Chapter Text
Izuku’s head was throbbing. He whimpered and furrowed his brow. What happened? Did he hit his head? He could hear a beeping from his right and smelled antiseptic. Was he in a hospital? He carefully opened his eyes. An unfamiliar white ceiling met his gaze. Seemed like a hospital.
“Izuku?”
Izuku turned his head, wincing as the throbbing intensified for a few seconds. Shouto was sitting up in the bed next to him. His left arm was in a sling and he had a bandage on his forehead. He frowned at Izuku. “How are you feeling?”
“Terrible,” Izuku admitted. He pushed himself up, clutching his head as a sharp spike jabbed behind his eyes. “What happened?”
“Don’t you remember?” Shouto asked. Izuku glanced at him. His ears were sideways.
Cat ears. Right, that quirk again.
Mighty, curled up at the end of Izuku’s bed, lifted his head off Izuku’s leg and thumped his tail.
Them too. It was starting to come back now.
Izuku had only been back on patrol a couple weeks when Natsume Nekinu approached him . His twin brother, Natsume Inuneko, still refused to name the second leader of the group of villains who had perpetrated several attacks on the city. Nekinu thought maybe his brother would open up to him.
Endeavor took Izuku, Kacchan and Shouto with him when he brought Nekinu to the detention center where his brother was being held. He said it was so the students could learn about interrogations but Izuku suspected it was because Endeavor didn’t like Nekinu. The flame hero had been extra grumpy both times he was affected by the man’s quirk. Izuku did his best to keep the two separated.
When Endeavor walked into the cell, Inuneko rolled his eyes. “I already told you, I’m not giving them up.”
“You have a visitor.” Endeavor stepped to the side to reveal Nekinu.
Inuneko frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you.” Nekinu took a seat in the single chair while his brother stayed seated on his bed. “You’re in a lot of trouble but they said they would make a deal if you give up your co-leader.”
Inuneko scoffed and crossed his arms. “I’m going to prison either way. With my partner free, at least I know our work will continue.”
“But you’re hurting people!” Nekinu exclaimed. He leaned forward in his seat. “What happened to you? You weren’t like this when we were younger.”
Inuneko turned his head to the side. “A lot has changed since then.”
Nekinu sighed and slumped back in his seat. “I want to help you.”
Inuneko narrowed his eyes. “I don’t need your help.”
Nekinu rubbed his face and glanced back at Endeavor. “Could I speak privately to him? Just for a few minutes?”
Endeavor nodded. “We’ll be just outside the door.” The three interns lead the way and Endeavor closed the door sharply behind him. “This is a waste of time,” Endeavor muttered.
“I don’t know,” Izuku said. “He might be able to get through to him.”
Kacchan scoffed . “That guy ain’t talking. He’s too committed to being a villain. Endeavor’s right; this is a fucking waste of time.”
“We had to try something. His group launched another attack last week,” Shouto reminded him.
Kacchan growled. “I know. But the only thing that happens when we deal with these two idiot brothers is getting hit with those damn quirks.”
Loud singing from down the hallway interrupted their conversation. Izuku turned to see Kirishima and Suneater leading a man to a holding cell.
“His ass was so plump.
I gave it a squeeze.
He moaned and whimpered.
So soft, so soft, so soft.”
The singing was off-key and echoed down the hallway. Izuku winced as Kirishima shoved the man inside the cell and slammed the door. “Will you shut up already?!”
The man grinned as he pressed his face against the bars in the door.
“His muscles were hard and firm as he pushed against me.
Give it, give it, give it to me.
I moaned as he pushed my face into the wall.
Give it, give it, give it to me.”
Suneater, face bright red, covered his ears. “I’m going back to Fat.” Kirishima waved him off and he scurried back down the hallway.
Kirishima spotted them and walked over as the prisoner continued to sing. “Please tell me you’re having a better day than me.”
“What the fuck is that guy’s problem?” Kacchan asked. The tips of his ears were pink.
“His quirk lets him influence people by singing.” Kirishima winced as the man grew louder, yelling lyrics about tight asses and hard rods. “He caused an orgy at a library.”
Shouto tilted his head. “That’s an unusual place for an orgy.”
Endeavor groaned and rubbed between his eyes. “Could this day get any worse?”
“There you are!” Hawks waved from the entrance to the hallway. He walked over to the man singing in the cell and stopped to observe him. “Man, those are some interesting lyrics huh?”
Endeavor glared at the other pro. “What are you doing here?”
Hawks smirked as he sauntered over to them. “What, you’re not happy to see me?” Endeavor continued to glare. Hawks put a hand to his chest with a pout. “You’re hurting my feelings.”
“What do you want?” Endeavor snapped.
Hawks sighed. “This isn’t a social call this time. I have some information you need to hear.”
“ Trapped in a cell, can’t get free.
Oh no, what will I do?
Heroes in the hall, looking at me.
Oh no, what will I do?”
Izuku tried to tune out the singing as Hawks’ expression grew serious. “I’ve heard from another criminal I captured that Natsume’s group is looking for him. They’re organizing a break out.”
Endeavor crossed his arms. “Did you find out when?”
Hawks shook his head. “The criminal isn’t part of the group. He just heard they were checking out the detention centers.”
“Five doors down, then three more.
You’ll find what I’ve been looking for.
Watch the heroes yell and scatter.
The bird, the flames and four that don’t matter.”
Izuku blinked and turned to look at the cell with the singing villain. The villain smirked at him. “Um, sir?”
“How big a force?” Endeavor asked Hawks.
“They haven’t recouped their numbers yet, but I would say about a dozen if they all show up,” Hawks said.
“Smash the wall, bring it down.
First one, then the cells.
Nobody to stop you or bring you down.
Come and get me. Follow my yells.”
“Did they say anything about the co-leader?” Izuku asked, eyes still on the singing villain. “Who they are? How they plan to get in?”
Shouto looked between the villain and Izuku. “What are you thinking?”
Kacchan’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
Endeavor and Hawks exchanged a look. Endeavor growled and stomped down the hallway towards the cell. “Who are you?”
A loud explosion shook the building. Izuku could hear the outer wall crumbling. Yelling sounded from outside and the sounds of gunfire filled the air. Izuku braced himself as something hit the door at the end of the hallway, smashing it to the floor.
“Stop where you are!” Endeavor called, flames rising around his fists. Hawks pulled a long feather free, holding it like a sword, as he positioned himself behind and to the left of Endeavor. Several small feathers broke free from his wings and zipped down the hallway.
The feathers bounced harmlessly off the rocky hide of the man in the doorway. He swatted them away as he walked towards them. Endeavor let off a gout of flame but the man just raised an arm to shield his face. He stopped at the singing villain’s cell and ripped the door open.
The singing villain stepped into the hallway and smirked. “Thank you. Our target is that door over there,” he said, pointing at Inuneko’s cell.
Shouto pressed a hand against the door and froze it solid. “You’re not getting in.”
“You think that will stop us?” The villain looked towards the end of the hallway . “ Now!” The lights flickered and went out. Dim emergency lighting immediately came on but Izuku could hear the clicking as the door locks in the hallway disengaged.
The rock villain broke the cuffs on the singing villain. He rubbed his wrists and grinned.
“ Freedom is moments away.
Fight, fight, fight.
You can all get away.
Fight, fight, fight. ”
Izuku stumbled forward as the door behind him hit him as it swung open. He turned, just managing to brace himself as the criminal inside launched himself at Izuku, swinging a spiked tail. He hissed as his arm was sliced by the sharp spikes.
Pandemonium erupted as criminals poured into the hall from both sides. Endeavor couldn’t use his flames without hitting the interns and was reduced to hand to hand combat. Hawks used his feathers to subdue some of the criminals but a woman spitting acid started dissolving them. He threw away his melted sword feather and jumped to the side to avoid another acid attack.
Izuku managed to knock his opponent out with a blow to the head. He turned in time to see the rock villain smash through Shouto’s ice and rip open the door to Inuneko’s cell. “They reached Natsume!” he shouted.
Shouto tried to send more ice towards the door as he blocked a woman with serrated hair but the rock villain smashed it. Kacchan’s explosions didn’t even faze him. Kirishima tried to hit him but the villain just flung him back into the wall.
Inuneko stepped into the hallway. “Looks like I’m missing the fun.”
The singing villain grinned and held up two injectors. “It’s just getting started.” He tossed one to Inuneko and injected the other into his own neck.
“ Give them strength to fight the heroes
Rise up my villain friends
We can win this day.
Power flowing through their veins
Coursing, flooding, till it explodes.
We can win this day. ”
The villains started to glow. Izuku watched as the acid spitting villain hit the wall and it immediately started to melt. The woman with serrated hair Shouto was fighting suddenly grew more strands and her hair became sharper. Izuku dodged as a villain with metal plates over his fists swung at him and destroyed the wall behind him.
“Die!” Kacchan screamed, jumping between the villain and Izuku and exploding a blast right in the villain’s face. The villain screamed and covered his eyes. Kacchan kicked him in the chest, knocking him down. “Watch yourself nerd!”
“We have to stop them!” Izuku pushed forward, dodging villains as he tried to reach the two leaders.
Inuneko stabbed the injector into his neck. “Time for fun.” The glow around him suddenly intensified until it was blinding and burst through the building.
Izuku stumbled, clutching his chest as he felt a hard pull. The tugging grew stronger and he screamed as he felt something ripped out of him. He fell to his knees, panting and shaking.
There was a whimper and a soft tongue licked his face. Izuku looked up to see Mighty looking worriedly at him. “You’re back,” he whispered.
“What did you do?” Nekinu cried, running out of the cell. He stopped and stared at the animals running around the fighting heroes and villains. “Oh no!”
“What’s our exit strategy?” Inuneko asked. He looked a little pale.
The singing villain smirked. “You’re going to like this. Homura!”
A small woman in a skin tight red and black jumpsuit came into the hallway. She flexed her hands and jumped, slapping the wall. She bounced from wall to wall down the hallway, dodging villains and heroes as she pressed her palms firmly against the wall s . Izuku stared up at the spot she hit near him as she passed. A flashing red circle was counting down.
“Time to go,” the singing villain said. Inuneko grabbed Nekinu and the villains retreated down the hallway.
Shouto slammed his villain against the wall and froze him there. “What are those things?” he asked, staring at the spot closest to him.
“Are you serious? Obviously they’re bombs!” Kacchan yelled.
“Everybody get out!” Endeavor shouted. “There’s another door at the other end of the hallway.”
Izuku started to run, only to stop short when he heard a pained grunt behind him. He turned and saw the rock villain had his arms wrapped around Endeavor. “Not you,” the villain rasped.
“Let him go!” Hawks yelled, trying to slice at the villain’s eyes with a dagger-like feather. The villain ducked his head and held on.
“Get out of here,” Endeavor grunted, struggling in the villain’s hold.
Hawks glared at him. “I’m not leaving you.”
Endeavor pushed against the villain with flaming fists. The villain only tightened his grip. “Get everyone out,” Endeavor yelled.
Hawks growled but turned away, sending out feathers to push the villains down the hallway. “You better not die!”
Kacchan grabbed Shouto’s arm, who had also stopped. “We need to go.”
Shouto struggled to pull free, eyes locked on Endeavor. “I can help him.”
Kacchan shoved him forward. “No time!”
“Let’s go!” Kirishima yelled, grabbing Shouto’s other arm.
Izuku ran after them, Mighty at his side. Hawks passed him, grabbing villains who were still fighting and carrying them to the exit. Izuku stopped and grabbed someone passed out on the floor, draping him over his shoulders.
“Just leave him!” Kacchan yelled, glancing back at him with wide eyes. He glanced at the nearest timer. Izuku followed his gaze and saw there were only ten seconds left.
Green lightning flowed over Izuku’s body and he scooped up Mighty. He ran down the hallway but he was slowed down by the person on his back and dodging debris from the fighting. He wasn’t going to make it.
Shouto looked back and met Izuku’s gaze. He stopped, yanking on Kacchan’s and Kirishima’s arms. “Everybody duck!”
Izuku dropped and crouched over Mighty as the walls exploded. Debris rained down on them and the building shook. Izuku was somewhat protected by the villain on his back but something hit his head. He dropped lower with a groan, his vision wavering.
After a few seconds, the shaking stopped. Izuku’s ears were still ringing and he shook his head to get the blood out of his eyes. His vision was blurry but he could see green fur lying under him. Mighty.
He could feel a sharp pain in his leg and his head was throbbing but otherwise he seemed okay. He pushed the villain off his back with a groan. He landed next to Izuku and whimpered. Good, still alive.
Mighty lifted his head and whined at Izuku. He patted the dog’s head. “It’s okay now.” He brushed some dirt off the dog but stopped when Mighty yelped. He could see blood on Mighty’s back leg and it was bent at an odd angle. Izuku rubbed his head again. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you help.”
Izuku slowly sat up. Dust was in the air obscuring his vision. He squinted, trying to spot anyone else.
He saw Kacchan first. He was on the ground facing Izuku, arms wrapped around Buttons. Blood was pooling at his side and his eyes were closed. To his left, Izuku saw a half dome of ice rising from a pile of rubble. Shouto.
Izuku’s eyes darted further back as he heard a groan. A piece of concrete fell aside as Kirishima stood up in his Unbreakable form. Clifford poked his head up from where he was crouched under Kirishima. “Is everyone okay?” Kirishima asked as he looked around.
“ Kacchan is bleeding and unconscious,” Izuku called. “I can’t tell if Shouto is okay.”
Kirishima’s head darted between the two. “I’ll check on Shouto first. Can you reach Katsuki ?”
“Yeah.” Izuku pushed himself to his feet, hissing as he put weight on his right leg. He felt it carefully but couldn’t find any injury. He glanced at Mighty. It was the same leg. “Okay boy, stay there a minute.” Doing his best to ignore the pain, he limped over to Kacchan.
His boyfriend was bleeding from his side where a piece of metal was sticking out of him. Buttons peeked at him from the cage of Kacchan’s arms and meowed. “I can’t do anything right now,” Izuku said, biting his lip.
Izuku glanced over when he heard a moan from where Kirishima was moving rubble away from Shouto’s ice dome. His other boyfriend sat up clutching his left arm, face scrunched up with pain. “Is everyone okay?” he asked, shaking dust from his hair. He spotted Izuku, then his eyes locked on Kacchan.
“He’s got a piece of metal in his side and is still knocked out,” Izuku said. He jumped when Kacchan groaned and started to shift. “No, stop! Don’t move!” He put his hands on Kacchan’s shoulders to stop him.
Kacchan peeked up at him. “What is it?” he rasped.
“Piece of metal in your side,” Izuku said.
Kacchan groaned and dropped his head. “Great.”
Kirishima came over, his hardening dropping away. “Just stay still. We’ll get some help.” He crouched next to Kacchan and put a hand on his shoulder next to Izuku’s. “How’s Buttons?”
Kacchan snorted. “Kicking me.” He moved his arms and the cat squeezed out from under Kacchan. He shook and sat down, glaring at his human. “Not going to thank me for saving your scrawny ass?”
Buttons sneezed.
A swarm of feathers flew down the hallway. They stopped, hovering over them for a few seconds, before darting off past them. “Guess Hawks is okay,” Kirishima muttered.
Shouto shakily stood up. “What about Endeavor?” Sakura meowed at his feet.
Izuku looked at Shouto, then Kacchan. His gaze settled on Kirishima. “I’ll go check. Can you stay with them?” Mighty woofed and Izuku glanced back at him. “Mighty too.”
Kirishima nodded. “Stay safe.”
Izuku stood up and stumbled as a wave of dizziness hit him. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Kacchan barked.
Izuku gave him a wobbly grin. “I’m fine.”
Kacchan narrowed his eyes. “If you pass out, I’ll kill you.”
“I can’t make any promises.” Izuku stepped back as Kacchan grabbed at his leg. “I’ll be back soon.” Izuku turned his back on his boyfriends’ and Kirishima’s worried faces and took off down the hallway.
He could see bodies buried under the rubble, little feathers hovering over them to mark their position. He stopped to check them. Most were unconscious, but a couple weren’t breathing. He didn’t have any way to help them right now, so he forced himself to keep moving.
Dogs and cats were scattered around too. Some were injured, others sitting by their fallen humans. Izuku tried not to look at them. He had to find Endeavor and get help.
He saw a cloud of feathers swirling up ahead and hurried over. Endeavor was lying on the ground, trapped under the rock villain and some rubble. He dropped next to him and checked his pulse. He sighed in relief when he felt a faint beat under his fingers. He was still alive.
He didn’t see Azuki right away but another swarm of feathers swirled around some rubble next to the collapsed wall. He carefully moved it away and gasped.
Azuki was lying in a pool of blood. His back leg was mangled and half his tail was missing. His chest was barely moving. Izuku swallowed hard and carefully lifted the cat. He lay limply in his arms.
Izuku laid Azuki next to Endeavor. He wasn’t sure if the proximity would help but it would make it easier for the rescue team to find him.
A wave of energy flowed down the hallway. Suddenly, Izuku could hear Endeavor and Azuki breathing much louder and the scent of blood became strong enough to make him gag. He raised a hand to his head. Dog ears. Nekinu was alive and still nearby.
Izuku cautiously headed down the hallway towards the exit the villains escaped from. He could hear voices up ahead.
“Why did he do that?” someone yelled. “How are we supposed to hide with these damn things on our head?”
“I’m sorry!” Nekinu cried. “I panicked!” There was the sound of someone being hit and Nekinu cried out.
“Let him be,” Inuneko said. “He can’t control his power.”
“We don’t have time to argue,” the singing villain said. “The heroes will be here any second.”
“Then why are we waiting around?” the first voice said. “Anyone who isn’t here either got trapped in the explosion or already escaped. We should leave.”
“I agree,” the singing villain said. “Let’s go.”
Izuku clenched his fists. He couldn’t let them get away. Something touched his arm and he swung on instinct.
“ Woah!” Suneater hissed, holding both hands up. “It’s just me.” His uniform was torn and covered in dust. Two blue cat ears perched on his head and his tail was twitching behind him. Izuku could see several cuts over his body and a long bleeding gash on his leg.
Izuku took a step back. “Sorry. Are you okay?”
“Mostly, but Fat got knocked out in the explosion.” Suneater glanced around. “What about the others?”
Izuku grimaced. “Dynamight and Shouto are hurt. Riot stayed with them. Hawks made it out; I saw his feathers traveling the hallway. I’m sure he’s called for backup by now.” He looked down. “Endeavor is badly hurt. We need to get him help quickly.”
Suneater groaned and covered his face. “I shouldn’t have to deal with all this.”
Izuku put a hand on his shoulder. “Riot always speaks highly of you. I know you can do this.”
Suneater sighed and dropped his hands. “Okay. First, we have to stop these villains. They’re between us and the outside anyway.”
Izuku nodded. “Okay, what’s the plan?”
“I can immobilize a few of them.” Suneater changed one of his arms into tentacles. “You have that whip thing right? I think between us we can get them all.”
Izuku bit his lip. “What about the singing villain? He can power up the others against us.”
“We’ll have to try to knock him out as quickly as we can.” Suneater crept the last few feet to the end of the hallway, Izuku following carefully behind.
A wave of dizziness hit Izuku suddenly and he stumbled, putting out a hand to catch himself against the wall. Suneater glanced back at him. “You okay?”
Izuku nodded, forcing himself to stand straight. “I’m fine.”
Suneater frowned but turned back to the doorway. “You ready?”
Izuku squared his shoulders and let Black Whip leak out. “Yeah.”
They burst through the doorway. Izuku went left, Suneater went right. Izuku sent Black Whip out and latched onto five villains, holding them in place. “What the hell?” one of the villains yelled, sending out sparks that reminded Izuku of Kaminari. He was probably the one who shorted out the lights and security.
Suneater grabbed a few with his tentacles but a couple escaped him, including the singing villain. “Just two?” the villain smirked. “You don’t stand a chance.” He dodged behind his comrade as Suneater shot spines at him, using him as a shield. “ Everyone, listen to me! ”
Izuku braced himself but the villain suddenly gasped. Izuku saw a thin thread poking into him.
“Time to sleep.” The thread snaked around the room, piercing each villain. “Ninpou: Thousand Sheet Pierce!”
The villains in Izuku’s hold all went limp. He slowly lowered them as Edgeshot folded himself back into his regular body. “Are these all the villains?”
“All the ones still fighting,” Suneater said, releasing his villains as well. “I’m glad you got here so quickly.”
“Hawks sent out a red alert. Others should be arriving shortly.” He narrowed his eye at Izuku. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
“I’m fine,” Izuku said, shaking his head. That was apparently a bad idea, as the room started to spin. “Oh,” he said softly as he crumpled to the floor.
“Kacchan is going to be mad at me,” Izuku muttered.
“I’m mad too.” Izuku glanced at Shouto. His boyfriend sighed and shook his head. “You shouldn’t have pushed yourself so hard.”
Izuku winced. “Sorry.” Sakura stood up from the foot of Shouto’s bed and stretched. He limped as he walked over to climb in Shouto’s lap. “Is he okay?” he asked, nodding at the cat.
Shouto scratched the cat’s head. “He’s fine. I think it’s because of this.” He moved his injured arm.
Izuku glanced at Mighty. His back leg was bandaged and Izuku could still feel a pain in his own leg. “Guess the link is stronger this time.”
“Yeah.” At his tone, Izuku looked back at Shouto. “Three criminals who died in the explosion didn’t have any injuries. The only cause they could find was that their animal companions had died.”
“Oh.” Izuku bit his lip. “What about Endeavor?”
Shouto looked down at Sakura. “He’s in surgery last I heard. Azuki was also being treated.”
“I’m sorry.” Izuku pulled at his fingers. “I hope he’s okay.”
Shouto sighed. “Me too.”
The door opened and Kirishima walked in. “Oh, Midoriya’s awake!”
“How’s Katsuki?” Shouto asked.
“Just out of surgery.” Kirishima came over and sat in the chair between the beds with a groan. Clifford sat on the floor next to him. “The metal didn’t hit anything vital. He’ll be fine.”
Izuku let out a sigh of relief. Seeing Kacchan bleeding like that had scared him.
“Let’s see, Fat Gum was knocked out but otherwise fine,” Kirishima said, counting off on his fingers. “Suneater had some minor injuries and Hawks completely escaped the blast. The only one badly injured was Endeavor.” He glanced at Shouto. “I asked about him but they wouldn’t tell me anything since I wasn’t family.”
“It’s okay.” Shouto held out a hand and Kirishima took it. “Thanks for checking on everyone.”
Kirishima smiled. “No problem.”
Izuku looked away. He didn’t have a problem with Kirishima being affectionate with Shouto, not really. They were boyfriends too after all. He just felt a little left out right now.
Kirishima patted his arm and Izuku looked up. His friend smiled kindly at him. “The class heard what happened and will be by to visit soon. And you know Katsuki will insist on coming here to check on you as soon as he wakes up.”
Izuku huffed. “To lecture me you mean.” He couldn’t help smiling though.
Kirishima gave him a gentle shove. “You know that’s how he shows he cares.”
“He was worried when you ran off,” Shouto said. “We all were.”
Izuku sighed. “Sorry again.”
Shouto gave a small smile and shrugged. “It’s who you are. I think he was more mad he couldn’t follow you.”
Kirishima snorted. “I’ll say. I had to hold that idiot down so he wouldn’t.” He stood up. “Well, I should let the doctor know you’re awake.”
“Wait,” Shouto said. “Can you do something first?” He glanced at Izuku.
Kirishima grinned. “Gotcha.” He moved the chair out of the way and pushed the two beds together.
Shouto immediately took Izuku’s hand once he could reach. “Thank you.”
Kirishima shook his head. “See you in a bit.”
Shouto rubbed his thumb on the back of Izuku’s hand. “I’m really glad you’re okay.”
Izuku smiled at him. “Me too. I mean, I’m glad you’re okay.”
Sakura stood up and crossed over to Izuku’s lap. He gently ran his fingers through his fur. Silky, just like Shouto’s hair. Izuku sighed and relaxed against his pillows.