AN: This chapter is... huge (like 9k+ words), but hopefully you'll consider it a holiday gift! Many thanks to EmoPikachu who has agreed to be my editor for this story moving forward.
7: A Contract Undone
Wake up.
Izuku opened his eyes, inhaling deeply at the urgent call from within that drew him from slumber. His gaze dragged across the dark cottage interior, looking for anything amiss. When nothing near him seemed out of place, he sat up and leaned to the side to look at the one part of the cottage he never entered. His excellent night vision allowed him to see the form on the bed sleeping quietly. With a slow blink, he looked again, peering at her core.
Even as she slept, the magic danced beautifully within her with all the colors of an iridescent sunrise - smoky pinks and pale oranges, wrapped in lilacs and cool grays. It spilled out of her form in several faint threads, like dew-covered spiderwebs that faded into the distance, showing her connection to the world around her. Idly, he noted the threads seemed to be more numerous than when he last looked, creating an intricate web with her at its center. He wondered if the ecosystem reached out to her more while she was asleep.
He tore his attention away from her core when he felt an urgent push from within him again. Frowning, he swiveled his head towards the east, knowing the likely reason his core was rousing him from slumber.
The glow of his eyes intensified, and he did the one thing he had learned to do well over these many years.
Something about the cores in Nomu always looked wrong to him. He wasn't sure what or why, but it made them easy to identify, and over time, he had learned to see them from great distances and track them quickly.
There were nearly a dozen, and they had split into two packs, one group descending upon one of the small farm towns, and the other bounding towards the port.
Go.
He frowned, throwing the blankets off of his body and rolling to his feet. Hesitantly, he glanced back towards Ochako's sleeping form. Maybe… he could get back before she woke up, and she would not have to worry. He felt a twinge of guilt, but he couldn't just sit by quietly while monsters were out there. The wards only protected people behind them, and the Todoroki fire was only a deterrent at best.
Ochako's words floated through his mind. "Instead of apologizing, I want you to try better to take care of yourself."
He sighed, closing the door behind him as he stepped out of the cottage. 'My arm is injured. Can you protect it?'
He felt a strong affirmation deep in his gut, along with a pressure to hold his arm close. He pressed the bandaged limb against his chest and deep green ribbons of energy erupted from his body, wrapping around him and binding his arm to his chest protectively.
Go.
'Thank you.'
He crouched, and in a crackle of green lightning, he jumped up into the sky, clearing the treetops and ejecting himself out of the thick magic of Ochako's home. Twisting towards the direction of the nearest pack of monsters, he felt the energy in him spill out, inky black only visible in the night by the deep green glow that emanated from it. It wrapped around him, engulfing him in an onyx covering that smoldered with green smoke.
Just as gravity began to pull him back down, his magic exploded and sent him flying forward into the forest canopy, tendrils lashing out and pulling him along towards his target. Trees became fields as he cleared the forest and bounded over the farm lands, rapidly closing in on his target with magic-fueled speed.
The Nomu were crawling over the rooftops of the town, eagerly waiting for someone to leave the protective confines of the buildings. He collided into the first one, tumbling it off the roof and into the street. His magic lashed out like a set of razor claws that shred it apart as he rolled over it and onto his feet in a fluid movement. With a cat-like twist, he caught the next one in mid-air, black tendrils interrupting its attack. Its shriek died abruptly as he severed the head from the neck with a swipe of green magic summoned with a flick from his good hand. One by one they fell without so much as a chance of advance, and as quickly as he arrived, they ceased to exist, sizzling into the ground in piles of black ooze and putrid smoke.
He snapped his head up towards the direction of the port, green eyes shining brightly through the black magic that fluttered about him like ruffled feathers, and he bounded off, leaving the small town behind.
Fields and pastures raced past him as he moved, the wind whipping about him and roaring in his ears. The faintest hint of light near the horizon indicated it was just before dawn, and he mentally noted this was an unusual time for small Nomu to attack.
The Heights Alliance Port was the second largest city in Yuuei, but it rarely saw Nomu attacks because of its south-west location. Because of this, the people had an illusion of safety when it came to being out in the open at night, believing the city's walls and guards could fend off any errant attacks.
The distant sound of screams drove Izuku forward in a frenzied rush, eyes locking onto the twisted cores spread out over various parts of the city's exterior. It was hard to tell which way to go first, but his magic had ideas. He catapulted himself up into the air, tucking and twisting as he felt the tendrils of green-black energy lash in all directions, forming an angry matrix of magic that skewered through six of the seven Nomu, impaling them against brick walls and flagstone streets.
Seeing the one he missed, he lifted his good hand, and the sky opened up in a swirl of angry clouds, green lightning striking down onto the advancing monster, charring it to a crisp before it could land on the fleeing citizen.
Satisfied the entire wave was eliminated, Izuku's magic recoiled back towards him, spinning around him in a cyclone of black and green as he landed lightly in front of the city's gates.
The guards there were shaking, shields raised and weapons drawn, and Izuku ignored them, eyes scanning the area to ensure nothing else looked amiss. Cores of all sorts came to life as he switched his gaze, but no Nomu caught his eye. However, as he did one last sweep of the city, his eyes caught sight of a core that stood out from the rest, and it took him several seconds to realize what he was looking at.
Creator Cores were the most common of the Relics, but it still didn't mean they were common. And although this core was pretty far in the city, it didn't hurt to make sure it was unharmed before he left. His magic seemed to agree, because it moved him forward, and he dashed past the guards and deep into the city, weaving around the early morning workers and leaving behind a smoky trail in his wake as sunlight began to break over the horizon. Knowing he would draw less attention if he didn't have his magic awake, he urged the core to let him take back control.
He could tell the magic did not like the idea, but as he rounded a corner into an empty alleyway, it finally gave in and withdrew, leaving him standing on the flagstones, smoke billowing up from his form. Unfortunately, he was still going to stand out as a man with glowing eyes, barefoot, and in nothing but a stained linen robe, but it was less alarming than his alternative. He would just have to be quick.
He frowned, looking around to orient himself and found the core of interest a short distance away. It only took him a couple of minutes to navigate his way over, and he found himself in front of a rather interesting building called the Workshop. He tilted his head at the signage, but his eyes fell to the upper floors where he could see the core shining softly. Seeing nothing amiss, he quietly took his leave.
It was as he passed by a wallboard that something caught his eye that caused him to stumble, and he had to catch himself from falling. Wide green eyes lifted up in shock to the series of posters, focusing on an old, faded one stamped with the royal seal and displaying a startlingly familiar face, only much younger and far more dressed up.
Slowly, Izuku's eyes fell to the text below, his lips moving as he consumed the words.
Wanted Alive for crimes against the Todoroki Royal Family. Reward for successful capture and return.
He swallowed thickly and backed up from the board, confusion on his face. Anxiety twisted within him, because what he saw on the poster didn't make sense with what he knew. He turned his head back towards the direction of the forest, expression distraught.
He needed to get back.
Sucking in a deep breath, he ran off down an alleyway and slid into the shadows. His magic resurfaced moments later, wrapping around him like black armor. He took to the rooftops and darted across them towards the city's borders, the first hints of sunrise hitting him as he cleared the wall with a single leap.
It was as he descended towards the nearby fields that a powerful blast knocked him out of the air, sending him tumbling roughly through the weeds. He rolled to his feet, and twisted, a hand pressed to the ground as he steadied himself and looked at his attacker.
The magus walked with a strong sense of purpose, the navy blue of his robes matching the deep hue of his hair, both appearing almost black in the early morning light. Sharp eyes stared at Izuku over a pair of spectacles, paired with the strong set of his jaw. The silver embroidery of his tabard glittered softly, mimicking the silver glitter of the core shining deep within. It was not the same Creator as before, and Izuku was surprised he had missed him earlier.
His eyes flickered to the open tome in his attacker's hand, and more specifically, the very powerful pulsing core attached to the spellbook. This Creator knew what he was doing.
The magus lifted his outstretched hand, and Izuku sucked in a breath as a circle appeared below him and he dove off to the side to avoid the surge of kinetic energy erupting from the ground that sent dust and chunks of earth flying up into the air.
He needed to get back. The sun was rising, and Ochako would soon find out he was gone, and…
"Your terror stops here."
The sky opened up, and lances of brilliant violet rained out, sending Izuku ducking and diving to avoid getting hit, his magic pushing and pulling him around to avoid the magical spikes driving into the earth in rapid succession. He felt the power shift as he evaded the attack, and panic built within him as his magic took over, the urge to protect overriding the unspoken agreement to work together.
'No, stop!'
His core did not listen, deeming this newcomer too strong a threat, and Izuku felt his control slipping as the inky black went from a controlled simmer to a raging boil. He clawed inside himself, fighting back as his attacker readied another strong volley of magic.
'This is not what I want!'
Izuku grasped at his head and arched back, screaming in frustration, and suddenly the magic froze around him, like a painting capturing a moment in time. With every ounce of willpower he had, the Origin Core holder grasped at the energy around him and threw it to the ground.
Inky black splashed over the surrounding field like an ocean wave, leaving him standing in the middle, chest heaving and green eyes focused on the magus before him.
The magus before him stood stock still, eyes wide at seeing a monstrous bundle of energy transform into the man before him, but the shock was quickly schooled back into resolve. "You cannot fool me, you foul creature!" Eyes hard, he raised his hand up over his head and summoned forth the magic in the book he held.
"No, w-wait!" Izuku cried out, knowing that whatever attack it was probably wouldn't kill him, but it would provoke retaliation from the magic he was just barely containing.
A bright ring formed around him, and Izuku lifted pleading eyes to the man before him.
'I don't want you to die.'
The field erupted in bright, golden light, overtaking the sunrise in its intensity.
XX
"You're sorry?"
Ochako felt herself drifting in an endless sea, the warmth of the magical world embracing her gently.
Yes. We have been selfish. We stole you away.
The witch hummed softly, opening her eyes to find herself floating in the night sky above her cottage. The stars twinkled at her from the inky expanse, and she stared back into the abyss, considering the words.
"We made a contract. You saved me and, in return, I gave you most of my power. I agreed to this."
Yes. But we know what you did not.
She was silent for several seconds before she realized what it meant. "You knew the Blackened Core would hunt me when it learned of my existence, so you used our contract to hide me away, and bind my magic to the forest."
Yes, and no. We knew, but we have not bound your magic to the forest. We limited your access to us. The Enchanted Forest you call home is simply a place where the barrier between us and your world is thinner. That is why it's easier for you to call upon us within there, and that is why no one can find you in there.
The hushed voices continued. You are an extension of us. A part of us, and we can undo what has been done, but it will come at a great cost.
She frowned, twisting to look down at the cottage sitting quietly in the sleeping forest below. "Great cost?"
You are the brightest Echo to have appeared in centuries. Now that you have matured, undoing the limits we have placed will strengthen your power, but being saturated in our magic will change you. Using us without consideration will harm you. And this change, when it completes, will make you a beacon to the Blackened Core. You must not be stolen from us. We beg you.
The wind caressed her, like the hand of a lover cupping her cheek, and she sighed. A heavy decision weighed on her shoulders, but she had already made it before this conversation began.
"You know what I'm going to ask."
We do. You wish to help the Protector. Our Requiem. You will shine brightly, but you will become prey.
She closed her eyes, envisioning a haunting emerald gaze staring at her.
"Then trust in Izuku to protect me."
XX
Izuku slowly opened his eyes, and confusion spread throughout him as he realized the attack had not hurt, and his own magic had not struck back. Slowly, he lowered his arms from where he had brought them up to shield his head.
As his vision adjusted to the fading brightness, he understood why, and he stared breathlessly at the sight before him while his core tittered in approval.
Echo.
She hovered before him, her red cloak billowing around her, arms outstretched and encasing them both in an iridescent bubble. He could still see the healing burns on her legs as the wind whipped her nightgown up by her knees. She was barefoot, toes brushing against the smoldering stalks of grass, and her entire body crackled with a shimmering pink energy. He couldn't see her face with her back to him, but her core shone every so brightly, several thin threads glittering in delight as it pulled magic from the world around them.
The magus in front of them stopped, taking a step back. "Y-you…Lady Uraraka…"
Clouds rolled above them, stormy grays humming with raw, untapped power and Ochako inhaled before dropping down to the ground. Her hands moved in a spiral in front of her, and she pulled the magic still circling around them into a controlled spin, before letting it shatter.
"That is not my name," The witch replied, her words resonating like thunder. "And this is not the monster you seek."
"She's right, Tenya," Came a voice off to the side. All heads turned to the approaching figure, moving through the fields. She walked in a jaunty way, a fluid grace in her movements like she was on the verge of dancing. Dressed in reds and shades of black, she had all the adornments of mage, except she wore leather leggings instead of robes. Heavy red and black drop earrings dangled from her ears, and her lips were pulled into a slight smirk. A case containing some kind of stringed instrument was strapped to her back, and hanging from her belt was an ornate black flute. "Saw it all from up on the hill. Your monster here ripped up the Nomu in mere seconds before disappearing into the city's streets. I imagine if he'd actually attacked someone in the city the sirens would be going off by now."
The magus named Tenya looked at the newcomer then back to Izuku, still being shielded by Ochako. "I…" He straightened up, lowering his hand, although he kept the opened book poised. "Thank you, Lady Jirou. I apologize."
"It's Kyouka," The woman replied in a way that indicated this was not the first time she had corrected him. "There's no Lady among us. Isn't that right, Miss Wanted?"
Ochako didn't move from where she stood in front of Izuku, however he could see her core coiling tightly inside, ready to act if she needed it to. Something about it seemed… different though. It was more intense, more brilliant. The threads were far more numerous than before. He wanted to help, but he hesitated to move, knowing he was barely succeeding in keeping his own magic in check.
The witch looked between Kyouka and Tenya, energy brimming at her fingertips. "I am here only to collect my ward." Her words were soft, careful, but there was a promise behind it that they would regret trying anything.
In response, Kyouka grinned, lifting up her hands. "I saw nothing tonight but a bunch of Nomu getting slaughtered." She paused, eyes cutting over to the magus standing off to her side. "Would you say the same, Tenya?"
The magus looked over at her sharply, then back to Ochako. His brow furrowed, and his expression became conflicted. "I have already turned a blind eye once, Lady Uraraka. I… fear I cannot just let you walk away again, knowing what you've done to His Highness. It would be treasonous of me."
"Then you won't have to," Ochako replied lightly, and something in her voice sounded a touch sad, if not weary. "I'll be taking my leave."
Tenya tensed, and even from a distance, Izuku could see that he was emotionally torn. Despite that, the Creator magus replied softly, "I won't let you go without a fight."
The witch nodded, fingers flexing in her hands. "I know. I admire that dedication, Tenya. Don't ever let go of it."
Izuku only realized she was buying time when he felt her press against his mind, giving him instructions with a gentle voice only he could hear.
"Izuku. This is your first lesson. To successfully use your magic, you must first envision a tangible result. Your goal is to escape unharmed. Envision it, call your magic, and act upon it. Now."
Wide green eyes stared at the woman standing before him, her hands still poised to intercept another attack. He repeated her words in his head. 'Envision it, call it, and act.'
He breathed in deeply, feeling the magic in him strain against his hold. And with a forceful exhale, he let the energy snap out, mind focused on the goal of escape.
A dense mist exploded from him, the rolling ring of fog so thick that even the rising sun was blotted out. He heard the magus shout, but he did not hesitate to use the opening he created. Snapping forward, he allowed his magic to guide him, stopping short of colliding into Ochako as he wrapped his good arm around her and pulled her against his chest. Liquid black magic erupted from his body, enabling him to bound away from the obscured battlefield with lightning speed.
He didn't release the breath he had been holding until they cleared the mist, bounding up and into the foothills. It was only as the city's outline faded behind him that he noticed the streak of white in the honeyed brown hair tucked under his chin.
XX
She lowered the spyglass she had in her hands, teeth plucking at her bottom lip in thought as she watched the fog evaporate from the battlefield of smoke and singed earth. It had been a coincidence that she'd been nearby when the Nomu attacked, trying to gather information on the handful of Relics she knew were in the city. What had been a boring morning of work transformed into a beautiful, titillating experience as she saw Yuuei's very own monster rush through the streets with nary a sound and transform into a cute little man with fluffy green hair and a delectable scent that reached her even from afar.
Now she knew the face of the Requiem's holder. She felt her toes curl in delight.
Her good fortune only grew when she watched the events unfold as he left the confines of the city. Painted lips pulled back to reveal sharp teeth as the witch in the red cloak appeared in a kaleidoscope of magic without a single tool on her. Dabi had been unable to determine what kind of Relic, but that display of power without any aid said everything she needed to know.
They had found their Echo.
She giggled, chewing on her lip, and pulled out the roll of faded parchment she stole from the wallboard. Unraveling it, she took time to trace her fingers on the weathered ink, delicately caressing the outline of a slender jaw.
Now she was only a few questions away from having the Echo's identity, and one step closer to her own salvation. How satisfying.
XX
"What were you thinking?!" Izuku winced as Ochako paced in front of him, holding her hands up like she wasn't sure what to do with them. "You're supposed to stay out of sight. I'm supposed to stay out of sight! You could have been seriously hurt again! You're lucky you walked away with just bruises!"
Izuku sat on the mossy floor of clearing, watching his most important person vent out her frustrations. He felt terrible, knowing that not only had he worried her, but he had also exposed her. He hadn't realized she would find him missing so soon, or that she would get there so fast. "I…"
She turned, looking down at him, and he froze, staring at the unfiltered worry on her face. "Please don't ever do that again. If you need to leave, tell me."
He dropped his gaze to the ground in shame, a heat touching his cheeks. "I'm sorry. I… d-didn't want to worry you, and I t-thought I would be back before you woke up."
Ochako groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Izuku," she pleaded, her expression pained. "I need you to trust me."
His head shot up, expression hurt. "I do!" His voice was soft, but indignant.
The witch pinned him with a look, folding her arms over her chest. "Do you?"
He stared at her, shocked that she would ask such a thing. "Yes!"
Taking in a deep, calming breath, Ochako dropped into a crouch in front of him. Brown eyes met glowing green with weary patience, but he had never noticed the pink flecks in the irises before. It almost distracted him from her next words. "What does trust mean to you?"
Izuku blinked, his eyes searching hers. He didn't understand why she thought he didn't trust her, and it made him feel an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. "It…it means I know you won't hurt me, a-and that you t-take care of me."
"Both are true," Ochako agreed softly, folding her arms over her knees and resting her chin atop them. "Both are aspects of trust. But trust doesn't stop there, Izuku. It means not hiding important things from each other, especially if those things could get you hurt. It means relying on the other person when you need to. It means working together."
Izuku looked back down at the ground, shoulders slumping. Ochako hesitated, before adding. "Let me put it in a different way. You didn't want to worry me, right?"
He nodded, sniffing slightly as tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. The witch hummed, tilting her head up to look at the morning sky. "Which do you think would have caused less worry… me waking up to find you left to fight Nomu while still injured, or … you waking me up to tell me Nomu are attacking villagers, and we worked together to take care of the problem?"
Izuku whined softly, wiping at his eyes. "But…I don't want you out there fighting."
"And I still was today," Ochako replied simply, reaching forward and poking him in the forehead. "You don't get to control my actions, Izuku, and I can't control yours. But we can influence the actions others take by trusting and enabling them. We can work together to keep us both safe."
He sighed, fidgeting with the hem of his robe. The idea of something happening to her terrified him, making his insides twist in the most uncomfortable ways. He thought back over the events of the morning, and his breath caught, remembering pieces that had caused his heart to pound, even if he had no idea what they meant.
Tactlessly, he blurted out, "But why is there a bounty on you? And your magic! It's different now! You haven't told me any of these things!"
The witch paused, lips parted slightly in surprise. After a moment, she chuckled, glancing down at the ground between them. "That is true. I didn't tell you, but not because I didn't trust you. In fact, I planned to tell you about my magic this morning, but I woke up to you suspiciously missing…"
Even though he knew she was teasing him, he still felt his face flush all the way to his ears and he pointedly stared at the ground in embarrassment. Gently, she bumped her knuckles against his cheek, forcing him to look up at her shyly. "As for the bounty, well, I hadn't really thought it anything you would want to know abo–"
"I w-want to!" It was the first time he could ever recall interrupting someone in his entire life. It surprised him, and it surprised her, too. He panicked, knowing he had been rude, and fumbled over his next words. "P-please. I… I want to know about you."
She smiled at him in a way that made the anxious bundle of nerves in his gut loosen ever so slightly. "Okay."
He exhaled softly, tension leaving his shoulders at that. She must have noticed, because she reached up and tweaked his nose, making him jump. "I'll tell you everything. Full story. But…"
She turned her head, nodding towards the swamp. "Katsuki is almost here. Let's greet him first, then we can discuss things over a hot pot of tea, okay?"
He nodded and watched as she stood up from her crouch, offering her hand for him to take. The morning sun shining behind her made her seem all the more radiant, and he found himself short of breath as he shyly took her fingers and let her pull him to his feet.
He didn't know why his insides always felt weird when he looked at her, so he simply focused on the way her fingers curled around his as she led him back towards the cottage.
XX
Katsuki came to a pause upon entering the swamp, as there was something blocking his path across the wooden bridge. He stared down at the guardian spirit who crouched on the wood, as if she were waiting for him. Arching a brow, the captain regarded her warily. "Not going to let me pass?"
"You have permission," Tsuyu replied, pressing a finger to her chin. "I have words to say first, ribbit."
The blond shifted his weight, impatiently waiting for her to continue. The spirit obliged him, though she took her sweet time.
"Ochako… is a friend," She said carefully, as if the concept was still new to her. "Our contract is based on that friendship."
Katsuki hesitated, his eyes narrowing. He knew the basics of magical contracts, even if he had never performed one. Each party had to give something or get something. "How so?"
Tsuyu shrugged, looking out over the water. "I offer her protection for her home, and in return, she teaches me friendship. It is all I wanted."
The captain huffed softly. "All right. What's up? Why are you telling me this, spirit?"
Tsuyu turned her head back to him, wide eyes unblinking. "Because you are also her friend, Katsuki of House Bakugou. And as her friends, we must both do what we can to help her."
Katsuki felt his skin crawl for a reason he couldn't quite place. "Did… something happen?"
"Many things," Tsuyu replied, as if the answer was obvious. "Be more specific."
The Dragon growled in frustration. Talking with spirits was infuriating. "Did something happen to Ochako that would explain why we're having a swamp-side chat when I have shit to do?"
"Yes."
He felt his brow twitch. This was a lesson in patience… "What happened to Ochako?"
The spirit tilted her head in a strange sort of way, unblinking eyes locked on the warrior before her. "She has undone the protections placed on her. When that finishes, the forest will no longer be able to mask her presence, ribbit."
"Why the fuck would she do that?" Katsuki shouted in alarm. Even if he didn't understand the details, he knew this was bad.
Tsuyu's brows dipped down, and this expression looked more genuine. "I believe… It is because she is a beautiful human."
"What is that supposed to mean?" The captain snarled, feeling dread build in his gut.
Tsuyu hummed, moving to the edge of the bridge so that she could step back into the water. "You humans… have so many ideals. I cannot understand all of them, but the ones I do, I think are beautiful."
She went silent, thinking for a moment. "Ochako has told me about the human need to help others. That, I understand. I want to help her." She paused, a hand on one of the bridge's supports, and a finger on her chin in thought. "But she also told me about how you humans will sacrifice yourselves for others. That… I do not understand, ribbit."
Katsuki swallowed, his mouth feeling suddenly dry at the word 'sacrifice'. Tsuyu twisted, one leg dangling off the low bridge into the water. "She sees the pain of the one called Izuku, the holder of the one we call Requiem. She wants to end that pain, but I do not understand why she would hurt herself for another."
The spirit paused, looking out over the water, her expression thoughtful. "I wonder, though… if I did understand… would I find it beautiful?"
The Dragon of Yuuei ran his tongue over his teeth, considering the weight of the spirit's words. He watched as Tsuyu slowly looked back to him, her otherworldly face holding an expression he couldn't quite name.
"Tell me, human friend of Ochako. Is this concept of self-sacrifice beautiful?"
XX
The sharp contrast between the dark swamp and the sunny glade made Katsuki squint when he passed through the barrier. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but when they did, he found the space just the same as when he left it.
Well, almost the same.
Standing by the garden was Deku, who seemed to be waiting for him. Shyly, the younger man lifted his hand in greeting. The Dragon of Yuuei tipped his head up in response. "Deku."
He watched the other man bite his lip in a nervous gesture before replying quietly, "Good morning, Kacchan."
Lifting a brow, Katsuki closed the distance between them, rolling the heavy bag off of his shoulder. "I brought you shit, courtesy of his royal pain in the ass."
Green eyes looked at the bag before looking up at him in confusion. "For me?"
Katsuki gave his childhood friend a withering look. "No, for the other Deku who is stupidly standing before me asking dumb questions."
His brow twitched as the other man shrunk back slightly, eyes lowering. "Ah…s-sorry, just…"
The door opened, and Ochako leaned out, glaring at Katsuki. "Can you please stop bullying him for two minutes, you insufferable oaf?"
The captain turned to snap back something, but his eyes fell on Ochako, lingering on the streak of white hair that had most certainly not been there yesterday. The swamp spirit's words bubbled up to the forefront of his mind, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably. "Fuck, Ochako… the damn spirit was right. You did something stupid, didn't you?"
The witch paused, her brow furrowing. "I took a calculated risk last night. But something must have changed about my appearance for you to say that."
"White hair," Deku said softly, gesturing to her head. "A streak of it."
If that information bothered her, she didn't show it. Instead, Ochako tilted her head up, thinking. "I did use a lot of magic to cross that distance quickly. That must have been it. Anyway, come in! The tea is ready!"
She disappeared inside, and Katsuki scowled, passing the bag he brought into Deku's hands before following her. "Wait, wait. I told you to fuckin' lay low. What do you mean 'cross that distance quickly'?"
Ochako hummed, taking out three teacups from her cupboards. "I needed to get to the port very quickly this morning to stop an altercation."
"That does not answer my fucking question, and you know it." She must have been taking lessons from the damned swamp spirit.
She poured a cup of tea and held it for him to take. The way she seemed so calm was utterly infuriating. "Well, here. Drink up, and I'll tell you both everything. But first, I see you've brought Izuku some clothes. How about we address that first?"
He mutely took the offered teacup, staring at her as if she had asked him to slap his mother. Words were beyond him at this point, and he conveyed his displeasure through his facial expressions.
Why was it no one but him had their fucking priorities straight?
XX
Ochako pointedly ignored the tension in the room as they waited for Izuku to change clothes. Katsuki was practically seething behind his teacup, and she wondered if the pottery was about to shatter from the white-knuckled grip he had on it.
She also wondered at herself, and how she was purposely delaying the inevitable conversation. After all, it didn't matter to her what Izuku wore, and he seemed to not care too much either, though admittedly he hadn't been presented with options to consider before now.
She acknowledged that she was using Izuku as an excuse to delay this talk. She knew why, too. Despite her lecture earlier about trust, Ochako had made a very big decision without his input. She could argue all she wanted that the decision was hers alone to make, but it was a weak argument in light of everything else.
She felt ashamed, because she knew he would be upset after this. And, well, Katsuki was always upset, so at the very least, that was nothing new.
The door to the veranda swung open, pulling her from her thoughts, and she looked up as Izuku reentered the room.
Shouto had chosen to purchase clothes from Best Threads and Finest Fibers, known for their ability to enchant clothes to be a perfect fit upon first try-on. Ochako had recognized the logo on the bag. So it should have been no surprise to see how well the forest green tunic looked on the young man, or how the light brown trousers were a perfect length.
Yet somehow, she found herself awed at the changed appearance of the man before her. The colors looked good on him, and the style was, somehow, very fitting.
Katsuki lifted a brow, giving Izuku a scrutinizing look. "Shit, you almost look like you weren't living in the woods for years."
In response, the green-haired man flushed, looking down at himself. "It… feels weird. I haven't worn clothes like this in a long time. I… I don't even remember how to…" He trailed off, holding up a long leather belt with brass accents.
Ochako laughed softly and stood up, walking around the table with her hand outstretched. "Here…"
He gingerly placed the belt in her hand, watching her curiously. In response, she stepped close, fingers touching his elbows and pushing up. "Arms up."
Izuku lifted his arms, watching her nervously as she leaned forward and wrapped the leather around his waist. She could tell he held his breath as she looped the belt through the brass ring and cinched the knot, and it was only when she stepped back that he relaxed. "There you go."
"T-thank you," He stammered, cheeks pink. Honestly, it was kind of cute.
Behind her, Katsuki groaned, clearly having a different opinion. "You two are fucking disgusting. Just adopt him already."
Ochako rolled her eyes as she moved to inspect the leather hardware Katsuki had brought, from the bracers and shoulder guard, to the heavy boots that would give adequate protection from the elements. "Oh… these are nice. Tell you what, after breakfast, we can go over how to equip your armor. This will be good for you to have while we're training, too."
Izuku nodded eagerly, fingers rubbing the hem of his sleeve, admiring the texture. Ochako watched him, knowing she needed to stop stalling. She could tell Katsuki was on to her, if the intensity of his glare was any indicator.
Taking a steadying breath, she turned and gestured to the table. "Well… why don't we sit down and… I'll tell you a story."
As Izuku took a seat at the table, green eyes watching her with focused curiosity, she realized this was the first time since they met that she worried about what he would think of her.
Well… she was about to find out.
XX
Ochako grew up listening to the whistling song of the mountains and the hushed whispers of the forests. The gardens around her always had things to say, and the river would boom its thoughts to her with every seasonal rain.
She would lend the world her ears, smiling as it relinquished its stories, eager to have an audience. No one else seemed to understand, and it took time for Ochako to realize she was unique in the world of spellbooks and magical affinities.
Appreciation for her gifts came during a poor harvest when she was eight. Her town was small, relying primarily on local crops to keep it fed during the winter. The harsh weather had taken its toll on the fields, and Ochako listened as her people fretted over how to survive the winter.
Unsure of what to do, she spilled her heart out to the world around her, and to her surprise, the world answered back.
We can help.
She ran, excited, to tell everyone it would be okay, and with every passing step, the plants around her grew tall. Leaves unfurled, and crops became full. By the time she came to a stop, the town had become acutely aware that Ochako was special.
It didn't take long for that knowledge to spread.
XX
She was ten, and things were wonderful. People smiled. Everyone was happy. She danced, and the world danced with her, leaving blooming wildflowers and twinkling fireflies in the wake of their performance.
Carriages of red and black arrived one day. Ochako had never seen any representatives of the royal family show up before, and curiosity tugged at her as she sat in a tree, bare feet swinging as she watched their approach.
Curiosity turned to confusion when she was told she would be taken to the capital city of Ultra. Confusion turned into hurt when she was told her family would not be joining her.
Hurt turned into despair when she was told she was to be wed with the youngest son of the royal family, all to produce a powerful heir with her magic.
In the blink of an eye, her freedom was stolen, and her world was shattered.
But Ochako was not yet lost.
XX
Attending the Royal Academy was to prepare her for a life of royalty. As a commoner, she knew little about proper etiquette and had no formal education. To serve her duty, she needed to learn to read and write, to understand her country's history and politics, and to be able to navigate social expectations of royal engagements.
She got into a fist fight in her first week. Standing there with a busted lip and her fist full of blond hair, she glared defiantly and dared them to send her home.
They threatened her family instead, and suddenly, Ochako realized the gravity of the situation she was in.
Fearing for her loved ones, she obeyed. She took to her studies. She learned history and literature. She learned to read and to school her expressions. She practiced her magic, and she practiced her courtesies. She hid her northern accent, and she dressed in constricting clothes and painful shoes.
She hated every second of it.
She found comfort in the strangest of ways. The boy she fought with became her ally. Originally resenting her for being engaged to his best friend, he learned how much she didn't want it either, and they bonded over that fact.
It was also through him did she learn the prince she was to marry resembled nothing of his father. He resented the man, and he resented the engagement. He resented her as well, until they both learned of their mutual hatred of the situation. She bonded with him, too.
Armed with two unlikely allies, Ochako spent her days keeping the peace and biding her time, seeking out a way to escape the road to hell she was being forced to walk. She had time; the marriage would not happen until she was fifteen.
The appearance of the Nomu changed the timeline, and Ochako felt the walls closing in.
She was only thirteen and wearing too much makeup and too many layers. The wedding gown was silver, and the jewelry heavy with polished rubies. Neither Shouto or Katsuki were allowed to see her, but that didn't matter. She could talk to them anyway.
Her words flew on the backs of the birds circling overhead, bringing her message to her dearest friends.
"I told you both I would stop this. I want my life back, and Shouto deserves to marry someone he loves. Whatever happens today, know that I'm doing this for all of us."
She stared at her reflection in the mirror, at the decorated stranger who stared back, and she tried not to cry.
"This is also my goodbye."
XX
The wedding would go down in history as a spectacular event, but not for the reasons a wedding should.
She stood before the altar, lips painted red and flowers in her hair. She looked every bit like a perfect, delicate bride, if it were not for the set of her jaw and the flex of her shoulders as she concentrated.
We hear you, child of ours. We hear your plea. You wish to be removed from these confines. You wish for us to take you away.
'Yes. But I need more than that. I need protection for my village, my family. I need to help Shouto never get in this situation again.'
We will grant you this request, sweet child. In return, you must live amongst us where the magic seeps deep in the forest. You must sacrifice your gift so that we can keep you as our own. Will you allow it?"
She felt her mouth go dry. 'All of my power?'
Most, not all. We would mourn you if you could no longer hear us.
Hope blossomed in her chest, burning brighter than any Todoroki fire could ever hope to.
Eyes scanning her surroundings, Ochako took in the braziers and lanterns decorating the royal pavilion, casting a red light on the wedding party. Beside, her Shouto stood, in the traditional red and black wedding garb, accented with silver jewelry that complimented her own. She tilted her head slightly, capturing her betrothed's attention. Mismatched eyes glanced at her, and she offered him the faintest of smiles before she looked away.
"...and now, by the power vested in me by His Majesty, I–"
"Will do nothing!" Ochako's voice rang out with icy force over the pavilion, sending a burst of cold air rolling across the marbled floor. In an instant, every single flame of Todoroki fire went out with a hiss, causing a hushed whisper to cascade across the small audience. The officiant stopped speaking, eyes wide as he stared down at the girl before him, and Shouto looked to her in alarm.
King Enji stood up, eyes on fire and smoke rolling off of his cape. "What do you think you're doing?"
Ochako felt the heavy magic pooling around her, thick as honey and tasting ever as sweet. She smiled, a touch of something wild in her eyes.
"Taking back my freedom you stole."
Clouds erupted overhead, the eye of the sudden hurricane hovering right where she stood. Turning her head, she leveled her gaze on the King, a fiery pink glow erupting from her eyes. Wind whipped around them, knocking loose lanterns and scattering decorations. Lightning flashed in the sky, sending booming thunder echoing in the courtyard. Ochako's voice boomed with it. "You are a selfish, pathetic man, King Enji of Yuuei, and for that, I curse you."
She watched the color drain from his face with a touch of satisfaction. "Don't worry. Since you're so eager for an heir, I won't take that away from you."
Turning, she faced the crowd, the flowers in her hands spilling into sparkling, white sand that scattered with the high winds. "From this moment forward, Prince Shouto will only be able to sire an heir if he is with the one he loves. No amount of magic, force, or coercion can break this spell. It can only be broken with love of his choice."
She could feel the bewildered stare of the man behind her, and in the crowd, Katsuki's expression mirrored it.
She lifted a delicate brow, eyes scanning over the terrified crowd. "May this be a lesson to all of you. Consider carefully the choices you make and how they impact others. Controlling others is not your right."
Turning her head, she looked over her shoulder at the king, feeling the wind rip out the ornaments in her hair, sending long, honeyed curls cascading down her back. "And just so we're clear…should you ever attempt to retaliate against my family or my town in any capacity, I assure you that you will never see another healthy day for as long as you live, with each day worse than the last. Bear it in mind, Your Majesty."
A bolt of iridescent lightning struck where she stood, causing a thunderous explosion that sent the crowd screaming. When it disappeared, Shouto stood alone at the altar.
XX
Ochako stopped, her expression thoughtful as she held her teacup to her lips. Katsuki sat quietly, fingers tapping lightly on the table. Across from him, Izuku stared at her, his expression shocked. "You… you cursed Prince Shouto?"
The brunette nodded, humming. "If you want to call it a curse, yes."
Katsuki scoffed softly, tipping back the last dregs of his tea into his mouth. Placing the cup down with a loud clunk, he wiped his lips with the back of his arm. "You could've given us a better warning that day, you know."
"I was a little stressed," Ochako replied tersely. "I did the best I could."
The Dragon of Yuuei scowled, but said nothing. Despite his response, she knew he was grateful that she carefully left out certain details in her recount.
Izuku shifted, eyes flickering from the disgruntled captain to the woman he sat beside. "I… don't understand."
Ochako twisted, turning better to face him. She suspected she knew what he was going to ask, and she would have to be very careful in what answers she gave. It was not her story to tell, and Katsuki probably wasn't keen on explaining to Izuku the complicated relationship he had with the prince.
Izuku hesitated, worrying over his words, before he finally found what he wanted to say. It was not what she expected. "Why would the ecosystem make that kind of binding contract with you? You're an Echo. Locking away your core like that is exactly the opposite of what it would want." He stopped, fingers coming up to his lips. His mouth moved silently, as if he were muttering soundless words and working through a puzzle only he could see.
He froze, and his eyes went wide, looking up to lock on hers. "It was protecting you from the Blackened Core."
Ochako nodded, not looking away. "I didn't know it at the time… but yes."
Izuku stared at her intently, and she could still see him figuring out the pieces of the puzzle in his head. His brow furrowed, and he sucked in a sharp breath. "The threads of your core that connect you to the system have been increasing since last night, and the magic from this morning…"
He blinked, and there was a shrewdness in his gaze that gave her pause. It was the first time Ochako really understood how perceptive Izuku was underneath the trauma and underdeveloped social skills. "The contract's been broken, hasn't it?"
She bit her lip, glancing down at her teacup. She could feel both sets of eyes on her, waiting for her answer. Carefully, she replied, "Yes, the contract has been undone. Over the coming weeks, my connection with magic will be restored to what it was in my childhood. However, as I have matured, my capacity to channel this magic has increased. I have been informed that… excessive use will have adverse effects, and those effects may be permanent."
She saw Katsuki stiffen, but she did not look up to see his expression. And beside her, Izuku was sitting eerily still. Keeping her focus on her teacup, she continued. "Additionally… As I grow stronger, my core will shine brighter. When the restoration is done, the magic in the forest will no longer be enough to hide me."
"Why?"
She didn't know how a single word could carry so much emotion, and slowly she turned to look at the man sitting beside her. Green eyes stared at her with a strong mixture of fear and hurt. This was the part she had been anxious about, and as he blinked back tears, she had to fight the urge to reach up and wipe them away.
"Why… would you do that?" His voice, although soft, was thick with a pain that hit her hard.
Ochako closed her eyes, taking in a slow, steadying breath, and she felt the magic around her squeeze in gently, like a hug. She appreciated it, but she felt like Izuku was the one who needed a hug right now.
Looking back up at him, she offered him a weary smile. "Because I want to help you, Izuku," she said simply. "And… I think this is the best way."
"The Blackened Core will come for you," he whispered, staring at her like she didn't know the danger she was in.
"It's going to come for me anyway," Ochako replied, as if it were obvious. "As long as I exist, the holder of that core will hunt me. They're making Nomu that can see Relics, and those Nomu are getting stronger. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they figure out how to see through my enchantments. By retaking my power, I stand a better chance of staying alive and keeping my core, and I can do that by teaching you to use yours."
Reaching out, she took Izuku's fingers in her own, smoothing her thumb over his knuckles. "I told you that you couldn't control my actions. I had already made my mind on this, and it was ultimately my decision to make. However… I made it because I believe in you."
Izuku looked up from where he was staring at their fingers, brow furrowed in confusion. "Believe… in me?"
Despite everything, she found a genuine smile pulling at her lips. "Yes, I believe in you. You've never given me a reason not to."
He opened his mouth to say something, but there was an exaggerated sigh across the table, and Katsuki, who had been forgotten up until this point, slapped a hand on the wood, glaring at them both. "Can you both just… stop? It's gross."
The kick to his shin didn't resolve all of her outstanding anxiety, but the strangled snarl he gave in return definitely helped.
- XX -
AN: This story is also posted on Ao3. I'm telling you this because Ao3 allows art with stories, and this chapters comes with art of Izuku's new clothes. Go check it out and let me know what you think.
PS: If you're enjoying this fic; I'd love to hear it in a comment/review. Those really make my day and keep me encouraged to write.
