Soul Marked

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hardships of Tests

Hi guys! So once again its been a hot minute since I updated. I apologize and won't bore you with my excuses just know that I no longer have a set updating schedule for this story. Rest assured it will continue but things will be spotty for the foreseeable future. I'm going to be trying to get my CNA license probably next week before my kid come back home from her vacation with my parents in another three weeks so I'm going to be quite a busy person. And after it only gets busier for me but I love this story so updates will continue!

Also, guys, I missed the one-year anniversary for this story! That's a bummer cause I had hoped to get it updated before it passed. :D But can you guys believe its been a year already!?

I hope people are still reading this even with my horrifying long absence. If you are send me a review I answer back to all of them!

All Might watched from the corner of his eye as the green-haired girl sighed, her own eyes flickering between himself and young Bakugo. Worry, frustration, silence, the emotions could be seen fluttering rapidly across her face and all his attempts at trying to calm her racing mind fell upon deaf ears. Instead, he gave in, briefly glancing at the boy that sat at the back of the bus before sitting forward in his chair. His thoughts drifting back to when Aizawa chose the pairings.

"That leaves us with Midoriya and Bakugo," Aizawa said as he stared down at his list. "I'm entrusting them with you All Might as these two are not being grouped due to their grades or abilities." All Might stared curiously at his fellow teacher wondering what reason he had come up to put those two together. A few weeks ago he may have agreed with this arrangement, the two had been getting along, but as of recently, that had changed. "They are together because they are on horrible terms, and due to the relationship, the two have together I feel it's important that they work together and learn to get along. You've taken a liking to Midoriya haven't you? Please, guide her capably."

Looking back All Might was surprised that Aizawa seemed to have picked up on the Bond between Midoriya and Bakugo. With the way they typically acted toward one another it wasn't anywhere near normal soulmates, but Aizawa was observant. He couldn't help but agree with the other man. They needed to work out their differences and he was hoping this test would help with that. Perhaps being forced to work with one another, and keeping the other 'alive' would be beneficial for their relationship.

Midoriya felt her eyes once again stray over to the ash blonde. Each time her gaze would land on him she found it harder to look away but didn't want to get caught staring. She wasn't sure how she would make it better between them again. It had been easier to move along in their relationship when both of them had been striving for something better but she was afraid all of that had been ruined only a few weeks before. If only she had told him about her nightmares, instead of letting him find out the way he had.

Crimson clashed with emerald and she found herself staring into his eyes. A shock of electricity seemed to pass through her when their gazes connected. For a moment she seemed lost in his gaze. Faintly in the back of her mind, she could feel the warming of her Mark, a familiar buzzing of approval, as her body relaxed. The sudden urge to go sit next to him sprung up in her mind but she held it back. Another warning also told her that wouldn't be a good idea and with that realization, the connection broke. Sound flooded her ears as her eyes blinked before quickly looking away. She was sure her cheeks were bright red as they warmed up.

The bus came to a stop and she found her legs quickly took her off the bus not wanting to stick around to see how he would react to what happened. Her feet faltered as she took in the fake city they would be fighting in. The skyscrapers loomed over her causing Izuka to feel tinier than normal. The damage that could be caused in a place like this had the potential to be catastrophic. The fear of having to dodge not only All Might but buildings were becoming strikingly more of a reality. A sound between an angry scoff and sigh shoved her from such thoughts as she forced her feet to move forward away from blocking the bus door.

All Might settled his attention on his two students, his face set into a firm line as he began telling them the rules. "Now see here wonder duo you have thirty minutes to either capture me with these handcuffs or, for one of you to escape from the stage! This test will be as close to an actual battle as you can get without actually being involved in one. I am to be a villain to the two of you."

子猫

Aizawa-sensei turned his gaze toward Todoroki, "-and in doing so this will teach you whether you should stay and fight, or if your power is outmatched to fall back and call for backup. This is something you, Todoroki, and the others should know very well."

Momo curiously eyed Todoroki from the corner of her gaze wondering if this had something to do with the Hero Killer, and how he and the other two had to be saved by Endeavor. Todoroki flashed back to that night. To when the Native Hero yelled out to them.

'I said don't fight him, it's just better to run!"

It had been an option at that point if they had wanted to leave Iida and that hero behind. There was no way they could have made it out of there with them, and calling for help would have taken too long. Iida would have been dead by then.

His eyes focused back on Aizawa-sensei and he found that he understood what this test was about.

子猫

Midoriya felt herself glance up as his words as they settled over her. "So we can win by fighting, or win by fleeing."

"Exactly, young Midoriya! This is a test of your judgment! However, I understand with this setup you must be wondering isn't fleeing your only real option. We have already thought of a solution with help from the department of support to make us these Super Compressor Weights. A handy little contraption that binds weights to us that weighs half of our weight in body mass! 'Handicaps' they call them! It makes it harder for us to move and gives you all a chance." All Might took a moment from his speech to strap on the weights. A muffled grunt escaped his lips as his body did a barely noticeable slump forward.

Next to her Bakugo scoffed as he shook his head, his red eyes flaming. "All of this to make us consider fighting," he growled out. Izuka turned her attention to him in surprise realizing she may have another problem. "You're looking down on me."

She realized Bakugo may not take to doing her plan well. He always liked to take any problems head-on and he may not want to even attempt at fleeing. She needed to come up with a plan to get him on board with her and fast.

子猫

Aizawa reached up to place his glasses over his eyes, a smirk beginning to cover what features were left to be seen. "I forgot to mention, but we, the faculty, will be coming at you to seriously go after you kids and crush you."

The siren went off announcing the beginning of the exam. Without a second's hesitation, Todoroki grabbed Momo and they took off, him only slightly dragging her behind with him. Aizawa took to the nearest wooden post going high to have more unhindered sight.

As the kids rounded the corner Todoroki kept a firm grip on Momo's hand but turned his head back to see her. "I need you to begin creating anything small with your quirk," he began in a rush. "It doesn't matter what you create but if it stops tell me and assume Aizawa-sensei is nearby. This test will be decided by whoever finds the other first. The second we can confirm his position, I'll go draw him out and you bolt toward the escape gate. Until that moment you stay near me."

Momo hesitated tripping over her own feet at his words. She had her plan but Momo hesitated to tell him. The memory of having been taken down by him back during the festival reared its ugly head and she didn't believe in herself. Self-doubt had riddled her for weeks, and the mere thought that her plan wouldn't work kept her from doing anything. Instead, she kept her mouth shut and followed his lead. Russian dolls began to appear from her anywhere her skin showed. It had been the first thing she had successfully made as a child and was always the easiest thing for her to do. It was almost like second nature to make them at this point.

As they got farther from the starting point, and what they assumed was farther away from Aizawa-sensei they slowed to a walk. "If your quirk begins to act funny tell me immediately." Momo nodded as her face fell.

"Just as expected, Todoroki," she said softly causing him to furrow his brows at her tone of voice. "Not only did you figure out a way to fight against sensei but you were able to make this decision quickly without any hesitation." Still confused Todoroki moved forward.

"Yes, that's just normal," Todoroki said not putting much thought into her reasons for saying all of this.

"Normal, of course," she said sadly. "That's what's to be expected from the recommended of Yuuei. However, concerning our practical skills as heroes I haven't done anything note-worthy. I was even eliminated from the tournament when I hit my wits end with you." At this Todoroki found himself spinning around to confront her on what she said. There was something more, her voice said as much. As his eyes fell on her he froze upon finding there were no more dolls being created.

"Yaoyorozu, your dolls!" he said in a panic as he spun back around. "He's here!" Momo began to desperately search around them for his presence.

"I'm sorry!" she yelled out realizing her emotions had kept her from paying attention to her quirk.

"If you're truly sorry then fly into action straight away." They glanced up to where Aizawa was hanging upside down, keeping his gaze on the both of them. Todoroki flew into action first his fist swinging out to make contact but his sensei used the weapon he hung from to swing away before dropping his hold and falling to the ground in a crouch. Todoroki struck out once again but missed. "In a situation like this, you should prioritize evasion since the initiative has been taken from you."

"Run!" Todoroki yelled. Momo panicked as she watched him trying to figure out if she should listen or help. Her eyes were wide as Aizawa leaped into action using his weapon to bind Todoroki.

"So, that's your plan, well then-" The weapon wrapped around his arms pulling them behind him before yanking him up into the air. His arms snapped back behind him keeping them locked in place effectively leaving him defenseless and hanging.

子猫

Izuka huffed as she followed after Bakugo who had run off as soon as the test began. "Kacchan!" she called out her legs scrambling to keep up with his much longer stride.

"Why the hell are you following me, Koneko," he growled out. His head barely turned in her direction but it was enough to tell her he was listening.

"We have to work together," she said, reaching out to grab his arm. The normal electric charge hummed under her fingertips as Bakugo came to a stop. He yanked his arm from her grip but did not make to move away.

"I think it's fucking obvious I should just knock him out," he gritted out. "I don't need your help with that." She frowned at him her hands settling over her hips in irritation.

"It's my grade too, Kacchan!" she snapped out. The stress from the previous weeks was building up within her and she found that her frustration with Bakugo was mounting high. "We should fight together. Prioritizing running and fighting, because All Might isn't going to let us run, and solely fighting won't work against him." His eyes narrowed at her.

"I'm going to lead him by the nose up until the final moments, and then when he's tuckered out I'll smash him." He went to turn around and walk away again but this time she felt the frustration build to boiling over and grabbed at his arm again. This time her grip was much more firm letting him know silently not to just walk away. The familiar charge crackled under her hand no longer feeling like the welcoming peaceful feeling it normally did. Her eyes narrowed as he tried to yank her hand from his arm. This only caused her to tighten it.

"Listen to me!" she hissed out. "You never listen. It's always just one big fight too you. We need to do this together, it's the only way we can pass this test. This is All Might we are talking about! Neither one of us is going to beat him on our own!"

She watched as his eyes blazed brighter than before. Her body shook with her anger threatening to spill out. Izuka was tired of the constant fighting, the yelling. It was all taking its toll. His hand came up sharply breaking her hold on him. The other hand coming out to shove against her causing Midoriya to take several steps back away from him. He winced as the Mark fought back against his actions.

"Shut up!" he screamed at her. "Just shut the hell up." Her fingers curled into fists at her side. Tears of frustration were building in her eyes. This was turning out to be a mess like everything else. "I told you I don't need your help! I'll pass without you! Just leave me the fuck alone." The sound of his screaming escalated with each word until he was full-on yelling. Part of her vaguely wondered if they should be way quieter, it was a beacon for All Might, but the other part just wanted to yell back. To let out all of the frustrations she was feeling out like he normally did. It was so tiring being the only calm one.

"Will you stop yelling!" she screamed back at him finally letting loose. "God, you are always screaming! It's no wonder we can never just have a conversation. It's 'cause you're so loud, Katsuki!" His face twisted into a snarl at hearing his name on her lips. Taking a step forward he got right up in her face. She inhaled sharply in surprise taking in the sweet caramel scent that always lingered on him. Her head swam and for a brief moment, she forgot her anger as the Mark warmed contently against her wrist.

Reaching out he grabbed her cheeks pinching them between his hand as he pulled her face up to look at him. His features read anger but there was another hidden expression that flickered across his features making it hard for her to pinpoint it. "I asked you not to use that name." Emerald green eyes flashed as she glared up at him. Forcing the fuzzy feeling from her mind.

"Well, that name isn't for when you're being an asshole! Kat-su-ki." She said his name again but much slower purposefully trying to rile him up in her fed-up state. Izuka missed the way that his eyes darted down to her puckered lips from the way he was still holding her cheeks. He opened his mouth to say something but the wind picking up distracted him from his thoughts. A loud boom caused his hand to fall from her face as his hair whipped around, buildings began to crumble around them as Bakugo wrapped his arm around her shielding her against any debris.

Izuka tucked her head into Bakugo's chest as dust rained down upon them. Blinking against the chaos that had ensued she moved away from Bakugo to see the damage that had been done to the street.

At the other end stood a massive form, a silhouette clouded in the destruction that he had caused. "Now then," he said his voice traveling. "Brace yourselves. For here I come."

子猫

Momo rain, panic nipping at her heels as her mind whirled with doubt and inactions. Her mind whizzed with indecisions running around in circles, but always coming back to 'was this right?'. Eyes wide Momo in a frenzy glanced around at the buildings she passed wondering if this was even the right way.

"Should I leave Todoroki?" she whispered to herself, her breath hitching. "He said run, but was that the right thing to do?"

Behind her, Aizawa arrived swinging from his weapon. "I've observed your loss of self-confidence since the sports festival," he yelled out to her. Momo faltered as her eyes widened in a blind panic at the realization that he had already dealt with Todoroki. " Her breathing quickened as he landed on the building opposite of her, the bindings wrapped around her wrist. "Oh, I'm hitting some sore spots." She yanked against it. "So you wanna put me up with the trouble of a fight, huh."

Her eyes closed as she gritted her teeth. Yanking again but finding it useless as he yanked back, causing her to stumble. The beginnings of failure began to seep in causing the same bitter feeling to rush up threatening to crush her. In desperation, refusing to go down, she tested her quirk finding it hadn't been erased. With hope pushing against her she formed a circular object from her wrist causing the weapon that had been wrapped around it to release and freeing her. She took off in the next instant leaving Aizawa wanting to help her confidence, but he had a role to play.

Her legs carried her fast to where she had left Todoroki. Finding him hanging from a lamp post she wondered once more whether or not this was the right decision, to go against his plan. "I'm sorry!" she yelled as she ran up. "I just couldn't leave you."

"Yaoyorozu!" he yelled out in surprise. "He's coming! But before, you had a plan, didn't you!? I'm sorry, I should have asked you earlier!" Blinking Momo came to a stop, tears building in her eyes as she shook her head.

"Your plan didn't work!" she yelled, feeling overwhelmed. "Mine wouldn't-" Todoroki interrupted her, the feeling of her putting herself down causing anger to form inside of himself.

"I'm telling you that you're more qualified!" he yelled back. "Don't say something like that! Just do it! Don't think!" Still seeing the doubt on her face he closed his eyes. "You got two votes during the class president election, remember? I was that other person who voted for you, I thought you would excel at that!" Momo closed her eyes, the tears ever building but kept at bay.

"You done?" Aizawa asked as he leaped above them. Gritting her teeth Momo opened her eyes, pushing back all self-doubt, her eyes briefly connecting with Todorokis. The complete and total trust she could see in his eyes blew her away. Her fingers brushed over the dolls, a backup she had done without even thinking.

"Close your eyes, Todoroki!" she yelled out as she grabbed the dolls, and threw them up toward their teacher. Automatically Aizawa went to move back even as confusion clouded his mind at the action. One by one the dolls opened.

Bang!

Crouching Momo shoved herself forward, keeping low to the ground as she clutched at the rope keeping Todoroki suspended. "I do have a plan," she said desperately as he lowered. "An ace-in-the hole operation against Aizawa-sensei!" He dropped down next to her ready to follow any plans she made.

They were running, neither able to use their quirks as they moved from their sensei's line of sight. "Just do as I say!" she called back to him. "Keep trying to use your ice, because it's wrong for us to go in thinking we can't use our quirks! There's going to be a moment and a chance will open!"

"I'm catching up!" Aizawa hollered behind them, trying to psyche them out.

They turned the corner. "Between the moment that he blinks and opens his eyes again," Momo continued to say, her breathing erratic. A tingling began in his hand, a brief moment of ice forming. "You'll be able to bring it out again, Todoroki, right?" He spun around holding out his hand feeling that power build-up, activating. "The attack you displayed in the Sports Festival." The ice shot out forming the giant ice ridge from before. It towered in the sky cutting off Aizawa as he landed on a pole. A smirk lit up his face as he nodded his head approvingly.

"His quirk came right at me," he said with a chuckle as he crouched. "Good, that's right. Aim for the sore spots!"

Beginning to regulate his body temperature Todoroki spun around ready to ask her for the plan. Momo turned slightly away from him, had her shirt opened already working on the next part of her plan. His eyes widened, a blush dusting his cheeks as he averted his gaze, turning his body. He cleared his throat loudly.

"Aizawa's weapon," he said awkwardly. Not paying much attention Momo nodded as she focused on what she was doing.

"Yes," she said absentmindedly not feeling the same awkwardness he was. This was just part of her quirk, a part she quickly had become comfortable with. She began to calmly explain to him about the weapon she was making before settling her clothing back to where it belonged. Turning back around she explained to him the plan that had formed at the beginning of the test. "Our chances should be higher than if we only ran. The battle will be decided in a split second, is that okay?" She wanted him to be on board with this plan, not just to force his hand. He nodded.

"No complaints," he said having finally regained control of his blush.

The ice vanished revealing the two of them cloaked in cloth away from his sight. Feeling disappointed with their plan to keep from his sight he swooped down after them. His weapon wrapping around what he thought was them, but when pulling it back found the upper half to be just mannequins. He frowned upon finding Momo with a catapult. Automatically he began to retreat even as she released what looked to be his weapon up into the air. The bindings flew haphazardly in the air.

Confused Aizawa glanced around him wondering what they were trying to do. "Todoroki!" she yelled. "Shoot heat along the ground!" From the cloth that was still wrapped up, shot out a hand. "Against you sensei, I was uneasy about having a quirk attack for the finisher. Do you know about Nitinol alloy, when it's exposed to heat, it returns to its original shape at once." Heat exploded from the hand causing the bindings to snap toward Aizawa.

"Sensei," Momo said after she had handcuffed him. "You deliberately made it seem like you had been caught in our trap." He lowered his head before glancing back up at her.

"I was just keeping my eye on Todoroki," he said. "I was able to see you but Todoroki was concealed. I was expecting to be frozen. I thought retreating was my best option. So I guess it went all to your plan then."

"It did all come down to whether 'we had time'," Todoroki said. "Thanks." Momo only continued to look at their sensei. Tears began to build in her eyes as she covered her mouth. Todoroki upon realizing she was crying stared at her in worry.

"What's the matter?" he asked in confusion. Taking a step forward he touched her shoulder. "If you're feeling sick there's a pressure point for that on the top of your foot." She shook her head while Aizawa lowered his own.

A small smile played on his lips.

子猫

Midoriya stared in horrified fascination at her mentor. He was clouded in dust, it hung on part of his body, and the image it made up was terrifying. She shook lightly only glancing to her side to see how Bakugo was taking it. At the smirk that fell heavily over his features, she could only groan at the revelation of what was coming.

"If you're thinking of this as just another test, then you're in for a world of pain," All Might said, his voice carrying over the distance. "I am a villain, oh heroes. Come at me and put your whole heart into it." He bent readying himself to surge forward. Izuka felt the change of pressure around them. Her heartbeat faster at the significance of what was about to happen. Beside her, she watched as Bakugo prepared himself as well. Her mind spun trying to come up with a plan. The impressive display of power happening in front of them was boggling her mind. She had trained with him, but this was different. He was a villain now, and if all that training prepared her for anything he always went all out in character.

"Kacchan!" she yelled. "We need a plan!" He just scoffed preparing to launch himself. Her fingers shot out but slipped through the material of his costume. She could only watch on in horror as he moved through the air toward the mock villain.

"This is my plan!" he yelled. His hand came around to blast the villain but All Might reached forward grabbing his face. Bakugos hand froze inches away from All Might's face, as the bigger man squeezed. They both stood there, All Might expecting for him to retreat. A burst of heat to his face caused All Might to raise a hand to block the attack feeling surprised at his action. All Might shoved his hand away holding it off to the side only for Bakugo to swing the other one around. Gripping his arm and face harder All Might swung him around forcing him into the dirt.

"Is that all you've got!" he yelled out. "A small flurry like that barely caused me to feel anything."

Izuka stared wide-eyed reacting before her mind could catch up. Jumping forward Izuka found herself wrapping her arms around All Mights' neck. Surprised All Might let the boy under him go as he focused on the girl behind him. Bakugo slipped from underneath the fake villain. All Might spun around reaching for Izuka who dodged his hands but kept holding on. Her body tensed prepared to jump away only for a squeak to leave her mouth instead as a hand wrapped around her leg. With a tug, she was up into the air, and then all there was, was air holding her up before even that wasn't enough. A force knocked her breath out of her lungs as something caught her mid-air.

Bakugo wrapped his arm around her waist yanking her from her descent and safely to the ground. He placed himself between All Might and herself. "I will win," he said. One hand raised into the air. "That's what a hero does." Her breathing evened out, her hand reaching forward to touch his shoulder.

"Then let's work together," she said softly. "We need to regroup." She could see the snarl on his face, the no on his lips, but the sun disappearing above her caused her to freeze. Her blood ran cold as she glanced up, but it was too late, dodging wasn't an option.

"For the time being a present for the girl who would try," All Might said as he pinned her to the ground. The guardrail dug into the earth, the metal digging into the middle of her back. The pressure was unbearable and she felt the yelp of pain escape from her lips. Bakugo went to leap forward, his own eyes wide in horror, but spit flew from his lips in the next second. The punch landing to his gut causing him to be forced backward, up and over, as he tumbled several times against the ground.

"Kacchan!" she yelled out, groaning briefly in pain from the action. Her fingers dug desperately into the dirt but the railing was locked making it impossible for her to move. She could feel her back already aching informing her of the bruising that would ensue. She watched as Bakugo slowly began to pull himself up to his feet. His ragged breathing announcing the pain he was in.

All Might strode menacingly toward him, his eyes cold, playing the part. "I understand the problem between you and Midoriya, the anger you may harbor toward her, but I must say this is such a waste. The strength you could gain from the bond you two share, there's nothing else like it. You must understand her side of this as well-" Katsuki had pulled himself completely up, his eyes blazing.

"Don't pretend you understand anything about us," he snarled out. "Or what the fucking problems are. I'm plenty strong already. Keep to yourself, All Might." He clutched at his arm, his body hunched over.

"Well if my words are going to go ignored let's get on with the test," he said as he raised his hand into the air.

Izuka wiggled her arms beginning to grow the familiar green as her quirk activated. With a grunt, the guard rail shot into the air freeing her, and then she was on her feet. Bounding forward her whole body glowed as she flickered in front of All Might. Her fingers brushed over Katsuki's costume, clutching the material tightly as she tugged him after her.

"You baka, Bakugo!" she yelled out as she flung him forward away from the punch that had been waiting for him. She reached out hissing as she blocked All Mights punch with her arms crossed. The pain was familiar, reminding her of practicing with Gran Torino and her mentor. She gritted her teeth through the pain, use to it, as she pushed back using as much force as possible to cause an opening to escape. They stood at a standstill before she narrowed her eyes, sidestepped, and gripped All Mights arm. Leading him forward, using the much bigger man's momentum against him she flung him forward.

Knowing this would only give her a second opening, he would quickly right himself, she grabbed Bakugo's arm and tugged. They both took off, Bakugo complaining the entire way.

"You still refuse to work with me!" she said in frustration as they ran. Bakugo now following of his own free will. "We have to set aside our personal feelings, Kacchan. If we want to win we need to work together." Feeling as if they had gone far enough she spun around coming to face him. Stumbling to his stop he knocked into her, their legs intertwining and causing them to both fall together in a heap. He growled in frustration as he shoved away from her, his breathing erratic. Pulling herself up to her knees she glared at him. "You're the one that never gives up on winning, with you I know we can."

"Fucking whatever," he said, his eyes glaring at the ground.

After they had planned the both had gone looking for All Might, setting everything in motion. Bakugo leaped from his hiding spot coming from behind their enemy catching him by surprise. "Where are you looking!" Bakugo yelled in a distraction. All Might predictably turned around ready to counter anything the hot head sent his way. Bakugo gritted his teeth as he sent an explosion the man's way, maneuvering his own body out of harm's path.

"Koneko," he yelled. Midoriya leaped from her hiding space, her hand engulfed by Kacchans bracer that now adorned her arm. She gripped it with her other hand finding it heavier than expected as she began to raise it. "Fire!" Aligning it with her target she fired just as All Might turned to see her. His face set into grim determination as the explosion erupted between them. The force of the blast almost threw her off her feet but she gritted her teeth and used her quirk to stay upright. Her arm burst in pain from the kickback but she powered through it, surprised by the fact that Kacchan used this regularly.

Above her, she saw said blonde blast through the air. "Run!" he yelled, but she was already spinning around on her heels. Both took off down the street, avoiding the debris that threatened to trip them up as they put as much distance between them and All Might as possible.

All Might coughed as he watched their retreat. He stayed kneeling as he wiped the blood from his face. 'Those two were always clever,' he thought to himself. 'And yet when dealing with each other, all of that comes crashing down! The moment they hear each other speak, each of their feelings, emotions, thoughts, they pile up on top of one another. Until they're left without any grasp of how to treat things between them from there. They're relationship with resolve itself, but one day, without fail, their cooperation here today will surely lead to a great leap forward for them in the future.'

Picking himself up completely he stared off into the direction they left. Wiping at his lips one last time he readied himself. "Well then, kids. Sensei's gonna give it his all!" He rocketed forward taking chase.

Midoriya panted as they continued to run not daring to slow down. Checking behind her she still saw no sign of All Might chasing them, and that caused an uneasy feeling to enter her stomach.

"He still hasn't appeared!" she yelled out to Bakugo. "He's not just going to let us go that easily!" Bakugo huffed but didn't slow.

"Course fucking not!" he growled out. "That was just a love tap, he's coming, the bastard is just toying with us!" Silently Izuka agreed with him, her eyes still bouncing about looking out for any sign of an ambush. They were close, just up ahead was the exit and they would win. The closer they got the more that sick feeling in her stomach threatened to lurch forward and empty her stomach. "If he catches up to us I'll launch you using my bracer!"

Behind her, Izuka could feel the subtle change in the air around them. Before she heard the voice her body was already tensing. "Ah, I see," came All Might. "And? Then what?!" He was between them reaching for Bakugo's arm. He yanked at it bringing it around toward himself, throwing Bakugo off balance as his eyes widened. Two quick jabs and the bracer fell away to pieces under his hand. "Why so surprised? With these weights this isn't close to my top gear, I hope you know."

Using Bakugo's momentum, keeping him thrown off balance, All Might pushed him down. "Now, bite the dust, heroes!" Izuka jumped forward already in motion as Katsuki hit the ground. All Mights' foot came up to pin the young hero, as he twisted around to grab Midoriya from the air. Without a thought, he wrapped his hand around her throat raising her into the air.

A new voice blasted through the air. "Advisory: the first team to clear the exam is team Todoroki/Yaoyorozu!" Izuka wasn't listening, the voice not even reaching her ears. A ringing pounded within her ears, blocking all noise as the panic that was forming blew out of proportion. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she hyperventilated. Raising her hands she clawed at All Might's own in a blind frenzy.

"Wow, I'm stunned," All Might said failing to notice his students predicament as he gazed up into the sky. "This must mean you got taken down, Aizawa my man!"

Below him, Bakugo struggled to free himself as he heard the soft whimpers begin to release from Izuka. His Mark twisted painfully around his wrist in warning, telling of his soulmates panic. He shoved against the ground trying to rise but All Might just applied more pressure.

Izuka could feel her throat close up even though All Might only had a loose but stern hold on her. In the back of her mind, she could feel her skin degrading, breaking away, threatening to drag her under as her eyes stared blankly. An old pain throbbed, blood-red eyes flashed in her mind, along with the insistent scratching. A scream tumbled from her lips as she swore she was back there.

Blinking against the sign All Might grew panicked at the sound, his eyes locking on where his hand was. Taking her by the arm with his free hand he immediately released her, letting her body dangle from the new position. Immediately she felt the difference, her mind-clearing, and her vision narrowing on her surroundings. All Might felt himself freeze as he stared into the young girl's eyes that were just beginning to clear up, the haze of pure fear slipping away. Guilt shrouded his body keeping him from realizing the boy trapped under his feet was moving.

The stinging pain of a blast and the ringing in his ears reminded him of his other opponent. On instinct, he dropped the girl as he clutched at his leg that took the brunt of the explosion and shielding his face from harm. He groaned out in pain as he desperately looked for Midoriya to see if she was fine. Bakugo was leaning over her his own eyes desperately looking over the girl. Izuka lightly touched her neck as she was completely shoved back into the present by Katsuki's touch. Panting she glanced up at him nodding to let him know she would be fine. Grabbing her arm he felt the urge to end it, to get her out before any more harm could be done. Ending the test was the only way to protect her and it was his sole purpose at that moment.

"I'm going to fling you now," he said quickly. Her eyes widened as her racing mind caught up with his words. "You're gonna be okay." He briefly touched her cheek in comfort with his free hand. "It's not going to be the smoothest but this is the only way. We've got to end this." After catching her nod he pulled her back before flinging her forward using his quirk. He winced as he realized what pain it would cause her but he shoved that from his mind.

Izuka grimaced as the explosion flung her forward. Skyrocketing through the air wasn't the most comfortable feeling in the world. Her stomach rolled as she forced her lunch to stay down. Her sluggish mind raced to keep up with every new action as it still lingered on the blind panic from before. She barely caught the simple shift of the air as All Might joined her in the sky. Her body on instinct began to shift around preparing to stop the assault that lay in wait for her. Her arms came up to block the attack. For one instant they were both frozen in the air as a resounding smack echoed around them. She caught the guilt swimming in All Mights' eyes and mentally reminded herself to wipe it clean later.

Pain exploded throughout her back as they both went spiraling from the sky as she was slammed first into the ground. Her heart was rapidly beating as she laid there unable to move. Her body just refused to move, to listen to the commands that her brain was telling it. Her mind itself feeling sluggish, worse than before not helping with the problem.

"My, my, how naive, heroes," All Might said forcing himself to complete the test. Bakugo surged forward once more, explosions ripping through the air.

"My bracers are to enable me to be able to fire off my maximum- power flame with no risk!" he called out. "I was an idiot to think that I could beat your ass with taking no risks!" His hand throbbed in pain but he held it up reading himself to let off a full-force blast. The blast ripped through the air, lighting up their surroundings with light and sound. "Run, Koneko!"

Izuka forced her body to comply only able to get on her knees before her whole body shook with the effort. She could hear Katsuki yelling at her to get out of there but even as she shakily stumbled to her feet her legs felt like jello. With one full cowl jump, she knew she would make it but wasn't sure if she had it in her. The way her stomach rolled she was sure she would end up throwing up over everything before making that jump. Her head spun dangerously even as she powered up ready to attempt it.

Only a resounding bang from directly behind her and the feeling of the ground shaking caused her to pause. Bakugo had blocked All Mights advance on her causing himself to now be laying on the ground, his eyes closed.

"Sleep, Bakugo my boy," All Might said, his eyes clouded in shadow. "And put those self-wrecking ways of yours to sleep, too." Glancing behind her she could feel herself shake harder, one leg collapsing underneath her. "Personally, as your sensei, I'm afraid this is a little traumatic." Her eyes widened as a hand reached out and grabbed the one All Might held him down with.

"Quick," Bakugo hissed out his voice wavering. His hand was no steadier than his voice. "Go, fucking Koneko. If I bend and fold and choose to twist myself into a pretzel to win- if even that much was outside my power then I couldn't stand it!" He bit into All Might's hand.

Izuka shook as she forced herself to her feet once more. Pushing past the dizziness, the pain, she stared at Bakugo and felt a new strength surge within herself. All Might sensing movement spun his head around to look at her.

"I won't let you get away, Midoriya, my girl!" he said before gazing in surprise at her with the sight of not seeing her retreat.

Rushing forward she welcomed the new feeling as it surrounded her chasing away any ailment that she was feeling. Her eyes locked onto All might but her thoughts kept centered around Kacchan. She wouldn't leave him, they would get out of here together. She would make sure of that.

"Please, step aside, All Might!" she yelled as her fist swung forward. Her arm lit up with the green glow, strengthening her punch as it ripped into the side of the mock villains face. Clutching at where she hit All might groaned from the force of it. Not hesitating Izuka rushed to Kacchans side her eyes sweeping over his form. Upon finding him passed out she quickly knelt. Briefly running her fingers over his face she took a deep breath and activated One For All throughout her whole body.

All Might watched as she picked up his body before bounding away toward the exit. Wiping at his face lightly he groaned at the tender flesh. Pride built within him, briefly washing away the guilt of his actions.

"You punched me with all your heart," he said to himself as he watched her clear the exit.

He gazed at her in pride for a moment longer knowing that he had chosen well.

'That's just the person you are,' he thought. 'Saving others, even despite yourself. And whenever that time comes, there will never be a single wall in your way. And he will only strengthen you along the way.'

For those of you that are like 'Come on, just stop fighting already' just know that you should read the next chapter when it comes out ;) I'm thinking some good stuff will be coming your way.

Reviews:

Guest: I'm happy to hear you like the twists! I try to keep it from getting too boring for you guys by copying down everything word by word, or action by action. Hope you continue to read this story and review! :)

Thanks to everyone who has commented on the laster chapter and for those who continue to be silent readers. I know you guys are there and it makes me happy that you're all still reading! Sorry for no Bonus on this chapter I promise that the next bonus will be coming soon. Until next time!