"...eight, nine, oh shit there's ten of them."
Scout struggled to contain her excitement as she balled her fists tightly at her sides. Hints of a smile played at the corner of her lips.
"They're close. Closer than I've ever seen them."
Her eyes were shimmering with excitement, and glistened a resplendent shade of blue as they searched the emptiness of the room.
"Do you think they'll move soon?"
I shrugged as I leaned against the icy wall. The chill of it felt refreshing on my still aching shoulders.
"They need to strategize, Scout. They can't come busting in here all willy nilly and expect my Father to just hand us over."
She stifled a giggle as she nodded.
"Right, right. I'm getting way too ahead of myself. I just-"
"I know."
I stood, and guided her to an empty space on the stone bench that occupied part of the room. She sat, and rested her head against the wall.
"They'll come. I'm sure of it." I reassured her.
My heart ached as I thought about her longing for freedom, and to find out exactly who she was. I was reluctant to admit it, but a part of me would miss her when this nightmare ended.
"Miya?" she said after a long moment of silence.
"Yeah?"
She shifted herself so that she could better look at me. Her bright blue eyes were now a shade of pale blue, and I knew she was struggling to see clearly.
"What's going to happen to me when we're rescued?"
I turned my head.
"What do you mean?"
"Well," she sighed sadly, "you'll go back to U.A., right? You've got friends there. People who love you."
A hollow, chilled feeling went through my body as Kaminari made his way into my thoughts yet again. It almost felt as if a piece of me were missing. For a short moment it hurt to breathe.
"U.A. is my home. So of course I'll be going back."
The weight in my chest disappeared as a laugh escaped through my lips.
"You're laughing?"
"Yeah," I sighed, "it's just-"
I paused to collect my thoughts, and felt Scout's gaze linger on me.
"Just?" she prompted.
"When I first arrived at U.A. I hated it. I didn't want to be there. I would have rather been on my own than surrounded by Heroes. The thought made me sick to my stomach. I mean, I'm the daughter of a villian.
"I should have been doing villainy things, but," I sighed, "I never had the desire to do anything bad much to the disappointment of my Father."
I rested my head against the wall, and looked up at the ceiling.
"But now, there's nowhere on Earth I'd rather be. I never would have thought that I'd learn to love so many people that I was taught to hate."
Scout stayed silent, but scooted herself close enough so that she could wrap her arm around my shoulder in a comforting manner.
"I won't let them leave you alone." I said.
Her breath caught in her throat as she inhaled sharply.
"Thank you, Miya."
"Shit!"
A panicked voice rang down the hall. I stood, and readied myself for anything.
"What do you think that-"
"Pro Heroes. There's fucking Pro Heroes everywhere. We need to move now!"
Scout stumbled to my side, and placed her hand on my shoulder. She was trembling slightly, and her eyebrows were furrowed in concern.
"Wha-what's going on?"
Her grip on my shoulder tightened as her breathing increased.
"It's okay. Everything is going to be just fine." I reassured her.
"Go get the goddamned girls. I'll keep these assholes busy."
"That's what you think."
That voice. I knew that voice. My heart sped up as a warm wave of relief washed over me.
"So, they're sending in children to do their work, eh? That's cute. What are you going to do, short shit?"
"I'm going to save my friend, and knock you around in the process."
A low, grumbling laugh came from one of the occupants of the hallway.
"Angsty little shit. I'll tear you to pieces."
A fight ensued outside of the titanium door Scout and I were trapped behind. My wings felt as though they were vibrating, and the feathers that were unbroken stood on end. I winced as a red hot pain shot between my shoulders.
"Miya," Scout gasped, "are you okay?"
I nodded, but in all reality the pain had reached a level so intense I feared I'd lose consciousness if it hung around any longer. My vision blurred as I felt a slight tugging on my arm.
"Something's wrong."
Scout's voice became panicked, and her expression became one of concern.
"I'm going to need backup down by-"
"Smash!"
The ground shook with such force that it began to crack under our feet. The sound of a body hitting the floor echoed down the hall.
"Get back!" another familiar voice yelled.
The titanium door flew off of the hinges at such a tremendous speed that it burst into pieces when it hit the wall behind us.
"Miya!"
Midoriya stood in the now open doorway. A green, energetic aura surrounded him. His eyes were serious, and piercing as he looked at me. Todoroki leaned against the twisted door frame next to him, and smiled cooly. It vanished rapidly as soon as his eyes found me.
"Midoriya, something is wrong with her."
He pushed past Midoriya, and wrapped his arm around my waist for support. The cold sensation coming from his right arm felt nice against my aching body.
"Shit. She's burning up. We need to get Aizawa here quickly."
Midoriya's eyes sparkled with emotion as he looked pitifully at me.
"I'll go. Todoroki, you stay with the girls, and try to keep Miya cool."
Todoroki nodded in understanding, and guided me to the stone bench I'd become far too familiar with. Midoriya turned, and grabbed my hand in his.
"I'll be back with Aizawa. He'll get you out of here. Both of you." he said, acknowledging Scout.
He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before turning, and disappearing from the room.
Todoroki sat down in the empty space next to me, and laid the palm of his right hand on my forehead.
"What are you-"
"Using my ice to keep you cool."
His eyes burned with a mix of sadness, and rage as he looked at the tattered mess of twisted metal on my back.
"Your Father too, huh?"
He was looking away when I looked up at him.
"Hmm?" I asked, turning my head.
"It's," he sighed, "nevermind."
He held out his left hand, and gazed at it for a long while. After he was finished he let it hang down to his side, and balled it into a fist. His eyes seemed void of emotion as he glanced down at me.
"Kaminari will be happy to hear that you're okay, all things considered."
I blushed at the mention of his name.
"Is he here?"
My throat felt dry, and hot when I spoke. Todoroki shook his head, and I felt my stomach knot.
"He's been a mess since you were taken. He hasn't been himself. He wanted to come along, but Aizawa had no idea what would happen if he saw your Father. Or we found you dead. He thought it would be better if Kaminari stayed behind."
"But you're here."
His cheeks turned a pale shade of red as he looked away.
"I was so sure I wasn't going to see you, or Midoriya. I'm just so happy that I-"
The red hot pain returned with such force that I was unable to speak. My vision blurred, and I desperately clung onto consciousness.
"Miya, hey. It's okay. Aizawa is on his way."
Todoroki's voice was distant, and distorted. I willed myself to reach out, and grab his hand. His eyes were panicked, and full of concern as he looked at me.
"What is it? What do you-"
"Ka...min...ari." I choked out before being enveloped by darkness.