Lightning Serenade

Chapter 77: Tartarus I

A/N: Okay—Warning time. Some more heavy topics coming up. Once again, I don't get super graphic, but I do touch upon the topics in the TW that is a common problem among incarcerated and other vulnerable populations.

Recap: Denki replaced Toga at a rescue scene and he and Isozan were being taken via armored transport to Tartarus.

Denki lost track of how many checkpoints they had to go through before finally making it to the point where they could exit the truck. To be fair to himself, though, his attention was divided between trying to memorize the layout of the turns (which was intended to be confusing specifically for people like him who are good at that sort of thing) and sending various comments and light-hearted jabs in Full Throttle's direction to try to keep up appearances that he was probably Toga without giving a definitive answer one way or another.

"Do you think if we're in the middle of fucking when they open the doors, they'll let their guard down enough for us to escape?" Denki asked, his internal scheming mixing with his attempts to be more like Toga resulting in the question escaping before he could think better of it.

Too much! He knew it was too much.

How was Toga so good at mimicking other people? Denki was observant, sure, but Toga's skills went above and beyond that, Denki was realizing.

Full Throttle's eyes traveled over Denki's form. "I'll pass."

Denki scoffed, eyes narrowed in faux indignation. "Is it because of your girlfriend? I'm sure she'll understand! It's for the greater good!"

"Phantasm is my sister," Full Throttle said, and Denki couldn't say he was surprised. "And I'm sure you'll have your work cut out for you once you can't hold that form anymore, so you might want to save your energy."

Denki eyed Full Throttle warily, pressing his shoulder blades against the cool metal of the truck. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, come on," Full Throttle drawled. "I'm sure you've heard at least the general rumors. It's even worse for the female prisoners."

Denki visibly deflated, incredibly relieved that it was him instead of Toga. He knew about the rumors, of course, but it said something when someone who was as oblivious of current events as much as Full Throttle was knew about them as well.

The harsh clang of metal against metal was heard from the back of the truck as the guards prepared to unload their newest prisoners.

Full Throttle leaned forward and harshly whispered, "if I were you, I'd hold onto that form as long as humanly possible, no matter what they try to threaten or bribe you with. They won't give you another chance to use your quirk. Understand?"

Denki nodded, and then there were guards shoving him out of the truck so harshly that he didn't have time to hop out on his own. He fell from the drop and landed on his side on the concrete, his hands still restrained behind him. If he hadn't had extensive training and practice with his reflexes when it came to falling, he could have really gotten hurt. He wondered how many prisoners got broken bones and concussions within their first seconds of arriving.

He glanced over at Full Throttle and was relieved that he seemed to be okay, too, even though he was receiving similar treatment.

Denki had extensive hero training to help him, but he wondered how Full Throttle was faring so well in such harsh circumstances. He was staying so calm, and even giving sound advice to someone who he saw as an adversary. But the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Denki figured.

"You're in for a real treat," the guard leered in Denki's ear as he was hoisted roughly to his feet and shoved forward.

Denki doubted he was getting any donuts.