UA Multiverse Peek
Chapter 25
Assassin Deku
Now I can get back to this bit of fun for two chapters. Now we get to see the start to Izio's Venetian adventure and the dangers that will ensue. Also, to the ones who keep asking I'm not doing Dragon Deku 3 for a while. I need a break with it, and I have other stories that are focused right now. So on with the show.
(No POV)
As the group was filing back in, some were wondering what the plan the Templars had for the city of Venice. As well as how Izio would fight it. "Think he's gonna get more tools or gadgets from Leonardo Da Vinci?" Jurota questions before sipping on a soda.
"Maybe. Given he seems to be translating the Codex, he would be making the tools as well. Even if it was just out of curiosity," Ida notes before snacking on some candy. Nezu mentioned that he was interested in how many others might be associated with the Templars or the Assassins. But before he could go into detail, the screen lit up again.
The scene pans over the city of Venice. Before cutting to Izio and Leonardo unloading the latter's luggage from the ship. "Messer Da Vinci!" a person walking up shouts. The inventor looks up before addressing the man. "Buongiorno e ben arrivato! I'm Awase. Il Singor Dona has asked that I escort you to the workshop. Are you ready?" the now named Awase asks with a slight flair.
A few chuckles were had at Awase being regulated to an annoying tour guide, but others took it a different way. "So this is what we are relegated to!? Being little more than annoying extras or simple guides for the heroes!?" Monoma ranted. And for once he didn't get knocked out.
But he gets stopped for a moment when Mineta brings up two good points. "It's not as if everyone from 1-A has a good or big role. Bakugo got killed, I was Leonardo's assistant in Florence, Uraraka's counterpart is Izio's ex who is married to Denki." The short student's reasoning made the arrogant blonde stop for a moment and think over the matter. "Okay fair. But most of your class has been first though." Everyone just gives a suffering sigh at his final remarks before focusing on the screen again.
As they walk about, Awase praises the city and the fact it is a stable, beautiful town. "Come! I will show you, her wonders!" the guide says with a wave of his hand. Starting with the Rialto Bridge that spans the Canal Grande. Then the markets. "No other city can match the size of Venezia's markets. Be it silks or spices, from near or far. There is…. There is…"
A few acknowledge the impressive span and scale of the bridge, but Momo thought it was strange that it was wooden here. "It's because the stone part of the construction didn't start until the late 16th century." Juzo notes with a gesture of his snack. Momo thought for a moment before realizing he was right. And Monoma was silenced before he could make some snide remark.
As Awase is trying to talk up the marketplace, a few guards march up to a fish seller. "You were told to stay home!" the lead guard says with his sword drawn. "But the rent is paid. I have every right to sell here!" the peddler defends.
"Emilio disagrees!" the guard says before he and his men start attacking and destroying the stand. And the fish that was being sold. "Let us continue the tour…. Elsewhere." Awase says before escorting Izio and Leonardo away.
Each of the hero students growl at the way the guards were treating the civilian. Some wishing they could go in and smack those dirty guards around. "Not cool other me! Just ignoring the problem?!" Awase exclaims as his other self turns his back on the civilian in distress.
"It's not surprising. Most people don't want to deal with or worry about others if they can help it. If he could avoid trouble from the guards, all the better." Nezu notes with a sad nod. Toshinori meanwhile grumbles before saying, "I agree. And few would blame him. But it doesn't make it right. Just what it is."
Leonardo stops at a shop to look at an interesting doll. "Look! Isn't it amazing! Would you mind buying it for me? I… left my money with the bags." Leonardo says with an awkward chuckle. Izio gives him a look before a group of thieves run past him. With a female one with red hair attempting to rob him. "Hey! Mind your step coglinone! (jerk)" Izio says to the woman.
"Hey does she look familiar? Kinda. Think that'll be a counterpart character?" the students say as the thief keeps running. Others chuckled though at Izio checking his pockets to make sure he didn't get robbed again. "Though last time, they brought Izio to the big thief of Florence. Maybe she'll do the same?" Tsuyu wonders while watching the events unfold.
A little further down the road, Awase shows the two the home of Emilio Barbarigo. "The Palazzo della Seta. Normally, I'd suggest a closer look. But with the way things are now…." That intrigues Izio and he asks what has happened. "He's attempting to unify all of the merchants beneath a single banner. There's been resistance. Some of it violent."
A few more historic minded students let out a laugh and said, "that's not surprising." For the teachers though, Toshinori smiled a bit before saying, "as long as there is oppression or evil, there will be those who fight against it." Aizawa brings up though that the idea of evil can be subjective.
"What kind of resistance?" Izio asks with some intrigue. Awase dismisses it by saying, "They say they're fighting for the people. For freedom or some such nonsense. Bagginante if you ask me."
As he was saying this, the fish monger from earlier walked up to the guards to demand compensation for his destroyed stand. Only to get assaulted and then arrested when he threatens to take this to the Doge and the council. With a false law that the guards made up.
Awase grips his fist at the sight and is still annoyed by his counterpart ignoring what was happening to the people. "And he's siding with the bad guys!" Jurota though notes that, "he may not know that they are bad or out for ill. They could have some really good publicity as it were on his side." Bondo nods while noting that Izio often had to tear down wanted posters or pay people off to disappear into the city.
Awase finally brings the two to Leonardo's workshop in the city and says, "we spared no expense in its design. It will be as if you never left Firenze. I wish you great success and hope you enjoy Venezia as she enjoys having you!" Awase then extends his hand for a tip, but all Leonardo does is pat him on the shoulder before going inside.
A few snorts of laughter are let out at Awase failing to get a tip and being ignored by Leonardo Da Vinci. "For once I'm not going to rage about the matter. The man may just find Awase's false cheer to be annoying or similar to what he saw it Florence." Monoma says as the events unfold.
Leonardo asks if Izio would like to come in, but the assassin has other matters. "I need to visit the palazzo della Seta. Try and gain an audience with Emilio." The inventor nods but says that Izio can visit any time. "My door is always open." Leonardo says with a smile. One Izio returns before hugging his friend and thanking him.
"Aw best buds!" Toru says at the sight. Mina, the hard heads, Ochaco and some other members of their class agree. While others rolled their eyes. Even though they (Bakugo, Kamakiri, Shoto) had small smiles that they covered up.
Izio observes and wanders about the outside of the palazzo a bit. Noting the guards around almost all corners. "How best to get inside? I'll scale the wall and…. oh. That's not good. I'll never make that jump. I need to find another way." Izio thinks aloud while noting how far the gap between a few of the climbing surfaces are.
Izuku hums before wondering if his other self would get some kind of tool from Leonardo. "Maybe the flying machine?" he thought aloud. Ida and Momo though denied that it would really come into play. "Aside from it just being an idea, the machine wouldn't exactly be stealthy." Momo said with some poise.
Suddenly, the same group of thieves from earlier run past and grab the attention of the guards. And the female thief from earlier comes in after the guards have left their posts. She starts climbing the walls. Even while archers are firing at her. And making the gap that Izio was sure he couldn't reach before.
"You can't make that jump. But that chick can." Bakugo says with a scoff. Some from 1-B laugh too and wonder if he'll be learning how to do that as well. "It would give him a better way to get around the city and buildings. Across the whole country even." Manga says with a question mark displayed on his face.
But as she makes the jump, she takes an arrow to her knee. And falls to the ground. She runs into Izio and asks for his help. While he makes a bit of small talk, some of the guards march toward the pair. "Va bene. Where to?" Izio asks and the woman. And she simply tells him the water.
"That doesn't really narrow it down. Given the city they are in." Izuku says with a raised eyebrow. A few others agree and wonder if it was a safe idea given she had an open wound.
"That doesn't exactly narrow it down!" Izio says before she tries to run. Only to be accosted by a few more guards. Izio helps cover her, but even when injured she can put up a good fight.
A few laughs are had at Izuku mirroring his counterpart. And others clap in respect to the woman who was fighting while injured. "That is a manly lady right there." Tetsutetsu says with his fellow hard head.
After they had dealt with the guards, the pair tried to get further away. But the woman's injury made it to where she couldn't keep going. As she collapsed, Izio caught her and picked her up. "I never did catch your name." Izio says before hiring some thieves to cover them. "Rosa. Rosa Kendo."
Itsuka spit takes along with a few of her classmates. "Cough! Wait I'm a thief here?!" she exclaims after hearing that. The other members of her class are surprised too, but they then celebrate that she is taking the fight to the corrupt people of the city.
And while Monoma wants to brag her up a bit, he is quickly told to be quiet. "Don't ruin this man. You take things too far." Kosei says with a sideways look at the blonde. Who just grumbles before agreeing.
"Interesting name. Onarato Rosa. I'm Izio," the assassin says while carrying her to a place she specified. Though she already knew who he was. "Now is not the time for small talk! Or are you blind!?" she exclaims while holding her injured leg.
"She's right. Now's not the time. With all the guards around, it's better to get moving," Izuku says with a critical eye. The more tactically minded of the first years also noted that they didn't have many allies. Evidenced by Izio having to set Rosa down long enough to fight off some of the guards.
After they lost the guards, Rosa called out to another thief named Ugo. While skeptical at first, he is willing to accept Izio given the circumstances. "Pass her here. We'll go the rest of the way in the boat." Before they can go too far, more guards are swarming. "Go! I'll deal with the guards!" Izio says before throwing a knife into the neck of an archer.
A whistle is let out at Izio's accuracy. "Kill shot. That was impressive." Bakugo compliments while watching the assassin free run along the canal to cover the escaping gondola. The ranged specialists of the hero course agree. With Rin saying, "I wonder if our version is similarly skilled."
"Still quick and efficient. Killing aside, I'd say this version of Midoriya-san would make an exceptional underground hero." Nezu comments with a scratch of his chin. And Aizawa agreed while making a mental note to add some free running drills for Shinso. 'And for myself. Never hurts to go back to basics.'
Izio follows their path while eliminating guards who could harm them with knife and hidden blade. Upon reaching the hideout, Ugo pushes the body of a thief who died into the water as Rosa says, "he's dead idiota! Say a prayer later! I need to see- Antonio!"
Everyone is a bit curious who Antonio was. "Think there's some romance there~?" Mina questions as events were transpiring. "Maybe? Hard to say." Setsuna comments while wincing a bit at the other Itsuka's pain from the arrow in her leg.
She screams in pain before Izio tells Ugo to find Antonio while he gently picks up Rosa. With the man shouting that he "can't believe he's taking orders from this guy" in Italian. When they reach a piazza, Ugo orders the other thieves to clear a space for her.
"Yeah not the time to be complaining about the help!" Bondo exclaims as he sees some of the blood on Rosa's leg. The more outspoken audience members agree. With Bakugo himself exclaiming, "just follow your orders you extra!" Though that does get a few to look at him in annoyance. Remembering all the times he called them that.
They put down some clean cloth for Izio to set her on. And this is when Antonio arrives. The man having long black hair and a thin moustache. His clothes are a touch nicer compared to his fellow thieves. But that does not mean he doesn't care. "Rosa?! What happened?!" Antonio asked while approaching quickly.
"What the Hell does it look like!? Not the time for questions! How about we help the Italian prez get that arrow out?!" a few from 1-B shout as the head of the thieves arrived. Even the teachers agreed. With Kan wanting to be there himself to heal the other version of his student.
"Just get this thing out of me?!" Rosa pleaded. Antonio agreed before taking a look. "Clean entry and exit through the thigh. That's good." Antonio says before Rosa pleads with him again. Shouting, "Get! It! Out! NOW!" Antonio sighs before saying, "come vuoi."
He then instructs the rest, including Izio, to hold her down while he breaks the arrow and then pulls it out. When apologizes, all Rosa has to say is, "Sorry?! Ficcatelo nel culo your sorry!"
Itsuka blushed at the storm, her other self was swearing toward her friend. While a few others laughed and said "you're gonna get in trouble with that potty mouth!" Or "where's some soap? I think she needs it!" Bakugo laughed at the someone else being the foul-mouthed person in the room.
Izuku and a few others agreed that she had every reason to be swearing up a storm. "I'm pretty sure we'd all be cussing as much as Bakugo if we had an arrow in our legs." Sato comments while looking at the image of the injury.
Antonio orders a thief to fetch another to help, before asking Izio to help. "Take a clean piece of linen. And when I remove my hand, press the cloth into her wound. Are you ready?" Izio nods and moves quickly to stem the bleeding. "Porca puttana!" Rosa shouts as Izio presses down.
More laughs were had at the other Itsuka's foul mouth. Nezu and Midnight though complimented the other Izuku's handling of the situation. "He's keeping a cool head amidst this dangerous situation." Nemuri says with a nod. And Vlad says a quiet thank you to the assassin for helping the other version of his student.
"Ben fatto! You work well under pressure." Antonio compliments. While Rosa keeps calling Antonio a 'son of a bitch' in Italian. "Avanti! Get Rosa inside so Bianca can close the wound." Antonio orders with a clap of his hands. And even when he tells her the worst is past, she isn't done with him. "Ti venisse il cancro, brutto bastardo! ...A te e quella grandissima troia di tua madre!"
Hearing that makes everyone laugh at the class rep of 1-B's expense again. With them saying, "I think she needs more than soap for that mouth!" With Itsuka's face matching her hair as the rest laughed.
"Thank you. Rosa is most dear to me. If I had lost her…." Antonio says before trailing off. Izio smiles before saying, "I've always had a soft spot for women in distress." Antonio returns the smile before noting what he's heard before. "Don't look so surprised. We know all about you Ser Izio. Your work in Firenze and the rest of Tuscany. Good work too, if a little unrefined."
"Kinda hard to be refined when you're killing folks." Dark Shadow comments from the side. Some of the students agree, but others think that he could have gotten the job done with less casualties or risk to others. "Like when he took out Bakugo. He didn't have to kill the guards with him." Sen notes
Aizawa and Kan though note they have a point. "But it's rarely that simple in the moment. There are times when you have to go on instinct." Kan says with a critical eye on the matter.
All Izio has to say to this is to ask if he knows why he's in Venezia. "I can guess" is all he has to say before inviting Izio inside. "Can I offer you something? Biscotti? Un café?" Antonio says. But Izio is confused by café and asks what it is.
"An interesting concoction, brought to me by a Turk merchant. Here, have a taste." Antonio says while pouring a pair of cups. Izio takes a drink and mulls over the flavor. "A little bitter if you ask me. It just seems lacking somehow… I don't know. Have you considered adding sugar maybe? Or latte (milk)?"
Some of the students have a laugh, while Bakugo comments that he was being a bit prissy for needing something to tone down the bitterness. "Not all of us like or need black coffee Bakugo-san. Sometimes a bit of sweetness helps." Ida says with a firm look toward his former classmate.
Antonio just nods after sipping his own and noting it's something of an acquired taste. He then directs Izio's attention to the model map of the city he had on his desk. "Our failure at the palazzo cost us dearly. It will take time to recover. No doubt Emilio will use this pause to strengthen his defenses. And continue his oppression of the district. You may not share our motive, but I know you share our goal."
The heroes all nod before Kuroiro says, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Sato shakes his head before asking if that really applied here. Some others wondered if this Antonio was clued in enough to know about all of the Templar threats.
Izio nods before asking if Antonio could gather his forces and try again. "To act in haste would only bring more losses. No. We must resupply and draw new plans." Antonio says. "I can ill afford to sit around and wait." Izio says with discontent on his face.
But the head of the thieves doesn't want him to. "Work with us instead. Already my men begin to mend today's wounds. Seek them out. They'll put you to work. The sooner you aid them, the sooner we can strike."
Mic nods before saying, "good way to make sure he's focused on the task at hand. And that way they can be ready to go once things are cleared up." Nezu commends his loudest compatriot for the sensible insight. While the students were amazed at Present Mic being somewhat quiet and rational.
Izio agrees and helps where he can. But he has someone else to meet first. "Salute Rose. You seem to be healing well." Izio says with a coy look to the red haired thief. She returns it before saying, "how are you finding Venezia?" Izio notes that it has a charm. "But how do you deal with the smell. Che schifo!"
Momo groans a bit before agreeing with the assassin. "The canals do smell a little funny from what I remember. Probably doesn't help they are in brackish area. But back in that time, hygiene was not the best so I can only imagine what the area smelled like."
The heiress offhandedly noting her having been to the city didn't surprise anyone this time. Though they did think about the probable hygiene state of that world they were looking at. And all of them have sour looking faces after considering it.
"So, what brings you to me?" Rosa ask after laughing at Izio's statement. He was there to ask for help with something. "And that would be?" she says while batting her eyes a bit. As Izio brings his hand under her chin, he says, "I want to learn to climb the way you do."
"Oh. Va bene I can do this. Well I can't, but Franco can. Franco! Muovi il culo!" Rosa says slightly disappointed at first before shifting to helpful. Franco then shows how he, Rosa and the other thieves got around some of the higher points in the city. And Izio quickly learns it for himself.
The pervs complained but also laughed a bit at Rosa's reactions. "Guess the other prez wanted a chance to get the green bean~." Kosei says with a chuckle. Only to get smacked by a pink cheeked Itsuka. Saying, "knock it off or you'll be staying unconscious!" Setsuna laughs herself before saying she wasn't too convincing when she was blushing.
Izio smiles down from the top of the scaffolding to ask what she thought. "I've seen better," the thief says with a smile. "Ah! You wound me with your cruel, cruel words," Izio says with fake pain and a laugh. Rosa laughs to before saying, "alright smargiasso. Let's put your skills to the test." She tells him to meet her in front of the Frari.
When they arrive, she tells him to climb the tower as fast as possible. While in view of the public. Izio reaches the top in less than two minutes. And from the top, he looks out over the entire city of Venice.
At Izio's overacting everyone gets a little laugh. Well except Eri who just laughs along to match the others. But upon seeing what the city of Venice looked like from the top of the tower Izio climbed, everyone had an awed look on their faces. "Magnifique!" Aoyama exclaims with the sun appearing to rise over the city.
He does a leap of faith from the top and speaks with Rosa again. "Looks like you've learned all I have to teach. I'll let Antonio know about your progress. Finish your other tasks. We're almost there." Izio thanks her before going to find the other thieves.
He deals with a few traitor thieves, eliminating archers around the palazzo, and stealing some armor. Letting Antonio's men replace the archers. "The way to the palazzo is clear now." Izio notes that the building is still guarded, and Ugo says his men can distract the guards. "And when it comes time to storm the place, remember what I've taught you." Rosa says with some excitement.
"He had better remember. Or this will all be for naught." Monoma says with a slight glare and scoff. But the rest are excited for what will come. And how Izio will stop this threat to the city of Venice.
Izio makes his way to the palazzo and sets the pieces in play. Distracting the guards and easily making his way up the side of the building. "Your little house of cards is crumbling Emilio." Carlo Grimaldi, a politician from Monaco, warns within the palazzo. Adding another name to Izio's list.
Juzo sighs before saying, "and the list just keeps growing. No matter how many he eliminates, or where he saves, more keep popping up." Toshinori nods and says that is what they will have to face as pro heroes as well.
"Crime didn't go away just because of me. This is what we train you all for. To be ready for any threat to come," the former number one says while buffed up. Helping to harden the resolves of all of the students.
"A minor setback. It will be dealt with. This povero scemo Antonio and his thieves…" Emilo starts, before Grimaldi interrupts him. "Nevermind them! It's the Assassin you should be worried about!" This makes Emilo stop before asking if he was in the city. "He's been here for weeks! How could you be so blind!?"
Tokoyami chuckles a bit before saying, "they specialize in fighting from the shadows. Even in that white get up, they stick to them. And strike when they least expect it." Kuroiro agrees and rubs his hands in anticipation for the stealthy mission to continue.
"Unlike you, I've been busy! Someone had to provide the weapons to our brothers in Firenze!" Emilio defends. Carlo scoffs while noting what little good that did. Before he leaves, Grimaldi tells that the Maestro has called a meeting at Santo Stefano. "Assuming you're still alive. If you want my advice, find a less conspicuous place to wait. Seta is a target now."
"You have no idea!" Shoji says with a hidden smile. While Bakugo scoffs and rolls his eyes at the mention of the weapons for his other self's family. 'Didn't help them, so you really have no excuse at all,' he thinks bitterly as Izio makes his way to his target.
Emilio panics a bit before telling his guards to sweep the area. He heads upstairs to arm himself. Not realizing that Izio was already nearby. Quickly sneaking up behind the man and silencing him. "Do not be afraid." Izio says as Emilio's life fades. "I feel no fear, assassin. Only regret. I sought unity. Stability. Order." Izio only tells him that it was too great a cost.
"Progress demands sacrifice." Emilio mutters out before passing. "Non trovo alcuna gioia in questo, ma non c'e' altro modo. Requiescat in pace." Izio says before closing the man's eyes.
The dark duo of UA vibrate in a bit of excitement at Izio's stealthy actions. And it pays off when the assassin seems to slip out of the shadows and finish the Templar off. With Eri's eyes covered so she doesn't see the blood. Ibarra lowers her head in a bit of prayer as Barbarigo's life ebbs away. And a few others do the same.
Izio quickly slips into the central plaza to see some of the guards quickly killed by arrows. One of which is fired at his feet. He looks up to see Rosa and the rest of the thieves standing atop the roofs. "Sorry. We couldn't resist," she jokes before climbing down to open the gates for Antonio.
"Guess I'm getting around much better now. Not to mention more than willing to snark back." Itsuka says with a look toward Izuku himself. Who just smiles before saying, "yet the other me was the one who did most of the work himself."
"Seta has fallen and Emilio is no more! All thanks to you Izio! Go! Tear down Emilio's banners! Return what he has stolen to the people." Antonio says to his thieves before asking how he could repay Izio. He jokes about money, and it is quickly given. He then notes Grimaldi and that there would be a meeting of other Templars in the coming days.
Before Juzo can say it, Izuku acknowledges that he is correct on the list growing even more. "But what could all of the end goals be? He's been doing this path and hunt for revenge for years now. And he still doesn't know anything more." Ida notes with a scratch of his head.
Three days later, Izio listens in on Grimaldi talking with Silvo Barbarigo on the way to the meeting. How Grimaldi has been trying to get the Doge on the side of the Templars, but he has been less than receptive. With Barbarigo calling Grimaldi pathetic and a sycophant or doormat.
A few snorts of laughter were had at the Templars bickering amongst themselves. Especially the one being called a bootlicker or doormat. "At least my other self was willing to take action for himself. Not just kissing up to others." Bakugo says with a touch of pride. Until Todoroki reminds him that it was what got him and his other self in trouble as well. And his pride deflates a bit.
This infuriates the man, and he talks down to Silvio, but the man is less than impressed. Carlo claims he could get the support of the Doge, but he needs time. After all of the conspirators arrive in the courtyard of Palazzo Ducale, the news that Emilio is dead reaches them.
"He could be anywhere. He could be here right now and we would not even know!" Marco Barbarigo notes before being questioned on the plans for the future. He notes that there is no time for subtlety. "We must act now!"
"Oh he there alright! Gotta wonder why Izio doesn't take them out now. Maybe….. its because he needs to know who he has to stop. I get it; just taking out one or two doesn't make a difference if they have other agents in the city. Better to get exact ones he needs to eliminate."
As the students were discussing this, the teachers were thinking much the same. With All Might noting that he was having to do all of this with minimal knowledge. "It's not like now where most villain attacks are somewhat spur of the moment. They are planning everything long in advance." With Aizawa noting this was just how the League of Villains were carrying out their own plans. "Which makes it all the harder to defeat them."
As they talk about the plans and troubles, as well as who will take the place of the Doge, the Maestro appears and silences them. Saying, "the choice of Doge was never up to any of you. And you were never given permission to make plans."
"Forgive us Maestro. We live only to serve." Marco claims with his head bowed. The Maestro has a flat look on his face as he gives his orders. "The plan is this: Doge Mocenigo will die tonight. And once the deed is done, Marco shall take his place."
The oldest heroes hum before saying, "puppet government. Not an unusual sight really. Not to mention if they think about it, they could pin this on young Auditore. He is an assassin after all." Hearing that makes the students a bit nervous for what could come later.
The Maestro tells Grimaldi to come with him after the orders are given. Wanting the man to die peacefully and quietly. And Grimaldi can make it happen as he has the run of the palace and can poison his meal. So long as a toxin can be procured on short notice. Which Silvio promises he can acquire.
"C'mon Assassin Deku! Take them out!" Bakugo proclaims in a strange mix of a whisper and a shout. A few others agree and think much the same. "Why isn't he taking them out?!" Setsuna asks. Tapping her foot while listening on the Templar plans. "Maybe….. because they don't know how deep they are in the city, he wants to make sure they get them all?" Koda asks with a scratch of his head.
"Forgive me Maestro. But is this not perhaps a tad dangerous for you? Involving yourself so intimately with the minutia of our plans?" Marco questions on the Rialto bridge. And the man says that he feels he must given what has happened. "The Pazzi disappointed us in Firenze. I pray you do not do the same." When Silvo tries to assure and put down the Pazzi, the Maestro breaks him down instead. Noting their influence and wealth. All brought to naught by one young Assassin.
"Wise. He's not underestimating Izio. He likely suspects that the assassin is listening in, and he doesn't want to leave anything to chance." Nezu says while a rubbing of his chin. Toshinori narrows his eyes at the man. Thinking it was just like his old foe. 'And if his counterpart is who I think it is… then that adds up more than I'd like to admit.'
His orders given, the Maestro leaves for Rome and expects some better news than what happened in Firenze. While Izio now has a different plan to interrupt. Though he can't get to Grimaldi in time. The man hiding away in the palace of the Doge.
Some of the students groan about Izio losing his quarry. Bakugo and Kamakiri the loudest. "Seems the Templars have learned a bit from the Assassins. Disappear into the crowd to get to your objective." Shoto says with his eyes narrowed.
Izio cusses himself out before going to speak with Antonio to salvage the trouble that is coming. Rosa meets him first by saying, "salute bello mio. Come stai? You back to see me already?" She grabs his coat to pull him close. But he deflects after a quick kiss to her cheeks. "Desolato, mia cara, but I am not here to play. I must speak with Antonio. It's urgent."
"Okay….. does anyone else think they got a little close too quick?" Mina asks with eyes narrowed. Torru brings up that a few weeks had passed. "And maybe it's nothing more than a bit of flirting."
Those thoughts are put aside when a short scene is shown of the two being lovers. Very intimate lovers for a time. Eri's eyes are quickly covered while everyone else blushes. Itsuka and Izuku most explosively. And while Monoma wants to rage at the 'corrupting of the head of 1-B' or some nonsense, he's blushing at what was shown as well.
"Oh my. Too bad we can't see more~." Midnight says as the scene shifts back to the main focus of the story. With Kan himself being almost as red as his suit for a moment and Aizawa facepalming at what was happening.
Rosa calls for the head of the thieves and Izio quickly fills him in. Antonio warns that the Palazzo Ducale is the most heavily guarded place in the city. But Izio points out, "nothing is impenetrable." With Rosa laughing and saying, "this is why we like you Izio!"
A dry laugh is let out before Kinoko says, "yeah. Sure. That's what you like~." A few others laugh at that. But a few are quieted by a red faced Itsuka who chops a couple of her classmates. "Not helping!" she squeals while trying to forget the images from earlier.
Antonio and Izio examine the building to try and find a way in. But all to no avail. Even after climbing some scaffolding, they can't get past the bars atop the building into the central plaza. "It's impossible! There's no way in or out for men. Only birds." Antonio claims in frustration.
Hearing the birds statement makes Momo and Ida freeze for a moment. "Wait….. is he thinking…. What I think he's thinking?!" Ida says with growing excitement. Momo agrees and is interested to see how well this other version of Leonardo Da Vinci's flying machine could work.
This inspires Izio though and he runs back to Leonardo's shop. He quickly asks for his help with the flying machine. "I don't know. It's only a prototype. An idea. It's not ready." Leonardo says. Izio asks if he tested it, but the inventor denies because of the danger involved.
"To use it you'd have to leap off of a tall tower! Who would be mad enough to do that?" Izio smiles before saying, "Leonardo. I think you just found your madman."
"Well he admitted it. Wonder if ours' will?" Torru says with a gesture toward Izuku. Who blushes before saying he wasn't crazy. At least until everyone brings up all of the crazy things he's done in his first year of high school alone. "You have to admit; all together, it makes you sound kind of insane." Mirio says with a smile to his junior.
Leonardo gives Izio some basic instructions on making it work in the air. And when Izio tries it, he notes how hard it is to maneuver. Eventually roughly landing in a canal. But nowhere near the Palazzo.
A few hummed and said that the machine seemed more like a hang glider than a flying machine. "Still. That is kind of impressive for the time period. And can you imagine any other machines Da Vinci could come up with from this success alone?" Ida said with some excitement.
"I can't believe it! It worked! It really worked! You flew, Izio! You flew!" Leonardo exclaims as they return to the workshop. "Si. But not very far." Izio says with some anger. Leonardo just tells him that the machine wasn't designed for distance. "Let me look over my plans. Maybe I can find some way to extend the duration of the flight."
The few others who had abilities that they them float or similar thought about it as well. With Bakugo and Izuku coming up with the better ones. The former noted that the machine needed more thrust. "Maybe fireworks or something?" And the latter noted that updrafts were probably the best option given the location. "Just….. I don't know how they'd do it."
While Leonardo is doing that, Antonio arrives and warns that Grimaldi has the poison. Izio introduces his two friends while cussing out the flying machine. "Hey! It's not the machine's fault!... It's mine! I've checked and rechecked my blueprints. It's just impossible! I don't know how to extend the flight! Ah, che idea del cazzo!"
"Well at least he doesn't need to have his mouth washed out. Eh prez?" Pony said with a teasing smirk thrown the red head's way. Who just gave her a flat look and told her to watch it.
After sitting though, he notices the paper floating and flying a bit in the fireplace. "EUREAKA! Of course! Genio!" Leonardo exclaims before returning to his desk. "What is he doing now?" Antonio questions and all Izio can do is shrug.
"Heat rises. It needs fire! Heated air under the wings will lift the machine!" Leonardo postulates. Izio questions the use of one fire, but Leonardo corrects him by pointing out they need multiple fires to make it work. Antonio is a bit confused, but he sees what the inventor has in mind.
"Okay guess they are going with Midoriya's idea. Though I have to wonder if it really will work." Shoda says with a confused look. Bakugo seems annoyed that his idea wasn't the right one but is interested in how this could turn out. "Especially if that Deku can fight while flying."
"My men could do that. But you're forgetting about the guards." Izio then resolves to take care of them so his men could light the fires needed. Once the deed was done, night had already begun to fall. "You did it! It's beautiful!" Leonardo compliments as Izio prepares himself. Getting some final instructions from Leonardo and a warning from Antonio about the archers on the rooftops.
A few hummed before wondering if this will be a bigger problem for when he gets to the palace itself. "If he wants to stop that Grimaldi guy he's going to have to get close. And I don't see landing gear on that thing." Manga says with an exclamation point showing on his face.
"I wish there was some way I could use my sword while flying this thing." Izio says before stepping under the machine. Leonardo chuckles before noting, "well…. You do have your feet free. If you get close enough without taking an arrow to the head- maybe you could kick them off the building?"
This gets some snorts of laughter as the two hot heads hope the other Izuku gets his chance to do just that occurs. "Though I have to wonder how much force he's actually generating. Let alone if he did kick them, what would the chances be of him being knocked from the machine." Izuku starts before mumbling off some other ideas and complications. Only to be pulled from his ramblings by Todoroki making an ice crystal and dropping it down his back.
Izio just responds with "nice" before lifting the machine and taking to the skies again. Though not without being quickly spotted by the guards. Who start firing arrow after arrow at him. The assassin weaves around as well as he can to keep from being struck. Even doing just as Leonardo suggested and sending a few of the guards flying with his kicks.
"Yeah! Manly!" A few more fight happy members cheered as they saw the guards go flying from Izio's kicks. Especially one who went over one building and dropped into the canal on the other side.
By the time he reached the Palazzo though, the machine was on fire from the glancing arrow shots. Izio drops down before watching the machine careen into a guard. Knocking him from the rooftop and into the water below.
Seeing the guard getting hit by the machine makes everyone watching wince. "Ooohh! That had to hurt! For the few seconds he was alive yeah. Too bad about the machine though. That thing could be pretty useful," some of the audience say amongst themselves.
The teachers though note that Izio was going to have to move quickly. "No telling if he's already been poisoned." Aizawa says with some worry. Mic and Nemuri agree while biting their nails a bit.
"What was that?" the Doge asked from his study. Grimaldi was there as well and says, "don't worry. Probably just kids with firecrackers. Come, it's your move." The Doge heads back to the chess board to make his move. While Izio makes his along the rooftop to save the man.
The nervous tension in the room grows as they see the glasses of wine that had likely been poisoned inside the room. 'Hurry other me! Or Izio! Move quickly to save him!' Izuku thinks while tapping his foot quickly. Something many were doing while watching in trepidation. Even Eri was nervous for what could happen.
Once he reaches the study, he leaps in and says, "STOP! Signore don't drink that!" While surprising both men, Grimaldi is unperturbed. "You are too late. The Doge is already dead." Carlo says as he gently knocks over the king on the board. When questioned he says, "apologies Signore. But you should have listened to me when you had the chance. Seems you have failed, Assassin."
"Damn! He must have poisoned more than the wine. Maybe his food? But why would a government official go to the scullery? They wouldn't have to. All he'd need to do was tell an unsuspecting or even allied member in there to add the poison and it would be done."
These ideas and a few others are tossed around between Momo, Ida, Setsuana, Itsuka, Juzo, Jurota, Bakugo, Todoroki, and Izuku. With the teachers feeling proud of their analytics. "But it doesn't change what will happen to the man." Nemuri says bitterly.
"Forgive me Signore. I tried." Izio says with regret toward the doomed Doge. "Why? What was it all for?" he questions before coughing up a bit of blood. Carlo runs out into the plaza and blame Izio for the Doge's death.
Upon seeing some of the blood, Eri's eyes were covered. While others snarled at hearing Grimaldi blaming Izio for the death of the Doge. Toshinori sighs before saying, "I was afraid of that. It was too easy of a way to play this. And now young Auditore is on the run again."
Izio snarls a bit before running out the window and leaping to finish the backstabbing official. "It takes one assassin to kill another, it seems." Izio remarks as Grimaldi bleeds out before him. "We kill thinking it's best for us, do we not, Messer Izio?" he says with his last breath. Izio then says, "I do this not for myself. Compio questo sacrificio per il bene superiore. Requiescat en Pace."
Some of the teens in the audience give a "yeah!" shout as Izio kills the Templar, others were less jovial. "It doesn't change that the Doge is dying. And it could easily be pinned on him. If nothing else. It does put an end to further schemes from Grimaldi." Itsuka says with her head down. Momo agrees and hopes Izio can get away to fight another day.
Right as Izio finishes, and grabs a Codex page from Grimaldi, the dying Doge stumbles out. Blood spattered across his clothing. "You! You killed me!? You killed ME?!" he slurs out before succumbing to the poison. And Izio has to escape quickly. Once away he sighs before thinking aloud. "This will only make things harder going forward." And the screen cuts to black.
"That is painfully true. Though I am curious about what that Codex page could give him." Ida says with a sigh. Kamakiri rubs his hands together a bit before saying, "I hope it's a new blade! Maybe one that shoots a small blade like a knife from his wrist?!"
The students toss their theories about while going for bathroom breaks and refills. Izuku and Toshinori though took a moment to talk about their own ideas. "The other you will likely have to improvise a way to remove the corrupt leader. There's no telling how he'll do it."
"You're right All Might. But I have to wonder what the endgame for all of this is. Even if he's taking direct control of the situation, what is… you and I know who, after?" Izuku says while leaning back in his chair for a moment. The former hero nods before saying, "I guess we'll have to wait and see."
Finally got this done! Sorry it took a while but I couldn't get enough motivation to write some of these. More so the reactions than anything. Writing in the events is easy enough but trying to get the right air about the reactions is harder. Next we'll see the second half of the Venice conspiracy as well as a new counterpart. I'll leave it to you guys to guess who. Please review!