BNHA: Dual Fates

Chapter 42: Burning Poison

Black eyes bore into strict blue ones from the decent distance they had between them. Tadami, with a lift of his black hat and placing it on his shiny head, gradually unsheathed his rapier from the piece that represented a cane. "You heroes have gotten in my way for the last time..." the snake's deep words full of hate, reached the flaming hero's ears. He hated it, Serpentine hated how obstacles kept getting in the way of his targets and slowing him down.

The number of contracts he had, the payment they gave as a reward, his Hitman work was being delayed all because of these persistent heroes that lurk around corners in search of him. "Haru's going to have a beating when she gets back. She's been giving me nothing but trouble since the day she was born," through a grumbled, aggravated voice, he spoke once more and this time he wasn't even paying attention to Endeavor's reaction.

For the snake had lifted the blade part of his rapier and spat out yellow poison onto it, leaving it to trickle down its sides. Slightly dumbfounded by his words, Endeavor's eyes widened, when he recalled what Shinso told him the day before on the rooftop and what Kyoshi had warned him about.

~~~Flash Back~~~

On the rooftop, He, Hitoshi, and Kyoshi all stood there after the kids had left to go back to the Artificial city training grounds. Those yellow, piercing slits bore into his own and Shinso awkwardly averted his gaze to the side.

"That bastard is mine! He had some thugs kidnap my best friend in my middle school years and made me look like the damn attacker! Now stay out of my way-!" Nothing but rage could be seen in the Crock's gaze as he grumbled out with fury; however, Hitoshi's words overran his and made both of the men look at him.

"Why not team up...? We're both after him, we're both trying to save Yukimura, I don't see a problem with it..." The boy mumbled and felt a sweatdrop trickle down his head.

"He'll only get in my way," annoyance was clear in his voice when Endeavor spoke up, his blue hues viewing Hitoshi from their peripherals.

"You'd get in someone's way too if you found out, the girl you like is being abused and neglected by her own father!" Through a roar, Wani growled and stepped forward to gain the flame-hero's attention; he wasn't expecting a faint gasp to leave Enji's lips. By a fraction, did his eyes widen, only to return to their strict stare just as fast.

The part, where Kyoshi said 'the girl you like', seemed to have pushed one of the boy's buttons and a tinge of anger made itself known in his eyes. "Yeah, Endeavor... Her father's trying to keep her from being a hero. She doesn't want to carry out her family's villainous work, so she's been enduring his mistreatment for years," Hitoshi didn't want to give away too much personal info between her and her father, for he knew it was wrong to do so. However, inside his pockets where his hands were tucked inside, fists tightened at the Crock's mention about him liking her.

"Besides, that bastard is dangerous! He's not a professional for nothin'..." the last part was a little mumbled but nonetheless, the other two heard him.

Unbeknownst to either of the two, the flaming hero's fists tightened at the mention and his blue gaze returned to the fuming Crock. "Fine... You can follow me, but, stay out of my way. You can find other ways to help," With his temper getting the better of him, those harsh words made a tiny bit of relief wash over Kyoshi's face. "Come on," with ease, he picked Shinso up with one arm and used his quirk to bolt off of the rooftop and left Wani there to ponder.

Not a second was wasted when he snapped himself out of his hidden thoughts and followed the flaming hero, who raced across rooftops and flew on occasion.

~~~End of Flash Back~~~

(Play: Gothic storm – Spark! It's Tadami's second character theme!:DD)

"You are all... So annoying," Quietly spoken this time, Tadami's eyes that were full of hate and aggravation, watched Enji's hues become full of the same emotion

"The feeling's mutual..." From his hand, a long flame, shaped into a spear, formed with haste as they kept intently watching each others' movements.

Very slowly did the Hitman turn to the side and raise his blade like a fencer, pointing its tip out at his target. The sizzling sound of heat from Todoroki's spear and the faint drips from the poison on Serpentine's rapier could easily be heard, through the thick silence that befell them.

Endeavor also raised his spear, for he took Kyoshi's words seriously about him being a professional. Taking the Hitman seriously was something he needed to do, because, now was not the time to let his anger get the better of him and lose concentration on his task at hand. A firm stance, complete focus, the way he carries himself, he acts like his job is almost child's play; a piece of cake... I'll show him hell! Enji's mind remained focused but fumed in his thoughts. He could tell by how Serpentine acted, that he wasn't a pushover.

With one swift movement, the spear was chucked and Tadami zipped by it so fast that he didn't even need to deflect it. Past his shoulder, a scrape flayed open and poison had laced it. Back and for he flew by, scraping the hero only made him grunt from each cut.

The flaming hero kept turning and trying to find an opening to attack, but his speed was too much and he was lucky that the heat in his body burned the poison. He wouldn't dare use a lot or any of his large radius skills, lest the mall would become almost nothing.

With a fist clenched, his arm swung around, a harsh roar left his lips when fire engulfed the entirety of the pathway and blocked off the top of the staircase by accident. He's fast... His strikes are precise, if it weren't for my fire then his poison would easily kill me with one stab alone. I can't let him hit any vital parts! His thoughts, full of urgency, echoed and shot flames left and right in hopes of at least grazing the snake's hide. The view of him kept rotating to show that Serpentine flashed all around the hero with blinding speed; it could even be matched with Edgeshot's.

Within each second, he could feel his skin being scrapped or cut. This time, with his fist moving, he wanted to time it just right and sock him good. "Flash-fire Fist!" Intense flames surrounded his hand as soon as he pulled it back and at that moment...

As soon as he saw a flash of black and gray in front of him, he punched the snake's jaw and sent flames across the path in a long and large stream. The immense heat seemed to have melted the railing and busted the glass, causing it to fall to the first floor.

However, he wasn't expecting Tadami to instantly show up the second the flames died down and see that his eyes were different. Black slits and pure white sclera, bore into his blues ones at that moment as he kept a stiffened hand out to strike. His snake hide was hardened since his scales became far more defined and shiny. Most, if not, all of his clothes had burned off, save for his crispy pants that barely covered his manhood.

It didn't work, the serpent's fear skill didn't even faze the flaming hero, for he caught his hand and with a strong cry- A hard fist socked him and sent him back to his previous spot.

Dust clouds and flames masked the whole area, which seemed to benefit the Hitman instead... As quiet as possible, as swift and blinding, he maneuvered across the ceiling beams. "Where's that bastard...?" Endeavor's strict and cautious eyes looked all around him, except the shadows.

Dripping with poison, Tadami's claws were covered in his own venom when he went to pierce the back of Enji's neck with precision. However, he only managed to nick him with the poison, after the hero felt a scratch trace his skin and whirled around as quick as he could.

His heated hand caught his wrist but when it did, the snake's legs lifted and kicked him upside his head, forcing him to release his hand. Fast, he was, the Hitman repeated the same precise strikes with his claws as if they were his rapier and continued to cut at Enji. Those black and white, concentrated eyes met Todoroki's as soon as he was about to do one last strike.

It all happened too fast, for sharp snake fangs protruded when Tadami opened his mouth and bit down onto the flaming hero's arm that tried to punch him.

"AAH!" His cry of agony lifted to the ceiling and was unaware of the Serpent removing his fangs. Enji could feel his own veins and wound pulsing from the damage and mentally thanked his fire for burning the poison instantaneously.

He hates his daughter, why? If I can make him hesitate for a minute, I can get a clear shot! His snake hide is protecting him from my flames. If I can get him to somehow lower them or strike when they disappear, he'll burn to ashes! In his mind, he pondered and managed to catch both of his wrists before the Hitman could attempt a leg-sweep.

He was trying hard not to use any of his critical skills that could wipe out an entire building, so he was limited to how he wanted to fight the Serpent. They fought for dominance, the snake's hands shook as they fought against Enji's grip, and not once did his intense focus break.

The hero could tell, that even in a trapped situation like this, he was still looking for an opening to strike. "Why are you heroes so damn persistent, in trying to save my daughter? That brat doesn't need it and you're making this more complicated than it needs to be," his voice- deep and clear, full of hate and laced with the aggravation that made him grumble. He questioned the hero who returned the intense glare that he gave.

"Complicated...? She is in distress! She's a child and a student of U.A! And to add, you're a villain who has kidnapped her! She is the victim!" Through gritted teeth and a roaring voice, he answered him.

~~~

At the bar, across from Kurogiri, Miss Muni fiddled with a pen between her fingers as she stared at the blank sheet of paper in front of her. Skillfully spinning the tool on the side of her index finger and thumb, then stopping it easily with a swift and effortless grip. Her jaw rested in her free hand as it kept her head propped up and its elbow against the surface.

"Why..." Kuro trailed off and shifted in his stance. "Did you let her go? I'm afraid I don't understand your method and I'm positive, Tomura Shigaraki will not be thrilled about this," his cautious question didn't even make the dead woman stir, her black eyes were glued to the paper and the spinning of the pen continued.

"I don't care," It was true- Muni didn't care, for not even an ounce of concern showed on her face. Only thoughts made themselves noticeable in her dark hues; her low and careless voice was enough proof.

"You should. He will kill you and our alliance will be ripped into pieces," a moments' pause made silence engulf the room, unaware of two pairs of eyes watching them converse from afar. "Why did you send her out? Why would you make her kill off those heroes who have been looking for her?" Again, after he asked, quietness was all he received until her pale lips parted to speak.

"It's a test... To see if she can truly kill without hesitation; it's going according to plan. All For One accepted my alliance with you because he knew we'd be of use to each other. Shigaraki can kill me... After, I've found that bastard," A harsh click on the pen made its ink tip come out and she began to write. The word- Report: was written before she started writing one.

"You don't care if you die...?" Disappointment could be heard in Kuro's voice and sadness made itself known on Himiko's face, behind her.

"I'm already dead. If he destroys my body, I'll come back as ghost and torment that decaying brat until he loses what sanity he has left," answered Miss Muni, with her voice full of anger and carelessness.

"Why not go see how she's fairing against them? The low-ranked heroes, I mean," Suggested the bartender and her gaze glanced over to see him lean over the surface, with his arms folding on top of it.

When she stood up, his yellow, odd eyes watched her place the pen down and grasp the handle to her Gatling gun. A quick adjustment to her glasses and the gun being placed over her shoulder like before, she was about to leave when...

There, the door to their hideout opened, revealing Tomura in his dry and pale glory. "Did you send her out to fight?" his low, annoyed voice reached her ears and his piercing red hues met black and strict ones.

"Yes. A test of her dark side... I'm going to watch," Simply put, the dead woman moved her attention back to the door behind him and continued past the man. She wasn't aware that she received a dangerous glare from him but halted, upon feeling four fingers grasp her free bicep.

"I didn't ask what you were going to do, I asked if you sent her out," With a death grip on her arm, which didn't seem to even faze her, those dead eyes moved down to see his that were full of aggravation. "Damn it... I didn't give you any orders to act on your own. She was going to be used as a projectile, someone that we can use to pierce through obstacles that get in the way of our plans! All For One, wanted us to direct her killing intent, toward deaths that would have more meaning! Not this!" With that said, despite the lack of care for the woman on his face and the fact that he'd kill her with no problems... He refrained from clenching his fifth finger, for he still saw her as a useful asset to have. "Now, Yukimura's taken and her father is fighting Endeavor! How exactly do you plan on getting her back?!" Through a risen voice and gritted teeth, not once did his hand on her arm loosen.

From his grip, Muni jerked her bicep from him and moved closer until she was mere inches from his face. "My plan will help yours... If she's back with them, then that's good. I need her there rather than here," Her answer only seemed to spike his anger, for he was about to reach for her neck and choke her. "Crush my throat- and I'll rip yours out," quietly spoken with threat lacing her words, the woman moved closer to the door and placed her hand on the knob. "My plan will rot the roots beneath All Might. Destroy U.A, the place where he was made a hero, then he will soon follow," that was all she said before exiting the building and leaving the man there with growing anger.

"I believe we tried that before... When we attacked the school's training grounds. Perhaps, she's going to do it differently," the bartender spoke and hummed curiously. He completely ignored the small tantrum Tomura displayed when he kicked one of the bar stools over and brushed the paper Miss Muni wrote on, onto the floor.

~~~

Purple eyes watched the sleeping brunette in his arms, completely lost in his own thoughts, and kept his grip firm around her frame. Are we too late? the disappointment and sadness could be heard in his monologue. The boy truly hoped they weren't, the idea of being trapped in the League of Villain's hideout for so long would probably make anyone become insane. His frown was evident when it curved after he moved his attention to her attire and ripped pants.

Those shining scales that returned to normal, her soft, tan skin with a hidden bruise he noticed just then and closed, blind eyes nearly pressed against his shirt. His fingers clenched tighter, for he hated the thought of them being late in saving her.

Kyoshi simply remained crouched close to the floor, with his elbows laying on the tops of his thighs. That long, crocodile tail slid from side to side as he observed her in Hitoshi's arms and how her lower half laid in the boy's crossed legs. Despite the natural smirk he had on his lips, a frown was barely noticeable but still there nonetheless. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm away," through his crocodile grumble, he warned the boy and stood to his full height of 6ft. and 8 inches tall.

"Where are you going?" Curious and cautious, Shinso questioned the intimidating Crock as he watched those yellow eyes move to the stairs they came down from.

"I'm gonna rip that snake apart, even if I have to get in that hero's way. So, don't do anything stupid while I'm gone..." through annoyance, he answered, and turned to leave the boy alone. "You won't get attacked over here. That damn Hitman's too busy fighting Endeavor to focus on killing you," one, last fact, was pointed out before he began to climb the stairs and didn't care if Shinso watched his backside become more distant.

Contemplation, full of determination and concern, returned to Har-Har's slumbering form. It wasn't long until he too decided to follow after Kyoshi, very slowly he rose to his feet and shifted the brunette around until he held her bridal style. Next, from across the floor and to the stairs, he made his way up.

Carefully he trekked the steps, climbing them the best he could without dropping her, and when he reached the next floor... At that moment, he saw Kyoshi race after Serpentine with a fist ready to strike. The Hitman and Enji were both, still, pretty much fighting for dominance, and struggling to push past the others' strike.

"Don't worry, Yukimura. We can finally put an end to this," His purple eyes glinted with a thought in mind, something he and Endeavor planned that was never mentioned around others; the use of his quirk.

"AAAH!" A strong, brute force from Wani's fist to the Hitman's jaw, sent the snake into the distance with a sickening crunch. He was lucky Tadami's side was left open since their struggle against each others' force, kept his attention on the flaming hero instead of any other potential threats.

The mall's wall had crumbled into chunks, allowing a stir of dust to engulf that area and the upper floor following suit. Heavy breaths left the Crock's lips while his piercing slits full of rage- glued themselves to the now gaping hole behind the dusty cloud.

"Didn't I tell you not to interfere?! I told you to watch over those kids!" Fire spiked around Enji when he yelled at the reptile, his booming voice soon silencing when he watched Wani nudge his head toward the hole.

"This piece of trash can turn into an even bigger pain..." through his deep, annoyed grumble, he warned the hero and rolled his neck from side to side. The satisfying sensation of his bone popping seemed to have eased some of the stress that was evident on his face. With clenched fists, he stretched his biceps and tightened his muscles to prepare for the big problem he claimed would occur.

"I'm not even going to ask," Todoroki's last response proved that he didn't care too much for a small chat or even a few exchanges of words. For he had no interest in having a partner who wasn't even a licensed hero, to team up with him and drop information next to his feet.

Behind them, Shinso pressed his back against the wall and sat down as he had before; keeping the brunette secure in his arms. From what she told me... Her father has a lot of anger issues and I can guarantee you, he knows of my quirk. So, if I can get him to answer me somehow- I can catch him in time and give Endeavor an opening to make a killing blow. I just hope... for a moment, in his mind, he trailed off and the grip on the girl tightened a little more. She is willing to forgive me. To forgive us, for killing her only family. She needs mental healing, to be brought back to the path of heroes... And I'll do everything I can to help her recover. The determination in his eyes became sharper as he watched the two afar from him prepare for the snake's next move.