Izuku and Floyd had been sneaking around the old inn, as they were being very careful when they were going through the halls. They made sure they kept it quiet so as not to alert anyone of the men that had entered the vicinity. With Floyd making moves like he had been participating in tactical espionage action. They kept close to the walls just in case anyone was close by.
Koichi had left the two boy's to check on the south of the inn which had been fairly close to where they were.
At one point Floyd hid himself in a box that was provided and scurried around like a mouse.
Floyd soon peaked out from underneath the box, "It's clear here!" He whispered.
"Floyd-san? Is that box really necessary?" Izuku asked.
Floyd replied as he set the box back in place,"This is my camouflage Izu! If you want to survive you need to use tactics!"
"I think you've been hanging out with Gio-san too much." Izuku said awkwardly.
Floyd had shushed him before he replied, "Shush! This is necessary!"
The two boys soon turned the corner as they were nearing what used to be the public bathing area. Floyd continued to move with precision as Izuku followed close behind. As he did, a thought couldn't help but come over the young green haired boy.
"I can still sense Reina-chan-" He thought, "-But my view isn't switching with hers nor am I appearing right next to her, though maybe that only happens if I'm asleep. It's still strange to just sense her-Essence?" He groaned mentally, "I still have no idea what this is, or why this is even happening to us. Maybe my field of vision isn't switching with hers because she's near-Or maybe because she's out of danger? Either way-I have to bring this to All Might-No, I need to talk to her about this first, and just figure out what to do from here."
Izuku looked in the rooms nearby as he saw it had been empty.
"That is-If we live through this night." He spoke up softly as his look softened.
"WHAT IN THE FRESH HELL?!"
Izuku had been startled at the sound of Floyd's voice. He was quick to realize it came from the public bath area as he quickly ran towards the room.
"Floyd-san!" Izuku called out as he approached, and seeing Floyd had been out of the box, "What's wrong?!"
Floyd pointed at a certain area as Izuku turned to the direction he was pointing. His eyes widened in shock and horror as his face turned paler then a ghost.
There before his very eyes had been bodies; some had been in a pile, while some practically lined up like dominos. From the light that had dimly lit the room it was almost like they had been looking at a sea of blood.
"Wha-What is this?" Izuku said.
Floyd gulped as he responded, "I-I don't know… But-It looks like someone killed all these poor people that were trying to hide out here-" Floyd let out a shaky breath, "-Ma-Maybe from the Tragedy we heard from Shen-san."
Izuku looked to the floor and instinctively flinched back as he noticed the puddle of blood had seemed to have expanded.
"F-Floyd-san-" Izuku said in realization, as he tugged on his arm, "-The blood-It's all fresh…"
"What?!" Floyd exclaimed. It was then he noticed something about the men in particular. He could see the emblem they had been wearing on their jackets and sleeves. They all had one thing in common.
"There-Tau's men?" Floyd said petrified, "But these guys are supposed to be the best of the best under Tau. How could they all be dead!?"
Izuku soon noticed something out of the corner of his eye. In the blood it looked like it was mixing with a familiar color. He kneeled down as he brushed up some of it on his finger as he inspected it further, "Floyd-san, this looks like-"
"-Ink?!" He said shocked, "That's impossible! Me and Sachi are the only ones in the Underworld's Hell that can manipulate it!"
"Do you think someone from your family is here?" He asked, "Someone who turned into a Villain?"
Floyd inspected the ink on his finger, even going as far as to lick some of it off, "No-This is not our family ink. The texture is far different than most ink in the world. It's weird but-" He smacked his lips, "-It almost tastes… Vintage?"
"Vintage? You can tell that?"
Floyd nodded before he added "The Ink almost tastes like something you see in the old printing presses from the late 19th century."
Izuku couldn't help but ponder this, "But… If this is supposed to be ink from that time…"
"... Then what's it doing out here?" Floyd finished as he looked at the bodies once more, "I got a REAL bad feeling about this."
(Second Opening Theme: Beastars Opening 1-Wild Side Performed By ALI)
Dabi and Tau engaged with one another hard and fast as they each exchanged blows with each other; sometimes it had been with their Quirks, sometimes it had been without as they pushed each other back.
Tau gave his wound a lick as he said "Not bad,I expected no less from you. Had we met under different circumstances I would have let you join my ranks."
"With a track record like yours?" Dabi told him as he spat out blood and removed his jacket seeing as how the sleeves were burning away, revealing his scared arms and already blood stained white shirt, "No thanks."
Tau only huffed at this, "You're wasting your time, protecting someone like her. All that little bitch will ever do is bring misfortune." As his arm sparked he charged at Dabi with full speed.
Dabi on the other hand had been quick to move out of harm's way with the help of his Quirk. Just as he was able to dodge him, he thrusted his hand towards Tau as the palm had emitted familiar blue flames. Tau only slipped under him before he kicked Dabi in the gut pushing him back down the hall.
"She is just like that witch of a mother." Tau said, "All she's ever done is ruin people's lives, and betray others just to get what she wanted. Her daughter isn't any different from the rest."
"Hurt everyone? Or just hurt you?" Dabi said as Tau flinched, "Here I thought you were supposed to be a villain, not someone complaining like a high school brat who never got any from his crush. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic of you, Mr. Tau the Ferocious."
Tau only glared at this before his arm extended and shoved Dabi against the wall before he had time to even move out of harm's way. The minute his back hit the wall he ended up coughing out a small amount of blood.
"That little girl will never amount to anything!" Tau told him, "I'm telling you now, you're only wasting your time and energy protecting her. As a fellow villain, I'm disappointed in you. You have the power to match up to any Pro Hero of your choosing-And yet you chose to be a babysitter that little brat."
"That little brat-Isn't like who you think she is-" Dabi said before he gagged when Tau added pressure on his body, "-You don't know shit about her and the things she's been through to get to where she is now. And you don't know shit about me, and my choices."
"And you think you know her?" Tau said, "That woman-No matter how many times I approached her, she kept me at a distance, like she was playing a game with me. Her daughter isn't any better. They like sirens calling out to their victims, only to drown them in the end. Face the facts-You're entranced by her and pretty soon, when it all comes down to it, she'll end up drowning you and you'll never swim back up again."
"Is that so?" Dabi asked as he coughed, "Well there's just one problem with that theory."
"What's that?" He asked him.
"... I'm already a drowned man." Was all he answered.
Dabi's hands sparked and he thrusted his hand forward. Tau would've had half of his head burned off if he hadn't let go of him at the last second; the flames had only seared off a part of his hair.
Dabi managed to stand himself back up, as he spat some blood to the side, "... I'm not saying I'm a good person. I'm not a Hero like those Pros even if some are-Pretending. I don't save strangers, I don't show mercy. I've already seen enough of the dark corners from the cities to here to get an idea of what Hell might be. But that doesn't mean someone like her needs to be brought down to my level in order for her to get stronger. She's a person like everyone else isn't she? That doesn't give me the right to decide who she is."
Tau laughed at this, "And yet here you are-Protecting the very you thing you hate. A pretender!"
This time, Dabi was the one to laugh as he had blocked a punch from him, "Let me tell you something old man-I've met a whole lot of pretenders, only one was the biggest out of all of them! I've met them all, and she isn't one like you're thinking. She may still be a kid-But she's more of the person Stain wanted to see more of. And she's not gonna die to an asshole like you! Not as long as I'm here."
"What!?" Tau growled. Though just before he can hurl another attack-
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
Tau had been taken back as Reina was suddenly sent flying towards them after they heard the sound of a blast. She kicked Tau in the face hard as it made him stumble.
"WHAT?!" Tau shouted.
"HEY-"
Dabi had flinched as he noticed Katsuki had his hand ready as it sparked, "-SHUT YOUR EYES!"
Dabi immediately reacted just as Reina managed to flip herself back. "STUN GRENADE!" Katsuki shouted.
Tau was soon taken back by a sudden bright flash as he cried out in agony as he shielded his eyes. "What the hell?"
"This is for Wan and her family!" Reina said, before Tau felt a punch across the face.
"For everyone you've hurt and killed!"
Tau soon felt two kicks; one under the chin, and the other had been in the chest.
"And this one-" She said as she had gotten out her sheathed blade, "-Is for my parents!"
She soon took one swing as Tau could feel the sword go right across his face as he could feel something snap along his bottom jaw.
Tau gave a growl before he noticed a trickle of blood go down his mouth as he looked to Reina who had eyes of fury just as his vision returned.
"I know I should be pissed for you coming out of hiding-" Dabi said, "-But props to you Firefly." He soon held his hand up, "High five for morale."
Reina looked at him a bit shocked before shrugging and gave him a high fived him. Though the moment soon passed as Tau let out a fierce warcry.
"You're willing to die that badly little Witch!?" Tau said.
"Enough people have gotten hurt under my watch." She told him, "Even if my Quirk turned off-I'm going to do what I can for the people I love!"
Tau smirked before ye said "Like Mother-Like Daughter.. How Unruly." His arm soon sparked, "Let's have some fun then!"
Reina gritted her teeth as she unsheated her blade; Katsuki readied himself as he had gotten out his transparent blade. Dabi even regained his composure as he readied himself. The four of them had been ready to fight until-The sound of the P.A came on.
"What the-" Dabi said shocked.
The loud feedback of the microphone caused them to cover their ears as the very sound of it made them groan.
Then-Came a voice.
"Welcome to my parlor-" The voice of a girl said, "-Said the spider to the fly… A banquet of red roses… Baked in a pie."
"What in the hell?" Katsuki said.
They could hear the person clear her throat, "Now that this one has your attention-All should listen well."
"... This one?" Reina said before her eyes widened in realization and horror.
"What kind of trickery is this?!" Tau said to them.
Katsuki looked at him shocked, "... She's not one of yours?"
The girl continued, "... In case these ones didn't figure it out already-You're not the only ones in this little inn. The Lost Ones outside lead you here so this one could be at ease that they wouldn't go anywhere until they dispersed when the sun rose-At least that's what this one told them to do. This one-And others were originally planning on making there move by then, but-the Outsiders broke the rules of the game."
"Lost Ones?" Dabi said confused, "... Is she talking about the Styx's?"
"... But-Why would she call them that?" Reina wondered aloud.
"Forget that-" Katsuki said, "-She just said she commanded them!"
"The Outsiders forced our hand, so these ones will act." The girl said, "But-It's taking longer then expected. So instead…This one has decided to play a little game to the ones that still elude us… To ones that protect Alice and to the ones… That wish for death upon her."
Reina flinched at this as Katsuki looked at her with shock. "She-Knows that name too?" Reina said, "But-How does she-!?"
"Reina-" Katsuki said as he placed his hand on her shoulder, "-That person talking right now-Do you know her?"
Reina only shook her head as her body shook as it had been confirmation to Katsuki that she was a real threat to her.
"The game-Is tag." The girl announced over the speaker, "These ones are It and will do all that is necessary to find you. If the Outsiders, and Protectors manage to stay away from us… Then these ones will let you go off with a warning-However… If these ones catch you… Then-They will kill you. Just like the little ones that played soldier with a tyrant."
At the sound of this Tau's expression hardened as he had realized what it had meant to him as Reina and Katsuki had a look of horror.
"Sounds like your men aren't the best of the best after all." Dabi couldn't help but taunt.
Tau gave a growl as his purple aura began to intensify, he got the phone as he said "Spada...Looks like we have another target to catch-Make sure the person who killed our men experiences a hell unlike no other.
"Understood sir." Spada said over the phone.
The girl continued on, "To the Outsiders… Don't think about leaving the way you came if you do try to run. This one had told the Lost Ones to wait in the tunnel, and kill anyone that enters. And those that surround the inn, this one has changed the terms. They'll take your heads if you try to get out that way. The same will apply-For the protectors the terms are the same as well for the ones outside. And to Alice-"
Reina flinched at the sound of her nickname, "... If you are listening, rest assured, these ones have no intention of killing you. You are the key after all… And no one can replace you."
"Key?" Reina said out loud, a bit shocked. She soon thought back to when she had heard that term. One she had heard from Diamond.
"These ones-Require the key."
Her eyes widened in shock once again, "Diamond-Was talking about me before? So he and these people are after me-But-Why?! What am I the key too!?"
"A full deck shall be played in this game. Other then Spades-" The girl soon said as they had assumed she had referring to herself, "-Three more are in the game. Diamond… Hearts… and Clover… They've all been bored and are looking to play… Especially Clover since he is pretty angry. If you don't want to die slowly and horribly-Then this one suggests two things… Hide… Or die…"
The feedback soon cut off abruptly as an eerily screech could be heard. The four of them just stood there not even knowing how they should react, or do.
"... Whoever these guys are-" Dabi said, "-It doesn't sound like they're messing around."
"... They killed his men…?" Reina said, petrified, "... Just to get to me…?"
"Reina?" Katsuki said with worry as he noticed her tone.
"No… More people can't die because of me…" Reina said worryingly as her hand shook, "... Why…"
"Reina-" Katsuki said as he took her in his arms, "-This isn't on you, okay? None of this is on you."
Reina could only whimper as she nearly dropped her sword, though Katsuki took hold of it, so as to prevent it from happening. "I'm right here now-" He told her, "-I'm not gonna let you lose yourself in that dark place. Like I told you, remember?"
Reina could only hug him at that point as she seemed to have calmed her nerves."I'll keep you safe this time…" He said to her softly, as he gave her a kiss on the head, "... I promise."
"How cute." Tau said as it had earned a look from both of them; Katsuki had especially glared at him, "If you're done with this melodramatic scene. We can get back to the fight."
Reina only sighed before she sheathed her sword, "Tau-We literally don't have time for this. If what that girl is saying is true then she's aiming to kill people that apparently want to kill me. Meaning she wants to kill you too."
Tau had told her, "So?"
"You don't like me for various reasons-And I don't like you for OBVIOUS reasons, but-" Reina said as she stepped towards him, "-I can't have anyone die on my watch, regardless if they've been a huge BASTARD to everyone else. So-" She held her hand out to him, "-Let's call it a truce and survive this night. Does that sound fair?"
Even Tau looked surprised by this offer as the sparks on his arm seemed to have lessened.
"Reina!" Katsuki said, shocked.
"Seriously?!" Dabi said surprised, "You want to work with this guy!?"
"You're making a mistake girl." Tau said.
"Maybe I am-But it beats dying here right?" She said to him.
Tau looked shocked again before he laughed and shook his head. And yet Katsuki and Dabi were just as surprised as when he took her hand and gripped it tightly.
"Temporary truce-for now." Tau said.
"My sentiments-Exactly." Reina said as he gave him a certain look. Dabi soon took her from him as he had a look of concern on his face, though he did a good job not showing it.
"Are you sure about this Firefly?" Dabi asked, "He tried to kill you and is out to get me."
"We don't have to trust him-" Reina said to him, "-We just need all the help we can get to survive from those guys if this threat is real."
"Reina-" Katsuki said as he took her hand, "-This guy is gonna stab you in the back the second your vulnerable."
"Maybe so, but it's better then worrying about two problems at once." She told him.
Katsuki and Dabi looked a bit unpleased by this but their own gazes softened at the look in her eyes; Even King who had been nearby only growled towards Tau as he bared his fangs.
'Hmph, I'm not surprised by this reaction." Tau said with an amused smile.
Katsuki only sighed before he had been the first to speak up, "... I still don't like this but-" He soon placed his hand on her shoulder, "-I'm trusting you, okay?"
Reina smiled before she gave him a kiss on the cheek which made him smile a little.
"I don't trust him-But I trust you Firefly." Dabi said, giving Reina a pat on the head, before he glared at Tau, "But you try anything funny, try and stab us in the back-" His hands soon sparked with blue flames, "-I'm burning you to a crisp."
Tau looked to Reina giving her a certain look as it made her flinch, "I maybe a lot of things-But I am a man of my word you know." He told them with a smile.
Izuku and Floyd stood petrified at the announcement as neither of them didn't know what it was exactly they heard. They couldn't even react as they had been practically staring at the ceiling. At this point, they wanted to believe, this was just a nightmare.
"I'm not hallucinating, right Izu?" Floyd asked.
"No… I heard it too." Izuku said.
Floyd ruffled his hair, "Damn it all! First Tau and now this! We gotta worry about more of his followers hunting us."
Izuku shook his head as he had processed the information, "No-Just now, she said Outsiders and Alice's protectors. She must be referring to us, and as for Outsiders-" His eyes widened slightly in realization, "-It's not just us she's targeting… She's targeting everyone that poses a threat to Reina-chan…"
"Okay yeah that's pretty bad-" Floyd said, "-But what is it they could possibly want with her if they're really after her?"
"I don't know…" He replied, "...But whatever it is… It might have something to do with her Quirk."
Before Floyd could ask, they were taken back by the sound of someone giggling; his voice seemed to echo throughout the halls as it sounded sadistic and at the same time, it was almost like that of a child.
As Izuku and Floyd readied themselves as it seemed to have come closer, the voice started to speak up.
"Do these ones know? The story of a dream?"
The lights in the hall suddenly went out causing the both of them to stand back to back. The voice seemed to come around them as they could hear the person laugh.
"Once long ago, there was a little dream." It continued, "No one knows who dreamt it. It was such a little dream. This little dream… Got Clover and siblings to think."
Izuku managed to get a flashlight out of his pocket before he shined it right in front of them; but by the time he did, something moved so fast he couldn't even blink as to get themselves out of the light, and yet he could've sworn, he caught sight of a scorpion's tail at the last second. They could hear something crawl up the walls, and yet they did not dare to look up.
"They thought-They don't want to disappear. How can Clover and Siblings get Alice… To dream of these ones? And this little dream thought… And at last it had an idea."
They heard movement just above their heads, and yet they kept their eyes forward, almost as if they had been paralyzed with fear.
"Clover and these ones… Will make her come home… And they'll make the world…Into what it's supposed to be…"
It was then it became silent. There was nothing but the sound of Styx's outside.
"What in the-" Floyd asked
"Hello, little flies~"
Floyd and Izuku jumped before they were taken back when a boy with golden shears leaped from the ceiling he had been hanging on as he attacked. Izuku and Floyd managed to get out of the way of him as he swung his sheers.
"S-shears?!" Floyd exclaimed out of confusion
"Floyd-san move!" Izuku exclaimed. The boy-Clover thrusted his stinger towards Floyd as he laughed; he managed to get himself away as he moved out of harm's way.
Clover chuckled and snickered, "Clover's found himself new toys! Clover is going to have fun!"
Floyd had said in a panic as he readied his weapon, "You really know this guy's gonna be a creep if he refers to himself in the third person! Izu, We're gonna shake this guy off our tail and get to Reina and Katsuki-ASAP!"
"Floyd-san!" Izuku exclaimed as Floyd immediately slapped his hand over his mouth as he had a look of realization.
Clover tilted his head, "These ones know of Alice?" He laughed as he spun his shears, "Clover is happy! These ones know Alice! Clover is happy these ones know Alice!"
"WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THAT?!" Izuku exclaimed as he panicked a little.
Floyd shouted back, as he flailed his arms, "I DON'T KNOW! BLAME MY BIGMOUTH!" Clover soon charged at Floyd as he had been laughing as he attempted to stab him; thankfully he was able to block each thrust of his shears.
"What fun~!" Clover said with a smile as he laughed, "Clover is having so much fun~! These ones are SO entertaining! Clover can feel his anger washing away!"
"Seriously, there's something wrong with you!" Floyd exclaimed as he blocked his attack.
While laughing maniacally, Clover tossed his sheers towards Izuku; it hit the flashlight as it had been knocked out of his hands, breaking it instantly as they were left in darkness once again.
"These ones will NEVER find Clover now!" They could hear him say as it seemed like his voice had been all around them.
"Oh damn, We're blind as mice!" Floyd whispered. "You got a plan?"
"I do but-" Izuku whispered, before he jumped at the sound of giggling,"-We need to get to a place that's more open so I can-You know!"
Floyd nodded in understanding before it clicked; he soon whispered, "Wait a minute! If an inn is this big, then it has to have a presentation room of some kind!"
"How do you know that?" Izuku asked.
Floyd replied as he placed his hand on his shoulder, "Trust me Izu! It's better than dying in-HERE!"
He let out a shriek as he felt a blade nearly cut through his hand followed by the sound of laughter. Floyd took a swipe with his sumi stroker though Clover before the ink could splatter on his face.
"How is this guy even seeing us right now?!" Floyd exclaimed, "He can't have echolocation can he?!"
Izuku started to ponder again before it came to him, when he placed his hand over his heart to feel itself beat. He soon remembered the scorpion's tail he had seen on Clover.
"His Quirk-" He thought "-It has something to do with that tail. He must be similar to Asui-san's, If his Quirk gives him the attributes of a scorpion, that means-"
It soon clicked in his head as he gave Floyd a nudge, "Floyd-san!" He whispered, "I know how he's finding us! We have to calm down our heartbeat!"
"Our heartbeat?" Floyd asked as he jumped when he felt a presence behind him. "But-But how?!"
"Scorpions naturally have poor eyesight!" Izuku soon explained keeping his voice low, "Meaning Clover might not be able to see us very well! He can feel the vibrations of our heartbeat. It might even heighten his senses if we feel any sort of stress. We have to throw him off by calming down and not show fear!"
As Izuku's words have struck Floyd's heart. He gave a smile as he said, "That's my smarty bestie for ya! Alright, Now what's the plan?"
"Take deep breaths-And count to ten." Izuku instructed, before he started to follow his own advice. Izuku shut his eyes before he placed his hand over his heart. He started to count from ten in his head, slowly, as he took deep breaths.
Floyd started to do the same, as he placed his hand over his own heart. He took deep breaths. Clover had circled around them as he readied to strike Izuku down from the front.
Though he couldn't see, Izuku could feel him in front of him. With a sinister smile he readied his sheers but-
"Huh?" They heard Clover say, "These ones-Are gone?"
Izuku and Floyd had been surprised though they still kept their breath steady, even going as far as to place their hands over their mouths.
"Oh?" They could hear Clover say before they could hear him laughing, "How fun! How fun for Clover! Clover LOVES a challenge!"
The two boys contained their excitement as they kept themselves calm. As they took each other's hands, they started to go down the hall. Though they did their best to be as quiet as possible they could hear the wood creaking Clover turned to the sounds just as his tail twitched.
"Watch out little flies~" He said as he started to follow the sounds with soft footsteps and with sheers still in hand, "Clover is coming~"
(Second Ending Theme: Watership Down 2018 Credits-Fire on Fire TV Size Performed By Sam Smith)