Lethe woke up to a grey sky and thought it matched his mood.

He got dressed in a hurry and went to meet with his newest co-workers, as he termed them.

Silk was waiting outside the meeting point, sketching something on one of her screens.

Lethe and her made sideways eye contact. Things were still a little chilly...

Lethe cleared his throat. "I...hope you don't hold any ill will for the memory suppression.... I was being coerced."

Silk shrugged. "I understand that." She plucked one thread out. "Did it shock you to find what you did inside my head?"

"Not much," Lethe said, "We all have our reasons.... How is my sister doing?"

"I guessed you did not really want to make small talk," Silk said dryly. She shrugged. "She is doing as well as can be expected. Training to control her quirk."

"She would not need to do that if she had listened to me," Lethe said.

"Perhaps many things would not be necessary, then," Silk said darkly.

Lethe tilted his head. "I have no affection for the League as a whole, but you were there for a while. Are you 100% sure you want to help take them down?"

"Who are you asking? Me or you?" Silk said, with no sign of any emotions about it, "This is what I was supposed to do, and you were dragged into it, yet you claim is what you want."

"No one leaves. I'm pragmatic, a survivor," Lethe said, "I survived my parents' death and the streets and my sister's mood swings."

"Hmm, like a moth to flame," Silk said.

"What?" Lethe said. 

"You're a moth to flame," Silk said, "Hover around the biggest, brightest distraction, but on your own, you have no direction, no personhood, without someone to live for."

Lethe was offended and said nothing.

Silk tore the rest of her screen in two, frowning at it. "I know why I'm here, Lethe, darling, but I wonder if you do. Better figure it out before you try to pull anything again. Do you believe that the Originals are right? Or do you just not have any other recourse? You survive on whatever you can get because you do not have the slightest inkling of what it is you want."

She smiled not very nicely. "I'll say, I liked that about your twin. Girl knows what she's after, and she pursued it relentlessly. In long run, I wonder who is more valuable to have on side. Without memory, I remain on target, but you, Little Man, can carry all memory of everyone you ever suppressed and yet never know yourself. You want to know how Medea is? Go find out on your own. Don't expect me to give you crutch to lean on." She walked inside.

Lethe glared murderously after her. "B----..." he muttered. And she'd been so nice before.

Things didn't always change. Silk despised him either way, he thought. Was this an omen of how Medea was going to view him? The longer she was separated, the more time the LOV could twist her against him...

He must get her back soon...

* * *

[This next scene is going to be a break from this story's plot line to set up a different fan fic I wrote with these characters that's a crossover with Naruto.

When I wrote this story, I wrote the crossover as part of this time line, but to upload it to Wattpad, I decided to separate them for time's sake, or this would be three times longer than it is and then some.

But I loved the character development and plot of that story, and it has some elements that carry over to this one, so I didn't cut it. This will be introducing it, and then I'll follow up later over the rest of this fic.

It's meant to make it feel blended and to give you and the MHA characters an idea of what it would be like to experience this on the other side. You'll see it more later.]

A few more days went by after the encounter with Dr. Ujiko and nothing happened.

It seemed the many enemies the group had were all at a stalemate.

Things settled down finally, and summer was just around the corner.

It was about this time that Shine came to the kids early on a Saturday morning to tell them a strange piece of news.

"This has never happened before," she prefaced it by saying, "but I've gotten a call...for a different world."

"What?" Shoto said.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Momo said.

"No," Shine said, "I thought that might be it, but I distinctly got the impression...well, that some of you are supposed to go with me."

"What?" Shoto said again.

"Not all of us." Shine tilted her head. "I can't explain why, but I just know..."

She looked at Shoto. "I think...you, for sure."

Shoto was shocked. "Wh--? But...another.... I don't..."

"I know." Shine gestured widely. "I can't explain it. This is how it always is. I don't usually get a warning, I just know.... I have only a few images in my head about what to look for...a person...red hair.... That's about it. And...a lot of yellow. And this intense agony inside. Don't know what that means.... So I know, it's kind of sudden, and hey, these missions are voluntary, so you can decline."

"But why would we ever...?" Momo puzzled.

Wally was eating breakfast. "And you're still sure it's just you, baby?"

Shine nodded. "I can't explain it, Wally. Maybe it's just a short mission. Sometimes little things need to be attended to. I've done that a couple times."

"So nothing too dangerous," Shoto said.

"I can't promise that," Shine said, "Again, you don't have to accept."

Shoto had to think for a while.

"I think if you're sure, it would be a waste to turn it down," he said, "I mean, if you need help...but...just going to another world.... I guess we've all thought about it...but it's kind of intimidating."

"Are you sure?" Momo said to him, "I...I mean...I'd be interested, but it's...going out of...our reality.... We've talked about it. I believed you both, but to see it..."

"It's not for everyone," Shine agreed, "but maybe it's for you. It takes a person who's willing to adapt.... I'd say Shoto does change his mind pretty quickly once he's seen a reason to. That's not a bad start."

"Who else did you think would come?" Bakugo asked, "It's just a short mission, then it's like a field trip or something."

Shine laughed. "I guess if it was a Magic School Bus field trip..."

"I'm willing," Shoto decided, "I don't think I'd be happy if I said no and had to live with that."

"Okay, my brave boy," Shine said, "but..." she tilted her head, "I...kind of have a sense, too, like you're supposed to choose...two other people. That's what it feels like."

"Two?" Shoto said.

"Yes, but not just out of this room, out of our whole group," Shine said, "It can be anyone."

Shoto thought. "Anyone?"

"But don't make it based on preference. It has to be a gut feeling," Shine said.

"I don't usually use gut feelings," Shoto said.

"Then this will be a good practice," Shine said.

Bakugo still thought it'd be him, but after a few moments of thinking hard, Shoto said, "I think it's Momo."

Momo almost choked. "Oh...you don't have to pick me just because we're dating. I understand."

"No, I just can't think of anyone better than you," Shoto said point blank.

Momo reddened.

"And she'd be good at it," Shoto said, "She's learned from you the fastest."

Shine shrugged. "I must admit, this feels like training for you...so perhaps."

"But I don't know--the other person I thought of isn't one I'd really want to pick," Shoto said.

"Oh, don't tell me--it was Dabi," Shine said.

"How did you know?" Shoto blinked.

"Eh, I kind of had a gut feeling too," Shine said, "and what you just said..."

"Dabi!?" Bakugo was mad. "What about me?"

"Katsuki," Shine said sternly, "listen, this isn't about skill or character. DJ-ing is very, very specific. The full reasons we're chosen for it are not usually clear at the beginning. It's not that you're not good enough, it's that you're not suited to whatever situation we're going to resolve. And trust me, you'd not have a pleasant trip if you weren't suited to it."

Bakugo huffed. "But I don't want to stay here."

"I do have a job for you though," Shine said.

Camie was present too, though she'd been too dumbfounded to speak so far.

"I think this will be short," Shine said, "but it means we'll be out of the loop for a bit, so I want you to communicate with us in case anything changes.... You never know."

"It's not way stressful for you to go to a whole 'nother world?" Camie said.

"It's not much different than a business trip to another country," Shine said, "not for me. I'm used to it. It won't faze me for long.... I don't know about you guys though."

Momo and Shoto felt a little sick.

"Will Dabi even agree? He's under house arrest," Momo said.

"Oh, well," Shine said, "likely as not it will hardly take any time at all for us to do this, so he'll be back here before anyone even notice he's gone. I can get him easily enough. And since, incidentally, him going out of the world isn't illegal, we're not breaking the law."

"He's going out of his house," Shoto said.

"I think interdimensional portaling is not the same," Shine said.

Shoto sighed. "Maybe he'll say no."

Dabi didn't say no.

In fact, he said this sounded like fun. "What do I have to lose? Jail time? The Baking Network? I couldn't care less. I'd like to see what all this other worldly stuff is about."

Shine smiled. "Well, okay then... I have a list of supplies you all should pack. Touya, I'll get your stuff. It's always wise to be prepared."

"And we will come back," Shoto said.

"I'll just say, you're as likely to come back from this as any of your regular daily activities," Shine said, "Other worlds aren't really any more dangerous than our own, just different...so, yeah..."

"Should we ask Mr. Aizawa?" Momo was a little overwhelmed.

"Only if you want him to strangle me..." Shine said.

[From this point on, it will all pick up in the other story.

The goal of including it here, along with set up, was to show what it's like to see a DJ leave the world and come back, and how it affects the current world. It's hard to show that any other way except this way, sort of deepening the experience of the story. Some people may find that interesting. If you don't, you can always just skip this part.

They eventually blend together by the end, but most of it you don't need to know to understand this one.

I'll include what is relevant in later chapters.

Some of you may find this annoying, but think of it as how the show sets up movie plots in certain episodes that don't make sense until you see the movie and only have a small bearing on the show. It's like that.

I have no idea when I'll get the other fic uploaded to Wattpad, but I am planning to, Lord willing, sometime in the next year once this one is finished.]

[End of interlude]

* * *

The whole "field trip" only took up a day in their world's time, and the next the group spent recovering.

Camie and Bakugo got to hear every sordid detail and tried not to be jealous that they didn't get to go.

"At least you still helped us," Shine said, "All those messages saved our butts."

"That's what I do," Camie said, "Nerd out."

[All this is explained in the other fic, btw. Just go with it for now.]

"I'm so tired, though..." Momo said, "I'm so glad it's Sunday, not a school day."

"Hey, Shine," Wally slid in, "if you're not too bushed, Hawks and Fat Gum and I sort of planned a hang out while you were gone... We were all gonna bring a friend."

"I'm actually not too tired," Shine said, "All I did was fight some ninja, break a few curses, and walk through forests...and a desert...so yeah, nothing unusual."

Bakugo snorted.

"And it's just a few hours, right?" Shine said.

"You really don't have to," Wally said, "I feel bad making you go out."

"Do you not want me to?"

"No, I do. I just don't want you to force yourself to," Wally said.

"If I get too tired, you can bring me home, okay?" Shine said.

"Well...all right. I'll let them know." Wally brightened up.

Shine turned to the girls once he left. "Always make time for your man, ladies. Good rule of thumb."

"When I get one, I'll do that," Camie sighed.

"I think Shoto would rather sleep than go out," Momo said.

"I forgot to say knowing your man also is a big plus," Shine said, "and if you know him, you'll know what he'd want, then."

"Soba?" Momo said.

"I'd say so," Shine said.

"But the man should make time for you too," Camie said.

"Which is why he invited me. I feel sorry for women who never get invited," Shine said, "At his world, he purposely makes sure I'm there so he can dodge all those piranhas in the shape of women on the prowl."

"That's hilarious," Camie snickered. 

"Anyway, I'd better rest up before tonight," Shine said, "But I swear, if Hawks just wants to get KFC, I'm bailing. I hate KFC. Real fried chicken is from the grocery store or home-cooked."

"Don't say that. KFC is good," Camie said.

"Gross." Shine made a face. "Unless it's different in Japan."

"Well, given how Americans have really over processed food--" began Shoto, sleepily walking past them.

"Nobody cares!" Bakugo cut him off.

"Love you," Shine grinned.

* * *

Mirko was on the job when Hawks buzzed her. "Want to go out tonight?"

"What?" she said.

"Not on date. I'm having a get together with the DJs (why do you guys call them that, by the way?), and Fat Gum is coming too. I think he's bringing his girlfriend. I even heard Tensei Iida and Cece might be in on it. I'm trying to get Eraserhead and Joke to come too."

"If it's getting KFC, I'll pass," Mirko said.

"No, no, it's gonna be hopping," Hawks said, "I know this great underground joint. No one will think twice of heroes showing up there--kind of the appeal. They don't allow photographers either, so it won't make it to social media...probably."

"I don't know..." Mirko said. 

"I'll buy," Hawks said.

Mirko tilted an ear. "Well, I guess it would be nice to get out of the lair... Fine. Free food is always a good reason to go out."

"You said it."

"I gotta go." Mirko took off after some more villains she spotted.

Later she realized she really didn't know what to wear to this...

"I don't really get out much these days," she complained.

"Girl, I have got this," Medea said, "We went shopping, remember? I talked you into that one outfit. It's a club--you don't have to wear a dress."

"I only brought that because I didn't bring all my clothes from home," Mirko said.

"So? And I've got make up, remember? Just like that other event.... Only this one will end better, I'm sure," Medea said, "You ever think of coloring your hair?"

"No!" Mirko was horrified at the mere thought.

"We've got this." Medea was resolute.

[Image design by Onerose, edit by me, original template to original creator.]

Not too long later, they were finished. Medea didn't over do it. The result wasn't really dressy, just more casual than hero wear.

"You know, you're really pretty." Medea was kind of jealous. "Why is it the pretty ones always don't care?"

"It just doesn't matter," Mirko said.

"Yeah, because it doesn't have to," Medea said.

"Not all ugly people care," Mirko said.

Medea snorted. "You're so crass... Well, anyway...I wish I was going. I hate being cooped up here. But I know you won't let me sneak in, even with my fake ID."

"You have a fake ID?" Mirko said.

"I know, horrendous," Medea said.

"I had one in high school. Ren knew people," Mirko said, "but we didn't use it for bars."

"What did you--?"

"Getting into movies rated R," Mirko said, "Horror and action stuff. And other things."

"Lame," Medea said.

"And you think get hammered in a smoke filled, dirty, little crowded room is so much cooler?" Miro scoffed, "I'm only going to this because I was promised free food."

"Where are you going?" Shigaraki walked in right then. "Because if it's like last time, you should stay home."

"As if I'd listen to you," Mirko scoffed.

"Shigaraki, you think black is a good color for her? Did I go too dark?" Medea said.

"Why the h--- would I know?"

"Compress told me you have like this totes chic outfit hidden away somewhere, so you like clothes, right?" Medea said.

"Compress!" Shigaraki was mad. "That snitch!"

"Tea?" Mirko said.

"It was a king outfit," Medea said, "with a cape and everything. He showed me a picture...and honestly, it wasn't as cringe as it sounds. I'd totally wear that, if I had the chance."

"Shut up," Shigaraki said.

"I think it's fine," Medea went back to her own question, "You actually can pull black off. Why do you always wear white? It's so boring"

''I'm a white rabbit," Mirko said, "and, like, the moon... Who cares?"

"But, like, red is better on you," Medea said.

"Shut up."

"Of course any color would look good on you. I wish I could tan..." Medea sighed.

"Oh, knock it off," Mirko said, "You've got nothing to complain about. Look at everyone else in this League."

"That's just rude," Medea said, "They aren't so bad... Compress probably isn't ugly either. He just likes to be dramatic."

"You know, I couldn't care less." Mirko straightened. "Well, I guess I'd better go before they order for me. And FYI, drill sergeant, the DJs will be there, along with a bunch of Pros, so I really doubt anyone would mess with us."

Shigaraki huffed.

"If she gets to go out, can I go out?" Medea said, "Because, like, I have a boyfriend now, so it'd be nice if we could get to see each other out of therapy."

"You have what?" Shigaraki looked stunned.

"Ohh, this conversation is happening now," Mirko said, "Well, good luck with that." She winked at Medea.

"Hey! Jerk! Don't just leave me here!" Medea cried, "Back me up."

"I think all that stuff is crap, so why would I care?" Mirko was gone already.

"Thanks so much," Medea muttered sarcastically.

* * *

The club/bar was one of the underground nightlife things that always pop up for people who have a tough public image to maintain.

Hawks and Fat Gum told Shine and Wally about it while they waited for the rest of the party to show up.

"Heroes need a break sometimes," Hawks said, "so establishments like this started making it a selling point that no paparazzi or cameras would be allowed inside. All crime is handled by their security. It's sort of under the table, but Pros look the other way so they have somewhere they can hang out without being swarmed with fans. It's hard to find these places though. You have to know someone who know someone who knows someone, etc. One of my sidekicks told me about this."

"Well, I'm not a huge bar person," Wally said, "I prefer diners. Food is cheaper, and you get more of it. Alcohol has absolutely no effect on me."

"Lucky for you," Fat Gum said happily ,"these places are meant to appeal to Pros, so they don't make it all about the booze. There's a nice menu too." He opened one. "I recognized the grilled meat section. We can cook it right here at the table."

"I'll need to get used to this..." Shine eyed the grill in the table.

"Helloooo!" Miss Joke sing-songed as she found them, "How's everyone?"

"I only came because Hawks said he was buying..." Aizawa said, "and he owes me a drink for that whole rescue mission."

"I do..." Hawks admitted, "but why did you two arrive together?"

"He picked me up because UA has cars," Miss Joke said.

"Ohh," Hawks said.

"You must tell me all about your bonus mission," Miss Joke said to Shine.

"Let's do that over tea." Shine jerked her head at Hawk while he wasn't looking.

"Right, girl talk," Miss Joke said.

"What up, losers." Mirko walked in finally. "So you all came, huh?"

"What, no villain?" Wally said, "Also, can someone read this menu to me? They don't have English translation..."

"This isn't 5 star," Hawks said, "but it's not bad. I recommend that..." He pointed.

"If it's fried chicken, then no," Shine said, "because I have no faith in them. I like my fried chicken done American style."

"There's no difference," Hawks said, "but it's kind of a special thing here. You guys have it all over in the USA. I'm a little jealous."

"Most of it is garbage, but I have Southern relatives, and they always got that good stuff," Shine said, longingly, "Man, now I want it..."

"I suddenly like you way more," Hawks said, "because fried chicken is just underrated around here."

"Stop drooling and just order." Mirko sat down.

"I'm getting drinks," Aizawa said.

"I will too," Emi said, "Uh...do you two want any?" to Shine and Wally.

"Nah," Shine waved it off, "Portaling under the influence is a bad idea."

Miss Joke chuckled. "That's funny..."

"My date should be here soon," Fat Gum said, "If my sidekicks were a little older, I would have invited them, but oh well. It's nice to talk with others adults, isn't it, West?"

"Oh, sure," Wally said.

"I never see much of a difference between adults and kids," Shine said, "People are people. It's a homeschooled thing."

"Kids are so bratty..." Mirko frowned at her menu.

After a while of comparing teaching stories, the group got their orders.

Fat Gum's girlfriend Hina had also had arrived by then.

[Since MHA tik toks are canon here, I'm just going with that.]

Cece and Tensei did arrive late... Aizawa wasn't happy to see Cece.

But Mirko was even less happy.

Miss Joke and her seemed to get along well though.

"You know, there's some latin dancing going on over there." Hawks pointed towards the dancing section of the club. "Anyone up for it?"

"I think we should wait," Shine said, "I invited one more person, but I think she had a hard time finding this spot. I'm gonna go outside and meet her."

"Who did you invite?" Hawks said.

Shine didn't answer. She just walked away.

"Another benefit to my metabolism," Wally was saying to Fat Gum, "is drugs don't work on me either."

"That's useful," Fat Gum said.

"And you?"

"Depends... I have noticed a lot of medicine affects me differently with my quirk..."

Mirko looked bored.

"Listening to them is exhausting, isn't it?" Aizawa said.

Mirko shrugged. "Let's just say compared to who I've been hanging around, this is tame. Not much for socializing anyway."

"I hear you." Aizawa took a sip of his drink.