XXXIX. Gilded Goodbye
Izuku's eyes remained transfixed on the exact location where you had vanished into thin air, his heart racing as he desperately searched the vicinity for any sign of your presence. The vibrant green leaves of the trees swayed in the gentle breeze, creating a stark contrast to the tension that had enveloped the area. His eyes darted back and forth, sweat beads forming on his brow as he frantically called out the names of his friends, Bakugo and Tokoyami. Yet, their usual fiery banter and the comforting sound of their footsteps were nowhere to be heard. They had seemingly disappeared without a trace. "Where on earth did they go?" he murmured to himself, feeling utterly lost and vulnerable.
Elsewhere, the battle between Shoto and Mr. Compress raged on with an intensity that could melt the very air around them. The latter's ice-based quirk sent a blast of frosty air hurtling towards Mr. Compress, a declaration of Shoto's unyielding determination. "You're not going to escape from me!" he roared, his eyes ablaze with a fiery resolve. Mr. Compress, however, remained unfazed by the attack, his movements as fluid as the shadows that danced around the forest. With a grace that belied his villainous nature, he evaded the assault, using the very trees as stepping stones to propel himself further away from the pursuing hero.
"Not today, young hero," Mr. Compress taunted, his voice carrying an unnerving calmness that sent chills down Shoto's spine. He disappeared into the foliage with a sinister smirk, leaving nothing but a trail of leaves fluttering in his wake.
Shoto's eyes narrowed, and in a fit of rage, he slammed his fist into the unforgiving earth. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, a testament to his frustration. "Damn it!" he exclaimed, the taste of defeat bitter on his tongue.
Mr. Compress, now out of sight, reached for his communicator with a sense of urgency that belied his earlier nonchalance. His thumb hovered over the button, poised to deliver the news to his comrades. "Dabi, Twice," he spoke into the device, his voice a mix of triumph and haste, "I've apprehended both Katsuki and Y/N. We need to regroup at the extraction point immediately."
The duo of Dabi and Twice, having heard their comrade's message, quickened their pace. They walked through the dense underbrush, their footsteps barely making a sound as they approached the predetermined meeting place. Dabi's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, while Twice's grin spread from ear to ear.
"It seems Mr. Compress has had quite the successful hunt," Dabi commented in his low, gravelly voice, a hint of amusement lacing his words.
"He's always had a knack for that sort of thing," Twice replied, his tone light despite the gravity of the situation. "I just hope he's enjoying the fruits of his labor."
Dabi, ever the pragmatic one, shrugged off Twice's musings. "Whether he's reveling in his victory or not is irrelevant. Our objective has been met. Let's just ensure the extraction goes according to plan."
Back at the heart of the skirmish, Katsuki's eyes grew wide with astonishment as Mr. Compress held up two small spheres, each encasing the unconscious forms of you and Bakugo. "You got them both?" he questioned incredulously, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism.
Mr. Compress nodded with a self-satisfied smirk that could only come from someone who had just outwitted their opponents. "Indeed, I did," he said with a flair that was both infuriating and unmistakably smug.
Dabi's gaze fell upon the spheres, his grin widening. "Good job," he commended Mr. Compress, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.
But the victory was short-lived as Twice reminded Mr. Compress of one crucial detail. "Don't forget about the Chainsaw Nomu," he cautioned. "We can't have it running amok for too much longer."
Mr. Compress nodded curtly, understanding the importance of maintaining control over their monstrous creation. He spoke into his communicator, his voice firm and commanding. "Nomu, return to us at once."
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, the Chainsaw Nomu was hot on the heels of a terrified Yosetsu Awase. The hero was sprinting for his life, his arms wrapped protectively around the frail form of the injured Momo. The Nomu's unearthly growls reverberated through the trees, filling the air with a sense of dread and urgency. The creature's chainsaw limbs whirred menacingly, slicing through the air as it closed in on its prey.
Yosetsu, his breaths coming in ragged gasps and his heart pounding in his chest, knew they couldn't outrun the beast forever. As the Nomu drew near, poised to strike, Dabi's authoritative voice cut through the chaos. "Nomu, return!"
The creature paused, its eyes narrowing, but it ultimately obeyed the command, turning and lumbering back in the direction of its masters.
Momo, her face a mask of pain and determination, took a moment to regain her composure. She glanced over at Yosetsu, who was equally as drained. "We need to track them," she whispered, her voice a mere wisp in the wind. "The villains have Katsuki and Y/N."
Yosetsu nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. He focused his quirk, his fingers deftly weaving together metal components to form a tiny, intricate tracking device. "I can attach this to the Nomu's back," he said, his voice steady despite the fear that gripped him. "It will lead us to them."
Momo's eyes shone with a flicker of hope, and she managed a weak nod. "Do it," she urged, her resolve unshaken despite the dire circumstances.
With trembling hands, Yosetsu affixed the device to the retreating Nomu's back, his heart racing as he watched it disappear into the distance. They had a trail to follow now, a glimmer of hope in the dark abyss of despair that had swallowed their friends. The duo took a deep breath and set off, their eyes locked on the path ahead, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in their quest to save their comrades.
𓆩♡𓆪
In the tumultuous heart of the battle, where the acrid smell of burnt earth and the cacophony of clashing powers filled the air, Aizawa found himself abruptly transfixed by the urgent voice crackling through his communicator. It was Mandalay, her words tinged with unmistakable panic as they pierced the din of combat.
"Villains have breached the compound!" she exclaimed, her voice strained with tension. "They've taken two of our students hostage!"
Aizawa's world seemed to come to a standstill, his chest tightening with a sudden, icy grip. His gaze flickered down to the device in his hand, then back to the fiery battle before him, as if trying to reconcile the gravity of the situation with the chaos around him. His eyes searched the horizon, where the dark silhouettes of his foes danced among the flames. His thoughts raced, a silent mantra echoing through his mind, 'Please, not L/N...'
With a tremor of fear for his pupils, Aizawa's hand clenched into a fist so tight his knuckles turned white. His eyes narrowed to slits, and his breathing grew shallow, as if the very air was being squeezed from his lungs. The fight with the Dabi clone, which had consumed him moments ago, suddenly seemed trivial. The priority now was clear: he had to return to the compound, to ensure the safety of his students.
---
You slowly surfaced from the abyss of unconsciousness, the world around you a blur of pain and confusion. A hand, rough and unyielding, was wrapped around your throat, and the scent of sulfur and rust filled your nostrils. There was no doubt in your mind: it was Dabi.
Your voice, barely a thread of sound, fought its way out of the vice-like grip. "What...is happening?" you gasped, your eyes fluttering open with great effort.
Before you could fully grasp your surroundings, you were met with the anguished visages of your comrades, their faces etched with deep lines of worry and fear. Among them was Izuku, your cherished student, his emerald eyes reflecting the desperation of the situation. He strained against the burly arms of Mezo, who was valiantly attempting to keep him at bay, to prevent him from rushing to your aid.
"Y/N!" Izuku's voice was a ragged cry, a testament to his distress. His struggle against Mezo's restraint grew more fervent as he called out to you.
You managed a feeble smile, tinged with pain, trying to reassure him despite the dire circumstances. "I'm okay, Izuku," you murmured, your voice barely audible over the din of the battle. "Don't worry about me."
The sight of his anguish tore at your heartstrings, but you knew that you had to be strong for him. You had taken him under your wing, watched him grow from a timid young boy into a hero worthy of the title. You had grown to love him, to believe in him.
Dabi, the twisted individual behind the fiery mask, snickered at the exchange, his amusement a stark contrast to the gravity of the scene. "Aren't you going to say goodbye?" he jeered, his words dripping with malevolent amusement.
You glowered at him, despite the pain, and found your voice, though it was a mere whisper. "I'll be fine," you reassured Izuku, your eyes never leaving his. "You just have to keep fighting. Live on, my dear emerald," you added, your voice filled with warmth and a silent plea.
The world around you grew dimmer as you spoke, and the figures of your friends began to blur into the background. The last thing to remain clear in your vision was the torrent of tears cascading down Izuku's cheeks. And then, the inky embrace of Kurogiri's portal enveloped you, swallowing you into the abyss.
As the darkness consumed you, the sound of Izuku's choked sob echoed in your ears, a poignant reminder of the bond you shared. The cold embrace of the void seemed to whisper a promise of uncertainty, but in that moment, you had made a silent vow: you would return, and together, you would overcome this newfound adversity.
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