✅ CHAPTER 7 — "Shadows at the USJ"
Morning came fast.
Too fast.
Devon barely remembered getting dressed—he just kept replaying the dream in his head. The Hall of Soles. The bearers. Xayden. The Shadow Spirit.
"Partner, not weapon…"
His fingers brushed his wristwatch.
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
He wasn't ready for those shoes again.
Not yet.
---
✅ FIELD TRIP
On the bus ride, Class 1-A buzzed with energy.
Heroics talk. Quirk talk. Bakugo yelling because Bakugo exists.
Midoriya leaned over the seat.
"Devon! Yesterday you were incredible! That Burst Form—do you know its limit? How long can you maintain it? Do you feel strain in the tendons or—"
Devon raised a hand.
"Bro. Breathing. Try it."
Midoriya flushed tomato-red and apologized 12 times.
Ochaco giggled. Kaminari threw finger guns. Iida lectured about "proper bus posture."
Normal chaos.
It actually felt… good.
But as the bus approached the USJ facility—an enormous dome-shaped complex—Devon's chest tightened.
Something felt wrong.
Like the air got heavier.
---
✅ ENTER THE USJ
Inside was massive—like a theme park built for disasters.
Flood zone. Mountain zone. Fire zone. Rubble zone.
Thirteen, the rescue hero, floated forward in her space suit.
"Welcome to the Unforeseen Simulation Joint! Today we'll focus on rescue scenarios—because saving lives is just as important as combat."
Everyone listened—respectful, focused.
Except Devon.
His watch was… humming.
Not glowing. Not activating.
Just humming.
Like it sensed something.
---
✅ WHEN THE SKY TEARS
FWOOOM.
A swirl of purple-black mist spiraled into existence at the center of the dome.
Not a simulation. Not a quirk demo.
A portal.
A real one.
Aizawa's voice sharpened.
"Stay together."
A voice echoed from the portal.
Smooth. Calm. Cruel.
"So this is Class 1-A."
Villains poured out like a flood.
Masked. Armed. Hungry for chaos.
At the center stood a pale man with hand-shaped scars—and a disembodied hand gripping his face like a mask.
Tomura Shigaraki.
And beside him…
A monster.
The Nomu.
Huge. Muscle-bound. Eyes dead.
Devon froze.
Midoriya whispered, "T-this… this wasn't part of the lesson…"
Aizawa stepped forward.
"Thirteen—get them out of here."
---
✅ ATTACK
Villains surged.
Thirteen activated her Quirk.
The evacuation began—but before they made it ten steps—
A warp villain appeared behind them, swirling into existence like smoke.
Kurogiri.
"My apologies. We can't allow you to escape."
His mist erupted—swallowing the students whole.
---
✅ SCATTERED
Devon felt gravity fall away—
Then SPLASH!
He hit cold water.
Villains in boats circled the Flood Zone.
Tokoyami surfaced nearby. Tsuyu pulled Midoriya up by his jacket. Mineta screamed like a dying balloon.
Devon coughed.
"Everyone okay?!"
Tsuyu nodded.
Midoriya wiped his eyes.
"They separated us on purpose… they want to isolate and kill us."
Devon's blood ran cold.
Kill.
This wasn't training. This was war.
---
✅ A CHOICE
Villains closed in.
"Heh, look at them—kids."
"We'll drag their heads back as trophies."
Devon's pulse hammered.
He could switch to Red—Burst Speed. He could switch to Blue—Aqua Step.
Safe forms. Forms he understood.
But the Shadow shoes— They were whispering.
Not loud. Not forceful. Just a presence.
Waiting.
Partner, not weapon.
Devon gritted his teeth.
"No. Not yet."
He slammed the watch—
BLUE LIGHT IGNITED.
New Jordans formed—deep ocean blue—rippling with water energy.
"Aqua Step."
He landed on the water like it was solid ground.
Midoriya's jaw dropped.
"HE CAN—HE CAN—WALK ON IT?!"
Devon grinned.
"More like run."
He blurred forward— Splashed up waves— Kicked a villain straight into the drink—
BOOM!
Tokoyami sent Dark Shadow slicing. Tsuyu leap-kicked another in the jaw.
Within minutes—the Flood Zone was secure.
---
✅ THE REAL THREAT
But Midoriya stared toward the center of USJ.
Where Aizawa fought alone—
Surrounded.
Beaten.
Bleeding.
And the Nomu stood beside Shigaraki like a loaded cannon.
Midoriya trembled.
"Aizawa… he's going to die."
Devon clenched his fists.
Fear rose sharp and cold.
Not the fear of losing a fight— The fear of losing someone who believed in him.
The Shadow Form pulsed.
Just once.
Devon whispered:
"Not now… but soon."
Because deep down?
He knew the moment was coming— A moment where Aqua Step wouldn't be enough. Where Burst wouldn't be enough. Where the only power strong enough…
Was the one he feared most.