Hybrid Theory

Laughter could be heard throughout the halls of the Black Cult compound as Black Sabbath enjoyed what he saw.

"Not bad, boy, not bad at all. You really showed those brats how outclassed they are," stated the cult leader as he patted the dull-eyed Izuku's head as if the boy were a dog. "Although I wish that you would have brought back that kid with the tail or the shadow bird, but beggars can't be choosers."

Black Sabbath then left his office, with Izuku following after. As they walked down the hall and made their way to the main room where the rest of the cult members were, a wide, evil grin appeared on Sabbath's face.

"I think it's time to start final preparations for my goal."

-:-

The atmosphere at the Class 1-A dorm was gloomy, as the members had returned from their search for Midoriya and learning of what happened to the boy. No one knew what to say or do right now, still trying to process everything.

'Izuku…' thought Kyouka as she laid on one of the couches, a cloud of depression hovering over her.

"We need to go find Deku-kun!" declared Ochaco, not willing to give up.

"But how are we going to do that? We barely found him the first time. Plus, he's been holding back on us this entire time!" exclaimed Kaminari, referring to how the greenie managed to take down a few of them with ease. Satou and Ojirou were still out of commission and Sero wasn't doing much better, although he was at least still conscious.

Kaminari's words unfortunately caused Bakugou to go off. "Shitty, fucking Deku! Thinks he can look down on me?! I'll fucking kill him when I get my hands on him!"

"That's enough, Bakugou!" came the reprimand from Iida.

"Seriously, Baku-bro. Midori-bro was clearly not himself when we found him and that those black robed guys did something to him," explained Kirishima, trying to make his buddy see sense.

"I don't give a damn what those robed fuckers did! Fucking Deku's been looking down on me this whole time by not going all out!" yelled the bomb boy, not letting up on his tirade as he set off a few small explosions. "When I get my hands on h-Graaaaaaaah!"

Bakugou wasn't able to finish his thought when he suddenly dropped to the floor as sound wave after sound wave was injected into his body courtesy of a pissed off Kyouka, who couldn't take any more of his inane ranting out of his jealousy over Izuku. The others didn't dare stop her out of fear of being Kyouka's next target.

"Shut up! Just the hell shut up, you explosive ass!" yelled out the rocker girl as she glared hatefully at the convulsing ashy blond. "Those assholes did something to Izuku's head and you think that means he's looking down on you?! What the hell is wrong with you, you selfish prick?!"

With one more burst of sound, Kyouka left Bakugou a twitching mess as she turned and headed towards the door.

"K-Kyouka? Where are you going?" questioned Momo, worried that her friend might do something she might regret.

"To find Izuku!" growled out Kyouka. "I should have went after him earlier when I had the chance! And anyone who tries to stop me will get the same thing the explosive ass got!"

Despite the warning, Momo needed to stop Kyouka before she got hurt. Before she could do anything though, the door opened and Tokoyami stepped inside. Seeing a new obstacle in her way, Kyouka directed her glare at the raven, who just raised an eyebrow in turn before he realized what she wanted.

"If you are planning on going after Midoriya, Jirou, you will need to be better prepared," stated Tokoyami as he sidestepped the girl and made his way over to the dining area.

Kyouka followed after, her glare still on him. "You better start explaining, Tokoyami! You clearly know something about what's been going on and I want answers!"

"Yeah, Bro-koyami! Where were you anyway?" asked Kirishima as he and the others came over, leaving the twitching Bakugou on the floor.

"I was speaking with Principal Nezu and Aizawa-sensei, explaining to them what we are dealing with."

"And that is what exactly?" questioned Iida.

Tokoyami grimaced as he placed a notebook on one of the dining tables. "The Black Cult."

The name was unfamiliar to the others, but the simple fact that it was a cult didn't sit well with them. Kyouka had actually tensed up at the thought that her Izu-kun was forced into a cult.

"What exactly is this Black Cult, gero?"

"It is an organization that is said to have been around since the Dawn of Quirks," started Tokoyami.

"D-Dawn of Quirks?!" exclaimed Kaminari, he and the others finding that hard to believe.

The bird-headed boy let out a slight hum before continuing. "That is correct, although whether or not it is true is up for debate. What is known is their reason for existing."

"I don't care what their reason is! They took Izuku and I'm going to get him back!" snapped Kyouka, ready to bring hell onto those villains.

"Then we will have to save Midoriya soon before they use him for their true purpose," replied Tokoyami, looking none too pleased with what he was about to say next. "Members of the Black Cult are believers of the Hybrid Theory."

"Wh-What's the Hybrid Theory?" asked Tooru, she the rest of Class 1-A already not looking forward to the explanation.

"…During the Dawn of Quirks it was believed that those with animal-based Quirks and eventually animal-like characteristics were considered the strongest individuals for having such primal abilities," explained Tokoyami. "It was because of this belief that those without animal-based Quirks wanted that power for themselves and started the Black Cult to create new, stronger generations."

"Please tell us that they didn't do what I think they did," said Mina, feeling sick to her stomach. She wasn't the only one feeling this.

"I wish that I could, Ashido-san, but unfortunately the Black Cult would kidnap those with animal-based Quirks and use them as breeding stock against their will in the hopes of gaining stronger offspring that they can mold into soldiers."

Time felt as if it came to a standstill for Kyouka as she took in what Tokoyami said. Just what the hell were those villains going to do to her greenie?!

"B-But why would they kidnap Deku-kun then? He doesn't have an animal Quirk!" exclaimed Ochaco, about to have a breakdown.

"As I mentioned, they want to use animal-based individuals as breeding stock to create strong offspring. This is where those like Midoriya come in as Midoriya possesses a strong Quirk of his own and the Black Cult would believe combining it with an animal-based Quirk will create an even stronger child," explained Tokoyami with a scowl. "Considering how we found Midoriya, my guess is that someone in the cult has some sort of mind control Quirk to make their captives much more willing to do the cult's bidding."

"Dude! That's sick!" yelled out Kaminari, disgusted. "What makes them think this Hybrid Theory thing even works?"

"A-Ano, th-there's actually s-some truth t-to it," stuttered out the animal expert, Kouda. He shyly explained when everyone turned to him. "Th-The mule is t-technically a hybrid, b-being the offspring of a m-male donkey and a f-female horse. M-Mule are smaller th-than horses, b-but stronger th-than donkeys, wh-which is why th-they're used more often as p-pack animals."

Tokoyami let out a hum as he nodded in confirmation. "Kouda is correct. The Black Cult believe they can achieve similar results with its victims and members."

After hearing all of this, Kyouka turned and stomped her way towards the door. Hell hath no fury like a woman whose love has been taken from her.

"K-Kyouka! You can't just go after them! We need to come up with a plan!" exclaimed Momo, trying to get her friend to see reason.

"I already have a plan! Find these bastards, kick their ass, and bring Izuku back home!" seethed the purplette. "We all know Izuku well enough to know what his reaction would be if he ever found out what that cult would make him do! I won't let that happen!"

"Jirou, while I agree with you, I must also agree with Yaoyorozu," stated Tokoyami, stepping forward. "I want nothing more than to stop the Black Cult. Having my bird-like appearance and knowing what they do to those like me, stopping them is part of the reason I chose the path to become a hero, but we will not be able to do anything to stop them or help Midoriya without thinking of a plan first."

Kyouka clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. She felt helpless. She already failed Izuku once already; she didn't want to fail him again.

"G-Guys? I think we won't have time to come up with a plan," said a scared looking Mina as she showed her cellphone.

On the screen was a live newsfeed that had popped up and what was happening put a chill through everyone's body. Hundreds upon hundreds of robed figures were causing mayhem and destruction in the city, with people running in terror if they hadn't been capture first. The camera then shifted to a rooftop and Class 1-A was ready to leap into action.

For on the rooftop was Izuku standing next to who the class could only assume was the man who took their friend in the first place.

CHAPTER END

-:-

Now we know a bit more of the Black Cult and why Tokoyami was taking Midoriya's kidnapping as personally as Kyouka was. Next up will be the battle against the Black Cult and we'll see quite a few Pros dealing with the assault.