Chapter Text
Katsuki Bakugo was pissed. Not because he had done anything. No, Katsuki didn’t do shit wrong. It was always other people doing things to piss him off. So of course, the damn nerd had to be placed in his team’s care in order to deliver him to the outpost outside the walls. A mission he would demand to be filled in on after it was completed. The only thing Captain Aizawa had told him was to gather his elite force and deliver his childhood friend to the armored outpost as a dire mission.
Katsuki looked at his team in front of him. Eijirou Kirishima was his right hand man. Calling him strong was an understatement; this man was an impenetrable force when it came to being out on the field. With him in the defense line, not a single titan was getting past him. Mina Ashido was by far one of the most aggressive front liners he had ever seen. But her ability to fly through tight areas and slice the napes of titans with ease put her apart from the rest of the scouting legion. Denki Kaminari was absolutely a wild card. Loud and abrasive, it always looked like the fool was inches away from getting eaten by a titan. Maybe acting as bait was his preference, or it was the thrill of getting so close to death that made his movements increase in speed by that magnitude. Finally, Sero Hanta was the one he could always count on for support. The man could read his teammates like a book, racking up his assists by supporting his teammates in rescue or in action.
“We roll out in 5,” Katsuki barked at his team. “Remember the mission; get the nerd to the outpost 30 miles out. Kill any titan in our path and don’t let anything touch him. This ain’t just about us, it’s about humanity. At all costs.”
“Yes, Captain!”
There wasn’t expected to be any issues on this mission. But for good measure, Katsuki led the pack as usual with Eijirou flanking the back, Mina on the right side, and Denki and Izuku Midoriya on the left. Sero most resembled Izuku’s mop of dark hair, so his position in the center allowed for any quick onlookers to assume he was the mission target.
Some time passed with a few miles left, and the group was still making their way to the outpost. The steady pace of their horses would allow them to reach their destination in an hour, but any faster could cause unnecessary commotion, which calls for unnecessary attention.
Suddenly, something shot out of the forest trees and pierced Sero in the shoulder.
“AGGHH!” Sero screamed, looking at the arrow that landed in his right shoulder. Despite the pain, the black haired man yanked the arrow out before using his ODM gear to propel off of his horse and into the foliage.
“Everyone, position 8! Now!” Katsuki screamed. The elite squad all pounced up into the trees, flying through the air in a rotating formation. However, before the group could get very far, a figure appeared in front of them and shot.
The arrow grazed Mina’s right leg causing her to let out a few curses, but the squad continued to move.
In a blink of light, another figure jumped down from above the group and crashed into Katsuki, plummeting them both into the ground.
“Captain!” Denki screamed, looking below.
“AT ALL COSTS!” Eijirou shouted, moving ahead of the squad to take the lead. “The mission comes first! Get Izuku to the outpost no matter what! Keep moving!”
Katsuki coughed, thankful the idiot that crashed into him was utilized to break his fall into the ground. When the dust cleared, the blonde looked at the person who attacked them: Himiko Toga. That meant the other scumbags part of her legion were attacking them. Katsuki stood up, looking down at Himiko’s lifeless body before preparing to leave. From the looks of it, Kurogiri was here because the number of titans in the distance was not a normal amount: he called them here.
“Fuckers…” Katsuki muttered under his breath. “You just had to go and let everyone know you were a titan, huh, nerd?”
-
“Fuck, guys, they’re closing in!” Eijirou yelled back at the team. He could see a horde of titans begin to make its way towards them, and at all other angles were members of the league of villains attempting to kidnap Izuku for his titan abilities.
Mina and Sero tag-teamed a few titans that were too close for comfort whilst Denki stayed by Izuku’s side to hold off any attackers.
“Izuku, watch out!” Mina shrieked, watching Shigaraki Tomura nearly grab onto Izuku’s cape before Katsuki came in out of nowhere, knocking him out of the way.
“FUCK OFF!” Katsuki barked, slicing the napes of 2 titans immediately afterwards.
“Captain!” Eijirou yelled back, his voice filled with relief.
“What’s the status, Shitty Hair?” Katsuki asked.
“Horde in front of us, we’re still 5 miles out from the outpost. None of the others have shifted yet, but Kurogiri, Shigaraki, and Dabi are all here. It could get ugly really fast.”
Before Katsuki could respond to his second in command, lightning flashed behind them, signaling a titan had just shifted.
Beast… Armored… Jaw…
Katsuki grit his teeth, hoping Shigaraki was the one transforming into his Jaw Titan, but it was unlikely. Just as he suspected, an armored titan with piercing, fiery blue eyes jumped in front of the squadron, ready to attack. Until another titan appeared, sending a flying kick at the armored titan’s torso, and flinging the titan across the land half a mile away.
“Wh-What was that?” Denki stuttered, eyes wide with shock.
“Is that another titan?” Izuku gasped. “How many are there? I only know 5, how are there more?”
Izuku glanced a knowing look at Katsuki; Katsuki shot a glare back with a slight nod, understanding exactly what his childhood friend was saying.
“This could be bad guys,” Eijirou admitted. “We need to cover ground fast. Izuku, it might be time for you to transform; get yourself to the outpost as quickly as possible and we’ll flank; don’t worry about us.”
“Fuck that, Shitty Hair,” Katsuki barked. “We stick together, better off protecting the nerd with him next to us. And no transforming, it’ll give away our position even faster.”
Just as quickly as the new titan appeared, it kneeled to the ground to release steam; a sign of de-transformation. A war cry was heard from behind, clearly Kurogiri’s Beast Titan, signaling the titans in the area to attack the titan that was now on its knees.
“Wait, we should help them! They just saved us!” Mina said with worry. “They’re closing in too fast!”
Before the horde of titans could reach the new titan, a small figure leapt out of the nape and crawled towards the titan body’s mouth. Shrouded in steam, it was difficult for Katsuki’s team to get a good look at who this person was before there was a set of ODM gear strapped to their waist and they were whipping through the air, slicing nape after nape with ease.
“Elite Squad!”
Katsuki squinted his eyes until he saw a familiar round face, pink cheeks, and brown hair fluttering in the wind. Her titan marks still streaked her face, but her expression was locked in full of determination and fight.
“Reinforcements are set up a mile out! Follow me!”
Ochako Uraraka, apparently also a titan, and one of their fellow comrades from their graduating class 5 years ago had just made the grandest entrance possible and was now barreling through the horde of titans. At their graduation from trainees to real soldiers, Katsuki, Mina, Denki, Izuku, Eijirou, and Sero were amongst the few that decided their place was in the Scouting Regiment. Only the top 10 were allowed in the Military Police, and despite Izuku claiming the number 1 spot with Katsuki close behind at 2nd, Shoto Todoroki at 3rd and Ochako Uraraka at 5th headed towards the Military Police. Katsuki never would have suspected Round Face of all people to be a titan and moving with this much experience.
Ochako’s distraction and the resilience of the Elite Squad allowed for the group to swiftly make it 4 more miles to the reinforcement camp where the League of Villains halted and turned around; they knew they would not be able to win this fight with their lives still intact.
It was a successful mission. Katsuki’s Elite Squad was praised by Commander Enji and the other leaders of the organization for their skill and perseverance in delivering Izuku safely to the outpost. Naturally, Katsuki decided it was a good time to yell at his superiors, demanding to know what the mission was for and why it was so important for Izuku to be delivered.
When Izuku mentioned there were 5 titans known to date, he didn’t yet know that there were 4 more. Shigaraki Tomura as the Jaw Titan, Kurogiri as the Beast Titan, Dabi as the Armored Titan, Katsuki as the Attack Titan, and Izuku as the Founding Titan.
“We apologize for not being transparent earlier,” Captain Aizawa began. “But I hope you can understand that if the mission was not completed, we cannot risk this information falling into the hands of the enemy.”
Katsuki grit his teeth but nodded.
“It would be best for her to explain.”
The door to the small office opened and in walked Ochako, her small frame taking a short bow before closing the door behind her. She gave an apologetic smile to Katsuki.
“It’s been a long time, Bakugo!” Ochako turned to face her former classmate before sitting down in the chair next to him. “I hope you’re doing well.”
“Would be a hell of a lot better if I knew what the fuck was going on, Round Face,” Katsuki spat back, not really interested in the pleasantries and introductions.
“Right,” Ochako laughed. “There are 9 of us. Titans I mean. And I know this all because I’m not from here.”
“Musutafu consists of 3 walls: Yuuei in the center, Shiketsu in the middle, and Ketsubutsu in the outer. You were taught that those in the walls were the last of humanity. But that’s incorrect. You know of the League of Villains; it was assumed they were a defected faction from the Survey Corps rebelling against the hierarchy held within the walls. That’s partially true, though I wouldn’t really call it a defect.”
Ochako took a deep breath in and sighed.
“Me, Himiko, Dabi, and Shoto were sent to the walls when I was 14 by the League of Villains to infiltrate, climb the ranks, and destroy the walls from the inside out.”
Katsuki’s eyes widened in shock. “Half n half? You knew all of them?”
Ochako nodded with an apologetic smile. “Himiko was my best friend growing up… and Dabi and Shoto are brothers. We were scouted by All For One. Given titan powers right before we were sent on our mission. After we graduated, me, Shoto, and Himiko joined the Military Police to stay close to the capital. Dabi wasn’t in the military at all; stayed covert but connected in the underground city. Captain Aizawa noticed something was up. It didn’t take much, though, as Shoto and I were already having doubts about the whole thing. Can you imagine? Being taught since you were a baby that this other civilization across the sea was evil and we had to send giant, humanoid monsters to wipe them out? But they weren’t monsters, they were prisoners, criminals, even innocent people the League used to spread their lies.”
Ochako looked ahead and met Captain Aizawa’s eyes. “So we told Captain Aizawa and the military everything. Our goal is to fight back and make it to the League not to wipe them out like they are trying to do here, but to take down their leadership and save the innocent people from a tyrannical rule.”
The 3 sat in silence for what felt like an incredibly awkward amount of time.
“I think it would be best for you 2 to get some rest,” Aizawa sighed, pulling out his own sleeping back which indicates the notion of rest wasn’t actually for them. “I’ll see you both in the morning. Uraraka and Todoroki will explain the situation to the rest of the teams. We’ll discuss more after.”
Without another word, Ochako and Katsuki stood up and bowed on their way out. Once the door was closed, Ochako began to walk out of the small building within the outpost.
“Hey, wait up, Round Face,” Katsuki said from behind.
“Aren’t we supposed to be getting rest?” Ochako turned around innocently.
“Fuck that,” Katsuki barked, falling in line by Ochako’s side. “Tell me more.”
Ochako giggled. “I’m surprised you’re not overwhelmed. It’s honestly a lot. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you guys. It was… hard. But Shoto and I have been working really hard to hone our skills and fight for what’s right.”
“It’s fucking admirable.”
Ochako turned, eyes wide like a bug. “Wh-What?”
“Did I stutter?” Katsuki smirked. “Everything you were taught told you that the walls were a bad place, but you figured that shit out on your own. Realized the truth and even came up with a plan to bring justice and help people. Hell, that’s fucking amazing. I always knew you had the fight in you.”
“What do you mean?” Ochako said, still in shock. “Always knew?”
“I remember seeing you karate chop Sugar Fuck’s head and bring his entire body crashing to the ground,” Katsuki let out an animalistic laugh. “He’s double your size and you took him down in an instant. That takes guts, Round Face. Hoping I’ll be able to spar against that real soon.”
Ochako laughed, giving Katsuki a light punch in his arm. “I appreciate it, Bakugo, really. I’ll tell you a little bit more since it seems like your head isn’t as slow as it looks.”
“Oi! What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?”
“As I said before, there are 9 titans total. And we all have names. I’m the Female Titan, Dabi’s the Armored Titan, Shigaraki’s the Jaw Titan, Kurogiri’s the Beast Titan, Shoto’s the War Hammer Titan, and Himiko’s the Cart Titan.”
“Was the Cart Titan,” Katsuki mumbled. “I kinda squashed her earlier, sorry.”
Ochako grimaced slightly. “It’s ok… She wasn’t thinking straight. Something changed about her before we left the League when we were younger. Taken in for ‘special training’ and came out a completely different person. It’s not the last of the Cart Titan, though. I’m sure some of the others found her body and fed it to another titan to have them take the powers.”
“Hah?” Katsuki yelled. “That’s how the power transfers?”
Ochako looked at Katsuki with a questionable look. “Yeah… How did you think it happened?”
“Well I… I don’t really remember getting mine,” Katsuki said out loud.
“You have the Attack Titan’s powers,” Ochako explained. “And Deku has the Founding. You both had to have turned into a titan previously and ate someone with those powers. That’s the only way.”
Katsuki was silent as the pair finally left the outpost building, but stopped along the outskirts of the outpost wall to continue their conversation in solitude.
“Fuck… Who else is there, then? There’s one more.”
“Colossus Titan,” Ochako answered. “All For One. He wants Deku’s Founding Titan abilities. Well, he wants all of ours.”
Ochako groaned as she paused to sit down on the dirt floor, cradling her head in her hands.
“We were never meant to have these powers forever. All For One was going to consume us and take our powers after our mission was complete. He wants all of the titan abilities for himself. And it’s easiest to start with having the Founding Titan’s abilities.”
“Sounds like you had a whole lot of shit to go through,” Katsuki said, reaching his hand out to her. “C’mon.”
Ochako looked up and smiled, taking Katsuki’s hand, grateful for the companionship but not prepared to suddenly be thrust into a locking hold.
“What are you doing, Bakugo?” Ochako screeched. Utilizing her own combat abilities, the brunette managed to wiggle her way out of the blonde’s tight grasp and jump back.
“I told you I wanted to spar real soon, didn’t I?” Katsuki smirked, preparing his arms and legs into a fighting stance. “It’s real soon right now.”
Ochako glared at the taller man, but felt a smirk coming in on its own. “If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought you just wanted to be able to hold a cute girl.”
“Sexy woman, but it's basically the same thing.”
Ochako blushed furiously, all her strength sapped out of her limbs as she felt her legs begin to shake like jelly. “Wh-wh-what? Huh? I- Bakugo!”
Katsuki just let out another maniacal cackle. “I said what I said, now fight me, Angel Face! Show me what ya got.”
Ochako finally got into her own fighting stance, face still as bright as Katsuki’s eyes but all strength returned to her arms and legs.
“If I win, you’re making me breakfast tomorrow, Buttface!” Ochako spat, trying to sound demanding.
“Not really a good reward to ask for if I was already planning on doing that,” Katsuki responded. “But if I win you’re telling Aizawa that you’re on my team from now on. I want you fighting with me.”
Ochako giggled, staring right into Katsuki’s crimson eyes. “It’s not really a reward if I was already planning on doing that!”
Katsuki’s grin only grew wider. “Bring it on, then!”