The manga is killing me like you wouldn't believe. Classes start up for me tomorrow so I'm hoping to write a lot of chapters today. This is a bit of a late post because normally I post at like 2am but it's 10am but I wanted to write the first half of the chapter to be...less similar to the manga I guess. I dunno. I hope you like it? Next update - August 30th.

"We wanted to do the test of courage too…" Ashido whines.

"You said this was gonna be candy and the whip," Kirishima drags behind Ashido, "When do we get to the candy?!"

"At this point, I'll even take some salty licorice...just enough with the whip. Give us some candy, Sensei," Kaminari joins in.

"Salty licorice is delicious, I'll have you know," Aizawa says while pulling them through the forest.

"Speaking of candy," Kaminari looks over his shoulder at Yuudai who's lagging behind a bit, "Kojiko, do you still have that stuff that Shinsou gave you?"

Yuudai hums and doesn't reply, his thoughts elsewhere.

"Kojiko?" Kirishima slows his pace and nudges Yuudai with his elbow.

"The candy thing that Shinsou gave you," Kaminari repeats, "They were good, you still have any on you?"

Yuudai tilts his head, "Sorry?"

Kirishima frowns, "From your birthday, remember? Shinsou gave you those little sugar candies that looked like sheep."

"I remember those! They're Konpeito," Ashido says with a grin, "Pure sugar!"

"I've always wanted to try making those," Satou says with a sigh.

"Sorry," Yuudai says with a fake smile, "I don't have any left!"

Kirishima and Kaminari glance at each other. They can clearly remember Yuudai chomping on some while playing Uno.

"Did you hit your head or something?" Kaminari jokes, "It's like you don't remember anything at all."

Yuudai tilts his head, "What'd you mean?"

"I mean," Kirishima hesitates, "Lately...you've kinda been a little different."

Kaminari nods in agreement and Aizawa starts to actually listen in on the conversation.

"Really," Yuudai scoffs, "I have no clue what you're talking about."

"That!" Kirishima exclaims, making Yuudai raise an eyebrow, "It's that!"

Satou, Sero and Ashido exchange glances, they weren't as close to Yuudai as Kirishima or Kaminari. And Kaminari only half understands what Kirishima means by 'that.'

"Less than two days ago you would've said Kirishima-kun or Kaminari-kun or guys or dudes," Kirishima explains, "Who just starts off a sentence with really?"

Yuudai shrugs, "I do?"

Aizawa grumbles, "Are you guys going to walk or am I going to drag you to class?"

"We're walking, we're walking," Ashido says with exaggerated annoyance.

Aizawa stops walking a few steps later when he feels someone behind him stop. Yuudai was staring off in the distance, thinking about who knows what.

"Kojiko," Aizawa calls.

Yuudai doesn't hear him, which is very odd considering his good hearing and their close proximity.

Kaminari walks over to him this time and pushes him so that he loses his balance a little. On any normal day Yuudai would have teetered a bit then pushed Kaminari back playfully. Today, we've established, is not a normal day. Yuudai teeters, sure, but he doesn't push Kaminari back with a twinkle in his eye and smile on his face.

He glares at Kaminari, cold and harsh. It actually makes Kaminari back away a little.

"Kojiko?"

No reply, Yuudai keeps staring back at the forest.

Ashido tries next, "Yuu-kun?"

Nothing.

Aizawa tugs on the scarf and keeps walking. He keeps a close eye on Yuudai, who seems to be walking unconsciously while still staring back at the forest. Aizawa also elects to ignore the worried looks from Kaminari and Kirishima.

Kaminari breaks the silence first, "Are you sure you didn't hit your head or anything?"

Yuudai gives him a smile, "Pretty sure, yeah."

"Are you sure? Because when Shinsou gave you that candy you memorized the name and then ordered five boxes of it and now you can't remember what it's called and you don't have any on you?"

Yuudai raises an eyebrow, "You're awfully observant."

"I thought we established that I like knowing the little things," Kaminari insists, "But you're trying to side track me and that's not happening!"

Yuudai's smile drops a little.

"I'm sure that there's something wrong with you," Kaminari insists, "You hit your head, you have amnesia, you're mad at us, you're injured! Something!"

Sero nudges Kaminari to get him to stop before he starts rambling. They're almost back at the building, it's not the time to start a fight with a classmate.

Yuudai shrugs, "Listen dude, I have no clue what's up with you but honestly I'm just being myself here."

Kirishima steps between Kaminari and Yuudai so Kaminari can't launch himself at Yuudai in his frustration.

"I know that you normally only talk about that stuff with Midoriya," Kirishima glances at Yuudai before continuing in a soft voice, "but you can talk to us. We're your friends and it's kinda off putting to see you acting like a whole other person."

Yuudai scoffs, "You haven't even known me for that long."

Kirishima raises his head, surprised, "I know that but-"

"Dude, I'm fine," Yuudai rolls his eyes, "I don't know why you're so pushy about it."

Kirishima bites his lip and keeps walking. Sure, that hurt a bit and being called pushy wasn't exactly manly but he's concerned about his friend! Speaking of which, that attitude.

Normally Yuudai only talks back in that kind of tone when in a fight or sparring. It's something to do with his mindset during a fight and adrenaline or something, he can't remember the details.

Finally, they arrive at the classroom. Aizawa releases his students, except for Yuudai, and opens the door.

"For this supplementary lesson, I'll be beating into you how to conduct yourselves during a crisis," Aizawa faces Yuudai, "I need to speak to you before class starts."

Yuudai shrugs in response.

"Is-"

Aizawa cuts him off, "I'll handle this. Go bother Monoma or something."

He slides the door closed before Kirishima can object.

"What'd you think is up with him?" Ashido asks as Kirishima sits down.

Kirishima smiles, "I'm sure Aizawa-sensei can handle it."

In the hallway…

Aizawa releases Yuudai from his scarf and rewraps it around his neck. Yuudai leans against the wall, arms crossed with an annoyed look on his face.

"Listen kid, I don't know what's up with you but your classmates are right," Aizawa looks directly into Yuudai's eyes, "Is there something wrong?"

He doesn't say anything in response.

"You're a shitty liar so don't try anything," Aizawa comments.

Yuudai's eyes flick down the hall. Aizawa follows his gaze and then is startled by a kick to his stomach. After the kick, Yuudai starts running down the hall. Aizawa's quick to react, though, immediately activating his Quirk and using his scarf to grab Yuudai by the ankle. His student faceplants into the floor and Aizawa wraps Yuudai's arms around his back.

The remedial class, hearing the struggle, peeks open the door to see Aizawa glaring at his student? Kirishima hurries into the hall followed by Kaminari and then Vlad and then everyone else.

"Aizawa-sensei?" Kaminari asks hesitantly, "What's-"

Aizawa tightens the scarf more as Yuudai starts to recover from his faceplant.

"This is so fucking dumb," Yuudai mutters.

"Kojiko? Are you okay?"

Yuudai scoffs, "What's it look like?"

Aizawa glares at Yuudai, "Explain what just happened."

"I kicked you in the stomach, I thought that was obvious."

"At training yesterday, you wandered off into the forest. What happened to you after you wandered off?" Aizawa ignores the stares from his other students.

"You kicked Aizawa-sensei in the stomach?!" Kaminari exclaims loudly.

Aizawa sends a look towards Kaminari and he stops talking.

He looks back at Yuudai, "Answer."

"I don't even know, man," Yuudai says in a tired voice.

"Something happened, now tell me."

"I told you, I don't re-" Yuudai cuts himself off as he hears the smallest click from the entrance door.

Aizawa looks to where Yuudai is looking and sees a shadow. After that everything feels like it's going just a little bit faster. As soon as a figure appears at the end of the hallway a blue flame rushes towards them. Vlad acts quickly and uses his Quirk to create a shield.

The rest of the students are told to go back into the classroom. Eventually the flames stop and Vlad reabsorbs the blood he used, blocking the kick that comes from the villain as soon as there's an opening. Vlad sends a spear of blood through the villain and pins him to the wall. He dissolves into a mud-like goop.

Yuudai gets loose from Aizawa's scarf and launches himself towards Aizawa. Kirishima rushes forward as Aizawa blocks Yuudai's attack. He manages to tackle Yuudai into the ground, though he holds back a little.

"Kirishima!" Ashido shouts as Kirishima pushes his weight onto Yuudai's arms behind his back, immobilizing him.

Aizawa gets back to his feet and restrains Yuudai with his capture weapon. Kirishima doesn't move, Ashido helps him up while Sero, Satou, and Kaminari can only watch.

At that moment there's an announcement in everyone's heads.

"Two villains have invaded the area! It's possible there are still more lurking in the shadows! Those who are capable head immediately to the facility! If you should come face to face with the enemy, do not engage them in combat! Continue your retreat!"

The two teachers quickly hurry their students back into the classroom. Yuudai is restrained with Vlad's blood to a chair and Aizawa leaves to get the rest of the students from the forest. There's an uncomfortable silence as Kirishima avoids looking at Yuudai and Vlad checks to make sure that Yuudai can't move. Kaminari accidentally shocks Sero due to his nervousness.

"Kaminari, can you calm down a little?" Ashido asks politely, "You're making the air all...zappy."

Kaminari takes a few deep breaths and nods, "I'm trying my best here."

"So what's with the restraints on the 1-A newbie?" Monoma asks while nodding over to Yuudai.

"He attacked a teacher," Vlad explains and walks back to the door.

As he opens the door Iida, Koda, Mineta, and Ojiro file into the classroom. The three of them are a little more than surprised to see Yuudai restrained.

Iida starts, "Sensei, if I may ask-"

"He attacked Aizawa," Vlad explains quickly and closes the door then stands guard.

The three of them stiffen with shock.

"I didn't exactly attack him," Yuudai says casually, "It was more like...self defense."

"You kicked him in the stomach and made Kirishima restrain you!" Sero exclaims.

Yuudai shuffles his feet against the floor, his head hanging low like a child getting scolded.

"Why would you ever do such a thing?" Iida questions, "Aizawa-sensei is-"

"I don't know how many times I have to say this," Yuudai sighs, "I don't fucking know why."

"There's something seriously wrong with you," Kaminari pipes up.

His classmates nod in agreement.

Kaminari walks closer to Yuudai, "I'm sure you hit your head or something. You'd never actually attack Aizawa or any of us, right?"

Yuudai shrugs, "I dunno, I mean I could if I wanted to."

"But you don't want to?" Kaminari asks hopefully.

"I mean if I'm a villain I guess my answer should be yes." Yuudai says with uncertainty.

"Yes, you want to attack us or yes, you don't want to attack us?"

"You're asking for clarification when he just said that he's a villain!?" Monoma exclaims.

"It's important to understand his answer!" Kaminari shouts back.

Monoma points at Yuudai, "He just confessed that he's a villain!"

"Yeah but there might be a reason for that!"

"I don't really have a reason," interrupts Yuudai.

"Then why are you doing all of this?" Vlad asks from the door.

Yuudai shrugs, again, "Some dude in a mask told me to."

"And you just listened to the stranger in the mask!?" Iida waves his arms, "That's-"

"Listen, listen, listen," Yuudai says quickly, "I only know is that I wake up and some guy tells me I'm a villain, a spy, and that we're raiding this place or some shit. Okay? It's all I know. Now can we get rid of the blood straps?"

Kaminari frowns, "Did they do something to you? You're not a villain, okay? You've never even shown an interest in anything villain related. You're a student at U.A. - an actual student studying to be a pro-hero. Remember?"

"They must have done something to him!" Ashido exclaims.

Kirishima sits himself in front of Yuudai and bows slightly, "Sorry in advance for this."

"Kirishima?"

"What're you doing?"

"Wai-"

Kirishima stands up and punches Yuudai straight in his stomach. His eyes close and he doesn't watch Yuudai cringe as pain jolts through him and the chair flips backwards. Kirishima has sparred with Yuudai before, sure, but this is different.

"Kirishima!"

"I can't believe you punched a classmate!"

"I can't believe you punched Kojiko!"

"What happened to manliness?! It's not manly to punch a person who's disarmed and restrained!"

Kirishima stiffens under everyone's comments. That is until Vlad walks over to the chair to see nothing but a pile of mush.

"How'd you know?" Vlad asks quietly.

Kirishima stares at the floor. It reminds Ashido of his rougher middle school days. The most she can do is pat him on the shoulder.

"It's like the villain in the hall…" Sero whispers.

"Villain?" Ojiro asks.

"There was a villain with a flame Quirk that melted after a few hits," Ashido explains.

"A clone?"

"I guess."

"So if this Kojiko-kun is a clone," Iida pauses.

Kaminari nods, "Then the real one is probably with the villains."

At that moment another announcement is relayed.

"Members of Class A and B. I, professional hero, Eraser Head hereby authorize you all for combat!"

Everyone in the room looks at each other. A moment passes and Vlad's mouth opens to speak but another announcement interrupts him.

"We've identified one of the villains' objectives! The student named "Kacchan!" Whoever "Kacchan" is, as much as possible, avoid combat! Refrain from solo movements! Got it!? "Kacchan!"

The announcement ends.

"Who's Kacchan?" Monoma looks at Class A.

"Kojiko and Bakugou?!" Kirishima says through gritted teeth.

"You're kidding...right?" Sero whispers.

Kirishima rushes over to Vlad, "They're after our friends! Please, let us go!"

Ashido joins him along with Kaminari.

Vlad shakes his head, "No way."

"If we don't know how many villains are out there, the more we have fighting, the better!" Iida agrees with Kirishima.

"'Fight!' Aizawa-sensei told us to, didn't he?!" Kirishima yells, "They already have Kojiko! If they get-"

"He meant that in self-defense," Vlad says with crossed arms, "in order for everyone to make it back here."

The door clunks.

"Aizawa-sensei's back! Let's just ask him directly."

Vlad glances at the shadow in the window, "No...That's not him!"

The door bursts into flames and Vlad pushes away the students within range.

"Everyone, get down!" Iida orders.

"It's the villain from earlier."

Dabi readies another flame but Vlad manages to slam him into the wall before he releases anything.

"Barging in here like that with such a brainless attack...you're really making light of us, huh?!" Vlad growls.

"Of course I'm making light of you. You've reacted exactly how I expected you would," Dabi smirks, "You've already fallen behind. You're losing this battle."

Vlad's grip tightens.

"U.A., the pinnacle of hero education, and All Might, the paragon of peace. Two of this hero society's most trusted symbols, gathered in one place. If we can do things that cause that trust to waver...then surely those cracks will start to spread throughout all of society, don't you think? For example," a careless administration that allows itself to be repeatedly attacked...one weak enough to allow a group of rag-tag criminals to snatch away not one but two students."

Kirishima hardens his hands, "Bastard, are you saying that Bakugou's also…"

"That's how it is?!" Kaminari spins electricity through his hands, "Don't mess with us!"

"Look, there are so few of us, and we're driving you into a corner."

"You bastard!" Vlad swings at Dabi's head.

Aizawa kicks Dabi square in the head, "Don't bother, Vlad!"

"Aizawa-sensei!"

Aizawa drives his foot through Dabi and he melts, "This guy's just trying to agitate you. You won't get any information from him."

"Erasure Hero: Aizawa-sensei!"

"Just look, it's a fake," Aizawa lifts his foot out of the mud, "One came earlier."

"A fake…"

"Is that one of the villains' Quirks?"

"That's what happened to Kojiko…"

"Kojiko?" Aizawa raises his head, "What happened to him?"

If it wasn't for the increasing danger, the students would have laughed at his sudden show of worry.

Vlad shakes his head, "He was a clone, too."

Aizawa's eyes darken.

"Eraser, where have you been?"

Aizawa shakes his head, "I'm sorry. I was planning to give orders allowing the students to fight, but I had to protect Kota first. Take him for me. I'm going out to the frontlines. In the meanwhile, I'm counting on you to protect this place, Vlad."

"Wait, Eraser! Who knows how many times they'll come and attack this place again?"

"You'll be fine by yourself. Look at this fake. Both times they sent just one...they just want to keep the pros occupied here. It's a tactic they're employing to make up for their lack in numbers."

Kirishima steps forward, "If there are so few villains around, then there's even more reason for me-"

"Yes! We'll have the numbers advantage!" Iida agrees.

"Absolutely not!" Aizawa says.

Kirishima wants to beg to help, "Aizawa-sensei! They already have Kojiko, if they get Bakugou…"

"We could go look for him!"

"Please, Aizawa-sensei!"

Aizawa waves his arm, "In terms of information, we're at a complete disadvantage. Bakugou and Kojiko might not be the only ones they're after."

Kirishima backs down a little.

"In any case, for us, ensuring everyone's safety is our victory condition."

"But-"

"Just stay here. We can not have any more students disappearing," Aizawa says harshly, "Kirishima, I know that both Bakugou and Kojiko are your friends. But for right now all that matters is we keep everyone who is already safe, safe. This goes for all of you. Do not go out there, do not go looking for Bakugou or Kojiko."

Aizawa heads back out the door and leaves Kirishima biting his lip. Kirishima can't bring himself to run after him, all his teacher's words are right. They always are. And Kirishima once again feels that weight of being unable to help once more. Everyone there feels a little more helpless.

A few moments later…

"Oww," Mr. Compress dusts off his shoulders, "To think they came flying after me. What marvelous thoughts take flight!"

"Where's Bakugou?" Dabi holds out his hand.

Mr. Compress shuffles his hand in his pocket, "Of course...hmm?"

"Midoriya, Todoroki, we're running away!" Shoji shouts to Midoriya and Todoroki. "I'm sure now based on what he just did... I don't know what your Quirk is, but those things you were flaunting at us earlier…" Shoji breathes heavily, "In your right pocket...were these - Tokoyami and Bakugou, right, entertainer?"

Shoji holds up two blue marbles and Midoriya breaks into a relieved smile.

Mr. Compress claps, amused, "Ho ho ho, that didn't take you very long. As expected of someone with six-arms! You're quite good at groping about! Too bad, though," Mr. Compress slides a hand in his left pocket and pulls out a blue marble as the three start their retreat, "you missed one!"

Before they can turn around to see what he's talking about, a Nomu appears in front of them. Todoroki turns and a black fog with yellow eyes shows up.

"T-this guy…"

"Was at U.S.J…."

"The warp…"

"It has been five minutes since the signal," Kurogiri creates two more gates, "Let us go, Dabi."

"Sorry, Izuku-kun, I'll see you later," Toga waves as she steps into her gate.

"Wait," Dabi says, "Our goal is not yet-"

Mr. Compress turns his head, "Oh, that? They seemed so happy that they rushed out here, so I thought I'd give them a present. Also, it seems like they don't know about the other one."

Present? Other one? The three students suck in their breath and look at the villain.

"It's a habit, one of the basics of magic," Mr. Compress removes his mask, "When I flaunt something, it's because there's something I don't want you to see. This time I even got a volunteer before the show started," Mr. Compress holds up his left hand and sticks out his tongue.

In the two marbles on his tongue are clearly Tokoyami and Bakugou...but in his hand…

"N-no way!" Midoriya and Todoroki gasp.

Mr. Compress snaps, the two marbles in Shoji's hand turn into blocks of Todoroki's ice.

"My ice!"

"That's-" Midoriya points at the marble in the villain's hand.

"That's right," Mr. Compress narrows his eyes, "During the freezing attack, I prepared dummies and put them in my right pocket. And then this guy," he twirls the marble in his hand, "we managed to nick him while he was walking through the forest. Lucky for us we have a guy who can make replicas, so the illusion held long enough."

Midoriya can't really say anything. He can only charge forward, two broken arms and almost dead on his feet. Shoji and Todoroki catch up with him quickly. Midoriya isn't sure if Todoroki has put together who the third marble is but Midoriya certainly has. And he hates himself for not noticing sooner.

"If you discover that what was in my right hand was in my right pocket, then of course you'd rush happily over," Mr. Compress sinks into the warp gate.

"Wait!" Midoriya's voice finally works.

"And now, that's all from me-" Mr. Compress bows shortly and then a bright laser hits him in the face, shattering his mask and making him spit out the two marbles in his mouth and even drop the one in his hand.

The three of them leap towards the marbles, Midoriya's arm suddenly jolts with pain and he stumbles into the ground. Shoji manages to grab one and the other two...Dabi gets to them before Todoroki can.

"Confirm it now. Release both of these," Dabi holds the two marbles in separate hands.

"My show's been ruined!" Mr. Compress growls and snaps his fingers before completely entering the gate.

The marble in Shoji's hand turns back into Tokoyami and in Dabi's right hand is Bakugou. Midoriya looks up just in time to see the other marble turn into...Yuudai. He falls to the floor as soon as he turns back, and he's not conscious like Bakugou. Dabi keeps his grip on Bakugou's neck as he leans down and grabs the collar on Yuudai's gym uniform.

"No problem," Dabi smiles and backs into the portal.

Bakugou can only take a strangled breath.

"Kacchan!" Midoriya runs, "Kojiko-kun!"

Bakugou has only enough breath in him to say a few words, "Don't come, Deku!"

The last thing Midoriya sees of either of his friends, if Bakugou counts as his friend, is Bakugou's eye and the bottoms of Yuudai's new shoes. Midoriya dives head first into the dirt as the portal disappears a split second before he gets there. When he looks up there's only raging blue flames. All he can manage to do is scream at the top of his lungs with utter despair.

If what happened to Yuudai is a bit confusing I'll explain it when I post next because I think it's a little confusing if you don't understand Twice's Quirk. But I'm super proud of even thinking of it in the first place. I mean it's a little clunky but I like it.