Chapter 26: Failure
Name: Luna
Quirk: Bast – She can assume the abilities of any cat, from regular housecats and lions to hybrids such as ligers and tigons. Her quirk is named after Bast, the Egyptian goddess of cats.
Appearance: Though usually taking on appearances of the cats' abilities, her usual look has been compared as eerily similar to a character of the anime RWBY known as Blake, however she has a tail, and they are complete opposites in terms of personality and choice of dress. She's 14.
Warning: Language and Adult Themes
Specific Warnings: Language, Violence, Gore
I do not own "Lily"! All rights go to its respective owners!
"Hey, hero. Are your students important? I hope you can protect them all till the end."
Gone. Bakugo was gone. Luna was gone. Ragdoll was gone. Kidnapped, he had been told, by the League of Villains. And this was one of the few moments in his life where Aizawa wanted to scream. His phone was held limply in his right hand, the screen displaying Ichika's contact information. Only, Aizawa didn't have the strength to do so at the moment. He didn't have the heart to shatter his wife's heart yet again.
Idly, he wondered where they went wrong. The location was kept quiet, even switched at the last second. Nezu himself oversaw that the information was given to those of high confidentiality, and the small chimera trusted few people in this world. The Wild Wild Pussycats Aizawa had known for years, and they were trustworthy in his books. So, where did that leave them? He shook his head in annoyance; he couldn't be looking to find someone to blame now. Emotions were currently running high and would only create unnecessary strife. Besides, he had to find his two students and friend.
He straightened his back as his students reappeared, herded by emergency services. He needed to look strong, at least for now. He couldn't let them see his own weakness, for if they saw their homeroom teacher, their immovable sensei break, they would too. But his eyes widened marginally at the states of his students. Midoriya had completely destroyed his body again, yet it was the evident mental anguish that he was suffering through. Todoroki, though not as physically hurt, was somehow even more mentally distraught, tears, actual tears, leaking down his face, his mouth clenched so hard Aizawa was sure he was hurting himself. A dazed Tokoyami was supporting Shoji, who was missing an appendage, while Uraraka and Tsu helped each other along, the former's body adorned with deep cuts while the latter's tongue was barely held off the ground, displaying some of the same types of cuts as Uraraka. The rest of his students were battered in every shape or form, and fury crept up his face until all that was left was a fearsome grimace. He wanted to do something, anything, to release this energy coursing through his veins, but he couldn't. Not now.
Todoroki looked up, catching the eye of his homeroom teacher, before trudging over. The paramedics protested, but Aizawa held up his hand, allowing the boy to approach unhindered. He stopped in front of Aizawa, his eyes downcast in the ground, before he collapsed into the most dehumanizing bow in Japan's history: a Dogeza. He was on his knees, his hands slammed into the ground on either side of his head, which was planted into the ground.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. Aizawa remained frozen, his eyes unnaturally wide. A Dogeza was usually reserved for the upper echelons of Japan's monarchy, usually performed when a severe wrongdoing had been committed. It was dehumanizing, demeaning, and meant to embarrass the person at fault, but had gradually been done away with after the end of Imperial Japan in the second world war. However, some still were taught the bow, and the fact that Todoroki knew it was deeply concerning.
His classmates remained frozen as well, some gaping while others turned away, recognizing what it was for. They had all seen Luna, lifeless like a doll pulled on strings. They all heard the haunting lyrics, seemingly designed specifically for snaring Luna. The utter contempt the woman had for everyone near her, and yet somehow looking at the girl in a slightly softer way. Not protectively or lovingly in any way, but perhaps, a bit of recognition lingered in her gaze. And that left the person to ponder the woman responsible for the kidnapping: Egypt-Chan. She seemed so different than her previous live performances. Surely, it wasn't all an act?
And yet, there had been a moment when Luna had recognized the situation she was in. Likely pulled out of the trance by Aoyama's laser, it looked like her soul returned to her in the last possible moment they saw her, eyes widening before she disappeared into the portal. Unfortunately, Egypt-Chan wasn't trying to show off like that bizarre magician. As soon as Luna was held firmly in her grasp and most members had left, she dragged the girl backwards until she was gone.
Aizawa crouched onto his knees and pulled the boy up, who had a firmly confused look, before pulling him into a hug. At that point, most of the students who hadn't looked away did now, out of respect for the moment. Todoroki, meanwhile, remained utterly baffled, confused on why the hug felt so … warm. He felt safe in those arms, warm in those arms, and in that moment, he could've been persuaded that everything would be fine.
"You are forgiven, Todoroki Shoto." Aizawa whispered in his ear, causing the boy to shake.
"Why? I lost her."
"Because it isn't your turn to protect her yet. It is mine. And I failed." Aizawa pulled Todoroki to his feet, hesitating a moment before putting a hand on his shoulder. "You've done all you could to protect her. Let me get her back."
Todoroki nodded dumbly, giving his homeroom teacher one last glance before letting the paramedics finally drag him away.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Ichika was humming under her breath, loading everything into the dishwasher. The past few days had been strange, without her husband and her little girl. She smiled at the thought; it was impossible not to think of Luna as her daughter anymore. She tried to remain emotionally disconnected from her in the beginning due to her husband's warning that she was only here for a day or two until her father came home, but then all of the drama started and, well, here they were now.
When Azi told her about the summer training camp, she'd been fairly worried; the girl couldn't go anywhere without something happening to her, but Azi had assured her that it was a secret location that only a few people knew about, plus she'd be surrounded by several pro heroes, so no harm no foul in her leaving. She trusted Azi with her life, and she was sure Luna couldn't be in better hands.
So it was much to her surprise that a car pulled up in their driveway. Azi's car, judging by the familiar sound of rubber tires squelching on the concrete. His tires were always slightly underinflated then what was considered normal, which always made her shake her head in exasperation. Logic would dictate to inflate that remaining KPA, but he remained adamantly stubborn in that endeavor.
As she dried her hands and entered the hallway, she paused when she noticed her husband was resting his forehead against the wall, unmoving like a statue. When he noticed her, he seemed to wilt under her curious gaze, even more so when she began to look around for Luna.
"Azi? Did something happen? Where's Luna?" Ichika asked quietly, growing slightly concerned when she saw that Luna wasn't there. "Is she still outside?"
He opened his mouth, but words failed him. He looked away. "I don't know."
Ichika's blood froze. "What?"
"I … I don't know where she is." He began to rock back and forth, an old habit from his childhood that he had told her at one point was only showcased when he was feeling overwhelmed or prone to bouts of anxiety. The last case was about a year and a half ago, when he had to expel several years' worth of students total and confided to her that perhaps it was his fault, rather than that of the students.
"Azi. What. Happened."
Azi, her solid rock, her immovable object, look about ready to have a mental breakdown at the prospect of telling her what happened. Ichika gently took him by his hands and pulled him along, her husband following her lead like a meek child. As she sat him down, she looked directly into his eyes.
"I'll be right back, okay? I'm going to get you some water." Azi nodded, swallowing audibly.
Ichika tried to make it as fast as possible, skipping their little water vendor entirely, opting for tap water. She cursed at the sink quietly, slamming the handle down to close the water flow before running back to her husband. She wasn't fast enough. As she embraced her husband, she realized she never had a shot of being fast enough. She was already far too late when he pulled up into their driveway. The fact that she felt something wet drip onto her neck attested to that fact.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"Hey, hero. Are your students important? I hope you can protect them all till the end."
Aizawa grunted, his eyes flickering open. It was hard to breathe, smoke filling the forest. Blue flames danced eagerly among the trees, consuming everything in its path. As he forced himself to stand up, he heard something crashing through the forest, coming towards him. He lowered his stance into a defensive one, before sighing when he realized it was Midoriya. Arms completely broken, bruised everywhere, blood pouring from a massive cut on his forehead.
"Aizawa-sensei! It's Luna-chan! It's like she's possessed!" he shrieked. The man stiffened when he finally heard the haunting tune, spreading lazily through the forest. Even though he wasn't the target, he could feel his resolve wavering.
"Get inside!" Aizawa snapped before running into the forest. Somehow, he instinctively knew where to go, a pull guiding him.
Luna was a little girl,
Afraid of the big wide world,
And she grew up within her castle walls.
Now and then she tried to run,
And then on the night with the setting sun,
She went in the woods away,
So afraid, all alone.
Aizawa cursed, running faster, his capture scarf leaping forward and pulling him forward when he had the ability to. He can't let her be taken, he promised her. He promised her safety from them, he promised her a normal schooling experience, he promised her love, and he'd be damned if someone thought they could interfere with that promise. Say what you want about Aizawa, when he wasn't pushing his students with false threats, he made good on his promises.
They warned her, don't go there,
There's creatures, who are hiding in the dark.
Then something, came creeping.
It told her, don't you worry just follow everywhere I go,
Top over the mountains or valley low,
Give everything you've been dreaming of,
Just let me in, ooh.
Everything you want in gold, I'll be the magic story you've been told,
And you'll be safe under my control,
Just let me in, ooh.
Just let me in, ooh.
Aizawa burst into the clearing, panting as he finally had visual confirmation of Luna. She wasn't running, just slow walking towards the sound of the voice. Seeing her, he leaped forward with his second wind, snarling under his breath. He was so close to her, just get to the other side …
She knew she was hypnotized,
And walking on cold thin ice.
Then it broke, and she awoke, again.
There was a yelp from Luna as she fell through a pond of … ice? Now, in the middle of summer? What the hell? Regardless, it allowed Aizawa to catch up as he saw her pull herself out of the apparently frigid ice, shivering and shaking as her clothing stuck to her body. Her breaths came out in ragged gasps, puffs of frosty air in stark contrast with the flames not even five meters away from her.
Then she ran, faster then,
Start screaming "Is there someone out there?
Please help me,
Come get me!"
Then, she saw him, and with a sob, ran to him. He reached out as she did, almost, almost, almost …! And then, a wall of blue flames separated the two, Aizawa turning to see that same villain with scarred and burned skin. Using his Quirk, Aizawa made sure no more flames were about to come out, though the wall of flames didn't disappear. Shit.
Behind her, she could hear it say,
Follow everywhere I go,
Top over the mountains or valley low,
Give everything you've been dreaming of,
Just let me in, ooh.
Everything you want in gold, I'll be the magic story you've been told,
And you'll be safe under my control,
Just let me in, ooh.
Just let me in, ooh.
Swearing violently, he heard Luna turn away and actively begin running to the voice. Aizawa turned to the villain and leaped at him, ducking under his palm that pitched no flames his way and sliding at his feet, causing the villain to fall onto his face before Aizawa leaped at the fallen body, his boot crashing into the head, only to reveal it was another one of those disgusting mud clones.
Leaping around the wall of flames, he chased his ward, cursing when he realized he just had the edge, but he wasn't closing the distance fast enough; they were practically there, at the point of origin. He was only about four or five meters behind her when she burst into a clearing, followed by him, though his heart dropped when he ran into the treeless area. A woman was standing right in front of a misty, purple portal, Luna held by her shoulders as the woman crooned softly in Luna's ears, stepping inside the portal.
"Luna!" Aizawa shouted and ran with everything he had towards them, but he was just barely too late. As Luna turned around to see her homeroom teacher, the portal was closing.
"Aizawa-sensei!" she yelped, but there was nothing she could do. To stick her arm through the already small opening would very likely cut it off, and she'd surely be gravely injured, if not straight up die from the blood loss, depending on how clean the cut was. Just as the portal closed, Aizawa tripped and fell the rest of the way to the portal, staring dumbly at the spot his ward just was.
"No. Come back." Aizawa pulled himself onto his knees before he felt his eyes begin to water. "Not like this."
0-0-0-0-0-0
Aizawa flinched, waking up from his nightmare. Taking some deep breaths, he began to calm himself down, carefully checking that his wife was still asleep. She was, thankfully; he loathed to wake her up any earlier than she needed to. She always woke up early and finished pretty late for her job, though thankfully it was infrequent at the worst of times. However, this was one of those weeks, and thus would usually have her wake up at five in the morning. Squinting at the alarm clock, Aizawa saw it was only three twenty-two.
Groaning slightly as he stood up, he made his way downstairs, making sure to close the bedroom door after himself. There was no way he'd be sleeping anytime soon anyways, so a nice, bracing cup of coffee would serve him well … hopefully. He wasn't going to turn on the television either; reporters across the nation were probably having a field day with what happened, and there was no need to rub salt into the wound. Receiving a text, he grunted when he saw it was Nezu asking for an emergency meeting first thing in the morning. Sighing, he went upstairs to get ready. He'd need to go to the police station first, but hopefully he'd make it in time for the end.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"To be attacked during a training camp meant to prepare students to fight villains … We should be embarrassed by the irony. We feared the revitalization of villains, but our understanding of it was naïve. They had already started their war, their war meant to destroy hero society." Nezu began.
"Even if we had understood it, would we have been able to defend against it? With all these persistent developments unfolding one after another … Ever since All Might, most organized crime had been weeded out." Midnight contemplated.
"So we all got complacent during peaceful times without realizing it, thinking we had time to prepare." Present Mic summarized.
"I am angry from the bottom of my heart at my cowardice. While they were fighting desperately, I … was relaxing in the tub." All Might muttered to himself.
"Having the sports festival right after the attack … We can't keep taking unyielding positions like that, like we have up until now. To have not one, but two students kidnapped is U.A.'s greatest failure." Snipe growled. "They have stolen the trust people had in us heroes, along with Bakugo and Aizawa."
"All the news outlets are filled with criticism for U.A. now. If they were trying to get Bakugo, then it was probably because his violent side was made common knowledge at the sports festival. If he is won over by the villains, then it's over for U.A. as an educational institution. As for young Aizawa, she's clearly shown her combat prowess, both at the sports festival and at Hosu." Nezu shuffled some newspapers around, several having somewhat blurry images of Luna's Nightstalker form, or her fighting off some Phantom Cloak grunts, or even one of her fighting a Nomu. "Both her transformations are also genuinely concerning. One was able to stand up to the Nomu at USJ, the other is theorized to be at least just as strong. It's possible that she could be a viable candidate for the League of Villains, but that doesn't explain the attempts on her life."
Silence pervaded the meeting room, before Present Mic spoke.
"Since we're on the topic of trust, there's something I'd like to say. We can say conclusively now … There's a traitor among us, isn't there? Only the teachers and the Pussycats knew where the training camp would be held! That's not suspicious at all! Using their cellphone location information, even the students -"
"Mic. Stop it!" Midnight interrupted.
"How can I?! Let's clean this place up thoroughly!"
"What about you? Can you prove you're one hundred percent innocent? Can you assert anyone here is innocent?" Present Mic growled but sat back down in his chair with an angry pout. "If we suspect each other, then we'll destroy ourselves from the inside. Looking for a traitor isn't something we should do in a hurry." Snipe said plainly.
"At the very least, I trust you all. I can't prove definitively that I'm innocent, though. For now, what we must do as a school is guarantee the safety of the students. With the suspected leak, there's something I've been thinking about doing for a while now. That's -" Nezu began speaking but was interrupted by All Might's phone call.
"Excuse me, but I must take this." All Might apologized.
"We're in a meeting, turn it off." Present Mic grumbled.
As All Might stepped out of the meeting room, he slid close the door and answered the call from Tsukauchi.
"Sorry, what is it, Tsukauchi-kun?"
"We just got statements from Aizawa-kun and Vlad King's statements, but there's been an unexpected development! We may be able to determine the whereabouts of the League of Villains!" Tsukauchi said excitedly.
"Really, Tsukauchi-kun?!"
"Yeah. About two weeks ago, one of my subordinates was gathering information and found that a man with a patchwork face was seen going into a building that was supposed to be vacant. The man was said to be in his late twenties, so he checked the records for past criminals but didn't see anything notable. After checking with the owner of the building, he found out there was a sort of hidden bar there, so he thought it was unrelated to our investigation and ignored it. But one of the villains who kidnapped the students this time had the same markings! With the situation as it is, once we find evidence, we'll be on them at once! This is top secret; I'm only telling you because it's you. We're planning on asking for cooperation from a lot of pro heroes for this rescue and cleanup mission. All Might, please lend us your powers too!"
"This is what I'll say when I meet those guys: 'I am here … to counterattack.'"
0-0-0-0-0-0
"I'm really grateful for all the publicity we've been getting. Hey, don't you agree … Katsuki Bakugo … and Luna Nadeau?" Shigaraki asked cockily.
Bakugo growled, struggling against his restraints, though he knew it was no use. He side-eyed Luna, who was sitting limply in her own chair, some sort of liquid being pumped into her constantly. She was swaying from side to side occasionally, a trail of blood making its way down the side of her head from her missing ear. When Toga saw her cat ears, she squealed and demanded that Nadeau let her make her own headband with those ears. Nadeau, in a rare, good mood, humored her, though he only allowed one ear to be cut off; the liquid being pumped into Luna apparently had anticoagulant properties, so the girl had to be satisfied with one ear for now. The next could be taken in three or four days.
The missing ear, however, wasn't the only trauma the girl had. There were several places on her body where burn marks were, courtesy of Dabi. Littered across her body were many deep cuts, though Toga wasn't allowed to keep any of the blood; tainted blood, she had been told. Besides all that, there were so many bruises, there was more purple and red and blue than her regular skin tone. Not able to keep looking, Bakugo looked away, fuming. Those heroes better hurry the fuck up, or he was going to blast all these extras to Hell.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Luna was laying still in a comfortable queen size bed of Apophis's mansion, servants running back and forth to try to lighten her burden, but nothing seemed to help. The suppressor, as well as infused narcotics and anticoagulants didn't allow for much comfort at all. Apophis and Bast sat nearby, Bast wringing her hands nervously while Apophis leaned on his staff, his two hands serving as a soft barrier between the cold metal and his chin.
Every once in a while, Luna twitched, or in the extreme case began to convulse from the waning connection between the three, though they were quickly suppressed. They didn't know what was going on outside Luna after there had been a brief moment of freedom, which was quickly suppressed by that blasted woman's singing. The moment or two allowed the deities to see they were in a bar. That's it. No useful information to help them identify where they were, no idea if they were still in Japan or not.
"The time is drawing near." Bast said suddenly, causing Apophis to snap a glare in her direction.
"Shut up! I will not have you dump all your responsibilities onto me, damn cat!" The humor was desperate in his voice, vainly trying to lighten the mood.
"Apophis."
"Bast."
"You do remember the pact, right?"
"Of course I bloody well remember it! It wasn't even a month ago, and we're already stuck in an idiotic situation!"
Apophis began to pace, growling and snapping at servants who drew too near to his liking.
"Calm down, you idiot. You're scaring your servants."
"Calm down?! On the contrary, you should be the one freaking out! You're going to be -!"
"Be killed, yes." Bast didn't seem at all bothered by the situation, or the potential outcome. "I just hope Luna gives them what they want."
Apophis didn't know what to say. He wanted to refute the statement but doing so would inadvertently just make him say he wanted Luna to suffer even more. However, if he agreed to her statement, that would make it seem like he wanted Bast to die. And he didn't. Not anymore.
When he had been awakened by her, he merely saw it as a way to freedom once he dealt with her. It was much to his surprise that not only was he much weaker, Bast was much, much stronger. He had to actively fight for his life and was absolutely livid that he couldn't beat her. Yet another shock appeared in the form of Luna, who realistically had complete control over the two. Anything she wanted to happen would happen. After all, they were in her head, both literally and figuratively.
As he grudgingly agreed to peace with the cat, he gradually found his desire for chaos and destruction replaced with a fierce protectiveness of both her and Bast. That blond bastard from the other hero class caused something to snap inside him, and despite his eager straining to maim the boy, Luna held him on a tight leash. It wasn't so much him becoming free as preventing Apophis from hurting that Monoma turd.
Despite all the jabs and curses that Bast aimed his way, the continuous flinging of the past at him, Luna still treated him equally. She trusted him when she let him out, treating him equally to Bast despite what he said to her on his first day. She praised him when she had due cause to, joked with him, argued with him, yes, but in a friendly manner. Duat, she even treated him to his favorite snacks when she asked him what they were!
Bast had later on apologized to him privately, regarding the way she treated him. It was clear she didn't want to admit she was wrong, but she did. She just wanted peace for her spawn, and Apophis soon found himself to think the same. She wasn't his, not by a long shot, and never would he mate with a weak, disgusting human, but he could be that one cool uncle. Or, great uncle, considering there was a several-thousand-year age gap between them.
His thoughts were interrupted when Luna began to seize again, though this time she began to scream bloody murder. Servants rushed in immediately, trying to hold her down as others injected her with some sort of paralytic agent while Apophis and Bast hovered nervously. It wasn't for another five or so minutes before she calmed, though she was still making sounds of distress.
Bast clambered onto the bed and wrapped the girl in the blankets. As she held her and rocked, she began to hum some sort of a lullaby to her, the effort to calm Luna just as much an effort to calm both the deities. Apophis hesitantly sat on the edge of the bed. He didn't know what to do. He felt helpless. And he hated feeling helpless.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"Oh, Midoriya, you're awake! Did you see the news? The media's swarming the school right now." Kaminari said, his bubbly attitude confusing Midoriya. That didn't sound like a good thing, but maybe that was just how he was.
"It's way worse than in Spring." Sato confirmed.
"We got a melon! We bought it together! A big melon!" Mineta said excitedly.
"I caused you trouble, Midoriya-kun ..." Tokoyami muttered.
"No. I did, too … Did everyone from Class A come?" Midoriya asked weakly.
"No, Jiro-chan and Hagakure-chan are still unconscious from the villains' gas. And Yaoyorozu also got hit hard on the head and is hospitalized here. Apparently, she regained consciousness yesterday. So, everyone but those three came …" Iida explained.
"Fifteen of us …" Mina said quietly.
"Because Bakugo and Luna aren't here." Todoroki continued quietly.
"Todoroki-kun!"
"All Might said, 'I can't save the people I can't reach.' That's why he will always save those he can reach. I … was in a place I could reach … I had to save them … That was what my Quirk is for … It's exactly like what Aizawa-sensei said to me …" Tears began to appear and stream down his face. "My body … wouldn't move … It was all I could do to save Kota-kun … I couldn't save people that were right in front of me."
"Then, let's save them this time." Kirishima said abruptly, his voice devoid of any real emotion. "Actually, Todoroki-kun and I were here yesterday, too."
"On our way to your room, we saw All Might and a police officer talking to Yaoyorozu. She revealed that she managed to attach a tracking device to one of the villains with the help of someone from Class 1-B, and she had made a receiver to track it." Todoroki explained.
"Does this mean that you're going to have Yaoyorozu-chan make another receiver?" Iida asked, dangerously calm.
"What if it does?"
"It is as All Might said! This is something we should leave to the pros! This isn't the place for us to act, you idiots!" Iida exploded.
"We know that!" Kirishima now shouted. "But I couldn't do anything! After I heard my friends was being targeted! I couldn't do anything! I didn't do anything! If I don't do anything now, I won't be a hero or a man anymore!"
"Kirishima-kun, we're in a hospital. Calm down. It's fine to feel strongly about things, but this time -" Kaminari tried to placate the redhead.
"Iida-kun is correct." Tsu agreed softly.
"Iida-kun, all of you, are correct. I know that. But, hey, Midoriya-kun, your hand can still reach! We can go save them!" Kirishima spoke in a frustrated manner.
Midoriya's eyes widened hopefully, but he still hesitated.
"So, in short, you're planning on getting the receiver from Yaomomo, following it, and going to save Bakugo-kun and Luna-chan by yourselves?" Mina asked hesitantly.
"Yeah."
"Even though the villains said we were targets to be killed, they took Bakugo and Luna without killing them. They were probably allowed to live, but that doesn't mean they won't kill them eventually. Kirishima and I are going." Todoroki reasoned.
"Don't go overboard with your messing around!" Iida screeched.
"Wait. Calm down. I understand Kirishima-kun's frustration at not being able to do anything, and Todoroki-kun's frustration at having them stolen right in front of his eyes. I'm frustrated too. But this isn't a situation where we should act on our emotions. Right?" Surprisingly, it was Shoji who stepped forward as peacemaker, placing himself between the two parties.
"L-Let's leave this to All Might … Aizawa-sensei's permission to fight at the training camp has been rescinded, too." Aoyama spoke up hesitantly.
"Aoyama-kun's right. I can't say much since I was the one who needed saving, though …" Tokoyami agreed.
"But -" Kirishima tried to speak, but Tsu cut him off.
"Everyone, we're all still shocked from Bakugo-kun's and Luna-chan's kidnappings. But let's think through things calmly. No matter how just your feelings if you're saying you'll fight again … that you'll break the rules … Those acts are the same as those of villains."
There was a dead silence in the room, so heavily contrasting with the loud tension that was swimming through the air. Everyone could feel it, even those who haven't taken a side. Iida was certainly one of the contributors, highlighting his steadfast logic, but also his deep, deep anger that his friends would consider something like this.
"Calmly, huh?" Todoroki finally spoke. Everyone, however, tensed as he said those two words. His skin was now steaming, the ice on his body spreading and melting rapidly. "Do you think Bakugo and Luna are calm right now?"
There wasn't a single answer to that question, quite frankly because it would be ridiculous to assume they were. They were in a completely foreign environment, with enemies surrounding them on all sides, with god knows what happening to them.
"You all know I'm closer to Luna than most." He continued. "And as such, she's told me some things. Things she kept hidden from most of you. Her wishes, her hopes, her dreams. But also darker things. Her fears, her insecurities, her dread. And you know what her biggest fear is?"
He waited for an answer, though it was clear the question was rhetorical. Of course nobody knew her deepest fear, the best they could do was guess.
"Her father. Who is holding her hostage right now. Who is probably torturing her right now." Most of the students flinched at the bold statement. "She doesn't know why, or she didn't tell me. Either way, she's guessed as to why. Some things I won't share. But there was one that terrified her the most; the idea that her father, the scumbag, wants to kill Bast. To kill Apophis."
"They are her closest friends, unsurprising because they live in her head, but … all the same. If that's what he wants … what do you think would happen, if she knew she could've been rescued earlier. If they could've still been alive if we got to them? What do you think Bakugo would think, seeing one of his oldest friends being broken down so brutally? They're undoubtedly using her as pressure for something. Maybe to join them. Maybe to get something from him. What would they think, if the worst happened, but it all could've been avoided?"
There was a deathly silence in the hospital room. Nobody said a word. Nobody could say a word, Todoroki's words having the intended effect of holding everyone's voices hostage. It was almost suffocating, really, thinking about what was happening to those two. Most avoided it, because honestly, there was little they could do in this situation, and thinking about it would make them a mess. But now, Todoroki forced the spotlight onto that train of thought. He was forcing them to acknowledge it, and oh, they hated him for it, but they also looked up to him for it, being one of, if not the only, person in the room to have the guts to bring it up. It was cruel to do so, and yet …
Everyone jumped when the door to the room was opened suddenly.
"Sorry to interrupt, but it's time for Midoriya's exam." The doctor said, monotone.
"W-Why don't we go?" offered Sero. "I want to see how Jiro-chan and Hagakure-chan are doing, too."
"Oh, yeah." Ojiro nodded eagerly, clearly wanting to leave the room, and the conversation, behind.
"Get well soon, Deku-kun!" Uraraka waived sheepishly before exiting the room, followed by the entire class.
"Thanks, all of you." Midoriya nodded but looked up as Kirishima approached.
"We talked to Yaoyorozu yesterday. If we go, we go right away. Tonight. Since you were seriously injured, I don't know if you can move, but we still wanted to invite you because you're probably the most frustrated out of everyone. We'll be waiting in front of the hospital tonight." Kirishima spoke quietly before wishing him a speedy recovery and leaving, letting Midoriya stew in his own thoughts.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Kirishima and Todoroki stood outside the hospital, nervously waiting for Yaoyorozu to exit the building. She'd told them that she was being discharged tonight, but … she could have reconsidered their proposition. And honestly, if she didn't agree to help them … they had no clue on how they would save their two missing classmates.
"I wonder what Yaoyorozu decided." Kirishima pondered quietly.
"Well, no matter how restless we are, it's up to her." Todoroki responded.
The sound of the mechanical doors prompted the two to look up. "She's here."
Yaoyorozu was still bandaged, but she looked fine, for the most part. Her nervous but steadfast appearance gave the two hope as Kirishima stepped forward. The two started, however, when they saw Midoriya following her, the same expression etched on his face, but not looking away from the two either.
"Midoriya …"
The two parties stopped about a meter from each other.
"Yaoyorozu … what is your answer?
She almost looked … ashamed of her answer.
"I -" She began but was interrupted.
"Hold it!" Iida barked, causing the three students to jump slightly.
"Iida?" Kirishima asked hesitantly.
"Iida-kun …" Midoriya finally spoke.
"Why … why did it have to be you guys of all people? The ones who stopped me when I acted recklessly for personal reasons … You two, who received amnesty from me … Why are you trying to make the same mistake I did? It's too much!" Iida whisper shouted.
"What are you talking about?!" Kirishima walked forward but was stopped by Todoroki. A silent conversation ensued, and Kirishima backed down slightly, seeing the quiet 'Not now.'
"We are still minors. U.A. is in a bad enough position as it is. Who will take responsibility for your actions? Do you understand?!"
"Iida-kun, it's not like that. We don't think it's okay to break rules either –" Midoriya stepped forward to try to console his friend but was silenced by an unexpected punch to the face, causing the three others to flinch in astonishment.
"I'm frustrated too! And worried! It's only natural! I am the class representative! I'm worried about my classmates! Not just Bakugo-kun and Luna-chan! When I saw your injuries, I also saw my brother in his sickbed! What if your bodies end up irreparable, like my brother's, because of your recklessness?! Are you saying you don't care about my worries?! Are you saying you don't care about how I feel …?" Iida trailed off.
"Iida-kun …"
"Iida. We don't expect to face them head-on and win either. We'll extricate them without fighting." Todoroki explained.
"In other words, covert action!" Kirishima nodded. "That's the way we students can fight while toeing the line on the rules!"
"I trust Todoroki-kun. But so that I can stop them if anything happens, I plan to accompany them as well." Yaoyorozu spoke up.
"Yaoyorozu-chan!" Iida exclaimed.
"Yaoyorozu!" cheered Kirishima.
"I don't know myself, either. But after hearing that I can still reach, I couldn't just sit still … I can't help thinking that I want to save them." Midoriya stood up straight.
"We can't come to an agreement, huh? Then, take me with you, too!" Iida declared.
The four others looked at the boy in astonishment, before slowly nodding to each other. The more, the merrier. With Iida coming along with them, they had a greater chance of success. Hopefully.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"Let her out!" Set shouted, striking Luna across the face with his staff. The girl didn't even try to resist, the chair falling to the side as Luna's groggy eyes opened slowly. "Let Bast out now!"
Egypt-Chan sat nearby, her arms crossed over her chest with a scowl etched on her face. This was getting ridiculous. The girl should've let the cat deity out already, but she was being incredibly stubborn, to the point where she was risking permanent physical harm to herself. Already, she was missing an ear, how much more would she take before there was no going back?
"I don't understand why I can't force the cat out." She drawled. "This would have been so much easier."
"You don't understand, she needs to come out voluntarily!"
"I thought you said only the host decides when they should come out."
"When a host is incapacitated, whether they are knocked unconscious or dying, the god can choose to show themselves." Set hissed patronizingly. "Which is probably what happened at I-Island, considering my Ears said she returned to Japan within a week, not immediately."
She bristled before calming herself down. Soon. She had to content herself with the fact that she could strike soon, so she couldn't ruin her chance now. Not when she was so close to her goal, and especially not now, when she knew Osiris and Thoth were watching. She knew Thoth was skeptical of her, that much was obvious. Anyone with any brains would be, but she couldn't risk Osiris turning on her. The lord of Duat was incredibly powerful, housing the shades of all previous deities, even those … forgotten ones. No, she couldn't risk that at all.
Her musings were interrupted when his staff transformed into a knife, her eyes widening when she recognized it. The Gebel-el-Arak knife. The real Gebel-el-Arak knife. The knife was created early on by Ptah at the request of Ra in case they could not quell the monstrosity that was an enraged Sekhmet. Thankfully, they were able to, so the knife was hidden somewhere where no deity should have been able to find it, and yet, here it was, in the hands of Set no less. This knife was one of the few weapons that could possibly kill a deity besides their own weapons, such as Set's staff or Thoth's khopesh. And Bast had to have recognized it, it was impossible not to, considering Ptah was her husband.
"Listen here Bast, I'm done playing games. I'm done trying to do this the roundabout way. Either you appear right now, or this is going through your little kitten's heart." Set smirked sadistically.
This was not part of her musings. This was not part of her plan. If Bast chose to preserve herself over this girl, her chance to destroy Set would be ruined. Thankfully, Bast did, in fact, choose to appear. She was much too big for the chair, but weirdly enough it grew with her, the restraints doing the same. She did not struggle. She did not try to escape. She knew what was going to happen.
"Suetekh." Bast said calmly.
"Stop calling me that!" Set snapped.
"I will call you whatever I want. It doesn't matter anyways, does it? You're going to kill me."
"I most certainly am."
"Hm. Do I still get a final wish?"
Set snarled, but Egypt-Chan's scowl lifted into a grin. Ah yes, the idea of a final wish. The final wish was something that any god or mortal could claim, and any wish of the being was to be done, within reason of course. Any meal they wanted, anything they wanted to know, something done as their dying wish, something along those lines.
"If I must."
"Yes, you do. Let her live."
There was a perplexed pause.
"That's it?"
"Well, I can't be too sure, now, can I?"
Egypt-Chan had to actively repress the desire to laugh at the jab, which evidently struck a nerve with the jackal, based on his bared fangs.
"Fine."
"Nuh-uh, you have to say the phrase."
Set took in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. "I, Set, Lord of Chaos and of the Sand, swear to uphold Bast's final wish of keeping her descendant alive. I understand that if I do not uphold it, every shade of Duat would have due cause to drag me to my death. There, happy?"
"No, but there's not much else I can do."
"Why you little -"
"If I'm not interrupting, we're on a schedule here." Egypt-Chan said abruptly.
"Right. You're right." Set turned a content gaze on the cat goddess, who merely stared back, unimpressed. "Well, I've been waiting for this a long, long time. Almost can't believe the day's here."
"Night." Bast corrected.
"Shut up! Anyways, any last words, little Bast?"
"I hope you get devoured by a purple snake."
"That's … oddly specific?"
"Yes, well, there you go."
"Whatever. You can revert back to the girl so I can kill you now."
Bast released one last sigh before transforming back to the girl, who was blearily glaring at Set. Set merely grinned back, and with a delighted cackle, jabbed Luna with a needle. Then, he began to laugh as he pressed the plunger down until there wasn't a drop left of the bizarre, red liquid.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Hello everyone, and welcome back! Sorry for last week, professors decided it was the perfect time to churn out projects and assignments galore. Thankfully, I'm done with that nonsense, but let's get to the story, shall we?
I'm assuming the number one question everyone has is regarding if Bast is going to survive whatever Set injected Luna with. The answer? You'll have to find out. The next would probably be if Apophis would be affected. He won't die, per se, but let's say he's going to lose a lot of things that night, morals and ethics two of them. Now, this upcoming chapter is going to be a bit … different, from the anime. Some divine bs is going to change the story in an interesting way, and no, Apophis will not be fighting All For One, we're leaving that for All Might. Have fun, buddy.
Anyways, that's it for me! Stay safe out there! – Bananaman out!