Chapter 28

From what Izuku had gathered the bunker was apportioned into seven separate sectors. Walking from one sector to the next consumed fifteen minutes, a tedious effort when the scenery took the shape of a colossal floor safe, inhabited by a community of fanatics and revolutionists. He desperately desired that the organization and persons he had essentially amalgamated with truly did want what was best for the country. In addition, he selfishly thought to himself that an association of this caliber could fund an excursion to Galliedenn where he, with any luck, could be united with his family at last.

"So, Rikido," Izuku asked his strolling comrade, "How did you end up here, in UA?"

"Well, when I was younger my mother and father were incarcerated for stealing food. I haven't actually seen them since," Rikido said sullenly as he recalled the tender memory.

"I'm terribly sorry Rikido," Izuku began, hesitating for a brief moment as his register abated. "I know a little something about how that feels. My grandfather was the one who raised me, taught me everything I know."

"Well that's nice to hear," Rikido replied contentedly. "While I was out there, on my lonesome, I stumbled upon one of the local food banks that UA funds. The man who operated it saw me sat on one of the splintered tables, eating porridge, and asked me if my guardian was anywhere to be seen. The short and sweet of it is I'm here now, working as one of the manual engineers. It's nice here, I feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself. I hope you'll feel the same way too," he concluded, his voice fuming with pride for the institution. Out of all the claims he has heard so far vocalizing words of splendor and praise for UA, it was Rikido's story of personal breakthrough that granted Izuku the reassurance he so desperately yearned for. At that moment, his faith in UA had been reinstated ever so slightly.

"That's great Rikido, thank you so much for sharing that with me," he said, expressing his gratitude. Even AC, who floated beside them, looped about, evidently enjoying the new company.

"Don't mention it. This all goes to say, but I believe in UA, and its cause. By the way, we're coming up to the meeting point." Looking up from the discussion, he only now observed the heavy-duty entrance, lined with black and yellow streaks, located in one of the more ominous corners of the facility. As they approached, the comically large bolts and latches of the gate were unfasted as entry way cracked open gradually. Izuku entered cautiously, anxious about the what lay beyond the cautionary tape.

Upon entry, bewilderment dawned upon him. The floors were lined with matts, while the walls were barren, with the exception of some cylindrical crevices. The lighting in the camber was a great deal fainter then all others, with gloomy neon beams of sapphire and rose gamboling about the alloyed surfaces. At the heart of the arena, lied Shoto and Jiro's recognizable forms, situated aside a persona Izuku had not been acquainted with.

"Izuku come in," Shoto beckoned, gesturing plainly with his right hand. As he approached the duo, his retinas began to adjust to the dim illumination, as the stranger materialized. To claim that she appeared menacing was a crude understatement. Her hair chestnut hair dangled to her waist, as she sported a lascivious costume that left the majority of her arms and legs exposed. She was gorgeous by all standards, though her heterochromatic eyes bore into Izuku as though his frame was that of a nail, while her gaze was the mallet.

"Izuku," Jiro chimed in, "This here is Yoko Naezono, she'll be helping you enhance your skills in whichever areas Shoto deems fit."

"What does that mean?" Izuku questioned.

"Well, as I'm sure you are aware you and your comrades' guests here within UA. The fact of the matter is you have not yet agreed, nor have been given an opportunity to join our ranks and receive full-fledged status. That being said, we still plan to situate you four, including Bakugou, and put you to good use," Shoto stated.

"Which is why you've been dishing out errands and responsibilities to Denki and Tenya," Izuku inferred.

"Precisely."

"So, what do you want with me?" Izuku queried.

"I would like you to maneuver into one of our more critical operations, peace keeping."

"And what does that entail?" Izuku persisted, more engrossed than he was concerned. It was Jiro who responded, placing emphasis on both the care and concern in her inflection.

"Preforming the same niche labor that Shoto does, which encompasses the patrolling of streets, and helping those that are being harassed or wounded from the green caps, or other vehement factions. Aiding those in the same methods Shoto used to guard Bakugou." The offer took Izuku aback, as his reluctance for violent action presented itself.

"I don't know how I feel about that Jiro. Picking fights, getting into random brawls and riots, that's not something I'm particularly interested in. I'm trying to find a place for myself in this nation without having to resort to hostility," he said truthfully.

"Izuku, I don't want to overstep but it appears to me as though hostility finds its way to you, but we can work with that. You hold the same values and share the same ideals as our organization. Where you were born, and where you were raised are irrelevant. I'm confident that you and AC over there can provide a change that many others could not, a positive change." Izuku did not reply, unable to unearth the words he was searching for.

"I was only six when I stumbled upon UA, and from the moment I joined I comprehended the good of the cause, and the prosperity that could come of it. It's a steep service we ask of you I realize, but we ask that you help other's the same way we helped you," she concluded in a sympathetic, maternal fashion. The rationales and arguments she instituted were valid and struck Izuku hard. From what he could gather, Jiro, Rikido, Takeshita and all others appeared to be voicing the truth. This triggered a newfangled urge deep within Izuku, the urge to be a part of something greater than himself.

"Why should I be the one to stick my neck out? The kind of work your describing sounds awfully dangerous. I'm a pretty good repair man, or engineer. I'm sure you require plenty of those around here."

"Because I saw you out there with Bakugou and AC," Shoto exclaimed. "You have a fighting spirit, that's something we're desperately looking for here at UA. It's not enough to just feed and shelter, we want to protect as well. The way you and AC work in unison is something I have yet to witness, and it is something we can use." He spoke sternly, which for Shoto's monotone register, spoke volumes in regard to the gravity of the situation.

"If you say so, but what will you be doing here?" Izuku asked of Shoto, perplexed in terms of roles.

"I will be supervising the two of you, Naezono can get a little rowdy," Shoto said frankly. The pit in Izuku throat grew larger, as he gulped compulsorily.

"Don't worry sweetie," Jiro whispered confidently, placing reassuring hands on both his arms. "They may seem intimidating; hell, Naezono is the only other person I know who speaks less than Shoto. But they're here to teach you, you'll learn a lot from them." All Izuku could provide as a response was a slight nod of acknowledgment, before Jiro exited the site followed by Rikido who waddled beside her.

"So, Naezono. I'm Izuku, it's nice to meet you," he said extending his arm in pursuit of a courteous greeting. She merely scorned forebodingly in response.

"Sorry Izuku but Jiro was right, she really doesn't say much at all," he said, with the faintest lingering of amusement in his register. "Both of you get ready for combat, that means taking off your shoes, jackets, belts, and any other apparel that will get in the way." Both members complied, striping down to the bare essentials.

"Izuku those black trousers are too constricted, throw these on," Shoto demanded, seizing pants with elastic cuffs from the corner of the room. Once Izuku had changed his attire encompassed the flexible pants, and white tank top. While his opponent sported a black tank top and camouflaged combat slacks.

"Have you ever wrestled Izuku," Shoto questioned.

"Here and there yeah. The people of Galliedenn can get a bit unruly every once and a while," Izuku replied, evoking fond memories of the small scuffles he used to attend in his youth. That being said, he was aware the likelihood of triumph was very slim.

"That's good. The rules are simple, on my mark pin your opponent using any means," he said dully. As if on cue, Naezono raised her hands in open palms, while spacing her feet approximately half a meter in length. Unaware of how to proceed, he attempted to mimic this position as best he could while his self-assurance diminished even further. He dwelt for a moment, in anticipation for Shoto to give any sort of signal. As expected, Shoto waved his hand to the flooring indicating the start of the match.

For a brief moment, all Izuku could witness was Naezono's abnormal eyes dilate for a moment, before she came changing towards him, one forearm defending the right side while her left arm volleyed in a blur. Izuku struggled to deflect the oncoming crack and was too sluggish. He gasped as a closed fist struck the side of his ribs like a whip, as he sunk down on one knee.

A fraction of a second later, the hand he had elevated to impede the blow was suddenly caught between her toned arms. Pushing his torso to the floor while dropping her weight she fared in restraining him in an arm bar, as the sudden pressure and stress escalated inside the joint. Injured and shocked he tapped the flank of her foreleg in mercy before she effortlessly released him. He gingerly grazed the side of his ribs using his digits, flinching when he came into contact with the fresh bruise that had been formed.

"You didn't have to whale so hard," Izuku panted in retaliation. As he craned his neck upright, he witnessed Naezono adopting the same stance as before, her eyes burning with ferocity.

"If you're going into this business you can't be afraid of pain. Trial and error Izuku, that's all it takes. Recognize patterns, develop your combative repertoire. That's how I got to where I am, that's how Naezono got to where she is, and that's where your headed. Get up, again from the top." Izuku stood unenthusiastically, as he espoused the equivalent position.

"This time try to anticipate her movements, now go," he said once more, waving his arm. In the contests that proceeded progressed gradually fending off a blow here or there, but no matter the technique, the end result lead to him gasping for breath, as his being was contorted into submission.

This went on for the span of hours, and by the end it had left him red in the face, with black and blue spots speckled about his entire being. A new collection of cuts scored his legs as they shuddered under the weight of his own torso. His hair was jumbled and unkempt from the roughhousing, he had very rarely experienced nauseating fatigue such as this. In contrast, Naezono emerged unscathed, her breath never faltering, and her eyes as composed as ever.

"Good job today Izuku, we'll go over the remainder of the basics tomorrow. How do you feel?" Izuku acknowledged his question with a gesture that could only be perceived as half sneer, half grunt.

"Perfect. I trust you can find your way back to your quarters. It should be a straight shot down the same trail you came. The prospect of trekking back to his dorm in the condition he was in sounded abysmal, though the comfort of his cot compared to nothing else. Without another word, he turned around and stumbled out of the dojo, leaving Naezono and Shoto to assess his performance. After a wearisome fifteen minutes had passed, Izuku had finally hobbled his way back, opening the door to find Tenya and Denki conversing on their separate cots. He grasped AC from the holding cell which was his knapsack, and tossed him on the bed. Hopeful leers were conveyed from the chummy duo, up until the point they turned to face him.

"Holy hell Izuku what happened to you?" Tenya blurted.

"Did another faction find us? Looks like you went through a major scrap?" Denki interrogated in kind.

"No, it's nothing like that," Izuku wheezed through short, and aggrieved inhalations. "It's training, hell of a first day. They want me to perform the same sort of surveillance and intervention that Shoto preforms, the work that Kota spoke of at the hospital." Both Denki and Tenya slanted their heads in confusion.

"And they had to beat the shit out of you to do it?" Denki enquired.

"Apparently so. I can already tell I'm not going to like it here," he moaned, as he was seated down cautiously on the cot, with the assistance of Tenya. "Were your days just as miserable as mine?"

"Tenya you can take this one. I'm going to go out for a second and grab a first aid kit for Izuku," he spoke, whilst sprinting out the polished entrance, his footsteps echoed through the reverberating iron grounds.

"To answer your question, my day was pretty interesting, and long" Tenya yawned, positioned in the comfort of his own cot. "Well they showed me around the bunker, with a chaperone of course. Enormous place by the way, a true architectural feat, all seven sections of it. They let me browse around the whole place, with the exception of section seven," a tinge of skepticism lingered in the back of Izuku conscious. What could they be hiding? Something large I'm sure, if it requires a whole section to be veiled, he thought to himself.

"Once the tour concluded, they gave me a choice between resource excavation, or disaster relief via soup stations. You know me, I'm not the biggest fan of manual labor, so I thought I'd aid in the nourishment centers," he beamed momentary. "Izuku, what Takeshita and Mei said were on point. I believe them, I witnessed it. Their actually providing major aid to the community at large. And with the scale and influence of their association, it truly makes me wish they were running the nation."

"That's very comforting to hear Tenya, thanks," Izuku said honestly. "I feel like this entire voyage has been us bouncing from place to place, endlessly running. It feels welcoming not having to go through that anymore, and to be part of a union that's so dedicated to helping others. Though his words held true, the optimism in his inflection wavered as he trailed off.

"I can sense a but coming," Tenya said, striking him playfully on the shoulder, triggering a slight wince of pain.

"But helping others, amalgamating with the elaborate cause, it's not my top priority. We need to find a way to get in contact, or get back to Galliedenn, so I can know whether or not Shanta and Yoroi are alright," he hesitated for a moment. "We also need to find a way to get Mellissa back," as he spoke AC spun within the cot, jumbling the sheets with no regard. "AC and I are very adamant about that." A sigh left Tenya's lips, as he rolled his eyes to the back of his head.

"I'm glad to hear your priorities are in order."

"There's one other thing," Izuku said, with his inflection carried greater severity.

"What is it?"

"UA may share our ideals, and they may have the well-being of others in mind, but I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. There are secrets their keeping from us. Takeshita let slip that there are stratagem, and tactics they possess to topple the government, plans they keep close to the chest. My guts telling me they're not telling us the full truth, that they know more than they let on, even in regards to AC.

Just then, Denki kicked the door open, carrying a heavy duty first aid kit.

"I'll get you patched up," Denki said, struggling with the weight of the case. "I learned a thing or two about first aid from when we were stitching you and Bakugou up right after the attack on the blimp." A second later, Denki began to address Izuku wounds. He offered a suitable amount of pain killers, cleansed his wounds with the stipulated disinfectant wipes and wrapped the grazes with a healthy amount of gauss. An appreciative thanks was all that was given. As Denki forged to heal, Izuku preoccupied himself from the pain by surveying AC tussle around within the covers.

"AC," Izuku beckoned fairly. Like a trained canine AC heeded his call immediately, soaring to eye level while awaiting a response.

"How sure are you that Mellissa, the person who brought you to me, is in that location. Are you positive she's still there?" Though the automaton was incapable of dialogue, he whirled frantically in midair, giving a holographic display of the equivalent setting.

"And that's a yes," Izuku said, with palpable conviction in his register.

"How is that a yes Izuku, it doesn't speak," Denki said, in the midst of applying an ointment to Izuku battered forearms.

"That's a yes to me, trust me I speak AC," as the delight of the loveable automaton diverted his focus from the burning injuries he sustained. "And how was your afternoon Denki? You never said where you were off too."

"It was alright. They gave me the same tour of the facility as Tenya got, but they're still deciding what to do with me, see what purpose I could serve. The more I talked to the supervisor about it, the more likely it is that I'll just be shoveling coal or manning one of the many subterranean oil rigs they have down in section two." As Denki conversed, his words were quite somber, though his spirits appeared hopeful. Perhaps he too felt analogous to Izuku, in the sense that his need to integrate into a positive force had been satiated.

For the remainder of the afternoon, Izuku joined in on Tenya and Denki's banter, deliberating the insanity of the local and faction they had just amalgamated with. In addition, the subject of Bakugou, his health and his return to their cluster was discussed at length. Bakugou spoke very little amongst them, and what he had to say seldom carried any sentiment. However, he did incorporate a hefty presence within the group, one that they sorely missed. Their dialog had been abruptly sized with a swing of their chamber door. Asuy stepped through; her eyes glazed fondly down on the trio sat securely on their respective cots.

"Anyone hungry, Ribbit? Our section is being summoned to the refectory. I thought I could maybe guide you there, you lot might have forgotten where it was situated while on your lengthy tour." The way she spoke to them was almost nurturing, comparable to a nanny.

"Defiantly, I sure could eat," Denki yelped contently, bouncing off the elastic cot. As he sauntered briskly towards the entrance Tenya helped Izuku ascend, as the aggrieved youth cradled his ribs gingerly. Izuku allowed AC to rest on the bed, his lilac lens flickered off as if the machine itself had fallen asleep. They all proceeded through one of the thousands of metallic runways that encompassed the bunker, mobile but unhurriedly on account of Izuku's injuries. Asuy placed a comforting hand once more on the small of Izuku back, her concern was apparent.

"Are you ok, Ribbit? I hope Naezono didn't go to rough on you, right on the first day."

"I'll be fine," he said appreciatively. "I've been given worse injuries in the past," he said, reminiscing the blade that Moonfish had dug into his thigh.

"That's not very comforting," as she spoke, her concern never wavered. "I am not at all envious of you lot in the peace and disaster relief divisions. You certainly have it the hardest but are some of the most valued members of this commune," she alleged, as they pressed on to the dining hall.

Upon arrival the group was provided with a bizarre odor, that somewhat resembled food, though not quite. Scaling down the steps they came upon a vast hall, stocked with lengthy wooden tables and occupied by hard sedulous men and women. Though Izuku had stepped down from the educational system at a very early age this is what he pictured when fantasying higher education. They received an unappetizing serving of some sustenance that vaguely resembled noodles and broth, as they shadowed Asuy to a bench engaged with familiar faces. David, Rikido, and Jiro stood out amongst the plebeians, accompanied by associates Izuku had yet to meet.

"Wow, you look like hot garbage," David Shield chuckled callously as he bared witness to the injuries that Izuku had succumbed.

"Piss off," was all that Izuku provided as a response.

"Please, be kind David," Asuy snapped in Izuku defense. "Being in the peace and disaster relief division yourself, you know better than anyone just how rigorous it was."

"Yeah I do, except I was the one giving out beatings, rather than the other way around," he said smugly. Izuku sat himself down with regal disdain, though appreciative of Asuy for her continued support.

"So, how long have you all been a part of UA? Any of you new like us, or are you all seasoned veterans," Denki asked in an attempt to diffuse the situation. David, being avidly boisterous, was the first to respond.

"I'm coming up on twenty years I recon, working at the armory and arsenal division. If I'm not mistaken Asuy's been around for close to five. And Rikido here has been here since he was a youngster, which would make that twenty odd years as well."

"Oh my, so this establishment has been around for quite a while," said a stunned Tenya.

"You calling us old kid?" David continued, as an amused yet fearsome leer emerged.

"Yes Tenya, we have been operating for quite some time now, Ribbit" Asuy said providing an earnest response. "Since the surfacing of oil reserves, in addition the expansion of contour mining and strip mining, the wealth and influence Aspeu had amassed proved detrimental to its citizens."

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Tenya added astutely. His observation was well received by Asuy.

"Exactly. Ever since then, factions have been trying to prevent the fissure of power amongst the men and women of this country, though UA certainly gained the most traction."

"Any reason why that seems to be the case?" Izuku said, phrasing his decree in the form of a question. Asuy furrowed her brow.

"Right now, that shouldn't concern you. For now, just focus on the tasks at hand."

"Like getting your ass handed to you," David prodded once more. Rather than cause a scene, Izuku thought it best to maintain his composure, as he swallowed another mouthful of the unappetizing bisque.

"What about you Rikido?" he queried after finishing his morsel. "Where did you meander off to after dropping me off with Shoto and Naezono?"

"Oh right," Rikido said daftly, recalling former event's sluggishly. "After escorting you to the drill turf, I went back to my regular post." A forestalling paused rested in the air.

"Your post being?" Denki asked gently.

"Oh, that's right my bad," he said palming his forehead embarrassed. "I'm work as one of the aircraft marshals, a blimp shepherd if you will. I don't pilot them or nothin', I just direct the few that we have where to land, when to leave, and catalogue it all on a piece of paper. I work down in sector three." Izuku nodded his head in response, although he was internally surprised at the amount of responsibility the administration of UA granted Rikido, being the lovable oaf that he was.

"So, Jiro you seem to be one of the more managerial personas that I've come across. Do you have any idea where UA will have me positioned? Takeshita said I'd most likely end up in the harvesting division, but if there's any chance I could maybe settle somewhere a little more interesting, that would be preferable." Though Jiro's recognition of authority seemed to please her somewhat, her intonation hardened quite a bit.

"As far as I am concerned, Takeshita is your superior officer, and you will do whatever he instructs you to do. Like many of us, he has spent quite a lot of time serving UA, and he will astutely distinguish where you will be most suitable." Denki nodded his head, deciding not to press the issue any further.

The remainder of the meal consisted of small enquiries regarding how the hierarchy functions, whom the greenest members answer to and how the objectives of the establishment were progressing. Once the meal had terminated, they parted ways thanking them for both the meals and the cots they longed to slumber on. Denki, Tenya and Izuku trekked back to their room in silence, exhausted from the life altering day that had just transpired. The moment Izuku's face came into contact with his elevated bed he floated off into the deepest slumber of his short existence.

The following morning, he was violently awakened by an alarm system that had been rigged throughout the bunker, indicating the start of a new laboring day. His body throbbed with soreness from his exertion the previous day, straining his movements. Just as suddenly as the alarm went off, the door could be heard latching open. Through sleep crusted eyes and blurred vision Izuku saw Shoto being accompanied by a fellow woman, a stranger to him.

"Everyone get up. Izuku your coming with me. Tenya you already know where to go, and Denki you'll be accompanying my friend Caroline here to your new post."

"I'm not really a morning person," Denki grumbled, his slurred dialog almost inaudible.

"You are now," he retorted, tossing a stack of garments to each member of the drowsy bunch. "If you need clothes, which I'm sure you will after the whole arson case, you'll have these to wear. Nothing to traditional, I'm sure you'll find them suitable. Izuku once you're done changing, I'll be outside, the rest of you move it." His voice was juxtaposed, as strictness and indifference both merged. Izuku carefully adorned the steal bounded waistcoat vest and Humboldt striped trousers laid out before him, before bidding farewell to his comrades and accompanying Shoto outside his quarters.

Shoto marched at a brisk pace, with no regard for his drowsiness, nor the wounds that were inflicted on his behalf. Though the displeasure of this fact was blocked by a more pressing question that hammered at the rear of Izuku conscious.

"Shoto, I have something to ask you?" Izuku asked resolutely.

"Fire away," he replied, maintaining his hassled stride. Izuku paused for a brief moment, knowingly hesitant regarding the revelation of his families whereabouts.

"Do you think at some point soon you could maybe find a way to contact my family in Galliedenn? I haven't heard from them in two months, and they aren't answering by GAUNT. Is there any possibility you might have any scouts out there in Egrary? Someone like Kota Izumi who can relay information." The desperation in his voice was transparent, though to him that did not matter. Shoto twitched his brows in arcs of sympathy, so brief one might assume the man had facial paralysis.

"I can't disclose any intel regarding foreign reconnaissance. Though I promise I'll do anything I can behind the curtains to help you locate them. But that can only happen if you cooperate with us, and help us make Aspeu a better place, rather than run off back to Galliedenn. Do we have a deal?" He nodded his head briefly as a rejoinder, afraid that the grief that suddenly washed over him would trigger a choke if he issued verbal confirmation. Determined to help UA in whichever manner conceivable, he followed Shoto, mentally preparing himself for the subsequent beating he was about to receive.