Coco: Here's the next chapter, everyone! I got really excited for this one and the next one should be up before the weekend is over. I'm just really excited to keep moving forward as the moment we've all been waiting for is swiftly approaching! Not to mention, I want to get to season 4 as soon as possible cause I'm excited for it :D Anyway, you ready to get started? XD
Ayano stared at Rina with wide eyes as the older girl was glaring at her heatedly. They were still within Ayano's mind. Rina completely unaware of what Hive had accomplished. Ayano was starting to feel more awake by the second, but the ginger-haired girl didn't really care at the moment. There was only one thing she was concerned about.
"You think…I killed our mother?" Ayano questioned after Rina had explained her reasoning to being with the League of Villains. "And that she wanted All for One to take my quirk? That she wanted to help him? That that was her dream?"
Ayano didn't know her birth mother. She couldn't remember one single moment with the woman because she had been so young when she had been sent away. However, Ayano couldn't believe that what Rina told her to be true. Sebone Etsudo had been a hero, and a good one at that if what Nighteye told her is true. Etsudo sacrificed herself protecting someone she called about—All Might.
Ayano didn't know the exact details. Only what Nighteye told her, which is that Etsudo died in the line of duty fighting a great evil alongside All Might. And considering All for One is All Might's archnemesis, Ayano could only assume he's the one who killed her mother or at least had his hand in her death. So, Ayano doesn't understand how or why Etsudo would be helping All for One.
"I don't think anything." Rina hissed. "I know! Our family has been allies of All for One for generations. We've been trying to protect Master from those who seek to destroy him. The ones who have carried One for All! It was Mom's dream to use your quirk to finally bring an end to the generations of fighting and to finally rid Master of One for All and its wielders. But you had to go and kill her!"
Ayano shook her head. Nothing was adding up. There was no way she killed her mother. She was just a baby. Not even a year of age when Etsudo and Giichi put her up for adoption. Even with Hive out of control there was no way she could have killed Etsudo. Though…even if it sounded absurd, Ayano knew how dangerous her quirk was.
Her adopted parents were permanently hospitalized because of her. They don't even know who they are anymore, and Ayano had just been trying to show them something mentally. And she pushed too hard without even trying and broke them…But still…wouldn't Nighteye or Giichi or even All Might have mentioned if she accidentally killed her mother?
"…And how did I do it?" Ayano asked. "How did I kill her?"
Rina shook her head at Ayano while pacing back and forth in front of Ayano like a caged animal ready to pounce.
"You know what you did." Rina growled. "You and Hive killed her, so she couldn't take Hive away from you!"
"Rina, I was a baby when our family was separated!" Ayano retorted. "I don't even have any memories of us together! I didn't even know you existed until a week ago when Hive was awakened on I-Island!"
Rina's head continued to shake in denial to Ayano's words as the younger girl was starting to think something was up. She didn't feel like her older sister was lying, but she didn't feel like what she was saying was the truth either. But it was like Rina completely believed what she was telling Ayano with all her heart. Like to her it really did happen. Ayano bit her lip before taking a deep breath.
"Rina…the quirk you use…it's not yours, is it?" Ayano questioned Rina. "Kind of like me, you've been using someone else's abilities, haven't you?"
Ayano's abilities were copied from her grandfather according to Giichi. So, it wasn't like she was actually using his power. Just a copy of it. But Rina was raised by someone who can take and give quirks away…
"They were a gift from Master." Rina replied. "He was able to take them from Mom before she was completely gone, and he gifted them to me, so I could finish her work. So, I could complete her dream."
And one of those abilities her quirk granted was memory manipulation. Ayano has felt it firsthand. And Ayano had a feeling All for One might have used said ability before he so graciously handed over Etsudo's quirk to Rina.
"And you never thought that maybe he might have used her quirk on you?" Ayano inquired. "Rina, you have to know he's a bad man. Why would our mother, who died a hero, want to help someone like him? Besides, you also have to realize whatever memories you have of me killing our mother just don't add up. I was already living with a new family as Ishida Ayano before I turned one. Rina, there's no way I could have killed her."
Rina's face contorted in frustration as she seemed to be struggling with her own thoughts.
"Just shut up!" Rina snapped. "Don't think for a second you can get me to doubt Master with a few words. I know what you did!"
"But do you really?!" Ayano demanded. "Something isn't right with your memories, and I know you can feel it!"
Rina looked like she was going to be sick, and Ayano knew her sister had to realize she was right. That something wasn't right, but Rina just kept shaking her head.
"She's right, Sebone Rina." Hive said as it reappeared.
Rina jumped back when seeing Hive as her eyes widened in realization. She finally realized that while she and Ayano were talking Hive had been making its own connection. Rina felt her mind invaded. She tried to push back, but Hive held on strong.
"The connection is already made," Hive said. "We are all one, and as one Hive feels the discord in your mind. Our memories are not the same as yours are false. Now…remember."
Hive's eyes glowed as it spoke and soon the entire space was filled with a blinding white light.
—OUT IN THE REAL WORLD—
Katsuki, who was facing the villains on his own after they set him free, he stiffened when Ayano's restraints finally popped off and loudly. Her chair was even blown back as she stood up. Before the villains could even react, Ayano's hand was raised as she threw Rina across the room.
'Finally,' He thought as he looked to the still slightly disoriented girl.
She was panting slightly and looking weary, but she stood tall as she narrowed her eyes at the villains.
"Rina!" Tomura called out.
Rina only laid against the wall panting as she stared at Ayano with eyes wide and almost looking frightened. Tomura growled while turning around to glare at Ayano.
"When did she manage to get out of the influence of the morphine?!" Magne asked in shock.
"That doesn't really matter now," Dabi said as he stood ready to fight. "We need to put her back to sleep and quickly. Princess, let's move."
He said this to Royale, who had been quick to move to their feet, but they didn't move any more than that. Though they did look like they were trying.
"I can't move." They said. "The little girl realized her mistake from the camp, and has me completely immobilized."
As long as Royale wasn't hit to absorb the kinetic force from an attack, they couldn't charge their body with their quirk. It meant they couldn't fight back and were basically like any other normal person.
"It's about time you got your ass in gear," Katsuki said to Ayano.
He kept the tremor out of his voice. He had been worried. When he started fighting back, he had been worried about what they might do to Ayano who had still been still and silent. But now she can help him take care of these stupid villains.
"Sorry," Ayano said as she gave a huff. "But better late than never, right?"
Katsuki snorted as his lips turned up into an even wider smirk. The two teens then faced the villains who were ready to fight them.
'We're at a disadvantage.' Ayano thought to Katsuki.
'Yeah, and who cares?' Katsuki mentally retorted. 'We can do this. We're going to get out of here, Aya.'
Ayano felt calmed by his words even if things still looked bleak for them. But she had to remind herself to remain calm. All they needed to do was get out of this room. If they could get out to the street, they had a better chance of getting away as a Pro would be alerted if a fight with villains happened in sight of the public. Ayano then glanced over at Rina who looked shell shocked. Ayano wasn't sure exactly what Hive did, but Rina looked too out of it to fight back. This was good. It meant one less villain to worry about.
"It looks like I have no choice." Tomura said. "Things are getting out of hand."
He then turned to the TV behind him where Ayano saw the words "Sound Only" on the screen.
"Master, lend me your power," Tomura requested.
"That is a wise decision, Shigaraki Tomura." A chilling voice came from the TV.
Ayano felt herself stiffen at the voice while already having a feeling just who it belonged to.
'All for One,' She thought.
He was connected to them right now…he could hear what was going on. Ayano wondered if that meant he was nearby. Just the very thought had her feeling sick to her stomach. She didn't know the extent of his power. Only that he was bad news and the reason why All Might had been so weakened those years ago. And she only knew that from bits and pieces she's picked up from All Might whenever he's thinking about One for All and the reason why it existed and all those who came before him and Izuku. But even from the small pieces of information she's gotten, she knew he was bad news.
"A master?" Katsuki asked mockingly. "I thought you were the boss around here, but you're just a sidekick."
Tomura, who had gone over to crouch beside the still silent Rina, didn't even become ruffled by Katsuki's words.
"Kurogiri, Compress," He addressed the two men. "It's time to put them back to sleep. Rina, we might need your help on this. Are you with me?"
He spoke surprisingly soft to Rina who slowly turned her eyes up to look at his hand-covered face. As Compress started making his way towards the two teens, Rina never had a chance to answer Tomura because a knock on the door brought a pause to everyone.
"Hello, I've got a pizza delivery here," A voice called through the door.
As all those gathered blinked in confusion, Ayano's eyes widened as she suddenly became aware of all the mental presences surrounding the room, they were in. And even the entire building. She looked to the wall in which Spinner was near as she quickly created a psionic box around her and Katsuki.
And just in time as All Might came crashing through the wall sending rubble and dirt flying everywhere. As the villains scrambled to try to gain their bearings, Kamui Woods came through the opening All Might made to speedily bind the villains in his Lacquered Chain Prison. Dabi went to burn the wood away, but was stopped by Gran Torino who came zooming in at high speed to attack Dabi.
"Don't do anything foolish," Gran Torino said. "It's in your best interest to cooperate with us."
Of course, Dabi didn't hear him as that kick to the face knocked him out cold.
"Just what I'd expect from a competent new hero, and a veteran pro who can move faster than the eye can see," All Might said. "You can't run anymore, League of Villains, understand? Because we are here now."
Ayano, who subconsciously grabbed Katsuki's arm, left a breath of relief leave her while also dropping her psionic wall.
"Right after the press conference?" Mr. Compress commented. "They had this ruse planned the whole time!"
"Ya think?" Royale asked in annoyance.
They then winced as Kamui tightened his hold on them. It didn't help that Ayano has yet to release her hold as well.
"Tree man, you are hugging me too tight!" Twice complained. "Harder!"
"One tends to neglect defense when on the offense," Edgeshot said as he used his quirk to get into the room. "We didn't come alone."
He then unlocked the door to the villains' hideout to swing it open to reveal several police officers and Nighteye and even Giichi.
"Take a look." Edgeshot told the villains. "You're surrounded by the police. Not to mention powerful heroes like Endeavor."
Nighteye and Giichi hurried into the room with the two of them going over to where Katsuki and Ayano were. Ayano smiled at the sight of Nighteye as the man reached out to place his hand on top of her head.
"It's okay now," He told her reassuringly. "We're going to get you home."
Ayano nodded as she fought against the tears of relief that wanted to build up in her eyes.
"You two must have been scared," All Might said to his two students. "But you stayed strong. I'm sorry. You're both safe now, Young Bakugo, Young Ishida."
Katsuki, who was trembling slightly, frowned as his jaw clenched tightly in annoyance.
"What?!" Katsuki snapped. "I wasn't scared! Not even close!"
All Might chuckled giving the spirited boy a thumbs up as Giichi looked over to Rina. She was staring back at him in return with an unreadable expression on her face.
"After I went through all the trouble of preparing this, the final boss goes and shows up on my doorstep," Tomura hissed in annoyance. "It can't be helped. So, they've got backup, huh? Well, we do too! Kurogiri, warp over as many as you can!"
Ayano stiffened as she had a feeling that Tomura was asking for Kurogiri to send over the League's favorite pets—the Nomu.
"The Nomu, right?" All Might asked not looking too worried.
In fact, the other heroes and the police didn't look worried either, and as a few seconds passed with nothing happening, Ayano felt herself relax as well. Tomura turned towards Kurogiri as best he could despite the restraints.
"What are you waiting for, dammit?!" Tomura demanded.
"I'm sorry, Shigaraki Tomura." Kurogiri said as he looked troubled. "The Nomus were supposed to be in a fixed location, but they're gone."
"It seems that you have a lot to learn, Shigaraki," All Might said as he went to put his arm around Katsuki's shoulders.
The ash-blonde gave him annoyed look. One that All Might completely ignored.
"You're still green." All Might said with his words obviously striking a nerve of Tomura's. "Your little League underestimated all of us. The souls of this young man and woman. The police's diligent investigations. And our righteous fury."
And All Might was angry. Two of his students put in harm's way. Taken and scared because of the villains before him. It enraged him, but what had made him angriest is how he allowed it to happen in the first place. However, he would right things now.
"Enough is enough," All Might continued. "Your game has come to an end, Shigaraki Tomura."
He glared intensely at the villains as he spoke, which caused all of them to cower in fear.
"All Might, please," Spinner begged. "You're the only hero Stain respected! You are worthy!"
His words went ignored. Stain wasn't the reason why All Might is here. All Might is here to retrieve his students, and he cared not if Stain would approve of his actions or not. Nor did he care if he had the man's respect. He had nothing to do with what was happening now.
"You think it's over?" Tomura asked between grit teeth. "Don't be stupid! I've only just begun to play."
He then started to push back against the restraints around himself to try and stand.
"Justice, peace…you created a garbage fest society by lifting up such ridiculous ideals." Tomura said as he stood completely. "That's why I targeted you, All Might! It's why I started gathering people to my cause. You think this is the end? Then you've lost! Kurogiri!"
Before Tomura could bark an order to his righthand man, Edgeshot, who made himself thin like a needle and thread, pierced Kurogiri in the chest. This caused the man to collapse against the bar.
"What just happened?!" Magne demanded. "I couldn't see anything! Did they kill him?!"
"I played around with his insides and made him fall unconscious," Edgeshot explained as he reformed himself from the neck up but at a smaller scale. "Ninpō: Thousand Sheet Pierce. He was such a nuisance he had to sleep."
Tomura growled because two of his people were unconscious now, and Rina still wasn't really responding. Whatever Ayano had done to her older sister really rattled her. Tomura wasn't sure if she'd be able to help at all at this point.
"Weren't you listening earlier?" Gran Torino asked. "You'll all be better off if you take us seriously. Hikiishi Kenji, Sako Atsuhiro, Iguchi Shūchi, Toga Himiko, Bubaigawara Jin, Edwards Gayle. Though they had little time and information, the police worked through the night to discover your true identities. Do you understand? There's nowhere left for any of you to run. So, Shigaraki, one question. Where is your boss hiding? Or you could answer us, Sebone Rina. You have been awfully quiet so far."
Ayano looked back to her sister who didn't even react to the question directed at her. Not even a blink to show that she even heard it to begin with. Giichi frowned noticing Rina's silence before glancing at Ayano. Nighteye looked to Ayano as well. They had to wonder if Hive was behind Rina's silence and if it is, just how badly is messed with the girl's mind.
"No…this is not…over," Tomura said. "Just you wait, the game is still mine."
Ayano felt herself shudder at his intensely cold words as her hand, which still gripped Katsuki's arm tightened its hold. Katsuki stepped closer to her, so she ended up partially hidden behind his back.
"Tell us where he is right now!" All Might demanded.
"We will find him eventually," Giichi warned. "Best to just give him up now."
Though Giichi knew deep down that if All for One wanted to disappear he could. The man could go into hiding for who knows how long. And with his seemingly immortal body, he had plenty of time to lie in wait and wait for his moment to rise again if things went too far south here.
"No way," Tomura said. "Disappear."
"Shigaraki!" All Might snapped as he felt his patience running thin.
"This is your fault!" Tomura shouted. "I hate you!"
Ayano then gasped as black globs of what almost looked like ink appeared on either side of Tomura. Nomu started coming out of them, which had the heroes gasping.
"Nomu!" Kamui Woods exclaimed. "How'd they get here?!"
More of those inky blobs appeared around the room and more Nomu were released from them, which had the heroes and police quick to go on the offensive. Nighteye pushed Katsuki and Ayano behind him as he readied to fight.
"Sir!" Ayano called out.
"Stay back!" Nighteye ordered her. "Don't engage!"
Ayano was about to protest, but she and Katsuki were soon gagging as the inky substance started flowing from their mouths.
"Bakugo/Ayano!" All Might, Nighteye, and Giichi all shouted.
All Might made a dive for Katsuki as Nighteye who was closest made a grab for Ayano. However, both teens just disappeared into the black liquid, which fell through the two pros' arms.
"NO!" All Might shouted.
Nighteye just stared down at his hands where he felt Ayano slip away from him. As his hands clenched into fists, Rina stared at the spot where Ayano disappeared.
'…Sister…' She thought as she felt herself being warped away as well.
"Endeavor, help us!" Kamui Woods called out.
He looked over his shoulder and gasped when seeing the streets were being flooded with even more Nomus. Endeavor and the police outside were all busy with their own problems because of the creatures. This meant they wouldn't be helping anytime soon.
"Toshinori, what now?" Gran Torino asked.
"They shouldn't have been able to warp Nomu here." All Might said. "This backup came too fast!"
All Might feared this was All for One's doing, which meant his students were in even more danger than before. Giichi grit his teeth together then took down a few Nomu by throwing long, jagged bones through their heads.
"Rina!" He called turning when he heard her cry out.
He then noticed more of that inky substance coming out of the villains now, which had all the Pros on alert.
"Stop them!" Gran Torino shouted. "Before they all disappear!"
All Might went running towards Tomura as Giichi made a dive for his other daughter.
"Dammit! You won't escape, Shigaraki!" All Might said. "Take me with you!"
He made a grab for Tomura, but even as he came into contact with the substance warping the young man, All Might remained where he was. The same was for Giichi who had actually had Rina in his arms when she warped away. Soon the entire League was gone, which had Kamui Woods gasping.
"No, no!" He shouted. "I'm so sorry!"
"This wasn't your fault," Edgeshot said then jumped into the air to avoid the Nomu coming right at him before he launched his own attack. "None of us were able to do anything. Kurogiri's quirk opens up warp gates that allow anyone to pass through, but this was targeting specific people."
Giichi just cursed before he took down a few more Nomu with Nighteye's help. All Might took down three at once, but more were just coming. It was like there were no end to them.
"We can't waste time here!" Giichi snapped. "We have to go after them!"
"And do you even know where to go?" Gran Torino retorted. "Don't just go running off randomly."
Giichi gave Gran Torino a go-to-hell-look, but the older pro has seen it so many times before, he wasn't fazed. Besides, he understood why Giichi was on edge. Two of his daughters were just taken right in front of him.
"There is only one place these Nomu can be coming from," Nighteye said as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "Which means Bakugo and Ayano were probably taken to the place the Nomu came from. In fact, I can say with certainty that that's where they are, and there is a high possibility that he is there as well."
He looked meaningfully at All Might as he said this, which had All Might frowning. Though he knew his former sidekick was right. All Might was even thinking the same.
"All the more reason to get our asses in gear," Giichi said. "We're wasting time here on these pets of the League. I'm sure Endeavor and these other heroes can handle them on their own."
He then went to the opening in the wall that had been created by All Might's earlier entrance. He jumped through it while not waiting on the others. A few Nomu tried to jump him as soon as he landed, but he was already reacting to them. A long bone came from his arm and he cut them down without blinking.
"I'm moving on!" Giichi called to Tsukauchi. "The children were transported elsewhere, and I'm pursuing. I'm leaving this mess to you. Hope you can manage, boy."
He said this last part to Endeavor who gave the older hero a glare that rivaled his own. Giichi didn't stop at the sight of it as he went over to a motorcycle parked not far from the action. He knew it was technically theft, but he'd be borrowing this from whoever it belonged to. He probably wouldn't be returning it, but he could really care less at the moment. Ayano and Rina's safety is all that mattered to him.
'I'm coming for you both,' He thought. 'Just hold on until I get there. Papa isn't going to fail you this time or ever again. Even if it's the last thing I do, I will save you.'