Chapter 21 - Dragon's Edge

As you soar through the air, the next obstacle emerges before you—a gaping maw, its jagged spires jutting from the ground like monstrous teeth. A rope swings precariously above, leading across the chasm. You sniff the air, assessing the distance, and then land smoothly at the edge of the pit.

Shoto Todoroki is nearby, his expression as calm as ever. You give him a glance, your eyes meeting for a brief moment, before pushing off the edge, your wings unfurling. With a powerful flap, you leap over the chasm, easily crossing the platforms and landing without a hitch.

You hear Present Mic's voice ringing out, shouting something about your daring move, but this time, you barely pay him any mind. Your focus is on the next challenge, the race, and the finish line ahead.

As you reach the final obstacle, the minefield looms ahead—an unforgiving stretch of deadly terrain scattered with hidden explosives. You land softly, aware that while you could easily take to the skies, doing so would give you an unfair advantage. So, with a deep breath, you begin walking carefully through the field, each step calculated to avoid setting off the mines. The silence is broken by distant explosions behind you, and you know Bakugo is closing in.

"Get out of the way, lizard bastard!" His voice roars from behind, and you feel a sudden surge of heat as he launches an exploding projectile toward you. The blast rattles the ground as a cloud of pink smoke billows up around you. You flinch, startled, but quickly recover, your tail snapping out like a whip, striking Bakugo square in the stomach. He yelps in surprise, staggering backward—and lands directly onto a mine.

The explosion rips through the air, debris scattering into the sky in a brilliant cascade of shrapnel. Bakugo roars, his voice full of fury as the dust settles. "You'll regret that!" he shouts, standing tall just a dragon's length away, already preparing for his next move.

You don't waste time. You continue to weave and dance through the minefield, each step a delicate movement between life and death, a carefully crafted routine of precision and focus. The air is thick with tension as you push forward, hearing the hiss of Bakugo's fury behind you. The subtext in his muttered words is clear: "I won't let you beat me."

But you're not backing down. You respond with a cold, mercurial smile, your eyes never leaving the path ahead. With a single, fluid motion, you spring into the air, your wings unfurling, lifting you toward the final segment of the treacherous track. The minefield fades below you, and as you soar higher, you know one thing for certain: you're not going to let anyone, especially not Bakugo, get in your way.

You approach the finish line, the roar of the crowd swelling like an unstoppable wave, crashing over the arena in a cacophonous crescendo. With a final burst of effort, you skid to a halt, your tail kicking up a cloud of dust as Todoroki and Bakugo cross the line in quick succession behind you. The three of you pause, breathless and slightly disheveled, but there's an undeniable electricity in the air—a respect forged in the heat of the race and the raw competition that has just transpired.

Pride gleams in your eyes, a crystalline reflection of the intense journey you've just completed. Present Mic's voice cuts through the tension, crackling with pure energy. "AND OUR WINNER IS Y/N L/N! WHAT A RACE!" His announcement booms across the stadium, setting off a sonic blast of adrenaline that sends a shiver of triumph through your spine. You stand, radiant and triumphant, as the crowd's cheers wash over you, exchanging glances with Todoroki and Bakugo. You three stand like a triumvirate of fierce competitors, each of you carved from the same competitive spirit, yet each uniquely strong in your own right.

You offer a nod, your voice measured and calm, despite the exhilaration bubbling beneath. "Thank you for a commendable race," you say, your words bridging the gap between rivalry and respect. The heat of the competition lingers in the air, but in this moment, it's tempered with an unspoken understanding—an acknowledgment of the challenge each of you brought to the table.

Bakugo's response is exactly what you expect—sharp, prickly, and wrapped in bravado. He sniffs, an exaggerated exhale that's clearly meant to downplay any real sentiment. "Yeah, yeah," he mutters, voice gruff, though there's a flicker of something else beneath the surface. He extends his hand toward you, his gesture brief but unmistakable. "Don't get used to it."

You smile, accepting his handshake, feeling the subtle weight of the moment—the underlying respect wrapped in his stubbornness. It's a rare thing for Bakugo to let his guard down, but here, in the aftermath of a race that tested everything, you know that this exchange is something genuine. The heat of competition slowly gives way to a shared camaraderie, born from the crucible of the race you've all survived.

For a moment, the world around you quiets, the crowd's cheers fading into the background as you stand there—breath ragged, sweat beading on your skin, but filled with an ineffable sense of accomplishment and connection. And as the three of you stand together, there's no question left: this was more than just a race. It was a proving ground. And you all came out stronger for it.

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The announcement rings out across the arena as Midnight declares the second event: the Headband Battle. The top 42 qualifiers, now whittled down after the grueling obstacle course, are split into teams of two to four people, each trying to earn points by stealing headbands from the other teams. The point value of each team is determined by the placement of its members in the obstacle race.

You tilt your head slightly, a mischievous grin pulling at your lips. "Oops," you mutter, and immediately, every eye in the arena seems to turn toward you. The weight of the attention is palpable, but you shrug it off, keeping your composure. "Well, it can't be helped," you continue with a sly smile, "I've been chased anyhow."

With a flick of your nose, you lift your chin toward them, a subtle gesture that makes everyone turn away, uninterested in pursuing the conversation further. But the tension in the air is thick as Midnight's voice cuts through again.

"Alright, now everyone, form your teams!" she commands, and the scramble begins. The other competitors immediately start jockeying for position, looking for the strongest allies.

"Please be on my team!" Smina says, practically pleading.

"No, mine!" another student shouts, desperately trying to catch your attention.

You can barely hear their cries over the noise, but before you can consider your options, an all-too-familiar voice cuts through the chaos.

"Oi, shut up, you extras!" Bakugo's voice rings out as he barges through the crowd, grabbing your hand and yanking you out of the throng with ease. "Lizard bastard is with me."

You blink in surprise, unable to suppress the smirk that spreads across your face. "And when did you realize that, oh, your greatness?" you ask, your tone dripping with sarcasm, though there's a hint of amusement behind your words.

Bakugo doesn't answer right away, his face a mixture of annoyance and something you can't quite place. But he doesn't let go of your hand, pulling you further into the forming team. The rest of the competitors fall silent for a moment, watching the unlikely pair with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

Looks like you're stuck with Bakugo for this round. It'll certainly make things interesting.

"Just be happy I ain't blowing you to hell, lizard bastard," Bakugo mutters, his words sharp and gruff as he lets go of your hand. His grip had been strong, but now, the sudden absence of it leaves you feeling a bit colder than you'd expected. For a brief moment, a chill runs through you, but you shake it off quickly.

The heat of competition is enough to keep your mind sharp, and you raise an eyebrow at his back as he moves ahead. "Oh, how generous," you reply with a dry smirk, the sarcasm thick in your voice. You can tell by his stiff posture and the way he strides forward that he's not one to show much emotion, but it's clear he's made a decision—however reluctant—and there's no going back now.

The noise of the festival continues around you, the students forming teams, each trying to figure out the best strategy for the upcoming battle. But your thoughts are briefly distracted by Bakugo's gruff tone. The tension between you two has always been there, but today, it's a little different—charged with something unspoken, something more than just rivalry. You don't let it linger too long in your mind, though. It's time to focus.

You're here to win, and Bakugo, for all his prickly attitude, might just be the partner you need to get there.

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The rest of your team soon falls into place, with Tokoyami, Mina, Ashido, and Kirishima joining you and Bakugo. They all seem genuinely happy to be working together, chatting excitedly among themselves about their plans. You can't help but notice the contrast between Bakugo's gruff demeanor and the others' more cheerful, friendly vibes.

Bakugo, however, doesn't waste time with pleasantries. He glares at everyone, his usual scowl in place. "Okay, listen up, extras. I'm gonna be the one to take out those lizard bastards," he snaps, his eyes narrowing. "You all stay out of my way. Tokoyami, Mina, Ashido—you do your thing, but I'll be the one to handle the heavy lifting. Got it?"

You raise an eyebrow at his sudden declaration but don't respond. Instead, you nod along, your voice casual but firm. "Yes," you say, already mentally preparing for the chaos of the upcoming battle.

The rest of the team nods in agreement, a mixture of confidence and understanding in their expressions. Kirishima slaps Bakugo on the back with a grin. "We'll be right behind you, man," he says.

Tokoyami's deep voice rumbles, "We'll make sure the battlefield is ours."

With your team gathered, the tension between you and Bakugo lingers, but the focus quickly shifts to the battle ahead. You all know what's at stake: points, pride, and a shot at victory. And though Bakugo may be the wild card, your team is a force to be reckoned with. The Headband Battle is about to begin, and it's clear that no one is backing down.

"Alright, it's about to begin!" Midnight announces, her voice sharp and clear as she cracks her whip through the air with a loud SNAP, signaling the start of the Headband Battle. The arena fills with the sound of excitement as the teams get ready to face off.

Without hesitation, you scoop Bakugo up, effortlessly lifting him onto your shoulders. Your dragon strength makes the move look almost effortless, and the weight of him on your back doesn't even slow you down. Bakugo grunts in irritation, but you can't help but grin at his discomfort. "Oh, yeah, I'm strong," you say, your voice dripping with a mix of teasing and confidence.

Bakugo, however, doesn't share your enthusiasm. "Hold this steady, lizard bastard!" he snaps, his voice edged with frustration. You can feel the tension in his words, but you just chuckle, adjusting him slightly on your shoulders.

With Bakugo perched up high, you can see everything from this vantage point. It gives you an advantage, allowing you to survey the battlefield and keep an eye on the other teams. The Headband Battle is about to get chaotic, but you're ready. After all, with the strength of a dragon and Bakugo's explosive firepower, your team is a force to be reckoned with.

As the other teams start making their moves, you glance down at Bakugo, who's glaring ahead, ready to jump into the fray. The real battle is just beginning.

The teams soon swarm the battlefield, but Bakugo is quick to take charge. He keeps the others at bay, launching explosions left and right to hold them off with explosive precision. You, perched comfortably on his shoulders, watch the chaos unfold as your teammates work in tandem. Kirishima stands firm, his hardened body absorbing any impact that comes his way, while Mina uses her acid quirk to create barriers and slow down anyone who gets too close. Tokoyami is in his element, his dark shadows swirling around him, creating an intimidating force that disrupts anyone who tries to approach.

"Hit something, will you?" Mina exclaims happily as she uses her acid to block a few incoming attackers, her voice filled with excitement.

You hum quietly in response, not saying anything as you watch the others do their part. Your focus is elsewhere, your sharp eyes scanning the arena for opportunities. You can see Todoroki's team moving carefully, their strategy clearly focused on accumulating points. His team has solid numbers, and they've all earned high placements—meaning they're definitely a threat.

As your teammates continue to keep the opposition at bay, you spot your target: Todoroki's team. You need those headbands, and you're determined to get them. With a swift movement, you leap from Bakugo's shoulders, using your dragon agility to weave through the chaos. The game is on. Your mission is clear: steal some headbands, and bring the fight to Todoroki's team.

"Were going after Todoroki," you say, your voice calm yet determined, eyes locked on your target.

Bakugo gapes at you, incredulous. "Hah! Who jumped down from the rider's seat? You're not the one in charge here, lizard bastard! Fall in line!" he barks, his voice sharp and full of irritation.

You shoot him a glare, your purple eyes flashing. "Mindful of what you say, Kacchan. I can snap your neck, remember that," you reply, your tone icy, though a small smirk plays at the corner of your lips. You're not in the mood for his usual bravado.

With that, your focus sharpens. You turn your attention to Todoroki, who seems wary but confident, calculating the next move. His team is aware of the danger now, but it's already too late. You've already prepared your attack.

With a deep breath, you gather your energy and unleash a powerful beam of purple energy. The blast shoots forward, but rather than dissipating, it curls into the form of a snake—fluid, sharp, and impossibly fast. It wraps around Todoroki's neck, tightening just enough to disorient him. For a brief second, the crowd holds its breath, watching the snake-like energy coil around his form before it breaks, and the headband falls free.

Your energy snakes back to you, the headband following in tow. You catch it effortlessly in the air, the cool metal of the headband slipping into your hand as you nod toward Bakugo, handing it off to him. "Keep him safe," you mutter, a hint of command in your voice.

Todoroki, already aware of what's happening, stares at you, his eyes narrowed. He feels the shift in the battle, the subtle acknowledgment that you've just outplayed him, even if he won't admit it aloud. You can feel the weight of his focused gaze, but you don't flinch. You've made your move.

Behind you, Bakugo continues to huff and puff, but his attention stays fixed on Todoroki's team as they back off. You feel the slight spark in the air as your team continues to close in. The game is far from over, but for now, it's clear you've taken the lead.

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As the final moments of the battle unfold, your team takes the lead, securing the win. The crowd erupts in cheers as the tension lifts from the arena, and you finally lower Bakugo from your shoulders, letting him stand firmly on the ground.

"Well, won," he grumbles, his usual brash tone carrying a note of begrudging respect. He crosses his arms, avoiding eye contact, but there's no mistaking the edge of satisfaction in his voice.

You flash him a playful smile, clearly enjoying the moment. "Thanks, gruff," you tease, your voice light and filled with amusement.

Bakugo scowls but doesn't retaliate, instead letting out a huff as he turns away. Despite his prickly exterior, you can tell he's satisfied with the outcome—your team had pulled it off, and he'd been a part of it. Even if he'd never admit it, you both knew it had been a joint effort.

As the noise of victory echoes around you, you take a moment to savor the win. With Bakugo at your side—and the rest of your strong team behind you—there's no challenge you can't face.