The games await!
Hope everyone's good, here's another update, enjoy!
Shouta pov past
The kid had been off the streets for a year. She seemed happy, settled, thriving even; so why was she still having nightmares? Shouta couldn't understand it. The terrors came less frequent, and normally less violent–she hadn't broken any furniture due to the fear in months. But tonight she had woken with cries three times. Those had been short, small yelps that faded to a deep breath, a couple blows of her nose and then pacing before returning to sleep. Yes, he listened. It was all he could do, so he would, desperately thinking all along. His marking work sat untouched on his laptop. He could pull an all nighter to make up for it, she came first. That was the bargain he struck when taking her into his home. But aside from that, the latest nightmare seemed so much worse. Whimpers, sobs, crying whilst still trapped, tossing to and fro. He watched for a mere moment from the doorway, unable to stomach any more. But it had been another ten minutes since, and still she cried. His tea long since stopped streaming, going cold. He had been doing his best to leave her to it, knowing she had to work through it herself to some extent. Hizashi and Nemuri said as much when he confided in them during the early days, afraid he was doing something wrong, same with Recovery Girl. Alex was strong, she had to know when to come to him and when not to. He had to help her with that. To go from the streets to absolute coddling would do her no good.
"No! Please!" She begged, a rattle indicating the curtains were being moved by her power.
He got up from his seat. It wasn't coddling. She had already worked herself back from panic thrice that night. Surely stepping in at that point was just being a concerned parent. His hand paused at the door handle. Was that foolish of him? To use the word 'parent'? It had only been a year, could he claim that title yet?
"Blue… Blue flames…" she gasped, choking on another sob. "Don't… don't hurt him. Leave Shouta alone!"
He blinked, hand landing on the handle.
Had she said his name? Was the nightmare about him? Or… about someone hurting him? His heart pounded. Her words continued.
"Don't… n-no… Stop laughing. Who are you? No. N-No… I don't know who you are. Stop it. No… Don't hurt my Shouta!"
The door opened and he crossed the room. Her Shouta. The advice and stern words, the furrowed brows and pursed lips, they could go to hell. She needed help. His Alex. His Alex needed him.
As usual, as soon as he knelt by the bed she jolted awake; eyes snapped open, body curled back against the wall, ready for a strike. It had been a year, and he still couldn't get used to that initial fear. Whatever those streets had done to her, she always woke in that way. Always. He stayed still, letting her eyes adjust to the light pooling in behind him from the door. It could take anything from a couple seconds, to a minute. He would wait an hour if need be. She panted, cheeks pink and stained by her fallen tears, big dark eyes darting around the room. Every time she checked the corners, like expecting some terrible ghoul to be waiting. Shouta wished he knew more, but knew he could only ask so much.
She swallowed hard. "Sh-Shouta?"
Whenever she said his name instead of 'mister' his heart ached in the best way.
He nodded. Her posture calmed, sinking against the mattress rather than readying to brace for impact. She sniffed and pulled her blanket tight. The room grew quiet in the wake of her cries, and only then did Shouta realise how hard his heart was still hammering.
"Hey kid."
"H-Hi."
"Sounded like a bad nightmare."
She glared. "It's nothing."
"Of course."
She still didn't like to explain whatever it was she saw in those dreams. Blue flames cropped up a lot, and laughing. Someone laughed at her. He wasn't sure who would dare, but regardless, he took note of repeated words. Anything to try and understand, to try and help.
She rubbed her eyes. "Did I wake you? Sorry if I did."
"You didn't, but I'll say it as many times as I need to, kid. You never need to apologise for waking me up, especially if it's because of a nightmare. I'm here to help, remember?"
As ever, she nodded, but the message only skimmed her mind. Helping, it mattered, but he couldn't push too hard. Reliant. A word she seemed to fear above any other. Becoming reliant on someone.
He cleared his throat as he noted her shivering, despite how perfectly warm the room was. Shock? Or just lingering fear maybe. "I fancied some hot chocolate. Wondered if you wanted to join me?"
"You got papers to mark, y'know."
He smirked. "Indulge my procrastination?"
"Nemuri's gonna tell you off…" she pouted, but then the call of hot chocolate once again won out and she shuffled closer, accepting the dressing gown he held out. "Thanks."
"Of course." He headed back to the kitchen, knowing that lingering would do no good. She couldn't feel like she was being watched, whatever happened to her in her past, someone had watched her too closely. Maybe whoever had laughed? The puzzle never quite clicked.
It had been a year, they were doing well, but she still had her walls. Of course she did. There was no way to know if she could trust him except by time. And time he had to give. He retrieved the pan, milk and chocolate powder, humming mindlessly as the hob warmed. He stirred, hearing her door close and small feet approach. No doubt she would sit at the island, have a nosy at his laptop and likely berate him for the last timestamp on his edits. Yes, it was over an hour ago that he had done a damn thing, but he could hardly tell her it was because he became too distracted by worrying over her nightmares. She wasn't a burden. Beyond it being okay to rely on people, he guessed that would be the next hardest thing to get across to her. Or maybe they counted as the same thing? He wanted to help, and she owed him nothing for that.
A small hand tugged on his sleeve. She hadn't gone to the island, instead she wrapped her arms round his waist and held tight, a little too tight, before stepping back and tugging on his sleeve again.
"Thanks, Shouta. For uhm… waking me up."
He knelt and raised a brow. "Thanks for the hug."
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms, every bit the usual sassy eleven year old he knew. "I just want you to know that I'm grateful, okay? I can be a shit sometimes I know so–"
"You're not a shit. And… language." He added with a look to the side because of course he had also cursed. They paused, caught each other's eye and snorted into laughter. Hizashi kept saying Shouta had to try and curb the bad language but it was difficult, hearing it come out of her tiny body was hilarious.
She went to sit at the island and he returned to the milk, removing the skin that had formed when he was distracted by someone's cute appreciation. Not that the word 'cute' would be uttered. He didn't want to die via milk drowning.
"Oi, Shouta."
"Mm?"
"You gotta get your thumb outta your arse for this work y'know? You've not touched it in like an hour!"
He looked to the sky and kept stirring. He would also not point out how utterly predictable she could be. Bossy. Sassy. Cute. His little bundle of energy and their weird little life. Was this what contentment felt like?
ALEX POV present
Over the course of the camp I'd managed to scrape enough progress to pass my exams and earn my place at the games night. I wave to my extra curricular comrades as they're dragged off by Dad for extra studying, poor souls look utterly heartbroken. Not that I can blame them, this is a real chance to blow off some steam. Apparently, it's going to be some kind of fear game. A scaring competition huh? Sounds perfect. I could make breezes, shift branches, make all sorts of creepy stuff happen! I rub my hands together, thinking of all the weird and wonderful ways I could mess with the trail. It was going to be great.
At least... That's what I thought.
That's what we all thought.
If you've ever missed the last step on the stairs you might know what it felt like in the moment we realised we were under attack. That jolt that claims your whole body, settling last in a cold sensation over your heart. I stared at Midoryia and he stared at me. It was happening all over again, just like the USJ, but this time there wasn't back up within a few minutes. We're on our own.
Chaos.
Villains seem to be everywhere at once, and where they aren't, there's a strange poison gas or flames. Blue flames? They lick at the sky, blocking the stars with their smoke and eerie glow. I look around, trying not to think about Dabi having finally fallen that last hurdle. Had he seriously joined the League? Why would he sign up to Shigaraki's madness? I don't get it. This doesn't make sense. But then again… he did keep avoiding telling me anything about the 'opportunity'. Never said Shigaraki's name. He knew not to. He knew of my connection to Shigaraki and the recent USJ attack. All along, was Dabi just playing with me?
Dammit. Before I can even think to rush off and try to find Dabi, to demand my answers, Midoryia mentions that kid. Kota. Shit, there's a kid somewhere alone in all this mess. Likely terrified. First things first, deal with the present, then scrape the past off my shoe.
"Get back to the camp centre!" One of the pussy cats yells when I start to run after Midoryia.
I skid to a halt. "Midoryia has a bad habit of getting himself pretty beaten up. He'll need back up. I only want to help him get Kota."
She doesn't like it, but she lets me go. Good thing too as I wasn't exactly gonna hang around for outright permission. I dart after Midoryia, needing to help him however I can, even if just to keep a villain off his back. I think I'm on the right path. He charged off so desperately, despite how shitty the kid was towards him. There's still so much I have to learn from Midoryia.
We'll find Kota. We'll–
Blue flames erupt in front of me.
Shit!
I stop just shy of losing my eyebrows and look along the plane of fire, it seems to go on for miles. Dabi. It has to be him, no one else makes this much blue fire so easily. Endeavour can, but this hardly seems like a heroic tactic, even for that shithead. But why Dabi, what the hell are you doing here? How is attacking kids what you want? Sure 'the world's turning', but how does this go along with what you want? I don't get it. Then again, do I need to get it? The fact is, once again my classmates, my friends, are being attacked, and yet again my past is playing far too large a role.
Midoryia might have seen the flames and gone this way for fear of Kota being lost in the woods, right? I dunno. Maybe Midoryia knew where to look for Kota. I can't tell. All I can do is work with my instincts, and either way, if this is Dabi, I need to know why he's here. If I can figure that out, maybe I can reach him and reason with him. Or am I just being naive?
I run along the line of fire. The way Dabi hugged me in the rain, like he was pressing all those broken bits back together after I saw what a mess Shouta was in after my absence. The way we talked in the park, lying there chatting, laughing like old times. It stings to look back. To consider that it might have all been a ploy, to avoid me noticing how far he'd sunk. I dunno whether to feel betrayed or complimented. Either he considers me easily tossed aside, or he fears me enough to want to hide. Right? Maybe.
I need to stop this, I need to think clearly.
I slow as I hear voices ahead.
At first I think there's three of them, but no, it's two but one is having a couple conversations to himself. Shit, so murderous and crazy. Just what we need. It's not like I expected sane individuals to want to team up with Shigaraki, but outright nutters are harder to predict, and therefore harder to fight. Be careful Alex, be smart. Dad isn't far off, he'll figure out what to do. Get to Midoryia if you can, help get to Kota, then get back to camp. Nothing fancy.
Dabi sounds bored. Numb. I think that's the scariest part so far.
I sneak closer, the area well lit by his flames but filled with plenty of shadows as well. Either way, I won't stay hidden long. My heart hammers, my palms sweat (and it has nothing to do with the fire) and my mouth is dry. Can I reason with Dabi? Is there anything of the kid I knew still inside him? C'mon Alex think. Don't go back to Dad in a body bag, think. Be smart. With recent training, I might be able to contain these flames a little, but they're not like Sho's. Regardless of claimed family connection–which I'm still not convinced of–Dabi's fire is more scattered, like Bakugos. I can tell that from the sheer heat and intensity and how they fight against the sky.
This is a mad idea, but it's all I can think of. Start a dialogue, see what you can learn.
I draw a deep breath and speak loudly, using my power to throw my voice a bit. No point making it too obvious where I am. "What's the big idea, Dabi?"
The conversation halts.
Dabi chuckles. "So you are here, Gorgeous. I was starting to doubt our sources."
"I'm here for training, what the hell're you doing here?"
The confused voice laughs. "Oh she's sassy, I like her. This girl sucks."
The fire gets warmer. "I told ya I was looking into an opportunity. Turns out it was worth pursuing."
"Hurting kids is worth pursuing?"
"I wasn't gonna go looking for you Gorgeous, but you are on the list, so I can't let you go now that you're in front of me."
I sink back into the shadows. No hesitation, mild annoyance maybe, but certainly no intent to let me off easy. I think I need to accept my friend is long gone. Can I do that? Guess I don't have a choice.
I swallow the barbs. "So there's a list? You're here for more than one of us?"
"Dabi you fucked up! Aw man, she's clever."
Dabi growls. "Shut up, Twice. Look Gorgeous, you can't stop this, go ahead and accept that."
Sounds like he's either doubting his ability to take me on or…
Dabi sighs. "Make this easier. I don't wanna hurt you, but I will if you make me."
And there it is.
I miss the last step on the stairs all over again, but the sensation of falling doesn't stop.
He doesn't wanna hurt me, but he will. Right. I can stop looking back now, can't I? That kid is long gone, buried under all his bitterness. Maybe even mania. I saw it, didn't I? That light in his eyes. Only, silly me, I mistook it for determination. Nah. I've seen that for real now, it lights Midoryia's gaze whenever we have a challenge ahead, hell I see it when he gets a brand new injury and has something else to overcome. That's determination. Dabi's light was darker, rooted in something fueled by hate. Hate for the world, but mainly his supposed father. And I guess, by extension, all heroes. That's my world now. So really, a part of him must hate me. If he's aware of it or not.
I don't wanna hurt you, but I will if you make me.
Sounds like he's been taking lessons from Shigaraki. Look what you made me do, little Alex. Don't make me hurt you, little Alex. But that won't work. Throwing that at Dabi won't make a mark. The kid in the street, keeping me warm, he's dead. He's gone. No, likening him to Shigaraki won't phase him, but I know what might. It'll hurt Dabi deeply, but it's the smart play. I'll say my apologies to the kid I used to know if I ever see him again, but I know I won't.
I grit my teeth. "Shifting the blame onto your victims, sounds a lot like what you used to complain about someone else doing." I snap a branch behind them, to shift their focus. If I can make a break for it, I have to. Me and Dabi have to sort this out, but right now, I need to warn the others. They're after multiple people. Kids or adults, I don't know, but more than one target. I throw my voice again. "Or have you conveniently forgotten that? Forgotten what he did to you? Like father like so–"
"I'm giving you a choice." Dabi yells, flames brightening. He knows I'm right.
"That's what he said, right? A choice to be better, to be stronger. To get off the floor and stop being weak."
"You got no idea what you're fuckin' talkin' about!"
"What's my choice, Dabi? Join you or die? Right… Sounds fucking familiar." I scoff and flames erupt behind them, in the direction of the branch snapping. I got away with it.
"Stay outta my way little girl, or I swear–"
I think he keeps talking. I assume he does. But those words block it all out.
Trees tremble all around us as my tears run free and I fight for control of my power. Those damn words. Branches give way, the ground groans and the fire fluctuates. Those words. He knows what those words mean. I didn't tell anyone what they meant, not till Shouta and my friends let me know I could speak my past aloud without judgement. No one. Except Dabi. I told him, sobbed it out after yet another bad dream.
He ain't here, Gorgeous. He ain't gonna get you. I swear.
Twice yelps as the flames rage. "Dabi what the fuck ya doin'? Is she fucking with you this much? Gee guys get a room!"
"C'mon little girl fuckin' come out here and say that shit to my face."
My power swells, and for a mere moment the flames part as another tree falls. He looks right at me, bright blue eyes staring without a hint of anything beyond a villain looking at a victim-in-waiting. I shake my head and close the gap, it lasted less than a second, but it already lasted too long.
I turn and run, I have to warn someone, I have to let the teachers know.
Branches scratch at my face, and heat billows behind me, flames likely erupting in all directions. At least Dabi might be rattled. I might have managed that much. Villains are easier to deal with when scattered; and that's all he is now, a villain.
Okay, think. Contact someone. Shit, I left my phone in my room. Dammit. I keep running, fully expecting blue flame to suddenly engulf me from behind. Or some other arsehole doing Shigaraki's bidding to appear.
My steps stall.
What the hell was that noise?
The air throbs with the feral roar of an unleashed demon. That's no villain, that's Dark Shadow. But that's still not good. Shit. I whirl round and head towards the roaring, with any luck there would be a teacher nearby. That, or I'd find Midoryia already there, trying to help our classmate after having already gotten Kota. That might be too optimistic. Darkness boils above the treeline. Poor Tokoyami; his power gets tougher to control in the dark, right? Maybe I can hold Dark Shadow still? I hadn't had any success during training though, I might just make it worse.
But it seems like the demon has other plans.
The trees disappear, the ground too. My body lifts and oxygen is nowhere to be found. Dark essence swamps my senses. I scream and try to move, but it's no use as I'm lifted and scratches appear all over my skin. This isn't good. He's tearing me apart.
"Toko-" I try to call out, but my voice is stolen the second I open my mouth.
"Dammit Dark Shadow stop this! She's a classmate. A friend! Nngh, STOP!" I can hear Tokoyami struggling, hear him trying to gain control. Poor kid must have gotten triggered by something during the attack.
Stay calm. Think.
My shield. I coat myself in my power and push the essence back. Bit by bit, the demon is pushed away. I take a full breath at last and begin to sink back to the ground, ears ringing and lungs burning.
Another roar. "Alex, I'm so sorry!"
"It's f-fine." I splutter. "I'm free. Just try to calm do–"
Another feral roar has me dropping free, but able to run to the side. Now what? I'm shivering all over and a cold sweat lines my spine; dancing with a demon isn't fun. I'm about to step out again, to try and make contact, when a hand clasps my wrists. I'm pulled behind a tree, as another hand appears on my mouth to muffle my cry.
"Shh." Shoji holds a finger to where normally a mouth would be, but of course on him it's just his mask. I nod slowly, just taking calming breaths as he releases me. "Are you all right? Looks like he got some hits on you."
"Minimal. I'm fine. What happened?"
Shoji explains and I nod slowly, glad to see no blue flames but also in need of light. Dammit. I try to think, but we have to keep moving. Dark Shadow isn't thinking of anything but violence now, raging against the forest itself. We're all scattered, and that's how the villains want us.
"We have to regroup." I sigh, watching Dark Shadow prowl nearby, uprooting trees and screeching. Shoji nods, eyes trained on his friend. I lay a hand on his shoulder. "Should I try to contain him?"
"I don't think that'll work. Dark Shadow would just attack you again, and Tokoyami doesn't need that extra guilt. We need light."
I lean against a nearby tree. We really need someone like Sho or Bakugo; their quirks were perfect for dealing with Dark Shadow. I have no idea where they are. Were they already on the scare trail when this all kicked off? I can't remember. Everything is such a blur of panic.
A pulse goes through the air and I stagger. What is this now? A voice appears in my mind. One of the pussy cats? I try to listen. Something about Kacchan. No, that's Bakugo, right? Shit. They're after him. But only him? Oh. Me and him.
"Uh Shoji…"
"Yeah? You heard it too, right?"
I nod. "Yup, just a quick amendment, in case, I bumped into one of the villains before and I'm on the list as well."
Shoji closes his eyes. "Damn, so either it's just you two, or there's a longer list that we know."
I am so glad I bumped into someone clever, and able to remain calm.
Rushing footsteps approach. I flinch and get ready to defend, when suddenly it's Midoryia that comes into view. Or what's left of him. There's no sign of Kota, but Midoryia's body looks entirely broken, held together with nothing more than willpower. Shoji grabs Midoryia out of the way and we scamper further from Dark Shadow's path.
It doesn't take long to get the jist of what's happened to Midoryia's body, but that doesn't help my worrying. My friend looks like he's barely conscious. I'm glad Kota is safe, but damn this is a high cost. I duck under some of Dark Shadow and shiver as the essence nearly gets hold of me again; it's like viscous fire that's hot and cold in equal measures. I got out but I can't deny, when swallowed in that darkness it was overwhelming. Like I'd never see daylight again. Each cut made me colder, yet feverish. I'd never tell Tokyami this though. He'd be beating himself up enough without the details.
"Guys…" Midoryia croaks. "I know what to do…"
Get to Sho and Bakugo, get to those that can create light. Guide Dark Shadow. Got it. As we run, Shoji keeps drawing Dark Shadow after us and I gently nudge within the path we're leading him on. Follow. Keep following. Nearly there, nearly to Bakugo and Sho who will be able to create some light and stop Dark Shadow. So close. So close to being able to protect Bakugo as well.
What the hell does Shigaraki want with Bakugo anyway? It doesn't make sense. At the USJ. Bakugo was one of them that stood against Shigaraki at the end, when All Might appeared. I'd seen the footage myself. There was no reason for Shigaraki to think Bakugo would be on side with the League. Was there? Of course not. Bakugo lives and breathes being a Hero. Loudly. And Violently. I push my legs harder, keeping pace with the much taller Shoji as I try to think, but circles come easily to someone panicking. And bloody hell yes, I am panicking. But we're making progress. We should make it to Sho and Bakugo soon.
Then I see a blonde girl running alongside.
Who the hell is that? She grins. There's some kind of mechanism on her back, and she's getting closer. Is that a knife in her hand? Dammit, we can't interrupt Dark Shadow now, he's too rattled. Stopping now could be a disaster.
I nudge Shoji. "Another Villain I think, I'll be right behind you, keep Dark Shadow on course!"
"Stay with the group!"
"If she interrupts this path, we could all be fucked."
"All right, but be careful."
Time to go.
SHOUTA POV
The warning from Mandalay turned Shouta cold. Another attack. Panic threatened; old injuries in his elbow and eye ached, and the back of his neck twinged, as though recalling the nomu grip. But there was no time for fear. Falling apart could come later. He had to act, to protect his students. All of them, not just Alex, despite how much he wished he had her in the extra lessons in that moment. He took a breath, shook aside the Father and kept the Teacher in mind first.
"I'll see to the other students. Protect them." He yelled to Vlad before running down the corridor. At least some of the students were accounted for, whether or not they liked being sidelined. As a class they were fiercely loyal, but that also made them liabilities in these situations.
Having been attending to the extra lessons, it would take him a few minutes to reach the area the Fear Game had been happening. Shouta pushed himself faster. Where were the villains coming from? How did they even find the camp? None of it made any sense. Without a leak, none of it made sense. Everything needed to be looked over; the school faculty, the hero association connects, every member of staff had to be examined. Maybe even the students. Something was very wrong.
The attack might only be a few troublemakers, or, and worse, it could be a full scale attack. If so, they were in big trouble. No backup was around for miles. Vlad would contact emergency services no doubt, but that would only help with the clean up. Shouta swallowed hard, blinking away the image of Alex crumbling in his arms, screaming for his help, blood everywhere. No. Not today. Not when she'd come so far and done so much, fought so hard to catch up. She would be fine. Of course she would. He had to believe that, or he'd lose all focus.
Blue light flickered, highlighting the treeline, smoke already filling the air. Was the whole forest on fire already? Shouta tried to think, tried not to recall Alex mumbling about blue flames in her sleep, did his best not to assume the worst of her situation now. But his mind was scattered. So much so that he barely noticed the figure emerging from the shadows.
A scarred hand out-stretched, smirk gleaming out of the darkness at him. "Looks like your concern has you distracted, Eraser, not thinking about Alex, are we?"
Blue flames.
"Vlad–!"
The rush of heat was immense. Had Shouta been a moment slower he was sure he would have been decimated instantly, hollowed to a crisp shell. The shot intended to kill. So much power in a single strike; far beyond Endeavour or even Todoroki. He'd never seen anything like it.
The villain sighed. "You pros oughta lay off. We haven't come here for any of you so just stay out of our way."
Shouta couldn't see anyone else near the scarred villain, it looked like he had come alone at least.
The villain raised a brow as he noticed Shouta's position on the side of the building. "Nice move." He drawled impassionately, seeming totally numb as he readied another attack. "Guess you really are a pro. She learned from someone decent at least, that's good to know."
She. Alex.
The guy kept talking about Alex. To throw Shouta, or because this villain actually knew her? Was this the Dabi she had referred to? But she spoke of him in fondness, like they had been close friends. It couldn't be the same guy. But she said he was a few years older, and the villain didn't look much over twenty. It could be him. Regardless, that didn't help right now. Questions about Alex could come later.
Shouta activated his quirk as the villain's hand reached to unleash another plume of blue flame, only to find himself made mute. Surprise lit the pale eyes. Shouta threw his capture weapon and bound scarred arms to skinny sides. No time for games, Shouta needed answers.
Shouta pulled the villain off his feet and launched from his perch. The villain's head smacked right into Shouta's knee. The quicker he could take the villain down for questioning, the better. With the attack on camp already underway, the key would be information. What the hell were the villains here for? Mandalay mentioned Bakugo, but was that all? Anyone else? The crack of the villain's skull against his knee was satisfying. If this villain had come to get hold of Alex as well, he had another thing coming. The last thing Shouta was going to allow that night was someone else taking Alex away from him, not again.
Shouta threw the villain to the ground and held the head down with one hand, bending the arm back with the other. Brutal, yes. Heroic? Perhaps not, but there was no time for grey areas, or negotiating. Not only was his daughter in danger, most of the forest seemed to already be ablaze, and his entire class as well as Vlad's were in peril.
He pulled tightly on the arm. "What do you want, and where are your friends hiding?"
The villain scoffed. "My what?"
Clearly the group weren't a tight knit unit. That was an angle to use, but not what he needed.
Shouta grit his teeth. "Your right arm's next."
Snap.
The villain squirmed as the bone gave way.
Shouta spoke between his teeth. "Be logical about this, at least save your legs. It would be a real pain to have to carry you off to jail without them."
"Did you teach her the sass, or was it the other way around?" The villain's eyes went wide as he looked over his shoulder at Shouta, manic and daunting. The grin was unnerving as the supposed familiarity with Alex. How did this freak know her? "She always said she'd get out the gutter. Didn't realise she meant becoming a pro's lap dog. Does she call you Daddy?"
Shouta snarled, focus struggling. He blinked. Flames erupted from all over the Villain's body.
"Shit!" He leapt out the way, skidding in the dirt, trying to collect himself. Letting the villain under his skin like that wasn't going to help anyone. Alex, or the other students. At least his capture weapon remained in place around the Villain's body.
Shouta glared dousing the flame quirk with his own. His head ached as his power waned, his limits so much more restrictive since the USJ. Regardless, he had to fight.
"You're clearly clueless about her if you think she'd end up as anyone's lap dog."
The Villain chuckled as he struggled to his feet. "I know she apologises for havin' nightmares, and clings to you without realising if she's sleepin' nearby."
Even when recalling time with Alex, the villain's pale eyes were numb with loathing. Was it for her, the world, or pro heroes? Or everything maybe. Shouta did his best to maintain his mask, ignoring the pooling terror in his gut. Unless Shigaraki knew such details of Alex's habits, it seemed more and more likely that the menacing weirdo was the Dabi Alex mentioned.
"Enough, you need to tell me–"
The villain barked a laugh. "I know she'll never fully trust belonging somewhere. It ain't in her anymore. Once you taste being kicked to the curb, it's always there. Always. Doesn't matter how many promises are made, people always turn their back. Always."
"Where are the rest of the villains?" Shouta held onto his captive tightly, but the Villain just stared, grinning.
"This is exactly the performance I'd expect out of a UA teacher. Tell me Hero…"
The words were intended to distract, to impede. Shouta pulled on his weapon, intending another kick to the Villain's head, but the weapon gave way. Or rather, the villain's body did; features melted into a strange grey clay, and the stare dulled to nothing as words hung on the smokey air.
"You worried for your students? I wonder if you can save them in the end… It's gonna be so great to see Alex again, to have her close. We'll have such fun."
ALEX POV
I break away from Shoji and the rest, my blonde target in sight. She can't get in the way of Dark Shadow. She could ruin everything. I reach with my power, trip the blonde up, sending her toppling to the ground. Perfect. I dart over, holding her down as I get out of Dark Shadows way. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just contain her and go back to the group. Get back to camp, to safety, to Dad.
The blonde wriggles. "Damn, you're mean! Don't like me because I'm pretty?" She coos and giggles. Yup, clearly Shigaraki is in the market for crazies.
I focus, panting hard as I lean on my knees, exhausted from training all day and outrunning Dark Shadow.
She keeps struggling. "Ooh! You're Shigaraki's favourite, aren't you?"
"Favourite toy, maybe."
"That's what I said. Duh."
I tighten my hold on her as she writhes. "Who the hell are you?"
She sighs and goes still, looking bored. "I don't have to tell you. I just need your blood."
I lean away. "Excuse me? What the hell f–"
Noise erupts beside me, and multiple Nomu arms wrap around my body. Shit, where the hell did he come from so stealthily? I bring up my shield immediately, and it holds. The pressure is there, but now I can at least breathe. I don't think it managed to break any bones either. Training really was paying off.
But of course, now I'm not holding Blondie in place.
She gets up and brushes herself down, coming over to peer at me, studying like she's about to give me a mark out of ten. "Alex, right?"
I just bare my teeth and try to force the Nomu arms further away, but it's no use. I can protect myself, but moving this thing is like trying to move a mountain. Solid muscle. Just like the last one–though this bastard has some rather macabre additions like a fucking saw on one hand. If anything, I think I can assume Shigaraki is getting worse.
The Blonde's knife taps against my shield, and the Nomu squeezes harder. Shit. Pain blossoms behind my eyes, but I hold on. I have to. Someone might find us. Someone might have managed to reach Dad and sent him back here. Hold on for backup Alex. Just hold on.
"So how come they're so interested in you? It's not like you're really cute or anything." She looks at the area where the Nomu has me gripped, but isn't touching my skin. "Some kinda armour quirk? Boring."
"Seems like Shigaraki should have told you what you were getting into, right?"
She blinks. "I'm just having fun, stupid. I wanna be just like my crush. Oh! Do you have a crush as well?" She tilts her head, licking her lips. My head is throbbing, any second this shield is going to fail. "C'mon you totally do, right? Tell me! Girls secret!"
"You're fucking nuts." I choke, feeling the power starting to give way, the point of her blade edging closer to my cheek as the Nomu's crushing strength inches closer to my body.
Snap. The power gives way and the Nomu impacts whilst her blade leaves a long cut along my cheekbone. My eyes blink slow. So much pressure at once. My body fills with static. No. Not like this, not like some stupid ragdoll being dragged away. Shit. Shit, focus and do something.
The arms drop me, and from the sounds of it, the Nomu leaves. One mercy, I guess. I try to get up, but I'm nearly out cold. My limbs feel detached, like I'm having to pull on strings to get them to do anything. Crap where did Blondie go? Something stabs into my neck. What the hell? That's not a knife. I try to pull it out, but I'm kicked onto my side with a strike to my stomach. A whirring noise sounds. Within moments I'm weak and heavy. I breathe as best I can, pulse throbbing in my neck as the strange sensation tugs on my nerves. What's happening? I try to move again, but Blondie shushes me and strokes my hair.
"Boss told me to get plenty of you. Gotta get plenty of the golden girl. So plenty I'll go ahead and take, okay? You just lie there and look pretty. In fact, you're a bit too pretty." She whines and then a sharp edge runs along my lips.
I cry out, voice thin as my lips barely move. She just shushes me again. I manage to open my eyes, but my vision blurs.
She grins. "Boss also said not to kill you though. Better stop soon… How boring."
Then there's a sickening 'pop' and the long syringe is revealed. She drained some of my blood. Why? I ache all over, and my head is pounding with every attempt at thought. Please. Someone. My nails dig into the dirt, but I can barely lift my head. Dad…
Her shoes wander away.
Am I just being left here?
"Whaddya mean I'm meant to bring her? I can't lift her!"
There's random snippets of conversation here and there. Something's burning. My eyes start to close as steps approach again. Someone sighs heavily and I'm rolled onto my back. Fingers press to my aching throat, and then someone scoops me up. It's warm, so warm. Can I sleep? I'm held close as steady steps head off somewhere. Did Dad find me? My hand reaches, hoping to find a familiar soft jumpsuit and capture weapon. Or whatever Sho had been wearing. I blush a little internally. I guess my mind is wandering...
"Wonder who she thinks it is." A familiar voice scoffs and I grow still. Dabi. "Wonder what kinda lecture I'll get when she wakes up. Sorry Gorgeous, but the world's turning, y'know?"
My hand falls away. Not only is he in the League, but he's really gonna help them take me? I'm an idiot. Such an idiot. Dad I'm so sorry. Shit, I'm so sorry.
However long we've been moving, we come closer to noise again. Dabi's grip on me tightens.
Bakugo's explosions sound nearby and something smashes, maybe Sho's ice? My mind perks up, adrenaline pumping through my body. Part of me wants to be ripped out of Dabi's arms, taken to the safety of my friends. But the other part… no. No they can't be here. Guys run. Dabi's insane, they all are. Don't get sucked into this. Run. Get Dad and hide. Please. Oh god please don't–
"Who the fuck's that?" Bakugo yells.
"Never seen him bef–He's got Alex!"
"God dammit!"
There's more scuffling and a few more explosions before I'm jostled and a heat appears near the skin of my arm. I hear the crackle of flame and try to move. I have to run. The mania I always saw in Dabi's eyes, it's right here, waiting to swallow me whole.
Dabi snorts. "Steady boys. I'll roast her if I need to."
"Put her down. She's not going anywhere." Sho sounds so calm, so collected. Either he's one good actor, or he's got nerves of steel. Maybe it's a bit of both. Just please don't get hurt. Please. Not for me. I try and move again, managing to wriggle ever so slightly. "What the hell have you done to her?"
"She's not gonna wake any time soon. Now Bakugo, get your ass over here. Or do you want her scorched? Up to you."
Bakugo growls. "You clearly need her, dipshit. You won't hurt her for me."
"I can hurt her without killin' her."
I smell it before I feel it. Burning flesh. My eyes flutter, but only to roll back as the white hot pain slams into my nerves. I can't scream beyond the pathetic whimper that leaves me. All the blood that girl drained from me, the damage from Nomu, it's weakened me entirely. I can't even scream properly, just a strangled cry. Dammit. That whole arm is gonna be a fucking mess–the same one as Shigaraki messed up the shoulder of at the USJ. A map of victimhood.
"Stop!" Bakugo yells, and then I hear him argue with Sho.
Lips hover near my ear. "Sorry Gorgeous, but I had to get my point across."
I shiver and he holds me closer. I am going to fuck this bastard up as soon as I wake. I try to use my power but it flickers to nothing. I've got nothing. Shuffling steps approach us. Bakugo? No. No don't do this Bakugo, don't give in for me. Dammit you're too strong to–
"You better not hurt her again, asshole." The idiot snarls and stands nearby.
"Or what?" Dabi laughs and then whistles, presumably bringing numbers closer to him. I sink deeper as the pain ebbs slightly, and as I start to lose grip on consciousness. I swear I heard Midoryia screaming. I'm so sorry guys. I'm sorry Dad.
Some hero.
Some friend.
Some daughter...
SHOUTA POV
Shouta ran through the trees.
Kota was safely back at the teaching centre and those students were well contained by Vlad, but there were plenty still out in the woods. Alex was still out there somewhere. Midoryia hadn't said anything about seeing her, not a word. Was she okay?
"Please be all right. Please." He panted but refusing to slow down. No doubt she will have tried to help as many of her classmates as she could, no doubt she will have overused her power. Every bit the hero, and every bit the worrisome pain for a parent.
He skidded into the clearing but found himself doused in a strange quiet. Not silence; quiet sobs and muttered conversations were scattered with small groups of gathering students. But a weight lingered in the air, beyond the smoke and lingering poison. The students looked towards him, many quickly dipping their eyes or turning away, faces awash with shame. The villains were gone, and in their wake sobbing children and bruised pros. Blood spattered the ground here and there, and at least one of the Pussy Cat lot were missing. But what about the students? They were gathering slowly, many limping or cradling damaged arms. It was one hell of a mess.
He kept looking, knowing that whilst everyone knew he was Alex's guardian, he shouldn't only be worrying over her. But he was. Still he hadn't seen her come out of the forest, nor Bakugo. The villains had said they were after him, right? So where was she? Shouta didn't want either of them to be gone but–
"Sir…" Todoroki's voice drifted closer, the boy's eyes settled on his feet. "The uh… The villains took Alex and Bakugo."
Air vanished from Shouta's lungs. Both. Both were gone. One of his students whom he had been trusted to protect, and his daughter. It was all he could do to stay upright. For a second he looked down at his hands, his empty hands. So many years later and he was still useless. Still powerless. He wanted to scream, to rage at the world for the fresh pain in his chest, for yet another failure. But he didn't. He couldn't. There was still work to be done. He tried to focus on what Todoroki was saying.
The boy continued. "The portal villain came for their escape. This guy with blue flames already had hold of Alex, she was unconscious I think. He…"
Shouta held the boy's shoulders when Todoroki swayed. No doubt every classmate had been fighting hard. He knelt with Todoroki, letting him take a couple deep breaths. Ice crawled along his hand and throat. He shivered. Either fatigue or the pain of losing his friends had crawled under the usually stoic kids mask.
Todoroki grit his teeth. "He threatened Alex to get Bakugo to comply. We refused but… But then he burnt her arm."
Shouta failed to mask his shudder. "Are Bakugo and Alex the only students taken?"
Todoroki looked up at last, eyes shining. "Yes, sir."
"Are you injured, Todoroki?"
"No, sir." He swallowed hard, brow pinching in the middle. "I'm sorry sir, she was right there and I–"
"You have nothing to apologise for."
Todoroki's eyes were wide and disbelieving. His lips quivered, looking ready to argue, to refuse the statement, but he just looked down again. He shrugged. Broken. They were all broken.
Shouta flinched as Midoryia broke into a shrieking sob. "Todoroki, can you move?"
"I can."
"Please go see to Midoryia, some ice on his wounds before he's taken to the ambulance would be good."
Todoroki got to work.
Shouta stayed on his knee for another moment, willing his heart to stop trying to crawl out of his mouth. Not only was she injured, and probably spent, she had been taken. He couldn't sit by her bedside, or keep her calm when nightmares threatened. He couldn't help change a bandage or get pain killers. He couldn't even know if she was still alive. He jolted. No. If they wanted her dead, she would be lying there in front of him. They took her, so they needed her. But why?The villains had only mentioned coming for Bakugo, so why had Alex been taken? Was it a spur of the moment decision? Did they maybe not expect her to be at the camp? Shouta tried to wrack his head, to find the logic, but soon enough the emergency vehicles were there and his statement was needed. Duty called. The other kids needed him, the other pros as well. For now he would focus on duty. One step in front of the other, one breath at a time.
Falling apart could happen later. In his empty apartment. In their empty home.
Some hero.
Some teacher.
Some Father.
And there we have it. They came, they saw, they fucked things up. Hope you enjoyed! Captivity incoming!
Thanks to everyone who has faved and followed and taken the time to review! I love responding to you folks, so shoutouts below as ever! See you soon!
SHOUTOUTS:
Zikashigaku: I'm so glad you're enjoying Alex interacting with bakugo, he's another character I love writing tbh, so I'm glad their ongoing connection is convincing! And haha, oh dear, who to ship, who not to ship?! I too have a soft spot for brooding characters haha, but you likely know that from my previous work anyway lol! Thanks so much for reviewing AGAIN means so so much every time! And well done on your prediction haha. Hope it was still enjoyable, even if you saw it coming.
