Touch of Heat

Chapter 7: In the Heart of the Storm

Y/N

My stomach twisted in knots. Dabi wanted me to sabotage one of Steelbreaker's operations, and the weight of that request pressed heavily on my shoulders. Steelbreaker was the type to brag, his ego often leading him into trouble. His secret operations rarely stayed under wraps, and tonight was no exception. He planned to infiltrate the League of Villains, and I was on my way to stop him.

Over the past few days, I had secretly observed Steelbreaker, meticulously noting his weaknesses. Despite his immense strength, his reflexes were sluggish, and I had devised the perfect way to exploit this flaw. After overhearing him boast about an upcoming mission, I fed him false intel to lure him to the abandoned train station on the outskirts of the city—an old relic of a forgotten era, with dark corners and hidden tunnels perfect for a trap. I had strategically weakened the station's infrastructure, loosening bricks and creating subtle fractures in the walls. With his slow reflexes, I would be able to collapse the building, trapping him inside and giving the League enough time to move in. 

As I approached the station, the air grew colder, sending a chill creeping down my spine. The platform was overrun with weeds, and the once-vibrant ticket booths now stood dusty and decayed, a testament to time's relentless passage. The darkness felt alive, whispering secrets of those who had come before me. I took a deep breath, trying to quell the storm of anxiety churning in my gut.

Dabi and a few others from the League hid behind the buildings, their eyes fixed on me as I stood in the heart of the station, where a small gap in the structure beckoned. I was the one with the quirk capable of collapsing the entire building, but I had to be careful—one misstep could lead to disaster. My quirk, Mind's Grasp, allowed me to manipulate objects with precision, but I needed a clear line of sight to execute the collapse effectively. The more debris I could bring down at once, the better my chances of subduing Steelbreaker long enough for the League to spring their ambush. 

 The weight of the station seemed to press down on me, a physical reminder of the deception I was about to unleash. My heart raced—not just from the thrill of the impending confrontation, but from the gnawing doubts clawing at my mind. Would my plan work? Would I have the strength to follow through?

Steelbreaker represented everything I had come to despise about the hero system—his arrogance, his brutality. It was time to show him that strength was not the only thing that mattered.

Then, from the darkness, I spotted him—a hulking figure stepping into the dim light of the station. Steelbreaker's eyes scanned the area, brimming with confidence, completely oblivious to the trap laid before him. I held my breath, waiting for the perfect moment to make my move.

"Just a little closer," I whispered under my breath. I needed to lure him deeper into the station so that he would be surrounded by the debris I had prepared. As he stepped forward, adrenaline surged through me, heightening my senses. I could do this. I had to do this.

As he moved further inside, I activated Mind's Grasp, feeling the familiar energy pulse within me. The air felt charged with anticipation, and I focused intently on the weakened beams above.

But the plan didn't go as I had hoped. As I directed my energy, the structure reacted unpredictably. Some sections that I thought were primed for collapse held firm, while others crumbled more quickly than I anticipated. A loud crack echoed through the station, but instead of the roof collapsing in a controlled manner, a section of it gave way suddenly, sending debris raining down haphazardly.

Steelbreaker's reflexes kicked in just in time. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a large piece of falling concrete. Just then, he caught a glimpse of me, his eyes narrowing as recognition ignited a fierce rage.

Panic surged through me, and instinct took over. I couldn't let him close the distance; I had to escape. I spun on my heel, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I darted deeper into the shadows of the station, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Get back here!" he roared, his voice a blend of fury and disbelief. The sound of his heavy footsteps reverberated behind me, each thud a reminder of the danger I was in.

The dim light flickered, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. I darted between the broken pieces of the building, debris crunching beneath my feet as I zigzagged through the chaotic landscape of shattered glass and twisted metal. My mind raced, calculating every possible escape route. I needed to reach the exit before he caught up to me.

As I ran, I could feel the building shuddering around us, the weakened infrastructure groaning in protest, echoing the chaos within me. A part of me was terrified that the structure might fully collapse, but I pushed the thought aside. I couldn't afford to let fear take over.

I risked a glance over my shoulder and saw Steelbreaker barreling after me, his expression a mask of betrayal and rage. "You think you can escape me?!" he shouted, his voice filled with arrogance. "You'll pay for this!"

Just before he could close the gap, I spotted a nearby pillar, its base already compromised by my earlier efforts. Without thinking, I jumped sideways, activating Mind's Grasp at the same time. I directed my energy toward the pillar, feeling the familiar pulse of power surge through me. With a swift motion, I sent it crashing into his path.

The sound of splintering wood and snapping metal filled the air as the pillar toppled, barely missing Steelbreaker but forcing him to stumble back. He let out a furious roar, frustration boiling over. "You think a little trick like that will stop me?"

I seized the opportunity, sprinting past the fallen debris and into a narrow corridor just off the main platform. The flickering lights above cast eerie shadows, but I knew the station well enough to navigate its labyrinthine layout. The scent of dust and mildew filled my nostrils, but I couldn't let it distract me.

My heart raced as I pushed myself faster, the adrenaline dulling the pain of my burning legs. I could hear him crashing through the debris behind me, his heavy footsteps reverberating like thunder. Every second counted.

I skidded around a corner, my instincts kicking in as I ducked beneath a low-hanging beam, my breath coming in sharp gasps as I stepped into the cool night air. A surge of determination washed over me. This was it. I turned around, feeling the power of my quirk pulse within me.

I activated Mind's Grasp once more, focusing intently on the weakened structure. The building groaned, its walls trembling in response to my command.

The building began to collapse, bricks and beams giving way in a cacophony of noise. I watched, my heart pounding in my chest, as a massive section of the roof crumbled down, creating a cloud of dust and debris that enveloped the space. The debris fell like a thunderous wave, blocking the entrance I had just fled.

Dabi and the rest of the League of Villains rushed in, their presence a stark contrast to the chaos I had unleashed. I could see their silhouettes outlined against the dust-filled air, tense and ready for action. But as the dust began to settle, he was gone.