Wings of Awakening

Part 21

As the students gathered around to listen to Thirteen's instructions, Aizawa glanced around, clearly noticing the absence of All Might. With a frown, he turned to Thirteen. "Where's All Might? He was supposed to be here for this."

Thirteen held up three fingers, whispering, "He's a little... preoccupied, but he'll join us later." Thirteen's eyes seemed to flash with meaning as they subtly gestured.

Izuku noticed the gesture, tilting his head with curiosity. Was there some kind of code between teachers? He wondered if this was something deeper—maybe a way heroes communicated secretly.

Just as he was mulling it over, Sero piped up, half-joking, "Is the exercise already starting? Feels kinda intense."

Kaminari grinned. "Yeah, I mean, look at that! Did U.A. hire actors for extra realism or something?" He pointed down toward the central fountain, where a strange, purplish swirl was forming and growing.

Aizawa's demeanor turned sharp. His eyes locked onto the portal, tension radiating from him. "What?" His voice was a low warning as he scanned the area.

Izuku's stomach twisted when he saw people starting to step out of the misty portal. At first, it looked like an oddly orchestrated part of the exercise, but then his eyes landed on a figure with disheveled hair, hands covering his body, and another creature—large, hulking, with a bird-like beak and an exposed brain. Chills raced down Izuku's spine. The air around them felt ominous.

"Those... they're real villains," Aizawa said, his voice steely. "Thirteen, protect the students. Don't let them get close." Without another word, he put on his goggles, tightened his scarf, and leaped over the ledge to confront the intruders.

The reality of the situation hit hard as the students' faces reflected growing horror and fear.

"These are real villains?" Tsuyu whispered, her usually calm voice tense.

Mina, visibly shaken, muttered, "Why would they come here? This is a school..."

Kirishima clenched his fists. "This is insane. Are they really here to attack us?"

Thirteen tried to keep calm, ushering them back. "Everyone, get back to the entrance—now!"

But before they could retreat, a dark, ominous mist blocked their path. The fog swirled, then began to shape into a figure—a tall man with a smoky purple form and piercing yellow eyes. He bowed slightly, voice low and polite, yet chilling. "Pardon the intrusion, hero hopefuls. I am Kurogiri, of the League of Villains. We've come here today on a mission. You see, we're here to kill All Might."

A shiver ran down the students' spines as the gravity of his words sank in. Izuku's mind raced, trying to think of a plan, but fear gripped him. He looked over at Iida, whispering urgently. "Iida, you need to run and get help. You're the fastest among us—you can make it back to the teachers."

Iida's face was filled with worry, but he nodded, realizing the weight of the responsibility.

But before Iida could make a break for it, Kurogiri continued, his form expanding and swirling outwards, blocking any possible escape. "Ah, but I cannot allow you to simply run away." His form grew larger, spreading out to envelop them. "My mission includes ensuring that you are... properly dispersed."

Kirishima gritted his teeth, his fists hardening to a rock-like texture. "Not a chance! We're not just gonna sit here!"

Beside him, Bakugo's hands crackled with explosions. "I don't know who you think you are, but if you want a fight, I'll show you one!" Without hesitation, he lunged at Kurogiri, his explosions sparking as he threw a fierce punch.

But as Bakugo and Kirishima charged, they passed right through him, their attacks dissolving into the mist. Kurogiri's voice echoed, mocking. "How naive... If you'd studied more, perhaps you'd know what I am."

Before anyone could react, Kurogiri's mist expanded even further, enveloping the students in darkness. In the final seconds before being swallowed, Izuku shouted to Iida, "Run, Iida! You're our only chance for help!"

Then, everything went black as Kurogiri's quirk took hold, pulling the students into various parts of the facility, separating them for the villains' plan.