Vlad King-Sensei was able to call emergency services. Not too long after the villains left, ambulances and firefighters arrived.
Of the forty-one students, fifteen were unconscious and in serious condition, due to the gas.
Eleven others, were injured.
Thirteen were unharmed, physically.
And... Two of us, was missing.
One of the six Pro Heroes was in serious condition, because of a blow to the head. One was missing, but it was apparent that she'd lost a lot of blood.
Meanwhile, on the villains' side, four were caught and arrested. The other attackers managed to disappear without a trace, thanks to the Warp Villain.
As I felt myself fading in unconsciousness, Antiphonus went silent... Along with my connection with Sis.
The Summer Training Camp we'd all been looking forward to, couldn't have been more of a disaster.
...Kaachan...
...Sis...
...
Three Days Later: July Twenty-Six: Annokiee General Hospital...
When he woke up, he was met with a brown-tiled walls hanging over his head, sun shining through the window.
...
...
...And both of his arms wrapped up tightly... With his shoulders, stomach and legs bound by safety straps, specially design to for Quirk Users that have great strength?
His first respond was to panic. Fortunately, he wasn't by himself.
Easy, Kid! Calm down! Relax. You're safe.
Izuku's brain was a bit fuzzy on what was going on, but recognizing the Black-blood did help his panic to go down.
'An-... Antiphonus?'
Yep. It's me, Kiddo.
Whether the Quirk meant to do so or it was his own body's choice, pulses of pain passed through his arms, making the sixteen year-old wince. And with the straps in place, prevented him from curling in on himself.
"Where-...? Why-...?"
You suffered severe injuries, that the paramedics had to take you to the hospital closest to camp; from what I can tell, you had a few seizures and are just about to get over from the fever. I'm not certain if it was yesterday or the day after, but I think the old lady with the Healing Quirk came to try and help you with your recovery. It did some help, but not enough because of your fever.
'...Recovery Girl... Came?' Izuku thought, looking around the room a bit to see if the Youthful Heroine was around. 'She... Here?'
Both her and the cops, apparently. Though, you probably don't remember, since you were delirious with fever. That, and you weren't in the best condition to talk to, when the doctors had to keep you in content when you woke up the first time and tried to escape the hospital.
'I tried to what?'
As he tried to remember that day, his heart was ramming against his chest. As if ready for him to start running.
...
...And the empty, cold feeling came to him at full force.
Izuku's eyes seemed to have glowed a brighter green, as memories came flooding to his mind.
...
...
...The villains... Kōta... Telling Mandalay on what he just found out...
...
...
...Leading Dark Shadow to Bakugō and Todoroki...
...
...
...The feeling of drowning...
...
...
...
...Bakugō and Todoroki getting captured by the villains... Trying to save them... The villains making their escape...
...
...
...
...Bakugō...
...
...
...
...
...Sierra...
The iris of his eyes seemed to have lost their coloring and went pure black, as the cold, empty feeling grew.
Dread. Silence... Terror.
"...Sis..." His voice wobbled, as his eyes shook from the realization that the night was real.
He lost two of his childhood friends: One, who became his bully and tormentor. Trying to get him to kill himself in the past, had told Lee and Menma to do the same, which lead to their suicide. Who always sees him as nothing more than a stepping stool, a weak omega of the group to pick on and gave him a nickname as an insult.
...
...The other one, who he formed a connection with the moment she was born. His god-sister by law, who grew up alongside him most of their life. His immediate family and only friend who stood by him and supported his dream on becoming a hero, when others told him to give up.
...
...The one who'd claim him as her Blood-bond Kin, both accepting the consequences and drawbacks on what their actions will lead to, to strengthen their bond.
...
...
...The one who saved him, from himself. When he tried to take his own life, on his own mother's birthday, as did their past friends who couldn't handle the cruel world they live in.
Izuku clenched his hands in the casts, making the holds crack.
"Siiiiiiiis...!" He hissed, as he tried to pull himself free from the safety straps.
Whoa, Kid! Enough with the damaging your body, already! Keep this up, and I won't be able to fix up the serious wounds that could end up permanent! That, and I don't wanna go through being unable to help you out when you're unconscious!
Being reminded of being at risk to be put to sleep, again, and knowing he needs to stay awake in order for Antiphonus to help him speed up his recovery, Izuku stopped pulling and slowly laid both his arms down back in place.
Though, the rage and fear for his friend and sister continue to eat at him.
He clenched his eyes tight, as his teeth clamped down together.
Tears began to form.
Then...
"Hey! Midoriya, good, you're finally awake!"
Hearing the sound of Kaminari, pulled the sixteen year-old's attention to the door and watches his remaining classmates enter his room.
"Did you see the news? Reporters are all over the school right now." The Electric Quirk User informed, being as cheerful as he could.
"It's worse than last time." Satō commented, closing the door behind him.
"I brought a present." Mineta announced, holding a melon over his head, beaming down at the older-boy. "I mean, it's from all of us. it's a melon."
While he was very much happy to see them here and appeared to have fully recovered from their wounds... Knowing two of their own and seeing some cheerful expressions, did little to help calm the green-haired teen and made his sorrow more greater.
Tokoyami, being those to not try and put on a smile (Which is at times hard to tell, since his facial expressions is covered by his black-feathers and his beak blocks the movement of his lips.), was the next to speak.
"...I caused you trouble, Midoriya." The Raven/Shadow Quirk User stated, very mournful and guilt-stricken at the sight of his bandaged arms.
Izuku shook his head.
"No. I did this to myself," he replied. "Did everyone from Class A come to visit?"
"...No." Iida answered, calm and serious. "Jirō and Hagakure are still out. They were knocked unconscious from that villain's poisonous gas. And Yaoyorozu took a pretty big hit to the head. She's hospitalized here. Though, she finally woke up, yesterday."
With there being no mentioning on Class B about their injured, Izuku hoped that meant they've all made a full recovery.
"So, it's just us... Though, obviously, we wish the whole class could be here."
"Only fifteen of us, for now." Ochako informed, just as mournful as Iida and the others.
"...Because, Bakugō and Sierra are gone." Shōto stated, not bothering to hide the fact that they all knew and witnessed what happened that night.
Izuku's heart slammed against his chest, making him wince from the painful clenching and heaviness being forced.
Tsuyu, Tokoyami and Kōda gave him looks that can easily say that they knew how painful this was for him.
They may not have Blood-bond Kins of their own, but every Animal Quirk User knows the strong bond and sacred connection between Blood-bond Kins. How deep such a bond can be and go, that it should be considered a great crime for any to try and separate Blood-bond Kins.
And with Animal Quirk Users naturally viewing each one as their own, it was just as painful for them to watch Izuku struggling to get control over his grief and anguish on being separated from Sierra.
"...All Might told me, there'd always be people beyond our reach." He whispered, turning his head to look at the sky. "That we can't protect, even though we want to. Which is why, we have to save the people we can reach. -Again, the pain in his heart thrusted up, as his voice began to crack.- I-... I was so close, to being able to save him. I needed to save him. Had to. So we could go save Sis. Protect her. That's the entire reason I have my Quirk."
His vision started to blur, as his tears finally took form. He turned his head back to the ceiling.
"It's exactly like Aizawa-Sensei told me." He hissed.
"You're worthless, if you can only throw a single punch before breaking down."
The tears streamed down his face and trickled to the back of his neck.
"My body... Wouldn't move...! -His voice went strain, as his eyes clench tight from the burning of tears and sadness.- I couldn't save someone, who was right in front of me. Then Sis came, and...! And since I failed... They're gone...!"
Kirishima, who stood in front of him, watches as his friend sniffled and cried for his failure to save his friend and sister. The fear of their well-being, and not knowing their location. And not being able to save them, and unable to deal with the what ifs that'll haunt him for the rest of his days.
...
...He said one thing that caught everyone off guard.
"...All right, then let's go get them."
It was then and there that he revealed, while he and Todoroki were on their way to visit Izuku, yesterday, they overheard a policeman and All Might talking to Yaoyorozu... Where they learned that she and Awase from Class B attached a tracking device on one of the villains, and gave them a receiver device for them to use to find where the villain is hiding.
It didn't take much time for Iida to figure out what Kirishima is going to do.
"That means, you're going to have Yaoyorozu make another receiver for you, doesn't it?"
Kirishima's silence was a clear and cut answer.
Shōto gave him a blank stare.
"...What if it does?" He asked, not hiding the fact that he was thinking the same thing.
A battle was stirring inside of the Class Rep. He still feels guilty, for almost having Manual getting in trouble when he went off to go fight Stain for attacking his brother and wanting to get revenge for Sierra's brother, when he helped Tensei recover from being paralyzed and took his place to deal with the temporary damage to his spine. He, even, promised Manual to not do so again... Even though he, too, wanted to go off and help find his missing classmates.
"You should listen to what All Might said! We have to leave this to the professionals!" He argued, not wanting to risk any more of his friends to get captured by the villains... Or, worse. "It's not the right time for us to get involved. Idiots."
Kirishima yelled back.
"Maybe, but all I know... Is that at camp, I couldn't do anything." He replied, looking as frantic as Iida. "I heard two of my friends was targeted, and I just stood by. Helpless. So, if I stand by and do nothing now, how am I supposed to call myself a hero, or a man?!"
Kaminari tried to calm him down, worried that somebody could be listening in and they'd get in trouble if they found out what some of them are suggesting on doing.
"Kirishima, calm down! We're in a hospital. There's a better time and place for this, Dude." He hissed, whispering.
Then, Asui entered the conversation.
"He's right, and what Iida said is true." She pointed out, wanting the Hardening Quirk User to see reason.
The red-haired teen, knowing they wouldn't see reason of the serious issue on why they need to do this, turned to Izuku and extended his hand out.
"Come on, Midoriya!" He cried to the boy, who had a serious look on his face. "We can do this! They're still within your reach! We can save Bakugō, and Sis!"
He simply stared down at the hand held out for him to take. Though, any sane person would point out that what their suggesting will have them become wanted criminal of the law.
That, and the fact that both of his arms and hands are broken, it's basically impossible for him to shake his hand, without further damaging his arms.
...
...However, even though he looked on edge, him not trying to convince him to let the heroes save their friends did give some of their classmates on what his answer is.
Ashido then intervened, somewhat confused.
"So, let me get this straight." She said, hoping she's catching up to what her friend is planning to do. "You're going to get Mozu to make you another receiver, track a bad guy, and then try to save Bakugō and Ra Ra, all by yourselves?"
The Hardening Quirk User nodded his head.
"That's right," he confirmed.
"The villain who attacked the camp planned to kill some of us." Shōto informed their class. "But, they took Bakugō, alive. And, despite the injuries she sustained, it was clear that they wanted Sierra alive, as well. What we don't know, is how long they'll let Bakugō live. And given her history on being sold to them, they'll probably use him as leverage in exchange to make Sierra obey them, willingly or unwillingly. That's why, we're going after them."
Iida trembled in his spot. He, too, worried for Bakugō's life and Sierra back underneath their hold to be force to go through the painful experiments, and other unspeakable things they'll make her do.
And like them, he wants to go save his fellow classmates... But, he still has to be the one to talk some sense into them.
"Have the two of you lost your minds?!" He yelled.
Shōji, with his left-arm and extra appendages wrapped up, stepped in.
"Hey. Calm down." He gently urged the Class Rep, becoming the voice of reason. "I get how frustrated Kirishima is. And how Todoroki feels, since he couldn't grab Bakugō. I'm upset, too. -He had one of the ends from his right-appendages to form a mouth, turning to the others.- But, we can't let our emotions get the best of us. Right?"
Silence went by within the room.
Then, Yūga broke the silence.
"Um. We should just leave this to All Might." He suggested, his voice nervous and, surprisingly, lost his French accent. "Aizawa-Sensei only gave us permission to fight, and use Quirks at the training camp."
Tokoyami let out a low grumble.
"...Aoyama is correct." He growled. "Though, I'm part of the reason we failed. So, I can't talk."
Izuku can tell that there was something else that prevents him from agreeing with Kirishima and Todoroki's plan to go save their friends, but is keeping quiet at the moment. And he feels that it has something to do within the Animal Quirk User Community.
"You guys!" Kirishima cried out, not believing that none are going to go along with their plan.
"Listen." Asui cut in, again. "We're all shocked that Bakugō and Sis was taken from us. But, we have to be rational. It doesn't matter how noble your intentions. If you go out there, trying to find the bad guys, knowing you're breaking the rules, then you're acting like villains, not heroes. Even if Sis have claimed us as members of her pack, we're all still minors. And because our teacher is her father, we could end up getting him into more trouble. Kero."
Her words are as true as the sorrow to the knowledge that what they're doing is going to get them into more trouble, and goes against everything they're taught to live and learn by... Though, to some, it was a bit harsh that she would tell them that they'll be acting like villains.
Tokoyami and Kōda, especially. Since their community can, technically, ignore the Law of Ethics to try and at least locate where they could be hiding their missing classmates, with one of them being an Animal Quirk User and her Blood-bond Kin had been severely injured in the process. And, its by their rights, that they can go and try to rescue them, regardless on what the law would say.
...However, there was one major issue that stands in their way.
While the Law of Zodiac gives special privileges to Animal Quirk Users and their Blood-bond Kins that other Quirk Users and/or individuals wouldn't be given proper authority to posses, unless they're high ranking Pro Heroes and/or within the status of working within or an ally within the Bureau of Bureaucratic Agencies, the issue isn't that they can bend certain rules within the Laws of Ethics.
...The problem, is that many civilians who discriminate Animal Quirk Users are fighting to have their law and rights to be abolished. And, with many protestors demanding that Animal Quirk Users shouldn't get to have their own rules like they all have to, despite the contract that was written in the First Generation showing the fairness and deals made that both sides must honor and respect, and rumors going on that they're dangerous to be amongst 'their' society and should be classified as animals than human, there's been a matter of an ongoing case that's been stalled and delayed for years on whether or not the Law of Zodiac should remain, or be destroyed.
It was because of the issue, that the Council urged their community to prove that they are following the law just like everybody else and to not only use/influence their code and law, only when it's necessary.
Knowing that their rules and laws could be put in jeopardy and be outcasted by 'normal' society if any of them went with Kirishima's plan and spotted, no matter how much they want to go and save their sister and pack/flock-mates, and none of them being her Blood-bond Kin, none of them can go with them.
...Though, they know that the Council will demand the right to have some of their own to join the mission, since one of their own is kidnapped and have rights to get involve if an Animal Quirk User is in trouble.
A knock from the door broke the silence, revealing to being a doctor working at the hospital... And, to Izuku's shock, it was Jeremy's colleague, Kota*.
"Sorry for interrupting, you guys. But, I need a moment alone with Midoriya." The adult stated, calm and nonchalant.
Seeing that it was best to leave, Sero was the first to speak up.
"Sure. Let's bolt." He suggested. "I wanna see how Jirō and Hagakure are doin'."
Ojiro was quick to take the offer.
"Good idea," he replied.
Uraraka was quick to follow.
"Yeah, okay. -She turned to Izuku, giving him a gentle wave and smile.- Feel better, Deku."
Then, the others slowly followed suit.
Izuku gave his friend a tired smile.
"Thank you, for visiting me," he said.
...Then, Kirishima came to him.
"We talked to Yaoyorozu, yesterday." He told the older-boy, his voice low so the adult couldn't hear him. "If we're doing this, it's going to be soon. Before the end of the week, at least, since the heroes haven't found out where they're located, yet. Look, I know you've got some pretty hardcore injuries. So, I don't know if you can go. But, I wanted to invite you, since you're obviously worried and scared for Sis."
Izuku turned his head to the side, glaring out towards the horizon of the mountain... Knowing, somewhere, back home, Sierra is in a fight of her life. And if she dies...
...
...Well, it's obvious what he'll do, if that were the case.
"We'll meet in front of the hospital, after dark, every night." The spiky-haired teen told him, leaning forward to give his shoulder a gentle pat, then walked out of the door.
When they all left, Kota walked in. And, instead of his usual smiling, joking self, his face was calm... And dead serious.
"We're going to get you a wheelchair, so we can take you to the orthopedic Surgery section and get your casts removed." The adult informed him, as a nurse came in with a wheelchair... And, following up behind her, a muscled nurse came walking in, folding his arms over his chest and staring down at him. "But, first, we need to make certain that you won't attack us, while we unstrap you from the bed."
...
...Izuku didn't need to figure out why they're doing this.
He nodded his head, laying flat on his back.
"Go ahead. I won't attack."
Getting the all clear, Kota and the nurse came over and slowly removed the straps from his body. Then, with the muscled nurse's help, who was being very careful, picked him up and gently sat him in the wheelchair, resting both arms on the armrests of the wheelchair.
"...I'm sorry, if I hurt anyone." He whispered, bowing his head in shame.
The three adults turned to each other.
...
...
...Then, Kota patted him on the head.
"...You're not the only one, whose been greatly effected by this." He replied, then allowed the nurse to gently push his wheelchair to follow him to the room that's been set up for them to use.
The entire time, Izuku kept his head down, his teeth clenched tightly and eyes tightly shut.
'...Sis...'
"Recovery Girl performed some pretty strong healing on your arms while you were unconscious, so you should be able to move them around, fairly well." Kota informed the boy, as they finished removing the casts from his arms. "But, they were seriously messed up."
As he was instructed to keep both his arms straight out so the nurse can wrap them up, Izuku was very much taken back by the massive, physical markings on his right-arm. More scars around his wrist, lower-bicep and hand, a massive burn on the top-half of his bicep, and two of his fingers unable to fully curl.
'Just as Antiphonus warned me, his own healing has its limit on how much it can fix. And because I was forced to go unconscious and suffering from a fever, he couldn't do much on the most serious injuries.'
And I'm still trying to fix them up, but at a much slower paste, because of the drugs they put into your body! And let this be a warning: When I say to stop using your injured limb on an attack... STOP!
"You've done absurd damage to your body in the last few months. And, frankly, this is a whole new league of trauma." Kota continued, not bothering to sugarcoat how severe his injuries was.
"You mean... I was hurt a lot worse, this time?" He asked, as the nurse rolled up a cart and began to wrap fresh bandages around his right-arm.
"I took a close look at your charts." Kota informed. "Your past injuries were bad: Splintered bones and ripped muscles that were painful, sure, but could eventually be repaired... This time, the damage was devastating. -Izuku looked up at the adult, sensing that whatever he's going to tell is very serious.- Usually, a person's body has limiters that keep it from using more than eighty percent of its power at any given point. But in a crisis situation, it's possible for those limiters to fall away, allowing someone to use one-hundred percent. We call it, 'Hysterical Strength'. The reason we have those limiters in the first place, is because our bodies can't handle that type of strain."
Izuku realized, during his fight with the villain at the camp, when he used used his Quirk at full power, above full power, and was able to power through his defense, that must've been when his limiters fell.
"You had this 'Hysterical Strength'." Kota confirmed, looking down at his charts and flipping through the screen. "And because of that, your power ended up overcharged for an extended period."
When he found what he was looking for, he showed the screen to Izuku, showing his x-ray of the upper-half of his body.
...And he was taken back by the results, when he saw the x-ray of his right-arm.
"It's bad for your bones and muscles to get battered, of course, but it's worse for your ligaments. Ligaments protect the joints, and yours have seriously degraded. In other words, if you sustain this type of injury, even just two or three more times... -Kota gave him a dead, serious and sad look.- I don't think you're going to be able to move your arms, anymore. And since Moo Moo isn't here to scold you on being so reckless and make it more clear on how seriously dangerous this is, I'm going to make it clear that not even his Healing Quirk will be enough to help you if you do. So, for now, focus on rehabilitation and take better care of yourself."
It was a lot to take in.
'Antiphonus...'
...Sorry, Kid. I thought there was something a bit off with your ligaments and had hoped to protect them or to gather as much nutrients to help strengthen them. But, he's right. If that were to happen, I can try to move in their place, but that'll only help temporarily before I won't be able to save them. And if that were to happen... Well, we'll figure something out... Though, the most likely of a last result, may involve amputation. And then, revealing my existence to the world by forming a shadow limb for you to use. Regardless, if it were to be the right time or not, it's still up to you and Sweetie to decide to reveal my existence or not.
Izuku couldn't believe what he was hearing, as Kota placed his chart on the little cart.
"Use them a lot, even if it hurts, and we'll leave the rest to U.A." He told the teen, as he gently patted him on the shoulder. "You should be fine to go home right now, but we're going to have you stay in the hospital for an extra few days to make certain your arm is healing right. Then, you can go home and take it easy. And, Izu? Please, take this seriously."
The sixteen year-old bowed his head.
"...Right. Thanks for your help, Kota." He replied, voice low. "Again, I'm sorry, for any trouble I caused."
The adult stared down at the boy, then let out a deep sigh. A small-smirk spread on his face.
"Recovery Girl is fed up with you." He said, hoping it'll bring some ease to the boy. "But, hey. I get the impression that's nothin' new. After all, you used to stress Moo Moo and his siblings out, after learning you keep trying to play with Bakugō when you were little. -He then reached into his coat-pocket, pulling out a small-note.- Also, don't forget: You did save someone."
Looking up, Izuku was surprised to see a note written for him... And it was from Kōta, himself.
"Healing begins in the mind. And one more thing, Izu -The adult leaned forward and wrapped him in a soft, gentle hug.- I know this is hard for you to deal with. But, try not to worry. Stay positive. The heroes will do all that they can save Bakugō and Ra Ra, and bring them back to us."
Many thoughts continue to run through his mind, as the adult embraced him and try to offer him comfort the best he could.
...But one thing came to mind.
'When Sis went missing for weeks and Aunt Cici's health continued to decline, Mom and I reported the Amber Alert and asked for heroes to help find her. We placed our faith into heroes to help us and she ended up almost dying and her mom died, because only a few volunteered to go look for her... I'm sorry, Kota, but I can't sit by, knowing my friend and sister are captured by the same villains that harmed her in the past and have an opportunity to rescue them.'
Hours Later...
"Izuku... Do you really have to go back to U.A?"
He knew from his mother's voice on how much this was hurting her. Not only did she have to learn that her son was badly injured at camp, but also that her pseudo-nephew had been taken... And so have her god-daughter, and by the same villains that had harmed her and lost her dearest friend from Arsenius.
And like any parent worried for her child's sake, she had to ask him such a question that would surely end up crushing his dreams on becoming a hero.
...
...And, of course, he told her "Yes." And after telling her that he loves her and that everything was going to be all right, he hung up his new-phone he gotten on his birthday, slowly changed out of his hospital gown with fresh clothes his mother left for him when he can come back home, and made his way out of his hospital room.
...
...But, he didn't head for the exit.
He head straight for Momo's location, who was sitting up in her hospital bed.
He knocked on the door, waited for her to grant him permission to enter, then slowly pulled it open.
"Yaoyorozu-chan." He greeted
"Midoriya-kun." She replied, looking very much relieved to see he's fine, though a bit worried at the bandage wrapped around his head.
He gave her a serious gaze, one that made her feel a bit taken back and nervous.
"Can you make another receiver?"
And now here he was, walking amongst the crowd of people, with nothing but his backpack on his back and a receiver in his hand. His face is covered by his hoodie, so none would know that he's injured.
Let alone, that he's a runaway patient that left the hospital and none knew where he was.
Kid, I don't know about you, but this is a very stupid idea. Like, something that you wouldn't do, normally.
'I know, Antiphonus. But, I need to do this, on my own.' Izuku thought, crossing the street when the light is green to let him and other pedestrian cross the road.
Do you, though? Do you really need to do this, on your own? Or, is it that you want to do this, on your own?
Izuku didn't answer him. Which, answer the Black-blood's answer.
Seriously, Kid. You've just woken up, and your body barely gotten over being sick. And for the fact that you're not taking the train, tells that your mind isn't clear enough to think through.
'It's likely the hospital would inform my mom that I left the hospital, without permission, then would call the cops to try and find me, and will be on the lookout for me. I can't risk taking the train, if the police are on the lookout for me... That, and the fact that Yaoyorozu-chan gave me a receiver after giving up so easily on my reason why I need one, tells me that I can't take public transportation. Besides, I don't have money on me and I don't wanna use Rai-Sama's emergency money he installed for Sis and I to use, in case Mom heard I'm not at the hospital and asked for Uncle to find me.'
Maybe, because, oh, I don't know, you're injured and SHOULD be at the hospital! RECOVERING! YOUR MOTHER MUST BE WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! THE HOSPITAL MAY HAVE INFORMED HER THAT YOU RAN AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL!
'Don't you think I know that? Of course, she's worried sick!' He hissed, walking into an alleyway as a shortcut to avoid as much pedestrians as possible. 'She probably already figured out that I'd left the hospital. Which is why I need to do this, now.'
Why, though?! You need to leave this to the Pro Heroes! Hell, Aizawa is probably going to be part of the search and rescue! And, honestly, he has more right to be involved in this than you do; Sweetie is his daughter, after all!
'I KNOW THAT, ANTIPHONUS! AND YOU KNOW WHY I'M DOING THIS? IT'S BECAUSE YOU WON'T CONNECT OUR BOND AND DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DENYING IT!'
The sixteen year-old leaned out of the alleyway, looking both ways, as if making sure nobody he knows is out looking for him, before he re-entered the crowd of people that didn't bother to bat an eye when he came out from the alleyway.
Though, as he continues to walk within the crowd, he couldn't help but be paranoid that he's being followed.
...Figured it out, didn't you?
'When you informed me that I suffered from seizures when I would wake up, when I wasn't in the best stats of mind, it must be when Sis would be conscious at that moment and you wouldn't be able to disconnect our bond on time when her seizures triggered. -He pulled the strap of his backpack over his shoulder, glaring over his shoulders for a few seconds.- Sis told you to keep the bond disconnected, back at the training camp when coming to aid us and right now, didn't she?'
Back at camp, yeah. Right now...? Well, yes. And, no.
The sixteen year-old teen was confused by the blood's answer.
'What does that mean? Did she, or didn't she?'
...Well-
Izuku jerked his head straight ahead of him, having that feeling of something, or somebody, following him, again.
See, Kid? Your paranoia is messing with your rational thinking. Please. Let's head back to the hospi-
'It's Kirishima, Todoroki, Yaoyorozu-chan and Iida.'
He didn't noticed it, at first. Since so many people are all around, and their. Scent blends well within the crowd and metal.
But, he knows and detected it. It's very slight, but their scents can be identified. And, thanks to his heightened sense of smell and memorizing his classmates' scents, he recognizes Kirishima's Oxy scent with rubber, Yaoyorozu's sakura and lily scent, Iida's all clear laundry detergent scent and Todoroki's Banzai and mint scent within the air.
'Damn!' He winced, pulling his backpack higher on his back and slightly quickened his paste. 'I should've known better than to believe Yaoyorozu-chan wouldn't inform the others on what I was doing!'
You actually believe she wouldn't tell anybody? I thought you knew better than that. Oh, wait. I know why. You're NOT IN THE BEST STATE MIND!
Izuku growled lowly at the blood's response, feeling his rage bubbling in his chest and more anxious to lose them.
Then, when looking up at the roofs and sky, an answer came to him.
'I need to get to high ground!' He thought, running for the nearest alleyway.
Izuku, this is insane! Please, stop!
He triggered his Quirk to his feet, and shot himself from side-to-side up the two building walls. When he reached the top, he launched himself to one of the buildings' roof and rolled the landing when he lost his footing from not putting in enough strength into his jump to avoid the ledge.
He shook his head from the roll, then pushed himself to his feet, dusting the dirt off his clothes.
'I need to keep going. Keep distance from me.'
He charged up his Quirk, again, and took off running for the other side of the roof, lunging himself to jump the gap and making to the building from the gap.
IZUKU! STOP!
'If you're against me, then make me stop, Antiphonus!' He threatened, making the next jump on top of a restaurant before making another lunge to the next building.
I'm not against you, Kid. I'm trying to make you see reason and stop this foolishness! You're only going to be hurting, yourself, and Sweetie, if your guys' bond reconnects and she senses your high stress level!
'As soon as it does, I'll be able to feel how far away she is and will know where in the city to look for her! And as soon as I get a location, I'll use my phone to alert Yaoyorozu-chan where I'm at and contact the heroes, while I go rescue Kacchan and Si-'
"Midoriya! Stop!"
His body flinched from the cry of the voice, recognizing it to be Kirishima, as he pushes his body to sprint to the other side of the building.
...
...
...Only, without warning a few senbon came down and landed near his feet, forcing him to stop in his tracks.
He knew that none of his friends were the ones to do this.
...
...
...And when he looked up, a few figures wearing black ninja-clothing stood at the edge of the rooftop, blocking him from his path.
He knew, without any thought, that they're from the Horiuchi Clan. His godfather's Estate.
His elite warriors. Including, Raijin and Yuki. His god-siblings.
Even if their faces are covered, two of them he recognized by scent and physical appearance of their stance, to being Daichi and Karasu.
Before he could even think, ice came towards him and caught his feet, chaining him to the roof.
Izuku growled lowly at the ice, not even bothering to turn to see it was Todoroki who used his ice on him, using said ice to get up on the rooftop and forming a path for Iida, Momo and Eijiro to use to get up on the path, with Momo using her Quirk to give the rest of them each ice skates and grabbing on Iida, using his Quirk to get up the ice, quicker.
The four teens slowly approached their friend, who slowly turned his head to the side to give them a side glare. It was like they were approaching a tiger, while trying to grab it by the tail.
It was very unsettling to them to see their friend like this.
"Midoriya-..." Todoroki started, before the older-teen cut him off.
"Why did you bring them?!" He yelled, stomping his un-frozen foot.
He then turned to an immediate guilty Yaoyorozu, who removed her ice skates and put her shoes back on. He was right to suspect she would track him as soon as he had his back turned, but even he didn't expected any of them, let alone her, to figure out how to contact his godfather and have him send some of his best men to find and bring him back home, or the hospital.
"I knew you would make another transmitter to find me, but how'd you figure out-...?"
"Kota-Sensei contacted both your mother, and godfather, while we tried to figure out who we should ask to help, without drawing too much attention to alert you." Iida answered, folding his arms over his chest. "Your godfather made it clear to bring you to his estate, no matter what."
Izuku winced at the order Raiden told his men and may have asked his friends to do, knowing he'll be in serious trouble once he's brought to his godfather. He's betting that his mother could be at the estate, as well, after sending his men to follow his friends when learning they have a transmitter to track him down.
But, he can't go back.
"Izu, you need to stop and come with us to the Household." Yuki called out, her sword drawn out. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way, little brother."
"Please, come with us, Izuku. Auntie Amai is in complete despair for your safety. You do know this is all too much for her to handle on her own, after the kidnapping of Ra Ra and Bakugō?" Raijin added in, slowly walking towards his captured god-brother.
The sixteen year-old glared at his god-siblings, looking around and seeing that he's completely surrounded. He slowly deactivated his Quirk, knowing he needed to save whatever energy he has left within himself to use once he finds an opening.
"Midoriya." Iida called out. "The position you're currently in, right now. The situation we're all dealing with... Doesn't this feel like the same position that I was in, back in Hosu? When I chose to go after the Hero Killer: Stain, during our Hero Internship. Don't you see that you're making the same action, like I had made?"
Rather it was intentional or not, Izuku's anger rose at his friend's attempt to make him see reason.
"Don't you call our friends being kidnapped, possibly in the process on being tortured, a situation." He snarled, hands clenching so tight that blood would've dripped from his hands, if Antiphonus didn't have it stay inside the boy's body. "It's a high class emergency, that even I can't afford to sit by and wait."
Yaoyorozu took a step forward, hand to her chest and right-arm outstretched.
"Every hero available are all working the matter, Midoriya!" She argued, looking worried. "You must put your faith in the-"
"It's been three days, Yaoyorozu-chan." The sixteen year-old hissed, holding up three fingers. "Three. Goddamn. DAYS! They should've already found a lead, already! And they still found nothing that would take them to the villains' hideout!" 'And for those three days, Kacchan and Sis have been in their clutches! And none of you even thought about what that means?!'
Kid! Stop! Even if they did found out where they're at, they still had to come up with a plan; who knows if they made any improvements within their hideout, let alone if they have more of those disgusting corpses that are at their beck and call, ready to attack!
'SHUT UP, ANTIPHONUS!'
In his frustration, Izuku grabbed for the side of his face when he felt a slight dizzy spell. Something inside of him feels off, and it's not because of the strain he's putting onto his body.
It was something more wild... Almost feral.
Thinking he was going to collapse, Todoroki took a few steps forward to try and catch him.
"Midoriya!" He cried.
Then, to his shock, he was pulled back by Daichi, while Karasu extended an arm out, covered in raven feathers and talon-like claws.
"Don't." She hissed, as a few senbon were in-between the fingers on her left-hand. "He may still be healing, but he's still in a dangerous state to keep fighting. Especially, when his Blood-Bond Kin is not beside him for days."
Raijin took another step forward, keeping his hands up.
"Izu. Onegaishimasu (I beg of you)." He pressed on. "We are all worried for Ra Ra, just as much as you d-"
Izuku allowed his Quirk to trigger throughout his body. His gaze becoming sharper and harden, like diamonds.
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M FEELING RIGHT NOW!" He roared, almost like a lion's roar. "HOW YOU CAN JUST CLAIM YOU'RE JUST AS WORRIED AS I AM, WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING?!"
Yuki summoned her Ice Quirk, coating her arms to become crystal-like ice, having the blue in her iris turn silver, hand out towards him.
"This is not your burden to bear, alone, Brother." She warned, as she summoned senbon-shaped ice in thin air, aimed for the boy. "But for you to believe you can find them, on your own, without drawing suspicious, is suicidal. And, what's worse. You can end up becoming a third hostage for them to use! Are you really willing to go through such length, that could end up doing more harm than good?!"
"If it means I'll be with Sis and protect her from those bastards, again, then I don't care if they end up capturing me!" Izuku answered, not once afraid that she'll release the senbon his way. "Besides, as her Blood-Bond Kin, as soon as they get close to her, I'll be able to sense her out and leave a trail for the heroes to follow, so they'll finally do some good on their part and rescue them!"
Kirishima stomped his foot on the ground, getting angry.
"We want to be there to help and protect Sis, too, Bro!" He proclaimed. "But, we can't risk any one of us getting caught in their grasp! Otherwise, none of us will be able to rescue our friends! Let alone, someone we consider our sister, just as much as you do!"
Izuku's Emerald/Green-eyes glared into Kirishima's sharp-red eyes, baring his teeth at him, Todoroki and any who stood in his direction.
'...They don't get it. How dare he make such a claim?!'
Something inside of him grew. A burning, brewing sensation.
Kid! Listen to them! Please! Back down and go with them, so you can come up with a better plan to save that Shithead and Sweetie! Seriously, Brat, your body needs more time to recuperate! Before-...!
"SHE'S MY SISTER!" The sixteen year-old yelled. "I'M HER BLOOD-BOND KIN! HER BROTHER, SINCE HER BIRTH!"
The burning in his chest grew, spreading throughout his body. Almost like a fire, consuming his body. When it grew, he triggered his Quirk, his body covered in the red-vein like lines coursing through his body.
KID!
When the burning spread, the boy embraced it. Lifted his head and screamed at the top of his lungs.
"SHE'S MINE!"
Immediately, Yuki tossed her senbon towards her god-brother, aiming for his shoulders, ligaments where his elbows connect to the biceps and knees connected to the thigh bones.
Karasu, also reacting fast, shot out black-feathers towards the boy. Where the feathers, almost instantly, turned into ravens, charging towards him, screeching and cawing.
Even Todoroki, going along with the two females, shot ice towards his friend, aiming for his feet.
They assumed they had him, as the ice and ravens came towards him... Only to watch him slams a fist towards Todoroki's ice... Before, to their complete shock, watch that fist taking form of taloned claws, slicing at the ice and forcing the remaining ice in the air. And when the iced senbon and ravens came close to him... Two pair of wings, black with hint of dark-emerald scales, shot out from his back and blocked both attacks, sending them right back to his stunned friends and ninjas.
All jumped back, moved aside or even used their Quirks to dodge the falling ice, senbon and ravens. Some weren't prepared for the sudden attacks to be repelled back towards them, but a few bruises or some cuts were the worst they received.
Todoroki raised his left-hand to use his flame to try and shield himself and his friends from the ice.
Yuki raised an open hand out, summoning ice in the air and rapidly expanding it to a giant shield of ice-wall to do the same with her, her brother and other members of the Horiuchi Clan.
Daichi stomped his foot forward and a giant slab of stone rose up to shield him and any who are by his side.
It was eight seconds when the rest of the ice and ravens, reverting back into feathers, hit the defenses and/or few unfortunate ninjas who ended up with the cuts or bruises, and all slowly unshielded themselves and/or got back to their feet to stare at the green-haired teen.
...
...Only, to be lost for words when they saw something, instead.
Despite crouching lowly to the ground, they can see that the figure was taller and bigger than Sierra's dragon-form. Where her dragon-form is similar to a Friesian horse, this took the size of a Shire horse. Almost reaching twenty hands, if its limbs were as straight as a horse.
Two black-horns, straight back and slightly curved up at the tips, protruded over two pulled back ears. The taloned claws, they were polar bear-sized and easily dug into the concrete of the building's roof.
Pure-black wings, with hint of Emerald from underneath the scales and veins, were forty feet long but are also fifty feet from wingtip to wingtip and appear bat-like wing as Sierra's dragon's form. From the top of its head to the back of its neck, along where the tail meets the hip to its tip, two feet row of blackish-emerald scales ran down. There were smaller rows in the center of its back, but the scales were smaller and appear almost needle-like feathers.
The underbelly, from the underneath its jawline to the tail, was pure-black. Compare to the top-half of its body, which seem mostly Onyx, but seem to give off a slight coloring of Emerald in the mix.
...Then, the eyes. They were slit.
...
...Tears ran down its cheek, coming from the clear Emerald-green eyes that belong to Izuku Midoriya.
Todoroki, Kirishima, Momo and Iida were completely at a loss for words.
Raijin and Yuki turned to each other, not believing what they're seeing before them.
While the other members of the Horiuchi Clan were in awe, it was Karasu who was the first to make a sound.
"...It can't be..." She whispered, lowering her arm and feathers flattening.
Daichi turned to the Raven Quirk User, who appears to be staring at the dragon-morphed boy before them, as if she's seeing a ghost.
"Karasu?" He asked, using his Quirk to lower the slab back down to its place.
"He's-...!" She gaped in shock, and in awe. "It finally happened...!"
Yuki and Raijin sent confused glares to the younger female.
"What happened, Karasu?" Yuki asked her friend.
Karasu looked over to the two siblings.
"...The Onyx-Emerald Dragon..." She replied, pointing a finger at the hunched over dragon. "...It has returned, through Izuku."
Iida looked over towards them, as Todoroki used his Fire Quirk to quickly melt the ice.
"'The Onyx-Emerald Dragon'? What even is that?" He asked, as he looked back to the creature that had taken place over their friend. "What happened to Midoriya?"
Karasu, instead of answer Iida's questioned, turned to the others.
"I'll explain, later. But, right now, we need to take him back to the Horiuchi Estate and calm him down." She informed. "If he leaves, he's gonna go straight to where he last sensed Ra Ra and can risk losing control from Instinct the instant he encounters the enemy."
Everyone was still confused on what just happened, but knew she was right that they needed to not allow Izuku to get away from them.
As such, a few began to pull out chains. Though, Karasu held out her hand towards them.
"Let me try to reach him, first." She requested, slowly walking towards the slowly heaving dragon.
A low growl left the dragon, who slightly pulled his wing back a bit when he knew none were going to attack him, again, as he glared at the Raven Quirk User.
Drip!
...Her heart ached at the tears continuously streaming down his face, panting slowly and heavily through his snout and fangs clenched tightly.
His slit-eyes showed terrifying fear, but it didn't appear it was towards himself. Mixed with the fear, was deep rage... That, she can sense and can tell it was towards himself.
"...Izu." She whispered, slowly bringing a hand up. A calming gesture.
Though, as the dragon-morphed boy slightly flinched to her voice and continued to growl lowly at her, he lowered his head a bit and brought his tail closer to his body.
"Izu. It's okay." She continued, though stopped to be within a few feet from his protective stance. "You're scared. We get it. You know how much Ra Ra means to us, just as much as she means a lot to y-"
"You don't get it."
His voice was low, mixed with a low hiss and growl in his tone of voice. It made him sound as if he aged over a decade.
Underneath him, one of his clawed-paws slowly moved over to where his discarded backpack was, as he slowly moved his body to go from a protective stance to an irritated, aggressive stance.
Izuku's emerald-green slit-eyes glared down at Karasu. His jaws clenched tightly, flashing his sharp fangs.
"None of you understand what I'm going through, right now." He hissed, followed with a low rumble of a growl. "None of you have the slightest idea what's truly at stake, if I don't get Sierra out of there!"
Kirishima walked around Todoroki and took a few steps forward, only for two of the elite warriors of the Horiuchi Clan grabbed him and kept him in place.
"You think we don't know that, already, Midoriya?!" He argued, raising a fist at the Onyx-Emerald dragon-morphed boy, who lifted his head and glared at the Harden Quirk User. "Seriously. You don't think we'll be of any help to save them, Bro? Is that why you chose to go off on your own?!"
Izuku slammed his tail against the ground, hissing lowly.
Those who had chains out raised their hands or even started to spin the end of the chains in the air, but Karasu held out a hand. Her eyes remained on the dragon-morphed boy.
"While you believe you're doing the right thing by not telling them of your choice to leave them behind to go look for Ra Ra and acting as your instinctive duty as her Blood-Bond Kin, Izuku, your actions are rash and too risky." She scolded. "And, as one who is older than both you and Sierra, I have my own reason to why I must prevent you from continuing your suicidal action to save our sister."
The sixteen year-old glared down at the Raven Quirk User.
"...And what do you think will happen, if I don't use our bond and locate her?" He questioned. "And I'm not doing this, because of my duty as her Blood-Bond Kin. This is something I must do, and have rights to take immediate action."
"And what would give you 'the rights' to do such a task that others have said right to do, Midoriya?"
All eyes turned towards a new voice from the far corner from the shadow of the roof... Where, accompanied by another elite soldier, was Sierra's older-cousin.
Hitoshi Shinsō.
The dragon-morphed boy let out a snarl-mixed growl. He realized they planned this, right from the start!
The Onyx-Emerald dragon glared at his four friends.
"Why is he here?!" He hissed. "Why did you bring him?!"
Iida took a step forward, all while holding an arm out to shield Momo, who had a very guilty look. Indicating that she was the one who suggested that Hitoshi comes along with them.
"It was more for your own safety to bring you back, without having you cause any further damage to yourself, Midoriya." The Class Rep of Class 1-A informed, crossing his arms over his chest. "And besides that, as soon as he learned on what you were going to do, since he was at the Horiuchi Clan's estate, he insisted on coming along to stop you; you being family to the Aizawa Clan, gives him just as much right to be here and stop you from getting yourself killed."
Kid... Please... You need to give it u-
'DON'T. FINISH. THAT. ANTIPHONUS!'
Hitoshi, coming out of the shadows, folded his arms over his chest. Giving the dragon a blank look, though shows a hint of disappointment and expecting an explanation. Something that's similar to how Aizawa looks at his students.
"Well? Do you have an answer for me, Midoriya?" He prompted.
Said dragon glared at the older-boy.
Already knowing, and instinctively, expecting that the Brainwashing Quirk User is intending to make him say anything to answer his question and use his Quirk on him.
'I'd probably be safe on speaking in the tongue of an animal, but I can't risk saying anything directly to him until I know for certain. Which leaves me to test out, and see if what Sis and I came up is correct...'
He cocked his head to the side at the two week older boy, before he slightly lifted part of his lips... Then, spoke.
"Are you going to immediately use your Quirk on me and force me to go back with you, as soon as I answer your question?*"
The lavender-haired boy narrowed his eyes at the dragon.
Something was completely off... He couldn't feel his Quirk responding to his response to his question, despite answering him.
'He answered my question. So, why don't I feel my Quirk responding to it?' "That depends: Are you going to keep fighting us, and continue on your little vigilante scheme to find Cuz and that egotistical asshole you call a friend?"
Izuku slightly pulled his lips back a bit. A dragon-like smile could be mistaken for snarling.
He got the answer, and the results to his and Sierra's assumption to Hitoshi's Quirk.
"...And what if I am?"
Todoroki, Iida, Kirishima and Momo, along with Raijin and Yuki, saw the confused, irritated and concern look on Shinsō's face.
Something wasn't right.
An uncomfortable reality hit them, like a ton of bricks slammed against their skulls.
He had found a way to avoid being caught in Hitoshi's Brainwashing Quirk.
"...When-?"
"Do you seriously believe Sis and I had ever stopped analyzing Quirks? Let alone, figuring out their weaknesses?" Izuku cut Iida off, glaring at the Engine Quirk User. "You should know better than anyone else that we hadn't stopped doing one of our hobbies, Iida. After all... -His claws dug deep into the cement of the roof, as a snarl grew from the back of his throat.- You guys had claimed my sister as your own. Thus, should already know what she does or what secrets she hides."
His words felt very off.
None of the teens, let alone the adults, had ever heard such claim in his voice or had ever seen the envy and rage in his emerald-green eyes.
Raijin, Yuki, Daichi and Karasu were stunned by the realization.
'Is he... Jealous?'
If any of the adults were honest, they had expected the sixteen year-old to had been envious, let alone jealous, of others all around him having Quirks, back when he was Quirkless.
But, for the fact that he's jealous of the friends he and Sierra had made at U.A. High for claiming the girl as their friend, let alone sister?
...That was something none of them had ever expected to happen. Especially, from their god-brother.
Hitoshi glared up at the dragon.
"You may have been there for my cousin and may be her god-brother, let alone her Blood-Bond Kin, Midoriya. But, don't forget: I'm her true cousin. Let alone, my uncle, your Sensei, is her father." He pointed out, taking a few steps forward until he was standing close to the dragon's face. "And, as such, we have more right to go off playing vigilante than you do. Don't you think?"
The dragon-morphed boy was breathing heavily through his nose. Wings and tail slightly raised, making himself look bigger.
He looked as though he's ready to either take off into the sky, or to attack the older-boy.
...What they didn't expect, was to see more tears to flow down from his eyes.
"...You don't think I know that? Of course, you, Aizawa-sensei and the rest of the Aizawa Clan have rights to go look for Sis! Even more so than I would have any rights, even as her god-brother and/or Blood-Bond Kin!"
His voice was a bit wobbly, followed by a low groan of a whimper.
Slit eyes, that once held anger and envy, now held hurt and the clear sign of struggling to remain in control.
With tears in her own eyes, Yaoyorozu, with clenched hands to her chest, took a step forward.
"Then, why would do this, Midoriya-kun?" She begged. "Why would you go off looking for Bakugō and Sierra, despite that we promised to go look for them, together?! Why did you lie to us?!"
Taken back by her despair and pain, Izuku looked towards the Vice Class Representative.
It still stunned him on how much they shown to care for him and Sierra.
...Don't you finally get it, Kid? You're not only hurting, yourself, but also your friends and Sweetie's Family... Please... Stop this.
The sixteen year-old lowered his gaze to the ground. Guilt and shame stabbed his heart, like a knife.
"...I didn't lie," he hissed. "I was ready to join you guys to go save Kacchan and Sis. I wasn't going to go off on my own...!"
"Then why would you make such a stupid decision?! A decision that would not only cost them their safety, but also your own?!" Yuki yelled, as small puff of air left her lips when ice formed in her hand. "What would give you reason to go off, without even telling us?!"
Izuku then lifted his head and roared.
"BECAUSE SIS IS GOING TO KILL HERSELF!"
...A terrifying silence spread across them.
All were eyed-wide to his claim, but none would dare to say what he said was a lie.
...What?
Even Antiphonus, who can't see or dig through memories of either Izuku and/or Sierra, was horrified to hear why one of his charges was acting so rash and desperate to look for his sister.
The first to utter a word, was Todoroki.
"...What?" He whispered.
His eyes wide.
Shinsō, just as stunned by the younger-boy's claim, clenched his hands into tight fists.
"What do you mean Cuz is going to kill herself, Midoriya?" He growled out, glaring up at the whimpering dragon. "Tell us! I swear, I won't use my Quirk on you! I wanna know why you would state Sierra is going to kill herself!"
Izuku turned his head to the side, his eyes clenched tightly and breathing deeply through his tightened fangs.
Raijin, Yuki and the others from the Horiuchi Clan were at a loss for words.
Clearly, none of them knew about this.
Iida, throwing caution to the wind, stomped over towards the dragon and when he was close, grabbed for one of his horns and pulled his head to face him and kept his head in place until the sixteen year-old opened his eyes.
...A single tear ran down Tenya's face.
"...Why?" He begged, his face stern but his blue-eyes showed his fear and confusion. "Why would she-...?"
Izuku's ears flattened and his gaze lowered to the ground, as his wings slowly lowered and started to fold up against his side.
A deep sigh left through his snout.
"...Back then, Sis' memories on what she endured from the villain were suppressed... But, the abuse that Arsenius put her through, either at home or wherever he would take her to that wasn't involved with the villains' hideout, were still fresh in her mind." Izuku started, needing to explain at the beginning. "It wasn't until two years ago, after undergoing one of her fits, that she told me something that I'll never forget. When I finally learned how severe her trauma truly was."
Flashback: Two Years and Two Months Ago...
A thirteen year-old Izuku knelt beside the convulsing body of twelve year-old Sierra, as her white-wolf form, on the cold, hard ground of their shared bedroom.
The poison in her back triggered an hour after Inko wished them goodnight... It's been seven minutes since it triggered, and Sierra is still writhing in pain.
So much so, she morphed into her wolf-form and bit into her arm to quiet her scream and not wake her god-mother up. In response, Izuku slipped his left-arm into her mouth and, after removing her limb from her snout, allowed her to bite into his arm, instead.
Tears ran down his face, more to watching his sister's fit clearly being painful to her than from her fangs digging into his arm but feeling her fighting to preventing her jaws from locking.
"It's okay, Sis." He whispered, using his right-hand to stroke the fur from the top of her head. "It's going to be okay."
He was lying. He had no idea how long the fit was going to last and not knowing what kind of poison Arsenius injected her with, taking her to the hospital would end up with them being stumped or pump her with medicine that could do her more harm than good.
Still, for the fact that the poison is starting to last longer than five minutes, has thirteen year-old Izuku terrified that it was growing stronger.
It wasn't until another minute later, that her body finally began to stop convulsing and the strength in her bite was dying.
As soon as it died down, Sierra curled herself into a tight ball, morphing back into her human-self. Her breathing shaky, rapid and deep. As if she has asthma.
Quickly, Izuku turned her over on her left-side, pulling his All Might pillow from off his bed and laying it underneath her head, but kept a hand underneath her head and holding it up, ignoring a few drizzle of saliva that escaped her mouth.
And when she vomited onto the pillow and floor, she whimpered in pain and tears ran down her cheeks.
Izuku's heart ached for the twelve year-old girl.
When she empty what little food she had in her stomach and after carefully pulling her away from his ruined pillow, pulling his second All Might pillow off of his bed to rest underneath her head, the thirteen year-old boy took his first pillow out of the room and to the laundry room to wash. Inko won't be in the least surprise if she gets up and finds his pillow in the wash, since this was normal for them, even when Sierra moved to live with her brothers and sister and comes over to stay the night or when all three older-siblings have to leave for work.
As he made his way back, he grabbed for some towels to clean up the mess, a bottle of water from the fridge and an ice pack for Sierra, since she'll probably overheat from the stress after her fits.
When he returned, he found Sierra still lying where he left her.
He hoped that she'll be able to fall asleep, after that terrible fit.
Izuku then went to clean up the mess that reached the floor that his pillow didn't catch, which was bile, digested food and stomach acid... And blood.
The thirteen year-old isn't certain if he'll ever get used to the sight of blood that comes out of his sister's body.
By the time he finished cleaning the mess, he assumed that the twelve year-old had finally fell asleep and left to go wash the towels before placing it in the laundry room with his pillow.
...But, when he came back, he was stunned to see Sierra sat up from the floor. Her face buried in both hands, whimpering and tears dripping through the gaps of her fingers.
Izuku quickly went to his sister's side but had to pull back from even laying a hand on her, since her body would be sensitive to touch after going through the fit of the poison triggering.
"Sis?"
Her body twitched and trembled, muscles spasming from underneath her skin.
The soon-to-be fourteen year-old boy didn't know what was going on, but he can feel something not right with her.
"Sis?!" He tried again, a bit louder and, despite his better judgement, laid a hand on her right-shoulder.
His touch, alone, got her to lift her head from her hands and turned her head to stare up at him.
...Her greenish-grey eyes stared straight into his emerald-green eyes. Clouded by deep emotion, but quickly gathering her bearings to lock herself back to reality.
...They held the gaze of terror, pain... And, deep sorrow.
The twelve year-old girl raised a shaky hand towards the hand resting on her shoulder.
"...I-... Izu?"
Her voice, barely reaching pass a whisper, stung Izuku's heart, but he pushed past his pain by offering her his best smile.
"...Yeah. It's me, Sis. I'm right here," he reassured. "I'm here."
...Instead of being happy by his words, they seem to cause the pain in her gaze to harden into agony, as more tears slipped down her face.
The thirteen year-old boy was startled, as he used his right-arm to wipe the tears from her face, only for the girl to pull back from his touch.
Izuku was taken back. This was the first time she ever pulled away from his touch, since Arsenius' abuse was nearly coming into the light when she was four... Before that sick man picked her up from school, took her away from him and kept her hidden from society for weeks... Until December.
Whether it was because he startled her or unintentionally offended Instinct that it finds threatening or uncomfortable, he wasn't sure. But, from the way her eyes were locked on to the hand raised towards her, told him a different story.
"Sis?" He said a third time, raising a finger in the air and slowly moving it from side-to-side. "Are you with me? Can you follow my fingers with your eyes, alone?"
What he wasn't expecting, was for her to grab for his hand with both of her own and bringing it to her chest.
"...Zu?" She whispered, tone shaky and weak.
Izuku's eyes widened to her voice, but is very much relieved that she's finally responding to him.
"Hai, Sis." He answered, using his left to gently rest it on top of her head and stroke her sweaty-hair. "I'm here. Koko ni iru yo (I'm right here)."
Against his knuckles and through her T-shirt, Izuku can feel the rapid pacing of Sierra's heart pumping from underneath her sternum. He wasn't a doctor, but the rapid pace it was going felt more like one who underwent a panic attack than a PTSD episode.
Regardless, Izuku slowly and gently helped his sister to bend her knees and bring her head down between them, helping her from passing out or getting nauseous, again.
"Take your time, Sis." He reassured, bringing his left-hand to her back and slowly stroking the back of her neck to help relieve any tension in her muscle in case she pulls her head up before she was ready.
Sierra kept a weak, yet firm grip on his right-hand. As if afraid if she lets go, the warmth of his hand will vanish, with the rest of him.
Like he was going to disappear.
Izuku brought his hand to her left-shoulder, which slightly trembled but didn't pull away from his hand, and gently pulled her against his side.
He closed his eyes. Relishing in the feeling of her leaning against him, trusting him to watch over her and protect her while in her vulnerable state.
As if he was All Might, protecting and comforting an innocent civilian that needed his help.
"...Izu..."
His eyes opened from her voice. Once, it was shaky, terrified and weak.
...Now, became dull, solemn and... Defeated?
"...Sis?" He whispered back, staring down at the back of her head. "Are you feeling better?"
The hands that held his left-hand, released it, but didn't pull away when the thirteen year-old didn't pull it back. Her head slowly raised up and when Izuku allowed her to lean away from him, turned towards the window.
Sierra looked up at the night sky.
Izuku was confused by her silence, but didn't push her to answer. Waiting patiently, no matter how long it takes, for her to start talking, once again.
...
...When she finally answered him, what he heard next was something he never expected to ever come out of her own mouth.
"...If I ever end up being kidnapped by those villains, again... I'll kill myself."
...A haunted, horrified look spread on Izuku's face.
"...What?"
A burning sensation throbbed against his chest. Beside it, an irritating itch crawled up both arms.
...More specifically, where the scars to his wrists are located.
A familiar sensation from what occurred nearly two years ago crawled up his spine.
...
...
...Glimpses of standing on the school's roof flashed in his eyes... Only, instead of him standing on the ledge.
...
...He saw Sierra in his place, instead.
A cold, sick pressure slammed into his stomach and made his lungs tense up when he took a trembling breath.
"Wh-... What did you just say?"
He hoped and prayed to God, or whatever entity that would listen to his prayer, that what he just heard wasn't what he believe his ears picked up to be true.
...Unfortunately, his prayer hadn't been answered and must've been cast aside, when Sierra slowly turned her head to look up at her brother.
...
...
...Her gaze, hazed with solemn and numb.
"If-... Iie. -She slowly shook her head.- When I do end up being taken back by those villains associated with Arsenius, I'll kil-"
Immediately, Izuku grabbed for both of her shoulders.
Anger, fear and sorrow flashed in his Emerald-green eyes.
"Don't say that!" He scolded, though kept his voice low enough so not to wake up his mother. "That's not going to happen, Sis! There's no way they'll-!"
A thin, small hand that's smaller than his own covered his mouth. Silencing him.
"...I saw something."
Emerald-green eyes were wide to the trembling, fearful tone in her voice.
"Screams. Blood. Tormented souls. Eyes, lost within the void but force to see what they can no longer see." She muttered, slowly pulling her hand away from her god-brother's lips. "...The Dark Room."
The soon-to-be fourteen year-old boy narrowed his eyes, curious.
"'The Dark Room'?"
Sierra slowly nodded her head, clenching her hands together.
"Words. Messages. Hymns, uttered hidden truth that tarnishes conviction. Blood that mixes like wine, can no longer return to the Earth. -She grasp on both side of her head, closing her eyes.- Can't know, now. But, blood and tears shall shatter into glass."
There were moments when she would speak in words that sounded like omen. They would leave others puzzled, but few, like Izuku, would come to realize that these were the words from Instinct, itself. And while a bit difficult to decipher, he knows that whatever Instinct was getting Sierra to say, was something that mustn't be taken too lightly.
And from what he could come to assume from what she was saying, whatever that is involved with the 'Dark Room', was something that could push her over the edge if she ever recalls what she knows behind the door... Or, worse, end up going back to the Dark Room.
The twelve year-old looked up at her brother. Tears running down her cheeks, as she grasped for her brother's shoulders.
"Izu. -She swallowed past the lump in her throat, but her eyes harden with such seriousness that no twelve year-old should ever have to carry.- What those villains did to me that had my mind to suppress what I endured, with Instinct giving whatever aid it could offer, is something so traumatic and unbearable, that I'm positive that it'll result endangering those I care about. Including, you and Auntie Amai."
Izuku's grip on her shoulders on her shoulders shook, matching the panic and fear of his beating heart.
Sierra gave him a sad smile.
"I swear, Izuku. So long as I'm here, I'll never commit suicide. Not after we swore to never leave the other, after what occurred on the rooftop." She swore, matching her brother's trembling grasp on his own shoulders. "...But... If, somehow, they find me and take me back to where they damaged my body to commence their selfish, evil designs... As an Animal Quirk User, who will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of my pack... I won't hesitate to take my own life. And when I do end up being taken away by them... You mustn't come for me. Leave me behind and, for the sake of both of our dreams, live for us."
End of Flashback...
His slit-eyes seemed to dull. As if lost in the memory of the past, reliving it.
None would dare to say he made up any of it.
Karasu bowed her head. A tear running down her cheek.
It's not something they're proud of doing, but it's the way Animal Quirk Users chose to live by. And if their death were to end up for the better outcome for those they care and love, then if they were left with a choice to choose life or death in exchange for putting others in their place, they'll always go for the latter.
So, to hear that Sierra did, indeed, made such a promise to take her own life if she ever gets taken by her abusers, should she be pushed into a corner that involves the safety of those she care about, is something Karasu and other Animal Quirk Users can't hold any fault to her decision.
Yaoyorozu, tears streaming down her face and a clenched hand to her face, grabbed for Iida's arm to keep herself from collapsing.
"So, that's why..." She muttered, understanding his insistence that she makes him a receiver for himself.
A low grumble escaped from the dragon-morphed boy's chest.
"I am sorry for asking you for such a request, which left you in conflict on what you feel is the right thing to do or not, Yaoyorozu-chan." Izuku apologized, nodding his head towards her. "But, after my mind was able to register on how long it has been since the attack at camp and there being no news of their hideout has been located, I was desperate to quickly try to find them on my own and send the distress signal as soon as I could feel the slightest hint of my bond with Sis."
"Would that be before, or after you attempt to infiltrate their hideout, risking the possibility on getting caught and becoming a third hostage for the villains to use against the villains? Let alone, Sierra?" Hitoshi replied, arms crossed over his chest.
His nails dug into his arms, but didn't release his grip when his nails drew out blood.
To hear that his cousin had suffered from villains, even when her mind suppressed those memories from how traumatic they were, and swore she would take her own life if she ended up being taken back to her abusers... It took every ounce of strength and energy to not panic and pull a stunt like Izuku.
After all, the green-haired teen is his family and, as the older of the two, he has to be the responsible one and stop him from putting their family into more turmoil on losing another family member.
Izuku stared down at the purple-haired teen.
"...I hesitated on doing anything when I saw the bruises on Sis' body and the injuries she sustained from Arsenius when she was four and I was five, because she begged me not to tell anyone and stated that she made mistakes that gotten her hurt." He revealed, swallowing past a lump that formed in his throat. "And because I chose to stay quiet, to wait to tell my Okāsan or her siblings about the wounds I saw on her, we were called in and told that Aunt Cici, Ra Ra's mother, relapsed and was taken to the hospital... Where, she told us, panicking and tears in her eyes, struggling to breathe, that Arsenius was behind her sudden terminal leukemia and kidnapped Sierra before injecting her with a new chemical to knock her unconscious and leaving her in her apartment."
The sixteen year-old looked over towards his god-siblings, who they and the others had angry tears in their eyes. This part, they and the clan knew of.
"Rai-Sama and a handful of the Horiuchi Clan, along with a few selected heroes, were the only ones who cared enough to volunteer to try and find her when the Amber Alert was initiated. -He turned back to his friends, snarling.- While others, even All Might, either couldn't help because of other cases... Or, after learning she was an Animal Quirk User or hearing that her mother was dating an ex-con and the living condition they were living in, refused to join in on the search... She was missing for over two months, but it took most of the police and a couple of the volunteered heroes to give up on their search after three weeks passed and told us to give up on finding her... Then, December came and near Christmas time, we finally gotten that call we were praying for to hear."
That moment they looked a bit relieved, but seeing the angry look on Izuku's face, they can see that it wasn't a very happy moment.
"Do you wanna know how they found her?" The dragon-morphed boy asked, slamming his tail against the ground. "Because, it wasn't because they suddenly have a change of heart to saving a little girl, or were given any intel that told them she was spotted and alive... It was because some heroes were called in about a condemned apartment complex being set on fire, and one of the heroes happened to hear somebody within the flames and went in to save them, which happened to be Sierra's plead for help. As soon as the paramedics came in and one of them recognized her as the missing child on the Amber Alert, that my sister has finally been found and saved."
Hitoshi's eyes widened to the information.
He realized that this was his Uncle Shōya's special case assignment he volunteered for ten years ago, as his first Missing Case and Rescue. Back when his Uncle Shōta was mourning the anniversary of losing one of his friends, Oboro Shirakumo, and had to take a leave of absence to collect himself... Who'd, also, offered his assistance on finding four year-old Sierra.
'...If he had been there with Ojisan, that night. If he had only continued to search for Ra Ra, or had at least went to the hospital to see her and Aunt Cici-...?'
So many thoughts ran through his mind; pondering and questioning himself on what he and the rest of the family would had done to help his cousin heal.
...What their lives would've been, if Sierra was brought to them.
...
...If only other heroes had cared enough to put in more effort to finding her, instead of forsaking her and labeling her as a loss cause in just a short amount of time.
Izuku looked up at the sky. He feels an inch within his wings to spread them and feel the wind. To carry him away from here.
...And to his sister!
...Those mother FUCKERS! ALL BECAUSE SHE'S AN ANIMAL QUIRK USER, AND HOW SHE LIVED?! YOU KNOW WHAT?! FORGET WHAT I JUST SAID, KID! We need to go get Sweetie! Right now! I'll block your pain receptors, to help give you an edge to keep moving!
"I hesitated the first time, and it killed my Aunt Cici and nearly taken Sis away from me. -He glared down at an equally angry Hitoshi.- I refuse to make the same mistake and hesitate, a second time."
Kirishima was quick to respond to his words.
"What about Bakugō?!" He argued, reminding them that Sierra wasn't the only one who was captured. "Despite their differences, there's no way Sis would give up and leave him behind in the hands of those villains!"
Daichi shook his head to the Hardening Quirk User.
"You forgot. She gotten him Blacklisted for his past, and publicly announced him as an enemy during the Sports Festival." He reminded, pointing out the flaw to his claim. "No doubt, she suspected that they'd be watching her on live television. And, as such, had to remain either neutral or on bad terms with those around her, in a way to prevent them from trying to figure out who they can use as leverage. So, if they try to use Bakugō to get her to obey, she'll continue to put on the act that she hates him for the death of hers and Izuku's five friends. Or, as a last resort-"
"Make an attempt on her own life." Yaoyorozu finished, understanding the situation. "That way, it'll protect him from being put in a similar spot that she's possibly in right now. And, if she does end up-..."
She couldn't finish her sentence, shaking her head to rid away the thought of what has them all worried.
Izuku nodded his head.
"Sis may hate Kacchan for the past, but not enough to have him go through what she did." He stated. "Plus, this may be a hunch. But, if the villains knew where we would be at on our first week of Summer Vacation, that means they, also, chose Kacchan for another reason. Otherwise, they would've tried to kidnapped me, too. Since they saw how close Sis and I were, during the Sports Festival and after our fight at the U.S.J."
Todoroki, who had remained quiet with his own thoughts and still listening to the conversation, finally spoke up.
"...You suspect they took him, for their own devices. Not because of Sierra." He proclaimed. "Either it's to protect him or because of her trauma of undergoing what they did to her in the past, getting to her before she tries to take her own life is a top priority that you're mostly concerned to take place."
The sixteen year-old nodded his head.
Iida, however, raised a hand in the air.
"While time is of the essence to find them, Midoriya, for the fact that you took off without informing any authority of your whereabouts, not even to your own mother or god-father, proves you wanted to go out and save them on your own!" He declared, chopping at the air. "You agreed that you would go save them with Todoroki and Kirishima, but you're going to make the same mistake that I did back at Hosu with Stain! Why would you-?!"
"Because you still feel responsible on what happened to Sierra and believe you have to do this, on your own. As if to make up for the past, as punishment for your silence and hesitation. Don't you?" Todoroki speculated, cutting off the older-boy.
That time, Izuku looked away.
Raijin and Yuki both ran up to him and when he didn't make any sign of being threatened or attack, the two siblings wrapped their arms around him. Raijin, around his neck that connects to his collarbone and shoulders, and Yuki around his face.
Both couldn't hold in their tears.
"You should've sent word to our father, Izu." Yuki stated, firm but gentle. "He and the rest of the clan did all they could to find her, last time! We're not like those heroes who turned their backs against her!
"You know that can trust us to help look for her and save her, Otōto! Just as we're doing, right now!" Raijin proclaimed, not showing any sign of caring that he's being too emotional like their father.
...The dragon-morphed boy allowed his body to collapse to the ground.
"...If I had involved Rai-Sama... He'd risk triggering his PTSD and give in to his Blood-Lust. And, with the highest probability that their leader is involved with some of the members of Fox Hound to end up go missing or dead... -He let out a whimper, as tears stained Yuki's clothes. Ashamed of himself.- I couldn't bring myself to do that to him, not when my own mother have to go through Sis being taken from us, again, and trust him and the clan to protect her and Sierra's siblings, if there's a chance they'll try to go after them."
Iida, Kirishima, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu turned to one another. Sad, concerned and stunned to finally realize why Izuku did this and his response to them coming after him.
Hitoshi, standing next to Karasu, who was wiping away the tears, walked towards the dragon-morphed boy's head. When Yuki released her hold to his face.
...The older-boy embraced the dragon's face.
"...You and Cuz, are too much alike." He stated, burying his face onto the top of Izuku's head. "You both feel like you have to shoulder everything from your guys' friends and the family. And as Blood-Bond Kins, you believe that only each other would ever understand the pain and fear you're going through right now. And, not wanting to bring down other Animal Quirk Users into your mess and unable to trust any other hero to help you on your task, you decided to use your Bond to bypass the Laws of Ethics. And, in doing so, as soon as they would hear through their own receiver that they'd found their location, the heroes would be too distracted by the villains to take notice of you and your friends going in and saving both Ra Ra and the Egotistical Bastard. Pulling an Underground Hero stunt."
If not for the scales, Shinsō and the others would be able to see an embarrassing blush to appear on Izuku's face. Though, Hitoshi could guess from the look in Izuku's eyes that he's a bit embarrassed to be caught by his ploy.
"While I'm grateful that you're trying to spare my family from being placed in a situation you went through, my uncle won't be able to see that and would make you clean the entire school from top to bottom, all throughout Summer, with only a toothbrush to work with."
The dragon-morphed boy chuckled wobbly to that claim, knowing the purple-haired teen was right.
"He'd probably make me write an apology letter to every staff member at the hospital who treated me, along with a ten page essay on what I did wrong and what the consequences I would have to pay for making such a stupid decision." He added in, which earned him a snicker from Hitoshi.
Seeing as he had finally calmed down and appear to no longer having any intention to run away, everyone on the rooftop relaxed and lowered their guard.
Yaoyorozu slowly walked towards the dragon-morphed boy.
"Now that we've solved the issue, will you please come back with us to the Horiuchi Clan's estate? Where we can come up with a proper plan, all while allowing the clan to continue their search for Sierra-Chan?" She requested, making a grab for the backpack.
What do you say, Kid? Go back with them, or continue on with your plan and go look for her? Either plan works for me.
While a large-part of him, specifically his heart, was still in a state of panic and anxious to go look for Bakugō and Sierra, now that his mind is clear from his own guilt and that he isn't alone to shoulder the burden he carried for years...
Izuku pulled away from Hitoshi and nodded his head.
"I'll come back," he answered.
Many sighs of relief traveled in the air.
Kirishima beamed at the dragon-morphed boy.
"That's great, Bro! And, I gotta say, your dragon-form is super manly!" He exclaimed, giving him a thumbs up. "You should have no problem trying to find Bakubro and Sis, with those wings of yours and sense of smell!"
Iida gave him a stern glare.
"First things first, we need to take him to the Horiuchi Clan's estate, where he can continue on resting and recuperating, since he left the hospital before he was ready to be discharge." He reminded, as he turned to the dragon-morphed boy. "It be best if you morph back to your original form, Midoriya."
The older-boy nodded his head to the Class Rep.
"Yeah. Good idea."
A moment of pause ran through them.
Everyone looked confused, as Izuku remained in his dragon-form.
"...Uh... Midoriya?" Kirishima called out, wondering if something was wrong. "Aren't you going to turn back into a human?"
...
...The Onyx-Emerald dragon turned to Karasu.
"...Um. Karasu? -He gave out a nervous chuckle, sweat-dropping.- ...How do I morph back?"
Realizing the situation, Karasu face-palmed herself. Others around them felt like kicking themselves, for forgetting that this is his first time morphing into an animal.
"Right," she sighed. "How can I forget? -She looked up at the boy.- You need to will yourself to morph back to your human-self. It'd be easier to envision yourself as your human-self, not as an animal, and then registering into your brain that you're a human. It should respond and naturally morph back. -She backed away, prompting the others do follow her lead.- Give it a try, Izu."
While a bit nervous, Izuku remained lying on the ground and closed his eyes. Imagining himself as a human.
Two arms, each having a hand and five fingers, each. Two legs, with human feet and each having five toes. dark-green/black-hair on top of his head. Human Emerald-green eyes.
'Morph back... Morph back... Morph back...!'
He felt nothing, thinking that it didn't work.
...But, when he opened his eyes and stared down at the ground... He saw human-arms instead of scaled-limbs and claws, covered by the sleeves of his hoodie.
And when he looked up, he saw everybody still looking a bit shocked but happy that he morphed back to his sixteen year-old human-self.
He went to get up, but jolts of pain traveled throughout his body. Getting him to wince and remain lying down.
'What the hell?!' He yelled in his head, raising a hand to his head. 'Every joint in my body feels like they're on fire!'
Your body is still recovering from the attack, Kid. That, and the fact that your adrenaline gave you a boost to push past the pain and just morphing into a dragon, may have shot them through their limit. Honestly, this is what you get for putting your friends and family on such high stress and frantic situation.
Izuku pouted to Antiphonus' scolding, but didn't say anything.
Hitoshi was the first to get to him and, kneeling down, carefully grabbed for his left-arm to loop around his neck and helping him sit up.
Yuki went for his right-side, looping his right-arm over her neck.
"Lean on us." Hitoshi instructed, but not using his Quirk on the boy. "You can rely on us."
Izuku saw the bags underneath his eyes. They looked darker than he last saw them.
Indicating his lack of sleep he's getting.
Guilt stabbed his heart, for putting his selfishness over Sierra's family concern they have for her... And, himself.
"...Watashi o yurushite..." He begged, lowering his head to the older-teen.
Hitoshi let out a tiring sigh, as he and Yuki both slowly stood up in unison to get the green-haired teen to his feet.
"...Promise, that you won't pull this shit, again." He replied, as they begin to walk towards Yaoyorozu, Iida, Kirishima and Todoroki.
Izuku lowered his gaze to the ground.
"...Yakusoku shimasu (I promise)." He muttered.
...Will you, actually, keep that promise, though, Kid? If something like this happens, again, will you listen and not go off on your own?
'...I can't foresee what the future may hold that may cause me to break my promise, Antiphonus... But, -He looked around, watching as his friends and those from the Horiuchi Clan get ready to head back to the estate, as Raijin came over and knelt down before Izuku. Taking over to carry him.- for the time being, so long as it'll help us rescue Kacchan and Sis, I'll try to do my best to keep my promise...'
...I suppose, that's better than nothing... I'll try to update how she's doing, Izuku. I can't do it all the time, but whenever I get the chance, I'll be certain to let you know.
'...Thanks, Antiphonus.'
It took them a while to get back to the Horiuchi Clan, since their location was a bit far from the Estate and Izuku's friends aren't use to keeping up with trained ninjas, but they gotten back without much issue.
When they reached the gates, they were greeted by a stoick, displeased Raiden.
Izuku knew his god-father was going to be pissed at him, and couldn't find any fault for him to not be happy to see him.
With Raijin's help, he got off of his back and, immediately, dropped down to his knees and bowed to the middle-aged man.
"I have no excuse for my actions, Raiden-Sama." He informed. "What I did was selfish, reckless and unforgivable. I made my mother worried, for leaving the hospital and not telling her where I was going. I willingly and deceitfully abandoned my friends, who we all agreed to discuss a time and place to commence our vigilante act of finding Kacchan and Sis. And for the fact that I chose to keep you and the Aizawa Family in the dark, which you all had more right to take action to finding them, makes me no better than a villain. For that, I shall accept my punishment, whatever you, my mother and the Aizawa Clan see fit, and will continue to accept any form of punishment you deem to be worthy until I've regain all of your forgiveness. But do know, I am truly sorry."
The now forty-seven year-old man glared down at the bowing boy, as all standing outside of the gates and behind him awaited his response to the boy's apology.
After a minute of debating, Raiden slowly walked towards the kneeling Izuku... Then, dropped down to his own knees and laid a hand on the back of his head.
"...How many times have I told you and Ra Ra?" He asked, prompting Izuku to lift his head and see the sad, but wobbly smile on his face. "Call me 'Uncle' Rai."
Matching the adult's wobbly smile, Izuku rose up and embraced the middle-aged man, burying his face into his chest.
"I'm sorry, Ojisan." He whispered, feeling the adult running his metal-fingers through his locks. "I swear, I won't do this, again. I just want to save Sis."
Raiden pulled the boy to him and rose up to his feet, carrying the boy.
"And we shall save her and Katsuki Bakugō. Together." He stated, before turning around and heading on in to the Estate. With everyone following behind him. "But, you need to let your body rest up, first. And, the instant we get word on where they're being held, we shall strike them down and put an end to their diabolical plan. -One of the members of the estate pulled the Shōji door away for their leader.- But, first, we have a guest to greet. Who seems to have news for us."
Pulling away from his god-father's chest, Izuku looked on ahead... And, to his shock, saw a kneeling form of Night Thorn.
Raiden, still holding Izuku, bowed to the taller-man, who got up to his feet.
"Ohanzee. Thank you for coming." He greeted.
In response, Night Thorn nodded back.
"I thank you for allowing me to be here, Raiden." The Shadow Weaver Hero greeted back, before staring down at the boy held in the Lightning Quirk User's arms. "After all, this matters involves my grand-niece and her Blood-bond Kin she claimed as her brother, who is basically my grand-nephew through their Blood Ritual."
Hitoshi, realizing that this hero is the granduncle his cousin had informed him and his uncle about, walked up to him and bowed to him.
"You don't know me, but I am Ra Ra's cousin, from her father's side of the family." He informed, before pulling his head up to look at the red-eyes poking from the socket of the wolf-skull. "While we don't share the same blood, I still want to express my joy and honor of meeting one of my would-be aunt's family member."
Night Thorn stared down at the violet-haired boy who greeted him.
Then, he nodded to the teen.
"It is an honor to meet one of my grand-niece's family member," he replied. "And from how you chose to refer to Sierra as such, gives me great relief that your family welcomed her with open arms, despite her lineage and being born out of wedlock."
Hitoshi crossed his arms over his chest.
"Of course, me and my family would accept her into our family. -He then jerked a thumb towards himself.- I'm, also, a child born out of wedlock and my grandparents and uncles never turned a blind eye towards me. And as for lineage, if my uncle is able to look past your niece's bloodline to end up falling for her and having my cousin, then it isn't anywhere near difficult for any of us to see she's just as much as an Aizawa as she is an Arashi."
He may not see his face, but when the wolf-skull lifted slightly, opening its jaw slightly, he can imagine that the older-male is smiling from underneath the wolf-skull.
"Hearing that, gives me great relief and reassurance that if my time comes to an end, I can rest in peace, knowing all of my grand-nieces and grand-nephews are in the hands of those who will always be by their side and watch over them in my stead. However, I'm afraid we have more pressing matters to discuss than having small talks." He commented, patting Shinsō on top of his head, before turning to the forty-seven year-old Assassin Hero and Izuku. "I bring news."
Raiden helped Izuku to his feet, who stumbled a bit but quickly caught himself and bowed to the Shadow Weaver Hero.
"What news do you bring?" Raiden asked, eye narrowed. "Has there been an update of the villains' hideout being located?"
The older-male shook his head.
"No, but I bring startling news before any of them have been informed of."
The adults, along with Izuku and his friends turned to one another, confused and curious.
...And what he said next, was definitely something nobody would ever come to expect.
"We've found Ragdoll, and is currently being treated at Hosu General Hospital."
TBC
...Yep! surprise! Izuku can morph into a dragon! Which means, there's a reason behind him being able to morph into a dragon like Sierra! Bet many of you are pondering to how and/or why. Love to hear your thoughts to how.
*: I couldn't find the doctor's name and, weirdly, couldn't find Annokiee General Hospital in the wiki. And, if you're watching it on Hulu and have the subtitles on, it referred to the doctor as Doctor 46A. So, because of that, I'm having one of my OC character from Hosu to enter in. Don't know why they don't just leave it as Doctor... And, yes, when I was trying to come up with a name for him, I forgotten about Kōta.
Also, 46A came back up when a pedestrian pointed to seeing U.A. High after the disguise scene. Does anyone know what the 46A is supposed to mean?
*: I looked it up and... Surprisingly, with Hitoshi being born on July 1st and Izuku July 15th, Hitoshi is exactly two weeks older than Izuku. I kinda expected Izuku to be a bit older than Hitoshi, but this... It really is interesting that they're exactly two weeks apart from each other.
*: I wondered if there was another way to get past Hitoshi's Brainwashing Quirk... And, I don't know if you guys noticed, but while many have answered his question... Had there ever been those who answered his question with a question?
I would continue on, but given the length of this chapter, I decided this shall be cut in half. Plus, with this sudden shocking plot twist, this feels like a good spot to end it, for now. So, you all will have to wait and see what takes place in the second half of the chapter!
...Who knows? Maybe, we'll get to see how Katsuki and Sierra had been holding up. ;)
R&R