Author's Note: Thank you all for your patience, I appreciate it. Please enjoy this chapter, and I apologize for any typos or grammar errors you come across.
Song Inspiration: Lose You Now by Lindsey Stirling ft. Mako
THIRTY-FIVE | LOSE YOU NOW
Blue and red lights flashed in the early hours before the dawn. The cool, damp of the rain soaked into the pavement. Young heroes in training sat around in the open knoll of grass, being tended to by medical teams.
Toshinori ran his fingers through his hair, gripping it tight for a moment then sighed. He didn't understand why the students were always in danger. After young Midoriya and the rest of his class graduated, things seemed okay and then chaos bubbled back to the surface. Maybe the world would never be clear of villains.
His blue eyes flicked toward the front entrance of the Heights Alliance dorms. Four paramedics came out with a gurney topped with a black body bag. All Might looked away as they walked past him, heading for one of the dozen ambulances parked in the quad of UA High School.
The Daizen 7 had struck again. Ruthlessly. He hadn't looked or heard the official numbers of deaths and injuries, but given the scene before him he knew it wasn't good. Then again, even just one injury at the hands of a villain was too many. He fell back against the lamppost and gazed at the ground unsure of what he was supposed to think or feel.
UA High School was supposed to be a safe haven for the students, a place for them to grow into amazing heroes. The second this news hit the media, UA would face repercussions he didn't believe they would be able to withstand. He swallowed the growing lump in his throat, pinching the bridge of his nose. Nausea swirled in the depths of his gut and his hands trembled.
"Damn it," he seethed under his breath, fighting the urge to cry. In his entire career, Toshinori had witnessed and experienced great loss, but this for whatever reason hit him so much harder. Everyone had been working so hard to put an end to the Daizen 7. They took all the precautions, UA should have been safe, and here they were stained with blood. The worst part about it all was he couldn't do a fucking thing about it. He was retired, without power, and just useless.
He planned on leaving for good, going off somewhere to just relax and be at peace. Then he decided to stay around, each group of kids that he'd come to know and teach gave him more and more reason to stay. Never did he imagine he would have to feel this kind of hurt again for his students.
"I've contacted the Kamui Woods Agency and the others involved with the Daizen 7 case," Principal Nezu's voice filled Toshinori's ears. "Don't blame yourself, All Might. None of us expected this."
Toshinori closed his eyes, resting his elbows on his knees. They should have seen it coming, young Bakugo had called it when he came the other day. He made it clear as day, but they were so confident that the Daizen 7 wouldn't make a move.
"Amaya and Yuudai have both been taken," Principal Nezu said. "Present Mic is in critical condition as is Snipe. Several students have been taken to the hospital, but thankfully are stable."
Toshinori lifted his gaze to Principal Nezu, who stood a few steps away, head down and hands clasped behind his back. Clearly even he was unsure of what to think of the situation. Everything had happened so fast. The entire incident from the moment the Daizen 7 arrived to the second they left spanned a mere twelve and a half minutes.
"Do you think they took Yuudai by mistake? Or because he was trying to protect Amaya? They were close," Toshinori said, voice gravelly.
Principal Nezu shook his head. "I think they came in with clear intentions of taking them both."
"Why?"
"Amaya's quirk is powerful and Yuudai's poison is deadly. Perhaps they are the final pieces of the puzzle."
Toshinori bit the inside of his cheek. "What will we do now?"
"The only thing we can do," Principal Nezu said as he walked away. "Hope the heroes we trained will save us."
-xXx-
Shinso rubbed his tired eyes. All nighters weren't really his style, because regardless of what people said, sleep was a necessary part of functioning rationally. Three styrofoam coffee cups littered the small desk he was sitting at. He didn't dare look at the time, knowing full well that it had to be close to six in the morning.
The office was quiet aside from the whir of the fans within his computer and the occasional squeak of his chair. He had a crick in his neck and he was certain his hand had fuzed into the shape of his mouse. After some digging in the old archives, researching BioSyn and the old team that officially started the facility, Shinso had some solid leads to follow. That being said, he had a lot of digging to do and a lot of clearances he had to clear, thankfully Eraserhead and Hawks gave their full backing and the HPSC allowed him almost full access to their database.
The ugly history of the hero society astonished him. He knew their history wasn't squeaky clean and a lot of cover-ups had to be made in the early years, but not to the extent that it was. Shinso cupped his chin in his hands, eyes skimming through what felt like the hundredth article about one of the founding members of BioSyn. While he didn't sympathize with the Daizen 7, he understood where their hatred for BioSyn emerged.
Based on his findings, all members of the Daizen 7 had once been test subjects of BioSyn in their early years. Daichi Shinoda was ten years old when they first ran tests on him, on record, he was believed to be one of the strongest blood manipulators in the world. The file claimed he could do more than just control his and others blood to use weapons, but also had the ability to make clones with enough blood.
Shinso pinched the bridge of his nose. His mind was running on fumes. The burn of his eyes and the grumble of his stomach only further solidified how long he'd been sitting in front of the computer. He leaned back in his chair, the hinges squeaked, and he counted the ceiling tiles.
The Daizen 7 were going to bring down BioSyn, but it wasn't like they were going to take out all of their facilities. Not at one time. Even they couldn't manage that, short of ascending to some sort of godhood. Shinso raked his fingers through his hair and looked back to the computer screen. Over a dozen tabs were opened, several images were piled on the left side, and three different maps. He sputtered, trying to figure out who the main target was. Or would the Daizen 7 play a game with them, try to throw them off the trail?
He turned his chair around, looking at the filing cabinet. At the top, a manila envelope laid untouched. The light bulb lit up in his head. He stood and grabbed the envelope, opening it up to dig through the contents. It had come from Deku and Melissa, a file they had found in the archives at the BioSyn facility. According to Deku, the paperwork had not been recorded electronically and was buried deep within the archives in a black lockbox.
When he first looked through the file, he didn't really understand anything within. After an all nighter of research, the pieces were falling in place. The file within the envelope was lacking many details, having only four documents within, one of which was a handwritten note. He pulled it out and his eyes went straight to the bottom.
A messy, scribbled signature: Tachibana.
Shinso clicked his tongue and put the note beside the keyboard. He typed out the name and over a dozen files popped up. Just as he clicked on the first, his phone vibrated on the desk. He quickly grabbed it, seeing Kirishima's name flashing. His eyebrow raised. Why would he have been calling him? At this particular time no less.
"Hey, what's up?" Shinso asked, placing his phone on speaker.
"The Daizen 7 attacked UA," Kirishima said.
Shinso snatched up his phone, taking it off of the speaker. He stood and rushed out of the office, heading down the hall toward the elevators. "How bad?"
"Amaya Goda and Yudai Sasoriza have been taken. The other students are alright, but the teachers," Kirishima paused and let out a heavy sigh. "Some of the teachers are in bad shape."
"Are you there?"
"Yeah."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
-xXx-
Morning light seeped in through the crack of the blinds, falling across Bakugo's face. He opened his eyes and glanced to his right. A small smile crept onto his face as Ochaco laid beside him, sleeping soundly all wrapped up in his sheets. The thing between them. It was real now.
He reached over and gently brushed a strand of her hair from out of her face. She didn't flinch or move, she only continued to sleep. His eyes flickered toward the alarm clock on his bedside table. 7:33 AM. They both had to be at work by nine. He'd let her sleep for a little while longer. He could wake her after he made them breakfast.
This feeling in his chest. It was as if he was going to float away like a balloon on the wind. He hadn't experienced anything quite like it before, but one thing was certain: he was happy. Of all the women that had come into his life only to walk out shortly after, usually because he didn't want anything serious, this time around he was more than willing to fight for her. Some things just went better together. Like him and her. They belonged. He could feel it.
Bakugo got to work on breakfast, replaying the previous night in his head. His cheeks were going a bit numb. Honestly, it was as though he'd slept with a hanger in his mouth. Ochako just brought that happiness out of him by the boatload. He opened the fridge and dug out the eggs. The ghost of her fingers tracing down his spine sent shivers throughout his body. The echoes of her moans filled his ears. Bakugo bit the inside of his cheek and closed his eyes, stifling a laugh. Damn that woman, she lit him up like a bottle rocket and he was still exploding from it.
He cracked open the eggs and stirred them around, sprinkling in some salt and pepper along with a sprinkle of chives. The pan heated on the stove top and Bakugo poured the eggs in. Ochako liked them scrambled with cheese, so that's how he'd make them for her. As he worked on the eggs his phone vibrated on the end table out in the living room.
Bakugo rushed over to his phone and raised an eyebrow. Kamui Woods flashed across his screen. He tapped on the green phone icon and put the phone to his ear, heading back into the kitchen. "My shift doesn't start until nine."
"It starts now."
Bakugo's brow creased. "What's going on?"
"The Daizen 7 made their move," Kamui Woods explained, his voice heavy with worry and stress. "They attacked UA last night, Amaya and Yudai have been taken."
"What?" Bakugo barked, shutting off the stove top. He raked his fingers through his hair and shook his head. "And the other kids?"
"Shaken up, some injured, but nothing serious. As for some of the teachers, I can't say the same."
"Fuck."
"We're having an emergency meeting in one hour."
"Okay." He hung up the phone and closed his eyes.
Light footsteps sounded from his right. He opened his eyes and smiled as a sleepy Ochako stood in the entryway of the kitchen wearing his shirt. She smiled back at him and rubbed her eyes. "Good morning."
He wanted to stay with her. A little bit more peace. "Good morning."
She sniffed the air and peered over at the stove. "Smells yummy."
Bakugo glanced at the eggs and nodded. "I wanted to give you breakfast in bed."
"Oh, well give me a second and I'll go back to bed."
He shook his head and took a step toward her. "O, something happened last night."
The glow on her face shifted, the glitter of her eyes dulled. Her brow creased with worry. "What happened?"
"The Daizen 7 attacked UA last night. Emergency meeting in one hour."
Ochako shook her head and placed a hand over her chest. "How bad was it?"
"Plum and Mohawk were taken and a few of the teachers are in bad shape."
She nodded and took in a deep breath. "We have to get them back."
"And we will."
"They have awful timing, don't they?" Ochako gave a weak smile and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
He walked over to her, placing his hands on her hips. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "All the more reason to kick their sorry asses."
She giggled. "Let's go."
-xXx-
Yudai blindly pulled at the bindings of his had to have been tugged for almost five hours now. The skin where the iron met had turned a deep red. Tight and uncomfortable the shackles were probably the least of his worries. Everything had happened so fast. One minute he was asleep in his dorm room and the next thing he knew a loud explosion shakes the entire building and sirens blared.
He had raced out of his room and down the hall to the common area when he saw it. A reptilian like figure, in some ways it reminded him of Ryukyu. That's when he figured it had to be the same group that attacked them in the training camp. The beast attacked him without hesitation, a blind and ravenous hunger drove him. In a matter of seconds, the entire common area had been set ablaze. His friends were screaming and trying to get out as the flames engulfed the room. The windows shattered into hundreds of pieces and the entrance door was ripped from its hinges.
All he could think was get people out. Then Amaya ran straight up to the beast, arms outstretched plum hair waving around her face. She stood brave and strong, not even flinching as the creature lowered it's head and roared, fangs bared and eyes glowing red with anger. Yudai didn't think twice, he had to get her out of there. He charged forward, but the lizard-humanoid wrapped its tail around his ankle and slammed him into a support beam.
"Don't!" Amaya had screamed, earning the monster's attention. "I'll go with you, okay? Please, don't hurt anyone."
"Oh we'll be hurting and taking, whomever we please," a male voice had come from the front entrance. Smoke and flame danced around him. His hair was dark and combed back, his eyes deadly like a stormy sky, and the aura coming off him was terrifying. The intent to kill was clear. It was the first time Yudai had ever experienced such pressure from someone. None of the training or practice or internships he'd gone through could have prepared him for this.
"Daichi," Amaya had said, tears welled in her eyes.. "They haven't done anything to you! Don't hurt them."
The man named Daichi lifted his hand, palm facing Amaya. Three red tendrils shot out and constricted her. She whimpered as he yanked her forward. Amaya fell to her knees before him and he knelt down, red tendrils still wrapped around her body. "We need only a few more pieces, but you and that body," Daichi had gestured to Yudai. "You're our final pieces."
Yudai didn't remember much after that. Daichi struck him with something in the neck, his entire body had gone numb and his vision was blurred. The next thing he knew Amaya's tears were falling on his cheeks, then he black d out again and found himself alone in this dimly lit room. He called for Amaya multiple times, but he never got any response. In fact, no one had been around in quite a while.
The walls were made of something smooth, but somewhat squishy. He wasn't sure what it was. The smell was gut churning as well, similar to sewage, but milder. Honestly, Yudai had no idea what had happened or what would happen. The only thing he could think to do was fight and try to escape.
His eyes flicked to the clamps around his wrist. If he could only activate his quirk, then he would be able to easily break free. Every time he tried though, he couldn't hold his scorpion form for longer than a couple of seconds. Clearly, Daichi and whoever else had attacked UA had made sure to put a stop to everyone's quirks. He wasn't sure how they did it, but it fucking sucked.
A loud clunk came from the door across from him. Yudai narrowed his eyes as Daichi appeared in the doorway. He dressed like a businessman, suit and tie with polished shoes and a wrinkle free blazer. Nothing about him at first glance seemed like a villain, but one look at his twisted smile and cold eyes, it was clear the man had issues.
"The master is ready for you now," Daichi said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Come quietly, cause we don't need you alive and I'd be happy to put you down."
Yudai glared. "Where's Amaya?"
"Don't worry about her. Worry about yourself," Daichi said, lifting his chin. "Now, get up."
"What are you guys planning?" Yudai stood. "Why did you take me and Amaya?"
"The Daizen 7 is going to make the world right. We're going to purge those who are wrong in this world."
Yudai shook his head. "What does that even mean?"
Daichi sounded like some sort of crazed fanatic. And perhaps he and the whole of the Daizen 7 were. Yudai didn't know much about them, but he'd heard a few things about them. The teachers had spoken about them a couple of times in passing. Also Mr. Todoroki and Mr. Bakugo talked about them during the training camp. He'd researched them a little himself, but didn't find much. At least nothing that was recent, most of it was nine or ten years back.
"Quit asking stupid questions and move your ass," Daichi snapped, grabbing Yudai by the shoulder. He forcefully pushed him out the threshold and into a dark hallway. "Keep your mouth shut, got it?"
Yudai took in a sharp breath, nodding once. He had to figure a way out. The plan would be a simple one: find Amaya, escape from wherever the hell they were, and tell every hero the Daizen 7 were going to attack. No, perhaps he needed to stay a little longer and try and gather more information.
They walked down the hall, then up some stairs that were the color of bone. At the top of the landing, Daichi gripped Yudai's upper arm and the door slid upward into the ceiling. Something about where they were was just disturbing and gross. The dimly lighted areas, the squishy walls, the bone-like stairs and pillars. It was as if they were in some sort of corpse. Daichi tugged Yudai through the doorway and guided him into a large open area. The walls were a blueish purple hue, the floors no different. Bone pillars rose to the ceiling and the air was soupy and humid. Where the hell were they?
"Is that him?" a voice filled the room.
Daichi pulled Yudai to a halt. "Yes."
"Excellent." A man stepped from around the pillar. He was a tall, regal and had a large scar going down the side of his face.
Yudai bit the inside of his cheek. "Where's Amaya?"
The man lifted an eyebrow. "Safely locked away and she shall remain that way so long as you do as you are told."
"Show me!"
Daichi punched Yudai in the gut, causing him to topple over. "You don't make any requests, boy."
The man stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back as he circled them like a hungry shark. "This one has a fire, the young ones always do."
"What do you want to do, sir?" Daichi asked, his eyes glaring into Yudai's back.
"Tell me, do you love Amaya?" the man asked, reaching for Yudai's chin. He forced him to look up. "Cause I can tell she has feelings for you."
"She's my friend," Yudai said.
The man smiled and let go of Yudai's chin. He took a step back and turned his attention to Daichi. "Begin the extraction."
Daichi bowed his head. "Sir."
"Extraction?" Yudai repeated, brow creasing. "What are you going to do to me?"
"I need your poison, of course. And that is all you need to know."
"I need to know one more thing."
"Shut-up, you little shit!" Daichi punched Yudai again.
Yudai coughed, dropping down to his knees. Daichi then kneed him in the face, sending him crashing into a nearby pillar. The man held up a hand to stop Daichi from continuing on with his onslaught. Yudai groaned, clutching his gut as he sat up, his back pressed against the pillar. Blood filled his mouth. He spit it out and swallowed as he lifted his gaze to the two men before him.
"What else do you need to know?"
"The name of my captor."
"Seiji Fujimori."
-xXx-
Hawks took a seat in the clear plastic chair. He slouched forward, resting his elbows on his knees, wings lazily brushing against the color linoleum floor. Bullet proof glass divided the room in half, but perhaps flame proof would be more useful. The door on the other side of the glass opened and in walked Dabi.
"Your favorite kindling has returned."
Dabi's icy eyes sparked with rage, but he wouldn't dare try anything, not with that tranquilizing collar and four guns upon him. He hadn't changed much at all since being placed in the prison. Dabi dragged his feet and plopped down in the chair.
"Aren't you happy to see me?" Hawks teased with a smirk.
"The hell do you want?"
"Answers of course."
"For what?"
"Marionette."
Dabi snorted. "What? Do you think I killed her? Burning her into that sludgy mess? Can't take credit for that one, but about fucking time someone killed her."
Hawks shook his head. "No, she was never...real."
"Oh, is that so."
"See, her friends beyond the walls of your lovely home here have quite the firepower. A fire that burns even hotter than your brother's and father's."
Dabi smirked. "And?"
"How'd you get your blood to Daichi Shinoda? What did they promise you in exchange for your help?"
"You think I'm the only one they wanted?"
Hawks licked his lips and smiled before rising to his feet. He turned his back to Dabi and marched toward the door, looking up to the security camera. "I'm done here," he said then glanced back at Dabi. "Even after all these years, you still seek to kill your family."
"And I'll never stop."
"What a shame," Hawks said as the door opened. "Your brother is a good man, and your father he's changed."
Dabi scoffed. "He'll never change."
