Eight: Season 3

Episode 60: Missing People

  Shoto-
  We stepped into the tower, our two wings standing beside us on either side as we stood in front of the seats.
  "I call order to this Meeting of Leaders." Kana said, and we all sat down, even our two wings.
  "So, what should we discuss first?" Tilcax asked.
  "The awakening of the Seven Eyes has brought new allies and new threats upon Kueria. For instance, the Harbingers." Kana said.
  "Have they been causing you grief Commander Kana?" Tianzo asked.
  "Not as of yet, but we heard their undeniable screeches as they awoke." Kana said.
  "That's not a good thing." Pherrah said.
  "That means the others cannot be far from waking." Aspen said.
  "That's what worries me. If they awaken we will all be in danger." Cassidy said, in her usual country accent.
  "So, of the Harbingers and Thacians are now up...we have to start worrying about the other big names like the Angels and the Giants." I said.
  "Yes." Kana said.
  "I suggest we form an alliance between all of us. Should we need help, other clans can help fight these threats and make these allies." Archer said.
  "Yes! Especially since Arcadia is filled with powerful Quirk users." Felix said.
  "As it stands right now, Arcadia is too fragile to help anyone, I'm sorry." I said, bowing, and Midoroya and Xia looked at me with confusion.
  "Why is that?" Aspen asked, and I stood up about to talk.
  Midoriya grabbed my arm and pulled me down within ear shot. "Are you sure this is a good idea Shoto?" Midoriya asked.
  I sighed. "I don't have a choice." I said, and Midoriya nodded, but Xia looked concerned.

  Midoriya-
  I was worried what he would say, so far he'd given me no indication he knew what was going on. Was Arcadia in some kind of trouble that I didn't know about that Shoto had protected me from?
  I looked at Xia, she clearly had the same reaction as me, except she seemed scared for her life. She should be, the second Shoto finds out it was her, he'll kill her, especially if Jade got hurt.
  "Look, after everything went down last year with Akuma and the Royal Dynasty settlement, my people have been going missing from Arcadia. Disappearing without a trace, and they are nowhere to be found. Namely, the original eight of us that created Arcadia. Right now, the count of missing Arcadians is up to 12, among them is Jade and Hanta. That's why they're not here, otherwise they would have been my two wings. Now, while 12 doesn't sound like a big number to you, it is to my people. Last year alone, 10 of my people died from bone marrow extractions performed on a ship ran by Barbra Mort, Dr. Mort's wife. While your clans may be in the 300-1,000 people range, mine has dropped down to just under 100. I can't keep having our number dwindle down. Arcadia has seen nothing but bloodshed, violence, and pain since we got here on Kueria. While mostly none of that is your fault..." he began, looking to Pherrah who bowed apologetically, Shoto nodded acceptingly, and then back to the group. "Arcadia is far too fragile to start another fight. I wish we could help, but until I figure out where exactly everyone is...I can't give you the help you need. I'm deeply sorry." Shoto said, bowing his head.
  He sat back down and Kana placed her hand on her chin, Gray whispering something to her. "I see, I was wondering about that when Kirishima asked me about Jade being in Ovanta." Kana said.
  Shoto perked up. "He asked everyone here?" Shoto asked, and they all nodded.
  "Yes, he said Hanta gave him permission to ask and look." Pherrah said.
  "He did not ask me, but it's because he did not know of my existence." Tilcax said.
  "Was anyone else with him?" Shoto asked.
  "It was just him asking." Tianzo said.
  Shoto smiled a bit, he seemed relieved to have some kinda news. "Thank you." Shoto said, bowing.
  "If your people are disappearing, perhaps the rest of us could be of some assistance finding them?" Pherrah asked.
  "You would do that?" Shoto asked, shocked, and I could tell he was about to cry...hell so was I.
  "Of course we would." Aspen said.
  "Shoto, the only reason any of us gets along is because of your push for unity two years ago." Cassidy said.
  "We would be more than happy to help you search for your missing people." Felix said.
  "Yeah!" Everyone cheered, and Shoto smiled...tearing up.
  "Thank you, this means so much to us." Shoto said.
  "If it's of any importance...my people saw something. About 7 months ago, two women were on the coast line. One pricked the other and then these people took the fallen woman and vanished." Tilcax said.
  Shoto and I both turned to Tilcax. "SERIOUSLY!?" We both shouted.
  "I assumed you knew. I told Elarza and Seth 6 months ago." Tilcax said.
  "Yeah...and they told Sero." I thought.
  "Elarza and Seth are also among the missing." Shoto said.
  "I'm starting to see a trend here." Gray said.
  "Yeah, me too." Tamaki said.
  Xia was clearly flustered and panicked. "It would seem...you have a traitor amongst your people Captain." Kana said.
  "I agree." Pherrah said.
  Shoto gripped his chin. "Yeah...it sounds like you may be right." Shoto said.
  "Come on Shoto...get to the conclusion on your own! It's her! It's Xia!" I thought. 
  "Regardless of this matter, we will still look for your people." Tianzo said, and Shoto nodded.
  "I'll deal with the traitor, I'll start looking into it when we get back to Arcadia...I'll get more evidence and clues that way." Shoto said, and Xia and I nodded.
  "I would like to suggest we have this meeting once a year." Aspen said.
  "Indeed, an annual leaders meeting. It's a good idea." Pherrah said.
  "I agree." Kana said.
  "Us too!" Everyone else said in sync.
  Shoto smiled. "Yeah and emergency meetings if we have prominent issues that can't wait for a whole year." Shoto said, and they all nodded.
  "This meeting is adjourned." Kana said, and we all left.
  "Let's get back to Arcadia and find our friends." Shoto said.
  "Yeah!" I exclaimed, and Xia nodded...she knew she was getting closer to being caught.