Los Angeles, California, United States of America
11:00 P.M.
Downtown Los Angeles never truly slept.
Even past midnight, neon lights bled into the streets, sirens wailed somewhere in the distance, and the constant hum of the city echoed between towering concrete structures. Yet within the maze of alleys tucked behind the main roads—places the light refused to touch—there existed pockets of silence. Dark corridors where crime festered, and where desperation thrived.
Tonight, two men ran through one of those alleys.
Their footsteps slapped violently against wet pavement as trash bags were kicked aside and fire escapes rattled above them. Both men were breathing hard, lungs burning, sweat soaking through their clothes despite the cool night air. Panic was etched into their faces—raw, unfiltered fear that no amount of bravado could hide.
They weren't heroes.
They weren't civilians either.
Judging by the stolen goods stuffed hastily into their backpacks and the blood smeared across one man's knuckles, they were villains—small-time criminals who had bitten off far more than they could chew.
"Pant… pant…" One of them stumbled, catching himself against a brick wall. "D-Do you think we lost them…? They've been chasing us for—pant—for at least thirty minutes!"
The second man leaned against a dumpster, gripping his side as his chest rose and fell erratically. "I… I think so… pant … damn it…" He swallowed hard, eyes darting toward the mouth of the alley. "Just… what the hell did we run into!? That wasn't like any hero I've ever seen!"
The first man let out a shaky laugh that quickly died in his throat. "Yeah… yeah, no kidding. They're different. Way different. Heroes don't move like that. They don't hunt like that."
A sudden realization struck him.
His blood ran cold.
"A boy with blue hair… carrying guns…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "And a girl with white hair… wings… horns—"
The air changed.
A suffocating pressure washed over the alley, heavy and unnatural, as though the world itself had taken a breath and refused to let it go.
"Oh no…" the man whispered.
Before either of them could turn around—
"I've finally found you, villains~"
The voice was light. Feminine. Almost playful.
And utterly merciless.
Both men froze.
Slowly—far too slowly—they turned.
Hovering above the alley was a young girl, suspended effortlessly in the air as if gravity simply did not apply to her. Moonlight spilled down upon her form, revealing long twin-tailed white hair that cascaded past her waist, stopping just above her thighs. Light blue horns curved gently from her head, unmistakably demonic in nature, while a small crown rested delicately atop her hair as though mocking the very concept of royalty.
Her light navy eyes glowed faintly, each pupil bearing a white cross pattern that seemed to burn into the soul of anyone who met her gaze.
From the back of her waist extended long, ethereal wings—light blue and translucent—slowly flapping as she hovered. A thin demon tail swayed lazily behind her, moving in time with her breathing.
She wore a pristine white-and-blue one-piece dress, immaculate despite the grime of the alley below.
And she was smiling.
A grin filled with amusement.
With anticipation.
With hunger.
The girl raised her right hand.
In an instant, a massive light-blue gauntlet manifested around it, crackling with arcane energy. Without hesitation, she descended.
She slammed into the ground.
"[Spectral Chains!]"
The impact shook the alley.
From the cracked pavement beneath her gauntlet, glowing chains burst forth—dozens of them—writhing like living things as they shot toward the two men. Before either could scream, the chains wrapped tightly around their limbs, torsos, and necks, yanking them off their feet and pinning them helplessly against the alley wall.
They cried out in pain as the restraints tightened, the glowing links burning cold against their skin.
"W-What the hell is this!?" one of them shouted, thrashing violently.
The other man's eyes widened in sheer terror. "I—I can't use my Quirk! It's not activating!"
The girl floated down, her boots touching the ground without a sound. She walked toward them slowly, deliberately, her tail swaying back and forth like a metronome counting down their remaining seconds.
"Don't even bother," she said calmly. "Those chains are imbued with my power. Unless you're stronger than me—which you're clearly not—you won't be breaking free anytime soon."
She stopped in front of them, tilting her head slightly.
"As for your Quirks?" She smiled sweetly. "The chains drain your stamina constantly. Since Quirks require physical and mental exertion, you'll find yourselves quite… helpless."
Her gaze flicked downward.
She reached into one man's jacket pocket and pulled something out.
A small cube.
Its surface glowed faintly blue, etched with dark, jagged black lines that pulsed ominously, as if something inside was alive.
The girl's expression shifted.
Her smile vanished.
Her eyes hardened.
"Oi." Her tone sharpened, the playful lilt disappearing entirely. "Where did you get this cube?"
She held it up between her fingers. "This shouldn't be in the hands of small-time villains like you. Where did you get it?"
Neither man answered.
The girl sighed.
She clenched her gauntleted fist.
The chains tightened.
Both men screamed.
"I-I DON'T KNOW!" one of them cried desperately. "S-Someone just gave it to us a week ago!"
"H-He's telling the truth!" the other shouted, tears streaming down his face. "All we know is that our Quirks got stronger after that thing! That's it!"
The girl's eyes narrowed.
"…Heh."
She stared at the cube for a long moment.
"Even so…" she muttered, almost impressed. "I'm surprised you two didn't get corrupted yet."
The color drained from their faces.
"C-Corrupted…?" one of them whispered.
She let out a small sigh, lowering the cube.
"You see," she began, voice calm and almost instructional, "this is called a Henir Cube."
The cube pulsed ominously in her hand.
"If a Quirkless person touches it, they'll awaken a so-called 'Quirk.' But the cost?" She tapped the cube lightly. "Their lifespan gets cut in half. And every use eats away at their body."
The men shuddered.
"But if someone with a Quirk touches it," she continued, "their abilities receive a temporary boost. Stronger output. Greater efficiency."
Her voice dropped.
"However—bit by bit—their sanity erodes. Until eventually, the cube corrupts them completely… turning them into mindless puppets controlled by the Henir."
Both men trembled violently.
"Normally," she added, "someone with a powerful Quirk would lose their mind in two days, tops."
Her gaze flicked between them.
"But you said you've had this for a week… and you're still yourselves."
She smiled again—but this time, it was cold.
"That means your Quirks are weak. Pathetically weak."
She snapped her fingers.
The chains vanished instantly.
Both men collapsed to the ground, their bodies limp, completely drained of stamina. They could barely move, let alone stand.
A shadow fell over them.
From above, a figure descended.
A young man leapt down from a six-story building, landing effortlessly in front of them without so much as cracking the pavement.
He straightened.
Long navy-blue hair tied into a ponytail flowed behind him, reaching down to his waist. His navy eyes bore the same cross-shaped pattern as the girl's—dark, unblinking, and unreadable.
He wore a dark blue suit resembling a butler's uniform, complete with a massive white bow tie and white gloves, each marked with the same cross insignia.
Strapped to his waist were two shotguns.
On his back, bound by chains, rested an enormous weapon shaped like a cross.
He looked down at the villains. Then, his attention shifted to his partner.
Lu hovered a short distance away, turning a small dark-blue cube over in her hand with casual ease, as though it were nothing more than a toy. The ominous energy pulsing faintly from its surface, however, told a very different story.
"I take it you have it, Lu?" the young man asked, his tone even.
Lu turned toward him, her wings folding slightly as she landed on the pavement. A confident smile spread across her face.
"Mm-hmm. Got it right here," she replied cheerfully. "And you're right, Ciel. It's definitely a Henir Cube."
She tossed it lightly toward him.
Ciel caught the cube with one gloved hand. The moment his fingers closed around it, the air seemed to grow heavier. He stared down at the object, eyes narrowing as he examined the intricate black lines etched into its surface—lines that pulsed faintly, like veins carrying corrupted blood.
"…Such power," he murmured, "contained within something so small."
He clenched his hand slightly, suppressing the cube's influence through sheer will.
"Did you manage to get any information out of them?" Ciel asked, gesturing toward the two unconscious men sprawled against the alley wall.
Lu puffed out her chest proudly, placing her hands on her hips.
"Of course I did," she said. "They claimed someone handed it to them about a week ago. I also checked their condition—no signs of mental corruption whatsoever."
Ciel glanced back at the villains, his sharp gaze scanning them from head to toe.
"You're correct," he said after a moment. "No discoloration of the veins. No abnormal mana fluctuation. No cognitive erosion."
He let out a quiet breath—relief, subtle but genuine.
"That confirms it. Their Quirks were weak to begin with."
Lu nodded. "If they'd been any stronger, they'd already be mindless Henir puppets by now."
She glanced up at the surrounding rooftops, eyes briefly glowing as she extended her senses outward.
"Well," she continued, "with this cube recovered, all known Henir Cubes and shards scattered across North America should be accounted for."
She smiled brightly.
"Let's call Glaive and have him put it back where it belongs."
Ciel inclined his head in agreement. "That would be best."
He reached for the communicator at his side—
And stopped.
A presence.
Strong. Overwhelming. Unmistakable.
Ciel's eyes sharpened as he turned.
Lu reacted instantly, wings flaring slightly as she pivoted on her heel.
Standing behind them—completely undetected until now—was a tall woman with long blonde hair that flowed freely down her back. She wore a striking costume patterned after the flag of the United States, the stars and stripes emblazoned proudly across her form.
Her expression was calm.
Measured.
And faintly amused.
"So this is where you two went," she said, her voice steady and confident. "Ishtar. Chevalier."
Ciel's expression tightened in mild irritation.
Lu, however, simply tilted her head, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Star?" Lu asked. "What are you doing here?"
Cathleen Bate—better known to the world as Star and Stripe, the Number One Hero of the United States of America—smiled softly.
"Well," she began, placing her hands on her hips, "I received multiple reports of a young man leaping between buildings and a girl flying freely through downtown Los Angeles."
Her eyes flicked between them.
"It didn't take much guesswork to figure out who it was."
She stepped closer, gaze sharp despite her friendly demeanor.
"I came to make sure things didn't go south. So… care to explain what brought the two of you here?"
Ciel answered by holding up the cube.
"This," he said simply.
The moment Star and Stripe laid eyes on it, her expression changed.
Her smile faded.
Her posture stiffened.
"…If that's what I think it is," she said slowly, "then that means—"
Lu nodded once.
"Yes," she confirmed. "Henir activity."
Star and Stripe exhaled deeply, the weight of that single word settling heavily upon her shoulders.
"Then," she said after a moment, straightening herself, "on behalf of the heroes—and the citizens—of the United States of America…"
She bowed her head slightly.
"…thank you."
Ciel blinked, then sighed quietly.
"No need for formalities," he replied. "This is part of Grand Chase's mission."
Lu grinned and leaned closer to him.
"Exactly," she said brightly. "Right, Ciel?"
He nodded once. "What she said."
Ciel then turned his attention back to Star and Stripe.
"However," he continued, "checking on us wasn't your only reason for coming here, was it?"
He gestured toward the unconscious villains. "If you don't mind, do us a favor and have those two turned in."
Star and Stripe glanced down at the pair—and laughed lightly.
"That bad, huh?"
She raised a hand, summoning nearby authorities with a single call.
"Alright. I'll have them taken into custody."
Lu tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, and please be lenient."
Star and Stripe looked at her.
"They were exposed to Henir energy," Lu explained. "They didn't know what they were dealing with."
The American hero considered this, then nodded.
"Understood," she said. "I'll see that their sentences reflect that."
As the police moved in to secure the villains, Star and Stripe's expression grew more serious.
"There's something else," she said. "Something that requires your attention."
Lu and Ciel both turned toward her.
"Come with me," Star and Stripe continued. "I'll show you."
Lu glanced at Ciel.
He met her gaze.
They nodded in unison.
Without another word, they followed the Number One Hero of America—toward a future that promised far greater complications than a single Henir Cube.
----------
The apartment Star and Stripe was temporarily occupying stood high above the city, its reinforced windows offering a clear view of Los Angeles stretching endlessly beneath the night sky. From this height, the chaos of the streets felt distant—reduced to flickering lights and muted motion.
Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
Lu and Ciel sat together on one side of a sleek, metallic table, their posture relaxed yet attentive. Across from them sat Star and Stripe, her presence commanding without effort. Though she appeared composed, there was a tension in her eyes—an unspoken urgency that hung heavy in the room.
After a moment of silence, she spoke.
"Now," she said evenly, folding her hands atop the table, "as to why I brought you two here… there's something you need to see."
She reached forward and pressed a sequence of buttons embedded into the table's surface.
With a low hum, the table transformed.
Holographic light rose upward, forming a three-dimensional world map. Continents glowed faintly, oceans rippled with translucent blue light—and scattered across the globe were countless markers. Some glowed white. Others burned a deep, ominous shade of blue.
Lu leaned forward instinctively.
Ciel's eyes sharpened.
The darker markers—far denser than the rest—were clustered heavily over a single country.
"With the cube you recovered tonight," Star and Stripe continued, "North America is now clear of any immediate Henir-related threats."
She rose from her seat and bowed her head deeply.
"Once again… thank you."
Ciel waved a hand dismissively, leaning back against the couch.
"No need," he replied calmly. "As Lu said earlier, this is our mission."
He glanced briefly at the glowing map.
"And it's not just us. The rest of the Grand Chase is doing the same across the world—locating, sealing, and recovering Henir shards wherever they surface."
Star and Stripe straightened, nodding slowly.
"Yes," she said. "I'm aware."
Lu crossed her arms, tail swaying gently behind her.
"Alright," she said. "You didn't bring us here just to say thank you. What's the real issue?"
Star and Stripe didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she swiped her hand across the hologram.
The map shifted.
Crate routes appeared—thin glowing lines stretching across oceans and continents. Dozens of them. All converging toward the same destination.
Japan.
Lu's eyes widened.
Ciel inhaled sharply.
"…They're gathering the shards," Ciel muttered, irritation bleeding into his voice as his jaw tightened. "All of them."
Star and Stripe nodded grimly.
"Yes. Over the past few weeks, we've received reports of multiple shipments originating from various countries—Europe, Southeast Asia, South America—being sent to Japan."
She clenched her fist.
"At first, we assumed it was a large-scale investment initiative. Industrial development. Private sector expansion."
Her gaze hardened.
"But one of your comrades submitted a report last week."
She gestured to the map again.
"And now, we know better."
Lu slammed both hands onto the table.
"But who in their right mind would gather all the Henir shards in one place!?" she snapped.
Star and Stripe flinched slightly—but held her ground.
"…Is it really that dangerous?" she asked carefully.
Ciel's expression darkened.
"No," he said flatly. "It's worse."
Star and Stripe's expression turned serious as Ciel continued.
"If a massive concentration of Henir shards—or fully charged Henir Cubes—are gathered in one location," Ciel explained, "then shattering them would tear open a gateway between this world and Henir itself."
The room seemed colder.
"That gateway would allow Henir entities to cross over freely," he continued. "And once they do… Quirks will mean nothing. I think you know what I'm talking about."
Star and Stripe's breath caught.
"…Russia," she whispered.
Lu nodded grimly.
Three years ago, Russia had fallen into chaos.
An unknown enemy had emerged seemingly overnight. Entire cities were overrun. Heroes—powerful, experienced, disciplined—were slaughtered in droves. Quirks that could level buildings barely slowed the invaders.
By the time international aid arrived, the death toll had already surpassed 350,000.
It was only when Ciel, Lu, and the rest of Grand Chase intervened that the invasion was stopped.
Even then, it had nearly been too late.
"At first," Star and Stripe said quietly, "we tried to arrest you."
Lu let out a humorless chuckle. "Yeah. We remember."
"But one of you explained everything," Star continued. "What the Henir was. What it meant. What would happen if we interfered without understanding it."
She looked at them.
"And we made a decision."
From that moment on, all matters related to Henir were left to the Grand Chase—the so-called vigilantes.
In exchange, the Grand Chase agreed to assist heroes whenever possible.
An uneasy alliance.
One forged through catastrophe.
Lu exhaled slowly.
"So," she said, breaking the silence, "what's our next move?"
Star and Stripe straightened.
"Before I answer that," she said, "there's something I need to give you."
She reached into a secure compartment beside her seat and withdrew two cards.
Hero licenses.
She slid them across the table.
Lu stared.
Ciel froze.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
"…Star," Ciel said slowly, voice unsteady, "this is—"
"Yes," Star and Stripe interrupted gently. "It's exactly what you think."
She folded her hands.
"Over the years, the two of you have contributed immensely to the safety of this country—not only by removing the Henir shards, but by assisting our heroes in the field."
She met their eyes.
"And you did it without ever asking for recognition."
Lu swallowed.
Ciel's grip tightened around the card.
"At first," Star continued, "the public was wary. You and your comrades were labeled vigilantes—outsiders who operated beyond the law."
She smiled softly.
"But your actions spoke louder than any title."
She gestured toward the licenses.
"For months now, citizens have been signing petitions. Veterans. Civilians. Even heroes."
Lu's eyes trembled.
"They demanded that you be recognized."
Star and Stripe took a deep breath.
"With the approval of the Hero Commission… the consent of the Top 50 Heroes of America… and endorsement from several leading heroes worldwide…"
She stood.
"Luciela Elstein. Ciel Laurenfrost."
Her voice rang clear.
"You are now officially licensed heroes."
For a heartbeat—
Silence.
Then—
Lu broke.
Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the license to her chest.
Ciel followed soon after, his composure finally cracking as years of burden, loss, and isolation came crashing down.
They cried—not loudly—but deeply.
For the battles fought unseen.
For the hatred endured.
For the countless lives saved without thanks.
Star and Stripe watched quietly, offering no interruption.
She understood.
And she gave them time.
Because this moment—
Was earned.
The room slowly settled back into silence.
Lu wiped the last traces of tears from her cheeks, her breathing finally evening out. Ciel straightened beside her, adjusting his gloves as his composure returned, the familiar calm settling over him like armor. The weight of what had just been bestowed upon them still lingered—but neither of them allowed it to slow their thinking.
Ciel was the first to speak.
"So," he said evenly, "what's our next move?"
Star and Stripe folded her arms, her expression turning resolute.
"The World Heroes Association has already made its decision," she replied. "You—and the rest of the Grand Chase—are to head to Japan."
Lu's wings twitched subtly.
"We cannot allow the Henir shards to remain in this world any longer," Star continued. "If they're truly being gathered in one place, then time is no longer on our side."
Her gaze hardened.
"We will not allow another incident like Russia to happen. Not ever again."
Lu nodded immediately. "Agreed."
Ciel did as well—but his expression darkened slightly.
"That much, I don't disagree with," he said. "However…"
He closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose.
"I highly doubt Japan's Hero Commission—and several of their top heroes—will welcome us with open arms. You know how strictly they operate. Everything by the book. No exceptions."
Star and Stripe's eyes softened.
"I know," she said quietly. "And I'm aware you have… history with them."
Ciel opened his eyes, gaze sharp.
"But I ask you this," she continued gently. "Please try not to make a scene."
Ciel let out a tired sigh.
"No promises," he replied honestly. "But I'll try."
Lu smirked faintly. "That's about as reassuring as it gets."
Star allowed herself a small smile.
"Good enough," she said. "As for your departure—you leave tomorrow. I'll have one of my pilots fly you directly to Japan. No delays. No interference."
Lu visibly relaxed. "Well, that's one issue settled."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Do you have any idea who's behind this?" Lu asked. "Who's gathering the shards?"
Star and Stripe shook her head.
"Unfortunately, no. I've exhausted every connection I have—government, hero networks, even underground channels."
She clenched her fist.
"All trails lead to a dead end."
Ciel's eyes narrowed.
"That means whoever's doing this is highly capable," he said. "They know how to erase their tracks."
He slipped his hands into his pockets.
"But Henir energy always leaves a trace," he added. "And with us involved, they won't stay hidden for long."
Lu nodded, confidence returning.
"By the way," she asked, "has anyone from the Grand Chase arrived in Japan already?"
Star nodded.
"Anemos is already on-site two days ago. Centurion and Aspara's flight is scheduled to land shortly."
"I see," Lu said. "Then we'll start preparing and—"
She stopped.
So did Ciel.
The air shifted.
A sudden, crushing pressure washed over them—sharp, vile, unmistakable.
Lu's eyes widened.
Ciel stiffened instantly.
"Henir," they both said at the same time.
They stood up in unison.
"We need to go. Now," Lu said urgently.
Star and Stripe stood as well. "What happened?"
"A massive surge of Henir energy," Ciel replied grimly. "And you already know where."
Star's expression hardened instantly.
"…Japan."
She turned on her heel.
"Very well. I'll have the fastest jet prepared immediately."
She looked back at them.
"You'll reach Japan in thirty minutes."
Lu blinked. "That fast?"
"I'll personally have your belongings delivered later," Star continued. "Focus on the mission."
She checked the time.
"We leave in ten minutes."
—
Ten minutes later
The runway stretched endlessly beneath the night sky, floodlights illuminating the sleek silhouette of a jet waiting at the far end. Its engines hummed quietly, restrained power vibrating through the air.
Star and Stripe stood with Lu and Ciel near the boarding ramp, the wind tugging gently at their clothing.
"This jet will take you to Japan faster than anything else we have," Star said. "Do what needs to be done."
She paused.
"And protect the civilians."
Lu nodded firmly. "Always."
Star stepped closer to the aircraft.
"But before you go," she said, "there's one last thing."
She closed her eyes.
The air around her shifted.
When she opened them again, a faint golden glow shone within her pupils.
She placed one hand against the jet's hull.
"[This jet will deliver Luciela Elstein and Ciel Laurenfrost to Japan—without harm.]"
The words carried weight.
The jet glowed briefly, light racing across its surface before fading entirely.
Lu stared.
"…You really used your Quirk for this," she said.
Star nodded.
"To make sure you arrive before things escalate."
Her Quirk—New Order—was absolute. Whatever condition she declared upon an object she touched became law.
Ciel inclined his head respectfully.
"Thank you, Star."
Lu smiled. "Yeah. We owe you one."
Star returned the smile.
"Just come back alive."
Ciel turned toward the jet. "Lu. Let's go."
Lu followed without hesitation.
As the boarding ramp closed and the engines roared to life, Star and Stripe raised her hand in a firm salute.
The jet accelerated down the runway—then vanished into the night sky, streaking eastward toward Japan.
----------
Meanwhile, in Japan…
U.A. Academy — USJ (Unforeseen Simulation Joint)Central Plaza
From the quiet darkness of the American night to the harsh, sunlit afternoon of Japan, the world shifted—unaware that two distant threads were about to collide violently.
The Unforeseen Simulation Joint was meant to be a place of controlled danger.
A training ground.
A facility designed to simulate disasters so that future heroes could learn how to save lives under pressure.
But today—
It had become a battlefield.
The central plaza of the USJ was unrecognizable. The once-pristine concrete was shattered by massive craters, chunks of broken glass littered the ground like fallen stars, and twisted metal jutted out at unnatural angles. Smoke lingered in the air, carrying with it the stench of ozone, blood, and destruction.
Villains had appeared without warning.
Chaos followed.
And though the U.A. students had fought bravely—far beyond what should have been expected of them—the cost was written plainly across the plaza.
At the center of it all stood Yagi Toshinori.
All Might.
The Symbol of Peace.
His suit was torn and scorched, his muscular form heaving as he struggled to regulate his breathing. He hadn't even had time to change into his hero costume—he'd rushed here in civilian clothes the moment the alarm sounded.
Behind him stood four students.
Each of them shaken.
Each of them resolute.
Kirishima Eijiro stood first—shirtless, his red spiky hair matted with sweat and dust. His hardened skin had cracked in places, yet he clenched his fists without hesitation.
Beside him was Bakugo Katsuki, ash-blond hair wild, crimson eyes blazing with barely restrained fury. His black tank top was torn, his grenade-like gauntlets scarred and dented from battle.
Behind them stood Todoroki Shoto, his expression as blank as ever, though ice still coated his right arm, slowly melting in the afternoon heat. His mismatched hair fluttered lightly in the wind.
And beside him—
Midoriya Izuku.
Wearing his U.A. PE uniform, his body bore the unmistakable signs of overexertion. His right hand was shattered, wrapped hastily in cloth, trembling as he forced himself to remain standing. Sweat and pain streaked across his freckled face—but his eyes burned with determination.
Opposite them stood the architects of the chaos.
A tall figure wreathed in black mist—Kurogiri—his glowing yellow eyes fixed on All Might with eerie calm.
And beside him—
Shigaraki Tomura.
Ash-white hair hung messily around his face, his black clothing tattered and stained. Multiple hands clung grotesquely to his body—around his arms, across his torso, and one fixed disturbingly atop his head.
He was scratching at his neck violently.
Frustration.
Rage.
Unfiltered hatred.
Before him lay the defeated form of Nomu—the bioengineered weapon created for one purpose alone.
To kill All Might.
Yet against all odds, All Might still stood.
"T-That's cheating!!" Shigaraki screamed, clawing at his face. "Y-Y-You beat my Nomu! You weren't supposed to win!!"
All Might straightened despite the pain tearing through his body.
"Villain," he said firmly, "you underestimated the will of those who protect others."
Kurogiri stepped closer to Shigaraki.
"Tomura," he said calmly, though urgency bled into his voice. "You must calm yourself. Look closely—All Might is weakened. The Nomu fulfilled its role. We still have a chance."
He gestured subtly toward the students.
"They're frozen with fear. Time is still on our side."
Shigaraki's breathing slowed.
His lips curled into a twisted grin.
"Yeah… yeah… you're right…" he muttered. "We still have time."
He lifted his head, eyes burning.
"…And the big boss is right in front of us."
All Might's brows furrowed.
"What are you planning?" he demanded.
Shigaraki turned to Kurogiri.
"…I guess it's time to use it."
Kurogiri stiffened.
"Tomura—are you serious?" His voice cracked. "You were told to use that only as a last resort!"
Shigaraki stared at him coldly.
"We don't have a choice anymore."
He extended his hand.
"He said… this moment is when it matters."
"…Do it."
Kurogiri hesitated.
Then obeyed.
The black mist around him expanded violently, swelling until it towered like a massive gateway. From within it spilled a grotesque sight—
A mountain of jagged blue stones.
Each shard pulsed with dark black veins, emitting a suffocating, unnatural pressure that made the air feel thick and heavy.
The moment All Might saw them—
His blood ran cold.
"YOU FOOLS!!" he roared. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'RE DOING!?"
The students flinched.
"All Might—what is that!?" Kirishima shouted, his hardened body trembling despite himself.
All Might didn't take his eyes off the pile.
"…Boys," he said grimly, "do you remember the Moscow Massacre three years ago?"
Silence fell.
There was no way they didn't.
Images of devastation—burned cities, fallen heroes, endless casualties—flashed through their minds.
"That pile of blue stones," All Might continued, voice heavy with dread, "is the source of that destruction."
He turned sharply to the students.
"Kirishima-shounen! Bakugo-shounen! Todoroki-shounen! Midoriya-shounen!"
His voice boomed with authority.
"You must evacuate immediately! If what they're attempting is what I believe it to be… even I cannot protect all of you!"
Bakugo stepped forward.
"LIKE HELL I'M LEAVING YOU HERE ALONE!" he shouted. "I CAN HANDLE THEM!"
Kirishima cracked his knuckles.
"He's right! We're not backing down now!"
Todoroki's eyes never left Shigaraki.
"After fighting that Nomu," he said calmly, "you'll need help."
Midoriya clenched his shattered hand.
"We're staying," he said through gritted teeth.
All Might stared at them.
Then smiled.
"…Very well."
He turned back toward the villains.
"We must stop him from shattering those stones," he said. "If even one breaks… Japan will suffer the same fate as Russia."
Shigaraki laughed.
"THIS IS FOR NOMU!"
He raised his hand—
And brought it down.
A blue beam of light slammed into the ground between him and the stones.
The impact cracked the plaza.
From beneath the shattered concrete, glowing chains erupted—wrapping tightly around Shigaraki's arm, immobilizing his hand inches from the shards.
"What!?" Shigaraki screamed. "Kurogiri! Help me!"
He turned—
And froze.
Kurogiri was bound as well.
Chains wrapped around his misty form, suppressing his Quirk entirely.
"I—I can't!" Kurogiri cried. "I can't use my Quirk!"
The students stared in shock.
"What was that!?" Kirishima shouted.
Todoroki looked up.
"…Above us."
The glass dome shattered.
Hovering overhead was a sleek jet, its engines humming ominously.
All Might's eyes widened.
"…That jet."
He smiled faintly.
"I know that jet."
Two figures leapt from the craft.
They landed flawlessly.
A tall young man with navy-blue hair tied back, twin shotguns at his waist and a massive cross-shaped weapon bound to his back.
And beside him—
A young woman with long silver hair, blue horns, radiant wings, and eyes glowing with arcane power.
All Might felt the crushing weight lift from his chest.
We're safe.
"So this is where the surge was coming from," Ciel said calmly, brushing dust from his gloves.
Lu's eyes locked onto the pile of shards.
Her expression darkened.
"So many Henir shards…" she said quietly. "…gathered in one place."
Ciel's gaze sharpened.
"Looks like we found the culprit."
All Might stepped forward.
"Luciela-shoujo! Ciel-shounen!" he called out. "What are you two doing here!?"
Lu turned, smiling brightly.
"Star sent us!"
Ciel smirked faintly.
"…Been a while," he said. "You old goat."
The storm had arrived.
And Japan was no longer facing it alone.
Midoriya Izuku's breath caught in his throat.
The moment the two newcomers stood between All Might and the restrained villains, something clicked in his mind—files he had read late at night, archived footage he had watched in secret, discussions buried deep within hero forums that the Commission never officially acknowledged.
His eyes widened.
"All Might!" Midoriya shouted, instinctively stepping forward despite the pain screaming through his shattered right hand. "You know those two—wait… no, I recognize them. They're—"
He swallowed.
"They're the vigilantes from America."
The air shifted.
Kirishima stiffened, Bakugo's teeth snapped together, and Todoroki's stance subtly changed as his ice receded and heat gathered instead. Instinct took over where fear ended.
Before Midoriya could say another word, Bakugo lunged forward, palms already crackling with volatile sparks.
"Then why the hell are they standing here like they own the place?!" Bakugo roared. "Get out of the way—I'll blow them apart myself!"
"Enough."
All Might's voice boomed across the ruined plaza like a hammer striking steel.
The pressure behind that single word froze the three boys mid-motion. Bakugo skidded to a halt, his explosions sputtering into sparks of frustration.
"You three," All Might said, not turning around. "Do nothing."
Bakugo's eyes burned.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN DO NOTHING?!" he screamed. "They're vigilantes! Criminals! They operate outside the law—outside the system! They're no better than villains!"
His gaze snapped to Ciel.
"They deserve to die."
The temperature dropped.
Ciel's expression, which until now had been composed—cold, analytical—darkened into something far more dangerous. The casual slouch straightened. His hand moved with frightening calm.
Metal whispered.
In one smooth motion, Ciel drew one of his shotguns.
The click of the chamber locking echoed louder than any explosion.
Lu reacted instantly, stepping between Ciel and Bakugo, wings flaring slightly as she grabbed his arm.
"Ciel—don't," she whispered urgently. "Not here."
But Ciel's eyes never left Bakugo.
For a fraction of a second, killing intent flooded the space so thick it felt suffocating. Even Todoroki felt it—raw, honed, lethal. This was not the reckless fury of a villain. This was the controlled resolve of someone who had killed before and would do so again without hesitation.
All Might moved.
In a blur, he stepped between them, placing himself directly in Ciel's line of fire.
"Ciel-shounen," All Might said firmly. "This is not why you're here. You came to deal with the shards—nothing more."
The words struck home.
Ciel's grip tightened once… then loosened.
Slowly, deliberately, he lowered the shotgun and slid it back into its holster. His eyes flicked briefly to Lu, who gave a small nod of relief, before he turned away from the students entirely.
Bakugo stared, stunned—equal parts rage and disbelief churning in his chest.
"Why did you let them go?!" he yelled at All Might. "They almost killed me!"
"Because," All Might replied calmly, "they are the only ones here capable of stopping what's about to happen."
That silenced everyone.
Todoroki narrowed his eyes. "You're asking us to trust vigilantes. On what grounds?"
All Might didn't hesitate.
"They saved my life," he said. "More than once."
The words landed like a thunderclap.
Midoriya's jaw dropped.
"They… saved you?"
"Yes," All Might said quietly. "And they've done more to prevent mass casualties than most heroes ever will—whether the world wants to acknowledge it or not."
Even Kirishima faltered, his hardened fists relaxing slightly.
Bakugo clicked his tongue, furious—but for once, he had no words.
Lu and Ciel were already moving.
They approached Shigaraki and Kurogiri, who remained bound in glowing chains, Shigaraki twitching violently as his fingers clawed uselessly at the restraints.
Lu's gaze hardened when she saw the pile of Henir shards nearby—dozens of blue-black stones pulsing with malignant energy.
"Ciel," she said quietly. "This is bad."
"I know," he replied. "Way worse than we expected."
He turned his head slightly. "Lu, call Glaive. Now."
Lu nodded and reached into the air itself, retrieving a small, round black crystal no larger than a coin. Without hesitation, she crushed it in her palm.
The crystal shattered soundlessly—yet the space around them reacted.
All Might stiffened.
"Ciel-shounen," he started. "Did she just—"
"Relax, old goat," Ciel cut in. "She just called someone who can clean this mess up."
The air rippled.
A blue portal tore itself open in front of them, humming with power far beyond any quirk present. From within stepped a lone figure—tall, silver-haired, face hidden behind a black mask, draped in a long black robe fastened with ornate locks at the collar.
The man surveyed the scene calmly.
"I answered the call," he said evenly. "…and oh my. That is quite the collection."
Lu exhaled. "Glaive."
All Might's instincts screamed, but he held his ground.
Glaive raised one hand. A massive blue glyph unfolded beneath the Henir shards, intricate symbols spinning with impossible geometry.
One by one, the shards began to vanish—dissolving into light, erased from reality itself.
Shigaraki screamed.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he thrashed wildly. "STOP IT! THAT'S MINE!"
Ciel stepped closer, his eyes cold. "We're doing our job. And judging by how desperate you look, you know exactly what those shards can do."
Shigaraki's grin twitched—cracked.
"Once Glaive finishes," Ciel continued, "we're going to—"
BANG.
The sound was deafening.
A gunshot echoed through the USJ.
Time froze.
Ciel's eyes widened as he watched the Henir shard in Shigaraki's restrained hand shatter into fragments of blue-black light.
Lu gasped. "No—!"
All Might's blood ran cold.
Ciel turned sharply toward the source of the shot.
Standing atop a broken platform, rifle still smoking, was a man in a hero uniform.
"End of the line, villains!" Snipe shouted.
"I—Iida Tenya!" a voice rang out as another student rushed forward. "I've brought reinforcements! Everything is—"
"SNIPE YOU FOOL!" All Might roared.
It was too late.
The remaining shards began to react—resonating, cracking, screaming.
A massive dark-blue portal ripped open above the plaza.
Something roared from within.
ROOOOOAR.
Lu's concentration shattered. The chains restraining Shigaraki and Kurogiri vanished.
"Now!" Shigaraki screamed. "Kurogiri!"
The mist swelled, swallowing them whole.
And just like that—
They were gone.
The heroes stationed on the upper levels of the USJ watched in disbelief as the dark mist swallowed Shigaraki and Kurogiri, their forms vanishing into nothingness.
"They're getting away!" a voice barked.
Snipe, the pro hero clad in a cowboy hat, lowered his smoking rifle only for a moment before already stepping forward, urgency tightening his posture. The small animal perched on his shoulder—an unusual fusion of mouse, bear, and dog—twitched sharply, ears flattening.
"The villains escaped!" Snipe growled. "We need to pursue them immediately—"
"No."
The single word cut through the tension with surgical precision.
Snipe froze.
The chimera on his shoulder—Principal Nezu of U.A. High—had spoken, his beady eyes fixed not on the fleeing villains… but on the sky itself.
"We have a far greater problem," Nezu said calmly.
The heroes followed his gaze.
From the still-open portal above the USJ's central plaza, something emerged.
It was massive—towering over the shattered terrain like a malformed god. Its body was pitch black, yet traced with glowing blue lines that pulsed like veins beneath its surface. Multiple distorted arms jutted from its torso at unnatural angles, each one twitching and flexing as though testing the air. Its stomach was bound tightly by massive spectral chains, embedded so deeply into its flesh that they seemed fused with it.
The creature let out a low, resonant growl.
Ciel's jaw tightened.
"A Skin Splitter," he said flatly. "Fortunately… it's just one."
Lu nodded, wings flexing as she locked eyes with the monstrosity. "The portal was unstable."
As if responding to her words, the portal above them flickered violently before collapsing inward on itself, sealing shut with a thunderous implosion.
Ciel rolled his shoulders, adjusting his gloves. "Good. That makes our job easier."
Glaive stepped forward, silver hair swaying slightly as he studied the creature with detached focus. "I must return to the other side. The remaining shards are reacting to Henir's presence. If left unchecked, it could escalate further."
Lu turned to him without hesitation. "Go. We've got this."
Glaive inclined his head once. A portal opened behind him, and with one final glance at the battlefield, he vanished.
Above them, Snipe raised his rifle again—this time aiming directly at Ciel.
Before he could pull the trigger, a cane tapped gently against his wrist.
"Don't," Nezu said calmly.
Snipe looked down at the principal in disbelief. "Nezu, they're vigilantes. We can't just—"
"They were vigilantes," Nezu corrected. "Past tense."
Midnight, standing nearby in her unmistakably provocative costume, raised an eyebrow. "You're joking."
Nezu shook his head. "I received confirmation from the World Heroes Association earlier today. Lu, Ciel, and their allies have officially been recognized as heroes."
Silence fell.
Several heroes exchanged stunned looks.
"Seems," Nezu continued lightly, "that the world finally caught up to what they've been doing all along."
He turned his gaze to a tall hero in a white trench coat. "Ectoplasm. Begin evacuation immediately. Retrieve the students."
"Yes, sir."
In an instant, Ectoplasm multiplied, dozens of clones dispersing across the USJ. Two landed directly in front of Lu and Ciel.
"That chimera sent you?" Ciel asked bluntly.
"We're here to retrieve All Might and the students," one clone replied.
"Then hurry," Lu said sharply, eyes never leaving the Skin Splitter. "That thing's about to move."
The clone nodded, helping All Might to his feet as the second guided the students toward the upper levels.
The moment they turned away—
The Skin Splitter's massive arm rose.
"Not good!" Ciel barked. "Lu!"
"Ri—" Lu began—
"[TEMPEST STRIKE!!]"
A violent gust of wind tore through the plaza.
In the blink of an eye, a figure slammed into the Skin Splitter with overwhelming force, sending the massive creature crashing backward into the rubble.
Lu and Ciel didn't hesitate.
"[Spectral Chains]!!"
Ethereal bindings erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Skin Splitter's limbs, locking it in place—if only temporarily.
The one who had delivered the kick landed gracefully in front of them.
She had long yellow-green hair tied into a high ponytail, sharp green eyes, and long pointed ears. Black boots reached nearly to her knees, paired with a sleeveless green one-piece dress trimmed in black and white. A crossbow rested easily in her left hand, wind swirling faintly around her.
"So," she said brightly, "am I late for the party?"
Lu let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"No," Ciel replied, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Right on time, Rena."
Rena Erindel—one of Grand Chase's core members. Their unofficial big sister, regardless of age.
She turned to the two Ectoplasm clones, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Green symbols flared briefly, wind brushing past them.
"What was that?" one clone asked.
"Jump enhancement," Rena said casually. "You can leap straight to the entrance. But hurry—the effect won't last."
The clones exchanged a glance and nodded.
"What about you three?" the clone asked.
Ciel's gaze sharpened as the chains around the Skin Splitter began to crack. "We'll handle this. Go."
The clones launched upward, clearing the battlefield in a single bound.
"LUCIELA-SHOUJO! RENA-SHOUJO! CIEL-SHOUNEN!" All Might's voice echoed as he was carried away. "Be careful!"
The chains shattered.
The Skin Splitter roared as it rose to its full height, distorted arms slamming into the ground.
Lu ascended into the air, wings spread wide.
Rena twirled her crossbow as wind coiled around her.
Ciel chambered both shotguns, eyes locked on the target.
"Arms first," he said calmly. "Then the core."
Rena smirked. "Shall we dance?"
Ciel's smile turned feral.
"You read my mind."
And as the Skin Splitter charged—
The battle in the USJ has began.
To be continued...
A/N: This story will be uploaded irregularly, so I don't know when the fuck the next chapter will be as I will be too busy for my Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V: The Flame Monarch. And I will be re-hauling The Prodigy and the Band Girls as well, so that'll take some time. Anyways, I'm outta here.