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Izuku will never forget the rush of adrenaline and ice-cold fear rushing through his veins as he knocks Kota out of the villain's patch.
(The case of an assault and murder of the hero couple has been a loud one, broadcasted on national news and of course, ended up written down in one of his notebooks.)
He will remember the rapid pounding of his heart as they roll on the ground, the impact knocking the air out of his lungs and shattering his cellphone.
Damn it…!
He rushed there without telling anyone. He came to keep Kota from coming into contact with a villain, to take him somewhere safe (was there a safe place in the Forest though? but being alone was worse, so much worse–!), not able to predict that he'd come right across Muscular.
(With his luck, maybe he should have.)
It was just him, without hope for any reinforcements.
Can he do it while protecting Kota at the same time..? No, he can't think like that. He just has to do it. Izuku stands in front of the boy and calls up the power.
"It's... it's going to be okay, Kota," he forces himself to smile, clenching his fist. "I'll definitely save you!"
(He smiles, if not for his sake then for Kota's.)
He fights a rising panic when Muscular calls out his name and a cruel smile twists his features, "We were told to take initiative and kill you!"
And Izuku breathes through "-torment you thoroughly!" replaying over and over in his head, braces himself -
"So show me your blood!"
- because in the middle of the last word Muscular pounces. Izuku blocks the punch just in time – his bones crunch under the pressure – and then he hits the mountain, debris digging into his skin, pain shooting through his back. He feels dizzy, the world is spinning and the metallic taste of blood in his mouth doesn't help. Muscular is saying something but the only thing Izuku hears through the ringing in his ears is Kacchan's name. It's enough to snap him out of his stupor and dodge – barely. He's knocked around, blood obscuring his vision and he goes at him again and again.
(It's no use, he ends up hitting the ground, trying to catch his breath, with eyes flickering around the battlefield and sudden lack of plans).
As Muscular stands above him, imposing and almost god-like, bragging about his strength, Izuku has a fleeting thought that he's no match for this villain (how can he even dream about beating such a powerhouse?)
But Kota, dear brave Kota, creates a diversion and it's enough for Izuku to gather himself together.
"What's wrong is wanting to do something you are unable to do," he hears and Izuku doesn't resist the anger that rises.
("Quirkless!" "You can't be a hero, Deku! If you wanna be a hero that badly, there's a quick way to do it!")
"You're the one who's wrong!" He screams, can't stop screaming, "A hero's job is to risk his life! To make the lip service into reality!"
OFA rises to his call, fired at 100% for the very first time and the blast knocks Kota over the edge. He manages to catch him, chest heaving from the exertion. The pain has changed into a dull ache thorough his body and Izuku brain scrambles to think about the most efficient way back to the camp.
"It's not far from here..." he starts to say just as the ground shakes and fresh terror rears up within him – not possible, he went 100%! – and locks his eyes with Muscular, rising, surrounded in a cloud of smoke and dust.
He tries to stall, voice edged with fear – what's League after?! – manages to dodge the blow with Kota hanging on to him – head back to camp, Mr Aizawa should be there! - thoughts racing, decisions made and discarded in a split second – draw him there? no, impossible! - he’s still tired from the training – don’t get scared! run away? can't turn his back on him either! don'tthink-! and comes to a startling realization that weights down on him the moment it's made.
He has no choice but to fight and win right here, right now! This is the only path he can take and Izuku squares his shoulders.
"Stay back, Kota," he says, eyes trained on the villain. "And then, when it hits, run as fast as you can, back to camp!"
Kota repeats his words, confused and Izuku is not quite prepared for the way he starts screaming when it clicks.
"Your attack didn't work earlier," Kota's shaking and Izuku feels for him but there's no other option but to push forward.
"It's okay," he reassures and then he's in the air, fist buried deep in muscles. He's screaming, forcing the power to keep going, and every part of his body lights up on fire when he's slammed into the ground. He can't breathe, lungs tight and he's scared, so so scared-!
(He doesn't want to die – but he will – he won't, needs to save Kota! – and his thoughts are all jumbled together – Mom, I'm sorry! – and he's half-mad with terror – All Might! All Might! – not able to form coherent sentences, shame gnawing at him – "I'm gonna crush you!")
He closes his eyes – just for a second – and then the air stills before a loud scream pierces the silence.
'Kota,' Izuku thinks, stirring. ‘Hasn't run,’ and Muscular shifts. His voice is crazed as he turns his attention to Kota, "Later, 'kay? I'll kill you later, so just wait-!"
It's the last straw.
A wave of violent fury rises inside Izuku. He shrieks and pushes himself upright, intent on protecting the boy that has already suffered so much. Something snaps inside him, adrenaline rushing through his veins – OFA! – and he smashes Muscular hard against the mountain.
Izuku stares at the crumpled body and trembles with rage and pain and so many other things. He's screaming, can't seem to stop and when it doesn't stir he throws his head back.
(Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a victory. Somehow, it feels like a beginning. And Izuku can’t help dread gnawing at his insides.)