Lightning in the Ashes (Katsuki Bakugou x OC Fem)

Chapter 8: Stormy Hearts

The air in the training arena buzzed with tension as Class 3A gathered to watch their classmates face their midterm physical exam. Valerie and Katsuki stood side by side, the anticipation thick between them. As Aizawa called out for Katsuki to demonstrate his ultimate move first, Valerie felt the familiar hum of her quirk sparking just under her skin. She watched him intensely, knowing that once it was her turn, she'd need to focus to keep control.

Bakugou's move was, as expected, explosive. The sheer force of his blasts shook the arena, sending waves of heat and energy that pushed against the shielded walls. As the dust settled, Katsuki landed with ease, a smug smirk plastered across his face. He gave Valerie a sideways glance, silently daring her to top it.

"You're up," he muttered.

Valerie stepped forward, closing her eyes for a moment, centring herself. She focused on the electric pulse within, feeling the lightning build, her entire body humming with power. When her eyes opened, they glowed a bright green, and in a flash, she disappeared, zapping across the arena with her Thunder Step. Her speed left a trail of electrified air in her wake, the move so fast, it was almost imperceptible.

Cheers erupted from her classmates. "Go, Valerie!" Mina yelled.

As the midterm physical exam continued, the atmosphere in the gym grew tense. Valerie and Bakugou stood side by side, ready to face two seasoned pro heroes in a tag team battle. Their opponents: Hound Dog, the wild and ferocious pro hero with enhanced senses and animalistic strength, and Kamui Woods, the hero known for his Preemptive Binding Lacquer Chain Prison, a quirk that allowed him to control wood-like tendrils to bind and restrain enemies.

Both heroes were formidable, and everyone in Class 3A knew it. This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

As Aizawa gave the signal to begin, Hound Dog leapt toward them with incredible speed, a low growl rumbling from his chest. At the same time, Kamui Woods raised his arms, sending out a barrage of wooden tendrils straight at Valerie and Bakugou.

"Stay sharp!" Bakugou shouted as he exploded forward, aiming a blast at Hound Dog's incoming attack. The explosion hit the hero square in the chest, forcing him to stumble back, but Hound Dog was relentless. He recovered almost instantly and lunged again.

Meanwhile, Valerie dodged the wooden tendrils with her Thunder Step, blinking in and out of sight with bursts of electrified speed. Kamui Woods was quick, though, and he adjusted his attacks, spreading his tendrils in an effort to catch her.

"Don't let them corner us!" Bakugou growled, dodging a swipe from Hound Dog's claws before retaliating with another explosion. "Get ready for the team move."

Valerie nodded, feeling her heart race with both anticipation and nervous energy. She could feel the electric hum building within her, and she knew they needed to time this perfectly. As Kamui Woods managed to snag Bakugou's arm with his wooden tendrils, Valerie acted on instinct.

She zapped across the arena, her Thunder Step getting her in position. In a flash, she appeared beside Bakugou and unleashed her Electro-Sphere Shield, surrounding them both in a protective dome of crackling electricity. Kamui Woods' tendrils fizzled out upon making contact with the sphere, the energy erasing the quirk's effect. Bakugou glanced at her in surprise, briefly stunned by how effective her shield had become.

"Nice save," he muttered before shaking himself out of it. "But we're not done yet."

Valerie's heart raced, adrenaline pumping through her veins. "We need to take them out together," she said, eyes flickering with determination. "It's time."