Beta'd and edited by Poliamida and kylekatarn77
72. Where Angels Fear to Tread
It's time to toss the dice.
-Matrim Cauthron, The Wheel of Time
Rubbing Uraraka's back, Bakugo knelt in the stinking tunnel as she vomited again. It hadn't exactly smelt sweet before Uraraka had needed to see her breakfast for a second time, having been excavated around sewer lines, but the fresh scent of bile wasn't helping things. He took out a roll of pills, offering her a pink one along with a bottle of water.
"Thanks," Uraraka gasped, swishing the water in her mouth and spitting before taking one of the tablets to chew and a long drink of water.
"You gonna be good for the trip back?" Bakugo asked quietly, glancing down the tunnel to where their flying buses were hidden.
"I'll have to be," Uraraka sighed. "I made it all the way down here, right? So I'll make it back."
"Alright. But you're gonna go back there and rest with Hado and the others," Bakugo said, not making it a question. "Not 'cause you're weak, not cause I want to sit your ass out of the most dangerous fight we've been in, but cause you need to be ready to get us home, and you are not doing that crawling through some damn sewers."
"Yeah, OK. You're right," Uraraka admitted. She reached out to hug Bakugo, but he went in for a kiss, heedless of the mess.
"You are so gross," Uraraka giggled when they parted. Then worry lines formed on her face, and she caressed Bakugo's cheek. "Be safe, OK?"
"Where the hell is the fun in that? Besides, didn't you hear? I'm supposed to explode one of these Eraser Bombs. That sounds super safe."
"You know what I mean. Come back to me, promise?" Uraraka asked, her tone pleading.
"They'll have to kill me to keep me away from you," Bakugo answered.
"That's what I'm worried about," Uraraka sighed, standing. She held out her fist, and Bakugo tapped it. "Luck."
Then she made her way back down the tunnel to the old building where they'd hidden the buses. Bakugo spat to the side. It really had been gross to kiss her, but it had been worth it. Then he jogged down the tunnel, ducking slightly as he went. It was fairly wide, and impressively smooth for having been dug in only a day or two. Pixie Bog and a couple others had made their way here a few days ago. So far, they appeared to be undetected.
"Right, everyone ready?" Bakugo asked as he joined up with the group. "We hear from Izuku?"
"He's in position with his Eraser Bombs," Todoroki replied. "The other groups are in position as well."
"And how's my buddy doing?" Bakugo asked, looking at the figure crouched at the end of the tunnel, well away from the others.
"Creepy as hell, so normal," Todoroki said, shaking his head. "You sure this is a good idea, Katsuki?"
"Hell no. That's why I get Izuku to do all my thinking for me," Bakugo said with a shrug. He walked over, crouching in front of Stain. "Alright, Nosey, you understand what you're supposed to do?"
"I am to take you and the bag of supposed remains to the Justice building to claim my reward," Stain answered, glancing at a wet, dripping sack. Its contents were supposedly the heads of several pro heroes and members Class 1A, including those of Izuku and Mei. They had, disgustingly enough, been created by Yaoyorozu's quirk, and would in fact pass a DNA test if someone bothered to make one. Some of them were a bit ripe too. Concealed within the sack, however, was another Eraser Bomb.
"Right. And I'm coming with you, so that if you do betray us, it's the last thing you'll ever do. Understand?" Bakugo growled. "Cause I ain't got a quirk for now, so this shit won't affect me. Then we bust out the UA teachers and whatever other pros they got in there."
"Some of them are not worthy of the title of hero," Stain hissed, fingering his sword hilts.
Bakukgo narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, well tough shit. They get to redeem themselves, just like me. Only assholes we're killing today are Shiguraki's cronies, got it?"
"I understand. I will obey the orders of the heir of All Might," Stain agreed, standing. "Come. It is time."
Bakugo nodded, turning towards the exit. Todoroki stopped him, looking concerned. "Are you certain, Katsuki? This is almost certainly suicide."
"I'll be fine. Besides, you guys are gonna come in and help get my ass out of there, right?" Bakugo demanded.
"We'll get you out," Shinso promised, grunting as he removed the manhole cover above them. He briefly stuck his head out and glanced around, then dropped back down. "Right, coast is clear. Good luck." He held out his fist, and Bakugo tapped it.
"Watch Ochako for me," he said quietly. "Even if I don't make it out, make sure she does."
"We'll get you out," Shinso promised, then nodded. "But she'll get out no matter what. Don't worry."
Bakugo nodded, then let himself be lifted up out of the manhole. A moment later, Stain scrambled up. "Come. Justice awaits us."
Bakugo moved out after Stain. This plan was madness. He was supposed to be defecting to the enemy, pledging allegiance to All For One in exchange for a quirk. Of course, they could decide to kill him on sight, but he had to hope they wouldn't do that, and would instead lock him away. That way, the tracking device he swallowed would lead the rest of them right to where the UA teachers were being held.
Stain led him through twisting alleys, then out onto a main street. It was mostly devoid of cars, with only a few vehicles moving. Ahead was a barricade made of concrete and sandbags with a checkpoint cars could pass through, manned by PLF soldiers. Stain turned toward it, stalking forward, and Bakugo followed after him, doing his best to look pissed off instead of scared. It wasn't hard, as that was his default expression when Ochako wasn't in the room anyway.
"Halt, who goes there!" one of the PLF soldiers called, stepping forward and forming a sword made of light in his hands.
"Who do you think?" Stain snarled. "I'm back."
"The Hero Killer!" one of the other guards gasped.
"Yeah?" the soldier with the sword sneered. "And how do I know it's you?"
It happened so quickly that if Bakugo hadn't been watching for it, he would have missed it. Stain moved like liquid smoke, his swords leaving their scabbers not with a metallic hiss, but with barely a whisper of oiled leather. He sliced the guards shoulder before he could parry, then his long, notched tongue snaked out and licked the blade. The guard crumpled without a sound, his conjured weapon vanishing.
"Holy hell," another guard breathed. He quickly saluted. "Um, welcome, sir! I'll call HQ for a car, Commander Dabi was clear that-"
"No cars. I'll be taking my recruit to the Justice Ministry immediately. He has...potential."
The remaining two guards looked at each other. The first one swallowed, nodding. "Um, yes sir. I'll call ahead so they know to expect you, but, um, sir, isn't that The Demon of Battle, Bakugo?"
"It is. He wishes to pledge his loyalty. He has information. He brought me a gift." Stain reached into the pouch at his side, and extracted a head, holding it up. It was that of Shinso, which made Bakugo's stomach twist, though he knew his friend was fine.
"Um, yes sir. I guess you know best," the guard agreed, then let them pass.
Bakugo strolled forward, his hands in his pockets, his eyes shifting around. There were signs that the Justice Ministry had not fallen easily. There were craters in the road, some of them quite large. Buildings to the side were burnt out, and a few had collapsed. But the most disturbing thing were the bodies. Heroes. Police officers. Bureaucrats. All were hung from makeshift gibbets along the road to the Ministry of Justice. Some were already beginning to bloat, and birds and other vermin had clearly been at some of them.
"These bastards are going to pay," Bakugo growled to himself.
"Quiet. Eyes forward. To do justice is often a distasteful task," Stain snapped, not turning to look at Bakugo.
"Easy for you to say, Nosey. Bet you can't smell this shit. The sewers were sweeter than this," Bakugo complained. "You'd think they'd at least put out an air freshener or something. This is disgusting."
Stain chuckled. "You think to insult me with that name. I shall take it as a badge of honor."
"You should take it as a badge of someone improved your looks by cutting off your nose, ugly," Bakugo shot back.
That seemed to irritate Stain, and he glanced over his shoulder at Bakugo. "Have a care, or someone might do your own face a favor. You are supposed to be my recruit."
"Yeah, well, I was born a mouthy asshole, and if the PLF wants me they're going to have to put up with it," Bakugo declared.
"Shigaraki does not take kindly to insults. Have a care, or you will wind up a pile of dust instead of a prisoner," Stain said, his voice grim. "He is truly the heir of All For One. A man who will destroy that which does not serve him."
"Yeah, whatever. Chapstick doesn't scare me," Bakugo declared as they approached the steps.
"Then you are a fool. He scares everyone with sense, including me."
Bakugo looked up at the man who spoke, his eyes narrowing. Dabi, the Dark Flame user. "Well, we meet again, Stitches. Look at you. Seems like you moved up in the world. Though you'd think you'd do us all a favor and burn the damn bodies. They're stinkin' up the place."
Dabi gave Bakugo a thin lipped smile, then bowed to Stain. "I must say, we feared you dead, or worse, a traitor. And yet here you are. I knew you would not fail us, Master."
"I have returned with the heads of those who betray the name of hero," Stain replied. He pulled out another head from the bag. This one looked like Pixie Bob's. "But I have not yet completed my collection. Still, this one seeks to join us. I would have killed him, but Shigaraki said to gather information."
"I would not have thought the Demon of Battle one to give up without a fight," Dabi said, holding up a hand. In it, a dark ball of flame appeared. "Tell me, why have you come, Katsuki Bakugo? Or should I start with your body as the first I burn?"
"Why? This is why, asshole," Bakugo held up his fingers and snapped them. The click echoing in the empty street.
Dabi cocked his head to one side, baffled. "And this proves…?"
"He lost his quirk."
Bakugo turned as another figure approached. It was that one guy, supposedly Tarou Yamada. He looked different somehow, with his hair dyed purple, and with an odd get up like Stain, almost like-
"You son of a bitch!" Bakugo growled, falling into a fighting stance. "You were Spinner!"
Spinner nodded, a slight grin appearing on his face. "I am, and was, Spinner. But Overhaul took your quirk, as he did mine. And so, you have come for the same reason I went back to the League. You want another quirk."
Bakugo didn't answer, but his eyes darted over to Stain.
"I told him All For One would grant him one, if he assisted us," Stain said, nodding to Bakugo. "But it would be just as easy to simply torture the information from him."
"That wasn't the deal, asshole!" Bakugo snarled, spinning towards Stain, going for a knife he had hidden. He managed to dodge one blow from Stain and parry another, but then he felt a slash on his left leg, and a second later he was on the ground, unable to move again. The bastard was fast.
"Well well, isn't that fascinating," Dabi chuckled. He whistled, and several PLF soldiers appeared. "Take him down, put him with the others. I'll take Stain to Commander Shigaraki. He can decide the fool's fate."
Bakugo was carried by the soldiers for several minutes. He felt movement return to his body, but he didn't struggle. He wasn't exactly eager to get an ass kicking. He got one anyway, a sound beating before being tossed in a cell.
"Who's there?" a tired voice asked as Bakugo gasped for breath.
He sat up slowly, looking around. His door had bars on it, and he crawled over, pulling himself up. "Who's asking?"
"Dammit. They got you too, huh?" Aizawa asked, moving into the light. "You should have known better than to try and save me and the others. We're already done for. They have this place locked up tight. Shigaraki and All For One want you to try to rescue us."
"Who said shit about that, old man?" Bakugo demanded, laughing. He'd managed to protect his vital areas. He'd be able to move when the time came. "I'm here to join up with the PLF. It was only logical. Guess you should have known me being a hero was a deception."
Aizawa's eyes narrowed, and he slowly pulled himself up on the bars, breathing hard. Shit, he was in worse shape than Bakugo had thought. His face was a mass of bruises, and one eye was swollen shut. His hair was matted and caked with blood, and one arm hung at his side, clearly broken. He'd have to be carried out. Well, that was fine. They'd figured on that.
"You're a traitor?" Aizawa demanded. "You, Bakugo?"
Bakugo barked out a laugh. "Like I said, old man. It's logical. A simple deception on my part."
Aizawa slowly nodded, seeming to understand. "Well. Then I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do. It's only logical. If not me, one of the others. Power Loader, Midnight, Snipe, Cementoss, Hound Dog, Present Mic, we'd all be happy to kill you if it's the last thing we do. It would be only logical."
"They all here?" Bakugo asked, looking down the darkened hall. "Maybe they'll let me beat the shit out of you, or kill a couple myself. That'd be fun."
"They are. Most are unconscious. It isn't logical to keep us all together, but what can I say. No one accused the villains of the world of being like that."
Bakugo nodded, then walked back, sitting on the floor of his cell. "Better rest up, old man. Wouldn't want you to die tired."
Aizawa winced, and slowly lowered himself. He glared at Bakugo, who closed his eyes and mentally started counting.
He hadn't quite gotten to 1000 when explosions rocked the building. He cracked open one eye, then closed it again. He had to wait. That was the hard part.
It didn't take long. There were a series of loud thumps as the building vibrated, and then Togata burst into the cell block. "Katsuki!"
"Here! Aizawa's with me," Bakugo shouted, already on his feet.
Togata hurried forward, ripping the bars off of the cells. "I'll get the others, you see to him!"
Bakugo hurried forward, helping Aizawa to his feet. The teacher was making a pained, gurgling noise, which after a moment Bakugo realized was laughter. "A logical deception," Aizawa wheezed.
"Just like you taught us, old man," Bakugo said gently as he hurried forward, hauling Aizawa towards the holes that Togata had made.
"There's nothing but sludge in one of these!" Togata called, sounding worried.
"Which one?" Aizawa demanded.
"Fourth on the left!" Togata replied.
"That was Power Loaders!" Aizawa said, sounding panicked. "What-"
"He's back at base. Must have been a Toga clone. When the Eraser Bomb went off, she dissolved, since she was just a quirk manifestation," Bakugo guessed.
"Eraser Bomb?" Aizawa asked, surprised. "What-"
"Mei," Bakugo said by way of explanation as he hurried through the rubble
"Of course," Aizawa gasped, chuckling again.
"Just shut up and let's get out of here!"
Togata sped past Bakugo, carrying the four other teachers. At least, Bakugo assumed it was them: one was a strange man who had to be a quirkless Cementoss.
"Go ahead, I'll catch up!" Bakugo called, scrambling over the last of the rubble.
"Right!" Togata agreed. "There's others still in there, I'll go back for them!" Then he was off again, dashing away as more blasts rocked the building. Izuku and the others were fighting off whoever was coming to try and rescue them. For a brief moment, Bakuguo wondered about Stain, but then again, what Stain had volenteered for was a literal suicide mission: try to kill All For One, Shigaraki, and as many others of the PLF heirarchy as he could while their quirks were deactivated. Stain used his quirk in battle, but it wasn't his main method of fighting, just a bonus. Unlike his targets, hopefully.
Togata dashed back as Bakugo was hurrying across the street, not even pausing to talk to Bakugo, which was fine with him. The check point had been leveled, the guards dead from the blast. Bakugo hurried on towards the alley, feeling a spark of triumph. He was almost-
The street in front of Bakugo exploded, and he and Aizawa were flung back. Aizawa let out a cry of pain, huddling into a ball, and Bakugo tried to stand, dazed, his hand before his face. Suddenly, dark tendrils shot out, wrapping around him, squeezing him hard. He bellowed in rage and anguish as they lifted him, cutting into his flesh.
"So. You thought to trick us. Defy us. Escape us. Foolish," the voice of All For One hissed as he stepped from the darkness. "You cannot hope to win, you know. We lured you here, to draw the Bearer out. We were prepared. That was a neat trick with that device. Nearly got me. But it would take more than that to-"
Bakugo heard the deafening blow after Togata struck All For One, and the pressure drove the air from his lungs. He collapsed to the ground as the tentacles relaxed, his hands going over his ears. He managed to struggle to his feet in time to be blown off them again. He looked up as the dust swirled and cleared, revealing Togata and All For One locked in a furious exchange of hits.
This time, there was no banter, no monologues, no posturing. Togata popped in and out of the ground, moving so fast that Bakugo more had to infer where he had been by way All For One reacted than because he could see him. But the older boy was taking hits too. All For One had landed several solid blows, and the blood that splattered on the ground belonged to both of them.
Still, it was soon clear that All For One was slowing, and that Togata was gaining the upper hand. Despite the blasts of energy, rippling dark tentacles, and massive distorted limbs, All For One was being driven down.
At last, Togata stood, panting, over a beaten and blooded All For One. The exchange seemed to have gone on for hours, but Bakugo realized it hadn't even lasted a minute. One of Togata's arms was bent the wrong way and bleeding, and bone was sticking out of the shattered forearm, but All For one was down both an arm and a leg, and lay on the ground in a pool of blood.
"At last, it comes to an end," All For One coughed, red foam spewing from his lips. "What will you do, I wonder, heir of my brother? Your line has ever dreamed of this day, and-"
Togata's foot came down on top of All For One's head, and the impact created a spray of brains and a crater so large that two buildings collapsed in piles of ruin.
Gasping for air, Togata looked down, lifting up his gore drenched foot. Then he slowly backed away, raising his good hand to the sky.
"POWERRRR!" he roared. "All Might, you are-"
"DEAD!"
Togata screamed in pain as Shigaraki fell from the sky, his hand slashing across Togata's raised arm and side, causing the flesh to crumble to dust and blood to spurt from the wound.
"No!" Bakugo cried, stumbling forward.
Shigaraki turned to Bakugo, his blue eyes burning in rage. "You!" he hissed. "You shall suffer the same fate as that miserable traitor!"
Heedless, Bakugo raced forward, armed only with his fists. Shigaraki reached out, and Bakugo saw death in his eyes.
Then a blur crashed into Shigaraki, and he went flying away, impacting into the side of a building. Togata fell back to earth, apparently having propelled himself on one leg. Bakugo stumbled, then continued forward, picking the older boy up.
"Shit, did you just beat both of them?" Bakugo said as he lifted Togata up. He winced. That was a lot of blood gone.
"Yeah," Togata coughed. He looked up at Bakugo, his eyes glazed with pain. "I got him. But I'm done. Take...take it."
"You're gonna live, shut up," Bakugo snapped, quickly stripping off his shirt. He fixed a quick tourniquet with it, using Togata's cape to wrap tightly around his wounded side, but he didn't think that would be enough.
"Has...has to be...One For All. Shigaraki...not dead. Has...has to be an heir," Togata breathed. He lifted up his battered hand, wiping a bloody hand across Bakugo's face. "Take it. Just...just a drop will do. I give it to you."
"No, screw you," Bakugo said, lifting Togata on his back. "You're gonna be fine. Come on."
Togata coughed more blood, then jerked his head behind him. "He's coming. Take it."
Bakugo looked up, and his heart sank as a warm wetness spread in his pants. He was just happy he didn't shit himself too. Shigaraki was floating down on scarlet wings. Like those of Hawks, and a murderous grin was plastered on his face.
"Oh hell," Bakugo breathed. And he licked his lips.
The blood touched his tongue, and entered his body. He wondered if he would have long enough. Probably not. Mei said it took days to-
Time froze. Shigurki quit descending. Bakugo felt all the weight lift off of himself. He stepped away from his body, looking on in confusion at his panicked self as he supported Togata. He turned around, spying Aizawa, unconscious or dead, lying in a heap in the road way.
"What the hell?"
"Not exactly."
Bakugo spun, his eyes going wide. He KNEW that voice.
"All Might?"
A golden light appeared, and out of it stepped All Might. Not the emaciated skeleton, but the huge, muscular titan of the days of yore. All Might. The Symbol of Peace.
"Fear not, for I am here!" All Might declared, stepping forward with a wide grin. "In the flesh! Well, so to speak."
"Guess I'm dead too then," Bakugo said, glancing up. Shigaraki hung there, frozen, a snarl of rage on his cracked lips, his blue hair blowing in the breeze. "How did Chapstick there get Hawk's quirk?"
"That I don't know," All Might admitted, stepping up to Bakugo. "It seems All For One gave him that quirk. Perhaps, or perhaps he gave all his quirks to his heir. Again, I do not know."
"Well, what the hell kind of spirit guide are you then?" Bakugo demanded, turning to All Might. "Shit, why'd they send you? I know I'm going to hell. Surely you made it into heaven."
All Might smiled, kneeling down so his eyes were on a level with Bakugo. "The criteria for that is different than you might think, young man. I seem to have landed in neither. It seems Dante had more right than he thought. Who would have known that I'd be considered a virtuous pagan?"
"What?" Bakugo asked, baffled. "Who the hell is Dante?"
All Might tisked, shaking his head. "Cementoss would be disappointed in you. That's classical literature young man. Ah, but my time is limited. Look."
Bakugo glanced up. Was Shigaraki a tiny bit closer? He couldn't quite tell.
"It seems the burden has fallen to you," All Might said, his massive hand falling on Bakugo's shoulder. "You are the new bearer of One For All."
"Yeah, I guess, but what the hell good is that gonna do me? Not like I can use it. I lost my own quirk, and it's got to take time to learn how to use a new one," Bakugo said, grimacing. "Though if I could, I'd do what I could to save Togata and Aizawa. Did the others get out?"
"Yes, Togata retrieved them before returning for you," All Might said. "Listen. Normally, this does take time. But the other bearers and I are in agreement. We shall guide you, if you let us. Well, more accurately, I shall guide you, as I knew you best in life, Bakugo."
"Guide me? What are you talking about?" Bakugo demanded.
All Might shook his head. "I have no time to explain. Suffice to say, you are an empty vessel, and at last you have something to fill you."
"Yeah, OK," Bakugo agreed, looking up again. Shiguraki was just the tiniest bit closer, which was bad, because he hadn't been very far in the first place.
"For now, I can show you only this," All Might said, standing and forming a fist with his right hand. "More will come in time. But for now, reach deep within yourself. Look up to the sky, and will all your might, strike out!"
"Reach deep within myself? What is this, some sort of self help mumbo-jumbo?" Bakudo demanded, but he formed a fist, and tried to focus within himself. He felt...something. It wasn't like when he had used his own quirk, but there was a sense of a power within him.
"Do not draw too deeply upon it yet, you are not ready," All Might warned. "You are in good physical condition, but your body must adapt to your new quirks. For now, use only what is needed and-"
"DIE!" Bakugo screamed, drawing upon that force and throwing a punch with everything within him. The world spun back into motion as he did so, and his punch snapped out, its form perfect. As it did so, that new power within Bakugo raged through him, out through his arm, his hand, and out again towards Shiguraki. There was a deafening boom, and Bakugo's ears popped so hard he staggered, nearly dropping Togata.
A raging hurricane seemed to form around Bakugo and his raised fist, and deafening winds hurled Shigaraki away, catching his wings and snapping them like twigs as he was flug off into the distance.
And then the pain came. Bakugo screamed in anguish, his arm falling limply to his side. He looked at it, and it was bruised and bleeding, blood and bone leaking from its pores.
"Oh shit," Bakugo groaned. He looked at Mirio, but the other boy was unconscious. He hoped. He hurried over to where Aizawa was, and somehow slung both him and Togata on his back, then staggered forward, towards where the sewer entrance was. There was a pounding of boots on the pavement, and Bakugo turned, seeing PLF soldiers spewing forth from the Ministry of Justice.
Desperate, he tried to hobble away. Could he use that force again? If he did, he'd likely break his other arm. Cold sweat dripped down his back as he heard shouts behind him. He closed his eyes, screaming and trying to surge forward.
Then a wave of heat washed over him. He opened his eyes to see Burnin and Todoroki hurling balls of flame past him, as Shinso ran forward.
"I got him!" Shinso cried, taking Aizawa from Bakugo. "Shit, he's wounded too, help!"
Burnin grabbed Togata as Todoroki made a massive wall of ice to cover their retreat, and Bakugo shambled forward, stumbling on the broken pavement.
"I got you," Todoroki said, grabbing Bakugo under the arm and steadying him.
"Thanks, Icy-Hot," Bakugo gasped, leaning on his friend as they ran to the alley. They ducked down into the sewer, Todoroki half dragging Bakugo as they went. After a brief dash, they made it into the empty parking garage. The buses were already loaded, Bakugo and Todoroki seemed to be the last to arrive.
"Get him on board!" Izuku ordered, his voice booming from his speakers in the enclosed space. "We've got to go! Stain?"
"No sign of him," Todoroki reported. "But we got Katsuki and Aizawa out. Togata's in bad shape though."
"Have Recovery Girl see to them," Izuku ordered. "Ochako, lift off!"
The buses suddenly lurched as Bakugo was loaded onto one, and Hado and several other students with the ability to fly began to push them. They soared away, staying low as they flew away from the city. Darkness began to creep in the edges of Bakugo's vision, and he felt himself starting to go.
"Katsuki! Katsuki! Dammit Shoto, what happened to him!"
Bakugo blinked, seeing Uraraka hovering over him. He managed a smile. "Hey, beautiful. You look good."
She looked like hell. Her lips and mouth were cracked from repeated vomiting, and her color was sallow, her skin beaded with sweat. But she was so beautiful, even so. Bakugo reached a trembling hand up to her, and she caught it, clasping it as tears filled her eyes.
"I thought I told you to stay safe," Uraraka whispered, her other hand gently caressing his forehead.
"Shit, what's the fun in that?" Bakugo wheezed, trying to laugh but mostly just coughing. "How's Togata, though?"
Uraraka glanced behind her, to where Bakugo could see medics working hard on the teachers. "He's going to make it, just like you. You rest now, OK? I'll make sure we get home safely."
"Yeah," Bakugo tried to say, but he felt his head spinning, and blackness enveloped him.
He felt a hand shake his shoulder, and Bakugo groaned, slowly raising his head. "Sorry, Ochako, what was-"
"Ochako? Buddy, you are barkin' up the wrong damn tree."
Eyes fluttering open, Bakugo looked around, confused. He was laying on a flat, mirrored surface that reflected a blue sky above him. Instead of Ochako, the grinning face of a man with a blond soul patch, a large leather jacket, and biker goggles was peering down at him.
Bakugo didn't ask questions, his hand just jerked out, aiming open palmed for the man's nose. He caught the blow though, turning it then slowly backing off. "Good reflexes, at least. That's somethin'. Yagi said you were gonna be a worthy bearer."
Bakugo flipped himself to a crouching position, eyes narrowed. "Yagi? You mean All Might?"
"Oh, yeah, sure, give him all the credit," the other man sighed. "Look kid, this is new for both of us. Just stand up and listen, alright?"
"Ok. But you better explain what the hell's going on real damn quick," Bakugo demanded as he stood, carefully looking around. The endless mirrored surface went on forever, dazzling and dizzying as clouds raced by overhead. He closed his eyes, feeling disoriented.
"Yeah, it's a bit much, sorry. But you gotta focus, kid. We ain't got much time."
Bakugo opened his eyes, fighting down the urge to vomit. "Yeah, OK. Who the hell are you?"
"Name's Daigoro Banjo. I'm the Fifth Bearer. I got tapped to talk to you next. Got some work to put in now." The man flexed his arms, and dark tendrils appeared, wrapping around them. "This here's the Black Whip. And I'm gonna show you how to use it. It's a top rate quirk, trust me, you'll love it."
"Fifth Bearer?" Bakugo asked, trying to think, but finding his mind cloudy and muddled.
"Keep up, kid. Yeah, I was the Fifth to hold One For All. Got iced by All For One a while back. Been livin' here since," Banjo said by way of explanation, though it cleared up little for Bakugo.
"So, like, you're the guy who had All Might's quirk? The one Togata gave me?" Bakugo said, slowly puzzling things out.
"Yeah. But we ain't got time for explanations. The world's gone to hell, and it's the job of the One to fight for the All. Can you do that, kid?" Banjo demanded.
"Sure. Until Togata gets better anyway," Bakugo said, cracking his neck. "Fine. I've wanted a quirk for a while. Can't hurt to have a little fun while I'm dreaming or whatever. Let's do this."
"Right. Well, extend your arm, and focus. Can you feel the Black Whip within you? It's like smoke. Don't grab it, just feel it."
As the sky shifted above and below, Bakugo started to train, letting thought flee as he practiced with this Black Whip thing.
A part of him was worried. Could he return this power, once he had it? Was he still weak?