Chapter Forty-three
Bakugo

Bakugo glared as Shigaraki stepped away from him, his brow furrowing in a deep scowl. The other man's rude behavior really wasn't a good thing, not in their current precarious situation.

"Where is Y/N?" Bakugo growled out, his tone demanding an immediate answer. Shigaraki simply smiled, seemingly unfazed by the blond's aggression.

"Oh, she's in her room," Shigaraki replied, his voice infuriatingly calm and casual. "I sent Toga to go feed her. Don't worry," he added, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Bakugo's jaw clenched, his fingers twitching with the urge to unleash his explosive Quirk. The thought of that unhinged woman anywhere near Y/N sent a bolt of panic through him.

"If that psycho lays a hand on them, I'll -" he started, only to be cut off by Shigaraki's raised hand.

"Relax, Bakugo," the villain said, his tone almost patronizing. "Toga knows better than to harm our...guest. We need them unharmed, after all."

He turned, already starting to walk away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to."

Bakugo watched him go, every muscle in his body coiled tight with rage and worry for Y/N's safety. He had to find a way to get to them, and soon, before something inevitably went wrong.

-

Y/N

You curled up tighter on the hard, unyielding mattress, the discomfort gnawing at you. You hated lying on this thing, the lack of softness and give grating on your senses. But you couldn't fully let loose either - you'd tear this whole place down in an instant if you allowed yourself to.

However, that wouldn't do you any good, not in the long run. Not only would it risk making your situation even worse, but you'd just end up cramped and stuck in the mess of your own making. No, as much as it pained you, you had to bide your time and wait for the right opportunity.

The sound of the door creaking open drew your attention, and you lifted your head to see Shigaraki stepping in, his hands no longer attached to his body. His piercing red eyes locked onto you, a twisted smile playing across his lips.

"I'm glad you've decided to cooperate," he said casually as he took a seat in a nearby chair. "Now, get us the information we need."

You eyed him warily, your mind racing as you considered your options. Defiance would likely only earn you more pain, but you couldn't in good conscience give in to his demands either. Carefully, you weighed your words, searching for a path that might buy you more time.

"And what makes you think I have that information?" you replied evenly, your gaze unwavering. "I'm just a pawn in your game, remember? I don't know anything."

Shigaraki's smile only deepened, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh, I think you know more than you're letting on," he purred. "And I have ways of making you talk."

You fought back a shudder at the implication, your heart racing as you realized the precarious position you were in. But you refused to back down, your determination steeling your resolve.

"We'll see about that," you retorted, your tone laced with defiance. Whatever happened, you wouldn't make it easy for him. You'd buy as much time as you could, and pray that help was on the way.

Shigaraki let out a frustrated sigh, a hint of exasperation creeping into his tone. "Please, Y/N, I hope you know that this is for the best," he said, his voice firm but carrying an odd, pleading quality.

"You're beginning to understand, aren't you?" he continued, his gaze boring into you. "You can't honestly believe that the heroes see you as one of them. You're so much more than that - you're a queen. A dragon."

He leaned forward slightly, his lips curling into a twisted smile. "And dragons, well, they're inherently evil, aren't they?"

You felt a chill run down your spine at his words, your heart pounding in your chest. The implication behind his words was clear - he was trying to sway you, to turn you against the very people you'd sworn to protect.

"I'm not evil," you retorted, your voice laced with defiance. "I'm a hero, through and through. The people I fight for, they're the ones who matter, not these twisted ideals you're trying to force on me."

Shigaraki's expression darkened, a flash of irritation crossing his features. "I see," he murmured, his fingers twitching as if longing to activate his Quirk. "Then I suppose we'll have to try a different approach."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving you. "Remember, Y/N, I'm only doing this for your own good. In the end, you'll see that I'm right."

You steeled your resolve, refusing to be cowed by his words. "We'll see about that," you replied, your voice firm. Whatever he had planned, you were determined to hold onto your convictions. You were a hero, and nothing he could say or do would change that.

-

Your eyes were just beginning to drift shut when suddenly the entire hideout shook, a booming voice echoing through the walls and reverberating in your chest.

"WE ARE HERE!"

You smiled, a surge of relief and hope coursing through you. Quickly, you tried to get up, only to find your feet tangled in the bedsheets. You snarled in frustration, feeling the fire of your Quirk begin to flicker across your skin, crackling as it ignited your anger.

"Now, where are you, young L/N?" All Might's voice boomed, laced with authority. But then, a deep, menacing voice made you stiffen in dread.

"Yeah, I know you have her. Tell us where she is, or we'll raze this place down," your father growled, the threat clear in his tone.

Shigaraki's raspy voice cut in, like a snake's hiss. "We will never tell you, fiends! Leave, we hate you!"

Desperate to escape, you struggled against the sheets, panic rising in your chest. In a burst of adrenaline, you managed to leap out of the room, tumbling straight into the middle of the heroes.

Aizawa was the first to react, immediately scooping you up into his arms. "T/N, are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern but still carrying that calm, authoritative edge.

But then, before you could respond, a swirling black smog began to envelop you. "Uhh, what's happening?" you gasped, your vision blurring as the thick, suffocating darkness warped everything around you.

The last thing you saw before everything went black was Bakugo's terrified face, his usual fiery anger replaced by sheer fear. Just as quickly, he too was overtaken by the sludgy black mist.