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Izuku, was decidedly, not having a good time.
At all.
He'd been shoved into a cold, stale room with brick walls on all sides and no windows. A few lights lit the cramped space but did nothing to make the place feel any less terrible. All of Izuku's friends were here but there were other animals too.
Some old, some young, some blind, some deaf and others missing limbs or parts of their bodies. The floor was made of stone but the white lights illuminated feint, red splotches all over the place. Izuku was in a rusted, old cage, one lock on front and the bars were too small for him to crawl through. Every one was in a similar situation, locked in tanks with grungy water or held at taser point, in the case of Shoji.
But it was the smell that got to Izuku.
Nothing about this place smelt good, in any way shape or form.
The room reeked of of pee and bodily fluids, of moss and wet stone and the disgusting smell of old garbage. Whenever the only door into the room would open, rubber and sterile cleaning products would flood the smell of the room but it did nothing to help. It made it worse.
Izuku and his friends had been separated by animal breed. Izuku, Momo, Shinsou and Shoto had been put into a cage with other cats, Ochaco had been put into a cage with other rabbits and so on. But there was a separate area, where some animals had their very own cage.
A yellow tag was on the cage, the writing too far away for Izuku to make out but they all looked scared. No scratch that.
They looked traumatized.
Shaking with fear or completely despondent, there was no in between. They refused to talk about what happened to them, minds too far gone and fear overtaking them.
But the worst part? Worse than the smell or cages or stale air?
The humans.
They would come in everyday, fill a single bowl of food and a hamster water bottle for each cage then they would check on the separated animals.
They were looking for something but Izuku had no idea what it was. If they saw it, they took that animal through the door.
Sometimes they would come back.
Most times they didn't.
Some days the humans would come over to the crowded cages and pick an animal, seemingly, at random. Grabbing them by the scruff and hauling them off through the door. One of the kittens in Izuku's cage was chosen, an orange one, hauled off behind the door and unable to fight back.
Izuku hadn't seen that kitten come back through the door.
Izuku just wanted to go home. Back with Dad, Papa and Nemuri. Back where it was warm and cozy and he could curl up in his favorite napping spots and play with his favorite mouse.
Instead he was curled up with Toshi, Momo and Shoto, waiting for something to happen or waiting for someone to rescue them.
"This is bullshit."
Izuku looked over at Toshi who was resting his head on Izuku's stomach.
"We can't just sit here and wait to be hauled through that God awful door."
"What are we supposed to do though? We can't unlock cages."
Momo's voice rumbled from under Izuku's head, where he was resting it on Momo's head.
"I know, but this is still bullshit."
The oppressive silence overtook the musky room, broken only by the dripping of some water from the ceiling.
"Do you think the adults are ever gonna find us?"
Izuku cranes his neck but he could make out Ochako with a bunch of other rabbits, looking as depressed as everyone felt.
"Of course they will! The adults are smart and they have the humans helping them-"
"Oh put a sock in it four eyes."
"Katsuki!"
"What! There's no use lying! We're probably all gonna die here! So stick it up your ass and don't tell shit lies!"
"We're gonna die here?"
"No we're not gonna die Toru, don't say that-"
"But it's the truth right? Let's face it were fucked!"
"Shut up, Katsuki!"
"We have no way of opening the cages, there are no windows and last time I checked no one can open a door. How the fuck do you expect us to escape!"
No one spoke.
"I can open doors."
Every one, including some of the other animals, turned to face Ojiro.
"It's not that hard."
Then Shoji spoke up.
"I can squeeze through tight gaps, I just need this taser turned off."
Then Fumikage.
"I can obviously fly."
Suddenly everyone was piping up, shouting out skills and things they could do, trying to one up or inspire it was hard to tell.
"So what! Let's say, by some miracle we do unlock the door, then what? We don't know where to go!"
Again, everyone fell silent at Katsuki's proclamation. No one knew what lay beyond the door, there was something but what if it was just one big maze? but Izuku's bring was ticking away, forming a plan.
"There is one way we could see what's beyond the door. Or well, two I suppose but if we wanted to be accurate the second way would be safer in the long run but it wouldn't be good for one person and but we don't really have a lot of options here and I really wanna go home-"
"Izuku, please, we can't understand you when you mutter like that."
"Ah, right! Sorry Toshi. U-uhm, what I was saying is there are two ways we can know what's beyond the door. Either we go in blind, which no one wants to do and poses the biggest risk or one of us gets taken out then put back."
........
"Are you nuts-!"
"Absolutely not-!"
"Izuku, that is ridiculous-!"
"Have you lost your marbles-?"
"That is the single most hair brained thing-!"
BANG!
"OI! SHUT YER YAPPIN!"
Everyone fell instantly silent, waiting on baited breath as the grungy man, surveyed the animals.
"Stupid animals. Fuckin disturbin shit, boss don't want non o' ya dead, who knows why-"
Click.
Every one waited to see if the man would return but he did no such thing. Tenya, cautiously, faced Izuku, looking at him from across the room in his cage and whispering.
"Izuku, non of us need to be harmed to escape. I am certain we can figure this out-"
"But what if we can't, Ten Ten."
.........
"I just wanna go home."
No one spoke for some time. Another man came in, refilled the food and water, before leaving again. Time had escaped them, no windows and one measly light did nothing to help with keeping track of time or the days passed. Izuku could feel exhaustion creeping through his body but he refused to sleep, too scared of what might happen. Some were the same, others passed out while curled up together if they could manage it. All was silent except for the rhythmic dripping of water, feeding the moss and grime in the windowless room.
Click, Creeeeeek!
Izuku jumped to alert, many of the others doing the same, waiting to see what the humans did this time.
Only this human was different.
She was a child.
A small, dirty child. Dressed in a simple white gown that fell past her knees, long grey hair was tangled and fell to the bottom of her back. Bandages wrapped around her arms and legs, going to her ankles and wrists while disappearing into the gown and she wore no shoes. The most striking thing about her, however, were her eyes.
They were the brightest red Izuku had ever seen, as red as an apple.
Those bright, red eyes peered curiously around the room, meeting Izuku's own emerald green eyes and stopping. On shaky legs, almost as if she would topple at any moment, she walked towards Izuku. She just about collapsed as she reached Izuku's cage, Izuku himself had moved closer to the bars as she approached, and stuck her thin fingers through the bars.
Izuku cautiously approached her fingers, giving them a quick sniff. She smelled of medicine, grime and copper. But she didn't smell bad. Izuku rubbed his head in her fingers, giving a little purr as she scratched his ears lightly.
"Hehe, hi kitty. My name's Eri, what's your name?"
Izuku gave a little meow.
"Oh, sorry kitty. I can't speak cat, uuhm, Green! That can be your name!"
It wasn't his name but Izuku could let it slide.
She momentarily looked around at the other cages, more of Izuku's friends were awake now. She watched everyone as they watched her. Toshi approached from behind Izuku, keeping a safe distance but close enough to be with Izuku.
"I didn't know there were so many animals here. But why-"
Her sentence was interrupted by a coughing fit, ending only when some blood landed on her hands. She sheepishly wiped the blood on her gown.
"Sorry, Green. Uhm, I don't have any food but I can give you pats! You seem to like those, I like it when they pat my head. Sort of.Is that your fiend? He's very purple. Uhm-"
"Eri!"
She gave a full body flinch, eyes immediately flying to the man standing in the door. Tall, intimidating and wearing the strangest mask Izuku had ever seen. It made him look like a weird bird. A very big, scary bird.
"What are you doing here! You're not supposed to leave your room little one."
"Uhhh, uhm-"
The stranger clicked his teeth.
"Foolish girl. Come, perhaps your last treatment wasn't enough."
Eri's bright red eyes widened in fear as the man held out a single, gloved hand. Her body shook as she stood, wobbly knees almost clacking together.
"Now, little one."
"Can, Can I take one? Of- of the animals. Just for tonight, please."
The man stared her down. She shook more and tears welled in her bright eyes.
"One."
Without hesitation, Eri unlocked his cage and picked up Izuku. Toshi trying to hold onto him to no effect.
"It's alright Purple, I'll bring Green back, promise."
"Now, Eri. My patience is not limitless."
Eri re-locked the cage and held Izuku to her chest as she ran to the strange man. By holding him with both hands she didn't have to take the strangers gloved hands. She followed along through the door, unsteady feet tripping on loose stones every now and then.
Cold, wet stone gave way to cold, clean white tiles. The horrid smell of rubber and cleaning supplies increasing the further they continued down the corridor. The single hallway had three doors one at the end of the wall, one on the opposite side and one at the very end of the hall. They entered the side door, entering a bright white room. Filled with shelves of vials with liquid, instruments Izuku had never seen. The center of the room had a pink chair with straps on the arms and legs of the chair. A single computer sat on a desk. Empty cages sat along one wall, the other wall had cages with animals in them.
Izuku spotted an orange lump in one cage. Un-moving.
"Give the kitten to me, Eri."
Eri held Izuku closer and tighter to her.
"He won't be harmed, I'll be putting him down while your treatment is in progress. Can't have your arms full now can we."
Eri held her shaky arms out and Izuku was snatched, non to gently, from her and put in an empty cage. Izuku watched as Eri was lifted into the chair and strapped in, little arms and legs barely reaching the straps. The strange, bird man switched on the computer, pulling over a cart with all kinds of tools on them. Like the one's Izuku had seen at the vet but these ones were all sharp and scary.
Eri's shaking worsened as the little cart was wheeled over. The scary bird man preparing what looked like a long needle.
"You know you're not supposed to leave your room Eri. It's not safe for you little one, you could injure yourself and we can't have that, darling."
He spoke well but he screamed danger.
"I-I-I just want, wanted to see the other r-room."
Eri let out a whimper as the long needle was inserted into her arm. Attaching an IV to her arm and hooking it up to an odd, light red concoction. Letting it drip slowly into her arm.
"Why, why are there all those ani, anim, pets in that room?"
The man only had eyes on the IV bag, not even turning his head to answer.
"They're helping our research. Just like you are dear. You've been feeling sick recently right?"
Eri gave a nod, wincing as her arm jolted the needle a little. Tears welling up and spilling over those big red eyes.
"Well those animals are going to help you feel better, ok? All you have to do, is listen to me and everything will be ok."
He finished his sentence by stopping the flow of red liquid and taking out the IV from Eri's arm. A little bruise was already forming on her porcelain skin. The bird man began un-latching the straps and helped Eri down from the chair, the poor girl wobbling a bit on her feet. He held her hand, only letting go to pull Izuku from the cage and handing him to Eri. The bird man gently held a hand to Eri's back, leading her out of the room and into the one across the hall.
The room was, by all standards that Izuku knew, a normal room. There was a big bed with pink sheets, blue walls and some simple furniture. Some little decals were on the walls and checkered carpet lined the floor. Eri immediately ran to the bed, gently putting Izuku down and climbing up while the bird man stood at the door.
Silently watching.
"Now Eri, make sure to tell someone if you start to feel sick ok? We need to make sure you're in top health, little one."
Eri gave a small nod, grabbing Izuku and bringing him into her lap.
"Ok, don't stay up much longer, it's very late. Goodnight Eri."
"Good, goodnight."
"And Eri?"
The little girl looked up at the scary bird man.
"We will be discussing your little, escape trick from tonight ok? In the morning."
Eri could have vibrated through the bed she was shaking so hard, tears once again welling up and spilling over in big rivers down her cheeks. She gave a little nod.
"Good. We'll talk in the morning."
The door shut with a soft click, leaving the room in total darkness. Eri, still shaking like a leaf, moved slowly, clicking on a bedside lamp and giving the room a soft, yellow glow. It was certainly nicer than the cold, damp room Izuku had been staying in.
Eri sat with Izuku, gently petting him and quietly whispering. Trying to calm herself down.
"I'm sorry for taking you from your friend I just, I really wanted a friend. I haven't had one since Grandpa went away. Saki says I'll get to see grandpa soon but.....he's been saying that for so long."
Izuku nuzzled into her hands, purring as she continued to pet him. Her shaking dying down slowly.
"I just wanna see grandpa. Saki says I need to feel better before then but I never do. I feel ok for a few days but then, then I feel bad again. Do you ever feel bad, Green?"
Izuku just purred at her, trying to convey he did.
"I wish I could keep you longer than just tonight but I think your friend would get sad if you were gone too long."
They didn't talk too long, Eri whispered more to Izuku about her grandfather and being in this room. About how she didn't like Saki and how she was scared of him. She was scared of everything here but Izuku, or Green, was soft and warm. Green was safe, she had declared through wet eyes before quietly turning off the lamp and falling into a restless asleep. But Izuku had to think.
He had seen past the door, had seen what the hallway was like and it was not long. There was four rooms, the room Izuku came from, the room with all the equipment, Eri's room and a mystery room. It would stand to reason that escape laid beyond the mystery door but what was behind that door?
And what about Eri?
The little girl was stuck here just like Izuku and his friends. She was sad and hurt. And that scary bird man, Saki, was horrific. He didn't even do much but if a simple talk got Eri that scared, Izuku didn't want to know what else he had done to her. Izuku wanted to go home desperately but there were new things to consider, new people to help. Eri needed help.
But Izuku and his friends needed help too.
How could they help each other?
There was too much to think about and little Izuku's brain was feeling beyond full and overwhelmed. The scary needles, the red liquid, the un-moving lump, the horrid Saki.
There was just too much.
Izuku wanted Papa and Dad. He needed them.
But he didn't have them right now. So he needed to help himself, Eri and his friends by himself.
At some point, probably morning if the adults were up and moving again, Saki came back to fetch Eri and Izuku. Walking the two back to the room Izuku's friends were in, at their entrance all of Izuku's friends jumped up to attention. Toshi was almost clawing at the air as Izuku was lowered back into the cat cage. Immediately being glomped by Toshi, Momo and Shoto as Eri watched on.
"Sorry I took him from you, he, he's ok though I promise-"
"Eri, come."
"I, I have to go but thank you, Green-"
"Eri, now."
"That was the best night I've ever had, bye bye!"
Eri ran towards Saki, who snatched her hand in a bruising grip and closed the door behind them. Everyone waited a few minutes, just to see if anyone would come in, before bursting with question, the noise almost deafening with the echo in the room.
"Ok ok! Please stop!"
.........
"Sorry Zuku but where did you go?"
"I went outside the door and I know where we're going. Or, well, I know at least one way we're supposed to go."
So Izuku told them about the hallway and rooms, about the one room they didn't enter so it had to be the way out. About Eri and the cages, the liquid and sharp objects. About the scary bird man, Saki, and Eri's blank room and about how she needed help until Momo piped up.
"But Izuku, we don't even know if we will be able to get out. How can we save a human girl?"
"But she's hurt. She's like us, we can't just leave her here."
"Izuku."
Izuku turned to look at Ojiro.
"Did you see if her door locked? Or needed a key or something?"
"It didn't. Saki just closed the door but there was no locking from what I could hear and I don't remember Saki having any keys."
"That means we could just open her door and take her with us."
"And what about the other door, Shit-for-brains? We're back at square one! With a mystery door and no way of knowing how to get out, where we are or how to get home!"
"But we have to try Kacchan. We all wanna go home, so we have to try."
.........
"Fine nerd, we can try all we want but we need a plan."
And for the first time since Izuku was taken, he smiled.