Dabi pulled the hood over his head as Geten and him crossed the runway. Someone was waiting for them at the hangar, their silhouette visible against the bright lamps.
"That's probably one of Skeptic's men," Geten whispered to him. Dabi nodded.
As they neared, the stranger stood at attention in a blue-collar attire. "Apocrypha, Dabi," He greeted, bowing. "Skeptic has informed me you need a vehicle for transport. A motorcycle, was it?"
"Yeah," Dabi replied. "Only thing I can drive.'
The Liberation soldier nodded. "We've managed to procure a couple for you. Take as many as you want, and good luck on your assignment. I will update Skeptic accordingly."
Gesturing to the row of motorcycles inside the hangar, he bowed once more and left for the air control tower nearby.
"Crazy how spread out you guys are, how have we not noticed you all?" Dabi shook his head in astonishment as the two of them walked over to the bikes.
"We've hidden ourselves well. And stop calling us like we're not you," Geten said.
"Mmhmm…" Dabi murmured distractedly, scanning his choices. He pointed at a dark blue motorcycle. "That one."
"Why that one?" She sounded genuinely curious. "Don't tell me it's –"
"Yep, it looks the coolest. Let's go." Dabi grinned, beginning to enjoy this mission as he leapt onto his new ride.
Sighing, Geten got on behind him. "You know we're on a time limit right? The group will move again in a few hours. This vehicle had better be fast."
"Yeah, yeah, it's fine. Sheesh."
Geten grumbled. "I could just use my ice. We'd save at least ten minutes."
"And show everyone? You're not in Deika City, girl. You get questioned or arrested for using your quirk in public." Dabi tossed her a helmet, joking, "Safety first."
She knocked it aside with a snort. "I know, it's not like I've never left the city before."
"Oh yeah?" Dabi said as he revved the engine. "2 dollars says you only left the city...less than 5 times."
He couldn't see her expression since he was facing forward, but she didn't reply for a second. "I'm not taking that. Shut up."
Chuckling, Dabi started to move. "Might wanna hold on. Don't worry, I won't burn you."
He heard more grumbling. "I should have learnt to drive." But she put her arms around his waist. They felt chilly. Were they always cold?
Then they were off, entering the main road. The ride would be roughly half an hour. And Dabi was surprised by how much he enjoyed it. It was silent besides the engine sounds. The roads were mostly empty, and the cool night air made his coat flap in the wind.
He basked in the feeling. It had been a long time since he could cruise on an empty road in the countryside. He was hoping this mission was Shigaraki cooking up some bullshit for Geten, because he could tell there was something definitely up with this entire assignment. Whatever it was, Geten was taciturn about it.
Alternatively, the assignment was real and he could spend a night (or hopefully three) away from Deika City and the monotony burning some folks. Win-win.
Geten was quiet behind him, the only semblance of her presence being her two arms firmly latched onto his stomach, not too tightly – Thank god, but he noticed how whenever he accelerated, she gripped it a bit tighter.
Just like me and Sensei…
The memories pulled him into the past as he rode. Dabi remembered him teaching a young Touya how to ride a motorcycle when he was...14? It wasn't easy at first, but he had to learn to get around. They didn't have the convenience that Kurogiri or Ujiko provided. The villain street life was hard, but he chose to step into it. He had little regrets.
He remembered sitting behind where Geten was, holding on tightly to Dabi as they cruised through empty towns and abandoned industrial estates on their jobs. His mentor didn't mind then, so...he wouldn't mind now.
And speaking of empty towns, the road turned onto one, with the two of them riding through a small, two-lane town, one not meant to house people, but to serve as a pass-through.
His eyes flickered towards a store on his left whose lights were on. A convenience store. And…
Wait, is that…?
Dabi screeched to a halt and hopped off the bike.
"Why'd you stop? What – oh." Geten saw what he was looking at as she disembarked too.
It was a body. Beaten up bad, with twisted limbs and fist marks on his shredded clothing. It was propped up against the side of the building, an oddly peaceful final resting place. There was a smear of blood that stretched from the road all the way to the side of the convenience store.
Dabi squatted down and inspected it. Couldn't have been more than three days, since no fluids have been expunged. Doesn't smell too bad, so decay hasn't been long, or it has yet to start. Organs are probably decomposing now, though.
Damn, can't believe I actually remembered Sensei's lesson.
"Hold on, that's one of us. He's an advisor for Black Regiment." Geten said.
"Seriously?"
"His meta ability gives him enhanced speed. And…" She looked at the road. Dabi followed her gaze. It was more blood.
"He was running from there, not too long ago, since he still looks...fine." Dabi looked at the road they were heading.
"You don't think it's our assignment?" Geten wondered.
Guess this assignment isn't Shigaraki's bullshit after all.
"Thump."
Movement. Rooftop. His head flicked upwards. Instinctively, he unleashed a stream of fire.
"BANG!"
Geten gave a surprised yelp, clutching her arm, but to her credit, her injured arm was instantly thrust out in retaliation, but nothing happened. "Wait, what?" She gasped.
Shit, it's not...is it? Whatever, think later.
Dabi unleashed a torrent of fire at the rooftops, where silhouettes shifted around. He counted five.
Dabi grabbed Geten by her uninjured hand and dragged her into the store. It would serve as cover.
"Are you alright?" Dabi turned to look at Geten, who was scrutinising her arm.
"Yeah, it's not a bullet. It's some dart." She held up a small capsule with a needle at the end. "But I can't…" Her voice trailed off as she tried again. Nothing.
"Fuck." Dabi growled. "Never mind. Stay hidden."
"What are you –"
Rushing out of the store, he swept his right arm upwards to summon a wave of flame that disintegrated the incoming volley of bullets that any idiot could predict. Igniting his left hand, he counterattacked with a fire blast, which got some of them. Two screams. Amateurs.
With a growl, he leapt out of the way, to dodge snaking tendrils shot towards where he was. Using your quirks now, eh?
He fired off another plume. The attackers ducked.
Dabi knew he couldn't scorch the buildings too much or it might be noticeable. The law didn't know about the PLF, but they knew about the League. Leave too many of his burn marks, and it'll screw him over.
Guess I'll try this new move. Having only practiced it thrice this morning – Felt so long ago, he prayed it would work.
Keeping his left hand summoning a continuous stream of fire to cover him, he drew his right fist back and concentrated. Your fingers. Just the fingers.
His left arm began to singe from the effort. It stung like a bitch. He gritted his teeth.
Now or never. Fuck you Endeavour. You made me learn this.
He thrust his open palm forward and withdrew his left simultaneously. From his fingertips, tendrils of fire as thin as rope shot forward them like burning lassos, weaving through the air in a snake-like fashion. But he didn't need accuracy, just the width.
With concentrated power, they managed to cover his whole field of view in terms of range. Just as the men left their cover, The tendrils seared into their flesh, and with screams filling the silence, they dropped down from the roof, slamming into the ground with sickening cracks. Three cracks.
Shit, if they're not alive...Three stories, they might still make it. So there's three on the ground, and probably two on the roof, assuming no funny business with any quirks…
Raising his voice, he said, "You guys have ten seconds to come down the ladder before I burn all your friends to ashes." Then his gaze lowered to see Geten standing in front of the convenience store, staring back at him. He gave her a 'wait a while' gesture.
Five seconds passed before the two of them climbed down the ladder, all while begging, "Please don't shoot!". Dabi grinned. They looked hilariously pathetic.
When they reached the ground, they knelt down with their hands in the air. Dabi approached them while giving the 'all ok' to Geten.
"If you two move," Dabi said, "I'll burn you alive."
The survivors quaked as Dabi bent down and picked up one of their guns. Colt revolver, .45, definitely modified.
Having done it a thousand times, he disassembled the gun with fluid motions without much thought. The bullets tinkered as they fell to the ground to signify his successful disarmament. It had been one of Dabi's first lessons to him. Picking up one of the bullets gingerly, he inspected it and saw that it was identical to the bullet that had struck Geten. He dropped it to the ground and crushed it with his foot.
"All right, you." He pointed at one of the men. Psych. He opened his palm, and a blast of fire was accompanied by a guttural scream. The other covered his mouth to stifle a sob.
When he was done, he turned to the other and asked, "Did you kill that guy?" He pointed to the body of the Liberation Front advisor that was still lying there.
"No! I swear!" He shook his head vigorously, clasping his hands together to beg for mercy. Seems truthful.
"Who put you up to this?"
"I – I don't know!" He choked out.
"Oh yeah?" Dabi ignited his palm and stepped forward. He whimpered, "Please! I really don't know! We were just paid to do it!"
"I want a name." He placed his burning hand on the thug's leg. The thug's whimpers grew into raw wails.
"I – I don't know!"
"Try again." Increasing the firepower, the thug began to scream.
"M – Mesa!" He managed to spit out through the agony.
"Is that a street name or his actual name?"
"That's all he told us! I swear – T–That's all! Please!"
Could be lying. Whatever, I won't get anymore out of them. These low-class trash don't seem like the type.
Dabi sighed and rubbed his face. Looking around, he was glad the town was deserted. Even the convenience store lights seemed to be the thugs' doing. It would make cleanup way easier.
"You might wanna cover your ears for this one," He told Geten, standing up and motioning for the two of them to leave the alley. The alley looked funnily similar to all the other ones he burned. Just like old times.
Once they were on the pavement, he turned around and raised his hand. Can't have people knowing we were here.
"NO! PLEA – AHHHHHH!"
No point remembering them.
Hi, sorry for the wait. Trying to do an upload every week or so, but with school it's gonna get harder.
Feedback's appreciated, thanks for all your support. Hope you liked this chapter.
