Chapter 8: The Battle
~~~~~
Midoriya and Haruto immediately entered the building, trying to quickly figure out a plan.
The clock was ticking, and Haruto needed to come up with a strategy quickly if they were going to win.
"We need to be villains, Midoriya"
Midoriya looked at him with a hint of surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"For the Battle Trial, we are on the villain team"
Midoriya nodded, understanding what he meant. He had already been thinking about their roles as villains and what it would entail.
"So we need to act like we're trying to protect the bomb and capture the heroes."
"Midoriya, think like a villain. You know quirks and people well, use that to our advantage."
Midoriya's eyes narrowed in concentration as he considered Haruto's words. He knew that his analytical abilities could be a huge asset in this situation. He began to run through the possibilities in his mind, trying to figure out the best way to use his quirk to gain an advantage.
"Got it. I'll do my best to think like a villain."
"Bakugo will want to go against you, I'll deal with Hikari"
Midoriya nodded in agreement. He had expected as much. He knew that Bakugo was a hothead and would likely go after him first, which would leave Haruto to deal with Hikari.
"Sounds good. Just be careful, okay?"
"I'll be fine, I'll have the bomb at the very top, hidden."
Midoriya gave Haruto a reassuring smile.
"I trust you. Let's do this."
Haruto levitated the bomb with his mind and began moving up. The bomb was surrounded in a golden glow.
Bakugo and Hikari watched from below as the bomb was lifted up to the top of the building. They exchanged a glance, both of them realizing that Haruto was going to be the main target for them.
Haruto moved the bomb into the 3rd floor window and then took it towards the fifth. Bakugo and Hikari were unknown to this fact.
As Haruto moved the bomb higher up, Bakugo started to get impatient. He had expected the bomb to be somewhere on the lower floors, but it seemed like Haruto was trying to make it as difficult as possible for them to find.
"Damn it, where is that thing?"
Hikari rolled her eyes at Bakugo's impatience.
"Chill out, we'll find it."
The buzzer signaled the end of the five minutes. All Might's voice rang out through the building, announcing the start of the trial.
"Time is up! The trial begins now!"
The building was suddenly filled with noise as the students started to move, with Bakugo and Hikari heading towards the stairs to the top floor. They were determined to find Haruto, and Midoriya, and also capture the bomb as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Haruto had hidden the bomb behind some crates on the top floor, using his psychokinesis to make sure that it remained concealed from view. He was confident that his hiding spot was secure, and he was ready to defend it against any heroes who tried to take it.
He began walking down towards the fourth floor where Midoriya waited for them on the third floor.
Midoriya was hiding in a room on the third floor, waiting for Bakugo and Hikari to make their way up to him. He knew that they would likely split up to cover more ground, so he had to be ready for any attacks that might come his way.
Bakugo and Hikari continued to climb the stairs, growing increasingly frustrated as they failed to find any sign of them or the bomb. They had checked all the floors below them, but they seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Finally, they reached the third floor. Bakugo let out a sigh of annoyance.
"This is taking too long. Where the hell is that stupid bomb?"
As they searched the third floor, Bakugo's eyes scanned the area, looking for any sign of movement or clues as to where they might be hiding. He had a feeling that they were nearby, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Hikari looked at Bakugo, sensing his frustration.
"Don't worry, we'll find them. They can't hide forever."
Bakugo grunted in agreement, his hands clenched into fists. He was itching to find them and get this trial over with.
"Let's keep moving. They're bound to make a mistake eventually."
As they continued through the third floor, they noticed a door that was slightly ajar. They exchanged a glance, both of them thinking the same thing. Bakugo gestured for Hikari to stay back as he approached the door.
Bakugo slowly pushed the door open, peering into the room beyond. He could see nothing but shadows, but he could sense that someone was in there.
Bakugo took a step into the room, his eyes darting around as he searched for any sign of movement. He felt a strange sense of unease as he walked further in, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up.
Midoriya was hiding in a dark corner of the room, watching as Bakugo cautiously entered. He knew that he needed to wait for the right moment to strike, and that it was crucial not to give away his position too soon.
Bakugo continued to scan the room, his guard up. He had a feeling that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Suddenly, he heard a slight noise coming from behind him.
Bakugo spun around, his heart racing. He expected to see you or Hikari, but instead he was met with only empty space. He was also confused as to where Hikari had disappeared off to.
Bakugo's heart rate slowed down as he realized that there was nothing there. He had been sure that he had heard something, but now he was second-guessing himself.
Bakugo shook his head, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. He turned back to the room, trying to regain his focus.
Meanwhile, Midoriya saw his chance. He silently crept up behind Bakugo, ready to strike.
Bakugo was still distracted, trying to figure out what had caused the noise earlier. He was completely unaware of Midoriya's presence until it was too late.
Midoriya pounced, tackling Bakugo to the ground with a loud thud.
Bakugo let out a grunt as he hit the floor, the wind knocked out of him. He struggled to free himself from Midoriya's grip, but the other boy was stronger than he looked.
Midoriya quickly bound Bakugo's hands with some tape, rendering him completely immobile. He grinned triumphantly, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having finally caught Bakugo off guard.
Bakugo glared up at Midoriya, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. He struggled against the tape, but it was no use. He was completely at Midoriya's mercy now.
Midoriya smirked, enjoying the sight of Bakugo helpless and restrained. He leaned in close, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Looks like I finally got you, Kacchan."
Bakugo gritted his teeth, his anger boiling over. He tried to speak, but the tape covering his mouth muffled his words. He let out a string of angry mumbles instead, his eyes flashing with rage.
Midoriya chuckled at Bakugo's attempts to speak. He knew how much the other boy hated being outwitted, and this situation was no exception. He was enjoying himself immensely.
"Oh, I wouldn't try to struggle too much if I were you. The tape's pretty tight."
Bakugo continued to struggle, his muscles straining against the tape. But the more he struggled, the tighter it seemed to get. Midoriya watched him with a mix of amusement and pity, knowing that Bakugo was only making things worse for himself.
After a few more minutes of struggling, Bakugo finally seemed to realize that he wasn't going to be able to break free. He went still, breathing heavily through his nose. He glared up at Midoriya, his eyes filled with anger and humiliation.
Meanwhile, Haruto had distracted Hikari with some of his golden energy and made her leave without Bakugo. She began making her way towards the fourth floor.
As the match progressed, Hikari continued to navigate the fourth floor, looking for any signs of Haruto. She moved stealthily, using her Quirk to sense any potential threats around her.
Hikari's Snow Cloud quirk was an incredibly useful tool in battle. She could create a snow cloud that acted as a protective barrier, absorbing any attacks directed at her. The cloud could also be used to obscure vision, making it difficult for enemies to track her movements.
As Hikari made her way through the hallway, she used her cloud to obscure herself from view. She crouched down behind a pillar, listening carefully for any sounds of movement nearby.
"Is there someone there~?" Haruto's tone was sick and twisted, a truly psychotic tone.
Hikari froze at the sound of his voice, her heart racing. She knew that she had been spotted, and she quickly readied herself for a fight.
"Why don't you come out, Hero~?" He continued his talking.
Hikari slowly emerged from behind the pillar, her hands clenched into fists. She was ready to fight, but she also knew that she had to be careful.
"C'mon, Hikari~ I thought we were friends~"
Hikari glared at him, her eyes narrowing. She didn't trust him, and she wasn't about to let her guard down just because he called her a friend. This was a battle trial and she had to win.
"I'm not here to make friends with villains."
When Haruto descended, he was floating right above her. He had on a grin similar to Shigaraki from the anime, which they haven't encountered yet.
Hikari's eyes widened in surprise as he descended in front of her. She took a step back, her eyes fixed on his grin. It sent chills down her spine, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
"What are you planning?" She asked, her voice steady despite her nerves.
"The downfall of heroes! With this magnificent bomb, the citizens will finally realize their misplaced trust in hero society."
Hikari's eyes flicked to his hand, her heart sinking. She knew that it was a deadly weapon, and if he succeeded in detonating it, countless lives would be lost.
"You can't do this," she said firmly. "People will get hurt. Innocent people."
"And? That's what villains do best~"
Hikari clenched her jaw, anger flaring in her eyes. She couldn't believe that he could be so callous and uncaring about the lives of others.
"You're a monster," she spat.
"I'm just as human as you, cloudy~"
Hikari flinched at the nickname, feeling a pang of irritation. She hated being reminded of her quirk by others.
"You're no better than the other villains," she shot back. "You're just as heartless and cruel as them."
"Cry me a river~" Haruto made her levitate, she was surrounded by golden energy and couldn't move.
Hikari struggled against the golden energy, but she couldn't break free. She was trapped, helpless and at his mercy.
"Let me go!" She shouted, her voice filled with anger and desperation.
Haruto tied the capture tape around her wrists.
Hikari's eyes widened in shock as he bound her wrists. She tugged at the tape, trying to loosen it, but it held fast.
"Dammit…" She muttered, frustration and fear coursing through her veins.
After a few moments, All Might's voice came over the loudspeakers, announcing the end of the battle trial. The students began to disperse, chatting and laughing amongst themselves.
All Might's voice boomed through the speakers, announcing the results of the Battle Trial.
"Team I has been captured by Team B!"
Hikari let out a sigh, the reality of the situation sinking in. She had been captured by Haruto, and there was nothing she could do about it. She was at his mercy, and he had won the match.
Haruto removed the tape quickly and held out his hand.
Hikari eyed his hand suspiciously, unsure if she should take it. She hesitated for a moment, but then realized that she didn't have much choice. She reached out and grasped his hand, still wary of what he might do next.
"C'mon Hikari, we're friends aren't we? We talked during Aizawa's quirk apprehension test, walked home together, and we've even given each other our phone numbers."
Hikari rolled her eyes at his words, but she couldn't deny that he had a point. They had shared some moments together, and despite everything, he had managed to get under her skin.
"Fine, I'll admit that we're friends. But don't push your luck."
Haruto reached out towards Hikari's head and began petting her soft pink hair.
Hikari bristled at the unexpected touch, her cheeks flushing slightly. She wasn't used to being treated so casually, and his hand on her head felt strange and foreign.
"Hey! Don't do that," she protested, batting his hand away.
"There was something you wanted to say to me, wasn't there? Back at the subway station with Midoriya, Ochako, and Iida."
Hikari froze, her heart skipping a beat. She had almost forgotten about that moment, but now it came rushing back to her. She bit her lip, her expression guarded.
"I…I don't know what you're talking about," she lied, avoiding his gaze.
"I won't force you to talk, Hikari"
Hikari relaxed slightly, grateful that he wasn't going to push her. She didn't know why she had hesitated to tell him what was on her mind back then, but it was clear that she wasn't ready to open up just yet.
"Thanks," she muttered, her voice quiet and subdued.
Hikari stumbled a bit as he grabbed her hand, caught off guard by the sudden movement. She looked at him with a mix of annoyance and confusion, but she didn't resist as he led her downstairs towards Midoriya and Bakugo.
"C'mon, Hikari." I gave her a gentle smile.
Hikari rolled her eyes again, but she couldn't help the small flutter in her stomach at his smile. She kept her expression neutral, but she found herself feeling oddly comfortable holding his hand as he led her forward.
As Haruto approached Midoriya and Bakugo, Midoriya's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of him holding Hikari's hand. He shot a questioning glance at her, wondering what was going on.
Haruto looked at his teammate, Haruto was holding his opponents hand.
Bakugo's expression darkened as he saw Haruto holding Hikari's hand. He clenched his jaw, clearly irritated by the sight. Midoriya noticed Bakugo's reaction and shot him a warning glance, silently telling him to stay calm.
"I brought her here since Midoriya and I won. Since Bakugo and Hikari lost, I came to get you both so we could leave."
Bakugo scowled, his eyes narrowing as Haruto spoke. He hated losing, and he hated being told what to do even more. Midoriya looked relieved that he had ended the fight, but he was also a bit curious about the hand-holding situation.
"Tch, whatever," Bakugo muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I thought her legs may have been weak or hurt in our fight, so I'm holding her hand to make sure she doesn't fall."
Midoriya's eyes widened slightly at his explanation, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Hikari. He knew how much she hated being vulnerable and needing help.
Bakugo, on the other hand, looked even more annoyed. He didn't believe Haruto's excuse for a second, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he just glared at him, his eyes filled with disdain.
(Guess Midoriya and Bakugo somewhat know Hikari now, making shit up. Basic Author move, teehee~)
"Are the both of you okay?"
Midoriya nodded his head, looking relatively unscathed. Bakugo, on the other hand, had a few bruises and scrapes from the fight.
"I'm fine," he grunted, not wanting to admit any weakness.
"Alright, All Might and our classmates are waiting. They need to begin the next battle trial."
Midoriya nodded in agreement, and Bakugo huffed impatiently. The squad made their way back to the group, with Haruto was still holding Hikari's hand.
"Also, Hikari. You okay now?"
Hikari nodded, still feeling a bit awkward about being held by him in front of everyone. She was grateful that he had asked, though, and she appreciated his concern for her well-being.
"I'm fine," she muttered, avoiding eye contact with the others.
"You able to walk by yourself now?"
Hikari pulled her hand out of his grip, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"Of course I can walk on my own," she retorted, starting to walk ahead of Haruto.
"That was kind of rude, Hikari. But, I also grabbed your hand without permission, thinking you may need help."
Hikari rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of guilt and gratitude in her expression. She knew that Haruto was just trying to help, but she still couldn't help feeling a bit defensive about the situation.
"Yeah, well, I didn't ask for your help," she mumbled, still walking ahead of him.
The group continued walking, and the other students cast curious glances at Haruto and Hikari. Some were intrigued by their close proximity, while others were amused by the obvious tension between the two.
All Might gathered the class around him, explaining the next phase of the Battle Trial. Meanwhile, Haruto leaned against the wall, watching the students interact with each other. He could feel the weight of their stares, but he tried to ignore it and focus on the task at hand.
The rest of the Battle Trials were intense and action-packed, with each team fighting fiercely to come out on top. Haruto watched each battle with a critical eye, analyzing the strategies and tactics of each team.
After the final Battle Trial had been completed, All Might dismissed the class for the day. The students dispersed, chatting and laughing as they headed back to the locker rooms.
As Haruto headed towards the locker rooms, he was surprised to see Hikari waiting for him outside the door, leaning against the wall.
Hikari looked up as he approached, her expression neutral. She seemed to be lost in thought, and she didn't say anything at first. She just stood there, staring at him with an unreadable look on her face.
"Is there something on my face?"
Hikari snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. She took a deep breath, as if she was gathering the courage to say something.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Go ahead."
Hikari fidgeted with her hands, looking slightly uncomfortable. She took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Why did you hold my hand earlier? I mean, it's not like I couldn't walk or anything…"
"I wanted to help, I guess. My body moved on its own."
Hikari raised an eyebrow at his response, not quite buying his explanation. She crossed her arms over her chest, a skeptical look on her face.
"Your body just moved on its own, huh?"
"You want me to say something like, 'I wanted to touch your hand?'"
Hikari blushed at his words, her cheeks turning slightly pink. She was caught off guard by Haruto's directness, and she wasn't quite sure how to respond.
"I…uh…" she stuttered, struggling to find the right words.
Hikari cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. She was clearly flustered by his comment, but she was also a bit intrigued by his boldness.
"I guess I just didn't expect you to be so…touchy," she finally said, her voice quieter than usual.
"I'm not sure if I'd consider holding someone's hand because I wanted to be a good friend and classmate, 'touchy,' Hikari."
Hikari rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. She could tell that Haruto was teasing her, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not.
"Fine, you win," she said, her tone begrudging.
"If you're worried I had some bad or weird intentions, no. I just wanted to help because I thought you might need help, my body moved on its own."
Hikari looked away, avoiding his gaze. She was still feeling a bit embarrassed, but also a bit touched by his concern. She knew that he had only been trying to help, and she couldn't deny that it felt nice to have someone care about her well-being.
"Thanks," she muttered, her voice soft and genuine.
"It's no problem, Hikari. We're friends and classmates, it's only natural to want to help." Haruto gave a bright smile.
Hikari couldn't help but notice how attractive his smile was. She found herself blushing again, and she quickly looked away to hide her reaction. She wasn't used to feeling this flustered around someone, and she wasn't sure how to handle it.
"Yeah, right," she said, trying to sound nonchalant, but her voice was still a bit shaky.
"I need to go get dressed in to my school uniform, anything else you need to ask?"
Hikari took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She shook her head, still avoiding eye contact.
"No, I'm good. Go get changed."
"If there is anything you want to ask, don't forget that you have my phone number."
Hikari nodded, feeling a little guilty that she had no real reason to hold him back any longer. She was still trying to process her own feelings, and she wasn't quite sure what to say.
"Right, yeah. I'll keep that in mind."
Hikari's eyes widened in surprise as he began to pet her head again. She was completely caught off guard by the sudden gesture, and she froze in place. Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, and she found herself completely speechless for a moment.
"I'm going to get dressed now, Hikari."
Hikari managed to regain her composure just enough to nod in response. She was still blushing furiously, but she tried to play it cool.
"Yeah, go ahead. I'll just…wait here, I guess."
~~~~
How was this chapter? Personally, I'm kind of devided on the actual battle trial fight. It definitely could have been worse, but could have more action.
Fun Fact: That's my first ever real battle scene I've written.
I'm also curious to see how high I can get in the rankings. I'm going to proof read my chapters from now on. But there may be times when I miss something, so let me know if I ever do.
-HeyPolar