Mugen Worlds/Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - [B]eing Human is the second chapter of the crossover story, Mugen Worlds, written by Jacky 50A. It is preceded by Chapter 1 - Heroes in a Strange Land. 
==Synopsis==
When Izuku Midoriya found himself in a near-death experience, a mysterious ally came to his rescue in a battle against otherwordly abominations. 
==Plot Transcript==
Somewhere in the universe, amidst a verdant realm basked in the radiance of the sun, the wail of sirens blared over the landscape, harmonizing with the sound of broken bones, flashing steel, and battle cries. A battle for survival had erupted, and no side shall be untouched this ordeal.
On one side loomed a pack of six giants, towering grotesque figures with slender, decayed bodies wrapped in rusted wires. Their heads, resembling deformed megaphones, bellowed funerary dirges and piercing air raid sirens as they tried their damnedest to seize their prey: an elusive pair of tiny humans who proved to be far more troublesome than they could have anticipated. 
Weaving between the titans were the survivors, 2B and Deku, dashing from one monster to another as they fought for their lives. The android, wielding the majestic Virtuous Contract, masterfully slashed through the creatures' wretched hides as she danced around their skeletal hands with fluidity. On the other side, the U.A. high schooler, Deku, delivered smash after smash upon the giants' joints at a relentless pace, continuously denying them any chance of movement while disorienting their sense of tracking. 
"Incredible! She is fighting like she's doing some kind of dance routine!" Deku marveled as he darted between the giants. "Her movements, her precision... i-it's as if she was designed to do this!" he thought, awe-struck, while delivering a mighty uppercut upon a giant. The force gathered by his Fa Jin and One For All-enhanced strike shattered the giant's teeth, sending shards flying as its speakers howled in agony.
2B, parrying a giant's blow, leapt towards the creature before plunging her sword into its neck. Blood gushed from its wound as the monster unleashed a bone-chilling screech. The monster desperately tried to claw upon 2B with its mummified hands, only for her to withdraw to the air. Mid-air, the YoRHa unit set herself up for a colossal swing, executing it upon an oncoming giant. In another cacophonous and bloody affair, the giant's head split in half, exposing a tangle of cable-like veins. 
The monstrous creature fell to the ground with a thunderous crash, mere moments before 2B landed gracefully on the ground. As she readied herself for another engagement, a sudden burst of static overwhelmed her visual and audio receptors, blinding her with the harsh distortion of white noise. Falling on her knees, 2B clutched her head in pain as her internal firewalls moved in to defend against the viral attack. 
"These things can hack?!" 2B's surprise swiftly turned to dread as she registered the unmistakable message of binary coding. 
"NOT PREY. GET AWAY. HUMAN NOT WORTH IT. YOUR MISSION IS A LIE"
Widening her static-blind eyes in shock, 2B gasped in disbelief as past memories flooded her databanks. The truth of her origins, the grim reality of humanity's demise, the lie she burden of deception that pitted her against her beloved. The YoRHa unit crumbled under the sudden pressure as white noise continued to scour her senses, leaving herself defenseless against the looming threat of an approaching giant. 
It was fortunate that she was not alone that very day. 
"30% One For All: Full Cowl - Shoot Style!" With a resounding cry, Deku's words echoed through the white noise. The thunderous impact of his feet against the monster's chest jolted 2B back to consciousness, just as the abomination was sent sprawling to the ground with momentous force. 
Wasting no time, Deku came to 2B's aid as she recalibrated her sensors. 
"Ms. 2B! Are you alright?!" 
Shaking her head, 2B mustered a response. "I-I'm fine, thank you," she replied, rising with Deku's steadying hand. Standing side by side, they surveyed the aftermath of their battle. The siren-headed creatures lay defeated on the ground... until, to their dismay, they began stirring once again, closing their wounds and regenerating their limbs before their very eyes. 
"Oh, no! They're getting up again!"
"We've bought ourselves some time, but we need to leave this area immediately." 
"Right! (Panting, trying to activate One For All) Let me just--"
Deku's words were cut short as 2B scooped him up before springing into the air with graceful agility, carrying them both away from the monster-infested section of the forest.
---
Minutes after escaping the monsters, 2B and Deku found a moment's respite beneath the expansive canopy of a great tree. The towering branch they sat upon offered a brief sanctuary form the chaos they had encountered.
Deku leaned against the rough bark, catching his breath in this time of peace. "Are you alright?" 2B asked, her voice tinged with concern. 
The U.A. high schooler nodded, responding in spite of his weariness. "Yeah, I'm alright... th-thank you for asking."
"Your power. It's placed a heavy strain on your body," 2B noted. 
"(Panting) I-I'll be fine, ma'am. As surprising as it is, I've gotten used to managing this pain from all the battles I've fought against villains," Deku answered, shooting a small smile of reassurance towards the YoRHa unit. 
"Regardless, you are in need of proper medical attention. Your lacerations, in particular, are truly a cause for concern."
Deku paused for a moment before responding to her statement, "Well, yeah, but... it's not like there are any infirmaries open for business around here." 
Reaching out to the yellow cape he wore, 2B asked, "Do you still need this? I need something to bind your wounds with." 
For a moment, Deku turned his thoughts to the man who had bestowed upon him this cape, a symbol of the veteran hero's support towards the young man's journey. It had been a while since he met Gran Torino following the turmoil of the Paranormal Liberation Front, yet his wisdom remained resonant in his heart. Taking a moment's consideration, Deku nodded decisively. "Go ahead, Ms. 2B." 
With silent acknowledgement, the android deftly tore several strips from the hem of Deku's cape, using it to bind the young man's wounds with practiced efficiency. As she worked, Deku seized the opportunity to express his gratitude. "You know... I'm really grateful that you're here, Ms. 2B. I don't think I'd have endured all this if it wasn't for you."
"I wouldn't have known that I wasn't the only one stranded if it wasn't for you, Midoriya Izuku," 2B responded. 
"That's true, I suppose. (Pausing) Oh, and, uh, by the way, I think it'll be easier for you to call me 'Deku'. I-It's my... hero name," the U.A. student stated as he winced from 2B's treatment. The android turned her blindfolded sight towards Deku's eyes, her interest piqued. 
"Deku...? Deku, as in...?" 
"Deku, as in dekiru. As in 'I can do this'. It's a suggestion from my friend, that I took heart," Deku replied in confidence. "I see," 2B replied in acknowledgement. 
"W-What about you, Ms. 2B? Is your name an acronym?"
"It is an abbreviation. My full designation is YoRHa No. 2 Type B. I am a YoRHa-type android, model number two, type 'B', which stands for Battle-type," 2B replied. In an instance, the young hero's eyes widened as he gasped in astonishment over this piece of information. 
"W-wait, you're an android?! T-that's amazing! I-I knew I thought there was something different about you but... the way you move, the way you speak... it's so... human!"
"YoRHa units were designed to emulate humans as closely as possible. We were made to clear the Earth of the machine lifeforms left by the alien invaders, so humanity may reclaim their long-lost home. Our mission had us interact with the records and artifacts of humanity's past, so our creators made us as human as they could," 2B explained matter-of-factly. 
Bursting with fascination, Deku exclaimed, "Machine lifeforms?! Alien invaders?! That's ins--HMPH!" The young hero's words halted abruptly when 2B swifly clamped her hand over his mouth. A brief moment of silence ensued as 2B pointed downwards towards the forest floor, where Deku saw a serpentine dragon walk by, carefully surveying its surroundings. With a resigned sigh and muffled voice, he uttered, "I-I'm sorry. It's just... I can't help but be amazed by what you said. Aliens, androids, machine lifeforms? It's... unbelievable."
Lowering her hand, 2B replied, "I understand, Deku. But that doesn't excuse being careless, no matter how strong you are. We can't afford carelessness, knowing where we are." 
"I-I see... you're right. I'm sorry," Deku acknowledged, his voice subdued. 
After a thoughtful pause, the android added, "It wasn't pleasant having to deal with the aliens and their machine armies, anyway."
"I... can't imagine what your world must have been like. Did... the aliens destroy Earth? A-are we, humans, still around, from where you came from?" Deku asked, questioning in both sincerity and curiosity. A cascade of past memories flickered through 2B's databanks as she collected her thoughts to provide an explanation for the human hero. Unpleasant as they may be, she felt the need to reveal these hard truths towards her new ally so he may understand her better. It wasn't like she had conversed with a real human after centuries of existence, anyway. 
"M-Miss 2B?" 
Sighing in resignation, the android answered, "The aliens didn't destroy the Earth, but every human as you know it has died thousands of years ago, before I was even created." 
Deku recoiled as he listened to 2B's answer, displaying unbelief in his expression. 
"When the aliens came, they deployed machines to eradicate the Earth of its last inhabitants: the androids. YoRHa units like me were made to destroy the machines under the assumption that we were reclaiming the Earth for humans, who we were told retreated to the Moon and survived as the Council of Humanity."
Deku's eyes widened in shock. "You were lied to?" 
Another burst of memories cascaded through her databanks. Within them, 2B saw herself and another android of cheerful disposition fighting side by side... and against each other, for no less than 48 occurrences. Behind her blindfold, a single tear manifested within her eye. The android collected her thoughts, and answered once again. 
"Truth be told, Deku... I had always known about it. When I was made, I was... created to eliminate a high-end model that had a tendency to uncover the lie that YoRHa made for the good of all androids. I've... killed him, one too many times, I..."
The android ceased her answers. A tear dropped from her eye, falling past her blindfold and into the branch below. Silence reigned, as the android failed to stop herself from this tragic reminiscence. Her companion, Izuku Midoriya, closed the distance between them as he put his hands upon her arms in an act of comfort.
"M-Miss 2B... I-I'm sorry. I can't imagine what you've been through, but... I won't judge you for what you've done. I..."
The young hero withdrew as his synthetic companion looked up towards him. 
"I don't know what to say, Ms. 2B. All I know, is that now, we have each other. I don't know if your friend is still alive, but I promise you, I'll help you get back to where you came from, so you don't have to perish in... whatever kind of place this is."
The android looked aside from a moment, a small smile forming upon her face. After some careful thought, she answered, "T-Thank you, Deku."
Smiling back, the U.A. high schooler answered, "You're welcome, Ms. 2B. Though... I really have to ask, is your friend still alive by the time you got here?" 
Another pause in reaction occurred before 2B responded properly. "Yes. Yes, he is still alive. His name is 9S, and we were helping the Resistance Camp with some errands until I was suddenly dropped here. I can't imagine how he would react if he had known that I was here," she stated. 
Deku, putting his thoughts behind his words, answered, "You're afraid you have to kill him again, aren't you?"
2B nodded. 
"But... given the option, would you rather spend more time with him or--"
"Yes. I would rather enjoy his company than be hunted forever by creatures from other worlds," the android replied. Serious as she may be, Deku could not help but be amused by the last part of her sentence. Smirking, the young hero responded, "Well, I guess that makes the two of us, then. I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life having to fight or run away from a bunch of weird monsters, myself."
The android chuckled upon hearing the young man's response. The pair looked away from one another as the amusement died away, though it was clear for them that they would be able to bear themselves with one another better after their exchange. "So, uh... do you have any idea where we should be heading next, Miss 2B?" the young man asked. 
"Perhaps, it would be best for us to find you someplace you can drink. Maybe a river, or a lake. I can clean your wounds better, and you can drink some water to refresh yourself," the android replied. 
"That's... a good idea, really. But, this place is huge! How are we supposed to find either one of those things?" 
Focusing her sensors, 2B began to extend her awareness to encompass a large area of the forest, filtering out the myriad of noises that surround them. After searching for the distinctive noise of flowing water, the android informed, "There's a river five kilometres away from where we are. If we can get there, maybe we can ready ourselves for what's to come." 
With enthusiasm, Deku replied, "That's amazing! I, uh, gotta ask something, though. I know that you're an android, and it was just earlier that I noticed you... crying, so, uh... Miss 2B, do you drink water?" 
Another memory cascaded through the android's data banks. In her not-so-distant past, the android saw her friend play around in a body of water with glee. 
"No, I don't drink water. YoRHa units are built to emulate humans, both physically and emotionally. To that end, we, androids, were built with internal water generators to emulate responses such as what you saw earlier. Otherwise, we are powered by our own fusion reactors known as black boxes, which can sustain us for hundreds of years," 2B explained.
"Oh, I... see. Well, in either case, maybe we should head to the river as soon as possible, before night comes around. I can't imagine how horrifying it is to stay around this place at night," Deku stated. 
With a nod of concurrence, 2B replied, "You have a point. Now, follow me, and stick to the branches. Watch your step, and don't touch on anything that looks strange no matter what. If you need something, just call me by name, and I'll help you. I don't want you to return to school infected with diseases three billion years older than you are."
The U.A. high schooler let out a hearty laugh before the android swiftly shushed him. Wasting no further time, the duo jumped across the treetops at speed in search of the river. 
---
Twenty minutes had passed since the pair had left the safety of their arboreal refuge. After navigating through the forest on top of its towering trees, the duo finally reached their destination: a small yet vigorous river, meandering through the forest to bestow its life-giving water upon its inhabitants. Along the riverbanks, herds of sail-backed lizards, great stags, and colossal flightless birds drank deeply from the stream, quenching their ancient thirst en masse. Among their numbers, even great carnivores such as horned theropods and eagle-lions took their fill without causing a single blood-drenched ruckus. Within the river itself, turtles, fish, and salamanders alike swam and fed, as a terrible-clawed lizard waded through the water, scooping up fish and nutrient-rich vegetation. 
The U.A. high schooler gasped in astonishment. "Amazing! There're so many creatures here, and they're not trying to kill each other!"
Approaching Deku as she meticulously scanned the area, 2B replied, "You know that most animals don't go out of their way to harm each other, do you?" 
The young man tilted his head as he chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Y-yeah, I know. But in a place as weird as this one, you can't be too sure about it, right?"
"You're not wrong," 2B concurred. "Though, I suspect what animals consider common sense would still apply to these creatures, as well," 2B added. "Now, then. You should drink while you still can. I'll keep an eye out for anything that could be a threat to us." 
With a bow of gratitude, Deku silently thanked his android companion before heading towards the riverbank. Removing his gloves, the U.A. student cupped his hands to scoop up the river's clear waters. The hero's parched throat eased as the ancient waters cooled his body with a sense of relief. Exhaustion soon became a thing of the past as the river's blessing reinvigorated the young man. 
Deku sighed in relief as he lifted his gaze to see the blue skies above. Serenity washed over the hero's heart as he began to forget the pain that his recent trials had inflicted upon him. Behind him, the YoRHa unit observed with a soft, almost imperceptible smile, heartened by her companion's fleeting peace.
"That water's really something, isn't it?" 2B inquired as she approached the young hero. 
Turning to her with a smirk, he answered, "Actually, yeah! It feels really nice, Ms. 2B. I've never tasted water this... pure."
2B knelt beside Deku as she inspected the wounds she bound earlier. With her advanced sensors, she could tell that they no longer bled like they used to several minutes ago. Carefully removing the binding cloths, 2B informed Deku of her observation.
"Interesting. It appears the water has accelerated the progress of your healing, Deku."
"Oh? I-Is that so?" Deku asked as he turned his gaze towards his injuries. True to her words, the bruises and lacerations that he had suffered had disappeared, much to his amazement.
"Wow, that's amazing! Do you think that, maybe, this water has some healing properties?"
The android dipped her hand into the stream, letting the cool waters flow over her fingers. Analyzing its chemical composition, 2B reported her findings in less than three seconds. 
"I do not think so, Deku. This water's just... that. Water. Perhaps it has something to do with your power?"
"I-I don't think so, Ms. 2B. There was this one time when I could use One For All without having to worry about its injuries, but it was just once. I usually end up needing medical assistance when I overexert One For All to win the fight. Though, if anything, I'm more curious as to how I was able to use One For All like there was no problem, even after a dinosaur tried to chew me..."
"You were chewed upon by a dinosaur?" 2B asked, launching a lightning-fast inquiry in response to his statement. With a chuckle, he replied, "Eh, hehehehe... y-yeah. T-That's why I got these cuts and gashes all over me before they were gone. I... had to run for my life the first time I got here. It... wasn't a delightful experience."
Noting his statement, 2B curtly replied, "I see." The android stood up, lending Deku a hand as she remarked, "Whatever the case may be, it is good that you are feeling better now. For now, we should continue our search for shel--"
2B's words were interrupted by the sound of a growling stomach echoing throughout the vicinity. With a mortified look on his face, Deku glanced at his stomach before meeting with 2B's eyes, chuckling awkwardly. 
"You haven't eaten anything, have you?" 2B inquired.
"A-actually, I did have some breakfast earlier this morning, but... I haven't had lunch, since I was training with my friends at school," the U.A. student replied, his voice littering with sheepish chuckles. In the brief moment of silence that followed, he added, "I'm sorry." 
"It's alright," the android assured him. "Humans need food and water, after all. In fact, I'm impressed that you were able to keep up with me despite your exhaustion," 2B added. 
"I-I see. So, uh, what do you propose we do next, Ms. 2B?"
Brandishing her sword, 2B asked, "Tell me, Deku, have you ever hunted before?"
---
Elsewhere within the forest, the android and the hero perched upon a sturdy tree branch, observing the movements of a peculiar herd of creatures. Curiously examining the creatures, the hero leaned forward and whispered, "Are those... pigs?"
For a moment, Deku's question went unanswered as 2B sifted through her databanks for an appropriate response. After processing the relevant data, she replied, "Anatomically speaking, they are much closer to elephants than they are to pigs. Not that I deny their resemblance towards pigs." 
The young hero sighed as he acknowledged his companion's response with a short, "I see." The YoRHa unit, however, took note of his elevated heart rate and turned her sight upon him. Curtly, she asked, "Are you afraid, Deku?"
Mustering his composure, Deku replied, "Y-Yes. You could say that."
"You've fought monsters and supervillains, Deku. This isn't threatening compared to any of them," 2B noted. 
"I-I know, but... this feels different, you know? Fighting supervillains is one thing, but killing for food...? I-I... get that we, humans, eat plants and animals all the time, but... doing it myself feels... different," the young hero replied, his voice tinged with discomfort. 
For a moment, the YoRHa unit shifted her attention back towards the herd of pig-elephants below them. Without looking at her companion, she replied, "Humans do what they need to survive. Hunting, foraging, killing. It's all part of their life cycle. This place you're in, Deku? It offers neither kindness nor mercy towards those unwilling to fight for their lives. You are a good person, I can tell. But that does not excuse you starving yourself just because you've never taken a life before. It's not like I asked you to kill one of these things yourself, anyway."
The U.A. high schooler followed 2B in the herd's observation as he took her words to heart. It was true that the android had agreed to deliver the final blow once Deku had captured the creature with One For All. However, the fact that she would do so for his own sake just because he wasn't willing to kill an animal for food perturbed him. She had a point, however. Moments of levity aside, this bestial realm they were upon offered little in the way of mercy towards them, let alone the creatures who called the forest home. If he were to survive in this strange realm, then he must be more than just considerate in utilizing the option of lethal force.
Taking a deep breath, the young man came to a decision. 
"Alright, then. Let's get this started, shall we?" 
"Understood." 
In but a mere second, the hero and the android stood from their perched position, poised to begin their operation. As the U.A. high schooler stretched himself, the YoRHa android modulated her voice to match a predator they had encountered within the forest. Within a moment, a menacing roar resonated throughout the vicinity, alarming the herd of pig-elephants so much they immediately bolted away from their feeding ground without a second thought.
"Deku!"
"15% One For All: Full Cowl - Shoot Style!" 
Leaping from the branch, Deku launched himself towards one of the fleeing pig-elephants and kicked the creature's cranium with enough force to knock it out cold. The creature collapsed, and the young hero immediately went to its side as his android companion joined him. Deku caressed the great beast as the YoRHa unit knelt beside him, observing the creature together.
"I-Is it alive?" the U.A. student asked. It did not take long for 2B to respond to his question, the android saying, "It is. There is a slight fracture in its cranium, but it is still alive. You can tell that it's alive from its breathing, as well."
Deku took note of the creature's laborious breathing as he looked upon the creature with regret upon his eyes. Today was the first day he was able to encounter such an intriguing prehistoric being. Yet, today, too, was the first day that he had to kill one of these creatures for him to survive. Nevertheless, the young man quietly expressed his gratitude towards the beast, whispering a thank you before turning his attention towards his friend. 
"Do we kill it now?" Deku asked. The YoRHa nodded as she released her sword from its telekinetic suspension, grasping it firmly within her hand. The android aimed its edge upon the creature's neck, analyzing the creature's structure before plunging the weapon into its trachea as it whimpered its last breath. Silence fell over the vicinity as the student closed his eyes and sighed in melancholy. The android retrieved her sword, swung the blood of its edge, and suspended the weapon across her back. After looking upon the young man's troubled visage, 2B stood herself up before speaking towards Deku. 
"We'll need to move this someplace safe, before we attract any scavengers, Deku."
With a stilted motion, the U.A. student turned towards 2B and replied, "You're... you're right."
Deku stood up as he dusted off his clothes, continuing his reply, "Though, I suppose I should be the one carrying this thing since... I'm the reason it got killed." 
Wasting little time, the YoRHa unit gave the hero a direct response, "Do so as you wish, Deku. But for your own good, please stop wallowing in your own guilt. You will die if you do not eat, and I do not wish to have the first human I've encountered in many years to die under my watch."
With eyes widened by the shock of the android's words, Deku replied, "Y-Y-Yes, of course, ma'am, Miss 2B. It's just..."
Deku's answer dissipated the moment he saw the carcass of the pig-elephant once again. The sight of the creature and the remembrance of his current situation prompted him to not make further fuss about his problem. The young man went on to channel through his body the power of One For All, before using his strength to lift the creature over his shoulders. The U.A. student turned towards 2B with the pig-elephant in tow and said, "You know what? Let's get ourselves to somewhere safe, where we can---"
ROAAAAAAAAAR!
A great shadow cast over the pair as a savage roar resonated through the forest. Scarcely were they able to react when a hulking mass of muscles leapt from an unseen height, smashing its fists into the ground they were standing upon. Fragments of rock and dirt scattered across the forest, as 2B and Deku barely avoided the creature's attack by leaping sideways. As the dust settled, the U.A. student quickly secured his quarry before turning to confront this colossal assailant: a abomination of a monster whose very visage struck fear into the high schooler. 
"W-W-What the heck is this?!" 
Before Deku stood a mammoth of a creature, standing several stories taller than the scrawny teenager and bearing a muscular frame resembling the likes of brutal Muscular and titanic Gigantomachia. The creature did not stand as tall as either the latter nor the siren-headed monsters that attacked him, yet its immense bulk and spike-ridden back gave it a far more imposing figure than the former. And that wasn't mentioning its wicked sharp claws and razor-barbed tail, in addition to its alien of a face and glowing red gills. Whatever this thing was supposed to be, it was definitely no creature of the Earth...
... and it was furious. 
Roaring in primal rage, the goliath turned its attention towards Deku and viciously lunged upon him like a predator pouncing upon its prey. All For One's mobility and Danger Sense gave him an easy way out of the creature's warpath, though in that spur of the moment, the young man failed to give thought to what was crucial for his survival in the coming hours: his food. Even when the monster failed to grasp the human with its hoary hands, it passed with flying colors in grabbing ahold of the pig-elephant's carcass. 
The hero watched in dread as the creature devoured the carcass in but the span of a few seconds, depriving him of his precious meal. Yet, in refusal of despair, the U.A. student mustered the power of One For All, backed by the energies of Fa Jin and the tendrils of Blackwhip. As the creature cast its face upon Deku, several layers of tendrils wrapped themselves around its neck before the hero pulled himself towards it. Accelerated by the Fa Jin's charge, the young man punched a mighty blow upon the creature's visage. The sound of broken bones cracked over the air as a kinetic shockwave erupted upon the impact of Deku's fist. The goliath staggered...
... and the young man broke his arm.
"Wh-what?!" 
Another furious roar erupted as the monstrosity swiftly recovered, turning its sights on Deku nary a second before he landed. Slamming his fists, the monster unleashed an earth-shaking smash upon the student's position. Fortunately, a streak of black and white bolted across the field, carrying Deku out of the creature's striking range. 
Carrying Deku in her arms, 2B sprinted as fast as she could as she quickly examined the grievousness of Deku's wounds.
"You've suffered a closed fracture. We need to get you someplace safe, so we can treat it as soon as possible," 2B informed. In another time, Deku might have insisted that he could power through the pain and fight for their survival. After having punched the monster that was pursuing them, though? It didn't take him long to realize how futile his attempt was at defeating the monster. Its head was -- quite literally -- too thick for Deku to get through, and he was in no condition to unleash the most out of his powers. With a groan of pain, Deku gave the android a nod of agreement. 
Followed by a cry of warning.
"MISS 2B, WATCH OUT!"
With a resounding roar, the goliath slammed into the ground, unleashing an explosive shockwave. The impact of its attack caused the android to lose her grip on Deku, sending him hurtling through the air before crashing against a tree. After 2B had regained her footing after falling into the forest floor, she wasted no time going after her companion. 
"DEKU!"
The YoRHa unit's shout was answered by a deafening roar from the beast, who lunged upon the android like a tiger pouncing upon its prey. With her usual grace, she sidestepped the monster's attack before retaliating with a flurry of slashes. Unfortunately, the Virtuous Contract failed to deliver anything more than mere scratches upon its hide, and the monster responded by blasting the android with furious gouts of fire from its mouth. Escaping the chaotic flames, 2B backflipped away from the monster. Before she could place her landing, however, the goliath ceased its breath of fire and charged upon the android. Left with little time to maneuver, the android found herself caught in its trundling advance, driven through one great tree after another by the unyielding beast. 
When the beast finally halted its advance, the android lay on the ground immobile, motionless and unresponsive. Restoring its posture, the beast slowly approached her and sniffed the blood that trickled from her mouth. Growling, the creature grasped her in its massive hand and closely examined the YoRHa. The woman's synthetic blood confused the creature as it struggled to identify her edibility, much to its consternation. 
Not that it had any chance to eat. 
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!
An agonizing roar erupted through the forest as 2B plunged her Virtuous Contract into the creature's left eye, letting out a gush of blood. Outraged, the goliath quickly threw away the android as it thrashed around the woods, powering through the pain to adapt to this new handicap. Landing acrobatically, 2B wiped the blood from her mouth before dashing back towards the beast. When the goliath struck out its massive fists, the YoRHa unit deftly ducked and weaved through its vicious blows, rapidly slashing the creature as she evaded its frenzied attacks. When the goliath once again tried to incinerate her, 2B threw her sword into its mouth, impaling the creature's palate. The abomination roared in pain, stumbling as 2B summoned the sword back to her hand. With the creature exposed, the android leapt towards its other eye, poised to blind the creature once and for all with her Virtuous Contract. 
Just before a fist kissed her face. 
With nary a warning, the creature hammered the android with its colossal fist, sending her flying across the forest in an explosive impact. The YoRHa unit crashed through countless of logs before her frame smashed into a boulder, leaving her battered amidst the pieces of broken stone. Blood seeped from her mouth as metal groaned amidst the sound of falling pebbles. The android's vision blurred as her heads-up display shuddered from the damage she sustained. Despite all this, 2B did not cease her struggle and stood herself up, even as her body wobbled from the aftershock. 
"MISS 2B!" 
Surging with what little power he could channel, Deku rushed towards 2B's location, dashing with utmost urgency as he saw her try to support herself on her sword. Yet, even as he ran, the goliath had sunk its hands into the land beneath, tearing a large chunk of the earth before hefting it towards Deku. The sheer size of the mass and the force behind its throw proved too fast for the winded Deku to avoid, even with the warnings from his Danger Sense and his android companion. In just a matter of the seconds, the young man was crushed by several tons of rubble, stopping his advance as the sound of broken bones echoed through the air. Another shout of his name resonated as 2B ran towards him, even as she stumbled and staggered in her progress. 
Upon arriving at her ally's disheveled body, the android swiftly swooped to his assistance, analyzing Deku's ever-worsening wounds as she comforted the half-conscious teenager. 
"H-Hold tight, Deku. I'll get you out of here as soon as--"
2B's sensors lit just as the shadow of the goliath loomed over the pair. The creature growled and rumbled as its gills glowed a fiery red before her visorless blue eyes. Wasting nary a second, the android clutched her ally tightly and jumped into the air, hoping to evade its imminent threat. 
She failed to save either one of them that very moment. 
Midway through, before 2B could make her landing, the goliath unleashed its torrent of flames upon the pair, incinerating them in a firestorm of pain. The damage 2B suffered and the added weight of Deku's body encumbered the android, preventing her from making a faster long-range jump to escape the goliath's reach. On the goliath's part, its missing eye and numerous minor wounds had done nothing to affect its vigor, giving it more than enough strength to toy with and torment these 'humans', whose kind it utterly despised from the very moment of its inception. 
"Deku...!" 2B weakly muttered, as she covered Deku's body with her own to protect him. The YoRHa unit tried her damnedest to escape, even as her circuits fried and her chassis creaked. The young man in her charge struggled to look past the flames to find a branch he could zip to with his Blackwhip. Alas, the hellish inferno that engulfed him pushed his consciousness into oblivion, unceremoniously knocking him out. 2B, aware of this, powered through the pain and moved away from the inferno. The android took three steps before the circuits in her knees gave out, forcing her to collapse.
Just as she collapsed, however, the goliath finally ceased its fire, exposing the wrecked forms of both 2B and Deku. The creature's inferno had tattered their clothes and left their bodies soot-stained, their appearances not dissimilar to those of charred corpses. 2B, still holding the hero in her arms, looked at him in sorrow and said, "D-Deku... I-I'm sorry." 
The android lost her chance to evacuate him when the goliath knocked her aside with its brutish hand. The ninth heir to One For All was now open to the goliath's 'tender' mercies, the scent of his scorched flesh an invitation for the creature's appetite. Grabbing ahold of the boy, the goliath savored the fragrance of its prey, whose its senses could tell was a true prey, unlike the YoRHa unit who foolishly tried to oppose it. Wasting no time, the goliath sunk its teeth into his flesh, gorging on him to sate its hunger. 
At least, that would have been the case if it wasn't for a scream. 
"AWAY, YE BALROG!"
Instinctively rearing its head, the goliath saw a swift bolt of energy rushing towards it from an unseen distance. With little time to react, the confused monstrosity's world turned dark when the bolt collided with its remaining eye, blinding it in a spectacular explosion that caused blood to gush from its wound. Once again, the monster roared in agony as it jerked in response to the pain, staggering away from 2B and Deku's position. Despite her damage, 2B's sensors were still functioning well enough for her to register what had happened in that exact moment. Turning her head to where the bolt came from, the android scanned the vicinity to discover the being responsible for this act that she had borne witness herself. 
To say that she was... confused would be an understatement. 
Bursting from the foliage was a team of twelve giant rabbits, rushing through the underbrush while pulling a sled mounted by a man most peculiar in sight. The man was elderly, garbed in an earthy brown cloak and a weather-beaten hat that partially concealed his unkempt work of a hair. Judging from his appearance, 2B could tell that he was a man of the forest, who had long lived within the confines of nature for ages untold. Whoever this man was, the android quietly hoped he would not be another threat, whose true nature was hidden beneath the trappings of a wizened old man. 
Before the android could continue her analysis, the brown-clad man and his rabbit-drawn sled swiftly arrived at her location. Wasting no time, the man called out to 2B with a shout of utmost urgency, "You two, get on! Hurry!"
As skeptical as she was, the android knew that she could not afford to tarry while the goliath is steadily regaining its footing. Lifting her wounded friend, 2B carried Deku and gently set him on the sled, putting him upon the bed between the rider and the rabbits. The android sat beside Deku, cradling him securely to prevent him from falling off the sled. 
"Where are we going?" the android asked, tilting her head towards the man. Before she could receive her reply, the blind monstrosity bellowed another roar and charged towards the sled. Gaping agog, the man gave 2B a short and simple answer.
"Anywhere but here!"
Spurring his rabbits into motion, the giant hares bolted forward, dashing through the forest floor just in time to escape the goliath's lunge. Escaping its lunge, however, did not equate to escaping the creature in its frenzied entirety, as its furious roar and trundling footfalls could attest to. As the goliath smashed its way across the forest, the man in brown steadied his hat before delivering a remark to his new companions. 
"I'd hold on tight, if I were you! HYA!"
With an urge of the reins and a shout of the loud, the rabbits sped across the forest floor at an even faster pace, swiftly yet ever-so-precisely evading the goliath's pursuit without breaking a sweat. As the man steered his rabbits through the dense foliage of the forest, the blood-matted, dirt-ridden android held tight the body of her half-charred companion, shielding his unconscious body from the jolting of the ride. For the most part, the U.A student could do nothing but to lay upon the android's embrace, resting as his companions sought an avenue out of the mess. 
Meanwhile, the flea-ridden man steeled his eyes and concentrated upon the path ahead, masterfully directing his rabbits with the flicks of his reins and a smattering of shouts, spoken in his native language. Understanding their master, they dashed and weaved through the land, jumping past crevices and avoiding flora and fauna alike as the goliath closed in on them. The ground shook with each of the creature's massive steps, its breath coming in harsh and guttural huffs as its presence slowly but surely loomed over the trio. When the android took note of a change in the goliath's posture, she swiftly warned his ally of this development. 
"MISTER, WATCH OUT!"
In just the blink of an eye, the goliath leapt into the air and cast a dark shadow over the sled with its massive body. Just before the monster descended to destroy the sled, the transport's flea-ridden rider quickly gave another spur to his rabbits, speeding up just in time to avoid the creature's crushing attack. Upon the creature's descent, an explosion of rock and dirt covered the vicinity, scattering several tons of debris throughout the forest floor. Fortunately, the old man's ingenuity and his rabbits' expeditiousness saved them from being shredded to pieces by the scattered debris. Unfortunately for them, the monstrosity was not stopping.
Swiveling to see the goliath's advance, the brown-garbed man quickly shot the android a question.
"</i>Woman, what did you do to piss it off so much?!</i>"
Exasperated yet composed, she replied, "We were just hunting food for the boy when that thing came out of nowhere and attacked us! We had to defend ourselves when it came at us, even after it had eaten our quarry."
Sighing in frustration, the man remarked, "Cursed beast! Not even the wargs were this persistent!"
Giving another spur of the reins, the man in brown expertly guided the rabbits, navigating through the forest's chaotic terrain while outpacing the monster behind them. The goliath, still refusing to yield, began hurling anything within its reach at the sled as it continued its monstrous advance. From logs, rocks, to tree stumps, and even animals. All were thrown upon by the rampageous beast towards the sled, whose poor unfortunate rider had to avoid with a series of nerve-wracking maneuvers. Agitated, the old man remarked, "BLASTED CREATURE! MAY YOU DIE A BLOODY DEATH, AND SUFFER FOR AN ETERNIT--"
ROAAAAAAAAAAAAR!
"Ah, s---" 
The hardened shells of two armored glyptodonts soared towards the sled, propelled by the monster's massive arms like they were cannonballs. The sheer force of the throw and the creatures' immense size caused the vehicle to lurch dangerously, teetering on the edge of balance. The android and her ally nearly tumbled out of the transport, merely moments away from falling until the old man skillfully tugged the reins. Barely able to regain the transport's balance, the old man quickly noticed the goliath's advance on their position, taking advantage of their instability. Gritting his teeth, the man gave his rabbits another tug of the reins, prompting them to run past a patch of shrubbery to escape the goliath... 
... only to find another monster waiting in the wings. 
"Oh, COME ON!" the old man shouted as he forced his sled into a sharp turn, narrowly avoiding collision with a gigantic creature covered in thick, armored scales, devouring a carcass. For a moment, the beast acknowledged the presence of the man and his companions, locking gazes until they wisely turned away to leave it be. Letting out a small grunt, the creature continued to feast on its prey, gobbling down on its succulent flesh without a single care in the world.
Until the goliath arrived. 
Barely a second after the sled had turned, the goliath lunged at its target, only to miss and collide with the stocky beast, thunderously crashing against its razor-sharp spikes. The goliath's roar echoed through the forest as it impaled itself on the beast's formidable defenses, bleeding profusely as it struggled to free itself from the creature's spikes. Infuriated by this intrusion, the spiked beast thrashed and turned, trying to dislodge the goliath. When the goliath finally freed itself by prying its wounded body off the spikes, the spiked beast wasted no time assaulting its foe, smashing and shoving its foe with its clubbed tail and massive girth. The sheer force behind the beast's attacks harmed the goliath, weakening it while giving little room in the way of retaliation. As the man and his sled quickly departed for safer grounds, the goliath could not help but to vent its anger upon its new adversary, savagely attacking it in a bone-crunching struggle that echoed through the forest. 
---
Drawing the sled to an exhausted halt, the rabbits finally found a clearing, where their master and his companions could take a respite from their ordeal. Dismounting from the sled, the rustic man hurried over to his rabbits, tending to them while whispering soothing words spoken in his native language. Winded but unhurt, the rabbits nestled together, catching their breath after their frantic escape. As he did so, 2B checked Deku's pulse and examined his injuries, hoping to find a spark of life within his wounded body. Thankfully, her advanced sensors found the boy's heart beating weakly, much to her relief. 
"The boy... he's still alive," 2B proclaimed, glancing at the man in brown. After petting several of his rabbits, the man knelt beside Deku with 2B and said, "Same goes for the rabbits, milady. Never had them run so fast until this point." 
Locking her eyes on his, she replied, "Thank you, good sir. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have survived the creature." 
The man in brown waved his hand dismissively as he briefly averted his eyes from the android. "Ah, it was... nothing, really. Just an old man's way of keeping fit. Though I must admit, I've neither seen the likes of you nor the beast that pursued you. If I may ask, when did the two of you arrive here?" the old man inquired. 
"We arrived here mere hours ago. The boy, Deku. He was training at school when he was taken to this place out of nowhere. I was on a mission, myself, when I found myself standing in the middle of this forest. I saw him while I was on reconnaissance, trying to find out where I had been taken to. He was attacked by giants with megaphones for heads. I saved him from them, and we have been together, ever since," the android explained. The old man took time to process this information, pausing for a moment before responding to the android's statement. 
"Well, one for thing for sure, this forest isn't the friendliest when it comes to mortals, milady," the man replied as he returned to the footboards of his sled. "Which means that we should move out as soon as we can before anything worse comes calling," he added. 
Standing to face the man, 2B asked, "Do you know anywhere safe where we---I can treat the boy?"
For a moment, the old man looked into 2B's eyes, understanding what lay beneath the words she had spoken. Nodding his head, he replied, "I know one, milady. It was a fortune, really, that when I was taken here two weeks ago, my little treehouse came along with me."
The old man paused as the android took a scan of his heartbeat. For now, her sensors said that he did not lie in such statement. Curtly, she replied, "Go on." 
Nodding once again, he continued, "It isn't much, but there is a bed we can use to give the boy some proper rest while he recovers. I've also medicine to help the boy recover from his wounds. I don't know for sure if the boy would be receptive towards them, but none of what I concoct is to harm any living being by nature."
The old man paused, sighing in preparation of what he had to say. After regaining his breath, he remarked, "And... I know that trust isn't exactly easy to come by, especially in a place such as this. But Eru didn't make me to be a liar, much less a bastard. And I've got nothing to gain from killing either the two of you." The old man shrugged before continuing his remark, "Not that I think I can. Never was a warrior like those good men of Gondor." 
The android processed his words, analyzing the movements of his mouth, the tics on his face, and the beat of his heart. Once again, she could not find any trace of lies in the words he had spoken. Silently deciding, she sat upon the sled's bed, cradling the high schooler once again. After taking her position, she shortly replied, "Take us there, sir."
"As you wish, milady," the old man remarked. Just before he had the rabbits draw the sled, however, the old man spoke to the android. 
"Oh, and, for convenience's sake, please, call me Radagast," the old man remarked, extending his hand for a handshake. "Radagast the Brown." 
Turning around, the android shook his hand as she awkwardly stood up in respect to him, briefly setting aside the U.A student's body. "Considering his appearance, the name suits him quite well," the android thought. 
"Mister Radagast," 2B replied, acknowledging the old man's identity. 
"How about you, milady? What is your name?" Radagast asked. 
"I am YoRHa unit number two, type B. You can call me 2B," 2B replied.
Bewildered, the smile on Radagast's face quickly evaporated. 
"2... 2B?"
"Yes. 2B." 
"2B, as in the number two and the letter B put together?" Radagast asked, utterly fascinated by what he had just discovered.
"Y-Yes, that is true. It's... it's my serial number," 2B answered, struggling to keep her tone... logical. Unfortunately for her, the information she imparted simply made the old man even more curious. Flabbergasted, in fact. 
"S-Serial number? What is that? W-What parents would name their child a number?!" Radagast exclaimed, his curiosity outbursting. Not seeking to entertain him further, 2B replied, "Can we just go now? This isn't the best place to talk about this, Radagast." 
Relenting, Radagast shrugged and nodded towards 2B as she returned to her seating position. Tugging in the reins, the Brown Wizard mobilized his rabbits as he grinned a large smirk, remarking, "If you say so, milady. Though, you've quite much to explain, don't you think?"
"As do you, Radagast. Do you name yourself according to the cloak you wear?" 2B asked as she adjusted her position to the unconscious Deku. Taking a moment's thought, Radagast replied, "Ah, it's the other way around, actually. You see, I was sent to Middle-earth to protect its forests from Sauron's influence, which is why I wear brown. It blends in well with the forest, don't you think?" 
"Yes, that is true. But what is Middle-earth? Who is Sauron? Why was it necessary for you to be present on Middle-Earth?" the android inquired. 
Radagast laughed as he tugged the reins of his sled to hasten the rabbits' progress. As the party left for the wizard's house, Radagast replied, "Sit tight, milady. There is much for me to tell you, as there is much for you to tell me." 
Sighing, she replied, "Alright. Just... don't forget where we're going, alright?"
"No need to worry, milady. I know the way to my house like I know the back of my hand. Now, about Middle-earth..."
And so, as Radagast began regaling 2B with tales of 'Middle-earth', the Rhosgobel rabbits sped through the forest floor, swiftly carrying the wizard, the android, and the hero off to a safer place. 
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Mugen Worlds
Category:Jacky 50A's Ideas
Category:Crossovers