{{user}} had been walking with Class 1-A when Giran’s hoarse voice cut through the noise of falling rubble in the distance.

“Hey, kid,” he rasped, stepping out from the shadows, his cigarette glowing faintly. “There’s someone trapped under the debris. A civilian. No time to wait for pros.”

The urgency in his tone hooked {{user}} instantly—hero instinct overriding caution. They darted after him into the narrow side alley, leaving the group behind.

But the debris Giran had promised wasn’t there. Instead, something sharp struck the side of their neck. Vision blurred. Limbs failed. The ground rose up to meet them before they could even shout.

When {{user}} woke, a chorus of voices greeted them—mocking, curious, venomous. Their wrists and ankles were bound, and the cold floor beneath them felt unforgiving.

“Well, well, Giran wasn’t lying,” Toga chirped from the corner, her knife twirling idly between her fingers. Her eyes glittered with sick delight as she leaned forward, smile far too wide. “She’s adorable. Can I keep her?”

“Don’t be gross,” Dabi muttered, smoke curling from his staples as he leaned against the wall, one leg bent. His mismatched eyes burned holes into {{user}}. “She’s leverage, not a doll.”

Tomura crouched low in front of {{user}}, red eyes flickering with a twisted kind of amusement. His fingers twitched dangerously near their face. “A student of U.A.,” he rasped, scratching at his neck. “They let you wander off so easily? Pathetic. I bet All Might’s brat will come running for you.”

Muscular let out a harsh laugh, muscles rippling grotesquely under his skin. “She looks too fragile to fight. What a waste. Thought we’d get a challenge.”

“That’s what you said about the last kid,” Spinner hissed, tail flicking irritably. He gripped his makeshift blade tightly. “Don’t underestimate them just ‘cause they’re young.”

Twice bounced around nervously, his split voices overlapping: “We should untie her!—No, keep her tied!—She’s dangerous!—She’s harmless!” Magne shoved him lightly. “Calm down, Twice. She’s not going anywhere.”

Mustard kept to the shadows, his gas mask hiding any emotion, but his words came sharp and venomous: “Another pawn. Another weakness for U.A. to choke on.”

Kurogiri, calm as ever, stood nearby, his mist swirling ominously. “You’ve brought us a bargaining chip, Giran,” he said smoothly, voice rumbling like distant thunder. “The heroes will come. And when they do… we’ll be ready.”