A Gift of Fire and Flames

Chapter One

The wind whipped the branches violently and the driving rain was quickly turning to sleet. Bakugo kicked his horse harder, driving his heels into her ribs. "Go damn you, faster!" She reared but then steadied, dodging forward faster. He pulled his furred cloak higher, trying to shield himself from the worst of the rain and wind.

Finally, he saw the small path leading into the woods, it felt like he had been riding all night. He pulled hard on the reins turning the horse onto the trail. She skipped and kicked, dodging the low hanging branches as they dashed forward to the clearing he knew so well. Soon the outline of the small, thatched cottage appeared, smoke curled from the chimney and a warm, yellow glow spilled from the small windows.

He reined in the horse, jumping down and quickly tying her to a post before charging to the door and throwing it open. It swung on its hinges, smacking the opposing wall and making the crockery that sat on the open shelves shake and rattle. "All Might! Where are you?"

All Might dropped the cup he was holding. "Damn it! I'm right here, just as I always am. Must you slam the door and break something every time you enter? There are only two rooms." He held up two fingers for emphasis. "Two rooms, open the door and you can see into both of them."

"Oh, yeah." Bakugo stepped inside, shaking the water from his cloak. He kicked the door shut, slamming it again and making the dishes dance on the shelves.

All Might clenched his fists, slowly counting to ten and asked himself for the hundredth time why he had chosen this boy to train. He picked the cup off the floor and sat down heavily in the chair by the fire. "So boy, what brings you back to my humble abode?"

Bakugo came to the circle of firelight and took the second seat across from All Might. He grimaced, knowing he was going to get chewed out again. "I had a bit of an accident, again."

"Again?" The old wizard sighed and rolled his eyes. "All right, let me see it."

Bakugo shifted and lifted the cape, exposing the bloody gashes that ran across his ribs.

All Might bent closer examining the wounds. "And what happened this time?"

"I got rid of the nest of goblins that were stealing livestock."

"And one of them got you."

Bakugo growled. "He did not. He just got a little closer than I anticipated."

"A little deeper and you wouldn't be sitting here. How many times do I have to tell you that you can't go rushing into everything by yourself. Just because you have the Blade of Flame does not mean you are invincible. Even the greatest warrior or magician needs help now and then."

"Not this again! I'm fine by myself. I like being by myself."

All Might glared at him. "And you're going to end up dead by yourself. Not to mention, I don't need that weapon falling into enemy hands because I gave it to a little idiot!"

Bakugo snarled, clenching his teeth and balling his fists. "What did you just call me old man?"

All Might burst out laughing. "I might be old, I might be half used up but even on my worst day I can still take you. Don't forget that!"

The blonde scowled, folding his arms across his chest and staring moodily into the fire. "Whatever."

"You need to suck up that pride of yours and start making a few friends." He turned and looked out the window at the dark clouds scuttling across the sky. "I'm afraid soon that we are going to need an army." He sighed again before turning back to the boy in front of him. "All right, quit pouting and let me patch it up."

Bakugo although still pissed off, pulled the cloak aside and leaned to the side. All Might ran his fingers lightly over the wound. "This is going to leave a scar this time."

Bakugo only smiled. "That's okay, chicks dig scars."

"Ha! And you know that based off your vast experience with the opposite sex." He laid both his hands on the furrows. There was a faint red light that deepened to orange before becoming almost too bright to look at.

Bakugo winced as it first tingled and then began to throb and almost burn as All Might's healing powers were directed at the gashes on his ribs. "I can get plenty of women if I wanted, I've just been busy with quests."

The glow started to die down and he removed his hands. The lacerations were now gone, replaced by four long white scars. "Whatever you need to tell yourself kid." He leaned back into the chair. Even using that little of his magic made him tired anymore. He needed to find the rest of the chosen ones and somehow unite them before it was too late. He wasn't sure how much time he had left on this plane of existence. "Please think about what I've told you. Look for allies, look for companions and when you find them, bring them here. You can't do it on your own and you are far too talented to throw everything away because you're selfish."

The young warrior looked down at the packed dirt floor of the small cottage. He heard what All Might said, it was just hard. Everyone always annoyed him. They got in the way. They caused problems. Maybe he would try again. He started to stand to leave but All Might put his hand out taking his arm.

"Stay here tonight. The weather is horrid. You can leave in the morning."

Bakugo nodded looking out the window. "What is wrong with the weather lately? It seems wrong. This late in the season, we shouldn't be getting storms this bad."

"It's because it's not natural. I think the enemy has finally found what he was looking for and that he is stupid enough to think he can control it."

"Control what?"

"The Talisman, it's an ancient magic relic, created before even the blessed blades. Some say it's not even of this world. It's horribly powerful, especially when it is fully charged. If used incorrectly, it could tear this world apart. Long ago the wizard guild hid it away, knowing that the power was too much for one man to wield. I'm afraid All for One may have found it's location."

Bakugo cocked his head to the side. "Why would anyone want to mess with something so dangerous?"

All Might smiled. "Oh power, pride, they are a heady combination, they make a man think he can overcome everything. That he alone can do the impossible." Of course, the gentle insinuation went right over the blonde's head. Oh well, he could only try, eventually something would make it through his thick skull and stick. He only hoped it would happen in time. That was the one thing they were quickly running out of.

All Might banked the fire and went into the small bedroom, falling heavily into the straw mattress. He could only hope that he was doing enough, that he was choosing the correct people. Soon, he was going to have to send them out on their own and he wouldn't be able to follow. All he could do was train them and pray for the best.

Bakugo sprawled in the chair in the next room, watching the glowing embers of the fire. He had an idea. Maybe he could have it both ways, gain an ally but still essentially be in control. He had heard whispered stories in the back of taverns. He wasn't sure if they were true or not. He cocked his head listening closely, All Might was snoring in the next room.

His eyes darted to the bookshelf next to the fire place. Upon it were ancient and valuable tomes, detailing arcane secrets and dark magic. There was one book he was interested in, he rose and ran his fingers across the titles until he found it. It was bound in faded leather, the title burned into the binding. Dragon Lore He slipt it from the shelf and returned to his seat beside the fire.

He'd always been fascinated by dragons. They were such rare beasts though, sometimes he doubted their very existence but lately there had been mutterings. Supposedly two towns over they had spotted one. A crazed red beast that kept to the old forest and Mount Lacerta. There were rumors that it had a lair deep in the caverns that riddled the mountain.

Most likely they were just stories and he was chasing a fantasy but how cool would that be, to have a dragon? Instead of a simple horse, he would have a magnificent monster that only he could control. Together they would be unstoppable, he would never need anyone else. He flipped through the pages, looking at the detailed drawings depicting them.

He could read, just not very well. Some of the words baffled him but he thought he was getting the general gist of it. From the pictures and the words he could make out, it seemed very simple. If one were to defeat a dragon in battle and best him, then the beast would become his servant. He alone would control the most powerful creature in the land.

Bakugo fell asleep with his head on the open book, the page he had been fascinated with under him. It depicted a flying dragon, a plume of fire shooting from it's mouth as a brave warrior rode upon it's neck. More than anything he wanted to be that warrior. He knew what he was doing tomorrow, he had a new quest.

All Might shook him awake in the morning. The blonde jumped, reaching for his sword as the book fell to the floor. All Might laughed and then looked down puzzled. "You were reading?"

Bakugo quickly grabbed the book and pushed it back into it's place on the shelf. "No, no, I was just looking at the pictures."

"I see, do you want some breakfast?"

But before he had even finished the sentence, Bakugo had the door open, stepping outside. "No, I'm fine. I've got to be somewhere." He stopped on the threshold, looking over his shoulder. "But I'll be back soon."

All Might shrugged. He wasn't sure if he would ever understand the youth these days. As the door swung closed, he drew closer to the book shelf. His fingers running along the volumes until he came to the one he thought he had seen in young Bakugo's hands. He shook his head, no that couldn't be it. He turned back, his mind now planning his future meal, the mystery of the book already forgotten.