Alluka stood with her head down as the podiums rose into view of the crowd. The victory felt empty with the impending sense of dread hovering over her. She slowly glanced to her right, her eyes landing on Bakugou. He was standing there with his hands to his sides in stoney silence, looking...directly at her. She shivered a little and slowly slid her eyes away. I'm scared... Me too... Nanika replied. For once, not being able to offer a single word of comfort. Alluka wished she could wrap her arms around her little sister, for that was truly how she saw Nanika. Someone that needed to be protected, someone that would be with her for the rest of her life.

Despite the fact that Nanika's existence had made her life hell, she never hated her for it. Allmight arrived extravagantly, breaking her out of her thoughts. He walked over to her with a proud smile, placing the 3rd place medal around her neck. "Congratulations Young Alluka, you've shown commendable strength, and much growth. Keep working hard, young one." Alluka faked a smile, accepting the hug. She was far too distracted by the impending confrontation to really enjoy the accomplishment. Allmight moved down the line, congratulating Todoroki and then Bakugou.

Bakugou took one look at the medal and scoffed, looking away. "I don't want that trash." he said flatly. Allmight chuckled awkwardly, then attempted to put it around his neck. Bakugou growled and avoided it, after a few moments of struggle and shouting Allmight finally managed to get the golden medal on the hot headed teenager. Alluka noticed he was lacking most of his fire, and she knew it was her fault. Most likely he can't stop thinking about Nanika... To be honest, neither could she. Nanika obviously sensed her distress, and it seemed to be working her up. Usually Alluka would comfort her, but she was too wrapped up in her own concerns to do so at the moment.

"PLUS ULTRA!"

The tension in the air was high as Bakugou stood across from her, leaning against the wall. His head was lowered, hair just barely obscuring his eyes. Alluka gulped, fidgeting nervously. "Start talking, you have ten seconds." He spat. Alluka hesitated. "I...Uh.. don't know how to start..." Bakugou raised his head a little, eyes guarded "Maybe start with how you're eyes went pitch black? You better start talking, Twoface." Alluka sucked in a deep breath, then sighed. "Alright but...you have to promise to keep it a secret. For our safety..."

Bakugou's face twitched. "Was that supposed to be a threat?" he growled. Alluka shook her head. "N-No! By our I didn't mean you and me. I meant...me and Nanika." One of Bakugou's eyebrows raised in a silent question, and Alluka held her hand out. "Nanika..." She focused her energy, and Nanika's physical form materialized. She slowly tilted her head to look up at Bakugou, then started quivering. "Alluka...Bisky said..." Alluka bit her lip. "I know, but we have to tell Bakugou now." Bakugou scrutinized the entity, eyes narrowing. "So basically..." She explained Nanika, to an extent. She spoke about how Nanika and her shared a body, and how all of the healing was with her power.

She didn't delve into the conditions, or explain the fact that Nanika could grant wishes. "But...why?" Bakugou asked, a frown pulling across his features. She blinked. "Why what?" Bakugou looked at her. "If keeping her a secret is such a big deal, why the hell was she out during those matches?" Alluka hesitated, then suddenly Nanika's doll-like physical form dissolved, and she forced Alluka into the mind scape. Nanika? I'm going to help.

Nanika took over the body, gently pushing Alluka into the back as she did so. She knew Alluka wouldn't be comfortable explaining the situation. She stared at Katsuki, who had a very hard to read expression. "Alluka had a panic attack during Izuku's fight with Shinso." Katsuki's frown deepened. "Eh? Why?" Nanika realized she was standing stiffly and shifted her body weight, she'd gotten so used to needing to walk stiffly in that doll form. "I think the eyes reminded her of the Needle People." A slightly concerned look went across Katsukis face. "Needle people..?" Nanika nodded. "Illumi would stick needles in people's heads for a few reasons. One is to control them. I think the look on Izuku's face reminded her of that because she kept worrying about if Izuku was alive or not"

"..."

Why does he have that look on his face? Nanika was confused. Very confused indeed, Katsuki seemed frightened. Was it her? Was he scared of her? Everybody was always scared of her...Just for looking at them. She never even did anything, just started smiling and people were already trembling. She scuttled back into the mindscape, where she belonged. Secondary, hidden. where nobody except Alluka and Killua could ever see her. Alluka took over the body again, and Nanika huddled in the corner, trying not to cry. I miss Killua...

830 words

To be continued...