Manifest Monsters

Part 19~Lost Tale

I hummed slightly as I stood beside Katsuki. He fiddled with his wrist, an uncomfortable expression on his face as we turned to look in the city. I wasn't sure where Aizawa was but if we could get out without much of an attack, it would be better. I wasn't sure how Katsuki would react to fighting Aizawa, though we had taken the time to plan, we never came up with a clear view on what to do if Aizawa grabbed Katsuki. If he managed to grab Katsuki, it was basically time over.

The buzzer went off and we walked inside. The city looked practically empty. I couldn't see Aizawa. Deciding it best not to risk it, I summoned Charlie who started to saw through the sky. She looked out for Aizawa and gave me a clear way to test if Aizawa was using his Quirk on me.

Looking down the alleyway, I couldn't help but sigh. Katsuki was too nervous for us to pass this test. The more nervous he was, the less focused he was on passing. "So, what's up with you and Kirishima?"

Katsuki jumped, his eyes wide as he stared at me. "N-Nothing. We're just friends. Besides, what does that matter? This test isn't about my personal life. It's not like I ask you about Tokoyami."

Chuckling, I flicked back my hair. "That's because Tokoyami and I aren't hiding our relationship. I'm not asking you as a part of the test, I'm asking you as an old friend who hasn't seen you that comfortable with anyone since you were five."

"You're not my friend." Katsuki looked away from me as I sighed.

"Listen, I'm not trying to pry, I'm just happy you've found someone. I know you aren't that good at bonding with people after... you know. I'm glad you've managed to find a friend in Iida and probably something more in Kirishima." I wasn't lying. I was genuinely happy for him.

"Why do you care? After everything, why would you care about me?" Katsuki scratched his arm, a fearful sparkle in his eyes.

"I never meant for you to get hurt. I hope you understand that. I didn't want you to get hurt."

"Then why didn't you stop him?! Why didn't you destroy him?!"

I flinched back, Katsuki's eyes glared into my soul, fiery hatred blazing for the first time in years. I couldn't look at him right now. "Because I didn't know how to. My Quirk isn't normal, I'm sure you've noticed that by now. Tiny, Dic, Dom, Oshken, Bubbles and... and the Ringmaster, all became something greater than my Quirk. I can't control them. They listen to me but I had to prove myself as their leader. One day Charlie will become something greater as well but right now, I can't risk that. He really is still out there right? Tiny told me he had seen him but I've been ignoring it. If he did survive, I'm so sorry. I don't know how to kill him."

Katsuki gaped at me, his mouth open wide. His words were stuck in his throat. No matter how much he wanted to shout and scream, nothing came out.

I felt my heart stop as I dashed forward, through Katsuki behind me. Aizawa's scarf wrapped around me, holding me still. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't break out of the tight grip. "You shouldn't talk when your lives are on the line."

"Katsuki! Go! Get out of here!" I stomped my foot on the ground, releasing Oshken he spread up the wall. Tiny ran across the tape as she swiped at Aizawa who dodged easily. Oshken, grabbed Aizawa's ankles, holding him in the darkness as Bubbles shot at the scarf. Even after she had run out of bullets, the scarf hadn't gained so much as a dent to it. I glared at Katsuki. "Katsuki! Go! Get to the exit and win this exam!"

Aizawa turned his attention to Katsuki but that wasn't going to happen. I grabbed both ends of Aizawa's scarf, holding it in place. Katsuki stumbled back before running away. The second Aizawa blinked, I pulled Charlie back to existence, letting her attack Aizawa and throw him across the city. As long as I can bide enough time for Katsuki to win, we should be fine.

I felt the blood rush out of my fingertips as I let the figure form. "All right Mischief! Time to show them what you can do!"

Katsuki let out a sigh of relief as he saw the gate. He could still hear the distant sounds of the fight. Mischief had covered the whole area in smoke. Oshken could move freely in the protection and Dic and Dom's night vision goggles were paying off. If he walked through the gate, they would win.

Crack!

Katuski froze. The smoke was gone in a second. Izuku's scream rippled out across the city. He clenched his fist, as he made his decision.

Aizawa huffed, he hadn't been expecting the battle to be that difficult. He had successfully pinned me to the floor, holding my arm at a weird angle. Something told me, he hadn't meant to break my arm but that didn't mean he was just going to stop and help me. I still struggled, I wasn't going to go down without a fight and I definitely wasn't going to stay down.

Tiny hissed from the corner, her own body a mess. Charlie had been deactivated just like Mischief meaning that Oshken was now hiding in the shadows. I have no idea where Dic and Dom were but Bubbles was upturned with her legs still turning in the air.

Aizawa wrapped a rope around my arms, tying me to a lamp post. "This won't do anything! Katsuki is probably already at the exit mmpherm-" I glared at him as he stuffed a gag in my mouth.

"You're too loud." Aizawa jumped up to go after Katsuki. I couldn't do anything but glare at him.

Boom!

I yelped, pressing my ear against my shoulder as fire covered the sky. Aizawa dropped out of the sky like a startled pigeon as Katsuki landed beside me with some grace. I raised my eyebrow as he untied me.

"What are you doing? You were meant to leave."

Katsuki laughed a little as he pulled me up. "I'm a hero, I wasn't going to leave someone in danger. Besides, if anyone is going to kill the Ringmaster, it'll be you. You can't die until you do that." Katsuki helped me walk across the finish line as our win was announced.

I smiled as Kirishima and Iida ran up to Katsuki, congratulating him on his win. He seemed happy. I'm glad.