Lida ran as far as he could, his feet pounding in the pavement as he etched closer and farther away from the zero pointer. Many had gotten a good distance away from the rampaging robot's direction, glad that they got out intact and not in pieces. Lida was already tiring for wear as he had used the last of his energy to get Ochaco out of danger. Speaking of said person, she had been awfully quiet for a while.
"…" Lida noticed her face was scrunched tight in pain, beads of sweat roll down her face. The teen gently placed her down on the floor and removed her shoe to inspect her injury, upon closer view he could see just how badly she was hurt. Ochaco's ankle had swollen to a painful purple bruise and to make matters worse a really disturbing accumulation of blood had taken place under one side of the broken ankle. If she doesn't seek medical attention on time, it could really transcend to something worse.
Lida might not be a medical professional, but he knows what to do in this kind of situation. He doesn't have an ice patch so he had to settle with applying gauze to the fracture. Tearing a part of his already torn trouser, he placed the cloth placatedly on the swollen area. Despite being as gentle as he could be, Ochaco emits out whimpers as the cloth wraps around her ankle during small intervals.
"Sorry, I don't really have much on me to make this less painful." Ochaco could only smile weakly at the speedster. "It's okay. Thanks for helping me. That's really hero like of you." Normally that would have made anyone happy for the appreciation, but deep down this made Lida feel all the more guilty. "I'm Ochaco by name, you?"
"…Lida." Ochaco let out a soft hum. "That's a nice name." Any short moment of reprieve was cut short as they heard a resonating boom coming from the location of the zero pointer who had slowed down and was swatting its enormous hands at something. And that something was Bakugo, the person who is currently fighting that behemoth of a robot. Alone.
All candidates swiveled their heads at the spectacle they were looking at from their distance. Many in awe while others in aghast at what they were witnessing.
"Woah, look at him go!"
"What is that guy thinking fighting such a thing like that?! He's crazy!"
"It's not like that robot will give him any points or anything…"
"He's suicidal in my own opinion."
Many students started giving varying opinions on their situation right now. The gate entrance for the battle arena is still opened since the beginning. Lida looked at the gate way, he had a feeling that this wasn't supposed to be so. Isn't the gate not meant to be locked until the end of the practical exam? Or…
Was this a part of the exam? A test perhaps?
The opened gate felt like a trap, or a welcoming invitation to leave the dangerous vicinity. A sweet fragrance attempting to attract the candidates into entering her sweet escape. Some had even started to give glances at the exit, already making second opinions on whether to leave or not. But Lida knew any better. Only the naïve ones will leave, walking into the very trap that they are meant to avoid.
Lida caught Ochaco from the glimpse of his eyes trying to get back up. "Ochaco-san!-" He yelled in panic as he quickly set her down, firmly holding her shoulders as she was squirming in his grasp. "What do you think you are doing?!"
Ochaco shook her head in dismissal. "Bakugo-He-He is still out there! We have to help him!" Lida protested greatly against her worry. "I'm sorry, but there isn't much we can do of right now." He said in a low voice.
"But-"
"You can't seriously be thinking of going out there in your condition. What would you possibly do?!" The brown haired girl flinched at the harsh response, but it was true. Lida didn't really mean to say it that way, but at this moment there was actually nothing they could do at this point. He had used up the last of his engine leg's energy and several candidates likewise; but truth be told he knows that nobody wants to anywhere near that Zero pointer as it won't benefit them in anyway. Even him. "We-we have to believe that the UA officials will do something about it… and believe in Bakugo that he would win this fight."
Ochaco, albeit disappointed, knew Lida was right. "You need to rest, Ochaco." Not realizing that her eyes were dropping; "I... hope so."; eventually closing her eyes sleeping from her painful injury and fatigue. Lida watched as she drifted to sleep in his arm, a grim frown exceeding from his face and creasing his brows.
"That's really hero like of you"
'Gomen Ochaco-san. But I am no hero. I was only looking out for myself at the beginning of this exam. In all honesty, I never wanted to face that robot as I followed the crowd to run. Ignoring your cry of help when you were stuck. I thought I was finally like my big brother. To be different. But…'
Lida looked at the direction of where Bakugo and the robot were facing off. Explosions and smoke filled the area, blinding the view of the ingoing combat.
'…the real hero, the one making the real difference… is the one fighting right now for everyone's assured safety. Bakugo Katsuki. He is the one who really helped you, not me.'
"I'm such a coward." Lida grimly berated himself. How will Tensei react to his actions today? He really wasn't ready to carry the mantle of his brother, no less his family legacy.
The soft clanking of shoes on the pavement drew Lida out of his self loathing as it started to get closer towards his direction. "You aren't the only one who has been a coward lately." Lida looked up at the owner of the voice and widened his eyes. The person didn't pay him too much mind to his reaction and continued to walk towards the disaster of a robot ahead of them. Towards the very thing Lida doesn't wish to go back to.
"Wa-wait! Where do you think you are going?" Lida asked in complete shock. How could anyone, much less him…go to face that thing. Especially this person in front of him.
Lida narrowed his eyes narrowly. "What are you playing at exactly…Shinsou?"
Shinsou paused in his track and looked back at Lida who was still holding unto the sleeping Ochaco.
"To confront my past." That was all Shinsou said before walking to the rising inferno of a battle ground, leaving a stupor Lida with his vague response.
_____________
"Shit!" Bakugo gritted out as he barely evaded the swaying hand of the zero pointer. Its three red eyes and small clustered ones zeroing in on him alone. The distraction had paid off as it had stopped its mad descent towards the front of the battle field, thereby giving any lingering candidate time to escape.
"1 more minute to go!"
The blonde teen eyes widened to a fraction. Were these guys still seriously counting the time?! And 1 minute?! That was how long he still had been fighting this tin can!... It felt like he had been fighting longer than that. But if he doesn't do something about this oversized man craft, it would flatten the entire battle field.
Bakugo stands a few meters apart from the Zero Pointer, his face set in grim determination. Dust and debris swirl around him as he braces his arms, already battered and shaking, for another assault. He propels himself into the air with a loud explosion from his hands, speeding towards the massive robot's face. The explosion propels him forward with searing power, leaving behind a cloud of smoke. He hurls himself at the Zero Pointer, aiming blasts at its head, joints, sensors and anything on site; trying to disable it in any way possible. But each blast seems to do little more than scratch the surface and make miniature burn marks now decorating its body.
Bakugo frustrated at his lack of results sends a murderous glare towards the battle robot. "Come on! Just go down already!" In response the zero pointer's red eyes seemed to brighten and swat its hand at Bakugo once more. Bakugo grits his teeth and ignites his Quirk again, arms strained and trembling. The heat of his explosions had started to burn his palms, leaving a dull ache in his bones, his consequence for over exerting his quirk for major fire power. But he opts to ignore it and push through the pain. His only reassurance at this point is counting the remaining seconds ticking at the back of his mind.
He propels himself upward and shoots toward the Zero Pointer's shoulder joint, aiming to cripple one of its limbs.
25 more seconds…
Setting his already strained hand to his required target, Bakugo blasts it with as much power as he can muster.
20 more seconds…
"Eat this!!!" Bakugo screams out as he detonates a huge explosion at the joint. Smoke filling the thick battle cladded air once more. The amputated limb pummels towards the ground creating a temporal earthquake, its red eyes starting to grow dim as the silhouette of the zero pointer finally gives way to shut down from mechanism failure.
10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1
"AAAAAANNNDD TIME'S UP!!!"
Bakugo, although tired and exhausted, couldn't help but form a small grin on his face. A sign of victory etched on his face. Wearily sitting down on the rubble filled floor to catch his breath. He's done it. He has successfully faced a threat bigger than him, the first of many to come, but at the moment he doesn't care. Still…
"14 points huh?" Bakugo whizzed out in a somber manner, the thought souring his mood quite instantaneously. He looks down at the scarf he still wore that contradicted the humid atmosphere; hot even. "Better hope my papers carry through my admission huh Deku." How does the saying go again? He lost the war but won the battle… or was it the other way round???
The explosive quirk user just shook his head from clear exertion. He's overthinking things again. The teen proceeds to close his eyes and savor the quiet breeze now ventilating the battle worn environment as opposed to his probably future dilemma. For now, Bakugo feels a surge of triumph. And speaking of dilemma, said teen was currently oblivious to the small flickering and reviving light of the zero pointer's eyes. Within the binary coding embordering the Bot, a set of words flicker in and out, words that would certainly have caused a state a panic to anyone who read it.
OVER-RIDING SYSTEM CODE. COMMENCING FAIL SAFE MODE.
ERROR CODE 011325
UNHINGED RAMPAGE
A set of target aim pointers locked in on the next available thing to destroy. Scanning a tired Bakugo resting just a few feet away near some demolished concrete rubbles.
TARGET: NON-HOSTILE-------------ERROR PROMPT REWRITE <
TARGET: HOSTILE.
{TARGET LOCKED. INITIATE NEUTRALIZATION OF HOSTILE TARGET}
____________________
A few seconds prior; Monitoring room
If there was one word the pro heroes could all summon up. Is a big capitalized-
"-Damn. That kid surely got guts." Present mic appraised as he whistled his astonishment. The others couldn't agree more. Nezdu hummed in satisfaction, his eyes tethering with restrained joy at the prospect of a student like this possibly coming into UA.
"The overall beauty of heroism is to have the will of sacrifice. Risking one's life to save another. Don't you agree, All might." Nezdu turned to Yagi, who was watching the screen intently with a slight grim frown, making him appear a bit older than he looked.
"Young Bakugo is overexerting himself." Yagi pointed out sternly and with palpable hints of worry. Nezdu looks back at the tensed up pro hero. "If this keeps up, he will eventually damage his arm. Worse, scar it severely."
"So that's his name…" The principal echoed out softly. His eyes kept watch of the timer displayed on an overall screen above the rest. And it was ticking down from the initial 10 minutes to 20 seconds left to spare. "There's not really much to worry about. It's almost time up." At the information the rest of the teachers raised their head and indeed, there was only few more seconds left.
However, an almost blinding flash of light boomed from a screen retracting all the teachers' attention back to its massive screen. And who would have guessed; it was Bakugo's handiwork displaying on screen. Battle center B surveillance TV was officially everyone's favorite camera point view. From the screen, all could see the surge of power emitting from the teen as he successfully exploded away an arm of the zero pointer. The scene captivating as the life in the robot's eyes dimmed off, shutting down its system all at once.
Immediately, the whole room roared with awe and applause of praise. Many teachers; pro heroes alike commending the efforts of the boy.
"Christ! This kid is something else!"
"Definitely a candidate of UA!"
"Wish he were in my department!"
"You wish!!"
Teachers of several departments of UA already grappling for ways they could persuade the blonde haired teen to join their department. But ultimately, majority knew for sure he will likely end up in the heroes' course department, specifically the 1 A class. And the person fortunate; or in this case; unfortunate enough to have the honors…is none other than Aizawa. His best friend present mic could only give him a knowing sympathizing smirk to the brooding pro hero isolated from the others.
Poor Aizawa. All he wants are fewer problem children in his department who will be pulling up this sort of heroic yet reckless stunts. (The ironic foreshadowing)
Vlad King nodded his head his pride at the exquisitely brave act of the exam candidate. "A fine protegee of Class 1 B indeed." Sweat drops formed around the head of all individuals dwelling in the monitoring room, safe for Vlad King himself who was blissfully ignorant of the deadpanned looks aimed at him, crossing his arms with a smug on his face.
"He does realize that they haven't even designated final points result to determine if they will even be admitted or not." Something like that along the lines of everyone there.
The buzzer for the timer hit zero. On cue, Present mic yells out the ending of the exam…at the cost of many people's precious eardrums almost getting bust that is. Nedzu briefly closes his eyes in resolution. "And that brings another exam of the year to an end. Now to shut off those Arena traps."
Cementos; the one nearest to the systems, pressed down the power off button. Humming in gratitude, Nezdu sets his eyes back on the surveillance screens. From Battle A-F, there were visuals of fatigued candidates. Some looking proud, others not so much while the rest started to converse among themselves. Every participant of this year's exam had put in their very best to complete their quest. They should be proud of themselves.
"Now then-"
"Sorry to interrupt principal Nezdu. But we have a problem…A big one!" Cementos called out. The quiet easy going pro hero and teacher was never one to interrupt others or sound panicked, so this got the attention of many others as well as all might's.
Nezdu stood from his custom made chair and rushed to Cementos' side; all might, Midnight and snipe shot following closely behind. "What's the problem Mr Cementos?" The cement hero's index hand shakingly pointed to the blaring orange light that was flaring on one of the system's panels. One good read made Nezdu gasp in shock, like wise Midnight and Snipe shot.
OVER-RIDE SYSTEM ENABLED. UNHINGED RAMPAGE
Nezdu frantically turned to Cementos. "Can't you stop this?!"
"I'm trying…but the emergency shut down has been compromised!!!"
All might, who was also looking around for any possible solution looked at the frenzied pro hero. "Meaning…"
"The emergency lock isn't responding!" Cementos said as he emphasized on the system panels now showing different virus errors on the screen, extending to other screens as well.
<
"Ah shit! Reckoned at a time like this?!!!" Snipe shot cussed. Midnight's normally calm aura exceeded dread at that moment. To make matters worse, the zero pointer had already started to move towards the tired blonde teen. "The children…!" Turning around midnight barked orders to the pro heroes around.
"Hurry! Get to Battle center B and evacuate all students there!!!" Some were still confused at what was going on until Nezdu fully addressed the matter.
"The zero pointer designated to battle field center B has been over-ridden. Now it is out of control and won't stop flattening anything on its sight!!! Now go save those children's lives before it is too late!!" At the words of the distressed principal. Many sprung to action and began to rush their way towards the impending doom waiting for battle center B.
Present mic taps a hand on Eraser head's shoulder, who was putting on his googles. "Let's go Aizawa."
"Yeah" Giving a grim nod they dashed to the arena with the other pro heroes.
Nezdu turns to Yagi who was already buffering up to assume his muscle form, his usual grin withered to a thin lined version of his iconic smile. The number one pro hero was already taking his leave when Nezdu stopped him. "All might-san. I think it would be best if you sit this part out."
All might was appalled at what the chimera principal was implying. "Yo-You want me to sit this one out?! If I don't do something-then-then what is my being the number one hero for-!"
"I never said to sit this one out. I need you to help me get to the mainframe systems. That way if I can shut it down manually, this problem will be solved." All might was at loss of words on that one…and confused.
"But I thought that machine stops the zero pointers. And now it's damaged." All Might said as he indicated to the still flickering lights. Despite the given situation Nezdu gave out a heartfelt if not strained chuckle. "All might, if there's one thing a genius must have. It is to always have a backup plan."
__________________
Battle Center B
The mock battle exam has finally come to a close with the timer hitting zero. Several candidates having a relieved face of the prospect of the exams coming to an end. Slowly they made their way towards the gate entrance, chatting among themselves on the way. Their moment of peace was short lived as the gates instantly locked itself.
Chaos and confusion erupted from all corners. Lida, who was currently carrying an unconscious Ochaco was worried. Was this still part of the test? But the exams have already ended… So what was going on?!
The speedster wasn't the only one in disarray as a lot of candidates seem to be in peril at their unexpected situation. Some even began to bang on the steel reinforced gates.
"Hey! Let us out of here!"
"Yeah what's the big deal UA! Aren't we done with the practical exams?!"
As if the goddess of misfortune has a twisted sense of humor; which she does; a rumbling sound started to vibrate beneath everyone's legs. Looking back at the cause of the sound, all the candidates were in utter terror. Just at plain sight, a couple yards away from their current position, was the unforgettable silhouette of the Zero pointer. And it was heading their way!
The banging on the gate became more frantic as some began screaming in fear.
"Please let us out!"
"I don't want to die!"
"I still have a future ahead of me!"
Lida was panicking. Hyperventilating at this point. Meanwhile Ochaco slightly stirred from her rest and groggily opened her weak eyes. "Lida…What's going on?"
Lida stiffened at the sound of Ochaco. Why was she awake now at a time like this?! Trying to put on a fake bravado, he looks down at the brunet and gently tries to tells her that everything was okay but the sounds of screaming was not helping. Fortunately, Ochaco only stayed awake for a few seconds before going back to sleep.
A booming sound caught everyone's attention as they saw the zero pointer losing speed, like as if something was stopping it from fully advancing. The robot resuming swatting away at what was bothering its advances. And who would have guessed, it was still Bakugo using his quirk to stop the behemoth's rampage. Lida squinted his eyes a bit and noticed something really disturbing…
The explosives of Bakugo were weaker than before.
_______________
Bakugo jolted from his rest when he felt the ground reverberate from under him. His groggy mind thinking it was just the wind. That was until he saw the incoming shadow of a huge hand. He looked up and nearly screamed form shock, with instantaneous reaction time he somersaulted out of the way propelled with his quirk. The Zero Pointer staggers slightly, and for a brief moment because of the loss of a limb. But the robot quickly recovers, its arm swinging toward him again with terrifying speed. Bakugo narrowly dodges, but the impact from the near-miss sends him spiraling through the air. He crashes into the ground hard, his shoulder slamming into a piece of debris. Pain shoots through his arm, sharp and excruciating. He tries to move it and winces, realizing that his left shoulder is dislocated.
Bakugo gritted his teeth in pain. Ignoring the agony, Bakugo forces himself to his feet, his vision blurring from the strain. His right arm trembles as he raises it, sparks flickering weakly from his palm. With limited options, he has no choice but to fight this hunk of a robot. Bakugo lunges forward, still blasting away at the Zero Pointer, but his attacks are slowing down. His explosions are growing weaker with each use, and his body screams in protest. As if sentient, the Zero Pointer's eyes flash as it recalculates, recognizing Bakugo's diminishing strength. It swings its massive arm again, this time landing a hit directly on Bakugo. He's sent flying backward, crashing into the ground and skidding across the arena floor.
Bakugo just lies there for a moment, every nerve screaming in pain. His vision dims, and he struggles to catch his breath. The ground rumbling as the robot began moving forward, towards him. Using immense effort, Bakugo looks up and catches sight of other examinees from a far distance. Wait…why weren't they running away? Using the minimal view he could glimpse in the distilled air; he saw the reason.
The gate was shut closed. And they seemed to be trying to pry it open. Was this it? Is this really the end for him..? Why isn't UA doing something about this. Or are they being sent to their deaths prematurely? Or something had just gone horribly wrong… The rumbles became louder in his ears, he looks back from his lying position and saw the red clustered eyes of the zero pointer, the smoke giving its silhouette a rather menacing appearance. Bakugo weakly drags himself with his hands, skittering in short spaces.
"No… I… I can't let it end here." Bakugo said to himself weakly as he kept on crawling away. His hands scraping against the harsh debris, causing cuts on the hands as they stream flow of blood. It was painful, especially in his weakened state, but he kept crawling till his body suddenly gave way. Something soft had cushioned his grating with the floor, and that something was his scarf, some parts with specks of blood with the contact from his injured hand.
Just at that moment; he starts to remembers Midoriya's face, that infuriatingly hopeful look. A memory surfaces from years ago—a day he'd found Midoriya's stupid hero notebook, full of quirk analyses, strategies, and ideas. As he lies on the ground, one specific note from Midoriya's book comes to mind. He had only skimmed the page back then, dismissing it as nonsense. But now, the words feel like a lifeline. In the memory, Midoriya's voice echoes, as if speaking directly to him.
"What the hell is this you damn nerd, why's my name in this book?!"
"I-I just thought your quirk was always cool…so I often write down quirks I thought were cool."
Bakugo just scoffs and looks at the book. Reading it with clear purpose to mock the nerd after this. But something caught his attention; a side note:
Possible attacks: taking to the air, and then using explosions to propel in a circular motion to create a tornado. The ensuing twister will collect oxygen and momentum to fuel the subsequent explosion.
Bakugo frowned his confusion and turned to the trembling Izuku. Using his scowl to hide his curiosity, he placed a hand filled with small plumes of explosives to make the nerd flinch. "Explain what the hell am I looking at!" Izuku was confused at first until he read what Bakugo was emphasizing at.
"Yo-you see Ka-Kachaan; Your explosions are strong, Kacchan, but there's more you could do with them. If you build up the pressure and release it all at once… you could make a massive blast. But you'd need perfect control. Maybe, with practice, you could even fly…"
Bakugo stares intently at the trembling mess of the quirkless piece of shit. He just removes his hand from the wall and flings the book at Deku's face. "Tch. Who cares if you have an idea on my quirk, you'll never reach the likes of me."
Back in the present, Bakugo's eyes widen as he considers the idea.
"That damn nerd… He always had these dumb ideas…" But he feels a flicker of hope, clinging to that memory. Bakugo realizes that he doesn't have much left in him—his only chance is to try Midoriya's idea.
Well, something is always better than nothing.
Bakugo drags himself up, blood trickling down his face. His left arm hangs limp, but he raises his right hand, focusing every ounce of energy he has left. His hand trembles as he channels his Quirk, forcing his sweat to gather, building up more and more fuel for one final explosion.
"Alright… if this is gonna work, I have to go all out. Just one shot…" Bakugo muttered to himself as he gauged the distance between him and the zero pointer.
The Zero Pointer lumbers forward, each step shaking the ground. Bakugo steadies his stance, ignoring the pain that wracks his body. With a fierce growl, he propels himself into the air, spiraling towards the robot's head. As he gathers energy, he feels his arms nearly giving out, his muscles straining to their limits.
"Come on… just a little more…!"
He reaches the robot's face, and with a roar of defiance, he unleashes everything in one cataclysmic blast. Remembering the name he saw in Deku's note, he screams in all fury, both in pain and determination.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!!"
A massive explosion erupts, a blinding light that engulfs the Zero Pointer. The force of the blast is so immense that it rips through metal, tearing apart the robot's head and upper torso, leaving it mangled and sparking. Bakugo is thrown back by the shockwave, crashing to the ground, barely conscious.
Bakugo lies on the ground, his chest heaving from exhaustion, every breath a painful effort. His left arm is immobile, his right barely able to twitch. But as he looks up at the destroyed robot, a faint smirk forms on his face.
"Hah… I did it… I actually… did it." Bakugo said to himself weakly, triumph clearly written in his features. He allows himself a moment of victory, but his body quickly reminds him of the damage he's sustained. The pain returns, sharper and more intense, but he doesn't regret it.
That was until the whirring sound of something caught his sight, and it was heading his way. A falling piece of the robot came crashing at a frightening rate to his direction. Bakugo's body would not respond to him, too tired to even do shit. Shit, shit, shit!!! Was he going to die now, after everything?!
The metal piece was a few feet from the air towards him. The force not slowing down.
"Dammit!!!-"
The metal piece came to a close stop, inches away from his head. Bakugo opened his eyes to look at what stopped it from crushing his head. There a few meters away, was an examinee using his quirk to stop its descent. His quirk must probably be telekinesis, but the look on his face was very blank, the pupils white like a lifeless doll. There was only one fucker responsible for this…
"Need some help, Bakugo?" A teen with purple hair came to few.
Bakugo glares up at him, still breathing hard. How dare this person show up his face after the shit he pulled on him. "I don't need your help, Brainwasher." Bakugo hisses, trying to put up an angry front even with his pain. But the teen didn't seem too bothered and the sneer directed to him.
"Look, I know you hate me right now. But if you want to get out of here, you're gonna need it." True, he needs serious help but he refuses to give in. But alas, Bakugo considers it, seeing that he is barely able to stand. He nods grudgingly, and Shinsou motions for the examinee beside him to help carry the blonde up.
Bakugo gives a side wary glance at Shinsou who was helping to carry him by the other shoulder. That's his dislocated one. "Oi-"
"-I know. I don't bite." Bakugo looks back at the current victim of his Brainwashing and is still not comfortable with Shinsou helping him. The teen seemed to notice Bakugo's glare at him and turns to him.
"What? I'm using my quirk for the greater good."
Bakugo gives him a hard look, then sighs. "Don't think we're friends now or anything."
Shinsou chuckles softly. "Didn't expect us to be. But… thanks. For showing me what being strong actually means." Bakugo says nothing, but something shifts in his gaze. He stares off, feeling a strange sense of peace.
"Maybe there's more to strength than I thought…" Bakugo says to himself quietly said before his body gave way from exhaustion and pain, falling into the arms of unconsciousness.
"Bakugo…Baku…" Shinsou's voice died down like the depths of the underwaters, as Bakugo finally closed his eyes without realizing it.
_______________
Outside of Battle center B, teachers and pro heroes alike were rushing down to the catastrophic arena of a battle field. It had taken some minutes but they had finally arrived. However, on reaching there the entrance gates were sealed shut. They were baffled; was the virus also responsible for this?
Present Mic stole a glance at Eraser head and saw that he had a grim look on his face. This certainly is not looking good. To top it off the students are panicking inside already and the sounds of explosions and mass wreckage not making things any more easier; their fears will soon to turn to reality if they don't do something about this. Yashi knows there has to be a way to get past this current situation, what they need right now is to get through this damn door. His quirk was not suited for this kind of things, true it has the capability to disarray people's eardrum and do some damage. But against UA defensive doors…
Cementos had already started to use his cement quirk to slowly pry off the hinges at a very slow and painful rate. Each second passing the screams became more frantic and the explosions roaring with new octaves. Snipe shot was shooting at the door hinges hoping to ease the cement hero's strain, only for the bullets to bounce back at random projectiles. The gunslinger letting out a curse at his failure. "Nezdu certainly knows how to make security a real pain in the ass."
Present Mic brows furrowed from thinking, what could he do now?
"You can start by telling the screaming kids to calm down." A dry response came his way. The mic hero's head swiveled to Aizawa's position. How he heard his thought he doesn't know, but Aizawa was a goddamn Genius.
Wanting to alleviate the tension around the air, present Mic let out a slight embarrassed laugh, almost forgetting he had a voicing quirk to relay information…loudly. "Eh…right"
Setting his vocals to the maximum, he yelled out to the trapped students. "EVERYBODY! I NEED YOU ALL TO CALM DOWN IMMEDIATELY! HELP HAS ARRIVED"
From inside he could hear the sound of relief from various individuals. Some asking of that was present mic while others happy that they will be saved. Speaking of save, the hinges had pulled off to a sizeable amount and with the help of Vlad King's blood curdle; the doors gave way to a good proportion. There inside the battle center, were candidates who had packed themselves to the front of the gate and some even falling down as soon as the gate gave way. Seeing that they were finally free, the students began to push themselves out of the gate and nearly knocking themselves over like a pack of dominos.
Electoplasm and Midnight helped to organize and guide the fleeing students out of harm's way as more kept on flooding outside. Until there was a blue haired boy carrying a girl, and from the looks of it she is in pain. Vlad King rushed to their side and helped carry the frail teen to the floor as gently as possible, screaming out for immediate medical assistance. Medics checked up on the unconscious teen and any injured student who needed help.
"Wait, where's recovery girl?"
"…"
"…We were kind of in a hurry, so… we might have forgotten that we had to wait for her."
Aizawa did a mental headcount and realized that someone was missing. No, two were missing in fact. Two potential problem children. If they weren't here, then that would mean…
Aizawa quickly bolted straight for the entrance gate, panic surging within. Present Mic sees the erasure quirk user running into the Battle center fray and follows him. "Hey 'zawa, wait up!" Running along to catch up with him.
The two pro heroes came to a stop as soon as they entered the faux battle ground, and neither of them were prepared at what they were about to witness. A blinding flash of explosive light caught their attention as well as the candidates and pro heroes outside. Then more surges of explosions followed, roaring to life as it clustered together. Aizawa and Eraser head had to cover their eyes so as to prevent temporary blindness but they were still at the mercy of the waves of heat coming off from the explosions. The air around them suddenly turned congealed, thick black smokes coming out from the aftermath of the outrageous firework of explosives. Then the sound of scraping metal and a loud thud filled the arena, before everything went quiet again.
Aizawa and present mic gave each other contemplating looks, silently asking if they should approach further or wait this out. The heroes didn't have to dwindle too much from their decision as they heard footsteps approaching their way, though it sounded like it was taking effort as the tapping didn't sound like the rhythmical one of walking. Stepping out of the fray was three figures. One was a random candidate, who had a rather distant look in his eyes and the other two was Shinsou and Bakugo. However, the condition of the latter made the two pros run towards their direction.
Shinsou and the other candidate was carrying Bakugo; who was with heavy injuries; by the arms. Their steps a bit cautious as they tried not to aggravate the wounds of the blonde teen. Aizawa and Present Mic came to a stop at their front and took over to carry Bakugo. Trying to be as gentle as possible, Aizawa carried the unconscious teen bridal style, his arms dangling from the position. A frown was plastered on his face as he viewed the extent of the wounds; one arm was angled in the wrong way, most likely dislocated or broken and the other one was twitching subconsciously; the pigment of the forearm heavily discolored from obvious excessive use of quirk.
Their delay had brought about more arrivals of pro heroes and even some students peeking in, curiosity outmatching their fear. Gasps and awes filled the mouth of every person that was entering the premises, making Aizawa raise his eyebrows at the gaping mouths of everybody. A frantic tugging at his sleeve made him look back at present Mic and saw that even he too had his mouth hanging open, like a fish plopped out from water.
"Aizawa, you might want to take a look at this." Present mic called out to him. Aizawa was getting annoyed, what could be more important than a critically wounded student? Repressing a grunt, he turned back at what everybody was looking at…and his eyes widened at the sight. The faux villain; Zero pointer; is totally wrecked, if that was one way to put it. The entire upper torso of the robot is completely destroyed to oblivion, leaving sparks of short circuited wires and the rolling tyers of the feet. Small residual smokes escaping from the insides. Examinees and pro heroes looked back and forth at the unconscious teen in Aizawa's arms and the smoking heap of the zero pointer.
"Did he just… take out the Zero Pointer by himself?" Midnight said out in complete disbelief. The arena falls silent as the other examinees stare, some in awe, others in fear, at the sheer destruction Bakugo has caused. Among the hoard of growing crowd, Lida stood in silence. His gaze settled unto Bakugo and Shinsou.
Aizawa stares at the wreckage and at Bakugo, a ting of respect aimed at the soundly sleeping teen. Present Mic grabs hold of his shoulder, giving him a wry smile. "Well 'Zawa, you've got a lot of work set for you." Aizawa just kept on looking, his mind processing on what to say.
"Y-Yeah." His eyes set back to Bakugo. "Not bad…for a problem child." reckless… but impressive.
________________
All might and Nezdu have finally arrived at where the mainframe system was stationed. It had taken a lot; and I mean LOTS; of turns and hallways to get there. Even with his super speed, it had taken a bit longer than he thought. Seriously, just how much security measures have the principal taken since his graduation from UA?!
All might set the chimera principal down as he scrambled to where the system was. On getting there they both realized something was wrong, terribly wrong. The machines assembled together; the things that form the mainframe system; is destroyed. To put it more accurately…it was in ashes; decayed infact. Like something had burnt the system entirely.
"Could it be that it caught fire?" All might asked Nezdu. The principal was awfully quiet, and all might could sense the lingering tension in the air. "Nezdu-san…"
"Someone. Is responsible for this mishap." The principal said in a cold stilled way, very uncharacteristic of the cherry principal. "There is no scent of any trace of smoke or circuit failure. That I can tall with my nose." This made All might's hair stand on edge. For something to make even Nezdu angry…
"But…who could be responsible for this?"
"I-I don't know. But that person, or group, mean no good will for doing this." The furry's hands clenched tightly into fists, if care is not taken his claw could tear open his palm. All might cautiously tapped the principal's shoulder. "Uh, Nezdu-san…"
The principal calmed his agitated nerves by huffing out a pent out heavy sigh. His small onyx eyes lay unto All might's quaint blue's. "Let's head back before-" A ringing of a cell phone interrupted the two individuals. Nezdu picks up the phone and is relieved to hear that the students have been evacuated. What's even more surprising is that someone has stopped the zero pointer.
"Young Bakugo defeated the robot ?!" All might said in bewilderment.
Nezdu nods in affirmation. "That boy is really something else Yagi."
Despite everything, All Might couldn't help but smile with a broad grin on his face as eyes gleaming with pride. "He indeed showed the heart of a hero today."
Nezdu hums in agreement, but his eyes still wonder back to the mystery at hand, the decayed mainframe systems. If it isn't fire, or power failure, then who is responsible for this?
______________
In a laboratory filled with different apparatus and various sets of upright capsule, just beneath showcasing grotesque figures of abhorrent beings. Many had their brains exposed while some were still in the making. However, one stands out as the unique one among them all. In the dimly lit lab of Doctor Garaki, the air was thick with the hum of machinery and the scent of antiseptic. Tubes and wires stretched like the veins of some twisted organism, connecting to the large containment pod in the center of the room. Inside floated Void, his powerful frame suspended in a viscous green liquid, his eyes closed as he remained in a state of stasis.
Garaki was meddling with some panels, showcasing the vitals and stats of the submerged nomu, humming with satisfaction at the stable procedures going smoothly. And at the far end of the lab, was a chair isolated from the tubes and wirings. This one rather has medical equipments attached to it. An IV slowly dripping its liquid down the body of a shadowed body. The person, had many small tubes attached to the body. Like a life line, they couldn't be removed because they helped to stabilize his body. His head a disturbing sight as the eyes were nowhere to be seen, hollow even as the face was an accumulation of scarring tissues that were prominent in its features. An oxygen mask covered half of the face. Even with his condition, the person seemed to be relaxed as he had his hand on his head. The other tapping on his lap. This man, the underdog ruler of evil, is all for one. The enemy of the symbol of peace himself.
"Doctor. Any reports yet." The person asked, his voice gravely deep and ominous. Garaki turned to all for one. "The alterations are responding steadily my Lord."
"Hmmm." The soft hum of machinery ringing in the dark laboratory.
A portal came swirling to life, reforming back to a human figure was Kurogiri. All for one's hollow eyes settled at the new entry. A wistful smile forming on his face.
"Ah Kurogiri, I see you are back." Kurogiri gave a slight curt bow to the master of darkness with his hands professionally clamped to his back. "Master.."
"I believe the sabotage of that meddling school's exam was a success?" All for one asked.
"True. Unfortunately, there was nobody to retrieve or any dead candidate to bring back." This made all for one's face to contort to a deep frown.
Garaki seemed to take this more personally. "No dead body huh? That would have been useful to create more nomus."
"There is one person you will be interested in." Kurogiri said.
"Oh? And which is..?"
"The quirk of the child Katsuki Bakugo. His quirk is very powerful."
All for one was thinking who that person was, until it picked to him. "Oh. Midoriya's childhood friend correct?"
Kurogiri was a bit surprised but didn't show it. "You know of this person Void was formerly associated with, master?"
"Oh I know everything of Void's past life. Even the day he was born" Kurogiri found that sentence cryptic. Master knows useful information of a target, from allies to those useful to create to nomus. But this one is a bit…unusual. He believes master is hiding something but has no right to push further or ask.
Garaki was grumbling about the failure to retrieve the dead body. "Still a waste in my opinion."
"Don't worry doctor, there is always next time to get our opportunity." All for one turns to the sleeping Void in the tank, his body submerged into the green liquid filled tank.
"Don't you agree with me, Izuku-kun."