Dragon Rider

Chapter 5

"Congratulations," Aizawa huffed as he stood at the podium before the gathered students of 1-A. "You managed to not make a mockery of your positions."

There were a handful of cheers and gratitude's from around the room, but they were quickly silenced by Aizawa's glowing scowl.

"Those of you who did well received more offers for internships," Aizawa explained. "Those of you who are dissatisfied, remember, you've got three more chances to prove yourselves."

Aizawa hit a button and turned on a projector that displayed their internship numbers on the board.

Midoriya Izuku: 2643

Yaoyorozu Momo: 1045

Uraraka Ochako: 948

Todoroki Shouto: 945

Iida Tenya: 543

Kirishima Ejiro: 291

Shinso Hitoshi: 10

Sero Hanta: 5

"This is honestly about what it normally looks like," Aizawa sighed. "Those of you who didn't receive any offers will be interning with one of the preselected agencies that partners with UA. And since you'll all be getting workplace experience, you'll need-"

"Hero names!" Midnight interrupted as she slammed the door to the room open.

"Yes," Aizawa nodded, unbothered that he had been interrupted. He was already halfway into his sleeping bag. "I'm not very good at this type of thing, so Midnight will be here to double check you don't pick anything you'll regret."

"Now," Midnight began as she passed whiteboards out at the front of each row. "You'll each come up and present your names to the class."

"What, like aloud?" Kaminari asked in shock.

"You'll be using these names in public," Midnight explained. "Better get comfortable with them quick."

With that the boards were passed back, and each student was left to their own devices. Izuku quickly uncapped his pen and wrote the words he had known would be his hero name since he had first learned them.

He waited patiently all the same. Aoyama was the first to rush to the front of the room, and while his first choice of hero name was strange, it did however get the ball rolling. Before Izuku even knew what was happening everyone had gone, and Midnight was calling for his choice.

Izuku walked up to the front of the classroom and presented his hero name. There was a moment of silence as everyone read it, and Izuku almost smiled at the confusion that swept through the room.

"Um, dude," Kaminari called as he scratched at the side of his head. "I don't mean to be rude, but like what the fuck does that even say?"

"Shur'tugal," Izuku answered smoothly.

"Yeah, but I mean, what does that even mean?" Kirishima laughed awkwardly.

"It is a word that encapsulates Jade and I as one, as a team, and as protectors of peace," Izuku explained.

"Hmm, it is a bit of a mouthful though," Midnight hummed. "You'll probably get lots of people saying it wrong."

"That's fine," Izuku nodded. "All that matters is that I know the truth."

"Well okay then," Midnight cheered.

It was lunch before Izuku really got a chance to look over his offers. He hadn't so much as read the first name though before a few friends joined him where he sat in the green: namely Kirishima, Momo, and Uraraka.

"Yo man," Kirishima greeted.

"Hello," Izuku returned with a bow of his head.

"Hello Jade," Momo greeted the dragon as she sat down with her double portion of lunch.

Jade lifted only a single eyelid, his head resting in the grass next to Izuku as he rested against Jade's torso. Hello, he laughed with a huff that blew hot air in their faces and blew their hair back.

"So do you know who you're going to do the work study with?" Uraraka asked as she eyed his hefty stack of offers.

"I haven't had the chance to examine the list yet," Izuku shook his head.

Izuku could feel Jade roll his eyes beneath his eyelids. He held back from elbowing the cheeky dragon, it really wasn't worth the bruised elbow.

"I know what you mean," Momo sighed. "It feels a near insurmountable task."

"I think I'm gonna go with Fourth Kind," Kirishima exclaimed with a grin. He grabbed at his flexed bicep as he continued. "He's super manly."

"Well, I was hoping to learn some more like martial arts and stuff," Uraraka told them. "I don't know who's really good for that though."

"What about Edgeshot?" Momo asked. "Did you get an offer from him?"

"Ummm," Uraraka hummed as she did a quick scan of the first page. "I don't think so. He's top ten, right?"

"Uraraka! He's number five!" Kirishima exclaimed.

"Sorry, I don't really know all that many heroes," Uraraka confessed.

"But heroes are the coolest!" Kirishima proclaimed.

"It's harder to keep track of them out in the country," Izuku explained.

The squeak that slipped from Uraraka told him that he had said something wrong, but the stares from Momo and Kirishima felt more pressing in the moment.

"The news rarely covers anything but the most major of villain attacks," Izuku went on. "As a result, there is little to be seen of any but the top ten heroes. I don't know that I could name a single one besides the faculty."

"Man, that's a bummer," Kirishima sighed as he deflated. Then he seemed to instantly reinflate with all of his previous energy. "I know! Give me your list, I'll help you find someone with sick martial arts skills."

As Kirishima began riffling through Uraraka's list and explaining different heroes, Momo turned and gave Izuku a curious look.

"Would you like help as well?" Momo asked him.

"No thank you, Momo" Izuku shook his head. "I already know who I'm hoping to work with, I just need to make sure she sent in an offer."

"Oh?" Momo mused with a curious tilt of her head. "Who is it, if you don't mind me asking."

The only other dragon in the sky, Jade answered with an amused tone.

Momo's brow furrowed for half a second before realization struck. "Ryukyu?"

"That's right," Izuku nodded with a small smile. "Jade here still wants to prove he's faster than her."

You are the only one foolish enough to think that the half dragon could ever hope to match me in the air, Jade huffed. He even bothered to open his eyes just to send a lazy glare at Izuku.

"She caught you once," Izuku reminded him with a shrug.

"What?" Momo gasped.

Izuku likes to think that because we once had a brief conflict in the air that the half dragon is my equal, Jade explained with a roll of his now open eyes.

"What about you Momo?" Izuku asked to change the subject. "Do you know who you want to work with?"

"Well, I have a few top ten requests," Momo told him as she held up the first page of her own list. "It feels like a wasted opportunity to not select one of them, though I'm not certain which one."

"What are you hoping to get from the experience?" Izuku asked. "That should help determine."

"I don't know," Momo sighed with a shake of her head. "I feel as if I need to improve in almost every aspect."

"Hmm," Izuku hummed. "I can't say I agree with your assessment, but if that's how feel then perhaps a good all-around hero is the right choice. Top ten or not."

A soft blush dusted Momo's cheeks as she gave a nod and began checking over her list once again. Izuku simply leaned back into Jade's shoulder and ignored the teasing tone of the dragon's thoughts.

Izuku was relaxing on the sofa in the common room that day, just having gotten back from dropping off his work study choice with Aizawa. It was a quiet afternoon in the 1-A dorms. A few small groups existed, discussing the work study still as well as the sport's festival.

"Hey Midori," Uraraka greeted as she walked over.

"Hello Uraraka," Izuku returned as she sat next to him.

"So why haven't you asked out Yaomomo yet?" she asked.

Izuku looked at her, one of his eyebrows raising at the sudden question. Uraraka just rolled her eyes.

"I see the way you two are around each other," Uraraka huffed. "I think the whole class can tell you like each other. So why haven't you confessed yet."

Izuku just sighed. He could feel Jade's subtle presence in his mind as he felt Izuku's reaction. At least Jade could feel the full complicatedness of this whole mess without Izuku having to voice it.

"It's not that simple Uraraka," Izuku explained. "There are a number of reasons why it could never work."

"What do you mean?" Uraraka asked with a tilt of her head.

"First of all, we are training to be heroes," Izuku said. "That hardly leaves us with ample free time or energy to devote to a relationship."

"I don't know," Uraraka shook her head. "That seems like pretty weak logic to me Midori."

"Perhaps," Izuku shrugged. "It is the second issue that is harder to overcome regardless."

"And what's that?"

"Is it fair to date when you'll never age?" Izuku asked.

"What?"

"It's something I have thought about a good deal," Izuku told her. "I can never grow old with someone, I can never retire, and I'm unsure if I could handle watching my children age and die as I remained forever the same."

"Wait," Uraraka shook her head wildly. "You're immortal?!"

"I am ageless," Izuku corrected. "I can still die, but I will never age much beyond how you see me now."

"That's insane!"

"Yes," Izuku agreed with a nod.

"But don't you think you could talk to Momo about it?" Uraraka offered. "I mean, if she's okay with it, couldn't you at least try?"

"I don't know Uraraka," Izuku sighed.

It was clear she didn't have a good answer either. After a moment, she left and Izuku was left alone once again.

Izuku, Jade murmured sadly, but there was really nothing left to be said. He and Jade were one and the same. They really only had each other.

"All right everyone," Izuku instructed as they stood before the bus. "Please be sure to follow Yaoyorozu's directions and do your best not to miss your trains."

"Are you not coming with us Midori?" Mina asked.

"Jade would be unable to traverse the metro," Izuku explained. "The hero I'm working with is going to meet us here and then fly with us to their agency."

"What?! That's so cool!" Mina exclaimed as she jumped up in excitement.

"It is merely a practical solution," Izuku said with a wave of his hand.

He made sure to do a count as the students boarded, and after all eighteen of the others were aboard, he gave Aizawa the all clear. The bus rolled out and Izuku was left alone near the gate.

How long until the half dragon arrives? Jade asked. He was still out on the green, laying on the soft grass.

No idea, Izuku shrugged as he made his way back. She said she'd meet us at the green though, so I guess we'll just have to wait there.

And nap, Jade huffed. Izuku felt him close his eyes and settle further into the grass, but he was a long way from actual sleep at this point.

Izuku just rolled his eyes as he arrived to see Jade just as he knew he would be, laying in the grass, his armor glimmering in the morning sun. Izuku's armor could fit in the saddle bags, but Jade's was far too cumbersome. They had opted to have him wear it as they travel. He went over and settled beside the dragon, leaning into his shoulder, and enjoying the warmth that radiated off of him.

He had already packed all of his armor in Jade's saddle bags alongside Saphira's heart. Though their master was sleeping, it would not due to leave her behind. He decided he might as well enjoy the opportunity for a nap as well.

He felt he had only barely closed his eyes before a wind whipping across the green brought his attention to the skies above. Ryukyu was circling above them, her wings sending the wind billowing down onto the green.

Izuku rose just as Ryukyu set down, shrinking quickly back to her human form.

"It's good to see you again Ryukyu," Izuku greeted with a bow.

"Yeah well, not every day another dragon hero makes their way onto the scene," Ryukyu laughed as she took several steps closer, so they no longer needed to speak any louder than a normal volume. "Imagine my surprise when the brat I caught flying without a permit absolutely wrecks shop at the UA sport's festival."

"Thank you," Izuku said with a smile.

"You ready to get going?" Ryukyu asked as she jerked a thumb up and over her shoulder. "We only got a week together and I plan to make the most of it."

"Yes ma'am," Izuku nodded.

"None of that ma'am shit," Ryukyu huffed. "It makes me feel like I'm ninety. Just call me Ryukyu."

"Yes Ryukyu," Izuku nodded.

It was the third day of the internships and Ryukyu was once again having Izuku and Jade face off against her and Nejire, her intern. Nejire was a third year at UA and apparently a part of some group called the big three. She was a formidable opponent to be sure.

Izuku fired another magically blunted arrow at the flying third year only for it to be batted aside by an energy blast. Jade was currently doing arial maneuvers to avoid Ryukyu's grasping talons.

That was something they had learned quickly to avoid. Ryukyu's more human arms may not have allowed the same degree of protection with their lack of scales, but she had a larger range of motion than Jade and could grab things in her hands with ease. Things like Izuku.

"So can Jade breathe fire?" Nejire asked as Izuku sent another arrow to keep her at bay, he was upside down while Jade did a loop to try and get behind Ryukyu. She was already swerving and gunning for Izuku all the same. "And what about that crazy thing you did with Endeavor? Could you stop Ryukyu in the sky? Could you knock me out of the air? Is it true you can put people to sleep? Or that you silenced the entire cafeteria during the break in?"

"Enough," Ryukyu announced, though whether it was at Nejire's barrage of questions or her calling off the practice fight wasn't immediately clear. Not until she went and settled on the rooftop to her agency.

She shrunk back to her human form and Jade was able to land beside her. The roof, they had learned, was fortified to handle extreme weight, and was spacious enough that Jade had no problems fitting.

"That was well done," Ryukyu commended as Izuku slipped out of the saddle. "Though it is rare that you'll come against an opponent the size of a dragon. You did well against Nejire as well."

"Thank you," Izuku bowed.

"That was so much fun!" Nejire cheered as she floated above their heads. "Look at this bruise!" She continued as she held up her arm, her sleeve was rolled back to reveal a nasty bruise she'd received from one of Izuku's arrows.

"I can fix that for you," Izuku offered.

"Save your energy," Ryukyu huffed. "We're going for a patrol later and it won't do to have you falling asleep on us."

"Yes ma'am," Izuku sighed.

"I told you not to call me ma'am!" Ryukyu snapped, though there wasn't any real anger in her tone.

"We're just going to be patrolling around here, right?" Nejire asked. "You're from around here right Midoriya?"

"Sorta," Izuku nodded. "I live pretty far from the city proper though."

"What's that like? Do you live on a farm? Is it because of the dragon? Could you even fit him in an apartment?"

"It's nice," Izuku said, choosing to focus only on the first question.

"Alright Nejire," Ryukyu sighed. "Why don't you take Midoriya here down to grab some lunch. We'll go patrolling once you both have something in your stomachs."

"Okay!" Nejire cheered. She grabbed Izuku's hand and drug him off into the building.

Patrolling involved Nejire, Izuku, and Ryukyu walking along the street while Jade circled lazily above them and relayed info about what he could see. Apparently, it was common for the Dragoon hero agency, an agency where almost every hero, sidekick, and intern had some form of enhanced mobility, for at least one member on any team to be in the sky while the others traveled below and made their presence known. Statics showed that having heroes on the streets drove the crime rate in an area down, so Ryukyu insisted that someone be on the ground at all times.

It had been a quiet afternoon, much like the previous two. They had gotten word of some big villain take down over in Hosu yesterday, but Musutafu hadn't had any excitement to speak of.

There's a fight of some sort in the alley two blocks down, Jade informed them all. He was circling overhead of where he was directing them, but people rarely bother to look up.

They took off towards the alley, Ryukyu and Nejire taking the lead the way Ryukyu had instructed. Izuku wasn't authorized to act as anything but recon, so he was watching instead.

They rounded the corner to find two men going at it all out. One with stone fists was doing his best to hit the other who was dodging with some sort of minor teleportation.

Nejire quickly sent an energy blast between the two of them and they both leapt back and looked at the three of them.

"Freeze," Ryukyu announced. "You're both under arrest for public quirk use."

The man with the teleportation quirk seemed to sigh in relief, but the rock handed man was instantly irate.

"Who the fuck do you bitches think you-"

He was cut off as Nejire skipped forward, kicked his feet out from under him, and slammed him face first into the asphalt.

"Please don't resist sir," Nejire giggled. She bent down and tied the man's wrists together with a zip tie. "We'll be taking you both to the police now so they can sort this out."

"Thank you," the teleporter sighed with a bow. "I'll gladly come with you."

"Thank you for your cooperation, sir," Ryukyu nodded.

Nejire hefted the guy she had taken down up onto her shoulder and led the way out of the alley and back onto the street. It was a quick walk to the nearest police station, and after giving a brief summary of the events the three heroes were sent on their way.

Jade was waiting for them just outside the police station.

Your phone's been ringing, Jade said.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Izuku sighed as he went and dug through Jade's saddle bag for his phone.

It's always ringing these days, Jade huffed.

"Ooh," Nejire cooed. "Got a girlfriend there Midoriya?"

"Code names Nejire Chan," Ryukyu reminded her.

"Oh right," Nejire nodded. "Shirtman."

Izuku sighed as he saw Toshi had been the one calling. He returned the call quickly.

"Young Midoriya!" Toshi answered on the first ring. "Please tell me your mother is with you."

"No, sir," Izuku shook his head. "Is everything alright?"

"No," Toshi told him. "I was supposed to meet her for a date, but your house has been broken into and she isn't here!"

"What?" Izuku gasped. He was instantly in Jade's saddle, the dragon taking flight in an instant.

"Shur'tugal?" Ryukyu called after him in surprise.

Izuku didn't bother responding. "Where are you?" he asked Toshi instead.

"I'm still at your place," Toshi answered. "The police are on their way."

"We'll get there first," Izuku told him. He hung up the phone.

"Shur'tugal!" Ryukyu shouted up at him, she was flying behind him, doing her best to keep pace with Jade. "Where do you think you're going?"

"All Might has called for help," Izuku answered her. He projected his thoughts to make sure she and Nejire could hear him well.

"What?" Ryukyu gasped.

"Head due east along the interstate out of the city," Izuku told them. "The house is twenty miles north of the road and fifty outside the city."

"Aren't you leading us there?" Nejire asked.

"Yes," Izuku agreed. "But we're not holding back. Jade."

On it, Jade acknowledged. He rose higher as the flapping of his wings sped up to new heights. Any joy he was taking in getting to test his speed against Ryukyu gone with the situation.

Izuku leapt out of the saddle the second Jade landed beside the barn. Toshi was already there. He had been nervously pacing the backyard, looking between the house and the skies until he spotted Jade.

"Young Midoriya," Toshi greeted him tersely. "I should say that you shouldn't have come, but I can't blame you."

"What happened?" Izuku asked as he made his way to the backdoor.

"I'm afraid I don't know," Toshi answered with a shake of his head. "The door was unlocked but it wasn't busted, the only damage was inside."

Izuku looked around the kitchen and fought against the twisting disgust that roiled in his stomach. There were scorch marks all around the walls. The table and chairs he had sung from the trees were in splinters. The cabinets he and his mom had painted together were scorched black with doors caved inwards. Broken dishes littered the floor. The whole place was a mess.

"I'm sorry," Toshi sighed with a bow of his head. "This is my fault. She was only a target because of me."

"No Toshi," Izuku shook his head. "We don't know who did this or why. Assuming they were targeting you is dangerous."

"We'll find her," Toshi promised.

Izuku, Jade called. The others are arriving.

Izuku nodded and left the kitchen, returning to the backyard to wait beside Jade. Toshi walked with him. Izuku could spot Ryukyu the second he was in the backyard, he arrived beside Jade just as Ryukyu landed, Nejire passed out on her back.

"It really was All Might," Ryukyu panted as she shrunk down, resting her hands on her knees. Nejire fell to the ground out cold.

"Apologies for taking off," Izuku apologized with a bow.

The sound of sirens from the front yard marked the arrival of the last group they were waiting on.

"That'll be the police," Toshi jumped after a moment. He turned and made his way to the front.

"Where are we?" Ryukyu asked looking around.

"This is my home," Izuku told her.

"What?"

"All Might came here and found my mother missing and the inside destroyed," Izuku informed her.

The ringing of his phone interrupted and Izuku quickly fished it out of the saddle bag.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Bet you think your hot shit just because you beat those extras, don't you Deku?" Bakugo snarled through the phone. "Well, who's laughing now?"

"Where is my mother Bakugo?" Izuku asked, his voice cold.

"If you don't want me to blow her face in you better come to the park you shit," Bakugo instructed. "One hour. Then she gets what's rightfully yours."

Before Izuku could respond the line went dead.

Toshi came back into the back yard, a police detective with him.

"We need to go," Izuku told him as he got up into the saddle.

"What?" Toshi gasped.

"I've received their demands," Izuku explained. "We need to get back to the city."

"Where are we going?" Ryukyu asked as she began to inflate back to her full dragon form.

"The park at the corner of main and 13th," Izuku explained. "Get in the saddle Toshi."

"Right," Toshi nodded. He leapt up and landed deftly behind Izuku. Jade took off without a moment's hesitation.

"I'm going to get off here," Toshi told him as they began passing over the cluster of trees at the edge of the park. "Tell Ryukyu to land here as well. Don't worry, we'll be in the trees, ready to back you up."

"Right," Izuku nodded. Jade was already relaying the info.

"I'm going to prioritize getting your mother out of danger," Toshi said, and then he was gone.

Jade circled around the park, his keen eyes picking up on where Bakugo was lurking near the edge of the trees by the children's playground. They landed not ten feet from him, the wind knocking him back a step. Izuku's mom was there, she was tied up and laying on the ground. She was conscious but the scorch marks on her clothes and blisters on her face proved she hadn't gone down without a fight.

"Took you long enough, Deku," Bakugo spat. "Here I was thinking you were going to be too much of a coward to show up."

"What do you want Bakugo?" Izuku asked as he slipped out of the saddle.

"What the fuck do you mean?" Bakugo growled. "I'm here to prove that I'm the best! You only won that phony ass tournament because I wasn't there!"

Izuku wished he could say he was surprised Bakugo was taking this path.

"When I beat you," Bakugo continued, he was nearly foaming at the mouth with his ferocity. "That rat faced principal will come crawling back, begging me to be a part of his stupid hero course."

"Bakugo, you've just kidnapped my mother," Izuku pointed out. He did his best to keep his voice calm, to deescalate the situation. "You're not dumb enough to think that this was the way to get back into a hero course."

"Fuck you!" Bakugo screamed. "You've ruined everything! You and that fucking lizard of yours don't deserve to be at UA! That was my dream! It was my right! You stole that from me!"

Bakugo's whole focus was on Izuku, so he never noticed the flash of motion as Toshi slipped from the trees. Izuku made sure that Bakugo never looked away, he slowly raised his hands and tried to appear non-threatening. He could sense Ryukyu and Nejire just out of sight in the trees.

"You think I'm scared of you?" Bakugo snarled. His palms began sparking dangerously, the explosions popping angrily. "I'll show you what an actual quirk looks like you fucking Deku!"

With that Bakugo leapt towards Izuku. Izuku could see Ryukyu and Nejire jumping to intercept, but they were both unprepared for the burst of speed that Bakugo's explosions provided. Bakugo was going to reach him first.

Izuku ducked low, prepared to slip under Bakugo's over telegraphed right hook, but Bakugo switched tactics as he did. He used the explosion of his right hand to spin around and bringing another blow towards Izuku, his left arm sweeping down and up towards him in a vicious uppercut.

"Push," Izuku commanded with a raised hand, shoving Bakugo's fist to the side and leaving him wide open. He grabbed his sword and brought the jeweled handle of his blade up as he drew the weapon and struck Bakugo across the face with the pommel, the forest green blade flashing through the air as he moved.

Bakugo stumbled backwards and directly into Nejire's path. Nejire wasted no time kicking the back of Bakugo's knee. Bakugo fell down halfway into a crouch, Nejire's arms wrapping around him and then threw him backwards in a suplex. Bakugo's head slammed into the earth hard. Izuku waited for him to get up, but as Nejire let go he slumped to the ground unmoving.

"Well, that was disappointing," Nejire sighed. "So, what's the deal Shirt Ugly? Do you know this guy?"

"He was expelled from 1-A earlier this year," Izuku explained.

"Damn," Nejire nodded.

"Language Nejire Chan," Ryukyu corrected. "The press is already here."

"Already?" Nejire asked.

She and Izuku turned to find cameras and journalists watching from the street.

"How did they get here so quickly?" Izuku asked. The whole ordeal had taken minutes at most.

They were already here when we arrived, Jade huffed. I'm guessing Bakugo contacted them as part of his plan.

"How did I miss that?" Izuku asked more to himself than the others. He had been seeing through Jade's eyes and not noticed what he had.

"Don't feel too bad Shur'tugal," Ryukyu assured him. "You're still getting used to being in the field, the tunnel vision goes away."

"Are we going to go give a statement?" Nejire asked excitedly.

"I suppose we should," Ryukyu sighed. "This technically counts as your debut Shur'tugal. Let's go introduce you to the world."

Katsuki woke up in a rumbling room, chained to the bench he was sitting on. He looked around, ready to blow up whoever the fuck thought they could keep him here, but his explosions never came. There was a fucker sitting across from him, a giant ass gun in his lap.

"Overcompensating for something you fuck?" he snarled.

The extra didn't even have the balls to respond. He just sat there and stared forward, his dark goggles hiding what he was looking at.

Katsuki began pulling at his chains, doing his best to break them.

"Stop that," the fucker grunted at him.

"What the fuck are you going to do it about it you extra?" Katsuki growled at him.

He took a gun butt to the gut for his troubles. He fell back onto the bench. He had to reinflate his lungs before he could even shoot a glare at the fuck that dared to do that to him.

"Now listen here you cliché fuck," Bakugo snapped. But before he could finish the doors slammed open and the fucker was up and unlocking the chain binding him to the bench.

He was shoved out the doors, falling several feet down onto the floor of a dark room.

"Welcome," a deep voice filled the room.

"Who the fuck are you?" Katsuki snarled as he got back up to his feet. He could see the other person in the room, but he was hidden in the darkness and Katsuki couldn't make out anything but his suit.

"Now, now, Bakugo," the fucker laughed. "I just want to help."

"And why the fuck should I listen to some fucker lurking in the shadows?" Katsuki snapped.

The asshole took a step forward and into the dim light. It was just enough that Katsuki could see the creepy skull mask covering his face.

"Because Bakugo," the creep told him, his tone chilling Bakugo to his very bones. "I can make you stronger."