Chapter 24

A day had passed since the brutal skirmish that took place within that alleyway. The setting had engulphed Izuku's thoughts for the longest time. What took precedence, however, was the warnings issued by Shoto. Warnings that even Tenya, the most knowledgeable of the group could not clarify. Izuku and his comrades, accompanied by Kota Izumi, and now laid circling Bakugou at his bedside. They had been there for several hours now, as the hospital provided food for them, as well as treatment for Bakugou.

The wounds he sustained were gruesome, cutting deep within the sinew, forming lacerations and tears deep within the skin. Several bones had been broken, and as he lay there discomfort registered across his face. Thankfully the wounds did not prove fatal. What's more, the nurses assured them that he could vacate the confines of the hospital within the end of the fortnight. Still, moral was once again low for the pact, the anguish in the air so thick it could be bottled.

"Kota, I have some questions that need answering," Tenya spoke, keeping tabs in his conduct to ensure he did not frighten the child. The display of vulnerability Kota had exhibited in the dark confines of the alleyway had abated, as he returned to the stoic child he once was. Izuku had illuminated all that had happened to his fellow comrades, leaving no stone unturned. He presented the new threat of the Reservoir Dogs, shaking Denki and Tenya quite a bit. He had left out graphic details and brutalities that had transpired throughout the attack.

Izuku had also foreclosed the information he obtained through Shoto. How he took part in some spectral organization, how Kota's services lead to his appearance, and how he awaited a response from Izuku once he was prepared to further the colloquy. A line of questioning had already begun to manifest within Izuku's cognition, he was ready to comprehend how the whole system worked, as well as AC's geneses and function.

"What do you need to know?" Kota replied steadily.

"What exactly is it that you do, apart from helping your grandfather run the Ceederwood Inn? How exactly did you come to acquaint yourself with a man like Shoto?" Tenya said keenly.

"I just know what goes on around town. Who's controlling which district, who provides which contraband, stuff like that. I don't associate with any one party, and I don't have any particular loyalties," he uttered sternly, similar to an entrepreneurial capitalist. The more he conversed, the more awestruck Tenya became, unbelieving that the arguments and phrases being constructed were that of a child.

"Does your grandfather know just how dangerous this is? Is he aware of the individuals you are working alongside?" The eagerness and inquisitiveness that was once demonstrable in his voice now gave way to worry, and trepidation concerning the well-being of this child.

"No, he does not, and you can't tell him either. If he found out he'd have me locked away in that inn like a prisoner, and right now we need all the income we can muster if we want to keep the inn afloat," he said seriously. Though Izuku knew that informing Mr. Izumi of the practices and whereabouts of Kota was ethical, he hesitated in medaling where he did not belong. Moreover, he related to Kota in many ways. Like Kota, he too was much too young an age to be caught in the plethora of disaster that had come his way. Some would argue he was even too young to be employed in his current labor force. There was no alternative however, if he wished to better his lifestyle, as well as those of Shanta and Yoroi. Kota comprehended this dynamic, and Izuku respected that.

"Alright, I understand. Can you at least tell me what exactly it is you do for Shoto?" Tenya continued, fearful of the response that would be provided.

"Because I run around town and know the in's and out's better than anyone in Ceederwood, he trusts me too deliver messages to certain people, and keep tabs on others. If he wants to know where the green caps are going to be at a given time, I let him know. If there's ever trouble brewing between two different factions, I tell him right away. In exchange he offers some mess money on the side and keeps any unwanted attention off my back." A slim look of distaste could be registered on Tenya's face, at the thought of a child laboring for such a purpose.

"But how could you know all this? How does a kid like you come about information like that?" Tenya asked in disbelief. Kota was notably taken aback by the comment, feeling somewhat defensive about his age and maturity.

"It's precisely because I'm a kid that no one would suspect anything from me," he said angerly, his pride clearly wounded as his age and ability were both put into question. Tenya took a quick pause. He tried not to overstep any boundaries that could hypothetically be crossed, taking great care in formulating his syntax.

"Is there any information at all that you could give me in regard to Shoto's faction? What they do? Who they serve? What their goal is?"

"Even if I did know, I would keep that to myself," Kota spoke defensively. "He tells me the group he works for are spread out all across Aspeu, and even other continents. They work with the people, for the people. I've seen him, and others in his syndicate touring the streets, stopping beatings or thieving from other factions, or the green caps," he said in fulsome manner.

"That's sounds like anarchy to me," Tenya said calmly.

"Yeah well to me it sounds like justice," Kota retorted, clearly angered by the former observation.

"How would you know, you're only a kid," whispered Bakugou weakly, awakening from a deep slumber. The whole room was taken aback, Bakugou had not spoken since before the attack, the group was clearly relived to heed his voice once more.

"Bakugou, holy fuck are you ok?" Denki asked with obvious concern lingering in his voice.

"I've been better," he replied comically, as they all gathered around in comfort. The faint sound of jets bounded from Izuku knapsack, as AC flew out to greet their newly awakened friend. The eccentric orb plopped itself down on Bakugou's nose, balancing playfully before being feebly swatted away.

"If only I was there right? Could have put the new arm you gave me to good use," Denki said gratifyingly.

"That would have been a sight to see. What the hell happened?" Bakugou replied.

"Do you remember anything that happened? Do you remember the attack?" Izuku enquired restlessly.

"Yeah, but nothing after that, anybody want to fill me in?" Bakugou replied, his voice faltering now and again, as he tenderly spoke through broken ribs with a weak inflection.

"Nothing we can't tell you after you've had some rest, right now the doctors said that sleep is the only thing that will better your condition," Tenya said paternally.

"I'm fine, I want to hear it. What happened to those fuck-wads?" He asked stubbornly, as the spite returned to his speech.

"Their taken care of. But right now, you need to rest," Tenya continued, interrupted by Bakugou's weak dialogue.

"I told you I'm fine," Bakugou said, livider than before.

"No, you're not," yelled Izuku, putting the metaphorical foot down. All eyes turned towards him, this level of authority and weight being an unusual feature in Izuku character.

"Bakugou, even now, we don't have all the facts. The only thing you should be doing is getting some rest. You just have to trust us that we're doing everything we can to help you and bring those that did this to you to justice. You'll be out of here in two weeks, at which point we'll tell you anything you want to know." As Izuku spoke, he voiced both influence and concern for his friend's health, leaving Bakugou to pause and reexamine his approach.

"Fine," he said bluntly, clearly aggravated, but understanding.

"We'll clarify everything, don't worry." A nod was given in response, as Bakugou came to terms with the condition he was in. A quick clasp on the shoulder was gifted to Bakugou from Izuku, restraining the force he used to prevent any further injuries. The four visitors then left Bakugou be as a team of nurses entered once again to monitor their patient and tend to his wounds.

"What do we do now?" Tenya spoke with pangs of doubt.

"Right now, there's nothing we can do until Bakugou to recover. But I'll tell you one thing, I'm sick of running from the green caps, I'm sick of these factions or clans or whatever having it out for us, and I'm sick of being afraid. As soon as we get the chance, I'm notifying Shoto, I'm finally going to get some answers about all of it. About AC, about this upside-down country and about Shanta and Yoroi." With the newfound determination being evident in Izuku intonation, the groups heads lifted ever so high. Their small assembly had acquired new allies, as covert as they may be. He felt as though he had finally chosen the right path giving him purpose, and confidence in the future.

With that mindset engrained in their system they left the infirmary and headed home, being sure to cross populated avenues to avoid any shady characters. As they departed, the heavy snow began to subside, agreeing with the group's enthusiasm and spirit. On the saunter home, Izuku pondered the depth of influence that Shoto holds, and how he could possibly use that influence to his advantage.

The country Izuku now resided in was foreign and hostile, stripping him from any patriotic duty or motive. However, the urge to change and support each province and every withering city surged upon his psyche like a hurling wave. The tribulations, uncertainties, and losses were feelings that had engulfed him since he first journeyed to Aspeu. Feelings he could no longer suppress, he had to take action. He vowed to shelter anyone from that using the influence that Shoto holds, striving for the same change, just as Shoto had foretold. "After all he did say he was a friend," Izuku thought to himself comfortingly.

No words were uttered on the walk home. The mayhems they had all taken part in had drawn them so close that they could now sit comfortably in silence, merely relishing each other's company. The air around them gave of a warmth that contradicted all pervious weather forecasts, something the group found perplexing, but pleasant. As they drew closer and closer to the Ceederwood in however, the heat distorted from ecological, to unnatural.

"How is it so hot all of a sudden," Denki questioned, breaking the silence. As the enquiry was voiced, a sudden horde of citizens suddenly amassed, they could be seen from a distance frantically dashing towards the Inn. Izuku deduced that something was abnormal. He stood on the balls of his feet, in an attempt to locate the source of mass hysteria. In the distance he saw a glowing flicker, rise up above the lofty shops and piled apartment complexes.

"Guys something's not right," Izuku said anxiously. The group arranged in a formation, following the heard of individuals as best they could, avoiding the possibility of being trampled all the while. Once they had shoved and pressed their bodies through the masses, they arrived at the sight of all the commotion, and the cause of such splintering heat.

They bore witness to Ceederwood Inn, which had been utterly wretched from its base. The timbers and panels that comprised of the internal structure now dispersed into flaming wreckage across an enormous volume. Accompanying the arson of Ceederwood Inn, were five additional structures that blazed with the fury of a star. Broken glass and metal fixing were shattered, as if beaten by a jackhammer. Dense, murky smoke rose above the skies and past the clouds, birthed from the fiery ashes bellow. What little sun was gifted to the population was now obscured by the sea of carbon. Officials and civil servants crowded around the area, some questioning the masses while others used hoses in an attempt to quench the roaring infernos.

A mere lamp fire was an unreasonable cause for the carnage that lay before them. A detonation, orchestrated by some unknown source, had to have been the culprit. Many surrounded the bellowing blaze, some held expressions of awe and disbelief, while others were grief ridden, cheeks wet from misty eyes.

"Dad!" shouted Kota with an eye wrenching screech. He hurried towards the flames before Izuku or his associates could prevent him. Flailing wildly like a madman, Kota fought through the crowd in an attempt to reach the wreckage. However, Izuku saw this tactic fail when what appeared to be a fireman emerged from the multitudes, clutching Kota's collar and pulling him away from danger. He remained there, violently sobbing into the man's flame-retardant coat. There was little room for doubt, Mr. Izumi had been there during the combustion, having never left his post.

Izuku's own shock gave way to a melancholy haze. That little boy had lost his father, a permanent disfigurement on the timeline of a life so young. All of Izuku's former positions; his remembrances from home, now lay buried under a heap of smut and rubble. He crooked his to witness Tenya, the most optimistic of the group, with a morose expression on his face.

"Most of the supplies Tensei gave us… they were in that apartment," Tenya whispered faintly. Though it was rational to worry about supplies and shelter, all Izuku could now picture was Mr. Izumi, the sweet old man that had given them a home, and whether he now rested alongside Izuku's lost possessions. Izuku recognized the senselessness of scrambling through remains and digging through the debris, knowing full well that the extraordinary heat and pressure sent all that went with it to perish. He scanned the crowd once more endeavoring to identify Mr. Izumi, hoping selfishly that he now endured amongst the crowd. What Izuku instead saw shook him to the core.

To his left, several meters down a rugged brick passageway Izuku faintly recognized the ringmaster jacket, accompanying belts, and rows of warped yellow teeth forming a sinister grin. It was the short assailant from the day before, not even the green in his tinted goggles masked the malice under those sinister eyes. Gazing directly at Izuku he slid his finger across his throat, the purpose of which was to illustrate death and demise. In addition, he gestured towards the terrible inferno, before yielding him to thumbs in air. The menace then veered a corner, taking refuge in the shadowy tunnel, as the flames casted a dejected aura. "It was him," he thought to himself. "The Reservoir Dogs committed this arson, to take us out."

As Izuku scrutinized his feelings, he was shocked to find that sorrow had not been the dominating presence. That role had been occupied by anger, a frantic anger that only drove his goals of justice to an additional level. It seemed as though every sense of relief and clarity that Izuku and his collogues had, was quickly snuffed away, as the chaos around them burrowed into their lives like an unrelenting tick. Izuku focused on nothing but his anger, with the slim expectation that the act alone would retain his sanity. He quickly stormed off, declining to comfort Kota or to pursue the buck tooth arsonist.

"Izuku where are you going" Tenya asked, running to Izuku side while he stormed off with a vigor.

"We can't just ignore this man we have to do something," Denki added, his voice resonating with defeat, falling on deaf ears. Both he and Tenya quickly sized their questioning, discerning the manifestation of searing rage and determination that mortared over Izuku's face as it bubbled towards the surface.

They walked in the in silence for what seemed like hours, Tenya and Denki's grief, was now adjoined with bewilderment, as they both pondered what schemes Izuku could be currently hatching behind his green unwavering eyes. An enormous distance had now been tred as the group continued to trot along the crowded streets of Ceederwood, no vintage newsboys, nor street performers distracted Izuku on his stride.

"Izuku really, where the hell are we going?" Denki said, exhibiting tremendous concern.

"Guys just trust me," Izuku rationalized through gritted teeth. Almost an hour had past their surroundings that materialized before them now began to appear recognizable. Finally, they dawned upon a familiar bar. The same bar in fact, that Tensei and Tento had found them in amidst of the bar fight. As Izuku approached the tavern, he flung the doors open, paying no mind to the occupancy dwelling inside, and ignoring the scuffle they had previously caused.

"Izuku what are we doing here, you realized we just left Kota behind right?" said Denki warily. Izuku veered right to find a GAUNT appliance, the same one Tenya had used to contact Tensei and Tento previously. He scrambled about, fishing through his many pockets and compartments. The owner of the bar recognized them immediately, his face contorted as an amalgamation of red began to flush his pigment

"You guys need to leave, I'm not having a repeat-" his bickering sized as Izuku, shot him an incensed glance that opposed his cheerful nature.

"Unless you want more bullet holes in the ceiling, and more customers in the hospital, you'll fuck off and let me do what I need to do." The malice in his voice was heavy like solid matter. The barkeep begrudgingly ignored their presence, while Kaminari and Tenya beheld their with visages of apprehension.

Out of his back pocket Izuku fished out the ragged parchment that Shoto had given to him the day prior. He urgently punched the coordinates into the many buttons and pins found protruding from the device. Once the machine was primed and ready, he scribbled on the same letter with a pen he had fished out from his knapsack. He then slid it into the cylindrical compartment, and watched it shoot of with breakneck speed. Once the deed had been accomplished, he rotated to face his friends who stood stationary, more perplexed than ever.

"Well… who were you sending mail off to?" Denki questioned curiously.

"Tomorrow we're meeting with Shoto. We're going to find out all there is to know about the different faction's that root around here, and how we can take down the Reservoir Dogs. I'm not venturing around Aspeu for the money anymore, or the status. We're going to do right by Kota."