Aaand here we are folks! Sliiightly longer update than usual, but we have FINALLY reached the fight/fallout! I've enjoyed writing this arc so so much, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it!
Our pace along the corridor has picked up. Despite their cool demeanours, it seems like both Overhaul and Chronos are a little spooked by the visitors making a lot of noise above us. I can only imagine that's good news for me and Eri. I hold onto Chronos' wrist, my knees already torn up from being dragged along the ground, it just nips, but it's still annoying. And if I need to run soon, I gotta give myself any chance that I can. This is not where I die dammit.
Overhaul grumbles. "If we make for the back exit we can–"
"Excuse me gentlemen, but we need to talk." Mirio's voice bellows from along the corridor, and as I feel a burst of relief, the grip on my collar tightens. Fear. That's it you bastards, feel it. The heroes are here. And if Mirio saw Eri, which he did judging from her story of the two boys in the street, there's no way he'll let her out of his sight again.
I can hear him panting. He must have run ahead of the others with his permeation quirk giving him the advantage. I'm glad to have someone found us, but I hope he isn't left for dead in a matter of seconds for the effort.
He coughs. "You've got some explaining to do, why don't we have a chat about Eri? And Alex."
But that's just it. He doesn't have time for 'and', does he? There's only one of him. He can't get us both out. Not safely.
I struggle against Chronos' grip. "Mirio, save her, save Er–" My voice falters as my collar is wrenched up slightly, the sudden movement threatening whiplash.
Overhaul sighs. "You shouldn't have been able to get here so fast."
"I took a shortcut. Give me them. I'm here to rescue them."
I claw at the wrist. "No! Mirio, fuckin' focus on her! You gotta get her away from this bastar–" Another wrench and a hand seals round my throat, only tiny gasps of air left for me to clamber at. Ugh. Why is my body so weak right now? It's like I've been drained or something. Did they do that? I don't remember. Why don't I remember?
Overhaul laughs bitterly whilst Eri whimpers. "Now that you know the situation, you've decided to play hero, eh schoolboy? You were happy being ignorant when we first met. Unfortunately for you, this girl didn't wanna come with you. You're no hero to her."
Mirio snarls. "That's why I'm here."
I can feel Overhaul's impatience, I can only imagine he's itching to use his damn power. My thoughts scatter. The air's too thin. Do I use my power now? What if the others are several floors up? What if Mirio isn't enough? Dammit, I have to wait till I can be sure. This is no time to be reckless.
Overhaul clicks his tongue. "I'm not gettin' through to you. Allow me to be clearer." He turns away and we start to move again, the cold tiles nipping my scrambling feet. "You're going to die down here."
Mirio stumbles.
I feel his feet stagger as I send out a pulse with my quirk. What's happened to him? He falls. I hear scuttling up above and grit my teeth. More goons. Of course there's more goons. It must be some kind of quirk to make Mirio dizzy. Hopefully they don't kill him, and hopefully back up isn't too far behind. Fuck, I hate being left to just hope.
Dad? Are you here? I almost don't want you to be, I want you safe–to keep you from them going back on their word and using you like a lab rat anyway, but also even if they are true to it, losing your quirk and likely hating yourself afterwards. But at the same time, the selfish part of me wants to hear your defiant yell, to hear the swish of your capture weapon, to feel the scratch of your stubble against my cheek as you hold me close. It's selfish, but I can't help it. Dad… Tears roll down my face as I continue to wriggle, to struggle feebly against the grip of Chronos on my collar.
"Mirio!" I yell, finding it hard to keep track of where he is with my quirk. I can't accidentally let Chronos know I'm using it. We've been moving down the corridor the whole time though. How far back is he? I yell harder. "Mirio, you have to get Eri out!"
Overhaul chuckles coldly. "Not likely."
Footsteps are coming after us, determined, strong and fast.
Mirio.
Come on, get her out, get her to Dad, get her to the sunshine and a promise of tomorrow. Chronos stops, turns and stumbles. Mirio must have thrown him aside, breaking his hold on me. I topple to the floor, bracing, with my hands in fists to avoid my fingers being accidentally stepped on. A scuffle goes between them.
Eri sobs. "Please don't. Go back. Leave me. Otherwise he'll kill you."
It's hypocritical in every sense, but I do wish Eri would focus on herself.
Mirio coughs and gets steady in his stance, I can see better with my quirk now that I'm not being dragged about like a sack of fucking flour.
"I'm never going to let you down again, Eri."
I try to sit up, body barely having the energy to do that. "Told ya kid… he's… great."
Mirio steps closer to Eri and Overhaul. "I swear it. I am going to be your hero."
Overhaul backs up, tutting. "Filthy…"
More noise and the sounds of a scuffle. I stay very still, not wanting to get in the way of things, or interrupt one of Mirio's moves. He's a talented Hero, even if he's still technically a student. He can do this. I can only be in the way right now, and my quirk is likely to just be in his way if he bounced off it at the wrong moment of his permeation being turned off. I wait. I have to wait.
Mirio comes closer.
I dare to send a pulse, whilst holding my breath. He has Eri. Mirio has hold of Eri!
"Mirio, go!" I yell, shuffling further to the side of the corridor, readying myself to stop Overhaul if I can. This is it. This is when I can finally do something and help get Eri to freedom. Come on. Come on! Just focus Alex. Yes everything hurts, yes even breathing feels like an olympian effort right now, but it's now or never. Do not let the bastards win.
Overhaul gets back on his feet and hisses. "Come back, Eri. How many times do I have to tell you? It's your fault. You break people. That's just how you were born."
Mirio practically growls. "Don't listen to him."
I try to get more of a read on where everyone is, but I have to wonder if the dizzying guy hit me with his quirk a little as well.
Overhaul is snarling. "You know how this goes. I always have to get my hands dirty because of your selfishness. Every action you take results in people dying. You're a cursed human."
"How could you ever say that to your own daughter?" Mirio keeps taking steps away, carefully, likely keeping a careful read on everyone's movements. But surely he knows about Overhaul's power. How destructive it can be? Mirio needs to run.
Overhaul laughs. "Huh? Oh right, that's the story I told you. I don't have any children."
The ground trembles. Dammit, no! I put as much of a shield around myself, Mirio and Eri as I can as spikes erupts all around us. Damn Overhaul's quirk. It makes it even harder to see with my quirk, the spikes making the image fractured, all the sharp edges and broken terrain makes my world fuzzy. I hear a hollow gasp from Mirio and I shuffle closer. What's happened? Did my shield not work?
I guess it doesn't matter.
I have to get Mirio to run, to stop that little girl being covered in bandages that are damp with her blood. To stop her trembling at the sound of steps approaching doors. To stop her apologising for crying. Dammit.
"Just run, Mirio!" I scream, voice cracking. "Get out. He can put it all back together. He'll do it to Eri as well, he doesn't care what fuckin' shape she is, all she needs is a beating heart and he'll be content. Get her out, Mirio!"
"I can't leave you!" He gasps thinly, and all I can assume is that he's been hurt by one of the spikes. Shit. My shields weren't enough.
"You have to!" I slam my hands off the ground. "You have to save her!"
Overhaul snarls. "What'll you do if Eri gets injured? In these conditions I'm the only one that can heal her. I've sealed off your escape. And you won't be able to run away using permeation when holding her. So… you gonna fight me schoolboy?"
Fuck. I can't see much of anything. I try crawling, trying to get closer to Mirio and Eri. I have to do something. Be anything. Be there as a shield, be there to help. Be a hero even if you are about to bow out. Do it, Alex. Don't let them win. Keep fighting. You're a hero, right?
I drag myself closer, hearing the whimpers of Eri and feeling the determined stance of Mirio as I send out pulse after pulse. Wait. Chronos has moved. Where did he go?
Something clicks.
"Careful." Overhaul mutters. "Aim for the arm wrapped around Eri."
Their weapon, the one they were talking about before, something that Heroes will fear and Villains will want. Shit. Shit!
I move faster.
Chronos sighs. "I didn't expect he'd be able to use his quirk so precisely. It's obvious he's been well trained."
They're going to use it on Mirio, whatever the hell this drug is. I can't let that happen. He has to get out, and get Eri to safety, he has so many more people to help as a hero. Dammit body, move! My arms tremble with every drag, my feet push as little as they can. The fight is still happening I think, there's so much noise. Is anyone else going to get here in time? Anyone? Please.
Come on, where are you Eri?
Mirio yells. "I won't let you lay another finger on them! Either of them! Do you hear me Chisaki?"
"Don't use that name so casually, fool. I've abandoned it."
More tussling follows, blows being passed around and yells ricocheting. It's better than bullets though. I finally get a good read on Eri's position. There you are sweetheart, don't worry. I'll keep you safe. I have to keep you safe. My nails snap against the concrete as I crawl faster, fingers bleeding, knees stinging, skin splitting. Whatever. As long as I get over there. As long as I–
Another shot rings out.
Mirio gasps and lands in a heap in front of Eri.
What happened?
It wasn't a normal bullet, the force behind it wasn't enough for that. What have they done to Mirio? Shit, keep moving. Keep moving. This doesn't have to be the end. The backup could be here any second. Don't lose hope. Don't let them win.
"Mirio?"I call out. "Mirio speak to me!" I yell, getting within a few metres now.
He stands, wavering, still trying, still fighting. If it's poison he's fighting through it. If it's something else… I have no idea. Regardless, he is still protecting Eri. Another tremble takes to the floor and I stop to curl in on myself–I can't help if I'm dead. Spikes erupt. One pierces my arm, another scrapes my ribs and the back of my hands. I yell and curl tighter. A pulse of my quirk brings back nothing. I can't see at all, I can't find Eri in this madness. Dammit. Where's Chronos? Has he got to Eri?
"Eri just hold on!" I yell, voice hitching as another spike runs along my leg, tearing skin. I refuse to die dammit. I strengthen my shield. I will not die down here. "They're going to get you out!"
"You have to get out too!" She cries, not far away at all. She's in reach.
I force myself to stop holding in that ball, I uncurl, I get myself moving. "Right. We'll go see the sun, we'll find the black knight together, right?"
She sniffs.
I shudder as another spike tries to impale my stomach, but is kept at bay by my power. No. Fuck you Overhaul. I don't end here. I don't. Not today, not in this hell, not in this darkness and memory fog. Not when I haven't seen my Dad, not when I haven't thanked my friends, not when I haven't even gotten the chance to say everything to Sho. It feels silly in this moment, with blood cooling on my skin and bruises sinking deep, but I want to say it. I want him to know it and believe it. I want to at least feel his heart beat faster, even if I can't see him smile. It's such a little word, but fuck it, I have to say it.
I have no idea what I'm even using as fuel now, other than desperation. I sob. "Right, Eri?"
"R-Right!"
"That's it. Don't let them win, Eri. You keep going, keep hoping! We can do this!"
Am I convincing her… or me?
Another tremble.
Another set of spikes.
A grunt from Mirio.
I stop and reach with my quirk; he isn't moving anymore, he's pinned, he's shuddering and his breath is wavering. Shit. No, Mirio, don't die here. You can't.
Overhaul is panting, voice ragged. "You wanted to become a hero so badly. And you couldn't save either of them. Not Alex, not Eri. Not one little girl. You're filthy Lamillion, infected, but I'll fix you all with her power. Every last one of you."
Mirio moves, somehow, defiantly defending Eri with everything he has. "Chisaki!"
Overhaul roars. "I told you that's not my name anymore!"
An explosion erupts from the side of the room, at least, I assume that as I'm flung across the floor and slam against a fresh set of spikes. Thankfully their sides, rather than their points. But still. Fucking ow. I lay in the dust, concentrating on pulling one breath in after another, before I hear it, and I can't help but smile. Deku.
SHOUTA POV
Finally the walls had stopped god-damned moving and he could focus on moving forward with Mirodoryia, getting closer to their goal of Eri and Alex. Mirodyia charged forward and with a final kick blasted through into an open area. Overhaul seemed to be fighting Lemillion. But where was Alex? Where was Eri? Wreckage, rubble and spikes littered the space. Blood too. Mirio stood, pinned by several spikes in front of Eri. She seemed fine, shaking and wrapped in his cape. But where was Alex?
First things first. Nullify Overhaul.
Shouta activated his quirk. "Knight Eye, quick! Secure those who've been injured."
"Mirio!" Knight Eye cried out, rushing over to see to the bruised Hero.
He's barely standing. "Get Eri out've here… She's behind me… Alex's nearby too…"
Shouta signalled Midoryia as he leapt into the fray. "Lamillion already has him backed into a corner. It's up to us to finish this."
"Yes, sir!"
Overhaul, wiped blood from under his nose and glared. "Time to get up Chrono!"
Shit.
Too late, Shouta saw the movement from the left, knocking Midoryia aside. "Watch out!"
One slice. That was all it took.
Shouta's whole body slowed and his mind raced as he began to fall through the air. Don't blink. Don't fucking blink. He plummeted to the ground as Midoryia continued into the fight, fully intending to take out Overhaul as soon as possible. But he'd surely be killed if Overhaul had his quirk back. Don't blink. The quirk seized Shouta's whole body and he groaned, his eyes closing without his permission.
Dammit.
Boom.
The ground erupted beneath and Shouta fell down a hole, into a small room, presumably on the next floor down. He scrambled slowly, trying to get out, to get up, to get back into the fight. Then a boot landed on his back, sending him toppling to the dusty ground. Darkness took him. A blindfold was tied into place. Blinded. His quirk rendered useless. And he still hadn't seen any sign of Alex.
"We referenced your quirk quite a bit while conducting our research on Eri, so I know a great deal about you, Eraser hero." A cold voice slithered from the shadows, the boot pressed harder into his back and Shouta groaned. "Fortunately I was able to isolate you from your friends without resorting to lethal force."
Another stab sunk into Shouta's shoulder, furthering the quirks power over his body. He kept trying though, hands clambering at the ground at a snail's pace, trying to grasp anything. Even if only hope. No, he had to find Alex. He had to save her.
"You'll be much more useful to us alive, so don't make me have to kill you. Erasing quirks, that's an ability Overhaul finds very appealing. Oh stop struggling. It's no use, you have all the speed of a snail right now."
He wasn't wrong, but that didn't mean Shouta had to stop trying.
"Give up, I struck you with the shorthand. You won't move normally for another hour. You'll likely even be glad of that once we start getting the quirk out of you and into your daughter."
Shouta had no idea what that meant. But he knew in his bones that he didn't like it. "Let… Her… G-Go…"
"Afraid not. There's no stopping him once he sets his mind to something. I dunno how much you've been able to find out, but Eri is the Cheisiki's boss's granddaughter. If it brings Overhaul closer to achieving his goal, nothing is off limits. He will use anything and anyone, that's the kind of man he is. So you and your daughter are no… no exception… t-to… this."
Chronos started to cough and wheeze, his knees hit Shouta's back before he stumbled to the side, gasping.
"Gee, what a fascinating m-monologue Chronos." Alex snorted, and Shouta's heart leapt. She was right there, above him, sounding closer by the second. As if she were lowering herself into the hole. Maybe she was? If so, it would be a far more controlled use of her power than had been shown in the footage. Shouta dared to hope. She continued, and as she did Shouta's joy paled. She sounded so cold. "Pity you prefer the soundof your own voice over getting the fuck on with it."
The villain wheezed harder.
She settled beside Shouta, kneeling by his head, hands unsure at first against his hair, before finding the blindfold ties and loosening them. If she was still blinded, how was she using her power?
Chronos gagged. "You can't. How're you… You can't… See…"
"You blinded me, so I learned to use my quirk in a new way. It's called adapting, fuckwit." She snarled as Chronos slumped to the side, barely breathing. "Nighty night."
The blindfold came away and Shouta blinked hard, looking up at her as best he could, body still entirely slowed by Chronos' quirk. She had her eyes closed, but she smiled as she helped him sit up. A small frown of concentration creased her brow. Her face was gaunt, pale and her head shaved. Bruises littered her skin, from brow to bare legs and feet. A small plastic suit of some kind, like swimwear almost, clung to her withered frame, and open wounds oozed blood on her legs, arms and head. No major injuries though, from what he could see on the surface at least. But he knew the damage would be elsewhere.
She reached and put a hand to his cheek, trembling. "Dad…?"
"A...lex." His voice was slurred by the power, but he managed to force the word out.
She smiled broader, teeth lined with blood before she looked away to cough harshly, more blood running down her chin. She wiped it hurriedly.
"I'm here." She swallowed hard and tilted her head. "Is he still moving? I can't feel him moving but–"
"No. He's… Down." Shouta grit his teeth against his sluggish tongue. "You did… good."
"Better safe than sorry," she sighed, expression entirely calm as a sharp snapping noise made Shouta's stomach churn. Chronos' left leg now lay at an entirely unnatural angle. She shrugged. "Now he can't come after us even if he does wake up."
"Alex… Be… Careful." Shouta wished his mouth would work. To see her being so blase about choking a man then maiming him, it was hardly a good sign. It had to count as better than her whimpering in a corner, afraid of everything though. Right?... Right?
"It doesn't hurt my head at all." She grinned, mis-interpreting his concern. "I dunno how but they've made my stamina way better here, Dad. I can only assume by accident."
"Maybe… the… lab?" He suggests, wishing he hadn't said the word as soon as he managed it, but then he sees the lack of reaction in her face. Apart from a raised brow and slight tilt to her head. Like she had no idea what he was referring to. "You… don't remember?"
"No idea what you mean." She shook her head and then looked up as some dust fell, the fight above still raging between Midoryia and Overhaul. "We should get moving, there's no telling what kinda destruction is–"
"Alex." He swallowed hard and she 'looked' back to him immediately, brows lifted in concern, as if he was the one in need of rescue. Though in that moment, he wasn't sure he wasn't. "The… Lab… We saw…"
"Dad maybe don't try to talk yet, I dunno exactly what that creep's quirk does but it sounds like every word hurts." She put her hands on his shoulders and squeezed, pulling him into a tight hug. He held her close, though not as tight as usual, her sharp bones feeling ready to snap under his strength. She laughed breathlessly. "I'm not gonna break."
He held her properly. He kissed her cheek. He focused on the fact, he had his amazing little freak back in his arms.
"Sorry for yet another scare."
"Mm."
"But at least we're not meeting again in a hospital. Slight variation?" She sniffed into laughter, and he soon joined in, them both chuckling quietly. Another large crash sounded above. Shouta wasn't sure if they weren't better off staying out of the way. Neither of them could fight.
He took a deep breath. "Apart from… your eyes… are… you… hurt?"
Alex bit her lip and frowned, like she had to remember. "In all honesty, I don't know."
He ran his slowed fingers along her bruised cheekbone.
She pursed her lips. "Beyond the sight quirk and a couple scrapes… no? I'm achy but that could be the cold or no food. I dunno." She swallowed and sniffed, hands curling round her middle. "Maybe they beat me earlier? It's hard to tell anymore. My heads a bit…"
"F-Foggy?" He suggested, well on his way to a theory that they had someone on staff with a memory quirk of some kind. Something had happened in the labs that Overhaul didn't want her to remember.
Alex nodded. "Yeah. Before you ended up down here, do you know if they found Eri?"
"Team… will have… her… Mirio… was beside… her."
"Good." Alex's nails dug into the flimsy material on her body. "I couldn't find her in that mess up there, my… my weird sight thing is based on my quirk, but it got all messed up with the spikes. I–Fuck she needs help Dad. She's so sweet, so kind despite all this mess."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "She'll… be looked… after."
Alex nodded, another explosion sounding above, and yells.
She looked up without seeing. "Dad. I can still help."
He gripped her shoulder tighter. "Stay… h-hi… hidden."
"I can't do that." Alex sighed, tears rolling down her face. "We're not out of this yet."
ALEX POV
Exhausted tears roll down my face. "We're not out of this yet."
As much as I want to hide down this hole and let Dad just hold me till I finally fall asleep, we really have to keep going. Eri could still be in danger, and that little girl cannot endure more darkness. She's still so kind, but it wouldn't take much to strip that back. A few more teases from Overhaul, a few more sneers and she might start to believe it. She might start to think of herself as a rat, or even cursed. His words, Shigaraki's words, they're all shit, but they stick. They linger. They stain.
I can still help.
I can still fight.
I get up and bring Dad with me, his movements sluggish thanks to Chronos. At least one villain got his comeuppance. Or some of it. I can't deny that breaking his leg came with a heavy dose of satisfaction. Dad shuddered, I felt it. But there's no room for mercy right now. I lift us both with my power, his hands holding mine that much tighter. It'll be strange to him, like it's strange to me. This is so much more of my power than I could use before, but whatever these bastards have been doing to me, it's helped. The idiots have made me a stronger enemy. We rise through the shattered floor and I send out a pulse to see what the hell is going on up here. A large mass in the shape of a dragon is to our right, and underneath are Tsu, Ura and a very thin man. Knight Eye? He has something sticking out of his stomach, and I can only imagine that isn't a good sign.
I walk in that direction carefully, helping Dad and doing what I can to not stand on the sharper bits of floor with my bare feet; regardless, my toes are shredded in mere moments. I keep going though, strides strong, refusing to stop now. The biggest win right now, is that the pain in my back, whilst there, is dull and reduced.
"Don't go… out… there… stay… back… please…" Dad begs, voice still slurred.
"I can help Dad, and as a Hero I have to try." I pull him into a hug as we get to the group. "I'm not leaving you, not this time."
"You… can't…"
I know I can't convince him right now, I just have to hope he has enough faith left in my ability to let me try. Then again… how much faith can I ask for? Kidnapped again, and likely looking god awful. I have no idea what I look like right now, but it's not likely to be good, considering how carefully he's hugging me.
"A-Alex?" Ura gasps, a small hand landing on my shoulder, my bare shoulder. Jeez I have no idea what kind of attire they have me in, I guess it doesn't matter though. All these blank spots are really annoying. "Alex you better sit down, we can protect you here, but there's so much going on–"
"I know." I smile, sending another pulse, feeling the massing movement from Overhaul and Deku's fight. On and on, writhing movement and building pressure. Where will it stop? "Where's Eri?"
"Deku's trying to reach her, ribbit." Tsu is trembling.
I swallow hard.
Don't panic.
Overhaul got hold of Eri again, that must be why Deku is trying so hard to reach her, to get her back. That's it, rescue her. Show that little girl she was right to hope in you, to see such determination in your bright green eyes. My friend is amazing. So as terrified as I am to not have that sweet little girl holding my hand, I know Deku will do everything he can. And all I can do in the meantime, is help him.
I feel the energy from Deku's attacks. It's immense. I look towards it like a rising sun, hearing his cries of defiance and Overhauls roars in return. Is Deku using 100% of his power? Won't that hurt him? Deku you're being reckless. Don't go swapping your life for Eri's. Please. It can't come down to that.
The wind changes.
Rubble loosens above us.
I send another pulse and confirm it. Shit.
"Stand behind me." I demand, turning towards the crackling energy.
The Dragon rumbles. "What is this? Miss Aizawa–"
"Dragon Lady I dunno who you are, but please just stay still." I widen my stance and ready myself for the impact. This group will be defended, they have fought this far, they will not fall now. It's all I can do, so dammit I will. If it means one or more of them can run after Deku and help him with Eri, so be it. I wonder where Lamillion is though. Is he safe? Shit.
Focus.
I grit my teeth and create my shield as soon as the breeze shifts. We're underground. A sudden breeze means pressure, and that means Deku unleashed. Whoosh. Rubble and debris fly past, impacting the barrier or tumbling on top. We're sealed in my dome. Hold. Just hold on. You can wait this out. No doubt the Dragon can get us to the surface. It must be where Deku is trying to get to, so he can escape with Eri.
Overhaul roars, sounding so strange, scratched in his mania. "I never told her what her power is. Much less how to use it. Eri… Naughty girl, you belong to me."
Piece of shit. I should tear him apart–
He destroys his minion's body. I feel the mass of muscle give way under the pulse of Overhaul's quirk and my stomach churns. Shit, what's he up to now? I guess Chronos was right, nothing is off limits. I try to stay standing, but nausea grips me. Turns out using my quirk when blind has its own drawbacks. No nosebleed, but it's like I'm on a ship in the middle of a storm. I toss the debris away and lurch to the side, vomiting bile and something warmer. Dammit, probably blood, judging from the taste.
Someone is rubbing my back. Ura or Tsu maybe.
Overhaul raises up. "In order to realise the old man's greatest wish, I need you, Eri."
The Dragon shifts, claws scraping the ground. "Not good."
Knight Eye coughs. "You needn't worry. We are safe, at least for the time being. He's not going to target any of us. He'll head to the surface in pursuit of Midoryia, and Eri. Then… He'll kill Midoryia. And escape. I foresa–"
"Fuck that." I cough, hauling myself upright and wiping my mouth on my arm.
The Dragon lady snarls. "We can't just sit here and do nothing."
Knight Eye pants. "Given the shape you're all in, you cannot stop him. I'm sorry."
I laugh and spit the last traces of bile from my tongue. "You're shit at pep-talks, Knight Eye."
"I only speak the truth."
"Well the truth needs to be fucking quiet for a second so I can think. Ura, wait!"
She stumbles forward. "None of that matters… I have to do something. And help him. There's no future, except the one you create!"
I stop her hitting the ground too hard when she stumbles, body entirely spent no doubt. They have all been fighting so hard. But she has to try, right? She cares for Deku so deeply. Far deeper than a friend. But beyond that, she believes in him. And doesn't want to see him snuffed out too early. Something I wholeheartedly agree with.
Knight Eye is breathing thinner by the second. "Froppy, go help Mirio. He's on the other side of that wall. Uravity, Drago lady, I need your aid, take me to the surface. Alex, help your father."
I'm not keen on taking orders from someone so resigned to allowing things to just play out, but for now, our goals align. I want to get to the surface. I want to help. I hug Dad close and lift us up, my body not burning with the effort like it usually would–my memory only shows that small room with Eri, but clearly there's been more to this. Dammit. What has Overhaul made me forget?
"You're… doing… amazing." Dad mutters, holding on as best he can. I can only imagine how annoyed at himself he's going to be. But if he took the hit instead of Deku, it will have helped immensely. And considering that would mean protecting his student, I am fully guessing that's what happened. "Be… Careful."
At least it wasn't another request not to fight.
Maybe Dad can still believe in me.
"I will." I hold him tight as we land on a sidewalk, near the Yakuza front door I think. At least, that's what I'm guessing from the feel of the armoured gates and stupid high walls. "I'm coming home, Dad. I definitely need a hot chocolate."
He laughs thickly.
We settle on the ground and I help him to sit by Ura and the others. Then I pause. A smile spreads over my chapped lips despite the carnage. The sun. It's so warm on my skin. Amazing. I… I have no idea how long I was down in that horrid place, but right now, I feel like I've broken the surface of endless icy water and can properly breathe again. Fuck. Eri, you have to know this joy. Once this is all over, you have to know what it feels like to walk in the sun.
Thunder erupts. I create another shield over the group just in case. Nothing hits us though.
Deku must be keeping the residential area in mind as he fights. Damn, he's come so far. I kneel by Dad and concentrate on the shield for now. I can't get up there to help with the fight, but I can ensure no one down here gets further injured. Knight Eye is getting weaker by the moment, and I have no idea what Ura and Tsu have already been dealing with. Dad puts his hands atop mine as I brace on the ground, his thumbs moving very slowly against the backs of my hands. He can't do much, I know it'll be driving him mad, but this helps. It all helps.
"How's it going up there?" I ask, taking slow breaths, but feeling no pinch in my head nor blood on my lip. Not even a twinge in my back. I'm so excited to tell Dad all this, but not now, now he would think I was masking. That I was sugarcoating so he wouldn't mind me fighting on so much. I have built myself a cage of downplaying my issues and now my loved ones only know that from me. It's probably how Toga managed to fool them. I have a lot of making up to do.
The Dragon lady grumbles. "Deku is holding his own, it looks like the fight is beginning to turn in his favour. Though I can't say the light show is all that comforting…"
"Light show?" I tilt my head, usually there was a few flickers of green around Deku when he used All for One, but not much beyond that. Was there more? Had he gone over his limit that much? I know he wants to save Eri, and I want that too, but I also don't want my friend going home in a matchbox.
"Some kind of golden light keeps coming out of the little girl."
Eri…
Dad squeezes my hand. "Do you… know… her… power?"
I shake my head and squeeze his hand back, my eyes getting warm. "I have no idea, and neither does she. He's hidden so much from her, to control her. Dammit. I have no idea what her power is, or how it might be affecting Deku... "
I try to reach out with my power whilst keeping the shield up, but it's that bit too much and the nausea sweeps my body again. I flinch and put my head against the ground. The darkness coils, like oil has been spilt on the ground, twisting in my darkened vision. Damn you Overhaul.
"It's… okay. You… have done… Enough." Dad coughs and groans, still likely trying to force his body to get out from under the effects of Chronos' power. But it'll be a long time before that happens. We can only do so much, right? These Villains, always testing our limits, always punishing us for still being fundamentally human. It's such a vicious cycle.
I grit my teeth. "I just want her safe. And for that pig to pay."
Another huge explosion.
Then silence.
Somehow, that's so much worse. Trembling sets into my bones and I grit my teeth tighter, hearing them creak. No one is saying anything, they're likely entranced by whatever it is that they're seeing. I keep the shield going, in case of debris from whatever just happened. Someone speak to me. Someone tell me what the hell has happened. Eri don't be dead. Please. Deku don't be dead. Please!
"He's done it." Knight Eye gasps, and there's finally a thud against the earth. Too big to be Deku and Eri, so it has to be the mess that Overhaul turned himself into. A moment later, Deku lands, I feel it with my quirk as I release the shield. But then I hear him. Deku cries out in pain. Eri is struggling, body jolting as if in agony. Shit. Something's wrong.
"Help… me…" Dad grinds out, and he's shifted more upright by Tsu as I duck out of the way. He has to cancel Eri's quirk? That must be it. The noise stops and things go quiet.
I swallow hard. "Are they okay?"
"How…" Knight Eye wheezes.
"Are they okay?" I demand, panting.
"Yes… But I saw it… Chisaki succeeded and escaped with Eri. Alex was lying dead with Midoryia on the ground… How is that not what happened?"
They're all right.
I laugh breathlessly, letting the relief flood my system for a few moments. Feel the sun. Enjoy the win. But now, get back to work. I haul myself upright and send out a pulse. Deku is carefully holding Eri, bringing her over. She is still, perhaps asleep? Overhaul lies prone across the way. Open. Unguarded. The cycle… Can I break it?
I turn.
Knight Eye coughs. "You've changed a future I thought was set."
"I think we can put that down to Deku more than anything else. I'm..." I clench my hands and shrug. "I'm little more than a victim here. After all, you all came to save me right?"
"Doesn't seem that way from here, Miss Aizawa." Knight Eye laughs softly into another cough. "I can now see the possibility for change. Thank you, Miss Aizawa."
"Call me Alex, but maybe stop talking. You're not doing so great…" I haven't taken a step yet, but my mind is tingling with the possibilities. No one is near Overhaul. No back up, no police. I could do something and no one would know. So simple. Like Chornos' leg, but… more permanent.
Cloth is draped over me.
Ura squeezes my shoulders. "Just take some deep breaths, okay? The adrenaline's gonna be leaving your system, you should probably sit…"
I guess she's right. I can't feel much right now beyond the pebbles sticking into my feet. Everything's fizzing. I pull the blanket tight and move to tuck my hair back. Only I don't. I can't. My fingers find nothing but short bristles. What? My hair. What… When did they take my hair? Why? Why don't I remember them doing that? The confusion bubbles brighter, and I recall Dad mentioning a lab. Fuck. How much time am I missing? My throat feels full of sand. I start to shiver, clutching the blanket tighter, trying to take a full breath, but it's difficult. I don't understand. Do I want to understand? That never really helps, does it? Just means you know more about how they fucked you over.
"Alex it's all right," Ura speaks gently, rubbing my shoulders. "We're gonna take you home."
"Why's my hair gone?" My voice is so small as my fingers slip under the blanket, tracing my arms, finding bumps and dips. Old scars, new scrapes. I reach over my shoulder, small punctures litter the skin on my back. What the fuck has been done to me?
"Alex?"
My nails dig into my skin. My teeth chatter as I bare them and I squeeze my useless eyes tighter shut. I don't recall anything but that tiny room, that small space with Eri. Sure they hit me a few times in there, and the Yakuza thugs laid into me when I was first taken but… what else?
"Mr Aizawa? Mr Aizawa, she's panicking. I can't–"
"It's ok Ura." I gulp and take her hand, putting my forehead against her shoulder. "I'll be fine."
"Alex please, sit down? You're shaking like crazy."
"Just…" I purse my lips, willing my stomach to stop doing flips. "How long was I gone?"
"About… About ten days." She soothes, her other hand running up and down my back. "They used a double. We had no idea until we saw you in surveillance footage. We're so sorry, Alex. We all–"
"There's… There's footage?"
Not that it matters. I can't see. But what did they see? What did they hear? Fuck. I have no idea, and my loved ones have had to sit and watch me being tormented. Tears run down my face. Broken, bruised, blinded. If they hadn't come today, if I hadn't been found by Mirio, I'd have been handed to Shigaraki. What would have happened then? What else has been done to me that I can't remember? Again. Once again I've been used and toyed with. What the hell is this world? What're we even fighting to protect? Everywhere I turn there's people using me, caging me, or just waiting to turn on me with their cameras. I can count the people I trust on my hands. In the whole world. That's so fucked up. That's not a world to fight for. Is it? Is it?
Pressure builds around me.
I breathe deeply, nails scraping against my shaven scalp.
"Alex?"
I can hear the worry in Ura's voice, but I can't respond. There's too much rage. Over and over they use me, beat me, control me, do god knows what to me. My family had to scrape me off the ground yet again. They'll have to stick me back together, again.
My body lifts into the air.
"Alex!"
I reach with my quirk, the ground under me broken open, homes around me shaken but still standing. Izuku, so careful in his work, so accurate in his attacks. One of the few genuinely good people in this wretched place. My friends, below, so strong and resilient. Dad, forever suffering because of my past sticking to me like dog shit on a shoe.
Fuck the Yakuza.
Fuck the League.
I need to find them. I need to destroy them. I need to rip them apart and finally end this shithole storm lingering over me. But I don't know where to start.
But who I do have to hand is Overhaul.
Right there. Lying prone, exposed, vulnerable. I can feel his body, lying there; stunned by Deku, made helpless and ready for the taking. What will the police do? They'll throw him in Tartarus and then he'll just get out again. Of course he will. That's what they do. They always come back to do more god damn damage. Over and over. More destruction, more lives warped and ruined, more bones broken and skin split and bleeding and–
"Alex don't!" Ura yells desperately, closer now, like she's followed me. Don't get too close Ura. My power is ballooning out of me, like my body can handle ten times more than beforehand. Is that what they did to me? Something to do with my endurance? Well they're fools then. I can do so much more now, I can get rid of every last rat-bastard one of them. I can tear, break, crush and–
I cough, blood running down my chin.
Okay, I am not without limits.
But I can still do this.
Overhaul's body shifts in the rubble, my grip on him sealing into place. If I can take one villain down, the rest of them will only be a matter of time. Bit by bit I can erase them. No more little girls crying in the dark. No more near misses. No more misery. If I have to stain myself in blood, isn't that worth it? That's worthwhile isn't it?
"Alex don't let them win!" Ura yells. "They want this! The League want you to turn Villain, think about it!"
I pause.
He's right there. I can feel every nerve, every vein, every artery waiting to be pulled, yanked, torn. He'd do the same to me. He likely had. Right there, waiting to be claimed. Bones to be broken, muscles to disconnect. I could just–
"Why not just kill you? Why not just take you out of the equation?"
I swallow hard.
She keeps going, voice cracking as she fights tears. I can't see it, but I can easily imagine her bottom is starting to tremble as she tries to hold it together. My friend, my dear, sweet friend. "This is what they want. You're better than this. Are you really gonna roll over now and give them what they want? Are you?"
His neck. It's so small. So snappable. His heart. One pinch and would rupture like a berry under my shoe. His lungs, I could tear them out his mouth and make him choke on them. Or make him swallow his own tongue. How about those hands? I could rip off his hands. So many possible ways of removing him from this world, from the potential for danger. Why can't they see the worth in that? I don't even know if I can manage to avoid such thoughts anymore. Maybe at some point too much has happened. Too many bruises. Too much pain. Maybe I can't be–
"You're a Hero!" Izuku yells.
I stop moving, still floating, but moving no closer.
I can't swallow.
My heart feels like it's trying to crawl out my throat.
"Don't let them win!" He screams. "Beat them Alex, I know you can. Beat them!"
After all this, my friends still think that's possible?
How can they see me as anything but a broken doll?
I search and find them with my power. They're trembling, bodies and minds exhausted, yet Tsu, Izuku and Ura stand there, screaming up at me. Begging me to know their words. I'm a Hero. Me; this broken, drained, bruised, scarred, thing. I'm a Hero? But why can't I be a Hero who finally rids this world of these bastards? Not put them in a box to escape from later. To put a permanent full stop at the end of their stories. Because Heroes don't kill? It's such shitty small print.
"Don't…" Ura chokes on a sob. "Don't lose yourself. The girl I saw screaming for her Dad at the USJ wouldn't do this. The girl who kept helping all her friends study when she was too injured to take part, wouldn't do this. My friend wouldn't do this!"
I can imagine it so clearly. Tear stained faces, torn costumes, bruises and cuts, wear and tear; yet they demand me to refuse the darkness. They believe a good world is still possible. Perhaps that's because they haven't been through what I have, but really, I'm glad of that. Aren't I? I'm glad they don't know what this feels like, crawling under my skin, seeping into my heart. I'm glad they can believe in goodness. I… I can do that again. I can get back to that, like I got back to the sunlight. Right?
So really, the last thing I want to do is break that belief.
The last person I find in my quirk's pulse is Eri, knocked out after Dad cancelled her power. Small mouth gasping, tiny heart fluttering with the last remnants of adrenaline and panic. Her tiny hands clasp the blanket she's bundled in. She must be so tired. She'll need help when she wakes. I can't let her wake to find me gone, on a rampage, tearing the world apart like all the monsters in her dreams.
I want to be there for her, to show her the sunlight, to let her know the black knight is real.
I lower to the ground beside Overhaul's body.
I loom and lift him with my quirk.
"Can you hear me?" I speak quietly, but clearly as I shake him, his head lolling.
He's out of it, but a muscle twitched next to his mouth.
"Well I hope you can, you piece of shit. Or even the rest of you!" I snarl louder, well aware the League could be lingering for the show. "But you lost, again. You've still failed. Why? Because I have my family and my friends, and all you have is shit. Hear that? You have fuckin' shit! I'm not giving in. You hear? Fuck you, I'm a Hero!"
I drop Overhaul like a stone.
"But even so, I will find you all and I will do everything I can to bring you down. I will not submit to your shit! HEAR ME?"
Silence echoes back.
The rage dims as I stumble back towards Ura, sinking to my knees as she comes within a few paces. I bow my head. She was right. They all were. Fuck I was tempted though; I wanted to spill his blood, to tear his skin and pummel his bones. Bit by bit. Piece by piece. But that's just it. Want and need are very different. When it comes right down to it, we can be tempted by almost anything, what matters is what we decide to act on. And what matters is what we really need. I do not need to kill, I do not need to hurt. That's what a villain needs. I, as a hero, need to keep getting back up, no matter what these villains do to me. Why? Because I can. Because I can whilst some people, the people I need to protect, can't get back up.
Ura holds me close and replaces the blanket. "You did so good Alex, you did so good."
I cling to her, breaths hitching into whimpers.
She kisses my cheek. "Let it out. Just let it out."
With my head against her chest, I scream until all I can do is sob.
I'm coming home, guys. I'm coming home, Sho. I'm coming home, Bakugo.
I-I'm coming home, Dad.
Tsu appears and then Deku. They hug me tight, sobbing, saying thank you and sorry. I do the same, glad I can't see myself in this moment, glad I can't see their bruises and their torn costumes. The blindness is welcome right now. As are the time gaps. Whatever they did to me, whatever new scars they've given me, they won't keep me down. I will recover from this blindness quirk, or if I don't, I will learn to see with my quirk. Fuck this darkness, I will use it to my advantage if it's my new world. I will make it my new strength. I can feel the sunlight and I can strive to keep that warmth in mind.
Why?
Because I'm a stubborn asshole, and I'm not going anywhere.
Except… maybe to the hospital.
And there we have it! She's alive-ish, Eri's found, everyone's going home! And Overhaul isn't in tiny little pieces... for now. NOW THEN, as the two week mark from here lands on Christmas Day (holy crapola, how is it that time already?! 2020 flew by and yet dragged as well? Madness!) Soooo either I will upload a couple days early, OR I may end up a couple days late, it just depends how my time with family goes I'm afraid! But rest assured, I shall aim for AROUND the two week mark, so don't freak if its not right on time. The holidays are a mad time, haha. Hope you guys are still enjoying, plenty still to come!
Thanks to everyone reading, faving, following and reviewing! See Shoutouts below!
SHOUTOUTS:
Zikashigaku: Haha, yeah the typical reaction didn't feel right for him at all. There's an INKLING of it there, like he knows he should be angrier lol, but he also knows Alex and Bakugo and knows he can trust them. And I'm so glad you're enjoying Bakugo's development, I am really enjoying writing it, but also trying to keep it balanced and avoid him coming across OOC. OOoh I love when readers have theories! Go on... who do you think it is? I will say... there is a clue in earlier chapters, but brief. Super brief. I hope the unleash was good for you, I'm really excited to see her develop her powers further, because now... ooh boy, whole new playing field for our Alex! And thanks for underlining Shouta as well haha, so glad that's working as well. I want them to learn, even if its sloooowly. Thanks so much for still reviewing, it's awesome to see whenever I get the email, means so so much! Hope you're still enjoying! See you in two weeks-ish!
