"Give me that robot. It's my 2 points not yours!"
"No, it's mine!"
"10 points!"
"3 points!"
"18 points ahead!"
The start of the mock battle exam had awakened a blood bath in the entire battlefield centers. It was every man for himself. Every candidates were honing in all that they had; skills, intellect, advantages and most especially their 'quirks'; to earn a chance of enrolling into this once in a lifetime hero academy. Obviously no one was willing to take any chances.
Shinsou Hitoshi never had a flashy or has people deemed "heroic quirk". Instead he had what they always termed "Villainous quirk": A quirk suitable for only evil deeds. So what was his Villainous quirk about? Was it powerful enough to cause destruction? No. Does it require skills? Not really. Was it battle capable? No. Was it potentially dangerous if used wisely? …No, but could be. That was the warning label everyone only thought of his power. His quirk; dubbed "Brainwash" fell under the best use of intellect. Shinsou can only activate it when he asks someone something like a question, and any person that responds to him will most likely fall into his brainwashing ability as he can now pull the strings of the unfortunate individual to do his bidding. Another problem is he will have to be smart enough not to make the person suspecting of his ability or catch the person off guard.
Despite being blessed with being part of the 80% who had quirks; his blessing was more like a curse as people feared the abilities of his quirk. This resulted in him being beaten, bullied, avoided, and always downgraded of his chances of becoming a hero with his abilities. The purple haired teen grimaced at the past events that had played before arriving to UA's entrance (He'd rather not remember that). Who was he kidding thinking he would enter the premises of the academy and find mingling relief, only for some few who had recognized him to send wary or distrustful looks his way.
Villian
That's the word he could make out in those eyes of theirs. To top it off, he had arrived late due to circumstances and received further humiliation from that blue haired student (Lida was it?). Outrageously called out for his lack of punctuality and was instantly judged as 'unfit' to join UA, and almost not surprisingly many laughed at his untimely scolding. He thought that was it, if there was one thing he had learned: Is that many people often judged by first impression. That was until someone actually stood up for him for the first time. Never in his life had he thought that anyone could actually look past others assumptions and defend someone with a quirk like him.
But he never told Bakugo of his quirk.
Shinsou glanced back at said person; who he never told his quirk to…Who he is currently using his quirk on. If Shinsou told the blonde teen of his kind of quirk, would he still be as understanding as he was back then in the examination orientation center…
…Would he still stand by his side? More specifically, would he still see as someone who can one day be considered as a HERO?
He shook his head, not in another life certainly. As the mock battle had started, he had asked the brainwashed teen of his quirk ability. After hearing what Bakugo had as an ability, he had certainly gotten quite a catch. Explosion: The use of his sweat that acts as nitroglycerin to ignite an explosion. Now that was very practical, especially on the playing field. Speaking of which; the teen he had under his quirk was destroying any pointer robot he could get his hands on. Which in turn, was supplying points to Shinsou himself.
Shinsou walks along the wreckage of destroyed robots that many other candidates had put to waste. He might not have a powerful or highly capable quirk; but he will certainly make due of his wits.
"it's best for people like you not to come in to UA at all"
People like him…
Shinsou frowned, remembering what that student had told him. It is true, people like him are very well considered not to be worthy of being a hero. He looks back at the still brainwashed Bakugo doing all the work for him, a gnawing guilt for using the one person that initially stood for him like this. The backstabbing act he just committed a few minutes prior further confirming what many people viewed him as.
This is unjust…
This is indeed Villainous…
But Shinsou had to do what he had to in order to enter his dream school. He is going to prove everybody wrong that he can be a hero too, not just some villain in training. In order to get to his first step… he needed to do the necessary.
Hence, the assistance.
He grimaced though at his finalized decision. Just this one last time, he would use his quirk like this to attain his goal of becoming a pro hero of UA and would never go back to doing this again. NEVER again. Of course sacrifices would have to be made. Afterall, ever since he was being born into this abnormal yet normal world; he had always been taught one thing…
It is survival of the fittest. Or in this case; Survival of the smartest.
_____________
Bakugo was panicking; like really panicking. One moment he was talking to Shinsou and now his mind just became clouded, blanked out in fact. It was like someone was pulling the strings for his limbs and moving them on command. Christ, he felt like a foreigner in his own skin as all he could do in this state was watch as he was destroying the battle bots for someone else's points, not HIS!
Bakugo; or rather in his subconsciousness could only burst into a mirthless laugh as his own body. His own fucking body! Was doing the work of gaining points for another person!!! How crazy was that?!
To add salt to the injury it was by someone he had decided to 'trust'.
Bakugo looked around the haze in his mind and saw purple like strings connecting to each part of his brain, encircling further down to various important organs like his heart. The foggy environment was certainly not a very expected visual of how his subconscious will look like.
"Probably must be the effect of that bastard's quirk" Bakugo thought aloud to nobody in particular. Trying to calm down his frenzy beating heart and the rushing flow of blood to his veins (Most likely to the erupting anger he feels at this moment), he tries again to survey his surroundings and find the best possible route to escape from this hole.
Bakugo looks again at his entangled brain with the purple strings humming a soft rhythm in the empty environment. He moves closer to the source of his current problem, igniting his fist resulting in small sparks. There has to be a weak spot in these damn restraints. Bakugo raised his hands and emitted a small volley of explosions. He paused for a bit to see the results.
Nothing. The strings were completely fine.
Bakugo frowned at his lack of success and continued to fire some experimental; if not with a bit of effort; shots. The area cleared of smoke and found the same disappointing result…
Still nothing.
Okay, he was starting to lose it. Third's time's the fucking charm! No more playing around, he propelled his hands back and launched a direct explosion on the surface of the purple strings, only for him to be propelled backwards by some force field.
"The fuck-"
Out of complete unrestrained anger and frustration, he volleyed in more heavy hit explosions to the restrains. Smoke mixed in with the fog around resulting in an ashy atmosphere, the blend making the air almost inhalable. This made the explosion quirk user to have a coughing fit, the thick fog making it had for him to see. Using some effort to open his eyes, they widened as he saw it had no effect either on the strings or the barrier.
"What the hell?! That always works!"
Just as Bakugo uttered aloud those words; the supposed barrier crumbled…only for the purple strings to expand and grow to more heights. Before Bakugo could react to what was going on, some of the strings surged forward and tied up Bakugo; restraining his hands at his back. The blonde haired teen could only widen his eyes more as he was lifted up the ground, trying to kick down to get the strings off him, more surged out to constrict his movements down to his legs effectively immobilizing him in place.
Bakugo was getting more alarmed as the strings restraining him started to grow thorns that embedded themselves into his flesh, crawling directly into his flesh and seeping through his veins making the veins bulge tainting the normal green pigment to an unsettling purple. Like poison slowly making its way to someone's blood system. The thorns interconnected to the other veins within Bakugo till it reached his eyes making them intertwine with the crimson irises he possesses.
It didn't feel painful, instead…it felt like the invading thorns were draining him of energy. Fuck, now he just feels tired.
Give in Bakugo. Resistance is futile.
Bakugo weakly raised his head as he thought he heard a voice which seemed to resonate around everywhere.
Give in Host. There is no need to resist.
It is true, was there any need to resist?
You can rest easy now, just let the control flow through you.
All this time, he had been carrying a heavy burden. Over the past one year, he alone had been feeling immense guilt. Maybe the voice was right. Craning hi head to look at the activities going on in the real world, he still sees himself still carrying out the orders of Shinsou.
Maybe it was okay for him to not attend UA. Afterall, it did just fuel the agonizing guilt that he is coping through everyday. It was okay to be selfish for once. Right…?
"Kachaan, if you are going to be a hero. Then I want to be by your side when you be one!"
"…Deku?"
"You are so cool Kachaan! Even when there is trouble, you never run from a fight no matter how big it might seem."
A small version of Bakugo gave a toothy smirk to the little Izuku who seemed to have twinkling stars in his eyes. As if he was adoring him.
"Yeah that's right. I'll never run from a fight! Just like Allmight. I'll one day become the number one pro hero who fights bad guys to save people!"
Resisting is futile Host. Give-
"Shut the fuck up! You damn annoying extra!" The resonating voice coming from the strings seemed to quiet down at his remark. Despite his sudden fatigue, he looked up at the mass entity of strings surrounding the mist. "If you are going to yap all day in my head and be spewing shit, then allow me to do the honors of blasting your mouth all the way to hell!"
The small embers of his explosion cackled around his restrained hand, refusing to die out despite the lack of necessary fire power. "I. Am not some god damn puppet to be controlled by anyone!" The sparks crackled on and off. "Who the fuck do you think I am?! Some hero wannabe?!" It was getting brighter, the blonde fisting his hands to accumulate more sweat.
Host is resisting. Initiating more security.
Several more strings sprang out to confiscate the glowing hand of Bakugo. Even with the attempted restraining, orange flickers of explosion reached out of the holes of the strings, illuminating the hollow area like a disco ball.
"I am the person…Who going to surpass the number one hero!!!!!"
Bakugo's explosion destroyed the strings surrounding his body, forcing the restraints to let go of him alongside the thorns embedded within his veins. The teen's fall from the height was a bit unceremonial as he crashed down to the vicinity's ground. He could feel his strength returning back to him, his eyes reverting back to the fiery crimson irises. Bakugo could see as the destroyed strings fixed themselves and started to intertwine themselves to form a larger threat.
Host has resisted control. Execute forceful coercion.
Bakugo crouched down and opened his hands, explosions crackling together as his hands ignited producing small plumes of smoke. His eyes narrowed at the threat that wants to bind him. That wants to fully control his body. Despite his boiling anger, he couldn't help but give a malicious smirk. His body posture gesturing that it should dare attack him.
"Come"
That was the trigger the combined strings needed as it lunged fourth to incapacitate the subconsciousness of Bakugo Katsuki. Using his quirk, Bakugo propelled himself into the air and weaved past the thorned strings, blowing off any that got too close for comfort.
"Everything always has a weakness, no matter how powerful it seems."
Still avoiding the strings, he narrowly avoided one that surged to his torso as he was getting closer to his entrapped brain. He circled around to get a better clearing of where any weak spots could be. Firing explosion after explosion to ward off the pestering thorned strings. That was when something caught his eye. Squinting his eyes, he could clearly see a small glowing light attached to the cerebrum of his brain, and within that area; was a small yet heavily concentrated string that dug itself into his cerebrum.
Finally seeing the cause of the mind control, he zoomed in head first to the source as more strings peeled off to attack the supposed resister. Bakugo clicked his tongue in annoyance and gritted his teeth. "Get out of my fucking way!!!" He screamed with rage and brought his hands together to ignite the strings ablaze, destroying the pest blocking his path.
Bakugo crouched down to his squishy cerebrum and looked down at the string embedded there. He placed one of his hands on the glowing string, concentrating the sweat in his hand to produce heavy fire power.
"Oi, what did I say. There is nothing you can do to control the likes of me." Several pairs of thorned strings came upon the crouched teen to try and stop him before it was too late.
But it was already to late as the sweat in his hands had started to produce an explosion illuminating the subconsciousness area.
"DIIIEEEE!!!" The resounding explosion destroyed everything in its path, creating a magnificent light that shone through the place. Killing off the strings, killing off the source and emerging the subconsciousness of Bakugo in a bright light.
__________
Back in the real world, Bakugo's body started to twitch in uneven amounts, causing Shinsou to look at the person he was controlling.
Shinsou narrowed his eyes. What was going on? The purple haired teen stepped closer to the twitching figure only for the spasming to stop. Shinsou was starting to get cautious as he wondered to himself; "Why this all of a sudden? This has never happened before."
Hitoshi was brought out of his musings to a hand that roughly yanked his head and slammed it to the floor. Looking up, he sees the face of Bakugo. And boy was he pissed.
"You. I will fucking kill you!"
As if things couldn't get any worse.
_______________
Monitoring Room
Back in the teacher's lounge; or supposedly the monitoring room. Several teachers who were pro heroes looked on. Some were impressed at the feats some candidates were displaying while many were curious at the potential some were able to bring out.
"This year's candidates sure look promising." The pro hero, named Midnight mused out.
"Indeed. While some lack in battle prowess, others use the likes of wit, communication and adaptation to scale their surroundings." The principal; principal Nezdu chime out. For a school this big, one did be surprised that this was their principal would be a breed of a rodent… as some people secretly put it that way. He might be small, but his intellect is not something to laugh at. His quirk; high spec; makes him vastly intelligent as he keeps the day in running of UA academy. It was no surprise a good percent of Japan's heroes were products of this school. He has a disturbing scar on his eye but no one pays any serious attention to that thanks to his bubbling squeaking aura of friendliness and professionalism.
"I'm sure they will be fine heroes one day." Nezdu said.
"Oh. What do we have here." The pro hero and teacher Cementos commented. Many of the spectators turned their heads to what the cement quirk user was referring to and froze in their seats.
A candidate with blonde ash hair was pinning another candidate with purple hair to the paved floor. If looks could kill, many assumed the poor child did be dead by now. The shaking of the impressively well built teen was obvious that he was restraining himself from strangling the purplette to death.
This does not look good.
"That rookie's gonna kill the kid if this goes on." Pro hero Snipe shot said with condensed worry. At the back of the room, a shaggy looking teacher that looks like he had seen better days looked at the commotion with observing silence. His posture was relaxed as he looks at the screen every person had their attention on. Despite the calm and almost bored aura he exhibits, his long black hair stood a bit on end at what he was witnessing. He doesn't chime in his opinion, but he very well knows the implications of this action. If that kid doesn't stop now, he could get himself eliminated from participation in the exam. And there certainly won't be a spot for him next year, if he wishes to stay in UA.
This was Aiwaza; aka Eraser head; an underground pro hero that does his work in the night. He was never a fan of displaying his face in the public like most heroes. Nor was he the cherry type. In honesty, he just doesn't know how to interact with many people as they always seem to mistake his bluntness for being rude. The only person who understands his behavior is his one and only best friend Yashi. He looks on at the growing worry of each teacher and he totally gets the drift of the situation. He'll be honest, looking at the kid alone he could tell this one was going to be a problem child. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to deal with him as his student anytime soon.
Pro hero Present Mic stood up from his seat and proceeded to head for the exit. "Better stop this before it escalates. Boy, and I thought those two were getting along before the exam." Reaching for the door handle, he was immediately stopped by someone else.
"There won't be need for that Present Mic." A scrawny looking man with blonde hair called out. His hair had a unique feature of two bangs that fall to neck length on each side of his face. Although wearing a professional cloth, it doesn't seem to size him like it was three times the size of his average weight by appearance. The teacher looked rather old and had a hollow cheek bone, his eyes hollow yet having a tranquilizing blue for irises. Even though he looks like a common everyday person, he was very important in the hero society.
Present Mic paused in his tracks and looks back at the scrawny man. "What's the matter All Might?" Many people were puzzled why the number one pro hero is not intervening in this matter. Instead he looked rather calm. "I don't think there will be a need for that."
The chimera of a principal looks inquisitive as to why All might would say such a thing. "Why not interfere All might? He might really injure the other candidate."
The teacher now recognized as All might looks back at the principal, his eyes glistening with determination. "Because I believe this young man won't do such a thing."
Nezdu was a bit taken aback. All might seem to have quite a lot of faith in this person. "Do you by chance know this candidate?" All eyes were now on the symbol of peace.
"I met him prior a year ago. When he was still in middle school." All might looked back at the screen. "And from my little contact with him, I can tell he won't do such a thing as it will go against his ethics."
Nedzu listened with curiosity. Smiling cheerfully, he turns to the Voice hero to not attempt to interfere with the situation. "Well then, let us see where this will take us."
_________
Battle center B
At the heart of the intense battle center, there were only two candidates that were not participating at the moment. And that was Bakugo and Hitoshi. Bakugo, still furious of what the teen did to him forcefully placed Shinsou's head on the floor. His other hand crackling with tiny explosions.
Bakugo's body was shaking with utmost fury, and he has every right to. Bakugo looks down at Hitoshi with something dangerously close to murderous intent.
"The hell was that, Shinsou Hitoshi?" His hand subconsciously pressed down harder unto the teen's head. "You think you can mess with me and get away with it?" His voice teetering close with venom.
Shinsou was struggling to get the teen's grip off of him. "I didn't have a choice. My quirk-"
"Your quirk" Bakugo emphasized "Controls people. Like a fucking puppet." Seriously, Bakugo could care less about this guy. Use him and planned on getting away with his own points. "Now that's just playing dirty. It's almost makes you akin to…"
Shinsou widened his eyes. He knew what he was going to say.
"A Villain."
Shinsou gritted his teeth, both from the struggling and the pain. "Call me a villain, but all I ever want to be is a hero. My quirk… true is not suited for such."
Bakugo's anger was setting to new heights. What's up with this guy? Had he been playing meek just to get at someone unaware?! "Let me ask you one question Hitoshi." Shinsou flinched at the direct use of his surname. "Why did you even bother coming here when you realize your powers are highly not effective for any sort of hero work. Why bother to not just give up after all?"
He might be angry, but he wants to know what was Shinsou's true intentions.
"Because all my life I want to prove people wrong of be just being some future villain. No matter how deadly a quirk might look you can't just condemn people like that!"
"And you are doing a fucking terrible job at it with your first impression!" The purple haired teen quieted down after that.
"I didn't have a choice. With a quirk like mine what was I supposed to do?! Only the smartest survive and that's the safest game I'll be playing for me to be a hero!"
Bakugo's face etched closer to Shinsou's his expression unreadable. But his eyes tell a different story, like he was conflicted of what to do. A part of him wants to try and at least understand his situation; while the other just wants to beat the living shit out of this guy for toying with him like that.
"Survive? That doesn't make you a survivor, that just makes you a coward!" The air in Shinsou's lungs seemed to leave his throat.
Bakugo roughly yanks the teen away from him, standing up to look him straight in the eye. Now he just feels disappointed. Maybe he was wrong; this guy is nothing like Deku.
"I'll show you what survival looks like, you damn coward!"
Shinsou's head was lowered to the floor, looking…Guilt ridden? Ashamed? "You'll never understand."
Bakugo snarled at the emotionally turmoiled teenager. "That's no excuse! Just stay out of my way."
"2 more minutes to go!"
Bakugo's eyes widened in shock. Two more minutes?! He barely has time by his side! Bakugo gave one last look at the purple haired teen. "If you want to be a hero, try and at least start by helping the best way you can and not manipulate people. You act like a whining bitch, you are nothing like that damn nerd." Those were his last parting words before leaving.
All Shinsou could do was look at the disappearing figure that turned to a sharp corner. Sitting on the floor, he gritted his teeth and clenched his hands to a fist. What was he doing?
During all that time, a candidate was watching the entire scenario play out.
________
Bakugo could barely make out any points for himself. Using his quirk to amplify his chances. He has at least 14 points now…but that was so insignificant to the numbers he is hearing around him!
Just as he was surveying for possible ways to get more pointer bots, an earth shattering earthquake reverberated the grounds around the field. Students started to scream and scatter in every direction, their focus shifting from points to survival.
"What the fuck…!!!" A shadow figure covered the entire of Bakugo's entire figure, looking back, he sees something that was being brought straight out of a sci fi movie. A humongous robotic figure that surpassed the heights of the nearby buildings came out, moving at a slow pace but destroying everything in its path.
"The last one is called a 0 pointer. Just as the name implies, it has zero points and it goes berserk in tight corners or spaces. So best to run away and abandon any thought of engaging in battle."
Bakugo pauses, calculating his options. There wasn't to do here anymore, damn, was this really the end for him. His only chance to get to UA, shattered to complete pieces. Bakugo grimaced at his chances of passing. The writing part of the exam wasn't that difficult. If he gets a top high score, that might be able to boost his combat score.
"No point going after that thing. Just a waste of time." He turns to leave when he hears a faint cry. Looking back, he sees it was the girl from earlier. Ochaco was trapped under a pile of debris, struggling to push herself free. Her eyes are widened in terror as she sees the robot approaching slowly but surely, getting closer with every second as it leaves trails of destruction in its wake.
Bakugo looks around the panicking candidates that were running away from the robot, nobody was willing to go a radius near that thing. People were passing the girl and not even bothering to help her?! Was their survival more important than saving someone who will being smush on the ground?!
But wait… UA won't possibly let a student die in this exam. That's just unthinkable. He could just turn a blind eye to the situation and leave like the others. The pro heroes around will come …right?
"Help!" Bakugo instantly freezes in his track. "Someone please!"
It seems like the world itself became stiff, everyone paused in their tracks as Bakugo looked at the terrified girl.
"Why are you here in the first place you damn nerd?!"
'Because you looked like someone who was in need of help.'
Bakugo was already running to her direction, pushing against the horde of crowds that were running away from the danger. And he was running to it?! His brain was literally on autopilot as he propelled himself forward with explosive bursts to close the gap between them. As he reaches her, Ochako stares at him with both relief and bewilderment.
"B-Bakugo? What are you doing?"
Trying to pull the debris away from her, it was proving a bit difficult with the other mass of weight around it. "Saving you obviously!" His voice strained with effort. The robot was closing in faster, 35 meters to crushing the both of them.
Bakugo gritted his teeth. "Dammit…" He desperately looks for a way to free the girl, his best option was to use his quirk to blast off the debris around her. But it could hurt her as well. He really was out of options. "Ochako!"
"Ye-yes?"
"Once I blast these scraps away, get ready to move!"
"But-"
"Just fuck the fuck up and do as I say!"
Ochako thinned her lips and nodded back. Bakugo braces himself, gripping the metal debris trapping her, then looks back at her. With a surge of strength, he blasted them away.
"Go now!" Ochako drags herself out, but collapsed as soon as she stood up. Bakugo was confused. "What is it? You are free to go, get out of here!"
"My-My ankle…it's broken!" Bakugo's eyes widened to unimaginable lengths. "WHAT?! AT A TIME LIKE THIS?!!" Now he was straight up panicking. The robot was now 20 meters near them! They had to leave! Now! Grabbing her as carefully as he can, he piggy backs her and tries to get out of the vicinity. He has never carried a person while using his quirk, it's now or never. Propelling himself slightly so as not to startle her, he reaches a considerable distance, but it wasn't enough as building parts starting to fall off from the robot's rampaging. Bakugo barely manages to get out of the way before a stray set of concrete fell on their way. Trapping them effectively.
Bakugo and Ochako were cornered. And Bakugo doesn't know how to handle the situation, and it keeps getting worst.
"Recipro Burst!" Then all of a sudden, a gust of wind blew their way, destroying part of the concrete, stepping out of the mass of dust… was Tenya Lida?! The glasses wearing teen rushed to Bakugo's side to access the situation.
Bakugo was surprised at the unexpected guest. "Glasses?! What the fuck are you doing here?!"
Lida only looked at him with huffs of breaths, his move just now exerting his energy. "Saving you obviously!"
Bakugo would have almost smirked if not given the situation. He just got uno reversed. Lida looks at Ochako who Bakugo was still piggybacking. "What happened to her?"
"Ankle broken. And if we don't get the living fuck out of here, then we will be royal fucked!"
As much as Lida wants to reprimand the teen for his crude language, there was no time for that. The robot was getting unbearably closer, just a few feet between them and the zero pointer. "Let me help you carry her!"
"Ha?! The fuck are you gonna do at a time like this?!"
"My quirk specializes in speed!" Lida gestured to his legs that were embedded with…engine?! Holy shit! This guy was a fucking vehicle! "That way we can all get out of this unshattered!" Bakugo, seeing no point in arguing, he lifts Ochako off his back and into Lida's waiting arms.
"Get her to safety!" Bakugo said as he set his eyes fixated on the Zero pointer, the shadow growing darker around them.
Lida, looking at what Bakugo was implying, tries to lure Bakugo's field of thinking away from that notion. "Wait! Bakugo, that robot-"
"Is going down by my hands!" Lida and Ochako were shocked. He will take that behemoth down?! With what possibly?! "I'm not scared of this oversized tin can. Just get the hell away from here while you still can! And I mean it Glasses!"
Bakugo's hand started to ignite with slight sparks of explosion. "And mark my words, I'll take down this useless machine and be the number one hero!" Lida was stunned. Just who was this guy? Grimly nodding his head, he looks at Ochako who was protesting for Bakugo not to do anything of the sort. "Bakugo…"
Lida carries Ochaco away from the danger zone. "Be careful, Bakugo" He says silently, praying for his victory.
Bakugo gets a stand off with the robot that was edging closer, its three red eyes targeted on him. His hair sways in the air as the scarf around the air shields him from any burning heat or the clogging air. Holding the scarf with one arm, he looks down at the piece of Midoriya Izuku he had brought with him. He launches himself at the zero pointer, firing explosive his way to the giant robot.
"Deku…I hope from the afterlife… you are watching me."