Here we are with another early update! Right now I just don't see much point in withholding content from folks stuck at home :) so when I can update, right now, I'm gonna. Enjoy!
I might as well be a seven year old all over again, teeth chattering as she begs for mercy. The wiry voice, the chapped lips, the gangly body. Dammit why him? Why did it have to be him at the head of this attack on the USJ? Shigaraki. My nails scrape against the dirt and a scream burns in the base of my throat. Last time I saw him his arm sat at the wrong angle and he cursed my name. Now he smiles and I am under his thumb.
"Little Alex, it is so good to see you again. Did you miss me?"
"Like a bad dream." I hiss, trying to get up again but he holds a hand over my neck. One finger remains raised. I know the drill. I remain motionless. My mind's still spinning from that damn portal, but the second I get my focus back I will end this bastard. I might even get rid of the nightmares. Maybe. A girl can dream.
"You should stay and watch the show, Alex."
"What the hell are you doing here Shigaraki?"
"Here for All Might. Don't know where he's got to, do you?"
"You're planning on taking down All Might?" I laugh thinly despite the threat of his touch tightening on my windpipe. "Really got your head up your arse these days, huh? Delusions of grandeur mean anything to you?"
"Survival instinct mean anything to you?" He snarls. "Tell me what you know."
"He's not here and I don't know why." I spit back, clawing at my focus and demanding it get back into gear. But I'm scattered. Not only is the past bearing down on me, but I have no idea where Shouta even is right now or if he's still fighting. Are my friends safe? Why is it Shigaraki thinks he can take down All Might? Are the other pros going to get here soon? Questions form faster than I can comprehend them. If I tried to use my power right now, no doubt I'd do far more damage to myself than anything else.
Shigaraki hauls me up to sitting, moves behind me, and jams his knee into my back to keep me in place, hand still at my throat. The fight is laid out before me, the mass of small-time villains surrounding Shouta and chipping away at him. At first glance it would be easy to assume he was overwhelmed. But no. Not Shouta. He's fighting so well. His hair flails up and down as his quirk turns on and off, and he takes the minions to the dirt with ease. Damn he's good. I always knew it, I'd watched in amazement whenever he was rarely caught on the news, but seeing it first hand was amazing. Shouta. You're amazing.
The grip of four fingers round my throat tightens. Shigaraki speaks into my ear, chilling my wonder with his wiry voice. "I heard a little rumour a while ago y'know. Wanna know what it was?"
"Not really." I growl and then wheeze as his grip pinches. "Fine."
"Around about the time you went off the streets radar, there was mention of Eraserhead having been seen with a kid. A little girl with short dark hair. The villain scene was in a bit of a buzz, Yakuza and villains alike, all wondering how they'd never known before. Always good to have info on a pro's family."
As he chuckles I feel all Shouta's worries become realised.
Who isn't a burden now, Hiz?
Shigaraki continues. "Then they mentioned the kid blocking bullets." The grip tightens again. My vision blurs; I'm not sure if it's tears or lack of air. "Some thought it was a metal controlling quirk, others said specifically bullets maybe. But I wonder…"
He pushes me back down, slamming my head against the dirt before he starts undoing my costume, clammy hand searching for a tell-tale scar. A bullet-wound scar. That would confirm his theory, it would give him the green light. No. I have to stop this.
I wriggle and my power fluctuates against his body. "Get the fuck away from me!"
"Don't wanna show me, huh? Kinda confirms it doesn't it?"
"I just don't want you all over me, you fucking leech. Get off!" I yell, and immediately regret it. My voice echoes. Shouta will likely have heard that and recognised it. Dammit, had I distracted him at the wrong moment?
Shigaraki looks over his shoulder and chuckles. "Seems like Eraser ain't too happy about hearing you in distress."
Focus snaps back into place. Finally. I force Shigaraki's hand away from my skin, thankfully he'd only managed to slightly undo my costume. I'd have to thank the department for a tricky clasp.
I glare. "Mr Aizawa cares about all his students, you moron. Doesn't make me his kid." I fling Shigaraki away and do up my costume before too many lowlives can cop an eye-full. I get to my feet and Shigaraki laughs softly from a couple metres away. "I'm not a little kid anymore, I'm not bending to your will. Hear me?"
"Oh I hear you, little Alex." He snorts and turns to wave at Shouta's searching eyes.
I see a flicker of red pass over me as he scans, and I notice the jolt. Dammit. Shouta's seen me and confirmed it was me yelling. Shigaraki stalks back over to me, but I hold him back with my power. Some minions grab my arms and pull them behind me, breaking my focus with the sharp pinches of pain. I double over. Another yell escapes me. Be quiet. Damn it I can't distract Shouta right now. It could be fatal. I squeeze the minions jugular veins and they struggle, weakening enough for me to wriggle free and make a break for it. But of course, I'm not quick enough.
"Alex get back to the grou–" As Shouta's order stalls, I stagger.
No, no, no!
Shigaraki's right next to Shouta; my past and present collide in sickening clarity. Shigaraki is saying something to Shouta, pouring poison into his ear. Then comes a of pain. Dammit no. Flesh crumbles from Shouta's elbow. Blood drips onto the ground and despite being nowhere near, I can practically taste the pain he must be in. But still he fights. On and on.
So I have to as well.
I throw a couple close-by thugs aside, and block a couple projectile attacks flung at me. I'm well trained, but there's so many enemies from so many directions. I'm knocked back each time, and there's already pain bubbling in my head. The targets are all over the place, and moving. This is a big step up. I'm still a novice. I duck, I dive, I attack, but eventually I'm caught by a strike to my back. I hit the dirt. Breath rushes from my lungs and I crawl, trying to get out the way. I just need to get back to the group.
"You can erase quirks. Annoying, but not fatal." Shigaraki crows at Shouta, and I look over my shoulder.
I stop crawling. There's no way. It's not possible. A fragment of my nightmares stands next to Shouta; hulking in its massive form and staring blankly at the world it was made to destroy. No way Shigaraki and the man behind the screen managed it, they made their creatures. I turn properly and stare at those empty eyes, the exposed brain and bulging muscles. It was awful. It was everything Shigaraki had dreamed.
"You fucking made them." I choke and Shigaraki slow claps. I grit my teeth. "Mr Aizawa run!" I plead, trying to keep up the pretense even now. It's what he would want, and in this specific situation it might even save him some pain. If Shigaraki knew I cared about Shouta, he'd be so much crueller.
If this was the same creature Shigaraki had always intended to make, it wouldn't be beaten. Not when Shouta had already been fighting for so long. Shigaraki had never outright mentioned All Might, but the way he banged on about endless strength and mass, it was clearly the inspiration. Maybe he even made them to kill All Might? Was that the point? He said he was here for All Might.
Shigaraki points. "Get him, Nomu."
Shouta dodges, he fights.
He falls.
The Nomu grins ceaselessly and grips Shouta's body before squeezing. Blood erupts from his mouth and a sickening crunch snaps through the air. His back? A rib? I get to my feet and try to subdue the beast. But I can't find anything to pinch or block. It's a tank. There's no opening. As it raises its fist to strike again I withhold the hand. Fuck its strong. My whole body strains with my power, the sheer force behind that fist is like a building is trying to fall down. I brace myself against the ground, knees having given out. A splitting headache burns through my mind. I can barely hold on.
Shouta spits blood to the side and tries to get free of the beast's grip. But it's not budging. The other fist edges forward, my mind aches.
Shouta glares at me, pointing to the stairs. "Get back to the group!"
"Not till you do!" I yell, voice shaking as black spots appear in my vision and my nose runs freely with blood. Dammit I have to hold it. The fist edges forward another inch, just waiting to be unleashed so it can pummel into Shouta's body. I can't hold much longer. Dammit where are the other pros? Shouta tries to subdue the beast. But his power isn't doing much, the thing is still super strong.
"Alex, stop. This isn't your responsibilit–!" The beast moves its other arm, and I can't do a damn thing. I can only watch. It threw Shouta to the ground like a ragdoll.
No–
My focus breaks.
Rebound slams into me, the sensation of the falling building crumpling me against the dirt. I managed to deflect to my body instead of my head, but that's definitely three broken ribs at least. My whole body is quaking, I'm probably going into shock, but I have to move. I have to help. But it's all happening so fast. Move Alex. You stupid little girl. Move! One of Shouta's arms is bent back so far it snaps before I can even get a grip on the Nomu. Shit. No. Don't leave me. Not when I'm so close to help. I get to my feet and push my power. Shouta's eyes gleam red momentarily, cancelling my quirk before Nomu's other fist smashes into his other arm. No. There's so much blood. But his focus fails as well. I try again, holding the fist in place as it grips his hair, about to pound his skull into the dirt. No. It'll kill him. I'll lose him. The beast growls, not enjoying my interference. But I can't let this happen. Dammit I can't let Shouta die when I'm right here to help.
"Alex. Please." Shouta chokes, blood streaming down his face. Pale skin, black hair, broken goggles, red streaks. I would never let myself forget this, I let this happen. "Run."
I shake my aching head, ignoring how one eye grows bleary. But of course I'm so focused on them, I can't do a damn thing about other villains. Some strong asshole flings me away. I tumble through the air, my pointless yells doing nothing but echo. Useless. I hear the slamming noise, knowing Shouta's face has been embedded in the dirt. I did nothing. He's gonna die, and I did nothing. Still just a pointless rat.
I brace for impact, but it doesn't come.
"You okay, Alex?" Tsu calls, slowly lowering me in the careful grip of her tongue. I have no idea where she came from, or Midoryia or Mineta, but at least I know a few of my class are all right. Maybe the portal shithead threw us all around the arena? I hope everyone else is doing all right. Show them hell guys. Show them what UA is made of.
I nod to Tsu. "F-Fine. Stay back." I can't deny, I'm struggling to stay upright on my own. My head's throbbing, my nose runs red, and I can only manage shallow breaths. But I can still fight.
I try to step forward, but then a portal opens a mere metre in front of my foot.
"You seem very determined to save a teacher, Alex." Shigaraki grins as he appears and I cower backwards. I can't really help it, being in this much pain in front of him sends me right back to that damn basement. He looms. "You sure there's not some deep dark secret there?"
"Fuck off Shigaraki, I just don't fancy letting you destroy a good man."
I hold him back when he reaches for me. My mind shrieks with pain, needles piercing my every thought as my power flickers. Closer. He inches forward. Closer I try again, but my power's barely making contact. I whimper and his hand clasps round my throat. One finger remains lifted. For now.
Shigaraki giggles. "Master wants that power of yours but I'm bored."
He always said the man behind the screen wanted my power. But what the hell does that even mean? Doesn't seem to matter now. My quirk does little more than bruise his skin. Panic, pain, the fact that Shouta is likely already dead thanks to me… I'm rendered useless. I'm so sorry Shouta.
He grins. "Game over, Alex. Can't have you getting in the way. Been fun to see you again."
At least I might have bought some time for other pros to arrive, at least my friends look like they might be able to outrun these bastards. At least… A-At least… silver linings pale as I wait for the pain to precede the darkness. But it doesn't. Nothing happens. My remaining clear eye looks over Shigaraki's shoulder. Shouta's eyes glow bright. He's alive. He's still protecting me. My heart swells, tears block my vision and a broken laugh breaks free of my wobbling lips. Foolish man.
Shigaraki hums. "So very cool of you Eraserhead. Nomu, finish the job."
"No!" I scream, joy replaced with determination, a pressure suddenly releasing from my chest. My quirk crushes Shigaraki's hand, serving him his own shriek of pain. He stumbles back.
I don't know what just happened, but I don't care.
There's half a chance I can still keep Shouta alive. I run.
The Nomu grins as Shouta's eyes grow dull. No. Don't give up now, stay awake, let me get you to hospital. This can't be how it ends. School just started, I was finally gonna be able to show him that his help was gonna pay off. I'd make him proud. I'd finally make his faith in me worthwhile. A hand grips my arm and hauls me back. No. Pain sears along my shoulder and collarbone, costume and skin crumbling alike. My hood and cowl fall away, detached and rendered useless. The smell, the pain, shit its all exactly the same as before. Fuck you Shigaraki. I struggle against the iron grip. Midoryia, Tsu and Mineta are all yelling, perhaps even trying to help, but I ignore Shigaraki's power and just keep trying to get free. I can still get over there. This doesn't have to mean I lose Shouta.
The Nomu slams Shouta's head into the earth.
The crunch makes me want to vomit. But Shigaraki's still holding onto me, and the pain continues to tear through my body, reaching along my shoulder and aiming for my throat. He's making it go slow, he's perfected his technique. If this keeps going, he'll have disintegrated my left side's skin. I don't care though. I'm about to lose the only home I've ever known.
Skin peels away as I wrench myself free. Finally. I run full pelt. Shouta's blood spurts up against Nomu's dark skin. No. Please. I push myself harder but Shouta isn't moving. I'm going to be alone. I'll have to go back to that apartment and stare at an empty kitchen, an empty bathroom. I'll never see him sneaking a cigarette on the balcony again. I'll never have to nudge him awake on the sofa and tell him to go sleep in his bed, or give in and drape a blanket over his slumped form. No more movies. No more popcorn. No more being carried to my bed with a kiss to my hair.
I'll never say it. I'll tell him how much it all matters to me.
I'll never… Never call him...
He still isn't moving.
I reach with my good arm. "Dad!"
My vision goes white. The world falls away. Pain. It smothers my head, the pressure similar to what crushed Shigaraki's hand mere moments ago, but so much more. From my brow back to the base of my skull it builds, crackling like static and flowing through my body. My spine arches. I ache all over, like I've held my breath for too long. Then it erupts.
BOOM.
What the hell?
When my vision clears; the Nomu has skidded back, and the crowd of villains that had been about to swarm me are scattered and Shigaraki is cast aside. Dirt arcs away from me in a huge circle. I dunno if that was me or not, but my feet can't move fast enough. Get to Shouta. Protect him.
Damn I called him Dad out loud, didn't I? I'm an idiot.
Shigaraki will have heard that, but damn it that doesn't matter right now. I'm half blind from the pain and copper coats my tongue with every forced breath, but I get there. I stumble onto my knees by Shouta's side, using my good arm to turn him over. The other hangs useless by my side. I can't even twitch my fingers. I angle his head and check for breathing. It's there. Faintly, but there.
"Shouta. Shouta look at me."
Nothing. He's out.
The scattered villains are getting up. They're coming. It won't be a lengthy fight, but I'm not about to give in either. I whimper, slumping over Shouta like a pathetic shield before I create a bubble around us. It's all I can think of. It's all I have left. Strikes bounce off, and the world becomes an echoing mass of noise. All I can hear is my struggling breathing and Shouta's. My arm, shoulder, collarbone and throat are burning, skin continuing to fall away. Blood is everywhere. I can't tell what's mine or Shouta's. Will I live? Do I care if it's without Shouta? Tears roll down my face and I put my head to his chest. A heartbeat. I can hear a heartbeat.
"Don't leave me." I choke.
I wish I hadn't opened my eyes. Villains sneer and claw at the forcefield. Every strike creates a new ripple of pain in my head, and I wince against Shouta's broken body. They'll get in, they'll drag me away from him and give me to Shigaraki. The nightmare will start all over again. I cling to Shouta.
I sob. "Please. Dad, please."
Suddenly the villains stop. Their heads snap round and stare at something atop the stairs. I can only see a vague yellow blob. All Might? His voice booms over the arena. The villains are stalled, and then suddenly they're gone. Swept up to be thrown aside. Another flash and Midoryia, Tsu and Mineta are next to me and Shouta, stood just outside the bubble.
"Release the shield, Alex." All Might orders, and I don't have the energy to hesitate. It melts away and I slump to the side, avoiding laying on top of Shouta. "You three get them back to the stairs, back up will be here shortly."
"Please." I gasp, more skin falling away from my throat. "Save him."
The last thing I see is Midoryia's worried face.
My tiny body is nothing. Shigaraki throws me against the wall, cold concrete immediately giving new bruises. I curl where I land, instinct taking over. I know where this is going. It was a bad night. I dunno what the guy behind the screen said to him this time, but Shigaraki's freaking out. He's already scratched his neck to bleeding, so I know he's gonna do worse to me. He only does it because I'm smaller, because I'm younger. Nothing but a bully. He keeps yelling about what he was promised. What he's meant to have. None of it makes any sense, but it never did.
I hold onto my legs as he starts to kick. He hates me. He hates the world. He hates it all. Everything needs to get out of his way or it'll be destroyed. I know, I know all this, I don't need to be told again Shigaraki you arsehole.
"If you hate me so much, let me go!" I scream, clinging to my hair as pressure builds in my chest. I try to breathe. Not another cracked rib; I got sick last time that happened and he was extra mean. But no, it feels weird. Like a really big burp. I squirm as he starts kicking my back. More yells. More names. It's never gonna stop, I'll never get out, I'll never get away. I just wanna be free. "Go away Shigaraki!"
The pressure gives way.
Silence.
There's only quiet beyond my panting and sniffing. Why did he stop? I look at the wall through my tears, noting the blood that has puddled next to my head on the floor as well. Huh? My nose is bleeding? But I didn't use my power, did I? Why is the blood there? He hadn't kicked my head yet, so that couldn't be it. But he had stopped. There's no more kicking or yelling. I peer over my shoulder. Shigaraki sits on the other side of the room, on the floor, back against the wall like he'd been pushed against it. Bruises are on his cheeks. They weren't there before.
"Stupid brat. I told you not to use your shitty power against me." He pants, getting up and giving me that look. No. Not that look. Please. My back's only just healed from last time. "Stay out of my way little girl, or you know what happens!"
"N-No!" I scramble up, retreating till I'm flat against the wall. I hadn't used my power, he's lying. He must have tripped or something. I didn't do this. I didn't move him. Did I? Was it the weird pressure? I don't understand.
He marches over, reaching for me. "Time for another lesson, little Alex."
"No! I didn't do anything. Leave me alone Shigar–"
"You always do something Alex. And it's always something wrong." He snickers and reaches, hand only moments away. And then I see it. The door is open. He left the door open.
My mind moves faster than me. My power clamps onto his arm and twists, the bone suddenly jutting out in five places, blood running onto the floor as he goes to his knees, mouth stretched in a scream. But I can't hear him. I can only hear my heartbeat. This is the time to run. Run Alex. Move your useless little body and get out. Get out now.
RUN!
But wait. I stumble in the doorway and look back, watching him clasp his arm and howl at the pain. Tears stream down his pale face. He's just sitting there. I could get rid of him, right? Get rid of him like he gets rid of people he doesn't like. I swallow hard. I can kill him?
His eyes focus on me and I'm just running again, fear driving me forward. Anything beyond that is foolish. I can't kill Shigaraki. I'm not strong enough, not good enough. No. I'm just a rat. A rat that needs to run.
I don't know how long I ran.
I don't know where I'd started or ended up.
But by the time I had to stop, my lungs were burning and my tears long since dried. Even then, I only paused to swallow a couple half breaths. I kept going, eventually finding an open basement door and hopping inside. It was a small shop basement. It would do. I hid behind the shelves. So quiet. So dark. But still, so much better. It was warm, dry and didn't smell of rust. I stare at the latch on the door I had snuck into for at least two days. No employees see me, and they had dried pasta down here. I chewed it slow and watched the door. But no sign of Shigaraki or the gang. No one.
Was I free? Was I finally free?
As I start to bob back to the surface of consciousness, there's an argument going on. It's my classmates. I can't quite make out who exactly is talking, but I know a panicked Midoryia when I hear one. Occasionally Iida pipes up and demands they quiet down. Other than that it's just noise. A cold hand occasionally brushes mine though, like its sneaking contact. Probably just someone fidgeting. I can only guess that I'm in a hospital after the attack, the bed's not comfy enough to be my own at home, and I can't smell Shouta's tea. I only smell cleaning chemicals. My heart clenches, hoping dearly that I'll get to smell that tea again soon. At home. With him. Please. If I have to open my eyes to a world without him, I'll stay in the darkness instead. Am I alone, now? Shit. No point in hiding without knowing.
I try and blink. The argument fades.
"Is she waking up?" Ura gasps, and a weight appears near my other arm. Beeping goes on and a couple whirs too. I think I'm hooked up to a bunch of machines. I try and blink again. "I'll get the nurse."
"Don't run!" Iida scolds, voice dimming as he goes after her probably.
I try and speak but my tongue hits a large tube. I gulp and gasp, only then realising I had a tube down my fucking throat.
I struggle and that cold hand from before lands on my shoulder, Todoroki's soft voice sounding urgent. "Alex stay calm. The tube's been aiding your breathing."
Next it's Midoryia's voice bubbling into place, as I try and suck in a deep breath. My side still burns, and is clearly strapped fairly extensively. "The nurse will be here any second, she might be able to take the tube out now. Recovery Girl did all she could for your throat."
Finally my eyes open and I wince at the bright lights. Fucking hell it was like looking into the sun. I do my best to calm down, but the tube's burning and I breathe mainly through my nose.
Todoroki's hand is still on my shoulder. "Slow your breathing, Alex. You're safe."
Tears roll from the corners of my eyes, but I try counting to ten with each breath in and out. The lights wobble until an older woman is looming over me. I keep counting and keep focusing on that cold hand against my shoulder. Don't let go Todoroki, please. I'll have to thank him later for such kindness. The nurse says something and then starts to pull the tube. I convulse and gag, Ura shoves a metal pan under me as I nearly vomit. Thankfully, I don't. Air chokes down my gasping throat and I flop back into the pillow.
The nurse flaps about. "You lot should leave y'know. She'll have the doctors in soon."
"Lady just try and fucking move us." Bakugo barks and the woman shuffles away with tutting noises.
I wipe my eyes, heart slowing as I flex my jaw. Ow. I look at them all and note their apprehension. All of them. The bed sits me up slightly when I look for the remote, Todoroki cottons on quicker than anyone else. He's observant. When I'm sat up I take some water and try to think. But I can't think beyond anything else right now, I need to know what happened to Shouta.
"Where's Shouta?" I blurt out, before shaking my head. "I-I mean Mr Aiz–"
"Cut the shit." Bakugo rolls his eyes and leans on the end of the bed, brow quirked and a smirk in place. "We all heard you in the arena, Alex. 'Dad', right?"
My mouth closes. My face heats up. I clasp the blankets and look at my lap. "Uh… Kinda. Yeah. But seriously, did he make it?"
Iida steps forward. "Mr Aizawa is recovering in another private room. He has not woken yet, but is making good improvements. They estimate he might wake today."
"How long have I been out?"
Ura steps forward and perches on the bed, taking my hand. "It's only been a day. Recovery Girl decided to give more attention to Mr Aizawa once your throat was closed up. She hoped you'd understand."
"Course I f-fucking do." I swallow hard and put a hand to my throat, feeling the fresh bandaging. It's got some hard patches where blood has presumably gone through. Shigaraki's attack had reached far. I want to trace down to my shoulder, but it's all just bandaging. That also explains the cloud of numbness. I'm on a lot of painkillers. "As long as he made it, I don't care what condition I'm in."
Ura frowns and holds my hand a bit tighter. "You count too."
"Sure." I cough. "What about Thirteen and–"
Iida held his hand out. "Please remain calm, Alex. You're recovering still and excess excitement won't help. We'll tell you everything we know, but calm down."
I smirk at him. "You do know that's a sure-fire way to get a woman further pissed off, right?"
Bakugo straightens up and gestures to the group. "We're fine. Couple scrapes but good. Fuckin' Deku broke his finger because of course he did, and Thirteen is recovering as well. Not really sure what to call it, but she got kinda banged up. She'll make it though."
"What about the villains?"
They all give me this look. It's the kind of look I've seen on shop owners, policemen and business men that caught me stealing back when my power wasn't as well refined. Distrust. It's not as strong in my classmates, but it's there.
I shrink back into the blankets and look to Ura. "What?"
"You seemed to know the leader." She explains, looking down at my hand and tracing a random pattern. I look to the others and some of them nod, whilst others now avoid my gaze. "You were speaking to him like that anyway. Did you uh… Did you know him on the streets?"
I pull my hand away. "Could call it that, I guess."
My past was never meant to define me. Sure being a street kid sucked, and sure I struggled, but I was past that now. Shigaraki was in the past. At least, that was what I thought. They wait. They watch.
I sigh and take another sip of water, hands shaking. "He's just an ghost from my past. Hadn't seen him in years, certainly not since Sh… Shouta took me in." I frown, head pounding a bit as I consider whether or not I should be using his title with them. I can't call him Dad. I hadn't even meant to in the arena. I sip again and shiver. "You guys suspecting me of working with them, or something?"
"No!" Midoryia pipes up. "No we just worried they were targeting you too."
I hadn't even thought of that. From Shigaraki's words, it had clearly been a long term theory of his–of me being Eraserheads newly discovered kid. How much had that played into their plans? Shouta had always wanted to keep me a secret to keep me safe. Had we been wrong? Was I the risk to him? My body starts to shake. If that was the case, then I was the reason Shouta lay unconscious right now, fighting for his life.
Midoryia clears his throat. "The villains got away by the way. The main guy… uh…"
"Shigaraki." I sniff.
"Yeah, him. He got shot by one of the other pros but the portal guy got most of them out. All Might's fine too, by the way. The weird creature gave him a bit of trouble but–"
"Is it dead?" I jolt, having forgotten about that damn thing. I sit upright too fast, and have to hold myself up, but I don't relent. Midoryia shakes his head and then puts a hand on my shoulders as my eyes go wide.
"It's in a containment facility. It can't get you."
"It can't be contained." I shake my head, air feeling thin.
Shigaraki was many things, but most of all he was single minded. When he wanted something, he didn't stop till he claimed it. Or made it. Those things, he had always banged on about what they would be. And that thing in the arena had been far bigger. So it was likely also worse in other ways too. My ribs ache and my shoulder is screaming.
Words get away from me, tumbling out and robbing me of more air. "It'll get out, it'll come back and g-get the job done. W-Whatever that was meant to be. I dunno. Is he actually just targeting All Might or what the fuck else? Where's it being held? I should go and ki–"
"Young Alex, be calm." All Might's voice booms into the room.
I swallow hard and accept the oxygen mask Ura holds out. Todoroki eases me back into the pillows and I drink the air deeply. My mind races, but my body relaxes under the weight of exhaustion. Guess I lost a fair amount of blood. Probably put a good strain on my head as well. I'm so weak. I need to get stronger, better, more worthy. Still just a rat who needs to run.
All Might continues. "Class, please go wait in the corridor. I need to speak with Alex, and then she should rest."
"Yeah, sure." Midoryia nods and the class starts to leave. He lingers another moment and smiles softly. "Thanks for all you did, Alex. I think you saved a bunch of us that day, and definitely Mr Aizawa."
I hope he didn't notice how much my eyes had started to water.
As the door clicks, All Might lets his form reduce to the withered one and he sits next to my bed. He looks exhausted. I try to speak, but he holds up a hand and shakes his head. For a few moments we sit in silence, but then he clasps his hands and stands again. I sense a lecture.
He paces. "You overused your quirk in the arena."
That wasn't where I thought he was gonna go, but all right. I shrug.
He glares. "I mean it, Alex. Aizawa hasn't woken yet, but I know he'd fully agree with me. You need to–"
"He might already be awake if I'd managed to use it more." I mutter, not looking away despite the outrage in those bright blue eyes. "I barely did enough to save him. How can you say I used it too much?"
"Because by the time you got to this hospital young lady you had a severe brain bleed." He growls, nearly letting his voice raise before he clears his throat, apparently thinking better of it.
I bite back the tears. A severe brain bleed. Okay. I guess I pushed harder than I realised.
He softens. "You did an admirable job of saving Aizawa, but you can't just–"
"My power. My choice." I snap, and I grip the sheets when he glares. "If I had to, I'd have pushed further to save him. He was giving his all in that arena. How could I not do the same?"
"Because you're a child and it isn't your responsibility." He hits his fist off the bed frame. "I had foolishly used up my power before school, that's why I wasn't there. I'm sorry you had to take on the burden partially yourself, but–"
"I would do it again." I sniff and the sheets creak under my grip. "That fucker isn't going to hurt anyone else if I can help it."
"So you do know the blue haired boy?" All Might tilts his head, expression softening with that hint of concern. "The class mentioned you seemed to."
I shrink from the reappearing distrust. "I knew him a long time ago. Not in a pleasant sense."
"What does he mean to you?"
"Bad memories. Nothing more. I'm not in league with him or anything dammit, it's bad enough my classmates thought that, but you too? C'mon… I was a street kid, that doesn't make me a fucking villain waiting to happen." I look to the side, watching my monitors react to my quickening heart rate. So many times I'd been looked at with that 'timebomb' expression. Dammit I chose my own path. Struggling didn't mean I was gonna turn bad. I want to help people because I can, I want to be a hero.
All Might sighs. "I didn't mean to insinuate anything of the kind. He may not have been a villain when you knew him, but we had to ask because–"
"You can't trust me, yeah." I know it's childish, but it stings. My past has been dragged into view and being assumed as some villain's sob-story. I hate it.
"We trust you, of course we do. We're just concerned."
"Well don't be. I'll sort it out." I wince as the words fall out before I can stop them.
All Might stops pacing. He stares as I avoid his eyes, he approaches slowly and looms. Even in his withered form, he's an intimidating guy. I swallow hard but don't take it back. I mean it. One way or the other, I will deal with Shigaraki. This is my new life, my new chance, Shigaraki doesn't get to ruin that. Not now.
"Leave it to the pros, Alex."
"I can help."
"You can heal." He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezing far softer than expected. "Please, trust us to take care of this."
"Like you trust me?" I swallow hard again but the lump persists. "Whe-When can I see Shouta?"
"A nurse could take you right now."
I nod, until I saw Shouta myself I keep doubting he would really be in the next room. As soon as I close my eyes, all I can see is his bloodied face. I can hear the snap of his bones. The small screams that escaped his pale lips. He tried so hard to repress the noises, I can only imagine the pain he felt.
My IV is kept in place, and I'm helped into a wheelchair. All Might returns to full form before I'm taken into the next room and sat next to Shouta's bed. I can barely see him beneath all those bandages and casts. The white blanket blends with them, turning him into this strange pale lump in the bed, only his splash of dark hair interrupting the eerie ghost shades. My eyes blear and I hang my head. He looks stuck together with sticky tape. The door closes behind the nurse and a sob catches in my throat–once again I got far too close to losing him. I'm so sorry Shouta.
All Might remains close. "He'll pull through Alex, you know he'll be fighting."
"He shouldn't have to be." I sniff and try to compose myself. "I need to get stronger."
"It's not your duty to protect him. It's rather the other way round."
"If that's not a double standard, I dunno what is." I half-laugh, wiping my eyes and wincing at the tug on my IVs. My ribs still burn and my shoulder is aching. It's only been a day, my body is still reeling. Damn I hate waiting. I reach and place a hand on one of his bandaged arms, his hands locked away in casts for the time being. "You better fucking wake up old man. I-I need to tell you about all your poor form."
A click of heels makes me turn a little too quickly, sitting back in my chair as a dizzy spell hits. Nemuri smiles and approaches, perching on the bed and pushing Shouta's mess of hair back. "Glad to hear you're back to being able to sass him. Tends to indicate a recovery."
"Sure does."
As her sharp eyes linger on me, I can't help but drop my gaze. Does she doubt me too?
"I owe you another thanks it seems my dear. Once again you saved this idiot from the brink. Me and Hizash are ending up with quite a debt to you."
"Sorry I brought him back a bit broken."
"He was always a bit broken." She winks and I snort into another slight sob. "You're really beating yourself up over this one, hm? I was gonna rip you a new one for even getting involved in the fight, but Thirteen explained that wasn't quite the case."
"Huh?" All Might now leans against the wall, his head tilting and his long bangs shifting.
Nemuri nods. "Alex didn't throw herself into the fight, she was dragged there by the portal villain. Apparently she had been holding back the portal power from hurting the other kids when he realised it was her causing issue."
"I didn't know Thirteen was awake." He muses, blue eyes shining with apology at me. I guess that explains his rather aggressive start to proceedings. He thought I'd been a reckless fool. Though that still didn't excuse his assumptions about me being allied with Shigaraki.
Nemuri continues. "I reckon this portal villain had been given a description of Alex from this Shigaraki boy and tossed her over there to check. She was in a costume after all, so he could only go by a vague concept of her power. There was more to the villain's plan than we realise, I'm sure. And I worry Alex is a big part of it."
She does doubt me. Even Nemuri.
I grip the chair arms. "Why's everyone so convinced I–"
"Do you know why he wanted to hurt you, Alex?"
I blink and see the simple concern in her sharp eyes. Just concern. No distrust, no wavering doubts. That's one shred of my heart that can stay unbruised I guess, small mercies were important.
"Alex?"
I look down at my lap, feeling my heart try to climb out my throat. The past doesn't define me. I don't need to lay it all out. These stories were meant to stay in the shadows and end up forgotten. Saying them out loud makes them… real.
I grit my teeth. "I pissed off a lot of people when I was on the streets. Guess he was one of them."
"That's a vague and evasive answer." She sighs and stands, putting a hand to my head and ruffling my hair. "But it'll do for now. You and Shouta will be monitored carefully for a while I imagine. The sports festival is looming, but it's going ahead."
I jolt. I hadn't even thought about that. The event was a big thing, always televised on the big screens in town, so I even got to watch when I was a kid. And now I was gonna miss it when I should be participating. But then I hear the monitors and the slow breathing of Shouta and I know I'd do it all again in a second. There would be next year. Now that I'd helped him live, there could be a tomorrow.
"Guess I'll just be the class cheerleader."
Nemuri chuckles and clip-clops her way back to the door. "That would entail far too much movement, I assure you. Rest up my dear, I'm sure he'll wake soon. Come on Tosh, you know she's not gonna move back to her own room now. Let's get some staff to move her through here properly."
I settle back in my chair and let myself drift off. This whole recovery thing is god damn exhausting. My eyes flutter closed, the last thing I see being the rise and fall of Shouta's chest. Yeah. There's still gonna be a tomorrow.
Thanks to all that have faved, followed and reviewed, you're fantastic ^-^ I love to hear from readers, and always want to respond as well! See you soon!
SHOUTOUTS:
Jerzu: So glad to have you here from the beginning as well! Sorry I didn't respond to you beforehand, it didn't save it last time apparently. Thanks for reviewing again! Haha yeah, I like to keep tension going when I can, but also don't wanna do it EVERY TIME lol. I hope you enjoyed the fight and aftermath ^-^ you're very welcome for the early updates, happy to help with ppl's boredom if I can!
xxbecca: So glad you're enjoying it, thanks for reading and especially reviewing! Glad you like Alex, I like to keep things as realistic as makes sense for a story. Don't want a character to feel out of place, after all! Hope you enjoyed this update!
