My Hero Academia Symbol of Hope (DC x MHA)

Facing the Past

The hum of the engine filled the quiet air as Kai gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes focused on the road ahead. He didn't say much, his jaw set in a firm line, but his irritation was palpable. Beside him, Toshinori sat in the passenger seat, his gaunt frame almost swallowed by the shadows of the car.

Kai broke the silence with a sigh, his tone strained. "I still can't believe we're doing this today of all days," he muttered, glancing briefly at the dashboard. "I should be with Kara and Izuku while they're taking their provisional exam."

Toshinori gave a soft chuckle, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You'll have time to congratulate them later son," he said gently, his voice carrying the weight of reassurance. "This is important."

Kai's fingers tapped the steering wheel rhythmically, a nervous habit that betrayed the thoughts racing through his mind. "I know," he said after a moment, his voice quieter this time. "I guess... maybe this is just me wanting to avoid what we're about to do."

Toshinori leaned back in his seat, watching the younger man with understanding. "It's not an easy thing," he admitted. "Facing what's inside Tartarus never is."

Kai glanced at him, his frustration softening into something more vulnerable. "It's not just that," he said, his tone edged with unease. "It's knowing that we'll see... him." The name didn't need to be spoken aloud; the tension between them made it clear.

Toshinori's expression darkened for a moment, but he nodded. "All For One," he said, the name hanging heavily in the air. "I understand. But this is necessary. We need answers."

Kai sighed again, his grip on the wheel tightening as they approached the looming silhouette of Tartarus Prison in the distance. The building jutted out of the sea like a fortress, its cold steel exterior a stark reminder of the evil it housed.

The car rolled to a halt in the shadow of Tartarus Prison, the structure looming over them like a grim sentinel. Kai exhaled deeply, his fingers flexing on the steering wheel as if trying to dispel his unease. Toshinori, now back in his skeletal form, stepped out first, his cane tapping lightly on the ground.

Kai followed, his sharp eyes scanning the heavily guarded perimeter. Soldiers patrolled the outer walls, their expressions as cold and rigid as the fortress itself. "This place always gives me the creeps," Kai muttered, closing the car door behind him.

"It's designed to," Toshinori replied, his tone low. "Tartarus is a place where hope and redemption rarely enter."

The two walked toward the security checkpoint, where a group of armed guards awaited them. One of them, a broad-shouldered man with a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward. "Names and purpose of visit?" he asked.

"All Might and Superman," Toshinori answered smoothly, handing over his ID.

The guard gave them a wary glance but nodded. "Follow me," he instructed. The pair were led into the stark interior of the prison, where the atmosphere grew even colder. Metal detectors, retinal scanners, and quirk-dampening barriers greeted them at every turn.

As they stepped into the first checkpoint, the guards motioned for them to raise their arms. "Stand still while the scanners do their job," the lead guard said. Kai complied, his expression was neutral, though the tension in his posture betrayed his discomfort.

"So, how often do you visit places like this?" Kai asked Toshinori, trying to break the silence.

"Not often, thankfully," Toshinori replied with a wry smile. "But each time feels heavier than the last."

Kai glanced at the scanner's progress bar on the screen nearby. "Think he'll actually talk?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

"Him?" Toshinori mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "He was the one who wanted to talk to us, so I don't know what he is planning."