The Next Generation

C7: Mock Battles

Midoriya and Bakugo were going head to head. Bakugo wasn't holding back as he yelled mutely on the other side of the screen, thrusting his gauntlets out and blowing up the air between himself and Midoriya. The green-haired boy stumbled back, dodging, but barely keeping up.

They were taking this practice battle seriously, maybe too seriously. Finally, Midoriya used his quirk and knocked pieces out of the floor. His partner, Uraraka, used it to her advantage and won the match for them.

Optimus bowed his helm and sighed in relief. Things got very intense, and like him, his class and All Might considered pulling the plug to keep them from hurting one another. But Optimus had more faith in the system now, especially after Principal Nezu proved the entrance exam to be safe. Still, he was glad it was over.

And that was just the first match.

Four more matches took place before it was Optimus's turn. His oartner was Koda, the quiet boy with a quirk he didn't know yet. They were the villains and their opponents were Hagakure and Tokoyami.

"So," Optimus looked at Koda once they were in position. "What are you good at?"

"Animals," he whispered. "I talk to animals." As if on cue, three mice and two birds ran/flee over to them and sat in a line.

"Wow," Optimus nodded, impressed. "I think you would be excellent for reconnaissance. How are you with combat?"

"No good," Koda muttered. "We're going to lose."

"That's okay," Optimus told him. "This is a learning experience, so there's room to improve. I have a plan, if you don't mind."

He said nothing, just nodded and stood next to the mock bomb.

"You're quintessential, if you can use these animals to track our opponents," Optimus told him. "Which means it would be best for you to stay here, as our last line of defense. We can try to conceal the bomb, to buy us some time to blow them up, and then when they're getting close, I will do my best to hold them off."

Koda nodded and whispered something to the animals, only glancing at Optimus once, nervously.

"Hagakure is invisible," Optimus started as he pushed the bomb into a corner. "Do you know what Tokoyami does? I saw him doing something with a dark-looking blanket during the Quirk Apprehension Test, but I don't understand what it does."

Koda nudged the bomb with his foot. "Dark Shadow."

"A shadow?"

"Kinda animal shadow he controls," Koda muttered. "It's strong and fast."

"Hm," Optimus picked up a nearby table and put it in front of the bomb. That was a little confusing, but at least it was something.

Koda sniffed. "Tokoyami is on the second floor."

Optimus nodded. The bomb and them were on the fourth floor, which was the highest floor. Optimus looked around.

"Can you get that last table and put it next to the bomb?" Optimus asked. "If they get past me, hide behind the wall. You may be able to take them by surprise."

Koda nodded.

"Oh, and if you can, use the comms to warn me when Tokoyami arrives."

"What about Hagakure?"

Optimus sighed. "I'll do my best."

Then he turned around and walked to the staircase. The room they were in, with the bomb, it was just one large room but there were some tables of course, and a few random walls to take cover by. Optimus could see Koda from the staircase. The boy was watching him with wide eyes.