Thy Kingdom Shall Crumble

Chapter 1

Izuku loved walks through the forest. He loved the distant sound of rushing water, and the pretty songs the birds would sing.

He loved the gentle wind that shook the trees, softly blowing his hair in whichever direction.

He felt like he was one with nature.

Most days, he could feel the disturbance that the war brought onto his forest, and he hated it. He could feel the sorrow of the burning trees, and hear the cries of the woodland creatures as their homes were destroyed.

Though today, it was peaceful. No sadness, no pain. Only peace and tranquillity. Just the way he liked it. The forest was his home.

He grew up roaming these woods and knew every twist and turn like the back of his hand.

He could walk through these woods for hours and never get sick of the comfort it brought him.

Nothing out here could judge him, nothing could interrupt his train of thought.

He could talk to himself and unload the stress from the day without being questioned. He could just be. Don't get him wrong, he loved his tribe and his people.

But sometimes it could all be too much. Being an alchemist —one of the most powerful known to his people— was a lot for anyone.

He had duties and responsibilities, and he was soon going to take his fathers place and become chief.

Becoming chief would bring a lot of changes. He wouldn't be able to leisurely take walks through the woods til it grew dark, and he wouldn't be able to spend his free time roaming the woods and adding more onto his map.

He was grateful, of course. But he was sad to be loosing a major part of himself. That's why lately, he had been spending most of his time outside, leaving the village as soon as the sun rose, and coming home when it began to set.

If it were up to him, that's how he would spend all of his days. Free and traveling the woods whenever he wanted.

Now it was just before the sun would begin to set, and Izuku was sat upon a rock overlooking the rushing water in the river.

He watched as the fish swam, and as animals such as deer, came to take a sip of the clear water, cooling off from the hot sun.

He had his journal open, eyes flipping back and forth between the scenery before him and the page he was drawing on.

"And...done." Says Izuku softly, picking up his journal to admire his work. This was probably his best one, everything seemed to blend together perfectly.

He glanced up just in time to see a baby deer and its mother crossing the river. He sighed happily. He could stay like this forever.

Suddenly a loud bell —the warning bell— rang through the woods, scaring away the birds and any other forms of life.

Izuku looked to the direction of his home. Someone was here.

He quickly began to gather his things, wasting no time to shove them into his satchel as he began to swiftly make his way home.

Izuku leapt over fallen trees and dodged thorn covered bushes, loving the way the wind rushed against his face.

He made it to his village in no time, stopping abruptly when he saw the royal carriage sitting outside his house.

He made his way through the crowd of villagers, noticing the stares and whispers he got as he did so.

There were castle guards posted around his house, and more patrolling the parameter of the village, bowing their heads slightly when they made eye contact with Izuku. What was going on?

When he made it to his house, he was blocked by a knight.

"State your name and business." Said one of the guards who was then smacked by the one next to him.

"Don't be an idiot, Kaminari. That's Midoriya, the Chiefs son. You may enter." Said the other guard, bowing his head while gently opening the door.

"Uh. Thank you?" Responded Izuku, confused by the whole interaction.

He walks in and is met by his mother, who stands immediately to greet him in a hug.

He takes a look around the room and nearly chokes when his eyes land on the royal family.

King Masaru and Queen Mitsuki on either ends of the couch, with their son Prince Bakugo, smooshed in the middle.

Brilliant red eyes glared daggers at Izuku, making him feel on edge.

"Mom?" He swallows, gently coaxing his mother off of him. "Whats going on?"

His mother looks towards his father, who had a stern look on his face, before facing him with a sad smile. "Come sit, and your father and I will explain it all."

Izuku is lead to the couch across from the royals, feeling the princes eyes bore into him.

"Izuku." Begins his mother, taking his hands into hers. "You know of the war that rages on in the east, correct?"

"Of course I do. I feel it growing closer everyday."

"Right, well. You see-"

"You are to be wed to Prince Bakugo over the next month." Interrupts his father, voice booming and loud.

"Hisashi!" Hisses Inko "We agreed that I would be the one to tell him."

"We don't have time to be sweet and gentle, not with the war going on. He needs to know now. The sooner they get married, the better it will be for everyone."

Izuku felt his whole world shatter, and tears well up in his eyes. "What?" He asks, standing quickly, looking down at his parents.

"Darling, I know this is abrupt-"

"Abrupt?! We're talking about me marrying someone I don't even know!"

"Lower your voice-"

"I refuse." States Izuku, voice stern and heavy. "I refuse to marry a man I don't know, especially one as insolent and prideful as he!"

Katsuki scoffs from his seat on the couch, arms crossed. "You claim to not know me, yet you call me insolent and prideful?"

"Am I wrong? I may not know you on a personal level, but your reputation precedes you, Prince Bakugo." says Izuku, folding his arms and glaring, tone laced with venom.

"We got you a feisty one, huh brat?" Says the queen, teasingly poking Katsukis side

"Shut up. Listen here, alchemist." Begins Katsuki, standing and making his way towards Izuku. "I'm not too fond of you either, but you and I can act like adults and get married, or both of our tribes can fall to ruins. You want that?" He asks, voice booming.

Izuku sighs and shakes his head.

"I didn't think so. Grow a pair and stop being selfish. It could cost you your people." Says Katsuki, brushing past Izuku and heading out of the door.

"Where do you think you're going?" Asks Mitsuki.

He didn't answer, only slamming the door shut behind him.

Izuku took a deep breath in, taking a minute to process everything. "I'm assuming I don't have a choice in the matter?" He spoke, voice soft and gentle.

"Unless you want your tribe to be wiped out, then Im afraid not my boy." Answers the King.

"I'll do it." Says izuku, looking to the king and queen. "If it's for the good of my people, then I'll marry the prince."