The police arrived at the remote forested cabin as quickly as they could, arresting a number of the villains who had failed to escape. The pro-heroes were responsible for rounding up the scattered students, and that was when reality began to set in.

Uraraka, Tsuyu, and Ojiro urgently told Tiger, who had been the first to find them scurrying around the wooded path, that Naoko had gone missing and they didn't know where she was. He panicked with them for a brief moment before hurriedly bringing them to Aizawa.

"What is it?" he asked with a frown, having already received the distressing news of Bakugo's capture.

"We were with Naoko when these three villains surrounded us and we were trying to fight them off but when we looked back Naoko was gone!" Uraraka exclaimed, on the verge of tears.

"Did you see where she went? Was she taken by the villains?"

"I don't know! I didn't see, b-but I think she was!"

"We've been looking for her for a while now- we tried searching the forest, but…" Ojiro looked down, eyes clouded with guilt, "...we couldn't find her."

"I understand. You three go with the Pussycats; we'll take care of this," he reassured, sending them off with Tiger to join the rest of their classmates.

Aizawa had already learned of Naoko's capture from Todoroki. However, Midoriya and Shoji, who were also present during the villains' escape, could not confirm his statement. They hadn't seen her there, they said. Whether it was a case of tunnel vision or a simple oversight, he had no doubt the attackers had taken her as well; they couldn't find her even after combing the entire mountain twice, as was the case with Bakugo.

He was sure the League intended to recruit the boy, given his very public temper and rather aggressive behavior, they likely thought he was susceptible to their tangles of corruption. He knew they wouldn't succeed, but they didn't.

As for why they wanted Naoko… well, he had an idea about that too.

Naoko stumbled as she landed in a dim room on the other side of the dark portal.

"Shouldn't we tie that one up too?" Spinner questioned, peering up at her suspiciously.

"No," a new voice spoke, echoing faintly off the solid brick walls.

They turned to see a thin, blue-haired man slouching on a barstool behind them. Dabi shoved Naoko over to the other side of the room and pushed her into a chair, moving to stand behind her as he looked over to Shigaraki.

"What are you planning to do with this one?" he asked, though his tone made his disinterest abundantly clear.

"Just keep her there for now." Shigaraki glanced back at her, a wry smile peeking through the hand obscuring his face. "Hi again. I hope you've been doing well."

"What the hell?!"

Naoko's breath hitched. She quickly turned to see Bakugo had woken up, alarmed red eyes staring directly at her as a furious sneer twisted his features.

Shigaraki turned to face him. "Oh, y-"

"Get your shitty hands of her, you bastard!" he shouted, writhing against the metal chains holding him in place. The chains clamored and grinded unpleasantly against each other as he struggled to free himself.

"Calm down, we're here to-"

"I said fuck off! You hear me, damn zombie-lookin' scum?!"

Toga gasped from behind the counter. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth as she glanced between them, excitement flooding her pale expression.

"Be quiet," Dabi rolled his eyes.

Naoko winced, jerking her head back painfully and suppressing a whimper as the hand around her throat tightened. Bakugo instantly fell silent, gritting his teeth and glaring daggers at the uninterested man as he struggled against his restraints, the cold steel digging harshly into his skin.

"As I was saying," Shigaraki continued nonchalantly, "the League of Villains wants to offer you a deal. You have a lot of promise, you know. We could use someone like you."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?!"

"We're giving you a chance to be a part of the new future of the world. Together, we can turn over a new leaf for this misguided society and truly change the world once and for all. "

"You're as crazy as you look," Bakugo sneered in disgust. His eyes flicked to Naoko again, almost growling as he saw the way her face scrunched in pain. "Let her go."

"No, no, I'm afraid that's not possible. She's far too useful for that," Shigaraki shook his head, hands resting on his knees, "Though maybe you don't know about that yet."

"Useful?" he echoed poisonously, "The hell do you want with her, fucking bastards?"

"You know, I would have liked to speak to you civilly, but I don't think that's a good idea now."

"Take these damn chains off and see how civil I can be!"

"Your abilities are wasted on a crumbling world, don't you see? Today's heroes can't protect us anymore- we have to rebuild a new society where-"

"Fuck you!" Bakugo roared, the metal block around his hands bursting open with a deafening boom. He quickly grabbed the chains around him and blasted them with as much force as he could, shattering the metal links as if they were glass. He lurched forward, lunging at Dabi as his palms crackled viciously, eyes wide with boiling rage.

Magne and two copies of Twice jumped in front of him before he got five steps in, however. He shouted as he swung at the copies, both of them bursting into sludge upon contact, before aiming a blast at Magne's head. She raised the large magnetic block in her hands just in time to block the brunt of the explosion, but the sheer force was enough to send her flying into the back wall. Spinner shouted as he charged at Bakugo with twin blades raised high; however, the boy merely sneered at the green creature, dodging his sword. With a roll of his wrist, he blasted him into the wall of bottles behind the bar, sending a dozen of them crashing to the ground and shattering upon impact. His seething glare snapped back to Dabi as he charged at him once again, explosions bursting to life in both hands.

Out of the corner of her eye, Naoko saw Dabi raise his arm, a blue light flickering in the center of his palm.

Her eyes widened, and time seemed to slow to a crawl.

Bakugo was now barely a few feet in front of him at point-blank range. She could see his face twisted in anger, pupils contracted to pinpoints as the sparks of a deadly explosion built in his hand.

He wouldn't reach her in time.

The fire in Dabi's palm grew brighter, aimed at the center of Bakugo's chest. She felt the heat of those same flames earlier.

She knew he wouldn't miss.

No...

They couldn't hit him...

They couldn't!

Blazing flames shot from Dabi's hand just as Bakugo slammed straight into the ground, the scorching fire raging mere inches above his head before he was shoved across the room by an unseen force. Dabi's grip on her neck loosened for a fraction of a second, and she seized the opportunity to shove him off, bolting up and out of his reach. Her legs moved on their own as she made a mad dash towards Bakugo, instantly dropping to her knees as she reached his collapsed form, her dark eyes wide with shock.

Dabi moved to grab her, but Shigaraki raised a hand, stopping him.

"'Suki! Are you ok?" she asked frantically, her trembling hands barely touching his shoulder for fear of hurting him.

He groaned as he shakily moved to push himself up. He blinked a few times before suddenly seeming to remember the situation he was in. In a second, he leapt to his feet and shoved her behind him, one hand outstretched protectively as he glared daggers at anyone who dared moved a muscle their way.

"I have to say, this is sweet, but it's distracting from my point," Shigaraki sighed in exasperation, his piercing gaze fixated on her shielded form. "I know you're good and all, Unknown, but I do hope you're still acting."

"Shut up! Don't spit your crap at her!" Bakugo shouted, moving to block his view of the trembling girl.

She shrank further behind him, a shaking hand pressed desperately to his back.

Shigaraki sighed again and opened his mouth to speak, when a sudden knock echoed through the room.

"Hello, pizza is here- Kamino Store."

Everyone frowned, turning to the door questioningly.

The wall behind the counter suddenly burst open as All Might punched through with a "Smash!" His fist met Kurogiri's gaseous form, instantly knocking him to the ground with a painful sounding crack. The opposite wall burst open moments later, a dozen wooden tendrils flooding in and quickly binding themselves tightly around each villain. They didn't have time to react as more heroes forced their way into the hideout, the blinding lights of dozens of police cars flashing brightly outside.

"What a pain…" Shigaraki sighed, looking up at the monitor as he ignored the shouts all around him.

Bakugo glanced outside to see a barricade of armed police and pro-heroes standing just outside the building. His fists unclenched as he let out a slow, shallow breath he didn't know he was holding.

The heroes had found them.

Everything was ok now.

They were safe.

All such thoughts left his mind, however, as a muffled sob came from behind him.

Quickly spinning around, he was met with a trembling Naoko. Her wet eyes were squeezed shut, cast to the ground as her hair fell around her to obscure her face. Her hands clamped over her mouth, trying to hold back the sobs that racked her body. Her legs shook so violently it seemed she might collapse any second.

Bakugo frowned softly, his hand raising to capture one of hers. Gently, he coaxed it away from her face, steadying its tremble.

"Hey, what are you crying for?"

Glassy brown eyes flicked up to meet his own. Instantly, she threw herself at him, cries spilling out uninhibited as she desperately wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck as fat tears soaked into his shirt. Incoherent cries and apologies sputtered from her mouth, broken by frantic breaths and muffled sobs.

It was unusual, he would have thought, and if it were any other day, he might have shoved her off with the standard string of vile curses. But in that moment, he didn't say anything. He only held her, one hand stroking her hair while the other rested firmly on her back, his thumb tracing comforting circles into the thin fabric of her shirt.

"Bakugo! Ito!" All Might called to them, frantically rushing over to where they stood, "Are you two ok?"

Bakugo quieted him wordlessly, motioning to the sobbing girl in his arms.

All Might seemed to register the situation only now and nodded in understanding, scratching his head in a silent apology as he ushered Edgeshot over, quietly asking him to see the pair out safely.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted. Everyone tensed and glanced around in alarm as their breaths fogged the air. A tall red-haired boy appeared behind Kurogiri, shooting a brief glare in Naoko's direction before stomping on the wooden arm restraining the man. With a sharp snap, the wood cracked in half. Swirling portals instantly appeared beneath each of the villains, swallowing them whole and disappearing just as fast.

In the blink of an eye, the League was gone.

The split-second escape sent the pro-heroes into a frenzy; everyone looked around wildly, dumbfounded, glancing at each other for answers that weren't there. Orders were barked and sirens blared in the streets below as police tried organizing themselves. Heroes scurried around the empty room, nearly fumbling over each other as their shouts became incoherent, indistinct from the cacophony of frantic voices.

Naoko lifted her head from Bakugo's shoulder at the commotion, vision still a bit blurry.

"What-"

She didn't get to finish before a portal appeared beneath their feet, and suddenly weightless, they could do nothing but plummet through.

Bakugo's arms tightened around her as they tumbled through the portal, colliding harshly with the rugged concrete as it spat them out on the other end.

They quickly rose to their feet and glanced around the unfamiliar area. There were heroes and police here too, though they seemed not to have noticed their abrupt presence, currently preoccupied with fighting a slew of towering, humanoid creatures with exposed brains.

"Stay behind me," Bakugo ordered as he put himself between her and the League of Villains who stood not far away.

Shigaraki turned to stare at them, his visible eye narrowed.

"Get him."

On command, they all charged.

Twice and Magne launched themselves into the air, swinging fiercely while Toga stabbed at him from below. Naoko grit her teeth as she countered a blast of raging fire, redirecting it around them with a strong gust of wind. Spinner charged at her with both blades drawn, but Bakugo sent him tumbling with a blast to his feet. He flinched as he felt a sharp prick on his calf. Glaring down, he saw Toga smiling smugly back at him, a dark red fluid filling the clear tubing of her device. He twisted around and kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying back before he had to duck, narrowly dodging Twice's fist.

He glanced behind him, cursing under his breath when he saw Naoko had been separated from him. She stood a few feet away, hastily retreating from Dabi's assault.

A narrow wall of wind split the stream of fire in two, shooting off to either side of her as hot air battered her skin. She jumped back as Dabi rushed at her, using the inferno as cover. She jerkily dodged each of his swings and blasts as they came, backing away further and further with each burning, relentless blow. He wouldn't let her breathe for even a second, sending wave after wave of bright blue flames, each with the full intention of burning her alive, while she continuously dodged again and again. Her tears were long gone, dried in the scorching heatwaves, and the fearful concentration on her face slowly gave way to an irritated glare.

She breathed out sharply as Dabi charged at her yet again, simultaneously aiming a fireball at her feet and sending a blaze above her head. She jumped off to the side, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed more heroes had arrived. She leapt back, narrowly missing his fist and landing a distance away before turning towards one of the heroes, her expression once again perfectly painted with fear, waving desperately to catch his attention. When she glanced back, however, her breath caught as Dabi stood barely a few feet away from her, his gleaming eyes wild with bloodlust. His blazing fist filled half of her vision as it barreled straight towards her.

She glared irritably and outstretched an arm.

Just as her fingertips were about to reach him, a hand caught her elbow.

Dark, narrowed eyes shot up to see a tall man with deep brown hair smiling gently at her. Standing across from him was Shigaraki, similarly holding back Dabi's wrist.

"Now, now, this isn't the time for conflict between friends," the man smiled, looking to Shigaraki.

"No, of course not," he breathed a quiet sigh. "Didn't I tell you to take it easy on her, Dabi? You were getting serious at the end there..."

"You too, Unknown. You were about to do something rather harsh, weren't you? That's no good."

"What are you talking about?" Naoko sneered, dropping her arm as her piercing stare flicked to Dabi, then back to the man, "What are you doing here? What's this all about?"

"We're teaming up with the League of Villains. Isn't that nice?"

"What? Why haven't I heard anything about this?"

"You didn't tell her?" Shigaraki raised an eyebrow. "No wonder you were so… lively back there. In the future, you should mind your communication, Manager."

"Ah, you're right!" the man chuckled lightheartedly, "I just thought she would be more convincing if I held out a little."

"Convincing… I'd say she was very convincing."

"Hear that, Unknown? You did well," he laughed, clapping a hand down on her shoulder. "Sorry to kill such a good cover so early, but I'm sure you already know why I'm here, right?"

Naoko glanced up at him flatly. "I'm being extracted?"

"Yes, you are! Like I said, we're partnering up with Shigaraki and his group, so we'll need plenty of your help, of course."

"Tomura, you caught a big one this time, didn't you?" a deep, alien voice chuckled.

They turned to see a strange man in a dark suit walking leisurely towards them. His face was disfigured and featureless, almost inhuman, and he wore a strange, foreign device around his neck.

"You must be All for One," the Manager smiled.

"And you must be the head of Sacrosanct. I hope you can work well with Tomura," he breathed mechanically before turning to Shigaraki. "I'll leave this to you now," he stated. His face rose to look at something in the distance, a speck that seemed to be flying towards them at an alarming rate. "I have some... things to take care of."

The disfigured man lifted off the ground effortlessly. He soared into the air faster than their eyes could follow, a gust in his wake as he collided with something high above the earth, a loud boom reaching their ears even at their distance.

"I assume you have a plan for getting out of here, Shigaraki?" the Manager asked, smiling plainly as he turned his attention back to the blue-haired man.

"Of course," he scoffed indignantly. He raised his hand and gestured for the remaining members of the League to gather.

The surrounding pro-heroes and police officers turned their attention to the small group of villains below as the Nomus they were struggling against suddenly looked towards them before falling idle. They quickly seized the opportunity to capture the massive creatures, locking them up securely before sending them away, sirens blazing. They turned their collective gazes to the next problem on their hands, and soon, all eyes were on them.

"What the hell...?" Bakugo muttered, breathing heavily as Magne and Twice suddenly retreated mid-fight. He glanced in the direction they were running to and spotted the League standing together on the other side of a destroyed building. His eyes grew wide as they landed on a familiar figure among them.

"We're going to fight our way out of here. Think of it as a bonding exercise," Shigaraki stated with a grin as everyone gathered. He glanced over at the two newcomers before his eyes settled on Naoko. "And I'd like to see your power as well."

"Yay! New friends!" Toga squealed, bouncing cheerfully as she latched onto the Manager's arm.

"What, that kid?" Spinner asked incredulously, scanning her up and down, "I thought we already saw her blow her air around?"

"Don't make assumptions, Spinner. Let's see what kind of show our new teammate can offer!" Compress gestured elegantly, tipping his hat to a displeased-looking Naoko.

"Be quiet, all of you. Now's not the time," Shigaraki sighed, motioning to the pro-heroes closing in on them.

The gathered ten turned their eyes around, gazing out at the incoming rush of attackers.

Excitement, glee, boredom, or whatever other emotion they chose, the only one missing was fear.

"You'll have plenty of time to chat later, but right now, we have a point to make..." His eyes narrowed as a wide smile crept across his sullen features.

They all took a step forward, gazes locked on the heroes that grew closer by the second.

"Right now, we fight together."