Chapter 20 Up IN Flames

Though he had been here a few times before, as the dilapidated warehouse came into view, something felt different. Detaching a few feathers, he shot them ahead of him and into the building.

His heart dropped moments later when the link to those feathers was lost. Trying to stay calm he sent another group of feathers into the building. Again, they were lost.

Hawks circled the building, hoping to see anything out of place. His Fierce Wings were eerily calm except for the feather tracking Rouge's movements.

"Guess he's not here yet. Tsk, tsk, you're late, Dabi." He said mocking how Logan had scolded him that morning.

Hawks landed and folded in his wings, not bothering to turn around while scribbling on a piece of paper to Rouge.

You're not as sneaky as you might think Rouge, seriously your going to get hurt. Go home.

He sent the note off to Rogue with a feather before making his way inside.

. **** **** ****.

Hawks carelessly entered the dark warehouse, which was darker than the night sky because of the boarded up windows. As he causally felt his way towards the meeting room, the glass from the busted windows crunched under his feet.

Sensing movement, Hawks' voice echoes through the empty building. "Seriously Rouge. Go home!" Hearing no response, he booms louder, surprised by the shakiness of his voice. "You're going to get yourself hurt!"

Stepping into the cramped meeting room, a blast of blue flames came from behind, aiming straight for him. With a swoosh of his wings Hawks flew further into the small room just in time to avoid the attack.

Through the smoke Dabi appeared. Hawks backed against the wall, completely cornered.

"So you showed up, huh Number 2."

"Of course, why wouldn't I? This is where you said to meet. You're the one who is late. And what the hell is with your welcome? I know we don't have lights, but can't we get flashlights or something? You really think your flames are the best idea? If I wouldn't have known better, I would have thought you were trying to roast me."

"Cut the chicken shit."

"Ah Dabi, good to see you too. Seriously, though, you've got to be careful with those flames. You don't wanna burn yourself-oops, sorry, too soon?"

"I warned you, no one was allowed to know. Yet you let a child follow you."

"Hey, I didn't know she was following me. If I did I would have taken care of it."

"And you expect me to believe that? If you're going to lie at least put some effort into it." Dabi flexed his hands while Hawks' crimson wings rose.

"Hey, last time I checked, you asked me to come here, meaning I'm helping you. Is this any way to treat your guest? Nice digs by the way. Your hard work is really paying off. You deserve it, it's so charming. You just need to decorate and do some patch work— on your face… oh sorry just slipped out."

Dabi fired a blast of hot blue flames at Hawks.

"Oh, easy there Dabi. We don't want this place to look like your face."

"Yeah I figured you might like it, does it remind you of home? Speaking of which, whatever happened to your mommy?"

Hawks flew at Dabi with his sword-like feathers in hand. "NEVER TALK ABOUT HER!"Hawks fired over a dozen feathers at Dabi.

Dabi shot a blast of flames straight at Hawks' feathers, incinerating them instantaneously. "Oh, sorry, too soon?" Dabi smirked.

Hawks was thrown onto the glass-covered floor by the blast. Startled by the smell of his jacket burning, he immediately rolled on the ground to put out the flames. Ripping off his now singed jacket and broken goggles, he frantically felt around the floor for a piece of broken glass to protect himself.

"What's wrong, Keigo Takami? Bite off more than you can handle?"

Hawks froze.

How does he know my name?

"At least my mom would be proud of me." Hawks said arming a feather with the shard of glass. Before he could launch it, though, the dark room was again illuminated by Dabi's next attack. All Hawks could see before being engulfed by the flames was Dabi's wicked grin.

Fuck!

*BANG*

Everything went black for Hawks.

. **** **** ***.

Rouge, sitting on the corner of the street, shot up at the sound of a explosion and Hawks' cry of agony. She dropped the note Hawks had given to her earlier which she had been ruminating over since he first walked into the building. Grabbing the note from the ground, she shoved it into her pocket and dashed towards the warehouse.

Rouge's breath got caught in her throat when she peered into the burning and smoke filled room.

Hawks, lying on the ground as Dabi stood over him laughing, began to cough. Dabi kicked Hawks in the ribs. Hawks curled into a fetal position. Dabi shoved his foot into Hawks' side.

"You're a foool!" Dabi boasted, towering over him like an ominous shadow. "You overrated, overconfident, underperforming wannabe hiding behind those pathetic wings. Who are you now?" Dabi demanded, igniting Hawks' wings once more. "We had a deal. If these wings aren't going to do the missions for the league, they won't do the missions for anybody. I'll send you back to where you started as the scum of all scum."

Rouge watched in horror, frantically searching for a way to enter the room to touch Dabi to steal his power. Seconds later, Dabi put out the fire on Hawks' back, giving Rouge a brief opening to capitalize on the now dark room. Now or never. He can't survive another blast like that.

Thankful for Dabi's loud laughter, Rouge didn't have to be to quiet as she dashed into the room and grabbed for Dabi's exposed arm with her bare hand.

Dabi whipped around, his force throwing her to the ground. Rouge felt blood rush down her arms after the fall, cut by the shards of glass on the floor. She stood and shot flames back at Dabi.

"One thing about us X-Men is if ya mess with one of us, ya mess all of us."

"What the— how the— who the hell are you?"

"Earlier today ya said I was a kid. Looks like I was just promoted to your worst nightmare." Rouge shot back with more flames.

Dabi turned to Hawks, lighting him ablaze again, then turned back to Rouge to do the same. "You're too late, kid. This chicken is fried."

Rouge lunged at Dabi, tackling him to the ground, knocking him out. "Never mess with my friends!" Getting up from the ground she rushed over to Hawks, putting out the fire.

Hawks, struggling to keep his eyes open, looked up at Rouge. "Ro.." he coughed up spots of blood. "You… came.. for me…"

"Like I'd leave a friend in need? Listen, I'm gonna have to touch ya. It will be very quick, but its the only way I can get us both out of here."

Hawks could barely make out her pale hand as it hovered over him. "Okay…" he rasped as a spark of electricity raced through him.

"Hawks hold on, we're getting out of here," she said as bright red wings emerged from her back.

When... did... she get... win…gs?

"Let's go."

Hawks felt wind blow around him as Rogue flew him into the dark sky, barely able to hear Rouge's voice as it seemed to be diminishing to a fading echo.

"Don't.. die…" were the last words he heard before passing out in her arms.

. ***** *** ***.

Logan shot up from his sleep, frantically scanning the makeshift camp they opted for last night in lieu of the hotel. Logan had fallen asleep hours ago when Rogue was leaving to follow Hawks. Neither had returned. Panicked, Logan called Professor X. Though it was 3:00 in the morning in Japan, it was 4:00 in the afternoon in the US. Professor X anxiously answered the phone on the first ring.

"Logan, what's wrong?" Professor X asked, not wasting any time.

"I don't know yet. Rogue followed Hawks last night. Neither have returned. I think there's something wrong. Can you find them telepathically?"

"No, it can't work like that. Try to stay calm. Get the jet fixed and get back here as soon as possible. I will gather the others and we'll see what we can figure out. I will need a full briefing when you get back, just get here ASAP. We need a full crew. Something is wrong."

"Heard." Logan replied.

"And Logan," Professor X said with a change of tone, "please be careful. Keigo is involved with very, very dangerous people."

"Understood, boss. We'll get there as soon as we can. What about the pro Heroes here? Can we use their help?"

"Great idea, Logan. Yes, they will be able to help us understand better what we're up against. If any of them are willing to come, please bring them."

"Okay, we have one kid- Defu or something- who really wants to come to the US. There's something special about him. I think he'll be good."

"Deku! Yes, I remember him. He has an incredibly unique gift. Yes, he will be a great addition to the team. Please bring him if you can."

"You got it, Charles. I'll get in contact with him as soon as the sun is up."

Logan ended the call and looked over at his sleeping comrades, then over to the jet. Sighing, he picked up the tools and got to work. "What kind of shit have you gotten yourself into now, Feathers?"

. **** **** ***.

Finally arriving at the mansion after an 18 hour flight, Rogue was greeted by Professor X. It was 4:00 in the morning, but there was no sign anyone had slept in the mansion.

"Rogue, what happened? Logan called and told us you two were missing. I'm so glad you guys are okay-"

"Hawks needs to get to the infirmary. He has been unconscious most of our flight. I tried to keep him awake but I had to dedicate most of my attention on controllin' these crazy wings. I got him here as soon as I could and-"

"Rogue," Professor X interrupted, seeing her blood-drenched clothing and the bruises and bumps on her head, "are you okay?"

"I'm... I'm fine, Professor, just get Hawks-"

"Rogue, we both know that's not how this works. You aren't looking great yourself. We need to have you checked over as well. Who did this to you?"

"Dabi, sir." Rogue responded, hanging her head. "I tried to stop Hawks from goin' but he wouldn't listen and-"

"Rogue, I cannot thank you enough for your dedication to Keigo and our team. Please, go see Hank, get cleaned, and get some rest. You need it. Logan and the others have fixed the jet and are in flight as well. I expect them to arrive in a few hours. We can all collaborate at that time to figure out what is going on. Until then, please rest and recover. We need you healthy."

"That Dabi, sir, he is a whole different level of psychotic." Rogue said, concerned.

"Rogue, we are better with you whole. You are safe now. Rest assured you will always be safe here-"

As he watched Rogue and Hawks get taken to the infirmary, Professor X sighed and finished his sentence under his breath. "-I hope."