Bakugo growled like an animal as he was dragged along, the thick metal chains wrapping around his body like vices. Every dash of his hands against the metal enclosing him sent pain up his arms like a gunshot. His hands had been enclosed in a metal case, which rendered his normal magic useless. Spinner grunted as the boy struggled harder, his eyes alight with fury. "Stop your struggling! It's of no use." Bakugo snapped at him despite the iron muzzle strapped to his face. "Gerroff me!" He howled. Spinner paid him no heed, pulling him along the dusty stone floor on a long chain. Bakugo was enraged. Never in all his life had anyone dared to muzzle him, much less tie him up like a prisoner. The second he got out of these things, he would break the lizard's bony neck for sure. And the man he called his boss too.
The surroundings were barely discernible. It was so dark; they were obviously underground. Bakugo snarled as dust was kicked in his face. The only light was up ahead. From the look of it…it was getting closer for some reason.
He could remember very little of how he was captured.
He remembered that Desmondius had taken roost upon a mountaintop. He'd fallen asleep upon his cloak, wracked with pain and shattered pride. Sometime during the night, the scratching of pebbles roused him in an instant. He'd called his dragon to wakefulness. He remembered the sockets in his dragon's skull being blank and dark. Desmondius had been hit with some sort of magic, and it rendered him frozen where he lay. A clawed hand had shoved burning flora under his nose, the sickly sweet scent encapsulating his nostrils. Bakugo had twisted and fought, but his arms were still useless from the magic he'd performed. He could do little as his brain fell to darkness.
And now he'd woken here, angry and in pain and ready to break some bones.
He scanned his captor angrily as he was dragged along. The lizard was outfitted in a tight-fitting and heavy vest. His legs were adorned with spiked knee guards and black combat boots. A military-grade belt with blue straps held the fierce appeal together. His face was scaled and lizard-like, obscured by a torn scarf above his protruding snout. The scarf was wrapped and tied around his head, the long ends trailing down his back and below his shoulder blades. Dark red irises blinked sourly at him. A mouth full of sharp fangs sneered at his futile attempts to escape.
Blond spikes puffing out in a sulk, he stopped his struggles. Obviously he wouldn't be able to use that explosive power again. It had already caused too much damage. Peering down, he saw the purple streaks crawling up his arms from the opening in the steel box. They throbbed every now and again. Bakugo wanted to scream at his powerlessness. An instant of the strength he longed for had rendered his arms mostly useless. The pain had left him unconscious as soon as Desmondius had flown out of sight from his loss in battle. He'd passed out upon the dragon's bony back, weak and pitiful.
And yet…that Knight! He used such power so effortlessly!
Bakugo snarled against the metal muzzle.
Soon. I will handle my power just as well as you. And defeat you. Enjoy your win, Deku. You won't get another.
Spinner stopped to look down at Bakugo. "You're hurt, aren't you?" Bakugo looked up at him distastefully. "This is nothing, you lousy lizard." Spinner sneered at him. "Forgive me for caring." Bakugo grinned and began to press harder. "You need all these chains to keep me down? Some warrior you are. Or maybe you're as cowardly as you look?" Spinner turned so ferociously that Bakugo flinched. "Maybe a bit of pain is what you need if you're going to be so insolent." Spinner growled and slung the chain over his shoulder in a fierce arc. Bakugo felt himself become weightless for a moment, before he was swung into the wall.
"Gaghh…!" Bakugo spat as the wind was knocked out of him. His old red cloak did little to soften the blow, and the chains jangled against his ribs painfully. Spinner sniggered as Bakugo used his shoulder to prop himself back up on his elbows, grunting with pain. The metal box holding his wrists was heavy and thick, keeping him off balance. "That should shut your mouth, eh, brat? Don't think just because my master wants you here that you can do as you please." Bakugo struggled to sit up, and he growled at the lizard. "You're just a lucky brat with power you don't know how to use. I could slice you up quite easily with this, you know."
His spiteful words ended in a scream of pain. Light shone against Bakugo's eyes, and he shut them. Blinking, he looked blearily out at what had attacked the lizard guy. His eyes flew open.
There was a masked man standing in front of him. The mask was black and had wires sticking out of it, trailing inside the cloak. Raspy breaths heaved through the breathing holes. He wore a dark cloak, and wore white gloves that obscured his hands. They looked thin. In fact, his entire body was thin. Sickly, even. However, his fist shook with force as he clutched it tightly against his side. In his other hand was a light…coming out of his palm?!
Bakugo stared in shock as Spinner was thrown against the opposite wall. "Spinner. How terrible of you to say such a thing to our esteemed guest." Spinner choked as he rolled over onto all fours, grasping at his throat.
As he looked up, Spinner's eyes widened in fear. He scrambled to his knees and bowed, forehead hitting the ground. "Gack…I'm sorry, Master…he insulted me so!" The masked man looked down at Bakugo. "So he's got some bite. Wonderful. I was hoping as much, from what I've heard and seen."
Bakugo rolled over so that he could stand on his knees. Despite the man's timid appearance, he exuded an amazing aura that made even Bakugo shiver. "Are…you the boss here?!" Bakugo growled. The man in the mask held up both hands invitingly. The light was still in his palm. "Yes. I am All For One. It is a pleasure to have you here, my young chieftain." Bakugo narrowed his eyes in surprise. The man chuckled. "Don't look so surprised. I know those tattoos. You're of the Daemon Clan. A Clan that was wiped out. That would make you the last Clansman and the new Chief, now, wouldn't it?" Bakugo glared. He spoke through the muzzle. "Now I'm pissed. What do you want? You've already had me chained and bound."
Spinner pulled himself to his feet. "Spinner, fetch the others, would you? We need them to look presentable." Spinner glowered, but proceeded to carry out his master's orders. It was either that or being chucked against the wall again. The lizard trudged off into the darkness, the way the light had come.
All For One bent down and extended his free hand. Bakugo proceeded to lunge at it like a animal. All For One retracted his hand as fast as it had come. Bakugo studied his adversary carefully. However, the mask betrayed nothing. "Come now. You want to be out of those restraints, don't you?" Bakugo's eyes narrowed further, and he sulked. But he couldn't say no.
All For One strode behind him and placed his hand against the metal box. With a tearing sound, Bakugo heard the box hit the ground. He wiggled his fingers experimentally. Shifted his shoulder blades. His cloak hung loose, free of weight.
The chains fell, clanking from around his ribs.
He took a deep breath. No restraints. No chains. Freedom.
And he grinned.
All For One lept back as Bakugo launched himself off his feet, landing skillfully a couple of feet away. "You made a mistake letting me go free, old man." He laughed crazily. "Now, are you gonna let me walk out of here, or do I have to destroy you?" All For One looked at him, oddly calm. "No one is stopping you from leaving, boy. You were brought here in a manner I had no knowledge of. If it had been me, I would have simply invited you. It wasn't my intention to chain you up. I'm afraid my servant was a bit rough."
Bakugo growled and jumped forwards towards his foe, bringing his palms to his sides. He felt the magic course through his veins, heard the popping of his explosive magic. The pain from earlier had vanished and he grinned eerily. With a thrust, he angled his hands towards All For One.
As the explosion burst from his palm, he screamed.
Pain.
The recoil from the blast sent him flying backwards, into the nearby stalagmites. He landed painfully, gasping for breath. "Damn it…!" Why wasn't the magic working…!? The purple streaks unknowingly shuddered and crawled over his shoulders, inching towards his neck and shoulder blades.
Bakugo stiffened as All For One began to clap. The light fizzled and Bakugo swung his head about, scanning the dark.
"I'm impressed. You do have magic. Some of the finest and rarest I've ever seen." Bakugo hissed at nothingness. "You talk a lot for a man I just tried to kill." A laugh. "Perhaps. I have a proposition for you." Bakugo lunged, and again he was blasted back. "It's not working!" Bakugo struggled to his feet. A sigh. The purple streaks on the boy's arm crawled down his upper back now.
Little did the boy know, it probably was killing him.
"You have powerful abilities, but you use them incorrectly." Bakugo snarled, fangs grinding. Never in his life had he been bad at anything. At a tender age he'd learned to hunt, fight and survive. Desmondius had been an egg then. Nothing came off as hard to him. It was kill or be killed, hunt and thrive. He was soon feared for his fierceness and brutality, and took his place as lord of the mountains in which he lived.
But what was this proposition?
"What proposition?" Bakugo growled. He felt a cold wind surround him. "You shall see."
A light switched.
A lone torch, flickering.
Highlighting the figure in black.
Bakugo was in shock. The room they were in was different than the tunnel in which he had been dragged through. How did he...?!
All For One smiled behind his mask. "I happen to be in need of an apprentice. Someone to take my place when I am no longer around." Bakugo sneered. "So you need another grunt to do your work. Not interested. I see you have that lizard thing already." All For One stared at him, folding his arms. "Of course. My assistants are quite helpful." He gestured towards the blonde, who stiffened. "However, I require someone with magical talent." Bakugo narrowed his eyes. "So you want me. Well, I don't serve any fuck who lets ugly fiends chain up their captives. Especially not people they want as pals."
All For One sighed. "You are Katsuki Bakugo. I expected something else." Bakugo sighed and dusted himself off with a sneer. "I'm out of here. I guess you had the wrong guy anyway." With a flippant twirl of red cloak flashing at the masked man behind him, Bakugo started to walk towards the open hall, now alight.
"You want to beat him."
Bakugo stopped in his tracks.
"You want power. You want to win."
Bakugo slowly turned back to look at the masked man.
"You want to be strong. Don't you?"
Bakugo looked All For One in the eye. At least, he thought that's where his eye would be. "You have the ability to grant me power?" The powerful aura this man exuded began to make some sense.
All For One smiled under his mask. It wasn't a good smile.
He's taken it.
All For One spread his arms openly. "Of course. It's both a blessing and a curse, but I can both take magic away and return it, or even another type, if you'd like." Bakugo's eyes shone, and suddenly fizzled. "Why should I trust you?" He demanded.
All For One laughed.
"I expected you to say that. Of course. I wouldn't trust me either."
Bakugo stared at him warily. He may have turned back, but he didn't dare go any closer. The man may be bluffing, but if he wasn't it was best that Bakugo not try anything. He flinched as All For One raised a gloved hand. "Just watch, will you?" With a curled hand, he grasped something apparently in midair.
"Come in, Spinner."
Spinner came floating in through the entryway, grasping at his throat. Bakugo stumbled aside to let him through. He was gasping, as if something was choking him. Bakugo shuddered. So this was what happened before in the tunnel. This man had magic powerful enough to attack whomever he wanted, without even touching them?
The masked man opened his fist and closed it fiercely, drawing his arm back near his ear.
Spinner fell with a splat upon the ground. He grunted in pain, rubbing his snout.
"It isn't very polite to listen in to other's conversations, Spinner. Did you do as I asked of you?" The voice of the man was deathly calm despite his brutal attack. Spinner nodded.
There was a scratch of pebbles rolling down the tunnel.
Footsteps.
To Bakugo's utter surprise a girl danced in. She looked off her rocker. High blond pigtails, messily tied. Wild gold eyes constantly switched this way and that, and blushing cheeks dimpled as a smile creased the girl's lips. "Ooh. He's not bad. So this is that handsome little bomby man." She danced about insanely, leaning into Bakugo's space invasively. Bakugo swung a fist. Instantly the girl jumped back, giggling. "Ooh, a mean one. To be honest, that green one was far cuter."
Bakugo sneered. "You're insane."
All For One shook his head. "Toga, dear. This is a guest. Mind your manners." The girl, Toga, smiled creepily. "Of course, Mr. Mask. Manners. Man-Man-nners." She sang. Bakugo looked at the man in the mask incredulously. "This is Toga. A master with any blade."
Bakugo jumped back as a husky voice sounded near his ear. "He looks young." A face came into the light, metal piercings glinting. Burned purple skin surrounded his eyes. "I don't trust him." Eyes like blue fire. Bakugo stepped back, glowering. All For One motioned towards the man who stepped into the light. "Dabi. His specialty is fire magic." Dabi raised a finger, letting it touch his tongue which protruded from his mouth. "You'd better pull your weight."
"Yo, Dabi!"
"Burning Man. What a surprise. Who is this spiked chap?"
"Hey."
Bakugo turned again to see three more people join the little gathering. A man in a white and black bodysuit, along with another masked fellow. He wore a button up, yellow coat and twirled a cane. The Mask portrayed a smiling grin, and a single eye. "Wonderful to meet you. I am Mister Compress. Magic's more in the name, see."
The third man was bulky, wore ratty clothing and had lips that protruded. "I'm Mag. You're new, aren't you?"
Before Bakugo could even speak, the bodysuit guy was in his grill.
"And I'm Twice!"
"Keep it shut, idiot! Don't talk in front of the blondie!"
Bakugo was incredibly shocked. Some helpers; these guys were insane. He needed to get out of here. These gifts were lies, surely meant to entrap him.
But as he turned to the exit, a final figure stood in its entryway.
A man with disembodied hands clutching his arms and face slid carefully into the room. Shambling forwards, he stumbled into the light, shoving himself into Bakugo's face. "You. You're him. The one who wanted power." Bakugo stepped back. "You're all crazy. I was a took to stay here. Get away, get away, all of you! Or I swear – I'll kill you all!"
All For One waved a hand. "Leave him be. Give him room." As the creepers stepped back, Bakugo turned on him. "Who are these freak-shows?!" All For One showed no response. "My assistants, of course. And all of them received an ability. From me."
Bakugo looked at him.
"You…how?!"
All For One gestured to Dabi. Dabi clenched his fist, and let his fingers relax. When he opened his hand, a blue flame sat in his palm, crackling.
"I was powerless before. To stop my father from doing what he shouldn't have." Bakugo looked at him in shock. "Your father…?" Mr. Compress tilted his head. "You lose a parental unit too, young Blondie?" Bakugo turned away from him. "I don't wanna talk about it."
Mr. Compress clapped. "Why don't we show him the flappy lizard?"
Bakugo's head shot up. "Desmondius?!"
Mr. Compress nodded. "We brought him too. We can let you see him, if you want." Bakugo nodded in a trance. Mr. Compress guided him through the entryway, and pointed towards a rocky entrance. Moonlight shone through it. Bakugo stumbled towards it, unbelieving. There was no way that-!
Desmondius.
The dragon was flesh and blood once more. Green eyes looked down at him inquisitively. He lowered his head down to meet Bakugo's. Bakugo wrapped his arms around the dragon's nose, and the dragon shut its eyes constantly. Bakugo pulled back, relief flooding his heart "You brought him back." All For One's voice hailed him from behind. "I can return you to health." Bakugo looked back at the masked man, who stood watching with his assistants. "Your arms and body are injured severely from the magic you used. It is however, tamable. You will be able to wield it like a true master. But you need to be trained and healed. I will be willing to do both these things for you." Bakugo looked at the man long and hard. He'd done the unthinkable. He'd brought his dragon back from a state he thought was irreversible. His power was no joke.
Such ability…
"And then…I can defeat that knight?"
All For One smiled. "Of course. You can do as you wish. You will be taking my place, after all."
Spinner frowned behind his mask, his eyes burrowing. He was at the back of the group, cowering.
Bakugo took a deep breath.
This was crazy. He was teaming up with crazy people to achieve a crazy goal and become strong.
But at the moment…he didn't care.
Father, mother.
I will become a pillar of strength.
Strong enough to beat anything.
And I will make you proud.
I will avenge you by killing the man in the sword, and the one who holds it. His friends will die at my hand.
And the second I get the chance…
Bakugo smiled, and One For All's grew even wider.
"When can we start?"
Deku awoke from sleep with a scream. The nightmare had been all too real.
"Who was that...?!"
