Linked Paths

Arc IV - Further [Chapter 3: In Practice]

Appa, or rather his doppelganger, joins me on the street. Under these lighting conditions, the slight glow, which helps you tell whether you are looking at the original or the doppelganger, is more discernable. Another disadvantage for our team, as we couldn't even fool the opponent just a little.

Appa: "I hid my real body as best I could."

"Then let's go already.", I say rather coldly. I respect him as a classmate and his quirk is admittedly useful, but it's not like we're close. I don't owe him a buddy-like attitude just because we're taking this exam together.

We head in the estimated direction. It's not long before a crow draws attention. As we follow, Deku reports.

Deku: {Taken up a safe spot now. As far as I can see, the villain or villains are holding ten civilians captive. I can't determine the whereabouts of the remaining two. I don't know the villain, but his quirk must be something between illusion and multiplier. Either way, the civilians are surrounded by his copies, but nothing else is happening. They're waiting for our first move or appearance. Everything reeks of trap.}

{Understood. We shouldn't be too far away now. Keep eyes and ears open until we get there.} I reply. My voice is still tense but way gentler as I regret the acidity in it from last time.

Deku: {Roger, Ka-DynaMight.}

His little tongue slip makes me smirk smugly. Stupid nerd.

I'd sacrifice anyone else on the damn team if it meant he'd be out of danger. Hell, I'd make myself a target for him, without hesitation. A fucking big problem considering this is an exam, where I have to remain objective and rational under the watchful and strict eyes of 13 and the exam committee in order to secure a good grade.

As I hurry, I suddenly bump roughly into an invisible wall right ahead of me. Despite the confusion, I quickly recover, hop back to a safe distance, and go into fighting stance. Appa stops right behind me.

My eyes scan, analyze. "Something or someone is there," I whisper, alert.

Eyes narrowing into slits, I try to make out anything through the whipping rain. Where I just bumped into something, the rain doesn't fall right -as if it's bending around whatever wants to stay hidden.

Then-impact. Right against my exposed side. "The hell-?!" I stumble a half-step back, instincts kicking in before thought does. My palms briefly ignite with sharp crackles, orange against the dark.

Appa: "Don't tell me-"

Where there was just a presence, the rain now falls as usual. The obstacle is no longer where it was a moment ago. Now it's crystal clear.

"Yeah," I growl, flexing my hand, ready to go. "Some invisible bastard."

Again, those atypical rain movements. This time to my left. Still, I can't react fast enough. Another blow to the side. Way harder than before. Urgh. I hate this invisibility bullshit!

Appa: "You alright?"

"Tch, 'course I am." No way I'd admit that the hit was actually kind of nasty.

Whoever this is, they're no lightweight; strong, and with damn good body stability.

I fire off three targeted blasts into my immediate field of vision. The heat from the blasts makes the rain sizzle off for a second, enough to outline the villain. Only seconds later they're gone.

The rain helps, at least a little, letting me vaguely trace their movements, but still too slow to react properly.

In wordless coordination, Appa and I move back-to-back to reduce our exposure to attacks.