"...And then Coco said, 'Now THAT'S a katana'!" Velvet finished telling the rest of her class a funny story from a while ago involving her best friend, Coco Adel.
Most of the Sanctuary Squad, along with Katsuki, Tenya, Eijiro, Mina, Kyokua, Fumikage, Tooru and Ochako, stumbled from laughing so hard at the end of the story. Even the normally stoic Akira, Ulquiorra, and Lucy couldn't help but smirk slightly.
The Tragedy of USJ still lingered in Sanctuary and Class 1-A's hearts and minds but in that time, they had become closer together with each other and were healing all the more for it. The only one of 1-A not interacting with anybody was Shoto, who Katsuki declared wasn't important.
Penny and Tenya had struck up a friendship, due in part to being part of 'great legacies.' While Tenya remained devoted first and foremost to said legacy, he found that Penny brought up points he never considered: Why did he have to follow the mold and not be himself? Penny did note that perhaps she was not the best to talk to about this, as her father, while famous, had made himself such and did not have family to back him up, but Tenya made it clear that made the two even better in a manner.
The fact that Penny's smile crumbled Tenya's resolve to follow the rules and have a little fun had nothing to do with!
Crona and Fumikage had also sparked a strong bond, albeit in a less convientional matter; while Crona still preferred the company of Izuku and the rest of Class Sancutrary, Ragnarok had forced his host to get close to the crow headed boy so that he could talk wth Dark Shadow. As the two sentient Quirks struck up a friendship whose only downside was Dark Shadow disapproving of Ragnarok's bulltying, their hosts had silently become friends when they asked each other the same thing?
'How do you put up with him? I don't…and he's not that bad.'
Coming from the homeland of many rock legends, Seras had quickly made friends with Kyouka, one of the few people to appriate 'actual music' in their generation. The normally shy rocker now had someone to talk to about her musical interest and Seras occasionally snuck her some CDs of the greats. The Vampire girl had also begun to save up money in the hops of starting a band with Kyoka.
With some nudging from Mina, Lucy had given Tooru a chance. While the invisible girl was far more girly than Lucy normally tolerated, the fact that she, like the others, was unafraid of Lucy made the normally emotionless girl give her a chance…. especially with the reveal that, due to her Quirk reflecting light and all that jazz, Tooru could actually SEE Lucy's Vector arms and remarked how cool they looked.
Nyu had been out for a whole day at that comment, and she had enjoyed every second with Tooru.
Melissa had also visited with Mei again to work more on the Full Gauntlet. The prototype had worked quite well against Volcano but Melissa needed to make sure it was in its best shape so she could better handle [One for All]. The blonde had also noticed small wisps of black coming from her wrist occasionally and considering her [Danger Sense] was the recorded Quirk of one of the previous users of OFA, she deduced this must be another Quirk one of the other users had as well.
However, Izuku and Hana would soon need to be filled in on the mysterious murderer of Kishi Toyama and how their friends in Sanctuary had uncovered his riddle for them. From what they were told, this was only the beginning of the killer's interactions with them. And they had no idea he was about to strike again...
SANCTUARY
The Pro Hero Uwabami waved her crew goodbye before bidding her interns a farewell, telling them to stay pretty. With a sigh, the woman began heading to the local cafe to have some private time.
"Another successful shoot. Those cute little interns of mine sure know how to make what they have work."
However, it was then her snakes from her Quirk, [Serpentress], picked up footsteps following behind her. Turning around, she saw nobody there. Shrugging her shoulders, she proceeded to continue when a sharp pain struck her from behind, sending her to the floor.
"W-Wha?!"
Another blow to the head knocked her into unconsciousness. Her assailant, the very same man who killed Kishi Toyama, breathed heavily through his mask as he grabbed her and dragged her away, making sure nobody saw him before disappearing into the shadows. It was time for his next challenge to be set up...
SANCTUARY
"That's crazy!" Hana gasped as Class Sanctuary and Class 1-A were gathered in their shared dorm living room to discuss the mysterious message the Sanctuary kids had uncovered from Kishi Toyama's murder.
At least, that had been the plan: An hour ago, Izuku had awoken suddenly when he checked the news and saw a picture he never should've: Himself being dragged away by his kidnappers. The only reason he had not screamed in panic was the Headline:
'LEAKED PHOTOS REVEAL CRUELTY OF NEWS!'
What had brought the others together was the sudden increase of temperature in their dormitory, despite the thermostat remaining untouched: A clear sign Izuku was in distress.
"Yeah, turns out the images weren't deleted, they were sent out to every major news network in all of Japan," Melissa said. "Heck, even the Daily Bugle over in America got pictures!"
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer person," Seras muttered, still recalling Kishi's involvement in Izuku's initial kidnapping all those years ago.
"Still, the murderer seems to be SUPPORTING you guys." Kyouka pointed out. "He obviously killed that guy because he knew what he did to Green."
"I think it'd be better we are NOT affiliated with a crazed murderer with a childlike interest in riddles," Ulquiorra said in his usual flat tone, Lucy and Roromiya quietly nodding in agreement.
"But...how could he have known what happened to me?" Izuku pondered, curious as to how the killer seemed to know Kishi's involvement in his kidnapping.
Suddenly, the TV suddenly turned on, catching everyone's attention as they noticed it had been hijacked!
"The following program contains violence, mature subject matter and imagery not suited for anyone under the age of consent. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Look away now if you can."
(AN: WE'RE NOT KIDDING! IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH OR DISLIKE VIOLENCE OF A 'SE7EN' KIND, JUMP TO THE NEXT AN! YOU WERE WARNED!)
Suddenly, it showed a video recording, revealing a man wearing a dark green coat with a white question mark on it, a dark green army surplus mask, cling film over his head, and a pair of white nerdy glasses. He also wore black gloves and combat boots.
"Who's the gimp?" Minoru asked, nobody had it in them to scold him for his comment.
"It's him...THAT'S THE KILLER!" Luz gasped, recognizing the question mark from the message the gang deciphered.
"Hello, everyone. This is The Riddler speaking." The man introduced himself, his voice masked by a synthesizer that made it deeper and more menacing. "As you can probably already figure out, I killed one of your money-pandering news editors because he was content with sending out lies and half-truths to cover up his true crime. But I am far from done."
The now-named Riddler then moved the camera to show Uwabami, naked, bound and gagged, struggling to escape with tears of running mascara going down her face.
"This is Uwabami, one of your precious Pro Heroes who you put your faith in to protect you from evil people like me...but what has she done to deserve that faith? Using interns to promote her shoddy market line, philandering herself to the masses with her fake beauty? Those are NOT what a hero should do...but I will fix this."
The Riddler stroked Uwabami's cheek sensually as she shivered in terror, continuing to speak as he did so.
"She will soon be losing face. And it will keep happening again and again and again until our day of judgment where the truth is FINALLY!" He screamed 'Finally' like a demon screaming from the bloody bowels of Hell, making everyone watching flinch. "...Be unmasked. Good-Bye~!"
As he said his final words, he pulled out an unholy fusion between a strap-on and a butcher knife, showing just what he was planning on doing as he loomed over Uwabami, who screamed from her gag as the video cut off to show a green question mark in place before going to color bars, showing that the network was trying to take back control, soon going to the nearby news channel.
(AN: YOU CAN READ SAFELY NOW!)
"This just in, Pro Hero Uwabami was found dead this morning." The new Anchor-woman was Mufasta news reported. "Cause of Death was internal bleeding in the womb from some kind of bladed strap-on. The killer, calling himself 'The Riddler', is currently being investigated and tracked down but he seems to be quite good at covering his tracks. We will get back to you with any updates on the killer's identity and what he will do next."
"Oh god...OH, GOD!" Minoru cried, running out of the room to empty his stomach after he realized exactly how Uwabami died.
"That...was so fucking unmanly..." Eijirou said, looking positively sick and downright enraged at the same time.
"He murdered her...and he didn't just do that, he took away her dignity as a woman, as a person..." Momo said, covering her mouth with tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Toyama being killed, I can understand...but Uwabami had nothing to do with Izuku or the rest of us!" Emi snapped. "What is this monster's plan?!"
Kouji was whimpering, being comforted by Rikidou, Michiru, and Nazuna while Himiko shielded herself by burying her face in Katsuki's chest. Luz and Amity were hugging each other tightly and Izuku...
The boy had already felt bad when Toyama was killed. But in a way, he saw it as revenge. But this? Uwabami may not have been the most virtuous Pro and certainly not the kind of Heroine he wanted young girls to want to look up too. But what she had gone through?
It brought back memories of Nomu, that dark room…and the feeling of taint and wanting to die.
Needless to say, for the first time in a long while, Izuku Midoriya….was livid.
"….How…How dare he..." The draconic boy growled, a glow of power emanating from his form.
"I-Izuku?" Ochako asked in worry.
"You…you feeling…?" Katsiki started, only to pause and tense when he saw the look of RAGE on his friend's face.
"HOW DARE HE!" Izuku snapped as, much to everyone's shock as well as his own, a pair of dark green draconic wings ripped from his back, fresh now dripping from the tips as a dark green draconic tail also burst from his backside.
"Whoa! Easy, Izu! Calm down!" Masato said, getting up to calm his friend down. "We're all disgusted, horrified, and angry too...but we don't know where this guy is or what he has planned next."
Izuku calmed down, looking over his new wings as they neatly folded into his back while his tail swished around uncomfortably. Sitting down, he bowed his head.
Michiru and Nazuna looked at this newest development with intrigue and concern. Tails were the truest way to show an animalistic being's emotions, and Izuku's was saying he was still angry, but also growing in sadness.
"I wonder which one he is…." Michiru noted.
"Well, hopefully…" Nazuna started, only to cringe in worry as Ochako sat down next to Izuku, her hand resting on his tail.
Izuku then tensed but then started to look drowsy.
"Izuku?" Ochako and Katsuki asked.
"Ooooooh!" Himiko and Luz cooed knowingly and with smirks on their faces. Ochako glanced down and saw she was now holding Izuku's tail. She hurriedly reached to move, but then…
Izuku…purred?
Everyone stood in shock. Ochako tentatively picked up the tail only to eep when Izuku crashed onto her and began to sleep soundly.
"Y'know, I figured that all Midoriya needed was wings and a tail to complete the Drake look." Denki chuckled as everyone else agreed, some even laughing good-naturedly, feeling a sense of light coming back after the morbid scene they had borne witness to.
Izuku meanwhile, ahd fallen asleep on Ochako's lap, much to the delight of everyone.
"How can anyone hate him? He's like a puppy! A scaly, element spitting puppy!"
SANCTUARY
"Okay, Togeike, this is it. You didn't exactly expect this to happen, but you're in the Hero Course now. They said you were the most capable and I guess I have no choice..."
Chikuchi Togekike, a girl with dark brown hair, ear-length bangs arched slightly up before they come down, styled into a set of low, curved pigtails, and thin, stern-looking eyes with notable lower eyelashes, was trying to psyche herself up for her first official day in the Hero Course.
She honestly hadn't been expecting to be welcomed into the Hero Course. She wasn't all that hyped about it, only trying for it in the Entrance Exam and missing by a few points. Luckily, she wasn't too bothered since she also applied for General Ed. But now, Hero Course Class 1-A was offering her a spot to fill in a student who unfortunately died.
"Am I just going to be seen as some replacement? What if they hate me? Oh man, I knew I should have just applied for Ketsubetsu or something!" Chikuchi said internally with a wince, fearing how her new class would react to her.
When she arrived at her new class, she saw everyone looking at her curiously while the teacher, Shota Aizawa AKA Eraserhead, looked at her with a critical eye before nodding his head.
"Togeike, your seat is over there. Welcome to Class 1-A." The man said in a neutral but welcoming tone.
Gulping, Chikuchi made her way over to her new seat and sat down, finding herself sitting behind a tired-looking boy with dark eye bags and gravity-defying indigo hair.
"Hey, you used to be from Gen Ed, right?"
Chikuchi nervously nodded. "Y-Yeah, I was transferred here because they saw me as the most capable to be applied as a Hero Student."
"Well, just a heads up, Aizawa-Sensei is fair but firmly cruel. Be prepared for any 'logical ruses' he might dump on you."
"D-Duly noted..."
SANCTUARY
"Ah, so nice of you to come, Kaina. Please have a seat." Nedzu said with a smile as a beautiful woman with a curvy body walked into his office. She had long, dark blue hair with numerous scattered pink streaks on it which was tied up in a ponytail with two shoulder-length full strands of hair left to frame her face. Her eyes were purple with a mauve shade framed by dark blue-colored angled eyebrows.
This was Kaina Tsutsumi, formerly known as Lady Nagant, one of the Heroic Public Safety Commission-based Pro Heroes until she went rogue and defected, going into hiding. Nedzu knew the truth, she had seen how shady most of the Commission's dealings were and wanted out, having no choice but to fake her death to do so.
"I know you didn't bring me here for idle chatter, furball. What do you want?"
"Simple, I believe everyone deserves a clean slate and a chance to start over. You were unjustly used by the HPSC and forced to do their dirty work. However, I believe you still can make a difference in the world."
"How so? You know the blood on my hands. I can't just step out into the light and say 'Hi, I'm Lady Nagant, I killed your loved ones because they were suspected of terrorism!" Kaina sarcastically said as Nedzu shook his head.
"Sarcasm is unbecoming of you. But no, I want you to join my wife in teaching a group of lost and troubled children who could use you as a role modle: An adult who understands their plights. I want you...to be a teacher for Class Sanctuary."
Kaina pointed to herself in shock at Nedzu's offer before pausing, looking down, and going over her options. With a sigh, she finally relented, seeing she had no other choice.
"Alright, I'll school your little brats...but on one condition, only."
"Name it and I'll gladly make sure it happens with everything in my power."
"I want my girlfriend, Ippan Josei, to join me. She's a sweet girl and people keep looking at her like a monster when she's just an ordinary person trying to live a peaceful domestic life. I figure if your Sanctuary is the place for people like us, I'll accept."
"Done! So glad we could have this talk! The students are just going to love you, I assure you of that!"
Kaina sighed, nodding and leaving. After she left, Nedzu took out his phone and speed-dialed a certain someone.
"Hello, Captain Celebrity? How are the wife and child? Good? Great! Listen, I was wondering if your friend, the Skycrawler, would like a job application..."
SANCTUARY
It was almost lunchtime and Chikuchi had been slowly getting accustomed to being in Class 1-A. She had managed to become friends with Hitoshji, the girls, Kouji, and even Shouji. She was a little annoyed by how brash and cocky Katsuki was as well as how stiff Tenya tended to be, but there was not a single person in the class she disliked; Okay, maybe Minoru, but that's beside the point.
Everyone else soon began gathering their belongings and heading to lunch. However, when they opened the door, they found their path blocked.
"What's going on?" Chikuchi asked curiously. From what she could see, a literal horde of people was blocking the doorway.
"Uh, excuse us, we wanted to head to lunch," Rikidou said.
"Why are you blocking us in?" Minoru asked.
"Isn't it obvious, Short Round? Because of all the shit at the USJ, that's what." Katsuki said with a growl as he stomped forward. "Why don't you fucking extras get out of our way. We have better things to do than being hounded by you."
"Oh, sorry, we came to see the famous Class 1-A in all their glory." Came a familiar snide voice. Katsuki scoffed in anger as he recognized Monoma at the front of the crowd, looking as snobby as ever.
"The fuck do you want, you Copycat Fucker?"
"Nothing much, just to see what Class 1-A was really made of. Honestly, I'm not that impressed. Bet you guys feel all high and mighty because you fought some villains, huh? Think you're all that? You get attacked by some villains and you suddenly think you're hot stuff? My class would-"
"EX-FUCKING-CUSE ME?!" Katsuki roared, now thoroughly pissed off. His words made most of the crowd back up as he stomped toward Monoma. "YOU THINK WE'RE FUCKING HAPPY WE GOT ATTACKED BY REAL VILLAINS?! YOU THINK WE'RE GLAD WE ALMOST DIED? THAT ONE OF OUR OWN DIED?!"
"Yeah, that's hella unmanly!" Eijirou shouted out, vouching for his friend. "Oujiro was killed by those villains, man! We're not happy or proud, we're still scared shitless over what happened!"
"Envy is a Deadly Sin and it seems to have completely blinded your judgment to us," Fumikage said darkly, his arms folded.
Monoma faltered as Katsuki's burgundy eyes bore into him like the dogs of war. Despite this, the arrogant blonde tried to muster back up his bluster.
"M-Maybe so, but-!"
"Monoma..." Aizawa appeared from behind his students. "You may not have come to cause a physical altercation, but you are clearly trying to harass your fellow students. I'm pretty sure Principal Nedzu warned you about this after you were thrown from the cafeteria last week."
Monoma paled as Aizawa's glowing red eyes seemed to stab into his very soul. A completely unimpressed and frankly disgusted look on his face.
"I'm pretty sure today qualifies as Strike Two. You know enough about baseball to know what happens when you hit Strike Three, right?" Aizawa asked. "And tell me something; If your class had been there you would have been fine? One of my students died that day, and many more of my students and myself included almost met the same fate. Monoma Neito, you know nothing of what they went through, yet you come here acting like they wanted it, and are using it to prove they are better than the rest of the school?"
Monoma's mouth opened and closed, gaping like a fish as Aizawa grabbed him and shoved him against the door, his eyes blaring blood red with the power of his Quirk.
"Trust me, Monoma. I'd love nothing more than to expel your ass right here and now but we here at UA believe in giving people second chances. If you waste this, you're out the door, blacklisted, and never to show your face to any other Hero School ever again."
Aizawa let Monoma go, the blonde gasping in terror before turning and fleeing, nobody noticing the wet stain forming in his crotch. Aizawa sighed as he turned to his students.
"Sorry, you had to see that..."
"Hey, sorry about Monoma..." Apologized a girl with orange hair in a side ponytail with teal eyes, Aizawa recognized her as Itsuka Kendo, one of Monoma's classmates from 1-B. "I tried to stop him, but he seemed so insistent on scouting out the big shot heroes."
"It wasn't your fault, Kendo. Kan needs to put him on a shorter leash."
"Terribly sorry for all the trouble!" Came the bombastic voice of Inasa Yoarashi, also from 1-B. "Monoma's actions were unbecoming of a true hero! I hope you can forgive us in 1-B for allowing him to antagonize you!"
Inasa bowed so hard, that he slammed his head into the ground, making an indent and causing his face to bleed from the force as Aizawa sighed while everyone in 1-A looked positively confused.
"Yoarashi, go see Recovery Girl."
"Yes, sir!"
As Chikuchi was watching all of this going down, Hitoshi turned to her with a wry smirk on his face.
"Welcome to 1-A, Togeike."
SANCTUARY
"I just wanted to bring this to your attention master." Jinko Wangei, President of the HPSC, wearing a Tiger ring and packing up for the day. What a rough one; Uwabami's murder, the leaked photos from Toyama….But come 10 minutes, it was his aide's problem. He was due for a vacation and that Hot Spring hotel had his name on it.
"This Riddler is certainly a disturbed soul, but he is of no consequence to our goals." His master said. "If anything, he has shown that Quirks are indeed blinding the masses if a woman like Uwabami was considered a hero."
"And Toyama's murder?"
"…I'll admit, seeing that sensationalist burn is a positive. And again, proof of what we of HumaRise know. Now, before you let me go…what of Sanctuary?"
"I signed the paperwork just now." Jinko smirked. "There is no way for any of them to successfully win the Sports Festival. And with the murdered student, UA will happily do whatever we request. Besides…All for One's grandson must be nipped."
His master went silent.
"Sir?" Jinko asked.
"I see myself in that boy…a bit." His master mused, fighting back the memories. "But you are right. He and the others must be destroyed for the good of humanity."
"Still, perhaps we should be careful moving forward?" Jinko suggested.
"Takeshi is already prepared for his part of the plan. And the scientists are working at a brisk place, thanks to Odalia." The mastermind mused. "But you bring up good points. For now? Enjoy your break."
The call then ended, and in walked Jinko's aide, an older woman with a serious look on her face.
"Convenient for this vacation to come at one of our biggest upsets." She mused/
"This? This is nothing. An upset would be All Might being revealed to be Quirkless or Miruko turning to religon. Uwabami was lovely but falling behind on hero work. This Riddler is probably just some crazed fan. Its tragic, but we will move on. Give it a few days and people will go back to focusing on the Hero-Killer or Endeavour hate."
"…This is not how the HPSC should be run." The aide growled.
"Then change it for the time I'm gone." Jinko smirked as he left his office and headed down to his car. Oh, he could feel the springs already!
He had just turned on the ignition and was reaching for the radio when a gloved hand grabbed his hand and another slammed him face first into the wheel until his nose was broken and he was gasping for air.
His attacker then pulled out a collar.
"Just stay still…."
TO BE CONTINUED….
Devil Dragon Stand Knight A/N:
Alright, this was an informative chapter. Sorry we couldn't feature more of Class Sanctuary but we needed to give some focus to our favorite kids in Class 1-A.
Also, it seems like the Riddler is making his move just like how he did in The Batman (2022). We also have Lady Nagant being hired by Nedzu to teach Class Sanctuary along with Mamako and Hound Dog. Also, in case you want to know who Ippan Josei is, she's that tall fox mutant girl that Izuku saved in the manga, just FYI.
Replacing the deceased Oujiro is Chikuchi Togeike, who actually is a canon character in BNHA, she's one of the two General Ed students from the Cultural Festival Arc. I figured we could have another girl student in 1-A and that's why I brought her in.
Anyway, the next chapter will begin the Sports Festival Arc, which will have quite a few surprises in store involving our Sanctuary kids.
Mrotrax A/N
A mostly calmer chapter before the storm…and what a storm it shall be. As DDSK mentioned, Santuary is going to shake things up. I won't say much else except that I can assure you things will NOT go in the canon order.
Riddler has officially crossed into Se7en territory here. Apologies if that was too shocking.
This chapter was supposed to also set up the MLA, who are sure to make things interesting and may or may not be allies of a sort to our heroes. However,nothing I wrote for them was satisfactory, so I've pushed it back to opening of the next chapter. In a way, I think it makes sense from a storytelling standpoint, as the members will now be watching the Sports Fest.
What do you think of Izuku now going full dragon? Or how his tail calms him down?
With that said, thank you all for the reads!
