Chapter 16
The next morning Izuku arose to a cloudy day, with mist so thick it appeared to have drizzled out the window and into their shabby motel like fog before a storm. All begrudgingly awoke, apathetic towards the seven-hour trek that still remained. Although the video AC had exhibited yesterday was the source of a quarrel, all members woke with an unquenched curiosity. Denki implored to view the tape, hoping the visual could be revisited. Izuku decided that a second viewing would be in poor taste, given the redundancy of the situation and the injuries the poor girl had sustained.
Yet somehow Izuku felt a strange connection with enigmatic stranger on the tape. Although he knew not whom she was, what her dreams and desires were, they hand formed a bond between this sentient metalloid sphere. For what reason would she send this precious treasure to him? Was it research, was it fate? Izuku cared not for motives or quandaries, all he required were answers.
They swiftly left the motel, glad to be spared from the vile smells and cramped quarters they had resided in. Izuku was sure that to most citizens, the weather would have been no issue whatsoever. However, the fierce cold was alien to all party members, with their hands folded firmly in their pits and postures crouched firmly for some modicum of warmth. Throughout the trek they took down the smut ridden streets of Astrovale, Izuku took the opportunity to site see and to get a true grasp of the new home they had stumbled upon.
What Izuku saw over the course of trudging along the pavement, complied perfectly with the prophecy Tenya had laid down on the blimp. What exhibited itself was the polar opposite of what Izuku had once known in Galliedenn. Benevolence to your neighbor did not appear custom after scanning block by block, but an assiduous hostility that never faltered. On avenues that weren't met with violent cry's and panhandlers, were mansions consisting of thousands of square feet, so tall one had to arch their head to the point of discomfort if they wished to view the peak.
On these streets however, not a single soul could be located. In no yards did children play, there were no light-hearted furnishings on the streets. Monotonous porches clean cut steal fences, and a layer of thick fog that fulfilled the drab look. They had stumbled upon one or two citizens being physically harassed by green caps and TANKS. Though everything in Izuku's being told him to meddle and provide aid, he knew it would result in their immediate capture. A pit the size of a softball grew within his stomach.
"You told me this place was bad, but never dystopian. Where do you except us to fit in, hu Tenya?" Asked Izuku through chattering teeth. The cold was unrelenting.
"With AC at our side, and the general engineering proficiency we have between both you and Bakugou, I feel as though we have a real shot of making it here. But we must be cautious, I'm sure many here have felt the same way", replied Tenya, gesturing towards yet another impoverished street, strewn with beggars and foreboding gentlemen.
"The Aspuean government has allowed this chasm between people to form, on the shoulders of one false promise. Citizens here believe they can jump ranks and climb the metaphysical ladder and become king of the hill. This is almost never the case. People here are just born into wealth, and spend their whole lives revising ways to retain that wealth. And with wealth, comes power, power that no amount of talent or zeal can trump." Tenya's words were profound and enlightening but left a deep sense of concern within Izuku.
"Well then what makes you think we can be the exception then?" he asked.
"You do Izuku. You and that golden egg over there," Tenya said waving towards their hovering companion. This put a smile on Izuku face. It was enjoyable to know that someone had faith in his abilities, enough to put their livelihood and well-being on the line. Though with that faith came responsibility, something Izuku was unsure he could handle.
The five-hour hike was long and arduous. Bringing a frost that pierced the clothes and buried deep in the skin. Their jackets turned hard, forming casts around their limbs. Pillars of smoke blew from every exhale they took. The only one seeming to enjoy himself was AC, who frolicked around the snow from time to time, and danced around the heads of the cluster to the point of irritation. Conversation was held to a minimum, in an attempt to conserve as much heat as possible.
Reaching their final hour, the bay became slightly visible, though the fog had the ability to deceive. By then the unit had had enough of the turbulent weather and uninhabitable conditions. Squinting their eyes with a force, they procured the first neon sign they could find, a pub of any kind to repose and eat. After moments of forging for a location, the cluster final stumbled upon a suitable location. Tenya, being at the forefront swung the door open eagerly, embracing the internal warmth of the establishment.
They found themselves at a lively bar, much more dynamic then they were accustomed to at Mic's Bar. The bar appeared to be occupied by men in their mid-thirties, individuals with a rugged ostentatious nature, as well as a more stoic and menacing brood. The sprightlier of the two sets were found playing pool and darts, yelling slurs and empty threats at the collogues who bested them. The former drank in silence, puffing on bushy cigars that clouded certain segments of the bar. A GAUNT could be made out in the corner of the bar.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to send a message, get me something to drink OK Izuku?" voiced Tenya as he made his way to the appliance. Izuku nodded, looking up he saw AC bobbling about in the air.
"AC I think it's best if you sit this one out." Izuku voiced his concerns to his floating friend, who in response, flew once again into the knapsack over Izuku's shoulder. The thought of sending a message to his anonymous blonde accomplice raced his mind briefly but vanished just as fast. He would not know where to find her, nor whom to go for leads.
The tavern itself was brightly ignited, decorated from corner to corner in the most vibrant of neon lights. The furniture had the potential of attraction, if not for the stains of stale beer and blotches wine that covered the leather and zebra patterned chairs and couches. A massive, rickety fan was suspended in the ceiling, it's creeks and groans were drowned out by the roaring of drunks that echoed within. It did not give off a welcoming presence, though the central heating was desired by all, and so the compromise was made.
Izuku and company sat at the farthest end of the barstools, avoiding the grand majority of chaos and confusion. The bartender approached them, a hefty looking fellow wearing an apron as well as a tight black polo. His massive forehead as well as the mug he was washing with cloth, reflected the same neon light that bounced about the tavern.
"You guys new here?" He asked with a monotone tune. His voice was raspy like a smoking veteran, and deep like a trench.
"Yeah, could you tell?" Denki chuckled nervously. Izuku placed his arms on the bar counter, instantly retracting them once the feel of sticky drink adhered to his elbows.
"Could we just get four beers please?" requested Bakugou. The bartender scanned the assembly tentatively, the longer his eyes were upon them, the more furrowed his brow became. He slowly placed the mug and cloth he held in his grasp down, giving his full attention to the cluster with crossed arms.
"How old are you kids?" he asked with a sly grin. Izuku registered an assortment of gold teeth scattered throughout the bartender's smirk.
"Were all nineteen except that one on the far left, he's seventeen", Izuku said gesturing towards Kaminari with a nod of the head. Tenya cursed under his breath as he made his way back from the GAUNT, rolling his eyes in a manner which indicated he disremembered a certain detail.
"You know you have to be twenty-one to drink in this country, right? Come on kid when did you guys get off the blimp?" the bartender questioned with a hardy smile. Izuku was threatened by the lumbering man at first, though as time proceeded, he knew the gentleman saw them more as a joke rather than a threat.
"Yesterday", said Izuku with a disheartened smile "I guess we'll just have whatever's hot", he requested through his continuously chattering teeth.
"You got it, I'll get you three coffees and uh…a hot chocolate for the kid", he said slapping the table amusedly. A defeated nod was issued from Denki, feeling very inferior at the moment. As they remained seated, an uncomfortable silence rested upon them, drowned out by the bedlam of the bar. Izuku would have liked nothing more than to leave, the establishment completely contradicted the warm and welcoming feeling of Galliedenn.
He looked towards his fellow colleagues. Tenya remained as composed as ever, waiting diligently for his cup of brown, while the vexed expression on Bakugou's face forever lingered. Denki's appearance, however, was somewhat of an anomaly. Rather than having the lighthearted childish panache that he had cultivated as his own, a grim scowl was all that persisted. Izuku began to worry.
"Hey what's wrong man?" he asked Denki cautiously.
"Are you really asking me that question?" he said stoically, with eyes that remained fixed on the flasks and bottles that remained on the opposite end of the counter.
"Yes I am. I mean I know it's been rough but we're almost there man. We just have to stay determined", he ended this solace with a reassuring clasp on Denki shoulder, one that was violently brushed aside as his veered his barstool towards him.
"Determined? Dude just look at the situation we're in right now. We've been trudging around for six hours in the freezing cold to a military harbor that will more likely than not arrest us. We're in a rundown bar right now with barely any money and you want me to stay determined?" The more he ranted the more concerned the trio became, seeing how distressed their friend was they attempted to remain calm.
"Kaminari, calm down. I know things aren't looking so hot right now, but we are trying to make the best out of this situation." Izuku responded in a gentle tone.
"Oh, are you? You know at first Izuku I'd follow you anywhere, you're the man on a mission. Get a job, and get kicked into a better life, right? But lately you've been more concerned about finding out what the hell AC even is then trying to help any of us out," Denki asserted.
"That's totally out of line, and not true at all!" Izuku was taken aback by the accusation that was hurled in his direction.
"Oh really hu? Dude my arm still doesn't even work, have your forgotten about that? Yeah, you have. Now your just concerned about the next mechanical mystery you can crack right? Well that's AC, and everything else, including all our wellbeing's, come second to that!"
"Kaminari your accusing me of a lot of things right now and I don't appreciate it at all," Izuku growled, emphasizing the virulence in his register. He began to grow tired of the allegations being pressed upon him.
"Man, I wasn't even supposed to be here. I didn't buy a ticket for the freaking blimp, I was just forced into this situation by killer robos, and now my whole life rides on this dumb plan." As he spoke his eyes began to water, it was times like these where Izuku forgot just how young Denki truly was. Izuku abandoned his seat and stood.
"Denki maybe we should just talk about this outside, away from everyone here", he said cautiously.
"Oh outside? Where we'll freeze to death? Izuku I feel like half the time you don't even know what you're doing!" Denki's register became so great it could even be heard over the ostentatious roars of the pub. An audience accumulated as heads began to rear towards the younger throng. Bakugou and Tenya began to sweat behind Izuku.
"Denki come on let's just talk about this somewhere else", his hand met Denki's shoulder once more, this time to escort both Izuku and he out of the pub where they could converse more clandestinely.
"Don't touch me." Denki suddenly delivered a push with his one good arm, with as much force as he could muster. The blow sent Izuku stumbling backwards. The abrupt attack shocked Izuku greatly, having never seen Denki display such an act of violence before. Izuku had expected to land firmly on his stock, unable to regain balance. However, the push led him crashing towards something sturdy and vertical, a wall where there was none. Before Izuku could pivot his head to see where he had landed upon, he registered a glimpse of fear in Denki's gaze.
Turning around Izuku could now visibly see the mumbling behemoth he had just smacked into. He towered over Izuku, with a menacing glare that would have frightened the largest of brutes. The mug goliath had once held onto now collapsed to the ground, it's contents of cheap and tart brew now lay splattered onto his tight T-shirt and flayed gothic vest. A flashy patch could easily be distinguished on the man's vest, baring a winged staff being crossed with a sickle.
"Sorry about bumping into you like that man", Izuku said nervously trying to remedy the situation. Before he could continue his apology, the man's colossal hand came down with the force of a locomotive. The parallels in size and speed made it so Izuku could easily tuck under the blow, weaving behind his opponent.
"Hey woah now, we don't have to get into a figh-", his flustered armistice was interrupted by another of the brute's friends, who had now come up from behind Izuku and put him in a headlock. The vice was too stout, as the assailant murmured threats into Izuku' ear, with breath that smelled of milk that had spoiled. While he struggled for release the foreboding stranger now marched towards him, sure of his victory.
Before the hit could be issued however, Bakugou had assaulted the large man from the rear, with a kick that caused his legs to cave in. Those who were allies of the seedy bunch now came to their aid, though others had intervened, in an attempt to prevent the assault of Izuku and is youthful comrades. The confusion in the bar had ascended to an astoundingly new level, as tensions and oppositions from throughout the bar had exhibited contests of brute force. A bar fight had emerged.
Izuku's rear assailant, who now looked more concerned about the position he found himself in, gave some slack in his vice tight grip. Exploiting it, Izuku broke his shoulder free, using it to deliver a blow to the ribs. The menace lurched back stumbling, obviously afflicted by the stroke. Now facing his opponent, Izuku could clearly make out the same distinguishable patch as his previous assailant, displaying the same staff and sickle.
Before the attacker had any time to react Izuku delivered a right hook to the man's jaw, leaving him dazed on the muggy bar floor. He recoiled in shock, having never found the need to resort to such violence. Observing his surrounding once more he could clearly see the amount of mayhem that had manifested. Izuku could make out Denki in the corner, acting sensibly and avoiding all conflict. The bartenders calm demeaner had faded, as his face became cherry red with rage, hurdling over the bar counter and breaking up as many struggles as possible. His raspy voice did little to ease the general public.
Izuku pivoted once more to find another hefty thug charge at him with a fury. With no time to prepare countermeasures Izuku simply put his guard up as he was tackled to the ground with a weight that appeared to match that of a bus. The wind was blown right out of Izuku, his arms guarding his face to prevent any further attacks. As the opponent resting on top of Izuku wound his fist back to send a flurry of hits a glass mug had smashed over his head, his eyes reeling to the back of his head. As Izuku looked up, he could see the ever-resourceful Tenya Iida, throwing mugs and bottles alike at a distance.
Izuku shoved the body of the collapsed man aside, trying to obtain a better sense of his surroundings. As he turned to his left, he was astonished to find Bakugou in an absolute frenzy. Even with the wound his shoulder bared, the brawl that ensued appeared almost choreographed. He observed Bakugou weaving his way through blow after blow, as ever jab and hook he delivered landed with extreme accuracy. Such incredible violence was displayed, slamming skulls on to counter tops, landing gut punches that had fully grown men spool over with agony, spewing slurs and insults the whole while.
With Izuku having acquired some breathing room he stood up, collecting his thoughts. He bolted towards Denki, who remained in the corner, in an attempt to escort him to safety outside the tavern. He pressed his way through the mob weaving his spry body to and fro. Out of the frenzy, what appeared to be a bucktooth redneck struggled to connect his boot to his gut. Izuku managed to clasp the shoe in hand, twisting hard as his enemy collapsed on the hard tile.
Amidst the act, a youngster such as he emerged from the fray, delivering a jab to Izuku's clenched jaw. The blow caused him to stagger briefly, but not before retaliating in turn, driving an elbow to the lad's sternum that sent him crumpling like a tin can.
He now grasped the enormity of the tavern, and the scale of the crowd. Through clouds of cigar smoke he could make out divisions within the hullabaloo. Some clusters wore engraved leather belts that draped from shoulder to hip with distinctive symbols and forms, others wore pigskin gauntlets with chrome insignias. Many bared the staff and sickle insignia Izuku had glimpsed before.
However, having no time to analyze these factions further he continued his surge towards Denki. He arrived at the other end of the tavern to find him cowering in a ball looking as timid as one could be.
"Denki, we need to get Bakugou and Tenya and get out of here," Izuku yelled franticly, whilst shaking Denki vigorously. Denki did not respond but sat there gawking at the battle that was unfolding before him.
"Kaminari, you have to snap out of it! We can't stay here for much longer, or one of us is going to get seriously hurt. The green caps might even show up and question us individually. We can't have that!" Izuku veered his head to see if he could make out any friends. While Bakugou continued to pummel and clash Tenya made his way gradually towards Izuku, a gash could be noted on his forehead while his eyes ignited with panic. He mouthed the phrase "We have to leave" from the center of the frenzy. It was a miracle his glasses had not been damaged.
Feeling as though their chances of escape may be dwindling, he chucked his knapsack on the ground and fished for AC. Izuku held the orb, which triggered a sound that Izuku could only discern as joyful. The radiant metallic ball was content to see him once again.
"Ok AC, here's what I need you to do. Once we get-," his instructions were swiftly cut off by a thunderous crack that blared from the entrance of the bar. The first shot was followed by several more, silencing all that dwelled within the bar. All combats sized as the crowd starred at the source of the ruckus.
Izuku veered his head to find to find two stern men, both taller than average with plain features. Both wore martial combat boots, with black combat trousers. Double breasted nubuck uniform jackets swathed over their durable figure. The two shared a familiar dye of hair, and facial motifs that Izuku could remark instantly. The later held a glossy combat pistol, a tuft of smoke could be seen dancing about the muzzle of the recently fired handgun.
"That's enough, everyone clear out", barked the larger of the duo. The bartender, still flushed from the fight that had just transpired, appeared ready to issue an objection. He bit his tongue however, respecting the men in uniform. One by one the intimidating, feral crowd dispersed from the bar. Their tails were hidden between their legs, all to familiar with the force of martial officers.
"Now then", spoke the armed trooper calmly, spinning his head toward Tenya "Let's have a pow wow, how bout' it little brother?"
