Ah, nothing like a hot bath to soothe the joints.

I'm bathing in the hot pool within the 'resort' of this school retreat.

'Resort' is not quite accurate because the class's summer hero training is supposed to commence here. But the area provides clean lodging, timely food, and recreation activities as well. Not to mention, this hot pool is nothing less than luxurious.

Earlier during the day, I was having a pleasant nap. But that ended when suddenly the bus stopped somewhere on the highway. It was then that I realized that our training had begun. The Pro-Heroes taking care of the resort, The Wild & Wild Pussycats, were in tandem with Aizawa-sensei, and they dropped everyone off the cliff into the jungle below. Leviathans made of dirt and rock grew from the ground, and it was the class's task to defeat them and make it to the resort. The Pussycats expected everyone to be successful by noon. Though, that was not the case. Rather, with scrapes and bruises, dust and soot, the class staggered onto the resort grounds in the evening. The Pro-Hero responsible for the leviathans praised Shouto-kun, Bakugou-san, Midoriya-san, and Iida-san for their instinctive action.

There was a boy with the Pussycats, one who I had noticed was with them by the bus, too. Perhaps nearing the age of six. Midoriya-san went to him to introduce himself, only to receive a very painful and memorable introduction in return. Then the boy spouted foul words I would have never expected to hear from someone his age.

"Kid thinks he's an adult," Bakugou-san commented with a proud grin.

"Reminds me of someone I know," retorted Shouto-kun, stoic.

Bakugou-san's ire was provoked, and he shouted how he did not suppress all his emotions within him. Shouto-kun, in that same placid tone, told him it was a joke and to calm down. During this exchange, I think I was the most amused. Then I was saddened when I remembered that Shouto-kun had been oddly quiet with me since boarding off the bus.

While the rest of the class rushed inside to feast like beasts, I approached the Pussycat with chocolate hair. She told me that Sensei had informed her of a student with a disease, and that separate accommodations had already been made for me. Separate training regimen, separate dormitory, and separate hours to bathe. Upon further questioning, I learned the basic itinerary the teachers had planned for each day.

Just as I lather soap across my shoulders, an all-too familiar purple-black mist appears in the center of the pool, and an all-too familiar figure with plaster hands on his face and arms passes through.

"Shit!" Shigaraki exclaims as his trouser legs are soaked in the water.

Instinctively, I cover my chest and bring my legs close to me. "I should be the one saying that! But I don't like crass language. Anyway, what in tarnation are you doing here?!"

"The League has got new recruits, and we need to discuss our strategy of attack."

I sigh, "I know I gave you a phone call with the coordinates of this place. But I also told you I would call when I would be ready to come to the bar without anyone noticing. There are concepts such as dignity and modesty. Couldn't you have waited for my second call?"

He scoffs. "You and modest? Please. I've seen you naked many times, and I didn't even care. At this point, one would think you wouldn't be so bothered anymore, too."

Well, that is true that he has seen me without clothes often. But still. Cannot a lady retain some modicum of dignity? Even though this one has none? I glare at him in response. "Give me ten minutes to get ready. And do not peek."

He grumbles something along the lines of "Arrogant, little smart alec." I do not care. Within the ten minutes, I scrub myself hard and secure a bathrobe around myself. When I tell him that I am ready, he gives a mocking smirk and steps to the side. "After you, my lady," he sneers, extending his hand toward the warp gate.

I do pass through, but not before hitting him with my towel. Our tempers rise. We bicker like little children. Somehow, we end up playing tug of war, with the intent to beat the other senseless with the towel.

"I will lace poisoned wine in your milk, brat!" he shouts.

"In return, I will warp the electrical wires of your video game controller, so you will be electrocuted into a coma!"

It is only when Kurogiri throws both of us to the opposite ends of the room with portals beneath our feet that we stop. He even takes my cane. I get up, and that is when I notice that he is not the only audience in the bar. Dabi-san and Himiko-san are here, along with a man in a black and grey bodysuit, another man with an orange trenchcoat and geometric face mask, a third man with reptile scales, a fourth with a muscular build and facial hair, and of course, my least favorite broker, Giran.

Pride surges through me like a tempest. This time, I do not tend to my appearance. Doing so will reveal weakness, and I will not show weakness in front of strangers. During the scuffle, my robe slipped off my shoulders and loosened around my waist, revealing my sternum and a good portion of my legs. Let them stare and talk. I dare them to ostracize me. My eyes must convey the same sentiment because while the spectators do stare, they say nothing. I sit on the bar counter with my feet extended. Still, they say nothing. Good. But Giran exits the bar with a patronizing smile, vexing me to my core.

Kurogiri glances at me and passes me a bowl of ice cream before introducing everyone known and unknown. The ice cream is plenty to calm me, so I send him a silent thanks. The person with the bodysuit goes by the name Twice, the face mask one prefers the name Mr. Compress, and the reptilian is called Spinner. It was my mistake when I assumed the person with facial hair was a man. This person is a woman titled Magne. Then Kurogiri announces me. With a hand in my direction, he declares, "This is Hanada Selene. A student in the hero department of U.A. And our spy. Although, she prefers to go by the name Lucifer Morningstar."

"Named after the Avatar of Pride," Mr. Compress comments. "Very fitting."

I'm pleased with his lack of condescension. Twice-san eagerly exclaims his excitement to see me, one moment. But the next moment, he questions my choice of name. That warrants him a raised brow from me. Spinner-san simply huffs. Magne-san whistles at my boldness but curses my countenance. She also receives a questioning look from me. Himiko-san cannot wait to pounce on me again for blood, and Dabi-san glares at me with disdain. Hmm. Shigaraki must have finally approved of those two.

"Everyone here wants to be called by their names, without any honorifics, Selene. Keep that in mind," Kurogiri reminds me. That means I have to drop the -san when I refer to them. Then he addresses the reason for this impromptu rendezvous. "Do not assume that the League is now comprised of just the nine of us. The ninth being Shigaraki's mentor, All for One. There are more villains, but they are not present tonight because this is a private discussion. "The six of you," he ushers toward the six recruits, "along with three other villains not present at this meeting and a noumu will form the Vanguard Action Squad. Thanks to Selene and All for One, we have intel that Class 1-A of U.A. is residing in the Beast Forest for further hero training. And that is where we will strike.

"Consider this attack as a test to determine whether you are truly fit for the League. With my quirk, I will transport you to the forest. But from there, everything is in your hands. Your task is to capture the student Bakugou Katsuki and bring Selene with you."

I almost choke on the spoon of ice cream in my mouth. "Pardon?"

"Weren't you paying attention?" Shigaraki grumbles, never having moved from his position by the wall. "That barking kid with anger issues ranked first at the Sports Festival. And he hates that broccoli-haired piece of shit and All Might. If we can bring him here and persuade him to join the League, the image of peace brought on by heroes will be cracked permanently. And from there, it will be easier to bring down All Might and that lame excuse of a school."

That notion is too idealistic. "I've seen and talked with Bakugou-san multiple times. Yes, his anger is great, but his determination is supreme. His loyalty to becoming the next Number One hero far surpasses his grudge toward Midoriya-san and All Might. Do you really think you can convince a mountain of adamant like him to change sides? And what is it about stringing me along? Why am I being kidnapped when I am already your spy?"

"For all your smart schemes and strategies, it's honestly horrifying when you have idiotic moments like now," he complains. My tongue is ready with ripostes, but he does not give me the chance to speak. "That angry dog may have won the Festival, but you were the one people talked about. Your flashy performance with flowers and rainbows set you in stone as a foundation of hero society. Two months ago, the Pro-Heroes suspected us for kidnapping you when you were stuck on that miserable, cold European island. Let's make it true now. Two students snatched under their care, two birds with one stone. It will be a massive insult to them. Also, if Angry Dog doesn't comply to our wishes, we can lie that every time he resists is every time you get tortured. He may hate everyone, and he may threaten killing anyone who irritates him, but he won't let someone be pointlessly hurt because of his perseverance."

There is some logic to that. I take a hesitant bite of ice cream. But the risk is too much, and the result is unlikely. I tell as much to Shigaraki and Kurogiri, but it's Dabi who replies. "Before bringing you here, these two told me about you. You are the Bone Crusher Killer. Sorry, were. Because your identity is proclaimed 'deceased' in the police records. But that's beside the point. You sneaked into homes and killed people in them. You don't think that was risky? What kind of hypocrite are you?"

Although I am furious that Shigaraki and Kurogiri so carelessly told these strangers about my murderous persona, I direct that fury toward Dabi. With a voice icy and acidic, I answer, "I did it because the results justified the risk. I got my revenge. Society was rid of corrupt and animalistic imbeciles, heroes and all. But this venture that you are about to embark on does not seem likely of success. I would rather have you kidnap me and make a statement about how pathetic the hero industry is. Make the suspicions from so long ago true. All for One, say something!" All for One is ungratefully quiet. He's probably watching the spectacle unfold and will only speak when it ends.

"Why not now?" he taunts. Small flames hover in his hands. "Why not kill you, make a statement, and then abduct the bastard hero? Two strikes, one after the other. The Pro-Heroes won't be able to take that."

Without my cane nearby, I resort to summoning a spear of ice in my hands. My voice comes out lethally cold. "Do it. I dare you. Kill me and shorten your lifespan to just one minute." Himiko grins and unsheathes a knife from her arsenal. No doubt, she will savor the crimson liquid of whoever bleeds first.

"That's enough," Kurogiri orders. He turns toward Dabi. "She is right. Make any attempt on her life, and Shigaraki and I will not hesitate to end you. She is the first person we recruited, and we had to go through so much trouble to bring her. She is an invaluable asset." He waits for the flames to disappear, before turning to me. Understanding laces his voice. "Selene, your concern is justified. Indeed, the likelihood everything will go wrong is high. But the League of Villains was founded on that likelihood. We want to bring change to society, and that is definitely easier said than done. The chances we will all die is astronomical, but we are still willing to take this chance. Hero Killer Stain, although he declined our proposition, still dared to remove the blindfold on society's eyes. And it is thanks to him that so many villains have decided to join our cause." Shigaraki rolls his eyes at the mention of Stain, but he does not interrupt. Very odd behavior from him.

It is that restraint that puts everything into context. Kurogiri does not need to say the rest. As much as this abduction is a test for them, we are being tested, too. Since Stain, the activity of the League has been stagnant. And it has not escaped the notice of the arrivals. They are restless. They are expecting us to do something soon, now that our numbers have risen. If we do not, then they will be disappointed and will retaliate. It won't be heroes that bring an end to the villain organization, it will be infighting amongst its own members. An utterly disgraceful end. Villains resent mockery. I do, too.

This haphazard idea is to appease both our goals and their expectations.

I do not like it, but going along with it is in everyone's best interest.

I meet eyes with Shigaraki, and a silent agreement to talk in private soon is passed.

Reluctantly, I agree.

I gaze into everyone's eyes, making my voice clear with what I say next.

"I want to be in on this mission, not just as the pitiful victim."

Suspicious glances dart around, and one of the owners of those glances asks, "What do you mean?"

"Trust is vital in any operation, so let's play a game of getting to know each other, shall we?"