Chapter Text
Bak’go had no idea how he got into this situation. Getting paired with Icy-Hot of all Dragits was bad enough even without the Villain invasion. Now they were trying to get back to the Lodge by taking a shortcut through the brush with two extras from class 1-B.
“You guys *huff* are too *huff* fast!” Bak’go didn’t want to slow, but even he had to admit that running so much was leaving him out of breath. It would be better for them to walk the rest of the way and conserve their energy for if they needed it.
“Tch, fine, but if we’re attacked it’s every man for himself.” He would ignore the fact that both Class 1-B students were designated as females. Kiri’s Human phrases were rubbing off on him.
“Everyone, permission has been granted by U.A. instructors to fight back! Gift use is authorised at this time for self defense! If you cannot evacuate without engaging with Villains then you are permitted to use any means to get to safety!” Bak’go’s mood lifted significantly.
“Finally, some good news!”
“Shush, we still need to be quiet. Just because we can fight back doesn’t mean that we should draw attention to ourselves.” The taller Orooti placed a hand on the Nazylin’s mushroom cap.
“Remember, Komri, we have the only sensible Dragit in our class.” Bak’go growled slightly, refusing to acknowledge any timid excuse for a Dragit that would stifle their fiery passion in the face of others, but violent crashes quickly made their way over towards their direction. Villains? Bak’go was on guard, but he didn’t expect to see Tok’o flying after a raging Nettoyal chasing Mezo.
Tok’o valiantly used what feathers he could to distract and blind the beast, but his efforts seemed to be in vain. Mezo was leaking a trail of blood along the path, at least one of his limbs was missing, the stump mangled by the force used to rip it away. The group ran by quickly enough that it caused everyone who witnessed it to pause, but Sho’o quickly ran over, using his ice to create a barrier and force some space between the creature and their classmate. Bak’go, not one to be outdone, used his flames to keep the beast from charging their group in frustration after.
The Class 1-B extras weren’t too shabby themselves, the Nazylin using her paralyzing spore mist to down their adversary, and the Orooti using her thorny vines to bind it in case it regained mobility. Tok’o was panting as he landed.
“By the Stars, thank you!” Mezo jogged over, a few of his arms stifling the worst of his wounds. He was a Tagoya so his limbs would grow back, but it was still gruesome to see up close. “Mezo!”
“I’m fine, it looks worse than it is. Thank you for trying to distract it. I thought that after leaving home those predators wouldn’t be something to worry about again. My childhood nightmares seem more justified now.” Bak’go scoffed, getting close to the creature and noticing a collar of all things on it. There was a nametag on it and he scowled.
“Moonfish?” Mezo huffed a pained laugh.
“Whoever named it wasn’t very creative. The light of its Esca resembles the light of our Lunar Bodies. When those of the deep surface we search for those lights to guide us so they prey upon anything that swims their way from below.” The girls shuddered, but the Orooti spoke up.
“That aside, we need to get back to the Lodge. There are still Villains about, and you need medical treatment.” Bak’go agreed, but Sho’o spoke up.
“I’ll take the lead, let me know if we need to slow down.”
“Hah? Who died and made you the leader? Obviously I should lead like we did before!”
“You were not in front of me, therefore you were not in the lead.”
“As much as revelry in chaos is enjoyable, this Cycle has far too much in this mad banquet of darkness. Please, let’s adjourn.” Bak’go grumbled, but had to agree. Standing out in the forest was doing nothing for them, and if everyone was heading back to the Lodge anyways then the closer they got there the closer they would be to others who could help. There was strength in numbers, even Bak’go had to admit that.