Episode 7 - Clash of Wills

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❛ HELLFIRE ❜

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Five minutes tick by, the air heavy with anticipation as Team A finally enters the building. The dimly lit corridors echo faint footsteps, every shadow seeming to hold danger. Y/n walks confidently ahead, her ruby wings tucked close to her back as she surveys their surroundings. Suddenly, without warning, Katsuki Bakugo bursts from around a corner, an explosion lighting the hall with a fiery burst.

"Gotcha, you extras!" he snarls, his eyes zeroing in on Izuku and Ochaco.

Y/n reacts instantly, stepping forward with a crackle of golden energy surrounding her form. "Izuku, take Ochaco and go. Find the core. I'll handle this one," she commands, her voice steady and authoritative.

Izuku hesitates, his wide eyes darting between Y/n and Bakugo. "But—!"

"No buts, Emerald," she snaps, her talons flexing as her wings unfurl. "You have a mission. Complete it."

Reluctantly, Izuku grabs Ochaco's wrist and starts to run, shielding her as Katsuki snarls, "Oh, no, you don't!" He charges toward them, only to be blocked by Y/n, who steps into his path.

"You've got me to deal with, Bakugo," she says, her voice calm but laced with steel.

Katsuki sneers, glaring at her with all the heat of his explosions. "What are you even doing here, huh? Protecting that useless twerp? You're clearly in the wrong here, L/N!" he barks, launching a small explosion toward her feet to punctuate his words.

Y/n doesn't flinch. Instead, she smirks, stepping forward through the smoke, unbothered. "In the wrong?" she muses, tilting her head mockingly. "I think you're confused. See, you're the one standing between us and victory. You can bark all you want, but you'll never keep me from winning."

Bakugo's temper flares, his palms crackling with explosive energy. "You think you can win against me? You're just a flashy lizard with a few parlor tricks!"

Y/n chuckles darkly, her wings spreading wide as her ruby scales catch the flickering light of the explosions. "Oh, Katsuki," she says, her voice low and almost predatory. "You're about to find out just how wrong you are."

Without another word, she lunges, talons gleaming as she charges headfirst into battle.

Without wasting a moment, Y/n moves with the precision of a predator. Her tail swings in a powerful arc, catching Bakugo headfirst and sending him hurtling backward. He crashes into the wall with a gasp of pain, momentarily stunned.

Before he can recover, Y/n is on him. Her talons clamp down on his shoulder with unyielding strength, pinning him to the ground. Katsuki lets out a pained yell, his explosive palms flickering but unable to ignite as her weight holds him down.

Y/n leans in close, her snout twitching slightly as her breath warms his skin. Her lips part just enough to reveal gleaming fangs, sharp and impossibly long—longer than his fingers. The sight is enough to freeze Katsuki in place, his usual bravado faltering under the razor-sharp reality of her presence.

"You talk big, Bakugo," Y/n growls, her voice a low rumble, vibrating with restrained power. "But for all your explosions, you're just a scared little boy, barking at shadows." Her eyes narrow, glowing with a fiery intensity that matches her crimson scales.

Bakugo grits his teeth, his pride fighting to overpower the pain. "You think this is over?" he spits, though his voice wavers. "I'll blow you to hell—"

Y/n cuts him off by tightening her grip, her claws pricking the fabric of his costume and grazing his skin. "You'll do nothing unless I let you. You're strong, Katsuki, but strength without control? It's meaningless. Maybe it's time someone taught you that."

Katsuki glares up at her, his rage and frustration simmering just below the surface. But in that moment, he knows he's outmatched, at least for now.

Y/n steps away from Bakugo, her wings folding neatly behind her as she straightens to her full height. Despite the tense battle, her expression softens just slightly. She extends her taloned hand toward him, a gesture of unexpected camaraderie.

"You fought well, Bakugo," she says, her voice calm and steady, though tinged with a hint of respect. "But not well enough this time."

Bakugo scowls, reluctant to admit defeat, but after a moment's hesitation, he grabs her hand. Her grip is firm but not crushing as she pulls him to his feet. Just as he steadies himself, All Might's booming voice echoes through the building.

"TIME'S UP! THE HERO TEAM WINS!"

Y/n smirks at Bakugo and casually ruffles his spiky hair with her talons, much to his annoyance. "See you out there," she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she turns and walks away. Her ruby tail swishes behind her, an air of confidence in every step as she heads off to rejoin her team.

Bakugo watches her retreating figure, fists clenched at his sides. He grumbles under his breath, muttering about "damn lizard show-offs," but the fire in his eyes isn't just anger. For the first time, there's something else—an unfamiliar curiosity, perhaps even admiration, creeping in.

"Damn it," he mutters, rubbing his shoulder where her claws had gripped him. "Why the hell does she have to be so... annoying?" He scowls again, trying to shake the thought away, but deep down, he knows the Queen has left an impression—one that he might not be able to ignore.