"You want me to spare this girl?" Overhaul asked after looking at the picture on the table. It was a photograph of a girl from the U.A Sports Festival.
"Yep, that's all." Light laughed lightly while rubbing the back of his head.
Irinaka scoffed and pointed at him. "Why should we listen to you?!"
"She's… very important to me. I need her alive for my own reasons." Light explained while playing with his fingers, a pout on his face. "Even Shigaraki doesn't know I'm asking this of you. You do this, and I'll cooperate like a good pawn."
Overhaul stared at him.
"You may even ask that guy… what was his name…? That one guy made us spill our Quirks. He'd be able to prove that I'm not lying." He grinned widely. "You were the one who requested me to be an addition to your group along with Toga and Twice. If you grant me this deal, I'll be even more willing to carry out any order you give me. That's a promise."
Overhaul looked at the photograph once again.
…
…
…
Chisaki growled under his breath as he was slid against the floor.
This girl…!
Their Quirks made them natural enemies.
He was a little too far for comfort. Celsius immediately made her water chase after him. Chisaki quickly slammed his hand down on the ground to create a wall in front of him, completely blocking away the water from him. The water crashed against the wall before it started flowing harmlessly back in Celsius and Eri's direction.
Lemillion phased through the wall to continue his assault. The moment he did, a spike shot from the wall straight towards the girls. Celsius' eyes widened and she felt Eri tense next to her. She wouldn't have time to use the water to try and do something else. Celsius pushed Eri away as gently as she could so that she could situate herself between the danger and the girl. Her hands were held out in front of her as the spike neared. She created an ice shield in an attempt to lessen the impact, believing that the spike would actually harm one of them. Reducing the damage seemed like a better option.
Still, the spike punctured through her left hand and she let out a cry.
Eri's eyes widened. "Miss…. no…"
With her dominant hand, she touched the spike and her ice traveled from her point of contact all the way until the wall before shattering it altogether. Her view needed to be clear. She still needed to help Lemillion, her injury was no excuse to stop.
The water that was left immobile began moving again thanks to its puppeteer.
"I'm… I'm sorry…" Eri's eyes were brimming with tears, and slowly, they fell from her eyes.
That just broke her heart. Her left hand trembled from the pain and from her emotions. Deeply, she breathed in. Her reassuring skills weren't the best. She could barely smile confidently. But she knew she needed to say something to the child. Anything.
Celsius shook her head while helping her senior. "It's not your fault. It's never your fault." she said as she froze her wound closed. The older girl turned her head to look at her. "Please don't cry." her right hand reached for her falling tears to wipe them away, it was the best thing she could think of right now. "I'll feel better knowing you're safe with no tears." she tried her best to smile, not brightly, but with the thought and hope of wanting to see this girl happy.
Another spike was approaching them. She turned around to try and stop it, but Lemillion stopped it by attacking Chisaki once again, making it stop midway, a few feet away.
Suddenly, an explosion occurred near them, making Celsius pull the girl close to her. Chisaki, Kurono and Lemillion all looked behind Celsius and Eri.
She couldn't help the relieved smile that was on her face. Reinforcements!
"Finally…!" She removed her arm from Eri. Celsius was about to get up and ask them for help, but she froze when she saw a familiar figure behind the smoke. She shape of the figure... the sparks...
No. no. no.
NO!
Her eyes widened.
It was Light. He was conscious, drenched and panting. His hair was still slicked back and he was staring at the what was in front of him.
The spike that was not too far away from her. The blood.
The blood on her body. Her blood.
Lightning flickered around Light as he angrily clenched his teeth and glared at Overhaul, purple eyes seething with rage.
"WE HAD A FUCKING DEAL!" he viciously struck the spike with his lightning, blowing it to bits. Celsius flinched and hovered over Eri to protect her from any fragments.
Lemillion's mouth was half open. His eyes were widened as he recognized the Villain known as Light. "Kyourai."
"I will show her mercy just this once if you get her away from here right now."
Shit! What do I do?! Do I attack Light or Chisaki?!
She was at a crossroads. If she attacked Chisaki, who knows what might happen to Eri while Light just stood there. If she chose Light, she couldn't stall Chisaki and help Lemillion take him down while he had the chance. Chisaki looked like he was on his last legs too!
She needed to chose.
Light's eyes dropped their sights on the little girl, gazing at her with no remorse for his next move. His hand rose and he pointed it at Eri.
"You—!" Celsius moved Eri out of the way and took the hit for her.
She started screaming loudly.
The lightning was stronger than what she usually felt. This was the worst one of them all. The thought of Eri suffering through this attack made her feel sick. For once, she was actually more than willing to take on his lightning.
Eri is still behind me… she must be scared…
She tried to shut her mouth to stop screaming.
She couldn't.
It hurt so bad.
Her body fell to the side with her fingers trying to grasp onto something, anything to ease the pain.
Oh god...! It fucking hurts! It burns!
"Celsius!" Lemillion shouted, eyes wide with horror. He was now faced with the same choices as her. What could he do right now?
"T-Take Eri!" she coughed out blood.
Light destroyed the wall to his left, revealing another room on the other side. Then he stopped his Quirk. Celsius' body stopped convulsing and she lay immobile, heaving as the aftermath. She started getting up on her elbows and knees, her will to keep moving was her strongest motivation at this point.
Lemillion chose Celsius and Eri. He darted towards the back.
Light growled at the blond annoyance before harshly kicking Celsius into the room like a ragdoll. She winced at the harsh kick. He threw a knife after her and disappeared in a flash. Lemillion was about to continue his pursue until he heard the floor break. Naturally, his attention went back to Eri since she was left unprotected.
Celsius landed on the floor on her side and quickly got up to her as fast as she could before running back. Light appeared in front of her in a flash. Celsius yelped. He stopped her by kicking her in the gut, pushing her further back into the room.
The last thing she saw before the wall was sealed closed was Lemillion's worry, Eri's horror… and one of Chisaki's henchmen crawl towards the hole.
Her eyes widened.
I need to help…!
I need to stop that interference.
Togata's by himself!
Chisaki is too dangerous!
Eri—
NO! I NEED TO HELP!
Celsius got back up on her feet, her entire being fueled by her emotions and adrenaline. She created one of her water-explosion in her palm and tried to hit Light to move him away from the wall. As soon as she was near him, he pushed away her hand with ease and hit her with a lightning enhanced kick, sending her flying towards the other end of the room.
"If you only you just stayed put…!" he frustratingly ran his fingers in his hair, messing it up. "YOU WOULDN'T BE ALL BLOODY LIKE THIS!" he screamed, lightning sparking around his body.
"And you fucking care?!" Celsius tried to attack him again, desperate to lend her help to the other side.
If only I really made sure I took him down… this wouldn't be happening! Why is he always interfering?!
Her thoughts and emotions were going haywire. The people she cared about were right on that other side and a single man was keeping her away from them.
I need to win this fight! Now! I have to!
Celsius was relentless as she kept attacking Light with reckless and predictable attacks. She got him several times with strong hits but his blows were harsher and violent, a major step up from his previous game.
Why can't I beat him?!
"You're so desperate to help that boy? He's got nothing to do with you! He's a nobody!"
He punched her in the face.
"He's my friend!" she screamed. "You don't know shit!"
She locked her hands together and slammed them upwards under his chin.
"And that girl?! What were you thinking covering for her?! Look at what she made you do! She's just excess baggage!"
Celsius warped away from him as a lightning bolt fell.
She glared at him.
Oh, you didn't just call her—!
"You may be stronger now, but you can't do anything because you're still weak before me MIZUHA!" He pulls his arm back and then threw a lightning spear into her.
…
…
…
Her reaction time to that fast attack practically didn't happen. It was too fast.
Light stayed in his throwing position, watching as she staggered back with a hand hovering over the lightning spear. It impaled her on the lower right part of her abdomen. All of a sudden, the lightning imploded. That was it. Celsius fell forward with a hole in her body. Her life was seeping out of her body with how much of her blood was flowing out and spilling on the floor.
Not good…
Her eyes narrowed as she tried focusing on her fingers, things were getting blurry.
Why…?!
…
GET HER. FINALLY. GET HER. GET HER.
GET HER!
"Finally…" Light sighed when he walked over to her body. "Don't worry… he can fix you up. You will live."
With one arm, Light pulled her body up from the floor, and then he carried her away. His hand and boots were stained with blood. His hand acted as a futile seal on her wound, her blood slipping through his fingers as easy as grains of sand.
Celsius' eyes struggled to stay open.
Her blood was leaving a trail. That made her sick.
The room started rumbling.
"That damn Overhaul." Light growled when he looked back at the sealed wall. "He hurt Mizuha… I'm not helping this guy anymore. I should just go ahead and find Toga and Twice." he muttered to himself.
Celsius blinked several times. Her sight was going black and she could feel herself getting weaker and weaker. Not a good sign.
The difference in power was so evident with their second round. She knew she got stronger, there was no doubt about it. She worked hard to gain the skills she currently possessed. She was ranked third in her whole class. But that made no difference when she came face to face with a veteran that had gone rogue. He could kill who he wanted and attack who he wanted. His skills most likely got better now that there were no limiters on him, such as the law. Unlike Heroes, Villains have no problem going nuts and attacking their target along with nearby civilians, showing their dangerous power.
He was stronger than her.
He had trained just as hard as her to get to this point back when he was good person.
He had years of experience ahead of her.
That was the undeniable truth.
Luck was just on her side for their first round.
As she weakly stared at the floor while being carried away to who-knows-where, she blinked when she saw one of Light's knives on the floor. He had walked past it without bothering to pick it up. He likely had more on him anyway.
Her eyes stayed glued on it, watching as she kept getting farther and farther away from the weapon.
…
…
A knife…
Light.
…
Togata… Eri.
… Everyone …
Celsius' arm weakly stretched for the knife that was far away.
Even if she was training to be a Hero, she was still human, there was only so much damage a body could take. Injuries and blood loss were one of the worst damages.
But…
What was her school's motto?
Plus Ultra.
Yes, she suffered heavy damages, but was this really the end for her?
If I still have time to think and regret… I should be able to move one more time.
Push through your limits and go further than you think you can.
Celsius summoned up the last reserves of her strength and created an ice blade in her right hand. Her eyes were wide as she aggressively plunged the ice blade into his calf. Light winced and instantly loosened his hold on her, then he dropped her as he fell on one knee.
It was painful she landed on her right side.
Despite bleeding, she forced herself to run to the knife and swipe it off the floor.
"What the hell?!" Light winced, trying to get back up.
She literally tackled Light down to the ground and straddled him, the expression on her face was dark and determined to finally end things. The air around her almost felt like a killing intent.
"Fuck!" Light cursed as the ice was forced deeper into his calf. He lifted his right arm to try and get her off.
"Stop getting in my way, Kyourai Rion!" She screams in his face before grabbing his hand with her wounded one and slamming it down on the floor before stabbing the knife into his palm, into the floor, trapping his hand. She did the same to his other hand but with an ice dagger, all while ignoring Light's shouts of pain.
"You're going to be arrested when this is all over." she said before pushing his knife deeper into his hand. She was locking his hand in place with the knife acting as the key.
She stood back up but not without stumbling a little.
…
…
Her eyes narrowed a bit as she stared at Light. She couldn't see why he was looking at her like that. He stared at her with eyes filled with sadness, despair and another emotion she couldn't quite see. Unable to move from being trapped against floor, he could only stare and allowed a single tear to streak down the side of his face.
"Why…?" he whispered in a broken voice, watching as her expression turned into a disgusted one before slowly passing out. What did he pass out from? She didn't know. It was none of her business. If anyone should be passing out, it was her.
She needed to make sure he wouldn't move anymore even if he awoke again. She froze his lower legs to the floor with dense ice.
"Okay…" she breathed out. "I need to help…"
As soon as she took one step towards the wall, she lost her balance and fell on her side.
"No…" she whispered. "I need… to… To…ga… ta…"
Her sight was starting to fill with black spots. She could hear the Chisaki disassembling the the ground and creating spikes, she already became familiar with the sound.
She was short of breath.
Celsius was actually falling in and out of unconsciousness, her will to keep fighting and survive were being the only thing trying to desperately keep her from completely passing out. Passing out was not an option.
Blood…
My blood.
Her uninjured hand moved to the front of her new wound and carefully sealed it with ice, flinching as she did so. Gently, she maneuvered herself onto her knees and reached for the other end of the wound behind her. Her lower left arm supported her weight to hold her up. Her body flinched when her fingers brushed against her torn flesh, letting a whimper escape her mouth.
I just need to close it…
Deku was busy keeping Chisaki away from catching up to Eri with his new form.
Nighteye watched his pupil escape with Eri through the hole that Deku had made to finally catch up to Lemillion and Chisaki. Firmly, Lemillion held onto Eri's hand and began to flee with the best of his ability, determined to get her to a safer place.
However, before he left, he had expressed his concerns about Celsius. Retelling the events that happened minutes before they arrived at the scene to Nighteye and Deku.
It frustrated Lemillion to the core. In addition to letting down Eri once more, he couldn't do anything but watch as Celsius was practically taken away to who knows where.
The mission was to rescue the girl Eri and stop Chisaki.
As tough as it was, he couldn't simply choose to help Celsius when Eri needed help. It was tough decision. The only thing he could do, was have faith.
Nighteye turned his eyes away from Lemillion and brought his attention back to the fight.
Both Eraser Head and Celsius are missing…
Suddenly, the wall across from Nighteye blew apart with ice fragments flying in the air. Deku and Chisaki looked at the new hole. A girl was stumbling out of the room adjacent to the one they were in. She placed a hand on the broken wall to help herself step over the rubble.
She was very bloody.
Nighteye looked horrified, the state she was in was…
Deku's eyes widened at the sight of her, horrified. "H-Hyoumei!"
"Annoying pests… they just keep coming!" Chisaki growled before attacking her with his Quirk.
Celsius saw the spikes coming at her and tried to move away in time. However, she flinched and her movements are slowed down thanks to her wound. Despite her bad condition, she avoided a spike from fatally injuring her but she couldn't move away from the one that graze her right side, making her hiss. It was too close to her fresh wound from Light.
Her feet tripped over each other as she backed away for safety.
Deku quickly made his way over to his classmate while Chisaki tried to aim several more spikes in her direction. Midway as her body tilted backwards, he landed behind her before catching her and carrying her away from danger.
"Hang in there, Hyoumei!" he said.
"Midoriya, is Togata safe…?! Eri? Are they both safe." she asked him while tugging on his sleeve.
His mouth formed a straight line at her question. She saw hesitation in his eyes, making dread form in the pit of her stomach—
"He's fine." he replied.
No… why did you hesitate…?
Celsius peeked over his shoulder and saw Chisaki approaching. Her water flew past her and Deku, and it engulfed Chisaki while pushing him further away from them.
Deku swallowed.
Just seeing her wounds made him feel uneasy.
"Did Light do this to you?" he asked while looking down at the wound she sealed closed. The cool feeling of ice underneath her back and the ice on her lower right was enough to tell him that she had gotten impaled at some point. The ice was her best attempt to stop the bleeding in enemy territory.
Celsius nodded. "But… I finally took him down back there. I wouldn't call it a victory though."
Nighteye's eyes widened when she got closer.
Nighteye looked at the state of her body after Deku left her with him. "You need to evacuate for medical help." he instructed. "You've lost too much blood even with your efforts to seal your own wounds."
She was pale.
The ice could only do so much before it caused serious damage to her body.
Celsius gritted her teeth. "But I'm… I can still move. I'm not useless. I can still help stop Chisaki like this just like when I was with Togata…" she huffed while still trying to maintain her control over the water that stalled Chisaki's movements, she was helping Deku in the same way she helped Lemillion. Nighteye had to place a hand on her back to steady her.
I need to help somehow…
But would it be enough this time? I don't know how he got this sudden new level of strength…
Nighteye couldn't let her continue fighting like this. Her Quirk was doing well in stopping Chisaki, that much was obvious. However, even if she kept Chisaki at bay, her strength would eventually run out, and that would surely result in her death if he came after her. She was in no condition to keep on fighting. And he was positive that she was well aware of that as well. She was just so determined to lend her help in this operation.
Chisaki managed to touch the floor with one of his new arms and he aimed it at Celsius.
Deku destroyed most of them while Nigtheye pulled her away from the danger when one of spikes went past Deku.
Nighteye put his hands on her shoulders so that she could look at him. "Then go after Mirio. He has Eri with him but he's injured. Please keep helping him. Get them both to safety, Celsius."
Those were her new orders.
Save your strength to help Togata and Eri escape.
"O-Okay." Celsius nodded while looking at his eyes, seeing the concern for her senior in them.
"Good, get going." he released his hold on her and gently ushered her after his protégé. Once he made sure she had got through the hole safely, he turned to face the fight between Overhaul and Deku. The water had dropped now that its strings were cut, giving Chisaki the ability to move freely again.
Nighteye needed to do something.
…
…
…
"Togata!"
He looked back. "Hyoumei…?" he said. "You're safe… thank goodness. But your wounds—"
"Never mind that for now." she cut him off.
She caught up to them and saw how his hair was disheveled along with some bloodstains, indicating that he was carrying injuries on his body. From what she saw, he didn't look as bad as her though. She was surprised he made it so far with his injured leg.
"Can you take Eri somewhere safe?" he asked while huffing like her. "I… I'm afraid I'm not moving fast enough."
Are you seriously telling me to leave you behind?!
…
"Everyone! Please take care of Mirio! I just know… he's going to take things too far and need saving."
…
Even Suneater asked the group to help Lemillion. Leaving him behind was not helping.
Mizuha shook her head. "Hell no. Nighteye," she pointed back at the hole. "told me to take you and Eri to a safe place, and that's exactly what I'm going to do! Now…"
She needed to support Togata since his leg was injured, and she needed hold Eri's hand. Togata needed to be on her right side and she had to hold Eri's hand with her left hand.
But first…
"Sorry this might be a little cold for you." she said before crouching down near his injured leg and sealing his wound. "It should help, so bear with it." she did the same for his other one that was most likely caused by a larger spike.
While she was busy putting herself between them, she didn't notice Togata glance back behind them.
He had seen something horrifying. The sight had hit him hard.
"Sir…!" he said lowly, eyes wide.
Mizuha was too busy trying to help him and Eri to actually catch what he said.
He turned his face to the side while Mizuha helped him walk, hiding his silent tears as his indomitable spirit started falling apart.
Mizuha bit her lip and endured the pain as her body screamed from the injury. If this were any other day, she would have succumbed to the pain and pass out. However, her will and adrenaline kept her moving with the remaining strength she had.
She really needed to get Eri, Togata and herself to safety.
Based on how she saw Togata limping against the wall, she and Togata were definitely in no condition to keep on fighting.
"This'll be another death on yours hands! Is that what you really want?! ERI!"
Celsius clicked her tongue in annoyance. Chisaki was still trying to reach Eri, but with his voice this time. Can't he just give up already—
Eri stopped walking, letting go of Celsius' hand while looking down at the floor, her red eyes wide with worry and fear. This caused Celsius to stop walking, and making Lemillion look over his shoulder.
The child looked conflicted, but yet ready to make a decision. A decision that was not right. A decision that would put her back in harm's way once again.
"Eri…" Celsius said slowly, outstretching her hand. "Don't…"
"Eri-chan, don't listen to him." said Lemillion.
Eri started running back to Chisaki.
Celsius whipped around to try and catch Eri, but her blood loss made her sway to the point where she finally fell to the ground. Lemillion, who was in the same state, had tried to catch Eri by moving out of Celsius' support, but that didn't go well for him either. At the same time, they both fell. While Celsius ended up flat on the ground, he landed next to her on his knees.
His body finally had it. Lemillion's body fell on its side. The older boy could not do anything but let his consciousness fade.
The sound of Eri's bare feet running against the floor were getting farther away.
Celsius pushed herself up while struggling, she had to succumb to unconsciousness. She'd be damned if she passed out at this moment.
"E… Eri! Stop! Don't go back there! Please come back!" she ran after her with a speed she wished were just a bit faster. Her strength was draining fast like Lemillion. Her vision was blurring again. Her wound had open in the front thanks to that fall mere seconds ago.
Eri slowed down a little when she looked over her shoulder.
"Everyone is getting hurt because of me…!"
"ERI! COME BACK HERE!"
Chisaki was saying the same thing as Celsius. The only difference was that his words were invoking fear in Eri.
She turned back in front of her and ran to the hole.
Celsius stumbled. She supported herself by putting an arm on the wall. With her right hand, she emitted a lot of water that rushed past Eri and filled the hole like screen before freezing, blocking Eri's path.
"No…! Please, let me go back! He'll fix everything… you'll be okay again!"
"Eri… you don't have to listen… to him." Celsius said while slowly walking to Eri, minding her open wound. She placed a hand there and sealed it again. "And I can fix myself up without him, so don't worry! We don't need Chisaki to fix us. So, please, come back." she begged her while holding her right hand for her, desperately hoping she would choose the Heroes' side.
Eri stared at her, hands up to her chest, unsure about what to do.
"I don't— We all don't want you to go through pain anymore!"
...
...
"I…"
The ice suddenly shattered behind her, scaring her in the process. She flinched as the ice scattered everywhere. Celsius clenched her fists in frustration. Chisaki had shattered the ice and practically forced Eri make a decision, the wrong one and the selfless one.
"I don't want this…!" The little girl stepped over the broken wall and went back to Chisaki.
As soon as Chisaki spotted Celsius behind Eri, he sent a bunch of spikes after her. With what little strength she had left, she warped herself back to Lemillion's side, dodging the spikes, and ended up flat on her back next to her friend.
Her eyes were having a hard time staying open.
She couldn't get up anymore.
…
"Then go after Mirio. He has Eri with him but he's injured. Please keep helping him. Get them both to safety, Celsius."
…
"Nighteye…" she mumbled.
She failed to carry out his orders.
…
…
After he awoke, he followed the path that his group had taken. He was alone for a long while until he found a group of policemen that were also separated from the group. He and the police teamed up, and together they took the path that would lead them to Chisaki. It became quite easy with all the ruckus echoing through the halls.
But, he wasn't prepared to see was the sight of two of his friends on the floor, passed out.
"Over here!" he said to the police before he ran over to them.
Lemillion lied on his side, unconscious. Celsius was on her back, lying in the opposite direction with her head near his best friend's legs. She looked the worst out of the two. Her injuries were terrible.
Suneater actually spotted some blood mixed with water just a few feet away. He already had an idea of who that blood belonged to, it made him gulp.
One of the policemen was already calling for medical help with their walkie-talkie.
"Hyoumei…!" he tried to make her respond.
…
Nothing.
Okay, I need to make sure she's okay… I know what to do.
He learned about this during one of his rescue classes.
Two of his fingers rested on her neck, the point where her pulse was located. He lowered his head near her face and looked at her stomach.
There was rise and he felt her breathing… but…
…
His eye widened.
Not good.
She was still alive but her pulse was low.
She needed immediate treatment, but they still had to get out of this place.
Suneater an arm underneath her legs and her back, and took her off the ground. With her back arcing, it added pressure to her dangerous wound, shocking her awake. Truthfully, she was on the verge of fully passing out, and this movement pulled her back to a more conscious state. Her body tensed and she winced in his arms.
Suneater let out a small gasp and looked at her.
"Amajiki…" her voice sounded weak.
He said something. She was sure he did. She just couldn't register it.
"—take her." he told one of the officers.
She felt herself get transferred into someone else's arms.
A female officer held her in her arms and looked at her face. "I'm going to need you to stay awake, okay? Just hang in there."
Celsius let out a heavy breath.
It seemed to have hit her. The words that she usually heard in movies whenever a character was injured and in critical condition… they were being said to her. Her injuries, they were really that bad? Was she going to die?
Now, she was scared.
She did as the officer told her to do, but that didn't mean it was easy. Every now and then, she found herself closing her eyes from the blood loss, so she would purposely shift in the officer's arms and cause pain to herself. She figured a good painful wake up call would do the trick. She stuck around with the police until they found Eraser Head with Kurono.
Froppy found them and quickly brought them over to the place where Chisaki and Deku were fighting. The fight had moved to the surface after Ryukyu made a hole into the ground. Ryukyu had to carry Eraser Head and Celsius up to the surface, seeing as they couldn't move in their condition.
...
...
Seeing Eri and Deku safe thanks to Eraser Head was definitely a relieving sight. Celsius got worried for a moment when things didn't look good for Deku. He looked like he was in pain, Eri too.
However, that sweet relief just vanished as soon as she remembered her state. Her fear had dialed up to eleven. She could feel the pain now that her adrenaline was wearing off. It scared her immensely.
I need to stay awake…
The ice is melting off… I need to…
If I pass out… I might die…
I need to…
Celsius was sitting up against Ryukyu's giant nose who was still in her dragon form. Then slowly, she felt her body tilt to the side until she just collapsed on her side, barely able to keep her eyes open anymore. But she needed to stay awake. That's what the officer said. She was scared of passing out this time. If she did, she might not even wake up anymore.
"Someone bring a stretcher here! She needs immediate treatment!" Ryukyu hollered for one of the paramedics. "Hurry!"
I'm scared…
Kirishima grinned weakly at Tsuyu and Uraraka as he was being carried away on a stretcher, trying to lighten the mood a little. He heard that they succeeded, that was more than enough to try and smile. Taishiro, who had been walking alongside the paramedics who carried Kirishima, saw Tamaki approaching him, and a happy relieved smile immediately appeared on his face along with some tears in his eyes.
"Tamaki!" he cried in relief. His oldest intern was up and walking despite his face injury.
He had seen two interns out of his total three. That was good. But now, where was the third one?
"Tamaki, have you seen Micchan? Wh-Where is she?!"
It was obvious to him that his junior and the Pro Hero in charge of his internship shared some history together. It had been obvious since the first day the three of them walked into the office together. He was certain that if he saw her now, worry would fill his being.
That's how Amajiki felt when he saw her.
The third year turned his body and pointed a finger. The moment the Pro Hero landed his eyes on the figure being carried away; he swore his heart dropped. That was not what he wanted to see.
Kirishima, who heard his friend's particular affectionate nickname, turned his head and saw Taishiro dash off somewhere, most likely to Mizuha.
"Wh-What happened to Mizuha?" he asked Tsuyu while trying to crane his neck to see. He actually caught a glimpse of her jacket and shirt soaked in her own blood.
After Nighteye, she was the second worst casualty.
Tsuyu's eyebrows curved up worriedly, "She's in bad shape… they said she lost a lot of blood." she resumed what she overheard. "She nearly went into shock from how low it was."
Kirishima wanted to sit up or just get out of the stretcher to see her, but the paramedics forced him down.
Her jacket was teared up along with a part of her shirt. Dried bloodstains were on her face, arms and clothes. She was in the complete opposite state from when he last saw her, which was more than ten minutes ago.
"Micchan…!" Taishiro called her name tearfully, his hands hovering up above her, not knowing what to do with them.
Her onyx eyes stared at Taishiro's yellow ones. The other person could tell what the other one was feeling by simply looking at their expression. Taishiro was worry while Mizuha was fear. She clinging to her conscious state fearfully.
… It's cold.
Searching for some warmth, she weakly reached a hand towards him, silently asking for some type of comfort and warmth from him. Anything to just ease her mind.
She swallowed and her mouth opened a little as her brows knitted together.
I'm scared.
"Can I ride with her?" the blond Hero immediately asked.
…
…
The paramedics allowed him to get in Mizuha's ambulance. They saw how their patient wanted his presence around her since it seemed like he was having a calming effect on her once he held her hand in both of his large hands.
Mizuha's ambulance was the second one to take off towards the hospital after Nighteye.
"Taishiro… I'm scared…" she whispered, eyes tearing up.
He breathed through his nose before nodding. "I know." he said softly, wiping a tear that escaped from her eye. "But it's okay, you're in good hands now."
Her eyes blinked slowly.
A paramedic watched the exchange between the two. Then he looked at the girl. Needless to say, her wounds were bad, especially the one that impaled her. But it was surprising how she managed to stay conscious despite her blood loss. She must have really been adamant about staying awake.
They were in the process of heating the ice, it would be alright since they would still be under the effect of the cold. It most likely last until they reach the hospital, where she would receive proper treatment.
"She's a clever one." the paramedic spoke, breaking the silence. Taishiro sniffed and looked at the paramedic while rubbing his nose. "She sealed her own wounds with her Quirk. She helped constrict her own blood vessels which slowed down the inflammation process. That was some quick thinking."
Taishiro smiled a little at that. "Yeah, she's a smart girl." he said while watching her visibly relax.
…
…
…
Thanks to Deku passing on the information from Celsius, the police charged into the room where Light was in. The moment they arrived inside, the police froze. They were shocked at the sight, so shocked that they took a few seconds before snapping out and calling for medics.
Inside the room, was Light, in the same position that Celsius left him in.
But...
Light felt bubbles of blood coming out of his mouth. He coughed as he choked on his own blood.
The scene was bloody. His own pool of blood surrounded his body, his hands pierced into the ground and his legs frozen to the ground, the ice was already melting though. It would have been easy for him to break free if he kicked his legs up. But he didn't. His eyes were staring at the ceiling, almost looking lifeless. His life was practically leaving him.
"He needs immediate treatment!"
"… We'll have to bring him to the same hospital as the Heroes…"
"B-But… The Villains need to be brought to the Villain Hospital in Takodana!"
"Our job is to save lives! It doesn't matter right now! It'll take too long, and he'll eventually die!"
The paramedics looked at each other, conflicted about making the right choice.
A policeman quickly got down on one knee next to Light and proceeded to yank out the knife stuck in his hand. He didn't waste time taking out the ice blade in his other hand.
Light didn't move.
"We'll take responsibility. For now, just get him to the hospital!"
DONE! The Overhaul Arc is over (all that's left of it is the hospital stuff~)
Now, about the end, where Mizuha starts getting scared about her condition... I always keep in mind that, at the end of the day, Mizuha is still human. This is the first time that Mizuha gets injured to this extent and this becomes terrifying for her. I like to think that someone her age would fear death when they see their own blood flowing out. I try to make her as relatable and human as possible. And, when someone loses a lot of blood... they can't just miraculously keep going at full power. That's another thing I try to keep in mind. Make things realistic, y'know?
Also, I didn't want her getting too involved with Overhaul, but I needed her to get involved enough to have some sort of contact with Eri. I thought that this was the best way to do it.
I'll see you guys in the next chapter! And, I look forward to your reviews!