Chapter 26
"Look at you, you fucking disgrace," said Overhaul, inches away from Dabi's mangled appearance. He spat at his face with vehement anger, saliva dripping from his cheekbone. Like a frozen antelope Dabi merely stood, enduring the verbal bombardment with a glimmer of hope that maybe, he survives the wrath of his superior. Behind his eyelids, lurking in the depths of his imagination, Dabi could exabit all the animosity he wished, performed in gruesome detail. For now, however, he stood and endured.
He was back in coal drift. They rested underneath the blazing inferno above, residing in the winding tunnels of ore and sediment. This authoritarian superior, and Dabi were confined in a sizable chamber, blessed with the additional company of Stain. At the rear, obscured by a plethora of TANK automatons worked a bloke by the name of Wolfram. His position within the malevolent firm was head mechanic to most technologies they fostered within research and development. He was tasked with repair, overhearing the brash offences and brutal attack of Overhaul.
"We made you a Colonel for a reason! You showed promised, we expected results! You gave us nothing!" he shrieked, the veins in his neck began to bulge, appearing as though a hemorrhage would ensue at any moment.
"Sir, the technology that orb poss-," his verse was rudely impeded by a bouldering wallop to the side of the crown, sending the lofty fellow crumpling to the floor.
"Shut the fuck up!" Overhaul countered. A weighty pause dragged by lethargically as the loftier individual regained some composer, intaking deep breaths of the soot ridden air.
"It matters not what you say, actions are the only criteria. You have one more chance to prove to me you're not completely incompetent. If you fail, you'll be collecting thrice the amount of scars you currently hold under your belt." Dabi shook in resentment and frustration, his eyes bolted as if he had bathed in mace. Overhaul nippily squatted, clinching Dabi's jaw in his dominant hand, forcing their gaze to match.
"Do not worry Dabi, your anger and umbrage well fade away, almost as fast as my faith in you. I've acquired the help of some men, that will aid your endeavors. Now, even someone as incompetent and repugnant as you will find it impossible to fuck up." He gestured towards Stain, who meandered towards an aluminum gate, rotating the knob to unveil the confines of the other side. Out of the confines of the shadowy entrance of the mines, entered two figures of average height, baring thick spectacles clandestine visages.
"Hello Tensei, hello Tento, Overhaul said, flourishing his arms in inflated greetings.
"Hello Sir," the duo said in unison, dropping to one knee, exposing their hind necks.
"At ease soldiers, you're not the ones in need of amnesty," he said, glancing menacingly towards Dabi's scorched figure. The two erected themselves once more, blank expressions masked their inner monologues.
"Everything is falling into place," Tensei vowed, "They're on the move."
"Delightful, superb," roared Overhaul. "The ball is now in our court. Wolfram, how are we doing on your end?" He howled from across the chamber.
"We'll have quite a force in a few weeks' time. All the land, all the glory, and all of the casualties you could ever ask for Sir," Wolfram bellowed in response.
"Um, sir?" Stain interjected.
"What is it?"
"The young lady, we don't need to dispatch of her just, yet do we? I'm aware that our prey has been unearthed, and our campaign is imminent, but her company is just peachy!" he spoke with excitement, that bordered on arousal. For as much as Dabi believed in the cause, it was insufferable having to work alongside ogres of Stains caliber.
"Who the prisoner?" Overhaul pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Stain, I do not give a modicum of attention in regard to her, do what you will. If anything, she can be used as collateral," he concluded with a dismissive hand. "Even if by some grace of a higher power she manages to flee, it's not like there will be much of a home to return to once we're through with UA.
….
"He should be here by now, what's the hold up," Denki impatiently inquired. Izuku, Tenya, and Denki all sat on a railing, overlooking the locomotive tracks that tentacle out throughout all of Aspeu. Heavy bags had formed under their sullen expressions, after being deprived of sleep for the night, with no mattress nor roof to provide comfort or shelter. Izuku paid little regard to this however, knowing full well nothing would impede his mission, including but not limited to sleep deprivation.
"I'm sure he's a busy guy, give him time," said Tenya rationally staring up at the clouds as he laid back on the hard concrete. The weather had been much better than days prior, though no steak of blue sky could be discerned amongst the cloudy abyss. They had also been alleviated from the harsh gales that tore through clothing and chilled the skin.
The train station they resided upon happened to be the crest of a hill, overlooking Ceederwood, and other adjacent towns. The terrain itself was extremely level, excluding a mountain here or there that could be seen off in the distance. He gawked at the engendering city, witnessing the pillars of smolder rise up from the various power plants, and petroleum labs. The steam required for Aspeu to function was astronomical, Izuku thought to himself. It graced the sky above with an everlasting tinge of murkiness. He remembered his grandfather fondly speak of the times of old, when the sky had been baby blue.
As Izuku drifted through catalogues of familial reminiscences, Tenya veered his head, to lock eyes with him.
"Are you sure you can trust this man?" Tenya asked. A brief pause filled the air.
"Right now, I think it's our best option. He knows more about the Reservoir Dogs than anybody. He also claimed to know about the working of the military and how they operate. If he could give me any closure as to how they would treat Yoroi and Shanta if captured, then I need to know that."
"I understand, but these could all be gilded lies he whispers, just to lure you and AC into custody," he speculated.
"That's a possibility for sure, but I don't think so. When I disclosed how AC came under my possession, he seemed almost shocked. As if he had some inclination as to where he would otherwise have ended up. There are secrets locked up inside that head of his that I just have to get to," Izuku said sternly.
"Well then I hope this works out, for all our sakes," Tenya replied. Once the doubts had been exchanged between Tenya and he, Izuku turned to Denki, to probe his temperament. He vividly recollected the meltdown Denki had had previously and wished to avoid a similar scene if at all possible.
"Hey Kaminari, I know we've just had a rough go at it, and I'm sorry about that. I just wanted to know how you were holding up?" Izuku said consolingly. Denki gave a faint leer in response.
"Thanks for checking up on me man, that means a lot. But I've come to terms with it. This is our crazy new life, I get that. And when I told you that I'd stick by you guys through thick and thin back in the pub, I meant that. No matter how bad things get, you'll still be stuck with me," said Denki tenderly. The claim warmed Izuku heart, as he felt joyful for the first time in quite a while.
"That means the world to me Denki, it really does," Izuku said, embracing Denki graciously. There they sat for minutes more, as they anticipated new arrivals. Just as Izuku eyes commenced shutting from the exhaustion that had plagued him, he heeded a faint hum in the distance, approaching their position rapidly. The three friends exchanged looks and rose to their feet, mentally and physically preparing themselves for any struggle that may emerge. Though Shoto's claim of friendship was an enticing proposition, Izuku had developed a fierce nous of distrust after the treatment he had received under Aspeuean care.
"AC pop out buddy we need you," Izuku said to his knapsack. On cue the versatile orb presented itself by circling around his head spiritedly, once again reminding him of the help and liveliness he contributed to the squad. The faint hum he had once heard now turned into a roar, as a steam powered carriage could be spotted driving up the hill. Billows of dust and soil were churned from the road and into the open-air mingling with the smog and soot in the atmosphere.
Tenya, Denki and Izuku waiting patiently for an additional two minutes, before the motorized vehicle was parked adjacent to both the group, and the winding railway. Izuku awaited readily, studying his breath. He was overcome with a quiet assurance, reassured with the knowledge that AC, Denki and Tenya were on his side. Denki extended his palm, the golden radiance that had been previously implemented by Bakugou now shined, forming shadows with its light. Tenya in turn tentatively hauled a firearm from his rucksack, the same firearm that Izuku had confiscated from their former assailant.
The doors of the vehicle swung open as a smattering of new faces dispensed. They paid little mind to the combative stance Izuku and his friends now held. Amongst the crowd Izuku could recognize Shoto. It proved easy to discern him, as he sported his tattooed arms and titanium fixings, in addition to the addling scar. An additional familiar face presented itself amongst the crowd, requiring Izuku to sort through remembrances of the past in order to discern. Her milky skin and pink dreads were a staple, united with her shadowy leather outfit.
"Hey, you're that girl that helped us escape from those TANKS," Tenya said observantly.
"That I am, the name is Mei Hatsume. It's nice to see you again cutie, and you can put the weapons away we're not here to start anything," she said reassuringly. A rosy tint fell on Tenya's cheeks, nevertheless he remained unbroken. Izuku still felt warry regarding the entirety of the situation. However, against his better judgment he signaled to his corroborators, as they lowered their armaments.
Accompanying Mei and Shoto were four additional backers, each more colorful than the last. Their glare was unmoving, stern; their demeanor beaming. Most sets of eyes darted not towards Izuku, nor the weapons that were drawn, but to AC instead. This vexed Izuku a great deal, considering the lengths he has forged in order to protect his metallic friend.
"So, you came all the way from Astrovale to attend this, meeting or whatever?" Izuku questioned dubiously.
"Oh, I've been tailing you guys for foreverm" she said merrily "I was assigned to keep an eye on you guys." Izuku was taken aback. Once again, he felt as though his privacy had been invaded, conscious of the fact that they had been monitored throughout their journeys like a monkey in a zoo. Though this displeased him a great deal, Izuku found it best to raise the issue some other time, cognizant of the delicate conference they now partook in.
"You brought quite a lot of friends didn't you Todoroki?" Izuku exclaimed, cocking an eyebrow both at Shoto, and the company he had conveyed.
"Better safe than sorry am I right?" Izuku remained silent, unable to argue with his logic, considerably after the readied mêlée stance he and his friends had adopted.
"Whelp, are introductions in order, or would you rather we get down to brass tax?" Mei said with an animated chortle.
"Please by all means, why not be well mannered? We're all allies are we not" Tenya said diplomatically. Mei Hatsume was the first to step to the podium, as if the ordeal they now faced had been rehearsed.
"Well you already know me. I'm Mei the vibrant; the star. I can fill you in later if you need any other details," she spout, winking at Tenya. "This is Shoto, the boring one," she said bouncily gesturing towards Shoto, who remained as composed and collected as ever. "But don't worry too much, he can be a real sweetie when he wants to be." She dashed towards him to give a playful nudge to the shoulder, as he swayed tediously. While her introductions were somewhat juvenile and lighthearted, this put Izuku at ease. It was a nice contrast to the hostility and madness they had faced ubiquitously over all of Aspeu.
"This one is Kyoka, Kyoka Jiro. She'll grow on you once you get to know her." She gestured towards the woman at the far left. Her orthodox purple hair fell well above the shoulders. Her face was sharp and devoid of emotion, taking a note from shoto's book. The velvet frock top she had worn concealed the majority of her ruffled party blouse. It had been cut at the bicep, revealing enough golden jewelry to conduct thousands upon thousands of watts of electricity.
"Her favorite past time is long walks on the beach, reflective conversation, and-," she said interrupted brusquely by another foreign man.
"Mei do you really think we have time for this? Could you maybe speed it up a little?" said a prompt looking gentleman at the rear.
"If that's how you want to play it, take the fun out of everything why don't ya?" she moaned, rolling her eyes to the back of her skull. "That cranky lad is David Shield, the last two are Rikido Sato, and Tsuyu Asui." Her final announcement was rushed, as she swiftly gestured towards the final couple. Though their cluster appeared jittery, due in part to the strangers they faced, it was apparent that they shared a virtuous chemistry, resembling a family of sorts. Oddly enough, Izuku had now gained some understanding in regard to the appeal of a clan or a faction- the ability to erect a newfangled family. Veering his head, he could indicate that Denki and Tenya had felt the same way.
"Don't fret, you will all have plenty of time to get acquainted, once you put these on," Reaching towards the rear seats of the vehicle, Mei extracted what appeared to be three separate burlap sacks, roughly the size of an adult torso. All opposing members took a rear step in unison, taken aback by the inimical request.
"You can't really expect us to put those on? How the hell did this turn into a kidnapping?" Izuku asked furiously.
"Don't think of it as a kidnapping, think of it as security," said the man Izuku presumed to be David Shield. "We can't just let people know where we are stationed at a whim. These are the precautions we have to take," trying to appear as equitable as conceivably possible.
"There's no way we can just take your word on that," Denki reasoned, raising his arm in defiance once again.
"Agreed, you people are not operating in good faith," Tenya said likeminded.
"Guys, you can trust us," Mei said peacefully, urging them to lower their defenses. Izuku could sense his pulse rising, as his heart pounded wildly.
"And how in the hell did you reach that conclusion?" Izuku retorted irritably.
"How about that little time that I saved you and your friends skin?" Shoto added persuasively. A thick pause haltered the quarrel, with tension so dense one could almost reach out and caress it.
"As grateful as I am for that, it doesn't warrant you putting a bag over our heads," Izuku said in a feverish panic. "This could be an execution for all we know. Who's to say you're not with the guys that tried to have us killed?"
"Because I kicked their asses," Shoto said calmly, forever maintaining his tranquil intonation.
"That could have easily been a long con, to make us gain your trust is that it?" Denki asked. Just then he triggered the auxiliary feature set to his bionic arm, sending golden vines of potent voltage running through his metallic arm. The opposing members took their stance, brows furrowed, and faced pale with worry.
AC, who had remained stationary up until now, began to thrust himself ever so slightly towards Denki, in a clear attempt to aid him in the event of a skirmish breaking out. Izuku however, grasped AC and cradled him in place, knowing full well that the chaos that machine could muster would result in brutal catastrophe.
"Kaminari put that away, there's no need for a fight," Tenya said fuming. Afore Izuku could contribute to Tenya's rationalizing, it was Shoto who stepped up, now at the head of the opposition, while Mei and the others stood aside. Bizarrely enough, their faces gained leniency and composure, as if no harm would come about if Shoto were to lead.
"Kid, settle down, it doesn't have to go down this way," Shoto spoke, his reflective lenses divulged no emotion; no consideration. Denki's jaw visibly clenched, his eyes glowed with a red fury.
"I'm not a kid, and there is no way in hell I am putting on that potato sack. I'm claustrophobic," he screeched, clearly flustered. Izuku swore under his breath; the claustrophobia condition Denki encumbered had completely elapsed from his memory. The senselessness and craze displayed by Denki helped clarify the situation, as it dawned on Izuku that perhaps they were in the wrong. As antagonistic as it may be, if Izuku held a location close to heart, one that was very clearly antigovernment- then he too would strive to preserve it by any means necessary.
"Denki, I think they're right," Izuku preached to both Denki and Tenya, whose heads titled in confusion. "Think about it, if you were trying to hide from the green caps successfully, like we've been trying to do this whole time, wouldn't you take every precaution necessary in order to keep it that way? And besides, it's not like we have anywhere else to go."
"That's the spirit, ribbit," Tsuyu roared sardonically from the rear. It was evident in Tenyas expression, that he sanctioned Izuku line of reasoning, as he stepped down and remained compliant.
"Izuku you're making a huge mistake," Denki continued, foam practically dribbling from his crazed mouth.
"This is ridiculous, Kaminari listen to your friends," Shoto said as he plodded toward Denki slowly. Finally triggering Denki, he charged him, bionic arm extended, desperate to avoid the phobia that had plagued him since birth. Without warning the jets on Shoto's calves and forearms began to galvanize once more, the humming of a small engine resounded in the air.
In a desperate attempt to escape the situation, Denki lashed out with his charged arm, swinging madly at his opponent. In a haze, Shoto darted the attack, using the momentum from his jet's simultaneously striking Denki in the stomach with his propelled leg. Denki doubled over, swearing.
"Kid that's enough," Shoto said as collected as ever, while all other's remained as spectators.
"Izuku, should we do something?" Tenya asked frantically.
"I'm not getting in the middle of this. Don't worry Shoto won't hurt Denki to bad, I think we just have to let this play out," Izuku said. As loutish as this course of action may sound, Izuku was aware of the panicked crazes that engulphed Denki's psyche. As Izuku was to profoundly aware, the only remedy for these spontaneous eruptions was to let Denki tire himself out. In addition, Izuku could not conceive of a more suitable sparring partner than Shoto.
Once again Denki swung with a hard right, missing while grazing the dusty road below. With the newly gained leverage, Shoto once again revolved the entirety of his body using jet repulsion, meeting the sole of his foot to Denki's chest sending him airborne as he fell on his back. Each blow was accurate in its delivery, measured and finely tuned. Denki's diaphragm began spasming, as he labored to regain his breath, lifting himself sluggishly, and feebly from the ground. It was then that Shoto turned to Izuku, his face as apathetic as ever.
"Sorry to be whaling on your boy like that, but he took the first swing," Shoto said defensively. Izuku nodded while rolling his eyes, exasperated, but unable to contend with the rationality presented.
In a desperate attempt to achieve the upper hand, Denki sized the opportunity of Shoto's diverted attention, springing with his limbs to tackle his adversary. Shoto however, fought with a formidable spirit, persisting three moves ahead. He nimbly sidestepped, propelling himself in the air, while Denki landed jaw first into the dirt, collaring nothing but air. With a final butane fueled blow being delivered to the back of the head, Denki laid motionless on the ground concussed. The quiet that now persisted diffused a minute amount of tension, that being said, everyone's guards remained up. Izuku was not sure what to make of the events that had just unfolded. Shoto faced Izuku once more, both palms raised in defense beginning to speak.
"I'm now realizing, that the way this has played out, it's looking more and more like a kidnapping. But I promise you, that is not what's going on… I swear. We can leave if you want, we won't force you into any of this." His words appeared genuine, as did his character. Izuku's emotions were robust, thronging with anger. Not only at the assault that had just been committed to his colleague, but also to the manner in which Denki handled the situation. He began to reflect, dawning upon the realization that Denki's immaturity had become a cumbrance to their unit.
"What do you want to do Izuku," Tenya catechized. He once again assed the situation, taking all variables into account, knowing full well that the choice he now faced could result in the alliance they so desperately needed, or alternatively, death. He took valued few moments to evaluate his decision. After which he held his head up, extending his palm outwards towards the sky, defeat registered over his expression.
"Just hand us the potato sacks," Izuku barked. With an appreciative nod of approval, Shoto and his colleagues gathered the bags in hand. The majority hurried near Denki's limp figure, hoisting him up on David's shoulders. While they were in the midst of arranging themselves, Izuku took the opportunity to whisper gingerly to AC's who flew beside him.
"AC, if we're ever in a bind, I'm counting on you to get us out of it, think you can manage?" Though no response could be issued from the voiceless automaton, he nudged his chin in approval. A flicker of a smirk splashed across his face, assured with the knowledge that AC was alongside them.
"On two conditions," Izuku suddenly yelped. It was at that moment that Shoto and his colleagues paused, anticipating the request. "We'll go with you on two conditions. AC stays with me though, he doesn't leave my side," Izuku said authoritatively.
"Who's AC?" Mei said inquisitively.
"Oh AC actually stands for Aureum Calvis which in Latin stands for-" Tenya foolishly began before being cut off.
"It's what he calls the orb. Fine be my guest, I'm sure I couldn't pry you two apart even if I tired," Shoto conceded. "What's the second?"
"That you and your gang allow us to leave once Bakugou gets better, so we can take him with us." Izuku pleaded strictly. A moment of hesitation flickered through Shoto's face, a remarkable sight considering his lack of visage he exhibits.
"Fine, just get in the car," he said indifferently.
With a sigh of relief Izuku shut his eyelids, allowing Mei to proceed with the bagging. His vision had been compromised, as she felt her hand on the small of his back, escorting him tenderly to the rear of the vehicle.
