A/N What many of you have been waiting for as we swing back to our Blood Orphans.
Chapter 3: Mayhem Moments (Pt 1)
Word Count: 19,431
Location: Musutafu League of Villains Headquarters
Recap: (Prologue II: Last two paragraphs)
Her gaze traveled to the young boy who had followed her up the stairs to the rafters when she'd first left but who'd been silent and not pressed her for any information as she'd watched the match and conversed with one of the men who had destroyed their lives. This match couldn't have gone any better. Their point was proven that they deserved to stand on this stage with them. She could only hope that everyone else managed to prove themselves, if anyone failed here it would fall on her. She was their scapegoat.
"You're up next Galahad," she told him as her gaze swept over his features, noticing the crossed arms and his wings that were tucked along his back. The easy smile he flashed her even as he showed his teeth as endearing. He'd proven his loyalty to her more times than she cared to have to need. He wouldn't let her down. "It's dark enough if you wanted to take to the sky," she offered him some valuable insight and as her gaze traveled to the skylight in the ceiling it wasn't much of a hint, but it allowed him the freedom to stretch his wings if he wanted. "Also, your opponent is similar in nature," she let those words hang between them clearly leaving the rest of what she wanted to say unsaid. Telling him not to lose wasn't fair of her to try and skew the results in such a way. Besides he knew anyway.
"You can count on me," he promised as he began his descent to the ring below.
Kaiya let her arms rest against the railing as she bent at the waist, her posture relaxed for all of those who didn't know her very well. Her gaze casually tracked Galahad as he walked into the center of the room. Her fingers curled into a fist behind her other hand that was hidden from view. She didn't let her mask slip and kept her expression neutral. She knew exactly what was riding on these fights, anyone who failed here, who couldn't put on a good show wouldn't leave here alive. One way to get everyone else to fall in line was to make examples, those here were not their first picks like she had been, no they had waited a little while before making sure the training process would work. As its success continued, so did their plans to expand the program. There were a few short months where she was the only one. The kids they first got didn't last a week, some didn't last two and then there were those who eventually made it longer in the process, as the years passed eventually those who were here today were the ones who had made it, who had survived, excelled and managed to keep breathing for another day.
Her violet eyes traveled to Shigaraki as he tilted his head in a signal she knew all too well. The fight hadn't started yet and in fact, the next challenger hadn't entered the ring, obviously, they weren't sure who would be facing the young man standing in the middle of the ring with wings folded behind his back and a rather bored expression on his face. His arms crossed over his chest. The short whistle that left her lips was low in pitch and held a longer note. Several pairs of eyes shot in her direction out of habit, but only one person raised his green eyes to meet her own, the grin that slid along his lips told her even from this distance that he was paying attention and ready to go.
She vaulted over the railing, a fall that she could make, but that wasn't the point of this example. The wind rushing wasn't all that she heard as a rough calloused hand grabbed her own from above, his palm warm as his grip tightened on her own, his features one she was used to by now, she could always count on him. Security she would need to shed eventually. "One day I may not be paying attention you know," he teased her with a chuckle but he carefully slowed their descent. His wings brought up dust as he showcased the power and speed behind his movements. It wouldn't be an easy fight for anyone. One had to remember that he'd been in the center of the ring only moments ago and hadn't seemed to move, there one moment and gone the next, his speed was incredible. As her feet touched the ground he let her go and flew in a lazy circle around the makeshift arena, before settling right back where he had been.
Shifting her stance she approached Tomura as he was talking quietly with Shohei who was looking pleased with how things were going so far. Her gaze tracked who was around him, looking for Kurogiri and finding him to be watching her as well. She frowned at him watching the way his golden eyes narrowed at her but said nothing as she waited to be acknowledged. Things were still a rather gray area here and with as many decisions as she was making so far, she wasn't sure how Shohei would feel, but clearly, he didn't seem to be upset about how she was going about this. She knew the more impressed he was, the easier it was going to be for them to transition over. This was as much a test of her ability to think on her feet then it was merely a fighting contest. If any of them failed today, she was their scapegoat. Something that was apparent before, but it was just now sinking home.
"Who's up next?" The question came from Shigaraki, his gaze piercing before he let it drift over to who was in the middle of the ring. "That's Daichi Aka, I've paired him up with…" she trailed off as she crossed her arms over her chest and her gaze searching for the one person who could possibly match him, who was their best combatant, in terms of strength versus strength. "Hmm," she mumbled her gaze, doing another round of the room and still not seeing him. Frowning, she cast a glance at Shigaraki as he was beginning to get irritated. "Who are you looking for?" He questioned his tone shorter than earlier, it was a subtle warning, but one she knew to heed. Her gaze skirted to his still-healing arm that was still wrapped with Kugutsu Ayatsuri's healing puppet wires. "Saisho Koiboito," she answered quickly as she curled her fingers together and didn't move from her spot next to him.
"Kurogiri, find-" Shigaraki started his tone hard. He wanted to get this show on the road, not have to look for his underlings. With his attention on Kurogiri, he didn't see the other young man come in. Her fingers reached out to touch the back of his hand, it was for just a moment her fingers curling briefly along his hand. Her head tilting in the direction of the open doorway where the young man they had been looking for had entered, looking pleased with himself and stuffing a phone into the pocket of his jeans. He wasn't wearing a shirt and left his upper body on display. The scuff of sound that escaped Shigaraki Tomura's lips seemed to be filled with a little displeasure at his appearance, but all he wanted, in the end, was that everyone would listen to him. So he tried not to care that much.
Her hand withdrew quickly and she resumed her original position and kept her features impassive as she waited to see if she was going to have to call him to the ring, or if Shigaraki was going to do it. "Saisho, where have you been?!" he demanded, his irritation written all over his face. While his voice hadn't been overly loud per se, everyone had stopped talking and a hushed silence had taken over those assembled. Twice who it was that Saisho had stopped to talk with had taken a step back and made sure to not be in the middle of whatever was about to happen.
The grin that slides along the other male's lips was telling enough as he wasn't put off by the attention in fact he seemed to relish in it, his red hair was easily styled in a mohawk, the sides of his hair were shaved completely bald giving him a rather dramatic look that helped his amber eyes stand out. "Just making a phone call Tomura, my dear baby bro has an important exam at UA this evening." He explained his voice easily carrying as he pulled out his phone as though that would explain everything. "Isn't that interesting?" he wondered, letting that thought hang there between them and everyone else assembled.
Interesting indeed. What are you up to this time UA? He wondered to himself, realizing he was going to have to look into it soon, perhaps once this was over. While Tomura may have been interested in his words, he didn't show it. "You're up next. Don't disappoint me," he told him as he turned and directed Kaiya to follow him up to the rafters once again. She let her gaze travel to Galahad's for only for a moment before she curled her fingers around the railing and ascended to the upper level with Shigaraki. He leaned his elbows against the railing and perched himself in the middle with a direct of the year. He had no intentions of missing this fight.
"I hope you are prepared for this. The only reason I stopped the last fight is because dead soldiers are of little value to me." He responded as the silence lingered between them.
Kaiya shifted her stance and leaned against the railing, her body near his own. A subtle move in itself. It told him that she wasn't afraid of him. Death was but another adventure in itself. When one had nothing to lose and everything to gain, it allowed for one to look objectively at their small bleak world to see that the small victories were what mattered, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
"We appreciate the opportunity to show what we can offer you Tomura, " her words came with ease even as she picked her words with great care. Her gaze always shifted in a way that he was within eyesight. It was a habit she couldn't break, and had little intention of explaining her abilities beyond what anyone might perceive. "Death is just a means to an end, only the strong can survive this world. You are either the victor or the victim. I prefer to be the first category." Her gaze slid away from him to the ring below. "Aka will give you a good show, " she promised as they watched the last fighter enter the ring. "He's a little interesting," she muttered, but her attention didn't drift from the match.
Amber eyes turned to regard the young boy in the middle of the ring. His grin as it slid along his lips was murderous, Saisho didn't care as long as he could cause pain to others. It was just another way to let out the anger and that rage always festered inside him since his father's beatings because he was no longer that quirkless little kid anymore. No, he wasn't, thanks to All for One he had real power now.
It was so easy to let the rage bubble up, he was still reeling from the phone conversation with his baby brother. Mori-kun was in for such a surprise whenever they would meet next. He wasn't that quirkless older brother to him anymore. He smiled at the memory of hearing the tremor in his voice he couldn't hide when he'd called his new phone number. Yes his dear little family would pay dearly for what would eventually come to pass. All in time though, first he had some impressions to make.
"I'll give you a good show Boss," he promised as he unbuttoned his jeans and slid them off his legs. Left in only his black boxers, he kicked his jeans away and began to advance into the ring. With each step that he got closer to the center his body began to change, growing larger in both weight and height and his humanoid appearance slowly changing as his skin tone took on a red appearance and just as he was a safe distance away, giant bat wings exploded out of his shoulder blades along his back. As his next step came down the ground shook under the weight of his hooves slamming into the ground. Between his mohawk on the sides of his bald head sprouted large curved horns. As his amber eyes faded to black he shook his head and ran his clawed fingers down over his face ignoring the pain as his claws cut into his own skin with ease. He couldn't help himself, the power was enough to make anyone drunk from elation. The pain was also a reminder that he was still very much alive. The thrill of life was nothing to sneeze at, one only knew true blessing when they fought for their lives and decided their life was worth living.
"I'm going to crush every bone in your body," Saicho growled out the words as he ignored Kurogiri who was going to give them the go-ahead when they could begin, his gaze never left the boy that stood before him.
Fumeiyo 'Saisho' Koibito
Quirk: Demon Guise
This quirk allows the user to transform into a demon with red skin, black eyes and increased strength and the ability to fly with the wings that sprout from his back. The user is also able to breath fire. This quirk was given by All For One.
"Ne, Ne Eii-kun why does he get to go next? I want it to be my turn!"
A young girl questioned, a pout on her childish features. Her short stature and cute clothes were in a sharp contrast to what the others wore. An off the shoulder white sweater, and plaid bright red skirt that stopped above her knees, adorned with a pair of knee high white stocks and to complete her look, red fuzzy boots with pom-poms at the end of the laces. She even had a matching umbrella to twirl around to entertain herself. Her long light pink hair tied back in two loose braids, each with a single red ribbon that perfectly matched the shade of red she was already wearing.
This wasn't Miho Tsutsui's usual attire, usually it was the same black as the others, but she couldn't deny that she was greatly pleased with how adorable she looked. This was somewhat of what she used to wear before she came to join the Blood Orphans. Those vibrant colors made her stand out and boy did she, it was all part of whatever plan Kaiya was scheming. It was so obvious, but whatever it was, wasn't something she was worried about. She was a pawn in this dance, but all she wanted was for her turn to step into the ring. She could barely contain her excitement and rein in her patience till it would be her turn. She hated waiting.
Eizan Nakatomi looked down at her, as he stood beside her. When standing next to her, he looked more like her bodyguard with his superior height. They were most certainly an odd looking pair with Eizan being so much taller than her and far more of the threat even with his lanky form. Given his feminine looking features in his face, he didn't seem to look like he belonged with this group of ragtag rough ins. Well, neither of them did really.
He was handsome with his crimson hair tucked behind his left ear and swept in a fringe to the right with a strand that sat almost right on his nose. He often has to brush it away, it's the bane of his existence really. His eyes are vermilion in color just a few shades lighter than his hair. There was no denying how utterly enthralling the two of them were, both so striking in their own way.
"She's got some method to this madness. If you really want to know when it'll be your turn, go ask her shortstuff," he suggested. The grin that slid along his face as he looked down at her was telling enough as he silently counted down in his head to what she would do. She was so predictable and he loved to pick at her, she made it so easy.
The kick to his shin was telling enough but he didn't react as her pointed boot drove home, she wasn't out to really hurt him. Her cheeks were puffed out and she pouted as she pointed her finger up his face. "Just who do you think you're calling short you big meanie!" came her loud exclamation.
Which drew several heads to turn toward them. Dabi chuckled from where he stood in the back and his blue eyes were watching them with a certain level of interest. He wasn't the only one who was curious to know why the little girl happened to be the only one dressed in color, a play perhaps...whatever it was, it left him weary.
He was also curious about the Blood Orphan project, he only knew what he had heard so far which was very little. His gaze moved to follow the four people he wasn't very familiar with who had come with these kids, it wasn't hard to pinpoint their handlers. He easily found the younger instructors, the one with long purple haired who was slipping from the room, the spiky haired blonde who was chatting easily with a group of the children across the way, the only female in the group who was currently sitting with Toga. They weren't who he was looking for though. He wanted more of the man in charge.
"I call it like I see it, " Eizan said as his Cheshire like grin widened, exposing his teeth. He couldn't deny the appeal of seeing her in the other colors that she wore. It reminded him of when their lives had been full of just them doing their own thing together, always together. The two of them had been with the Orphans about four years now and while many had not chosen their current lifestyle, they were one of the few who had. They were tired of a society that they couldn't fit the mold of.
The low hum of sound caused both to turn toward the sound. "There goes her dog, " Eizan muttered softly to Miho, the younger girl twisted around her back resting against him as her anger was forgotten with her attention drawn to where he was mentioning. "It's kinda weird in a way how attuned he is to her, " came her muttered agreement, but she really wasn't one to talk. "It's not fair she gets to have all the fun, " she whined as she couldn't help but point out. As she twirled the parcel in her hands out away from him. "It makes you wonder how effective she'd be if he was ever put down? Maybe I could be the favorite instead?" she questioned as a little hysterical giggle passed her lips for a moment. The idea was almost comical given the little pictures in her mind's eye. It would never happen, she didn't want Kaiya's job, just the awe with which she was treated...like she walked on water with some of the instructors here, their favorites not masked, in fact it was used to bleed competitiveness between them.
"But you're my favorite and I don't like to share," he grinned, but there was no denying the possessiveness that coursed through him. His grip tightened on the shaft of the paracel she held keeping her from accidentally poking his eye out. The older boy merely patted the top of her head as he watched the ring with a mild level of boredom as their winged fighter resumed center stage. "It's better this way," he told her after a moment of his emotions simmering down. The movement from the other side of the ring drew his attention as the older male approached the ring, his gaze tracking him out of habit, always on the lookout for threats.
As Saicho began to strip out of clothes, his large hand covered Miho's eyes, his vermillion eyes narrowed at the display in front of him. What an uncouth heathen. "This isn't suitable for kids, Mii-chan, " he told her seriously as his voice ticked her ear.
Her smaller fingers curled around his pinky and ring finger. Clearly in the running of pulling his hand off her eyes or breaking his fingers either option had it's amusement. With a little pressure his fingers parted allowing her to peek through them as the two shared the moment of Galahad's opponent showing just what sort of mutation quirk he happened to have.
"Look what we have here, " he commented trying to not be jealous of the fight his other comrade would have. It was hard though; he was ready to go as well; he just hid it better than his little Miho-chan.
"Jealous Eii-kun?" she questioned slyly, already well aware of the truth. She knew him so well, after all, but she could feel the tension in his body. To be fair, they both knew the other so well it was why they were the absolute best of friends. They did everything together. They were the only ones to accept the darkness that lurked under the surface so completely.
As he morphed into a more extensive form that transcended his human height, leaving him closer to 9 feet in height. "If you want to talk to Kaiya, now may be the time before the match officially starts." the crimson-haired boy told her as he dropped his hand and stepped back toward the wall. He didn't feel like getting in the middle of what was likely to be an explosive fight.
Miho's blue eyes darted to where Kaiya was talking with Shigaraki as she hummed under hèr breath before moving forward and began to skip over to the stairs. It was a feat in itself that she didn't trip. She hummed a song that sounded something akin to 'Blood on the walls.'
She twirled the open umbrella on the point at the top with her hands on the handle as she waited to be acknowledged. If it had just been Kaiya and one of their instructors, she'd have butt right into the middle of the conversation without a care. It was different with Shigaraki; she could tell Kaiya was being extra leaderly today. She sighed a little more loudly in an effort to be acknowledged faster as she closed her umbrella and debated tapping the pointed end against the floor, but thought better of it.
As Shigiaraki turned his head to regard her, his light blue hair hanging over his shoulder as he leaned over the railing and into Kaiya's personal space to regard her. "Quite the colorful little bird you are, " he commented, his gaze sweeping over her before returning to her eyes.
"I'm not-, " she started to snap impulsively, her mouth running before she could think her response through, but Kaiya cut in, effectively shutting her down.
"She's a little nervous Shigaraki-sama." The look Kaiya shot her fellow Orphan was one they all knew very well. Shut up before shit gets real. Kaiya had angled her body to be slightly in front of Miho and still kept a close proximity to her new boss. This showed something else that despite their relationship, she was protective of the younger girl.
Shigaraki said nothing as this went on, but his attention was on the two girls, noticing the signs that Kaiya seemed to take protecting her fellow teammates to be a personal mission, a characteristic he didn't see very often. It was something he could exploit, once he knew just how far she would go.
"I apologize for her tone. Miho is usually far more polite," the warning was crystal clear and what Kaiya wanted was for Miho to not only watch what she said, but she wanted her to be on her best behavior.
"I suppose it can't be helped," he said after a moment. The fight would start once he gave the signal for them to begin.
The pinkette flashed him a bright smile, even showing him her pearly whites but her eyes told another story as Miho tipped the parcel back over her shoulder and let it lean against her pale skin, her fingers curled on the handle, ready to swing this little number like a baseball bat once it was her turn to show her stuff.
"Yes, I believe my nerves have gotten the better of my Shigaraki-sama. I'm terribly sorry if my tone offended you. I didn't mean to interrupt but I was just wondering if Kaiya would know when it would be my turn for my match…-so I can prepare," she told him sweetly, her hands clasped in front of her as she bowed to him. Having let the paracel lean against the railing. While she was spitting this diarrhea of the mouth to Shigaraki, inwardly Miho was raging. She didn't want to play the role of the shy little girl...but she couldn't deny the effectiveness of it.
She could have tried to do something else, but she didn't think it would be a good idea. Kaiya flashed her a smile but it wasn't real and told her something else. She was angry at her, the grin Miho flashed her, lit up her blue eyes. She really did love to do little things to make her position harder. Kaiya was always so put together, sometimes it was fun to see a reaction, but to be fair this probably wasn't the best time to do such a thing. "Is that all you wanted?" The dark haired girl asked, giving Miho an assessing look with her violet eyes.
At the little girl's nod, Kaiya sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "You're up next, but-" she said quickly before Miho could interrupt her, as she was about to do. "Who you'll be facing is a surprise," she told her as her lips stretched out in a smirk, this was a subtle way of payback and Kaiya was always able to pick out the best ways to get back at people. It was no secret among their little group that Miho hated surprise with a passion, and she had successfully backed her into a corner where she couldn't outright demand more information, no Kaiya was busy weaving her own webs. "It's only fair and keeps everyone on their toes doesn't it?" she questioned adding some excitement into her voice.
"I guess so, " Miho muttered as her fingers curled tighter on the handle of her umbrella.
"It'll be worth it. So why don't you go back to Eizan?" Kaiya suggested as her gaze darted down to the floor below. What she really wanted was for her to not draw too much attention to herself. She'd gone through a lot of trouble keeping her back with Kazushi when they had first come to the facility. "But before you go...your first clue Mimi-chan is your opponent isn't as stoic as he appears, you may find some common ground with him." she told her as she held up a single finger toward her and a softer smile slid along her lips as she regarded her.
"Since you came all the way up here to talk to me. I'll give you a final clue. If you mix cyan and magenta together what color do you get? Don't tell me, but your opponent has that eye color," Kaiya told her as she had kneeled down to be at her eye level. Her fingers brushed fleetingly over the girl's cheek before she withdrew her hand.
"Thanks Kaiya-chan," she chirped brightly.
The young girl while she wanted to pout that she wasn't getting exactly what she wanted Miho couldn't complain over the clues. They made things a little more interesting. Kaiya didn't give away her opponent outright, but made her have to think about it. Miho frowned to herself as she regarded Kaiya and Shigaraki for a moment. Her fingers curled around her parcel as she twirled it around at her feet for a moment lingering on purpose. "I'll just go ask Eii-kun," she finally decided, aware she wasn't going to learn anything else from them. As she moved away from them and headed down the stairs making a beeline back to her best friend, her fingers already poking him in the side wanting his full and undivided attention.
"You're surprisingly good with her," Shigaraki turned to face her. Kaiya merely shrugged, wiping any emotion off her face. "You learn what's necessary to get them to do what you want."
He chuckled but didn't say anything more on the subject as he raised his hand slightly and twirled his index finger in a circle as a signal to get Kurogiri to move forward with the fight.
"Break every bone in my body huh?" The sixteen year old repeated with a grin his lips pulled back to expose his razor sharp teeth. Galahad shook his head, his four ram-like horns protruding from the center. He ran his hand through his wavy mass of long scarlet hair falling down between his wings, stopping at his hips and easily over his black long sleeved shirt that was cut up along the back to allow his wings freedom of movement without fear. "I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself mate," he warned, his bright green eyes quite the contrast among his brown skin. "You'll have to get in line," he taunted.
As the man began to strip, his eyes narrowed as he wondered what on earth was about to happen now; he hadn't expected a strip tease so early in the show. Still Galahad known as Daiki Aki to the powers that be stood his ground, his draconic claws flexing as he watched the man's form begin to shift and change before his very eyes. He clicked his tongue in mock surprise as the man seemed to have grown in size to some extent to where he was taller than he was, now that was impressive in need. His thin imp like tail flicked casually from side to side as he waited for the moment that this fight could really begin, so far, neither party had done little more than insult each other.
Galahad's gaze skirted to Kaiya out of habit, he couldn't help his need to ensure he knew where she was even in the middle of what was looking to be a rather exciting fight. Some would say he needed to worry more about himself. He caught a flash of color skipping away from her and frowned slightly already aware it had been Miho leaving. He watched Kaiya as she and Tomura seemed to forgo talking for the moment and a hand signal was flashed by Shigaraki and then his gaze was back on his opponent. Things were about to get interesting. He could feel it.
"You mouthy fuck!" Saisho growled his black eyes flashing as he stomped his foot like an irate child. The moment his hoofed foot slammed into the ground did it make the ground shake slightly and as he raised his foot to reveal the cracks and fissures along the area. The man with the red Mohawk drove his foot down again and lowered his body slightly and rushed forward.
So predictable Galahad couldn't help but think as he dipped to the left allowing his body to weave out of the way as the other fighter barreled right past him.
"Quit paying attention to that bitch up top. I'm your opponent!" Saisho dragged his foot into the ground and used the momentum gained to slam his other leg into his side with a spin kick.
Galahad grit his teeth at the impact as he took the blow and let his body go airborne as he was knocked off his feet and let his hands catch him and back spring to his feet as he regarded the distance between them and where he was at the edge of the makeshift ring. His ribs throbbed a sign he knew all too well that they'd been bruised but not broken, he was definitely strong and he'd been holding back. Should have avoided that, but I was too curious. I gotta watch this next hit. Any who had been standing at the edge of the ring had all moved out of the way when he'd been knocked toward them, nearly colliding with one poor chap, but he'd gotten lucky.
"Gankomori, quit fucking around!" came the demand from one of their more problematic members.
At the nickname the winged boy spared the other boy a quick glance as he flipped him the bird from where he stood with a few of their teammates.
"Yeah, yeah metalhead I hear you." Galahad growled out as he frowned all too aware of how small this space was for a fight like this. He had to watch his every move here and the likelihood of dragging in those not related to the skirmish was becoming more of an option, as he tested just how strong this red haired monkey was going to be. When she'd told him his opponent was similar in nature, he'd been assuming something a little different than a mutation quirk quite like this. She did warn you though. He couldn't help but think to himself.
These quarters are too close. Once things really got serious...well he wasn't sure this building could withstand such a thing. His gaze slid above to the skylight Kaiya had so kindly pointed out before things had started. He flexed his wings deciding to use his speed to his advantage, he lunged forward as he drove his knee into Saisho's chin on his way past him, as he flapped his wings and went shooting past him through the skylight that was broken in a shower of glass shards on the world below. "Catch me if you can," he taunted.
With a roar of rage Saisho flapped his wings, but it was far less graceful than how the younger boy had flown. He flapped his wings harder and shot out of the window after him into the darkened skies.
Itami-Sensei only grinned as she watched the little brawl between the Leagues winged demon and her trainee. He was dubbed Kaiya's little lap dog by those who ran this little project but he absolutely fit the bill quite well. Sometimes she wondered if Shohei was behind it, but he'd only tell her no and smile. So perhaps it wasn't his doing, but it was certainly something he was proud of. The boy had always been a thorn in her side, during training, but there was something to be said about the punishments he took for the others. She hadn't been too pleased about this. Although it built the cohesive unit they were wanting, between the kids.
She gave a high keen of laughter as Galahad smashed his knee into the monstrous form of Saisho's chin, she couldn't have been any more amused, more proud. There was something oh so satisfying at knowing they were winning in this little experiment. Itami brushed back her light blue hair and turned to her new friend at her question. The two girls had hit it off for reasons that would confuse many, but Itami knew how to mingle, it was all about wearing the right mask and not letting the real one slip unless you wanted it too.
Toga giggled at the display, pleased to see Saisho knocked down a peg or two. "Serves him right for being so cocky," the blonde said loudly for the rest of their little group to hear. Itami only hummed a sound of agreement as Twice filled the silence for her. She may have seemed oh so engaged with her current little group, but no she was watching her little brats from here waiting for one of them to step out of line, she was almost vibrating with the aspect of being able to hear them scream, but she was not sane on the best of days and these sort of events hyped her up on another level. Many wondered just how Shohei managed to keep her leashed.
"How are we supposed to watch them now?" Toga whined from where she was sitting on the couch that Twice had been kind enough to push into the room. Which allowed for her to continue to be her rather lazy self at the moment. This was little more than a show and so far it was certainly interesting, she couldn't deny that these little rugrats were turning out to be far more interesting then she'd originally thought they would be.
Twice leaned against the back of the couch with a rather put out expression on his face, she could have at least thanked him. "Who knows," he muttered as he drew a little circle on the back of the couch with his fingertip, his attention not quite on the fight at hand. Now that they were outside, it didn't seem like it was something they would get to see, but they could definitely hear the fighting that was still going on yards above their heads, to say he was disappointed was a rather big understatement.
As Shohei Ichihara trespassed into the wide area with a young girl standing just behind him, he had the attention of many in the room all with varying degrees of interest or contempt. "Allow me to fix our little problem," he promised with an easy smile that left the Orphans uneasy, that smile wasn't real, this man was anything but kind despite what he wanted many to believe. The manipulative fuck.
The girl had dark purple hair and bright silver eyes, to say she seemed unremarkable was a bit of an understatement, she seemed to be of average height and as Shohei stepped back to give her the floor. There was a flare up of light purple energy that engulfed each of her hands. Each source of light flared brighter before two medium sized balls of energy were suspended around her hovering just outside of touching the palms of her hands that were held down toward the ground. Her eyes as she opened them glowed with the same color as her quirk. She threw her hands upward toward the skylight, the balls of energy shot upward and out of sight.
She pressed her hands together and then pulled at the energy that was still encasing her hands and hovering above the open space as she pulled the energy, and stretched it out as a seemingly empty yet large portal that didn't seem to do much. As her index fingers touched the energy, a screen of sorts activated showing the fight from two different directions, one focused on Saisho, the other on Daiki Aki. Those gathered could see the way the fight was going, each fighter seemed to be relatively evenly matched despite the obvious height difference that Saisho's quirk seemed to give him. With an expansion of breath she pulled the energy wider attempting to make it similar to a larger screen that would allow everyone to see what was going on above them.
"Good work Emiko," he told her as he stepped around her leaving her in the center of the room to ensure the fight was caught in such a way that everyone could see it. She gave an incline of acknowledgement but said nothing in response. She needed to stay focused on keeping her portals merely in a one way mirror rather than two.
After a few minutes and she was sure everything was in order, she left the middle of the ring, her energy still curled around her hands, but she distanced herself and found a quiet corner to lean against away from others as she would occasionally flex her fingers and the view on the screen would rotate or shift to ensure that facial features, words and the action of the fight were easily captured and heard by all.
"Well this makes tv pointless," Twice said loudly, his eyes wide behind his mask.
"Oh my god will you shut up!" she rose on her knees to shove her hand against Twice's mask covered mouth. "Just watch! It's about to get good Saisho's losing his temper like always," Toga told him with a wide grin. As Twice nodded, she twisted back around, her bare feet touching the ground as she began to pull her hair back into it's normal ponytails as she watched the fight through the large portal.
Seraphina Ramsey (Emiko Hajime)
Quirk: Mirror Mirror
She can produce portals to various locations that are within a mile radius of her surroundings by using the energy stored in her body. She can also use her mirrors as a one or two way form of communication giving video and audio feed.
Saisho was filled with rage as he flew through the air, chasing after the snot nosed kid who was his opponent. He was angry for several reasons, the suckered knee to the chin was something he was angry about, his teeth had slammed together and he'd bitten his tongue. The blood having been spit out of his mouth to the road ways below without any worry about where it would go. It was none of his concern, all he cared about was winning, he was not about to be a laughing stock. He was not going to be the weakest link here like he'd been at home with his old man, shown up by his younger brother who had what he could never have.
His only saving grace had been his run with Shigaraki in the slums of the underbelly that was where all the villains in their world hid during the day. Only the incredibly stupid fucked around in the day light, just begging to be caught by the Pro Heroes. It was idiots like that who gave the rest of them a bad name. Some thought they were all just a bunch of bad apples looking to cause mass murder by the thousands, but not all, some of them wanted to change the way this society worked, was run. Stain had become his ideal even before people had started to pay attention to him.
Instead of kicking him to the curb like he'd expected he'd seen something in him, something in his eyes that told him he could be something of value. He could be of value to someone like Tomura Shigaraki. His meeting with All for One was as strangely terrifying as he'd expected, but he hadn't backed down, he hadn't changed his mind. The confidence he'd managed to show, had been something he'd appreciated. He had asked him what he wanted and he'd explained that he wanted something, a quirk that could put his father to shame, something he could use to show him just who he'd tossed away. He wanted to be someone who could show his father how wrong he was. All for One had given him a power like he'd not expected and it was an elation, a feeling he'd never expected to have. He felt powerful, he felt strong and he would never be weak again.
He opened his mouth feeling the way the heat built and built inside of him before he let out a blast full of fire from his wide jaws. The blast was large, hot and full of his rage, the fires seeking the boy who was just a few passes in front of him, but going at a speed that he couldn't catch him, his form was far more agile than his own. His clawed hand curled into a fist as he put on a burst of speed to catch him as he was hit with his flames and his body fell to one of the rooftops.
Galahad felt the heat just before he saw the fire over his shoulder engulf his body. He flapped his wings attempting to keep himself airborne, but he quickly angled his body toward one of the flat warehouse roofs knowing that they needed to stay out of the public eye as much as possible.
He hit the rooftop, his body still on fire, as he rolled to help put out the flames and shed some of his clothing that had caught fire. He ripped whatever from his body that was still on fire and tossed it to the ground, his hands were singed but for the most part he was unscaved except for a few minor burns,
it was peculiar considering the fact that he'd been on fire, one would expect far more gracious wounds. Little did Saisho realize that the boy's quirk had begun to slowly activate giving him a slight resistance to fire, as the fight wore on it would increase to where his flame attacks would do no damage to him.
The sixteen-year-old gave a low growl as he pressed his hands against the rooftop and it seemed the concrete building's properties seemed to creep up his whole body and cover whatever exposed flesh was available. Galahad stood up and snarled at the other boy who was watching him with something akin to the shock as the older boy landed a few feet away from him, his dark eyes wide as he watched this change transpire.
Galahad V. Steele (Daiki Aki)
Quirk: Gargoyle
Is a mutation quirk that gives the bearer with flight as well as increased physical capabilities and a resistance against temperature and element based attacks. With conscious effort and direct contact it also grants the user a sense of control over solid non-living matter, allowing for more defense. The more layers he puts on himself the harder it can be for him to initiate flight.
"A little transformation isn't going to help you kid!" Saisho told him with a sneer, but if he was honest with himself, he wasn't sure what to make of what was happening so far. One thing was for sure, and it was that at least he could go all out without having to fear killing the boy, but if he died, well it didn't mean much of anything to him.
The lapdog of the Orphan Project pounded his knuckles together and regarded Saisho with a wide sharp toothed grin. "Don't hold back now. Let's see what you can really do with that borrowed quirk of yours!" Galahad called over to him, his voice a little thicker as though talking were slightly more difficult as his quirk had activated. As confident as Daiki Aki aka Galahad Victor Steel acted, he was well aware that the more materials he covered his body with, the slower he would get and the harder it would be for him to evade attacks and fly. He had to be careful.
With a roar of rage Saisho 'Fumeiyo' Koibito advanced toward him on lumbering loud steps as his hooves cracked the concrete as he rushed toward him. He blasted another ball of fire at the boy and as he didn't move from the first one's blast he fired off two more kicking up more debris under him, but what he'd been intending to do was weaken the rooftop under him.
Galahad darted out of the smoke, as his legs carried him over the weakened rooftop and slammed his shoulder against Saisho's chest. While he may not be able to hold his weight in flight, that didn't mean he couldn't still hold on just enough to get the speed necessary to catch his opponent by surprise. He left himself wide open. Idiot.
The boy kept close as they went down not hesitating to drive his fist down slamming against his jaw.
Koiboito gave a grunt as the first hit landed. Pulling his arm up to block the next strike he knows is coming. He was caught off guard as the winged quirk user slammed his head down impaling his horns on the palm of his hand and his wrist the points piercing through the other side. He jerked his hand closer to his body, a horrible idea as one horn gave way easily, the other horn slashed into the meaty part of his wrist, cutting tendons and muscles and grating across bone. "You fucking piece of shit!" Saisho spat at him as he curled his other hand and slammed against the boy's chin.
The red furred demon drew his large feet back and slammed his hooves against the boy's stomach to propel him back across the rooftop some 20 feet away.
Galahad slid on his back across the weakened roof feeling the way the weight of their continued fight was causing the structure of this building to come into question of just how long it would last.
The grin on his face couldn't be washed away as he got to his feet, his face was speckled with dark blood and his fangs seemed to elongate at this. He licked his lip, and managed to keep a straight face, but his stomach revolted at the taste. The move was nothing more than a scare tactic. Something straight out of Itami-Sensei's playbook.
With a grunt Saisho curled his other hand along the wound on his wrist, aware of the amount of blood running down his wrist staining the rooftop red. He raised his wrist to his mouth and blew out a heated breath of air as the wound was slowly cauterized shut, a rather crude method and it was far from a walk in the park. Next he moved to do the same with the other side of his wrist. A heavy sweat already coating his body as he kept his pain filled sounds to a bare minimum. "This is far from over." He eyed the boy with surprise as Galahad watched him begin to heal his wound, but didn't make a move to come after him while he was vulnerable. It was very curious indeed.
With a shake of his head, he curled his wings in front to defend himself as he worked on the wound on his hand. Aware of the sweat that covered his body, making the fur stick to him. He flexed his fingers carefully before he dropped his barrier and made his move.
Saisho used his wings to speed up his momentum and swung his thick red furred fist. It slammed against Galahad's cheek sending the snot nosed brat skidding across the rooftop to slam into the low concrete wall that gave a little freedom for people to jump off into the streets below if they really wanted to do the world a favor and kill themselves. A bunch of sad fucks in his opinion, people too weak to pick themselves up and fight for what they wanted.
He didn't stop there and went for the boy again, his hooved foot slamming into him cracking the wall which kept him from falling several stories to the ground below. That brat had the audacity to laugh at him! To mock him! He was going to pay for that! He was going to pay for everything!
"I thought you'd hit harder than that."
As the dust cleared Galahad was unharmed from the blow and he was pushing back with his arm against the hoof that had tried to crush him. His grin wide as he threw his arm out causing his opponent to be sent back a few steps as he rose to his feet.
"I guess I'll stop going easy on you now Koibito."
Kugutsu jerked his gaze away from the screen, his chest tight as he caught sight of how Galahad's horns had pierced through his opponent's hand and wrist, his body shuddered at the sensation that tingled along his own wrist. You're fine, breathe. Don't freak out...keep it together. He curled his hands tighter to keep himself steady on his feet. He didn't want to be caught looking away, they didn't want their soldiers to flinch on the battlefield. Graphic wounds weren't anything to him, he could heal them, but that didn't mean he liked the sight of all the blood, of the pain of another living creature. The young blonde felt his chest tighten and his breathing get faster and shorter. He curled his fingers into his chest aware of the panic attack that began to flare and he closed his violet eyes and bowed his head.
Someone shoved him hard in the ribs with the bony part of their elbow and he stumbled to the side, barely catching himself. His eyes widened as he caught sight of blood red eyes swallowed by darkness. He caught the flash of long white hair that went to the girls knees, it was so long that he wondered how she kept it looking so clean. "Get it together," the older girl told him, keeping her voice low, but her gaze was accessing nonetheless. Shohei had done a pretty good job of getting them to fight as a seamless unit, it just didn't always stick once the mission was over...for some of them.
"Hitting him is really going to work wonders," Piped up the male voice to her left, it wasn't so surprising these two were related, they had the same eerie demon eyes, blood red irises swallowed by blackness and white hair, only the boy's was far shorter, in a mess long spikes on his head falling in every direction around his head.
"I don't see you doing anything Akashi-chan" Chiaki said cheekily as her lips pulled back exposing her teeth.
"Don't start Chiaki, you can't claim to not know the japanese pronouns," Akashi told her as his finger jabbed against her side, before he dragged the rest over her ribs. Her low keen of laughter was horrible timing really, but she was far from the best in terms of what was appropriate. "Quit it!" she hissed slapping at Akashi's arm as she stepped back out of her brother's reach.
They were the only siblings taken, the reasons were obvious when one knew what they could do together. While different, their quirks complemented each other and if one were in a dangerous situation, they would want them around. It was one of the reasons they were chosen to be taken from their parents who were a well known power couple in the medical world in America. It was one of the reasons the two got along so well and had a far easier transition then those who had been taken against their will on their own. You either adapted to your surroundings or you didn't survive.
"You could help him out nii-san," she suggested with a wide grin as she flipped her long hair over her shoulder.
"Tch" Akashi muttered as he looked back toward the Kugutsu, his gaze accessing him. He watched the way he tried to shy away from the two of them like a wounded animal who was looking for a corner to die in.
Shit, he's going to get caught!
He thought his gaze darting around the arena as he picked out of the heads of the instructors he could see. He caught the flash of blue coming their way and he made an executive decision. His heart pounding inside his chest, the fear held deep in his chest. He didn't want to be here when she reached them.
Self preservation had won out as he cupped his hand along his sister's wrist, his grip bruising and the other over her mouth as he immediately swept them away toward the part of the arena under the stairwell. He refused to get roped into someone else's problem. The sound of protest from Aki was drowned out, as he shuffled them away ducking behind several of the others clustered around to watch the fight. When the girl licked her tongue over his palm, he drew it back with a look of disgust. His hold on her wrist did not waver, instead it only tightened. "Don't do anything stupid," he hissed softly, watching as she let her attention dift back over to Kugutsu. "I know," came Chiaki's murmured reply.
As much as they might wish to stand up against those who raised them...they didn't. You survived a lot longer by following orders and not drawing negative attention to yourself and sometimes that meant looking out for yourself only.
No words were shared as their fingers intertwined as they watched and waited for what would happen next.
As fingers dug into his blonde hair and forced violet eyes to meet deep blue ones that were filled with malice. His eyes widened and his breathing only got more rapid as he was ensnared by the woman everyone in their captivity wished to avoid, only a few stood up to her and readily took whatever punishment she deemed fit to dish out. There had been plenty of children before him who had not survived her escapades. He tried to shrink back away from her and the heel of her palm struck against his cheek. "Don't run from me Kuguchi" she purred her voice low and her tone high as though she really in fact wished that he would try to get away from her again.
No one stood against her, she was their Enforcer. No one survived attempts to run away from their family. Running was a cowards way out and once you were caught well things were never pleasant for you. Those who failed their practical exams and didn't improve were given to her to make examples of.
One such time flashed in his mind's eyes as he went limp in her hold.
The wet sound was hard to place, but it was an abnormal sound that wasn't natural. The gurgle of raspy pain filled breaths followed the noise and it drew many of the Orphans from their bed, lingering in their doorways none of them dared to tread into the heavy darkness to find the source of the sound. As many lingered, sharing looks of question, but no one spoke. The noises were getting closer and had changed to sound like more animal sounds than any form that a human would make.
Their lights outside of the rooms were just barely lit and allowed for some of the darkness to recede but not much. Those closest to the sound tensed bodies poised and ready to fight. You did not retreat here. Retreating was a weakness, it could cost you your life.
A twisted, mangled small hand reached into the light first. The one thing he noticed first was that no hand should sit like that, the fingers were swollen and broken and twisted at such odd angles. He shrank back, but he couldn't back up, Kaiya pressed her hand against the small of his back keeping him from retreating, from being Itami Sensei's next plaything.
He heard her soft intake of breath from behind him, he didn't recognize who it was by their hand, but it was clear she did. She knew all of them though. The hand raised, dragging more of its heavily bruised body into the light, this took several minutes and no one breathed a word as they watched.
Finally a head was dipped into the light, revealing a face that was nearly unrecognizable, so badly beaten the left side of the head was caved in, the hair was black and long telling him who he was looking at, it was the young girl who was only thirteen, she'd only joined them a little under four weeks...he couldn't remember her real name, her codename even escaped him. It left a heavy feeling in his chest that he didn't remember her. Kugutsu wanted to vomit, the bile traveling up his throat. The strangled cough of sound wanted to come up, but Kaiya's hand covered his mouth, her other hand carefully ran through the short hair at the base of his neck, in her own way keeping him from ending up just like that little girl.
"Breath slowly, but don't look away." her voice was so soft he almost wondered if he'd imagined it.
His eyes tried to dart away from the girl, but Kaiya curled her fingers at the base of his neck and refused to let him look away, her fingers tightened as he tried to break away from her. "Lock it down." came her low murmur.
As his gaze skirted back to the girl, he caught sight of the way her right eye was hanging down her cheek, somehow still attached to her face. His gaze darted down to her lips and saw that her lips were sewed shut, the blood still seeping down her lips. Heard the inhuman sound of pain again, he saw the tears sliding down the girl's face, and how she reached out toward him.
He was jerked out of the memory as Itami stomped on his toes as she dug her nails harder against his cheeks leaving bloody welts with how hard she pressed against them. "I was talking to you Kuguichi," she whined, as she tossed her braid over her shoulder. "You're still too soft. Perhaps we need a session or two to toughen you up?" she suggested.
Kugutsu was saved from having to answer as a tall blonde slid up to Itami Sensei, his fingers curling along her wrist. "Itami, Shohei doesn't want a scene right now. Besides we don't want to damage Shigaraki's soldiers now do we?" Felix Simmons spoke his voice was a warm cadance as he ensnared her with a question that she couldn't disagree with. "You know he won't be pleased." he added with a closed eyed smile.
"Like I -" she started with a low growl. She wasn't sure how she felt about all this business with Shigaraki, in her eyes these kids were hers to play with in all ways that mattered. It was as though they were being taken away from her. She'd have to find new ones. New ones...that could be fun. She thought to herself her grin sliding in place after a moment of internal discussion with herself.
"He's been watching you," Felix said softly, his gaze flickering up toward Kaiya and Shigaraki, neither looking pleased with the display. Kaiya was struggling to keep her features inpassive, but he could see the way her mask crumbled in certain places.
"Of course he is," she muttered as she abruptly let Kugutsu go and turned on her heel. "Consider yourself lucky Kuguchi, next time we won't be interrupted," she promised before she walked back over to the previous spot she had vacated sliding effortlessly into her spot beside Toga, the girl cast her a look as though she wasn't sure what to make of her, but after a moment their conversation continued as though nothing had happened. It was Twice who seemed a little more uncomfortable as he shifted where he leaned against the couch.
"You good?" Felix questioned as he gave the boy a quick assessment.
Kugutsu swallowed and rubbed at the marks on his right cheek before he gave a nod, not trusting himself to speak. He was still working to quill the way his body wouldn't stop shaking. He locked his knees for a moment and closed his eyes, only to snap them open as he couldn't get the memory out of his mind's eye. He wiped at his lips and took a slow breath, his gaze sliding up to Kaiya and watching the way she was assessing him even from this distance, she raised her hand to tap against her wrist with two fingers a code for how a few of the orphans communicated without words. After a moment he tapped two of his fingers against the top of his hand before he turned away from her, his attention drawn back to Copycat.
Felix motioned for him to follow him and together the two moved to go hangout next to Emily well out of the way of the arena. This was Felix's own way of allowing the boy to gather his bearings. He was going to need them eventually. The tests were only going to get more extreme the longer they went on. It wasn't the first time he wondered just what he was doing here dancing with these manipulative fucks, but then again he got paid handsomely to play babysitter and some of them weren't all that bad, but a tad broken. With a soft sigh he leaned against the wall and crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest, he settled in his new spot to watch the fight as Kugutsu mimicked him but sank the floor with his back to the wall, his knees pulled to his chest.
He just needed a few minutes as the shaking started anew and a silent tear slipped down his cheek followed by another.
Copycat merely gave the boy some privacy and yet still kept watch, his gaze meeting Kaiya's only briefly as he inclined his head toward her before shifting his attention to circling the room.
"What was that?" The sharp words so close to her ear caused Kaiya to jerk her gaze back toward Shigaraki, her long black hair spilling over her shoulder. Her heart pounding inside her chest, her fingers slowly releasing from the railing. "What Shigaraki-sama?" she asked softly, managing to keep her voice level.
Frowning, Shigaraki reached out a hand curling it along her upper arm, his grip firm, bruising even. "Don't play dumb Kaiya." His words were spoken in a lower tone, as he'd seen the look in her eyes. "You know what I meant." he lowered his tone further and relaxed his hold. "Who is she?"
"Itami-Sensei is the one who enforces the rules, the punishments and handles any infractions. She enjoys her job as our ward. Any step out of line, any who can't excel in the program are examples made."
Kaiya felt the familiar sensation as though she were drowning, her mind flashing back to her most recent interaction with the woman, how she had twirled the scalpel with ease between her fingers as she discussed the Orphans so casually, went over who was falling behind. If they didn't improve they would wind up as her next toy. She knew what this was, a test to see if she could motivate them to improve enough so that they didn't wind up like all the others. Only a few of them knew the real truth.
"Shohei has been so generous with you hasn't he?" The other woman's smile had widened and Kaiya had managed to keep her expression impassive and not give anything away. "He's trained you so well, he must be proud of you?"
"The same as anyone else here. It's a pity your toys don't last long, but the body can't take such abuse." Kaiya countered her purple eyes bright in the darkness that surrounded them.
"I believe a little rat is interfering." she murmured, her voice lowering. "I intend to put it down once I find out who it is."
"I hope your hunt is successful, " she told her with a smirk dancing along her lips.
Their game had begun.
She shook her head, her fingers curling into fists. She should have known the dangers she was placing the others in at the time. In her attempts to protect them, and those before them. She had placed them in more danger. She squeezed her eyes shut and retreated back a step, only able to do so as Shigaraki had let her.
Lock it down Kaiya.
Her fingers ran through her hair, as she took a slow breath in, held it and then released it. She had mastered self coping mechanisms. She had too. She couldn't not be there for them. Her gaze drifted over the Orphans assembled checking those she could see and aware of the location of those she couldn't. "If you're asking Tomura...if that is normal, we're used to it, but Itami-Sensei has her favorites. Kugutsu is one of the easier kids to pick on. We manage though, so it is nothing to concern yourself with. Things will even out after these tests and we can see who survives and if we have what you're looking for."
Shigaraki clicked his teeth for a moment as he regarded her and let his gaze slip over to the blue haired woman who was causing unnecessary issues amongst his rank and file. He hummed for a moment to himself as he thought over his options before he raised his eyes to Kaiya once more. "I have a test for you Kaiya, let me see your list again," he told her as he held out his hand and as the file was passed over he began to scribble out a few names and began to rearrange her list.
Kaiya clenched her teeth, not familiar with someone reorganizing her hard work, she wasn't sure how she felt about it exactly but she didn't like it. As he passed it back to her, she glanced down at the changes and raised narrowed eyes to meet his own. "Is there a reason you changed my list?" she questioned, there was no denying the edge to her words as though she'd had to force the words out.
"You'll thank me later," he told her as his gaze moved back to the fight. "The weakest link in the chain won't make it into my organization Kaiya, it's nothing personal. I'm sure you can understand."
She felt her back itch between her shoulder blades and did her best to not react to the sensation, it was one that made you feel like you were being watched. "I do," she kept her voice steady, even but it did nothing for the mental images that flashed through her mind of those who hadn't cut the section process, nothing for the anger that slithered through her veins. She dug her nails into her palm hard enough to draw blood, she couldn't lose her cool. It was so easy for someone to speak of their deaths so casually as though they hadn't mattered, they weren't important. Their final moments were not quick, filled with more pain than anyone should have to endure and she was supposed to be thankful for that?! Supposed to forget how young they were, how their lives were stripped away from them without a chance to really live to see their loved ones again?
"Good," he muttered with a chuckle before his attention was back on the fight. To say the least so far he was impressed with what he'd seen. He glanced at her, having felt the hole she was burning in the back of his neck. "Problem Katagiri?" he questioned as he leaned against the railing as he gave her his full attention. He watched the way her hands were held, watched the way her blood dripped down her curled fingers before eventually falling from her middle knuckle to the floor. Noticed the way her breathing hadn't increased, despite the obvious signs of distress.
"No," she answered, shaking out her fingers and jerking her attention to pass over the room, checking on the others. "Everything is fine," she said as another breath passed her lips and she let her emotions slip away as she locked them down once more. She had gone too far to lose this chance, to be the reason this whole program fell apart. She owed it to them to make this work, to succeed.
If they make it here would things be different, would anything change?
I don't know...but I can't be the reason this falls apart.
Freedom to not be bound by expectations...isn't that what we all want.
She wasn't sure but the chance was not one that would pass them by.
"I hope you'll grow to trust me, "
The words were spoken at a volume that she wasn't expecting, least of all from him, and in a way that had her shocked violet eyes rising to meet his own.
Instead of an answer, she moved back to where she had been standing before, by his side. Her attention on the fight between Saisho and Galahad.
"Maybe one day."
As those words left Galahad's lips the boy with the wild mane of scarlet hair rushed the older male, his horns ramming him under the chin with a headbutt as he struck him with an open palmed strike to the solar plexus. There was no denying that even with the extra weight on his body the boy was still fast, given their mass difference. He slammed his foot against the rooftop and the ground cracked more at the pressure, but he wasn't done yet, as he used the momentum of his strike and his opponents momentary lapse in judgement as he struggled to keep from choking on the blood in his mouth and still get air into his lungs.
Galahad twisted his leg behind Saisho's and curled his arms along his own forcing his arms to stay down at his side as he used his extra weight from his quirk when he'd taken the building's structure over his own body to slam him on his back against the weakened section of the roof that had already taken a beating.
There was a groan from the roof's structure as the upper level shook before it caved inward swallowing them both in the darkness.
The sixteen-year-old rammed his knee against the man's own as he tried to get him to let him go as they began to plummet into the darkness. "Scared of the dark Saisho-chan?" he teased as he jerked his head back as the other male's horn scored across his nose.
As Saisho's mouth began to glow with fire, Galahad could see the way it began in his stomach before glowing upward through his chest and up his throat and where it began to curl and swirl in his wide open mouth.
He let him go pushing away from him and flapping his wings attempting to keep himself airborne. He dug his claws into the wall of the elevator shaft that they had found themselves in and slowed his descent, his tail lashing against the wall as he watched Saisho continue to fall, his back slamming against the metal rail car that had stalled on one of the upper floors.
Saisho's fire launched out of his mouth at an angle missing him but catching the metal cables that held up one of the other cars on a lower floor on fire, causing the small area to be filled not only with smoke but with a fire that had started from the where the second car below them had smashed several stories below and exploded in a wave of fire as it traveled upward toward the exit at least two stories above them.
Shit! Galahad thought as he jerked his gaze upward toward the light from the whole in the ceiling that would take them out into the night sky. He couldn't help as he glanced toward his opponent watching as he dragged himself up on the only remaining elevator car. He wasn't sure if his quirk would be able to be as effective against the fire from an explosion of this magnitude. Still he found himself hesitating on leaving on his own or if Saisho would be able to make it out alive. These were a test, but it wasn't a fight to the death exactly.
As the other male flapped his wings and seemed to be struggling for a moment, the younger boy made a decision and folded his wings and dropped like a bullet downward. His fingers dug into the top of the elevator car as he spun outward from his dive, his feet slamming against the metal car sending it slamming into the wall opposite them as the fire slammed into the metal car. The flames pushed the car higher up from the force of the explosion and how the fire was rising with the airflow.
Galahad scrambled atop the cart and glanced upward as their exit came, as the car exploded out of the hole forcing it higher into the air, he drove his body against Saisho's sending them both back down toward the roof of the warehouse, both landing in a tangle of limbs and pain.
Saisho snarled at him and shoved at his face with his hand. "Get off me!" he growled, rolling out and away from him as he rose to his feet.
Galahad rolled over, his chest heaving as he watched the elevator begin to come back down to the ground as it reached its peak height. Frowning he watched it begin to fall, standing he made his decision and forced himself to his feet and took to the sky, his massive wings unfrilling and catching the air as he took flight.
Saisho dug his heavy nails into the side of his cheek as the boy left their fight, he was showing him just like his father how unimportant he was. He wasn't someone to be taken seriously even now. His fingers curled tightly into fists, the last thing he wanted was to owe him anything. He gave a low growl as he curled his fingers around his horns and internally debated his options. He refused to be treated like this, to be made into the laughing stock of the League! He was not going to be a mockery! He was going to destroy him, this kid has picked the wrong person to fuck with. Everything was on the line.
Galahad accelerated his flight tucking his wings along his back as he dived down after the massive metal machine. He flew past the elevator and reached out a hand dragging it across the cars parked on the side of the street he passed, his quirk added another layer of metal to his body enhancing his strength.
This should be enough. He thought to himself as he unfurled his wings, slammed his feet into the ground and caught the metal elevator as it was about to crush a young mother who was shielding her son, both of whom had been walking in the lower city district. The hunk of metal had come out of nowhere with no one else around to help to do anything.
As Galahad dug his claws into the metal the weight caused him to stain, but he wouldn't let go. His gaze intently on the mother and her son, a scene so similar to what he'd gone through years ago. Flashed through his mind.
"Mom! Who's that man?" he questioned softly, his smaller clawed hand held firmly in his mother's own. He remembered how she accessed the man coming toward them as they headed along through the parked cars toward the store's entrance. "Someone leaving, baby. It's nothing to worry about, " she told him confidently.
"Nothing to worry about?" A feminine voice asked from behind them, her tone excited and her eyes wide as they both tensed up and his mother pulled him against her side, her arm protectively curled around him.
He'd never forget that wide, manic smile.
"Can I help you?" Gabriela Steele questioned as she kept her sharp eyes on the young woman, she knew right off the bat that there was something wrong with this woman, but there didn't seem to be an immediate exit for her son. Her fingers tightened on his small shoulder as he curled into her leg, his fingers curled into the fabric of her jeans. Her quirk was passively active but it wouldn't do much in this situation.
As a hand rested on her shoulder, she felt her hand go lax around her little boy's hand, she watched her hand drop from his own and her eyes widened, but she couldn't move her hand to grab for her son as he was pulled away from her.
"Mommy!" he cried his voice quivering, it was the only sound he was able to make as he reached out to her, to the one person who would keep him safe, when his dad wasn't around. As his eyes went blank and his arm fell limply to his side, her wide eyes raised to the man with dark purple hair who was whispering in her son's ears as her senses came rushing back to her. "Let go of-" she started sharply making a move toward him, her attention diverted from the woman who'd first approached him. It was a mistake, because pain blossomed along her back as a knife impaled itself from behind. She grunted as it was pulled back out and she twisted her body to clumsily swing at the woman who was in her personal space, but she wasn't a fighter. She was a lawyer, she didn't find herself in fights of any true kind.
Itami laughed gleefully as she drove the knife into her stomach, only to pull it out again and plunge it into another place on her stomach. Gabriela coughed up blood, her gaze immediately seeking out her baby boy. "I-s-sorry. I l-lo-ve y-ou." She didn't stop struggling even as the other woman overpowered her, the knife slicing along her cheek as Itami straddled her in the middle of broad daylight.
Kazeshi snarled, jerking his gaze to the area around them. "We have to leave now!" he growled as he moved away toward the rendezvous point. He didn't look back as the scene progressed further. His one job was to get the boy to Kurugiri. Galahad had been forced to turn away from his mother as she fought with the other woman. As he approached the dark purple portal and passed through he heard the sound of running feet and the same gleeful laughter as Itami caught the portal just before it closed completely. Her face, arms and clothes covered with blood. "You almost didn't make it," Kurogiri murmured from above them.
Galahad refused to let that boy lose his mother too.
With an extra burst of adrenaline, he shifted his weight and his stance enough that the elevator car slammed into the empty street, the cars having stopped a ways back. The two were safe, having been saved from death by the young boy in front of them. This stunt, this momentary lapse of sticking to the mission allowed for multiple videos and pictures to be taken by pedestrians, people, in office buildings and those in their cars who got a front row seat. He breathed heavily, catching his breath. As the boy reached out toward him, almost as though to touch him, to thank him— he fled into the air. One moment he was there standing among the debris and the next he was gone, spotted higher in the sky, too fast to be caught.
Eizan turned his attention from the fight as Miho was finally done with mulling over whatever Kaiya had told her in private. He watched the way she regarded those of the League and the way she was paying special attention to them as though trying to read them. With a soft sigh he leaned his weight against her own, in such a way that if she hadn't pressed against his side with both her hands he very well may have crushed her with his superior weight and size...although he'd only have sent her to the ground. This forced her to raise those bright blue eyes of hers to his own. As she huffed and strained a bit to keep him from making her lose her own footing.
"You big buffoon get off me!" Miho growled, her lips pulled back to expose her teeth. As strong as she was there was no denying that when it came to him, he had her beat in height and weight, it just wasn't a contest really. Her smaller body would never be able to match him tit for tat, but she rivaled him at speed and her reflexes were always on point, except when she was distracted as she had so clearly been. So focused on whatever was making those gears spin so hard the smoke was coming out her ears.
Finally he couldn't take the suspense anymore and decided it was time to get her attention. "What did she tell you?" As he asked the question he righted himself and placed his larger body in her personal space as he got down to her level, for no other reason than to poke fun at her. There was no need to elaborate on who as it was obvious.
Eizan may have been teasing her, but there was no denying he was curious. It wasn't often that you could find Miho to be thinking so hard about something, she was usually in a far more playful mood.
The young girl frowned, her fingers reaching out to curl around the umbrella she had left leaning against the stairway that would go to the catwalk of sorts above them. She absently tapped her fingers against the wood. "She gave me a few clues to who it'll be and-" she paused for effect, her eyes wide as she looked imploringly at him. "I'm next! I get to go next! I get to go before you!" she told him with a little twirl as she spun away from him. "Now, If only Daichi would stop fooling around. I'm tired of waiting!" she whined as she pouted her lower lip slightly stuck out as she did this.
She never understood what she did to people, not exactly anyway.
Her excitement was contagious but it wasn't just that, the two of them were constantly on the same wavelength or feeding off each other's energy and emotions, it was just another reason they got along so well.
His lips stretched wide as he watched her and also took notice of their collective audience. It was a habit he couldn't help it. He caught sight of Itami-sensei as she headed in their direction, an angry look in her eyes that wasn't hidden with the smile on her lips.
"Someone's angry, " he muttered, reaching out a long arm to pull Miho back toward him. He wasn't worried about her being hurt, no most who had joined of their own violation were not on her radar, but one could never be too careful. Itami-sensei was not known for her rational thought, but she was too dangerous to cross. Well not for them, but he knew when it was best to keep leashed, he wasn't a complete rabid dog besides, if one didn't obey their masters they were put down. A dog was no different from a soldier, their importance only went as far as how useful they were and when one strayed from the rules well it left everyone with a mess and complications were not on All for One's list and most definitely not Shohei's.
Not many believed he was more than the brains behind the operation, but Eizan had reason to believe it far beyond that, he had other reasons he wanted to see this project succeed.
Miho's grin only widened as he pulled her back toward him and as he looped his arms over her shoulders and rested his chin atop her head. "Ne-Ne she's always like that Ei-kun," she muttered as she pressed her paracel against the floor as they watched Itami pass them and head over to the couch with some of the League members.
"I don't think so," he muttered as his gaze drifted along the members of the league he could see, his gaze lingered on the man with light blue eyes and scars on his face. "Tch, he stares too much," he complained, but the small grin that graced his lips was unnerving.
The young girl only patted his arm in sympathy and said nothing as her attention traveled to their current fight as it was shown in the giant portal that Emiko had constructed to watch the match. The fact that Daichi had run away wasn't missed. She laughed to herself, but didn't care where he went, it just meant her fight was going to be up faster now.
"Kaiya-chan gave me some hints for who my opponent will be, it's so frustrating. She could have just spelled it out, the hints don't even make sense!" she said loudly with a pout.
Eizan's soft chuckle had her jamming her elbow against his stomach. "Urusai!" (Shut up)
"What were her hints?" he questioned, not phased by the blow.
She ground her teeth together, but as she caught sight of Dabi staring, she regarded his eyes, how blue they were even from here. Miho couldn't help but be lost in them even from this distance.
"Don't look at him." Eizan's fingers had tightened along her arms as he held her against him, he was obsessing again, but he couldn't help it. No one was going to take his little Mii away from him.
Dabi must have seen something on the boy's face because all he did was chuckle to himself and continue his conversation with Kazushi, pointedly ignoring them both.
"What color do you get?" she muttered the question, it was loud enough to draw his attention back to her. He raised a single eyebrow in question but it was clear she couldn't see him, so he gave a soft sound of annoyance and she pressed forward without missing a beat. "What color do you get if you mix cyan and magenta together?"
As those vermillion eyes turned thoughtful he gave her question some consideration, but he had to think about it a little bit, they only paid so much attention in school to the subjects before they were taken into the Orphans program. He twirled a strand of hair around his fingertip as he went over the colors in his head, starting with the easy ones and going for the more complex. "Blue," he suddenly muttered as the answer came to him. "Blue is the only color you can get successfully."
The gleeful laughter as Miho suddenly spun around in his arms was something he hadn't been expecting, he could see the way she flared brightly in front of him, on a level for a moment that he couldn't reach. "Blue eyes huh?" she muttered as she let her gaze drift over the members of the League present, she couldn't help the way she kept coming back to Dabi even after all this time. "I know who my opponent is," she stated as her smile widened on her lips as she settled back against his chest.
He too followed her gaze and after a moment gave a heavy sigh as he rested his chin along her shoulder, his large body draped along her own, Miho was used to this so she wasn't phased at all. "Of course it's him," he muttered against her ear, it wasn't hard to miss the hard edge to his voice. It was all too clear that he was jealous.
"Don't be so down, you get to cheer me on," she replied as her fingers reached up to ruffle his hair from the front. Pleased in her own way when all he gave her was a low growl along her ear, but didn't move as her fingers played with his hair as Daichi appeared on the screen once more, it would seem the fight between the two was back on.
Nothing more was said as Miho began to hum the same tone from before as they watched the fight recommence.
So stupid...I shouldn't have gotten involved
Galahad could still feel his heart pounding in his chest even as he felt his muscles constrict and retract in the painful spasms along his arms. He curled his arms against his chest as he flew trying to lessen the pain of the muscles. He knew he shouldn't have gotten involved, it wasn't his pride that had stirred him to move, it was something deeper. Now things would be more complicated. He closed his eyes to the clear night sky as he flew for a moment just feeling the wind pressing against his face, for these few blissful moments he was free.
This freedom was short lived, it always was for them.
It's not too late to leave...no one would catch you
I can't abandon them
Go back and fight then
Duty pressed on him, he couldn't skip out. He couldn't abandon his friends...his family.
His green eyes opened and he twisted his body, angling it so that he could fly back to the rooftop where he'd left his opponent. He saw the blow coming but his arms wouldn't quite raise as fast as he needed them too. He could feel the way the material on his body shuddered as though it was all in a sort of weakened state along the palms of his hands.
The heavy fist brushed past his arm and he folded his wings to allow his body to drop out of the sky, he had avoided the fist strike, but the red furred beast was still on him. He opened his wings attempting to slow his descent so he could land at a better angle, but a massive hooved foot slammed against his back forcing him into a spin as he slam into the concrete, even as his face was pressed against the rooftop, he pulled the material of the building to further cover his body and it allowed him to take a better beating, but it made moving around more troublesome, his arms were still a wreck from his choices earlier.
Galahad didn't move as he waited for Saisho to make a mistake, for now he was doing his best to catch his breath and bide his time.
"You shouldn't have wasted your energy earlier," Saisho taunted as he kicked the boy in the side, noticing that he wasn't using his arms at all to attempt to pick himself back up. He seethed with rage as he advanced toward him, his fingers reaching out to curl around his neck, lifting him off the ground high enough that his legs did little more than dangle. He drew his fist back to slam into his face again and again, watching as the heavy grey stone that covered the boy's face began to crack from the strength being exerted on his extra layer of skin.
He didn't let up on his attacks and with one final punch the boy's healthy skin underneath was revealed. With a whoop of delight the man rammed his fist against his cheek and you could hear the way the bone broke from the impact.
Paybacks a bitch. A sinister grin slid exposing sharp teeth, as Saisho leaned forward his forehead slamming against the boy's nose but that was nothing to the pain that erupted as his horn pierced the child's right eye. Galahad screamed in agony, drawing breath only to feel his body seize as his brain struggled with the overload that fired from his pain receptors. His vision was darkening at the edges, he knew he had to keep his feet, he had to keep standing.
As the male withdrew his horn, there was a splurching sound as though something wet had just hit the floor. Galahad grit his teeth, his clawed fingers covering the wound, but he also had to make sure his eye was still attached. It had only been blood. It's still attached. He breathed through his nose forcing himself to keep from vomiting, he'd been trained for this, they suffered from wounds like this on a weekly basis.
The boy's fingers curled along his arm attempting for him to somehow loosen his grip, he'd used too much energy, his strength was fading, he could barely get his fingers to move on his command. Saisho's maddening gaze lingered on his face, watching as his fingers began to meet the vulnerable skin underneath as the red-head's second skin began to flick and peel away.
Galahad knew in that moment that he was in real trouble Saisho's form was growing hazy, his own gaze was darkening out his left eye, his right...his right eye wasn't picking up anything just a raw sensation of nerves on fire. His lungs constricted, burning in agony for air he didn't have. He knew he only had one shot at getting out of this.
He deactivated his quirk, as the extra layer of material that protected his skin, fell to the ground below him and he let his body go limp, his eyes falling shut.
Saisho clicked his tongue eyeing the boy's still form for a moment and with a careless flick of his wrist threw the boy's body over the low wall to the city streets below watching for a moment as he fell but turning away before he hit the ground.
"Too bad kid, you gave me a good fight, but your times run out." His wings flared out as he took to the sky heading back in the direction of the League's Headquarters.
Kaiya bit her lip hard enough to draw blood as it trailed down her chin and she reached up to wipe it away on reflex rather than conscious thought. Blood drew attention, it also could get you into a lot of trouble with the wrong sort of people. Her hands tightened on the railing as the battle raged both adversaries giving each a fight worthy of their encounter and then it shifted one wrong move, one failure as his body wouldn't comply and he was caught. The fight tipped out of his reach of a feasible outcome. It went beyond what she had hoped and slid into her worst nightmare happening in slow motion.
She felt like she couldn't breath.
Not again. Do something, make it stop!
Her thoughts were that of the small, scared little girl she kept locked away. She was no longer that little girl...so naive, so stupid to believe this world still gave a damn about them.
The moment his body was slammed into the portion of the roof that was still standing, the building shook, but the structure held. She watched, unable to turn away from the scene in front of her, as his screams pierced the silence as his eyesight was stolen by a horn. A few moments later and his control was back, but there were still his ragged breaths, and shortly they too stopped. She watched his body go limp, watched his quirk deactivated...watched as his body was thrown over the side of the building. She watched it all, unable to do anything but gaze from afar. Safely out of the line of fire. Safely tucked away in the confines of the League and surrounded by their handlers.
She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, she wanted to fix this, she wanted to rewind the hands of time.
And yet she couldn't do anything. She didn't outwardly react to the images. She didn't call his name, begging for him to open his eyes to not give up! She didn't want him to die. She wanted to protect him. Protect them all...did anyone else really have to die today?
Maybe. She thought with disgust, unable to help where her mind wondered, the dead flashing behind her eyes, what was one more to the dozens who had already fallen before them?
This was their lives chained to their mission, their orders...no decisions made without someone else's opinion, their choices taken away.
No different was it really that she didn't react outwardly, her features didn't change. She'd been trained well and yet as a tear trailed down her cheek, she reached up to wipe it away but someone beat her to it.
Her eyes narrowed and she jerked back, but it was too late. She'd let her emotions slip through and as violet eyes clashed with red. She breathed in for four seconds holding her breath a moment before releasing it for eight seconds, her gaze far more steady as Shigaraki watched her with far too much amusement, curiosity...interest it was hard to differentiate and in the end did any of it really matter? They were nothing but rats meant to be stepped on, weapons to be used for the next asshole who decided to direct them toward a goal they desired. They had no freedom, they were nothing but tethered dogs, to be used until it was time to put them down.
Shigaraki held his finger out, showing her what he'd caught, her tears. "Don't weaken now, we are far from the final boss," came his serious response.
"You said so yourself-" he let his voice trailing off for a moment as he watched the varying reactions like a king from his throne, some couldn't keep their emotions as in check as they wished. Others were not phased at all by this. Death was far too common, but as he shifted slightly to look into the eyes of the young girl so desperately looking for a way to hold onto any shred of hope. He was reminded of when he'd killed his whole family, it was an accident...and yet no one came to help him at the time, but All For One had come, he showed up and held him as he cried...helped him control his powers, taught him, cared for him -loved him like a father was supposed to love his child.
Is that what caused him to pause - to reconsider the harsh words, hadn't they been through enough already? If he wanted her to trust him, as much as he'd said, didn't he need to try and earn it? These were the children picked just for him by All for One...he had to remember they were abused children, who were ripped away from their families. They were probably starved for some sort of parental connection, the bonds they made with their fellow captives would probably mean a lot. He was curious to know more about their upbringing, what sort of trauma they must have endured. He was certainly fascinated to see how well they seemed to function from those he had seen so far.
"Saisho shouldn't have lost his temper, I don't like to lose promising members," he muttered with a heavy sigh as he scratched at his neck. "I'll ensure the next matches aren't as...intense," he conceded, watching the way her knuckles turned white on the railing. Promises that were too little too late. He frowned, not sure what else to do, his gaze skirted briefly to Kurogiri before he let his attention return to her waiting for a response.
"Thank you," her words were soft, controlled...but the heavy emotion leaked through. With another breath, things got easier as she forced everything into a box in her mind and locked it away. She had to keep it together, everyone else was still counting on her to see this through. "Don't go easy on us, we won't hold back...but you should consider calling the fights before any more unfortunate accidents."
She let her gaze travel to Kurogiri and stayed there. "I'm sure he could prevent a lot of trouble for you. Also it probably was ill advised to have them leave the premises," she couldn't help but rub at her forehead it felt like her head was about to explode with the pressure building behind her eyes. Kaiya ignored the heavy ball in the middle of her chest and forced herself to be as cold and calculating as many assumed given the distance she kept everyone at, then again being Shohei's favorite tended to do that for her.
No one really understood the weight resting on her shoulders. She felt responsible for them, for those still here and those who hadn't made it…despite her best efforts they had fallen behind. They became targets of Itami-Sensei… the rest of them were all forced to see her experiments in all their glory. Forced to see those children kept alive in the most horrific of ways. Their bodies mangled, altered and kept alive not by Itami, but those of the Orphans who could not refuse her.
For many those who still held on to a slime shred of their humanity it was hard to watch, hard to witness...for those who had shed what humanity they had and fallen into exactly what the program was meant for they didn't bat an eye to what took place. To them it was nothing more than the strong surviving and the weak being taken out.
If only she could have felt the same...things would be so much easier.
Shigaraki was quiet as he let his gaze shift to Kurogiri, a slight motion and the match referee was at his side, his head bent close, listening to his new orders.
Kaiya used this time to check on her teammates, she was listening, but her gaze lowered to the floor below, skimming over Emiko who was still keeping the portal open to watch Saisho's return, but as it flickered out, it told her he was about to be one of the people she hated the most. She tightened her hand around the railing and breathed outward focusing on what was in front of her, on what she could do something about in the present. She lingered on Kugutsu's huddled form and it was there that she shared another look with Felix, he regarded her with a look that she couldn't decipher, as he leaned against the wall his foot tapped against Kugutsu's foot, but no words were exchanged. With Itami-Sensei on the other side of the room, Chiaki and Akashi had moved from under the staircase and lingered with a few of other orphans but both were resigned to what they had seen of the battle so far. Neither would look at her and that was just as well. Eizan and Miho showed no emotion, Miho seemed almost excited as the match was finally over, her fingers poking at Eizan at random points on his body as she told him that it was her turn next. A little song of sorts falling from her lips.
Life moves on...you expected this...you've prepared for it. Today is no different. You can't rely on anyone, not even him.
There could still be a chance…
A chance? Seriously...he wouldn't have survived.
He promised…
But you lead him to his death? You picked his opponent. This is your fault.
Her fingers tightened on the metal railing as Saisho made his descent back into the room from the broken sky light, his boisterous laughter filling the space. Echoing in the silence of the aftermath. Her lips pressed together and anger filled her heart. She watched the creature come in from above.
"I told you I'd give you a good show!" He called out his mouth stretched wide as he grinned his hooved feet safely touching the ground in the middle of the ring directly under the night sky. Slowly his body reverted back to its smaller form, still standing at his massive height, but he was rubbing his hand down his bare chest, no longer was his body covered in dense red fur and the claws on his hands had faded, leaving normal human features in its place. He ran his other hand through his messy crimson hair, his mohawk sticking up in certain places. "What'd you think boss?" He asked his eyes raising to land on Shigaraki and the girl standing beside him, his amber eyes zeroed in on her furious gaze. "Oh, someone's upset," he said, his voice seeming to echo in the quiet, still no one spoke. "A friend of yours was he, 'fraid he's missing a little somethin," he pointed out as he tapped the corner of his eye, the gesture taunting.
As Kaiya remained quiet only because of the heavy hand on her shoulder and the way his fingers bit into her shoulder. She exhaled the breath she was holding, she wouldn't allow him to goad her. Shohei had always pushed her to never lose her temper in a fight, to never give the enemy an inch. Never let them control you Kaiya.
Someone else began to raise their voice to start hurtling insults toward the man who had taken one of their own . She raised her left hand, curling her fingers to her lips as she released the shrill whistle many used to get a large crowd's attention without screaming for it. The boy jerked his gaze to her out of habit, rather than any real loyalty. She sharply brought down her open right hand down to her left palm at a right angle. Stop!
Kaiya watched him curl his hands at his sides and look away from her, but he didn't do anything more. Kazushi was behind him, his hand reaching out to touch the side of his exposed neck. "Why don't you take a little nap huh?" he muttered into the lads ear, as the boy's eyes went blank. Their handler raised his crimson eyes to look toward the League member who had effectively managed to take out one of their Orphans, he was a little miffed by this, but he also didn't have a death wish, strands of his long purple hair trailed over the boys shoulder as he withdrew his hand.
Shigaraki let go of her shoulder, and stepped fully in front of her as Kurogiri drew her back, his voice a low whisper for her to stay.
The Leader of the League of Villains regarded Saisho, his hands stretched wide over the railing, as he leaned over it, it was hard to tell just how irritated he was at quick glance. "What'd I think?" he repeated the question and paused for effect as he let the silence hang between them. "Koibito, when did you believe leaving a body for the heroes or the feds would be what I wanted?" he questioned watching as the young man's lips twist down into a frown, his blunt human nails pressing against the bare skin of his thigh.
Saisho opened his mouth to defend himself, but closed it as Shigaraki walked through the portal that his second in command provided him, to allow them to stand nearly eye to eye. Rough fingers touched his cheek dragging down toward his chin as the skin of where he touched began to flake away. "Perhaps you need to be reminded of what can be taken away?" he murmured darkly. Saisho didn't scream, but his breathing had increased and his eyes watered without his consent at the pain of his flesh decaying away, but only along the area he'd touched.
As all eyes were on the punishment happening in the center of the ring, most had no time to react, but a few who were more vigilant did. Kurogiri pulled Shigaraki through a portal he'd made, bringing him back to the upper floor. As the sound of bone breaking echoed through the heavy cloud of dust and debris that was shrouding the center of the ring. It was a few moments before it settled and cleared enough to reveal the body of Saisho face down and standing on the back of his head with his wings spread wide was Galahad, his body shaking in its attempts to keep him standing as blood fell from his right eye down his face.
His green eye met Kaiya's wide amethyst before darkness overtook him.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait on this chapter everyone, life has just gotten a tad bit busier than I would have liked. I greatly appreciate the support though! Trust me this story isn't going anywhere, I plan to be writing until it's conclusion however long that may be. I have portions of the next chapters already in the works.
Let me know what you think of this one, as I've tried to touch on some of the characters we have seen and will see in the next chapter. I left out some of the Orphans and the League to try and make this chapter flow a little better and not be a huge barrage of different characters. More of them will come up as the Orphans continue their individual fights, but I can't say all fights will be as lengthy as this one, but I'll do my best.
This chapter was difficult for me, because fight scenes aren't my forte...and this last scene seems a little lacking still. I could see it so much better in my head, so I hope it came alright!
Thanks for reading!
~AJ Aviary