There And Back Again [Black Clover x BNHA]

Chapter Twenty-Nine

When Vanessa came to it was with a pounding in her head, not so different than when she was hungover. Groaning, she tried to move her body, but found that she couldn't. Squinting open her eyes, she was met with darkness, only a faint light glowing in the distance.

Rolling onto her back, she hissed as her burns flared with pain. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself up, almost toppling right back down at the dizziness that assaulted her. Breathing through clenched teeth she focused on trying to will away the pain. Eventually her body settled, giving her the chance to open her eyes.

The witch was in fact tied up like she had assumed to be once she realized she couldn't move her limbs at all. Rope tied her legs tightly to one another while her arms were bound across her chest. Able to open her eyes now without too much pain, she realized that she was in some sort of warehouse, boxes being stacked all around her. Sighing, she closed her eyes before panic set in.

Where are the others?! Her mind frantically cried out, memories coming flooding back to her of the fight. The witch looked around her, trying to spot anyone without close distance to her. She choked back a sob when her eyes locked onto what she didn't want to see.

Asta was tied up similar to Vanessa, but he had been thrown into a tiny space between the boxes, almost as if they didn't want him to have any wiggle room. His wounds, now very visible to the eye since the black tendrils were gone, seeped blood slowly, his clothes torn.

A few feet away from him lay Mimosa, having been propped up against a box. Red-hair covered her face, but her bound arms and legs were covered in scratches and cuts, although they didn't bleed. Out of the three of them, she was in the best condition.

The witch tried to scootch herself over to where the younger mages lay, wanting to check them for herself to confirm they were alive. It was an agonizingly slow process, having to take deep breaths when the pain became too much to bear. However, Vanessa powered through it, wanting to reach them before their captors returned.

With one last shove, she managed to land next to Mimosa, leaning onto the girl as she caught her breath. Using her head, the pink-haired woman nudged the royal, watching as her head rolled to the side. She released a sigh of relief seeing the girl's eyes flutter open.

Mimosa's face scrunched up in slight pain as she tried to focus on what was around her. Slowly, she turned to see someone's face next to her own, panic starting before she realized it was the Black Bulls woman. She smiled slightly before grimacing as she realized she couldn't feel her limbs.

"What's... going on...?" She mumbled, looking at Vanessa questioningly.

The witch sighed, taking a quick glance behind her before responding. "It seems we've been taken captive, but by who I'm not sure yet." She watched the girl's eyes widen in fear. "Asta is also with us, but he's over there." Mimosa quickly looked over, breath hitching when she saw the state he was in.

"What are we going to do?" The young mage whispered, eyes bright with tears. Vanessa's heart ached at the sight. She leaned down close, resting her head on Mimosa's, trying to give her some comfort.

"I'm not sure, but I swear to you I will protect you two from whatever happens. We still have to get back home, can't go dying yet." Mimosa hummed in agreement, settling into the witch's side.

"Wait!" The young mage anxiously whispered. "Where are our grimoires?!"

Vanessa froze, having not realized her book was no longer on her person. With a quick glance at Asta, she realized that his own wasn't on his person either. Swallowing her fear, she tried to calm herself so as to not panic Mimosa more.

"It seems they've taken them, although I doubt they know the meaning behind them. We'll get them back, don't worry too much about it dear." The girl took in some breaths, nodding her head quietly before resuming her position before on Vanessa.

The two sat there for some time, eye's flickering to Asta occasionally while also watching for their captors to show themselves. Although Mimosa did not know the witch that well, she felt relieved and safe having her next to her. Without Vanessa with them, the mage wasn't sure how she would feel.

After around two hours had passed, the two picked up on the sound of movement from further in the warehouse. They sat up straight, Vanessa trying to push Mimosa behind her. Eventually, the sound of footsteps became extremely loud, and then a man appeared from around one of the boxes. The witch recognized him as the portal villain from the store, glaring into his wispy yellow eyes.

"Good evening." He said, stopping a few feet in front of the two mages. "Glad to see that two of you are awake. That'll make things easier." When he went to walk over to the unconscious mage, Vanessa snapped.

"DON'T GO NEAR HIM!" She yelled out, leaning menacingly towards the wisp man. "DON'T YOU DARE LAY A SINGLE FINGER ON HIM!"

"Ugh, Kurogiri, what is with all the commotion back here?" A lanky figure stepped into view, a black trench coat adorning his frame. "Can't handle our prisoners by yourself?" The voice was scratchy as it drawled mockingly towards the other man.

"Everything was going perfectly fine until that woman became agitated, Shigaraki."

"I'll make her shut up. Grab the boy and then let's move them." The lankier man, Shigaraki, moved towards the two female mages, taking his hands out of his pockets. When he reached them, he knelt down, grinning at the pink-haired woman.

"Now, I recommend you don't move and listen, or you're going to be in trouble." He stated when the witch went to headbutt the man. The two watched as he placed his hands on the ropes surrounding their legs, gasping as they watched it disintegrate into dust. "Get up."

Shigaraki stepped back, straightening out his coat as he watched the two mages struggle to get their legs working. When the younger of the two stumbled, he flexed his fingers, giving the witch a look.

"You better help her up, or I may just have to do it myself."

Vanessa's face couldn't become any angrier as her eye's pierced into Shigaraki. Without saying a word she helped Mimosa onto her feet, letting her lean into her side when she swayed. The man chuckled before walking away, the two silently following behind.

By the time they reached the center of the warehouse, both mages had sweat trickling down their necks as their legs were cramping and screaming out in pain. With a look they saw that Asta and Kurogiri had already reached the area, probably having ported over. The two stopped next to the boy, taking protective stances in front of him as he finished waking up, having been rudely awoke only moments before.

"Wha...?" Asta muttered, confused on what was happening. Vanessa and Mimosa only stood stronger before him.

Taking a glance around the area they were now standing in, they saw Dabi and Mr. Compress perched on top of some boxes, glaring at the mages. Toga sat before them on the floor, nursing her wounded arm. Shigaraki had plopped himself down onto a box as well while Shigaraki stood guard nearby. There were two other males in the room, but they were not ones they knew.

"Alright." Shigaraki began, leaning forward to peer at the mages. "Let's begin this, well, interrogation, I guess you could say. We have some questions that need answering from you three."

Yes! The villains have captured them. Kurogiri was like "damn they might be useful" and snagged them. And yes, this is happening after the Yakuza battle.

~Zelinith