𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 042

CHAPTER 42: Shadows of Capture

You’re locked in fiercely with Hydrax, each clash pushing you further, your quirk straining with every second. Her attacks are relentless, her water tendrils twisted with dark power that coils like serpents, pulling at the very air around you. Each blow lands with a sharp crack, and you fight with everything you have, teeth gritted, body screaming in protest as you struggle to hold your ground.

The world blurs as the weight of her strikes pulls at your focus, but your senses remain sharp—until a voice pierces through the chaos, cutting through the noise like a hot knife.

“To all students—this is Mandalay. Kacchan and Mizushima have been identified as the League of Villains’ primary targets. Protect them at all costs.”

Your heart skips a beat—not at the sound of your name, but at the one paired with it. Both of you? The words echo in your head, tightening in your chest. Was that why the League was here? Was all of this… for that? The realization strikes like a blade, this wasn’t just chaos—they had a purpose. And you and Bakugo were at the center of it.

Kacchan...

But then the name catches your attention not Bakugo—but Kacchan—and your eyes narrow, heart racing. Midoriya had to be the one to get that message out—he’s the only one who calls Bakugo by that name. That thought, though it offers brief relief, is swiftly drowned out by the weight of the message.

They’re after Bakugo.
And me.

The realization crashes into you. You’re not just fighting for your life anymore. You’re a target, not just for Hydrax—but for the League of Villains.

You glance at Hydrax, her twisted grin mocking your thoughts, but you can’t let the distraction break your focus. Your quirk flares again as you push back, fury burning deep within you. 'Why us?' You want to ask, but it’s just a fleeting thought.

A movement behind you—a shadow, too quick to react to.

Before you can turn, you feel the hand clamp down on your shoulder—cold, suffocating. There’s a sudden, overwhelming pressure, a vertigo that pulls you off balance, and everything spins out of control. You try to fight, to twist free—but your body won’t respond.

“Got her.”

That voice—an unfamiliar voice— it sounds smug, as if the fight’s already over.

Your mind races, but there’s no time. The last thing you see is Hydrax, her cruel smile stretched wide in victory. Then everything around you vanishes.

Darkness.

Cold.

Stillness.

And the crushing reality that you’ve been captured.

---

Meanwhile, Midoriya and Shoji find themselves in the midst of chaos, facing off against a rampaging Dark Shadow. The forest echoes with Dark Shadow’s uncontrolled roars, and the air pulses with the force of its attacks. Each swing of its massive form sends tremors through the ground, and the branches overhead shake with the force of its fury. Midoriya, barely keeping his footing against the gusts created by Dark Shadow’s swings, turns to Shoji, his voice urgent over the cacophony.

“How did this happen?” he shouts, desperation creeping into his tone.

Shoji, his face grim and eyes wide, explains as quickly as he can. Moonfish had ambushed them out of nowhere, slicing off one of Shoji’s dupli-arms in a brutal attack. Though Shoji can easily regrow the limb, the sight had sent Tokoyami into a spiral of rage and grief, triggering Dark Shadow to latch onto those powerful emotions. Fueled by Tokoyami’s inner turmoil, Dark Shadow had lost control, attacking everything in its path with reckless abandon.