Depth charge
He held the new objects in his hands, staring at it curiously.
"Do you like it?" Mei asked, jumping to his side, hands on his arm.
"I.. of course, but uh.... where, where are the buttons?"
"It's a T-shirt, it doesn't have buttons silly," Melissa explained,
"But..."
"You can't always wear suits Izuku," Momo sighed, folding her arms,
"Even Cereza and I don't wear our suits all the time," Jeanne agreed,
"And you weren't wearing your suit in the past," Impa noted, "You were wearing those Zonai clothes,"
"Clothes might be a stretch, pants and some cloth with a headband," Rumi tapped her chin. "Still it proves you're capable of wearing other clothes,"
"But I can thermo-,"
"Okay, but you can't do that all the time," Itsuka pointed at him, "Sometimes you'll need to focus on other things,"
"Paperwork isn't the only thing you do after all," Rosalina winked flirtatiously.
"Yes well, certain activities often involve the removal of said suit," He mentioned smirking back at her. A finger trailed down his chest.
"Oh we're well aware of that one," Tomoko purred silkenly, she, like the rest of the Queens in the room, held up a piece of the duvet to cover her bare chest. After answering Zelda's request for backup, his Court had decided that cramming into the loft space wouldn't just be uncomfortable but dangerous too. As such, they had turned the ground floor of the research lab into a massive bed space. Momo created the massive futon for them to collect on, while he created the duvet and plain white duvet cover. Pillows and cushions were made as needed. Now they sat as the sun steadily rose outside, judging from the light leaking in the windows on the left wall.
"However," Nana tried to keep the conversation on track, "You still have to think about thermoregulating, hence why you can't do it in your sleep, wouldn't it be nicer to not have to think about it?" He thought about it for a moment,
"I suppose that would be nice, but I do have an image to maintain,"
"And we're not saying you don't," Kaoruko nodded, "Nor are we saying you should start dressing like a slob, but jeans with a t-shirt and a nice shirt on top isn't that bad,"
"No," He admit, "Alright, I'll start trying to wear more casual clothing, but I'm still wearing the suit if I'm doing something that requires it,"
"Such as?" Ibarra prompted
"Displaying my authority, meeting those from new timelines, that stuff,"
"Naturally, however there's no point in dressing up in a suit to walk to the shops, or if you're going to get dirty," Zelda smiled, "Now, who's going for breakfast first?"
"I will, it's only fair I help cook," Izuku nodded, pushing off the wall he'd been leaning against. "And it means I can make sure none of you are skimping,"
"It's a busy day honey," Komari whined,
"Which is why you need a big breakfast, keep your energy up," He shot back sternly, "I just want to make sure none of you are calling a granola bar and some coffee 'breakfast',"
"It was one time," Himiko groaned as he eyed her, slinking down she hid everything below her nose behind the duvet.
"If memory serves," He retorted, "It was every day for the month leading to your final exams, including the day of," She glared at him over the sheet while he dressed in the shorts he had planned on using as pyjamas. "Now I'm going for a bath, then you can all tell me what situations are left to solve around the place,"
"Oh that reminds me," Purah yawned widely, "Chasms have opened up around Hyrule, just after you'd disappeared, last they found was thirty-six, the Gloom around them disappeared around the time you killed Ganondorf, for good, but they're still there, still massive, but nobody has the equipment to explore down yet,"
"We'll get on that after breakfast," Zelda waved a hand, "I'm sure Rentarou or Naomasa can help, I'm sure whatever was going on in Hebra has been solved by now,"
"Speaking of the other issues, have Riju or Urbosa contacted anyone?" Everyone looked to their phones, as Izuku clenched his jaw,
"Right, I know my first stop then,"
Gerudo town was covered by a great sandstorm. He dropped in to find the whirlwind had even managed to invade the dessert abode. Danger sense flared as he heard chittering through the haze. Hellflame sent a blaze up Caliburn, igniting it before he slashed through the body of a spindley, insect like creature. Gibdos, Rauru had spoken of the creatures, having fought them as footsoldiers of Ganondorf's army. He frowned, looking around the area. The lumbering deformed insectoids populated the empty avenue. In the stairs leading to the Chieftesses' throne room, was a great hole. He made his way over to it, slaying each creature that got within reach. Walking into the torch lit hole, he found it blocked by a stone tablet like object. Rapping his knuckles on it, he announced. "It is King Izuku Midoriya, husband of Queen Riju and Queen Urbosa,"
"One moment Vai, we must authenticate your identity," A voice barked back from a window on the right, Izuku sighed and walked through the plate with Permeation. Both Gerudo guards levelled their spears at him.
"Authentic enough?" He raised an eyebrow, glaring at one that had spoken to him "Now where are my wives?"
"Both Lady Riju and Lady Urbosa are alright," A new voice spoke evenly, Izuku turned to see Buliara stood facing him, in front of the central pyre granting light and warmth to the room. "They are both through."
"Izuku!" Riju appeared, running over to him. Jumping into a hug, she clutched him as he spun lightly. Urbosa wasn't far behind, letting him see her before he put an arm around her body too.
"You're both okay," He breathed easier as he hugged them both. "Thank above you're okay, I got concerned when nobody had any messages from you,"
"We had to protect everyone and stop those... creatures from getting into the shelter," Urbosa shook her head, "We tried calling but all the stone blocks any signals," Izuku looked up at the rocks above them.
"Yes, I suppose that would pose a problem," He kissed her lightly, "Never mind, I am here now,"
"And we're grateful for it," Riju squeezed him again before he also kissed her reassuringly. "Buliara was able to message me just before the sandstorm kicked up, by the time we arrived they were already swarming the walls," Izuku chewed his cheek.
"Gibdo are annoying creatures, Ganondorf employed them in his army quite generously, their hide is impervious to most attacks, normally it takes an elemental attack to weaken their exoskeleton," He released both wives, shaking his head, "Splash fruit, fire fruit, ice fruit, shock fruit, hell even dazzlefruit works to weaken them,"
"Could our lightning work?"
"It should, I can't see why it wouldn't," He shrugged lightly, "Are they the source of the sandstorm?"
"We don't know, they are definitely related to it but we can't be sure, there is something else,"
"Show me," They led him across the underground plaza.
"So, uh, how did they convince you?"
"Convince me? Oh, this?" He pulled at the fabric over his chest. "They just had some good points, I don't want to constantly think about controlling my body temperature," It was a white tee under a gentle green shirt left open. It was paired with a pair of beige khakis and some black sneakers. Of course the whole thing was made of the same materials as his suits but it was far less heavy. It also meant his golden dogtag could sit over the shirt on display. They arrived at a mural, depicting a trio of red lines around a red altar that was below a bolt of lightning. Izuku sighed lightly,
"I figred they'd do something like this,"
"What?"
"That mural depicts the Temple of Lightning, while Sonia, Mineru and I were trying to figure out how to bring me back to the present, beasts from Ganondorfs army went wild, Colgera, Marbled Gohma, Mucktorok and the Queen Gibdo, each was supposed to be defeated by the Sage in their region, Lighting in Gerudo, Wind in Hebra, Water in Zora's Domain, Fire in Eldin, each of them said they could handle it, I believed them," He groused, "Each had a security designed to prevent the monster from escaping if it came to it,"
"But with Ganondorf's awakening under the castle," Urbosa began,
"They were able to exert power beyond their seals, it is why the Gibdo started appearing now, the Queen only has enough power after Rauru's seal dissolved and weakened the rest of the seals around Hyrule, I am going to assume the Round Table and Court have enough man power in the other regions, though I am surprised none came to you?"
"I imagine because at the time, they believed we had it handled, we did not call for aid after all," Riju shrugged, "At least none they could recieve," Izuku rolled his shoulders and turned away.
"Alright, give me five minutes, I'm going to go avenge a warrior,"
"Are you sure Izuku?" Riju gripped his wrist gently, "You might still be affected by the,"
"I can assure you my Cactus," Turning to slide an arm around her waist, he stooped to kiss her softly, "If I wasn't already recovered, finding my wives safe and in fighting condition is more than enough to rid any Gloom from my system,"
"Go," Riju rolled her eyes with a smile, "Before we decide that you have more important things to do here," Kissing Urbosa as well, Izuku walked back across the plaza.
"Should I leave a duplicate here for security, in case the Gibdos invade again?"
"A hand to go aid Kara Kara Bizaar would be appreciated," Urbosa agreed, two slime blobs fell to the floor before growing into lookalikes. "And be back before dinner!"
"I'll have it done by brunch," He waved over his shoulder exiting the shelter.
The Queen Gibdo screamed as it left the cacoon of sand. Four mushroom topped spires rose from the ground, each a purple pulsating hive in the middle of the stalk. Izuku waved one hand towards the beast, Blackwhip firing off, twirling into one mass that then broke apart and skewered each hive. A sigh as he wipe his forehead with the other hand, flicking the sweat away. Each hive exploded with the movement. The Queen Gibdo stalked him in a circle before screaming again, it began digging the warped claw like appendages into the sand and charging him. Firebreathing and Hellflame came to life immediately, a mass of fire grew in the closing space between them. The Lightning Temple parasite screamed as it quickly lost its armour and began burning. Limb Multiplier grew into place as the gigantic butterfly-like wings flapped on the disfigured moths back. Thunderstruck wrapped around it's neck, just under the skeletal head. With a harsh yank, he pulled it back into the inferno. Ice sprouted from his feet, rippling across the heated sands. Earthflow grew either side to pin the wings down as ice caught all landed extremities.
A pair of Gloom fueled eyes glared at him as the creature continued to scream, thrashing in its restraints. Suddenly it all stopped, Izuku stood, staring at it against the harsh sunlight. Slowly it began to rise, wings buzzing behind it. Fleeing for the top of the Temple, it did not see Izuku draw Caliburn. Nor did it see the white cresent approaching its wings. Sheathing Caliburn again, he lifted one hand, aiming a single finger gun. Milliseconds before the wings were cut, he exhaled, "Bang," A precise, centimeter wide blast of Air Cannon quickly caught up with his slash. The scream of the Queen Gibdo as the wings parted from the body were quickly silenced as the high pressure shot ripped through the still weakened exoskeleton. Every limb went slack as Izuku stared, a single hole, the width of his index finger ran from through the length of the monster. His shirt rippled as Hydra and Dark Shadow emerged from his waist, racing to see which maw could devour more. Turning on his heel, he began flying back to Gerudo Town, not caring to notice the path of glass leading to the Temple's entrance.
The last of the invading Gibdo's fell to his hand. Literally. An elementally charged punch sent each one tumbling away, never to rise again. However the very last Gibdo was one with his back to him, slowly intruding the shelter's entrance. It was beginning to open for a counter attack as he grabbed the head of the creature. Ice spread down it's body as he growled. "I think not," And with a blast of Hellflame, his fingers closed into a fist. The icy head exploding as the rest of it fell back to the ground and shattered. Urbosa and Riju were leading the charge before noticing it was him stood waiting. "Darlings!" He grinned, "Worry not 'tis all dealt with now, and not a scrath on me,"
"Hylia, Izuku," Urbosa shook her head. "We heard the Queen from here, it sounded like a fight,"
"Not really," He waved a hand, "It just liked being noisy, in the end that's all it was good for,"
"Well it does seem the sandstorms have stopped," Riju ventured beyong the cover of the entrance, "Gerudo Town can return to being a town once more, thank you,"
"My pleasure, anything for my Queens," Pulling both to his sides, he put an arm around either's hips. "Now, would either of you be willing to come with me back to Lookout Landing? Apparently people want to explore what's down the chasms that've opened up,"
"I think for the moment, we'll have to decline lover," Urbosa sighed, leaning into his presence. "After the Gibdo invasion, we have to make sure there's no lasting damage to the town, and begin fighting back the encroaching monster presence the sandstorm covered,"
"That's fair, to be entirely honest I don't really want to spend the day going up and down a bunch of oversized holes but unless all thirty six are connected," He chuckled lightly, "And what are the odds of that?"
"Well," Riju hummed, "Before the sandstorm hit, Buliara had groups of Gerudo investigating two chasms that opened roughly when you went back in time, they're most likely connected at least,"
"Silver linings I suppose," He shrugged.
"Do you have to go immediately?"
"Of course not my Sandstorm," Pulling her close he kissed her softly. "I may have over estimated how long it would take me to help, so I have time enough to cook my wives breakfast,"
"We've already," Riju began, only to be interrupted by the grumbling of her stomach. "Perhaps a quick bite wouldn't go amiss," Izuku gave a light chuckle,
"I will see what I can do,"
They stood at the edge of the pit, looking into nothingness. "So, do we have any more information?" He leant a bit further over the edge, not exactly sure what he hoped to see.
"Well, good news bad news," Rentarou sighed, handing him a small tablet, "We weren't sure how to get information without going down, until Tomoko reminded us of GPR,"
"Meaning?"
"Y'know how not everybody has a quirk to find people in... say earthquakes or cave-ins?"
"Yeah,"
"GPR stands for Ground Penetrating Radar, the satellites move to the disaster zone and scan the area, helps find survivors or viable tunnels while heroes are en route, thanks to some eggheads and some of the Queens working together, we upgraded the tech involved to give better images, wider areas, it took a few hours to get all the data but," He tapped the screen Izuku looked at, "We complied all the results to make a tomographic reconstruction, we complied a few different reconstructions to make it as accurate as possible," Izuku hummed lightly, a holographic image sprung from the tablet to display a small map, "That is the area underneath us currently," Rentarou pinched the screen, the image shrunk down, zooming out, "That is underneath the Gerudo region, including the Highlands," Increasing the amount further he sighed, "That is Gerudo, plus some of Hyrule Ridge, Hyrule Field and a chunk of Faron Grasslands" Izuku knew where this was going and rubbed his temple with one hand. Rentarou zoomed out one more time and gestured with an open palm. "That is all of Hyrule underground, or the Hyrule Depths as people are calling it,"
"Great,"
"So good news, it's all connected, you don't need to go down every single chasm, bad news, it's all connected so we need to explore something the size of Hyrule, entirely underground,"
"You mean, I," Izuku put a hand to his chin, rubbing his jaw tiredly, "Will have to send down a few dozen clones to explore the whole place, making it safe for actual exploration and inspection, not to mention the research people will all want to do," He paused, "What are... these?" His finger moved along the hologram, tracing a moving lump of unknown matter. There were four different chunks moving a subsantial distance before refreshing image reset their progress. One moved south from a chasm in Faron, one east from a Neculda chasm, the third also going east, but from a chasm at the very north edge of Eldin. Rentarou grinned.
"Ah, those would be..." He pointed to the chasm, "These," A few balls of electricity lifted out before a great, yellow-green horn. A giant dragon, similar to Chinese depictions rose from the chasm into the air. "After the scans we had a few spare hands running around, they witnessed three of these dragons breaching the surface via a chasm, they remain airborne, then go down another chasm to return to their exit. constant loop, we put trackers on them each does a single loop in twenty-four hours, we also discovered," He pulled out his pistol and fired a single round. It struck the dragon's side. Once it did a light shone out and something was launched from the dragon towards them. Rentarou held out his hand, but the object missed his extremity. Landing the other side of their feet. "They're pretty much everything proof,"
"What did you do to those poor creatures?"
"Nothing, nothing, the tracer stuck but that's more because it's adhesive than penetrating, a scale flew off each of them, eggheads gave them a looksie, they're actually pretty similar to the threads you wore fighting big and ugly above the castle," He picked up the item and handed it to Izuku. "Rather inert when alone, but when fixed to something, blue and red are thermokinetic, blue freezes, red boils or burns, yellow here, well you can probably guess,"
"Spheres of lightning seem to follow it, so I'll take a wild stab, it powered a mechanism,"
"Yessir, we called up Denki to compare, y'know his support items? The powercells he charges?"
"Yes," Izuku nodded slowly
"Turns out, one of these scales, could power a neighbourhood for a few decades, or a city for a few years, but," He gestured to the still rising body, "See how it's gone dull again? Takes twenty-four hours for it to gather enough ambient... whatever... to release another scale with that power, anything it drops before then doesn't even survive detachment, just crumbles into dust,"
"What about the horn?"
"Hm? Oh, we're setting up at the other chasm to target the other pieces, I've just bought them another twenty-four hours to trouble shoot anything, it'll take thirty-six hours before we can get a shard to analyze,"
"Well, I trust your judgement when you get the information,"
"Thanks," The dragon finally left the chasm, leaving the downwards tunnel empty once more. Izuku sighed lightly,
"Looks pretty deep," Ryuko leant over the edge near him, getting his hand to grip the back of her shirt.
"And you aren't going near it, none of you are,"
"It is probably a smart idea Dark Shadow and I stay up here, we don't know how dark it is down there and she might lose control,"
"Thank you," His smile abruptly disappeared as the Court gathered around the edge, each peering down into the dark.
"Nope," Elizabeth was first to stand back up, [Gettin' some serious ver'igo on tha', I'll leave it to you darlin']
[As the rest of them will too my Bandit] He eyed the ring of Queens, "Got that?" Several backed away from the edge, the height rattling their nerves. "Cereza, Jeanne, don't,"
"What's the point if not to live a little?"
"Cereza," He warned, "We don't know what's down there,"
"Then there's one way to find out,"
"Don't," The words died on his lips as his Eclipse and his Witch both jumped into the pit. Once more he looked around the ring, pausing at a particular individual.
"Nothing stops the pursuit of knowledge," Zelda took Purah's hand as they both followed the Umbran Queens. Linkle looked at him with a manic grin before tuck and rolling over the edge.
"Don't even think about it," He warned Impa and Paya, "Some days I swear," Not even jumping he dove straight into the chasm and began descending. Zelda, Linkle and Purah had joined hands, falling on their stomachs to slow their fall, he descended past them. Cereza and Jeannee were both falling feet first, gaining an atmospheric friction like effect around their high heels. Passing the both of them, he rolled in the air to look up at all four women. Blackwhip burst from his hands, ensnaring each diver and pulling them towards his body. Using Double, he had a version of him catch Zelda, Linkle and Purah while he wrapped an arm around Cereza and Jeanna respectively. Rolling in the air, he felt the pressure change. Instead of the tight tunnel, they'd finally reached the cavernous space of the Depths. A pale, nearly grey floor was now visible and rushing to greet them. Adjusting his hold as best he could, Izuku pointed his feet straight down. The area around him shook as he and his lookalike touched down. Massive amounts of dust and debris were thrown up, taking a moment to settle. By the time it had, his duplicate had turned to sludge.
Letting his Umbran wives down, he inhaled, running a hand over his face. "What part of anything about that sounded like a challenge?" He began, closing his eyes, "Seriously, I asked you one thing, one, don't jump down the massive hole to fuck knows what," Massaging his temples, he inhaled sharply, "Did any of you consider how you were going to stop?"
"Cereza and I,"
"It wasn't a question,"
"We've survived long falls before,"
"Nothing as high as that though!" He pointed upwards were a layer of fog covered the roof and indeed their entrance, from view. "Hell even I didn't know if I'd get through that in one piece, as it stands I think I broke my tibia and my femur definitely touched my pelvis for a second there, we spent well over two minutes in freefall just now, that means we were well past terminal velocity of the regular human," He eyed Purah and Zelda, "I was easily moving a hundred-seventy miles per hour towards the end there, you could've gotten seriously hurt, and we still don't know what's hostile down here," As he finished there was a low grumbling. Izuku turned around to see a single yellow eye glaring at him. Creation had a torch in hand and he illuminated the creature. Unused to harsh light, it groaned and closed the eye. Two large fangs sprouted from the lower jaw, stubby legs laid on the ground in front of it. After adjusting to the torchlight, it opened it's only eye glaring angrily. "Oh well that's just perfect," Somehow it was able to leap into the air towards them, causing Izuku to realize it was much bigger than he'd thought. Hydra and Dark Shadow appeared, the latter obviously empowered by the surrounding blackness. Easily the two quirks ripped into the creature, turning back to his wives as the beast died, Izuku gestured. "See? We have no idea what's down here nor how dangerous they are, Jeanne, Cereza you are capable of fighting whatever angels come at you I know, I know, but these aren't angels, we don't know if your attacks can pierce them, we don't know if they die the same!"
"It seems that one is dying perfectly fine," Jeanne nodded to the Fronx as it got dismembered by his quirks.
"That's because I'm literally ripping it apart, I don't know how much power I need to actually hurt it,"
"Yet you were happy to come down on your own?" Zelda finally found her voice, her and Purah stepping up to join the conversation, Linkle folding her arms just behind the Sheikah.
"You'd be safe,"
"And you wouldn't be,"
"There would be a thousand of me down here, I doubt anything can withstand that much, Demise could hardly stand up to one and Ganondorf needed to power up to be a mild inconvenience," There were some footsteps before Danger Sense buzzed. Throwing up Barrier, they watched black, blocky hands crash into the yellow above them.
"Hm? You stopped my hands? Instead of avoiding them? So much for a sudden and swift end," Izuku cracked his neck,
"I could say the same for you, stranger," They wore a large, odd shaped helmet resembling a chameleon head. Baggy clothing gave to flowing black sleeves with turquoise symbols running down them. "Depending on how annoying you are at least,"
"I'd watch your words carefully stranger, for you speak to the King of Twilight, Zant,"
"I couldn't care less," Izuku shone the torch towards his face, getting Zant to recoil slightly. Turning it off and on randomly he didn't let his new opponent adjust to the intermitent brightness. Slowly he got more and more annoyed.
"Cease th-!" Finally raising his voice, he was silenced by Izuku ripping his helmet off before grabbing the top of his head in his other hand, behind him Zelda stopped flashing the torch.
"Tip for your next life, if you want to live it happily at least," His hold was adjusted as he put a hand either side of Zant's head, "Never attack my wives," Lifting the man from the floor as his hands squeezed, he hardly blinked at Zant's flailing. There was a disgusting squelch as his hands clapped together before he let the corpse fall to the ground. Spitting on it he turned back around and stalked to his lovers. "Exhibit B,"
"I don't know," Linkle shrugged, "He died pretty good too,"
"Because he attacked you, I wasn't letting him try something else,"
"Your protective side is amazing," Jeanne put a hand on her hip, "But we can take care of ourselves," Another more rapid set of footsteps had the six getting ready to fight. Caliburn glowed in the din as they saw another figure approaching.
"Halt," Izuku called over, "Come no closer, else we will attack,"
"I mean no harm, not to you," It was a woman, most likely just over six foot tall. Orange hair escaped from the hood of a black cloak. She wore a half-dress exposing one pale blue-ish leg. It had a metal hoop running around her waist, with the back of either loop sealed together. Around her torso was a black fabric, running up the same side of her body the dress covered, it left the opposite side, her abdomen and her sternum exposed. It opened further up her chest, exposing her collar as well. On top of her hood was an ornate headdress. "I am Princess Midna of the Twili, up until recently I was cursed to have the form of an imp by the one that usurped my throne, I don't exactly know how the process was reversed but I was hunting the usurper, the last I saw he was charging in this direction,"
"Was his name Zant?" Her red eyes narrowed,
"How do you-," Izuku pointed to the corpse about ten foot to her left. "Oh,"
"Asshole attacked me and my wives while we were discussing how dangerous it is down here,"
"I doubt you'd find yourself on the losing end of an encounter," Midna muttered, looking at Zant's headless body. "But even so, no you are not safe here, the Twili are but one of the races dwelling in the New Twlight Realm,"
"That's a much better name than 'the Depths'," Izuku sighed, "Wait, New?"
"Yes, some time ago, perhaps several months, we Twili found ourselves taken from our previous dwellings, located here instead," She gestured, "We found ourselves west of where we stand now, it was open terrain, we found several abandoned mines but kept going until we found a lake north about a full day's travel north of here, Zant and his followers hid away in a settlement on a nearby spring, however as I said, recently my curse was broken and I was pursuing him to enact justice.... and maybe some revenge,"
"How recently would you say it was?" Purah tapped her cheek, "A few days maybe, some... I want to say forty-eight hours, about there?"
"I... perhaps.... we haven't had any sort of day-night cycle like the Old Twilight Realm, though with the natural rest schedule of the Twili, I believe it could be constituted as two days, if I had to roughly guess, why?"
"About that time ago, Ganon fell by my hand, for the second time I might add, but we'll consider Demise a separate entity for ease right now,"
"Ganon.... Zant did say something about worshipping a name like that,"
"Ganondorf perhaps?"
"Yes,"
"Same individual but different names based on form or era, is it possible Zant drew on Ganon as a source of power?"
"Most likely," With a wave of her hand, she had shadows consume Zant's body, pulling it below the ground. "Come, though we have not explored far, I can give you a safe place to rest,"
"You go ahead Midna," Izuku smiled genially before turning around, "I first need to... discipline my wives on the danger of jumping down a chasm,"
"I have my," Linkle reached to her back, only to pause, "Oh,"
"Hm? What do you have?" Izuku looked at her expectantly, "You mean the paraglider you gave the tailor in Hateno so he could change the fabric?" Her face went red, "Yeah, good thing one of us remembered that,"
"Ease up a bit," Zelda pleaded
"No! Why should I? You jumped into a chasm, you all could've died! I don't know how else I can stress that fact, I mean what did you plan to use to slow down you and Purah?"
"Nothing, I realized that after we'd started falling, I was hoping that there woud've been a body of water big enough, I was going to throw somwthing into it to break the tension too," She paused to inhale, "I know it was stupid, it was an impulsive thing that I knew wasn't going to end well and I know I shouldn't have jumped without some sort of plan but I did and I knew how dumb it was immediately and flailed for a solution, I'm sorry, alright?!" Her rambling grew more frantic as her face paled. Izuku instinctively pulled her hips close, his hand raising to her chin. Interrupting her stream of words with a kiss, he held her rigid body against his until she began to relax.
Separating he smiled down to her. "I'm glad you acknowledge it was dumb, but I'm only upset because I was scared, what if I didn't have time to catch you all?" Cupping her face softly, he let his smile waver, "I could've lost the five of you, that being said, you did jump into a chasm headfirst, so I reserve the right to be mildly annoyed at you,"
"Uh, I was dragged thank you," Purah argued, "I didn't expect Zelda to jump, I certainly wasn't planning to! My heart nearly stopped!" Izuku grinned supportively as he stepped over to her,
"Then perhaps I should help it restart?" Hooking his hands around her thighs, he lifted her up. Their lips met as her legs curled around his hips, hands clutching his face. For a moment, she enjoyed his affections before giggling against his smile.
"Izuku, we... we have company,"
"And?" He muttered playfully, fingers sinking into her posterior. "Didn't stop us yesterday," Another round of quiet laughing before she pulled away.
"Yes well, they were your wives, more importantly, they were also intruding, do you see anything close to a suitable surface around here?"
"I can find one, worst comes to worst, I'll bloody make one,"
"Izuku," She scolded playfully, "Surely you've had your fill for now," The others began to giggle.
"His fill," Cereza shook her head, "If there's one thing you should know about Izuku, he can never get enough,"
"Well I can," He shrugged, still holding Purah's ass, "I just don't want to, who would? When you're surrounded by beautiful women like I am, you want to start and never ever stop," Adjusting his hold, he had Purah sitting on one arm. She kept her arm around his shoulders, hugging him tightly. "Anyways, consider yourselves aptly scolded for the meantime, we can discuss punishments at a more appropriate time," With that he turned to Midna, who by know had turned red, looking away fom the group. With a free left hand, he created a Double which quickly created two more Doubles. On and on the duplicates created more of themselves. A veritable army expanded into the darkness, after three minutes the cloning stopped and they all turned to face Izuku. "Record everything, anything hostile is destroyed with extreme prejudice, collect whatever looks like resources, report any locations of interest, I want a perfect recreation of a map, go," The entire horde turned and began spreading out in every direction.
"I, how, what magic?"
"No magic, Midna," He smiled, "It's called a quirk, I'm sure you have questions and I'll happily explain once we reach your settlement,"
"O-of course," She nodded, gesturing with an arm, "Please, please, this way," Turning to lead them, she startled at twin bursts of smoke. Izuku sighed, letting Purah out of his arms. Giving them no chance to speak, he shot towards the Yiga assassins, catching them both by their jaws.
"I should have expected there to still be cockroaches like you to be around,"
"G-gan... will r-rise"
"He will do no such thing, I have seen to that personally," His grip increased, "Observe," Blackwhip slid from his wrists and under their masks. Their limbs thrashed around, black spikes jettisoned from various points over their body. Blood spilled from their wounds, pooling below their feet. As their bodies began to still, the quirk retracted slowly. Their corpses slumped in their expunged blood, Izuku wiped his hands together.
"H-hylia," Midna put a hand to her mouth, "W-what are you?" Smiling warmly, he spread his arms.
"Of course, how rude, Princess Midna of the Twil, my name is Izuku Midoriya, but you can call me King,"
Kouta hummed happily as he walked down the street. Eri and Anya were at his sides, just behind his pace. Currently he made light notes in the notebook Dad bought him. "Hey Kouta,"
"Yeah?" He turned to Eri, who was lightly sketching in her own notepad.
"Uncle Yuri and Mister Loid were supposed to meet us here there?"
"Yeah," He nodded, closing his book. Their Uncle and Caretaker normally met them nearby the school, giving them a small amount of independance. The trio walked a block to meet both men for the rest of the way home.
"Shouldn't they be waiting for us?" Kouta looked up from his book, sure enough the corner that they normally stood on was empty. Coming to a stop at the destination, they all began looking around. Kouta began tensing as they continued to search around. Eri and Anya continued to look around as he focused on a large car slowing down towards them. A sliding door opened and three figures climbed out. Two large men climbed out, getting on the groups either side.
"Heya kiddos," One grinned, "We're friends of your Uncle Yuri, he's got caught up at work and asked us to come grab you for him," Subtly Kouta held onto his sisters' wrists. "Come on, he's really worried about,"
"No,"
"What?"
"No,"
"Now, now," The man smirked dangerously, revealing a knife, "Don't be difficult," Slowly, Kouta let go of Eri, she held Anya's hand. "Just get in the car and we'll all be happy," The trio stepped backwards, "No no, don't try run, we know who you are kids, once we get you, your father would pay a mint to get you back,"
"You're trying to kidnap us," Anya pointed at him, getting them to pause. Once they recollected themselves, the men looked more encouraged.
"And we're going to,"
"Let me just ask my dad," Kouta pulled his phone from his pocket, thumbs already hitting the speed dial. The would-be kidnappers froze as he held the phone up. "Hey Dad, these men are saying they're gonna kidnap us,"
"That's not, how this," His phone was back in his pocket.
"Yeah, he said no,"
"That's not," He tried again.
"That's not what?" The man was suddenly looking above Kouta, eyes wide and mouth agape. Behind the boy, an all black figure towered, eyes glowing pure deadly green. Seconds later a great warpgate opened behind him with the Court of Queens filing out. The Prince and Princesses moved as he walked forwards, letting him past to grab the man by the neck. "There are many things you don't do in this life, threatening my children is one of them," In his iron grip, the man began to struggle.
"Who sent you?" Yor was beside him, stilleto needle in hand.
"D-desmond," He croaked "Oh-ack offered, eh.... enough, nuh never work.... again,"
"I can do that for you right now," A tightening grip had the man's feet flailing against his chest. Reiko's hand softly landed on his arm. He looked over to his Ghostly Queen, seeing her shake her head slowly. Taking a calming breath, he nodded. "You're right dear, not in public, not in front of guests and especially not in front of the kids," Dropping the man in a heap, he towered over the two would-be attackers. "Get out of my sight," He growled, watching as they scrambled back into the car and raced away. His right hand stretched out, Double creating another stand-in. His other watched the vehicle before looking to Izuku. A brief nod before he was chasing it.
"Uh?" Purah pointed, "What's he going to do?"
"Impart some valuable wisdom onto them and their superiors,"
"Which would be?" Midna, having been pulled along by the others nudged for more context.
"You never go after my children," He spoke curtly, "Speaking of, guys meet,"
"New moms!" Kota cheered, arms up in celebrating, "More games on game night! Ooh, new stories!"
"More hugs! Can you guys teach us more things too?!" Eri also celebrated before turning to her sister, "Anya, you,"
"Lots of Mamas!" The trio split up and began moving between every Queen after Amelie. Introductions, eager questions and hugs for all of them. Izuku let out a laugh.
"Well, if there are no objections, we'll be staying here the night and Kurogiri can get us back to Hyrule tomorrow after we take the kids to,"
"Your Majesty!" Loid appeared with Yuri in tow. Both were sweating and mildly out of breath, "You, you're here, ap-apolgies," He panted out, "We were supposed to be here, the... we were, waylaid,"
"Desmond," Yuri corroborated, "Henchmen, shut road.... attacked car," His hand began waving, "Whole, whole, guh, thing,"
"I mean, obviously," Izuku shrugged, "I didn't think you were just sitting on your thumbs, guys c'mon, how far did you run anyway?"
"Four.... four miles," Loid gasped, straightening his back, putting his hands to his hips. "Exertion, long time, not often, five minutes, hah,"
"Breath, it's all good, we were just about to walk home, the Court and I will be staying the night with guests, which means I'm cooking tonight," The three children cheered ecstaticly.
"Not to be mean Mister Loid, Uncle Yuri, your food is good but nothing beats Dad's food,"
"That's fine Miter Kouta," Loid shook his head with a small smile. As Izuku looked two the two agents, he frowned.
"Actually, I think we still have business to attend in Hyrule, perhaps everyone would like to come and join?" Walking to the two men, he matched their level. A hand gently turned Loid's head side to side, noting the fuzzy blonde beard he was growing. Turning to Yuri, he held the man's face in both hands. Bloodshot eyes with rather dark circles underneath and a few age lines fit together looking back at him. "You both seem tired, perhaps you should both take the evening off, and tomorrow,"
"But the authorities,"
"Can manage for a day or two, the pair of you are coming to Hyrule, join us at Lookout landing, eat, drink, be merry, enjoy the hotsprings, rest as long as you need,"
"Sire," Loid began,
"I won't hear it Loid, from you nor Yuri, I don't care if I have to order you, you will rest and from tomorrow we will revisit your schedules, I object to you sacrificing your health for this," Warpgate opened behind the Court, "Come you will meet my Roundtable and the King's Hands," Brooking no argument as the Queens walked the children through, he ushered both men ahead of himself. "Now gentlemen," He intoned watching them walk through before stepping through himself.
The occupants of the van quickly clambered out, rushing to the hideout. An open door greeted the fastest runner, the pneumatics quickly shutting it behind him. Not that he looked back to see it, if he had, he probably would've thrown up, given the twisted way his comrades were left. Hunting them from back to front, the King used Overclock to ensure the moments before their deaths were agony. Only one was needed to send a message.
None were needed to show him the way now however.
Phasing through the nigh unbreakable door, he invisibly raced after his quarry. The final runner made it down the corridor, slamming into corners but never once slowing. Until he found Caliburn piercing his sternum, hilt striking his back and lifting him from the ground. Suddenly the blade was there no more and he was falling. A hand extended towards his face, palm crushing his nose. Then the man knew no more. The King cleaned Caliburn in the crook of his elbow before walking forwards further. Every base had a war room, it would be a matter of time before he found it. The heaviest looking door was the answer, phasing through it, he found the rebellious council, gathered around their leader.
"They should be back by now," One spat irritably, "It was a simple mission,"
"We haven't heard back from the distraction groups either, perhaps,"
"Bah," A third dismissed, "They were merely cannon fodder and you know it, the priority were the children, how are we supposed to make demands if our team is late,"
"They won't be coming," Izuku announced as he revealed his presence. Breathing in gently, he looked around the room. "Many of you aren't married, have no family besides your elderly parents, a shame there will be nobody to mourn... not that your kin would mourn anyways but still," Blackwhip and Rivet Stab quickly rendered those targets neutralised as the others began to cower, "Next divorced and estranged," Another large chunk fell, "Seperated and distant," More bodies piled up, "Abusive and cruel," Just one was left. "I know you have sons Desmond, two in fact, no daughters," The moustached man stared impassively, "Suppose I was to take them hostage, how long, how hard would I have to try to make them hate you? How easily do you think your family will be turned against you, fighting against you?"
"You,"
"The rest of your cohort were men unlikely to be missed, which is why you gathered them in the first place, at worst the children and wives will hate me for taking their chance at vengeance away, ultimately thanking me for killing the men, but you, your boys, your wife, they'll mourn for you, resent me for longer, without allowing them to witness your actions, they will take longer to educate,"
"Is that your plan?" He spat, "Threaten them to dissuade me? You think their deaths will stop me? Go ahead, I do not care, my loyalty is to my country above all else, nothing will stop me? Unless you don't plan on killing them? Just me and then showing them the 'real' me?" Izuku smirked,
"Why would I need to do that? You've already done it for me," Stepping to the side, he revealed Damien Desmond, his older brother and his mother, all stood in the now opened doorway. Behind them all a Duplicate of the King stood, darkly glaring at Desmond Senior. The King began walking over to the group, Caliburn in hand. "You truly do not care? If I were to impale your sons? Behead your wife? None of it would mean anything to you?" The edge of his blade rested against the elder boy's throat. "Yield Desmond, you do not have to kneel, bow, scrape, nothing, simply raise your hands, surrender, they live,"
"I won't," Mrs Desmond broke into heaving sobs as the youngest boy was wracked by disbelief. "Do it then,"
"You worthless sack of cunting shit," The elder boy spat vitrolicly, "You're really about to let your sons, your wife die? For what a rebellion that nobody wants? A cause that nobody supports? Look at the men you,"
"Are you going to do it then?" Desmond snapped, "Or will you give them all a chance to waffle a-urk!" He stumbled back, falling into his seat as Caliburn poked out the other side.
"No Desmond, I'm not going to, I was never going to, that's the point, you just attempted to have my own children kidnapped as bargaining chips and assumed I wouldn't strike back? I have neither the time nor crayons to explain all the levels of why your plan would not work, I figured I should at least do your family the favour of showing your true wretched self to them before killing you," He wheezed, "And make no mistake you will die from the wound, but slow enough that your traumatized boys can get even, your abused wife can share her honest opinion," Caliburn was sheathed as the King looked on, "You see, that's why I win Desmond, you see people as pieces on a board, uncaring for them, you are no leader, I protect all I can, have the help of a brave few to reach further, I save everybody I can, avenge those I can't, I make sure the rest eat well, sleep safely before I do either, that is I why I am King,"