The Shadows Kingdom
Chapter 4: The Raid
"Move!" Shoto shouted pulling Izumi behind him and bearing a wall of ice between them and the assailants.
"Toshinori!" Torino shouted and motioned with hood fingers to the back entrance near the stables. Toshinori nodded and quickly took z Izumi's hand.
"This way, hurry!" He pulled her towards the back of the house, Izumi lifting her skirts to avoid tripping. She'd glanced behind her, Iida carrying Ochaco over one shoulder and his unsheathed sword in the other. Shoto brought up the rear his body frosted over some from the hurried use of his magic.
Behind them Shigaraki poured fluid from a flash on his belt to melt the ice. He let out a few long tsks and shouldered his crossbow.
"Ah… they ran away." He scowled down at the floor and his brow rose when he spotted a box on the ground. He picked it up, opened it and let out a short laugh.
"Shouldn't we go after them, Shigaraki?" A voice from behind him asked as the rest of the party entered the house and started to raid it.
"Nah, let them run. Muscular is out back playing guard dog… and besides." He lifted the diamond his eyes sparkling with inner glee. "I think I've found a bargaining chip."
The group rushed out the back door towards the stables circling in the dark. Izumi could hear shouts now from inside the house and it had her going pale.
"Wait what about Tsuyu and the other workers? They need to be warned." She started to pull from the group but Toshinori held her back.
"Relax, Young Midoriya. Look…" He turned his gaze towards the woods where Tsuyu and several others came running up.
"How…" Izumi looked between them and the house.
"There's a servant's passage that goes under the house." Torino explained.
"Ribbit, I've heard enough horror stories from Sir Torino that once we heard commotion I immediately informed everyone else to make their way to the tunnell." Tsuyu held up Izumi's satchel. "I did manage to grab this on my way out."
"Oh thank you, Tsuyu!" She took the satchel and looked to the group. Aside from Tsuyu there was the stablehand Koda, and the cook Sato. The other various tenants had all vanished into the night taking their chances in the woods. "I recognized the sigdial on those cloaks. The men who attacked us are from the league of mercenaries… but why would they come here?"
"A better question would be how did they find us?" Torino grunted. "This home has been warded, and is not on any map or direct path from a town. Whoever they are they came with purpose."
"We can ask questions later. Right now we need to figure out how to get out of here without giving away our position." Shoto glanced around the barn at the main house. "Sounds like they're still rummaging inside."
"If they do have intent here it's not the good kind." Toshinori looked around. "We should get the women away from here."
"I heard that, and I'm not going anywhere." Izumi scowled and stood up straight. "If it's a fight they're looking for, I'll give them one."
"You're in no condition to fight." Shoto whispered harshly.
"The Prince is right," Iida agreed. "You should leave these bandits to us. Lady Ochaco, can you use your magic and tell us how many villains there are?"
"I could if I have any of my tools. There's only so much I can do with touch incantations. In order for me to perform a scrying spell I'd need my crystals and they're all inside."
"There's ten of them." Izumi spoke suddenly her aura glowing, eyes focused on the house. There was a bitterness and anger in her voice but she kept her face calm. "Two guards on the outside… six on the inside… and one more rounding the back heading in our direction."
"How do you know?" Shoto whispered.
"Oh is this the defensive ability you were telling me about, Izumi? The one you used to catch fish earlier?" Ochaco beamed her eyes bright with admiration.
"Yes…" she let out a slow breath and closed her eyes. She had to admit that it had taken a lot out of her to stretch her power that far… but she was certain of her analysis. "There's a lot of fast movement, and even though there are people inside they're not really looking for anything. It's as if they know we're not in the house."
"So why are they inside if they know-" Shoto paused and whirled around when he heard movement.
"Found them!" A tall muscular man stood above the group cracking his knuckles. "Time for some fun."
Shoto didn't give warning this time. He let loose a barrage of ice to block the oncomers. He let out a choked gasp as his attack was beaten back, crumbling down, shards of ice flying back. Izumi brought up her arms to protect her face and then gasped as Ochaco screamed from beside her. She whirled and saw the same muscular man holding Ochaco by the hair and dragged her out in front of him as a sort of shield.
"Ura-chan!"
"Uraraka!" Shoto shouted in tandem with Izumi. "Damn it when did he-"
"Must be nice having a royal wizard on hand… but I gotta say I prefer having superior strength and speed over fancy magicks" Muscular laughed licking his lips. "Now then… since you're the one tossing all the ice around you must be the prince." He pointed with his free hand at Todoroki. "Come with me, your highness… ah ah ah…" he warned the others who started to move towards him. He wrapped his free hand around Uraraka's neck squeezing and making her choke a lil. "Unless you want me to break this one's neck I suggest you all stay back."
Izumi let out shaky breaths as the fear built up inside, but her eyes remained hard. She eyed Shoto, his magicks were still flaring, preparing to be used at a moment's notice. These mercenaries were after him… but how did they know he was here? How had they found them?
No, now's not the time to think of why. They had to escape, had to find someplace safe to hide before figuring out how and why. She glanced around she saw everyone slowly backing away, their minds at work on how to handle the situation.
The man was tall and intimidating, and he held superior strength and speed which put them at a disadvantage. If they tried to overwhelm him with numbers there were others nearby he could call for help, and were probably just as dangerous if not more so. No they had to get away while there was just one.. .and the fighting had to be sneaky.
"Tsuyu…" She whispered and slowly pulled the pin's from her hair. Muscular's back was turned from them, obvious he wasn't concerned with the women and kept his focus on the men.
"Ribbit?" Tsuyu glanced warily in her direction.
"I'm gonna need your help." Izumi's curls fell loose around her face but she clasped the pins in hand.
"What should I do?"
"When I say so, wrap your tongue around Lady Uraraka and pull her away from him." Izumi's eyes narrowed. "Be quick, don't hesitate. Once she's freed the two of you make a run into the woods and head to the lake."
"What are you going to do, my lady? You shouldn't fight in your condition." Tsuyu said with worry.
"It's okay." Izumi's aura glowed around her belly creating a defensive aura to protect the child from any harm. She stroked a hand over her belly. She would concentrate solely on defense and rescue. "Trust me."
"Alright, I trust you." She flicked her tongue out a lil. As muscular stepped towards Shoto Izumi sprung into action. Dress and all she leapt onto Muscular's back and with the sharp pins that she'd kept jabbed them firmly into his eye. The man let out a painful cry and released Ochaco.
"NOW TSUYU!"
"RIBBIT!" Tsuyu snagged Ochaco around the waist yanking her free from Muscular. Shoto didn't hesitate either. He trapped Muscular's legs in ice.
"RUN IZUMI!" He shouted at her as he and the men run around the large obstacle and after Ochaco and Tsuyu who disappeared into the dark.
Izumi dropped and turned to join but found herself being yanked back. The skirt of her dress caught in Muscular's fingers.
"You little bitch." He raised his fist ready to pummel her in. "I'll make you pay for that."
"IZUMI!" Shoto rushed forward, hands blazing with fire. Izumi in turn clenched her fist, her entire body glowing now. She was ready to strike back, hair flowing free eyes fierce and itching for a fight.
"Enough Muscular!" A dark aura appeared behind him and a cloaked man took shape. "Do not harm the woman."
"Hah? Why the hell not?" He yanked Izumi's dress, the fabric starting to tear. "Did you see what she did to me?" He pointed with his freehand to his face. "Ever heard the expression an eye for an eye?"
"You'll lose more than an eye if you try to fight that one." He explained and looked to Izumi. Muscular followed his gaze and with the red haze gone saw the intimidating glow of her aura… and behind her Todoroki with magicks flaring.
"Tch…" he slowly released Izumi's dress. "What about the job?"
"If the prince values the life of his friends…" Shigaraki said strolling up and tossing the box up and catching it over and over. "He'll come with us voluntarily."
"What?" Shoto helped Izumi up and held her protectively to his chest. "What the hell does that mean?"
"Our orders were only to capture you alive and bring you home… your father showed little to no concern about the condition you were in nor did he care if we killed anyone who stands in our way."
Izumi tensed up as she felt the anger boiling inside Todoroki and she lay a hand on his chest to keep him calm and she turned to face them herself.
"You'll find that the lot of us aren't easy to kill." She told him confidently.
"Perhaps not…" He spread out his arms shrugging carelessly "...but is he really wanting to take the chance? Aside from those of us here, the entire league is aware of our mission even those spread throughout the kingdom. You've nowhere to hide your majesty, you'll constantly have to be on guard… but if you come with us now, we can avoid any unnecessary unpleasantness."
"I have no intention of returning to that bastard." Shoto sneered. "Let them come! We'll beat back any who try!"
"A real shame… I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this… but-"He lifted his crossbow pointing it directly at Izumi and Shoto jerked her back getting in front of her. "Come with us now, Prince Shoto… or I'll change the order to have all my men kill that woman. Or should I say..." He held the box between the fingers in his free hand. "...your fiance?"
Shoto's breath hitched and he clenched his fists at his side still keeping Izumi behind him. His head lowered some, eyes showing twists of pain and anger. Izumi saw the look, saw the confliction and scowled. She grabbed the material of her dress where it had started to rip and finished the job, tearing it completely in half to reveal the long white undergarments underneath. The men looked on at her in shock a moment, giving her the chance to raise her fist up and bring it smartly across the back of Shoto's neck.
"Don't even think about it!" She shouted at him and grabbed him when he fell unconscious. She then powered up and ran at full speed into the dark.
"Muscular after them!" Shigaraki shouted and fired his crossbow twice, watching Izumi quickly dodge both arrows with ease. "Damn… there's more to that woman than I suspected. Kurogiri follow them at a distance. Report back to me what you find."
"Yessir." Kurogiri vanished as Muscular charged after Izumi.
Izumi could feel the strain of her pregnancy taking its toll on her magic. The fatigue and queasiness rearing their ugly heads and she thanked the gods when she caught up to Iida and the rest.
"Lady Midoriya!" Iida whirled around. "What has happened?"
"Take Shoto, Iida! You're faster than I am! They're trying to force Shoto back to Tattooin, it's why they're here. Keep running, don't stop!" She panted and shoved him towards the lake. "We're being followed! It won't take long for him to-" She gasped when she felt the change in the air pressure and she whirled around bringing up her defense and blocking Muscular's oncoming fist with her own. The kickback from it sending her skidding back on her heels. She suddenly had a violent urge to throw up. "GO!"
"You heard the lady!" Torino shouted at Iida and pointed. "Get the lad out of here!" Torino tossed off his jacket and powered up. With lightning speed he jet across the forest area and used the momentum to send a high force kick to Muscular's face and get him away from Midoriya.
Izumi went to her knees panting and holding her stomach. Her baby… was her baby okay? She closed her eyes using her senses to feel the child… she could hear the heartbeats, fast but not erratic. The child was frightened of the adrenaline from battle, but was unharmed, the defensive barrier was working.
"Thank goodness."
"Midoriya! Eyes up!" Torino shouted at her and Izumi's eyes lifted and she barely had time to dodge Muscular's oncoming attack. His fist connected to the tree that had been behind her head rendering it to splinters. She somersaulted and lifted her arms up to protect her face from the flying wood.
"He's so strong…" She said breathlessly. "Is that from enhancement magic or is he just naturally that powerful?"
"Would you like to find out?" Muscular said with a little laugh, cracking his knuckles. "The boss changed the orders you know. You heard what he said… it's the prince, or your death. So hand him over if you value you your life."
"My own life has little meaning… but I carry a life inside that is far more precious." She lay a hand on her belly narrowing her eyes at muscular. Torino was suddenly struck with an idea and stepped up as well.
"Precious is taking it lightly. If you harm this woman and her child you'll be killing the next heir to the throne. It's the true reason Prince Shoto is so protective of her… unless you want you and your fellow mercenaries sentenced to death by the future king you'll not kill her!"
"Oh?" Muscular lowered his fist but continued to crack his knuckles irritably. "Is that a fact? You hearing this Kurogiri?"
"I have… and it would seem Shigaraki was right…" " Kurogiri's voice suddenly spoke from behind Izumi and she felt herself being pulled into the black of his warp. "She's a highly valued hostage."
"What!? AHH!" Izumi disappeared.
"LADY MIDORIYA!" Torino shouted and jet forward but couldn't reach the warp in time. He whirled on Muscular. "Where did she go?"
"Tch, hell if I know." He sniffed at the old man and cracked his knuckles. "All I do know is I want a beat down… so it looks like you're my only target."
"Think again!" Todoroki's fire burned all across Muscular's back making him scream in pain. He jerked and stumbled whirling around. The group gathering around and surrounding him. "Now answer his question." Todoroki's eyes gleamed with murderous intent. "Tell us where they took Izumi… or I'll roast your carcass on a spit!"
Muscular slowly turned towards him, laughing deep in his throat.
"I don't know where that warp gate went… but if I had to guess he probably warped her and the rest of our clan back to headquarters in dragon country."
"Dragon Country? He can cover that much distance instantly?" Iida let out a sound of surprise.
"Tell us where…' Shoto's hand lit aflame.
"Go ahead and burn me… I'm not telling you a thing. In fact, I plan on letting out all my aggression out on you pathetic weaklings." He rushed forward ready to pound his fist into the nearest body… but suddenly slumped dead when an arrow struck him straight through the ear and out the otherside.
"What in the-" Toshinori stepped up eying the body and looked over in the direction it came from. His eyes slowly widened at the figures that stepped out into the clearing.
"Finally found you losers… your stink sent me circling all over this damn woods." Bakugo sneered and handed the bow back to Shinso who stood passively beside him. Behind him were Kirishima, Sero, and Kaminari who had tagged along when they found out what Bakugo was planning.
"Not that I'm not thankful for your help…" Todoroki said narrowing his eyes. "...but why the hell are you here?"
Bakugo lifted his chin up sneering at the prince.
"Don't talk to me all high and mighty, Icy Hot. I didn't do it for you. There only one reason I came and that's to take back what's mine. Now where is she?" Bakugo's eyes went fierce and aggressive. "Where's Usagi and my child?"
~Elsewhere~
The trip through the warp had tipped the scale. Izumi wretched the moment she felt ground again and she curled in a ball feeling dizzy and fatigued from the battle.
"Ugh… shoto was right. I'm in no condition to battle." She sat up wiping bile from her chin and sweat from her brow. She looked up and around at her surroundings. The place was far warmer than the mountainous woods they'd been in. Fires lit the cavern, and a massive camp was set up inside with tents, training grounds, and the like. "Where am I?"
"Welcome, Milady." Shigaraki crouched in front of her smirking sadistically. "Did you have a nice trip?"
"You!?" she backed up, her body pressed into the cavern wall and she soon found herself surrounded by the many faces of the league.
"Make yourself comfortable. "He tapped a finger to his wrist and Izumi looked at her own to see cufflinks and some kind of etching on them. "Those markings are anti-magic wards. They'll keep you from using your power that you were displaying. So don't try to do anything foolish."
"My magic…" She rubbed the cufflinks and swallowed hard when she saw her bookback lying carelessly on the ground. "What do you want with me?"
"You're just bait for our valet." He took her chin lifting it up so she'd stare into his eyes. "The fiance of the prince, and mother of the future heir to the throne. You're the perfect bait to lure Prince Shoto straight to us, and assure the completion of our mission. So long as you don't try to run away, or do anything stupid you'll remain unharmed. So get comfortable, Milady." He shoved her back again and stood up over her tall and intimidating. "...because you're not going anywhere unless I say so."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: *Drained* Ugh I'm gonna die! Between my job, part-time photography, illness, and chores I've barely got the chance to do any writing the past week and a half. Thankfully my fever is broken, my house is clean, my photography work finished, and I'm going back on day shift so I'll have more time to write and update.
Next Chapter: Dragon Country