Chapter Text
When they awoke, they found themselves in a cold, sterile cell, the walls made of some unyielding material that no amount of brute strength could break. Panic set in as the reality of their capture settled over them. Shouyou was the first to break the silence, his voice trembling as he whispered, "I don't want to die."
Tears rolled down his cheeks, and before they could hold back their own fears, the others began to cry too. Atsumu's sobs were muffled against his knees in the confined space. Osamu's eyes were squeezed shut, his arms wrapped around his brothers as if trying to protect them from an invisible enemy. Even Bokuto, the brawny and brazen one, couldn't hold back the tears as the weight of their situation bore down on them.
The door to their cell slammed open, the harsh light from outside stinging their eyes. They squinted, trying to make out the figure that stood in the doorway. It was Shuugo, his expression unreadable. "You have one more chance," he said, his voice softer than before. "Choose to stand with us, and we will train you, give you a purpose, a future. You can be heroes."
Shouyou looked up, his eyes red and puffy from crying. "But what if we don't want to fight for them?" he choked out. "What if we have our own dreams?" The others nodded in silent agreement, their fear palpable in the stale air of the cell.
Shuugo's gaze softened at the sight of their despair, and he stepped closer, his hand extended towards them. "Your fear is understandable," he said gently. "But consider this: by joining us, you can shape the future of humanity. One day You can show them that our kind doesn't have to be feared, but respected."
The room was silent for a moment, their hearts racing as they weighed their options. The thought of fighting alongside others like them was tempting, but the scars of their past still burned. They had never known a world where they weren't hunted, a world where their powers could be a boon rather than a burden.
Bokuto was the first to speak, his voice laced with doubt. "How can we trust you?" he asked, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "How do we know you won't just use us and throw us away when we're no longer useful?"
Shuugo sighed, a hint of understanding flickering in his eyes. "I can't change the past," he admitted, "but I can offer you a future. You're not just soldiers to me; you're lost children who need guidance and protection." He paused, his hand still extended. "My wife and I have discussed this at length. We've decided to adopt you. You'll not only be a part of the Black Jackals, but also part of our family."
"Adopt?!" Atsumu's voice cracked with astonishment. "Why would you do that?" His skepticism was palpable.
Shuugo's gaze grew sincere. "Because we believe in your potential. And because we know what it's like to be feared and alone. We were once outcasts too. We've built a life, in a place where we can be ourselves and serve a purpose greater than our own survival." He took a step closer, his hand still reaching out. "We can give you that same chance."
The room remained silent, the weight of his words pressing down on them like a heavy blanket. They exchanged glances, each searching for a sign of hope in the others' eyes. Finally, it was Osamu who spoke up, his voice barely a whisper. "Would we get therapy? To deal with everything we've been through?"
Shuugo nodded solemnly. "Yes, of course. We have the best mental health support available. We understand that your experiences have been traumatic. It's not just about training your powers; it's about healing your hearts." His hand remained outstretched, a silent promise of acceptance and support.
The four looked at each other, their eyes swimming with a mix of fear and hope. They had been on their own for so long, fending for themselves, trusting no one but each other. The thought of a family, of belonging, was intoxicating. But it was a future fraught with unknowns, tied to an organization they had spent their lives running from.
The mask of anger and defiance crumbled away as the four friends looked at each other, their eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Without another word, they turned to Shuugo, their expressions a silent plea for understanding. Before he could react, they surged forward, their arms wrapping around him in a tight, desperate embrace. Shuugo was caught off guard by their sudden display of vulnerability, his stoic facade briefly flickering as he felt the tremors of their sobs against his chest.
He had never expected this, never anticipated that his words would resonate so deeply with them. Yet, as they clung to him, their bodies shaking with emotion." There, there," he murmured, patting their backs awkwardly. "You're safe now. You're with us." His voice was a balm, soothing their fears.
"What now? Where do we go from here?" Shouyou's voice was muffled against Shuugo's shoulder, the question echoing the tumult of thoughts in their minds.
Shuugo gently disentangled himself from their embrace and stepped back, his eyes soft with understanding. "There's a place for you," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "A hidden city, built by the government for people like us. It's where we live, where you'll be safe, and where you can truly become who you were meant to be."
The boys looked at each other in amazement, their eyes wide with wonder. A city where they wouldn't be feared, where they could live openly and train their powers? It seemed too good to be true. But the sincerity in Shuugo's eyes told them that it was real. "But first," he continued, "we need to take care of some formalities. You will need to undergo a quick interview to create your special IDs for the city and the military. It's a necessary step to ensure your safety and integration."
The interviews were held in a sleek, modern building, a stark contrast to the grimy alleyways they were used to. The walls were lined with screens displaying data and images that they didn't quite understand, and the air was filled with the faint scent of antiseptic. They were led into separate rooms, each one feeling more sterile and impersonal than the last. The agents conducting the interviews were kind, asking questions about their pasts and their abilities with a gentle touch. Despite their fears, they found themselves opening up, hoping that this could be the start of a new life.
As they waited for their IDs to be processed, the reality of their situation began to sink in. They would be leaving their old lives behind, the streets they had called home for so long, the stolen moments of freedom that had been their only solace in a world that had cast them out. The four held onto each other tightly, their hearts pounding in unison as they wondered what lay ahead.
Finally, the IDs were ready, each one a shimmering card that seemed to hold the promise of a new beginning. With a nod from Shuugo, they followed him out of the building and into the bustling streets of Tokyo. The night had deepened, and the neon lights painted the city in a vibrant tableau of color. But this was not the city they knew; this was a facade hiding the truth of their existence.
Shuugo led them to an unassuming manhole cover in a deserted alley. The concrete slab was lifted with surprising ease, revealing a hidden staircase that descended into the earth. The stench of the sewer mingled with the scent of something else, something metallic and unfamiliar. They descended into the bowels of the city, their footsteps echoing off the damp walls.
At the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in a vast, underground chamber, a stark contrast to the chaos above. The space was lit by soft, glowing lights embedded in the walls, and the air was surprisingly clean and fresh. In the center of the chamber, a sleek, futuristic train waited, its doors open, beckoning them to step inside. The train was unlike anything they had ever seen before, a silent sentinel of their new life.
The Black Jackals' leader guided them onto the train, which was surprisingly comfortable, with plush seats and gleaming surfaces that reflected their anxious faces. The doors slid shut with a hiss, and the train began to move, the vibrations beneath them a gentle hum that grew to a steady rumble as it picked up speed. As the scenery outside the windows shifted from the grimy underbelly of Tokyo to the hidden tunnels that stretched beneath the city, Shuugo cleared his throat, his gaze lingering on each of them.
"There's something I should have mentioned earlier," he began, his voice measured and calm. "Since you are all minors, your roles within the Black Jackals will be slightly different from what you might expect." The four exchanged nervous glances, gripping the arms of their seats as the train shot forward.
"You will be attending a special school within the city," he continued, "A place where you can learn to control and refine your abilities, as well as get an education. The school operates weekdays, so you will only be joining us on missions during weeknights and weekends." He paused, allowing the information to sink in.
Their hearts sank at the mention of school, a reminder of the lives they had been torn from. Yet, there was something comforting about the structure, the promise of normalcy amidst the chaos. "What kind of school?" Osamu asked tentatively, his grip on Shouyou's hand tightening.
"A school for those like us," Shuugo replied with a small smile. "A place where you can be safe, learn, and grow without fear of persecution." The train hurtled through the tunnels, the lights of the city above flickering through the occasional grate in the ceiling, painting their faces with fleeting patterns of light and shadow.
"But we're not going to be cooped up in classrooms all the time, right?" Bokuto spoke up, his voice hopeful.
Shuugo chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Of course not. Your training will be rigorous and comprehensive. You will learn tactics, combat, and how to work as a team. And you'll have plenty of chances to explore the city during the weekends. But remember," his tone grew serious, "you are ambassadors of a sort. Your behavior reflects on all of us."
"You know you've met the Jackals before," Shuugo began, his voice a gentle reminder of their first encounter. "Shion Inunaki, the one who caught you off guard with his speed, is our reconnaissance specialist. He's quiet, but he's got a heart of gold." The mention of Shion brought back a flash of the shadowy figure that had struck them down, and they nodded slowly, piecing together the puzzle of their new lives.
"Adriah Tomas is our tactician," he continued, his eyes lighting up with admiration. ",his ability to predict enemy movements and strategize is unparalleled. And he's quite the charmer too," he added with a chuckle. "Oriver Barnes is our heavy hitter, a giant of a man with the strength to match. And let's not forget Kiyoomi Sakusa, the youngest of the group. He's a prodigy with his power over gravity, capable of bending the very fabric of the world to his will."
"Then there's our handler Samson Foster," Shuugo said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "He's the one who keeps us in line and makes sure we don't go off script. He's got a bit of a temper, but he's got our backs. Then last but not least my wife Denise, she's the heart of the operation, keeping everyone's spirits up and healing any wounds we might get along the way."
As the train sped on, Atsumu spoke up, curiosity burning in his eyes. "Meian," he began, "Did you know that Osamu and I are twins? I mean, we told the interviewers, and they seemed surprised."
Shuugo's smile grew wider, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Ah, yes," he said, his gaze flickering to Osamu and Atsumu. "It's not often you see twins with abilities so unique and different from one another. Osamu, your affinity for plants is truly remarkable. To be able to manipulate the very essence of life is a gift not many possess." Osamu felt his cheeks warm under the praise.
"And Atsumu," Shuugo continued, turning to the other twin, "your elemental control is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The way you bend the forces of nature to your will, it's like watching a maestro conduct an orchestra. You both have the potential to become unstoppable forces in our world."
Meian turns to Shouyou, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "And Shouyou," he says, "your pyrotechnic abilities are nothing short of mesmerizing. To wield fire as if it's an extension of your soul, to dance with the very essence of destruction and creation, it's a sight to behold." Shouyou's chest swells with pride, feeling a warmth spread through him that has nothing to do with his fire powers.
"And Koutarou," Shuugo said, turning to the burly boy, "Your control over the earth is nothing short of wow. The way you manipulate concrete and stone as if it were clay, it's like watching the very essence of creation. You can reshape the battlefield to your will, a power that is both terrifying and incredible." Bokuto's chest puffed out slightly at the praise, a rare smile gracing his features.
"Get some rest," Meian instructed, his eyes scanning over their exhausted faces. "The journey to the hidden city is a long one." With that, they settled into the plush seats, their bodies heavy with the weight of their new reality. The rhythmic hum of the train lulled them into a fitful sleep, filled with dreams of freedom and the whispers of a new life.