Huh, the phoenix thought to himself. All I wanted was answers. The job he had been ordained by God Himself to do was skirted to the back burner in the hubbub. Now he was a leading force in the battle to save the world from a powerful enemy. And where did Izuku’s loyalties lay? With the men, or with the machines?
“Come Sho, leave these cowards t’ their fate.” With that, he hurried off down the hallway, Sho following behind.
He followed Nixon into the stairwell, the man of fire in the lead taking four steps at a time in his rush to get up. Now, knowing that he was rushing towards a lethal force of Embracers and his already over-powerful brother, the spring wasn’t quite in Sho’s step anymore.
-----------------------
The part of the plan no one counted on (truthfully, they were somewhat busy at the time to cover every angle) was that HOME would be divided into two separate wings with the massive launching bay in the center. The plane crash had essentially split the base in two, and Izuku, shouting orders and planning his escape, was first encountered by Crystal and Aryu.
They had left one man alive during the assault in the dining room and from him had learned the whereabouts of the most likely location of the lab and its precious contents. It was while running there that they came across Izuku as he was trying to get things in order.
When they came around a corner into a wide corridor that had once led to the main launch hangar in the middle of the ship (and now was filled on the far end by crumbling debris and milling mechanical men), it took Aryu a moment to realize what he was seeing.
There at the far end was a man smaller than him, covered in dark, plain clothes, with gleaming metal wings protruding from his back. Wings so like his in design and size it was astonishing.
It was Crystal that cried out, knowing the enemy for who he was. “IZUKU!”
The winged man turned, exposing the mechanical conglomeration that was his body, sheathed sword at his side. Bald, gleaming scalp reflecting the light of the fires around him. A grin like death, even in his anger. The rage in his eyes, even before he knew who had called him, was horrifying. Aryu had never seen a look so full of hate. He was no longer sure why he was running to this man. That one gaze told him it was a terrible idea.
The anger Izuku had felt after the initial attack was melting. Within arm’s reach was one of the two he had wanted all along. Dare he say, the one he had wanted most of all?
“Aryu O’Lung’Singh,” he said, smiling at the words as they left his mouth. “And Crystal Kokuou. What a moment this is!”
Crystal didn’t stop charging him, which to Aryu seemed like a foolish thing to do in her current state. Izuku kept smiling, welcoming this futile attack. When she was almost in striking distance, he stepped back into a defensive position, and with a flick of his wrist, pulled the non-existent blade out just a touch.
The movement caused Crystal to instantly stop her charge and fall back, gripping her head in obvious pain, for reasons Aryu couldn’t see. He caught up with her as she went to a knee, humming to herself quietly like she was trying to block out something imperceptible. Izuku didn’t move. He only watched Aryu with interest.
“Stop it!” Aryu shouted at the terrifying blend of man and machine in front of him. “Whatever you’re doing, stop it! You know she can’t hurt you like this!”
“That is true,” he replied in a voice Aryu knew to fear immediately. “But she is a danger to me even without command of the Power, so I’ll keep her where she is. You, though. How do you feel?”
Aryu was angered and confused by the question. “I feel like cutting you to pieces!”
Izuku laughed at the idea. “Really now, Aryu, you are a guest here. I guess common courtesy is too much to expect from someone who just flew a plane into my home.”
“Stop it!” Crystal suddenly yelled, breaking her humming like glass. “Put it away!” Tears were in her eyes, but still Aryu couldn’t see why.
Aryu was up, face to face with this thing called Izuku. No matter what, he couldn’t let Crystal hurt like this if he could stop it. He was taller than Izuku, but Izuku was nothing but machine and the Power. He knew he didn’t stand much of a chance, but he had to try. His wings extended out, trying in vain to block out whatever it was that Izuku was doing, but to no avail.
“Ah, yes, the wings!” Izuku said with a hint of pride. He finally had the man he wanted. “I admit I had my doubts. You were a challenge to find, but I’d say I did fantastically!”
“What do you mean?” Aryu asked. His voice was threatening, but his eyes were curious. Izuku knew something.
“I don’t have time to indulge you in stories, Aryu. I have places to go and things to do. For now, I’ll take my leave and give you over to the care of my entourage. Gentlemen…”
Izuku stepped back and summoned his waiting robotic forces to his side. It was a safe bet that most if not all of HOME was a loss, which was a shame. He’d emptied most of the base, and except for the loss of the collection of High-Yield bombs, this was not a crippling defeat. Once his troops took Aryu, Izuku was satisfied that it would be a good day.
Aryu held his ground. “Let her go, Izuku!”
Izuku simply waved and turned away, sending his minions after Aryu and the fallen Crystal.
The Shi Kaze was out
