Sightings

Estelle spent the morning training Ochako, which had turned out well. Nothing was fascinating about the training as they mainly focused on hand to hand combat for the time being. Estelle was hoping to add more versatility to her quick as time went on, and maybe even some non-lethal weapon combat.

Estelle may be overestimating how much she would be able to teach her, but she just wanted to make sure they were prepared when she was gone. They all had so much potential; what was the point of learning this training if it would die with her? It just seemed fruitless, so she would suck it up and train as many of them as she could.

She could feel something was off. Not with the spiritual situation, but with the league of villains. The fact that Hawks was a double agent, and Dabi had mentioned their large plans, Estelle knew that these students were getting into something they weren't ready for, not yet at least.

She guessed that was why she felt the longing to protect them ever since Nobu Island. But, again, Estelle knew that she wouldn't be there to do that, and quite frankly, they needed to be able to stand on their own two feet without her. So, she was going to train as many as possible, even if she hated the fact she had to spend time with them.

It was late afternoon when Ochako and Estelle headed over to Height's Alliance for lunch. When the class sat down to eat, Estelle hid her smile at the long ramble Ochako delved into about training. The sheer joy, determination and readiness radiated from her throughout the meal.

The class themselves enjoyed Ochako's attitude. She was always the type to give it her all, and she pushed herself whenever she could. The motivation Estelle had given her was evident, and it beamed off of her. They couldn't help but be a bit jealous, too; they all wanted that. To be confident in their quirks, power and actions like Estelle was with nearly everything she did. They strived to be strong like her; they all looked up to her in that way.

Groaning, Hagakure moaned, "This isn't fair! Why are only some of us getting trained by Estelle! I call favouritism!"

Scoffing, Estelle rolled her eyes as she took another spoonful of her meal. Flickering her eyes to everyone gazing at her with shy questioning, Estelle realised what they were all inwardly asking. "Don't worry. I'll get to you eventually."

"No way! You're going to train all of us!?" Sero shouted with his fist raised high.

Ignoring Bakugo's stare that heated the back of her neck, Estelle gave a slight nod. "You need to be prepared."

"For what?!"

"Everything."

"That's not an answer!" Ashido groaned back.

"It is. It's just not the one you want."

"Come on! Prepared for what!?"

"I've been working as a hero for months now. I think it's obvious that villains are coming out of the woodwork now that the symbol of peace is gone. You all will face the worst of it, and you aren't ready. Not yet."

"Why bother? We have three years?" Koda shyly muttered.

"You are nieve to think that. And, I won't be here to help. You'll be the ones stepping up to the plate when the time comes. I'm just sharing the knowledge before I am gone."

"That's...scary," Kaminari sighed whilst the class's shoulders drooped at the reminder of Estelle's eventual parting.

"Do not fear; I'll make sure to drill everything into you all before I leave. You will be fine."

"Thanks, Estelle," Kirishima stated with a soft smile.

"Hmpt."

Estelle watched another animated movie with her classmates with Bakugo at her side. She was highly amused as she watched the screen. She couldn't lie; she loved the fact that the animals talked.

When they reached halfway through the movie, the peace was interrupted by Mr Aizawa storming into the room. Flicking her gaze up to him in question, the teacher murmured, "Put the news on."

Uncertain if she should change it whilst her classmates were enjoying the movie, she muttered back, "Should we go somewhere else to watch?"

But, before Mr Aizawa could answer, one of the classmates had already switched the channel as another turned the lights back on. Shrugging since it was already too late, Estelle remained standing by Mr Aizawa as the scene played out.

It was a few members of the League of Villains. The most prominent was the man in red. Taking a step forward, Estelle watched the scene of the cloaked male as he rushed through the air, heroes following behind him in a fruitless attempt to catch him.

Estelle knew they would fail, and she also knew if she left now. He would already be gone; he was quick with his flying. Estelle would need to make sure she was ready to counter that. She had a way to do it, and as much as she despised the thought, she knew that her spirit bending would need to be utilised. She stepped forward with a scowl on her face as the dark spirit called for aid and directed them to the heroes, effectively blocking them from following him.

She got closer to the screen as the masked man stopped and lowered himself. The thrumming of her heart quickened; he was lowering himself to the camera.

She hadn't even realised that she was directly in front of the screen now. Her feet unconsciously led her forward as her eyes tried to gain any information on the red figure. Her body was tensed like she was ready to jump through the screen to attack. Her eyes were the fiercest the class had ever seen, holding so much seriousness that chills ran down their spines.

She stared at the screen as the masked man stared directly into the camera. Like they were sharing a secret conversation nobody else was privy to.

It was then; that he spoke.

"The Guardian. You have done well to fend off my attacks thus far. Honestly, you astound me with your capabilities. But, now I have a question for you. Who's side are you on? I offered for you to join me, and you spat at my feet. I offered to forgive you, and you shunned the thought. Now, all I have is a continued festering hatred for you, my dear Estelle. Because you have always chosen the side that never belonged to you.

I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from? Don't you? multum magna occisio machina?"

Estelle's let out a deep gasp from the words as she tried to comprehend what she had just heard. The wild throughs rummaging around her head came to a shattering halt as every core in her body froze. Her mind remained still, utterly frozen, before a tidal wave hit her all at once.

Her mind couldn't cope as the world around her muffled to a stop. All Estelle could hear was a white noise as she stared at the television screen. A rising panic underlining every thought, vein and facet of Estelle's being. The air left her lungs as the heavy bricks smashed against her lungs, and it was like the oxygen had turned to smog.

"-telle!"

Estelle tried to take a breath into her lungs but ultimately failed. Those words, she heard them in her thoughts all the time. But that was real. That was real. That was real?

"ESTELLE!" Bakugo howled, his arms shaking her frantically as she came back to herself so suddenly that she didn't know what was going on. Looking around herself frantically to figure out where she was, Estelle could only see the worried faces of her classmates around her. She realised she was on the floor, when did she get here?

"Back away from me." Estelle croaked out, her voice rough from the lack of air she had missed from the unknown amount of time in the abyss.

Quickly following her word, the students took multiple steps away from her, their faces still outlining the concern and fear they held for her at that moment. Taking multiple deep breaths with her head on her knees, Estelle shakingly stood up with her own strength. She couldn't hide the frazzled expression on her face from the unexpected blow she had received.

"Estelle? Do you need anything?"

"Water", She croaked out.

Rushing ahead, Momo ran into the kitchen for the drink and immediately headed back to Estelle. Gulping down the water within seconds, Estelle finally felt a little bit saner. But she still wasn't okay.

"Estelle?" Mr Aizawa asked again, a gentle tone remaining in his voice as he remained internally worried for the child.

"I apologise for my moment of weakness. I...need to think. I will be back soon."

"Don't apologise. Just don't take long, okay? If I don't hear back from you in a couple of hours, I'm doing a search, got it?"

Nodding quickly in agreement, Estelle promptly made her way to the exit. She just needed to get out. Get out of Heights Alliance and the place where she just witnessed those words, out of the concerned and worried stares. Estelle had to leave.

Her shaky hands grasped onto the door, her hair shielding her face as she exited the room. The eyes of the class watched her leave, an imaginary hand up as if they were secretly asking her to stay. But, they knew she needed to process, and she would tell them when she could.

They needed to keep being patient.

Once the door closed behind her, the students turned back to the screen. It was paused on the masked man, the eery voice still ringing out in their brain as they scanned it.

Bakugo was on the verge of screaming. What the fuck was that? The more he analysed, the more he could tell whoever this was, whatever that phrase meant. It was such a big trigger that it practically caused a meltdown.

The strong, powerful, and willfully stubborn Estelle shattered in front of their very eyes with those words. But, what the hell did they mean?

Estelle returned to Heights Alliance hours later. Her entire being drained from the hours of constant switching of mental calm and overthrown panic. It was too much, and Estelle had no idea what to do.

Those words. It couldn't be Estelle's boss. It didn't make sense.

It had to be someone else. Closer to the situation than Estelle knew possible, someone who would know exactly where that phrase stemmed from.

It couldn't be him.

But, no other names cropped up on her list.

Logically, it couldn't be him.

But, who else knew her situation better than the man who caused the turmoil himself.

It couldn't be him.

But Estelle dealt with him. He shouldn't be here.

It couldn't be him

It continued on for hours, and Estelle still hadn't come to any resolution. Right now, though, she would put those thoughts for tomorrow. There was a chance Estelle wasn't thinking straight right now. She was barely coherent in stringing her words together, her throat wrung so tight it was like an invisible hand was strapped around her neck.

Walking through the doors of Heights Alliance, Estelle slumped at the fact the class were on the couches waiting for her. A few were dosing off, but a number of them perked up once the door clicked shut behind her.

It was mute in the room as both sides had no idea what to say. Eventually, Bakugo was the first to move. Standing and stomping his way over to her, the blonde grabbed her arm and dragged her to the couch.

Forcing her to sit beside him, the class watched as Bakugo leaned over to pick up the remote to continue where the movie left off. Thoroughly befuddled, Estelle gazed at the male next to her with total confusion.

She had expected questions. She would have understood why they asked them, even if it wasn't the time. Maybe that's why Bakugo started the movie, to show her that she didn't need to talk. But to show her that the class stood by her. No questions asked.

The hands around her throat constricted, which caused her to grip Bakugo's arm tightly. The lights clicked shut soon after, and she felt the sweaty hand land on top of her own. Clenching onto her just as tightly as she did him.

Time carried on this way, and eventually, the movie ended. The class slowly stood up with tired eyes, giving small and tiny smiles of reassurance before muttering their goodnight and heading their way to bed.

Bakugo was the only one who stayed.

Holding onto his arm with a firmer grasp, the blonde hid his wince as he reciprocated the pressure of his grip. Together, they remained that way for a long time. Sitting in silence, it was like the room was filled with words of understanding, and finally, the hands holding onto her neck slowly began to loosen. Finally feeling like she was starting to breathe again, Estelle maintained her grasp on Bakugo like he was the key to her relief.

Estelle didn't know why; maybe it was because her head and heart were torn open in seconds. But she didn't want to let go. She held on so tightly as if Bakugo was the only tether keeping her present.

Shifting his body to lay on the couch, Bakugo pulled Estelle up to him like a child and placed her on his chest. Pulling her legs, so they fit snugly around him, Estelle laid on top of him like a koala bear with her head on his calm heartbeat.

Bakugo placed one arm around Estelle's back to keep her close as the other immediately went into her hair. The easy movements of his chest put air into her own as she copied his breathing. Still, she felt like she couldn't let go.

Feeling despair from the shredding of her walls, Estelle hugged him firmly. Her only source of comfort in this time. The wreckage those words had caused made her feel like a frail child, and as much as she hated that, she knew those were the only remarks that could bring her down to her knees.

The slow beat of Bakugo's heart lulled her into a night of sleep as Bakugo held onto her just as tightly. He refused to let her go. He had the urge to rip everything apart, every shitty memory, every trauma filled dream. Every heart-wrenching moment of Estelle's life, he wanted to explode into a million pieces. God, she deserved so much better than that. So much better than shitty words that struck her core, so much better than the life she was given. She deserved the world, but she was only ever left with the task of helping it.

How was that fair? Why couldn't she be given a chance to live and love like anybody else? It enraged Bakugo the more he understood Estelle, and as stubborn as she was, she always put others before herself. But he knew she would make it out; she always did. Estelle never loses; it was one of the things he liked about her. At first, it drew him to her the sheer intellect and skill she had; it drove him to work harder; he wanted to surpass her. So, he knew, she would come out the other end stronger than ever.

Instead, he'll have to make do with what he can do right now, comforting the girl in his arms.

He tried to pull her in deeper like he could pull her into his heart. Even though it failed, it gave him some comfort, knowing that he could at least be there for her. He wondered if one day; It would be the last.

He gripped her harder.

A/N

Latin translation:

Multum magna occisio machina
My little killing machine