The next morning, I decided that I was going off to see the castle. I had overheard Bakugo and Midoryia talking about how a couple of little kids had tricked them into thinking there was a villain attack or something. Bakugo was less than impressed and I found it funny as hell.
I snuck out the back way to avoid any questions and I didn't tell anyone where I was going. After what happened the night before, I wanted to be alone and have no one harassing me.
I wandered around, slowly making my way to the castle. This island was boring, so I wasn't worried about anything happening. Worst thing to happen was to get lost, but even then I had my Mapping Quirk.
I sighed and looked at my phone. I rolled my eyes and called Hara; he had been texting me constantly, wanting to know what's going on and where I was.
"Can you please just relax?" I said as soon as he answered.
"No, I can't just relax! You know how weird it's been here without you around?"
I sighed. "No more than usual, I'd imagine."
"No! It's worse!" Hara lowered his voice and I heard a soft click. "I think Boss has realized that we suspect him of something."
"Oh?" I smirked. "Took him long enough."
"Yea. Dox has been acting strange as well. Dad reckons she's starting to show her true colours. Whatever that means."
"How's Doc been with it all? Have you managed to see him at all?" I felt my chest constrict. I missed Doc. We used to talk all the time, but these days...Yesterday I was lucky to talk to him at all.
"He's been at the clinic a lot. He's slept there more often than not." Hara was quiet for a moment. "Personally, I think it's to stay away from Dox. She's been a lot more forward towards him lately. And..."
"And?"
He sighed. "She's been saying things about you. Nasty things. Tojo has been close to losing it at her, and I've had to try and restrain him. We're losing it here, Kitia. All of us."
I groaned. "I'm gone five minutes and you've already made a mess. How much am I going to have to clean up?"
"Well, if things keep going-"
I gasp as I tripped and fell. I tumbled down a small hill and landed against a tree. I rubbed my head and sat up.
"Ouch..."
I looked around for my phone and found it next to me near a puddle. I picked up and heard Hara practically shouting into the phone.
"Are you alright?!"
I flinched. "Relax! I just tripped. My fuckin' clumsy ass..." I rubbed my back this time and groaned. "No damage. Just annoyed at myself."
I heard him sigh into the phone. "Good."
I nodded, then thought. "I got a phone call last night."
"Oh?"
"Yea. From Shigaraki." I leaned against the tree and pulled my legs up a little. "I...I told him what happened."
"How did he take it?"
I shrugged. "As well as you could expect. He wanted me to go back, but then I told him where I was. He thinks I'll be safer here, since it's so far away. He wants to turn him to dust." I said quietly.
"Yea, well...So do I."
We were quiet for a little while, then I sighed. "I better go. The 'heroes' will be wondering were I am."
Hara grunted. "Yea. It is getting late. Alright, call me when-"
I jerked back and looked at my phone as it started to beep. I frowned. "No service? I didn't go that far from town, did I?"
I shrugged and got up. There were no text messages, so I figured it wasn't important.
I looked around and started off in a random direction. I could have used my Mapping, but it wouldn't be as fun.
After a little while, I started to hear voices. I frowned and followed them, not sure if it was my classmates coming to find me. I checked my phone as I walked and noticed that there still wasn't any service.
"Weird..." I muttered. "If the power went down, it should've come back by now..."
I looked up and saw a flash of green a few metres ahead of me. I hurried forward and hid behind a tree. I peeked around as I heard footsteps, and frowned.
The guy walking down the path was dressed in a white suit. He had white hair and a mask over his face. There were weird tubes coming out of his back that reminded me of All For One.
I scowled. "Nine..."
I went to step out and confront him, but I heard a voice shouting.
"Stop! Why are you targeting the kids?"
I looked over and saw Midoryia standing at the other end of the path.
Nine never stopped walking. "Move."
I scoffed. Always the demander.
"No way I'm moving!"
"If you're going to get in the way. I'll kill you."
I rolled my eyes. I didn't want to get involved. If Nine recognized me in front of Midoryia, I'd be screwed.
I scowled and leaned against the tree, listening to them fight. The wind from the impacts blowing past me and whipping my hair everywhere.
I closed my eyes. Sorry, Midoryia. I can't risk being caught out. Not now.
Why are you targeting the kids?
My eyes flew open. What kids?
I looked around then headed in the direction that Midoryia didn't want Nine to go. I ducked and weaved around the trees, not worrying about being spotted. They were keeping each other distracted enough neither of them would notice me even if I ran down the path.
I got to the edge of the trees and poked my head out. A boy and a girl were standing a little way away, watching the fight. I doubt they could actually see anything, but they could definitely hear it.
I stayed where I was, at least for now. I'd go to the kids if I needed too.
I watched as Midoryia flew past me and smack into the ground. I had to move to another spot to avoid being seen, but that also meant I couldn't hear what was being said.
Cursing, I tried to strain to hear, but all I could see was Midoryia's mouth moving and when Nine shot him with a flashy pink laser.
The little girl screamed and a giant Midoryia doll rose up from her. She started screaming to help him.
I grit my teeth, trying to think of something. I didn't like Nine; he had a creepy possession complex for me, so I will avoid him at all costs. Of course, this situation may be a little different.
Before I could make up my mind what to do, someone flew in and all I could see was an explosion.
I turned and leaned against the tree, breathing out in relief.
"It's about time, flash bomb." I muttered.
I heard more explosions and yelling, and I couldn't see anything from all the dust and dirt they were stirring up.
I made a mental note to think of a decent alibi when I got back to the hero centre. Somehow I didn't think 'I was stuck in a hole' was going to cut it.
Where was everyone else anyway? I thought for a moment as the distant violent sounds continued. If the others weren't here, that meant there had to be other villain's right? All for One? No, I made sure he wasn't getting out anytime soon. Shigaraki? No. He wouldn't even speak to Nine without telling me.
I looked back to see that Nine was now on the ground, possibly in pain. I shook my head. Nine deserves all the pain in the world.
A flock of birds snapped me out of my staring and I was pushed back against the tree.
"Stay here."
I shook my head and looked over to see Kouda and Shoji running off towards Bakugo and Midoryia.
"He's right. Stay here until its safe to leave." Tsu and Ururaka quickly said as they ran past to collect the boys off the ground.
I didn't even get a chance to respond.
I waited until they disappeared before stepping out. None of the villain's noticed me, and started to leave.
I listened to them carefully, watching them until they were out of sight.
"It's a good thing this island has a lot of ingredients."
I nodded absently, even though the comment wasn't directed at me.
I was helping in the kitchen of a big warehouse thing. Everyone had come here after the villain attack and I was told that there were more than just Nine.
"What happened to that villain we captured?"
I turned to Ashido. "What villain? Is this something you forgot to mention to me?"
Ashido grinned and shrugged. "Probably. With everything going on, I forgot about him until just now."
"Yea, I guess that's true."
Sero waved his hand at me. "Don't worry about it. He's been locked up in the boiler room."
"In the basement?"
"Yea. He's already been interrogated, but he's not saying anything."
I hummed for a second, before putting the wooden spoon down. "Well, maybe I should try."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Kitia." Kouda looked worried. "What if he..." He looked away and I waved my hand.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"Kouda's right, ribbit. You shouldn't be going near a villain, especially alone."
I nodded, but shrugged as well. "Perhaps you're right, but you all know I'll be fine. Just don't tell anyone else. It'll just be us that know. Keeps everything more simple."
"I don't know about this..."
"Ashido."
"Hm?"
I grabbed her arms. "I'll be fine. I've gone through worse. I mean, the guys tied up, right?"
She nodded. "Yea, he should be, but that doesn't mean you should go."
I shrugged again and let her go. "I just wanna see if he'll talk to me. If not, it's not great loss. If he does, we win."
"She does make a point, ribbit."
Sero sighed and Ashido nodded. "Alright, but if anything goes wrong-"
I put up my hand and stepped over to the door. "I'll let you know right away. Don't worry."
I turned and walked towards the basement. This person better answer my questions, and he better do it quickly.
The villain, Mummy, had surprisingly willingly given me the whereabouts of where Nine should be hiding out.
"...Why are you willingly telling me this?"
"Because you're not a hero, are you?"
I shook my head as I ducked around a corner and Vamped to a industrial building.
I snuck over to the corner of the building, and saw as the beast villain, Chimera, headed towards a door.
I watched him open it, then Vamped closer.
"How's Nine doing?"
A woman's voice replied. "He's fine. He should wake up in a few hours. Where's Mummy?"
"He's not here? Don't tell me the heroes got him?"
"Of course not."
"Even if that were the case, our plan will continue."
I leaned against the door frame, making sure I was still somewhat in the dark. "And what plan is that, exactly?"
Both Chimera and the woman spun around.
I put up my hand before they could use their Quirks on me.
"This was supposed to be an easy station for us." I sighed, then looked up, letting my eyes glow a little. "But you lot had to go and fuck it up."
The woman stuck out her hair like razor blades. "You won't get away, hero!"
The woman tried to attack me, but a raspy voice made us all freeze.
"Don't...hurt her."
I put my hand down as the other two turned to Nine. "So you weren't as unconscious as you let on."
"I...felt your presence."
I rolled my eyes. "Uh huh. Sure."
"You know her?" The woman seemed jealous.
"Yes...I would never hurt her."
"Good to know." I muttered.
"You still don't trust me?"
I scoffed. "After the whole 'you're mine' situation, I don't see how I could. And now you're here."
"We're not here for you!" The woman snapped.
"I am well aware who you're here for, Nine." I didn't take my eyes off him. "You're here for a child."
"Yes. You being here is just a welcome coincidence. I'd go as far as to say destiny."
I cringed. "I'd go as far to say not happening."
Nine tried and failed to sit up. "You're coming back with us, Rune. You're one of us."
I glanced at the two who clearly had no idea what was happening.
"I don't think Shigaraki will be too pleased..."
"Shigaraki isn't here."
I backed out the door as he motioned for the two to grab me.
I slipped away and Vamped as soon as I was able back to my room. I sat heavily on the bed.
"That was close."
I didn't get much information, other than that they had no idea I was here.
"Shit."
I took out my phone. There still wasn't any service, but I typed the message out and sent it anyway. Once there was service, it would be sent.
Until then, I had to make sure that Nine couldn't get to me.
I sat on a rock outside the cave, fidgeting. The others had decided for me to basically be their last line of defense.
I didn't argue too much, since someone needed to be, but I also didn't want to be anywhere near Nine.
Of course, that meant I'd be bored sitting here waiting.
The townspeople were pacing up and down and talking amongst themselves, speculating what was happening.
I sighed heavily and turned back to keep watch in case the other villains were able to get this far. Judging from the explosions, they were well occupied.
I blinked as my phone pinged, and took it out.
You decide what needs to be done.
I stood up and looked around. The sky had gotten darker; it wasn't meant to naturally.
"I'm going to go check this out." I gestured to the sky.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" The lady I had met when we first arrived, sounded worried.
"Yea. I think I should. The others will come here if it's dangerous out there, don't worry."
She hesitated, then nodded agreeing.
I wandered away, replying to the text. I needed to make sure I timed this properly.
The fight between Bakugo, Midoryia and Nine turned out to be a good cover for what I wanted to do. Nobody would question too much why I had gone off, nor would they question the problems I would've ran into trying to get back. Over all, it seemed like it was all working out for me.
Of course, I did have to dodge and shield myself from several lightening strikes, and falling debris.
Once I was finally clear of that, I pressed call.
"Are you ready?" There was a pause. "It sounds like nobody has won yet."
I nodded. "Yea. It won't be too far off."
"How can you be sure those heroes will win?"
I glanced out from behind a wall of rock. I had to shield my eyes. "Something tells me they're not going to stop going for him until either they or he drop."
"I see." There was a silence before Shigaraki spoke again. "This is the only time I'll be hoping they win."
"Hm. You and me both. I'd hate to think what will happen if Nine wins..."
"I will get to you before he does."
"Perhaps." I muttered.
"Just make sure you are ready."
"Yea. I will."
The call went dead, and made sure to keep an eye on where Nine was at all times, as well as making sure I wasn't caught by my classmates.
Eventually, I heard an explosion and what came close to silence. I looked around and spotted Nine collapsed against a tree nearby.
I got up and went go over to check his pulse, but a shadow flew above my head.
I crouched and watched as Hawks flew over, checking everything.
Making sure I wouldn't be seen, I crept over to Nine and Vamped quickly to hill covered in flowers.
I dropped Nine, and sent my location to Shigaraki.
"You...saved me."
I looked down at him. I kept my face blank as I spoke. "I did no such thing. You are going to wish the heroes caught you." I stepped away, leaving him to flop onto the ground.
"We are the same."
I felt my eye twitch.
"We are one."
I clenched my fist.
"We will be-"
I turned and kicked him in the jaw before he could finish the sentence.
"We are and will be nothing."
I heard a noise and Shigaraki appeared out of a grey sludge portal.
"You're still alive. I'm surprised."
"Shigaraki..."
"He was about to forfeit his life, so you arrived in time."
"I see." He looked down at Nine. "You made a mistake harassing my sister."
A choked off laugh came from Nine. "It's...a lot bigger...I just...wanted her..."
"No matter what you were going to do, you weren't having me."
"You...weren't our goal."
I deadpanned. "You really think I believed this was about me? No. Unlike you, I don't think the world revolves around me."
I caught a small grin from him before I looked away.
"I will take over your dream, now. And I will have her with me."
Shigaraki crouched down.
"There can only be one ruler." Nine attempted to grab at Shigaraki, but in his weak state, didn't get far.
"Exactly. Only one."
Nine was slowly turned to dust as Shigaraki stood up. I stood watching the particles that used to be Nine, float away.
There can only be one ruler.
"Exactly." I muttered. "Only one."
After I convinced Shigaraki that I was better off going back with UA rather than raising questions about how I got back, I headed back to everyone else.
They accepted my excuse of trying to help Midoryia and Bakugo, but not being able to get close enough. Those two didn't even question it either since they were too busy trying not to die.
The restoration of the town was actually fun. Everyone helping made things go easier and made things less boring. And it was a lot better than fighting fanatics.
Before the last day, I had made sure that I said goodbye to some of the locals that I had met and become friends with.
I looked at up at the newly mended house. This was my last stop before I had to get onto the boat.
"Kitia!" The young woman waved from around the corner of the house.
I smiled and went over.
"You're leaving today?"
I nodded. "Yea."
She pulled me to a table and chairs, sat me down.
We sat in silence for a moment, looking out to the forest that was behind her house.
"It was interesting, wasn't it?"
"Hm? What was?"
The woman hummed. "That man. Nine? Yes. He seemed interesting. Don't you think?"
She looked at me, waiting for my reply. I didn't look at her. I kept my eyes on the trees, the breeze shifting the leaves.
"Nine was a fanatic. Fanatics don't think through their plans. They try to rush to their goal." I looked at her. "Nine was anything but interesting."
She smiled. "You are ten times more interesting."
When we finally got onto the boat, I slumped to the floor and breathed out.
"Are you alright?"
Tokoyami, Mineta and Shoji stood in front of me. I just waved my hand. "Yea, yea. Not like I did much while we were here."
"You still helped. Especially with the rebuilding."
I sighed and stood up. "Yea I guess. Anyway, shouldn't we wave or something?" I pointed to the town as the boat started moving. Shoji and Mineta went to the side while Tokoyami stayed back.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
I shook my head. "No. This is what we're at UA for, right? There's going to be situations that cause PTSD." I looked at him. "What about you? You want to talk about anything?"
He leaned against the wall and smiled. "No. You're right. We also have school counsellors. We don't need to burden each other."
I shook my head. "I doubt we could burden each other more than we already have." I said it quietly, but he heard. He chose not to reply.
Once we got back, I went straight to my room at UA and Vamped to my room at the hideout.
I peeked out and made sure nobody was around. Tojo and Hara where nowhere to be found. Hara's father must have been working. Doc was definitely working.
I had no idea where Snake-Arms was, or Dox.
Boss would still be in his lab.
I sighed and decided to come back the next day.
"Ah, Kitia."
I turned. "You are here, Boss."
The little patchwork man grinned, showing his sharp teeth. "Just in time for a check up."
I nodded and let him do it.
After it was done, I left. I felt a shift in his attitude and demeanor. I couldn't place it, but now I could see what Hara meant.
I Vamped back to UA and sat in my room for a little bit. Nobody came up or called me, so I lay down.
"I wonder what will happen next..."
The thought lingered in my mind until I fell asleep.
