
"Eh?"
More noises - splashing -
And the League of Villains in total were warped in as well - all of them. Mst were new.
"You've failed again, Tomura," said the Villain, but this wasn't reprimanding…"But you cannot get discouraged. All you need do is try again. I brought your comrades back for you, and this boy too, because you deemed him an important piece. Try as many times as you'd like. That's why I'm here. Everything is for your sake."
I felt movement around me. All three of them - Midoriya, Kirishima, and Todoroki too - had attempted to get moving.
I grabbed Kirishima; at the same time, Iida grabbed the other two.
I will protect you. I have to focus. Have to think . We have to get away.
"Ah, there you are!"
I jumped outta my skin; the Villain - had he noticed us?
No - he was talking to -
All Might came flying in from up above, and his fists slammed into the Villain's - the force of it shaking the very ground beneath our feet.
"I'll have you return my student, All for One!"
"Are you going to kill me a second time, All Might?" he taunted.
The force of their battle was tossing up rocks, swirling through the air with power and explosions. The wind was blasting over us, even behind the stone wall. We couldn't hear their conversation any more.
"He even stopped All Might!" gasped Midoriya.
The villain had blasted All Might with the force of his power through multiple buildings. As we watched in horror, he activated - somehow, even though he was unconscious - he started up the Warp Gate Villain's quirk. A portal was opened, and even as AllMight came back and slammed towards him again -
The League had turned to Bakugou, and were getting ready to grab him again and drag him away through that portal.
"All Mght!" cried Midoriya.
"If you know you're breaking the rules, your actions are the same as villains"
"I know how it feels too, but we can't let our emotions get the best of us…"
"That's why It's against the law for uncertified people to use their quirks to cause injury…"
"Why did it have to be you two?"
How do we get away - now can I -
"Iida, everyone!" cried Midoriya.
"Don't even think about it, Midoriya," said Iida.
"No!" said Midoriya. "There's a way! Away for us to avoid combat, to rescue Kacchan, and get out of here too!"
"Spit it out already," said Todoroki.
"The thing is," he said slowly, looking down at his hand - and looking really sad for some reason. "This plan, if it's me doing it, it will probably fail. It's got to be you, Kirishima. You're the key to making this successful."
And he told us his plan.
"Iida…" I said slowly. I really couldn't be sure myself. Would this plan work? Would it keep su out of danger?
"It may be a gamble," said Iida slowly. "But considering the circumstances, the risk to us is relatively low…above all, if we succed, then it will be worth it. Let's do it."
"First, we propel ourselves forward using my full Cowl and Iida's recipro. Then, we'll break through the wall with Kirishim'as hardening. The second we break through, Todoroki creates an ice ramp for us. Make it as high as possible, so that we can fly off on it. The villains still haven't noticed us. Up until now, we've always had to react to their moves, but this time around, we can make the first move! We'll cross the battlefield at a height where they can't reach us. Kacchan has been staying on guard with these opponents. He's been creating distance from them while fighting. The time to act is the moment he's more than two steps away from the villains. The villain's boss is keeping All Might's hands tied, but that also means his are too. Then it's up to you Kirishima. It can't be me, or Todoroki, or Iida, or even Yaoyorozu. Ever since we started school, up till now, you've built a solid relationship with Kacchan, as equals. If his friend calls to him, he'll listen!"
And we saw from a distance Kirishima reach out his hand to Bakugou - who took his cue, and soared above the villains' heads precisely as Midoriya has instructed, grabbed Kirishima's hand, and was whisked away to safety.
Todoroki turned back to me. "Just as planned. Let's get out of here."
And with a nod, I followed him through the alleyway and out into the streets.