**A Glimpse of True Character**

I watch in awe as Izuku stands his ground, his small body trembling slightly as he faces off against Katsuki, Tsubasa, and Inaba. My admiration for the little boy's bravery grows with each passing moment. He's impossibly brave, braver than I would ever be, if I were really four, quirkless, alone, in front of three kids who were once my friends- one of which could blow me to bits and pieces. Katsuki takes a step forward, a grin still plastered on his face. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here," he says, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The quirkless kid, trying to stand up for himself." Izuku stands his ground, his eyes flashing with determination. "Leave him alone, Bakugou," he says, his voice firm. Katsuki chuckles, his grin growing wider. "Or what? You'll protect him?" he asks, his tone mocking. I take a step forward, feeling a sense of unease. I don't like where this is going. But before I can intervene, Izuku's small body squares off against Katsuki's. "Yeah, I will," he says, his voice steady. It's clear that Izuku is trying to be brave, but it's also clear that he's scared. I can see the fear in his eyes, but he's not backing down. Katsuki, on the other hand, looks like he's enjoying this. He's enjoying the power dynamic, the thrill of being the bully. I take another step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. I don't know what's going to happen next, but I know I have to do something. Katsuki sneers at Izuku. "You can't do anything right, quirkless kid," he says, his voice dripping with malice. "You're useless." Izuku's eyes flash with anger, but he doesn't back down. That's when I see it - a glimmer of fire in Katsuki's balled fists. He lunges at Izuku, and I react without thinking. I throw out a hand, catching Katsuki's arm and stopping his blow. My hand hurts. Sparks are flying from Katsuki's skin, connecting onto mine, and it sizzles and sears and hurts. But I let nothing of it show on my expression. I've dealt with worse pain than this. Tsubasa and Inaba stop, disoriented. They're scared of me, despite knowing I have no quirk. They prefer to let Katsuki handle me - Katsuki can handle anyone. But I can handle Katsuki. Or at least I hope. "Bakugou-chan," I whisper; I don't know how, but I feel calm. "This is the moment, alright? Show me you've got what it takes to be a hero." Red eyes glint dangerously. "I'm gonna show it alright, by beating those useless extras over there-" "They're innocent. They're defenseless. Shouldn't a hero protect them? Shouldn't you protect them, Bakugou-chan?" For a moment, I despise Katsuki more than I thought I could. He's got the chance to prove himself, to show that he's more than just a bully, and he blows it. He's not even worth my time, but I'll give him one more chance. I want to see if he's got what it takes to be a hero. The question hangs in the air, and I wait for Katsuki's response. Will he take the high road, or will he continue down the path of destruction? Only time will tell.