Chapter 17: Upside Down World
"Ha ha! Take THAT!" A spiky ash-blond haired boy screamed as he stood on the couch, balancing one foot on the arm rest as the other was planted on a cushion. His sharp red eyes were wide with excitement as he button mashed his controller, unleashing a flurry of combos onto his opponent. Within a few seconds the other player's HP went down to zero and the match ended.
"HA! I BEAT YOU! Man you suck, Dad!" He gloated, grinning savagely at his bespectacled father who looked nervous and rather overwhelmed, clearly defeated in more ways than one.
"Ah you got me, Katsuki. You've only had this game for a few days but you're practically a pro. I don't stand a chance."
"That's because I'm the best!" The ten year old Katsuki Bakugou pumped his fist, his grin even wider. In his free hand he gave off small explosions in excitement. "I'M THE EXPLOSION KING!"
"We'll see about that. How about letting me have a go? Or you afraid of losing?" His mom challenged as she entered the room. The spiky ash-blonde haired woman placed a hand on her hip, pointing, "And get off the couch, I don't care if you're the king of the world. In this house everyone sits on the furniture."
"As if! No way you can beat me! And NO!"
"Oh?" His mom asked watching, a smile appearing. Nothing happened for a few moments though to anyone watching it felt like an old western showdown, neither side moving but waiting for a chance to strike first.
Suddenly Mitsuki Bakugou bolted forward, gripping her son by the ear while grabbing for his controller. Katsuki let out sounds of protest, struggling to get away as he grabbed at her with his free hand, tugging at the arm that held his ear.
"Apologize to your beautiful mother! I brought you into this world I can take you out!"
"Never, you hag!"
"What's that? Is that something you say to your sweet and thoughtful mother who held a birthday party for her darling son!?" She demanded, glaring as a vein pulsed in her forehead, matching her son as she tweaked his ear. "Maybe my sweet baby was switched at birth with this loud foul-mouthed brat! Or aliens experimented on your brain when your Quirk came in!"
"Ugh, you wish!" He pushed away at her face, refusing to give up the controller while his dad watched the two helplessly, knowing from experience to get between them would end worse for him.
"Who gave this to you for your birthday? Izu-kun?" Masaru Bakugou inquired, trying to divert his son's attention as he held up the video game in question.
"Ugh! No! As if that lamebrain would give me something that good!" He glared off to the side, knowing in fact the gift had been from Izuku Midoriya—stupid Deku. He'd made it a point to not open it at the party, hiding it after telling the other boy beforehand didn't want him there, that his mom had invited him; the nerd had come anyway, looking nervous but hopeful... Katsuki had gotten that straightened out earlier at the playground.
"Don't be rude, Katsuki. I swear I have no idea whose side of the family you get that uncouthness from. Such a smart mouth." She gave his ear another tweak, causing him to grunt and glare, refusing to give her satisfaction.
"Better than being a dumbass." He muttered under his breath, earning him a swat to his back before being released, squirming away from his mom.
"I don't get it. Izu-kun is such a sweet kid. You were such great friends when you were in preschool together... then your Quirk developed along with that personality." Mitsuki sighed, rubbing her temples with one hand. "It's a shame he's Quirkless but that kindness of his makes up for it. You really should treasure someone as loyal as that, they are very rare to find as a true friend."
"Whatever!"
"We'll have to get something nice for him for his tenth birthday in a few months, even if he never has parties."
"Shut up, don't tell me what to do."
"Keep that up and it's coming out of your allowance." She informed, hands on her hips as she glared at the back of her son's head. However before more could be said the home phone began to ring.
"Better answer that, old cow." He sassed, his eyes glued on the screen as he started up a solo game.
A slipper came whirling from across the room, slapping the boy squarely in the back of the head with a resounding smack. Masaru flinched at the sound, holding a pillow in front of him as if it would serve as a proper shield from his son and wife's antics, thinking he should perhaps excuse himself from the room. After all, there was no good getting between the two when they would simply steamroll him.
As Katsuki raged, shaking a fist, his mom turned her back to him, clearing her throat before answering the phone, "Hello? Bakugou residence."
Despite the sounds from his game starting once more he could hear bits from the call. The voice was muffled, sounding panicked but he couldn't make it out and didn't care.
"Inko-san?" Mitsuki inquired and Katsuki's ears perked. Deku's mom? What'd she want? "No, Izu-kun isn't here. I haven't seen him since Katsuki's birthday party. He was so polite and a joy to have, not rowdy like the others… Is everything alright? Are you okay?"
Inko's indistinct voice continued over the phone, worried and Mitsuki turned, calling, "Katsuki! Have you seen Izu-kun?"
"Tch, that ditz probably got lost on the way home. Last I saw him was at the park like an hour ago." Katsuki dismissed glaring at the tv, his jaw set. If anything the Quirkless Blunder was curled up somewhere feeling sorry for himself, maybe under a slide after Katsuki had finished his punishment for the day. Last he'd seen of the other boy he'd been on the ground after Katsuki had blasted him, telling him to beat it and stop being such of waste of space.
He wasn't going to be kind to Deku out of pity for being Quirkless like others, he'd told him so. That and the defective boy had to learn his place, daring to assert himself as above Katsuki and compete with him.
"Katsuki says he last saw him at the park an hour ago. Have you checked there?" Mitsuki replied, her voice steady though she looked concerned.
Inko could faintly be heard, sounding apologetic despite the worry, "No, not yet. Thank you Mitsuki-san. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing, Izuku is a smart boy; he probably got distracted and will be home any minute. I just got worried since he's really late for dinner."
Katsuki frowned, staring at the screen as he tried to tune out the conversation. He was tempted to turn up the volume but knew it'd probably earn the other slipper being thrown while his mom tried to discreetly maintain a serious conversation without the other party knowing.
While Deku was an Exhibit A loser between his personality and being Quirkless, his mom was alright. Sure her Quirk wasn't flashy, but it could be useful like grabbing things from afar or stopping them from falling. She was sweet, asking Katsuki how he was, encouraging his abilities and even giving him baked goods without meaning to bribe. As for his father… Despite knowing each other since they were in preschool, Katsuki had never met the man called Hisashi but stories of his fire breathing abilities had teased his young imagination.
"Please keep us posted, I'll let you know if Izu-kun shows up here. If you need help we'll be right over." His mother's voice snapped Katsuki back to reality and he slunk down on the couch, sulking as he tried to get the game to load faster. Mitsuki continued in a supportive tone, urging gently, "And I say this as a mother, not to worry you: don't hesitate to call the police if it's been longer, it doesn't hurt to be cautious. We're here for you, Inko-san."
Inko's emotional thanks was faintly heard and the phone hung up. Mitsuki put the phone back gently, looking worried before growing serious, a frown forming. She turned toward her son who looked as if he were trying to become one with the couch, barely visible from behind. Meanwhile Masaru looked at her with equal concern, his body taunt as if waiting for instruction.
"Katsuki that was insensitive. I'm glad Inko-san didn't hear that nasty tone of yours, especially in that state. She's really worried."
"Guess we know where he gets his crybabyness from." He snapped, unable to control himself as he tried to focus on his game. While he had no shred of worry a speck of guilt stabbed him, irking and causing his temper to flare. How dare Deku start up drama with his family? Even his own home wasn't safe from the nerd's influence!
Suddenly a hand was on his ear once more and he felt himself being pulled up from his seat. "OW! LET GO!" He snarled, even more furious at the pain and humiliation. He had half a mind to use his Quirk to defend himself but the aftermath of that showdown wasn't worth the punishment he'd have to endure. Besides, as much as his mother infuriated him at times, using his Quirk on his own parents was unthinkable given in home violence was a serious topic school loved to throw at its students every so often.
"That's it, no video game privileges for you for a few days until you learn to simmer down and watch that mouth of yours. You're ten years old now, Katsuki, and things have to change. You can't grow up and keep this type of attitude, it's going to get you into trouble. One day you'll find you've dragged not only yourself but your friends into a mess."
"Like hell! Buzz off!"
"What an attitude! Ever heard of the expression 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?'"
"HAH! The only relation to honey with you is you acting like a bear!" He snapped, swatting at her to let go, twisting to glare at her, his red eyes flaming. "And I know what you're all thinking! No way Deku's been kidnapped! Who'd want a Quirkless loser?"
"Katsuki! And what a horrid thing to say! Consider yourself grounded for a month; no birthday gifts."
"WHAT!?"
"Don't 'what' me! You're lucky I don't wash that mouth out with soap! Maybe even a full on rinse cycle!"
"Now, dear, let's take a step back and calm down." Masaru attempted, holding up his hands at the tense scene. "I'm sure Izu-kun is fine. Katsuki is worried in his own way, you know how tough he likes to be. He has his own way of expressing himself. He's passionate just like you."
Katsuki let out a "Tch" and glared at his dad before shrugging off his mom's grip on his ear. He sprang up, throwing his controller onto the couch and storming off, stomping towards his room as he fumed up the stairs. There was a loud bang as his door slammed shut, indicating the dragon had entered his cave to blow off some steam.
"Well, I guess we'll never have to worry about Katsuki being taken. He has zero charm and would gnaw off their limbs if he didn't have that destructive Quirk." Mitsuki sighed, flopping down onto the couch, exhausted but attempting some humor, albeit dark. "They'd practically have to pay us to take him back."
Masaru let out a nervous laugh, smiling at his wife. "Taking a page out of one of your favorite childhood stories, honey?" The two shared a chuckle, thinking of the classic book in question. The brown haired man then cleared his throat, eyes downcast. "I really do hope Izu-kun is alright. I wouldn't wish such a scare on anyone."
"I do too. I'm going to call Inko-san back in thirty minutes to make sure. Poor woman must be going crazy, she's practically a single parent with that husband of hers always overseas for work."
Masaru nodded and the two sat wordlessly in the living room. They silently counted their blessings that their son, their only child, although troublesome and foulmouthed, was confirmed to be upstairs. He was safe and accounted for.
Behind his door in his room Katsuki glared hotly at the floor, trying to figure out whether to throw himself on the bed in a rage fit or kick something. Instead he just stood there, fists clenched as his temper teetered between explosive and quiet simmering. His dad had hit the mark and that annoyed him.
Him concerned? Over his useless puppy dog shadow?
"What the hell is Deku doing?" He grumbled vehemently, shooting a look at the clock. It would be eight soon, it being nearly completely dark outside save a thin line of departing sun, shining its last hope for the day.
His mind went to the game downstairs, the one he'd been talking about for months. His parents nor his friends had gotten it despite all the hints he'd dropped and even outright demands for his birthday. No, it'd been stupid Deku who'd bought it. He'd looked so happy as he handed the present over as his mom dropped him off, anticipating Katsuki's excitement and perhaps even thanks.
Katsuki was glad he hadn't destroyed the present as soon as it was handed over, something his mom would have probably karate chopped him for and made him apologize with some act of amends. He'd actually forgotten about it until he got home from the park, finding the still wrapped gift shoved under an end table where he'd feigned misplacing Deku's gift to his parents at the time of present opening; the wimp simply went along with it, not wanting to cause a scene during the happy occasion.
He let out a growl of annoyance, grabbing his pillow and punching it repeatedly with frustration. "Stupid nerd! When he turns up I'll give him a piece of my mind, causing a stink like this! Some crap stunt for attention, making Auntie Inko upset!"
He glared down at his pillow, the poor thing looking like it needed retirement. Shaky breathes wracked his body as he panted, his adrenaline still high. "There's no way he's really missing. He's just sulking or got lost. Kidnapped? What use would someone have for a Quirkless extra like him? It's not like he could be ransomed for much."
The blond sat on his bed, heart thumping as the adrenaline started to fade. He looked up from his mess of a pillow and out the window, glaring at the last sunlight.
He was totally fine. Katsuki would see him again tomorrow and let the nerd have it, just like always.
Everything would be back to normal.
When Katsuki opened his eyes the world was literally upside down. He lay sprawled on his back as if he had been flipped, his legs propped against the wall at a ninety degree angle. Stars danced before his sharp red eyes and he blinked, hissing through clenched teeth.
As he pushed himself off the ground he realized his two Grenadier Bracers were missing, stripping him off his nitroglycerin-like sweat reserves. They hadn't been shattered by some force as far as he could remember, glaring through his headache to will it away through sheer stubbornness as he fought to recall clearly. He shook his head to fight off the daze as his vision swam from a possible head injury.
The rest of his hero costume seemed intact except for the Improvised Grenades on his belt missing—making suspicion spike. They couldn't simply slip off either. Someone, some asshole, must have-
"Looks like you're finally awake. Honestly, you come crashing in here uninvited and proceed to take a nap like you own the place? Don't they teach you to look before you leap or is that just a side effect of heroics if not plain stupidity?"
He snapped his gaze in the direction of the voice, glaring with utter contempt as his lips curled back in a defiant sneer, like a dog bearing its fangs at some unseen intruder. Thanks to him always being alert his heart was beating fast, helping him work up a fresh sweat that he focused in his palms, allowing the moisture to gather. Sparks formed as he activated his Quirk, emitting small explosions as a warning and intimation akin to a rattlesnake shaking its tail.
Another few seconds and the explosions could be concentrated enough to blow back whoever this sorry piece of shit was once he propelled himself forward. The idiot thought he needed those bracers to utilize his Quirk. They were accessories for a reason—an advantage but not replacement.
They're in for a nasty ass-whooping surprise. He thought, still baring his teeth as he let the explosions grow. Anyone messing with U.A., let alone him, was asking for it. "Lot of talk for someone hiding in the shadows like some damn creature of the night. What, too ugly?"
"B-Bakugou-san."
Katsuki's narrowed eyes popped wide open as a familiar brunette stumbled into view as if pushed, her hands bound in front of her in some kind of handcuffs, nearly identical to the ones he had seen when a villain was taken into custody. It was then he noticed the matching collar around her neck; why did she have Quirk Suppression cuffs on while he didn't? How did the enemy get ahold of such equipment?
"Uraraka? The hell-"
"Really is this what U.A. has to offer? Class 2-A is hardly impressive. One would think after that incident a year ago it would have done something; it's almost like dealing with rookies." The voice mocked, sounding disappointed though there was an edge to it, almost bitter. "I thought U.A. groomed their students to be the greatest, the brightest, not humoring some dimwit bulbs who jump into any trap."
"How about you show your smug-ass face instead of hiding behind a hostage, you walking shi-"
"You really haven't changed at all." The voice interrupted and there was the sound of footsteps before a white business shirt appeared out of the gloom that covered part of wherever they were. Soon a pale face appeared, one that was both familiar and different yet unforgettable with plain but distinguishing features that Katsuki knew of one person having. The freckles were unmistakable as well as the curly green hair that was slightly unkempt; it was slightly shorter than he could recall and it was slicked back on one side.
With narrowed alien red eyes that seemed almost dead except for the spark of contempt in them, the green haired figure cocked his head, offering a mocking smile. "Why am I not surprised? You've always been about doing things your way, screw anyone else."
It was as if someone had punched Katsuki in the gut as he stared, bewildered and at a loss for a rare moment. It couldn't be. How?
Events flashed in his head, trying to grasp what was going on and put the pieces in rightful order. There had been a citywide attack, all of Class 2-A had responded as they were out on a collective work-study under their teacher Aizawa, the Hero Eraserhead, as a combined training exercise and field trip. Together with nearby local Heroes they engaged monsters that suddenly appeared around Musutafu, all similar to the Noumu that had appeared at USJ and when that psycho Stain had terrorized Hosu. Some of the same mooks from USJ appeared too, like that infuriating misty fart guy who could warp things.
One minute everyone was listening to Aizawa's lecture while introducing themselves to civilians as a PR exercise and then suddenly they were thrust knee-deep in chaos, trying to subdue the assortment of exposed brain freaks that appeared out of nowhere via misty portals and protect the populace. They seemed to be managing for a few minutes when it all went to full out hell. The Noumu seemed to grow agitated all at once and rampage indiscriminately as if they had been let off a mental chain. It was a race to perform rescue, evacuation and suppression with minimal damage.
He had been blasting one point blank to fend it off evacuating civilians when Uraraka's scream got his attention. As he whirled toward the sound he saw Noumu holding her by both arms, preventing her from using her Quirk though she kicked wildly at it. The monstrosity eyed her like a bird before opening a mouth revealing multiple rows of teeth as it dangled her above its open maw as if about to drop her down its gullet.
The next moment the Noumu froze as if buffering, lowering her slightly; black mist appeared and a black gloved hand emerging from it, followed by a scarred forearm. The hand grabbed at Uraraka and she was pulled out of the Noumu's grip and into the misty portal, leaving the Noumu in a state of bewilderment as it had been denied its snack.
Katsuki didn't need another moment to think twice. He threw his arms behind him and unleashed strong blasts that propelled himself toward the portal, gritting his teeth. As he did so he caught sight of Todoroki following suit from the opposite side. Both managed to catch the Noumu in a pincher attack, a full barrage of Explosion combined with Half Hot, engulfing the Noumu in flames and blasting it to the side.
With the creature out of their pathway they both dove into the shrinking portal, being swallowed up by the cool mist.
Next came a thud as his head cracked against something, stars springing before his eyes before going black. And now regaining consciousness he found himself in the presence of a ghost from his past.
"Y-you." He choked, explosions dying away in his hand as everything sunk in with a cold realization that seeped into his bones. Uraraka looked confused and afraid, her captor keeping just out of reach to avoid a well placed and effective self-defense move Katsuki had experienced for himself during training exercises.
The green haired phantom's smile changed into something haunting, hooded red eyes glittering as he tilted his chin toward Katsuki. "Hey, Kacchan. Miss me?"
"What the f… How the… freaking hell, shit! What? Deku!?"
Deku. He was…?
"What? Shocked I'm alive?" Deku demanded, his red eyes cold as his smile disappeared. "Surprise, life's full of disappointments."
Uraraka looked bewildered at Katsuki, trying to figure out the connection between the two. Her gaze wandered off to the side, locking into something Katsuki didn't pay attention to as only one thing was on his mind.
"The hell it is!" Katsuki's disbelief melted away to frustration and a cold anger as he started toward his very real childhood playmate. "First thing you say is that!? You playing games? What's with this shit joke, Deku!?"
"Why is it a joke? Because I have the upper hand? That your narrow superior thinking can't comprehend the fact you're not on top for once? You waltzed in here on your own, though I can work with that."
"Cut the bullshit and answer me!" Katsuki lunged forward only to run into a transparent wall. Instantly his temper flared and he slammed an explosive hand against the barrier, realizing he was in some sort of containment that was resistant to his explosions. It however did nothing to contain his outrage, "Where have you been? Why are you with those piss ants!?"
"Friend of yours, Bakugou?" Todoroki's monotone distracted him as Katsuki jerked his head in the direction of the voice, a sharp command forming in his throat. Nearby stood the dual element user, ever placid despite being in a near full body metal restraint that went up to his shoulders, apparently another Quirk Suppression device. He met Katsuki's gaze cooly, knowing his Quirk was useless thanks to the technology.
"What do you want?" Uraraka cut in before anyone else could speak. Despite her shaky voice she looked at Deku with a brave face, her hands curling into fists.
"Does it matter? Clearly I'm the bad guy." Deku dismissed with a shrug, smiling savagely. "Despite what movies show, villains don't always spill their plans to their enemies. I don't do that kind of monologuing."
"That Noumu was about to eat me, why stop it?" Uraraka pressed, truly curious as well as trying to formulate a plan while buying time. "You know Bakugou-san, so then-"
"Because Toga-chan would be heartbroken. She's been a fan of yours since USJ, calling you 'Ochan.' Been even rooting for you each Sports Festival. Congrats on placing sixth this year by the way." Deku interrupted, hooking her by the elbow and pulling her away from her comrades. Suddenly his mouth was near her ear, murmuring, "You remember her? Then again, you probably know her better as Cheshire."
"Hands off, Deku!" Katsuki growled, a cocktail of emotions as his long lost playmate was very real and seemingly unhinged. With seven years of being unaccounted for it was a guess as to what had shaped him to the jaded form he saw. "Like I buy this villain bullshit! You always wanted to be a Hero! You worshipped All Might-"
"Speaking of All Might, how is he? Skipping out on the fight again?" Deku's tone was like a knife as he pushed Uraraka away, allowing her to stumble back against the wall. "He's really going to disappoint more and more people if he keeps being late to the party. This was all for him after all; we even pulled out the stops with the Noumu since one didn't cut it last time. But maybe this time he's the one who can't cut it."
"What the hell…? What are you trying to say, Deku!?" Katsuki slammed a fist against the thick glass. "You running around with the League is your choice? Cut this shit out and let me out of here! Do you have any idea-"
"No. I'm not some Quirkless little kid you can push around." Deku held his ground, his expression cold and devoid of a smile. "You were right, we're not friends. I don't have to listen to you, Kacchan."
"Bullshit! This is some kind of brainwashing!"
"If the League is holding you against your will then let us hel-"
"I don't need saving. I'm not helpless, not anymore." Deku sharply cut Uraraka off with a wave of his hand, glaring in her direction. "I don't need your rescuing. Any of you."
"The hell happen to you, Deku?" Katsuki slammed both fists against his containment while Todoroki remained silent, "You're coming with us, do you hear me!? Soon as I get out of here I'm dragging your ass back with me!"
"Why? Because I belong in your world? Are you really asking me that or trying to save face?" A laugh escaped Deku, lacking any mirth. "No, no, I get it. This some twisted sense of duty of yours because of U.A. You really are trying so hard to play the hero, aren't you? Fine with me, I know the world is unfair."
"No!" Explosions escaped Katsuki's hands in emphasis as he scorched the glass but it remained intact. He grounded his teeth as he fought to corral his temper, channeling his indignation to determination. He knew he wasn't the best for rescue, let alone public relations and socializing, but he wasn't the same person as when he last saw Deku; he wasn't even the same person who had entered U.A. a year ago.
Presently he wanted to get his hands on someone who was just out of reach. Someone who needed to be grabbed and never let go after perhaps a good thrashing to curb defiance.
"You don't belong with those villains!"
"Why, because I can't handle myself? Because I don't stand a chance against big bad villains? Against you aspiring Heroes?" Deku took a few steps backwards, sneering. With one hand he reached behind him and pulled at a large curtain, making it give way; Uraraka let out a gasp of surprise while Katsuki looked on in confusion and disbelief.
Behind the curtain was seemingly a wall with an assortment of decorations in numerous rows. It took a second to realize said decorations were various drooped heads that were framed by hands that stuck out of the wall next to them, almost like a prison stock fashioned as Suppression Restraints. The imprisoned forms did not move, showing no signs of life, causing the horror of realization they were plausibly only dismembered body parts mounted like a hunter displayed his trophies with pride.
"Are… are they…?" Uraraka looked like she might hurl, turning slightly green while Todoroki, ever taciturn, seemed impassive though his eyes widened a bit.
"Oh, they're very much alive." Deku assured, giving one a slap across the back of the head and earning a groggy groan. "They're just heavily sedated. Keeps them more cooperative that way. Perhaps you want to try it out for yourself, Kacchan?"
"Deku…"
"As you can see, I'm ready as I'll ever be." Deku gave a dramatic twirl as he pivoted, sporting a cold smile that together with the unnatural red eyes was off putting. He strode closer, leaving the prison wall exposed. "I've got my own wings now, Kacchan. Though yours might end up clipped if you're not careful. At least Ochan here has an excuse as to why I was able to capture her."
Uraraka turned red with embarrassment and fury for landing in the role of hostage and possibly the mock use of the nickname. Katsuki however caught the familiar look of resolve that turned the usually friendly round face into the face of a war god, the dark ill fitting look haunting. She caught him looking out of the corner of her eye and gave a slight nod, straightening her back.
Uraraka was up to something. Katsuki wasn't sure what but she was just as capable as he was, albeit in different areas of strength. Deku couldn't take notice of her now, not with Todoroki seemingly in agreement on trusting whatever plan she was formulating even though he was literally chest deep in trouble; he had clearly resigned himself to standby. It was up to Katsuki to play the distraction as combat was presently out of the question.
He kept his gaze on Deku, fists resting against the glass as the latter seemed keen on spiting. He managed to unclench his teeth, irritation prickling all over his body as Deku continued to be stupid and play the yet repetitive prodigal son. How dare he act so selfish, so stubborn for sake of living out some twisted fantasy. "Really, Deku? This is what you've been up to all these years? Shitty trash talk and developing a living hoard!? Your mom-"
Deku's eyes flashed, widening for a fraction of a second as he cut Katsuki off with the promptness of a snake striking, "You don't get to bring her into this. You don't get to judge me after everything, Kacchan. Selective memory much? Then again, you always have been good at putting others down. It's a wonder these two are putting up with you, even on a professional level."
Katsuki barely resisted the memory at Deku's words: A young Deku on the ground while Katsuki held the front of his shirt in his fist, screaming at him they weren't friends and he was weak before delivering a punch that ended the scene as his consciousness snapped back to the present. His fists loosened slightly as Deku's eyes bore into him, as if commanding him to remember the true extent of their childhood days together.
"Bakugou is an interesting person." Todoroki offered, calling Deku's attention to him as he remained characteristically deadpan. "Can't say he isn't honest, just… particular."
The backhanded compliment serving as his defense made Katsuki bristle but distracting Deku with conversation was all they had. Uraraka scooted sideways behind Deku, trying to keep out of his peripheral vision, her eyes locked on him, her lips and brow pinched with concentration.
With Deku's attention on Todoroki for a moment Katsuki tried to follow Uraraka's intended pathway, hoping not to give away her intent thanks to his line of sight. She seemed to be beelining toward the table on the other side of the room, where Katsuki noticed his bracers laying. Instantly he understood the gist of her intent, crazy as it was but the girl was a force to reckon with despite her friendly appearance.
"Shut up, Half-and-Half! It's none of his damn business." Katsuki snapped at Todoroki, slamming his fist for emphasis, his lips curling as he bared his teeth as he used the old nickname the other teenager was indifferent to, playing it up. He needed to keep Deku's attention on him, to use his grudge as a distraction.
It seemed to work as Deku's gaze snapped back to him, red meeting red.
Deku let out a dry laugh, waving his hand as he took a step closer, "Wow, your classmates are polite. Sure you're running with the right crowd? Maybe you'd do better on the other side."
"Other side?" It clicked a moment later as he took in the dark expression and the mocking head tilt. "Like hell! What is this, a conversion? One hell of a shitty recruitment scheme!"
"Hardly, though I guess it sounds like I put the offer out. No." Deku's face tightened, smile gone. "You belong on this side. Not that I would have you. I'd say the universe had a laugh and traded our places. But I guess nurture verses nature."
"The hell you-"
"But, I'm not the first to say it, am I? Especially after you entered U.A. Suddenly a small fish in a big pond, no longer king of the castle weren't you? No one humoring your antics. And yet you are the Hero in training..."
"Poor sport?" Katsuki let off explosions, slamming them against his confinement, earning a small cracking sound but nothing gave way. He continued to bait, real irritation and disgust fueling him, "Why don't you come over and settle this!?"
"I don't think so. I've wasted my breathe as it is talking to you."
"You're all talk! Just a selfish brat who ran away from home and got an attitude swap and what, shitty red contacts?"
"I can't believe I ever looked up to you. That I even thought we were friends." Deku's voice was quiet and full of disgust but it sliced through the air like a meat cleaver. "But I'm through with you."
Katsuki felt his skin prickle as Deku's expression was suddenly devoid of emotion, calm and detached as he spoke with collected finality. Deku began reaching up to his ear as he pivoted away, turning to where Uraraka had been last the green haired teenager had looked. Only she wasn't there.
"Bakugou-san!" Uraraka exclaimed as she stood near the table, one of the grenade like bracers laying down and pointed in his direction. She grasped the other by its metal lever that curled over the grenade-like body before promptly spinning in place to gain momentum before letting it fly toward him as if doing a hammer throw.
"What-" Deku began, starting toward her as a purple black substance began crawling up his arms from his hands, almost like the mist man's Quirk but different. Katsuki had half a moment to wonder as his attention snapped back to the incoming airborne Grenadier Bracer that was surely harmless given the apparent durability of the containment.
Unless...
Uraraka immediately threw herself on top of the other bracer let as if wrangling a crocodile, bracing her elbows on either side of it has her upper body rested on top, pinning it down. Despite her hands being shackled together by the wrists, she propped up her elbows, taking an almost prayerful pose with her hands. Securing the bracer and possessing a fierce expression, her head ducked down.
"Ura-" Todoroki started, eyes wide as he realized what she was up to.
"Sh-" Katsuki barely jumped back in time as Uraraka, the present embodiment of fortitude, grabbed the barely visible safety pin with her teeth and pulled with a jerk to the side, squeezing her eyes shut. Deku seemed to catch the hint, jumping back as his dark substance grew but he had no idea what to expect. Few did when it came to Uraraka.
The resulting explosion rocked the room of not the whole building of wherever they were. Smoke bellowed up, creating a smokescreen while there was an audible crash and shattering sound.
Instantly Katsuki let off explosions of his own without restraint and thrust both hands forward, pressing his palms together. The simultaneous explosions hammered the confinement's splintered wall and exploded outward. With adrenaline pumping he leapt out, hands curled and ready as his boots slammed against the floor outside.
He wildly looked around, trying to spot his opponent in the smoke but only found the thrown-turned-projectile-missile-bracer at his feet. It seemed intact except for a few cracks and he hastily slipped it over his right arm. "Uraraka!?" He shouted, gritting his teeth as he tried to locate her, not worrying about Todoroki who was still in the mock iron-maiden and safe from the blast.
He heard a faint cough and a strained, "Here." He raced toward it, leaping over the table that had been blown in half and finding his classmate on the ground, the second bracer next to her. She gave a stained smile, panting as she hugged her stomach, "J-just... a little... winded."
"Like hell! More like you could have broken a rib or two! Being so extra, you crazy-!"
"It worked, didn't it?" Her grin widened despite the slight look of pain. The sense of pride and success was undeniable as she met his irritated and exasperated gaze, daring him to go on, "You're free."
Katsuki let out a "Tsk" as he bit back a reprimand despite the impressive show and manipulation of his equipment she had never handled before. "Here."
He reached out an open hand and she raised her bound wrists toward him. With a controlled explosion the Suppression Cuffs broke away, freeing Uraraka and enabling her Quirk once more. She rubbed her wrists and shook out her hands, wincing slightly and cringing as her body ached from the recoil of the blast.
Even with training the bracers still jarred his toned shoulders good when their reservoirs were released, jerking his arms back every time with the unleashing of the bomb like explosion. Anyone lacking enough muscle chanced dislocating their arm from the recoil. Uraraka's use of her body to add more weight behind it was insane in an attempt to pin it, managing to avoid being hammered in the ribs. To think she'd only seen him use it twice in their two years at U.A., first against the Noumu at USJ and then part of training to hone their special attacks; yet she'd thought of a strategy to use them when in a jam on the spot. Given she weighed less than Katsuki and lacked his muscles, she compensated the best she could on the spot.
The girl was relentless. Just like most of the class—not counting the whiny pervert who dropped out of the Hero Course after the USJ incident following being scared witless after being slapped with the fact as Heroes their lives would be on the line every day, whether prepared or not. Katsuki had his own issues, not that he admitted them publicly, but that guy was on another level of problematic. Though, they both flaws that rubbed people the wrong way; however Katsuki was not one to back down in the face of adversity.
Then again perhaps that was because he could be an adversary.
Katsuki's expression grew serious, looking mildly annoyed, "Just stay down if you're hurt. I'll free Todoroki and capture that asshole Deku."
Uraraka's eyebrows knitted together as she frowned back at him, "No. You and Todoroki-kun are in this mess because of me. I got kidnapped, I have to do something. I'm a Hero too."
"You've done enough, you got the rescue part down. I've got evacuation and suppression."
"No, let me help. I'm fine. You don't have to do this alone."
"Fine. Stay on your toes, we don't know if that blast knocked out Deku. I couldn't tell if he was warping out or not."
Uraraka looked like she wanted to say more but didn't, apparently choosing to save it for later. She gave a nod, curling her hands in determination as she stood up, looking in the direction Todoroki was.
Katsuki slipped the other bracer on even though its reserves were empty. He would just have to start filling it back up again; besides they were excellent guards even when not being used as focus blast grenades. The smoke was still in the room though it was starting to dissipate.
"Too bad smoke rises or else I could float above it to get to Todoroki-kun..."
"Just watch my back." He instructed as he raised a hand, concentrating the sweat his palms were secreting at will, the smell of caramel in the air. Gritting his teeth he let off an explosion, not igniting a large amount of sweat as he controlled the blast size, focusing the scale and intensity.
Instantly the smoke swirled around him as the explosion punched through it and parted, bellowing upwards and dissipating though enough clung to the apparently high ceiling. Like the parting of the Red Sea, the blast left a clear view that revealed Todoroki was indeed safe and sound. Deku for the moment was no where to be seen, perhaps indeed warping away or out cold in the smokescreen. Either way, they couldn't take any chances. They had to get serious, they were Heroes in training.
"Uravity!" Katsuki called to Uraraka as he crouched, bending toward as he braced himself, hands curling as he accumulated more sweat for another attack. Instantly her footsteps answered and a few moments later he felt her foot against his back and suddenly it was gone just as quickly.
"Right, Onslaught!" She was sailing above him, hands pressed together as she made herself weightless with Zero Gravity, using Katsuki's back as a spring board to launch herself high enough into the air and forward. She flew toward Todoroki, her brown eyes full of focus as she ducked under some of the lingering smoke.
As she flew more of the smoke parted below and Katsuki spotted the unaccounted figure.
Deku was bracing himself against the wall, looking like he was resisting the urge to gag. An arm was over his nose, red eyes narrowed in disgust as he locked gazes with Katsuki. The dark aura Katsuki had spotted before was retreating from around Deku's chest and vanished, leaving his scarred arms bare once more. He pulled his arm away, scowling darkly back at Katsuki.
It seemed he hadn't warped away.
"Deku!" Katsuki glared at him, taking a challenging step forward. "Not so tough without tech, huh? Why don't you get your ass over here!?"
"Why should I?" Deku challenged back, expression colder than ever as if he had been reminded of something unpleasant. "I say we're finished here."
"Onslaught!" Uraraka called as she landed next to Todoroki, hand on a visible release button. "I've got Deuce!" She punched the button, the contraption giving an audible click and springing open like a stall door, freeing their restrained comrade.
"How about a redo, three on one?" Todoroki informed, his breath visible as he flexed his Quirk, Half-Cold creating ice up his arm as some appeared underfoot as he took a step forward. "I blacked out earlier."
"Sorry, I'm tapping out." Deku smiled unapologetically as he shrugged before pressing a hand to his ear, "Kurogiri-san!"
"Don't let-" Uraraka shouted but Katsuki was ahead of her, letting off an explosion behind him to propel himself, one hand out stretched.
"DEKU!" He screamed, determined to grab him. He wasn't going to let him go so easily, not after all these years. Deku was coming with him. He was going to get answers and the dumbass was going to stop acting like one.
"Kacchan." Deku's face was like stone as familiar black mist appeared before Katsuki, blocking his view of the green haired teenager. He jerked back in surprise at the dark portal but couldn't stop himself as he was swallowed up in it, the world behind him going silent like he was in a vacuum.
Uraraka let out a yelp of surprise as a Warp Gate appeared under her and Todoroki's feet and they fell through as if it were a sinkhole. After a few moments of a brief cold point between realities there was light and a rush of air; the trio promptly found themselves falling next to each other as both portals dumped them midair.
Uraraka shouted out of impulse as she caught sight of the ground below, her arms flailing while Katsuki clenched his teeth in frustration as the height was too great for either of their Quirks to be effective without injuring themselves once landing. Either he would blast them into the side of a building or roughly to the top of one, chancing various broken limbs. Meanwhile Uraraka would have to wait to nearly last minute to activate her Quirk to avoid them becoming pancakes. She seemed to have the same idea as her flailing arms tried to grab at him.
Todoroki was ever levelheaded, armed with years of training with his Quirk unlike most others who entered U.A. let alone any hero school. With a quick thrust of his right hand he generated a stream of ice that hit the ground, creating a pillar that then curved downward and out, making a huge slide that was the envy of any theme park. His feet hit the ice slide with ease, essentially surfing as Uraraka managed to flip herself over before impact and activate her Quirk, hovering above the ice for a few seconds before she released Zero Gravity, slamming butt first against the ice and shooting down it in proper slide fashion.
Katsuki rightened himself and unleash a blast that propelled him forward as he let off more bursts in succession to ease his solo free fall like a sputtering jetpack. As he reached the ice he ease off the blasts, his feet making contact with ease but, as he lacked snow boots like Todoroki, not even pure willpower and spite could keep him upright. He slipped and landed face first against the ice, his bracers breaking his fall as he caught himself and saved his teeth from being bashed in.
A string of curses in his throat transformed to incoherent venomous mutterings as he scrambled to get up as he slid, pushing himself up. He was able to unleash an explosion from each hand that propelled himself forward sufficiently to cleared the slide, landing himself on solid asphalt with a resounding smack of his boots against the pavement. His heart pumped like an overachieving factory, his stress levels at an all time high he hadn't felt since USJ, his nerves shot as his blood boiled in irritation. His lips curled as he felt the uncontrollable urge to blow something up as the rage button had been flipped. He had energy to spare and it had to be pointed somewhere before he exploded.
"What the-" He looked around, taking in the sight as the wave of rage narrowed his vision, trying to focus on an agenda that wouldn't land him under more scrutiny thanks to his natural aggression.
"Where-?" Uraraka began, looking around as she and Todoroki stood at the bottom of the makeshift slide ahead of him, trying to get their bearings. "We're back." Todoroki informed, pointing to the side where the battle they had been spirited away from was still ongoing. Once more they were surrounded by cityscape that was pending on looking hellish as monsters straight from nightmares were roaming and fighting, the Noumu still unleashed on the world. All around them, scattered throughout the city, their classmates were fighting the monstrosities the League had unleashed for whatever reason, whatever their plan was.
Whatever Deku was a part of.
"Come on!" Uraraka called as she sprinted toward the chaos, Todoroki wordlessly beside her with a focused expression. Katsuki spat to the side, feeling the bile rising up in his throat from disgust and frustration before rocketing after them, releasing some tension with his propulsion blasts though it did little to ease the heat he felt all over his body.
Soon they came upon their fellow classmates shrugging against the swarm of Noumu. The present Pros on scene were doing their best but the monsters were so diverse it was hard to know how to restrain them as they sported various Quirks as well. It seemed almost like a game of whack-a-mole as Noumus kept popping up, the sensation increasing further as misty portals appeared, warping the Noumus around the place randomly.
The misty bastard was watching somewhere. They all must be. Just like how that hand freak had been seen on the news watching Stain like it was his own private show.
"We should come up with a plan." Todoroki was next to him as Katsuki landed for a moment, evaluating the scene as cold air formed around his hand, ice crystals gathering.
"What and wait for these shitbrains to kill people? We have to put them in the ground now. Use your ice like at USJ to stop them and I'll blast them! Those ain't human but we can't kill them! Damn regulations!"
"I'm merely pointing out improvising is fine but we need a general tactic instead of just rushing in. They got the jump on us twice now."
"You guys-" Uraraka tried, glancing at them.
"Whatever! They're trying to drag this out so All Might will appear! I won't let those assholes have their way! Someone's got to flush them out!"
They were out for All Might. His hero who had suspiciously slowed down over the past few years—obvious to anyone with half a brain who actually paid attention to his statistics and rampant daring does over the course of his career. For the past few years he increasingly seemed to do "rush hours" when his amazing feats were done and then simply clock out, entrusting other nearby Pros though his results were still high just concentrated. It was like he was juggling half-retirement while teaching and still doing some Hero work on the side. Even his appearances at U.A. aside from classes was like a celebrity meet and greet before he had to dash off.
Katsuki had noticed how gradually through his academic experience All Might would usually appear later than his co-teachers and then dash off just as class was ending. Some might attribute it to him balancing more responsibilities but as Katsuki aimed to be the new Number One, surpassing even Todoroki's apparent number one asshole of a father, he watched his idol with a scrutinizing gaze when not fired up from admiration and a competitor's spirit.
All Might was no spring chicken but there was no way he didn't still pack a punch, even if decades of Hero work were possibly finally wearing him down. For him to be delaying appearing now, during a crisis, something was up. And worse of all, others seemed to be catching on.
The League was up to something. They had failed at USJ over a year ago and now were trying again for their target. This was a huge trap and Deku was tangled up in it somehow, whether truly by his choice or by some brainwashing Katsuki didn't know, but his blood boiled. He had finally set his sights on the missing person who was in over his head; he nearly had him and he slipped through his fingers.
"Let's-" Todoroki unleashed a wave of ice at the nearest Noumu, rooting it to the spot. Katsuki however could only hear his blood pounding in his head, his heart pumping frantically as his stress levels soared, sending him into a state he worked hard to curb—what his classmates had appropriately nicknamed "Onslaught Rampage."
"SHUT UP AND MAKE THE ASSHOLES EAT PAVEMENT," Katsuki yelled, eyes wild as his bloodlust kicked in, a crazy grin on his face at the prospect of a fight that made his blood pump more. Explosions escaped his hands while he launched himself forward, ignoring Todoroki's outstretched hand to grab him, "LET'S SEE WHO DOES THE DYING TODAY, SHITBRAINS!"
"Onslaught! Bakugou-san!" Uraraka shouted as he blasted away, the explosions swallowing up her shouts. Katsuki barely heard nor cared as he flew into the fray, teeth clenched into a fierce grin as all concentration went to the Noumu.
If enough of the monsters were indisposed it should flush the coward leaders out. The hand freak used gamer terms and therefore probably thought along that lame ass nerd logic so Katsuki just had to wipe out the waves of grunts to draw out the big boss. And perhaps along with them that idiot Deku who had landed himself in the biggest trouble imaginable.
I'll drag you back when I get my hands on you, Deku.
They had to hurry up and desolate the enemy forces, which Katsuki was at least a Pro on that front.
"Out of the way!" He screamed, seeing red as he blew past a few of his classmates currently holding their own against the Noumu. He caught sight of Aizawa strangling a Noumu with his Capturing Device though his teacher looked surprised to see his explosive student go screaming past him despite being his instructor for two years.
"On-" Aizawa began to call but Katsuki was gone and the Noumu clawed at its neck to breathe. The disheveled, shaggy haired teacher delivered a jumping kick to the head, dropping the creature to the ground as he glared at it, his hair floating up around him as his Quirk was aimed at his opponent, making sure its Quirk was erased.
"Baku-bro!" Kirishima exclaimed, grinning as Katsuki slammed an armored knee into the side of the head of the large gray skinned Noumu the redhead was facing. The creature went flying, skidding and rolling along the ground from the rocket powered kneeing. "Was wondering where you were! It was too quiet!"
"QUIT YAPPING AND TAKE THESE SHITBRAINS OUT!" Katsuki yelled, blood pumping in his ears as he landed next to his self proclaimed best friend. He snapped his gaze toward Kirishima who presently had his hardening Quirk all over his body, giving him a rock monster appearance, "Who's on evacuation!?"
"I think Kouda and Shoji are assisting the Pros that are already here." Kirishima informed, slamming his hardened fists together as his grin widened, eying the Noumu that was sluggishly getting up. "Ready for some Red Onslaught?"
Explosions sounded in response as Katsuki's own grin grew devilish, sneering at his prey that dared attack while he was onsite. The explosions ceased in his right hand as he grabbed Kirishima's outstretched hand, grasping his forearm. Instantly he began to pivot, Kirishima running with him, before releasing a large blast from his left hand, propelling the both of them forward through the air.
"Riot Cannon, loaded!" Kirishima yelled as Katsuki tensed his arm before spinning himself around and throwing the Hero-in training Red Riot full force at the Noumu. Kirishima flew through the air like a projectile missile, hardening his body as he drew closer to the target.
"Unbreakable Rush!" The redhead screamed as he slammed into the Noumu, catching the creature in the chin. Instantly the creature's already blank eyes glazed over and spittle flew out of its gaping mouth as it soared backwards, body twisting from the unnatural force.
The Noumu crashed into a nearby building and lay there, passed out among the rubble. Kirishima stood victorious, fists curled as he grinned at his felled opponent. "Alright, another one down! Hope they have insurance though, whoops."
"Worry about that later!" Katsuki barked, sparks escaping his hands as he scanned the area. "The bosses are around here somewhere, I'm going to smoke them out!"
"This area's covered! I've got your back!" Kirishima gave a wide toothy grin and a thumbs up. "Go do your thing, Onslaught!"
"Shut up." Katsuki snapped though there was no malice as he turned away and blasted off again, glancing back to see Kirishima hurrying off in another direction where in the distance some of the girls were fighting. His gaze snapped forward as he let off more propulsion blasts, sailing through the air, "Freaking Pros where are they? It's just Aizawa-sensei and those two low ranking city Heroes with us! This place is overrun and Deku-"
A roar sounded close and he turned in time to see a Noumu with four batlike wings closing in on him, a maw full of multiple rows of teeth wide open. It was like someone has decided sharks fused with piranhas should be able to fly—it was mind boggling hideous.
"Sh-" Katsuki let out a blast that flipped him midair, sailing over the head of the airborne Noumu. With one hand he reached out toward it, a blast forming to nail it in the head when he was cuffed on the side of his head by the second pair of wings.
His vision when black for a moment as he was stunned, falling toward the ground as his explosions died. He gritted his teeth and concentrated out of pure spite as simultaneous explosions halted his decent. As the stars faded from his eyes he saw the Noumu whipping around toward him, letting out an ear piercing shriek that Katsuki's earplugs saved him from.
Suddenly a familiar long piece of material wrapped around the Noumu's neck and it was yanked downwards. Katsuki looked toward where it was falling as it slammed into the pavement and struggled as a net had been shot over its wings, entangling them.
"Watch your flank." A hollow voiced called out, slightly muffled as it was filtered through a dark mask that was over the speaker's lower half of their face. Half closed purple eyes with faint bags under them regarded Katsuki as messy indigo hair that flared upward was swept back as the Noumu created gusts from its flapping yet pinned wings. Shinsou held his Capturing Weapon firm, one foot pressing down on the long cloth while one hand slipped a gun like device back into his utility belt.
"Thought that's your job, Chicane! Isn't that way you're keeping an eye on me?" He shouted at his stoic classmate who managed to somehow, despite appearances, be gifted with the natural ability to converse unlike Todoroki who was otherwise his nonchalant twin.
"Always in the spotlight." Shinsou dully noted, eyes narrowing slightly as he yanked at the Noumu. "Thanks for being the distraction, loudmouth."
"Your welcome, you tired looking ass!" Katsuki retorted with mild venom, the two engaging in their school long spat as he landed on the ground, catching his breath. "Why not brainwash it?"
"These things are more like animals than people." Shinsou informed, frowning in concentration. "Roars and shrieks are iffy in counting as a verbal response, especially if they're instinctual. Their brains are like static so I can only hold them for a minute if any."
"They're basically puppets on autopilot, right?" Katsuki grinned wildly, glancing toward another Noumu in the distance. "You practically have the power of nonnegotiable persuasion, why not just guide the basic programming rather than trying to give a whole new directive? Even if it's a few seconds."
"Telling me how my Quirk works?"
"I'm saying maybe if you mimic that shitty hand freak from USJ they wouldn't be so resistant! Remember how he sounded like? A total creepy ass who needed a damn glass of water?"
Shinsou regraded Katsuki out of the corner of his eye as he kept restraining the Noumu, surely scowling under his mask in annoyance as the Noumu struggled. While he rubbed Katsuki the wrong way and vise versa, Shinsou knew when to take risks and was formidable despite lacking an offensive Quirk like Katsuki. However it was hard to tell what the tired looking teen was going to do if he was feeling spiteful, though this was a real crisis with no room for pettiness.
Katsuki glared back, not ready to back down through he had bigger concerns than an argument over Quirk application. He grit his teeth as he started to turn to leave, gathering sweat in his palms to blast off once more though leaving his classmate struggling with the enemy wouldn't look good for him. He let out a "Tsk" and pivoted back around.
"Hold it still I'll-"
There was an unexpected popping sound like a muffled gun shot and the Noumu roared, something sticking out of its neck. The winged creature thrashed, tossing its head and jerking Shinsou off the ground for a moment before he retracted his Capturing Weapon back around his neck. The Noumu let out another roar as it tossed its head from Katsuki to Shinsou, trying to figure out who had inflicted the pain. Under the net its wings lifted but drooped and the Noumu took a shaky step forward before collapsing in a heap, a muffled huff escaping it as a roar died in its throat.
Katsuki and Shinsou stared at one another before looking back at the now dozing Noumu.
"What the-"
"Woo! Got it!" A feminine voice shouted and the duo's attention snapped toward a dancing pair of gloves and shoes. A second later and a full iridescent outfit appeared, the cloaking part of the costume turning off for a moment as the light refraction part if the tech switched off though its wearer remained invisible.
Hagakure held up a peace sign at the two boys, surely beaming as she held a rifle. "Momo-chan made this great tranq gun for me to use for my darts!" She patted a pouch on her hip that flickered out if view as it reacted to her Invisibility Quirk. "That was close!"
"Tell someone you're armed!" Katsuki bristled, glaring in the direction of the invisible girl's head as if he could managed a stare down. "One of us could have jumped in the line of fire without knowing! How much is in that stuff to fall a shitty monster like that!? We'd be dead from the same dosage! His Quirk is Brainwashing, not Mindreading! Communicate!"
"Eek, right! Sorry!" Hagakure seemed abashed from her tone as well as the way her gloves gestured. "Just trying to help! Sniping isn't my thing."
"It's fine, one down." Shinsou commented, nudging the Noumu with a steel toed boot. "There are plenty more to subdue. Invisible Girl, if I can restrain them long enough with my scarf or even my Quirk, think you got enough doses to sedate a number of them?"
"Yep!" Hagakure immediately bounced back, pumping her arm and hoping on one leg for emphasis. "Got you covered, Shinsou-kun! I mean Chicane!"
"I'm outta here. More Pros should be here soon." Katsuki informed, seeing Shinsou now had backup and was in no need of his support. He turned away as he positioned his hands to propelled himself, "Don't get your ass kicked or something stupid like that in the meantime."
"Same to you, Onslaught. Be careful." Shinsou's tone was level though without any pretense, purely professional.
Katsuki let out a snort before grinning, "Yeah you too, tired ass." He unleashed his Quirk and blasted away, on the hunt once more as he flew over busted up streets. At one point he heard a cannon, presumably from Yaoyoruzu who arguably had one of the most versatile if not broken Quirks of all due to its power; the ponytailed girl was like a production factory and creation god rolled into one.
Katsuki skimmed his surroundings as he flew by, searching for any sign of the enemy aside from the monstrosities they had unleashed like a mini army. What were they after? Was this all a diversion or merely bait to lure out the desired prize?
Was this really all for All Might?
Katsuki bit back a curse in frustration as pain eased its way into his consciousness despite his honed, almost bullheaded focus. His shoulders were starting to ache from prolonged use of his Quirk and he was forced to finally land not long after seeing Jirou and Kaminari tag teaming to being down two Noumu, using a sound and electrical attack in perfect sync.
"Where the hell are you, Deku?" He panted, looking around with burning eyes. He caught a glimpse of Asui, the amphibious girl whizzing by, presumably using her froglike to tongue to help propel her jumps upward, and had a thought. "If they're watching, they're close... with a high vantage point, like that freak did when we fought Stain and those shitbrain monsters."
Katsuki gritted his teeth as a determined smile crossed his face. He curled his hands, ignoring his arching shoulders as he prepared to rocket upward like a human spacecraft.
"The Pros are here!" He heard faintly in the distance and looked to see a line of Heroes now on scene, recognizing most though the most iconic was not among them. Not a blond towering muscular figure amongst them. Instead Endeavor seemed to be taking the lead while Heroes from U.A. were in the mix, such as Present Mic and Midnight.
"About time!" He declared with prickling annoyance as the area had been going to hell long enough as it was. His focus snapped back toward the sky as he let out a unified focus blast that shot him upward. He unleashed more blasts to keep the momentum, flying up the side of a tall building as he tried to clear it. He needed a bird's eye view, before the League tucked tail and ran. Before they dragged stupid Deku back with them.
"I'm coming for you, Deku!" He screamed as the ground grew further away and thoughts of anything else grew distant.
Deku wouldn't disappear again. He would make damn sure of that.