XXIX. Shadows of the Past


As the week draws to a close, the workplace training comes to an end, and the students gather for their final debriefing. The room is filled with mixed emotions, excitement, and a bit of sadness. You and Tokoyami exchange glances, both knowing the day was inevitable.

Hawks walks into the room, his usual casual demeanor replaced by something more solemn. He takes one last look at you, giving a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, looks like it's time for you two to head back to U.A.," he says, his voice slightly quieter than usual.

You approach him, your wings flicking nervously behind you. "Thanks for everything," you say, your tone soft but sincere. "I'll miss the time we spent here." There's a long pause as Hawks looks at you, his usual cocky smile replaced with something a little more genuine.

Tokoyami steps forward as well, his voice steady, "Until next time, Hawks." He clasps his hands behind his back, his calmness offering a contrast to your own emotions.

Hawks chuckles, but it's a bit strained. "You two were great, and you've got a bright future ahead of you. Don't forget what you've learned here." He reaches out, pulling you into a quick hug that catches you off guard. You freeze for a moment before returning the gesture. The warmth of his embrace is unexpected but comforting.

When he pulls back, his smile is back to its usual playful charm. "Alright, go make me proud, baby bird," he teases. You smirk and nod.

"Don't worry, we will," you reply, trying to keep your emotions in check as you step back.

With one last glance at the two of you, Hawks turns and walks toward the door, leaving the room with his usual swagger, though something about the way he walks today seems a bit heavier.

You and Tokoyami exchange a few words, and as the door closes behind Hawks, it feels like the end of an era for the both of you. You look out the window, the city skyline stretching out before you. It's been a week full of growth, danger, and new experiences, and as you head back to U.A., you feel more prepared than ever for whatever comes next.

As for Hawks, though he's leaving for now, you know he'll be watching, waiting, and always one step ahead.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

With the conclusion of the internships, the students of Class 1-A gather back in their familiar classroom at U.A. High, buzzing with excitement as they compare their experiences and what they learned. Laughter fills the room, especially when Eijiro and Hanta poke fun at Katsuki's new hairstyle. Katsuki grumbles and huffs, his face red from both embarrassment and irritation, but he doesn't actually do anything about it.

Mina, ever the supportive friend, commends Tsuyu and Kyoka for facing real villains during their internships, showing a respect for their bravery. Tsuyu gives a humble nod, while Kyoka smiles faintly. The girls then turn to Ochaco, asking how her own internship went. Ochaco, beaming with pride, responds, "It was really fruitful! I worked on my fighting form, and I feel like I've made a lot of progress." She strikes a quick pose, showing off her form, and the class cheers for her determination.

Denki, who had been listening intently, suddenly pipes up. "You've really changed a lot, Ochaco," he comments, a big grin on his face.

Before Ochaco can reply, Minoru chimes in, "Nah, it's not that she changed... It's just that I realized something big during my internship." He pauses for dramatic effect, his voice low and serious. "All women are evil. Mt. Lady confirmed it."

The rest of the class groans in unison, rolling their eyes at Minoru's antics. "You're impossible," Tsuyu says flatly, shaking her head.

But Denki isn't deterred, his curiosity piqued. "Hey, Y/N, what about you? How was your internship with Hawks?"

You smile, leaning back a bit in your seat. "It was good. Hawks helped me get better at fighting in my human form, not always relying on my wings, tail, or claws first. He really taught me how to focus on my instincts and improve my hand-to-hand combat."

Denki nods thoughtfully, impressed. "That sounds awesome," he says. "I mean, we all know how strong you are, but being able to fight without always relying on your powers is a whole new level."

As the conversation shifts back to the others, most of the class is still buzzing about their internships, but there's a noticeable sense of camaraderie in the air. Everyone's had their own struggles, their own lessons, but ultimately, they're all growing.

The conversation then turns to Izuku, Shoto, and Tenya, who went through some of the most intense moments during their internships. The class turns to them, eager to hear their stories. But when the question is asked, Shoto simply responds, "Endeavor saved us from the Hero Killer," avoiding the full truth. His words are calm and collected, but everyone can sense the weight of what they've been through.

You listen quietly, knowing that there's more to the story. Shoto's attempt to downplay the situation doesn't fool you, but you respect his desire to keep things private. Still, the room is filled with an unspoken understanding that the internship wasn't just a week of learning; it was a test of strength, both physically and mentally.

As the bell rings, signaling the end of the discussion, you can't help but feel a little more connected to your classmates. The internships have brought you all closer, each of you stepping into new roles, understanding your strengths and weaknesses in ways you hadn't before. But, deep down, you know the real journey is only just beginning.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

At Class 1-A's Hero Basic Training class, All Might stands at the front, his usual enthusiastic energy filling the room. "Today's lesson will be a rescue training race through Field Gamma!" he announces, his voice booming with excitement. "This is a metal labyrinth densely packed with steel factories. You'll be racing to reach a distress signal sent by none other than the Symbol of Peace himself!"

The students exchange glances, a mix of nervousness and anticipation filling the air. All Might's tone shifts to something more serious as he continues. "You will be divided into five groups of four, and your task is to get to the distress signal as quickly as possible while dealing with obstacles along the way. This is a test of both speed and teamwork."

He pulls up a large monitor showing the map of the maze-like area. "The first group consists of Izuku, Tenya, Mina, Hanta, and Mashirao," he says, pointing to their names on the screen.

As the rest of the class murmurs among themselves, many of them quickly dismiss Izuku's chances. They mutter about his lack of mobility and the drawbacks of his Quirk. "He won't be able to keep up," one of them says under their breath. "The others are way faster."

You stay quiet, watching the group as they prepare. Izuku looks slightly apprehensive, but his determination is clear in his eyes. He's ready, you can tell. Still, the others aren't so sure.

Suddenly, you feel a presence beside you. All Might has noticed your silence, and he leans toward you, his smile gentle but concerned. "Are you alright, Y/N?" he asks, his voice laced with warmth. It's clear that he's checking on you as he often does, but you appreciate his care.

You glance over at him, giving him a soft smile in return. "Just fine, All Might," you answer, your tone calm. "I'm just observing."

All Might nods, still watching Izuku and his group as they take their places. "Izuku's got this," he says with a reassuring chuckle, his usual confidence in full swing. "He just needs to believe in himself, and I know he can make it."

You nod, but there's a quiet intensity in your eyes as you watch the others. You know they're all underestimating Izuku. But you've seen his growth, and you trust him more than they realize.

The group starts moving, and you remain silent, eyes focused on them. As the race begins, you're sure that it won't just be about speed — but the strength of their resolve, and the bonds they've built as a team. It's always the heart of a hero that truly matters.

The training session is well underway, but you find yourself distant, more in your own thoughts than fully engaged. After everything with the Hero Killer and the aftermath, the excitement of training and races doesn't seem as vibrant to you. You're not trying to act distant or cold, but something about it all feels different now.

As the group prepares, you notice Izuku and Bakugo exchanging a look. It's brief, but it's enough to catch your attention. Bakugo's expression is sharp, his lips curled into a scowl, and his arms are crossed tightly over his chest. He huffs loudly, clearly frustrated. Izuku, on the other hand, sighs softly, looking at you with an unreadable expression. It's clear that the tension between you three hasn't quite settled.

You turn away, your thoughts still consumed by the past few days—the battles, the stakes, and the weight of what happened. The Hero Killer... everything just feels heavier now. You're not the same anymore. You realize that part of you feels like you've changed, or maybe just grown quieter. The excitement from the beginning of the year, the feeling of being part of something bigger, is starting to feel less important in comparison to something deeper.

Izuku's gaze lingers on you for a moment longer, as if trying to read your mind. Bakugo, however, notices the exchange, and his irritation grows. He scoffs, muttering something under his breath. "What, is everyone just going to go quiet now? Get your heads in the game," he snaps.

Izuku shakes his head slightly, his sigh heavier this time. "Bakugo... just let it be. Let Y/N do their thing. We've all been through a lot recently."

You don't say anything, and you feel the silence weigh on you even more. But you appreciate Izuku's attempt to make peace. It's not that you're trying to push them away, but something about this moment... it feels like it would be easier to face it on your own.

For now, though, you just focus on the task at hand, quietly observing the race. But in the back of your mind, you can't help but feel like there's more to come. More decisions, more changes, more growing pains. The feeling of unease lingers, but it's one you'll just have to carry for a while.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Hero Basic Training comes to an end, and Class 1-A returns to the locker room to change. In the boys' locker room, the atmosphere is lighthearted, with Minoru Mineta animatedly telling Izuku about the hole he found in the wall that leads into the girls' locker room. He's practically bouncing with excitement, already imagining what he could see.

Izuku's eyes widen in horror. "Mineta, that's... that's not okay!"

But Minoru brushes him off, grinning widely. "Come on, it's just a little peek. What harm could it do?"

Before Izuku can protest further, Tenya steps in, his voice stern. "Mineta, you must refrain from such behavior immediately! It's inappropriate and disrespectful to your classmates!"

But Minoru is undeterred and approaches the hole, intent on looking through. Before he can get too far, Kyoka JIro —alert as always—quickly jams one of her earphone plugs into the hole, causing a yelp of pain as she perfectly lands a strike right into Mineta's eye.

In the girls' locker room, the girls share a look of annoyance, and Kyoka smiles slyly as she retracts her earphone plug. "Thanks for that, Kyoka," Mina says with a grin, "you saved us the trouble."

Kyoka nods, but then a thoughtful expression crosses her face. "Wait a second... Did he seriously mention every other girl, but not me?"

You overhear the conversation and smirk, walking over to Kyoka. You gently nudge her shoulder with your wing. "He hasn't even seen me, Jiro. Don't worry about it," you say with a grin.

Kyoka blushes but laughs nervously. "I guess that's true. But you have the biggest... um... assets of all of us," she says with a slight giggle, trying to lighten the mood.

You chuckle, swatting at her head lightly with your wing. "I'm a dragon, Jiro. It's obvious I've got more volume in some places. But don't let his stupid comments get to you. You're perfect as you are."

Just then, there's a knock at the door, causing everyone to freeze and glance toward it in surprise. You stride over, not really thinking much of it, your shirt halfway down, exposing a small sliver of your belly. When you open the door, it's none other than Izuku, who immediately blushes the moment he sees you.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I just... wanted to apologize for Mineta's behavior. I really don't think he meant anything by it," he stammers, looking anywhere but at you.

You raise an eyebrow, shrugging casually. "It's not the first time I've been sexualized, Izuku. Don't worry about it."

You ruffle his hair lightly, then give him a gentle nudge toward the locker room. "Now go on. Don't let it bother you either."

Izuku's blush deepens, but he nods and awkwardly heads back to his locker. You watch him go, smiling to yourself, your tail swishing behind you. Sometimes, people just don't know how to act around you, but you'd be lying if you said you didn't enjoy keeping them on their toes.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

The next day, during homeroom, the usual chatter and excitement in the room settles down as Shota Aizawa enters. His tired eyes scan the class before he speaks, his tone always firm and direct.

"Listen up," he begins, his voice cutting through the low murmurs. "I've got an announcement for you all. During the summer break, we'll be heading to a forest lodge for a training camp."

The class perks up immediately, eager to hear more. Whispers of excitement ripple through the room as they begin to imagine the kind of training they'll get to do out in the wilderness.

Aizawa raises a hand, silencing them. "Don't get too excited," he warns. "There's a catch. You'll only be allowed to go if you pass the end of term test. Fail, and you'll be stuck in remedial school over the break. No exceptions."

The room goes quiet. Some students exchange nervous glances, the pressure of the announcement sinking in. You can feel the weight of his words. The summer camp sounded exciting, but the stakes were high. Remedial school was not something anyone wanted to deal with.

Shoto Todoroki's brow furrows in concentration, and Izuku Midoriya looks down at his notebook, already writing down the implications of Aizawa's words. Even Bakugo, usually confident, seems to pause for a moment before he grumbles under his breath, clearly annoyed by the reminder that his performance will determine his future activities.

Aizawa scans the class again, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "I'm serious. The camp isn't a vacation. You'll be training hard. If you fail to meet the standards, you'll be staying behind."

You sit there, listening carefully, already thinking about how to prepare yourself for the exam. The idea of missing out on such a great opportunity made you more determined than ever to pass with flying colors. You glance over at your classmates, their faces a mix of concern, determination, and in some cases, dread.

Aizawa gives a final look around the room, his usual aloofness evident. "You're heroes in training, not just students. The summer camp will test you in ways you can't imagine. So, get your act together."

With that, the bell rings, signaling the start of the next lesson. The air is heavy with anticipation as everyone silently considers the challenge ahead.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Elsewhere, a dimly lit room filled with the soft hum of machines and the faint smell of antiseptic is the setting for a conversation between two figures. One of them, an older man, sits propped up on a sterile hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages and medical equipment attached to various parts of his frame. His expression is calm, almost detached, yet his eyes gleam with a calculating intensity. He listens intently as his doctor adjusts some of the IV lines, but the doctor's skepticism lingers in the air.

"It's hard to believe that Stain, of all people, was captured," the man says, his voice carrying a certain amusement. "But, despite that, things are still moving according to plan." He leans back slightly, as if savoring the moment.

The doctor raises an eyebrow and speaks with a hint of doubt. "Tomura... is he really ready to lead the League of Villains? You've been grooming him for a while, but he's still far too erratic. If you took charge, things would be much more efficient, wouldn't they?"

The man smirks at the suggestion. "Patience," he replies, his tone almost condescending. "Tomura's time will come. He was born to do this." His voice carries an eerie confidence, as though he sees the path ahead as clear as day. He glances out the window, the faint outlines of the city lights casting a glow on his face. "For now, I will let him do the work. Let him make the decisions. He will earn his place as my successor."

The doctor hesitates, unsure of how to respond, but the man isn't finished. "In the meantime, All Might can enjoy this 'peace'—however transient it may be." He chuckles darkly. "This period of calm is just a brief lull before the storm."

The man's eyes narrow as his mind turns to something else. "There's one more matter to address, though," he mutters, almost to himself. "I've heard troubling reports about one of my pupils." His gaze hardens. "Y/N... I've heard they've been getting a little too close to Tomura. A dangerous distraction, and not one I'm willing to let slide."

The doctor frowns, worried about the tension in the man's voice. "You want me to... handle it?"

The man waves a hand dismissively. "Not yet. But if things escalate, we may need to reconsider. Perhaps I'll pay a personal visit... let's see if I can bring them back into the fold. If not... then I'll have no choice but to remove them. Permanently."

His words hang in the air like a heavy fog. The doctor remains silent, not daring to speak further. The man's cruel, calculating nature is ever-present—nothing will stand in the way of his plans, not even the bonds that may form between his protégés and his enemies.

As the conversation draws to a close, the man turns his attention back to the doctor, signaling that he is ready for the next phase of his recovery. But in his mind, the plans continue to unfold, dark and inevitable, as the strings of the League of Villains are pulled tighter under Tomura's uncertain leadership—and with it, the ever-looming presence of the one who holds the power of All For One.

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