victory_road | 01 ✦ Video

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01 ✦ Video

[It could have all been a dream, given the way Izuku wakes up in a bed that isn't his own. It could also very well be the hospital- a fact that wouldn't have been surprising- but the stark lack of a sterile atmosphere leads him to believe otherwise even as he sits up with a start. His heart is hammering in his chest and between his ears with such ferocity that believing this is anything but reality would be difficult...

He isn't afforded much time to collect himself, because someone has noticed he's awake and immediately lept up onto his chest to greet him, his fluffy tail wagging excitedly.

Okay, maybe this is a dream after all.

Everything happens pretty quickly after that. Your usual fair of arrival: Izuku's "mom" comes in the room upon hearing his Eevee chirp at him, ushering him up-and-at'em even as he's stammering questions and trying (and failing) to get her to give him a straight answer. She is in fact not even remotely his mother but she doesn't seem to know that or care, and before he's able to get a word in edgewise he's out the door with a bag over his shoulders. Eevee had taken advantage of the chaos to climb up Izuku's back, sitting pretty on his shoulder as if he belongs there. So what does Izuku do? Well...

He starts to walk, hoping he'll be able to come into a town and maybe someplace more familiar than the route ahead of him. ...only for a Pineco to drop from a tree and attack both him and his Eevee pretty much immediately. It's a pretty sudden and surprising introduction to Pokemon battling before he's even finished reading up on it, leaving him to find a tree to sit down under for a while before anything else can happen. He has the PokeGear, so let's just try to contact someone. Anyone.]

Hello? I don't know if anyone can hear me on this, but it's worth a try...

[He pauses as Eevee pushes his head into the screen's view, hello he's here too.]

My name is Midoriya Izuku. I'm not sure what's happened, but I'm really not where I'm supposed to be right now. My only guess is this all is due to the effects of a Quirk, but I don't remember anything that could have lead to that.

[Unless Shigaraki had some tricks up his sleeve he really wasn't prepared for. Doesn't explain how his injuries have ceased to exist, either.]

I've been reading the guidebook, but it's really just giving me more questions than answers. Not only that, the pet the lady had in her house where I woke up followed me outside and I can't get it to go back home to her. She won't answer the door now so I'm not really sure what to do about that.

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[ The Rockruff gives a squeak of a bark towards the Eevee, clearly moving across Kirishima's shoulders now in order to keep some line of sight as his trainer pulls and packs clothes. He crouches down on his front feet and wiggles his tail. He wants to play! Does he actually realize there's a screen between them instead of a little window...? Debatable. ]

Sure, man, I'm not worried!

[ Kirishima throws casually over his shoulder as if it were a jacket. ]

Think of it this way, Midoriya: if I was homeless with only two pairs of clothes to my name, would you lend me some money if you could?

[ Kirishima only leaves a beat or two of a pause, and only two just to make sure Deku could really accept some version of deserving this kind of help. Doesn't it look easier when Deku has to think of how generous he might be if he had the means... maybe even if he didn't?

Now Midoriya is showing him his allotted outfit and of course Kirishima snorts. But them he's tugging something free of his closet. ]

Ha! Check out what I got!

[ He whip around and displays his outfit, smirking toothily through the camera. ]

Think I pulled it off?

[ ... Please laugh again, Deku. He knows shit is pretty bad for you right now. ]

[ ooc; in case the link doesn't work, Kirishima had the 'Ranger' outfit from Sword/Shield. ]

[...okay, Izuku would have to be completely depressed not to laugh at that. What on EARTH is that outfit??]

W-wha- it's so...green!

[He's right though. Izuku absolutely would lend Kirishima money at the drop of the hat, or really anything else he might need at a moment's notice. So it's not like he can really be too picky about that sort of thing, here. Kirishima is his good friend after all, and he seems to know well how things work here. Izuku has good faith in that.

From there, Izuku chats with Kirishima for a while longer as he gets his stuff packed to leave, already packed up and ready to go himself once his classmates arrive. As much as talking to Kirishima cheered him up, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about it. There's a lot they all have to cover, and he's not sure how either of them are going to feel about it...least of all Katsuki.

When they make it back to the start of their journey, they'll find Izuku on the route a bit of a ways between New Bark and the next city. Not far enough to be more than a day's travel, but just enough so that they won't have to travel for even more time. His Eevee leaps off his shoulders upon seeing them arrive, yipping excitedly and running ahead towards the Pokemon they're riding on before Izuku can really stop him.]

Ah-! Wait-! Don't get under their feet, you'll get stepped on!

[ It isn't feet that's coming towards Izuku and his Eevee right now, though from afar it probably does sound like a stampede. No, what carves a swath through the otherwise tranquil field with tall grass and the smattering of trees is a serpent made of pure stone. Boulders make up its body and the ones that touch the ground roll in sync, some inexorable machinery of nature that barrels towards the two. The part of the organic (?) tank that isn't the 'wheels' is arched up, a sharp crest of stone like a tiny mountain peak arching up. Here is where the cherry red indicator of a classmate holds on, one arm wrapped around the crest in relative comfort but still in the sentinel position. ]

Got him!

[ He calls back over his shoulder. ]

Okay, Onix, ease it down!

[ He stomps on the head of his Pokemon, which really is actually a tap in her world. Even if she hadn't heard the order, there's a tiny little Pokemon running towards her. Lately she's been taught to give some deference to these sorts of creatures ( and frankly Onix is all too happy to stop when the occasion arises ), so she rumbles from an avalanche to a slow roll, more befitting the 'impulse' setting of your typical automobile. She leans down just slightly, giving a low groan of greeting that does very much indicate to the Eevee she is an old lady about to flop down for a nap. Make way, yung'in. ]

Midoriya!!

[ Kirishima waves. As if riding in like this wasn't enough of a statement. ]

[ For most of the trip, Katsuki is pretty silent. That's nothing out of the ordinary, really, considering the fact that the blonde really isn't the most talkative person out there. He's not the kind of guy that fills empty space with the sound of his voice. That's something that both Kirishima and Deku both do. However it's the type of silence that is likely concerning. It's not Bakugou's typical "I'm just here" silence but the "I've got something on my mind" type and that's the kind that can be felt more than anything else. Something really bad must have happened to get the nerd all worked up like this and yeah, Katsuki actually is worried. It's not a new sensation and a feeling that Katsuki has come to acknowledge and accept...

But no doubt this will be hard for Deku to talk about. That's not what concerns Katsuki. It's what could potentially come up as a result of talking about this. One For All has been activating more Quirks within Deku. Something is on the verge of happening, isn't it? If it does come up then what about Kirishima? Is Deku going to just up and talk about it in front of that guy or what? And then what, exactly, are they supposed to do with whatever Deku tells them? Katsuki is pretty sure that the information is useless. It's not like they can change anything.

Guess they're about to find out though. Kirishima calling over his shoulder to where Bakugou is riding just signals that their trip is pretty much over. Even the Onyx is coming to a halt. Once she does, Katsuki steps off of the beast, hands in his pockets and looking as surly as ever. Two creatures jump off with him - one being Typhlosion and the other is Eevee who is bounding off after Deku's own Eevee with the sound of bells filling everyone's ears. ]

What part of "stay put" don't you get!?

[If Izuku hadn't seen Kirishima and Katsuki in time, he may have just bolted forwards to scoop his Eevee up off the ground because holy shit. It's his first time seeing an Onix in person- or really at all- and the sheer size of it is enough to nearly cause him to stagger backwards as he looks up to see his two classmates riding just behind her head. Despite Izuku's concerns, Eevee doesn't seem at all bothered as he hops forward, though his attention is immediately distracted by the other Eevee jingling her way towards him.

Friend.

There's enough sensory overload to keep the Pokemon occupied while Izuku jogs up to where Onix stopped, his hands on his knees once he stops to catch his breath. Hoo boy.]

I...sorry, there just...wasn't a whole lot to do in town, so I figured I'd...meet you partway...

[After getting the poffins that Kirishima had asked him for, the most he could do was stand around outside. Why not go ahead and start on the route if he was going to be out here anyway?

He straightens back up after a minute though, looking...relieved more than anything else. It was one thing seeing (and hearing) them through his Gear, but to see them in person...he can already feel his eyes burning again, though he at least manages not to start crying this time.]

I...can't believe you guys are really here.

[Katsuki's concerns about future conversations aren't unwarranted. It's going to be difficult for Izuku to be completely honest here, especially with his secret being one that Kirishima doesn't know. But the main issue of what's going on is something they're both involved in, at least. He'll figure something out.]

[ The ground gives one last great tremor as Onix lays down to rest on the relatively soft soil and grass. Kirishima slides with some practiced ease down her chiseled snout. Upon his feet impacting the ground, the redhead has to trot a little with the momentum and carries it on to trot right up to Midoriya. ]

We're here! [ And here he tries to give Izuku a companionable slap on the shoulder, both greeting and a way for them both to verify reality. ] That's all that matters.

[ He grins toothily at the other boy. ]

Man, you're a sight for sore eyes, Midoriya. It's crazy we've been here almost longer than I've known ya. We'll have to catch up. There'll be plenty of time on the routes for that.

[ Guess who... doesn't know anything about what's going on back home when Midoriya is from? Much less the secret.

Still, Kirishima does know Bakugou and Midoriya have history and he can sense the blonde skulking up without even having to look. They can probably use some time alone. ]

I gotta go pour some berries into Onix, but I'll be back!

[ He doesn't say you two catch up, but it's pretty much what he means when he moves to make his way back to his Pokemon. On the way, he can't help smiling at the two Eevees at greeting and play. How coincidental, that Midoriya's starter should be the same type of creature Bakugou's been doting on lately ~~not that Kirishima would ever accuse him of such~~. ]

[ Ribbons and Mighty will get along fine. There's not a Pokemon that Ribbons won't think of as potential friend material. Maybe that's just because of the fact she's still young and innocent. So the two can run and tumble over each other and make nice while the boys get themselves in order.

Well. Mostly in order. Because Kirishima is taking off and Bakugou knows exactly why the asshole is doing it. Sometimes he is very appreciative of how perceptive of the redhead. Other times, like now, he really hates it. What is he making excuses like that for!? As if they can't see right through it!

He watches him skip off with a huff. ]

ONYX LOOKS LIKE SHE NEEDS YOUR WEIGHT IN BERRIES YOU DUMBASS!

[ Whatever. Kirishima can do what he wants. Katsuki's attention is now fully back on Deku. Looks like since his friend has given them some time, they should take it. Typh is right there beside the blonde, looking a bit confused as to the situation and the energy here. ]

Oi, Deku -

[ Hmm. Nope. Typh's decided to lick Deku right up his dumb face. ]

[Ah. There Kirishima goes...of course Izuku recognizes what he's doing too, and he's appreciative of the gesture. He just can't help but feel bad that-]

Uwah-

[Hold that thought, he's immediately interrupted when Katsuki's Typhlosion hauls off and licks his face, causing Izuku to go very still until the moment has passed and he's left standing there trying to process what just happened. The Pokemon is so tall and imposing that being licked was honestly the last thing he'd expected.

Fortunately, it does a good job at breaking the tension that had already started building between them as Izuku's expression relaxes into something a bit less worn thin as he reaches up to smear a hand across his cheek.]

Is this your "starter", Kacchan?

[ Katsuki is still going to grumble that he's essentially been ditched for the time being just to talk to this shitty nerd. It's only Deku's yelp that brings him back to the situation in front of him. Typh looks rather satisfied with herself for the reaction. She puts her snout into Deku's stupid green hair before moving back and pressing her face against Bakugou's.

He grunts, but... Well. Katsuki just lets it happen, as if this is completely normal behavior from the big, scary Typhlosion. ]

You mean "pain in the ass?" Because if so, then yeah?

[ Of course she doesn't look entirely put out by that statement. Instead she just licks Katsuki right back and then he's giving her a swat. ]

[If nothing else, Izuku appreciates this scary hulk of a Pokemon treating him kindly as opposed to, like, taking a bite out of his head or something. Not that he would have anticipated Katsuki's Pokemon being poorly behaved; quite the opposite, actually.

It makes Izuku wonder if everyone's starters are of a similar brand of being a "pain", since...Izuku can kindof see where Katsuki is coming from, if only because Mighty seems to constantly have ten times the amount of energy that Izuku does.]

It looks like she likes you a lot.

[If the licking and the mothering is anything to go by...]

And I'm...really glad to see you doing okay.

[As much as he knew he would be, it was hard not to imagine coming up on Katsuki all battered and broken like he last remembers him.]

[ Like Katuski would ever allow any of his to NOT be somewhat well behaved. Unfortunately or fortunately, he's somehow managed to get very affectionate beasties. Kirishima makes fun of him all of the time for assembling "cute" critters all the time. ]

That's not an accomplishment. She likes everyone.

[ He shoos her away for the time being. Back onto the more serious topic. Deku is the one that leads into it with the whole "Glad to see you doing okay." ]

And just why the hell wouldn't I be doing okay?

[Liking everyone or not, it's still quite a feat to be in Katsuki's company and genuinely enjoy it sometimes. That isn't to say Katsuki hasn't improved in terms of attitude over the last while, but...well, it's still saying something.

But, right. Izuku hadn't intended to launch right into that, but it sortof just came out anyway, didn't it? He exhales slowly, forcing himself to maintain eye contact while he speaks.]

You took a hit that was meant for me.

[ He had said things would be different. Then that's just how it's going to be. Knowing that Deku had never looked down on him had changed a lot. Katsuki's attitude and outlook has changed a lot - though not everyone would know this. His attitude on the outside is still kind of crappy and even at his best, he sounds like he's criticizing. It's just how he is.

The news that he had taken a hit for Deku... Well he doesn't really look all that shocked by it. Well. His eyes are still a little wide in surprise. Yet as he digests the information? He kind of knows that he would... ]

How bad was it.

[ Because Deku had been freaking the fuck out. ]

[He can't mince words around Katsuki. He knows better than to even try. He respects him too much for that besides.]

It was point blank. You were still fighting through it the instant after it happened, but...I didn't see you after that. I went straight for Shigaraki.

[In an absolute frenzy, more or less.]

[ Point blank and still fighting through it... Sounds about right. Go big or go home you know?

But then something doesn't hit right. ]

You did. What.

[ Be very, very careful how you respond to that, Deku. ]

[Haha, well...

How else can he answer it but honestly?]

It's the last thing I remember. I saw you get hit, and I just...reacted.

[He was already pushing himself too hard. Too reckless. It's very likely that if Katsuki hadn't been there to pull Izuku out of the proverbial jaws of a lion, he would have died right then and there and Izuku knows that. But, at the time, in that moment? He didn't know if Katsuki was okay. He couldn't think quickly enough to comprehend why Katsuki saving him mattered.

All he could think about was putting Shigaraki down, whatever the cost.]

You just reacted...

[ He's calm. Voice is even. That's a bad sign. A very bad sign. It's safer if he's actually shouting rather than this. The cogs in his head are starting to turn and put things together.

They shouldn't be where Shigaraki is. The assignment is to clear out the city. The heroes are supposed to put him down before he's a problem. So has all of this failed. ]

You reacted by going after the one guy you shouldn't.

[Yeah, it's...Izuku would much rather Katsuki be yelling at him right now, if he's honest. That deathly calm is scary and he knows that he's treading on very dangerous territory all of a sudden. Hopefully his Eevee is too distracted by Katsuki's to notice how the atmosphere between them has changed.]

I know, but- a lot happened in the time between what you last remember and where I'm from. Shigaraki was...is on the verge of taking out the entire city and everyone else with it. I couldn't just stay back while he bore down on us, and you didn't either! You came with me! That's why...

[That's why Katsuki was able to take that hit at all. He was there too. Though...it was more like Katsuki came along because he knew Izuku was going to do something stupid, and sure enough...]

Shit hit the fan. Yeah, I get that.

[ He can acknowledge that. Shit goes wrong. Things don't always go as expected. That's all part of the hero gig. But there's something here that doesn't add up... ]

You. Went after. The one guy you shouldn't. After I already took a fucking hit to obviously prevent that.

[ Katsuki knows himself. He knows why he would have went along. It'd be for this exact reason - because Deku fucking goes feral under pressure and stops thinking. ]

[Unlike the Izuku living in the moment where he lost all reason and went after Shigaraki in spite of what Katsuki had done to protect him, the one who ended up in Johto has had time to think about that very fact. And...it's hard for him to really quantify how he feels about it.

On one hand, he's ashamed for having thrown himself into danger despite Katsuki trying very deliberately to protect him. On the other...he can't say he fully regrets it either, if only because just accepting his fate wasn't going to be an option either.

For what it's worth, though? Izuku at least looks appropriately cowed when Katsuki grinds out those words.]

I did. And...I'm sorry. ...I'm sorry for being so reckless. Especially when I've been trying not to do that anymore.

[It's kindof a back to square one situation. Or, maybe Izuku never made any strides away from that habit to begin with. When Katsuki is involved, it's hard to say.]

I wasn't thinking, and I...I just didn't know what else to do.

[ Actually, he is prepared to chew him out even more for being so reckless and for not, you know. Using his brain and instead letting his blood boil. Thinking with his fists sort of thing. But then he has to go and say sorry for it and what's Bakugou supposed to do with that? How can he maintain his angry indignation? ]

The fuck? I don't want your damn apology!

[ He wants Deku to take him seriously! To realize his limits and when to stop rushing into things headfirst and actually rely on someone. Anyone! ]

You didn't know what else to do... Was it really that or did you just lose your fucking mind?

[Well...what was it? Did he have truly no other option? Or...

Did he just act out of emotion? Anger? Izuku knows the truth about himself because it's something he's struggled with for a while now, and because of that it's difficult for him to answer. Katsuki likely knows exactly why that is, too.]

No...you're right. Even if continuing to fight wasn't the right decision...I probably would have anyway. I don't really see myself being able to...stop, in that moment.

[Because...it was Katsuki. He watched Katsuki receive what he assumed in that moment could very well have been a fatal blow. After that, he lost all reason.]

[ He does know. There's a lot of things that he has come to accept about himself and about the other teen right in front of him. Things he's always known but refused to acknowledge because the reality is... Katsuki does, in fact, know fear.

Though he had said that he would fix things. That things would be better. And Katsuki had meant that. ]

It's not the decision to fight that's wrong, shit head. It's doing it alone.

[ Which is what he assumes happened. Because Izuku is just that sort of person. ]

[If Katsuki knew what Izuku was thinking right now, he'd probably get even angrier. That thought of how, when he does fight alongside someone, they always end up getting hurt somehow anyway. How he feels responsible for that, even if the person in question is a Hero too and knows and accepts the same risks that he does. It's never easy watching your friends take hits on the battlefield, but it's different with Katsuki.

He cares about him so much. A world without Katsuki isn't one that Izuku can fathom.]

I know.

[And yet in practice, well...Izuku's still working on that part.]

...I know you don't remember it, but...I wanted to thank you for being there for me anyway. It's thanks to you I'm even still here right now.

Do you?

[ Know it, that is. Because Bakugou isn't really sure that Deku does. This loser takes on so much stuff upon his shoulders. Decides to carry those burdens instead of sharing them. Bakugou knows the the secrets that Izuku has to bear. Knows the full weight of the legacy too. So just fucking trust him.

Then he tenses at the simple thank you. Feels his ears go hot with embarrassment. ]

I WOULDN'T BE DOING IT FOR YOU!

01 ✦ Video

it's an important decision

lil timeskip

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