"Ei--hey, dragon boy." Ei sat up too quickly hitting Mina in the face. "Ow!" She rubbed her nose. "Sorry, I didn't see you--" Ei began. "Shh," she covered his mouth quickly. "Where's the mage with the scar?" "Wha--" Ei looked around, Shoto wasn't here. "I thought he was asleep, same as us." "No, he's not, and I don't feel his magic anymore," Mina hissed. "I woke up and felt something was off--something dark, it wasn't good, and then I noticed he was gone." "Oh shoot!" Ei banged his fist into his palm. "He's a prince, you think someone recognized him." "I'm not a human," Mina said, "but I think even they could probably pick out a guy with a scar over his eye and two toned hair. How hard could it be? Where's he a prince of again?" "Uh, the realm as a whole, I think," Ei said. "Well that's bad," Mina said. "I'm not much of a tracker, but I thought, you're a dragon...so..." "Oh right, tracking!" Ei got up. "I mean, I haven't done that much, but how hard can it be to sniff someone out..." "Don't tell me you don't know how to track," Mina frowned. "I mean... it's pretty straightforward, isn't it.? Ei said. "Forget subtlety, let's wake up the clothes." Mina said roundly.

Shoto started to come to with his head pounding, but that passed once he realized where he was. Slung over the back of a horse, being taken over the country. He started to twitch. "Oh, look, the little prince is awake," said a rough voice. "Don't bother struggling, we took your stupid little bracelets, and that flimsy sword. No mage is getting out of those magic bindings either. You'll just make it more painful for yourself by trying to escape." Shoto was also gagged, or he would have cursed him out. He recognized this voice. One of his father's goons. Tomura-something. Really, he probably world for the Dark Lord, but why would he be hunting down a wayward prince? Wasn't there anything more important and evil for him to do? 

[Character Design by Onerose]

"You're surprised it's me?" Tomura seemed to read his mind. "We never did get along, did we?" he chuckled meanly. "Well, normally I wouldn't bother with such a small fry as you, but the rumor has it, you may have some very interesting information." Shoto frowned. "Don't brother trying to deny it," Tomura said, as if he forgot Shoto was gagged. "We all know you're disgustingly obsessed with getting your pathetic mother back, useless harlot. But, maybe this'll interest you. If you don't tell us all you know about the 8th, I have full authorization to pay your mother a little visit later." Shoto's blood ran cold. 

 "You wouldn't want that would you?" Tomura said nastily. "So, you're going to tell us everything you know. 'Course we can get comfortable first. Nomu, hold up." A different figure that was just lumbering behind them came to a stop, Shoto was at the wrong angle to see it, but he heard it. Tomura got off the horse and he roughly pulled him off. Then he saw... it was a monster. One of the Dark Lord's freaks of nature, from the look of it. An orc crossed with a roc, if he had to guess. The very sight of it made you feel sick to your stomach. "Fine specimen, isn't it?" Tomura said. "Not that I expect to need him, yet, but when we find the 8th... well, it won't matter to you anyway. Don't bother screaming, by the way," he ripped off the gag so hard it hurt. Shoto glared at him. "I'm not going to give you what you want... I'll kill both of you first." Tomura gave him a quizzical look. "What would you say that? I told you, I have your bracelet dragon toys here. What are you going to do, glare us to death? Think of your mother, boy." Shoto glared, then his left eye began to blaze with fire. Tomura suddenly looked a little more interested. "What... how are you doing that?" "You blasted b----d!" Shoto said, as fire shot up around Tomura's feet. "I don't need the dragons to use my power! My father's magic is much stronger than that!" Tomura jumped as his clothes caught on fire, he had to roll quickly to put it out. Shoto struggled to get his hands in front of himself. Magic bindings, it was true, he couldn't burn through them, but-- he saw a rock and lopped the cords around it, tugging as hard as he could, they began to fray-- "Nomu! Stop him!" Tomura howled, still getting the last of the fire out. The monster moved with surprising speed, grabbing Shoto by his collar and yanking him back but this actually did the trick, the last of the rope snapped. Shoto's whole left hand ignited into flames, and he grabbed the monster's arm with it. The bird-orc didn't seem to feel pain, though, it didn't let go, just started smoking. Tomura stood, spitting, "You're lucky your father wants you alive , brat!" 

Shoto struggled but the monster might as well been made out of stone for how much it budged. "You may have a few extra tricks up your sleeve, but you're still no match for us," Tomura said. "And just for that, I'm gong to summon Kurogiri." He made some kind of signal, and a pillar of smoke appeared out of nowhere, Shoto recognized it as another minion that used to hang around the castle to deliver messages. The theory was he was a powerful wizard that could use Blink at will, but no one had ever actually seen his human form to know, maybe he was a demon. Whatever he was, Shoto realized that he had lost as soon as he saw him. Tomura saw his expression deflate. "Ah, you see now, you think you can stall for time? But we can go anywhere we like. And though it's normally a waste of our time to kill ordinary people, or weak mages like your mother, for information on the 8th, we'll soil our hands a little. Now, start talking."

"You sure it was this way?" Momo asked Ei. "I think so," Ei said, sniffing, he was in partial dragon form. "It's hard to tell, there's a lot of dark magic around here. But it feels strongest here." "Something for sure is this way," Mina held her nose. "I smell death and... I think a distinctly bully- kind of scent." "Bully?" Deku said. "What does that smell like?" "Unnecessary pain usually," Mina replied. ""I can't believe you dragged me out of bed for this," Camie yawned. "I'm sure Prince Shoto can handle himself. He's probably going to be beating them to pulp when you find him." "No one made you come," Denki said. "You and Bakguo could have both stayed behind, why are you even here?" "Simple," Bakugo said. "I don't like that prince, and if he's being humiliated, I want to see it in person." "We're just going to ignore that," Momo sighed. "But, Kyoka, are you sure you're up to this? You can go back." "I'm not staying in that creepy town alone," Kyoka shivered. "If you're all going, I am. Anyway, I'm fine now." That was only partially true.                                                                                                                                                                                     Sight suddenly cawed. "He sees something!" Momo said, relieved. "Looks like this is right, straight ahead, everyone." They raced over the dark hills and through some old tree stumps, finally, around a bend in the road, they found something--but it wasn't what they expected. A huge bird heard--orc bodied monster was holding Prince Shoto in place while a man with crazy eyes and withered features was talking to him. Mina skidded to a stop. "Oh...the dark magic emanating from those two is unreal... My skin's crawling." "Mine too," Ei frowned. Even the less sensitive humans felt trepidation. Those two looked like bdd news. But Camie was the only one who saw the Smoke pillar. "Ye, there's some kind of wizard thing over there too." What? Where?" Kyoka frowned. "There, don't you see it?" Camie pointed. "Concealment magic," Momo guessed. "Only another illusionist can see it." "Or someone with high levels of rage," Camie said. She turned to Bakugo. "Hey there's a pillar of smoke over there that thinks his grandmother can fight better than you." "You're making that up," Bakugo said. "Maybe I am, but I bet you he'd say something exactly like that, look at him, he's a total snob" Camie said. "I mean with the smoke and all, I'm thinking "sir, you ain't slick.'" Bakugo grinned then rubbed his palms together. "I'll kill him."

"Master," Kurogiri spoke. "I don't wish to interrupt, but, we seem to have company." "What?" Tomura looked. "How did those d---d novices find us so fast?" "I may be wrong, master, but that looks like a dragon nestling with them, that could explain it. I sense a sprite too." Kurogiri replied. "Well, deal with them!" Tomura raged. "Master, against so many, even my powers may be taxed," Kurogiri said. "May I propose we work as a team. Or unleash your Nomu." "Nomu will kill them all too quickly, suppose one has the map?" Tomura said. "Better to get it first, then kill them." "Alive? Then use your binding spell." Kurogiri said. "I don't need you to tell me that!" Tomura snapped, pulling out some cords. Shoto looked up "Watch out!" he yelled at the others. "Don't let them touch you--" Tomura kicked him in the stomach and he broke off. He tossed the cords.                                                                                                                                                                                                   "Incoming!"Momo held up a shield and spear as ropes came hurtling towards them. "Ah!" Kyoka got knocked down and ribbon-like material coiled around her wrists. Momo managed to deflect some with her spear, Mina dodged by shrinking. Camie vanished in a cloud of smoke along with Bakugo. Ei and Denki both got hit also and fell on their backs. But Deku found he wasn't even in danger, the cords went right by him. Ochako batted them away with her staff. "Deku," she said, "they're magic restraints, I've heard of these, they're suppose to be really hard to make, but... they aren't going to affect you." Deku nodded. "Okay then," he got in front of her, "stay behind me." "I don't know if that will work," Ochako said uncertainly. Behind them, black smoke swirled suddenly. "You paltry mages are way out of your league!" "Ah!" Ochako shot back and disappeared from sight. "Ochako!" Deku cried. Several feet away, in the air, she reappeared, falling to the ground. She managed to roll as she fell so it wasn't as hard, but she still had the wind knocked out of her. The smoke wizard did the same to Denki and Ei, who couldn't put up any kind of fight, but Momo rolled out of his reach, and tried to run to free Shoto-- but the other man blocked her path. "Not so fast!"

Momo didn't hesitate, she jabbed her spear at him---he caught it between his hands, the spear turned into dust. Momo gasped. The man grinned "You know what that is don't you? My touch drains magic and life out of anything I choose, want to see what it does to a human being?" Momo backed up. "But you have to get close enough to use it," she said evenly. "I can work with that." "Momo! Don't!" Shoto yelled "I know this scoundrel! He's merciless! Get away from here, I'll be fine." Momo ignored him. She focused on Tomura. "You have to drain the life out of other things to use your power, in my tribe, we call people like you leeches, unable to create anything of your own." Tomuraa frowned. "Your tribe...oh, don't tell me, you're one of those detestable warriors of Creati? I hate your kind. Bunch of snobs who think a little goddess is going to solve all your problems." He formed some kind of grey energy ball. "But, I'll tell you what, I'll give you the magic back." Momo frowned. The energy shot at her. "No..." Shoto flinched...                                       But Momo was still there, she looked up at Tomura, her eyes were glowing with a different kind of power. Tomura suddenly went from cocky to uneasy. "What's this? Why aren't you disintegrating." "You miscalculated," Momo said in a stronger voice than before, "You are not dealing with just a regular warrior of Creati, I am her Paladin." That must have meant something to Tomura, because he suddenly looked terrified. "Im---impossible! You're bluffing." Momo smiled. A staff formed her in hand, with energy crackling at the end of it. "Create!" Momo spoke the command. The energy exploded into some kind of cage and engulfed Tomura in rainbow colored strands of light, then it tightened, and he yelped, then fell over. "Master!" Kurogiri was distracted from throwing the others around the meadow, he moved as if to snatch Momo away--but then something lit into him. Bakugo! 

"Eat this you glorified smoke signal!" The smoke dissipated a lot and the wizard seemed unprepared for such a direct attack. "How--" he choked. "Bind!" Ochako yelled, waving her staff. The magic cords that had missed her turned and wrapped around the wizard instead, temporarily rendering his power useless, he fell over. Bakguo blew him up again for a good measure. Tomura started hurling curses at all of them. Momo went back to normal and started breathing hard like that had taken a lot out of her. "You think you've won!" Tormura cried. "Well you haven't , I still have a card left to play! Nomu! Kill them! Kill all of them! Except the boy." "No--" Shoto cried, but he was tossed aside hard into a rock. Momo hardly had time to wonder what the monster was going to do before it sent her sprawling with one blow that made her see stars. "Oh no!" Deku cried. "Look out!" he grabbed Denki and started dragging him out of the way as the monster charged them, Bakugo plowed into it and started making explosions, but they weren't having much effect. Ochaoc tried to hit it with a binding spell, that didn't work either, it seemed impervious to pain and magic. What was this thing? It grabbed Bakugo and slammed him into the ground. Deku frantically ripped the magic binding off Ei, since he could do this easily, and Ei jumped up and rose, turning into a full dragon. He charged the Nomu, but even this didn't go as hoped, the monster met his attack with equal strength and seemed to grow in size. At least it bought them some time though, Deku tore the binding off Denki and Kyoka also. Kyoka unleashed a sonic attack at the Nomu that also did nothing. Denki tried playing a song, that didn't work either. "It's like it doesn't have a soul..." he said. "I mean, if it were a real animal, I could still charm it, but.." "It's a Dark Monster, what do you expect? Of course it has no soul," Kyoka said, sounding sacred. "What do we do?" she looked at Deku "Tell me you have another sheep pen idea!" "I've never seen anything like this," Deku cried. "Guys, anytime!" Ei cried. Mina flitted around "I might be able to do something to help, but it's kind of gross," she spit something at the Nomu, it was acid. This did have some effect, the creature's arm started to burn and melt away, which was disgusting, but at least it weakened a little, Ei shoved it back. "So she spits acid... that's a thing," Denki said. "Sprites can do weird stuff," Kyoka acknowledged.

Mina spat more acid to slow it down further, but then, to their horror, it began to recover, the burns disappeared. It was self healing. "I've heard werewolves can't be killed by anything but silver," Kyoka said nervously, "you think maybe this thing is the same?" "Looks like it," Denki squeaked. "We're dead." The Nomu turned to regard them without emotion, it was just ready to attack again, apparently with no new orders, it would just keep following the last one. Ei blocked it as it tried to charge. "You guys run! I'll hold it off!" "We can't leave you here!" Mina cried. "Not the time to be arguing," Ei shouted, grunting with effort. Shoto had finally got up, rubbing his shoulder, and grabbed his wrist guards out of the horse's saddlebags-- then he grabbed its reins, on inspiration, and led the horse away. The Nomu threw Ei off--right towards Momo, who still wasn't moving. Shoto quickly used ice to form a wall-- though the effort hurt. Ei crashed into the ice and yelped, whistling "That's cold..."

Shoto ran up to Momo and grabbed her shoulders "Momo, wake up, come on," Momo blinked. "I think it broke my ankle..." Shoto helped her up. "Lean on me, come on." He half carried, half dragged her towards the horse. "Ahhh!" Kyoka jumped as the Nomu raced for them again, Ei trait to stop it with his tail. Mina dragged Denki into the air. Ochako made a shield around her and Deku... Bakugo and Camie were nowhere in sight. Had they bailed? Then suddenly, Camie was standing on a rock. "Ye freak!" She yelled at the Nomu. It swerved toward her like the noise made her more of a target. "Camie!" Deku cried. The Nomu raced at her---then there was no Camie. It was an illusion, the real Camie was standing next to Deku. "Everyone get close! Let's get out of here!" She called, blowing a huge amount of smoke that settled over all of them, creating a false wall, the Nomu clearly didn't have much sensing ability, it looked around not seeing them, and made a disturbing growling sound.

When Tomura came to some time later, Kurogiri told him that the entire party had just vanished completely without a trace. Even any racks they left had been trampled by the witless Nomu running all over looking for them until it ran itself half crazy. Tomura finally called it off, but he was livid. "I could kill all of you!" He said, though only two people were there. "I can't believe we were outdone by a bunch of novices!--That's it, we're calling in back-up! Kurogiri, take us to the pub!" "So we aren't going to kill the lady?" Kurogiri siad. "Are you crazy? King Enji would have our heads if we did that," Tomura said. "And for now we need him to think we're working for him, I'm surprised the kid fell for it. It was so obvious." "Emotions tend to cloud the judgment, Master," Kurogiri observed stoically. "It is why I prefer not to rely on them." "Shut up," Tomura said, annoyed.

The party must have run for two miles before they felt sure no one was following them, Camie collapsed from using so much magic, especially after being poisoned. Kyoka's leg was still throbbing too, but that was minor. The others were mostly okay, Ei had some bruises, but his hide had protected him for the most part. Momo wasn't doing so well though. Her ankle was, in fact, broken. Ochako managed to get it to be just strained, but that made her very sleepy, and it still hurt. Shoto felt miserably guilty, and that made him cross. "You shouldn't have all come after me!" He cried. "We're a party! We look out for each other!" Deku protested. "Speak for yourself, I just thought it'd be hilarious," Bakugo grumbled. Shoto almost punched him. "Does this seem funny to you?" Bakugo didn't respond to that. Maybe even he knew when not to poke the bear. "Look, why does it matter? What's done is done," Kyoka said. "At least we got away...who were those freaks anyway?" Shoto rubbed his face. "They work for my father...and you really shouldn't have tried to help... you've only made it worse. Now they'll be after all of us." "But, at least we have a chance that way," Momo pointed out, rubbing her ankle carefully. Shoto sighed, and formed some ice. "Here." "Oh, thank you..." she took it and wrapped it in cloth before applying it.                                                                                                                                                                         "You don't understand," Shoto sat down with a defeated look. "I don't deserve any of your help... I already sold you out." "What?" Denki said, they all frowned at Shoto. "What do you mean sold us out?" Kyoka demanded. Shoto looked at his hands. "I tried to stop them, but that monster, whatever it was, I couldn't even hurt it... and they were threatening my mom... I thought I could kill them before they got to her. I was going to stall, but then the wizard showed up, and he can go anywhere, in the blink of an eye... and I panicked. Maybe it was a bluff, but I've seen them kill innocent animals just for the fun of it, and pick on servants, and anyone my father wouldn't care about... I couldn't risk it... but I told them about the map and our quest... I'm sorry, you should probably just kill me." "If you're going to ask---"Bakugo began, Camie smacked his arm. "Cut it out, Baku, he's coming clean, you going to disrespect that." "Who's disrespecting? I'm just saying he shouldn't ask people to kill him if he doesn't want them to take him up on it," Bakugo grumbled. "Wow..." Denki said. "That's awful." Shoto hung his head.

"I can't believe they would threaten your mom like that," Denki went on in the next breath. "What a bunch of psychopaths." Shoto looked up in surprise. "Yeah, that' low,'' Deku agreed. Kyoka snapped a twig. "Stop sulking, Prince, it's not a good look for you. Look, don't worry about it, they had you in a corner, they knew it, so, it's not like we can really hold you responsible." "Yes, I think we all would have told them, in that position," Momo agreed, sincerely. "Even if it wasn't our mother, I don't think any innocent life is worth sacrificing over this, we can deal with them knowing about the map, that's our risk going on this quest, but it's not anyone else's burden to bear, is it?" Shoto hadn't expected them to take that view of it. "You're... not going to blame me? In earnest? " Ochako waved. "No, it's fine. I mean... they probably would have figured it out eventually if they've been tracking you. We'll just have to keep an extra close watch on that map." "And move faster," Kyoka added. "It's no problem," Ei agreed. "I'm up to the challenge." "Honestly, dude, you had me worried there for a second that you told them our weaknesses or something," Denki said.                                                                                       "I wouldn't do that," Shoto was insulted. "I don't even know your weaknesses." "I don't have any," Bakugo huffed. "It's not a big deal though, Princy," Camie waved dismissively. "I mean, I can always steal the map back if they get it, right?" That seemed doubtful. "And I don't really have a stake in your quest, so why would I care?" Mina shrugged. "Of course you want to protect your mother. Ugh, I hate those bullies! Someone ought to teach them a lesson. But, seriously, the look on that creepy guy's face when Momo pulled out that staff. Ah! It was to die for, wasn't it?" "That was pretty cool," Denki agreed. "How'd you do that?" "The blessing of Creati." Momo said sleepily. "It's a temporary boost of power the goddess lends to her paladin. It's a reserve for emergencies, but, I needed it to combat his destruction magic." "Oh that makes sense," Deku said. "Creation is Destruction's opposite." "See, there's a logic to it," Denki said. "You're catching on." "I just hope I'll know enough soon to start learning magic.." Deku said. They looked at him oddly. "Uh... but..." Mina said "You have no magical ability." Deku looked up. "What do you mean? I know I don't have any training but," "Even without training, people have magic inside them," Mina said. "I can sense it,...I hate to break it to you, but you got nothing. The only magic you could wield would be from an item, maybe and even that might not work for you, usually you have to have some talent for that." "But don't feel bad," Momo said hastily. "You can still become a mighty warrior without magic." "It's overrated," Denki tried to help also. No one else had anything nice to say though. "Don't gloss over it," Bakugo said. "He's pretty much dead without magic around here, it's just a matter of time, it's stupid to give him false hope." "You could be less of an ass," Kyoka said. "I'm just telling it how it is." He retorted.

Deku was quiet. Was it true? Would he not be able to wield the SOL and become the 9th holder? What would he do then? But, no, it couldn't be true. Surely, the hermit and the 8th must have known he had no magic, right? He would just have to ask in person.