Izuku charged up with green electricity and shot forward. Shoto provided cover from Katsuki's explosions.

Sable's goons separately targeted Eijiro and Momo to keep them apart.

That left Ochako and Mina to face Sable.

"We know about the Coercion," Ochako spat.

Sable merely smiled. "I gave him a choice to join, and he refused my generous offer. Unfortunately for him, I don't take no for an answer." Black tendrils coiled around him, ready to strike. "Such a strong young man he is. The first time I cast the spell, he broke free within twenty minutes. Such an amazing feat! The second time, less than that. Truly remarkable. However, I wouldn't be made a fool for the third time. How could I ensure my spell lasted, hm?"

Ochako spared a glance at Katsuki. If he attacked the enemy with such vigor, she'd believe he was fine. However, he was going at it with Izuku and Shoto. She looked back at Sable and clenched her fists. "What did you do to him?" she asked, words dripping with venom.

He broke out into a malicious grin. "I broke his spirit."

Her heart skipped, dread washing over her. That could mean so many things! Had he been injured? Tortured?

"You're dead to him," he added.

She was clearly alive. How did Katsuki not Didn't Katsuki notice her earlier?

"You're nickname comment..." Mina breathed, her grip on her friend loosening.

A thought crossed Ochako's mind. If she was the reason why Katsuki had fallen under the spell, could she help him break it?

Eijiro and Momo joined the two girls after defeating the goons. Eijiro smacked a fist into an open palm. "Time for payback!"

Ochako's feet moved on their own. She left Sable and the others, heading for the other fight. Katsuki and Shoto fought as Izuku caught his breath and analyzed the situation.

"Ochako?" Izuku asked, clearly stunned to see her. "What are you doing?"

She got right to the point. "We need to get those goggles off him."

"We already know he's under a spell."

"I want him to see me without them."

"Katsuki, burn them!" Sable commanded.

Shoto jumped back to be in front of Ochako and Izuku.

Katsuki raised his right arm and cast an explosion spell. In retaliation, Shoto waved his right hand through the air. A barrier of ice formed as protection. It rattled, some pieces of ice breaking apart from the main structure. A second spell from Katsuki, stronger than the last, proved to be too much. A hole was blasted right through it, and Katsuki sauntered forward. He looked positively menacing.

"Try the other way!" Ochako suggested.

This time, Shoto used his other hand to summon a wall of fire. Katsuki jumped through unscathed and charged the group.

Green lightning surrounded Izuku once again.

Ochako gasped. "Don't hurt him! He's still Katsuki."

"He's still dangerous!" he argued.

She gulped. It was true that Katsuki was still a threat, but she didn't like the idea of fighting him. This was different compared to their first sparring match.

"Shoto, switch me!" Eijiro shouted.

Without thinking twice, Shoto swapped to handle Sable. Eijiro joined Ochako and Izuku to face Katsuki.

Small but bright explosions crackled in Katsuki's palms. "I'm gonna enjoy killing every last one of you damn extras."

"We need to get the goggles off him," Izuku told Eijiro.

"You got it."

Ochako's lips twitched into a smile. Her friends believed in her.

Katsuki charged forward, using an explosion to propel him faster. "Die!"

Eijiro ran to meet him, his skin hardened because of his magic. "Dude, wake up!"

Ochako gasped when an idea hit her. She needed to use her magic on Katsuki.

"What are you planning?" Izuku asked.

A determined smile curved her lips. "Keep him busy."

He nodded and went to help Eijiro.

All she had to do was touch any part of him. She could do this.

The explosions blew her hair back, but she didn't slow down in getting closer. An opening would soon appear, and she'd go for it when she had the chance.

Katsuki's attacks were relentless. He only viewed his classmates as enemies, nothing more. When he spun to kick Eijiro, Ochako had her opening. She slapped his back and jumped away when he began to float off the ground. The sensation threw him off long enough for Izuku to take control of the situation. He uncomfortably pinned one arm behind Katsuki, palm aimed at his back, so that if he fired, he would only blast himself. His other arm stretched backward, hand kept away from everyone.

Katsuki violently kicked his legs that wouldn't touch the ground.

"Knock it off!" Eijiro scolded, making wild grabs for the goggles.

"Fuck off, Shitty Hair!"

"Hurry!" Izuku urged, huffing.

Eijiro made contact with the goggles but struggled with them. He grunted in exasperation. "It's like they're stuck or something!"

This opportunity couldn't get past them.

"Please don't remember this." Eijiro wound up a fist and punched Katsuki.

The goggles cracked and broke, cutting Katsuki's left eyebrow in the process. The bridge snapped, causing the goggles to fall off as blood leaked down his face. His crimson eyes didn't have their normal spark in them. They appeared to be dull, practically lifeless.

"Katsuki," Ochako said to gain his attention.

His head turned, and he stilled when his dull gaze landed on her. His lips parted, but no words came out.

No one spoke. Ochako stopped Katsuki from floating. Izuku released his hold and moved around in order to see Katsuki's face.

"No!" Sable roared as he battled his opponents.

Swaying in place, Katsuki dropped to his knees. He never broke eye contact with Ochako.

Her breath hitched. "Katsuki."

"Angel...?" he muttered in a haggard breath.

She broke into a smile. "Yes, it's me—"

Eyelids fluttering, he slumped forward and hit the ground. He didn't move a muscle.

xXx

AN: I love it when he calls her Angel~