Three days had passed within the training camp and Serenity couldn't tell whether it was her head or her limbs wanted to fall off from the exhaustion from training. She couldn't remember a time in her life when she had tried so hard at school. But she still appreciated an environment where her butt wasn't glued to the chair. Here at U.A., she had to avoid getting her butt kicked by her classmates. No lie, she still hated studying to the bone, but there was just something about having half the day dedicated to unleashing her powers. She had always felt that she had so much untapped energy in her core, and U.A. was finally giving her the chance to hone it.

An unfamiliar voice rang in her head. "Hey guys! Time for a break!" It was Mandalay using her telepathy to reach all the students. Serenity shook her head like she was trying to eject the voice out. It was just a bit unnerving having a foreign voice sneaking up in her mind.

"You guys have been working really hard for the past few days, so we're rewarding you all with a barbecue! Head over to the lake! It's a kilometer north of where the training grounds are!"

The U.A. students wasted no time in dashing back to throw on their swimsuits and in making their way through the forest. Serenity was the first to reach the lake in record time, donned in her cutest bikini-one where sunflowers swam in a deep shade of teal.

"We must be the luckiest boys in the world to be blessed with this visage," commented Mineta. He was close to passing out due to the collection of beauties in bathing suits before him.

Pinky who had definitely NOT heard his comment would say that it was by total accident that she had kicked him on her way into the water. Regardless, she wouldn't have denied that he deserved that mouthful of sand.

Eventually most of the class were playing in the cool, refreshing lake water. Their exhaustion dissipated into joyful bouts of laughter and screeches. The girls and boys took a break, opting to wade in the water to conserve energy before their volleyball game. Todoroki, Deku, Bakugo, Kaminari, and Kirishima huddled into a group, finishing off their gameplan.

"What we have to watch out for is Bun-Head over there," Bakugo stated.

"Doesn't Tsukino-san look like a water Goddess?" Kaminari remarked as he eyed Serenity in her tasteful swimsuit with her hair floating like gold in the water. Todoroki couldn't help but silently agree. The game was made unfair the moment his eyes landed on the blonde girl in a bikini. Completely unfair.

"Oi, keep your head in the game, Electric City," Bakugo warned. "If you're so easily distracted, then you deserve to lose." The half-and-half boy ducked his head in slight embarrassment even though the warning wasn't directed at him.

"How manly, Bakugo!" Kirishima shouted as he gave him a hard slap on the shoulder.

Deku scanned his members as he examined their strengths and weaknesses to strategize for the best decision. The pensive boy wondered which position would Mineta be best suited for. Speaking of which, where was the purple boy?

"Has anyone seen Mineta? We're starting soon," Deku announced to the group. The said boy was lurking under the water like a shark, his purple hair barely above the water. His pride stoked the flame for vengeance. How could Pinky embarrass him like that in front of the girls? What Mineta didn't realize was that he usually embarrassed himself just fine without anyone else's help.

'Okay, I'm going to jump out of the water and give Pinky a run for her money.' The next few moments would go down in Class 1-A's history forever. Instead of scaring Pinky, Mineta mistakenly jumped out of the water nearest Serenity. Scared, the blonde elemental hero sent a way of water as a knee jerk reaction. By some cruel trick of the gods, the top of her bikini came undone and floated away with it. Mineta was washed away with the waves, landing forgotten and unconscious on the shore.

Todoroki and the boys jerked their heads to the screams of the girls. Before he could question what had happened, a curious article floated to him and he plucked it out of the water. The familiar teal and sunflower pattern caught his eye. "Wait… isn't this-"

"TODOROKI-KUN!" The high-pitched voice of Serenity interrupted his train of thought. "May you please return that?" The embarrassed blonde requested while trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

The synapses of Todoroki's brain cells fired away as he saw the beautiful Serenity, floating like a golden mermaid with her arms covering her chest. Fire away they did as his cells sparked his quirk and for the first time in history, someone caught fire in water. The left side of Todoroki came alive, his flames rivaling a bonfire and boiled the water around him. Subsequently, the only thing guarding blonde girl's decency was incinerated as well.

Todoroki wasn't the only one to let his embarrassment override control of his quirk. Serenity immediately called forth a towering tidal wave, extinguishing the half-and-half hero's flames and send the last gaggle of U.A. boys face-first into the shoreline.

"Serenity-chan!" Yaoyorozu's voice cut through the chaos of the lake. "It's the quickest thing I could create."

The Creati Hero threw her creation over to her friend. In the blink of an eye, Serenity pulled over a simple bathing suit top patterned in Yaoyorozu's iconic red and yellow color. She made no haste in swimming over and hugging her friend in appreciation.

"Thank you so much, Momo-chan," Serenity exclaimed as she squeezed the breath out of the black-haired girl. The other girls, Pinky, Ochako, Tsuyu, and Jiro, swam over to Serenity and gave her words of comfort.

All the girls looked at one another, the same thought running through their minds. Mineta had stepped over the line this time.

Mineta rose out of consciousness to be greeted with more darkness. Had that much time passed since he blacked out?

A single flame lit up the darkness around him. He felt the rough bark against his back and twigs poked at his hands and legs. In the dim lighting provided by the small flame held gently in Serenity's hand, he saw six of his female classmates standing menacingly above him. When he had dreamt to be surrounded by girls, this wasn't exactly what he meant.

Serenity's lovely lips opened to speak, "If you ever do something as disrespectful as that to another woman, in the name of the moon, I will punish you."

Mineta gulped and suddenly the wetness in his pants wasn't due to the water from the lake.

The blonde girl nodded over to her frog-like friend. Suddenly, the small boy felt a pull from his collar and within a flash, his small body was rocketing through the air, landing smack into the trees. Mineta hung limply from the branches.

—

Once the sun settled snugly behind the horizon, the stars came out to play. The U.A. students were setting up a small campfire to cook some barbecue, their stomachs already growling in anticipation.

Todoroki had been trying to apologize to Serenity in private all afternoon, but something always got in the way. For example, every time he tried to walk towards her, a rock that he'd sworn wasn't there before popped up, and suddenly his face was kissing the ground. If he hadn't known any better, he would say that she was avoiding him on purpose.

Ochako called out to the group, "hey! Can someone get some more firewood?"

Serenity placed the knife down as she had just angrily finished peeling the potatoes in odd lumps. She answered, "I'll do it!" She still needed to blow off steam from the afternoon incident.

The blonde girl stomped off into the forest without another word. Todoroki made up his mind. This was the perfect chance to apologize to Serenity for this afternoon. The half-and-half boy immediately followed Serenity's footsteps like a lost puppy.

Ochako sweatdropped at the scene, but other Class 1-A students snickered at this love comedy unfolding before their very eyes.

Todoroki found Serenity in the middle of a small clearing, throwing branches that she deemed unfit for firewood against the ground harshly. He gulped. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

"Tsukino-san… I want to apologize for this afternoon," he said, his words dripping guilt. She didn't turn around, refusing to acknowledge him.

"I swear I didn't… see… anything…" he continued in a much less convincing tone.

Serenity finally swiveled to face him with her arms crossed. "Todoroki-kun, when you say it like that, it sounds like you actually saw something."

He did. Todoroki's burning face confessed everything.

Without warning, the blonde burst into a fit of laughter. Serenity couldn't help it. It was the first time she had seen the serious boy looking so… contrite. He was like a scolded puppy. Not even the most cold-hearted of people could resist such a visage. The heavy awkwardness between them finally lifted.

"It's okay, Todoroki-kun. I know you didn't mean it. I think that's the first time I've ever seen you perform so poorly under pressure." She gave him another small chuckle. "Plus, I've never seen anyone on fire while in water before. The look on your face was almost worth the whole fiasco."

The boy gave her a small smile, happy to hear the bells of her laughter. Her amusement simmered down and Serenity eyes fell onto Todoroki once more. The soft smile that Todoroki seemed to only ever give to her made her breath catch in her throat.

The weight of her secrets crushed her shoulders. She didn't deserve Todoroki's smile. Not when she painted her words, her face, almost every part of her being with lies. Maybe… maybe it was finally time to come clean to Todoroki.

Her eyes sunk to the ground and she rubbed one arm, growing cold and vulnerable all at once. What would Todoroki say if he knew the truth? Would he run away in fear calling her a monster? An anomaly that broke the natural order of the world?

"Todoroki-kun," Serenity said, her heart threatening to burst out of her ribcage, "I have something I need to tell you."

A few meters away, Deku was walking through the woods, carrying supplies for s'mores to the campfire. He caught sight of blonde and red-and-white hair. Just as he was about to call out to his classmates, a hand yanked him down to the ground. The poor boy's face lit up like fireworks when he found Ochako's face inches away from him. Her index finger pressed against her lips, signaling him into silence.

"W-what's going on?" he stuttered out in confusion.

"The class has a bet on when our two lovebirds were going to confess to each other," Aoyama answered a few feet away. Deku hadn't even noticed he was there in the shadows of the trees.

"Looks like either Kirishima or Tsuyu-chan might win. They both bet that it would happen during the end of training camp but on different people."

Deku noticed Bakugo of all people among the group and whisper-yelled, "Kacchan?! What are you doing here?"

"I bet 2000 yen on the half-and-half idiot confessing first but meatball head over there round kicking him in response."

Deku cried aghast that such a bet was taking place, but Aoyama interrupted him. "Don't worry, we have one for you as well." The broccoli boy was too shocked to speak.

Ochako was surprisingly the one who cried out, flames of jealousy igniting her words. "With who?!"

Aoyama swiftly gave her a knowing look in return and she turned away, her face hot with embarrassment.

A deafening blast silenced everyone in the surrounding area, cutting the love comedy short. Serenity and Todoroki broke their intense moment and instantly made way to the camp, bumping into the lot of Class 1-A students hiding in the bushes.

The duo stopped in their tracks. "What are you guys doing here?" Serenity asked for the both of them.

Kirishima unconvincingly answered, "umm... we wanted to help you find some firewood?"

Serenity scanned the crowd consisting of Kirishima, Deku, Ochako, Bakugo, Tsuyu, Pinky, and Aoyama. "All seven of you?" asked, utterly confused.

"Eight of us!" Invisible Girl announced herself. The others glared at her.

Before more bullshit could spew out of Kirishima's mouth, another explosion cut him off and the group returned their attention to the more pressing matter at hand. The camp was in trouble!

"What in the name of the moon is going on?" Serenity yelled into the forest as her legs carried her to the campsite.

Half of Class 1-A now settled in the clearing where their barbecue should have taken place. Everyone froze in their place, their eyes bulging in disbelief. Serenity spotted an all too familiar scarred face. "It's the League of Villains!" Fear seized their hearts.

All four members of the Wild, Wild Pussycats were holding off a villain.

Mandalay paused in her fight and telepathically announced, "everyone, stay clear of this vicinity. This entire area is highly hazardous and filled with an unknown number of villains. Go back to the safehouse with the rest of the students. Your safety is of our utmost priority!"

Before anyone could move, a villain shouted, "there he is!"

No one could tell who the "he" the villain was referring to, but it didn't take long to put two and two together when the villain charged at Bakugo.

The Pussycat Hero's surprise drew high. "This isn't just an ambush! It's a kidnapping! Students, for your own sake! Please escape!"

The U.A. students made no haste in following her orders. Somehow, Serenity split up with Todoroki and Bakugo as they ran their way back into the woods.

"Wait, are we allowed to use our quirks?" Serenity asked in the thrall of the chase, oddly worrying about rules at the most inopportune time.

"Like hell I'm gonna need permission to defend myself," angrily yelled Bakugo.

Both Todoroki and Serenity agreed with the statement, albeit silently. Sometimes it was really nice to have someone as transparent as Bakugo say things so bluntly.

Todoroki quickly conjured a barricade of ice to block the villains from chasing after them. But unbeknownst to them, a fan-favorite villain was already on their trail.

Dabi made no haste in sending his blue fire, melting the ice barricade into a puddle. He smirked, excited at the prospect of re-challenging that half-and-half brat. It had been too long since Todoroki Shouto had tasted his flames.

Bakugo shouted, immediately sensing Dabi in the dark patch of the woods. "Someone's on our tail!" A blue fireball announced the League of Villain member's presence. Serenity was surprised she hadn't noticed him earlier, given how strong his killing intent was.

"Now, now. It's rude to leave the party so early, children. It's time to teach you some manners."

Bakugo punched his hand to charge up his quirk. "You wanna take on three U.A. students? You seem to have vastly underestimated us."

Serenity was oddly flattered to have been included in Bakugo's flex. She knew deep down, he actually respected and cared for his classmates.

Todoroki said nothing as he shot fire from his arm like a flamethrower, but Dabi easily dodged like it was coming from a mile away.

"Be careful, Todoroki-kun. Flames can spread so easily. You wouldn't want to accidentally trap your other classmates in a circle of fire, do you?" Dabi aptly warned. Todoroki bit his cheek in frustration. That's right. He barely had enough space here to attack without injuring his friends.

Serenity was about to stomp the ground to throw Dabi off his feet, but the silence from her left side unnerved her. Why was Bakugo so quiet? He should have already been the first one to throw a punch, no questions asked. When she turned to look at the space Bakugo where should have stood, only a black marble sat in his place. Just as she was about to reach out to inspect the onyx marble, a dark shadow quickly snatched it.

"Misdirection is not the only miss in the arena tonight," a strange voice made itself known to Serenity.

Serenity was not the type to curse but now was a better chance than any. "Who the hell are you?! Where's Bakugo?!"

The magician villain in his hubris, flaunted the black sphere around, twirling it in his fingers, "your friend has found a comfy new spot within my Magic Marble."

Dani inwardly sighed once he saw the magician with the orb containing Bakugo. Speaking into a receiver, Dabi's reported in a bored tone, "we've just captured the target. Warp us back. Looks like there's no need to battle anyone here tonight."

Suddenly, a dark, ominous shadow manifested over the magician and swept him up into the unknown. Before he was completely engulfed by this space bending shadow, Serenity charged at him with water whips in both her hands, hoping to rope him back into the arena.

Dabi viciously shot out blue flames to evaporate her water whips. She was so close—her desperation to save her friend blinding her to Dabi's presence. She hadn't noticed until it was too late and Dabi caught both her hands in his. His fingers interlocked with hers, effectively rendering her hands immobile. Dabi's palms were searing and Serenity knew if he held onto her any longer, she would no longer have fingertips.

"Well, well. Looks like I've caught myself a little rabbit," he smiled viciously, stretching his scarred skin.

Just as she was about to stomp her feet on the ground to send a wall of earth to throw Dabi of his feet, he threw her off guard by easily maneuvering her body and entrapping her within his arms. In an instant, her feet were off the ground, rendering her earth powers useless. Her wrists were locked in one of Dabi's hand behind her back, and he trapped her by holding her against his front. Her arms were already straining at being forced into the awkward position. And finally, her mouth was covered by Dabi's other hand, his scarred fingers digging harshly into her cheekbones.

"You don't think I've noticed your little tricks from our last battle?" Dabi spoke smugly against her ear. "You're not as invincible as everyone thinks you are, little rabbit. Eventually, a weakness can be found."

"SERENITY!" Todoroki shouted asrage and desperation burning his lungs. If adrenaline hadn't been pumping into her ears, maybe Serenity would have noticed that it was the first time Todoroki had called her by her first name.

Dabi's cold eyes shifted to Todoroki. "My, my. I didn't think it would be that easy to find your weakness, Todoroki-kun," the villain said in a derisive tone.

Dabi experimented with his theory. He squeezed Serenity just a little tighter to elicit a whimper out of the bunny in his trap.

The murderous glare that Todoroki sent his way could have burnt a hole to hell.

"I discovered something fun after all, but looks like the night will die young." Dabi remarked casually as a transdimensional shadow started eating his body and Serenity's. Todoroki couldn't help but move towards his friend's disappearing figure.

The scarred villain shook his head. "Ah-ah-ah. If either of you try anything, she's going to get some new scars to match yours, Todoroki." Both of them froze, powerless at the wake of his threat. The shadows engulfed the two figure like a new moon blankets the earth in darkness. Not even a wisp of Serenity and Bakugo remained.

Todoroki was left behind, bathing in the absence of his friends. Frustration, anger, and fear exploded from his chest and he exhaled a roar of fire into the moonless sky. The flames acted as a signal to the other U.A. students and faculty that something terrible had happened.

The poor boy fell to his knees, slamming his fists at the ground, not willing to believe that he had just watched both his classmates get kidnapped without a fight. His eyes burned with hot tears that he refused to let fall