Chapter Text
Darkness. Then light. Then... something in between.
Her body felt weightless, floating in a strange purple liquid. It felt cool against her skin. She couldn't move. Not because she didn't want to, but because something was keeping her still. Something was inside her.
Tubes.
She could see them now, long and pale, slipping into her arms, her legs, her stomach… One pressing tight against her face, feeding air into her lungs. The sensation was foreign, wrong, like she wasn't meant to breathe this way. Was it the air forced into her lungs that made her throat burn?
Beyond the haze of fluid, a barrier of glass separated her from the outside world. A dim, sterile glow illuminated the space beyond it. Machines blinked and hummed softly, their sounds muffled by the liquid surrounding her.
And then—him.
A small man in a white lab coat stood just beyond the glass, his hands clasped in front of him, eyes locked onto her.
She didn't know him. She didn't know anything. But his gaze… eyes gleaming with something like triumph. It sent a shiver down her spine. Why does he look so happy?
Their eyes met. His grin stretched wider, a mix of delight and something else. Something darker.
A wave of exhaustion pulled at her, heavier than the liquid encasing her. Her eyelids drooped, the world blurring into shapeless colors.
Darkness swallowed her once more.
Tomura growled under his breath, thumbs hammering furiously at the controller in his hands. His pinky finger raised. The screen flashed GAME OVER in bold, mocking letters. Again.
"Tch." He scratched at his neck, irritation crawling under his skin like an itch he could never quite reach. "Bullshit mechanics. The AI is cheating."
Spinner leaned over the couch, peering at the screen. "You're just not dodging fast enough. Try rolling before the boss winds up. Push the buttons faster."
Tomura’s fingers tightened around the controller. "I know how to play the damn game. The controller must be broken."
"Could've fooled me," Dabi drawled from his seat at the bar, propping his boots up on the barstool next to him. "Besides, it’s not like it matters. It’s just a game."
Tomura shot him a glare, fingers twitching. "If it doesn’t matter, then shut the hell up."
"Relax, scratchy. You're gonna claw your whole face off at this rate. Not that it’d make much of a difference."
Tomura was ready to lunge across the room and wrap his fingers around Dabi’s smug face. The guy with more scars than skin was one of the newest addition to the League. And he’ll never admit it, but… his fire quirk was more than useful for their team.
Still, his fingers twitched. Just one touch, just a second—but Spinner spoke up first.
"You should really stop scratching, Boss," he said, eyes flicking toward Tomura’s hand digging into the raw skin of his neck. "It’s just making it worse."
Tomura’s eyes almost burned a hole through Spinner but forced himself to drop his hand, though the itch still burned beneath the surface. He needed something else to focus on, something more productive than a stupid game or listening to Dabi’s constant shit-talking.
"I need something better than those useless Nomu from Hosu City," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
The static hiss of the TV filled the room.
"I believe I can help with that."
Everyone in the room froze as the voice of his Sensei filled the bar. Tomura straightened, irritation momentarily forgotten. "Sensei."
"I have something special for you," All For One continued. "A project the Doctor has been working on. If you want to test it, I’ll send it over."
Tomura leaned forward, intrigued. The controller forgotten next to him on the couch. "Of course, I do."
“Kurogiri, you know what to do,” his Sensei said.
Kurogiri put the glass he was cleaning behind the bar to the side. “Of course, Master.”
There was no further explanation, only the sudden shift in the air as a swirling mass of black mist materialized in the center of the bar. And from that void of shadows, a girl stepped through.
She was young, probably even younger than Toga. Tomura frowned, taking in the details—long, dark blue hair that flowed down her back and pale skin that looked like it hadn’t seen the sun in years. She stood still, unmoving, waiting.
"You sent me a… teenager?" Tomura turned back to the TV screen. "Why?”
Dabi’s grin widened, tugging at the silver rings holding his jaw together. "Didn’t know you liked ‘em young, Boss."
Tomura moved to lunge at him, but All For One’s voice cut through the tension. "Tomura, her name is Meika. She is a very special Nomu."
Silence settled over the room. All eyes were on the girl, on Meika. She was quietly watching them.
"Now, now," Compress finally spoke. "A Nomu with the appearance of an innocent young lady. I must say, this is quite the spectacle."
"She doesn’t look like a Nomu," Toga said, stepping closer, head tilting. "She’s too cute!"
All For One chuckled. "That’s the point. She’s the Doctor’s most promising project. The perfect combination of quirks, strength, and cognitive functions. And now, she’s yours to command, Tomura. She doesn’t know much about the world yet since dear Meika’s rebirth. You will need to teach her."
Tomura stood, circling her slowly. She didn’t flinch, didn’t react. Just kept watching. Red eyes, just like his own, slowly following his every move.
A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "Thanks for the present, Sensei."
The TV screen went dark.
"Alright, new girl with the so-called amazing combination of everything," Dabi said. "What’s your quirk?"
Meika blinked, expression blank. "Bloodlust."
"Ooooh, cool name!" Toga chirped, grinning. "A blood-related quirk like me! What does it do?"
"Super strength, speed, heightened senses, rapid healing," Meika listed quietly. "I’ve been told I don’t get sick or die of old age.
"So you don’t die quickly?" Tomura mused. "That’s useful for a lot of things."
"Blood-related, huh?" Compress mused, adjusting his hat. "Do you require actual food like Toga? We already ate, but I can get you something.”
Dabi snorted. "Your hat too tight or something, Compress? Bet she doesn’t need to eat just like the other Nomu. No thoughts, just violence in that pretty little head of her."
Tomura’s eyes twitched but ignored Dabi. Clearly, he hasn’t listened to Sensei. This one has cognitive functions… the skill to think for themselves.
Meika shook her head. "I need human blood to function. If I don’t get it in time…" Tomura saw fear in her eyes just for it to disappear one moment after. "My mind shuts down, but I get stronger and faster. I’ll… go after only one thing, blood."
Twice threw his hands up. "Oh great, she’s a ticking time bomb! No, wait—she’s a loaded gun! Aim her at the pro-heroes and let her go bang! No, wait—I don’t want to get eaten!"
Meika frowned, looking confused. Tomura thought it would be because of how Twice speaks. Even he got confused multiple times a day. But instead…
“Pro-hero…” Meika mumbled. “Why aim at a hero? Aren’t they supposed to protect people?”
Oh, right. Sensei said to teach her well. She knows nothing.
"Pro-heroes? Protect people?" Dabi scoffed. "They’re just like actors. Flashy costumes, fake smiles, all pretending to be good in front of the camera. But at the end of the day? They don’t give a damn about the people they claim to protect."
Spinner crossed his arms. "Stain was right. Real heroes should put their lives on the line for others, not just for money or fame. But what do we have instead? Pretty idols, basking in the spotlight. They care more about sponsorship deals than saving lives."
"And if you’re different? If you don’t fit into their perfect little world?” Toga twirled a knife between her fingers, smiling brightly while her eyes didn’t. “They cast you aside. But you don’t have to worry about that, Meika. We’ll be your friends!"
Tomura watched Meika closely before returning to the couch. Picking up the controller he abandoned before. Pinky finger raised. "The world is broken," he said. "Heroes keep it that way because it benefits them. They hold the power, they set the rules.” Slowly, he put the fifth finger down, the controller starting to turn into dust. “But I’m going to tear all of it down.”
Meika stood silently, absorbing the words like a sponge.
Tomura leaned forward, voice getting louder with every word. "I want to see them crumble. Destroy this world and build it back up again! That’s why you’re here."
She stared at him, something unreadable flickering behind those red eyes. Then, softly: "What do you want me to do?"
“Hmm… Let’s do the tutorial first before starting the main mission.” Tomura grinned. “You’re going to wreak havoc on those brats that cheated at USJ."