Chapter Thirteen: 

The morning sun pours over the horizon, its golden light mingling with the somber tones of the news broadcast. On the screen, the image of U.A. High looms in the background, scarred by the violence of the previous attack. The news anchor's voice trembles with the weight of the truth they must now convey to the public, their words sharp, cutting through the air.

"In a terrifying turn of events, the League of Villains attacked U.A. High's Hero Course students. The criminal forces had one goal: the death of the Symbol of Peace, All Might."

Images flash on the screen—smoke rising from the rubble of the U.S.J. The faces of the students, tired and bruised, covered in ash and sweat, their eyes wide with the trauma of a battle they could never have prepared for. The heroic figure of All Might, towering in his glory, now nothing more than a shadow, his absence haunting the words of the reporter.

"Seventy-two criminals were arrested in the aftermath of the attack, including notorious members of the League. However, the leader, a figure known only as Tomura Shigaraki, has managed to escape. The whereabouts of this individual remain unknown."

The camera cuts away from the grim statistics and focuses on the serene, dangerous beauty of the forest where Y/N had fled. Her ruby-red scales gleam in the distance, the shadows of the trees no longer seeming to be her refuge, but her kingdom, her throne. A quiet strength resonates in her golden eyes as the echo of past battles and dark choices weigh heavy on her shoulders. She watches the news from the safety of her woodland kingdom, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the chaos unfolding back at U.A.

She shifts, a ripple in the air around her as her wings stir—silent, regal. A breath escapes her lips as the realization hits: the fight is far from over. Though the students had won their battle at U.S.J., the true war has only begun. And in the corners of the world, shadows stir, lurking just out of sight.

The news anchor's words fade into the background as Y/N's mind races, a mixture of longing and uncertainty clouding her thoughts. What role does she play in all of this? Is she merely a weapon or a queen in exile? Her eyes narrow, her claws twitching in the silence of the forest, as a dark resolve settles over her.

This battle isn't over, she thinks to herself. Not yet.

ˏˋ ╎ ⁀➷❤️🍒'ˎ˗

The morning after the attack, the air around U.A. feels different, heavier—more uncertain. The usual vibrancy of the campus is gone, replaced with a quiet, uneasy stillness. The school is closed for the day, the students sent home, some to recover, others to grapple with the terror that had befallen them. A tense gathering of U.A.'s faculty members fills the principal's office, an air of urgency hanging between them as they discuss the aftermath of the League of Villains' attack.

The once lively space is now weighed down with the unspoken implications of the threat they all face. The room is filled with prominent figures: Shota Aizawa, his usual disheveled presence sharpened by the circumstances; Nezu, sitting in his chair, silent but keenly observing; and Thirteen, still rattled by the events she had witnessed.

At the center of the conversation, though, is a figure who looms larger than any of them. The door swings open, and Naomasa Tsukauchi, the head of the police investigation, steps into the room. His usually calm demeanor is taut, the shadows under his eyes revealing just how much the night before had taken its toll on him. The police force had barely managed to contain the chaos, and now they were tasked with unraveling the details of the attack, including the mysterious role played by Y/N.

Tsukauchi pulls a chair out, his face stoic as he faces the faculty. "We need to consider every angle," he begins, but his eyes flicker briefly to All Might, who stands in the corner of the room, his towering figure still commanding attention despite the fatigue from the previous day.

"I've been reviewing the reports," Tsukauchi continues, his voice level but firm. "Y/N's presence on the battlefield was... unexpected. There's no denying that she helped in the fight, but the manner in which she engaged the villains—her power, the way she unleashed it—has raised concerns."

The silence thickens, a coldness creeping into the air as his words hang in the room. Y/N's actions—her dragon-like transformation, her fierce defense of her classmates—had been powerful, but also dangerous. Her powers were unlike anything they had ever witnessed before, and Tsukauchi knows that power always brings questions.

"She nearly decimated half the villains," Aizawa cuts in, his voice steady but tinged with worry. "But that kind of destruction... it can't be ignored."

"She was in control," All Might interjects, his voice carrying an unmistakable weight of authority. He stands straighter, his eyes narrowing with determination. "I know Y/N. She saved my students. If it weren't for her, things could've turned out much worse. We cannot just focus on her power; we have to understand her intent."

Tsukauchi shifts uncomfortably at All Might's words, the slightest flicker of tension in his eyes. They've known each other for years, worked together for so long, and Tsukauchi respects All Might—he does. But today, his loyalty to his job, to his duty as an investigator, pushes him to challenge what he's hearing. "I understand she helped, but the way she handled the situation—it was... borderline uncontrolled. And you know as well as I do, All Might, that power like hers—especially when it's unpredictable—could be dangerous in the wrong hands."

Aizawa lets out a low sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "She didn't attack first, though. She was reacting to the threat. But Tsukauchi is right. We need to be cautious. We can't afford another incident like this."

Nezu's voice breaks through the rising tension. "Perhaps... perhaps it's not about caution alone," he muses, his eyes glimmering with that characteristic wisdom. "Maybe it's about understanding what has happened to her—what made her the way she is. This dragon, this... queen, she isn't just a student with a powerful quirk. There's more to her story than we know."

All Might turns to Nezu, his expression softening just slightly. "I understand your concerns, Tsukauchi, but we can't forget what she did. She protected them. She protected my students, my responsibility. Y/N may be more complicated than we realize, but her heart is in the right place."

A long silence fills the room after those words. Tsukauchi's jaw tightens, but he nods, albeit reluctantly. "We still need to keep an eye on her. The League of Villains might have targeted U.A. for a reason. If she's connected to this in any way, we need to know."

All Might meets Tsukauchi's gaze firmly, his voice quiet but unwavering. "She's not the enemy. The enemy is out there, still plotting. And as far as I'm concerned, Y/N is part of our team now."

The tension in the room lingers, but for a moment, it seems as if the storm has passed. Tsukauchi exhales slowly, finally nodding in agreement. "Alright. We'll focus on the villains. For now, we'll keep an eye on her... but I don't want anyone forgetting the threat we're facing."

Nezu looks around at the room, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of the faculty. "We will keep watch, but we must also prepare. U.A. may not be safe for much longer, and I suspect this attack was only the beginning."

With that, the meeting comes to a close, and the weight of the responsibility they all share settles back in. Outside, the air is thick with the uncertainty of what's to come. The League of Villains is still out there. But inside U.A., there is a strange hope—a belief that no matter how dark things get, they will rise together, as heroes.

ˏˋ ╎ ⁀➷❤️🍒'ˎ˗

Outside the gates of U.A., the bright midday sun casts a warm glow on the school grounds, but there's an unsettling undercurrent in the air. The aftermath of the attack on the USJ still hangs like a thick fog over the students and faculty, and the tension only seems to rise as the media swarms the campus.

Y/N walks quietly alongside Izuku, her long tail swishing behind her, her golden eyes scanning the surrounding area. She's been silent, ever since they left the school building, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. The events at the USJ still weigh on her—her powers, the destruction, the fear of what could have happened had she lost control. She's grateful for the brief moment of peace, even if it's just the quiet walk with her friend.

But it doesn't last long. A small cluster of reporters rushes toward them, eager to catch the next big scoop. Cameras flash and microphones are thrust forward, aiming at the pair.

"Y/N, how did it feel to face off against the League of Villains?" one of them calls, their voice sharp with the hunger for a headline.

Another one pushes forward, "Is there something between you and All Might? Could you be the new face of U.A.'s hero course?"

Y/N's eyes narrow, her posture stiffening. The reporters, undeterred, continue with their barrage of questions, some more invasive than others.

Izuku, already feeling the weight of the media's scrutiny, tenses. He can see how uncomfortable Y/N is with the sudden attention. Her usual calm demeanor begins to shift, the hint of something dangerous in her eyes—a flicker of gold, her fangs becoming momentarily visible.

Before the situation can escalate, Y/N's patience runs out. She bares her teeth in a sharp grin, her eyes glowing brighter, and with a swipe of her wing, the air around them shifts. A gust of wind blows through the crowd, knocking the reporters back, sending them stumbling away from the pair as they scatter in shock.

Izuku watches in awe as the reporters scramble, too afraid to press any further. He sighs in relief, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thank you, Y/N," he says, offering a sheepish smile.

Y/N, her expression softening, looks up at him, a small ear twitching as she smiles back. "It was nothing," she murmurs, the hint of a playful tone in her voice as she walks alongside him again.

As they make their way toward the gates, they see Aizawa and Present Mic standing at the front, trying to keep the reporters at bay. The two heroes are doing their best to maintain some semblance of order, though they seem overwhelmed by the press's persistence.

Y/N looks at them for a moment, then shrugs, her wings flexing slightly. Without a word, she strides over toward the two teachers, her powerful wings cutting through the air as she stands before the reporters, her golden eyes shining with a mixture of annoyance and authority.

With another swift movement, she swipes her wing through the air, and the reporters are sent flying backward once again, many tripping over one another as they scramble to escape her formidable presence.

Aizawa blinks, momentarily taken aback by the sight of her standing there, her wings wide and regal, a quiet menace in her posture.

Present Mic, on the other hand, bursts out laughing, his voice booming despite the chaos. "Oh, thank you, L/N!" he calls, grinning from ear to ear.

Y/N simply nods, her golden eyes gleaming. She glances back at Izuku, who looks a little nervous but thankful at the same time.

"Don't worry, Izuku," she says softly, her voice a reassuring rumble. "The reporters won't bother you anymore."

Izuku looks at her, his gratitude evident, though there's still a small tinge of concern on his face. "I just... I hope things don't get worse with all this attention," he murmurs.

Y/N gives him a knowing look, her tail flicking behind her. "We'll deal with it when it comes. For now, let's get out of here."

With that, the two of them walk toward the school gates, leaving behind the chaos of the media, the air now calmer, and a sense of protection—whether in the form of her wings or her unwavering determination—lingering between them.

ˏˋ ╎ ⁀➷❤️🍒'ˎ˗

The classroom buzzes with the sounds of chatter as the students of Class 1-A settle into their seats. The morning light filters through the windows, casting a soft glow on the eager faces of the young heroes in training. The usual energy is there, but there's an underlying tension, a quiet hesitation as many of them are still processing the aftermath of the League of Villains' attack on the U.S.J.

Y/N sits near the back, a silent presence, their golden eyes unfocused as they stare ahead. Their usual calm demeanor is not unshaken, but today, it feels different—more withdrawn. Mina, ever the bubbly and warm-hearted student, notices the change. She leans over with a soft smile, trying to break through the quiet barrier Y/N has created.

"Y/N, are you okay?" Mina asks gently, her voice filled with concern, but Y/N doesn't answer. They merely flick an ear in her direction, their tail flicking idly behind them.

Izuku, noticing Y/N's silence, glances over at her with a worried frown. He's been growing more concerned about his friend, especially since the chaos of the USJ incident. He remembers the raw power she unleashed, the immense pressure she had been under. The words of gratitude she spoke to him are still vivid in his mind, but even then, he couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't okay.

Bakugo, sitting next to Izuku, doesn't say anything but shoots a glance toward Y/N, his usual fiery expression replaced with something more subdued. He doesn't know what to make of her sudden silence. He's seen her power, seen her strength, but this... this was different. Even someone as proud and brash as him couldn't deny that there was something weighing heavily on her.

Just as the tension starts to build, Aizawa enters the room, his tired eyes immediately scanning the class. His disheveled appearance, as usual, is the perfect reflection of how serious he is. The students fall silent as he stands before them, ready to speak.

"Listen up," Aizawa's voice is commanding yet calm. "I know you've all been through a lot after the attack at the U.S.J., but there are more important matters ahead."

Y/N shifts slightly, but doesn't respond.

Aizawa looks at them briefly, his gaze flicking over to Y/N, a small nod acknowledging their quiet strength. "Y/N didn't sustain any major injuries," he continues, "just a scar under the right eye and a burn mark on their arm. Everything's taken care of. The rest of you—stay in one piece." His words are blunt, but his intention is clear: moving forward is the most important thing.

There's a collective sigh of relief, especially from Izuku, who looks over at Y/N again, his anxiety momentarily eased. Mina relaxes as well, giving Y/N a small but relieved smile, but still there's an undercurrent of concern for their friend.

"Now," Aizawa says, turning toward the board, "the next big event we're preparing for is the U.A. Sports Festival."

The mention of the festival immediately catches the attention of the students. The room grows quieter as they begin to murmur amongst themselves. The Sports Festival is an annual event that garners the attention of heroes and agencies from all over the country. It's a huge deal for any student training at U.A., and the chance to prove their worth is something most of the students are looking forward to.

But there's a sense of unease, too, especially for those who are still shaken by the attack.

"Isn't it a little soon?" asks Tenya, his voice filled with concern. "After everything that happened, shouldn't we be focused on recovery?"

Aizawa shakes his head. "The festival is too important to cancel. It's one of the most-watched events in the world. U.A. students are scouted by professional agencies, and it's an opportunity to show what you're capable of. It's not something you can afford to ignore."

Y/N's tail twitches in thought. A faint, almost imperceptible sigh escapes them. The notion of being recruited to a professional agency seems so far out of reach. They knew their place—they were a student of U.A., but that didn't mean they fit the mold of the traditional hero. Their powers were untamed, raw, and in some ways dangerous. They could never picture themselves standing on that stage, being admired and recruited like the others.

I will never get recruited, Y/N thought, their mind heavy with the weight of the truth. That I know.

They glanced at Izuku, who was listening intently to Aizawa, and then to the others—Mina, who was grinning excitedly, and Bakugo, who wore an unreadable expression on his face. The uncertainty in their hearts settled like a heavy stone, but Y/N kept it buried beneath their usual exterior. They'd always been good at that.

As the discussion about the festival continues, Y/N slips into their own thoughts, wondering if their path would ever lead them to the grand stage of heroism that the Sports Festival promised—or if they'd always remain in the shadows, hidden by their own fears and self-doubt.

But, for now, they would play along, keep the mask up, and pretend that they weren't struggling with the thought of an uncertain future.