Chapter 56 - Ready

When you arrived at the dorm a few minutes later a new trio was waiting on the porch, all wearing dark suits and stern expressions. You looked up fearlessly. After the night you'd had you couldn't be frightened by a bunch of bureaucrats.

"[l/n] [f/n] and Bakugou Katsuki?" You recognized the man who spoke. You'd seen the police chief on the news enough times, and it was unlikely you'd forget someone who had the head of a dog. He bowed his head, his long floppy ears swaying slightly, as you ascended the stairs up to the dorm doors.

"Yes," Bakugou answered.

"Won't you please come inside? You're the last to arrive." The chief ushered you through the door into the common room. You warily followed Bakugou, slightly nervous that since you'd acted without a professional hero, there would be repercussions for you and the rest of your class. You steeled yourself to take the blame. It had been your plan. No one else deserved to be punished. But honestly, didn't they have better things to be worried about right now?

The common room was filled with your classmates. You found yourself smiling at the bright faces that shined up at you. They were elated to see you.

Mina rushed forward and wrapped you in a hug. She mumbled incoherently into your shoulder, her frame shaking a bit from a mix of relief and laughter. You patted her back consolingly. You had been worried about her. You had been worried about all of them, but here they sat.

And then, a clap. Just one at first but the sound grew quickly. Your friends stood from their seats around the room and began to applaud. You couldn't hide the wonder in your eyes as you glanced around the lounge. They were all safe. And they were all cheering... for you?

Bakugou threw an arm around your waist and pulled you to his side. Proud tears glistened at the corners of his eyes and he tried not to show how much this acknowledgement meant to him.

Choruses of "You did it!" and "You guys are heroes!" ricocheted off the walls. You bit your lip and shook your head, gesturing to each of your friends in turn. They had all been heroes. They had all kept the city safe.

"Stop being modest [y/n]!" Kirishima called out from beside Kaminari, Mina and Sero.

A cough echoed throughout the room and your gaze landed on the buttoned-up woman. Mina grabbed your hand and took a step back toward the couch. You and Bakugou followed, perching yourself on the arm. Sero held his palm out for a high five which you graciously received.

The dog-headed man started, "My name is Tsuragamae Kenji. I am the Chief of Police. This is Hinata Ori the President of the Public Safety Commission, and Taneda Leorio the Chairman of the Hero Association." Anxious glances bounced around the room.

"And we have come here to thank you all for everything you've done for the Hero Association, the first responders and more importantly, this whole city," the President spoke. Eyes widened at her words. You certainly hadn't expected these three people to thank you in person.

"Without your heroic efforts and quick thinking, I'm not sure there would be a Hero Association anymore," the Chairman dropped into a bow. Surprised oohs ricocheted off the walls.

"Thanks to you, the villains involved have all been detained. The man calling himself the Hacker will be sent to Tartarus and won't be coming in contact with any technology. The former communications director will be joining him as well. We have already started taking measures to fix the faulty communication devices... for real this time," the chief added. You couldn't help but sigh. "We thought it was important that you be notified in person."

It felt nice to be acknowledged in such a way, but something still tugged at the back of your mind. You rose from your seat. "Sir? What about the young girl, the one with the stone quirk?"

"While a minor, she will still need to be punished for her very serious crimes," the President answered, her tone sure and political.

"I don't know if that's right," you said. The woman's brow furrowed. "She was let down by heroes once before. She turned to the Hacker hoping revenge would make her feel powerful, but she's still just a young girl."

"What are you suggesting?" the Chairman asked. You could feel the eyes of your other classmates on you, suspicious and curious.

"Rehabilitation. I don't think she wants to be a villain. I just think she didn't know where else to turn. If she knows the heroes are on her side, she could be a great ally one day."

"You want her to become a hero?" the woman tittered, unimpressed.

"If she wants. I did something horrible once-" Bakugou looked at you warily. Surely this was not the time to bring up your fiery past- "but you're all here thanking me for saving a city. So maybe some people deserve a second chance." Your eyes connected with the three suits, daring them to challenge your statement. The woman turned away abashed.

"We'll see what we can do," the Chairman said, a quirked half smile on his face. He seemed to appreciate your nerve. You gave a polite nod and sat back down.

***

ONE MONTH LATER

"Cinder to Red Riot. Come in Red Riot!" No response.

Dammit, Kiri this is no time to go AWOL on me.

You dove around the side of the building just in time to avoid the barrage of projectiles that came whizzing down the street. The arrows bounced ineffectually off the brick wall at the end of the alleyway.

While much of the city had been repaired in the last few weeks, this section still lay in tatters and had become a nesting ground for those who remained discontent with the hero society. The Hero Association and police had traced the latest bout of smuggling operations to a four-block radius and you were just lucky enough to get placed on the reconnaissance squad with your friends. But par for the course, nothing was ever simple reconnaissance.

"Spotted Red. He's in a serious brawl with that gator-lookin' guy. Don't think he'll be answering his com for a hot second," Kaminari's voice sounded in your ear.

"Can you help him?" you panted, ducking behind another corner as your assailant rounded on you. The villain wore a burgundy cape. A tall quiver of jet black arrows stuck out from behind his right shoulder. He notched another and fired, the single arrow multiplying into ten. You threw up a wall of smoke to dispel the new onslaught before lashing your ropes around the nearest fire escape and bounded up to the rooftops.

"Negative. Too far away for my launcher. Do you need help? You sound out of breath," Kaminari asked. He was acting as a lookout from the window of a four-story building.

"I'm fine." You sailed past his window as you drove yourself over the rooftops towards Kirishima's position, pushing smoke from the soles of your shoes to aid in the jumps from building to building. A blast sounded from the streets below. "Zero, arrow guy is still in the alleyway. Can you head him off?"

"What do you think that blast was just now? C'mon Ashtray have a little more faith in me," Bakugou answered cockily. You rolled your eyes and continued your dash toward Kirishima.

"Then you might as well help me and Red. Head toward the fountain. And use my hero name for God's sake Kitten!" He didn't answer but you could hear the even pulse of his explosions propelling him in the alleys below.

You stopped at the edge of a tall building. From up high you could see Kirishima was surrounded by not just the 'gator-lookin' guy', but another villain had made their way to the dilapidated fountain, a woman swirling black orbs in her palm. Kirishima was holding his own, punching and dodging, but fell to his knees when one of the orbs slammed into his back, catching him off guard and even cracking his stone.

"Chargebolt, get down here! The time for watching is over," you ordered, tossing your tendrils over the side of the building and repelling down as quickly as you could.

Within a heartbeat your eyes flashed red, and you threw out fire coated whips at the orb wielder. The hiss of flame crackled on the woman's pale skin and she dropped the heavy metal spheres she'd been controlling. From the way they shattered the concrete you were sure they were far denser than they looked. But before she could even stop writhing you pushed her back against a wrought-iron fence post and snapped handcuffs onto her wrists, hoping she needed physical contact to control the orbs.

BOOM!

Bakugou's blast pulled your attention from the woman now slumped against the fence. The gator lay splayed in the fountain, now even more cracked than before, a steady trickle of water pouring from the basin into the square.

Bakugou gripped Kirishima around the forearm and pulled him from the ground. Kirishima gave an appreciative slap on the shoulder. He looked tired from the brawl, but still wore his signature sharky grin. You moved toward the fountain, eyes scanning for any sign of more villains.

Pounding footsteps echoed down the nearest side street and you released thick dark whips toward the noise at the same time Bakugou unleashed a deafening blast.

"AH! STOP IT'S ME!" Kaminari appeared from the darkness of the alley, and you pulled back sharply on your tendrils. Unluckily Bakugou couldn't take back his blast and Kaminari was forced to dive out of the way, his blond hair newly singed.

"ANNOUNCE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU RUN INTO A BATTLE ZONE YOU IDIOT!" Bakugou shouted, lowering his gauntlets to his sides. Kaminari pouted but walked toward the fountain to join your party.

Just then the trickle of water that emanated from the fountain became a wave. You threw up another wall of smoke in front of your friends to shield from the pounding tidal that grew in the small plaza. A man with ice-blue eyes walked into the square, followed by three others all turning blue masses of water between their palms.

Must be a family business.

You formed a wall with your allies, hands at the ready to face off against the newest threat. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the brats who ruined the Hacker's plan," the man with the icy eyes hissed, forming a fresh ball of water in his own hands. The water from the fountain was now pooling around their feet and working its way up their legs, allowing them to hover off the ground and sweep toward the center of the plaza menacingly.

"How do you know who we are?" Kirishima asked, genuinely shocked.

"You think we don't read the paper?" one of the others snapped. "The UA students who took down the Hacker. You're the one with explosions." He gestured toward Bakugou then swept his hand toward you. "You're the girl made of smoke and fire."

"Sorry, but we don't have time for your monologues," you cut him off. He snarled, disgusted at your interruption. "If you know so much about us you know that you're all screwed. Chargebolt, if you wouldn't mind." You grabbed Bakugou and Kirishima's shoulders and hoisted them to stand on the lip of the fountain.

The villain's eyes grew wide in horror. They realized too late who Kaminari was in the band of students who had taken down the Hacker. Kaminari dropped to his knees and plunged his hands into the water now freely flowing throughout the entire square. The shock was instantaneous, and the villains contorted for only a moment before dropping limply onto the wet ground.

"Good job man!" Kirishima pounded Kaminari on the back as he hopped off the ledge of the fountain.

"I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THAT!" Kaminari beamed at you and you gave him a warm smile. He then turned to Bakugou who was looking unimpressed. Kaminari's face fell slightly.

"Oh, c'mon Katsuki, tell him he did a good job," you urged, rubbing Kaminari's hair like a puppy.

"You managed to take down four villains without shorting your brain. Way to fucking go," Bakugou deadpanned.

"He's very proud of you," you added and Kaminari's bright smile returned. You heard a 'tsk'.

"Yes. Very good job little hero. Now let's see how you face off against those with real skills," a new voice echoed around the square. You scanned down the alleyways, freshly on edge, but didn't see anyone. Your troupe pressed their backs together, forming a tight circle so as not to be caught more off guard.

"There!" Kirishima called out and pointed toward a window two floors up in a building missing its eastern wall. A tall figure wearing a full faced scarlet mask peered down at your party. He lifted his right hand. Suddenly more figures emerged in other windows circling the plaza. From your quick count there were at least a dozen new faces, some old, others young, some broad while others stood thin and unassuming.

Kirishima's arms hardened and he pounded his fists together. Bakugou lifted his gauntlets and brought that near insane smile to his lips. Kaminari raised his shooter to point at the closest window as sparks flickered on his fingertips. Your eyes flashed red and flames danced along your arms and shoulders. Your hands were black. The rush of adrenaline pulsing through your veins made you feel invincible. You had each other. You were heroes.

"Ready?!" Bakugou caught your eye. You gave a determined nod and the world filled with smoke and fire.

THE END