Act 2
Scene 1 - Enthalpy
The great fortress walls of Ostia tower far enough above the bustling streets and shops within to obscure any views of the grassy knolls and scattered forests that surround it. The city is chocked full of new sights, smells and sounds. Colorful material sways in the wind across the marketplace, while mouth-watering, sweet-smelling steam billows off food stalls. People are everywhere, haggling and laughing with each other. It's almost enough to strike a pang of homesickness in Katsuki. The imported weapon displays and curiosities from other nations coupled with the talkative market vendors remind him of Aquleia, the beating heart of Etruria. He does not often think of his birthplace, hasn't for a long time, but the feel of these streets is so similar to ones he used to roam when shirking lessons and dodging teachers.
Currently, he, Eijirou, Tsuyu and Ochako are at a sweet bread stand. The little thief shares her purchase of sticky buns with Ochako, the pair of them chatting back and forth while the boys watch. Eijirou munches on a sugared dough ball and Katsuki inspects the spicy, savory filling of his own bun.
"Have to say, I'm a little intimidated," Ochako says, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of the pastry. Her eyes dart around the crowd as she folds herself into her cloak more. "I haven't been to a city near this big since... ever."
She does seem uncomfortable to Katsuki and he can understand. The sheer number of people has only increased as the day lengthens. They had arrived through the eastern gates early that morning. Tsuyu tugs on the burgundy cloth around Ochako's shoulders, slipping an arm through the other girl's.
"It isn't so bad, I think. There's a lot of new things to see and experience here that you wouldn't be able to see in Ilia!" she says, tugging Ochako back towards the crowd. Katsuki and Eijirou follow them absently, the blond's eyes drifting down to stare at where Tsuyu's arm links through the mage's.
Ochako's cream colored sleeves are belted just above her bicep and the deep red of her cloak brushes over the exposed skin on her shoulder. Beneath the coverings is the black mark, which Katsuki cannot visualize after such a quick glance a few days ago. His face twists into a half-pout, half-grimace, trying to mentally collect and connect the puzzle pieces he needed.
A black mark, tomeless casting-
His thoughts are interrupted by an elbow jabbing into his side. "Hey, hey! What're ya staring at so intently?" Eijirou leans into Katsuki's space, eyebrows waggling. "Or rather who ya starin' at?"
Katsuki's face scrunches up at the suggestion. "I wasn't staring at Ura-"
"Sure, sure, 'course you weren't!"
Despite himself, he can feel a flush crawling under his cheeks. "Listen, dragon boy, I just thought something was-"
"It ain't a crime to admire a pretty girl!" the redhead laughs, then leans in close with a serious look on his face. "Unless you've got some ill intentions. Then you'll have to answer to me."
There is a beat during which Katsuki can only stare back at the man in his personal bubble.
When Eijirou's face twitches into another grin, Katsuki can barely hold in his groan. "Buuuuuut I know ya aren't that kinda guy, Bakugou!"
Katsuki cannot keep back the urge to push Eijirou into the nearest fruit stand. He feigns ignorance even as the girls apologize to the vendor and pay for some of the crushed fruit. Eijirou cackles the whole time and it's all Katsuki can do to just shake his head at the man and not push him again.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
"We're gonna get some stuff for Kouka, so you two just hang out and have some fun!" Eijirou says, snagging the strap of Bakugou's bag off his shoulder and Tsuyu's arm in one move. He needs the assurance that Bakugou won't bolt and wants Tsuyu with him, both in general and also to enact his plan. "We'll meet you guys at that inn with the thatched roof we passed back a ways."
"Eiji, what are you doing?" Tsuyu says, taking three steps for each of his two.
Eijirou leans down to her ear, "Trying to get those two to get along better. Besides, I think Bakugou likes her, like you know-"
Tsuyu twists to look back over her shoulder. Uraraka and Bakugou stand right where they were left, dumbfounded by the sudden departure of the Bern natives. "I'm not sure its like that, Eiji, but I can't say I wouldn't like them to be on friendlier terms." She turns to look up at him, shifting her arm in his hold so they're linked at the elbow. "Besides, I was having a good time with Uraraka. Not that I don't have fun with you, but you're not a girl."
"I'm aware," Eijirou grins. Tsuyu just peers up at him, wide eyes amused even after he pulled her away for this unexpected detour.
"So how are you going to make it up to me?"
Eijirou just laughs, shifting the arm linked with hers to wrap around her shoulders and tuck her into his side. His chest blooms with pleasant warmth as her hand naturally slips between his back and their packs to grip his side.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Ochako can only stare as Tsuyu and Eijirou blend into the crowd. She has no idea why the pair had decided that now was the perfect time to go shopping for the giant wyvern, but away they went. And now she's alone.
With Bakugou.
She glances over and catches the red gaze that has settled on her. Thankfully, he looks just as confused. The grateful feeling only lasts a moment until definite awkwardness slips in and she looks away. The longer they stand there silent, the louder and bigger the crowd around them starts to feel. Someone bumps her and she stumbles, not ready for it.
She growls into the chest she's knocked into, hands fisting into a dark grey jacket. It's unfortunately familiar and Ochako looks up to see those same red eyes boring down on her. She can feel the flush rising in her cheeks and spreading down her neck. Pushing off of him doesn't help matters as she backs into another person who elbows her out of their way.
Bakugou sighs angrily and snatches her wrist, pushing through the early afternoon crowd. Ochako's face is still red and she struggles to keep up even with his iron grip. When she tries to find out where they're headed, Bakugou only grunts back 'anywhere with less idiots.'
Ochako stares at the back of his head as he leads. The blond strands of his hair are lighter and shiny in the daylight, sticking out in every direction, as unpredictable as he is. She is still trying to work out all the little hints she's gotten about the man. She's quite certain this axe user is from Etruria now, based on his features and the look he had in his eyes when she'd brought up the Burning General. He is so at odds from what she knows of Etrurians, though, that it sows a seed of doubt in her mind.
He might be blond and he seems pretty well-learned about magic- no one in her travels had ever caught on to her wind magic use under the veil of the flame tomes she used. Bakugou has a magic-imbued weapon of his own, for Elimine's sake! Yet he is also kind, in his own, brusque way, and that definitely does not compute with her mental image and experiences with an Etrurian out for blood and money.
The conundrum sends her thoughts into spirals, chasing thread after thread internally until some of the anxiety it causes her leaks out. She begins babbling about the crowd, not even really caring if Bakugou is listening to her. She just needs something to do, a distraction.
For his part, Katsuki is having trouble finding his way out of the growing throng. There seems to be no lack of people anywhere in the city's shopping district. Ochako is running her mouth about who knows what and her voice has steadily been getting higher, faster. With each passing minute, the string of words in his ear speeds up until Katsuki doesn't even know if she's inhaling. He sneaks a peek back at her and, as though there was any doubt, she's having some kind of panic attack. The next alley they come upon, he pushes her in and against the wall.
"Breathe, dammit."
People continue to pass their alcove, but the noise is much reduced. They stand in silence as Ochako's breathing slows and the flush from nerves and the sun starts to fade. Katsuki's about to ask if they should get going and find the inn, when a loud noise cracks behind them. They whip around to see a door slammed open at the back of the alley. A guy is tossed out harshly by two hulking men.
There's a gasp behind Katsuki as he's pulled back into the shade of the alleyway with Ochako's hand slapped over his mouth. The man is getting the tar kicked out of him by the two men. He picks at her hand, trying to wrench it away, but she just grabs him again and pulls him back out into the crowd. Katsuki yells at her as they dodge market patrons; the alleyway and men far, far behind them.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Tsuyu only half wishes that Uraraka was with her and Eijirou. Honestly, she's enjoying the time with her friend. They do manage to visit some shops to find items for Kouka and to replenish their own supplies. The new harness straps and padding to replace the saddle's underlining will be well appreciated by the great beast. Throughout it all, Eijirou carries everything but her pack, to her chagrin. She has snuck a few items out of his bag to lighten the load without him knowing.
He pushes her into a small eatery offering local Ostian fair and they snag a corner table that allows Eijirou to set down his and Bakugou's bags. Tsuyu rolls her shoulders and combs through her hair to get out the smaller knots as they wait for their food.
"It sure is busier here than Bern, huh?"
Tsuyu hums in agreement, stealing a small glance at Eijirou as he watches the people pass the window. The late afternoon sun filters in soft through the pane and highlights his features and brightens his hair. "Busier, yes, but I'm glad we're here," she says.
He turns to her, smiling openly enough that she can see his crooked tooth and the creases around his eyes. She can't help but smile in turn. Their food arrives shortly after, a simple soup and some poultry, roasted. The taste is delightful and Tsuyu brings her hand to her mouth as the combination of smells and the flavor tingles on her tongue. Unbidden, it brings her eyes to watering. Despite the delicious complement of food, she feels her stomach roil and roll, emotions leaking out. She's broken from the sensation when Eijirou places a hand over hers, still clutched around a knife.
"You okay?" he asks quietly. The look on his face and the small bites taken out of his food indicate he probably understands without even asking.
"It tastes like…" Tsuyu trails. She places the knife down and he just continues to loosely hold her hand. "I guess I am a bit homesick after all."
He squeezes her hand with a kind look and they sit there another moment before he comments. "Can't let it go cold or to waste, right?"
"Right!" she laughs.
They pass the time amicably as the light dims outside into evening, Eijirou ordering a couple jelly tarts that starred the regional berries. They come fresh out of the oven and Tsuyu loves them so much that she could cry again. Unsurprisingly, Eijirou tips over half of his onto her plate, claiming he was full. She knows its a lie, but at this point, it is useless to argue with him over it. Instead she indulges for the moment in the sweet yet tart treat.
The clouds reflect a host of pale pinks and oranges against a dusky sky as the pair departs. Eijirou takes the few minutes Tsuyu finishes her dessert to repack their bags and strap Bakugou's to his own. When they set off leisurely for the inn, Tsuyu takes his free hand and he bumps her shoulder gently. With a shy grin that she treasures, he slips his fingers into the spaces between hers and she squeezes back.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Somehow, through all the pushing and pulling of the crowds, they've ended up in the park that surrounds the arena, where festival tents are being set up for the upcoming tournament. Ochako is still dragging him by the arm so Katsuki is still complaining.
"Hey! Dammit, Angelface! Let go!"
She doesn't seem to hear him and continues pulling Katsuki farther into the grassy area. Trees are scattered randomly throughout the small square and as they pass one, he grabs ahold. Even jerked back by that, the mage girl single-mindedly tugs him in the opposite direction of the alleyway they'd been in. With no other choice, he goes with the only thing guaranteed to get her attention.
"Ugh… Stop, Ochako!"
Like magic, she does. But then she's whipping around and Katsuki can practically feel the air pressure around them drop.
"What did I say about calling me that?" she hisses, eyes glittering with half-baked murder plans.
He isn't feeling too pleasant right now, either. "Considering it's the only thing I'm positive will get your fucking attention, I'll use it how I damn well please."
Ochako lets out a noise somewhere between a growl and scream. Her face screws up, red and angry as she glares at him. He's almost impressed until she stamps her foot, then he's definitely impressed and possibly a little... excited? Katsuki's blood quickens when the grass and flowers near Ochako's feet fall silently to the ground. They are perfectly sliced.
No incantation. No indication that she even knew she was doing it.
She throws her hands up in the air and for a split second Katsuki wonders if he should have tried to shield himself from her unconscious magical outbursts. Yet Ochako just covers her face and slumps down to the neatly cut grass.
"You just don't understand," she mutters, deflating against the tree. He crosses his arms, shifting his weight. As he opens his mouth to retort, a loud grumbling comes from her stomach. Her face flushes heavily in embarrassment. It is almost cute how red and puffed out her cheeks get. He sighs to relieve himself of the thought and the tension from her outburst.
"You gonna run off again?" he asks. She pouts and turns away, picking at some of the tree's bark. "Well, are you?"
"No…" she mumbles.
"Fine, stay put." He turns on his heel to head back toward the tents. "I'm getting some damn food."
Ochako watches him go, notes his confident strides belying his frustration. He isn't exactly light-footed as far as she could tell. She is honestly still a bit shaken from the incident in the alley. The tattoos they had, the violence she knew had followed their departure. It had been dim, but she knew what she saw. In the past few weeks, she'd seen more members than she'd seen in a while and she was frightened. What if they had already found her, were tracking her? She finally made some space in her heart for friends and the thought of putting them in danger just by traveling together did not sit well. Ochako wraps her arms around herself, hand clasping over her bicep, the mark underneath her sleeves feeling nearly alive. Had Bakugou seen it?
That time in the forest, all those questions… he knew something.
But then there are many mysteries about the man himself. Giran had brought up a ransom. It, in retrospect, seemed he had not been looking for her as she had feared, but Bakugou. That, combined with his magic-imbued axe and his reluctance to share anything about himself, prickles her memory. She had never seen the Burning General herself, but she knew the woman had a son and that he had gone missing. If Bakugou is the missing lordling, then-
A savory smell hits her in the nose and she blinks rapidly to focus on the grilled meat on a stick being shoved in her face. Ochako looks up to see Bakugou holding out the treat. Still a bit startled, she takes it without comment. Her fingers brush over his on the exchange and she suddenly becomes aware of the fact that they had spent a large portion of the day alone, dragging each other around by the hand. Ochako nearly drops the stick at the revelation as she remembers the sensation of calloused skin on hers, freshly healed from the latest round of blisters.
Bakugou plops down across from her and she steals a glance before focusing on her food. He sits cross-legged in the dirt, blonde hair wild and dappled with sunlight filtering through the tree. He's so casual and frankly, un-lord-like that she can barely picture him sitting in some ritzy manse, sipping tea or ordering servants around. She's pulled from her thoughts again when Bakugou kicks her boot, chewing on his empty stick.
"So why the hell did we run when we saw those guys?"
Ochako coughs a little, taken off guard. She grabs for her skin of water as much to clear her throat as to stall. "I thought they might be part of a gang I'd heard about," she says. Ochako quickly takes her last bite of food to occupy her mouth.
The fighter looks pensive for a moment, eyes flickering toward her arm. Ochako waits for another question on her personal history, on her mark.
"How did you know they were in a gang? Looked like a guy getting the boot from a bar to me," he says around the wood stick in his mouth. "Seemed like business as usual."
"Hmm… well…" Ochako taps her dowel against her lips, thinking about what to say. "They have these… tattoos. On their necks, they look kind of like…" she trails, scratching into some dirt on the ground rough shapes and swirls. "Sorry, I'm no artist."
He leans forward, trying to make out the crude shapes. When he glances up through his fringe, his red eyes are just as intense as she remembers. Ochako feels warm and self-conscious under his intense scrutiny, but she refuses to back away to gain more personal space. After another beat, he pulls back.
"I have know clue how the fuck you saw that in a dark alley from so far away."
Ochako stumbles with her answer, trying to deflect, but Bakugou's stony face looks as unimpressed with her babbling as ever. She's tried being nice, tried cutting to the point, tried straight up yelling at him, but he sure is damn persistent in his pursuit of knowledge. She grasps for another topic, hoping to steer them into safer waters, at least until Tsuyu and Eijirou return and can act as a buffer between her and the relentless fighter.
"But, hey, you never answered Tsuyu! Why are you traveling around Lycia alone?" She almost doesn't expect him to respond, but he sighs and shifts to stare at his hands.
"I... wanted to breathe, to prove I'm strong on my own terms," he says, clasping his hands into fists. Her eyes catch on the small glint of gold she can see through his axe's wrappings and nods in silence. Bakugou doesn't make eye contact with her again and his knuckles look white, even as his posture seems to relax.
It's clear now that he is uncomfortable saying more, so Ochako stands, dusting her tights and tunic off. She offers him a hand up and plays it off smoothly when he rises without taking it.
"We should probably head to the inn now. Uh, thanks, by the way," she mutters. "For helping me, in the crowds earlier."
"Hn, not that many people in Ilia, eh?" he asks, still not looking at her. The sun is finally starting to set in earnest, the warm tones highlighting his profile. In the evening light, his straight posture and serious features do lend themselves to the image of a lord, hiding in plain sight.
"...yeah, something like that."
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
They check the tournament registration the next day and Tsuyu is not at all surprised that they've missed the deadline. The boys are understandably irritated and even Uraraka looks a bit put out. For herself, Tsuyu is perfectly fine watching the battle royale. She's also secretly happy that Eijirou wouldn't be putting himself in danger needlessly. He is so used to fighting alongside Kouka now that she isn't quite sure how he would hold up on his own. Kouka herself had been spending time in the forest outside Ostia. Either she or Eijirou had taken to nightly visits since they'd arrived, to check on the wyvern.
The small odd jobs and the paraphernalia she had nicked last month from the Araphen arena scammers had funded them well enough to afford tickets to all rounds of the tournament in addition to their accomodations at the inn. Since Bakugou and Eijirou had wanted to enter themselves, they're quite early for the first round. The preliminary matches of the day haven't started yet so the arena is pretty empty, except for the stalls starting to set up.
The group enters, Eijirou trying to engage Bakugou in conversation on one on one battle strategies. Tsuyu slips her arm through Uraraka's and tugs.
"We're going to get some snacks," Tsuyu calls, making both the boys turn back to look. "Maybe some jerky and some fruit?"
Bakugou just nods, but Eijirou grins widely, asking her to get apples if the vendors had them. Tsuyu nods and Uraraka keeps step with her. They chit chat about what to buy until they come to the line of stalls just inside the arena's grounds.
"Think we should get some of these flags for the tournament?" Tsuyu asks, holding up a small triangular pennant. Uraraka grins, arms laden with their food supplies.
"Aren't they doing teams for the opening rounds? We could each pick a team to root for!" she says excitedly. Tsuyu smiles back at the girl, glad that the mage was finally opening up.
"That sounds great. I'll get one of each then," Tsuyu responds. She turns back to the stand. "Would you mind grabbing another apple? I know four seems like plenty, but I'm sure that Eijirou will eat at least two on his own…"
Uraraka makes a noise of assent and Tsuyu hears her footsteps bounce away lightly. The food stand is just on the other side of the wall of the novelty stand she is in. Tsuyu fingers the fabric of the little red flag stitched with a fire insignia. A scuffle behind her draws her attention and she mentally recounts the number of footsteps Uraraka had taken.
When she is suddenly thrown to the ground, Tsuyu knows it was not enough. The sound of fruit rolling on the wooden floor and a gasp of pain makes Tsuyu twist her head towards it. She scratches her chin on the rough flooring, but ignores it when she sees Uraraka in a similar position to herself: an unfriendly knee in the small of her back, arms twisted uncomfortably and face squished against the ground.
The person holding down Uraraka appears to be a woman, wearing heeled boots and a maniacal grin. The large hands on Tsuyu's arms indicate that her attacker is probably a man. If only she could reach one of her hidden knives, she could-
"Ah, there you are, little Ochako!" the woman simpers. "I was beginning to think you didn't like me so I just had to come and see you myself."
Uraraka struggles and strains against her captor and Tsuyu tries to get free, too. Who was this? Why was she calling Uraraka, Ochako? All she gets for her troubles is to be slammed against the floor again. Tsuyu sees stars this time and closes her eyes for a moment to concentrate.
"Uh-uh, feisty girl, no magic," the woman reprimands. "You know it won't hurt me enough to escape, and then what will happen to your…. friend?"
Tsuyu opens her eyes and sees Uraraka- or was it Ochako?- stop struggling, the strange woman leaning over her near her ear. The crazed look is still there and all of her attention is locked on the tense mage girl. Tsuyu swears the woman's eyes are glowing gold.
Her friend turns her gaze to Tsuyu, terrified. They lock eyes for one long moment before Uraraka tries to speak. "Tsuyu, I'm-!"
Everything goes black.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Ochako watches, horrified when Dabi bashes Tsuyu's face into the floor. The clerk manning this stall is nowhere to be found and no one has walked by during the entire interaction between her and their two assailants. Not a single passerby. Tsuyu's slack body and the hint of blood beneath her head make Ochako's heart ache.
They're utterly alone and she is cursing her luck from here all the way back to the Dragon's Gate.
Himiko looms over her again, twisting her arms harshly. Ochako winces against the unnatural angle of her limbs. "You'll be a good girl this time, right?"
"If- If- you let Tsuyu go-" she gasps.
Dabi raises an eyebrow at her, pulling on his stitches. His golden eyes are flat and emotionless as he crouches over the thin girl and lifts her by her long dark hair. There's a cut across Tsuyu's face, skin split across her brow and nose bleeding freely.
"Please," Ochako begs. "Let her go! She isn't involved in any of this!"
"Everyone is involved, my dearest," Himiko whispers, a dark promise in her voice.
"I'll go! I'll go with you if you just let her be!"
"You will walk out of here without complaint and you will finish what you started. No running away. No more bargains." Dabi's voice is deep and raspy. He picks up Tsuyu and tosses her body over the booth's counter. She wouldn't be seen from the main drag of the arena and Ochako worries that it would be some time before she was found and could receive help.
There is nothing to be done, however, as Himiko releases her. She lets Ochako stand, but holds a dagger- poisoned, no doubt- to her back discreetly as they walk out of the arena. Himiko giggles the entire way.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Katsuki and Eijirou watch the preliminary bouts, but the team battling is not very exciting yet. It's been quite a long time since Ochako and Tsuyu separated from them to get food. With each passing minute, Eijirou seems to grow more antsy. He fidgets in his seat, standing then sitting as the teams change out on the field below.
"Hasn't it been more than enough time to get a few pieces of fruit?" he complains.
Katsuki shields his eyes, gaging how far the sun has moved over the arena. A hour or so certainly seemed too much.
"Maybe they got sidetracked by some stupid girl thing?" Katsuki guesses. Eijirou lets out a groan of frustration and stands again, this time seeming set on finding their companions. Katsuki starts at the notion that he now considers them 'companions' and not just the random people they'd been a month ago. But again it was a month of near constant time spent with at least one of them. Dare he say it, but he actually mostly enjoyed their time together, even if Eijirou was an idiot, Tsuyu a thief, and Ochako damn annoying and secretive.
The wyvern rider just gets past him in their row, stomping towards the aisle when Tsuyu staggers towards them, clutching her head. Her clothes are dirty and her normally neat hair is in disarray. Most concerningly, she is alone and bleeding. The redhead immediately starts fussing over her, checking the gash on her face and the lump on her head. She just pushes him aside, even as she nearly loses balance.
"They took her! They snuck up on us and took her!" she cries. "Ocha- Uraraka is gone!"
Katsuki snaps to attention at the slip of the tongue. Eijirou gathers Tsuyu in his arms despite her protests.
"Bakugou, I'm taking Tsuyu to the medical tent. You start looking for Uraraka!" he orders. "We'll find you afterwards and search, too!"
Katsuki moves before he even finishes, fingers reaching back to graze Hauza, the heat assuring him he was armed. He may not have expected to make comrades on his journey, but now that he had them, he would protect them.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
"You thought you could get away from the Fang?" Himiko hisses at Ochako. "Unfortunately, I can't do the job alone and I need you and your filthy magic to finish our work."
Ochako tries to keep her steps steady and even as they walk through the forest outside Ostia. Dabi walks ahead and she has no doubt that they are headed to a Warp seal that the pair had set up in preparation. She weighs her chances of escape, but things look bleak. Himiko and Dabi are both powerful mages in their own right and dark magic definitely trumped her anima.
But she promised herself she would not go back.
They pass through a clearing with a single tree near the middle. Ochako is reminded of the tree she sat under with Bakugou yesterday. How close she had gotten to telling him the truth, but this inability to trust, this doubt she still had, it had set her up for failure the moment the Black Fang decided to make their move.
Dabi kneels and activates the seal hidden in the taller grasses on the outskirts of the clearing. He stands and turns only his head back to address Ochako. The glow of magic lights his face, strange shadows crossing over his scarring and making his glowing gold eyes even eerier. "You will cooperate, or we will make a housecall to your new friends."
Himiko leans into Ochako from behind, chin digging into her shoulder, dagger still poised at the small of her back. "I might want to make a housecall anyway, since one of them is that young, handsome Katsuki of Aquleia! I'd love to suck up his life force; he looks downright delicious," she giggles into Ochako's ear. "As a woman, you know what I mean, don't you?"
Ochako doesn't dare breathe. "Aqule- ...what… who?"
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Scene 2 - Match Strike
Katsuki tears through the arena's fairway, crashing into people and cursing up a storm. He's knocked into several vendors' stalls already, the thin wood posts rattling and their owners screaming at him. He's already tried asking a few people if they've seen a girl with Ochako's description. Apparently no one has seen a 'stupid girl with a round angelface' OR a 'dumb mage chick with poofy hair and red cheeks.'
Not that he had waited for a response anyway.
He looks up at the darkening sky as the sun sets and night approaches. The arena is glowing, the main event ready to start, but Katsuki turns his eyes away from the temptation of the fighting about to begin. They scan over what he can see of the city, the little lanterns and lights of the buildings starting to flicker in the windows. Nothing appears abnormal. He rakes a hand through his hair in frustration, pulling his fingers down his face harshly. When he exhales and opens his eyes, he is turned towards the large field he had sat in yesterday with Ochako, the few trees in it getting denser at the edge of the forest.
It is there, against the darkening sky, that Katsuki sees a lone curl of smoke, twisting its way above the forest.
It's a bit hard to tell, but he's pretty sure the smoke is not a random campfire, given the location and amount rising up in the air. His gut tells him Ochako is the culprit with her weird fire magic, so he takes off for the forest's edge, bowling over any in his path.
"Dammit, she's gonna burn down the forest!"
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
"We're going to miss our seal, Himiko," Dabi sighs. His expression, even through the scarring and burns, is bored yet exasperated. He almost seems as though he is a very put-on servant with an unruly noble child to look after. He crosses his arms and Ochako has no idea how eyes that glow gold could look so flat.
Her ill-advised attempt to escape and resist has backfired. She had managed to get away from Himiko's knife in the initial moments, but she knew it was a short lived victory. She is exhausted, burns from the fire magic she'd used wreaking havoc on her skin. She has used so much that she can feel the burn lines twining all the way up her arms and stretching out onto her upper back and neck. Worse than that, she's used some dark magic, too, which makes her ache bone-deep. Ochako huffs and tries to slice Himiko in half with wind as the deranged dark mage rushes her, one hand brandishing the knife and the other a miasma of dark energy. The woman dodges it deftly, solidifying in Ochako's mind that this really is her last fight.
Ochako trips on a root during her retreat and the result is costly. The bite of the knife twisting into her side is harsh and hot. A sudden roiling of nausea and the throbbing of the wound tell her there was more to the stab wound than just a blade. Himiko's cackling sounds far away suddenly and even the characteristic buzzing of the dark magic in her hand fades away. Ochako is thrown from her feet into a tree when the energy collides with her stomach. In an instant, Himiko hovers over her, twirling the blade in her fingers and licking her lips.
"Y'know, you're such a naughty girl, Ochako…" Himiko hums. She drags the blade softly across Ochako's cheek, making her flinch at the shallow cut. "But then again-" the knife embeds itself into the bark next to her neck. "-I think I can make this work without your cooperation."
"Whatever you're going to do, make it fast, woman," Dabi calls over to them, still standing lazily on the edge of the seal. "We've got a timeline."
"Can it, you cut rate imitation!" Himiko snaps. Lifting her hand, a purple hue glows as she places it over Ochako's heart. The pain from Ochako's fire spells is nothing compared to the wrenching agony of whatever magic Himiko employs on her now. The witch pulls a vial out and catches a few drops of blood from Ochako's cheek. "Oh, my sweet girl, my darling Zephyr, don't you see?"
Himiko leans in and Ochako tries to open her eyes when the woman's breath scorches her face. She's sweating and her heartbeat is rapid, every nerve firing flight responses at her, but not a muscle responding. "I can remake you. With this blood and your very quintessence, I will make you again."
Dabi's voice rings out again, but Ochako can't tell what he says. She is losing consciousness fast. Himiko stands over her and the cool evening air doesn't help alleviate the pain and hot flush of poison in her system.
"You will be reborn and serve your purpose," Himiko croons, leaning over to stroke her face. Then she digs a nail into the scratch on Ochako's face. "So die knowing that you've helped us end everything as you were always meant to."
Ochako knows nothing but a flash of magic and the dark of night after that.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
The acrid stench of spellfire reaches Katsuki's nose within the first few feet into the forest. It's more than wood burning. His feet pound harder against the ground, legs pushing towards the source. A whoosh and gust of air nearly knocks him off course and he sees Kouka darting around trees next to him as he runs. Normally, she would have tried to take a chunk of flesh out of him with her sharp teeth, but there is nary a hiss from her. Something tells Katsuki they have a temporary truce right now, that she knows something is wrong and he needs her speed.
He reaches out to grab onto the harness, but Kouka dodges his hand. With a great flap of her wings, she falls a few paces behind him and grabs him by the shoulders. The claws dig into him painfully and Katsuki is glad he's wearing his recent purchase: a thick black leather jacket. The giant lizard pulls them into the air above the trees, not caring enough to keep him from hitting branches on the way up. He covers his face as best he can and when they emerge, he screams at the wyvern.
"You asshole dragon!"
Kouka does a roll and tosses him into the air, only to catch him by the leg this time. He continues cursing her back to the dawn of the dragons' age, but she just guns it for the pillar of smoke. The fighter is dropped unceremoniously into the tiny clearing, coughing and choking on the smoke and the wind that's expelled from his lungs on impact with the ground. When he gets his bearings, he can only take it in, shocked.
The grass in the clearing and the surrounding parts of the forest is burnt and decaying, like fire was not the only culprit. Katsuki runs a hand along a scorch on the ground and recoils from it. Dark magic. Kouka lands next to him and nudges him none too gently. He trips forward and that's when she comes into view. Ochako is sprawled on the ground, unconscious and propped awkwardly against a tree. She's bleeding from multiple wounds, the most concerning of which is the dark spot on her side he makes out in the moonlight.
She's so still he believes for a split second she's dead, lips white and blue. He approaches anyway, checking her over to find other wounds, if she had broken bones. He breathes in relief to find her still breathing. Katsuki finds he doesn't have any vulneraries on him and her hip pouch has been removed from her person. It is an attempt by her attackers to make it look like she was just robbed and left for dead, but Katsuki knows better from Tsuyu's description. Ochako had been targeted specifically.
When he lifts her from the ground, he does so carefully, trying to keep her still. His hand clasps and presses harshly against her wound with a wad of her tattered cloak. She doesn't flinch and his expression grows grim. The dirt beneath her- for all the grass that may have been there is now shriveled and dead- is stained in blood and he bites back the bile at the appalling image.
Katsuki turns to Kouka, the mage girl limp, cold and fading in his arms. "I know we've got beef, dragon, but…"
The wyvern stares at him only a moment before lowering herself so he can clamber on without needing his hands. On the flight back to the inn, Katsuki lets Kouka navigate. He is more concerned with trying to wake Ochako. The angry red lines on her arms are back, but this time are mixed with a sickly purple; he can even see some on her neck. She's clammy and her clothes are shredded.
"C'mon, Angelface, don't you dare die," he says harshly. "We didn't get to finish our fight, you dumb mage girl. Your round face is so damn annoying and what the hell am I supposed to say to those two idiots if you don't greet them with that too wide grin?" He shakes her a little and her head falls to the side, exposing more lines and putting her into the moonlight. She's so pale and he hates that she looks as fragile as he'd first assumed her to be. "The thief's gonna cry, Ochako, and that redhead is gonna try to beat the crap out of me, Ochako. Aren't I not supposed to call you that?! Huh, Ochako?!" He tucks her closer when she doesn't answer.
Kouka speeds up.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
The street is nearly empty, but the few who are out and not at the tournament scatter quickly when Kouka swoops low over the cobblestone. She's barely there long enough for anyone to realize what's going on. Most only register a dark shape and a strong gale of wind then a man appearing from nowhere with a girl bundled in his arms.
Katsuki ducks quickly into the inn, promising himself he'd hunt something down for the great lizard. Ochako feels featherlight in his arms and he hopes that there are still some elixirs in Eijirou's bag from earlier and some blood still left in Ochako's body. He damn near kicks the door down to their group's room. Tsuyu is inside, propped up against the wall on the bed. Eijirou is sitting at her side, but stands immediately.
"Man, your hands-!" he exclaims, but Tsuyu's cries overpower him.
"Oh my goodness, Uraraka!" she gasps, tears welling rapidly. Katsuki moves towards them as Tsuyu scrambles to the side of the bed to give him space to set her down.
When he does, Katsuki notices his hands are glowing. The cuts and bruises where they'd been on Ochako have receded and the stab wound has stopped bleeding. The white glow flickers and his vision blurs for a moment. He feels weak in the knees and light-headed, swaying over Ochako on the bed. The moment passes, but his hands are normal now. The room is silent, until Eijirou explodes with questions.
"What was that? I've never seen you do magic before! Have you always-"
"Shut up and get some salves or something, dammit!" Katsuki snaps. He growls, curling his hands into fists. "Dammit!"
To his credit, the redhead dashes for his pack, pushing Tsuyu back down next to Ochako on his way. Clearly, he didn't want the little thief to strain herself further. Salves handed to him, Katsuki starts applying them to her exposed skin, whatever he can see. In the light of the lamp in their room, he can see at least one missing piece of the puzzle to Ochako's condition. The skin around her stab wound is whitened and mottled with blue, a purple-ish residue rimming the injury. She needs an antidote.
Tsuyu sees it when he does and pushes past Eijirou to dig through her own bag. She fumbles with it, nearly tossing it to him. Katsuki uncorks it with his teeth and applies it to the wound. For good measure, he grabs the skin of water on the side table which was probably Tsuyu's and pours a bit of the antitoxin into it. Thumb over the opening, he shakes it hard with one hand while tilting Ochako up with the other. Tsuyu slips a pillow beneath her back and pinches her nose so Katsuki only had to support her head as he tips the hastily made remedy down her throat.
"I'm going to draw some water, Eiji, so prep some bandages," Tsuyu orders, walking to the door.
"But Tsu-" he protests.
"No, Eiji, this is important," she says. The fire in her eyes convinces him to shut up. "Bakugou can watch her condition, I will get clean water to wash her wounds out and you will prep the bandages. We have to stop any infection from making this worse for her."
She disappears as soon as her shoes were on and Eijirou's shock at her vehemence is cut short when Ochako convulses on the bed. Color is starting to return to her face from the antitoxin and his inadvertent healing session, but the poison is still affecting her. Bakugou moves to hold her down as she starts thrashing, her body's nervous system triggered by the salves and poison combating each other. Then she's heaving and he has the sense to turn her onto her side. She throws up onto the floor at his feet and stops convulsing, but doesn't wake.
"Uh, Bakugou," Eijirou starts, grabbing a rag he usually cleans Kouka's harness with to mop up the vomit. "What was with the glowy hand thing?"
"Now's not the time for that," Bakugou bites out. "Ochako is still 'bout ready to keel over so stuff it unless you've got something to say that will actually help."
Eijirou recoils a little, but returns to the task of cleaning up the vomit, tossing the rag into a bucket provided by the inn for carrying water. He wonders briefly what Tsuyu will bring the water up in. More than that, though, he wonders why everyone is calling Uraraka 'Ochako'. As he's about to ask, Tsuyu comes back in, carrying two buckets of water that are certainly not theirs. She seems to have had the life blown back into her, all determination and authority instead of the fear and panic from her attack.
"Get out so I can clean out her wounds and figure out if we'll need more vulneraries or antitoxin when the shops open up in the morning," she directs. Tsuyu pushes the bucket with the bile-soaked rag into Eijirou's chest as she shoos them from the room. They can be useful and wash it out, she says, and be prepared with more clean water.
The streets are dark fully now and not a room on the floor still has a light on except theirs. The moon is still giving though, the beams hitting them through the window at the end of the hall. Eijirou goes to clean the rag and fill the bucket while Bakugou sits outside the door, on watch. When he returns, he sees the blond man still hasn't noticed that his hands, arms and shirt are coated and crusting with Uraraka's blood.
"Hey," he calls out, tossing the clean and damp rag at the man. "You should clean up."
Bakugou easily catches the cloth and the small rivulets of watered down blood catch his attention finally. Putting the rag on his knee, he tugs his jacket and shirt off. He starts wiping the grime and blood off in silence, only cupping more water out of the bucket a few times once his hands were clean.
"So… Uraraka is actually named Ochako?" Eijirou asks, sliding down to sit by the hot-headed fighter. The blond doesn't look up.
"None of your fucking business."
"Not my- but it is yours, eh?" he presses. Red eyes glare at him, but Eijirou's gotten used to that by now. "Fine. What about your hands? The glowing?"
Bakugou stops, holding his hands palm up and spreading his fingers. The rag hangs loosely from the crook of his arm. He stays this way for several minutes until he finally speaks.
"I think it's… but I've only seen it once before," Bakugou mutters, eyes tracing over every inch of his hands as though they'd reveal their secrets under the pressure. One hand drops and covers his side. "Healtouch."
When Bakugou moves his hand again, Eijirou can see an old scar, faded, right below his ribs. "Who'd you learn it from?"
"You don't learn it," he says, leaning back against the wall. The rag is forgotten and Eijirou thinks that Bakugou looks older, wearier, as he continues. "You inherit it."
"So your parents…"
"My mother." Bakugou turns his head just enough to watch the light flicker underneath the door from Tsuyu moving around. "I didn't know I had it."
The door creaks and Tsuyu sticks her head out. "I'm done. She's sleeping." She sounds deflated, like all the energy she had summoned to help her friend has been sapped away.
Eijirou gets up, but Bakugou remains. "I'll keep watch. We don't know if they'll be back."
The door closes behind Eijirou and Katsuki takes a deep breath, holds it, then pushes it out slowly. His chest feels tight and he traces over the scar on his side once more. When the door opens again, he isn't expecting it. Tsuyu holds out a fresh shirt from his bag and Hauza, carefully holding it by the straps of its harness so as not to touch the metal. He can only hum in appreciation before shifting to put the shirt on and hold Hauza, warm and familiar. The light from under the door flickers a few more times before it goes out. He is left in darkness with only the moon for company.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Ochako slips in and out of consciousness over the course of the next two days, never really coherent enough for Tsuyu to assess her condition. Still, she keeps redressing her wounds and applying the salves that Eijirou dutifully goes out to get during the daylight hours. Tsuyu constantly keeps the window in her peripheral vision, paranoid that their attackers may return. Now that she is not concussed, she had given a description of the pair as best she could to Eijirou and Bakugou. It isn't much to go on, but Tsuyu feels she would recognize them instantly no matter the situation.
A woman with a manic smile and spiky buns for a hairstyle and a man, probably a bit taller than Eijirou. Golden eyes.
She knows Eijirou's kept an eye out while going for supplies and checking on Kouka. The wyvern had taken him to the spot Bakugou had found Ochako in. She knows her friend is hiding how bad the damage there was from her, but doesn't press. Somehow it feels like knowing will make it worse, make it clearer how close they'd come to losing their new friend.
Though she hasn't brought it up, Tsuyu knows now that Ochako is Uraraka's real name. Those evil people had used it and she had responded instantly, had been terrified of it. And then, when she'd started to say it, it immediately got Bakugou's attention. She surmised that the man knew it as well and wondered at how he'd known, why he'd kept it a secret.
Why Ochako had felt like she needed to keep her identity secret.
Eijirou walks in, disturbing her thoughts and vigil over Ochako. He is still talking to Bakugou who continues to sit outside the door, much to the inn keeper's chagrin. Apparently, he was scaring the customers. Tsuyu doesn't mind much, since it means they are less likely to be disturbed.
"He still won't take a break. I swear he isn't sleeping," Eijirou complains, tossing an apple her way. She takes a dainty bite, not really hungry. "I barely got him to take an apple, much less half a loaf of bread today."
"We still don't know him that well, Eiji," she replies softly. "Maybe something happened to him like this before and it brought up bad memories. Maybe… maybe there are lots of things we don't know."
Her gaze falls on the mage girl sleeping on the bed. While physically out of danger, the continued sleep and lack of food was wasting her away. They could force-feed her water, but anything other than broth wouldn't work without her being awake. If she didn't wake soon, she would be in trouble again.
Eijirou drags his stool over next to Tsuyu and takes her hand. She squeezes it.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Once again, Katsuki finds his mind in overdrive. He's barely slept, too, which doesn't help him sort his thoughts. Between Ochako's attack, her tattoo, the aftermath of the magic duel he'd found, the Healtouch ability, and the description of the attackers, his head reels. She's finally stable, which he is grateful for. He isn't sure what his reaction would be if he had found her alive and she had died before reaching someone who could help. Then again, apparently, he could help. He never expected to have his mother's skill. Never before had he shown any real affinity to use magic, only magic imbued weaponry, or specifically, Hauza.
It certainly helped explain his innate disgust with the battle scene. Katsuki already has a low opinion of dark mages, but it was his first time seeing the devastation that dark magic could have on nature. The scorches on the ground were a mix of fire and dark magic. He had touched one and instantly known it was dark, instantly recoiled. Even recalling the memory has his stomach rolling. The fallout of the magic duel was awesome to see and it makes Katsuki wonder what the extent of both Ochako's and her attackers' powers are.
He is certain he has met people with the description Tsuyu had provided. The 'gold eyes' in particular strike a chord in him. The only problem is he can't remember when or where. He is definitely frayed around the edges, but he is just too exhausted to do anything about it.
Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he stands and stretches. His backside is sore from sitting on the floor and he thinks during the day at least, maybe he can get a nap in. Eijirou is back afterall and Tsuyu had proven herself to be at the least observant and wary. When he walks into the room, locking it behind him, Tsuyu immediately asks about his health. He's so tired he waves her off, only half-heartedly getting mad. Eijirou seems to want to bring up his 'glow-y hands' again.
As he steps around the bed, unclipping Hauza's harness from his back, Ochako shoots up in bed. Katsuki has half a second to throw the axe up in front of her as a fire spell flies from her fingertips at Tsuyu. The golden axe absorbs the blow easily, glimmering and ready to cut down the next thing it touches. The room is tense. Katuski can see the battle haze lift from Ochako's eyes as she follows the line of his arm to his face. She relaxes and nearly falls back to the bed, if Katsuki's arm didn't catch her. Her head lolls back against the crook of his arm as if it was the easiest place to rest.
She's still awake, even if exhausted from the single burst of magic and rush of adrenaline. Tsuyu unroots her feet from the ground and comes forward.
"You have been out for over two days. We've been worried sick," Tsuyu says. She takes Ochako's hand and Katsuki slips Hauza back into its harness, still cradling Ochako's head.
"Yeah, it was awful, what happened! Tsuyu told us what she could about who attacked you both," Eijirou interjects. "But really, it was Bakugou that saved you. He found you in the forest and managed to bring you here."
"Forget that. Who attacked you? How do you know them?" Katsuki presses, unconsciously pulling her closer. "Their golden eyes… who was that?"
Ochako meets his eyes and the look in them betrays fear, possibly disgust. She recoils hard, flinching as she slips from his hold and stretches newly healed skin. She backs up until she hits the wall the bed is pushed against. Her silence and action only incense Katsuki, however.
"What is going on, Ochako?! Who are they? Why did they attack you, Ochako? Why did you kill that commander back at the fort?" Everything starts boiling over and Katsuki swears he sees red. "How can you cast without a tome, Ochako?! What is that black tattoo you keep hiding and why does fire magic pain you to cast it, huh, Ochako?!"
Her brown eyes are wide and flicking around, trying not to meet his, trying to find a way out. His final threads are snapping like the strings on an old lyre.
"How can you use wind magic so easily? What are those lines that appear on your arms? Why did you hide your identity, Ochako?" he yells, running out of breath. Ochako bares her teeth at him, looking as much like a cornered cat as possible. Just when he thinks she is about to answer or at least insult him, Tsuyu breaks the tension.
"Is Ochako really your name?" Her quiet voice is a little tremulous.
"Hah, someone like her is just a liar. Probably can't trust anything she's said to us," Katsuki seethes. He is so tired of the secrets and mysteries. All he wants is for her to answer and explain.
"And what would a true blooded Aquleian know about someone like me?" Ochako spits. Katsuki's eyes narrow.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Hah, if I'm a liar, it goes double for you," she says, voice pouring more vitriol than when he first asked about her name. "I know who you are, Katsuki, son of the Burning General. In my mind, you're just as horrid as the Black Fang."
Tsuyu gasps at the mention of the organization and Eijirou splutters over the revelation. Katsuki takes a step back in shock and confusion. Then, he digs his feet in. "Who told you that? How long have you known?"
"You don't even try to deny it? I should have known better than to ever trust you," she says, giggling a little hysterically. "The Fang appearing everywhere you did… you sold me out!"
"Wait- I didn't- I don't know what the hell you're talking about!"
Somehow now he is on the retreat and she advances, murderous intent in her eyes. He can feel the air pressure changing and it raises gooseflesh on the back of his neck. "Don't play coy, Katsuki, you know about the Fang. You know exactly what they've been doing in Dia!"
His brain is getting whiplash. "Dia-?"
"Etrurians always lie to get their way," she says. Ochako is standing now on shaky knees, but her chin tilts up in defiance. Katsuki tries to stand tall, hoping his height advantage on her will help him maintain composure and control. "Do you even understand what your people have done to mine? What they're still doing?"
She pushes him then and, to Katsuki, it's as though everything else in the room has faded from view. Ochako is terrifying in her rage, hair starting to float and hands starting to lift towards him. "They're abusing the Anima, raping our isles of ore and resources, tainting it with dark magic!"
"Dia is free now-"
"No, Dia was never free. The so-called governors and marquesses in charge are still under Etruria's thumb. The freedom we sought was a lie and now we're under the Black Fang's knife," Ochako cries. There are tears welling in her eyes. "We are no army, just people who know the earth and sea, not how to wage war. We didn't- didn't ask for this, to have these outsiders attack us, force us to use our connection to the Anima this way!"
Her strength finally gives out then. She falls to her knees at his feet, deflated and exhausted. Ochako's face is splotchy and tear stricken. Katsuki is stuck, not knowing how to process all he had been told. The overload of information only adds to the migraine he has labeled 'Ochako'. Eijirou and Tsuyu stare at him until Tsuyu shakes herself and moves to Ochako. She hugs the other girl tightly as she dares.
Katsuki can only look at her, still weak from her ordeal and now emotionally wrecked. Ochako avoids his eye. He cannot deal with this here, not right now. He grabs his pack and jacket, Hauza clenched in his fist, storming for the door. Eijirou follows him, grabbing his elbow at the moment he turned into the hall.
"Just let her have some time to calm down. I don't really get it yet, but… just, don't do anything rash, okay?" the wyvern rider pleads. Katsuki knows that while he is utterly confused, the two from Bern are probably moreso. "We can talk about it later and figure everything out."
Katsuki needs time to process the information, to compare it against what he knew of his homeland before he left. He walks away, unsure why everything feels so heavy.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Scene 3 - Ignition
Katsuki pushes past the underbrush, haphazardly swinging his axe at thicker brambles and branches in his way. It takes out a little of his ire and frustration, but not nearly enough for him to calm down. The forest is filled with the normal level of noise from the wind, birds and smaller animals scuttling out of his way. Somehow this bothers him more than if it had been eerily silent.
The noises distract him from his thoughts just enough to keep him from hacking down a tree and screaming into the too bright and cheery blue sky above. Well, they distract him until he finds himself in a familiar clearing and the remaining stench of dark magic chokes his latest frustrated huff.
Ochako's battle ground is still infected with traces of dark magic, even days on. Katsuki knows if he looks to his left, he'll see the dead grass in the location she had laid in. She had been so close to death's door and he had been desperate to stop the swing of the ethereal scythe from taking her. She became important to him over the past few months, despite how much he's tried to ignore it. The other two are also important to him now, friends possibly.
But Ochako had dug herself much deeper. The mysteries around her, the fire in her eyes, the sheer power and way she handled magic that he's seen in so few people over the course of his life, all of it made him want to know her, to fight at her side. And yet, he now finds himself the source of her despair and an object of her hate.
Katsuki is used to being a disappointment to the nobility, to being labeled selfish, arrogant, and insensitive by commoners. Nothing has thrown him more than Ochako's accusations.
Dia… The series of isles off the western coast of his homeland Etruria were liberated one hundred years ago, or so he thought. Etruria at the time was a militant state, an army of mage knights breaking from the Lycian League and ruling their smaller provinces like Dia with an iron fist. There's no denying that Etruria took advantage of the resources found in the Western Isles and he knew from his history lessons that they were rife with more than value ore and crystals for fashioning weaponry.
The southernmost island in the archipelago was the Dread Isle, after all.
Best known for being cursed, Katsuki's history books showed that it was much more than a place with rough waters, deep fog, and a litany of broken and destroyed ships in its harbors. From the time of the Scouring, it was a nexus of dark magic with conflicting accounts of what an ancient temple known as The Dragon's Gate was used for. The most popular theory, of course, was a crack in the fabric of the world, leading to a land where the fearsome dragons of old dominated. There were even stories about how the Gate was nearly opened just before the Hero-King Roy was born and reunited Etruria with the rest of Lycia.
No, the Western Isles absolutely were rife with magicks of all kinds, just like the mainland of Etruria had been in the time of the Scouring. It was the entire reason that Etrurian mages were considered so powerful and sought after. The Anima, as Ochako had called it, wasn't entirely foreign to him, though it was never personified in his education as she treated it.
But what could Etruria's continued subjugation of Dia, and likely, the rest of the Western Isles, have to do with the resurgence of the Black Fang?
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
"I'm sorry." Ochako's voice is subdued. When she looks up, Tsuyu softens her gaze on the other girl. The brunette's eyes are filled with misery and nerves. "I'm so sorry I got you both mixed up in this."
"Aw, don't worry about it!" Eijirou says, waving her apologies away. "You're our friend, so that means we'll stick with ya through it all."
The easy way his words clear even a little of Ochako's worries from her face warms Tsuyu's heart. It's one of her favorite things about him. Taking the mage's hand slowly, gently, Tsuyu coaxes Ochako to speak, to tell them what she can.
"We want to understand, Ochako." She looks up from their hands held together, deep green eyes wide with compassion. "We want to help."
Tsuyu can feel Eijirou move to stand behind her, a silent show of support and agreement.
"I… I'm from Dia, as you probably know now… I got away from- from the Black Fang," Ochako stumbles over the words, still picking through what she wants to say, what she wants to share. Tsuyu will take what she can get and be patient for the rest. "They wanted me for… my magic."
"Does this have to do with the Anima you mentioned before?"
"...yes."
Ochako doesn't say anything after that and Tsuyu decides to change tracks. "And Etruria is aiding them?"
A nod as Ochako's lips press into a thin line.
Eijirou cuts in again, "Is Bakugou really the son of the Burning General?"
"I think so," Ochako vacillates, "I can't be certain but… well, Himiko lies all the time." The girl's usually rosy cheeks flush further in shame. Tsuyu wants to think that Ochako would rather believe Bakugou over Himiko, but clearly there is more history there than she can see.
"If Bakugou was.. Katsuki of Aquleia… would it change your opinion of him? How you see him?" Tsuyu prods, voice quiet.
Ochako turns to stare out the window of their small room at the inn. She can't answer.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
The mark on her arm had to be from the Black Fang. It was likely some kind of seal, bastardized for use on a person instead of on an object like the sigils carved into a Runesword or Warp staff. The Black Fang is an old organization, a former giant in the underground world of Elibe, taking out targets for any price.
It bothers Katsuki that Etruria and the Black Fang are linked now. Even if he was not home anymore, he knows who would be the implicated parties in his homeland's government; no one had more military authority than the Burning General. The marquess of Etruria was little more than a figurehead to his highest military officer and everyone knew it. So if anyone was calling the shots and allowing this newly coalesced Black Fang to thrive in the shadows once more, it was her.
Mother.
Hauza glints in the light from between the trees where it lies before him. He can feel an itch in his hand to hold it just from looking at it. He certainly has been using it much more frequently since running into Ochako, Eijirou and Tsuyu in Araphen. He barely touched the axe more than to strap it onto his back since he left Aquleia years ago. It truly is an extension of his arm, but its weight is heavier than the mage steel it is made of.
It represents his inheritance to a line of powerful mages and warriors, his birthright to the militant ruling class of Etruria. Even more than the blond hair and red eyes like his mother's, his ability to wield the arcane axe locks his path in stone. He's been trying so hard to break away from the life laid before him since before he was born, but Hauza's responsiveness to him and only him as well as his newfound ability to use Healtouch show just how inescapable that life may be. He cannot escape what he is.
But, he thinks, rising to his feet and giving into the itch to have Hauza in his hand, he can choose how he uses those abilities born to him.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
Eijirou's arms are folded tightly over his chest, frown prominent on his face. "I don't like this, y'know."
"Oh relax, Eiji, we're going to hit the bath house and get a few more supplies," Tsuyu says and she bustles Ochako into her cloak on their way to the door. "Pack up the rest of our stuff and find Kouka. We should leave Ostia soon, but I want to make sure Ochako's wound is closed properly and cleaned. We could do with some more vulneraries and antitoxins as it stands."
The reminder that she is the cause for their supply depletion and forcing them to keep moving, always moving, gives Ochako pause. She's got no idea when Himiko and Dabi will return for her, if they even believe she is still alive. Himiko would know, Ochako rues. The mark on her arm will do its job and remind the dark mage her quarry still has magic, still has quintessence. The circle of tightly drawn black runes on her bicep feels like a shackle, the ball and chain heavy and dragging behind her.
Ochako fidgets, playing with the edges of her cloak, wishing she'd picked a more discreet color than the deep burgundy she had. She tries not to think of the pair of eyes that inspired that decision over her common sense. A green cloak or brown would make it easier to hide, easier to disappear and allow her friends to live without her pursuers over their heads.
The last thing she wants is for one of them to end up dead because of her.
The words start to twist their way out of her throat, to leave her, to ignore her, to let her run, as the images of Tsuyu bleeding into the floor, unconscious, return to her mind. A shout from the throng in the marketplace distracts her and the cavalier and pegasus knight from the first days of her adventures with Tsuyu, Eijirou and Bakugou wave in their direction. She barely pays attention as Tsuyu exchanges pleasantries with the pair.
Eyes sweeping the crowds nervously for Himiko's pigtails or Dabi's tall silhouette, Ochako chews on her lip. The flash of gold to her right from someone exchanging coin for some bread unnerves her. The girls giggling as they rush past her remind her too much of a dark cackle. A gentle tug on her elbow draws her focus back to the conversation.
"..okay, Miss Uraraka?" Izuku the cavalier asks, voice cracking a little and making him flush.
"Huh?" She looks between her three companions, trying to catch back up to what they were talking about. The only clue she has is that Izuku calls her 'Uraraka', meaning Tsuyu hasn't told them what a danger she is to them all.
"I asked if you were feeling alright," he says kindly. "You look a bit pale."
"She was ill a few nights ago," Tsuyu deflects for her. "We were headed to the apothecary once more and the bath house today to rest up."
"An excellent idea!" the pegasus knight proclaims, pushing up his glasses. "Where are your other companions? Hopefully, they didn't leave you two maidens on your own in such a big city!"
Tsuyu explains where Eijirou is, but trails off after that, leaving it open-ended about Katsuki. Ochako gives her a wane smile, hoping that the knightly pair won't notice. She knows there is no such luck when Tenya opens his mouth again.
"I sure hope that blond ruffian hasn't been causing you any trouble," he says. "Why, if he wasn't so rude-" Izuku puts a firm hand on his friend, trying to stem his tirade before he really got going. Ochako is almost grateful for the nervous looking boy's efforts, until he turns back to her.
"You mentioned Mister Eijirou, but is Mister Bakugou no longer traveling with you?" he asks quietly. "He didn't… seem like the type to travel with… friends?"
Ochako sways a little, gripping onto Tsuyu who still holds her elbow lightly. Her mind is swirling with thoughts and memories, trying to reconcile the answer to the question Tsuyu had posed that morning. Would she think differently of him if he really was Katsuki of Aquleia?
"Um, either way… that isn't why we're here," Izuku stumbles on, uncomfortable with how pale Ochako is sure she looks. She can feel the blood draining from her face, the warm tingle spreading from her forehead and leaking down her neck. The beginnings of a panic attack, something she had rarely had since the first few weeks of her escape from Himiko's clutches.
"That's right, my dear compatriot! We're here because we've been tracking the Black Fang!" Tenya exclaims, much too loud for her. "And how mysterious that we should run into you all once again."
Each word makes the knife of guilt twist harder in Ochako's stomach. Further confirmation that the Black Fang was growing bolder, stronger, and still after her only made everything worse. "I'm j-just a magnet-" she crumples to the street, nearly pulling Tsuyu off her feet, too- "-for bad luck."
Tsuyu hovers over her; Ochako feels faint. The two boys are talking, but it is the small thief's voice that Ochako focuses on. "I think you both ought to come with us."
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
The lights are softly glowing from the inn window when Katsuki finally makes his way back inside the walled city. He still isn't sure if this is right, if he really wants to go back to them. He thinks of Ochako's words and angry tears and stares down at the golden axe still in his hand. He's nearly there, ready to offer her any aid she wants. To tell all of himself, truly become an ally. He just needs to know if she will still trust him after she knows.
When he gets to the door of their shared room, Katsuki can hear voices. Male voices. He recognizes the squeaky apologies and affirmations of that scrawny cavalier and clenches a fist. The last thing he needed while trying to gain back Ochako's trust was two errant knight-wannabes. He's just about to turn around and pretend he never came back when Eijirou comes up behind him. The empty saddle indicates he just visited Kouka, that horrible lizard with wings. Before he can even attempt to pass the redhead, he grabs Katsuki's arm and gives him a look.
"C'mon…" he says, grip lax on his elbow. It would be easy to break out of and for a moment, Katsuki considers it. Holding back a groan, he lets Eijirou turn him around and follows the wyvern rider into the room.
The first thing he sees is Ochako, eyes connecting across the room immediately. Something twinges in his gut when those round brown eyes widen a touch with fear. Katsuki breaks eye contact, lifting a hand slightly in Tsuyu's direction when she speaks, but ignoring the motor mouth pegasus knight. Slumping into the wooden chair closest to the door and furthest from Ochako, he watches from beneath blond fringe as the pair of newcomers awkwardly return to their conversation.
"As I was saying… the victims all seem to have bizarre injuries and were attacked by one or more people with-"
"Golden eyes?" Tsuyu interjects, frowning. "We're… acquainted."
"If I may, was that the reason that Miss Uraraka was feeling faint today?" Tenya says, pushing up his glasses. Katsuki's eyes snap over to Ochako who indeed looks paler than usual. Still, it is an improvement to when she had been ill. All the bluster she had made this morning, angering him enough to leave, all of that energy seems to have fled her in the hours since. The black-haired man pays her no mind as he continues. "Because the worst victims seemed to have had the life simply sucked out of them, skin discolored and bodies shriveled."
"That's right," the cavalier cuts in, flipping through his notebook as if to remind himself of the details they had seen on each victim. "No source wound."
Ochako clutches her tunic's skirt tightly in her hands, reflexively releasing and gripping and repeating. Everyone's attention is on her now, but she isn't looking any of them in the face. She opens her mouth, a little noise eking out before she wets her lips, swallows and tries again. Katsuki leans forward as quietly as he can. The tension in the room is palpable and he wonders for a brief moment how she hasn't wilted under it when she's as waifish as she looks now.
"Their skin is discolored… shriveled… because their quintessence was taken," her voice shakes and Katsuki clenches the arms of the chair. "Quintessence is human… life force… when you're on the brink… of death."
The wood creaks under his grip. He knows this, he knows how close she was to dying. She had a puncture wound soaked with poison, but even that amount wasn't as bad as the magical damage she had sustained. The image of her ghostly pale face, lips tinted blue, the angry purple lines on her arms… was that what was done to her? Had they tried to take her quintessence?
"Where did you find this out?"
"What is the purpose of taking such energies?"
"How do they even harvest it?"
Ochako's voice is shaky and stuttering, small and barely loud enough to hear over the onslaught of questions from the knight duo. Tsuyu tries to protest, but even she is overshadowed by the duo's thirst for knowledge. The smaller one even has a notebook out, for Elimine's sake! In an instant, Katsuki is between them and their mage, Ochako hidden behind him as he places his bag roughly on the ground. The movement makes the pair step back. The small green one seems to come back to himself and flushes in shame. The taller one appears to be more stupid, though.
"Excuse me! What is your problem?"
"You. You're in my fucking space," Katsuki growls. "Leave."
The pegasus knight reddens in frustration. "And why should we have to listen to you?"
"Because," he sneers, casually leaning Hauza against the wooden bedpost and pushing a bit of power through it. The small curl of smoke catches both of the knights' attention. "I've got a fucking axe that will cut through you like butter and I haven't slept in three damn days."
Eijirou laughs nervously to the side of him, but Katsuki just maintains eye contact with the tall one. The redhead ushers the pair towards the door. "It's getting late, so let's, uh, talk over breakfast or something! Yeah, sleep sounds great right now, right?"
Tsuyu's back is turned to watch Eijirou so Katsuki steals a glance behind him at Ochako. For the first time since he walked in the room, she makes eye contact with someone. Her face is caught somewhere between thankful and distrust and when the door locks shut, her eyes break from his. Katsuki throws his jacket off and lays back on the floor mats he and Eijirou had been sleeping on. Turning on his side, away from her, he hears only soft murmuring from Tsuyu and Eijirou before the lights are doused.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - IGNITION
In the morning, Katsuki wakes at first light, staring at the slowly bleeding dawn. The first night of full sleep he's gotten since finding Ochako keeps him groggy, but the thoughts swirling in his head rouse him well enough. He still doesn't understand everything Ochako is talking about or going through, but if he can use his title that he hates for something that will help her and her people, it would be a good thing, probably. He could take up the mantle granted him in his own way, not bowing to the whims of others. He could make his homeland free of corruption and villainous intent. It was a long road ahead, but the first step is to promise Ochako protection and bring her case to his mother. He would make her answer for what was going on in Etruria, find the truth.
He drifts back to sleep under the warm morning rays to the sounds of the first merchants rolling out their wares on the cobblestone below. When Katsuki wakes again, it is to a feminine yelp. It's Tsuyu, hair mussed and sitting in the girls' bed alone, holding a note she reads aloud.
"I'm so sorry for the danger I've placed you all in. You've been truly wonderful, my only true friends in such a long time. I'm grateful for all you've done for me when you easily could have left me to die. You've been brave and loyal, more than I deserve. For as happy as I was with you all, I must do what I can to relieve you of my burdens and resolve this one way or another, on my own. Thank you again, sincerely, Ochako."
Ochako is gone.
Katsuki stews as the rest he'd gotten helps his brain work overtime, cross-legged on the floor mat beneath the window. Behind him, Eijirou tries to comfort a crying Tsuyu. A knock on the door, sharp and in time with the church bells down the street chiming eight. The blue and green knights stand outside the door, instantly honing in on the sobbing thief and lack of mage girl in the room. The tall one opens his mouth, but before he can get a single asinine question out of his mouth or the short one can make some kind of promise, Katsuki rises and cuts them all off.
"Pack your shit. We're going to find Angelface and fix this."
"What?" "How?"
"I think I know where she's going. We're going to break down the door of the Black Fang."
The pegasus knight steps forward. "From what we've gathered, this new Black Fang has serious connections with several high-ranking lords and bishops across Elibe. If there's a true political power such as Etruria or Bern behind their actions, if their corruption really seeps all the way into the upper echelon, then what do you think you can do, Bakugou?"
"Whatever I want because I'm fucking Katsuki of Aquleia, son of the Burning General, head of the Magic Guard of Etruria." Hauza heats in his hand when he picks it up. "You shit heads have two minutes to get ready."
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - BURN
Ochako - Mage
- Secondary class: Dark Mage
- Skills: Focus, Hex, Mag+2, Tomefaire, Slow Burn
- Special Skill: Zephyr (Mag+4, Spd+4 when wind element tome is equipped)
Katsuki - Fighter
- Secondary class: Priest (because his mother is the 'Burning General,' a Valkyrie)
- Skills: Zeal, HP+5, Miracle, Axebreaker, Healtouch
- Special Skill: Grenadier (when hit by fire element magic, next attack is guaranteed critical if Hauza is equipped)
Himiko - Dark Mage
- Secondary Class: Thief
- Skills: Anathema, Lifetaker, Hex, Lethality, Acrobat
- Special Skill: Red Draw (After injuring opponent, seals that opponent's highest stat by 4 and increases Himiko's matching stat by 4)
Dabi - Dark Mage
- Secondary Class: Myrmidon
- Skills: Vantage, Vengeance, Tomebreaker, Anathema, Lethality
- Special Skill: Blueflame (spoiler)