Chapter 36: Opposing Forces
"I let my head fall back, and I gazed into the Eternal Blue Sky. It was morning. Some of the sky was yellow, some the softest blue. One small cloud scuttled along. Strange how everything below can be such death and chaos and pain while above the sky is peace, sweet blue gentleness."
-Shannon Hale, Book of a Thousand Days
Izuku & Ochako
The League of Villains doesn't attack for weeks, nobody hearing of any updates regarding All for One, Shigaraki, and all of their associates.
They can't have just gone into hiding, not after having one of their most prominent rivals, Shie Hassaikai be taken down. No, they had to be planning something big, something grander that's never been done before.
It's an unnerving hush after the chaos of dealing with Shie Hassaikai and Kai Chisaki's efforts, some Heroes left without their quirks and other innocent civilian caught in the crosshairs dealing with lifelong injuries from buildings destroyed in the aftermath.
Two policemen were found crushed under a mix of metal and wood, another three are still missing within the debris from the latest updates he read...
News cycles put a majority of the blame on the Heroes acting too late, missing the signs of where the largest attacks were planned.
They have to be prepared this time, no matter what.
"It's clear their planning something, we need to have 24-hr patrols along the streets and be on the lookout for any all gossip going and around that involves the highest profile names of their organization." Endeavor points out.
Izuku pauses, stilling his footsteps, calming his breathing.
All Might is still stuck in this meeting.
Eavesdropping can easily get him a week's detention if he's caught, but he finds himself leaning towards the crack the door to listen further anyways, watches the worried looks of the other faculty on how to prepare.
Hawks raises his hand once the murmuring dies down, pointing towards the monitor.
"From my time spent around Twice, the plan is to attack all major cities across Japan. After the destruction, lawless and war-torn areas with the remaining survivors will be more susceptible to villains and any crooked individuals wanting to claim power."
Izuku finds himself agreeing with the sentiments of needing to get ready, though no formal action plans have been put into place by any of the Pro-Heroes to stop what seems to be inevitably coming.
War truly could be upon them at any moment it feels like.
And yet school and hero patrols carry on, under a façade everything is fine while silent plans are made.
'Should I ask All Might for more answers? Would he even tell me?' He considers, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Ah, that's your thinking look. I haven't seen it in awhile!" Ochako teases, lightly bumping their shoulders together.
Her touch doesn't make him jolt like it used to, affectionately twisting her around gently so brown eyes meet green.
"You always seem to find a positive outlook no matter how bad things are." Izuku remarks.
Ochako's smile widens, shrugging.
"One of us has to be!"
But for a flicker of a moment he sees it, a storm of fear and anger in her eyes that he hates has to be there.
They walk under a pair of cherry blossom trees, petals the sharp pinks and whites of a coming warm spring day.
Part of him wishes they could avoid school a bit longer, pretend that this is a regular outing for them going to the movies or park instead of school.
Well, it could be normal day if not for the stares at their uniforms, dismayed and ugly looks as people's eyes flicker between them and newspaper articles of buildings mangled and twisted into heaps of black ash and torn metal.
"What do we need more Heroes for when the ones we have aren't doing crap to help us?!" One man grunts none too softly, purposely bumping at Izuku's shoulder as he heads the opposite way for the bus station.
Ochako tightens her grip on his hand, but it does nothing to quell the slushing of his stomach.
The League of Villains won't stop until all the top pro heroes are dead, until they can up end society and create anarchy.
'I should be doing more patrols, it may cut into my schoolwork, but I have to figure out what's going on.' He determines.
Even if he needs to do it alone, he will.
"Okay, that look means you're planning something which may I remind you, you can't do without permission." Ochako regards.
At Izuku's silence she presses a finger to his cheek, forcing him to re-meet her gaze.
"Oh, what's plotting in that head of yours? Tell me! Or...Or I'll make all your textbooks float out of your reach!" She warns half-teasingly.
Izuku grins lightly in return, affectionately dropping a light kiss to her head that utterly throws her off.
"I could always just use Infliction in that case." He counters.
"...That's cheating!" She huffs.
They're already on thin ice as it is with most U.A.'s faculty for their seemingly constant violations of what their permits allow, of what they've run off to do without first telling anybody...
Izuku sighs, nodding as Ochako fixes him with a more serious expression. "I wasn't going to do anything...yet."
U.A. looks no different from usual as they head inside, trees at the entrance warm shades of green, golden letters lined at the entrance shining in the sunlight. 2nd years and 3rd years glance their way, expressions a mixed bag of surprise to see them already back at school again to frustration for the negative spotlight they've put U.A. under once more.
Class A and B mingle together outside their respective doors, Kaminari waving to the pair as they get closer.
"Hey lovebirds, are you two doing okay? Got to spend enough alone time together or-" He starts.
Jirou pricks him with one of her earphones before he can go on with his questions, relief crossing her onyx eyes taking in them both.
"Good to have you two back. And ignore this guy, we know you two have been through a lot. We've all went though the mayhem of dealing with Shie Hassaikai's 8 bullets as well."
Ochako nods, taking in the bandage to her cheek, eyes roaming across the room.
"I heard...I heard one of the 3rd years lost his quirk?" She murmurs.
Kyoka nods, voice lowering.
"Yes Mirio Togata while he was helping some civilians evacuate a building about to collapse. Kaminari didn't say it, but he overdid it with his electricity while trying to keep some a horde of criminals connected with them at bay. Kirishima too I heard went all out against some type of Blade villain as well with Fat Gum's agency."
Ochako grimaces at the news. but Kyoka pats her shoulder. "Don't look so glum! The most important thing is that Shie Hassaikai has been taken down.
Izuku overhears tidbits of their conversation, frowning looking to the rest of their classmates.
'Nobody seems to be severely injured; nobody missing.'
He's greeted with nods and waves, knots in his stomach loosening at even Katsuki's blank stare to stop looking so worried already.
Aizawa blows a whistle at the front, getting everyone's attention.
"Everyone listen up, we're about to do joint exercises with Class 1-B."
Ochako
"So what's the deal with you and Midoriya? I mean I've heard rumors about you two and seen all the news articles, but I've never actually gotten the full story out of one of you." Itsuka questions.
"Besides that you're dating! We've heard Mina spread that story all over the school already!" Pony adds in lightly, hoping she's using the correct term for dating.
Ochako feels her face darken, the rest of Itsuka's classmates glancing to her curiously for an answer as well. This friendly rivalry with their opposite class usually means just trying to one-up each other whether it be in exams or hero-related work, though this matter is entirely different from both of those subjects.
This is...this is just gossip!
"Yes, I've always wondered about that quirk of his! It's like Shinso's quirk sort of, right? Except it seems like his can cause actual damage!" Tetsutestu asks excitedly.
Monoma scoffs from behind them, blue eyes turning icy.
"Not sure why you're all getting so comfortable talking to our rival class! Who cares about what Uraraka and Midoriya's exploits have been in the media when it's only tainted the image of U.A. It should be our class getting the fame instead for-"
Whatever else he wanted to say Itsuka interrupts with a smack of her hand across his face.
"Ignore him, I'm plenty interested in what you have to say!" Itsuka cheers.
Ochako grins, but what is there exactly to say? Sure the news exaggerated many details or took things out of context, though it feels like that damage has been done.
She thinks back on what Toga had told her months ago, lips coated scarlet in blood.
"This society wasn't made for quirks like mine."
Her golden orbs sparkle realizing she has her full attention, going on.
"Midoriya really should've joined us...he still can really! That quirk of his isn't made to be a Heroes! Plus, all that destruction! Can you imagine how good it would be to taste so many people's blood at once?!"
"People have said and I'm sure think a lot of things about Izuku and I. Though the truth of the matter is The League of Villains wanted Izuku for his quirk and he refused." Ochako explains.
Itsuka's brows rise in surprise, while Ibara arches a brow.
"Were you two's intentions truly pure all of the time though? Surely the news wasn't lying about the moments where you two willingly disobeyed police orders and orders from other Pro-heroes to stay back various situations like the ones against The Hero Killer and even back during our training trip in the woods, right?"
Ochako stiffens, even though Shiozaki said that all with a smile, her sea green eyes are cool; assessing.
It painfully reminds her of Himari and all of her associates at the station.
"Nothing we've done was explicitly to cause trouble to U.A. or to our classmates." She asserts.
Monoma pipes up again, grin stretching across his face.
"A little too late for that don't you think?!"
Ochako huffs, crossing her arms silently. She isn't sure how this joint training exercise is going to go successfully when some of Class 1-B's students are so wary of her and outright cold regarding Izuku.
She supposes it makes sense to be a bit suspicious in their eyes, glancing to Izuku adjusting at his gloves.
'It's fine. He has a handle on Infliction.'
"Alright, everyone gather up! We're going to be setting up the teams! And no complaining of the blending of Class 1-A and 1-B students! It's going to 8 groups of 5 people each." Vlad King announces, glare fixed on Monoma in particular.
Still a wave of groans comes from both classes, this will be the first time their paired with people who they know don't have full understanding or knowledge of the way their quirks work, of it's weaknesses and strengths.
Much like in the real world.
They're broken up into teams of 5, Ochako thankful for her luck that Momo is on her team. Izuku unfortunately though is stuck with both Monoma and Bakugo on his team, two people who have varying degrees of hatred for him.
"Seems like Midoriya can't catch much of break." Momo notes, Ochako slowly nodding her agreement.
'I hope we can both get through this training exercise okay.'
There's a possibility they'll be facing off against each other...
And it doesn't help that Class 1-B certainly isn't going to make it easy for either of them.
She looks between the trio for a minute longer, Bakugo's complaining muted to a mere grunt, Monoma the more vocal of the pair already questioning what he'll do incase of failure.
Vlad King gathers them back around again once they've found all of their teammates.
"Alright everyone, we're going to make this a mix of a challenge and rescue operation! Your goal will be to capture your opposing team's flag and find the designated hostage captured within your opposing team's territory in 90 minutes. Consider this similar to real life, the more time passes, the more dangerous the assignment will become. My advice to you all is to not dillydally or let conflicting ideas/personalities distract you. Teams that are able to complete both goals in time or defeat all of their opponent's team before time is up will be considered successful! Any questions?" He explains.
Tetsutestu raises his hand, Vlad pointing to him with a nod.
"How do we decide who's going to be the hostage of our team?!"
Kan grins then, nodding to Aizawa who unenthusiastically holds up a bundle of straws high enough for everyone to see.
"Glad you asked! To keep this fair and square, we'll be keeping it simple with you all drawing straws! Shortest straw from your team is the hostage!"
A wave of groans immediately elicits the air once more, Kan holding up his hand.
"Or we can just give you all reading and quiz assignments; your choice!" He calls out, complaining dropping to a hush.
He nods, that's what he thought!
Ochako wrinkles her nose as Aizawa-sensei goes around to each group, stomach twisting in a bundle of nerves. 'Please don't let me or Momo get the shortest straw, please don't let me or Momo get the shortest straw!'
Momo's Creation quirk could easily help with the hostage part of the task. On top of that, she could create good defenses to make sure their flag isn't stolen either.
"Neither of you Class 1-A girls better slow us down! Your class may have slightly better fighting experience than ours, but only because some of you make yourselves targets!" Kamakiri voices, jolting Ochako out of her internal mantra.
Forest green eyes gaze at her and Momo sharply, producing twin pairs of blades to show his seriousness over this impending battle.
Honenuki pats at his arm making him retract his blades, sighing. "Come on man, don't be like Monoma. The point of this exercise is for us to work together. It's just like what would happen in the real world when working with Heroes we're unfamiliar with in order to successfully rescue any hostages or stop a rampage. Besides, both Uraraka and Yaoyorozu have great quirks that can counter a multitude of others."
Ochako grins, nodding that she wants this objective to go just as successfully as well.
Kodai, their last team member, merely smiles in agreement, so Ochako assumes that's a positive!
Aizawa walks up to their group next, holding up the straws.
"Well, let's get this over with; you guys are Team 1. You'll be facing off against Team 4 in the 1st round." He relates before stalking off to the next group.
'We're going first! Ugh okay, that's fine. It's better to get it done quickly than have so many teams go before us using tactics they learned from observation.' She decides, trying to find the bright side.
Luck however, seems to be playing games with them.
She nervously she reaches for a stick, sighing in relief when she draws the 2nd longest straw from Aizawa's hand.
But her relief quickly vanishes seeing Momo gazing at a straw the mere size of her thumb.
Great.
Izuku & Ochako
'Looks like our team will be up after Ochako's.' He reads from the billboard up above.
A sharp prick to his back comes a moment later, half-turning to see Bakugo's intense glare.
"...What have I done this time to anger you Kacchan?"
"You better not screw things up Deku!" He grits out and he follows his gaze down to the crushed straw within his hand.
Oh, the shortest one.
Something of a half smile crosses his face only worsening Katsuki's anger.
"I mean it Deku! You already have a damn target on your back thanks to Infliction. Whatever team we're going up against is going to make sure to try and take you out first."
Izuku nods, they both know this though saying it aloud makes it all the more real; certain.
"I'm prepared for that." He answers back.
Katsuki's brows furrow, about to ask about his plan with Monoma cuts in.
"Well, that's one positive of being stuck with you two, one of you will be a hostage I won't have to face the next hour and a half looking at!" He sneers.
Katsuki's eyes narrow, lifting up one of his hands, red-orange sparks flicker up. "Bastard, you want to say that again directly to my face-"
Tokage's hand comes between them before either can speak, scoffing.
"We're not here to beat up or mock each other so play nice already Monoma!" She warns.
Monoma for his part relaxes, smirk calming to one of his relatively easygoing grins.
"I suppose you're right. If we want to be successful in this, we will need to cooperate. I'm especially curious about seeing the use of your quirk Midoriya up close. Normally I would say it's more like my quirk, one that's seems more fitting for a side character; the background. Though the way you've used it clearly shows you can make it quite lethal if you wanted to." He muses.
Izuku frowns, nodding slowly.
"You could say that about any of our quirks though." He counters.
Monoma considers this before nodding, about to speak again only for Vlad King's whistle to interrupt them.
"Alright, Team 1's hostage; follow me into The Labyrinth. Just as a reminder to all of you, hostages are not allowed to speak! Their only way of communicating can be done via their quirk!" He announces.
Izuku watches then as Yaoyorozu is lead into a maze of wood and grass, trees and bushes shades of sharp greens on par with a real forest. Gazing farther out he even catches what look to be like rolling hills and jagged rocks the colors of grays and blacks.
He catches Ochako's eye and smiles, mouthing 'Good Luck!'
Ochako grins back, face tinging the slightest pink. 'Thanks, I'll need it!'
"You shouldn't fraternize with the enemy!" Monoma mentions, watching their cutesy behavior with a flat expression.
'Honestly, how can he consider himself unlucky when he has two great quirks and a girlfriend?!'
Izuku weighs his words, Ochako isn't their opposing team, but he supposes he shouldn't draw anymore attention to himself.
Everyone directs their attention to the main screen, Yaoyorozu tucked away in what looks to be a mini cavern or grotto, body mostly obscured by fauna and rocks save for her onyx hair.
She nods at whatever directions Vlad King gives her while the secondary monitors light up showing each team going into position.
"Alright, begin!" Vlad yells out, blowing his whistle to get started.
Ochako sucks in a breath, scent of moss and earth filling her nostrils.
'They have Shishida on their team. His beast quirk will make it easy for him to run through this terrain, I should create as many barriers as possible to keep him from tearing through to our flag.'
"Which one of us are staying back to protect our flag? It needs to be someone whose quirk can be used defensively and offensively. Kodai in my opinion, should go after Yaoyorozu as it will require stealth and she can adjust the size of the objects around her quickly for cover. As soon as she's rescued, Momo can use her creation quirk again to provide defense to Uraraka and Honenuki. My quirk works well for all out physical attacking and speed in getting to the other team's flag." Kamakiri voices.
Ochako considers his delegating, that would put her as guarding their flag with Honenuki. It makes sense she decides, he can turn the very ground below them into quicksand and she wouldn't get caught up in it via her Zero Gravity.
"It works for me as well." She relates.
Kodai nods her agreement with his plan too, slipping away into the thick shrouds of the trees and bushes where the sunlight doesn't cross.
Kamakiri stretches his legs before breaking into a run, thin trail of dust left in his wake.
She feels Honenuki's stare once they're alone, only sound in the air the low whistle of wind and buzz of cicadas.
She floats up and makes a barrier of rocks and branches, Honenuki muddying the ground in patches not directly in sight.
A bundle of rocks and twisted branches lay hidden in the trees, floating just slightly not to be immediately noticeable.
"So, what's the story behind you and Midoriya? Monoma creates rumors, but those are normally far from the truth." He questions as they silently work.
Her face flusters making his grin widen in amusement.
"Relax, I'm not going to tease you much about anything that makes you too uncomfortable!"
Ochako clicks her tongue, saved from responding at seeing a shuffle of movement to her right.
A scale cuts through the air, slices the edge of her cheek before she leans out of the way.
'That's Hiryu Rin's quirk!'
It helps that Izuku has told her about most of Class 1-AB's quirks, but she didn't remember all of them, too focused at the time giggling seeing his face alight in excitement.
'What was it about them? Scales as hard as metal, they can be projectiles too?' She thinks quickly.
She waits for him to get closer, stones turning at her ready.
"There is one thing I can tell you about my relationship with Izuku." Ochako mentions.
They watch as Rin dodges Honenuki's traps, dark eyes pinpointed on their flag. Shishida rampages in behind him, smashing and climbing dangerously close to their flag. She floats it away before his fingertips can reach it, biting down the swirl of nausea.
'Relax. You can do this!' She pushes herself.
Neither of them notice the shadow of rock and bark slowly looming behind them, the quiet crackle obscured by the shattering of their barriers. Rin sheathes himself in emerald armor. Preparing for an all out offensive attack.
And she's sure it isn't one she can escape from completely unscathed.
"I know you can make things float with your quirk Uraraka! I'm ready for anything you throw!" He shouts out.
Shishida scoffs, punching an incoming rock to his back to pieces before it land. "Surprise attacks won't work on me; get ready to be thrashed apart!" He rolls out of Honenuki's sink hole traps, barreling forward.
Ochako eyes Honenuki from the corner of her eye, barely nodding it's time.
At the speed Shishida's going and all their focus on her, he run into his true pocket of melting dirt and grass, Honenuki diving forward, pulling one of Shishida's hands down right as his nails tear at her shield, crack it into rivers of glass.
"Now Uraraka!" He calls out, Shishida roughly shoving him away.
"Release!" She whispers, jabbing Shishida and Rin sharply in all directions with the twisted branches and stones shot out of their hiding places.
Honenuki gazes on in mild surprise as the pair slacken, trickle of blood arising from their heads. Ochako scopes the environment, nausea slams into her, bile rushing up like a billowing storm edging to push through. It takes her a moment waiting for all of it to wash away, clearing her throat.
"A Hero must do what has to be done, no matter how it may make them look in the end."
All Might
"So you've actually come to watch the matches? Normally, you would proudly announce your arrival." Aizawa drawls, half watching Toshinori's approach and half keeping an eye on the ongoing match.
Toshinori tacks on a weak smile at his joking (because it's true, he would always be early for matches). He's spent for the past weeks afternoons into the night at Tsukauchi's office scouring over old records and newspaper articles, anything that can give them a clue of this big event The League of Villains is plotting.
'Whatever it is Toshinori, you can't get too involved like you did before. Your body can't handle it anymore...'
He knows. He knows. Though he can't just standby either.
It seems the win is going to Team 1 at seeing Kamakiri holding Team 2's flag victoriously. Yaoyorozu back at their base with Kodai. He glances back to see Young Midoriya beaming at Ochako, cheeks gaining a reddish hue when she looks directly at the cameras seeming to smile back.
"Yes, well I need to take a bit of break; get some fresh air. I'm hoping not too late to see Young Midoriya's round play out; am I?" He asks.
'I haven't seen any of One for All's past users manifest in Young Midoriya yet. Perhaps because of Infliction's influence blocking them out?' He wonders.
Aizawa shakes his head, pointing as Vlad King announces for the next two teams to come up.
"You're just in time actually. His team is going up against some powerhouses." He relates.
He stiffens watching Young Bakugo begrudgingly follow Kan into the forest first.
"Was he picked as the-"
"The hostage? Yes, though he's taking it surprisingly well." Aizawa finishes for him, grin rising up at Toshinori's equal surprise.
Best Jeanist maybe is truly rubbing off on him!
"Stop grabbing on to my arm damn it! I'm not going to go running off or breaking the rules like an idiot or coward!" He snaps, Kan ignoring his complaints keeping a firm grip on arm despite the beginnings of blaze encircling his hands.
'Hmm, maybe not.'
Either way, it's exciting to see them both in action! It's been too long since he's seen the duo use teamwork on top of working with quirks they're unfamiliar with!
"Team 3 and Team 6; begin!" Vlad's whistle echoes out into the late afternoon air.
He watches the monitors fervently, Midoriya nodding his game plan to his team.
It seems he's been decided on the one to capture the flag, rushing forward through a flurry of vines and leaves.
Toshinori pauses, doing a double take at the monitors seeing a flicker of black movement through the trees, all monitors turning static for a brief second.
'I can't be the only one who saw that.'
He glances to Kan and Aizawa, each looking at the screens carefully.
"Rewind that last part." He asks Aizawa.
He does as he asks, slowing going back through the seconds.
He pauses the moment when the shroud of black returns onto the screen, stiffening watching as it leaps forward immediately to follow Izuku.
'What was that just now?'
His stomach lurches, a prickle of fear jabbing at him; alarming him.
He looks back to Aizawa and Kan warily.
'Something isn't right.'
Izuku
"On your right, Midoriya! Don't lose focus this early into the match!" Awase calls out to him.
He nods, they need to be on guard for Kuroiro especially as the afternoon wanes on into evening. His eyes track every shadow from the trees, every dark corner that looks like movement.
He welds them a makeshift bridge bypassing and skirting around a rise of Komori's mushrooms.
Just as he twists the corner though does he abruptly see a trial of ash. Grass and trees, decomposing into a pile colors of blacks and grays.
He recognizes the smoky residue, chest tightening.
'How? When did he get here?'
To sneak into U.A. despite the upgraded security and undercover guards, Tomura Shigaraki still somehow found a way through?
No, it can't be a coincidence, none of his past runs with U.A. have been.
'Someone at U.A. is a traitor...'
The realization causes the knots in his chest to be set aflame, burn rushing over him.
And out of the shadows he sees Tomura's gleaming grin, scarlet eyes equally bright. He wears a black hoodie and camouflage jeans to blend into the environment, expression carefree despite the cameras watching them.
He shushes him in warning as Awase approaches up behind him, mouthing the word 'decay'.
Izuku grits his teeth, holding up a hand. "Hold on Awase, there's a set of traps here!"
Awase instantly slows his pace, squinting his eyes to focus on what he sees. Whatever pitfall or trick Midoriya sees is too small for him to see from his distance, melding anything together right now could be setting off a trap.
Before he can say anything, Izuku continues on. "Stay back for a minute, I'll clear the area and then we can continue on!"
Awase doesn't question him, nodding his agreement he'll keep an eye out for anyone watching from behind them. Izuku blows out a breath, Shigaraki lightly curling his hand around his shoulder once they're out of sight in the camera's blind spot as if they're old friends, nails icy and digging.
"U.A. has been practically foaming at the mouth to figure out what our organization has been doing. So I figured I would drop by and give them an update!" Tomura mentions lightly in amusement.
The hand around his shoulder tightens, Izuku's eyes narrowing darkly glowing a sharp verdant.
"Oh, don't look so alarmed! It's nothing you're not used to seeing!" Tomura remarks.
Izuku grits his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm but maneuvers himself out of his hold.
"So then what is The League of Villains up to?" He pursues.
Tomura leans back casually, grin wide and excited waving around them to the fields and mountains overhead. Thunder rumbles from somewhere in the distance, brush of pinks and reds in the sky swallowed by rolling clouds.
"There's going to be a war. The death of so many of your precious heroes; destruction beyond your wildest dreams."
He looks at Izuku once more, smile fading.
"Better get ready Midoriya, heroes always save the day; right?"
-x-
I've been bouncing various ideas in mind for the war arc and U.A. traitor that I plan to differ from the manga/anime. Since the manga isn't officially done yet (but it's getting there since in it's in the final battle it seems). I'm blending what's out so far with my own ideas. As always, thanks for sticking with me through this horribly imperfect story.
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!