Chapter 26

Third P.o.V

Trapped inside the Villain League's hideout, Bakugou Katsuki was chained up. He was wrapped in layers upon layers of chains and rope. The villains understood the risk that came with even looking at him. The blonde looked at each villain with a scowl.

"It was necessary," Shigaraki said. Bakugou deepened his frown.

"Where the hell is she?!" he shouted, his forehead glistened with sweat. It went silent. No one was telling him anything and it ticked him off. All he wanted was to get his friend back, kick some villain ass, and go home. Bakugou was mostly worried about the former of three.

Where had they taken Hotaru? Was she safe? Who was with her? Bakugou swore in his mind. He promised himself that if he found her and she was hurt, he'd kill all the villains himself. He'd burn them all to a crisp if she had so much as a scratch on her. He knew, however, that in order for him to do this, he'd need to find her first. He would get nowhere with the villains, though.

"She's with my master," Shigaraki said. Bakugou narrowed his eyes.

"And where is he?" he spat. Shigaraki paused, seeming to study Bakugou. When he didn't answer, Bakugou only grew angrier. He bared his teeth.

"At least tell me if she's okay, damn it!" he roared. Shigaraki cackled.

"I can't say. Although, with what my master has planned for her..." he chuckled mid-sentence, "I wouldn't count on it."

Bakugou lost it. He growled and began thrashing about in his restraints, which only seemed to tighten. He tired himself out rather quickly. When he ran out of energy, he simply sat there, breathing heavily and snarling.

"I'll fucking all kill you," he snapped. The villains seemed to enjoy his little tantrum. They were giving him more and more reasons to dislike them...So why did they still intend on recruiting him?

...

Hotaru was trembling in the corner of the room. She had no idea why she was suddenly so scared. There was a barred window a few feet above her. Based on the moonlight shining through, she could tell it was night.

Hotaru was more worried about the large, towering, figure on the opposite side of the room, though. She felt her throat go dry as she tried to speak.

"Wh-Who are you?" she asked, voice cracking. The large figure didn't move.

"I am the one who is going to give you an offer you won't want to refuse," it was a male. It stepped out of the shadow's and into the moonlight, giving Hotaru the chance to see its features more clearly.

The figure was a man with a tall build. He wore a dark suit with a white undershirt and a mask that had covered his face, as well as the rest of his head.

"I am the villain known as All For One," the villain said. Hotaru widened her eyes. She had heard of him. He was said to be one of the few who could last in a fight against All Might. He was powerful; the top of the food chain. What would a villain like that want with her?

"What do you want?" Hotaru spat. All For One chuckled.

"I have an offer," he said. At his pause, Hotaru narrowed her eyes.

"Why would I make a deal with someone like you?" she spat. The man before her reached out his hand to her.

"If you join my side, you will be rewarded with everything you desire."

"What I desire is to get to Katsuki and go home!" Hotaru shouted. She tried to smack All For One's hand away but he grabbed her wrist. Her eyes widened. It was dreadfully silent for a moment. All For One seemed to study the girl's shaking figure.

"Kiyo Hime."

Hotaru's fast breathing stopped, "What?"

"The spirit of Kiyo Hime is locked within you," All For One said. Hotaru clenched her jaw and fists. She grits her teeth together and furrows her eyebrows as she realized he knew more than he had let on.

"What of it?" she spat.

"You have access to her murderous and demonic blue flames. Kiyo hime was never the hero of the story. If you followed the example she laid so many years ago, you would be a powerful villain," All For One said.

Hotaru hesitated. She managed to calm her muscles and stop shaking. The idea of becoming a villain sounded crazy! But at the same time...It didn't...

She thought about it and hated herself for even doing so. She did have the powers of an ancient, legendary, villain. She didn't seem to be a very good hero; always doubting herself and getting in the way. She had no family other than her mother, so no one would care...

'My friends would care...Katsuki, Eijirou, Ochaco, Midori...' Hotaru fought her thoughts. Class 1-A should be where she belongs, right? If so, why did she even think of accepting All For One's offer? She shut her eyes tight as if it would help block out everything around her.

"I'll give you some time to think," All For One said before disappearing back into the shadows and exiting through a door on the other side of the room. Hotaru finally let go. She felt hot tears roll down her face.

With a simple question, All For One had managed to break the walls she had set up around her mind and heart. It was like she was her old self, again. Insecure, scared, weak...She questioned everything she had worked for. Was it even worth it if she just up and threw it all away?

'Now's not the time for a tantrum, Kiyo,' Hotaru thought. She had not spoken with the spirit since she was first taken. It frightened her that she had yet to show herself. She was never gone for this long...

Everything was freaking her out and she hated it. Being so vulnerable again...It was too much. Hotaru pulled her knees close to her chest and let her tears fall. It should have been an easy no...but it wasn't. She was exhausted. She was out of escape ideas and was forced to face her helplessness. There was no hope for escape.

It was agonizing to think about.

Later...

Hotaru was curled up into a ball. She was just about broken and most definitely demoralized. Kiyo hadn't shown, Bakugou was God-knows-where with the other villains, and none of her classmates would be able to come and get them.

The latter of the three was what she was most sure of. No hero would let inexperienced children go alone. Not that Class 1-A was inexperienced, but she was positive that Aizawa wouldn't risk it.

Due to the rising of the moon and its light, Hotaru was able to see more of the room. Her eyes traveled up to the door at the far end of the room. There was nothing between her and it. If she wanted, she could attempt an escape but she knew it was futile. All For One was probably on the other side, if not him then a Nomu or something. Hotaru narrowed her eyes.

'This isn't how I thought my summer would go...' she thought. She almost smiled at the thought.

She had originally planned on finishing the training camp then trying to go to her family's temple. She figured she could get some background information on Kiyo, maybe find some ways to better connect to her. It would also help her connect her to her mother for the same reason.

When she first thought of the idea, she wondered if Bakugou would like to travel with her. They were friends, after all. It would just be a simple road trip and that's it. No school, no villains, just them. Then it struck her...

That sounded a lot like a date.

At the time, Hotaru wasn't worried about it seeming that way but now that she looked back...Maybe it wasn't the best idea. Kiyo would object and Bakugou would probably want nothing to do with her over the summer.

'Well...at least not now,' she thought. A smile played at her lips. Kiyo was right. She's always right. Her mind flickered through past conversations with Kiyo. Her and Bakugou's interaction on the roof came up. She remembered how warm it felt when there was no distance between them.

'Remember what I said. You're strong, Lizard Girl. Don't start thinking about that stupid shit.'

'I don't want anyone else to feel like I did. I want to help others. I just needed to be reminded why I wanted to be a hero in the first place.'

A smile formed on Hotaru's lips. Her and Bakugou's relationship was the most important thing in the world to her. He was her first friend. Sure she had Kirishima, Midoriya, and the others but Katsuki was the first person to ask questions and show interest in her.

'Bakugou's too stubborn to realize it and I hate to say it but I doubt Hotaru will muster up the courage to ask.'

Hotaru softened her eyes. She knew she wasn't exactly the bravest but she was trying. She held herself tighter, knowing she wouldn't be able to show her strength again. She wouldn't be able to tell Bakugou...

-_-

I know this seems like a sob-story at the moment, but I just wanted to establish where Bakugou and Hotaru stood. If you couldn't tell, Hotaru knows how she feels. Bakugou...is still figuring things out.

Thanks again for reading, Loves!

Special Thanks To...

navybluebookworm

HotaruKitsune

always8567

M-Preg Angel

Child of Wind and Wolves