Izuku is on the ground kneeling and panting.

Mandalay says, "Get back to camp right now!" Mandalay flips in the air and kicks Spinner as she says, "Those injuries aren't normal."

Izuku says, "I'm sorry. I can't!" He goes Full Cowling and takes off running saying, "You need to send one more thing. The villains. I know one reason they're here."

Magne says as he glances at Izuku who's running towards them, "Huh?"

Izuku says, "They're after Kacchan and Cara! Please, you have to let the others know!"

Mandalay looks towards Izuku and says, "Kacchan? Who's that? No! Wait! Stop!"

Magne mutters, "That rumble in the ground earlier. Only two people in our group fight with that kind of power. And sounds like one of them talked. Could is possibly have been Muscular? Don't tell me that little kid is more powerful than him." Magne gets away from Tiger and goes running towards Izuku muttering, "In that case...This child must be put down!"

Spinner says, "Don't, Big Sis Mag." Spinner throws a knife in the way and Magne yelps.

Magne says, "What the hell was that for, Spinner? He was on the priority kill list!"

Spinner says, "Shigaraki's the one who wants him dead."

Magne says, "Uh, yeah, and he's the reason we're here."

Spinner says, "But that boy is someone Stain wished to save. Which means he was deemed worthy of being called a true hero. If Stain spared him, then-"

Mandalay kicks Spinner interrupting him and then Tiger punched Magne on top of his head. Mandalay says, "About time I got a solid hit in." She stops panting and mutters, "Can't stop the boy. But I can relay his message."

I stop again as my head vibrates with Mandalay's voice coming through, "Listen, we've discovered two of the villains' targets. It's a student named Kacchan. As well as Cara."

Back in the main building Eijiro asks, "Bakugo and Cara?"

Tenya looking up says, "What do they want with him? And Cara too?"

Mandalay's Telepath continues, "Kacchan, you should try to avoid combat. And to stick to a group."

Eijiro says, "Aw, damn it!"

Mandalay's voice says, "I hope you can hear me!"

Bakugo runs forward saying, "I could focus if you got out of my damn head! I can take care of myself!"

The villain in front of Bakugo and Shoto shoots steel barbs out and Shoto is quick to put a block of ice in front of Bakugo to shield him from the villain's attack.

Shoto says, "Don't rush into this fight carelessly!"

Moonfish says, "Have to keep going...Have to work...Do my job..." He growls.

Shoto says, "Weren't you listening to Mandalay? They're here because they're after you and Cara."

Bakugo says, "Telling us not to engage and then changing their minds. I don't know how, but I got the feeling this is Deku's fault." One of Bakugo's veins in his temple throbs. Bakugo yells as he jumps back from Shoto's ice as a barb comes through. Bakugo says, "Well, I don't care what anyone says! And shouldn't you be more worried about your girlfriend considering Ragdoll said she was out here to help people too?"

Bakugo jumps back more and Shoto sends even more ice up but the villain's steel barbs go above it as he flies in the air sending even more to break up the ice.

Shoto says, "Damn it. He's good at moving through this terrain with his Quirk."

Bakugo says almost bent over backwards, "This freak he looks like a scrawny little sidekick to me!" Bakugo straightens up and screams, "C'mon, ya bastard!"

I quickly cut through the forest hearing them and run to them knowing they are the strongest in my class after me so it would be best to be with them; villain after them now or not.

The villain rises in the air with his steel barbs as Shoto says, "This clearly isn't his first battle."

Moonfish says, "Show me...Show me your exquisite flesh!"

Bakugo starts setting off explosions in his right hand but Shoto says, "We can't start fires around here because the flames will spread! Everyone could die if we aren't careful. Do you understand me?"

Bakugo stops his explosions and says, "Yeah, I get it! I'm not stupid!"

Shoto mutters looking at a path, "Even if we try to retreat, there's poison gas everywhere. They're obviously trying to drive us into a corner."

In the forest Tetsutetsu says, "Did you hear what she said? We've got permission to punch people!" Tetsutetsu takes off running and Itsuka is quick to follow.

Itsuka screams running after him, "Wait, Tetsutetsu! Do you understand how this gas works?"

Tetsutetsu stops and turns towards her saying, "Yeah, it's dangerous. Gimme some credit, Kendo."

Itsuka comes to a stop a few feet from him and says, "Listen! Mandalay didn't say anything about the gas in her message. That means it must not have spread to wherever she's broadcasting from. But that doesn't make any sense. This gas is moving really slowly. Normally it would spread out more, right? This is staying in one place. Not actually naturally." Itsuka turns pointing and continues, "And look. It's definitely denser here than it was in the area we just ran away from."

Tetsutetsu says, "Okay. So what?"

Itsuka points and says, "I think it's swirling around one source. Somewhere near here. Like a typhoon. If that's true, there should be someone who's producing the gas at the center of the storm. A villain who's controlling it."

Tetsutetsu gasps and says, "I get it now! Oh, man, Kendo. You're so amazing!"

Itsuka says looking frustrated, "I figured you'd miss the signs. That's why I came with you. Okay. The closer we get to the center of the swirl, the thicker the poison will be. That's a problem. There's a limit to how much gas these things can filter. And the denser the gas, the shorter the functioning time. That means..."

Tetsutetsu runs forward saying, "Ah! We run head-first into the center of the typhoon and punch whoever's there."

Itsuka groans and says, "Well, technically, yeah." Itsuka mutters quietly, "He's a little one-note, but he's not wrong."

Tetsutetsu says, "Shiozaki and our other classmates suffered because of this villain's stupid power. Stuff like that really pisses me off. Let's teach this bad guy a lesson, Kendo!"

Itsuka nods and says, "Heh!" Itsuka mutters, "I can't say I don't like this side of you."

Inside the typhoon of gas the villain, Mustard, stands and says, "Three - no. Two people are headed straight for me. I guess a few of them avoided my gas and realized I'm here. I should have expected that from a prestigious school. But then...No matter who wonderful their Quirks may be..."

Tetsutetsu full steeled rushes in and says, "I found you!"

Mustard continues, "...they're still only human." He shoots off a gun.

Izuku is running through the forest and turns slightly at the gunshot and mutters, "That sounded like a gunshot. Kacchan, you better be okay!"

Mustard says, "Ah. I saw you on TV during the sports festival. You can make your skin hard. That means you're bulletproof." Mustard had shot Tetsutetsu's mask in half. Tetsutetsu grunts with the mask falling away from his face. Tetsutetsu holds his face as Mustard continues, "Eh. That doesn't really matter. Because now, it's just a matter of how long you can hold your breath in this toxic miasma."

Tetsutetsu mutters, "Seriously? He pulled a gun? And he took out my mask with one shot. What's this shorty's deal? And why is he wearing a school uniform? He's probably my age."

Tetsutetsu runs at Mustard again and again Mustard shoots him and says, "What, do you think you're The Terminator? Even if you can steel yourself, charging straight in is a fool's move. Shouldn't you be smarter if you go to UA? Don't be so rash. Use your head."

Itsuka rushes in and Tetsutetsu grunts jumping in front of her to keep her from being shot as Mustard pulls his gun on her.

Mustard continues, "Or you're not worth killing."

Itsuka says, "Tetsutetsu!" as she sees he's bleeding.

Tetsutetsu mutters to Itsuka, "It's no good. Retreat!"

Mustard laughs and says, "Two against one, and you were banking on a surprise attack. What a simple plan. I expected better. I'm producing and controlling this gas, yes. But that's not all. The gas is showing me your movements with its fluctuations. In other words, you can't hide from me. You arrogant UA students. Why didn't you figure that out, huh? You're shattering the image I had of your school. What a shame."

Tetsutetsu growls and runs forward causing Itsuka to say, "Wait, no!"

Mustard shoots Tetsutetsu again and says, "Moron." Tetsutetsu falls to the ground. Mustard says, "What's this? You seem softer than you were earlier." Tetsutetsu gets up into a kneel as Mustard continues, "Let me guess, maybe metal fatigue? Or is it because you can't breathe anymore? How many more shots can you take? Brace yourself for another." Mustard shoots Tetsutetsu again causing Tetsutetsu to yelp. Mustard says, "Don't they usually do endurance tests for people like you who have simple, one-noted Quirks? And yet, you still rush in like you're indestructible." Mustard shoots again causing Tetsutetsu to grunt as it hits him. Mustard says, "Hey." Mustard starts reloading and continues, "You guys wanna grow up to be heroes, right? Something about that is so strange to me." Mustard shoots again and he continues, "For people to fawn over someone like you, a one trick pony, just because of where you went to school!" He shoots a few more times before kicking Tetsutetsu and says, "That's what's wrong with this world!"

Tetsutetsu grunts as he hits the ground but starts to get up again as he mutters, "Oh, crap. I can't breathe." He takes another shot and mutters, "And Kendo - Strength's...going. Vision's distorted. Everything is fading."

Itsuka rushes forward and says, "Stop!"

Mustard turns around and says, "I told you, I can tell exactly how you're moving thanks to the flow of the gas." Itsuka's grab misses but she knew it would she then calls on her Quirk and and her Big Fist hits the villain as it enlarges.

Itsuka says, "I don't give a damn if you know where I am."

Mustard says, "I can't believe you think you'll win with that pitiful Quirk."

Itsuka puts both of her Big Fists up and says, "Whether it's pitiful or not completely depends on how I use it!" She uses her Big Fists to swirl at the air as she says, "I can still stop you!"

Mustard says while trying to keep his footing, "Just how much power do those stupid hands have?"

Itsuka says, "You're pathetic. Carrying a gun around in that dumb uniform is basically saying you know you can't win a fight on your own merits."

Mustard says as he points the gun at Itsuka, "You little..."

Itsuka says, "This is for those at UA who have a one-track mind."

Mustard turns as he says, "The gas got thinner, so I didn't realize!"

Tetsutetsu is coming up behind Mustard ready to punch.

Itsuka says, "Because when everyone else is ready to give up..."

Tetsutetsu punches Mustard causing him to groan and takes his mask off.

Itsuka continues, "...they take another step and go beyond!"

Tetsutetsu holds Mustard to the ground while holding his breath and the gas starts to go.

Itsuka says, "The poison. It's disappearing."

Tetsutetsu gasps in a big breath and pants then says, "If the gas user is wearing his own mask, there's only one thing to do! Break it."

The villain Mustard looks like he's knocked out and Tetsutetsu falls to the ground next to him groaning and panting and says, "You're gonna pay for ruining our camp. And for shooting me. Stupid kid!"

I see Izuku run panting through the forest and I quickly follow him. Izuku mutters, "Kacchan and Todoroki went second in the test of courage. If they didn't go back to camp yet, then they might still be around here." Izuku gasps as Dark Shadow goes towards him and he gets shocked causing Izuku to yell in pain.

I get to him as Shoji picks Izuku up and puts him on his back. Izuku gasps and seeing Shoji bleeding says, "Shoji. What happened-?"

Shoji says, "With those injuries...You should be laid up in bed recovering. But you wanna save your friend. No matter what the cost. And Cara you should be heading back to camp since they are after you and Bakugo."

I say, "I can't I need to make sure everyone is out of the forest before I worry about myself. I wouldn't forgive myself otherwise."

Shoji says, "I understand."

Izuku and I say together, "You're injured, too."

Shoji says, "Yes. We were ambushed by villains, and I covered us. But the attack triggered Tokoyami's Quirk, even though he was desperately trying to hold it back."

Izuku says, "That thing just now...Wait...Don't tell me!"

I whisper, "Dark Shadow."

Shoji says, "Yeah. If we wanna get through here, we'll have to face Dark Shadow first."

Dark Shadow roars and I see Tokoyami fighting him and Tokoyami says, "Stay away from me! You'll die!"

Izuku gasps and says, "Tokoyami, no!"

Dark Shadow roars again. And I say, "There's got to be a way that I can calm him down like I've talked to him before and worked with him."

Dark Shadow goes walking through the forest and we hide behind a tree and Izuku says, "But...How did he get this way?"

Shoji says, "Keep it down. After Mandalay told us what was happening and that we shouldn't engage we were both on high alert. Still, one of the villains got the drop on us. I hid in the bushes and tried to cover Tokoyami, even though one of my arms was cut off."

Izuku asks, "Really?"

Shoji says, "It looks bad. But it's not like it's lost forever. My Dupli-Arms are capable of making duplicates upon duplicates. One of those was cut off. Thing is, he couldn't stand seeing me injured like that. The Quirk he'd been suppressing began to rage and take over."

Dark Shadow roars again.

Izuku says, "The darker it is, the less control Tokoyami has. I had no idea his Quirk could explode like this."

I say, "Anger does a lot more than anyone realizes. It's why darkness Quirks can be difficult as they are emotion driven."

Shoji says, "Cara's right. It's probably fueled by his righteous indignation and regret. He's tried to hold it back, but they made it wilder. It starts lunging at any sound or movement, a beast lashing out with indiscriminate attacks."

Tokoyami says, "Forget about me. Go! Find our classmates. Help them instead. Stop this. Calm down, Dark Shadow!"

Shoji says, "His Quirk has a weakness to light. If we can lead them to a fire or back to camp, we can contain it. Midoriya. Cara. I know these are strange circumstances, but I can't just leave a suffering friend behind. You forced your broken body to get you here because you were worried about Bakugo. If you still wanna save him, I'll distract Dark Shadow for you. And you can run."

I say, "I'll help too. I may even be able to help calm him down."

Izuku gasps and says, "Hold on. The fire and camp are pretty far away. You'll be in danger if he-"

Shoji and me are quick to duck as Dark Shadow hears Izuku and hits the tree we're hiding behind.

Shoji says, "I know that. But to save people, you have to take risks. That's what makes a hero, a hero." We hide behind another tree and Shoji asks, "Will you stay with me and Cara and help Tokoyami? Or will you rush to Bakugo's side? You have to make a choice. Right now."

Izuku closes his eyes for a second and then opens them and says, "I already have."