Chapter Text
Katsuki sucked in a breath, sweat dripping down his brow, mixing in with the blood smeared across his face, fresh from the open wounds patched along his arms and back. He felt the air behind him sharpen, and he stiffened, preparing for the next blow. CRACK. Cold, smooth metal met his bare skin and for a split second Katsuki was seeing stars. The immediate pain ruptured under his spine as a direct impact was hit again and again and again and again…
“Sixteen,” said a voice behind him, devoid of any kind of warmth or emotion. He spoke as if he was simply delivering his lunch order. “Number sixteen please.” Katsuki could imagine the man saying in his head. In his empty, monotone voice that matched the empty monotone voices of every employee in this god forsaken place. Katsuki held strong and blinked away from the murkiness at the edge of his vision. Only sixteen. He would not fall to sixteen whimsy hits. Even if they were the exact opposite of whimsy. The pure force from the bar hurt like hell, and the bruises made his back appear to be a walking illustration of an Impressionism painting: fuzzy colors and an uncanny representation of something almost human but not quite. After a few moments to wallow in the current misery, the air behind him sharpened once more and another ear splitting BANG echoed across the room as Katsuki was struck once more.
“Seventeen.” Katsuki stumbled forward slightly, or as far as his restraints would allow him. He never could walk very far from the totem pole he was chained to. The leather was splitting into his skin and causing infected rings to form around his wrist and itchy splotches to crawl up his forearms. It couldn’t scratch himself to relieve the itching either, it was a constant torture, not worse than what he was currently experiencing however.
“Did you wind up that time or something?” Katsuki snapped out, in between inhales of agony. His brain kept shouting at him to run, to get away, to stop whoever was doing this to him but the leather binding his wrists together and keeping him within 3 feet of the concrete pole at all times was a slight obstacle his brain didn’t seem to comprehend. In response to his question Katsuki got socked in the back of his knee which actually did send him straight down, face first. A nasty nose bleed would’ve occured if his forearms hadn't been braced for impact. The instant pain that flared within his arms was unbearable, though he only had been thrown forward onto a rough path of dirt, the ground was still hard and rocky and tiny sharp pebbles were stabbed into his skin. Within a split second dozens of tiny droplets of blood dotted his arms and from a distance someone could confuse his condition with hives, only up close could someone tell the gruesome conditions he was being put through.“No, not that time. But I can this time if you’d like,” the man said, without even a hint of emotion. How someone could casually speak those words as if they were an average conversation starter was beyond Katsuki’s understanding.
He was leaning forward, his hands clenching and unclenching over and over again, trying to distract himself from the dozens of points of pain currently spazzing all over his body. If you don’t think about it they can’t bother you. Ignore them and they will go away. Don’t give in. DO NOT give in. He mentally repeated the lines over and over. If he willed it long enough it might have a chance at becoming. His thoughts were interrupted with another CRACK and this time, completely unprepared, he did crumple forward. His head dipped low in between his knees as he kneeled in the same manner a child might kneel for forgiveness. His vision went dark for a few seconds and he couldn’t contain the blood and congestion that coughed its way out of his chest. How long would they keep this up? He held his arms close to his chest as if he hugged them close he could figure out how to grab on and hold onto the last bit of consciousness he had in him. He could feel himself slipping away and he didn’t know how to stop it. How can your own mind be your worst enemy?
There was a huff of impatience behind him before the voice said, “Sit up.” Katsuki didn’t move. Even if he wanted to, he didn’t know if he could. All he could do was clutch his tethered arms close as he leaned forward into the ground. Stray threads of grass tickled his leg as he prayed his hands chose not to let him go too soon. How was grass already growing back? Katsuki thought it was cruel that life as small and meaningless as grass could find a way to grow and live amongst the ashes of lost lives that were far greater. Another great crack split the air as the man aimed and swung directly at the metal pole in front of him, and Katsuki flinched hard. He never flinched, never showed fear, or never let the enemy see him weak. How could he willingly start now? His body began convulsing without warning. He was shaking all over and he hurt so badly but he couldn’t give in. He had already shown them his fear, he couldn’t let them have anything else. He couldn’t let go, not yet. “I said sit up.” Katsuki showed no sign of a response and that seemed to be a sufficient response in itself. An irritated grumble and ruffling of clothes was heard as the man roughly grabbed Katsuki by the hair, yanking him back up in a kneeling position. “Do you not know how to listen, boy?” It felt as if every individual strand was being yanked from his scalp as the man turned Katsuki’s head to the side to make eye contact. For what reason? The man had no idea… perhaps a dominating one?
“I can listen… I just choose not to,” Katsuki spit out, his voice cracking and husky from continuous spouts of blood he was coughing up. How did he always manage to say the wrong thing at the wrong time? Even though he sounded half dead, he looked twice as bad. His lids were drowsy and only partially raised and his face was puffy and swollen from previous beatings. Blood was smeared all over his cheeks and even knotted in some parts of his spiky, blonde hair and fresh lines of it ran down his chin, dripping onto equally bruised and bloody chest. Somewhere during the past days’ events, he had obtained a four inch scratch along his left temple and a similar scratch beginning at his left cheekbone and ending at his jaw. Once the man laid eyes on the face of his victim, he had to muffle a gasp of shock at the boy’s state. For the first time he appeared to show the most subtle signs of grief and almost regret. Katuski’s eyelids lifted ever so slightly, they felt as if they each were carrying ten tons of concrete. His crimson red eyes were hazy and absent, as if Katsuki’s body was here but his soul was somewhere else entirely. It seems the man had actually beat the life out of him. But a flicker of recognition seemed to enlighten something in his brain because a moment later Katsuki’s eyes widened slightly and a gasp escaped his bloody, cracked lips.
Katuski found he recognized the man. He couldn’t quite place where, but he knew he had seen this face before. Not recently, that’s for sure. But at some point in his life, before the hero work and the fear of All for One, Katsuki had seen his face. He even began to recognize the voice. This man, he had spoken with him somewhere. Yet, he couldn’t place where. His eyes flicked back and forth between the man’s horrified brown eyes as if someone, deep in the murkiness of his pupils he would find a reflection of himself long ago and be able to render his memory. It was no use, he found nothing.
The man dropped whatever he was holding in his other hand and it clattered against the ground and clearly he hadn’t been expecting it because he slightly jumped. Despite the weapon gone from the man’s hold Katsuki didn’t feel a sliver of relief, he knew something else, something worse, would come sooner or later. But the man stood frozen, his terrified gaze looking upon Katsuki as if he was looking down at the depths of hell. But the look of terror lasted only for a moment before the man closed his eyes and tossed Katsuki against the pole as if he were a limp ragdoll that was easy to dispose of. In his current condition, Katuski could see the resemblance. He slowly, and painstakingly, crawled into a sitting position, leaning his aching back against the pole, he kept his eyes on the man. His back reaped in pain and he gritted his teeth to keep from calling out, but to turn another direction would be to expose his back to the unknowns of the campsite around him. That was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.
The man stepped forward as his shadow, from the lanterns lining the wired fence a few yards behind him, slowly overtook Katsuki until he was entirely encased in the darkness of the man’s figure. And as much as he wanted to, he didn’t open his mouth, even Katsuki knew when not to taunt a man with a cane. (the key word there was when; sometimes taunting is necessary) Katuski narrowed his vision down the man’s eyes and hands. As long as he didn't reach for the weapon he should be safe, but the man’s eyes told another story. The man swept his eyes over Katsuki’s broken fever and closed his eyes with a shaky breath before crouching low and clasping his hands together as if he was about to break some heart heavy news to the boy. As if anything he said could be worse than what he had experienced the past twenty-four hours. Flashes of ocean, green hair, and screaming suddenly filled his mind and Katsuki about lost his shit before realizing, never mind, there was something the man could tell him that was worse than everything had gone through at the will of All for One.
“You know, I was told to continue the beatings until you were no longer conscious,” the man spoke with his usual stoic tone. Katsuki would’ve raised an eyebrow at that statement if he had any strength to do so, but it was taking everything in him not to collapse on his side.
“Do you not know the meaning of the word or… am I missing something? Are you going to do a grand.. finale swing.. or something?” Katsuki choked out in between coughs and laughs. Not because the situation was humorous, but because it was so fucking ridiculous. How did he end up here? How could they have lost this badly? How could things have gone this wrong?
“No, I’m just not going too.” Katsuki fought the urge to cackle.
“Thank you, I guess? You expect me to get on my knees and praise you?” His voice was full of laughter and irony, but he could barely find it in himself to lift the corners of his mouth without feeling as if his skin was being torn in half at the seams. He wondered if his face matched the stoicness of the man before him. The empty gleam in the man’s eyes. The straight line formed by his lips and the serious shape formed by his brows. He hoped his face was an exact representation of the man’s so at least he would go out with one last ounce of rebellion within him. This man was going to end things here, he knew it. He could almost hear the words about to spill from his mouth, I was told to knock you unconscious but I don’t see why we should have to deal with you becoming conscious again. Goodbye! No, this was it. He wanted so badly to be wrong, but you didn’t just come into the main headquarters for All For One’s army and make it out alive. Not if you were fighting for the opposite side of the war. And now that the war is over….
“No, but I expect you to fucking listen.” That snagged Katsuki’s attention, the snap of the tone and the sudden darkness that seemed to befall the man’s facial features. “All For One will be meeting with you later and he wants you to be ‘taken care of’ if you can get the just.” Katsuki understood. All For One expected him to be confused, weary, and weak. Katsuki would be none of those things for him. He could be on the verge of death, bleeding out and standing on broken bones, but he would stand before All For One until he is permanently laid on his deathbed. He is willing to go down whilst standing but he will not be killed while already down. The man had been staring at Katsuki for a few seconds, but Katsuki didn’t speak. He just returned the heavy glare. He didn’t trust the man fully, because why would someone working for All For One be handing his plans out freely to prisoners? The man sighed and then added, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this so don’t ask but…” He hesitated a moment more.
“They gave me a recommended number.” Katsuki must’ve made a face of confusion because the man quickly added, “You know, of hits.” Katsuki’s eyes widened slightly at the news. How many more were they supposed to be? Was he just telling him this because they made it throw the hit count? Katsuki was honored that All For One felt he was strong enough to receive double digit beatings, which probably wasn’t the thoughts he should be having, but he suddenly felt uneasy that he might not be finished yet. The man could be telling the truth and he could just as easily be lying. Trying to get Katsuki to lower his guard before he punches him straight in the gut, or his face, or wherever else is a position of weakness.
“The number was 48.” Katuski’s breath hitched. That couldn’t be true. He wouldn’t have just been knocked unconscious, he would’ve been killed. He knew All For One was batshit crazy but he didn’t expect him to outright kill a prisoner that could still have useful information. 48 blows. He felt as if he was going to pass out at.. what number had he even got too? “You made it to 20.” Oh. He would’ve been dead by 30. The man would’ve been beating a mutilated corpse by the time he reached 40. As if suddenly on edge that the man was going to reach out and try to start beating him again, Katsuki tucked his knees against his chest and nestled bonded arms tightly between them. The man wasn’t really looking at Katsuki right now, however, he was staring down at his hands. Picking at his nails absentmindedly as he turned thoughts over in his brain. Katsuki didn’t want to provoke the man, who seemed for the moment, almost trying to warn him, which couldn’t be right. This man can’t be trying to help him can he? Suddenly the man raised his head and stared straight into Katsuki’s eyes. The man was debating, he could see the gears shifting. He was thinking of what could possibly happen if he told Katsuki this and Katsuki was slowly becoming very intrigued.
“It was a hit for each hero killed on the battlefield.” That was all the man said and the little blood Katsuki had left drained from his face. No no no no no no. He had to be lying. Forty-eight? It couldn’t be true. No, the man had to be bluffing. Had to be trying to distract him. Wasn’t he? But if he was telling the truth… were they students and adults alike or just adults? Oh, it didn’t matter. A death is a death and that was someone’s life. Gone. Just like that. In the blink of an eye it’s as if they were never there to begin with. And these deaths, these would be people Katsuki knew. Not some random trying to take Katsuki’s light, not these would be his allies, maybe even his friends. Maybe even…. oh God please no. Katsuki couldn’t bear the thoughts and suddenly the last bit of strength he had seemed to leave his body. He slumped forward into his knees for support, and the man crouched there watching him struggle silently.
He sealed his eyes tightly shut and tried to block out of the tears beckoning to flow free. He held his forehead in his bound hands and grabbed clumps of his blonde hair and began pulling it as if he pulled hard enough it would trigger some reaction and he would wake up in his bed back at UA and everything would be the way it should be. He wouldn’t be imprisoned by All For One, the heroes wouldn’t have lost not only the war but also in numbers, and he would be preparing for another lesson with his class. What he would give to terrorize them all one more time. But he wasn’t dreaming and he knew the only thing he would open his eyes to would be the puddles of his own blood at his feet, his raggy clothes, and butchered skin. Without his consent, a vision of Allmight flashed without his mind. Whatever you do, you keep him safe. He’s our last chance Katsuki and you’re in charge of keeping him alive. Katsuki’s eyes flared open in horror and he shook his head, tearing his hands away from his face as if he was on fire. He looked down and saw blood was now all over his hands and knees but he didn’t care. He couldn’t bear the sight of his greatest hero, knowing he had failed him.
“Why would you tell me this?” Katsuki didn’t care if he had already been told not to ask, the man invoked his worst fears. This hurt so much worse than the bar had. He would’ve rather been forced to endure the fourth-eight hits and maybe lived to see the light of day if only he meant he hadn’t had to deal with Allmight and.. Katsuki couldn’t even admit it to himself. Couldn’t believe it to be real. He chose to block it out instead and stuff all those emotions back down, he couldn’t show weakness, not here, not with this man, and certainly not near All For One.
“As I said earlier, All For One is going to see you later. I would say act like you’ve been broken, but I don’t think you have to do much acting.” Katsuki watched the man stand up and grab the bar and he instinctively curled into himself, tucking himself as close to the bar as he could. But he simply pulled a rag out of the pockets of his navy uniform and began to wipe the metal clean before he turned and walked towards the fence. Katsuki stared the entire walk and watched him intently as the man pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the latch to the gate. The man opened the gate and stepped out before locking the gate back and pressing a button on a metal box beside the fence’s entrance. A heavy hum sounded across the enclosed yard before the lights flickered slightly and shut off, leaving Katsuki alone with his thoughts. The shadows were his only form of company and now they too had been chased away by the darkness. The yard itself was too dark to make out anything more than a few feet away from him. Perhaps the darkness behind his eyelids was better than the darkness in front of him so he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the pole, letting out a heavy sigh.
The pain was so immense he couldn’t help but feel his muscles quiver all over and for the first time he felt safe enough to let out a raw sob that was so rough it felt as if it was scraping his throat. The tears came without warning and he barely recognized he had been crying until the stickiness on his face became so overwhelming he had to wipe his arm against it, the salty tears instantly stinging all the cuts from the pebbles. He finally was able to brush the pebbles off against his leg but the stinging was so much worse without the tiny rocks there to clog the flow of blood. He was a mess, he looked straight out of a horror movie and no matter how bad he looked he knew it felt a 1000 times worse. He didn’t think he had ever been put through such excruciating raw pain, not when he had been captured by the League, not when he literally died before being brought back, and yeah, that sucked. And this was probably minor compared to what they would do once they deemed him no longer useful. As long as he kept his lips sealed he would live. That’s all that mattered. He just had to live. It didn’t even have to be a lush living, he just had to survive. Just survive. Make it out alive and don’t fail more people than he already had. That was the goal. And Katsuki would die trying before giving up on a goal.
He cried until he didn’t have any tears left in him, to be honest he didn’t know if he had any more liquids in his body. His blood was basically everywhere but inside him by this point and what was left of the little water he had drank that day just came out in the broken sobs of his mourning. Not for the hero’s necessarily, it was a shock, but it was also expected. It hurt to hear the number, but it wasn’t surprising. If they were still here they would’ve come for him by now. He was alone. He was alone in this camp and he was alone in the world. He had lost everything and everyone that had mattered and he had nothing left except his will to live and his promise to Allmight and he hoped that would be enough to get him out of here. Eventually. For now though, he needed to focus on the present. Stay alive. Stay alive.
He knew he might be having issues when he had to focus on breathing. In out. In out. In out. Just live. Just fucking live. Don’t die. Don’t die. It wasn’t long before that pattern of thinking sent him into a weary state of conscience where he wasn’t really asleep but he wasn’t really awake either. He was alive, but barely and it took everything in him not to heave up the remains of his intestines which felt as if they were being eaten alive inside of him. Internal bleeding. This was not good. But Katsuki wasn’t exactly in the state of mind to worry too much about it. He was only capable of thinking about one thing at a time and right now that was making sure he didn’t run out of oxygen. In out. In out. In… out… It wasn’t long before he finally shifted consciousness and drifted into a pitiful sleep.
~~~
When Izuku finally drifted into a consciousness that allowed him to concentrate on more things than the feel of the warm sun against his bruised and beaten skin, it was as if a light switch was powered on inside his head. He flew open his eyes and was met with green, a green that was a much lighter shade than his dark, earthy hair, and he flung himself into a sitting position. With his arms stretched out behind him he pulled his knees upwards, and prepared himself to stand. But before he could continue that idea he felt the dryness of his mouth and instantly craved a sip of water. He tried to dampen his lamps and mouth with his saliva but it wasn’t doing much good for him. No, he needed water and fast. After roasting in the sun all day he was bound to be dehydrated. But as he looked around to find a reasonable water source all he was met with was disappointment. In its great expanse that lay before him was the pacific ocean but that was almost cruel. All this water and he couldn’t drink a drop without becoming sicker than he already was.
Izuku sighed and began looking around again. As he studied the woods slowly became aware he had no idea how he got here. He noticed he was nestled in a bed of leaves, sheltered by the canopy of dozens of tall trees surrounding him, making him impossible to spot from the air. That kind of sucked because if rescue teams happened to fly by, they never would have seen him. And there had to be rescue teams out there right? After…
Yesterday’s events suddenly flooded his head and Izuku crumpled onto his side, curling into a ball, and trying to pry the memories out of his mind. He didn’t remember well but what he remembered he didn’t care to see. Blood, fires, burning bodies, and the smell. Oh, the smell had been wretched. At the thought of blood he suddenly thought to check himself, he can’t be that bad all things considering otherwise he would probably be dead. Either by his own wounds or an animal from the woods surrounding him.
He didn’t want to think of those negative thoughts, he didn’t want to think of the possibility that they actually lost… No, they couldn't, after all the training, all the planning, all the missions. They couldn’t just fail. Not like this and most certainly not when they were so close. If Izuku believed in anything it was his team. All Might, the other heroes, his classmates… Kacchan. He knew them better than he knew himself at times and he knew they would never allow All For One to succeed, whether Izuku had been at the final battle or not they would find a way to win. In fact, Izuku was entirely sure of the fact they had succeeded and were probably looking for him, he just needed to get back to civilization and out of the muggy jungles of the pacific coast.
If he used his float mixed with gearshift he would be back to UA in no time, or at least reach a Medical Station before then where he could speak with someone and let his team know he was okay. He would need to fly towards Shizuoka but in all honesty, he had no idea where he was, so maybe immediately breaking into flight was out of the question. Well, he would need a new idea quickly. He didn’t want to stay on this stranded coast any longer than he had too. With a sigh Izuku steadily climbed to his feet, he could at least use float to quickly find a water source. He began to dust himself off, brushing the leaves and twigs out of his clothes and hair. He was going to begin walking towards the open sandy beach where he would have an easier time taking flight without obstacles, but when his hand came back coated in blood he froze. This can’t be good. His eyes widened at the blood stained on his right hand. He lifted his left elbow and found about an 8 inch scrap running from his shoulder blade down to his elbow. Izuku began to mentally panic. Oh goodness. It’s going to be infected and I’m going to die out here and no one is going to find me and my mom will not know what to do and she will be looking for me but I’ll probably be eaten by then and… He mentally panicked for a good five minutes.
Finally, he came to his senses and decided to rip off a tear of his suit, or what was left of it. He still had most of the clothing pieces, but all his gear was gone and his red cape had been ripped off at some point. His red belt was gone and his clothes were next to useless. The sleeves had been ripped off which was weird because not even he could think of a valuable reason for a villain to rip off his sleeves. If that was part of a villain’s grand plan, to rip his clothes seemed a little kinky, but they were villains after all so who really knew the thought process behind it. But the suit was downright useless at this point anyways and it was severely hot in the muggy forests so Izuku decided he probably didn’t need it anyways. He always wore underclothes, as most of the guys in baggier suits did, and he had on a plain white t-shirt (well maybe not plain because it says Shirt. in big black letters, but it is one of his personal favorites) with red athletic shorts. He kept his shoes though, because there wasn’t really a spare pair of those. After stepping out of that mangy suit he instantly felt 100x better and he tore the remaining pieces of fabric into long strips before he began wrapping his upper arm. It didn’t take too long and thankfully the cut wasn’t that deep nor painful. He was soon ready to begin his search for fresh water, he was beginning to feel the effects of dehydration.
Izuku walked across the sandy beaches, kicking clumps of sand as he moseyed along. The beach was by no means an elegant beach you might see in magazines and on vacation websites, nor the kind you wait all year for to spend a week during summer vacation. It had a dreary vibe and a salty, cool breeze. The sand was darker grains, like walking on brown sugar, and twigs and limbs were scattered in every direction. He stopped walking once he was halfway to the ocean, and when he turned back he noticed the beach was almost shaped like a circle. A giant wall of elegant Red and Black Pines, stretching their lush, green branches high into the clear, afternoon skies, formed part of the arc. Maybe it was more of a semi circle because the rest of the beach was just open sand and rock formations.
Turning his attention back to the task at hand, he readied himself for flight, preparing to take off kneeled to the ground, gave his lower body a few moments to loosen up, then propelled his quirk! Confused as to why his feet were still firmly planted on the ground, Izuku glanced around as if maybe there was some mysterious force holding on down against his will. A mysterious force he couldn’t see, feel, or sense for that matter. “That’s strange,” he muttered under his breath, and attempted to take flight again. After a second trial and error, he began to grow concerned. He mentally processed how to use Float again. Picture a balloon. Picture a bird. Picture yourself walking on clouds. He had done all of that, and he wasn’t only closer to a bird or a cloud unless the clouds included fog, which had begun to drift over the seas as the day reached its breaking point and dusk was drawing near. “What is going on?” He asked, bewildered that he had forgotten how to use float. It had become muscle memory at this point so he normally didn’t even have to think about it but now he couldn’t even attempt the power even with thinking about it. Float was one of the easiest quirks, besides All Might’s, to operate. There's no way he couldn’t use a step-by-step technique to figure it out.
Maybe he just needed to go back to the basics, he might’ve taken a hit to the head or something and his memory was muffled. His head didn’t really hurt but you can never be too cautious. First, he took a deep breath and released tension in his muscles. Then, he steadily bent his knees ever so slightly forward, pushing his weight into the balls of his feet, bouncing slightly on his toes, and now was the most complicated part of it all. He had to reach down deep into his inner core and find the power within- “OW,” shrieked Izuku as a sudden sharp whiplash shot straight through his brain. A bright light flashed across his vision, momentarily stunning him, and he stumbled backwards, landing flat on his black. He was clutching his head with hands trying to pry the horrible pain out of his brain. It was burning and scratching and thrashing and wouldn’t stop and he was going to go insane as his heart rate started pounding in his chest and he couldn’t breathe steadily, to be honest he didn’t know if he was breathing at all. He was shrieking in agony and he just knew he looked like a maniac but he didn’t care right now, all he wanted was the pest in his head to be gone. He twisted and withered on the ground and sand was flung in every direction from his violent kicking as he curled over on his side, begging and pleading, for his head to get a grip and shut off whatever this was. Then, as suddenly as it came on, the pain was over.
Izuku still held his head between his hands for a few moments to relieve the pressure of his skull that felt as if it had been tossed in a washing machine and tossed around for a few loads, or even worse, a edge of a cliff right before a major earthquake and he was thrown over the ledge only to pound against the side of the mountain over and over and over. An earthquake rated 10 on the Richter Scale. His body was feeling the tremors of aftershock as he laid there panting, wondering what could have possibly just happened. The right side of his face was pressed against the sand and was relatively cool but the other half of his face was burning with heat. He blinked slowly, listening to his own heartbeat that was still pounding against his chest. He was scared to move from his fetal position, afraid that even moving a muscle would spark another attack. But the pain was gone for now and he prayed it wouldn’t return. What could have caused something like that? He knew hydration caused headaches but he didn’t think it led to brain seizures.
As he laid there, he began to count his breaths. Just to make sure he was breathing because after that, it didn’t feel like he was living. How could he experience a feeling so great and so powerful only for it to dissipate instantly? He didn’t know and he didn’t know how to avoid the scenario from repeating itself. Maybe he really was in need of some water, what if he had hallucinated the whole thing? That would be a reasonable explanation. Is this just the body’s personal response to not receiving enough water? Izuku was very dedicated to drinking 8 ounces of water a day at least, so he had never bore witness to the horrors of dehydration. Perhaps this was just a symptom. Still, he made no motion to go find water. He didn’t make any motions at all, he just laid there and watched the fog slowly roll in over the crashing waves.
Izuku didn’t get up for a while actually. Instead he solemnly watched the robin-egg-blue skies fade into dusty violet. He saw the shadow’s from the tree’s extend across the beach and open waters until they too vanished into the night. He watched gulls fly down from their posts in the trees and hop around the ground, picking at tiny crabs and insects scurrying around the ocean’s edge. Then he watched as the gull’s returned to their posts to tuck themselves in for the night. The fog quickly grew heavy and soon coated the entire coastline in a hazy mist. If he turned his head, Izuku couldn’t see more than 10 feet out in the water which made him feel a little uneasy. He liked to be able to sense danger coming his way and while danger sense was very useful, it was also nice to have some sense of where danger might pop up without his quirk. In other words, he liked to have a solid awareness of his surroundings. It’s nice to not only know that you’re going to be facing up against something or someone dangerous, but it’s also nice to be able to SEE what you're going to be facing. Still Izuku couldn’t find the strength in him to get up. The strike against his mind had somehow exhausted the energy in his whole body and he couldn’t find it in himself to move. It took everything he had to flex his fingertips, forget standing up and walking around a forest or attempting to float once more.
The longer Izuku laid there the more he felt like he had been in this exact spot before, or something similar to it. He couldn’t entirely place what had happened or had any recognition of when it had happened. But after a while of wallowing in his feelings, trying to kickstart his memory, words appeared in his head. They kept replaying over and over as if a broken record was on repeat. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.” I’ll be back. I’ll be back. I’ll be back. Who will be back? He didn’t know what sparked the words or why they wouldn’t stop. And who had SAID the words was an even better question. Was it himself, telling someone else that he would return to them. Or had someone told him? Had he diverted from a teammate at some point during the battle, or on a past mission that he had apparently forgotten about, and told them this. Or, even more likely, had he been abandoned on this random beach and was supposed to be waiting on someone? There were a thousand scenarios that those words could’ve been a result of and Izuku had no idea how to narrow down his thoughts. All this processing was beginning to hurt his head and he resigned to going back to staring out to the inky black sea, seeking comfort from the blanket of fog wrapping him in a misty hug.
His eyes began to grow heavy and as hard as Izuku fought sleep, he didn’t have a lot of strength left in him to fight with after all the thrashing in his head. He promised himself he would just rest his eyes but the steady rhythm of the waves gently crashing against the shore mixed with the cool breeze, ruffling his shaggy curls and kissing his burning skin, still hot from earlier, soon broke that promise as he drifted off into the world of dreams.
~~~
Katsuki slowly stirred awake to the feel of someone lightly brushing his cheek and as even as his eyes fluttered open it took his vision a second to clear. Tilting his head back slightly he instantly recognized he was in a new environment and a blurry figure was standing above him, caressing his cheek. Katsuki blinked a few times, adjusting the dimly lit setting and once his eyesight finally clicked into focus his brain meekly registered the man standing at his bedside. At first, Katsuki assumed the man was an elder, due to his white hair and foggy grey eyes. But the light twinkling inside them marked the man young and full of spirits and that smile… that wicked smile that could deceive even the greatest of detectives.. Once Katsuki registered who was before him he went to slap the man’s arm away only to find he couldn’t move his arms. Glancing down he saw both wrists were firmly tied to the bars beside his bed. It took all of half a second for him to freak out. Using all his might he threw himself back against the bed frame, trying to pull out of the ropes trapping him.
“Let me go, you fucking old ass creep!” Katsuki shouted as he fought, All For One didn’t even blink. He just stared as Katsuki went berserk and patiently held his hand out in the same place it had been when he brushed Katsuki’s cheek. He didn’t force Katsuki to be still, he just waited for the little temper tantrum. He knew Katsuki was weak as it was and wouldn’t last long pouting and kicking. The nasty slur of cuss words soon followed Katsuki’s previous statement as he fought physically and verbally against All For One’s presence. After a minute or so, Katsuki seemed to feel satisfied he was pushed as far back against the bed frame as he could be and All For One couldn’t immediately touch him without at least taking a step forward first, he sat still as a statue, knees tucked against his chest, and panting heavily. His eyes were wide and burning with a rage so intense, if looks could kill he would be able to take out an entire army in a single glance.
“I swear, it’s as if you try to make things harder on yourself,” said All For One with a humorous tone as he lowered his hand to his side and took a step back from the bed. Katsuki didn’t speak, he didn’t move, he just watched the man intently as he had watched his abuser prior to this. “You’re normally so cocky. A stick of dynamite, literally, your name suits you very well.” complimented All For One as he crossed his arms and began strolling around the… tent? Katsuki couldn’t determine what exact type of shelter this could be classified as. There were tables set up around the room, all cluttered with papers and maps. Most likely plans from past attacks. Katsuki’s eyes were glued to All For One as he tenderly toyed with the trinkets displayed on the tables. All For One chuckled once more before asking, “Where’s all that fire now, hm?” The man glanced over his shoulder as he spoke, his voice sweet like honey, despite the venom dripping from his tone. Katsuki narrowed his glare. The man sighed, not bothered by Katsuki’s lack of communication.
“I would ask if you’ve enjoyed your stay so far, but by the looks of it, I can guess how it’s been going.” All For One smiled while speaking, and Kastsuki wanted to tear that stupid smile off his face. This man has done so much irreparable damage, and will pay nothing for it. It wasn’t fair. How could he go on living freely, living lavishly as a king, with the blood of a nation staining his pristine hands. Katsuki could be sick just looking at him. He was a murderer. He killed people with a smile, and he was probably going to end Katsuki in the same manner, with that same stupid crooked smile, just as he had everyone else. “Come on, I’m trying to spark conversation here in case you can’t tell.” Katsuki rolled his eyes as the man turned his body to face him and leaned nonchalantly against the side of the table. He was calm. So very calm. And Katsuki hated him even more for it. He hated that the guilt didn’t eat him away every second of the rest of his miserable life. He hated that he could stand so comfortably knowing what he had done, that he was proud of what he had done. Katsuki knew he would do it over again if given the chance, all while wearing the same stupid smile.
“I don’t speak to strangers,” he said gruffly from the bed. His voice cracked and throat burned from a combination of lack of use and desperation for water. All For One’s lips curled upwards at the remark as he pushed himself off the table and walked back over to the bedside.
“Oh Bakugo, don’t belittle me for such disgrace. How can you call us strangers after all we’ve been through?” All For One was coming close, too close. Katsuki bared his teeth at the man, he was determined not to, but if it came down to it he might blow this place to bits. He knew it would cause chaos and he would have no backup. But it sounded like a better alternative than being near this psychopath for even another minute. “Aren’t I your most fearsome enemy? Enemies would’ve been a better term than strangers. That’s just degrading. Maybe I could even call us friends?” Katsuki’s eyes blazed at the man’s taunting.
“You’re a fucking pest who doesn’t seem to shut up,” Katsuki growled out, his fists clenched as he tried to remain calm. His body was aching from all his shuffling around under the covers and his recent injuries were beginning to flare up. For the first time, he noticed all the bandages wrapped around him. Was he actually being treated? Did these imbeciles actually have knowledge of human care? All For One’s face didn’t falter but he did stop walking when he reached the foot of the bed and he laced his fingers together behind his back to study as he studied the defensive boy before him.
“I’m going to ignore that comment for your betterment. And why can’t we be friends… I did see you through your worst after all.” Katsuki had no idea what the man was talking about until it hit him like a train wreck and his face fell. He couldn’t be bringing it up already. He isn’t going to hold it over my head? The man smiled at Katsuki’s reaction, his eyes brightening with laughter that begged to be released. Katsuki’s eyes dulled with a familiar sadness. “What a day it was,” the man said while shaking his head in reminiscence. “I would say it’s a shame things turned out that way… but I don’t feel shameful about it at all.” All For One began walking around the same again, clearly not good at focusing for over a minute. A large contrast with his ability to focus on plans for years. Katsuki wondered how long it took him to plan the most recent battle. The one that cost him everything.
“You’re a monster,” Katuski spoke softly, suddenly not as alive and alert as before. He wanted to cry again, he wanted to mourn the loss of his friends, and he wanted to go back to sleep in a world where he could forget that they were gone.
“So they say,” said All For One, used to the derogatory names by now. Heroes had been calling him much worse for years. “They’re not wrong.” As he sifted through papers on the desk, Katsuki’s mind began to drift back to the war. To the gore and the bloodshed and every awful thing that occurred because of the man before him. This man had stood in front of Allmight and survived both his kill attacks,in the end even managing to best Allmight. Was Allmight dead? Katsuki had no idea. But if he wasn’t, Katsuki didn’t doubt that would be one of the first people All For One was going to send his dogs after. As of right now though, All For One, evil given form, was standing before him. And he was alone and helpless. And for the first time, he couldn’t help but admit he was a little bit afraid. “But they're dead now. So I don’t see why it matters.”
Katsuki froze. It was one thing hearing about the death toll, it was another hearing it from the lips of the man who was the cause of it. “Don’t say that,” Katsuki spoke without thinking. He was in too much shock, his brain was running on auto-pilot. He couldn’t handle being reminded every five minutes how many people he let down. How many people died because he wasn’t strong enough.
“Why not? Does the truth scare you Bakugo?” All For One asked smoothly. “Does it make you shiver, do you wish to hide from it?” He asked as he left the papers alone and walked over the bedside stool he had been sitting in for a little while before Katsuki awoke. He took a seat and clasped his hands neatly in his lap, staring straight into the empty eyes of Bakugo Katsuki. Katsuki couldn’t think, couldn’t move, and his breathing was almost entirely manual.
“Shut up,” he said with absolutely no bite. He might as well have been saying please or thank you or any other words that could be muttered with extreme care. However his words weren’t tender, they weren’t anything. They were devoid of all emotion just as the man earlier had been. Had he gone through this as well? This shock that shook him so hard he wasn’t able to recover?
“I was like that once,” the man carried on as if Katsuki’s words were never uttered. “I used to cower before the truth.” Katsuki began shaking his head, not wanting to hear anymore. He wanted to be left alone, he didn’t want to be stuck in this bed, in this room, with this evil man.
“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up,” he kept repeating, trying to get the man to be quiet for at least a moment. He knew All For One was about to tell him something horrible and he wanted no part of it.
“The truth was my brother.” Katsuki began trembling with irritation that this man couldn’t take a hint and tears started to swell up in his eyes. “And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t face him. So I hid. I cowered in fear, and fear kept me safe.” The longer the man talked, the less fight Katsuki had in him, so after a few tears silently ran down his cheeks, Katsuki turned the face of the man who had been solemnly staring at him. His grey eyes were as dead as ever. Not even the remembrance of his brother could bring a hint of life into them. The man was truly a monster. “But one day I realized that hiding was doing nothing more than prolonging the inevitable, and one day I was going to have to face the truth, or it was going to destroy me.” The man paused and Katsuki swore his face darkened before he continued.
“So I chose the second option, and I killed my brother.” Katsuki knew this story, Allmight had told it more than once, but hearing it from All For One was an entirely new experience Katsuki could have lived without. How can he admit to such evil with a straight face? Katsuki knew the man wasn’t done speaking and whatever was next was most likely only going to be worse than the last so he mentally braced himself as he continued to stare across his blankets, a devilish smirk etched across the man’s face. “And that wasn’t enough. There were still people aiming to overcome me and my power, trying to take my rightful place in this world. So I killed them too.” Katsuki sucked in a deep breath. Don’t show emotion. Don’t show emotion. Don’t show emotion. Don’t give him what he wants. “Would you like to take a guess at who I’m talking about?” Katsuki immediately shook his head. No, he didn’t want names. He was fine with the anonymity. Because if there were names and All For One said one in particular… No, Katsuki couldn’t live with himself. He wouldn’t be able to live, he would have failed his mission, failed Allmight. He didn’t want names because he still wanted to have hope that the world wasn’t completely doomed.“Oh come on.. don’t be a bore. Here let me name some right now.”
“NO!” Katsuki shouted, a burst of anger shot through him without reprimandation. All For One raised a brow, clearly unimpressed with the outburst.
“Let’s not act like animals, Bakugo. Inside voices are appreciated.” Katsuki felt that familiar hum in his veins, that rage calling him. The fire simmered against his bones, longing for a release. Just once, that’s all it would take to do the job. He could aim at All For One, the blast might take off his own legs in the process but it would be worth it right? To have such a scumbag disintegrated off the face of the earth would do everyone a major favor, a few missing limbs would be a worthy sacrifice. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” All For One spoke sternly, for once his voice lacked its lighthearted tone.
Katsuki glared at the man and bared his teeth once more. “Bakugo, you are all too predictable. These restraints weren’t made to keep your power under control, but they were made to keep you under control.” Katsuki turned his attention down the ties around his wrist. They looked like regular leather to him. “Shall I demonstrate?” Katsuki shook his head, whatever there was to demonstrate was most certainly the exact opposite of what Katsuki wanted right now.
The man ignored Katsuki and picked up a small remote on the bedside table. The man waved it in front of Katsuki a couple times as if he were a dog being shown a new toy. “See this?” Katsuki wanted to disappear, he could already sense what was able to happen.
“Do you expect me to be afraid of a little button?” Katsuki internally slapped himself. What was up with him and his out of control tongue? Why can’t he keep his mouth shut for once?
“What do you think this little button does?” Katsuki looked around as if searching for an answer in the walls of the green tent.
“I’m not sure and I don’t care to find out,” he eventually grinded out. Katsuki was his own worst enemy at times. The man raised a brow again and held the remote up before pressing down once. A riveting shock immediately tazed both wrists and the instant recoil he felt was immense. The shock was electrifying (in the worst way possible) and excruciatingly painful, as if he was being struck by lightning ten times in a row. He wanted to scream but wasn’t able to form any coherent thoughts or ideas, instead he simply sat there shaking in the aftershock of the taze. It had lasted no more than three seconds but was one of the worst pains he had felt in his life. The voltage on those things had to be at least 200. How he was not dead? Well, it was painful but not deadly and Katsuki had a feeling he could be shocked as many times as All For One liked, and no matter how much it fucking terrorized him, he wouldn’t have the strength to kill him.
“Hopefully I don’t need to use this again.” All For One said as he laid the remote back on the table, allowing Bakugo to shiver in silence. He wanted to rub his wrist free of the burn from the shock, they were still in rough shape from the beatings earlier and he knew this wouldn’t aid their healing. Katsuki stared wide eyed, trying to remain collected but feared he wouldn’t be able to much longer. The faint tremors of shocks echoed in his bones but he tried to maintain a stoic face, he couldn’t quite erase the faded look of sadness of his face though, no matter how hard he tried.
All For One suddenly broke into a wide smile as he looked at Katsuki. “Why, it's uncanny, you look exactly as they did…” his straightened posture became too much for him to maintain and he reverted back to leaning forward on his knees, “.. before I killed them.” Katsuki contained the look of pure horror that threatened to pass across his features. He felt his insides churning and imagined in a few seconds the little bit of remains in his stomach would all come up. This was sick. This whole situation was sick. He was going to be sick.
“Now I ask again, would you like me to name them?” Name them. As if they were objects waiting for a label. As if they weren’t mothers and fathers and sons and daughters. Katsuki couldn’t bear to listen anymore and he wanted to plug his ears and shout at the top of his lungs I CAN’T HEAR YOU! But he didn’t have that luxury. He didn’t give a response, silently hoping that if All For One ever chose a single moment to have some human compassion it would be now and he would shut his mouth and leave. Of course, All For One wasn’t capable of human emotions and he began to speak. “You’re going to know one day anyways, why postpone. Why hide from the truth? Why not face it here in the safety of solitude?” Katsuki didn’t feel safe at all, not when All For One was sitting no more than a foot away from his bed. All For One watched him intently and Katsuki wanted to sink into the bed, wrap the blankets around his body, and shield himself from his terrifying gaze. It felt as if a predator was sizing up his prey and Katsuki wanted no part of that, not when he was incapable of defending himself.
“Well, let’s start with the important ones.” Katsuki’s body stiffened automatically, “Hm… there was that yellow bulldozer looking thing. Forgive me for not knowing their names, I never really cared to be honest with you.” All For One took a break to chuckle at his honesty before continuing, “There was that astronaut, and the cowboy with a gun. I know these names are silly, the only names I bothered to learn are well… yours and your class. But let’s save the best for last.” Katsuki sat rigid and eyes wide, taking in all the information and trying to show as little reaction as possible. If that was even possible. “The cement block and Ectoplasm.. that name I did learn.. I thought he looked like one of my Nomu at first, isn’t that funny! I can’t kill one of my own after all, well, that’s a lie. Of course I can, everyone is replaceable.” Katsuki didn’t dare breathe too loud, after that any sudden movement would trigger his mind to break down mode, and he would lose any and all composure. All For One kept listing name, after name, after name, and Katsuki’s heart broke a tiny piece off with every fallen hero. They died because he failed. “They are dead because of me.” And then he began listing names that Katsuki couldn’t quite believe.
“There was Froppy, the little green haired girl. Thank god, she was such a BUGkill. Get it… she had a frog ability.. No?” Katsuki stared dumbfounded. Did he just make a joke about one of his kills…? One of his classmates? “Then there was the critter kid, Koda I believe, and Sato, the guy one cupcake away from diabetes. I didn’t even bother taking their quirks, they were so useless, I mean come on… you're telling me you're going to defeat me with the call of the wild? I think not.” Katsuki was trembling again, but this time, not entirely from fear. This time it was from a feeling he was no stranger too. His fiery, hot rage.
“There was the earphone girl, Jiro. Now, here quirk was interesting. I did take that one before I bashed her skull in. I felt it would’ve been a waste of a useful quirk. There was the bird, I guess I didn’t learn all the names because I don’t know his. But he had those evil shadow powers. Those were fucking cool. Yes, I took those as well because I strangled him with his own ability. Tragic way to go out, but at least he died a hero. As they all did. What else can you ask for?” All For One kept talking but Katsuki had stopped listening. What else can you ask for? Not only was this man the most arrogant bastard to ever walk the earth, he was also the most hate driven evil to ever exist. Katsuki wanted to kill him with his bare hands. Katsuki wanted to bash his skull in. He wanted to strangle All For One and then toss him over a building into the fiery flames made by his friends. He didn’t want his death to be quick, no he wanted it slow and torturous. And Katsuki wanted to deliver it to him himself, but all the deaths sunk in and Katsuki realized how small he was in comparison not only strength and height, but also power size, and realized he stood no chance. Not alone. But that was exactly what he was. And that filled him with even more raw rage knowing he would never get the chance to deliver justice.
“Don’t speak my classmates’ names again,” Katsuki said, with no hesitation and no stutter. He spoke coldly and defiantly and All For One simply ignored him.
“Don’t interrupt, we’re almost to the best part.” Katsuki sucked in a breath and prepared for the final blow. “About your green haired friend… Izuku Midoriya.” Katsuki about blew up the building… consequences be damned. Without meaning to, sparks crackled off his fingertips and All For One suddenly looked very pleased. “Oh, touchy subject huh.” All For One said after glancing at Katsuki’s face and seeing the look of pure vengeance. His red eyes were burning and his interests were suddenly very peaked. He would mourn his classmates, and when he was able he would give them a proper goodbye, but this was the name he had been terrified to hear since the beginning. As long as that damn nerd was still alive society had a chance at survival. Allmight had said as much, and he had promised Allmight he would keep Izuku alive. Whatever it took, whatever sacrifices had to be made, he would keep Izuku safe. And currently he was failing because he had no idea where Izuku was. He had an idea of where he might be, but he had no way of getting there.
“Is he dead?” Katsuki asked. As long as he said no Katsuki would be alright. That’s all he needed to hear. All For One narrowed his gaze for a second, studying the boy intently before responding.
“Not yet.” Katsuki released a sigh he didn’t realize he had been holding. Oh thank God. He was about to immediately relax his muscles at the news. Not yet. He was still out there, there was still a chance. “But not for much longer.” Katsuki tensed up once more and shot his head up, staring daggers at All For One. He was filled with a new energy. If Izuku was out there, he was going to get to him, and he was not going to be stopped. He just needed the right time. Izuku was not going to be killed unless Katsuki happened to already be buried six feet under. And even then, they were going to have to fight off his ghost.
“That’s why I’m here Bakugo. I need your help to find him.” Katsuki almost broke into a laugh.
“Are you fucking stupid? I will die before I help you get to him.” All For One smiled softly and stood up, clasping his hands behind his back before he began another lap around the cozy room.
“Trust me, you’re going to wish you had,” he said sharply. All humor was erased from his tone like how he had erased the lives of everyone Katsuki cared about, everyone except for one. “Your stay here so far has not been pleasant and it’s only going to grow worse.” Katsuki had expected this. He knew this was going to happen. “But, you can make things so much easier on yourself. If you just decide to help us.” Katsuki shook his head firmly and spit at the man at the foot of bed, the man who held all the power in Japan, would soon hold all the power in the world, except one person stood in his way. But one person stood in his way. Izuku Midoriya. And the nerd most likely had no idea. But that’s alright because Katsuki was standing in All For One’s way to get to Midoryia, and he would not be moved.
“I’ve got a better idea, how about you go fuck yourself.” Katsuki said, with a hint of a smile. All For One chuckled but his eyes displayed a different emotion. He wasn’t used to being defied by his prisoners.
“You know, I would’ve killed you by now. But I guess you’re in luck that you’re valuable in not one but two assets.” All For One began and Katsuki fought an eye roll that was threatening to come over him. This man just loved hearing himself speak.
“I’m truly honored, but is there any way to pass such a prestigious blessing to someone who cared a little bit more?” At that All For One lost his composure. His eyes went bleak and his smile faded and he swiftly walked around the bed before delivering a single hard slap right across Katsuki’s face.
“You fucking little bitch. No wonder the League was begging for your membership, you just don’t know how to behave.” The slap stung but Katsuki just grinned, it felt good to get under his skin for a change. “I don’t think you understand what’s about to happen.” Katsuki rolled his eyes for real this time.
”Oh please enlighten me, great and honorable one,” okay maybe great and honorable one was out of pocket but Katsuki didn’t see a better time to use it than now. All For One was not pleased however as he reached down and roughly gripped Katsuki’s chin, tugging his face up until they were inches away. He furrowed his brow and spoke roughly, no longer putting up his unbothered front.
“I’m not sure you're ready for it you insufferable brat, but here it is.” He tightened his grip and Katsuki realized he was quickly losing his ability to breathe. “You’re going to drop this little heroine act and you’re going to wrap your brain around the fact that the moment I feel you're no longer useful I will kill you.” Katsuki’s face didn’t twitch. “And then you’re going to go back to that pen and take a few more hits, because I think you can take a few more with this new found fire in you.” All For One’s spiteful scowl slowly split into a grin as he continued, “And then when I’m ready for you you are going to come meet with my new Council and you are going to show the world how much you love us and our rules and once they see how much we’ve changed you they will realize how much we can do for them. And when you're out there parading your new ideals and life philosophies, Izuku Midoryia is going to see.” Katsuki wanted to bite the devil out of this man for even daring to utter the nerd’s name around him. But he suddenly became fearful of his plans to lure in Izuku.
“Because he is never far from you, and when he sees you he won't care about the risks, he’s going to come for you because that’s exactly the self-sacrificing idiot he is and we’re going to be waiting on him.” The man was smiling fiercely by now, and his warm breath was flocking Katsuki’s face, but all Izuku could focus on was that All For One wasn’t wrong.
“And he should recognize the failure in his risks but he won’t be able to because he’ll be too blinded by the fact that his last ally, his last friend, is alive and in the hands of the individual who has slaughtered everyone else that mattered to him. He is going to come for you, Bakugo. And when he arrives… I’m going to kill him.” All For One slowed his words down and gripped Katuski’s jaw so tightly to the point it felt it would snap in half, “And you’re going to watch.” Katsuki’s eyes widened and his heart rate spiked. “And then I’m going to kill you. And the world is going to hear the story of how you were murdered by your best friend…their great and powerful symbol of peace… all because he couldn’t accept you for your new ways. They are going to finally see the monsters you so-called heros truly are.” On that note, he released Katsuki’s chin and Katsuki had never flung himself back so fast, he was hyperventilating as All For One glared down at him with pure hatred swimming in his eyes. “How does that sound, Bakugo?”
Katsuki was sucking in breaths, he had to breathe. He couldn’t think straight if he couldn’t revive oxygen. Everything will be okay. He will find a way out by then. He will reach Izuku before Izuku reaches him. Katsuki wouldn’t make eye contact, he couldn’t even look in the man’s direction anymore without his mind flooding with a newfound fear. And the man feeds off fear.
Izuku can never know he’s here. He has to get out: he wasn’t sure how or when he would be able to, but at some point, he would have to find an exit.
“Well, I can see you’ve been given some heavy subjects to consider. So I guess I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” Katsuki would have rather thought about anything else but he couldn’t help but turn over the fact in his head that Izuku was alive. By some miracle, they hadn't found him. He also hoped there were a few miracles left in the universe to help aid his escape so he wouldn’t draw Izuku to the last place in the world he needs to be. All For One mosied over to the far corner of the tent, on the right side of the tent’s flaps. There was a clay pitcher in the corner hidden behind throw pillows and bamboo chairs. All For One leisurely poured the water into a glass that had been stored in a crate laid beside the pitcher. Katsuki intended on watching him carefully but was interrupted by the sound of running footsteps outside.
Heavy shouts were coming from directly in front of the tent and All For One snapped his head up, his gaze narrowing. He finished up with the water before hurrying over the night stand. “You might want this,” he said, not really asking or suggesting. Katsuki didn’t expect the oncoming attack as All For One snatched the back of his head and before he could react shoved the glass against his lips, “Drink it, fast.” Katsuki planned on spewing the water in All For One’s face as a reaction but the nails of bony fingers digging into the skin of his neck was warning enough to not fight this fight and just drink the water. Katsuki relented and downed the glass, and as soon as the last drop was emptied All For One let him go. He fell back against the bed frame, unsure what to make of what just happened. “Get some rest, you’re going to need it,” muttered All For One as he laid the glass back on the night stand and then hurried towards the door and ran outside, not even bothering to fully close the tent.
Could this be his opportunity? There was clearly a large distraction outside. Katsuki dared believe it might even be the hero’s and the entire story about 48 deaths had been a lie to frighten him into surrendering. True or not, that door was open and Katsuki had the chance at freedom, if he could remove the binds on his arms. He tried tugging in every direction but none seemed to loosen the binds and after about thirty seconds of attempted concentration it didn’t matter anyway. His thoughts were becoming fuzzy and his vision was fading in and out. Katsuki realized too late that it hadn't been ordinary water and black spots began flickering in the corner of his eyes.
No no no no, how could he have been so stupid? He supposed he hadn’t really had a choice, down the water himself, or choke on the water and still feel the effects either way. But he had to reach Izuku… He just had too… He couldn’t lose sight of… As his thoughts became incoherent and almost gibberish he sluggishly nestled into the pillows and blankets of his bed as best he could with his arms tethered to either side. Just wait a little longer… please…. He prayed that somehow Izuku felt his message and his pleas before his body gave into the drug and he fell into darkness.
~~~
Falling, falling, falling. He had been flying, and now he was falling. Had he even been flying? He was in the air was he not? He supposed it didn’t matter now, he had hit the ground anyway. And hit the ground hard. Pain. Pain. Pain. It was all he felt. In his arms, his legs, his feet, his hands, his face, everywhere. He was burning inside, a colorful agonizing sensation was set aflame in his bones and he spread to his blood and would soon spread to hsi muscle, blazing everything in its bath. And it hurt him so badly. It hurt so bad he didn’t know if he would be alive to see the defusing of the fire, he didn’t know if he would be able to last. But as quickly as the flames came on, they began to die down until all that was left was that feeling of ash. The internal knowledge that a part of him had been permanently scorched away, and all that remained was the ash and dust.
Izuku seemed to lose all strength in that moment, he was awake but not really, and he lost his ability to think rationally. All he could think about was the fire and burning and ash. So much ash, he even saw it if he opened his eyes and really studied and looked around. They were everywhere, the tiny particles being the only clue to the destruction of what once was. Nothing would ever be as it was before, Izuku wouldn’t be the same either. Not after what he just felt, he didn’t know if he would ever be considered alive after that ethereal feeling of pure, raw pain.
“Izuku!” Someone had shouted and maybe that was what brought him back. At least, partially back. He opened his eyes once more and saw the crimson red that had stained his bones and burned his flesh from the inside out. The same red that matched the flames that ate up his strength and his consciousness. Could he even trust the red? Something told him he could and he gave in and let the red consume him. From that point on his vision got hazy. There were strong arms, blonde air, a salty breeze, shouting, screaming, blood, so much blood. There was running. There was flying. There was open skies and there was sand. Everything happened in a blur and it didn’t help that almost everything occurred under a red haze. A rose colored lense. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back.” Don’t worry, I’ll be back. Don’t worry, I’ll be back…
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back,” Izuku muttered into the sand. When he accidentally managed to slip some sand into his mouth his brain began to recognize he was in a dream and he needed to wake up. He had been catching up on much needed rest, still in the same position he had passed out in last night, and was basking in the morning sun. His body soaking in the warm rays after a chilly night. Almost instantly Izuku came too and when he did, confusion no longer wracked his brain. From the moment his brain clicked on he flew his eyes and flung himself upright, his mind racing at a hundred miles per hour, sudden réalisation overcame him full force.
“It was Kacchan!” He exclaimed eagerly, and the pieces began falling in place as his memory slowly crawled back to him.