? Benevolence ?

The bus drops us off, leaving immediately after. Iida begins to lead the way farther inside when Shoji speaks up suddenly.

"Wait. I smell something... Gasoline?"

Kaminari looks around. "Maybe there's a fake pileup in there, for training pu-"

He's cut off by a shrill scream in the distance. It's quickly followed by several more and my blood runs cold. We take off towards the cries and the smell of gasoline only grows stronger.

"What the hell...?"

Everyone skids to a stop as we come across a clearing in the city. It's filled with rubble and a pit lies in the center. Above it, a large cage rests on a small, unstable platform. The distant screams are now all too clear.

I'm dumbfounded to see everyone's terrified parents in the cage. I instinctively seek out my mother but I can't find her. Around me, everyone calls out to their family member. Moving closer to the pit, we find the source of the smell...

It's filled with gasoline.

"Where the hell is Aizawa sensei?!"

A cool, mechanical voice rings out at the question. The tone carried a sense of hostility.

"Aizawa is down for a nap.
A nice dirt nap."

Taking a step back from the pit, I glance around nervously for the source of the voice.

"A dirt nap...?"

"Aizawa sensei's dead...?"

An uncharacteristic scoff escapes me before I can even think to hold it back. There's no way sensei would die that easily. The rest of the class seems to be in the same boat as they hurl responses to the disembodied voice.

"Calm yourselves. You are free to think this is a joke, but be aware that there are hostages in play."

Everyone scans the area, trying to find the hidden assailant when Shoji speaks up again. "Not here. The voice is coming from the cage."

"Inside the..."

"Correct. I am in here with them." A dark figure approaches the bars and the parents flinch back. He's tall, dressed in a black mask, cape, and cowl. My heart skips a beat.

Iida pulls out his phone to call the authorities when the villain shakes his head.

"I should mention now that contacting your school or the authorities is not permitted. Ah, and I'm afraid that Denki's quirk cannot help you either."

My eyes narrow.

Somehow, whoever this is, knows about all of us and what our quirks are. Part of me is hoping this is a test. The rest of me knows I can't ride on that being true; stakes are too high.

The man continues.

"Fleeing or seeking outside help is also forbidden. Attempt to run, and it will be your parents that pay the price."

At his words, the parents begin to panic and I feel a sick feeling at the lack of my mother's presence. Maybe she just got called into work or-

I'm pulled from my thoughts at the sound of the man speaking.

"I flunked out of U.A. High. Gaining entry in the hopes of becoming a hero was all I ever had. That an excellent specimen such as myself failed is proof enough that this world is cruel and misaligned. Imagine that. Me, a drop out? However, if left to your own devices, only the brightest futures await you children. That is why-"