After my tense meeting with Muerte, I decided to call it a night. The weight of the day clung to me like a shroud as I portaled back home, the soft glow of moonlight spilling into my chamber. Without a second thought, I made my way to my bed, the silken sheets cool beneath me. For once, I didn't bother shifting back into my Indoraptor form. My body ached, my mind whirled with unspoken thoughts, and the fragile stillness of my human guise felt like a reprieve.

The quiet lull of the room embraced me, but sleep felt distant, like a star just out of reach. My gaze traced the etchings on the ceiling, each swirl and pattern speaking of stories long past. Exhausted yet restless, I exhaled, letting the tension seep into the shadows around me. Maybe, for tonight, being just me was enough.

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The next day, I woke to the cacophony of alarms blaring like a flock of deranged cockatoos. My ears flattened against my skull, and I snarled in irritation, snapping my jaws at the offending sounds. With a few swift strikes of my claws, the wretched clocks fell silent.

Sitting up, I ran a hand through the thick fur along my neck, sighing. Ugh, what time is it now? I thought, squinting at the remnants of one surviving clock. The glowing numbers mocked me: 8:30 AM.

"Great," I grumbled. That means school starts soon. Yes, you heard that right. The brilliant minds in the government thought it fitting to send me to U.A. as part of my "rehabilitation." It wasn't my idea, believe me. Their rationale? If I didn't want to be a hero, I had to at least pretend to be one. Trust-building, they called it. Blah, blah, blah.

Rolling out of bed, I stretched, my claws scraping the floor as my tail lashed with annoyance. Why can't I just stay in my palace and keep to myself? Instead, I had to face a bunch of over-eager wannabe heroes and their equally irritating teachers. Wonderful.

Grumbling to myself, I dragged my reluctant self toward the day ahead.

I trudged downstairs, still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, only to catch sight of Stolas at the stove. The scent of something vaguely edible wafted through the air, but it was hardly enough to improve my morning mood.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as I leaned against the doorframe. "Stolas," I began with a pointed tone, crossing my arms. "I thought I told you—you've got your own palace to be in."

The imposing, feathered demon flinched as if I'd thrown a stone at him. He turned around, a sheepish smile plastered on his beak-like face. "Ah, Mistress Onyx! Yes, of course! I, uh...I was just, um—" He gestured vaguely at the stove, clutching a spatula like it might save him from my wrath. "Just thought I'd...make you breakfast? A peace offering of sorts?"

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Peace offering? What did you break this time?" My tail swished behind me as I fixed him with a stern glare.

"Nothing!" he squawked, feathers ruffling nervously. "Nothing at all! Just... thought you might enjoy a nice meal before, uh, heading to that—" He waved his claw dismissively. "—school thing you're so fond of complaining about."

"Right," I muttered, stalking over to inspect whatever concoction he had going. It looked edible. Barely. Still, my stomach growled, betraying my disdain. "Fine. Just clean up after yourself this time," I relented, swiping the plate he offered before flopping into a chair.

Stolas beamed, clasping his talons together. "Oh, of course, Mistress! As always!"

As if, I thought with a snort, already bracing for whatever mess awaited me once I returned home.

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As I walked towards the gates of U.A., I realized I hadn't even bothered to eat anything yet. Instead, I had settled for a quick hunt earlier in the morning—a sleek, agile deer, its flesh tender and lean. It was a feast, but it hardly satisfied my hunger; my mind was far too preoccupied with everything else going on.

The scent of the venison lingered in my nostrils, but I pushed the hunger aside. I needed to focus on the task ahead. U.A. loomed in front of me, its towering structure far more intimidating up close. The sheer weight of the building pressed down on me, reminding me of the fragile balance I was trying to maintain in this strange new life I was forced into.

I shifted into my wolf form, the transition smooth and fluid as I crouched low to the ground. I drew the hood of my cloak over my face to hide my features—didn't want anyone knowing who I truly was, not yet. My scepter, a symbol of power, rested on my back, hidden beneath the folds of my cloak. No one needed to see that either. It was a dangerous tool, one that shouldn't be paraded around. After all, it wasn't the most subtle weapon.

The air felt thick with tension as I neared the gates. I could already sense the eyes of the students and faculty, even if they didn't know who I truly was. It didn't matter. My focus was clear, and nothing would stop me from walking through those gates—at least, not today.

Mr. Aizawa met me at the massive doors labeled "1-A." He tilted his head, his sharp gaze studying me carefully. "You're still Onyx, right?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

I hummed in response, glancing around at the imposing structure before meeting his eyes. "Sure are, Mr. Aizawa," I replied coolly, letting the words linger in the air between us.

The tension hung there for a moment, but it didn't bother me. I was used to this. The scrutiny. The judgment. I had faced much worse in my time, and this was nothing.

He nodded once, seeming to accept my answer. "Good. Let's get inside, then," he said, opening the door and leading me into the classroom. The sound of students bustling inside caught my attention, but I kept my expression neutral, my presence unassuming.

This was just another step in the game, and I intended to play it my way.

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"Alright, class, we are going to training camp," Aizawa announced, his voice steady but carrying an edge of excitement.

The class erupted into cheers, the sound of their voices echoing through the room. They were excited, eager for whatever challenges lay ahead. A slight smile tugged at my snout as I watched their reactions.

Training camp. It sounded simple enough, but for someone like me, it could mean a lot more than just running drills or learning new techniques. The opportunities for chaos, for testing limits, were endless.

I gave a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "Training camp," I murmured to myself, my tail swishing slightly behind me. "This should be fun."

"Yep, that's right," Aizawa continued, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "The ones who pass will move on. The ones who don't..." He trailed off, letting the implication linger in the air.

I nearly flinched at the intensity in his gaze. Damn, this guy could be intimidating when he wanted to be. His eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to pierce through everything. I quickly shook it off, though, unable to suppress the small giggle that bubbled up from inside me.

I dropped my head slightly, letting my ears twitch as I let out a quiet chuckle. "This is going to be interesting," I muttered under my breath, glancing at the others who were already chatting about the upcoming camp. Some of them looked excited; others, well, they looked a little nervous.

I felt that familiar surge of energy, the thrill of competition, building inside me. A challenge was coming, and I couldn't wait to sink my claws into it.

The class murmured excitedly as they prepared to head out, the anticipation of the training camp hanging thick in the air. I was about to follow them when I heard Izuku's voice calling my name.

"Onyx," he said, and I turned to him with a grin, showing off my sharp canines.

He flushed a little, clearly uncomfortable. "Um, what's up with the new form?" he asked, his eyes flicking to my slightly altered appearance.

I smirked and gave a nonchalant shrug, my green eyes flashing briefly with amusement. "Well, I thought I'd go with something a little more... human when I'm around here," I said, flexing my claws a bit as I reached up to ruffle my fur. "Don't worry though, I won't be giving you all a beating. Not today, anyway."

Izuku blinked, still clearly a little unsure, but he seemed relieved. "I-I see," he stammered, scratching his head. "That's probably a good idea, you know, for blending in."

I smiled at him, giving a playful flick of my tail. "Exactly. Gotta keep up appearances," I said with a grin, my red eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Anyway, let's get going," I added, motioning toward the rest of the class. "I'm ready for whatever they throw at us."

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Principal Nezu looked at me with a sly grin, his beady eyes gleaming with amusement. "You'll be with Izuku and Bakugo against All Might," he said, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

I raised an eyebrow at him, my tail twitching slightly. "Oh? Well, that should be interesting," I said with a smirk, casting a glance at the intimidating figure of All Might sitting nearby. The number one hero looked relaxed, but I knew better than to underestimate him.

Nezu chuckled softly at my reaction. "You're in for quite the challenge. Just don't get too carried away," he warned, his eyes narrowing with a hint of mischief. "Remember, it's a test, not a fight to the death."

I nodded, a grin still on my face. "I can handle it. I'm not afraid of a little competition."

Bakugo was already fidgeting nearby, eager to prove himself, and Izuku stood beside me, looking nervous but determined. All Might had that ever-present smile on his face, but I could tell he was taking this seriously too. This was going to be one for the books.

With a final nod from Nezu, we were split into teams and made our way to the battlefield.

Bakugo scowled, his face flushed in annoyance as he crossed his arms. "You're really something, you know that?" he muttered under his breath. But I could see a flicker of hesitation in his eyes as I removed my cloak, revealing my true form beneath it. The sleek, powerful build of my body glimmered under the sunlight, a far cry from the usual intimidating image of a wolf-like beast. I could feel the weight of their gazes, particularly from Bakugo and Izuku, both of them seemingly struck by a mix of admiration and uncertainty.

I casually flicked my tail through the air, the sharp movement accentuating my confidence. With a fluid motion, I pulled out a smaller version of my soul scepter, its polished surface glinting in the light. "No need to worry, guys," I said, my voice smooth and calm, trying to ease their unease. "Just a little something extra for this match."

Izuku blinked and turned red, glancing at the scepter before quickly looking away, not sure what to say. "U-uh, Onyx... you don't have to be so... imposing," he stammered, his cheeks flushed.

Bakugo, however, just huffed, rolling his eyes. "Just don't get too cocky, alright? This isn't some beauty contest." But there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—respect, maybe. He was always so blunt, but even he couldn't help but acknowledge my strength.

I smirked, adjusting the scepter in my hand as I prepared myself mentally for the upcoming challenge. "Don't worry, Bakugo. I've got this."

All Might landed in the middle of the field with a thundering crash, his towering figure casting a shadow over us all. He flashed that iconic, yet reassuring grin of his. "Just because you're the most powerful, doesn't mean you have to make things harder for the rest of us," he said, his voice booming, as though the entire field could hear his words.

I raised an eyebrow, giving him a smirk that matched his confidence. I twirled my scepter through the air, the silver handle gleaming in the sunlight. "Don't expect me to hold back either, Mr. All Might," I replied, my voice cool and confident, the challenge in it unmistakable.

All Might chuckled, a light-hearted glint in his eye. "Heh, I wouldn't have it any other way, Onyx," he said, cracking his knuckles in preparation. His gaze turned serious as he locked eyes with me. "Let's see if your power is as strong as your attitude."

The wind whipped around us, and the energy in the air was palpable. I wasn't going to hold back either. This wasn't just a test of strength—it was a challenge of will, and I was ready to prove myself.

I surged forward, my body a blur of motion, the weight of my scepter in my hands as I aimed it at All Might's exposed side. My claws dug into the ground, propelling me faster than the eye could track. The moon-shaped tip of my scepter gleamed with a faint glow as it cut through the air, making a beeline for the spot where the bullet wound had weakened him. The moment the tip made contact, I felt the resistance of flesh and bone, a sharp thud that sent a rush of satisfaction through me.

All Might grunted, his expression tightening as he registered the hit. "Ah, playing dirty, are we?" His voice was low, but it was laced with a wry smile. He was unfazed, despite the injury, his towering figure still looming with an unshakable confidence.

Before I could react, he grabbed the scepter's handle with surprising speed, twisting it and using my momentum to send me crashing toward a nearby building. The force of his throw hit like a storm, and I slammed into the stone structure with a resounding crack. My vision blurred for a moment as dust and debris cascaded around me. I tasted blood on my lips, but I was far from defeated.

"ONYX!" Izuku's voice rang out, full of concern. I could hear the worry in his tone, but it was nothing new. I shook off the rubble, the grit grinding under my fur as I pushed myself up. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips, the thrill of the fight coursing through me like a fire.

I flicked my tail and wiped a trickle of blood from my mouth, my red-green eyes flashing with the same intensity. "You're strong, All Might," I called out, my voice low but dripping with amusement, "I'll give you that."

I stood tall, despite the ache in my bones, brushing off the dust that clung to me. The impact had only fueled my hunger for the fight. I turned my gaze to All Might, watching him with a predator's gleam in my eyes. He was tough—impressively so—but that only made this more interesting.

With a fierce grin, I flexed my claws, ready to dive back in. "But you're going to have to do better than that." The challenge hung in the air like a promise, and I could feel my pulse quicken. All Might was about to see just how far I was willing to push myself—and how far I could make him go.

I discarded the scepter, letting it fold into pieces and vanish into thin air, leaving me unarmed but no less dangerous. The absence of the weapon made me feel more alive, more primal, as if I were returning to my roots. I cracked my knuckles and smirked, meeting All Might's gaze with a challenge in my eyes.

"Let's dance, you big buffoon," I taunted, flicking my claws in a playful gesture, my tail flicking behind me in anticipation.

I glanced briefly over my shoulder at Bakugo and Izuku, who were still on the sidelines, unsure of whether they should jump in. "Run for it, boys," I called over, my tone light but with a bite of seriousness. They didn't hesitate, turning and sprinting in the opposite direction.

I took a deep breath and launched myself at All Might just as he charged toward me. The air shifted around us, thick with tension. I was faster than him now, more unpredictable. The collision was thunderous, my kick landing squarely in his chest and sending him stumbling back, his feet skidding across the gravel. He grunted, his body towering but no match for my speed.

Before he could find his footing, I was on him again, my foot sweeping beneath his legs and kicking him backward. He crashed face-first into the gravel with a resounding thud, sending a cloud of dust into the air. I stood over him, watching as his powerful form struggled to rise. He wasn't finished yet—but neither was I.

A wicked grin curled on my lips as I snapped my fingers, summoning golden chains of light that coiled around his body like serpents. They tightened, pulling him upright and immobilizing him with ease. He yelped at the sudden restraint, but his voice was still laced with that trademark bravado.

"Ooh, kinky~," he teased, his tone dripping with mockery.

I laughed, my voice rich with amusement and the satisfaction of control. "Shut it, Goliath," I snapped, the chains constricting even tighter as if to remind him who was in charge now. The momentary silence between us was thick, the only sound being the hum of the magic binding him. He shifted uncomfortably, but I could see that familiar glint in his eyes—he wasn't ready to give up just yet.

This was far from over, and I was more than prepared for whatever he had left to throw at me.