"So how do we get across?"
"I could shift and just fly us over."
Bakugou growls lightly but waves his hand as if dismissing the idea. "There should be a fucking bridge around here somewhere. Izuku?"
The green haired young man jumps at being addressed, turning to face the beast king. "Well I don't really remember. I mean, if there is a bridge, wouldn't it be either further upstream or down? Though, we didn't exactly see one while on our way here, so it must be downstream if there is one."
"Kirishima, if you don't mind." Todoroki holds a hand out while heaving a long suffering sigh.
Kirishima is quick to hand his tunic to the prince before shifting. Todoroki is the first to take a seat.
"Bakugou, Izuku, the sooner we check out those ruins, the sooner we can move on and continue our search."
"Do you not think the sword's over there?"
"It might be, but it's not likely. These are older ruins, so unless they are where the king fell, well, I doubt the sword will be there."
The others are soon mounted and Kirishima takes a leap, a few wing flaps and they are setting down across the river.
"You may as well stay like this, whoever's living here, we don't know if they are hostile."
"You seem rather certain of the fact someone is living here."
"It's the animals, they're more skittish than if there are no humans around. It's fucking subtle, but not undetectable." Bakugou heads into the tree line, leaving the others behind.
"Something tells me he's the only one that would notice if animals act differently around humans or not." Izuku watches after Bakugou, concern on his face as the other continues on without them.
"So we can assume that whatever Bakugou is, he isn't human?"
A gruff sound escapes Kirishima at the comment made by the prince and the other two turn to him.
"Would you three idiots hurry up already!"
In the shadows of a few of the trees, just out of sight and beyond notice is a thin man with messy blonde hair. He is leaning against one of the trees heavily, one hand brought up to grip at the discordant locks.
"Izuku,"
The hand drags down the face of the man to cover his mouth, concern etching itself deeply into his features. Piercing blue eyes gazing off as though lost in thought.
~Flashback~10 Years Ago~
Fires burn throughout the city as the people trapped in them scream in terror. Standing in the middle of what was once the city's market square is a large imposing figure clothed in red and gold, the great king, AllMight.
Opposite him stands a tall dark figure in black robes, a blackened book clutched in one hand hanging at his side, the other held out with a glowing orb of power aimed at the king.
"The sword, AllMight. Surrender it to me and all these lives could be spared."
The king looks upon his burning city, hears the cries of his people and thinks for one moment it may be the right thing to do.
The sound of stone scraping under the grit of rubble draws the attention of both behind the king. There a woman with green hair dressed in royal wealth holds back a young boy of around ten, his bright green eyes spitting fire at the dark man threatening the king.
"Izuku,"
"Ah, the young prince." AllMight turns in time to see the wicked grin spread on the dark man's face as he releases the orb of energy at the boy.
His heart gripped with terror he steps in to take the attack, finding himself thrust back into the two behind as pain flares in his side.
"Tch, if that is how this will be. I can kill the boy and his mother later. It doesn't matter to me if you are first or last, Your Majesty."
AS the villian begins to charge another attack, AllMight struggles to his knees, turning to face his wife and child.
"Izuku!" Alarm fills the king at the site of blood oozing from a gash on the young prince's forehead. His gaze looks up to lock with his wife, cradling their son in her arms. "Inko, you must run. I will keep him busy, just please protect yourself and Izuku."
The queen nods, managing to stand as does the king, though he is nearly brought to his knees once more at the pain in his side.
"Toshi!"
"Please Inko, you must run, leave now!"
Tears spill from her green eyes, as she turns and flees the square.
The king watches her for only a moment before turning to face the dark man.
"Trying to buy them time? No matter." The attack he was charging is loosed, the king just being able to dodge it before launching into a counter attack of his own, sword held high and glowing with holy power.
~End Flashback~
"I feared," Those blue eyes close, tears pooling at their corners. "Inko, she would have come with him," She wasn't there, and Izuku was meant to take up the holy blade on his sixteenth birthday. When they hadn't arrived four years ago, Toshinori had feared they had fallen that day so long ago.
Here he is though, alive and healthy and whole.
Tears stream down the weakened king's face, his only support the tree behind him.
"My son is alive."