I followed Hawks to the U.A. building, the familiar sight of the towering structure coming into view. The air was crisp, and the shadows of late afternoon stretched long across the courtyard as we approached the entrance. Waiting there was Principal Nezu, his small form perched atop a railing, his sharp eyes twinkling with the usual warmth that belied his calculating nature. Standing beside him was another figure—a man clad in the uniform of law enforcement, radiating an air of authority.

Nezu smiled broadly as we approached, his demeanor welcoming yet sharp as always. "Good to see you back, Onyx," he said, his voice pleasant.

I dipped my head slightly in acknowledgment. "Good to see you too, sir. Now, what's this about?" I asked, my tone wary as my red eyes flicked toward the man at Nezu's side.

Nezu gestured toward him with a paw, his smile never faltering. "Ah, this is the Chief of Police from Hosu. He'll be taking you to the government on our behalf," he explained with a tone so casual it nearly masked the gravity of his words.

The statement hung in the air for a moment, heavy and ominous. My tail twitched behind me, and I straightened up, my quills bristling faintly as I studied the man. The Chief of Police met my gaze with an unreadable expression, his hands folded neatly in front of him, his stance firm but not overtly threatening.

"For what purpose?" I asked, my voice cool but edged with suspicion.

Hawks, standing beside me, interjected with his usual ease. "Relax, Onyx. It's just a formality. You're special—government custody and all that jazz. They want to... keep tabs on you." His smirk was lopsided, but there was a flicker of something more serious in his eyes. "It's protocol."

Nezu nodded. "It's nothing to worry about. Consider it a check-in. You've been quite the topic of discussion lately, after all."

I snorted, my gaze narrowing. "Discussion? Or surveillance?"

The Chief of Police stepped forward then, his tone calm and professional. "It's both, to be honest. You've proven yourself to be a unique and powerful entity, Onyx. The government simply wants to ensure that your capabilities are used for the betterment of society."

His words were polished, diplomatic. But I didn't miss the subtle undertone—a warning.

I dipped my head at the man, a gesture of guarded acknowledgment. He responded with a polite smile, his demeanor calm but firm.

"My name is Riku Asano," he said, his voice steady and professional. Then, with a slight tilt of his head and a hint of wry humor in his tone, he added, "It'll be an honor working with you, Queen Onyx."

I snorted softly, the title rolling off his tongue with a strange mix of respect and levity. My quills rattled faintly as I straightened, my red eyes narrowing. "We'll see if you still feel that way once you've seen me in action," I replied coolly, though there was a flicker of curiosity in my gaze.

Riku's smile didn't waver, and I couldn't decide if it was reassuring or infuriating.

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The government building in Akpan was an imposing structure, its gleaming facade of steel and glass towering high into the sky. Its modern design spoke of wealth and authority, with polished metal pillars supporting a massive entryway and heat-dispersing panels that reflected the harsh sunlight. Inside, the atmosphere was a blend of sophistication and intimidation, with suits and uniforms weaving through the marble-floored lobby. The officials milling about exuded an air of privilege, their conversations tinged with tones that suggested they were accustomed to power and affluence.

I walked beside Riku, my head held high, my red eyes scanning the surroundings with quiet defiance. My tail swished deliberately behind me, a subtle show of confidence as we navigated the polished corridors. I ignored the sidelong glances from staff and officials alike, their curiosity and unease palpable.

Riku stopped in front of a large double door marked with an engraved plaque that read President's Office. His movements were measured, but I caught the faint tension in his shoulders.

I bristled instinctively, my quills standing on end as a low growl rumbled in my throat. The air here felt heavy, almost stifling, as if every decision made within these walls weighed on the world outside.

Riku glanced back at me, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "Keep it together, Onyx. They're expecting you," he said softly, his voice carrying both reassurance and a subtle warning.

I snorted, my claws clicking lightly against the marble as I shifted my stance. "I'm not the one who needs to be prepared," I replied, my tone edged with quiet defiance.

With that, Riku pushed open the heavy doors, and we stepped inside.

I couldn't help but let out a low, amused growl as I stepped into the room. My red eyes swept across the space, but it was the man seated at the desk that caught my attention immediately—Hound Dog, the chief official from Hosu. His sharp, piercing gaze fixed on me, and for a moment, I could feel the tension in the room rise.

"You're nothing but a monster," he growled, his voice harsh, as he stared up at me from his seat. He didn't even bother addressing me by my title, the disrespect clear as he refused to acknowledge me as anything but a creature.

I stood my ground, towering over him, my tail lashing slightly as my quills bristled in irritation. I locked eyes with him, my voice cool but heavy with an edge of defiance. "I know I've done things the government does not condone," I said, my words sharp. "But I don't care about your rules. You can't keep me in shackles inside a palace and expect me to follow along like some pet."

The silence in the room thickened, and I could feel the weight of my words hanging in the air. Hound Dog's expression remained cold, but his fists clenched beneath the desk, as if he was trying to suppress the fury rising within him.

Riku, standing just behind me, gave a quick glance toward the chief official but remained silent, as though letting me handle the situation myself.

Hound Dog tipped his head slightly, his gaze sharpening as he observed me, a flicker of something dark in his eyes. "Really?" he said, the word dripping with skepticism. He reached under his desk and pulled out a file, its contents clearly not something he wanted me to see but felt compelled to show. As he flipped through it, a photo of a burning building and a body count on a report slid into view.

"Tell me, Onyx," he continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "You killed innocent bystanders before you came under government custody. That's a fact. You've been a threat to everyone around you, and you think you deserve freedom?"

His words cut through the air like a blade, and I felt my claws dig into the floor. But I didn't flinch. I had heard it all before. The accusations, the assumptions, the fear.

"You are a danger to us all, Onyx," he added, his tone growing more venomous. "I hope you know why we really keep you locked away in a place made of black ice. We'd rather have you bound there than with the rest of society. You should be grateful that we don't lock you in real bars."

I stood there, eyes narrowed, my tail flicking irritably behind me. "Grateful?" I sneered, my voice thick with venom. "For a cage? For keeping me under control like some rabid animal?"

His eyes hardened, a glimmer of warning flashing in them. "We do what's necessary. For the good of society. For everyone."

I took a step forward, my quills prickling in agitation. "You think you can control me like that? You think I'm some tool to be used and discarded? Don't mistake my restraint for compliance. I am not your prisoner. And I'll make sure you understand that sooner or later."

The room fell silent again, my words hanging in the air. Riku gave me a sidelong glance, but he didn't interfere, letting me speak my mind. Hound Dog looked at me, his jaw tight, clearly weighing his next move. But one thing was clear—this was far from over.

I lashed my tail, the tip twitching with a dangerous energy, as I glared down at Hound Dog. My claws scraped lightly against the floor as I took a step forward, my red eyes flashing with an intensity that made the air around us seem heavier. "So, you're telling me I can't help heroes now, too? Is that the kind of rule you're pushing for?" I sneered, my voice thick with a cold, biting edge. "You want me to be better, right? Or do you just want me to stay like those freaks back in Jurassic World? A living weapon built for killing? Is that what you want my life to be? Just another tool for the government to use?"

I tilted my head, locking eyes with him, my glare unwavering, as the tension in the room seemed to rise with every word. "You must be insane if you think that's all I am. A weapon. A monster. You think I'll just accept that?"

I stepped closer, the air around me charged with the crackling energy of my frustration. My tail flicked again, and my quills rustled, every part of me on edge, ready to snap. "You know," I muttered, my voice dangerously low, "you really shouldn't annoy me."

His expression remained cold, but the tightness around his eyes betrayed the simmering frustration that he was barely holding back. He knew better than to push me further—at least, he should have.

Riku, standing at my side, seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere and took a half-step forward, his expression unreadable, but I could tell he was assessing the situation carefully. I wasn't sure if it was the sharpness in my voice or the sheer force of my presence, but Hound Dog finally broke the stare, glancing away just slightly.

"Enough, Onyx," Riku said, his voice calm but firm. "Let's not take this any further."

But I wasn't done. "I'll decide when it's enough," I snapped, my tail swishing behind me as I stood my ground.

I reached behind me and carefully pulled out a severed hand, the skin pale and unnerving. The severed limb, its fingers still twitching slightly as if it were somehow alive, had been an unexpected souvenir from the chaos I had left behind. I hadn't meant to keep it, but when I had escaped from the League of Villains hideout, I had found it lying nearby, discarded in the aftermath. It was a reminder, a symbol of the chaos that had ensued—the reminder of Shigaraki's madness and the lengths I had gone to save Bakugo.

I held the hand up, not with pride, but with a certain grim satisfaction. My claws carefully gripped it, making sure not to get my hands too dirty, but the message was clear. "This," I said coolly, my voice laced with menace, "is from the League of Villains' leader. The one who kidnapped Bakugo Katsuki, the kid I saved."

I looked at Hound Dog, making sure my words landed. His eyes widened in shock, but he tried to mask it. I could sense the tension, the confusion, the disbelief.

"You think I'm a monster?" I continued, my voice cold and unyielding. "You think I can't be trusted or used for something other than destruction? I've seen worse. I've dealt with worse. But I've also done something good. I saved him."

I dropped the hand to the floor, the sound of it hitting the ground a final, heavy thud. I wasn't about to take shit from anyone who couldn't even see the value in what I had done.

Riku, who had been silently watching, now spoke up. "Onyx is right. The real monsters are those who prey on innocent people. And, for the record, she saved one of yours. Maybe you should start considering that."

Hound Dog glared at me for a moment longer, his jaw tight, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. Whether it was begrudging respect or just the cold recognition that I had made my point, I couldn't tell.

The room felt heavy with unspoken words, but for now, at least, I had made my stance clear. I wasn't just a weapon to be controlled. I had my own reasons for doing what I did—and maybe, just maybe, they were more right than he realized.

I let out a low, mocking growl, the words slipping from my tongue with a bite. "See what I really am before you judge me, mutt." With that, I swished my tail and turned on my heel, not bothering to look back. I wasn't about to give them the satisfaction of seeing my frustration any longer.

The sound of Riku calling after me faded into the background as I walked away, my claws clicking lightly against the floor. Hawks' puzzled gaze stayed locked on my back, but I couldn't care less about what he thought at that moment. The city, with its gleaming buildings and buzzing streets, felt a world away as I slipped through the streets, heading toward the familiar comfort of my home.

I didn't want to talk about what had just happened, didn't want to try explaining myself to people who didn't get it. They didn't understand what it was like to be judged, to be treated like a tool for others to use. They didn't know what I had gone through, what I was still trying to escape. And at that moment, I didn't need their approval. I just needed to be alone, to let the silence wrap around me and let the anger simmer down.

So, I kept walking, tail flicking behind me, my red eyes set ahead. The world was big and full of fools who couldn't see past the surface. But that wasn't my problem anymore. I had my own mission to focus on.