The battlefield was an inferno of chaos as Bakugo and Reiko squared off against Shigaraki, a torrent of dust and destruction swirling around them. The ground shook with each clash, and the air crackled with tension. Reiko stood beside Bakugo, her plant and luck quirks working in harmony to create layers of protection, vines coiling around them as her luck quirk subtly guided their movements. Despite her best efforts, the enormity of Shigaraki's power was overwhelming.

Bakugo's explosions filled the air as he launched himself at Shigaraki, his face set in fierce determination. "Stay close, Reiko," he shouted, not taking his eyes off their opponent. "I need you to keep me covered!"

Reiko nodded, her jaw clenched in concentration. With her luck quirk influencing their position, she created a wall of vines, deflecting debris and blocking Shigaraki's reach. But she knew this was only temporary. Shigaraki's relentless power surged forward, his decay quirk consuming everything it touched, turning the battlefield into a wasteland.

Bakugo's explosions lit up the battlefield, his fierce resolve unbreakable as he charged Shigaraki again and again. Kuri focused, her sacred arrows materializing in her hands, glowing with an ethereal light. She took aim, firing them in rapid succession toward Shigaraki, each arrow piercing the air like a comet.

Shigaraki sneered, dodging the arrows with a twisted smile. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

Kuri gritted her teeth, determination hardening her resolve. She pushed her barriers forward, her power flaring as she tried to hold Shigaraki back, each barrier shimmering with her energy. But Shigaraki's decay quirk pressed against them, the edges of her barriers crumbling as his power ate away at her defenses.

Bakugo glanced at her, his voice sharp. "Kuri, don't hold back! Hit him with everything you've got!"

Taking a deep breath, Kuri steadied herself, channeling her quirk in a way she rarely dared. Reaching out with her empathy, she focused on Shigaraki's emotions, latching onto the fury and hatred that burned within him. She could feel the rage boiling beneath his calm exterior, the twisted pain that drove him forward. And she turned it back on him.

She focused all her energy on amplifying that anger, hoping to disrupt his control. If I can force him to lose himself in his own hatred… maybe we can weaken him.

For a moment, Shigaraki's movements faltered, his expression tightening as if struggling against an unseen force. Kuri pushed harder, channeling his rage back at him, her empathy quirk connecting to the darkness inside him. She could feel his fury intensifying, almost overwhelming her with its intensity. She took a deep breath, grounding herself as she held onto the chaotic storm of emotions.

But Shigaraki's face twisted into a cold smile, his voice low and mocking. "You think you can use my anger against me?" He let out a dark laugh, pushing back against her influence, his malice surging to life. With a sudden burst of energy, he shattered her hold, sending a shockwave through her mind.

Kuri gasped, the force of his counter hitting her like a physical blow. Pain flared in her head, and her vision blurred as she stumbled back, her barriers flickering. She tried to regain control, but the overwhelming force of Shigaraki's anger was too much. Her own mind was flooded with his hatred, the intensity suffocating her as her energy waned.

Before she could react, Shigaraki lunged forward, his hand reaching toward her. She tried to raise another barrier, but the world spun around her, and darkness closed in.

"Your defenses are impressive," Shigaraki sneered, his voice echoing with malice. "But they won't save you."

Without warning, Shigaraki's arm shot out, reaching toward Reiko with deadly intent. Bakugo was faster, intercepting him mid-strike with a massive explosion, forcing Shigaraki to stagger back. Bakugo's eyes flashed with fierce determination as he braced himself, charging his quirk to its limit.

"Don't even think about touching her," Bakugo growled, his voice laced with fury. He glanced back at Reiko, their unspoken bond propelling them forward. They had faced countless dangers together, but this was different—this was life or death.

Reiko raised her hand, a pulsing orb of light forming as she prepared to teleport herself and Bakugo to a safer distance. But Bakugo shook his head, his expression hardening.

"No, Reiko," he said firmly, locking his gaze on hers. "You're getting out of here."

She looked at him, shock and defiance in her eyes. "I'm not leaving you, Katsuki! Not like this!"

Bakugo's voice softened, though his resolve remained unwavering. "I need you to trust me, Reiko. If you stay, he'll kill us both. But if you get out… you can help keep fighting." He reached out, gripping her shoulder. "Just go. Now."

Reiko's heart twisted, fury and helplessness surging through her. She didn't want to leave him, not when he was facing Shigaraki alone. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw the depth of his resolve—the fierce protectiveness that had driven him from the beginning.

Reluctantly, she activated her orb, the green glow enveloping her as Bakugo gave her one final push, forcing her into the teleportation field. In an instant, the battlefield shifted around her, and she was gone.

Xxx

Reiko materialized in another section of the battlefield, stumbling slightly as the world reoriented around her. Her heart pounded, and a surge of anger filled her—anger at Bakugo for forcing her away, anger at herself for not being able to stay and protect him. She clenched her fists, ready to rejoin the fight, but before she could take a step, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Himiko Toga, her expression twisted with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Oh, it's you," Toga cooed, her voice soft but menacing. "The girl who's always by Bakugo's side. Did he finally push you away?"

Reiko's eyes narrowed, her fury simmering beneath the surface. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Toga's smile widened, a glint of malice in her eyes. "Oh, but I do. I know what it's like to want to be close to someone… only for them to push you away." Her voice turned mocking. "Poor Bakugo, all alone against Shigaraki."

Reiko's control snapped, and she lunged forward, her plant quirk surging to life as vines shot out, coiling around Toga with brutal force. "Don't you dare talk about him like that!" she snarled, her voice filled with rage.

Toga struggled, her eyes widening in surprise as Reiko's vines tightened around her. Reiko's fury fueled her quirk, her power flaring with an intensity she hadn't known she possessed. The vines constricted, wrapping tighter around Toga, who looked up, eyes gleaming with a strange satisfaction.

"So this is what it feels like… to be loved so fiercely," Toga murmured, a twisted smile on her lips.

Reiko gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay calm. Her mind flashed back to Bakugo, fighting alone against Shigaraki, and the worry clawed at her heart.

Just then, Deku appeared, catching sight of Reiko as she subdued Toga. His face was lined with worry as he took in her expression, the intensity of her emotions palpable.

"Reiko!" Deku called out, stepping toward her. "We need to go—Kuri… she's alone with Shigaraki."

Reiko's grip on Toga tightened, but she forced herself to release the villain, her focus shifting to Deku. She raised her hand, summoning her orb, and placed it over Deku's shoulder.

"Go help him, Deku," she whispered, her voice filled with urgency. "I'll handle things here."

The orb pulsed with energy, and in an instant, Deku was gone, teleported back to Bakugo's side.

Xxx

When Kuri finally opened her eyes, the world was hazy, her body aching with exhaustion. She struggled to sit up, her vision clearing as she took in her surroundings. The battlefield was eerily silent, debris scattered around her like the aftermath of a storm.

And then she saw him.

Bakugo lay nearby, his body still and lifeless on the ground. Blood stained the earth around him, his once fierce expression now slack and unresponsive. Her heart stopped, the sight striking her with a terror she had never felt before.

"No… no, this can't be happening…" she whispered, crawling toward him, her hands trembling as she reached out. Her fingers brushed his shoulder, desperate to feel any sign of life, but his skin was cold, his breathing barely perceptible.

"Katsuki," she choked out, her voice breaking. She tried to summon her healing powers, focusing everything she had on him, but her energy was nearly drained from the battle with Shigaraki. She was barely able to keep a weak barrier up, shielding them from the destruction around them.

Footsteps echoed behind her, and she looked up to see Shigaraki approaching, his cold gaze fixed on her and Bakugo. A surge of anger flooded through her, her hands tightening as she braced herself, her barrier flickering but holding steady.

"You… you won't touch him," she spat, her voice shaking with fury.

Shigaraki smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. "You're still trying to protect him? How pathetic."

Kuri gritted her teeth, summoning what little strength she had left as she stood over Bakugo's still form, her barrier glowing brighter. She wouldn't let Shigaraki reach him. Not as long as she was still standing.

But her vision was darkening at the edges, her body on the brink of collapse. She knew she couldn't hold on much longer, but she wouldn't give up. Not now. Not when Bakugo needed her.

Just as Shigaraki raised his hand, preparing to strike, a flash of green light filled her vision.