Chapter Seven: Powerlessness

It was Wednesday when Aizawa mentioned that for Foundational Hero Studies they would get to practice rescue.

Minami's ears perked. These were the kind of exercises she had been waiting for. She was much more interested to learn rescue best practices than how to fight each other.

Some students didn't share her enthusiasm. "Trial of rescue… sounds a bit difficult this time around," said Kaminari and Ashido agreed.

Others shared her sentiments. Kirishima claimed, "C'mon dumbass, that's what a hero's whole job is! I'm chomping at the bits!"

Asui was looking forward to the flood as it best suited her quirk.

"Don't get ahead of yourselves. As I was saying, this time, it's entirely up to each of you whether or not you wear your costume. Some of your costumes probably aren't adapted to the task at hand, after all. The training area is fairly far away, so we'll get there by bus. That's all. Go get prepared," said Aizawa unlocking their costume storage.

Minami of course would be wearing her uniform. Her jacket was made with extreme temperatures in mind, and with her wristband she could probably imagine items to help people get to safety.

However, it seemed that the class was overall just eager to wear their costumes again. Dismissing Aizawa's warning, people eagerly grabbed their costumes. The exception was Midoriya though he seemed to have some additional gear to bring along.

She couldn't help but stare at the scenery as the class walked to the bus as the unit. Everything was so large and isolated. Each time seeing it made her realize how large the school really was.

"In order to get everyone seated smoothly on the bus, file into two lines according to your numbers," yelled Iida. Wouldn't that take more time than just letting them on? She can't imagine anyone being so insistent to sit next to anyone in particular.

"Hey Midoriya, I always say what I think no matter what's on my mind. You're quirk reminds me of All Might's," said Asui who insisted he call her Tsuyu.

It wasn't that odd. Plenty of people had similar quirks and many stylized their capabilities to their idols. Midoriya's response however was very odd. "That s-s-so?! Haha, but mine isn't like—" Midoriya was already known to studder a lot. He didn't seem happy to be compared to someone he idolized rather he panicked. Was it some kind of self-worth thing? Imposter syndrome?"

Koda tapped her shoulder before he signed asking if she was okay which snapped her attention back to him to sign back yes. Her eyes found her eyes back to Midoriya and narrowed. Something was definitely up one way or another.

Minami tried to remember the signs to ask about his rabbit, though she remembered the rabbit sign after Koda used it the other day. It was too cute not to remember. Two hands crossed with the index and middle fingers became floppy bunny ears.

Her attention was broken again once Bakugo began shouting. It seemed several students had already made their peace with his existence. Well, if no one was bothered that's what mattered.

They descended the stairs of the bus to be greeted with a large arena and their 'mystery guest teacher' Thirteen. It's construction truly was a marvel. It reminded her of a botanical garden if the botany was replaced with landscapes.

"This is a practical training area I created to simulate all kinds of accidents and disasters."

Minami continued to screen the area when she remembered Aizawa mentioned All Might was supposed to be here to. She glanced around the arena again. This time specifically looking for him. Was he setting up somewhere? She stopped looking when she heard Aizawa talk to Thirteen.

All Might had introduced himself to be their Foundational Heroes Studies teacher, but Aizawa taught a fair bit on top of his other teaching obligations. At this point, she wondered if they had some kind of co-teaching set up. She understood he was still an active hero and people expected things of him, but why become a teacher if you were going to miss so many classes?

"Before we begin, just one thing…or two… or three…or four. I'm certain you're all already quite aware, but my quirk is called 'Black Hole'. No matter what materials may get sucked into its vortex, it will turn into dust."

"Now that's a quirk that's perfect for removing wreckage and saving people injured by disasters!" Midoriya commented. Why couldn't their class ever just let the teachers speak? She was pretty sure it was obvious there could be benefits during disaster relief. Wasn't that the reason she was helping with class today?

"It is. However, it is also a power that could easily be used to kill people. In that way, it's no different from the quirks of everyone here." Pretty basic lesson. They were warned as children. Though… thinking of her class, and people in general, the reminder was probably very needed.

"Quirks are strictly regulated, and the requirements for their lawful use are enforced. That being said, please don't forget that each of you possess a quirk that can go awry. One wrong step is all it takes to be able to kill others accidentally. During Mr. Aizawa's physical strength test you learned of your respective power's true potential. During All Might's trial of battle, I think you took away a true sense of the danger of brandishing those powers against one another. This lesson will serve as a fresh start! Let's get to studying about how to wield our quirks for the sake of human life."

"All right, first thing…" Aizawa's voice trailed off and he looked to the side.

That wasn't like him at all. Aizawa always got to the point. What could have him distracted?

Minami followed his gaze. Something was warping in the air. Her stomach dropped when a hand came through followed by a head with a detached hand covering his face. One after another after another people came out of the portal.

The alarm wasn't going off but she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. Her mind supplied that they might be here for the exercise but she also dismissed it because they were supposed to focus on rescue. Presumably on natural disasters based on Thirteen's specialty and the design of this training area. There was no need for a hoard of people. Not to mention some of them were clearly holding weapons.

Not sheathed. Not on their person. Wielded.

The unsettlement that she had mostly suppressed over the past few days after the break-in returned to full force. Not only was this probably intentional, but they severely out numbered their class.

"What is that? Is this like that training pattern at the entrance exam?" asked Kaminari.

Minami opened her mouth, prepared to ask Aizawa what they should do when he shouted.

Their typically calm, drowsy, serious, even-toned teacher yelled. "Don't move! Those are villains!" He pulled his goggles down over his eyes.

Should they escape the other way? But there was no guarantee there wouldn't be more intruders if they separated. To escape or to stay with the teachers who were pros – meaning they had the experience and skill to probably put up a better fight.

"Is this the only campus they've infiltrated, or are they attacking all the others too? At any rate, if the sensors aren't responding then that just means one among them have a quirk who can do that," said Todoroki. She was surprised. He didn't speak often, but she did agree with his assessment. "An isolated space away from the school building. At a time when there's a class scheduled. It may seem out of the question, but they must have some solid objective. This isn't an ambush without some carefully planned scheme behind it."

"Thirteen, do the evacuation procedure! And try calling the school! These villains know how to get around the sensors! There's a chance there's an electrowave type guy who will try interfering!" Aizawa's eyes remained on the threat before him. He wanted to curse. They had been aware of the signs but being on guard hadn't been enough to prevent this incident. As a hero and a teacher he needed to ensure his students successfully flee. "Kaminari, you too! Try contacting the school with your quirk. Thirteen, I'm counting on you."

Midoriya took a step forward towards Aizawa. "Are you going to fight them alone? Even if you suppress all of their quirks, there's so many of them. Your fighting style is to capture villains after erasing their quirks—" That surely couldn't be all? When you stop someone one way they were likely to lash out another way.

Minami didn't know what the right decision was. Regardless of power or skill, fighting a hoard – well more like a mob – would almost always put you at a disadvantage. However, while she didn't know his age he had to have over a decade more experience than them as students. Whether he knew he could handle or hold the situation, or whether it was showmanship to get them out… it felt wrong to not follow what he said.

Let us teachers deal with it.

"Midoriya, let's trust Aizawa and follow Thirteen," Minami cut Midoriya off. They were wasting too much time.

"But—"

"Go." Aizawa's voice was firm. A hero always has more than one trick up their sleeves." Aizawa jumped down to face the intruders head on while Thirteen urged the group to follow her.

A dark mist spread before them as they aimed to make their escape stopping the class in their tracks. "I'm afraid I can't allow this. Greetings we are the League of Villains."

Minami couldn't help but think the name horrible despite the fear and severity of the situation. It sounded like a child made the name – though she considered many facets of society childish so perhaps it should have been on brand of her expectations.

"I apologize for the presumption, but we took it upon ourselves to enter U.A, the base of heroes in order to engage with All Might the 'Symbol of Peace'." It wasn't All Might's fault. Not really. Other people's ill actions weren't his to bear. She logically knew this but she couldn't help but feel bitter that they were in harms way because the man they wanted to attack was ditching his teaching duties.

Kirishima and Bakugo went in for an attack. On brand for their personality but she doubted the effectiveness against something that was effectively smog. Did it even have a corporeal body?

"It's no use. Just run! Run you two!" Thirteen yelled though just being around them in class for a few short weeks was enough for her to know those two might – probably won't listen. They were the kind of people who thought all problems could be won physically and straight on.

"You will be scattered." A darkness enveloped them. For a moment Minami had no sense of depth nor direction. All was black and if her classmates were still with her, she couldn't tell.

Light returned but most of her classmates were no longer with them. The intruder said scattered so there was hope they were still alive, but she would believe it when she sees them. After all, it didn't make sense that it would kill them all, but the seven of them were spared.

Thirteen. Uraraka. Ashido. Iida. Shoji. Sero. Then herself.

"Class president!"

"Yes!"

"I entrust this to you! Please run as fast as you can back to school and inform them of the situation."

"But it would be a disgrace to the class if their president were to abandon—"

Minami snapped. Screw trying to be understanding. Iida could preach to them about getting on a bus in an orderly fashion. He could speak over others so his voice would be heard first and foremost. But this! This she wouldn't allow.

"Don't you dare put your damn pride above our safety, Iida!" How many things could be improved or solved if people didn't let ego take over? Minami's yell was enough to get side eyed by everyone but Thirteen who kept looking at the threat before them. At least they had enough sense to remain in an alert stance. "If you want your honour then go get help! You're the fastest and every second you're wasting here is another second your classmates and teachers have to keep defending against attackers!"

Uraraka offered kinder words to Iida to shake him out of his shock.

"I may or may not be able to stop him. But still, I am unsurprised there are still simpletons among us who would spout off their plans while in the company of their enemies," said the mist.

It wasn't like he was giving them the choice. Direct communication in an emergency was infinitely better than blindly hoping others would act in the way they want you to. Their plan to escape had been made pretty clear even before this.

"Isn't it obvious? We let you hear us because it's not a problem if you know." The wisps of wind formed as Thirteen used her quirk. Iida took that moment to run out of the arena and started heading back to the school.

The black mist appeared behind Thirteen as soon as the attack was made. The peeling of their costume, clothes, skin tore. Even though it was just a brief moment as Thirteen's quirk deactivated at the first sign it was being used against her, it still caused so much damage.

She could try to make bandages but the time and precision to try and wrap Thirteen in any way to stall weren't likely to do much. Thirteen needed medical attention and needed it now.

She glanced at the door Iida was headed to. Shoji blocked Iida from the mist, but vanished in the process.

Minami didn't know how to fight something without a body but Uraraka charged forward.

"I dunno why it's there, but if he's got it on then wouldn't that he's got a true body in there somewhere?" Minami hadn't even seen the gear. Good job Uraraka! Uraraka used her quirk to remove the gravitational pull, throwing them in the air. "Iida ruuun!"

Sero had tape extend from his elbow to throw the weightless figure.

Even with a body Minami was amazed it worked.

"Uraraka!"

"Yes!"

Minami crouched down across from Ashido. Thirteen was in bad shape.

"Do you think you can use your quirk long enough to follow Iida back to campus? Or at least until you hopefully intersect with help," Minami said standing back up as she turned to face Uraraka. Having zero gravity could negatively impact your body, but this exposure wouldn't be long enough. The ease of which the body could be moved without jolting too much was more important in this case. If she didn't get medical attention soon… she didn't want to think of what would happen. "Thirteen shouldn't be jolted but I don't know if we have enough time to wait around for help, by then it might be to late."

Uraraka looked back into the arena. No doubt that there were people she was concerned for still in here. However, it was brief and she looked at Thirteen with a determined look on her face.

"Then leave it to me."

Uraraka tapped thirteen before grabbing her arm to pull and guide the hero as their body became weightless.

With that out of the way, they should probably evacuate too.

"Have no fear, for I am here!"

The loud booming voice echoed. Ashido, Sero, and Minami looked to see All Might. Ashido and Sero had tears clearly visible.

…but All Might was alone.

It was reassuring to have another hero here, and he was the right hero that could gain the attention of all the intruders. After all, he was their target, but that also meant they had to wait longer for the rest of reinforcements.

Huh? Was that Aizawa? All Might pulled him from the hoard and set him down further away. Seeing the limp body, she ran to him – and Midoriya, Asui, and Mineta who were there.

"Head towards the entrance. I leave Aizawa with you."

He was beaten and battered and was missing part of his elbow. Minami spoke stretcher and an image appeared from her wristband. She had expected the image to be the one where two people carry a person, but the image instead pulled up an image of one stacked on wheels like in ambulances.

She hadn't thought about that when deciding to have a voice activated wrist projector. It was supposed to pull the first image from the web. While this worked in her favour, it startled her to think that she could have gotten some non-intended image. She could think about that later though. Right now, they needed to escape and Aizawa needed medical attention.

Minami had been willing to let Aizawa fight himself, and while the she still didn't doubt that decision it made her feel horrible to see the condition he was in because of that decision.

"Since when could you do that?" Midoriya and Asui were startled while Mineta yelled about how he was right all along.

"It's my quirk. Didn't we talk about this before?" Had she mentioned the name? She couldn't remember. Maybe she allowed him to make assumptions out of habit. She also hadn't clarified after the battle exercise. This thought could also wait until later. "Let's go."

There was debris on the floor making the wheels very inconvenient at the moment. Aizawa was taller though and she didn't think any of them could carry him without dragging half his body along the floor.

"All Might!" Midoriya runs back towards where All Might was fighting. What a reckless-! Breathe Minami. She had to prioritize and getting Aizawa medical attention was currently more important than running back for the idiot.

She approached the door when one of the villains ran at her. Instinctually, she raised a hand and imagined a burst of wind blowing the man back into a giant boulder. Two days wasn't much for gaining new skills but her old skills were still reliable.

Minami reached the bottom of the stairs panicking how she was supposed to get Aizawa up then realized the obvious.

She used the wind to lift the stretcher up. Careful. Careful. She had never used it to lift anyone before. Air could be gentle or sharp. She could imagine the sensations of herself and adjust but she couldn't imagine that adjustment on another person. Minami set the stretcher down. As she did so, she sent a kick back as another approached her. Hadn't they all been dealt with yet? She watched the person tumble down the stairs. In that same direction she could see several of her classmates near All Might.

Her hair spread between her fingers before they curled tugging her hair from her scalp. Those idiots! All Might seemed occupied fighting someone who seemed to be able to take his punches. Still, she had to go forward. Like she told Iida. Like she convinced Uraraka. There was a life in front of her that needed saving. Her classmates had been told to evacuate. She doubted telling them again would get them to leave. Hopefully All Might could keep them safe.

Now that there was a straight path before she could run. She tried using the find to propel her forward a few times in small bursts, but it was hard to keep the stretcher steady.

She made it about a kilometer before she ran into Iida and the heroes he was able to gather.

"Shota?!" Yamada's voice loud and clear as always.

"I'll get him to Recovery Girl!" Minami yelled continuing to run towards the group of U.A. faculty and staff members. "There's still a lot going on back there though. They need your help!"

The heroes continued to run forward.

Minami continues her trajectory.

…..

Ochako stood beside Thirteen concerned. Recovery Girl was trying her best, but Ochako couldn't erase the image of the damage done. To someone she looked up to at that.

There was also Deku and the others to consider. She had left and had no clue what happened to the rest. She ran into the heroes and just as they were leaving. She could only hope they would make it in time.

"Recovery Girl!"

The voice that called out was Hanajima. She had a stretcher with her with Aizawa out cold.

"Uraraka, can you help me move him to the bed?"

"Coming!" Uraraka ran from Thirteen's side to help Hanajima move their homeroom teacher onto the white sheets. As soon as they moved him over the stretcher vanished to her surprise.

Recovery Girl checked one more thing with Thirteen before rushing to Aizawa's side.

"It's probably best for you both to leave."

That was the nice way of kicking them out. They walked part way down the hall before stopping.

Ochaco and Hanajima stood silently out in the hall. "How is everyone else?" Ochaka needed to know.

Hanajima shrugged her shoulders. She leaned back and used the wall to help guide herself down to a sitting position on the floor. "…I don't know." Her voice was hoarse. "All Might showed up a little after you left, though"

Ochaco blinked. She hadn't seen All Might on her way back. She had been really focused on Thirteen though. It was a relief though. If All Might was there then things should be fine and under control.

It was alright. Everything was alright. Ochaco told herself repeatedly as the adrenaline wore off. "You know, I've never seen you like that before." Hanajima blinked a few times. She seemed lost. "You know when you were barking commands."

"Barking commands seem a little harsh. Besides you had a keen eye and were able to deal with that mist guy. You really saved us back there."

"Not really. I didn't really do much." Ochaco flailed her arms side to side in denial.

"Just accept the praise. You deserve it." She stared down at Hanajima. This was the most she had heard the girl talk outside of answering questions – and she sat beside her! Usually her tone was curt, direct, or disinterested – as if everything in the world was made to be critiqued or avoided. She didn't think her capable of giving compliments, but here she was on the receiving end.

Sirens could be heard from a distance and Ochaco walked up to the window. She could see several emergency vehicles approaching from afar.

…..

Ochaco went on ahead when she spotted some of her their other classmates out front with the police.

Minami told her she would catch up in a minute. She was still exhausted from running and she was always best processing stuff alone. She should have moved to another spot but once everyone was out of view tears fell from her eyes. She could have died. Those around her could have died. For once she was happy her visual memory was essentially non-existent because it prevented visual flashbacks of what had just occurred.

She didn't want to imagine Aizawa's or Thirteen's or anyone else's battered body.

She knew this is what she signed up for - what her future would be. It wasn't even the first time she's faced conflict – though it was definitely the first-time people wanted to maliciously hurt her. However, there wasn't much she could do. With her current intellect and skills, and with a poor matchup she felt powerless.

Good in theory. Bad in practice.

She can faintly hear the echoing of footsteps as she continued to berate herself.

Better. Better. Why was she never good enough?

Never when it mattered.

She felt something on top of her head. Minami concluded it was a hand as she felt the individual fingers. "You did well, and thanks for helping Sho."

She looked up to see familiar blond hair.

"Don't thank me yet. It's pretty bad. His face. His collarbone. His arms, and definitely his elbow. I don't even know if there is fixing that. His legs…You get the idea."

"It's not your fault."

"I know."

"Really it isn't."

Minami looked directed at Yamada. "I know." Her fingers intertwined with her hair, and upon feeling a particularly course piece, she plucked a strand from her head. "But just because I know doesn't mean it doesn't suck." She thought to the person she kicked down the stairs. She didn't like physically beating people up but in the moment she didn't care. The same Minami who didn't enter martial arts tournaments because she didn't want to hit someone. Not only did she kick him she wished, "I should have kicked the guy harder." She didn't know if he harmed anyone or if he was just in her way, but she still wished she caused more damage.

Yamada jolted. He probably wasn't used to hearing her talk like this. "It would have been fine if you did." He endorsed it! It felt satisfying to have someone validate her feelings.

Even if another side of herself was disgusted.

She wanted to be a more empathetic person. It's who she strived to be, but she could always so easily slip back into what came naturally to her. And when it came to negative emotions it was always easy to spiral out of control.

"I've still got to report to the police. It's totally annoying. I already have to write reports as a teacher AND as a hero. Can't they just take those copies."

"Pft." A light chuckle escaped her mouth. Just for a moment she broke social etiquette to say, "Is mister talk-all-day scared of writing?"

Yamada gave a million excuses and Minami brushed them off as that – excuses.

…..

Minami had giver her statement to the police. She wasn't pleased to see Tsukauchi among the police as she had still been bitter about him writing her up – even if it did leave a paper trail of proof to take the U.A. entrance exam.

It was a little past eight when she got a call.

"I just saw the news. Are you alright? Why didn't you tell me?"

They talked for forty minutes and it was the best conversation they had in a long time. She felt heard, listened to, and cared for. He offered to come over but she told him talking on the phone was enough.

Bad always came with worse, but good somehow always managed to manage its way in somehow.

The solitude, anger, sadness, hopelessness, and irritation left her body.

One day there would be a good day and a good day only. A sliver of hope fueled her drive.

…but that drive could wait until tomorrow. For now she wanted much needed rest.