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aspenforest732 · 9 months ago

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Libertias aut Mortis Chapter 3: Last Chance

Ding dong ding Dong ding dong

‘ I still don’t understand why we’re getting there a day early, ’ Akira sunk back into the pristine white booth across from Hitoshi and Eri, readjusting to the ever so slight sway of the bullet train. ‘ Don’t he usually arrive just a couple hours before to double-check the setup? ’

Hitoshi shrugged and opened a bag of sour patch kids for Eri. “I don’t know. Dad said something about sight seeing? Maybe they’ve got something planned for Eri.”

She looked up from her treats with a grin at her name, a dusting of sugar already smeared across her lips. “Mhm! Daddy said there are a ton of museums and pretty buildings and gardens and we gotta be respectful when going into the gardens, but they’re super pretty. And a biiiig tree in the sky!” Eri happily rambled along, playing with her little brightly-colored, vaguely person-shaped gummies on the white cloth-covered table between them.

Akira curiously peered around Hitoshi towards the approaching couple, confusion quickly melting into amusement at their expressions. Yamada covered his mouth, trying to hold back giggles while Aizawa stared in fond exasperation at their table.

“Eri, sweetheart, that was supposed to be a surprise, remember?” Yamada managed to stop giggling as they approached, kneeling to get closer to her level. Mirth still danced in his eyes, and Aizawa’s expression softened.

“But you said no secrets,” Eri mimed him with a yellow gummy, making Hitoshi snort and Akira silently chuckle. “Especially when an adult tells you to keep them from your family.” She beamed up at him.

Ah, the death of nuance . Akira smiled at Hitoshi, but he looked away almost immediately. Right .

“‘That’s right! Good job remembering,” Yamada flashed a bright smile Eri preened under. “Let’s run through the checklist we made, yeah?”

Eri’s face scrunched up for a moment before she perked up. “Mh. Is the person a stranger? No.” She looked to Yamada, who gave an encouraging nod. “Will keeping the secret… hurt someone?” To her credit, she thought for a solid ten seconds before answering, “no? Did the person say not to tell another adult? No.”

Eri beamed up at Yamada as she finished the checklist, who nodded encouragingly. “And does the secret make you uncomfortable?” Her face scrunched up for a few more seconds before shaking her head. “So then…”

“I shouldn’t tell the secret until they say it’s okay,” Eri looked so proud of herself for a few seconds before she realized. Her face fell, but her eyes that once would’ve held fear that made her cower now shone with regret. “Oh. I’m sorry, did I ruin the surprise?”

“No, kid,” Aizawa spoke up from behind Yamada. “Just try to remember the checklist next time, okay?” A soft smile peeked over his capture scarf as Eri nodded emphatically, pigtails bouncing adorably.

They slowly unfurled as the slight, gentle rocking motion ghosted across their consciousness. A sense of peace washed over them and let their limbs untangle, not a pop or crackle to be heard. Did that mean they went the wrong way again? Even so, maybe they could stay a while. Then again, the bells could very well be covering the sounds, the near-constant clanging save for a static third beat echoing through the void. They couldn’t remember the train ride, but fierce familiarity burned somewhere deep down. The countryside sped past in a car too fancy, too expensive for any trip they would’ve taken. Maybe if they stayed long enough, the gentle laughter and easy banter would drown out the bells.

Akira pulled up by a life-sized Howl statue while Eri babbled on about Howl’s Moving Castle with the tour guide, a bored teen who looked all together done with this part of the museum. Akira wheeled forward a bit, eyes wide with fascination as they watched the display shift and shimmer between his pink and desaturated blue cape outfit and his bird-like appearance. They started to take out their phone to send to Fumikage, only to remember the strict no-cameras policy.

They were half-tempted to warp and do it anyway, but a glance at Eri kept them in their chair. The last thing Akira wanted was to ruin the experience for her. Aizawa nodded firmly, reminding them he knew their tells at this point. They continued through the museum, a few short films showing the old animation process and how the company and Miyazakis adapted over the years to appeal to younger generations.

The older movies spoke of fighting for freedom from oppression, finding justice for the young heroes, and nature reclaiming its lands after disaster befell humans. Or human-like people anyways. Newer movies continued with albeit subtler messaging, but even in the museum and tour, they never quite came out and said they were working towards change.

Akira got a reversible, chibi Howl plush for Fumikage and Dark Shadow, declining anything for themself. They brushed away the pang of sadness at the reminder they had specific things in their go-bag for a reason. The remaining weight and space were reserved for their costume, not plushies or trinkets.

Their little group pushed through the crowded streets towards the tallest building in the city, the Skytree. Yamada insisted they didn’t need a tour bus or anything of the sort. He’d been to Tokyo many a time and knew which tourist traps to avoid and where the best hidden gems lie in wait for an influencer to “discover.”

Hitoshi mostly kept to their family for the trip, not exactly avoiding Akira but not engaging either. That was fine, though. They could work with that. He probably didn’t even want to invite them in the first place, more of a formality since Aizawa knew… Akira made a quick mental note of an alley a public Legacy Holder ducked down. They still needed to find a good out or time when they could slip away, explore the couple points of interest they found. With the Legacy Holder stronghold hiding in plain sight in the city, their search grid only kept expanding as they kept to Yamada’s wake in the throngs of people.

They couldn’t risk casting suspicion on Yamada or Aizawa. They just knew the latter already had a target on his back as an underground hero, and Yamada would add limelights and twilights to the possible heroes working with them. The fewer leads the family had, the better. Not to mention the danger that would put the kids in. The very danger Akira isolated Hitoshi to the point of him withdrawing to protect them from.

Their stomach dropped to their feet as the elevator rocketed up almost a kilometer. Akira braced themself in their wheelchair, determined to at least try to enjoy this while they could. After an eternity, the doors opened with a ding, and Akira put a little extra force into their joystick to get over the lip into the slowly rotating observation deck. The hostess led them to their reserved table with a chair missing on the side facing the bulging windows.

They hesitated, but before they could say anything, Aizawa smoothly moved a chair over so they could choose which way to face. Akira shot them a grateful half smile. Alright, they may have gotten used to rooftop heights, but the skytree was just absurd. Torn between seeing the sights they came here to see and the vertigo they could already feel twisting their vision out of focus, Akira stayed mostly facing their table. Every so often, they tried to glance out the windows but resigned themself to happily nodding along to Eri with sparkling eyes.

Akira kept making slight adjustments to keep their wheelchair in place, refusing to lock their wheels as even the idea spiked their anxiety. They nibbled on their food, hating the idea of it going to waste but the vertigo kept challenging them to keep pretty much anything down.

The couple kept casting them worried glances, but they just smiled and gave a thumbs up. Couldn’t ruin what even Hitoshi was excited for. He and Eri kept looking out over the city as the dining room slowly turned, pointing out places they’d been, the Tokyo Dome where Yamada would perform the next day, the Imperial Palace, and other sites they planned to see that day.

Once everyone else was done, they headed back down the glass elevator, Akira closing their eyes at some point to just pretend they were going down a normal elevator. A normal elevator that was just really slow. That’s the only reason it was taking so long.

When the elevator finally jostled to a stop, Aizawa spoke up, “How about you three go ahead to the zoo, and we’ll catch up.”

‘ Sorry, didn’t realize it being that much higher would be a problem, ’ Akira added sheepishly.

Eri protested, but Hitoshi narrowed his eyes at them, recognition flashing as they turned back. “Yeah, didn’t you say there was an area where you could just sit and feed the birds, Eri?” Hitoshi offered a strained smile. “If we go ahead, I bet we can get some of them to settle in pop’s hair.”

Yamada shared a look with Aizawa over the kids’ shoulders and let himself be swept along for a few steps before guiding them in the right direction. Eri may have pointed it out in the tower, but the spinning almost had them heading in the opposite direction.

To be fair, Akira did need to eat something. Aizawa tousled their hair and doubled back closer to the search grid. The Legacy Holder compound was one of two bases the Wrens kept sealed from the public, though the headquarters for the heads of the family took over Sado Island many years ago. They weren’t entirely sure how they would get on there one day, but the favor from Giran would at least open up more options.

Bento boxes in hand, Mortis warped to the rooftops while their clone continued with Aizawa, letting him push their wheelchair so they could focus on “eating.” Curiosity paused their step as they had their clone take a bite. They shrugged as the food didn’t magically make them feel fuller, instead turning to their own actual bento boxes. A little bulkier than what they usually carried on rooftop excursions nowadays, it didn’t take long to remember how to adjust for the boxes like they did on the streets.

Mortis practically flew across the rooftops, keeping within easy control range of their clone while scanning for any signs of the Legacy Holders they saw before. The first few paths on the fringe of the grid they mentally kept track of turned out to be duds, but they tried to keep pushing on. If it was that easy to find the compound, it would be common knowledge.

As it was, they only were fairly certain it was in this area because of conspiracy forums and the smallest of traces Haruki dug out of the back doors of the internet. Pigeons gathered on the edge of rooftops, cooing and chattering with each other. With so many in the city, there were bound to be a few with quirks.

Mortis slowed slightly as they spotted a flash of red among the crowd. They hadn’t noticed their clone and Aizawa yet, though they were heading in the same direction. Further into the grid it was. Mortis pushed on, tapping out the signal to Aizawa letting him know there was one nearby.

They didn’t know what would happen if one tried to touch their clone, but better to not risk it exposing any of them. Did their clones even have memories to alter? They certainly didn’t have anywhere near the autonomy Jin’s clones did.

A flock of pigeons took off towards them as they neared, chirping angrily at the remaining one, which had bits of metal sticking out. Mortis stumbled to a stop, turning on their heel to look at it again. They cautiously approached the poor bird, trying to get a better look at the reflections that first caught their eye under its feathers. They knelt down next to the pigeon, which had barely moved since they started approaching. Its head emerged from under its wing, and Mortis froze.

One eye replaced with a camera lens and the other milky and unseeing. What the hell… Mortis cautiously backed up, careful not to disturb anything else. A quirk maybe? Some kind of Tinker, probably, with the camera involved. After a moment, they relaxed as it didn’t seem to register their presence. Only visual light spectrum then?

Mortis darted away from the cyborg bird, head on a swivel as they searched for that Legacy Holder again. Their heart skipped a beat. He watched their clone and Aizawa from across the street, leaning against a shop window. The Wren ducked into the crowd, weaving towards them in a not immediately obvious path from ground level.

Mortis quickly transmitted “intercept” to Aizawa’s com, forced to hope any nearby heroes were on a different frequency channel. They darted in short bursts to keep eyes on the Wren from above, heart hammering as they were never more grateful for choosing an outfit that morning that covered almost every inch of easily accessible skin. Aizawa always had that between his long sleeved comfort clothes and capture scarf, but January chill and possibility of running into the Legacy Holders drew them to cover up more than usual.

The Legacy Holder paused, the crowd swerving around them with grumbles and rude gestures that went ignored. Mortis noticed the soft, awkward wing flaps just in time to tuck out of the way as the cyborg pigeon landed where they were just crouched. No, not the same one. This one had a functioning eye.

The Legacy Holder worked his jaw but swept back through the crowd, shoulders set tensely. The clone tapped “clear” while Mortis warped after them, moving so their clone however briefly visible would be out of sight of the once bird. If the Wren was using them, that was definitely a Tinker’s quirk. Better to just assume the camera was always recording or broadcasting live to… that would have to be nearby, right?

Spurred on by the thought, Mortis kept pace with the Legacy Holder, drifting slightly further away from the edge of the roofs as they grew more agitated. Half of an argument drifted up to Mortis, something about needing more surveillance and griping about not enough resources. They startled, pulling back and down as the Legacy Holder walked through a door that was not there a second ago. They caught the briefest glimpse of a grand interior with polished floors and bright lights before it closed behind the Wren.

Found you .

Asami and Her Handler

Asami’s white knuckles gripped her phone, willing the email to disappear with a blink. Damnit. She reread it, frozen with one bracer tied halfway on and her half of her costume in the tinker tech bag.

“Hey, what’s got you down?” Hana smiled brightly at her, emerald eyes sparkling. “We’ve actually got patrol today! Wanna swing by the botanical garden after paperwork? I heard they’ve got—”

“I’m actually going home today,” Asami kicked herself for interrupting. Hana’s smile faded slightly, confusion pursing her brow as her raven locks fell back about her shoulders.

“What, can’t take the pressure?” Yuki barely looked up from his phone.

Asami rolled her eyes even as the jab stung more than she’d ever admit to the asshole. “ No , my parents just want me closer to home for now. I’ll be back.” Will you though?

“Wait, you’re serious?” Hana’s smile faded as Asami avoided her gaze and gathered her things. “Asami, you love working with Nova. Why would they take that away from you? They can’t keep you cooped up forever, you know.”

Asami forced a smile, not quite reaching her eyes as Hana took a step toward her. “Really, it’s fine. They’re not taking anything away, just… giving me new opportunities.”

Hana held her gaze for a long moment, searching for something. She sighed and tucked a sweetpea into Asami’s palm with a slight glow. “There, that should last until we meet again.” Her hand lingered a moment longer in hers. “And we will meet again.”

Asami blushed lightly and chuckled, “Now why does that sound like a threat?” Nevertheless, she tucked the precious flower in her pocket, mind already racing with how she could sneak it in. Aimi-sama loomed in the doorway, and with barely a glance, Asami hurriedly shoved her armor back in the bag, keenly aware of her sharp gaze.

Asami waved to the other interns and willed the blush away as they strode towards their handler in the doorway. Aimi-sama was a stern but kind woman of tall stature and a modest interposing quirk, able to take a hit directed toward her charge. Asami bowed and dutifully followed her into Nova’s office. The adults talked for a few minutes while she poured over what she could’ve done differently or not at all to delay this.

“I hope you understand that this is nothing against you, Nova,” Aimi-sama said as she bowed.

“Of course.” Nova smiled thinly down at Asami and bowed to the pair. “I understand needing to keep family safe. I wish you the best in these trying times.”

“Thank you for taking care of me,” Asami murmured and bowed in return. Chin up,. Shoulders back . And walk . She followed her advocate to the waiting car, walking as if each step was filled with purpose. Asami barely spared a glance to Hana and the other sidekicks, knowing if she lingered a moment too long in those emerald eyes she might do something she’d regret. I thought I was doing fine. Everything was going so well. Why are they pulling-

“Asami,” Aimi-sama reminded, her sharp eyes in stark contrast with her kind voice and gentle smile. Asami snapped out of her spiral as the woman pointedly looked to the open car door.

“My apologies, Aimi-sama.” Asami quickly ducked into the car, gracefully sliding in with her skirt perfectly smoothed. Almost. She subtly smoothed a wrinkle before Aimi-sama could comment. A quick glance betrayed nothing on the woman’s smooth, cold face.

Aimi-sama handed her a small disk. Asami quickly pressed the activation button and scanned through the file displayed on the one-way holographic screen. Her eyebrows twitched upward and she glanced to the side. “Shield Maiden?”

Aimi-sama’s mouth ticked into a frown as she quirked an eyebrow.

Asami hurriedly corrected, “My apologies. I was simply surprised to be working with mother. Did I do something wrong?”

Aimi-sama slightly turned back to face the divider screen. “Your performance has been adequate since the Shie Hassaiki incident.” Asami nodded, a slight shiver running down her spine although she couldn’t quite place the reason. “However, Inoue children are being targeted. As the only child outside our immediate sphere of influence, you’re coming as close to isolation as the public will allow.” A sharp glance made Asami straighten even more. “Your time outside has not dulled your manners or tongue. Do not make mistakes or you will need correction.”

“Yes, Aimi-sama,” Asami spoke clearly but meekly. Of course Aimi-sama was right, as always. She was fortunate to have an advocate to remind her of her place after time away.

“Your sister”

Sibling .

“is becoming a problem. If she contacts you outside scheduled meetings, inform us at once.”

“Yes, Aimi-sama.” Asami didn’t really understand this phase Akira was going through, but she didn’t want her - them, Akira they/them, Akira they/them, Akira they/them - to hate her. She suppressed a shudder at the pain and rage in her twin’s eyes during the provisional licensing exam. I hope we can get them out from under the stoat soon. Who knows what else he put in their head.

Asami went back to quietly reading the brief, noting the increased shield training with a spike of fear. She inwardly shook it off. Mother’s a Shield Brute. She or Father may even know why this is happening! I probably just need a different kind of training. Of course. This is why you always stay with your quirk type. Asami couldn’t quite quell the growing knot of dread, so she tried to ignore it as best she could.

After all, what reason could she possibly have to fear her family?

Notes:

So I know we have two fluff chapters in a row, but to be fair, I put off writing this scene until I started working on the bits that come between page breaks - stage 5. Technically there are 6 stages since this is stage 0, but programming logic I guess lol it should make sense by stage 2 or 3, but I’m considering adding what changes in each stage before the first chapter of each. That would probably help with understanding why there are stages…

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#libertias aut mortis #when good people go to war #chapter 3 #lgbtqia #nonbinary #agender #theythem #did system #aro ace #yamazawa #eri #shinso hitoshi #nonbinary shinso hitoshi #nonbinary mc #dadzawa #mha #bnha

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