Chapter Text
There was a moment, a tiny, fleeting moment of pride standing atop the mountain of ice. Shoto felt like he could hear a pin drop in the silence of the stadium. The crowd didn't seem to breathe, even the commentators were speechless.
Best of all, his father was surely watching Parker staring up at him with more surprise than he'd ever shown in front of him. Back in their initial encounter, he doubted that Parker would've thought Shoto capable of this. The full power of his right side, the only side he needed to use to become a hero. All that he needed to do was win this game and then everyone would know it.
All that was left was to take his opponent's band and-
"Holy shit dude! Do you make snow cones?" Shoto's lip twitched, followed by his eye.
….
… five minutes.
That was all he wanted.
Couldn't he have five minutes of silence against Peter Parker?
Did he not know that there wasn't supposed to be this much talking in the middle of a fight? Whatever. He needed to finish this before the other Silver Knights got any ideas and intercepted him. With an annoyed glare, he leapt from the summit of his creation. He slammed his foot down upon landing on the glacier's slope, willing another stream to break off of the glacier and wash over Parker's ring. The wave covered the entire rooftop of the tower, consuming the ring, leaving him nowhere to run. Yet even still, he jumped high and over the wave, coming down alongside his opponent, aiming his webline towards him. Shoto jumped to the side, avoiding Parker's dive kick as it cracked the ice like a hammer.
Unfortunately for him, Shoto had made the top of the glacier unstable.
A literal ton of ice fell down, crashing into the roof of the ring and breaking it like an egg. And it didn't stop there. The pull launched Parker into the air, and Shoto noticed a line of webbing bring a fresh piece of rubble with him.
"Hey man!" Parker called from the air, "Chill!"
Shoto growled at the pun, his attention momentarily stolen away from the rocking coming right towards him. No, not towards him, near him! Shoto jumped forward, creating another stream to sliding down to and rushing forward with renewed vigor, ignoring the cold burning his right side as the ice began to cake his limbs. Parker landed on the wall of his ring, or what was left of it. Shoto launched another stream of ice, but Parker simply jumped to the side. He didn't let up, firing two streams at once, one directly at Parker, and the other towards the only known-broken part of the rooftop.
Only for Parker to pirouette in midair, using one of his previous streams as a foothold to launch himself straight at the enemy Silver Knight. On instinct, Shoto willed a wall of ice to form in defense.
His left side screamed from the cold, and the wall of ice in front of him shattered like glass from a mighty punch. Next thing he knew, a twirling Parker's foot cracked against his jaw. The world spun around the son of Endeavor as the momentum of the hit sent him spinning off balance right off the roof, yelled in pain. He recovered after a debilitating moment, twisting as he conjured more ice to form a slide. He took it, sliding down at an angle as his body got nicked and battered from his own ice. He curved downwards from his massive ice slide, and angled down into an alleyway. Shoto yelped upon exiting the ice ramp, rolling across the ground, hands wrapped around his head as he finally came to a stop.
"WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS!" Present Mic yelled. "TODOROKI SUMMONED A MOUNTAIN OF ICE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE AND FOUGHT AGAINST RED KING PARKER! BUT THE FIRST YEAR PHENOM SHOWED HIM WHO'S BOSS, AND HE'S OUT OF THE RING AND BACK ON THE GROUND! "
Shoto panted, resting on his back while taking deep breaths as he looked up. He saw that his glacier mountain dwarfed the tower complex and yet… Parker was still in his ring, or what was left of it near a shack that was presumably the stairs. And as for Shoto himself, no golden armband to show for it.
Biting his lip, he slammed his fist into the ground, letting out a yell as he willed himself up. Again… he couldn't even touch Parker. First in the Battle Trial, then in the race, and now this. Shoto felt the scab from before break, blood running down his lip.
"Twelve minutes remain in the war!" Declared Midnight over the loudspeaker. Shoto narrowed his eyes and looked around, seeing himself in a warehouse area with plenty of sheds, boulders, and rocks.
Asui and Midoriya were in this area just ahead, and he didn't know if they'd been incapacitated by the formation of his glacier.
No matter. Shoto saw some side paths that led to the other side of the tower. If he couldn't get the King's band, he'd settle for the other two Silver Knights, Sato and Tsunotori. They had to be roaming around on the other side of the tower if Midoriya and Asui had been patrolling the south side.
He brushed himself off, took a deep breath, and broke out into a run. His eyes looked to the tower and they narrowed.
He'd get Parker next time.
(X)
"There's no escape!" Dark Shadow roared as he burst through a column, Bakugo avoiding the charge from the shadow beast as it grew in size. Tokoyami was doing a good job harassing him. Momo could see the silhouette of Ectoplasm in a dark corner of the room, one of his many clones observing the proceedings of this fight to ensure no foul play. The camera on his shoulder helped too.
Bakugo was looking frantic, eyes wide with frustration as he kept sprinting, doing his best to avoid Tokoyami's slowly growing shadow monster as well as her paintball pellets. No explosions were coming out of his hands, only mere sparks. The baby powder was holding firm.
He seemed to hide behind a column and take a breather whenever he could before Dark Shadow would be on him again, Tokoyami in hot pursuit while she was positioned nicely by the stairwell. There was nowhere for Bakugo to run.
Mom took aim, firing a couple more shots that grazed their intended targets. Bakugo's shirt and arms were covered in webbing and welts, plus his pants were covered in filth too, but not enough to immobilize-
Time seemed to slow as she took notice of a critical oversight. His hands weren't as caked with baby powder anymore. He was using the pillars to rub it off!
"Dark Shadow! Take his band off his arm!" Tokoyami yelled, continuing his pursuit. The monster looked back, its golden eyes searing as it saw the blond run towards some crates.
"I'll do what I want!" The beast roared before punching his target's would-be cover. Bakugo leapt away, rolling to the ground before breaking into a run. There was more white on the floor!
Momo aimed in front of Bakugo and held down the rifle's trigger, unloading it at full auto. The blonde dodged as best he could in the darkness to avoid the webbing, yelling as he felt his leg get splattered. His U.A. gym uniform was nearly covered in white by this point, both from the baby powder and Momo's projectiles. Dark Shadow crashing down made him stumble for a moment, unfortunately he remained on his feet.
"I need a flashlight!" Tokoyami yelled. "Dark Shadow is more aggressive and powerful when in the darkness, but he's not as obedient!" He turned towards Momo, hand out. Momo's hand was already aglow as she lowered her rifle.
She saw Bakugo's burning red eyes turn towards her as he aimed his hands. There was still some powder, but not nearly enough to stop his next attack.
"GO TO HELL!" He roared, his hands lighting up as Momo jumped to the side.
The explosion surged out, brightening up the room as fire and fury lashed out. Momo was caught in the shockwave and the black haired beauty yelped as she rolled on the floor, her ears ringing. That was no normal explosion! It was almost like his gauntlet blast!
She got up, seeing Bakugo escape up the stairs while using his hands to Turbo Boost, roaring in… pain? A much smaller Dark Shadow slammed into the stone wall by the stairs, but its hand reached out and grabbed Bakugo's silver armband, tearing it off of his arm. Bakugo didn't care, explosions popping out of his hands as Dark Shadow whined at the light from the explosions, and the blonde bomber continued gunning up the stairs.
"After him! He's going for Peter-san!" Momo yelled as Tokoyami was already running, Dark Shadow pulling him towards the stairs as she got out her walkie-talkie. He was going up to the roof!
"Peter!" She said in English. "Bakugo incoming!"
"Thanks Momo-Whoa! Hey! That's mine!" Peter yelled over the channel and Momo's heart skipped a beat. What just happened?
(X)
These boys were just so scary. All this power being thrown around made her glad that no one could see her face. After all, no one could see your panicked expression if there was no expression to be seen! Perfect disguise aside, this was getting a little ridiculous. Toru remembered seeing Todoroki in action before. He was so strong, casually freezing villains at the USJ like a total badass.
This though, this was getting ridiculous!
There should be a rule against ANYONE having power like this! At least look before you freeze everything! She was walking out here barefoot after all.
"Quite the destructive bunch, your classmates."
Toru fumed, glancing back at her… partner? Unwanted stealth buddy? She didn't know what to call Monoma, other than that he was there. He had approached her as she was getting ready to sneak into enemy territory. His quirk apparently allowed him to copy other quirks.
She had half a mind to say that it was normally just Bakugo to his face just a few meters behind her. At least, she hoped that's where his face was. Oh geez, is this was what it was like for someone talking to her? She shook her head, moving on, she and the floating set of pants next to her continued to sneak around the rear of the Red Team's area. The more people they could avoid the better, especially Shoji. All those ears on them might tip them off. Jirou could also use those earphone jacks of hers, given how she and Kaminari used them before in her exercise.
As well as, you know, the floating pair of pants!
"Well, at least they're using everything they've got," Toru reasoned, "But you're going to give us away with those pants."
"Hmm? Would you rather I end up stark-naked in the middle of the field when I take another quirk?" Monoma asked, his tone belying his smirk, and Toru rolled her eyes.
"I wouldn't hold my breath for the cameras," Toru admitted.
She turned around, not wanting to imagine that smug jerk's face as they kept going, even if she could hear him chuckle behind her. A sound that, on reflection, was a million times better than the falling piece of ice coming straight for her!
Toru dove forward, dodging the block of ice that was as big as her. Todoroki had sent an entire glacier into this tower, all they could do was barely avoid the spikes and random chunks of ice that came through and she got a massive chill because of it, both from the ice and the general temperature taking a nosedive. Monoma didn't seem to mind, but she did hear light teeth-chattering that wasn't hers.
"You alright?" Monoma called, his voice barely a stage whisper.
"I'm fine," Toru said, pulling herself back up.
"It's getting rather intense up there," Monoma commented, "Perfect chance to take the bands, right?"
If you wanted to get crushed or frozen, but that was the problem with stealth. Always in the firing line, even if some people didn't notice. She glanced around, finding the one door into the Red Team's base that hopefully had a staircase leading up. Luckily enough, it did. The duo were dead-silent as they ascended the stairs, noticing how neither Jirou or Shoji were close by. They must be with their Attack Squad! What luck!
They ramped up the pace, and Toru was glad that Monoma knew when to take things seriously. They climbed up the last two floors, arriving to a warzone.
Toru had to clamp her hands over her mouth as she saw Bakugo running away from a massive and monstrous Dark Shadow, and Yaoyorozu was shooting at him with a webbing paintball rifle too!
"Now. We need to advance." Monoma whispered as he felt her touch her shoulder.
"No time to waste, let's go!" She whispered as they progressed onward, finding an opening as Bakugo was running to the other side of the building, avoiding Dark Shadow and Yaoyorozu's aim behind pillars and crates. She heard the roof vibrate above the combatants, debris falling down periodically.
Probably Todoroki and Parker, what on earth were those two getting up to? They sprinted up the stairs, thankful for Bakugo's distraction as they got to the top. A few seconds later, she saw it. Parker danced around Todoroki's ice before kicking him off the roof's edge through an ice wall. He leaned over, making a show of looking down at his fallen enemy. On his arm, the golden band seemed to glow in the sunlight as he took a breather.
Now it was her chance to shine! She kept her mouth shut, barely trusting herself to breathe as she made her way through the frozen rubble from the class Ace's most recent fight. Monoma was quiet too, thank goodness. She didn't see him behind her, maybe he was staying back or taking a different route. Either way, Parker was still focused on Todoroki. She walked slowly and silently over the ice, shivering with each step. She was thankful for the roar of the crowd and the continuing skirmish throughout the battlefield below as the racket covered up the noise of their approach… but god that ice was cold!
Just a little closer and she could pull it off his arm. A walkie-talkie buzzed in his pocket and he picked it up.
"Peter!" Came Yaoyorozu's voice through the tiny speakers in English, "Bakugo incoming."
Toru smiled. Perfect, a big gun to distract Parker while she made her escape. She reached out, the American none the wiser.
"Thanks Momo!" He replied back in kind.
She touched the edge of her target, and Parker's hand latched around her wrist.
"Whoa! Hey! That's mine!" He squealed in Japanese.
What? How did he notice her?!
"What the heck? Do you have eyes in the back of your head or something?!" Toru yelped.
"OH WHAT'S THIS! IT SEEMS THE RED KING'S RING HAS BEEN INFILTRATED BY HAGAKURE TORU OF THE BLUE TEAM! WE'RE ON CLASS A-ON-CLASS A VIOLENCE EVERYBODY!"
"That just sounds weird." Aizawa added after Present Mic's commentary.
"What? No…" the American trailed off, glancing at the space between his fingers, "This is your hand, right?"
Toru tried not to think of the implications of that question.
"Yes it's my hand, like this is! Hiyah!" She threw a punch, but Peter's head dipped to the side, dodging the invisible attack. He blinked and Toru puffed out her cheeks.
"Ok, this is unfair! Are you cheating?!"
"Nope," Parker said, dodging another punch from the invisible girl ,"I just… wait if you're here without gloves then-oh." He bit his lip, blushing and puckering her lips as his eyes looked down and up.
Toru swiped at his head with another punch, only for Parker to dodge.
"Gimme your armband Pervert!
"Can I take five on that?" Parker squeaked out, his eyes drifting down to the supposedly empty space in front of him.
"NO just gimme!" Toru fumed as she swiped at him again. She yelped as she felt a push to her back and she collided with Parker. Parker had his hands on her shoulders, but his face looked as red as a tomato. Her bare chest was against his clothed one!
"I didn't grab anything!" Parker squaked out but his band got ripped off, and a bare hand pulled away as if it had touched him, and he turned his head to see a floating band!
"Hey!" The American said, letting loose a line that stuck on the band. A quick tug and it came right back, with a weight connected to it.
Parker grabbed hold of the band, kept his arm out, and something close lined his arm as someone moved fast and shoulder tackled Parker, not making the boy so much as budge. When he heard a grunt, he winced. Then Monoma appeared in front of him, bewildered as his fist as in Parker arm, and he himself was naked.
"You okay-"
"But ho-" Monoma asked, staring at his hand as the audience groaned and laughed.
"DIE!" Parker jumped towards the invisible girl and Monoma, grabbing them both to avoid a fireball of a blast, letting go of his Golden armband in the process. The force of the blast and shockwave pushed the trio on the icy floor, sliding on the ice as Parker hung onto the two as they went over ledge. Toru screamed as she closed her eyes and felt them all weightless, ready to fall.
"I got you!" She felt something latch onto her back and arm, and she dangled from the side of the building, Parker swinging down beside her. Weblines connected them both. Beside her, Monoma also came swinging in the buff, face utterly shallow.
"You two okay?" Parker landed beside her, seeing some dust in her hair. They looked up, seeing Bakugo place Parker's stolen armband between his teeth before blasting away.
"Y-yeah," Toru replied shakily as she nodded. Parker was looking back, but being so close she could see his body tense up. The temperature promptly dropped, and not from the ice mountain nearby.
"THE RED KING'S BAND HAS BEEN TAKEN! THE KING HAS ENTERED THE FRAY!" Midnight yelled over the loudspeaker. Many in the audience were groaning or laughing, Toru couldn't tell which was more prevalent.
"Just hang tight." Parker looked back, his face filled with concern as he turned around, and she could hear him exhale in anger. He fired his weblines, pulling himself towards a giant boulder before he took off like a missle. Toru looked up at the Jumbotron, seeing her invisible form hanging from the weblines… and a naked Monoma with U.A.'s logo over his privates.
Too bad the audience couldn't get it out of their minds. Or have a censor logo either given their collective groans or laughter.
"WHAT A SIGHT FOR OUR LIVE AUDIENCE HERE IN THE ARENA! THANKFULLY FOR OUR ONLINE AND TV LISTENERS YOU ARE GIVEN THE SATISFACTION OF CENSORSHIP! BUT PARKER SAVED TWO ENEMIES FROM FALLING DESPITE ECTOPLASM STANDING BY! WHAT A GUY I TELL YA!" Toru looked down, and true to Present Mic's word, several clones of Ectoplasm were at ground level looking up, ready to catch the naked teens should they fall.
"How… I…" Monoma muttered, eyes lost. "So… his quirk can't be stol… how?" Toru sighed. When she wanted to stand out, she didn't want it to be like this!
"Bakugo has Parker's band!" Yaoyorozu yelled from above them. "Someone intercept him!" There was a familiar pinging sound right after.
"Bakugo's band has been turned in!" Midnight yelled and Toru looked above. "Red Team leads 40 love!"
(X)
Oh crud oh crud! This was worse than getting caught in costume by Ned! All he had to do then was fix up a Death Star, but now he was going to let everyone down! It wasn't so bad, just that everyone was going to hate him for messing up. Hopefully not, maybe, who knows but now he was panicking.
Don't panic, look on the bright side, he was swinging around and Bakugo was right in front of him. He fired a line right at the blonde bomber, tugging on his back. The blonde bomber came back, but Peter cut his other line as Bakugo twisted in mid air and aimed.
Peter heard a pop, and an explosion ripped into existence right at him. The shockwave hit him, throwing him to the side and making his line on Bakugo go slack. Peter landed on the side of a building, the blast made his ears ring a little. Blinking away the stars, he saw Bakugo continuing on his path, flying and yelling out muffled roars of pain.
"Bakugo is going straight for the enemy side!" Peter called, grabbing hold of his walkie-talkie mid-swing, pulling himself forward even faster.
"Anyone have eyes on him?" Momo asked.
"Negative," Tokoyami commented, "His trail is cold, as bitter as that might be to say."
"Asui and I see him!" Izuku replied over the channel, "We'll cut him off till you catch up!"
"I told you to call me Tsu."
"Midoriya, you're a lifesaver!" Peter called back with a grin, "I owe you like, ten solids." Atta boy, Midoriya!
"What's a solid?"
"Not important," Peter quickly said, "Keep him company and I'll be right ov-"
His sentence trailed off as a shiver ran down his spine. Peter pulled like his life depended on it, leaping off the side of a nearby building, but he hadn't bothered. A few streets over, he could see another ice sheet overtake a warehouse on the north side.
That had to be Shoto, but what was he doing all the way over there? Peter took out his walkie, "Is everyone al-"
"Peter!"
Peter's eyes widened.
"Pony! What's wrong?" he asked in English, flipping over one more building, throwing out another line an instant before he hit the ground.
"Todoroki," came Sato's struggled gasp in Japanese, "We're stuck in a few feet of ice, and everytime I smash out it just keeps coming, gah here comes more!"
A grunt was uttered, followed by the sound of shattering ice. Peter stole a glance down the street, Bakugo leaping ever closer to enemy territory, he was at the halfline now! At the same time, the frozen street was getting further and further away.
"Midoriya, You sure you want this?"
"We'll do our best," came Midoriya's voice.
"You sure, Midoriya-san?" asked Momo.
"It'll only be for a few moments," Midoriya reasoned, his once shaky voice firming up. "I know what's at stake."
"Get him on the ground and start destroying things, I'll find you from there and back you up." Juzo called out. The American felt at ease as he smiled.
"Alright, good luck," Peter called. Then he fired a new line, and he shot towards the icy street. "I got a date with No-Chill here." He took off, flying towards the north side.
(X)
His arms burned from the inside, but Katsuki grit his teeth and bore it. One negative about his quirk, for all the versatility and power it could bring him, overuse hurt like a bitch. He remembered one time when he went a little overboard showing some extra on the basketball court the difference between them, and the overuse made his wrist sting for a week. The explosive blast he had conjured up at the rooftop aiming for Parker would have been much stronger and far faster had it not been for the few remnants of baby powder on his palms that he couldn't rub off. He was exerting more effort than normal and he was descending as he crossed the halfway line. Now to just get it to Four-Eyes and their bowl, and the Blue Team would win. The band in his teeth was helping him bite down as hard as possible in an effort to dull the pain of the constant explosions he was using to keep him aloft. That being said, a pair of aching wrists hadn't stopped Katsuki from doing anything he needed to do before, and he sure as hell wasn't going to let it stop him now. He stole a glance behind him, and he couldn't believe his eyes.
He actually had to stop and hover for a moment to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Parker, was he… just letting him go? After their midair tussle he's just leaving? Katsuki grit his teeth. The nerve.
"WHAT'S THIS?! PARKER IS AVERTING HIS CHASE OF HIS FELLOW CLASSMATE BAKUGO AND IS GOING OFF IN ANOTHER DIRECTION! WHATEVER COULD HE BE UP TO!"
"You'll find out with the switching camera feeds, stop yelling."
"WE ARE SWITCHING FEEDS NOW, AND TODOROKI HAS THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TOWER ENVELOPED IN A WINTER APOCALYPSE! BOY DOES HE HAVE NO CHILL!"
"I don't think that pun even works for Todoroki…"
So that's how he wanted to play it, huh? Was he not worth the time to take down personally? Was that it? Icy-Hot was more worthy? "Fuck you." He hissed under his breath. Screw him and whatever stupid shit stopped him from taking this seriously. Honestly, that was really starting to piss him off! People just kept talking about Parker when they thought he did something amazing, or that he was the best in class 1-A. Present Mic sucking up to him over and over…
Again, it all came back to Parker. That damn clown with so much power. So much ability. He who stopped that… villain who was made to kill All Might for a time before getting overwhelmed.
That clown who was being increasingly compared to All-
'Well you know what, screw them too!' Parker didn't have the spine to stay the course. All Might never ran from anything! Parker was no All Might! Besides, who cared if Icy-Hot was messing up the north side of the Red Team's tower, all Katsuki needed to do was get this band to Four-Eyes and he'd win. No matter what crap the American pulled, he wasn't getting through to the next round sitting on his butt while waiting for someone to try taking the band from him. He was level with some of the surrounding buildings and he could see the collection of boulders and vines dead ahead, about a hundred yards away.
The win was as good as his, but barely a second later, something flew overhead. A patchwork of green laced with lightning sparks. It spun badly on the rooftop that Bakugo was about to land on and rebounded as Katsuki's eyes widened.
"Smaaaash!" Deku yelled, and Katsuki's face knew pain as Deku's fist met his jaw and the blonde yelled, skidding across the rooftop and through a concrete wall. He yelled as he fell before he regained his composure, firing explosive blasts to slow his descent before landing, ignoring dust and debris falling around him.
He'd been hit.
Deku had fucking hit his face!
His blood boiled, and the sight of Four-Eyes' base faded as he focused on that fucking snake, looking down at him with lightning arcing over his body. Deku leapt down, lowering himself into an amateur fighting stance. It almost hurt to look at. Even from across the street, Bakugo could see that his stance was too wide. Deku's guard was too open, a swift breeze would knock him flat on his ass. But the lightning around him made him pause.
That power-up that he pulled out of his ass at the race. Loath as he was to admit it, that little special effect show Deku was putting on wasn't anything to scoff at.
"Give that armband back, Kacchan." Deku declared, staring with hard determination. One shot to his face and now he… he dared to talk as if he was some equal of Bakugo Katsuki?!
That's not enough to wipe away a decade of lies you motherfucker!
"DIE! YOU BASTAAARD!" Katsuki roared as best he could with the golden band in his teeth. He fired his aching arms as he charged at Deku, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.
Deku looked almost like a blur as he also rushed forward. Katsuki raised his good hand, an explosion popping into existence before he even finished raising it. Fire and sound lashed out, forcing Deku to drop low and slide to the side.
But the blast also pushed Katsuki back. Deku realized that fact the second Katsuki brought his fist down into his guard. He blocked with one arm, while his other hand reached for the armband in his opponent's teeth.
Like hell Katsuki was going to let that happen.
"Fuck you!" The bomber screamed with clenched teeth, forgoing any further quirk usage as he smashed Deku's fingers between his forearm and head, grabbing as hard as he could, fingernails digging deep and drawing blood. The damn nerd winced in pain, but Bakugo wasn't finished. He grabbed Deku by the collar of his shirt and tossed him with everything he had, pivoting and throwing a little heat into the pitch to get him as far away as he could. Right into the wall back-first.
Katsuki looked down and tsked, the stupid powder still hadn't worn off completely. Deku would have crashed through the concrete otherwise. Deku was getting up, arms raised and lightning crackling as he charged.
"COME ONNN!" Bakugo roared in a muffled fashion as he boosted himself with his explosions, his speed surging forth as he and Deku closed fast. Just like before at the Battle Trial… aim for his arms! He had this… Fire one mo-
The pain in his forearms was too great, making him close his eyes as he fired a concussive blast towards the other knights. He reopened them, only for him to see Deku falling back with his arms raised in a guard position, arms singed with burns.
Ha! Take that! "I Win!" Katsuki shouted at the top of his lungs, the golden band in his mouth dropping slightly…
And then a person rose up from the ground, fist-first, and Katsuki eyes widened…
Before said fist met his jaw, and the blonde was sent into the air from the punch. The bomber saw stars as he was in the air, vision blurry and teeth aching from the strike to his chin. The golden armband floated in the air for a moment, Bakugo's adrenaline high being too much for him to hear Present Mic's commentary.
No… had to get it! Bakugo reached his hand out…
And a tongue from nowhere grabbed it and curled over it! Katsuki's eyes turned towards the source, seeing the Frog take his golden prize…
And swallow it before leaping away!
Bakugo felt a pit in his stomach form again.
"Go Asui! Return back to our side!" Lipless yelled as he dived back under the ground, as if the ground was made of water!
Frog was hopping from lamppost to lamppost before getting to the top of a building.
How…
No…
They had lured him in like this.
They'd played him for a fool, luring him into their trap!
"I'm going to win, Kacchan!" Deku's voice came out as Katsuki turned, feeling the adrenaline beginning to fade and the biting pain of his forearms returning. The green haired snake looked sad… for whatever the fuck reason.
Win?
"You…" Bakugo whispered as he staggered to his feet. The pain in his arms was ignored as he swiped them one last time. All that was left…
Was an insidious rage as his red eyes bored right through Deku. "DON'T DESERVE TO WIN YOU SNAAAKE!!" He blasted off, charging at Deku.
He countered, and jabbed as Katsuki veered to the side with a sudden blast. Hate and anger were good motivators, and Katsuki's focus sharpened, time slowing down.
He saw Deku's Silver Knight armband.
Oh, how he wanted to blast the idiots head off.
To kill him for lying to him for all these years. Trying to save him despite never being asked for help, treating Bakugo Katsuki like he was some kind of weakling.
Not today.
Katsuki's hand lashed out like a viper, grabbing the band as Deku's head turned, eyes widening as the blonde tore off of Deku and threw it behind him. He clapped his hands together in a cone, aiming it towards Deku as he tried to pivot and punch.
"STUN GRENADE!" Katsuki's yelled, and the ensuing explosion was channeled forth into blinding heated light. He heard Deku yell in shock.
"Too bright!"
"TAKE THIS!" Katsuki used his hands to make him spin around at a high speed, and after a few revolutions, got the stunned green haired fuck in the head with a spinning kick. He sent his enemy flying into a building and through the nearest window.
The pain was becoming unbearable as Katsuki winced. He was looking towards the ground… when he saw the solid stone dip down and become soft. His eyes widened as he aimed his hands downward. If he landed in that quicksand, he'd be no better than the blockhead and the others! Lipless had been biding his time!
The pain was incredible, like nothing Katsuki had ever experienced before, not even when he trained himself to his limits during his Junior High days, the days leading up to the U.A. Entrance Exam, during the period after the USJ Attack… He saw the Deku's band flutter down towards the quicksand.
"All Might… Watch me…" Bakugo grit out, his foot ready to hit the ground as fingers pierced the quicksand. Lipless... "Go… beyond!" He opened them, and his red eyes burned with focus and determination. Lipless was inches away...
He would…
No, he will win this!
"PLUS!" He fired his strongest Turbo Boost with enough force as a gauntlet-less full blast, sending him flying towards the silver band as he bit down, grabbing it with his teeth. His arms were creaking, but through the tears Katsuki surged forth, zooming down the street like a missile as he left Lipless and Deku behind in the dust, fire, and sulfur. His cheeks flapped in the wind from his flight, arms exploding in agony as he could barely keep his eyes open.
"ULTRAAAAAAAAAA~!" Katsuki roared with gritted teeth, the band in his mouth as he approached the Blue King's Ring, Catholic's vines parting like the Red Sea as he flew right in, rolling in a heap as he finally stopped, panting and on his back. The armband flopped out of his mouth as he saw the others come over to him.
"Bakugo! You alright? You look like you're covered in webbing!" Orange asked as she and Dollface approached. Even Four-Eyes loomed over him. He appreciated the shade but… 'Don't look down on me, damnit!' Katsuki thought as he panted, not wanting to move his arms with all the aching inside.
"Take it…" He heaved for oxygen, wincing as the adrenaline from his last big burst faded. Orange grabbed the band and took it out of sight.
"Well done, Bakugo! You got us a band!" Four-Eyes exclaimed.
"That was so cool! You came down that street like a missile!" Dollface pumped her arms.
"Blue Team is on the board!" Midnight exclaimed. "They trail the Red Kingdom 40-20! Six minutes remain in the war!"
Katsuki rolled his eyes as he closed them. Shut up, he didn't get the gold, he had to settle…
For silver.
The idea burned in his soul, but the pain was like fire-pokers goring his very bones as did his best to not yell in agony.
If he had just hung onto Parker's band, they would have won. HE would have beaten them both! Him and Deku, but they had bushwhacked him… and he couldn't do anything at the moment.
"Umm, Bakugo? You alright?" Dollface asked.
"He's clearly in distress, his arms are shaking." Catholic spoke out, walking over despite the giant mass of vines behind her head. Katsuki's eyes bore holes in them all.
He didn't need their pity, damnit! "Just focus on defense and the win! Ignore me! I…" He scoffed, looking down as he seethed, suppressing a yell of agony. "Need a minute."
Or two.
"Incoming!" Came a voice. It sounded like Blackface.
"We're under attack! Positions everyone!" Orange yelled as Katsuki lied on the ground, but he felt a floating sensation as he was lifted and… Dollface was now holding him!
"Let go of me, I can walk!" He barked, Katsuki infuriated at the idea as Dollface bridal-carried him, even Four-Eyes coming over to lift him behind a boulder.
"Those explosions must have put a great deal of strain on your arms. Just hide behind here for now and recover." Four-Eyes assured as he and Dollface set him down. Katsuki seethed as his forearms touched the ground. "How much longer do you need?" The blonde glared at the stern looking blue haired elite. Four-Eyes wasn't backing down. "We can buy you time, then you can join us in the defense and get back in the field."
…
"Two minutes…" Bakugo uttered as he rested against the boulder, panting as he caught his breath and waited for the throbbing in his forearms to subside.
"We'll give you more. You may not like us, and I don't like you." Dollface reprimanded, the two of them standing tall as they heard yelling. "But we're a team, so let's act like one. In two minutes, you can blast these guys to kingdom come." She tapped on her… new metal boots and hopped to the upper edge of the boulders.
Katsuki panted and closed his eyes, feeling Four-Eyes walk away to hide as he heard the yelling intensify, roaring mixed in.
Two minutes. Then, he could go wild.
And find that damn frog and make her vomit up that armband. By any means necessary.
(X)
"There's a large group huddled around the King's Ring."
"How many?" That sounded like Shishida-kun!
"Eight of them, no, seven, no, nine."
"Can someone please tell me the right number before I walk into an ambush? I don't like the idea of walking into an ambush." Sounded like Kamakiri-kun to Itsuka.
"Nobody does, but this isn't an exact science. A lot of things are exploding and it's making hearing things rather difficult."
From within the Blue King's Ring, Itsuka smirked. It was getting hard to hear everything, but Hatsume's tech was working like a charm. Calling it a godsend was an understatement, it was a dream come true. The hidden comm units were working.
Though, the implications of what she was hearing didn't exactly paint a nice picture. The Red Team was clearly ahead in the communications department. As good as she was, even Hatsume couldn't pull a set of mics and receivers out of her arm like class 1-A's rep could. But like her father always said, make do with what you have.
And what Itsuka had was a set of fortifications that would make Jericho proud. At least, up till the noise hit. Quickly pushing away the bad thoughts, the orangette snuck a peak at Shiozaki. The girl hadn't moved since she started growing her vines throughout the area, taking advantage of the rocky terrain and tunneling through to get across as much ground as possible.
"What's the verdict, Kendo-san?" Iida asked.
"They've got a way to figure out how many we have, but I don't recognize the voices outside of Kamakiri-kun and Shishida-kun."
The Blue King nodded, racking his brain for an answer as he cupped his chin.
"I would suspect Jirou-san and Shoji-san, both of their quirks seemed adept at location and reconnaissance during our initial exercise." Iida mused. "I do wonder if Honenuki will attack at some point?"
"That won't happen." Shiozaki stated, with both Itsuka and Iida looking towards the praying vine-haired girl. "My vines are going underground. If Honenuki wishes to invade this sacred place, he will have to go through my vines. I do hope he doesn't." The girl muttered in sadness. "The pain must be too much for a person to bear. I wouldn't wish anyone to intrude here, for the vines may be too much!"
"She likes to ramble as much you do, Iida-kun." Uraraka teased.
"Ramble? I don't ramble!" Iida squawked in defense, eyes wide. Itsuka giggled.
"Well, either way, it gives us faces to the voices, so I'm not complaining. How's everyone doing over there, Hatsume-san?"
A few steps forward, the girl that seemingly had supplied the Blue Team a chance at defense was staring off into the distance, Uraraka jumping from boulder to boulder, tapping one at the ready. Her quirk combined with Hatsume's hover soles was quite convenient.
According to Hatsume, she could see for two kilometers, meaning she could scan the battlefield from their highest point near said ring, atop of a giant spire of sorts.
That being said, she was going to ask why the girl was drooling whenever she looked off towards the Red Team's side.
"Hatsume!" The orange haired girl pressed, causing the girl's head to snap around, "What's going on?"
The girl tilted her head before exploding into a megawatt grin, "Oh, you mean the enemy!"
Itsuka wanted to facepalm, "Yes, the enemy, what's happening?"
"Well," Hatsume said, leaning back down and refocusing her goggles on something in the distance.
"The king is going to an ice building and... hello!"
"What?" Kendo asked.
"It looks like we've got some company trying to come in from the right." Came Setsuna's mouth to her side. Itsuka turned, seeing Setsuna's floating head that was missing a section of her skull, mainly where her right eye was. She was combing the battlefield and was their eyes and ears in the sky as her body was sitting down close by the recovering Bakugo.
Itsuka took a deep breath, this was it.
"Alright everyone!" She screamed, "Get ready, we've got company coming in!"
(X)
This was getting tricky, Kyoka mused as she looked at the twenty yard wall of giant boulders and coiling writhing vines. That Shiozaki girl was being put to use, and judging by the placement of those boulders, Uraraka must have moved them around given the craters formed under them.
Even worse, Shiozaki's constantly moving vines were producing something close to white noise, she couldn't make out how many people there were over there!
"Well, how many are inside there besides Iida and Shiozaki?" The mantis boy, Kamakiri asked as Shishida, Sen, and Awase stood by. By her side, Ojiro and Shoji loomed. She pulled her earphone jacks out of the ground.
"Can't tell, but considering we heard from Asui that Bakugo retreated back to the Ring with Midoriya's band, and that the boulders here were moved and they don't have a strongman like Shishida or Shoji here." Kyoka stood up, her lobejacks coiling back to their normal length. "We can only assume that Uraraka is inside too, so at the very least, four."
"We haven't seen Kendo yet, and knowing our Class Rep she must be leading the defense." Sen added as he looked towards the giant vine mass. "Shiozaki… you're something else." He whistled.
"Any word from Honenuki?" Awase asked, only to feel a portion of earth beside him turn muddy and Honenuki in question popped his head out.
"Speak of the devil," Shoji commented.
"I tried prodding around." Honenuki grunted as he got up to his feet as if he was climbing out of a pool, covered in quicksand and mud as he patted himself down. He showed his hands, showing several cuts. "Couldn't get underneath."
"As expected of our Class Rep! Only Kendo would think of such a counter!" Shishida growled out.
"What do we do then?" Ojiro spoke out, earning Kyoka's attention as they looked up at the vine wall. "We're all being judged right now. Me, Jirou, Shoji and Awase hung back when you guys met Kirishima's team just in case someone got through on foot." The blond looked dejected. "Then again, Bakugo's approach made sense but Todoroki's…"
"Now's not the time to dwell." Shoji's tentacle hand spoke out. "We gotta make an impact in this war."
Kyoka narrowed her eyes and looked down at her amp boots. "I have an idea." She said, standing forward. "Let's try a little siege then." She smirked, her lobes going down and plugging in.
"A siege? But none of us except you have ranged quirks!" Kamakiri yelled. "They do, I mean it's only a matter of time before their Silver Knights come here. I mean, they need to do something too other than hide!" The mantis boy suggested and Kyoka perked up.
"Say… where are the other Silver Knights?" Kyoka asked and she went over them in her head. Bakugo, Todoroki, Kirishima, Sero and…
"Shoji! Is there anyone close-" Kyoka was cut off when she saw a bright light to the north. It looked like, a full discharge! Like Kaminari's Stupid Million Volts!
"Hey look!" Shoji said, pointing upwards and far above the ring was… a floating head!
"That's Tokage!" Kamakiri hissed, turning towards the area where the light show came from. Suddenly, body parts came flying out, followed by a girl… with a vest, hookshots and boots! Kyoka perked up, she saw the pink haired Support girl in that mess but…
There was Kendo Itsuka! She was flying to the warehouse, being propelled by her hookshot-vest and landing on and… floating! And the floating mass of body parts were just ahead of her!
"Kaminari is in battle!" Kyoka yelled, going to her walkie-talkie. "Honenuki, you can get there faster! Same with you Ojiro!"
"On it!" Honenuki ran, diving into the ground. Ojiro began to sprint right after him, going in the direction Kendo and Tokage were flying towards. Kyoka turned towards the fortress.
"Kendo is your guys' Class Rep right?" Kyoka asked, turning towards the Class B boys. Kamakiri nodded, eyes narrowed.
"What of it?" The punk girl smirked.
"Well, we don't have to deal with their queen. So let's..." Kyoka lifted up a foot. "...rock this castle's world!" And brought it down, her soundwaves surging out and meeting the vine defense. "Shoji, you can glide in right?" She yelled, and the taller monstrous boy nodded. The black haired girl pointed at a warehouse. "Think you can get in and cause some mayhem?"
"On it." He began running, heading towards a fire escape.
"Kamakiri, Sen!" Jirou yelled, turning towards the Class B boys. "Hack and slash at the vines, aim for the parts that don't have a boulder underneath!"
"I'm gonna feel guilty attacking Shiozaki's hair like this…" Sen muttered lightly.
"But we have to win." Kamakiri growled, nodding towards Kyoka. "Alright, leave it to us!" Blades came out of his arm as he grinned. "Let's trim this garden down to size! Shaaaaaaa!" He leapt in, arms aflurry as he began to hack and slash at the vines. Sen was beside him, arms twisting like drills as he began to shear away. Those drills of his were coming in handy as they attacked from the right of Jirou's soundwave. She felt the amp blast soften as she readied herself for another shot. She saw the vines coil and move about…
They were moving to replace the ones being destroyed by Sen and Kamakiri! Which meant…
"Shishida, Awase!" Kyoka yelled. But the two were ahead of her, running towards the edge of the boulders as more vines began to retreat.
"We're on it. Let's go big guy!" Shishida roared at Awase's agreement as they prepared to flank and Kyoka grinned. She saw Shoji at the edge of the warehouse on top, ready to get a running start.
Now this was a siege!
(X)
"I'm coming!" Peter yelled as he arrived at the frozen-over warehouse, twisting in midair and delivering a spinning dive kick. He broke through the ice and steel like it was nothing, landing on the frozen ground. He looked up, and his spine tingled as he used his weblines to avoid an ice surge.
Sato and Pony were both knee-deep in ice, but Pony's two horns were at work harassing Todoroki, making him dodge and sidestep. He could see some cuts on their opponent's uniform as he sent out another surge towards Peter.
Peter jumped from the wall and towards Todoroki. The red-white haired boy growled, conjuring another surge and avoiding Peter's punch. The brown haired boy's head turned, seeing Todoroki eye to eye before the Ice user surged forward towards Pony!
"You won't get our bands so easily!" Pony yelled, firing another set of horns from her head and Peter was able to see… blood dripping from her head! That's right, Pony did mention in passing that making too many horns too soon would cause her scalp to bleed.
Peter aimed his weblines towards the other wall, right near an Ectoplasm clone who sidestepped the webline. He tugged hard, zooming towards Todoroki as he surged towards the immobilized Pony and Sato. As he got closer, he began to take aim with his other hand as he got closer to Todoroki. With one strike he could end this, break the ice around his arm and get his band!
Todoroki looked back, eyes widening in fear and desperation as Peter's arm was aiming for his head. Peter's fingers came down on the trigger as time slowed down for the two fighters within the frozen dark warehouse.
Peter felt a tingle in his spine, avoid the front! He began to rear his arm back, and just in time too as Todoroki's left side swiped back at him.
And a small gout of flame came forth. Wait, did it come out of his arm!?
"Is that...!" Sato yelled.
"Fire!" Pony finished. "That's Endeavor's power!"
Peter felt a chill as he saw Todoroki's eyes bulge in rage, looking almost like Bakugo's as he roared. He slammed his hands to the ground, and the entire warehouse shook as ice surged like a flood. Peter felt like he was bare-naked in a Nor'Easter as he was slammed to the wall, unable to avoid the ice attack at point-blank range. Ice caked him all over save for his hands, feet and head as he looked over the fresh icing that the warehouse had gotten.
There was white mist everywhere, with a new Ectoplasm in the rafters and the one on the ground fading into blue goo. Peter's heart clenched when he saw Sato and Pony now chest-high in ice! They looked pale as sheets, teeth chattering.
And a limping Todoroki came through, horns stuck in his legs as steam was boiling off of him as he melted whatever ice was in his way. The white frost that caked him was turning to steam as well. He was panting too, heaving for oxygen as he took the stunned and freezing Silver Knights' armbands. Peter struggled, feeling the ice crack. Todoroki looked back up and the two looked eye to eye yet again.
The rage. But not an all omnicidal rage like Bakugo's. Rather he seemed… frustrated. More angry at himself.
Todoroki roared, sounding more like an angry animal than a human, conjuring an ice spire to burst open the warehouse as the frost that used to cake him was beginning to come back. He began to run, conjuring an ice surge to ride on.
Peter got an arm out, then another before he punched near his legs and got his limbs out. "Jeez, that's cold!" He yelled, landing in the ice rink as he sprinted over to Sato and Pony.
"Get our bands!" Sato yelled, teeth chattering. "D-Don't mind us!"
"H-He's getting away, Peter! G-g-go!" Pony added in English, shame written all over her face. Peter glanced back.
"Yeah but…" Peter came down with a strong punch, cracking the ice all over.
"Should help you out, once you're out, rest up and join the group attacking Iida's castle." He turned around and began to sprint, firing weblines towards some buildings and flying up.
"We will!" Pony yelled as Peter swung farther and farther away, a thought racing through his mind.
Todoroki… could use fire too?
Why hadn't he used it this whole time? Peter mused as he fired another line.
Only for his webline to snap after something hot and sticky splattered on top of it! Peter yelped as he fell to the ground, landing on all fours.
He looked up, and saw the charging forms of both Eijiro and Tetsutetsu, with Mina from the rear.
"We got you now Ace! No hard feelings!" Eijiro declared, arms hardening up as the steel haired boy became as hard as steel!
"Dude, you can turn to metal!? I knew a guy that had a metal arm but that is so awesome!" Peter said while dancing through the jabs.
"Hey! My quirk's cool too!" Eijiro said.
"It is but one second," Peter jumped back, giving him enough space to grab his walkie, "Guys, Todoroki has Sato and Pony's bands!" Peter yelled into his comm before avoiding a punch from Eijiro, and then a jab from Tetsutetsu.
"We're too far off!" Midoriya spoke over the comm unit.
"So that's how you guys have been able to move so fast!" Tetsutetsu sneered as he swung another blow, only for Peter to dodge that and another punch from Eijiro.
"Well back home we do like our phones" The American sidestepped a drop kick from Eijiro, and had to leap back from a surge of Mina's acid. He fired his web shooters, Kirishima dodging. Tetsutetsu wasn't so lucky, getting a web to the face. Peter ducked a blow from Eijiro and delivered a backhand to the other boy, sending him sprawling back.
"Stop jumping around and fight like a man Ace!" Eijiro roared, getting frustrated as Peter saw Mina aiming.
"Could I convince you to fight like a spider?" Peter asked, ducking under a blow from Eijiro and pushed him to the ground with a mule kick before he sprinted forth towards Mina. The pinkette yelped in surprise as she aimed with her hands, but Peter was faster, firing several web shots at her hands and then mouth. Staggering, he pushed her to the ground and fired a webline at her hand again, binding her to the ground.
"Sorry for the pushing!" Peter shook his head as he threw out another line.
"Oh no you don't!"
Peter looked back, cutting the line on instinct and twisting to dodge a wild haymaker from Eijiro. The American rolled into his fall, popping up in a familiar low pose. Ejiro grit his teeth and stood in a battle stance.
"Come on Ace, let's go, right here, right now!"
"Eijiro, any other time I would love to-" Peter trailed off when Eijiro let out a war cry, rushing forward with his entire body taking on the rough texture of his hardening.
"BUT THIS," Peter screams, dodging a punch to his head.
"IS A," he jumped, avoiding a kick and lashing out with a quick hit to Eijiro's shoulder causing the boy to spin, which he only turned into an excuse to put more momentum into a big hit.
"BAD TIME!" Peter screamed, reaching out and catching the boy's fist with one hand. There was a little give, but Peter saw the surprise in Eijiro's eyes. He threw the blow aside, and kicked him hard in the chest. The boy was lifted into the air with the hit, and Peter silently apologized for what he was about to do next. He threw out a line of webbing, catching Eijiro's chest. Peter spun him around, cutting the line and throwing him at Tetsutetsu who had gotten up from the ground only to have a flying hardened Ejiro smash into his head.
Dusting his hands off, Peter looked back to the real reason he was down the road in the first place. He saw Todoroki's massive ice surge stop past the halfline and Peter saw he was… running!
"Honenuki! Get Todoroki now!" Peter yelled in his comm mid-swing.
"It's no use! I tried reaching him, but Ojiro said he's underground!" Momo replied over his unit. "He and Ojiro are going after Kaminari and Sero!"
Peter could see the sights of battle down the road where Iida's castle lied, time to go on the offensive.
He saw Todoroki stop as he continued to swing, gaining on the sprinting boy as he pivoted towards, crouching towards the ground. Ice began to emerge from the ground, caking it and making the soil and concrete patches crack.
'Run.'
Peter was wise to veer to the side, firing his weblines and pulling as hard as he could, as another giant glacier surged forth from Todoroki's upward motion where he just was in the main road, the glacier consuming any buildings or boulders in its way. Peter flew through the air before he landed on a building, rolling in a tumble before landing on his feet. He looked about, ready to zip on through the buildings before he gasped.
The cluster of warehouses and buildings were all lined with tape! He saw Sero down there, grinning and waving as he fired more tape. With all that tape… he couldn't web-swing to flank the Blue King's Ring!
Damn, he was going to get in, tape or no tape!
(X)
For the first time in a long time, Shoto felt a surge of something other than cold rush through him. He pushed his legs, forcing one in front of the other, sneaking a look at his left side.
He'd used it, that fire...
The sudden attack made him act on instinct, and it was the wrong side. Twice before he was attacked on his left side, and lost to Parker in one single blow both times. If it had been his right side, Parker would be frozen and out of the picture by now. Damn, one minute, and things got so much worse. Shoto could imagine his old man screaming his delight at the sight of the fire. He grit his teeth, he was definitely watching this and laughing. He had to.
Shoto can hear the hiss of steam in the back of his mind. The nostalgic aches of those long, painful sparring lessons.
He fought back tears, and directing his self-loathing towards finishing his goal.
That thought spurred him forward ever faster. Once this was done, he was evening out his sides away from anyone who could see him. All he needed to do was get the bands in the bowl and they would be in the lead.
But what on earth was that noise?
It only got louder and louder as he got closer to the blue ring, where he remembered the rest of his 'team' had set up their defences around Iida. Jirou no doubt, hoping to take down the team by blowing out their eardrums no doubt. A decent strategy, with the king not being able to leave his circle after all. However, there was no way that any of their members would be able to get in to attack. Plus, the vines and boulders Shiozaki and Uraraka had utilized should nullify some of the sound. It would drop soon, and when that happened, all they needed to do was wait out the timer.
Shoto snuck a peek at the jumbotron. Barely six minutes, painful, but doable. Same with his ice, loath as he was to admit it, activating his left side melted most of the frost from his skin. A minor recharge, but enough for him to do this.
He jumped forward, willing a stream of ice to carry him upward, dropping him into a swift slide towards the line. The noise made his ears ring, and behind a layer of boulders, Uraraka had her hands over her ears, desperately trying to shield herself from the noise. With her down, Sen rushed forward towards the line, piercing through the noise with no fear. Shoto commended the man, even though it was foolish to attack this early. Shiozaki's vines had an opening for the tailed boy to enter the clearing, and he was only meters away before hitting the King's Ring.
Neither Kendo or Tokage were present. But why? Shoto narrowed his eyes. No matter, time to improvise.
The drill boy got a little further, he jumped, launching himself back. An explosion shook the entire area, drowning out the sound and sending smoke and rock flying in all directions. From the smoke, the Support girl flew out, grinning like a madwoman and spreading her mechanical arms out and latching onto several boulders. They moved as easily as baseballs, Uraraka's prep work no doubt.
From a long shadow, Kuroiro popped up and tripped Shishida to the ground. Iida was busy dodging blade strikes from Kamakiri, kicking away Sen but getting grazed by his drill hands in the process. Shoto sighed, frost emitting from his mouth as he knelt down. Time to put an end to his bedlam in his kingdom.
"Everyone! Jump!" Iida yelled, having spotted him and jumped onto a boulder that was within his Ring. Uraraka was on top of some boulders, Shiozaki joining her by pushing herself up courtesy of her vines. Hatsume was already with the gravity user. He heard Jirou's amp increase, and Shoto winced. Shiozaki's vines were lessening the more she lifted herself off the ground.
Good, no one on his team would get caught.
Everyone on the Red Attack Squad turned their heads back to him, and time was up. Shoto's flash-freeze got them by their boots. "Now we finish this." Shoto muttered, seeing a shadow loom and Shoji gliding down using his arms. His eyes widened at what he was dealing with. The twin haired boy pivoted, and thrust his arm out, summoning a miniature glacier that pushed Shoji out of the King's ring, the slope pushing back the other Red Attackers as they too were trapped within the ice. All except for Jirou who was outside the ring.
A roar, and rocks scattered. Bakugo roared out, landing with ice latched to his boots and pants. His red eyes glared towards the ice user.
"The hell was that for, Icy-Hot!" He barked. Shoto shrugged.
"Apologies," Shoto meant it. "I didn't know you were behind that rock." Bakugo marched up to him, sizing him up and growling as he shook off his hands, pops going off as he got rid of any ice. He was baring his teeth before he closed his mouth, glare still present as he scoffed.
"Whatever. We need to get more bands, we're trailing and-"
"Already got it handled." Shoto muttered, walking past Bakugo. The bomber perked up, turning his head at the boy as Iida and the others came down from their perches. Shoto had his bands in hand, and deposited them in the bowl without issue.
"INCREDIBLE! IN A STUNNING TURN OF EVENTS, THE BLUE TEAM HAVE SURGED INTO THE LEAD WITH ONLY FOUR MINUTES REMAINING! WILL THE RED TEAM BE ABLE TO TAKE THIS BACK OR IS THIS IT FOR THE SECOND ROUND!?!"
"We need to get you a mute button."
"Wow Todoroki! That was awesome!" Uraraka exclaimed, joining her comrade with Hatsume and Kuroiro. "We're up 60-40! With four minutes left!" She looked at the struggling and shivering Red Attackers as they tried to chip away at the ice. "Will… they be okay?"
"I'll defrost the glacier when the time runs out."
"Haha! Fate rewarded me with the winning Team! Now those support companies will pay more attention to me and my babies!" Hatsume's arms pumped in victory.
"Huh, to think we're gonna win after all." Kuroiro muttered. That comment earned Bakugo's ire.
"What, did you think we wouldn't!?" He barked, but the white haired dark skinned boy shrugged.
"With how everything started? Kinda."
"Doesn't matter." Shoto spoke up, seeing Iida approach. "We have the lead with just over three minutes remaining. I say we bunker down our defenses and call back Sero and Kaminari." He patted his arm where his frost-covered band was.
"About that, Todoroki," Iida tapped his shoulder. "We saw a light show were Kaminari was stationed. We can only assume that he's either been attacked-"
"Or been made stupid!" It was Tokage, floating in. Or at least her head was, minus an eye and an ear. "Me and Kendo-chan found him on the ground with his thumbs up acting like an idiot! Someone got him!"
"Hold on, then that means…" Kuroiro paused, eyes widened.
"Whoever got that idiot's band is returning to the Red Tower." Bakugo sneered, pointing across the field. "Hey Patchwork." He glared up at the floating head. "Any word from Elbows?"
"I'm going over there now. Kendo-chan is returning to the central boulevard. We need to conduct a full assault on the Red Tower now to prevent whoever has Kaminari's armband from scoring!" Tokage yelled. "I'm going to go find Sero. You guys do your thing and attack the Tower." The green haired head floated off and Shoto felt a pair of eyes on him. They belonged to Bakugo. Was he about to suggest they work together and attack the Tower as one?
"Hey, Icy-Hot." He growled, walking away. "You attack the Tower and stop the idiot from advancing and turning in those points. I'm gonna go after Deku and Frog and get her band, and if we're lucky, the Golden band too, assuming Elbow's lost his." Shoto rolled his eyes. Of course.
"Do you even have a plan of attack?" Shoto mused.
"Yeah." Bakugo growled, arms out. "Attack." And he took off, firing off to a building before running across the rooftops. The ice user turned back towards the defenders as Shiozaki came down from her vine mound.
"Keep our King safe. I'll go regroup with Kirishima and the others." Shoto turned and began walking out of the Ring. "Then, I'll freeze that entire tower top to bottom."
"You got it!" Uraraka waved. "Do your best, Todoroki!"
"We are rooting for your success!" Iida yelled as Kuroiro, Shiozaki, and Hatsume stood by.
Their king's band wouldn't be taken. But Yaoyorozu, Tokoyami, and whoever else was in the Red Tower were still a possible concern. Shoto began to run, running past the cursing Class B Red Attackers. He noticed that Jirou was no longer rooted in her spot, her boots still in the ice.
No matter. Three minutes left. Get to the Tower, and stall them.
He'd made a mistake once. He lost too much since coming to this school. It won't happen again.
"Three minutes remain in the war!" Midnight roared over the loudspeaker, and Shoto took off on his ice.
Time to end this.