24/01/2023
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The Emperor's Dragon
Emergence 41 - Honour
Izu! I was a good girl!
Izuku smiled fondly at the text from Himiko. Now that he could talk to her again they were messaging frequently. You were? He asked. He knew she was doing something for Tomura but didn't know what. He hadn't asked.
I was! I saw someone with the pendant you gave me! And I left them, 'cos I knew you'd want that.
He looked at the message, reading it a few times before he understood it.
Himiko was doing something for Tomura, and that something had put her in contact with who? Mentally he ran through the list of people he'd given scales to.
Dad of course. Several actually. Gigantomachia too. He was debating giving one of Yakuni but hadn't. Hitoshi, Mei, Ochaco… It had to be Ochaco.
Ochaco was on a training camp. They were doing quirk exercises every day to strengthen their quirks and gain better control. It was the typical stuff for a hero course. Tomura had gone after one of the UA hero classes because All Might was there. Ochaco had been clear that All Might wasn't going on their camp so why would Tomura target them again?
Thank you! Izuku sent to Himiko. That does make me happy, he added as he thought. I think it was probably Ochaco. Do you remember Ochaco? He'd never managed to get a birthday with all of his friends there but for one of them, they had managed to phone Himiko. That was years back though.
No, but that doesn't matter! She knows you! Himiko sent back.
Izuku smiled at his phone. Himiko was such a good friend if she was prepared to do that, just because she knew he'd want it. Thank you, he sent again. You were very good! He knew better than to offer blood as a reward. That would give the wrong idea.
Did Tomura pay you? He added the question.
Yep! I got some really nice blood samples and cash!
He chuckled. He should have expected Himiko would have wanted blood as part of her payment but he had no idea what a really nice sample would be. He'd have to ask at another time. Given that Himiko had encountered Ochaco he really had to check on her and then… Maybe he'd message Tomura. Hopefully he'd say something. That's good! (* ^ ω ^) he sent back, before clicking to another chat.
Ochaco! Has anything happened? Izuku sent the message in the group chat. They had made a chat between all four of them - Ochaco, Hitoshi, himself and Mei. They didn't use it that often, given that they saw each other every day at school. He hadn't thought about adding Himiko simply because it had been so long since the others had spoken to her and Mei didn't even know her. It wasn't fair to do that until he'd introduced them all.
Ochaco was meant to be on a training camp but if Himiko had seen her then something has gone wrong.
He was thankful there was an almost immediate response and he waited on tender hooks as the dots blinked. Thankfully the phone told him it was Ochaco replying.
Villains attacked the camp, the text appeared. There were some injuries and we are back on campus, she added.
Are you okay? He typed immediately.
I'm okay, came the quick response.
Izuku didn't realise how worried he'd been until he read that. He felt the tension stream out of him when he read the words. That's good, he sent back but he could see dots that indicated Hitoshi was writing.
Why are you still on campus? Hitoshi asked.
Izuku blinked at the question. It was a good question. If villains had attacked the camp, if Tomura had attacked the camp then it would be okay to go home.
I'm not allowed to say, Ochaco sent back.
The tension that had gone came back. Her reply told him that there were still operations going on. What had Tomura done? What were the heroes after?
He put his phone down and flexed his fingers as he took several deliberately slow breaths. Then he picked up his phone again. It's good that you are okay, he sent to the group. Mei would probably respond later. She didn't always look at her phone.
Thank you, Ochaco replied. When I'm allowed, I'll tell you all everything, she added.
I expect it to be a good story, Hitoshi told her.
Oh, it is. Scary though.
It was a good opening to tell her she could still withdraw from Heroics but he knew she'd reject that. Ocahco was brave and determined. So long as she was okay, then that was enough.
Then we'll give you comfort, Hitoshi said, and Izuku knew he was being partially silly to comfort Ochaco.
(*^^*) she sent back and he knew she'd be fine.
Izuku took a deep breath as he opened another chat. It didn't have that many messages. In fact most people would think he didn't know the person he was conversing with. He could message his dad or even phone but… Dad would tell him not to worry and to concentrate on his life but… he needed to know. Which meant he had to ask Tomura.
What were you doing attacking the training camp? Izuku typed and then looked at the message. Then he hit backspace. The question was too straightforward and while he knew his phone had some protections, what was never sent could never be intercepted, it was better not to take chances. Were you clean on the away? He asked. It was still horribly obvious… at least to him it was but it would have to do. He tapped send, and then waited, staring off into the distance as his mind… No, he didn't listen to his mind in this situation. His Dad was fine. Gigantomachia would see to that, even if Tomura had stuffed up.
What the fuck are you talking about? Tomura actually deigned to answer him.
Izuku sighed. Your mission. Did you get away cleanly? He asked a bit more obviously.
Of course we did, came the positive response.
He was tempted to believe it but he could still read Ochaco's message. 'I'm not allowed to say.' There was no denying what that meant. Are you sure? He sent to Tomura.
Of course I'm sure.
Then why are the heroes still doing things? Izuku asked pointedly.
They are probably trying to look for the brats.
The brats? Izuku had a sinking feeling about the statement. There really was only one interpretation.
How weak will heroes look if their students become villains? Tomura sent back his own question.
Yeah, there was only one interpretation and he had made the right one. Izuku swallowed. You are sure you got away cleanly? He asked again.
We used Kurogiri, Tomura told him.
Izuku sighed. Okay. Okay, they used Kurogiri. That would explain why the heroes hadn't let Ochaco and others say anything. They probably followed whoever had accompanied Himiko to the point where Kurogiri had picked them up and from there… The heroes would be wanting to track them. How could they do that?
He closed his eyes as he thought. There was no way that was immediately obvious, or rather no way that wasn't something Tomura should have thought about. Someone could tell the Heroes where they were. Or… would the hero students have trackers? They had been in the forest. Would one of them have an emergency device?
You checked the brats for trackers? He asked.
(e_e)
Did you? Izuku pressed.
Of course we did, Tomura sent. Izuku could hear his growl. I'm not gonna make noob mistakes, he added.
Izuku nodded. Dad had taught Tomura as well. For some reason Tomura had already chosen his future and Dad was letting him take his time. He'd have to ask why that was at some stage. I'll let you know if I hear anything, he promised.
You do that. I'm busy!
He snorted at the reply. Given how picky Tomura could be with replies he couldn't be that busy. Izuku smiled. This was unexpected but… He didn't know. Tomura obviously thought he could turn one of the hero students. Izuku doubted that. Those he'd seen at the Sports Festival were far too…. Blinded by the heroic light they saw. They hadn't seen the truth of the industry they were training to join. Still… Even if Tomura couldn't turn one of them, the fact that he could take them… That would speak to the world. And that was the point.
-ted-
Vlad saw Aizawa shake his head slightly as they entered the conference room. He should have expected that Nezu would want some feedback from their questioning. He guessed it was to confirm that nothing had been detected. This would usually be a meeting of UA staff but the mission demanded others be present.
Endeavor was a brooding presence near Nezu. His arms were crossed and he did not look impressed. It was probably because operational procedure said he was not allowed to be involved in the mission. He could observe it, but he could not play a role in the events. Not as the Father of one of the kidnapped children, regardless of his position as the Number Two hero.
All Might was conspicuous in his absence, but Vlad knew that the man was conserving his time for the mission. He was of course here, but in his civilian persona and inwardly Vlad sighed. Endeavor didn't know All Might was injured and the fact that the Number One wasn't here would only be rubbing him up the wrong way. This was not going to go over well.
There were several agencies present electronically. Best Jeanist and Edgeshot were prominent. It said without words that this mission was going to be big. The Wild Wild Pussycats were present as well. Again, they shouldn't be involved but Vlad thought that Tiger had a place on the mission to rescue Ragdoll. Something about his mind being familiar for her to sense with her quirk.
"The mission is set for tonight," Nezu said. "Thanks to young Yaoyorozu's quick thinking we have the opportunity to catch these villains early."
"They should have been stopped already," Endeavor growled.
"Now, now, Enji," Nezu murmured loud enough to be heard. "They have a warper," the Principal explained.
That was news to most of the heroes in the meeting. They all knew what it meant.
"We believe these to be the same villains who attacked UA at the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. They are in possession of a warper, who appears to be willingly supporting them."
"What a waste," Best Jeanist muttered.
They didn't have time to dwell on that.
"They also have vastly bioengineered and brainwashed people fighting for them," the Principle explained, showing several images. It was mostly of the creature who had attacked at USJ. "This one was created to defeat All Might."
"It can't be that strong," Endeavor growled.
Nezu didn't rebuke Enji this time, instead he clicked his claws over a tablet, putting several other images on the man screen. "This is Fukounao Toko," he said. "The base of what the villains called a Nomu. These are the comparative statistics. I personally estimated his abilities."
It took a few moments for the Heroes to read the information but the one thing a simple glance said immediately was that the difference between the enhanced, and unenhanced physical statistics was huge.
"What the hell are they doing to those poor people?"
Vlad wasn't sure who spoke but it was a fair sentiment.
"That is why it is vital that we take down these villains now," Nezu said.
"Indeed," Best Jeanist agreed. "Beyond kidnapping young Katsuki and Shouto, what did the villains want?"
"They appeared to be targeting the Wild Wild Pussycat Ragdoll."
"Is there any reason why?"
At that question, Vlad wasn't the only one to notice the way that Yagi flinched.
"You know something," Endeavor demanded. "And who are you?"
"I believe they were after her for her quirk," Yagi said, ignoring Endeavor's second question.
"What is her quirk?"
"Search," Tiger told the gathered Heroes. "Ragdoll finds the people we rescue," he added the explanation.
"They can't seriously believe she'd help them?" Edgeshot asked.
"I believe they will steal her quirk," Yagi said quietly.
For a moment, Vlad wasn't sure anyone had heard and then silence settled over the meeting.
"Who they hell are you?" Endeavor demanded again.
"I think that is required information," Best Jeanist agreed with a dignity that made him worthy of his rank.
Yagi glanced towards Nezu who gave him a nod. "I am a representative from All Might's agency."
Endeavor scowled. Vlad could tell he wanted to say any number of things. Most likely he wanted to question the Number One hero's dedication to the cause but without even being told, Vlad knew there would be a number of pre-prepared explanations as to where All Might was.
Yagi put his hands on the table. Even in his small form, they were large. "We have been looking into these villains since the USJ attack. That attack, like this one, is not random. It was a planned strike and while the lead villain appears childish, we do not believe he is the actual leader."
Endeavor snorted but didn't say anything. No doubt he had demanded Shouto tell him everything from the USJ attack.
"We believe they are working for a man named All For One," Yagi said softly. You could tell he really didn't want to tell the group but that equally he felt that the information had to be known. Vlad felt a sudden stab of cold. He knew there was more to these villains than met the eye but if All Might was like this then… they were even more dangerous than they appeared.
"We do not need to tell them," someone interrupted. Vlad belatedly realised it was Sir Nighteye from All Might's agency.
"No," Yagi replied, shaking his head. "If they are going on this mission, then they deserve to know."
Sir Nighteye appeared on the screen. He did not look pleased but equally he didn't appear as if he would fight. He closed his eyes briefly and then nodded. "Maybe that will be a difference," he murmured before his image went back to the side of the screen.
"What is it?" Endeavor growled. Vlad could tell he was fast losing patience.
Yagi stared at Endeavor, looking him in the eye. "You have been after All For One before. At Tsu," he explained.
Vlad didn't know what had happened at Tsu but Endeavor obviously recalled the mission after a moment. "The building?" he asked.
Yagi nodded. "That was the point where our agency knew that he was alive."
"What's his quirk?" Endeavor demanded. "And don't give me that bull shit classified answer."
Yagi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "He has the ability to take other quirks, and then use them as if they were his own."
There was absolute silence in the room and on all the lines.
"He can what?"
The question, or words to that effect were roared from many parts of the room and the calls.
Yagi said nothing. Instead he sat in silence, as the questions followed. Eventually the questions slowed. "He is a very dangerous villain. All Might will be fighting him but if he approaches you, do not let him touch you," Yagi advised.
"Won't he take All Might's quirk?" Edgeshot asked.
"He will try," Yagi admitted, "but All Might has fought him before."
Vlad looked at Yagi sharply. When All Might had come on to staff, they had felt honoured, and then they'd found out about the Number One Hero's injuries. Vlad suddenly knew that it was this All For One who had inflicted those injuries. He didn't shudder but he felt sick. Those were not the type of injuries one got in usual missions. Those were the types of injuries one got in a life and death battle.
And All Might was going to find this man again? The were reasons he was the Number One Hero and that just reinforced them. Vlad knew in his heart he wouldn't fight. Not again.
"This will be a very difficult mission. Young Yaoyorozu has given us an opportunity to find him but there will also be an unknown number of villains there. Our main objective will be to rescue Ragdoll, young Bakugou and Todoroki. In addition to the villains, there may be those Nomu creations present. We do not have any intelligence on how many there are."
Yagi turned to Endeavor. "I realise you wish to participate, but you must remain on standby. All For One is incredibly dangerous and will not hesitate. Young Todoroki will need you after this mission."
Vlad wanted to shout that the world would need All Might after this mission but he knew that Yagi had- He was not expecting to die but… it was a real possibility and he knew it. And he was still going to fight.
Endeavor growled.
"Enji," Nezu warned.
The Number Two hero did not look apologetic.
"It's all right," Yagi murmured, giving Nezu a quick smile before he looked back at Endeavor. "Your son will need you," he repeated the sentiment before he looked around at the gathered heroes, and somehow managed to make it look like he'd met the eyes of everyone.
"The mission will begin at nine tonight," he announced.
There was silence with the declaration before Best Jeanist nodded. "Then we had best prepare," he said. "We cannot let Bakugou or Todoroki wait a moment longer than necessary."
There were nods of agreement but there was no sense of- There was a sense that they were doing the right thing but there was a heavy foreboding over the group. There always was when you knew the mission would be hard but this felt different.
This was going to be one hell of a mission, Vlad knew. It would be the type of mission that was spoken about for years. He felt both anxious and honoured to be on it…
He only hoped he still felt honoured tomorrow.
-ted-
I don't think we ever learn what the first Nomu's real name is so I went with - 不幸な男 - Fukōna otoko - Unfortunate man, because really, he is somewhat unfortunate.
The heroes are of course going to go after the kidnappees before they pursue a connection with Dragon so we'll see how things going. But that connection is on their radar.
My discord is on this code: TcBnRN7aDn FFN will remove links but you should be able to figure that out. There's a heap of other authors there, so come along and chat to us all!
-ted-
Loved it? Hated it? Found a spelling mistake? Let me know please!