Chapter 65 — Echoes of Control

The one hundred students who had successfully made it through the first phase of the examination now faced a challenge that was anything but ordinary. They were tasked with a mission that seemed to have been ripped straight from the pages of a crisis manual: rescuing members of the Help Us Company, who had been strategically trapped within a disaster zone. But this was no ordinary rescue mission. Oh no. This exercise involved a cadre of seasoned professionals who had spent years perfecting the art of pretending to be injured, acting as the kind of victims that could make anyone question the merits of ever becoming a hero.

Draped in costumes that made them look like walking horror shows—complete with fake blood, dislocated limbs, and limbs that seemed to be in places they definitely shouldn't be—these professionals had positioned themselves in scenarios designed to make the students' hearts race, their nerves tangle, and their problem-solving abilities spiral into overdrive. Think of it as a cross between an escape room, a medical emergency, and a horror film, all set within the context of an impending catastrophe. It was all designed to test the students' skill and composure under pressure. Perfect training for a potential future of heroic chaos.

Izuku, ever the diligent theorist, had a thought on the matter. "You know," he mused, his brow furrowing as he adjusted the straps of his gear, "I think this exercise is modeled after what happened during the Kamino Incident." The words hung in the air, thick with the weight of memories—memories that threatened to overtake you, like a tidal wave of confusion, fear, and things you couldn't say.

You could feel your body go still, memories flooding back, all at once. You didn't need to close your eyes to see it. You remembered the chaos, the disarray. The desperate moments where everything hinged on a single decision. It was the mission where you were restrained—silenced—your body forced to watch as events spun out of your control. And yet, despite the agony of it all, there was still that pulse, that rhythmic drumbeat of your willpower that fought against the odds.

And then there was him. Katsuki. He had appeared out of nowhere at the League of Villains' hideout, and you remembered how it had felt. How everything slowed down as you tried to handle the looming presence of All For One while your heart hammered in your chest. The whole world had felt like it was closing in around you, yet Katsuki had barreled in like a wild force of nature, unaware—or maybe entirely aware—of the implications of his actions.

A subtle shift to your side pulled you from the storm of your thoughts, and you turned to find Uraraka gazing at you. Her usual bubbly demeanor was replaced with a serene, focused look. She was serious now, but there was something comforting in her presence. She reached out, her hand closing around yours with a quiet determination that somehow made the weight of the moment lighter.

"Hey," she said, her voice low but warm, "remember what we talked about?"

You tilted your head, a brief moment of confusion giving way to understanding.

"No one's perfect," she continued, squeezing your hand. "But we're stronger together. We'll get through this part of the exam too. Together."

And, just like that, the knot in your chest loosened, if only just a little. You'd survived the past. You could face whatever this twisted little rescue mission threw your way.

And yet, a small, wry part of your mind couldn't help but think that maybe the next disaster zone they'd be forced to navigate should come with a warning label: Do not attempt without a sense of humor. You'd probably need it, given what the future might hold.

"Alright, everybody, let's begin!" the instructor called out, snapping you from the depths of your swirling thoughts. You quickly reached down, offering Uraraka your hand, helping her onto your back. There was no time for hesitation—this was the beginning of something big.

In a flash, you felt the familiar rush of transformation, the magic of your dragon form surging through your body. The world around you grew distant as your wings unfurled, beating with a force that sent gusts of wind scattering across the ruined landscape below. With a powerful leap, you soared into the sky, feeling the weight of the situation shift as you gained altitude. You could see everything from up here—the broken buildings, the scattered debris, the distant cries of victims in need of help. The disaster zone spread out before you like a canvas of chaos.

But then, something caught your eye—a figure, dark and imposing, standing among the wreckage. It was him. Gang Orca. Your stomach twisted as memories flooded back, memories you'd buried deep. The sting of manipulation, the feeling of being a puppet on strings, all controlled by the collar that had once held you captive. The sense of powerlessness, the suffocating weight of being used. The collar was long gone, but the shadows of those moments still clung to your thoughts, like ghosts you couldn't quite shake.

Why was he here? Wasn't his part of the exam already finished? What was his involvement in this?

A cold shiver ran down your spine as the questions swirled in your mind. But there was no time to dwell on it. Whatever his intentions were, you couldn't let it affect the mission. You weren't that helpless puppet anymore. You had your agency back. You were in control now.

With a deep, steadying breath, you swooped lower, your dragon form cutting through the air with precision. Sparks of energy swirled around you, forming crackling orbs that danced in the air like lightning trapped in a bottle. They wouldn't hurt anyone, but they sure would make a statement.

"Uh, what are you doing, Y/N?" Uraraka's voice cracked through the tension, her concern palpable as she clung to your back.

You didn't answer right away. There wasn't a need. This was your moment to face the past, to confront the specter of Gang Orca—and to make it clear that he no longer had any power over you.

Without warning, you dove, the ground rushing up to meet you as you summoned the full force of your energy. In a spectacular burst, you crashed into the earth right in front of Gang Orca, your landing creating a crater that reverberated with a deep, rumbling impact. Dust and debris flew in all directions, the shockwave from your arrival sending a tremor through the very ground.

The mighty Number 10 Pro Hero stood before you, unflinching as the dust settled around him. His cold, calculating gaze fixed on you as though he had anticipated your arrival. A smug grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, but there was something in his eyes—something you couldn't quite place.

"I didn't expect you to be this bold, Y/N," Gang Orca said, his voice a low growl. "But you're making a mistake."

You didn't flinch. Instead, you stood tall—well, as tall as one could when in the form of a dragon—and met his gaze with unwavering resolve.

"Making a mistake?" you rumbled, your voice a mix of power and restrained fury. "The only mistake here is underestimating me. Or maybe you haven't learned your lesson about controlling people. You're not in charge anymore. Not of me. Not of anyone."

Gang Orca's grin faltered, just for a moment, before he regained his composure. "We'll see about that."

The air crackled with tension, and though you were ready for whatever came next, part of you still couldn't help but feel the weight of that old, familiar fear—the feeling of being trapped under someone else's thumb.

But you weren't that version of yourself anymore. Not today.

With a determined flick of your tail and a glint in your eyes, you prepared for the next move. Whatever Gang Orca had planned, you were ready. You wouldn't let the past control you, not now, not ever again.