? Benevolence ?

By the third day of training, teleporting higher than I could see was getting easier. I had yet to try it with another person but I pause from my task at an announcement of a interclass test of courage.

"After working hard you get to play hard! So train your hearts out!"

Eventually, dinner rolls around and as we cook, I feel the excitement building. I can tell I'm not the only one, though some people (Kiri) are just tired. We finish as quickly as possible, desperate to finally do something fun.

"Our stomachs are full and the dishes are clean. Next up is... the test of courage!" Ashido exclaims, pumping a fist in the air.

"Before that, and though it pains me to say it, the remedial group is going to have a review lesson with me starting now." Aizawa-sensei announces, seemingly exhausted.

I watch, sympathetic, as he drags them away. "Yes, yes, it sucks to be you but the training we did earlier today was far less fruitful than I'd hoped. That means we need to wash, rinse, repeat..."

Turning my attention to The Pussycats, they explain the trial.

"Class B is up first for scaring while Class A will have pairs of two leave every three minutes. Halfway through the trail, there'll be a card with your name on it. Bring it back with you as proof!"

I glance around nervously at the prospect of being scared. Without Kiri or Kaminari, I don't have anyone I'm particularly close with and, though I'm training to be a hero, jump-scares get me every time.

"The scaring group cannot directly touch anyone but feel free to use your quirk however else! The winner will be whichever class is most creative and scares the most people!"

We're paired up by lots and I find myself with Ojiro. Due to the number of students, someone is left to fate...

Ojiro winces in sympathy. "Poor Midoriya, he doesn't have a partner..."

"Do you think we could have three people in a group? It kinda sucks to be the lone person..." I glance over to the green haired boy.

"Maybe."

One minute, we're waiting our turn to enter the forest. The next- villains are there. My heart drops at the sight of Pixie Bob on the ground unconscious and I struggle to stop myself from running to her aid.

"Greetings Yuuei Academy! We are the League of Villains! First Strike Team!"

Ojiro throws an arm in front of me, as if he sensed my internal struggle. "The League of Villains? What are they doing here?"

I take a deep breath, focusing on keeping my quirk in check. If I suddenly pop over, all hell would break loose.

One of the villains, a turtle guy, starts to rant about Stain before Tiger and Mandalay jump into action.

"Go, everyone! Combat is to be avoided, do I make myself clear?! Class president, take the lead!" Mandalay directs us back towards the facility.

Iida quickly begins to usher us away, "UNDERSTOOD! LET'S GO!"

"Iida... You guys go ahead..." Midoriya turns to Mandalay, "I know what this is about!"

He takes off into the forest and my heart skips a beat. If he goes alone, he'll become incapacitated again... but the others are still on the trail...

"MIDORIYA!" Iida yells after him before turning to us, "We must follow orders and head back to the facility!"

As everyone follows him, I hesitate. "Fuck- the others are still out there... Iida I have to help them!"

"[L/n]! No! Follow orders! Don't-"

I pop down the exit side of the trail before he can finish. Running down the path, I skid to a stop at the sound of a faint voice. My heart beats frantically as I assess the situation and I decide to pop quietly through the woods around the path instead.

Just as I come across three figures on the path, a telepathic message is sent out. I pause, listening intently.

"Members of Class A and B, I, professional hero Eraser head, hereby authorize you all for combat!

We've identified the villains' objective!

The student named "Kaachan!"

Whoever the student "Kaachan" is, as much as possible, avoid combat!! Please refrain from solo movements!"

As the name clicks into place, my blood runs cold. Before I can panic, I pull myself together and pop closer to the figures. Upon seeing Todoroki and Bakugou, relief floods my system but it's short lived.

The third figure suddenly propels off the ground, strange....pole like....things holding them up. Before it can escalate further, I pop over to my peers.

"-THEN THEY SAY DON'T FIGHT, GODDAMNIT!" Bakugou growls viciously, eyeing what must be a villain.

I quickly take in the situation, ready to pop us away, when Todoroki notices me.

"[L/n]?! What are you doing? You shouldn't be here." Todoroki turns, berating me. It's surprisingly effective and I feel myself visibly deflate.

"I'm sorry... I just couldn't stand around whi-" I cut myself off as Bakugou snarls suddenly.

"FUCK IT! I DON'T CARE!"

Before I can register what happened, a wall of ice erupts and separates us from the villain. Similar to the first time I saw it, I'm in awe at the raw power. Waves of cold air rush over us and I barely conceal a shiver.

Todoroki sighs, "This guy knows how to make good use of his surroundings and his quirk."

"LOOKS TO ME LIKE A GANGLY WEAKASS WHO NEEDS HIS TEETH KICKED IN!"

Focusing now, I can see exactly what is holding the villain in the air and my stomach twists violently. His teeth? Ignoring that thought for a moment, I turn to the others. "Um guys-"

"You can't just explode everything, you'll start a fire and we'll be dead."

"I KNOW THAT!"

"And we can't go back because of the gas... To put it simply, we're trapped."

"G-guys what if-"

"WE CAN'T GET ANY CLOSER, DAMMIT!"

I fall quiet, watching them argue when suddenly a voice rings out, "There they are! I see the ice! They're fighting!"

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I'm kind of worried I'm going the wrong way with the future of this arc but I've already written 5 chapters and two versions so I really hope you guys enjoy!!
Thank you for reading!!!!