Chapter 5: A Puzzle Quest
Warning: Before we start, I like to say that there may be triggers and sad content. There might be a flashback of Rae's childhood that may make you feel sad or triggered. Do not read without proper warnings!
It was early during the night, Rae had woken up after everyone went to bed. The clock read 3:15am and she was holding her chest as the nightmare she had ended, with her breathing hard. She looks over as she seen Todoroki was asleep and had rolled over facing away from her. She sighs as she gets up, walking out of the room quietly. She noticed someone sitting on the couch, it was Dabi. He must of fallen asleep out here but he was clearly awake, he had glanced over seeing her. Judging by her scared face and how she just froze there, he use his quirk to light up the room. Holding his palm out as the blue flames appeared, "You're awake? I thought you be asleep still. What's going on?" Rae gulps walking over to him and sits down, sighing sadly as she look down to speak, "I had that nightmare again." Dabi's eyes widen, "Why haven't you told me about this?" "I guess it wasn't important when we have them around," she says softly. Dabi glares looking at her, "You need to tell me what's going on." Rae sighs, it's about my childhood. I know we've become great friends but I didn't think you want to know about my childhood." Dabi looks at her, "of course I would. You've learn to trust me and learn to trust everyone here. Just tell me." She kept looking down as began to explain, "When I was a child, I didn't have a very good father or mother figure. When I was born, my mother and father hated me, I always got beat for something I never did. I was almost killed by my mother when I was five. She almost tried to choke me alive because I was the only one to try and help my siblings or heal myself from being beat too hard. My siblings had to keep me away from them. I was technically the baby of the family and they want to kill me. My father wanted me killed for no reason either. That was the beginning of my childhood. I lived in fear because I was bullied by my parents and they thought my quirk wasn't good enough. I only had sand and lightening quirk because of them. My siblings had lightening and water quirks. I was the weird child because my powers were from my grandparents. Which they aren't alive when I was born." She started to tear up as she explained. Dabi listen and closes his palm as he starts to pull her close and hold her, "Your parents bullied you because of your quirk." She looks at him as the tears fell, "Not just cus of my quirk. My father kept trying to abuse me as child. My mother never would feed me and my siblings were the only ones I could count on. They fed, raised, and even help me through pain. I almost wanted to kill myself because of them. Cus of my parents, I felt like I was literally a freak. I even remember they told me, I never be a hero. I ran away at the age of twelve and found a family who cared. My siblings even may me run away because of my mother. I remember most of my life as pain and when I ran away I felt free. But was still in pain. I ended up being found by someone who was good friends with All might." Believe it or not as she had explained her full story. She didn't notice Dabi had kissed her head. She still felt pain but couldn't say anything to him about it. Dabi looks at her, "I'm sorry you got hurt as a child. But what are theses nightmares you keep having?" She lean closer into his arms and sighs softly, "theses nightmares are of my family laughing and yelling horrible things at me. They even make me feel like dying in my dream. Theses nightmares, have appeared every since I ran away." They both heard a door open and looked up. It was Bakugou as he turns on the lamp on. He sees Rae and Dabi on the couch kinda cuddling, "Teddy bear? What are you doing up?" She looks at him, "I- I could ask the same." Dabi looks at him holding her close, "She had a nightmare again. She was telling me about it." Bakugou sighs saying, "I heard. I kinda heard about her backstory. I had no idea." She looks away as Dabi let go of her, "Bakugou, i- I don't know what to do." She gets up from the couch and walks over the balcony. It was very well decorated and had two chairs, she sits down in one sighing. Bakugou had followed her, along with Dabi standing in the entrance of the balcony doorway. Bakugou sits by her and says softly, "you don't have to hide from me. I just didn't know what to say about your life. I had no idea it was rough." She looks away from him staring at the view, "I..I never wanted to have a rough life. I didn't want to lose my life for others, because of my family. I wanted to help others but I feel like I can't."
"You can forget your past and keep moving forward. Life is mysterious and wonderful," Bakugou says softly as he looks at her. She sighs, "But it's also complicated and depressing." He sighs softly, "Don't lose your life because of your family. Teddy bear, I want you to live with us." She blushes as she looks at him and moves close to him. She needed comfort, as he holds her she says, "Thanks." He shakes his head, "don't thank me teddy bear. I'm always here for you." She smiles and holds on to him for a little while and yawns a bit. Dabi smiles watching them, them all three jump as they look over seeing Shoto and Kirishma were awake. Shoto shocked rubbing his eyes, "You guys are awake?" Rae looks at him, "Why are you shocked?" Shoto shrugs, "We have the puzzles to find today don't we?"
Dabi nods as he leans on the wall, "Yes but Rae had woken up from a nightmare."
Shoto's widen, "She had another one?"
Bakugou nods, "She did."
"I see, is it too personal to ask," Shoto asks.
Kirishma looks up, "She doesn't seem like she should tell us."
Dabi sighs, "it's about her childhood, she doesn't need to go back into it. But things didn't go so well for her as a child."
Kirishma gulps and sighs softly, "That sounds rough pebble. You going to be alright?"
Rae nods as she lets go of Bakugou and sits up, "Yeah. Just ya'know, need some time."
Hawks, Midoryia and Tamaki all finally wake up and they walk out of their rooms and stares at Dabi. "It's like what 3 or 4 in the morning? Puzzle quest don't start til 5am, why is everyone up," Hawks asking looking concerned. Rae sighs softly and looks down, "it's because I'm up." Hawks looks up, "What is the issue?" He walks over to the balcony and sees Bakugou with Rae. Rae sighs, "I had a nightmare. I've been having theses nightmares since I was younger. You all wouldn't know this but when I was twelve, I ran away from home because my childhood was rough." Kirishma covers his mouth, "Oh my." "I'm sorry hummingbird," Hawks says softly. She shrugs, "It's fine. I'm fine." She starts to cry and hold on to Bakugou again.
Shoto looks up, "Rae?" He walks over passing Hawks and kneels down by Bakugou, hugging them both. Midoryia and Tamaki had noticed and were just hear her cries.
"Puppy," Midoryia says in a concern voice.
"B-bunny," Tamaki says asking in a concern voice.
Kirishma sighs, "She doesn't seem happy..."
Bakugou snaps, "Shut up shitty hair!"
She lets go of Shoto and Bakugou, holding her legs closer to her chest, "I- I'm sorry. I just feel scared..." Hawks nods, "It's not about what happened last night is it?" She shakes her head, "N-no. I- I just had a moment." They all had stopped making a noise as a knock was heard on their door. They all had turned over staring at the door. Dabi gulps as he had heard a loud knock again and stands up from leaning, walks towards the door and opens it seeing Jirou and Denki, "Can we help you both?" Denki glares and nods, "Uhh We need you all in the lobby!" Jirou glares too saying in a harsh tone, "Immediately!" Dabi raises an eyebrow looking at them, "Why?" Denki sighs, "Don't ask questions! Everyone get dressed and get down to the lobby." Jirou yells this time, "It's serious!!" Both Jirou and Denki runs back to the stairs and smirks as they knew what was going to happen. The rest of the guys and Rae had gotten up and got dressed. Rae had gotten dressed in the bathroom as the guys got changed. Rae comes out waiting for half of them. As Shoto, Bakugou and Dabi were there waiting. Rae came out wearing black cropped top and black skirt and jacket with boots, "I'm ready!" Shoto looks up, "I hope you feel better about today." She nods, "Same here." Bakugou nods, "We are here for you teddy bear." She smiles softly, "Thanks!" The rest of the guys finally come out all dressed. Rae yells out "Let's go," as she leads them to the door. They all skip the elevator and run to the stairs of the hotel. They were all going down the stairs in style and Bakugou had decided to jump down a few stairs a few times. Rae would hold on to the railing as she speed walks down the stairs and everyone followed behind her. They make it to the lobby and Rae gets grabbed by Kai, "Ack! Ahh let me go!!"
Kai smiles, "Thanks Denki and Jirou! Now get out of here!"
Denki nods, "Yes sir!"
Rae glares as she looks at them leave. Kirishma yells glaring, "We trusted you Denki!!"
Denki smirks looking at him, "I never trusted you guys! Jirou let's go!"
Jirou nods runny after him, "Coming!"
Kai laughs as he pulls a sharp knife to Rae's neck. Dabi glares as he uses his quirk to make blue smoke appear around Kai. Tamaki and Midoryia join in and grab Rae before she was hurt. Kirishma and Bakugou use their quirks to make Kai leave along with Shinzou. They finally disappear as Rae ended up holding on to Midoryia tightly, "What did they want with me?"
Shoto looks up, "Probably here to brainwash you and defeat us."
Dabi glares, "We were faster than they thought."
Kirishma looks down, "I didn't think Denki and Jirou were with them."
Rae sighs letting go of Midoryia, "You think they are also with Kai besides the rest of the villains."
Dabi looks at her, "There's only way to figure that out."
Rae smirks looking at him, "that's by?"
Dabi smirks back, "Following them!"
Hawks looks at them, "What about the puzzle quest?"
Rae looks at him, "Hawks, that's our first puzzle! Let's go!"
She had let go of Midoryia and starts running out the door. Tamaki, Shoto and Bakugou start following her. As Dabi, Hawks, Kirishma and Midoryia are right on their tail behind.
Shinzou was running but hears a sound, "They are behind us!"
Kai looks at him, "Distract them!"
Denki and Jirou start using their quirks to make them fall or have a building fall in their path. Shoto uses his fire quirk to block attack. "Rae watch out," he yells at her as there was an object in her way. Rae looks and jumps over it that was in her path. She did a flip and uses her quirk to make a sandstorm at Denki and Jirou. Denki looks over, "What the hell is that?" Jirou gulps, "Her quirk." Rae then makes a lightening storm in the sandstorm. The one caught an eye of her quirk was Bakugou, "Teddy bear you're wild! I like it." She giggles, "Thanks hehe." A building falls in their path and they all stop. They lost Kai and his team. Rae catches her breath and walks over to the building, "H..how was that able to be knocked over." Dabi walks over and shrugs, "That's a pretty big building in my opinion." Hawks points, "Wait, there's something on it!" Rae sees what Hawks is talking about and she uses her sand quirk to make the building rise up. She quickly grabs the letter and moves away as the building falls again. "It's a letter! But it's says for Hawks," Rae says softly. Hawk's eyes widen, "there's letters placed around this town for us?" "I guess so," Rae says looking at him. Hawks takes the letter and open it. It was a location of the festival area they were at last night and the captain had said, 'Where you danced at, there should be a letter for the captains.' Hawks looks up, "Theres going to be two letter for Dabi and Rae at the festival area!" Rae nods, "Let's go!" They all run around the building but end up running in the street. They get to the festival area and there was 2 letters taped on the dance floor. They all run over to it and Rae grabs her letter as Dabi grabs his. Rae opens her letter, "Well."
Dabi opens his and looks up, "It looks like we will have to battle!
Kirishma looks up, "What do you mean?"
Dabi looks at him, "Our letters say time to team up and split up."
Kirishma looks at them, "None of us have our costumes on."
Rae looks at him, "We did even bring them. So, we might just as well just go into the fight with what we are wearing."
Bakugou nods, "She's right!"
Dabi looks up, "Time to team up! Kirishma, Hawks and Midoryia let's go!"
Kirishma nods, "Aye!"
Rae looks up, "Alright! Tamaki, Bakugou and Shoto let's head this way!"
Bakugou nods, "Alright!"
Dabi and Rae go their separated ways with their teams. They end up in different locations, Denki and Jirou appears at the end of Rae's team. "So we are stuck with you guys?! Let's give them a show," Denki says smirking. Jirou glares smiling, "Yes! Let's rock!" Dabi's team had ended up with Kai and Shinzou.
Kai sighs and glares, "I was expecting for Rae's team but this is fine."
Kirishma glares, "Sorry but we can't let our pebble get hurt or brainwashed!"
Kai glares and smiles, "Let's make this a great battle!"
Shinzou rolls his eyes, "If I can't brainwash Rae then one of you will do nicely!"
Dabi glares as he starts his quirk and blue smokes around Kai and Shinzou as Hawks had flew up and throws his blade feathers, Kirishma and Midoryia attack Shinzou and Kai with their quirks. Meanwhile Rae starts her sandstorm with lightening quirk as Shoto, Bakugou and Tamaki attack Denki and Jirou. Both teams had defeated the villains and ended up running back the way the came. Rae grabs Shoto's arm as they were running and somehow see Dabi and the others. Everyone ends up meeting the outside of the place where the enemies were at and Rae cheers softly, "We defeated them!!
Kirishma cheers, "That was awesome!"
Dabi smiles, "We are strong heros!
Shoto smiles, "Let's hope we don't have to deal with those villains again."
Kirishma nods, "You said it."
Rae looks at them, "But they could come back around and Shinzou could try to brainwash me."
Hawks looks at her, "Which means, you're not safe if we leave alone."
She nods, "Right! Anyway, I think there's a few other puzzles pieces we are looking for. We know who's causing trouble and who is our enemy is but what's missing in this town."
Kirishma listens, "Good question."
Shoto looks at them, "Well, I think it's them but we just leave the area to fight. It wouldn't be safe to go back because we could be captured."
Rae looks at Shoto, "You have a point."
Midoryia looks at them, "So is there anything in the city, we could look for?"
Rae looks at them, "Hmm I don't know. Let's keep looking for the letters. We found 3 letters we need 4 more. Let's go!"
Rae starts walking with the guys and she looks around. Bakugou sees a letter and pulls it off a shopping cart. He looks at it as it says his name, "Wow mine was easy! But if I open it has a picture of me and Rae at school. When was this?" Rae looks over at him, "Huh?" She takes it and looks at it. She blushes as she seen the picture, "That was when you tackled me!" He laughs, "Oh. I'm keeping this!" Hawks looks over at them, "Isn't that a bit weird that there's a picture of you both? What if there are pictures of everyone with Rae?" Rae looks over at Hawks, "Wait there wasn't a pic of you and me." "Actually there is," he says showing her the pic that was from his letter. It was at the hotel hallway and she gulps, "What the hell?" Dabi looks up, "I mean there was a picture of us in my letter." She looks at Dabi, "Someone thinks I'm dating you all."
"Y-you cant be serious can you," Midoryia asks looking at her.
Tamaki gets confused, "How though?"
Rae sighs softly, "I'm not dating all of you."
Bakugou smirks, "She's dating me!"
Shoto snaps at him, "No me!"
Tamaki sighs, "Uh maybe me?"
There were three other letters showing up and it was Midoryia's, Tamaki's and Shoto's letters. They open theirs and Shoto covers his face. Rae looks at him, "What's wrong?"
Shoto uncovers his face saying, "uhh there's a picture of us kissing!"
Bakugou looks at him, "What?! Icyhot give me that!" He takes the picture and glares, "What the hell?"
Shoto looks at him, "That was last night too. Who is taking theses pictures?"
Kirishma gulps, "it can't be any of us because we aren't creeps!"
Bakugou nods, "We know that!"
"B-bunny wha-what should we do," Tamaki asks looking at her.
She shakes her head, "I head no idea."
Dabi looks up, "We should head back to the hotel. This puzzle quest wasn't fun."
Hawks nods, "Is anyone tired from running? Can I fly?"
Rae nods, "I am."
Hawks smiles and nods, "Well, I can't leave everyone."
She nods, "I'll walk I don't care."
They all were walking back to the hotel and felt tired as they get in the elevator. The elevator goes to go they floor, making their way back to the room. Unlocking the door and walking inside. Rae sighs as she sits on the couch, "worst mission ever."
"You said it puppy," Midoryia says agreeing.
"Aye," Tamaki says softly.
"I feel so tired. I want to nap with someone," Rae says yawning.
"We could nap with you, puppy," Midoryia says smiling.
"Maybe," Rae says softly.
Dabi walks over and stands by them, "Let's just relax for the rest of the day. This day has been longer then my life."
Shoto chuckles, "No kidding."
Rae looks up at Dabi, "Maybe we could see if there's a pool later on in the hotel. I like to swim sometime."
Dabi looks over at her and says, "It may come to the point but I think we should at least get some groceries from the store. If we are staying for a little while and maybe Rae could come with me."
Hawks looks at him, "and get her in trouble?"
Dabi glances at Hawks, "Can you not trust me? I honestly won't let her outta sight."
Hawks sighs "Alright."
Rae nods, "How bout maybe we will go when we aren't having to deal with villains."
Dabi nods sitting down, "I will but for now we still have snacks and try to relax."
Rae had nods as she cuddles up with Midoryia and Tamaki on the couch. She was in the middle of them two. Midoryia smiling and says, "Puppy you're so warm." Tamaki chuckles says, "Heheh cuddles with B-bunny is nice." She smiles giggling, "Hehe I just wanna cuddle with the soft boys." Tamaki and Midoryia both say, "Aww." Bakugou and Shoto smiles as they sit down on the other couch and watches them.
Shoto smiles, "So cute."
Bakugou laughs, "Yeah it is."
Shoto looks at Bakugou, "You're agreeing with me?"
Bakugou nods, "No kidding dumbass!"
Shoto nods, "Okay then."
Kirishma walks over to them, "Calm down everyone. We are just ate going to have to act like a family."
Rae giggles and looks at Kirishma, "No one acts like family so calm down." She cuddles Midoryia and Tamaki again as she was giggling softly. They all just sat there and relax for a the rest of the day. Although, certain things will happen, they don't know it yet. They still figured out what was going on but didn't know everything. So they were still going through this mission. Soon things will change for them!