***Warnings: Language, darkness, scary stuff, talk of seduction, mention of non-con, sweet yaoi, sexual language

Chapter 11: The Plan: Part 2

Bakugo leaves Iida's room when he's summoned to Izuku's chambers. He reminds the hawk moth to alert him the moment a reply comes from Shouto. Iida assured Bakugo that he would be the first to know. Bakugo's itching to get the plan underway, to leave this shithole behind him and return to the Valley as a hero. He doesn't care if All Might named Izuku the next Hero of the Valley; that title can be transferred through a challenge or a duel. The moment the Queen bequeaths the title to Izuku, Bakugo plans to challenge the Cherry Bee, defeat him, and gain the title. In the end, the Queen females have the final word, and that power applies to all the Queens in the Valley. For now, he will work with Izuku.

Bakugo doesn't bother to knock on the chamber door when he arrives, pushing his way in and announcing himself. The chamber's lit with candles and he finds the faint glow welcoming. The light reflects off the webs on the walls, making them shimmer as he passes. Dabi and Izuku sit at the small table by the largest candle stand; Izuku is looking stern and Dabi appearing relaxed. With this much light, Bakugo can see how disgusting Dabi's skin is, and he almost voiced that feeling.

"You called?" Bakugo crosses his arms over his chest.

"Greetings to you as well," Dabi mocks. "Your boss has a new job for you," he turns to Izuku. "Go ahead and tell him, darling,"

Bakugo already knows what Izuku is going to say.

"General Bakugo," Izuku starts, "I find your service to me to be unreliable and insubordinate. I believe a better use for your skills is in the mines, with occasional checks of my wellbeing. As your boss, this is my demand, and I expect you to accept it without complaint."

'That was very well done,' Bakugo thinks to himself. "Good! I'm fucking bored being here with, 'Bakugo do this' and 'Bakugo do that!' I'll do anything to escape your cherry ass!" He sees Izuku's eye twitch as well as the shorter antenna.

"He feels safe with me now," Dabi adds, reaching out one of the spider legs to stroke Izuku's shoulder.

Bakugo feels a twinge of jealousy and wants to bat the leg away. "Is that so? Well, that's the nature of an omega," he knows his words are hurting Izuku; Bakugo can feel it in their antennas.

"I happen to be fed up with your sarcasm as well," Dabi says. "If you were under my jurisdiction, I would have ripped your tongue out and consumed it a long time ago."

"This tongue has more venom than my stinger," Bakugo counters. "It's my strongest asset," Dabi smirks at the joke.

"Oh, I don't doubt it. A good tongue lashing from you would render most with fear. But not us."

"And I've had enough of this conversation," Bakugo says. "If you need me, which I hope you don't, I'll be in the mines," he spins on his heel and gives them the middle finger as he exits, though the gesture is really for Dabi and not Izuku.

Touring the mines in full with one of the guards, Bakugo thought he could handle it. But witnessing the type of forced labor, conditions, and punishments did not settle with him. The guard escorting him, a beta ant, points out which guards should be avoided. Bakugo can see why. Guards like this ant stand by and watch, keeping an eye on the slavery process to ensure everything runs smoothly. The violent guards are the ones shouting demands and curses, cracking whips, and punishing those that fail to keep up.

But the worst section of the mines is the Pit where they toss the dead bodies of slaves. The ant guard didn't want to go near it, saying that it frightens him. Bakugo goes to the edge of the pit and holds the torch above it, trying to see how far down it goes. He squints his eyes to see, noticing that something is moving at the bottom. Strangely, the eyes shine in the firelight. Bakugo takes a step back, keeping his face calm, but the sight chilled his blood.

"What the fuck is down there?" He asks the ant.

"No one really knows," replies the guard. "But we do know the slaves that die become food for the creatures down there. Criminals are also dumped in here. If there is something on their body that may help them to escape, it's removed first. They're not like us at all. All they do is make noise and eat."

"And...do more of these...things...get added to this pit? Don't they eat each other? Or breed?"

"I don't know that either. Once the King comes, we all leave the mines, and we don't return until he says so. I assume stuff is done then."

Bakugo turns from the pit and tells the guard that he wants to leave. He's reminded of Dabi's 'secret room' where the spider feeds on the flesh and bone of dead Insectoids. Whatever creatures scurry in the Pit are not like Dabi, though. They have to be mindless to live in such conditions. But he can only assume. One thing is for sure; he hopes to never get near the Pit again.

When the full tour was complete, the guard suggests to Bakugo that he stand by and observe how the mines operate before engaging. Bakugo agrees since his primary goal is to find the best escape route for the nobles by learning how the system works. When the change of shifts happens for the slaves, Bakugo sees the five nobles. The five work together in a tunnel. Four of them go in and out of the tunnel, carrying out piles of rocks and dirt. The largest one with extra arms pushes the cart of stones once it is full to the pully, where he loads the bucket and pulls it up. If the big one can lift and pull that many rocks, then he can lift all the others out of the mines with ease. They will need to move as quickly as possible. Bakugo could if he has to, fly the others up and out; but that will take time. If the stag beetle can do it for them, then that will give them the extra time they need to escape. Getting the stag beetle out, though, is a different story; unless he can pull himself out.

By the end of his first day in the mines, Bakugo has mentally taken notes of all that he has seen. The biggest issue is the time of day, when the nobles rest, which is the morning. They work through the evening, and this is a significant problem for all of them. Seeing in the dark, especially the forests of the Wastelands will be near impossible. The nobles will be exhausted by the morning when they can see. To escape while it is still dark, say dawn, is still a risk. And the guards are always on duty, always watching. He would need a distraction. But what? Bakugo, eventually getting frustrated with the situation, leaves the mines to return to Izuku's chambers, hoping the omega is awake. Bakugo realizes that he has been up for hours, though he isn't sleepy at all.

While on the way, he passes Dabi, who stops him in the hall.

"So? How was your time in the mines?" Dabi asks him.

"I didn't get to kick the shit out of anyone, but I was able to yell," Bakugo answers. "I saw the Pit, too. Is that where you get your 'food'?"

"Funny," Dabi says flatly, but with a smile. "The Pit is Tomura's creation, not mine."

"Yeah, well, it's a shithole. We burn our dead."

"A waste of a good meal," Dabi says.

"For you, maybe," Bakugo replies with a sneer. "But those 'things' down there...what the fuck are they? King Tomura's siblings?"

"You certainly are a humorous alpha, General Bakugo," Dabi states. "With a tongue full of venom. Whatever is in that Pit is of no use to anyone but Tomura. Let's just say, those are Insectoids who aren't necessarily 'intelligent,' as we are if you know what I mean?"

"So, they're mindless beasts. Failed hybrids, maybe?" Bakugo offers for his own curiosity.

"Perhaps. Who knows?" Dabi turns from him and starts to walk away. "So long as those things can't get out, no one but the dead has to worry."

Bakugo hears a chime in his head, like the ringing of a bell as Dabi's last words sparked the idea he needs! He's discovered the diversion needed to alert the guards away from the escape route! Those monsters in the Pit! All he will need is one. He'll have to fly down there, grab one, and bring it to the surface. If he succeeds and one is not enough, he'll bring up another. It will be a gamble, but it's the perfect distraction. Not only will the guards have to fight, but no doubt they will be frightened and likely to run away. They won't bother with the nobles escaping.

'Hot damn, I'm good!' He buzzes his wings loudly and flies in the air to do a flip. 'I'm so damn good I amaze even myself! Now, to check on Mossy-Hair and Glasses-Boy! I'll be pissed if they haven't come up with anything, but I wouldn't be surprised either. They don't have my supreme thought process!'

Izuku remains in bed, not pretending to be sick, but he does feel the beginnings of his heat. His stomach throbs with a dull pain along with a headache and hot flashes. The lower stomach pain is a result of the transformation process. Omega females go through something similar, but their heats are accompanied by long drawn out aches rather than pain since they already have slits in which to conceive and give birth. His slit needs to form, and it's unpleasant. But all of that fades and rolls into a wanton need to mate. He's never been around alpha's during his cycles, so he can only assume his body will react differently. It may even be hard to control. They're running out of time. They need to make a plan and quick.

"Hey! Mossy-Hair! I'm coming in!"

Izuku's antennas stand straight up at the sound of Bakugo's voice and the mean (but cute) insult. He sits up in the bed as Bakugo comes in, looking and smelling better than ever. Izuku closes his eyes and shakes his head. Sexualizing Bakugo right now is a symptom of his approaching heat. He doesn't need Bakugo distracted by his scent. But that body...strong and hard with defined muscles...even the coloring of the stripes...the dark amber of his antennas...the shape of his wings…

"What are you staring at, larva? We've got shit to discuss! Where's Glasses-Boy?"

"He...uh, he's not here," Izuku runs a hand through his hair and over his antennas. "I'll summon him. What did you find out in the mines?" Izuku asks while getting out of bed and putting on his robe.

"I have some ideas, but we need the other guy here, and hopefully he's heard back from the Butterfly-Bastard,"

"Their names are Shouto and Iida," Izuku reminds him. He opens the door and calls out for a servant, looking up and down the corridor for signs of one. He calls again, hoping it's a servant that hears him and not Dabi, or worse yet, Tomura. Luckily, a servant appears from around the corner, and Izuku tells them to call Iida here. "I'm sure he'll be here shortly," Izuku tells Bakugo, closing the door with a 'click.' Bakugo's alpha aura and chemical trail linger in his nostrils, making him shudder inwardly at the sensation. 'Get a hold of yourself, Izuku!'

"What have you found out?" Bakugo asks. "Anything?"

"Not much, I'm afraid," Izuku says with a sigh. "I do know that Dabi doesn't get along with Tomura, and I've been slowly planting the seed in Dabi's head about breaking away from Tomura. Dabi appears to agree with me, though I can't be sure. I want to keep Dabi on my side and turn him against Tomura. We'll let Dabi focus on Tomura for us."

Bakugo nods. "Good idea. What about your heat? I can sense it, you know,"

Izuku swallows hard. "I...um...I'm hoping we pull through with this plan...before it strikes, because-"

"Worst case scenario is you need to use your heat to seduce Dabi," Bakugo says for him. "Then whack him on the head and run."

"The problem is, I've never been around an alpha when I've had heats in the past," Izuku tells him. "I don't know if I can break away from an alpha..." he finally turns to face Bakugo. "If that happens...I still want you to get everyone out. Get the nobles and All Might to safety. Leave me here."

Bakugo narrows his eyes at Izuku. "You're not giving up again, are you?"

"No! I'm hoping with everything I have that we manage to do this before my heat! But if we have to make a snap decision, I want you to leave me behind!"

"Listen you," Bakugo storms over and grips Izuku by the front of his robe. "There's no fucking way your omega body is going to want to give itself over to that bastard! Your first experience with him was forced. I know for a fact that omegas go nuts for alphas they want. You're not going to enjoy his touch. I guarantee it!"

Izuku can feel the tears burning in his eyes, but he doesn't want to cry in front of Bakugo. "But how can you really know?" Izuku's eyes widen when he's pulled into a kiss. Bakugo's lips press hard against his- it's a forceful kiss, a dominant one. Izuku melts into the kiss, leaning against Bakugo, closing his eyes and letting a small moan escape his throat. When Bakugo pulls away, Izuku is panting softly. He yearns for more of Bakugo's touch, and he gets it when the alpha's hand shoots down to cup his semi-hard erection. Izuku burns with both pleasure and embarrassment.

"That's fucking why," Bakugo says, then lets Izuku go, enjoying the bright red face about to explode. "You'd much rather have me than Dabi,"

"Only because you're familiar to me in this dark place," Izuku breathes out.

Bakugo shakes his head. "No. You want me, and you wouldn't deny me if I flipped you over right now and shoved you up against the door,"

Izuku's eyes widen, his face still burning.

Bakugo can't help but press his body against Izuku's, pressing the omega's back against the door. He places both his hands beside Izuku's head, trapping the smaller male, and pushing his thigh between the other's legs. Izuku's groin is hot against him, and Bakugo leans his head down to nip the supple earlobe.

"You'll keep your wits about you," Bakugo whispers, "Because while you're seducing him, you'll be thinking about me. You'll be thinking about my touch," he grips the softness of Izuku's neck fluff, tightening his fist in. "You'll wonder what it feels like to have me pull on this," he tugs at the fluff "While mounting you from behind,"

Izuku shudders at the thought, imagining how Bakugo would feel inside of him. Would it be different than Dabi? It has to be. If it wouldn't be for his approaching heat, he doubts he would let himself get this close to another alpha so soon. But Bakugo's hands and hot breath against his skin thrilled him, urging his hips forward to rub his groin against the hard thigh. The sensations bring out another little moan from the back of his throat.

Both are startled when there is a knock at the door, and they quickly pull away.

"It's Tenya Iida," Iida says from behind the door.

Izuku fans himself with his hands for a moment before opening the door to let Iida in. "Thanks for joining us, Iida," he says.

"Of course," Iida looks between them. "Is everything alright? Am I interrupting something?"

"NO!" Izuku almost squeaks out.

"Took you long enough," Bakugo says with a sneer. "We need to discuss the plan. What information do you have for us?"

Iida straightens his glasses. "I have plenty. Let's go to the table. If anyone comes in unannounced, we're simply sharing stories of the Valley. Understood?"

"Yes," Izuku's glad that his erection went down with Iida's appearance, though he can't keep his eyes off of Bakugo. The alpha sits opposite of him, with Iida standing in the middle.

"I've received word from Prince Shouto," Iida says, giving them each a chance to read the letter. "This is the response I received from the fireflies."

Izuku can divert his attention from thinking about Bakugo mounting him to Shouto's letter. "It's a solid idea," Izuku says, handing the letter back to Iida. "Bakugo's found out some things as well,"

"Yeah, so here's my plan," Bakugo starts. "We begin, obviously, on the inside. I'm going to create a distraction, a dangerous one, that is going to scare the shit out of the guards in the mines. While they're running away, it will leave me time to gather the five nobles and get them out. They can't fly, so we'll put them in that large bucket made for the rocks. That big stag beetle will haul them up, and I'll help them out onto the surface. That's the first part,"

"Distract them with what?" Izuku asks.

"The monsters at the bottom of the Pit," Bakugo says, explaining to them what he saw.

"I am aware of the monsters down there," Iida says. "They're abominations of nature! It's too dangerous to grab one,"

Bakugo rolls his eyes. "I'm not worried. It's the best and easiest way to escape with the least chance of being noticed."

"Wait, what about Shoji?" Izuku asks. "The stag beetle. Who's going to get him out?"

"He can pull himself up," Iida answers. "So far, we have the first part of the plan figured out. Well done, Bakugo."

"I know," Bakugo boasts. "What about you, Iida? What's your plan to get All Might out?"

"Well, I'm going to need Izuku's help with that," Iida looks at Izuku. "I will need some of that money Shouto gave you,"

Izuku nods. "Sure, take as much as you need. But what do you plan to do with it? Who are you bribing? And can we trust them?"

"She is a maid here," Iida says, "But she works the night as a prostitute for the head jailor and dungeon guards. She's stolen from the head jailor before, and if we pay her enough, she can do it again. She told me that she gets him drunk and when he falls asleep, she takes. If we pay her enough, she will steal the jailor's keys for us. When I receive them, I'll unlock All Might, and we'll meet all of you outside. I know the best way to leave from the dungeon."

Izuku smiles at the thought of All Might escaping from the dungeons. Once they are all back home, All Might can get well again, and then things will be back to the way they were before.

"That still leaves the issue of you, Izuku," Iida says to him.

Izuku blinks out of his thoughts when he hears Iida say his name. "Hm? Oh, right. Me. I told Bakugo this already, but I need to tell you as well. If we don't pull this off soon, and I go into heat…then leave without me. Take the others and go. I'll meet up with you at another time."

"Unacceptable," Iida states firmly, shaking his head and wagging his index finger. "You promised All Might and the nobles that we would all get out, and 'we' includes you, Izuku."

"I know," Izuku clenches his fists on the table. "But…I just want to be prepared for the worst to happen. I want All Might and the others safely away from here! I can handle this on my own and find my way back! All Might named me the next Hero of the Valley, and although I know All Might would never leave anyone behind…he's never been in this type of situation. He isn't an omega…and he isn't married to Dabi. This is a different world."

"Hey, what did I say before?" Bakugo points a threatening finger at Izuku. "You're not going to want Dabi's touch! Use your heat to seduce him first, then sting the motherfucker and get the fuck away. That's all you have to do."

"What if Izuku isn't in heat by the time this plays out?" Iida offers.

Bakugo buzzes his wings in frustration. "Then we'll try a different approach. You can drug him instead," Bakugo tells Izuku. "Iida, can you get something for Izuku to keep on hand?"

"A sleeping potion, you mean?"

"Yeah, something like that. Something that will dull Dabi's spider senses to make it easier for Izuku to escape."

Iida nods. "Good thinking. What do you say, Izuku? Can you do either of those things?"

Izuku slumps in the chair. "I can…I suppose. The only other way to avoid both of those is to pin Dabi and Touma against each other. Dabi already hates Tomura, and if I can get them focused on each other for whatever reason, I might be able to escape unnoticed."

Bakugo sighs. "That's a shitty plan, Mossy-Head," he says. "For that to work, you will have to have been here longer to fully gain Dabi's trust to have him suddenly turn on Tomura. It can happen, but the chance is slim. I know you hate the other two ideas, and I don't fucking blame you. But it's a one-time thing, and then you'll be free. I don't want to be carrying fucking monsters up from a dark hole and running through the woods, but I have to do it."

Izuku sighs in defeat. "You're right, Bakugo."

Iida takes the message from Shouto and brings it to a candle, letting it burn to ashes. "We can't be found out. I will take our plan to the firefly, and we'll await Shouto's ideas on our plan."

"There is one issue I've thought of," Bakugo says. "The time of day to escape, it will have to be just after dawn. That's when the nobles rest. They will be exhausted, yes, but they will have to deal with it. If they truly want to escape, then they will find the strength to push through their exhaustion. We can't run or fight in the dark. We'll be at a disadvantage. We need to leave right at dawn."

"Yes, I agree with Bakugo," Iida says. "Izuku? What about you?"

Taking a deep breath, Izuku says, "I will no doubt be awake the night before, so I will…seduce Dabi in the very early morning with my heat…whether it is here or not…and sting him into a stupor."

Bakugo smirks darkly. "That's the way to do it! Remember, Mossy-Haired larva, you're a fucking fighter, too! A shitty one who isn't like me, but a fighter nonetheless! Be omega for a little bit, and then be a fucking alpha!"

Izuku's eyes widen for a moment, and then he laughs, wiping away tears. "Okay, Bakugo! I'll do just that!"

Iida smiles as well. "I'm glad we have come to an agreement! I will alert Shouto of our plans right away! He should respond shortly, so for now, Bakugo, I want you to get some rest. Izuku, you as well. Leave the rest of this to me," Iida thumps his chest proudly. "When you're rested, Bakugo, I want you to meet secretly with Shoji- let him know of what we expect of him during the escape. He is going to be our strength, and we'll have to depend on him for possibly having to carry one or two of the others. Jiro has lost her song, but if she can find the spirit again, her streams of chirping will pierce ears with the high pitched sound. Momo is an alpha, so she will help to keep everyone focused. Tokoyami hasn't been doing too well recently, and I'm sure Shoji will want to carry him most of the way. But Tokoyami is a luna moth, and his wings are bright. If we need to, we will use his wings on Shoji's back as extra light. Uraraka still manages to smile, and I know she will empower the others to find the strength to keep going."

"Right. They need to cooperate with us," Bakugo says. "I'll talk to Stag-Head tomorrow."

"That's Shoji," Iida corrects him.

"Yeah, Shoji," Bakugo would forget all their names within the hour. "Get the message to the half-and-half asshole. I'm going to catch up on some sleep," He notices Izuku watching him intently. "I need to sleep,"

Izuku flushes and nods. "Right! Yes, that's true. You do need to rest, and we've been here for too long anyway. We should split up for now. Iida, get the message out."

"Right away."

"A message has come for you, sir,"

"Finally!" Shouto drops the book he was reading to take the letter from the servant, thanking them. He opens it up and reads the contents from Iida.

Friend,

I am pleased to inform you that we have thought of a plan. This is what we will need from you; find a direction for us to follow should the locus happen to fail. Have your people stationed in the surrounding area to aid in escape. General Bakugo will have the nobles. I will have All Might. And Izuku will have himself. We must leave at dawn for there will be more light by then for us to see. Please advise Bakugo's gammas to meet the nobles and Bakugo along the way, the closer, the better. Should Bakugo have to stand and fight, someone will have to help lead the nobles and protect them. That duty will fall to Kirishima and Kaminari. Izuku will have his own battle to face. What's important is we get All Might and the nobles to safety.

Please let me know your thoughts and how you wish to proceed.

Your Colleague

Before responding, Shouto maps out what he knows of the Wastelands and the best way to travel. Re-drawing the map, he sets up the path of escape, using dots, circles, and stars to show where positions will be. Once this is complete, he takes to the paper.

Colleague,

I applaud you and the others for this excellent escape plan. I'm confident that we can pull it off, so long as all cooperate. I have mapped out the best route from Graventhorn to the Valley. When you escape, start by heading east in the direction of the rising sun. That is the direction the locus will be flying as well. If you are unsure about seeing the sun, look at the tops of the trees. They all point towards the sun, for they seek its warmth. Use those as a guide, and follow the sound of the locus.

I've been in touch with Kirishima and Kaminari; they are ready to fight and defend. I will tell them to be ready, and I know where I will place them. I am also placing my best and strongest warriors at certain spots along the escape route to aid in whatever way they can. When you believe you are ready to carry this out, alert me right away, and I will set everything up.

I know we can do this. I cannot wait to see everyone once again. Tell them that I will hold a welcome home feast for everyone at the palace. Let that help lift their spirits. Stay strong, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Your Friend.

TBC

Next Chapter: The Escape: Part 1