Deep Cut
Unfortunately for Romero, the crashing had come from the zombified Kashiko, who was now leading the other zombies toward Momo's team as the tall girl continued fighting Toga. The managed to bite Aoyama and Shoji, but none of the zombies were able to notice Toru as she turned a dial on her left glove that made her hands and feet disappear. She saw Romero hiding in the bushes and yanked them away! "He's right here!", she cried. The zombies heads snapped towards Romero before rushing at him! Yaoyorozu could wait, Romero wanted to live!
That took care of Romero for the time being. Now all Toru had to do was stop Momo before she accidentally kill that vampire that knocked her into a tree. As it was, Momo managed to cut the vampire's knife blade in half before launching a powerful kick to her ribs, sending her flying into the dirt in front of Toru! Before either opponent could attack, Toru grabbed a tree branch and smashed it over the back of the vampire's head, knocking her out!
"There, she's out", said Toru. "Perfect", said Momo as she created some zip ties to bind Toga's arms behind her back, "Did the others run off to get help?" "Yaomomo, they're zombies now", said Toru bluntly. "OK", sighed Momo, "I have a feeling our teachers won't be evacuating the area while everyone is a zombie. There's too many variables with that plan. Therefore, I think it would be wise to leave this...thing here for the teachers to collect". "Will they even know she's here?", asked Toru. Momo pulled out her panic button and pushed it before laying it next to Toga's head as the vampire snored. "That should take care of her long enough for us to complete the exercise", said Momo, "Until then, we need to find the others and survive this long enough to get the best grade".
Toru blinked, though you probably wouldn't know that if you were there, given that she was, ya' know, invisible. Momo throwing down with a vampire in the middle of a training exercise was one thing, but how could she be so calm after fighting the one person she hated the most? That wasn't even counting the surprising amount of strength she used to kick Toga over the ground. Toru knelt down to get a better look at her partner. She listened carefully to the way Momo's rapid breathing was starting to slow down as the rich girl took several deep breathes. Toru noticed that Momo's eyes were unfocused, darting this way and that, like she felt guilty over what happened. "Do you...know this person?", Toru asked. "She stalked me and narrowly ended the life of my mentor", said Momo icily, "I know her ilk well. She believes we're similar, but that couldn't be further from the truth". Toru wasn't actually sure, but she thought Momo sounded uncertain upon saying that.
Elsewhere, the Green Gorilla swung over the deep swamp as Habuko and Tsuyu clung to his shoulders. The smell of the predator had been growing more intense as he got closer, though he could also tell from the scent that the threat had been pacified. The Green Gorilla stopped on the submerged trunk of a swamp tree, smelling the air before leaping off and swinging onto a low hanging branch. He hopped off of two swamp trees and a half-submerged rock before landing on the shore. He run through the brush before coming across Toru, Toga, and Momo. "What happened here?", asked Habuko. "We got attacked by some kind of vampire", said Toru as her gloved hands waved around.
"At least you're all right", said Tsuyu, "We had a run-in with some of those zombies. Midoriya got bit, but he's holding together fine". The Green Gorilla grunted before looking over Toga. His large ears could hear the vampire's heartbeat begin to pick up. Though he doubted she would be much trouble, what with her being bound and concussed. Another scent filled the air and the Green Gorilla took three steps back. Suddenly, All Might landed with a thunderous crash and proclaimed: "I am here!"
The Green Gorilla gave his mentor a flat look. "OK, so I had a little trouble finding you all before Young Yaoyorozu used the panic button", he sighed, "Let me have a look at our intruder". He knelt down and placed two fingers on Toga's neck. "Luckily, her pulse is steady", said All Might, "What happened out here?" "We got attacked by her", said Toru, "I beaned her over the head with a heavy branch". "I can see that", said All Might as he gently picked Toga up, "Midnight and I will deliver her to the hospital once again. Just try to complete the exercise as best you can". "Is it because the others are zombies now?", asked Tsuyu. "Indeed", said All Might, "Fear not, however. Snipe and Midnight are monitoring the situation as we speak. Just do your best." With that, All Might leaped into the air and flew off.
"I don't think I'll be getting used to that", said Habuko, "How are you guys not nervous talking to THE All Might?" "Because, even though he's the Symbol of Peace, he's also just a big goof", said Toru. "We should probably find Romero and Bakugo before they find us", said Tsuyu. "An excellent idea", said Momo, "We should vacate the premises with all do haste". As everyone began to walk into the woods, the Green Gorilla noticed Momo shake with each step. Whether it was from rage or terror, the encounter with Toga had shaken Momo to her core. Without so much as a grunt, the Green Gorilla held out his hand for her. Momo looked over and accepted wordlessly, climbing into the Green Gorilla's outstretched palm.
The Green Gorilla carried Momo as he and the others wandered through the swamp. "Oh, boy, someone is in love", whispered Toru enthusiastically. "Shush, Hagakure", said Tsuyu, "He's only providing emotional support". "Midoriya, do you smell anyone close by?", asked Habuko. The Green Gorilla sniffed the air, carefully checking for anything out of the ordinary. He could smell in the distance the sweet aroma of Midnight's latent sleeping gas, as well as the sleeping bodies of the students who had become zombies. Judging by the smell of rot, Romero had gotten clean away from the zombies. Suddenly, the Green Gorilla got a whiff of what smelled like gasoline. Bakugo. No doubt about it, the explosive boy was on the hunt, and he was heading for them. Unfortunately for him, Bakugo was on the other side of the swamp. Fortunately for the Green Gorilla and friends, Bakugo evidently decided to walk around the deep water, so it was going to be a while.
The Green Gorilla set Momo down before signing something. "Looks like Bakugo is on the other side of the swamp and Romero got away from the zombies", said Toru. "How did you know that?", asked Tsuyu. "When all people see of me is my gloves, I have to learn how to use them to communicate", said Toru, "The real question is when Midoriya learned JSL?" "I guess it's just something gorillas can do", said Habuko. Ordinarily, in her silent rage, Momo would have scoffed. But, with hindsight, she supposed that it wouldn't be that out of the ordinary. The Green Gorilla was able to shrug off a cannonball to the face, after all. She watched as the Green Gorilla pointed the group towards a tall cliff in the distance before he reached out and picked her up.
Momo felt her anger begin to subside as the Green Gorilla pushed past the brush, but several pieces of this puzzle had begun to fall into place. Of course, Mother would do something as short-sighted as check up on Toga in the hospital. It might have been better if she were sent to Tartarus. As that rage began to boil within her once again, Momo's eyes wandered to the wound on the Green Gorilla's shoulder. "You're hurt", she said softly. The Green Gorilla simply grunted in response. Momo supposed it was quite obvious. "Let me have a look", said Momo as the Green Gorilla lifted her onto his back. Momo crawled over to his right shoulder, now able to look at the wound up close. "It's a good thing you transformed when you did", she said, "If you had stayed in human form, you would have been vulnerable. You shouldn't have to be vulnerable".
The Green Gorilla noticed Momo's melancholic tone as his friend's rage subsided. As he followed Toru, Tsuyu, and Habuko up the side of the hill, the smell of zombies came rushing toward his nostrils. The ape let out a bark, alerting the others as zombies shambled out of the brush! "Get to the top of the hill!", cried Momo. The Green Gorilla reared up upon his hind legs and slammed the palms of his hands together, sending out a shockwave that sent the zombies flying back! The ape then bounded up the side of the hill as Toru, Tsuyu, and Habuko ran upwards.
On the other side of the swamp, Bakugo heard the shockwave in the distance. No doubt about, his team of idiots had gotten a head start and were trying to steal away his rightful victory over Deku and Ponytail. They had ditched him and decided to take out his biggest competition without him. Not if he could help it. Bakugo fired off an explosion that propelled him over the water and onto a swamp tree.
Bakugo leaped off of each swamp tree before landing on the opposite shore. He knelt down to the Green Gorilla's fresh footprint, looking in the direction it lead towards. "This time, Deku", he growled, "You're mine". But before he could run over, he tripped over the trip-wire set up by Momo, falling face first into the mud! Bakugo's rage multiplied ten-fold as he wiped the mud away and rocketed towards the hill. If Deku and Ponytail thought they were getting away with this, they were mistaken.
At that same moment, Romero heard the shockwave and raced towards the source of it. If there was one thing he could be sure of, it was that Yaoyorozu would be with that ape. His mind raced as he ran through the muddy terrain. Kurogiri was counting on him to bring forth Yaoyorozu. If he failed, which was becoming more likely by the minute, Kurogiri would have more than his head. His entire family could be in danger. Worse still, his position in the empire of All for One was about to be usurped by someone who likely wasn't aware of it. No, Romero couldn't allow it. A plan formed within the mind of the morbid teen. He would zombify the others, take Yaoyorozu to the extraction point...and kill Bakugo.
Up on the hill, as the team regrouped, the Green Gorilla sniffed the air and growled. "What is it, Midoriya?", asked Tsuyu. The Green Gorilla signed something to Toru. "Bakugo and that Romero guy are already on our tail", she said. The sound of approaching explosions made that obvious. "Yaomomo, we could really use a plan right about now", said Toru. The Green Gorilla looked up to some rocks and hooted as he put Momo down. The ape slammed his shoulder into one of them, sending it tumbling down the hill. As Bakugo thundered out of the woods, he was just barely able to blast the rock before it bounced off of the ground and hit him, sending the explosive boy flying back! He shook his head before catching sight of Romero. "Not on your life, Dead Head!", Bakugo roared as he rocketed forward, slamming into Romero and knocking him to the ground!
Cue Song: Faint by Linkin Park
"What the Hell are you doing?", asked Romero, "If we work together, we can take them!" "Not a chance!", snapped Bakugo, "I'm letting you take my victory!" "Have it you way, then", snarled Romero. The shambling zombies took note of the combatants and wisely decided to go after the weaker targets. Bakugo fired an explosion that sent him flying forward, only for Romero to leap up and hit him with a drop-kick! As Bakugo doubled over, Romero tried to kick again, only for the explosive boy to grab his foot and throw him on his back! He then leaped forward, landing a punch on Romero's left cheek! Before he could throw another punch, Romero sprayed some of his zombie gas! Bakugo leaped back, ever careful to not breathe it in.
"It doesn't matter", said Romero, "I have enough gas to blanket the entire area. Your distraction cannot stop me". "If you call that a distraction, what do you call this!?", cried Bakugo as he fired off several explosions, sending Romero running up the hill before leaping over! Bakugo then fired off a flash of light, forcing Romero to shield his eyes! He then twirled through the air and landed a swift kick into Bakugo's shoulder! Bakugo, in turn, punched Romero in the face, knocking away his mask! Before Bakugo could launch another kick, Romero grabbed his leg and twisted it, sending Bakugo falling to the ground! He then took one of the loose tubes dangling from his coat and wrapped it around Bakugo's neck! "You can't stop what's going to happen", snarled Romero, "We need to work together if this thing is going to work!" "Like Hell, I will!", growled Bakugo before he fired some sparks! It didn't hurt Romero, but the attack startled him long enough for Bakugo to grab his arm and throw him over his shoulder! "Enough of these cheap tricks", snarled Romero as he wiped some blood away from his mouth and got into a boxer's stance, "I'm ending your threat to my way of life now!"
"Happy to oblige", smiled Bakugo as he raised his fists. If this was how Dead Head wanted it, so be it. No Quirks, no Support Gear; just the two of them and their fists, as the Gods intended. Romero swung early, knocking his fist against Bakugo's left cheek! But then, Bakugo swung back with an uppercut! Romero shook his head before blocking another of Bakugo's punches and sending his fist flying into his opponent's nose! He then sent two more punches into Bakugo's stomach before hitting with an uppercut of his own! Bakugo, fed up with this affair, slammed his fists into Romero's shoulder, then punched him across the face! He then wrapped his arms around Romero's neck and threw him over his shoulder! Romero kicked back, hitting Bakugo once again in the stomach! "Time to end this madness", growled Romero as he reached for a canister of his zombie gas. "I couldn't agree more", said Bakugo as he fired a concentrated blast at the canister, punching a hole into it! Instantly, Romero had become that which he turned the others into...a zombie! "Now for Deku and Ponytail", said Bakugo as his hands sparked, scaring off the now zombified Romero.
As the two students were locked in battle, the zombies were slowly but surely shambling up the hill towards the remaining team. The Green Gorilla reached for another rock, only for Tsuyu's tongue to wrap around his arm. "No, Midoriya, those are our friends", said Toru. "What do we do now?", asked Habuko. Momo looked to Tsuyu as her tongue retracted into her mouth. "Tsuyu, Habuko, take the lead", she said. "What?", asked Habuko. "I trust the both of you to deal with the first wave", said Momo, "Midoriya, Hagakure, and I will handle the rest". Habuko gave Momo a nervous but polite smile before joining Tsuyu. The zombies shambled forward lethargically as Habuko's eyes flashed, sending them falling to the ground! Reacting fast, Momo throw out a giant, weighted net that trapped the zombies.
"That was easy", said Toru, only for a muddy and bruised Bakugo to come barreling up the hill! "DIE!", he screamed as he removed the pins from his grenade gauntlets. The Green Gorilla roared and leaped forward, only for Bakugo to change his aim and fire, sending a massive blast that sent the Green Gorilla flying off the edge of the cliff! Before Bakugo could celebrate, Tsuyu hit him the face with her tongue, allowing Habuko to trip him and tie him up with the capture tape.
The Green Gorilla, on the other hand, plummeted into the deep, swampy water. He landed with a massive splash and panicked as his head went under, thrashing his arms as he desperately tried to stay afloat. "Tsuyu, can you get him?", asked Toru nervously. "My tongue isn't long enough", said Tsuyu, "And it will take too long to get down there". Panic began to set into Momo, as well as anger. Anger that Bakugo would once again try to hurt her friend and likely get away with it, anger that Himiko Toga had once more found her when she was supposed to be safe, and anger that her own mother seem more concerned for the safety of that monster than her own daughter. Suddenly, black tendrils like from her last battle with Toga and the final stand on I-Island shot out of Momo's hand, binding the Green Gorilla's arms and chest! Momo latched onto the thrashing tendrils and dragged them upward, pulling the Green Gorilla away from the water.
The tendrils began to thrash around as Tsuyu pulled Toru and Habuko to the ground! "What's happening with her?", asked Habuko. "I though I saw this on the news", said Toru, "Oh man, she's pissed!" Momo growled as she dug her feet into the firm ground, cursing every force that made her feel small in the world. In her mind, she cursed Himiko Toga, Wolfram, Stain, any of the USJ thugs, Aizawa Sensei, every bully who hated her for who her mother was; anyone and anything that told her she was unworthy of even looking at Heroes. The Green Gorilla grabbed onto the tendrils and planted his feet onto the cliff wall as he pulled himself upward. The black tendrils whipped this way and that as Momo strained against the ground. Her rage was causing more tendrils to sprout from her body like kudzu.
The Green Gorilla swatted some of the tendrils away as he continued to climb the cliff face. Suddenly, his foot slipped and he fell back, narrowly dragging Momo with him! But Momo channeled One for All into her legs as she let out a primal scream and stood firm, yanking the Green Gorilla upward. Bakugo was shocked by the display of strength as Momo almost singlehandedly pulled the Green Gorilla up the side of the cliff, dragging the beast to safety. Then, Habuko's eyes flashed, causing Momo to fall to the ground and the tendrils to disappear. At long last, the ordeal was over.
To be continued...