Chapter 18: Ready or Not
"The Pros are here." Tomura remarked, scratching at his neck with mild annoyance from his vantage point. "Still not enough to draw out the Final Boss, huh? Twice, enough clones. It's wasted MP at this point."
"What, we're calling it quits? But we're just getting started!" Twice gestured in disbelief before exclaiming at a higher octave, "LET'S GIVE THEM HELL!"
"We'll try Strategy Beta next. This wave is a bust, but it was just a grind level anyways to test capabilities and chance an event encounter. All the special equip and summons with no proper field testing before taking on the true prize." Tomura informed, letting his hands drop to his side as he tilted his masked face toward his nearest companion. "Besides, we're still good, right?"
"Aw, I didn't get to have any fun! And I saw my friends! I wanted to say hi and catch up with a quick cut or two!" Toga pouted as she hung over the railing of the roof, looking out over the battlefield below as Noumu were spread about the city. She twisted around, doing a flip on the metal bar to face the others, "You got to play with Ochan, Dekkun! I'm so jealous!"
"Not really, Toga-chan. And we're good, Tomura. This serves as a reminder that the League is around and we haven't been just sitting around given the amount of Noumu. They'll link the Noumu to the one from USJ and do the publicity for us, like with Stain even if the Hero Commission tries to keep it under wraps. Sensei might even hear about it." Deku replied, tone calm and detached as he stood next to Tomura. "All Might's not here, yet. Besides, we have the next phase of the plan still, even if bait and kidnapping failed."
Toga blew a raspberry, sulking she hadn't been part of the action. She flipped back around on the bar to watch the chaos as she hung upside down.
"Then how about we scram before any Pros notice us?" Dabi's hooded gaze was trained on the ground below, seemingly uninterested though his eyes followed the human torch running around and brawling with the monstrosities as other Pro Heroes were spread out. "Singling one out with so many around is asking for trouble."
"We're flying under the radar like we're doing limbo!" Twice posed to illustrate, bending backwards almost completely and rapidly finger gunning at Dabi who ignored him.
"How about before we bring the hammer down on us? That's too many Pros at once for us to take on, even with the Noumu. Need something high end, a big bad—not this assortment of quality."
"I encourage the proposal of a retreat as well." Kurogiri spoke up, gesturing to his side as a misty portal appeared. "We must be able to fight another day."
"Don't go acting like it was your idea." Tomura growled at the impassive mist man. He glanced back at the direction of the Pros, clutching binoculars carefully despite his fingers pressing against it in irritation. "Let's go."
The rest of the group complied, Toga dragging her feet while Dabi effortlessly pursued his role of an enigma as Twice did a random dance behind him. Kurogiri remained, watching his charges linger near the Warp Gate as the trio entered before them. Deku said something to Tomura who gave a shrug before lightly kicking the back of Deku's leg with the top of his foot and headed toward Kurogiri.
"Let's go, Kurogiri."
"Young-"
"Got it covered. The current game session isn't done yet, just swapping party members out."
Kurogiri stared at Tomura with his yellow eyes, puzzled. Still, nothing in him screamed to protest as Deku met his gaze with a stern yet secret look that prickled his memory as the unreadable expression was familiar yet almost forgotten from the years he had not witnessed it. A familiarity that made him pause for a moment to consider who was in front of him, his mind buzzing with confusion as to what to do as static too place of his usual protective thinking.
Something clicked and Kurogiri gestured with resignation, "If that is your will."
Deku gave a nod as he watch Tomura disappear into the misty portal followed by Kurogiri who gave one last look toward him before stepping in as well, seemingly becoming one with the Warp Gate. Deku lingered outside of it, contemplating as the faint sounds of explosions reached his ears. The explosions grew louder and his expression tensed, morbidly amused as he half turned toward the all too familiar sound.
"Guess next phase is early."
Katsuki spotted the recognizable head of green hair easily as it was a stark contrast from the building's roof. His teeth ground together harder as he felt a momentary sense of success but stalled as he spotted the dark mist swirling in front of Deku. He released a huge explosion that shot him over the nearby buildings and landed on the target building's roof with a resounding slam as his boots hammered the pavement, one final smaller blast easing the descent so he didn't blow his knees out from the hard landing.
Deku's back was to him and he was alone on the rooftop. It was his chance to escape, for Katsuki to grab him and take him back. To bring him home and away from the shitty League.
"Deku!" He screamed, heart hammering his ribcage as he glared. His hands flexed in anticipation as he watched Deku slowly turn toward him.
Deku's red gaze was seemingly empty, his face a neutral mask that Katsuki immediately recognized as "tired-of-this-shit" from the clear apathetic vibe. He had a gloved hand on his black tie, loosening it wordlessly as the two regarded each other. Long moments of silence stretched between them while the sounds of battle below was mere distant background noise like a tv's volume set low.
Katsuki clenched his teeth so hard he felt his jaw ache as Deku made no movement toward him. The portal was shrinking but wavered, as if holding onto the hope Deku was going to enter it. Katsuki couldn't let that happen, Deku couldn't get away.
Not again. Not so close.
"Deku!" He shouted again, taking a heavy step forward, hands curled and ready.
Deku took a step back, loosing his tie further before letting his arms fall to his sides, the portal still dangerously close. "Kacchan," He spoke in an even tone, as if he were mentioning a generic brand name with no interest.
Katsuki's skin prickled as a chill went up his spin before giving way to a flair of annoyance. He glared at the stonewalling teen who truly was practically a stranger except for the freckles and curly green hair. Any fear Katsuki felt converted to annoyance, not willing to believe the worst that his chance was gone, that Izuku Midoriya was no more.
Katsuki gave a wild grin, biting back fear as he humored his savage persona to cover his insecurities. He spoke through nearly clenched teeth, his voice rough and challenging as he choked out any other emotion, irritation clawing at his burning eyes, "You really aren't coming back, huh!?"
Deku's emotionless face split into a mocking smile, tilting his head slightly as if partly puzzled. His expression morphed as his eyes narrowed and his grin turned casually lopsided as a new air was about him: prideful and dismissive. "Oh, you know I'm not. "
The last strand of Katsuki's patience snapped like a strained cord, punctuated by simultaneous pops as small explosions escaped his hands. "Don't give me that smug ass face!" He shouted, baring his teeth as a memory burned him—the sobs, the tears, the near comatose state...
He glared at Deku, screaming with venom and agony, "You asshole!"
Deku's eyebrows pinched together as a laugh of disbelief escaped him, "Asshole? I'm the asshole now!?" Another laugh came as he titled his head back, his disbelief growing as he regarded the bristling blond while he carded a hand through his hair, teasing the slicked back side, "Wow."
"Deku, you-"
"You made my life a living hell!" Deku shouted, all humor gone as he glared back, fists balled as the portal nearby disappeared completely. "Five years! For five years you tormented me! Made me wish I was dead! For something I had no control over, you arrogant ass!"
Katsuki's mouth snapped shut, jaw tight as a wave of emotion battered him. He kept his gaze on Deku despite the prickling sensation he felt, words caught in his throat as his tongue suddenly felt heavy like it were made out of lead. His silence encouraged Deku who seemed to be showing raw emotions for the first time since their reunion, his face contorting and voice fluctuating.
"I almost did it too! But disappearing works just as well doesn't it!? I hope you're hap-"
"Your mom!" Katsuki yelled, his tone pitching slightly as his own fists clenched and unclenched, trying to grasp onto something unseen. His face pinched as he tried to control his wavering tone as he thought of Inko Midoriya, the one who had been hurt just as much by everything. His chest squeezed, the words only making it out due to desperation, "She… She misses you so much! What about her!?"
Deku looked stunned, silence gripping him as his intense red eyes widened, a flicker of deep emotion within. He seemed rooted to the spot, perhaps a memory seizing hold of him.
Katsuki pressed onward, his voice tight as he shouted, "She never stopped looking for you! She's waiting for you to come home!"
Deku twitched, fists curling slightly as his gaze went to the ground, almost distant. It was like one could see the debate inside his head, the reluctance but conviction to see things through like the determined idiot he still was. The League wasn't present to hold him back, instead it was his own mind trapping him.
A desperate growl formed in Katsuki's throat with impatience, desperation evolving into pointed savagery, "Dammit, Deku! Come on!"
That jarred the other teen out of whatever haze he was in as his head jerked toward him. His red eyes were narrowed and his hands curled as he tilted his chin defiantly. "No."
"Deku…" Katsuki began to growl as frustration slammed into him like it was the express. Pops erupted, the crackling taking the place of the unspoken sparks that flew between the two as they continued to standoff. Deku's hands curled tighter into fists as he began to bring his right one up as if preparing for a boxing stance.
Deku wanted a fistfight? Then he would give it to him.
He planted his feet as he centered himself, both hands curled as he silenced his explosions, allowing his sweat accumulate for a close range blow that would be like a barely subdued hand-grenade going off. His eyes narrowed as Deku's feet slid into place, setting his own stance that hardly looked like proper fight footwork. The idiot was asking to be knocked off his feet as Katsuki looked like a football player ready to tackle. "Looks like you won't listen until I knock you on your-"
Deku's legs bent and he sprang into the air, sailing toward Katsuki with incredible ability for someone Quirkless, even with physical training. The distance between the two of them rapidly decreased, the blond blinking in surprise only to find his opponent in front of him, left arm hiked high and pulled back with his right tucked close against his ribs. Dark aura plumed from the raised fist and for a moment Katsuki thought it was the ability of the mist man—Deku about to be pulled away.
"Dek-" He barely uttered before realizing the other teen was not stopping, coming straight at him. He saw red as Deku's eyes flashed and the aura around his fist grew. Katsuki had milliseconds to realize the dark aura was completely different from the black mist that created portals as Deku's intent was a jump punch teeming with unknown power.
Baffled, Katsuki instinctively jumped back, saving the accumulating sweat as he kept his gaze focused. Seconds later Deku landed inches where he had been standing and his raised fist smashed into the ground.
Katsuki half expected to hear the sound of pain or cracking bones from the impact but instead Deku's fist went through the concrete, his hand burying itself into the now cracked pavement as it gave way. The concrete splintered, Katsuki's eyes widening in disbelief as streams of the dark aura burst out of the ground, exploding slabs upward as if there was volcanic activity.
Shit, that aura covering Deku after Uraraka used my bracers wasn't portal mist to redirect the blast.
He fought with the realization as he released enough explosions to propel himself backwards as the ground crumbled away, Deku performing a mighty leap to the side as he escaped the debris and range of destruction. The top of the building crumbled away, leaving a large crater as the two faced off, Katsuki wide eyed while Deku's gaze was cool though a small smile appeared, taunting.
"Surprise."
What the…
Deku has a Quirk?
As Katsuki's feet touched the ground, he grit his teeth as he had to switch up tactics, pushing his bewilderment away. Destruction of public property was strongly prohibited as a U.A. student even if he did have a Hero License, as the school would have to foot part of the bill even if the Hero Public Safety Commission handled it under their regulations and special insurance policies. However the one causing destruction wasn't him, but the extensive damage gave him leeway to respond with enough force to prevent worse damage and detain the one responsible.
"What's wrong, Kacchan? I thought we were being serious." Deku called, hands at his sides while the dark aura curled around him, pluming from his hands. "Or are your words your best weapon against me? What about that Quirk you were so proud of? The one everyone praised as ideal for a Hero?"
His skin prickled at the taunts while the building shuddered. He had to pin Deku somehow, ground him before the structure was dealt more damage and possibly collapse. He had to grab him and drag him down.
Explosions emitted from his hands as he thrust them behind him, rushing at his dismissive opponent like a human rocket. "Still as talkative as ever!"
"Same old Kacchan." Deku remarked, bracing himself as he took a stance that looked familiar, the primal part of Katsuki's brain screaming in terror.
He threw his hands to the side and redirected himself just as Deku threw a punch, the dark aura suddenly disappearing.
A strong gust followed the line of the punch, the force like a mini gale as more ground got ripped up and the side of the building was blasted away by the seemingly air cannon. Deku's expression tightened slightly as his eyes followed Katsuki sooner than the punch's line of fire. The wind pressure alone was enough to cause Katsuki's ears to pop despite his earplugs and he gaped for a moment.
Was that... All Might's Texas Smash?
While it was certainly smaller and less destructive than the Number One Hero's iconic move, Katsuki having witnessed it up close during an exam, the pose was unmistakeable.
Deku was copying All Might's execution though there was no comparison as the former lacked a smile, red eyes cold and focused.
Just what was Deku's Quirk!?
Deku rolled his shoulders as he pivoted toward Katsuki, the dark aura appearing once more from his hands. He shook his hand out before cracking his knuckles, face a mask once more.
He had long and short range abilities, compounding upon Katsuki's dilemma to get close and keep out of range of attacks. Katsuki's brows pinched together as he took in the new information, gritting his teeth once more to the point a small part of him made a note to invest in a mouthguard eventually.
Get him off balance, then I can take him out. Knock him on his ass first.
"Since you showed me yours, how about I show you mine!?" He yelled as he brought both hands forward, palms touching. A ball of light formed between his outstretched hands and grew. Within moments the light exploded into a large flash coupled with a deafening bang.
Smoke bellowed up from the Stun Grenade move, carpeting the area. Katsuki leapt forward, utilizing the flash bang and smokescreen to hide him using Blast Rush Turbo, flying toward as he propelled himself forward over the broken ground.
Only when he emerged from the smoke, a wild look of determination on his face, he faltered. Deku was nowhere to be seen. Where the green haired teenager had been standing was a hole and crumbled siding. Katsuki landed near the gap, heart thundering as his gut clenched—had Deku been warped away, slipping through his fingers again? However his blood froze as he neared the edge and looked down.
"Deku!" Katsuki screamed as he saw the other teen below, free falling. Whether or not he could be heard was irrelevant as Deku seemed unresponsive, falling limply without signs of the mysterious aura he emitted; he had no means of halting his rapid descent.
Katsuki catapulted himself off the side of the building, nose diving as he released blasts to reach Deku faster as the pavement was growing closer.
He's so close. So damn close.
Tears stung in Katsuki's eyes as the rushing air ripped at him, the cold clawing him. He had to grab onto Deku with one hand and hope for the best with redirection with his free hand. It had to work.
It took a few seconds for his brain to register it wasn't just the sound of the wind roaring.
Katsuki jerked his head to the side in time to see a Noumu flying toward him. The gray green creature lacked any wings but Katsuki's focus was on the skull like maw that was wide open, uttering a deafening roar that unleashed a blast of wind pressure, knocking him upwards in a tumble. With his world spinning he released an explosion that rightened himself while his eyes searched for Deku, half minding the newcomer who wanted a piece of him.
The Noumu's trajectory however was not him. It instead reached out with elongated limbs and grabbed Deku, snatching him like a human sized football, tucking him into the crook of its arm before curling over him. The creature sailed through the air before flicking its long tail to cause it to somersault in midair, allowing it to land back feet first on the pavement. Cement buckled under its weight and the creature staggered from the impact, its grip on Deku unrelenting.
If circumstances were different Katsuki might have been impressed at the acrobatics. Instead he found himself gulping down cold air that burned his longs as the Noumu stood cradling Deku as if he were a doll. It seemed to regard its possession for a moment, maw opening as it lowered its head, a long tongue extending past wicked looking teeth.
"Put him down!" He screamed, blasting toward the creature.
The Noumu turned toward him, letting out a hiss while its long tail slapped the ground in warning, displaying a dangerous looking stinger on the end of it. It appeared to have no eyes, though like the rest of the Noumu it had an exposed brain, which was hidden as a mane of hair puffed around its neck and head as if a beast displaying intimidation tactics. Multiple tendril like appendages sprung from its head like flowers in grass, two on either side with feathered tips, quivering from some emotion. Its back legs were well developed and curved, looking like strong appendages made for jumping rather than walking.
With no eyes the Noumu seemed to be relaying on sound and scent, given how it tasted the air with its tongue flicking out. Another thought came to him as it seemed to be watching him, twitching its head when he moved and watching even when he was still—perhaps it could detect heat signatures due to a Jacobson's organ like Quirk, much like a snake given how it moved its head.
Unfortunately thanks to his Quirk, Katsuki not only gave off large heat signatures but a distinct scent thanks to his specialized sweat. He landed some feet away, panting as he kept out of range of the dangerous looking tail and caught his breath. With all the adrenaline pumping his sweat output was increasing and with it his chance for the perfect onslaught attack.
The Noumu appeared to snuffle Deku, despite the lack of a nose, and the tendrils extended toward him, pressing against his skin. The creature cocked its head before a rumble escaped it, tongue exiting the skeletal maw once more and licking Deku's face. As the tongue recoliled Katsuki saw blood on the end of it before seeing Deku's hair slicked back, a bloody spot running from his hairline down to his eye.
Deku didn't move.
"I said: Put. Him. Down!" Katsuki roared, explosions punctuating his words as his skin crawled and heart pounded. "Get your damn tongue away, freak!"
The Noumu let out a snarl and whirled around, tail lashing. Katsuki flew back in time as the tail swept toward him, stinger snapping at where he had been. Its' mane puffed larger as it lay Deku down on the ground gently, head turned toward Katsuki with honed attention. It took a few steps over Deku on all fours, its large body covering him like a beast and its prize while its tail continued to lash. A deeper rumble formed in its chest and Katsuki barely had time to rocket upwards as the creature opened its maw and unleashed another blast of wind.
Katsuki bobbed and weaved as the Noumu expelled another wind torrent, refusing to leave Deku alone. He had to draw it away or else chance it accidentally hurting the unresponsive teen. He had to get Deku away and receive medical treatment before things got worse.
Either the Noumu would hunker down over Deku to protect him or it would leave his side to fend off any threats. Presently it strongly looked like the former and Katsuki was limited with his long range attacks.
If I slam into it I chance it crushing Deku underneath.
A Stun Grenade for a smokescreen and blinding flash would do nothing given the lack of eyes and the keen sense of smell. But maybe a direct attack would cause it to go on the offensive. Its greatest strength however had a flaw that he grasped onto.
Heat signatures can be used against it.
Katsuki flipped through the air, mind churning as he took in his surroundings. Anything mangled by the Noumu was fair game as it was already collateral. He drove down to the ground before redirecting himself in a midair flip, one hand downward as he hovered over a heap of a car. He caught a whiff of gasoline and grinned, unleashing an explosion in front before directing himself upwards with a focused blast from his other hand.
The sound of ignition was deafening even with ear protection as a plume of smoke carpeted the area, flames leaping up as they engulfed the wrecked car. Windows on buildings not yet shattered by the Noumu's air pressure attack exploded, the sound of glass tinkling onto the ground in punctuated unison.
The Noumu jerked its head back, weaving it around as it tried to make sense of the large wall of heat in front of it. Its tongue darted out, tasting to sense its foe but all its brain registered was chemicals as the stench of oil and gasoline filled the air. It let out a roar, mane bristling and it took a few steps forward, Deku now just under the base of its tail.
There was another explosion and it whirled toward it, its tail passing over Deku harmlessly. Across the way a trash can was on fire, a beacon of various colors from the heat signature it gave off to the Noumu. It growled before whipping its tail toward something that shot out from behind it.
Its stinger sank into something tougher than human skin, the sound of metal being pierced reaching its ears. It shook its tail, trying to get the hot piece of metal off when a new heat signature appeared from near the flaming trashcan and the metal exploded, earning a howl of pain as Noumu's tail darted back, stinger broken and oozing.
"I can ignite whatever my sweat gets on so long as I touch it!" Katsuki shouted as he landed on the ground, grinning as he stood next to the flaming hunk of metal he had thrown and proceeded to ignite with a slap as one hand was ungloved, shining with sweat.
The Noumu shuddered in pain, tendrils quivering as it curled its tail, seemingly inspecting the damaged with the alien appendages. The large creature shied away from the flames, a growl in its throat before it started to turn back toward Deku, remembering its priority.
"No you don't, asshat!" He snarled and rocked toward the creature, ignoring the scorching heat on his bare skin. The Noumu almost tripped over its own legs as it backed up, trying to grab at Deku while lashing its tail out blindly to knock Katsuki away.
"Zero Distance Stun Grenade!" He screamed, cupping his hands together as he landed in front of the Noumu. It jerked its head back, surprised by the sudden lack of distance and abrupt heat signature before it. Light flashed in his hands as the Noumu opened its maw, its chest expanding as it inhaled for another wind attack.
The Noumu was caught point-blank in the chest and chin as Katsuki let off a sizable explosion, screwing his eyes shut as the flash was blinding. The blast jarred his shoulders and he clenched his teeth as the explosion slammed into the Noumu, causing it to go sailing back as if hit by a speeding bus.
It crashed into the ground and rolled a few times, kicking up dust, before stopping, laying on its side. It was seemingly dazed as its mouth opened and closed, trying to draw in a breath before stilling, shallow breaths escaping its now unconscious form as its appendages went limp.
Katsuki was sent flying back a few feet but his boots dug into the pavement, skidding to a stop. Air clawed through his lungs as he gasped for breath, arms trembling slightly while the scoring flames nearby nearly blistered his skin. Sucking in a breath he pulled his removed glove back on as he started to head back toward where he'd seen Deku, the mild smokescreen obscuring the ground.
"You better not be dead, Deku." Katsuki growled, nerves shot as he strode forward. A cold dread seeped into his bones despite the fire of adrenaline in his veins, his Quirk nudging him to keep going.
The smokescreen suddenly parted as a familiar purple tinted black aura sliced through. He froze as the tendrils dispelled the smoke, blowing it away from the middle.
"Why, so you can finish the job?" Deku coldly asked, stepping through the smoke with a stony expression. The blood on his forehead was gone, along with any sign of what wound caused the bleeding, apparently unharmed. "Seems you got close to it, given we're standing here now." He pointed to where he fell from, his red eyes flaring while the dark aura pulsed from his hands in agitation. "Care to explain, Hero?"
"That was-" Katsuki began, raising his hands as his skin prickled with dread.
He wasn't able to finish as the dark aura exploded from Deku, slicing into the concrete as it radiated off of his hands in multiple long tendrils. Deku stood firm, expression dark and brow pinched in concentration as the aura continued to grow and split, waving wildly.
Katsuki leapt backwards, thrusting his right hand forward and letting off an explosion as the aura whipped toward him. The blast blew the substance away, slamming into Deku as pulled his left arm back, the aura shifting to just that side of his body.
The explosion caught Deku in his left shoulder, knocking him back. The teen let out a grunt of pain, looking a mix of surprised and annoyed. The left side of his shirt was gone, revealing a well toned body as smoke curled off, revealing scorch marks on his skin. Deku's eyes hardened as his jaw set, reaching up with his gloved right hand and pulling the now ragged tie from his neck and throwing it away.
Deku planted both feet and the aura formed around him once more, consuming both arms and flickering around his neck. Katsuki lifted an arm in preparation, sparks forming to counter another long range attack. The two stared each other down for a few long moments before Deku made his move.
"Ready or not."
The aura suddenly disappeared from his left arm and he sprung forward, displaying incredible speed as he rapidly closed the distance between the two, keeping low to the ground. Katsuki swung his arm to block the attack as his eyes widened in surprise but found the aura covered right hand already in front of him. He was thrown upward as Deku grabbed his face, fingers digging into his mask as he obscured Katsuki's vision.
"Here I come!"
A grunt escaped the blond as he barely caught himself, heels digging into the ground and he threw his left hand out, feeling it collide with Deku's face. The heel of his palm pressed into Deku's face as the other teen grabbed at him, the strange aura scratching at him like sharkskin.
Katsuki threw his free hand out to catch his opponent in the chest when he felt the aura intensify. Instinctively he released an explosion, holding back enough to merely cause a stinging blast at the point-blank range. The simultaneous blasts carpeted the area with smoke and dust, knocking both teens back from each other.
Katsuki gasped for air, face stinging from various lacerations while his mask was now gone, torn to shreds. Blood ran down from his nose and cuts on his lip, making him taste copper as he choke out a breath. Across from him Deku stood looking haggard, his own face covered in scorch marks and blood as various cuts ran across his cheeks, blood seeping down his forehead like before, hair slicked back from the blood. The green haired teen rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth, smearing blood away before spitting.
"Just like old times, huh, Kacchan?"
"The hell, you actually nuts?" Katsuki demanded as he panted, feeling spent as he hadn't hydrated enough for all the perspiration he was doing. His Quirk nerves tingled and his shoulders twinged, signaling he was nearing his limit. Annoyance and desperation nudged him to go for the jugular as he screamed, "Are you trying to get yourself killed!? Stop being a selfish asshole and think about what that'll do to your mom! What this'll do!"
"You were always telling me to shut up, how about you!?" Deku shouted back, visibly bristling. His fists curled as he grit his teeth, brow furrowed in rage as the dark aura expelled from his hands once more. "As if you care! As if I was ever a person to you! I'm just Deku, right!?"
As the aura grew, Deku glared down Katsuki who drew himself up for another round despite the cold that clenched his stomach as the words slapped him. However as Deku raised his fists the dark substance vanished, prompting a startled look from him. Within a matter of seconds a long gray strip of cloth wound itself around him and constricted, pinning the his arms to his sides.
Katsuki's shoulders slumped at the familiar sight, surprised at the intervention and the exhausted part of him relieved. "Sensei…"
Aizawa stood far enough away from Deku, grasping his Capturing Device. The Hero's iconic yellow goggles were nowhere to be seen, the blood on his face apparently from where they had been smashed against it. His long black hair stood up from his Quirk's activation, eyes glowing red as his line of sight focused on Deku who fidgeted beneath his bindings. "Restrain him, now!"
What happened next was a blur as other Pro Heroes appeared, one armed with Quirk Suppression Cuffs. As Katsuki fought off a possible concussion, perhaps just exhaustion or blood loss, the Heroes secured the area and snapped the elbow length cuffs onto Deku's arms, securing them behind his back.
"Detain this one until the police arrive. All the remaining Noumu have been suppressed and are awaiting transportation." Aizawa instructed another Pro Hero in his low dry voice as he stood next to Deku, hands on hips and his expression serious. "I have to check on my students. Ugh, my eyes are sore."
"Wait." Katsuki called, willing himself to stay on his feet despite his lightheadedness as Deku began to be lead away. One of the Pros, one he couldn't bother to identify, urged him to sit but he waved them off, taking a few shaky steps forward, stubbornness refusing to let him quit.
Deku's back was to him, having gone mute as soon as he was captured and seemingly losing any interest in his former childhood friend. Katsuki swallowed, clearing away the strain he felt threatening to crack his voice, "Dek-… Hey… I'm sorry. For everything."
Deku's head jerked up in surprise, looking back over his shoulder. His wide eyes shifted almost immediately, reverting once more to being heavy lidded as he looked at the ground, mouth in a taunt line as his eyebrows pinched together slightly. After a few moments he spoke, his voice low and detached as exhaustion settled over him, "Should have said that years ago."
Katsuki was silent in return, watching Deku's retreating back as he was lead away, presumably to where the police were setting up a perimeter. Aizawa seemed to be regarding the two of them, wheels silently turning as he watched his student closely. Katsuki felt a pang of fear at the scrutiny, knowing Aizawa as the Hero Eraserhead was equally formidable as a teacher and presently he was looking at Katsuki through both lens.
"Hey! Bakubro, you okay?" An all too familiar voice called out and Katsuki immediately bristled, fire in his veins once more and all vulnerability gone. He whirled in the direction of the voice, snapping at a concerned yet ever candid Kirishima who was sporting a few bandages.
"Shut up! Of course I'm fine! Got yourself beat up, idiot!?"
"Bakugou." Katsuki tensed at his name, Aizawa forgoing the use of his Hero name as he approached, hands in his pockets. His teacher stopped in front of him, professional calm emanating from him as he continued, "I assume you two have a history."
"You know nothing," came the automatic response, shame and guilt twisting into barbed words as Katsuki started to walled himself off, ignoring the curious look Kirishima gave.
"You're right, I don't." Aizawa continued, long suffering though his tone became more serious, "But you do and it means we could have some answers in regards to the League of Villains, given he seems connected. Who is that?"
"That…" Katsuki's voice petered off, his mind scrambling for an answer as the name he had been using for years stabbed at him, reminding him of why he had given it and what it meant. Of how he had used it as a weapon against the defenseless and thoughtful boy; how that now teen had said Katsuki's endearing childhood nickname venomously much like what had been done to him.
Katsuki swallowed as his mouth went dry, his hands strangely absent of any sweat as a heavy weight pressed in his chest, "That's Izuku Midoriya… and…"
"And?"
Memory of the prized birthday gift flashed in his mind, of Inko's despair and frantic hope throughout the years, of Deku's expression the last time he had seen him as a child, of all the times Deku had been beside him. Guilt twisted in Katuki's gut and he looked up from the ground at Aizawa, expression serious."He's… he's my childhood friend who's been missing for seven years."