"First and foremost, we've gotta protect Kota." Midoriya said as we walked away. I nodded my head in agreement.
"Huh?" Kota looked stunned. He didn't seem like he understood anything.
"There's one thing that you especially can do." I started. I knew that Midoriya understood Kota's value too.
"With the forest ablaze like this, pretty much every path's gonna be blocked off." Midoriya continued. "Get it? We need your quirk here." I was amazed by his connection with the young boy. How could a person connect with someone on this level? They couldn't be siblings; this was a high school field trip. Midoriya sounded just like… How? I thought that perhaps I could try.
"You can help us. Just like how you saved me." I added. Something in my chest felt weird at that moment. I sound just like Midoriya.
I sounded like Asahi.
"Hop on, Kota! We're getting you to camp." Midoriya said.
"Woah! That's not happening!" I said with a tone Asahi would use when I got hurt. "I'll take him. You lead the way."
"Bu-"
"No. You go ahead. And after we get there you must rest and get some medical attention."
"Asuga…"
"But first, I'm doing my own part." I take off the cloak I was wearing. The League had given it to me as a sort of identity-cover but that wasn't needed anymore. Under it I had a black tank top on that was way too small for me and a pair of shorts. My sneakers were falling apart too. The only part about me that I kept extreme care of was my hair. I shared that trait with Asahi so I took pride in it. I brushed it every day and sometimes Toga would "help." Which usually ended up with my hair in two messy buns on my head and with bangs.
I Switched over a few sticks from the forest below, ripped up my cloak fabric, and splintered both his arms. Satisfied with my work I returned to the matter at hand.
"Okay," I said. "Now hop on, Kota." Kota came over and I kneeled down so he could get on. As I settled into the awkward position, I nodded to Midoriya and we headed off.
Midoriya shot off and I began a slight jog. As he got about a dozen meters away, I'd Switch to about meter behind him and continue the cycle while sometimes Switching beside him to show I was still following.
As I figured we had neared the camp, I saw a figure. Kota must've noticed him too as he tensed.
Midoriya and I stopped.
"Sensei!"
Crap.
"Midori-"
He caught sight of me.
"Midoriya, get back!" The teacher ordered. His hair rose and bandages around his neck did the same. I remember his Quirk from the USJ. I didn't quite know how it worked but I did know it could stop Quirks from working and, if I remembered correctly, his hair falls when his Quirk deactivates. I let down Kota and nudged him forward.
"A-asuga…" Midoriya stuttered.
I tried to switch away but it was fruitless. Makes sense, I would expect nothing less after seeing his performance.
Suddenly, the bandage was around me and I got pulled toward the teacher. It was then that I received a good punch to the face. Not even fazed, I unraveled myself from my bonds as best as if could and leaped backward.
"Who're you?" The teacher asked. I didn't answer for a solid second and I noticed his hair stopped floating.
Bingo. I Switched up to a tree and was gone. I was still in the vicinity but I made no sound.
"Midoriya, who was that?" The teacher asked.
"Uhh…um…" MIdoriya stuttered while most likely contemplating a lie. "She helped me after I got these injuries. I honestly don't know who she is but she said she'd help me get back to camp."
I was shocked. That was actually decent and genuine. A good lie always has truths I suppose.
"Anyway!" Midoriya said. "Take Kota with you! He has a water-based quirk! I need to tell Mandalay something! Please and thanks!"
"Wait, Midoriya!" The teacher said and stopped the boy. "I know you did it again, so tell Mandalay this…"
The hero and teacher ended up saying to Midoriya that he should tell this "Mandalay" that he gave them permission to fight. It was a bold move but understandable. I wondered what he meant by "it." Did he mean getting injured? Or maybe almost killing a criminal? Who exactly was Midoriya?
As Midoriya started running again, I kept to the bushes beside him and then slowly worked my way in until we were side-by-side.
"Midoriya." I started.
"Yeah, Asuga."
"I hope we're heading to the camp right now."
"Uhh. What do you mean? We're heading to the hero Mandalay."
"Is she at the camp?"
"Erm. Not exactly."
"You said you'd get medical attention at the camp."
"Sorry, Asuga, I can't. I gotta save Ka-chan."
"Eh? Who's this 'Ka-chan'?"
"You heard Muscular, right? The Villains are looking for him."
"Bakugou?"
"Yeah."
Although I didn't show it, I was ecstatic; I had followed the right person. Although it seemed like I was intent on helping Midoriya but that wasn't true. I really wanted to help Bakugou and Midoriya was the only direct connection I had. Getting medical attention was important, but Bakugou was my main concern. Who knew how long it'd be before a Vanguard member found him? I had then made a pact with myself that if Bakugou got kidnapped, I'd go too. It was a hard decision but I knew it was the right one. I could try to trade myself for him but if that didn't work, at least he wouldn't be alone. That was the worst part. That was always the worst part.
We returned to the clearing where I had left Magne and Spinner. I noticed Spinner coming for a pro heroine as soon as we got there.
"Asuga!" Midoriya almost yelled.
In immediate response, I nodded and switch him above Spinner. He shoots downward and took out Spinner's whole multiple combined sword weapon (How the heck are you supposed to describe this thing?).
"Mandalay!" He screamed at one of the pro heroes… mid-air. "Kota's safe!" He gave reassuring comments even when his body was battered and bruised. I would never fully understand that boy.
He then began to flop to the ground, unable to gain footing. I couldn't do anything but watch as, if I helped, it would seem odd and he would probably still tumble over again.
"I got a message from Aizawa sensei! Please use telepathy to tell everyone!" Midoriya repeated to her what Eraserhead had told him back in the forest.
"Thanks for the message!" The hero replied while continuing to deal with Spinner. "But get back to camp, now! Those injuries look bad!"
Midoriya regained his footing and began running again. "No… Sorry, I mean there's one more thing I need you to relay!"
"One more thing"? Did I miss something Aizawa told him?
"One of the villains' targets is Kacchan!" Midoriya said while going full speed into the woods. "Use your telepathy, please!"
I noticed Magne suddenly changed his attention from the large cat-man hero to Midoriya. Crap, I gotta do something!
Right before I was about to Switch to Magne, Stain threw a knife into Magne's path. Wait— what? Why would he ever do that?
"What's the big idea?!" Magna yelled. "He's on the high priority kill list!"
Well, that makes sense… Nice job Midoriya. Making enemies with literal villains.
"Stain went out of his way to save that brat! That must mean he's got what it takes to be a real hero!"
Midoriya was saved by Stain? What is up with this kid? He-he might just be the next All might if I even dare to say it.
I look to trail Midoriya again and-
And he was gone.
Did I seriously just lose the next symbol of peace?!
I saw a small flash of neon green in the woods dance around. "Oh thank god." I muttered before Switching over to Midoriya.
"Okay, Midoriya. I'm going to stay by your side for the rest of our little adventure. For now, we'll stick to the story I told you before about how I live near here and I saw the flames, helped you after seeing your injuries, and have been with you since. Are you good?"
"Yeah, that sounds fine to me."
"No, Midoriya. I mean are you okay? You just had a run-in with a villain and you nearly got killed. I'm asking you about your mental and physical stat-"
BANG
A-a gunshot? Shoot! Mustard! (Ketchup! Oops sorry… ur author got carried away. It was too good though!)
"A friend of yours?" Midoriya asked.
"Yeah, he's the one responsible for the gas. One of your friends probably found him."
"Hey, Midoriya?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know where we're going?"
"Yes, if they haven't moved from where they were then they won't be far from here."
So we're on a wild goose chase… Great.
Out of nowhere, I large shadow claw shoot straight at us. Quickly, I Switched out of harm's way. I assumed Midoriya followed in my footsteps, but I assumed wrong.
"AH!" I heard Midoriya scream as the claw made impact with the ground.
"MIDORIYA!" I screamed in terror. Could it all have been over that soon? I was taken aback in confusion. No one in the vanguard had a Quirk like that.
As the dust cleared, I saw a figure. "Midoriya?" I questioned warily as I walked nearer. I look to see a silver-haired teen with six arms holding Midoriya with half.
"Oh thank god you're not dead." I said with a sigh of relief. I set my eyes on the new student. "I'm Kirika Asuga, but call me Asuga. I live near here and came to help out. Midoriya was really injured so I've been escorting him ever since."
"This true, Midoriya?" The student questioned the green-haired boy.
"Yeah, we're headed to Kacchan."
"Those wounds… you shouldn't be moving around in that state." He scolded. "Running around trying to save everyone? You're full of surprises."
"I'm sorry, I never caught your name." I intruded into the conversation.
"Shoji." It was a blunt reply but that was expected. He was being attacked by villains and suddenly a stranger girl walks over while supposedly "helping" his classmate.
"Just now, was that…?" Midoriya asks vaguely.
"Yup, Tokoyami. I took a hit from a villain who sneak attacked us, but his quirk triggered and went out of control." Shoji explained. "If you want to pass through here, he's the first problem we've gotta deal with."
Tokoyami… if I remember correctly his quirk had something to do with a shadow being but it was hardly that strong. Does the night have something to do with it? Maybe it enhances at certain hours?
"Get… away from me." A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "It'll kill you!"
I looked over to see a teen with a raven head engulfed in a shadow figure.
"Tokoyami!" Midoriya yelled. "What happened Shoji?!"
"Keep it down." Shoji whispered. "When Mandalay told us not to engage the villains we went on high alert."
When was that? Can she seriously target her telepathy to specific people in such a wide range?! Dang…
"Moments later," Shoji continued, "I heard the trees giving way behind us. We were attacked by a villain… He came at us with lightning-fast blades that morphed." Moonfish, that creepy guy. "I lost an arm protecting Tokoyami, but we managed to hide in the underbrush."
What is this dude's quirk? He lost an arm yet he's totally intact in front of me!
"An arm…?!" Midoriya whispers with due concern. "I mean, the wound looks bad, but you've still got your arm…"
"With my dupli-arms," Shoji explains, "any parts I duplicate can go on to create additional duplicates. What got cut off was one of the spare arms. However, he just couldn't take it and the Quirk he struggled to contain started to rampage."
"The darker it is, the less he can control it." MIdoriya added. "Who knew it was such a temperamental Quirk..! Ah!"
"Midoriya!" I was startled at the breath of pain Midoriya let out. "We need to check your arms, they might need rewrapping." I walked towards Shoji and Midoriya to get a better look.
SNAP
I accidentally stepped on a twig. Shoot! "Move!" I said. Another collection of shadow shot itself at us. I Switched behind a tree as Shoji did the same. "Wait… How did you get over here so fast?" Shoji questioned.
"My Quirk. I can basically teleport myself from place to place."
"That could be useful to get around him… It still attacks indiscriminately at the smallest movement or sound." Shoji sighed. "He's turned into a monster."
"Don't worry about me! Gah…!" Tokoyami yelled. "Find the others…! Save them! Calm yourself, Dark… Shadow!"
"Dark Shadow"? Okay then…
"Asuga," Shoji asked, "can you teleport us back to camp while leading him? We need some light or fire to calm him down."
"Sorry, I can't. I've already used up a lot of my energy on my Quirk already." I replied with grief. "If I teleport three people all at once, I'll be passed out before we make it halfway."
Shoji sighed. "You guys are headed to Bakugou, right? That's why you're out here all messed up, Midoriya. And that's why you're still sticking around, Asuga. If you think you can still go, I'll try to lead Dark Shadow away to clear a path."
"Hold on." Midoriya interrupted. "Whether you choose the camp or the forest fire, you've got some real distance to cover. It's way too dangerous, Shoji…"
"I agree with Midoriya. There's got to be another option. Getting killed isn't a plan." I say. I was worried for Shoji's choice. He was honorable just by staying with Tokoyami and not fleeing. Whether that was because of fear, inability, or friendship it didn't matter. This guy was still willing to put his life on the line for the sake of his friends.
"I know that." Shoji said. "Saving someone always comes with risks. Heroes aren't called heroes for nothing. So, will you help me save Tokoyami? Or rush to Bakugou's aid? Which'll it be, Midoriya…? You too, Asuga. No one would blame you for using your Quirk to run."
While Midoriya hesitated, I gave my answer. "No way I'm running. I've been doing that for too long. I'll save Bakugou, he's in trouble, but I need someone to lead me there. And I'm not letting anyone die. I guess Midoriya's decision will decide my own."
"I'm sorry, Shoji. And you too, Asuga." Midoriya finally says. "But I've got an idea. If it's reacting to sound, then why not use your duplicate parts as bait? That way we can lead it without getting attacked ourselves! Asuga can also help distract it by getting its attention and teleporting away! And we'll lead it to Kacchan. His explosions should keep it at bay. So when you ask who I want to save… I say both!"
"Heh… Who knew? I thought maybe the gas and your injuries were getting to you, but you're sharper than a knife, Midoriya!" I said with a small grin. "Let's do this!"
~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~
Asuga is finally meeting the other members of Class 1-A! I was really excited about writing this chapter so I hope you enjoyed reading it! I know this is a lot of repeat info and not much organic content but Asuga is laying low while she's at the camp since everyone is still really wary of her. I promise things will become more Asuga orientated after this arc. So, in reality, I wasn't planning on releasing this chapter until tomorrow since I don't want to hook you guys on a daily chapter schedule but we have hit over 500 reads so I'm super excited and felt you guys needed a huge treat! I appreciate all of you! The first review/comment for this book was also sent last chapter and they promised me a second one (you know who you are)! I'm am really pondering when we'll hit 1000 reviews. I am definitely going to cry when that happens. So here's to tears of joy!
Peace!