Lightning in the Ashes (Katsuki Bakugou x OC Fem)

Epilogue: Two Years Later

The city was alive with chaos, its skyline ablaze with the eerie glow of fires and flashing emergency lights. The relentless boom of explosions echoed through the streets, punctuated by the clash of metal and the panicked cries of civilians being evacuated. Katsuki Bakugo—now the renowned pro hero Dynamite—stood at the edge of the carnage, his breath visible in the cold night air. His gauntlets hissed with leftover smoke, signaling just how much of himself he had already poured into the fight.

Beside him stood his best friend and trusted ally, Eijiro Kirishima, the pro hero Red Riot. His hardened arms gleamed under the streetlights, cracked and bruised from withstanding the brute strength of the villain in front of them—a hulking figure with bulging muscles and a devastating strength-enhancing quirk.

"Oi, Kirishima," Katsuki growled, glaring at their opponent. "Think we can take this guy down, or do I have to do everything myself?"

Kirishima grunted, locking eyes with Katsuki as he adjusted his stance. "Man, I don't think this guy is going down anytime soon. Where the hell are our reinforcements?"

As if on cue, a sharp crackle cut through the air, followed by a searing bolt of lightning that struck the ground just inches from the villain's feet. The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward, disoriented.

"Reinforcements are here!" came Mina's cheerful voice as she landed in front of them, her acid sizzling against the ground. She grinned up at the two battered heroes. "Looks like you two need some help."

Katsuki opened his mouth to bark a retort when a familiar figure descended from above, landing gracefully with sparks dancing around her fingertips. Valerie Black, now a respected pro-hero-in-training known as Tempest, stood confidently, her sharp gaze locked on the villain. Her dark suit shimmered faintly with traces of electricity, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders in wild waves.

"You took your damn time," Katsuki barked, though his eyes lingered on her a beat longer than necessary.

"Relax, Dynamite," Valerie replied smoothly, not sparing him a glance. "We're here now, aren't we?"

Before Katsuki could snap back, Valerie surged forward, her movements fluid and purposeful. She danced around the villain's wild punches with ease, her lightning-charged strikes targeting his weak points. Mina followed close behind, her acid melting away debris and cutting off the villain's escape routes.

Kirishima whistled low. "She's good."

Katsuki smirked, his lips curling into a proud grin. "Damn right she is," he muttered under his breath, his tone softer than usual. "That's my girl."

Within minutes, the villain was subdued, restrained by a combination of Kirishima's unbreakable grip and Valerie's electrified binds. As the authorities swarmed in to secure the scene, Katsuki crossed his arms and looked at Valerie with a cocky smirk.

"Not bad," he said, his voice gruff but filled with unspoken pride.

Valerie raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smirk of her own. "You mean great."

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Later that evening, the group gathered at their favorite ramen shop, the warm, cozy atmosphere a stark contrast to the chaos they'd just left behind. Katsuki sat in his usual spot, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. But those who knew him well could tell he wasn't as relaxed as he seemed.

"Alright, Bakugo," Mina teased, leaning over her bowl of ramen. "What's with the brooding face? You've been weirdly quiet all night."

"Yeah," Kirishima chimed in, nudging Katsuki playfully. "Usually, you're yelling at us for something."

Katsuki scowled, his gaze darting to Valerie, who was laughing at something Denki had said. His fingers drummed against the table, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him.

Valerie turned her attention to him, her eyes soft with curiosity. "What's going on?"

Katsuki hesitated, his jaw tightening as he tried to find the words. Finally, he sighed and pulled his hand through his hair. "I, uh... got offered a placement," he said, his voice low.

Valerie tilted her head, her interest piqued. "That's great! Where?"

"Southern Japan," he replied, watching her carefully. "It's a big deal, but it'd mean moving. And you'd..." He trailed off, his hands clenching into fists.

Valerie's smile faltered for a moment before she quickly masked it. "Oh," she said, her voice quiet. "That's... big."

Katsuki shifted uncomfortably, his hand slipping into his pocket to feel the small velvet box hidden there. The weight of it felt heavier than usual, and his heart pounded as he debated his next move.

"You should take it," Valerie said softly, her hand reaching across the table to touch his. "We'll figure it out."

Katsuki's eyes flicked to her hand on his, his resolve wavering. The conversation around them faded into the background as he stared at her, his thumb brushing over the edge of the box in his pocket.

The night carried on with laughter and teasing, but Katsuki's mind remained elsewhere. As they walked out into the crisp night air, he lingered behind Valerie, his thoughts racing. He knew this was a moment that would change everything.

Whatever came next, one thing was certain: their story was far from over.

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The END!!

Thanks for reading!!

If you would like a sequel, please leave a comment and I might decide to work on it! hahahahah