AT THE BATTLEFIELD
MICHAEL
We hit the field, and chaos hit immediately. Shiketsu students were everywhere, moving fast, attacking smartly, using their Quirks with reckless precision. My first instinct was to scan, plan, and communicate with Class 1‑A.
"Okay, listen up!" I shouted, trying to grab attention. "We need to split into small coordinated groups. Use cover, watch angles, don't all rush forward! Timing is everything!"
Bakugo spun around, eyes blazing.
"Hmph! Who cares what you think, rookie?! Just get out of my way!"Bakug said angrily.
"Wait, I'm trying to keep you alive!" I snapped, gesturing toward a group of Shiketsu scouts moving toward the field's center.
Mina laughed loudly.
"Chaos is fun! Let's just go go go!"She said.
Kirishima was pumping his fists.
"Yeah, just smash them together! Teamwork!"Kirishima said.
I clenched my jaw.
"No, that's exactly what will get us pinned! Cover angles, anticipate patterns, distract first, strike second!"I said angrily.
Momo hesitated, glancing at her devices, but didn't move.
"I… I'll follow your plan if…"She began.
Bakugo scoffed.
"Pfft! No one's following some weak plan. We fight how we fight!"He said.
I sighed, knowing I was fighting a losing battle. These kids weren't listening. My ideas, my timing, my observation all ignored. And with the field being chaotic, every second counted. I crouched slightly, nudging Midoriya, who was scanning the field and writing notes furiously.
"Midoriya… you coming?"I asked.
He blinked, looking up from his notebook.
"I… wait, what?"He asked, confused.
"Forget the class. They won't listen. We handle this alone. I'll guide, you follow. Quiet, precise, efficient. You in?"I asked.
Midoriya's eyes widened, then lit up.
"Yes! Absolutely! We can… we should! I'll relay all observations and timing!"He said happily.
I grabbed his arm gently, leading him behind a ruined wall.
"Alright. First step, observe two scouts approaching from that side alley. I'll distract, you give timing cues. Low profile."I ordered.
He flipped his notebook open, pencil suspended in air.
"Scout one… rotating right after two steps. Scout two… telegraphs left after dodge. Got it. What do you want me to do first?"He asked.
I smirked faintly.
"Relay only what's necessary. Don't overcomplicate. Watch their movement and tell me when they overcommit. I'll handle the rest."I said.
Midoriya nodded, voice low but determined. "Understood! Ready when you are!"He said.
I peeked over the wall, scanning the alley. The two Shiketsu scouts were moving confidently, unaware of our silent coordination.
"Alright… now. Stay ready."I whispered.
"Scout one momentum shift after pivot. Scout two, pause after dodge. Go!"Michael said.
I ducked, sidestepping the first scout, snapping a small clamp onto his pack as predicted. He stumbled into the wall, completely off balance. The second scout pivoted too late, I flicked the mini net exactly at the right moment, tangling his legs in rubble. Both down before they could react. Midoriya's eyes widened.
"That… that was perfect! You timed everything exactly like I wrote!"He sad.
I exhaled quietly.
"That's the plan. Low-profile, precise, controlled. That's how we survive. And how we start turning the tide."I said.
"Next group is coming from the north corridor. I've marked their pattern three step approach, pause, then pivot left. I'll guide you."Midoryia said.
I nodded.
"Perfect. We move on my count. Quietly. Efficiently. No one else needs to know what's happening."I said.
Midoriya glanced over at the rest of the class, still running around in chaos.
"Wow… the class has no idea what we're doing."He said.
I smirked faintly.
"Exactly. Let them be loud and flashy. We control the battlefield from the shadows."I said and high fived him.
And with that, we vanished further into the ruins, silent, coordinated, deadly if necessary, two quiet operators quietly rewriting the rules of the War Games. I kept my voice low because the rest of Class 1‑A was loud and chaotic and would happily eat any secret for breakfast. I slipped the small device out of my jacket, Mei's work, compact, matte black, earpiece and mic in a single piece, with a little clip and one flat button. It fit in my palm like it belonged there. Midoriya's eyes found mine immediately. He moved closer, breath visible in the cold air, pencil already tucked behind his ear.
"Michael? "He mouthed.
"Listen." I said, pressing the device into his hand. "Mei made this. It's a one to one link. You hear me, I hear you. Nobody else can pick it up. Keep it on your lapel or under your collar."
His fingers closed around it like it was a promise.
"This is… amazing. How-?"He asked.
"Don't worry about how." I cut in."Worry about what. Two rules: Short transmissions, and only urgent commands. We don't want the whole field keyed into our voice. One call, one answer. If you need everyone back, say 'Falcon - hold.' If you need full support, say 'Falcon -- push.' Nothing else unless it's an emergency."I said.
He blinked, absorbing it.
"Falcon - hold. Falcon - push. Short, urgent. Got it."Midoryia said.
"Good." I tapped the little button to show him: it chirped once, then went silent. "Use it to coordinate quietly. You keep eyes on the bigger picture, your notebook, your notes and I'll be the boots on the ground. I'll mark targets, you tell me cadence and angles. One voice at a time. Clear?"
He nodded so hard his whole shoulders moved.
"Clear. Michael… thank you. I'll only use it if we really need to call the class back."Midoryia said.
"Exactly. No panicked broadcasts." I gave him a small, half-smile I didn't feel like explaining.
"Keep the device hidden. Under the collar, lapel, whatever. If you need me, whisper into it. I'll respond. We stay quiet, invisible, and we move only on counts."
He tucked the device under his collar like it was already part of his uniform, eyes bright and a little terrified in the best way possible.
"I'll be careful. I promise."Midoryia said.
"Good." I slid back into the crowd and kept my posture relaxed, but my fingers brushed the concealed gear at my waist Mei's gadgets folded neat and silent.
Midoriya melted into the noisy mass of classmates again, eyes flicking to me once more before he scrawled a tiny check mark in his notebook. We were two blips in a city of noise, but the device made us one silent thread. That was the plan. Quiet coordination. One voice, one move, and no fireworks unless necessary. Game on.