Harmony of Shadows

Just Breath

After that night on the roof with Kacchan, Izuku had grown a bit more confident. The confrontation had sparked a fire within him, pushing him to embrace his true potential.

He had left UA as he didn't need to attend classes at the moment, journeying into the woods for a better more unpredictable training ground leaving behind his grumpy boyfriend. 

Every morning, Izuku and Azur would rise before the sun, the early dawn light casting long shadows as they trained relentlessly.

They pushed themselves to their very limits, only to wake up the next day and repeat the grueling routine. The determination in their eyes was unyielding, a testament to their resolve.

Silver and Talon joined them, claiming that since they had helped him start this journey, they might as well help him finish it.

Their presence was a welcomed support, adding strength and camaraderie to their small team. Both were grateful for the assistance, understanding the gravity of what lay ahead.

Throughout their days, they would shift between Azur's jaguar form and Izuku's human form, seamlessly transitioning into their respective dragon forms. The transformation was fluid, each shift a dance of power and grace.

The sky became their training ground as well, their roars echoing across the landscape as they honed their abilities.

The four of them developed a routine, an unspoken rhythm to their training.

Silver's agile maneuvers complemented Azur's brute strength, while Talon's speed balanced Izuku's strategic mind. Together, they formed a formidable unit, each member pushing the others to be better, faster, stronger.

One evening, after a particularly intense training session, they sat around a small campfire, the crackling flames casting flickering shadows on their faces.

Izuku looked at his friends, feeling a deep sense of gratitude.

"We've come a long way," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of determination. "But there's still a lot to be done. We need to be ready for anything."

Azur nodded, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "We'll be ready," he replied firmly. "We have to be"

Silver, curled up comfortably, and Talon, perched nearby, exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring the resolve in Izuku and Azur's eyes. They were responsible for the training of the pair before them yet, they felt like they were the ones being taught. 

Although in what they weren't sure.

As the night deepened, they made plans for the days ahead, strategizing and refining their skills. Each step brought them closer to their goal, Defeating AFO and restoring the peace to the city.

And as the first light of dawn broke the horizon, they rose once more, although things didn't go to plan. 

Three jaguars sat before them.

The same three who had inadvertently destroyed yet remade Izuku's world.

In the center was Koa, a large green jaguar with a commanding presence. His serious demeanor and piercing eyes conveyed his role as the leader of the Woodland Jaguars.

Beside him, Mist, a smaller silver jaguar, sat with a calm aura. Despite her blindness, she radiated a wisdom that surpassed sight, her role as an oracle clear in her serene expression.

And finally, there was Ivy, a small pink jaguar cub, her bright eyes and playful energy a stark contrast to the serious nature of her parents.

Koa stepped forward, his voice a deep rumble. "Izuku, Azur. We have come to assist in your training. The threats you face are too great to face alone, without our guidence."

Izuku nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. "Thank you, Koa. Your help means a lot to us."

Azur glanced at his father, then at Ivy, who was playfully batting at a leaf. "Ivy, pay attention," he said sternly, but there was a hint of fondness in his voice.

Ivy pouted but stopped her playful antics, sitting down with a huff. "I know, I know. This is serious."

Mist turned her sightless eyes toward Izuku, her voice soft yet firm. "I have foreseen much, young one. Your path is fraught with challenges, but you are not alone."

Izuku felt a shiver run down his spine at her words, but he nodded resolutely. "We're ready for anything."

Koa began to outline their training regimen, his tone no-nonsense. "We will focus on honing your abilities and improving your coordination as a team. Each of you has strengths that must be refined and weaknesses that must be addressed."

"Talon and I shall head back to UA and inform the hero's you are under new management" SIlver smiled at her own joke. 

"Thank you so much SIlver and Talon, Without you we would never have lived through the first attack" Izuku smiled at the animal compainons.

"You would have been fine" Talon said fondly landing on Slivers back as they dissappeared from sight. 

"Let's get this fluff on the road" Ivy shouted.

"IVY!" Azur and Koa scowled at the small cub who smirked at Izuku.

The training intensified with Koa's leadership.

His experience and strategic mind pushed them further than they had ever gone before. Mist provided guidance, her predictions helping them anticipate challenges and adapt their strategies. Ivy, despite her youthful exuberance, proved to be a quick learner, her agility and enthusiasm adding a new dynamic to their group.

Days turned into weeks as they trained tirelessly. The bond between them grew stronger, their teamwork becoming seamless. Azur's speed and strength, and Izuku's strategic mind and agility melded into a formidable force.

Koa's wisdom and Mist's foresight guided them, while Ivy's playful nature brought a lightness to their intense sessions.

One evening, after a particularly grueling session, Koa gathered them around. His expression was grave, and there was a tension in the air.

"We have trained you as best as we can. However, when the time comes to fight, the Woodland Jaguars, including Mist, Ivy, and myself, will not be joining you in battle."

There was a stunned silence. Azur's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Why not?" he demanded, his voice rising. "We need your help! We can't do this alone!"

Koa's eyes hardened. "Our role is to guide and prepare you, not to fight your battles. This is your fight, Azur. You must find the strength within yourselves."

Azur's frustration boiled over. "That's ridiculous! You're abandoning us when we need you the most! How can you say you're helping us when you're leaving us to fend for ourselves?"

Koa met his son's gaze steadily. "We are not abandoning you. We have faith in your abilities. You are stronger than you think, Azur. You must learn to trust in yourself and in your bonded human."

Azur shook his head angrily. "This isn't fair! We need all the help we can get! And here you are leaving me again!"

Mist intervened, her voice calm and soothing. "Azur, listen to your father. Our purpose is to ensure you are ready. The prophecy foretold that this would be your battle to fight. You are not alone; you have each other."

Ivy, sensing the tension, approached Azur and nuzzled against him. "We'll be okay, big brother. We believe in you."

Azur took a deep breath, his anger slowly subsiding. He looked at his father, then at Izuku who watch silently. "I just... I don't want to lose anyone."

Koa's expression softened as he looked between his son and chosen human. "None of us do. But you must trust in your training and in each other. You are ready, Azur. We believe in you."

Izuku stepped forward, placing a hand on Azur's shoulder. "We'll face this together, Azur. Just as they said this is our fight, We've come this far, and we won't give up now."

Azur nodded, his resolve strengthening. "Alright. We'll do this. For all of us."

As the first light of dawn broke the horizon, they rose once more, getting ready to head back to UA.

To head back to thoughs they had missed dearly while pushing themselves to the limit. 

Izuku sat onto of Azur holding on to his animal comapions soft fur as they travelled home. 

"Just Breath" Izuku thought to himself. He could do it, No. He had to do it.