Hey, so you guys might have noticed the addition of "Volume 1" in the title. I've decided that when I transition over to the second year, I'll make a "Volume 2". Now, what does this mean?

Would you guys rather me have Volume 2 begin after the Rescue Arc? Or at the start of the Second School Year? Lemme know.

Anyways, here's your chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5

Todoroki thought Stain would be the scariest opponent he ever fought. The man was a living embodiment of fear, especially with his power to freeze someone in their tracks. A villain who could stop all movement was a scary threat.

But a villain who could keep you on your toes? Just as scary. The villain Moonfish was a terrifying and seemingly insatiable opponent. His attacks were relentless and never stopped. Moonfish's teeth shot out of his mouth, and continuously tried to stab at the boys. He wanted to taste their flesh- flesh of the young was always so good. Old people were chewy. Young people were 'undercooked'. But kids like this? Just right.

Shoto was their only offensive option, but his ice walls were busy doing duty as defense. Shoto cursed himself for not being able to stop Bakugou earlier. Maybe the secondary offensive force could overwhelm Moonfish with a few attacks. He probably wouldn't have feared the latex wearing villain. He'd call him…an extra or something before blowing up his face.

Shoto huffed as the villain began chipping away at the ice wall in front of him. His teeth were unstoppable spears that could pierce through anything. The sounds of the chipping were enough to unnerve the usually calm and collected Todoroki. He grit his teeth, as he dodged a tooth spear that shot its way through the ice.

"Damn it..." Shoto muttered, as Kurorio stayed in the shadows.

"This man is insane- even for a villain." Kurorio huffed. He wished there was more he could do, but the only real advantage he could provide was mobility. He was melded into the dark, and responsible for moving Shoto away from the beast.

"Not only that..." Shoto said, detecting some movement from behind him. Kurorio pulled him away just in time- a giant tooth shot out of the ground, aiming to stab right through Shoto's chest. "He's making great use of his quirk and terrain."

"Great range, great power, great development...his lack of precision is made up by sheer numbers." Kurorio commented. "This man may be the greatest butcher of a villain. He may even outpace Stain or All Might."

"I'm reluctant to use my fire side." Shoto said, throwing up another wall. "The forest could catch on fire if my flames spread."

"And we can't attack without running into the gas." Kurorio added.

Shoto grimaced. "We're pinned down pretty hard. No matter which way we go, we have some danger lying in wait." Shoto created another ice wall, putting all his might into it to engulf Moonfish. The horrifying villain retracted his teeth, and avoided the attack with ease by twisting his body. He fell into the forest, giving him ample cover.

Shit! Shoto thought, sending out an ice wave to cover the forest. Moonfish shot out just in time, and tried skewering the boys again. Kurorio pulled them away, again.

"We're running out of room!" Kurorio yelled, noticing how close they were to the gas. "I think he's purposely moving us back to make us inhale that gas and-"

"Don't think about that!" Shoto yelled. "We just need to…think!"

"The hell do we do then?!" Kurorio asked nervously.

"...we just hope that maybe someone else comes to help us." Shoto said.

Kurorio made a face. "I hate that that's our only plan."

So did Shoto.

Tetsutetsu and Kendo ran through the smoke. The ironhearted boy fanned the smoke out of his way, so it wouldn't obscure his vision. He was eager to take down their attacker- he just had to be in this smoke somewhere.

"Tetsu!" Kendo said. "Slow down! Do you even know where we're going!?"

"Yeah! To kick the guy's ass!" Tetsutetsu yelled.

"No, I mean- do you have a clue of where he is?" Kendo yelled.

Tetsutetsu stopped.

"...Well, I sort of figured he'd be...in here somewhere." Tetsutetsu gestured around him. "...I'm not an idiot, I swear."

"Yes, you are!" Kendo sighed, wiping her hand across her face. "Mandalay didn't mention the gas in her announcement. That means it hasn't spread far- that gives us a good idea of the range. It isn't beyond the west part of the forest."

"Right, right. Good to know it isn't gonna spread any further." Tetsutetsu said.

"It's...just weird." Kendo continued. "The gas seems to be flowing in a set direction. Gas diffuses in all directions, but this stuff is staying put."

"Yes. I paid attention in my science classes too." Tetsutetsu said. "And this gas is thicker over here. Therefore, he's close!"

"...wow, I take it back. You're only half of an idiot." Kendo said. "I think the gas is swirling around a point of origin. Kind of like a typhoon."

"Then someone's in the middle. We just look for that. Piece of cake!" Tetsutetsu gave an emphatic thumbs up.

"We're gonna have to be careful." Kendo said. "The only reason Shoji was able to just survive using his facemask is only because of how 'thin' the gas was back there. The gas masks can only do so much...the thicker the gas, the less effective the filter."

"Easy. I got a simple solution." Tetsutetsu said, turning around. "We just run as fast as we can to the thickest area and beat 'em up with all we got!"

Tetsutetsu ran off, as Kendo sighed. "Yeah, I guess that'll work."

"LET'S FREAKIN' DO THIS!" Tetsutetsu yelled, pumping himself up.

Kendo smirked- Tetsutetsu's passion was the only thing keeping her nerves up. This was a scary situation. How did Class 1-A deal with this stuff?

As the two students approached the epicenter of the gas typhoon, Mustard stood waiting. He had a pretty simple job. Just stand here, and use his quirk. He timed it pretty great, too. He hoped that their target would be passing through at the time, and that he stupidly inhaled the gas and passed out.

"If I'm lucky, he's probably dozing off in there." Mustard thought, looking out into the distance. "Serves him right for falling for my quirk."

Mustard was on the young side- a few years older than Toga. He was a senior in high school, ready to graduate and leave his miserable school life behind him. He hated everyone around him, those who were more successful and those who were less successful were all the same in his eyes. Pitifully simple. They didn't worry about the bigger picture! The pampered students of UA were the same.

"The youth today think they're invincible." Mustard thought aloud. "Especially the elites from this school." Mustard could hear someone rushing towards him. He was smart to dump a bunch of twigs around the area, just in case he needed to bring out his 'counter attack'.

Mustard clicked the hammer of his dad's gun. "These kids need to learn. No matter how great their quirks..."

Mustard remained calm as Tetsutetsu rushed at him, ready to right hook him in the jaw. He coldly pointed his pistol at the boy, and pulled the trigger.

"They're only human."

BANG.

A shot rang across the forest. Izuku looked up to the sky. Was that a gunshot? He thought while running. I can't afford to check it out, even though I really want to...I just hope no one got hurt.

Izuku was racing towards the end of the woods. He rationalized that since Bakugou's team was the second to start the test, they would be near the end. If they were playing it smart and staying put (unlikely), they wouldn't be too far from here.

That was Izuku's primary focus.

But that curiosity about those black tendrils that shot out of his body was still on his mind. The 'rage of One for All' behaved so differently from the usual strength boosting power. With the 'internal' power, it was easy to keep the metaphorical egg from exploding in the metaphorical microwave. In a metaphorical sense. But with this new power? It felt like he was always at 100% with it, like someone had hastily shoved tinfoil in the microwave. This power was the only thing holding his arms together...even though they were limply flailing behind him as he ran.

I feel like Mineta running through the halls, Izuku frowned. Izuku shook his head. Focus. Get into contact with All Might ASAP, as soon as this is all over- he needs to know what's up-

Izuku's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp piercing headache. Izuku flinched, and just in time- a massive, black claw shot out of the darkness, looking to grab and crush Izuku in its inky black claws. Izuku yelled, before he was yanked out of the way. The claws smashed into a tree, smashing it into pieces.

Izuku felt himself being placed into a 'bag', as he opened his eyes. "S-shoji?" Izuku asked weakly.

"Easy, Midoriya." Setsuna said. She had used her quirk to scout the area- she was missing an eye and an ear. "You're lucky I used my quirk to scout the area."

"Smart." Izuku nodded. "Using Lizard Tail Splitter like that really increases the effectiveness, especially since you're still trying to master moving every single part-"

"Yeah, yeah. Analysis later. The hell happened to you?" Setsuna asked, looking him up and down with her one good eye.

"I had a run in with...a villain." Izuku said. "I won."

"I'm scared to ask how the other guy looks." Setsuna shivered.

"You shouldn't be running around in that state." Shoji scolded him. "You're injured...I assume you're trying to save Bakugou."

"Y-yeah." Izuku said. "I have to...rescue him..."

Shoji sighed. "You're full of surprises."

Izuku looked back at the woods, and back at Shoji. "Shoji- did Tokoyami...lose control?"

"Yeah- I got hurt, and..." Shoji shook his head. "It ended up triggering his quirk. If you want to pass through here...he's the first problem we have to deal with."

Izuku could hear the roars of Dark Shadow and the cries of Tokoyami in the distance. He felt the pain in his voice. Tokoyami was always overdramatic about stuff, but this was a crisis. Dark Shadow was a powerful quirk, with an unpierceable hide and indomitable spirit. It was usually goofy too, a weird source of giggles. To imagine a quirk going on a rampage was...scary.

Shoji, Izuku and Setsuna approached the rampaging beast quietly. Izuku felt like he was in one of those monster movies, and they were the ones trying to vanquish the beast. Izuku's eyes widened as he saw the monstrous Dark Shadow. He couldn't stop the tiny gasp from escaping his mouth. The quirk heard that, and reacted accordingly. It slashed at the group, narrowly missing them. The trio jumped out of the way.

"It attacks at the smallest movement or sound. It's hard to contain." Shoji grimaced, as they hid behind a tree.

"Tokoyami's become a monster..." Setsuna shivered.

"N-NO!" Tokoyami yelled. "DON'T...WORRY ABOUT ME! FIND THE OTHERS! SAVE THEM! NOT ME!" Dark Shadow roared, as Tokoyami yelled in pain. "CALM YOURSELF! DARK SHADOW!"

Shoji clenched his fist. Izuku could feel the hurt radiating off of Shoji's body. "...we need light. Or a fire. He might calm down if we lead him to camp."

"Agreed." Setsuna said. "I may not know your class all that great...but I don't think I could abandon someone in pain."

"I get it." Izuku nodded. "It's why I'm out here..."

Shoji looked at Izuku. "If you think you can still go help Bakugou...we need to lead Dark Shadow away to clear a path."

Izuku paused. "...we need to kill two birds with one stone, actually. Bakugou's explosions are bright, but I can't imagine it can curb Dark Shadow by itself. Especially in this state. We need...a really big fire."

Shoji's eyes narrowed. "...Setsuna. Try and locate Todoroki."

"On it." Setsuna said, focusing her eye in the sky. Her eyes locked onto a massive ice wall in the distance. "They're across the forest! I see ice, but no explosions..."

"Crap- that's a huge distance. It's way too dangerous. And if there's no explosions..." Izuku grimaced. Bakugou had been separated from the group, and was probably alone. But that was...a secondary problem. Dark Shadow lashed out at the group once more, and they dodged again.

"I know that!" Shoji said, raising his voice. "Saving someone always comes with risks. Heroes aren't called heroes for nothing. At this rate, you can try and help me and Tokage save Tokoyami...or you can run and find Bakugou. Which will it be?"

Izuku closed his eyes, and thought for a few moments.

"Shoji, Setsuna...I'm sorry."

Shoji nodded.

"But you're going to need to trust me with my plan."

"Oooh, okay. Unexpected twist. What are you thinking?" Setsuna asked.

"If it's reacting to sound...then you two have the best quirks for the job." Izuku explained. "You can both use your quirks to distract Dark Shadow with sound. Shoji can make some mouths...and Setsuna can 'throw' her voice. That way, we can lead Tokoyami to Todoroki, and have him use his flames to keep him at bay!"

"But, what about Bakugou?" Setsuna asked.

"...I don't know why, but...I feel like he's in good hands already." Izuku said. "I can feel it."

Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "I think that might just be crazy talk."

Izuku looked to the forest. "...yeah. It might be, but...I'm willing to gamble with that chance."

"Then let's do it." Shoji said, as his left arm extended.

"I'm ready too." Setsuna said, as her quirk removed her mouth from her body. It floated away, towards Dark Shadow's backside.

Izuku crossed his fingers (somehow). This was a shot in the dark...but a shot worth taking.

Mustard's bullet smashed into Tetsutetsu's face, before it ricocheted off. He sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Right. We knew there were a couple hardening metas...I guess the gun won't be that effective." Mustard frowned. "But it doesn't matter. Inside this gas...it just becomes a matter of how long you can hold your breath."

Testsutetsu grunted, covering his mouth. He shot my damn mask off with a pistol!? That just means this guy's pretty damn weak.

The metal covered boy examined Mustard quickly. What's with this midget? He's wearing a school uniform- he's gotta be around our age. Are you freaking kidding me!?

Tetsutetsu rushed forward, covering his mouth with one of his hands. Mustard coldly pulled the trigger again, and the bullet hit his side. Tetsutetsu fell back, as Mustard smiled smugly underneath his mask.

"What, you think you're the Terminator?" Mustard scoffed. "Even if you can steel your body, you rely on such basic attacks. You're at a top notch school- use some strategy. If not..."

Mustard heard some twigs snap behind him. He pointed his gun behind him.

"You're barely worth killing."

Mustard fired a shot at the secondary attacker. Tetsutetsu leapt in front of the bullet, hitting him in the head. Mustard's eyes narrowed. Where the bullet had hit...Tetsutetsu was bleeding. Kendo's eyes widened in horror.

"Bwahahaha!" Mustard laughed, as Tetsutetsu fell to the ground. The bullet wound wasn't bad, it was more like a small cut. "So, you tried to make it a sneak attack? Pitiful. Pitifully simple, kids."

Tetsutetsu winced as he stood, trying to get back up. Mustard smirked again, and stepped back into the gas. "I control this gas- and I can tell every move you can make. Your shaky sense of movement betrays you! I can see right through you!"

Kendo growled. This arrogant jerk- I can't stand his gloating. But we should've considered that. There had to be a reason no one went after him before...and that's why.

"I'll tell you what." Mustard said, from the gas. "If you show me something more, I'll forgive you for your basic attacks-"

Tetsutetsu roared as he shot back up, and ran towards where he heard Mustard's voice. "WAIT!" Kendo yelled.

Tetsutetsu heard the hammer click next to his ear.

"Fool."

Mustard said, as the gun fired. Tetsutetsu's ears were ringing as he stumbled backwards. Mustard took the moment to reload his revolver.

"I know you're probably deaf after that," Mustard noted. "But I can't help but gloat. You're a little softer than the first shot. Feeling a little fatigued, are we? My gas is doing its work."

Mustard approached with his gun, and fired another few shots. Tetsutetsu ducked down for cover, letting the bullets bounce off him.

"Isn't it getting hard to breathe?" Mustard asked. "How long will you last? How much longer can you steel yourself? You hardening metas always are physical...guys who rush in without thinking..."

Mustard shook his head. "You're supposed to be heroes one day- but there's something off about that." Mustard approached Tetsutetsu. "You're simple minded! One track! An oaf! No other redeeming qualities! Spoiled by the world!"

Mustard smashed his combat boots into Tetsutetsu's side, and kicked away. "It's not right!" Tetsutetsu tumbled to the ground, and lost his hand that was covering his mouth.

"S-shit..." Tetsutetsu grumbled, as the gas invaded his body.

"It's especially thick around me." Mustard smirked.

Tetsutetsu couldn't breathe. The world around him was going fuzzy. Mustard tauntingly waved at him, as he pulled out his gun once more.

"Good bye, nameless hero. May your death inspire others...not to be like you." Mustard said, before looking behind him. Another distraction. He forgot about the girl. He easily dodged her weak attack, and chuckled.

"Did you forget? In my miasma, your movements are moot- I can see them!" Mustard taunted.

Kendo's determined look showed she wasn't backing down. Her hand suddenly enlarged, as she smacked Mustard and his gun away. "Just reading our moves isn't enough!" Mustard lost grip on his weapon, and it was lost in the fog.

Mustard winced. "Don't look so smug about your dull meta ability, girl!"

Kendo enlarged her other hand. "Whether or not its lame depends...on how you use it!" Kendo began to fan away the smoke. The move was quite effective- Mustard had clearly underestimated the power of those hands.

Mustard heard something hit his foot. He looked down to see his gun- it must've been blown over! He quickly picked it up, and pointed it at Kendo.

"You're the real idiot, kid. Holding a pistol like that...is basically saying you don't have the confidence to really take us on fight!" Kendo smirked.

"Why, you-" Mustard clicked the hammer.

"Because we 'simple minded' UA students have grown beyond the point of ever thinking that there's no hope!" Kendo yelled. Mustard was about to fire the bullet, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

Tetsutetsu had gotten back on his feet, and was rushing over. Mustard pointed the gun in his direction, cursing himself.

The gas thinned out, and he didn't even notice him coming! Tetsutetsu clenched his fist, and slammed into his jaw with a steel uppercut. Mustard's mask shattered, revealing his youthul face to the world. Mustard dropped to the ground, as the gas began to disapate.

"FYI, dumbass." Tetsutetsu gasped, as he finally took a breath of fresh air. "If your quirk involves gas, and you're using a gas mask- then my best bet for a sure one hit KO is smashing your stupid mask. Dumbass!"

Tetsutetsu fell to the ground, breathing heavy. "That's...what you get for busting up our training camp..."

"Tetsu?" Kendo asked. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah...Just...gimme a few." Tetsutetsu said, holding up a limp hand. "Just...need a few."

Kendo sighed, and shook her head. "Got it."

Moonfish's innumerable spears kept on breaking Todoroki's ice. The boys were now cornered against the very edge of where the gas stood.

"We can't get any closer! Kurorio yelled, keeping his eye on the miasma. "Todoroki, now may be a good time to just blast him to hell-"

"I refuse to cause more damage to the forest!" Shoto yelled. "Plus...what would happen if my attack doesn't finish him off?"

Kurorio slammed his fist into the ground. "It seems...that this may be the end, then."

Shoto closed his eyes. Kurorio may be correct- the ferocity of this monster was too much. Maybe even All Might would struggle against the villain...but still.

"It's worth it to TRY!" Todoroki said, about to unleash another powerful ice wall...

When he heard something coming towards them. Todoroki and Kurorio looked to their left, confused. Moonfish's teethblades stopped in mid air, confused by the commotion.

"Big...meat?" Moonfish drooled. He thought it was the big meaty guy that had joined up with the League, but the scent was different. Whatever this was, it was huge. Moonfish's head swiveled around like an owl as he smelt the air again- there was something tasty leading it. Had he had this delicacy before?

Then the ground shook, and trees were forcefully shucked from the ground. And, running from the chaos was the unlikely trio. In their wake was the terrifying Dark Shadow, and he looked pissed. Shoji's arms were yelling nonsense at Tokoyami from one side, and Setsuna was narrating her horribly constructed horror story from the other. The sound drew them towards the fight.

"Shoji and Midoriya?!" Todoroki yelled.

"And Setsuna!" Kurorio said.

"MEAT!" Moonfish roared, sending his teeth towards the trio. Shoji grabbed Setsuna and dodged the attack, as Tokoyami's vexed quirk hammered on Moonfish's twisted up body with his fist.

"TODOROKI!" Izuku yelled. "GIVE US SOME LIGHT! HE'S ON A RAMPAGE!" Shoji avoided Dark Shadow's other arm smashing into the earth.

"He's out of control. A good fire should-" Shoto said.

"Wait." Kurorio said, popping out of the shadows. "We can use this to our advantage..."

As Dark Shadow went to follow the trio once more, Moonfish wriggled his way out from his clawed capture. "M-meat..." He muttered, propping himself up with his teeth digging into the ground. "Meeeeeat. My meaaaaat. Unforgivable. Unforgivable. Unforgivable! UNFORGIVABLE! I WANT TO FEAST ON THEIR FLESH! CONSUME THEIR INNARDS! GIVE ME SOMETHING TO EA-"

Dark Shadow whipped around, and roared at Moonfish. Moonfish tried to pierce Dark Shadow, but his attack was ineffective. His teeth couldn't break the 'skin'.

"DON'T...BEG!" The monstorous Dark Shadow yelled. "SMALL FRY!" Dark Shadow grabbed the sharpened teeth, and snapped them out of his mouth like they were icicles on the side of a roof. Blood gushed out of Moonfish's massive mouth, causing him to yell bloody murder.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" The man yelled, flailing around like a toddler having a temper tantrum. Dark Shadow roared again, as he advanced on Moonfish- his enormous body split up into thousands and thousands of fists, which rained down on Moonfish at full force.

"YAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMIYAMI! YAMI!!" The enormous Dark Shadow screeched as it beat the living shit out of Moonfish. By the time his rampage was finished, Moonfish was a broken, mangled mess at the bottom of a crater. The man had no teeth left- Dark Shadow had reached into his mouth a few times during the rampage just to yank the other ones out.

"Okay, NOW you can take him down." Kurorio said, patting Todoroki on the back. Todoroki stepped forward, and unleashed a powerful burst of flames. The sudden burst of light made the enlarged Dark Shadow suddenly shrivel and shriek, retreating into Tokoyami's body. Tokoyami dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.

"Tokoyami!" Shoji yelled, as he and Setsuna ran over. Izuku peered out from the back. "Are you-"

"Y-yes." Tokoyami said, still shaken. "I'm...back to normal."

Kurorio closed his eyes. "All this time, I thought your inner demons were a jest- but I see now that your pain is real."

"More real than one could think," Tokoyami said.

"We were struggling to survive against that guy, but you were able to beat him to a pulp." Todoroki said, examining Moonfish's near dead body.

"He might as well BE pulp." Setsuna said. "I doubt there's a single unbroken bone in that body."

"I...apologize." Tokoyami said, looking down to the ground. "To all of you, for the hassle. To Shoji, for losing control...The moment your spare arm went flying, I couldn't forgive him. My rage needed to fly free. It was the darkness of the night, and my own anger that acted as the fuel for Dark Shadow's rampage. He grew beyond my control...and I have hurt my classmates. Truly...I am a monster. But...I'll save my issues for later. I know that's what you'd say, Shoji."

Shoji stared at Tokoyami for a brief moment. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "I would. I absolutely would."

"Midoryia...what happened to you?" Todoroki said, noticing the battered and bruised boy's face.

"Nasty run in. Black tendrils shot out of my body, choked the guy out. He's in a ditch somewhere." Izuku said.

Everyone stared at Izuku.

"...you never mentioned the black tendril part." Setsuna said.

"It seems demons are a common occurrence in Class 1-A." Kurorio muttered.

"Anyways- we need to find Bakugou. Now." Izuku said.

"Bakugou? Why? What's-" Tokoyami said.

"You were on a rampage, so you probably didn't hear Mandalay's message. They want him for some odd reason." Setsuna said. "I'm gonna track the forest once again- the fog lifted. Todoroki, which way did he go?"

"We were near the end of the path when he ditched me. Scout that area." Todoroki said, as Setsuna popped out her left eye.

"...cool." Kurorio said, watching the eyeball float upwards. Todoroki made a face.

Cool. He thought. He'd never say it out loud.

"When we find Bakugou, we'll need to transport and protect him from any threats." Izuku said. "We've got a good line up...Setsuna and Shoji's versatile quirks can scout out the land and detect enemies. Tokoyami and Todoroki have their powerful quirks...and Kurorio. I think you might be our ace in the hole."

Kurorio pointed to himself. "Me?"

"Our secret weapon. Bakugou's wearing black. If anyone tries to hurt him..." Izuku said. "You can pop out and take him down."

"Oooooh. I like." Kurorio grinned mischievously.

"I'll see if we can grow our alliance." Shoji said, producing some ears from his arms. "We're gonna need all the back up we can, since we don't know what sort of villains are still out there."

"Smart thinking," Setsuna said, as she locked onto her target. "...Oh, shit-"

"What!? What's wrong?" Izuku asked, panicked.

"I found Bakugou- and he's in combat with some dude with some serious leg work!" Setsuna said.

Izuku's eyes widened. "Lead the way." He said, brow furrowed. Off the alliance went into the night, ready to save Bakugou.