The Emperor's Dragon II

Dragon's Coat Tails

Dabi was aware that in terms of combat ability, Dragon, Izuku was better than them. But what was becoming clear was exactly how large the gulf in ability was. He'd thought if they worked together, with Twice making clones that they'd have a chance, and there had been a few times when it had looked like they made Izuku strain.

A little.

But as much as they might have made him strain, Dabi had to acknowledge that Izuku was limiting himself. In real combat...

There wouldn't be combat.

He hadn't been at the Shie Hassaikai compound but he could figure out what had happened. When Himiko had been shot, Dragon had grabbed their quirks. That had pretty much ended their resistance.

And watching Dragon fight, it was obvious he was not a one trick pony. He'd known that already from when Dragon had first entered the scene but-

The kid was so unprepossessing that it was hard to remember that he had skills. He was friendly and kind and... Had fangs and claws that were ready to strike if you rubbed him up the wrong way. He'd found that out himself.

"I think we just have to swarm him," Dabi said. It wasn't a good plan but they'd already seen what anything more complex did.

Mr Compress didn't look thrilled at the suggestion but he sighed and nodded. "That seems to be the most likely chance," he allowed.

"What about Gigantomachia?" Himiko asked.

That was another complication. The kid had claws and fangs and even more importantly, those who followed him. The huge man was new but it was obvious from the way he spoke that his loyalty was to Dragon. He was one of those huge, muscular types who no doubt loved nothing more than to be in combat. It was kind of worrying that he was participating but maybe they'd be able to use that.

"Actually... We could wait to see what Dragon does with him?" Whisper suggested.

"That is a good idea. We can't wait!" Twice agreed with her suggestion.

"Are you ready?" Kurogiri called.

"Ready," they heard the huge man say, quickly followed by Izuku's call that he was also ready.

"We wait to see what the big man does, and failing that we swarm them?" Dabi quickly outlined their plan, such as it was. He got nods from all round. "We are ready," he told the warper.

"All right," the misty man agreed. "Go!" he yelled for them all to hear.

Before the echos had finished going through the clearing, Dabi felt flattened. Two presences flared. He gasped, and fought to remain standing. It wasn't a comfort that he wasn't the only one. Whisper's eyes were wide and her throat was working as she tried to breath.

"What-" she swallowed. "What is that?" the woman managed to gasp.

There was an ominous growl in reply.

Dabi felt like he was moving through treacle as he forced himself to turn and then-

The view was a nightmare.

Dabi liked to think that he was on his own side. Now he was thankful that he was, at least, allied with Dragon because in the clearing was a dragon. It was huge and green with vibrant, glowing green eyes. As he watched, the jaws opened, revealing what seemed to be row upon row of sharp pointed teeth. They had to be at least a foot long! Huge wings mantled over the dragon and as he watched, it reared up onto its hind legs. A long tail lashed behind it, and Dabi could see claws on the forelimbs that... If the dragon hit you with them, you weren't getting back up.