The King of Heroes: Null/Virtue

Wasteland

"What do you mean she's missing?" Izuku finally asked, pacing through the war-room. The large room held a conference table, and a lot of seats. It was different from the council room, more practical.

"She's been making routine trips to a small Faded settlement near Tauris," Aizawa explained. "At least once a week via a Teleportation Rune. We're not exactly sure why she goes down there, but the prevailing theory is romance. She seems friendly with all the villagers and almost no one goes in or out except her. We highly doubt she's doing anything against national interests."

"So... what happened?"

"We thought she was going down to the village today, but she hasn't shown up there in hours. We wanted to ask you first if you knew anything."

Izuku sighed. "I assume you know I've been down to that same village once before?"

Aizawa scoffed. "Obviously, but your trip was only the once, and you and Himiko are close, so we're not concerned about your loyalty to the nation either."

"Dammit... okay, she might not like me telling you this without her permission but it's an emergency," He quickly explained that the romance angle was correct, but he didn't mention any names. "I still have no idea where she went today." No one seemed upset or surprised, much to Izuku's relief. Having already called off the arranged marriage months ago probably helped settle nerves now. And Himiko's safety was a matter of national safety, no one on the council, not even Chisaki, would let personal grudges or motives get in the way. It was all hands on deck.

"We said almost no one goes in or out, but the villagers told us that a group of soldiers representing Mirrim showed up, just grabbing people and telling them it was 'for the on-going war in Tauris.' The Infestation Zone has always been a shitshow. They basically kidnapped people."

"They grabbed her partner when she wasn't there..." Izuku realized. "Why would they take Uraraka? She didn't have Magic... Then again, I never asked about a Quirk. But I didn't sense one. If it was weak... back then my senses weren't as finely tuned. I could have overlooked it."

"So we think she's gone to Tauris."

"Okay. So you've dispatched a team to recover her right?"

Aizawa nodded. "We have forces at Tauris already. They're on the lookout. But... we got back word from the Knowledge Lord."

"Shiiiiit..." Izuku already knew what the news would be. Pandemonium's Safe had been stolen and opened. It was what pulled Shoto through, and that meant there were other, potentially massive threats roaming the world.

"We've put every nation on high-alert and we're searching for the Forbidden Class Item, but the concern is that the Virtue Lord will run into one of the threats." Aizawa folded his hands over the table. "I'm gonna be candid. We understand that you have reason not to go find her. We understand that the council has its own interests, and that you and her are essentially enemies, but-"

Izuku shook his head. "This takes top priority. Nothing else matters right now."

Aizawa let out an imperceptible sigh of relief. Izuku could just have easily refused. No one would have blamed him. He wasn't even the King yet. He could've chosen to believe that this was a plot by the council and ignored any responsibility. But that wasn't who he was.

"Any leads?"

Saiko began channeling her Magic, creating a holographic map of Tauris on the table. "We've located twelve of the fifty-three that were taken from the village. Eight are being held in barracks for now, the other four are on the frontlines," She marked their positions, "And we can't get them back right now because of how dangerous the Infestation Zone is."