Deviant
Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia.
Warnings: Violence, Drama, Peril, Death
Pairings: Midoriya x Amajiki, Midoriya x Shinsou, Midoriya x Bakugou, Midoriya x Todoroki, Midoriya x Uraraka, Rodi x Pino, Midoriya x Rodi x Pino, Midoriya x Sero, Midoriya x Toga
Plot: Life after the apocalypse has drastically changed for those who survived. Contracting with demons is probably one of the least interesting developments in the new world. For Midoriya and Amajiki, it's become a standard way of life, the only existence they've ever known. They must rely on one another to avoid possession, and live whatever semblance of life remains now that the planet has been ripped apart.
Demon Classes:
Lesser - unable to appear in spectral form, only visible/communicative with contracted host
Mid - can appear in spectral form/partial manifestation
Greater - can manifest entirely in the physical realm
Deviant - dangerous to contract with, strong enough to possess host during manifestation
Chaos - can exist independently without contractor, consume weaker demons to sustain themselves and accumulate power
Dragon - the most powerful demons in existence, ruling sovereigns of the abyss responsible for world-ending catastrophic extinction events
Angel Classes: (descending from highest)
Creator (Dragon), Seraph (Chaos), Cherub (Deviant), Guardian (Greater), Virtue (Mid), Archangel (Lesser)
Unbound:
Allies: Ruin C (darkness), Blue C (lightning), Hawks D (air), Hizashi G/G (voice/sound)
Neutral: Dabi C (fire), Monoma D/D (light/shadow)
Enemies: Shigaraki D (destruction), Kurogiri D/D (darkness/air), Geten D (ice), Kizuki D (combustion), Iguchi D/D (water/poison)
Embodied Demons:
(Midoriya: Shinsou, Bakugou, Todoroki, Sero, Toga)
Midoriya: (Original Pact: Bakugou, Uraraka, Todoroki)
Power - Bakugou + D/D (power/combustion), Toga + G/G (power/darkness)
Fire - Todoroki + D/D (fire/ice)
Water - Asui G
Air - Uraraka G/G (air/gravity)
Earth - Kirishima G/G (earth/shield)
Light - Kaminari G (lightning)
Darkness - Shinsou + C
Enhancements: Jirou M/M (sight/sound), Hagakure G (stealth), Sero G (binding), Ashido M (poison), Yaoyorozu G (crafting), Iida G (speed), Koda M/M (voice/sound)
Amajiki: (Original Pact: Hawks, Fumikage, Nejire/Mirio)
Power - Mirio G/G (power/light), Kendou D (power/fire), Usagiyama L
Fire - n/a
Water - Nejire G, Takeyama G (oasis)
Air - Tsuburaba G/G (air/shield)
Earth - Shindou G
Light - Shimura L/L (light/gravity)
Darkness - Fumikage G, Yanagi L (darkness/gravity)
Enhancements: Aizawa G (sight), Kuroiro G (stealth), Shiozaki M (binding), Komori G (growth), Hatsume M (crafting), Kayama G (illusion)
Terminology: (See previous chapters for older terms.)
Waygate - a hotspot where demons can be called to the edge of reality after being shattered, demons that emerge are subsequently stripped of their powers and returned to reality as lesser rank
Truth - the original reality and true timeline an entity originates from
Witches - humans naturally gifted with bloodmagic, capable of forcibly binding demons into contracts and subsequently claiming their quirks
Priests - humans blessed by angels, capable of exorcizing demons and condemning them back to the abyss, or confining them in periapts to make use of their quirks
Periapt - an amulet/talisman used by priests to entrap demons, allowing them to manipulate the confined demons' quirks
Reaver - a demon that consumes all in its path without mercy, only interested in accumulating power and ascending to the highest rank attainable at any given time
Keihai - a reaver's chosen neophyte, the keihai is often indebted to the reaver and displays their loyalty by performing various acts as their personal subordinate/fledgling
True Death - a unique quirk wherein a demon's core is shattered, and cannot be reformed
Exception - when a creator intervenes, allowing a miracle to take place
Collision - when alterations to a truth causes adverse effects to all timelines involved, which may lead to a catastrophe or blackout
Blackout - when a timeline is permanently snuffed out
Ch 21: Ascent
Usagiyama perked her ears towards the distant echo of her name, feeling the subtle tugging of her contractor's call at her core. Amajiki was calling for her, Shimura there alongside him. She grit her fangs and pushed those feelings down, diving deeper into the abyss. She had to see what was coming, she had to bear witness to the events that were about to unfold.
There was a great gathering at the nucleus of the abyss, throngs upon throngs of demons unlike anything she'd ever laid eyes on before. Amidst the crowd, she spotted the monstrous, grotesque form of the former dragon, but she turned her eyes away from Enji to focus on the churning mirror instead.
Here the veil had grown thin, and countless demons were clawing at the barrier, trying to break through to the surface. Energy pooled and coiled tighter and thicker as they banded together into a wild, ravenous beast. They tried with all their might, demons of every ranking working together to shred the many layers of the thinning veil, until at long last a gap appeared in the mirror, and demons began clawing their way out to reach the other side.
"This is…" She shivered and backed away slowly, her eyes wide as her heartbeat hammered in her skull. "This will be the end of everything. Once the dragon ascends, the veil will be completely destroyed. There's nothing we can do to stop this." She turned away from the mirror, reaching for the connection linking to her contractor. "I have to warn them, we cannot win this fight-"
Sharp claws closed around her neck, a chaos' eyes gleaming brightly as she pinned Usagiyama beneath her, the lesser inhaling sharply and struggling to free herself to no avail.
"You're warm." She purred while drawing Usagiyama closer, her pupils little more than fuchsia pinpricks, illuminating the endless black with electric pink. "Bound to a host with an untainted soul. What a rarity to find, here at the end. On the precipice of the extinction of the entire human race."
"Let me go-" Usagiyama started, but the chaos tightened her grip and began drifting away from the crowd with Usagiyama grasped tightly within her clutches, her talons piercing wickedly into the lesser's chest and side.
"I can feel the one who calls to you." She purred as she sprouted wings, her feathers so dark they were nearly indiscernible from the void surrounding them. "Let us go and greet him. He lingers near the waygate."
As they crossed the nether Usagiyama struggled as hard as she could to free herself, to call out to Shimura, to somehow warn Amajiki of what was coming. This chaos was powerful - perhaps older and stronger than both Dabi and Shinsou.
Her feathered wings indicated she was a fallen angel, as Hawks still possessed his own angelic wings. Though his wings were now a striking crimson, they had once been (like all pure angels) a brilliant snowy white. Hers were blacker than pitch; darker than the endless, starless night.
When we fall, our wings are tainted. The changed pigmentation is indicative of our unforgivable sins, those that directly lead to our fall.
Usagiyama wasn't certain she'd ever heard Hawks speak of a fallen angel possessing black plumage before, though Hawks had mentioned at some point that Eri's wings were the first he'd ever witnessed that had retained their original undefiled white. As she grew, he had anticipated they would shift to a different color relating to her fall, perhaps once Eri emerged as a fully-fledged fallen, and not a hollow shell of her human self.
Now that Hawks was no longer with them, Usagiyama had no way to find the answers she was looking for. All she could do now was try to find a way to break free before it was too late.
The chaos stopped suddenly, Usagiyama yelping as her grip tightened, her talons digging into her ribs and threatening to pierce through entirely. She kicked and flailed, jerking against her unforgiving grasp, trying her best to focus and stave off panic. All she needed was a moment to escape, only a moment-
"Release her."
The chaos crooned curiously, shifting Usagiyama slightly to the side.
"She is your companion? You do not share the same contractor."
Usagiyama perked her ears, trying to twist to see who it was that her captor was talking to, but she was tucked away behind countless ebony remiges. The voice that had spoken wasn't familiar, but somehow it felt as if they were an ally. Someone Usagiyama had met before.
"My Lady." A soft voice greeted evenly, Usagiyama's breath hitching as she recognized the gatekeeper's voice.
"Monoma-!"
"Gatekeeper." The chaos shifted Usagiyama again, tucking her snuggly against her side, "It is unusual for you to traverse the great depths yourself."
"I was offered a bargain I could not refuse." Monoma chuckled, drawing a bit closer as he tried to reason with the chaos. "I've come to collect the one you hold, her contractor is waiting-"
"Very well." Usagiyama could hear the chaos' smile in her words. "I shall accompany you."
"For what reason?" The unfamiliar voice asked, caution in her tone, and the chaos hummed and tilted her head as she examined the one speaking to her.
"Like you, I wish to offer my services for the taste of a human soul."
Usagiyama's anger flared as she struggled against her grasp anew, kicking and growling as she spat, "Tamaki would never offer his soul to the likes of you-!"
The chaos twisted Usagiyama in her grasp, holding her upside down before her face, Usagiyama glaring up into her glowing fuchsia eyes. "Temper temper." A smirk curved up the corners of her lips. "Is that an absolute certainty? Are you certain he would rather choose death than offer up a piece of his soul?"
Usagiyama froze at that, holding the chaos' eyes. They'd both been there together at the nucleus when the veil had ripped open, they both knew well what was coming with the dawn.
"You can save him?" Usagiyama asked, and the chaos chuckled quietly under her breath.
"That depends." She mused, gradually releasing her hold on Usagiyama, the lesser squirming out of her grasp and fleeing to Monoma's side, surprised to see a greater she didn't recognize and Pino floating at his other side.
"On?" Pino asked, the chaos' gaze shifting to meet her eyes.
"On how much of his soul he is willing to bargain." Tsutsumi grinned with a flash of fangs, her eyes gleaming eerily. "I am not so easily bought."
-x-x-x-
Amajiki felt Usagiyama as she drew near to the gate, his eyes wide as he stepped closer to the portal, watching with a relieved smile as it illuminated and opened wide, allowing those that had traversed the abyss to once more return to reality.
Monoma emerged first, Pino stepping out just behind him. A small demon Amajiki didn't recognize trailed after Pino's steps, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked around the foggy clearing and then quickly stepped aside, making way for the demons behind her.
As Usagiyama stepped through the gate Shimura rushed to greet her, tugging her into a tight embrace, Usagiyama smiling and hugging her back gently. "I'm sorry I didn't come to you." She held Shimura's eyes for a long moment, then looked to Amajiki. "I heard you when you called. I stayed to watch the events happening in the abyss."
"What did you see?" Shimura asked worriedly, and Usagiyama frowned as she turned to watch the demon stepping through the waygate, her massive black wings dragging behind her as she stretched her arms above her head with a quiet sigh.
"The veil is tearing apart." Pino answered for her, Rodi stepping across the clearing to greet her, Pino offering him an affectionate smile before continuing on, "From what Usagi described, it's likely that the entire world will be consumed as Shigaraki ascends. This truth is doomed."
"That explains why the traveler was so adamant about taking Midoriya with him…" Shimura murmured, Usagiyama perking her ears slightly.
"Traveler?"
"A lot has happened while you were gone." Rodi sighed, Pino fluffing her feathers and pressing close against his side, Rodi kissing her temple while wrapping an arm around her waist. "Who's this?" He asked softly, looking to the greater standing near Monoma's side, then to the winged chaos near the gate. "Are they allies?"
Pino followed his gaze, offering her hand to the greater, Tsunotori stepping closer to her side. "Pony helped us find Usagi. She accompanied us to speak with Amajiki about forging a contract. Given her skillset, she should prove to be an asset." She looked to Tsutsumi next, the chaos' eyes fixed on Amajiki as she approached.
Amajiki watched the chaos warily, frowning a little as she loomed ever closer, her lips pulled back to reveal two sets of pronounced fangs. "A rarity indeed. Pure and untouched."
She reached out, curling her talons against the air just before his chest, and Amajiki exhaled a soft breath at the sensation of fingers enclosing around his heart.
"There is an imprint here, a faded memory of a fallen that was contracted before." Her eyes burned brightly as she grinned delightedly. "My my, it's been centuries since I've given thought to Takami Keigo. It's you he's been with? No, it couldn't be. Human lives cannot endure so long."
Amajiki's eyes widened, and he asked hesitantly, "You know Hawks?"
She hummed and tilted her head slightly to the side, turning her hand over to offer her palm. "Contract with me. In exchange for half your soul, I will fight with you against the coming dragon. I will share my gifts with you and your plethora. My Bounty will allow those sharing our contract to grow astronomically in strength and ascend to higher ranks, feats that would otherwise require decades to achieve."
Amajiki shivered subtly while holding her eyes, contemplating her offer. Shimura and Usagiyama stepped closer to his side, the lessers watching their interaction closely.
After a few moments of silence Amajiki asked, "Will you give me time to consider your offer?"
Tsutsumi withdrew her hand, shrugging lightly. "It's time you're sorely lacking, but do as you must. I cannot forge the contract without your consent, it is your decision to make."
"I understand." Amajiki murmured, sighing shakily while reaching up to card his fingers through his hair, rubbing his nape and glancing up towards the fading stars.
Dawn was fast approaching, the crimson horizon steadily creeping across the starry midnight-blue sky.
In an instant another demon appeared, Hizashi calling out to them while gesturing towards the open gate. "I found the alter of the demon that snatched Midoriya from our truth." He cast his gaze over those that had gathered, beckoning them to follow as he stepped towards the gate. "I will bring you together, but we must act quickly. The waygates are becoming unstable, there isn't much time left before the ascent!"
Monoma and Hizashi spoke for a moment as everyone gathered, then the imp traced his claws along the outer edges of the portal, the glowing surface swirling brightly with multicolored lights. Rodi and Pino stepped closer as the shifting portal began to settle, revealing a familiar place. "We're going back?" The human asked excitedly, "You're opening a gate leading to the city?"
"I'll see you on the other side." Hizashi called over his shoulder, stepping through first. Monoma backed away a few steps and urged Rodi and Pino forward, the pair passing through without hesitation, leaving Amajiki and his plethora to follow along after.
Amajiki didn't move for a long moment, then he turned to look across the clearing, listening for voices in the distance. Shinsou and the rest of Midoriya's plethora were just out of sight beyond the fog, and he debated calling out to them for a long moment before deciding against it, turning towards the portal instead.
He stepped through with Shimura and Usagiyama trailing just behind, Tsunotori quickly following after the lessers, Tsutsumi dragging her heavy wings behind her as she casually crossed the dewy grass to stand at Monoma's side.
"Do you really think they have a chance?" The imp asked after a moment, searching her eyes, "Or is this simply a game you're keen to play?"
Tsutsumi grinned slyly but didn't reply. She simply ducked her head slightly and stepped through the glowing gate, Monoma waiting until the last of her feathers had disappeared from sight before closing the portal, the island returning to the quiet darkness it had once been before.
-x-x-x-
Yagi offered out his hand, and after a long, quiet moment without response Eri reached out and took it, carefully stepping out of the remnants of a massive chrysalis, blinking slowly as she looked around with wide scarlet eyes. Yagi watched over her carefully, the seraph lifting her wings and fanning them for balance, taking a few wobbly steps across the ground before collapsing to her knees, the deviant quickly crouching down beside her.
"Eri…?" He called softly, the seraph's ears twitching slightly as she listened to his voice. "Eri, do you know me? Do you remember who I am?"
She twisted her neck at an unnatural angle to meet his eyes, then the rest of her body slowly shifted to set it to a proper alignment, her wings shifting behind her with slow, sluggish movements. "Sensei…?"
Yagi's expression softened and he let out a relieved sigh, reaching up to pet her pale hair, careful of her horns. "That's right, Eri. I'm so glad that you remember…" He offered his hands again, helping her back to her feet, and this time she flapped her wings and balanced without any issue, her neck twisting at another strange angle as she looked up at the stars.
"Where's Papa?"
"He's helping a friend." Yagi reassured gently, holding her hand as he helped her along, Eri pausing now and then to look around and correct her wobbly steps before continuing on. "They'll need our help too. Very soon, in fact."
"Papa…?" She asked again, and Yagi nodded, soothing her as he guided her along, cupping her elbow and patting her shoulder gently.
"Soon, Eri. We'll see him soon."
Eri shifted her wings, fanning her creamy white feathers against the sky, her long pale hair cascading down her shoulders as the night breeze swept by.
"Something's coming." She whispered, and Yagi paused to follow her gaze, noticing the barest hints of sunlight on the horizon, that sliver of bright light reflected in his neon-blue eyes.
In the city, Aoi was listening as Amajiki and Rodi told their story.
Above the vast desert, Ruin and Blue were debating how to find the creator before dawn.
Midoriya frowned as he looked out across the desert spanning on and on before them, shivering at the cold breeze passing across the shadowed dunes.
"Surely there's a gate somewhere nearby." Midoriya looked up at Ruin, then to Blue who was flying quickly alongside them. "If we can get to a gate, we can call for Monoma. He should be able to help us, or at least provide information on the creator's seraph."
"I don't sense any gates around here." Blue mumbled, then frowned as he cut his eyes towards Ruin. "Why don't you just make us a gate? Once we're in the abyss we can travel wherever we want-"
"Surely you can sense it." Ruin met Blue's gaze, quirking a brow. "The veil has been sundered. Multitudes of demons are bleeding into reality. The gates are unstable, traversing the depths now with a human would be unthinkable. Any demon we crossed paths with would immediately attempt to devour his soul."
Blue groaned in frustration, frowning as he met Midoriya's eyes. "You're sure about this? Calling for your plethora should restore the connection. Wouldn't it be easier to-?"
"No, I'm afraid of what might happen if we do so before speaking with the creator." Midoriya shook his head slowly, arching his brow. "Having them here would make things too complicated. Let's find a way to speak with her first, then once we know for certain she'll allow Ruin to fight alongside us we'll find the others."
Blue nodded slowly, casting his eyes across the desert and letting out a quiet sigh. "I just don't know how much longer we can keep searching. There's likely less than an hour before dawn."
Ruin slowed his pace to a standstill, beating his wings steadily to keep them aloft. Blue circled back to hover beside him with an irritated frown, but his expression shifted as the older chaos offered Midoriya to him, and he took the human in his arms carefully, holding Midoriya snuggly against his chest.
"I will attempt to call to her." Ruin explained at their confused looks, the chaos putting a bit of distance between them before turning his gaze to the skies.
He fanned his massive wings, his dark scales glittering in the crimson starlight, and then he tilted back his head and closed his eyes, a deep sound like thunder slowly building within his chest.
Midoriya watched with wide eyes, breathless and in awe of the chaos before them. He'd only dared to imagine what it must be like, to witness the mighty prowess of a dragon unleashing their unique abilities. As Ruin was the closest thing to a dragon within his own truth, it was only fitting that watching him wield his quirks was both enthralling and terrifyingly to behold.
Sharp branches of lightning split apart the sky, dark clouds gathering and swirling slowly overhead, darkening the scarlet glow hailing the coming dawn.
He opened his maw, and violet light poured out in a blinding pillar, striking the center of the clouds and billowing back the darkness, illuminating a mighty gate high above them parallel to the sky.
Violet light danced across the surface of the gate, spanning outwards to illuminate the elaborate chained fences surrounding it. An enormous seal appeared before the gate, levitating in place and thrumming with holy energy, countless armored angels manifesting before their eyes, guarding the seal on all sides.
Ruin looked to Midoriya pointedly, and Blue drew closer to allow them to speak. "If I approach now, it's likely they'll attack to defend the gate." He nodded towards the seal. "That's your way into the heavenly realm. Your best chance of speaking with her seraph would be to demand an audience before the gate. Though we have no way of knowing if they'll agree to such, until you try."
"Okay." Midoriya frowned, his eyes shifting to Blue. "Can you take me there?"
Blue nodded hesitantly, azure lightning sparking in his irises and jumping across the bridge of his nose. "I'm not leaving your side."
Blue lifted his wings, elevating them higher with a powerful downsweep, and as they drew closer the angels took a defensive formation before the gate, and Midoriya called out to them above the rushing gale.
"Please hear me! I seek an audience with the creator! May I speak to her seraph?"
The cherubim murmured back and forth for a moment before one called, "We cannot permit you to approach the gate!"
"That's fine!" Midoriya called back quickly, "We don't necessarily need access to the heavenly realm!" He paused for a moment, then added on, "For now, I just need to speak with her seraph! Please, can you tell me their name?"
The cherub who had spoken before didn't respond for a moment, then called out a hesitant reply. "The creator holds none in her favor. The seraph she held before has fallen."
Blue tightened his hold on Midoriya slightly as the human shifted in his grasp, twisting to look down at Ruin, who was watching from a distance.
No seraph? Then how are we to ask for an audience…?
Midoriya thought to himself for a long moment, considering what he knew to be true of Ruin and Blue's truth. He turned his eyes to the cherubim again, then asked, "Is there any way you would allow me to speak with her? Please, we're out of time! The world is about to end-"
"None may pass through the gate." The cherub shook their head with a frown. "The creator is aware of the projected blackout. We are bound to follow her wishes, and carry out her will."
"We're trying to prevent that!" Midoriya insisted, clinging to Blue's shoulder. "We're willing to fight against the rising dragon to save this world! We just need her permission to-"
"She will speak with no one." The cherub shook their head, holding Midoriya's eyes. "Whatever you do now, you do without her blessing or damnation." The cherub's eyes drifted to Blue, then to Ruin, before returning once more to Midoriya. "If you wish to fight for this dying world, do so with all your might. Perhaps witnessing your struggle will reach through to her, and change her mind."
"That's all the permission we need." Ruin called from below, and Blue allowed his wings to tilt just enough to draw away from the gate and begin a slow descent, Midoriya watching as the clouds thickened and once more concealed the heavenly gate from sight.
They reached Ruin's side after a few moments, the chaos watching their approach with gleaming eyes. Midoriya turned to him worriedly, asking, "Are you sure it's alright? She won't be upset that you're here?"
"Perhaps upsetting her is warranted." Ruin mused, shrugging lightly. "Either way, the dragon is about to ascend. This is the only chance we're going to get." He reached out his hand, flexing his talons against the air, and a swirling violet portal began to grow before them, widening just enough to allow them to pass through. The ruins of a once great city were barely visible, waiting just on the other side. "Come. Let us begin."
-x-x-x-
Amajiki tensed as an icy chill shuddered up his spine, Rodi stopping mid-sentence and turning towards the disturbance, Pino taking a protective stance before him as a portal began to open between the dilapidated buildings nearby.
"What is that…?" Rodi murmured, Pino fanning her wings and gathering her strength, Aoi watching with narrowed eyes as he lifted a periapt before him, erecting a runic shield and quickly anchoring it in place.
"It's a chaos." He murmured with a pointed frown, "No, two of them."
Amajiki called Tsuburaba and Mirio to defend, Kendou manifesting at his side as well. "This is it?" He exhaled shakily, steadying his nerves. "Shigaraki and his cohorts have come for us?"
"No, it isn't them." Shimura's voice drifted through his mind, her hand on his shoulder as they watched the portal grow. "This is something else. It feels like-"
"Travelers." Pino hissed, her talons growing as energy swept around her, tousling her hair and wings as she called out a warning, "Stay back until they're completely through! Defend until there's an opening for attack!"
A hulking figure passed through the portal first, giant hooves and dragon wings, his dark scales glittering as he fanned his wings out with a deep growl, his long serpentine tail coiling behind him. A smaller figure emerged just after, his features highlighted in electric blue and somehow strangely familiar.
Amajiki inhaled sharply and darted forward the moment he recognized the demon, drawing Shindou and Nejire to the surface as he shouted angrily, "You! You're the one who took Izuku!"
Kendou and Mirio rushed ahead, flaring their quirks as they launched sequential attacks, the air screaming with energy as they engaged the chaos.
"Tamaki, wait!"
The attacks landed before Amajiki could recognize who had called his name, the chaos skipping across the ground and slamming into a building with a resounding crack. The larger chaos roared and beat his wings against the air in thunderous downbeats, kicking up wind strong enough to stop the lesser ranking demons in their tracks.
"Calm!" He bellowed, taking a step forward and slamming his hoof into the ground, asphalt cracking under the impact and sending tremors through the earth, buildings groaning and crumbling into rubble all around them.
Clouds of dust swept across the city streets in dense billowing waves, Rodi and Amajiki shielding their faces as their demons took protective stances before them, Aoi alone stepping closer to the intimidating chaos. He proceeded with caution, glowing runes encircling his frame in slow-moving spirals, his eyes gleaming as he sized the demon up, the chaos watching his approach with a somewhat curious expression.
"Why are you here?" Aoi called through the shifting dust clouds, and the demon swept his wings into a mighty arch before lowering them once again, the dust and floating debris gradually settling around them.
"We're here for Izuku." Ruin replied simply, Amajiki growling as he started forward, only stopping once he reached Aoi's side.
"You stole him from us!" Amajiki shouted, throwing an arm to the side, energy flaring at his fingertips. "Bring him back! NOW!"
Ruin chuckled deeply, folding his wings slightly and glancing towards the rubble behind him, replying with a soft hum. "We aren't keeping you from him. Go."
Amajiki followed his line of sight, inhaling sharply and running past the chaos into the settling clouds, his legs shaking as he approached a crouched figure and the chaos he'd lashed out at before, Midoriya looking up at him with a relieved little sigh.
"Tamaki-" He started, one of his hands resting on Blue's shoulder, the disheveled chaos pushing himself up with a displeased frown, "It's alright now, everything's alright-"
Amajiki whimpered and fell to his knees beside Midoriya, wrapping his arms around his neck in a tight embrace. Midoriya huffed softly at his rough grasp, grinning as he turned to tug Amajiki closer, Amajiki tucking his face against Midoriya's shoulder to muffle his harsh, jerking sobs.
"I thought you were dead! I thought I'd lost you!"
"I'm right here." Midoriya whispered gently, cupping the back of Amajiki's skull and hugging him back just as tightly. "I'm right here, Tamaki. I'm sorry I made you wait." Amajiki drew back to meet his eyes, Midoriya smiling gently and cupping his cheek. "I missed you so much."
Blue watched them quietly, unmoving, not wanting to interrupt the moment they were sharing. Amajiki hid his face against Midoriya's shoulder again, crying and trembling, Midoriya hugging him tightly and glancing over to meet Blue's eyes, the demon watching them apologetically.
Eventually Midoriya reached over and touched Blue's shoulder, asking quietly, "You're alright?"
Blue nodded and got to his feet, dusting himself off a bit. He stood near Midoriya's shoulder protectively as the humans spoke together softly, his eyes shifting to Ruin, then to the humans standing beside him.
One human looked eerily familiar, Blue's hackles bristling as he tilted his head slightly to the side, inhaling shakily at the unsettling feeling twisting at his core. He'd never imagined that one day he'd encounter his own alter in a different truth, let alone under such strange circumstances.
He pulled his eyes away a moment later, looking down at Midoriya as the human called his name. He offered his hand and helped Midoriya up, Amajiki standing as well and pressing close against Midoriya's side again. The other human was glaring at Blue with blatant hostility as Midoriya continued to explain what had transpired while they'd been apart.
Once he had said enough to calm Amajiki's immediate aggression, he nodded to Blue and walked hand in hand with Amajiki to greet Rodi and Aoi, Ruin observing their exchange silently. Midoriya's eyes were wide as he took in Aoi's appearance, looking between the human and his demon alter in awe, noting the similarities they shared and yet the obvious differences. They were each their own unique individuals; polar opposites yet kindred spirits, two halves of a greater whole.
"Well?" Aoi finally spoke up, nodding towards Ruin and Blue. "If they're here to help, we may stand a slightly better chance than without them, but I'm still not convinced doing all of this will change the projected outcome. If what you're saying is true, and even the creator has accepted the blackout, then all of our efforts will be for nothing." He shrugged with a slight frown, propping a hand on his hip. "What's the point of even trying? Shouldn't we simply enjoy our last few moments before inevitably greeting death?"
"What would you do?" Rodi asked, Pino leaning against her cherished's side and blanketing him in fluffy down. "With the little time you have left?"
"See my mom." Aoi replied with a quiet sigh, casting his eyes towards the stars. "A part of me always imagined I'd be with her at the end of it all." He shrugged, meeting Rodi's eyes. "Kinda wish I'd had more time to explore this world before dying, but some things can't be changed." He looked to Amajiki and Midoriya, asking after a moment, "Haven't you considered that this is our destiny? That our truth has been doomed from the start? Maybe we aren't supposed to fight against the dragon. Maybe we're meant to be consumed and reborn."
"I've considered that possibility." Midoriya murmured, Amajiki watching him worriedly and squeezing his hand. "I've thought - what if the only way to survive this is to have our demons devour us, and transition into demons ourselves?" He met Amajiki's eyes, then Rodi's, then Aoi's. "Humans cannot exist in this world. Our apocalypse already happened. There's only a handful of humans left alive on the entire planet. Our time is over, it has been for decades. We've been clinging to an existence that was never meant to last."
He tilted his head slightly, casting his eyes aside.
"Then another part of me thinks - don't give up! You can't give up now! You've survived this long, you've been through so much and come so far. You have to do everything you can to keep on living. Even in this broken, desolate world there are still things worth saving, worthy of cherishing - things that give meaning to life." He squeezed Amajiki's fingers, lifting his gaze to search his companion's eyes. "I want to survive. I want to share the remnants of this world with you. With all of you." He looked to Rodi and Aoi, offering them both a soft, flustered smile. "Are you willing to fight? Are you willing to risk everything, and fight til the very end?"
"I'm with you." Rodi nodded, Pino chirping softly as she fluffed her wings.
"We're with you, Izuku. We'll fight with you."
Amajiki smiled and nodded, "Wherever you go, I'll follow. I'm not ready to give up my human life. I don't want any of us to die yet." He shook his head, casting his eyes between those watching him. "If we lose this fight, if our deaths are inevitable, then at least we'll be together on the other side. I want to fight with everything inside of me until there's nothing left to give. I can't just accept this fate without trying everything possible to survive."
Aoi snorted softly, shaking his head, eventually letting out a heavy sigh. "You're all so damned optimistic." He considered for a moment, then crossed his arms over his chest and nodded his head. "Fine, I'll bite. Fuck fate. I'll do what I can to fight alongside you." He held out his fist, offering it as a sign of resolve. "Let's take down this dragon, and save the world."
Rodi held out his fist as well, bumping it against Aoi's, Amajiki following suit, Midoriya adding his fist to the stack with a bright smile. "Okay guys! Let's do this!"
Midoriya closed his eyes, exhaling a slow, deep breath, and then called for his plethora, feeling his soul alight as their many connections seared through him like sparking livewires.
"Hey everyone. I'm home."
-x-x-x-
Shigaraki turned in a slow circle, pacing back and forth between the demons encircling him, grinning eagerly as he looked past them to the coming dawn.
Any moment now, the veil shielding reality from the abyss would be ripped wide open. He could already feel the energy gathering in his core, and within those loyal cohorts surrounding him on all sides.
One by one they offered themselves up, Shigaraki ripping into them and devouring them whole, absorbing their amassed energy. With each core he devoured he felt that energy surging through him, twisting and contorting, changing him in ways he'd only ever dreamed.
He'd waited an eternity to ascend to this realm. He'd plotted patiently and painstakingly bid his time; forging alliances, gathering the properties needed, fulfilling all requirements, and now at long last it had all paid off.
Dabi's sudden departure had been unexpected, but had proven to be a delightful stepping stone in his own ascension, and now here he was. He would soon be known to all as the dragon who devoured the entire world. The Last Catastrophe. The One Who Ends All.
As he consumed the final shards of the shattered core before him, he turned his eyes to the sun on the horizon, allowing the power rippling through him to overflow and expand. It bubbled and boiled, coiling tighter and burning brighter, until something deep within him suddenly snapped.
Eri's eyes widened and she twisted towards the horizon, watching the flash of bright light consuming the sky, far brighter than the sliver of sunlight that had been there moments before. The crimson skies flashed in pulses of multicolored light, then shifted to a sickening green before transitioning to a twilight purple, distant constellations and planets clearly visible as if time and space itself had been forcibly misaligned.
Hawks tilted his face up, a breath escaping him as he marveled at the strange stars, Dabi frowning a little and shifting his gaze towards the horizon where the pulses of light had originated from.
"This is the end." The demon murmured, and Hawks turned to face him, cuddling up to his chest and resting his cheek against his shoulder, letting out a quiet sigh.
"I wonder if they'll fight after all." He whispered, Dabi rubbing up and down his back slowly, shifting his wings slightly so they brushed against Hawks' vibrant crimson remiges, the fallen angel smiling faintly as they rested in each other's arms.
"Are you content with that?" Dabi asked quietly after a moment, and Hawks parted his eyes, blinking slowly, thinking for a long while about what it was he wanted to say.
"Do you think if I fought with them," Hawks murmured, "Do you think my presence alone could make so great a difference?"
Dabi considered for a pause as well before answering. "Will you regret not being with them? Can you live with yourself after?"
"My peace is with you." Hawks whispered, reaching up to cup Dabi's jaw, searching his burning turquoise irises, the demon crooning softly and dipping down to nuzzle him gently.
"And mine with you." Dabi whispered back lovingly, petting Hawks' cheek, holding his eyes as he whispered. "Do you wish to fight for the human boy you saved? Do you wish to protect your allies? Your friends?"
"Of course I want to protect them." Hawks murmured, arching his brow slightly. "I don't want Tamaki to die. I don't wish for anything unpleasant to happen to him, or our plethora, or our companions…"
"Then why are we here?" Dabi asked, and Hawks frowned a little as he searched the demon's eyes.
"I can't leave you." Hawks whispered breathlessly, his fingers trembling as he traced Dabi's cheek. "I'll never be apart from you. I'll never be away from your side ever again. I swear it."
"You don't have to be." Dabi chuckled softly, dipping down for a kiss, pressing their lips together gently before pulling back to meet Hawks' eyes. "My beloved. My cherished. I bind myself to you anew, I swear to go where you go, to be with you in this life and the next. Together forever, never apart. Your heart is my home."
Hawks laughed tearily as he tugged Dabi down to him, kissing him slowly, the demon crooning and wrapping his arms around the fallen angel tightly, cradling him protectively against his chest. "You would do this for me? After everything?"
"All is forgiven." Dabi reassured, carding his fingers through Hawks' tawny hair, searching his golden eyes. "My devotion to you is unwavering. Let us be as we once were."
Hawks sniffed and nodded, laughing and pressing close to kiss Dabi again, and when they eventually parted Hawks tugged Dabi's wrist gently, urging him to follow. "Come, we must meet with them now, before the decimation begins."
Dabi matched Hawks' stride, taking his cherished's hand, demon and angel flying side by side towards the abandoned city, twin stars streaking across resonating twilight skies.
Eri watched as they passed overhead, Yagi murmuring quietly, "Everyone is gathering for the final battle." He reached across astral, searching for anything familiar, and a moment later he found what he was looking for, calling out to the greater, "She's awake. She's asking for you."
Hizashi didn't reply for a moment, then called back through astral, "Can you bring her to me? I can't leave Shouta. The humans have decided to take the chance and stand their ground. We're preparing final defenses."
"Alright." Yagi murmured, turning his attention to Eri, smiling at her fondly as he offered out his hands. "Eri, come now. Your Papa is asking for you. I'm sure Aizawa will be happy to see you as well."
"Papa." Eri shifted her wings, her eyes on the violet skies and twinkling constellations above, swirls of green and pink twining together and shimmering through the atmosphere, an uncanny resemblance to the magnetic auroras of the planetary poles. "Papa is with Dada?"
"Yes, Eri." Yagi beckoned, watching her with a fond little smile as she curled her talons around his hands. "We're going to see them both."
Hizashi lingered in astral, listening for a few moments before returning to Aizawa's side, the greaters working together with Amajiki and Midoriya's plethoras to create a safe haven around the hotspot closest to the city, where they would make their final stand against Shigaraki.
Since reuniting with his plethora, Midoriya had been surrounded by his powerhouses and embodied demons, who despite Midoriya's reassurances adamantly refused to leave his side. It had taken everything inside of him to rein in his demons long enough to explain that Blue wasn't a threat but an ally. It had taken even longer to convince them all that Ruin was there to help them, and wasn't interested in obtaining a piece of Midoriya's soul.
Amajiki on the other hand was dealing with contracting with multiple demons, and working to enhance his plethora as much as possible until the very last moment.
He'd bargained with Tsutsumi, and finally agreed to offer up a quarter of his soul in exchange for her help, which would allow the chaos to walk alongside him and fuel his plethora with her quirk.
He renewed his contract with Usagi, then accepted Tsunotori, and then with Tsutsumi's guidance began selecting the demons within his plethora most suitable to ascend to a higher rank.
Mirio was chosen, along with Nejire as his cherished. Together they were a powerful force to be reckoned with, and Amajiki agreed to allow the pair to command the helm as needed in order to fight to the fullest extent of their abilities, and protect their comrades and host. He chose Shindou to ascend as well, intent on bolstering his stronger elements, and just as he was about to discuss ascending Shimura or Usagi, someone unexpected arrived.
Amajiki turned away from the demons gathered before him, his eyes widening as he inhaled a trembling breath, his expression twisting as he ran the remaining distance to meet Hawks. He embraced the angel without hesitation, hiding his face against Hawks' chest, and Hawks chuckled while wrapping his arms around Amajiki tightly, enveloping him in his wings
"Hey, kid." Hawks grinned as Amajiki pulled back to meet his eyes, cupping his face and leaning closer to bump their foreheads together lightly. "Do I still have an invite to the party?"
Amajiki laughed and nodded, and as Hawks shifted his wings Amajiki noticed Dabi for the first time, the chaos watching their exchange quietly. Hawks glanced towards his cherished, offering out his hand, and Dabi took it while drawing closer to his side.
"This is Touya." Hawks said gently, squeezing his cherished's fingers, Dabi holding Amajiki's eyes with an even gaze. "He's willing to contract with you, as am I." He arched his brow a bit, offering Amajiki an apologetic smile. "If you'll have us?"
Amajiki nodded slowly, his heart drumming against his ribcage, and he swallowed thickly before finally finding his voice. "Y-Yeah, I uh…" He nodded again, more certain this time. "Please, we need all the help we can get."
Tsutsumi stepped closer, Hawks lifting his gaze and noticing her for the first time, his eyes widening in surprise. "Lady Kaina?"
Dabi chuckled deeply, crossing his arms over his chest as he spread his wings. "What are you doing here?"
"I came seeking this one's soul." She crooned softly, curling her talons against Amajiki's shoulder, her irises burning with brilliant fuchsia. "I'm surprised you were able to suppress your appetite, Keigo. All these years you've watched over him, teaching him, guiding him, cultivating his soul, and yet you've never had a taste for yourself?"
Hawks bristled at that, frowning as he looked down at Amajiki. "You didn't-"
Amajiki nodded hesitantly, searching Hawks' eyes, "I've already agreed-"
"Not yet. I can sense it." Hawks lifted his wings, narrowing his eyes as he focused on Tsutsumi. "You haven't completed the contract, there's still time to negotiate-"
"And so we are." She gestured towards the demons standing nearby. "We were just selecting those amongst his plethora that I should gift my Bounty to once the deal is struck." She lifted her wings slightly, her gaze glinting sharply. "I have no reason to negate the offer. All that remains is refining the final details before I claim what's already mine."
Amajiki glanced between them worriedly, murmuring hesitantly as he looked to Hawks, "I thought it was the right decision to make, striking a bargain with her. She's willing to fight with us against Shigaraki, and she's powerful-"
"How much?" Hawks asked, his feathers bristling, his eyes on the chaos before him. "How much did you convince him to wager?"
"Merely a quarter." She crooned, grinning darkly as she inclined her head, looking down at Hawks with burning eyes. "He refused my original request for half."
Dabi exhaled a soft snort through his nose, and Hawks clicked his tongue against his teeth, focusing on Amajiki once more. He sighed and leaned closer to nose into the human's dark hair, then murmured against his crown, "Renew our contract. I will offer up all of myself to you, everything I am, in exchange for a matching portion of your soul."
Amajiki tensed, startled at Hawks' words. He pressed a hand against the angel's chest, his fingers trembling slightly as he searched Hawks' eyes. "What? Why-?"
"To prevent her from devouring you completely." Dabi responded while stepping closer, taking a moment to evaluate the tension between the two fallen angels before meeting Amajiki's eyes. "I offer myself for the same price." His gaze shifted to Hawks, his expression softening. "Between the two of us, we will shelter half of your soul. That should prove more than sufficient to keep this one in check, regardless of her insatiable hunger."
Tsutsumi laughed incredulously as she spread her massive wings, countless ink-black remiges blotting out the shimmering twilight sky. "Selfish brats." She hissed, flashing her fangs irritably before letting out an impatient sigh. "Still, I cannot truly object. Just as you may not interfere with our bargain, I may not interfere with yours, should he choose willingly to accept." She looked between Dabi and Hawks, quiet for a moment before adding cheekily, "Loyal to the bitter end, I see. Well done."
Hawks offered his cherished a thankful smile, then looked to Amajiki, the human watching him with teary eyes and red cheeks. "I'm so glad you're here." Amajiki sniffed, reaching up to rub his eyes. "I'm so happy you're with me. It felt wrong without you."
"I'm sorry." Hawks murmured, embracing Amajiki again. "Thank you for giving me my freedom. Now that we're together again, I promise not to leave your side."
Dabi watched their exchange with a little smile, then turned his eyes to the chaos watching him, Shinsou holding his gaze for a long moment before giving a little nod. Dabi nodded in reply, then returned his attention to his cherished, and Shinsou returned his attention to those that had gathered around him, letting out a deep sigh.
"Hitoshi?" Midoriya asked softly, and the chaos nodded while gesturing to the embodied demons nearby.
"You two," He called, Bakugou and Todoroki both stepping closer, "I'm going to channel energy to you directly from the hotspot. The veil is thin enough now that once the energy starts flowing it should rise up and overflow, allowing the two of you to ascend. In the meantime-" He looked to Midoriya, frowning a little as he continued on. "Sero is also close to ascension, as well as Uraraka and Kirishima. Given the circumstances, I think our best option is to allow those who are capable of ascension to do so now, before the brawl begins."
"I'm ready." Uraraka nodded quickly, hovering at Midoriya's shoulder. "All of us are. We'll do everything we can to protect you, and bring Shigaraki down."
Bakugou took a step closer to Uraraka, searching her eyes for a moment before meeting Midoriya's gaze. "Ochaco should be capable of manifesting her own body now, should you wish for her to walk alongside us."
Midoriya smiled and nodded quickly, meeting Uraraka's eyes. "Yeah, of course! If you're able to now Ochaco, then please!"
She smiled and giggled excitedly, happy tears gathering in her eyes. "Thank you, Izuku. I've wanted this more than anything, I've wanted to walk beside you all along."
Shinsou turned away from his cohabitors in favor of focusing on the hotspot nearby, stepping closer to examine the progress that had been made. It had been smaller than they'd hoped for at first, but since Pino, Blue, and Ruin had begun clawing away at the veil surrounding it, the hotspot had grown nearly twice as large, raw energy bubbling up like a spring from deep within.
Rodi and Aoi stood nearby, speaking together quietly, the newest addition to their ensemble sensing Shinsou's gaze and meeting his eyes with a little frown. Shinsou offered him a friendly smile and a nod as he approached, and Aoi continued eyeing him pointedly for a moment before returning his gaze to Rodi, ignoring Shinsou's presence for the most part. He seemed nonchalant about almost everything related to their current circumstances. The only thing that had managed to get a reaction out of him so far was his alter's presence, though he had yet to engage in direct conversation with Blue.
The younger chaos looked up as Shinsou came to stand at his side, panting softly and swiping his forearm across his sweaty brow, growling irritably, "Are you just going to stand there or are you actually going to help?"
Ruin chuckled and continued digging, Pino twittering softly alongside him, turning her face away slightly to hide her amused smile. Shinsou grinned and chuckled as he crouched down beside Blue and began clawing at the edges of the hotspot, widening it further inch by inch, and Blue frowned and turned his eyes away, his tail lashing behind him.
Waves of pulsing energy swept over them from the direction of the rising sun, and as the waves became more and more frequent while continuously growing in strength, Amajiki and Midoriya refined their plethoras as quickly as they could, drawing energy from each other and the slowly expanding hotspot.
As the ascension began, a world-wide earthquake of immeasurable magnitude penetrated the earth to its very core, magma spewing from gargantuan fissures as the oceans raged and the planet's surface split apart.
The final battle begins.
Thanks for reading! More to come!